"And Hanna, please, no parties this time," Mrs. Marin smiled at her daughter before she ducked into the waiting Taxi.

Hanna could feel the knot in her stomach twist as she waved good bye. Being alone in the house with 'A' watching her made her feel sick. At least with her Mom there she had safety in numbers. As she shut the door she hesitated, but finally put the deadbolt on. She knew it was still light out, but that had never stopped 'A' before. A tap on the window made her jump and she whipped around to see that familiar mop of brown hair smiling at her sheepishly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" he said as he let himself in the back door. "I didn't feel right though, just walking in. It's not my house." He looked down at the floor as he said this, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"This is your house," Hanna said before she could stop herself. She felt her cheeks redden. Honestly she couldn't imagine the house anymore without Caleb in it. The sneaking around was tiring but to her it was worth it. She thought back to their discussion about him skipping town and it made her stomach twist for the second time that day.

"At least we won't have to hide for a few days while my Mom is gone," she said quickly, trying to divert his attention.

"Yeah it will be nice to not always be listening for her," Caleb agreed as he slid his backpack onto the counter.

"Well you are welcome to sleep in the guest room upstairs tonight. I'm sure having a bed would be a nice change from that old couch," she tried to seem non-chalant as she suggested it. She didn't want to tell him that she wanted him to sleep upstairs so that she wouldn't have to be alone up there just incase. Not to mention how being near him made her feel.

"As long as you're sure that's okay," Caleb said. He kept trying to catch her eye for some sort of reassurance but she was careful not to meet his gaze as she darted around the kitchen trying to keep busy.

"Definitely! Look, I have some stuff to do so I'll see you later!" Hanna shut the cabinet door and took off towards the stairs leaving Caleb standing confused in the middle of an empty kitchen.

"Uh, sure…later…"

….

He woke up to the sound of her frantically calling his name and felt his heart in his throat. He bolted from his bed and took off down the hall.

"What is it? What's wrong!" he demanded.

"I think there is someone outside!" she pointed to the window. He walked carefully towards it and peered through the curtains that were partway open. Caleb surveyed the yard carefully for any signs of movement but found none. He had to admit though, the dark yard had an eerie feel to it.

"I don't see anyone there," he reassured her as he shut the drapes completely. She nodded and he watched her lay down again slowly. Taking that as his cue to leave, he started for the door, until he heard her.

"Don't go."

It stopped him dead in his tracks and he turned back to face her.

"Just…stay. Please. For a little while."

Caleb hesitated as he stared at the empty spot in her bed. And then he looked at her eyes. Pleading and full of fear. Without a second thought he slid onto the bed, careful to stay on top of the covers. He didn't want her to think that he was going to use the situation to take advantage of her. He could never do that to her. He rolled over to face her, tucking his arm under his head. She gave him a weak smile, her blue eyes glistening. The sight gave him a pain in his chest and he couldn't figure out if it was good or bad. Before he knew what he was doing, he reached out and brushed some hair away, lightly grazing her face.

"Let me protect you," he whispered.

"You don't know what is after me. What if you can't," she whispered back, anxiously biting her lower lip.

"I can. Trust me."

She hesitantly reached out and lightly covered his hand with hers. "I…I'm trying."

All he wanted to do in that moment was kiss her. In this perfect mess of a moment. He lightly stroked her pinky finger with his thumb and finally saw her exhale like she had been trying not to breathe all day.

"I'm glad you're here," she said softly. He smiled.

"You don't need me, you're like Wonder Woman over here. Do you know what I thought the first time I saw you?"

"Her skirt is too short?"

"No," he laughed. "That you were fearless."

"I was a bitch," she smiled as she remembered their squabble at the Dance.

"No, you were bossy and pushy and honest… And… I liked it," he admitted as he laced his fingers through hers. She felt her heart swell. Caleb made her feel safe.

They lay in silence after that and he never took his eyes off of her. She could feel her body relaxing with him next to her. Finally, Hanna felt her eyes grow heavy. She shifted closer to him and let the sound of Caleb's steady breathing lull her to sleep. She felt him get up to leave and squeezed his hand. Without opening her eyes she said the only thing he had never been told before, the only thing he needed to hear:

"Stay."

…..

Author's Note: There's the first chapter! Please review and let me know what you think!