Cara awoke naturally to the sunlight pouring in from the window in the hotel room. She turned over, only to find that Peter wasn't next to her. He probably got out to eat or get dressed. Last night was pretty rough, she thought as she got out of bed. She thought about last night…it was so nice to have that comfort after that nightmare last night. She felt safe. But…was it such a good idea at this point? She could not believe that she was thinking that, but should she talk to Peter about holding off whatever they were going to do until Jeff was out of the picture? It seemed almost cruel that she and Peter had gotten to this point and it had to be cut short…but it just wasn't wise. She sighed and got up to get dressed and to prepare herself to tell Peter the news.

When she was all dressed and ready, she walked out into the living area to find everyone else awake and chilling out at the couch. Peter gave her a glowing smile when he saw her, and it almost made her think twice about what she was about to do, but she sucked it up. "Hey Peter…can we talk?"

"Sure," said Peter cheerily, springing up to follow Cara back into the room. "What's up?"

"It's about last night," said Cara. Peter's mood dropped a little; he knew this would be coming, but he didn't know when or how.

"Something wrong?" asked Peter.

"I don't know," said Cara. "I'm hoping to prevent something bad from happening."

"Cara, what's bothering you?" asked Peter.

"That kiss…what did it mean?" asked Cara.

"You tell me," said Peter. "You're the one who kissed me."

"Yeah, I know," said Cara. "And to me, it meant like I really liked you—a lot."

"It meant the same to me," said Peter. Was this it? Was it official? Was he finally going to get Cara?

"Peter, as long as Jeff is out there…it's just…if we get together now, it's going to be so dangerous for you," said Cara.

"What do you mean?" asked Peter, frowning.

"What I mean is, we can't be together, not yet," said Cara. "I care about you too much for Jeff to hurt you for being with me."

"Cara, do you think I care about that?" said Peter. "I want to be with you, nothing could make me not want to. I don't care what Jeff does to me, just as long as I have you."

"Oh Peter, believe me, I wish it could just happen already," said Cara. "But it's too dangerous for it to be now. You've seen what Jeff does to girls like me, Abigail, and Jane. Just think of what would happen to you if he found out that we were together. He'd take it as you stealing a personal belonging, and he would hurt you, possibly kill you. Peter, I care too much about you to let that happen to you."

"Cara, this is a risk I'm willing to take," said Peter. "And if Jeff finds out, let him, I'll never make him forget that you're someone I care about." He grabbed her hand. "Cara…I love you."
"Peter, I'm not saying we'll never be together," said Cara. "All I'm saying is not now. I promise that one day, we'll be together."

"Why can't that day be now," said Peter, his head hung low. He walked passed Cara and out of the suite, the other four in the living room looking on. Cara came out of her room, and all eyes rested on her.

"What the hell happened?" asked Davy, looking from the front door to Cara.

"It's a long story," said Cara solemnly.

"I don't understand," said Mike. "Cara, did you just reject Peter? I thought you liked him?"

"Look, I do like him," said Cara, getting defensive. "It's just…to be together now with Jeff on the loose…it's not smart, he could get hurt."

"Oh come on Cara, that's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard!" said Mike.

"What's stupid about protecting someone I care about?" asked Cara. "Look, I already feel bad enough…don't make me feel worse, I did what I had to do. You all don't understand." With her head hung low, she retreated to the outdoor balcony and closed the screen door. She sat on the lawn recliner and rested her head. She hoped everything would turn out for the best. Did she mess up for real this time? All she knew was that Peter was all that mattered right now, and his well-being was top on her list.

Peter walked through the hotel lobby, his hands in his pockets. He wasn't running off, just taking a little stroll. Why in the world would Cara do this to him? He knew her intentions were well, but it just wasn't fair. All he wanted to do was protect Cara and help her through what she was going through. He thought that after that kiss last night their fate was sealed, but apparently not. He sat himself down on one of the fancy chairs in the lobby to clear his head. Across from him, an older man sat. He wore glasses and had a face that showed sparks of youth, and he wore a uniform. He must work here, thought Peter.

"Hey there kid," said the man to Peter. "Something eating you? Lose your key? I can help you out of you need."

"Nah, I have my key," said Peter. "I'll be okay."

"Nah kid, you look like you need to talk," said the man. "What's your name son?"

"Peter," said Peter. "And you?"

"Charles," said the man. "And Peter, don't think you've gotten out of answering my question, I'm a father you know, and a grandfather, and I know when a kid like you looks upset. You really look like you need to talk."

Peter sighed. Maybe he'd feel better if he spoke to a third party about it and got some advice from someone who wasn't directly involved. It might help. "Well, it's about a girl," he started.

"Well, I guess I'd gather as much," said Charles. "So what happened? She doesn't like you back or something? Dump you?"

"Kind of in between the two, actually," said Peter. "It's…I'm crazy bout her, and I know she likes me too, but she doesn't want us to be together yet cause she has this crazy boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, I have no clue how he's classified anymore, who she says'll hurt me if he finds out that me and the girl are seeing each other."

"Ah, I see," said Charles. "Not exactly what I thought this'd be, but interesting. How do you feel about this?"

"Personally, I don't care how dangerous it is," said Peter. "I mean—I love her dammit, and I'd walk through fire to get her."

"Touching," said Charles. "Have you told her?"

"God, so many times just this morning," said Peter. "She just doesn't want me hurt."

"Well, that just shows she cares about you too, right?" asked Charles.

"I guess it does," said Peter.

"Just wait," said Charles. "She's obviously worth it if she's willing to hold off everything for your well-being."

"It's just hard," said Peter. "I know she wants to help me, but I don't care what happens to me. I just want to be with her."

"You really do love her?" asked Charles.

"So much," said Peter. "She's fantastic…beautiful, smart, feisty, strong…just damaged inside. That bastard who's hunting her down is breaking her apart. We're here because he found out where she was hiding."

"Peter, all I can tell you is that the best things come to those who wait," said Charles. "Now son, I'm not telling you to give up, not by any means. A girl as great as the one you have here is not something to give up, but if you hold on to her on the inside, and give just a little bit of patience for her, eventually, you will have something that will last a lifetime. I know this from my wife, God rest her soul. It's worth it."

"Thank you Charles," said Peter. "And sorry about your wife."

"It was a long time ago kid," said Charles. "And no problem. What is her name?"

"Cara," said Peter, taking great measures to cushion every syllable and letter.

"Cara," echoed the old man. "Lovely name, and I'm sure a lovely young woman to match."

"Very much," said Peter.

"And I'm sure I'll meet her eventually, I work here you know," said Charles. "But it's about time for me to take off and do some of that work. I'll be seeing you around Peter."

"You will," said Peter. "Actually…I'm gonna go up and talk to Cara now, thanks mister!"

"Don't mention it kid," said Charles. Peter nodded and ran off to the elevator to get up to the room. He hoped Cara was okay after he stormed out of the room earlier. One thing he never wanted to do was hurt her. He got off on the floor and right where the room was, Mike was standing at the door with his arms crossed.

"You know, you probably shouldn't have stormed out of the room like that," said Mike sternly. "Cara's a mess out on the patio."

"Is she—she isn't crying, is she?" asked Peter, starting to panic. Jeff made Cara cry, not Peter!

"No, but she's just been sitting out there all quiet," said Mike. "Don't get me wrong, I gave her crap about how she did you, but come on."

"Look, I just wanna go in there and talk to her," said Peter. "I was downstairs, and an old man who works here talked with me, and—"

"Peter, what have we all told you about talking to strangers?" said Mike. "Look, if you needed to talk, you could've talked to us!"

"Oh, shut up Mike!" Peter yelled. "I'm so tired of you all treating me like a little kid! Yeah, I could've handled all that inside better, but I'm a man dammit, and I'm gonna go in there, talk to Cara and work all of this crap out like one!"

Mike was silent, surprised by Peter's sudden burst of anger. He wasn't quite sure what to say, Peter never got like this, and he had to admit, it was scary. "Well Peter…uh…you're right, sorry," said Mike quietly. "Just go on in there…I'm sure you can handle it."

"Thanks Mike," said Peter. Mike opened the door and the two walked in. Peter saw Cara out on the porch chair on the balcony, just sitting there melancholy. "I really hope I didn't hurt her."

"To be honest, I think it was more what we said to her," said Mike. "We…kind of scolded her."

"Well, is she okay?" asked Peter.

"She hasn't tried to jump off yet," said Mickey. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Has anyone tried to talk to her?" asked Peter.

"No," said Abigail. "We just wanted to let her cool off for a minute or two. I think you're alright to go out there though. Are you okay though? You kinda ripped out of here."

"I'm better," said Peter. "It was just—a shock, that's all."

"Well, she's all yours," said Davy, gesturing to the balcony. Peter nodded and walked over. He tried to open the screen but it was locked. He gave it a little tap and Cara jumped and turned around. Peter waved and smiled bashfully. Cara attempted a little smile and opened up the screen for Peter, letting him in.

"Hey," said Cara. "Look, I'm sorry, I hope I didn't upset you too much."

"No, I'm fine," said Peter. "Just thought I'd talk to you, that's all."

"About what?" asked Cara.

"About earlier," said Peter. "Cara, you mean the world to me and I would be prepared to do anything, and I mean anything for you, but if you care about me to the point where you want to hold things off till Jeff's out of the picture entirely, then I will wait forever for you, as long as it takes."

Cara smiled. "Oh Peter, thank you," she said. "I wish it didn't have to be like this, really, I do, but it's what's best right now."

"And I understand," said Peter.

"Peter," said Cara. "Did you really mean what you said though? When you said that…that you loved me?"

"Why would there be a reason to not mean it?" asked Peter. "I wouldn't lie to you Cara, not after all you've been through. I meant every word I've ever said to you."

"So you promise you will wait?" asked Cara.

"Of course I do," said Peter. "And I'm sorry for running out earlier. That was terrible of me."

"It's okay," said Cara.

"Are you ready to come out now?" asked Peter.

"Yeah," said Cara, slowly coming back to being herself.

"Let's go," said Peter. The two walked back into the suite, feeling miles better about what had happened earlier in the day.

"Everything good?" asked Mickey. "Cara, no thoughts about jumping?"

"Oh, shut up Mickey," said Cara, picking up a small pillow off the couch and tossing it at him. "No, no thoughts at all."

"Cara, how in the world were you able to sit up there for that long?" Abigail whispered to Cara. "Are you…over it?"

"Hey, over what?" Davy butted in loudly.

Abigail glared at him and he backed off. "It's nothing," said Cara.

"Aw, come on, you have to tell us now!" said Davy.

"Stop being nosey Davy," said Mike. "If Cara doesn't want to tell, she doesn't have to. She's had a long morning as it is."

"I'm just afraid of heights, that's all," said Cara quickly. "No big deal."

"I'm afraid of the dark, does that help?" asked Peter.

"Oh, it would," said Mickey. "If both of you are trapped on a high, dark place, you can freak out and cry together!"

Cara laughed nervously at the thought. "Yeah, but let's hope that never happens," she said.

"Agreed," said Peter, shuddering as well.

"Okay, let's stop scaring the nice people," said Davy. "I think some happy time is in order, right men?"

"Hey Davy, what about us?" Abigail whined.

"We'll get to you later," joked Davy.

"So, what was all that yelling I heard outside before you and Peter came in?" asked Mickey to Mike on the side. "Was everything okay?"

"I just realized that we've all been treating Peter like a kid," said Mike. "He just got tired of it and ripped on me. Made me see that Peter's not as dumb as we all think he is."

"I think we're all a little dumb sometimes," said Mickey. Boy was he right, Mike thought. Dumb for thinking Peter was dumb, dumb for scolding Cara earlier, dumb for a lot of things. Mike looked back at the others in the living room talking and joking jovially, Mike smiled.

"We all have a right to be dumb sometimes though," said Mike. "Come on Mickey, let's join the party." The two went over to all the others to join in whatever the hell they were doing, and it certainly wasn't dumb—not in the least.