Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I really appreciate it. Happy reading.

The next day.

Mandy watched Shawn drive off before closing the door and snapping the lock shut. She stared at the door for several minutes before heading for the kitchen. Once there she let out a long sigh of relief to find that door also locked.

Next she went from window to window, making sure every entry to the first floor was securely barred. She took comfort in the bright sunshine that lighted up the otherwise shadow darkened areas.

Sitting down on the couch she forced herself to relax. "This is crazy." She admonished herself as her heart raced. She felt herself break out in a cold sweat as she remembered the long porch and how easy it was to climb to the second story.

Terrified she raced up the stairs, her heart stopping at the sight of the open window. She slammed it shut and clicked the lock in place. Slowly she did a systematic search of each room, whimpering each time she opened a new door. Somewhere along the way she had picked up one of Shawn's baseball bats.

Seeing someone out of the corner of her eye she screamed, swinging the bat into the mirror attached to the closet door. Glass shattered as she realized it was her own reflection. Her weak laugh ended on a sob as she looked at the mess on the floor.

She pulled the wastebasket over and began picking up the pieces of glass, oblivious to the dripping blood as the sharp edges cut her fingers. Tears were pouring down her face as she silently cursed every man on earth.

The persistent knocking on the front door brought her out of her thoughts and had her jumping in fear. Shaking her head she looked down at the blood covered floor. Wincing at the sight in front of her she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her hand.

Realizing someone was still at the door she crept down the stairs. She could see the outline of someone through the beveled glass and recognizing the sight she let out her breathe in an explosion. She knew only one person who could be that tall. Being careful of the cuts to her hands she unlocked the door and eased it open, not willing to take chances.

Mark's irritated frown slid away in bewilderment as he caught sight of her. "What the hell happened to you?" He demanded as he pushed the door open all the way.

Motioning for him to be quiet she shot a look out the door before slamming it closed.

"Mandy." He growled, grabbing her arms. "What happened?"

"Nothing." She mumbled as she drifted towards the kitchen. He followed her impatiently.

"Your hands are bleeding."

She shrugged as she sat down at the table, her eyes sliding to the lock on the back door. "Glass broke." She offered absently.

Grim faced he jerked her up and marched her to the sink. "What's wrong with you? You're sitting there bleeding everywhere, you have that scared rabbit look, and you act like you're waiting for someone to attack you." He trailed off as he remembered her showing up on his doorstep six years ago with the same look on her face.

"Is someone here?" He asked grabbing her arms. "Did someone hurt you?"

She put her hand to his chest to keep him from shaking her. "Only you." She said gently, feeling more in control in the face of his concerns.

He frowned, letting go of her. "Then what happened?"

She turned to the sink as she began washing the cuts on her hands. "I got a little spooked and broke some glass. It's nothing."

Mark looked around the room suspiciously. "Where's Shawn? Did he hit you?"

She turned to him with an astonished look. "You're kidding right? Shawn would never hurt me." She shook her head at her brother. "He got a call this morning asking him to fill in for an autograph sighing."

"So you were alone?" He asked still suspicious.

"All alone, windows and doors locked." She told him.

He didn't say anything as she applied band aids to the cuts on her hands. "So I guess you're here about Laney?" She asked after a while.

He raised his eyebrows. "Want to tell me why I had a hysterical teenager on my hands yesterday?"

She winced. "Yeah, I was having a bad day. And I took it out on her." She could feel his gaze boring into her back as she put the first aid kit away.

"You've been having a lot of bad days lately."

She shrugged. "A lot going on." She said not meeting his eyes.

"And I don't' suppose it has anything to do with what happened to you six years ago?" He probed gently.

She stiffened. "What do you know about it?" She asked harshly.

"Not much." He admitted as she relaxed again. "I know someone hurt you very badly and that in less than two weeks you're going to have to put a large amount of trust in Shawn by marrying him. That can be very hard."

She smiled slightly. "I'm not scared of Shawn. He would never hurt me."

"But maybe the wedding's bringing up some bad memories." he persisted.

"He got paroled." She said suddenly, shocked that she had said anything. "The monster that hurt me is out on the streets. Look at me." She held out her shaking hands. "It's only been two days and I'm jumping at shadows."

Mark gathered his sister into his arms. "Oh baby. I'm sorry."

She curled into his body, savoring the protection he offered.

"Why would Shawn leave you here alone?" He asked , his voice soft despite the anger in it.

She pulled back to look up at him, her eyes beseeching. "He doesn't know. Any of it." She stressed.

Mark took a minute to precess the information. "It's wrong." He said finally.

She shrugged. "So I've been told."

"Well look. You can't stay here by yourself. Come over to the house, at least until Shawn gets back."

She gave it serious thought as she stared at the locked door. Finally she shook her head. "I'll be okay. I don't think Laney's ready to see me yet. Besides I heard you have a hot date tonight."

His head whipped up at her words. "How'd you hear that?"

She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "Word gets around. Specially when you make a fool of yourself at the vet." She told him.

"I wasn't acting like a fool." He grumbled. "I got a date didn't I, cooking for her too."

Mandy raised her eyebrows, laughing at his expression. "What are you making?"

"The tender most steak you've ever eaten." He bragged.

She couldn't resist teasing him. "Are you sure she isn't a vegetarian?"

His mouth dropped open in shock. "Why the hell would she be a vegetarian? We're in Texas!"

"She's new to the area." Mandy couldn't resist pointing out. "I'm sure it'll be okay." She comforted him. "Just make a big salad."

"Well hell."

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Later that night

Mark banged into the door as he struggled to get it open with his hands full. Finally manging to turn the knob he kicked it the rest of the way in. Spotting his daughter at the table he growled. "You could have let me in."

"I don't believe you're making those steaks for me." She answered, not bothering to look up from her homework.

"What are you still doing here anyway?" He asked as he began putting the grocery's away. "I thought you were going over to Leslie's?"

"I wanted to get this done first." she shrugged. "Besides I don't really feel like going."

Mark stopped what he was doing. "Oh no you don't. We had this conversation this morning. You said you would go."

She shrugged again.

He came around the table so that he stood in front of her. "Baby girl do you have a problem with me dating again?"

She looked up at him for the first time, her eyes watering. "How could you do this to me daddy? How can you just replace mom like that?" She cried.

Mark was taken aback by her words. Never had she given him a reason to believe she would have a problem.

She laughed at the look on his face. "Relax. I was just playing with you."

His jaw locked with anger. "That wasn't very nice."

She shrugged. "I don't' appreciate being kicked out of my house so you can have sex with your new girl friend."

Mark could feel his face turning red but didn't know if it was from anger or embarrassment. "I'm not going to be having...This is not a conversation I want to be having with you." He nearly shouted. He struggled to calm his voice down. "This morning I asked if you would mind going to a friend's tonight. You said it was fine." He held up his hand when she started to speak. "I don't know what's changed since then but if you don't check the attitude then you can go to Mandy's tonight and in the morning we will have a serous talk. And I think you know what that means."

She rolled her eyes at him. "I'm too old for a spanking."

He leaned over the table at her. "You think so?"

Seeing the look in his eye she hastily piled up her books. "I'll be at Leslie's." She said before rushing out of the room.