Steve sat at the table wondering why she was so upset; he should be the angry one. He didn't get her phone calls; he already told her that but he was being blamed, again, for things that weren't his to control. He watched her SUV leave the lot and wrote down her plate number. Being a cop had its advantages and this was one of them; he was able to run her plate.

Steve waited for the address then drove his car to her apartment. He rode the elevator up to her floor then knocked on her door. He figured she wouldn't answer but was surprised that she did. He could see her eyes were red and swollen; she had been crying. She moved aside and allowed Steve inside knowing he had a few things to say.

"I told you that my ringer was off on my phone," He looked out the window, "I did call you after I saw that you called. I would've invited you to work but it was all last minute and ended just as quickly." He didn't look at her. "You have to stop Emma. I care about you but I can't go through this emotional roller coaster with you."

"I know," her voice was almost inaudible. "I'm so sorry."

He looked at her wondering if she was truly sorry, "Why?"

"I was scared," Emma swallowed hard having to admit fear. "I thought I lost you and then," She knew he needed to hear everything. "I am feeling things for you; things I haven't felt before and that truly scares me. Between that and what my mind tells about my past, I lose it. I realize now that I am sabotaging the one good thing in my life." She faced him, "I will understand if you don't want to be with me at all." She braced herself for the worst.

Steve sat on the couch and rubbed his face with his hands, "Emma I care about you too but," he leaned back, "I can't go on like this." He stood up, "My past has been filled with chaos, uncertainty, emotional upheaval and more. I started to feel like I was getting my life back on track until,"

"You met me," Emma interjected.

"No," Steve let a gentle smile cross his face. "Until this Wo-Fat situation landed in my lap, that and my breakup with Catherine made me feel like I was losing control. But then I met you and I started to see the light again."

"Until today," Emma felt horrible, "I am sorry Steve." She walked to her bedroom and came right back. "I have been keeping this up to date." She handed him a journal. "There are some things in there I want you to see."

"Emma," Steve didn't know what she was up to.

"Please," Emma looked up at him, "This will explain a lot about me. I will understand if you want to leave after reading it and I won't blame you." She grabbed her water bottle, "I will be in the other room. If you choose to leave just make sure you lock the door." She walked away feeling defeated, fragile and completely alone.

Steve sat on the couch and looked at her journal. It was started when she was fourteen and her last entry was today. He looked at the marked pages as though she wanted him to see the most difficult parts of her life. He read the passages then closed the diary. He sat on the couch for a moment soaking it all in. He began to understand why Emma was the way she was as the words floated around his head; abuse, homelessness; rape; isolation, disappointment and abandonment. He knew Emma was alone but didn't realize just how alone she felt. She wanted to connect with people but every time she did something would happen.

Emma sat at her computer mindlessly playing solitaire. She kept wondering if Steve had left and tried hard to hear if the door was closed. She knew she deserved it if he left and chose not to be with her. It was all up to Steve and she just had to sit and wait.

"Are you winning," Steve asked knocking on the door.

"No," Emma didn't look at him.

He stood behind her and handed the journal back to her. "Now I understand." Steve pulled her chair to face him and he knelt by her, "Looks like our lives are similar with a bad past but that doesn't mean that our present or our future has to be that way."

"What are you saying," Emma asked.

"I am saying that we let the past stay there," he lifted her face to meet his, "Let's just take this day by day. If you are thinking or feeling negatively," he looked at her, "Tell me." Steve caressed her face, "But If you make an assumption or jump to a conclusion that makes me the bad guy without talking calmly to me about it I will leave," His voice was deep, "And there won't be any more chances, okay?"

Emma nodded, "I promise but I want you to do something for me."

"What," He wondered what outrageous demand she might ask of him.

"Please be patient with me; I am starting up my counseling sessions again and taking a break from writing." Emma sighed, "I felt you didn't want me around," she hesitated, "I was upset because you didn't want me to see you in prison," She hesitated, "Then when you didn't call me back." Emma stood up, "I made an assumption that I shouldn't have made. I don't expect your life to revolve around me and if it seemed that way I am sorry." She walked to the living room. "I promise from now on I will be grateful for any time we can spend together after all you have your life and your friends; it's not right for me to intrude on that." She got it, Steve needed his space and if she was blessed enough to have him in her life then it was all for the better.

"Sounds like we have set some boundaries," Steve grabbed her hand, "Let's take this slow okay?"

"Sure," Emma looked at him. She started to think something then looked at Steve; "So we are just friends for now right?"

"Yes," Steve replied, "No," he kissed her hand, "Yes we are friends but we are dating." He pulled her close; her head rested on his chest, "By the way thanks for doing what you did; it did mean a lot to me."

"You're welcome," Emma felt secure in his arms. "Steve," She called his name softly, "Would we be breaking any cardinal rules being friends who are dating if we slept together?"

He let out a chuckle, "No I am sure that friends who are dating sleep together."

"That's not what I meant," Emma pulled away. "Would you consider staying the night or is it too soon?"

Steve looked at her, "It's a little too soon." He smiled, "But there's nothing that says we can't kiss."

"I will take that," Emma smiled as their lips touched.