"Good evening folks, we received an unusual call from this address, is everything ok?" The first officer out of his car asks, stepping up my walkway. 

"I was just trying to leave," I say trying to step closer to him but Eric holds me fast. The officer notices and I can see the other one grab for his radio but I don't hear what he says, the street is starting to spin and I feel a cold sweat starting on top of my head. Before I can say more I feel myself start to fall and everything is black. 

When I open my eyes again I'm in a hospital, there's a nurse gently calling my name. 

"What happened?" I ask her trying to cover my eyes. 

"Well you passed out and it took a little longer then we would like to get your blood pressure back up, the police brought you in with a man claiming to be your husband but given an emergency call was made just before you fainted we haven't allowed him to come in yet. The police are in the hall if you feel up to talking with them." She says while filling a cup with water for me and turning down the bright lights. 

I allow the police in and give them the run down of my past 2 days. I tell them I don't want to see him and they agree that's probably best. They can't arrest him because he didn't do anything illegal but they will file a report and leave me info if I would like to pursue an order of protection. 

When they asked if I had anyone to call and somewhere safe to go I immediately thought of Chris. 

"I do have someone I can call, do you know where my phone is?" I ask them. After fishing it out of my purse that was thankfully brought in with me I call Chris. 

"Hey how did it go?" He asks before I can even say hello. 

"Not great, I'm at South General Hospital," I say and close my eyes. 

Ms Racheal flashes through my mind. I really hope we're still speaking tomorrow after she reads what Chris gave her tonight. 

"What the hell Larkin what happened?! Did he touch you?! I'm on my way," he growls into the phone. 

"Wait Chris what about the boys? I don't want them to come up here and see me like this, and he's here somewhere they just won't let him in my room." I protest, this is such a mess!

"Don't worry about the boys, I will make sure they're safe. I'm coming." With that he hangs up and I look over at the police officer.

"I have someone coming up here that I can go home with." I share with him.

He nods and tells me that Eric will be at the police station for the rest of the night as they file the report, suggesting that would be a good time to go grab some things from the house. I couldn't agree more. 

About 25 minutes later there is commotion in the hall and I can see the nurses head toward the door to check it out. They still aren't allowing just anyone into my room yet. 

"Larkin Anders!!" I hear a frantic voice yelling. "I know she was brought in here she called!" 

Wait, is that Ms Racheal!? I sat up straighter and slightly panic, I thought only Chris was coming?? 

The nurses look toward me and ask if I want to see her. I can hear Chris as well asking for me. He's my ride home and I need to know about Connor and Noah. I nod a yes to allow them in and hold my breath waiting to see Ms Racheal. 

She enters the room and her eyes find mine running with tears. Relief fills me as a sob escapes me. She closes the distance between her and my bed in a few strides and hugs me. Really hugs me.

"She insisted on coming when I asked her to watch the boys," Chris says, "she was waiting to talk to you until tomorrow like you asked but..." 

"But I can't let you go through this without me" she finishes for him and holds me tighter. 

"My dad is at my house with them." Chris tells me over her shoulder. 

"I don't want to get in the middle of you and Hope" I start to blubber through my crying but she shhhes me. 

"Don't worry about that right now, let's just get you settled and safe. You're still my Larkin too." She finishes kissing my forehead. 

With a ride confirmed and a safe place to go for the night there was no longer any reason to keep me here. While being wheeled down the hospital corridor toward the elevators, Eric was brought out of a side room also heading toward a different set of elevators. He wasn't in handcuffs or anything but he was with the same 2 officers from my front yard so I released the breath I had been holding. 

"This is stupid Larkin you know I'm not dangerous to you," he calls to me from where he's waiting. I don't answer him so he continues. 

"You can go with Ms Racheal tonight but you'll be back with me soon where you belong." 

"Ok let's go," the officer holding his elbow says, pulling him into the elevator. Eric stares at me until the doors close. 

Chris wheels me into our elevator when it arrives and he and Ms Racheal both agree it's a good idea to let him think I'm at her house for the time being. 

"You and the boys are staying with me." Chris says with no room for debate. Well ok then. 

"Thank you," I say to Chris, "thank you both for coming down here, I'm sorry to drag you into this shit show. I need to grab some things so we can be out of there for a while," I say looking back at Chris, "the police said he would be at the station all night so now's as good a time as any." 

"I'll go," Ms Racheal offers "what do you need for the next week?" 

"Clothes for all 3 of us, bathroom toiletries and the boys backpacks for school Monday." Thank God it's Friday I think to myself. 

Once we're down at Chris's car he helps get me into the front seat and buckles my seatbelt careful of Vivienne. As he pulls back from me a look passes between us that catches me by surprise, I feel like there was a moment between us in the elevator...this is different however. There's a look of longing I think? But just as fast it's gone and he just smiles his handsome smile at me. 

"Lets grab something to eat on the way home, I'm starving so I know you are. In the mood for anything particular?" He asks as he buckles his own seatbelt. 

I looked over at Chris like I'm just seeing him for the first time. He's been amazing since I told him about Eric and Hope and things just seem to be getting crazier. I haven't forgotten that it's his sister involved and he may be feeling things in his own right. 

"Are you doing ok?" I ask him, "this has been a heck of a day." He reaches over and grabs my hand where it rests on my thigh. 

"This is nothing," he says waving his other hand in the air "there is no place I'd rather be sweet cheeks," he says with a wink. 

"I mean it Chris, be serious." 

"Ok seriously, it has been a lot you're right. But I know how you can make it up to me," he says, his face devoid of any humor now.

"How?" I ask desperately. 

"Star Trek" he deadpans. 

"Ok sure we can watch it," I say, rolling my eyes and laughing. 

"All 3...." I drop the smile. 

"Chris! That's a lot of sci-fi," I whine, if I understood them better I'm sure I would like it more but I just don't. Too many weird names and strange storylines to follow. Still he doesn't wavier, barely even blinks. 

"Can we spread them out at least?" I ask knowing I'm going to watch these movies regardless of what he says, I would probably do anything for him at this point. 

"Of course we can," he says, squeezing my hand and chuckling. "We have an exciting week ahead of us!" 

While I don't know how much fun this week will actually be, I do know at this moment I'm in the best place for me. The boys and I are safe for right now and that's enough for tonight. 

I lean back in the seat and close my eyes for the rest of the drive.