There's a hole in my heart nobody can see

And We Think Nothing Can Hurt Us

I woke up at about 7 AM, about my normal time. Another day, another show, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially now that I have the most beautiful girl beside me. I rolled over and squeezed her, getting a small giggle out of her. "You're so pretty in the morning." Slapping a big, wet kiss on her cheek, causing her to to scrunch her face and wipe it off.

"You have me up at 7 why?!" She asked me grumpily.

"Because that's my normal time and I wanted to annoy you." I smiled as I gently poked her in the side. She gently rolled over, sitting over me and me a kiss and hopped out of bed. I was so close to pulling her back in again. I cannot get enough of her.

I heard the shower go and started some coffee. Sitting on my bunk, I heard her phone ring. I glanced over to see Detective Rodriguez's number pop up on the screen. Normally, I wouldn't answer her phone because it's not my business, but I wondered if this had to do with Gina's murder.

"Hello?" I answered the phone.

"Hi this is Detective Rodriguez with the Salem Police Department. Is Casey Birtch available?"
"Hi Detective Rodriguez, this is Case's friend-now boyfriend-Spencer Charnas. She is in the shower right now. Can I have her call you back, or is there something I could help you with?" I said politely.

"Spencer, Gina's case finally heated up. We think we've caught the guy, I believe Casey might know who he is. He is detained for 24 hours until we can confirm. Is there any way she could come back into town asap?" He spoke firmly.

"Yes, we will make it happen. I will put her on the next flight. Thanks, detective."

After hanging up the phone I quickly arraigned a flight for noon, so she can get home. I knew she would not let me pay for them if I did not buy them before she got out of that shower.

What seemed like ages, she finally walked out of the bathroom and had a smile plastered on her face. She's so stunning every single time I look at her. She seems to be in a good mood, which unfortunately won't last much longer.

"Babe..Detective Rodriguez called. He needs you back in Salem tonight." She shuttered. She has not been comfortable back home since Gina's murder. "They think they caught him and he thinks you may recognize him." Her jaw just about hit the floor.

"I-I can't go alone." She stammered. I motioned for her to come closer to me and I held her hands.

"You can do this. I promise you after the show tonight, I will be on the first plane out." I kissed both of her hands and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "You're the strongest woman I know. Please stay strong for me." I continued wiping tears from her eyes. I stood up and gave her a long and kiss. "I made you coffee, c'mon."

- - - - - - -

I stood at the airport baggage claim, dreading to be here alone, and without Spencer. I have no desire to live here anymore, my parents had moved away, and Spencer and some of the guys are looking to move to L.A. I'm not really a big city girl, but I am excited to visit him. I understand why Ricky or Spence couldn't be here, it just sucks.

Detective Rodriguez was nice enough to offer to pick me up from the airport. I hopped in his cruiser, and we went down. He filled me in on what they've found, not who they found. When we got down to the station, he offered me some water, which I gladly accepted. We sat down in a room that had a reverse mirror window and he opened a file. The metal table was cold, and made my chills already worse. It was bad enough that I had to be face to face with Gina's killer already.

"Miss Birtch, you are the only one that seems to have met, or have an association with Gina's estranged brother, Michael." I was stunned as he spoke.

"You think he did this!? That son of a bitch.." I was getting loud.

"Casey, can you elaborate on their relationship for me?" He asked softly.

I sighed. "Michael was very abusive. Him and her dad. Part of why she left Arizona and ended up here. She had a restraining order on him and always thought that he would come for her and find her, and he did a few times. I always defended her and told him to stay the hell away from her. He's threatened to kill her. She reached out to Phoenix police departments and it never went anywhere due to the lack of evidence. She never filed anything here.."I explained, shaking in rage and disbelief.

"So we need to find her dad too, is what you're suggesting? He asked.

"No. Bastard killed himself a few years ago. I can't believe this. Her family is very twisted. Her mom died when she was 10 and I guess everything went to shit after that. I scratched the back on my neck, nervous to come face to face with my best friend's killer.

"Casey..I'm going to need you to confirm his identity." He asked, more as a question.

"Before we do that, can you tell me how you found out it was him?" I asked and he nodded.

"We've been inspecting surveillance tapes and put together that he has been here, stalking her, for a couple weeks actually. So we got a search warrant and found him. The knife that had her DNA on it was there too. All we need is someone to validate his identity. We didn't want to update you until we knew for sure, and was in custody."

I took a deep breath. I nodded, letting him know I was ready. He radioed over to his partner. Michael was handcuffed and brought into the room on the other side or the mirror. I couldn't breath. "That's him."

Detective radioed over to let him know it was a positive ID. I lost it. I started screaming and pounding on the mirror. "YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! YOU TOOK HER AWAY FROM ME! FUCK YOU!" Rodriguez had to pull me away and I just fell to the floor sobbing. He helped me up and led me to an unoccupied office next to his. He set up a cot, blankets and a pillows for me, assuring I could stay for the night, and another detective will pick up Spencer from the airport. I thanked him weakly and curled up with my knees to my chest on the cot, not being able to sleep knowing her killer is in the building.

After what seemed so long, Spencer's tall figure
opened up the door. I looked up at him, breaking my arms from my knees. "Oh honey.." He sat down me and pulled me into his lap. All I could do was cry.

He put his fingers until my chin and brought my gaze to his. "Move with me to L.A. You don't have to be here anymore if you don't want to. I want to hold you, keep you safe, and love you every night." I wasn't expecting that, but I couldn't turn down his offer. A couple tears squeezed out of my eyes, a mixture of happy and sad tears. Not expecting an answer, he shifted us from sitting up to lying down, with my head on his chest. I let out a huge breath, I didn't even realize I was holding in. I've never felt so safe and loved. I looked up at him. "I will come with you." He didn't say anything, just smiled and kissed my head.

"Get some sleep, my love. I am right here and you are safe. I'd go to the end of the world to keep you safe." He whispered as I was starting to doze off.

"I love you, Spence." I whispered before I blacked out.