Title: The Way Back

Characters/Pairing: Gabe/Naomi

Spoilers/Warning: R for sexual situations/cursing

Summary: He chooses the most inconvenient time to try to repair their broken relationship.

Author's Note: This was supposed to be a light/fluffy little piece that took place at Elena and Mateo's wedding… And then it turned into something completely different. Very short and, though it's screaming to be continued, will probably stay a one shot as I am terrible at finishing multi-chaptered stories. Enjoy!

"Come with me."

Naomi shivers as Gabe's breath tickles her ear. She closes her eyes as his fingers trail down her side and then settle in the dip just above her backside. Swallowing hard, she allows him to push her forward. Most of the guests are already drunk, so it's easy to ignore them as Gabe navigates through the crowded ballroom and towards the exit. They stop once; to chat with a slightly tipsy Mateo who congratulates her once again on the nuptials. Naomi smiles politely and thanks him for his well-wishes while Gabe stands just behind her, so solid and warm that she unconsciously leans back into his chest. She realizes her mistake almost instantly, but Gabe only excuses them and steers her away from Mateo's questioning look.

They escape the ballroom shortly after and Gabe slips his hand into Naomi's as they hurry along the grand hallway. Finally, they reach the door to the solarium. Gabe tugs her into the room and, before the door has even clicked shut, pushes her against the wall. She moans into his mouth as he cradles her cheeks in his hands, his body pressing into hers. They kiss feverishly, desperately even, and don't stop until they taste the saltiness of Naomi's tears.

"I'm sorry," Gabe groans against her lips, his eyes shut tight. "I'm so sorry. I have no right-"

"Stop," Naomi whispers hoarsely, but doesn't move away. She reaches up and brushes her fingertips along his jawline. "Don't say it."

"You're so beautiful." Gabe's eyes flutter open as he drops his forehead to hers. "Seeing you in that gown, watching you walk down that aisle to him. I just couldn't…"

He trails off helplessly. It's his fault, really. He's the one who pushed her away, who ended whatever it was they had, who told her he didn't want her anymore. It was his own insecurities that drove them apart and his own stubbornness that caused him to stand by silently as Prince Aleksander, the ninth in line to rule the Southern Isles, successfully courted her. And now, as the diamond nestled on her left hand glitters in the moonlight, he realizes how truly stupid he has been.

"I'm sorry," Gabe croaks miserably. "I should have stayed. I should have fought for you. I should have told you I loved-"

"Don't!" Naomi snaps, pulling away from him at last. She ducks under his arm and puts a few feet between them before turning back. "Don't you dare tell me you love me now. You had your chance. You had so many chances and you never took them."

"I know that." Gabe takes a deep, steadying breath and steps towards her. "I do. And I don't… I don't know how to fix this."

"It's too late," Naomi sighs. "I'm married, Gabe. To a prince. I'm married to a prince and I live in the Isles now. Whatever chance we had, it's gone."

"But-"

"It's over, Gabe."

"It's not." Gabe shakes his head vehemently and closes the gap between them with one long step. He places his hands on Naomi's cheeks again and tells her, "It's not over. Not if you don't want it to be."

Naomi closes her eyes and, against her better judgement, leans into his touch. She won't say no, though she knows she should, but she can't see a way around it either. She's married. She has a husband now, a man she has pledged to love and honor for the rest of her life.

"I'll do anything to fix this," Gabe vows as he wipes away her tears with his thumbs. "Anything."

"I don't think you can fix this."

"But if I can," Gabe asks imploringly, "will you let me?"

Naomi opens her mouth to explain that it's not possible and they should cut their losses now, but she just can't. Not when he's gazing at her like that, so hopeful and earnest. Not when his eyes are still glittering with unshed tears. And, instead of objecting, she breathes, "Yes."

Gabe kisses her again - not quite as desperately as before, but every bit as fervently – and, feeling encouraged by her enthusiasm, drops his hands to Naomi's waist to pull her pelvis flush with his. He groans as she grinds against him and pulls at the dainty, white lace dress until the skirt is bunched in his hands around her waist. Naomi's arms circle around his neck as Gabe's fingers extend to palm her backside. Using this new grip to his advantage, he jerks her feet off the floor and then swivels around to place her on the oversized planter next to them.

"God I missed you," Gabe mumbles gruffly as Naomi wraps her legs around his middle. She pushes his uniform jacket over his shoulders and, once free of the constricting garment, he surges forward to bury his face in her neck.

Naomi gasps as his teeth graze her sensitive skin and then nip at her earlobe. Her eyes slide closed as she reaches between them to unbuckle Gabe's belt, followed quickly by the buttons on his trousers. With his help, she manages to push his pants to the floor. Then, groaning, she uses her legs to pull him against her as their lips meet once again.

"Ahem."

They freeze.

"The groom is looking for his bride. I told him you were getting some air."

"Shit," Naomi whispers, as Gabe hisses resentfully into her hair. They stay locked together a moment longer, before Gabe grudgingly straightens to his full height. He takes a deep breath and then calls over his shoulder, "Give me a second, would you?"

"So you can put your pants back on?" Mateo has never sounded more angry in his life. "Sure."