I usually make dinner before I leave for work, but I was so mad I didn't even do that. Marco didn't say a word as I stomped into the bar at nine thirty and asked what I was supposed to do that night. Sammi was working the bar and Petey was working the grill. That left me, Marco and Stacy waitressing and bussing tables.

I normally left my qualms at the front door when I walked in, but tonight was so different than the rest of the time that I completely forgot that rule. I wasn't mean to the customers per se, but I wasn't nice to the silverware or glasses.

I was imagining what was being spread around the locker room right now. They were finishing up their second practice of the day. It was only a matter of time before they came in.

They did at half past ten and they were not happy. Johnson crashed into his seat with Mac beside him. Silky and Rizzo let their heads fall to the table while Buzz and Bah sat down as slowly as possible. Pav and Jack made up the last of the group to walk in. well, scratch that. Jimmy and Suter came in at the last minute. They all pushed tables together.

I grabbed ten glasses and two pitchers of beer before walking over. I didn't say a word to any of them as I set the glasses down. Let them pour their own beer. I stood with a pad of paper waiting for them to give me their orders. Mark looked up at me.

"I didn't see any lasagna at the house. I guess you can forget the offer." He said.

I slammed my hand on the table and leaned over it. "Listen here, all you jackasses. I'm tired of this and it's only been a day. Cut it out." I was angry then and when I got really angry, I let everyone have it.

Rizzo, Silky and Pav hadn't said a word to me during the day so I couldn't say anything to them. But Jack and Bah were the ones who brought it up frequently and the rest let it fly. I could tell Silky wanted to stop it but if he tried, it wouldn't be pretty. So I stopped it.

"It's just a joke, Minni. It's okay." Jack said.

"You don't get it, Jack. I haven't slept with anyone in six years, not even like last night. I'm still reeling from so leave the situation alone."

Buzz had quit laughing at that point and had a serious look on his face obviously he knew what I was talking about. I didn't even wait for their orders as I turned and walked across the bar. It didn't really matter. I knew what they wanted anyway.

"Minni, there are cops waiting for you." Stacy said as I headed towards the grill.

I looked at the door. There were two gentlemen in blue standing by the door. This wasn't my night. Not only had I been humiliated just a few minutes before, but I had to deal with these guys who were no happier to see me than I was them. And I still hadn't figured out why the boys were mad.

"Thanks, Stace. Can you take my order to Buzz's table?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure."

I nodded at her before I turned and moved to the door. They straightened up as I approached. "Officers, what can I do for you?"

"Are you Miss Minnesota Schneider?" the first officer asked.

"Yes, sir, I am. Is something wrong?"

"The man you had arrested for assault, Thomas Martin, has stated that you attacked him first. We're just doing a follow up. Did you attack Thomas Martin?"

"No, sir. I was cleaning up a table and when I turned around, he was there. He asked me to dance I said no and then he slugged me one across the face. If he hadn't been drunk, I'm sure he would have broken my jaw. My cousin jerked him off me and his friends got him out the door. My boss is the one that called you."

"Are your cousin and his friends here?"

"Yes, sir." I started across the room. I was not only nervous; I was afraid and I didn't know why. I stopped at the guys' table and squeezed Buzz's shoulders. "Guys, the police are here for a follow up."

"Which one of you is Mr. Buzz Schneider?"

Buzz stood up and slipped his arm around my waist. "I am. Is there a problem, officer?" Funny how synchronized we were.

"Thomas Martin, the man who attacked your cousin, is filing a counter claim stating she attacked him first. We were just following up."

"Sir, my cousin doesn't ever attack first. It's not in her character."

"Many people assume that and then something else happens. What were you doing that night?"

"I got done with practice over at the U and went home. Minni made dinner for us and then came to work. When I walked in, there was a man who was trying to force himself on her. Before I got over to her, he hit her hard on the jaw. It left a big bruise."

"Do you have a picture of this bruise?"

"Marco does. He's the owner of this bar. He keeps a Polaroid camera in case something like this happens." I said.

The officer questioning us motioned to his partner to talk to Marco. He looked back at the others. "Is there anything any of you were wearing that could have left a mark on the Martin's back?" The guys shook their heads. "Just hang tight for a few minutes."

As he turned around to walk away, I turned into Buzz. He wrapped his arms securely around my body and held me tightly. This was so nerve wracking. I could literally feel my body shaking as he held me. This had only happened once before and I swore I would never let it again.

My heart was hammering again as the cops came back over. I only turned and looked at them. Marco nodded. He had given them the Polaroid they needed.

"I need you to move please." I did and he held the picture to the side of my face that had been hit. I knew the bruise was still there but it was yellowing, not as black and blue as it had been a week and a half ago. "Well the yellow marks do match the blue marks on the outer rims. Are you sure you didn't do anything to him to make him attack him first?"

I gawked at the officer. He was saying I had done this? "Sir, I was working that night. I make it a rule not to have affairs with customers. I did nothing to that man to make him attack me. I was bussing a table when he came up to me. He asked to dance. I said no and he grabbed at me. I shoved at him and he hit me. It's the same story I told you the first time." I was getting worked up. This was ridiculous. I hadn't done anything to that man to have him attack me and here this cop was trying to say I had.

Buzz had obviously had enough because he pulled me behind him, shoving me into the warm arms of Bah. The taller man held me in his arms tightly as Buzz had. "Sir, we have told you everything we know about this. You can't possibly be blaming this on Minni."

"I'm just covering my bases on this. A lovely young woman like her is and can be subject to perverts, especially if she puts out."

An incredulous sob escaped me before I could rein it back. I had to get out of there. I pushed myself out of Bah's arms and headed for the bathroom, determined not to let the guys see me cry. My pride had been wounded. I never did anything to that man to deserve to be hit. I locked myself in one of the stalls, sat on the toilet and cried.

I don't know how much time passed but I knew the guys had tried to get me to come out. After what seemed like hours, Buzz finally told me they were going home and that he would wait up for me. Sammi had come in to check on me every few minutes. One time she even brought me a shot of Jack to cheer me up.

I heard chairs being scraped along the floor. They were closing up and I had missed my shift for the second time in two weeks. I left the stall and washed my face of all traces of tears. I ventured into the bar. Sammi and Petey were putting up the chairs as Marco and Stacy were stacking glasses. I looked around and saw Silky helping stack the chairs.

"Minni, I have your tips for the night. The customers have been very generous with you since the attack." Marco said.

I smiled. "Thanks, Marco. I'm going to need tomorrow night off. Buzz plays the IHL and I'd like to go."

"That's no problem. I was going to suggest you take a few days off anyway. I won't dock you pay but I think it will be good for you."

"Thanks, Marco." I walked over to the door where Silky was waiting on me. "I thought Buzz said you were leaving."

"They did. I told him I'd stay. Besides I wanted to make sure you were okay myself." He looked at me after helping me into my coat. "Are you okay?"

I snorted. "I was told that my getting hit was my fault because I'm a woman who works in a bar. Would you be okay?"

He smiled sadly. "No, I guess not." He followed me onto the bus. "I guess being a woman has its perks and its disadvantages."

"You're telling me." I was so tired I leaned against him. "I really don't want to go back to work right now."

"Marco did give you a few days off to calm down."

"Yeah."

We were quiet for the rest of the bus ride. I think he knew I needed it to wrap my head around this entire thing. I was grateful for it. When the bus stopped, he let me off first and followed me into the building, holding the door open like a gentleman. I walked up the three flights to my floor and stopped. Did I really want to go to the place I shared with Buzzy? He was just going to coddle me and make me feel worse about myself.

"You're not going to your own room?" Silky asked as I continued up the steps.

"No. I really don't want to put up with it tonight." I replied.

He didn't ask anymore, just followed me to his own place. He unlocked the door and let me in. I could hear Jack snoring in the other room. Silky dropped his keys on the counter and went into his bedroom. He threw me a second pair of clothing and left me to get changed. When he returned in sweats and a t-shirt, I was already comfortable against the wall. He climbed in the bed and lay on his back.

"You're not concerned about OC?" he asked in a whisper.

"Not anymore. It doesn't really matter anyway." I replied.

I shifted closer, laying my head on his shoulder. His arm came around me and soon I dropped off into a peaceful sleep.