Author's note:

I am SO SO SO SO SORRY for the lack of updates. I was helping out with a family member who has been ill and I have a computer again so I WILL be planning more updates. I know that you all might be rolling your eyes and saying Yeah right. I PROMISE MORE UPDATES! =)

NUMBER 2... I am currently working on the next couple chapters for Anytime you need a friend... They should be posted this weekend =)

Welcome to my Life:

Chapter 7

A few days later, Amy had made an important decision. She was going to go back to school. She was still using the crutches and was barely able to drive, but she had already taken off one semester due to James trying to run her life. She wasn't about to take another off if she could help it. She wanted to try to graduate on time if possible. Spike's schedule allowed for him to be able to drive her back and forth to classes. He had tried to talk Amy out of classes at first but she was stubborn.

Spike amazingly didn't try as hard as he normally would have to talk Amy out of classes, Which Amy found to be refreshing. He had learned his lesson the hard way with the whole security system fiasco. Amy was just as stubborn as he was at times about things that she was passionate about. Spike figured that it was easier to help her out instead of trying to talk her out of going to classes. He knew it was important to her. He just didn't want her to overdo it, even though he knew she would.

She had the weekend to go school supplies shopping and food shopping before she started classes. She was called Spike to see if he would be willing to take her to the stores before he had to go to work that afternoon. Surprisingly, he agreed. Spike didn't mind taking Amy places that she needed to go. Which Amy appreciated more than anything considering the fact that she was currently not able to drive. Secretly, he was glad that Amy had something to occupy her time instead of sitting at home.

Amy had gotten out of bed and showered slowly, since her knee was still healing. She had picked out a loose pair of jeans, and a yellow long sleeve sweater to wear. She decided to wear her sneakers and had to wait for Spike to come over to put them on for her. One of the few annoyances of having her knee in a brace still. She brushed out her hair and left it down rather than fuss with it. She put her glasses on and grabbed her purse, setting it next to the door for when they left.

Amy was taking seven classes this semester. Every single one of the classes was a lot of work and had a lot of books. Amy didn't mind though. She liked the idea of being busy. It would keep her mind off of the impending trial. Amy had already purchased a good book bag, and had gotten her books. The only things she really needed were pens and pencils and a planner. She had already drawn up a schedule and posted it on her fridge.

While she waited for Spike to come over, which she knew would take a while, because he was helping his father with some things Amy decided to grab a quick bite to eat and then call her parents to see if they wanted to come over for dinner later in the afternoon. She decided on just a bowl of cereal and a glass of Orange Juice with a banana as dessert. She wrote out a quick grocery list, making sure to list bananas. Spike was always eating the bananas. She picked up her cell phone when it rang.

"Hi mom. How are you today? I was just sitting down to have some breakfast. How's dad's leg doing? I hear John is home to pick up the kids." She could hear lots of voices over there and knew that her older brother had come home in order to pick up his kids for the summer. She made a mental note to get over there and see him as soon as possible. Her mother's response pulled her out of her musings.

"I'm fine. Your father's driving me nuts like always. Your brother wants to see you and meet Spike before he goes back home. He's leaving this weekend. What are your plans for today Amy? I am making spaghetti and meatballs. Not the same as Spike is used to I bet but you like it. The grandkids will be out in a short while as well, and I know that they will all want to see your new place." Amy laughed and nodded her head.

"Yeah I like your spaghetti mom. Always have. We will be over later tonight, probably around 5:30pm. Don't forget to make some garlic bread. And don't burn it pretty please. Tell the kids I love them. I can't wait for them to meet Spike. I will have to have them over for dinner at some point. When I come over I will show you a copy of my class Schedule." They shared a laugh at that finished chatting and hung up.

Amy had already started reading the first chapters of each book and making her own notes. She liked being ahead of the rest of the class. Spike tried to help, but mostly ended up distracting her. She often ended up telling him to go watch TV or go home or out with the team. She went out with them a few times with Spike and she liked hanging out with them all, especially Jules. She liked having other girls to talk to around.

She had a complicated schedule. Mondays and Wednesdays she was at the campus all day. From 9am until 10:30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays, She was only there for 3 hours. Fridays She had 3 classes. It helped immensely that her classes were spread out a little bit. The only thing that she hated is that she had to be all over the campus. But when life hands you lemons, you have to make do. Amy was pulled from her thoughts by a knock at her door.

She didn't hear the door open nor did she hear Spike's voice call out. That left only someone that she either didn't know or someone that didn't feel comfortable just walking in. She made her way to the door, seeing the hazy shadow of someone standing on her porch. She picked up the phone, dialing Spike to see what was keeping him and opened the door to see two young men in suits on the porch. At first glance, they looked harmless. Then Amy noticed the little details about them that most people wouldn't have.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" The older of the two reached his hand out to shake her hand and Amy stepped back out of reaction. Catching herself, she apologized and settled in the rocking chair that she had put on the porch. The guys leaned against the railing. Amy looked over at Spike's house when a slammng door caught her attention and saw Spike hurrying out his parents' front door over to her porch. He hopped the railing, apologizing to Amy in the same breath; Amy couldn't get mad at him.

"Ms. Lindstrom. My name is Detective Maldez, and this is my associate, Detective Kirk. We are here to follow up with you on your complaint about your boyfriend James. As you know, he's currently in jail awaiting trial. He's made several threats so it's our job to investigate and inform you. Now, it's my understanding that he assaulted you at your place of employment approximately 4 months ago, is that correct? Why don't you tell us about again." Amy nodded and put up a hand to pause him.

"James is not my boyfriend. He is my ex-boyfriend. We were broken up when he viciously assaulted me at work. He doesn't seem to want to understand or accept that. I am moving on with my life and have someone else in my life that cares very deeply for me as I do for him. What threats has he made? And why am I only now hearing about them?" The two detectives didn't say anything. Spike dragged up the other chair and propped his feet on the railing, earning a small frown from Amy who then smiled at him letting him know that it was ok.

"Well? Why is she only now hearing about these so called threats? And what happened to Roy, I thought that he was investigating this as a special favor." The detectives looked at Spike as if he were a bug to be squashed. They didn't answer him either. After several minutes of waiting, Amy stood up slowly and made her way into her house to retrieve her purse. She came back outside and looked at Spike, who had gotten up the same time she had. She locked her door behind her and looked at the detectives.

"Gentlemen, I want you both off of my property immediately. You are telling me nothing of what I want to know. Therefore, I am no longer going to waste my time sitting here politely. I have other things that are a little more pressing and need my attention. Honey, are you ready to go? I need to get some things from the store and I told my parents that I would stop by for a few minutes and have dinner." Spike nodded and helped her down the steps from her porch and to the truck before turning back to the gentlemen.

"Gentlemen, I am an officer with the Police Strategic Response Unit. I want you gone from the property immediately. If you are still here when I get back, I will arrest you." Spike got in the truck locked it and called Ed, who was the only person that he knew of that would be around on short notice. He had a bad feeling about these so called detectives. The two men had turned to watch them leave.

"Ed here, what's up Spike? I thought you were heading out to the store with Amy. How about stopping by and visiting, Sophie has me doing diaper duty. I could use some comic relief." Spike bantered back and forth with him for a moment before getting down to business. He noticed that the two men had not yet gotten off the porch nor had they given any indication that they had heard his edict. This troubled Spike.

"Ed, Any possibility of taking a run past Amy's place?" He quickly explained what was going on as he pulled out of the drive and drove on their way to the mall. Ed could be heard handing the baby off to Sophie and getting his car keys. He said that he was going to Call Wordy to back him up and hung up the phone. Spike hung up his phone as well and smiled at Amy who was staring out the window. He picked up her hand to get her attention.

"Amy? I hope you don't mind that I took charge like that. There is something not quite right about those two guys. I don't think that they were really detectives. I hate to think of what could have possibly happened had I not been home. You've met Roy. Ed's brother. He's investigating your case for us as a special favor to Ed and me both." Amy nodded and looked at him. She rubbed her arms as though she suddenly got chilled.

Spike pulled her close and kissed her cheek before glancing at the road again. His heart hurt for her. She shouldn't need to go through all of this crap just to be happy. It made him hate James even more than he had before that moment. He worked really hard to not let his anger at James show to Amy because he didn't want her to think it was directed at her. He smiled when she wiped her cheek and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Don't you dare stick that thing out at me unless you plan to use it Amy. You know that it is not very nice to tease me sweetie. Here, put my jacket on. i don't want you to catch a chill." Amy smirked at him and shrugged into the jacket while looking out the window. Spike raised an eyebrow at her smirk and turned his attention back to the road. Amy looked back at him and patted his hand.

"Spike, we are in public. Otherwise I would use it. And you know it. Take that. I wasn't teasing you. It's not a threat. It is most definitely a promise."Spike barked out a laugh and squeezed her hand. Amy Smiled and sat back while rummaging around in her purse for her shopping list. Spike Turned on the radio on low to cut the silence. Suddenly one of Amy's favorite songs came on.

All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog is lifted

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you, now that I see you

~Mandy Moore/Zachary Levi "I see the light"~