Author's Note:

An early update! Because of reasons I will state in the next chapter. Although I am pleased to say I am actually updating earlier than planned. XD.

I'm really glad and satisfied that the chapters are turning out better than I anticipated. Except, my friend is helping me write the chapters out, and she clearly helped me improve the paragraphs by telling me a few tips. I'm so grateful to her even though she would never read this chapter online except as a draft that wouldn't have an author's note at all.

And I'd be really happy if you'll give some advice too, I don't mind any kind of criticism at all!

Anyway, on with the chapter!

Enjoy!

Chapter 12

"… I must ask you this, Miss Cahill. Why did you not complain about the murder attempt on you and your parents when you had all right to do so?" the interviewer asked her.

She let a small smile, almost sad and looked straight into his eyes. The interviewer could see the years of maturity grown over the pain and suffering of the young woman who'd have lived a life much better had she done what most people would have done.

"You see Mr. John, I had been in love with him. And I was his fiancé for over a year. Can you imagine me even thinking of picturing someone I love in a place I wouldn't like going myself?" she said, confidently and as calmly as she could which, wasn't that difficult as she had overcome the intense pain a long time ago.

"What about your brother, Dan? Surely, he wasn't as independent as you to overcome the loss of someone close to him, didn't you think about him." he asked, after letting a moment's silence settle between them.

Amy glanced at the audience, assured that two of the men she loved were watching her and her confidence surged because she knew, she knew that they would back her up and give her the justice she needed to stop the media from interpreting things she would have never thought.

"We trusted each other enough, and he understood what I had been going through. I can never ask for a more understanding brother than him. If he had not been there for me," she let her smile spread wider and look tenderly at the interviewer as if he were her brother and she were delivering her heart's messages to him, "I would have never pulled out of the misery. Thank you, Dan. "

The interviewer finally let a smile enter his wrinkled face, looking at the Genuity of her situation and intentions. "Thank you, Amy Cahill for being here, in Truth Revealers and share your reasons and feelings regarding the arrest of Jake Rosenbloom. I hope you have a good day and I hereby conclude the interview. Goodbye!"

Amy relaxed from her rigid straight posture and let a sigh of relief as Mr. John smiled at her and then left the set, allowing Ian and Dan come over her. She clung to Ian, making Dan glare at him and pout for her attention was focused only on Ian and they were about to come closer.

"You can do that later!" Dan yelled directly into their ears as they stood laughing at his discomfort.

"I must say, Dan. Why don't you approach her already? Anyone with eyes can see what you feel about her," Amy teased him, making Ian raise an eyebrow.

A light pink color covered his cheeks and he glared at Amy.

"Who is the lucky girl, Daniel?" Natalie appeared next to Dan, making him jump and the color to spread even wider on his face; reaching the back of his ear.

"N—nothing that concerns you!" he scurried far away from her, making Ian's jaw drop and almost lung for him had Amy not stretched her arm to stop him.

"Leave him be, Ian." she said whilst cackling at the entire awkward situation.

If there was one thing she was happy about, it would be seeing everyone around her safe and healthy.

xxx

"Would you like some good news, girls?" Amy said, entering the training center wherein the girls sat lying in wait for their mentor.

They all perked up, eager to hear what she had to say. It had been weeks since she started and Amy could see the improvements in 'The Entailed' group that she had begun to adore.

"The…President…." she paused deliberately, glancing at every girl.

"He approved of you as a group and assigned a case in your hands." she said, grinning as each one of them displayed different type of shock ranging from falling off the chair to their jaws dropping on the floor.

"That's—That's—"

"Great, I know." Amy agreed, meeting her eyes and a silent agreement passed between them.

"Is Amy Cahill here?" an old watchman appeared near the door and peered inside.

Amy frowned, approaching the man.

"Did you need anything from me?" she asked kindly.

He looked at her then gestured her to follow him.

"There is a woman near the gate who wants to meet you." he replied, leading her to an isolated room that was just behind the main door.

And there stood, Julie Mayers.

Amy blinked her eyes, totally confused whilst staring at Julie.

Julie held her hands tightly together as she tried to muster up the courage to say something. Amy just stared at her with a look that was both calm and somewhat weary. Her reaction didn't make much sense to Julie since she expected her to glare at her and demand her exit immediately. After the stunt she tried to pull, Julie wouldn't have blamed her if she kicked her out onto the street. So, it surprised the detective greatly when Amy asked in a polite voice, "Would you like something to drink, Miss Julie?"

"No, no, I'm fine," she answered quickly, flailing her hands back and forth as if she had no idea of what to do with them. "I'm…I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, as okay as I can be."

Amy said nothing. She just stood there, waiting patiently for whatever Julie needed to say.

Knowing that she couldn't prolong the awkward tension for any longer, she looked down at her feet and mumbled, "I'm sorry."

"Miss Julie—"

"Please let me finish," she cut in with a raised hand. "I had no right to do what I did. It was childish of me and honestly, I'm surprised I actually did it. It was never my intention to hurt you, but I…I…"

"You love him."

She looked up at her with surprise.

Amy showed her a gentle smile and murmured, "You love him and so you did what you felt you had to do."

"How are you not mad?"

"How can I be mad at you for loving him when I'm guilty as well?"

"But I tried to mess everything up between you two! You should hate me for that."

"Because you fought for the man you love? Because you wanted to save the relationship you had? Miss Julie, if anything, I admire you for what you did."

Julie couldn't help but think she must have hit her head—HARD. Her easy acceptance and understanding nature were so unnatural that Julie had to consider this was some sort of cruel trick or joke. But when she searched for treachery in her golden eyes, Julie could only find sincerity.

Seeing the traces of disbelief in her expression, Amy shook her head and said, "I'm not saying I like what you did, but you had the courage to fight for what you want." She let out a sad laugh and ran a hand through her hair. "If I had the same courage, then I would have never missed out on so much precious time."

She then raised her eyes to Julie's and added, "I know you didn't do it for me, but I want to thank you for being by his side. I know how important he is to you and I know you're an important part of his life as well."

"He said that?" she whispered, her heart beating sporadically in her chest.

"Do you think you're not?"

"Well I—" Julie breathed in deeply and shook her head. "I thought after all that, he wouldn't…" She shrugged. "I wouldn't matter, I suppose."

Feeling sympathy course through her veins at the defeated look upon her face, Amy reached for Julie's hand and held it between her own. She flashed a comforting smile at her astonished gaze and said, "Miss Julie, the only difference between you and me is luck. I'm lucky that that he returns my feelings. That doesn't make me any better than you and it certainly doesn't make you any worse."

"But you are better," Julie sniffed as she squeezed her hand. "He chose you."

"No, I'm not better. Trust me, I'm not better at all."

"He loves you for a reason."

"A reason that's beyond me," Amy admitted with a weak smile, "and for other reasons I'm not too sure about. But Miss Julie, regardless of what happened, you are truly an amazing person for sticking by him for so long, for helping him, and for caring about him without any expectation from him in return. That right there is incredibly selfless."

Julie's eyes filled with tears. "You think I love him?" she whispered.

"I know you love him."

It was bizarre how her words gave her such comfort. Julie had always known she loved him. She was sure of it the moment he smiled at her, the first time they ate out together, and the many days afterwards when she felt like she was walking on air. But to hear someone else recognize her feelings reassured herself that she had done nothing wrong. Julie did try. Julie gave it everything she had and there was nothing else she could do.

In fact, as she felt Amy squeeze her hand in a warm and tender grasp, Julie finally understood that she had no chance of winning against a woman like her. Amy had complimented her on her selflessness, but the young detective failed to see the altruism in her own nature as well. Her ability to forgive without malice and her genuine modesty made it all too clear why he was so in love her. Although it was a hard pill to swallow, Julie would rather lose to someone like Amy than anyone else. At least it was obvious that there was nothing she could do. With Amy as her opponent, this was a battle she was meant to lose.

But the tears stinging at the corner of her eyes were hard to ignore. Even though her head understood and accepted the loss, her heart was not as compliant. So, when Amy stepped forward and gave her a hug, Julie accepted her comforting shoulder and cried. She could never say exactly why her tears fell, but for every drop she shed, the weight she had shouldered began to lift. Losing the man, she loved was hard, but taking the loss in the arms of a friend made it that much easier.

xxx

Ian stood by the window with his hands in his pockets, staring down at the bustling streets. Cars inched their way through downtown traffic and people were smiling as they walked out of their workplace, grateful for the fact that it was already Friday night. The watch around his wrist struck eight and Ian wanted nothing more than to go home and spend time with the one person he had missed all day, but there was something he wanted to do first. Honestly, he had no idea what he was thinking. Ian was never one to meddle, especially in circumstances like this. A grim smile curved at the corner of his lips as he realized his father was starting to rub off on him.

Ian took confident strides to the police station, nodding at the inspector so that he would be led to the person he would want to speak to. He had nothing to lose, but there was one thing he'd fix than leave it hanging.

"There is a visitor for you." Jake raised his head at the voice of the gruff inspector and found Ian standing outside the jail door. Jake smirked.

"Let me guess, you're here to chew me out."

"Is that your way of admitting you lied?"

Jake scoffed. "I wouldn't call that lying. I told you the version I believed to be the truth. Obviously, she told you otherwise."

"On the contrary, she agreed. You did affect her choice."

His eyes widened in surprise. "She said that?"

"I don't understand," Ian began with a raised eyebrow at the musician's stunned expression. "I thought you told me the truth?"

"I didn't think she would admit it."

"Has Amy ever really hidden her feelings from you, Jake?"

Jake stopped, noticing how tenderly he spoke her name.

Smiling darkly at his silence, Ian murmured, "I know she loved you,"

Jake couldn't respond. He never thought in a million years that he would hear those words from his mouth. But the strangest thing of all was that Ian didn't look angry. His expression was as calm and collected as ever. Unlike that night after the party, Jake didn't feel a flicker of victory at seeing Ian succumb to fury. In fact, the detective only raised his head and continued to stare into Jake's black eyes with a serenity that bothered him more than he would have liked.

"She told you she loved me…and you forgave her?" he asked with incredulity.

"I knew she loved you from the start. And the only thing I would ever hold against her was her belief that I would abandon her. Her feelings for you, however, do not deter my own. However, I wouldn't try anything funny knowing that Amy would disapprove. Because I came here to make peace."

"It doesn't bother you that she has feelings for me? Are you so willing to share?" Jake ignored the last part.

Ian's eyes glinted, causing Jake to shrink back in alarm. "Don't be mistaken," he replied in a low voice. "I have no intention of allowing anyone else come between us. The way I see it, you had your chance to love her and you foolishly threw that opportunity away by breaching her trust. And you know just as well as I do that Amy has fully moved on. "

His hands instinctively clenched into a tight fist. Jake couldn't deny his words because it was a fact he had known ever since he talked to her that day. Before she left, Jake had always been able to get under her skin and elicit whatever kind of response he wanted from her. Heck, he even got her to leave the country because of his interference. But that day, it was as if she didn't see him at all. The coldness in her eyes and the wall she built between them made it all too clear that she wanted nothing to do with him.

It was this realization that forced Jake to take action. He actively looked for Ian, wanting to wreak havoc with the hope that their pain will help him feel better. Of course, there was some part of him that knew his plan was a failure from the start. He was always aware of the feelings they had for each other and what was worse was that he knew that no matter how much time or distance, they would always find their way back.

Of course, she would come back for him. Of course, Ian would forgive her. Of course, they were happy. This didn't make the situation any easier for Jake to accept.

So, allowing his frustration to roll free, he got to his feet and snarled, "Did you come here to rub it in my face? Are you really that pleased with yourself?"

"Actually, the reason I came here today was to tell you that it's not too late."

"For what?"

His eyes softened. "To fix the misunderstanding between you and Amy."

Jake couldn't have been more shocked. Reaching behind him with a shaky hand, he sat down upon the stool again and stared up at the detective who looked every bit as serious as he did before. This wasn't a joke.

"Why should things be okay between me and her? Isn't that the last thing you want?"

Ian shook his head. "The last thing I want is for her to be unhappy. Regardless of whether or not I like it, it is obvious that you were an important part of her life. You betrayed her trust and hurt her in ways I can't bring myself to explain. But if you love her like you claim you do, then don't you think you should try to right the wrong you committed?"

"Why are you telling me this?" Jake whispered. "What's in it for you? So, you can prove you're the better man?"

Shaking his head, he replied, "I don't need to prove that. And this isn't about me. This is about her."

"Don't tell me she misses me."

Ian looked straight into his eyes as if he could pull the true answer right from out of him. Jake practically had to force himself not to look away. He would never admit out loud that the detective's words cut deep, that he had voiced the sentiments Jake had always felt inside but was too damn proud to do something about. He wasn't going to show that his words took effect. Like always, he was going to shield himself with bravado and not let anyone else know that he had always contemplated what would have happened if she hadn't been there that day, if he hadn't said those incriminating words…

But just when he was walking away, he stopped and looked over his shoulder and asked in a strangely soft voice, "Do you really want to leave things like this?"

Jake didn't reply.

"You told her you loved her for a reason, Rosenbloom. And I want to believe it's because you wanted to set things right. Well, I'm here to tell you that you still can, but if you choose to do nothing, if you sit by and let her go—" Ian met his frozen gaze with steady one of his own—"then I guess we finally understand how strong your feelings for her really are."

Suddenly, Jake's eyes opened, all those times he felt the dull ache in his heart whenever he'd seen her cry, the hurt in her eyes whenever he'd do something that didn't only just break her heart, but also leave her completely floored. Regret, that's what he with the ancient pain crawling up inside him, he felt numb and crumbling.

And like a hurricane that changed everything in its course, the young detective walked out, leaving a broken man in his wake.

xxx

"Did you honestly think that I would say sorry to your sister?" Jake sneered at Dan, making his eyes flare up. Dan had thought a lot about it, and he glanced back at the door; where his partner was probably backing up for him. While he tried to get this stuck up brat to confess, he also prayed he wouldn't betray the bitter emotions that swirled in his heart for ever admiring the singer in his early days.

He knew behind the entire bravado that he used to show his strength, there was a man who once loved Amy with all his heart. But now, what Dan needed was justice for everything that went wrong.

"I wouldn't think so. I hate you for everything. Did you think I would let you live after killing my parents, the Cahill family?" Dan growled, forcing the old wound to feel the pain.

Jake narrowed his eyes, "They DESERVED to die even though every law in this country was against the justice of a brother who had no one else except his own brother. I shouldn't have just strangeled them, but also burned you with the house. But Amy. She had to ruin my plan. and thus, I decided she would do a good lot decoration with the fire seeping into her skin."

Just then, the door burst open and a few officers came in, snatching a handcuff and snapping it shut over his wrists.

"Jake Rosenbloom, you are under arrest for murder."

Natalie came as soon as the officers led Jake outside, a number of reporters going behind them to catch a few things that would explain the accusation.

Natalie high fived Dan, although Dan couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just let go of his past fully.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reviewing,

iheartNYcity: I corrected the error, thank you for pointing it out! Isn't Natalie and Dan's relationship funny? Well, I did get goose bumps while writing that faithful chapter! I am already working on a one-shot, although it will take a little time, probably a few hours or a few days depending on my other stories. It really makes me happy that you are following me. I can understand your situation, having to take care myself. :D

Farjana: I'm glad it was, Every good shall come to an end, so does the bad.

MademoiselleEtincelle: Me too! Even I crave for the same . Um….*Blushing* can you guess? Yes they did. *hides below her table* And yeah, I corrected it as soon as I read the review. Thanks again! Ah, I'm sorry to disappoint you, really. But the story sure is coming to an end. I am glad you like the later chapters, actually my friend is helping me with a few paragraphs although she doesn't really check the archive and all. I can try, I mean writing another multi with Highschool AU but I haven't gone to American highschool and thus don't know the environment there. Plus, I have changed schools a couple times so I don't know if I can actually write a satisfying one that actually makes sense and is interesting to read. XD. You too, good luck. Love ya too.

Thank you everyone for reading my story, it means a lot to me.

Goodbye! Until next time.