Martin grinned at Eli and nodded. "I know," he said, when Eli told him that Gwen had a child. "It's the only time she ever talks in class. It's alright, dude, I'm not aiming to move in and be Daddy-oh. I just want a taste, and I'll be gone." The twenty-first century really didn't seem to be something Martin was in or - and probably more likely, unfortunately - he was used to being able to pick up and drop women as he pleased. He was, it must be said, devilishly handsome. It really didn't help. "It's fine. I'll find a way. I get the feeling she'd rather no one knew about the job, you know? Maybe she's worried someone's a cop. Maybe I'll get to be a regular for free." He chuckled and then, as Eli departed, he gave a brief salute and grinned. "Have a good one, man. I'll let you know when I score." When, not if, was absolutely the truth to Martin Southeby.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center">~~~~```---'''~~~~​</div>As she left the canteen, Gwen's mind had been reeling. She couldn't do this. She was struggling with the work, trying to find the time to do it all, getting texts and messages from her classmates (especially Martin) and trying to work and juggle the finances and Toby. It was all just too much. Then, standing in the line, she'd realised something about Martin. There were a hundred men like him here in this campus. He knew where she worked and, if she held out from him and didn't give in to his advances, then he'd end up telling her classmates. The very moment that happened, Gwen knew, half the men would try to bed her and two-thirds of the women would hate her. It was all just too much and so, once she'd exited the canteen with a straight back, she more or less ran to her car and, fumbling with her keys, she'd got in.<br/><br/>She'd fished her phone from her pocket and sent a text to Mary, one of her classmates. It was brief and to the point. "Please, tell Mrs Smith I had to go. Sudden emergency. Thanks. Gwen." She didn't think about her laptop or her books. In that moment, she didn't care. Once she was in her car, she felt tears threaten, but she was stronger than that, she decided. Without thinking about the consequences or worrying about anything, Gwen put the car into drive and made her way home.<br/><br/>Toby, of course, was already asleep and so Gwen thanked Mrs Q, kissing the old lady on the cheek and then she went into her bedroom and got changed. Hot tears of frustration and shame prickled at her eyes, but she ignored them. Instead, she got dressed and then snuck into Toby's tiny bedroom and kissed him. There was so much that she needed to work out and so, Gwen made herself a mug of hot chocolate and went into the lounge to think. Quite what she was going to do, she didn't know. There were financial implications to dropping out of school but she knew - if it wasn't Martin, it would be someone else. With a silent snarl of rage, she punched a cushion. And again. And again.<br/><br/>There. In the private of her living room, Gwen gave in to the frustration she felt and finally tears spilled. She couldn't do it. She couldn't be in this world - she didn't belong in this world. She belonged in the world of the Fallen Angel and yet, she didn't want to. It was more than frustrating, it led her to terrifying conclusions. Her mind was reeling.<br/><br/>And then, of all things, there was a knock on the door. Had she just heard that?<br/><br/>Gwen's first thought was that it was Martin and so, without thought or hesitation, she grabbed the hammer she'd used to make Toby's shelves. Making her way to the door, she peered through the peep-hole at who was standing there and it was...<br/><br/>"Eli?"<br/><br/>Gwen opened the door and stood, looking at him in amazement. She was wearing a pair of faded tartan pyjamas in shades of blue and green. They were more than baggy on her, they were far too large. Her hair was loose and she wore no make up or shoes. In her hand, there was a hammer.<br/><br/>"Eli.. oh gods, that's my.."<br/><br/>Recognising what was in his hands, Gwen looked at him and held the door open. "Come in. Come in. I'll make you a coffee. Oh, I'm so sorry." She turned and smiled at him, making sure that the expression she wore was positive and up-beat, but the redness of her eyes and the puffiness beneath them told the story of the tears she'd been shedding. "I really didn't mean for you to … I thought she'd leave it behind reception. I.. Oh, please. Come in." She glanced around and shrugged. "It's not much, please, forgive the mess." If there was any mess in the tiny apartment, then it was well-hidden. It was small and it was poor, but Toby's door had his name painted on it in brightly coloured paint, there were toys evident throughout the place and there were photographs everywhere. "Have you eaten? I can fix you some supper, if you want.. I.. oh, Eli, I'm sorry." Holding out her hand to gesture for him to come in, Gwen knew that her shaking was visible.<br/><br/>Yet, the smell of him. The presence of him. Her heightened emotional state? She couldn't stop shaking. "Come through.. please?"