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*Michael's POV*

Shit. I didn't think about that. Unfortunately she's right about if the fans find out. But there has to be something we can do. It's not her fault this happened, it's not her fault I fell in love with her. We wouldn't even be here talking to Modest if it wasn't for her!
"Angel, Cara, we can figure this out."
"No we can't. It's public record. They've probably already figured it out."
"ASHTON!" I yell out the door. He comes running back and sees Cara crying on the floor.

"CareBear what's wrong?"
"I've ruined you guys. If I haven't yet, it won't take them long. I'm sorry," she cries. He looks at me questioningly.

"She's already getting hate, without the rape being known about," I explain He pieces it together.
"CareBear? Look at me," she looks up, "I'm going to go explain to them, explain what happened, and about the hate. Maybe they can help figure something out, ok? That's why they're here." She nods. "Do you want to be there too? Or would you rather me do it?"
"Mikey, can you explain, with Ash's help? I'll be there too but I just... can't."
"Absolutely angel."

We head back out and return to the couch where Calum was discussing security for Regan with them. I sit back down and pull Cara onto my lap. Calum puts his hand on her knee reassuringly as Ashton sits next to me, holding her hand. Luke returns from the kitchen and sits between Ashton's and my legs. We're making a stand. Through the laptop, they watch the interaction. They finally speak up. Prior to Cara running off, it was all business, but now...

"She means a lot to all four of you." All four of us nod without saying a word.
"Okay." There was a pause before they spoke again.
"Cara, I'm sorry for being so blunt, but the more we know, the more we can help." Cara wanted me to explain.

"I'll tell you what you need to know," I started. "A month before Cara moved here, she had gotten drunk and was raped by a supposed friend. But she couldn't remember what happened. Only the aftermath. It had messed her up, really bad." I pulled her in tight and she buried her face in my chest. "After we met, her memory started to come back to her in bits and pieces, and she gradually remembered the rape happening. She pressed charges. He was found guilty. That was the trial. We were all called as witnesses because we were all with Cara's at her uncle's home for Christmas when she remembered the final piece, the rape itself. I was the only one of us that was with her through all them." I pause before continuing, rubbing her arm as I speak, "Cara is already receiving hate from fans. They absolutely cannot find out about the rape or the trial." I wrap both of my arms around her for a Mikey hug and hold her until they address her.

"Cara?" She turns sightly, just enough for eye contact. "We will do everything in our power to get those files sealed, okay? I can't begin to imagine what you went through. You want to put it in your past and you want to leave it there. We'll help you."
"Thank you" she says.

"Now, we need to discuss security. Michael, explain your home to us, neighbors, privacy, interactions with neighbors, documentation of your home."
"Oh sure, we are renting a house nearby. It's very private. You can't see it from the street. There are trees surrounding it. We've never seen or spoken to the neighbors. When we did the paperwork for it, she never ran credit, or checked references. She accepted us on the spot. She knows of the band and that privacy is crucial."
"Thank you. Let us see what we can do. I can tell by our conversations today that Cara is the biggest concern right now. We'll get back to you soon." They disconnect and there's silence.

*Cara's POV*

"I can tell by our conversations today that Cara is the biggest concern right now"

This isn't right. We were sopposed to be talking about 5SOS' security, with the management company that is recording their album and I become the biggest concern? Part of me wants to think it's because I mean that much to the band and they're more concerned about me than themselves. That bothers me though, because they need to worry about their own safety first.

But the other part of me knows that I'm a big concern because, like I said before, my past could ruin them. Their career is what matters most and right now, I am the one standing in the way. Me and my stupid fucked up past.

I stand up off Michael's lap quickly. "Can you take me home Michael?" I really need to get out of here. Being around these four is a constant reminder of what I'm messing up for them.

"No." I whip around in shock at Michael. "Wha-what do you mean no?" I ask him.

"I mean no. I can see all the contorted thoughts running through your head. I don't know exactly what they are, but I'm not giving you a chance to do anything stupid, so no. I'm not taking you home. I'm not taking you anywhere."

I'm dumbfounded and speechless. I just stand there not knowing what to say. Calum speaks first, looking me in the eyes and softly says, "Talk to us Care. Please?" Fuck. How do you say no to those soft puppy eyes?

"Fine," I huff, "It's plain and simple. My past is ruining your chances of a future." I blurt out, as my vision becomes blurry. No tears. No. I'm sick of crying and I'm sure they're sick of seeing it. I turn and walk back to what used to be Michael's room. The emptiness echoes my heart right now. Only one thing ever makes the emptiness go away, the arms that are wrapping around me right now.

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