It wasn't a bad Christmas. Certainly not the worst. Just uneventful. Rosie was in bed by 10pm and back up the next morning for the first shift. Their manager was kind enough to make sure they all finished on time. The remaining holidays rolled past just the same, with her working anything she could get. That meant going for 9 days straight, finally finishing at 7pm on New Years Eve.

She hugged Carlos good-bye and was making her way across the parking lot, when she noticed someone leaning against her car. A man. Rosie paused, pushing her keys in between her fingers. He shifted slightly as she drew closer, shaking out a mane of curly hair. She put her keys away, but snuck forward. Eddie didn't turn at all, and she was able to get near enough to touch his neck.

"FUCKING HELL!" His shout echoed through the darkness. "I SWEAR, ROSIE. IF YOU DON'T STOP DOING THAT I'LL… I'LL..."

She was doubled over the bonnet, wheezing and clutching her side. She wouldn't do it if he didn't make it so easy. "I can't tell what went higher, you or your hair."

"Bitch! Stop it!"

"Stop crapping your pants every time and I will." She sat on the hood, swinging her legs giddily.

"I swear -"

"Yes, yes. Swear you'll what?"

Eddie stomped up to her, planting his hands on either side and lowering himself menacingly. "I'll make you regret it."

Rosie bit her lip against the shiver that travelled up her spine. "How?"

He slipped two fingers under her collar, catching the chain and pulling firmly, holding her by it while he savaged her neck. Rosie held onto him and bit her tongue. Some of her coworkers were still coming out of the mall.

"Come on. I'm going to Paulie's tonight. Since Wayne drove me here I need someone to drive me there…"

"Paulie's?"

"Yup. And he specifically asked me to bring you."

"He did?"

Eddie nodded, prodding the mark he'd left on her collar. He was always considerate enough to leave them in places that were easily covered. "They've been asking about you. I mean, the guys have never really officially met you."

"'Officially met'?"

"You know. As my girlfriend."

"Ah." Rosie's cheeks heated up. Neither of them had officially said anything about…that. By the look on Eddie's face, this also served as a chance to confirm or deny. "Sure. I'll go."

"Do you need to stop an Henderson's or are you going as…" He waved a hand at her. "Wallmart chique?"

"I have some clothes in the car."

He blinked. "In your car?"

What was she supposed to say? That living on the road for months meant she now kept a stash of essentials in her car? That part of her expected to be kicked out of the Henderson's any day, just like…? Rosie revved up the engine and pulled out of the lot. Not the time or the place.

Paulie lived in a slightly more affluent neighbourhood - though not as rich as the place they'd been to for Hallowe'en. It was a nice house; two stories with a deck, a garage and a nice green front lawn.

"No pool or anything, though." Eddie said as they pulled up outside. "Just a big place."

There were already a few cars in front. "All friends?"

"Probably some family, too. His folks are hosting."

"Oh," She turned to consider the suitcase in her trunk. Regretted trying to climb over the seats while Eddie played patty-cake on her rear. She had some nice jeans and a black sweater. They would do. "Times like these I'm glad I can wear sneakers to work."

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What are you -" He almost leapt into the back, throwing his arms wide across the windshield to an invisible audience.

"I closed the drapes." Rosie rolled her eyes, tossing the stiff smock aside and replacing it with the soft turtleneck.

"People could still see you!" He barked in that high-pitched way of his.

"So?"

Eddie looked ready to have a stroke. She was pulling off her slacks now.

"Relax, Babe."

He just buried his face in his hands. Rosie proceeded to brush out her hair and put on a little makeup. He only peeked again when she finished her liner. "Do you have that red?"

"Oh. No," She double-checked her purse. "You like that one?"

He nodded. Then winked. Weird. Then pulled something out of his jacket pocket. A tube of red lipstick. "Here."

"Awh, thank you!" Rosie threw her arms around his neck. Kissed him fervently on the cheeks til he shook her off. She fought with the packaging. "This shit's expensive."

"Yeah well." Eddie wriggled his fingers. "Helps to have a discount."

She slapped his shoulder playfully. "Eddie!"

"I can bring it back, if you want."

"Sorry, already opened."

"We could-"

"Already putting it on."

The party wasn't anything sensational. It was nice to see Paulie and the boys again "officially", and to meet Garret's girlfriend. The house was beautiful, and Paulie showed them happily around, introducing any aunts, uncles and cousins that showed curiosity. Rosie helped herself to some champagne while Eddie made faces into his flute, smacking his lips and trying to decide if he liked it. The food was great.

"It's raw fish." Eddie said suspiciously, sniffing at the roll in his hand.

"Raw fish. Rice. Seaweed." Rosie popped a tuna nigiri into her mouth.

"And it won't kill me?"

"It's really fresh."

"Super fresh." Paulie agreed over her shoulder. "Just try it, Man."

Eddie shoved the whole thing in, covering his mouth with a napkin as he chewed. Rosie thought he turned green for a second, then he gagged and spat it out.

"No! Nope! No!"

They both guffawed as he tossed the balled-up mess into the trash. Eddie, already giving up on the champagne, took a beer from the fridge to wash the taste out of his mouth.

"Munson, isn't it?" An uncle had wandered in, plate cleared for more hors d'oeuvres. "Eddie Munson?"

"Yes, Sir?" Eddie shared a look with Paulie and sipped.

"I knew I recognized the name, when I heard it. Horrible, all that happened last year, all those seniors. Wasn't it?"

Rosie took a slight step back, not liking the way he was smiling at Eddie.

"Horrible, Uncle Earl." Paulie responded. "But they caught the guy."

"Guys,wasn't it in the end?" Uncle Earl added, still eyeing Eddie. "Not even sure they caught all of them, last I heard."

"They did."

"Never know. Still -" The man clapped Eddie heavily on the back. "Glad they cleared your name, Son."

Rosie put her hand on Eddie's arm. "What was that about?"

"You know what happened?"

"I know about the murders and - Ed? Eddie!"

He stormed out, back door rattling behind him. Rosie looked cluelessly at Paulie, who stared back helplessly.

"I don't think you heard all of it, Rosie."

He was sitting on the steps, hugging his knees and staring out into the night.

"Eddie?"

A loud sniff. He wiped at his face. Rosie's heart dropped, and she sat at once.

"Hey."

"Eddie, what's wrong?"

He shook his head. Turning his rings. His hands were shaking.

"Eddie come on." Rosie tried to move his hair out of the way, to get a better look at his face. He hid behind his hands. Sobbed. "Did…did you know them? The victims?"

It was clear he couldn't answer just yet, so she laid her head on his hunched back and kept her arms around him. He cried silently for a while, wiping more and more aggressively at his eyes like he was angry at himself.

"Not really." He choked out at length. "I knew them mostly to see, you know. At school."

Eddie still averted his gaze. Rosie pulled down her sleeve and gently dabbed at the tears on his cheeks. "But?"

"Two of them…Chrissy. She died right in front of me."

"They killed her in front of you?"

He gave a jerky nod, trying to steady his breaths.

"You said two?"

"The other…he was a friend of Jason's. They all came after me, thought I killed Chrissy. Then he died too."

"And that's how you were cleared?"

"N-no. No it wasn't as easy as that. Jason…he said I was working with… with the cult. Said I was luring out their victims." Eddie knocked back the beer, some dribbling down his chin. "It was all part of some, ritual I was in on."

"I don't understand."

"I still don't."

"And even though the police investigated, found you innocent, and cleared your name…"

"Some people still think I'm a murderer."

"Oh Eddie…" He wouldn't look at her, so Rosie caressed his cheek. Coaxed him toward her. She clung to him until he calmed down, turning his puffy, red-eyed face into a wet kiss.

Sniff. "You don't think -"

"No! Never, Eddie!"

"That's all that matters, then. It's also kind of…well…I'm glad you know."

"Same here."

He leaned into her finally. Safe in her embrace. She didn't try to get him to say more, or go back in. She would stay as long as he needed.