No Matter How Hard I Try, I Can't Stay Away From You

A/N: This is a Lucian story. It is rated M for language and sex scenes in later chapters. This story revolves around Lucy's breakup with Chris and how it affects her relationships with those closest to her, especially Ian. Nothing in this story is known to be true, and is only what my thoughts are. Writing isn't really my strong point, but I have been wanting to write this for quite some time, so please be nice! I do not know Ian or Lucy personally. If Lucian is not something you are interested in, please do not read. If it is, I hope you enjoy it :)

Chapter 1

"Darling Ian". God, how could one picture cause so many problems. Lucy sank her head into the back cushion of the couch and looked at the ceiling, trying to hold back the tears. Chris had just stormed out of her apartment a few minutes prior, and she was still reeling over the fact that he got so angry over a damn picture.

The picture was taken the night before at the Teen Choice Awards. The cast was celebrating their success from the night, and Lucy thought that it was a great opportunity to get a picture with Ian. She meant nothing by it, he was a great friend, and it had been months since they were able to hang out together outside of set. Chris had put a stop to that early on in their relationship. He didn't mind any of her other friends, but he really disliked Ian. Chris claimed that he could tell Ian wanted to be more than friends with Lucy, no matter how many times she told him they were just friends. After the Ustream in February, Chris formed a strong opinion quickly.

Lucy closed her eyes and sighed as she began thinking about the argument she and Chris just finished. 30 minutes earlier he came over and she could tell something was wrong. She was really hoping that it had nothing to do with the picture, since it was harmless, but she was sensing that was the problem. She could tell by the way he entered her apartment. Cheerfully, she went in for a hug, but Chris just stood there and she could feel the tension. Trying to diffuse the situation, she grabbed his hand and dragged him into the kitchen asking if he wanted a beer as she nonchalantly poured herself a glass of wine. He simply shook his head no and glared at her. If only she knew how much she was going to need that glass of wine.

"Lucy, don't try to avoid the situation."

"Um, I'm not sure what you're talking about" she said, really hoping he wasn't going to make a huge deal out of something so unimportant.

"You know damn well what I am talking about. Don't play dumb with me" he hissed back.

"If this is about the picture of Ian and I..."

"God, Lucy, you seriously know how to piss me off! You know how I feel about that guy and you always shove him down my throat!" he interrupted.

"Seriously? Shove him down your throat? How do you figure? I'm not allowed to even talk to him outside of work! You put a stop to that way back in February!" she exclaimed, started to get upset.

"Whatever, you know you do. I swear, every time I ask how work was you always have to tell me some story about Ian, something cute he did, how he's so funny. Oh, he toothed your lip accidentally during that kiss that took over an hour to perfect? Well, in case you couldn't figure it out, I don't give a fuck about him, or anything he does for that matter! And then I get on Twitter today to see a picture of you guys together. How the hell am I supposed to react?!"

"Wow! You are being ridiculous! We took a damn picture together! I took pictures with other people too! And, I mean, it's not like we were doing anything wrong in the picture. We were standing there! If you have a problem with that, you have some issues you have to work out within yourself!" Lucy yelled. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

"Just standing there..." Chris laughed sarcastically. "You know it was more than a picture, Lucy. He has a thing for you and you know it. And with the caption 'Darling Ian' to go with it, what should I think? Right now I am feeling as if I should wonder how you feel about him, too."

"First of all, Ian has a girlfriend, so don't say he has a "thing" for me. Second of all, don't you think you should trust me? I mean, being I am your girlfriend and all? What have I done to deserve so little trust? When we started dating you specifically said you had no problem with my job, and the fact that I would be kissing Ian quite a bit. Our relationship on the show is one that is probably going to last through the end and you knew that from the beginning! I don't know what changed your opinion of him and I. You claim it was our Ustream but we didn't do anything!-"

"Bullshit!" Chris interrupted again. "Watch that Ustream again, Lucy. Did you see the way he was looking at you? It was fucking disgusting! And you were flirting right back, and you know it! I guess it is just too hard for you to stay away from him, huh? He's just so damn irresistible. But I'm not dealing with the bullshit anymore, you can decide what's more important."

"What?" Lucy asked obviously taken aback.

"I'll let you choose. Do you wanna be with me and stay away from him, or do you want him? It's your choice. If you want him, fine. I will leave...".

"You are not seriously asking me to choose between you and Ian!" Lucy interrupted.

"God, Lucy is it really that hard of a decision?"

"Chris, you are asking me to choose between you, my boyfriend, and one of my best friends. I can't just kick him out of my life, we work together and we can't just completely ignore each other!"

"Seriously? I didn't think it would be such a hard decision. Maybe I should be more worried than I thought I was". Lucy could see that Chris was getting more angry by the second. His face was getting redder and she could see his body tense up.

"Chris, I can't make that decision. I'm sorry. I would love to choose you, but you have to realize why I can't..." Lucy trailed off. She could feel a lump in her throat start to form.

"Damn it, Lucy! You are such a bitch! God, for all I know you're probably sleeping with him, because I can't see how some other guy can be so damn important" Chris yelled as he walked towards the door.

Lucy grabbed Chris's arm hoping to keep him from leaving as tears started to well up in her eyes. "Chris, please. Please don't leave! We need to figure this out, you can't just walk out!"

"Fuck you! I'm out of here. There's no point in staying, since you can't choose me!" Chris screamed at her.

Lucy let her arm fall from his and stood there silently. Chris glared at her then turned on his heel towards the door. Before he left, he punched the wall, threw the door open and slammed it in Lucy's face. Lucy stood a few feet from the door, paralyzed, and sobbed.