Not edited.

Tara waited for one of the restrooms to be free. It wasn't so much the need to go but the need for a moment to reflect on what Lucas had to say.

This Lucas was as scary as hell! This Lucas was one she personally never wanted to deal with. This Lucas reminded her of back then... and that was scary.

She was slowly putting the pain of that night behind her. It was taking time and she was getting there but moments like this made her catch her breath and question her strength to move on.

She felt herself being pushed backward slightly by a woman leaving the restroom and her eyes widened in shock as the woman sneered at her and pushed her to the side.

It was Tara's turn and she didn't hesitate to take it. A closed door with a flimsy lock was better protection than nothing right?

Sounds started to quieten as women returned to the main restaurant. She waited until there was no noise left before flushing the loo that she didn't use. Her mind was on the woman and her reaction to seeing her in front of her as she came out. The briefest of shocks had turned to absolute hatred.

Fear pitted in the bottom of her stomach and she reached for her phone in her jacket with a shaky hand. Sliding across the screen she saw that she had a single bar of coverage. Relief filled with tension as she hoped that it was enough.

Lucas. Do you have a picture of Ellie?

She crossed her fingers and waited.

Where are you?

In the restroom.

The next musical tone brought her the picture she needed to see.

It was Ellie. The woman she saw was Ellie.

She was here.

I'm coming to get you.

She gulped down the lump in her throat and opened the door to step out. She saw no one and quickly washed her hands and opened the outer door.

"Hello little girl."

Ellie was standing in the doorway of the next toilet stall. Her mouth curled in obvious dislike.

Tara had turned and now looked her up and down. There was no way she'd let Ellie see the fear she felt.

"Hello Ellie."

"So you know who I am?"

"Oh everyone knows who you are. Your desperate attempts to get Lucas are well known."

Ellie's nostrils flared.

"How dare you! You little bîtch. You ruined everything. I was something before little miss prim came along."

Tara looked at the woman and started to laugh.

"God. To think I was scared of you. Look at you" Tara swept a hand towards the woman "you have to be one of the most deperate women I've ever seen. Obviously you think that outfit looks great but honestly... you really need to stop shopping in the little girls section because the amount of material in those clothes isn't enough to cover your mouth let alone your whole body!"

Ellie clenched her fists beside her.

"You bitch!"

Ellie's temper flared again as Tara started to laugh.

"Oh please honey. My best friend's gay. I take being called a bítch a compliment."

"I would never compliment you!"

Tara pretended to think for a moment before replying.

"You're right. You just don't compliment anything do you? You're a waste of space and right now you're wasting my time."

"I haven't finished with you yet you... you..."

Tara started to giggle.

"See... old and forgetful. You really should see someone about that before you lose all your marbles altogether."

"How dare you!" Ellie shrieked as she took a step forward.

"Oh I dare. I dare more than you'll ever realise."

Ellie pointed a finger at her.

"You'll pay for this!"

Tara swiped a hand over her clothes.

"God will you stop talking. All you're doing is spitting all over me!"

Ellie made the sound of collecting spit in her mouth and Tara cringed and instantly felt sick.

"You don't want to do that old woman."

Ellie chuckled darkly then choked as Tara grabbed her around the throat. The door Tar had been holding didn't close as a hand reached out and pushed it open wide.

Ellie's hands were on Tara's arms and her fingernails were leaving welts and scratches where ever they landed.

Tara held back the screams she wanted to scream at the pain. Her fingers curled harder as she fought to control the temper she so very desperately wanted to unleash.

"Stop fúcking hurting me!" Tara yelled at Ellie "Look at you! Honestly.. you're a pathetic old cow who's gone past her use by date. Seriously... you just need to give the fúck up."

"Never!" Ellie coarse ground out as she swallowed the spit from her mouth.

"You don't have a choice. I'm not the scared little girl you thought I was. I've been beaten, starved, neglected and raped and I've still come out the other side as a better person because of it. I'm stronger than I've ever been..."

"Your father sold you! You're a whôre. Bought and paid for."

Tara refused to let Ellie see just how much those worda affected her.

"Meh... whatever" she shrugged "He was weak. I'm not. I take after my mother... and you're not worth my time."

She let Ellie go and walked towards the door before looking back at Ellie who was leaning against the wall with her hand to her neck.

"I really hope you didn't másturbate while you were waiting for me. I'd hate to explain to a doctor why I have an std on my arms."

Ellie's mouth dropped im shock before she recovered.

"Lucas belongs to me Tara."

Tara's eyes narrowed.

"Please. Continue to think that. We all like a good laugh at the clown's expense."

"You bítch!"

"You have no idea Ellie. I'm a survivor. I've fought for years to get where I am and I'll be damned before I'll let a washed out old hag like yourself take the guy I love."

She turned and walked past three extremely shocked brothers to go to Keiran who was waiting in the walkway for her.

Each brother stood with their own reasoning for the look on their faces.

Maxon was shocked to hear Tara say most of what she said without a mass of swear words like he'd have no problem using.

Damon was shocked that the little woman walking past was a spitfire who held Ellie against the wall.

Lucas stood numb, unable to recall anything but four words Tara said.

The guy I love.