Anna's four-year relationship with her boyfriend, Jeremy, abruptly ends, and Anna is convinced by her best friend Libby to try her luck on a dating app called 'Swiper'. An Anna/Declan story. No relation to the events of the movie Leap Year (2010), just using the characters for an alternate universe story.

NOTE: I will be changing up the POV's in this story and to make it clear when that POV changes, they will be separated by this: ~ISR~?~ISR~ (The person's POV will be the name of that character in place of the ?)

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to these characters, just borrowing them from the 2010 Movie, "Leap Year". Starring Matthew Goode and Amy Adams.


I Swiped Right

CHAPTER NINE

~ISR~

Ron and Libby were shocked at the news Anna and Declan had to share about Jeremy and his so-called illness. Ron, of course, wouldn't believe it, until they told him about the evidence. The video proof, with audio. They reviewed the thumb drives after dinner that night and to say Ron was furious was an understatement. Declan convinced him to keep quiet about it, and they agreed that they would find a way to deal with it.

Their dinner Friday was eventful to say the least, and after their guests left, Anna and Declan went back to the Caragh, because Saturday, Declan was moving in. He'd spent the week packing his apartment when he wasn't cooking for the lunch shift or restocking the bar at the pub. Anna would give him a hand for a few hours a couple times that week as well.

Thankfully, the movers arrived on time that Saturday morning, as he wanted to be moved out before the Caragh was set to open.

"Anna, ya don't have to lift anything, darlin', tha's what the movers are for." He crooned, pulling the box from her hands. He led her away and they stood in his kitchen as the movers used the entrance to the apartment from the alley. The truck could back right in, so it made it easier. He stood, with his arms around her waist as he leaned against the counter, in their own little moment. His lips moved to her neck when the movers left with his mattress.

"Declan," She giggled, as he smiled into her neck.

"Just think, darlin', we'll be christening all the rooms in the apartment soon." He teased as the movers walked back in.

"We've just got the bed frame left, then we're off." One of the movers stated. "Just want to confirm the address we're headed to." He added and Anna read his invoice and signed off on the address.

The movers left and they could hear the truck starting up.

"So, should I call us a cab?" Anna asked.

"No, I'll drive us over in my car." He explained.

"You have a car?" Anna exclaimed.

"I do, but she's a pain. Best for only going short distances, but I can leave it here if you want." He replied.

"No, we'll take your car." She stated. "Besides, another thing we'd have to christen. Darling." She flirted.

"Ya might think twice about that when ya see her, Love."

"Why?"

"She's not a new model, like yer probably used to."

"You mean rugged, like you?" She flirted.

"Sure. That's it. She's rugged." He smiled as they left by the alley door. He helped her down the stairs and around the corner to his car.

"Please tell me this is the car that's going to take us around the corner to a real one?" She posed, while he stood, holding open the passenger door for her.

"I'll have you know, that is a Renault 4, she's classic!" He defended, tapping the hood affectionately.

"I'm just teasing." She replied as he closed her door and got in on the driver's side.

~ISR~Anna~ISR~

It only took the movers two hours to load up the truck from Declan's apartment and another two to unload back at our place. When I said his car was rugged, I didn't expect the 'classic' that he showed me, but for some reason, I felt it suited him. Plus, we lived in New York, we rarely actually needed a car.

Things were a little squishy in the apartment, as boxes lined the hallway to the bedrooms, and there were some book shelves to be moved.

Some things were left at his old place, like the kitchen table, and the stools for the breakfast bar. When we finally got the other bedrooms re-done and ready for actual guests to use as a real B&B, Declan was planning on hiring someone, or maybe even a couple to take care of the overnight guests, so the apartment would be part of the deal.

"Anna?" He called, as I maneuvered around the clutter.

"I'm behind the bookshelf, and I think I've trapped myself!" I hollered, when his head popped over the boxes unexpectedly. "Goodness! You scared me." I laughed.

"Sorry, darlin', come 'ere, gimme yer hand." He offered, lifting me out of my self-made prison. "Libby and Ron are here. They wanna go see Jeremy in hospital, confront him." Declan announced in a hushed whisper.

"I expected as much." I replied as I heard Libby calling for me.

"Anna? What's going on with all the boxes?" She voiced as I rounded the bookcase to find her in front of me.

"Declan moved in. Now what's this about the hospital?" I added.

"Oh, well congrats, I guess. Sorry if this is a bad time." She apologized.

"It's fine. We hired movers anyway." I explained.

Ron and Libby treated us to a late lunch as we worked up a game plan on how to confront Jeremy.

"Anna," Ron began. "I think you need to go in as if you're sorry to hear about his illness and act like you believe him." He finished.

"But why? What is that going to accomplish?" I retorted in confusion.

"I think he believes that if you show up, it means you still 'care' about him." Ron explained.

"Ye think it'll lead him into false hope?" Declan interjected.

"Precisely. Then when Anna tells him he's wrong, that she only came to ask if he was finally going to stop, then we can gauge his reaction." Ron added.

"When he flips out, then we confront him." Libby informed.

"What about the doctor he blackmailed?" I asked.

"I've been in contact with Dr. Branson, after I spoke with a lawyer. They are willing to make a deal if he talks about Jeremy and tells them everything he asked to do. Jeremy's facing jail time for false reports, abusing medical staff, taking up valuable time of said medical staff when he knew he was lying." Ron clarified.

"I'm sure there's legal jargon to explain those charges in appropriate detail of course." I posed.

"Of course, I just thought I'd keep it simple." Ron adjusted.

"What should I do?" Declan queried.

"I need you there!" I interjected, taking his hand in mine.

"I will be, Love. But when ya first go in to see him, it's going to put him on guard too soon if I am with ya." He elaborated.

"I know, but promise me you'll be right outside the door?" I urged.

"You know I will, darlin'." He promised, kissing my cheek.

We finished lunch and shared a cab to the hospital. It was a little cramped as I sat in the back between Declan and Libby, while Ron sat in the front. I kept rubbing my hand along his thigh in nervousness but Declan took hold of my hand and squeezed gently. I knew he could tell I was anxious. My head rested against his shoulder as I played with our clasped hands. Tracing the veins in his hand and around his knuckles and up towards his wrist. I didn't want to face Jeremy at all. The only thing I'd done was move on with my life. I was more afraid of what Jeremy would do when he found out the truth. That I didn't want anything to do with him, and that we had evidence against him regarding his manipulative plot. When the car pulled up in front of the hospital, Declan climbed out and reached a hand back in to help me slide out.

"It'll be okay, darlin'. Trust me. I'm not going to let him hurt you. Not again." He declared as his hands pulled me into his arms, and I nodded as I felt a few traitorous tears fall down my cheeks.

"Anna?" Libby called in concern. "Ron!" She called, "We can't make her do this." Libby pleaded and I felt myself start to shake with sobs.

"You don't have to do this, Anna." Declan promised.

"I don't want to." I hiccupped. I could feel Libby and Ron looking on in sadness. I think they realized that I'd been through enough.

"Won't the weasel flip out even more if she doesn't show up at all?" Declan announced.

Ron rubbed his forehead in thought. "Yes. But now what? It's clear, Anna, you're not doing this." He finished.

~ISR~

Everyone rallied around Anna, knowing they couldn't let her put herself in Jeremy's line of fire. But no one was surprised when Declan said he would go in her place. Not sure how things would happen, they all followed Ron as he led them to the floor where Jeremy was still admitted.

"Question." Declan announced, stopping by the waiting area so everyone would take notice.

"What's that?" Ron urged.

"Now that we know all this is fake, he's wearing bandages from some 'supposed' surgery, aye?" He posed.

"Yes." Ron confirmed.

"So, if I just yank those off, he's done, aye?"

"Presumably. But it would help if there were witnesses other than us. Someone, of standing." Ron clarified.

"Call his boss, Dr. Bill Stanton. Get him down here!" Anna interjected. "He's likely up in the cardiology ward as we speak." She added, her hand clutched tightly in Declan's.

Libby and Anna decided to go down to the cafeteria for a coffee, while Ron and Declan went up to Cardiology to coerce Dr. Stanton to witness the reveal of Jeremy's schemes.

"But I just saw him this morning, he's in obvious pain!" Dr. Stanton argued.

"We have proof of the little liars' schemes, Bill." Ron added, pulling out his iPhone where he'd loaded the MP4 video and audio files Catherine had supplied. He played the most incriminating bit and they both watched as the blood drained from the doctor's face.

"Do ya believe it now?" Declan asked. Dr. Stanton just nodded in disbelief.

"What is wrong with him? And who are you?" He called all at once, turning to Declan.

"Anna is Jeremy's ex. He split with her five months ago to be with someone else. This is Declan, her fiancé." Ron explained.

"Wow, fiancé. Well congrats then. Umm...let me get myself together, I'll meet you down in his room soon for the 'reveal', as it were, but I think I should call the police?" Bill offered.

Declan and Ron left him to gather himself as they headed back down to Jeremy's floor. Anna jumped up from her seat next to Libby in the waiting area, throwing herself into Declan's arms.

"What did he say?" Anna pressed, her arms going around his waist.

"He looked like he was gonna shit his self to be honest." Declan smiled.

"Seriously?" Libby interjected.

"Oh, yes." Ron confirmed. "No one wants an employee like Jeremy ruining what they've built." Ron added.

~ISR~Declan~ISR~

"I think I should go in now. Confront the little fucker." I announced when it seemed to get too quiet.

"I want to lead. Let me go in and tell him I tried to get Anna here, but she went back and forth, and couldn't decide. It will put him on edge." Ron suggested.

"Then what?" Anna posed.

"Then," Ron continued, turning to Anna, "I will say Anna didn't come, but someone else did. That will be your cue to come in, Declan," He announced, turning back to me. "You'll close the door when you do. It will scare him." Ron clarified.

"I don't plan on hurtin' him, just so you know but if he insults my girl, I can't make promises." I explained.

"I wouldn't hold it against you if you did man. The little shit used me and is still putting on this fucking rouse." Ron alleviated, trying to calm himself.

We nodded in understanding to one another and I turned to Anna before we headed down the hall.

"Can we please listen, outside the door? He doesn't have to see us." Libby begged.

Ten minutes later, I could see Anna worrying herself and I tried to comfort her. There wasn't much the weasel could do at this point but I understood her fear, she just wanted it to be over.

"I love ya, Anna, and no matter what you hear in there, don't believe it. I'm going to say things that aren't true, in order to get to him. Do you understand me?" I clarified, holding her cheeks between my hands so her eyes met mine. She nodded. "I wanna hear ya say ya understand, Love." I urged.

"I understand." She agreed.

Ron and I left Anna and Libby and Ron stepped in first.

"Ron! Finally. They're gonna release me tomorrow. Did you hear?" The weasel called excitedly.

"That's good." He stated calmly. I had to give it to Ron, he was trying hard himself not to just hit the bugger. "Hello Catherine." We heard him greet, as well.

"I'll let you talk." She replied, and in a moment, she joined us in the hall. We smiled in politeness, and signalled to keep quiet. She whispered that she left her bag in the room and it had a hidden camera that was recording, with audio.

"So, is Anna going to come today?" He asked. The little shit even managed to sound hopeful. I looked at Anna, and her head was bowed. I squeezed her hand and felt her squeeze back. Her head turning to me. She leaned up and kissed me sweetly. "Be safe, please." She whispered, cupping my cheek one more time.

"I tried to convince her, but she kept going back and forth man." Ron lied.

"What do you mean, she went back and forth? I'm in the fucking hospital, the least she could do is come see me!" He hollered.

"You have been an ass to her man, can you blame her?" Ron tried to coax.

"So, she's not coming at all then?" Jeremy finally asked.

I assumed Ron shook his head in the negative, because we didn't hear him say 'no', but then he announced, "But someone else did." He confirmed. With one more squeeze to Anna's hand, I walked in and left the door cracked, just so the girls could hear. But his view of the door was blocked by the bathroom, so I clicked the handle to make him think I'd closed the door, and locked it.

"Jeremy." I greeted plainly.

"Why are you here?" He questioned. I could see the fear emanating off him in waves.

"Are ya really that surprised you little shit? Sending my girl flowers and gifts. She didn't accept any of 'em which is a shame really. They were nice flowers." I offered, glancing at Ron.

"I told you to stop, you know I did." Ron defended. Posing as though he was in Jeremy's corner.

There was silence for a few moments as Jeremy seemed to be thinking about something. He looked up at me, a smarmy smile on his face.

"You're not a very rich guy, are you?" Jeremy announced.

"I have what I need." I stated simply, and Anna was everything I needed and more.

"But," He began, sitting up more smugly in his bed, "you could be." He taunted.

"What are you talking about man?" Ron interjected.

"Just, let me be, Ron." He admonished, turning back to me. "What is your number?" He posed.

"Number?" I mumbled in confusion.

"You know, number, one million, two…to leave Anna, of course." He trailed off.

"Of course," I murmured, before adding. "Are ya seriously offering me a bribe right now, to leave Anna?" I replied, a little louder than necessary. I wanted to be sure the girls could hear.

"What if I am? What's your number?" He offered again.

"How high are you willing to go?" I retorted. I could feel Ron's gaze on me, but he had to know I wasn't serious.

"Well, well, well, are we negotiating then?" He laughed.

"Maybe. Depends."

"On what?" The little shit just had to ask.

"On what my silence is worth to you."

"Okay, hold on." Ron interjected.

"Butt out Ron. I want Anna, and if I have to buy her, I will."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." I laughed. "Ain't it Ron?" I added. He laughed as well.

"What's so fucking funny?"

"Ya don't realize it, do ya? Ya've been trying to BUY her this whole time. Here's a fucking tip for you, asshole, she ain't for fucking sale."

"Everyone has a number." He replied angrily.

"Well, not where Anna is concerned. If you want her, you'll have to kill me." I stated.

"That can be arranged." The stupid eejit stated. I tried not to smile at his incriminating statement now on film.

"Like I said, Anna's not for sale. But, my silence, that's for sale." I smiled confidently.

~ISR~Anna~ISR~

"Silence over what?" I heard Jeremy ask. I had to shush Libby and Catherine.

"Declan told me to trust him, so don't doubt him, not right now, please." I admonished in a harsh whisper. It's then that I realized, Catherine was holding an iPad and it was showing the video feed in the room. Declan was clearly on screen and in frame with him was Jeremy. She'd placed her bag in the corner on a table so it could get a great view of everything.

"This charade." Ron added, as we watched on screen as he joined Declan at the end of the bed, showing that they were a team.

"What's all this?" We heard behind us, and we turned to see Dr. Stanton with the police.

Catherine handed over her iPad to show them, and we all watched with rapt attention as Ron approached Jeremy, ripping the tape and gauze from his neck from his supposed surgery to see absolutely nothing there.

Ron was yelling about how Jeremy had used him and they had video surveillance. Declan chimed in about his stalking me and attacking him and all he wanted was for Jeremy to admit that he lied. About everything. Declan listed off a few things and challenged Jeremy that they were lies and Jeremy admitted to them. Only he didn't know his confession was being recorded.

"Get out of the bed, Jeremy." Ron challenged.

You could hear a pin drop as the room went silent before Declan moved and pulled him from the bed in anger.

"I'm sorry, okay, I'm sorry." Jeremy cried, like the little coward that he is.

"No, yer not sorry. Yer only sorry that ya got caught! Fucking wanker." Declan finished, as he shoved him back against the bed, before he turned to walk away.

We watched as Jeremy, once again being the coward, he is, grabbed Declan by the arm, causing him to turn back around. He pulled back his arm and punched him in the face. I charged into the room and tackled Jeremy to the floor, smacking and hitting at him in anger.

Declan gripped my waist and lifted me off of him, my arms and legs wailing in protest.

"It's over, darlin'. He's done." He cooed in my ear and for some reason I broke out in sobs.

"If he wants to be in the hospital, then let me put him there!" I screamed in frustration.

Declan broke out in laughter, as he picked me up, his arm under my legs, and the other behind my back, cradling me to him. My arms automatically going up around his neck.

"God, yer a lump." He teased.

"I'm your lump, though right?" I cried as he walked out of the room and through the melee of people trying to figure out what was going on. While others in the know, like Catherine, Libby and Ron, spoke to authorities.

Declan sat by the elevator banks with me on his lap, while we waited to hear when we could leave. "He hit you again." I stated, taking in the small bruise under his other eye this time. My fingers trailed along the discoloured flesh before my hand cupped his cheek.

"I expected it." He smiled.

"Why are you smiling about that?" I queried, running my fingers over the offending bruise, once more.

"Because. I knew Catherine had a camera in there. So, they got it on film that he attacked me with my back turned." He clarified, when Libby came running over.

"Stand up, and cuddle up. They're escorting him out in handcuffs and he needs to see that he didn't do shit to break you Anna!" She urged as I stood and Declan stood with me.

Declan wrapped his left arm around my shoulders as I hugged his torso, making a point to place my left hand on his chest, showing off my ring.

Anyone in the way made a path as Dr. Stanton, along with police, escorted Jeremy towards the elevator banks. He had bruises on his face, likely from me, but he deserved it.

I kept my face stoic as he was led past but his head turned to me. Thinking he was just going to continue on, he turned back just to yell at me.

"You're a bitch Anna. Tell your father, he's cut off." He called, a smirk overtaking his features as the cops tugged at his cuffs, causing him to cry out in pain.

My head whipped up to look at Declan. "My dad?" I posed in confusion.

"I have a feeling that yer Dad may have been in Jeremy's pocket, Love. His arrival at the pub after all was clearly planned." He whispered in my ear, as he rested his cheek against my head.

"Great. Which means he's going to show up again because he has no money." I whined, turning to face Declan as he held me close.

"We could put him to work. Give him a job." Declan offered.

"Are you serious?" I called in surprise, as for the second time in five minutes, my head shot up to look at him.

"Well, I know we gotta work on the rooms for the B&B, and with eight to do, he can paint, help with any repairs. It's honest work, and if all goes well during the restoration process, maybe he could be the caretaker." Declan finished.

"I love you, Declan O'Callaghan. Thank you." I cried.

"I love ya too, darlin'. More than any number." He crooned as his lips found mine.