The Dew Drop Inn was a backwater kind of establishment. On the backroads of Texas this was a commonplace. The sun was still high in the sky, a beacon to her, calling her home. She knew where she was going. Back to him. Back to Richie. She was roughly an hour behind them due to her meeting with the Rangers. Nell expected them to be checked in and waiting for her. She could understand if Seth was not waiting in the room for her. But she knew that Richie would be waiting. She could practically feel him, his presence hanging over her. Parking her car in the first available spot, she grabbed the few snacks she had left and her bottle of water and hopped out, locking the vehicle behind her. Nell was greeted by cool air and an empty waiting room area. A bell quickly caught her attention and she was quick to ring it two consecutive times. Muttering from behind a beaded curtain caught her attention and a short, heavy set man approached her.

"Yeah?"

His bark caused her to arch one brow, "I have a room booked underneath Simons. My friends have already checked in."

With a scowl on his face, the man looked down at his log and snorted before nodding.

"Room 206. Says here you requested two twins… I counted three of you."

Taking the key that he had slid across the dirty counter, she remarked, "Maybe I will play nice and share."

She turned without waiting for his response and made her exit. Nell basically had to stop herself from running to room 206. She could be patient. She had spent her whole life waiting. Planning. Walking up a flight of stairs was the simple part of the plan. A small component of a long running scheme. Room 206 came into view and she did not even attempt to hide the smile that lit up her face at the sight. Her key was in the lock and turning the handle in no time… only to be looking down the barrel of a revolver not even a second later. She did not even flinch as she pushed the gun out of her face. Looking toward the culprit, she raised one eyebrow and cocked her head.

"Damn. You look just like him when you do that."

Her lips curled up, "It comes with having him in my head for years. You pick up on a few things."

Seth shook his head and took a step back, letting her into the room. Leaning against the adjacent wall, Seth asked, "You ever going to explain that to me?"

A short nod, "One day."

Seth saw her eyes roaming over the small space, lingering on the closed bathroom door, "He's in there. Wanted to wash up before you got here. How did you get here so quick?"

There was a skip to her step, "Made a deal with the Devil."

Laughter rang out from Seth. He shook his head at her, "I'm going to head out and pick up some food. Mind holding down the fort?"

She shook her head with a smile. As Seth went to pass her to exit the hotel room, she placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping him from leaving. Her face was solemn, "I need you to be safe. I know what you are doing, Seth. I know who. She is in a delicate mind right now. Be careful. Now is not the time for distractions."

For a long moment, Seth looked at her as though he could not believe what he was hearing. After a long minute, he nodded his head and patted her hand to release him. She did so with a sigh and she watched him go. As soon as the door to the room clicked shut, she felt warmth radiate down her spine. Her eyes closed as hands ran down her back before stopping and rubbing her shoulders.

"I thought he would never leave."

A chuckle left her, "I think he is just out of sorts right now. I did throw him off his usual game."

With one hand cupping the back of her neck, Richie turned her around to face him. Her hands instantly went up to cup his face, thumbs brushing against his cheekbones. His eyes closed at the contact as he leaned into her touch. Without even thinking about her actions, Nell leaned in and placed her lips right at his Adam's apple. She could feel as Richie tensed at the contact. He had been alone for so long. Her lips trailed up his neck, her teeth catching on his ear. Not anymore. He would never be alone again. He would never be without human contact again. Richie's hands trailed from her shoulders to her hips, pulling her into his body. They were now flush against one another. His head dipped down to her own neck as she lavished attention onto him. Her hands dropped from his face and rose. One latched onto his shoulder while the other found a home in his hair. Lips brushed against his chin, his breath merging with her own as their eyes locked.

Nell felt his own hand drift into her curls, tightening his grip in the tresses. Her breath started to come out in pants as his face drew closer to her own. She could taste him in the air, feel the heat of him on her skin. Every moment spent dreaming had led to this. Their lips had just met when a timid knock sounded at the door. Richie drew back with a glare at the piece of wood. The look in his eyes was deadly. It was one of those moments that reminded her that there was a beast coiled beneath the surface of his well put together countenance. One of her hands smoothed down the pressed surface of his white button down, trying to soothe him.

"We have forever, Richie. Go to the bedroom and I will see who it is. Okay?"

His eyes stared into her own as he seemed to debate to himself what he should do. With one last tug of her hair, he walked away from her with a smirk on his face. I am going to destroy him. Nell ran a hand through her curls, attempting to pat down what Richie had disturbed. Deeming it appropriate to answer the door, she turned to greet whoever was on the other side. The sight that greeted her brought a small smile to her face. Kate Fuller. Everything that she had seen about the young girl was pure. She had not an ounce of darkness in her heart. Nell refused to watch the girl suffer the events that were coming. The Fuller family did not deserve the destruction caused by the Geckos and Diosa. Keeping her smile in check and making sure her anger did not reflect in her eyes, Nell leaned against the doorframe, "What can I do for you?"

Kate's smile was small as her eyes looked from Nell to the ground and back again, "I'm sorry to bother you but my room has no towels. I tried finding a maid or a cart and had no luck. Would it be possible for me to have one of yours? I'm in room 207 so I promise I am not a weirdo."

Nell nodded her head as her smile turned fond, "Of course."

There was a stack of towels on the bed that the boys had not moved when they checked in. Nell grabbed the top one and turned back toward Kate, "Here you go."

The young girl took the towel from her and smiled, "I'm Kate."

"Nellie. Nice to meet you, Kate."

With one last smile at the girl, she closed the door and leaned against it, the wood cool on her back. Honey met her ears, "Now, where were we?"

She opened her eyes to find Richie approaching her with a wolfish smile on his face. Meeting him in the middle of the room, hearts beating as one, Nell ran a hand down his face. His own hand came up and cupped her cheek, pulling her closer. Her eyes fluttered shut as he neared.

One single thought ran through her mind. Finally.