Hey guys. Decided to add on to this little piece. More to come. Let me know what you think. Peace.

2. Defying Gravity

[Emma POV]

After signing my resignation, I leave Figgin's office with less determination than I think I have ever encompassed. I know that I am doing what needs to be done, but at what cost? Is it worth the heartache of leaving everything I know, everything I love, just to avoid the confrontation. But then I remember that this is not just for me. The look of confusion doubled with pure dejection on Will Schuester's face when he told me of leaving his wife informed me that he too needs time. Time that I can't give. Seeing him everyday and knowing that he is aware of my feelings for him, yet not being able to do anything about it would kill me. I can't put either of us in that position.

So as I walk past the hallway to my office, I stop to give it one last wistful glance. What I see there causes my entire body to forgo mobility. Will comes toward me, slowly at first, but soon picks up the pace. As he approaches my side, I regain some of my composure and turn to face him. His soft, graceful hands – hands that I can't help but compare to Ken's meaty, calloused, clammy ones – remove my boxful of belongings from my arms and place it next to me on the floor. My own hands clench into fists at the sudden emptiness. My eyes follow his actions intently and meet his as his body straightens once again to its full height.

"What?" I mutter, shaking my head in confusion at his actions. His own face is etched with uncertainty as he lifts a finger toward my mouth. Were it anyone else standing before me, my mind would probably wander to whether they were actually going to touch me and how unsanitary such an action would be. However, as it were, all I can think about is the way his supple lips part and the sweet, minty breath that makes its way to my nostrils. My eyes focus on his lips and my mind wanders instead to all the ways he could be using them at this exact moment – a pastime I partake in much too often as it were. Glancing back into his eyes, I find a determination there that almost scares me. Not knowing what is happening is unsettling. I like to have everything in order and this feeling is something I can't control.

Taking a step forward, he slips his lean fingers around my waist and pulls me gently toward him. He leans his head in toward mine and my eyelids flutter closed. Will quickly captures my lips in a passionate embrace. He kisses me like no man ever has and for a moment I am stunned into submission. I quickly gather my thoughts and respond in kind, returning the kiss and grasping his upper arms with everything I have.

He pulls away, his forehead nearly resting on my own. I can see nothing for the fact that my eyes remain closed as I attempt to catch my breath and slow my rampant heartbeat. When I do open my eyes, I look directly into his. What I see there is what I assume to be unadulterated love and I can't help the smile of pure elation that begins to grow on my face. His features mirror my own as he seems to absorb my happiness.

"Will," I murmur as my smile disappears.

His own smile slowly slips from his perfect features, making his Kirk Douglas chin dimple more prominent. I can't form any other words. Just his name. It's the only one of the jumbled thoughts running through my head that seems to make it to my lips.

The rest of the world comes back into focus as I realize the situation we find ourselves in. The pair of us are standing in the hallway of William McKinley High School. A place at which I no longer work. My engagement was called off two days ago; the same day he decided to leave his wife. Yet here we are, two days later – kissing. It's not right and I know it. I can't be that girl. I can be the rebound; not with Will. He matters too much for me to allow myself to screw it up.

He needs time – we both do. Time to sort out our feelings about our current situations and about each other. I can now see that he, at least is some small way, reciprocates my feelings for him, but how deep do they really go? This could just be some ill-fated attempt to keep me from leaving. I like to think of Will as my best friend. Maybe he feels the same way about me and just doesn't want to lose that bond. Perhaps, just perhaps, he understands that for me, I will be losing so much more than a job when I walk out the school doors today. More than a friendship even. I will be losing the possibility; the possibility of finding out what a real relationship could be like. Maybe he feels the same. It's all just too soon. We need to take a step back – both literally and figuratively – in order to examine our lives. This is not something I can just jump into with Will. Not when so much is at stake. I am already losing so much.

"I can't…"

Unable to finish the sentence and put my thoughts into words, I shake my head. With what I hope to be an apologetic look upon my face, I bend down to grab my box. His hands hold tight on my waist however, and any attempts are thwarted.

"Please, Will," I quietly plead, looking anywhere but his eyes, hoping that he can understand what I am asking. He seems to, as his hands quickly leave my body. Even through my wool peacoat, I miss the heat. Pushing that thought to the back on my mind, I lean down and pick up my belongings. "Goodbye, Will," I mutter, glancing one last time into his hazel eyes before turning on my heel to leave.

"Em," he calls out, grasping my elbow lightly before I even take a step, "please." His beseeching tone mirrors my own just moments before, however, it is clear that he is asking for the opposite of what I can give. "I… you can't leave."

I take a step forward, sliding easily from his loose grasp, my head held down in shame. I can't give him what he needs, not right now anyway, even if I want it as badly as he seems to.


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