Carter sprung himself onto the lunatic and tackled him to the ground. They wrestled for a moment the knife still alert and dangerous in Bud's hand. A police cop rushed over and peeled the knife from his tight grip. Abby stood still, but bent down to Carter when Bud was hauled away from him.

"Carter" she whispered tears brimming her alert eyes. With the help of her arm, Carter pulled himself up wincing from the pain emerging from his side.

"Are you alright?" Abby was immediately by his side her arm rested around his body. They dragged Bud out of her apartment kicking and screaming. Ashley stood motionless by Abby's door watching Abby and Carter together, Maggie had her hands across her face and was muttering quietly under her breath. Abby cupped Carter's face with her hand so he was looking down at her.

"Carter are you alright?" He nodded slowly with a faint smile spreading across his face. An officer coughed after re-entering the apartment.

"Is everyone alright in here?" They all turned to look at him and Ashley suddenly fled out of Abby's apartment pushing past the man. Maggie went to go after her but Abby stopped her. "Mom just leave it, its okay I'll go after her".

Abby stood outside turning her head both ways, however there was no sign of her. Making a quick decision Abby ran down her stairs and found Ashley at the bottom talking to a police officer. Ashley's eyes caught Abby's and she turned away. The officer touched Ashley's arm and gave it a small squeeze and then left Abby's building.

Abby slowly walked down the last couple of stairs her eyes focused on Ashley.

"They've been searching for me, my mum's been going mad."

"Is she upstairs?"

"She's speaking to an officer outside I have to go see her."

Abby nodded her head and gazed back up the stairs. Suddenly Gill barged through the doors; her face was tear-streaked and she caught sight of Abby and Ashley together.

"Ashley, where have you been?" She threw her arms around Ashley's neck pulling her into a tight embrace. Ashley stood rigid not responding to her mum's sign of affection.

"Mum you're hurting me" Ashley's voice sounded cool and distant. Gill let go of her and held her out at arm's length.

"Oh so you're not speaking to me, because of all this."

"Well it was your fault", she muttered stubbornly. Gill looked taken aback by her comment and looked suspiciously across at Abby. Abby suddenly felt uncomfortable and turned to go back upstairs.

"Abby you're going?" Ashley pleaded into her eyes and Abby nodded her head again not wanting to be involved. Carter poked his head around the corner.

"Abby?"

"Yeah" Abby walked up the stairs. Their eyes met and Abby immediately fell into his arms. They stood like that for a moment, Carter gently stroking her hair and soothing into her ear. Abby broke free when Maggie emerged from her apartment.

"Abby I'm meant to be at Joan's tonight, do you want to come as well I'm not sure if I want you to be alone". Abby sighed in deeply against Carter's chest, he felt her body move and laid his arm on her shoulder.

"Abby do you want me to stay tonight or do you want to come over to mine?" She looked over to her apartment.

"I haven't got a door" she said giggling slightly.

"I'll fix it for you" Carter replied sheepishly. Abby lent against the wall her eyes felt weary and she was emotionally exhausted from the night's event. He looked over concerned and their eyes met again. Abby secretly thanked him for saving her life, she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud. He seemed to acknowledge her thanks and ducked his head down giving her that look she couldn't resist.

"Abby", a voice came from behind her and she turned to see Ashley and Gill. Maggie's eyes fell on Gill and she nodded politely at her. Gill however coldly ignored the gesture and placed her hand firmly on Ashley's back guiding her up the next flight of stairs. Abby heard her protest loudly and after a moment return into her sight alone.

"Abby are you okay I'm so sorry"

"Hey don't worry about it. It's not your fault remember"

"What are you going to do tonight? The officer said they're taking Bud into custody so he won't be allowed out, at least not for tonight."

Abby groaned remembering the fear which remained when Brian had been taken into custody but had returned bringing with him all the memories of her attack.

"Abby let me stay tonight" Carter pleaded with her and Abby found herself agreeing almost immediately.

"Maggie do you need a ride, why don't I drop you off and then come back. Abby will you be ok?"

"Sure, yeah ok. Mum I'll see you some time soon. Tonight's been a bit of a nightmare not really what I was expecting."

Maggie walked over to give her a hug but sensing Abby would be her usual self and back away she decided against it. Instead she went over and pulled Ashley into a hug which caught them all be surprise.

"You're a sweet girl, just keep being yourself and remember there's always help if you need it." Abby was totally taken aback by Maggie's words, it seemed as if she was apologising on behalf of Gill and perhaps herself. Carter lifted the door off the floor and propped it up unsuccessfully as it fell back down.

"I might know of someone who could come fix this. I'll see if I can get a hold of them. Maybe you should come with us".

"No its fine I'm not leaving my apartment wide open. I'll stay here and wait."

Carter ducked his head down and brought his eyes up slowly to meet with Abby's.

"Ok I'll be as quick as I can there's still officers outside if you need anything." Ashley slid over beside Abby and stood at her side. They watched Maggie and Carter leave and at the bottom of the stairs Maggie turned and blew them both a kiss.

"You're mums so normal."

"Yeah you've only known her for 10 minutes." They shared a secret smile both rocking against the wall.

"Did he hurt you?" Ashley questioned a look of dread spreading across her face.

"What?"

"Bud did he hurt you?"

"No he didn't. I think he was just a too drunk and stupid to know what he was doing."

"No he was just like that." Ashley said harshly prompting Abby to look at her closely.

"Did he ever hurt you or your mum?"

"He hurt her occasionally, but she liked it. Or she just didn't make him leave for the fear of being alone once again. One or the other."

"Ashley did he ever hurt you."

"He tried to that night you took me back upstairs, that's why I left to stop him from hurting me." Ashley suddenly jerked her body around and looked fearfully up to the ceiling.

"Abby something's wrong, I shouldn't have left her alone."

"What?" Abby was totally confused but followed her quickly when she fled up the next flight of stairs and along to her apartment. Ashley started pounding on her door a look of fear and guilt became evident on her face.

"Abby I totally forgot please we need to get in."

Abby grabbed both of her arms and tried to calm her down.

"You forgot what? Ashley what's wrong why are you panicking?"

Trying to catch her breath, Ashley began shaking her head, "Last-Last time when something went wrong with-with an old boyfriend she took an over-dose of sleeping pills." Abby's face fell in remembrance of her own mother's suicidal attempts.

"Mrs Granger, Mrs Granger are you in?" Ashley banged on the door opposite. An old lady opened it with a look of disgust evident on her face.

"Quit the racket child, you'll wake up Ernie."

"Please Mrs Granger I need our spare keys." She paused and looked past Ashley to where Abby stood.

"Who are you?"

"Mrs Granger please do you have my keys it's an emergency." Tutting away to herself, she bent down behind her door and retrieved a key on a golden chain. Ashley grabbed the key from her hand, the forcefulness of her action almost causing her to topple over.

"Where's your manners child?"

With trembling hands, Ashley managed to get the door open. They entered the apartment and Ashley let out a terrifying scream followed by a loud sob.