Robert automatically reached out grabbed onto Georgie, pulling her into his arms to protect her from the bastard.  He heard Georgie gasp with surprise and then relax against him as she gave him a one-armed hug, her other hand still holding her Styrofoam coffee cup.  He held her tight while he struggled to breathe, his mind trying to make sense of what he was seeing. 

The bastard's steely deep set eyes burned with hostility and contempt, his smug smile replaced with an angry sneer.  He was being walked towards a building on the flat screen TV flanked by two policemen who were holding onto him by his upper arms as cameramen surrounded him, jockeying for position to get the best shot.  His hands were handcuffed in front of him and he had on his customary suit, but his hair hung in greasy sections having fallen out of its usual sleek style.

When the short video loop replayed, Robert noticed the caption at the bottom of the screen, 'Influential Investor Caught in Porn Scandal'.  He was in complete shock, barely able to believe what was happening.

"Robert, we need to get going," Georgie said playfully while she rubbed his back.

"Yeah," he gasped.   

He suddenly realized he couldn't allow her to see the television.  He released her, but kept his arm around her waist and guided her out of the room, careful to keep her facing forward.  As they waited for the elevator, his thoughts were racing while his heart pounded in his chest.  What the hell was going on?  How did this happen?  And what about Georgie?  How on earth was he going to tell her? 

They got on the elevator alone and when the door closed, she put her arm around his waist, leaning against him and he kissed the top of her head.  He needed more information.  Until he knew how the arrest happened, he couldn't make any decisions about what the hell he should do.  But how was he going get it without Georgie finding out?  The two of them had barely been out of each other's sight since their reunion.  And they were leaving for Chicago in just a few minutes. 

Before they reached their room, he knocked on the door to May and Marianne's room while Georgie looked at him with confusion. 

"I need to take care of something," he said quickly.

Marianne opened the door and looked surprised.  She greeted them as she stepped back to let them in.  Just as Georgie started forward Robert heard the unmistakable sound of a news program playing on their television.  He grabbed onto her arm to stop her.

"Uh, Georgie," he said, moving in front of her to block her.  "Why don't you go to the room and start packing our things, yeah?  I'll be there in just a moment."

"Oh.  Okay, Robert," she said, pulling the card key from her back pocket.

When she was safely out of the room, he said to May, "D'you mind if I borrow your laptop for a moment."

"Why, yes.  Of course," she said, suddenly looking worried.  "I hope everything is okay." 

"Yeah.  Yeah, everything is fine," he said quickly, trying his best to smile convincingly.  "I just wanted to check on my flight.  Y'know, just to be certain they hadn't changed the time or anything."

"Oh, okay," she said, as she handed him her computer bag.  "I was hoping we'd be on the road in fifteen minutes," she said with meaning.

"We'll be ready by then," he said with a smile as he backed out of the room.

When he walked in his and Georgie's room, she was in the bathroom collecting their toiletries. 

"You carry on.  I just want to check my flight," he said as he walked past her. 

He sat in a chair and opened the laptop on his lap, positioning it so Georgie wouldn't be able to see the screen.  Within seconds he'd logged onto the internet and found the website for the news network.  He scrolled down their main page a little, and then he saw it, a thumbnail picture of the bastard with the two policemen that had obviously been taken from the video footage along with a link to the story.

Wealthy French investor and well known philanthropist, Philippe-Henri Bertrand, was arrested late yesterday in Oregon under suspicion of making and distributing pornographic videos that included minors. 

The investigation began when French police were tipped off that a sixteen year old boy who disappeared nearly three years ago, Tristan Beaudet, had appeared in one of the videos.  Investigators eventually tracked the source of the videos to Mr. Bertrand's estate and organized a raid. 

Officials said they found a French fourteen year old girl imprisoned in his 8,000 square foot mansion.  Her name is being withheld to protect her privacy but she had disappeared the day before Christmas near her home.  Little else has been revealed about what evidence was found, but sources close to the investigation disclosed what they did find was damning.  They are now concerned about the whereabouts of the missing boy.  

Many in the business community expressed shock at the news of the arrest.  Mr. Bertrand was well known as an investor for his ability to choose companies able to withstand the fluctuating global economy.  He was also admired for his generosity, making large donations to organizations tackling child hunger in war torn and underdeveloped countries. 

Mr. Bertrand is currently being held in Multnomah County Jail in Portland, Oregon pending a bail hearing.  It's unclear whether it will be granted due to the probability of him being a flight risk.  Investigators are now combing through pictures of missing French children in an attempt to match them to persons in the videos.

"Robert, is everything okay?"  He looked up to find Georgie standing in front of him.  "Is something wrong with your flight?" she asked with concern.

Shit. 

"No, everything's fine with my flight," he said quickly, exiting the website before she saw the screen.  He turned off the computer and began to put it back in the bag while he avoided her eyes. 

 "Are you sure?" she asked, gently cupping his cheek with her hand.  "You look so pale." 

His fingers fumbled trying to zip the bag closed and he realized his hands were shaking.  He needed to get a fucking grip. 

"Am I?" he said, trying to sound calm as he smiled up at her.  "Uh, perhaps I should go have a look."  He stood up and went to the bathroom, desperate to be alone.

As soon as he'd closed the door, he leaned over and put his hands on the counter, taking deep breaths while his heart pounded in his chest.  It was almost unbelievable.  The bastard had actually been caught.  The tapes, the boy, that poor girl, all of it ran through his mind over and over.  But what about Georgie?  Were the police going to find her too?  His mind was racing, filled with all the possible different scenarios.

"Robert, are you okay?"

Damn it.  He needed to think of something – and fast.  He turned on the faucet.

"I'm fine," he said loudly.  "I'll be out in a minute."

He looked in the mirror, seeing how ashen his face was.  He should tell her the truth, he thought.  He'd held things from her the in the past, and it had always blown up in his face.  But how?  In just minutes they were supposed to get in a car and drive for eight hours. 

He knew she wasn't going to take the news well, possibly even have a meltdown.  And if she did, there would be no way to keep May and Marianne from finding out about the bastard.  He could easily see the whole situation turning into a complete disaster with all three of them devastated and unable to do anything.  They might even be stranded in Canada another day.

He couldn't allow that to happen, he decided firmly.  He splashed water on his face, rubbing it vigorously to bring some color into his skin.  He'd keep the news to himself until they got back to Chicago.  Once he had Georgie alone, he'd break the news to her.  If all hell broke loose after that, at least everyone would be home while they were coming to terms with the shocking news. 

More importantly, the drive would give him time to think through the ramifications of the arrest.  He thought about his and Georgie's future was now forever altered while he dried his face with a towel.  But he didn't care, he decided with a firm determination.  This time he'd do things right.  He'd be by Georgie's side to support her no matter what happened.

When he put his hand on the door knob, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing himself to appear calm before he opened it.  Georgie smiled at him with relief when he walked out.  She had both their bags packed and sitting on the bed along with May's laptop. 

"Are you ready to go?" she asked, and he went to give her a hug, grateful he didn't have to lie to her. 

"I am," he said when he released her.  She smiled at him happily, her face glowing, and he made the effort to smile back.

Within minutes they were in the car with the two older women.  Robert took Georgie's hand, threading his fingers through hers.  When they drove past the Falls for the last time on their way out of town, both of them looked out the window, but Robert wasn't seeing the view, he was already thinking about the bastard.

As he considered whether the investigation would lead to Georgie, he realized the only way the police would find her was if someone gave them her name since they were only looking for missing French teens.  If Georgie was found, or decided to become involved, it would complicate her life immensely.  He'd known back when he found the bastard's estate his arrest would turn into a media circus, and judging by the fact it was already international news, he'd been right.  No matter what happened, he'd support her decision and help her any way he could.  One thing was clear, with so much uncertainty, he couldn't fly back to England tomorrow.  He didn't want to leave Georgie alone, not even for one week. 

After a few hours, they stopped for a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant.  When they walked inside, Robert was horrified.  On every wall was a flat screen TV playing a news channel.  He had to get her out of there, he thought desperately.

"Why don't we eat outside, yeah?" he quickly suggested to the women, grateful the restaurant had provided outdoor tables and chairs.  "It's a shame to eat inside when we'll be in the car all day."

"That's an excellent idea, Robert," May said with a smile. 

"Maybe Georgie and I should go out and get a table now," he said, taking her hand in anticipation.  Luckily for him, a family was just seating themselves at one of the few remaining tables.

"Oh, good plan," May said, noticing the same family.

He led Georgie out, keeping his eyes on the TV screens the whole way.  Once outside, he breathed a sigh of relief.  Georgie was delighted since the tables had been placed near an outdoor play area that was filled with children.  While she watched them, he kept his eyes on May and Marianne.  He felt guilty leaving them to deal with the food.  As soon as he saw them, he jumped up to help them with the door.

Some hours later when they crossed the Illinois state border, he felt sick, knowing the time was quickly approaching when he'd have to tell Georgie.  He held his breath when they turned down May's street, but when they reached her house, there were no police cars waiting.  They parked in the small garage and the two of them helped carry the bags in the house, then took their own bags to her bedroom while May and Marianne began taking food out of the fridge to start preparing dinner. 

Once inside, he closed the door behind him, feeling a sense of doom while Georgie put her bag on her bed and unzipped it.

"Georgie, I have to talk to you about something."

"Yes?" she asked distractedly while she searched through her bag with her back to him.

He went over and put his hand on hers as she pulled out a small stack of folded clothing and guided it back in.  She looked up at him and immediately looked concerned when she saw his expression. 

"Let's sit on the bed, alright?" he said, and put her bag on the floor.

"What is it, Robert?" she exclaimed, starting to look frightened.  He sat down and when she didn't join him, he took her hand and gently guided her so she would sit close enough he could put his arm around her.  He could feel how tense her body was already.

"This morning I found out something.  I didn't tell you because I thought it would be better if I told you when we were home."  She covered her hand with her mouth looking even more frightened.

"You mean –?  Something was wrong," she said faintly. 

"Georgie," he started, then stopped because he had to take a breath.  He tightened his grip around her back and took her hand in his other hand, partly to reassure her and partly to get a good hold on her in case her reaction wasn't good. 

"The police arrested the bastard.  They finally caught him."  He waited but she just looked confused, searching his eyes.  "They found him because – because of the tapes."  She still didn't respond and he was starting to worry.  Maybe it was so unbelievable she wasn't able to comprehend what he was telling her.  "It was because of a boy – a French boy who'd been missing.  Someone recognized him in one of the tapes.  I think – maybe he's the one you told me about."

"Tristan," she whispered, her confusion giving way as she was beginning to understand.

"Yeah, him," he said, his heart sinking, knowing she'd just confirmed the worst.  The police would never find him now, he thought, suddenly feeling sick. 

"They raided the bastard's home.  I'm pretty sure they found that room."  She swallowed as she stared at him, tears beginning to form in her eyes.  "And they found –."  He had to stop for a moment so he could take another breath because this was the worst of it.  "Georgie, they found another girl."

"No!" she cried out and covered her face with her hands as she began sobbing.  He pulled her too his chest, his heart breaking.

"I should have known he would take another girl," Georgie moaned, her voice filled with pain.  "I knew he did it to other girls before me.  I should have done something.  I should have –." 

"Georgie, stop!" he said, unable to bear it.  "It's not your fault!  He's the one who –!"

"But I should have tried to find him," she cried plaintively.  "You said it was possible with the internet." 

"I did find him," he said quietly, the shame and guilt he was feeling almost overwhelming him.  Georgie looked at him with confusion.  "I found him about a month ago.  "I didn't tell the police because – because he told me before we left if I told anyone the truth, he'd take you."

"I remember," she said slowly.  "You told your parents – when we came home."

"What I told them wasn't entirely the truth," he said bitterly.  "He said if he couldn't get you, he'd take someone else.  He said he'd take my mum or dad – or Betsy.  He even threatened to take Darrell."  Georgie stared at him with horror. 

"Maybe I should've done it anyway," he muttered with shame.  "That poor girl would have been saved sooner." 

"No, Robert!  You didn't know," she said, taking his hand.  "If he said he would take someone, I think he would have."

"I reckon with the evidence they have on him now, he won't be able to hurt anyone ever again," Robert said firmly, trying to push away the guilt.

"But – if the police know about the tapes, that means they know about me too!" she said, her eyes full of fear as she suddenly made the connection. 

"They don't know about you," he said emphatically, holding her tighter.  "And – I don't know if they will."   

"But what if they do?"

"If they did, you would have to decide – if you want to be part of the trial.  Maybe you – want to step forward," he said hesitantly.

"You mean – testify?" she asked faintly.

"Well, yeah."

"Would I would have to see him?" she asked, looking terrified.  Robert could feel her beginning to shake.

"I think so."  

"I don't want to see him!" she cried desperately, her body trembling even more.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," he said firmly, tightening his hold on her.  "The police have enough evidence without you for him to be convicted."

"O-kay," she said slowly, her shoulders drooping, but she still looked concerned. 

Before he could say anything, there was a knock on the door and Georgie looked at him with wide eyes, quickly wiping her face.

"It's almost time for supper," Marianne called through the door.

"We'll be there in a moment," Robert called out loudly.

"I don't want May to know!" Georgie whispered fervently.  "It would hurt her too much."

"It's alright.  We won't tell her if you don't want to."

"Thank you, Robert, for – everything."  She gave him a hug, and when she released him, she said tiredly, "I should wash my face before I go eat."  She stood up to leave and he took her hand to stop her.

"Uh, Georgie," he said, standing up.  "After we've eaten, I'm going to change my plane ticket so I leave on the same flight as you."

"Why?" she asked with confusion.

"I don't feel right leaving you with all this going on."

"But you said the police wouldn't find me," she said more loudly, and he felt dismayed.  He knew he was upsetting her again.

"I don't think they will but – I don't want to leave you.  I feel like I should be here to take care of you."  She didn't say anything for a moment as she looked at him intensely.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to take care of me all the time, Robert," she said finally, looking sad.  "I know it's because you love me, but I need to do this myself."

He wanted to argue with her, but he knew he shouldn't.  She was right, of course.  The way he'd always tried to take care of her had been a big part of the reason their relationship had fallen apart.  She obviously didn't want them to go back to those old patterns any more than he did.  She'd worked hard to get to the point where she was just starting to fight her own battles, and he had to let her.  But at that moment he realized he'd been happy for the excuse not to leave Chicago without her.  Now that she'd changed his plans, he felt awful.

"If you're certain you want me to go, then I will," he said, trying not to let on how sad he suddenly felt. 

"I'm sure," she said sadly, and gave him a quick kiss before she turned and left the room.

He sighed deeply, then went to the kitchen with a heavy heart.  When Georgie joined them a few minutes later, it was still obvious she'd been crying and May suddenly looked concerned.

"Georgie, did something happen?"  Georgie glanced at him nervously before she addressed May.

"It's just – it's just," she said, trying to think of something.

"Oh!  I'm sorry, sweetie," May said, walking up to give her a hug.  "I should have guessed.  It's because Robert's leaving tomorrow, isn't it.

"Yes," Georgie said, avoiding looking at her as she wiping her eyes.

"Let's eat before supper gets cold," Marianne said, quickly changing the subject while wiping her own eyes.

It was a somber meal and later when they went to bed, the two of them clung to each other not saying anything, each lost in their own sadness.  Eventually they fell asleep but it was a hard night for Georgie.  Hearing the news about the bastard was probably to blame for her repeated nightmares.  Each time, she woke him whimpering and moving around he soothed her until she fell back into a restless sleep. 

When he woke to the morning sun, he was lying on his back with Georgie still in his arms her head on his shoulder.  He stayed still, not wanting to wake her and moved his head a little closer to her so he could breathe her in while his chest ached.  Now that it was closer to the time he had to leave her, he felt even worse than he had the night before. 

When Georgie began stirring next to him, he gave her a little squeeze to let her know he was awake.  She responded by tightening her arms around him and snuggling against him even more with a sigh.  Neither of them spoke as they held each other.  Robert didn't feel like starting the day with their usual morning chat.  He already knew she hadn't slept well and neither had he.  She got up on her elbow and rubbed her fingers across the stubble on his jaw.  He noticed the dark circles were more prominent under her eyes and her face was a little more pale than usual.   

"We should get up," she said quietly.  "You only have an hour before we have to leave for the airport."

"Yeah, I reckon you're right," he said, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. 

She started to get up but he pulled her close so he could kiss her.  When she pulled away from him, she managed a small smile before she turned away.  He knew she was trying to be brave, not wanting to make him feel worse than he already was.  She started pulling clothes out of her chest of drawers, keeping her back to him and he went to take a quick shower, glad she didn't see his face.  Once he'd shaved and dressed, he packed his belongings and brought his suitcase into the sitting room before joining the women in the kitchen. 

The older women greeted him warmly when they saw him and Georgie tried her best to smile for him.  He squeezed her shoulder on his way to get his tea.  When he joined them at the table with his mug, the two older women kept up a steady stream of chat, keeping the topics light.  Georgie and he did their best to participate in the conversation.

When it was time for him to leave for the airport, no one said much of anything and it was quiet in the car, during the short trip to the airport.  He held Georgie's hand but looked out the window because it hurt too much to look at her.  Once they were parked and he had his suitcase, Georgie slipped their arm around his waist and he put his arm around her shoulders as they walked into the building, wanting to be as close to her as possible before he had to leave.    

The two women found a bench to sit on and he and Georgie went to stand in the queue to check his bag.  While they waited, they held each other tight while she leaned against him with her head on his shoulder.  He kept his nose in her hair, so all he smelled was her.  Once his suitcase was checked, he felt even worse.  Now his time with her was down to minutes.  While they walked to May and Marianne, Georgie had both her arms around him and he knew she was feeling the same. 

All four of them slowly walked to the security screening and then it was time for him to say good bye.  Georgie let go of him as Marianne stepped forward to give him a hug and kiss his cheek. 

"Have a safe flight, Robert," she said, her soft green eyes tearing up a little when she pulled away.

"Cheers, Marianne," he said, and then cleared his throat. 

Then May gave him a very tight hug and when she released him, she put her hand on his cheek, looking in his eyes.  He could tell she was also trying hard to maintain her composure. 

"When Georgie comes to visit us, I hope you'll come too," she said.  "You're family now, Robert."

"Y'know I will, May," he said, trying his best to keep it together. 

She patted his cheek, her ice blue eyes getting watery.  "Good," she said firmly, and stepped back, blinking hard.

Then Georgie lunged forward as if she couldn't wait another moment, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tight.  He hugged her back, just as tight with his eyes squeezed shut and his face buried in her hair, breathing deeply to take in as much of her as he could.

"You alright?" he said into her hair.  She nodded against him.  "Are you sure?  I can stay."  She pulled away, quickly wiping her eyes.

"It's only a week," she said firmly, her vivid blue eyes full of determination and sadness.  "It'll go fast because I'll be so busy."

"I'll be busy too.  I've got a lot to do to get ready for you," he said, trying to sound just as firm.

"I can't wait," she said, attempting a smile and wiped her eyes as the tears started to come.

He didn't want to go but he knew the longer he lingered, the harder it was getting for both of them to stay in control.

"I love you, Georgie," he said, pulling her to him for a quick hug and kiss.

"I love you too," she said hoarsely, the tears coming more quickly.  He forced himself to walk away from her.

Once he was in the queue, he looked over.  Georgie was clinging to May while she watched him, wiping her tears with a tissue.  Marianne was standing on her other side, rubbing her back.  He had to look away, swallowing against the pain in his throat while his chest ached unbearably. 

He didn't dare look at her again until he'd passed through security and had collected his things.  She was still clinging to May and crying, but managed to smile at him.  He raised his hand to wave good bye to her, but couldn't make the movement.  Georgie raised her hand, but didn't wave either.  He stayed like that, looking at her beautiful face until the pain was too great.  He turned to walk away, looking at the floor and quickly wiping his eyes.

****

I really hope this last chapter (before the epilogue) was satisfying.  It was a difficult one to write because so much was riding on my tying up one of the biggest loose ends of the story.  I would love to hear your thoughts so please let me know what you think in a comment.  If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider giving it a vote.

The epilogue is next!  Grab some more tissues before you read it!  You're going to need them!

Dedicated to @bnlfan for her invaluable help while writing my epilogue.  I love having British friends!  Be sure to check out her Young Adult dystopian novel, Flawed.  I can't wait to start reading it.  :)