Chapter 6: Misunderstandings

A/N:

Hey readers and welcome guests! Sorry this is a bit late, not quite the same day as last week, but I had LOTS of homework. I will probably stick to my routine from now on and post a new chapter every Saturday.

Here goes...

Mary-Lynnette

A soft knock alerted me of Ash's presence outside my – I suppose it was mine, if I stayed here that much longer that is – door. I had been so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I hadn't noticed anything but the rhythmic drumming of water droplets on tiled floor as I took my shower and the sound of my soft inhaling and exhaling of oxygen. A sudden burst of anxiety tightened my insides but I was pleased that my voice didn't waver as I allowed him to enter.

The door swung open as he stepped in, golden hair slightly dripping and eyes tight. He regarded me, standing by the window, my arms crossed over my chest and my hands gripping the sides of my new top. Sighing unevenly, I turned to fully face him. I don't know what expression he saw in my face but it had him casting his eyes downward, towards the carpet, his face an expressionless mask. He looked so... vulnerable, so distraught and lonely. This just confused me.

"Ash?" I asked uncertainly, my arms uncrossing to then hang limply by my sides. When he made no indication to having heard, I stepped forward. "Ash?" I asked more forcefully. Again, he did nothing. The anger started building up in my chest. He didn't even want to speak to me? "Ash, for God's sake, look at me," I cried, my voice rising. When the silence and motionlessness continued, my anger boiled over, a steaming hot liquid of uncertainty, confusion and sorrow. "What Ash? What has made you so damned sad? Why won't you even look at me? What could possibly..." As soon as the words were out of my tear streaked mouth, I knew the answer. My assessment when I had woken up had been correct, and I had let myself get deluded... again. "Okay then... if that's how you want it, I'll re-pack my bags again. I was hoping I could at least of stayed another day, but if you're going to be like that," I whispered, the waterworks on full force. I made a move to grab my bags but a hand gripped my wrist, restraining me. I looked up to see Ash, his face a mask of that same distraught.

"Don't," he whispered, closing his eyes. "Just please... don't."

The anger was back. "Me don't?" I shouted. "I'm not the one who's not even bothering to look at the person he's telling he doesn't want anymore. I'm not the one ripping apart someone's heart, after they've literally just sewn it back together. I'm not the one breaking up with me!" I almost screamed, thrashing against his iron-like grip. When he didn't let go, I swung my leg back, aiming for his shin. He moved his leg just in time to miss the impact of my foot, knocking me off balance. Ash caught me by the waist, steadying me until I could stand again. Although I missed the contact, I was pleased to know he had released my wrist.

"Mary-Lynnette..." he started.

I cut him off abruptly. "Save it Ash," I said coldly. "I don't want to hear the second-hand apology you've reused for God knows how many girls over the past years. Don't."

"If you would let me finish," he said, through his teeth it sounded like. "What on earth made you come up with the conclusion I didn't want you?" he asked incredulously, a look of pure confusion on his lazy features.

I huffed. "Well, it's obvious isn't it? You never did, you always hated the idea of having a human that was tied to you so tight that you can't shake them off, even if you try. In fact, you always hated humans in general. I suppose it doesn't surprise me that you left really, it was what you wanted, and it probably gave you a good year to flirt and trick your way back to the old you. I also suppose all that stuff after I woke up was a façade then? A masquerade for you to hide under until came this conversation, the one you'd probably been waiting to have ever since you left?" I summed up, angry at the traitorous tears that continued to fall. I wiped a hand angrily at them and stepped away from Ash's body, so close to mine. The air was instantly cooler.

"What?" Ash spluttered. "'gave you a good year to flirt and trick your way back to the old you'?" he quoted angrily. "Do you want to know what I did in the six months we spent apart, Mary-Lynnette?" he asked. Truly I didn't, whatever he did do, I surely didn't want to know. It would just break my heart into more pieces. But he ploughed on, "I helped humans, I was nice to them, I became a better person. Other than that I did practically nothing. Fed when I needed to, slept when I needed to. All I did was mope, like a lovesick puppy. I missed you so badly, like a piece of my soul was missing and, in truth, it was. I was pining for you Mary-Lynnette, pining. And that morning when you turned up," he shook his head, a small smile growing. "I was so unbelievably happy, I thought all my prayers had been answered. Then you collapsed and my heart turned to ice. I held you in my arms, pale and fragile, and all I could think about was if you died. If you had died, Mary-Lynnette, I would have followed soon after, no doubt," he stated solemnly. "I wouldn't be able to stand this world without you, the other half of my torn and blackened soul. When you woke up I thought that would be the end of the heartache, but no." he chuckled then. "You had to go and say we needed to talk. All the time while I was getting ready, all the time I spent was mostly spent worrying about this stupid conversation. I was running over all the things it could be that we needed to talk about: Maya, vampires or... us? The last one terrified me. I was so scared that you wanted to leave, leave the mansion and go back to Briar Creek, leave me. The pain at the thought of you leaving was too much to handle and, as I saw you with your back to me and arms crossed, I jumped to conclusions." he chuckled again, stepping closer to me. "I can see that you did too."

I hung my head, ashamed. "Ash, I'm so sorry..." I started. His finger on my lips stopped the words that wanted to flow out of my mouth in a long and complex apology.

He shook his head. "You have nothing to apologise for. We both got it wrong."

Looking up at his eyes again, I watched as that glorious colour swam in his iris's, colliding with the other colours and obliterating them.

He huffed in annoyance. The confusion must have been evident in my face as he answered with, "Why does everyone keep staring at my eyes?" he asked.

I laughed as his expression became annoyed also. "They keep looking at them because they're so beautiful. The colour is so warm and comforting and... caring," I said, his face twisting in confusion. Taking his hand, I dragged him over to the bathroom mirror which had finally cleared of mist.

He stared into the mirror, squinting at his own reflection. "Well, that's new," he said, his eyes widening. Shrugging, he turned back to me, a smile on his face now. I couldn't help smiling with him.

A thought popped into my mind as I marvelled on how much had changed in the last few minutes. "Ash?" I asked tentatively. He nodded for me to continue. "Why did you think I'd leave?"

Ash sighed. "Because I'm not the best person to have as a Soulmate. Because of what I've done, because I push people away."

I thought of something he had said earlier 'my torn and blackened soul'. "Ash, you are not corrupt. You are not a bad person and you are, most definitely, the best person to have as a Soulmate," he raised an eyebrow. "You make me want to kick you for no reason, you make me want to kiss you for no reason. You balance me out. You became a better person, just because I asked it of you. You were there when I nearly died, you never left. You held me while I cried in mourning. You chose me over who you were. I doesn't matter what you've done in the past, it's who you are now that counts. What you've done doesn't make me love you any less," I finished, my eyes burning into his with intensity.

A smile formed on his lips languidly. "You said you loved me," he said, closing the gap between us.

"Whoops, slip of the tongue," I teased. He grinned then.

"I love you too, Mary-Lynnette, thanks for not condemning me."

I grinned then too, his mood was too infectious. He looked into my eyes again and I stopped breathing as he leaned his head closer towards mine causing my heart to rapidly beat in my chest. I closed my eyes in anticipation as I felt his warm breath hit my mouth, only centimetres from his and let out the breath I had been holding. This small action caused him to wrap his arms around my waist, encircling my body. I wrapped my own arms around his neck as he continued to moved torturously slowly towards my mouth, only opening my eyes for a second to see his on mine, bright and excited. My eyes drooped again, an indication for him to continue.

A light rapping broke through my dream-like state, getting louder as I came to my senses. I huffed in annoyance and opened my eyes, locking on Ash. He had a similar look to what I thought mine would be, though my cheeks were probably flushed and mine more dazed. Both our breathing came in haggard, uneven exhales of air. He smiled at me as our breathing normalised. We were still clung to each other, grips like vices.

The knocking continued and a voice warned, "If you don't open up, I'm coming in."

A/N:

So, chapter 6 is finished. I didn't end with someone opening or closing a door, yay! But it was someone knocking on a door, so I'm not completely cured. I don't know why but I'm not completely happy with this chapter. Maybe it's the sloppy confession speeches or the lack of build-up and description for the almost kiss? I don't know, I just feel like this isn't my best, so sorry people, if you don't like it!

Anyway, who wants to guess who's at the door? If you write one, tell me in a review. I'll dedicate the chapter to you if you get it right! (Well that sounds like I'm trying to get more reviewers which, I'm not, but it would be nice) :P

Also, speaking of reviews, twelve? Twelve reviews? I am so unbelievably grateful, you have no idea! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, they make my day when I see them.

Sorry to KrystalINSANEGirl who was hoping that they talked about Mary-Lynnette becoming a vampire, which didn't happen. In the future? Who knows? Well, I do, but I'm not telling you :P

Until next Saturday then...