* daughtergrimes

                      ‘ FOR THE FIRST TIME TONIGHT, ALEX FELT SAFE. _{In her Aunt Olivia’s arms, she was always safe and she KNEW that no matter what monsters were out there, as long as Olivia was there, all was okay. Her KIND voice draws Alex out of her daze, looking into the CONCERNED eyes of Olivia and tears automatically STREAMED down her bruised face. Rollins and FInn had ushered Alex and Olivia into her office, for PRIVACY, and Alex sat on the couch, still CLINGING onto her aunt.  “ I — I was — on a da-date. This — really sweet guy, Aunt Li-Liv — he was so sweet. He’s in my anatomy class — he’s been flirtin’ with me since the beginnin’ of the semester. I NEVER thought a guy like him would like me, ya know? He’s OLDER too — twenty-one and everythin.” Her SWEET, broken spoke. So NAIVE and she could already hear her parents, her father especially, telling her to be CAREFUL, that THINGS ain’t the same here in the city.} 

                    _{“ We — We had a DATE, a study date, he said — and he wanted to come up to my dorm, because he GAVE me flowers, Aunt Liv — so sweet. I invited him up and we were just talkin’ and then he goes in and starts to KISS me and I kiss back — I like him, I wa-wanted it, but — “ Alex was SHAKING violently, shaking her head. “He kept touchin’ and I — I got SCARED. I barely know him and I wanted to slow down. I kept tellin’ him, Aunt Liv, that I didn’t want to do that, but he got ALL MAD at me!” She exclaimed, shaking her head. “He went — He went crazy! He SMACKED me, twice, and I was so scared, threw the flower vase at the wall, kept cursin’ at me, tellin’ me I was a whore – and when I FOUGHT BACK, he — he punched me, ripped my dress , kept — kept hittin’ me!” Alex looked to Olivia, shaking so badly, the POOR THING.} 

                                   _{Visibly shaken, Alex CLUNG onto Olivia, crying into her shoulder. “I — I FOUGHT back, I got away just as he — He was goin’ to unzip his pants, but I punched him, like you and Daddy told me, remember? And I got away — and I just — before I knew it, I was comin’ here. Daddy always SAID to come to you if I got hurt.” Her LIP trembled, shaking her head. “I’m so SORRY, Aunt Liv — I didn’t mean to disturb ya work and — I know ya so busy with Noah and — I SHOULD have been stronger, Aunt Liv. I shouldn’t have let him hit me like that and I know he didn’t do anythin’ else, but … I should’ve been STRONGER, like you!”} 

               ^{SHE WILL NOT SPEAK A word to the young woman in her arms , intent upon hearing all that needs to be said before making any leaps or judgments . she’s gentle but quick to relocate them after fin and amanda’s prompting , but not once does the female let go of alex as the other continues to cling to her . she can’t begin to understand her position , despite olivia having had her own experiences with nearly the same thing , because not everyone responds to these traumas the same way ; the lieutenant has been exposed to the atrocities of mankind and the horror they cause , but alex has not . that is one way they differ … a great way they differ .} 

               ^{NOT A SECOND IS WASTED after the other finishes , her response firm and assured .          “ i want you to know that this wasn’t your fault , alex . do you understand that ? ”          hand continues to stroke the others hair slowly , aiming toward full and complete comfort .          “ what happened was not your choice , but his . do not put that on yourself … and you fought back, honey . you fought back , and he didn’t get a chance to do what he wanted . ”          eyes shut tight , olivia taking a slow and deep breath as she attempts to calm herself ; they’d find this young man . they’d make him pay for what he’d done … had he done this to others ? the notion is haunting .          “ you’re a fighter . ”          they’d have to contact her father , as well ; rick couldn’t be kept in the dark about this .}

               ^{ALLOWING A FEW SECONDS OF silence to fall between them now , olivia tilts her chin down and presses a lingering kiss to the top of the other’s head .          “ let’s get you changed , okay ? i have some of my clothes here … they might be a bit big on you , but it’s better than what you’re wearing … we’ll need to take what you’re wearing , though . is that alright ? ”          they’ll need it for testing , just in case , but she wants to make sure the young female in her arms is ready and willing to cooperate in all of this . she won’t ask for a name , she won’t even ask if he’s still at her dorm , though it will come ; all in good time . she’ll slowly untangle herself from alex now , looking down worriedly at the other .          “ i won’t him touch you again , i promise . ”}