Really short chapter, and for that I'm sorry, but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting any longer. So, for that - you're welcome! (:

In the media, you'll see a very fitting song for the chapter: Waves by Dotan, and the possibly newly casted Andrew Griffin. I've loved having James Franco as my Andrew, but maybe this choice is more fitting? Let me know what you think in the comments below! #teamFassbender or #teamFranco?

Anyways, here's the part you care about... the chapter. Enjoy!

***

Light seeps through the curtains, glistening against my cheek. My legs are intertwined with my girlfriend's and I realize that I must have dozed off. I groan, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Looking at the clock on the wall, it reads 7:45 AM. No doubt Sabrina's parents are already up and getting ready for church. I try to remove my arm out from under her, but my attempt to slip away unnoticed fails.

Sabrina jerks awake, but smiles when she turns towards me. Yawning, she nustles her head against my chest, closing her eyes once again. As much as I want to stay and cuddle, never leaving her side, I have to. I was more than serious about our talk last night, plus, if her parents catch me down here, my life expectancy will be even shorter.

"Rina," I whisper, my fingers stroking up and down her arm. "I have to go."

After a long sigh, she agrees. "You're right." Her words come out in a grumble.

I grab my shirt and Sabrina sits up so I can put it on with ease. When my shoes are laced, I stand up, Sabrina's troubled eyes following me as I do so. Every fiber in my body is aching to stay with her, but putting myself aside in order to keep her safe is what I'm currently living for.

Maybe it would even be better if it were permanent. Even though I've changed considerably over the course of a year, the dangers surrounding me will always be there, my past defining me more than any relationship ever could. No matter what, I'll always have a demon or two in my closet, along with the ones inside trying to take over.

"Are you sure there isn't another way?" She asks, her voice shaky when she grabs my shoulder.

"I'm sure." A sad smile pulls at the corners of my lips.

My hand reaches for the sliding door and open it before Sabrina's hand grips my wrist.

"Wait," she pleads, her face streaked with tears.

Pulling her to me, I kiss her forehead, embracing her in the last hug we'll share for a long time. It's hard to pull away, but I know I have to. Our hands linger for a moment before they finally fall away, the warmth of her touch disappearing moments later.

I force myself not to look back while walking away, knowing her broken expression would just make me change my mind.

When I reach the safety of my car is when I finally break down. A good kick to my tire brought out all the rage of the situation, but then all that's left is sadness. A sob breaks through once I'm in the drivers seat.

"Dammit!" I roar, my fist slamming against the steering wheel. Tears blur my vision as I ram the keys into the ignition. The revving of the engine starts, but I don't put my foot on the gas. My body rests against my seat and I lean my head back, letting the tears run down.

Even though it's not forever, the panging in my chest is overwhelming and I can't help but feel that this is goodbye.

Straightening, I wipe my face with the sleeve of my jacket and slam my foot on the gas pedal. The small layer of yesterday's newly fallen snow coats the ground and I almost lose control of the vehicle as it accelerates. I've always hated snow and December, being the first snowfall of the year, always has a lot of it.

I'm lost in thought as I make my way home, my surroundings blurring until I pull into my driveway. When the engine cuts, I finally let go of the wheel. My hands are white from gripping the steering wheel so much. A heavy sigh leaves me as I get out of the car.

There's only one light on in the house when I enter, letting light shine through the halls through the glass door. He's seated at his desk, facing the opposite direction with his phone to his ear.

I shove my keys in my pocket before slowly making my way towards the office doors. One is shut, but the other is wide open, letting me eavesdrop with ease.

The atmosphere is thick with tension when Andrew speaks. "I don't give a damn that he's family. There's no way I'm going to the memorial. Bastard didn't even deserve a funeral."

There's a pause while the person on the other line speaks.

"You don't need to know what happened. When you're having a memorial for mom and Mathias, let me know, until then, don't talk to me about your fucking brother!" Andrew shoots up from his seat and chucks his cell at the wall. It falls in pieces to the ground and he runs his shaker fingers through his hair.

When he turns to face me, he looks taken back for a moment.

"Christ," he says, his fingers rubbing his eyes. "What the hell are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"

"W-was that Charles?"

Andrew nods.

"What did he want?" I cross my arms and lean against the doorway.

"He wanted me to go to my uncle's-" He stops mid sentence when he gets a good look at my face, frowning deeply. "What happened to you?"

I sigh. "Eddie happened."

A disapproving frown appears on his face as he looks me over. "Come here."

Reluctantly, I take a few steps towards him. His hand grabs my chin as he inspects the bruises with a hardened expression on his face. The longer he studies the blemishes, the more angry he becomes. For a second, I think he's going to lash out at me, but instead, he takes it out on the bottle of whiskey on his desk.

The alcohol falls into a puddle on the floor after the glass shatters against the wall. My whole body tenses as Andrew completely loses it. Papers fly from his desk in all directions as he lets out a devastated growl. His heavy breathing calms when he runs his hands through his thick hair.

"How much worse is this going to get, Austin?" He finally says after a long silence, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to sit back and let you take care of this on your own."

My eyes widen and I shake my head. "No, you can't get involved. If it comes to their attention that you've done anything to help me, or even know about them, they'll kill me for sure. Or they'll come after Sabrina. If I betray Dax again, he'll do anything he can to put me through hell."

Andrew's glare deepens and eats away at my bones, but I stand my ground.

"I just-" He rubs his eyes, suddenly looking exhausted. "I don't want to lose you."

Only months ago, I would have been completely shocked by this confession, but he's been acting out of character for weeks now. "Then let me do this. Trust me to get this right this time."

He clears his throat, a deep glare settling in his eyes. "You have one chance. One chance to prove to me that you have this under control. If I get the slightest idea that things are going south and you can't handle it, you're done and I take the matter into my own hands."

"That wouldn't involve cops, would it?" Just the thought of how that would go down feels like death is already knocking at my door.

Andrew belts out a laugh. "God no. We tell them anything and Dax will definitely find out. Who knows how many cops he's got in his pocket. That city's Police Department is not known for any kind of loyalty to the law. You'd be dead for sure."

"Then what are you going to do?"

A sudden coldness invades his eyes as his gaze finding mine again. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

I gulp. Knowing that that look is often directed towards my father's enemies sends a shiver down my spine.

Whatever he has in mind, I'm hoping it never has to come to that.

***

That was it, folks! I hope it wasn't too short for you guys... I just didn't want you to wait any longer, because I've made you wait long enough.

Thanks for reading, and please leave comments telling me what you think, and maybe even a vote if the chapter was deserving. As always, thank you all so much for getting this far into the story, even though my updates are so laggy. Really means the world to me, so thank you!