Diclaimer: I do not own Eureka SeveN

A/N: Thanks for all the support! It's really awesome! PS: Shout out to Eureka Extreme Forum, and Eureka SeveN forums!

Chapter Four: Had I Never

-

"So what is he in for?" I casually asked, nodding to inpatient across the hall. Shrugging, Dominic reached for the glass of water at his bedside. "Oh, Vinny? He sniffs aerosol cans. 'Was almost kicked out just this past week - 'got into the janitorial closet and stole some disinfectant," pausing, Dominic brought the drink to his lips.

I still couldn't believe he ended up in rehab. After having his stomach pumped, the doctors thought it would be best if Dominic received 'proper' care. Due to his past history of relapse, at the time, it made sense to send him away. However; I didn't realize with Dominic in rehab, I'd be all alone. Lonely enough, that sinking into another's arms almost seemed forgivable.

"Anemone?" Turning my attention back towards Dominic, an appreciative smile formed across his lips. "Your support...I wouldn't have been able to do this without you," As he finished, my stomach simultaneously churned. If only Dominic knew the truth.

"I have to go," I inadvertently blurted, but he sat up in protest. "But you just got here," as he grabbed my arm, the shame instantly returned. "Please, just stay a bit longer," Dominic urged; and I could make out a desperation in his eyes I never wished to witness.

"Perhaps we could be alone?" he implied, and I found myself nodding in agreement; even though Dominic's intimate touch was the last thing I wanted to feel. "I know the perfect place." Exactly what I did not want to hear.

As he stepped out of bed and directly under a florescent light , I finally noticed the toll Dominic's illness had upon his body. His skin was nearly translucent, while his granite eyes were cloudy and hollow.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, while I continued my blatant staring. "No, I'm just...thinking." I lied, but my poker face displayed otherwise. The truth is, something is always wrong.

-

Surprise-surprise, the 'perfect place' is an unlit storage room.

Pinning me to a corner, Dominic removed his sweatshirt and began to run his fingers up the back of my blouse. Bringing my mouth against his own, I decided to deepen our kiss before he had the chance.

This charade continued for a few moments, but as Dominic began to untie the cord to his flannel pajama pants, I pulled away. "We're not actually going to ... you know here; are we?" Flashing me an elusive grin, he reached for my belt and proceeds to unbuckle it. As if it weren't already obvious, I took that as a 'yes'.

There was an awkward silence as we both undressed; but with the situation considered, it's quite understandable. "Should we lie down?" Shrugging, I let Dominic take the initiative, and he passionately thrust me against the wall.

His lips brushed the nape of my neck; looking up, his ash grey eyes focused on my own amethyst orbs. As if I were gazing into his soul, I somehow could tell he was in distress.

"I can't..." He gasped unexpectedly, before wrapping his arms around my shoulders. Perhaps he'd finally realized that using guilt as a means of pressuring me into having relations is wrong.

"I'm sorry about being so pathetic." Burring his face against my bare collarbone, I could feel my skin moisten as tears swelled in his eyes. "You're not pathetic; everyone has their doubts, trust me, I understand."

Straightening his posture, Dominic shook his head and lightly sniffled. "No, I mean, I physically can't." - Oh...

As my eyes widened, Dominic took a step back. "The withdrawal, it's...I..." Even in the dark, I could make out the teardrops staining his cheeks. "We don't have to..." "No!" he interrupted, before aggressively shoving me to the ground.

Staring up at him in disbelief, signs of remorse were visibly formed across his face. "Wait, Anemone, I never... I.." Biting my lip, I knew that if I mentioned the bruise swelling on my wrist Dominic would be driven further tho the edge; well, if he wasn't already there.

"You're right Dominic, I never. Had I never... if we'd never; it's time to give up." Blinking, he seemed somewhat shocked; because for once in our relationship, I said what needed to be said. "You really – you really feel that way?" Possibly, but I wasn't inclined to reveal my innermost thoughts.

"Actually, I changed my mind," As if I lifted a weight from his shoulders, Dominic breathed a sigh of relief, "You are pathetic." How's that for speaking my mind?

-

"How'd that happen?" Tenderly taking my wrist, he carefully examined the days old bruise. Quickly pulling my arm away, I brought down the sleeve of my jacket, the jacket he'd given me when our relationship passed two months, and hid the yellow and black marking.

"Did someone do that to you?" Could he tell? Shrugging, I flashed him one of my million dollar smiles. "Of course not, I fell off my ref board; you know me and my klutzy moves." "You have to be more careful," he chastised, though like a parent, I knew he meant it for my own good.

In the distance, I could hear the sound of a bell. Picking his school-books up from the bench, he leaned in and kissed me goodbye before heading to his next class.

"Are you free this period?" It was one of his friends. Making eye contact, I didn't respond. "Yeah, aren't we all?" He replied, as if I had answered his question.

"There's a dealer by the dock, since I'm short on cash, wanna pitch in for a dime-bag?" I should have said no, but like most of the time, that option was unthinkable.

-

It was only one joint, but my mind felt loose, as if all my mental constraints had unraveled.

"I don't love him," was the first of my word vomit. His friend didn't ask who; I guess it was more obvious than I'd first thought. "He loves me, though. That's why he and I..." I couldn't continue, so I opted for a distraction; laughter.

"You're insane," he stated, though it sounded as if it were a compliment. "Aren't we all?"