It was 5:30 in the morning and the enamored couple was laying on their bed, cuddling each other until the time to start the day finally arrived. Vern was facing the ceiling and he held his darling Dee in his arms. His fingers were brushing her short blonde locks while the woman was purring under his affection.

Mornings like this always helped them bond with each other. Morning cuddles in bed gave them the opportunity to forget about their responsibilities for a little while and enjoy each other the way they should. Ever since Alma Fillcot got in jail, and changed their lives completely, they found it hard to find a proper moment to lay back and relax.

"Did she say anything?"

Dee purred with her green eyes half closed and shifted her weight on the bed, craving for some extra physical contact.

"Whom?"

Vern murmured.

"Mother."

The woman replied and her voice came out in a whisper this time. They had promised to each other not to talk about Alma and her condition in jail. At first Dee thought that she should stay away of her mother's drama. She should just focus on motherhood and make sure that she would turn herself into a better version of her mother aside from her psychotic side.

As the days went by, Dee grew angrier. There were times that she just wished that she could burst inside Alma's prison cell and demand an explanation. Why? Why did she have to ruin everything for their family? Why did she have to become so obsessed with the idea of self improvement in such a erroneous way?

Ever since Dee Fillcot was a little girl, she felt thankful that she was part of such a loving, carrying and peaceful family. Turns out her perception of her family was mistaken all along.

"We made a promise honey..."

Vern answered and his voice filled up with uncertainty.

"I know we did."

The woman sighed heavily and moved away of her husband's embrace. She sat upright on the soft mattress of their bed and folded her hands under her chest. She took a deep breath and continued.

"We did make a promise, but I can't stop thinking about her sometimes. I can't help but feel mad at her. Furious actually... Why would she do that?"

The blonde woman swallowed hard and turned to look at her dusky man who was laid back on the mattress with his head against the headboard. His rounded dark orbs were glued on hers and his concern about his wife grew bigger by the time.

"Sometimes there's no rational explanation. When I first met your mother, I never expected that a sweet woman like her would be capable to become a ruthless murderer. Turns out I was wrong. The bias for devious acts must have been always planted in her. She just needed a proper trigger."

The man replied with sincerity in his words. He knew that having a conversation about Alma's condition with Dee was the exact same thing as walking in thin ice. Alma Fillcot was a psychopath but she still remained Dee's mother.

"I know... But it doesn't sound right does it?"

She furrowed.

"It doesn't. It feels unreal if you ask me."

He returned and his eyes softened.

"How long till the... day?"

Dee asked and tried her best to hide her nervousness.

"I believe there's a month left."

He responded and sat upright and pulled her closer in his arms.

"I should be angry... I should be furious with her but a part of me still thinks of her as my mother... and not the monster she turned into."

Her thin rosy lips drew back and her breathing hitched. Her husband squeezed her gently in his arms to reassure her and placed a soft peck on her temple.

"I can imagine how difficult it must be for you, but every criminal has to pay the price in the end. Your mother may have been a sweet woman in the past, but she's not the same Alma Filcot she used to be. She's a different person now. One driven by her obsession, which became a fatal disease."

He cleared his throat. He didn't mean for his words to come out harsh but due to all the actions that woman committed he found it hard to show some empathy towards her.

"Can I see her one last time before..."

Her sweet chirping voice faded away before she spoke the obvious. Her light facial features distorted into disgust at the very thought of the upcoming event, if she could call it that way at least.

Vern's eyes narrowed and his body tensed awkwardly at his wife's question. All this time he tried to keep Dee's head busy with their own routine, hoping that she wouldn't have the time to process her mother's upcoming death penalty. He knew that eventually he would come to face her grief, he just didn't expect it to occur that soon.

"I don't think that's a wise choice."

He returned firmly and his jaw clenched, afraid of her response. A long heavy exhale escaped her mouth and a pause followed that lasted only for a couple of seconds. It still felt longer than Vern hoped.

"Why? Don't you think she deserves at least a goodbye?"

Her green forest eyes were wide with confusion this time. She pushed his hand away only to allow her body to move so she could switch positions and finally face him.

"Does it matter what I think?"

Vern asked hesitantly.

"Yes it does, considering that you'll be the one escorting me over her cell. Earl would never let me see her without an escort. I don't need a guard, I want that moment to remain private and personal."

"Right... Then I believe that maybe you should stay away from her. Try to keep all the good memories for your own sake. I don't want that goodbye to traumatize you."

"It won't!"

She protested and her tone raised in defense.

"How do you know? You promised that you wouldn't let her ruin our family as well! You promised that you wouldn't let her ruin what's left for us to build."

"Well she's my mother Vern! No matter how hard I try I can't help but think of her every single second throughout the day! The woman that raised me and made sure to provide me with all the love in the world turned out to be one of everyone's worse nightmare in this town! I'm trying my best to put all these thoughts aside but I can't let her die without a final conversation. I need an explanation so I can keep my thoughts at ease at night. I need one last moment with her..."

Dee's eyes filled up with crystal clear tears that threatened to fall and her voice shook. Her husband sighed and pulled her in his embrace to soothe her, hoping that this time it would work out. His hand traveled all the way from the bottom part of her waist to her back and rubbed soothing circles.

"Fine... One final moment. But I get to decide when that will happen."

He croaked and tried to hide his disapproval. He was terrified about the sake of his family. But at the same time his dear Dee was hurting, and there was nothing worse than that. He would do anything to make her happy, and deep down he knew that Dee's chance to say a last goodbye to her mother would do her some good. It would help her heal and have some peace. His phone suddenly rung and ruined the calming silence that spread the room. He felt somehow blessed. He needed something to pause the silence that conquered their bed chamber.

He thought this through. He was planning to fulfill Dee's request, but he wouldn't make that promise. He placed a soft kiss on top of her shoulder and pushed the thin blanket aside. He sat upright and got up on his feet. The phone kept ringing and the man hurried downstairs to answer the call. He rubbed his face to push away any signs of sleepiness and grabbed the phone.

"Hello?"

He asked in raspy voice and his hand dug in the pocket of his sleepwear. He always kept a pack of cigarettes in there for all the sleepless nights that he spent out in the balcony gazing the night sky. Which he found quite confronting when insomnia took over and refused to let his mind rest. He pulled out a cigarette and positioned it between his lips. Then his hand landed on the kitchen counter, palpating the surface of the counter, seeking for the fire that would serve him his dose of nicotine for the day.

"It's Earl. I hope that I did not wake you."

His tone sounded firm and aloof. He couldn't even bother to hide the seriousness of this decision. He hated that Vern's harmed reputation had to stand as such a tall obstacle in his business. Harry had one simple request. As much as Earl tried to reason with him and offer a different deal Harry insisted. The worth of this deal was high. Science needed to improve, and Harry looked like he knew what he was doing. A man as strong minded as him would most likely succeed.

"You didn't. I'm having some coffee and I'll be right over."

He responded quickly and the sound of the tingling fire exiting the tiny whole of a shiny lighter hissed through the phone. He inhaled a strong puff and let the bitter smoke flood his mouth and throat.

"Actually I'd like to speak to you on the phone before you make any rushed plans."

"What's up?"

The dusty skinned man asked and released the smoke towards the ceiling.

"We've made a deal with doctor Harry. He confirmed that he's ready to take on Alma'a case but he asked for some privacy during this procedure..."

He made a small pause and rubbed his thick mustache. The moment of truth was close, and he really wished that the outcome would be good. For the sake of his relationship with Vern Loomis.

"Meaning what exactly?"

Vern interrupted curiously.

"Meaning that you get to rest for a small period of time. Spend time with your family, I bet that Dee will be over the moon to find out."

"Earl what on earth is that supposed to mean? I'm not quitting the unit. Not a chance man."

Vern grumbled in slight aggravation and confusion. Earl couldn't be serious.

"You're not quitting. You'll be suspended for a small period of time. I'll make sure that you will receive a good paycheck to cover your time off. "

He swallowed hard and grabbed a thick cheroot from the inside of his bottom drawer. He grabbed the lighter and took a bang.

He was a snob. And his entire behavior and posture were a very proof of that fact. But that didn't make him a bad man. He was full of downsides but he was a kind man, that believed in justice. He just wished that his instinct was correct this time. He was making the right decision.

"You're kidding me. Why would Harry make you come to that decision? How is me leaving the department for some time helpful to our investigation?"

He demanded to know and his voice echoed in the kitchen. Dee was already up. She couldn't help but listen to her husband's conversation through the thin walls in their house. The drama was starting earlier for them today she thought to herself. She put on her long fluffy pink robe and walked to the kitchen, following her husband's voice.

"This is not an investigation anymore Vern. The headquarters of the unit demanded that we hand over the patient to science. She got the death penalty, which means that she doesn't have much time. We can't lose time. Harry Jaworksi knows what he's doing. What Harry does is therapy, which will bring us closer to examining Alma's condition. Isn't that what society asks? Evolvement."

"I refuse to believe that you call that woman a patient. She's a murderer Earl. You saw all the evidence, you saw her covered in blood. How's that not concerning to you? How is that not a good reason to lock her up?"

"We did that. But we are stuck into an armlock. She doesn't speak to us, or you. At this very moment mister Jaworski suggests a different approach. Considering that we got none options left we decided to take the chance and trust that man. We need all the help we can."

Earl's face softened. He was indeed desperate. He was the head police officer in his department and he felt unable to help any further. Society demanded justice and science demanded evolution. He couldn't dissatisfy any of these two sides.

He was in the awkward position of being forced to satisfy everyone.

"Any why is my departure the only term to this agreement?"

"We can't risk the discomfort of any of our patients. Especially Alma's. The woman hates your guts. If she stepped her foot outside of that cell she'd made sure to get you out of the way. It's safer if we do this this way. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Apology not accepted."

Vern hissed and continued before Earl had the time to respond.

"You're making a terrible decision Earl that will lead to a huge mistake. You don't know that man that well to fully trust him."

"Unfortunately it's not my decision. I'll send over the papers that you need to sign for the suspension to occur and then you'll receive your paycheck. Before you argue with me let me inform you that as soon as this whole scandal is solved out I'll give you a phone call for your rehiring. It won't be long."

Vern remained quiet. Earl was leaving him no choice. He had to stay back with his hands crossed and actually watch them fail. He had a strong feeling about that man. And it wasn't good. Harry Jaworksi looked way too god given to be true. There was something about him.

"One thing then. You owe me a big time for this inconvenience like you called it. "

"What is it?"

Earl asked and inhaled another bang from his cigar.

"You let Dee see her mother one last time. She truly needs it, and honestly I don't see what's the harm. You can be there to watch them."

A long pause followed. Earl clenched his jaw before he muttered.

"Alright. You set on the date."

"I'll give you a phone call when the time comes."

Vern responded and with that he hang up the phone. He left his ex boss no choice to argue back. It was officially settled. He turned around at the sensation of a pair of two warm satin hands run over his bare back. He grinned slightly at the face of his dear wife. It amazed him that she still managed to calm him down within minutes.

"It's going to be alright."

Dee cooed in a whisper and smiled softly.

It was 8:30 in the morning when Rita Castillo got out of bed. Morning time came a little bit roughly to her. She found herself hanged over the seat of the toilet gasping for air before her food exited her mouth violently again. She found it hard to sleep last night. She was troubled with her own thoughts. Especially Scooter. Scooter Polarsky.

The sense of nausea was constantly present but this morning it reached the maximum level. Emptying her stomach entirely made her feel slightly better...

Grace was there. They had planned out a small excursion today. A trip to the hospital for a normal checkup. The doctor insisted after the seriousness of Rita's condition. Everyone agreed that it was for the best. Grace was supposed to be at the hotel around 9:00 in order to give Rita some extra time to rest but her own nervousness and anxiety about the appointment brought her to the hotel room earlier this morning. She used her own extra room keys to walk inside and Rita's inconvenience could be heard all over the room.

She stood outside the bathroom door holding a round satin pink hat that matched the rest of her attire. Her hair were up into a low bun that let loose a couple of well curled strays here and there.

"Can you please open up the door? Don't die in there."

Grace forced an eye roll even though she knew that Rita couldn't see her face. But still, she needed to hide the fact that she was in lots of stress.

Rita regained all the energy she had left and washed up real quick. She appreciated Grace's help but she wasn't used to so much sharing. She usually didn't let people that close to her. She didn't want to expose her weak moments. That would be harmful to her image that was currently nonexistent.

"Good morning to you too Grace."

The brunette responded breathlessly and exited the bathroom. Her steps felt steadier than before at least. She was already dressed into a long emerald green colored dress that hugged her cleavage perfectly and embraced her thin waist. Her lipstick was slightly faded and her eyes looked tired.

"Are you feeling well?"

The blonde tilted her head to the side and placed both hands on her hips.

"Terrific."

Rita scoffed and moved past the woman as she headed to the small living-room to grab her purse. Grace scrunched up her face as she looked at her move.

"Now is really not the time to be sarcastic Rita. You should communicate your needs more for the sake of your proper healing."

"Our lack of communication has nothing to do with my healing Grace."

"Then how am I supposed to check in with the doctor about your condition? He's gonna have questions."

"And I'll give him the answers. You worry too much."

Rita scolded and sat down on the sofa. She reached over the coffee table and grabbed a pack of lucky strikes. She placed one between her lips and lit it up.

"I have my reasons."

"What's the reason? The fact that you pity me?"

Rita gave her a smug smile and sighed.

"I do not pity you. I'm convinced that you've learned your lesson till now. After everything you've been through you grew. You shouldn't punish yourself forever."

Grace frowned at the sight of the brunette. Rita Castillo indeed changed into a small period of time. But that only made Grace wonder if that change was forced after all. The nature of the current events that occurred pushed Rita Castillo to turn human again.

"Let me be the judge of that."

Rita murmured and played with her long nails.

"Alright. But for now, you let me take care of you."

"What about Joan?"

Grace could see that question coming.

"What about her dear?"

The blonde asked innocently and intertwined her own fingers together.

"She looked troubled. Allow me to assume that she was quite unhappy with my presence."

"Can you blame her? She hasn't gotten the time to witness what I witnessed. All she had left from you is years of bickering with you."

"Nonsense."

Rita scoffed.

Grace inhaled sharply and shrugged her shoulders in surrender.

"I don't care about Joan's opinion at the moment. I promised you that I would help you heal. I'll keep you safe."

"It's not your responsibility to look after me Grace. You don't owe me."

"Let me be the judge of that."

Miss Berk winked playfully and extended her hand towards Rita for her to hold. The brunette examined her carefully before she acted. She pressed her full lips together and dismissed Grace's help with a quick gesture of her hand. She pushed herself up on her feet to reach the woman's level.

"Very well."

"Shall we go now? We can't miss our appointment."

Rita nodded her hand and followed her outside the hotel room. As much as she hated to admit this, she felt safer when Grace was around. 8 months ago she wouldn't have imagined herself getting along with Grace Berk at such level. They were constantly so caught up into getting onto each other's nerves in the past that they had left no room for a good word.

"We shall."

Rita agreed with a nod of her head and followed her to the car that was parked right outside the hotel. The drive to the hospital was quick. After all it was easy for them to move around the usually crowded city in the middle of July when almost every other citizen was gone for summer excursions.

She let the light air coming through the window land on her face and refresh her. As soon as the engine stopped she got off the vehicle and looked around the familiar neighborhood that she used to rule in some way. This is how the social pyramid works after all. People with money have power, and the ability to keep everyone else close to them. No matter their motives. Rita Castillo was one of these people. When she walked publicly in the city all eyes were up on her. Some of them admired her and some others raged with unfiltered dander.

But now that no longer was true. She felt all those stares burning her back. And this time people looked at her with pity and disgust. She was no longer a shooting star, she was just a comet.

She walked behind Grace and kept her head tall. She was a true lady after all, and she refused to give her haters the satisfaction of her breakdown.

She prepared to go up the stairs that lead to the main entrance of the hospital but within seconds a taller, larger figure than her own pushed her aside and suddenly stopped. She held onto the banister to regain her balance and raised her eyes to take a look on the person standing close to her.

A pair of dark orbs connected with another pair of hazel ones that burned with anger.

The look on her face quickly darkened cause she didn't have to listen to the other woman announcing her identity to realize who she actually was. Annabetha Maden.

"Well well, you must be Rita Castillo."

The older woman snarled and gazed Rita's small appearance from head to toes.

"You sound well informed my dear."

Rita responded smugly.

"Being unaware of your name is impossible considering the amount of times I read about you on the newspaper."

"But what makes you desire to introduce

yourself?"

Rita questioned and fixed her long dark curls.

"Just plain curiosity. Do not get me wrong but we all make mistakes. And you must be my sweet Scooter's mistake. It's a good thing that he learned his lesson quick."

Rita's face was covered in disgust. Grace stood tall next to her, her thin brows furrowed and her lips parted, ready to argue any moment now. She just waited for Rita's queue.

"And he jumped right into another. Some people never learn."

Rita hissed confidently and stared at the woman with a pair of dark brows eyes that could suck your soul out of your body.

Annabetha shifted on her feet and smiled sideways.

"Ironic isn't it? At least he got what he deserved, some real love."

"And you got yourself a son. Congratulations."

Rita responded with amusement.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The older woman lifted a brow and took a step closer to her. Grace's heart raced but she chose to trust Rita on this one. After all she didn't have the right to intervene.

"You don't treat him like a husband really. You could have spared the man and just get yourself a pet."

"A pet?"

Annabetha repeated and her voice exited her mouth sharper than before.

"You heard me. Have a good day my dear."

Rita chirped and made her way inside the hospital leaving Grace standing next to the banister in aggravation. Annabetha gave the woman one final look and stepped away. She swayed her large hips as she waddled back to her Alfa Romeo that was parked next to Grace's. The blonde rushed back inside the hospital to be greeted by Rita signing a bunch of papers at the reception.

"How can you be so calm?"

"Scooter and I belong to the past Miss Berk. I'm not a marriage wrecker."

Grace bit her bottom lip and stared at her with an observing look on her face.

"You truly have grown Rita."

"Spare me the hope speech dear."

Whilst Grace was about to argue a tall elder man made his way into the lobby dressed up into a long white uniform that didn't really flatter his overgrown abdomen.

"Good morning ladies. Miss Castillo are you ready?"

He interrupted the silence and forced a kind smile to break the ice. No matter what had recently occurred, standing across Rita Castillo remained as a challenging and intimidating task for him to do.

"Of course."

The woman answered and followed him inside the hospital room where they would gain some privacy at least.

It was exactly 10:30 when Rowbin jumped into Earl's office slamming the door open. The tall blond man supported his back against the open door and crossed his legs to balance. He gave Earl a sardonic chuckle and used his fingers to rub his freshly shaved cheeks.

"You didn't. Please tell me that the rumors ain't true."

Earl stared at him innocently and run his fingers over another cheroot cigar that laid on the top of his desk surrounded by small chips of smoke that had managed to escape the cigar.

"What do you mean?"

"You kicked Vern out of the department Earl. What were you thinking?"

"I didn't kick him out. The man is suspended."

Earl corrected him and let out a long breath to buy himself some time. He crossed his hands right on top of the desk and retained eye contact.

"I apologize. Unfortunately this is our last chance, and I hope that mister Jaworski will be helpful here."

"So that gullible psychiatrist pulls the strings now? I thought you were the boss Earl."

"I am. What's left for me to do Rowbin? We've kept her in that cell for months hoping that she speaks to our analysts, but she doesn't. Ever since Harry arrived, he immediately made some process with Alma. The woman likes him which makes us more hopefully for the sake of our investigation."

"Why Vern? Doesn't it look odd?"

"Everything looks odd in this case!"

Earl admitted in huge embarrassment and run his fingers through his dark hair.

"Alma Filcot is nuts! And she's still after Miss Castillo which gives us a strong motive to defend her. Alma is behind bars but Rita is free. Which means that she's vulnerable towards any type of danger."

Earl continued and lit up his cigar to gain his daily dose of dirty nicotine.

"Then I'll talk to her. She should be warned. As for Alma we should give Harry a timeline. If he fails to succeed within the time given, he should leave and we immediately rehire Vern Loomis."

"You got yourself a deal."

Earl immediately agreed and run his fingers over his pink colored tie. The sensation of the thin fabric against his fingers made him calm down.

"For real?"

"Yes. For real."

"Where's mister Jaworski right now?"

Rowbin questioned and looked around the luminous office that was mostly decorated with wooden pieces of art.

"With Alma."

Earl responded hesitantly.

Rowbin gave him a quick nod and left the office. As he walked away he murmured.

"He got ten more minutes before I pay them a visit."

And of course Earl didn't argue with him. He was supposed to be the superior one in here but he respected Rowbin. That man was a rational cogitator, needed in his era...

Hello everyone! I'd like to apologize for the long period of time that I didn't write. My schedule got a little bit too busy, and I didn't have much time. But now I'm back officially, and I'll try to post often. Thank you all for the support and kind messages