I've Got You

Part 2

When Sweet Pea was through with them, Lonnie and Madden were tossed out back. Hog Eye handed him a bar towel to wipe his bloody hands on. He had managed to take his shirt off in the heat of the fight. Sweets never enjoyed the constraints of any fabric against his straining muscles. FP tossed it to him as he made his way over. "Feel better?" he asked clapping a hand to his shoulder.

He shrugged nonchalantly, but his crooked grin gave him away making the former Serpent King laugh. "Loads. They had it coming."

"Sweets!" Toni shouted from the top of the stairs. He turned on the spot tensing instantly from the intensity in her voice. "Get up here!"

FP motioned for him to go. He wrangled his shirt haphazardly over his head, taking the steps two at a time. He heard the screams from the other side of the door along with the gentle shushing from Toni. "PLEASE! Just let me go!"

He raced in, grabbing her thrashing arms and holding them firmly over her head. "Callie, come on..." Toni was at a loss. "Pea, she just woke up like this. If she doesn't calm down, she'll pop those stitches."

Calloway fought against his hold desperately, eyes wild and nostrils flared. "Look at me, Callie," he pleaded as Toni tried to still her legs kicking under him. He grunted with effort surprised at the fight left in her despite her injuries.

"No!" she cried out. "I don't want this. I didn't ask for this!" Sweet Pea and Toni exchanged a grim look. They recalled Dr. Ellis' suspicions- terrified that he might have been right. Sweet Pea knew that what Toni said was true. If Callie didn't snap out of this and quick, she'd be in worse shape than she started out in.

"Calloway Camden, look at me right now!" he raised his voice using a little more force to restrain her arms. Slowly, she stopped her frantic movements. Her eyes finally stilled on his face. "Pea," she choked out. Sweet Pea released his grip on her arms, moving his palms to the bed on either side of her face.

"I'm right here." Nothing could have prepared him for the leap in his chest when her breaths started to hitch. He scrambled to hold her, pulling her securely into his side and rubbing soothing circles on her arm. Toni remained stock still at the foot of the bed, watching the scene with awe. She couldn't remember ever seeing Sweet Pea this compassionate.

"They hurt me, Sweet Pea. They hurt me, and I thought they'd never stop," she sobbed breaking his heart in the process. He gently brushed his aching knuckles along the soft lines of her cheek.

"I know, angel. I'm so sorry. You're safe now. You're here with me," he murmured. Her hands gripped his forearms as if at any moment he'd be gone again. Callie flinched when Toni reached out a hand to pat her leg. "Hey, it's just Toni. Do you trust me?" She nodded weakly. "Good. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again, Callie, I swear."

Her gaze shifted to Toni and her eyes widened with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-".

Toni held up her hand in reply and smiled. "Don't sweat it. I'm gonna go, though. See you guys tomorrow. Callie smiled at her and Sweet Pea followed suit. The girl still wrapped in his arms was sinking deeper into the warmth of his chest. He dragged his hands lazily up the length of her arm until she was almost out. "I've missed you," she mumbled falling back to sleep.

Sweet Pea smiled pressing his chin softly into her the crown of her head. "I've missed you too." The sweet smell of her shampoo took him back to the first time they met a little over ten years ago.