Everyone just read it before anyone plots my death. Sorry about any speloling or grammar errors but I've been trying to revise this in the waiting room at the doctor's office as i try not to be bored to death waiting on test results. I think i caught it all but knowing my luck, probably not. Here we go . . .

Troubled Conversations

Ripley sighed, moving around the shop slowly. She pushed her curls out of her face, trying not to let the weariness that had been hovering over her settle. She'd known better than to pull out the video of Atley . . . because all it had done had was make her remember. And every time she'd heard Kip and Tumbler guffaw over the tape she'd heard the echo of Sphinx in her mind. And it had been far too easy to see him lounging on that couch beside her, smirking at the others. Even though he'd never been on it.

She shook herself, tugging her mauve tee shirt straighter as she turned to fold the last bit of clothes she needed to put on the shelves. Paul had wanted to branch more and more into apparel over the past year; and as soon as he came in tomorrow he was going to have a great surprise. She'd cleared out some of her less used design and order books-allocating them to her office upstairs- and started to put the small collection of clothes she'd ordered from the smaller vendors.

She smiled, shaking her head. He was going to flip out before he yelled at her for doing it all by herself. But he and Jesse needed the day out together. Well that and she had really needed the time alone after the past few days. She looked down, smoothing her distressed jean Bermuda shorts and messing with her shirt again. She hadn't felt like trying to get dressed up today. And since she was the only one here it didn't matter if she wasn't dressed to impress . . . or if she was letting her tan and freckles shine, free of makeup.

She reached up, running her fingers down the key around her neck before she shook her head again; turning to go back to work as she heard the door to the shop open and the bell jingle softly. She heard barely there footfalls as the person stepped completely inside, the door shutting quietly behind them. Which in and off itself was a blessing. Usually people just let the damn thing slam if they weren't trying to jerk it off the hinges.

"Hi, I'm sorry but we're closed today for a floorset. but we open tomorrow at nine-"

She rolled her eyes before putting on her best smile, turning as she spoke; trying to make sure she seemed as polite as she sounded. Only to stop in her tracks at what was waiting on her. There in the doorway was the last person she'd ever expected to see in Wake Beach.

She stepped forward, reaching up to run a hand through her hair to try and tame it as he stepped further into the shop; glancing back at the door behind him before he turned to her with a tiny nod. She stopped just in front of him, looking up at him through her lashes as he looked down to her. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to fight the urge to bite it any harder. This wasn't happening . . . Sphinx wasn't standing here in her shop and looking down at her like this.

He stepped forward, almost closing the space between them; keeping his eyes solely on her as he spoke to her. And she loved and hated the way his voice moved over her. He shouldn't still be able to do that to her.

"I figured that . . . maybe its time we talked."

She looked up at him, trying to keep herself under control as she nodded to him once. She went to grab her keys when he reached out, taking the charm on her necklace between his fingers and turning it over. Much the same way Atley had before; but she couldn't stop the little thrill that shot through her as he closed his fist around the shaved down key. Or when he stepped closer to her and dipped his head, bringing his cheek to almost touch hers. That definitely hadn't happened when Atley had done this.

"You kept it? Thought it was on the ring with the others."

She took in a shuttering breath, trying to fight the weakness in her knees. But when she spoke she was happy that her voice wasn't trembling the way her heart was.

He couldn't be serious . . .

"You never looked?"

He shook his head slightly, causing their cheeks to rub before he rested his against hers. And when he spoke again his lips moved over her flesh. Sending another little shiver over her as she leaned into him.

"Never bothered to. Saw the ring and figured-I never thought you'd kept anything. Didn't think you'd want to . . . especially after the way- how we ended."

She blinked, trying to fight the tears welling in her eyes at the way he sounded. And when his hand reached up to cup her cheek she was aware that she hadn't been completely successful. He pulled back, wiping away the stray teardrops as he looked her over. And she suddenly saw so much of the man she'd only glimpsed when they were together before. God when had he changed so much?

"I'm so sorry Love. I know it doesn't mean anything now . . . but I never meant to hurt you."

She looked up at him before shaking her head in his hands, but she didn't fight when he tugged her closer.

"Then why didn't you come? I-"

He dipped, pressing his forehead to hers. And she wanted to kiss him and kick him for what came out of his mouth- though honestly it was more the second one at the moment.

"Figured I was the last person you wanted to see . . . and I didn't blame you for that. For anything . . . I-"

She cut him off, smacking him hard enough that his head snapped to the side as tears poured freely down her cheeks. But he didn't offer to try and move back. Or to stop her from slugging him in the chest. As she went to pull away however he reached out and caught her upper arms, pulling her against his chest. She tried to get loose but he wasn't letting her go . . . She growled, frustrated.

"All I wanted was you, you big idiot. I wanted you to be there!"

He wrapped is arms around her, holding her to him as she leaned into his chest. And as his fingers threaded through her hair she fisted her hands in the soft fabric of his shirt, not even bothering to hold back the sobs racking her body. He was letting her crumble . . . and even if it was just a little it was great to be able to do it.

"I'm sorry Love. I'm so sorry . . . For everything. I just didn't want to hurt you anymore."

Sphinx had never expected to find her at the first stop he'd made in Wake Beach, dressed the same way she would've been years ago. But he had. And their first truly civil attempt at conversation hadn't gone as badly as he'd thought it would-with the exception of his aching red cheek of course. But he knew he deserved the hits . . . and that she'd needed it. He sighed, stepping into the doorway of her home hesitantly. Even though part of him had always known that she would eventually come back here it was odd to step back into this house. Especially after all of the shit that had passed between them. The last time they'd been here he'd spread her out across the living room floor and fucked both of them silly.

He stopped, looking around at the changes before shaking his head. This is not the way it had looked then . . . and she'd apparently bought new furniture when the mood hit her. He shook his head, smirking to himself. It was good to see that some things about her hadn't changed when so much had. He watched her move to the couch, dropping her bag and hoodie onto the longest sofa before she turned to look at him. She shifted from foot to foot nervously, smoothing her hands over the hem of her shirt as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth again before letting it go. He smirked before sobering.

He had always chastised that she was going to worry her lip clean off . . .

He nodded to her, stepping closer after he shut the door. And he loved the fact that she was blushing up to him prettily the way she always had. Apparently a lot hadn't changed about her. He reached out, brushing her hair out of her face before running a thumb over her cheek. Her blush darkened but she stepped closer to him, letting him rest his free hand on her hip. He dipped, running his nose down hers as they both closed their eyes.

God he'd missed her . . .

"Do you . . . want to see the rest of the house? It's a lot different since the last time you were here."

He shook his head, fighting the urge to ghost his lips over hers before he pulled away.

"We need to talk . . . and we both know we won't if we go anywhere else in this house."

She pulled away, looking up at him through her lashes before glancing away from him. And he savored the way she leaned into his touch as he moved his thumb over her cheek again. She looked back up at him, her eyes searching his before she dipped her chin to him once.

"Then let's go to the office. It's comfier . . . and if Paul or Coop randomly pop in it'll give us some privacy."

He felt his face darken at hearing the last name pass through her lips. He'd never cared for her other friend, something about the way they were together had never set well with him. And the boy was far too touchy with her even when they were together. She seemed to pick up on his thoughts because she just rolled her eyes at him, pulling away from him to go towards the back of her house.

"Don't even start. He's my friend, Sphinx . . . and that's all he is. All he's ever been."

He rolled his eyes, going to follow her as he shook his head. He'd let it slide . . . for now.

Ripley moved to the bar towards the back of her office, keeping an ear on her guest as he sank into the sofa in front of the fireplace and desk. She poured herself a glass, taking a long drink of it before topping it back off. She turned back to him before shrugging to herself and pouring him a glass too. They were both probably going to need it after everything was said and done.

She moved back to the sofa, extending the glass to him before sinking down into the cushions beside him; making sure to leave some space between them. She glanced at him, watching him take a long drink of the scotch before holding the glass loosely in his hands. And she was so caught up in watching him that she was shocked when he spoke to her.

"When did you start drinking then?"

She blinked before shrugging, looking down to the glass in her hands. She swirled the dark liquid in her glass idly as she spoke with him. This was too weird . . . it was so easy to sit here and talk with him-just like it had been after they'd started to get closer- but at the same time it was awkward and tense.

"I always liked harder drinks . . . I just couldn't stand beer. But I really didn't start drinking regularly until a few years ago. I found a few scotches and whiskeys that I liked . . . and a few wines."

He looked her over, brow raised before he took another drink.

"But you still loathe beer, right?"

She nodded, scrunching her nose before she took a small sip of her own drink; letting the warm alcohol coat her throat before she spoke again.

"Absolutely. Paul and Jesse have tried to get me to embrace it but I'm just not a fan. I can drink it and I have . . . but I prefer Scotch."

Sphinx shook his head, chuckling before he drained the rest of his glass and sat it on the table in front of them. But as he went to pull his hand back he stopped, carefully picking up the old leather sketchbook on top of her others. She raised a brow. Hadn't it been on the bottom of the stack?

He opened it, running his fingers over the faded inscription at the top of the inner cover with an unreadable look in his eyes.

"I thought you woulda tossed this by now."

She shook her head, reaching out to take it from him but his hand caught her wrist. She looked up, her eyes locking with his before closed the book and set it aside. And never let go of her arm. She swallowed nervously before reaching up to push her hair out of her face again. She should've never let Paul cut it because now she was about to pull all of it out . . . but all thought left her as his other hand came up to cup her cheek again.

She looked at him as he looked her over.

"I never thought I'd see you again . . . not with the way you left."

She went to turn away but he kept her face still, locking his eyes with hers. She'd always loved his eyes . . . the grayish green with the tiny flecks of hazel scattered around the pupil were the most expressive thing on him. And even then it had taken her months to learn to read them. But once she had she'd learned to trust them more than the few words he spoke. Because his lips were very apt at telling her what he thought she wanted to hear . . . but his eyes always gave him away.

Just like when he'd started to loose interest in her.

She looked down, biting on her bottom lip again before his thumb reached out and pulled the fleshy appendage from between her teeth; smoothing over it as he gently chided her.

"I swear it's a miracle you have a lip left at all."

She blushed, looking up at him through her lashes. And as his mouth dipped to cover hers she felt her breath hitch; letting her turn away at the last minute. His mouth met the corner of hers, pressing lightly against the flesh. She pulled back, looking up at him uncertainly before she went to try to step away. But he caught her arms, keeping her in her spot.

"I'm sorry Love. Just . . . we need to talk. About all of this . . . before it gets anymore toxic than it already is."

She furrowed her brows. What was he talking about? She didn't act like being around him bothered her-oh sure they all knew but an outsider wouldn't be able to tell- and with the exception of her first night back they'd been able to be around one another pretty easily. But she nodded to him once, letting him talk. She knew it was rare he actually wanted to . . . and she doubted he came all the way to Wake Beach to get slugged and cried on.

But then again with him you never really knew.

"I am sorry, Ripley. I know it doesn't wipe it away or excuse it . . . but I never meant to bugger things the way I did. I didn't want you to leave."

She watched him closely, trying to spot the signs of any lie or that this was rehearsed- which would mean Atley or the others had put him up to it- but all she saw was honest sincerity. And as much as she wanted to say that everything was fine between them she couldn't.

"I . . . I don't know what you want me to say, Sphinx. I mean . . . I left four years ago. I went through . . . I survived a lot alone. All I did was come home but as much as you say you didn't want me to leave you never came to find me. And I had to grow up to survive. I'm not the same person anymore Sphinx . . . Hell, some days I barely recognize myself."

He reached out, cupping her cheek to lift her eyes back to his. And she was shocked at what she saw there.

"We're both different now. Older. I just . . . I'm tired, Ripley. Of fighting. I just want to be us again . . . however that turns out to be. I don't want to lose you again."

She glanced away, letting out a stuttering sigh before she shook her head. She dipped her chin, refusing to look at him as she spoke. And even though her heart was breaking she knew it was for the best. They were too volatile together. Too wild to control; and with all of this going on they couldn't risk it. Just like she couldn't risk having her heart shattered again . . . There really wouldn't be enough left to pick up and put back together.

"I can't Sphinx . . . I'm sorry but I can't. We can't . . . I can't-"

His mouth slashed over hers, moving frantically against her flesh as his hands slid to tangle in her curls. She moaned, leaning into him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders . . . only to whimper as he pulled away from her and went to stand. She watched him, trying to settle on what to do. Finally she stood, reaching out to catch his arm and stop him; keeping him from trying to leave. And his words as he went to pull away from her were like a stab to the heart.

"I won't bother you again, Chaosia . . . I am sorry. I'll respect what you want."

She moved, stopping in front of him a he tried to go through the office door. And even though she was warring with herself her mouth moved on its own, betraying the sensible side of her. The side that screamed she needed to let him leave, to take the apology and use it to try and force closure so she could actually have a life again. But her mouth was siding with her heart . . . and that portion of her wasn't going to just let him go like this. Not when she'd missed him so terribly.

"Wait- I didn't mean . . . I can't, Ignatius. We have so much going on . . . so much to loose. It would be insane to complicate this anymore than it already is . . . and you're right. We've both changed . . . how do even know we're still compatible? That us-even just as friends would work now when it didn't before?"

He looked down at her, eyeing her critically before he nodded to her once. And she breathed a sigh of relief as his shoulders started to relax. God he was about to snap his neck. But when she went to step away he caught her, pulling her hard into his chest as he dipped to run his nose down hers. Leaving a trail of small kisses over her cheek as he spoke to her.

"I want you Chaosia. However I can have you. I gave you that once . . . can you not do the same for me?"

She shuddered before the meaning of his words hit her. And she felt herself get angry. She went to pull away but he tugged her back, cupping her cheek as he tsked down at her.

"Steady Love. I didn't mean anything other than trying. But I know that I made a mistake . . . I thought you were-I wasn't-"

Sphinx sighed, looking Ripley over before he relaxed his grip on her. God she was still the most infuriating thing on the planet but now he was even more tempted to give into her than he had been before. He really was a goner . . . but it didn't bother him now the way it had before. It was funny. All he'd wanted was freedom; freedom that had turned out to be nothing but wanting her back. He had a tiny chance to do that now . . . but he had to be smart about this.

"I just want the chance to be something other than this. This in between and not knowing what's going to come of us."

She looked up at him before shrugging, letting her shoulders sag just enough to let him know he'd won this bout. But this isn't what he wanted . . . He wanted her. And this wasn't how his girl had ever acted. Not by a long shot.

"Fine, Sphinx. Fine. I surrender. We'll-"

"I don't want you to admit defeat, Chaosia. I just want us to be okay . . . Just tell me what to do. I'll do whatever we have to make it okay."

She looked up at him uncertainly but he could see the hope hiding behind the caution and skepticism. And he would do everything in his power to not crush that this time around. He wasn't going to damage her anymore than he had. With her next words he was rocketed back to seven years before. To the first time he'd ever spoken to her. He'd asked her the same uncertain question when they were trying to figure out where to go. And the irony or the parallel wasn't lost him.

Now he was the one trying to fight to keep up contact . . . ensuring they stayed together in some form. While she was the one who was jaded and hurting, trying to withdraw to save herself anymore heartache. And he had to admit it was odd to be on this side of things. God how had she done this for so long? He'd only been doing it a few hours and he was already about to snap and admit defeat.

"Friends then?"

He shook his head, dipping to press his forehead against hers; trying to savor the contact. Because after this he was going to have to limit how often he actually touched her. She would melt into him until she remembered herself and would start to pull away. The same way he had always done her even when he hadn't meant to. Christ . . . He shook himself before locking eyes with her, telling her the same thing she'd told him all of those years ago. And he knew from the flash in her eyes that she remembered it just as well as he did.

"No . . . us. Let's just be us . . . No labels or restrictions . . . and we're just gonna be us . . . alright?"

She nodded, glancing up to him before offering him a hesitant smile. And he realized how nice it was to see it again. The little smirk she'd given him at the diner before hadn't been intentional . . . but this one was. And it was all for him. He cupped her cheek, smiling back to her.

Maybe they would be alright after all . . .