Harry's pov

My phone goes off making me jump out of sleep.
I reach for it swiftly before it wakes Cassie as well.
She is sleeping soundly, her arm wrapped around my torso and her head on my shoulder.
"It's fucking 3 in the morning," I tell Ben. My voice is raspy from sleep and my mind groggy.
"I'm at your mum's house man and your sister is out to murder me! She doesn't believe you sent me over!" Ben is shouting in my ear.
"Shit. Wait a sec," I whisper. I manage to get out from under Cass without waking her and tiptoe out of the room, shutting the door after me.
"I forgot to give her a heads up.." I tell him.
"No shit! She is going mental! And frankly I kind of like my head attached to my shoulders."
"So you finally agree with me you have no neck?"
"Fuck you!"
"Where is my mum?" I question. She is the voice of reason, she can manage Gemma.
"Gem made her stay in the house."
"Wait so where are you?"
"Out in the front! Look.. I am willing to help- hell! I drove all the way here the minute you asked and my girlfriend is ready to quit on me-"
"You're still with that Jade girl? You can do better," I shake my head.
"Since your fucking accident you cannot stay on topic can you?" Ben exclaims.
"Sorry! Jeez... shit- wait-" I check my phone a call coming in.
"Gemma is calling me.. where is she?"
"Inside- she's coming out.. does she own a gun? Will she shoot?"
"Is that my brother?! Why isn't he answering the damn phone?!" I hear Gemma shout. I step outside of the flat so I don't wake Cassie and Julie, knowing this is going to be loud.
"Gemma you have to calm down you're-"
"I need to calm down?!? I DO?!" She screams.
"You're neighbours will call the police in a moment!" He replies in a hushed voice.
"Good!!! They can arrest your sorry arse!"
"Stop shouting!" I say rolling my eyes. I know none of them can hear me but I just cannot take all that racket.. I am about to hang up and go back in when Gemma starts shouting again.
"Give me your damn phone! I want to speak to that idiot!"
"Brace yourself-" Ben manages to say before she snatches it out of his hand.
"Harry! Tell me you did not send this shit over here!"
"Gemma if you're going to shout I'm going to hang up and go back to sleep and Ben will go back home and you and mum will stay unprotected," I inform her.
"Why the hell would we need protection?! And why do you think this wanker from all people could help?" She is crazy angry but at least she isn't screaming in my ear.
"Cassie and I are being harassed and the police don't know who it might be yet and since I pissed off a bunch of people by quitting and I can't remember shit you and mum need protection until this is over," I explain, trying my best not lose it.
"Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this?!"
"I should have called sooner.."
"Damn right! And Ben was your best shot? Really?"
"Hey! Don't try hurting my feelings why don't you.." I hear Ben say.
"You shut up!" She snaps at him before turning her attention back to the phone and me.
"Look Gem, it is 3 in the morning...I promise to call in the morning and fill you in, but for now- please! I'm begging you, please let Ben in the house," I insist.
"Don't ask me that Harry," her voice is low only for my ears.
"You know I hate asking him for favours and would never ask you to be in the same room as him if I had a different option.. But we both know he can keep you and mum safe.. and I trust him with this task.. so please Gem.. for me..."
"You owe me big time!" She finally agrees.
"I love you.. you know that right?"
"Yeah whatever.. you better make sure that girl of yours is safe! Should something happen to one blond hair on her head.."
"What about a toenail?- I'll keep her safe.. you know I will.. why don't you give Ben back his phone so I can have a word?"
Gemma wishes me goodnight and passes the phone along.
"She can be scary," Ben whispers.
"Yeah well.. you're in.. just if you need anything ask my mum.. she might hate you just as much but she isn't as rude," I sigh.
"She won't try to kill me?"
"Not today."
"Alright.. I would thank you but all this shit is your fault to begin with so.."
"Goodnight Ben," I say and end the call.
I take a deep breath and look sideways. If already out in such an hour let's make sure no one else is.
I step back into the flat and creep into Cassie's room.
I climb into bed silently so I don't wake her. She is turned, her back to me and I just can't help but nuzzle up close to her, wrapping my arms around her little body.
"You're back.." she mumble half asleep.
"Always.. I'll always come back," I whisper and let the sleep come.

When I wake up the next morning Cassie isn't in bed. I shake my head to get rid of the lingering sleep and get out. I peek into the lounge and see her sitting, head over laptop and a cup of coffee in her hand. I exhale, finally letting air move in my lungs.
I go wash my face and brush my teeth. There is a very slight shadow on my jaw line reminding me I will need to shave at some point, but decide to let it go for the time being.
"Look who it is! The sleeping Beauty emerging from her slumber," she jokes as I walk into the room.
"I was dead to the world.. didn't even hear you get up," I make myself some tea.
"Of course you would be.. partying in the middle of the night."
"Shit! You reminded me! We need to head out to my mum's home later today," I inform.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"It kind of slipped my mind to let Gem in on the fact I sent Ben over to the house to stay for a while," I reply.
"Oh no.. That is a disaster waiting to happen!"
"It's a disaster that happened! Last night around 3 in the morning."
I fill her in on the crazy that went down last night, and she provided the right facial expressions and gasps.
"Do you think she killed him?" She finally questions when I'm done telling the story.
"No... I think mum will stop her every time she'll try."
Cassie chuckles lightly at that.
"Well we should go then.. besides, I miss your family.. it is time to visit," she makes up her mind.
I wait for her outside her last class. I'm leaning against the wall when the students head out. Cassie and Justin aren't that far behind and I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief seeing her myself, even though I know she is with a friend.
Ed has told me how over protective and over baring I used to be which is why I'm trying so hard to give this girl some space but it is killing me! Giving me a heart attack after heart attack, promising to kill me at a young age.
"Hey babe!" Her face lights up as she stops to reach up and kiss my cheek.
"Hey babe," Justin winks at me. I give him my middle finger as I pull Cass closer to me, getting swatted in the process for my poor behaviour.
"When are you going to be back?" He questions as we fall into step.
"Late.. it's about what? An hour drive away?" She glances up at me.
I nod and pull her even closer.
"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow then.. take care man," he holds his fist up for me and I bumps it. I then pull Cassie out of the building and towards my car at that car park.
"Have you spoken to Gem today yet?" She questions as I open the door for her. I always insist of doing that and even though she usually pulls a face I know she appreciates it.
"Not yet.. Figured if she hasn't called screaming and mum hasn't called to report Ben is dead all is good," I wink and flash her a smile to assure her I'm not worried. However, I am.
I am not sure how things are working out and I really need to see for myself. Once I do my heart and mind can go to rest at least where it concerns my mum and sister. The safety of my friends back home is a different part I will need to check on next.
At least I have Cassie with me at all time- or at least almost all times so I know she is safe.

We head out of city campus and onto the main road.
"Sarah called me today, she said last night there was a group meeting- Guy and Zayn and Louis and everyone, putting together a safety plan- she said Louis closed the shack early so they can have peace and quiet to figure things out," Cassie might be talking to me but she is looking out the car window.
"And? Did they come up with something?" I question even though I know the answer. Yes. They did come up with a plan, and by the way Cassie is glancing at me now, she knows and doesn't like what they have come up with.
"Tell me you do not agree with such a stupid idea!" She remarks raising her brows.
"It's better than nothing," I shrug making sure not to look her way. I keep my eyes on the road.
"Does guy even know how to use a gun?!"
"Cassie pleaseee.. he's an army man, he knows guns and him teaching everyone to use one is a good thing.. they should know to protect themselves," I claim.
"He should teach them krav Maga or whatever the Israelis use for hand to hand combat, but a gun?"
"He's teaching them that as well.. and don't worry.. Niall doesn't get to hold a gun," I add trying to suppress my smile.
She keeps quiet, deciding not to talk to me for the rest of the way.

When we get to mum's house it is getting dark. I scan our surrounding area before heading towards the door.
It is locked. Good. I knock. I hear footsteps which stop on the other side and after a moment the door opens and Ben is facing us.
"Good grief man.. you almost gave your mum a heart attack," Ben moves to let us in. I notice how he makes an effort not to look at Cassie, which while walking past him says "Hey Ben," and gets a nod in reply.
"Did Gem do that?" I touch the red and slightly purple bruise on his cheek bone.
He lets out a curse and stomps away.
"I see your swings are getting better," I tell Gem when she comes into view. She flashes me her middle finger as she hugs Cassie.
My mum rushes over to me, pulling my face to her kissing my cheek repeatedly.
"Mummmm," I groan. "I've missed you too," I tell her once she let's go.
"What's up sis?" I kiss her cheek as she tries to push me away.
"I'm only happy to see Cassie!" She declares.
"Sure you are.. why are you giving Ben such a hard time?" I ask her.
"Keep me out of this," he says from by the door.
"Ben, come join us, sit down," Cassie calls him, tapping the seat next to her. He glances at me before moving next to her.

Mum sits down opposite and looks up at me "Right Harry.. now tell us what is going on."

Notes

What do you guys think of Ben ha?