Been a while! Last time I worked on this chapter, my hard drive crashed and I lost about 20,000 words worth of story... It was almost finished. It made me lose interest and I really didn't want to rewrite everything But with the news of Watch Dogs 2 releasing before April 2017, I felt motivated to continue it and finish it before the sequel! Don't even know if the sequel will have Aiden in it, but I still want this completed! I changed a few things for when I originally wrote it, but if it feels rushed, it's because I'm frustrated that I'm rewriting it :P

Hope someone out there can still enjoy it :) Thanks

-Blink

I didn't wait for him to come back to take me home. I left right after he did. I know what he said to Clara - about how he still feels… or at least, how I think he feels... But I'm not supposed to know that, and I wanted him to feel bad about what he said to me.

Christ, I'm petty.

It didn't take long for me to realize he wouldn't feel bad, though. He's too wrapped up in what he's doing to bother with me. Which, I understood. But Clara said he couldn't focus the other night because of me. I suddenly wanted to kill him, before my phone interrupted my murderous thoughts.

I opened the phone to see a text from my new Boss

-Need you at this address now: 1387 River Road-

My heart sank worried about what this was. I really didn't want to go, but at least it was a distraction from Aiden.

But nothing could really distract me from Aiden for too long, because on the way to the address, memories of Aiden and I flooded my mind.

…

4ish years ago.

He invited me over to Nicky's for dinner. No real occasion. I think Nicky was feeling lonely from a lack of adult interaction. She had her kids that she loved, of course, but not many thought provoking conversations can happen with that. It was going to be the first time I would formally meet Nicky and her kids, though, and I was nervous. Aiden's family means the world to him. I'm expected to fit in. What if they didn't like me? The entire drive there, I daydreamed about what could go wrong and we were in already break up stage.

"Ripley," I felt Aiden grab my hand snapping me out of my daydream.

"Yeah!" I said quickly pretending I was paying attention.

"I didn't say anything… are you okay?" He asked.

I smiled and squeezed his hand, "Totally! Just thinking about something and I spaced out."

"I can tell when you're lying," Aiden said.

I sighed, "Sorry, just nervous. Never really met anyone's family or anything before," Saying it out loud then was a revelation. I hadn't realized how alone I really was. I dated people before, but it didn't last long enough for me to meet their parents, or siblings or anything. I just had to please one person - them. Meeting Aiden's family was going to be exhausting. At least Jackson already likes me. Lena is young. Toddlers are easy to place. You just make dumb faces at them. His sister is the real issue and it felt like I was about to go to a job interview.

"It's just dinner. Just lie and say Nicky's cooking is great, agree with everything she says, and she'll love you," He reasoned.

"That easy?"

"That easy."

And it was. I didn't talk much, but that's probably for the best . Being friends with Jordi for all these years made me a permanent smart ass. Nicky wasn't a stick in the mud, but I didn't know her well enough to know where her line is. She even threw some wisecracks that caught me off guard. She invited me over to bake, which I may have been way too excited about. More of the fact that she accepted me enough to invite me into her life. I was terrified of the baking part though.

I don't really remember much of that dinner, but what happened afterward is hard to forget.

After dinner, it was too early for me to go home so Aiden and I decided to hang out at his apartment until I was ready to go home. I knew right away that I wasn't going to leave that night, but I didn't want to tell him that. Don't judge me.

When we walked inside, he grabbed my coat and hung it up. He hung up his own coat and it gave me the perfect opportunity to admire him without a heavy coat on. The way I could see his shoulder blades move even under that sweater…

"Want anything to drink?" He asked.

I cleared my throat, "Whatever you're drinking," I quickly looked away pretending to look at his apartments. Oh yeah, I definitely wasn't going home that night.

"Make yourself at home. Bathroom is down that hall," He said heading into the kitchen.

Then I did look around his apartment. It was large and very minimalist. This man clearly hated decorations. Can't really picture him as a "painting" kind of guy, anyway. First thing I really noticed was a balcony, "Ooh, you have a balcony," I said, "Let's sit outside!"

"We just came from outside!" He said handing me a drink, "Plus, I don't have any furniture out there."

"But it's so pretty out. You can actually see the stars for once… and…. holy shit, is that the moon?" I asked sarcastically.

Aiden walked up next to me, "The fuck are stars?"

"They're like little suns that don't blind you," I took a drink.

"Well, how about I turn the couch around and we can stargaze? Inside." Aiden suggested.

I turned my head to look at him with a look of slight surprise. That sounds like the most romantic thing ever. And he said it so casually… Swoooon.

"Bad idea?" He asked, clearly feeling awkward.

I shook my head, "N-no I-" I shut myself up. Don't make a big deal about it, I kept telling myself. You'd only scare him off, "That's really sweet actually," I decided to say.

He took another gulp of his drink, and I couldn't help but stare. Handed me his glass, "Can you hold this?" He asked. I idly grabbed his glass, still in a slight trance. He went over to the couch getting ready to turn it.

"I can help you move it," I said, setting the glasses down on a nightstand anyway.

He smiled and nodded, "If you want," He said kindly. I like that he didn't shoot down my offer. Most guys, I think, would undermine my strength and do it themselves, showing off. Aiden respected me and I love that he understands I have a choice in the matter.

The couch was moved, and we sat close to each other, with a blanket draped over us. It wasn't cold in his apartment, but it did make everything more… cozy. He had his arm wrapped around me and we bullshitted about everything and nothing.

"Thanks for trusting me enough to meet your family. Formally, I mean," I said after a short silence.

"It means a lot that you took the time to meet them," He responded.

"Just hope they liked me," I said quietly.

"Oh please, they love you. Jackson picked up a new hobby because of you, and you made Lena laugh uncontrollably for 10 minutes." He said.

I laughed, "Her laugh is amazing!"

"AND Nicky made more plans with you than she ever did with me," He continued.

"Jealous I'm stealing your family for myself?" I joked looking up at him.

"I'm going to start making plans with Jordi," Aiden said.

"I'm going to make sure you guys never meet again," I laughed, "You'd probably try to kill him anyway."

"Wouldn't want that, would we?" He asked.

I smiled and leaned up to kiss him quickly, "Not yet," I said still looking up.

He looked back down at me and smiled. I leaned up again to kiss him but he met me halfway. It was romantic and soft at first, but before I knew it, he was laying me down on the couch, slightly on top, kisses more feverish.

He broke the kiss for a second, "I'm a terrible host," he whispered.

"Hm?" I mumbled. That's when I noticed our hands have wandering and he had his hand on my thigh, which was slightly wrapped around him. Slightly, I swear.

He leaned down to keep kissing me, talking in between kisses, "Haven't shown you the rest of my apartment," He managed.

"What else is there?" I mindlessly asked in between kisses. I didn't mean to have a sultry voice, but I'll blame him for that.

He broke the kiss to speak, "My bedroom," He said and immediately moved down to my neck.

My whole body heated up. I was glad we only had the moonlight to illuminate us, "What's so special about it?" I asked. Dammit Ripley, stop stalling. Last time I stalled with a joke, I didn't get to kiss him.

He stopped the kiss again and leaned back a bit to give me space, "Want to find out?" He asked. This was his way of offering me an out. But I didn't want it, I wanted him.

"I can't even think of anything clever, let's go," I said gently pushing him off and sitting up.

He smiled, "I out bantered you?" He asked, "Feels like I just won something."

"Yeah well, you're about to lose if you don't finish the tour," I said and straddled his lap, kissing him again. I could already feel him beneath me and it did everything that you think it would. I thought I was sweating.

He managed to stand up with me still straddling and kissing him. There was a time I thought I was going to fall back, so I wrapped my arms around him tighter.

"Not going to let you fall," He smiled in his kiss as he continued to lead me to his room.

I trusted him. Yes, I liked him, but I fully trusted him, which scared me. I've never felt that close to someone. That happy. And all I wanted to do was make him happy, too. I think I did pretty well. That night at least… As did he. Boy, did he.

…

"Next Exit: Lincoln Square" The bus PA speaker called out. I awkwardly looked around feeling like someone could read my dirty thoughts. No one was looking at me, but I was convinced. Irrational I know. I quickly stood up and waited by the door of the bus.

The address led me to a four-story business building that looked like it hadn't been used in years. It was a part of Chicago that one may argue is "the ghetto." I went to open the front door, but it didn't budge.

-Front door is locked- I texted Boss.

-Find a way in- he replied.

"Fuck this guuuyyyy," I said under my breath, wrapping around the side of the building. The ground and second floor windows were boarded up... from the outside. I gripped the boards to try to pry one off that didn't budge. I looked up to the third floor, immediately relieved at the windows I saw. A child could break into these. I gripped the boards once again and began climbing up. My leg didn't heal properly. It stings when I apply too much pressure. Walking is fine, but something like climbing might be considered applying "too much" pressure. I strained it too much instead of resting, so now this is how i'm paying for it. Oh, well.

"Hello?" I said out loud once I successfully got inside the building. No response. After some wandering around, I heard typing and wheels rolling on a wooden floor. I approached the source carefully and peaked around the corner to see Boss in a small meeting looking room filled with computers and various technology that I'm not exactly unfamiliar with. "Is this your super secret base?" I asked sarcastically.

He turned quickly to face me, stopping what he was doing, "That was pretty quick. Seems like I picked the right partner! You found the loose board?" He asked.

I raised an eyebrow, "Loose board?"

"Yeah, in the back. How'd you get in?" He asked.

"I broke in a window," I answered flatly.

"On… this floor?" He seemed unbelieving.

"Yeah. A pencil could break those locks. Some hideout." I said and sat down in a chair.

"Better than a motel," He muttered.

"Don't you dare talk about him," I snapped. I didn't like him speaking negatively of him, and I still had to pretend that I thought he was dead. And I really didn't want to think about him anymore.

"You don't get to tell me what to do. Remember that," He pointed at me, glaring at me.

I glared back, "What do you even want, Boss?"

"There's a lab I need you to go to…" He trailed off, wheeling his way over to his desk, grabbing a cable, "Give me your phone," He said holding his hand out.

I handed it over and immediately regretted it. What if Aiden calls or something? Oh shit… Wait, who was I kidding. Of course he wouldn't call. I begged silently to no one that he wouldn't. Boss plugged in the phone and I felt uncomfortable. I looked around his workspace, trying to distract myself, noticing all the junk he has gathered, "Lots of hard drives," I said.

"Please, don't. I'm almost done," He said clearly not appreciating my small talk. Thank god. He continued his instructions, "There's a program i'm installing on your phone. I'm going to copy over a file that I need you to wirelessly transfer into the lab's records." He explained.

"That's it?" I asked.

"I'm glad you're so optimistic… You'll need to get to a specific terminal, and you need to stay there for a few minutes for it to fully transfer. And if you mess it up, or get caught, you're fucked. So I hope you understand how serious this task is."

"Let me guess. It's a restricted area," I sighed.

"Probably. I'll call you in a couple of days with more details," He said and handed me over my phone.

I felt so relieved once I had my phone back. For once, thank you for not calling Aiden! I stood up and walked out, not even saying a goodbye.

"K, bye!" I heard him say after I was already out the room.

….

Since I had a few days to kill, I told Sarah to visit. Right on time as usual, I heard a knock on my door.

"Sissy!" She yelled when I opened the door.

"Sarah!" I tried to match her excitement, but failed. It's not that I wasn't happy to see her, just never was much of a "woo girl".

"I brought some wine!" She cheered setting it on the counter.

"And no Julia?" I asked.

She didn't respond right away, with her back turned toward me, but after a few moments she spoke, "She's with Tim right now," And she turned to face me with a full smile, "But now we have wine!"

I smiled with her. I was really excited to meet my niece, but I don't know what kind of problem they had.

We talked and drank… and drank some more. Her, mostly. I know my limit.

"Sissy, I can't believe how pretty you are now!" She said leaning on the couch over to me.

"Now?!" I asked.

"You were such a tomboy. I mean, I guess you still are, but oh em gee your hair is so pretty. And you wear make-up!" She cheered.

"I know how to girl sometimes," I said pretending to get defensive.

"You sure do! I should set you up with someone so it can be appreciated!"

"I don't wear make-up for boys, Sarah." I smirked.

Sarah laughed, "That's what everyone says!"

I rolled my eyes and stood up, slightly wobbly. Yup, definitely started to feel the wine, "I'm going to get some water." I went and got water for both her and I.

"Oh no, it's 6! I have to get back home," She started to panic.

"Why do you have to?" I asked.

"Tim will get so mad. I told him he'd only have to watch Julia for a few hours."

"So? He'll understand if you're a little late. Just have some water," I handed her one, "Why'd you even bring wine if you couldn't stay too late?"

"I gotta go," She stood up quickly and fell over immediately, knocking a lamp over.

I laughed. Hard. But I stopped to ask if she was okay. She didn't say anything, but I looked down and her and she was laughing so hard, no sounds were coming out. That only made me laugh harder. Yeah, I was a little drunk. She stood up and fixed her dress.

"Are you okay?" I asked again.

She nodded, "I'm really not that drunk I promise!" She laughed, "I think i'll be fine taking a cab."

"That's what everyone says," I said mocking her from what she said earlier.

She pushed me a little, only making her stumble back.

"I'll get you some advil for the road then," I walked over to the bathroom out of sight. A few moments later, I heard her voice yapping loudly from the living room.

I walked back over to see her talking to… Aiden.

"I heard so much about you!" Sarah said putting her hands on his arm. I wanted to push her away, but I kept my composure.

"It's... nice to meet you," He said being polite. I could tell he was annoyed, but he didn't show it.

"Sissy, you didn't tell me he was this handsome! What a shame you let him go, oh my god," Sarah said twirling her hair.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered and walked over to them, "Can I help you, Aiden?" I asked.

"Uh, I just wanted to talk to you, but if you have company…" He began.

"Oh no I was just leaving!" Sarah smiled and gathered her things. She walked away swaying her hips a little more than natural.

Aiden looked at me with eyes that read, "What the fuck is she on?" I just shrugged lazily, expressing that it's just Sarah being Sarah.

She came back with her bag and coat holding them up to Aiden, "Would you be a dear and hold these while I put my shoes on?" She asked batting her eyelashes. He held his arm out before he even knew what was going on.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, facepalming.

"Well I hope you have a nice chat. There's still some wine if you need to loosen up or anything. I'm sure there's a lot you guys want to… 'talk' about," Sarah winked.

"Isn't Tim waiting?!" I snapped, handing her the advil.

"Oh, right, him. Well, it was lovely meeting you, Aiden," She said, touching his waist and letting her hand slid across his stomach as she walked out, "Bye Sissy!"

I shut the door on her. Aiden and I stayed silent for a moment, resting my forehead on the door.

"I'm sorry you had to be objectified like that," I sighed.

"It's all right, I'm used to it," Aiden joked.

I chuckled, "I'm sure you are." I turned to face him, now leaning my back against the door, "And you finally met my sister."

"I'll be honest, I thought you were overreacting, but she's a handful. She always like that?" He asked.

"If a guy is involved, yes…" I shook my head and walked over to the couch to clean up the wine.

"I already can't picture her being normal,"

"She's really… nice. And says all the right things… well, usually," I said picking up the wine glasses, "Oh did you want any?" I asked.

He shook his head, signaling me to move them to the kitchen, "No, I, uh, can't stay long. I just wanted to… Uh, About the other day… Well, I'm sorry," He said. He seemed nervous.

When I walked back over, he came up to me and held my hands, "I didn't mean most of what I said, I just didn't want you to be involved, and telling you to stay out of my life was the only way I thought I'd get you to leave, but -"

"Aiden," I interrupted his rambling, "I understand. I know i'm difficult," I paused looking down for a second, "But I don't want you to get hurt just as much as you don't want me to get hurt. The only way for me to do that is to let me help you. You understand, right?"

"If you understand why I can't let you help." He said.

I balled my hands into fists and let them drop to my sides, "We're both just too stubborn, huh?"

"Something like that," He said quietly.

There was a slight awkward pause of us just looking at each other. My face started to heat up at the closeness and the thoughts that were starting to pop into my head. After a few moments, Aiden reached his hand up to pull me into a hug. I was kind of relieved, to be honest. I would have loved for something more, but I don't think I'd be ready for the aftermath. Aiden's bipolar behavior will eventually either make me kill myself or him.

"Bunker is open to you if you want it. It's a well known secret; you'll be safe enough there." He said, almost unsure of himself.

"...I-I don't know, I-" I started to say, but got interrupted by my phone. We broke the hug, but we didn't step back. I pulled my phone out to see Boss's number calling me. Before I could hit ignore, Aiden spoke up.

"Why is Damien calling you?" He asked, accusingly.

I looked up, "Who's Damien?" I don't think he believed my confusion.

He grabbed my phone, "Ripley, why is he calling you?" He started to get angry.

"I don't know who that is!" I slightly raised my voice, not appreciating his behavior. I tried to grab my phone back, but he reached his arm back, "Aiden, give me my phone back!"

"How did he get your number?" He asked, ignoring my request.

"How should I know!? That number just started calling me one day," I said, honestly.

"And you've never answered?" He asked staring right into my eyes. He's trying to see if I was lying.

I stared back not answering for what felt like forever, but it was only seconds, "...No," I lied.

"You're lying,"

Shit. I looked down, "Fine, but just to leave me alone. Aiden, come on!" I got frustrated when he wouldn't give me my phone back so I pushed him. My phone stopped ringing. I sighed in relief that he wasn't going to answer.

"Have you met him before?" He asked walking closer to me as I took a step back.

"Why does it even matter to you?!" I yelled, "How do YOU know him?!"

"All you need to know is that he's dangerous and you have to stay away from him," He said, still in his dark, angry tone. I don't think he was angry with me. He was angry with this Damien invading my life. Damien wasn't kidding about Aiden 'Killing him if he threatened his girlfriend.'

"Yeah, I figured that much." I said and attempted to walk off.

He grabbing my arm roughly, pulling me back, "Ripley-"

"Don't touch me!" I yelled pulling my arm away. "Don't you dare act like this and fucking touch me!" His intimidation tactics weren't going to work on me.

He sighed, realizing what he did, "I'm sorry… This is really important. I need to know if he's trying to use you for-"

"He's not," I said cutting him off.

"Why was he calling you?" He asked more calmly.

My phone started to ring again, and Aiden almost answered it, "Wait please! Don't answer it! I have to answer it."

"I'll talk to him," Aiden said ignoring what I said.

"No! He…." I thought for a split second if I should tell him, "He's the one who told me you died. He knows something about my dad and using that as blackmail for me to run errands for him. Please, Aiden!" I said holding my hand out, hoping he'd hand me the phone.

"He's lying. He's a snake and will say and do anything to trap you in his mind games." He said.

I knew he was right. "Just… let me answer it. Please. My dad…" I became desperate.

I was running out of ringing time. He looked at me for a second before he handed me the phone, "Put it on speaker," He said.

I rushed to grab it and hit answer. "Hello?!" I said rushed.

"You sound out of breath. Did I interrupt something?" He asked suggestively

"No, I lost my phone," I lied.

"Sure did get over your boyfriend pretty quickly, huh?" He chuckled, "Too bad you didn't take my offer," He said. I saw Aiden give me a look.

"What do you want?" I said annoyingly, quickly trying to change the subject. Oh jeez, if I told Aiden what he said to me, he'd surely kill him.

"I'm about to send you the address to the lab. Get a bluetooth headset so I can guide you through the building," Boss said over the phone.

I sighed, "Can't you just print me off a map or something?"

"If you want to get caught and killed," He threatened.

I looked over to Aiden, who was having so much self control right now. "Fine. Send me some instructions before hand so I have an idea of what i'm doing and where i'm going."

"You really think I'm going to make it that easy?" He chuckled, asking.

"You want this to get done?" I snapped back.

"You want the information I got?" His tone immediately switched to anger, "You're expendable to me. I'm the one doing you a favor. Got it?"

Aiden had to walk away to compose himself. "Yeah, Boss," I responded quietly.

"Good girl. I'll send you the address. Be there tomorrow by noon. Remember my offer if you get bored-"

I hung up before he could finish that sentence. I looked over to Aiden.

"He's dead," He simply said.

"You can't let him think we saw each other. I'm supposed to think you're dead!" I argued.

"Okay, but I'm not letting you go to that address by yourself," Aiden said.

"I have to!"

"I can be there with you without even walking inside the building," He said.

"You think that'd work?" I asked.

"Damien would be able intercept it, but if he doesn't think I'm relevant to you, he might let his guard down." Aiden explained. Then he shook his head, "No, he's prepared. There's no way he wouldn't be ready for that."

I eyed Aiden carefully as he was thinking out loud, "How do you know him?" I finally asked.

"We used to be partners," Aiden said.

It dawned on me, "Oh! That Damien! Oh my god, why the fuck is he bothering me?" I asked disgusted.

"Because you know me. There's a lot I haven't told you… especially about him, but he'll go through everyone I know to get my attention. He kidnapped my sister so I would run errands for him," Aiden said angrily.

I was speechless, "Aiden…. I'm so sorry. I had no idea… Is she okay? Have you heard from her at all?" I didn't know what to ask.

"Damien, the kind soul he is, let me talk to her for a second. I know him. He doesn't plan on hurting her. It's just to get my attention. But I don't want to take that risk," Aiden said sounding sad, "And now he's using you. He knows I haven't spoken to you in a while. Someone you also know has to be working with him."

"But who? Who would he know? You didn't say anything, did you?" I asked.

"Of course not!" Aiden answered almost offended that I asked. I knew he was smart enough to keep his personal life separated from his work.

"I know, I'm sorry, I don't know why I asked…" I rubbed my temples, "What should I do?" I asked,

"Just stay away from Damien." He said almost pleading.

I sat down on the couch. I didn't answer because I knew that wasn't an option. I already told Damien I would play his game. I'm already invested in hearing what he knows about my dad. I love Aiden, of course I do, but I have to do something for myself.

"You really thought I was dead?" He asked interrupting me out of my thoughts. He sat in a chair across from me.

"Well, yeah… I didn't hear from you in days, and then I saw the Owl Motel blew up. I was weak and Damien just took advantage of that and convinced me," I explained. I felt a little embarrassed that I fell for his lies, but he can't fault me for being vulnerable. Damien is a snake. Aiden is too shady to let himself die, but Damien had be believe otherwise.

"A lot happened that week." Aiden said.

"Not like I would have known. A text would have been nice," I said and immediately regretted it. I heard Aiden sigh. "Never mind, I don't know why I was expecting anything. Not like i'm your girlfriend anymore," I chuckled afterwards trying to lighten up the mood.

"No, you're not," He said. Even though I said it first, his response stung hard. "But you're still important to me and I'm sorry. How did you find me near the Bunker anyway?" He asked.

My face turned red. "Um…. I recognized Clara from another time I saw you talking to her… I followed her thinking she might know anything… and I then I saw you. That sounds really stalker-ish, I'm sorry." I said awkwardly.

"You saw me talk to her before?" He asked confused.

"Y-yeah… Last week when I spent the night at your place. When you found me sitting on the bench." I said just making my stalker claim sound worse. "I just saw you walking, and wanted to catch up and say hi, but then you were talking to her, I didn't want to interrupt, so I just… walked away. I assumed you ignored me for a week because of her so I just left you to do your thing, and then the Owl Motel blew up and-"

"There's nothing between me and Clara like that… She's helping me. Just like Jordi is," Aiden said.

I smiled on the outside, but on the inside I was ecstatic, "It's fine really... But...maybe fill me in on what happened?" I asked curling my legs up on the couch.

Aiden looked at his watch, "Alright. You're not going to like it, so promise you won't get mad."

"Aiden, please." I said and he chuckled back.

"Well, Damien contacted me for the first time in a while. Told him to fuck off, so he kidnapped Nicky. Jackson ran off… Had to tie up a few loose ends. Went to jail -"

"-Jail?!" I interrupted.

"You promised." Aiden said quickly.

"Jail though!? What did you do?" Stupid question. "I mean to get thrown in jail"

"I let myself get arrested because I needed to talk to an inmate. Then I broke out with Jordi's help," he explained calmly, convincing me it wasn't a big deal.

"Right. With Jordi's help…" I wasn't sure if I felt betrayed or just left out. I didn't really know what I was feeling. Jordi even felt distant all of a sudden.

"Ripley, I'm-" Aiden began.

"So is Jacks okay then?" I asked interrupting him.

Aiden was still ready to say whatever he was going to say before but stopped himself, "He's with his therapist right now. She's keeping an eye on him until I get Nicky. She doesn't know."

"Well good," I said without knowing what else to say.

Aiden stood up, "I should get going. There's an auction I have to go to."

I stood up with him and walked him to the door, "What are you doing at an auction?" I asked.

"Interrogate someone of course." He smiled.

"Should have guessed. Thanks for dropping by I guess…" I trailed off.

"Just don't go to that address. And talk to Jordi about it." He said quickly.

I smiled and nodded, but I wasn't planning on it.

Aiden reached for the doorknob but stopped and instead looked at me, looking confused.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I don't want to keep anything from you anymore," He said quietly.

"Oh?" was all I could say without stuttering.

"But I also don't know how to feel about you," He continued.

"... I don't really know what to say to that." I said.

"I don't even know what I want you to say." Aiden looked like he was having his own little argument in his head.

A loud banging on the door knocked us out of our little staredown. I jumped back and Aiden looked to the door then back at me. I shrugged then he slowly pulled out his gun, leaning against the wall next to the door.

"Who's there?" I asked trying to not let my voice waver.

"Yeah, it's Tim," a man with a Chicago accent was heard through the door. I could hear him chewing his gum as he spoke. Ew. Aiden looked at me trying to see if I recognized the voice. I definitely didn't. "Sarah left her jacket here."

"Oh!" I waved my hand to Aiden and he put his gun away. I opened the door to see Tim, "Hi, sorry! Come on in," Tim stepped in and smiled as he looked at me. "Uhm, I'm Ripley. It's nice to meet you," I held out my hand. He shook it as he looked me up and down. I saw Aiden notice, "That's Aiden." I said letting go of his hand and went to go grab Sarah's jacket.

"How's it going?" Tim asked, still chewing his gum.

"It's going," Aiden answered flatly.

"Here you go, Tim" I said holding it out to him.

He just smiled at me as he grabbed the jacket. It wasn't a nice smile. It looked like he knew something that I didn't. Like a hunter's smile. And I was the prey. I didn't like it, and neither did Aiden.

"Tim, you know the way out?" Aiden said with a sarcastically polite tone.

Tim tore his eyes off me to look at Aiden, "Yeah," He said slowly.

"Oh good," Aiden put his hand on Tim's shoulder and lead him out into the hall, "Then you can show me."

Tim looked over at me once more holding up the jacket, "Thanks." He said. Aiden just shot me a quick glance as his way of saying bye. I nodded with a small smile and closed the door after them making sure to completely lock it. I don't like this Tim guy. Sarah doesn't seem to either. Maybe I can save her from him...

Next chapter will be out soon!