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Disclaimer: All characters recognizable are property of J. K. Rowling. Copyright infringement is unintended.

21. So Close, Yet So Far

"Why do we have this hideous looking hat in our closet?" Scorpius' indignant voice came from upstairs.

Rose looked at the staircase for a second, contemplating her answer before turning back to feed Amelia.

"Seriously, Rose, WHY!?!" Scorpius yelled again, becoming louder and clearer with every passing second; he was coming down the staircase. "You don't even go out anymore!"

Rose ignored him. She was still a little upset about last night.

"Okay…so now I am going to get the silent treatment?"

Rose wiped Amelia's mouth with her bib and smiled when the little girl showed her tiny teeth to her. She took the bowl to the washing sink, and waved her wand; all the dishes in the sink began to wash themselves.

"You know I am sorry about last night," Scorpius said, coming up next to her, his voice laced with regret.

Rose rolled her eyes. She expected him to say that all right.

It had been a few days since he got home, and suddenly everything had changed, and not for the better. The row last night was testimony.

"Please, Rose? TALK. At least look at me," he tugged on her arm, trying to make her turn around.

She finally turned around to face him, and bit back laughter.

Scorpius was wearing the humongous hat she had borrowed from Lily. He was already wearing the robes for the day, and looking ridiculously stupid.

"I'm sorry, all right!" he huffed, the impatient look on his face clashing with the delicate looking hat, "You know how things have been quite difficult with me! Everybody is after my life at the Ministry! You can't expect me to not be upset about it."

"But I can expect you to not take out all your frustration on us, Scorpius!" she said calmly, looking straight at him, "You need to realize that personal and professional life should never be allowed to mix. The more you worry about your work, the more your personal life would get affected."

"That is not an easy thing to do, Rose!"

"I know that! But I need you to make an effort. You are letting your stress get the better of you. Don't let it. Amy hasn't had much time with her father. And I haven't been able to spend some time with my husband. So once you come home from work, please leave your Auror guise behind!"

Scorpius looked at her quietly for a few moments before he spoke. "That is going to be quite tough!"

"This is why you have to start working on it now! You know I am trying my best to help you," she said, cocking her head to the left and smiling slightly, "You know I haven't been at my angry best despite you infuriating me endlessly. Now come on, have your breakfast. Your coffee will be ready in a few minutes."

"Now that you're not mad at me anymore—" he said, suddenly smirking at her.

"Who said I'm still not mad at you?"

"—I was thinking we can take off for a well needed break on your birthday."

Rose gaped at him. "Break? You mean a vacation? Where?"

"I was thinking Greece," Scorpius sighed dreamily, taking a plate from the clean bunch and sitting down on the table. "It is a stunning place after all…."

Rose watched him have his egg and toast, a smile breaking on her face.

Things had indeed been quite rough for Scorpius ever since he returned to work. The newspapers continued speculating, and people who had been congenial towards him earlier suddenly turned very suspicious and wary of him. Since Scorpius had become extremely sensitive since the accident, things of that sort were affecting him more than they usually would have.

He barely talked after coming home, and if he did, he was usually angry. In the first two days, his new behavior led to intense arguments. And in the following days, Rose decided if Scorpius tried to start baseless arguments, or say things that would hurt her, she would simply ignore him. And now, finally after three days of painful silence, she had finally been able to open her mouth without wanting to scream out curse words.

"Are you sure, Scorpius?" she asked, crossing her arms and looking at him.

"Of course!" he said wiping his mouth in a manner that would embarrass Draco Malfoy to no extent. He got up from his seat and put his plate in the sink, and looked at her seriously.

"I really need a break, Rose. From all of this," he whispered fiercely, taking her hand in his and squeezing it lightly. "And I think it's high time we have a family vacation, don't you think?"

"I like the sound of it," she replied, smiling shyly at him and squeezing his hand in return, "So we take off on the eighteenth and come back on—?"

"We'll go for a week, I suppose," he said thoughtfully, before running a hand through his hair. "Can't really stay away from work too much. After all, I just got back on my feet."

"Okay," she said quietly, biting her lip. Bringing up his accident always soured his mood. She waited for him to get irritated and huffy, but this time, he thankfully didn't.

"Hey. I'm not going to go ballistic this time," he said earnestly, lifting her chin lovingly, "I know I shouldn't take out my frustration on you. Now am I forgiven?"

"Scorpius, you know that I can't stay mad at you for too long. Then why ask?" she said, flushing red. Her mother always said that women should never let their husbands know just how much they affect them. But then Rose knew from the way Scorpius' eyes lit up, he needed to hear such things from her.

"'Cause I wanted to make sure that you wouldn't hex me if I do this"

Scorpius pressed his lips to hers and scooped her into an embrace. She melted in his arms, clutching his collar tightly, before her hand moved upwards, brushed the hat off his head, and tangled her fingers in his hair. Her chest expanded painfully in joy as he deepened the kiss, his groan reverberating in his chest. She pulled back when her insides contracted painfully due to lack of oxygen, and rested her forehead against his, breathing deeply.

He had an edge over her. She was in big trouble.

"That was…" she whispered, not being able to come up with something coherent.

"I know," he said hoarsely, before lightly brushing his lips against hers. "I wish I didn't have to reach work within fifteen minutes."

"What if you did have fifteen minutes?" she asked playfully, kissing his jaw lightly.

"I would have broken the new table as well. With your help, of course."

Her giggle turned into a gasp as he kissed her neck tantalizingly, causing her to dig her fingers in his scalp. He could be late by another five minutes or so, big deal!

Their intimate moment was interrupted when Amelia let out an indignant yell, causing Rose to snap out her world of bliss.

"Scorpius!" she hissed, pushing him away and startling him. "Amy's watching!"

"So?" he asked bewildered, his face red, his lips swollen. "She's just a baby!"

"If she watches us going at it, not only is she going to be scarred for life, but it would also lead her wanting to experiment at a very young age!"

"Oh no no no. NO!" said Scorpius, looking scandalized. "First of all, she is not going to be dating till she is twenty five. As for her getting married, not before she's thirty—"

Rose rolled her eyes and turned to take her toast from the toaster.

"Hey, Lils! Where are the gowns from the winter collection kept?"

Lily's arm slid off her desk as Maria's high pitched voice coming from the door of her office pulled her out of her reverie.

"I'm sorry. What?"

"Gowns. Winter Collection."

"Basement, row number 3, all the three shelves," she replied in a listless voice as she leaned back in her reclining chair.

"Seriously Lils, get yourself checked at Mungo's. You look seriously peaky!"

"Get out!"

"Okay. Relax. I was just worried…."

Lily sighed as Maria closed the door of her office, leaving her alone in it.

Maybe she ought to get herself checked at Mungo's. It had been nearly two weeks since that day. She really needed to get some fresh air rather than cooping herself in the house and her office.

She got up and moved towards the window of her office that faced a bustling and busy shopping area. Her eyes fell on the Quidditch Supplies Store opposite her store and cursed as she saw a poster of a new broom displayed on the window, endorsed by none other than Ryan Smith.

She had been trying so hard to forget that night. And the harder she tried, more impossible it seemed. She had ignored all the letters he had sent ever since that fateful day. She couldn't bring herself to face him. She just couldn't.

She was in love with him. She was in love with a guy who she knew would never reciprocate her feelings.

Sure he enjoyed hanging out with her, but he was truly, madly, deeply in love with Rose. She was just a friend to him, someone who helped him in his rough times. If there was any attraction on his behalf, it had to be purely physical and not in the deep way she was attracted to him.

Her mind went to that blissful moment that turned murky the moment he mentioned Rose's name in bed. And the few minutes after that.

If he had felt anything remotely close to how she felt, she was quite sure he would have stopped her from leaving or even come after her. But he didn't, proving the fact that he did not reciprocate her feelings.

She leaned her head against the window, pressing her palms against the glass. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

Being a part of one-sided affair was a tiring thing. And dear Merlin, it hurt. It hurt more than being Crucioed over and over again.

She figured it would be better for her sanity if she did not see him for a few days. Giving herself a few days would help her prepare herself and—

And that moment the door opened. She froze as she heard the familiar voice that sent shivers down her back.

"Why have you been ignoring me?"

"How did you get in here?" she asked, without turning to look at him. Hearing his voice again lit a spark in her, making her feel more alive than she had felt, in the past few days.

"I snuck in. You have a lot of customers today."

Lily merely grunted.

"Lily, seriously what is wrong with you? You haven't written back even once! I told you I wanted to meet you—"

"I beg to differ, Ryan," said Lily harshly finally turning to face him. "You wanted to meet your daughter and not me. I am just her nanny so you are just stuck with me."

Ryan gaped at her in surprise, "Say what?" he asked looking extremely confused.

"You heard me."

Lily mentally begged him to leave. He looked so spectacular, standing there in front of her in those amazing robes that fit him perfectly, reminding her of the absolutely fit body underneath them. His jaw bore a hint of stubble and his hair was slightly longer than she last remembered. Her hormones were screaming instructions at her. But she refused to listen to them.

"We're friends, Lily. So obviously I would want to see you as well," he said desperately, walking closer to her.

"Of course we are," she said, cringing internally at the word "friends".

"And we need to talk about what happened last time—"

"No, we don't!" she practically screamed. She could not believe he actually wanted to discuss it.

"Yes we do," said Ryan fiercely, moving into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Ryan, please," she begged and she was struck by how pathetic she sounded. "I don't want to know—she—please don't—"

She was however silenced as Ryan pulled her into his arms and planted his lips hotly on hers. Her heart rate rocketed as he wound his arms around her waist and pulled her closer and her hands of its own accord, wound themselves around his neck. Her knees buckled as his tongue swept into her mouth and one of his hands stroked her cheek gently.

This felt so right. Yet it was so, SO wrong.

She pulled back immediately, pushing him away.

"No. We can't," she gasped, her head still spinning. She placed her hand on her chest. She could feel her heart beating a bruise against her ribs.

"But—"

"There's no 'but', Ryan!" she said firmly, her heart breaking with every word she said. "You are clearly not over Rose and I refuse to be your rebound. Things have messed up in the past for us. And I don't want to ruin the friendship we have now by giving us a shot."

Ryan stared at her. His hair was mussed and his lips bore clear signs of snogging.

"Is that what you truly want?" he asked coldly, his voice piercing through her soul.

"Yes," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his.

"Fair enough. I am meeting you and Amy tomorrow. It will be our last meeting. And it will be the last time I see Amy."

Lily started. Did Ryan just say that he wanted to meet Amy for the last time?

"The last time? What do you mean?" she breathed, feeling extremely puzzled.

"I have my reasons, Lily," he said, running his hand through his hair and she was struck by how upset he looked, "I will share them with you when I feel the time is right. By the way, I would be leaving tomorrow night for Prague for nine days. Have matches against Cannons, Bats, and Magpies. So I just have to meet her."

"I'll try."

"Say you will bring her. Please. I'm deman—I'm begging you."

Lily moved back in suspicion.

"Who are you and what have you done with Ryan Smith?"

Ryan stared at her, dumbfounded.

"What? Lily—"

"Ryan Smith has never ever begged for anything," she murmured, her hand moving towards her wand.

He spotted her movement and immediately caught her wrist. She felt heat radiate from his body and her face flushed as she felt his eyes burning through her.

"But everyone reaches a point when they have to beg, Lily," he whispered, staring fiercely at her. "I don't have much time 'cause I need to reach for practice in another five minutes. I'll see you tomorrow?"

His eyes searched hers and she nodded absently. What had happened to the guy she had grown to love?

"Thanks," he said, with a ghost of a smile. "Do you mind if I Floo out from here? Someone might notice if I step out..."

Lily merely nodded again as Ryan grabbed Floo powder from the grate and was soon enveloped by the green flames in her fireplace.

What exactly had happened to Ryan? Was he hiding something from her?

"Scorpius, mate. It's okay."

Scorpius growled loudly, making Albus cringe.

"You aren't the one under the scanner now, are you?" he spat, shifting the files off his desk, practically throwing them in the drawer.

"Look, we all know you're innocent. It's just ministry procedure. The media will have concrete proof that you weren't involved at all in those attacks and will eventually shut up!"

Scorpius spun in his chair to look at Albus angrily.

"But by not sending me to scoop out information on our ex-mission would make everyone talk about how the Ministry is suspicious about me. Can't they see that?"

"Scorpius," Albus hissed, "Dad is trying to convince the Minister and his juniors. You know that the minister likes you, and you also know that it is the people working right underneath the minister who have issues with you. So calm down! Ever since you came back, you have been breathing bloody fire!"

Scorpius sobered immediately. He didn't want reminders of how he had changed since he recovered. He had the wildest possible mood swings. He would be really happy for a second and then turn snappy and boorish the moment something happened to upset him. Everything around him seems to be spinning out of his control and he hated it! He had absolutely no control over his emotions either, especially his anger, leading to him lashing out at almost everyone. And the one who bore most of it was Rose.

It had just been five days since he checked out of Mungo's and he was arguing worse than ever with her over the smallest of things that turned into full blown arguments within minutes. Sometimes Rose would argue back, sometimes she would just ignore him, causing him to get angrier.

And there were these times, when he was scared. Scared of losing the ones he loved; losing Amelia and Rose, especially to the bastard called Ryan Smith. True, Rose had continuously tried to assure him that she was in love with him, but he couldn't understand why Rose would want to be with him. He knew that Smith had more things to offer when it came to everything. Save his feelings for her, perhaps. Because Scorpius knew that no one loved Rose more than he did. No one could.

He just didn't understand as to why the Ministry wasn't letting him get involved in the final part of the investigation. They had already discovered that the old man was in fact the leader of the criminal gang the Aurors were after. So the Aurors were doing some last minute investigation about the murderers before they went public about the whole mission. But then Scorpius knew it was wrong to be mad at Albus about something he had no control or authority over.

"Right. Sorry," he muttered. "So what are you up to after work?"

"Have Lamaze classes at six. So I'll be quite exhausted."

"As if you have anything to do during those classes!"

"I DO! I have to pay attention while the Medi-Witch directs instructions. Yesterday we had a demonstration of what really takes place during labor. It was crazy. Why do you ask, anyway?"

"It's been ages since we've had our guys' night out. Say we give it a shot sometimes this week?"

Albus smiled. "That'd be great! When was the last time we went out like that?"

Scorpius pondered for a while. Had it really been that long that he couldn't remember when he had gone out last with Albus and had fun? "A few weeks before Elora got pregnant."

"Great. So this weekend we're off to have some fun! Do you want to call anybody else—OH WAIT! We can invite Chris along. Poor guy hasn't been happy lately."

"Why do you say that?" asked Scorpius, halting midway in arranging his files in order.

"Haven't you heard?" asked Albus bewildered. "He called off his engagement! His fiancée was sleeping around with his cousin while he was away on the mission."

"Poor bastard. Sure. Invite him as well," said Scorpius pitifully. Chris and his fiancée looked so perfect and happy together. He thought it was the saddest thing when perfect couples broke apart.

"Okay then. I'll catch up with you later," said Albus nodding before turning around to leave but all of a sudden, he paused at the doorway.

"What's wrong?" asked Scorpius, raising his eyebrow as he banished his files.

Albus turned around with a grimace on his face.

"Just saw Ryan Smith in the hall way, along with his teammates," he said, rubbing his forehead. "Guess he is perfectly healthy now."

"Why? Was he sick before?" asked Scorpius getting up from his seat as he finished cleaning his desk. He picked up his robe which had been hanging at the back of the chair, and ran a hand over it, cleaning the dust.

"Don't know. He had apparently given a few tests. I saw him with Rose the day you checked out of Mungo's."

Scorpius froze.

"You saw Rose with Ryan?" he asked slowly, his insides flaring again in anger.

Ryan was with her? Why didn't she tell me?

Albus frowned. "She didn't tell you? Well, they were talking in one of the common rooms I think before I walked in. Smith left after I came in—Scorpius, are you okay? You look kind of livid."

Scorpius breathed deeply, and started counting backwards to cool himself down.

"Don't worry, mate. I'm just fine."

Rose hummed as she placed the bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice and stepped back to admire her work.

The living room was dimly lit by floating aromatic candles which gave the room a soft glow. There were more candles lit on the table, the light reflecting against the tall wine glasses nearby. The aroma of the freshly prepared food filled the air. Soft romantic music played in the background.

She wrapped her robe more tightly around her as cold air fluttered in through the window. She was nearly naked underneath the robe and she didn't want to give away the surprise in the beginning itself. She had purchased the currently worn lingerie nearly three months ago, when she was shopping with Elora and under some goading from her she had bought this set, not knowing if she would ever use it. She had been quite apprehensive after wearing it since she seemed rounder than she thought she was. But Scorpius always seemed very happy with what she had and she was more than content having a soft body instead of a stick figure.

Scorpius' mood seemed better than what it had been in the last few days, so she figured it might be the right time to convince him to try for a child. Agreed that they had been told that Scorpius might have become infertile, but then she believed that they should continue trying. It was the last day she was ovulating. These were the days in which they had their best chances. Miracles happened, after all.

She heard the door of the house opening and felt herself flush as she heard footsteps which halted all of a sudden.

"Just a little surprise for you," she said, her face turning scarlet as she slowly turned to face him. She had never before tried to set up what she had done today and thus was feeling rightfully nervous. She knew Scorpius wasn't much of a romantic otherwise, but once he got in the mood, she hoped it would be perfect.

However, her stomach dropped as she caught the furious look on his face.

"Scorpius, what's—?" she had merely started when Scorpius cut her off.

"When were you planning to tell me about you meeting Ryan at the Mungo's?" She flinched as she heard his cutting tone that pierced her to the core. However it was his words that had stopped any sort of movement in her body.

"What?" she whispered, not daring to believe what he had said. Her insides were trembling all of a sudden.

Oh dear Merlin! HE KNEW!

"YOU AND RYAN!!! When were you planning to tell me about him?" he shouted, throwing his cloak on the floor in anger. He walked swiftly towards the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water, not even sparing the decor a glance.

Rose breathed deeply, her limbs trembling as she walked closer to him. Scorpius had violent mood-swings after the accident, and she feared that the one he had now was perhaps the worst one.

"Amelia is sleeping upstairs. Please lower your voice," she said, trying to sound as calm as possible. She pondered furiously as to who would have informed him about Ryan meeting her. Who had seen her talking to Ryan that day?

"Albus told you, didn't he?" she said, her eyes widening in realization.

He looked coldly at her for a few seconds and slammed the bottle down on the table.

"So what did he want?" he spat, opening the cuffs of his shirt rather violently. Rose saw two of the buttons flying onto the floor.

"He said he wanted visitation rights to meet Amelia," said Rose, her voice uneven.

Scorpius spun on his heels to face her, and for the first time ever in her life, she felt scared of him. The fierce look on his face sent shivers down her spine. And not the good ones.

"He said what?" he growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"That he wanted visitation rights to meet his child."

"And what did you say?"

"I never got to answer him because that was the moment Albus interrupted us."

Scorpius looked at her sharply for a few moments before he spoke, "I can't think of a reason why you would want to keep the whole meeting thing from me? Why did you do it? Don't you think I have a right in making decisions for Amelia? Does it have to do anything with me not being her real father, giving you the complete authority to make decisions for her?"

Rose looked at him as if he had slapped her. Did the issue of him not being Amy's real father still bother him? How could he even think that she didn't consider him Amy's real father?

"I never said anything of that sort!" she cried out, feeling deeply stung. "How can you even come to that conclusion that I don't think of you as Amy's real father?!"

"Clearly actions speak louder than words," he spat again and she stared at him disbelievingly, "Because you never bothered to discuss something as important as this to me."

Why was he reacting so strongly to it? The Scorpius she knew would shout a bit at first and then sit down and then discuss it. But then this new Scorpius showed no signs of cooling down anytime soon. She should have informed him about the meeting earlier. He would have been less angry if he had heard it from her.

"Nothing is more important to me than my daughter!" he said sharply, coming closer to her so fast that she moved back two step backwards, terrified that he might hurt her, "You kept something concerning her from me, and that hurt, Rose!"

She looked up into his eyes, astounded by the fire she could see in them causing her insides to quiver in fear.

Scorpius had to calm down. Very soon. Or he would end up blowing something up because of his anger.

"Look, please calm down I'll—where are you going?" she exclaimed, as Scorpius turned around and started walking towards the stairway, "Have something! I made dinner—"

"Does it look like I am hungry here, Rose?" he asked mockingly, swirling around and stretching his arms wide.

Tears immediately sprang to her eyes as she heard the venom in his voice as he said her name. Was her meeting Ryan that bad? Did it really make him hate her so much?

"Scorpius!" she cried out, walking towards him, "Please try and understand! You had gone through so much! I was merely trying to spare you!"

"And I thought I could trust you," he said coldly, glaring at her, "Guess we were both wrong."

She watched helplessly as Scorpius stormed upstairs, and a loud bang upstairs assured her that he had gone to his room tonight. She slowly slumped to the floor, her heavy heart sinking further and further.

What on earth had just happened?

AN:-

So I hope it is clear to everyone that Rose did not get pregnant from her rendezvous with Scorpius before he left.

All right…sincere apologies to those who found the chapter choppy and bumpy. Final exams are round the corner…so I am freaking out. My beta's exams' (along with choir performances and all; she's one busy girl. Have got to admire her ability to edit the chapter quickly!!) are currently going on so she's freaking out as well. Just thought I should post something before I die!

Anyway… please review and make me smile coz I know I am going to end up in tears soon!! :P