A/N: Once again, the dialogue that came from The Shadow Cabinet will be in bold. Thanks again to those who reviewed! You really made my day!

Chapter 5: Trust Me

"You're room's nice," I complimented, staring around in wonder at the contents of Freddie's dorm. It was the first time I'd been on an actual college campus of this magnitude.

"Thanks. My roommate's getting in tomorrow, so for now I get to spread out a little."

I could hear Boo in the hall, doing a little exploring of her own and chatting up various stragglers lingering in the hall. The campus was truly impressive and for the second time in a week, I found myself jealous of Freddie. It was petty, I know, but this… to get to be on an actual college campus full of history and academics… it's what I've always wanted. Always worked towards. And now there was a possibility that I'd never have it.

"I can take you on a tour of the campus if you'd like. They leave the doors pretty much open during move in week. Parents like to see where we'll be learning," Freddie offered and I couldn't help beaming at her. She'd practically read my mind.

Jumping up off her bed, we ran into Boo in the hallway, staring into the doorway of an empty dorm room. No… not empty. I could see the girl now, sitting hunched on the floor in the corner, her face so pale it was nearly transparent.

"Freddie's taking me on a tour. Wanna come," I asked, but Boo just shook her head.

"Who's the ghost," she inquired instead.

From the way Freddie's face fell, I was guessing it was a tragic story. "Winifred. She died back in the sixties or something. Doesn't speak… to anyone, ever."

"Well, she just hasn't met me." Boo started into the room and Winifred flinched, but just as Boo was at the empty bed, she spun around to face us. "You'll stay with Rory, yeah? Won't let her out of your sight?"

"Of course."

I rolled my eyes at this, but let it go. Ever since my "accident" I'd been on a sort of suicide watch, never left alone except to shower and use the bathroom. It was one of the reasons I wanted to visit Freddie on campus. I needed a break.

But it wasn't the only reason.

Normally, I would have protested the thought of Boo leaving me alone with Freddie. Though a pleasant person, she seemed to bring out the jealousy in me, mostly by how friendly she was with Stephen… and how natural she was with all this ghost stuff. No sign of her having a meltdown and failing her classes and then preceding to run away with a homicidal psychologist. But she was also the only person I could talk to about this and I'd rather not explain what I was thinking to Boo. At least, not yet.

"What do you know about the Shadow Cabinet," I inquired as soon as we were out in the fresh air.

"The Shadow Cabinet? Where did that come from?"

From the way she stopped dead in her tracks, I'd clearly taken her off guard. I had to work on my tact.

"Well, you seemed to know a lot about it when we first met. You seemed pretty certain it was real."

"I was," she acknowledged. "All the digging I'd done, it all pointed to a very real organization. A very old one. But Stephen said it was made up, and he's way more knowledgeable about this stuff than I am."

"Yeah, but what about it made you think it was real?"

"It's mentioned in the literature, sometimes under different names. And the fact that all this has remained hidden for so long. The stones, the ghosts… it seems like word of this would have leaked somehow if people weren't covering it up."

I nodded, starting to walk again and Freddie followed.

"You think Stephen lied," Freddie stated, watching me carefully.

I tried to reply, but the answer felt like acid in my throat. Stephen lying… it seemed impossible, after everything. I trusted him more than I'd ever trusted anyone in my life. But I couldn't deny that I'd learned to read him over the past few months.

"I think so. Maybe."

"But… why? Why would he lie to us," Freddie began, her face calculating now. "We're all on the same side and working towards the same goals. If the Shadow Cabinet really was an actual organization, why would he cover it up?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out. I just… I keep having these dreams."

"The ones with Sid. Where he's telling you to remember?"

"Yeah, those. And I have been remembering things. Things I did with Stephen. I think… I think it was from when I went to get him, wherever it was that I went. Sid and Sadie were there… and I was asking Stephen about the Shadow Cabinet, I think. It was important."

We walked in silence for a moment, slowing nearly to a crawl. The thought that Stephen could be capable of deception of this magnitude seemed laughable, but…

"Do you think it's possible that he's just trying to keep us out of danger," Freddie inquired. "According to my research, the Shadow Cabinet deals with all the supernatural stuff in London. They might be deeper into all this than we know. Maybe he's just looking out for us."

"Maybe."

I'd told myself this before, but it didn't erase the hurt. Whatever the reason, it was clear that Stephen didn't trust me with this. And I'd trusted him with everything.

"Rory, Freddie," Boo shouted, and we both turned to see her racing across the quad to us. "Callum called. We need to get back. They might have found something."

~SoL~

It was a full house in the flat when we returned. Thorpe was on the couch, frantically scrolling through his laptop and Callum and Stephen were talking in hushed tones in the kitchen.

"So what's the news," Boo shouted as soon as we were in the door, and preceded to plop down beside Thorpe.

"We may know why they killed the bookstore clerk," Stephen explained, moving to sit in the chair. I couldn't help the racing of my heart when I saw him, and I didn't think that reaction would ever go away, whether I fully trusted him at the moment or not. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and I wanted nothing more than to make things better… to have him never look that strung out again.

"Clover," Freddie asked, and I heard her breath catch.

"Yes. It seems Clover made several trips to different countries over the last several years. All over; Cairo, Dubai, China, the Americas, Iceland. When he visited, it seemed he'd stay for months, spending nearly every penny he had."

"He liked to travel," Freddie spoke up, but Stephen shook his head.

"I think it was more than that. Airport security hasn't always been as strict as it is now and on his last trip, only five months ago, his bags were searched. He'd come into the airport with several packages of unmarked cheese, which is illegal now, but they also noted an odd stone in his bag. It was solid black, and heavy. They nearly confiscated that as well, but it was proven harmless, and valuable apparently. According to the report, he seemed terrified when they tried to take it."

"You think this stone may be like the termini we use," Thorpe inquired, his face serious.

"I believe it is of supernatural importance, yes. Whether it was important to Sid and Sadie, I have no idea, but it wasn't among any of the personal effects recovered from his store or his apartment."

"It could have just been a relic," Freddie inserted, seemingly intent to protect the memory of her friend. "He collected magical artifacts from all over, and sold most of them."

"Possibly. We've been going through his books, but so far nothing meeting the stone's description has come up in sales, or in the store inventory. The thought that he was collecting magical stones is a pretty big coincidence considering."

"Is it possible he was involved with Sid and Sadie? I mean, he did know an awful lot about them," Boo inquired, but Freddie was shaking her head.

"He hated them," she insisted, her voice shaking a little. "They murdered kids. Kids he knew, that came in his store. There's no way he would side with them."

"So he had something they wanted, then," Stephen concluded. "Rory, you've gone through the books more than anyone? Was there any mention of black stones, probably referred to as sacred or magical?"

I nodded. "They mentioned a lot of stones. Mostly the Eye of Isis, but there were a few others. Gateways to the dead or stones that were blessed to protect homes and stuff. I don't specifically remember one that was black, but I can go back through them."

Stephen nodded, his gaze intent on the floor and I could practically hear the gears turning in his head.

"What about the book Jerome mentioned? The one written by Elias Townsend," I inquired, thinking back to the paintings I'd once considered meaningless.

"I found a copy," Thorpe explained, taking a sip from his extra-large coffee. "It was in a library in Wales. Should arrive any day."

"You think a guy that painted a glorified cup knew something that might help us," Callum inquired, one eyebrow raised in skepticism.

By my side, Freddie was nodding. "I agree. It sounds like a longshot."

"But I'm telling you, I remember that chalice," I insisted, shooting a glance at Stephen, but he was staring intently at the floor. "And his paintings were in most of their books. I do think it's important."

"Then it's worth looking into," Stephen agreed, but he still wouldn't meet my gaze. Freddie shot me a glance that said she'd noticed as well.

"In the meantime," Stephen continued, standing from his chair and pacing between the living room and the kitchen. "We need to go back through those books; find anything we can about a mysterious stone. I'll talk to a few of my contacts."

"Ghost contacts," Boo asked, a look of excitement crossing her face. She was always eager to meet a new spooky friend.

"Yes. I'll ask around quietly for information. Boo, you can accompany me if you like. Callum, maybe you can go back to Jane's house, see if anyone's returned. You can take Freddie with you, but if anything looks suspicious, get her out of there."

Callum let out an annoyed sigh, but relented.

"And, Thorpe," Stephen began, but Thorpe was already nodding.

"I'll stay with Rory."

"I really don't need a babysitter. I promise not to cut myself again… at least not on purpose."

"It's not up for discussion," Stephen stated sharply.

I wanted to argue. Actually, I wanted to scream, but the more upset I got, the more defensive Stephen would become. And what I really wanted was to get him alone.

"Right then, come on, Shorty. Follow me," Callum instructed, and Freddie's face fell as she trailed him out the door.

"Wait," I piped up as Stephen and Boo were gathering their stuff. "We need to talk. Now."

I was glaring daggers into Stephen's back, but he never turned. "Later. Now we have to–"

"No, not later. Now."

I saw the moment Stephen admitted defeat. His shoulders slumped and he let out a shaky sigh. With a nod of his head, he started off down the hall, not stopping until we'd reached his bedroom and he shut the door behind us. He practically collapsed onto the bed, his tired head in his hands, but I couldn't sit still.

"You're lying to me," I stated, chiding myself once again on my tact.

"Rory…"

"I want to know why? What is the Shadow Cabinet and why do you freak out whenever I mention it?"

At first, he was so quiet, I thought I'd have to yell to get him to answer, but finally, he lifted his head. "I can't tell you."

"What do you mean you can't tell me? Stephen, you can tell me anything. I swear, I'll keep it a secret if you want, but please… You can trust me."

"I know I can trust you, Rory."

But "I know I can trust you" isn't the same as "I do trust you."

"Do you remember what happened when I… when I came to get you from wherever you were? I honestly couldn't remember a thing, but lately I've been having these flashes. But you… you never really said."

For a long moment, he just stared at me, his eyes so sad they made my heart ache.

"Yes."

"Yes," I inquired, the hurt making my throat tight. He'd been lying to me for weeks.

"Rory… you have to understand, there were things that happened there… things we talked about that you can't know. It's dangerous for you to know."

"Like the Shadow Cabinet."

He didn't answer, just nodded.

"Stephen, I don't care how dangerous it is. I can handle myself. I've done it before."

"I can't tell you this! I'm sorry, but I can't."

It wasn't until I felt the wetness on my cheeks that I realized just how upset I was. Sid's words were beating against my brain, telling me that he was right, that I couldn't trust Stephen. He seemed to read my thoughts and his face filled with horror.

"Rory," he implored, jumping from the bed. "It's not what you think. One day, maybe, I can tell you everything. But right now, I need you to trust me. I swear, I would never do anything to hurt you or put you in danger. Not telling you this… it really is for the best. Please, trust me."

I wanted to say no. I could feel it on the tip of my tongue. But as usual, my heart got in the way of my head. I couldn't look into those eyes and not love him. And even if logic was screaming at me not to, I couldn't help but trust him in this. I couldn't help but know that he would always keep me safe.

Even if his methods pissed me off.

"You promise to tell me one day," I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I don't know if it was the tears still cascading down my face or the way my voice broke as I spoke the words, but Stephen moved closer, his hands reaching up to cup my face.

"I promise."

I'd never wanted to kiss anyone so bad in my life. It was a physical pain, this need for my lips to touch his. He could see it in my eyes, I think, but I didn't hesitate. I twined my arms around his neck and rose up on my toes until my lips met his. For a second, he pulled back, and I was sure he was going to start listing the reasons we couldn't do this, but then…

His lips crushed mine with a force that was nearly bruising. It was as though we'd been waiting a thousand years for this kiss and it was the only thing that would save both our lives. He lifted me up off the floor, and I held myself against him as tight as I could. One of his arms was around my waist, and it was slowly driving me mad, while the other was clutching at the base of my neck. And his lips, they were insistent and demanding and I suddenly didn't care that he was hiding things from me or that I was having dreams about a psychopath. All that mattered was this moment and Stephen's heart beating away as his chest pressed against mine.

We broke apart for a moment, just long enough to suck up the much needed air and this time it was his lips that descended on mine. I wasn't aware that we were moving closer to the bed until I felt the mattress under my back and Stephen's weight pressing down on me. His lips left mine and trailed down my chin and back to my ear.

"Stephen," I half-whispered, half-moaned, and he clutched me tighter.

And then he was gone.

My eyes flew open to see him sitting up on the bed, breathing deeply and staring at the floor.

"What is it? What's wrong," I asked, but his lips turned up in a smile.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

Slowly, he reached up to cup my face, bringing his lips back to mine for one glorious second, but this kiss was more subdued.

"We shouldn't be doing this," he explained.

"Why not?"

"Things are just too complicated right now. And technically, I am your superior. We just… shouldn't."

I wanted to tell him. To gush about how much I loved him and beg him not to run away from this, but the words just wouldn't come out. Not yet. That nagging little voice in my head still reminded me that kissing someone didn't mean you loved them. If he didn't feel the same, I might scare him away.

"I don't want to stop," I said instead, and he smiled wider.

"I didn't say we were going to and… I don't think I can. But we should probably keep this a secret for now."

"Right," I nodded.

With one last, lingering kiss, he pulled me up off the bed and we rejoined a very confused Boo and Thorpe in the living room. I must have been smiling just a little too wide, because Boo's eyes had gone calculating.

"You ready," Stephen asked, and with a last inquisitive glare, she followed him out the door.

Now I just had to sit here for the next several hours with Thorpe and not scream "Stephen kissed me" at the top of my lungs.

~SoL~

For once, Wexford was actually warm. I snuggled into my bed, reveling in the soft sheets I'd brought over from home and the sound of Jazza turning pages as she studied her German. The rain picked up outside, but I barely noticed. I was too comfortable.

"Rory," a voice called. A voice that definitely should not have been in my dorm room. My eyes shot open and landed on Stephen, who was standing just at the end of my bed. "Rory, come on. We have to go."

"Go?"

"Now, Rory!"

I glanced over at Jazza, but she was still calmly reading away, completely oblivious to the police officer in the room. Jumping up, I shrugged into my bedroom slippers and followed him down the steps and out the front door.

"Rory," someone called – Jerome this time. He was standing on the sidewalk, looking glum. "Are you running away again? Because this isn't you. You wouldn't run away and worry your parents and your friends. You're not that irresponsible. Please, Rory, don't do this!"

But Stephen's hand was already gripping mine tightly, pulling me further away from Jerome. I tried to hold him in my sight for as long as I could, but the fog came on quick. A thick fog that blurred the world right out of existence. It reminded of the thick cloud that had consumed an entire street when the Oswulf Stone was removed. Stephen's hand was the only tie I had to the world.

"This is bad. We have to move fast," he instructed, and then we were running.

"The Shadow Cabinet," a voice said, "is what makes London go 'round."

"And shackles it," another continued.

The voices were whispers in the fog, but I was certain I recognized them.

"She's very interesting," the second voice said, and I recognized it as Sadie's. She seemed to appear out of the gloom, standing before us and smiling. Stephen and I had come to a full stop.

"She is," Sid continued, appearing by her side. "What is it? It's going to drive me crazy, Sadie."

"Stephen," I inquired, unsure if we should fight them or run.

"We should go. Now," he responded, and began tugging me along after him.

As we ran, I couldn't help but notice how hot the day became, and as the fog cleared, I noticed my very familiar backyard.

"How did we get here," I asked, turning back and half-expecting to see London, but was only met with the trees of my backyard.

"I can't really imagine growing up somewhere this warm all the time," he commented, his voice suddenly unworried, when just a moment ago, we were running for our lives.

Gently, he pulled us both down to the grass… and then it was cold again.

"Where'd my house go," I asked, looking over to the now empty field. The London air surrounded us once more.

"Listen closely," a voice said at my ear, and though I knew it was Sid's, I could see no sign of him.

"All these problems started because you came here," Stephen yelled, and I was taken aback by the sudden change in topic… and by the coldness in his voice. "You cause problems."

"What? Stephen, what are you talking about? Are you mad at me?"

"It's an organization," Stephen said suddenly, and I felt as though I'd get whiplash from all the different directions this conversation was taking.

"An organization? You mean the Shadow Cabinet," I asked.

"They aren't government. They're… they're beyond that."

"But I thought you couldn't tell me this."

And that was when I realized that I was stuck in another dream. This sudden awareness nearly woke me then, but I felt Sid suddenly at my back, his arm around my waist and his fingers trailing over my cheek.

"You sure you can trust someone like this? He has a secret, Rory. And it's a lot darker than just a secret organization he can't tell you about. Are you sure you can trust him," Sid inquired.

And then I woke up.