A Different Kind of Love

((This thread is closed to Keana and myself. Anyone is welcome to read along and I welcome comments as long as they're sent in PM))

The air was cold as Jasmine snuck quietly out of the trailor she had, for the past three years, inhabited with the man she now decided she would call her ex boyfriend. For three years she'd lived under his thumb, suffering through the worst kind of horrors most women could think up. She'd had black eyes, busted lips, even a few broken ribs-the result of a well placed kick with a steel-toe. She'd suffered in silence through his drug-induced rages, the nights of terror in his bed when the alcohol in his system made him wild with an animal passion that left her trembling at the very thought.

She climbed into the car, knowing he was out cold from the sleeping pills she'd slipped into his drink before bed. He'd never hear her pull out of the drive, or the squealing of tires as she sped down the road. She had a suitcase in the passenger seat, and the only money she had in the world was tucked into her pocket... fifty dollars. She could only hope the center she'd been told of would help with the money issue. She hadn't had a job in over a year, and had only been allowed out of the house to get groceries and the like when he was feeling in a generous mood.

She'd stumbled across the agency's website while browsing the net when he was in one of his drink-induced sleeps. She was looking for information on how to tell if someone had alcohol poisoning and something had possessed her... pushed her over the edge into finally looking for help. It wasn't that she hadn't wanted out before, but he kept such a tight reign on things most times that she was too frightened he'd find out if she even went out into the yard without his permission... and the beatings helped to keep her in check.

Now, at only 5 am, she drove down the highway, tears sliding down her cheeks as she began her five hour drive to the only agency shelter that was within a day's drive that she didn't think he'd be able to find her at. Swiping at the tears sliding down her cheeks, she pulled into a gas station after an hour of driving, finally feeling safe enough that no one would recognize her and tell him about seeing her if he went looking.

She filled up the gas tank, glad it was already mostly full, and grabbed enough snacks and drinks to last her the next four hours, rushing back out to the car under the unnerving gaze of the man behind the counter. It was almost like he thought she was up to something, and her heart pounded in her chest as she wondered if he knew. Of course he couldn't... that would be impossible. She didn't have any visible bruises and she probably just looked shaken and upset over something.

The rest of the drive went as planned, and when she finally pulled up in front of the shelter's offices, she let out a slow breath before grabbing her suitcase and climbing out of the car, making the walk up to the doors slowly. After a few moments of inner conflict, wondering if she could go through with it, she finally let out a slow breath and pushed open the door.

Five hours later, they'd had a doctor look over the bruises covering her back and arms and legs, had done a rape kit, and were already making the arrangements to have her sent to another state, where she'd be able to live in one of the "safe houses" run by a case worker until they could set up her new life.

*~*~*~*~*

Her plane left at 10 am the next day, and after a six hour flight Jasmine stepped off the plane at the airport, looking for someone holding a sign that said "Caroline", the chosen name she'd bear for the next few weeks until they made it official.

Serena waited impatiently for the plane to land, holding the sign where she had carefully printed Caroline in big, bold letters. She loved when new women came to the safehouse, having finally broken free from the abusive relationships that they had to live through. She had read over Jasmine's file and her heart felt heavy at the abuse that she had endured.

Smiling sadly, Serena thought about her own past and how closely it mirrored Jasmine's. After spending 10 years at the hands of an abusive husband she had finally ran away, taking her 2 children with her. The women at the shelter had helped her get back on her feet and in return she had taken courses at the community college to become a counsellor, having taken over the safe house she lived at after the previous case worker had retired.

As the passengers descended from the plane, Serena kept an eye out for Jasmine. As her eyes fell on her, she realized that the picture in the file had done her no justice. The woman before her was beautiful. Smiling she walked up to her, holding out her hand.

"Caroline," she said, using her new name. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Serena. I'm the case worker for the safe house you have been sent to."

Jasmine stepped off the plane, and spotted the woman holding the sign as she was walking her way. Her heart was pounding in her chest as her sky blue eyes landed on the woman, a lock of flame red hair falling into her face before being brushed away impatiently. Years of not seeing much sunlight or even moonlight had left her already fair complection even paler than normal. Her eyes had a haunted look to them as she looked at Serena.

When the woman reached out to shake her hand, Jasmine-no, Caroline-took it and gave it a gentle shake. Standing at only 5'2", Caroline was short but blessed with a curvy figure, though the hourglass she was blessed with was hidden well by her baggy, over sized clothing. Her body stiffened some as Serena mentioned the safe house, and Caroline blushed as she noticed a few people turn and look their way. All she could do was nod some, dropping her eyes as she shifted her suitcase with all of her possessions(even small enough to take as a carry-on) in her hand.

Serena realized her slip when she saw Jasmine slip. Looking around her she gave anybody staring at them a dirty look and soon no one was paying any attention to them. Serena had been told that she an intimidating figure, at 5'11" she towered over most women and her muscular body was clearly defined under the tight jeans and t-shirts that she liked to wear.

Her long black hair hung down her back almost to her waist and she usually kept it pulled back in a tight braid. Her steel blue eyes were her best feature and she knew one stare from her was enough to send anyone scurrying away with their tail between their legs. Unfortunately, it had taken the ten years with Stephane to realize that she could take care of herself.

She towered over Jasmine and instantly felt that she needed to protect this delicate woman. She felt that way to almost every woman that darkened her doorstep, being aware of the horrors that they had endured by men.

"I will carry that for you," Serena said, holding her hand out to Jasmine. "Do you have any other luggage to pick up?"

Caroline let the taller woman take her suitcase. Not that it was too heavy to carry... in fact it was surprisingly light, showing just how little she had left to her in the world. When Serena asked if she had anything else, she just shook her head quickly. "No, thats it..." she answered, her eyes glancing around nervously, as if watching for him.

And indeed she was. It seemed like every other male blond head in the crowd was going to be him, turning around to teach her a lesson for leaving him the way she did. Idly, she wondered how the people at the shelter were handling the car. It was in his name, but she'd taken it anyway. She'd told them of course, that it wasn't hers... they said they'd take care of seeing that it was returned.

Tucking a lock of hair behind her tiny seashell ear, she waited for Serena to lead the way out of the airport, eager to be away from the large crowds of people and out in the open air where she could breathe. The longer she spent surrounded by these people, the harder it was to draw a steady breath and keep from shaking.

Seeing her look nervously around the airport, that ever present look of fear on her face, Serean shook her head. She knew that she was looking for him, since she had done the same thing for the first few weeks after she left her husband.

"Don't worry my dear, he won't find you," she said softly, leading her into the airport security office.

Serena had already made arrangements with security at the airport for Jasmine to be processed quickly, knowing that she would feel uncomfortable in such a large crowd. They were in and out of the office in five minutes and Serena led her outside to where her car waited. Opening the trunk she put her bag inside before opening the passenger door for her to get in. Going around the front of the car she slid into the driver's seat, pointing the car towards home.