He had the ominous feeling that he was being watched. 

Ever since he had left his hometown, he hadn't been able to rest due to the constant terror of being caught. He knew he had committed a heinous crime and the police must be out looking for him. But in his defense, he hadn't realized when things got to that extreme until it was too late.

Now he was on the run but couldn't escape the fear of being caught and dragged to prison again.

His entire plan had gone horribly wrong as Valerie had escaped and he couldn't get the time to take things to completion. House 07 on Asher Street would have gotten burnt with the three of them inside if only Valerie hadn't retaliated and escaped.

Everything would have come to an end just like he wanted to but fate hadn't been in his favor.

His hands shook as he fumbled with the door to the rundown house his friend had lent him but before he could enter, a heavy hand dropped on his shoulder, steering him away.

"What the f..." But his voice trailed off seeing the thunder flash and in that brief flash of light, he saw the red helmet gleaming in the dark.

"Garrett Murphy," the robotic voice wasn't asking for his name, instead it was a statement, and the grip on his shoulder had tightened.

"Yes... What do you want?" He felt intimidated by the tall man in a khaki jacket and that helmet. He had heard about the Red Hood but never faced him before but right then he could see why people described him as a threat.

"Your confession," the Red Hood replied vaguely, and before Garrett could even try to escape, his heavy fist landed on his face, making him black out.

Black spots danced in front of his eyes and his head and ears were ringing from the impact as he stumbled and fell against the door he was trying to get into. He was lifted up by his collar but couldn't see clearly.

The last words he heard before passing out from that robotic voice were, "the sooner you confess your crimes, the better it will be for you. Be grateful I am not killing you right here even though I have every reason to."

And when he regained consciousness, he was in the lockup, back in the town's police station that he had been running away from.

He still couldn't see clearly as his left eye was unable to open and his nose felt swollen too. The punch on his face had been hard but he knew full well that it was a miracle the Red Hood hadn't killed him.

He had felt the intense anger radiate off the sinister man standing in front of him back then haloed by the thunder. It was almost as if Garrett had done something terrible to someone that man cared immensely about and that had fueled his anger toward him.

Now there was no escape but to confess to his crimes and accept his sentence. Or else even if he escaped, the Red Hood would find him and make sure that once he wasn't spared alive.

***

Kori had managed to convince Jason that Valerie wanted to go home and that he should let her. So as Garrett had also been caught and wouldn't be able to hurt her again and the case too was wrapping up with Valerie's statement being recorded as well, there was no reason for him to keep her away from her apartment.

He had given his word to Sarah and Marc that he would bring Valerie back so that day, he had to drop her off at her own place.

She was perched up on the kitchen counter as he was making breakfast, watching his features set into a slight frown. Valerie knew he had been exhausted from the past few days but he seldom talked about his work with her. 

And that day, it seemed there was another reason for his mood being so down.

"Jay," she called out in her soft voice, getting his attention immediately, "are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," she replied, feeling her cheeks tingle under his intense stare. "It looks like you're tired."

"I am," he gave in, a tired sigh escaping him that he quickly masked with a smile, "but I'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about."

He had made French toast for breakfast that morning, dipping the slices of bread in a mixture of eggs, sugar, and milk then frying them like pancakes. A delicious aroma spread through the kitchen and he was certain that in a while, Roy and Kori would wake up as well and demand breakfast.

By then Valerie had also met Roy and although Jay was a bit apprehensive about it, she didn't feel flustered at all by the redhead. Roy had jokes up his sleeve all the time and that made Valerie get comfortable around him too, laughing at the hilarious jokes he cracked.

Seeing that she didn't mind their company, Jason had stopped threatening the Outlaws to leave his safehouse even though they had been staying there for three nights in a row ever since the night they had found Valerie at the doorstep.

So he made some extra slices for them as well then handed Valerie a plate having her share.

"Thanks," she smiled, taking the plate from him, "smells delicious as always."

He nodded, clearing up the mess on the counter before he sat down to eat as well. While he was cleaning, he spoke up, "you should get ready after breakfast. I will take you to your apartment."

Her eyes lit up on hearing that, "really?"

"Yeah. Your friends have been anxious for you and I promised I will bring you back the day Garrett got caught. I have gotten a day late in that case."

A shudder passed her to hear about Garrett but she dismissed it, not wanting it to dull down the joy she felt upon being able to go back to her place. "Thank you so much, Jay. You've helped me out a lot."

Seeing her smile like that and be so delighted to go back made a soft smile tug upon his features as well. Washing his hands and drying them off with a kitchen towel, he came to her, blue eyes looking into radiant grey.

"You seem very happy to go back," he remarked, accepting the piece of French toast she put into his mouth.

"I am," she nodded but then noticed the look on his face, and her smile widened, "looks like you're not?"

"I will miss you," he replied, and seeing his adorable expression, she laughed.

"Why? It's not like I am going very far away," she teased, placing her plate aside as he closed the gap between them, his hands pulling her close by the waist, "you can always call me over or come to visit whenever you want to see me."

She had crossed her wrists at the back of his neck, her lips inches away from touching his. But before she could lean closer and kiss him, he spoke up and those words stole her breath away just like his kisses did.

"Valerie... I love you."

***