A/N Thank you for the many reviews on the last chapter. They were very welcomed considering the last chapters ending. If you haven't already read my story 'Survival Of The Fittest' please do :)

It was heartbreaking to say the least. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. No matter how hard I tried to get 'that' image out of my head, I just couldn't. Of course when he had looked up and spoke my name, I watched as the dread of horror washed over his face.

Ignoring his stuttering form, I took one more look at him and the mystery blonde as she glanced between us; not knowing what to do. Turning around, I walked out and slammed the bedroom door shut behind me as I went to grab my things. As I had entered the kitchen, I heard James come down the hall in a rush to get to me. Picking up my handbag, he had managed to put a pair of pants on and leant over, grabbing my wrist before I had the time to move "Let go of me" I hissed at him while looking into his eyes, straight and narrow.

"Please, just let me expl-" pulling my wrist free, I reached up and slapped him across the face. I didn't think about it, my body just took over and it had just happened. All I knew, was that I wanted him to stop talking and that I needed to get away. With his head twisted to the side from the impact, I took the time to make my escape. Leaving him stunned with red hand mark on his cheek.

That night when I had gotten home, I decided with solid firmness that this was the end. I would change the locks on the house and I wouldn't ever speak to him again. This wasn't at all how I wanted things to be. I wished everything didn't go so terribly wrong and a part of me had even questioned whether or not it was my fault. Quickly though, I had dismissed the very thought with a shake of my head. This was his doing, I said to myself, not mine.


Looking up at the clock in my kitchen, I checked the time. It had been two days since the incident and when I had mentioned my plan to Kelly. David had offered to change the locks for me. As if it were perfectly timed, a few taps knocked on the door like a secret code. Jogging, I quickly flattened my dress and swung the door open with a wide smile on my face "You're here, good morning" I fluttered out.

With a small laugh, he held up his tool box "Sure am" he replied as I let him into the house. Moving over to the kitchen bench, I watched as he set down the red box "Alrighty, let's have a look at what we've got" he said as I handed him the new lock "Shouldn't be too hard" setting it aside, he grabbed a few tools and went to work on the front door.

Sitting on a stool, I watched as he crouched to unscrew the little bolts with concentration. In that time, I couldn't help but look at him in further detail and awe. For the past few days, David and I had been getting closer. It was strange and intentional at first, giving our history. But oddly enough it was comforting to have someone familiar and known. There was also the fact that I knew he would never do 'that' to me. David most certainly wouldn't harm a fly, let alone a women's heart.

Handing me the old lock, I passed him the new one as our hands brushed each other's. Although none of us made it incredibly obvious, I did notice how David shuffled slightly on the spot "How was your week? Did you do anything exciting?" I asked trying to steer the awkward tension away.

"Yeah actually, I ugh, I took my nephew on his first fishing trip" he said with a laugh and smile on his face "He's a quick learner too, before I knew he was catching those buggers left, right and centre" Smiling to myself, I couldn't help but laugh at the image playing in my head. It was nice to know that David is an outdoors and family man. I remember, me and James never really had enough time to do anything too adventurous; except for the park or that one carnival we went to.

Half an hour went by and David had finished replacing the front and back door. Walking him back to the entrance of the house, he started to pack up his tools and wash his hands in the sink. I was about to move to open the door "Would you like to have lunch with me?" he asked nervously and out of the blue.

Looking up at him, I stared into his green eyes from behind his glasses. Thinking about it for a second, it was lunch time and I suppose it would be nice to get out of the house. Nodding my head, I smiled wide "I'd love to"

Covering my mouth, I laughed for what must have been the hundredth time. David had special of making anyone happy, including me. For a time, well at least that afternoon, I laughed so much it made me forget about everything. When the waves of happiness simmered down, I took a sip of my water to clear my throat. Looking back up at him from the sudden quiet, I found his eyes staring at me in a hypnotized gaze "…What?" I asked with another giggle.

Leaning in he spoke without a hiccup of any sort "You, Adeline Brennan, are the most beautiful women I have ever laid my eyes on, and I was a fool for ever letting you go" Was he saying what I think he was saying? Reaching over with his hand, he places it over mine and I blushed "I would very much like to keep seeing you, Adeline"

It was a surprise, but a welcomed one at that. The only question though was – Am I ready? Did I want to start another relationship? It had only been a few days and I wasn't certain if I could. I knew what I had decided in my head two nights ago; that my relationship with James was over. Still, it troubled me at times, especially at night. Maybe, though this was what I needed. This was my fresh start. Smiling I turned over my hand and held his, interlocking our fingers together.


Opening the door for me, David helped me out of the car like a gentlemen "I really enjoyed lunch" I said as we both walked up to the small footpath of my house "It was perfect"

Smiling, David fixed his glasses as we both came to stop at the door "Likewise and I hope we can do it again sometime soon. Your always make for great company" he agreed as he put his hands in his pockets.

Nodding my head, I reached into my handbag "That would be great" opening the door with the new key I had made. Turning around again to say good bye, he leaned forward and gave me a passionate kiss. It was warm, and familiar as I remembered the feeling of his lips. Though something else had crept into my senses and I found the moment of passion to be lacking. Somehow it didn't feel like it should, as if something where missing. It just wasn't the same – it wasn't James and I scolded myself because of it.

Catching my breath from the kiss, a second had passed. Nodding his head good bye, he turned with a smile and left for his car. Walking into the house, I yet again, found myself alone. Sighing to myself, I put down my belongings and went to my room. Changing into some more comfortable clothes, I started the chores I still had left. It'll be good to get my mind of everything for a few hours.


Going to the spare closet I grabbed the washing board and tin bucket. Filling it with hot, soapy water I put it on the steps at the back of the house. Shewing a fly out of my face, I went back inside and grabbed the dirty laundry. Sitting down on the steps, I began to wash each clothing one at time with needed vigour. Scrubbing up and down the wash board, eventually the familiar ache started to burn in my arms as I neared the end of the laundry. Twisting the last piece of clothing tight, I wrung out as much water as I could.

Grabbing the semi-wet pile of clean washing in the basket, I walked down the steps to the line and starting pegging them up in the breeze. It was a sunny day, they would be dry in no time I thought to myself. When I had finished, I tipped the dirty water onto the lawn and left it out to dry. Grabbing the basket I went back inside and put it back into the bathroom. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I decided I needed a drink. Heading into the kitchen I grabbed a glass of water.

When I had assumed my chores and finished with the dusting and wiping down of the benches, I took a moment to catch my breath. At least that was over and done with for the week. Sagging down on the couch, I looked up at the clock to see it was just ticking over four o'clock. I was completely and utterly exhausted for the day.

Jumping in my spot, I frowned as I heard something jiggle in the door, followed by a grunted curse. Rolling my eyes, I knew exactly who it was. I didn't bother to move, he'd get the message soon enough and leave. Turning on the radio, I listened as the man spoke about the days trials. Listening, a serious of abrupt knocks began to echo into the house "I know you're in there Adeline. Open the door"

Ignoring his request, I turned the radio up louder to conceal the sound of his banging. When it had stopped, I let out a sigh. I was glad that he had gone. Getting up, I went to the kitchen to start preparations for dinner. Like before, I had gotten back into the ritual of cooking for one and sifted through the fridge for vegetables. Collecting what I needed, I had just put the produce into the sink when a loud thud had rocked the house. What was that?

Opening the cutlery draw, I grabbed a knife just in case and waited in the kitchen for a few more minutes. Hearing a door in the hallway swing open, the loud footsteps pounded their way into the front of the house "James? What are you doing!?" I yelled as I looked at his slightly dishelmed form. He just broke into my house.

Holding his hand up he replied "Adeline…we need to talk? I just want you to listen for a few minutes" while taking a step toward me.

Holding up the knife from my side I said "No…get out! I have nothing to say to you" with a scowl on my face.

"Fine, then just listen" letting out a sigh, he still had his hand poised up "…I know I hurt you. I didn't mean for it to happen, I was hurt…and confused"

"So you were hurt and confused, and what? You decided the only option was for you to sleep with someone else behind my back! Out of all the things you could have done James…and you chose to do 'that'!"

"I know…and it was the biggest mistake I've ever made…I'm sorry okay. I'm sorry that it happened" he uttered out as he tried to apologies for his mistake.

Shaking my head, I scoffed "'sorry' isn't going to fix anything James…I tried to get you to talk to me but you never wanted to. Instead you just bottle it up like every other guy and hoped it goes away" I said as my voice now turned to a whisper "It's too late…alright" Putting the knife to my side, I pointed to the front door with my other hand "…I just want you to leave" before I did something I would regret.

I watched as a crease formed on his forehead and he shuffled slightly on the spot "What do you mean it's too late?" he asked with a worried expression. I suppose under the circumstances he knew what I was talking about, but he didn't believe it.

Shaking my head again I slapped my hand without the knife, down on my thigh "I met someone…someone who's will make me happy"

Running his fingers through his hair he let out a scoff, as if it were a rude joke "Adeline…" he said looking at me with a serious expression "I can make you happy. We can be happy, just give me another chance"

"What if I do?" I questioned "How will I know you won't do it again?" If a man had the gaul to do it once, there was no reason for him not to do it again.

"Because I love you Adeline" he stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in this world.

"If you did, love me. Then you wouldn't have done that to me in the first place. So please…please leave" Standing there, it took a minute for him to move but it wasn't in the direction of the door. Holding the knife back up, I didn't want him to come near me. Why couldn't he just do what I asked? Why couldn't he just leave?

My hand shook as he didn't stop coming toward me. Instead when he had reached me, he plucked the knife from my hands and put it down on the bench. Reaching up to hold my face in his hands, I quickly slapped them away "Adeline…please" he whispered.

I couldn't help it as I listened to his voice. Using the palm of my hands I tried to shove him away but he didn't move. Eventually the more I tried, the more it ended up with me hitting him in the chest; not that it hurt him anyway. I didn't know what it was, I just needed to vent and he was the reason for it. Grabbing my hands in his own, the scowl that was written on my face had turned into a tear streaked expression "You have no idea how much you've hurt me" I said leaning into him as my body gave up the fight.

Letting out a breath of air, he pulled me close. Resting his mouth on the top of my head, I heard him mumble something into my air, but I couldn't quite hear what it was.