Mark was full of emotions as he gently put Lisa down on the sofa pulling her close being carefully not to squeeze her too tight. He held her in silence for awhile trying to comfort her as she cried against his chest. His heart was aching feeling the pain Paul had caused her. Damn it she should have let me squeeze the life out of that son of bitch, Mark thought running his fingers along her back feeling her flinch slightly. Mark brushed her hair away from her face seeing the dark stains from her tears careening down her swollen cheek.

"Mark, are you ok? I saw him hit you from behind I tried to help but he overpowered me," Lisa stuttered as Mark stared into her eyes touched at how she was worried about him more than herself.

"I'm fine let's just concentrate on you," Mark smiled at her wishing he could take all her pain away. Mark reached around her turning on the lamp examining the little cuts dotting her upper arms feeling the urge to destroy Paul growing. "What did that bastard do to you? How in the hell did you get so many cuts?"

"He threw a glass shattering it over me that is when I tried to get away from him. He caught up to me in the hall slapping me and slamming me into the wall," Lisa glanced at her arms seeing the light trickle of blood from some of the cuts as Mark looked away trying to keep himself from rushing back to Paul's room. "I think I'll feel better if I clean up. Do you mind if I use your shower?"

"I don't mind," Mark kissed her cheek. Lisa slowly stood up feel the aches shooting up her back. "Here let me help you." Mark put his arm around her waist helping her to the bathroom. Lisa leaned against him happy he was with her.

"Thank you," she said looking up into his eyes.

"I'll bring you one of my shirts to wear till I get your stuff from Paul," Mark started to walk away from her when he felt her touch.

"Mark, please have someone else get it. I don't want you to go near Paul tonight," Lisa softly said not wanting Mark and Paul to get into a fight.

"Ok baby girl," Mark wasn't going to upset her more. Lisa gave him a small smile before shutting the door over slightly. He stood frozen for a moment afraid to have her out of his sight. She will be fine it's just a shower, Mark thought going through his bags grabbing a navy blue t-shirt. When he heard the water running, he went to the door pushing it open a little more figuring she was in the shower. He almost jumped with surprise when he caught a glimpse of her taking off her tank top. He was about to shut the door when she started to undo her bra. His eyes were drawn to the new bruises starting to form up and down her back. His heart wrenched in pain imagining the force Paul must have used to cause swelling like that. Mark was overtaken by his emotions going up behind her wrapping his arms around her taking her by complete surprise. Lisa couldn't find words for a minute as he held her close resting his head on her shoulder. She turned in his arms slowly looking up into his eyes seeing a weakness in him most people never saw.

"How could he hurt you like this? I should have protected you. I could have stopped him from doing this," Mark lightly ran his fingers down her back.

"Mark, don't blame yourself. You did stop him from doing anything worse. With the mood he was in tonight only god knows what he would have done if you didn't come along," Lisa reached up caressing his face. "I will be fine in a few days."

"I swear to you I will never let him hurt you again. I should let you shower I'm sorry for barging in," Mark slowly started to let her go as she pulled his arms around her again kissing him softly.

"You don't have to apologize. Thank you for the shirt I'll be out in a few minutes," Lisa stepped away from him as his eyes couldn't help running down her body.

"I'm going to get you some ice to help the swelling," Mark backed away from her right into the door with a thud. Mark cringed in embarrassment for not paying attention to what he was doing. He quickly opened the door leaving her as she couldn't help smiling at the rosy red she saw in his cheeks. She stepped into the shower letting the water wash away the blood from her arms. I wish I could wash everything else away so easy, she thought touching the swelling on her face. She couldn't stop her tears from coming again as the images of Paul's angry face flashed in front of her eyes. His words of her coming back to him echoed in her mind as she shook her head no. "There is no way I'm ever going back to Paul. I don't care what he does nothing will change my mind," Lisa said softly trembling. She willed her thoughts of Paul away trying to concentrate on Mark and the chance to finally be with him.


Mark was wrapping ice in a towel when John, Glen and Adam came knocking on his door to check on Lisa. John rushed into the room looking around quickly upset to not see Lisa.

"Where is my sis?" John asked as Mark grabbed his shoulder.

"She is in the shower. Just calm down she is safe now," Mark wanted to reassure John that Lisa was in good hands.

"How bad did he hurt her?" Glen noticed the ice pack in Mark's hand.

"It's pretty bad. Not only did the bastard smash a glass near her, he threw her into a wall over and over causing bruising on her back," Mark sighed rubbing his face feeling helpless not able to take his anger out on Paul. "She is going to be hurting for the next few days. What did you guys do with Paul?"

"After we stopped John from killing him, we called Vince and let him know what Paul did to Lisa. Vince arranged for a security guard to stay outside Paul's room tonight so he doesn't leave and cause anymore problems till Vince arranges for him to get some counseling. Paul was being an obnoxious ass the whole time begging John to get in a fight with him" Adam nodded at John staring at the bathroom door waiting for Lisa. He lowered his voice coming closer to Mark. "John isn't handling this too well obviously."

"How are you doing?" Glen asked knowing Mark must be feeling the same rage if not more.

"Honestly I'm torn apart. Part of me wants to go rip Paul apart limp by limp and the other part of me knows that's wrong because it is exactly what that bastard wants. I will find a way to deal with Paul later. My only concern right now is Lisa and making sure is safe," Mark finished saying as Lisa opened the bathroom door. John immediately jumped up rushing to her hugging her close.

"Thank God you're alright," John said with tears in his eyes. "I will never let that jackass near you again. Are you in a lot of pain?" John leaned back looking into her eyes letting her go.

"I think once I take a few pain killers I'll be fine," Lisa tried to take his worries away. Her eyes drifted to Mark staring at her from across the room. I hate being so much trouble for him, Lisa thought looking away from him. "What happened to Paul?"

"We called Vince and now Paul has a babysitter for the night," Adam said as Mark came towards her. "Vince is going to be stopping by in the morning to check on you and discuss things."

"I will deal with Vince if you're not up to it," Mark put his arm around her. "Right now you need to sit down and see if the ice helps at all." Lisa nodded ok letting Mark lead her to the sofa. He gently placed the ice on her cheek making her flinch slightly. Glen watched Mark seeing how much he cared for Lisa. He had never seen Mark so taken with a woman before. He silently hoped this was the start of their happiness together.

"It looks like you have everything under control here. I think the rest of us should turn in for the night," Glen motioned for Adam and John to come with him.

"Yeah, you're right," Adam knew it was best for Lisa to be alone with Mark right now instead having all of them there fussing over her. "Come on John, we can get a drink if you want."

"I definitely need one," John said running his hands through his hair. Lisa caught his attention motioning for him to come to her. He kneeled down by her side as she reached out taking his hand.

"John, I'm fine stop worrying. Mark will take good care of me and I will call you as soon as I wake up," Lisa put the ice pack down kissing his cheek. John hugged her again slowly standing up.

"You better take excellent care of her or you'll answer to me," John patted Mark's shoulder.

"I will don't worry," Mark reassured John walking him to the door.

"You get lots of rest and I'll check in you in the morning," Glen leaned down giving her a hug. Adam said the same hugging her.

"Thank you both for keeping John under control," Lisa smiled at them. "Have a good night." They both wished her and Mark a good night heading to the door.

"I'll be right back baby girl, just going out in the hall for a minute," Mark winked at her making her wonder what he was up to. Mark went out in the hall with the others asking Glen to stay behind for a minute.

"What's on your mind?" Glen asked as Adam and John headed to the bar to get a drink.

"I need you to do me a favor later tonight," Mark tried to keep his voice down not wanting to take the chance of Lisa hearing him.

"Sure what is it?"

"I'm going to call you in about an hour or so. I need you to come back here and stay with Lisa while I take care of something," Mark said as Glen stared at him knowing exactly what he planned to do.

"You're planning to pay Paul a visit, right?" Glen sighed.

"Maybe I am the less you know the better. Will you watch over Lisa for me tonight for a little while?"

"Fine, but you better not get yourself into deep shit because she needs you right now more than anything," Glen warned his friend.

"Thanks for your help and don't worry I know what I'm doing," Mark patted Glen's shoulder.

"I hope you do. I'll see you shortly," Glen started down the hall hoping Mark wouldn't get into trouble. Mark locked the door leaning on the door watching Lisa curled up on the sofa running her fingers along her arms deep in thought. I know she needs me now but she also needs the assurance that Paul will never touch her again and that is exactly what I'm going to get her tonight, Mark thought hoping he could sneak into Paul's room with no problems.