A/N: Hi folks I'm back! I haven't actually gone anywhere, just haven't written or published anything in nearly a year. As much as I love all of your stories I'm losing all inspiration to write, especially now the Rax has been replaced with that Dylan bloke (very disgusted). Anyways I started writing this in January just after the finale and its been a slow work in progress. It's ended up being a lot longer than the oneshot that was originally intended so it's become a three part ficlet. Excuse any mistakes or change in writing style - this is what happens when you write on your phone over 5 months! Do enjoy and R+R, part two and three will be uploaded soon! Emily x
It was another busy night in Togo's, it had definitely become Max's biggest success to date and he was proud of it. He stood behind the bar on this certain night serving his customers as well as he always did.
"Three glasses of the Shiraz please" a man asked
"Would you rather the bottle?" Max tried
"Ya sure" he nodded.
Max smiled, luckily he'd got a great network of well off customers who came into the bar and were happy to splash their cash. He watched the man as he punched his pin into the card machine, he was one of those business men who seemed to be all about his reputation and confidence.
In fact Max was sure he'd seen him in here earlier this week, making his way round the whole room acting like he owned the place. He may appear smug and annoying but at least he kept him in business, he could keep buying all the girls in the bar drinks for all Max cared!
"Is it your place?" The man stopped him in his thoughts
"Yeah" Max answered suspiciously
"Nice" he looked around "my girl would love it here, I'll have to bring her one day"
"More than welcome!" Max tried to be friendly.
The man nodded and sauntered off again into the crowd
The bar didn't die down until about half two. Max sent all his staff home, he preferred to do all the tidying up on his own the following day.
By just before three he was already making his way into his flat having driven back from the bar. It was only a twenty minute walk between the two but Jo'burg had a tendency to be quite dangerous at night and tough as Max was, he didn't want to take any chances.
He dropped his keys on the table as he walked in and collapsed onto the sofa. He hadn't had a night off in weeks, probably because he didn't think he needed one. Even if he did have a night off he wouldn't have anything to do. When he was with someone he felt guilty that he worked nights, never being able to spend anytime with the person he loved. Rosie didn't seem to mind much but he did give himself two or three nights off a week so they could be together, even if they just stayed in which they did most the time. He liked to make her dinner when he could, he refused to let her lift a finger.
Max sighed, those days were over, for now anyway. Hopefully one day he'd meet someone else and fall in love and settle down all over again, but there was no rush, he was happy to wait.
He needed a night off he thought, just to sleep if anything. On average he'd work a four hours during the day, paperwork, deliveries, testing new ideas and then another seven or so at night. It wasn't til he stopped that he realised how exhausting it all was, thank goodness he was his only responsibility right now!
Slowly Max picked himself up off the sofa and took himself to bed ready to do it all again tomorrow.
- The following week-
Rosie couldn't wait to get out tonight. She'd been so busy working recently and any spare time she did have she was either back at Leopards Den or Dylan had made sure they spent some time alone together at home. Tonight however Dylan had promised to take her out to dinner in the city and then a bar he kept going on about.
"You look beautiful" he murmured as he leant in to kiss her
Rosie looked up at him and smiled.
"Thanks" she took her coat from him and put it on.
"Ready?" Dylan took her hand and they walked out into the night.
(X)
"Hi!" Dylan approached the barman he'd spoken to last week.
"You alright mate?" He asked him from behind the bar
"Good yeah, can I get a beer and-" Dylan turned to Rosie and slipped his arm around her waist "what would you like darling?"
"A glass of-" Rosie stopped in shock as she realised it was Max on the other side of the bar. She tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat but couldn't.
Silence remained between the three of them as Dylan frowned.
"Nice to see you" Max muttered as he began to pour Dylan's pint
"Darling what's wrong?" Dylan pulled Rosie in tighter to her side.
Max narrowed his eyes at him.
"Come on" Rosie finally spoke taking Dylan's hand, "we'll go somewhere else"
"Rosie?" He questioned as she led him out.
Rosie pushed past all the people and squeezed past the bouncer on the door.
"What was all that about?" Dylan asked her sternly once they'd got to the street.
"Dylan don't please, let's just go to that other bar round the corner"
Dylan grabbed her arm and she spun to look at him. He raised his eyebrows awaiting an explanation.
Rosie sighed, she knew she'd have to tell him.
"That was Max," she nodded to the door "that's his bar"
"Christ Rosie. Why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't know it was his bar did I?! You think I'd let us go in there if I knew my ex husband would be in there?"
Dylan shrugged "I'd hope not"
"You know I wouldn't Dylan, wouldn't even put either of us in that situation!"
"Sorry" He murmured and leant in to kiss her
She kissed him back, wrapping her arms round his torso.
"Come on" she murmured "not here"
"Do you want me to go in there, talk to him and make sure he keeps himself away?"
"No it's fine, he didn't do anything wrong"
"Don't defend him Rosie! After everything he put you through"
"Just forget about him, it's just me and you" she smiled and kissed him again before they walked off down the street.
- The following day-
The sun glistened brightly, reflecting off the pavement, wet from the overnight rain. Rosie trod carefully as she made her way down the street, wary of anyone who might spot her. She'd managed to tell Dylan that she was going to do some shopping in the city before her afternoon shift at work, seeing as his birthday was approaching he left no argument to come with her.
She turned the corner and the fascia dominated her view. Even with the grey clouds above it still managed to give off a great impression.
Rosie shook off her nerves as she made her way towards the door of the bar, she still wasn't sure if she should be doing this or whether it would be best to forget about the coat and not risk seeing him again. On the other hand, it was an expensive coat, one Dylan had bought her for her birthday and he'd notice if it went missing even if he hadn't in the past 24 hours.
The door was locked as she pushed it, Rosie sighed as she peered through the glass.
Max was stood inside putting glasses back behind the bar. Even the sight of him made her want to run a mile, though she wasn't sure if it was down to fear or hatred.
Max moved towards the door and had begun to unlock it before she had the chance to escape.
"Um thanks" she said quietly as he let her in.
"How can I help you?" Max asked suspiciously.
"I erm left my coat here last night" she managed
"Ah yes" Max turned to walk to the back of the bar "too busy running off with your fella to remember it"
Rosie rolled her eyes, it was so typical him to be sarcastic over it all.
Max disappeared round a corner, leaving Rosie alone in the room. She looked around and she had to admit, it was a really nice bar!
Max reappeared with her coat
"Thanks," she took it from him
"No problem" he said and walked back to the bar awkwardly.
"It's nice in here, you've done it up well" she attempted to break the awkwardness.
"Thanks, about 7 months we've been open now" Max said busying himself
"How's business?"
"Yeah pretty good"
"Good" she nodded "well I better-"
"How's your boyfriend?" Max asked quickly
"Fiancé actually" she boasted
"Wow that was quick" Max raised his eyebrows
"Meaning?" She questioned
"Nothing"
Rosie rolled her eyes.
"So you working full time now?" He asked politely
"Yep, a surgery in the north of the city"
"Oh right" Max backed down, he never imagined her working away from Leopards Den
"Yeah we moved out here a couple of months ago" she smiled
"You like it?"
Rosie nodded
"Nice to see more of the city"
"Have you seen much of it?" He questioned
"Well I guess not, apart from most of the top restaurants" Rosie admitted
"You go out with him a lot then?"
"Yeah of course we do! We're a couple Max that's what couples do! Nights out nights in"
"Seems like he's happy as long as you're wrapped around his little finger" Max muttered, he knew he shouldn't have said it, he just couldn't help himself.
"Excuse me?!" Rosie took a step back in anger
"Come on Rosie you're 26 years old! You should be out with your friends getting him to come and pick you up when your too drunk to stand!"
"I'm happy with Dylan! I'm not that kinda person" she denied
"Well he must've changed you then 'cause that's not the person I knew"
"Knew Max, knew. You don't know me anymore" she stressed
"You can't want to be with him Rosie!" He blurted, unable to control his growing frustration.
Rosie laughed
"Of course I do! We're getting married! I love him and he loves me"
"Or you love him because he loves you" he muttered under his breath.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Come on Rosie look at him! He's like twice your age, he probably just spends his life spoiling you and nothing else"
"Max don't judge people, you don't know anything about us" Rosie asserted. She knew it had been a mistake coming here, she turned to leave.
"He's a creep Rosie! You haven't see him when he's out on his own! Flashing his cash, buying drinks for other girls in the bar." He told her
"Oh yeah and why should I believe you!" She raised her voice to him
"Rosie trust me, I know you I know what you go for"
Rosie raised her eyebrows "which is why we're divorced"
"I can read you like a book, in fact I can read him like a book, he's a smartass he's flash he'll take you out on expensive dinners and buy you all the things you've ever wanted but really he doesn't care"
"I don't know why I'm bothering to listen to this" She put her hands up and headed for the door once more
" What are you doing living out here Rosie?" He asked calmly, he couldn't make sense of the situation he had found himself in "Seriously, you couldn't wait to move back to the bush, that's what you trained to do! He's moved you out here hasn't he, away from what you really want your family everyone you love"
"Not entirely true no, I love him it was a joint decision to move to Jo'burg"
"To work with cats and dogs?"
Rosie rolled her eyes once more, she couldnt believe she had once loved such a rude and self-centred man.
"I'm going"
She felt for the door handle but his hand grabbed her arm before she could move further.
"Max seriously" she said through gritted teeth as he pulled her round
"Please Rosie" He looked into her eyes.
"Please what?"
"You know you're throwing your life away with him"
"No I'm not" She said firmly
" You want, you need someone who appreciates you for who you are, not as. Someone they can get into bed! You deserve better than him"
"Cut the crap Max. What is this? Jealousy? I've moved on and you haven't?" She questioned
"No! If anything I doubt you have moved on, just settling for second best someone who will love you"
"With all due respect Max I sure hope you're not implying that you're first best, perfect and all 'cause we both know you most definitely weren't!" She accused him.
"Things went wrong between us I know, I'm not denying it just-"
"Just what then?" Rosie sighed.
"What did you say when you first walked in here?" He asked
Rosie frowned
"I don't know, I was so busy with my fiancé to remember" She boasted
"When you came in today, when I brought your coat out..."
"That I liked the place?" She replied
"Why why did you like it?"
"Erm it felt nice, nice colour - the green, nice decor," her mind wandered "um, the way you wrote the cocktail menus"
Max nodded
"Favourite colour, particular style, all the ideas you tried to palm off to me years ago" Max revealed
Rosie tried to blink out the memories as they swelled back to the surface. The times she'd seen things and thought they'd look good in the bar and told Max. He'd laughed them off telling her maybe one day. Her eyes wondered further noticing the lights that were embedded on the backs of sofas, it was obvious how much time and money he had spent on this place.
"I knew you were right" He admitted following her gaze
"Max" she choked, trying to break free "just let me go"
"And what did I name the place?" He held on to her
Rosie bit her lip. Togo.
One of the first things they did together, all those years ago. The nights they drove out to god knows where to rescue the elephant. the same time she saw Max's softer side, the first time she saw him not as an arrogant prick or someone she loved to hate but someone who she might actually feel something for. And then she kissed him, for the first time.
Rosie shook her head as the memories came flooding back once more.
"But why? Why did you do it all?" She threw at him
"Because I missed you Rosie, because I still loved you but I knew I had no chance in hell to get you back or even see you again. So," he shrugged "I guess I just did what I felt I had to, fulfil all those times I told you 'yes one day', the dreams you had for us. If this was the only way I could keep you in my life it had to be it, it was all for you"
He searched her eyes for an answer, not even sure what answer he was searching for
"It is gorgeous" she admitted
"I know, I knew you'd say that"
Rosie looked up to the ceiling
"God Max why are you doing this to me!" she exclaimed
"So you might remember, you might miss what we had, don't you?" he said
"I used to, until I moved on"
"And you really want to be with him, with a guy who doesn't take interest in the finer things in your life who takes you away from your family and let me guess who your family don't even take a great liking to"
Rosie was silenced, reality and dreams churning in her stomach.
"Told you I knew you too well" Max raised his eyebrows with a sly grin
"And now you expect me to ditch him and come running back to you as if nothing ever went wrong between us?"
Max simply looked at her. She shook her head in despair
"So I bump into my ex husband, he reels off all this crap about knowing who I am and the mistakes I'm making! No Max no! You don't know me! We got divorced for a reason Max, god how can you think we possibly could ever get back together"
"I-" Max began
"No Max! No! What are you? In love with me again?! That's what 2 years too late? I'm happy with Dylan I love him!" She declared
"So you told him you were coming back here today?" He asked quietly
"Yeh course" she shrugged
Max shook his head and smiled
"No you didn't"
"Yes I did"
"No because if you did, he would have marched in with you or instead of you and probably had a word with me because he's so protective of you. When was the last time you went out without him Rosie? Or is he always wrapped round your arm"
"God your rude" Rosie narrowed her eyes
"Only because I love you" He murmured
"What?" She whispered as he leant closer into her.
Max didn't need to reply, he simply bent his head slightly and latched his lips onto hers.
And as soon as they touched they both knew that they had made mistakes. Whether mistakes in the past or mistakes now it wasn't clear.
Rosie closed her eyes and smiled as she kissed him, he was exactly the same, never changed. Perfect in every way. He held her into his chest, and at long last she felt safe, safe in his comfort, the presence she had no fears in anything he would do.
Max pulled away slowly and began to speak when Rosie moved into him again
"Rosie" he murmured between kisses
She ignored him, only pausing for breath. She didn't care about anything else but being with him, this is what she had missed, even though she hadn't realised it.
A salty taste entered his mouth, confused Max tried to break off again.
Rosie looked up at him, the light reflecting in her watered eyes.
"What's wrong?" He whispered wiping the tears off her cheek.
She shook her head
"Tell me"
"I just-" she looked away "I just don't understand"
"Understand what?" Max said brushing her hair behind her ear
"Why, why it wasn't til now that I realised,"
Max kissed her forehead before allowing her to carry on,
"Realised what he's done to me, what I've lost because of him, because of us. I haven't felt so , so safe in so long"
Max wrapped her arms around her as she buried her head in his chest.
"And I don't understand why you did this all, for me but never showed it to me" she said quietly.
"Rosie" he began "I thought I'd lost you forever and I knew that if I loved you I'd have to let you go, it wasn't fair for me to go and find you and tell you how sorry I was for everything"
"It wasn't?" She looked up at him
"No of course it wasn't! For one you had your own life without me now, I had no place to go and intrude on it and for another I couldn't face what would happen if it all went wrong"
Rosie smiled weakly.
"And your Dylan fella probably would've knocked me out flat" He winked
"He wanted to last night" she admitted
"Don't blame him" he shrugged "he's obviously protective over you, anyone would be"
Rosie tried to fight back a smile but she couldn't deny how elated she felt.
Max took her hand and walked her back to the bar, nodding at the stool for her to sit on.
She swung her legs up as he made his way behind the bar and began to pour out a cosmopolitan, her favourite drink. She watched him intently before he handed it to her.
"So what now?" She sighed having taken a sip.
"You tell me" Max winked back at her.