A/N: Just a little scene that popped into my head...
"Anyways, the necklace was definitely taken by your cousin, I have the photographs here." Vicki was on the phone to a client when Henry walked in. she nodded at him, acknowledging his presence, then turned her full attention back to the client. "Yes, I understand, Mrs. Hughes. It certainly is a difficult situation. If you need anything further, don't hesitate to give me a call… Alright, thank you very much… Goodbye." She hung up.
"Hey…" Henry walked over to her desk and sat sideways on it.
"Hey yourself. What brings you to this side of town?" She leaned back and put her feet up on the desk. It had been a long day, and she was tired.
"What usually brings me to this side of town?" he raised and eyebrow and half-smiled at her, wondering what sort of witty parry she could think of this time.
"Hmmm…I don't know. The park? It's pretty nice at night…Or the Chinese a couple blocks over? Oh no…wait…you wouldn't really like that…" She grinned back at him, wondering what sort of line he'd come up with this time.
"Neither…" Suddenly he was behind her, his hand gently pulling her hair back behind her ear then two fingers tracing the line of her jaw, down her neck, his light touch moving to her collarbone then down…
She grabbed his hand and stopped him.
"Ah…I see – looking for takeout of a different kind." It had almost hurt to stop him – her body longed to allow him to take her and do whatever he wanted with her, to finally let go and hand control over to him, to give in to her desire for him. But then her brain took over and reminded her of exactly why she shouldn't do that.
He sighed and took a step back; giving her the space she thought she needed. Why did she fight it? He could smell and sense her want, her need, for him, but something always stopped her. He thought he knew why she did it - she didn't trust him not to leave her. Why she had such a fear of abandonment he could only guess, but the fear was so strong within her that she forbade herself any bonds that were too strong, prevented anyone from getting too close…
"Vicki, you should know by now you're not just a meal to me…"
"Aren't I?" He couldn't read her tone; it was somewhere between sarcasm and sincerity, but which she had meant it to be was a mystery.
"Of course not! I've told you before – you're a part of me now. I don't take that lightly, but I don't think you understand what it means…"
"I don't?" Once again her expression and tone were inscrutable. Henry was now pacing the office, wondering how he was going to get through to her.
"No, you don't. Every time we come close you pull away from me. I don't know why, but you're terrified of letting me in…"
"It's…complicated, Henry. Can't we just leave things the way they are?" She didn't want to talk about this, not now…probably not ever…
"Why should we? Why, when it could be so much better? Somehow you can't see that. Why can't you trust me?"
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.
"Henry, I…I can't, ok? I can't talk about that. It's not important. It's completely irrelevant. In fact, this conversation is now over." She got up, intending to storm out into the night, hoping he would be gone before she returned. This time, though, he was going to get answers from her. He wasn't going to let her run from him any more. He grabbed her and pulled her close to him, holding her tight in his arms.
"You're not going anywhere 'til I get answers. You can't keep doing this to yourself…to me…"
"Let go of me, Henry!" She was enraged – how dare he force her to explain herself to him? How could he make her go over how horrible it had been for her and her mother when her father had left? How could he stand there promising her he'd never leave when she knew that just wasn't possible? She struggled with him, hitting him, screaming at him to let go, anything to get away. He held her fast, encircled in his strong arms. He understood there would be anger – her fear would try to protect her from being pushed to admit it. He didn't know how long they stood like that, but after a time her anger faded and she stilled in his arms. Her shoulders began to shake and he felt a spot on the front of his shirt dampen. She buried her head in his chest, too upset to feel ashamed or herself.
"Why can't you understand? You think we'd be happy together, that we'd be together forever. You think you'd never leave. But I know you would – you wouldn't be able to stay with me. How could you? People's relationships fall apart every day, over nothing! But you would be stuck with a blind, helpless woman, leading me around like a guide dog, caring for me like an invalid. I don't want that! And I'll grow old, you won't love me anymore – you'll just go find yourself some pretty little thing and then you'll go. Just like he did." She sobbed uncontrollably after the little outburst. She no longer felt anger toward him, she was tired and upset.
"Like who did?" He understood now, it must have been her father.
"My dad…He left my mom and me alone…we never heard from him, he didn't even say goodbye –one day he was just gone. Like you would, like anyone would." He still held her, no longer her captor, but a rock to steady her. Eventually the tears subsided, and she allowed herself some comfort from the embrace. She felt safe there, with him, protected, even. He had taken abuse from her, listened to her cry it all out, and never let go of her. She realised that he wasn't holding her tight anymore, but instead was cradling her in his arms, gently stroking her hair with one hand. Why was he still here? She looked up into his eyes, took in his tender expression, the way she seemed to be able to see into his soul. Why would someone like him want her?
He knew she was ready to listen now, that she would hear him out and understand.
"Vicki, I would never presume to lead you around like a guide dog. I know you better than that – you never would be helpless. I have seen many people I care about grow old and it has never made me care for them any less. I don't know why your father left you and your mother, but I know that I can swear to you that I would never leave your side, never, unless you wanted me to go…" At that he broke their eye contact and looked out the window. He knew it wouldn't be easy for her; he would have to feed, and there may be jealousy…
Unless she wanted him to go? She tossed the phrase around in her mind, wondering what he meant by it...she knew he was an integral part of her life now, she needed him around. Why would she ever want him to leave? She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Was she seriously going to do this?
Slowly, she moved her arms out and around him, returning his embrace. His gaze returned to her and their eyes met, a new understanding reached between them. Something had changed, a wall had been knocked down, the barrier that prevented her from letting go was gone. This time, when he leaned in to kiss her, she met him in the middle, and they lost themselves in the moment. When dawn threatened at the horizon he left her, but Vicki knew he would return. He would always come back to her; nothing would prevent him from being with her – not anger, not sadness, not fear. All these and more, she understood now, he would face with her, holding her steady through it all.
A/N: I'm not sure if this warrants continuing, but if anyone would like it I'll do it! Let me know...