The rest of the week passed with a tense atmosphere. Barry was still trying to convince those closest to him that Steve-O wouldn't do anything, despite the mounting evidence, and despite what he'd told Imogen. Carol was about ready to rip into her son, the light of her life, and Steve-O, but a plea from Dynasty ensured she kept her mouth shut. Connor, upon hearing what could happen, was trying to urge Imogen to go to the police, which in turn caused a few firey arguments between the couple. Imogen, although she knew he was right, was not able to convince Dynasty of this fact, and had faced him with the stark reality that her best friend would deny all knowledge and claim his innocence.

"Not even Kevin could get her to see sense." Connor sighed as he walked into the living room, his shoulder's slumped as he dropped down into the sofa next to his wife.

Imogen could only shrug. "I did tell you." she commented. "She'll only do it if something happens, at the moment it's just threats." she added, and carried on when she saw him about to argue, "Threats we know he will carry out, but unless she's backed into a corner, she won't do it."

Connor wasn't impressed. He knew it was the truth.

Imogen sighed softly and held his hand. "I want him gone as much as you do... this arguing isn't helping. Too much has tried to come between us I refuse to let that come between us."

Connor nodded. That was the reason he was so desperate to get her to do what he said.

"At the moment, me going to the police is too risky. She'll defend him... and at the same time I can't just wait for something to happen." Imogen looked at him, her eyes wide.

"Then what do we do?"

"There's nothing we can do."

Connor slumped back again. He hated not being able to do anything.

Imogen leaned against him, closing her eyes. "I know... I don't want this either..."

"I've half a mind to go round there myself." Sally spoke as she caught on to the conversation. "That disgusting man needs to be locked away, instead of prying on young girls. Nobody round here takes kindly to little thugs like that."

"That won't do anything, mum, if the neighbours caught him and laid into him, he'd only need to make a few calls and send someone else after us. Prison's the only place or him. Failing that, a damn coffin."

Connor bit his lip as he listened to the pair.

"I want something done, Imogen, it's not fair you living your life in fear. As much as I love Dynasty, and she's your best friend and she's helped you through a lot, I'm beginning to wish you'd never set eyes on that family."

"What else is there? I'm not leaving her to deal with this on her own, what if something happens to either of us and we don't know about it cause we're not talking?" Imogen sighed and stood up. "I'm going for a lie down for a bit." she looked to Connor who stood up also. The pair left the room and walked up the stairs.

Once in her room, Imogen threw herself backward on to her bed, feet planted on the floor, her arms spread wide across her bed. "I just want it to be over." she sighed heavily.

Connor sat beside her and leaned over her so he could look into her eyes and his hand gently brushed up and down her side. "I know you do. And it will be. Eventually." he said softly, though adding in his head; 'Eventually isn't quick enough'

Imogen nodded and brought a hand up to gently touch his cheek. "Don't leave me tonight?"

Connor shook his head. "Never." he kissed her softly. "I will never leave you, I promise."

Imogen smiled at his words, and the pair stayed there in silence for a while.

"I'm gonna go text my mum, and I'll need to go get a few things. You should probably clear it with your mum, make sure she's okay with me being here tonight." Connor said as he stood up.

"Okay." she nodded as she sat up, and her phone vibrated. She looked at it. "Dynasty wants me to meet her. So how about, I clear it with mum, you go to yours and I meet you there or on the way back here?"

Connor looked to her. He didn't really want her on her own for very long, but he also knew that Dynasty would probably want to talk to her about something private. "Okay." he said reluctantly. "But call me, so I know you're okay."

Imogen smiled and stood up, kissing him again. "Fine. Now go."

Connor smiled and walked with her out of the room and down the stairs.

"Mum?"

Sally looked to the door to see Imogen stood there. "What is it?"

"Is it okay for Connor to stay here tonight? I don't really want to be on my own..."

Sally looked to her and sighed softly. "Fine, but nothing happens, d'you hear me?"

Imogen smiled and left the room.

"I said-!" Sally stopped when she heard the door slam shut. "My daughter will be the death of me."

Connor stopped halfway down the street and kissed her softly. "I'll see you in about half an hour yeah?"

Imogen nodded, smiling, and walked off in the direction her friend wanted her to meet, while Connor went to his mother's.

Imogen stopped and looked around her when she couldn't see Dynasty. She sent her a message asking; "Where are you?"

"Took you long enough."

Imogen froze when she heard the voice. slowly she turned to face Steve-O, and though she was growing scared, she refused to show it. "What do you want?"

"Well I knew you'd never come if you knew it was me." Steve-O smirked, advancing on her.

Imogen backed away from him until she hit the wall and looked up at him with wide eyes. How could she be so stupid!?

Steve-O pinned her to the wall, smirking at her, and his eyes roamed over her.

She shuddered and turned her head away. "Get off me." she said, pushing at him.

Steve-O grabbed her and dragged her out of view of prying eyes, into an alleyway. "Your little boyfriend's gonna pay for crossin' me. What better way to do that than get you."

Imogen continued her struggle, refusing, but knowing she was failing to let him get to her. "Get off me!" she shouted.

Steve-O swung his hand so it connected sharply with her face. "Shut it. Now do as I say."

Imogen closed her eyes, her cheek stinging and tears threatening to fall, and she let her head drop so that her hair covered her face.

Connor knew something wasn't right as he threw some things into a bag. He stopped and checked his phone. No message from Imogen. Throwing his bag on his shoulder he decided to call her, not stopping to shout a 'bye' to Christine in the kitchen as he left the house. "Come on... pick up..." he muttered desperately.

On the tenth try Imogen eventually picked up, but she couldn't speak.

"Imogen? Where are you?" Connor spoke, but all he got was whimpers in response. something had happened to her, he just knew it. Trying to remain calm, he pressed again. "Where are you, Im?"

Imogen drew a shuddering breath, curling her legs painfully toward her chest as she lay on the ground. "I'm sorry..." she managed to sob.

"Don't be daft... what are you apologising for?"

"C-cause i-it w-was a trick..."

"Tell me where you are. Describe it to me."

"I-I'm n-not far fr-from where Dynasty and Kevin usually w-walk..."

Connor nodded. She was near the sea front. "I'll be there okay, just stay on the phone to me."

Imogen tried to hold in a sob, only aa small squeak escaping her.

"Stay with me, Im." he said, taking off at a run. In minutes he was there, but as he looked around, he couldn't see her. "Shout out for me, I can't see you."

Imogen slowly dragged herself up, using the walls of the two buildings she was in between to help her up, and she staggered out. "Tu-urn around..."

Connor turned and froze, his heart in his throat as he saw her. Her clothes dishevelled and torn, her hair a mess and she was crying. He saw her drop her phone and he ran over to her, holding her tightly to him, tears falling down his own face. He swore he'd never let anything else happen to her, and he'd failed her again.

Imogen clung to him, heart-wrenching sobs escaping her now as she shook.

"I'm here... I'm here I'm not going anywhere..." he whispered into her ear as he held her.