Chapter 3: Secrets Out In The Open

Terry's POV

Since I spoke to Fiona on the phone, I had been cleaning and dusting my apartment...hoping to make it look presentable for when she arrives. Would Fiona care if it wasn't up to scratch? Perhaps not...but I didn't feel like taking the risk. Besides...it's only right to make your home look good for important visitors...and they don't come any more important than Fiona.

A knock on the door signalled her arrival...and I immediately dropped the duster that was in my hand to answer the door. The gorgeous vixen was revealed when I opened the door...and my heart started beating at full tilt. "Hey, babe!" she smiled at me. "Hi, Fiona. Please come in..." I held the door open for her, allowing her to walk into the apartment. She giggled at this...which sounded cute. "Such a gentleman...I like it.".

"Wow...nice digs, babe! You do all this, yourself?" she asked, looking around the room. Actually, I had. All the furniture was my own...and I did all my own decorating...as well as cleaning. I nodded, smiling. She appreciates my efforts...which made me feel great. However, I noticed something about her. She seemed to have a sore forehead. Fiona noticed where I was looking and smiled. "Oh, this? I bumped into someone I haven't seen in ages...literally!" she chuckled.

"Have a seat. I'll make us some coffee...and you can tell me all about it, alright?" I gave her a hug, embracing her curvy body...and she wrapped her tail around my waist. "Sure, babe. Make it sweet...for me?" Fiona gave me those puppy-dog eyes of hers...and I was powerless to say anything other than 'yes'. Wow...she was...amazing. If you think about it, she could make any man do anything...even walk off the edge of a cliff, if she wished. "Coming right up!" I chuckled, heading to the kitchen portion of my apartment.

As I got on with making the coffee, I noticed that Fiona was checking out some albums I'd put in a wooden cabinet, with a glass door. "Wow! Never seen so many albums, before. You a collector, or you just like music?" she asked, surprised. "I just like music...well, love it. It's my passion, in life...amongst yourself, of course." I added a loving comment to that...which she picked up on. "Ooh...I've never been someone's passion, before!" Fiona giggled, taking a seat on my couch.

Fiona's POV

Just being in Terry's apartment, you could find out everything about him. His huge collection of 80's music told you his listening habits. The fact his place was absolutely spotless told you he was excellent at keeping things tidy. The light, but bright coloured furniture told you he's a soft touch. What else is there to know? Probably a lot more, but we'll have to see.

A short while later, Terry came in holding two cups of hot coffee. After placing them on coasters on the little table in front of me, he sat down on the couch. Once again, we were close to each other...just like we had been the night before. You know, I assumed Terry preferred tea, being British and all. I mean, it's not exactly true...but he's more likely to prefer tea. I better ask him...just to make conversation.

"Hey, Terry?" I turned to him. His chocolate eyes darted over to meet mine. "Yes, Fiona?" I got his attention. "On 3, say what you prefer...tea or coffee?" I made a little game of it...which was quite weird, if you think about it. Then again, he didn't seem fazed by me asking that, no matter how random it seemed to him. "Alright. 1...2...3..." he counted down, until he reached zero.

"Coffee!" we both said in unison. My eyes widened with surprise. Really? Wow...same as me. "You don't like tea?" I asked him. Terry shook his head and stuck out his tongue, with a disgusted look on his face. "No, can't stand the stuff! It's not for me, at all." he said. I couldn't help but giggle at his funny face. Ooh...I must remember not to offer him some tea, then!

I found myself looking at his attire...and quickly came to the conclusion that I liked it. Terry had opted for a red and white chequered shirt, with the top two buttons undone, showing a little bit of his upper chest. His jeans, light blue, fit him really well...and left space for his tail to come out, behind him. He definitely knew how to dress...even if his look was a little dated. No offence, but hoodies and puffer jackets are kind of the norm, right now. Did I mind? Hell, no.

His muscles were very noticeable, too. I could definitely tell he spent time keeping fit. Of course, he wasn't one of those gym freaks...the kind who boast about how many press-ups they do in their daily routine. Nah...Terry wasn't like that. He's modest...not full of himself...which was good news. "You do a lot of working out, Terry?" I asked, grabbing hold of his arm and giving his bicep a little squeeze. It wasn't weirdly big...just the right size.

"Sometimes, yes. But, I don't have a gym membership. Not quite that committed. Lifting a weight now and then suits me down to the ground." he told me, with his typical modesty...and that sweet smile on his face. I started imagining what he looked like without any clothes...and my blood got hot. I bet he's got a 6-pack, under that shirt. What I wouldn't give for a little look...and a feel. And if you go lower, past his belly...oooohhh, damn! Can't wait to see THAT part of him! Bet it's huge.

"You said you bumped into someone, today?" Terry asked, snapping me out of my dirty thoughts. "Oh, yeah! I bumped into an old friend, I guess you could say. Well...rather...THREE old friends!" I told him. Terry leaned in closer to listen. Wow...he's ACTUALLY interested in what I say. He wouldn't know who the fuck I'm talking about...and it probably wouldn't affect him...but he's interested. "Sounds like an eventful meeting, then!" he chuckled...placing his hand on my lap.

My body temperature shot up in nanoseconds, reacting to his touch. "Y-yeah...I told them I was off to meet you...and they...uh...kind of assumed you were someone else." I giggled, trying not to show my blush. "Oh? How come?" he asked a leading question...which I had to answer. "My ex...Scourge. I was...with him a long time ago. That's the only guy they know I was with...so they assumed I was meeting him." I replied. Scourge...I thought I would never mention that bastard's name, again.

"I assume...it ended badly?" Terry spoke softly, showing concern. Aww...such a sweetie! "Yeah...it did. He was never good to me. I was kinda stupid for dating him..." I began...but Terry grabbed hold of my hand...and caressed it with his finger. "Fiona, you mustn't blame yourself! You deserve much better than him. You're not stupid, at all." Terry's soothing voice and sweet words made me feel so...loved, for once. I couldn't really speak...just whisper "Thank you...", to him.

Thing is...that raised a tough question...one that I really didn't wanna answer. Did I really deserve better than Scourge? After all the things I've done...I don't know. Terry was an amazing guy...who I love to pieces...but do I deserve him? He noticed my expression turn to sadness...and his eyes widened. "Terry...there's something I have to tell you..." I began...not really wanting to carry on. I HAD to tell him the truth...for his sake, at least.

"I...I used to be very different. I did some awful things...especially to people who cared about me. I was a criminal...I stole from people...I beat them up...and I enjoyed it, for some sick reason." I went on...and all I could do was hope Terry could handle this truth. "I'm not who you think I am. I've done my best to change...but I can't erase the past. Believe me, I would, if I could. There's no excuses for what I did...and I...I..." I started to cry, with tears welling up in my eyes.

I couldn't take it, anymore! I just buried my face in Terry's chest...and cried. "I don't want to lose you, babe!" I cried out, breaking down, completely. My tears stung my face as they ran down and landed on Terry's shirt. Then, his soft touch stopped me from crying...and I looked up at him. "Fiona...I can look past all that. You've changed, since then...I know you have. You won't lose me, sweetheart...I'll never walk out on you...I know how much it hurts." his soft voice brought both comfort and reassurance.

He's...he's NOT gonna leave me? Did I hear that correctly?! He...wants to be with me, even after what I've done? "Terry..." I sniffed, looking into his eyes...but he stopped me from going on. "Hush, sweetie...Just let it all out..." his voice was close to a whisper, now...and he stroked my back to comfort me. All my tears came out...held in for years and years...and it felt good to let them go. All my troubles...just washed away with those warm streams of water. I must have cried into his chest for eternity...at least, that's what it seemed like.

Terry's POV

I hated to see Fiona cry...it made my heart feel like it was being put in a vice...twisted and squeezed. It hurt...more than I realised it would. But, I knew she had to cry...just to get it all out of her system. I was the same the night I saw Emily cheating on me. I couldn't stop myself from crying...almost bellowing out in pain. My heart was ripped in half, that night...and I'll never forget it.

All I could do to help her was constantly reassure her...letting her know I would never leave her. It wasn't much...but it was all I could do. I was almost powerless. "I love you, Fiona...more than you'll ever know..." I whispered in her ear...and she stopped crying. I gently wiped away her tears and gave her my best smile. "I love you, too, Terry...Don't let me go, babe...Please..." Fiona said, holding me, tightly. "I won't...I promise...".

End Of Chapter 3