Mark was on edge and Verity could sense it. Sitting next to him, his posture was slightly rigid and she noticed how his fingers kept twitching by his side. She'd rested a hand on his thigh, hoping that might calm him, but it didn't. Sitting on the sofa, Verity had put the television on mute and had just handed Seth a beer which he had taken a big swig of. He was sat on the armchair, Angelina on the arm of it. His arm was wrapped around her waist and even Verity could tell that his hand was dipping slightly too low for comfort. Angelina herself looked slightly uncomfortable.

As soon as she'd heard Seth at the door, she'd launched herself at him, arms around his neck and he'd embraced her back, telling her that he couldn't imagine Christmas without seeing her. Verity had thought that seemed sweet, but she could tell that Mark didn't have the same sentiment. Angelina had introduced them all and told her brother she had no idea that Mark would be coming.

"So, Seth, Ange said that she met you at a coffee shop," Verity said, sensing that Mark wasn't going to be the one to initiate conversation. Her fiancé was on edge and Verity doubted he was going to calm down.

"Yeah," Seth replied with a nod of his head. "I saw her one day and…well…figured I had nothing to lose by asking her out. Just my luck that she's got beauty as well as brains, right?"

Mark's jaw twitched. He didn't think he'd be comfortable with anyone talking about his little sister like that. Verity gave his thigh a firm squeeze, her own lips curving upwards in an encouraging smile.

"Well, we're really proud of her," Verity confirmed and Angelina blushed slightly. "So tell us about yourself, Seth. Have you always lived in Chicago?"

"Always," Seth confirmed with a nod of his head and another swig of his beer. Angelina moved an arm around his shoulders and leaned closer towards him, stroking her fingers along the woollen crew neck jumper he wore. "Mom was born in Chicago and dad left her when she was pregnant. I grew up an only child…never really excelled in school but…well…I was good at certain things. I'm thinking that I might try for law school, but I've got to save up for it. Didn't get a scholarship and don't have any rich, fancy relatives to help me."

Verity wondered if that was a dig at her, but she didn't acknowledge it. She was well aware of how privileged she was to have had her college tuition paid for her. Angelina's gaze shifted downwards and Verity felt slightly apprehensive as she watched the young couple. She knew that meeting family could be awkward. Hell, Mark had been practically mauled by her parents. She just felt as though something was slightly off.

"Law school sounds amazing," Verity decided on saying.

"Yeah, plus lawyers earn shit tonnes of money," Seth concurred, a smirk on his face and a low chuckle leaving him before he looked up to Angelina. "Well, more than doctors, I guess," he said and Verity watched as Angelina let out an apprehensive laugh. Verity glanced up to Mark and she could see that his lips were tightly pursed. He was annoyed. He was getting angry and Verity could see why.

"Being a doctor is a really noble profession though," Verity said, voice slightly uppity.

"Oh, yeah, never said it wasn't," Mark retorted, holding his hands up like he was defending himself. "I'm just saying that after growing up with nothing, money's a big priority for me. I mean, Ange told me how you two struggle in this apartment…I guess being a cop doesn't pay well and tutoring the piano isn't exactly a way to make a mint."

"Mark and Verity like what they do," Angelina spoke then.

"I guess you'd have to," Seth retorted to his girlfriend and looked up at her and Verity shook her head at the sight of the two of them. She could see something flash in Mark's eye that caused Angelina to look down again, her arm moving from around his shoulders. He then looked back to Mark and Verity again. "I mean, it's pretty cool. You get to play the piano…although Angie told me about that kid who kidnapped you. What was that like?"

Verity shifted uncomfortably.

"We don't talk about that," Mark finally decided on saying something.

"Must've been traumatising," Seth continued to push though.

"It wasn't," Verity confirmed for him.

"Verity's been through a lot, but she's really strong. She's doing a lot better now," Angelina spoke up again.

"I know, I just wondered how it felt to know that your life in the hands of someone else," Seth said. "I just can't imagine ever being so powerless. I read about it in the newspaper though. Apparently he'd been obsessed over her."

"He was a troubled kid," Verity said and she moved to her feet.

She was done with this conversation and she was beginning to think that perhaps Mark had been right in being apprehensive about Seth to begin with. Verity picked up empty wine glasses and beer bottled, tidying things away and putting them either in the sink or the trash can. She inhaled a sharp breath before she heard Mark speak, his voice terse.

"I think we should call it a night," he decided on saying. "Seth, I take it you have somewhere to stay tonight."

Another chuckle left the young man. "Yeah, about that," he said. "I kinda didn't think that far ahead. I was just so eager to see this one."

Verity turned around in time to spot him kiss Angelina on the cheek and stroke her back. Angelina looked to her brother pleadingly.

"Can he just sleep here tonight?"

"We don't have room," Mark retorted.

"I'm fine on the floor," he replied.

And Mark knew that the only way he was getting rid of Seth was to kick him out. Verity moved back into the kitchen, arms folded over her chest and she stood next to her fiancé. She let her arm brush against his and Angelina mouthed a 'please' to both of them. Mark relented, his gaze stern and set on his little sister.

"Just for tonight," he warned her.

"I'll get some more pillows," Verity said.

Once she had handed Angelina more pillows and blankets, she helped her make up the sofa bed as Seth used the bathroom. Mark had stalked off into the bedroom.

"He doesn't like him, does he?" Angelina checked with Verity, tugging the quilt over the mattress and Verity turned it down slightly for her.

She looked to Angelina and wasn't entirely sure how she should tell her that even she wasn't convinced on him. in fact, she didn't like him in the slightest. He hadn't entirely been courteous towards them. Verity knew that she'd been raised to behave in a certain way. Manners had been instilled in her from a young age. She knew that she could sometimes come across as stuffy.

"I think your brother maybe needs more time," Verity settled on saying to her, trying to be diplomatic. "But he has been a bit…curt in his questioning," she said and Angelina sighed, tossing her fingers through her hair.

"It's just how he is," she said, defending her boyfriend. "He doesn't mean anything by it. Tomorrow morning…we can go for a walk and you'll see. Please, Ver. I don't want things to be awkward between all of us."

Verity sighed. "I'll talk to him," she assured her and Angelina smiled before embracing her.

"Thank you," she said, tone full of gratitude.

Verity stroked her hair gently for a moment. "Get some sleep," she urged.

"Goodnight, Ver."

"Goodnight, Ange."

Moving into the bedroom, Verity snicked the door closed behind her. Mark was already dressed in a grey tee and his sleeping shorts. He was perched at the end of the bed, gaze set on his thighs and hands laced together. Verity moved towards him and picked his hands up from his lap, replacing them with herself. Mark adjusted slightly, arm going around her waist as she grabbed his other free hand, fingers lacing with his before she bent down and pecked him on the lips once.

"I know," was all she said to him and it was all he needed to hear to know that she was on the same page as him.

He should've known she would be. The two of them were in sync with most things. Mark pressed his forehead against her shoulder, his face pressing to her neck as he breathed heavily and Verity moved her free hand to his hair, stroking through it gently.

"I knew that I'd struggle with her having a boyfriend no matter what, but that guy is an ass," Mark said. "What the hell does she see in him?"

"Honestly? I'm not sure," Verity retorted. "I'm just wondering if perhaps he's nervous? Maybe he just doesn't make the best first impression?"

"You trying to give him the benefit of the doubt?"

"Not entirely," Verity retorted. "I just think that your sister must see something in him."

"Not sure what."

"I don't know either, but she's asked us to go out for a walk tomorrow morning with them and I said we would," Verity said and Mark groaned against her neck. She squeezed his hand firmly inside of hers. "I know you don't want to and I know that you would rather her dump him right now, but I don't think that's going to happen. I just think we can try and if he's like that tomorrow then we can go from there. Please? For Angie?"

"You know I don't like it."

"I will make a formal note of your objections," Verity promised her fiancé and he chuckled darkly at her. Her own lips picked up slightly and she managed to move so that he had to look her in the eye. His forehead pressed to hers and she kissed him again.

"Do you think I'm going to sleep knowing they're next door?" Mark wondered as Verity untangled herself from him and stripped out of her clothes. She reached for one of Mark's grey NYPD sweaters and a grey pair of sleeping shorts, changing into them.

"I know you're not," she agreed. "I'll be back in a minute. I just need to brush my teeth and wash my face."

Verity left him alone in the bedroom, closing the door slightly behind her and moving down the hall to the bathroom. The door to the living area was shut, but she heard voices from behind it, not entirely being quiet.

"Is she always a stuck-up bitch?"

"She's not a stuck-up bitch."

A scoff. "Come off it, Angie. She's a high society girl, of course she's stuck-up. Maybe your brother isn't fucking her good enough."

"Seth, stop."

"What? I'm just saying. A girl like that is all hoity toity until you get her in bed and then she stops…can fuck it right out of her so she's moaning like a common whore. I mean, she's pretty hot in a way."

"Can you stop talking about her like that? She's going to be my sister-in-law."

Verity knew she should stop eavesdropping, but she couldn't. She stood still in the hallway, scared that any movement would make a floorboard squeak and give away the fact that she was listening in. There was a part of her that couldn't help it though. She knew that Seth wasn't good enough for Angelina. She could tell earlier, but this conversation just confirmed it.

"What? You never looked at her and thought she was pretty?"

There was a moment of silence. "I mean, yeah she is pretty. I know she is."

"You ever think of…you know…doing stuff with her?"

"What?" Angelina snapped at him and Seth chuckled at her. Verity could hear rustling from in the living room. "I don't know what you're talking about. She's my brother's fiancée. That's disgusting."

"Alright, maybe not her, but you know, another girl?" Seth continued pushing. "I mean, it could be hot, Ange. I'd quite like to see you with another girl, you know, touching her…and then maybe you could both touch me."

"I'm not sure I'd be into that," Angelina said.

"Come on, Ange, it'll be fun," Seth said and then there was more silence before a low moan came from the bedroom and Verity knew that she had to move. She shook her head and took a step towards the bathroom before Angelina spoke again.

"No, Seth," she said.

"They won't hear us," Seth promised her. "Come on, baby…there we go…my good, little whore."

"I don't like it when you call me that."

"You love it," Seth retorted. "That's it."

"No, Seth," Angelina said, voice firmer this time.

"Why do you have to be such a fucking prude all of the time?"

And it was then when Verity lost all her inhibitions. She closed her eyes, remembering how Daniel had spoken to her. She remembered how he had touched her and called her names. She remembered the feeling of his hands on her and she saw red. Storming into the living room, she saw the two of them in bed, Seth's hand hidden underneath the quilt as Angelina lay on her side with him pressed to her back.

"Out. Now." Verity's voice was stern and the two of them startled at the door suddenly open abruptly and Verity storming in.

Seth held his hands up in defence as he sat up. "I was just messing with her," he defended.

"It's fine, Ver," Angelina said.

"The fuck it's fine," Verity snapped back. "I want him out of this apartment and I want him gone now."

"What the hell is going on?" Mark's voice suddenly asked. He'd left the bedroom after hearing Verity's raised voice. His fiancée was stood with her arms folded over her chest, eyes glaring at Seth who was climbing out of the bed and Mark tried to ignore the fact he was in his underpants and tee.

"He's leaving," Verity said.

"Verity, please," Angelina said.

"No," Verity said. "I can handle rude conversation, but I am not letting him talk to you like that."

"She loves it. I mean, seriously," Seth said, but he was tugging his jeans onto his legs. Mark's mind started to run away with him and he wondered just what had happened. "Is this about what I said about you? You should take it as a compliment."

"What the fuck did he say?" Mark demanded, voice rising in anger.

"Things that are pretty repulsive," Verity retorted.

"Mark, this is over the top," Angelina complained and she stood up, wearing her short pyjamas with a short-sleeved tee. "Honestly, we were just talking. He wasn't doing anything. You don't need to kick him out."

"I could hear him pressuring you," Verity said.

"He what?" Mark snarled and he moved forwards then, grabbing hold of Seth by the shoulders and slamming him against the wall. "You hurt my little sister?"

"I never touched her," he defended himself, trying to push back against Mark. The older man had to confess that he was stronger than he had anticipated and Mark stumbled back slightly. The two men tousled and Angelina stepped forwards as Verity tried to reach for Mark and drag him back to safety.

"Stop it!" Angelina begged loudly.

"Mark…he's going…" Verity assured him and she tugged at his arm, but Mark had managed to pull his arm back, fist flying through the air and landing against Seth's face, punching him cleanly in the jaw. He fell backwards then and Angelina fell to her knees by his side.

"Oh my God, Seth…Seth, are you okay?"

Seth was grabbing his jaw which smarted. He looked up at Mark as Verity managed to grab hold of his hand, her fingers clenching onto his firmly and urging for him not to lash out again. He didn't. He just stood there panting for breath as he tried to control the rage inside of him.

"You're a fucking animal," Seth said to Mark.

"Get the fuck out of our home!" Mark yelled again and Seth didn't even bother dressing any further. He just took hold of his shoes, jumper and coat before scurrying out of the apartment. Angelina chased after him, but Mark took hold of her arm. The door slammed shut behind Mark and Angelina pushed at her brother's arm.

"Let go!" she snapped at him.

"That guy?" Mark asked, pointing to the door. "Seriously, Ange? He's a piece of shit!"

"Verity got the wrong end of the stuck," Angelina said.

Verity shook her head at that. "I don't think I did, Angelina," she said, her voice stern and she wondered if she'd ever argued with her before. She didn't think she had. She was upset for her. "I heard what he was saying about me and it was vulgar and you know that it was. I heard what he called you and I heard you say no. You think I wasn't going to act? You think I wasn't going to come in here? After everything that's happened? I know what it's like."

Angelina was quiet then and Verity watched her as she sunk down onto the edge of the sofa bed, Mark letting go of her arm. Verity saw her as a small girl. She was still so young. At eighteen, Verity thought that she knew everything, but she didn't. Hell, she was only slightly older than Angelina and very happy to confess that she hadn't figured anything out yet, not really.

"I know you might think you like him," Verity promised her, "but you deserve someone better than that. You deserve someone who is going to treat you right…make you feel special."

She sat down next to her and tentatively moved a hand to her back. Mark remained stood where he was, sensing that Verity might be better at this than he would be. He was still angry and in the mood to yell at his sister for her choice in men, questioning what she was thinking.

"It's just…no one has really been interested in me before and he…he can be nice," Angelina said and Verity guessed that this was how they were going to get to the bottom of things. They needed to talk.

"Sweetie, just because he can be nice doesn't mean that's enough. He should be nice to you all of the time. And just because you haven't had a boyfriend before doesn't mean that you have to date the first guy who asks you out. Trust me, in the future there will be plenty of guys who ask you out and it only takes one for you to realise that you've found someone you truly want to be with," Verity said and she glanced to Mark for a second as he nodded his head once, knowing that she was saying everything he was thinking but was currently too angry to articulate.

"I just…it's nice…having someone is nice."

"I know it is," Verity agreed, "but you shouldn't be with him just because it's nice, Ange. You should be with him because you like him…because you want to spend time with him and get to know him…because you see qualities in him that you love. Do you truly have that with Seth? And that's not me asking to be a bitch. It's me asking because I love you and I want you to be happy. Does he make you happy?"

And Angelina couldn't answer that question. That was all that Verity needed to hear. She embraced her tightly in her arms and Angelina started to cry, head against Verity's shoulder. Mark sat down behind his sister and placed his hand to her back softly, silently promising her that he was there for her. He always would be.

….

"Are you ever going to tell me what he said?"

Mark had gone back to work at the precinct and so the week between Christmas and New Year had seen Verity and Angelina together. They'd had New Year celebrations at home, watching the ball drop. Seth hadn't tried to make contact with Angelina and she hadn't tried to call him. She wanted nothing to do with him truthfully. Instead, she'd studied during her spare time and gone for walks around the city with Verity when she had free time. Finally, after New Year and when Angelina had gone back to college, Mark and Verity had found sometime together in their schedules and they'd gone for a walk around Central Park. It was so cold they could see their breaths when they breathed out. They carried two takeaway hot cocoas, arms interlaced.

"I didn't want to," Verity said. "It was just disgusting, Mark…asking if your sister would ever consider bringing another woman to bed."

"What?" Mark snapped at that.

"Yeah."

"He asked that about you?"

"Among making some other comments," Verity muttered.

"Dirty bastard," Mark muttered. "I wish I could've gotten a few more punches in. The scumbag deserved everything he got. Angie…I hate the idea of her being with someone like that. You don't think she'll go back to him, do you? I don't entirely like the idea of her being in the same city as he is."

"I know, but she has friends out there and she's on campus. She'll be safe and, honestly, I don't think she's going to go back to him," Verity promised him with a shake of her head. "I don't think she'd want to go back there and I wouldn't blame her. She's a smart kid and hopefully now she knows her worth and it is ten time that man."

"More than that, I'd say," Mark replied.

"Agreed," Verity concurred. "Anyway, she's coming back in a few weeks because she's got her bridesmaid dress fitting."

"And how is that going?"

"You mean me planning our wedding?" Verity teased him and he rolled his eyes at her as he glanced down to her and dropped a kiss to her cheek. "Joking," she assured him. "I know there's not much planning. We have the marriage licence and a slot at City Hall. Janet and Robert are coming on my side…you have Angelina…are you sure you don't want anyone from work there either?"

"As much as I get on with my colleagues, I don't think I'd want them at my wedding," Mark said. "Really, I'd be happy just sneaking off today and getting married."

"I know you would, but your sister would kill you and Janet would also have your balls," she said and his lips arched at that, knowing she had a point there. "Anyway, I have my dress and flowers…and Janet and Robert said that they'd take us for a nice meal after the ceremony. As far as honeymoons go, I was thinking that maybe we could go to the Hamptons? Janet's told me that we can borrow their house again. I know we don't have enough to go away anywhere, but it'd be nice to just leave…us two…somewhere else."

"Is that what you want?"

"So long as I'm with you then I'm happy."

"So diplomatic."

"Just in love," Verity said, widening her eyes at him and he rolled his, but his lips remained arched in amusement at her comment. "But seriously, I think I'd want to go back there. We had a nice time last time and this time it'd just be us…our own pool…a big bed…"

"Your dirty mind is selling this to me, I have to admit," Mark said and she stood on her toes, reaching up to kiss him and he nodded his head. "Alright," he agreed with her. "I think I'm seeing the perks here."

Verity chuckled and moved to rest her head against his shoulder, ambling alongside him. "Great, we need to pick a week and let Janet know, but she said we should be fine to go whenever," Verity said. "Anyway, I need to…"

She trailed off after a moment then as she noted a familiar figure stood on the path in front of her. She arched her brows and picked her head up. He was wearing a woollen coat and had his eyes set on Verity, watching her like a hawk. They slowed their steps and Mark's spine stiffened as he leaned forwards slightly, body seeming to hunch over hers protectively.

"Verity," he spoke.

"Father," she replied stiffly.

"Janet said you'd be here."

"What do you want?" Verity asked, voice terse.

And then she saw his eyes water slightly. "It's your mother," he said to her, but his voice was still stern.

Verity's arm dropped from Mark's. "What about her?"

And then her father's throat bobbed. "She's dead, Verity."

….

A/N: Would love to know what you think!