Feeling the warmth generate slowly as his strong arms cradled her, she carefully pulled away, smiling weakly up at Mark. Still with his arms around her, he moved his hand up to wipe away her tears, before he grinned kindly at her in front of him.

"I’m glad you’re here." He smiled, taking her hands as she shivered a little. "Come on…"

Turning slightly and heading into the main lounge, Louise gradually followed, as the cold, wet material of her dress clung to her body with every move made. Facing the others whilst looking and feeling awful, wouldn’t be easy, yet she knew it was worth it as when she felt that tingle from Mark shoot up her arm, she knew she’d made the right choice.

"Hey Mark, who was at… Oh." Paul said, quickly realising.

"Are you ok?" Christian asked, as she sat down shyly next to Mark.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m ok." Louise managed, smiling a little as Mark still clutched her hand.

"Ben, get some towels will you." Mark said, in which Ben agreed and left his seat.

"I’m sorry for just turning up like this, but I… I didn’t know what else to do." Louise explained. "Mark, I tried to get out, I so tried, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t get out in time." She babbled, turning to face him.

"Its ok." Mark assured, wiping away a strand of hair. "How did you find us?" He asked.

"I remembered from when you walked me home that night…"

"What night?" Paul asked curiously.

"Oh, erm, Paul, you were drunk." Christian informed.

"Ohh…" Paul smiled.

"I know that I’m probably not welcome here bu…"

"What? Lou of course you’re welcome here." Mark told. "I just thought you didn’t want to come."

"No, it wasn’t that. I even tried calling you before you left but you had already gone. Anton stopped me too… he made me stay at the ball so I decided I was going to sneak out later, except that went a bit wrong ‘cos I didn’t get out ‘til much later." She tried smiling. "Sorry."

"Here ya go." Ben beamed, entering and wrapping a huge towel around Louise’s cold, shivering body, while resting the others on the table.

"Thanks," Louise replied kindly, pulling it tighter.

"What happened Lou? I mean, after I left." Mark asked softly.

"Well he didn’t tell anyone. He just acted like normal as if nothing happened, well except keeping me glued to his side." Louise sighed. "And then when everyone left we just had this really BIG argument. I don’t think I’ve seen him so angry. But what made it worse was the way he said things, like I was just some ornament that he couldn’t let anyone else buy. It’s as if I’m worth nothing real to him except money. I swear he’d sale me if he could get something better." She revealed, letting the loose tear fall as she tried to joke.

"Come on Lou, you know you’re better than that." Mark smiled, lifting up her chin where red marks could faintly be seen. "How did you get these?" He questioned suddenly, examining her chin and neck area.

"Oh erm…" Louise began, pulling away slightly before glancing down. "Anton just got a little angry. He didn’t hit me or anything, just well erm… y’know, wanted to make sure I understood and that I was erm, giving him one hundred percent attention."

"They’re on your wrist too." Mark continued, taking her wrists gently. "Louise he didn…"

"No, no. No, he wouldn’t." Louise told, facing Mark while she snatched back her wrists. "He just… he… he wouldn’t hit me, ok."

"Ok, ok, I just want to make sure you’re ok, that’s all." Mark retorted, concerned.

"I am… now I’m with you." Louise smiled weakly.

"Come on guys. I think it’s getting late. Maybe we should go to bed." Christian hinted, glancing at Mark.

"Yeah… yeah. Ooo I’m so tired," Ben played along, yawning massively.

"Tired? I’m not tir… Oh, ohhh yes I am. Sooo tired." Paul added, grinning.

"See you tomorrow Mark." Ben said, leaving his seat. "Hope you’re ok Louise. See you tomorrow too."

"Thanks." Louise smiled, watching them lead out of the room.

"Oh Lou." Paul began, sticking his head round the door. "If you wanna borrow some clothes, you can use mine!" He offered. "I’m the smallest here so they’ll probably fit you better."

"Thanks Paul." Louise chuckled.

"I’ll bring some down for ya then." Paul smiled, running back up the stairs.

"Are you sure this is ok Mark?" Louise asked, facing him.

"Of course it is, now stop worrying." Mark smiled, kissing her forehead.

Grinning as he returned, Paul placed the clothes on one of the chairs in a small, neat pile.

"There ya go. My fave T-shirt there as well! But you can use it." He winked, before closing the door behind him.

"Maybe you might want to get changed," Mark advised. "You’ll get a cold if you sit there any longer."

"Yeah, you’re right." Louise smiled, standing up and heading over to the clothes, picking them up. "Mark…"

"Yeah?" Mark answered, standing up too.

"Thanks," Louise said appreciatively, showing him with a hug. "I’ve definitely made the right choice."

"And I’m glad I’ve got the perfect answer." Mark grinned, kissing her softly. "Now go on, before you get ill." He told compassionately, pecking her lips one last time.

Leaving the room and carefully heading up the stairs, she went in search for the bathroom while Mark headed into the kitchen, ready to make two hot cups of coffee. Reaching the top, and looking around the landing, Ben passed her on his way to his room, and smiled warmly.

"Bathroom – that one there." He notified, wearing only a pair of jeans.

"Cheers." Louise blushed, walking over and closing the door behind her.

Staring at the mirror in front of her, the small blue bathroom reflected around her, like she was in a submarine, while the hasty wind and heavy rain pelted against the window. Filling up the basin with a pool of water, she quickly washed her face before slipping out of the wet dress, and pulling the baggy T-shirt and trousers over her. Facing the mirror once more, she smiled to herself, happy that the freedom she was after was finally here. Away from the plain walls and now in a breathable area, the grin grew bigger as the light inside glowed. Everything happened for a reason, and as the beam grew stronger, she knew why.

Folding the dress up carefully, trying not to deteriorate what was already damaged, she threw it over her arm before heading back into the hall.

"Ahh, Lou." Paul grinned, strolling towards his room in just his boxers. "I knew it’d fit you. What do you think?"

"Er, lovely…" Louise smirked, eyeing Paul up.

"Shit…" Paul said slowly, glancing down at himself. "Night."

Closing the door briskly behind him, Louise giggled to herself before heading downstairs and back into the lounge.

"Hi," She greeted shyly, putting the dress onto the nearest chair.

"Hey. You feeling better?" Mark queried, handing her a cup of coffee.

"I am now. Thanks Mark." Louise smiled gratefully, taking the drink.

"No worries." He answered, sitting down next to her. "So… have you um, left Anton?" Mark asked cautiously.

Placing the cup on the table, knowing that this question was bound to come, she turned and faced Mark, taking his hands in hers. Clenching them tighter, Mark smoothed her knuckles, cherishing the link below.

"I… something is still there…" Louise trailed off. "But, but with you in my life, that something doesn’t exist."

"So?"

"So…" She repeated. "So, if it doesn’t exist, then there’s no point in going back for it."

Leaning in closer, pressing her lips against his, he smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her closer. This was his reason for everything happening and as she gently pulled away, the embrace they next fell into, endorsed that feeling even more.

Falling into slumber, curled up in each other’s comfort, they slept in a dream as reality became one. Opening slowly, Christian wandered in through the door with a duvet in his arms, wanting to make sure the pair were alright.

"Hey Mark, I…"

Smiling to himself as he stopped for a split second, he crept over to the sofa where they laid, gently placing the duvet on top of them.

"Goodnight Lou. Goodnight Mark."