"Mal? Did you hear that?" Ben asked, looking around him.

"Hear what?" she muttered sleepily before shifting in his arms and resting her head in the crook of his neck.

He knew it had to be Julian. He was spying on them again. It angered Ben. He had no right to spy on them like that. Especially at this time of the night.

Ben knew that Mal had nightmares lots of times, and she only came to him for comfort. She'd made him and Evie promise not to tell anyone about this. She hated being weak- she was still getting used to it.

Therfore he slowly got placed Mal on the bed, and walked to the window. He could see nobody there.

Ben leaned forward, spotting something stuck between the branches. He reached out and grabbed it.

Another photo.

It was taken only minutes ago, when Mal was falling asleep in his arms.

Julian must've dropped this when he left, Ben thought as he looked out into the dark night again.

He placed the photo with all the others very quietly, and then crawled into bed with Mal. He did not sleep, however, he kept watch on her.

"Evie! Evie!" Chad knocked on her door continuously, desperate for her to open it. "Evie, Evie! It's me, Chad! Open up! Its important!"

Evie opened the door, glaring at him. "What is it? Have you seen the time? Its midnight."

"I know, I know, but...its really important." he panted. "Please? Just let me talk."

"Fine," she sighed, stepping aside for him to enter. "Make it quick."

He explained everything in detail about the phone call from Julian- adding in the point that he'd agreed to help him before.

"You...jerk!" Evie shouted. "You agreed to help him!"

"But I backed out!" He yelled back. "Because Ben is my friend! Even if he doesn't think so I can't let that happen to him! I just need help! I don't know what that idiot would do to Mal!"

"I..." her expression softened and she leaned back in her chair, taking in a deep breath. "I'll help, and go ask the other's too. Just...don't tell anyone what Julian actually did to Mal, I promised Ben I won't tell anyone."

"Okay."

Mal slept till 11 the next morning. Ben didn't wake her up- she needed her sleep. He'd shut the window and pulled the curtains close to avoid any more pictures. There was no way Julian could get in.

Very soon he heard a noise outside. He slowly moved and peeked through the curtains, but stayed hidden enough. He could see a person on the branch, a camera round his neck. Disappointment was plain on his face when he saw he couldn't take any pictures. It was Julian. Or James. He wasn't wearing his fake beard and glasses.

Ben leaned back and smirked.

Take that, he thought, satisfied.

"What are you looking at, Ben?"

He turned and saw Mal awake, pulling her hair back from her face so she could see him.

"Oh...uh...nothing...just enjoying the view," he laughed.

"With the curtains closed?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I thought that the sunlight would bother you," he stated convincingly, the lie just coming to him.

"Alright," Mal said, "though it didn't really bother me. What's for breakfast?"

"I thought I'd order after you'd wake up," Ben said, "you can go get ready while I do so."

"Sure."

Breakfast came a few moments after Mal got ready. Ben went to get it while she looked around. The first thing she noticed that it was hot in the room, and she reached out to open the window. And then she saw it. A piece of paper attached to the glass. She peeled it off and stared at it.

My dearest love, Mal,
I am coming for you. I know you love me, not that stupid king boy. How much fun we could've had that night if he hadn't came in. You looked absolutely stunning, by the way.
Leave Ben, I'm the match for you.

Ben had just come in. She must've been crying because suddenly, he ran toward her. "What's wrong?" He asked.

She handed him the piece of paper shakily, and he read the paper, holding it in one hand, the other gently rubbing her back, soothingly.

"I found it stuck on the window," she said softly, clinging to him, her fingers clutching at the silk of his shirt.

"You-you're not really leaving me, are you?" Ben looked at her.

"I love you," she muttered, hugging him tightly, "just- just keep me away from him. I- I don't want him to be near us."

"Trust me, that stupid pirate is going to pay," he said, and for the first time ever, Mal saw the reddish glint in his eyes and felt his arms tighten around her, not willing to let go.