A/N Sorry I haven't got this out sooner. I was wanting to get it out before Thanksgiving but my daughter was off school most of the week and I still have my son to take care of too. Plus my husband and I cooked this year and it takes a lot but it was fun. But no more excuses onto why you are really here.

I can't believe I did that. He was being so kind. So unlike himself and I ruined the moment. I just couldn't let the name drop. So many have said it as an insult but he didn't. It was said in an intimate moment but in a way that was worse. My father always called me that. I was his little princess. I didn't want that name to mean anything else but that. There is no way he is going to let me close again.

"Fuck!" I jam my hands through my hair ready to pull it out. Breath in, breath out. Control. I smooth my hands over my clothes before going into the bathroom to take a shower.

I step out feeling refreshed. No longer do I feel the factionless girl's blood on me but also the regret of walking away from Eric goes down the drain. It happened it is done. Something will come up of it or it won't.

I decide that I need to get my mind off of it so that is why I find myself a chair waiting for Bud to pierce my tongue in the tattoo parlor.

"Have you picked out the one you want?" Bud asks as he sets up.

"Yes." I sit it on his table. It is solid black with red writing that says Fuck Off.

"Someone make you mad?" He raises his brow.

"I will be working with the bitch that birthed me for the next few weeks."

"Say no more. Stick out your tongue."

Checking the list I made before I left the apartment I go shopping for the things that will be needed. Coffee, towels, soap, coffee, shampoo, conditioner, coffee, and some more clothes to start. Oh and creamer and sugar. I take a few trips to the apartments with the help of a very cute guy during the last. His name is Dex and he was a transfer the year before. I offer him a cup of coffee for his help and he declines to get to the control room his shift was about to start.

I walk him to the door after he puts the box of stuff from the home goods shop on the table. "Thanks for your help."

"No problem. Can't let a beautiful lady struggle so." He smirks. Almost but not quite like a certain man that has just walked out of his apartment.

Shit! Today just keeps getting better. What else could go wrong. Eric looks my way to see Dex step away from my door. So quickly I almost missed it a look of hurt goes across before his face before it is masked by rage. I blink and look away quickly hoping he just leaves. I try to laugh at Dex's joke but it comes out forced. "Thanks again of the help."

"It's all good. Maybe next time I can take you up on that coffee." Out of the corner of my eye I see Eric's hands ball into fist. "Bye doctor."

"Goodbye, Dex." I secretly hope he hurries up and leaves. As he does I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Just couldn't wait to get your hands on another man?" Eric asks his rage barely contained.

"I have no idea hat you are talking about." I take a step back into my apartment.

"Yes you do little girl." He continues to come forward as I back up. "Still running?"

I stop just inside the doorway. "No."

"It looks like you are running." He smirks and pushes me more into the room to shut the door behind him.

"Well I am not. What do you want?" I stand my ground even though I know he could just move me again.

"Why was there another man in your apartment?" His voice is calm but the muscles in is jaw betray his anger.

"He helped me with that box if you have to know." I point to the one that still sits on the table.

Eric's stormy eyes doesn't leave my face as he steps closer. "No other man comes here. No other man touches you. Ever since you fell onto the roof you have been mine. No one else." His face gets closer and closer as he bends to my height. His words whisper over my lips causing me to shiver. "Cold?"

"No." I breath. I want to rant and rave but I find that I don't mind. I . . .I want to be his and that scares me more than anything. I take a deep breath. Breathing in his wonderful sent. I need to step back. To get away from him but I can't. I am rooted to this spot.

I close my eyes as his large hand comes up to brush my hair from my face. "McKaven?"

"Hmm?" I look into his eyes again.

"I like the piercing." He runs his thump over my lip before claiming it with a kiss. But as quick as it starts it stops and he is out the door.

I unpack everything before Audi and Wes come back from their jobs. I jump as Audi dances in. She stops as she looks at me. "What happened?"

"What do you mean?" I pick up the towels and rags to take to the bathrooms.

"You are avoiding me aren't you?" Audi follows me.

"I have no idea what you mean." I continue to put things away.

"I'm not even Candor and I can see that is a lie. Why are you lying, Kave. I am your friend you can tell me." Audi asks as we walk back into the main room.

"Why was Eric in our apartment and is that his apartment that you went to earlier that is next door." Wes comes in demanding.

Audi's mouth drops open. "That is why you didn't want to tell me?" Her hands now cover her mouth.

"What does she mean, Kave?" Wes demands again.

"Yes he lives next door and yes I didn't want to talk about him being here but I won't keep it from you. Even though I want to. I respect the both of you too much." We sit together on the couch and I tell them everything.

"So you told him off right?" Audi asks.

"No. No I didn't." I shake my head.

"Why!" Wes tries to keep his cool.

"I'm okay with it." I whisper.

Wes looks into my eyes long and hard than nods his head. "Okay. We are here for you." He pulls me into a hug and Audi joins in.

As I lay down to my phone gives a beep.

There is a man in your apartment. - E

I text back. He lives here, you know that.

Yes but I don't have to like it. - E

I shake my head. Just because I didn't contradict what you said doesn't give you a reason to be an ass to my friend.

I will try to be nice. - E

You don't know how. I chuckle.

Don't make me come and get you. - E

Goodnight Eric I have to be in Erudite early tomorrow. I smile as I type.

Sleep well. - E

A/N I hope you enjoy. I own nothing besides my OC's.