Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

SARAH : I know, you can't help but feel sorry for her can you, lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

TARYN B : I dunno really, I just always have. I suppose you could call it one of my trade marks lol. It's just my way of saying thanks for reviewing and stuff. I'm glad you like the story, and hopefully you'll like this chapter just as much lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

ANNE918 : She's back ladies and gentlemen lol. You know, you might think I haven't noticed your lack of presence, but it hasn't gone un-noticed lol. Glad you back, hopefully with your crystal ball in tow lol. Hey, tell you what, one of my next stories is definitely going to be a Connie/Adam, I much prefer writing them lol. Anyways glad to have you back, thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

GOBLZ : Arr, can't tell you how chuffed I am, that you thought I handled that last chapter well. I was slightly worried about it lol. Anyways tanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

GRUMPYPIRATE : Glad your enjoying it. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

NoLaBeLs : Oh I don't know whether I'll let him be a knight in shining armor lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

SINBIN05 : I know, I love my cliff hangers lol. Yeah, she called Adam, but who knows whether he'll take the call seriously lol, he might just think she pressed the wrong button or something lol, who knows lol. Yeah, she went off route for a while, but then put herself back on route after 2 blocks, so they should be able to find her… that's if they go looking lol – I feel pretty cruel at the minute lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

Chapter 6

ADAM'S P.O.V

We got to the party about 8pm. The dorm was absolutely bursting at the seams. Couples were spread all over the place, making out, and I knew it wouldn't be long until Portman and Julie were among them as well as any of the ducks who happened to successfully chat someone up. A few of the guys disappeared in different directions, but for the most part, we just seemed to hang around in a group. Personally, I thought it was a bit weird Connie not being with us, as she always livened things up. I suppose because she was dating my best friend, we'd become pretty close. Well I suppose we all were close, but I was much closer to her than Julie, for the simple reason I suppose I spent more time with Connie, and Julie was forever with Portman. Not that I was jealous or anything.

After a few beers, more of the ducks separated, dancing with a few girls. I myself, ended up dancing with a girl called Tina who was on the same team as Connie and Julie. In the middle of the 3rd song, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, and the low murmur of my ring tone. I pulled it out of my pocket, excusing myself from Tina and heading to a quieter part of the house, which happened to be outside.

Before I answered it, I saw Connie's name flashing. The first thought that sprang to mind, was that she'd changed her mind, and was going to come after all. It never occurred to me why she was ringing me, instead of Charlie. It just seemed obvious that she was ringing me because she couldn't get hold of Charlie.

"Hello"? I answered the phone.

"Adam". She said, however her voice seemed a little off.

"Connie, that you"?

"Yeah". She replied, her voice coming out in a panicked tone.

Before she could say anymore, the phone went dead. I automatically looked at the screen thinking my phone's battery might have died. Nope, it wasn't my phone. I rang her back, but there was no answer, it just went straight to her voicemail. I don't know really what made me have a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I did. The fact she was calling at turned 10.30, when she should have finished work at about 8pm. And the fact her voice sounded slightly panicked worried me slightly.

I headed back into the party, searching the crowd for Charlie. When I found him, he was stood talking to Averman and Guy. I made a beeline for him, squeezing through people. Tina jumped in front of me, asking if I wanted to have another dance. I replied that I would later, and immediately she walked away, to find someone else to dance with.

"Charlie, has Connie tried calling you"? I asked as soon as I reached him. He passed me his beer, and dug in his pocket for his cell.

"No, why"? He replied, pushing his phone back in his pocket and taking his beer back.

"She's just rang me, but before she could say why, the phone went dead". I told him.

"Her battery probably died". He answered.

"Yeah, but she sounded worried, panicked even. And why would she be ringing me"? I asked.

I could see him beginning to think, and come up with less than what I had. He looked at me as if checking what he'd heard me say was correct. I nodded. He grabbed my arm, and headed outside. I could tell by the look on his face, he was now clearly worried. He pulled his phone out and tried calling her, even though I told him, it was just going to her voicemail.

"Right I'll check her room, she might have changed her mind and was just checking whether we were still at the party". He told me. "You check our room incase she's gone there, and we'll meet half way between the buildings". I nodded in agreement, as we set of running in the same direction, until we had to separate to go into the different buildings.

I ran up the stairs, hoping to find her stood at the end of the corridor, inserting change into the pay phone. She wasn't there, and I continued, letting myself into my room, just to check she hadn't let herself in to use the phone. Disappointment hit me when I didn't find her. I locked the door behind me, and headed back to meet Charlie, hoping he'd found her, and this was all one big misunderstanding that had erupted like a volcano.

I knew, as soon as I saw him jogging toward me, that he hadn't had any luck either. I suppose it was now, that I really got worried. It was 11pm, and she should be home by now. Different scenarios ran through my mind as to where she was, but I knew non of them could be right.

"What do we do"? I asked Charlie, as we just stood, trying to decide what to do.

"I dunno". He admitted, pinching the top of his nose. "Ok, I'll ring one of the ducks, ask them to look out for her, and to let us know if she turns up at the party. And we'll head in the route's she'd take home. If she worked overtime, she might still be at the café, wanting someone to walk her home".

"Ok, yeah. I'll take the north route, and you take the other, we'll meet at the café". He agreed and we took off, again separating when we needed to.

The north route, was probably the better of the two. It mainly stuck to the main roads, and though was the longer of the two routes, I had a feeling that if she had walked home, she'd have come along this one, since she'd more than likely be alone.

I was nearly at the café and loosing faith, Charlie hadn't called to let me know he'd found her, and I'd seen no sign of her. Hopefully she'd still be at the café, or had caught a cab home. I passed a few people, seemingly on their way home from a night out. After they'd rounded the corner I had just come round, everything went quiet again. I continued watching the pavement as I walked, but looking up every so often.

Without a thought, I stepped over an aerosol that was rolling back and forth gently. Then I saw it. A cell phone, or should I say, a shattered cell phone, laid next to the corner of a wall. I picked it up, looking at it intently. I tried switching it on, but nothing happened. I glanced over it, and it was then I noticed the phone itself. It was Connie's. The same make and model, however the case couldn't have been anyone but Connie's. Written all over the battery cover was 'C.M 4 C.C' and her jersey number along with 'DUCKS 4EVA'. Then I remembered the aerosol, was that Connie's too. I went back and picked it up, before aiming it at the wall, and spraying a little. It was pepper spray, the smell distinctive. I went back to the ally entrance where I had found the phone, looking up into the dark crevices.

"CONNIE". I shouted.

There was no reply, but on the off chance, I walked cautiously up, continually shouting her name. I walked all the way to the top, before finally deciding she can't have been up here. I turned around and headed back down. About half way down, I was startled by an ally cat and jumped to the side. That's when I saw her.

She was huddled into a corner behind some trash cans, her legs pulled into her chest protectively. She was shivering, and I could see the shine of her tears as they ran down her cheeks. Down one side of her face, swelling was clear, and there was a slight trickle of dried blood from her lower lip.

"Connie". I spoke again, stepping slightly closer. I was shocked to see her flinch away from me, as though I was going to strike her. "Hey, hey it's me Adam". I spoke softly, crouching so I was level with her.

She looked at me, as though she was unsure whether it really was me. It was only looking closer at her, that I noticed her jacket hanging slightly off one shoulder, and her clothing torn in a few places. The first thing that crossed my mind, was she'd been mugged.

"Are you ok"? I know pretty stupid question, but all I wanted was for her to say something, anything. As soon, as I'd spoke, she broke down in more tears. "It's ok. Shh. I'm gonna call Charlie, then we'll get you home". I said softly. She just looked at me.

I backed away slowly from her, and headed to the entrance of the ally, where I knew I'd have reception on my phone, and to find the exact position of the ally. The state Connie was in, was slightly un-nerving. I had never seen her so scared, yet defeated at the same time. I pulled my cell from my pocket, and found Charlie's number. I quickly rang him. His phone can't have rung more than twice, before he answered, by saying my name, panicked yet relieved.

"Charlie, I've found her". I almost whispered, not wanting Connie to overhear anything.

"Ok, I'll um, meet you back at the dorm". He told me, obviously more than relieved.

"No, um, Charlie, you might want to get yourself down here".

"Why? What's wrong? Is she ok"? Panic re-entered his voice.

"Well, um, I think she's been mugged. She's huddled behind some trash cans, scared stiff". I now felt panicked.

"Where are you"?

"Bernard street, there's an ally, just before the corner. You can't miss it". I told him, then the phone went dead.

I headed back up to Connie, who was still in the same position I had left her in. I went up to her carefully, letting her know it was me, before sitting next to her. As if on impulse, she flinched away from me. I couldn't understand why she was so scared of me, she knew I wouldn't hurt her. But I knew better than to push it, and just sat at her side, hoping me being there would help settle her. It can't have been 5 minutes, before I heard Charlie shout my name. Immediately on hearing his voice, Connie tensed up.

"Back here Charlie". I shouted. "Shh, Con, it's ok, it's just Charlie". I soothed her.

"Connie". Charlie rushed up to her. This time she really did flinch away from him, as though his touch could harm her permanently. "Hey, it's ok, no-one's gonna hurt you". He said gently, kneeling in front of her, so she could see him fully. "C'mon, let's get you home". He told her, as he stood and offered her his hand.

I stood beside him, as I watched as she hesitantly took his hand, and climbed tediously to her feet. She seemed almost a different person. She neither spoke or acted like the Connie I knew. It was as though her body had been taken over by an alien or something. I know it's a pretty out there thought, but that's the way she was acting.

All the way back to our dorm, she didn't mutter a word. She continually shivered, though I didn't think it was due to being cold. For the full journey, she jumped sky high at every little thing. Even when we'd got her back into our dorm room, she didn't settle. Every time myself or Charlie went near her, she moved sharply away from us.

"Connie, c'mon baby, you've gotta tell us what happened"? Charlie asked her gently, as he knelt in front of her.

"Here, drink this"? I offered her a hot chocolate.

She took it from my hands, and I watched as she struggled in keeping the cup steady in her hands, but she was shaking that hard, she was close to spilling it. I took it back off her, and put it on the bedside. I went and sat on my bed, taking in her appearance. She was sat, huddled up on Charlie's bed, as close to the wall as she could get. Her jacket still hung off one shoulder. Her clothing torn in numerous places. I began to think of anything imaginable that could have happened to her.

"Were you mugged"? Charlie asked her again, trying desperately to get anything out of her.

She shook her head, a fresh set of tears entering her eyes, as she obviously remembered everything that had happened. I could see the fear in her eyes, and I was sure it wasn't just fear about what she'd been through, but also what she was going to have to go through.

"Baby, you gotta tell us, if you want us to help you". Charlie continued probing.

"I… I… c…can't". She cried, pulling her legs tighter to her chest.

I suppose it was the way she seemed so hesitant at telling us that really made me think. If she'd simply been mugged, she wouldn't have been so hesitant, so afraid. No it ran far deeper than that. Maybe someone had tried to mug her, but because she put up more of a fight, like I knew Connie would, maybe they'd got a bit rough with her, thrown a few punches, which would explain the state of her cheek. But even then, why would she be like this if she'd been attacked with a few punches. Attacked? It then all clicked. There was more than one type of assault. Mugging? Typical drunken rage? Fight? No, it was non of those, non of them really explained her behavior. Rape? No, that wasn't possible. Was it? It would explain why she wanted neither me or Charlie to touch or go near her. It would explain why she was hiding behind the trash cans. Obviously afraid of whoever coming back for her.

"Connie"? I climbed to my feet, and headed toward her, kneeling beside Charlie. "Were you… were… were you raped"? I asked hesitantly. Charlie looked at me ridiculously, but then his glance went to Connie. Obviously he began to think of it as a possibility. I so wanted the answer to be no, but, by the look on her face, I didn't think I was wrong.

She nodded her head breaking down into heavy tears. I felt a heavy weight being dropping into my stomach. I felt conflicted emotions boil inside. Guilty, because we'd been having a good time, while she'd been… been raped. Anger and rage at the guy who'd done it. Upset for Connie, who looked distraught by everything.

"Shh, baby it's ok. It's ok". Charlie immediately wrapped his arms around her protectively. He looked over his shoulder at me, a worried look showing in every feature of his face.

After a while, she slowly calmed down, and Charlie released her slightly. She looked tired, yet fighting sleep. It was then I realized it was 1am. I knew though, non of us would get any sleep. When she calmed further, Charlie gently asked her what happened. She seemed more than hesitant at first, but after gentle persuasion from us, she told us. By the time she'd gotten to round to telling us why she'd hidden behind the trash cans, She was nearly hysterical with tears again. Charlie had tears running down his cheeks, and tears threatened mine.

It got to the point where I couldn't bear it anymore, and gently told them I was going to get us all some soda and something to eat. I closed the door tightly behind myself, and slid down the wall until I was crouching. I buried my face in my hands, feeling all my emotions take over once again. I felt so helpless and weak, and there was Connie in there, needing her friends around her to be strong for her.

"Hey Cake-eater where'd you slip off to tonight"? Guy shouted from the end of the hall, though I didn't lift my head immediately.

"Oh, I see, you're on guard. The Spazway's getting some lovin'". Averman called.

I pinched my nose, trying to rid myself of the tears that filled my eyes. I slowly stood, and found all the ducks stood around me. I didn't say anything straight away, I suppose I was trying to think what to say to them.

"Adam? Adam what's wrong"? Julie sudden barged forward, from her position under Portman's arm. I tried to answer her, but I couldn't find the right words. "It's Connie isn't it? What's wrong"? She barged forward toward the door.

"No, Julie. You can't, you can't go in there". I told her.

"Cake-eater, you better tell us now, and talk fast"? Fulton told me.

"Not here". I told them.

Goldberg and Averman unlocked their dorm room for us, and we all filed in. I stood near the door, listening out incase Charlie needed or wanted anything. The ducks sat and stood around impatiently.

"C'mon Cake-eater, spit it out"! Guy told me.

"This isn't exactly easy to say you know". I spat back.

"Adam, please, just tell us? Is she hurt? What"? Julie almost begged.

"She is kinda hurt. Tonight, I got a call from her when we were at the party. Before she could say anything the phone went dead. So me and Charlie went looking for her. She wasn't in her dorm, or in ours, so we separated and walked the route's she'd have walked from work. I found her". I told them, then took a deep breath. "She was hiding behind some trash cans". Tears threatened my eyes again.

"What? Has she been mugged or something"? Dwayne asked.

"No". I answered simply. "She's been, um, she's been raped". I finally blurted it out.

"Raped"? Julie asked incredulously.

"Yeah", I answered.

"Oh my God". Julie started crying, and Portman was there quickly to comfort her.

"Is… Is she, um, ok"? Averman stuttered.

"Of course she's not ok you idiot, she's just been raped". Guy snapped.

"It's a simple question Guy. Of course we know she's not ok, but you know what he means". Fulton snapped in retaliation. "This isn't the time to turn on each other. She's gonna need us to be there for her".

"Sorry Ave's". Guy apologized.

"It's ok man. We're all a little shocked". Averman accepted the apology easily.

"So, um how is she"? Julie asked cautiously.

"Um, she's pretty messed up at the minute. She's scared more than anything else". I told them.

Looking around the room, I could tell the news was still very much sinking in. A few of them were rubbing their foreheads in thought, others just staring into space. Julie wiped a few tears away, trying to get herself together.

"I, I gotta go see her". Julie stood suddenly, heading for the door.

"Jules, no. Just leave her a little while". I said softly, blocking her path. "She's pretty freaked out at the minute. She's barely letting Charlie near her, let alone anyone else. I don't think any of us barging in there is gonna help". I tried explaining.

"And what makes you the expert"? Portman was obviously sticking up for Julie, who had backed away, nodding obviously in acceptance.

"Because I've seen the fucking state she's in. She's absolutely fucking petrified. Nothing can prepare you enough to see her like that". I blurted out harshly. "Because I've sat in that God damn room, listening to her, tell us exactly what happened, every sordid detail. You think that was easy for her… for us, the whole time thinking, if I react wrongly to anything she's saying, I'm gonna make things a million times harder for her". I felt all my emotions spilling out of me. "She's sat in that room, huddled on the bed, scared to death, jumping a mile whenever me or Charlie go near her or even move. Scared of feeling the way she is. You think you can cope with all that? Then be my guest"! I opened the door wide for whoever thought they could cope.

"Adam, it's ok man. We understand. We'll wait until she's ready to see us". Luis spoke softly.

I could tell what I'd just said shocked them. Maybe it was my sudden out burst, or maybe it was the realization of what I'd said, being true. I don't know, but either way, they seemed to accept that she'd need some space, and when, and only when she was ready, would they see her.

So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!