A/N: Okay so here is the next chapter. As promised it is a lot longer. For the first couple of chapters it is going to switch between Cole and Starr's POV. As for Hannah, I know I'm probably writing her a little out of character, but honestly this is kind of how I see her now, and it is my story so I get to write her how I want to. I just hope I'm not too far off base with her. I hope you all enjoy it, and reviews are always appreciated.

(2 hours earlier)

Cole is sitting with Hannah in her room at St. Ann's. He knows something is going on with her, and that something happened between her and John. John has placed protection on him and Starr, and he knows it has something to do with Hannah. "Hannah, what is going on? Don't tell me nothing. I know something is up, I have a police officer following me around."

"Good."

"What is this about? Does this have to do with why you took those pills? Come on Hannah, you can tell me."

"Cole… I had to, or…"

"Or, what?"

"I don't want to drag you into this. Just let Detective McBain take care of it."

"Take care of what? You didn't do it did you? You didn't push my mom down the stairs or try to kill Ford."

"No, I didn't."

"I didn't think you did. But then why did you confess?"

"I had to or he would have killed you."

"What? Who?"

"It's better if you don't know. Just be careful and watch your back."

"It would help if I knew who I was watching out for."

"Detective McBain knows, that's all the matters."

"Did this person make you take those pills?"

"Yes. He told me that if I didn't kill myself he'd kill you."

"So you almost died to protect me?"

"Yeah… Cole, I love you. I'd do anything for you."

"Hannah…"

"I know. You love Starr. I get that now, but that doesn't change how I feel about you."

"Look, I care for you Hannah, I really do, but like you said, I love Starr. I mean we may have our problems, but we love each other, nothing will ever change that."

"I know. You two really are special. I'm so sorry, for everything. For lying about Todd, about Starr and James, just for everything."

"You already apologized for that. I should be thanking you, by the sounds of it you saved my life."

"Like I said, I'd do anything to protect you. Besides I kind of got myself into this mess by lying in the first place."

"Wait, so you did see who pushed my mom down the stairs? Is it the same person who is threatening you?"

"Yes. He's crazy, Cole, which is why you need to stay away from him."

"From who?"

"I can't… Detective McBain told me not to saying anything to anyone. I already told you too much."

"Damn it, Hannah. I need to know who is after me."

"It's better if you don't. Just let the police do their job. It's what I should have done in the first place, but instead I saw an opportunity to break up you and Starr and I took it. I let a murderer go just so I can come between you and Starr, how messed up is that? I guess I really do belong in here."

"No, no you don't. You aren't crazy. I mean, I think you do need to talk to someone, but you don't belong here."

"Thanks for saying that…. So when you came in here earlier you looked kind of upset. Is everything okay?"

Cole sighs, "It's nothing. Starr and I got into this huge fight earlier."

"About me?"

"You, and James." He chuckles some, "I swear, it is like you two are the only things we talk about lately."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah well, we let it get to this point. We want to move on so bad and move past everything that has happened but it's like we can't. Whenever your name comes up, Starr gets upset, whenever James' does, I get annoyed. It is like we are walking on eggshells around each other…. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking to you about this."

"No, it's fine. Seriously Cole, I meant what I said before, I get that you love Starr, and I'm okay with that."

"Yeah well I wish James would get the message."

"He's trying to take Starr away from you?"

"Yeah. He told her that he is 'sad and lonely' with me and that he can make her happy."

"He actually said that?"

"Yup… and the thing that gets me is that he doesn't even know me. He has no idea what Starr and I are like together."

"Well speaking from experience, that doesn't really matter. He wants Starr and that is all he is probably focused on, but don't worry too much, he'll realize what I did. You and Starr love each other, end of story."

"Yeah, I hope so…. Look I'm going to go. I have to find Starr."

"Okay."

"Hey, thanks… for everything. I promise, I'm going to make sure nothing happens to you."

"Just be careful. I couldn't take it if anything happened to you."

"I will… bye."

"Bye."

Cole leaves Hannah's room. He pulls out his cell phone and calls Starr. It rings twice and goes straight to voicemail, "Starr, it's me. I hate the way we left things early. We really need to talk, so just call me back as soon as you get this… okay bye… wait, I love you."

He hangs up the phone and heads out of St. Ann's not even realizing that the police officer that followed him there was not following him out of the building. Instead a someone creeps out of the shadows and follows Cole out of the building.

Cole decides to head to the docks to clear his mind. He is standing there staring out at the water just thinking. He remembers when he came to this very spot a year ago after graduation and how much everything has changed since then. Him and Starr found their way back, they got their daughter back, and they finally became the family he always knew they could be. They were happy, completely and utterly happy. Then Hannah came into their lives and it all went wrong. He knows he should be furious with Hannah, probably even hate her, for all the trouble she has caused for him and Starr, but for some reason he just can't. He can't help but feel bad for the girl and he really does care about her as a friend. He just wishes Starr would call him back. He wants to apologize for everything he said earlier that day. He was pretty harsh on her about James. He wishes more than anything that he can turn back time and go back to the way they were at the very beginning of the year, but he can't. All they can do now is move on and try to move past all of the bad stuff. He knows they can do it. After all, no matter what, they love each other, nothing, and NO ONE, will ever change that. He pulls out his cell phone to call Starr again. However before he can dial her number he hears footsteps behind him. He turns assuming it is the officer assigned to him, but instead is startled by who he sees.

"Elijah, man you scared you."

"Sorry, Cole. Didn't mean to do that."

"No, it's fine. What are you doing down here?"

"Looking for you actually."

"Me? Why? Is this about my case?"

"No, no. This is personal."

"Okay, I'm confused. What personal business do we have."

"Oh Cole, you should know…."

Cole looks at Eli confused.

"…I mean you are living with my soon to be step daughter. How much more personal can we get?"

"Oh, so this is about Starr?"

"Well you know, I don't know Starr very well but I hope I get the chance to. Blair and I are going to be married soon and I really want this to be a close family. I know you are a huge part of Starr's life so I figured a great way to get in with Starr is to start with you."

"Okay… um, what can I help you with."

"Well for starters, is everything okay between you and Starr? Things seemed kind of tensed between you two the other day at the court house."

"No offense, Elijah, but I don't think that is really any of your business."

"Oh you're right. I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. I just want to make sure my soon to be step daughter is happy."

"I can assure you, Starr is fine."

"Well I know that Hannah O'Connor was causing some problems for the two of you. Now that girl, she really has some problems. I can promise you that she won't be a problem for you and Starr anymore, I'm going to get her the help that she needs."

"Hannah isn't crazy. Frankly as her lawyer I would think that you would be able to see that."

"Well now Cole, you aren't really a professional. I think you should leave the diagnosing up to your mom."

"Yeah, well I just talked to Hannah and I can assure you that she is innocent."

"Oh yeah, how so?"

"I just know. And if you aren't going to help get her off, I'm sure I can find someone that is."

"Cole, I assure you that I have Hannah's best interest at heart."

"Really? Because it doesn't seem that way. She almost killed herself because…" Cole stopped himself before he said too much. He remembers that Hannah and John both said not to say anything to anyone.

"Because, why?"

"Nothing."

"Hannah almost killed herself because of you, Cole. She is completely guilt ridden over everything she has put you through, that is why Hannah tried to take her own life. The girl is seriously disturbed."

"We'll see."

"Have you've seen Hannah lately?"

"Why, is she not allowed visitors?"

"Well I just don't think seeing you is going to help her any. I mean you are the reason she did everything she did. I just don't think it is going to help her recovery, you visiting her. I also can't imagine Starr being too pleased about it."

"I said Starr and I are fine!"

"Okay…. So have you've seen Hannah lately?"

"No, I haven't."

"What hare you hiding, Cole?"

"I have nothing to hide. I haven't seen Hannah."

"See I know you are lying. So why don't you want me to know that you've been to see my client."

"How do you know I'm lying?"

"Because I was there earlier when you were. I went to see her and the nurse told me she was in with someone and then out you walked."

"So you followed me hear from St. Ann's?"

"I really need to know what Hannah told you, Cole."

"I'm just going to go."

Cole goes to leave. Eli stops him and pulls out a gun, "You aren't going anywhere."

Cole puts his hands up and looks around for the office that should be following him. "Tsk tsk Cole, you should pay more attention. The officer hasn't been with you since you left St. Ann's."

"What do you want?"

"What did Hannah tell you?"

"Why? Why does it matter…." It starts to dawn on Cole. Everything comes together in his mind like a puzzle being solved, "Unless… no it can't be…. You? You pushed my mom down the stairs?"

"Oh so I see our little Hannah has been singing like a canary. I was really hoping she'd keep her mouth shut because I really did like you, Cole and I really didn't want to have to do this."

Just as Cole is about to say something, Eli pulls the trigger.