Never Stop . . . Never Stop Fighting (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty Three

This chapter has been a long time coming. I know you guys love this story and I do too, but writer's block was really kicking my ass with this one. This chapter took a lot of nurturing to come to fruition and I hope that you guys enjoy it. I will be working on the next chapter soon, and I'm sorry that this took so long. - Mich

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Ann took a deep breath as her leg refused to stop bouncing. After breakfast, the precinct had called, asking both her and Tom to come in and answer a few questions about the break in. She could feel her phone buzz in her jean pocket, but didn't move, afraid to do so. Why did they have to separate Tom and I? I hate this... and I hate this room.

There was a knock on the door before it opened slowly. "Miss Upton?" the young officer asked.

"Yes?" Ann answered, looking towards the young woman that had entered the room. "That's me."

The officer stepped into the room, closing the door behind her and stepping up to the table across from Ann. "I am Officer Johnson," she introduced, "I just have a few quick questions we need to ask you, and then you will be on your way, is that okay?"

Ann reluctantly nodded. "Uh, sure. I'm not hiding anything."

"We're not saying you are, ma'am," she assured as she took a seat opposite Ann. "It's just routine questions to try to get an idea of the timeline of events is all."

"Okay," Ann replied as she fiddled with her fingers. "What would you like to know?"

"Let's keep it simple, and start from the beginning. When you left your home, everything was in order, correct?"

Ann nodded. "Yes. Tom and I left to stay at my family's vacation spot for The Fourth."

"That sounds like a nice getaway for you two. Do you remember when you left?" the officer asked, trying to keep things light.

"Last week," she answered. "Tom had extra time off from work and decided to join me."

"That must have been nice for him," Officer Johnson said with a smile. "So you two spent about a week away from the house?"

Ann nodded. "Yes, we were with my family for The Fourth of July."

She nodded, "Nice way to spend the holiday." The officer jotted down a few notes on the pad in front of her. "When you left for the vacation, were the doors and windows all closed and locked? That you remember at least."

"Yes," Ann affirmed. "I always double check when I'm going to be gone for a longer period of time."

"That's a good habit to be in," Johnson smiled. "Can you think of anyone that might have had access to the house? Anyone that might have a spare key, or code to get in?"

"I changed the locks after the restraining order, but my mom has a key," she answered easily.

"Would she have given a copy to anyone that you can think of?"

Ann quickly shook her head. "No, not without my permission. To be honest with you, the only person I can think of that would do this is my ex."

"Is that the same person you have the restraining order on?"

"Yes," she answered. "John."

The officer wrote down the name on her pad, so she could look into the man later. "Can you tell me the reason for the restraining order?"

"Physical harassment, verbal abuse, and instability," she answered softly. "He likes to drink too much."

Johnson nodded. "I'm very sorry to hear you had to go through that," she said sympathetically. "Have you or Tom seen him since the order was put into place?"