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Song: The Fray - Never Say Never

Chapter 10
Never Say Never

Some things we don't talk about
Rather do without
Just hold the smile
Falling in and out of love
Ashamed and proud of
Together all the while (1)

A Week Later

Ross and Laura were sat on the beach with Jenny, they had been out near enough the full day seen as though it was a nice day and there was no point in wasting it. Everyone else was off doing stuff anyway, everyone apart from Ratliff as people had noticed. He'd been off a lot lately and everyone was getting worried about him, even the fans they don't even see him everyday. Riker had tried to go see him but he got nothing out of him, neither did Rocky, Ross or Laura. So they just decided to leave him be.

Ross and Laura were sat on the sand together whilst they watched Jenny playing by herself in front of them both when she decided to come waddling over when she basically jumped onto Ross's lap. "Ow.." Ross hissed in pain a bit as he felt Jenny collide with him "you know for a 2 year old, your pretty heavy."

Laura ran her fingers through a couple of strands of Jenny's hair "Well, you know who she gets that from.." Laura said smiling as she looked at Jenny.

Ross sighed but looked away from Laura for a bit before returning too "I know.. But I'm sure she has some of your qualities rather than just Riker's." Ross said, trying to keep himself content.

"Are you kidding me?" Laura asked "for now she doesn't... She's all Riker. She's got the temper of him too. Or maybe that is from me.." She before chuckling a little as well as Ross letting out a small laugh. But she couldn't tell if it was fake or not. She knows it doesn't help talking about Riker around Ross whilst they're dating, but he will go and talk about Jenny right?

Jenny was still sat on Ross's lap when she tried to reach for the bucket next to them. "What are you..?" Ross paused when she saw her reaching for the bucket they'd brought with them. He extended his arm and got the bucket "Sand castle?" Ross asked looking at her. Jenny just nodded. "C'mon then.." Ross got up taking Jenny with him and sat about a metre away from Laura in front of her.

Laura smiled at the sight of both Ross and Jenny getting along. She really didn't think Ross would even attempt to get along with her, seen as though she wasn't his child and he didn't exactly get on with Riker when she was born. Laura didn't know if Riker and Ross would of patched things up by now, but from her point of view they most definitely have patched it all up.

Laura started to turn her head around and look at everyone else who was on the beach for the day when her eyes landed on Ratliff. He was sat on the beach wall looking depressed and sad, which was all he'd ever been like in the past few months which made her sad too. It made everything sad. She was about to turn round to Ross and say she'll be back so she could go see Ratliff, but she was stood when Ratliff pulled up the sleeve to one of his arms and was rubbing his arm, trying to be discrete about it, but he was failing miserably. Laura gasped when she saw all the cuts and bruises on his arms.

Ross looked up to Laura as he heard her gasp. "What's wrong?" Ross asked, leaving Jenny to fill up the bucket with sand. Laura turned her head to Ross with a worried expression "Laura.. What's up?" Ross asked concerned.

"Ratliff... He's sat on the beach wall... and.."

Ross turned tot he beach wall to see Ratliff sat on it pulling his sleeve down, looking around nervously. He looked back to Laura "So? What about him?" He asked "want me to get him over?"

Laura shook her head "No, he had scratches on his arm.. like.. self harm marks.."

"Really?"

"Yes Ross! We need to talk to him!" Laura said about to get up, only to be stopped by Ross. "No." Ross said.

Laura slowly sat back down onto the grass. "Leave him," Ross said, he continued on as Laura went to go say something "after we go home okay? I promise. I won't let any harm come to him. I won't let him do that to himself, okay?"

Laura nodded and sighed, she felt a bit safer about Ratliff now. But not entirely.

Titus and Rydel were out again, but this time Titus had decided to take Rydel somewhere where there would hardly be any people around and if there was then nobody would recognise who they were. As they were walking silence had fell over them and it had done for the past five minutes, he kept on taking quick glances to Rydel before finally speaking "So," He said breaking the silence between them "what do you think of Ratliff?"

Rydel shrugged "He's a nice guy. Least he seems it," Rydel said "I know I can't put a label on him saying he's not after his outburst a few weeks ago. I know he's probably just angry and upset that I can't remember him," She admitted "but it's not nice for me either not knowing who anybody is hardly any more. I can't see no reason as to why me and him were dating before I lost my memory."

"Rydel.. there's something I have to tell you. Your not going to like it." Titus said as he stopped walking, looking at Rydel with worry and regret.

Rydel stopped where she was walking and turned to face him "What is it?" She asked.

"Your telling me you think Ratliff is this great, sweet, kind, gentle guy?" Titus asked.

Rydel nodded "Yeah, from what I've seen from R5 videos and in person. Mainly the videos though."

Titus sighed "That's just an act Rydel.. He's not a nice person."

Rydel cocked her head "What do you mean?" She asked confused.

Titus shook his head "I probably shouldn't tell you.." He said turning around looking away from her, but of course he wasn't frowning. He was grinning kind of as he could slowly feel Rydel falling for his now started up lie. "No," Rydel said "tell me. I need to know. Why isn't he a nice guy?"

Titus put a frown on his face and turned around as he stepped closer to Rydel with about 30 cm separating them both. "He's the reason... that you lost your baby," He said, lying "he beat you until you did lose it. He just told the nurse you were pregnant during the crash so the blame wouldn't fall on him and your brothers would fall the trap too."

Rydel gave Titus a funny look, at first she didn't believe him. But something was pulling her closely to believe him. Ratliff couldn't be capable of something like that.. Could he? "No, your lying.." Rydel said, not wanting to believe it/

"Why would I lie to you Rydel?" Titus asked, with a look that Rydel herself could not deny that he was lying. To her he was telling the truth "I saw it with my own eyes.. I tried to stop him but he.. he knocked me out clean. When I woke up you were on the floor, beaten, bruised.. I had to take you to the hospital. There was no saving that baby," Titus took Rydel by the hands leaving only inches between them "Rydel, I would never dream about lying to you. I love you far too much to do that, I would always protect you and never lay a finger on your pretty little head.. but as for Ratliff.. I'm sorry. He's not who he makes out to be."

Rydel sighed and shut her eyes. She can't believe she fell for Ratliff being the typical nice guy everyone was making him out to be, especially by the videos she saw of him. Man, he was a pretty good god damn actor. She re-opened them, Titus did his best not to grin as he saw the hurt and sadness in Rydel's eyes. "Rydel, I love you more than words can express.. I always have and always will.." He said cupping her face.

Titus then bent down and pressed against Rydel's lips, after a few seconds he deepened it without giving Rydel an option.

After sitting on the beach wall for about half an hour trying to pull himself together, Ratliff finally decided he would go home. Once again taking a short cut. But when he turned the corner he saw Rydel and Titus together again, he couldn't hear them but he knew Titus was telling her something. Something that seemed to be either confusing her or upsetting her. Or it could be bother. He wanted to go over there, but before he got a choice Titus had bent down and kissed Rydel on the lips and deepened it.

That was it for Ratliff, there was an edge he was balancing on and he was just pushed way off it. He then turned around and went the other way home. Titus looked from the corner of his eye as he watched Ratliff walk away, he then shut them and pulled Rydel closer to him as he kissed her. Rydel appeared to be either too confused or upset to be kissing back.

Ross stuck to his word with Laura he made about going round Ratliff's apartment, yes it was nearly night time but it was better now as he was guaranteed Ratliff would be in on his own without any disturbance and Ross could get to the bottom of all this. He was sick and tired of Ratliff being upset and depressed over Rydel, he didn't deserve any of this. Ross had a feeling it had something to do with Titus always taking away the time Ratliff wanted to see Rydel to try help her memory, if it was that Ross was going to have just a little word with Titus. Maybe he'd make him disappear.

But nobody made his best friend sad or depressed to the point where they decided the only way to deal with it was self harming.

Ross got outside to the front of Ratliff's apartment, he was about to knock when he saw the door wasn't shut properly. He shrugged and opened the door, kicking it shut once he was inside the apartment. "RATLIFF WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!" Ross shouted before he jumped across the room and knocked Ratliff to the floor.

He pinned Ratliff's arms above his head, not even caring he was getting his blood onto his hands. Ratliff did his best to wiggle from Ross's grip, but of course with Ross's build he couldn't. Ross put one arm across Ratliff's neck/chest so he could reach Ratliff's hand and take the razor blade out of it. He took it out of his hand and jumped up off the floor. Ratliff just gave up and sat up whilst on the floor. "Okay, explain to me now.. What the fuck is wrong with you dude?" Ross asked.

Ross never got an answer out of Ratliff "Ratliff.. Don't ignore me. Your not dead or deaf." Ross said, raising his voice a little. He took a closer look at Ratliff before he realised that he was crying, which just made Ross feel bad. He sighed before going over to Ratliff and helping him up off the floor, keeping an arm around him as he guided him to the couch and sad him down "Please," Ross said sitting beside him closely "tell me what's wrong."

"I.. I can't keep on continuing without her Ross... Titus.. he keeps on taking her away from me. I swear he's trying to make her forget who I am completely. It's horrible," Ratliff said, wiping his eyes "last week.. I saw them together and he kissed her on the cheek. Then today, I caught him kissing her on the lips and he deepened it. Before that he was telling her something that was confusing her or upsetting.. or better yet both. He's up to something Ross, and I think it's got something to do with getting rid of me."

Ross sighed, feeling the sympathy hit him like a tone of bricks for Ratliff. He honestly didn't know what to do for him but kick the living shit out of Titus, but he knew that wouldn't solve anything. That, and he's pretty sure Ratliff would want to be the one to do that, right? Though it wouldn't hurt Ross giving Titus a few words and popping him in the nose.

Ross put his hand on Ratliff's shoulder "Maybe you should talk to Titus and tell him to back off." Ross said, giving him solutions. But he knew Ratliff wasn't going to listen with the state he was in.

Ratliff shook his head "no," Ratliff snapped "it's gone past talking to Titus about this whole thing.. I just want revenge. That's all I want."

Ross rolled his eyes "Oh, and what are you going to do?" Ross asked "make out or sleep with someone else?" Ross remarked sarcastically "go for it. I'd like to see how it turns out. No doubt it'll come back and bit you in the ass." Ross knows Ratliff isn't capable of something like that. That, and Rydel wouldn't be particularly bothered as she can't remember Ratliff anyway. Even if he did Rydel would be pretty pissed when she does regain her memory. That's if she does.

Ratliff looked at Ross, with a tiny smile. Ross noticed "Aw no, c'mon dude, I was kidding! Didn't you note the sarcasm?" Ross asked. He then folded his arms "Me and my big fat stupid mouth I should not open any more." Ross said, furious at himself. He can't believe he actually did that. No wonder the R5 fans call him the idiot of the band. Oh yes, that's right ladies and gents he's seen those tweets. He's not THAT much of an idiot.

Ratliff saw how close he and Ross were together, he knows it was a long shot trying to get Ross to get on board with it but he had to try right? After all, Ross was single was he not? Ratliff sighed. He knew he was going to regret doing this.

Ross was taken away from his self-fury when he saw that his and Ratliff's lips almost touched, he put his hands to Ratliff's shoulders and pushed him away "Whoa! Dude! What the fuck?! I never meant me!" Ross yelled standing up and shuddering "seriously. Get your head fucking straight Ratliff your not right in the head lately. I'm not going to do that to Rydel. Or Laura!" Ross said, completely forgetting Ratliff wasn't the one who knew about his and Laura's relationship.

Ratliff was a little taken back. Ross and Laura? He wasn't that surprised but he could of known sooner otherwise he wouldn't of just pulled this stunt! But Ross was right, he really did need to get his head straight. Before Ratliff could get another word in, Ross turned around and stormed out of the apartment slamming the door shut making him jump. Ratliff sighed before putting his head in his hands.

He'd really screwed up.

Laura had just dropped Jenny off at Rocky and Maia's. She thought it would be a good idea for them both to look after Jenny every now again in the next 9 months so they have some kind of experience before their baby is born, right? It wasn't her idea, Rocky just suggested it and Laura was happy enough to do it. Not that she couldn't be bothered looking after Jenny herself, but if it helps Rocky and Maia to become more confident to be parents then whatever. They can have Jenny whenever they like.

Laura walked through the door of her and Riker's apartment and sighed happily. Riker looked up from the sofa and noticed how happy Laura was, he looked at the time seeing how late it was. Remembering this was about the tenth time she'd been doing this, way too often. Something was going on with her. He stood up from the sofa and walked over to her "Why are you spending so much time with Ross?" Riker asked, folding his arms.

Laura looked to Riker "Sorry, can't friends do that?" Laura asked, wiping the smile off her face. What the hell was up with him?

"Yeah, but... when they've had a past relationship that didn't end very well.. kinda strange if you ask me or anyone for that matter." He said, using his hands as weighs.

"Jesus Christ Riker, what the hell is wrong with you? I only just got through the door and it's like I've stabbed you through the stomach."

"Sorry, I just find it weird.."

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think it was forbidden for a boyfriend and girlfriend to spend time together!" She accidentally let slip.

Riker's eyes widened "Excuse me?" Riker asked.

"Nothing, I said nothing." Laura said going to go into her room, but was stopped by Riker grabbing her arm and pulling her to him "Ow.." She hissed as she could feel Riker's fingers digging into her arm.

"You and Ross are dating? Again!"

Laura took a deep breath "And what's it got to do with you?" Laura asked, making Riker release her arm. Rather harshly.

"How could you date him again?! Especially after what he did to you! I just don't get it," Riker said "why don't you actually date someone who loves you and won't ever hurt you the way he did?"

Laura rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe he was bringing this up "Oh, yeah?" Laura asked "like who? Do tell Riker?"

Silence fell between them both, Laura waited there with her arms folded waiting for an answer from him. She was about to walk away when he spoke. "Me."

"What?" Laura said shocked. Before she knew it. Riker had her by the waist, pulled her close to him and kissed her on the lips for a few seconds. He then pulled away from the kiss leaving Laura stood there shocked "Tell me, do you love him now?" Riker asked "cause I didn't hurt you.. not once. You know that. I would never-"

Riker was cut off when Laura basically threw herself at him and kissed him, this time more passionately and Riker just melted into it wrapping his hands around her. Deepening it.

Ross walked down the hall towards Riker and Laura's apartment, as he said to Laura before he headed to Ratliff that once he had seen him he would go see Laura and tell her what was up with him. But Ross wasn't so sure on telling her about the almost kiss, least not yet anyway. Though, Laura's a pretty understanding person right? She'd understand and not be mad. Right?

He got to the door of the apartment, instead of knocking he decided he would walk straight in. But the door was locked. He tried it again, was still locked. He didn't want to knock incase they were asleep or had fallen asleep, so he decided to look through the letter box. Ross got down on both of his knees and opened up the letter box to their apartment and looked through it where he saw Laura throw herself at Riker and kiss him.. making it turn into some kind of heated passionate make out session. He knew he should of looked away by that point. He stopped watching when they started to strip each other making their way to one of the bedrooms.

Ross shut the letter box and slowly stood up. He knew it was too good to be true for him and Laura to have a good happy relationship. Way too good. Maybe this was why she didn't want anybody to know, cause of.. him. Ross took a deep breath as he could feel all those angry feelings rising up from all them years ago.

Instead, he turned around and left. But not to go home.

Around 10 minutes later Ross found himself walking down the hallway of another apartment building. He stood outside of the door for about a minute before working up the courage to knock on the door loud enough until he heard footsteps coming towards it. He knew he was going to regret this, but so what? Laura's having her fun, why can't he have his?

The door finally opened. "Ross?" Ratliff asked confused "what are y-" Ratliff was cut off when Ross walked into the apartment and pressed his lips against Ratliff's, kicking the door shut so nobody could see them both.

Ross then pulled away from the kiss, grinning down at Ratliff "You know.. about that revenge idea," Ross said with the grin plastered across "I don't think it's quite a bad idea..." He said before kissing him once more. Only for Ratliff to actually kiss back this time.

Okay don't start fucking flipping tables and shit, this isn't turning into a Rosslington story, so chill the fuck out. Think of it more of a Rosslington hook-up. I did tell you in this story Raura wasn't going to go smoothly.. Especially now! So no complaining. Okay?

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(1) The Fray - Never Say Never