Notes:

So guys, we're getting close to the end :'( I'm thinking two or three more chapters. I've really been enjoying this one too. I have some more ideas for other stories too. One of them is Brightly Woven, by Alexandra Bracken. I hate that she didn't write more, so I think I'll do more. It's not a fanfiction section on this website though. It's a lovely story. Of course I'll do more Hush, Hush!

So, I work in a chemistry lab as one of my classes, and last week we were working with chemicals, one of which was Potassium ferrocyanide, and I was just like "dude, even the lab says this could kill us...why give it to freshmen to work with?" I also thought of this story and was like "Boss."

Chapter Thirty-Six

Patch's POV

Nora hid her face behind her hair, running her fingers through it. We could all only vaguely hear Elliot's last moments, and everyone was too shocked to move. I sat on the bed, still trying to comprehend what I'd seen.

Dude… Ezra mindspoke, gaping. Did you see that shit coming? Nehemiah?

Nehemiah just stared wide eyed at me. Apparently he hadn't either, seer that he was. I turned to face Nora again, and this time she looked back at me. She smiled slightly, but her eyes were wide with…fear? Apprehension? I sighed, running my hand over my face, and rubbing my chin, and grinned at her. Her entire body relaxed, but only a little.

"Well… I must say, I'm torn between horror and pride." To be honest, I was a little turned on by her wild appearance, but it wasn't the place to say it. "You've been around me too long, Angel."

Her eyes filled with anguished tears and she flinched, thinking I was pushing her away. When I held my arms open, she gasped and realized that I was teasing. Tottering slowly and nervously, she walked into my arms, and placed her arms on my shoulders. I hugged her around her stomach.

"I…I wanted to… you know… avenge everyone here." She murmured, slightly embarrassed. "He hurt all of you, and I didn't want him to get away with it."

Ezra and Nehemiah were still silent, but Vee decided to speak up.

"Please. Don't stare. Let's be real; are we going to call the kettle black when the pot, a.k.a. Patch, is sitting in the room? Mr. Dark Secrets up the ass?" she said, shrugging her shoulders. "In comparison to the stuff I read, Nora's still in the good zone. If not pretty bad ass, I'd think."

Nora smiled at Vee, thankful for the support, and I could feel in her body how anxious she actually was made by what she'd done. I looked up at her.

Nora…why didn't you let me deal with Elliot? Why did you feel the need to do it on your own? I knew Nora, and I knew she'd want to be independent, but this time something was , Vee had a point, and I didn't want Nora to have to deal with the guilt that came along with…delivering death. She looked at me, somewhat sheepish.

I…I read what happened. You know…with you… and the fire… I felt like…like if I did something like what you did, maybe you wouldn't feel so alone. So bad. I'd really been thinking about it too…it was so hard... If he hadn't hurt you all, and all those other people, I don't think I could have done it. It was so hard for me to be…I don't want to feel bad, but… I tried to be like…

Her eyes fell at this point, and her face crumpled, and I realized how much Elliot's execution was weighing on her. I shook my head, and caressed her face, creating a small bubble around us.

"Oh, Angel. You didn't have to do that for me. I don't want you to ever have to think you need to stoop to my level." She moved to interrupt me, but I stopped her. "Yes, it is stooping to my level. I've done some horrible things, and you know how much I'm not proud of them. You know some of what I've done. Don't ever think you have to join me in them, to make me feel better. I appreciate you trying, honestly, and I love that you want to help. But you're better than that. Better than me. I don't want you to ever have the regrets I do."

Her tears began to fall, and I wiped them away.

"I love you," I said, kissing her hands. "From now on, we'll handle situations together, okay? Maybe you can leave the extreme stuff to me?" Nodding, she began hugging me fiercely.

"Okay!"

"You both are so cute!" Vee squealed. "Come on Nora, we have to get you cleaned up so we can go out. Maybe we'll have some donuts. Steak too. Or anything really; I'm just damned famished!"

Nehemiah stared at Vee. "I don't know if I should be afraid that you're so nonchalant."

"We've been through a lot." Nora said, defending her.

"Shit, I see," Ezra said, chuckling nervously. Nehemiah turned to Nora.

"Nora, I do believe that punishment of yours was a bit harsh." He stated. She tensed, and I glared at Nehemiah.

"Fuck Elliot. Bastard deserves to burn. She just gave him an early taste of Hell." Anyone who touched Nora deserved to burn. I would just prefer it to be me punishing them. I stood up, holding Nora protectively. "So, food. Nora? Would you like to go shower and put on something nice? I'll buy you anything you want."

I do want to talk more tonight, she told me. I nodded; I knew we both craved privacy.

Ezra was still laughing off his shock. "I knew you were crazy," he said, pointing to me. "But damn. Are you all really this desensitized?"

Nora, Vee and I simply stared at him. I knew I was. He shrugged.

"Well, I mean… well, shit…it happened now. I'll bite. Food, right? Why the hell not?" And in quick, Ezra fashion, he would let it go.

Nehemiah was still sensitive. "This used to be my field, guys. Death still gets to me. An angel of death can't come receive Elliot's soul here. I know he's done wrong, but he deserves judgment. We can at least take his body outside of Delphic. Please."

I nodded. "That's fair. I don't want his body next to my bedroom anyway." Nora gasped, and brought her hand to her mouth. When I turned to her with concern, she shook her head.

"Just… do it when I'm not around. And clean up well after you're finished."

I kissed her forehead, helping her loosen. "Okay, Angel." I let her go, and she went with Vee to clean up.

I turned to my friends with a grin on my face. Ezra snickered, and Nehemiah's eyes thinned.

"You love this," he accused.

"She's kind of sexy when she's being tough." I said, shrugging.

"Dude. You are totally encouraging this."

"I do not. I'd rather her never be in harm's way. But still. So sexy." I teased.

Nehemiah began to laugh despite himself. "Y'all crazy, you know? Support her later; she may have nightmares. Those not too acquainted with death tend to, and she's more sensitive than she's trying to let on."

My face became serious. "I understand."

Nora walked back in, looking lovely in a green halter top and some jeans. Only her eyes reflected her nerves.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked, putting some light into her voice.

"That steak is calling," Vee added, threading her arm through Nora's. Nehemiah stood, and one by one they exited. I stayed behind, debating when I'd move Elliot's body. Nora came back and leaned in the doorway.

Are you honestly okay with me? Are Nehemiah and Ezra? I noticed they weren't too…accepting as you.

She looked genuinely worried, and I waved my hand.

Nehemiah saw me the night I killed Katharine. What you've done is nothing on it. He's seen much worse. They have no problem with you, they just didn't expect for you to react so harshly. Silly, really, especially because you're my girl.

She smiled, holding out her arms, and I sauntered towards her slowly.

So, you have better credentials than me? Three immortals? Should I be worried I'll be the fourth?

Nora rolled her eyes, blushing. I was trying to be intimidating. I think he was...well…

Nehemiah is worried you'll have nightmares. Know that I'll be here for you. I think, however, that you won't get much sleep. In fact, there'll be plenty of your screaming, and they won't be from fear.

At this point my arms were on either side of her face, trapping her to the doorjamb, and I was grinning like a lustful Cheshire cat. Nora giggled and smacked my chest.

How tempting, she said, winding her hair around her finger and biting her lip. We'll see about that.

"We will, won't we?" I whispered, bringing her lips to mine.

"Hey, lovebirds! I'm starving here!" Vee shouted. We turned, and Vee stood in the hallway with hands on hips. Ezra and Nehemiah leaned on the wall on both sides of her, laughing at me. I smiled back, and Nora pushed me away. I grabbed her hand, and we left together.

I lifted Elliot's body onto the back of my truck. It was moments like this where I was glad I had more than one car, because he'd destroyed my other with bullets. I'd probably get a new one after this. His badly charred body smelled awful, and what was left of his fluids were leaking onto my shirt and in the back of the truck bed. I'd have to throw this shirt out with his body. Nora was staying with Vee until I could dispose of him, because I knew she wouldn't be able to deal with it. It'd been different with Hank's body because he'd been fully intact besides a bullet wound. Burns were a different ball game. When we'd finally entered the chamber to inspect his body, his face and neck area had almost been burned to ashes, and what was visible of it was contorted in pain. His arms and legs where the chains had been had singed his skin, and his clothing had caught fire and burned the rest of him. A terrible way to go, but I couldn't judge. Nehemiah had calmly wrapped the body in a sheet, and we'd carried him out.

When we arrived at the cliffs, I couldn't help but feel the irony.

"Will the sharks eat him if he's wrapped up?" I asked Nehemiah. He rolled his eyes. Ezra dragged the body out, but I suddenly had an inspiration.

"Wait! I've got a better idea!" I cried. Nehemiah looked at me.

"Will the angel of death come get his soul soon?" I asked. His eyes went misty for a moment, and he nodded.

"What are you thinking, Patch?" I grinned evilly, and it made Nehemiah shiver.

"Just let the angel get him, then we're going somewhere else. Ezra, put him back."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "Damn it, man. This is a nice shirt, and now I have…dead body fluids on me."

We all turned our backs, for the angel to come through quickly. Soon, Nehemiah shook his head, and I knew that the angel had come and gone. I got into the truck, and started it.

After a half an hour, I pulled up to a dark and falling apart warehouse.

"Where are we?" Ezra asked.

"One of Chauncey's old and abandoned warehouses." I signaled for Ezra and Nehemiah to grab the body, and I scoped the warehouse. Empty.

When we got inside, I opened one of the old barrels and watched as gas began to ooze from it.

"Put him in here."

Nehemiah peeked into the barrel. "This is acid, Patch."

"I'm aware." The irony was too much for me. His favorite method of murder was injecting others with acid.

Ezra dumped his body slowly, and we watched as his body dissolved in the hydrochloric acid.

Nehemiah turned away, hand over his mouth. "This is a bit much." No wonder you weren't shocked earlier.

When Elliot's head sunk into the acid, Ezra placed the lid over the barrel.

"Remind me never to fuck with you." He said, only quietly teasing.

Looking around to make sure we weren't being spotted, I quickly pulled up the truck and we left.

Ha sorry, I love putting my chem knowledge in this story. They forget how crazy Patch can be, especially about Nora! Okay! Read and review! Much love and appreciation!