There was shock when Carson pulls the gun to his temple. It causes Cole to take a few steps closer, for he never actually planned for him to do such a thing. Suicide? Suicide and murder? How perfect an ending it would be though, wouldn't it? He whispers, barely audible with the sound of the running water, "I know what I am asking." He doesn't blink. He can't. It's not in him, for this moment was the defining chapter of their lives. If he blinked, he might miss it.

The furious cry that echoes through them both is life-altering. But Cole is unwavering. In the disappearing darkness, one might actually see is hands are trembling without control. Carson speaks of just maiming him. Why? Speaking of being irrational and delusional. And then he actually does it ... he slowly points the gun at him. When he takes a few steps back, Cole's head lowers, like that of a wolf watching, dominating, challenging. But in his heart he knows he won't pull the trigger. Not even just to graze him or cause a wound. He'll beat me with his shoes, not bullets. Very slowly, deliberately, he takes one step closer .. and then another .. and another.

His body and shoulders sway with each step, and for the first time Cole must have truly looked like a Hunter to Carson. It was to scare. To show this was no joke. However, in typical fashion, the unexpected happens, but it was in no means a complete surprise.

He chucks the pistol, but Cole doesn't watch it pass over his head. He closes his eyes, stops walking and just stands there. Then, rubbing his eyes with his right hand he starts laughing. A very true and deep laugh of pure enjoyment and amusement. Do what you have to do then.'

"Oh Carson. Oh, my poor, precious Carson." He looks at him with a smile on his face and then he points at the creek. "That was the murder weapon, my love. And who touched it last .. and who just threw it INTO the river, next to the body, with his finger prints all over it." He starts laughing again and has to bend over and grab his knees. "Why did you do that? Why?" His chuckling slows, and then stops and he stands up straight and takes in a deep breath, head cocked, looks at Carson with an expression of disappointment. "You have so much to learn still."

And then the reality sets in and annoyance starts tugging at him. He couldn't let Carson get into trouble for this, but the fact it was going to be more work than it was ever worth to clean and cover this up was pissing him off. As quickly as he could, the distance between them just a matter of feet due to his slow walk during their stand off, he grabs Carson and puts him in a headlock. Stronger, but as gently as possible, he drags him over to the girl and lets them both fall onto the pool of her blood. He quickly takes one hand and dips it in the sticky substance, and rubs it all over Carson's face. What was left, he does the same to his own. "We're in this together now, my love! Together!" Releasing him from the headlock, he grabs Carson with both hands and puts his forehead to his, staring into his eyes, not letting him pull away or run. "Together; ashes to ashes, dust to dust .. blood to blood."

Then he lets go and gets up, walking to the stream and having no idea even where to begin. He'd have to wait until the sun rose to see where the pistol was. "Go home. I'll take care of this. Go home and wait for me. Our new life begins, Carson ... you'll see!" He waits to hear the rustle of him leaving. Actually, he didn't know what to expect. A hit in the back of the head? Carson tackling him trying to drown him next? A smirk is on his face as he feels liberated and free. No more hiding.