"Astera, are you sure that you don't want to come with us?" Mike questioned, packing the rest of his clothes in his bag. Astera smiled and shook her head. Mike had tried to convince her at least five times to come on the camping trip with them, especially since Edie had dropped out and he figured Katherine would want some company.

"Nah, I already told you… I have a lot of stuff that I want to get done around here anyway. I have a phone interview with the hospital later on tonight anyway…" Astera stated, with a small shrug.

"Well… would you mind helping me get all of this stuff into the truck?" Mike questioned, handing her one of the bags. Astera showed him a teasing smile, before taking it from him. She walked outside, and saw Dave loading his own things into the truck.

"Hey," he said, to a friendly smile. "I see someone is anxious to get out of here…" she said, allowing Dave to take the bag from her. He smiled at her again, before throwing the bag into the back of the truck.

"Look, Astera… I just really wanted to apologize for what happened last week. I was…a wreck. I had one too many drinks and quite frankly… I was only running around on three hours sleep that day…" Dave stated.

Astera shook her head. "Don't worry about it Dave…. That was last week. I've forgotten all about it…" Astera said, with a small smile.

"I hope there isn't something I said that would have repulsed you…" he continued.

Well the whole I love you thing wasn't as repulsing as the fact that he had tried to rape her, but she didn't even want to bring up that topic again. Her and Dave were on a friendship level now, and she didn't want to spark his memory with any lines from that day.

"There wasn't…" she said, looking away.

"Well not only that but I'm back on my meds, so…." Dave paused, as he saw Astera turn to face him again.

"Meds?" she questioned. "Yea, you know… for sleeping. They help me fall asleep better. More sleep, less crankiness… you know?" he asked, throwing a charming smile at her.

He could tell by Astera's expression that she didn't full believe him, and a few weeks ago, had this been her reaction, he would have kissed her to change the subject.

"Okay…" she said, raising an eyebrow. "So, you are sure you don't want to come with us? I mean you could chase the truck down the street but… no guarantees you'll catch us. Plus it would be funny to watch," Dave said, with a small smirk.

"Shut up…" Astera said, swatting his arm. Dave smiled. "I already made up my mind. Plus, Mike already tried several times…" Astera said, rolling her eyes.

As if on cue, Mike exited the house, Katherine right behind him. She turned to look at Dave again.

"Take good care of them…" she said, with a small smile. Dave smirked. "I will be certain to take care of them, Astera…"

By 'take care of' Dave meant kill… or at least Katherine.

Astera stepped forward and gave him a tight hug. "Promise?" she whispered. She felt Dave return the hug, after a few seconds. "Promise…" he muttered, a tightening feeling in his chest.

Astera pulled away from him and she smiled. "I'll hold you to that…" she said, with a nod.

She turned around and looked at Mike, who smiled at her.

"Now, are you sure-"

"Ask me again and I'll take your Peyton Manning jersey while you are gone and use it to clean the kitchen floor," Astera stated, with a evil smirk.

"You wouldn't…" Mike said, with a nervous laugh.

Astera raised an eyebrow at him, and Mike frowned. Astera laughed at his reaction, before throwing her arms around him in a big hug. "I'm just messing with ya," she said.

Mike returned the hug, and Astera turned to Katherine. "Make sure he behaves…" Astera said, shooting a look at Mike.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure they both will…." Katherine stated. Astera gave Katherine a goobye hug, before stepping to the side. She watched as the three of them climbed into the pickup truck. She waved goodbye to them, before turning towards the other side of the street.

She watched as she saw Ria making her way towards the Solis house, looking around anxiously.

Astera smirked slightly, before walking over towards her. She watched as Ria crept eerily towards the front door.

"Hey Baker!" Astera boomed.

Ria turned around abruptly, her eyes meeting Astera's coldly. "What do you want?" Ria snapped.

"Just thought I'd let you know… everything between me and Dave is cleared up. Plus, I've already talked to Edie about the whole 'affair' thing… convinced her there was nothing. You came up quite a few times. I also managed to work in how you photoshopped a picture of Mike and Susan so you would get Katherine upset so that you could have Mike to yourself once they broke up. So if you try to show Edie that photo, then I can always deny it and blame you're little…artwork…" Astera stated, folding her arms.

Ria turned fully to face her. "So you say that you and Dave are over?" she questioned, mocking Astera's pose.

"Yes," Astera said, firmly. "Really? Then why did you disappear into his house last week, touching him? Why did you kiss him? He wanted to go for the cheek, but you wanted more…" Ria said, a smirk on her face.

"You've been spying on me?" Astera asked, her voice full of disbelief. Ria smiled slightly. "If you excuse me… I have some more cooking to do…." she stated.

She went to walk past Astera, but Astera grabbed her arm and pulled her back in front of her.

"You're not going anywhere, Ria…" Astera growled. "Let me go," Ria snapped.

"You need to stop this right now, because trust me… you do not want to make a situation ugly with me…" Astera threatened.

"Awww…. You still sensitive about things getting ugly and hairy ever since you let your little sister go and be the reason she got killed?" Ria asked, in a false sweetness.

Astera's face curled up in anger, and she drew back a fist and punched Ria across the face.

"Shut up!" Astera yelled. She grabbed Ria by her shoulders, before punching her again. Ria fell to the ground, a look of shock on her face.

"Get up you stupid bitch!" Astera yelled, yanking Ria back up to her feet.

Ria smirked as Astera held her by her shoulders. "Poor little Astera, left all alone… no family… no friends…no-"

Astera's fist connected with Ria's face once again, and Ria turned to the side and spat out a small amount of blood. She showed Astera a wicked smirk.

Ria pushed Astera by her shoulders, before laughing. Astera staggered back slightly, before delivering a kick to Ria's stomach. Ria bent over, and Astera seized the moment to elbow Ria between the shoulder blades.

"Alright you kick boxing bitch…" Ria stated

Astera bent over, and turned Ria so she faced her. "Actually…. I'm a 'Tae Kwon Do Bitch'…." Astera stated.

Ria hissed, and spat on Astera's face. Astera used her shirt to immediately wipe the blood off of her face. Ria took the opportunity to sweep Astera's feet. Astera fell to the ground, hard.

Ria climbed ontop of Astera, punching her across the face. "What's wrong? Fight back Astera…" Ria stated. She went to deliever another punch to Astera, but Astera caught her fist.

"Let's see you cook those macroons with a broken hand…" Astera said, squeezing Ria's fist. She heard Ria's joints start to crack, and Astera shifted her hips so she and Ria exchanged spots.

She released her hold on Ria's fist, and Ria cried out in slight pain.

Astera went to draw back her fist again, but Ria laughed. "I don't know which was better…. The look on your face when Dave told you that he loved you or the fact that you still believe it…" Ria stated.

Astera paused, her fist still raised. "What are you talking about?" Astera questioned.

"The day after you're little 'seduction' scandal I saw Dave walking around the park looking distressed. So we talked about your whole little affair and how you left. I told him that if he really wanted to get back with you to use those three…magical little words…. And you would be throwing yourself back in his arms. So don't get your hopes up in thinking those words had a special meaning. He said it because I told him to say it…" Ria said, with a smirk.

Astera felt a few hot tears weld up in her eyes. Part of her wanted to believe that Dave really did love her, because a part of was loving and missing him.

"Liar!" Astera yelled, delivering the punch to Ria's face.

She heard the sound of a car screech, and she heard the door to the Solis house open.

Ria reached up and scratched Astera across her face, giving her bloody scratch lines on her cheek.

"Aw, did I mess up your pretty little face?" Ria whispered mockingly.

Astera felt someone seize her under her arms, pulling her off of Ria and holding her back.

Astera struggled against the hold, still attempting to lunge at Ria. She saw Carlos and Gabby rush to assist Ria, helping her to her feet.

"Ria, are you okay?" Carlos asked. Astera stopped struggling as she saw Ria look up, her eyes full of tears.

"I don't understand… Astera. I just wanted to understand…. Why…" Ria stated.

"Why what, Ria?" came the voice of Bree, who now stood next to Astera. Astera turned to look behind her and saw that Karl Mayer was holding her back.

"I mean I know we are friends, Astera…. But how can you do such a thing? I always thought you were a loyal, honest, trusting person…. But how could you do this to one of your friends?" Ria continued.

"What are you talking about, Ria?" Gabby asked, looking over at Astera.

Astera looked at Ria, daring her to say it.

"Astera is a home wrecker… she's been getting with Dave behind Edie's back ever since the night of the fire," Ria stated.

Astera watched as Carlos and Gabby both turned to face her, looks of shock and disbelief on their faces. She turned and saw Bree looking at her with a look of distrust and she imagined the same look on Karl. While everyone was watching her, Astera turned her gaze to see Ria smirking slightly.

"You little…" Astera muttered, going for Ria again. She felt Karl's grip tighten on her, and she stopped as she saw Ria cower behind Carlos.

Astera stopped struggling. Ria may have won this round, but it wasn't over.

She looked down at the ground, before turning her head slightly. "Let me go so I can go home…" Astera stated. Karl reluctantly let her go, and Astera stormed away from the group and back towards the house.

She slammed the door shut, and let out a groan of frustration. She drew a fist back and punched the wall, breathing heavily.

"How dare you bring up my past like that, you stupid bitch! How dare you say such things about my little sister!" she screamed, continuing to punch the wall. She could feel the hot tears pouring down her face.

She stopped punching and slowly slid down so she sat facing the wall, her forehead against it.

"Why…" she muttered, punching it weakly one last time.

For about twenty minutes she just sat there, thinking about everything. After some time, she slowly stood up and made her way to the kitchen. She picked up the phone and dialed Dave's cell phone number. She knew she shouldn't disturb them, but she needed to talk to him. It sounded ridiculous but for some reason she needed to hear his voice.

"Hello?" Dave spoke up, after the third ring.

"Dave…" Astera said, weakly.

"Astera, is everything okay? What's wrong? Do you want me to get Mike? I'm in the rest stop now he's just outside…if you want I can-"

"Dave," Astera said, cutting him off.

"Yes?" Dave questioned, sounding concerned.

"Ria told…she told them about us," Astera stated, biting her lip.

"She…. Who did she tell?" Dave questioned. "Gabby, Carlos, Bree and Karl…." Astera said, looking down at the floor.

She heard Dave exhale deeply. "It's only a matter of time before everyone else finds out. Dave, I'm really sorry… I tried to-"

"Astera, this wasn't your fault. If anyone it was mine. I'm the one who started this, remember?" Dave questioned.

Astera closed her eyes again, trying to keep the tears in. "She told me that it was my fault for my sister's death…" Astera said, choking up.

"Astera, listen to me… it was not your fault…" Dave said, softly.

"Dave… there is one more thing…" Astera continued.

"Okay," Dave said.

"She told me that the only reason you told me…that you loved me… was because she told you to say it. Be honest with me, is that true?" Astera questioned, sincerely hoping that it wasn't…. for some reason.

………………………..

Dave looked around the shop nervously. He remembered the conversation he had with Ria last week….

Dave sat on the park bench, thinking about his past relationship with Astera. "Hey, you alone?" came a familiar voice. Dave turned to see Ria standing there. "Uh…" he began, unsure of how to start. Ria sat down anyway, looking at him.

"I know that Astera probably told you about how I know…" Ria stated. "She did…" Dave replied. Ria smirked at his blank expression, as he continued to stare at the ground.

"I know everything, Dave…" Ria stated. Dave turned to face her. "What?" he asked. Dave watched as Ria took something out of her purse. His eyes widened when he saw the empty pill capsule the name 'David Dash' printed on the side of it.

He looked back up at Ria, a slight terror in his eyes. "Now… how would Astera feel if I went back and told her that her cousin was the one who killed your wife and child?" Ria questioned. "You don't know what you're talking about, Ria…" Dave warned.

Ria laughed slightly. "Us criminals all think alike Dave. I know you're after Mike, because you want him to feel pain. Personally, I don't care about him at all. So what you do to him doesn't matter. I have another agenda…." Ria said, fixing her bangs.

"What are you talking about?" Dave questioned. "Doesn't matter… but what I want you to do is something for me…" Ria stated. Dave went to speak up, but Ria cut him off. "Or I let it spill to Astera about your past and that you only nailed her so you could get close to the family," Dave stated.

"That's not true," Dave snapped. Ria paused to smile and laugh slightly. "Oh my god… that's how it all started isn't it? Until you fell for her… that is…" Ria said. Dave looked away and Ria grinned. "So you have fallen for her?" she questioned.

"Leave me alone…" Dave retorted. "This is just perfect then… now I can really hurt Astera with your past if you don't do as I say…" Ria stated. "She already knows," Dave said, looking at her.

"About your marriage and child…. Maybe…. But what about your breakdowns? The time you spent in Boston's mental ward?" Ria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want?" Dave questioned. "I want you to break that bitch's heart…" Ria stated. "Don't call her that, or I'll-"

"You'll what?" Ria questioned. Dave sneered slightly. "You love her, don't you? Well, that's a plus. I want to see her hurt… so you're going to take that love and use it to hurt her…she's ended your relationship hasn't she? Well, I want you to force it on her. Break her heart so that she will be out of my way…" Ria said, with a wicked smirk.

"Force it on her? You mean you want me to…" Dave paused when Ria nodded.

Dave shook his head. "No, I can't…" he said. Ria held up the capsule again and Dave looked away. "Why are you making me do this?" Dave questioned. Ria stood up. "Doesn't matter. I just better see a broken Astera by the end of the week or else I'll break her for you…" she said, walking away.

Dave looked down at the ground, trying to believe that he didn't have to do what he was about to do.

…………………………..

Dave replayed the scene in his head of when he had tried the rape with Astera in his head. He remembered not being able to do it. He couldn't hurt Astera, he didn't want to.

So when she had come to visit him later on that week, she had seen what a wreck he had become for trying. He had drank several alcoholic drinks, trying to forget the look of hurt in her eyes he saw that he had inflicted.

Then he had told her how he really felt.

I love you, Astera…

She understood him more than anyone. She didn't judge him for being married in the past. She didn't judge him at all. He really did love her, and he wanted her to know it… to try to get her to forget about the attempted rape.

"Dave?" Astera questioned, her voice sounding weak.

Dave turned his attention back to the phone call.

"Astera, I meant it…" he said, softly.

"That's not what I asked you, Dave. I asked you if you only said it because she told you…" Astera replied.

Dave shook his head. "No. I said it, because it is true… and I hurt you. I hurt the person I love, you. I wanted you to know how I really felt. The guy who tried to have his way with you wasn't me…. The man who told you he loved you… that was the real me. Just plain, simple Dave Williams…. In love with Astera Hart…." Dave stated.

He could hear Astera let out a soft cry, and he bit his lip slightly.

"I'll let you go Dave… just be careful, okay?" Astera said.

"Astera!" Dave said, yelling slightly. A few people in the store turned their heads to look at him, and he showed them an apologetic smile.

"Yea?" Astera questioned.

"Stay away from, Ria… when we get back… we will take care of her together…." Dave said, gently.

He heard Astera laugh slightly, and he smiled.

"There's my Dave…see ya later…" she said, before hanging up.

Dave held the phone up to his ear, a look of surprise on his face.

There's my Dave…

He was her Dave…

Dave slowly put the phone back in his pocket, before walking outside.