With what seems to be the entire police force stationed outside our house, Elliot and Celia remain huddled up on our sofa, safe. We've worked non-stop for hours, only stopping for the odd refreshment Mom offers.

"Thanks," says Celia, accepting a hot chocolate from her.

Mom sits beside her and caresses her hair, channelling her fear into something physical. Something useful.

Chloe yawns, rubbing at her eyes. "What time is it?"

"Three AM," replies Jasmine, checking her watch.

Phil snoozes next to her on the armchair.

"We should sleep," suggests Shaun, scanning the papers in front of him.

He's just as desperate as me and for that, I'm extremely grateful. Things may have been awkward between us these past few days but all is now forgotten. And that's the important thing. The fact that he came through when I most needed him.

"I'll show Elliot and Celia the guest bedroom," I say, gesturing for them to follow me.

Upstairs, I offer them extra blankets and check that the windows are locked shut. "You'll be safe here."

"Thanks," replies Elliot, smiling.

Celia says nothing and urgently closes the door, serious face on. "Text them."

Elliot stares, unblinkingly.

"Excuse me?"

"Ask for truth."

"Not happening," he states, sternly.

"Elliot, if you die..."

"I'm not going to die," he ensures, looking to me for help. "Tell her."

"I won't let that happen," I promise. "We're going to catch whoever is doing this and stop them once and for all."

My words fail to initiate comfort and before I know it, Celia is sobbing. She's terrified and I respect that. Hell, I am too. Elliot's life it at stake here and if that doesn't warrant worry, I don't know what will.

"I'll leave you guys to it," I soothe, figuring this is between them. Not me.

On the landing, I catch Shaun and Jasmine heading towards his bedroom with Mom offering Jason and Chloe hers.

"Where will you sleep?" I ask, helping her with the few dishes we've accumulated.

"I'm not," she replies, resting a glass on the draining board. "I'm too worried to sleep."

"Want some company?" I ask, pulling out a chair.

She smiles and sits down, the pair of us working through some notes.

"He'll be okay."

I nod, not entirely convinced. "I'd do anything for him, Mom."

"I know." She smiles, resting her hand on mine. "What you and Elliot have...it's what I had with Jason."

"You still have it," I insist.

She shakes her head. "I'm not sure, Lena. I hurt him."

"So? You hurt me and I still love you."

She smiles. "It's a different kind of hurt."

The way I see it, hurt is hurt. If Jason loves my Mom the way I suspect he does, he'll forgive her eventually.

"Just give it some time," I say, squeezing her fingers. "If it's any consolation, I understand why you did it."

She nods and gestures towards the papers, bringing my attention back to our mission. Our priority.

"You still think it could be Francesca?" she asks, holding up her profile.

I stare at it for a second. "I'm not sure. Sienna was strangled. Could someone of Francesca's build really do that?"

"Probably not," agrees Mom, flicking her gaze towards our other suspects. "I can't help but feel we're missing something."

"I know what you mean," I reply, wracking my brains. "If only I wasn't too exhausted to think."

"Go to bed, darling. I'll stay up and work though this," she says, nose buried in a stack of pages. "Just flick the kettle on your way past. I need a coffee."

"You sure?" I ask, fighting a yawn.

She nods and kisses my cheek. "You'll be more use tomorrow if you get a few hours sleep."

That's true.

"Yeah, okay. Night, Mom. Love you."

"Love you too, sweetie."

I switch on the kettle and head upstairs, purposely loitering around the guest bedroom. Gentle snores drift through the gap in the door, seemingly belonging to Celia. Though, I could be wrong.

"Elliot?"

Silence.

"Yeah?"

My heart skips a beat.

"I need you," I say into the darkness.

As fast as he can, he comes to me; disheveled and concerned. "What is it? What's wrong?"

The material of his T-shirt stretches across his chest, straining. Moulding.

"Nothing. I just—"

He stares, reading my mind. My intentions.

"Helena..."

I take hold of his hand and lead him towards my bedroom, needing this. Needing him.

The front of his body is warm as it presses into my back. Solid. Safe.

"Are you sure?" he asks, breathless.

I nod, taking his shirt off. "Yes."

I bundle up the material and allow it to fall to the floor, disregarded. His hands make work on my button down, all awhile I shut the door behind us. It's clumsy and fraught but we manage to strip each other.

"C'mere," he says, holding his arms out for me.

He lays me down, cradling my body to his the entire time. He's gentle in his movements and considerate to my feelings, constantly checking in. Even during, he never once takes his eyes off of me. His smile is tender and his touch, a scorching fire. I kiss him like there's no tomorrow, loving this moment. Our moment. He's experienced but not cocky, seeing to my every need before his own. Treating me like a queen. Worshipping me. I claw at his back as a way to fight through the pain, the action working after a few minutes. Soon, there's nothing but love between us. Sweaty, beautiful love. And afterwards, he holds me to his chest, lightly littering kisses across my forehead.

"You're beautiful," he whispers, slowly caressing my hair.

I enjoy the feeling. "So are you."

He bruises my lips with another kiss.

"I can't believe I lost my virginity on prom night!"

He laughs. "You're such a cliché."

Hmm.

"Can I ask you something?" he questions, resting on his elbow.

I mirror his actions and prop myself up. "Anything."

"If something happens to me, will you make sure Celia is alight?"

"Elliot—"

"Just promise me," he pleads, desperate.

I relent, even though it goes against every instinct in my body. "Of course I will but nothing is going to happen to you." I bring my lips to meet his again. "I swear it."

He smirks. "I love how protective you are."

I playfully bite his lip. "Get used to it. I can be very possessive."

"I've noticed."

I smile.

"Shaun apologised, by the way," he adds. "He took me aside before."

"Oh, yeah?"

The thought makes my smile grow.

"Finding out you're not his biological sister really messed him up."

"Yeah, I know," I sigh.

He kisses my knuckles. "I'm glad you trusted me, Helena. When he suspected me, you didn't. No one has ever stood up for me the way you do."

"Always," I say, resting my head against his chest. "You're not a bad person, Elliot."

"You really think that?" he asks. "After everything?"

I pull on his head, making it so that his face is level with mine. "Yes. I really think that."

He kisses my nose.

"I won't tell anyone for as long as I live."

"Thank you," he says, pulling on my arm so that my body is flush against his. "Now, turn around so I can be the big spoon."

I do exactly that, happy to oblige. And after a while—when I'm sure the soft snores coming from Elliot means he's asleep—I voice my true feelings. My only certainty.

"I'm falling in love with you."

****

Well, what a lovely chapter for you guys.

Don't get used to it.

Shit is about to go DOWNNNNN!!

Last chance to get your theories in before all is revealed...