It had been about a week since I returned from the... warehouse. I didn't have a problem thinking about it. Honestly, I would rather think about it than imagine it never happened. I had so many questions for the man - boy - they caught. He was my age. He looked like an average teenager. I felt like I knew him.

I had expressed all my concerns to him, treating him like a therapist. He was more than happy to listen to me, and he encouraged me to express everything to him, but he knew when to keep his distance. I had gone back to Lou's practice only yesterday and Cole had told him a little of what happened so he knew not to pressure me too much. I still had a boot strapped to my foot so while I couldn't dance, I taught the little ones while Lou taught other classes and I helped choreograph some group dances and a single solo. I was excited, though I assumed that he gave me the solo to keep my mind off things.

But I did my research. I knew things.

I hadn't been allowed at the monastery for a few days because Sensei had been working with J/G/N on something, though Cole hadn't gone into depth and I hadn't asked, and needed to stay with the ninja for a little while in order to figure things at. I remained at home with B/F/N who kept a close eye on me, and when I wasn't home, I was at Lou's studio. Cole watched me choreograph and when I had time to sneak looks at him, he was always staring at me with dreamy eyes and a smile, and I had to disguise my smirk and focus back on the task at hand.

Today, I took the bus to the studio and rehearsed with the girl I was choreographing the solo for for around two hours, and when she had left, I sat down on the couch with my laptop on my lap and headphones in my ears. I researched the public records for the boy who kidnapped me and I sat just reading article after article on him.

He was seventeen, a senior in high school. He attended Fairmont so I wouldn't have recognized him, but I'm sure if I sent to image to K/G/N, J/G/N, Z/G/N, or L/G/N then they would. And I planned on doing so later.

His name was R/G/N R/L/N and he was planning to attend... Jago. He planned on attending the same university as me. He was wanting to go into photography like B/F/N. Would I have known him if this never happened?

I shook the thought out of my head and continued reading, finally finding his statement.

"I-I didn't want to. Yes, I did kidnap her and I'm admitting to all of this! I didn't want to do it!

"Then why did you?"

"Someone called me from a blocked number and said they would kill my mother, man! W-What would you do!"

"Do you understand the charges you are facing for the kidnapping, holding, and attempt of murder of Y/N L/N?"

"Look, I don't even know that girl! The guy on the phone said she was dating a ninja and he wanted me to get answers out of her about him! I didn't even care about the ninja till I got that call! Check my phone!"

"Do you accept the charges you are facing?"

"Can I talk to this girl or something? Please, c-can you call her in here? I-I want to explain his to her! I-I never meant to hurt her! That's not who I am! I-I want to study photography at Jago and open a studio! My scholarship is already gone, man! Please just call her in here so I can explain this!"

"Would you like a lawyer, Mr. R/L/N?"

"Yes, please."

I stared at his words again. It was just a transcript but I could feel his words, I could feel like I was sitting there listening to him. It probably wasn't wise, but I would like to talk to him. I don't know what I would say, or how I would feel, but he was just like me. He had a scholarship to a prestigious arts university and his whole life was ruined because of a phone call.

I know he hurt me. I know he gives me nightmares. He hit me. He yelled at me. He belittled me to get answers about the guy I love... but... does he deserve a lifetime of hell because of it. He is still a minor, so he could be charged as a juvenile but with those outstanding charges against him it is highly unlikely. Though I think I will try to see it that way.

I was ready to look through more articles when I felt someone place a hand on my shoulder and I whipped around, staring into the brown eyes of Cole Brookstone. I slammed the laptop shut and placed it quickly on the coffee table before standing with a nervous smile, hoping he hadn't seen what I was looking at. 

"Hey, babe!" I smiled, leaning forward to kiss him. He hummed against my lips and smiled, walking around the couch to sit down and pulling me down with him. He lifted my legs onto his and was extra careful with the boot, his smile fading as he looked at me. "What are you looking at online?" he asked softly, reaching for my laptop. I quickly snatched it from his hands and placed it slowly on my lap, meeting his confused eyes. "I-I..." I stuttered, feeling shame with myself. 

He narrowed his eyes and finally I opened the laptop, handing it over to Cole who glanced at the article I had open. He sighed.

"Y/N..."

"Cole I can't just ignore this," I interrupted, my eyes staring into his. "He's my age," I said quietly. "He planned on going to the same university as me and he didn't even know who I was! Or you, for that matter!"

"He still did it, Y/N. He can't play the victim forever."

"Well neither can I," I whispered. Cole looked distraught. His eyes showed fear, sadness, and anger. He was conflicted. "This wasn't your fault, Cole," I said even quieter, holding his shirt in my fist and laying my head on his chest. He didn't say anything, he just simply gripped my side and rested his chin on top of my head. "I know it wasn't, but I'm a ninja destined to help people, and I couldn't help the one person who actually needed it. You are everything to me, Y/N, and if anything happens to you I don't know what I would do. Someone hurt you because they wanted to know things about me and my friends, things you knew but wouldn't reveal. I can't imagine someone getting away with that."

I nodded, closing my eyes briefly and placing a hand on Cole's cheek. I looked up at him and he stared into my E/C eyes, placing a soft kiss on my lips before sighing and leaning down to get comfortable on the couch. "Tell me about the solo," he said softly. "I want to hear all about it."