This story takes place shortly after Great Expectations

Disclaimer: KISS, Paul Stanley are real persons, and this story is not meant to harm or demean them in any manner. It is a work of fiction. Trynia Merin and other characters are property of the author. Rated R for sexual content and language, so no readers under 18 please.

After the next two girls related their stories, eerily familiar, Trynia heard her name called. She shivered with fear and anticipation for this moment. Their testimonies had been filled with anger and resentment, but gave no more details then she herself could confirm, other then the same mysterious set of circumstances. Would it be enough?

"Your honor, I would like to call Trynia to the stand..." Kelly said calmly. Paul gave her hand another quick squeeze, then let go. Inhaling deeply, she crossed the few feet, which seemed like an enormous gulf to the stand. Grasping the railing for stability, she waited a moment before taking the seat behind it. Kelly's questions were easy to follow, and she let the story unfold carefully. Each passing moment she dreaded the cross-examination that would soon ensue.

"Your honor, I submit for your evidence, the lab results of a rape test kit," said Kelly. Paul's eyebrows raised, and gasps ensued from the defense.

"OBJECTION! Miss Pulaski is withholding evidence!"

"Overruled. Continue," the judge said.

"Trynia, do you have any memory of having the rape test done, and if so, why wait till now to reveal it?"

"I was ashamed," she hung her head. "I thought that it would hurt my lover if he knew I was seeing another person. And when I found out that I possibly had sex, I thought I might be pregnant, so I had myself tested. It wasn't till Sharmane called when I realized it might have been FORCED on me..."

"No further questions,' Kelly said.

"You may cross examine," the judge said calmly. Richard's eyes gleamed brightly, as a lion staking out his kill. Summoning her courage, Trynia looked to Paul. His dark eyes held concern, his thumb pointed upward to indicate he was giving her full moral support in his own silent way.

"Don't look at Charlie," he mouthed to her.

"Ms. Merin, is it?" Richard Keller said politely, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Yes," she said.

"You had given testimony earlier that on the night in question, you were at Brownies and my client here offered to buy you a drink. Am I correct?"

"Yes."

"Ms. Merin, what did you think of my client.... First impressions. Was he a NICE guy? Someone you might have a few drinks with?" Richard asked, throwing his arm around dramatically in a half circle to indicate Charlie.

"He seemed nice at first." Trynia said. "But he was acting very STRANGE after we dated a few times..."

"And from what you've testified, you were the only one he was buying drinks for, correct?" Richard continued, glaring right at her with clear blue eyes.

"Yes, but he offered to pay for Harvey's also."

"So it was indeed possibly a ROMANTIC match. At least you had some hopes of it turning out that way."

"Objection. Irrelevant." Kelly shouted.

"Overruled," said the Judge. "Carry on, Mr. Keller."

"When you testified that you were willing to accept the purchase of his alcohol beverages, were you open to the possibility that he might buy you more than one drink?" Mr. Keller asked.

"Yes. But I don't get drunk on only one drink," said Trynia, focusing her anger into her gaze, much like she noticed Paul would do. "One drink doesn't' make you black out."

"But you see, Ms Merin, my client seems to recall it differently. From what he'll testify, he distinctly remembers ordering 5 or 6 drinks for you."

"OBJECTION!" Kelly shouted. "Testifying for his own client."

"I had only 2 DAMN DRINKS!" Trynia snapped. "I do NOT pass out after that!"

"Sustained. Mr. Keller, watch it," the judge cautioned him, lifting her glasses slightly to peer at him with gray eyes.

"But there's a possibility you might have had more than one," said Richard Keller, with a smirk. ".... Or two."

"I do NOT wake up passed out with NO memory of the past 24 hours!" said Trynia.

"You didn't clearly ANSWER the question, Ms. Merin. In your state that evening, can you accurately testify to how many drinks you had?"

"Two drinks, and that's IT," she said, voice shaking with anger. "Then everything went black."

"And there might be a possibility that perhaps you and my client split a bottle of wine on the way home in the car," he said baiting her. Trynia did not fall for this trick, and glared at him angrily. He quickly changed his tactic; momentarily disappointed she did not bite.

"Ms. Merin, do you remember anything of the evening when you entered your apartment?"

"No. Only waking up with a sex toy that wasn't mine. And a few porn movies I don't remember renting."

"So, it's POSSIBLE that perhaps you and my client could have engaged in consenting sexual relations." He asked. "And that in your altered state, you have no memory of it at this time."

"How can I consent to something I don't remember?" she demanded. "And what CAUSED my altered state?"

He looked at her, with a sad shake of his head and sighed comically, "Ms. Merin, do you think that perhaps a female can engage in consensual sex while intoxicated?"

"I refuse to answer, on the grounds it may incriminate me," she said firmly.

"Good girl," Kelly muttered.

Cheated again, Richard quickly recovered, "But you don't recall telling my client 'no', or do you recall having relations with my client at ALL, for that matter?"

"I do not remember what happened, period. But I remember missing my period... and remember feeling that someone HAD sex with me," she said plainly. "And the lab report!"

"And doesn't that just prove you HAD sex with Charlie and CONSENTED to it?" he asked. "And wouldn't this prove you have no qualms about WHO you have sex with, and what right have you to scream rape at my client when you could have been sexually active with HIM in addition to your lover?"

"OBJECTION!"

"Sustained. Rephrase the question!" the judge cautioned.

"The last time I had sex was exactly one month prior," she admitted. "I was dating someone who lived in another state. We had a sexual relationship till we parted. And I did not see him at all during the time that I was in the company of Charlie."

He chuckled a bit, trying to convince the jury that she is confused, "So, you have a test report that confirms Charlie had sex with you. So, if that were the case, Ms. Merin, you waited a few days before reporting this incident. Do you care to tell the court why?"

"Because I wasn't sure. I mean my god; part of my memory was gone. And I was afraid to admit to my lover that I had dated another man," she said, hanging her head, with her eyes closed.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you weren't even sure if there was RAPE until a friend suggested it to you?" he asked.

"I DID feel it," she said defiantly. "And if I couldn't remember how could I have consented?"

"So, if you DID, why didn't you go to a hospital if you thought it was rape unless you CONSENTED to it?" Mr. Keller laughed.

"OBJECTION!" Kelly shouted.

"Restate the question, Mr. Keller," the judge sighed.

"I refuse to answer... on the grounds... that it may..." Trynia says, tears in her eyes. She anxiously glanced at Kelly.

"It's all right," Kelly mouthed.

"OK.... Had you reported this incident to anyone prior to receiving a call from your roommate?"

"Yes," she hung her head. "The nurse who did the rape kit."

"Of course," Richard rolled his eyes. "And the nurse could undoubtedly, could testify to this fact, am I correct?"

"Objection!" Kelly sighed. "Ms. Merin can not provide testify for another individual."

"Sustained," said the judge.

"Fair enough," Richard grinned at her evilly, then swung around and walked back. "I don't have any further questions, your honor!"

Trynia glanced up at the judge miserably. Her hands trembled, and she was unsure of what she has said, if it harmed or helped her. Slowly she rose and returned to the table, surprised at Kelly's reassuring smile. She sat down in the chair immediately next to Kelly.

"Shit, I blew it didn't' I?" Trynia asked, fidgeting.

"No, I think we scared the hell out of them..." Kelly said.

"But this was what I was afraid of," Trynia whispered back, leaning over. "That it would prove he had sex with me, and somehow harm me..."

"Well it knocked them off balance. And I THINK I have a way to prove that it was indeed rape..." Kelly said, squeezing Trynia's hand. "Trust me..."

So saying, she rose and approached the bench again. "I wish to call Mr. Weissman to the stand again, your honor."

"Unusual, Ms. Pulasky...." said the judge.

"I wish to clarify a point, sir." Said Kelly. Richard rolled his eyes, and knew better then to open his mouth.

"All right then. Make it brief so the defense can have their case..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Paul whispered to Trynia. She hung her head.

"You know why... I was ashamed..."

"But when I asked you if you had told anyone..." he started.

"Paul, please," she held up her hand. "I didn't realize it WAS rape, if that made any sense..."

"I think it does," he said, and turned her attention to the stand. "But we'll talk about this later..."

By then, Harvey had retaken the stand, and Kelly glanced down at her notebook. She continued, "Mr. Weissman, do you recall your testimony earlier as to the amount of time Trynia was at Brownies on the evening in question?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell the court again, how long she was at the bar?" Kelly asked.

"We arrived there at seven, Corrine, Art Tryn and me..." Harvey recounted, glancing upwards slightly as if looking at a mental list for reference. "We sat around having dinner... then Charlie and Zack came up to join us. That was around eight."

"And she started drinking alcoholic beverages at what time?"

"She had club soda with dinner... and then she started her glass of wine at eight," Harvey counted on his fingers. "She finished that one slowly, and got another one. Then she got up to go to the bathroom..."

"Can you tell the court what time she left, with Charlie?"

"Nine thirty. Cause that was half time for the game..."

"And as you stated earlier, Charlie left you with the tab, is that correct?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "We thought he'd come back...

"Do you remember what he told you the next day? ...As to WHY he didn't pay his share of the bill."

"He told me that he'd taken her back at around two in the morning...He said they went to the sex toy shop... and stopped by her place," said Harvey. "He said something about wanting to give her a little something special to remember him by. And he also stated that he didn't have any money."

"Interesting. So he wouldn't have had any money on him to, say, buy a bottle of wine on the way home."

"No."

"OBJECTION! Leading the witness!" Richard barked.

"Overruled!" the judge retorted.

"I will restate it. Mr. Weissman, when Charlie left the bar that evening, were you under the impression that he had any money available to him?"

"No. I didn't see him pull his wallet out ONCE!"

"Your honor, I would like to present into court documentation, a copy of the credit card transactions for my client for the evening in question," said Kelly, handing a piece of paper to the judge. "As you can see, no purchases were made on her card from the adult shop in question."

"I see," the judge murmured, glancing over the credit card slip. Trynia gasped with relief.

"Again, Mr. Weissman, it is your testimony that Charlie had no money when he left the bar, to the best of your knowledge."

"Yes. Absolutely."

"Mr. Weissman, have you ever known your cousin to brag about sexual conquests?" asked Kelly, pacing around to glance quickly at Charlie.

"Uh well he does talk about keeping score," he blushed. "Back in college...I thought he was full of crap if you know what I mean."

"Your HONOR!" Richard groaned.

"Quiet, Mr. Keller. Continue."

"Did you recall him saying anything to you the day after the evening in question.... When you called him?" asked Kelly.

"He said... something about Trynia being a wild crazy chick."

"So the assumption was that they have had sexual relations."

"OBJECTION!" Richard yelled. "Ms. Pulasky knows that the test already proves it!"

"Sustained!" the judge raised her hand. "Rephrase the question, Ms. Pulaski."

Kelly smiled at the judge, and said, "I did indeed. But my line of questioning will indicate that Charlie; the defendant has ruined his credibility. Mr. Weissman, did Charlie make any indication to you of the events of the evening prior?"

"Uh if you mean did he talk about what happened," Harvey asked.

"He said she looked like she was drugged... in a daze."

"Yes, that's what I meant. Did he say anything about what occurred when he took Ms. Merin home?"

"He said that he had a hot wild time...that she was one... dare I say this word... wild and crazy bitch...And he sometimes uses that word when he describes his sexual conquests."

"So it is established he has a history of this?"

"Yes," Harvey nodded slowly.

"I appreciate your candor, Mr. Weissman. It is your SWORN testimony that he left the bar at nine thirty..." said Kelly. "And that Trynia only had two drinks? Can you remember how many drinks you paid for?"

"I have the bill here," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling it out. He handed it to the judge. "You'll see five beers, two white wines, and a club soda... and my friends will testify as to what they had..."

"That proves NOTHING!" Mr. Keller protested.

"Order," the judge said, pounding her gavel.

"Now I have one final question. Did you happen to witness what happened when Trynia went to the ladies room? Did she leave her drink unattended for any length of time?"

"Yes she did..."

"And did she in fact leave the defendant in charge of it?"

"Yes..."

"And did he in any way tamper with it?"

"I... am not sure..." Harvey said softly. "But I do know that she DID in fact leave her drink when she went to the ladies room, and she had the same drink when she returned."

"Thank you. I have no further questions." Kelly said with a smile. "I will state again for the court that it is established that Charlie originally claims in his defense that he denied having sex. IT ahs been proven he did, and it has also been proven he had no money to purchase further drinks including wine..."

"Does the prosecution rest?" asked the judge.

"Yes, thank you your honor," said Kelly.

"We will have a brief recess, and I will hear the defense's case," said the judge, pounding her gavel with a percussive tap.

Paul glanced anxiously at Kelly who passed him and Trynia a piece of paper saying, "Got him on the sex bit. Got him on the drugged bit. We've got him."

"You really think that we do have a chance?" she asked.

"Let's find somewhere quiet to go," Kelly said simply as she packed up her papers.

"Wait, you're LEAVING?" she gasped.

"And I'm taking you with me" she winked. "Let's run outside for just a bit. I have a colleague nearby and we can use his conference room until we reconvene."

"All right, let's go," Paul said definitively. He offered his hand to Trynia after he stood up. Frantically Charlie spoke to his lawyer, running his hands through his hair in fear.

They convened in an emptied room, munching on some sandwiches that Kelly had her assistant bring in from the local deli. Trynia soberly sat next to Paul, hardly touching her sandwich.

"Honey, please eat something," said Paul.

"I made a total fool of myself," Trynia muttered to herself.

"No you didn't," said Paul, taking her hand. "You did fine. In a way, you surprised the hell out of them by admitting you had a rape kit done... but you COULD have told me..."

"I told Kelly just before the trial," Trynia flushed. "Because I had only gotten a call from the lab yesterday..."

"Well whatever it was, it turned out okay," Paul said. "And if Kelly thinks we can win this... then we can..."

Kelly strode over to them and took a seat opposite them. She had just gotten her sandwich from the cardboard box left on the table, and set it on her lap, unwrapping it. Regarding Paul and Trynia she said, "Hey, why so glum Trynia?"

"She doesn't believe we have them on the run," Paul winked to Kelly.

"Are you kidding? That Weissman kid is our golden hen; you know that, don't you? And you were wonderful, Trynia!" Kelly smiled at her. "You did just what you were supposed to."

"Did you SEE the look on his face?" Paul asked with a grin. "That lawyer was squirming!"

"So I didn't goof by not telling you sooner about the test?" Trynia asked.

"Not at all. It worked out better then I could have thought," Kelly reassured her. "All you're doing is stating the facts. All his attorney can do is grasp at wild stories, like him buying wine on the way home. Give me a BREAK! You were already drugged when you left there. And when he's on the stand, I'll ask to see that damn wine bottle receipt."

"So he thinks I'm a hot crazy bitch?" she giggled. "What a mother f**cer..."

"He's up against way too much. There's no way he can swat all these flies down, coming from all directions," said Kelly, taking a huge bite of sandwich. "Especially since Charlie in his earlier complaint claims he didn't have sex with you, and the report proves he did!"

"There, it's okay," Paul reassured Trynia. "Although I do admit I'm a bit hurt you didn't tell me sooner that you'd been tested... it's okay..."

"Now, Paul, you know if they figure out your angle, they may try to make this ugly for you," Kelly reminded him, wiping a dollop of mustard off her chin with a napkin.

Sighing, he put down his tuna sandwich, and said, "That's what I'm afraid of..."

"There's every possibility that they will paint Trynia out to be a bed-hopping groupie," Kelly nodded soberly. "...Who routinely gets drunk and sleeps with people she doesn't know."

"IF they know who I am," Paul said slowly. Kelly reached across to squeeze his hand.

"Yes, that's a big IF."

Trynia said, "Excuse me I need to use the ladies room..."

"Okay honey, I'll be right here," said Paul. He watched as she walked over to Sharmane, who offered to go with her.

"Do you think they do?" he whispered, out of earshot of Trynia.

"Frankly, I don't know. I'm not impressed with his attorney, and I think if they had an angle, they would have used it by now," Kelly said. "I know that you've been in the news lately with the whole Linda/Aaron thing, and my boss told me to make sure this stays out of the headlines... So the pressure is on both of us"

"Damn it," Paul closed his eyes, shaking his head.

Suddenly the door opened again, and someone motioned to Kelly, calling, "Excuse me! I need to speak to the prosecuting attorney!"

"What?" asked Kelly.

"The defense has asked for a council in the judge's chambers," said the court official. "You need to come with me..."

"Certainly, let me gather my papers"

"Kelly?" Paul asked.

"Wait here," she said, shoving her sandwich into Paul's hands. "If we're lucky.... They're running scared..."

"Right this way... your witnesses can stay here," said the court official. Kelly grabbed her briefcase and rushed off after the court official. A minute later, Trynia and Sharmane returned from the ladies room.

"What happened?" Trynia asked, glancing anxiously around to see Kelly was gone.

"Kelly's meeting with the judge," Paul said, patting the seat next to him. He put Kelly's sandwich to one side, and beckoned Trynia to sit down.

"I guess its hurry up and wait," he smiled, running his hand through his hair nervously.

"I hate waiting," she pouted.

"We don't have a choice" he smiled, kissing her forehead, "With lawyers involved, get used to it."

"You got me a great lawyer," she sighed. "I never could have afforded this spitfire on my budget..."

"Kelly's the best. She's still only a junior partner, but she's going places. My divorce lawyer loves her."

"Damn, she's a JUNIOR?"

"Can you believe it?" he smiled.

"Hardly."

"Not to mention the sexual tension. I thought Charlie's attorney was going to devour her alive when he saw her the first time."

"Kelly's good and she's well aware of it" he nodded.

"Much to that jerk's chagrin..." Trynia laughed. "He thinks he's Mr. smooth and all...I heard he was hired by Charlie's old man."

Paul glanced at his watch for a moment then stretches out into a chair,

"I told her in no uncertain terms that whatever it took, money was no object. And to make sure HIS attorney was aware of that."

"You didn't," Trynia gasped.

Just then, the door swung open. Kelly stood there, by the court official, with a huge smile on her face. Quickly Paul leapt to his feet and raced over to her side.

"They caved?" Paul shouted. Trynia also leapt up, joining them.

"Well let's say when Charlie's daddy got wind of the testimony, he got an earful," she laughed. "And his friend Zack is pleading guilty to a lesser charge as accomplice..."

"I can't exactly say I'd want to be at that next family reunion." Paul laughed.

"Mr. Keller really thought he could get Zack to stick by Charlie, but Zack got scared."

"So.... We're done?" Paul asked.

"Especially when he suddenly recognized WHO you were," Kelly said suddenly.

"Oh, shit!" Paul gasped. "He didn't... Kell, I can't let this mess up my child custody hearing..."

"No, it's all right,' Kelly cut him off, holding up her hand. "I mean the LAWYER recognized who you were. And if he KNOWS what is good for him he'll keep his mouth SHUT."

"I guess it goes without saying that we want to keep this from Linda's attorney" he sighed, rubbing his temples.

"We requested ahead of time with the judge to keep this OUT of the press."

"You hooked me up once again." Paul realized. He leaned down and hugged Trynia, then hugged Kelly. Kelly blushed a bit.

"Paul..." Trynia started. "I'm sorry if this messed up your child custody... I in no way want to endanger..."

"Hey, Tryn, not a big deal. I'm divorced now. I'm allowed to date," he said, appearing to be trying to convince himself as well.

"Tryn... Kelly... I wanted to thank you," Corinne interrupted, joining them. "For bringing this case to court..."

"Corinne, your testimony was key. We couldn't have done it without all of you." Kelly said proudly.

"FOUR women to testify? Hard to overcome that one," said Harvey, standing next to Corinne. Trynia threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"THANK you for saving my butt," she said to him. Paul slugged him on the back, and beamed.

"Here's our hero," Kelly smiled as she closed her briefcase.

"I just did what I had to do sir," said Harvey to Paul. "And for Corinne...And Tryn, I'm so sorry I didn't stop that asshole from taking you from the bar that night..."

"That's most important of all" Paul smiled. Quickly the news spread amongst the witnesses of the settlement, and everyone rejoiced. In the midst of celebration, Kelly approached Paul and whispered in his ear.

"I have to run. I promised mom I'd be there for dinner, and I know she'll hold me to it."

"The whole family, huh?" Paul asked. "Tell them I said hi!"

"I sure will," she nodded. "I'm meeting a niece I've never seen before. The only pitfall of living on the left coast. I don't get home often enough."

"You two know each other pretty well?" Trynia asked, joining them.

Kelly blushed, and said diplomatically, "Paul is a high power client at our firm. My boss handles all his business."

"Well thank you for handling this business... you really saved my life," Trynia grinned, shaking Kelly's hand. "And my sanity."

"It was a pleasure, Trynia. I'm glad for the opportunity to come home for a few days. And I'm really terribly sorry for what he did to you...and to the others."

"You'd better get your butt out of here," Paul teased. "I don't even want to think about what this is costing me."

Kelly smiles and gives him a quick hug, then gives Trynia one as well. Trynia again whispered, "Thank you so much again..."

"Absolutely. If you need anything else, please call!"

As she leaves, Paul straightened his tie and coughed. He regarded Trynia and said, "Go ahead.... Ask me."

"Ask you what?" she said, trying to look innocent.

"You want to ask me if I've slept with her. I can see that look a mile away...I saw it for 9 years with Linda. The old 'Did you screw her, Paul?' look..."

"Does it matter?" she shrugged. Surprise filled his eyes, and she shook her head incredulously.

"That woman helped to put closure on a horrible thing in my life," Trynia said seriously. "Who CARES if she did the horizontal mambo with you?"

"Well, she's a champ, that's for sure. No way I was going to chance this with some local attorney I didn't know," Paul said, scratching his head, still reeling in shock.

 "If anything she had a personal stake in this too...Protecting you."

"Linda used to say that ALL the time," he laughed nervously. "Soon as we'd meet a nice looking girl, she'd say, "You SCREW her, Paul?" Look friggin' clock work."

"I would be lying if the thought doesn't' cross my mind sometimes," she blushed. "But I guess I don't have the mouth on me to say anything."

"But you don't dwell on it, and she did, which is what makes you wonderfully non-neurotic" he teased. "Besides, contrary to popular belief, I don't screw EVERYTHING."

"That's Gene's job," Trynia punched his arm playfully. "In a way if she DID screw you, I'm glad, because otherwise she might not have been so devoted to protecting you."

"Gene LOVES her. He's constantly making comments whenever he sees her. She blows him off, though."

Trynia suddenly snickered with a dirty thought, "OH god..."

"What?" he asked.

"She blows him OFF instead of BLOWING him."

Paul's attractive face scrunched as he laughed hard, "That's what he WANTS to do. Besides, she...uhhhh.... Never mind."

"Is she married?" she poked Paul in the ribs.

"Nah, actually, if you want to know the juicy bits, rumor has it, she was seeing a judge on the side." he winked. "I think that might be over though."

The rental Mercedes pulled up to her apartment building later that afternoon. Still dressed in their finery, Paul and Trynia exchanged glances. Neither had said much after the trial, and Paul seemed most anxious to get away. It wasn't Trynia's imagination when she noticed another car, which had been following them at a distance since the other day. It was Chris and Andre, keeping constant tabs on Paul from afar. They had even flanked him just before entering the courthouse, and most likely had been a stone throw away since Paul arrived.

"Where were they last night?" she asked.

"Who, baby?" Paul asked, parking the car in the lot next to her building.

"Andre and Chris, your faithful retainers? When Charlie and company crashed?"

Paul flushed crimson, and inhaled deeply. "Actually I had a hell of a time convincing them to just bug out and get a room at the Hilton... I almost wish they HAD stayed..."

"So you're telling me you put your watchdogs on hold just to bunk with yours truly?" Trynia asked suspiciously.

"It didn't seem important till now..." he said.

"I just put 2 and 2 together," she said slowly, unsure of how she felt at her revelation. That same car across the street, and then suddenly not there when you're at my place...."

"Well they couldn't stay at your place," he teased. "And anyway... At the time there didn't' seem to be any harm in me playing Joe public... I did get the bad guy, didn't I? Is there something else wrong... that you want to talk about?"

"I just hate putting you at risk anymore..."

"Don't," he hushed her with a finger over her lips. "I should have known better. I guess I was just trying to be the badass guy protecting the woman he cares about..."

"I don't' know how I can ever repay you," she whispered.

"That's not in the job description," he joked. "Hey, I was thinking... you might want to consider... somebody to talk to about this... you know?"

"Counseling?" she asked. "What for... I mean I didn't remember anything..."

"Rape is rape," Paul cut her off. "And I think you SHOULD find someone to talk to. Don't worry about paying for it. Just forward the bills to my company and they'll take care of them..."

"Damage control?" she asked, looking down at her feet with a sad smile.

"In a way..." he said, then caught her chin and turned her face toward his. "Hey... I'm serious. It's something you need to do. Not just for me, but for your own good. You can't let this asshole mess up your life in ways you don't even know. Trust me, there might be bruises on your body that will go away in time, but if you don't treat the bruises this bastard left on your mind and emotions... and believe me I'm sure they're there, even though you can't see them-- you could regret it later... so promise me you'll call a therapist. And if you can't find one, I'd be more then happy to have a therapist I'm good friends with find one for you..."

"But we made love, didn't we..."

"Yes, but you were so shaken up..." Paul said. "Hell I was shaken up for you... look, that proves you need someone to talk to, to work this out... I didn't mention it till all this got sorted out cause I wasn't sure till now."

"If you say so, I'll do it," she said.

"For yourself most of all..." he whispered, unclipping his seat belt and slipping his arm around her. He kissed her sweetly on the lips, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I love you," she whispered.

Paul nodded and kissed her forehead, cupping her face with his hands. He said nothing in return, simply fondling her cheek and brushing her hair aside from her face. Why had he not responded to her three little words? Could it be that it freaked him out? Somehow, that she, being damaged goods, was pushing him away from her? All these uncomfortable questions filled her head at that moment, and she turned momentarily away from him in the confines of the car. Paul, noticing her distance, turned her to face him again, and opened his arms to embrace her. She cried into his shirt, releasing the anger and fear stored up during the trial when she had fought to keep her composure.

"Aww honey, shh... hey shh... let it out... You will get through this, and it will make you stronger. Trust me..."

Such words of comfort seemed appropriate enough to encompass what she now felt. She would need much in the months ahead when they would be again separate. Yet, for now she accepted his soft caresses and kisses of affection in place of the words she so longed to hear. Maybe that was all he could give, and if so, it was enough for now. As for later, who could tell? She pushed tomorrow out of her head, only able to focus on today, and living through each passing moment.