When she turned the corner, she saw Ben. He was laying down on a bench and using his backpack as a pillow. Her heart sunk at the scene in front of her and she deiced to go over to him.

"Hey stranger."

Ben opened his eyes and jumped at the sound of her voice. "Ciara. You scared me. What are you doing out here this early it's barely after five?"

"I couldn't sleep. So, I thought I'd come to the park and get some fresh air."

He sat up and smoothed out his hair and then his clothes. "You know it's not safe out here this early in the morning."

"Well I'm not the one sleeping on a public bench."

"Touché."

"Why are you out here anyway?"

"I didn't exactly have anywhere else to go."

"So, you slept here?"

Ben moved his bag and gestured for Ciara to sit down next to him. She hobbled over on her crutches and when she reached the bench he put his hand on her back to help keep her steady.

"I am kind of unemployed right now. Not many people are completely gun hoe at the idea of hiring 'The Necktie Killer'."

"So, what? You're just going to sleep on this bench for the rest of your life?" She questioned him.

"Well not forever. Just until I get a job and enough money to get my own place."

Ciara bit her lip and stared at Ben, the bench then back at Ben again. Claire and Tripp were going to kill her for this, but she didn't care.

"That's not acceptable. You're coming with me."

She got up from the bench and went to pick up his bag the best she could with her crutches. But before she could he grabbed her hand.

"Oh really? And where exactly are you taking me?"

"Back to my place."

Ben laughed for a second and shook his head. "That's really sweet of you to offer Ciara but I couldn't possibly take you up on your offer."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be right. You're already having problems with Tripp and Claire and I don't want to make that worse."

She shook her head. "What do they have to do with this?"

"Well you live with them, don't you?"

"Yeah so?"

He sighed. "So, I don't think they're going to like living with a serial killer."

"Ex serial killer." She corrected him.

"Still there not going to be happy about it and you have enough problems to worry about and don't need me adding to them."

"Well don't you think that's my call to make?"

"It is but-."

"But nothing your coming back with me and I won't take no for an answer."

She lifted up his backpack and he went pull it away from her.

"Ciara."

"Ben."

They stared each other down for a second before Ciara went to give the backpack one more final tug. Not expecting Ben to loosen his grip on the bag she stumbled backwards. His arm reached out and pulled her into him, keeping her from falling down.

Their faces were inches from each other. They were so close that if they wanted to they could kiss each other.

"Your stubborn you know that?"

"I like to think it's one of my best qualities."

Ben lowed his head a bit and smiled. "If it means that much to you then I'd be happy to stay with you. Thank you."

She removed his bag that was resting against his back and smiled.

###

Once they made it back to the apartment Ciara was careful to close the door quietly behind them as to not wake her roommates.

"You'll be sleeping in Theo's room if that's okay."

"I was about to live on a park bench for the foreseeable future. Anything you give me will be better than that."

"Well why don't I take you to his room, so you can settle in and get a little sleep?"

"Sounds good."

Ciara walked Ben to the back of the apartment to where the bedrooms were. When they reached the end of the hall she pointed to a door on her left.

"That's my room and yours is right here on the right."

"You really didn't have to do this Ciara. I could have managed on my own."

"Hey, you took care of me and now it's my turn to do the same for you."

"Ciara, I don't know what to say. You've been so good to me when you didn't have to be."

"Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner. Even you. Especially you."

He smiled as she went to open the door to Theo's room.

When he walked inside he took note of his surroundings.

There was nothing special about where he'd be sleeping. Just a bed, two night stands with matching lamps on each, a couple of dressers, and a black chair in the corner of the room by the window. It seemed Theo liked to keep things simple.

"Sheets are all clean and I think Theo left some clothes in closet that might fit you if you need them. There's also clean towels in the bathroom and an unopened tooth brush in the top draw on the right."

He turned to face her. "Thank you, Ciara."

She smiled. "Your welcome."

"So, I'll see you in a few hours?"

She nodded. "You know where to find me."

###

"Ciara?"

Ciara popped her head out of the fridge and smiled, "Hey how'd you sleep?"

"Like I usually do. Though this time it wasn't as bad."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Ben walked over to her and rested his body against the kitchen island.

"So, what are you doing?"

"I was trying to find something to have for breakfast, but I don't really feel like cooking anything."

"Well let me see what you have, and I can maybe make you something."

"I couldn't ask you to do that. You're my guest."

"You're not asking me to do anything. I want to do this for you. It's the least I can do after you've been so good to me."

Ciara stepped back from the refrigerator and gestured to the open appliance. "Be my guest."

Ben walked over and peered inside. After a few moments he turned back to the brunette.

"Do you have pancake mix?"

"We do. In the cabinet over there." She pointed.

"How does pancakes sound? We know you like them."

"Pancakes sound delicious."

"Then pancakes it is."

"You know this is the second time you've made me pancakes and I have yet to make you anything."

Ben took everything out and set it on the island.

"Maybe you could show me how to make your grandmothers doughnuts some time."

"Well I can't promise I'll be a good teacher."

"Give me the recipe and I'm sure we'll do just fine."

###

"Can I have the spatula?"

Ciara nodded and handed it too him. He gently lifted the pancake off the pan and then laid it back down. She thought he was going to put it on one of the plates but was surprised when he took the pan and shook it, so the pancake went flying up into the air and then back down on to the hot piece of cookware.

"Wow where'd you learn how to do that?"

He smiled. "In Boston actually."

"Boston?"

He nodded as he poured some batter into the pan. "We went there when Jordan and I were on the run. I got this job at a dinner and the owner there took a liking to me. He ended up showing me a few things."

"Like how to flip a pancake in midair?"

He chuckled. "Yep like how to flip a pancake."

"It looks kind of difficult. I don't think I could ever do something like that."

"Sure, you could it's easy. Let me show you."

"Yeah? Okay."

"Yeah just stand right here in front of me." Ben told her as he stepped back and let her move, so she was in front of the stove.

"Okay."

"Now pick up the pan with your right hand."

She did what she was told and nodded. "Okay now what?"

"Your going to push the pan forward and then up a bit."

"Like this?" She said as she moved the pan causing the pancake to slide to the edge.

"No, you don't use your whole arm. It's more of a flick of the wrist. Let me show you."

He wrapped his arms around Ciara and laid his hand firmly over hers. He then flicked his wrist forward and up causing it to flip up into the air and then back down.

"See easy."

"Sure, maybe for you but I burnt the pancake."

He chuckled. "It's okay I'll eat that one. Let's try it again."

Ben poured a little batter into the pan. After a minute when plenty of bubbles started to form he gave the spatula to her.

"You'll want to loosen it a little."

She nodded and did what she was told.

Once it was lose she moved the pan forward and then up. The pancake did a perfect flip and then landed back down.

"I did it!"

He smiled. "Hell yeah you did it."

"You're a good teacher you know that?" she told him as she transferred the pancake to a plate.

He was about to respond when they heard a loud slamming sound and then someone's voice.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

Ben and Ciara turned their heads to see Tripp standing behind the island. He looked pissed.

"Hey. Ben and I are making pancakes if you and Claire want any."

"You better back away from her or I swear to God…" He pointed at the older man.

Ben went to move but Ciara grabbed onto his arm preventing him from doing so.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem? My problem is there is a serial killer making breakfast in my kitchen. What the hell is he doing here?"

"I invited him to stay here."

"You know Ciara maybe I should go." He whispered to her.

"No. I invited you to stay here so you're going to stay here."

"Ciara that man is a certifiable maniac. He has no business staying here!" Tripp yelled.

Ciara picked up her crutches and slowly but surely made it over to her ex.

"You better apologize to him right now."

"But-."

"I thought we had a talk about this. Because if you can't be nice and respectful to Ben then you can pack up your stuff and get the hell out! Am I making myself clear?" She told him as she waived the spatula in his face.

"What the hell has gotten into you?"

She was about to turn back to go over to the stove when she heard that and stopped herself.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He folded his arms over his chest. "Ever since you've gotten back from that cabin you've been a totally different person and I got to say I don't like it."

"Well I don't think I really asked you Tripp."

"Did he do something to you in that cabin? Brainwash you or hurt you in anyway?"

She scoffed. "I can't believe you'd say something to me like that. You don't even know what went on in that cabin."

"No, I don't because you won't talk to me about it." He whined

"That's because I shouldn't have to. But If it will shut you up I will." She turned to look at Ben and he nodded letting her know he was fine with whatever she wanted to say. When she looked back at Tripp she sighed. "Ben found me on the side of the road and carried me for miles till he found that cabin. He took care of me, went and got us supplies, cooked me dinner and pancakes. He even helped me wash up. But not only that he listened to me. When he found out about what Chase did…"

"Wait you told him about the rape? You weren't even going to tell me about it till Claire made you."

"Well I didn't plan on telling him it just happened. But unlike you he didn't judge me."

He shook his head. "I didn't judge you."

"He didn't look at me like I was weak and damaged. He thought I was strong and a rockstar." She said ignoring him.

"So, a serial killer says those things and you believe them but after everything I've done for you, you still don't think I think that way too."

"Well you haven't really shown it since I got back."

"How could I? You're never around. You're always off chasing after that lunatic like some necktie killer groupie."

Ciara stepped closer to Tripp and positioned the metal utensil inches from his neck."

"See I tried to be nice but I don't think you're really getting it. If I see you talking to Ben or yelling at him or even calling him a name like you just did I will cut you out of this apartment and my life. Do we understand each other?

Tripp gave a hard swallow and nodded.

When Ciara realized how close she was to practically slashing Tripp's neck she lowered the spatula. Ben put his hand up and without her even having to turn around to see him doing so, she handed it to him.

"So who wants some fucking pancakes?" She angrily asked.