To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

You Weren't There

A/N: ⬆⬆⬆Watch this for some SERIOUS Haleb feels :) Also... I just noticed that this story has just passed 500 views! I know it might not seem much but I didn't expect to get 10 so thank you all!

Caleb's POV...

"Oh, Han." I knelt next to her and put my hand on her cheek, she was red hot and her eyes where heavy and tired. "Let me see." I pulled up her jumper slightly so her pale stomach was shown. There were already black bruises forming in her delicate skin. She looked down at it and a tear ran down her cheek.

"I was so scared Caleb." She whispered.

"I'm so sorry, princess. This is all my fault." And it was. All my fault. I agreed to let her look after her mom and I should have stayed, too. With or without Toby. But then again, I promised Hanna that I'd look after her friends too. But I would sacrifice anything and anyone to stop Hanna from getting hurt. And she knows that I know she's terrified of it. And so am I. The lengths I would go to protect her are scary. But everything has a dark side to it, even love.

She just silently cried, it had been fifteen minutes now. Toby and Spencer had left, Toby saying he's absolutely fine and that he's sorry he couldn't help Hanna. Hanna didn't say anything. She just cried.

"Hanna, baby you need to get up so we can get you cleaned up and in bed." I told her. She slowly looked up at me, pain and fear stricken in her eyes. That makes my heart break.

"No. No I can't it hurts Caleb." She was barely able to speak.

"I know it does but I promise you, you'll feel better once your in your bed and in comfy clothes. Just trust me, okay?" She nodded. "I'm gonna pick you up and your just gonna relax. If you tense up it'll hurt more. Ready?" She nodded again, but this time more hesitantly. I used one arm to lift near the top of her back and the other to lift her knees. She winced in pain as I stood up. I began walking towards the stairs when Hanna buried her head in my chest.

"When did you learn that, anyway? About not tensing up?" She mumbled into my chest. I thought the least she was doing was actually listening to me when I said that but I just went along with it,

"Well, some of us actually pay attention in first aid class." I said. I thought maybe one of my snarky comments that only Hanna finds amusing might actually work... But clearly I was wrong as she didn't react.

Once we reached her bed, I lay her down on her back and began undressing her. I knew she wouldn't mind. She was in too much pain to mind. I didn't take her bra and underwear off; I thought she'd have at least a bit of pride, even around me. I quickly ran into the bathroom and got some cream from the cabinet. Hanna said she practically lived on this stuff when she got ran over. I ran back in and began applying it to her bruises gently, being extremely careful not to put to much pressure on her. She's in enough pain as it is.

Once I had finished putting the cream on, I put it on her bedside table and went to her chest of drawers. I pulled out the middle drawer and got out her favourite fluffy pajamas and fluffy socks, which I bought for her along with various other gifts on her last birthday.

"Do you want me to help you or do you want to do it yourself?" I asked soothingly when I turned around. She was still in the same spot as when I left her.

"I can't do it myself." She whispered. Maybe speaking hurts?

"Okay, here." I set the clothes on the bed and reluctantly helped her sit up. When she did, I slowly pulled the top over her head. She could barely lift her arms, too. Then, I lay her back down and pulled the pants over her legs, followed by the socks. "Do you need anything?" I asked. She didn't reply. I continued to kneel next to her and brush the hair away from her face. We stayed like that for about ten minutes until she finally spoke.