"So," Quinn says in between bites of his chicken, "Are you really sure that the public will view me as...Safe?"

"I'm certain," I beam at him from across the table, "Especially after this interview. I can't wait to get it over with, that way people will know what a nice guy you actually are. And just remember, I'll be there with you the entire time."

"How could I forget that you'll be there? You're on my mind twenty-four seven. I hope that didn't sound creepy." Quinn chuckles.

"It didn't," I laugh along with him, "That was sweet."

"Almost as sweet as this pie?" Quinn points his fork full of apple pie at me.

"Almost." I smile and eat the pie from the fork.

I start laughing again when Quinn stares at the end of his fork in shock. His shocked expression then turns into a pouty face and that sends me over the edge.

"That was mine!" He whines.

"Well then, maybe you shouldn't have waved it in my face."

"Touche."

"It was really nice of Camden to pull some strings and get us free food from the diner." I take a sip of my coffee.

"Yeah." Quinn nods in agreement and shoves another piece of pie at me.

"Although," I scrunch my nose up, "I don't get how you can go from eating chicken one moment to eating apple pie the next."

"Eh," He grunts a typical guy like response, "Hey, so when's Trevor supposed to get back? I want him to be here for the interview too."

"He left about a half hour ago, he should be getting back soon."

I grab my coffee and stare at it as it resides in my hand. I quickly notice myself frowning and I try to stop, but I can't.

"What's wrong?" Quinn's voice laces with concern.

"We just watched Esmee die right in front of us, and we hardly reacted - except for Trevor."

He puts his fork down and reaches across the table, grabbing my hand that's tightly wound around the coffee.

"We've all been effected, it's just different for all of us. Trevor liked Esmee since high school, it'll be harder on him, trust me." Quinn says calmingly.

"Yeah," I shake my head, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

He leans back in his chair and smiles at me before digging back into his piece of pie.

"I'd tell you not to worry," He waves his fork at me again, "But I know that won't work, heck, it wouldn't work for me either."

I eat the pie off of the end of the fork and send him a lopsided grin.

"And what did I tell you about waving food in front of my face?"

He simply sticks his tongue out at me and goes back to eating.

                                                                                                   ~

I sigh and flip through the pages of Tempted  by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I simply love the House of Night  series, especially Stark, Stevie Rae, Darius, and the main character, Zoey. I love all of the characters and the storyline, but I'd say those four are my favorite. I decided to continue reading this book after I found it in my bookshelf. I remembered that this was where I left off before all the madness happened. Earlier before I started reading I also gave Quinn the full tour of my house - after we ate in my kitchen. Even after the second time he never learned his lesson and I kept stealing his pie. However, I'm going to do the dishes since I think that it's only fair. I mean, the first dinner I ever had with him in my house consisted of me stealing his pie. Of course I'm going to feel a tiny bit bad, not much though. I shift around on the couch and glance at the front door from where I'm sitting. Where on earth is Trevor? He was supposed to be back hours ago. Quinn's taking a shower and getting ready for his meeting right about now. He was worried about Trevor but I told him not to worry about it and that I'd watch for him. I'm technically keeping my promise since I keep glancing at the door every once in awhile, but I'll most likely get sucked into my book. When I'm in my reading mode nobody can disturb me, I probably wouldn't even notice him come in. Or if I'm in the middle of a mind ramble - like right now. Ugh. The door knob to the front door twists and the door creaks, causing me to mark my book and close it. I watch as Trevor walks through the door holding four bags and two paint cans. I lie my book down on the coffee table and give him a 'WTF?' look.

"I figured that you'd want to repaint over the wall that was spray-painted on." Trevor says as he sets down the paint cans and tosses the bags to the side.

"What's with the bags then? I don't remember us having that much stuff over there." I look at him quizzically.

"What's going on out here?" Quinn rounds the corner wearing a gray v-necked t-shirt, stonewashed blue jeans, and socks while drying his hair with a towel.

"Trevor's back, but you can see that." I say.

"Yeah," Quinn nods, "I can see that, but what are the pain cans for?"

"I just explained this to Kimberly," Trevor sighs, "I got paint so that she could paint over the graffiti."

"And the bags?" Quinn raises a brow.

"I was just going to explain that next." Trevor sighs again.

"Sorry," Quinn frowns, "Go on then."

"I brought some of my stuff with me too, I'm hoping that you'll let me stay here for awhile. I just don't feel like staying there right now." Trevor shuffles around.

"Hey, it's okay. You can stay here as long as you like." I say.

"Thanks," Trevor smiles at me weakly before looking at Quinn, "So when's the meeting?"

"In about ten minutes." I glance at the clock in the hall.

"Oh shoot, I guess I should put all this stuff somewhere else then." Trevor picks up the bags and paint cans and tries to cradle them all in his arms.

"There's room in my room, you can just put them there." I direct him.

"Got it." He nods and scampers out of the room.

"Do you think I'm ready?" Quinn eyes me worriedly.

"I think you are, but I'd go put that towel away now if I were you." I giggle.

"Good idea." He laughs nervously and heads back to the bathroom.

Do I truthfully think he's ready? Yes, yes I do.

                                                                                                ~

I comfortingly squeeze Quinn's hand as we sit in my living room.

"So, Mr. Deupre," The reporter leans back in his chair, "The world wants to know your story."

"Um," Quinn clears his throat, "Where do I start?"

"I know that you've most likely been through a lot, so I'll try to keep this interview short and easy. Just tell me the gist of things on why you were sent to jail and the true story behind it." The reporter scribbles down notes.

"I guess it all started when I got arrested for being part of a drug ring - even though I'm not. My brother got me arrested because he was afraid that the Where She Lies killer was after me. He never meant for me to get sentenced to death for being the Where She Lies killer, it was an accident on his part that was ruled by the court." Quinn says.

"That's interesting, Mr. Deupre, very interesting indeed. What was it like thinking that you were betrayed by your brother?" He asks.

"It confused me, I guess, but it mostly angered me. He's the only family that I have left and it hurt when he was the one to put me in jail, especially since I was innocent." Quinn tells the reporter.

"And you, Miss McClain," The reporter unexpectedly returns to me, "What is your relationship with Quinn Deupre?"

I blink and stare at the reporter with big, bug like eyes.

"Miss McClain?" The reporter looks at me with slight concern.

"We're dating." I squeak.

"Oh," The reporter smiles toothily at us both, "And how long have you known him before you started dating?"

"Awhile," I recover from my shock, "I always had this feeling that he was innocent, and I was right." I turn my head to Quinn and beam at him.

"You were right to trust your judgement then, Miss McClain, and I'm also sorry about your sister. It seems you have a rough family life in general these days. What were your thoughts when you found out that your dad's being released from custody?" The reporter asks.

"I was relieved," I choose my words carefully, "I've been upset with him all these years, but then I found out that he actually had a good reason to leave. Finding out why he left didn't make it hurt less, but I understood him then."

"I see," The reporter scribbles more notes and turns to Quinn, "So, Mr. Deupre, what are your plans for the future as of now?"

"Simple," Quinn smiles with ease, "To spend as much time with my friends and loved ones as possible. I also want to attend the same college as Kimberly."

"Well, I think that you'll be happy to hear that after today all of the world will know that you're innocent." The reporter smiles and stands up.

"Thanks for meeting with me." Quinn stands up as well and shakes his hand.

"It was my pleasure." The reporter smiles.

"Nice meeting you." I wave from my spot on the couch like the awkward, little being that I am.

"And you as well." The reporter nods and heads for the door.

He closes the door behind him with a bang and leaves the two of us alone.

"I'm sorry that Trevor couldn't be here for the interview." I frown up at him.

"It's okay," Quinn shrugs, "He had to answer questions down at the police station as a witness, totally understandable."

"Hey," I can feel my face getting warm, "Did you really mean what you said?"

He pulls me to my feet and smiles a smile that's as equally as warm as my cheeks.

"Of course I did, otherwise I wouldn't have said it." Quinn muses.

"How on earth did I ever find you?" I sigh as he pulls me into a hug.

"You tried to break me out of jail, remember?" Quinn chuckles.

"Yeah, yeah," I roll my eyes, "I remember."

"So I guess you could say that you fell in love with a criminal."

"Criminal my butt," I gently pull out of his embrace to look at him, "You're entirely innocent."

"Well," Quinn looks away innocently, "I wouldn't say that."

"Idiot." I laugh.

"Hey wait," He directs his gaze back to me, "You didn't deny it."

"I didn't deny what?" I stare at him in mock confusion.

"That you love me."

"Denying it would be lying," I try to smile his famous lopsided grin back at him, "And hey, maybe you're right, you are a criminal."

"Why do you say that?" He blinks at me.

"Because you stole something."

"I swear, if you say my hea-"

"My heart." I finish, despite his protests.

"That's it! You're gonna get it now!" Quinn laughs and I squeak when he chases me around the room.

And it was in that very moment that as he was chasing me around the room I realized something. I realized that no matter what, Quinn Deupre will always be my criminal.