A/N: Told you that this chapter would be up fast. It is a little longer than the last. Nothing else much to say but that just remember that everything happens for a reason. ;o)

".. and that is how James and I wound up in bed together."

"Wow," is the only word Langston can really get out of her mouth.

"Yeah… you can say it, I'm a horrible person."

"Whoa, we both no that I have no room to judge, but Starr you did say that you didn't want James."

"I know… and I didn't."

"But now you do?"

"God no! I know now more than ever that Cole is the only guy I want. I just… I had a complete lapse of judgment. It was like I just lost my mind for a period of time. But Langston I swear, I do not want James. I want Cole, but now… now he might die."

"Starr, don't think like that. Cole will make it through this."

"You know, I don't even care if he hates me, I just need him to be okay… I need him alive…. GOD why did I even go over there in the first place? I mean what was I thinking?"

"That's the thing, you weren't. The same thing happened with me and Ford. It was like I knew what I was doing but at the same time I didn't."

"Yeah, I guess… It was just that when James and I were on the run together, it was like I was free. For the first time in a long time I could be crazy and care free. Don't get me wrong, I love Hope, she is the greatest thing that ever happened to me, but it was like I could be a kid again. And I'm not saying that I don't feel like I can be free or myself with Cole, because I can. I love our life together more than anything in this world, even with everything that has happened lately. But being with James just felt different, it felt new. It was like I saw of glimpse of what could have been if I wasn't a mom or practically engaged, and it was thrilling. But then… then I would remember what was waiting for me at home, Cole and Hope, and all that mattered was getting back to them because no matter how thrilling it was to be with James, Cole and Hope are my whole life, my whole heart, nothing could ever change that."

"So you did feel something for James?"

"Yeah, I guess I did, but right after we slept together I realized that it was the biggest mistake of my life. I wasn't making love, it was just sex. I realized that if I were to be with James it would be a fling, nothing more, but Cole… Cole is forever. I know that for sure... I just need him to make it through this so I can tell him that. I need to tell him that I'm sorry and that I love him and that nothing else matters but him and Hope. That I didn't mean anything that I said to him…" She stops to think, her eyes grow wide. "Oh my God, Langston… the last thing I said to him, the last thing I ever told Cole was, 'go to hell.'"

(Earlier in the day)

Cole walks into the apartment with a carton of milk and the newspaper. Starr emerges from their bedroom. "Hey… are our armed guards still out there?"

"Yeah."

"I wish John could tell us more about why we need around the clock protection. I mean I feel safe but it still has me nervous."

"Me too, but I know John has his reasons."

"Yeah, Hannah."

Cole sighs, "I told you, Hannah didn't do anything."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I thought you said you believed me about that."

"I said I believe you on the fact that Hannah, MAY not have pushed your mom down the stairs or attacked Ford, but she did do something Cole, she lied. She lied through her teeth to try and break us up. She almost put my father away in prison for a crime he didn't commit and she almost had you going there right along with him. I mean come one, Cole, she still tried to destroy our lives."

"I know that."

"Do you? Because it seems like you tend to forget it."

"No I haven't forgotten. But at the same time she is being accused of something that she didn't do, and she almost died the other day."

"Yeah, because she tried to kill herself."

"We don't know that."

"Oh come on, Cole, you can't be serious right? Now you are trying to convince me that she didn't try to kill herself?"

"All I'm saying is that we don't know what really happened. John is looking into it."

"I .. I can't believe this. You are defending her and to ME?"

"Look, I'm not defending her, I just feel bad for her. And it isn't like she didn't do the same thing James is trying to do now, and I don't see you all pissed at him."

"What? Are you serious? Did you just compare James to Hannah?"

"I mean he is trying to break us up right? He came over here told you that you'd be better off with him…"

"Yeah James wants me, but he sure as hell isn't breaking the law to get me."

"Now you're defending him, great."

"Well you're defending Hannah."

"I told you, I'm not defending her. I feel bad for her."

"Even so, James is nothing like Hannah. He wouldn't try to sabotage our relationship to break us up."

"No, he'll just come over to OUR apartment and tell you that I make you miserable and that you'd be so much happier with him."

"At least I didn't almost sleep with him."

"Really Starr? You're going to throw that in to my face?"

"Well it's the truth."

"You said you understood. I thought you had slept with James, I wasn't thinking straight…"

"Yes I know… that is all because Hannah LIED."

"Well at least I didn't enjoy Hannah coming after me."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"Oh come on, you think I can't see it. You LOVE that James is into you and that he wants you."

"Are you serious?"

"Starr, just admit it."

"I… I can't deal with this."

She picks up her bag and goes to walk out the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Out!"

"What you going to go run to James, I'm sure he can make everything better for you."

"You know what, maybe I will."

"Go ahead, Twinkle, run to James."

"Go to hell." She opens the door and storms out. A cop attempts to follower her, she turns around, "Don't you dare follow me." The cops backs off and she storms off.

Back in the apartment Cole is pissed as all hell. He punches the table, "Damn it!" He looks down and sees the newspaper with Hannah's face on the front. Cole pulls out his cell phone and dials a number, "Hey mom, it's me. Look could you come over her and watch Hope for a little bit. I have to go take care of something… Thanks."