Travis & Ezra

I called the authorities and told them what had happened. They told me to stay on the line, so I walked to the open front door, watching as Travis hit him again and again. The lady on the line asked me what was going on and I couldn't help but smile a little. "My husband is just showing Mr. Jaxon what happens when people break into the house and threaten me. The police should probably hurry. I don't think he's going to stop anytime soon." 

The authorities finally showed and I stepped away from Amos so they could do their business and take him away. I looked over and Ezra was standing there smiling a little "If I didn't know any better I'd say you enjoyed that." I said, teasing her a little as I walked up to her. "Are you alright?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay," I said and sobered, not saying anything for a minute. "Thank you for coming home," I whispered.

Ezra

"You're welcome. I'm sorry that I left this morning...after I got to work I decided to just come back. I'm glad I did."

"Me too," I whispered and tried to blink back the tears that were forming. "I... I didn't know... what he was... gonna do... I was afraid..." I let my sentence hang and bit my lip.

Ezra

I didn't know what to do. I felt like hugging her though. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and assure her that she was safe now. "He won't be a problem anymore. I'll talk to Tywin about him."

I nodded again. "Thank you," I whispered. "He's the reason I had a miscarriage... before," I blurted out, not looking at him. "I don't think that would... be in my file."

Ezra

I felt my blood run cold. "Are you serious?"

I nodded and blinked back more tears. "When he found out... I was with his son... he had me arrested... They threw me in prison and... a bunch of guards... They beat and raped me... for hours... I don't know how long... It was so bad... I lost the baby I was carrying... Then the next day... they took me back to my district and... I was publicly whipped... in front of my entire family... my friends... and it was televised... They had a tv screen up and... I had to watch while... while they whipped Caleb too." I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks but I didn't even try to stop them. What was the point, I knew they would just keep coming. I'd never talked about this with anyone, and I hadn't expected the amount of shame that was rolling through me right now.

"That's why you didn't want to get in the cart, isn't it? I knew you'd spent a little time in prison but I didn't...know the details." I looked back behind me as they put Amos in the car and started driving away. "I should have just killed him then. Next time, that's exactly what I'll do." I looked back at her and realized that I really...really hated seeing her cry. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."

I nodded and wiped at my tears. "Thanks. I'm... I'm gonna go... back inside now," I said, my voice a bit choked. I couldn't look at him. I didn't want to see the anger and pity in his eyes... I couldn't deal with it right now.

I followed her into the house "Ezra, wait."

I stopped and kept my back to him, wrapping my arms around myself. "Yeah?"

I gently turned her around to face me and pulled her close, putting my arms around her. "It's alright to be upset."

I stiffened at first, then allowed him to wrap his arms tighter around me, laying my head on his chest. It felt so good to just be held by someone... I nodded then leaned into him more. My tears soaked into his shirt but he didn't seem to care.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you again. I swear."

"I believe you," I whispered. And I did. He'd already protected me once. I knew without a doubt he would do it again. I couldn't have said why, but I knew that he would.
 

"Good." I really meant what I was telling her and that in itself was a shock to me. She was getting to me...fuck. I couldn't let that happen, not with her still in love Caleb. "Did the ginger ale and crackers help?"

I nodded. "Yeah, they did. I'm actually a little hungry now."

Ezra

"Would you like anything in particular?"

"I kind of... want french toast. And maybe some sausage. If that's okay?" 

"Yeah, that's fine. Like I said, anything you want." Reluctantly, I let her go. I reached up and wiped her eyes with my thumbs.

I blinked a few times. That had been unexpected. "Thanks," I said softly. "I'm sorry... I got your shirt all wet."

"It's just a shirt, it'll dry."

"I know. I just..." I shrugged. "I don't know. Felt like I had to apologize I guess."