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When I figure out why I don't have access to the "reply" button (instead of just the "quick reply") I'll be updating this story. Let's hope it's soon...

Sorry about that, Sandi. Right now something isn't working for me when I log in, which is extremely frustrating. I'm not sure how much room I'd have with just the "quick reply" button to post a whole chapter

Well, it looks as if my computer woes are over so I'll be posting the next chapter in a day or two. One nice thing is that I've had the chance to do a lot of writing!

Aw, thanks, Mare! This is my, uh, longest story!

Yay, all my posting powers have been fully restored! Here's where we left off:

Micky and Peter had seen and heard enough to know Maggie was in trouble, and when they saw Maggie hit the ground, both came rushing out of their hiding place. Micky came flying at Alan, ready with a surprise left hook that knocked him down. Quick-thinking Peter tackled him, pinning his arms to his sides, and nodding for Micky to go to Maggie.

And now...

Maggie was in a state of shock, on the ground, a hand held to her stinging cheek, not quite believing what had just happened. Except for the occasional slug from her brothers when they were younger, no one had ever used violence on her. She felt nauseated and short of breath. Not quite realizing what was going on, she felt someone gather her up and take her in his arms. Through her haze she thought she had seen the kind waiter rush at Alan; maybe he was the one holding her. Maggie really didn't care who it was. In her state she was just glad someone was offering her comfort and protection, and she sobbed into his jacket.
"Shhh...it's okay, you're alright," he whispered, stroking the back of her hair. "You're safe now. He won't hurt you anymore."
It took Maggie several moments to register the fact that it was a familiar voice whispering those words. She craned her neck to see that the young man-who's hat and mustache had gotten knocked off in the commotion-was indeed Micky, prompting her to cry even harder. She had been so terrible to him, and now...
"I radioed security, they're on their way," Peter's voice broke through her thoughts. Since he worked out on the green, he carried a walkie-talkie.
"Thanks," Micky called back, taking his attention only off Maggie for a moment to reply. He continued to offer comfort to her and became quite worried when she didn't say anything, not even after recognizing him. "Maggie, please say something," he begged.
"I-I-I'm so sorry," she wept. "I never should have-I-"
"Don't worry about that now," he hushed her when he could tell the talking made her more agitated. Micky was about to say more but the security guards arrived on the scene. While one questioned Alan, the other approached Maggie. He was going to ask for her side of the story but changed his mind after he saw the welt beginning to rise on her left cheek.
"C'mon, Cal, let's get this guy out of here," he said as they began to forcefully remove Alan off the premises.
For Alan, it was a humiliating end to a humiliating night. As the guards dragged him away, he called out, "You weren't good enough for me anyway!"
If Micky hadn't been holding Maggie, he would have lunged at the creep for that comment.
"Maybe you should get her home," suggested Peter when he saw how distraught Maggie was.
"You're right," he agreed. "Can you tell the manager I had an emergency?"
Peter patted Micky's shoulder, "I'll just fill in for you. I think I've met my golf ball quota."
"Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. Take the car-we'll find a way home." Peter bent down to kiss the top of Maggie's curls, then helped her to stand. Together the three of them took the back way to the parking lot. Maggie didn't say a word but at least she had settled down some and was only sniffling quietly.

Maggie's quietness in the car made Micky nervous with worry and therefore he talked mindlessly to try and calm himself down. When they reached the building Micky didn't think twice about taking her to the pad-it just seemed natural. He lead her to the couch where she curled up in one corner. Micky wanted to help her but he was at a loss for what to do. He wanted so much to take her in his arms again but she seemed closed off now.
"Maggie, did he hurt you anywhere else?" he ventured, fearing the answer.
"No," she said softly. It wasn't quite the truth, she figured, but he hadn't physically hurt her anywhere else. Maggie felt ashamed to talk about why the slap had occurred. She also felt horrible because Alan's actions and words tonight made her realize just how terribly she'd treated Micky. He had not only rescued her, but was offering comfort as well. She didn't feel worthy of this attention.
Without saying a word, Micky dashed up the stairs and was back within a minute, carrying a t-shirt and sweatpants. He explain that the dress didn't look very comfortable on her sunburn. He put them in her hands and she started to bawl again.
"M-maybe I should call Dr. Richards," said Micky, quickly going from worry to panic.
Maggie spoke up then, "No, really, I'm not hurt anywhere else."
Not knowing what else to do, Micky took a seat next to her and put his arm around her.
"You don't have to do this," she hiccupped.
The drummer scrunched up his face in confusion, "Do what?"
"Be so nice to me," she sniffed. "Not after the way I treated you."
"Shhh..that's all in the past, Maggie. I still love you-I never stopped loving you. And I'm sorry for the things I did and said, too."
Maggie felt weak with relief and wrapped both arms around him, holding him tight, "I never stopped loving you either, even though I tried to convince myself I did."
Micky backed away, wanting to make sure he heard her right. Looking at her from arm's length, he could tell he had. But he could not keep his eyes off the mark on her cheek, which probably hurt even more due to the sunburned skin. He indicated the clothes in her lap and instructed her to change.
"Would you mind if I took a bath first?" she asked, surpring him. She felt the need to wash any trace of Alan off of her.
"Not at all. You want it a bit on the cool side?"
"Yes, please," she answered, her eyes welling up with tears again at his consideration for her. He went upstairs to draw the bath, unsure why his words would set her off. When she made her way up the steps he handed her a clean towel and told her to take all the time she needed. While she was in the tub, Micky quickly tidied up the room and changed the sheets on his bed. There was no way she was going to spend the night alone. His heart ached when he heard the sound of her crying softly through the door.
It was a different looking Maggie who emerged ten minutes later. Gone were the make up and fancy dress. Without the foundation and powder, the sunburned face and welt were even more noticeable. She stood there for a moment, her red-rimmed eyes scanning the room and noticing the changes.
"Maybe you should rest," he urged.
"Not yet," she said distantly. "Could we just go downstairs?"
"Sure," he quickly agreed. I'll build a fire for us."

More soon!

And you'll have even more to read when you get back! Where are you going on your vacation? Have a good time!