Authors Note: I own nothing. But I thank my readers and my reviewers. You are feeding the muse! Ok I am adding another chapter today. I have the story finished. I could use some feed back on whether to post them all or feed them to you in small bites.Chapter 7

Nick stepped into his house and quickly closed and locked the door. Kicking his shoes off at the door. He felt a little guilty about leaving work without telling anybody. But he needed some time to regroup before he looked any deeper into this case.

Nick walked into the bathroom and slid his shirt over his head, then pulled his jeans and boxer briefs off simultaneously. Reaching into the shower he turned it on to full hot, only lowering the temperature after he burned his hand checking it. Stepping into the hot stream, Nick moaned, as the tension seemed to melt away with the water. After half an hour Nick could barley stay awake. He lumbers out of the shower making only a minimal attempt at drying off.

Nick walks into his bedroom and pulls a clean pair of underwear before crawling under the blankets. Falling asleep almost instantly. His cell phone forgotten in his jeans across the hall.

"Please, stop! You're hurtin' me! I don't like this game, I want my Mom!" Nick makes a futile attempt to push his attacker off. But she is stronger and her hands seem to be everywhere at once. She squeezes, caresses and pinches him in places he knows she shouldn't touch. The she flips him over effortlessly. Nick didn't think he could be any more afraid, but he was wrong. He feels something hard penetrate his rear. He screams in pain and tries harder to get away. Then he feels it enter him further as his screams become ear piercing.

Nick wakes himself with his own screams. Sweat pouring over him from head to toe. He jumps out of bed and frantically searches the room for his attacker. Finally, still panting in fear, Nick crouches in the corner with the comforter he has ripped unceremoniously from his bed.

"Nick? Nick, are you here?" Nick cracks one eye open, not entirely sure of where he is. But the voice sounds familiar. For a moment his blood runs cold. "She found me!"

"Nick, it's Mandy. I was worried and came by to check on…" Mandy stops abruptly in the doorway to Nick's bedroom. Shock written all over her face. Nick's room is trashed. At first she doesn't see him and thinks that Alison Jericho must have taken him.

"Mandy?" Nick barley chokes out. Mandy starts, then scans the room and sees a very vulnerable Nick looking at her from the corner.

"Are you alright?" Mandy steps forward, squatting in front of Nick.

"Nightmare." Nick simply states.

"Well that would explain the mess." Mandy smiles sweetly at him. "Can I help you up?" Mandy stands and offers Nick her hand.

Nick stares at her blankly for a moment. "Ok. But I don't remember if I have any clothes on."

"Hmmm…. This could be interesting then couldn't it?" Mandy winks at Nick.

"I better check." Nick blushes before he looks under the blanket. "Could you get me a pair of sweats out of the top drawer please?" Nick motions to his dresser.

"Sure, any particular ones?" Mandy asks as she sees the entire drawer is full of sweats.

" At this point I don't really care." Nick groans.

Mandy starts to reach for the Texas A & M sweats but thinks better of it. Choosing a pair of plain dark blue ones instead. She gives Nick the sweats and turns her back out of courtesy while he puts them on.

"Ok. I could use that hand now." Nick utters with a grunt.

Mandy helps Nick up and they both hear an audible pop as his back protests the change in position.

"Let's take this to the kitchen, I need coffee." Mandy suggests.

"Sounds like a good plan. I'll be there in a minute." Nick walks into the bathroom and closes the door. He splashes cold water on his face to help drive away the last remnants of his nightmare.

Mandy makes her way to the kitchen and has the coffee brewing when Nick walks in. Silently Mandy sets two coffee cups on the table, then gets the sugar and creamer out.

"I suppose you want me to spill now?" Nick asks looking at Mandy sideways.

"Only when you're ready to. I have all day." Mandy pours them both a cup of coffee and takes a seat across from Nick.

Nick absently stirs sugar and creamer into his coffee. Trying to shake off the remaining shadows of his nightmare.

When he finally takes a sip of coffee it's cold. Mandy takes the cup and pours it into the sink getting him a fresh cup.

"Might want to try this one while it's still hot. You're already three cups behind me." Mandy places her hand on Nicks after setting the cup in front of him.

"Sorry, guess I zoned out." Nick starts again with the sugar and creamer.

"No problem. Like I said, I've got all day." Mandy reminds him with a reassuring smile.

"I know I need to talk about it. But I feel like it's just to late to do any good. And all I'll accomplish at this point would be to drive my friends away." Nick sighs heavily.

"Nick, look at me." Nick looks up at Mandy. "Nobody is going to leave you Nick. And it's not to late. What you know can help us catch her. It can help us stop her. The only question is, will it be to late for you." Mandy takes both of Nick's hands into her own. "Nick, you have to let us help you through this. Nobody wants to make you relive this. But it's here now, and it's the only way to make it better."

Nick sees the unshed tears in Mandy's eyes and feels even more guilty. "This is hurting everybody!" Nick pulls his hands away from Mandy. "She didn't hurt just me. She hurt Nicky; she's hurting my friends. My family…" Nick's voice catches in his throat. "I should have stopped her then." Nick falls silent.

Mandy realizes the only way to get Nick to talk about this and start healing is to make him see the truth. So she silently prays he will understand in the end and forgive her for what she is about to do.

"You're right. You should have told. You were selfish by not telling and you deserve whatever you're going through!" Mandy feels like throwing up when she sees the devastated look on Nicks face.

Authors thanks: This is very overdue, but I think I was in denial that I really had reviews! LOL FuTuR3 4NsChIk: You were my first! Thanks for the review. You gave me courage to continue. KASEY64: You got your wish she has made an appearance of sorts. And thank you for the boost with your last review! ;)NickyFan: I have now fed you as you fed me! Thank you!SuzSeb: Hope you're still enjoying the story.JennaTN: I agree poor Nicky!kr3ativ23: Sorry for the long delay, I promise faster updates!KravenV: Your wish is my command. You have more now, and more yet very soon.But a Chance: Hopefully you are still on the edge of that seat and haven't fallen off waiting!CrazyInLoveWithStabler: Glad you are enjoying the story and updates will come faster.