together we will be unbroken

Ashley's pov.
"Dude where are you going?" Jake asks, not looking up from the TV.

"I'm getting a drink." I walk up the stairs. I've been so stressed out lately. Laci is driving me insane. I want to be with her but I don't want to hurt her. It's killing me to see her everyday, and not be holding her in my arms. I don't think she would want that though, and that's fine. I mean she seems pretty happy without me so...

Is she still out there?I walk by the windows that show the porch, and there she is, laying on the porch. How long has she been out there? Should I go to her? It can't hurt. I walk out the door. Something is wrong... "Laci?" She doesn't respond. "Lace..." I walk over to her, and see that she is unconscious. "Oh my god!" I pick her up bridal style and run her up to the room that Andy and I have been sharing.

Okay, okay get her warm. I take off her combat boots, and put her under some blankets. That's not going to be good enough. I catch a glimpse of the bath tub out of the corner of my eye. I suppose if I keep her head above the water... I start the hot water and wait for the tub to fill up. I touch her face, it's as cold as ice. Oh my god I hope she wakes up.

I check the water level, and it's about halfway. I suppose that's better than this... I pick her up, and carry her into the bathroom. I pull her shirt over her head and what I see confuses me. There is an ace bandage on her shoulder and stomach, and gauze wrapped around her wrist. I think I should take these off. I'll wait until she's in the water though. I take off the rest of her clothes, and place her into the hot water.

What are those bandages for? I begin unwrapping the on on her shoulder. My stomach clenches when I get it off. Her shoulder is covered in a huge, dark bruise. What happened? I start unwrapping the one on her stomach and my stomach clenches again. Her stomach is covered in bruises. The one on her ribs is the worst. Are those burns on her thighs? Oh she wouldn't would she? I look at the gauze on her wrist. No... No she wouldn't, she's happy. I take a deep breath and peal off the bandages. Tears well up in my eyes. Why would she do this to herself? I don't understand.

Anywhere that isn't tattooed is covered in red, angry cuts. I thought she was doing okay? I look at her beautiful face. Wait, her eyes look kind of swollen. I walk over to the sink and grab the package of cleansing wipes. Maybe everything is fine, she's just tired. I start wiping her face, and underneath the make-up there are lots of bruises, cuts, and scars? Her eyes and nose look like her shoulder. I work my way down her face, to her neck. There are... finger marks on them...

Who did this to her? Rage fills my body. Who would hurt her. She is one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted people I know. Her eyes flutter open. "What..."

"Hey." I say gently.

"Where am I? Why am I so cold?" she asks weakly.

"You passed out on the porch, and I brought you inside to warm up." I'm doing my best to keep my voice under control.

"Ashley... I'm really cold."

I sigh, and take off my clothes. "Here, sit up." She does, and I sit behind her. I wrap my arms around her, being mindful of her shoulder, and pull her close. She is still really cold. She rests her head on my collarbone, and closes her eyes. "No, no open your eyes Hun."

"Okay..." Her voice is really weak, and she's shivering. I'll ask her about all of the injuries later. I hum an old Garth Brooks song to her.

"Ashley."

"Yes?"

"You're making it really hard to keep my eyes open." She laughs weakly.

"Sorry." I smile.

"I'm really tired." She yawns.

"I know, I know. Do you want to go to bed?" She nods. "Alright let's go." I lift her up, and dry her off. "Do you mind wearing some of my clothes?" She shakes her head no. "Theses might be pretty big." I put a pair of my sweats on her, a long sleeve shirt, and my hustler sweatshirt. I carry her to her room, and tuck her into bed.

"Stay..." She looks at me with her hypnotizingly beautiful eyes.How could I say no?

"Of course, my Rose." I climb into her bed, pull her close, and watch her drift off to sleep.

Notes