Was that Finale crazy or what! I cried shamelessly when Eli was "stabbed." I jumped up from my bed as was just like "Aaahh!"

Discuss it with me in a review? :)

But more about the story now. This is going to be a multi chaptered fic, but It should be wrapped up fairly soon.

I know this is a short chapter, but the others should be longer.

Enjoy.

Eli and Clare walked down the rest of the steps in silence. Neither one had a desire to speak.

"Do you need a ride home?" The muted voice of the boy beside her questioned. Clare nodded her head softly.

They walked out to Morty with a space greater than the universe between them. The ride home was much the same, each of them trying to recover from what had just been dealt with moments ago.

Neither of them moved nor spoke once at her house. The only sound made was Clare, still with her arms crossed tightly against her body, swallowing loudy.

Eli sighed.

"Clare, we gotta talk about this sometime."

She turned her head to him slowly. "I gotta go."

And with that, she unclenched her arms from around herself and quickly exited the vehicle. Eli was quick to follow. He only knew things needed to be said. How they were to be said though, he wasn't sure. Clare was halfway down the walk to the door when Eli caught her arm. He spun her around to face him. He was met with a heartbroken face.

"What the hell was that out there?" Clare cried out at him, tears flowing from her eyes now. Eli wasn't sure how to respond. He opened his mouth, ready to say whatever came to mind first. But there was no need, for she was only getting started.

"I told you run! And what do you do?" Her voice cracked as her pitch got a little louder. Eli pressed his lips together.

"Nothing!" She answered for him. "You do nothing." Her breathing was getting labored.

"Fitz," She spat his name like she was spitting out a bad taste in her mouth. "He came at you with a knife. And he pushed you into a corner. I thought- I thought-"

She couldn't finish that thought.

Eli didn't say anything as he enveloped her in his arms. She pushed him away. His face held all the hurt and confusion that his mouth was failing to convey.

"You scare me, Eli." Clare whispered brokenly. "You either shut down or-or resort to violence when things take a turn for the worst."

"Clare." The dark haired boy reached for her again, but she side stepped his reach. She turned her head away from him, towards the floor, and spoke.

"I understand it's not your fault. I understand that there are things that have happened to you in the past that have made you this way...But I think you need help before we can continue to be together." Clare finished.

Silence was once again resumed amongst the two.

"Yknow, when Fitz was coming towards me with that knife. When he had me cornered against the wall, all I could think about was Julia." They were both looking at the floor now as he continued. "I kept wondering if she was as terrified as I was in the face of death. Or did she go unknowingly?" He shook his head and swallowed loudly.

"And then, as he plunged the knife towards me…" He shivered. "I almost couldn't wait to see her." Eli whispered the last part, some sort of shameful emotion coloring his tone.

Clare had heard enough. She took fast steps toward him and laced her arms around his neck.

"I'm so glad you're alive." She whispered.

Eli enveloped her waist with his arms and held her tightly.

After a few moments, Clare took a deep breath and whispered in his ear. "I have to go. My parents will be wondering where I am."

Eli gave her one final squeeze before letting go. "Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked quietly.

Clare bit her lip. "Cant."

Eli sighed, and was about to ask why not, when Clare continued.

"I going to my grandmas' for break remember?" She said with regret. "But, I think it'll be a good thing, us not seeing each other for a little while. Just to get our heads on straight. Because the talk we're going to have when I come back is something I'm not sure I'm ready for just yet."

Eli glued his eyes down at her shadow casted on the concrete. Something told him she was more a part of it than she was her body at the moment.

He nodded. "Okay."

She took a step towards him once more, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"'Night." She whispered against his cheek. Clare heard him swallow.

"Goodnight, Clare."

Ugh! Be October already.