Here is the first chapter of the sequel. This story is a work in orogress. Please review. Amber

Sacrifice

Chapter 1

Mollie was at the mall with Ben. They had just seen a movie and were about to go to the food court for a late lunch. She wasn't very hungry but Ben was. They were halfway there when Mollie saw a familiar face. She automatically grabbed Ben's arm for support.

Ben felt the tension in his girlfriend immediately. She was frozen to her spot and sheet white. He looked over and saw the security guard. He recognized him as the former lieutenant who had groped her in class and dislocated her shoulder when she had been framed. Ben took her trembling shoulders and practically carried her the opposite direction. They could take the other hall to the food court. Cursing their bad luck. He had wanted her to relax a bit. Now she was even more distraught. He sat her down at a table in the middle of the food court. He wanted them to blend with the crowd. Her breathing was ragged. He pushed her head between her knees. "Slow breaths Gracie. You're with me. It's alright."

Mollie forced herself to breathe normally. Then the tears started. "Ben...it was him."

"I know."

"I haven't thought about it in months. Then I saw him! He's here and I could feel his hands on me."

Ben rubbed her back soothingly but thought…'not true you haven't had a decent sleep since it happened.' "He won't hurt you. Not here. Let me call your dad to pick us up."

"Not yet! God he'll see right through me! I can't tell him. He has to focus on mom! She's still struggling."

Ben took both her icy hands. "Mollie you just had a panic attack. You have to tell him. He and your mom will support you. If anything can help your mom it is helping her kid."

"Mom was hurt a lot worse than me. I just need to suck it up." She and started sobbing and hyperventilating.

Ben firmly said. "No! You were violated! You have every right to your feelings. Don't minimize what happened to you because of your mom's ordeal." Ben pulled out his phone. "Mr. Hardy it's Ben we finished the movie can you pick us up at the food court entrance. I know it's early. I'm sorry if it's inconvenient but Mollie saw that officer that arrested her working as a security guard here and she's upset."

Frank was at Joe's townhouse. Vanessa was at his house with the kids. They were swimming in the pool. Mollie was on a date at the mall with her boyfriend. He still couldn't believe it but wasn't surprised. Ben was a kind boy and they seemed well matched. Just like him and Callie had been. Joe waved a hand across his eyes. "Yohoooo! Where did you go bro?"

Frank flushed. "Sorry thinking about Mollie."

Joe said. "Frank she can take care of herself. We don't have to tail her."

Frank laughed. "I know that. It's just...she and Ben seem to be…"

Joe finished the thought. "Like you and Callie were but recognized it sooner."

Frank nodded. "Yes exactly that." He would have said more but his phone rang. He answered. "Hello Ben."

Joe watched as Frank went from pleasure to worry in a blink. The next second he was on his feet. "I'm on my way. Does she need to go to the hospital? Probably. Okay. Call the ambulance my brother and I are coming."

Joe grabbed his keys. "What happened?"

Frank furiously said. "I'll explain on the way."

Ben did call the ambulance. He said where he was and stayed on the phone with the dispatcher. "She's hyperventilating. No I haven't alerted security. You better not that's why she's like this. That's none of your business. She's having trouble breathing. It's because she is panicking that's all you need to know. Yes she's conscious!"

"Do you need assistance?"

Ben stood up using his full height. "Not from you sir. If you have a female guard that will help. You'd better go before Mr. Hardy gets here."

Benson sneered. "Oh it's you! You little troublemaker."

Ben snapped. "Don't call her that! She didn't do anything and hasn't done anything. Now call a female or other security guard otherwise you're going to have a problem."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No. I'm saying I will file a complaint. You have an order of protection! Aw crap! I warned you."

You could hear Frank's voice around the entire food court. "Benson! Get the hell away from my daughter! You are violating your order of protection! Joe arrest him!"

"You can't do that!"

Joe grabbed the man, pinned him to the table, and gleefully restrained him. "Watch me." He clicked the handcuffs in place. Onlookers had started to gather. Joe said. "You are under arrest for violating a restraining order."

"I work here!"

Joe snapped. "The minute you saw her you should have left. Not stick around and intimidate her asshole."

Frank comforted Mollie keeping one eye on his brother. Mollie was clinging to him tightly. He murmured. "You're safe baby."

Mollie sobbed into his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm being so stupid and selfish. You shouldn't have to be worried about me. Mom…"

Frank interrupted her. "Mollie Grace Hardy you are not stupid or selfish. This man hurt you. You have every reason to be upset. Your mother would say the same. Plus, she would never diminish what happened to you because of what happened to her. How long has this been going on?"

"I...I...haven't bb...been thinking about it. I had soccer. Worked on my programs. I saw him and it...it was like I was in the classroom again." Mollie hiccuped and buried her face into her dad's chest.

Joe swiftly took the restrained guard toward the security office. He would go to the hospital after this despicable man was taken by a junior agent. Benson muttered. "All I did was frisk her...such a drama queen."

That was too much. Joe's fist met with the man's nose in a crunching sound. "May I remind you of the right to remain silent. Shut the fuck up!" He walked him away from his distraught niece.