Chapter 4

Stacey sat by herself staring blankly into a hot cup of chocolate, she was vaguely aware of the TV in the background, but her mind was elsewhere. She was just grateful that her brother was working a later shift; she wasn't up to facing his questions. She just wanted to be left to her thoughts. Today's events kept racing through her mind causing fresh pain to flood through her as it forced her to emotionally re-live the last few months, something she had hoped moving to Sun Hill would destroy.

The doorbell rang snapping her out of her thoughts. Sighing deeply she pulled herself up and headed to the door. Opening it she found Dan standing on the other side, wrapped up against the harsh November wind.

"What do you want?" Stacey asked curtly.

"To apologize" he replied. Stacey sighed again stepping back from the door feeling slightly sorry for the guy standing in front of her shivering against the air. Dan smiled gratefully at her and followed Stacey back into the lounge.

"Do you want a drink?" she asked as Dan sat down desperately trying to warm himself up.

"I'm fine" he assured her. Stacey frowned.

"You're frozen. I'll make you a hot drink." She said heading into the kitchen.

"Here you go get this down you" she smiled, coming back a few minutes later and handing Dan a steaming cup of chocolate.

"Cheers"

"So what brings you here?" Stacey questioned again, this time not as harsh as she sat down.

"Like I said to apologize. I shouldn't have gone to the sergeant, but I was worried about you. You just looked a little shaken up," Dan explained.

"I just wish you hadn't said anything to Smithy" Stacey sighed, running her hands over her face, and finding herself sighing deeply again.

"But he's your brother…."

"Exactly Dan. That's exactly why you shouldn't have said anything to him. You have no idea what he is like he already thinks I shouldn't be in the force. Now he's going to wrap me up even more till I tell him what's going on…." She stopped herself hoping that Dan hadn't paid any attention to the last bit, but looking up, she knew straight away by the look on the PC's face that he had.

"So there is something going on," Dan prompted, softening his gaze as he noted the young girls pained expression. Stacey looked away desperately willing the threatening tears not to spill.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dan asked gently getting up and placing himself next to her. Stacey took a deep breath and looked at him, her eyes glistening with un-shed tears.

"I did know that guy today. His name is Mark…Mark Haywood. His brother Scott, he was an officer at my old Station…"

"For a guy whose brother is in the force, he didn't seem…well he looked like a bit of a troublemaker" Dan interrupted. Stacey nodded.

"I got his brother put away," Stacey told him quietly. Dan frowned.

"Can I ask what for?" he questioned carefully.

"Rape"

"So why is his brother that against you. I mean you helped get him convicted but you didn't pass he final verdict." Dan said confused as to the connection.

"It was me Dan it was me he raped" Stacey whispered, the tears that had been threatening for so long finally spilling.

"And now he wants revenge on me for putting his brother away. And I am so scared Dan" she sobbed.

"Hey it's ok Stace I am so sorry" Dan soothed taking her into his arms.

"I transferred to get away from all this. I just wanted to start over" she cried from inside his tight embrace.

"shhh we'll work through this. He's not going to get away with this we'll get Smithy on it…."

"No you can't tell Dale" Stacey warned pulling away from him quickly.

"Why Stace he has a right to know," Dan said confusion flooding through him again.

"He can't know. He'll never forgive himself. That this happened, and I never told him. Please Dan. Please you can't tell him. You have to promise me" Stacey begged him.

"Ok ok I promise. Just calm" Dan assured her, hugging her tight again.

"Thank you Dan" Stacey said finally pulling away from him.

"What for?" he asked.

"For being here" Stacey smiled.

"Its ok" he replied. Stacey leant in and kissed him gently on the lips, smiling as she pulled away.

"That's just an extra thank you. Do you want another drink?" she offered.

"Yeah that would be good" Dan agreed.