David walked into Donna's store just as she was closing up for lunch. She looked good in her tight jeans, and belly shirt. David could feel the water from his mouth beginning to drop. Donna turned around. She dropped her books and purse as she was startled by David.

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"Sorry Donna, I didn't mean to startle you." He told her apologetically as he knelt down beside her and helped her pick up her things. Her eyes caught his in a deep long stare. She felt as if David could see into her inner soul. She lowered her eyes to her purse as she quickly finished picking up the contents that had fallen out.

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"That's Okay, I guess I was in a bit of hurry to get out of here, before Noah shows up. He and I were fighting all last night, and I just can't take this anymore. I need a break." She told him, as she tried to hide the bruise on her arm from him.

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"Yeah, do you have time to sit down and talk for a bit?" He asked her as he noticed how uneasy she was.

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Donna looked at her watch. "Alright, but just for a little while. I have to get back to the store in an hour."

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"Okay, You want me to drive?" David asked her as she tensed and looked around.

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"Yeah, that be great. I 'm so tired I'm afraid I would get into an accident." Donna told him hoping to break the ice.

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"Okay." He said as they moved toward his jeep. He slid into the drivers seat, and Donna got into the passengers seat.

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David started the jeep and drove off. Donna looked over at David nervously. She was so scared, but she didn't know how to confide in him. As David pulled away from the store. Noah watched angrily as his girlfriend left with her ex.

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David pulled in front of the Peach Pit. Donna and him ordered some burgers and fries to go, then they went next door to David's office. So that he and Donna could talk in private without any disruptions.

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After they finished eating David took a deep breath and he prepared himself as he was leaping into something face first.

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"Donna I been watching you the last few weeks, and I see you so unhappy with Noah. It just makes me wonder if he is the right guy for you. I mean does he make you happy?" He asked her truthfully.

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"Well I know he loves me, and I think that I love him, but with the way he's been acting about his family, I don't know if I can handle it much longer." Donna said trying to choke back tears.

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"Yeah, but you didn't answer my question." He said looking deep into her eyes.

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"No, David, the truth is he makes me feel scared. The way he has been getting so angry and smashes things around frightens me. I don't think I can have another violent relationship again after what happened with Ray." Donna told David as the tears filled in her eyes.

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David leaned in and pulled Donna close to his chest. He had never seen her so afraid before. Donna pulled back in pain as her arm rested against David's chest. She cried out in pain. David pulled back at her tears and cries.

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"Donna what's wrong?" David asked her.

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"My arm. Awww. It hurt when I leaned against you." She told him as she clutched her hurt arm.

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David slowly pulled back the light coat covering her arm. He saw the large black and blue bruise in the shape of a large handprint. He was horrified at the sight. He understood why she was in pain. It looked terribly painful.

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"Donna did he do this to you?" He asked her with anger rising in his voice.

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"He was angry and frustrated, he just grabbed me too hard." Donna tried to justify Noah's action but she knew that she had cried last night for Noah to let go of her arm but he wouldn't no matter how much she had struggled.

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"Donna no one has the right to hurt you no matter how angry or frustrated they are." He told Donna as anger was boiling inside of him.

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"I know, but I tried to tell myself, that it was alright. But I should know better after what happened with Ray." She said as she leaned into David's chest with her other arm leaned against him.

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"Donna promise me you won't see him again. For your own safety please promise me that you will only talk to him over the phone, or around your friends. I don't want to see you get hurt Donna. I love you so much, that it pains me to see you in so much pain."

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"I love you to David." She looked deeply into his deep blue eyes. David leaned in and slowly placed his lips on hers.

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Donna was startled by his actions but she didn't pull away, she savored the long passionate kiss. It felt so good to be in his strong arms, that made her feel so safe and loved. Something that they both needed to feel.

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David deepened the kiss. Donna could begin to feel her heart begin to race as the kiss was filled with so much passion. Donna pulled back. She knew that she needed to stop it or it was going to go to far. David looked at Donna. She was so beautiful to him.

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He drove her home later that afternoon. He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek as she got out of the jeep. He made sure that she got upstairs and inside safely before driving off. Noah watched Donna go inside and David drive off. She was really going to get it later that night when she would be alone. She had hurt him with her actions. Now he was going to make her hurt deeply.

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Donna sat on the deck watching the soft waves of beach rolling into shore. She loved the smell of the beach at night when everything was still and dark. Everything with Noah and his parents was beginning to be too much for her. She picked up her fashion magazine and began to read and drink her coffee.

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Noah drove up to Donna's beach apartment. He was furious. He was having a major crisis, and Donna couldn't give him the time of day. But she could sit and talk with David all afternoon, when he needed her the most. He got out of his car and walked upstairs to the deck where Donna was.

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Donna saw Noah come up. Fear ran through her body at the sight of him. She knew he was very angry with the look on his face. She knew she had to get away from him and fast. Donna grabbed the magazine and threw it at him.

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"Noah get out of here now, before I call the police." Donna threatened him.

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"Donna come on you love me, why would you want to hurt me." Noah told her.

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"Noah, I don't love you anymore. Not after what you did to me last night. I want you off of my property and out of my life." Donna told him desperately.

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"Donna I'm not going anywhere. I love you." Noah told her determined.

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"Noah if you care about me, you'll leave right now. Please just leave before this gets ugly." Donna told him in fear.

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"Oh Donna you want things to get ugly. Alright you get your wish." He told Donna as he grabbed her arms hard, and wouldn't let her go. He slapped her across the face. Then he began to beat her with his fists.

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"Noah, stop it. Please Noah, stop your hurting me." Donna pleaded with him.

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Noah continued to beat her. He made her stand to her feet. Donna began to fight back and tried to get away from him. But his strength was to much for her. Donna screamed violently.

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David heard Donna's screams as he pulled up in front of her apartment. He ran up the stairs as he saw Noah holding Donna by the arms. She was beaten and bloody. The site made him angry.

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"Noah let her go now." David demanded with him.

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"You come any closer and I'll push her over the rail." Noah told him as he pushed Donna toward the rail.

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"Don't Noah, I promise you if you throw her over I'll kill you." David told him, with rage burning inside of him.

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Noah saw the rage inside of David's eyes. He knew if he hurt Donna that he would hurt David deeply. Because he knew that David was in love with her very much.

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Noah lifted Donna and put her on the rail. Donna screamed out to David in fear. She was so scared for her life. Noah pushed Donna over. Donna tried to grab hold of the railing as she fell, but it slipped through her hands, and she fell down. She laid on the ground motionless.

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David cried out in horror, he leapt down the stairs to be by her side. He pulled out his cell phone and called 911. He took off his shirt and put it over her body to give her warmth. He was so scared for her life. He looked out at the ocean, as the waves came in and out. And Donna lay in his arms clinging between life and death.

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To be continued.