A/N: Hello, hello, hellloooo! I'm back finally! And I'm kinda on schedule, I did say February in my Update post. Although, I'm technically early because I haven't finished catching up with work but I had the writing bug for another fandom and then this was staring at me and I was like...it's time. Especially with the Haleb video that was shared for Valentines! Once again, thank you all for your patience, I've been really busy and it's been hard to find time to write. I don't have endless time to spend writing, unfortunately, and I'm not paid to do this...again, unfortunately, otherwise I'd be all over this a lot sooner!
Now, there's been kind of a gap and I've tried my hardest to get back in to the flow, so I hope this meets expectation. I'm kinda nervous about posting this as it's been so long! But like I said, I've tried really hard to get back in to the story and the characters and to try to do this justice. I hope you like it! Also this went in a completely unexpected direction and I may or may not have shot myself in the foot for later but...Haleb feels?
Hanna and Caleb had made their way back to their room to plan out what to do next. Noel had tossed Sara's phone and he was looking guiltier by the minute, if that was even possible with the amount of evidence that was already stacked up against him. But this could be the much needed proof that Spencer needed before she'd agree to do anything. This was why she was here. In a way, everything was going to plan.
Hanna and Caleb both knew what the next logical thing to do was. Talk to Noel. The girls kept trying to get hold of Hanna, and they both knew they didn't have much time to do whatever it was they needed to do. There was only so long that Mona could cover for the both of them. Once Mona couldn't keep it up any longer, and the girls realised that both she and Caleb where AWOL, they'd know that they where up to something and they'd come charging in and stop her from doing what needed to be done.
Caleb would try and hack the phone, destroyed as it was, but they didn't have time to wait on it, if it even had anything incriminating on it. Because there was a chance that it didn't, she hated herself for doubting what she knew, but she couldn't help it after that showdown with the others. A small part of her kept nagging at her thoughts, telling her she could be wrong. She wasn't the genius that Spencer was. Spencer was usually always right. Maybe she was seeing her torturer everywhere. Maybe she couldn't let go and it had been Rollins but she was projecting on to Noel because she just...couldn't deal with things. Maybe this was how she coped. Maybe she was broken irreparably and would keep finding new suspects over and over again. Dragging Caleb along with her every single time. She shook her head. No. I'm being ridiculous. All the evidence points to Noel. Points to this...as much as I wish it didn't. Because it means I'm going to have to face him. It means I'm going to have to stop saying I'll be brave and actually be brave. It's one think to think it, but another to be it. What if I end up freaking out, having a flashback...and Caleb will have to step in and then...Noel will get away. No. I won't let that happen. I'm doing this for Caleb. For my friends. So they can't be hurt like I've been. I just need to remember that. It'll be enough. It has to be.
Hanna couldn't deny the thought of coming face to face with Noel terrified her, but then who wouldn't feel the same way? He was probably the person who'd locked her in a barn and tortured her over and over and over again. But this needed to be done, and she was the only one who could do it. The only one she would allow to do it. This started with her, it would end with her.
They needed to go to Noel. They needed to talk to him. But she and Caleb both knew that Noel wouldn't just suddenly open up and spill all of his dark deeds to them over a beer, they'd need to do something drastic to get him to talk. They'd need to play the A game, they'd need to become him. Okay, maybe that's too far. We just need to...to think like him...Sort of…what is it that war book said? Hanna tried to remember while Caleb put in some calls to some old connections. Hanna stifled a smile as she remembered how that conversation had gone.
"You know at least one drug dealer, right?" Hanna had said bluntly, turning to him as she'd placed all of their gathered supplies on the table. Ready for their prey. She had taken to think of Noel like that, she had to think of Noel as that, or she wouldn't be able to do this. It kept her calm to a certain extent. Kept the terror at bay. I'm the one with the power. Noel doesn't know what's coming. I'll be the one in charge. Not him. Not like before. Things are going to go differently this time. She'd thought.
"Um…what makes you think I do?" Caleb had asked with a raised eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew Hanna was trying incredibly hard to push her terror down, he also knew she was most likely using her need to protect him to do it. He'd let her. He'd let her play what ever role she needed to, to get through with it. But he'd still do whatever it took to protect her. Whether she liked it or not. So he indulged her, giving in to the need to be a little bit playful before things got serious. Before things got...dangerous.
"Well, you have connections right? From the phone thing? You where pretty shady and you did business with some really shady people." She'd pointed out matter of factly. "Besides it's not like we need real drugs, we just need….something to knock him out. To keep him...manageable." Hanna had finished. Caleb had looked at her with his eyebrow still raised and shaken his head. As if that makes it any better. Hanna had plowed on, ready to defend her decision. "If it was him at the barn Caleb, he's not even stable, we all know that, no-one can deny that. He has to be completely unhinged, or well maybe not unhinged but he's psychopathic or whichever one it is, I can't remember all the psycho babble. The point is, we can't do this without putting him at a disadvantage, and we need to do it this way…it's the only way to unbalance him…." She'd trailed off as Caleb held a hand up.
"I know Han. I agree. I just resent the implication that I'm still buddies with dealers and 'shady people'" he'd said, forming quote marks with his fingers, "let alone people that knew how to get drugs to use to knock out girls." Hanna had started to apologise but Caleb continued, letting a smirk spread across his face "Oh and for the record, since we're using the serial killer supplies…I'm so narking on you to the cops if Noel goes squealing to them like a little baby. I'm telling them it was all you." Caleb said as he'd leaned in towards her. Hanna gasped in mock outrage, playing along to try and dispel some of the tension she'd been feeling.
"I can't believe you would turn on the woman you love. They'd never believe you. I look too harmless...too sweet and innocent" She'd said with a laugh and a hair toss, plus a heavy dose of triumph. Then they'd both frozen as Hanna's words had sunk in. The woman you love. For a minute…it had been just like it used to be between them. Laughing, joking…carefree. They where both painfully aware of their feelings for each other….and aware of how much they wanted to protect each other. How that kept them apart a certain amount. And there Hanna was tossing the L word around and forcing the two of them to acknowledge it. Hanna had swallowed and started to stammer a denial but Caleb had looked at her seriously and reached out to touch her face.
"I do love you Han. And I know you love me. You want to keep me safe, so you keep me at a distance, but if we're doing this. If we're really going to go after Noel like this...then we're doing it together." He'd said seriously, his gaze intense.
"Um...we are together..." Hanna had said dumbly, swallowing.
"No Han. You know what I mean. No more distance. Finding that phone...this got dangerous Hanna. More than it was before. I wasn't there for you before, I couldn't help you before...because we weren't us. We weren't together, and I don't want it to be like that this time. I know I said I'd give you time but this scares me Hanna. Please..." he'd said, touching his forehead to hers. She'd closed her eyes.
As much as she wanted to fight him, to keep him at a safe distance so he couldn't be hurt. She needed him. They'd been inseparable since she'd been returned broken and battered. He was the only one she felt safe around. He always had been. He was right, the dream was just a dream. It had to be. She wouldn't let it be a warning.
"Han. I know you think keeping me at a distance will keep me safe. If we're not together, I won't be a target. But you and I both know that I'll always follow you, wherever you go right? I'll always be there for you...with you. So I'll be a target either way. If we're together or not. You have to know that right? If we're going to go this far in to danger...I can't do it without knowing that you're mine. Without you admitting that we're meant to spend the rest of our lives together" Hanna had stared at Caleb. Meant to spend the rest of our lives together. He'd said that. He thought...he wanted to...she heaved in a shuddering breath, as Caleb reached up to wipe a tear from her cheek. When did I start...?
"I'm sorry Han. God. I didn't mean to make you cry, to push you like this. I'm just...I'm scared and-" Hanna knew he was right, they where meant to spend the rest of their lives together and she was tired of fighting it. She was scared, she was terrified, and she needed Caleb. She would always need Caleb because he was always the one that was there for her, just look at what he'd been doing for her since...since the barn. He'd been...amazing. She also knew that the convenient little fact that she liked to ignore, that he'd just pointed out was also true. He'd have a target on his back either way...so why not just give in. She'd realised that if she was really going to do this...she needed things between her and Caleb to be resolved. She needed to know that he was really serious, as if his actions recently hadn't shown her that. So she'd cut him off by tilting her head up and bringing her lips to his. As they'd kissed, softly, tenderly...it had felt right to Hanna. Like home. Something inside of her clicked in to place and she felt lighter. She was doing this for Caleb...for this. So that when this was over, they could have a life together. So they could be together without the fear...without the tension.
"We will." Hanna had whispered as they'd pulled apart.
"huh?" Caleb had said, slightly dazed. He hadn't been expecting Hanna's reaction, he'd just blurted without thinking. He'd said what he felt. They'd been dancing around for days, they'd practically been together anyway it just wasn't...official. And he'd so badly wanted to make it official. Wanted to get some small happiness, get something that was right in this shit storm of pain and terror.
"We will spend the rest of our lives together" Hanna had promised him. Then of course Caleb had ruined the moment entirely.
"Did you just propose to me?" He'd asked, blinking. Hanna had flushed.
"N-n-n-no...I didn't...I just..I...uh..." she'd stammered busying herself with the various items they'd need for their Noel-napping plan.
"I'm just going...to go make that call" Caleb had said as he wandered off in a daze.
So...that happened. Hanna thought to herself. She pictured what would happen at the end of all this, going back to her friends and telling them what had happened. Hey guys, Caleb and I got all the evidence we need on Noel so now we can go to the cops and reveal that he's behind this whole thing! Oh and Caleb and I totally got back together because it was so romantic plotting to kidnap Noel and hog tie him to get him to confess. She shook her head.
"It's done. We've just got to go meet the guy, you ready?" Caleb interrupted Hanna's thoughts and she looked up at him, nodding absent mindedly.
"Sure, let's go." They where headed for the door when Hanna remembered something. "Wait! I need my hat"
"Seriously Hanna, now isn't the time to accessorise" Caleb said with an affectionate eye roll.
"I know, but this is a drug deal right? I need to look inconspicuous! To blend in!" Caleb sighed as Hanna retrieved an old ball cap she'd dug out from somewhere for the occasion, and settled it on her head. "How do I look?" Adorable. He thought.
"Totally not stereotypically suspicious" Caleb said out loud with a shake of the head, holding the door open, "Can we go now?" he said gesturing to the door. "Drug dealers are kinda twitchy and they don't like to be kept waiting" Caleb said gently as Hanna hesitated for a moment. Enough to remind herself she was doing this for those she loved. To remind herself Noel couldn't touch her, Caleb wouldn't let him. It would be fine. She could do this. Then she strode through.
It didn't take them long to reach the meeting place, and they ducked low in the car, scoping it out. It didn't look at all liked she'd enviosned it would be. She'd pictured an alley, or a seedy motel or something. Instead it was bright, busy and there where kids cycling around on bikes.
Before long, a car pulled in to a bay opposite them and parked. Caleb looked it over, studying every inch. "That's it, just as described. Same numberplate and everything" Hanna nodded and adjusted her hat. Now was the time to put the plan in to action, her plan. Well...to at least prepare the first stage of her plan.
"Right. I'll….I'll be back in a minute" Hanna said, steeling herself before she launched herself out of the car and hurried over to the other vehicle. She pretended she was playing a role, and it helped to take her mind off of the fact she was about to get cosy with a drug dealer.
Caleb snorted a laugh. She was trying so hard to be inconspicuous, but between the hat and the constant furtive looks, she screamed "HEY LOOK AT ME. I'M SO UP TO SOMETHING", like every shady character in a movie. He watched her approach the vehicle and hesitate at the door. It was at that point that Calebs brain kicked in to gear and he realised he'd been too busy staring at her to get out of the car and you know...go with her. Idiot. 'I'll always be there for you Hanna. We do things together Hanna' more like 'I'm sorry Hanna, I was too busy noticing how cute you looked trying to act all super spy, to actually be with you. Things between them had finally clicked in to place and Caleb had allowed it to let him become complacent.
He and Hanna might be back together, but just because that made her happy...made him happy, it didn't that everything that had happened...hadn't happened. Hanna was not fine, no matter how badly she tried to act like it. Caleb cursed under his breath and practically threw himself out of the car. It wasn't like he could yell at her to wait for him. He hurried over to the other vehicle just as Hanna got in. Cursing himself the entire way for dropping the ball like a complete moron. Letting himself fall in to a false sense of security because he and Hanna where back where they belonged. Hanna might think she's indestructible because she's the one in charge of this whole game with Noel now...but Caleb knew she wasn't, and he knew that she knew that she wasn't. Her act didn't work on him and she should know that by now.
Hanna took a deep breath and opened the car door, ducking in and settling in to the passenger seat. For a dealer, the car was pretty...well...nice. It was clean and it didn't smell like….whatever dealers smelled like. Drugs and skeeviness? She mentally shook herself before her brain could descend in to all out panic. She'd been doing well. With something to focus on, a goal, and her constant mantra to herself…she was handling this. She was taking steps to put Noel away. To take him down. To make him pay. He wouldn't be able to hurt anyone ever again after this, and thanks to this guy….she was going to be the one with the advantage. She'd be making him feel scared. Helpless. She would be lying if she said she didn't get a rush at the thought. A small dark part of her relished the idea of Noel being the weak one. Of Noel feeling how she felt. Not that she'd go that far. Hanna took a breath. She knew Caleb was watching, but she still felt uneasy without his close proximity to keep her calm. It's fine Hanna. After everything you've been through you can handle one little drug dealer. I mean he's super clean...his car isn't screaming 'hey I'm a serial killer' right?
"I've never sold these to a chick before" the guy noted, as he pulled a baggie out of his pocket, and checked the contents. Remain calm Hanna. Act like…like you do this all the time. No…no that'd be weird. Totally not the image you want to project. Just…act like Mona. It's helped me this far. She took another breath and channeled Mona.
"Glad I could be your first" she said, wow, I do an awesome Mona impression when I want to. Hanna noted, mentally high fiving herself. She felt like she was in charge for once, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel a strange rush of power. She'd been relishing in that feeling so much that she didn't notice Caleb's approach.
She jumped when the back door of the car opened and spun in her seat…..to see Caleb ducking in to the backseat. She couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped her having him near. She looked at him and he sent her a challenging look back. Go on, shout at me to get back to the car. Tell me you got this. Send me away. He seemed to say. Hanna just stared at him, trying to project how in control she was of the situation. I've totally got this. I don't need your help. Just watch.
"What? Why do you get to have all the fun?" Caleb said with a wink, undeterred and certainly not going anywhere, and Hanna smiled back at him finally. Trust Caleb to try and set her at ease by turning this in to a game or something. The dealer, completely forgotten by the two of them, looked between the two with raised eyebrows.
"I don't know what you're in to…" he started to say and Hanna flushed with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to make a snappy comeback but the spirit of Mona had fled her and she just sputtered a bit. Great Caleb couldn't witness my awesome comeback but he can witness me sputtering like an idiot. Typical. Wait...What does he think Caleb and I need these for? For….to get…to get someone? To….oh my God. She repressed the groan of horror that itched to be unleashed.
"You don't need to know. Is that the stuff?" Caleb said the picture of calm and collected. Damn, why does he get to be the badass? Hanna huffed as she shot him a look and Caleb shot her a playful smirk. The dealer sighed, shaking his head and held up the baggie.
"A little goes a long way, one of those….should knock 'em out for hours" He said, handing the packet over to Hanna. She took it from him carefully while Caleb handed over the money. Hanna stared down at the baggie. There where two pills in there, if one could knock him out for hours….then two….two could keep him out for a day or it could….
"Good to know" she muttered. She wouldn't go that far. She wouldn't. She just needed to be sure that she could keep him under control…keep him compliant. She didn't want Caleb getting hurt because of her stupid plan. Because he'd followed along with it to make her happy, to keep her safe. She wouldn't let him get hurt. She wouldn't. Just because she'd agreed they belonged together, agreed to stop keeping him at a distance, agreed to be with him again..didn't mean she was any less determined to keep him safe. She opened the door, and exited the car without another word, closely followed by Caleb. He rounded the car to meet her at the front and threw his arm around her shoulders.
"Nice work Miss Super Spy" Caleb teased. She flushed as she recalled her embarrassed stuttering, all sense of cool leaking away from her rapidly in that one moment.
"Hey, I was doing really well until you came barging in to my drug deal and threw of my vibe" Hanna said sulkily. Calebs arm around her shoulders was a soothing weight, his body next to hers a comfort. She breathed him in. She could almost pretend that they where back before everything happened, before the barn, before he left, back in simpler times. Not that there had ever really been simpler times...but what passed as it for them. Once everything was over with Noel...they could go back to that.
"Excuse me for not wanting you to be by yourself with a drug dealer, I know you think you can handle it Hanna…." he trailed off at her look. "I know you can handle it Hanna. But you don't have to do this alone, I keep telling you. Not with me here. We'll do this together. Every step of the way. Do I need to remind you of our earlier conversation? You know...the one where we got back together" Caleb leaned in and whispered the words huskily in her ear.
Hanna hugged him tightly and Caleb smiled, wrapping his other arm around her as they reached their car.
"I'll take that as a no" he side triumphantly.
This feels so...normal...this is how things could be again. We just need to deal with Noel.
"He was actually pretty nice for a dealer" Caleb commented and Hanna groaned.
"That guy totally thinks we drug poor innocent girls to have our way with them" Hanna said, her face flaming.
"Hey, he might of thought we where drugging guys" Caleb winked suggestively and Hanna smacked him in the stomach.
"Caleb" She hissed,
"I'm an equal opportunity lover" Caleb said with a laugh.
"It's not funny!" she practically snarled at him as she hit him again.
"C'mon Han, it is a little, you've got to admit. He looked so...so...scandalised" he said chuckling.
"It's still not funny" Hanna practically growled.
"Aw Han, are you jealous? You know you're the only person for me" he teased right before he was cut off with an oof as Hanna smacked him in the stomach again. With more force.
"This isn't funny Caleb. We've got what we needed and now...now we have to...I have to..." Hanna tried to calm herself down. Caleb was just teasing her to try and ease the tension. To try and make her laugh, to ease the levity of the situation before it all came crashing back down on them once they set foot back in that car and they had to put the next part of the plan in motion. She loved him for it, for trying to do that for her but she just..she couldn't not focus on her fear of what was to come and she knew Caleb was trying very hard not to focus on his fear for her. Caleb sobered up immediately. He'd been stupid to try and pretend they weren't in the middle of a very dangerous situation. To try to pretend things where how they'd used to be. Nothing was okay. In a few hours Hanna would have to sit face to face with Noel. The person who terrified her most in the world right now.
He pulled her to a stop and cupped her face in his hands.
"Hanna. It's going to be fine. I'll be right there with you, you don't have to face him alone. And you know I won't let him lay a finger on you. Not again. We're going to get the information we need, and we're going to take it to the cops. Then he's going to be locked away for a very long time. He won't be able to hurt you or anyone else ever again, okay?" Caleb said, steadily. Hanna nodded, and Caleb peered in to her eyes for a moment longer. He kissed her on the forehead and they resumed walking back to the car.
A moment later Hanna started to laugh, and Caleb turned to look at her.
"What? I thought you said it wasn't funny" He teased.
"The drug dealer...looking scandalised...at us...because...when he...oh my God" she cackled and Caleb started to laugh with her. Just for this one moment, they'd revel in a stupid joke. Just this once. They deserved it. They deserved to laugh. Deserved to enjoy this, because they sure as hell hadn't gotten to do much enjoying recently...or laughing.
"We totally just scandalised a drug dealer, I feel like that's an achievement we should be marginally proud of" he chuckled. Hanna wasn't sure if the laughter she felt bubbling up again was genuine or verging on slightly hysterical but she wanted this. She wanted to laugh with Caleb, to share a joke. So she did. Because there was a high chance everything was going to go to shit in a few hours. Especially when Caleb realised Hanna would be facing Noel alone, because there was no way he'd meet with the both of them. It had to be her. Just her. And Caleb would not be happy.