Is This Love?

You What?! 2

Casey's POV

I woke up in a small room, it was still dark, but there was a small lamp off to the side that was left on. I tried to get up, but was stopped by an immense pain in my side. I couldn't stop the strangled gasp that left my lips. I soon heard footsteps and before I knew what was happening I was enveloped in a pair of arms. I was lifted into a sitting position at the back of the bed. "I'm so glad you're okay.  I-I... was afraid that I- that you had died." I recognized the owner of the voice immediately. "Jeff?! What are you doing here? Where am I? There were tears in his eyes.

Jeff's POV

When I had brought Casey home she finally passed out. I was frantic, I didn't know what to do. The thought of losing her... I bandaged her up as fast as I could. Luckily I had studied to become a doctor before I came here. She had been passed out in my bed for about a week ad a half now, and I was worried she might not wake up. I refused to leave her side as long as she was asleep. I had to be there to protect her. It was my fault she was in this mess to begin with. I should have found a way to keep her out of that house. I had always seen the bruises on her neck, and the scars on her wrists. She would always try to hide them but I noticed. The thought that all her pain came from her very own father filled me with a burning hatred for him. I wanted to destroy that man. I had never felt more grateful, nor have I felt more protective of someone in my life than the moment she opened her eyes. Her voice was hoarse from lack of use but I loved it all the more anyway. "Jeff?! What are you doing here? Where am I?" She asked. "Uuuhh..." Oh shit! What am I supposed to tell her?!- Yeah I just followed you home when you screamed and I punched your dads lights out when I found you on the floor bleeding out?! Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! " I uh was walking over to your house to talk to you when I heard you scream. I found you on the floor of your house with 4 broken ribs, and your left arm was broken as well.  I uh did the best I could but as you can see I'm no professional. We should probably get you to a proper hospital tho-" "N-NO! We don't need to do that! I can take care of myself. I always have."  She said. I don't think she knows that I heard that last part. My heart broke for her as she said it. "Well we need to get you some better care. I'm not exactly that great at resetting bones." I said. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of them. These aren't the first broken bones I've had to deal with." She said a little quietly. She groaned as she sat up further. "It uh would be easier with your help though, since I have uh only one arm. heh" She let out an uncomfortable laugh. "Sure ok what can I do?" "Well before we start I have to warn you, this is going to be a loud and difficult process." I would do anything for you. I thought.

~time skip~

With every scream of agonizing pain she let out my hatred for the man who dared to call himself her father grew even greater. I wanted to make him pay for every ounce of pain he made Casey feel, I wanted him to die a very, very slow death; And now I find out that this isn't the first time he has left her in this state?! I couldn't even describe the absolute rage building within me. It threatened to burst every second I thought about it.

Casey's POV

I was pretty sore but at least I could move around freely as of today, though Jeff constantly insisted that I rest and heal. I saw him in the kitchen preparing something for dinner, as I went to get a glass of water. He's been letting me stay at his place while I heal, actually he was pretty adamant about it come to think about it. Heh. Jeff noticed me going to the fridge. "Hey, whatcha doin up? You really need to rest, all this moving around is going to slow the healing process." He's been so particular about what all I did and didn't do lately. "I'm just getting some water. You really shouldn't worry so much, it'll give you wrinkles." I laughed at that statement. "You've got to remember that this isn't the first time I've dealt with this. I know how to cope, though this is the first time I had some one to help me through it... thank you for that." He froze at that statement. He was refusing to look at me as he gripped the knife in his hands. "How... could you ask me to do something like that? How can I not worry about you... after you... after you nearly died?! " He began to cry. "When I...I couldn't..." I walked over to him and quickly embraced him. "I am fine, and I will be fine. I am SAFE because of YOU. Don't you ever forget that." He looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite distinguish. "I need you to tell me something... and please don't lie." This sparked my curiosity. "Ok." I said cautiously. "You made mention that this wasn't the first time this had happened, just... how many times have you been 'abused' like this?" I was shocked at this question. How am I supposed to tell him?! I thought. tears threatened to spill over as I thought of the answer. Why does he even want to know? I was so afraid of what he might think of me. I just couldn't hold it in anymore, the tears came and wouldn't stop. It was his turn to wrap me in the warmth of his strong arms. He smelled of a fresh forest rain. Even his scent comforted me. As I began to hug him back I realized... the very guy I've liked for forever now is letting me stay at his home, is caring for me, cooking for me, and has his arms currently wrapped around me. I stopped crying as I felt my face grow hot. He looked at me. "That bad huh?" He embraced me once more only this time he proceeded to carry me bridal style to the bedroom and sat me on the bed. We sat for a while in a comfortable silence. I could tell he had something on his mind. "Casey... I have something I need to tell you." He took a deep breath. He seemed nervous. "Ever since I first saw you I thought there was something different about you. You carried yourself differently from everyone else, and I don't mean hiding from your pain. You are a strong woman. I love everything about you, how you dress, how you act. I love your voice, even your scent. I loved how you'd always stare at me even though you thought I didn't notice. Heheh." I blushed. "I love you, with all my heart and soul, but more importantly I need to know if you feel the same way. Do...do you love me?"