LOGANS POINT OF VIEW

My Dad died when I was 13 years old. I was of course heartbroken. Me and my dad were close. He was a good guy, he was my best friend for a good bit of my life. And he taught me something that to this day I live by. Family comes first.

That was that. Family comes before everything. But my brothers, with the exception of Jace and Nolan, have all seemed to have forgotten that. Because lately, they've been putting their own egos and agendas before our family. Before our sister, really. They act like nothing's wrong. They ignore her feelings and push her aside. I'd like to think they do it without meaning too, but that may be giving them too much credit.

The air was thick once again at the dinner table. No one was saying anything. All of our eyes kept drifting to Izzy who was mindlessly poking at her food. I often wonder what goes on inside that little head of hers. She always seems to be thinking. She always seems to be lost in herself. I would kill just to get a glimpse of what she was thinking. Just to understand her a little better. If only she'd let me.

"Izzy, if you're not hungry it's okay. I know you've had a long day." Tyler said, looking at her with those soft eyes that I was more used to from my oldest brother. I knew he felt badly about all that happened while we were in Georgia. He never intended to make her feel like that. He's a good guy for the most part, if a little temperamental at times. But that doesn't make what he did okay. None of it was okay. And no bullshit apology that was practically forced by me is going to fix that.

She looked up at him slowly, with those big, sad green eyes. "Okay." She practically whispered. She put her fork down and leaned back in her chair. It killed me to see a kid seem broken. Izzy's so young, and I can only imagine all that she's gone through. The thought has brought me to tears more than once. That we let Regina take her so easily, right out from under our noses and put that kid though god knows what. I see the way she shrinks when things get loud. The way she lies when someone asks if she's okay. The way she flinches without even realizing it when someone gets too close to touching her. It's heartbreaking.

I caught Emma smiling gently at Izzy from where she sat beside me. Em had told us what happened upstairs. Not to gossip, but because she was worried, like any good sister would be. I'll admit, it did make me think that Emma had really turned a corner when it came to our sister. It was rough in the beginning, but maybe things were starting to look up, at least for the two of them. But maybe not for all the others.

Liam cleared his throat, making us all look at him. He had been a real dick lately. He was never much good at admitting when he was wrong, and it seems to me that he knows that Emma had messed up but won't admit that he shouldn't have backed her, so he's doubled down and replaced all his guilt with anger. "So Izzy," I already wanted to sock him in the mouth. And I would've too if Emma and Izzy weren't in the room. No reason to scare them. But I could sense that Liam was about to give me more than enough reason. "Emma told us about your breakdown upstairs and Nolan told us about your breakdown in the car. Wanna tell us what's going on?"

I saw Izzy's face pale. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. But they always did. Anger rose up in me. I gritted my teeth and glared at Liam. Now was not the time or place to have this discussion and when it was time, he would not be a part of it.

"Liam! Why would you say that!" Emma yelled, clearly just as shocked as everyone else at the table.

Liam shrugged. "We all know it happened. It's not like it's a secret or anything." I could immediately feel my whole body go rigid. He was talking about it like it was normal. Like it was an inconvenience to him somehow. I could see the look of shame Izzy had on her face as she looked down at the table.

"Liam, shut the fuck up. Now is not the time." Nolan growled. I was a little surprised to hear him step in. He was about the least confrontational person I knew, but I guess we all got pretty protective when it came to our youngest sister.

"It's not that big a deal. Why are you guys getting so upset." I would have kept my cool. Honest, I would have stayed silent and brushed it off as another of his ignorant, assholish comments he makes so regularly these days. But then I saw a tear roll down Izzy's pale cheek, and I lost it.

"Izzy, Emma, go upstairs now." I said calmly as I could. They both looked at me shocked for a second.

"Girls, now." Tyler commanded. They looked at each other and jumped to action, immediately running up the stairs. I took a deep breath and leaned across the table in front of him.

"Liam, if you say one more goddamn word, I will break your jaw." I wasn't even yelling. I was talking just loud enough so that he could hear me, but Izzy and Emma couldn't. The last thing I needed was to make Izzy more scared of me. She didn't need anything or anyone more to be afraid of. "What happened to Izzy, whatever that may be, is beyond a big deal," I said slowly. "That kid, our baby sister, had two nervous breakdowns in the span of four hours. Tell me again that's not a fucking big deal!" He looked at me passively. Nolan put a hand on my arm, as if preparing to grab me if I tried to swing. To be fair, that was probably smart. "A 12 year old child had two fucking nervous breakdowns in four hours. And at the rate you're going, you're gonna push her into a third!" My voice was louder now. I was so close to him that our faces were only inches apart. "So, I'm going to do what I should have done last week when Tyler lost his shit on her in Georgia."

I stepped away, pulling my arm from Nolans grasp harshly. I walked to the bottom of the stairs. "Izzy, grab a bag with some pajamas, some clothes for tomorrow and your toothbrush. We're leaving in five."

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Tyler shot up from his chair but I only shook my head.

"Taking her somewhere away from you assholes. Somewhere she can hopefully get some peace for a little while, and heal a little bit."

"I'm her guardian Logan. You can't just take her without my consent."

"Fuck your consent. You're supposed to be protecting her the most out of all of us, and you don't do shit!"

I could hear his breath hitch momentarily. As if I had confirmed something heartbreaking. "I'm doing the best I can."

"Yeah, well that's not good enough Tyler. Two fucking breakdowns in four hours. She's 12 for god's sake! 12! If you were doing your job as her guardian, she wouldn't be having panic attacks or nervous breakdowns at all! Let alone multiple!" He took a slow step back.

"You can't take her." He said softly.

I scoffed. "I can, and I am." I turned my back on him and walked up the stairs. The first thing I saw when I entered Izzys room was teary eyed Emma being hugged and shushed by Izzy. I sighed and bent down to Ems level.

"I'm sorry," She whimpered. "I only told them because I was worried. I didn't mean to start this, I swear."

"Emma, no one is blaming you. None of this is your fault honey." I pulled her gently into my chest and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I'm gonna go grab my tooth brush." Izzy mumbled absently. I nodded, and tried to give her a small smile. She didn't return it.

"Where are you taking Izzy?" Emma whispered in my ear. I signed again, unapologetically using my sister as a teddy bear for the moment.

"I'm gonna take her to Teos apartment for the night. He's been dying to meet her anyway." I heard her sniffle into my neck.

"She'll like Teo. He'll love her." She chuckled softly and so did I.

"Do you want to come Em?" I asked. I wasn't too keen on the idea of leaving her here in all this mess, but ultimately she could handle it more than Izzy. After all, she had grown up with everyone in this house. God, I wish Izzy had grown up with us. Things would be so much better if she never left. If we never let her leave.

"No. I need to stay here and try to make things better. For Izzy." I pulled away slightly to look at her face. She and Izzy looked so much alike, but Emma's eyes were so much livelier than her sisters. She looked just like our mom. When we were little, I remember thinking Mom was the most beautiful woman there ever was. But now I know, she was ugly inside. It made me sad to think she may have always been.

"I love you Emma. So, so much." I said softly.

She smiled and took my hand in hers, giving it a tight squeeze. "I love you too stupid. Now go get Izzy and make my sister feel better."

"I'll try my best Em." I stood up, pulling her with me. "Izzy, are you ready?" I asked, sticking my head into the bathroom. I frowned when I saw her leaned over the counters, tears dripping off her cheeks. "Iz, baby, c'mon lets get going." I said softly, taking her hands in mine. She looked up at me with that familiar panic in her eyes. "Are you packed?" I asked gently, dropping her hands.

She cradled her arms to her chest and nodded slowly. "I'm ready." Sometimes she reminded me of a ghost. She floated around, seeming empty and absent all the time. She's just, never quite all there. Her mind is always somewhere else.

"C'mon Belle, let's go down then." I subconsciously put my hand on her shoulder but she immediately jerked backwards. Her eyes widened as if she realized what she did. "I-I'm sorry, I just-" "Don't be sorry. You never have to apologize for not wanting me or anyone else to touch you. I'm sorry I should have asked you first." She tilted her head a little, seemingly confused by my sudden interjection.

"C'mon,"  I said again, nodding towards the stairs. She nodded slowly, and took a step ahead of me, seeming dazed once again. I ignored all of them when we reached the bottom of the stairs. If I didn't, I definitely would have punched at least one of them, and I didn't need to make things worse for Izzy right now. She was practically shaking with fear and anxiety as it was. "It's okay," I whispered to my sister as she walked shakily through the front door, the cold October air seeping in and wrapping around her. "It's all gonna be okay, I promise." Tyler didn't say anything as we walked past. Even in his temperamental, stubborn brain, he knew this was best for all of right now. And for that, I was glad. We walked out to my car, in silence. Izzy was lost in her mind, and I was scared to pull her out. Neither of us said anything for a while after the car door closed.

I pulled out my phone, and sent a quick text to my boyfriend, telling him what was going on. Thankfully, he texted back almost immediately, offering up the free bedroom in his apartment for Izzy and I to stay in for the next day or so. I had been dating Teo for nearly 3 years now, since we were 16, but I've had a crush on him since I was younger than Izzy. He's an amazing person, and I've been desperate to introduce Izzy, but with all that's been going on since the very second my poor, sweet little sister stepped foot into Maryland, it just never seemed like the right time.

"I'm not going to ask if you're okay, because I already know you're not." I said after a while. I had pulled out of the driveway and began driving to the apartment a short distance away. Izzy looked away from where her vision had been settled on nothing out the window. She studied me for a while. She's so quiet. Way too quiet.

"Where are we going?" She asked gently.

I sighed softly, wanting nothing more to take the hurt out of her voice with every word she spoke. "My boyfriend's apartment, Iz."

She didn't say anything right away, as if the words were taking a while to register in her brain. "You have a boyfriend?" She asked, seeming absent again. Like she was diverting from other words, other thoughts.

I chuckled softly, hoping to lighten the mood a little bit. It didn't work. "Yeah, Belle, I have a boyfriend. Teo. You'll love him." She would too. He was soft, and kind, and sweet and would be very patient with Izzy. He was in school to be a child phycologist, so maybe this will be more beneficial than I even realized. I hope he can help her. I hope someone can help this kid better than I can. I'm so clueless when it comes to things like emotions and feelings. I try my best to be there for everyone, especially my siblings. And right now, that's all I could do for Izzy. Be there, and find someone else who could do the rest.

"How come we're leaving?" She asked softly.

I thought for a moment before responding. "Izzy, you know this is fucked up right? The way things have been going around here?" She took a sharp intake of breath, nodding slowly. "And, as your older brother, it's my job to get you out of fucked up situations no matter what. So that's what I'm doing." I took a deep breath when she didn't respond. I felt like shit. I felt like I failed her in some way. The more I thought about, the worse the feeling got. I looked at her in the passenger seat. So small. So not innocent. I'm not a sensitive guy, but seeing anyone I love like I do Izzy in pain like this, kills me. It brings me to tears every time I think about it. Because she doesn't deserve this. Any of it. Yet she takes so much shit from everyone in this world. And there's nothing I can do about it, which is the very worst part. I can take here away the people who hurt her, but I can't take away the pain they've already caused.

"Izzy, tell me how I can help," I said, filling the void space that had been consumed with unbearable silence. "Tell me one thing I can do to make things better for you." I saw another tear slip down her pale face, illuminated by the street lamps that whizzed by the car window. "Just one thing, Iz. Big or small. What can I do to make it easier for you?" The best way to help a person, is to ask them how. Ask them what they need to do. Ask them what you can do. I know from personal experience how lovely it is to feel heard by someone else. To feel cared about. Izzy didn't say anything for a moment.

But I wouldn't push her. She was entitled to feel and act however she pleased right now. I knew she was more prone to shutting down than blowing up. So I wouldn't push. Because I can't risk her shutting down on me. Not like Finley used to. That was the scariest thing when we were kids. He would have a panic attack about small, seemingly insignificant things and then for hours after, he would just shut down. He wouldn't speak, or eat, or look you in the eye. And I had a feeling if Izzy shuts down, it won't be just for a few hours. I fear it may be forever if Izzy goes into a state like that. I can't lose her. Not after only getting her back after 12 years apart.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, it's really-"

"Ask before you hug me," She interrupted softly, arms crossed over her chest, eyes glued to the road ahead. "I-I don't mind hugs, or touching really, but sometimes, I don't want to be hugged or touched. But if you-if you asked, I could-I could tell you when I do or don't want a hug. I'll-I'll usually say yes, if you ask me." I felt a bit of relief in my heavy chest. "Of course Izzy. I'm sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable with unwanted hugs or touching." "Don't be sorry. There's no reason. I'm fine."

But you're not fine. I wanted to say. But before I could, we pulled up to the tall apartment building and my words became even more meaning less than they had been 10 seconds earlier. "Ready to go in, Buddy? I think Teo was making us some food since you didn't eat much at home." I smiled at her again. Nothing in return, but it was worth a shot.

"Really think he'll like me?" She asked. I couldn't tell if she was anxious about meeting Teo. She was already too anxious to tell the difference.

"Of course, Belle, who couldn't love you." I was trying to lighten the mood between us. It wasn't going very well, but again, I was doing my best for my sister. I grabbed her duffle bag off of the floor in the back seat where she had dumped in when we got in. She didn't even seem to notice as she wrung her hands together in her lap, as she often did.

"Izzy? Bud, you in there?" I teased half heartedly, tapping the side of her head gently.

She hummed and looked at me. "I-I'm ready. To go in, I mean." I could see panic clear as day on her stony face, a frown etched onto her lips. I sighed sadly.

"Okay," I opened my door, Izzys bag in hand, and slid out of the car, my sister doing the same thing in the passenger seat. I walked around and stood by her side, studying her yet again. She looked sad. And tired. I'll have to make sure she gets to bed okay tonight. She looks like she needs it. I hear her awake most nights, long after she's told us goodnight, and disappeared into her bedroom. It makes me sad to think that it may be her own thoughts that keep her up at night. I know too much about that from personal experience.

"Izzy, can I hug you?" I asked softly.

She nodded, not even looking at me. Slowly, and cautiously, I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame and pulled her against my stomach. She immediately sunk into me, her own arms tightening around my waist. "I'm so sorry Izzy. I really, really am." I whispered, pressing my cheek against the top of her head.

I felt her shake her head. "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." We stayed like that for a moment longer, neither of us bothered by the noise of the street behind us or the bite of the October wind. "Okay Belle, let's go in." I whispered once we let go of one another.

She sighed again, her body still tense and anxious. "Okay." She muttered, surprising me by slipping her hand into mine and holding it tightly. I squeezed back, a half smile on my face at the willingful contact. I gently pulled her through the familiar corridors of the building, quickly reaching the apartment on the third floor, where Teo was already waiting in the doorway waiting for us.

"Logan, oh my god." He said, immediately embracing me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding the slightly taller boy close to me. "Are you alright?" He asked worried, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I sighed, pulling away slightly. "I'm fine T," I said, my eyes drifting to the small girl, who was now almost fully behind me. She had let go of my hand, but didn't move far from me. "Teo, this is Izzy. Izzy, this is Teo. My boyfriend."

She nodded, waving slightly. Teo grinned sweetly and waved back. "It's very nice to meet you Izzy. I've heard lots of lovely things about you." Her pale cheeks flushed red at his words, holding onto my hand a little tighter. She looked so young right now. So small, and scared. Sometimes it was hard to remember she was only 12. A child that was forced to act so much older most of the time.

"Nice to meet you." She said softly. Me and my boyfriend shared a look. I could tell he was already making observations about Izzy. He was trying to figure her out, just like everyone else was. I would have to tell him how hard it's been trying to do that myself. "Well come in you guys, it's cold in the hall and I have some food cooking right now." I gently pushed Izzy forward into the apartment, following closely behind her.

"She's small for 12." Teo whispered.

I sighed and nodded. "And yet, so much more grown up than she should be."

A/N-So, I went to get coffee with my brother this afternoon, and he took a sharp turn and I spilled half the cup down my sweatshirt and all over my lap. I was very mad, and still kind of am, but he was nice about it and gave me a napkin so I guess I can forgive him, but still, if my sweatshirt stains, I may have to take justice into my own hands. Stay tuned for updates.

Sorry the ending kind of sucks. I had to end it earlier than I intended because it was getting too long. What do we think? This whole thing was a spur of the moment decision for me, but it seemed right. Logan, of all of them, has definitely seen the worst of it for Izzy since she's known them and I think he would be the most protective of her and want to get her away from that the most. Poor Izzy. We'll get a glimpse into how she's feeling about all of this in the next chapter and how she plans to handle Brayden and the video. Any more thoughts on Emma? I know most of you won't forgive her just yet, and you shouldn't, but have your feelings changed about her at all?

Thank you guys for almost 190k on this and 810k on Battle scars. Holy shit, I can't believe 810 thousand people have enjoyed my writing. This is really insane to me and I'm in shock a bit about it all. So thank you. I appreciate every comment, vote and view. Love you all.