Three Steps Back

22

James

Liam was outside on the phone with either Emily or Peter. I've lost track at this point, it's 3am at this point and I haven't moved an inch and trust me.. I don't plan no moving 

Seeing Riley laying here like this, is breaking my heart. I could have prevented this, I could have been there.
If only I had answered my damn phone 
"Dad wants to come up but I've told him not to" Liam said reentering the room
"Why?" I asked
"Because if he does, A) one of us would have to leave and B) I don't want to overwhelm Riley with people" He explained, I sighed nodding 

"I tell you now, if I ever see that guy again" I growled still having a tight grasp on Riley's hand
"I heard about you two moving in together" Liam said making me glance at him with a smile
"I've said it before and I'll say it again James" He started
"I'm glad Riley found you" He smiled, I returned the smile with a small nod
"Thanks Liam" I said making him chuckle and nod

"As much as it's incredible to see everything she's accomplished. I can't help but think about what would have happened if I hadn't helped her get to the Academy" He said making me look at him again
"she might not be in this position right now" He said
"Yeah but at the same time Liam. You know for a fact, Riley wouldn't be happy" I said

"But is she happy now?" He asked making both of us look at her
"this situation isn't something that any of us could have expected or protected her against" I said
"But that doesn't mean she isn't happy. This morning, you should have seen her, she was over the moon about spending time with you" I said making him smile to himself 
"We'll all get through this" I said making him nod 

--

It feels like a lifetime since we got in here but Riley still hasn't woken up, Liam headed to grab us some coffee. It's now 7am and there is still no update
The police are still here and haven't left at all. Sure they've switched officers a few times but never have we been alone 

Glancing up at Riley again, I couldn't help but continue to feel guilty
It was only a couple days ago I told her about the Flat and now look where we are
"Please wake up Ri" I whispered placing my head on her hands
"I'm so sorry" I said wiping my eyes before anyone got the chance to see me

"James" A soft whisper said making my head instantly snap up
"Ri?" I said rising to my feet to see her with a small smile on her face
"I'm so so sorry" I said cuping her cheeks, she placed her hand on top of mine
"It isn't your fault. He'd been watching me all year. If I didn't go with him, he told me he would go after Piper" She said with tears brimming her eyes

"Hey hey, it's okay. I've got you" I said sitting on the bed pulling her in close
"I tried to fight back, I tried to scream but it didn't work" She cried while I stroked her head
"I'm going to kill him" I said making her look up at me as she wiped her eyes
"Don't leave" She whispered

"What?" I asked
"Please, don't leave me" She said
In that moment, she looked so distraught, vulnerable
"I'm here Riley, I'm not going anywhere" I replied kissing the top of her head pulling her in close 

It didn't take long for Riley to fall asleep again, this time cuddled up on my chest. Part of me wanted her to stay away to see Liam but I know she needs her rest
"Did she wake?" Liam asked noticing my change in position, I sighed nodding
"She did" I said making him look a little disappointed himself

"Was she okay?" He asked and I shook my head
"I've never seen her this bad. We both saw how she was before your mum passed, with that box." I started making him look at me a little concerned 
"She's worse then that " I whispered kissing the top of her head again

She was crashing, but I wasn't going to let her fall