The day Jack was gone was uneventful for Rose, who was waiting at the farm when the kids got home from school. She heard a knock on the door, and went to stand up, but Nat grabbed her arm, "No, stay here," she begged.

"I have to get the door, I'll be right back," Rose said with a smile. They went back and forth for a few minutes until Rose finally broke away, only to lean against one of the chairs in the kitchen laughing too hard to stand on her own, "Wh-What are you doing?!" she choked out between laughs.

Noah glared at her as he climbed through the window, one leg still just outside the window, "I forgot my key, and I didn't think anyone was home."

"So you climbed through a window?" Rose asked, grinning at him, "And you know there's an extra key under the cushion on the bench out there, right?" Noah didn't reply as he jumped down from the counter and closed the window as though nothing had happened, "Yeah, don't open the door; the window is much safer!" she said in a mocking voice, but he just smiled, walking over and throwing her over his shoulder, "Hey! No fair! Put me down!" she laughed, beating her fists on his back, though not nearly hard enough for it to actually remotely hurt him.

--------------

It was a few days after Jack had returned from California, and Rose was the only suspect again. Luke had noticed everyone in the family looking sideways at her, and Lily had asked that whenever he could he be home when she was with the kids after school. And on the days he couldn't be, Lucinda had taken to staying with her, only telling Rose that she thought she may need the extra help.

Luke had gotten out of his class early one Friday, and went over to the farm. He dialed Lucinda's number on his phone while he was in the car, but she didn't answer, so he just figured he'd tell her that she could leave when he got there. When he walked in, Rose was sitting on the floor tickling Ethan as he laughed, trying to push her hands away, and Lucinda was watching her warily from the table.

The older lady's eyes snapped up when he opened the door, "Luke, I thought you had class?"

"Got out early," he said with a shrug, setting his backpack on the floor beside the table, "Hey Rose," he said, letting his gaze fall to the blonde girl, who had removed her hands from a still laughing Ethan to let him catch his breath.

"Hey Luke," she said with a smile.

"Well I suppose you don't need my help anymore," Lucinda said, forcing a smile as she glanced at Rose, "So I'll just be going." She reached for her purse, knocked it over and its contents fell over the table and some onto the floor. Luke had to hold in a gasp as what looked like a longer rectangular pill container landed on the floor, the impact of it causing it pop open, though no pills fell out; instead a knife blade flipped open a few feet from where Rose sat.

She stared at the blade, then reached for it, tucking the blade back into its concealed holder. Luke could tell her hands were shaking as she placed it on the table beside Lucinda's purse, which she had shoved everything else inside. Lucinda swallowed hard, looking at Rose with a frightened look, though she seemed like she was trying to hide it behind a casual glance. Rose stood up, and Luke saw a look of recognition on her face, "I'm feeling a bit sick. I-I think I should go," Rose whispered, and I could tell she was close to tears, though she did look as though she was going to be sick; somehow, though, I didn't think it was because of a cold.

Rose didn't wait for a response, but just grabbed her purse from the table and dashed out of the house, "I guess she's finally realized why everyone's been on edge around here," Luke muttered quietly, staring guiltily at the screen door.

"Yes, well how can we be blamed for taking precautions?" Lucinda asked, seemingly unperturbed by the scene, "She's a suspect in a murder, Luke. The only suspect. We have every right to be wary of the girl."

"I know, but does she really seem like a murderer?" Luke asked, not quite convinced. Of course, he had to admit that the way it looked, Rose was the murderer, but he felt guilty pinning Noah's only family as such; then again, he had to pin Winston Mayer as one less than a year ago.

"Doesn't matter," Lucinda said with a shrug, setting her purse back down and slumping into the chair.

"Where's Rose?" Ethan asked, pulling at the leg of Luke's pants.

Luke swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a smile for his baby brother, "She wasn't feeling well, so she left."

"Can I make her a get well card?" he asked, and Luke had to nod.

"Why don't you ask faith and Nat to help you?" he suggested, reaching a hand down to ruffle Ethan's hair.

"Ok," he said simply, then rushed off into the next room to find his sisters.

-----------------

Noah tossed the rag to Jeff as the man came in to take over, "See ya later, man," Jeff said as Noah left. Noah waved back at him, but didn't say anything. His mind had been reeling all day. For a few days, actually. Ever since jack had gotten back to town with the news that the only lead had turned out to be a dead end, and now Rose was the last suspect in the case.

He'd already gone through one of his family members turning out to be a murderer, and he didn't want to go through it again. Especially not with Rose. She didn't seem like she would hurt a fly, much less kill her own father. Unfortunately, ever sign pointed to her, and she had no more answers.

A sigh escaped him as he pushed open the door to the farm, surprised to see Luke there instead of Rose, "Hey, where's Rose?" he asked curiously.

"She ran off," Luke said without looking up at him, his eyes directed at the table. He sighed slightly, then finally looked up at him, "I think she's realized that we all have no choice but the believe she did it," he said, not needing to explain further.

Noah nodded, walking over and putting a hand on his shoulder, "I guess it's the only option left," he said, choking back a sob.

Luke gave him a sorrowful look and rubbed his arm softly.

"I think I'm going to go home. I'm sure you two can handle the kids, especially since they're doing an art project," Lucinda said, standing up and managing to grab her purse without knocking it over this time, "I'll see you boys later," she added, Giving them each a one armed hug and a light kiss on the cheek.

"Art project?" Noah questioned, looking strangely at Luke, "What's that about?"

Luke avoided his eye, "They're making get well cards for Rose," he said softly, "She said the reason she was leaving was because she felt sick."

Noah didn't question anymore, but just wrapped his arms tightly around his boyfriend, closing his eyes as Luke rested his head in the crook of Noah's neck, "I just can't believe it," Noah said softly, and Luke could feel his throat rumbling as the words left his mouth.

"I know," Luke said regretfully, "I'm really sorry, Noah."

"Don't be," the taller man replied, "Its not your fault." After a moment, he added, "At least I still have you."

Luke just smiled against his neck, "You'll always have me," he said softly, moving his head only an centimeter or so to press his lips against the side of Noah's neck, "I love you."

"I love you too," Noah whispered, planting a soft kiss on Luke's forehead, then rested his head against Luke's, just grateful for the moment to stand there and hold his boyfriend as though time would never resume, and nothing would ever bother them; as though they could just stand here like this forever.