Chapter 6

Colby was very surprised by her suddenly hugging him. But he wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug. It was something he had been wanting to do for weeks.

Mercedes tightened her hold on him. She just wanted someone to hold her and she had wanted him to be it for so many weeks.

"I'm sorry," Mercedes said.

"Sorry for what?" Colby asked.

"For not returning your texts again," She said, pulling back and looking at him.

"Forget about that, Mercedes! I don't care about that! I understand why!"

Mercedes nodded her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I don't know if I can do this. I don't know about anything anymore." She began to cry hard.

Colby quickly wrapped his arms around her again and held her as close as he could. It was what they both wanted. Mercedes had wanted it since she saw him the day she returned to work the few days following her rape.

"Thank you, Colby," Mercedes said.

"For what?" Colby asked, pulling back a little and looking at her.

"For your support. Even if you haven't done anything physical to help. You have done many verbal things to help. Just saying that you are here for me and all that."

"It's all true."

"But I want to thank you for saying you would do whatever to protect me and take care of me."

"I still stand by that, Mercedes," Colby admitted. "I would do whatever to protect you and take care of you. I would do that now even!"

"I just might take you up on that offer," Mercedes said.

"Well, I'm an open book."

Mercedes smiled. "I really don't know what to say in all honesty. All I know is I want you by my side…"

Colby have a small smile.

"…I know I have so many others that have been there for me and still will be. But I want you more so than them…I have for the last few weeks…And I have thought about it so many times…I know I am safe with you, that I can trust you, and not be freaked out with you touching me or being so close to me."

Colby's smile brightened. "How can I be by your side?" He asked.

"Help me deal with this. All of this."

Colby nodded his head. "I will. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

"Some days I feel safe in my apartment. Others I days. Sometimes I am afraid to go into the world that is Boston. I am afraid I'll see him again. I never want to do that!" Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It's all right," Colby said, wiping the tears away. "You're okay here."

"I know I am with you!"

Colby smiled.

"But Becky suggested something. She thinks I should go home with somebody on the next round of days off and not back to Boston. Not just yet. I might be doing that with Pam and maybe we'll get Ashley to come. The Four Horsewomen can hang out together and have fun like always," She said with a laugh.

Colby's smile brightened as she laughed.

"But I kind of want to be with you," Mercedes admitted.

"You want to come home with me?" Colby asked with a huge grin on his face.

"Yes," Mercedes nodded her head.

Colby continued to grin. "Oh, yes, you can come home with me if you want. I have a spare bedroom. Unless you want to sleep with me," He joked.

Mercedes giggled. "We'll see." She winked at him.

Colby chuckled. "I'll be by your side whenever you want me to, Mercedes."

"Well, as of right now I do."

"No problem. Can I get you something to eat? Are you hungry?"

"I am in fact. Thank you."

Colby nodded his head with a smile.

"You're off to a good start," Mercedes laughed. "But I can get my own food in all honesty at this moment."

Colby laughed himself.