Love in Unusual Places Spain/Fem Romano Dieci

The next morning Antonio was there again, this time waiting for her when she approached her class room early, arms crossed across his chest.

"What do you want?" Katirina asked, stopping to look at him, shifting the bag in her arm, wincing when it sent pain shooting up through her shoulder.

When he turned to face her she stiffened, the warm green eyes once more were cold as emeralds, and she immediately knew she wasn't with Antonio.

"Spain...right?"

Nodding the man glared at her, pushing off the wall and approaching her.

"I may not like you that much, but I know for some fucked up reason Antonio does, and when he likes someone he wants to protect them. He won't listen to me, and now he's trying to figure out what's going on. So tell me Kitten, what exactly are you hiding from him?"

"It's none of your business. I'm not hiding anything. Now move, I need to get set up and you're in my way."

Shoving passed the Spaniard she yelped when he grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks.

"Don't touch me. That hurts!" SHe hissed.

Green eyes looked down at her and for a moment she was taken aback at the emotion in the normally cold pools of green, there was worry for one moment, surprising the slight Italian.

"You really should go get those checked out. Your face looks like it's swelled up more bitch."

Glaring the woman jerked her hand away, eyes narrowed.

"Watch your language. We're in a school." Walking passed the man she entered her class room, slamming the bags in her arms down on the table.

The voice that spoke next was timid, almost to the point of being unsure.

"S-Senora?"

Looking up with wide eyes Katirina stared at the man. Cowering in the doorway, peeking around was Antonio, but the look in his eyes and his timid stance told her this was another of his personalities. Remembering there were only 2 others she held out a hand to the man, a gentle smile on her face, hoping it was the one she thought it was.

"Come here Tatsu, I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."

At the mention of his name he looked up, slowly walking into the room, shyly approaching the woman.

"Y-You know me Senora?"

Smiling Katirina nodded, hand still outstretched.

"Antonio has told me about you, but why don't you tell me something dear."

Tatsu swallowed, studying the woman before giving a shy smile, taking the offered hand.

"M-My name is Tatsu...a-and you're...y-you're really pretty senora."

Blushing red the Italian smiled, kissing his cheek softly.

"Thank you Tatsu." Turning to unpack her bag she winced, jerking her arm wrong, immediately gaining the Spaniards attention.

"S-Senora are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine Tatsu. I just hurt my arm yesterday. It's okay though."

When she didn't hear anything from the man she turned, finding him staring at the ground, guilt written on his face.

"Tatsu?"

Shaking his head the Spaniard looked up, biting his bottom lip, taking a breath before speaking.

"Lo siento Kitten. I don't mean to keep doing this to you." He said softly, not meeting her eyes.

"Antonio...you don't remember anything that happens, do you?" She asked softly, looking at the man with slight concern. He shook his head, sighing heavily.

"I have no idea what goes on. Most times I don't even realize it's happened. Some days if I don't take my medication I can hear them...but I doubt you would really want to hear about all of that. Lo siento."

Blushing the woman put a hand on his shoulder.

"I-It doesn't bother me really."

Turning around the Spaniard blinked, eyes going wide.
"K-Kitten...gracias amiga."

Shoving him towards the door she scowled, making a shooing motion with her hands.

"Get out of my room. I have a class in about 10 minutes. Get the hell out of here."

Antonio smiled, knowing the woman didn't mean what she was saying in a rude way.

Hiding a smile Katirina pulled a box of sugar cookies from the paper bag, turning and putting it in the mini fridge under her desk a long with the container of milk for the children. Pulling out the paper cups she hummed softly, putting them in their places before straightening the room, wincing due to her injuries, but trying to stay cheerful for her kids.

"Ms. Rina was mi papa here?"

Turning in shock Katirina nodded to the small boy, smiling at the skirt he was happily wearing.

"Yes il mio piccolo(1) why do you ask?"

"He didn't say hi..."

Frowning the woman walked to the crying child, kneeling before him.

"He had to leave. He's going back to work so  he can get you home. He told me to tell you hello for him, and that he loved you."

The boy smiled, his attitude brightening.

"Ms. Rina..."

"Yes?"

"I still wish you were my mama."

Katirina studdied the boy, eyes wide.

"Oh Miguel...you shouldn't talk like that. What would your papa say?" Turning she began to walk across the room, sighing softly.

"But I'm beginning to think I would like the same thing." Her words were quiet, hesitant, and unsure, but Miguel caught them, and smiled.

"Are you going to marry papa?"

Turning the Italian was shocked at the words, quickly shaking her head.

"No Miguel I'm not. Now, this discussion is over alright?" She demanded softly, her tone gentle but firm.  
The child sniffled but nodded, turning and walking to his desk to wait for his best friend.
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"Bye Ms. Rina!" Wilhelm exclaimed as his mother, a pretty blonde with wide bleu eyes and a gentle smile led him out of the room, smiling at the teacher before disappearing down the hallway.

The woman sat down at her desk, putting her head down to hide the tears that were forming as she waited for her tormentor to come for her.

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Months went by, and with every passing day the assaults continued, slowly it was becoming evident to everyone in her life, including the children, something was very wrong with her. No matter how much makeup she applied it couldn't hide the weight loss she was experiencing and the insomnia she developed after weeks of screaming in her sleep from nightmares.

"Ms. Rina are you okay?" Peter asked one afternoon, Miguel and Mathew by his side.

"I'm alright Peter, I'm just a little tired. Why don't you three go play. Your parents will be here soon okay?" Giving a smile she ushered them back towards the rest of the children before putting her face in her hand, trying to focus on watching her tiny class.

Time drug on excruciatingly slow that afternoon, each time she checked the clock only a couple minutes had passed, adding onto her growing headache. Finally the day was over and she plastered a smile onto her face and bid the children a cheerful 'Have a good weekend bambini!(2)' before standing up to gather her things to leave as well.

Nausea rushed over her and she collapsed onto the ground, contents of her purse spilled next to her.

"Katirina!"  

Looking up weakly she was surprised to see Antonio running towards her, Julchen holding Miguel back in the doorway.

"What happened?" The Spaniard asked, checking her for injuries that could have caused her fall. The Italian let out a shriek, pushing him away violently before curling in herself shaking harshly.

"Katirina it's alright, it's me Antonio, I'm not going to hurt you." Reaching out slowly he sighed when she shoved his hand away weakly, looking up with terrified eyes. Reaching out once more he gently touched her cheek waiting for her to push him away. When she didn't move against him he carefully moved his hand to her sleeve, pushing it up to reveal nasty bruises glaring back at him.

"Who did this to you?"

"N-No one. Just help me up...please." Katirina whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Antonio stood but instead of helping her he leaned down and took the woman into his arms bridal style, carrying her to his car.

"Wh-what are you doing bastardo?" She groaned, shoving her anxiety to the side and curling up in the seat.

"I'm taking you to the hospital Kitten. You're in pain, and I can tell it's really bad."

"I-I can't! I have to meet someone tonight! I can't leave! Take me back!"

Green eyes pinned her with a glare, though they were more concerned than angry.

"Katirina, look me in the eyes and tell me that the person you're meeting isn't the one who hurt you. Can you do that?"

The Italian whimpered, looking down to avoid his gaze.

"Please Katirina, tell me who did this? Tell me the truth."

After minutes of silence the woman sighed, looking up with tear filled eyes.

"M-My ex...Daniel."

Anger filled green eyes, giving the appearance of Spain but the woman knew it was still Antonio.

"Why didn't you-" noticing the shaking woman he lowered his voice, reaching out for her hand.

"Why didn't you tell anyone Kitten? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I can h-handle myself." The woman snapped, glaring at the man.

"Have you looked in a mirror Katirina? You're covered in bruises, you've lost so much weight, you're lost your healthy glow; you're sick. Why can't you see that?"

Katirina glared harshly, turning her head away and jerking her hand out of his grasp.

"I'm fine bastard. I don't need help, I can handle it myself. I managed it once, I can do it again damn it."

"What do you mean again?" Antonio asked, his voice shaking in anger, not at the woman; no his anger was directed entirely at the man that would attack a woman.

"It's nothing Antonio. I-I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm fine so just take me back. I need to get my things and go home."

"No. You're getting treatment. I don't like what you've just told me. Why on earth would you go back to someone who hurts you?" He asked, remembering the afternoon he walked in on the couple having sex. He decided not to mention it to save the woman from embarrassment, but no matter how many times he thought about it he still couldn't bring himself to move on, subconsciously hoping the Italian would somehow choose him.

"What do you mean go back? We're not together. We haven't been in over 5 years."

Looking over at her the Spaniard sneered.

"So you mean you just have casual sex in your classroom?"

He snapped, taking delight in the way her cheeks lit up with colour and she gasped.

"H-How do you know about that?!" She cried, tears of humiliation forming in her eyes.

"He caught you bitch. About 1 months in fact. It's tearing him up every time he thinks about it."

Tears rapidly fell from olive eyes, the woman turning her eyes away in shame.

"So is it?" Spain asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Is it what?" She barked, glaring at the man.

"Just casual sex! Are you just fucking him for the hell of it or what?"

"Just drop it Spain! I don't want to talk about it any longer!" Katirina shrieked.

"I don't care. We're talking about it. Now, is it just casual sex or are you getting back with him? He deserves to know don't you think?"

"Go to fucking hell."

"Trust me bitch. Every moment he spends with you is hell for me." The Spaniard spat, watching in slight horror as the woman silently put her defenses back up, fighting back tears.

Pulling into the hospital he pulled under the awning and retrieved a wheel chair, helping her into it.

"I don't want them suspecting me bitch. Act normal." He hiss in her ear. Nodding the woman scowled and allowed herself to be unceremoniously dropped into the chair, yelping in pain when her arm was jerked.

"Sorry." He grumbled, not really wanting to really hurt her.

Once inside the Spaniard was silent, still feeling a deep hatred for hospitals due to his frequent visits as a child.

"Hey Spain...I know you despise me and all...but would you come back with me?"

"Why the fuck do you need me to go with you? Can you not do it on your own?"

Looking at the woman he knew instantly why. Her eyes said what her mouth never would.
'I'm scared. I can't do this alone.'

"F-Fine stupid bitch. I'll fucking go back with you shit."

He thought he saw a faint smile on her lips, but it was soon gone, like it was never there to begin with.

Shortly after they were called back, the Spaniard pushing her wheel chair and trying to seem like he really cared.

"You don't have to stay you know. I can tell you don't really want to be here. Sorry..." Katirina spoke, her voice soft.

Sighing heavily the Spaniard gathered himself up, dragging his chair over to her side. Sitting down he took her hand, looking up at her.

"Look I'd be here with you. So I'm going to stay with you. I may be an ass, but I don't go back on my word."

Giving an almost invisible smile she relaxed, almost asleep when the doctor opened the door.

Looking up she whimpered softly, fear rolling off her in waves.
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"Kitten...tell me what happened. Why did he do this to you?" Antonio asked, sitting with the woman as they waited for the results of the tests.

"What do you mean?" She asked softly, eyes downcast.

"Why does he beat you?"

Heaving a sigh the woman lifted her shirt to just below her breast, showing the scar from her C-section.

"He was my fiance six years ago, and I was pregnant. I was ecstatic, I'd been dreaming of a child since the two of us started dating three years before. He seemed like he was excited at first, but then he began to beat me. When I was in my last trimester, about 8 months along, he assaulted me for hours. He tried drowning me, before throwing me down the stairs of our home. My brother was there to pick me up for a dinner, and he called the police and an ambulance. They were able to save me, but...Silas wasn't so lucky." Dropping her shirt she sniffled, beginning to tear up once more.

"You don't need to go on, Kitten."

"N-No. I-I need to."

Nodding the Spaniard pulled her close, hugging her tight. Taking a deep breath she continued her story.

"He was born still, they did an emergency C-section to try and save him, but it was too late. Daniel got half of what he wanted, our baby died."

"Katirina why in gods name would you have sex with him then?!"

Katirina sniffled, looking up at him.

"I don't have a choice Antonio. He threatened Monika. He...he said he said he would kill her baby if I didn't. I can't let that happen."

"So...so he's been raping you this entire time?" He asked, voice trembling in anger.

It was silent before the Italian whispered a soft "Si" into the air.

"Why...Why didn't you tell me? I would have done whatever I could to stop this." He asked softly, looking at the small Italian in his arms, feeling his heart breaking for her.

"It's my burden to bear alone Antonio. I don't want pity from anyone."

"It's not pity if we decide to help you. That's love Katirina. You have people would will help you, people who would give up anything just about for you because they love you."
  
Katirina was silent before in a soft voice she spoke, her question causing Antonio to freeze.

"What was she like Antonio? Your wife, I mean."

The Spaniard blinked, confused by the sudden question.

"Femke...she was wonderful. She loved children and was so excited when she found out she was pregnant. She was the type of woman that loved everyone for the most part, even the cruelest of people knew she would bend over backwards to help them. She was always rather sickly however; always catching colds and what not. She was sick the day she went into labor, and it...it killed her. She died on the table. Like you, it was a C-section, Miguel was stuck, he had turned wrong. For some reason she began to bleed and it...it killed her."

"What did she look like?" Katirina asked softly, trying to imagine the woman in her mind.

"She had blonde hair that fell to her shoulders in bouncy gentle waves, beautiful green eyes, flawless lightly tanned skin and the sweetest voice paired with the cutest Belgian accent." Antonio explained with a far off smile, not noticing Katirina's tearful expression as she clung to his shirt.

"She sounds wonderful Antonio. I'm sorry for your loss. Miguel really missed out on a wonderful mother."

"Is something wrong Kitten? You're not normally this...talkative and curious."

"I'm just nervous bastard and I'm trying to make conversation. Is that a fucking crime?" Katirina spat, glaring at the Spaniard.

"Katirina is something else bothering you? You're acting less like yourself now than you were when I put you in the car."

"I'm fine damn it! I just...I want...it's nothing. Forget it."

"Oh no, talk to me. Kitten I need to be able to help you. I need to know what I can do. Help me Kitten."

The woman stared before beginning to sob, shocking the man.

"K-Kitten! What's the matter?!"

"Everything!! I lost my baby, I lost my fiance, I found out that not only he was he cheating on me the whole time, but he has a son the exact same that Silas would have been had he not murdered him! And now I find out my own brother will have one! It isn't fair!" Jumping up the Spaniard climbed up onto the hospital bed, pulling her close, and speaking in soft Spanish rubbing gentle circles in her back and shoulders.

"It's alright Kitten. One day you'll find someone amazing. Some one who loves you unconditionally who loves children just as much as you and will give you what you need."

'I wish it would be me.'

Sniffling she nodded, wiping her tears.

"I-I'm so sorry. I should be s-so weak. I keep crying in front of you."

"You're not weak Kitten. You're wonderful and loving. I wouldn't be here if you had any reason to be sorry."

Blushing she nodded, fisting the front of his shirt and resting her head on his chest.

Closing her eyes she breathed in his scent, a calm safe feeling taking over.

Antonio held her tight, loosing himself in the feeling having her in his arms, even if it wasn't in the way he would have liked, he wasn't going to complain.

The pair broke apart when the doctor entered, faces bright red.

Giving the pair a knowing smile he turned and set the folder down before turning back.

"The good news, in this situation anyway, is you're not pregnant. You don't have any STDs either. However, you have a large amount of scar tissue, and for a while intercourse may be painful. You do have some internal bleeding and 3 ribs are broke. Tell me, have you been starving yourself?"

The slight woman blushed in embarrassment, looking away.

"Not intentionally. I'm just not hungry anymore, that's all."

"You need to eat. It's detrimental to your body otherwise and-"

"Look I know okay?! But it's hard to care about what's detrimental and what's not when you just want to die! My body isn't telling me I want or need food."

"You...want to die?"

"Not really. I just don't care. The past 6 months I've been raped and beaten every day. I don't care."

Antonio hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head, hearing her story made his heart break, he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and never let her go.

The doctor explained the details to them, telling Katirina she was to stay home for a month, resting her body before coming back for a check up.
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"I don't have time for this! I can't stay out of work for an entire month!" She raged, arms crossed in a pout from the passenger seat.

"Katirina...do you want...would it be alright if I stayed with you some of the time during the day? I know how lonely it gets."

When he never received an answer he looked over, sighing softly.

"I'm sorry. I should never have asked."

"...I'd like that."

With a grin Antonio focused on the road once more, happy to finally be getting closer to the fiery Italian.
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