Epilogue

One year Later...

You laugh loudly and Jc can't help the smile twitching at his lips. Even in his bad mood she could make him feel so much better. She was so young and even through everything she went through, she was still so full of life. They weren't surprised when Jc found Justin with another girl only a few weeks later. He told the record company that he needed some help but never let them in on the full details. They trusted him though, put Justin in some serious therapy. Jc threatened the company and it felt so good. He would never let them take advantage of him again. It was a long road to recovery but Justin was soon back to normal. It's been almost two years since he saw him like that. So loving, so happy... So human again.

He notices you stop so suddenly and he was immediately at your side. "Laurie? Laurie hunny what's wrong?" Your eyes glaze over as you stare out the window. He turns to look at what you're staring at and swallows hard.

"I can't," you whisper. "I can't do it Jc. You told me I wouldn't have to. You told me I wouldn't have to see him... I can't... I can't..." He grabs your face, one hand on each side and forces you to look at him, ignoring the doorbell.

"Shhh... Come on Laurie... Calm down ok?" It takes you a while to calm down but you're soon thinking again. "Go upstairs ok? Justin-" He stops when he sees you flinch at the name. "He's just here to drop some stuff off ok? About the tour. You remember right?" You nod. "Go upstairs." You hurry away and Jc gets up to answer the door. He doesn't see you as you crouch at the top of the stairs.

Justin enters the room and carefully looks around. "Is she... Is she here?"

Jc smiles slightly. "No, she went upstairs."

He sighs and sits down, his head in his hands. "I can't believe this. I don't know what to do Jc. I'm just so... scared all the time. I'm so sorry. So sorry. I helped all those other girls you know. Tried my best to get them back on their feet. I feel so horrible. I don't deserve all this. I don't. I'm just so sorry..."

Jc puts his hand on his younger band mates shoulder. "I know Justin. I just... I don't know what to say. I can't keep her you know. She's going to have to... Go back."

Justin's head shoots up. "You can't do that Jc. She lived on the streets. She was all alone. That's why I took her. She was so alone. With no one to take care of her. No one to make sure she was safe, no one to-"

He holds a hand up to stop his speaking. "Not like that Justin. I found a lot. Her birth certificate, parent's names, everything. I told her a few days ago and she's scared but... I know who she is and I can't just... keep her. I know you don't remember but her family is gone. She doesn't have anyone to take care of her. I'll still be there for her, but someone is going to start looking for this girl. The police are going to catch on. She'll never be alone. She can stay here I just... Have to be careful."

"Yeah but she's so young! She can't live out there! You can't leave her Jc."

"I'm not going to! She's probably going to stay with me... I just don't know yet. I'll work it out. Maybe I can adopt her or something. It's not like I can't. I have the money for it."

He laughs bitterly. "It's amazing what you can do with money."

Jc seems to ignore the comment. "I have a private tutor with her now and she's made an amazing amount of progress. She's even got a few friends around the neighborhood. I really think she is going to be alright."

Justin nods. "Ok C." He leans back in his seat and is quiet for a while. "When can I see her?"

"I don't know if-" He stops when he sees you slowly coming down the stairs. Justin stands up and looks frantically at Jc. You're still scared to death of the man but you know you have to face your fears eventually. You take the long way around the room to stand behind Jc, peaking out slightly. You watch him from your position behind Jc, his eyes wide as he shifts nervously. He winces when he fully sees the scars he gave you.

"K-Kayla," he says. You look up at Jc who grins reassuringly.

"Her name is Laurie Justin. That's her real name." Justin looks unsure but steps forward, his head cocked to the side as if seeing you for the first time.

"Laurie," he repeats. He's not as horrible as you feared. Maybe he has changed. You look back at Jc who gently pushes you forward. You cautiously approach him, fear amazingly pushed aside. You don't know why you're not freaked out but with Jc there, you feel safe. You swallow hard and with three simple words, you change his life.

"I forgive you." His face goes blank and he blinks at you a few times, stuttering slightly.

"You what?"

You shrink back, you bravery ebbing away. "I said I-I forgive you," you whisper once more. He smiles and you can tell he's confused.

"I'm so sorry K... Laurie. So sorry." You nod and bite your lip, squeezing Jc's hand. "I just don't get it. How can you forgive me just like that? How can you not hate me? With everything I did... How can you...?" he trails off.

You shrug and choose your words carefully. "I thought I did at first but... I just... I guess I don't hate anyone. I tried but... I just can't do it."

He grins. "Thank you Laurie... Thank you so much. You've changed my life." Jc's hand tightens on yours and you can feel his emotion. He's proud of you and you're proud of yourself. You feel calm again and you know everything would eventually be alright. You were safe now. You had your angel. Your angel has saved you.