Tim stared at Calleigh and she collapsed into the leather recliner across from him, tears pouring slowly down her cheeks.

"Oh baby, no don't think I'm mad." he said, quickly rushing to her side. "No I'm not. I'm just shocked that's all. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to have to go through all of this again." Calleigh sniffed as Tim lifted her up into his arms then sat down with her in his lap. "And I thought you'd be angry or think differently of me."

"No, nothing can change the way I feel about you honey." Tim kissed the top of her head and she settled back into his arms. "Can you please tell me what happened?"

"When I was seventeen I started going out with this guy, Andy. My parents loved him. I thought I loved him too. When I turned eighteen we were still going out. We were at his house one night and his parents were away in Houston on some vacation. He said that... he said that he loved me and... that he uh... wanted to have sex. He started kissing me and started to undo my top when I stopped him. I didn't want to get into that. I was eighteen. I'd be graduating high school in two months and going off to Tulane. I didn't want to do something that might wreck my life. I thought that if he loved me then he wouldn't care. He did and said I was being stupid, that he knew that it was what I wanted. I fought with him and..." Calleigh buried her face in Tim's chest, trying to stop the tears from coming. "I turned to leave and he grabbed me, saying I wasn't going anywhere. Tim,"

He closed his eyes tightly, hoping he wasn't hearing what he was hearing.

"Cal... did... did, he..." Tim couldn't bring himself to say it. He heard Calleigh let out a sob and he held her tighter, rocking them slightly.

"I struggled against him," she finally started again, "and he punched me. He started hitting me hard and I was falling in and out of consciousness but... he... he had raped me."

"Oh honey..."

"I waited until he fell asleep and went home. I... I didn't tell my parents."

"Why not?"

"Because they thought that Andy was the golden boy and couldn't do any wrong. They wouldn't believe me. About five weeks later I found out I was pregnant. I didn't know what to do. So I told my mom I was going to my sister's place up in New Orleans until I started Tulane. I did go to Ashley's and I told her what happened. I knew that I wouldn't start Tulane in September so I put it off for a year. I stayed with Ashley until Dana was born and... and then I gave her up for adoption. I was eighteen. I couldn't take care of myself let alone a baby. Then I started Tulane the next September and went on like it never happened. Then I came to Miami and met you. I thought that it was my past so it could stay in the past."

"Honey, I'm so sorry." Tim kissed Calleigh's forehead and she shook her head.

"You didn't do it so don't be sorry."

"I just wish you didn't have to go through all of that."

"I did have a horrible childhood." Calleigh mumbled. "But now Dana's... parents moved to Miami and she's here. Tim..."

"You want her?"

"I don't know. She wants to know me and I would really love to know her but... I don't know if her parents would allow it?"

"Why don't you just go over and ask?" Tim asked.

"I told Dana I would but she said don't worry about it. She was the one I met at McDonald's today."

"Does she know about... Andy?"

"No. If she asks I suppose I'll have to tell her." Calleigh replied. "Are you mad I didn't tell you?"

"No!" Tim shook his head. "God I wish you did tell me though. I hate the fact that you've been hiding this and having to deal with it alone."

"I got used to it."

"You know you can talk to me about everything. I know it was hard telling me but I would've helped you."

The doorbell rang a few times, announcing an annoyed Eric.

"I can tell them to go home if you don't want them here." Tim said.

"No. Have fun. I'm fine." Calleigh wiped her eyes and climbed off his lap. "Thanks for listening though."

"I'm always here." Tim kissed her softly and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you."

"I love you too. Let Eric in before he breaks in." They both laughed and Tim let Eric in.

"About time. What were you two doing? Having sex?" he snapped.

"Far from it. We were talking." Tim replied. "Not that it's any of your business."

"Yeah that's what you're calling it these days." Eric muttered, kissing Calleigh's cheek.

-------S/C-------

"I don't understand why you keep talking with this woman!" Jake yelled.

"She helped me get home. I was lost. We just moved here. I met her at McDonald's coincidentally. What's the big deal?" Dana asked.

"Because how do I know you're not squealing?"

"Why would I tell anyone about your disgusting habits?"

"You want another bruise?"

"Jake, leave her alone!" Melanie exclaimed.

"Oh shut up Melanie!" he snapped. "I swear Dana if you see this woman one more time..."

"I can't help who I run into." she said.

"Run into my ass! You're meeting with her on purpose. Get upstairs." Jake pointed a finger at the stairs and Dana gladly went up to her room. A few minutes later, Melanie came in.

"He's right isn't he?" she asked quietly.

"Am I adopted?"

Melanie smiled and pulled Dana's strawberry blonde hair off her shoulders.

"You're too smart for me to lie to." she said. "Yeah. Don't tell Jake I told you."

"I knew. I've been meeting her, my real mother. Did you know her?"

"No. Only by a signature saying she didn't want you anymore."

"She was just a kid. A few years older than me when she got pregnant." Dana said. "She told me she couldn't take care of me and wanted me to go to someone that would take care of me and give me a good life."

"That shows she cares for you Dana." Melanie said.

"I want to be able to see her without having to sneak out." she said. "I want to be a part of her family if she lets me."

"I know honey but that won't happen. It's all a bunch of legal work and I highly doubt Jake would ever let you go."

"Can we give it a try?"

Melanie thought for a minute.

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't want to be lied to anymore. You've been great but Jake isn't the best of fathers. I want a real family and I think Calleigh can give me that."

"You know what darlin'? For you I will try."