*One month later*

A lot has changed in the past month. Or rather, it was just a huge adjustment after everything happened....

At the moment, I was sitting on my bed, doing nothing other than my homework and listening to music. Yeah, I know right. It was a rather funny thought considering this was me we were talking about. But it wasn’t that difficult to do. Just a pain in the ass.

Yes, homework. I was back to school and working as well as I could manage. Before that, it was quite a different system for a while. When I was hurt and spent those few weeks in the hospital, Jan would come by everyday and give me the work I missed. More than that though, she did something that would stay with me forever: she taught me. She actually went out of her way and took the time to do that. Apparently, Jan loved the idea of teaching and took that opportunity to teach me everything that was being currently taught at my school.

Not only having Jan as a personal teacher was a nice break from people, it was also helpful and it worked for me. Every day, she would come in with my books, sit next to my bed, and teach me everything I should have been learning in school. That was everyday for a few hours. But after I was released from the hospital, I was forced to go back to school and attend my classes. I wasn’t looking forward to it and I knew my instincts were right. It was rough. But after a little bit, it got better and I was able to actually focus on something in school.

I had just reached problem 18 in math when I was interrupted by the annoying ring of the telephone. I ignored it at first, figuring Luke or Clare would get it. But after the next few rings, with the realization that nobody was picking it up downstairs for some reason, I felt myself groan. I never was one for talking on the phone and if I did, it was with my cell phone. But hey, it’s not like I would have rather continued with my homework. This would be a nice distraction.

Moving my work aside, I jumped off my bed and quickly walked out my door towards Luke and Clare’s room, where I knew the closest phone was. “Is there anybody that cares I have homework!?” I yelled throughout the house, hoping one of them heard me wherever they were as I stomped towards their room. Going in, I picked up the phone from the jack that was on their small table, and answered.

“Hello,” I said after a sigh. I aimlessly started to walk out of their room and back towards my room.

“Hey, Albany,” I heard a drawn out voice over the phone. After a moment of thought, I had a good idea of who it was from the voice.

“Francis?” I wasn’t really sure at first if it was Francis for the fact that he never calls the house phone; it’s always either my cell phone or Luke's. But it sounded like him.

I walked back into my room, closing the door behind me. Still trying to figure out why he was calling the house phone, I approached my bed and moved aside my scattered homework before I sat down. Sliding back until my back rested against the wall, I stretched my legs out before me, waiting for his voice to answer.

“Yeah hey, I needed to talk to you.”

“Why did you call the house phone?”

He paused over the phone, nothing but the silence there for a moment. After what seemed like too long of a natural pause, he answered. “I lost my phone and don't have your cell number,” he said quietly. What I didn’t know at the time was that there was more to it than that. Much much more.

Francis quickly moved onto the purpose of this call (I always liked that about him when talking over the phone. Straight to the point). “Anyway, I need to talk to you about something really important."

"Alright."

I heard him take a deep breath before he continued. "As you know, after Mark died, his friends were very upset over it. Well it turns out… they are going to do something about it.”

That was true. After Mark was killed, the argument came up that it wasn’t something that needed to happen. Luke was put on the spot and he still is for the fact that Mark’s body revealed five bullets. Something that was unnecessary just to take someone down. Not only that, the fact that he was even shot brought controversy. Everyone was on Luke’s ass, saying that he could have arrested him and gotten him without killing him. Since Luke and I were the only ones there at the time, there are no other people that can vouch for anything. Most believed, including Mark’s family, that it was completely unnecessary and his life was taken unfairly. Though I disagree for the fact that Mark attempted to take mine and came back at us, the point was made with how he was killed. Five bullets. Enough to assume this was more personal than anything. And in my opinion, it was. It was five shots and straight to the chest each time. Not at all called for and I understood the anger aimed at Luke. Because this suggested it was inhuman and not necessary, his job was even on the line at first.

However, as of now, things kind of cooled down. That was, until I registered Francis’s words.

“I…I don’t understand,” I said. “I thought the issue was just beginning to…fade.”

“Issues don’t fade. Not with them anyway. I’ve been continuing talking with them, just to keep an eye on what they are up to. And it’s becoming clear that tension is only growing to do something about it. They want justice for Luke taking his life unfairly.”

I felt myself begin to bit my bottom lip on instinct, shivers running up me. I didn’t like the sound of that and didn’t know what to make of it all. “What are they going to do? He’s dead and it’s over.”

“They want revenge. Clearly, this hit them hard, knowing their friend was shot down cruelly and by Luke, someone they know is associated with you. They know it was personal and they are not happy about it.”

Taking a deep breath, I ran a hand through my hair, shaking my head slightly in disbelief. I didn't want to believe this. How much more did I need to take? "They are coming after me...?"

"Yes. Not right away. But eventually, they will come for you. And this is much more than a few people wanting revenge. That is a very important detail - this will be huge. They are more of a gang now if anything. I don't know how big this will get but that is at least something you can expect - it wont be a small matter."

I felt my heart begin to pound. This couldn't be happening. I mean, seriously, how much more did Luke need to deal with and I need to take? Pressure is beginning to build as it is with trying to find evidence for Clare. It's something huge we are dealing with. Luke just recently got the files and all I need to do is go through them. That's only the start of a long process of revealing her true nature. And now, now Francis tells me there is another problem we need to face? How are we suppose to juggle all this?

I wasn't sure what to say. What could I? We were sitting ducks, or at least I was. They wanted me and they knew where to find me. I'm not sure why they would wait because it seemed quite simple - come to my house and kill me.

I was silent for who knows how long. Francis continued to speak, sensing my rambling thoughts and unknowing words. "They will come after you. There is something going on on the sidelines for them. I'm not sure what it is but I know it's this huge operation. I'll try to find out more. Whatever it is, it's holding them up with coming after you. That's why you need to act now and slip away while you have the chance."

"What? What do you mean slip away?"

"I don't know when but they will come after you. You can't be there. Luke can't protect you, not against whatever it is they are planning. It's not settled, what they are doing. I just know they are planning for it. Probably in a few months. But that is giving you time to get away while you can. You can't stay there." Francis's voice went thicker, more serious and it made my blood run cold, my chest turn. I didn't like this, at all. My thoughts of the matter were in a jumble. My answer was immediate.

"No," I said instantly to him, my eyes falling to the floor and I shook my head slowly.

"What do you mean no?" he spoke louder through the speaker I continued holding to my ear. "You could die if you don't run! Now, I know that you were not successful in the past - more than once. But I can make sure you will be this time."

"No, I'm not leaving," I said, as strongly as I could. Because I meant it with all I had. I wasn't going anywhere if I could help it.

He gave a humorous chuckle, I heard from the phone. I sighed, running a hand through my hair, my heart still pounding. It wasn't like I was against Francis. I knew where he was coming from. The side that was all about common sense. Of course, I should run. But I just... couldn't. I wouldn't.

"Did you not hear what I said, Albany? You could die! Now, I'm not at all telling you to leave right now. You can think about it for a while but eventually, you will need to get out and realize that as the answer--"

"Francis, I know you care and are worried. But I will be fine!" I exclaimed to him, shifting down until I was able to rest against my bed pillow. I felt an overwhelming feeling come over me and I wasn't sure what it was. I just knew I couldn't go. Though it was big news and I was have trouble registering it, I already knew I wasn't going anywhere.

This was huge. People were going to come after me and they would kill me if they could. But... it wasn't enough for me. I can't handle leaving again.

There was a long pause over the phone as I waited, knowing he must be wondering what my issue was. As far as he knew, I didn't have problems in the past with running away. He was probably wondering why now was any different. When he finally spoke up, he confirmed my thoughts.

"Why wont you leave?"

I bit my lip, closing my eyes for a small moment as I answered. Though the answer was simple, the other reasons were not. I didn't want to explain everything to Francis. "Evidence. I wont abandon Luke here. I want to help him with taking Clare down. I refuse to run again. I want this, Francis. I want to expose the truth and more than that, I want to do it for Luke and for my sister. I don't care if I die for it, even if this is a huge risk," I said in a rush, seemly too fast for him to pass off. However, I was panicking too. It was a lot to take in knowing a group - a fucking group - of people were coming after me. And yeah, I know right, I should be use to this by now. Ha-ha no. The way Francis described it scared the shit out of me. But that didn't mean anything. I was staying right here. Right in this hell hole.

"It's more than a risk. You will die if you stay. That's how sure I am about this."

His words were scary enough because they were so sure. It didn't help with how passionate and sure his voice also was. How much truth was in it and the tone that sounded as if he were begging me. And it was getting to me. I didn't want to die. But I wasn't running. There had to be another way but if there wasn't, then so be it.

"I understand your position. But I'm sorry, I wont leave."

Another long pause. I could feel a shift coming in the conversation. One from his suspicion behind my answer. "There is more to it than that, isn't there?" he asked me, his voice a little smaller, curious and unsure.

When I didn't answer, not wanting to tell him the other reason for staying, he pushed for more. He could feel the reason, my answer for not leaving. After all, he was the one that was able to see the attraction that existed between Luke and I.

"What's changed? You ran before but why not this time?"

"I just can't abandon him. He's done so much for me and..." I sighed, not being able to finish. I was stuck. And he read straight through it.

"You love him. You love him, don't you?" His voice was quiet, somewhat scared. It hit my heart, those words. Though he was observant - even over a phone call - it shouldn't be that surprising that he could discover that. It was scary for me though, nearly as much as the thought of our old friends coming after me soon enough. I didn't like that he could see it. He already knew I liked him, had a crush on him. Love was different, a new and frightening level. It was bad enough, the fact that I had those feelings. I didn't like it if someone could tell I loved him. "You love him and that's why you wont leave him. Even before when you ran, you loved him. But now... you are so bound to him than before. You can't stand the thought of being away from him and you refuse to abandon him in finding the truth."

I was stuck. He got me. He was right. Though I knew nothing could ever happen between Luke and I, I didn't want to be away from him. I was tired of running, even if it meant for my life. I wanted to fight, to beat this. More than that, I would do it with Luke. I wont abandon him anymore. And it's because I loved him and he deserved my help to take Clare down.

Though he was right, I refused to confirm what he said so instead, I said something else after a silent moment of scrambling thoughts. I let out a small chuckle. "What is it with you and trying to figure out my love life?"

I could hear the smile return in his voice after such a serious conversation. "It's interesting. And stop avoiding it; admit that you love Luke."

I pursed my lips and turned more to my side. Sighing, unsure what to say, I played with the hem of my pillow as I rested there. Cheek pressed into the pillow, I felt my stomach twist more. I didn't know what to do, what to say this time. How many issues did I have to talk about with Francis? Wasn't Clare enough along with the now present and threatening problem of people coming after me? Now, it's time to talk out my problems with Luke? What a nosy man.

"It doesn't matter how I feel--"

"So you do love him," he said immediately, as if predicting I'd say something like that.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't need to," he said and I heard the teasing nature there. "You love him and that's something you can't deny. You are willing to stay and die for that man, Albany," he voice gave me the serious note it did before. "That's love, plan and simple."

"Well..." I started. "Like I said, it doesn't matter how I feel. Because now more than ever, we need to stay focused and watch our backs. What we are about to face wont be easy. And it can't have any conflicts involved that could be avoided. And that includes any feelings I may or may not have for Luke."

Another long pause existed over the line and it was a while where it was nothing but consuming thoughts and silence. I refused to tell him I loved him. If he could see it, that was enough to deal with. I didn't want to admit it to myself let alone to him. Finally, Francis spoke up.

"You want those feelings gone?" There was an edge to his voice and I wasn't sure what it was.

I sighed. "I don't know. I don't like how vulnerable I feel. But... it's just painful, no matter how pathetic that sounds. He doesn't care for me the same as I do him," I said and could hear my voice cracking slightly. At least, he doesn't care for me like that anymore. He couldn't because he said those feelings would fade. They didn't fade for me though. "I have enough to worry about and don't like that he is constantly all I think about. I'm around him too much and though I love it and feel so warm around him, it's not healthy and it hurts at the same time if that makes sense."

"It does. Because of the problem we now have with a load of angry lunatics coming after you, and with motive to kill your ass, we need to take this serious. And that means no distractions because of Luke. So here's an idea: you and I should start dating to make him jealous," he said in a teasing tone, trying to make me feel better was my guess.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You can never take anything serious. Nice try though."

I heard the smile in his voice and though at the time I knew he was kidding, I later found out there was more to it than that. There was more to it than what this conversation alone said. "Damn. It would make him jealous though - which would be absolutely awesome! Anyway though I know you don't want to run because you love Luke. But if you want those feelings gone, don't you think it would be for the best? Out of sight, out of mind kind of deal. It would be kind of a bonus from avoiding getting killed."

I thought over his words and they made complete sense. He was right. I didn't want to keep feeling this way when Luke didn't. Running would make it go away, fade hopefully. But... the reason I was staying was because I loved Luke and being away, though might make the feelings fade, I knew it would be torture. Absolute torture because I would never find a man like Luke again, one willing to give so much kindness and friendship to me. No, I was staying no matter the pain of not having him. Because even if I didn't have him the way I wanted him, I still had him in my life and that was a blessing. Not to mention that I wouldn't abandon him in this time where we needed to work together, find the proof to reveal Clare as the crazy bitch she really was.

I explained this to him as best as I could. "...It's worth the pain. I'm staying no matter how hard it is for me to know I can never have him. Though my feelings might fade if I run, it would be agony at the same time not being around him. I'm sorry Francis but I wont abandon him, no matter the cause."

Through the phone, I heard him sigh. There seemed to be a lot of that going on tonight. "No matter what I think, I do understand. If you are staying though, then you both are going to need a plan. Sooner or later, they will come after you. Be ready."

He was right. I could accept my death if it was for Luke and the effort to uncover to the truth. But I at least wanted a chance. I would tell Luke what Francis just revealed to me and though I knew he wouldn't take this well, he would be all for protecting me. That's something I really admired about Luke. He was a fighter, strong willed, and was there for me. "We'll figure something out," I concluded.

"I hope so. Just know I'll be here for you, Albany. I kid around a lot but I really do care about you. I'm worried and want to help you with this too. Whatever you need, whatever you want, I'm here."

I felt my heart skip a small beat and wasn't sure what to think about that other than complete thanks. I never had a friend like Francis before. I loved Luke and never felt so close to him. But to have a friend as great as Francis, it was different. I never had that amount of care given to me and it made me smile.

"I have to go though. I'll talk to you soon though. Have fun with your love life."

"Shut up," I laughed. "Okay, I'll see you later. Bye."

"Bye Albany," he said before we both hung up. I shifted up more, reaching over towards my bed side table which I put the phone. Sighing, I rolled back over and rested against my pillow. Though I still had homework, I couldn't bring myself to bother with it after what Francis just told me.