AN: Two updates in twenty-four hours, I know. Don't get used to it. I didn't want to leave you guys hanging. This is the beginning of the end you guys. Only five more chapters, then it's all over.
Guy stood outside the door to the shop. He knew Charlie was inside, but so was Jan. He had come back early when he found out Guy had quit. They were setting up a display when they heard the bell above the door. Charlie looked over his shoulder and glared at him. Jan stood between them trying to keep them from going after each other.
"I want to talk to you."
"Well I don't want to talk to you." Charlie said going back to what he was doing.
"I want to apologize." Guy said above a whisper.
"It's a little late for that. She's gone."
"What?"
"She left yesterday. She didn't want to deal the shit you started." Charlie said finally turning to face him.
"Charlie, let him explain." Jan said putting a hand on Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie sighed nodding his head. He walked out the door holding it open for Guy. He rolled his eyes before jerking his head out the door. Guy followed him hoping he didn't get his ass kicked. Charlie shoved his hands in pockets waiting for Guy to start talking.
"I was a dick we know that. But you didn't make it any better. She left because you wouldn't leave her alone."
"Don't give me that shit. She left because she's scared that what you said will happen. I know exactly why she left."
"We aren't going to get anywhere fighting. Are you going after her?"
"I'm already ahead of you. I know where she is."
"How?"
"I know her better than you do. Remember that." Charlie said glaring at him before opening the door to the shop.
It slammed shut as Charlie went back inside. Guy didn't want to admit it but Charlie was right. Charlie knew Connie inside and out. He knew what made her tick. And up until three weeks she had only been mad at him once. Guy had always been jealous that Charlie was the one that was there for her. Even when they were together she would always go to him. Then she would go to Guy. Why hadn't they gotten together sooner?
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Portman stood outside the hospital smoking a cigarette. He hadn't smoked in over a year, he only did it when he was stressed. Someone called his name and he looked up seeing Julie come across the parking lot. He had never been so glad to see someone in his entire life. He threw the cigarette to the ground and snubbed it out with his shoe. Julie stopped in front of him and he pulled her to him. They didn't say anything as people rushed past them. Then all of the sudden she pulled away. She poked him in the chest glaring at him.
"Give me the pack of cigarettes." She said holding out her hand.
"Jules."
"You heard me." She said putting her hand on her hip.
Portman didn't move so she reached into the pocket of his jeans for them. She threw them in the trashcan behind him ase rolled his eyes.
"I don't want to see you smoking again. Do you understand me?"
When he didn't answer her she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"You don't fool me. I know you're scared." She said before pulling away.
She stared up at him waiting for him to say something. He shook his head as he ran his hands through his hair.
"What are you doing here?" He said finally finding his voice again.
"You need me. I know won't admit it, but you do. You wouldn't have called me last night if you didn't." She said shrugging her shoulders.
He smiled then shook his head. She was right, he did want her there. But he didn't want to come right out and ask her. That wasn't who he was. He took her hand and led her into the hospital. Once they stepped off the elevator his mom saw Julie and came walking up to them.
"I always knew you were a smart girl." She whispered in Julie's ear as she pulled her into a hug.
Everyone crowded around her pushing Dean out of the way.
"Dean, keep this one!" His aunt yelled from inside the circle.
He smiled and shook his head knowing that his family wouldn't let Julie out of their sight when it came to him.
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Charlie stood at the ticket counter at the airport waiting his turn. He knew Connie didn't want him to go after her. But he wanted to deal with everything and get her back to Minneapolis. The one time he wants to deal with something and she freaks. That was his thing, not hers! He moved up to the counter and the woman behind it explained to him that the next flight was taking off in half an hour. He bought a ticket and hauled ass across the airport.
An hour later he was in the air hoping Connie appreciated what he was doing. Maybe now she wouldn't doubt him. He slipped on his headphones and turned on his walkman drowning out everything around him. He hated planes, but Connie was worth it.
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Julie sat next to Portman and put her head on his shoulder. She had broken away from his family not long after they had gone downstairs to eat. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head on his shoulder before kissing his neck. He tightened his grip as he saw his mom give him a warning look. He sighed before kissing her temple. She smiled into his neck making him groan.
"Don't start something you can't finish Gaffney." He said warning her.
"Why? It's fun." She said giving him an evil grin.
"I'm going to forget you said that." He said closing his eyes and banging his head against the wall.
She laughed as she shook her head. Had it really only been three weeks since she had last seen him? It felt like longer than that. And being with him right now was making it harder for her to keep herself together. He ran his hands through her hair making her relax even more against him. Justin sat next to them and Portman knew his mom had sent him. Julie looked over his shoulder and smiled at him. Justin smiled back giving her a toothy grin. She laughed and Portman groaned again.
"Don't encourage him."
"But he's so cute. He looks just like you." Julie said playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.
Portman sighed knowing Justin was loving every minute of it. The kid turned into a flirt when Julie was around. He constantly wanted to talk to her on the phone, it was more than a little annoying in Portman's opinion. His mom stood a few feet away loving every minute of what was going on. He glared at her as she started laughing. He shook his head wishing he could be alone with Julie.
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Charlie was the first one off the plane when it landed. He quickly walked out of airport and groaned when he stepped out into the sun. He shielded his eyes with one hand and hailed a cab with the other. He knew Connie would be here; she had to be. Where else would she go? Charlie thought as he got into the cab. He gave the cabbie the address and watched the scenery pass by as he tried to calm himself down. He needed to be calm when he talked to her, he didn't want to blow it again.
The cab stopped outside the apartment complex and Charlie walked up the stairs trying to find the apartment. He stopped in front of the right one and knocked. He could hear someone on the other side and the door swung open.
"Thank God. Get in here, she's driving me crazy!" The person said dragging him into the apartment.
"Chill Russ, I've had to deal with it for three weeks. The least you can do is deal with it for twenty-four hours." Charlie said as Russ pulled him down the hall.
'The things I do for you man." Russ mumbled under his breath as they stopped in front of closed door.
"Connie, I'm opening the door. Don't throw anything at me!" Russ said before opening the door and shoving Charlie in.
He quickly shut the door and waited to hear if they started yelling. If they did he would have to break them apart. And he wasn't looking forward to that. He stared at the door in shock when he didn't hear anything. He put his ear to the door and still didn't hear anything. The door opened suddenly and Charlie poked his head out.
"Go away!" He said shoving Russ away from door.
"Good luck trying to calm her down." Russ said rolling his eyes.
"Go away Russ!" Connie yelled from inside the room.
"I'm going, get a grip Moreau!" Russ said shaking his head.
Charlie shut the door then turned back to her. She stared at him like she couldn't believe he was standing in front her. She was too shocked to say anything to him. Deep down she had hoped that he would come after her. But she would never admit it. Now that he was standing in front her she didn't know what to say. He stood at the foot of the bed looking unsure about what to do. Connie stood and walked over to him. She titled his chin so he was looking at her. He saw the tears in her eyes and wasn't sure what to say.
"I'm sorry." She said above a whisper.
"I am too." He said matching her tone.
"Don't be. I was a bitch. You only wanted to show me that you loved me."
"You're right. I did." He said wrapping his arms around her.
"I love you too." She said knowing that was as close as she was going to get to him saying 'I love you' right now.
It was more than she had expected. He leaned down closing the gap between them. She leaned up brushing her lips against his. He picked her up off the floor and she laughed against his lips. They heard something crash in the hall and pulled apart. Someone knocked on the door and they both sighed.
"You can come in Russ." Charlie said sounding frustrated.
"I don't wanna come in! I just wanted to let know Connie her cell phone rang." Russ said through the door.
Connie giggled before leaning in to kiss Charlie again. She would worry about everything else later. She had a three weeks of being a bitch to make up for.
AN2: There I got them back together. Everybody happy? Great. I wanted to call this chapter something else. But it would have given away where Connie went. Even if it is a song title like the last one, I like my second choice better though.