Hello, I know it's been a while since my last update and I'm sorry about that but thank you so much for all your reviews! I'm so grateful for every single one; it means the world to me!

Anyways here's chapter eight, I hope you like it! Sorry if there's any spelling errors I think I got them all! :)

Present Day…

'You see the minute you escape, I'll just come after her anyway. So what's it going to be?'

Those words haunt me, as they play over and over again in my mind. I know I did the right thing; I'd do anything to keep Natara safe. But as I sat watching her as she slept, peacefully breathing in and out with a small smile on her face, I knew she'd understand why I had to come back. Being away from her was more painful than anything Selene had put me through. As she stirs awake, I see that gleam in her eyes as she smiles up at me. I don't say anything as I wrap my arms around her; pulling her close as she rests her head on my shoulder.

A part of me didn't want to let her go, I was too terrified that I'd wake up back in that tiny dark room again. I felt my whole body tingle as she kissed my cheek before standing up and walking into the kitchen; however she didn't get that far as I gently pulled her back with a smile on my face.

Mal:" Where do you think you're going?"

Natara:" To get some coffee, you should probably change your clothes before we go."

Mal:" Why where are we going?"

Natara turned back and tilted her head to the side, looking at me as if I should already know the answer to my question.

Natara:" I'm not letting Selene hurt you again, we need to find her."

As she said this, I felt my stomach drop. With Selene's torturing words swirling around my head, I felt like I was about to burst. I needed to tell Natara the truth; but I couldn't find the words. The guilt crippled me as it held my heart in its claws; she was now in danger because of me. Rising to my feet, I took a deep breath as I prepared what I was about to say; but before I had a chance Natara disappeared into the kitchen and I felt myself bow out as I made my way into my bedroom to change.

After showering and changing into a new set of clean clothes, I slowly walked into the kitchen to find Natara stood sipping a cup of coffee as she greeted me with a warm smile that I half-heartedly returned.

As I walked through the precinct bullpen with Natara, it felt surreal. Everyone's faces, pale white from shock and confusion. To them, I was a ghost back from the dead but as I felt Natara squeeze my hand and flash me a reassuring smile; I felt more alive than ever. As a crashing sound caught my attention; I looked to my right to see Blaise, Jeremy, Amy and Kai all stood bewildered. The looks on their faces, as they stood questioning my existence.

Kai:" Okay everyone else can see Mal stood next to Natara right?"

I stood silently as the three of them muttered an almost inaudible 'Yes'.

Kai:" Okay good."

Blaise slowly stepped forward with deep uncertainty in her stare, almost like she didn't trust her own eyes.

Blaise:" But how are you here?"

Mal:" It's a long story."

Blaise:" Heh! I'll bet!"

Without warning, I was attacked as Amy jumped forward pulling me into a hug which I happily returned with smile.

Amy:" Mal I'm so glad you're okay!"

Mal:" Thanks Amy."

Amy:" We missed you so much."

As Amy pulled away, I glanced back to Natara as she beamed with a smile. I felt so relieved to be home again, back where I belonged.

Later as we all sat in the crime lab, I was once again surrounded by the looks of shock and confusion as I finished explaining where I'd really been for the last three weeks. I watched as Blaise jumped down from the table she was sat on as she started pacing back and forth, taking a second to let it all sink in.

Blaise:" So let me get this straight; Selene did this to you?"

Jeremy:" She started the fire and planned everything?"

Mal:" Yes."

Blaise:" How the hell did she get out of the loony bin?"

Mal:" I don't know, but my guess is she's been out for a few months at least."

At that moment, Amy quickly turned to face everyone from her computer as she glanced towards me and Natara.

Amy:" Well, I just checked the institution's records and according to this; she was released with an all clear three months ago."

Natara:" But that's impossible, she's nowhere near stable enough to be fit for release!"

Jeremy:" So who cleared her and authorized it then?"

Amy:" Working on it! Hang on."

I watched as Amy's fingers quickly danced around the keyboard before she turned back with deep confusion across her face.

Amy:" Huh, it's unknown but her records were changed from the reception computer."

Jeremy:" So is it possible, that she could have changed it herself?"

Amy:" I suppose, if no one was watching her but I thought that place was monitored twenty four seven?"

Natara:" If Selene knew what she was doing, it wouldn't take long to access her records and change them while the receptionist was busy with something else. That place is extremely understaffed at the moment. Amy do you think you could access the institution security cameras?"

Amy:" Yes, just a minute."

A few minutes later, all five of us gathered around Amy's computer as we silently watched the security footage of the Reception desk. I watched the top corner of the video feed as the receptionist's attention is caught by something as she dashes from the desk leaving it unattended, soon after I see Selene appear as if from nowhere as she cautiously steps towards the desk. She pulls a staff I.D card from up her sleeve as she swipes it through the computer gaining access to the records, quickly and effortlessly changing them before disappearing again. I take a step back from everyone as I sigh in amazement of how easily she could leave that place…just like she said she could. And if she was right about that, I know for damn sure that she wasn't bluffing about coming after Natara either.

Mal:" Unbelievable."

Natara:" Mal, it's okay. We'll find her before she gets to you again I promise."

Looking into Natara's glistening brown eyes as she smiled at me, I felt the gut wrenching guilt creep up on me again as it consumed me, causing me to feel sick to my stomach. As I gently pull Natara to the side away from everyone else, I know I have to tell her the truth.

Mal:" Nat, when I told you what happened while I was gone; I didn't tell you everything."

Natara:" Okay…"

As I took a deep breath, I felt it catch in my throat. Taking her hand, I saw the worry in her eyes and it caused the guilt to crush me even more.

Mal:" Selene said that if I ever escaped that she would come after you, so I stayed because I-"

Natara:" Wait a minute; so the whole time you were gone, all that pain she put you through, you chose to stay to protect me?"

Mal:" And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm just sorry that the whole time you thought-"

Natara:" No I understand. But you really did that for me? You are by far the bravest and most selfless man I have ever met and if it's possible, I love you even more."

Hearing her say that lifted a weight from my shoulders as I pulled her close, meeting her lips with my own in a loving kiss. As she pulled away, a smile lit up her face and I couldn't help but smile back.

Natara:" Listen, we're going to find her and put an end to this before she can hurt either of us again okay."

I nodded slowly as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. My attention was then caught by someone clearing their throat, Natara and I both turned to see Blaise stood with Jeremy.

Blaise:" Right have we got a plan to catch the wicked witch of the west or what?"

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review! Jade xx