A/N: So funny story, I opened up a doc to start writing and I noticed that I already had one labeled for chapter 15. So I was like "Okay. I can deal." Apparently I forgot I had written like 5 pages? Also, some shit might be triggering in this chapter. If it is, I'm so sorry. (self harm and mentions of abuse)

Anyway, sorry for the delay! Hopefully this will satisfy you, my lovely readers.

Julesjumper: Yay! I'm so glad; I always worry about scenes like that being too cheesy, y'know?

Disneyylandacidtrip: Good! Personally I love typing them out because I like being able to hear things, nice to know I'm not alone. And fear not, they will kiss again!

Neednotnoname: Yeah, he seemed like the more protective type. I'm not saying that Doug isn't protective buuuutt….

MatlockGirl: Oh it's more than sufficient! I'm glad you enjoy seeing Jem's more gentle side—as rare as it may be.

PiercedHeart114: You may have hit the nail on the head with that one. imeanwat. And yes there will be other robberies but I'm not gonna elaborate on that…

Little miss michelle: Foreshadowing is a wonderful tool!

Anne: It's okay, I know how busy life can get! I'm glad you like the development of their relationship!

Guest: Oh but I can, AND I WILL! /cackling

ILuvOdie: Well don't worry, there's more to read right now!

BethanyLeeRenner: I'm glad that the chemistry between the two is working out! I won't lie, it's a bit tricky. But I'm pretty proud of it!

Chillseaa: Of course!

LivinJgrl123: I'm glad you enjoy this so much!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own ideas and characters (unfortunately). I'm also shit at shout outs. Oops

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It was a few hours before either one had moved again; they were both happy to bask in each other's warmth and touch.

Chrissy had drifted back into sleep, back pressed into Jem as his arm remained draped around her waist.

He had remained awake a while longer, mulling over the recent influx of information from the woman. It was saddening that she had thought of herself in such a way, let alone the fact that she had turned the blade on herself. Of course that didn't change his opinion of her, just because she had a few scars from a rocky past didn't give him any right to change his view. She was a trooper, he'd give her that.

One finger idly traced the scars on her hip as he watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

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She had finally gotten around to buying a new cell phone, much to the relief of Jem and Doug. Of course, Chrissy didn't think the device was all too necessary; it's not like she was some kid who would sit around texting or talking on it all day. However, it did make it easier for the two to keep in contact with her –or was it the other way around? At least now she didn't have to rely on payphones to put calls in.

Her eyes darted down to the small screen, thumbs hovering nervously over the small keyboard as she quickly thought out the message she was about to send. In most cases, she would just send whatever came out first but miscommunication was a bitch – she learned that one the hard way.

[txt: market on the way home. Want anything?]

Fingers flew rapidly over the small keys, clicking softly as the message had been swiftly typed out and sent. The phone was placed on her near empty workspace as Chrissy began packing the rest of her belongings into her purse.

Only a few tellers were left packing up; they were usually the slowest of the bunch and spent most of their time joking around instead of cleaning up. If Claire didn't have a problem with it, then nobody really cared. After all, she was their boss.

The gentle buzzing of her phone caused her to jump in her seat.

[txt: drinks and food]

Of course. Somehow it had been decided that whenever they were running low on either one of those, Chrissy would be the one to pick up the food. Not that she minded that much but the guys' lack of specificity had a tendency to get on her nerves.

So they wanted food and drinks? Then they would get food and drink.

Chicken nuggets and soda sounded just fine to her.

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After her quick good-byes and a brief hug to Claire, Chrissy was striding happily down the darkening streets. The nightly chill had already begun to settle but it wasn't uncomfortable, it was more refreshing than anything.

Now the blast of chilly air that struck her as she entered the grocery store was anything but refreshing. With a huff, she blew a few strands of loose hair away from her lips. The lights were garishly bright in comparison to the dark streets.

Basket tucked in the crook of her arm, Chrissy made her way around the store. She was drawn to the produce section first, despite the fact that she knew she probably didn't have a bunch of money to spend. Even then, she grabbed a small bunch of bananas. If the guys didn't eat it –they probably wouldn't—then she would and she didn't mind.

One box of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, one two liter bottle of coke and a six-pack of Shock Top later she was at the checkout stand, carefully counting out the bills as the girl bagged her groceries. She gave a polite nod of her head and quiet "thanks" as she scooped up the two bags, somehow managing to balance them and her purse.

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With a groan she shifted the bags, struggling to grab the doorknob. Realizing that it wasn't going to happen any time soon, she gave to door a few solid thumps with her foot. When there was no answer she gave it a few more solid thumps.

"Hey, ya lazy asshats, open the door!"

That seemed to be the magic phrase; the door was inched open a few minutes later by a rather stressed looking Doug. She wordlessly stepped inside and made it all of two feet before a hand on her shoulder stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Keep yoah distance from Jem, he ain't in a good mood."

As if on cue, she heard the slam of kitchen cabinets and some choice words being shouted.

Doug easily pried a loose bag from Chrissy's arms, helping to carry it into the kitchen. When he saw the dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets he couldn't help but laugh. He knew that if they weren't specific with what they wanted, Chrissy would go out of her way to do things like that.

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"Easy there Sparky," she muttered as Jem all but slammed another cabinet shut. The rush of oncoming air forced her to cower and squeeze her eyes shut, an onslaught of undesirable memories dredging themselves up from the back of her mind.

The last time a cabinet had been slammed in her face, it had been followed by a sharp backhand. Of course it hadn't stopped there but Chrissy managed to squash down the remainder of the memory before it consumed her.

When she dared to open her eyes again she realized that Jem had backed up and Doug had strategically placed himself between the two of them. Chrissy had a deathgrip on the remaining bag, holding it to her chest so tightly that it threatened to crush the bananas.

With trembling hands she placed the bag on the counter and tore one of the bananas from the bunch. Each of her movements was painfully controlled and abrupt, she was angry to say the least.

"Food's in that bag. The other has got the beer." Even her tone was slightly distant and flat.

Chrissy was already out the door by the time Doug and Jem registered what all had happened.

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She didn't wander too far from the house; Chrissy wasn't dumb, it was night and she was alone. To go very far was just asking for trouble, but the park was close and still had one or two lights that hadn't been broken yet so in her opinion, it was okay.

The swings let out a creak as she slipped onto one of the cold plastic seats.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" She hissed; the fingers of one hand curled into a tight fist as she forced her nails to bit in to her palm. "So weak. Haven't you grown out of that already? You know what that means…" Chrissy let out a bitter laugh as she muttered to herself. Oh how people must have thought she was crazy.

"But you shouldn't do it, you said you would stop. But I never promised and I deserve it. I messed up…"

She let out a soft sigh, realizing that no matter how much she argued with herself, nothing would ever change.

It wasn't until her stomach growled that Chrissy realized that she still hadn't eaten but by now she had lost most of her appetite so instead she repositioned herself on the swing to cast a wary glance over her shoulder. "I'll go home in a bit."

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By the time Chrissy decided to head back, she was chilled to the bone but on the plus side, she was more relaxed.

She slipped in through the front door and the first thing she saw was a very bored looking Jem, his face lit up by the glow of the TV. He didn't even glance at Chrissy until the door clicked shut. "So-" He was silenced as Chrissy held up her hand. She didn't want to deal with this, not now.

"Go to sleep Jem." She didn't dare look him in the eye as she made her way to the kitchen to rifle through the fridge.

Surprisingly enough, the hot headed man complied and Chrissy cast a glance at his back as he quietly made his way down the hall. She waited until he disappeared into his dark room before she calmly walked over to one of the kitchen drawers and inched it open ever so slightly.

With a disturbing amount of apathy, she curled her hands around the pair of scissors and twirled them slowly before grabbing a change of clothes and making her way into the bathroom.

The running showed was loud in the enclosed spaced but it was easy enough to drown out. After double checking that the bathroom door was in fact locked, she slowly undressed and kicked her clothes into the corner.

"Don't do it," she murmured. "Too late."

She felt a gentle sting as she experimentally dug the tip of one of the blades into the skin just above her hip. They weren't as sharp as she desired but they could still get the job done.

Her fingers carefully curled around the other part of the scissors as she readjusted the blade before mercilessly digging it into her own flesh, dragging it down, down, down.

Almost immediately she could see the skin split and the blood well up. Still she was calm and uncaring; this was her release.

Thrice more the scissors bit into her skin, cutting though the flesh with ease. Then she moved to the other side and once again blood rushed forth. With each painfully slow slash, her anger faded.

In a way, the entire thing was cathartic.

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The warmth of the water had served its purpose; it broke the chill.

She was careful when tugging her clothes on; they weren't sore yet but she knew in a few hours they lacerations would be and she had no doubt that blood would still ooze out for a few hours more.

Chrissy decided not to crawl into Jem's bed. Instead, she sought out the lumpy old couch and curled up beneath the blanket.

She would deal with the repercussions of her actions later but for now, she no longer cared. She was drained.

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A/N: So I'm sorry if that was triggering for anyone but yeah. I'm also sorry that this seems like a filler chapter but it's better than nothing I suppose? I dunno. Yeah.

R&R