So this one has been a while in the making... I know.. I hope ya'll aren't mad at me! Life gets in the way of this story way to much! Well I'll leave the talking for later! Enjoy!


After the incident with Desmond in the park, I found myself walking through the park more and more after work. I wouldn't go to his place. I wasn't going to go back there. It had been a week since I had talked to Desmond, and I realized that I was missing him more and more than usual. I didn't know what his episode had been about, or why he seemed to know fluent Italian, but I would get my answers sooner than later. Hopefully.

I didn't try to contact him in anyway since then, though. I felt like he had issues that he needed to settle with his strange roommates and, trust me; I wasn't about to get in the middle of that. Things had been weird since the moment I had first met Desmond; his random appearances and disappearances for that matter. So, with everything n my power, I wasn't going to get in the middle of his complicated life. Something told me, however, that I was already in the middle of his work, and evidently, his friends weren't too happy about that, either.

So, to try and counter that, I had been busying myself, throwing myself into my jobs more and more. Well, as much as you could throw into being a sales clerk and mixing drinks. I had also spent a significant amount of time with Maria, which she was happy about. But she wouldn't lay off of the questions about my apparent relationship with Desmond. I hadn't told her of what had happened recently—I figured it would give her a heart attack and she would try to stop me from seeing him. And I didn't want that. After the first two days of the week, she seemed to back off on the Desmond topic and I was happy for that.

Life had returned to normalcy, but I didn't like it that way.

That's why I walked through the park everyday after work. It made me feel weak, the fact that I craved this man's attention so much; that I wanted to just sit and talk with him for hours. It was the company I wanted, but I was continually being denied of it. But I wasn't going to let my emotions get the best of me. Desmond would have to contact me before I was to talk to him again, and for some reason, I didn't feel that coming soon enough.

After my walk through the winding roads that was Central Park, I began to walk to my second job; down the road a little ways held the bar that was known as Mickeys. It would be there that I would stay until midnight. Not looking forward to the particular shift, I hustled into the busy New York Traffic, making my way to my place of employment.

After walking about 5 minutes, I made it to the alley that would lead me into the back of the bar. I opened the door and slipped into the warmth that would surround me for the hours to come.

"Hey Gabs!" I heard Matthew yell from around the corner. I smiled at the voice. Matthew and I had been working here for who knows how long together. He was a good friend.

I shrugged my coat off and planted it on the nearby hook and hung my purse on top of that. "How are we rolling today Matt?" I asked as I walked around the corner, catching the apron that always came at my head when I walked behind the bar. I looked around taking in my surroundings; a few of the regular guys were already here. It was Thursday night, so we really couldn't guess how busy we would be, but it was seven o'clock, so we would find out soon.

"Hey Gabby." Dean and Ralph called from the corner, smirking at me and raising their glasses.

I nodded at them and smiled then looked back to Matt. "Sierra working tonight?" I questioned, tying my apron around my waist loosely.

"Nah, just you and me here tonight."

I nodded and then went back to the back room, checking in. Once done with that I headed back out front and prepared for the upcoming shift.

I pulled out my usual bar stool from the corner and placed it behind the counter in the corner closest to the back wall. I pulled out my phone and checked it before our nightly rush started.

Soon enough the bells on the front door started jingling and the televisions were turned to the current football game or wrestling match, the music started pumping, and I was ready to go.

Some familiar faces started to trickle in along with some strangers; I made their orders and made conversation with some of then.

The conversation between Matt and I had been light and laughable as always. Matt was good at taking people's minds off their problems and I was happy for that. Even if it was just for a simple moment, I felt stronger, more confident when I realized that I hadn't been thinking about a certain someone for five seconds.

Next thing you know its ten, almost ten thirty. But who could really tell? This shift had been pretty good and I hoped that it stayed that way, considering I was closing that night.

The games were now either coming to an end or going to half time, and it was usually then that the regular guys would leave and go back to their homes. They had families to see. It was also the time where the drunks started to take on their 3rd or 4th drink of the night, becoming loud, obnoxious. All just a part of the job. Also, that was the point in time where I started to be more talkative, trying to convince the newer customers to pour their stories out so I wouldn't have to sit here all night listening to them. Becoming a part of the atmosphere was key to having a fun time. Not to mention, it raked in some serious tips.

For some reason, we were relatively busy that night. I was working three-fourths of the bar, and Matthew was handling the rest of the bar and the floor. We were handling things just fine until around 10:45. It got pretty busy. I told Matt I was gonna go check my phone real quick and put it up then I would get busy. He just nodded his head and let me go off. I went and used the bathroom and checked my phone, readying myself for the closing rush. It was always a pain, and I was ready for it.

"Hey hurry up Gabs! You got more people coming in!" Matt sounded annoyed so I slipped my phone into my purse and walked out front. Matt nodded to the end of the bar to a newcomer and I walked down that way to take his order.

"Hey what can I get yah?" I said while looking up to see the man's face.

And in point five seconds I went from feeling alright to a complete mess, I wasn't gonna show it though.

The man looked up too and seemed surprised, "Gabby?"

"What do you want to drink, Desmond?" I persisted, setting my face straight. I wasn't about to act like I had wondered what he had been doing for a week. Nope, I was going to play hard to get for a few minutes, because I knew that was only how long I was going to last.

He looked down and shook his head mumbling the name of some mixed drink. I went off to work on his drink. Once I was done I carried it over to him, staying silent, keeping my gaze turned on him. My hand slipped from around the class as his strong hand wrapped around it. His warm eyes were pinned on me, "Hey I know you must be confused, but I'm ready to answer your quest—."

I cut him off. "I'm working at the moment, if you couldn't see that." I tried to give my voice a small bite, and I was pleased when it actually sounded as such. I walked off and checked on my other costumers. I was wiping off the counter where a few customers had just abandoned when Matt came up and leaned against the counter beside me.

"You gonna tell me who mister dark and mysterious is over there? Cause he's been staring at you for the past five minutes."

I smirked at his comment. I pulled up the washrag and threw it into the bucket in the corner. "Just this guy who hasn't called me back in a week. No biggie."

He smiled, "Well, yell for me if you need any help, Okay?" Always such a worry-wart. Of course, I was happy for his concern. I rolled my eyes and smiled at him then went to grab a tip sitting on the counter.

Once I shoved it into my back pocket I headed back over to Desmond. He hadn't touched his drink yet and when I looked at his face he seemed way to serious for my liking. I sat down on my bar stool and leaned against the back wall. I watched a few more guys stumble out before turning back to Desmond.

"You know when you ask for a drink at a bar, that means you should probably drink it, right?" I looked down at my nails, chipped with pink nail polish. "I'm not very fond of wasting my time mixing drinks when the patrons either spill it or just sit there with their hands wrapped around it."

He smirked, not anything like his teasing grins. "So you are mad at me." He said quite frankly, pulling his drink over to his lips and taking a sip.

I positioned myself towards him, letting all the questions that had accumulated in my brain for a week come forth. "How much of what you have told me about yourself that was a lie? What do you even do for a living? Do you like passing out on random benches in the park? And where the heck did you learn Italian?" I spit out. He seemed to laugh then open his mouth to speak but I was quicker. "And this time, I want the truth, Desmond. Apparently, it's a lot to ask for." His face fell a little and then I got up and walked over to clean up a few glasses.

Why did I suddenly feel like everything was a lie? At that moment, Matt caught my eye with a serious face, as if to say "are you okay?" I gave him a quick nod before going to resume my position beside Desmond.

"Look Gabby, the truth isn't exactly easy to comprehend. You would probably mark me insane after I told you anyway." He almost looked desperate, begging for me to try and understand.

"Desmond, what do you want me to say to you, then?" The more I thought about it, the more upset I got. I was mad. He wasn't going to do this. He wasn't going to sit there and give me more bullshit lies.

"Gabby I suggest that you calm down so we can talk. Or else your friend over there will try to rough me up, and I guarantee that him trying to throw me out is not going to end very well." He sounded threatening at that moment. I couldn't view Desmond as hostile, really; couldn't see the guy really being mean. But that was just a lie that I was telling myself. I know I had been drunk that night before, but I saw what he did to those guys. Saw what he was capable of. I didn't want Matthew to go through that just because I was letting my emotions get out of hand.

My anger level went down at that moment as I shrunk back down into my chair, my built up anger deflating all in seconds. So much for trying to assert myself. He looked at me in the face and calmed down himself. He saw that I didn't know what to think of the anger in his voice.

"Sorry." He said, reaching for my hand on the counter but, with every fiber of my being, I pulled it back. His reaching hand paused before it closed into a tight fist, his knuckles rapping on the counter. "Okay so first question. My answer to that." He paused, "I haven't been exactly truthful with everything." He kinda faded out then.

So I was right.

"But that doesn't mean I'm not this guy." He looked me in the eyes, "I'm still the Desmond you know. None of that has been fake."

I nodded. "Okay, so does that mean you can explain all the times you've left? Can you tell me why you were sleeping on a bench and then talking Italian?" I desperately wanted to know. I was afraid I wouldn't get the answers. I held my firm tone though. Whatever had been going on between Desmond and I would not continue unless I had the truth and that was final. At this moment I felt like he understood that too.

He slumped down a little, leaning on the counter. "It's all part of the job Gabby, and that's all I can tell you. I'm sorry."

I glanced over at the other side of the bar. "We aren't through here," I told him, and got up, walking over to check on my customers.

"Doesn't look like I'm going anywhere does it?" He yelled out from behind me and I smiled, liking that he was actually the same Desmond that I had come to know.

I started to clean up more and more, making those last drinks for the last patrons, and even making one for myself. Matt came over and told me he was clocking out, and not to stay too late. He gave Desmond a stern look before I nodded and smiled, giving him a quick hug goodbye before heading around the bar to sit beside Desmond.

I took a sip of my drink before talking, "So what exactly do you do?"

He smiled, "I work with history. A lot of renaissance history. Some from the crusades."

"Any particular reason why you chose those time periods?"

"That's where I can't tell you." He grabbed his drink and took a gulp.

Okay. So at least that's somewhat truthful. I still wanted to know why.

"Why can't I know, though, Desmond?" I looked at him with a determined face.

"Look, it's just..." He wondered off, not sure of his words. "It's something that's a lot bigger than it seems. If I dragged you into it… I'm just not doing that to you, Gabby."

So he was doing it for my sake. I wasn't going to deny that I was curious. I wanted to know so much. But I wasn't going to push him. "How do I know your not lying to me?" I couldn't hold the straight face much longer. It wasn't me.

"You just gotta believe me. I don't want to lie to you." He looked at me then, I didn't know what to make of it. He hadn't looked at me like this before; I could sense he was serious now. "As cheesy as it sounds, Gabby, I like being around you and I've never found someone that I genuinely liked before. I don't know what the heck is going on between us—I'm letting you decide that—but I'm not gonna lie to you. Just know that."

Taking a moment to process it all, I slowly nodded. I stood up and went around the counter, disappearing into the back room to grab my phone. Checking the time, I figured it was time to close up.

I went around the corner entering the main room again. I quickly went over to the remaining guys and told them it was time to leave. They nodded or replied in slurred voices, slapped some money onto the table, then stumbled out of the bar. I locked the door behind them and went and turned the neon sign in the front door off. Mickeys was officially closed.

Desmond stood up and walked to the middle of the bar and leaned against it. He watched me as I went over, grabbing glasses and washing them off in the sink. After that was done I went over and wiped down the bar.

He was still standing there watching me. "God damn it Gabby! Would you say something already?" He seemed annoyed more than anything.

"What do you want me to say, Desmond?" I said quietly.

I walked around the bar and started sitting chairs upside down on the counter and the tables. Desmond followed after me, picking up chairs, but replying in the process, "I wanna know what's going through your head."

I stopped and looked at him. He walked over to me and started back, "I wanna know whether you're mad at me or not. "

I shook my head. "I'm not mad." I said plainly.

"Then stop acting all quiet. This isn't you."

I smirked. "Just help me finish up here."

He smiled, "Now that's the Gabby I know."

We picked up the rest of the chairs and I excused myself to go get my jacket and my purse. When I came back up front Desmond was leaning up against the doorframe. God, he looked good. But I wasn't going to let him have the pleasure of knowing that. I quickly turned off the televisions and sound system, turned off the lights too. Once that was over I made my way over to Desmond.

He was standing with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his face was filled with worry and it didn't suit him.

I threw my jacket on and got out the keys to the place. I unlocked the door and walked out. Desmond just stood there looking at me, almost as if her were a small lost boy.

"Well, come on." I waved him outside the door and he walked out smiling. I locked the door and turned around to have Desmond right beside me.

I looked up at him, raising my brow at him.

"Well, I guess I'll be going," he said awkwardly.

"Or you could come hang out at my place." I offered with a straight face.

His eyes seemed to light up and he put on this sexy smile that made my head spin, "Come over to your place," he checked his watch, "at this time of night? Alright."

I slapped him on the arm. "Don't get any ideas, stupid." He laughed and we settled into a nice pace going towards my apartment.

"So," I started, looking up at him, "who was angry British guy and your motherly-like friend?"

"What, Rebecca and Shaun?" He laughed. "I'm sorry about them the other night. Their just kinda bad at first impressions." I nodded at him to keep going. "Well, Shaun's one of the smartest guys you'll ever meet I guess, but he's a pain in the ass. And Becks...well.. She's a little different, but I work with them both. Wouldn't trade my team for any other in the world. They are the best at what they do. And one thing's for sure: there's never a dull moment when you live with those two!"

He seemed happy when he talked about them. I could tell they were close. No wonder that Rebecca girl had been a bit protective. She must have been the mother of the house. "Well why do you all live together? I mean why can't you just walk to work like anybody else?" I asked.

He searched for the right words, "My...our work causes us to move around.. a lot. Well, it's just easier if we have to leave in a rush I guess. We don't have to get a hold of each other.. We just kinda get up and leave if need be."

So he moved around a lot. Did that mean that this was too good to be true? He would just end up leaving me like every other guy had. I guess I should have seen it coming. Nothing every worked out really.

"So you move around a lot?" It came out almost worried, somewhat scared. He stopped walking and took me by the arms.

"Gabby I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, I promise you that." I still had the saddened look on my face. "I just, I just don't want you to leave." He put his arm around my waist and pulled me to him as if making a promise that he wasn't going to leave. I seemed to move closer to him on instinct, drinking in the warmth of his body and he wasn't complaining. He tightened his hold on me, then backed away, keeping one arm around me as we continued to move, me trying to match his large strides in the process.

Eventually we wound up in front of my apartment building. He let go of me to let me enter the building. I basically ran up to my place, being happy to finally be home. Desmond was hot on my trail, chasing after me.

We reached my floor and I unlocked my door. We walked in and turned on the lights. I shed my coat and threw it on a hook. Desmond eased past me and plopped down on the couch.

"So what does the great Gabby suggest we do?"

I walked into the kitchen plugging up my nearly dead phone and grabbing a Pepsi out of the fridge. I popped my head out from the entry way of the kitchen. "Ever heard of watching TV? It's an extremely novel concept." I threw the Pepsi at him. "Get comfortable and be careful opening that."

I walked back into the kitchen and put a bag of popcorn in the microwave, set the time, and then went off to change into some pajamas. I went into my room and shut my door. I shed my top and jeans and found some of my flannels. I put on the pants and buttoned up the top, making my way into the bathroom. I proceeded to throw my hair up into a messy bun and then put my fuzzy socks on. I was ready for some relaxation, not worrying about my questions or concerns. I had Desmond back.

I skipped back into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl. I got the popcorn out of the microwave and carefully poured it into the bowl. I made my way to the living room. "Hope you like popcorn—." I stopped dead in my tracks.

There sat Desmond on my couch in a skin-tight shirt and jeans, his white jacket slung over the back of the couch. I didn't know the jacket even came off of him. Boy, was I happy it did though. How many muscles could the man possible have? It wasn't fair that he had been hiding all of that this entire time.

"Gabby, stop staring. Some people find it quite rude." The sarcastic tone in his voice embarrassed me. With my eyes flying away, my cheeks were instantly red. I looked down trying to hide my now red face. I walked over and placed the popcorn on the table, not feeling up to par to eat any. I plopped down on the couch. In the opposite corner from Desmond.

"Oh, come on over, Gabby you know you want a piece of this." From the corner of my eye, I saw him run a finger down his chest, across his flat stomach. When I looked over at him to tell him that he was wrong, I was rendered momentarily speechless. His smile had never been bigger. He loved this. He knew he was gorgeous and he knew it worked for him.

I managed to shake my head "no" and turned on the TV; flipping through the channels until I found some unknown movie. I adverted my attention to the screen, becoming insanely aware of the man sitting next to me. It was hardly fair when I felt Desmond's arms wrap around me.

"Come here," he ordered in a low voice. He pulled me over to him, crushing me against his chest. He smelled amazing.

My thoughts scattered and my brain came up with the best result I could come up with. "Desmond. Kinda crushing me here." I felt his chest rumble then his grip slackened on me. And we sat there, him and I, watching some horrible comedy on these two guys. He kept one arm around me, but made no more implying comments, so I was able to settle comfortably. In the whole we pretty much ate popcorn, throwing most of it at each other in the process, ignoring the movie several times to engage in small kernel battles. He also found out that I was ticklish, which I would never live down. By the time the popcorn was all gone, I was sleepy.

Leaning back against the couch, I looked up at him. "You should probably go home Desmond." I said as I yawned and stretched out.

He whispered his reply, "Becca and Shaun can wait. You just go to sleep."

I snuggled closer to him, laying my head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me, protecting me, shielding me.

"But I need to go get in my bed." My eyelids were so heavy, I couldn't keep them open.

His voice came back. "I'll make sure you get there. I promise."

I smiled. He slowly rubbed up and down my arms, his strong, big, warm hands comforting me. I felt his chin settle on my head. It was nice. I could imagine us like this for years to come. Things with Desmond just seemed to fit. A lot of things didn't fit right but this just did. These moments with him.

"Hey Des?" I mumbled sleepily.

"Yeah Gab?" He answered quietly.

"You know how you said that I got to decide what we were? "

"Yeah, I do." He continued to rub my arm, I felt myself slowly falling into the darkness, focusing on the feel of his hand rubbing so soothingly.

"I decide that I want this," I barely got out, only feeling the intensity of the vow after I had said it, and I had to swallow back the sudden fear.

"Well, I think we can manage then." I could hear the grin in his voice.

It was moments like that that made me feel as though I belonged to forever itself, sitting there in Desmond's arms with not a care in the world. Maybe I didn't know everything about him. But with time, I knew that I would. And I could be patient if I had to be. Just so long as he was there. I could live with that. At some point, I fell under, bathed in warmth and, for the first time in a long time, happiness.


We found some kind of peace at last! Finally.. I thought this moment would never come. But things are far from settled between the two. Just know that.

So me and Mismatched-lover made some pretty big decisions regarding this story over the past few days.. I hope ya'll are as happy about them as we are! We have a lot in store here and I can't wait to see what ya'll think about it!

On the subject of reviews and favorites, etc. Wow! I can't explain how many reviews and favorites and follows I've received in just the past 3 days! I try hard to reply to every one of your reviews personally! I love talking to you guys about the story! It's fun to see where you think this is going and what you all think of it! So continue to send those bad boys in! Honestly without them this chapter probably wouldn't be sitting here!

Also if you have any burning questions you would like to ask, send them over to me! I would love to answer!

And before I go I would just like to thank Mismatched-lover for all her help! She has put up with me being lazy as I don't know what when it comes to getting these chapters out! She helps me move this along!

So Thanks again to all of you and hopefully it won't take as long this time!

xXTron'sGirl13Xx