Disclaimer: Do not own BTR, nor have I ever had anything to do with them as a band or the show.

A/N: So this is what I wrote at the write in today. Not entirely happy with the flow of this and there WILL be massive editing going on at some point next year. Today is the last day of NaNoWriMo, and due to college I have failed at meeting the 50,000 word goal. But happy to have posted something for this year. I will be working on this for the remainder of the year and until it is finished. Going to put this on hold for about a week while I finish up Big Time Movie Alternative and then this one gets full attention. By the by this is going to be AU because I hope to one day publish this.

Katie shivered herself awake. Her eyes felt dry and glued shut. Pain, dull and sharp, radiated from every muscle and cell of her small body. The feeling of cold followed closely behind the pain. Peeling open her brown eyes, Katie took stock of the room. Her assailants were gone. She sighed heavily, and pulled the duvet cover over herself. Forcing her body to move, Katie pushed herself from the bed in search of her purse containing her cell phone.

Less than five minutes later she had her mobile in hand. Clicking the on button she scrolled through her contacts list. Carlos' name popped up first. She couldn't call him. James' number was just below Carlos', with her brother below him. Deciding that James was safer to call than Kendall, Katie tapped his name. Within seconds the phone connected and James' cell began ringing.

"Hello," came his sleep heavy voice.

"James," Katie said, hoarsely. "I need your help."

"What happened?" he asked, concern and anger lacing his now very alert voice.

"My date. He…he…"

"Did he hurt you?" With a choked sob, Katie nodded. Remembering she was on the phone and James couldn't see the action she opened her mouth to speak when James amazingly spoke. "Where are you?"

"I don't know the room number. I wasn't feeling well. I was so dizzy…"

"What hotel are you at?"

"The Holiday Inn downtown," she said.

"I'll meet you in the lobby in half an hour," he said, sounding as though he were about the hang up.

"James?" she said, her voice shaking slightly.

"Yeah, Katie?"

"Could you please bring me something to wear? I don't want to see that damn dress ever again."

"Yeah sure. Do you want me to call you when I get there?"

"No, I don't want to stay in this room a minute longer. I'll be in the lobby…or the ladies room."

"I'll see you in 30 minutes, Katie. Call me if you need me before I get there. Even if it's just to hear my voice, all right?" Again the teen was at a loss for words, opting for another small sob and nodding her head. "See you soon." James said hanging up.

Securing the duvet cover more securely over her body, Katie grabbed the clutch purse she'd brought and made her way to the room's door. Walking nervously down the hall of doors, afraid her date or the boy he'd brought with him would pop out one of the doors, Katie prayed they wouldn't as she followed the signs for the elevators. Relieved when she found the small bank of elevators, and no one had popped out of room threatening to assault her again, Katie eagerly punched the down arrow with her finger.

She was relieve to discover that the car was empty. Stepping into the overly bright elevator car, Katie pushed the button for the lobby. With a ding the car stopped at the lobby. Relief and disappointment echoed through her as the ride had been short and lacked people getting on or off the elevator. Steeling herself for the business of the lobby, Katie took a breath and waited for the door to open. A small whoosh and the doors opened to reveal a lightly busy lobby. She once again sighed.

Stepping from the car to the lobby, Katie headed for a corner where she could easily watch the door for James and keep her back to the wall in case someone wanted to sneak up on her to drag her off somewhere. As she waited a fear of what would be thought of her crept over her. Her brother would be angry. He'd rampage until he knew who had done this to his baby sister. And then he'd end up in jail for murder, assault or who knows what. Her mother would never be able to look at her the same…ever. She'd forever be tainted by what had happened.

She didn't even want to think about how James, Logan or Carlos would think of or treat her. It was enough that this was going to change her and James through the simple act of asking for help she didn't want to change the rest of her family as well. It wasn't fair to them. She had to keep this between her and James.

So deep in thought she was that Katie nearly missed James entering the hotel. Moving as quickly as she could between the duvet cover wrapped round her and the stiff pain holding fast to her muscles, Katie headed for the panicked looking brunet. Wordlessly he wrapped his arms around her slim frame in a tight hug. She tensed slightly before melting into his hold. He pulled away from the hug after a moment, wanting nothing more than taking her away or rewind time and taken her to the prom himself.

"Let's get you changed," he said leading her to a family restroom across the lobby. Once inside he locked the door, dropped a duffle at her feet and turned to face the door, careful to make sure he couldn't see the mirrors or anything reflective.

"Thank you," she said, tugging open the duffle and pulling out the first article on the top. Careful to not lose the duvet, Katie slid the sweatpants up her legs. They were almost four sizes too big for her, but that was to be expected. She polled the drawstring as tight as she could and tied it, cinching the too large pants at the waist. Reaching into the duffle again, she pulled out a black V neck tee, which she gratefully slipped over her head. Once the shirt was securely over her head, duvet cover awkwardly filling James' tee, she tugged at the duvet cover and allowing it to fall to the floor.

"There's a hoodie in there too," James said, not turning round to look at her.

"Thank you," she said again, pulling the aforementioned hoodie from the duffle and slipping it on.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked turning around when she tapped him gently on the back. "You can come crash at my house, I'll give you my room. The door locks and there's an attached bath. I'll take the guest room. Or do you want to go home?"

"I…James, I don't want them to know. I want them all to think that prom was as magical for me as it was for them. I want to think that everything's all right. I want to be Katie. I don't want to be Katie the victim. It's bad enough that you know."

"All right," he said with a breath. "I'll keep your secret, but on the conditions that you find a support group or counselling of some kind. No hiding there or with me, all right?"

"What's the other condition?"

"Self-defense classes designed for crime victims."

"Deal," she said.

"Good. I'll help how I can, when you need it. My place until you're ready to face everyone?"

Stepping to give the taller male a hug, Katie nodded her head.

Fifteen minutes later Katie was standing in the steaming flow of water in James' shower. The muscles that had been stiff and sore melted under the heat of the water. Tears she's been holding in fell freely as she lathered up a plush wash cloth with some of James' precious Cuda shower gel. Scrubbing the feeling the hands that had smacked her, touched her and violated her Katie washed the evidence of rape from her body. If only the memories washed off as easily, she thought watching the soap and dried blood wash down the drain.

Feeling the water run cold, Katie turned off the stream of water and carefully stepped from the shower. Using another plush towel she dried herself off before pulling on a robe James had pulled out for her. Walking into the main room she found a pair of yoga pants, a tank to and one of James' shirts folded at the foot of the bed. A note sitting atop the pile.

Katie,

Thought you'd want something comfortable and familiar,

so I brought you something from home. Feel free to wear

the shirt I left you or don't your choice.

I had to head in to the studio for a couple hours, I'll be home

soon. Take a nap, rummage in the fridge or order a pizza

(there's a twenty on the dresser).

~James

Smiling Katie slipped into the clothes James had left her. Despite wanting to lay down on the large, comfortable looking bed, Katie opted for ordering a pizza and half-heartedly surfing through James' movie channels for something to watch and/or listen to.