It had been a week since the assault. The swelling was gone, leaving various colored bruises surrounding her eye and the stitches in her lip had dissolved. She still had some difficulty chewing due to the fractured cheek bone but physically she was recovering.  Emotionally, she was trying hard to hide the affects of everything - the tumor, the surpressed childhood memories, the latest incident and the fear of not knowing if she would be able to be intimate with Tim ever again. At times she felt so overwhelmed she would stand in the bathroom staring at her bottles of medications, contemplating ingesting them all but the image in her mind of Tim finding her lifeless body would convince her giving up was not an option.

"Caroline" Tim called through the bathroom door.

"Be right out " she answered, wiping a tear escaping her eye. She dabbed a bit of cold water on her face before opening the door.

Tim smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I need to head to the university to take a makeup exam. Did you want to come along? I thought maybe some fresh air and a walk at the gardens after would help brighten your day" he suggested as they walked towards the kitchen.

"I..I'm not sure, Tim" she replied hesitantly.

Tim slowly slid his arms around her waist. He leaned his forhead against hers "I understand your uncertainty and I would never force you to go. Why don't you think about it while I take the test. When I get back, if you'd like to go then we will, ok" he offered not really wanting to leave her alone.

"Ok, I'll think about it" she replied.

"I should be back in about an hour or so. I'll let you know when I'm on my way home. You need anything, call me ok" he told her, kissing her softly on her lips before stepping away to grab his bag. She nodded, following him to the door, locking it behind him.

'Maybe he's right, maybe it's time to get back to normal, whatever that is...I did it before, hopefully I can again'   she thought to herself as she headed to the backroom.

****

Dr. Kim had recieved a copy of Caroline's medical records from the hospital where she'd been treated for the assault. He was angered by what he was reading knowing how detrimental the effects could be to her on going treatment and recovery from the tumor. "What kind of sick bastard treats another human,  especially a woman, this way" he said aloud as he tossed the file on his desk just as nurse Janzic walked in.

"Is there something wrong, Don" she asked closing the door behind her.

He walked over to her, pulling her in to a tight hug. "What has you so upset"  she asked as he held her close. He stepped back and showed her the report. She gasped when she read the detailed contents of what Caroline had endured. "Oh my, not that sweet young girl. And Tim..why..why would anyone be so cruel" she responded.

"Kristen, I don't understand either. It makes me sick " Don told her as he sat back down at the desk. "We need to get her back in here, before the 3 month followup."

****

Tim was about to contact Caroline as he headed towards his truck when his phone rang. It was Dena. "Hey momma, what's up".

"I was wondering if maybe you and Caroline would like to come over here for an early dinner. Emily thought it might be helpful for Caroline, that is if she feels up to it" Dena stated.

Tim thought it was a good idea as well. "Can I call you back, Im just leaving the campus now. I had a makeup exam to take and she's home alone at the moment"

"Absolutely, and if she's not ready, we totally understand" she replied.

Tim texted Caroline he was on his way home, receiving a simple ok reply back. He really felt getting her out of the apartment for awhile would be the best thing for her, especially since the long awaited surprise vacation he planned was in just a few weeks.

****

Caroline sat in the room, looking around it was exactly as it had been the day Tim startled her. Remembering how she elbowed him in the gut she couldn't help but chuckle a bit. He was so surprised by her quick reflex reaction.

Tim came in the apartment, calling to her as he shut the door. "I'm in the back room" she answered while he made his way down the hall.

He smiled as he saw her sitting in front of the unfinished painting as he walked in front of her, having learned his lesson the last time.

"Hey" she said looking up at him.

"Hey yourself. You been working?" he asked.

"No, not yet...I don't know if I can yet..my vision is still a bit blurry...and the motivation just isn't there" she said, a bit discouraged.

"Don't worry..when the time is right, you'll know..no need to rush" he told her.

"How was your exam? " she asked getting up from the stool.

"Not bad, didn't take as long as I thought it would" he replied "and my mom called. She and Emily wanted to know if you felt like coming over for an early dinner."

Caroline thought for a moment. If she was going to get through this, the best way would be with those who loved her. " Ok, I'd rather do that. I'm really not ready to be in public yet. Could you grab my medication while I change. I have no idea where my  sunglasses are either" she replied heading towards their room.

Tim quickly texted his mom saying they were coming and asked if they should bring anything. She replied they had everything they needed. He remembered her sunglasses were in her car. He ran out quick to get them so she wouldn't have to come outside without them. Walking back inside he saw her heading towards him. Despite her bruises she was still the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Her hair was braided to the side. She wore  a white polo with light yellow capris and tennis shoes. He smiled "darlin, you look beautiful".

Caroline smiled shyly, "you sure I look ok"

"Better than ok, absolutely beautiful" he replied.