The film was over and the lights came up and still Bianca was unable to move. Her arms were still tightly pulled across her middle and her stare stayed fixed to the hem of her dress.

The people around them were noticing now, recognising her. Murmers ran through the crowd.

"Is she alright." asked a young woman who had been sitting in the row in front.

"She just needs some space." said Kendal, then she addressed everyone in the crowd. "Please just give her some space."

Thankfully the people understood and began to move away.

As the drifted off, Bianca heard one couple muttering to each other.

"That poor girl."

"What? Whats wrong with her."

"She's Bianca Montgomery, she's the girl that you saw get raped."

"Good god! That really happened. How horrible!"

Bianca wanted to just curl up and disappear, she felt so ashamed and so disgusting...

...

Sensing her distress, Marissa drew Bianca closer. She gradually wrapped her arm tighter around her girlfriend's shoulders, trying to be as careful as she could, not wanting to pressurise her or make her feel threatened. Marissa reached round gently to try and pull Bianca's arms away from their tight grip of her stomach, but they wouldn't move. Marissa could do nothing but whisper to Bianca, telling her that it was going to be alright. She lightly kissed her brow and hoped Bianca could hear her.

Slowly Bianca responded to Marissa's voice. Her body relaxed against Marissa's shoulder and finally she loosened her arms and allowed Marissa to take her hand.

"I think I should take Bianca back to the hotel." said Marissa, looking back to Erica and Kendal, now that Bianca seemed relaxed. Both women were watching concerned.

"I agree." said Kendal, "Maybe we should all just go home."

"Not on your life!" said Erica firmly, she was so angry it was almost a growl. "I am going to tell that sunglass wearing idiot exactly what I think of him!"

"Mom!" said Kendal trying to take Erica's arm and calm her down.

She just pulled away.

"Don't 'mom' me." Erica snarled storming off towards the isle after catching a sight Kit leaving through a side door. "That man is going to be sorry!"

"We'd better go after her." said Griffin, concern in his eyes "It won't do her any good getting worked up like this."

"Probably won't do Kit any good either." said Kendal, but she didn't budge.

Kendal starred at Bianca still looking so very small and fragile in Marissa's arms. But Marissa caught her attention with a smile.

"Go after Erica." she said. "It's okay I'll take care of her."

…

The last of the movie goers filed out. Every one of the strangers giving Marissa and Bianca curious looks as they passed.

They were still in their seats. Bianca's head nestled against Marissa's shoulder as her girlfriend's arms were wrapped tightly around her. Marissa ignored the looks and simply rocked Bianca gently back and forth whispering reassurances to her, patiently waiting for Bianca to return to her senses.

Marissa was surprised by Bianca's matter of fact tone when she finally did speak.

"We should probably go." she said. "They will be kicking us out soon."

"We can stay here all night if that is what you want." said Marissa, and she meant it, but Bianca was already pulling away from her arms.

"No, we should go." said Bianca reaching down to pick up her crutch, but she was shocked to see the tremor in her hand as she did so.

"God I hate this!" she sobbed. "I hate that the slightest thing… and he's back." Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she looked up at Marissa. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry I ruined your evening."

"Don't sorry." said Marissa, disbelief in her voice. She grasped Bianca's shoulders, stopping her from looking away.

"Don't be sorry." she said again. "This is not your fault. Please Bianca, please don't cry." She felt her own tears welling up as she spoke.

Bianca fought to bite back the sobs but it didn't work.

"I'm sorry I just feel so…"

"Shh." said Marissa softly, not letting her finish her words."Shh, it's going to be alright. I've got you."

Marissa pulled here close once more, kissing her brow, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. With each soft kiss, Bianca relaxed a little, the tension easing her body.

"Shh." whispered Marissa as her mouth found Bianca's lips.

Bianca sighed into the kiss and when they pulled apart she rested her forehead against Marissa's.

"Thank you." she sighed. "Thank you for being you."

…

The sound of running water could be heard through the bathroom door, as Bianca took a shower to try and wash the memory of Michael Cambias off her skin.

Marissa stood in the middle of their hotel room, suddenly unsure of what to do. After tonight all Bianca would want to do is sleep. The question was, would Bianca want Marissa to stay close or would she need space and the bed to herself. Marissa could always go and sleep on the couch in the lounge if necessary, not that she imagined she'll be doing much sleeping. She would worry too much about Bianca if she wasn't here by her side.

Marissa resolved to stay. If she didn't keep close to Bianca she couldn't help her.

After a brief struggle with the fastenings, Marissa peeled off her expensive gown and folded it over the back of a chair before pulling on her t-shirt and pyjama shorts.

Just then the water shut off.

Marissa straightened up, her heart thudding in her chest. Bianca would be appearing any second. She wanted everything to be perfect. She wanted Bianca to feel safe and secure.

Marissa climbed into bed and waited but I seemed like an eternity before the door opened and Bianca appeared.

Bianca emerged from the bathroom dressed in a blue silk robe, her hair still damp. She climbed between the sheets beside Marissa without a word and simply lay her head down on the pillow.

"Are you okay now?" Marissa asked softly.

Bianca gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

She looked at Marissa, her eyes like deep black holes.

"Will you hold me?" she asked, her voice quiet.

"Of course, that's not even a question." said Marissa, opening her arms. "Come here."

Bianca curled up against Marissa's side, her head resting on her shoulder, her arm draped over her waist.

As Bianca closed her eyes Marissa reached up and began to stroke the arm that rested on her belly; her fingers brushing over the smooth silk of the gown, up to Bianca's shoulder and back down. Gradually her hand moved higher, pulling a long strand of hair away from Bianca's face, and then with gentle strokes, caressing along her hairline; touching her cheek and her brow with soft fingertips.

Bianca sighed at the contact.

More than anything Marissa wanted to make Bianca feel better.

As they lay there in the dark, her fingers lightly tracing the soft skin of Bianca's brow, Marissa felt something stir in her mind; a tune or a song. The words and the melody escaped her, it was just noise and colour in her head but she could feel it, the song made her feel safe, it made her feel loved. It was so close to becoming a memory but as hard as she tried to capture it, it was just beyond her grasp.

But she knew it was important. She knew the song would make it all better. She knew if she could sing it, or even just hum it, then maybe everything would be alright.

As she struggled to recall even a fragment of the tune, from the corner of her mind a different song sprang forth. A melody attached to a different feeling of love.

It wasn't the song she wanted but it would do.

Softly Marissa began to sing;

"Gotta crawl, gotta crawl, gotta crawl,

To the Ugly Bug Ball…"

Bianca body shook as an unexpected chuckle escaped her lips. She snuggled deeper into the crook of Marissa's neck, her arm held on tighter, a small smile appeared on her lips.

"I love you." Bianca sighed.

"I know." said Marissa, placing a small kiss of her forehead.

Her fingers still tracing patterns on Bianca's brow, Marissa sang sweetly until Bianca drifted off to sleep.

…