"Daph?" Justin said into the phone, concern evident in his voice.

"Jus, I need you to come get me," she cried.

"Of course, are you okay? Where are you?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know where you are or you don't know if you're okay?" All Justin could hear was his best friend crying. The group of friends listened to Justin's side of the conversation with interest. They had all grown to like Justin's friend. She put Brian in his place and they respected that.

"Okay, Daph. Listen to me. Take a deep breath and start at the beginning. Do you need me to call an ambulance? Are you hurt?"

"No hospitals!" She cried frantically.

Justin didn't like what he heard in her voice. He couldn't identify it but he didn't like it.

"Okay. When we talked this morning you said you and Natalie where going to celebrate finishing your project. Is Nat there? Can I speak with her?"

"No. I don't know where she is," Daphne cried. "Please help me. I have to get out of here."

Justin realized what he was hearing- desperation. "Did you guys go out?"

"Yes, to a frat party."

"Is the frat house on Carnegie campus?"

"Yeah."

Ben stepped forward, hopeful he could help.

"Which frat house?" Justin asked. The realization of what could have happened setting in.

"I don't remember. Jus, I don't feel good. I think I am going to be sick," she said before he heard a loud heave and then a toilet flush.

"Daph, are you in the bathroom?"

"Yeah."

"Do you feel better?"

"No."

"I'm coming to get you but you have to help me figure out where you are. Tell me everything you remember. Start with you and Natalie getting there."

"We walked around and danced a little. Talked to some people. A guy asked me to dance," there was a hitch in her throat. "I thought he was nice and we sat and talked. He got us a glass of punch and we kept talking."

Justin paced around the loft while he listened. Everyone watched the emotion play out on his face.

"I think he put something in my drink because I started to feel funny. He said he would take care of me and that he was sorry. He took me to his room. I knew it was a bad idea but I couldn't think clearly enough to verbalize it. When we got to his room he started to take my clothes off. I tried to stop him," she wailed.

Justin was now standing still in front of the window. "Did he hurt you?" He asked so quietly that the others in the room barely heard him.

"Yes."

Justin closed his eyes as tears sprung to them. "You're going to be okay. I'm coming to get you. Is the guy right there?"

"No. I locked myself in the bathroom. He tried to get in but he couldn't. He said he was going to get the key," she said, starting to cry again.

Justin looked at Brian with such fear that Brian went to his side. "Window," Brian whispered. Justin nodded.

"Daph, you have to stop crying. Look around the room. Is there a window?"

"Yes."

"Can you get to it?"

"I don't know. I thought of that earlier but I'm on the third floor, I can't jump."

"Third floor," Justin repeated looking at Ben.

Ben closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "There are five three story frat houses and one four story one on fraternity row."

Justin nodded. "Try to look out the window."

He heard noises and knew she was trying to get up. He also heard her cry out in what must be pain. He gasped and Brian held him from behind for support.

"Okay. I'm at the window."

"Can you see anything that would help me find you?"

"I don't know. I still don't feel well. All I see are trees and a pool."

"Trees and a pool," Justin repeated to Ben.

"Must be one of the Alpha houses. Two houses share a pool. It's the only frat with a pool. One is blue the other red."

"Daph, do you remember what color the house is?"

"Oh yeah, it's a really ugly red. You'll hate it."

"I know where you are. I'll be there soon. Will you talk to Lindsay on the phone while I get there?"

"Okay," she said softly. "But I don't want anyone to see me."

Justin handed the phone to Lindsay. "Just keep her talking until I get there."

Justin went to the bedroom and grabbed a blanket, sweatshirt, and a pair of sweatpants.

"I'll be back later," Justin said, preoccupied with finding his cell phone.

"If you think I'm letting you go alone. You're crazy." Brian said, sternly. "First of all, you can't drive."

"Like that matters at a time like this."

"Not to mention the fact that you are going to need our help. The Alphas have a bad reputation on campus," Ben explained.

"She doesn't want anyone but me to see her," Justin said.

"You can go in the bathroom alone," Brian said. "Let's go."

Mel approached them. "If what we all hope didn't happen DID happen, take her to the hospital no matter what she says. She needs to be examined even if she doesn't want to press charges. Call me. I've held many women's hands through an examination."

==================================================================================

Two cars pulled up to a red house. People and loud music poured from the doors and windows.

God! It is an ugly red, thought Justin as he ran to the front door. Brian and Ben were right behind him. Michael, Emmett, and Ted had a more difficult time getting out of the backseat but caught up to the others.

Ben opened the door and Justin pushed past him and started up the stairs.

"Professor Bruckner? What are you doing here?"

"Chad. I'm about to call campus security so I'd clear this place out fast," Ben roared.

"Come on, Professor B, we're just having fun. No harm done."

"That remains to be seen. Clear it out. NOW!!"

"Where's the third floor bathroom?" Michael asked.

"Top of the stairs and to the right," Chad answered. "Is something wrong?"

"Not for long."

Justin reached the third floor first. He looked down the hall and saw a guy pounding on a door. At the same time his cell phone rang.

"Hello," he said walking towards the guy.

"Justin, it's Mel. The guy is trying to get in the bathroom again. How close are you guys? Daphne is getting quite upset. Lindsay's having a hard time understanding her."

"We're right down the hall. Tell her to wait till she hears my voice before she opens the door."

Brian went right past Justin and up to the guy.

"Get the fuck away from that door before I rip your arms off."

"Who the fuck are you? You weren't invited to this party. This is my frat house. You can't tell me what to do? I should call security."

"I was thinking the same thing, Trent," Ben said. "I knew you were an asshole, but I never suspected this." Ben said, joining Brian. Emmett, Ted, and Michael watched the stairs while Justin went to the door.

"Daph. It's me, Justin. Open the door. You're safe now. Please open the door."

"Jus," came the muffled reply through the door.

"Just unlock the door. I'll come in and help you. Please."

"I'm scared."

"I know but I swear to God I won't let anyone else hurt you."

"B…but he's out there," she stuttered.

"Brian and Ben won't let him near you. Please unlock the door."

"I don't want anyone to see me," Daphne pleaded.

"They won't. Open the door."

"Okay." A click filled the hallway.

Trent struggled against the wall where Brian and Ben were holding him.

Justin disappeared behind the door just as Chad and two other frat boys came upstairs.

"Shit," mumbled Michael.

"They're kind of cute," sighed Emmett. "In a preppy Ralph Lauren sort of way."

"Whatever you do, don't tell them that," said Ted nervously.

"What the hell is going on professor B?" Chad asked. "Who are these people? And why are you in our house?"

"Trent seems to have crossed a major line there," Brian barked. He punctuated his statement by slamming Trent's head into the wall again.

"Trent, what happened?" The dark haired frat boy said.

"Nothing." He replied. "They're crazy."

Chad looked the men over. "If prof B wasn't with them, I might agree," he said looking at Emmett's rather outrageous outfit. "But the prof is cool. So my question is, Trent, what the hell is going on?"

"It seems your friend here doesn't know how to take no for an answer," Brian growled again.

"What?" Chad said. "Hey! Wait a minute, where's that girl you were dancing with. She's in my chemistry class. Nice girl, real pretty. Dani."

"Daphne," Ben corrected.

"Yeah, Daphne. Where is she? How do you know her professor B? I thought she was premed like me. She wouldn't have room for your class this year."

"We have a mutual friend. She called him for help tonight. We came too because I know the reputation of this fraternity is questionable. To say the least."

"Since, I became president I have been trying to clean things up. I have kicked out six members this term alone."

"You missed one," Brian said, raising Trent's face and then slamming it back down into the wall.

"Where's Daphne? Is she hurt? What exactly did he do?" Chad asked.

"She's in the bathroom with her best friend," Ben explained. "So far all we know for sure is that he put something in her drink. It's unclear what happened then. She called her friend in hysterics."

"Okay, let's call security then," Chad said.

"Chad!"

"Don't Chad me. I warned all of you that this shit would not be tolerated. I'm tired of being ashamed of belonging to this frat and I'm going to do something about it."

"Chad, as a member of faculty, I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that, but in this situation it should be Daphne's call if she reports this or not. A few minutes ago, she didn't want anyone but Justin to see her. We don't need a crowd of people around here making this harder on her than necessary."

"That's not my intention, but we have to do something."

"I'll call security and explain the situation," Ben offered.

Justin came out of the bathroom and closed the door. He leaned back against the door and sighed. He looked around, seeing Brian holding a guy against the wall. Justin silently walked over and kicked him in the balls as hard as he could. Trent crumpled to the floor in agony. "We need to get this guy out of here. I don't want her seeing him when she comes out to go to the hospital."

"Is she okay?" Brian asked. "I mean I know she's not, but physically is she hurt bad?"

"Yeah, I think she might have some broken ribs."

"Fuck."

"Okay, we'll all move out of her sight while you get her out of here. If you want to bring your car to the left side of the building, you can use our private entrance so she doesn't have to see anyone at all."

"That would be great," Justin said. "She wants to be invisible right now."

"I'll move the jeep," Emmett said. He took the keys from Brian.

"Tom, call a general meeting," Chad said to the guy on his left. "It will keep everyone away from that part of the house. I'll leave too. Security can check Trent's room when they get here. Please let me know what she decides to do. If she doesn't want to report it then the brothers and I would be happy to issue our own form of punishment. If she does decide to press charges, she will have the full support of this fraternity. Make sure she knows there won't be any repercussions to her. I personally guarantee it."

"Thanks Chad. We'll follow you so she doesn't have to see us either," Ben said, grabbing Trent by the collar and dragging him behind them.

Brian waited unsure of what to do. "I don't want to make this uncomfortable, but…"

"Don't worry. I need you to stay. I'm not sure she can walk."

"You go in first. Let me know when you're ready."

Justin went back into the bathroom. A few minutes later, Justin opened the door. "Okay."

Brian stepped inside and had to try hard not to gasp when he saw her. "Hey Daph. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. I want to get out of here. I just want to go home. Please tell Justin I don't need to go to the hospital."

"Sorry, but I agree with him about that. Now let me help you up, okay?"

"Yeah," she winced when he touched her shoulder.

"Sorry."

"It's okay. I know you're trying to help."

"Here, let's put the blanket around you," Justin said. "You're shaking."

"Thanks," Daphne replied, pulling it around herself tightly. "Who's out there? I don't want to see anyone. Especially him!"

"No one's there and we're going out the back way. No one will see you," Brian said gently. "Would it be okay if I carried you? You seem a little unsteady. I don't want you to collapse or fall."

"Okay. I don't think I could make it down three flights anyway."

Brian gently lifted her into his arms.

"Thanks," she whispered as she lowered her head to his shoulder.

Justin opened the door and looked out. Seeing the coast was clear he lead Brian down the stairs and through the kitchen to the backdoor. Emmett was waiting with the jeep running. When he saw them exit the house, he got out and opened the door to the jeep. Justin climbed in first and then Brian placed Daphne in next to him. She put her head on Justin's shoulder and he tried to comfort her. Emmett went to join Ben, Ted, Chad, and Michael around the corner as Brian pulled away.

When they arrived at the hospital Brian was relieved to see Mel and Lindsay waiting for them.

"How is she?" Mel asked, approaching Brian as he got out of the jeep.

"Not good. I think she's in shock."

"I'm sure she is. I know some of the nurses here and they're ready for her. Just follow me. There's an examination room waiting."

"Thanks Mel."

Brian opened the door to the jeep and Daphne jumped. "I'm sorry Daph. We're here. Do you want me to carry you in or do you want to try it yourself?'

"I'll try," she said quietly. Slowly, she climbed out of the jeep. "Hey," she said to Lindsay and Mel.

They smiled sadly. Justin was soon next to her. She turned to him. "I don't want to do this."

"I know, but you have to get checked out. I'm right here."

"Will you stay with me?"

"Of course."

"Even when the doctor examines me?"

"If that's what you want, but maybe you'd be more comfortable with a woman though."

"One of us could stay with you if that would help," Mel offered.

"Thanks, but I want Justin too," she said looking at him. "I trust you more than anyone in the world."

"Okay."

Brian closed his eyes hoping this wouldn't be too hard on Justin.

She took a step but faltered. Brian went to her side. "I got you, okay?" He asked before he touched her.

"Yeah."

He lifted her up again and carried her through two large automatic sliding glass doors. Following Mel, he went to a small room and gently placed her on the exam table. "None of this was your fault," he whispered to her before he left the room. Mel and Lindsay were waiting for him outside the door.

The three of them sat on hard plastic chairs about twenty feet down the hall from the room where Justin and Daphne were.

"Where's Gus?" Brian asked, finally breaking their silence.

"With Deb." The silence returned, no one said anything. There was nothing to say.

Two nurses and a female doctor walked past them and into that room. Mel gets up and walks in with them to make sure everything was done by the book in case Daphne changes her mind and to give support in any way she could because she had been a rape survivor in her youth and knew what would go through Daphne's mind. She was a rape advocate though she never told anyone of her past. She didn't want this guy to get off on a technicality if she decided to press charges.

After what seemed like hours, Justin emerged visibly shaken. He went to Brian and sat on his lap. Resting his head on his husband's shoulder he sighed. "God! That was awful."

"Is she okay?"

"They had to give her a sedative. Isn't what that bastard did to her enough? That whole process only makes it worse."

"I know, but it has to be done. Did she decide if she's going to press charges?" Lindsay asked.

"She doesn't want to. She just wants it all to go away."

"That's understandable. Maybe she'll change her mind tomorrow or later on." Lindsay said. "Scum like that should be punished."

"I have a feeling that the president of his fraternity is making sure that he is being punished," Brian said.

"Are they going to keep her overnight?"

"No. They are getting her another change of clothes. She kind of puked on those."

"They'll be saved for evidence in case she changes her mind about reporting it."

Daphne came through the door looking a little better as the nurses had helped her clean up a bit. Mel was behind her. "Can someone take me home now?'

"Sure sweetie. Why don't you come home with us?" Lindsay asked.

"Thanks, but I just want to go home and take a shower."

"I'm not leaving you alone tonight. Either you go with Mel and Linds or you're coming to the loft,' Justin said.

"I really appreciate everyone's help but I'm going to be okay now. Just take me home."

"The loft, with the girls, or I'm calling your mother," Justin answered. "Or my mom."

"You wouldn't. I can't face them right now."

"Right, so you are coming home with me. I don't want to hear another word about it." Justin said sternly. "Let's go."

Opening the loft door, Brian stepped aside to let the other two through first. Justin went to the kitchen to get Daphne a bottle of water. Brian went to the linen closet and got a large bath sheet, a clean terry cloth robe, some smaller towels and facecloths. He also got a soft chenille throw and two sets of clean sheets. He took everything except the throw and sheets to the bathroom. Opening his extra toiletries cabinet, he placed a fresh bar of soap, a bottle of body wash and a new sponge, shampoo, conditioner, shaving gel and a razor, a new toothbrush, and a tube of toothpaste on the vanity next to the sink.

Daphne wandered around the loft aimlessly. Brian continued his preparations. He stripped the bed and made it with fresh sheets. He took his and Justin's pillows and put then on the bureau. He got new ones out of the closet and a clean duvet. He removed all signs of sex from the room, the bowl of condoms, lube, toys etc…

Justin sat on the couch watching Daphne not knowing what to say but wanting so desperately to make it all better for her.

Brian crossed the loft and took three of the extra large pillows and moved them closer to the bedroom. He lined them up and put a sheet around them and made a bed with them. Justin looked over and joined Brian.

"That looks comfortable but we can't let her sleep on the floor."

"Of course not. I made our bed up fresh for her. Go see if you can think of anything that I didn't put out for her. You can sleep down here and I'll crash at Mikey's.

Daphne overheard this. "No. I don't want to make you leave your own home."

"It's okay. I wish there is more I could do for you but since there isn't, I can at least make you as comfortable as possible tonight."

"Thank you," she said, tears forming in her eyes. She turned away.

"Give me a minute to grab my stuff and make sure that you both take your meds and then I'm out of here."

Brian made sure everything was ready for them. There was lots of leftover junk food from earlier. It was late, but he guessed they would talk for awhile.

"I'm done in the bathroom, if you want to take a shower now," Brian said, with his shaving kit in his hand.

"Yes, please."

"I left a new robe and lots of towels in there. Take your time. I have an extra large hot water tank."

Daphne nodded and went into the bathroom. She carefully removed her clothes and turned on the hot water in the shower. She stepped inside and frantically washed herself. The water was so hot that it stung. Tears formed in her eyes and she started to sob. She slowly slid down the tiled wall of the shower and pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed.

Justin could hear her and made a move towards the door.

"Let her be for awhile. She has to let some of the anger and hurt out."

"But she's alone in there," Justin replied.

"I know, but right now physical comfort won't be that comforting. Let her deal with this in her own way unless you think it is going to hurt her. She is most likely on overload right now and the only way she can get through the night is to not talk about it. Or she might need to talk about all of it and get it out of her system. It's probably a combination of the two."

"Yeah. I just hate that this happened to her."

"Did the guy use a condom at least?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, but they did find some semen samples when they examined her. The doctor explained that even rapists that use protection often leave a sample because of the situation usually involves a struggle. They don't pull out carefully enough."

"I assume they tested her then."

"Yes, but it's too soon to tell because it all happened a few hours ago. They were going to test the sample too. They also gave her a bunch of medication to deal with everything from pregnancy to most STDs."

"Good." Brian said putting some clothes in an overnight bag. "Speaking of meds. Why don't you take yours now?"

"Okay, but not the sleeping pill. I want to be able to be there for her tonight."

"Okay. Is this going to be too much for you? I can stay. I just thought it would be easier for her if I wasn't here."

"I think you are being incredibly understanding and yes, I think I can do this, although, I haven't got a clue what to say."

"It'll come to you. Just don't let her blame herself. I hope she's aware enough to know when the water turns cold and gets out," he said looking at the door to the bathroom and still hearing her sob.

"I know. She's still in shock."

"Okay. I'm going to go to Mikey's. I'll have my cell on all night. Call if you need anything. Even if it's just to vent after she vented to you," Brian said giving Justin a kiss.

"This is the first night that we've spent apart since we got married," sighed Justin.

"I love you, Sunshine. If you need anything call."

"I will and I love you too."

Twenty minutes later Michael answered the door to his apartment to find Brian standing there.

"Hey."

"Hey, how is she?"

"She's doing as well as can be expected. Can I crash here?"

"Sure," Michael motioned to the living room where Ted, Emmett, and Ben were sitting.

"Thanks. I just thought she would be more comfortable without me there."

"That's very considerate of you," Ben offered. "Hopefully, Justin can help her now."

"I just hope dealing with this isn't too hard on him. He would never forgive himself if he couldn't help her through this."

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