"Start from the beginning," Emily told her. She and Paige were cuddled together on Emily's bed, and she was starting to tell her about the hectic day she had had. She at least felt safer when she was with Emily, even if she knew it would have to end when they went their separate ways for work. Their time together was the one thing holding her together.

"Well….. I guess I was a little cranky in class today, and this kid Lucas told me I was a bitch and maybe someone destroyed my lab because they thought I deserved it."

"What?"

"Yeah. It really surprised me, too. He's such a quiet, seemingly nice kid. Under the radar."

"What did you say?"

"I didn't really say anything. Because he was kind of right."

"No, he wasn't," she replied, holding her tight. "You've been through a lot. They need to have patience with you."

"I shouldn't be taking things out on them."

"We all cope differently, Paige. They don't know what you're going through."

"I am so fucking lucky to have you," she murmured, burying her face in Emily's shoulder. Emily kissed the top of her head.

"It's okay to be upset, Paige. I want you to understand that."

"I do, I guess. Anyway, I was sitting there alone for a while after and Darren came to see me. He told me he saw Lucas by my lab Sunday night and he said I was going to get what I deserved for being such a bitch."

"What a fucking dick," Emily replied. Paige gaped at her, surprised by her language. Usually she was the one cursing while Emily was sweet and polite. "Sorry. Continue."

"I confronted him about it and he kinda flipped. He threatened me."

"What did he say?"

"Something about how one day I'm going to mess with the wrong person."

"Wow. Do you think he did it?"

"I don't know. I talked to Spencer and…. we both think maybe. But I don't have any evidence. Physically speaking, at least."

"What about your tires?"

"What about them?"

"Do you think he slashed them? It sounds like he was pretty pissed."

"Huh," Paige replied. She hadn't even thought of that. "I don't know. I don't know if he's the stalker, or if they're separate. I don't even know if the stalker is the person who killed Alison. There could be three psychos running around, for all we know."

"Honey, I doubt that. I'm sure this is all connected somehow."

"But no one knows how. The cops don't have the slightest idea who killed Alison. They don't even have a lead."

"Which is weird," Emily replied. "From the gossip I heard, she had a lot of enemies."

"Which is why it's so hard to come up with suspects. If everyone wanted her dead, it's hard to narrow it down."

They were silent for a moment. Paige sighed, resting her head on Emily's shoulder.

"Thanks for rescuing me, Em."

"Of course," she replied, giving her a kiss. "When Alison talked to you, did she mention being afraid of anyone other than Ian?"

"No. But we didn't talk very long. She just said she was afraid of him and I took her to Spencer. She may have told her more."

"Could you talk to her?"

Paige snorted at the thought. She had practically had to get on her knees and beg just for Spencer to show her who made a comment about her lab.

"I don't think she's going to be any help. She's very stubborn about her patient confidentiality."

"I thought that didn't count if there was a crime?"

"If the police ordered information from her, she'd have to give it. She's not going to give it to me."

"Well, Toby would have it. I think we cold coax anything helpful from him."

"Probably. But right now there isn't anything."

"I guess not," Emily agreed. Paige smiled at her, gently running her fingers down her arm.

"Don't worry," she replied. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

"I hope so."

"I'm really sorry I dragged you into all of this."

"What? Paige, don't do that. None of this is your fault."

"I just hate that you have to be caught up in it."

"Well, I'm not going anywhere," Emily declared, pulling the blankets over them.

"I know," Paige replied as they cuddled together. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Now let's try to get some sleep."

Neither one of them had been asleep long when a loud thud from the living room woke them both with a start. They stared at each other, wide eyed, as they tried to decide if they should investigate. The thump came again.

"What is that?" Paige asked.

"I don't know," Emily replied nervously. She slowly got up, listening carefully. "Should we go look?"

"Uh," Paige replied. That idea didn't sound at all appealing.

Suddenly, a loud giggle floated down the hallways. A female's giggle. Emily groaned, throwing the door open.

"Hanna!" she called, and Paige breathed a sigh of relief. It was only Hanna, not an axe murderer.

"Em!" the blond slurred, stumbling towards Emily. "What rr you doin' up?"

"You woke me," she replied impatiently.

"Paige!" she exclaimed, waving to Paige. "Hi!"

"Hey."

"How did you get home?"

"Caleb drove me. He's such a gentleman," she cooed, bumping into the wall. "Ouch!"

"Go to bed, Hanna."

"Which room's mine?" she asked, staring blankly at Emily.

"The same as always," she replied, pointing. Hanna grinned.

"Thanks! Nighty night!"

She slammed her bedroom door behind her. Emily closed her door and turned to Paige, who looked amused.

"I'm so sorry about that."

"No worries. I'm glad it was her."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," she agreed as she got back into bed. Paige pulled the covers over them and snuggled in close to her.

"I think I'm going to take Toby's advice and get a gun."

"Really?"

"Yeah. What if that hadn't been Hanna? We wouldn't have had any way to defend ourselves."

"Fair point," Emily agreed. She was silent moment. "Can I come with you?"

Paige nodded. Emily sighed in relief and closed her eyes, feeling Paige's fingers running through her hair.

"I love you, Em. Get some sleep."

"I love you, too."

And they drifted off once more in each other's arms.

"This place looks sketchy," Emily complained as she and Paige got out of the car. She looked nervously at the dumpy building in front of them.

"Toby told me to come here. I trust him," she replied, opening the door.

"I guess."

"Em, I get your reservations about this, but I'm really afraid. I need to have a gun."

"I know," she replied, giving Paige's arm a squeeze. "I support you."

By the time they were finished with the paper work it was getting dark. As they were heading to the car Paige caught sight of a black Honda parked across the street. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to see if anyone was inside.

"Paige?"

"That's the car. The black Honda."

"What should we do?" Emily asked, her eyebrows furrowing. "Wait and see if anyone gets in it?"

"No. I don't want a confrontation," Paige replied, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Maybe we should just get the license plate number."

"That's genius!" Emily exclaimed. "We can give it to Toby and he can see who owns it!"

"I didn't think of it like that," Paige replied, pulling her cell phone out. "Stand watch."

She took a picture of the license plate and ran back to Emily like the devil himself was chasing her. They quickly got into the car and drove away, feeling for the first time like they had accomplished something.

"Finally," Paige remarked proudly. "We're one step ahead."

Emily nodded in agreement, but she couldn't shake the feeling they were wrong.

A/N: Sorry the chapter's a little short, but it's back to school now! Hope you enjoy!