A/N Thanks for all the reviews, please keep them coming…

Stella spoke to Lindsay about various things on the journey to her house but she was fairly certain Lindsay wasn't listening. She was sat starring out the window. As Lindsay looked out the window the city passing by blurred into a colourful huge dancing around herm she couldn't take anything in at the minute. She was still trying to process what had happened, she met people he had been raped a lot in her job she'd dealt with…. victims. She was a victim, which was what she couldn't handle along with the rest she'd become that person that people looked at with sorrowful eyes, pitying. If she'd just been beaten at least she wouldn't get the looks she got from the hospital staff, all those people knowing what he'd done to her, knowing that she'd been so weak. Stella kept telling her she wasn't weak but she couldn't believe it she laid there crying begging for him to stop, she felt weak, vulnerable and violated.

"We're here," said Stella giving Lindsay a gentle nudge to get her out the car.

"Sorry," mumbled Lindsay, getting out and trying to make herself as small and invisible as possible while Stella paid the driver. Lindsay had a sudden need to be in the confinement of the hospital room rather than stood in the open.

"Okay. Come on," smiled Stella weakly leading her in to her apartment block. It suddenly occurred to Lindsay she'd never been in Stella's new apartment before. She followed Stella down the corridor to the third door.

"It's big," commented Lindsay making Stella smile as she lead her into the main room.

"Compared to your shoe box," Stella then pausing not sure if she should have said that or not.

"It's okay," said Lindsay seeing the look on her face, "You can talk. I'm not going to break down," she said half telling Stella and half herself.

"Can I have a wash?" asked Lindsay rubbing self-consciously at the bandage on her arm.

"Sure. Bathrooms down the hall and my bedrooms on the left. Take any clothes you like." smiled Stella. The younger CSI soundly seemed to child like stood pulling at the clothes she was wearing her eyes still wide with fear.

Lindsay disappeared down the hall into the bathroom. She was pleased that when she shut the door she found it was quite small. The four walls round comforted her, knowing that there was only her in there. She lent over and started the shower running. As she got undressed she shuck slightly when she saw bruises down her leg and on her arms, painful reminders of last night. The water was warm against her skin but not scolding. It felt good to be able to wash, to get him of her. Despite the fact she had washed several times the night before she was only just beginning to feel clean again. She could feel him on her skin, stroking it, hitting it, licking it.

Stella was sat nervously playing with a hair band she'd found on the side table. She had no idea what to do with herself. To be honest she was quite scared of been alone with Lindsay, not because she was scared of Lindsay, she was worried that she would say something or do something to upset her or scare her. Lindsay had been in the bathroom nearly ten minutes now and the shower was still running. Thoughts of how she had found her last night flooded into her head as she got up and slowly approached the door.

"Lindsay," she called out but got no reply so she knocked. She listened hearing the water running and the sound of heavy breathing.

"Lindsay, I'm coming in," announced Stella cracking the door open. Lindsay was sat huddled on the floor in the opposite corner of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.

"Lindsay," Stella flicked the shower off before bending down and pulling Lindsay's shaking body close to hers.

"I remember," she sobbed, barely coherent.

"What did you remember?" asked Stella brushing Lindsay's hair back form her face. Lindsay held out her arm showing Stella her bandage, "Lindsay sweetheart, you scratched it last night," said Stella sympathetically, not sure what Lindsay was trying to show her.

"He licked me," Lindsay chocked out, "I remembered, that's why I was scrubbing at it."

"He's not there anymore. He's gone," said Stella as Lindsay began to calm down.

"I just felt it again, I don't want to feel him ever again," said Lindsay with anger in her voice, "I don't want to be like this, she began wiping her eyes making then red and stand out against her pale complexion.

"Lindsay, it's going to take time. You're going to be you again, you're too strong to let him take you away," said Stella taking her hand and pulling her up.

"Why don't you go get some clean clothes?" With that the phone rang. Lindsay nodded indicating she would be okay by herself so Stella left to answer the phone.

When Stella came back in Lindsay was sat on her sofa wearing a pair of brown trousers and a plain green tee shirt.

"You fancy something to eat, toast?" Stella suggested.

"Um, I don't know."

"I'll make you some, then you can have it if you want." said Stella disappearing across the room into the kitchen.

"I like your decoration," said Lindsay trying to thing of something to say as the silence was begin to drive her mad and give her a headache.

"Thanks, but if you're comparing it to Danny's bachelor pad or Mac's I might be insulted." announced Stella coming back over with two drinks and a plate full of toast. That was the first time since last Lindsay had though about Danny, she pictured him holding her because when he did it felt like the world had gone and it was just the two of them, she had no idea where they as a couple were at, she had ended it in not so may words.

"Are you okay?" she asked noticing Lindsay rubbing her temples.

"Headache," she replied simply.

"Um Lindsay. You need to go in sometime and..…"

"Do a interview," Lindsay finished for her.

"Yes. Flack will do it, unless you want someone else to."

"No I'd prefer Flack…will you come with me?" asked Lindsay looking at the floor somehow ashamed she had to ask for help.

"Sure. I'll ring him and we'll go when ever your ready."

"In a bit. I don't remember much so I may as well get it over with," said Lindsay screwing her face up as she bit at the toast.

"Jaw sore?" Asked Stella referring to the swollen and purple area on Lindsay's face.

"No, I just don't like your food," replied Lindsay making Stella stare before she realised that she was joking. Stella smiled pleased that the old Lindsay wasn't completely gone and giving her hope that Lindsay might make it through this. She had become much more open since they gotten inside although noises outside caused her body to tense and her focus to shift.

"I want to go in now," announced Lindsay suddenly.

"Now?" asked Stella "We only just got back--No that's fine." she added suddenly, realising Lindsay maybe didn't want to work up to it but get it over with.

TBC…………