charmed_slayers

[torturedslayer]

Julie:After a couple hours I woke up. The day was not wasted after all and apparently Groo took my advice. I even found his note.

Note from Groo"My sweet Julie, I have taken your advice and have sought out Angel. Please, do not hesitate to contact me if you desire, I am certain he will tire of my company before long. I love you, Groo"

Craig: It was a late day today. I did manage to squeeze in a lecture to Miranda about following Julie. But she seemed to be alright and not too badly shaken up. She said she would save me some dinner if I wasn't home in time.

Julie:I smiled and wrote him a note. One that told him I needed to go for a walk to stretch and I would be back later. I then took a shower and though it was hard picked something to wear and then headed to do something insane.

Craig: I continued to work, doing paperwork and patient consultations.

Julie:I grabbed his card and left not even telling Edward where I was going. I didn't forget to take some money from the envelope that Giles left for me. I figured this was important. I took a cab, which nearly killed me with the fear but he got me to the office building next to the hospital. I was so scared, but I couldn't stop now.

Craig: I just got out of another patient consultation. This one was going to need surgery. I called the hospital and scheduled a time for Wednesday morning. Then I had my secretary tell the patient the time.

Julie:I took a deep breath and walked in to the office.

Marsha: "May I help you ma'am? Are you lost?"

Julie: "No, thank you, I...I need to speak to Dr Gordon."

Marsha: "Ma'am, I am sorry, he is out with patients."

Julie:"Then please call him and tell him when he is finished his step daughter is waiting." I said this as my whole body trembled.

Craig: I heard the secretary talking to someone. She sounded confused, something about a stepdaughter...oh God...I walked out. "It's alright, this is Julie, Marsha. My stepdaughter. I'll tell you later. "Come on into my office, Julie. It's right back this way." I motioned with my hand. I was so happy to see her.

Julie:I stood there frozen. "I don't think this was a good idea."

Craig: "No, no sweetie, it's okay. I can come out there, if you want." I said, not wanting to scare her off.

Julie:"I..It isn't that." I said softly

Marsha: "Dr Gordon, do I need to call someone?"

Julie:the nurse asked. Most likely wanting to call security

Craig:"No, absolutely not. She's okay. What do you want me to do, Julie?" My eyes pleaded with her.

Julie:"M...Make the fear and terror go away." I asked pleadingly

Marsha: "Dr Gordon?"

Craig:"She's fine, Marsha. Julie, I wish I could do that for you. Please, come into my office so we can talk."

Julie:"Tell me I won't be hurt." I whisper my legs nearly buckling.

Marsha: "I think I need to call someone." I felt like there was more to this then I knew.

Craig: "No, Marsha." I told her. I walked out to where Julie was. "You won't be hurt. Ever again."

Julie:"O..Ok" I whisper as I let him lead me in.

Craig: I gave Marsha a look that said call security and you're fired, and then led Julie into my office, closing the door. "Why don't you sit down, okay? Can I get you anything to drink or eat?"

Julie:I shake my head frantically "I..I can't." I said as I curled up.

Marsha: I decided I would listen for a while. I hit the intercom button and muted my end so I could listen.

Craig: "Okay. That's okay. Talk to me, sweetie. I'm here to listen."

Julie:"I ..I don't know why I am here." I said as my head rested on the arm of the couch.

Craig: "I'm glad you're here, even if I don't know why. They why is not important, just that you're here."

Julie:I get down on my knees and move over to him. "I..I could just go back to what I know."

Craig: I was shocked. I knelt down. "No, Julie. No. Not that. Not ever again. Okay? I would never ask or want you to do that."

Julie:"I am the best." I whispered snapping back into my routine.

Craig: "No, you are a girl that needs a loving home, you will never have to do what he made you do ever again."

Julie:I melt back sitting in my heels. "Sorry."

Craig: "It's okay, sweetie. I know it's going to take time, and we have all the time in the world."

Julie:I leaned against him. "Ok" I whispered as I listened to his heart beat.

Craig: I slowly put my arms around her. "Okay."

Julie:"What is it like?" I asked

Craig: "What is what like?"

Julie:"Family...you know, the kind that doesn't sell you daily?"

Craig: "It's wonderful...it's people loving each other, helping each other out, putting up with each other. It's not perfect, but it's family. You can, I mean you do have that, when you're ready."

Julie:I shake my head "They won't want me." I said meaning the kids. I didn't want to ruin their lives

Craig: "Yes they will. They ask about you everyday. Carly's alway's wanted a big sister. And the boys are so curious about you. They will love you because that's what families do, love each other."

Julie:"You won't hate me if I say I don't believe you will you?"

Craig: "No, I realize it's going to take time. And I know it's true. You'll see."

Julie:"How will I see if I can't even go there?"

Craig: "One day, you will. And then you will see."
Julie:"I guess." I whisper

Craig: "Don't be so hard on yourself, Julie. Give yourself time. You've got more time than you know what to do with. Trust me, things will get better."

Julie:"I..I want to though, I am just scared." I said "What if they meet me and hate me?"

Craig: "They will not hate you. They're really curious about you, and Carly's worried about you, but none of them hate you now, nor will they when they meet you."

Marsha: I listened. Maybe he wasn't insane, maybe this was his step daughter. Why hadn't he mentioned her before?

Julie:"I..I guess." I said softly. "D...Do they understand that I won't move in?"

Craig: "We've explained that you're a young adult, and so therefore, you won't live with us full time. But you'll visit, at least we hope so."

Julie:"A...And they won't be jealous...or hate me?"

Craig: "No. It's new to them and kind of scary, but they see how happy it makes their mother. We all like to see her happy. And Carly's excited about having a big sister.”

Julie:"A...Are you going anytime soon?" I asked after a deep breath.

Craig: "I'm almost done here. I have a few more consultations...I can have Miranda come get you, if you want. Or, I can see what I can do to get out of here early..."

Marsha: I couldn't take this anymore, I think tears even fell as I listened to her fear of being rejected. "Dr Gordon, your day is done..." I said sniffly through the intercom.

Craig: I pushed the button. "Have you been listening in on us, Marsha?" I said, pretending to be mad even though I really wasn't.

Marsha: "I...I'm sorry Dr, I couldn't help myself." I said as I peeked in the office.

Julie:I suddenly grew nervous, my body shaking. "Y..You won't tell anyone anything will you?"

Marsha: "No dear, I won't." I said softly "Now take her home."

Craig: "Okay. Thank you, Marsha." I turned to Julie. "Come on Sweetie. It's okay." I reminded myself to give Marsha a raise.

Marsha:"Have a Nice evening sir." This also worked out for me, I would have the rest of the day to relax.

Julie:"I...I won't be hurt?" I asked just needing confirmation as I clung to him.

Craig: "No, you will never be hurt again." I told her as I led her out of the office.

Julie:I nervously leaned on him and followed...or more like he pushed me along with him.

Craig: I brought her out to my car and opened the door, letting her get in. Then I got in and started to drive us home.

Julie:I curled up in the floor board, it was habit, I was supposed to keep out of sight.

Craig: "Julie, what are you doing?" I said, confused and concerned.

Julie:I didn't even realize what I was doing until he asked. "Oh..umm...habit." I said unmoving

Craig: "You don't have to sit there, Julie. You can sit on the seat." I hated her father even more. I just knew he was the one that made her do this.

Julie:I shrug "Its ok...it is where I belong, unseen."

Craig: I pulled the car over to the side of the road. "Julie, that was in the past. Now, I want you to be seen. You deserve to sit on the seat. Please. You are, even though you're not blood, you're my daughter and I'm proud of that and I love you. I don't ever want to hide you."

Julie:tears fell. At first when he pulled the car over I thought I was in trouble, but then he said that. I nervously and slowly moved up in the seat.

Craig: I smiled. "Good. See, isn't this a better view of the world?" I started the car again and we headed towards the house.

Julie:I prayed that he didn't make me regret this then I started to panic. "I..I just left, Groo and Edward will be worried"

Craig: "We'll call them and let them know you're okay. Or you can, if you want." I took out my cellphone. "You know how to use one of these?"

Julie:"G..Groo has one." I said "I..Its just like a regular phone."

Craig: "Right. Go ahead, call them, sweetie."

Julie:"T...Thank you." I took the phone and dialed it nervously. I was so scared he would yell. Groo answered and didn't sound mad. "G..Groo."

Craig: She called Groo first. I just wished she didn't sound so scared. I wish I could bring her father back to life so I could kill him myself for making her this way.

Julie:"I...I went to see Craig...he is driving me to his house...unless you don't want me to, I..I could come back home."

Craig: I didn't really think he'd have a problem with me taking her to the house, but I didn't say anything.

Julie:"Y..You aren't mad...won't punish me?" I asked so used to it up until now.

Craig: I would kill him myself if he laid a hand on her. I didn't think he was that type of man, though. He better not be, for his own sake.

Julie:"Don't be proud..." I whispered "I don't deserve that."

Craig: "Yes, you do." I said, unable to sit silently anymore.

Julie:I jumped forgetting I was in the car with him. "S..Sorry."

Craig: I smiled. "It's okay, sweetie, I'm sorry I startled you.”

Julie:"I..I was talking to Craig." I said softly "I..I don't need you to come...I..I shouldn't have called, just didn't want you to worry. Thanks..bye." I said and quickly hung up my whole body shaking.

Craig: "I can take you home, if you want. If this is too much, I don't want to overload you." I hated to see her shaking like this.

Julie:"H..He won't let me run away forever, might as well get it over with now." I said a little more blunt then I meant

Craig: "You didn't run away from him. He understands that we're going to be a big part of your life, Julie. He's not your father. Neither is Edward or I. We won't ever treat you the way he did."

Julie:"Doesn't mean I won't keep getting hurt." I said before I thought about it.

Craig: I looked ahead at the road. We were almost there. "Life is full of pain and you've had more than your fair share, Julie. I'd say it's time you had some hurt free life. That's what we're offering you."

Julie:"It may be, but it doesn't mean I won't be hurt again..." I said again "Its my stupid destiny."

Craig: "No, it's not. Your destiny was altered the moment you were rescued. Now, you are destined to be a girl who has a loving family and friends around her, a girl who has the life she deserves full of love and happiness."

Julie:"No...It isn't that kind..I mean Oh hell." I whisper "I should have just kept my mouth shut."

Craig: "Why don't we talk about later, okay?" I said I pulled up to the house."Look, we're here."

Julie:I stopped him "D..Don't tell her what I said...she will only freak and demand I tell her."

Craig: "Just relax, okay? I won't tell her what you said, I promise."

Julie:"Thank you." I said softly

Craig: "You're welcome." I said, then got out and opened the door for her. "Alright...let's go inside."

Julie:"I..I don't know" I said as I didn't move from the car. "T...They won't hate me?"

Craig: "They won't hate you, I promise. You can trust me." I held out my hand for her.

Julie:"Y..You won't hurt me if I do something wrong?"

Craig: "I will never hurt you, even if you do something wrong." I said, my hand still out.

Julie:I took a deep breath "O..Ok" I whispered as I got out clinging to his hand.

Craig: "Good, that's good." I said, as I led her up the walk to the front door. "We are all so happy to have you here right now, Julie."

Julie:"Y..You don't know that." I whispered "They could tell me to leave."

Craig: "I know my family and they won't do that." I told her as I got my keys out to unlock the door.

Carly:I heard daddy's keys in the door. "DADDY'S HOME!" I yelled, getting up and running to the door.

Julie:I heard her yell and stepped back my fear flowing.

Miranda:"Daddy's home early..." I said, concerned. I went with Carly to the front door.

Craig: "It's okay. Carly tends to be a loud, boisterous child. Don't let that scare you, sweetie."

Julie:I still backed away. I...was so scared.

Carly:I got the door and opened it for daddy. I saw him and that girl, Julie, there. "Daddy! You brought Julie home with you!"

Craig: "Julie, please, honey, don't be scared. It's okay." I said, trying to get her to come in.

Julie:I looked back contemplating running away.

Miranda:Julie, did I hear that Julie was here? I rushed to the door and there she was. "Julie! You came to our house! Please, sweetheart, come inside. It's okay, really."

Carly:"You can come in and play with me in my room. If you want."

Julie:It was all too much. I turned and took a step to run, but something stopped me. Tears fell.

Craig: "Don't go, please, Julie. It's alright."

Carly:"Please don't go. I've always wanted a big sister."

Julie:"I can't do this..its all too much." I said

Miranda:I felt myself get sad again. So close, but so far away. "Sorry, sweetheart. We didn't mean to overwhelm you again. Carly, go see what your brothers are doing."

Carly:"But mom..." She gave me a look. "Okay...bye, Julie." I said, walking away.

Craig: "Why don't I drive you home, Julie." I told her.

Julie:I was frozen in place my back still to them as tears fell. "I..I'm sorry I am so weak."

Miranda:"It's okay, Julie. Next time, maybe you'll come inside. We'll be here, we always are. And you're worth the wait."

Craig: "I really wish you'd stay...you could meet your brothers, have dinner with us...I mean they're just in there." I hated to see her give up so fast.

Julie:"I..I can't eat." I whisper. "I..I could come in though."

Miranda:"Only if you want to, sweetheart." I told her, not wanting to push.

Craig: I offered my hand to her again. "Then come in."

Julie:"B..But I can't eat..." I said again stressing that.

Miranda:"That's okay, you don't have to eat. Just come inside."

Julie:"O...Ok" I said still unable to move.

Craig: "Remember, you can trust me." I said, my hand still out. "Please."

Craig: I walked over to her and guided her into the house. "If you can't handle this, tell me, and I'll take you home."

Julie:"T..Thank you." I said "one question...what does it mean to play? I mean I know some meanings, but Carly asked me to play in her room..."

Miranda:"She meant with her toys. Playing is having fun. Pretending to be different things. Dressing up in funny clothes, things like that. At least that's Carly likes to do."

Julie:I smile a bit. "O ok."

Craig: "She loves to play." I said. "She will wear you out with the playing, believe me. She has energy to spare." I said with a smile as we entered the house."

Julie:"I..I get it." I whispered.

Miranda:I walked ahead of them. "I'm so glad your'e here, Julie. The kids are just in here, doing homework."

Julie:"I...I should go then" I said not wanting to disturb them.

Craig: "No, it's okay. They should be almost done. Don't worry about it."

Miranda:"Yeah, they could use a break anyway. It's okay, really."

Dax:I heard that as they were walking in. "Really? We never get a break."

Cole:"Yeah, it's usually homework until dinner. Oh." I said, looking up and seeing Julie. "So...this is Julie? Our sister?"

Carly:"You didn't leave!" I said getting up. "Yeah, who else would she be, Cole." I said as I walked over to Julie. "Can I give you a hug?"

Craig: "Sweetie, now might not be a good time for a hug." I said, looking at Julie. "She likes to hug everybody."

Julie:"I...I...I guess" I whisper shaking "Though...I might hurt you."

Carly:"You won't hurt me." I said, then I gave a her a hug. "I just felt like you needed a hug."

Dax:"She's a hugaholic." I laughed. "And...well, hi. I'm Dax. And that's Cole."