So in this chapter things will get better...and then worse. Enjoy!

Sam's suite/home

"No!"

Sam's voice startled Mary awake.

"Sam! Wake up!" Mary gently shook Sam until she opened her eyes.

"Mary?" Sam breathed heavily, Mary could see her chest rising and falling.

"It's okay, you had a nightmare."

"I noticed...jeez," Sam buried her face in her hands, "Fucking bastard!"

The sobs were finally released and Mary pulled Sam towards her and stroke her hair.

"I'm here, Sam, it's okay to cry," she whispered in her hair.

In the weeks that followed Sam would wake up like that less and less, and Mary stayed with her the whole time. They would get jokes from Mike and Danny about them spending so much time together and sleeping in the same bed, but Sam and Mary could only laugh about that. They had become best friends, and after telling each other about their horrifying experiences it was easier to tell each other about all the other things women talk about. Mary was surprised about how feminine Sam could behave sometimes, and Sam wondered why she had ever named Mary as the 'Virgin' of the gang formed by Sam, Mary, Delinda and Nessa. She found out that the funniest movies ever according to Mary were action movies. Whenever they watched them Mary just couldn't help but crack up. Another thing Sam had never expected Mary to participate in were practical jokes. Mary was actually the one who had the best ideas, much to Mike and Danny's discontent, since they were usually their victims.

Casino floors

"Sam, Mary, Ed needs you to come to his office."

"Okay, Danny. We'll be right up," Sam winked at Danny and Mary quickly pressed a kiss against his cheek before following Sam to Ed's office.

"I wonder what Ed wants to see us about," Mary thought out loud.

"Maybe Mikey boy and Danny Druff have complained about us," Sam chuckled.

"God, I hope not! We were just fooling around."

"They wouldn't go to Ed about that, would they?"

"Naw, besides, they weren't even on duty when we had a little fun with them."

"Then what are we going to see Ed about?"

"I- I honestly wouldn't know!"

The women mounted the stairs to Ed's office. They found Ed sitting behind his desk with a serious look on his face.

"Hello ladies, ehm, sit down for a sec please."

Sam and Mary suddenly turned serious themselves. Sam studied Ed's face while Mary did the same as they sat down in the two chairs in front of the desk.

"The reason I had you come here," Ed folded his hands together and leaned forward over his desk, "is to tell you, Sam, thatI have unfortunate news."

Ed paused and Mary glanced at Sam, who slowly moved her hand towards Mary, who placed hers on top of it.

"Neither the police, nor the Montecito has been able to track down the man that raped you, Sam. I'm sorry."

For a moment the room was silent.

"Sam,-"

"I'm fine," Sam said, while still staring at a spot on the wall behind Ed.

"So, Ed," Mary spoke softly, "this doesn't mean that he, that he could come back and do the same thing, right?"

"No, of course not honey. I'm putting Mike and Danny on it, and the big screen in the control room will follow Sam throughout the day, and her door at night. Plus we will know it when he sets foot on Montecito grounds. I just, hope that that will be enough for you, Sam, to feel safe here."

"Sam," Mary squeezed her friend's hand.

"Yeah, I heard him. I feel completely safe. Thanks, Ed. For everything."

"She just needs a little time," Mary said while standing up.

"I understand," Ed nodded, "Will you keep an eye on her, Mary?"

"Oh, yeah, sure!"

Ed stood up and walked up to Sam and Mary.

"Come on, Sam, let's go. Bye Ed," Mary said as she kissed Ed on his cheek. He carefully laid a hand on Sam's as well as on Mary's shoulder.

"Hang in there, okay?"

"She will be fine, Ed."

"With your help she will, honey. And, if you girls need to take the day off, that's okay with me."

"Thanks, Ed. We will."

Mary slung an arm around Sam's waist and walked her down the stairs.

Ed worriedly rubbed his neck as he watched them disappear.

The girl's going through a rough time. I'm glad she and Mary get along so well.

Montecito Roof

As silently as possible, a helicopter landed on top of the Montecito. When it was just a few inches above the roof, a man jumped out, after which the helicopter quickly climbed and made its way out of Sin City.

The man, dressed in a dark body suit and a black sweater, dropped himself on the roof and got a map from under his sweater.

Now, where is your room, my angel?

It's cruel of me to leave you at this point, I know! But I was able to write one more chapter before going on holiday. Thanks for your sweet reviews! See you all in three weeks!