A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed! nelli3, The Shadow Wolfe, thank you for the kind compliments, I was kind of afraid to post this but you guys put me at ease. Guest, I hope you like this chapter, Draco Mercer, if you're still reading this, I'm not sure your comment was expressing dislike for my story as a whole or the sensitive subject matter (I'd totally understand either way) or if I'm misinterpreting it completely and maybe you're just saying that the chapter was sad, but whatever the case, I respect your opinion. Just wish it wasn't so ambiguous, but whatever. Thanks for the review nonetheless!

Well, without further ado, here's the next chapter.

Give Her Time

It was almost six in the morning when Mabel was told she could go home. As it turned out, they needed to wait for some of the swelling to go down in her shoulder to make sure that surgery wasn't necessary. When she first went in, it was apparently so bad there was a possibility that they might not have been able to properly get the dislocated joint back in place without it. They took her in for another X-Ray, and seemed satisfied with the results, but they cautioned that she needed to rest and that if there were any problems to come back immediately.

A nurse had to help her change so Dipper stepped outside of the cubicle for privacy, exhausted and emotionally spent. Mabel was distant and quiet, impossible to read. Ever since he found out the truth, her entire demeanour had changed. She had no reason to try and pretend anymore, so she merely closed herself off and shut down, only speaking when she had to, barely acknowledging he was there.

He knew she regretted him finding out what her latest would-be boyfriend Scott did to her, and he felt like a jerk for seeking out the truth behind her back. He both regretted doing it, because he should've found out on Mabel's terms, not his, but at the same time he was glad he knew. Now Mabel didn't have to suffer alone. It was too bad Mabel didn't seem to see it that way. But maybe with time. Right now she was still in shock and it was all to overwhelming to make sense of anything. He just hoped she realized he was motivated by love and concern more than anything else, and that no matter what, she could count on him to always be there for her to support her, whether she wanted it or not.

While he was waiting for Mabel to get dressed, her doctor and another nurse took him aside. They gave him some prescriptions to fill, for pain and anxiety. They suggested she get an appointment with her regular doctor as soon as possible and recommended that she get counselling, warning him of the possibility of PTSD, and then told him of some of the signs to look out for. But they shouldn't push her either unless she was becoming a danger to herself or others.

It was a lot to take in.

He ran his hands through his hair and released a deep breath, allowing a moment to collect himself before he went back to Mabel.

That was when the guarded curtain opened.

The two police officers guided the patient out of the cubicle in handcuffs. Even though he didn't see his face, Dipper recognized him immediately and his fists clenched in rage. "You!" he hissed, storming towards them. The male officer held his hand up to stop him as the one in handcuffs turned to look at him, his face bruised and his nose wrapped in bandages.

"Stand back, kid," the officer warned.

"He hurt my sister!" Dipper protested, wanting to hurt him in return. He took satisfaction in the sight of the dark bruising around his bloodshot eyes and the obviously broken nose, and the odd way he carried himself as he walked, like he took a serious blow to the crotch, but it wasn't enough. He attacked Mabel, he beat her up and violated her and deserved to suffer. Dipper was blinded by anger and hate towards this guy.

"Yeah well look what the bitch did to my face!" he snapped in return, "That little slut was asking for it!"

If Dipper was thinking rationally he would know that what he did next was stupid. He charged, shoving past the officer going in for the attack, enraged that he would have the audacity to talk that way about Mabel, after what he did, after what he attempted to do.

"Back off, kid!" the officer grabbed Dipper and pulled him away as he went after Scott ready to strike, instead he swung at the person holding him back and keeping him away from his sister's attacker. The next thing he knew he was pressed face down on the nurses' counter, his arm twisted painfully behind his back, "Kid, don't be stupid," he said as Dipper struggled under his hold, "I know you're mad, I know you want to hurt this guy for what he did, and believe me he deserves it, but try that again and I will have to arrest you too."

"Dipper…stop."

It was Mabel's voice, hoarse and weary, full of pain and exhaustion and a strange calmness. It pulled Dipper out of his enraged stupor and he stopped resisting and when he was released from his hold he straightened up, embarrassed, muttering a quick apology when he realized suddenly that he had been fighting a police officer.

He turned his attention to Mabel who was standing unsteadily just outside her cubicle, now changed into some fresh scrubs. Her eyes rested on Scott and she held her breath.

"This isn't over, bitch," he threatened with a sneer.

"I…I think it is," she replied, holding her chin up defiantly, refusing to let him see her fear.

"You come anywhere near my sister again…"

"Try and stop me!" he hissed, "Bitch has it coming!"

"Hey!" the female officer snapped, giving Scott a shake, "You best be quiet. Now come on!" she turned him around and started to lead him towards the exit, her partner joining them.

Scott called after them as they were leaving through the door, "See you later, Mabel, this isn't over! This isn't over!"

Dipper resisted his urge to go after him, instead he turned back to Mabel who was trembling, her face sheet white. She swayed unsteadily, folding over herself. The nurse who had helped her change was trying to coax her into a wheelchair but she motioned to her that she was OK.

"You really should sit down," she stated, Mabel nodded reluctantly and eased into the chair, relieved to be sitting.

"Mabel…" Dipper breathed rushing to her side, "Are you…?"

"Get away from me," she snapped.

Dipper was taken aback, but he did as he was told.

"All of you!" she added. "Just…give me a minute."

The nurse was taken aback as well but she nodded, motioning Dipper to give Mabel her space. "Come on, I think there's a bit more paperwork to take care of before you go."

There wasn't paperwork, except for some forms that their parents needed to fill out and sign when they got back from their trip, but it was a chance to give Mabel a moment and to help Dipper get back into a more rational headspace.

"I don't understand, we…we always turn to each other when we're going through stuff, why…?"

"You're a man," the nurse replied bluntly.

"I'm her brother, her twin brother, that's different."

"I know, but she's been through a lot tonight. It's a lot for her to deal with, and this kind of trauma, I don't think she believes you can help her with this," the nurse said, "especially with you losing your cool in front of her, in front of the whole ER, she probably feels humiliated enough as it is."

"So I bump into the guy who brutally attacked her and I'm supposed to just let it go?" Dipper scoffed.

"He was in handcuffs," the nurse pointed out.

"Doesn't matter," Dipper fumed, "he hurt my sister."

"I know you want to protect her, I know you want justice, but do you think she wants you to be stupid and get yourself arrested? You attacked a police officer to get to him, you're lucky he let you go," the nurse added.

"I know it was stupid, but what else was I supposed to do, huh?" Dipper felt his eyes burn from the sting of tears, "I have to do something!"

"I know it's difficult, and I know it's a lot to deal with, I can't imagine how helpless you must feel, but what your sister needs right now is for you to be strong and support her with whatever she needs. Right now she needs some space, but give her time and she will come around," she said gently, "don't push her, you need to show her you trust her and she needs to see that she can trust you."

Dipper wiped his eyes and nodded, guilt twisting in his gut. He'd already gotten to a terrible start, betraying that trust to find out the truth. No wonder she was pushing him away. Despite the nurse's sage advice, he had no idea what to do, or how to earn that trust back, but he would have to try.

The nurse handed him some tissues and gave him a pat on the back before going back to help other patients. He sat on a chair and waited, keeping his distance when the nurse finally went to check on her and he could hear them talking quietly for a moment or two before the curtain opened.

He released a heavy sigh when he saw Mabel awkwardly standing by her bed, wearing the blue-green hospital scrubs they loaned her and her dark purple coat, the sling on her arm hidden under the corduroy fabric, the sleeve dangling empty at her side. When she saw him she gave him a weak smile without really looking at him, and started walking outside, her body hunched over and stiff, clearly in great pain, and not just her shoulder. He quickly followed her, hovering with worry. She seemed very shaky on her feet, and avoided everyone's gaze as she walked, shrugging him off when she swayed and stumbled and he reached to keep her steady.

When they got outside she stopped, scanning the parking lot.

"I don't know where you parked," she murmured softly.

"Wait here, I'll go get the car," he said. She gave a curt nod and he scurried off. When he pulled up to the curb she was sitting on a bench staring off into space, not focusing on anything, not really aware of him pulling up until he was climbing out of the driver's seat, gently calling her name.

She startled slightly and when recognition set in she nodded and gingerly pushed herself up with her good arm and waved off his help as she carefully climbed in.

The drive home was awkward and quiet. Dipper tried to break the quiet by offering to buy breakfast on the way home but Mabel softly replied that she was tired and just wanted to go to bed.

When they pulled into the driveway and Dipper started to climb out Mabel stopped him, putting her hand on her brother's knee.

"Don't tell anyone what happened, OK?" she asked, her voice oddly quiet and meek, speaking as though it pained her to have to bring it up. "Especially mom and dad. They would be furious if they knew I went to a New Year's party without permission. They told me I couldn't go. They said I wasn't allowed to see Scott, they would be so mad, please don't tell them."

Dipper swallowed and nodded. He didn't know that she wasn't allowed to go to that party. He didn't know she had been forbidden to see Scott. Though to be fair he didn't ask and their parents never said anything to him. But he hated the idea of Mabel going to that party too, and he had such bad feelings about Scott but he didn't say anything. He should've said something. But he didn't. He didn't because he knew that it would've made Mabel mad and it wouldn't have changed things, she still would've gone. She still would've seen him. But maybe if Dipper followed his instincts and decided to tag along and went to the party as well, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

"It's bad enough that you know, I don't want anyone else finding out, OK? Promise me?"

He nodded again, though her words stung.

"Promise me!" she begged.

"I…I promise," he replied quietly, not understanding why. If nothing bad happened, Mabel would've been grounded maybe, but considering what did happen, they would've understood, they would've been supportive and had her back. That's what she needed, so why would she prefer to keep it to herself? Why would she rather suffer alone than seek comfort in her family, the people she cared about most and who would always love and support her no matter what? Why would she shut him and everyone else out?

Mabel looked him in the eyes then, as though studying him and trying to figure out if he meant it. If he would stay true to his promise, no matter how much he might've disagreed. His heart broke at the raw pain, grief and shame in her eyes, and it was almost a relief when she broke eye contact and gave a firm nod, satisfied and reached her uninjured arm across her lap to open the passenger door, gingerly climbing out.

As he climbed out after her a thought occurred to him. He tried to resist speaking, knowing Mabel didn't want to talk about it but he couldn't help himself, "But won't they find out anyway?"

"Are you going to tell them?"

"No, I won't unless you say I can, but…"

"Then they won't find out."

"But…won't they find out when you have to go to court?"

"Why would I go to court?"

"Because he attacked you, he…he tried to…surely that means you'll have to go to court sooner or later?"

"Only if I press charges."

"Wait, you're not? But why?"

"None of your business, OK?" she snapped.

"Then why was he arrested?"

Mabel squeezed her eyes shut, ducking her head almost sheepishly, pained to answer him, "He had an outstanding arrest warrant."

Dipper nearly choked from shock.

"I didn't know this when I met him! I didn't know this until we were at the hospital! They arrested him for attacking me, but held him for these other charges. I don't know what they are for and I don't care. I'm never seeing him again so it doesn't matter. They took my statement in case I change my mind, but I won't. So that's it. It's over."

He knew that she was only fooling herself, and now he had something else to worry about, besides her well-being. What if Scott retaliated? He already made the threat, what's to stop him for carrying it out? He already had a criminal record, and judging by the sorry state Mabel was in, it was probably for something violent and dangerous. Maybe Mabel wasn't the first girl he assaulted. Maybe she wouldn't be the last either. Speaking out and seeking justice had its own dangers, but so did staying silent.

Dipper bit his tongue, knowing it wasn't the time to ask her to reconsider. If it was all a lot for him to process, he couldn't imagine how much it was for her. Maybe she would change her mind on her own time, after she had a chance to process and heal. Right now, it was clearly too much for her and Dipper had to try and understand that and he had to support her and respect her decisions, whether he agreed with them or not. Right now it was all too new, shock still hadn't had a chance to wear off. He just needed to give her time.

"So…what do we tell them?" Dipper asked quietly.

"Same thing I told you," she replied, "I fell down the stairs. I tripped over the cat and dislocated my shoulder trying to catch myself and hit my head on the banister."

He didn't like how easily the lie came to her.

She seemed to sense that and added, "It's not a lie. Not entirely. I really did fall down some stairs. Sort of. Scott…he…he pushed me...after he...after he tried to..." her voice trailed off, she seemed to struggle to finish her sentence, but she didn't need to. The haunted look in her eyes, the hitch of her breath and the fear in her face said enough. It was like she was back there, reliving it in her mind.

"I'm going to kill him," Dipper seethed without thinking.

"No," Mabel gasped, suddenly back in the present, "No! You won't do anything of the sort. You stay away from him, OK?"

"After what he did? Why are you protecting him?" he hissed.

"Him? I'm trying to protect you dummy!" she snapped back. "I know now what he's capable of. If it weren't for Grunkle Stan teaching me how to fight…I might not have gotten away. He might've..." she shuddered, a lone tear escaped her haunted eyes as she drew in a shaky breath, "he might've…you know. But he didn't. He didn't, OK? So I'm fine. You don't need to avenge my honour or anything. Just…stay away from him. I don't want you to get hurt."

Dipper's stomach rolled with nausea, worried she was trying to convince herself more than she was trying to convince him that it didn't get that far. He swallowed hard, hoping he was reading into things. Surely, he was reading into things. "OK. OK, you're right. But what am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know," Mabel replied, "just, forget about it. Let's just put this behind us and move on, OK? I don't want to deal with this anymore. I'm done. As far as we or anyone else is concerned, he's just another bad boyfriend to add to the list, nothing more. Just let it go and stop worrying about it, I'm fine."

"I don't think I can do that."

Mabel sighed, "I know. But either way, I'm done talking about it. Can we go inside now? I'm freezing."

Dipper nodded and unlocked the door, holding it open for Mabel letting her lead the way inside. She immediately headed upstairs to her room with Dipper hovering behind. She hissed in pain as she slid out of her coat and looked down at her borrowed clothes with a sigh as she sat heavily on her bed, fully spent, "I should've asked you to bring pajamas," she muttered absently, "These are fine, but not very cozy and I really don't have the energy to change."

He didn't dare ask what happened to the clothes she had, imagining they were probably ruined and he didn't want to know exactly how they were ruined. He went into the bathroom they shared and emerged with a glass of water and some pills he had in his palm, "You need to take these. It's obvious that the meds they gave you at the hospital have worn off."

Mabel took them without question and rested her head against her pillow, wincing as she tried to find a comfortable position. "Can I get you anything?" Dipper asked.

"I just want to sleep," she sighed, closing her eyes.

"Yeah, well if you need anything, I'll be in my room."

"You need to go to work," Mabel reminded him, "I know how much saving money for a car and college and stuff means to you…I don't want to hold you back."

"I'm not leaving you alone," Dipper protested, flinching a little when her words brought back memories of that horrible day almost five years ago when the Rift broke.

"This stuff should knock me out for several hours. I'll be fine," Mabel insisted, "I'm fine, just leave me alone and let me sleep. Don't skip work on my account."

Dipper didn't want to argue so he agreed, "OK. But if you need anything call me. Deal?"

"Deal," she murmured, already half-asleep.

Dipper yawned, pulling her blanket over her and tucking her in. If she was even awake enough to notice the gesture, she didn't acknowledge it.

He quietly slipped out of the room, closed the door and called his boss, telling her he couldn't come in to work as he went to his own room. There was no way he was leaving Mabel alone. Even if she was going to sleep the day away, even if she would prefer to be on her own Dipper didn't feel right about leaving her in such a vulnerable position. Besides, he too was exhausted, and far to worried to think about work.

"Give her time," Dipper whispered as he flopped down on his bed and stared at the wall separating their rooms, hating how she was dealing with this so far, wishing he knew how to help her and wishing that she would accept his help and not shut him out. But how else could she deal with this, right now, when the trauma was still too new, the wounds too fresh, and elements of denial and shock were still too prevalent?

Besides, he wasn't exactly handling things very well either. Maybe he shouldn't have gone after Scott, but could anyone blame him? And maybe he was wrong for being nosy and finding out what she didn't want him or anyone else to know, but he couldn't help himself. He still couldn't quite understand why she would've preferred him to remain in the dark, but at least now she didn't have to deal with this alone. She might not have seen it that way, but that didn't change anything.

The whole situation was confusing and overwhelming, but one thing was for certain. Dipper was always going to have her back, whether she liked it or not.

A/N Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Either way I would love to know what you think.