Disclaimer - I own nothing! I'm just borrowing from J.K. Rowling!

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Chapter 21

Two weeks passed, and after some gentle coaxing and urging, Severus managed to let Hermione out of the house. No, she was still in no condition to work. In the mornings, she would always argue that she was able to work, and she felt alright. He didn't agree with her, nor did Alan. Instead of having work on his mind, he wanted to take Hermione out, who just stubbornly disagreed with him. Obviously it led to them just staying home. The arguments were always short as neither one didn't want to fight again.

Hermione had to relax, and distress. Severus thought that going out once in awhile, having a meal or even a walk on the beach would be what she needed. Actually, anything to get her out of the house and that wasn't work related was what he wanted for her, and watching a baseball game of the Giants was what she surprisingly said okay to.

Over the years since she resided in San Francisco, Hermione quickly became a fan of the Giants. She wasn't a hardcore fan—memorizing stats and player names. It was not her. She simply routed for the team as any local would do, and honestly, baseball was an interesting sport. There were a number of games that she had watched, and she always had the best seats in the park which was just above the dugout and behind home plate. Knowing Alan always had its benefits, and to Hermione this was one of them—being a VIP at the AT&T Park.

Both of them wore black outfits with the Giants logo or name printed on them. Severus wore a baseball jacket, while Hermione had her usual hoodie on with a pair of sunglasses.

Hermione kept herself close to Severus with a firm hold on either his hand or arm. It awhile since she went out. Last time she did, she got shot. The place was crowded, making her not feel at ease. As they walked together towards the gates, she heard the popping of something, thinking that it was a gunshot going off. She stopped in her tracks, quickly turned towards the sound, not knowing that she had clung herself closer to Severus.

Severus too turned to the source of the sound, seeing a bunch of balloons and children playing with them. He wrapped an arm around Hermione, knowing that the popping sound frightened her. "It was only a balloon," he told her. "Nothing bad is going to happen to you, I promise."

Hermione only nodded, placing her head on his chest. She sighed in relief feeling safe in his arms.

"We don't have to watch the game if you don't want to," Severus murmured softly on her head.

"I want to," Hermione said as she looked up at him. A balloon popping wasn't going to make her go home. She was with Severus, and she had nothing to fear.

"Come on then," he said, smiling as they started to walk again. He kept his arm around her shoulders as she held him by the waste. His eyes quickly scanned the area, making sure there wasn't anything suspicious. It was too crowded, even for his own comfort, but he was here because she wanted to be here.

At the snack stand, there was a long line of customers eagerly and impatiently waiting to be in the front to get their orders in. The scents of buttered popcorn, hotdogs, burgers and peanuts where in the air, all of which were perfect food for the perfect game.

"What do you want?" Severus asked Hermione as they closely approached the front of the line.

"A Coke, popcorn, and a hotdog on the bun," she answered. She had her arms around his one arm, as half of her face was hidden behind his shoulder. Deep in thought, she bit her lip as she pondered on what had happened in the last two weeks.

Evidently, it was clear. Once again, they were an item, and were back together. Every day, he had expressed his love to her, took care of her, and comforted her when needed. For Hermione on the other hand, things were different. She never said those three words to him since that night in the bathroom. As much as she wanted to, she reminded herself that it was all going to end eventually. She had to keep things at a certain distance between them. Yes, she was happy with the way things were, but what was the use when it was all going to ruins soon?

Her feelings however only grew for him. There was absolutely no doubt in her heart—she loved him. And with him being very attentive and caring only made things harder. He was trying very hard to win her back, that she knew, but it was wrong. It was Giselle that he had to win back, and not her. It was wrong to mislead him and his feelings, but she had to wait until the project finished. Having another explosive fight was something she couldn't bear. In addition, it was her feelings too that were on the line. For now, all she could do was enjoy the ride that she was on.

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It was Severus's first time to actually watch a baseball game live at the edge of the field. He did watch a few games on TV, and was no stranger to it, but quidittch and football where the only games that he had watched live in the past. However, he couldn't give a damn about the game now, and merely kept his attention at Hermione.

She never smiled at him when they started to work together. Now, together for two weeks, he still never saw a smile. It bothered him as he questioned himself again for the nth time. He expected her to be happy, but it didn't seem that way. What was he doing wrong or what was he not doing?

They kissed, they slept together—but had not yet made love, he was waiting for her to make the first more for that. They spent almost all their time together, like any couple would do. He said that he loved her many times during the days and nights, and oddly, she never reciprocated his words verbally. She just kissed or hugged him, keeping silent to herself in return. He knew she loved him, she admitted it. But why not say it anymore when the truth had been revealed of their feelings towards each other?

Healing took time, which Severus knew. But there was clearly something else going on with Hermione. He knew her well enough to know that something was bothering her. He watched her and saw that her eyes were still vacant as she clapped her hands, while everyone else behind them cheered and whistled as the Giants scored a run. It seemed as if she was clapping just because, not because she was happy.

Was she that broken that she didn't feel anymore? Of course, he still blamed himself, and wanted nothing more for her to become her old self, if not at least make her happy. But now, the question was, was he the right man for her since it was him that broke her?

"We scored!" Hermione said aloud, turning to face Severus.

"We did," Severus said. Her voice sounded neutral and empty he noted. He took her hand in his and brought it up towards his lips, kissing her middle knuckle softly.

"Seems like you aren't enjoying the game," she said with a frown.

"I am if you are," he said back.

Hermione moved, leaning of Severus's shoulder, and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. She then looked ahead on the field as she continued to watch the game and eat her popcorn. She truly was enjoying the game, most especially her time with Severus.

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Baker Beach had its fair share of people scattered around. After all, the sun was going to set soon, and seeing it along with the Golden Gate Bridge was a sight worth waiting for.

Severus, who decided to keep his Birkenstocks on, walked next to Hermione, holding her pair in one of his hands. He kept his other hand on the small of Hermione's back, as he surveyed their surroundings and the people around them.

"That game sucked, didn't it?" Hermione sulked, kicking a bit of the sand ahead of her. "First we were in the lead, and then they get two runs in with a home run. Damn Red Sox! That was pure damn luck and not talent I tell you."

"We'll get them next time," Severus said. Hermione's reaction to the loss of the game wasn't unknown to him, all her sulking and complaining. She was acting the same way she did when the Gryffindors would lose a quidditch game.

Hermione sighed, stopping in her tracks. Feeling somewhat tired, she sat herself down on the sand, leaning back on her arms with her legs stretched out in front of her.

Quickly spotting a vendor stand not far away, Severus placed Hermione's Birkenstocks right next to her, and then said, "I'll get us some water." With that, he quickly did a short jog towards the stand, planning to come back to her very soon.

The bottled water was ordered right away as soon as he got there. His eyes then caught sight of about a dozen red roses in a pot of sorts. Severus had to correct himself; he hadn't done everything he thought to make her happy. Roses! How stupid could he be to forget? Without thinking any further, he also purchased a single rose. When he was done, he placed it inside his jacket pocket to surprise her later on. Hopefully it would put a smile on her face.

After taking a few sips of her water, Hermione sighed and looked at the other people on the beach seeing many couples, and then she looked at Severus, who was seated right next to her. She took off her sunglasses and cap, and ran a hand through her hair as she looked at the vast ocean ahead of her. "I come here when I feel like it," she started. "And during all those times, I watched the sunsets alone. I would only feel… a many things. You were never with me. I wondered where you were, and wished that you were at least happy." Her eyes filled, and she sniffled. Now he was here with her, but she knew that he wasn't happy.

Severus didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled her towards him, and onto his lap. He felt the light weight of her head when she placed it on his shoulder, when she wrapped his arms around his neck. His arms on the other hand went around her waist, keeping her firmly on his lap. "And I am here now with you, and happy," he murmured into her ear.

Hermione closed her eyes, feeling herself get weaker, desperately wanting to believe him.

"I have something for you," Severus said, pulling away slightly. He took hold of one of her hands, and brought it beneath his jacket.

A frown went across Hermione's face when she felt something. She couldn't figure out what it was, and just pulled it out. To her surprise, it was a single red rose. She was speechless as she stared at it. Right away, she remembered the farm, missing it, and most importantly, the days, years ago when he truly loved her and gave her roses all the time. An unknown smile graced on her lips when her teary eyes looked at Severus. "Thank you."

"You're smiling. You're happy," Severus said softly in awe as he brushed Hermione's hair away from her face. His heart swelled at the sight before him. She was actually smiling, and it was because of him. Maybe he was the one that could make her truly happy after all.

"Of course I am," Hermione said. She brought the rose up to her nose and sniffed its sweet scent. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's the first time that you've smiled in the longest time," he replied, cupping her cheek. "You never smiled when we started working, much less these past two weeks. I was worried. Maybe I should give you a rose all the time so that I can see that wonderful smile that I missed so much."

Hermione's smile faded from her face. No smiling? How could she have not noticed? She sighed sadly and hugged him tightly. She dreaded the day that they would have to part—the day that she would walk away from him for his own good. This moment now, was a special moment that she would forever remember, embedding not just in her mind, but her heart as well. If she could freeze time and stay in this moment forever, she would. But for now, it was just this moment.

"Severus…" she slightly croaked next to his ear. "You know that I love you, don't you?" Finally she had said the three words again. Saying them as often as she wanted to would only make him believe all the more into something that wasn't real and would end terribly.

The situation had taken an odd turn Severus could tell. The way she hugged him, it was fairly tight, and the way her voice sounded. It was as if it was the last time he was going to hear those words. So he hugged her just as tightly as she did, not willing for her to slip away from him. "Of course I do," he replied. "What's wrong Hermione?" he then asked with worry.

In reply, Hermione shook her head. She wasn't going to tell him. If she did, she knew that things would take an ugly turn. Fighting was not an option. Whatever time she had with Severus until the end of the project, it was going to be time spent, hopefully with more moments such as these—romantic.

Severus kissed her cheek, and trailed his lips onto her temple. "You can talk to me, you know that."

Hermione nodded.

"Tell me what's on your mind."

She shook her head.

Severus pulled away, and cupped her face in both his hands. "Hermione," he urged her softly. Now he was more than worried, and he reminded himself it wasn't best to push her. She was too emotional and he didn't want to push her on it, fearing that something bad would happen if he did. It was on her time and space he kept on telling himself.

Again, Hermione shook her head. She quickly saw the starting to set and placed a finger on Severus's lips. "Hush Sev… the sun's setting." She sat up straight and looked at the golden sky. "Beautiful isn't it?"

Severus wasn't looking at the sunset. Instead, he kept his eyes on Hermione, seeing her smile slightly. To him, she out shun the sun. She by itself was the definition of beautiful.

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AN – The Ron-bashing will come soon, maybe in the next chapter or so. Some of you know me and I've made it a sport with all my other multi-chap fics. Bash, bash, bash! I really hate him! LOL! Be the power in the bashing by reviewing.