Hero?

8

"Ana, you have to speak. The judge gave me custody, but if you don't start speaking they're going to put you in a special ward for children with problems and they won't let me see you anymore. If you speak then you talk to the judge and then you'll be able to come home with me. Come on Ana, please speak." Damon is desperate, it's been more than a month since Ana was traumatized at her foster parent's house.

"Scott, was found guilty of one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, and beating to death of the other little girl. He's in jail for the rest of his life since he was tried as an adult. They have to keep him in solitary, because they are afraid that he'll be killed if he goes into general population. And he will be Ana, I've put a contract out on him. The money is waiting for whoever takes  the job and completes it."

Still Ana doesn't show any notice that she heard.

"Mr. Phoenix, I'm sorry, but visiting hours are now over. You'll need to leave now." A nurse says softly. She doesn't like it when they get children in that are broken. Damon has been a devoted visitor coming almost every day and she's happy to see it. She hates to make him leave, but she has to follow the rules.

Damon nods and makes to stand, Ana grabs his hand, "Don't go."

The nurse's eyes go wide and a smile breaks out. "I think that for today an exception can be made." Damon smiles his thanks at her as she runs off to tell the doctor about what happened.

"Ana, if you want to get out of here, you're going to have to talk to the doctor when he comes okay?"

"I don't want to stay here, Damon. I want to go with you." Ana holds to his hand tightly and fights the tears. "I don't like it here. When I have my nightmares they just give me some medicine that makes me sleep. It makes the nightmares worse."

"If you talk to me a bit, young lady, I'll release you tomorrow." A kindly doctor says as he comes into the room. "I'll need to talk to you without this young man present."

Ana looks at Damon with fear. "I'll watch you through the window, okay?"

Ana isn't happy but nods.

Ana sits nervously by Damon's side. The doctor wants her to be in a wheelchair for a bit longer, but she doesn't really need it. But when the judge comes in she's glad that she has the excuse of being in a wheelchair, so she doesn't have to stand.

"Well, it's been nearly a year. Mr. Phoenix, you made your case and won. Before I give you custody of Miss Young, I wish to speak to her without your presence."

Ana, didn't realize that she'd have to talk to the judge alone. She starts shaking and watches the judge with wide frightened eyes.

"Your honor, she was severely traumatized by the son of the sheriff with the sheriff watching and doing nothing. She doesn't trust and is terrified by your request. At this point I don't think she could speak to save her life." Damon's lawyer speaks up and draws the judge's attention to Ana.

"Mr. Phoenix, you will remain in this courtroom, but I will require you to be by the doors as I talk to Miss Young." The judge looks at Ana with compassion, he has a granddaughter about her age.

"See if you can calm her down any and then bring her to me." Damon nods at his instructions and holds Ana close to him until he feels her shaking stop.

"Do you think you can talk to the judge now? When he's done we'll go to lunch, just you and me okay?" Damon cajoles the frightened girl.

"You won't leave me?" Ana asks in a frightened whisper.

"Never, Little One. Not until you tell me to leave, " Ana nods and Damon sets her back into her chair and wheels her over to the judge before lifting her up into the witness stand.

He takes himself to the doors of the courtroom and waits for the judge to finish questioning Ana.

"Miss Young do you still wish to be under Mr. Phoenix's custody?"

"Yes, more than anything." Ana has a hard time making her voice heard and has to repeat herself more than once.

"Why is that, Miss Young?"

"He'll protect me. I'll be safe with him." Ana is determined to make sure the judge understands that.

"Why do you think that?" The judge pushes, but tries not to push the fragile girl too hard.

"He saved my life when the house burned down. He saved me from the sheriff's son. He's the only one that has ever protected or tried to protect me. I'm safe with him."

With no physical evidence to the contrary the judge has to agree with her and reluctantly orders her custody to be given to Damon effective immediately.

Ana is shaking again when Damon gets her down from the witness stand. As soon as they can Damon gets them out of the courtroom and into his car.

After lunch Damon brings her to his real home. Her eyes get wide as she takes in the huge house. Mansion actually, she starts shaking once more. Damon looks at her in concern. "What is it Little One?"

"This house is so big, I'm going to get lost in it," Ana whispers scared.

"I have lots of people to help you if you ever get lost, Ana. Every one is happy to have you here." Damon says calming her, or at least trying to.

Ana just looks at him steadily, "We both know how your men feel about me."

"Ana, believe me, my men are thrilled you are here now. I want you to think of what you want to do for your birthday." Damon says trying to side track her and it works.

She looks at him in confusion, "My birthday? It's not for several months."

Damon turns to her and shakes his head. "You were out of it for a long time, Ana. Your birthday is in a few days. Next week actually. It's been nearly a year since we first met." Since the fire he means, but they both understand.

"I've never celebrated my birthday. There's no reason to celebrate it this year." Ana tells Damon shrugging.

"Last year there was nothing I could do, but this year onward we'll be celebrating your birthday. Think about what you want to do, okay?" Damon says caressing her cheek and lifting her out of the vehicle.

Damon takes Ana directly to her room. "This will be your room for as long as you stay with me, Ana. These doors connect to my room, if you ever get scared or need me just come on in. I won't keep them locked."

Ana looks at Damon, "What about when you bring your female friends home? I don't think either of you would appreciate me coming in like that."

Damon shakes his head. Ana is always saying something to remind him just how sharp she is. "Very well, I'll keep it locked when I have company that I don't wish to be interrupted with. Fair enough? Then when I send them home I'll unlock the door and open it so you can come in."

"I get really bad nightmares Damon," Ana warns.

"I know. That's why I had the doors put in, other wise your room, like mine, would be sound proof." Damon kneels in front of Ana. "I want you to feel comfortable enough with me to get me if you need me no matter the hour. Okay?"

"Okay." Ana looks at him again, "Why are you doing this Damon? I've caused you a lot of trouble."

Damon smiles sadly, "I'll tell you when you get older." Then he gets up off the floor. "And for your information, my men are happy you are here. It means that I'm in a much better mood than I was before."