Chapter 7

A/N: Ready to find out who it was? ;)

"Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

Shay was the first to speak up although all looked up when they heard Sylvie's bedroom door open. From the bags under her eyes, Brett clearly hadn't slept but the others decided to let that go for now.

Stella forced a small smile and slowly made her way over to the counter where everyone was sitting, drinking coffee and eating bagels. They knew that Sylvie loved bagels and were hoping she'd try at least a little. Plus, the smell wasn't as nauseating as some of the other breakfast options.

Brett didn't sit, instead deciding to lean against Stella who wrapped an arm around her waist. It hurt too much to sit. "We got your favorite."

Sylvie looked at the spread but shook her head. "Thanks."

She honestly had no intention of eating the food in front of her but was grateful to have such amazing friends.

"Coffee?"

Sylvie shook her head. "No thanks. I think I just want to have a shower."

They hesitated before Chilli spoke up. "You were in the shower when we got home last night. We didn't want to bother you so we all just crashed… Sorry."

Sylvie smiled. "It's okay." What they didn't know was that she had been in the shower most of the night.

They hesitated again, exchanging a glance. It was Gabby who eventually spoke up. "Alright. Go shower… But there's something that we need to talk to you about after, okay?"

Sylvie looked worried on the outside but that was nothing to describe how she felt on the inside. Without another word, she headed for the bathroom.

It was a short shower this time… Well, not exactly short but short enough to try to keep the others from worrying.

After she was dried and dressed (she couldn't be bothered doing her hair or makeup- something Sylvie rarely ever did)- she emerged from the bathroom to find the ladies on the couch waiting for her.

"Come here, honey."

Gabby patted the seat between herself and Stella and Sylvie slowly made her way over. Walking still hurt but at least it wasn't as bad as sitting.

Once they were all seated, Gabby took Sylvie's hand and held it tightly. "Okay… So, remember at the hospital when Lindsay and Antonio came to take your statement? And then Dr. Manning wanted to take some samples?"

Sylvie froze. She knew where this was going. She shook her head and tried to get up but was in too much pain to do so. "No. I don't want to."

"I know you don't, babe, but it's the only way to catch this bastard."

Sylvie shook her head again at Stella's comment. "Please don't make me do this."

Chilli reached out and took one of Brett's hands, trying to calm her at least a little. "It's too late to take any samples but Dr. Manning still needs to check you out… And the police really need as much detail as you can give them."

Sylvie looked up at her partner, meeting her eyes. She paused before whispering. "Promise me that you'll stay?"

"We're not going anywhere."

Sylvie settled on the statement first. She figured that would be "easier" than another exam. Luckily for them, Erin and Antonio came to the house rather than making her head to the station. A knock at the door forty-five minutes later and Sylvie froze, inching as close to Stella and Gabby as she could get. Shay answered the door and Erin appeared first with Dawson hanging back a little.

"Hey, guys. Thank you for doing this here."

Erin nodded, smiling comfortingly over at Sylvie. "Of course. Whatever helps Sylvie feel more comfortable."

They entered slowly and Sylvie's eyes dodged between them. She gripped at Gabby and Stella's hands as if they were the only thing keeping her afloat.

Erin took a seat on the coffee table in front of the sofa whilst Antonio stood back.

"Hey, Sylvie."

Sylvie didn't respond but met Erin's eyes. It didn't go unnoticed that her eyes would dart towards Antonio every now and again just to make sure that he was far enough away.

"I bet you're still feeling pretty lousy, huh?" When Sylvie didn't answer again, Erin continued. "We'll be as quick as possible, okay?"

This time Sylvie at least responded even though it was only a nod.

"Okay, so last time we talked, you told us that the man pulled you into the bushes and had sex with you." She wanted to avoid the word 'rape' as much as possible. "And we were talking about who it might have been."

Sylvie looked at Gabby, silently begging.

"It's okay." The brunette whispered.

Erin continued. "Was it someone you knew maybe? Someone from the firehouse?" She silently begged the answer to be no.

Sylvie shook her head, shifting uncomfortably. However, what they didn't know was that she was only saying no to the firehouse part.

"Was it a stranger?"

Sylvie shifted closer to Stella and her eyes filled with tears, still silently begging Gabby that she didn't want to go on. Slowly, Sylvie shook her head.

Erin looked up at Antonio and then between the other girls before looking at Sylvie. She paused for a moment before finally asking.

"Sylvie… Do you know who raped you?"

That was it for Sylvie. She couldn't take it anymore. She jumped up from the couch, despite the unbelievable amount of pain and surprising everyone, and almost yelled.

"It was Harrison, okay?! Fucking Harrison!"

A second later, they heard the sound of the bathroom door slamming shut and the sounds of Sylvie dry retching. After all, there was nothing in her stomach to actually throw up.

Stella stood up to follow but Shay put a hand on her arm to stop her. Stella looked between Gabby and Chilli whom also shook their heads so Stella very reluctantly sat back down.

"Who is Harrison?"

Antonio had no idea who he was but he still wanted to punch him.

"Uh… He ex. Fiance. Her ex-fiance."

Gabby looked at Antonio, trying to read what he was thinking. After all, if he didn't know about Harrison despite his and Sylvie's history then…

Before Antonio could react, Erin stepped in.

"She still needs to be checked out again but we've got all we need for now." Erin and Antonio let themselves out whilst the other girls sat around the counter in shock.

Sylvie emerged from the bathroom after around twenty minutes. It was clear that she had been crying. She wanted to apologize; old-Sylvie would have done that; but instead just whispered.

"I'm really tired."

Sylvie's eyes were filled with tears and everyone could tell that she was barely keeping it together.

"Go lay down, sweetheart. It's okay. We'll be right out here if you need us."

It didn't take long for noises to start coming from Sylvie's room.

The sobs coming from Sylvie's room were heart-breaking but none of them knew how to act. No one except Gabby that was. She got up from the counter without a word and made her way to Sylvie's room, closing the door behind her.

Sure enough, Gabby saw exactly what she knew that she was going to see. Sylvie was curled up in bed crying, both from physical and emotional pain.

Gabby didn't hesitate as she climbed into bed behind Sylvie and wrapped her arms around her. Sylvie curled into the brunette's embrace, just trying to feel safe.