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Atticus looked at her and nodded, he could see she was in pain, so he carefully picked her up 'bridal' style. And he stepped out of the van.

Heather whimpered and pressed her cheek against Atticus's chest, her bruises throbbed, and there was a cut trailing down her shoulder from where Tommy had scratched her.

Nate looked at them and stumbled back a bit when they came out. Atticus gave him a nodded and Nate knew what he meant, he hurried back to the dark camero and opened the doors then scrambled into the backseat. Atticus came walking slowly to the car looking down at Heather with loving, sympathetic eyes.

Heather was still crying, but only silently now. She wiggled out of Atticus's grasp, wanting no pity, and folded herself into the car. Heather shut the door and pulled her knees to her chest.

Atticus got in the drivers seat and started the car. All kinds of strange gadgets came on when the car started, screen lit up, and the beeps of devices starting sounded. Atticus ignored them though, he just backed up the car and started to drive steadily back to his apartment.

Nate tried not to look at them, he wrote in his journal again.

Heather sifted through all of her thoughts as they drove home. What'd be best for her. The best option would be to get rid of Atticus. Heather looked over at him, she could never do that, Heather was sure that she was in love with him. But, she was tired of living in fear. Heather shivered, a flash of Tommy's eyes darting up and down her body darting in front of her eyes. She trailed her fingers across the glass, trying to forget, but failing and only calling the memories right back.

After Atticus had told him the story, of why these guys wanted Heather, Nate new that Heather's options where... but Nate knew alot about the gangs of New York. He blinked and started scribbling something in his journal.

They got home and all piled out. Nate hurried off to the apartment, writing while he walked. Atticus stopped and helped Heather out, he was terrified that she would leave him... but he knew she'd be safer that way,

Heather got out of the car numbly, not saying a word. Tears dripped from her cheeks and she sniffled and wiped her nose.

Atticus wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, as they walked slowly up to the apartment, not once did he leave her side.

Once everyone was in the apartment, Heather slowly locked the door, then dropped to her knees. She stuffed her face in her hands and started sobbing again, a little louder than she had before. A wet nose snuffled in her ear and Heather flinched to see Scout wagging his tail and demanding attention.

Heather looked at the dog, her eyes red, her face heavily bruised. She wrapped her arms around the dogs thick neck and burried her face in it's fur. Heather began to sob again.

Atticus watched her with teary blue eyes, he blinked and rage got the better of him. He grabbed his gun from it's holster and stormed toward the balcony knowing he could get down and go find these guys.

"Atticus!" Nate growled grabbing his arm and making him turn to look at him.

"Let me go." Atticus demanded.

"No... Attie you can't do this... they'd hurt her again if you go out and do something stupid... and get caught... No you need my help!" he proposed with a smile.

"What?"

"I'm a 'Master Thief', I'm good at scheming and figuring things out.... Gimme a chance... you need to take out these guys slowly... let me figure this out, you need to be with Heather..."

Atticus would've protested with him but when he mentioned Heather, Atticus blinked at him.

"You need to be the strong one, cause she can't be... and if you go out and get killed..."

Atticus nodded slowly and set his gun back down. Then he walked over to Heather, kneeled down next to her, and wrapped his arm around her. Nate darted up the stairs, with his journal and his laptop.

Heather released Scout and grabbed onto Atticus, hugging him tightly and keeping her eyes closed tightly.

“It hurts, Atticus. Everything hurts…” She said in a broken voice.

Atticus wrapped her in his arms and kissed her head, "I'm so sorry Heather... I shoulda' got to you sooner..." he whispered, just wanting to hold onto her, so he knew she was safe.

Heather ran a hand through her hair and rested that hand over her eyes, "I was scared, and he kept hitting me-" Heather was caught off by a storm of sobs.

Atticus sighed and pulled her against his chest, hugging he tightly. Why couldn't he have got to her sooner? Why couldn't Tommy, that b*stard... why couldn't he have stayed... Atticus wouldn't hesitate to kill him... Was she going to leave him... to make her life easier? Suddenly a thought entered his head "Heather... this isn't going to happen again... I... I'm gonna give up being, Ghost..." he forced himself to say. He would do anything to keep her safe.