The days drifted by, with things getting more and more stressful at work for Missy. The company she worked for had just announced their profits for this year were extremely low, far lower than they had predicted. She knew that job losses were imminent and that she was likely to be the first to go…but despite all this, her mind was not dwelling too much on these problems…

At home, she had had just the loveliest week.

Since their kiss, of which neither she nor Wade had spoken about, the two adults, and Emily, had become pretty much inseparable.

Missy would get Emily up and dressed in the mornings, before taking her across the hallway to Wade's, where she would sit and grab a quick cup of coffee and have a talk to the (usually half-naked) merc, before heading off to work.

Wade kept her entertained all day by forwarding her photos of himself and the two-year old, and by the time Missy got home later that evening, she was always met with lots of cuddles from her excitable and happy daughter. That alone, put a smile on her face.

But it was the time they shared after that, each evening, which was what Missy (and Wade and Em) enjoyed the most.

The three of them together would cook dinner, do the washing up, play games and watch cartoons before the two adults would put the toddler to bed. It was then and only then, would both Missy and Wade fall quiet, head back into the living room together and collapse back onto the couch.

They would always find themselves sitting close, their hands touching, but only briefly. Then they would put something on the TV, which Missy would, if truth be told, barely watch. She was more concerned with Wade's close proximity than anything else.

She had not been able to keep her mind off their kiss… She didn't know why she had done it, but knew that it felt good. Amazing in fact.

But knew that that had to be it….

She couldn't do this, not really.

Missy and Emily had thought they had been part of family once before and had been mistaken. What would made this, or indeed Wade, so different?

No, it was best if they just stayed friends…

That way, neither she, nor her daughter, couldn't get hurt again…. like they had once before.

But despite all this, Missy had had the most lovely week. Both she and Emily were happier than they had been in a long time and that was all down to one person…

"Missy, can you get those papers to me by Tuesday?" came a sudden voice, breaking Missy from her daze.

She was currently sat at her desk at work, staring out of the window at the ever-darkening sky.

She shook herself and looked over to see one of her bosses Mike staring down at her, a bemused expression on his face.

"Sorry," she said immediately. "The Francis Papers? Of course."

And with that she rifled through her out-tray, pulling out a neat stack of copies and handing them to him.

"Actually I'm already done with them," she uttered, tucking her curled, caramel-blonde hair behind her ear.

Mike, who was in his late thirties, with dark hair and perfect teeth, flashed her a dazzling smile, looking at her coyly.

"Wow, y'know if this is the kind of work you produce when you're THAT distracted, then you're definitely someone I could do with on my team," he said giving a laugh, and thumbing his way through the stack of papers.

Missy took a breath and clicked her mouse, turning back to her PC, flushing red.

Oh god, being caught procrastinating instead of working, was really not going to help her keep her job.

"Don't worry," said Mike, giving a chuckle and placing his hand on her shoulder. "I'm not going to judge you, it's a Friday anyway. TGIF right?"

Missy breathed an internal sigh of relief, glancing up at him and giving him a relieved smile. "Yeah. You…. uh, you doing anything nice this weekend?" she murmured, trying to seem interested.

But Mike's eyes roved across her face. He bit his lip and narrowed his eyes.

"You know…." he began slowly. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to grab a drink…tomorrow night. There's this amazing sushi bar on forth that's supposed to serve just THE best Sake…"

Missy froze, staring up into his handsome face.

What had he just said?

Had he really just asked her on a date?

He was her boss….would she get into trouble for saying no?

"I…err…" started Missy, glancing around momentarily, trying to search for the right words. "I have my daughter…so it's kind of difficult for me to get away, y'know…"

She gave him an apologetic smile, but Mike cocked his head at her.

"Can't you get a sitter?" he asked giving a frown.

Jeez, he really didn't give up did he?

This was not what she wanted in the workplace. I mean Mike seemed nice, but he was her boss, and as far as she was concerned this was a professional relationship and nothing else.

Missy flushed red. "I…um….look, I'm really flattered-"

But at her words, Mike's slight frown became a scowl.

He let out a loud scoff, acting suddenly defensive.

"Look, sweetheart, you realise I could get a girl like you, just like that?" he snapped his fingers in front of her face. He took a step back, sneering down at her. "You're nothing special, y'know. I just thought I was doing you a favour. I felt sorry for you. As if I'm going to go after a woman who already has a kid, anyway…"

And with that, he turned angrily on his heel and walked off, papers shoved underneath his arm. And Missy could have sworn she heard him utter the words 'fucking bitch' under his breath as he went.

Missy sat there shocked for a moment or two, blinking.

She felt like she wanted to burst into tears.

This place was bad enough already, but now she had a boss who was now mad at her for turning down his advances.

She knew that if he was in charge, she would definitely be the first to be fired…

A horrible feeling of dread bubbled up inside her. How was she going to cope without a job?

Here it was, that downward spiral….she could almost sense it drawing nearer and nearer…

Suddenly a reminder flashed up on the screen of her PC.

It was home time. 3.15. Time for her to leave.

She breathed a sigh of relief. It was over….until tomorrow at least.

Despite Missy being only a part-timer, she still managed to do more work that most of her team put together, but every day she could still feel their resentful glares as she passed by them at this time, heading home.

And today was no different…

Perhaps made worse by the fact, that as she pulled on her coat and headed over towards the elevators, she could see Mike standing over by the copier, talking in whispers to a small group of men and women. They made no bones about staring at her as she walked by, stopping abruptly in their conversation.

Missy paled.

This was more like high school than an office, and even in high school she hadn't been this unpopular…

She closed her eyes as she stepped into the elevator, feeling like she just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry.

Missy always tried to be this strong woman, this strong mother, and yet today, she felt like anything but strong…

The elevator pinged open and Missy stepped out on her high heels….

But to her surprise…no, to her utter delight….she was met with a little happy giggle and saw a tiny little figure come running towards her on chubby little legs….

Missy tilted her head, looking down to see Emily rushing forwards, and it didn't take more than a second for Missy to scoop the tiny toddler up into her arms, giving her a cuddle.

"Hi baby!" she said pressing a kiss to her little cheek. "What are you doing here?"

Missy looked up to see Wade sat on the low couches beside reception, grinning widely. He was today dressed in his heepskin coat, blue jeans and vest, looking every inch the lovable-rogue that he was…

Missy at this moment felt her heart leap in her chest as she saw him. Right now she wanted nothing more than for him to take her in his strong arms and hold her tightly.

Wade got to his feet stiffly and strolled over to her.

"Hey, baby-momma," he said in a cheery voice. "We just thought we'd come down here and walk you home."

Missy smiled widely at him, her green eyes meeting with his brown ones.

How was he able to make her feel this much better with just a few small words?

Her eyes lingered on his for a moment or two, her heart racing, before she tore them away once again turning back to Emily.

The little girl, who was today dressed in her fluffy white coat and matching hat and mittens, grasped at the collar of Missy's blouse, giving it a tug.

"Oh, Mommy missed you, sweetie," Missy said, pressing another kiss to her daughter's pudgy cheek.

Emily laughed and batted her mom away with her paw.

"Noh more kisshes Mommy," she said poking out her little pink tongue and wrinkling her nose.

Missy raised her eyebrows playfully.

"What? No kisses like this one?" and with that she kissed at Emily's nose. "Or this one? Or this one?"

Emily giggled, squirming within Missy's grasp as her mother peppered her with kisses.

"Stwop it Mommy!" said the two-year old, with a happy squeal.

Suddenly there came a loud, curt ahem from over Missy's shoulder, breaking them from their fun.

She turned to see the two receptionists sitting behind their desk looking over at her disapprovingly. As though Missy was disturbing the peace.

Missy gave an small defeated sigh.

"Come on, baby," she said, hitching up her bag higher on her shoulder. "Let's go."

She looked at Wade, and he, almost immediately, headed over towards the large glass front door's, holding them open for her and Emily to pass through.

"Well aren't those two just a fucking delight," said Wade in her ear as she passed close by him, throwing a dark look over towards the two women.

"Ugh" said Missy running a hand over her face as they stepped out into the, surprisingly warm, spring air. "I hate working here. If I'm not getting hit-on by my sleazy boss, I'm getting dirty looks from everyone else…"

Wade looked at her, matching her pace as they walked side-by-side down the busy street.

"Getting hit on?" he said narrowing his eyes, his face serous. "Fuck me, just say the word and I will rip his fucking balls off if you want me to, unless it's a woma of course, in which case I am sooooooo up for seeing how that pans out for you…"

Missy pursed her lips and glanced Wade's way.

"Well it's the former. And as tempting as that offer sounds, I think I'll have to just survive," she murmured. "It's just…I hate being away from Emily enough as it is, without dreading going to work too….ugh…"

She gave another despondent sigh.

"Sorry," she continued wrinkling her nose. "I'm just feeling kinda crappy today, I guess."

"Well I can fucking see why," said Wade, his tone sharp and accusing. "You know, my offer still stands…anytime… .off…done…"

Missy's face broke into a smile.

"Thanks…" she said shaking her head. She looked up into Wade's long, tanned face. "So, you two had a good day?"

She wanted to change the subject. Take her mind off work for once.

Emily gave a wriggle and Missy stopped for a second setting her down and taking her little gloved hand instead.

"Well we watched Anna and Elsa 'Let their shit Go' like four times in a row," said Wade counting it off on his fingers. "And then we ate chicken and rice for lunch, with cholate pudding for dessert, and then came here to meet you. Didn't we Em-Bear?"

But Emily, who was padding along beside the two adults, didn't seem to hear him, her eyes on the pavement before her.

Missy shot Wade a teasing look. "Sounds thrilling," she said with a smirk.

"Oh believe me, I've had waaaay more tedious days than this one," he uttered, grinning back at her.

Missy looked away, butterflies appearing in her stomach.

How did he always do this to her?

"Hey," she said suddenly glancing across the road, something catching her eye. She stopped in her tracks, pulling Emily to gentle halt. "Since I have had suuuuch a terrible day….do you both want to do something fun?"

Emily peered up at her mother curiously.

But Missy bit her lip, grasping Wade's hand suddenly in her other free one.

She shot the pair a smile.

"Come on…" and with that she pulled them across the street, towards a large building, with 'Jimmy's Games Arcade' written across the front in large cartoon letters.

She heard Wade beside her give a chuckle.

"You realise I am sooooo going to kick your perfectly-round ass at skee-ball right?" he said in a cocky tone as they entered through the door into the darkened arcade.

But Missy merely shot him a withering look.

"Don't be so sure about that, mercenary," she said, letting go of his hand and bumping her shoulder with his, flashing him a wide smile.

Wade smiled back, before bending down and lifting Emily up into his arms.

The toddler looked around interestedly, placing her tiny mittened paws onto Wade's broad shoulders.

"Waydee play?" she asked him, looking back and forth between the two adults, as the trio strolled over towards a row of skee-ball games.

The merc gave a chuckle, crouching down and picking up a small white ball confidently.

And in the blink of an eye Wade had tossed the ball hard, scoring a neat 10,000 points.

"Oh, Wadey play," he said giving her a goading nod and tossing her another white ball.

Missy rolled her eyes and caught the ball easily.

"You are on Wilson," she said, throwing the ball and scoring 10,000 points too.


Two hours later, out of change and very much out of energy, the three of them crossed the street, heading around the block, back towards their apartment building.

Emily had had a great time, running about on the patterned, moth-eaten carpet, pressing all the buttons on unattended machines.

Wade had even lifted her up onto the car seat of a racing game, moving it from side to side which she adored, giggling happily.

Missy had watched the pair of them, her heart filling with so much love.

He was just perfect with her. Just so perfect.

And now, as they walked down the darkening sidewalk, Missy could help but stare the merc's way, as they went, teasing each other along the way…

"Did not," said Wade in an incredulous voice.

"Did too," said Missy chuckling and digging him in the shoulder with her perfectly polished fingernail. "Y'know I've never seen anyone get beaten so badly at a dance machine before. That twelve year old girl absolutely killed you."

Wade scoffed. "Oh, she was thirteen if you must know, and besides…I was….distracted…"

Missy smirked, shooting him a look. In her arms she was holding onto a sleepy Emily tightly, as the tiny girl dozed against her shoulder.

"Oh yeah?" she said biting on her pink lip. "Distracted by what?"

Wade looked at her for a long moment, his lips curving up into a grin, but he didn't reply. His look really did say it all.

Missy could feel herself flushing red, as her heart thudded inside her chest.

They passed by a couple of small cafés, a restaurant and a piano store, and as Missy glanced over at the brightly lit-windows, trying to hide her pink face from the merc's stares, something caught her eye, causing her to stop abruptly.

Missy's breath hitched in her throat painfully and her mouth fell open…

No, no, no….

Not here…

Not now…

Her eyes seemed to widen in their sockets at the sight before her…

Please no….

Missy could feel herself suddenly begin to tremble, tears welling inside her eyes…

Finally noticing that she wasn't beside him any longer, Wade stopped, himself, turning back towards her with a bemused expression upon his face.

"What the-" he uttered strolling back over to her. "What is it?"

She felt him follow her gaze over to a large glass fronted restaurant.

And just inside the warmly lit Italian restaurant, was where HE was…

Scott….

After all this time…

But seeing him….well, that wasn't the problem….

But it was them.

Seeing them that hurt the most…

That made her want to turn and scream and run and hide and cry, all at the same time.

Seeing….that….well, it made her feel small…like she was worthless….like she wasn't good enough…

….well, she hadn't been, after all…..neither of them had. She nor Emily…

Tears slipped down her pale cheeks.

Missy remembered all of it, the pain of it all stabbing through her like a knife…

She couldn't deal with this…not now…

She took a step back and another and another…

And then, without another word, Missy turned on her heel and fled…Emily still clutched tightly within her arms…


Thanks to The HappyKitty, dancindonna, Aishix XV, jonstar1034, Legolas Girl 31, Just2aw3s0me, petite yoyo, Smaug The Golden, Momochan77, Carlypso, Guest, Raging Raven, AngiMK and SweetIronySince1997 for reviewing the last chapter. I am so grateful for all of your comments.

What did you think of this one? Hmmm? More coming soon!

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