A/N: I was super happy to hear you're still interested in this story, so I'm posting this chapter for you that I wrote last week. I hope I can get the next one ready soon! Enjoy! :)


Chapter Four

"Annie?"

She hears the whispering voice of her husband, but she doesn't feel like opening her eyes just yet, so she pretends to be asleep.

"Annie?" Bobby tries again, but she doesn't respond. She only opens her eyes when she hears the door close and his steps fade on the corridor.

Even though she's basically done it during their whole marriage in a way, she still hates herself for lying to him, for pretending. But she never really had a choice. Bobby wouldn't understand, he would just get angry if she told him what she did last night.

She knows that she did something very stupid, but on the other hand she feels that it wasn't for nothing after all. The gratitude on her daughter's face when she let her keep her gun was completely worth it. She just wants her to be safe, especially after what Emma did to protect her from Harris.

She hopes she is all right, not that she knows how to make sure of that. She has no idea how to contact her, calling Harris's house, with Judith there is definitely not an option. And she doesn't feel ready to do it either. They may have taken a small step towards each other last night, but there're too many things separating them still.

Bobby was half asleep when she arrived home the previous night. Sue Ellen and her had had a long conversation, but couldn't really come up with a plan how to handle Harris yet. But knowing that she could count on her friend's support is enough for now. Once she can talk to Emma again, she is sure she will be able to figure out the next step.

She reaches for her phone and notices that she has a new message. She opens it and is stunned to see Harris's name as the contact.

I think I have something that belongs to you, Annie. Meet me in my office at noon so we can talk.

She doesn't believe her eyes, so she has to read the message at least three times to fully grasp its meaning. Harris wants them to meet again, after what happened last night. At least he suggested his office, not some private place, so she doesn't have to fear he might attack her again. But she doesn't feel ready for this meeting nevertheless. She's barely recovered from the one a few hours ago.

But she knows she has to go nevertheless. Not because of what is in his possession, but because of Emma. He mentioned the word 'talk', which hopefully means he doesn't want to fight. Maybe she managed to open his eyes last night and he is willing to consider her request. All she wants is to have a relationship with her daughter, and she's willing to agree to his terms if that's what it takes to get her back.

She cannot even deny that the text gave her hope, no matter how scary is the thought to face Harris again. She is doing it for her daughter and she will be brave for her once more, like she was last night.

She finally feels ready to face the day, her husband and the rest of the family, so she gets out of bed to take a shower. Once she's back from the bathroom in her robe, she is almost startled by Bobby, who's sitting on the side of the bed.

"Good morning," she smiles at him with her newly found energy.

"Good morning," he responds, but his lips don't curl up too wide.

"I'm sorry for last night, I was just visiting Sue Ellen and we forgot about the time," she explains, to forego his inquiry and he seems to appreciate it.

"I was worried," he admits in a silent tone.

"I know, I'm sorry," she repeats, not sure what else to say, when he slowly nods.

"Are you coming down for breakfast?" he asks, declaring the topic closed and she lets out a barely audible sigh in relief.

"Just give me a minute to get dressed," she smiles at him cheerfully, and the smile only fades away when he leaves the room once more.

She walks to her closet to try and figure out what to wear, like she did the previous night. She needs to choose her outfit carefully again, nothing too provocative, she cannot let Harris think she's dressing up for his sake. She chooses another dark pantsuit, with a dark blue top underneath.

Once she is dressed, she goes back to the bathroom to do her hair and put on some make-up. When she's done she is satisfied with her reflection in the mirror. She doesn't look anything like the woman she was almost twenty years ago when she escaped from her ex husband. She has gone a long way to become Mrs. Bobby Ewing, who doesn't have to live in the shadow of her past. And she won't let Harris pull her back again.