Moving house was a nightmare, but this house move was one that Jay could get behind. His mom, Catherine, had finally left his father after years of misery and abuse. Catherine had stayed the whole time as she didn't want to split up their family. However, one day, she walked into Jay's room while he was getting dressed and saw that he had bruises across his back - all with varying degrees of healing. She confronted him and Jay attempted to lie but he couldn't lie to save his life so she pressed him to tell her the truth. He instantly broke down and admitted that Pat had been hitting him. It only usually occurred when he was drunk and when he was frustrated. Jay said that he had wanted to tell Catherine, but Pat threatened him that if he ever told her, he would leave her with nothing and they'd end up on the streets - all because of him - so he kept quiet. Over the past two years, she had noticed a huge difference in Jay - he was very anti-social, he split up with Ally, his girlfriend of two years and had alienated most of his friends as they had taken Ally's side of the break up - leaving Jay all alone. He spent a lot of time either working out or hiding out in his room - staying away from everyone. He admitted to her he was trying to 'bulk up' so he would finally be able to fight back, but even with all the changes, Catherine knew that Jay would not be strong enough to fight back Pat - especially if he was drunk. Will was the oldest Halstead brother and he idolised his father. The pair of them were extremely close, so when Catherine left him - Will blamed Jay. The brother's relationship had definitely gone from bad to worse over the last month. They were never really close, less so recently as Will had a girlfriend - Natalie - and spent most of his time with her and his friends. He was rarely in the house so they had been spending less time with one another. Catherine had wanted to tell Will the truth about what happened to Jay - but Jay said no as he thought it wouldn't make a difference. Will wanted to be just like Pat - he was about to be in his final year of high school and was beginning to apply to med schools across the country. Jay was so happy that the family seemed to be getting a complete fresh start. They were in a new town where the pair would be starting a new school due to them no longer being in their old school's catchment area. Jay wasn't too bothered seeing as he was a typical loner at school and didn't really talk to anyone anymore. He hoped he could make some new friends and have a complete fresh start.

The family had been moving in over the past week, and yesterday was their first full night in their new house. Jay was currently in the back garden, building their new garden furniture - due to the exhausting heat, he was just in a pair of shorts. There was someone who had noticed that there was a new arrival next door - Erin Lindsay, who was currently sat in her bedroom doing summer homework at her desk. If you had asked her a year ago if she could be doing homework during the summer holidays, she'd have laughed in your face. She had been living with the Voight's for a little over a year and was still catching up on schoolwork which she had missed from the time before she'd moved in. Finally, after hours of research, Erin decided to take a break. She made sure she saved her work and happened to look out the window wondering if she would get a glimpse of their new neighbours. She had seen that they'd been moving in throughout the week but hadn't actually seen any of them until now. She looked out and saw a boy, who seemed around her age in the back garden building some furniture. He was definitely good looking and was currently giving her a free show as he was shirtless. She smirked when she saw who she assumed to be his mother come outside with drinks and snacks for him and he sat down on the steps to eat. She sighed, realising that this english assignment would not get finished if she was too busy ogling the boy next door. She shook all thoughts out of her head and went back to analysing 'The Lord of the Flies' and the prevailing themes which were apparent throughout. This particular assignment was due at the end of the week so she really needed to get a move on. Some of her teachers had asked her to complete these extra assignments throughout the summer to ensure she was fully caught up by the time she went back. She wasn't too bothered seeing as her best friend was currently away visiting her grandparents and Kev and Adam were away at a camp somewhere in Wisconsin. She was glad that the teachers had given her a chance to get caught up. She knew she needed to do well in school if she wanted to better herself. Besides, being a drug addict who was a prostitute wasn't exactly the best thing to put on a CV.

Catherine was sat in the garden next to Jay - who was currently cooling down with a glass of coke, "So, do you like your new room?" She asked, tentatively.

"Yeah, mom. I love it! It's so much bigger than my old one and I really love the views of the woodlands behind the house," He replied, enthusiastically.

"That's great, honey. I'm pleased you like it. You've done a good job out here today. I really like this furniture," She said, looking at the outdoor seating area they were currently sat on.

"Thanks, mom. I just wanted it to be sorted so we could enjoy the summer," He replied, "So, do you think Will is going to come round any time soon?"

She sighed, "You know your brother loves your dad… he's struggling with having to leave his old town behind, his friends, Natalie and even your dad. I know I did the right thing by leaving, I couldn't've stayed knowing what he had been doing to you. I just wished I had seen the signs sooner."

"Mom… You couldn't have known. If anything, I'm sorry you found out the way you did. I really did want to tell you but I was scared. I wish I had told you sooner because it has been so horrible for me seeing how miserable you have been in that house. I love you, mom. Thank you for everything you've sacrificed for us," Jay replied, sincerely.

"Jay, I'd do anything for you boys, you know that. I am just happy we are all settled in now. Now, I have a great idea, seeing as we didn't get finished until really late yesterday so we all just went to bed, how about you go on in, have a quick shower and we can have a relaxing night in front of the television?" She asked, "We can watch some Harry Potter on that huge new TV we bought. How does that sound?"

He grinned, Harry Potter was his all time favourite, "That sound's brilliant! I'll go and get ready and then set it up. I'm so excited to test drive that new TV!"

"I knew that would get you motivated! Now go on in side, I'll be inside in a wee while," She suggested. She laughed as she watched as Jay ran inside to go and get himself ready for their film night.

Catherine sat in the garden alone, she knew that leaving Pat had been the right thing to do. Over the years, her parents had noticed how miserable she was and had encouraged her to leave countless times. She didn't want to break up the family, so she stayed for the boys. Once she found out what had gone on with Jay, that was the final straw. She left him that night and took the boys to her parents house. She couldn't bare to see her little miracle hurt, especially by his father. She had even got a new job in an elementary school close to their new house, and was looking forward to go back to work after the summer holidays. She was finally free and she felt so relieved - she could finally breathe again. She was completely lost in thought and hadn't noticed the woman next door until she called her over and waved. Catherine smiled and walked over to introduce herself, "Hi I'm Catherine. I am sorry we haven't been over to introduce ourselves but we have been so busy trying to set up the house, we just haven't had time."

"That's quite alright! Don't worry about it, I know how stressful house moves can be. I'm Camille Voight. It's nice to meet you," the woman introduced herself.

"I'm Catherine Murphy," Catherine smiled, using her maiden name for the first time in 20 years was strange but also liberating, "I have just moved here with my two boys. They're 16 and 17. Do you have any children?"

Camille nodded, "Two. We have Justin who is our youngest, he is 12. Then we have our foster daughter, Erin who is 16. I was just coming over here to ask if you and your boys would like to come over for a bbq tomorrow night? As a sort of welcome to the neighbourhood/ get to know you dinner?"

Catherine smiled, "That sounds wonderful. We don't really know anyone around this area so it would be nice to get to know you. What time do you want us and would you want us to bring anything?"

"No need to bring anything - just yourselves. And shall we say about 6pm?" Camille suggested.

"Sounds good. Thank you again, I really appreciate it. See you tomorrow," Catherine replied.

"Nonsense! That's what good neighbours are for. We will see you tomorrow," Camille said and they both went back into their houses.

Jay was already lounging on the couch with a huge bowl of popcorn when she finally went back inside, "Did your brother not want to join?" She asked, sitting down.

Jay just raised his eyebrow and looked at her, "Do you really think he wants to spend time with me?"

She sighed, "I wish you two would make up already. I really hate seeing you fighting."

"I know you do mom. But I'm sorry, I've not done anything. He just doesn't like the fact that I'm the reason you finally divorced our deadbeat, good for nothing dad. He always claims that I'm your favourite," He rolled his eyes, "I'm sure he will come round. We just need to give him time."

"Yeah… I hope so. Oh, by the way, I was just talking to our neighbour after you went in. She has invited the three of us over for a bbq tomorrow night. She and her husband have two children, a boy aged 12 and a girl - who's their foster daughter who's your age," She told him.

"Cool. You know me, can never say no to food," He grinned, swiping the remote off the coffee table, "Right, come on. Let's get our Harry Potter on."

Catherine just rolled her eyes and settled down so she could watch Harry Potter with her son.

It was dinner time at the Voight's and Hank had even managed to make it home in time for the first time this week. They were currently all sat round the table, eating pizza, "So, I've invited the new neighbours round for a bbq tomorrow night," Camille informed them all.

"Sounds good," Hank replied, "I was actually thinking of bbq-ing tomorrow night anyway. So, who are they and do they seem nice?"

"I only met the mother, Catherine. She said she has two boys aged 16 and 17. She seemed really lovely, so it will be nice to get to know them," She told them.

"Anyone is an upgrade from Mrs Owens," Justin grimaced, remembering their old next door neighbour.

"Yeah, she was… strange. She used to sit on her porch and tut at me every time I left the house," Erin rolled her eyes.

"She wasn't that bad! She was just…" Camille started.

"Strange. She was strange, dear. Just admit it," Hank laughed, "Though I hope these neighbours don't pop Justin's basketballs every time they accidentally go over the fence!"

"I don't think they seem to be the type to pop basketballs. Now, you two," She said looking towards Justin and Erin, "I hope you will be on your best behaviour tomorrow night. We have to make them feel welcome." The pair of them rolled their eyes and muttered 'yes' under their breaths. "Good, now Erin, did you manage to get that assignment finished?"

She shook her head, "No, I didn't. I've got a few more things to write about, it's a complex book. I should be finished by tomorrow."

"Glad you're catching up, kid," Hank said, sincerely, "I hope you know that we are proud of you."

Erin blushed, "Thank you, both of you. For everything you've done for me over this past year. I honestly don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"Don't worry about it. You just keep up doing what you're doing," Camille said, sincerely.

"So Justin, what did you get up today?" Hank asked, not wanting to leave Justin out of the conversation.

"I went down to the park with Danny and Carl. We didn't do much, just hung round, played some basketball with a few other guys from our grade. Quite boring, really," he replied, stuffing his face with the last piece of pizza.

"Sounds good, kid," Hank said.

"Okay, Erin, you can go back upstairs and finish your assignment. Justin, you can do the dishes for me, please," Camille said once everyone had finished.

"But mom, it's Erin's turn to do the dishes! I did them last night!" Justin argued, a little pout forming on his lips.

"Yes, but Erin has important work to do," Camille replied, "Besides if you do them tonight you won't have to go to bed at your usual time tomorrow and you can stay up later."

"But..." Justin went to argue but Hank interrupted.

"You will do as your mother says. Otherwise you'll be grounded," Hank warned and Justin sat up straight and nodded. He grabbed the plates and took them into the kitchen without further argument.

It was now two hours after dinner had ended and Erin was still sat on her laptop trying to finish her assignment. There was a knock at the door and Camille popped her head round, "Can I come in?" She asked and Erin nodded so she came and perched herself on the edge of the desk. "You should turn that off now. You've been working all day."

Erin sighed, "I know, but it was a tough year and I just don't want to be behind again."

"I know, but what Hank said at dinner was true, we are proud of you. You will catch up, you still have the next 6 weeks of summer so stop stressing," Camille said.

"I think I'll get this finished tomorrow," Erin replied, brushing off the compliment.

"Come on, switch it off. Hank has gone to the pub with Al and Justin is in bed. How about I make us some popcorn and we watch a film? We never did get round to watching Legally Blonde last week." Camille suggested and saw Erin's face light up.

"That sounds great. I'll be right down, let me just save this and log off," Erin replied and Camille nodded and left the room to go and make popcorn.

The two of them spent the rest of the evening watching Legally Blonde. Erin really enjoyed spending time with Camille, it was like she had a real mother for the first time in her life. Sure they butt heads a lot when she first moved in but that was just because she wasn't used to having rules or listening to people. Erin had spent a lot of time pushing back and making their lives hell but Camille just told her that she understood what she was doing but they weren't going to kick her out. Erin had finally come around when Camille came into her room one night and found her crying over the people at school finding out her story. She sat down and listened to what was wrong and hugged her - Erin could probably count on her hand the number of times Bunny had hugged her. Camille reassured her that what had happened at school would be old news by the end of the week and that no one would care. Unfortunately that didn't happen, only a few people stayed friends with her after everything - Kim, Adam and Kevin. Sooner or later, the whispers did finally stop and people found something new to talk about. Erin sought out Camille's advice more and more after that and they had gotten much closer. Their film nights were Erin's favourites. Just the two of them, sitting in the living room, eating crap food and watching cheesy films - something Erin had never done with her own mother - not even when she was a child. It took her a while but she finally felt like she was part of the family.

Hank came home around midnight and saw the two of them passed out on the couch, with the dvd titles playing in the background. He smiled and grabbed a blanket and put it over the pair of them before retreating upstairs to go to bed himself. He checked on Justin who was sleeping soundly and took himself into his and Camille's room and got into bed. He couldn't believe it was just over a year since they had taken Erin in, and he was shocked at the change he has seen in her. If truth be told, he thought she would bail within a few weeks or months - unable to leave her old life behind. It hadn't been easy, there had been trouble with her school, trouble with people from her old life and she wasn't exactly the easiest to have around. He was so proud of her - she was currently spending her summer holidays like a normal teenager and she had't gone back to her old ways. The fact she had been studying shocked him - he knew she wanted to turn her life around and she was well on her way to doing that. She confessed to him that she'd always wanted to be a police officer as a kid. He was willing to vouch for her if she could get the grades and keep out of trouble and so far, so good. Hank could only hope it would continue. He had the following day off and was looking time to spending it with his family - he hoped that the 'meet the neighbour' bbq would go well tomorrow.

AN:Let me know what you thought :) Wanted to do this AU for ages. Been writing it for weeks and I have like one more chapter semi-written. Not sure when I'll this update next but I'm will update 'back to normal' next - hopefully this week some time :)