Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They belong to their creators. I do not own the lyrics to "Left Outside Alone" either. They belong to Anastacia.

A/N: Post-ep for Butterflied and my first attempt at a songfic, because I thought the song suited the episode.

Pairing: N/S friendship


Worth the risk

And I wonder if you know
How it feels
To be left outside alone
Why do you play me like a game?
Always someone else to blame

Everyone has left the interrogation room, but she is still standing there at the other side of the glass. Her gaze fixed to the place he was sitting a short while ago. Confessing his deepest feelings to a stranger, a suspect. She stands there, reliving every word that has been said. Words that still echo in her ears.

All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairy tale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning

It's cut and dry, no need to harbor hope. She has spent many sleepless nights wondering what was going on between them. Unnecessary loss of sleep, chasing dreams that will never come true, because she cannot fight the reasoning behind his decision. His words have destroyed her desire to fight.

Left broken empty in despair
Wanna breath can't find air
Thought you were sent from up above
But you and me never had love

She has no idea how long she has been standing there, but she knows she has to pick herself up. Gather what is left of her dignity. She has made such a fool of herself for someone who thinks she is not worth the risk, who thinks work is more important than finding happiness. She is not going to be like him, she will never turn down a chance of finding true love for her work. She will take her love away from him, just like Debbie Marlin did and when the opportunity arrives she will give it away to somebody else.

Careless, helpless little man
Someday you might understand
There's not much more to say
But I hope you find a way
Still I wonder if you know how it really feels
To be left outside alone
When it's cold out here
Well maybe you should know
Just how it feels
To be left outside alone

Still lost in thoughts she heads for the door, trying to escape his words which are still floating in the room and in her head when a soft Texan voice brings her back to reality. She is surprised to see him, but happy to see a friendly face on this day filled with doom. He tells her he has returned early because he heard about the Debbie Marlin case. He says he was worried about her. The concern in his eyes make her wonder exactly how long he has been standing there. Gently he leads her to her car, before he lets her get in the car, he softly whispers "You are worth the risk".

END