Elijah was stood against the lockers, nursing one hell of a come down. He wasn't sure what he had the night before but James had assured him they all had a great time.

"Deans." The Dean of the college walked up.

"Yes, Ma'am?" Elijah turned to her.

"Late night?" She crossed her arms.

"You could say that." He hummed.

"I'd like you to come to my office."

"Sounds great." Elijah nodded, pushing himself off the locker.

Once they got to the office, Elijah noticed a girl sitting in the room, fidgeting with her dress.

"So.. Why am I here?" Elijah asked slowly, glancing at the girl.

"This is.. Fleur Howards?" The Dean looked at her.

Fleur nodded,"Yes."

"She's new to the area, just travelled from France. She needs someone to show her around so, I found you." She hummed.

"Well, I suppose I could take the time out of my very busy schedule to guide this little lady around." Elijah walked up to Fleur,"The pleasure is mine. I'm Elijah."

"I'm Fleur- She already said that." Fleur stopped and chuckled.

"I like you." Elijah pointed,"We're going to get along just fine."

"I hope so."

"Right, leave. I've got work to be done." The Dean sighed.

"Don't need to tell me twice." Elijah nodded,"Right, Fleur, follow me."

Fleur raised from her seat before following Elijah.

"Hm.. Now where to start?" Elijah looked around.

"You know this place better than I do." Sue chuckled.

"I sure do." Elijah spun around,"What classes have you got? I'll show you where they are first."

"Right." Fleur looked at her bag, bringing out her timetable.

Elijah leaned forward, glancing at her timetable. Criminology was the first class, surprisingly the same class Elijah had.

"Hey, I'm in that class." Elijah pointed,"Don't worry, Ms Robson always helps you out when you need it."

"Great..Where is it?"

"Just follow me." Elijah grinned as he lead her up the stairs.

"So how long have you been here?" Fleur wondered.

"At college? Hm.. I'd say a couple months." Elijah nodded slowly.

"What's it like? With.. Everyone?'

"I mean, I've got my little friend group but everyone here pretty much gets along." Elijah told her,"There's the odd rivalry or tormentor here and there, but you'll be safe with me."

"Is that an invitation to be friends?" She chuckled.

"That depends, darling. Do you want to accept it?" Elijah raised a brow as he stopped outside the door.

"Yeah." She hummed,"Where's that accent from, England?"

"Nah, Wales." Elijah shook his head.

"Oh, right." Fleur nodded.

Elijah chuckled,"I'm sorry, doll. I tell a lie, you were right."

"I thought I was right, you just confused me." She laughed.

"I'm from Somerset, England." He told her.

"What made your family move out to the states?"

"Oh, my dad got a job here." Elijah answered,"We moved when I was nine."

"I've only been here for a while." Fleur admitted.

Elijah nodded,"France, huh?"

"Yeah, well, I moved around a lot.. But originally from France."

"So I'd assume you don't have that many.. Connections." Elijah tilted his head.

"No, none at all."

"Then I intend to be your first." He pointed.

"Thanks Elijah." Fleur smiled softly.

"No problem, Fleur." Elijah hummed,"Now, should we contiue our tour?"

"We can." She nodded.

*********************************

It had been a few weeks since Fleur came to the college, meeting Elijah and becoming close with him and his friends. She walked down the hallway, heading to her next class.

"So.. You're the new girl, huh?" Another girl cocked her head to the side.

"I'm sorry?" Fleur stopped.

"We haven't officially met yet, but I've heard all about you." She hummed.

"I'm sure you have."

"You don't have to act so defensive, I'm just trying to introduce myself."

"You're taking a long while to introduce yourself." Fleur shrugged.

"Sheila, surely you've heard of me." Sheila held her hand out.

"Not particularly." Fleur slowly shook her hand.

"Well, you'll need to learn to." Sheila told her,"You don't want to mess with me."

"Sheila..I'm sure you're very tough." Fleur chuckled, pulling her hand away.

"I could ruin you if I wanted to."

Fleur hummed,"Surveille tes arrières."

"What did you just-"

"Fleur, there you are." Elijah walked over, holding two cups,"I got our hot chocolates."

"Thanks Eli." Fleur smiled,"Oh, I love your hair Sheila."

"Oh- Thank you." Sheila nodded.

Elijah looked her up and down,"Wow, y'know, you are right."

"I'll see you around Sheila." Fleur waved and linked arms with Elijah.

"Tell Ryan I said 'hi'." Elijah winked as they walked off.

"Who's Ryan?" Fleur asked him.

"Oh, my ex." Elijah shrugged,"We hooked up last week, turns out he's with her now."

"Oh, wow."

"Eh, I'm over it. He's one of many."

"So how was the party last week?" Fleur asked.

"Oh.. Well, I think it was good." Elijah answered.

"You think?"

"I never really remember much about the parties." He shrugged.

"Too much to drink?"

"I didn't think so."

"Maybe.. Next time a party is on, I could come? You could ask James."

"You sure, doll?" Elijah raised a brow.

"Of course.. My first college party."

"You're gonna love it." Elijah patted her shoulder.

"I hope so." Fleur drank her hot chocolate.

"You will, I promise."

"Let me know what James says."

"Of course." Elijah nodded.

Fleur kissed his cheek,"I'm late, text me." She pointed and ran off.

*********************************

Elijah was stood outside the building where the party was set to take place, adjusting his sleeves as he waited for Fleur to arrive. Fleur fixed the hem of her dress as she walked up towards the party, looking for Elijah.

"You're here." Elijah smiled.

"I wouldn't miss it." Fleur returned the smile,"Does this- Is this dress okay?"

"You look absolutely gorgeous." Elijah told her.

"Thank you." Fleur hummed.

"Shall we head inside?"

"Yeah, yeah. Of course." Fleur nodded.

Elijah smiled as he pulled the door, holding it open for her.

"Merci." She winked and walked in.

"You're welcome." Elijah nodded as he followed.

"Oh, is this James?" Fleur looked at the boy walking towards them.

"It is." Elijah smiled,"James, hey."

"Hi Elijah." James took his arm.

"James, I've heard so much about you." Fleur hummed.

"All good things I assume?" James looked to Elijah.

"Obviously." He rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for the invite." Fleur nodded

"Of course. Any friend of Eli's is a friend of mine."

"Can I get a drink?"

"Of course, the bar is just along there." James pointed,"I can grab them."

"Can I get a double?" She suggested.

"You can indeed." James nodded, starting to walk off.

"He seems nice."

"Oh, he is." Elijah nodded.

"So.. Are you dating?" Fleur asked.

Elijah blinked,"Excuse me?"

"You and James."

"Me and James? No- No, no, no." Elijah was trying not to laugh,"He's just a friend."

"Sorry, I just- I thought you were."

Elijah chuckled,"It's okay, I get it."

Fleur hummed and leaned back, looking around. Soon enough, James returned with their drinks and handed them over.

"Oh, thank you." Fleur smiled.

"You're welcome." James hummed.

"Fuck, this is strong." Fleur took a sip.

"Ah, sorry. I'm just used to making things for Elijah." James shook his head,"Ain't that right, love?"

"Hm." Elijah nodded slowly as he drank.

"Do you drink a lot then? Strong stuff." Fleur nodded.

"I prefer it that way." James answered but Elijah shrugged.

"I don't mind it being strong, I've got a high tolerance."

"I just drink whatever he gives me." Elijah shook his head.

Fleur looked at him,"..That's not good, Elijah."

"Why?"

"Could be anything." Fleur shrugged, glancing at James.

"James wouldn't put something in.. In.." Elijah trailed off, looking over at James,"You wouldn't."

"You know I wouldn't." James chuckled.

Elijah nodded slowly, sitting down his glass,"James.."

"Hm?" James looked at him, taking his eye off Fleur.

"..What did you do?" Elijah asked slowly.

"What? I got your drink, all of our drinks. Calm down, Eli."

"Fleur- We uh.. Go. We- We should.." Elijah was stumbling over his words as he tried to force them out.

"James, what did you do?" Fleur looked at him as she looked at Elijah.

"I didn't do anything." James pulled Elijah close by his waist,"He's just overreacting."

"James, I recommend you let go of him."

"What are you gonna do about it?"

Fleur leaned close and threatened,"I know about one hundred ways to kill someone, specifically men. Don't fuck with me, James."

"..Fine, he probably won't be any fun like this anyway." James shoved Elijah towards her,"But he is mine. You hear me?"

"Tu peux essayer." She warned and held Elijah.

Elijah clung onto Fleur and mumbled,"Voglio andare a casa.."

Fleur held Elijah up and walked out,"Fuck this party."

*********************************

Elijah held his head as he sat on the couch, a dull throbbed pain ever-present. He remembered.. Well, nothing much but.. Fleur was holding him. Maybe they danced all night. When he sat up, he noticed Fleur in the kitchen, looking through a cookbook.

"Flo, good morning." He called to her.

"Eli, are you okay?" Fleur looked up.

"Of course I am." Elijah leaned back,"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Do you.. Remember last night?"

"I.. I think so." He nodded, "We danced, didn't we?"

"No, no we didn't."

"Oh." Elijah blinked,"But.. You were holding me."

"Yeah, yeah.. You were spiked, Eli."

"..What?"

"James." Fleur walked over and sat down next to him,"I had mentioned how strong my drink was and he said he always made yours strong..I told you that wasn't good then you started to get drowsy."

"But- James is my friend." Elijah pointed.

"A friend wouldn't do that to you." Fleur took his hand.

Elijah squeezed her hand,"I.. Don't want to be like this anymore."

"How long have you not been remembering things from parties?"

"After the first few." Elijah looked off to the side.

Fleur sighed and hugged him.

Elijah leaned into her touch,"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know- All of this?" Elijah shrugged,"I took you to that party, something could've happened to you."

"Don't worry about me." Fleur assured him,"What happened to you is horrible."

"But I'm fine, see?" He smiled softly.

"But what would've happened if I wasn't there?"

"..It can't have been that bad."

"The fact you can't remember tells me he gave you enough drink to purposely make you forget what happened." Fleur patted his shoulder.

Elijah looked down,"I.. I've woken up with bruises before. He told me I was just clumsy, too drunk."

"And you believed him because he's your friend." Fleur sighed.

"I don't want to know what he did." Elijah shook his head.

"I won't let it happen anymore." Fleur assured him.

"That's why you're my best friend."

Fleur smiled and hugged him.

Elijah hugged back,"I love you, Flo."

"I love you too, Eli." Fleur hummed.

*********************************

"Welcome back to the apartment, hun." Elijah opened the door for Fleur.

"Merci." Fleur chuckled and walked in.

"Just make yourself at home, I'm just finishing up in the kitchen." Elijah told her.

"Okay." Fleur walked to the living room, looking around.

But there was a rustling on the couch and Fleur was greeted with.. A small white kitten.

"Oh mon dieu." Fleur gasped,"Hello!"

The kitten meowed, pawing up at her.

"Oh hello little Kitty." Fleur smiled.

The kitten jumped up onto the arm of the couch, stumbling over it's paws.

"Oh, you're so cute." Fleur whispered.

"Right, I'm here." Elijah hummed as he walked in.

"Elijah..When did you get this cute little guy?" Fleur looked up at him.

"Oh, Muffin?" Elijah scooped him up,"I found him a couple weeks ago outside in an alley behind my old dealer's place."

"Muffin- It suits him perfectly."

"He's my designated unofficial therapy animal."

"He's so cute."

"He is." Elijah kissed his head.

"Muffin, you're so cute." Fleur kissed the kitten.

Muffin meowed, nuzzling into Elijah.

"He's just so tiny."

"He's just a baby."

"Has your papa been good to you? I bet he has." Fleur hummed.

Muffin meowed in response.

"I have." Elijah nodded.

"You should've told me, I could've brought treats."

"I've been trying to keep him secret. I'm not supposed to have pets here." Elijah told him.

"Screw the school." Fleur sighed.

"I know- But that's why I've only shown you."

"I won't tell." She assured him.

"I know you won't." Elijah hummed.

"My lips are sealed." Fleur chuckled.

"Very good." Elijah sat Muffin down.

*********************************

"So, don't panic.." Fleur walked through to her room where Elijah was.

"I'm panicking." Elijah told her.

"No, I said don't." Fleur cursed,"But my parents are on their way here, like..Now."

"Like- Like now?" He blinked.

"Now."

"..Shit.

"We're fine." Fleur nodded,"They're fine. They'll love you."

"Mothers and I don't have great track records." Elijah pointed.

"Elijah, don't worry." Fleur assured him.

"Bit late for that."

Fleur waved him off as the door got knocked on.

"Fleur, I've missed you so much." Gail told her as the door opened.

"Mom." Fleur hummed.

"I brought cookies." Ruth smiled.

"I'm sure they'll be delicious, Mama. Fleur stepped back and joked,"This is Elijah.. My boyfriend."

"Your.. What?" Gail asked slowly.

"Yeah." Fleur smiled,"Say hi, Eli."

"Yeah- Yeah, hi." Elijah waved, gripping the wall behind him.

Fleur looked at Gail,"Mom, I'm joking. He's just my best friend."

"Is that so?" Gail turned to him.

"Ma'am, your daughter is lovely but with all due respect, I don't swing that way." Elijah shook his head.

"Darling, leave him be." Ruth chuckled,"It's lovely to meet you, Elijah."

"It's lovely to meet you too, Ma'am." Elijah nodded.

"Sorry for turning up so unexpectedly, Fleur, we wanted it to be a suprise." Ruth nodded.

"And we missed you." Gail added.

"I missed you two, too. But I've been doing great."

"I am so glad to hear that, hun." Ruth himmed.

"Elijah's really helped." Fleur added.

"Mhm, we study together on Wednesdays and Fridays and eat snacks." Elijah nodded.

"Lots of snacks, so we're great students." She agreed.

"I make a great pasta dish." Elijah pointed.

"He really does." Fleur nodded.

"Well, I'll need to try it one time." Ruth hummed.

"Muffin is a great kitchen helper too." Elijah gestured to the kitten who was stalking behind him.

"Oh my goodness." Ruth gasped as Gail kneeled down

"Hey there, little guy." Gail smiled softly, holding her hand out.

"She's not so tough." Fleur whispered to Elijah.

"Still scary as fuck." Elijah muttered.

Fleur chuckled and nudged him.

"Well, how about we try out this pasta dish?" Ruth suggested.

"Uh, sure." Elijah nodded quickly.

"I've got ingredients." Fleur looked at him.

"Give me some time to do my thing and I'll be right back." Elijah pointed as he headed to the kitchen.

"He's sweet." Ruth smiled.

"Is he usually that.. On edge?" Gail asked, happily stroking Muffin.

"No, not really. He's not the best with parents." Fleur explained.

"I see." She nodded slowly.

"Come on, I'll show you around." Fleur nodded.

"That sounds good to me." Ruth agreed.

After a while, Elijah had finally made his pasta, serving it to the Howards.

"Spero che il cibo le piaccia." He hummed.

"Oh, you're Italian?" Gail looked up.

"I am." Elijah nodded.

"Interesting." Gail nodded and took a bite.

Elijah took his seat, but was looking around at the others.

"This.. Is actually really good." Gail looked at Elijah.

Elijah smiled softly,"Thank you."

"Come on, dig in." Ruth nodded to Elijah.

"Oh- Right." Elijah started to eat as well.

*********************************

"So, why take the criminology class?" Fleur looked at Elijah.

"Well.. I want to join the FBI." Elijah told her.

"Me too." Fleur smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Any.. Particular reason why?" Elijah tilted his head.

"They helped me out..A few years back." She answered.

Elijah nodded slowly,"..Me too."

"What a small world." Fleur smiled.

"It really is when you think about it."

"Can I ask, why?" Fleur hesitated.

"Why what?" Elijah blinked.

"What happened for them to help?"

Elijah bit his cheek,"So.. Remember when we first met, and i told you we moved here because of my dad's job?"

"Mhm?"

"Yeah... His 'job' was killing people.. He left before the English police caught on and he started here. He.. He made me.." Elijah stopped, unable to finish.

Fleur took his hand,"Elijah, it's okay.

"It's not okay, Fleur." He shook his head.

"I went through something similar.." Fleur nodded.

"You did?" Elijah rubbed his eyes.

"I hurt a lot of people.. And a lot of people hurt me."

Elijah put his arm around Fleur,"Do you.. Want to talk about it?"

"I was sold into a sex trafficking at seven.. They were also making kids assassins..I hurt people too."

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again.. I promise."

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine." Fleur smiled.

"I don't care, my promise still stands." Elijah pointed.

"And I'll protect you."

"You'll probably do a better job than me." He chuckled.

"You never know." She hummed.

"Hey, I'd be more scared of you than me." Elijah told her.

Fleur hummed and kissed his cheek,"We'll get to the FBI."

"And we'll do it together." Elijah smiled.