"McBain."
"John, it's Michael. H-Have you seen Marcie?"
"No, I thought she was with you. What's goin' on?"
"Well we were having lunch at the diner and I said something stupid, and..."
"And what, Michael?"
"She took off, Man. I looked everywhere for her and came here just in case, but..."
"Okay, Michael. I'll get a team right on it. Where are you?"
"I'm at the hotel. God, John... if anything happens to her, I'll..."

"Meet me at the station, okay?"
"Sure, John."
"And Michael? Try not to worry. We'll find her. I promise."

Wearily Michael hung up the phone. Oh God, where could she have gone? His heart raced as he hurried to meet John at the station.

(Llanview PD)

"Any word, John?" Michael said as he raced through the door.

"No, not yet."

Michael put his face in his hands. "Oh God, why do I keep screwing things up?"
John looked at his brother sympathetically and put a hand on his shoulder.

"McBain." He said, answering his cell phone.

"What? When? Oh my God. I'll be right there."
"What? What is it, John? What happened?" Michael asked frantically.

"They found Marcie at Angel Square."
"Oh my God. I'm coming with you." Michael followed John out into the hallway.

"No, Michael. It's too dangerous. Just stay here and wait for us."
"Like hell I will. Damn it. Angel Square. Of course. I didn't even think to check there."
"Okay, you can come, but I'm gonna check it out first and make sure it's safe. I don't want you playin' the hero. You understand?"

Angel Square)

They arrived to find police and paramedics swarming the area.
"Kevin. Thanks for calling, man." John said.

"No problem. I'm just glad I was in the right place at the right time. I usually don't even go home this way, but my mom..."
"Where's Marcie?" Michael asked, interrupting Kevin.

"Over there." Kevin said. "She's pretty banged up and it looks like she hit her head. She was asking for you, Michael."
At his brother's worried look, John nodded.

"Go on, Michael." John said. "I'll just get Kevin's statement and take care of that loser, Nick."
Michael raced over to where the paramedics were tending to Marcie.
"Marcie!"

He found her sitting on Gabrielle's bench. The moment she saw him, she broke free from the paramedics and stood, holding her arms out.

"Michael."

He ran to her and at his touch, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you." He said to the paramedics. I can take it from here."

"She'll be fine." The paramedic said. "Just some bumps and bruises. Looks like she took a blow to the head, though."

"I'll keep an eye on her." Michael said as he gently persuaded Marcie to sit on the bench next to him.

"It's okay, Sweetie. I'm here."
"Oh Michael..." She sobbed into his chest. "I-I'm so sorry."
"Shh... It's okay, Baby. I'm here. I won't let him hurt you again. I swear it."

John started at Nick, smiling as Nick struggled to regain his sense of balance.

"Well... well. Nick Messina. You're just the man I've been looking for. What'd you do to Marcie Walsh?"
"N-Nothin'. I didn't do anything to that fat, lazy-."
John's anger flared as he grabbed Nick and shoved him hard against the wrought iron fence, winding him.

"Don't you EVER talk about her that way again! Do you understand me?"
"Go to hell, McBain." Nick slurred.

John handcuffed Nick and grabbed him by the arm. "All right, Scum. You're coming with me. I'm gonna lock you away so that you'll never go near Marcie Walsh again."

He passed Nick onto a nearby officer. "Put him in the patrol car and take him to the station."
"Of course lieutenant." The officer said.

Marcie winced in pain. "Michael, it hurts!"

"I know, Baby." He said gently. "Come on Sweetie. Let's get you home."
"NO!" she yelled, surprising him. "Michael, I-I can't go back there. I won't."
Michael sighed. "Okay. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

"I'm scared, Michael." She said as she clutched him tightly.

"It's okay, Sweetie."

"Are you okay, Marcie?" Kevin asked.

Michael stood and shook Kevin's hand.

"Hey, Kevin. Thanks for being here."

"No problem, Michael. Just glad I could help. I gave a statement to your brother, so hopefully they'll put this guy away for a long time."

"Well, I'm gonna get Marcie somewhere safe." Michael said. "Tell John to call me if he needs me."
He looked at Marcie. "You ready to go?"

She nodded nervously. "I wish I hadn't come here. I had so many good memories of... you know... before."
Michael looked up at the angel statue. "Looks like someone was looking out for you."
Marcie smiled. "Yeah. I already thanked him."

She smiled and kissed him, ignoring the puzzled look on his face.