A/N: Hello there. Thanks for your reviews. As always, I'm grateful for each and every one of them!

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while. Not such a great way to start a fanfiction, eh? I'm just rather busy at the moment. I've been working overtime quite a lot the past weeks, and it may not get better the next couple of weeks, either. I shall continue and finish this story, though, as I haven't felt this inspired in ages and I know exactly what's going to happen until the end (the end included). That's a real first for me!

Anyway, I won't bother you by writing a long, boring author note, so…enjoy reading, and do review!

Miss Sofie.


Chapter Three – A glimmer of Hope

I massaged my temples with a moan, but it only made the throbbing in my head grow stronger. I kept my eyes closed and thought that if only I could fall asleep again, then the head-ache would forget about me and leave me alone, but that did not happen. The pain only felt stronger after a few minutes, and that's when I chose to open my eyes.

I knew instantly that I was not in my bedroom. It was dark, but the smell in the room was nothing like the one in my own bed room. I turned my head to take a look around, and in the dark I could just make out the features of a man lying next to me.

Oh my God! Had I left the bar with Paul? Had we gone to his place? Had we…?

But the man lying next to me turned a little in his sleep, and as he did so, familiar eu de cologne reached my nostrils.

"Mark!" I exclaimed in a whisper and felt shaken. Immediately, I looked down myself and touched my chest and my legs. Thank God! I was still wearing my clothes! Mark and I hadn't done anything we weren't supposed to do.

To tell the truth it disappointed me a bit. Only for a second or so, but it was long enough to make me feel embarrassed too. I wasn't supposed to have those kind of thoughts with Mark lying so close to me!

I lifted the quilt carefully as not to wake him up and crept out from the comfortable warmth beneath it. I needed something to take away the pain in my head, and I needed to calm my breathing a bit too. Lying close to Mark didn't exactly make me breathe easy.

I tiptoed to the kitchen and hurt my little toe on the corner of a floor cupboard, and my loud exclamations and my swearing and cursing were sure to wake up Mark. He must've been quite smashed, because no sound was heard from the bed room after all.

I searched for the medicine locker for a while until I got the brilliant idea of switching on the light. Then it only took me about ten seconds to find the small glass with aspirins, and another ten seconds later they were downed with a glass of water. I filled the glass again and brought it back with me, switching off the light again and hurting my toe on the corner of the opposite cupboard. I swore loudly again, but Mark still didn't sound alive.

I felt a little uncomfortable about lying so close to him when we were not together as a couple, so a second thought made me go to the living room and occupy the couch instead. The painkillers soon mended my poor head a bit, and after a while I dozed off to sleep again.

---

"You've already been up?" It was Mark. He came into the living room with a glass of water in his hand.

"How can you tell?" I asked screwing up my eyes. He had turned on the light and it was hurting my eyes.

"You've already got some water." He stated and placed the glass he was carrying next to the glass I had placed on the table earlier in the morning.

I took a gulp of water instead of replying.

"You know, I could've sworn that I fell asleep with you lying next to me." He said with a small smile at me. "Too much beer, I guess. Must've been dreaming."

"No, I did fall asleep in your bed." I admitted and feared that I would begin blushing. It really wasn't such a great time for that.

"You did? What made you leave? There's plenty of space for two."

I could tell from the look in his eyes that he just didn't get it at all. He obviously thought sleeping in the same bed the most natural thing to do because we were friends. Close friends. I should've been glad that he didn't understand why I had moved, but I could only feel disappointed.

"You snored." I lied taking the easy way out.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. I didn't know."

"You've slept alone for too long." I teased, knowing that he wouldn't take it the way it was really meant. "There's been no one to tell you that you snore."

"Yes. I have been lonely for too long. Yeah. I have." He said, suddenly sounding far too melancholy for my liking. That had not been my intention with that remark.

"Come on! Don't be so serious!" I tried, sounding as cheerful as I could. Anything to make him feel less sad about the Juliet-thing.

"You're right." He said and drew the curtains aside. "As always, you're right, Anna."

"Well, if you believe so then you'll agree when I say that we could use some breakfast?"

"Of course. Naturally. Obviously. I'm starved!"

I shook my head and gave a little snort as I got up. Mark could be really weird at times. But I loved him all the same.

---

"So what about you and Paul?" Mark asked squashing almost half a croissant into his mouth. We were having breakfast at a small café not far from his home.

"What about us?" I said avoiding looking at him.

"What do you think?" He asked with a small laugh and probably a roll of his eyes, too.

"I don't know!" I replied and looked at him with the most innocent expression I was able to conjure up.

"Oh, come on, Anna!" Mark complained. How he was able to speak so I could understand it with his mouth full off croissant, I don't know. It must be a guy thing. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about. I saw you kissing on the dance floor."

"Yes, and that was the only place in which you saw us kiss each other."

"Yes, but it doesn't mean that you didn't kiss when I didn't see you." He teased.

"It actually does!" I said buttering my second croissant.

"Well…?"

"Well what?"

"Will it be the only time…"

"Most definitely!"

"Why? He's a nice guy, isn't he?"

"Yes, but…"

"And he liked you. Matt did too."

"Yes, but…" I said hoping that he would cut me off again.

"But what?"

"Ehm…" I didn't really know. Mark was right. Paul was a really nice guy. It was obvious that he had liked me, and I had liked him too, but…

"But what?" Mark asked impatiently.

"He's just…not my type." I said hoping it would be enough.

"Anna, I know what your type is like, and Paul is exactly your type!"

"Well…maybe…it just didn't feel right." I tried, wanting to leave the topic behind. To tell the truth I'd rather talk about Juliet than about Paul. And that's not something that happened to me very often.

"What didn't? Was he a bad kisser?"

"Mark!" I complained, blushing like a school girl. I wouldn't have done so if any of my female friends had asked me that question, but Mark wasn't a female friend. He was the friend.

"What? I'm just asking." Mark replied innocently. He knew I couldn't' take it.

"Alright, so he was good at it, but it's really none of your business!" I finally admitted a little too fast to sound indifferent.

"And…once again you're right, but I made you tell me anyway!" He replied with a satisfied smile and a bite of his third croissant.

"Anyway, as far as Paul and I are concerned…don't expect to see us kiss again. Ever again. I don't really think he appreciated the way I left him on the dance floor to go get drunk with you!" I held my breath until I had seen Mark's reaction to my confession.

"Nah, you're probably right." He said and smiled at his croissant. "Paul's not the sort of man who'll forgive that. But apart from that I think he's…"

"Move on, please. We need a change of topics!" I cut off his sentence. It was enough now.

To my great relief Paul wasn't mentioned again between us that day. Neither was Juliet. Actually, the rest of our time at the café was a really nice and pleasant one, and for a while I was able to forget about my misery. It almost felt as if Mark and I were together, breakfasting like any other couple. Almost. There was the tiny detail about Mark not feeling the same way as I did, but apart from that my heart was able to make me believe that he was mine. Stupid, stupid heart!

"I'll see you soon." Mark said and touched my arm as he kissed my cheek. A moment later he was on his way down the street, away from the café.

"Oh, by the way…" He said stopping and turning around to face me. "I completely forgot to tell you. Mia's boss is throwing a Christmas party next Saturday."

"Oh." I said a little disappointed. What had that got to do with me? Or with Mark?

"It's at the gallery. I thought you might want to come."

"Oh!" I said in realization. That's what it had got to do with me. With us. No, with Mark.

"Say yes, please? I really don't want to go alone." Mark begged. The frown was back on his forehead.

"Uh…" I said trying not to stare rudely at him. For a moment I was rather lost in him. The air outside was so cold that his breath came out like small clouds of mist. It was hypnotizing.

"Please?"

"I don't know, Mark…" I began. I had never liked Mark's friend Mia much, and I wasn't sure that I'd like to go to a party with her colleagues. What if they were all just like her? "You won't be alone. You'll have Mia there."

"No, not really." He replied with a pleading look at me. "She'll be busy trying to bed her boss, and I really don't feel like observing that all night!"

"What?!" I exclaimed at the revelation about Mia. "Are you joking? Her boss?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. That's Mia. So please come?"

I hesitated.

"Oh, and you'll get to meet the new prime minister's sister. If that's not something…!" He said with a smile and a sarcastic tone in his voice.

"Oh, now that I can't miss!" I replied the same way and hopped a bit on the spot to keep warm. Mark moved a little closer putting his hands on my arms. He tried to warm me a bit by massaging my arms on the outside of my coat, and I couldn't help smiling at his somewhat pathetic attempt.

"Please come to the party, Anna." He said seriously and looked me in the eyes. I almost gave in. "Won't you please come? For me?"

Alright, I gave in!

"Sure, I'll come." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "But you owe me one, then."

"Thank you. I love you!" He said and gave me another peck on the cheek. Before I had a chance to reply (not that I had any reply (not one that I'd reveal, anyway)), he had let go of me and started walking down the street again.

"I love you too." I whispered closing my eyes. Then I opened them again and shook my head at myself. I was being pathetic!

---

"Anna?"

"Yes, it's me." I replied. Why did people always ask if I was the one to answer my phone? Just because I said 'hello' instead of saying my name. Who did they expect to be on the line anyway?

"Hi, it's Juliet."

"Oh, hi Juliet." I replied trying to sound as if it was good to talk to her again.

"What are you doing today?"

"Ehm…Mark and I are going to go find Christmas trees together. Why?" I said well-knowing that we wouldn't be going out to find trees until late in the afternoon.

"That won't take all day, will it?"

"Ehm…no. I guess not."

"Have you bought all of your Christmas presents yet?"

"Ehm…no. Why?" (Yes, my vocabulary had suddenly been reduced to less than 20 words.)

"'Cause I still need to buy a few gifts and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

"Ehm…I don't know…" I said and hesitated. I knew perfectly well. I wouldn't like to. But I couldn't really tell her that, could I?

"Come on, Anna! It'll be fun. I promise. And I'll buy you lunch!"

"But Mark and I…"

"…are going to go find Christmas trees. Isn't Mark at work today?"

Of course he was. Darn, now that excuse wouldn't work anymore.

"He is? How strange. I thought that…but maybe I was wrong." I tried, and Juliet was kind enough to pretend that she believed me.

"So, what do you say? It's been so long since you and I have had time to be together. I know it's my fault, but it's really only because of the wedding. I promise it'll be better from now on…"

Was she apologizing? What for? She had done nothing wrong. If anyone had, I would be the one. I hadn't exactly wanted to spend time with her, and still she blamed herself and was as kind to me as anyone could be.

"Look, Juliet…" I began but she cut me off.

"Please, Anna?" She begged. Her voice was suddenly very thin and insecure. "I need to talk to you."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had a feeling of what she wanted to talk to me about, and I wasn't sure I could take that conversation with her. Her of all people.

"Alright. Of course I'll go shopping with you." I said trying to sound as if I were looking forward to it. "I just thought that Mark and I…"

"Yes, I know." She replied, her voice back to normal. "Thanks, I'll be looking forward to it. "

"So, when and where do we meet?" I asked a little too fiercely, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Let's say 11 o' clock outside the shopping centre?"

"Alright, I'll see you then."

"Okay. Bye."

I don't know if she reached to hear me saying 'bye' as well, as I hung up so quickly that the word may have been lost. A little rude, maybe, but it was not exactly easy for me to talk to her and be friendly. I suppose it was just as difficult for me to be nice to her as it was for Mark, though we had our diverse reasons for behaving alike.

---

Juliet's bright smile met me right before she gave me a big hug when we met at the shopping centre. I hugged her back, though surprised at the intensity of her hug. She was definitely not feeling as well as her smile was trying to trick me into believing.

"It's so good to see you again." She said and let go of me.

"You too." I replied and meant it though I didn't want to. "How are you?"

Her eyes flickered for a moment and I added: "How's married life?"

She smiled and looked at me again. It was obviously a question that she was happy to answer.

"It's good. It's great, actually. I've never been happier than I am now." She said, and I do believe that she meant it. Her eyes were shining with love, and there was no doubt that the love was for her husband. I sighed with relief, though I hadn't really believed that Mark's revelation would've changed her feelings anyway. She and Peter were the perfect couple and I doubted anything could ever come between them.

"But, Anna, I need your advice on something…" She began as she took my arm and we walked inside the centre.

Oh, no. Here it comes! I thought and tried to stay as unaffected as possible.

"I need your help to find the perfect gift for Mark. I want to thank him properly for the surprise at the wedding, and no one knows him better than you do."

Was that it? Was that what she needed to talk to me about? I couldn't help smiling as we walked on.

"Oh, really? Is that it? I thought that you…" I stopped myself before saying too much, but Juliet eyed me suspiciously. She didn't say anything, though.

"Has he told you what he wants for Christmas yet? I mean, the two of you are so close. You do buy each other gifts, don't you?"

"Yes. Yes, of course." I said, for a moment lost in my own thoughts. "He…eh…he wants a new scent, I think."

It wasn't like it was anything really personal, but that was okay with me. I didn't want his present from Juliet to be personal.

"A scent? Is that all?"

"Well, it's all I remember." I said telling the truth. It had been on his list, and apart from that I could only remember what I had already bought for him. "Apart from the new easel I bought him myself. And the paintbrushes."

"Oh. Then it's going to be a scent. Do you know which ones he likes?"

I rolled my eyes and gave a little laugh.

"Juliet, just…find something. He's not that difficult. He'll love whatever you'll give him!" I said with a smile and cursed myself a moment later for adding the last part.

"He really will, won't he?" Juliet asked quietly. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts for a moment, but then she looked up at me with pleading eyes. "Won't you help me find one anyway? I'd feel better knowing that you had chosen it for me."

"Juliet…" I said wanting to say no, but then I gave in. There was really no reason for me to be so unfriendly towards her. "Alright, I'll find one."

We had lunch after finding a gift box with my favourite male scent for Mark. I know I shouldn't have chosen one I liked so much, but I couldn't help it. Mark would become even more irresistible if he chose to wear it, and it would probably be fatal for me. I chose not to worry too much about it. I had found him irresistible for years now, and the scent probably wouldn't make a difference anyway. At least that was my excuse for finding the scent that Mark had been wearing years ago when he had walked me home after the prom.

"Anna, have you talked to Mark lately?" Juliet said after a while of talking about nothing in particular. I was about to stuff another portion of salad into my mouth, but I put down my fork and looked at Juliet instead. She looked rather sad and somewhat vulnerable.

"I talk to him daily. Why?" I said and decided to be a friend and listen to whatever she had to say.

"How is he doing?" She avoided looking at me.

"He's doing okay, I think." I replied and eyed her suspiciously.

"Oh. That's good." She said and looked at me again. She seemed relieved.

"Juliet…?" I asked well-knowing what she wanted to discuss. I suddenly felt the urge to talk to her about it too. I needed to know. I needed to be sure.

"You know, don't you?" She asked and held her breath.

"I know." I replied and watched how she took a deep, relieved breath.

"So, how is he doing? I mean, now that you know what I'm talking about?"

"I already knew when I answered your question before."

"Which means…?"

"He's doing okay. He's hurt, of course, but no more than he's been since the first time Peter introduced you to us."

"Oh my…!" Juliet exclaimed and looked at her plate. "It's been that long?"

"Mm-hm." I said and wanted her to say that she could never ever fall for someone like Mark.

"But…but isn't there anything we can do about it?"

"You could start treating him like he was some sort of trash." I suggested with a small smile.

"I could never do that." Juliet replied seriously. She hadn't seen me smile as she was still inspecting the food on her plate.

"Who could?" I said lost in my own thoughts. I hadn't meant to say it aloud, but Juliet heard, so I must've.

"That's why you never liked me much, isn't it?" She said with realization written all over her face.

"What? I've always liked you!" I complained but looked away. I had. I just hadn't wanted to.

"You're in love with Mark!" She smiled at me as I looked up, and I couldn't tell whether it was a happy or a victorious smile.

"What?!" I exclaimed feeling the colour rise in my cheeks. "I'm not! Juliet, that's ridiculous! He's my best friend, and you know that!"

"You two are so alike! I've finally figured out why you never liked me, and your reasons are so similar! That is good news, Anna!" Juliet's mood had changed from low to quite high in less than a minute, and it was a real effort not to rejoice.

"I really don't know where you get that from!" I said and looked out of the window. I didn't know where else to look. A small smile kept playing around my mouth, though I tried hard not to let it. "I'm not in l… Mark and I are just friends."

Juliet looked at me with an amused expression on her face, and it was obvious that she did not believe me. I thought about confessing, but I was afraid that she would try her best to make the two of us get together, and I really didn't want that to happen, though I did feel like talking to someone about my love for Mark.

"Whatever." Juliet finally said and rolled her eyes.

I took my fork again and put the salad into my mouth. I couldn't help smiling the rest of the time we spent in the café.

---

I was happier than I had been in a long time when I walked down the street later that day. I was alone, but I was to meet Mark at his place. What made me happy, though, was the fact that now I knew for sure that Juliet didn't return Mark's feelings.

I watched how the lights were switched on in the festoons as the dark grew around me, and the big plastic hearts above me shone red in the white frost that lay all over the street. Could the world be more beautiful?

"What are you thinking about?" A voice reached me, and so did a couple of arms that were thrown around me from behind.

"Mark!" I exclaimed happily and felt like kissing him. I didn't. He removed his arms again and walked next to me to his car.

"Ready?" He asked and opened the door in his side of the car.

"Yup." I replied and got in as well.

I thought about telling Mark about my conversation with Juliet while we drove, but I was afraid to say too much. Besides, I felt so happy that I didn't want to spoil it by talking about Juliet. I chose not to mention it yet. Maybe tomorrow, but not today or tonight.

We had a great time finding the perfect Christmas trees, and once again it felt almost as if we were a couple. Finding Christmas trees was something families did, wasn't it? Well, we weren't a family, but I could easily imagine us in the same spot, doing the same thing, with a couple of small children around us. I stared at Mark lost in my thoughts and was grateful for the dark and the frost as he noticed. The dark prevented him from seeing my blush, and if it not, the frost could as well have made my cheeks go pink.

"What?" He asked with a puzzled look at me, dragging a tree behind him.

"Nothing." I replied with a happy smile and helped him lift the tree to the roof of his car. This was what life was supposed to be like!

I didn't realize I had said it out loud, until he stood still and looked at me.

"Yeah, It really is, isn't it?" He said with a 'you're-right-again-look' at me and took off his gloves to get into the car.

Maybe – just maybe – Juliet had not been on his mind when he said that.


A/N: Aspirin is in no way my property. I don't know whose it is, but it's not mine. Oh, and Love is All Around from chapter two is by the Troggs. Thanks to…someone anonymous…for that piece of information!