A fear shook in Liette as she sat with Joe upstairs. He was still angry and his anger was present in his breath. She could feel it radiating from him beside her and it frightened her. If he took his rage out on her she'd be dead and no one would be the wiser. He'd probably burry her in the backyard and perhaps she'd never be found. She would be assumed dead if they ever caught him but no one would really get closure. They'd just know Joe Carroll the serial killer had finally killed the girl who had inspired him to kill.

But Liette had to remember her Joe.

Her Joe wasn't a serial killer; he was a man who used to be one of the more inspiring professors that she had ever had. He was the man who had willingly become her best friend and had treated her with the utmost respect. He was the closest thing to being in love she had ever felt. He was her Joe. Her Joe wouldn't do that and therefore she had to treat him like he wasn't a killer in order to stay alive.

"It's going to be okay," Liette's voice was soft. She shook slightly as she reached out to touch his back. She didn't want him snapping around like he did on Emma. She needed to calm him down so his rage wouldn't get the better of him. She didn't need him killing anyone. Liette was going to do everything in her power to save every life that Joe crossed. She couldn't outright ask him to stop killing but she could try and guide him off that track with her actions.

That meant she was going to have to throw herself under the bus sometimes.

"I can't believe they screwed up." his voice was low and dark. Hatred coursed through every word. They were supposed to get things right. Little blips in the story were one thing. Ryan was extraordinary which meant he was bound to make them screw up sometimes but losing Joey was a whole other ballgame. He had just wanted to see his son again. The boy was twelve now and that meant he had gone through a lot of brainwashing already. Joe wanted to prove to him that he could be a good father and that he wasn't a bad man. Now he wasn't even going to get to see him.

"Lets talk about something else. You just need to calm down." Liette suggested, her hand rubbing his back slowly and carefully. She watched him relax slightly but he still seemed very tense. "Why did you pick Elizabeth City?"

"Elizabeth is your mother's name."

"He's right over there." Liette didn't know why she was so nervous. Her mother had come up for the weekend and instead of canceling her Sunday meeting with Joe he had suggested bringing her along. At first Liette had thought nothing about it but now her stomach was in knots just waiting for this meeting to occur.

"Liette" Joe's smile was broad as he caught the brown eyes of his favorite student and muse. He then turned his attention to the woman who was closer to his age and gave her a small smile. "and this must be your mother." Joe extended his hand pleasantly to shake with Ms. Arnaut.

"Elizabeth. Liz is fine." Liette's mother introduced after a firm handshake. She was not a delicate woman. She had a round face but a hard attitude. It was clear from her strong posture and demanding attitude that she had grown up independently. Liette never spoke about her father so Joe had assumed he was absent. Clearly Elizabeth Arnaut had had much to go through in her lifetime and she had still managed to raise quite the magnificent child."You're the infamous Joe Carroll. I do hope my daughter is getting good grades in your class considering the amount of time she spends with you." Elizabeth smirked at him as she took a seat.

"Mother!" Liette's cheeks went bright red with embarrassment. She could feel her body heating up from the feeling. This was what she had been worried about. She didn't want to made into some fool by her mother's doting words. Her mom always meant well and she loved her but sometimes some people didn't understand her sense of humor.

"I'm kidding!" Elizabeth defended immediately. She knew how touchy her daughter could be at times. You had to remind Liette to take in a joke every now and then. "It's nice to finally put a name to a face Dr. Carroll."

"Joe is fine." Joe smiled widely.

To Liette's relief the conversation carried on quite easily. Joe read Poe for them as they sipped their teas. He talked about Liette's work ethic and her impressive grades. She was flattered and embarrassed at the same time. Naturally Elizabeth already knew how intelligent her daughter was. She was just a working class woman with a high school education. Liette had been lost on her many times already. She learnt from her daughter but like most people Elizabeth couldn't always piece things together like Liette did. The girl had a unique mind; Joe Carroll was hardly the first teacher to notice that in her.

"I'm going to get a second cup, can I get either of you anything?" Joe asked as he stood from his seat. He straightened his suit jacket and then looked down at the women he was sitting with. Liette's mother was pretty for her age but Joe was blinded by her daughter. Liette looked so simple and yet so beautiful at once. The beige sundress she was wearing seemed to bring a brightness to the room despite it's neutral tone. His life seemed to light up around this girl. It was tragic to him that he couldn't have her for his own. Yet he put himself through the cruelty of sitting with her every week.

"I'm fine thank you." Elizabeth nodded.

"Lemon square?" Joe asked Liette with a grin.

"You know I can't say no to that." she scorned him for playing to her weakness. It had been weeks ago that he had deduced her favorite sweet from this coffee shop. Now he bought her one almost every Sunday.

"Precisely why I asked."

As Joe walked away Liette's eyes followed him and she had to resist letting out a sigh. Her mother watched her intently. She knew exactly what was going on despite the fact that she had never seen Liette act this way.

"Liette honey, please don't tell me..."

"Tell you what?" Liette cut her off quite quickly.

"Do you have a crush on Professor Carroll?"

Liette's eyes widened and she had to stop herself from blushing."Are you insane? He's my professor, that's completely illogical." How could her mother ask her something like that? Liette denied any feelings she had for Joe feverishly in her own head but to talk about it out loud was a new realm for her.

"Not everything can be solved by reason."

"I don't mom, I promise. He's just Joe."

His ears were just in range to hear their conversation. He felt his heart drop and then shatter on the floor. That really was all he was to her. Just Joe. How boring, how mundane. Why couldn't she see him as more? They could never be what he wanted them to be and that hurt him. His broken heart burned and suddenly his emotion turned to rage; a rage that wasn't appropriate for a public setting. He turned slightly to take a breath before noticing a young girl at the end of the cafe. She was in one of his second year courses. And look at that she had blonde hair...and blue eyes.

"I'm sorry to do this but I should get going." Joe said as he came back to the table. Liette's face showed a frown. This was by far the shortest coffee break they had ever had. She hoped that her mother hadn't said something to upset Joe. "Papers to mark." he explained.

"See you in class?"

"Of course." he walked out without another word. Liette felt that something was off but decided not to say anything about it. The next morning Marissa Hutcherson was found, stabbed and her eyes removed just like the others. And Joe was in a better mood again.

Joe's head hit the mattress as he leaned back after savoring the memory. It took a moment but Liette leaned down and joined him, her body turning towards his to watch his movement. He shifted as well so his body tilted towards hers and they got as close as they possibly could without touching. He scanned every inch of her with his eyes and she felt him do so. Her eyes lingered on his lips before connecting with him. He smiled and then whispered four soft lines.

"Elizabeth, it surely is most fit

Logic and common usage so commanding

In thy own book the first thy name be writ,

Zeno and other sages notwithstanding"