-Cady-

I looked at Nash, who was trying to speak, but nothing would come out. I stood up and he finally asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going to get Alex back."

"You're not going there alone, Cady," Nash said sternly.

"Look at him!" I yelled, pointing at Jamie, who was still on the floor, leaning against the table, "I am the reason this is happening! I am the reason Jamie's a wreck right now! I am the one he wants, I am the one he's going to get! I can't just sit here and do nothing just because you don't want me to go!"

"Cady..." Nash trailed off, shaking his head.

"Besides, you can't get rid of me that easily," I grinned, "I've got a plan."

"What is it?" Rebekah asked eagerly.

"Ian," I said, "I need you to call the police and have them come here. Make sure they keep their sirens off. I'm not risking anything." Ian nodded, pulling his phone out of his pocket and dialing as fast as he could while walking away from the group. "Nash and Ryan, I need you to come with me, but I need you to stay as far behind me as you possibly can. I can't risk you being seen by Eric. It's getting dark, so it shouldn't be that difficult, but I'm not going to take the chance."

"What do Maggie and I do?" Rebekah asked.

"Pray this all goes the way I hope it will," I let out a nervous laugh. Rebekah and Maggie nodded fiercely and walked away as well. Jamie looked up at me.

I knelt down next to him and said softly, "I know this is hard for you, Jamie, and there's no way I'll be able to make this up to you, but I need you to stay here and wait for Alex."

He sniffled and wrapped his arms around me, "This isn't your fault, Cady."

I hugged him back and whispered, "If she's not back in 15 minutes, send the cops." He nodded and I stood up, leading Nash and Ryan outside.

-Alex-

By the time I realized what was going on, Eric threw his phone at me. I raised my eyebrow at him and he mouthed, "Jamie."

My eyes widened as I moved the phone to my ear and quietly said, "Jamie..."

I heard him breathe deeply and I could tell he was a complete mess. We talked for a couple more minutes and Eric gestured for me to give him his phone back.

I couldn't help but start crying, "I love you, Jamie..."

I could hear him sobbing on the other line and a few seconds later, he whispered, "I love you more, Alex..." Eric grabbed the phone out of my hand and everything shortly after that became a blur.

-Cady-

We walked together for about a block, then I turned to Ryan and Nash, "You guys have to follow farther away now. When you see the warehouse, hide behind something. When Alex comes out, tell her to run to the venue and bring everyone back here." They nodded quickly and Nash grabbed me, kissing me as hard as he could.

"I love you, Cady," he said when he pulled away.

"I love you too, Nash," I smiled up at him.

I walked into the warehouse and immediately saw Eric standing over Alex, who was basically laying on the ground. I stopped at the door and cleared my throat. Eric looked over at me and smiled, then turned to Alex.

"Leave," he told her. She jumped up from the floor, walking quickly toward me.

-Alex-

When I walked by Cady, I knew by the look she gave me that she had a plan.

"Run," she mouthed.

As soon as I was out the door, I started running. I ran by some cars, nearly screaming when I pulled behind one of them.

"Shh, it's just us," Ryan said quickly before hugging me tighter than ever.

Nash joined in the hug and I asked, "So Cady has a plan?"

"Yes. We need you to go back to the venue and tell everyone to go to the warehouse," Nash replied. He grabbed my face and pressed his lips to my forehead before I stood up. I gave them another look before turning around and running again.

When the venue was in sight, my emotions overcame me. I started crying, running faster. I pulled the door open as fast as I could and saw Jamie sitting on the couch with his elbows resting on his legs and his head in his hands.

I let out a breath and basically screamed, "Jamie!" His head shot up and he stood up quickly as I ran over to him. I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

He let out a big sigh and mumbled into my shoulder, "Alex." I squeezed him tighter before I let go of him when Ian, Rebekah, and Maggie ran through the door, all stopping immediately when they saw me.

"Alex!" Rebekah screamed.

"Oh, thank God," Ian breathed. They ran over and hugged me tightly as well.

"We don't have a lot of time. We need to get to the warehouse," I said.

"But, Eric said-" Rebekah started before I cut her off.

"I know what Eric said, but I know Cady has a plan and we've gotta go," I said quickly. We all ran out of the venue and we saw three police cars pull up to the building.

"Whoa!" one of them said, quickly getting out of his car, "Where do you think you're going?"

"No time!" I yelled, sprinting back toward the warehouse.

"You guys go! Maggie and I will explain!" Ian yelled after me.

"Thank you!" I yelled back as Jamie and Rebekah struggled to keep up with me. We got to where Ryan and Nash were and they started running with us.

"Do you have anything in mind for when you actually make it?" Nash asked.

"Not at all," I replied, "I'm just gonna go with it."

"That's always a good plan," Ryan rolled his eyes.

-Cady-

I stood at the door for a few minutes after Alex left, my eyes narrowed as I looked at Eric.

"Hey, baby," he finally said, pulling me into him. I crashed into his chest, but I didn't put up a fight. I needed him to think I was coming back to him. I knew the group would be here any minute, so I played it cool.

I pulled away from Eric and said, "Look, I know things have been rough for us, but I realized that I miss you and I just want you back."

He grinned evilly, "Really?"

"Yeah, and between you and me, you're a way better kisser than Nash." He smiled again, setting his hands on my waist and moving his face toward me.

I rested my hands on his shoulders when we heard the door swing open and Nash yell, "Cady!"

"Oh, there's my cue!" I smiled before bringing my knee up and fast as I could. Eric stumbled back a little and I turned around, bolting for the door.

As soon as I ran through, I grabbed Nash's hand and we all started running back toward the venue.

We heard Eric start yelling and Rebekah looked back, "Yep, he's coming." We started running faster, only to be met not even two seconds later by Ian, Maggie, and police.

"That's him!" Ian yelled, pointing behind us.

The officers immediately pulled out their guns, aiming them at Eric and yelling, "Stop and put your hands in the air!" Eric froze instantly, but didn't move his arms. "I said put your hands up!" the officer yelled again.

"Your odds aren't very good here. I'd suggest you do what they say," Alex said.

Eric looked back at me with narrow eyes, slowly putting his hands in the air. The officers immediately ran over to him and put him in handcuffs as he stared me down. He looked away from me when they put him in the back of the police car and I felt relief wash over me.

I let out a sigh and Nash instantly pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck and we stayed like that for a few more seconds.

"Cady, don't you ever scare me like that again," Nash said when we pulled away, leaning his forehead against mine.

I simply looked into his eyes and smiled, "I told you you weren't getting rid of me that easily."

-Jamie-

As I watched Alex looking at Nash and Cady with a slight smile on her face, I grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the rest of the group. She looked over at me and was about to ask what was wrong, but I spoke up first.

"Do you remember earlier-" I started, "-when we were joking around and you asked if that was the last time I was ever going to kiss you?" She nodded, almost starting to cry again. "That's what it felt like for me. I don't know what it is with us and almost losing each other, but I want you to know that if something ever does happen, I love you more than anything."

She didn't say anything. She just wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and sighed, kissing the top of her head before resting my chin on it.

After a few minutes, she looked up at me and whispered, "Please don't ever leave me..."

I put my hand on her cheek, pulling her face to mine and kissing her, "I'm not going anywhere."