Chapter 9...

"Brianna!" John dropped his phone, rushing into the kitchen. He looked around, panicking when he didn't see her. "Bri!"

"Yeah," he heard her voice coming from the opposite side of the island. He walked around, stopping when he saw her on the floor, her back against the cabinets. She was holding her hands together and he could see blood dripping from them. She was wincing, her head leaned back against the wood.

"What happened?"

"The knife slipped," she answered. "I cut my hand."

"Let me see it," he said.

"It's really not that bad," she said. "I'll be okay."

If he knew Brianna, it was probably bad. She hated going to the doctor or the hospital so whenever she got sick or hurt, she tried to act like it was nothing and she'd get better all on her own.

"Brianna," he gave her a look.

She sighed, unclasping her hands. She held up her left hand and John couldn't help making a face at the deep gash that went almost all the way from her pinky to her thumb.

"Jesus Bri," he said, quickly slipping his arm behind her and helping her to her feet. "Were you trying to chop your hand off?"

"Yes John I was," she rolled her eyes. "I didn't think I needed it anymore."

"Smartass."

"What happened?" Gia rushed into the room with Maya in tow.

"Bri cut her hand," John said, looking through the drawers.

"What are you looking for?" Brianna said, gritting her teeth against the pain.

"A clean dish towel," John answered.

"There's some in the bottom drawer down there," Gia pointed.

"Are you okay Brianna?" Maya walked over to her, wrapping her arms around her Bri's legs.

"I'm okay sweetheart," she nodded but John could see from the look on her face that she wasn't.

He pulled out one of the clean white towels, "Gia, maybe you should take Maya into the living room."

"That's probably a good idea," Gia said. "Come on kiddo, let's watch TV."

The look on Maya's face made it clear that she didn't want to leave. She reluctantly took Gia's hand.

"Give me your hand," John stood next to Brianna as Maya left with Gia.

"Why?" she eyed him suspiciously.

"Just hold your hand out," he instructed.

She did as he said, "You know it really isn't that bad."

"You're losing a lot of blood," John said, beginning to wrap the towel around her hand.

"Ow!" she squeaked. "That's too tight. Are you trying to make me pass out?"

"If we keep pressure on it, the bleeding might slow down on the way to the hospital," he said. "Hold this tight."

"I never said I was going to the hospital," She wrapped her hand around it.

"You need to," he said. "That cut is deep, it's gonna need stitches."

"It's not that deep," she insisted.

"Yes it is," he said. "And you cut it with a knife you were using to chop food, it's gonna need to be cleaned."

"Will you stop babying me?" she walked to the other side of the island. "You know I hate that."

"I'm not babying you," John insisted. "You're hurt."

"It doesn't hurt that bad," she argued. "And yes you are babying me. Stop it."

John felt his jaw clench in frustration. He couldn't stand when she did this. It was like running on a hamster wheel, no matter how right he was, no matter how many good points he made, he wasn't getting anywhere. Her tan skin was starting to look a little pale. He looked down, slightly alarmed at how quickly her blood was soaking the towel. Worried as he was, the fact that she was trying to ignore it frustrated him even more.

"You know, I wouldn't baby you if you didn't act like such a baby when you get hurt," he said.

"Excuse me?" she stared. "I am not being a baby, I told you I am fine."

"Actually, you're right, you don't act like a baby when you get hurt, you turn into a little brat," he pointed.

"What!" she stared angrily, her voice squeaking a little.

"Oh don't act like this is news," John said. "Whenever there's something wrong with you, you get all snippy and yell at anyone that tries to help you."

"Oh how would you know, you haven't been around in years?" she sneered.

"I know because it's how you always were," he said. "And from the way you're acting now it obviously hasn't changed."

"I am not bratty, you just make a huge production out of the tiniest little thing."

"Tiny Brianna?" He stared. "You sliced your damn hand open? What do you wanna do? Put a band aid on it?"

"You know, this is just like that time we got into that tiny little fender bender and you made me go to the hospital," she pointed.

"You had whiplash!"

"I did not!" her voice squeaked again. "My neck just hurt!"

"For 2 weeks!" he yelled.

She let out a frustrated squeal, glaring at him

"Will you stop fighting with me and let me take you to the hospital?" John said. The towel around her hand was almost completely red and he was really getting worried.

"I don't need you to take me."

"You gonna drive with one hand?" he asked. "Or just let Maya take you?"

"I'm not going," she crossed her arms in defiance.

John shook his head, as long as he'd known her, the only thing that bratty little expression had ever done was make him want to fight with her more.

"Oh you're going," he smiled. "If I have to pick you up and carry you out of here."

"You wouldn't" she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You really believe that?" he smirked.

"Look, you can't just jump back into my life after cheating on me and then years of no contact at all and just start barking out orders," she said, her voice getting louder.

"I'm not barking out orders," he shrugged, keeping his voice low. "I'm just calmly and quietly making it clear that one way or another, you are getting' your ass in the car and I am taking you to the hospital."

"No..you're..not," she glared.

Her jaw clenched and her left eyebrow raised as they stared each other down. They had gone through this many times before. Their relationship had been a great one but it wasn't without it's fights. And when they fought, it wasn't pretty. If John knew one person that was as stubborn as he was, it was Brianna. She didn't like to give up until she got her way...and when he really felt he was right, neither did he.

"Look, I'm guessing your little boyfriend caves when you're like this, but I think you know me well enough to know that I will pick you up by the back of your pants, carry you to the car and toss you in the backseat if I have to," he warned her.

She was trying to maintain her stern expression but he could see that she knew he meant it.

"If we go, I'm driving," she challenged.

"I don't think so," he shook his head.

She walked around the island and past him, out of the kitchen.

He followed as she walked into the living room.

"Gi, watch Maya for a little while," she said. "We're going to the hospital."

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Later that night…

John watched Brianna as they walked down the hall to her apartment. She looked much less pale than she had earlier. She did, however, look exhausted. Her eyelids were drooping a little and he'd noticed her yawning on the elevator. She yawned again and he nudged her a little, "Tired?"

"Very," she nodded. "It's been a long day."

"Yeah it has," he nodded as they reached the door.

She turned to face him, "I'm sorry for being such a brat earlier..I just hate doctors and hospitals and all that."

"I know," he nodded. "It's okay, I'm used to you being a brat."

"Hey!" she laughed. "I wasn't that bad, was I?"

He gave her an incredulous look.

"Okay, maybe I was," she smiled sheepishly.

"Maybe a little," he smiled. "How's your hand feel?"

It had taken quite a few stitches to close up the wound and now she was wearing a black brace that covered her hand and wrist.

"It still hurts but at least they stopped the bleeding," she said. "And I get this nifty brace so I don't move it too much…The doctor said you were right to bring me in."

"I know," John smirked, brushing off his shoulder.

"Shutup," she laughed, playfully pushing him.

They grew quiet and John started to think about the odd journey they'd taken in one night. They went from an awkward run in to an emotional discussion, to a fight, and now things seemed almost..normal. He hated that he had taken so long for them to see each other, for them to talk. He looked at Brianna again, she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.

"So," he sighed. "Where are we now?"

She looked up at him, "What do you mean?"

"I mean…" he ran a hand over his hair. "I don't know..are we friends?..Do you still hate me?"

"I never hated you John," she said.

She must have seen the surprise in his eyes because she smiled a little, "Don't get me wrong, I tried to but..I never could."

Her voice cracked at the end of her sentence and she looked away, taking a deep breath.

"Then..are we friends?" John asked hopefully.

"I don't know if we are yet," she admitted, her voice shaky. She crossed her arms over her chest tucking her hair behind one ear, "but we can try."

"Do you want to?" he asked. John didn't realize until he asked the question how much her answer meant to him. He hadn't realized how much he really missed her until he saw her again.

The corner of her mouth lifted very slightly and she nodded, "Yeah…I do."

John smiled, relieved. She smiled back at him, neither of them saying anything for a few seconds.

"Do you wanna..have lunch tomorrow?" he asked.

Her smile faded, "I can't..we start filming the video tomorrow morning. I'm gonna be on set all day."

"You're gonna work tomorrow after what happened?" he gestured to her hand.

"Don't you do things like that all the time?" she asked. "I cant ask them to shut down production on a video because I need a day to recover..That would cost too much money."

John nodded.

"You could come over for dinner tomorrow," she smiled. "I'll try to remember that my hand isn't the main course."

John sighed, "I go back on the road tomorrow. I've got a flight to New York at 6."

"Oh," she said quietly. "So I guess this is gonna be the last time I see you for a while, huh?"

John nodded. He couldn't believe the way things were going. He'd wanted Brianna back in his life for years and when he finally felt like there might be a chance that he could have her, at least as a friend, he had to leave. And he'd never been good at saying goodbye. Especially to her.

"Why am I doing all the packing?" Brianna asked.

"Because you're so much better at it than I am," John wrapped his arms around her, kissing the side of her neck.. She leaned against him and he kissed her temple. He really was excited about going away to school but every time he thought about being away from Brianna, he wondered if he was making the right decision. He couldn't change his mind though. She wouldn't allow him even if he wanted to. She always wanted what was best for him.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said, squeezing her tightly.

"I'm gonna miss you too," she said, her voice cracking.

"Baby you promised," he turned her around. "No crying."

"I'm not," she pasted on a smile. She turned back around, zipping up his bag.

"You know we're still gonna see each other," he reminded her.

"I know," she said, setting the bag down on the floor next to another one.

"Come here," he took her hand pulling her to him. He captured her lips in a kiss. His hand found the back of her neck and she pulled the front of his shirt, moving him closer. After a few seconds, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. She kept her eyes closed but John could see a tear escape her lashes and roll down her cheek.

"Bri," he wiped it away.

"I know, I said I wouldn't cry," she sniffed. She sat on the end of his bed, "I just..Nevermind."

"No, what?" he knelt in front of her.

"I know you're only gonna be a few hours away but…you've been down the street since we were little," she sniffed. "And when I couldn't stand it at my house I could always come here and I always had you right here to make me feel better…And now I'm not gonna have that."

She put a hand over her mouth as she started to cry and John sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her. He stroked her hair, wishing he could do something.

"John!" his mother yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"The car's all ready, if we wanna beat the traffic, we gotta go now!"

Brianna pulled away, standing up and wiping her eyes.

"You gonna come down?" he stood.

She shook her head, "I don't want everyone to see me like this. I'm just gonna stay up here for a few minutes."

John took a deep breath, tucking her hair behind her ears. This was the really hard part, willing himself to walk away from her.

"I'll call you when we get there," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Okay," she nodded.

"I love you," he touched the tip of her nose, smiling at her.

"I love you too," she said, looking up at him with misty eyes.

"I'll be back here the first chance I get," he promised

She nodded, "I know."

"I love you."

"You already said that," she smiled.

"I know," he smirked. "That's how much I mean it."

"John!" his mother yelled. "Let's go!"

He hugged Brianna tightly, lifting her off her feet. After a few seconds he reluctantly put her down.

"Go," she gently pushed him. He picked up his last two bags and walked toward the door.

"I'll see you soon," he smiled.

She nodded, tears filling her eyes again.

He knew if he didn't go then, he never would, so, as hard as it was, he turned, walking down the hall and down the stairs. He hurried out the front door to the driveway where his mother and father were waiting by the car.

"You got everything?" his father smiled.

John nodded, opening the door to the backseat and tossing in the remaining bags.

"Is Bri staying to clean up that mess I'm sure you left in there?" John Sr. laughed.

"Yeah," John nodded.

"Poor kid," his father shook his head. "I don't know how she puts up with you."

John shook his head, "Me neither."

"We've gotta get on the road," his mother walked out of the house, opening the passenger side door and getting in the car.

"You heard your mother," his father sighed. "You wanna drive?"

"Sure," he nodded.

"Alrighty."

His father got into the back seat and John looked over his shoulder, up at his house. The window in his room overlooked the front lawn. He could see Brianna leaning against it, tears streaming down her face. The sight broke his heart. She looked…lost.

"I love you," he mouthed.

She bit her lip and waved lightly and once again, John willed himself to turn away. It was time to go.

John looked at Brianna. She was looking down at the brace on her hand, playing with the velcro. She looked up at him with watery eyes.

He tucked her hair behind her ear, "Why is it always so hard to leave you?"

"I'm sorry," she laughed a little, sniffing. "I don't know why I'm getting like this…It's..It's probably because I'm so tired."

"Yeah," he nodded, knowing that wasn't true. "Probably."

A tear fell onto her cheek and he forward, wiping it away. He softly touched the side of her face, looking into her eyes.

"Bri!"

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Brianna jumped when she heard her name. She turned to see Nick rushing down the hall toward them.

"What the hell happened?" he finally reached her, looking down at the brace on her hand.

"It isn't that bad," she insisted, hoping he didn't see how upset she was. She tried to compose herself, "I..I cut myself while I was making a salad."

"You have something to do with this?" Nick turned to John, annoyed.

"Nick, he didn't do anything," Bri defended him. "We ran into John at the grocery store and Maya wanted him to come to dinner. He was here when I got hurt, he took me to the hospital."

Nick still looked suspicious, "Why do you look upset?"

"I'm okay," she answered quickly. "My hand just hurts."

Nick wasn't convinced and Brianna wasn't in the mood to discuss it anymore.

"It's late, I'm gonna go make sure Maya's in bed," she said. "Gia isn't that great at enforcing bed time." She opened the door, then looked over her shoulder at John, "I'll..see you later I guess."

"Yeah," John nodded. "I'll see you later."

"Goodnight."

He waved, "Night Bri."

She walked inside, closing the door behind her and resting against it. She ran her hands through her hair, taking a deep breath, not understanding why she felt such an overwhelming urge to cry. John had only been back in her life for a few days. She was in love with Nick and he was undoubtedly attached to someone so what was her problem? Why was the thought of not seeing him anymore so hard for her to handle?

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John watched the door when Brianna left.

"Look," Nick pointed at him. "Don't think you can try to come in here and take my fiancé."

"What?" John stared at him.

"Whatever it is that you had with her, is in the past," Nick reminded him. "She never even told me about you so obviously it didn't mean that much to her…She's with me now, and she isn't going anywhere."

John rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, "I'm not trying to do anything. If Brianna wants to be with you, then I want her to be with you. I want her to be happy."

Nick rolled his eyes.

"Maybe you need to ask yourself a question Nick," John said. "Why didn't Bri call you to tell you she got hurt?"

Nick didn't say anything.

"If you two are so close, if you're so happy and stable," John said. "Then why did you have to find out from Gia?"

Nick obviously didn't have a response.

John walked away, grateful that the elevator was already open. If Nick had said much more, he was going to get a fist in the face. Fortunately, it wasn't a short ride down. He got off on the first floor and walked through, nodding to the doorman as he walked out. He paused, thinking back to the day he left for school. Things were different this time though. She wasn't the Brianna that was in love with him. The one who stared out the window, crying as she watched him leave. She was in love with Nick. And he was with Paula. Everything had changed.

He cleared his throat as he walked to his car, pulling his keys out of his pocket. He unlocked the doors and before he got in, he looked up at Brianna's terrace. He was surprised to see her standing outside, her arms wrapped around herself, the wind whipping her long hair around.

She looked down and their eyes met. Her eyes still looked watery and she was gently biting her bottom lip. She hesitantly raised her hand, offering a gentle wave.

He nodded to her, wondering why she was out there. A part of him hoped that she was there for the same reason she'd watched him leave years ago…But he knew that wasn't possible.

He took a deep breath, getting in the car. Once again, it was time to leave.

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There ya have it...Chapter 10 coming soon! If you're enjoying the story, try to review please,a littleencouragement helps with the motivation to write more. Thanks!