"I can't believe you're actually here." Luke said once they'd had a few drinks and were much more relaxed. Marco had been smart enough to excuse himself, leaving Echo alone with Luke.

"I can't either." She said, shaking her head and taking another sip. Luke watched her, knowing that it must have taken a lot for her to get here tonight and deciding that he was just going to let it go... after all, he was relieved. Absolutely relieved because he was sure that if just a couple of more days went by he would have gone straight to her house to get her.

Now, as he watched her sitting back and looking more relaxed than ever, he thought just how great she looked... even if she was dressed horribly. He hadn't missed the look on Grace's face when Luke took Echo's hand. Echo was definitely not the type of woman he was usually seen with and Luke had done his best to make sure she dressed the part but tonight... he didn't care what she wore. As long as she was here with him, she could wear anything she wanted.

"It's getting late." He said, watching her take another shot. The truth was that Echo wasn't much of a drinker but she found that with every drink, it really was easier to relax.

"Not that late." She said with a sigh as she watched him stand. "But I guess I should be going."

He took her hand and helped her up, then walked over to the bar to settle the tab.

"I'm going to be very late as it is." She continued to murmur.

"It can't be helped. You were the one that decided to drive all the way out here. If you had messaged me, I would have met you in the city." He said, taking her hand again and leading her out the door.

"You would have?" She asked, glancing up at him.

"Of course." He said, turning to face her as they stepped out side. "Echo, I told you I just want to spend time with you."

He reached out, placing his hand on her cheek and watched as she closed her eyes. Whatever she said, she knew she was enjoying the contact, enjoying having Luke so close.

"Come on." He said, making her open her eyes and nod.

"I'm right there." She said, pointing to her car in the back of the lot.

"Keys?" He asked, prompting her to pull them out of her pocket with a frown.

"You can't drive, you're not on my insurance." She said, a hiccup escaping her pretty lips and Luke chuckled.

"Trust me, It'll be fine." He said, snatching the keys from her hand and walking over to it. Echo sighed, too tired and dizzy to argue with him. What good would it do anyway? Luke always got his way.

"It's a long drive." She said as she settled into the passenger seat of the car and closed her eyes.

"Baby, there's no way we're making that drive tonight. Come on, we're going home." He said, pulling out of the parking lot and making her snap her eyes open.

"Sorry, where are we going?" She said, letting his words sink in.

"I already told you... Home. You can drive back to your house when you're feeling a bit... better." He said. Echo didn't know what to say, she couldn't think quite clearly and she honestly felt quite happy to think she could be in a bed soon.

Besides, if she was honest, she knew she wasn't in any shape to drive. Still, she did her best to try to clear her mind and sober up... maybe if she just rested her eyes for a second..

"What's that?" Luke asked, noticing a bag that was sitting by Echo's feet. Echo looked down and smiled, pulling the bag onto her lap.

"It's the dress and shoes you left in my trunk." She said, remembering that she'd grabbed it on her way out of the house. Luke frowned.

"You had that in this car the entire time and you still decided to wear THAT to come see me?" He asked. Echo sighed.

"I'm sorry, I was nervous." She said, looking embarrassed and pitiful. Luke pulled up to his house and turned to look at Echo for a second, frustrated but relieved she was here nevertheless. He let out a sigh and nodded.

"That's okay." He said, noticing how she was staring at him. Echo reached out, placing a hand on Luke's face.

"I'm sorry about everything." She said softly, "It's just hard for me to handle it all. Luke, you make me feel things I've never felt."

Luke watched how she turned pink as she spoke. She was so fucking adorable and so he leaned in, kissing her lightly. Then, when he would have pulled away, she reached out to him and pulled him in for another kiss, this time allowing herself to get completely caught up in.

It was immediate, lightening. She found herself climbing out of her seat and onto his lap as quickly as she could, feeling desperate to be as close to him as she could be.

"Wait... hey... Baby, wait." He said, trying to get a sense of control, but it was hard. He wanted her badly, had been waiting for this very moment...

"No, Luke." She said, staring directly into his eyes. "No, I don't want to wait anymore."

Luke took a deep breath.

"Come on..." He said. Echo smiled brightly, she had a beautiful smile.

---

"Good morning!" Maru said, walking into the breakfast room and stopping when she realized she was pretty much the first person downstairs.

"Good morning, dear." Alice said, pouring her husband a cup of coffee.

"Where is everyone?" Maru asked with a raised brow, thinking it was strange that no one else was downstairs.

"That's what I'd like to know." Michael said, glancing at his watch.

"Romy has an appointment this morning so she headed out early and took Vera with her." Alice said. "Lena should be down soon, I hope, as I expect Echo will be."

"She won't." Maru said, holding back a secret smile.

"Oh dear, is she still not feeling well?" Alice asked, looking concerned. It was the agreement. Maru told her parents that Echo had a headache and was going to bed early, then she would go upstairs and check on her at least once. "I should go check on her."

"Don't worry, I just popped in. She's feeling better but she had a rough night so she's just going to sleep in." Maru lied. She's stopped by Echo's room on her way downstairs and put the pup in his box. Last night, sometime around midnight, she'd gotten an interesting text from Echo's phone, telling her she wouldn't be home until morning.

"Okay, but when she wakes up tell her to give us a call?" Michael replied.

"I will." Maru said with a smile.

"Well, well, well... hey there sleepy head." Alice said with a smile as Lena walked in through the door. Maru turned, frowning as she noticed that Lena was an absolute mess. Her face was pale and clean, which was unusual as Lena liked to put on makeup before coming downstairs. Her hair was pulled back and although she tried to smooth it with her fingers, it was obvious she had not taken the time to run a brush through. But most concerning was the red in her eyes...

"Oh no, don't tell me you're not feeling well either." Alice said as Lena sat at the table.

"Huh?" Lena asked. "Someone not well?"

"Oh, Echo had that headache last night and now she's sleeping it off." Michael said.

"Oh. I'm fine, just some strange dreams." Lena said, reaching out to pour herself some coffee.

"Sounds like last night was rough for a lot of us." Alice said with a sigh.

"Don't tell me there's more?" Maru asked and Michael stood up.

"It's nothing." Michael said, "And I don't want you girls getting worked up over it."

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Lena asked.

"Well, Romy has just had a little bit of trouble with one of her admirers." Alice said severely.

"Paul? The one with the mustache?" Lena replied. Maru vaguely remembered a good looking fellow who'd been coming on pretty strong a few months ago.

"I thought he left." Maru said.

"He did but he's been calling and texting..." Alice said with a sigh.

"If anything like that ever happens to any of you I need you to tell me immediately. Don't try to handle it on your own." Michael said firmly. "Promise me that."

"I promise." Lena said.

"Promise." Maru repeated.

"Is Romy changing her number again?" Lena asked and Alice nodded.

"She'll text you guys later." Alice said.

"We have to get going. Stay of trouble, okay?" Michael said and the girls nodded.

"Lena," Maru asked after her parents were gone.

"Yeah?" Lena asked.

"Why were you crying last night?" Maru asked, making Lena look to her.

"What do you mean?" Lena asked, playing dumb but Maru frowned.

"We're twins remember... and I heard you. Thin walls." Maru said. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, just got a little emotional. That's all." Lena said simply. Maru raised her brow.

"That's first time you've ever lied to me. I thought we told each other everything." Maru said and Lena looked directly at her.

"Like you told me whatever's going on between you and Echo?" Lena said, making Maru turn white. "Don't look surprised, the walls are thin. That pup was in your room last night."

"She asked for my help. I'm sorry that I can't tell you what's going on but Echo's our sister and she's not ready to share with everyone." Maru said and Lena sighed.

"Yeah, I get it. I know you wouldn't lie to me without reason. Is she okay?" Lena asked. "I know she didn't come home last night."

"She texted me and so far I think she's fine." Maru said.

"Is it a guy?" Lena asked and Maru only bit her lip. "I see. Okay. Well then I guess I have no choice but to wait for her to tell me."

Maru watched Lena for a minute and sighed.

"I guess this means I'm supposed to wait for you to tell me too?" Maru said. Lena seemed to think about it for a second.

"It's not anything important. Not anymore. Give it time." Lena said with a sigh.

"One hell of a week for the Reid sisters, huh?" Maru joked. Lena let out a humorless chuckle.

"Yeah, glad it's almost over." Lena replied. "I hope Romy's fine."

"Well, you know how she is- tough as nails. If anyone can handle it, it's her." Maru said, thinking about it. "I really thought Paul had given up."

"He will." Lena said, "I almost feel sorry for him. It's pathetic really."

"Yeah but no means no. Romy has always been very clear that she wasn't interested. That's his problem, not hers." Maru said before picking up her phone.

"Anything?" Lena asked, realizing she was waiting for Echo to reach out.

"Nothing yet." Maru said with a sigh.

"Maybe you should give her a call." Lena said, "Just to be sure."

"Yeah... you're right." Maru said, picking up the phone and dialing.

---

Echo could hear the ringing in the distance- faint and low. She opened her eyes and looked up, taking a second as her vision adjusted to the light.

What time was it? How in the world did she get home? She turned to her left, trying to find the clock on the night stand and then began to scramble around for her phone... where was it?

She turned, opening her eyes and staring at the wall blankly, conscious that her head was pounding. She could get up, probably should get up but she was afraid to move, afraid of what might happen with that bubble in her stomach. Instead, she held very still as she felt Luke's arm drape over her, pulling her closely to him and she closed her eyes... welcoming the embrace as she soothed the aching in her head.

Then it hit her.

She wasn't home. She turned slowly, her eyes now wide as she saw Luke's face smiling down on her.

"Good morning." He said, leaning in and pecking her lips gently. "How's the head?"