A/N: It's been a loooonnnngggg time. If there is anyone still out there - I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Sincere apologies for the nearly six year wait. I don't write so much anymore, but I'm trying to get back into it.

Tuesday and Wednesday seemed to drag on as I tried to keep Jackie out of my head. I attempted to stay focused on getting my curriculums ready for my courses, but every time I started something new my mind wandered to memories of when we were together. I had to be honest to myself, I have never felt the way I did about Jackie for anyone else, not before her and well, there had not been anyone after her. I know that I need to continue to move on, but I was not fooling myself thinking that Samuel would help with that. He was very nice, successful, charming, intelligent and could offer me the world, but something was missing. I hate to admit it, but seeing Jackie changed everything for me.

My phone rang, pulling me away from my thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Catherine, it's Samuel."

"How are you?"

"Good, I'm just on a little break right now at work, but I wanted to let you know that I set up an appointment with my personal shopper for you to get an outfit for tonight."

"You don't need to do that, I was just going to wear something that I already have."

"Nonsense. There should be a car to pick you up at two and Monica will take you shopping and then to get your hair and make-up done."

"Wow, thank you. That is really sweet of you, Samuel."

"Not a problem. I look forward to seeing you tonight."

I paused for a moment before responding. "Same, I'll see you this evening."

"Bye Catherine."

"Bye Samuel."

He was a very sweet guy and that phone call was just another way he showed that. I feel bad that I'm going to have to let him down, but he is too nice. He deserves someone who is going to fall in love with him and not have anyone else on their mind.

The afternoon flew by and I found myself sitting in the back seat of a jet-black sedan holding hands with Samuel. He had a permanent smile on his face and I looked out the window wondering how the night was going to go. I knew I was going to see Jackie, which made me happy, but at the same time things were awkward. Two years without any communication would do that though.

When the car stopped he got out and came around to open my door. He took my arm and led the way. Even thought it was evening you wouldn't be able to tell with all the lights flashing and bright lights lining the 'red carpet.' I smiled softly as people took pictures of us and I instantly felt uncomfortable.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"I'm going to have to take pictures for a little bit. If you want to go ahead and get a drink inside you are more than welcome to."

I nodded my head and responded, "I'm okay for now."

"Samuel!" I heard her voice despite the press yelling around us.

"Jackie and Chris! We are going to take some photos with the cast before going in."

When I turned around her and her 'boyfriend' were behind me. "Hi again. It's Cathleen, right?" She said and winked at me.

"Catherine." I corrected her. I knew she was trying to be funny, but I was jealous seeing her with Chris. She's the only one who ever made me feel that way.

"Right, sorry. This is Chris." She introduced us and I smiled politely and he seemed like he lacked a few brain cells and I wondered how Jackie could stand that.

We both shook hands and said hello. "Samuel, I think I'm going to wait for you inside. Can I get you a drink?"

"I'm good for right now. Thanks, though. Abigail is probably inside, she hates this stuff." He said referring to the pomp and circumstance of the red carpet.

"Great. It was nice to meet you Chris. I'll see you guys inside." I smiled and turned to walk inside.

I finally found my way inside and grabbed a red wine at the bar. I found Abigail and we made small talk until Daniel and Samuel joined us. Shortly before the movie started I excused myself to find a bathroom.

There was a short line when I got there, but I didn't want to risk having to go during the movie.

"You look beautiful." She spoke softly so only I could hear her, but her breath on my neck instantly caused goosebumps. I turned to look at her and she had this small smirk on her face, like she knew exactly what she just did.

"Thank you. You do too."

"Are you free at all this weekend?"

"Excuse me?"

"I was hoping to maybe come over and see Ethan before I leave on Sunday for a couple of weeks."

"Where are you going?"

"New York and then London, I told you the other day."

"Oh… yeah, I'm free this weekend."

"Great. I'll stop by."

"Jackie, you can't just stop by… At least call beforehand, in case I have visitors."

"Right, sorry. I'll call before I come over. I think you're up."

"Huh?" I was confused.

"The bathroom is open."

"Of course."

The night went smoothly and the movie was pretty good. I was diagonally behind Jackie during the viewing and on occasion I caught her looking back to see if I was enjoying it. When we went to leave Samuel held my hand as we made our way back to the car.

"I made a reservation for dinner at this little Italian place."

"Great, I'm starving."

"Me too!" He laughed.

We had a nice night, much like the first night he took care of everything, but there just wasn't a spark. I hope he doesn't think that there is, because I'm awful at ending things with people. And he is nice, so nice. After dinner, we were in the back of the car sitting there quietly. He lightly squeezed my hand before he started talking.

"Catherine... Did you have a good time tonight?"

"Yes, I did. It was very nice."

"That's it though, just nice…" I looked at him strangely. "Don't get me wrong. I've really enjoyed spending time with you, but I think we are both on the same page that this probably isn't going to go anywhere."

I instantly felt like a weight had been lifted. "I have had fun, but I feel the same way."

"Abigail is always trying to set me up and it's sweet, but I'm just not in a place to really be dating."

"I know the feeling. I just got out here and have a lot on my plate getting ready for the fall semester."

"You're a good date though, Catherine. I might have to call on you if I'm ever dateless to an event."

"You aren't so bad yourself. I'd be okay with that." I laughed.

We talked a bit more on the way back to my place and he walked me to my door when we arrived at my house. We hugged good night. I knew I'd probably see him again, but was happy with how things ended this evening.

As always, Ethan was waiting for me at the door. He followed me upstairs as I took my shoes off and soon after the beautiful dress I was wearing. I changed into something comfortable and took my phone out of my bag. I noticed that Jackie had texted me about thirty minutes earlier.

Porcupine: Would now be a bad time to come visit Ethan?
Catherine: Jackie, really?
Porcupine: It's fine if the answer is no.
Catherine: I just got home. I'm about to take him for a walk.
Porcupine: Is that a yes?
Catherine: Are you going to stay over again?
Porcupine: Probably not.
Catherine: I'll see you when you get here.

I smiled at the exchange, but I also knew that I needed to slow down. I told myself I wouldn't run to her the first chance I got. I've only been here three weeks. At the same time, why should I waste more time? It's been two years. Ethan and I went out for a walk around the neighborhood and when we returned home she was sitting in front of the front door.

"You didn't waste much time."

"I don't live very far from here."

"Oh… You didn't mention that before."

"I didn't want to freak you out."

"When you say not very far, what do you mean?"

"We're practically neighbors."

"Wow. Of all the places…"

"I thought the same, but it's not a big deal."

"Hmm." I opened the door for us. "I wondered how you got past the gate the other night."

"I'm in the next community over, but I have friends in this one, so I have a guest pass."

"I'll have to talk to the guard next time about limiting your access." I laughed.

"Oh yeah?" She said sarcastically. She grabbed for my hand and pulled me closer to her. We both took a deep breath at the same time and I pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on me. "I still can't believe you're here. I honestly didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"I knew you were out here, but I was going to work up the courage to get in touch with you. Just to see how you were doing."

"Really?

"I don't know how long it would have taken, but it doesn't matter much at this point." I ran my fingers through her hair and one hand was gently rubbing her back. "Can we sit on the couch?"

She just nodded and we pulled apart. When we sat on the couch she curled up beside me and put an arm across my front as one of my arms draped over her shoulder.

"This is almost too easy."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"How we fit together, like no time has passed."

"Jackie…"

"I'm serious. It's like we were always meant to be right here in this moment. Look, we haven't seen each other in over two years. You've traveled around the world. I've traveled around the world. But yet, we were both in the right place at the right time the other night. Don't you think its fate?" She is sitting up now, holding one of my hands and staring at me as if I am the only person in the world.

"We would have run into each other at the premiere."

"Exactly. It was inevitable."

"We can only be friends." I said softly.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because in reality nothing has changed. You are now a big star, bigger than two years ago. Are you ready to risk that?"

"You were worth it then. You're worth it now."

"Don't say things you don't mean."

"Why do you think I'm here?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you think that I showed up here the other night and tonight?"

"Because a blast from your past popped up out of nowhere."

"That's part of it."

"What's the other part?"

"That I never stopped thinking about you."

"You never called."

"Neither did you."

"I'm not sitting here telling you that I didn't stop thinking about you."

"You don't need to."

"There it is again! Do they teach that type of narcissism out here? You just assume you know what I want and what I'm thinking!" I stood up and threw my hands in the air.

"Here we go. A gross over reaction to keep me an arm's length away. We haven't seen this before. You just said to me you knew I was out here and you were going to contact me, but you didn't want it to be the first thing you did."

"You should leave." I was starting to get upset. I wanted to prove to myself that she wasn't the reason I came here. Pushing her away was the only way I could lie to myself. She was calling my bluff though.

"Where did that get us the last time, Catherine? It's been over two years and here we are. Single. Alone. Easily falling into something that never should have ended."

"It had to end. You were leaving."

"You could have come with me." She stood up from the couch and just stared at me. She looked deflated.

"You live in a world where you have to pretend to date your co-star because it will help the box office numbers. There isn't room for me in that world."

"And I'm telling you I am willing to make room for you in that world, because I need you in mine." With that she walked towards the door. She turned back to look at me one more time before she walked out the front entry. "When you're done wasting time, you know how to reach."