I watch you and I wonder, would you give her a second chance? I know for all your bluster and declarations of how you want others to perceive you, that you would want her to think that there was no way that could ever be possible, but I know you better than that.

I hear you talking about women and I smile to myself, it seems in character with what you say you are, but then they haven't watched you and the way you react. I don't mean your reactions when that protective barrier is locked firmly in place, angry and defensive, broadcasting that image of Owen that you want them to see- so they don't look too closely, don't notice the real you.

I mean the you that she saw, that she wasn't meant to see- no one was. I know she was invading your privacy, and yes, it was stalking. I don't know why it began, or when she fell in love with you, but she did.

And it was you she fell in love with, not that leering, sarcastic, chauvinist, that annoys the hell out of everyone you come into contact with. The Owen she fell in love with was always there, just beneath the mask.

You put yourself between danger and her more than once, when that explosion went off, it was you shielding her from its force.

When Gwen was angry and grieving, it was you reaching for her, trying to comfort her, and it was her rejecting you, that pushed you to take the actions that you did. I know because I saw the look in your eyes.

Martha told me about what happened in that hospital room, when you set off the alarm. She said the two of you crouched down in a corner, desperate to avoid the cloud of Mayflies. She didn't say, but I know, your arm would have been around her, protecting her as best you could. If they hadn't died so quickly, I know who would have done his damnedest to keep her safe- and I know you would never, ever, have admitted it in a million years.

You took the bullet that was meant for her. I don't think for a moment that you thought he was really intending to shoot, but then I know that you wouldn't have reacted any differently if you had.

I watch you as you turn and glance at Toshiko- you see the tension and the isolation, and you want to do something to help her, but now things have changed, your very existence has changed. You had already made a start, but fate intervened, and you never got to finish what you started.

It would have been trickier before, if you had got it wrong, if she had misunderstood. You could have made things even worse for her than they already are- but that danger no longer applies.

She thinks she can help you, but ironically, perhaps now you are in a position to help her to move on.

When you asked me why I brought you back, I told you it was because I wasn't ready to give up on you. I don't know if you knew what I meant, I'm not so sure that I did! Perhaps I couldn't let it end, not without giving you a second chance. Hoping that perhaps you would finally stop hiding behind that barricade you seemed to think is so necessary.

Its strange how fate deals the cards, but it's no mystery to me how you play them, the only thing that puzzles me, is why you chose to play then so close to your chest.

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