Alone in Angel Square, Michael and Marcie sat quietly on Gabrielle's bench.

"God, Sweetie. I... can't believe this happened. I'm so sorry." Michael said. "Are you hurting, Baby?"

"Just a little. I'm better now."
Michael put his arm around her, but she flinched in pain.

"Let me have a look."
"Michael, you really don't have to. I'm fine."
"Please, Sweetie?"
Marcie nodded, trying to push the memories of the attack from her mind.

Slowly Michael lifted the back of her shirt, exposing the large purple bruises that had formed on her upper and lower back.

"Oh my God! We should get you to the hospital."

"NO!" I-I mean..."
"Honey, you're hurt. You need medical attention."
"I-I can't, Michael. I-I don't..." Her voice quivered.

"Okay, okay."
"Michael... Please stay with me. Don't leave me."

"I won't leave you, but please... tell me what happened."
She looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice her panic-stricken expression.

"Marcie, Honey... You don't want him doing this to someone else, do you?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks and she swallowed hard.

"John and I won't let anything happen to you ever again. Just please... tell me what happened."
Slowly she turned to him.
"Well I ran out of the diner and ended up here. I –I guess I didn't really know where I was headed. I just wanted to be alone."
Michael put his hand on her shoulder.

"So then I heard something and when I turned around, Nick was there. He smelled like alcohol. He started in on me about how... how fat I am."
"Marcie, you're not fat."

She smiled at him then. "Thanks."
"So then what?"

"I tried to get away from him and that's when he grabbed me and... the next thing I know I was on the ground and-."
Suddenly she winced in pain.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am. This is my fault."
"No..." She shook her head rapidly. "I'm the one who ran away. I-I'm sorry Michael. You were just being wonderful... as usual."
"Marcie, I was wrong for making you feel guilty about wanting a salad."
"No, Michael, I..." Her voice broke and she began to sob.

"Oh Honey. I want to help you, but..."
She looked at him timidly. "Can you just hold me? Please?"
"Are you sure? I-I don't want to hurt you, Sweetie."
"Michael you could never hurt me. Please... hold me?"
"Of course I'll hold you." He opened his arms and invited her in. Ever so gently, he wrapped them around her, relieved when she sighed.

"I'll hold you forever."
"That's long enough for me." Marcie said as she gave him a lingering kiss.