I felt something graze the cut on my lip and winced. The tiny pain was just enough to revive me from my alcohol-induced coma. I opened my eyes to the face that once haunted me but now only caused a dull throb in my chest.

"Good morning, Jacob."

"What happened?" He asked as he examined the wound.

I gave him a lazy smile. "I fell when I got arrested yesterday."

His eyes went wide. "What?"

"It's fine." I stretched, arching my back like a cat and dragging my nails across the blanket. "Just a misunderstanding. The officer thought I had something to do with Ned Wynert's escape. When I explained I didn't have a clue what happened, he let me go."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Just like that?"

"I may have said something about Sergeant Abberline vouching for me." I winked. "And something about how unappreciated law enforcement is and how my uncle was a copper in the States. You know, the usual stuff."

"Did you mention how sugar won't melt in your mouth?" He smiled approving. "Darling, you are a proper bit of flock."

"Thank you, Jacob." I returned his smile, but my heart broke a little. "I miss this; you being the first thing I lay eyes on in the morning."

"Gwen, I…" he bit his lip, stopping himself, before adding, "Me too."

I took a deep breath and sat up so I could look into his eyes. "Can we talk about the other night?"

He groaned as he joined me on the sofa, the walls between us instantly going on. "There's nothing to talk about. It shouldn't have happened, but there's no changing it. Can't we just move on?"

"See, that's the problem. You're done whenever the situation gets uncomfortable. You never want to deal with the aftermath. When you're done, you're done. Moving on while the rest of us have to try and fix the mess."
"You sound like Evie," he mumbled.

"You ever stopped to consider she has a point?" I grabbed his hand, causing him to look at me. "Jacob, listen to me for once. You have this amazingly passionate zest for life. You want to experience everything and I love that about you. I get caught up in it, – I really do – but you don't know when enough's enough. Why can't you stop trying to be the best assassin, and the best gang leader, and the best lover and just be you? Just be the best Jacob Frye you can be."

"Do you even know who that is?" His eyes pleaded with me, begging for an answer.

"I thought I did. I thought he was the man who took me to the rooftops of London and asked me to trust him. Who was willing to look me in the eyes and tell me he wanted us to be together even though he knew I was leaving; who held me in his arms and still had the strength to let me go." I shook my head. "Now, I just don't know."

"It's different now."

"How?"

"You and I… I never expected…" He struggled, but I waited. "I never thought you'd stay."

I tilted my head, trying to understand. "But I came back?"

"I know, I know." He stood up and paced, staring at the floor like he'd find his words there. Frustrated, he huffed. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you," I replied.

"You have me!" He yelled, yanking me up by the arms and holding me in front of him. "I've given you everything! What else can I do?"

His grip caused my arm to throb, but I didn't flinch. I knew if he saw me in pain, he'd pull away and I didn't want him to withdraw anymore. "The only thing I ever wanted from you was to be honest and open with me. I don't need a hero. I just need you."

"Why?" His lip curled into an animalistic snarl. "What do you have to gain?"

"Nothing. I just don't want to see you bottling up all your pain anymore. I want to be there for you like you've always been there for me."

He gave me a little shake as if trying to jar loose some hidden truth. "Why?"

I forced a smile. "Because I love you."

He let out a roar as he shoved me back. His breathing came in ragged pants as he glared at me with what could've been mistaken for hatred if it hadn't been for the single tear sliding down his cheek.

"I don't need a savior," he snarled through clenched teeth.

"I know."

"And I don't want your pity."

I nodded. "I don't pity you."

His eyes darted back and forth, searching. Lost again, he lashed out instead. "You think you're so much better than me, but you're wrong. You have just as many demons as I do."

"You're right." I stood up so I could stare him down. "But I'm willing to let you help me fight them. I thought I'd be able to do the same thing."

"Maxwell said you'd never be able to accept me after…" He stopped himself. "No matter. We've already begun and soon I'll free London with his help."

I wanted to fight with him and tell him how wrong he was about Roth, but I bit my tongue. "If that's what you want. I won't stop you if it makes you happy."

"Happy?" He scoffed. "Do you really care about my happiness?"

"You know I do."

His anger deflated. "Gwen. I never meant… I…"

Before he could get annoyed again, I cut him off. "Can I ask one last favor? Please be careful. Roth is a calculating bastard that'll use you to get what he wants. Like he did me."

"Liar."

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "Let me ask you something: who do you think invited me to your fight? I didn't tell you I'd be there and you sure as hell didn't tell me. And don't you think it was convenient we both were at the Alhambra the very next night? Funny how we could avoid each other for weeks only to run into each other two nights in a row."

There was a flash of uncertainty I wanted to cling to. If only for a moment, I wanted to believe he'd listen. However, my hopes were dashed when he turned and reached for the doorknob.

"Jacob," I said as his hand closed into a fist. "Maxwell was wrong about me. No matter what happens, I'll always love and accept you. That night made me feel dirty, but not because of what happened. Because I let myself be talked into something I knew I didn't really want. If he really makes you as happy as you made me, I support you."

He sighed, his shoulder and hand falling. "I know, Gwen."

"And I'll always be here if you need a friend." I took a chance and walked over to him. Gingerly, I placed my hand on his shoulder. "I love you, Jacob. Now and forever."

He was on me in a flash; pressing his lips to mine and holding me so tight I couldn't breathe. Then he was gone with the slamming of the door.