Bad Things, Good Things By Melissa Diss "Maggie, what are you planning on doing for Christmas this year?" Dash McKinley enquired. "Well Dash, dad's going away so I was planning on sticking around the Mount, maybe even hosting a barbeque for everyone at the station", Maggie replied, clearly depressed at being alone for the holidays. "Well maggie, you'll have to count me out. Mum's cooking atraditional family christmas and all the relies are coming. You're quite welcome to come and join us, your more or less like a sister to me Maggie, it'll be fun". Maggie looked a bit disappointed. "No I don't think I will Dash, I'll see whether the boss, PJ or Nick are doing anything". Later that day at the station.......... "PJ", Dash called as she entered his office. "Mmmm, what do you want Dash", he replied; clearly engrossed in what he was looking at. "I was just wondering whether you were doing anything special this Christmas", she asked with a smirk on her face. "No not really why?" "Oh it's just Maggie's looking for someone to spend Christmas day with because her father has gone away and she'd be lonely by herself". PJ's eyes lit up. "Well she can come down to Melbourne with me then, I'm sure my mum wouldn't mind meeting Maggie in the flesh, I talk about her so much that she'd be glad to have her stay. She could have my bed and I could sleep on the couch, or even the floor", he replied getting quite excited at the prospect of a full week with just Maggie, himself and his mother. "Ahh, PJ, I don't think she'll go for that. I invited her to mum's house for a family get together but she said no. I think she feels as though she'd be out of place there, you know not being a member of the family and all". "But I classify her as family Dash, we probably could be family now if she didn't say she didn't want to go out with me anymore", he said. "So the truth finally comes out PJ, you do like her as more than just a best friend. I knew it all along but would Maggie listen to me? No. Now what's this about Maggie probably being family by now hey PJ?" Dash said, getting excited at the prospect of some gossip. "We....got together....but she said it was too difficult to work togetherand get romantically involved". "I don't understand why she would do that". "I don't understand it myself Dash", PJ replied looking down at what he had been previously reading. "What are you reading anyway?" Dash said as she looked over his shoulder. There in front of her eyes was a jeweller's catalogue. "I was just trying to decide on what to get Maggie for Christmas, it has to be something nice and sends a clear message that I want to be more than friends, but I don't want it to be a ring because that can look..how would you put it...a bit to pushy". "What about a bracelet PJ?" Dash said squinting down at the pictures in front of her. "Yeah I was thinking of that, what do you think about this one?" PJ enquired pointing at an elegant bracelet. "It's beautiful PJ, she'd love it", Dash said as she took a closer look at the picture; her eyes nearly popped out though when she saw the price. "PJ, you do know how much this is don't you?" "I know it's a bit steep but she's worth it", he said smiling. "Fair enough, but we've got to get Maggie to do something for Christmas with one of us so she won't be lonely". "Yeah, I'm just going out for a while.......to get this", PJ said as he pointed at the picture of the bracelet. He left the office whistling and praying that Maggie would say she'd go to Melbourne and spend Christmas with him. Later in the afternoon.... "Hi Mags", PJ said smiling broadly as he said it. "Hi PJ, what's up?" She replied, wanting to know why he was so happy all of a sudden. "Oh, I was just thinking about Christmas and what a wonderful time of year it is". "It's okay when you've got plans I must admit PJ, but if you don't have family around it can get pretty emotional". "That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about Mags, Mum wants you to come down and share Christmas with us, and I'd like that too. She's planned the whole thing from roasts too decorations to a big Christmas tree, and I'd be honoured and overjoyed to have you with me at one of the most special times of the year". "PJ, I thought we talked about our relationship a few weeks ago...." "I know that Maggie but we all need friends and family around at Christmas time". "PJ, I can't go, it doesn't feel right going down and meeting your mother when we are not seeing each other. It gives her false hopes and even more so to an extent you. I can't do that to either of you, putting you through an emotional turbine when it is not necessary". "Maggie, I only wanted you there as a friend. I understand that you only want to be best friends, I respect that, I just don't want to see my best friend left alone at Christmas time", his eyes look at her full of honesty, sincerity and hope that she'd say yes. "I can't PJ", she turned around and left the office as it was her knock off time. Around midnight............. "Maggie, are you home?" Dash yelled at the top of her lungs. Dash entered the lounge room and found Maggie in the corner on the floor scrunched up into a small ball. Her clothes were tattered and torn, there were traces of blood trickling down her face which mixed with the steady flow of tears. "Oh my god, Maggie what happened?" Dash ran to her side and took her in her arms but Maggie shrugged away from it. "D..don't touch me", she whimpered. Dash ran up to the telephone and called PJ straight away. "PJ you've got to get over here now, something's seriously wrong with Maggie, it looks as if she's been assaulted". "What? I'm on my way". PJ threw on his jeans and shirt and sped to Maggie's home, full of worry.   "Dash, dash! Where is she?"he said frantically when he arrived at the home. "In here, we've got to get her to the hospital, she's cut pretty badly. She won't let me touch her or go near her. I'm worried PJ". PJ ran over to Maggie's side and went to take her in his arms but she screamed, "Don't touch me.........don't". "Dash, no matter what we are taking her to the hospital". PJ swept her up into his arms and carried her to his car. "Dash drive, I'm going to hold Maggie". Maggie kicked and whimpered trying to get out of his firm grip, "Let me go, don't touch me". They drove quickly to the hospital and PJ carried her into casualty. "Zoe, come quick". "What's happened here PJ?" "I don't know myself Zoe, Dash came home and found her in this state and she rang me straight away". "It looks to me as if she's been raped PJ. The way in which she won't let anyone touch her and the way in which her clothes have been torn. I know it's a horrible thing to say but if it has happened then you are going to have to be patient with her and help her as much as you can to get through this, there are no miracle cures for these cases, it takes a lot of hard work to get back to a normal life". PJ's eyes clouded over, "I should have been there to protect her. You know she hates me protecting her, kind of ironic now isn't it. As soon as I'm not there to protect her something really bad happens to her and dammit I can't do anything about it", it was too much for him; he started to cry. Dash tried to comfort him and tell him it was going to be okay. "Dammit Dash, it's not going to be okay, she'll probably never be able to trust a guy again". Dash nodded in agreeance. "It'll take time but she'll get over it, she's just going to need your support PJ, a best friends support. Be that best friend you say you are to her PJ", Dash replied full of sincerity. PJ nodded.   Meanwhile in the examination cubicle.... "Maggie you can trust me you know, tell me what happened tonight?" Maggie shook her head and receded back into what seemed a safe and secure little world of her own. "Maggie, I think I know what happened to you tonight; you were raped weren't you? You've got to help the others catch this creep and put him behind bars for the rest of his life Maggie". Maggie nodded and finally began to speak some sense. "Your right Zoe, but I feel so dirty, PJ must hate me now, probably never wants to touch me again. I don't know whether I'd be able to trust a guy ever again". "Maggie, it's going to take time, time heals old wounds, you'll be all right in time. Now let me tend to these wounds". Zoe went about her work and quickly yet carefully bandaged the cuts and bruises on Maggie's body. "There we go, now I want you to go home and try and get some sleep. You can give Dash a description and the details in the morning". Maggie nodded her head in response. Zoe walked her out into the main foyer where Dash and PJ waited tensley for news. PJ stood up as soon as he saw Maggie and Zoe walk out of the cubicle. He wanted to go up and hold her, take away all the hurt that she must be feeling and make things the way that they used to be, the time when they were in the mine. Zoe shook her head; a message to PJ not to touch her or pressure her in any way. Dash walked solemnly up to Maggie and took her arm, "Let's go home, you need some sleep Maggie, we'll talk in the morning". Maggie nodded in reply. PJ took the keys from his jeans pocket and lead the two ladies to his vechile. He drove them home in silence, a silence which penetrated deep into PJ's soul. "We're here", his voice broke the silence. He walked the two up to the front door, "Well I guess I'd better go". "PJ come in for a coffee", Dash spoke up secretly wanting to have a talk about Maggie's welfare and what they were going to do. "Okay". Dash brought Maggie to her bedroom and tucked her in. "I'm in the next room if you need me, call me for anything, and I mean anything Maggie". Maggie nodded sleepily, still shaking. Dash exited the room turning off the light and went to see PJ. "How could this happen?"PJ asked as soon as she entered the lounge. "I don't know PJ, I just hope we catch this scumbag before he hurts anyone else". "Where were you this evening Dash?" PJ said accusingly. "This is not my fault PJ, I have a life to live too". "Yeah I know, sorry". "Listen I'll be taking Maggie to Melbourne with me whether she wants to or not, she needs to be around people that love her". "Yeah, that's fair enough PJ. Look you can sleep on the couch here tonight just in case something happens". "Mmm, okay". "I'm heading to bed, night PJ". "Night Dash". PJ slipped off his jeans and shirt down to his boxers and threw the rug on the couch over himself. As soon as his head hit the cushion his mind was full of thoughts and worries of Maggie's welfare. I love you, you know. I never wanted you to be hurt, my protection didn't work. I wish I could protect you from all the hurts in the world but I can't. A loud piercing scream broke the night's silence. PJ ran into Maggie's room as fast as he could, afraid that the rapist had returned. Maggie was sitting upright in her bed as white as a sheet. She seemed shocked to see PJ in her room wearing only boxers, Dash was not far behind him. "Are you all right?" PJ asked full of concern. "I'm fine", her reply was curt, almost full of anger and resentment. "Maggie?" Dash asked, wondering what was going on with her friend. PJ left the two ladies alone to talk. "How dare you sleep with PJ in my house Dash". "I'm not Maggie, he's on the couch here to protect you and be with you. He loves you Maggie, if he had his way he'd be in that bed with you holding you, never wanting to let you go, there to protect you from everything and to help you over come your ordeal" Maggie's face clouded over with apologies, "I'm sorry, I know you wouldn't, but then again Gina did". "Night Maggie". Dash went back to her bedroom full of resentment that Maggie would actually think she'd sleep with PJ.   In the morning..... Dash walked in as Pj was slipping on his jeans. His muscles rippled with each movement he made. Mmm not bad, Dash said to herself. Maggie is lucky to have him. "Morning PJ", she said cheerfully. "Ah morning Dash, how is she?" "Well better than last night, she actually thought I was sleeping with you last night, she was quite hysterical". "I'm going to leave for Melbourne this afternoon with her, is it all right if I ring mum and let her know what has happened?" "Yeah sure PJ". PJ rang his mother and had a long heart to heart discussion with her about the circumstances surrounding Maggie's ordeal. She too agreed that it would be best for her to come down, she needed a woman to talk too and eventually and hopefully she'd turn to her son for love and comfort. "Dash, I'll be leaving around two this afternoon, before then I need you to get a comprehensive description of the guy that hurt Maggie and a comprehensive description of everything he done to her, I want this pig to pay for everything he has done to her". "Sure PJ". "I know she won't want to talk about it with me, I respect that Dash. I'm going to give her as much space and time that she needs". Dash nodded.   Back at the office.... "Tom, can I speak to you please", PJ asked. Tom was caught by surprise. "Yeah sure PJ, come into my office". "Listen Tom, Maggie was raped last night. Dash came home and found her in a heap on the floor crying and bleeding. She's going to be okay in time, but I was hoping you'd give her a couple of weeks off. Mum wants me to take her to Melbourne for Christmas and rehabilitation, she's got a diploma in that kind of rehab". "PJ, there's no worry I'll give her the time off. You don't have to play coy with me though PJ and spin stories about diploma's. I know you love Maggie, I've been able to see it for a while now. I just want you to know that she may not want you close to her for a while, she needs space". "I understand that Tom, but she needs to be around people who love her at Christmas. Of all the bloody times it had to happen at Christmas when her father is away". "Yeah, send her my love PJ". "I will Tom". PJ exited the office and headed back home to pack his bags. Once he had finished this task he drove over to Maggie's home to pick her up.   Maggie's home.... "Dash, is she ready to go?" "She says she doesn't want to go PJ". "She may say that Dash but she needs the help. I promise I'll look after her". "I packed her bags anyway. There in her bedroom, she's in the kitchen". PJ nodded in reply. He walked into Maggie's bedroom and took a long look around, it reminds me so much of her. I could have spent time in here with you, now all I hope for is that you can recover from this ordeal my love. He picked up her bags and put them in the boot of his car. "Mags, it's time to go". "I'm not going". "Mags, you are going", he replied sternly. She stood up thanked Dash and sat in the passenger's seat of PJ's car. "Listen Dash we'll ring you tonight okay". "Yeah thanks PJ". They drove all the way to Melbourne in an uncomfortable silence and pulled up in front of Mrs Hasham's home. "Well this is the place Maggie". "It's nice", she replied feeling obligated to say something. "C'mon", PJ took her hand and led her to the front door. Mrs Hasham gave them the warmest welcome, she was so friendly and nice, just like PJ could be when he cared about you. "Maybe you would like an afternoon nap Maggie, Patrick can show you where your bed is". She had a beautiful smile and was so understanding, PJ was lucky to have her as a mother. "Mags, you can sleep here, it's my old bedroom. We don't have much room in this little house, after all it was just mum and me here. I'll be sleeping on the floor tonight, I hope you don't mind, it's the best that we've got". "It's fine PJ. Call me later when it's dinner time". PJ nodded, "Rest well". He headed back into the lounge room to catch up with his mother. "She's really nice Patrick, I just hope she can recover from this". "I know mum, I love her so much, it hurts me to see her like this". "Come here Patrick". His mother hugged him, hating to see him upset. It was so unusual to see him upset, he used to be such a ladies man, I guess he really fell in love this time. Later that evening... "Maggie dear, it's dinner time", Mrs Hasham called as she entered PJ's room. "I'm awake", Maggie replied. "Maggie you can talk to me about anything you realise, I'm not going to bite you, hurt you or think any less of you". "I know I should talk about what happened but I still feel dirty and insecure", Maggie replied still full of hurt. "I'm here when your ready Maggie". They both walked together to the dining room where PJ had been hard at work preparing dinner, a lovely spread of lebanese foods especially for his mother. "Mags, I hope you don't mind lebanese food. I guess you've never tried it before, I was going to cook you some one day but I never got around to it". He was babbling, unsure of himself. "PJ it's okay, I like it". Maggie could tell that he was at a loss for words, she pitied him. They ate dinner that night amongst conversation and old tales of PJ when he was a child, many a time PJ went a dark shade of red in embarrassment. Maggie felt like she was part of the family and for a moment felt like nothing wrong had ever happened to her. After dinner Mrs Hasham asked Maggie whether she would go for a walk along the beach with her, Maggie obliged and they set off together while PJ washed up. During their one hour walk Maggie began to open up to Mrs Hasham, evening describing some of the things that had happened to her that horrible night. Mrs Hasham was very understanding and really felt for the girl. "Listen Maggie, there's a lot of bad stuff in this world but there is also a lot of good stuff out there as well. We've got to learn what the good stuff is and try and forget that the bad stuff exists". "By the good stuff you mean PJ, don't you?"Maggie asked in almost a whisper. "In a way I do Maggie, he can be a bit of a handful sometimes but he can also be very loving and sensitive when it counts. He doesn't think any less of you dear". "I understand that, it's just I feel dirty, I feel as though I have betrayed him in some way". "Maggie you have not betrayed him in anyway. That only comes with a husband and wife cheating on one another. Tell him how you feel, he can help you through this". Maggie nodded with tears in her eyes. Mrs Hasham had given her a lot to think about in the course of one hour.   Later that night... "Mags, the showers one door to the left from my bedroom. You can use it first. I hope you don't mind the sleeping arrangements", PJ said full of anxiety. "I feel a bit horrible kicking you out of your bed PJ", Maggie replied. "No it's fine, they say the floor is better for your back anyway", he grinned. Maggie caught onto this ambiguous meaning and smiled back at him. After Maggie had showered PJ entered the bathroom and prepared himself for bed. Maggie smiled when he entered the bedroom wearing a pair of skimpy boxer shorts which showed her everything anyway, they certainly didn't hide anything. "What's so funny?"he asked, a bit hurt at her reaction. "Nothing". "Mum gave me these for christmas last year and to show my appreciation I wear them everytime I stay here". "Okay", Maggie replied. PJ settled down on the floor and turned off the light. "Goodnight Mags, hope you sleep well. If you need anything give me a call". Maggie replied, "PJ come up here, I want to talk to you". PJ's face clearly showed the surprise he was feeling. She patted the bed beside her, and PJ sat down. "PJ, what happened to me was terrible.But I've got to try and get on with my life and forget the bad things. Your mother told me that, she's really nice PJ and very understanding, I can see where you get some of your charm from". PJ smiled at this. "PJ, you've been there for me when I needed it, even if I didn't appreciate it or showed anything in return". "You done the same thing to me Maggie when I shot Raelene Darcy, that's what friends are for Maggie". "PJ, we're more than that, well I hope we are. I kind of thought that, well this may sound stupid.." "Nothing you'd say would be stupid Maggie". "Well I kind of thought we were more like soul mates". PJ smiled at this. "PJ, I don't want to push you away anymore. I want you to hold me tonight and forever more". She took PJ's hand in hers, "I love you PJ". "And I love you to Maggie, always have, always will". Maggie took the first step and kissed PJ gently. "PJ, let's take it slow; but I want you to cleanse me tonight, take away all the bad things that have happened to me", her voice was full of love and innocence. PJ nodded and gently slid into bed next to her. He held her close to his chest and gentley kissed her. It was like it was their first time making love to another person. It lasted all night, something new to them both. It was full of romance and love which would keep them together for ever. At about 6 am they fell asleep in each others arms. At 8 am Mrs Hasham came to wake the two sleepy heads but was shocked and overjoyed to see them asleep in each others arms, she left the room as quiet as a mouse and smiled. They both looked so at peace with themselves that she didn't want to disturb them. Later that day... PJ awoke at around 4.30 and looked around the familiar surroundings of his childhood, the only difference this time was that he had he woman he loved and hoped to marry in his arms. It was the perfect combination, the perfect life. Maggie slowly stirred and looked up at him with such adoration and love, "Thank-you", she whispered. "I love you", he whispered back. He gentley kissed her on the lips remembering what a fantastic night they had shared. "By the way Maggie, Merry Christmas". "It's Christmas already?" Maggie asked , quite shocked that she had lost track of the days. He nodded and kissed her forehead. They both got out of bed and dressed themselves, preparing themselves for Christmas dinner. Pj held Maggie's hand as they entered the dining room. There his mother was hard at work preparing a traditional lebanese christmas. PJ released Maggie's hand and snuck up on his mother. He hugged her from behind and spun her around giving her the biggest shock of her life. "Patrick....let me down now if you want your christmas present", PJ gently released her from his grip and said "Present time". They all walked into the lounge room and sat in front of the christmas tree. Maggie said, "PJ, I don't have anything for you", looking clearly disappointed. "You've given me the best thing of all Maggie", he replied as he leant over and gentley kissed her. Mrs Hasham smiled at this gesture. "Now mum, I didn't really know what to get you this year so I only got you a gift voucher, that way you can spend it on anything you want to okay". Mrs Hasham nodded, "You didn't have to give me anything monetary based PJ, just seeing you is enough". PJ blushed at this. "Now mum don't embarrass me in front of guests". Mrs Hasham laughed heartily. "Maggie, I didn't really know what to get you this year, we've had our ups and downs, and well I saw this and knew it was made for you". PJ produced a slender velvet box which Maggie looked shocked to see, "Go on, open it". Maggie gentley opened the box to find a stunning bracelet before her. "It's beautiful PJ, thank-you, but you shouldn't have", tears were beginning to form in her eyes. She leant over and kissed him. "You were worth every cent". He leant over and clasped the bracelet around her slender wrist, a gesture of love. Mrs Hasham was overjoyed. That night they sat down to a fantastic dinner with everything you could imagine. The place was full of vibrant love and passion, a real togetherness. At midnight, Maggie and PJ said goodnight to Mrs Hasham and headed to bed, together. "PJ, you know how I didn't give you a christmas present , a real christmas present". "You don't have too Maggie". "But I want to, PJ will you marry me?" PJ broke into a big smile, "Of course I will". They both kissed each other full of love. That night they made love to one another all night again, however this time they let loose all their passion and love that had been bottled up inside for so long.     THE END