Chapter 8

"Right this way." He rushed me through a hallway, and into a rather large office. "Chief, he knows who shot her." The chief stood up and walked in front of me. "Are you completely sure?" "Yes sir. He's kidnapped her, and was abusive during their relationship. It's Jacob Holloway." He grabbed a paper off his desk and started writing it down. "Sir, are you sure we can rely on him? I'm not saying I don't trust you, it's just, we can't believe everyone that comes in here." "He's our only chance. We don't have any other leads." The younger man nodded and walked out. "Thank you Mr.Payne." "How'd you know my name?" "My little girl has pictures of you all over her room." I laughed lightly and smiled. "Do you think she'd like an autograph?" "I'm sure she'd love it. What do I owe you?" "Nothing at all! I love the fans, I'd really rather them not have to pay to see us at all, but I have no say." He smiled gratefully and handed me a piece of paper. "What's her name?" "Grace." "That's Mitchie's middle name." I smiled and signed it. "Here ya go." "Thank you." "No problem. I have to go..." "Alright. Thanks for everything!" "You're welcome sir." Now, to go check on Mitch. I hopped in my car and drove off to the hospital.

When I entered the waiting room, I saw all the lads, and my parents. I sat beside my mum, and rested my head in my hands. "You okay?" "Not really...what if they can't remove the bullet safely? What if she dies in the process?" "She won't Liam. They're very experienced...she'll be fine." I nodded and hid my face in my hands.

*8 hours later*

By now the boys had left and all that was left was my parents, me, Niall, and her dad.

"Family of Mitchie Boling?" Her dad stood up, and I saw him talking with the doctor for a while. My eyes never left them. Her dad nodded and walked over to us. "How is she? Is she going to be alright?" "Everything's perfect Liam. They're even predicting she'll wake up in the next couple hours." I smiled wide and hugged my mum. She laughed and hugged my back. Tears of joy were falling that I couldn't help. "Liam? Let's go for a walk yeah?" "Um sure." I stood up and walked with her dad outside of the hospital. "I'm just saying this, because now I know what she went through: Don't hurt her." "I never would sir." "I know Liam, but I just need the satisfaction of knowing my daughter's in the right hands. It's hard enough being away by 3 hours, it's even worse when she's living alone." "Actually, she's living with me and Niall now. We had her move in with us because we were worried Jacob would go back to her house. We needed to make sure she'd be okay." "You see? This is why I like you. And just to let you know, I know you'll be together for quite a while, maybe even get married, and when that time comes, I give you permission to marry her. If I'm gone before then, you'll know." "Thank you sir." "You can call me Mike." He smiled. "Alright Mike." He patted my back and we were headed towards the doors. "Liam, how about you get get some rest? I'll call you as soon as she wakes up." "No, I'm fine. I wanna be here when she wakes up." "Alright. If you really want to."

-Mitchie's POV-

Where am I? "Ah, Ms.Boling! You're awake! I'll go get your father. He will be glad to see you're alright." "Sir? Why am I here?" "Somebody tried to shoot you m' dear." "Oh wow...do they know who?" "They're thinking Jacob Holloway...do you know him?" "Yeah. Unfortunately." "Alright, I'll leave it at that. I'll go get your father." "Thank you, but can you allow other people back now?" "I suppose. Could you give me a name?" "Um two actually. Liam Payne and Niall Horan." He smiled and left. A few minutes later, the door opened, but I was too sore to move. "Mitch!" Liam. I smiled and shifted slightly, just enough so I could face him. "Are you sore?" "Yeah...quite a bit, but c'mere." I pulled him into a hug, and held him close for a bit. "I love you." I whispered. "I love you too." "Niall come here." He smiled and walked over. I hugged him too, and looked at my dad. "Daddy. You too." He smiled wide and walked over to me, hugging me. "I can't believe you're alive." I smiled and let tears fall. "I'm really sorry honey but I have to leave. I'll call you tomorrow alright?" "Alright it's fine. Bye dad." "Bye sweetie." As soon as the door closed, Liam stood up and kissed me. "I'm so glad you're alright!" Niall stood up and held my hand. "Thanks guys. For everything." "There's no need to thank us love." Liam smiled. "Oh, the doctor said you may have some memory loss, but didn't know how much...what's the last thing you remember?" "Um...I remember waking up and fixing some breakfast, but I don't remember anything after that." His face lit up. "That's great! You barely missed a thing." Niall however, looked kinda upset. "What's wrong Ni?" "Oh...it's n-nothing..." "You sure? I can tell when you're lying." "It's um, guy stuff." "Want to talk about it man?" "Later." Liam nodded and turned back to me. "Want to see the other boys?" "Sure." "Alright. I'll go call them." I smiled as he walked out. "Niall...are you sure?" "Well....it's just, what happened that day, I didn't want you to forget..." "Why? What happened?" "Well.....maybe I shouldn't say..." "Why?" "It made Liam a little upset." "Go ahead and tell me. I won't tell him." "He already knows...it's just um...I admitted I l-loved you...and we spent the whole day together...we played in the park, and just had a great time..." "You love me?" "Yeah I do..." "Niall...I have to tell you something you can not under any circumstances tell Liam." "Alright...?" "I-" I stopped when I heard the door open. "They're on their way." I smiled and held his hands as he sat down. I could tell Niall really wanted to know, but didn't know how to get rid of Liam... "Babe, could you go get me some pain medicine?" "Yeah of course." I really did need it. After he left, Niall looked at me. "So...?" "I like you..." "What?" "Yeah...In all honesty, if me and Liam weren't dating, I'd love to give 'us' a chance..." "Really?" His face lit up, but slowly faded. "What?" I followed his eyes. Liam was standing in the doorway, mad. "I thought you loved me." "I do! I just...ugh I had a crush on Niall and still do..." "Niall, leave. We need to talk." Niall left hesitantly, and as he did, Liam bumped his shoulder on purpose. "Why didn't you tell me?" "I just...I don't know...I thought you'd get mad..." "Well, I kinda am, but that's not the point. Would you rather go out with him than me?"