Guarded heart

Chapter 27 The punches that count.

LISA'S POV

"We are here" Chris says as I feel the car come to a stop.

I open my eyes and see we are outside the police station. I look at Chris and are eyes meet.

"The police station?" I say trying to figure out how being at the police station can help me right now.

"Yes, trust me there's a reason I brought you here" Chris says then he grabs his phone and sends a text. While I sit quietly and wonder what he is up to yet I come up with a complete blank on what his idea could be. But I'm also curious.

"Alright time to get rid of that pent up anger in a way that won't hurt my crown jewels" Chris say as he takes his seat belt off and smiles at me at the same time.

"What you want me to do yell at criminals?" I say with raised eyebrows as I unbuckle myself at the same without taking my eyes off Chris.

"No! Trust me I wouldn't let you near them people" Chris says then he gets out the car and walks around to my side of the door. As he opens the passenger door Chris says "No crutches you won't need and you can just use me as your support from a to b" Chris says and his phone starts pinging left right and centre as he holds his hands out for me.

"You sound like your in demand" I say taking Chris hands.

"No, it's just the police force replying back to the message I just sent them" Chris says

"Yet you about to walk into the police station surely your message could of waited until you see people in person?" I ask as we start to walk in. Well Chris is the one walking slowly while I hop with Chris making sure I don't fall with his arm around my waist and my arm around his neck.

"It was quicker and easier to just do it this way" Chris says.

"Hmm mmm" I say.

"Now look who is swinging by at the same time as me. Its nice to see you again Lisa. Chris I'm curious what your up to" I hear someone say a d the sound fimilar. I look up and see its Nathan.

"How come your here?" Chris asks.

"Hi" I say and Nathan smiles at me.

"Smithy left his wallet in his locker so after the pub meal we opted to swing by here to grab it" Nathan says shrugging his shoulders.

"He would forget his head if it wasn't attached to his body" Chrid says.

"You know it. Never mind smithy though. What are you up to?" Nathan asks.

"I can't tell you as Lisa doesn't know what it is yet" Chris says.

"Lisa you wouldn't mind if I tag along for a moment would you?" Nathan asks

"Well no, how are you anyway?" I ask.

"I'm doing good thanks. How are you?" Nathan asks.

"Me? Well I'm just like you curious what Chris's game plan is" I say side tracking the how's you question as I don't want to talk about me.

"Well your both about to find out" Chris says.

CHRIS POV

A few more people stopped us along the way to say hi in passing. Nathan kept giving me questioning looks with a smug smile on his face. But here we are as Nathan opens the door to sparing room which holds a few punchbags. I'd sent everyone a message asking to kindly clear out for a few hours while me and Lisa are in there. And lucky for me no one was in here when we arrived.

"Make yourself useful then Nathan and put the music on" I say.

"Why did you bring me here?" Lisa says sounding confused and I look at Lisa to see she looks confused as well.

"Your going to take your anger out on the punching bag" I say

"What did you hit your head or something when you fell down in the first?" Lisa asks.

"No! I didn't" I say as the music starts.

"Then how do you think I can punch the hell out of a punching bag when in in a cast?" Lisa shouts over the music.

"I was wondering the same" Nathan says loudly.

"I will hold you up and you can punch your anger out" I say.

"Your crazy!" Lisa says.

"Maybe but we are trying this!" I say.

"Well now I know what your plan is have fun. I'm going to catch up with the others. But please Lisa let's meet up soon. I want to know how this goes down in curious plus it would be nice to have a better catch up" Nathan says.

"Okay" Lisa says

"Great, tell Chris to pass you my number and we can arrange it" Nathan says.

"Have fun" I say as Nathan walks past us and pats me on the shoulder.

"You to" Nathan says.

"Bye" Lisa says and Nathan waves before he walks out the door.

"Okay my little fire cracker, let's get going" I say.

"Fire cracker?" Lisa asks.

"Yeah because there's a fire in the pit of your stomach wanting out while your about to crack the punch into next year. So now your be my little fire cracker" I say as I lift Lisa gently off the flow with my arm around her waist and walk to the punching bag.

"Hmm I like it" Lisa says shrugging. And I can't help smile it's so cute.

I make sure Lisa is steady on her leg then I stand behind her at a distance while my hands are on her waist each side. I make sure I take a step back so I can avoid swinging arms.

"Your crazy" Lisa says.

"Stop yapping and punch the punching bag already" I say.

"It won't work and I will probably fall" Lisa says.

LISA'S POV

Chris must be crazy I'm either going to end up elbowing him or falling I think to myself.

"You won't fall on my watch. Never I always catch you. Now punch the bag" Chris says.

"Fine" I say through gritted teeth as draw back my arm and lay down a blow on the punching bag. And it feels good. A little shakey but then I'm not in fall control of my body weight. I take a few more strikes slowly trying to make sure I don't hit Chris.

"What are you waiting for let lose and hit that punching bag like you want to destroy it" Chris says.

"You want a black eye as well as sore crown jewels?" I shout as I throw enougher punch on the punching bag.

"Dont worry I can protect my pretty face from you swinging arms just take out that damn punching bag" Chris shouts over the music.

"Don't blame me if you get hurt" I shout before I let lose and punches get faster and heavier. As each blow strikes I can feel that anger rising like it always does and my adrenaline kicking taking over. I forget everything in my head and just lay blow after blow. Then jump off my good leg before bringing it up and kicking the punching bag. As my leg strikes it I remember that I've now gotta land on the good leg without whacking my bad leg. But I feel Chris grip om my waist tighten slightly and he slows down my speed to the ground so I can get my footing again without falling. And I'm greatful that Chris is her to help me.

I don't know how long I continued to lay punches into the punching bag I lose sight of the music blocking it out blocking everything out I just punch and continue punching until my anger is gone and I start to feel refreshed and calmness taking over. I feel the sweat running down my face and its a welcoming feeling knowing I could get myself into a good work out. To just forget for a moment and s**t the world out. But I continue on and the exhaustion starts to take over like always and I know I won't stop until the energy leaves my body and I collapse on the floor. I don't slow down if anything I speed up wanting exhaustion and sleep to take over so I can sleep so blindly that I can't dream. I can't relive that nightmare again tonight because I can't be broken again tomorrow.

Then it happens like I wanted the exhaustion takes over and I feel my body give out on me as the satisfaction washes over my body. Yet I don't fall to the ground like I usually do. No isn't Chris pulls me to his body catching me as he holds me close. And all I can think is its like someone has finally caught me as during the storm. We don't say anything for a few minutes and just stay like that before Chris then shifts one arm to lift my legs as he get my turns me so he can carry hold me better. I rest my head against his chest as Chris says "Feeling better?".

"Yes thankyou" I say.

"Your tired" Chris says.

I don't say anything instead I just close my eyes.

"Go asleep I will take you home" Chris says then he places a kiss on top of my head as he starts walking.

CHRIS POV

Lisa sure didn't hold back once she got going and I was right she was a fire cracker. I didn't walk out with black eyes might end up with the odd bruise from the odd occasion she caught my arms but I could live with that. Nearly two hours she punched the life out of the punching bag. I could feel the anger and rage radiating off Lisa like her life depended on it.

Now here Lisa is exhausted in my arms and it just makes me what to hold her close and look after her. Anyone that passed us in the station and went to say anything I just shook my head no and they either smiled or raised eyebrows at us as I carried Lisa out to the car. Lisa was so tired that she didn't even stir when I strapped the seat belt on her. As I closed the passenger door Callum then said "What's that about?" as he approaches the car.

"That was me helping Lisa out. Oh by the way I'm taking a few weeks off work. You said anything I needed to get this daily gift thing done and well Lisa seems to be struggling so I'm going to step up my game and be there for her for a few weeks" I say.

"Fine. But Just make sure she keeps posting updates daily. Lisa didn't do one today" Callum says.

"Not everything is about social media. Lisa has feelings you know. I won't force Lisa do anything but I will tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to look after her after all it's the least I can do. And it's certainly the least you can allow me to do since she didn't sue the police force after that accident! Lisa life doesn't have to plastered all over social media to make the police force look good no us police officers should do that by being the best we can be on duty" I say as I walk round to my side of the car door.

"Chris you know what I meant. Don't go blowing this out of proton" Callum says.

"Well as your friend right now, in telling you stop letting your job title go to your head and acting like a asshole. If you had suffered the way Lisa has would you want some jumped up asshole to make you look better for your own self greed?" I say.

"Your right. I'm sorry, take all the time you need" Callum says.

I just nod at Callum before getting into the car.

I drive Lisa home and see Summer is sat outside Lisas house on a chair drinking a glass of wine waiting for us. I get out of the car and walk over to Summer.

"How is she?" Summer asks looking at Lisa asleep in the car.

"Exhausted, we went to the forest to originally have dinner and await the sun set. However after a view brief words spoken to someone on the phone I'm assuming a counsellor it was clear she needed something more active to get through. I tried to get her to take the anger out throwing a ball at me but it didn't work. So then I thought over what Lisa had said and well I held her steady while she went and cracked the punching bag for nearly two hours straight until she fell from exhausion Into a deep sleep. Don't worry I caught her" I say.

"That's her favourite way to realise the anger that over takes her each time a nightmare strikes. We should be good for good 4-5 months now before the next one strikes" Summer says.

"Then she will go through all this again?" I ask.

"Yeah, but you watch tomorrow she will be back to her normal self. Once she is rested. That's why she wares herself out because after the nightmare she is full of the thoughts of what that bastard did to her. So she will take her anger out until sleep takes over so she can't dream. Then the rest helps her feel better and she will do something fun the following day and it works the nightmares goea away for a while. But they always come back eventually" Summer says and I can hear the sadness in her voice.

"He did a real number on her didn't he?" I say I don't even need to go read the new articles or look up the case notes to know that I can see in Lisa from how she says things and how she punched the pinching bag I think to myself.

"It was bad. You should of seen her physical bruises he left. The torn clothes. I won't ever forget that imagine of the day I found her in the toilets crying naked covered in bruises. I won't forget how she clung to me as if her life depended on it. I won't forget how she became a shadow of herself. How she clung to me during the police interview. Then just as she started making progress his damn parents struck and that was enougher hell to contend with. We all feared that would send her fully over and we watched her like a hawk in fear she would kill herself. But then Emma was born. The Labour was rough Lisa was so scared she would hate her baby. She feared so much but she also loved her baby as well. She was torn she cried the whole labour saying she was ready to learn if she hated her baby as much as she loved her baby. But then Emma came into the world and after a few minutes Lisa got the courage to look at Emma and the first time ever we saw light in Lisas eyes again. Since that day she been getting over her past and that's thanks to Emma. She loves that little girl so much that Emma saved Lisa.

Lisa has come so far but the nightmares just don't leave her and we all hate it when that happens" Summer says while I listen to every word and hear every emotion Summer has in her voice.

"She doesn't realise how amazing she really is. I wish she could see that" I say.

"Chris I don't know what it is about you. But your good for Lisa. We were all so scared Lisa would get into bad depression after last night but your the only one who got her out of the house to talk. To get done what needed to be done. Promise even if she trys to push you away you won't allow Lisa to do that. She needs you more than she realises" Summer says.

"I will always be here for Lisa so long as she needs me to be" I say.

"I know I shouldn't ask but I had Emma taken to mine and Sean said she is very unsettled tonight worried about Lisa. She thinks she is sick after hearing her screaming during last night. Sean has work tomorrow so would you mind staying with Lisa tonight incase she needs anyone so I can take care of Emma. If not then it's okay because Sean can just go to work tired. Usually we have there parents here for extra support but there out with my family now" Summer says

"That's fine, I can crash in the spare bedroom. You make sure Emma is okay and I can look after Lisa for you" I say.

"Thanks Chris I appreciate it. Don't worry the security team will lock up. I need to get going" Summer says

"Okay, I will carry Lisa in" I say heading back to he car.

"I will open the door ready for you" Summer says

"Thanks" I say without turning around instead I keep my focus on Lisa.

"Goodnight and thanks for this Chris" Summer says just as I reach the car. I look up at Summer and she she is head g for her car. "Goodnight" I say. Then I open the door and gently get Lisa out into in arms before kicking the cae door shut which I think closed a little to loud as Lisa flicked in my arms as she opened her eyes and looked at me before closing her eyes again.

"It's okay, I was just closing the car door go back to sleep" I say.

"I'm sorry" Lisa says quietly

"For what?" I ask confused as I carry Lisa into the house.

"For being a horrible person to you today" Lisa says

"Don't worry, I liked seeing you feisty" I say as I start to walk up the stairs.

"I don't feel feisty anymore" Lisa says

"What do you feel now?" I ask as reach the top of the stairs to the hallway landing.

"Safe, content, not alone anymore, and so many other feelings I can't figure out how to explain them but I know it won't last much longer as well" Lisa says as I walk into her room.

"Why is that?" I ask as I lay Lisa down onto her bed and she grabs my hand

"Because your about to leave me alone again" Lisa says then she let's go of my hand and rolls over onto her side on the bed.

LISA'S POV

"I won't leave you alone if you don't want me to" Chris says taking my trainer off my foot.

"Really?" I ask feeling hopeful.

"Really, tell me what you want and need and I will full fill your wish my little fire cracker" Chris says.

"I was a fire cracker a little while ago. I don't feel like a fire cracker right now. I feel tired. When you caught me in your arms I don't know it was different from falling to the ground. Someone actually caught me and held me close for once. Just let me enjoy that feeling a few minutes more" I say.

"I will stay as long as you want me to" Chris says and I feel Chris lay beside me as he pulls me back into his embrace. The embrace I'm growing to love no matter if its a good day or bad and I don't think I could ever get bored of these feelings I think to myself.

"I was going to get your crutches from the car, but it looks like your have to be independent on me just a little longer to help you move around" Chris say

"I can live with that" I say with my eyes closed as I snuggle closer to Chris. And damn he smells good. He always smells good and I noticed he mixes up his aftershaves.

"You should go to sleep, because tomorrow we shall go get Emma and then we are off out to have a fun day" Chris says.

"What do you mean we are off out for a fun day?" I ask opening my eyes to look up to Chris.

"I mean we are going out you, me and Emma for a fun day" Chris says.

"What's the fun day entail?" I ask.

"Fun of course" Chris says smiling at me.

"Okay" I say giving up, but I trust Chris when he says it will be fun.

"I'm surpised your not still asleep" Chris says.

"I'm surpised as well, I think the power nap helped though. Although I am still pretty tired" I say.

"If your tired how come your not going back to sleep?" Chris asks as he gently uses his fingertip to slide akose strand of hair being my ear. And I don't know why but all these little actions Chris does from time to time always gives me little flutters in my stomach.

"I'm not sure" I say honestly.

"Hmm mmm" Chris says followed by a yawn.

"I'm sorry, I'm keeping you from sleep yourself. I should let you go get some sleep" I say feeling guilty.

"No, I'm good here with you. Plus I'm enjoying this cuddle just as much as you are, so don't you go kicking me out over a silly little yawn. Plus I'm not even tired really it was more a wake up yawn" Chris says.

"A wake up yawn?" I ask confused.

"Yeah, you know when you been awake hours but your body has been half awake the. It suddenly fully awake. Well that's my wake yawn" Chris says.

"Okay, it's a wake up yawn then" I say as I close my eyes again trying not to laugh.

"It's true" Chris says sounding defensive

"I didn't say it wasn't true" I say trying to keep the laughter out of my voice.

"You sound like you don't believe me though" Chris says.

"Maybe your never know since I tell u believe you with my words" I say.

"Then maybe I should discover a way to get the truth out of you then" Chris says before he starts ticking my sides.

"Okay, okay I believe you" I say through laughter trying not to thrash around epically with my bad leg.

"I don't know you, you still sound like you don't believe me" Chris says as he continues to tickle me.

"That will be because your making me laugh though so that's not fair" I say trying to roll over and away. But Chris pulls me back and he stops as ticking me as he wraps his arms around my waist and under my neck bringing me closer to him. "Okay little miss sleepy get some sleep" Chris says before he kisses my forehead again.

"But then your leave me" I say yawning

"No, I told you that I shall stay as long as you want me to" Chris says.

"You promise?" I ask trying to stifle enougher yawn.

"I promise I will stay as long as you want me to. I also promise anything I say I will do I shall always follow it through when it comes to you" Chris says as he gently runs his hand up and down my arm a few times before moving to my back.

"Okay, then goodnight Chris" I say as I rest my head against Chris's chest and hear his heart beat thumping against my ear. Damn even this man's heartbeat is soothing i think to myself as I find myself zoning in listening to his heartbeat as I fall asleep in Chris's embrass. Part of me doesn't want the night to end that way I won't have to go back to reality tomorrow, I can just stay cosied up here with chris.