I wrote this chapter last night and was going to sit on it, but I really wanted to put it up. There is a touch of LoVe in this. I'm on a break between terms, so I have down time right now and my hubby is busy so he isn't interrupting me writing.

Please let me know what you think by submitting a review at the bottom.

Chapter 9

The Next Day

Mac woke up before Leo at 5 AM and packed her car with luggage to get her through the next ten days. She didn't have Friday classes and next week there were no classes for the Thanksgiving holiday, so she decided to get a head start and drive the six hours to Veronica at Stanford.

When she called Veronica the night before, she couldn't explain what happened and had to give the phone to Weevil. When Mac calmed down the three of them debated whether Mac should go to the sheriff department and reporting what happened. Sure she had a witness, but Mac wasn't sure new Sheriff Vinnie Van Lowe would take her serious. Plus considering whom the witness is Veronica was convinced he would just laugh and accept a pay off from Kyle's family because it was well known that Pi Sig's came from wealthy families.

Mac had given Veronica her attacker's name and she did a quick background check the previous night on Kyle Markin. It turned out his mother's name was Anna Sorokin and Gory was his cousin, which made Veronica change the plan of attack. Instead of going to the police, Mac was going up to visit Veronica and they were going to contact Jake Kane for a new deal.

When Mac arrived at Veronica's apartment, she was overcome with emotions from the past 12 plus hours and found herself sitting on the couch and crying on her best friend's shoulder.

"Why? Why did he do this to me?" She felt Veronica's hands moving the hair out of her face. "Do you think he put me on the Sex Quest board? I'm such a bitch. I should have believe Dick and not just assumed the worst."

"That's something you and I have in common. We've been burnt pretty badly and now all men suffer the consequences. I know it sucks really bad right now, but over time it will suck a little less."

"I can't go back there." Mac shook her head and let out a shaky breath.

"I'm here for whatever you need." Veronica rubbed a hand on Mac's back.

"I need Kyle behind bars." Mac didn't want to let Kyle get away with it, but how could she get him put away if the sheriff was an imbecile.

"Well, I've been thinking about that. Maybe we could make that part of the deal with Kane. He knows someone helped me break into his hard drive. Maybe we can use that as leverage. He's protecting Logan and expedited my transfer here in exchange for my silence. Maybe he could get you transferred here and put Kyle in jail for yours."

Mac nodded. "Can we call him?"

After some negotiations, Mac was able to come to an arrangement. However, she would have to return to Neptune and press formal charges against Kyle, but Jake would make sure his family forced him to take the first plea deal offered and he will make sure the DA offers a full three year sentence plus he will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. However, Jake wanted something in return from Mac. After she finishes college, Jake wants her to come work for him. He told them that he would rather have a hacker of her caliber working for him then against him.

Mac would move in with Veronica in a couple of weeks since she was already in a small two bedroom apartment and was looking for a roommate anyway. So there was no thought needed for Mac's living arrangements.

"Veronica, do you mind if I use your shower? I just need to." Mac sighed.

"I understand." Veronica got up and went to pull out a towel for Mac out of the closet. "Here you go. Take as long as you need."

Mac turned the water on as hot as she could stand and stood under the spray letting it wash the dirty feeling off her skin. This was the third shower she had taken since what happened the previous night. After the water began to run cold, Mac turned it off and got out while wrapping a towel around herself. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection.

Mac didn't see herself in the mirror, she saw someone she didn't even recognize staring back at her. The long, light brown hair with blonde highlights and the tan skin from spending time on the beach surfing made her feel like she was looking at the 09'er she could have been instead of the person she was. When she went to pull clothes out of her bag, she also noticed that they weren't the clothes she used to wear. They were more feminine and showed a definite influence from Parker.

She pulled on a gray long sleeve shirt with a pink t-shirt over it and then a pair of jeans before walking out of the bathroom and walking into the living room.

"If I have to go back there, then I'm going to need some armor."

Veronica looked at her from the couch. "Okay." She stood up and picked up her purse from the chair. "Let's go prepare for war."

Mac was sitting in a chair at a hair salon with foils throughout her hair when her phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her bag and answered it when she saw Logan's name.

"Hey."

Hey. I was curious if you wanted to grab coffee and catch up?

"I can't right now." She was still trying to stay friends with Logan, but hadn't done more then speak in passing since Halloween.

What could you possibly be doing that is more important than hanging out with one of your nearest and dearest who you've neglected lately?

That was the moment that Veronica walked up from where she had just finished getting a trim. "Hey Mac. I'm done. Nothing crazy, but what do you think. Am I a Marilyn?" She struck a Marilyn Monroe pose with her lips pouted out.

Is that Veronica? Where are you?

"Um…Logan. I'm…" Mac looked at Veronica and pulled the phone from her mouth. "He heard you."

"Shit."

Mac directed her attention back to the phone.

Tell me where you are and I'll meet you.

"We aren't in Neptune. I'm visiting Veronica right now. I needed to get out of town." Mac looked at Veronica who resembled a deer in headlights. "I'll be back after the holidays."

Can I speak with her?

Mac held her phone out to Veronica, but she just shook her head at it. "It's not a good time. I'll call you." She hung up the phone and placed it back in her bag. "You can't give him the silent treatment forever."

"I can't talk to him. If I do, then I'll just want to go running back to Neptune and I can't do that."


Early December

Mac returned from Veronica's with a new look and ready to kick ass. Thanks to Jake Kane's pull at Hearst, she was allowed to take two of her finals early that Monday and the rest could be submitted by email, which meant she was done with classes.

She fixed her new short hair in the mirror. It was straight, just shy of chin length with a razor cut edge and a few peek-a-boo dark red highlights mixed into a dark brown color. This is a girl she recognized in the mirror. The cut was more mature and edgy, but this was who she was meant to be. She never wore heavy make-up and kept it simple like she did in high school but thickened the eyeliner.

Mac put on a pair of torn jeans along with a vintage t-shirt and a black blazer with the sleeves rolled up showing a leather cuff on her left wrist. She tied her converse sneakers and smiled at herself. She was ready to face whatever her last day in Neptune had in store for her.

While she was in her tests, Weevil and Leo packed up the last of her things from the dorm room and loaded it into her car along with all the other bags from Leo's house. After the exams were finished, Mac was able to make her 11 AM appointment at the Sheriff's Office. Weevil came with her to give a statement to what he saw that night as a witness.

When Mac left the Sheriff's Office later that afternoon, Sheriff Van Lowe told her Mr. Kane had spoken to him about taking everything she said very seriously. She was informed that Kyle Markin would be picked up quickly and he was about to send Leo and Deputy Sacks as soon as the warrant was issued. This gave Mac enough time to go over to The Grand and explain everything to Dick before he learned about it from his frat brothers.

She stood in front of the door nervously fidgeting with her clothes. This was highly emotional for her and she had already been through the ringer that day. While the sheriff believed her story, it was still difficult to explain. There was so much she needed to say to Dick, but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to.

After taking several deep breaths, Mac knocked on the door and listened as someone came to open it.

Logan's mouth dropped open when he saw her standing in front of him. "Wow. You're hair looks different. I like it, it looks good."

Mac smiled. "I'm glad you're here. I brought you something." She reached in her bag and pulled out an envelope. "It's progress." Mac offered it to Logan who silently took it from her. "Can I come in?"

Logan nodded as he stared at the letter in his hands and moved to let her into the suite. Mac knew he wanted to rip into it, but was also scared to.

Mac came around the wall by the door and saw Dick sitting on the couch. "Hey."

"Wow, you're talking to me. What? Your new boyfriend not doing it for you?"

She visibly flinched because it felt like a stab in the gut to hear Dick say that. "I came to talk to you. I need to tell you something."

Dick stood up. "Let me see if I quote this correctly. I don't want to hear what you have to say. Did I get that right?"

"Please Dick." She took a deep breath to push back the tears she felt building.

He walked past her and out the front door making sure to slam it behind him.

Mac slowly sank onto the couch and felt Logan sit down next to her.

"I was never with Leo. He was just letting me stay in his guest room." She looked at her hands. "I even set him up with Parker. They've been dating for a few weeks now."

"Mac. I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm leaving Neptune anyways."

"What? Why?"

Mac felt tears spring to her eyes. Telling Logan was just as emotional as when she told Veronica, but at least this time she was pretty well cried out. "The night before I left to visit Veronica, I was attacked leaving work." She sniffled and wiped her nose. "The guy…he uh…" Getting the words out was nearly impossible and tears were leaving trails down her cheeks. "Thank god Weevil showed up and stopped him before he..." She let out a long breath. "The guy did enough."

"Oh god." Logan pulled Mac to him and allowed her to cry into his chest. "Did you press charges?"

She pulled away and nodded while wiping at her face. "They're picking him up today. I didn't want Dick to learn about it from his fraternity that's why I'm here." Mac let out a loud sigh. "It was one of them. A guy named Kyle." She looked over at Logan and his jaw was clenched and his hands were balled in a fist.

"I know the guy." He unclasped and re-clenched his fists. "I'll kill him."

She placed a hand over his. "No need to bust any sheriff cruisers windshields. Weevil has a buddy in holding waiting on the guy. Plus, I have it on good authority that he will be taking the first plea deal offered for sexual assault and battery, which will also be a full sentence of three years. That way I don't have to go through a trial." Mac looked at the clock by the television. "I need to go. It's a long drive and I need to get on the road."

"You're leaving now?"

"Yeah." Mac bit her lip.

"What about finals?"

"I took two this morning and rest are essays or projects my professors are letting me turn in over email." She sniffled again. "Can you tell Dick something else for me?" Logan nodded. "Tell him that I fell in love with him too and I'm sorry I didn't trust him. I really wish I could take back these past weeks. There are so many things I need to tell him, but I can't just leave everything for you to relay. Maybe I'll get up the nerve someday." She gave him a tight smile as she wiped the remaining tears from her face. "Thanks for being my friend Logan." Mac patted him on the knee.

"Hey now. That sounds like a permanent good-bye."

"It kind of is, at least for a few years. I just need to separate myself from Neptune as much as possible right now." Mac kissed Logan on the cheek and stood up from the couch. "She still loves you. That much I'm sure. Do me a favor and make something of yourself. Give Veronica someone to come back for because it may take a while, but I'm sure she will."


Same Day

Dick couldn't stand to see Mac. She was now with that sheriff deputy and it just angered him to know she could replace him so easily, like he meant nothing to her. He walked into the Pi Sig house hoping to drink himself into a stupor and forget everything related to Mac.

He walked into the kitchen and downed one beer before grabbing another and making his way out into the living room where a few brothers were playing a video game. There was a knock at the door and since he was the only one standing, Dick walked over to open it.

Shock was the first emotion he felt when the deputy Mac was now with stood in front of him along with another guy Dick had seen at the station before. "Hello deputies. What can I do for you?" It took all the restraint Dick had not to just throw the beer in the guy's face.

"Mr. Casablancas. I'm here to see Kyle Markin."

Dick opened the door and motioned for the men in uniform to enter. "Kyle! You have visitors."

Kyle walked out of the living room and froze when he saw the deputies. "I hope they aren't strippers, because I don't want to see that in a G-string."

Leo walked towards him and turned him before pressing him against the wall to handcuff. "Kyle Markin. You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"

"What am I being arrested for?" Kyle asked over his shoulder.

"Sexual assault and battery." Leo patted him down.

Dick watched in shock, as Kyle was lead away by the deputies. Just what the frat needed another rape charge and this would be especially bad if it were true. He followed them out onto the lawn and noticed Weevil standing there with a satisfied smirk on his face.

"What are you doing here Weevil?"

Weevil looked over at him. "Just watching a rich boy take his death march." He nodded at Dick and then walked towards his bike at the curb.

Dick pulled out his phone that was vibrating in his pocket. He noticed Logan's name on the screen and flipped it open to answer.

"Dude, you won't believe what happened. Kyle was just arrested and Weevil was here watching."

Logan let out a gasp. Dick you need to get back here.

"Is she still there?"

No. Just get back here now.

"Fine." He was annoyed that his fun at the house was interrupted and now being cut short.

Fifteen minutes later Dick was sitting on the couch with a visibly upset Logan. He hadn't seen Logan this angry since Mercer and Mo attacked Veronica and was getting worried.

"So what did I have to come back here for?"

Logan was clenching fists with his hands. "Do you know why Kyle was arrested?"

"Sexual assault."

"And sexual battery."

"How do you know that?" Dick was confused because the arrest had just happened and the rumor mill isn't that good.

"Because I was told he was being arrested before it happened." Logan took a big breath and let it out. "Because it was Mac."

It took a few seconds for what Logan said to sink in. Dick couldn't wrap his brain around it. "No."

Logan nodded. "That's why she was here. She wanted to tell you before it happened."

"Oh god. He raped her?" He may have been mad at Mac, but he wanted to kill Kyle for hurting her.

"Not completely. Weevil showed up and stopped him right before he..." Logan let the unsaid words linger in the air.

"That's why he was there today." Dick closed his eyes and rubbed his hands over his face.

"There's more." Logan waited for Dick to look at him. "She was never with Leo. He's actually dating Parker."

Dick leaned back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling and punched his fist into the cushion next to him. He couldn't believe he instantly assumed the worst-case scenario. Sure Madison jumped straight into another guy's bed when they broke up, but Mac wasn't Madison. Early he had wanted to hurt her and now Dick knew she was going through hell, he wanted to punch himself for being an asshole.

"This next part is going to hurt, so I need to you to take a minute and calm down." Logan watched as Dick took several deep breaths and lifted his head to look at him. "She wanted me to tell you that she fell in love with you too and she's sorry for not trusting you."

Dick stood up and began pacing. "But that's good news. Shit, I've got to make it up to Mac. I need to see her and apologize for being an ass. She needs someone to lean on right now. I have to find her."

"She's gone."

Dick looked at Logan but continued pacing the floor. "I know. Maybe she's at that deputy's house or her parents." He moved towards the door.

"No Dick. She's gone, like Veronica gone. She left Neptune and isn't coming back."