Three months had passed and Ryan and Carrie hadn't spoken. They glanced at each other but that was it. And whenever she saw him, Natalia was clinging onto him. It was so unbearable that she decided to move. Ava didn't realise what was happening. Jack wailed.

"It's ok… we'll still see each other. It's going to be the same."

"No… It's… Not," he cried. Carrie comforted him while Ron took a phone call. Jack hit at her, but she blocked his arm. "Stay… away… from…us… We… ever… EVER… want… to… see… you… again…" He took Ava by the shoulder and led her out.

Ron closed his phone. "That was Ryan. He's working overtime… One of his colleagues got shot."

Carrie was stunned. "Is he ok?"

"He's fine… they just want to get the guy who did this."

Carrie went to hug Ron. He backed away. "This isn't how this happens… you come over before you leave and you say proper goodbyes."

Carrie nodded. "Well, I better finish packing."


Ryan bolted out of the lab. Eric could die. It was as simple as that. Life was short.

Ryan got back to the neighbourhood and ran over to Carrie's, pounding on the door.

Carrie appeared, all red and puffy eyed.

"Don't go," he pleaded. She tried to get past him. "I love you."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do… and I don't want to lose you." The cab pulled up and Ryan moved over to a pile of boxes with a knife.

"Ryan…" Ryan pushed the knife into the box and ripped. He turned the box upside down and clothes fell out. "Ryan!" Ryan moved to another box… and another. "No, Ryan, don't their my b-"

She didn't finish. All her books toppled out onto the grass.

Ryan looked up. Carrie was fuming. "Sorry…" But she didn't care. She chased him around the yard before tackling him.

"It can't work…"

"Says who?"

"Everything, Ryan… it didn't work before."

"But everything's different now!"

"What? What's different?"

Ryan grabbed her hand. "Car, we got screwed over last time because Jess came back all pregnant. It's different." Ryan looked into her eyes. He was beginning to break her.

"You'll get sick of me."

"No I won't."

"It can't work," she whispered.

"What happened to the woman who isn't scared of anything? She'd give us a shot."

"Maybe she's tired of getting hurt."

"Do you really think I'd hurt you?" Carrie shook her head after a moment. "Do you believe I love you?" Carrie nodded her head with out a second thought.

"Ryan…" She wiped a tear from her cheek. "I love you too."

Ryan smiled and kissed her.

Jack ran over in minutes. "You stayin'?" he asked as Ryan helped Carrie to her feet. Both boys looked at her expectantly. Carrie nodded. Jack smiled and hugged Carrie tightly. She placed a kiss on his head. "I'm sorry what I said. I didn't mean it. I don't hate you. I love you. Don't be sad."

Carrie laughed through her tears. "I'm not sad. I love you too." She bent down and picked him up.


Ron laughed when Ryan came out of the room fifteen seconds after going in to call it off with Natalia.

"Quick and painless. For now."

Carrie swatted him. "You're mean." Ryan shrugged and smiled.

Ron grabbed his jacket and kissed Carrie on the head. "I'll be off you two." He bent down and whispered something quietly to Ryan.

Carrie waved as he walked out the door. "What did he say?"

" 'Keep her'." Ryan smiled and kissed her and knew that his family was going to be fine.

Well, there it is. I don't think it was one of the best but there it is. Hope you've enjoyed.

xXx