They reluctantly decide it is time they spend some time with the rest of the Camden family. As they walk out of the living room and into the foyer, the doorbell rings. Mary shrugs her shoulders and answers the door. Standing there in front of her is Robbie.

"Happy Birthday Mary."

"I-uh-I…hold on one second. Don't go anywhere. I want to talk to you. Wilson! Wilson come here quickly!"

Wilson runs back into the foyer and over to Mary. She is white as a ghost and using the table to hold herself up.

"What's wrong?"

"That's Robbie." She points at him. " Don't let him leave. Can you catch me please?"

Wilson looks at her like she's crazy. She closes her eyes and falls backwards. He scrambles to catch her. He gets her just before her head hits the floor. He looks contemptuously at Robbie, and then calls for help.

"Reverend Camden! Mrs. Camden! Come quickly!"

They both run into the room and are shocked to see Robbie standing there.

"What happened?" Mrs. Camden asks.

"I'm not quite sure. She just fainted."

"Can you lift her?"

"I don't know, I think so."

"Could you lay her on the couch for me?"

"Sure."

He picks her up and brings her into the living room. He lies her down, as he and Annie try to shake her awake. Reverend Camden has been joined by his father, The Colonel, as they grimace at Robbie.

"What are you doing here?"

"I remembered it was Mary's birthday. I wanted to talk to her."

"Do you have any idea of the amount of pain you have caused my daughter?"

"No, I don't."

"And you have the nerve to just show up on our doorstep and expect for her to talk to you."

Wilson walks into the room and stands behind the two men.

"Go home, son. No one here wants to see you." The Colonel tells him.

"Wait. Mary said that she wanted to talk to him. I don't want him to stay, either, but maybe we should let him, in case Mary really does want to see Robbie." Wilson says.

"She did say she wanted to talk to me." Robbie pleads.

"Fine. 10 minutes, tops. If she's not up by then you have to go."

"Sure."

Wilson walks back into the living room to check on Mary. Annie and Ginger are both at her side, but are having no luck.

"Wilson, can you watch her please? I'm going to go get some water." Annie says.

"And I'll go get a damp washcloth. Maybe that will help." Ginger adds.

They both rush out of the room, and leave Wilson alone with Mary. He grabs her hand and stares at her. Even while she's out cold she looks upset. He shakes her hand back and forth and lightly touches her face. He waits to see if she stirs, but she doesn't. He kisses her lightly on the forehead. C'mon Mare, wake up. She rolls towards him and blinks her eyes.

"Mmm." She moans. "Wilson. What happened?"

"You fainted, but I think you're OK." He tells her. "She's awake!" he announces to the entire house. Everyone come running in, including Robbie.

"For some reason I thought that Robbie was here." She says to Wilson. Mary looks over the edge of the couch and lays eyes on her attacker.

"Hi Mary."

Mary lets out a bloodcurdling scream that is so loud; it rattles the dishes in the kitchen. She jumps backwards, almost falling off the couch, and tightly grabs hold of Wilson's sweater.

"What are you doing here?"
            "I wanted to talk to you. That is, if you want to talk to me."

"I don't know about talk, maybe yell."

She turns to the rest of her family. "Can I have a couple of minutes alone with Robbie?" Everyone mumbles their comments as they all turn to leave, including Wilson. "Wilson wait." She calls to him. Mary pulls him to her and whispers in his ear, "Watch us from the door. I don't trust him." He nods and leaves the room. He slides the doors closed, but leaves a tiny crack open so that he can see inside. He can hear Eric and Annie in the kitchen, hysterical that their daughter is again alone with Robbie.

Wilson listens intently to their conversation, ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger. Mary and Robbie just sit there, not saying much.

"Um, happy birthday."

"I hate you."

"Why?"

"Because you ruined my life."

"How did I ruin your life?"

"Let's see, by raping me!"

"I did not rape you!"

"Yes you did."

Silence.

"Look, if you didn't come to apologize, then why are you here?"

"I wanted to see if we could maybe get back together, and then eventually, you know."

"No I don't know. Explain it to me Robbie."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes."

He puts his hand on her arm. "I liked having sex with you Mary."

Mary becomes enraged and tries to pull away from Robbie. He tightens his grip on her arm and won't let her go.

"Ow! You're hurting me. Let go!"

Wilson walks through the door and stands between Mary and Robbie. He pulls him off of her. Mary hides behind Wilson, terrified by the whole ordeal.

"Who's this Mary?"

"This is Wilson, my boyfriend"

Robbie is flooded with anger, all directed at Wilson. He punches the side of his face, and Wilson stumbles backwards. Mary makes sure he doesn't fall over, and then turns to Robbie.

"I can't believe I ever liked you."

"Same here. I'm leaving, but I'll be back. Believe me Mary, this isn't over. I'll get what I want from you."

Robbie walks out of the house and slams the front door behind him.

"Did he hurt you?" Wilson asks Mary.

"No, not really. Oh my god, look at your face. How bad is it?"

"It stings a little bit. I'll be OK. I'm more worried about you."

"Don't be. I'll be fine."

"I hope so Mare."

"Let's go get you some ice or something."

"Ok."

"And Wilson,"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I don't know what he would have done to me if you weren't here to protect me."

"It was nothing. I was just doing what I had to do. I couldn't just stand there and watch him hurt you."

They walk into the kitchen, where the whole party has stationed for the time being. As Mary gets Wilson something for his face, they are bombarded by questions.

"You know, it's been a long night. Maybe its time everybody goes upstairs and gets some sleep." Annie suggests.

"Oh yes. Boy are we tired from that flight. Let's go everyone." The Colonel says, leading the troops up. Lucy is the last one up the stairs, dropping Billy back off with Wilson.

Mary and Wilson sit at the island, as Annie and Eric pace the room.

"Are you ok?" Mrs. Camden asks Wilson, stopping in front of him.

"I'll be alright."

"And you?" Eric asks, turning to face his eldest daughter.

"I'm fine."

"Are you really? Because we don't know anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

"Talking, is that what this is? I'm surprised your familiar with the concept."

"What?!"

"We don't know if you're OK, none of us do. You don't tell us anything anymore. For the past 3 weeks, you've kept us all in the dark about anything that's going on in your life. Why? Why won't you tell us?"

"I don't want to. I keep the details of my life on a need to know basis. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Yes, because eventually you will too. It's not good to keep everything bottled inside of you. You have to let it out. You have to get your emotions out."

"I do. This lecture was not well researched Dad. Did you know that I have talked to Wilson everyday, whether it be in person or on the phone, for 3 weeks? Did you know that I tell him how I'm feeling, exactly how I'm feeling, all of the time? Did you know he gave me a diary as an early birthday present, so that when I didn't want to talk to anyone I could still let everything out? Did you know that I've written in it everyday since he gave it to me?"

"Um, no, I didn't But-"

"I'm not finished. And did you know there's a reason I don't talk to you and mom, or really anyone else for that matter?"

"We figured there was one, but we couldn't really figure it out."

"OK, I'm telling you this hoping you won't take it the wrong way. I trust Wilson."

"And you don't trust us?" Annie asks, genuinely hurt by Mary's comment.

"No, because you do things like this. Everything ends up being a big deal with you. I don't want a lecture every time I say something. Wilson doesn't do that. He's a god listener. You guys talk too much. And I feel comfortable telling Wilson everything. There are some things I just don't want to tell you about."

"When did we loose you?" Eric asks her.

Billy started to get restless on Wilson's lap. "Maybe we should go."

"No, stay." Mary insisted.

"Billy's tired."

"Fine, I'll walk you out."

Wilson and Billy say good-bye to Rev. and Mrs. Camden, and then head towards the door. Mary follows them, checking behind her to make sure her parent's could not see her.

"And they wonder why I don't talk to them." she says to Wilson.

"They're only trying to get involved in your life. They're concerned about you."

"I know, but I don't have to tell them anything. Right?"

"I guess."

"Do you have to go?"

Wilson turns around to reveal Billy's sleeping face. "Yes, I have to go." He leans down and kisses her innocently.

"Could you come back? I mean after you put Billy to bed. You could spend the night."

"Why? I think you're parents will be done talking to you by then."

"I doubt it, but that's not the reason. I'm scared. I don't want to be left alone."

"You won't be alone. There are 12 other people in your house."

"They're no help."

"If you want me to come back, I'll come. You think that'd be all right with your parents?"

"I guess so."

"I'll be back in a half hour, 'k?"

"Yeah."

They kiss again, and Wilson walks out of the door.

"Wait! What should I say to them?"

"About what?"

"About us."

"If they ask, don't say anything before I get back. We're in this together."

"Ok. Hurry back."

"I will. Now go back to the kitchen."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, you do." Wilson puts Billy in his car seat and closes the car door. "Good bye."

"Bye."

Mary walks back into the kitchen and sits down in the seat she had from before.

"Finally, your back. Now, where were we?"

"Do we have to do this?"

"Do what?"

"This, this interrogation."

"No, I guess not. We'll just skip right to the point then. Even though you are talking to Wilson, your mother and I feel that you should go into counseling."

"That's what this is all about? No! Forget it. I don't need counseling. I just need time."

"That's what you said before and we don't see any real improvement."

"Well, after the last time I talked to you, a lot has happened. I lost the baby, went back to school, knew for a week that everyone was coming in for my birthday, everyone's now here for my birthday, Robbie came back, and Robbie punched Wilson. It's like every time I started to stand up something pushed me back down. I am doing better though, even ask Wilson."

"You know what I think that's a good idea. We'll talk to him tomorrow."

"You wont even have to wait that long. He's coming back over after he puts Billy to bed to spend the night with me."

"By spend the night you mean…"

"Sit with me on the couch."

"OK, good. Why must he spend the night though?"

"Because Robbie threatened to come back."

"I doubt he's actually going to come back tonight honey." Annie says.

"You never know. I didn't think he was going to show up ever, but there he was."

"What exactly did happen in there with him?"

Before Mary gets a chance to answer them, Lucy comes down the stairs.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to find out what happened."

"Perfect, because I don't feel like saying this over and over again. Sit."

Lucy sits down next to Mary, and stares across the table at her parents. She can tell they are a little annoyed, but doesn't think much of it.

"Robbie acted like nothing happened, and I lost it and told him he ruined my life. He asked me how, and I told him by him raping me. He said that he didn't rape me! Can you believe that? Then he told me that he came to get me back because he liked having sex with me, and we wanted to do it again! He grabbed my arm, and wouldn't let go, but Wilson came in and pulled him off of me. He punched Wilson and then left, but he said he'd be back."

The three of them look on in horror and disbelief at Mary as she tells the tale of what had happened to her that night.

"Are you ok?" Lucy asks.

"I'll be fine. I'm just a little shaken up by all of this."

"My poor baby! Annie remarks, putting her arm around Mary.

"I've just had a revelation." Eric proclaims. "The two of you are never dating again. I'll lock you up until your old like me."

"Dad!" Mary says

"OK, ok. I've had about all I can take for one night. I'm going to bed. You too Luce."

"Yeah, I'm tired. Good night."

"Luce?" Mary calls after her. "He told me what you did. Thanks for helping him out, I owe you."

"Your welcome. So everything worked out OK?"

"Better than OK."

Lucy smiles and walks up the stairs, and leaves the three of them behind.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing. Lucy did me a favor and I thanked her for it. No big deal."

"Uh huh. Sure."

"What? It's the truth."

"Oh, ok."

"Look, if we're done here, I'm going to take a quick shower before Wilson comes back. Ok?"

"Fine. Be warned that we'll talk to Wilson by ourselves if he gets here before you come back down."

"Talk to him till the cows come home; he'll be on my side."

Mary goes upstairs and starts the shower. Annie and Eric continue to talk about Mary after she has gone.

"Do you believe her? Do you really think she doesn't need counseling?"

"I'm not sure, but at least she's talking to someone." Annie says to her husband of 21 years.

"Yeah, but I'm still not comfortable with her confiding everything in Wilson like this. Just like I'm not comfortable with him spending the night, but I couldn't tell her no."

"I know, me either. I still can't believe what Robbie said to her. He liked sleeping with her and he wants to do it again!"

"Believe me, I hate it as much as you do. I wish there was something we could do."

"What do you mean?"

"About Robbie"

"Oh. Well, we could press charges, but Mary's not looking for that. I think that all she wants is to forget about all of this, but no matter how hard she tries she just can't."

"Its not that easy to just forget about this kind of stuff. You heard the example she gave us. Everything is snowballing."

"But would a counselor have really helped her through all of that? He couldn't have prevented any of it, that's for sure."

"Yeah, I know."

"And you have to admit that she was doing better before she found out she had had a miscarriage. Then it all went downhill."

"Yes, it did. But I think that if she doesn't get help, professional help, she'll keep going downhill."

"I understand what your saying, but I'd have to disagree." Annie stops talking and her eyes go towards the front of her house. "Did you here someone knock?"

Annie gets up and answers the door. She sees Wilson standing there, and lets him in. Annie explains to him that Mary will be downstairs in a second, but that she and Eric want to talk to him.

"Does she really tell you as much as she says she does?" Eric asks.

"Pretty much. She confides a lot in me."

"Ok, let me ask you something. Mary's not here now, so honestly, do you think she should go into counseling?"

"I really don't know Reverend. But I do know that if you forced her into it, she would get really mad, and probably wouldn't benefit from it because she would be so angry. But, she's been acting really strange. One minute she'll be happy, the next depressed, then happy again, then she'll start crying. Basically, she's hurting. I don't know if counseling would make it hurt less, though. She says she just needs time, and I partially agree with her on that. She was doing fine, err better, until…"

"We know."

"If she does get really depressed, or starts acting strange, or threatens to do anything drastic, feel free to call or beep me. I'll be over in a heartbeat. If anything like that happens, that is."

Reverend Camden looks at the stairs, and hears and sees nothing. "What are you getting at Wilson? Tell us."

"I don't know if I should say anything. I promised her I wouldn't, but-"

"Is it important?" Annie asks him.

Wilson is now very uncomfortable. I hope Mary comes down soon. Just as Wilson thinks that, Mary clomps down the stairs and back into the kitchen. She sees Wilson and smiles. He smiles back. As he stares at her, everything in the room seems to disappear until she is the only thing left. He feels like they are the only two people in the universe. Mary whispers something in his ear, and everything comes back into focus. He is not listening to her words; he is concentrating on her warm breath teasing his ear. He blinks his eyes and asks her to repeat herself.

"Is everything OK?"

He nods his head.

"Should we tell them now?"

"Sure why not."

Mary sits down in the seat next to him, and grabs his hand for support.

"Mom, Dad, Wilson and I want to tell you something."

"Ok." Mrs. Camden replies, already realizing what they are about to say.

"How would you feel about me and Wilson, sort of, dating again? I mean of course we wouldn't really actually date because I'm not ready to yet, but you know, we want to take our relationship to the next level."

"By that you mean?" Eric asks, concerned.

"From friend to boyfriend. Would that be OK with you two?"

"Is this what you want Mary?" her mother asks.

"Yes, it is. This isn't a spur of the moment decision, either. I've been thinking about getting back together with him for months."

"Months?"

"Yeah. I kind of found this picture in my drawer and I couldn't stop thinking about him."

"Is she pressuring you into this Wilson?"

"No, she's not. Actually, she approached me about this a while ago, and I've put a lot of thought into this. I know that our friendship could suffer from this if we break up, but I'm willing to take that chance."

"And so am I." Mary cuts in. "We're going to see each other whether you think it's a good idea or not, but your opinion does matter."

"Well, if that's what you both want, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you." Eric informs them.

"I don't think I'll have to." Mary says, squeezing Wilson's hand. "So what did Wilson say?" she asks her parents.

"You were right, he was on the same side you were. This still isn't over though."

"Whatever. Come on Wilson, let's go. I'm all talked out."

They go into the living room and sit on the couch.

"How's your face?"

"My mom freaked, and Billy hit it by accident, but other than that it's fine."

"I'm so sorry about all of this. I shouldn't have dragged you into my mess. I feel awful."

"Its OK. I'm glad I could help, really."

Eric pokes his head in the living room and makes eye contact with Wilson.

"Wilson, I have a blanket for you upstairs. Would you like to come with me to get it?"

"Sure sir."

He gets up and follows Eric out of the room.

"Wilson, spend the night with her, talk to her, and you can decide in the morning if you want to tell me what you were hinting at before."

"Ok. Thanks Reverend."

"Now, does this have to do with you or Mary?"

"Mary."

"OK, that's what I thought." Eric hands Wilson a blanket and they walk back towards the living room. "I'm trusting both of you. Don't take advantage of that trust."

"We won't, Dad."

"OK. Good night."

Eric leaves and Mary lets out a heavy sigh. She leans her head on Wilson's shoulder, and he runs his fingers through her hair.

"Wilson?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think he'll come back?"

"I don't know Mare. I hope not."

"Me too. I don't want him to hurt me. Do you think he would?"

"Yes. Did he ever hurt you before?"

Mary lifts her head off his shoulder. She slightly raises the side of her shirt, exposing the side of her stomach. Wilson sees the big purple bruise on her side, almost looking like a port wine stain. She then pulls down the front of her shirt, exposing a horrific black and blue on her collarbone.

"H-he did that to you?"

She merely nods, too ashamed to speak.

"When?"

"When he raped me"

"Oh Mare. Does it hurt?"

"The one on my hip does. For a week it hurt to put pants on."

"Do your parents know about this?"

"No. Don't tell them. I don't want them to worry about me. I'm fine."

"Are you, really?"

"Honestly? Sometimes I'm not so sure. All I can say I right now I'm ok."

"Were you OK all day?"

"I was fine until my grandmother yelled at me. Then I got better when you came, but when Robbie showed up, I don't know. I wasn't really feeling, like, ok or not ok, I was just scared."

"Then why'd you want to be alone with him?"

"I figured he came by for a reason. And he did," she starts to cry, "to try to get me to have sex with him again."

"Well-"

"Wilson, can we just sit here and not talk for a little? I want to gather my thoughts."

"Sure Mary."

Mary pulls away from Wilson and leans against the other end of the couch. She finds a comfortable position, and stares blankly in front of her. He takes the blanket and covers her with it. She looks up at him, and he can see that she is crying.

"It'll be OK eventually, don't worry."

"I want it to be OK now."

"I know. What do you want me to do for you? I don't want to see you this upset."

She sits up and leans against him once again, fitting her head perfectly in the crook of Wilson's neck.

"If you really want to help me, lie down, I'm tired."

Wilson looks at her, unsure of her motives. She pushes him onto his back in his dumbfounded state. She lies down on the side of him with the blanket, and pulls his arm around her.

"What are you doing? What if your parents or someone else sees us?"

"I'll take full responsibility. I'm innocent I swear. I just feel better if you're holding me. I know I'm safe."

Mary closes her eyes and falls asleep almost instantly. Wilson watches her as she sleeps. I really love her. Wilson shuts his eyes and falls asleep as well. Hours later, Wilson is awaken by Mary turning in his arm. He slightly opens his eyes, and notices that she is mumbling in her sleep.

"I said no! Get away from me! I don't want to!"

Wilson gently shakes her until her eyes open and meet his.

"You were having a bad dream." Wilson sees the fear in her eyes and can feel her quickened breathing. "Its OK. I got you. I won't let anything bad happen."

She buries her head into him and sobs on his shoulder.

"It was happening all over again, only this time you were there. But he got through you, and still did it to me."

She cries a while longer, until some of the pain subsides.

"Wilson, I can't keep living like this. I haven't gotten a full nights sleep since this happened. And I have all this pain inside of me." She speaks between sobs, "Make it stop."

Wilson and Mary both sit up. Wilson takes Mary's arms and turns her towards him. He can barely make out her face in the darkness.

"Mare, Mary look at me."

She looks up at him. He wipes the tears from her eyes, as she calms down.

"Do you think you need help?"

"Maybe, but I don't want it. If I did see someone, you know, actually went for counseling, do you think it would make me feel better?"

"I don't know. I don't think it would hurt though."

"But I really don't want to go."

"I know, and that's why it might not work. You have to be in the right frame of mind for someone to be able to help you. And besides, all those people really do is convince you that this wasn't your fault, and you know that already. Don't you?"

Mary nods. "I'll have to think about it. If I do decide to go though, would you come with me, please?"

"Sure."

She thanks him with an innocent kiss.

"Mare, I'll do whatever it takes to make you feel better. You just name it."

"OK then. Lie down; I'm exhausted. We'll talk more tomorrow, ok?"

"Sure."

They lie back down, in the same position they were in before. But just as their eyes close, Mary hears something. She sits up and pulls Wilson up with her.

"Someone's coming downstairs."

They can see I figure walking down the stairs, but cannot make out who it is due to the blackness that encompasses the old house at night. The person comes to the bottom of the steps and walks into the living room. Mary yawns, wanting to be able to go back to sleep.

"Luce?" Wilson says, squinting his eyes.

"Wilson? Where's Mary?"

Mary gets up and turns the light on. "Right here." Lucy and Wilson are both startled. If it's just you Lucy I'm going back to sleep. I thought it was mom and dad."

"I just came down to tell you guys that I can hear you in the attic, so I'm sure the rest of the house can hear you too. You didn't wake me up or anything, I just thought you'd like to know."

"Oh, ok. Thanks."

"And Mary, your not coming back upstairs tonight, are you?"

"Nope."

"Ok, because Ruthie's sleeping in your bed."

"That's fine. Good night." She turns off the light and sits back down on the couch. "Now we can sleep."

They lie back down, Mary on top of Wilson. He kisses the top of Mary's head lightly.

"Good night."

"'Night. I love you."

"Love you, too."

They finally fall asleep, and this time stay asleep. In the morning they wake up, and go have breakfast with the rest of the house. Annie feeds 15 people pancakes and cereal. After everyone has finished eating, Wilson takes Rev. Camden aside.

"Well, I talked to her and I've decided not to tell you. But-"

"But? There's a but?"

"A big but. She might go into counseling. All I did was ask her if she was ok, and she suggested it."

"Oh, that's wonderful."

"I think I should be the one to bring it up again though. No offense, but I think if you try to force her into it again, it might be just enough for her to decide against it. I'll bring it up casually one more time, and I think that should do it."

"Thanks Wilson."

"And one more thing. Mary asked me if I would go with her if she did decide to do it, and I told her I would. If you would prefer for her to go alone though I would understand."

"If she's actually going to go, then your more than welcome to go with her."

"OK. Thank you sir."

Wilson walks back into the kitchen and tells Mary that he has to go home to Billy.

"Can you come back? Or better yet, can I go with you?"

"No. Spend the day with your family. They came out here to see you. If it gets to be too much, tell them. I'll stop by later today, OK?"

"I guess. But if something awful happens, it's your fault."

"Fine."

Wilson gives Mary a peck on the cheek, and let's himself out. Mary spends the day with her family. They all have a great deal of questions to ask her, and she does her best to answer them. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, but by the end of the day she was wiped. She goes up to her bedroom to lie down for a minute, when Lucy comes in.

"So tell me everything."

"Everything about what?"

"About you and Wilson."

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Anything you're willing to tell me. I haven't had a date in a month."

Mary laughs. "OK, only if you tell me what he said to you about me."

"He didn't really say anything. He told me how he was going to surprise you, and to tell you the truth I was a little surprised."

"Why?"

"Because your usually not that quick at landing your man. Anyways, then I asked him if he really wanted to go back out with you. He said that he has this strange attraction to you that he can't ignore."

"Strange?"

"He didn't say strange, I did."

"Ok good."

"Why did Robbie punch Wilson?"

"Because I told him he was my boyfriend."

"Unbelievable! Even in your darkest hour you have guys fighting over you, literally."

"It wasn't like it was fun Luce, believe me."

"So what'd you guys do last night after we all went to sleep?"

"We talked a little, I cried, then we fell asleep. It was no big deal."

"Then why were you so startled when I came downstairs?"

Mary smiles.

"Uh oh. What did you do?"

"Nothing bad."

"Uh huh, sure."

"Really, it was innocent."

"Then why aren't you telling me?"

"Because I don't want to."

"Then it wasn't innocent. You're definitely hiding something."

"If you have to know that badly I'll tell you. We slept together."

"WHAT?!"

Mary laughs uncontrollably. "Got you. I slept on top of him, that's it."

"No wonder you were afraid I was Mom or Dad."

"It wasn't anything sexual, I swear. I was scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Being alone I guess."

"You weren't alone. We couldn't fit anymore people in this house if we tried."

"I know. That's what Wilson said. But I didn't want any of you guys, no offense. I knew he'd protect me like he did before. If I was sleeping in here with you and Ruthie I'd pretty much have to fend for myself."

Lucy giggles. "You're right. Mary, do you love him?"

"That's between me and him."

"You're no fun. I know that means you do anyways."

"I don't want to say anything. You can think whatever you want."

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because that's too private."

"I won't tell anyone."

"Ok, how can I explain this to you? I have trust issues. Not that I don't trust you, I just don't trust anyone. I trusted Robbie and look at what happened. The only person I trust right now is Wilson. I don't know why, but that's just the way I feel. I know you wouldn't tell anyone, but something inside tells me this is where to draw the line. I'll trust you and everyone else eventually, but not right now. Besides, it's none of your business anyways. Please don't take this the wrong way, I just- I can't, not yet."

"Ok. I don't really understand, but OK."

"Thanks Lucy. It's weird. Not trusting anything requires everyone to trust me even more than they did before."

"Yeah. You know I'm here for you though, right?"

"Yes, I know."

The phone rings, and Mary answers it.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mary."

"Hey Wilson."

Lucy leans closer towards Mary listening intently to her conversation. Mary takes her pillow and hits her over the head with it. She gets up and walks out of the room.

"So, was today so bad?"

"Not that awful. They asked a lot of questions, but it wasn't completely unbearable."

"That's good. Are you feeling any better?"

"sort of. I didn't cry yet today, which is a good thing I guess, but I'm still petrified. I don't know how I'm going to get through the night without you."

"OK, so whatever you want me to do I'll do it. Come up with something and I'll help you."

"I don't want to ask you to spend the night here again. You have to stay with Billy. You probably weren't too comfortable on the couch all night, especially with me laying on you."

"You laying on me made it better."

"Well the only reason I slept at all last night was because you were with me. I'm sorry I woke you up with my dream."

"That's ok. Have you had that dream before?"

"Practically every night since he did that to me. This was the first time you were in it though. I haven't told anyone about it, only you. I usually can't fall asleep after, but after I talked to you, it helped. Having you hold me afterwards didn't hurt either."

"Well, I'm definitely not opposed to spending the night with you again. Just come up with a plan, and I'll see what I can do."

"Ok, um…"

"Well, my parents are going to the practically all night party for one of my dad's partners tonight. He's been practicing for 25 years; it's kind of a big deal, that's why it's so long. I could ask if you could spend the night here. I don't know if they'd trust me though, my parents or yours. I'll ask though, ok?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"I'll call you back."

"All right, bye."

Lucy pokes her head around from behind the door.

"Can I come in now?"

"Yes."

"You're still scared?"

"Robbie looked me straight in the eyes and said he'd come back."

The rings again and Mary answers it.

"My parents said that they don't want us here alone. They said that I could go there with Billy, if that's OK with you and your parents."

"I asked them earlier today and they said it was fine. Thank you so much. I owe you."

"The only thing you owe me is at least one kiss."

"Done."