"Liz? What is it? What do you know?" Michael was now sitting before her staring at her.

It was all she could do not to start crying. It had been a while since Maria had had any real problems with this. Liz wasn't sure if she should keep this a secret from Michael. He loved Maria. She knew that. But did that mean he had a right to know? No one else but Maria's mom and a small amount of the authorities ever knew. Liz herself had only been told a few years ago during a bout of memories wreaking havoc on Maria.

Liz took a deep breath and looked back up at Michael. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone…but you should know. Maybe you can help her where I can't."

Michael nodded, "I'll try."

"When Maria was four, her mom was dating this guy...I think his name was Kent or something like that. Anyway…" she paused to collect her thoughts, "Kent…abused Maria." Tears welled up in her eyes and she could see that Michael was on the verge of losing it.

"What?" His expression was one of pure rage.

Liz continued, "Only once though. Amy found out and turned him in on the spot. It's pretty much been kept under the rug though seeing as Maria was so young. But every now and then…something happens…"

"And she remembers." Michael nodded sadly.

"Yeah. God, Michael. She was only four and he…he…" the dam she had built broke and she began to sob.

Michael awkwardly put his arms around her and let her cry on his shoulder. It wasn't too long before he got past the initial fury and he began to weep.

I'm scared and I'm alone

I'm ashamed

And all I need is for you to know

Maria lay awake in her dark room. The memories were bad enough when she was awake. Now she was just terrified of what she would see in her dreams. She pulled the covers closer around herself. She was lost in her thoughts and almost missed the light rapping on her window. When it sounded again, she slowly climbed out of bed and crossed the room. She wasn't surprised to see Michael there, but wished it weren't him. She didn't want him to see her like this. "Hey."

"Hi." He sounded eerily calm.

She slid the window up farther so he could get in and waited while he climbed through. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

Maria sighed. She was really not in the mood. But she sat on the bed and waited for him to go on.

"I know."

To most people, those two words didn't hold much meaning. But to Maria, it was everything. Part of her was furious at Liz for telling. Part was ashamed and scared to know what Michael thought of her now. And part of her was relieved. She licked her lips, "You know." She couldn't look at him.

"I won't give you my pity, because that's the last thing you need. But I might have something else to give. I just want to know one thing."

She nodded.

"Will you let me be the one to heal you?"

She had a hopeful look in her eyes as she raised her head. "You mean…regardless…"

"Maria." He sat next to her on the bed and put his hand on her cheek, "I told you before that you're the only one I need…the only one I love."

"Yes…" her jaw trembled a bit as he lowered her to the bed. What she didn't expect was when he pulled the covers up around her and lay down beside her, on top of the covers.

He held her close and whispered, "I told you I wouldn't run anymore and you can't either. But you won't do this alone. I'm here." He placed a feather-soft kiss on her brow.

Feeling completely safe, Maria slipped into a restful sleep held by the one person in the universe who could save her from herself.

She finally had everything she needed.

The damage was being repaired.

I didn't say all the things that I wanted to say

And you can't take back what you've taken away

'Cause I feel you, I feel you near me

Healing comes so painfully

And it chills to the bone

Will anyone get close to me?

I'm damaged, as I'm sure you know

There's mending for my soul

An ending to this fear

Forgiveness for a man who was stronger

I was just a little girl, but I can't go back