I sat in a chair by Eli's side inside my former home, waiting for him to wake up. It would be the first time I had seen him since he was shot a week before. Sean thought It was best that I stay away for a little while, so Eli could focus on his recovery, and not worry about me so much. He lost a lot of blood that night, and he barley made it out alive. I spent the whole first night praying to God, praying that he didn't take him away from me. When my prayers were answered and the doctors let us know Eli was going to make it, Bianca and Emma drove me back to headquarters, where I stayed with Matt. I explained everything to him, and despite his strong morals and ethics, he kept what he knew a secret, and gave me an alibi. He said I was with him that night, because he didn't want me to get in trouble for Aston's death. Vince had shot him, and he and Zig disposed of the body, along with all of Aston's gang that had been shot that day as well. If I was with Matt that night, then there was no reason that the police would want to question me.

My thoughts were broken as I noticed a figure standing in the doorway, it was Sean.

He raised an eye brow at me, "I was probably wrong you know." He whispered.

I let go of Eli's hand, turning to look at Sean. "About what?"

"Everything. Eli was right, you were trying to protect us. I should of never turned on you the way I did Clare, I'm sorry, because of me you were almost-"

"Don't. It's ok Sean, all that matters is Aston is gone. Things can go back to normal now."

Sean crossed his arms, "So, what is the new normal? Where will you stay, what will you do? Which side of the law will you choose to be on Edwards?"

I smirked, "Well, my career as a double agent is definitely over that's for sure. Honestly I don't really know."

Sean walked over to me kneeling down on one knee. "You could stay here, if you want, with us. It's clear you care about Eli, and the rest of us for that matter. I know that deciding to be in this gang with us, sounds crazy, but you're a good asset to have. Besides, the house isn't the same when you're gone. It's dirtier, and Vince doesn't have anyone to play video games with."

I bit my lip, "So. What? We just pretend I never hurt you guys?"

Sean's mouth formed into a straight line, "No, we just decide to move On together, as a unit."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Eli squeezed my hand beginning to wake up. He slightly opened his eyes, "Clare?"

I leaned over him, "I'm here Eli, it's me. How are you feeling?"

As Eli began to sit up, I noticed Sean exit the room. Eli rubbed his eyes, "Where have you been? Are you ok?" He grabbed my hand, with worried eyes.

I smiled, "I'm ok, I've been staying with a friend so that you could focus on recovering."

He rolled his eyes, "That's dumb. All I could think about is weather or not you were ok, or why you were staying away...I was worried."

I smoothed his hair back. "I'm sorry Eli, I didn't mean to worry you."

"Clare, how could you be so dumb? You almost died, do you know what that would have done to me?"

I gulped at Eli's bluntness. "I'm sorry ok, I just wanted to make things right again." Eli slowly scooted over, holding his stomach in pain while doing so. "Eli no, don't hurt yourself anymore than you already are."

Eli ignored me still moving over, and then patting the space next to him. "Sit." I did as he said slowly sitting down, trying not to hurt him. Eli turned his head, so that we were facing each other, "You know we were going to get you, and bring you back home, right? It wasn't a plan to hurt you, it was to save you. I knew you weren't really in his gang, you were trying to protect us. I was right."

I nodded, "I know Eli, Sean explained everything to me."

Eli raised an eye brow. "So, that means that he's asked you to stay with us still, hasn't he?" I nodded again, and El's eyes darkened. "I hope you know that, that isn't going to happen."

My eyes widened in surprise, "What, why? Are you still mad at me?" I was surprised at myself for how openly I made my disappointment known. I hadn't realized that my mind had already been made up, I wanted to stay with them.

Eli leaned his head on my shoulder, causing my heart to beat rapidly. "No, of course not. I just, I don't want to see you hurt anymore. I can't." I felt a tear drop on my shoulder, and it made me want to hold him, and to take all his pain away." Seeing you like that, with him over your naked body, Clare I could of killed him myself. If Vince hadn't, I would have gone back to do it myself. If you stay, things like what happened that night, will happen again. This isn't out of the ordinary for us, in a few months it will be someone else in my position, and I won't let it be you."

I rested my head on Eli's, soaking in this rare moment of vulnerability. "It isn't your choice Eli. I'm choosing to be with you, and to be with you, I have to stay. I know that, just as well as Emma knows she has to stay to be with Sean."

Eli moved his head from my shoulder, taking my face into his hands. He stared at me with such intense eyes, that I began to nervously sweat. I was in every way, melting. "That is exactly what I don't want Clare. It would be selfish of me to let you live the way Emma does, you aren't meant for this, this isn't you."

I briefly closed my eyes, trying to find the courage to respond. "I don't care. Whatever you say, it won't change anything. Eli, I love you."

Eli's eyes slightly widened, before becoming soft. He slowly leaned forward, and my heart began to explode. His lips gently touched mine, lingering for several seconds before finally pulling away. He leaned his forehead against mine, keeping his eyes closed. "God damn you Clare. I love you too."

My voice became husky, "I'm so happy right now."

Eli's smile quickly faded when the sound of a gun shot rang through the house. He instinctively pulled me to him, grabbing his gun from under his pillow. He pointed it towards the door and leaned his head down to whisper in my ear, "Don't move. It's either the police, or someone who wants to retaliate for Aston's death. Don't be scared, I won't let anything happen to you."

The door swung open and Eli put his finger to the trigger, as soon as he realized it was just Sean, he lowered the gun. Eli and I both breathed a sigh of relief. "Man what the hell, what are you doing playing with guns like that? You scared the hell out of me." Sean was pale, staring back at Eli as tears started to fall from his eyes, and he dropped to his knees. I got out of the bed quickly helping Eli to walk over to him. Eli put his hand on his shoulder, "Sean, talk to me now! What's wrong, why did a gun go off."

Sean's lip quivered and he began to sob into his hands. "Vince shot himself in the head. He's gone."