My mind struggled to process this development. Had I heard him correctly? Did he just say he loved me? The potent cocktail of adrenaline and fear gushing through my bloodstream had probably distorted my hearing. But what if I'd heard him correctly? Was he really in love with me?

My confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a gnarled, grimy hand landing roughly on my shoulder. I was forcibly pulled upwards, away from the floor and Robbie, and spun to face my assailant. Despite the permeating darkness, I could see into Peters' eyes and was terrified by what was reflected back at me. This man took pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering on others. I prayed that whatever plan Robbie had formulated took this extent of a murderous streak into account.

"So, DI Ross, should I start with the lady?"

"No, start with me. I couldn't bear it if she went first." My heart pounding, I turned sharply and stared fearfully into Robbie's eyes. Was this part of his plan? He squeezed my hand, and gently pushed past me. "Everything is going to be okay, Jacks. This isn't goodbye."

"I think you'll find it is goodbye, DI Ross." Peters yanked Robbie toward him. "Wait there, Miss Reid. I shall return for you soon."

Peters began to pull Robbie across the warehouse floor, leaving me frozen in place. Surely this was just a horrifying, terrifyingly realistic nightmare and everything would turn out alright once I woke up. I couldn't convince myself, however. The memory of Robbie's touch was far too vivid for this to have all been a dream.

Suddenly, I heard a scuffle, followed by a hissing noise. I caught a whiff of a suffocating smell that was vaguely familiar. I had no time to dwell on why it was familiar, though, because I felt a warm hand on my back, and I heard Robbie whisper urgently "Head toward the ladder, Jacks and keep your head down." I awkwardly shuffled as quickly as I could toward the ladder, Robbie right behind me. I could hear Peters choking and spluttering several metres behind us. Spluttering? What exactly had Robbie done to overpower him? I reached the ladder, and despite myself, I hesitated. Why was I so afraid of this ladder?

"Don't look down, Jacks." Robbie murmured. "You won't fall."

And I believed him. Gripping the rungs tightly, I began to descend.

Upon reaching the ground floor of the warehouse, I dashed toward the roller door. Wrenching it open, I found myself face to face with Matt and Stuart.

"Thank God. I was worried you wouldn't get a trace on the call."

"It's great to hear how little faith you have in us, Robbie." Matt drew his gun and directed Stuart and two uniformed officers inside the warehouse in order to arrest Peters. As they brushed past, Robbie placed both his hands gently on my shoulders. "I told you it wasn't goodbye, Jacks."

"Trace? Call?" I turned to look at Robbie, confusion evident on my face.

"I called Matt before we entered the building, and left it connected. I had a feeling Peters wouldn't be a straightforward arrest."

"Oh." I let that sink in for a second, before attempting to clear up another point of confusion. "How did you overpower Peters?"

Robbie gave a nervous chuckle. "Remember that cheap air freshener from the car? Turns out, it's more effective than capsicum spray."

That's why I recognised the smell. I gave a grateful smile, before the enormity of the situation we'd just escaped from suddenly overwhelmed me, and I buried my head on his shoulders, tears pouring down my cheeks. Robbie tenderly rubbed his hands up and down my back, murmuring words of comfort in my ear. All the terror, fear and desperation I'd felt whilst we were trapped inside the warehouse began to fade away, to be replaced by a sudden desire to know if Robbie's confession was true. Were they just words to comfort me, similar to those he was currently whispering in my ear, or could he really be in love with me?

He turned me away as Matt and Stuart dragged an enraged, screaming Peters out of the warehouse and forced him into a squad car. Moments later, I felt a third person pat me gently on the arm, and I heard Stuart whisper something indecipherable in Robbie's ear. Once I saw Stuart retreating back toward the squad car out of the corner of my eye, I raised my head from Robbie's shoulder. He gave me a gentle smile and murmured "Time for us to get checked over, Jackie. They want to make sure we're okay." I nodded slowly, and he took my hand to lead me toward the ambulance that was presently manoeuvring through the squad cars. I suddenly realised I couldn't let this chance pass me by, and I raised my hand to his chest to stop him.

"Did you mean it?" I whispered hesitantly, looking up into his eyes.

He hesitated for a second, and my heart slammed against my ribcage. I wanted him to mean those words so badly.

"I meant it."

He gave me a hesitant smile. I could feel a smile spread across my face as I slid my hand up his chest to rest around his neck.

"Good." I couldn't keep the smile out of my voice. "Because I was so worried that I was the only one who felt this way." I brushed my lips gently against his. He deepened the kiss, before we tenderly broke apart.

"You most certainly aren't the only one who feels this way." He gave me a dazzling smile that made me weak at the knees. "Now come on, we need to get checked by those ambulance officers." He leant in to whisper "Although I give you a clean bill of health."

He gave me a cheeky wink before walking away. I smiled to myself. Robbie had been right. This wasn't goodbye. This was hello.

Perhaps the moonlight was my friend after all.