Chapter 26

"You... didn't speak a word to her," I said, replying that through my mind, more as a statement than a question. Because I didn't need to try to accept it - I did.  I just didn't know how to process it. 

"Yes," he spoke, in a darker voice, and when I lifted my dead and wide eyes from the ground and met his, I knew he already knew just how badly he screwed up.  The emeralds sparkled in his eyes showed that he didn't regret it though.  Lips set in a disgusted scowl, the fire in his eyes gave off the illusion that he didn't care what the hell she thought.  "There is a good chance she... might be catching on," he said, echoing my terrified thoughts. I seemed to be freaking out more than him over this; he just still looked pissed off, not worried like me over what this could have done.  I felt myself nearly go into panic mode. 

"W-What are we suppose to do now?!"  I said, my shoulders tensing as I could feel the rest of my body respond equally too.  I took a hard breath before managing to swallow, searching his eyes in desperation for an answer.  Because an answer was something I was just barely hanging onto.  "I mean, how the hell are we going to go on, with you pretending like you don't know shit?!" I nearly screamed again, completely forgetting about his sister trying to sleep down the hall.  More things in my head were scrambling at the moment though.  Like where the hell we would be tomorrow?!  Out of town in hiding?  Back in the house?  On the fucking moon?  This determined everything!

"Hey," he said, turning more towards me from where he was sitting next to me.  Resting a hand on my leg, almost unconsciously in comfort, I could feel the heat in his hand.  The warmth, his strange calmness... but I shouldn't be calm at a time like this like he strangely was. "Calm down, it's alright," he reassured me, his face closer and eyes appealing to mine in a convincing light.  The spark in his eye transformed from anger over what happened to me to a comforting nature that I loved, that I could feel act as my release of everything pent up in me.  Just seeing him now helped and his soft words brought about an air around me of safety, of a soothing presence that everything would be okay as long as he is here.

"Why are you so calm?" I asked, taking an observing note he was not only calm, he was under control and I had a feeling he had some plan.  It was hard for me to try to figure out what he possibly could do to repair what he unleashed to Clare - the clear sight of his hate towards her.  How would one just be able to undo that? His plan though was something that went in the opposite direction I would have liked. 

"Because I've been trying to come to terms of what she did to you," he remarked in a deeper voice that I could feel send chills up me.  It only got darker and full of hate after that.  "And at this point Albany, I couldn't give a shit what she thinks.  Fuck her.  Because I refuse to go back to where we were before, not after she did that.  I'm done screwing around and you better god damn believe I'm not going to tolerate anymore of this bullshit!" Lips set straight and firm after that outburst, I could feel my eyes widen at the amount of clear determination in his voice.  It was his words though that scared me.

I tried to find a way to be on his side with what he said.  Hell, it was hard enough excepting that he was taking this as a turning point.  Clearly, Luke was done.  This was the last straw for him as he said and from his words, I could tell he was done acting as if he was a loyal husband.  With that cruel and dead look in his eyes, I knew he would happily face her without anymore evidence, without a care what she believed.  He would rather do that than go on pretending as if he loved her and being a slave in his own body.  I admired that he was fed-up, that he had enough of this shit.  But at the same time, I didn't like it.  Because if he planned on quitting this little game right now, that could cost us a lot.

Taking in his nearly shaking form, his bright eyes illuminating the dim light from the kitchen, I could see it as the little hope he had left by continuing as if nothing happened.  He didn't want to.  But in my eyes, that was our best option. 

Slowly, I shook my head as I searched his stubborn expression over his face.  "What, you want to run now?  Try to expose her with what we have so far?  You want to quit?" I asked, my voice just barely breaking the air with how scared I was to hear him verify that answer.

He nodded his head, his eyebrows lowering in the truth of how much he meant that.  "Yes.  I don't want to continue living there like a innocent clown.  I can't take anymore - of you getting hurt there!  I want to risk it.  I am willing to take my chances with letting her discover I'm on your side if it means you are safe with me, far away from her."

He seriously wanted to leave the house with me, let her figure out that we were getting evidence on her.  Just because he was having such a hard time with my safety and the ache he bared with not knowing if it would happen again when he wasn't there.  It was a very understandable state of mind, I knew.  It was also a very selfish one I knew I needed to object to.

"We can't do that," I whispered to him, a thickness growing in my throat at knowing how hurt he was, how scared he was if this was what he wanted to do.  "We can't run and try to expose her with what we have.  It wouldn't be enough!  We need more and that means staying there because the biggest piece of evidence is in that backyard.  We leave, we lose it.  We leave and everything we have worked for would have gone down the drain. And that's not mentioning that she could have you arrested if you take me away from her if we don't have enough evidence against her.  Then it would just be me and her.  This will blow up in our faces."  I shook my head, needing him to see this isn't the right way.  Reading his eyes, I saw more pain flood in and take me in as I spoke.  "I know you want to protect me.  I know how scared you are over me getting hurt.  But it's something I am willing to face if it means keeping up this act - and keeping everything together.  We can't run just because you are afraid and pissed off.  It's a selfish move and will result in nothing but a disastrous and disappointing end."

Hurt was inflicted over his face at my words and I honestly pondered over whether I should just go along with his idea.  But I couldn't - not yet anyway, especially with just how many holes there was in his plan.  We needed Emily to lock her away and we don't have her yet along all the other issues with his idea.  He knew that.  But seeing as he witnessed something he could barely handle - me in that amount of pain over what happened... it was a weakness of his, seeing me being hurt like that and it was especially bad this time.  He can't handle it well at all when all he can process is just how upset and angry he is over what happened.

"What, you just want to go home, act as if everything is fine and dandy?" He asked, as if not wanting to believe what I was saying and his tone made my words sound foolish.  To him, they were foolish.  "You want to go home and have me act like she did not witness how cold I acted towards her, who, might I add, was bloody and bruised?  If we go back, she might not buy it anyway.  Honestly, I'm past the point of caring.  You're all that matters.  Seeing you safe and happy is at the top of my priorities.  Not to mention, I wouldn't be able to fucking handle it, to continue living with her after she did that.  Let alone act as if I love her when all I want to do is blow her fucking brains out!" he said, and I could feel the hand he had resting on my leg grip harder.  His breath increased and it was obvious just how close he was to losing it now, just thinking about it.  He made a point that he might not be able to take much more of acting as if she was the wife he remembered her to be after he learned the truth.

Raising my hand myself, I rested it against his arm, hopefully to show him he wasn't alone.  That I was here for him and that he couldn't just decide to get up and leave like that.  "I want to go home, yes.  I want to act as if nothing happened.  Trust me, you are not the only one pissed off over this.  But one thing you taught me was patience and you need to follow that too right now. Luke, I would love to just be done with this.  I mean," I sighed, trying to find a way to express just how much I wanted this to be done like he did.  "I want to go away, take our chances with the evidence we have.  But you are so strong and I know you can handle this because we need to.  If I'm willing to go back, you need to be too.  If we don't then we will be ruined.  She will come back at us and get us without a fight if we can't put her away. Please.  Just... just do this for me.  It will pay off in the end." I said, hating the almost begging tone in my voice.  I didn't want to sound desperate but I was.  We needed to continue with this long and painful process. 

He only stared at me for a moment, processing my words as he searched my face with his calculating eyes.  I watched as he slowly pursed his lips after a moment of just sitting there and thinking.  Clearly, this was not easy for him.  But after a moment, he managed to look down and gave a small quiet chuckle under his breath.  "You have come a long way," he murmured before glancing up to me with a meaningful tone of amusement.  Offering me a small and sad smile, he said, "I kind of wish you didn't listen to me before if it got you preaching patience to me now."

Giving him a sad smile of my own, I knew he was right and that he was to blame for my now apparent nature of logical thinking.  "So you see where I'm right?"

It took him a moment but he reluctantly nodded.  "Yes.  But like you pointed out before... Clare might know now.  She could be on to us.  Even if we go back, she might not believe me when I tell her I didn't mean anything with how cold I acted towards her.  I... I don't think it's going to work," he told me.

"Why?" I asked, curious.

"Because first of all, it's a long shot that she will believe me.  She may love me and be blind through me but she might not this time after seeing me act like that with her when I found you in that condition.  She saw the hate in my eyes; she had to have.  Not to mention, do you know how convincing I'd have to be with her?  I would have to give myself up to her.  Like seriously show her the amount of love I have for her, give clear and understandable reasons, and the hardest part will be to sell it to her."

It was my turn to consider that and he made some pretty good points I couldn't go against. There was a great possibility it wouldn't work.  Not to mention just how open he was with his expressions.  He would just have to practice, I guess.  I mean, he could handle it I knew.  "I know it will be hard.  Especially with how hard it will be to hide how you truly feel and, on top of that, show her your absolute commitment.  But... I don't know, isn't it worth a shot?  I mean, if she already is suspicious of us, what would it hurt trying to show her that you were just upset at the situation?  I mean, there are plenty of excuses you could use."

He seemed to really think about it for a while - mostly because he didn't want to bother going back to what it was like before.  Now, if we do, he would have to put on one hell of an act to get on her good side from that open hatred he had for her.  But after all, if anything can make Clare weak and blind, it's Luke. 

Looking into my eyes for the longest second, contemplating what he was going to do, I saw his eyebrows dip more in frustration and overwhelming thought.  "You do know how much this bothers me, don't you?" he asked in a stern voice. "If we go back?"

I sighed.  "I do know.  But it's something we both need to be willing to risk.  I have faith in you.  In everything you do.  If you really want to, we can leave and I-I wont fight your decision no matter how dumb it is.  But I'm just asking you to keep going, just for a little while longer."

He raised his hand from my leg towards his face and ran it back over his forehead and through his hair, sighing deeply as he closed his eyes for a long moment.  It was clear the distress he was going through over this but in the next moment, when he dropped his hand away from his wavy hair and opened his eyes, I believed what he said to me.  Eyes melting in mine, he finally gave me a soft smile that helped me relax at least a little bit.  "Okay...." he finally said.  "We will go home tomorrow, I will 'apologize' to her.  And if she clearly buys it, we stay," he said, not sounding too confident but knowing it was the best thing to do.

I swallowed and felt more relieved.  At the same time though, I let his words run free through my mind, creating my own version of what could happen.  Him confessing his love to Clare when he goes to apologize I suppose, it needs to be powerful and he knew it.  And, I'm ashamed to say, that scared me.  Because if he does that, he will almost need to convince himself that those feelings he is confessing to her are true if he wants to get them across.  I was more than sure he would have to demonstrate his commitment to her as well, physically, which was something I didn't want to think about.  But it was something Luke and I accepted, that he would have to give it his all.  I felt guilty knowing it was because of me.  Because it would really be my fault.  Clearly, he wasn't the only one with an expressive face.  I watched his eyebrows lower as he looked me over, lips tightening as he could tell what I was thinking. 

He leaned closer towards me, raising his hand up to cup my cheek as he spoke, in a quiet and comforting voice I could drown in.  "Don't you worry about me. Don't feel guilty. Don't even think about it.  You are right and I'm proud you were willing to convince me of that," he said, nodding and showing me that I didn't need to worry or second guess my thoughts as I was doing.

I nodded in return, believing him.  I did. I trusted him.  I was still allowed to worry about him though and his well being at staying there.  A moment later, he just continued to stare at me with concern.  It was rather amusing really.  He was always worried about me, paranoid over if I was okay or not.  He just wanted me to be happy - that was his goal in all of this.  I guess it was more heartbreaking than amusing. 

Sighing, after a moment of just sweet and relaxing silence, I knew there was one more thing I needed to talk to him about.  And it was something that was very important, the whole reason Clare put that knife through my hand.

"Well, now that we are going back home, hopefully the camera upstairs captured some of the noise from where we were fighting downstairs," I said, noticing his eyebrows raise at what I mentioned.  "Half the reason she put a knife through my hand was because she was mad I wouldn't admit to there being another camera in the house.  The whole purpose was to at least get some evidence since we couldn't from the camera that she found."

His focus seemed to sharpen at hearing that and a darkness came over his eyes as he spoke.  "I had the cameras wired and automatically synced on my laptop and even a private folder on the computer at the station only I have access to.  Every moment that was filmed on both cameras were captured, even if the one in the window eventually broke.  It captured everything up to that point."

Hearing those words, I felt a fondness come over me.  Strangely, aimed at myself.  Maybe I didn't fail in getting evidence after all if both cameras were actively connected live and recording through the computers.  I felt grateful at that moment then that Clare went as crazy as she did.  It put even more power behind our evidence.

I could feel a smile gradually come over my face at knowing what this could mean.  Depending on how well it was captured, it could play a huge key part of the evidence or even dominate all of it depending on how much was captured.  My guess was a lot and I felt my hopes start to run high at hearing that awesome news.  Looking into Luke's eyes, I saw him smile as well at seeing how happy I was to hear that we had that evidence backed up. 

"So... we have it?"

He nodded slightly, thinking it over and showing me a smile of his own. "Probably.  We will see tomorrow when we go to the station.  It wont guarantee perfect or concrete evidence but it will be close enough in my opinion."

***

It wasn't long after this that we both welcomed a much more lighter atmosphere.  My growling stomach helped with that - as did the satisfaction of knowing we might have the recordings of Clare doing those terrible things to me - like putting me through the fucking window. After such a long and hard decision by him, and after finding out about the cameras, we both welcomed the thought of anything not relating to drama.  Food seemed to be a good compromise.  I was tired, hurt, and hungry and with my stomach growling, we refused to continue to dwell over what tomorrow held and concentrated on what the kitchen held.

Smiling at hearing he was willing to make us something to eat, I followed him into the kitchen where he gestured me to sit down at the table after he heard my stomach growling again.  I was happy he was doing this for me, really.  I hadn't ate anything really since before school, over twelve hours ago, because when I got home, I only managed a little snack before Clare got home and decided to go all animal on me.  Not to mention, I was more than positive Luke hadn't eat either.

When I sat down, I watched him move a few feet away where the stove was and the fridge  Taking in the kitchen more at this angle, I noticed most of the rest of the kitchen appliances and dishes, the silverware, and other decorations were packed up still in boxes.  It was obvious Shannon just moved in and didn't even have time yet to complete unpacking.  Besides the boxes, the white, almost yellowish, and dull plastic counter top reflected the shades of the rest of the room, including the vinyl floor with a pattern of tan and yellow squares.  But hey, it was comfy, especially for a place that was only meant to be here as a temporary home since she was looking for a bigger house.  It was crammed in the small kitchen so I could clearly see him when he turned and looked at me from where he stood by the stove. 

Sighing, he asked me, "What do you want to eat?"

"You got any ribs?" I asked.

He showed me an amused grin and after taking in my request, he managed to shake his head and hold back a small chuckle.  "No, I don't think so," he said, opening the fridge and looking for any options.  "What about a... salad?" he asked, glancing up from the fridge to me in question but he already had a good idea of my answer.

"Jesus, no," I said with a purposeful attitude, making him laugh - which I found to be quiet refreshing after today.  Not to mention, I knew how hung up he was over the events of what happened so it was nice to hear him laugh and smile.  Getting up with a huff of frustration over his sister having no taste in good food, I walked over to the fridge and once looking through the nearly abandoned area of no food, I feel I was blessed with enough options for a sandwich, which seemed to be the only thing I could have had. 

So, Luke made a sandwich for me and for him and once he sat down, sliding me my plate, I noticed he grabbed a beer, one of the few items in the fridge.  Even before he could take his first sip after opening it,  I reached across the table and snagged it from him, pulling it towards me.  Raising it to my smirking lips, I took a swig, watching his shocked face at my fast movement before either of us even took a bite of our sandwiches.

Setting the can down, watching his face, I couldn't help but laugh at his narrowing eyes.  He didn't speak for a moment and I watched his face, which just gave off the illusion of observation.  He didn't look happy or mad over what I did. 

"You have a hard time remembering I'm a cop, don't you?" he finally whispered from across the tiny table to me.  Leaning forward more, his elbows on the table, he watched me carefully and his eyes looked almost playful.  It was a nice change for once.  It's been a while since I saw that flirtatious look aimed at me that would make my heart jump.  Was it something I tried to stay away from?  Sure.  But I wouldn't lie, I loved how it felt when he used that tone of voice and that smirk. 

I shrugged, taking another sip before setting it down and smirking myself towards him.  It was actually rather nice.  We weren't letting the events of the day catch up to us.  We talked and we weren't dwelling over our issues right now.  I had a feeling it was because it was just nice for the both of us to have this sort of free time together, outside of our own home, and with Clare nowhere near us.

"Well, you don't scare me... copper," I said, taking a bite of my sandwich before looking back up at him from across the table, raising and lowering my eyebrows, making him scoff.  Finally though, that smirk grew as he watched me in return and he shook his head, playfully narrowing his eyes again.  Because after he took a bite of his sandwich, he stood up and walked back over to the fridge.  Curious as to what he was getting, I watched as he opened it and reached down, grabbing another can of beer before shutting it.  I raised my eyebrow at that  as he walked back over to where he was sitting.

I watched as he cracked that beer can open and I was happy to see he was going to let me finish off the one I stole from him.  With raised eyebrows at him, before I could say anything, he did, in an amused warning to me.  "You're lucky you are hurt.  I'm letting you drink over my sympathy."

I chuckled as I took another bite of my sandwich before speaking.  "Whatever.  You're letting me drink because you know I would be a fun drunk," I said, though I knew it was probably because he just didn't care at this point by letting me slide with one beer.  However, I took note this was the first time he was enjoying a drink in a long time.  Ever since he realized the truth about Clare, he wouldn't dare touch even just one beer that would do him no harm.  No he was convinced I think that he needed to be on guard, ready for anything all the time.  Now though, out of the house and away from Clare, he could finally relax no matter how stressful today was - to a degree anyway.

We talked for a little bit while we ate and it was nice because it felt so natural.  I don't remember how long it's been since we've had a conversation that didn't involve any tension at all, whatsoever.  It was really nice, especially because nothing involving Clare or all the drama we were facing came up.  No, we simply talked about the importance of time machines in the future, a little bit about good memories in his past, and about what type of sandwich was the best.  We talked about random stuff, about school in some cases, and his job in others.  It was just so relaxing for a change to be talking about something besides getting shit on Clare. 

After we both finished the sandwiches and were full of the chips he eventually pulled out he found, done with our can of beer, we finally knew we should go to bed.  After all, he has work tomorrow and I would be going with him apparently because he didn't want me going to school yet.  However, I would be going to see my therapist again tomorrow to give her another one of my charming stories of my past.  Most importantly, Luke would be facing Clare and showing how sorry he really was - and he would convince her with all his heart he meant it.  Either way, we were both tired and heading to bed. 

With Shannon only having two bedrooms in the apartment (which was actually rather good for an apartment of this size) I got the bed and Luke slept on the floor next to the bed.  He refused to take the couch and would feel better if he slept near me.  After all, he was just overprotective of me.  I went to sleep still pondering Shannon's words I overheard from earlier despite the bigger topics of concern.

***

When we got to the station the next day, I finally got to meet Mr. Sheriff himself.  I mean, I never was a fan of meeting new people - probably because they would either be rude, tease me, or run away.  And that included adults too and I didn't put it past the sheriff to do the same.  But when Luke took me by my arm and slowly helped me up the daunting steps towards the station, I didn't expect what happened when we reached the top and headed inside. 

I meet a couple of the people or officers he worked with - and most treated me like a disease, most gave me weird looks.  But I never had the pleasure of meeting the sheriff.  When we walked inside, me supporting more of Shannon's baggier clothes and Luke in his same and now wrinkled uniform from sleeping in it, I noticed a man.  And his presence was heavy, in a way calling for your eyes to meet him.  He was a bigger man and looked to be in his 50s, facing one of the receptionist's behind the desk.  His eyes focused on speaking to the woman, I could still take him in well enough from an angle.  He even looked familiar and I was positive I've seem him around here before.  I just never met him.  Luke and I started to walk past him at the same time as he ended his conversation with the receptionist, turning as well in our path and met our eyes. 

It was actually quite a shock to see his eyes when they fell on mine.  Because they didn't look hostile, or judging.  I saw his bushy eyebrows rise in surprise when his eyes fell from Luke to me.  Seeing as the Sheriff was in our way back to where we were heading now, Luke stopped and me with him to greet him.  At first, I internally groaned, not wanting to deal with anyone right now.  However, I was shockingly put in my place at just how wrong I was.

He gave me a nice and genuine smile, his teeth somewhat crooked, but it was a true smile, one you could trust.  I wasn't sure at first if he recognized me since he was actually giving me a welcoming look.  At feeling Luke's body still relaxed next to mine, feeling no aggravated tension in the air, it validated for me that I guess I could keep my guard down. However, once we were facing him, his polite smile and welcoming air shifted and I saw a sign of distress and confusion cross his face. 

"Morning, Prenta," he said in a deep voice, filled with years of use.  His kind eyes in Luke's, they quickly glanced down to me.  "Is this the infamous Albany, I'm guessing?" he asked, in a rather taunting but playful voice, that made me chuckle just slightly.

"Yes, this is her," he said to him in a fond voice before looking down to me where I stood at his side. Glancing back up to the sheriff, I noticed that confused expression reach the man's face when he looked back down to me.

"Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Sheriff Denport,"  he said, reaching his hand out towards me and I shook his hand.  As reluctant as I felt at first to do so, his hand grabbed mine and gave a firm shake before he continued to speak.  "I don't mean to be rude but are you alright?" He asked me before glancing back up to Luke. "She looks like she just went through a fleet of pissed off street fighters."

I chuckled at his words.  Luke answered for me though (which I can be thankful for; I didn't come up with excuses on the spot as well as he did, apparently).  "Someone at school yesterday decided to pick a fight with her.  A couple guys ganged up on her and unfortunately, she didn't recognize or even see any of them.  So I figured with how much this girl has been through, a day at the station with me would be a nice break for her."  Smiling sadly, he glanced down to me in sympathy and I give him credit: he pulled off lying really well.  I was sure he would manage getting Clare on his side again after all if she is suspicious.  After work for him today, that was something he could look forward to doing.  He already called her this morning and left a convincing enough message with just the right amount of sympathy and worry, curtly putting he and I will be coming home after work and that he looked forward to seeing her.  She was curt with him too though and could only assume she was suspicious if she didn't already know.  We could only cross our fingers and hope for the best from Luke's acting skills tonight.  First though, I needed to see how much evidence the cameras caught.

Looking up at the man, I saw his bushy eyebrows curve down in pain at hearing that terrible news of getting beat up on at school. Lips pursing, I could even see how upset that made him.  Shaking his head, he groaned. "Damn kids.  So cruel.  It's nice to see someone as sane as you get through these hard times in your life."

"Funny word choice," I noted, smiling slightly and was still quite surprised at this guy.  For a sheriff, I expected him out of most people to have the most hate towards me.  After all, I should be on his most wanted list.  "It's nice to see someone sane as well working here.  Most others can't bare to extend the same 'tolerance' as you," I said, giving him credit.

After speaking with him for a few more minutes, the sheriff went to do his own thing and Luke led me back towards one of the offices to do our own stuff - and what I mean by 'stuff' could determine just how much evidence we could have. 

Shutting the door behind him when we went in the office, Luke didn't pause in grabbing a sitting chair and drag it around where the other chair was at the long desk.  With file cabinets around the room, I could only imagine how many of those he went through for widespread evidence.  But right now, we would find it in a different fashion, one I was actually quite nervous over.

Gesturing for me to sit down in the chair he dragged around the desk that was facing the computer, I swallowed hard and took a deep breath as I walked across the office and stepped behind the desk and sat down, facing the door.  When Luke sat next to me, facing the screen, you can just imagine the amount of tension that was filling the space between us.  Not just because I was nervous that the cameras didn't catch any evidence.  In fact, I was scared that they captured too much because I didn't want Luke seeing the footage. 

Watching Luke carefully next to me, looking up to my side at his face, I saw how blank it was at the moment.  Was it because he was at work and he would act as if this is just some random clue that had nothing to do with him?  No.  As stone faced as he was, I could only assume he was trying to hide his anxiousness or fear at what he was about to see.  He is always either very open with his expression or completely closed off. 

Lips straight, eyes expressionless, I couldn't help but wait with my nerves on edge as he started going through the his private files on the computer.  But before he could open any, with my heart beating incredibly fast, I felt myself act on instinct.  reaching over to where his hand was guiding the mouse, I gently placed my hand over his and stopped him. 

Glancing up to see his reaction, I noticed he only pursed his lips and continued to stare blankly at the screen, probably understanding right away my hesitation with opening up and watching the footage with him. Sighing deeply after a minute, he finally turned his head towards me. 

"I'll be fine, Albany," he said, rather calmly.  "I can handle it."

"Can you?" I asked.  "I don't think it would be the best idea for you to watch it, especially if tonight you are going to go all out with showing just how much you are committed to Clare.  Watching this wont help you at all.  It will make it much harder for you to lie to her."

Eyebrows dipping in the pain, at knowing that, he responded. "It's something I need to see.  I want to know how well this will count as evidence."

"You can always wait to watch it and just let me review it for now.  I think I can handle judging it on my own as reliable evidence or not.  For now at least."

"I want to see it," he said, rather sternly.

I sat back and gave an exaggerated sigh.  "Why?  To get even more pissed off when that's the last thing we need?  Can't you wait until some other time besides today and just let me see it for now?"

He was quite persistent to watch the tapes but he knew I was right and after a few more reluctant attempts, he finally agreed and left me in the room alone to review them alone. I was more than thankful.  This was something I wanted to judge without him here to worry about.  I told him it would be fine if he didn't watch it at all but he drew the line there and just agreed to wait a few days.  Since, of course, he would be sucking up and giving every excuse in the book to Clare tonight.  He didn't need this fresh in his mind.  However, there was no reason for me not to watch it.  And so that's what I did.

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A little different chapter.  Enjoyed writing it :) Hope you enjoyed reading it!