Dear Readers,

I have received several E-mails from some of you regarding the situation that Gabby has found her self in. As I mentioned before in the previous chapter, it was with great trepidation that I include a rape topic in this story. I assure all of you that Gabby will prevail. But, as with many tragedies, the path that leads through the deepest dark is also one that leads into the brightest light. Have faith and have heart – and keep reading! :o)

******

Saturday morning Jason arrived at the studio the same time as Mike and Gabby did. However, the young man made it to the front door first. He welcomed Mike with the biggest smile he could muster as he opened the door for him,

"Say, Mr. A., waz doin' this morn'n?" He said brightly. Jason never looked at Gabby.

She was trying not to cringe as she walked opposite from him with her uncle in between them. Her stomach was starting to do flip flops. Gabby was trying with all of her might to keep from getting sick.

Mike replied, "Doin' awright, Jas." He noticed that Jason was trying not to look at his niece and saw apprehension on the young man's face. Mike firmly took Gabby by her upper arm to steer her passed his employee and quickly into the building.

Jason watched Mike to see if there were any warning signs that Gabby had actually gone ahead and said something after last Saturday. He figured that since Mike had said nothing to him during the week – and that he was still in one piece - that he was good to go with what he had planned for later. Jason was quite relieved the way Mike had grabbed Gabby and pushed her on ahead of him. It only proved one thing; Mike was still convinced of his story!

Gabby's anxiety was now turning to irritation. The way Mike grabbed her and forced her through the door said much about what he thought of her. She could feel that old attitude of hers starting to fester again. The fact that her uncle had nearly called her a liar the week before had soured their relationship considerably. Where she once saw him as a benevolent and kind relative, to her he was now intolerant and uncaring.

As the three of them entered the lobby, Gabby refused to make eye contact with Jason. Instead, with her head lowered, she followed Mike down the hallway to his office. She felt safer knowing she would be with her uncle, despite how he was with her. Still, she could feel Jason's eyes upon her. Gabby turned her head around out of reflex. She met his gaze and then saw Jason nod his head towards the utility closet as if to say nothing had changed. Gabby turned quickly back around and felt a stab of panic. Gulping down the bile that tried to find its way up, she breathed deeply for control.

Gabby tried to lose herself in the work Mike had her do. There seemed to be quite a bit of paperwork as Mike had said. While they worked together, their relationship improved a little with casual discussions about her training and some small talk about the holidays coming up. Mike was excited about Halloween and seeing his oldest daughter once again. "Sure miss that girl." he gushed. "You'll like her, Gabby. Gaele's very much 'out there' like me." His toothy smile made Gabby grin in response. Despite how angry she was at him, it was very hard to stay that way with Mike.

Around noon, Mike told Gabby, "Well, Gabby-girl, time to get some eats. Guess that Italian restaurant is off the list, eh?" he chuckled.

She just shrugged and nodded her head. "Yeah, guess so. Maybe the restaurant by that courtyard?" she asked.

"Hey, whatever floats yer boat. They have great burgers, so – less go." Mike then ushered her out the door. "By the way, I've noticed you're still a little under the weather. Guess that bit of food poisoning last week is still affecting you?" he asked her.

"A little. Kind of a tough thing to just get over, I guess." was all Gabby could say in reply. She chided herself for not doing a better job of getting back to normal. But, after last week she had forgotten what normal was. Gabby just didn't feel like her old self anymore. She thought she never would again.

After they had returned from lunch, Mike was pulled out of the office by Sam. There had been a problem with one of the DVD recorders and he needed Mike's help. "Might be a while, Gabs." he told her. "This unit's been a pain ever since we bought it. I'm waiting on a new one and the sooner it arrives, the happier I'll be." he chuckled. Then he left.

Once he was gone from the room, Gabby stopped her work. She looked at the clock and knew she had five minutes in order to be in the utility closet. She wondered if maybe Jason had deliberately sabotaged the DVD recorder just to get Mike out of the room and busy elsewhere. Gabby wouldn't have put it passed him, all things considered. A wave of nausea swept over her once again and she felt a lump rise up into her throat. She swallowed it back, but to no avail. Quickly, she ran out of the office and down the hall to the ladies room.

She lost her entire lunch in one instant. Gabby slumped to the tile floor of the room and leaned against the stall door, crying. She knew she had to do this. It was a matter of preserving the family's safety. It may be a worthy sacrifice, but it was one that was costing her dearly. She didn't know how much longer she could endure this humiliation, but she knew that for now she didn't have a choice. Finally resolved to follow through with it, she stood up and flushed the toilet.

After washing her mouth out and drying her eyes, she made her way out the door and down to the utility room. She hesitated, not wanting to go in. She wanted to run away; far away where no one – not even her family – could find her. But Gabby knew she had to do this. Determined not to let Jason ruin Mike or Don, she went in. He was there waiting for her.

"You're late." he snapped.

She had strengthened her resolve throughout the week to this moment, but it still could not prepare her for the way Jason was using her. Though it was not as traumatizing as the first time, it was still emotionally debilitating. She mentally and emotionally shut down and was determined to stay that way throughout the ordeal. It was almost as if she were watching the whole scene detached and at a distance. Hopefully, Jason would tire of her soon and decide she had 'paid him back'.

But, after he was finished and was preparing to leave the room, he restated his intentions. "Don't even think that you've come close to reimbursing me. Same time next week, got it?"

It was obvious, that as far as he was concerned, their little meeting was going to continue indefinitely. She could only stare blankly at him as he disappeared out the door and into the hallway. Gabby stayed where she was for a moment until the door had completely closed. Then, when it had, she slowly stood up and redressed herself. Standing there in the room, she fought back her trembling. She had to get control back before Mike saw her. He was already noticing a change in her outward behavior. He could end up asking too many questions; questions she couldn't answer truthfully. Not that he would be interested, she thought wryly.

Then, she slowly opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

Gabby recovered quicker than the last time. Fortunately, she was back in Mike's office before he returned from the DVD problem. She managed to get quite a bit done before then, so he was none the wiser for her absence when he came through the door. Gabby did her best to portray a positive attitude, knowing – now - how even the smallest subtle clue could tip Mike off. She was determined to get good at this ninja stuff.

"Well, we finally have that recorder working." he said as he came through the door. "Hey, you're getting quite a bit done there, Gabs." Mike said as he saw the amount of work that she had finished.

"Yeah, guess so." was all she could manage, smiling thinly.

Mike walked passed her on the way to his chair and grabbed her shoulder affectionately. It was a common gesture of his, but Gabby had all she could do to keep from leaping up and slugging him. She tensed momentarily as he draped his hand across her back, heading for his seat. Gabby held her breath and prayed that he wouldn't notice. Fortunately, he didn't; or at least he acted like he didn't.

At three, they called it a day and walked out to the parking lot. Jason was just getting into his 4Runner when they approached Mike's Saleen.

"Hey, Mr. A – have a great evening! You, too, Gabs!" Jason said. He winked at Gabriella.

Gabby just ignored him and slipped into the passenger seat of the sports car.

As Mike slipped in behind the steering wheel, he commented to his niece, "Say, I think Jas has forgiven you, Gabby girl! Had a talk with him just before I came back from that DVD problem and told him how sorry you were!" Mike looked at Gabby and then asked her, "You are sorry, right?"

How could she answer him? The audacity to expect her to apologize to that creep galled her almost to the point of becoming ill again. Yet, she knew that if she didn't give Mike the kind of answer he was expecting, he'd give her another lecture and who knows what else.

"Yes." She said flatly.

"Good, 'cause we'd have a little discussion if it were otherwise!" and Mike put the car into gear and headed out the parking lot.

That night in her room, Gabby broke down. She cried for a good long time. Then, she took another long hot shower. When she was done, Gabby wrapped herself in the comfort of the towels she procured from the linen closet. She sat on the tile floor and held herself, rocking back and forth in despair as she cried some more.

Gabby felt she had betrayed Seth in the most horrible way by cooperating with Jason. It was the second weekend in October and only six weeks before Seth was suppose to return - if the counsel decided to let him. After breaking Jason's nose two weeks before, she feared they would revoke Seth's early return. As it was, they had cancelled any future calls from him because of it. Nothing was ever said, though, so she remained hopeful. Still, how was she going to continue with Jason's demands in the utility closet if and when Seth came back? It made her insides quake with apprehension, but she successfully fought back the nausea that threatened to dislodge her dinner.

The next morning when she hit the gym floor, Devon noticed that Gabby's appearance was a little lackluster.

"Gee, Gabs, did a rat nest in your hair last night?" Devon exclaimed with a small smile of amusement etched on his face. "Not that it matters, but you usually have everything in place." he chuckled.

She hadn't even thought about it, but upon reflection Gabby realized she hadn't picked out her hair when she dressed for her review that morning. She never left her room without taking care of herself first. In retrospect, she realized that Jason's attack on her was affecting her more than she had thought. So, Gabby made a mental note to make sure she kept up with her personal grooming. If doing otherwise would cause concern, then she had to avoid drawing attention in that way.

Sunday's review went well. Devon had a hard time not showing excitement for the progress that his sister had made. He was quite impressed with her edge that she brought to the exercise floor. "You've become gritty, Sis." he beamed. "That usually comes with a lot of experience."

If only he knew, Gabby thought.

Don decided that considering her progress, he would let Gabby decide what to do for that day. She knew immediately. She wanted to have tea with Ms. Edwards.

The family was not too thrilled with her decision, but Don put conditions on it. Mike and Raph would accompany her, escort her into the shop, meet the woman personally, and then pointedly tell Gabby that they would be just down the way window shopping. She would have just two hours and then they would come back to retrieve her.

Gabby looked at her father and chuckled, " I have a hard time visualizing you window shopping."

"Hey, I can shop for windows. No problem." he sniggered.

Gabby laughed at his humor and then noticed that his cast was off. "Say, when that happened?" she asked, surprised.

"Yesterday. Don took me into San Fran and they did some x-rays. Bone's all healed and everything. But, I wish they could x-ray my head to see where my memory went to." He sniggered.

With everything that was going on in her life, Gabby had completely forgotten about the clues of her father's beating that she was keeping to herself Still, she wasn't ready to divulge her information quite yet. She felt the timing just wasn't right.

Gabby was quite excited about the trip into Carmel. She was really looking forward to having tea with Cassandra. She had called ahead to make sure the timing was okay and was pleased to find that her new friend was more excited than she was with the intended visit.

However, Gabby feared she would cross paths with Jason - or Melissa – in Carmel. That would be the only damper to her visit with her friend. She decided that since she was being escorted, her safety would be assured. Gabriella made up her mind to not worry about it.

Mike and Raph entered the store first, being greeted immediately by Cassandra. The woman was warm and inviting as she entreated, "I'm so glad you could bring Gabriella." Then, she saw Gabby walk in from behind them and she smiled as big as the world. "I'm so glad you could come today."

Gabby gushed, smiling, "Me, too."

Raph asked, "We're giving her about two hours to visit, if that's alright with you?"

"Yes, it is." Cassandra acknowledged, smiling. She nodded to Mike, "Thank you for bringing her. I promise Gabriella will be well taken care of." Then, Mike and Raph left, leaving the two women alone together.

Cassandra said, "Let me go get the water boiling." and she went to the back of her shop and through the curtained doorway. Soon she returned and gently directed Gabby over behind a free-standing display where a lace covered table awaited her. Two chairs, lightly padded and wrapped in a floral fabric, offered seating. Then, Cassandra went over to the door to the shop and turned the open sign over so it read 'closed' to the public. She had lace curtains that she let down to diffuse the view inside.

"I want as few distractions as I can afford." she laughed. "Now, how have you been?" and she sat down across the small table from Gabby.

"Okay." though Gabby really didn't feel that way. Jason was still fresh on her mind.

"Really? Are you sure?" the woman asked, furrowing her brow and looking at the girl across from her.

"Why, yes, of course." Gabriella insisted, mustering up her courage and feigning a smile.

"Ah, I see. Okay, then. So, since we don't know each other very well, I guess I should start off. I'm from the east coast and just moved here about six weeks ago. The winters back there can be murder and I was just getting really tired of all the snow and slush. So, I sold my home and moved out here where the sun never quits shining, though I think that last statement is a bit overstated! "Cassandra smiled. " Sometimes when you get all four seasons, to think of any place that rarely gets even two of them seems like heaven! "She laughed a little and Gabby smiled.

Gabby then asked her, feeling more comfortable by the minute, "What kind of work did you do back east?"

Cassandra replied, "Oh a little of this, a little of that. I sometimes taught music, but in my youth I performed on Broadway for a while. Music has always been my passion, which is why I decided to open up a store featuring it!"

"I like music, too!" Gabby brightened. "But…." She said, remembering her restrictions," I'm not allowed to sing for a while."

Cassandra studied the young woman and then asked, "Was it because of the karaoke incident?" She saw the look of surprise on Gabby's face. Cassandra explained, "I was there in the courtyard that day when your friends, Seth and Devon, were escorting you away from there. I couldn't help but notice that they were not very pleased with you. I remember hearing your singing, though. I'll never forget that." She smiled warmly. "You're quite good! "

Gabby remembered what Leo had told her and how Mike had discredited the DJ by spreading the rumor that the man had sugared the performance. "Actually, I didn't sing. The – ah – DJ didn't like what he was hearing from me and cut the microphone out. He ended up playing the actual recording with Serena Brightwell's voice." Gabby was disappointed that she couldn't tell her new friend that it was indeed her own voice coming through the outdoor speakers. But Gabby wanted to abide by the Clan's decision, regardless of how it made her look. By now, she was well versed in sacrificing her personal desires.

"Ah, I see…so…that wasn't your singing, then?" her friend asked.

Gabby shook her head to confirm Cassandra's question.

"Hmm…okay, then."

About that time, a whistling could be heard coming from the back part of the shop.

"Well, I think I hear the tea kettle. Better go and get the water poured, eh! Wanna come and help me?" the woman asked.

"Sure!" Gabby replied and stood up to follow her friend back to the kitchen. She was starting to forget all about Jason and beginning to feel like her old self again.

Once they had the teapot, cups, and scones delivered to the table, they resumed their visit.

"So, Gabriella, I've told you a little about myself, let's hear something about you! What brings you to Carmel on Saturdays?" Cassandra asked.

"I help my Uncle Mike at his studio just north of here." Gabby replied. Then she went into a short discriptive talk of the kind of work he did and what it gave her in the way of things to do. "I really like working the phones, though." Gabby finished up.

"You seem far more capable than that, Gabriella. You appear to be a very intelligent young lady." Cassandra studied the young woman across from her and then asked her, "What are you aspirations in life?"

Gabby blushed, and then replied excitedly, forgetting about her restrictions, "Like I said earlier, I enjoy singing. I would love to sing professionally. Like what you did on Broadway!"

"Really? Do you dance as well because in order to do Broadway it's important to know how to dance? Not all plays require it but to have as many talents under your belt is a wise thing to have!" Cassandra said.

"Well, no, I've never danced except maybe ballet. I never took lessons but learned from watching DVD's of the Nutcracker Suite and Swan Lake. I can learn by watching; don't know why I can do that but it's helped me to learn a lot of things that way!" Gabby explained.

"To dance ballet is a step in the right direction, though, so that's a good start!" the woman commented. "If you'd like, maybe on subsequent visits, I can teach you a few things about other types of dancing?"

Gabby's eyes lit up excitedly, but then the reality of it all finally hit her. "Oh, I don't think I'll ever be able to really do any of that, though. My family wouldn't….." and Gabby stopped right there. She wasn't sure if sharing what her clan would or would not let her do was a violation of their privacy rules.

"Your family wouldn't let you because….of….what? That you're green?" Cassandra was not the least bit sarcastic with her comment, but instead she was very serious.

Gabby, realizing her friend had correctly discerned what she had intended to say, decided to carefully explain the situation without going into too much detail, "Because of how unique we are, my family is very careful about what is done publicly by any of us. They really haven't said anything about my not pursuing a career on Broadway, but I just think they probably wouldn't let me because it's so high profile and all. Besides, can you just see me playing the part of Christine in the Phantom of the Opera? The audience wouldn't know the phantom from the heroine!" and she started to giggle at her own self flagellation. The more Gabby thought about it, the more she giggled. It became contagious and before she knew it, she had Cassandra laughing with her.

"You have one very wicked sense of humor, Gabby!" the woman exclaimed, wiping a tear from her eye as she managed to reclaim some measure of control. She smiled widely at the young woman who sat across from her. "To be able to laugh at your own expense is a rare gift, my dear. But, seriously, if you could sing as well as what I heard a month ago - when that DJ played Serena's music – I doubt very much anyone in the audience would care what color skin you have. They would be mesmerized by your talent!"

From that moment on, they connected. Gabby and Cassandra were non stop with their visit. They went through two pots of tea plus all the scones. They talked about other things besides music. Gabby was surprised to find that Cassandra had a baby once, but gave it up for adoption. "I was ill equipped to raise a child. My life at that time was difficult at best. Sometimes keeping something is not as important as letting it go. I think I made the right choice."

"Have you ever sought your child out; try to find out what he's like now?" Gabby had asked.

"Not exactly. I kind of know how things are, anyway; the parents were kind enough to keep me updated on some things. But I've kept my distance. It's probably better that way. Why confuse the poor child! " Cassandra answered. She paused a bit and then asked, "Do you want to help me clean up?"

"Sure." Gabby's replied eagerly.

She followed her friend through the curtained doorway. Gabby was surprised to find that the back of the store was like the living area of a small apartment. "Do you live here?" she asked her hostess.

"Yes. This area is my living room and kitchen. The up stairs has two bedrooms and a bathroom. Also, a large closet that affords some storage. It keeps my expenses down. " Cassandra said, smiling.

The two cleaned up the dishes and then returned to the little table in the store. Cassandra brought up Mike's business again, "When you mentioned working for your uncle, I remember that first Saturday when I met him. There was a young man there. He said his mother frequented my shop. What was his name?"

Gabby's composure changed in that instant. It was very subtle and probably indiscernible to the untrained eye. But, Cassandra had caught it instantly. "Ah, you don't like him, I take it." She could see the understated fear in Gabby's expression. It concerned her greatly.

"No, I don't." the girl replied softly, looking away.

"Why, if I may ask?" Cassandra asked, giving her best innocent look.

"He's -- not very nice to me." Gabby replied quickly, turning back towards Cassandra. Gabby's heart started to race as she was brought back to her ugly reality. She then stood up, saying, "I really need to go. It's been nearly two hours and that's how long I was given. Thank you so much for the tea and scones and letting me visit. I had a wonderful time, really, Ms. Edwards."

"Please, call me Cassandra. Ms. Edwards makes me seem so old." she said, "But I understand about your having to leave. Maybe you could come again soon?" Her eyes smiled in their pleading, "I enjoyed our visit. It's been so long since I've had company like this. Anytime, just ring the doorbell out front."

Just before Gabby left, though, she hesitated and then hugged her new friend. "Thank you so much." she said hoarsely.

Cassandra hugged her back and whispered to her, "We may not know each other very well, Gabby, but be assured that you can trust me. I'm here if you need me."

With that, Gabby left.



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I thought the words to this song quite appropriate for Chapter 34. Enjoy.

*****

Whistle Down the Wind

as sung by Sarah Brightman

***

Whistle down the wind

Let your voices carry

Drown out all the rain

Light a patch of darkness

Treacherous and scary

Howl at the stars

Whisper when you're sleeping

I'll be there to hold you

I'll be there to stop

The tears and all the weeping

Make it clear and strong

So the whole night long

Every signal that you send

Until the very end

I will not abandon you

My precious friend

So try and stem the tide

Then you'll raise a banner

Send a flare up in the sky

Try to burn a torch

And try to build a bonfire

Every signal that you send

Until the very end, I'm there

So whistle down the wind

For I have always been right there

Howl at the stars

Whisper when you're sleeping

I'll be there to hold you

I'll be there to stop

The chills and all the weeping

Make it clear and strong

So the whole night long

Every signal that you send

Until the very end

I will not abandon you

My precious friend

So whistle down the wind

Let your voices carry

Drown out all the rain

Light a patch of darkness

Treacherous and scary

Every signal that you send

Until the very end, I'm there

So whistle down the wind

For I have always been right there