Another chapter is here. Hope you like it.

I would like to thank: Nelle07, peaches, whatever-chan and xBelakinax. Thank you all so much for commenting on the story. It really means a lot to me.

Review replies to:

Peaches: Hello. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I am glad you like the story so far. :)

Whatever-chan: Hello again. I know Fred confused you but he's really confused himself. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own From Hell.

Chapter 10

Elizabeth didn't know or realized how she found herself on her back upon the couch with Frederick on top of her; his mouth covering her own in a forceful kiss. His fingers were threaded into her hair while his free hand supported his weight on top of her by grasping the couch. Her lips were blindly following his own, responding to his kiss, not really thinking what she was doing or what it would mean. Her hands were fisted on his dark heavy coat as she felt his hand trail down her neck, down her shoulder until it reached her waist and stayed there. He broke the kiss for air, his breath coming in short gasps as his glazed over eyes looked down at her flushing face. He released a low groan as he leaned down and let his lips touch her neck; softly at first and then more hungrily as both of his hands clasped her hips in a tight grip. The material of her robe and night dress had slid upwards and was currently barely covering her upper thighs as he slid one of his legs between hers and returned his fervent kisses to her parted mouth. She felt like she was unable to move, even to breathe as his hands stroked small circles on her hips. Her hands tightened the grip on his coat and she could feel him trying to get closer still, even if she was pretty certain that he could not get any closer.

"Bess…" he whispered against her lips as his fingers hooked on the back of her knees and pulled her legs tightly around his hips. Elizabeth gasped and her eyes flew open at the sudden contact. Along with the sudden realization of what he was about to do, her mind also realized that she couldn't do what he wanted. They hadn't even talked. It was not right and she certainly needed more than just a few sweet words from him.

She braced her hands against his clothed hest and pushed him back, breaking their kiss. Frederick opened his closed eyes and looked at her as he swallowed hard.

"Don't." she said shakily and he took a few seconds to look at her before he pushed back from her, his weight leaving her body as he sat on the couch next to her and buried his face in his hands. Elizabeth sat up as well and looked at her lap in defeat.

"What are we doing?" she asked quietly and he lifted his head to look at her with a sad expression.

"You said you loved me…I thought-…I don't know what I thought." He concluded, partly ashamed of himself.

"A few weeks ago you almost threw me out of your house. And just now you were trying-…" she stopped when she saw his eyes.

"What do you want from me, Frederick? What do you really want from me?" she asked as she turned to fully face him.

"Everything…Everything you have to give me." He whispered as he looked at her longingly.

"You didn't want my love." She said bluntly and he nervously brushed his fingers over his moustache and beard before he spoke.

"I know…and I said I am sorry." He said quietly.

"What made you change your mind?" she asked and he looked away.

"My life." He said shortly and she shifted in her seat, pulling her robe down and over her legs.

"I really don't understand what you're trying to say." She admitted in a small voice as he turned to look at her while she fixed her clothing.

"I think I already told you, Bess."

"You're lonely. You think I can fix that." She stated and Abberline remembered Godley's exact same words.

"Yes, I am… But I've been lonely for the most of my life." He added softly.

"And you miss her-…"

"Miss who, Bess?" he cut her off and she took a deep breath.

"You know who, Frederick. You think I can help you forget her. You think I can replace her." She said dully and his head shot up.

"No! No, I don't want you to replace anyone. But yes, I would like to forget her. I would like to forget everything that happened in the past five years in my life. I would like to let go." He said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"And how can I help you, Frederick?" she asked wearily.

"You just did. Just a few moments ago." He whispered as he clasped her hand in his. Elizabeth froze momentarily before she pulled her hand away.

"I helped you by letting you to press me on the couch? Yeah, that was very helpful for you but not for me." She said as she stood up and started pacing barefoot, her night clothes brushing the carpet as she did so.

"Bess-…"

"You don't understand, do you?" she asked him in a barely audible voice.

"Understand what, darling?" he asked anxiously.

"Me. What am I supposed to tell you right now?" she asked as she stopped pacing and came to stand in front of him.

"What you feel." he said plainly and she sighed.

"You already know how I feel. Do you?" she asked and he frowned.

"Do I what?"

"Do you know what you feel?" she asked daringly and he paused, his eyes turning away from hers to gaze at the room.

"I know what I felt when I kissed you and it's definitely not indifference, Bess." He spoke hoarsely as he outstretched his hand and gently pulled her closer by tugging her to him.

"I liked it when you were around me, I like it now." He breathed as he stood up so he was looking into her confused but hopeful eyes.

"I want you near me, Bess. Does that make sense?" he asked with a desperate smile that was directed only to her.

"No." she whispered shaking her head and he chuckled embarrassed.

"I feared that." He said as he took hold of her hands and let his fingers intertwine with hers. Elizabeth smiled a bit at their perplexed situation and looked at their joined hands.

"What do you say? Can you still bear my presence at all or…?" he trailed off hopefully, wanting so desperately to hear from her lips that she'd be there with him, that she'd let him be close to her.

Please let me not have scared her away… He thought as he looked at her lips and then back up to her eyes. God these eyes… He thought as he almost said that to her out loud.

"I can…" she said quietly and his eyes widened briefly before he squeezed her hands and smiled at her.

"Bess…" he breathed as he brushed his lips against hers but she ducked from his arms and moved back, distancing herself from him a bit.

"I think we did that too much tonight…and it's late." She stuttered and he swallowed before he licked his dry lips.

"You're right. I apologize. I'll just-…"

"It's too late to go home. You can sleep on the couch if you want." She said as she fixed the pillows on the couch and gathered her blanket.

"You can have my blanket." She said slowly and he grinned as he took the blanket from her and sat on the couch to remove his heavy coat.

"Thank you, darling." He said as he unbuttoned his vest and removed his shoes.

"Is there anything else you want?" she asked as she saw him unbuttoning a few buttons of his white shirt.

"No. Go to bed." He said shaking his head.

"Okay…Good night." She said before she turned to walk away.

"Bess?" he called and she paused.

"Yes?" she asked softly as she turned to him.

"Thank you." He said sincerely and she smiled before she turned and walked away, leaving the door to her room open before she went to bed.

End of chapter 10

Author's note: Thank you for reading. Please, please review. I know people are reading this so please just drop me a few words. :)