I Can't Live Without You (Jessie J)

Chapter 2

-Danny POV-

Hair and make-up took nearly no time so I made my way back to Jessie's dressing room.  I couldn't help myself.  I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame and I was okay with that.  I adored everything about her.  Her eyes, her laugh, her smile...  Her smile alone was enough to light up an entire room.  I just wish I could have gotten to her before Jared but as long as she's happy then so am I.  I would rather settle for being her friend than nothing at all.  

As I made my way down the hall I noticed the door was open so I just let myself in.  The first thing I saw was Jessie's face in the mirror absent of her usual cover of make-up.  I let out an involuntary gasp.  Her eyes were sunken with dark rings around them and there was a black green bruise covering her cheekbone.  Her eyes snapped up to mine instantly.

"Jess! What's happened to your face?"

Her eyes widened and I saw the tell-tale sheen of tears threatening to spill over as she struggled for words.

"I-er.. I tripped the other day and landed against the counter..."  Bullshit.

"Jessie, you're lying.  You've always been a shit liar."  She let out a loud sigh and I noticed her make-up artist nodding to herself as she covered Jessie's face again.  Something was up.

"Danny can we talk about this later please?  I can't do this right now."

"All right, Jess but please talk to me after the show?"  I had to get to the bottom of this.  It hurt me knowing something was wrong and I would do whatever I had to in order to fix it.

She nodded and with that we were called to begin filming.

-Jessie POV-

After filming I went straight to my dressing room.  Things were awkward between me and Danny throughout filming and that was the last thing I wanted to happen.  I knew I would have to tell Danny the truth and I was dreading it.  I laid across the couch and curled up into a ball.  I was hoping this would all turn out to be a bad dream but I knew better.  I lived in a giant nightmare and there was no way out.

I must have fallen asleep because next thing I knew I was being shaken awake.  I jumped slightly and my eyes shot open but I soon realized it was Danny.  

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."  He ran his fingers gently through my hair and his voice instantly relaxed me.  I slowly sat up and he sat down beside me holding on to my hand.  He ran his thumb softly across my knuckles.

"Jess, you know you can tell me anything.  I know something's wrong.  Just let me try to help you.  Please?"  I lowered my gaze instantly as the inevitable subject was brought up again.

"That's the thing, Danny.  You can't help me.  No one can..."

"Please just let me try?  I can't stand seeing you hurt.  It's killing me."  That did it.  I just broke down into tears.  I felt my chest tighten painfully and I struggled to breathe as the sobs broke through.  Danny instantly pulled me into him and stroked my hair whispering into my ear that it would be okay.  It wasn't going to be okay.

He held onto me for a long time as I clung tightly to him as if my llife depended on it.  I cried and cried.  It's like all the pain that I'd felt within the last year was being unleashed all at once and in a way, it felt nice to let it out.  Before long, I was able to speak.

"Dan..if I tell you please promise you won't get mad."  

"I'm not promising anything Jessica.  Please tell me what's happening.  It hurts knowing someone has taken that beautiful smile off your face."  I flinched as he used my full name.

I let out a sigh.  I really hoped Danny wouldn't overreact.

"It's...it's Jared.  We moved in together about a year ago and he had started to get... violent."

I began to tell him everything.  How my life was like a living Hell.  I told him about how Jared constantly beats me.  Sometimes with his hands, sometimes with whatever he has in his hands.  I showed him the bruises that were normally hidden by shirts and long sleeves.  Some of them were faded and some were fresh and almost bloody looking.  I told him about the several occasions when Jared would grab me by my hair and throw me down the stairs.  The day he threw me against the wall and broke my ribs.  I still had scars from that.  I even told him about how our relationship had become purely physical.  Sex was hardly consensual for me anymore.

I managed to stay calm throughout all of this but I noticed the emotion building up steadily in Danny.  He pulled me into his arms again.  This time more gently.

"Jess...why haven't you told anyone?  Gone to the police?!  You don't deserve to be treated like that.  That bastard deserves to be behind bars!"  I flinched as Danny's voice rose to almost a yell.

"Danny you don't understand.  He'll kill me if I try anything."  I started to panic.  "Danny you can't tell anyone!  Please!  He'll kill me. I know he will!"  The painful sobs started up again and Danny tried his best to calm me down.  He lightly ran his fingers up and down my back.  

"I won't tell anyone, Jess.  I promise.  But please promise me you'll try to think of a way to get away from him.  And please if he hurts you promise you'll come to me?"  I nodded and pulled away.  I really needed to get home to make dinner.  Jared wouldn't be happy if his dinner was late.

"It's getting late Danny, I really need to go." I stood up and he followed suit.  He immediately pulled me in for a hug once again.

"Okay.  I'll see you tomorrow, Jess.  Please remember I'm just a text or a phone call away."  

"All right, Dan.  See you tomorrow."

I made my way out to my car and sorted out my make-up before driving home.  It felt nice letting everything out today but that feeling would only be temporary.  I was home too soon for my liking and went inside to start cooking.  Thankfully, Jared wasn't home yet.  I made steaks with a side of vegetables for us.  Hopefully he would like it.

I had plated everything up and was sitting at the table waiting for Jared.  I wasn't allowed to eat before him so I had to wait.  I was absolutely starving.  Jared would only let me have one meal a day so this would be it for me.  He says he doesn't want me losing my figure.

I soon heard a car pull up and the door opened.  I immediately plastered a smile to my face and stood up to meet him at the door.

"Hi, Jared.  How was your day?"  I leaned in and kissed him as per the routine.

"Hmm well it was fine until now.  What have you done with your make-up, Jessica?  I know you can do better than that."  I was used to these kinds of comments by now.

"Yes.  Sorry.  I've made dinner.  It's on the table."

"Well hopefully you've done something right today." 

I followed him to the table and sat down as I waited for him to take the first bite.  I held my breath as he chewed, hoping he would like it.  Suddenly he stopped.

"Jessica look what you've done now!  It's overcooked!"  He quickly stood up and grabbed his chair, throwing it across the room.

Shit.

Author's Note- Thanks for reading :)  I'll post chapter 3 when I get more comments. Any ideas are welcome!