I knew something was wrong the moment Damon came into our wing.

I sat on the counter, watching as he aggressively began rolling the dough for the croissants I had been requesting. If anything, he was trying to punch the poor thing into submission.

I tried to ask what was wrong, but all I got were grunts in return.

I tapped my nails against the counter, studying him. It was obvious something happened tonight that caused this reaction.

And surprise, surprise. He isn't going to tell me anything.

But I wasn't having it. I wanted to help him with his problems. Damon had done so much for me and faced my demons head-on. It was time that I did the same for him.

"Did you know that the furrow of your brow and disheveled hair shows signs of stress and anxiety? And based on the way you're gritting your teeth and smashing the poor rolling pin against the dough is telling me how angry you are?" I piped up, kicking my legs lazily.

Damon looked up at me with annoyance, his normal scowl on his face before going back to his task.

"Stop analyzing me. Xavier is already bad enough. And it's just been a long night." he muttered as he began folding the dough, though he was careful not to be as harsh. Though he wasn't fooling me with how stiff he was.

"Then tell me what's happening. Or I can keep going...I am getting really good at this."

Damon rolled his eyes, but I saw he was trying to fight a smile.

"Come on. You'll feel a lot better if you vent," I drawled, poking him in the arm. "You know you can tell me anything, right? You don't have to shut me out."

Damon sighed, placing the roller down. "I don't want to burden you. You're already involved enough with tonight's events."

I sighed in frustration. The silly man just won't let some things go into his head.

"You're right, this does involve me. What happened tonight was because of me. Having the man who has haunted my nightmares involves me. The burden is already there. You will only make it worse by keeping it from me. I may have agreed to not be a huge part of your case in the beginning, but I am pulling back from that. I deserve to know."

Seeing Damon's indecisiveness, I could tell I was getting somewhere. I kept pushing to crumble his defenses down.

"I'm not the scared girl that's constantly running anymore. I have you and the others to guide me and keep me safe. I won't spiral if you're there. Please trust that I can handle things. And you deserve to share your troubles with me as well. It's a two-way street." I got off the counter to wrap my arms around his waist.

"Damn you," Damon muttered and returned my hug, pressing a kiss against my head. "Always saying the right things to wrap me around your finger."

I shook my head. If anything, I was wrapped around his finger. One smile from him and I melted into a pile of goo. A kiss from him and I was a complete goner.

I mentally shrugged those thoughts away to focus on the task at hand. I looked up expectantly, resting my chin on his chest and giving him a stern look. I was not going to let this man divert me.

He shook his head, letting out a sigh of defeat. "Let me finish this and then we'll talk, all right?"

I stepped back and nodded, making my way to the couch. For all my confidence, I couldn't help but be nervous. I saw the man that started it all at dinner tonight.

I'm surprised I haven't had a complete meltdown yet.

I knew his appearance and Damon's stress had to be related. I just hoped it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.

Damon eventually came to me, dragging his feet like he could hold off the inevitable if he took his time.

I grabbed his hand as he sat down, his grip tightening once we made contact.

"Lorenzo found one of your charms. We missed one of them when your bracelet broke. We think he knows that it's yours and that you were here." Damon spoke softly.

I started twisting the ends of my hair before he could finish.

He knows I'm here. He knows where to find me–

Damon slowly untangled my hand from my hair, and held it together with my other one. With his free hand, he began playing with my hair himself, soothing me.

"We lost track of him, but we were able to get a lot of information at the dinner, remember? You were there for the conversation. We may not know if our cover is completely blown, but Lorenzo only knows that you were here. He doesn't know that you live here. We're laying another false trail in hopes that Lorenzo follows it for now. But you are still safe here. With the security here, Lorenzo would be a fool to go after us directly." Damon reassured me.

"But he was willing to chase after me in a public area and hurt innocent people. You heard him, Damon. He doesn't care who he has to hurt in order to get what he wants. I don't want anyone here to get hurt because of me." I protested, shaking my head.

"And they won't. But we need to be careful. The Diablos are going to be watching us closely and we need to move up our plan."

I took a deep breath, clinging onto his hands. "I know you and Xavier will come up with a plan, you always do. I trust you. And I'm sorry this situation is stressing you out."

Damon gave me a gentle kiss before pulling back.

"It's not your fault. But I wanted to give you something. Xavier and I ran into Benson and another agent this afternoon. Benson was an ass, as usual, but the other agent seemed promising. He said they wanted information on the shooting in LA and knows you are a potential primary witness. He gave me his card whenever you are ready to talk to him." Damon reached into his back pocket and gave me a small card.

I read it, finding the card belonged to Special Agent David Adlai. It included a phone number and email address.

"I thought it wasn't wise to tell them anything. How does the FBI even know? I thought they would've come after me weeks ago or the Diablos wiped all traces of me from the shooting."

"We don't know, though we can ask Erik to look into it. Believe it or not, there are some smart people that work for the FBI– so there is a chance that they did recover something. But, we can use them to our advantage to take our enemies down. And despite what I believe, you should do what you think is right.

"If you want to get the police involved in some way, then I will support you." Damon admitted begrudgingly. "As long as you don't mention the criminal part on our end."

I found not to laugh at the expression on his face. If there was a man that was anti-police, it was this guy.

Because he wanted to be his own version of the police.

But he was willing to do whatever it took to make me happy. It was risky on his end, and I couldn't help but find it hard not to fall deeper for him.

"Well, I do agree that our federal government and police aren't the most efficient, but I think in a lot of cases, they can come through. Sometimes we forget about the people who have some humanity and actually want to help people, what with all the bad and corruption taking the spotlight. There are also times when amazing things can only be done by bending the rules...you just happen to be one of those people. Do you think Agent Adlai is, too?"

"Xavier has a hunch about it, but you know how he is. But I think when the time is right, you have a choice to make." Damon shrugged but gave me a devastating smile.

I looked at the card before placing it on the table. "I think I'll call him. But I also don't want to ruin your operation. If you have a preferred time, let me know okay?"

"Fine. Now enough about the bullshit from tonight. It's got me all worked up."

I squealed as Damon picked me up and put me on his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck to remain secure.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" I swatted him playfully when he pressed his lips against mine, the kiss demanding. I tangled my fingers into his hair, enjoying the feel of him against me.

"Don't mind me. I'm getting my emotions out through this." Damon mumbled as he deepened the kiss.

I don't mind one bit. Kiss the anger and stress away.

These were the moments that I clung to. While the world was erupting into flames around us, these were the times that I treasured. It was us against the world.

I giggled as he picked me up, walking toward our room. At this point, we both slept in Damon's room. I hardly went into my old room since Damon decided to move my belongings. There wasn't an ounce of guilt and shame when he put my things with his.

I had officially moved in with Damon.

Something that I definitely didn't freak out about and had to have a girl's session with Maria and Jasmine about it.

Damon tossed me on the bed when the oven beeped. My laughter filled the room as Damon groaned in frustration.

"You better get that before you burn all the goodies. I don't think I can forgive you if you ruin the croissants."

~*~

I shoved the rest of the delicious croissant into my mouth as I left to see Maria.

Damon had left earlier this morning to make plans with Xavier, leaving me with Marco, who was following me.

"You know, I can get the twins to babysit me. You probably have better things to do with your time." I said to him as we walked through the halls.

"The twins are busy. With Lorenzo's whereabouts unknown, it's not wise to leave you alone. Besides, I'm not that bad am I?" Marco joked, and I rolled my eyes in amusement.

"Eh, it depends on how much fur is on your suit. It activates my allergies. You have a ferret right?" I asked.

We were discussing his pet when we turned down the hall. I gaped as I found a familiar couple mauling one another, the man pinning the woman against the wall.

I frantically tried to tug Marco away, embarrassed for barging in on a personal moment.

"We should go around–"

Jasmine pushed Julian away at the sound of my voice, gaining her composure and fixing her shirt. My face was burning.

How is it that I'm the one embarrassed?

"Sorry, Jasmine– I didn't– you know what, we are going to go–" I stammered.

"Quit digging yourself into a hole, Rosaline." Marco snickered, looking amused by the situation.

Julian seemed unbothered, a goofy grin on his face.

"And while this was a great moment, I am done with my break. Marco, ma'am, my lady." Julian made a mocking bow before strutting off.

"That man is going to drive me up a wall one day." Jasmine huffed.

"Pretty sure he did have you against the wall." Marco observed, and she gave him a glare. Jasmine threw her hands in the air before marching the other direction.

"I can't believe you said that!" I said in disbelief as I rushed towards Maria's room.

"Come on, you gotta admit that was funny." Marco argued. I ignored him as I opened the door to greet Maria.

"Hope you tone down your sense of humor with Maria. She won't hesitate to murder you." I warned, which shut down Marco's amusement real quick. We both knew I was right.

We found Maria doing her exercises, cursing as she was doing stretches that were supposed to help her with delivering the baby. While the baby still had a couple months to go, Maria wanted her body to be prepared.

After getting her settled and making her tea, I sat next to her quietly as she talked to Marco. I pulled out the card that Damon had given me last night.

I read the FBI agent's name and phone number.

Was revealing my story to the FBI the best way to go? Would they take my statement seriously?

What if I had to be put on the stand as a witness in a trial? I couldn't do that now; I was basically in my own version of witness protection. If I went outside, who knows if Lorenzo or the Men in Black would snatch me up and kill me.

But how long could I stay silent? This card can bring closure to not just me, but the other people who had been impacted by the Diablos.

What would Dr. Paxton say? I need another session.

"What are you looking at, Rosie?" Maria said as she stared at the card. "Agent Adlai? Xavier mentioned him. Are you planning on calling him?" she asked, no judgment in her voice.

I nodded. "I think I am. Can I borrow your phone? Also, can you tell the guys that I am making the call now?"

Maria handed me her phone before instructing Marco to send my message to them.

I shakily entered the number on the card before panicking when I hit the call button.

"Crap! It's calling him!"

I made a move to hang up when Maria plucked the phone from my hand. I was thankful when Maria put in on speaker and placed the device on the table. Hopefully Marco will give updates to the guys throughout the call. As it rang, Maria placed her hand on top of mine.

"You got this, Rosie. One way or another, you will be the reason that everything will fall in place."

I gave her a weak smile as the call picked up on the other line.

"Adlai." a deep voice spoke.

My heart raced as I took a shaky deep breath.

"Special Agent Adlai? This is Rosaline Sinclair. I-I'm calling because you said that you wanted to speak with me?" I stuttered and I mentally smacked myself.

Maria gave me a thumbs up as Marco typed on his phone.

"Ah, Ms. Sinclair. I was hoping that you would call. Do you have time to meet somewhere to discuss this? This is something that would be done better in person." Adlai asked, keeping his tone professional but soothing.

"Yes, but I don't know if going anywhere is a great idea...I don't want to meet at the police station."

"We can meet wherever you want, possibly where you are staying, or in a public area."

I looked at Maria with wide eyes, my mind scrambling for a solution.

"Hold on a minute. Let me think." I said quickly, feeling a bit panicky. Maria kept a firm grip on my hand so I didn't flee the room.

Marco showed me his phone. The screen showed a message saying that I should do it either at the house or somewhere they had complete access and control over security.

I didn't want any more people to invade our sanctuary. A place came into my mind.

"Sorry for the wait, Agent Adlai. How about we meet at Elysium? I used to work there and it's one of the only public places in the city where I feel safe." I offered, hoping that I made the right choice and wasn't being stupid.

"That's perfectly fine. How about tonight, say around nine?"

Marco and Maria both gave me a thumbs up, so I agreed.

"Perfect...but I only request that Agent Benson doesn't come with you. I'm not comfortable around him." I spoke softly. Maria and Marco gave me an understanding look, Marco typing rapidly on his phone screen.

Adlai sighed. "Yes, Ms. Sinclair, you have my word that it will be just me in attendance. If you feel more comfortable with company, that is fine. However, I need to let Agent Benson know about the meeting."

I knew that was as good as I was going to get, so I took it.

"Deal. I look forward to our conversation."

Agent Adlai went over a few more details before we hung up.

"You did it!" Maria cheered before she gave me a hug. I let out a shaky breath before hugging her back.

It was time to stop running away. I was going to bulldoze my way in.