The beginnig of this chapter is a little graphic. Be forewarned if the subject of rape makes you uncomfortable.

"In everyone's life at some time our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." — Albert Schweitzer

Chapter Thirteen - In the Still of the Night

Katie McNamara's apartment, a few nights later...

She could hear him come in before she ever looked up and saw him standing behind her in the mirror. The look on his face told her that he had not followed her into this bathroom to offer her another drink.

"Tease." His words slurred as his hands gripped her upper arms. "This will teach you to turn down Frank Runyeon." He threw her up against the bathroom stall and the look in his eyes told her that this was not a joke.

"Let me go." She tried to break free of his grasp, but his fist came up to connect with her jaw. Reeling from his punch, her hands flew to her face just as he hit her again. Losing her balance, she slumped down to the cold, hard tile floor of the bathroom. Her terror increased as he got on top of her, straddling her hips. He pulled her panties off and pushed her dress up over her head, using it to both cover her eyes and restrain her arms. Katie then realized what was coming next, and she struggled fiercely, fighting as hard as she could until the blows he rained down on her stopped her fight.

As soon as she stilled, she felt the point of something sharp being pressed into her cheek through her dress . His disembodied, whispered voice came through to her ear, "If you struggle again or cry out, I will slit your throat and leave you here to die. Behave yourself and you might live through this." As much as it terrified her, Katie knew that she was going to have to wait out the attack if she wanted to live to tell about it.

When it was over, she felt the knife pierce into her side and Katie drew in her breath to keep from crying out. She could feel her blood trickling out of the wound in her side as he touched it with his cold hands. She was too numb to move and could feel him tracing something on her chest. "Thanks, bitch." She heard him say. "I knew you would be good." The last thing she heard before the darkness engulfed her was the bathroom door opening and closing behind him.

Whimpering, Katie turned over in her bed and cried out. "No! Leave me alone." Her arms were suddenly free from their constrictions and she reached out.

Danny sat up immediately and pulled her to him, realizing too late that she wasn't fully awake yet. Her fist connected with the side of his face as she thrashed wildly about. "Let me go, you son of a bitch! Let me go!" She screamed at him, punching him in the chest, the arms, and the neck numerous times.

Danny reached over and turned on the light, then caught her once more in his arms. Still she fought against him and he held her tighter, trapping her arms down at her side. "It's ok, baby. It's me. It's Danny." Her eyes were open and wild, but she still didn't seem to understand what was going on. He cupped her face gently in his hands and forced her to look at him. "Look at me, Katie. Look at me. It's Danny." He brushed the hair out of her face and whispered soothingly, "It's ok. You're safe with me. I won't hurt you. It was just a nightmare. It's over now. Look at me. It's Danny. Say my name."

Finally able to focus, Katie looked up into his concerned yet gentle face. His touch was light, but firm enough to hold her steady in his arms. "Danny?" She whispered.

"Yes, baby, it's me. It's ok." He loosened his hold on her and she moved her arms to wrap them around his body. He leaned back on the pillows taking her with him and together they lay in silence. She laid her head on his chest and snuggled closer to him, thankful for the safety his arms provided. Danny traced small circles on her back with his fingertips and the delicate rhythm of the motion calmed her nerves. He could feel her body begin to relax against him and the up and down motion of her chest began to slow as her breathing returned to normal.

"I haven't had one of those nightmares in a long time." She finally whispered, her warm breath tickling the hair on his chest.

"Are you ok, now?" He asked, moving his hand to stroke her hair.

"Yes." She said quietly, content to just lay there with him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly, knowing what the answer would be. Although she had allowed him into her bed, there were still parts of her life that he still did not have access to. It was alright though...he would wait.

"It's not exactly sexy pillow talk." Came her expected answer. She couldn't tell him, not yet. She couldn't let him know that the sudden appearance of Theresa Runyeon in her life had triggered memories that she thought were long buried. "Did I hurt you?" She asked.

Danny smiled. "You clocked me in the jaw."

Katie lifted her head and looked at him. "I'm sorry." She said, bringing her hand to his chin and turning his face so she could see where she struck him. "Do you think it was hard enough to leave a bruise?"

"Nah. I'm tough." Danny said, kissing her fingertips.

"Rugged." She smiled. "Here, let me ease my guilty conscience." She kissed his strong jawline and looked up at him. "Better?"

"Mmmm." He said. "But actually, it hurts here more." He pointed to a spot on his neck and she promptly kissed it. "And here." He said, pointing to his lips. Katie grinned up at him and he wrapped his arms around her as she leaned in for a kiss that made everything all better for both of them.