Sage/Violets POV
"What do you think I should do?" I ask finally, breaking the tense silence.
"I don't know," is Zayns only sullen response.
I turn from the big windows of his flat to face him as he lounges on the couch. "I need advice or someone to tell me what the right thing is," I respond desperately.
"Well I don't know Vi!" Zayn says with frustration, throwing his hands up in the air. He runs his fingers through his hair before looking back at me, dark circles under his eyes. "Liam is going to prison, that's for sure. But technically your job was to find evidence incriminating all of them. One down, three to go."
"That's what I'm telling myself," I mutter and lean against the cool window.
"But Vi," his voice is soft as though it pains him to say this. "After what you went through...I don't know that you should keep yourself here."
"That's also what I'm telling myself," I say bitterly. It's terrifying to be around the gang knowing what harm they can inflict, and that's before you even bring in my relationship with Harry--if you can even call it that. But knowing what kind of harm they can inflict is having the opposite affect as well. If Liam was capable of doing that to me, I don't doubt that the rest of the gang is capable of doing the same things to people far more innocent than I am. And it's my job to protect those people.
"What does your gut tell you?" Zayn asks gently.
I take a moment to consider his words. What does my gut tell me? I know that I'm scared to continue, that's for sure. But if I don't finish this job, who will?
"I don't really know," I sigh and sink into the couch next to him. I'm just so conflicted. If I leave now I will be protecting Harry, but he will be convicted eventually. I would just be speeding up the process if I stayed.
"Well either way I'm with you Violet," Zayn says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him. I push the thoughts of betrayal I have to the back of my mind, this isn't about my twisted love triangle between Zayn and Harry. This is about what's right and what's wrong. Suddenly, I know what I have to do. I've been looking at this all wrong. In my mind, there were only two options: run away and leave behind my entire life and Harry, a man who I potentially love. Or I could carry on this case and convict him for his crimes, something that also sounds awful. What I never considered was that there could be a third option, something that might just fix everything.
I turn my head into his shoulder and sigh, this is a long shot, but it's something they I have to do.
"We'll figure everything out," Zayn murmurs into my hair. I debate telling him that I've already decided what to do, but his place as a detective might not approve of my plan.
"Thank you," I say, tilting my head up to look at him. The corners of his mouth twitch up and his long fingers brush against my cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay," he says sincerely. We are so close that I can feel his hot breath hitting my face. He rubs his thumb along my bottom lip and my heart beats irregularly. Despite the clear signs of exhaustion lining his features, he still manages to look amazing. Before I can even process what's happening his lips are gently pressed against mine in a delicate kiss. My eyes flutter shut as I sink into him. My hands go up to wrap around his neck as he cups my face gently.
"I won't let anything else happen to you," Zayn says, breaking off the kiss and pressing our foreheads together. I've always hated it when guys thought it was their job to protect me, but I let him have this on considering all the things I'm lying to him about. I kiss his cheek before pulling away.
"Harry should be back soon," I say and straighten myself up, smoothing a hand through my hair.
Zayns expression drops but he stands and helps me to my feet. "I don't like that you're staying with him," he says as he holds both of my hands.
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," I shrug off his concern. The front door swings open and Zayn immediately drops my hands as a pissed looking Harry comes barreling into the flat.
"Everything okay mate?" Zayn asks.
Harry doesn't seem to notice the strange position that Zayn and I are in, instead he's just consumed by his own thoughts.
"I'll tell you about it later," Harry gives Zayn a knowing look. His expression softens as he turns to me. "How are you feeling?" He asks gently, the anger within him seeming to dissipate the moment he laid eyes on me.
"I'm okay," I say and shrug. Harry dropped me off here so that Zayn could redo the bandages around my arm. Thankfully, he doesn't think I need to wear the sling anymore. He said the only reason the doctors had me wear it in the first place was to prevent future injury.
"Good," Harry crosses the room towards me and pulls me into a hug, kissing my cheek gently, his curls tickling my forehead as he bends down. "I have a surprise for you," he whispers into my ear before pressing gentle kisses to the lobe. I shudder under his touch until he pulls away, keeping only an arm loosely wrapped around my shoulders. "Thanks mate," he nods at Zayn before gently steering me towards the door.
"See you soon!" I call over my shoulder before the door closes behind us. "What's this surprise?" I ask curiously as soon as the door closes behind us.
"Patience, grasshopper," he teases and pulls me into the sleek elevator. We're the only ones in the small space and the sexual tension is palpable as his hand slides down to grab my ass.
"Maybe you're the one who should be patient," I tease and push his hand up to my lower back.
He grins at me cheekily, his expression playful. "You better watch your tongue missy," he says, pulling me closer to him. I laugh lightly and he leans over to kiss my nose.
"Or what?" I ask and push away from him with a smirk.
"You just wait until I have you alone," he growls and backs me into the corner of the elevator, his bright eyes mischievous. At that moment the elevator doors ding open. "You're safe, for now," he says and pulls me off the elevator.
"So what is this surprise you spoke of?" I ask again once we are in the safety of the crowd, people bustling around us as we walk to his car parked down the street.
"You'll see," he says, sliding his large hand into the back pocket of my shorts as we walk. I consider pulling it out but decide against it considering what a good mood he seems to be in now.
"Will I see soon?" I ask, I've never been that patient when it comes to surprises.
"Maybe," he says and helps me into the range rover. As he walks around the car my phone begins buzzing in my pocket.
"Hello?" I answer, not recognizing the number.
"It's me, can you talk?" Daniels urgent voice responds.
"I'm with Harry," I say quickly just as Harry opens the drivers side door.
"That's fine," Daniel says. Harry looks at me curiously and I simply shake my head as he starts the car.
"What's going on?" I ask, trying to keep my voice normal so Harry doesn't suspect anything.
"It's about Michael--or well, Colin," Daniel sighs. "He's trying to plea insanity."
"Well he is insane!" I say outraged. "But he knew exactly what he was doing. The jury isn't really going to fall for that, are they?"
"I don't know," Daniel admits. "But you may need to come down here and testify."
"When?" I ask, frustration seeping into my voice.
"Tomorrow," he says. "Under the assumption that you don't need to be prepped to give your testimony and face your attacker and all the things we would normally do with a victim."
"Of course not," I scoff. I've been trained for all of this before.
"Just making sure," he says defensively. "I'll text you the details."
"Fine," I bite and hang up the phone.
"Everything okay?" Harry asks, looking over at me with concern.
"Apparently Michael is trying to plea insanity," I sigh and lean against the window.
Harry immediately tenses but I can tell he's trying to control himself. "So what does that mean for you?"
"I have to go in and testify, to show that he deserves prison, not an asylum," I explain.
"When?" Harry asks, his knuckles white around the steering wheel.
"Tomorrow," I say softly.
"Don't they need to prep you for that?!" He exclaims, looking over at me in surprise.
"It's really last minute," I explain. "And it's not like this will be the first time I'm seeing him since the attack."
"I guess," Harry sighs. "But I'm coming with you regardless."
"Harry-" I begin to protest but he cuts me off.
"It's non negotiable Sage," he says sternly. In that moment he almost seems more like an overbearing father than a boyfriend and for some reason the thought makes me giggle.
"What?" He asks, confused by my reaction.
"Nothing," I say as I laugh. "It's just funny how you want to protect me."
"I would have preferred the term romantic or sexy," he scowls and shoots me a look.
"So what's my surprise?" I ask, changing the subject to improve his mood and boost his ego.
"You'll see," he says and smirks.
We drive in silence for a while and I quickly begin to recognize the setting. Our fingers entwine and he pulls to a stop in front of one of the nicer parks in the center of the city.
"What are we doing here?" I ask, glancing around at the sunshine and kids running around.
"We are having a romantic date," he says before hopping out of the car. I wait for him to open my door and he grabs my hand as he pulls a picnic basket out of the trunk.
"We're going on a picnic?" I ask with a smile before the memories of Daniel and I doing almost the same thing pop back into my mind. But seeing Harry with his various tattoos and dark jeans, it's easy to push Daniel out of my mind. Somehow I ended up going on the same date with two completely different men.
"Yes, a picnic," he says lightly and squeezes my hand. We walk into the park and a few people stare at us curiously. I'm sure we make an odd pair, his darkly handsome looks and crazy curls compared to my innocent blonde exterior. A few girls about our age glance at him approvingly and a spark of jealously flares up.
"God it's hot out," Harry whines as we walk through the crowded park.
"That's just you," I say flirtatiously. His laugh rings out and I admire his dimples as he throws his head back.
"Are you hitting on me?" He asks once his laughter dies down.
"Maybe," I say and smirk to cover the blush rising to my cheeks. A light breeze ruffles my hair and I shiver. While the sun is hot, the wind is bringing in the autumn season, causing me to be colder than usual.
He laughs and shakes his head before spreading out a classic red and white checkered blanket underneath a large tree. He pulls me down with him and starts to pull food out of the basket.
"You ordered food?" I laugh as he hands me a sandwich wrapped in paper from a deli that I've been to.
"Are you forgetting that I don't know how to cook?" He asks and leans back against the tree.
"We should work on that," I say and take a large bite of the sandwich. He watches me intently and I blush as I chew.
"This isn't the end of the surprise," he says once I've swallowed.
I tilt my head in confusion as he reaches into his pocket. For a moment it feels so similar as to how Daniel proposed that I begin to panic. My breathing goes shallow until the I realize that the box he pulled out of his pocket is far too large to contain a ring.
"You look relieved?" Harry observes with confusion at my expression.
I wave it off and he continues by opening the jewelry box. A diamond the size of a quarter is set in a silver placing, a delicate chain looping through the perfect circle.
"Harry it's beautiful," I say and reach out to touch the shiny rock.
"After everything you've been through I wanted to get you something," he shrugs. I think this is the first time I have ever seen him flustered in my life. He pulls out the necklace and I turn so that he can fasten it around my neck. "I saw it and it was beautiful and simple, like you."
"I love it," I say and turn to kiss him lightly.
"I love you," he murmurs before kissing me back.

Notes

WHO DO YOU SHIP SAGE WITH?
DO YOU THINK THAT SHE IS LEADING ON ZAYN OR DOES SHE ACTUALLY HAVE FEELINGS FOR HIM?
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN WHEN SHE TESTIFIES?
and lastly, WHAT DO YOU THINK HER PLAN IS?
AND VOTE VOTE VOTE