Back at the party Jess was really concerned, both for Cassie and mark. He had been sat in the same chair since Cassie had left, and for the first time he looked completely lost she went over to him and knelt down.

"Daddy you need to go after Cassie."

"She won't want to see me now. I dragged her into this mess."

Jess just wanted to hug him he looked incredibly depressed.

"Dad, Cassie doesn't hit people. But since she met you she's hit two people. Her hitting Michelle wasn't about what Michelle said completely. Quite a bit of that was Cassie protecting those that she really care about, that would of course be you. Right know she's probably more mortified at causing a scene than hitting Michelle."

Finally the spark was getting back into Marks eyes.

"Go show her that it wasn't for nothing. But daddy you hurt her and I'll kill ya!"

Mark kissed her forehead and left the party, making hiw way to the hotel in ten minutes flat. It was only when he was stood outside her door tht he got nervous and even more worried. He knocked and stood back hoping that she would open the door to him. When she didn't open it he knocked louder and called her name, it took a minute or two but she did open the door. As she opened the door Cassie finished wiping her eyes and looked up at him.

"Are you alright?" Mark asked quietly.

"I think so. Do you want to come inside?"

Mark looked down and saw that she'd taken her shoes off and that she'd been crying. He honestly would prefer to just pull her into his arms.

"Yes please sweetheart."

Cassie turned and walked straight through onto her balcony, Mark was right behind her/ Every time he was around her his nerves were tight, he as at least half aroused and desperately trying to hold onto the reigns. She sat back in her chair and Mark sat in its mate.

"I'm so sorry Mark I don't know why I hit her!"

"Sweetheart I would have hit her a long time before you did."

Mark looked across and saw her shivering; he shrugged out of his jacket. As he laid it across her lap she met his eyes.

"Your cold put it on."

Cassie wiggled into it and curled up further in the chair.

"I know this will sound stupid because I don't really know you that well yet, but I trust you. Michelle is trying to get at me. I'm sorry that you got pulled into this mess."

"Mark I'm a big girl, I should be able to deal with stuff without hitting people."

"I don't I always hit stuff or people."

Cassie laughed and Mark was very relieved that he'd gotten that beautiful smile back on her face.

"That doesn't count because you get paid for it!"

"It still counts. And for the record I don't think you 'cried rape' on either occasion." Cassie seemed shocked because her eyes snapped back to his. "It won't mean much to you but I believe you, Michelle can get fucked."

"Mark you're wrong." He was really worried about what she was about to confess. "You believing me actually means the world to me for the record."

"What you think means a lot also Darlin'."

Cassie blushed but smile, worried about what he would say next.

"Jess told me something at the party, after you left. Jess told me that you don't hit people but since you've met me on two occasions you've hit people. She said that you didn't Michelle just because of what she said, but also you were protecting the people you care about."

Cassie was silent for a minute or two and just looked out over the city.

"Bloody hell your daughter knows me way too well!" Mark grinned and wondered if she would continur. "She's right it wasn't completely what Michelle said that made me hit her. The people who need to know about my attack know the truth and that's what matters."

Cassie paused again wondering how she could word what she wanted to say.

"Mark, I'm probably going to sound extremely dumb but just hear me out. I do care about you a lot, I don't know where it came from but I fo. And its not just because you're my best friends dad either. All I know is that you came into my life and you seem to give a shit about me. So most of why I punched her is due to the fact that I care about you and I don't you to get hurt in any way."

"Thank you Darlin', and I do care about you also. I've just got one real important question to ask you."

Mark let the tension build and he could see hundreds of emotions roll across her face.