Satisfaction with a bit of pride kept Ares cheerful when he and Eliza swapped rooms. All day she wore his clothes. She took a shower after moving her dresser and still came out wearing his clothes. The sweatpants were tied, and the waistband folded over a couple of times to keep her from tripping. She tucked the front of the shirt into the sweats, leaving the back free. The collar hung from her shoulder crookedly, revealing one shoulder and her bra strap. Eliza looked comfortable. It was all he wanted for her.

Donovan came by after his shift to check on the female bounty hunter. His eyes drifted from her outfit to Ares, not sure how he felt about the two hunters' relationship.

Eliza rolled her eyes and explained she went out, got stupidly drunk, came home, and was taken care of by Ares. Ares knew she remembered the things she did, the things she said, which didn't explain how collected she was all day. It was unusual.

Donovan and Eliza stepped out into her new hangar, leaving Ares to keep working. Eliza leaned against her ship, crossing her arms, and stared at the cop.

"How are you?"

"Better. Not well, but better."

"Do you need anything?"

Her mind went to Ares, "No. I'm okay. Ares has me covered."

Mac leaned beside her, "He's helpful, huh?"

She nodded, staring at her feet.

"If I hear he took advantage of you at any point– "

"He didn't and he won't, Mac. He's not that kind of person."

"You can't be sure."

"No, I can. He wanted to trade rooms with me. He let me sleep in his room because I can't go into mine. He's still working in there because he wants to help me get better. He's a good guy even though he irritates me on a daily basis."

Mac stared at her, watching her features soften the longer she spoke. The damn bounty hunter won over his stubborn daughter. She felt something again. The Eliza he knew showed herself again. He pulled her into a tight hug.

"Make sure he doesn't stop caring about you. You need his help."

"I know," her arms wrapped around his middle for a second. "I don't think he'll be able to leave me alone anyway."

Mac laughed and let her go, brushing a lock of hair away that fell from her ponytail. "Need any help moving furniture?"

"You just got off of a night shift and need to rest. We're fine. Get some sleep."

"All right, all right. Let me go talk to that partner of yours first."

"Privately?"

"No. I just want to thank him for watching out for you."

Eliza rolled her eyes and smiled, "Well, go get it over with before I kick you out."

Donovan patted her shoulder and walked back in, straight to Ares. Eliza went into her new room to organize while trying not to eavesdrop. She didn't really want to hear them talk. It was embarrassing to see Mac so happy about Ares being there for her. He was never that pleased when Luke came around. Ares was his shining star, of course.

He poked his head in to say goodbye to her, which she fluttered her fingers lazily. The front door shut, and Ares meandered into her room.

"Where do you want your desk?"

She looked to him, studying his face. He genuinely wanted to help and keep her sane. She still saw mischief in his golden eyes but there was more than that. She felt important, wanted.

"By the window is great," Eliza said, coming over to help him move it.

It was the final piece that completed her room, finally letting her feel a little more at ease. Guilt gathered in her gut knowing she wasn't brave enough to help Ares reorder his room. He noticed.

"I'll survive, Lizzy. I knew you wouldn't be able to help me, but this was never about that, okay? You can sleep easy."

"Fine. Then I'll make breakfast."

"Sounds good," he smiled.

Mac sent out a bounty later that evening, which Eliza eagerly took. The apartment was stuffy even with a new room. She needed to get out. Ares was happy to hunt with her again. It was written all over his face when she walked out in more suitable clothes for hunting.

George Huang, their target, roamed downtown Olympus City when they found him. A black SUV was parked beside him, the windows so dark they couldn't see inside. It was clear he was waiting for someone. He kept checking his watch, cupping his hand on the window to look in, and he typed furiously on his communicator.

"How many girls do you think he has?" Eliza whispered.

"Too many. We need to get them out and get Huang before his buddies show up."

"Plan?"

Ares studied his partner. "I don't want to put you through anything else, but you could distract him long enough for me to get close."

She nodded without hesitation and took off toward Huang. Eliza slowed as she got closer. It was time to act. She began sniffling and fake crying all while looking lost as she walked out of the alley. Once Huang spotted her, she stumbled over in hysterics and asked if she could use his phone to call someone.

"I'd be more than happy to drive you where you need to go after my friend gets here," Huang said, a creepy smile on his face.

"Sir, if you please let me borrow your phone, I can easily have one of my friends get me. I really need a familiar face right now. I can't remember anything." Eliza spotted Ares stalking closer to them. "Please help me."

"I'm waiting for a call. I can't have my phone in use until the call finishes. It's important."

Eliza forced a sob from her mouth as she turned her back on Huang. The man touched her shoulder and that was the end for him. She whipped around, kicking him in the side. Ares came up behind him, pinning his arms behind his back, and letting Eliza send a swift punch to his face. Huang's body went limp.

"I'll get the girls out," Eliza said as she pulled the car keys from Huang's pocket. It was strange to hold old tech like the key fob she used to unlock the door. Two young girls were slumped over each other. Drugged.

"We're gonna have to bring the car in." Ares opened the passenger door to shove a tied-up Huang inside. "We can't get the girls to safety and get him to Mac without it."

She tossed him the keys she fished from Huang's pocket. "You're driving."

They climbed in the SUV, Eliza sitting in the back to attempt waking up the girls. Whatever drug coursed through their systems was strong. Eliza couldn't get them to flinch even after they pulled up to the police department. It was a relief Huang didn't wake.

Mac came out of the building, still in his civilian clothes. "You two didn't waste any time."

Ares pulled Huang out of the vehicle, "He was too easy, Mac."

"Yet, our other hunters couldn't catch him."

Eliza cut in, "Mac, call for a medic because there are two girls passed out in the back seat. I'm worried that the drugs in their bodies are too strong for a simple knock-out."

"Let's get them all inside. You two get the girls to our med bay. They can get temporary help until we get them to a hospital. I'll take this scum and put him in his place."

Ares lifted one girl, supporting her head, while Eliza rested the other over her shoulders. After they got them into a room, the two hunters stepped outside. Eliza didn't want to leave until she knew the girls were okay, but she knew she wouldn't hear a word until a hospital visit. Donovan met up with them a few minutes later.

"As soon as you know their condition, tell me," she said.

"As soon as I know," Mac confirmed. "You both are free to go home. I promise those girls will be taken care of."

Ares nodded and gently left Eliza out of the building.

The night sky was clear, letting the stars shine through the city lights as best as they could. Neither hunter cared.

Eliza slipped into more comfortable clothing once they returned home. She decided not to wear what Ares lent her the night before, but she hesitated to return his things. Her hands hovered over the articles until she gathered them up to dump them in the laundry basket. The clothes needed to return to its owner. Ares watched, amused.

"Goodnight," she mumbled, entering her room. She didn't even wait for his reply before shutting the door.

She suddenly wasn't alone. The gun on her bedside table was in her hands in a second, aiming in the center of the man's chest. He smirked.

"Hello, Eliza," the man greeted.

He wore dark pants, tennis shoes, and a black jacket. The hood covered his face.

"Get out."

"Ooh, so scary."

Without a second thought, Eliza pulled the trigger. The bullet embedded in his side, taking him to his knees. Ares nearly broke down her door at the sound, his gun raised as well. His gaze hardened seeing the man writhing on the floor. He sent an S.O.S to Mac.

Ares brushed past his partner to wrangle the intruder and bring him into the living room. There wasn't an ounce of gentleness as Ares dragged him out. Eliza followed, her gun still trained on the man.

"Let me guess, Terance sent you," Ares scowled, tossing him to the floor.

The stranger chuckled, "Wouldn't you like to know, Ares Matthews."

Eliza kicked his wounded side, making him groan. "Was it that blond asshole? Or did some high-strung bitch send you here?"

"Neither of you have much time before the Scorpions get what they want from you both. The dynamic duo will soon be eradicated."

She kicked him again.

Donovan burst into the apartment, two officers behind him with guns raised. All three lowered their firearms once they saw the intruder under control.

"Take him and do what you need to get answers," Ares told the cop. "Make sure you put him through hell."

"It'll be my pleasure." Donovan practically dragged the man out of the apartment, ignoring his threats to all of them.

Eliza collapsed on the floor, "I want them dead."

Ares sat down next to her, "I know."

The sounds of the building settling and the fridge kicking on we're nothing in Eliza's ringing ears. She had enough. Red filtered her vision. The Scorpions and all their minions were going to wish they never messed with Eliza Kane.