Castle's partner

I Know

Ross pov

I've come to terms with the fact that there is no way to get evidence of my rape now. All the DNA is gone.

"Ryan what happens if there's not enough evidence? He's gonna go free. Both of them are. All we have is my word and a fingerprint."

"We'll figure it out."

He hugs me before picking me up and putting me in my wheelchair again.

I wince as he sets me down.

"Are you-"

"No I'm not ok. I want to go home." I interrupt him, knowing what he's going to ask.

He nods.

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I lay in my bed, pulling the covers on top of me. I know it's early but I don't care. These weeks of exhaustion are starting to take a toll on me.

I'm asleep before Ryan even walks in to ask if I want him to stay.

I open my eyes, and someone opens Ryan's front door.

It's Brandon.

He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door.

"No! Ryan don't let him take me!"
I scream at the top of my lungs, fighting to get away.

I pull my arm out of his grip and run, but he gets me too quickly.

He wraps his arms around me, pinning mine to my sides and I try to move in any direction away from him. But I can't.

"Ryan help please! Please, I need you." I sob.

And he turns his back on me.

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Ryan pov

I walk into Samantha's room to ask her if she wants me to stay.

I walk in and she's asleep, on her side facing the wall like she always does. The blankets are pulled up to her shoulders and her hair falls neatly on top.

She jerks, her arm flying up and covering her face.
It looks like she's fighting someone.

"No Ryan don't let them take me!" She screams.

She beats her fists against the air, and tears start streaming down her face.

"Ryan help please! Please, I need you."

I bend down and hug her, stroking her hair.

She screams and I feel her body go rigid meaning she's awake.

Her cries are awful, and I know they can only be the work of her imagination forming a nightmare.

"Hey I'm right here. Samantha look at me." I take her chin in between my thumb and index and guide her face towards mine.

Her dark brown eyes slowly move until they are looking at me.

"What happened?"

She pulls away from me.

"What's wrong?"

Her lip quivers. "You turned your back on me. He tried to take me and you didn't stop him."

"You know I wouldn't do that. You know I'd do anything for you."

She raises her hand, and I brace for impact, expecting her to hit me.

But she doesn't.

Instead, she places her hand on my chest where my heart is.

My heartbeat is steady against her palm, and I know that's what she wants to feel.

I see her body relax, her shoulders dropping and her fist unclenching.

She throws her arms around me so swiftly she almost knocks me over.

I know this is her way of saying she loves me. She told me it's hard for her to say it out loud.

I wrap my arms around her.

"What was that?" I ask.

"I wanted to know you were here to protect me. Are you?"

"Always."

She nods against me.

"Thank you Uncle Ryan."

We let go.

"That was a really quickly on-set nightmare."

"I know. It was just an off day that's all."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Go be with Jenny."

"Ok. I love you."

"I know." She smiles. "I know."