Mama, I'm in love with a Criminal


Elise sat on the bed, her arms wrapped around herself, how badly she wanted to be down there, to be able to hep him, but she knew she couldn't, if the two men could, they would kill her on the spot, she sighed to herself, this was going to be a long night, she got off the bed and padded over to the chaise lounge, she sat down for a few moments before standing up and starting the fire, she sat down infront of it for a few moments, before she started to softly cry, she didn't know why, but it seemed like everything was wrong at the minute, her family wasn't speaking to her, she was in love with a man who's lifestyle could kill her, she wasn't able to help him, she took a deep breath looking into the fire.

She cleaned up her tears and stood up, heading over to the chaise lounge, she sat down and pulled the blanket around her once more, she shut her eyes and pulled her legs close to her as she lay back against the chaise lounge, a silent tear ran down her cheek, she knew there was no point staying awake, so she closed her eyes for a few moments, and somehow managed to make herself fall asleep, it wasn't peaceful, and she was haunted by her former nightmares, of what could happen to Gabriel if he wasn't carefull.

Why could they not just get away? Why could they not just take the money and start a new life somewhere? But she knew that would never be possible, it would take alot to make him consider ending the business, he would come up with excuses upon excuses as to why he couldn't leave it all. She sighed and shot up on the chaise lounge, not knowing how long she had been asleep, she slipped off the chaise lounge and headed over to the clock, checking the time.

[Sorry it's short]
 
((Don't worry, I have an idea how to entertain you ;-D ))

A figure was silently standing in the lounge. Not seen, not heard it was watching a woman checking the time. She was beautiful as everyone said. Now he believed and a thorn of jealousy jabbed into his heart. He had his arm crossed, only the right side of his body could be seen, his face hidden in the shadows. He was the master of pretending, stalking and, what was the most valuable skill, killing. But no, he couldn't kill such a beauty. Firstly, Gabriel would kill him afterwards. Secondly, he was watching her for so long, not just here in the lounge, that he build a soft spot for this woman thought never spoke a word of it to anyone. Gabriel was weak in that. He showed up with her everywhere and that's what put him and her in danger, mostly her though. If he just shut up and hid her away, his business wouldn't be collapsing now. No. The figure knew better how to treat fragile creatures.

"You hardly slept for half an hour, madam," he said, staying in his spot. He expected any reaction he might got, from surprise to fear. He was watching her face as it changed expressions and smiled for himself. Definitely, this woman was exceptional. If he just could have her for himself...he would take her far away from all this mess. He would be able to protect this beauty more than the fella in the office.
 

Elise jumped the second she heard someone speak, she automatically guessed it was one of the men that was meant to be down stairs she took a deep breath, a look of fear and surprise in her eyes as she turned around to look at him, taking a step back, watching the figure in the shadows, she couldn't see much of him, only the right side of his body, and his face was totally hidden in the shadows, stopping her from being able to tell who it is, she took a deep breath.

"Who are you?" She asked, taking a step back, though she was only a few steps away from the wall, she couldn't scream, no, that would have Gabriel running through the doors and would possible end his chances of saving his precious business, she couldn't do that, screaming wasn't an option, she put her hand behind her, touching the near by table, trying to find something she could use to throw at him, but there was nothing, so injurying him was out of the question too. "What do you want?" She asked, why was she using such cliches? She wrapped her arms around her in front of her stomach protectively, she looked at the figure, waiting for his answer, how had he known she was only asleep for half an hour, "You were watching me, weren't you?' She asked, this must have been the guy in the car at work, the one she had thought she had spotted when leaving the offices a few days before hand.
 
He smiled, discusing with himself whether to leave the shadow or stay in. He really didn't want to scare her but on the other hand, scaring people was what he did for the most of his life. However, he was in a good mood so he stepped out with a mysterious smile on his face.

"You don't have to worry. Gabriel called me," he replied and shrugged. That should calm her down, he thought but stayed on his spot out of the shadow because coming closer might only frighten her more. Anyways, he was tall, probably the same high as Gabriel, only a bit more well-built still he showed signs of flexibility. He had cold grey eyes and short dark brown hair. His clothes was black and simple. There was something within his posture that made him look spine-chilling yet handsome. If someone looked more closely and had really good sight, a bulge under the man's arm pit could have been seen. As a matter of fact, he ignored her last question as if he didn't hear it.

"How is it that you're walking alone in the house? Isn't butler suppose to take care of you, madam?" he asked and looked around expecting the old man to appear any time soon. He knew that he wouldn't because he was serving those ones downstairs in the office. Grey wasn't in a hurry because the only thing he needed to know was who should be his next victim or who he should blackmail and such. Politics wasn't his cup of tea even though Gabriel and he were a great strategist when together.
 

Elise looked at the figure as he stepped out of the shadows, a werid smile on his face, she calmed down slightly when he told her that Gabriel had sent him, but she still couldn't be sure, so she stayed where she was, she took him in, looking him up and down, he was rather handsome, she had to admit, but she only had eyes for Gabriel.

"Carson's busy with the other guests" She told him, she moved her dressing gown around her slender body once more, watching him for a few more moments before speaking. "You didn't answer my question, Who are you?" She asked him softly, she decided she needed to sit down, so she walked in the direction she had came, heading over to the chaise lounge, she sat down once more, looking up at him, moving forward and taking ahold of her glass wine, taking a sip before placing it down, hoping to calm her nerves, she looked up once more at him, a differnet look in her eyes once more as she looked straight at him, examining him closely.

"Why did Gabriel send you?" She asked him, she had never met this man before, and she didn't see why Gabriel would send someone she didn't know to keep an eye on her, would he not have sent Carson, the butler after all knew exactly what he had to do if anything happened to her, so why was this man standing here in his place, she pushed herself back and leaned back against the chaise lounge, watching him with her dark drown eyes once more.
 
Grey smiled. She wasn't silly at all. She kept her distance, not believing him after all yet acting the other way. Grey felt great attraction towards her though hid it. She wasn't even easily fooled. She knew what she was talking about and once Grey disobeyed to answer, she came straight back to it. Finally, Gabriel didn't chose a silly blond but smart brunette, Grey thought and placed his hands in his pockets.

"As for who I am," Grey paused as if he was considering what to say though he knew exactly what his answer was going to be like, "I work for Gabriel since he started his business. I do all the dirty work that you boyfriend doesn't want to be involved in," he said and shrugged once more. He let her examine his look knowing that it couldn't say as much as he could say in words himself. Hence, he was still a mystery.

"Actually, Gabriel didn't send me here to look after you. Nah, I am a terrible babysitter. I am suppose to be in the office but don't wanna go there until necessary," he explained being honest with Elise, moreover, believing that she would understand. All the time, Grey was looking at her, not exactly examinig her because he knew her really well, but still cuiriously uncovering all the wonders of her body, behaviour and everything else. Though his eyes stayed without a hint of emotion.
 

Elise looked at him and nodded. "Clever, answering a question with an explaination that doesn't exactly answer my question" She told him. "What's your name?' She asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him closely, he looked like a mystery, an unsolved one at that, she sighed to herself, she still wasn't totally sure about this guy, why was he here when Gabriel didn't send him, she knew her boyfriend far too well, he would have told her in advance if he was sending someone to 'babysit' her.

She slowly stood, taking a deep breath "And why, dare I ask, are you standing infront of me right now, if Gabriel hasn't sent you?" She asked "I'm sure a man like you could come up with other places to hide other than with your boss' partner" She said to him, she uncrossed her legs and played with the end of her dressing gown, wishing it had of been slightly longer.

She silently wondered where Gabriel was, she couldn't hear raised voices anymore, and she didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing, prehaps he had left, but he surely would have came to see her, would he not? He would have got Carson to get her, so he had to be in the house, but where? If she didn't know the possible outcomes, then she would have stormed out of the room at that very moment and went in search of him, but the man infront of her, she seemed to recongise him, could she risk asking if he was the man she thought had been watching her all those times? Could she really get away with that?
 
Grey couldn't help it and laugh. It was filled with amusement yet it didn't mean to offend anyone. He stopped after few seconds and gave Elise a deep look of understanding. "Well, call me Grey as everyone else. That's the most I am willing to tell," he said and made few steps towards her before stopping few paces away, his hands still in his pockets. "And as I told you before, I don't want to go into the office right now so I was wandering around the house before I found you and thought that it would be nice to talk to you once you're Gabriel's girlfriend," he explained once more and looked at the clock where was Elise standing before. The time had passed quite a lot and Grey thought if he should leave or not. To be honest, he didn't want to. Elise was sweet and so fragile that he felt like he had to stay in here otherwise she would vanish once he turned away.

"Actually, do you know what's going on? Did Gabriel tell you anything?" he didn't think that she would know a thing. Gabriel always kept the business to himself and gave information only to people who needed it. Apart from few bad things Gabriel was perfect leader, better than his father as far as he heard.

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In the office, Gabriel, Jack and Peter were discussing new details that were sent to them by the spy. It was horrifying. On the basis of what they knew, Triada got more than the casino. They attacked other restaurants and one borthel, all in one night. As it seemed they organized something like a little army that was marching through the streets and destroying Gabriel's business. It wasn't a big group though, they could destroy it in one go but things got more complicated as they got a message that shocked Peter, confused Jack and totally upset Gabriel. Once he read the message he felt like killing everything alive. He was furious and for the first time it was up to Jack and Peter to calm him down. Gabriel picked up the phone and dialed Grey's number.
 

"Okay, Grey" Elise told him, she watched him for a few moments "I know what's happen, but why would that interest you?' She asked, she was vunerable, and put her walls up, not sure what to think of the man standing infront of him, not knowing if she could trust him, he ahd already lied to her once, she rounded the chaise lounge, casually putting some distance between them, as she turned she shut her eyes before turning to look at him once more, she stayed silent, trying to hear what was happening down stairs, a thought hit her then.

"Is Gabriel not looking for you?" She asked him, she raised an eyebrow, you could hear a pin drop in the house it was that quiet, she looked at him as his phone rang, no doubt Gabriel, and the others would be able to hear it. "If the other two ask, I'm not here" She said to him "Please, they can't know I'm here" She said, she looked at him before taking a step closer "Go down to them, I can't risk them coming up and seeing me here, it'll ruin everything and Gabriel will never forgive me" She pleaded, hoping he would understand, if they found her, they would be even more angry, and she knew Gabriel didn't need any more of that.
 
Yes, his phone rang but Grey didn't pay attention to it. More interesting fact was happening in the behaviour of Elise. She was scared, he could sense it. It made him feel in several different ways, a bit happy and in power yet awkward. He nodded. "Don't worry. If Peter and Jack would find out it would be me who they will send after you to make you silent...forever. And believe me, I don't want to do that," he said, pressed red button on his phone and left the room, leaving Elise behind.

Once Grey entered the office, Gabriel turned his angry gaze at him. "Where for haven's sake have you been?" Gabe asked trying to control his voice, it took him a lot of effort though.

"Sorry, I just got in the house," Grey lied and moved to the further chair, sitting down. "So, any job for me tonight?" he asked without any sign of interest. Jack and Peter were looking tired but pleased that Grey finally came. For some reason they believed assassin more than their business partner. Weird, though Gabriel nor Grey minded. As long as they were together, Jack and Peter would listen. Gabriel told Grey what was going on. However, Grey's new mission wasn't about to kill.

"What?! I just told her complete opposite! Are you kidding me Gabe?" Grey asked suprised by his new assignment.

"Do I look like I am joking?" Gabriel replied, tired from all of this. "At this moment I need you here with her. You're the best one I...we have. We can't send you out whereas we can send out the others who are not that experienced. We can lose them but not you," he added. Actually, Grey was really surprised that Jack and mainly Peter agreed with such a plan. They were both against Gabriel and Elise together and now they want him to protect Gabriel's girl. What did he tell them? What did he have to do to make them agree?

"Ok, ok. Whatever," answered Grey and there was sort of annoyance in his voice yet no-one offended him for that. After some time when everyone was silent, Grey got the point that they were not talking because of him. He let out angry breath through his clenched teeth and left the office. How he wanted to slam the door but didn't dare to.

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While this conversation was held in the office the butler came to the lounge. "Are you alright, madam?" he asked in caring tone of voice. He always cared about her and about Gabriel too. Actually, sometimes it felt like he was substituting father for Gabriel but no-one could ever be sure about that as long as Gabriel didn't spend that much time in butler's presence.

"Can I get you something else to drink, madam?" he asked again and waited for Elise's reply.
 

Elise sat with her hands on her lap, looking down at them, playing with the fabric of her nightwear, this couldn't be happening, she was sitting here, helpless, while the man she loved sat only rooms away, trying to control his business, she now knew he didn't tell her everything, he couldn't have, he wouldn't have. She just wanted to help him, could he not see that? Could he not see that she wanted to help him in any way she could? Perhaps she could be useful, perhaps she could help him, but she knew he would never listen, say it was too dangerous for her to help them in any shape or form, she knew him too well.

She looked up when she heard someone walk in, she first thought that it might have been Grey or Gabriel, but she was wrong, she was shocked when she looked up and saw the butler, but she smiled softly at him none the less. She listened to him as he spoke, sighing softly.

"No, Carson, I'm not okay" She told him softly. "Gabriel isn't telling me what's happening, I know he only wants to keep me safe, but can he not see that it would be better if I knew what was going on?" She asked "For my sanity if nothing else" She said "And then there was this man, Grey, he works with Gabriel, have you heard of him?" She asked. "He was here when I woke up, I think I saw him before, remember when I told you about the accident at the office, when I thought someone was watching me?" She asked "I think it was him" She told him.

She sighed and placed her head in her hands "And I can't tell Gabriel because he has enough to worry about at the moment without having to add this to his plate" She said softly, she was pouring her heart out to the older man, she knew how much he cared about her and Gabriel, and at times she felt like the older man was the only person she could talk to.

"A drink of water would be nice, is there any S.Pellegrino?" She asked, she sighed softly as she pushed herself back on the chaise lounge. "And if you could, can you please find where Gabriel is for me?" She asked softly, "But please don't get caught though" She said to him. She cared too much about the man to want anything bad to happen to him.

 
Carson was listening carefully. Once Elise finished there was a slight smile on his face. "He knows it, madam. He is just protective towards you and wants you to be safe even though he doesn't see that it is hurting you. And yes, I know Grey very well," he said then left the room to get some water for Elise. As he was away, Grey came back and looked at Elise. His expression changed. It wasn't that mysterious anymore. Moreover, there was a clear countennce of disagreement. He turned away from Elise and walked towards the window pulling the curtain away a little bit, checking if there was something extraordinary outside.

As he was doing that Carson returned with glass and bottle off Pellegrine. He put it on the table and looked at Grey. "Do you want something?" Carson's voice wasn't so formal at that point. It was more like he was talking to a friend. However, Grey just shook his had, closed the curtain and turned around.

"Instead of drink, I need you to check the security of the house. Check it twice and alert everyone to be on guard towards everything," Grey said and looked at Elise once more. Carson nodded accepting the order and then left the room leaving Grey and Elise alone once more. However, no matter how bad Grey's mood was, he felt sorry for Elise. Being left in the eye of the storm without knowing where it came from was terrible. He knew how it feels himself.

Well, he could tell her what was going on, but Grey wasn't sure if Gabriel would agree. On the other hand, if he made a pact with this woman that she was not allowed to tell her boy then he might tell her everything. Grey felt miserable, at the end he would get involved in politics.
 

Elise smiled at Carson softly and took her glass, bringing the glass to her lips and taking a few small sips before placing the glass down once more and looking up at Grey, watching as he moved to look through the curtains, she sighed softly once more, she watched as Carson left, she felt even worse now, she didn't have Carson there for back up anymore.

"Why do you need to check on the security?" She asked, she saw the difference in him from before, something had clearly happened betwen the time he had left earlier and when he returned. "Grey?" he asked as she stood up, staying in the same spot for a few moments before slowly walking towards him once more, she seemed more confident than before, seh didn't know how, but perhaps it was having talked with Carson, perhaps that had helped her confidence a bit.

She wrapped her arms infront of her and headed towards Grey, standing only a few steps away. "What happened?" She asked him, she looked up at him with her dark brown eyes and slowly moved to place her hand on his arm, looking at him worriedly "Whatever it is you can tell me" She informed him, she smiled weakily "I won't tell, Gabriel, I promise, I just need to know, I mean it, Grey, I need to know" She told him.

She looked up at him "Why can't you tell me?" She asked, she took her hand off his arm and headed back in the direction of the chaise lounge, she sat down once more and pulled her legs up next to her, sighing as she rested her head back against the head rest once more and looked at him, she ran a hand through her hair. "Please, Grey" She pleaded softly, she just wanted to know what could happen and why they all needed to check on the security
 
Grey looked down at her hand touching his arm. It felt so strange yet familiar. He got the feeling that Gabriel would any time Elise would touch him like that. His heart skipped a beat but soon came back to the previous rythm. As she left to sit down again, Grey silently took a deep breath to calm himself down. In few minutes his world turned upside down. From professional killer he was relegated to babysitter, yet he wanted to look after her, to be with her and close to her. He turned around with his old expression on his face once more.

"Do you promise you won't tell? Because if you will, I don't know in how deep trouble I am going to be," he had to admit that it was a bit egocentric to think about himself at this moment but he had to for he didn't want to be punished. No matter how much had he and Gabriel been through together, whatever made them work together, he couldn't afford to lose his post. Once Elise agreed he went over to her recognizing the pose she was in. He saw her like that many times...when she was with him. She sat like that but her head was resting on Gabriel's shoulder. Grey clenched his teeth and sat on the exact opposite side of her.

"Well, since the time you and Gabriel are together there had been several changes in the blackmarket. However, once you've been to a big fancy party with him and japanese were there too. In that time the leader of Triada didn't know that you're his girlfriend. He thought that your his...how to put that...well, courtesan and he wanted you for himself. He offered Gabriel quite a huge sum of money but Gabriel refused and got really angry at the man and told him that if he wants you, he'll have to destroy him first. Well, that's basically what's happening. This japanese bastard took his words to heart and destroyed Gabriel's casino which was the main source of his money then he destroyed several restaurants and one borthel that Gabriel owned. It isn't a big deal at all. Gabriel still had a strong possition in selling guns and drugs but this will make a big hole in his budget. Anyways, there probably happened something else tonight, more horrifying than damaged buildings and dead staff... but Gabe didn't tell me. Well, the thing is that I was assigned to protect you and look after you. From what I know Gabriel is probably thining that Triada is going to come to this house and they'll be coming for you," Grey said calmly and paused for awhile to let Elise absorb the information.

"That's why I ordered to check the security system so we'll be ready and armed from the outside," he added and leaned back. Now he was praying that Elise wouldn't go running into Gabriel's arms crying and begging to let her go. That would make things worse.
 

"I swear, Grey" Elise said to him, she watched him closely as he sat opposit her. To say that Elise was shocked was an understatement, it was all her fault! She was the reason everything was falling apart, now she knew why he didn't want her to go to that stupid party, but she had insited, now she wished more than anything that she had said no then they wouldn't be in this mess. Why did she always have to act like this? Why did she always have to make a fuss over things like parties and dinners, why did she have to be like that? Now the man she loved was having his business toren apart because someone wanted her for himself, why did he never tell her? It made everything seem sense now, why he was always so protective of her, why she was only allowed to go out of the house through the back. Why was she so stupid? She suddenly wished she could have made a time machine, to go back in time and made everything alright, she would have a private word with him later.

"I..." She started, a tear came to her eye once more. "Grey, how could I have let this happened?" She asked, her walls fell down once more, she pulled her legs close to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, making herself as small as possible, something she often did when she was upset, when she and her mother had first fought, Gabriel had take her in his arms and comforted her held her the whole time during the night, stayed with her until she had calmed down once more, she lookd up at him with a confused expression on her face once more.

"Why did he never tell me?" She asked him softly. "Shouldn't I know?" She raised her eyebrow once more. "I mean, some man wanted to take me from him, why didn't he let me know?" She asked "That's why he wanted to me to learn how to use a gun" She said "Why am I so stupid?" She asked, she pushed her tears out of her face, taking a deep breath once more. "Why did he ever let this get so bad?" She asked "I mean, he's on the war path, what happened?" She asked "What happened that he wouldn't tell you?" She asked.

"He didn't find out about Melody?" She asked him, Melody was Elise's one year old goddaughter, an almost second daughter to her, the daughter of her best friend. She knew how easy it was for people in Gabriel's world to find out whatever they wanted about a person. "Grey?" She asked, a tear running down her cheek.
 
Grey was watching as Elise nearly broke down. He didn't expect this reaction and to be honest he didn't even know how to calm her down. She asked him so many questions that he lost track. He felt uneasy and clenched his fists. Great! What the heck should I do now? he though angrily. Even thought he got several ideas like sitting close to her, putting arm around her shoulders and somehow try to be sensible while speaking, he didn't have the chance to do so because suddenly someone entered the room. Grey stood up and was about to pull out his gun but it was only Gabriel with the other two who entered the room. Once Gabriel saw a trace of tear on Elise's face his jaw clenched and he gave Grey an upset look asking for explanation. On the other hand, Peter just shook his head and Jack's face didn't have any expression at all.

"That's what I get when I leave you with someone," Gabriel hissed at Grey who at the moment felt really stupid. "Don't worry Elise, Peter and Jack know about you here," he said in calm voice and sat close to her, hugging her. "I don't know what bad things he told you but I am going to sort him out later. I promise," Gabe whispered in her ear stroking her hair. "As for now," he said louder, "me and Jack and Peter agreed that the best thing for all of us would be to stay here. It means that you are going to stay here as well Elise," he added and gave her a supportive smile.
 

Elise snapped her head around and looked at Gabriel as he stepped into the room, she moved her head to his shoulder when he came towards her and cuddled close to him, she turley had no idea what was going on she looked up at him once more, letting him stroke her hair. "Is it true, Gabriel?" She asked her, her voice was shakey, beyond shakey, she took a deep breath as she came herself down. She nodded her head "Okay, but you're not leaving me this time" She said, she glanced over her shoulder at Grey once more before turnign to look at Gabriel once more, moving her head back down on his chest before looking up.

"What else happened tonight?" She asked "What would you not tell Grey?" She asked, a need to know in her voice, she looked at him, straight in the eyes, her usual beautiful brown eyes had a tear in them, she was alot calmer than before, but it was easy to see how upset she was. "Tell me, now" She hissed. "You've kept enough things a secret from me, my life is in danger and I desever to know what is happening, Gabriel" She said to him, her voice sounded stronger now, it sounded like someone that didn't want to be messed with.
 
Gabriel clenched his teeth and looked at Grey. Those two had eye fight for what felt like eternity. "What?!" Grey broke the silence and cast his hands in front of him in what-do-you-expect matter. Gabe stood up and walked a bit aside. He didn't like the tone that Elise used nor he liked all of them in the room. But he couldn't send them away.

"Thanks for obeying my order Grey," Gabriel said ironically then turned around and gave Elise a firm look. "Yes, your life is in a great danger however we all are. But, some things are better not to be said," he took a breath and looked at Jack with Peter next to him. "Carson will take you to your rooms. I will get someone to get your clothes because from now on no-one is leaving this building," Gabriel said and turned his attention to Grey. "You are in deep trouble, Grey, but I am too tired to deal with you today so I will leave it for tomorrow. And don't count on that I will forget because I won't," if it was possible Grey would just flare up and had a huge arguement with Gabriel but he didn't. The only thing he did and could do was to give Elise a sharp look before leaving the room. As Grey was leaving he passed by Carson who was just coming in. Like he knew what the order would be, he asked Peter and Jack to follow him.

Once again, Gabriel and Elise were alone. Though Gabriel was quiet, looking at his girlfriend with unpredictable stare in his eyes.
 

Elise looked at Gabriel when the two were left alone, she stood up and heading away from the chaise lounge, standing infront of the fireplace, she took a deep breth once more, shutting her eyes.

"Don't blame, Grey, he did the right thing, if anyoen should be blamed it's me, I made him tell me" She said,she turned to look at him "But you should have told me, Gabriel, I have been worried sick about you, and too think this is all my fault" She glanced at the floor "I shoudl have listened to you that night, I apoligise, I'm sorry, if I had of neve went with you to that party, then we wouldn't be in this mess" She said to him, she took one more deep breath "But trust me, we can not change the past" She said, she slowly started to walk towards him, she took her hand and placed it on his cheek, looking into his eyes once more. "I'm sorry about earlier, it was the shock talking" She told him softly, she sighed once more and took a deep breath before moving away once more.

"Look, we're both tired, we both need some sleep" She told him. "Why don't we go back up stairs for a while, sleep for a bit, try to forget about all this, even if it's just for an hour or two" She said, she walked towards him once more and placed her hand on his chest. "Please, I just want you to hold me" She said softly, she looked into his eyes once more.
 
As she said she wanted him to hold her, Gabriel did so. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.

"No, Elise, you shouldn't blame yourself. You couldn't know what was going on. I should have been more clear with you that night or at least make sure that he won't set his eyes on you," he said and kissed the crown of Elise's head. "And yes you are right. We should get some rest. I think that we might get more than two hours," Gabe added as he quickly glanced at the clock in the lounge. Then he looked down at Elise a weak smile on his lips he palmed her cheek. Afterwards, he took her hand and led the way back to their bedroom. On the way there, they met Carson as he went to his bedroom as well. Gabriel nodded at him obviously thankful for all his help he provided this night.

Once they got to the bedrom Gabriel went straight into the bed. He waited for Elise to lay down too and hugged her, kissed her forhead, whispered goodnight and tried to fall asleep.