Title: The Catch Your Breath Series (06/06)
Rating: PG
Summary: Sometimes a relationship isn't just about two people.
Type of fic: Vignette series
Disclaimer: All recognisable entities are not mine.
Author's notes: Just a series of short first person POV vignettes that deal with my latest 'shipperdom. It can be a continuation of Untitled 58 and Untitled 59, or it can be read by itself. Think you guys can figure out who each person is? ;) It's not too hard, hopefully.
Author's notes II: I know this was really short, but I just wanted to get a start on my Risker addiction. Maybe soon I will add more chapters/parts, but as of now, the series is 'officially' finished.

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A second chance/ Come to pass / Take a leap / If you dare / If you can / Catch your breath

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Part Six

The last digit is pressed and before I know it ringing fills my ear. My hand tightens on the receiver as I resist the urge to hang up. This is the first time that I will talk to her since we both signed the divorce papers, almost four months ago. Four months. It is the longest that we have not spoken since we got 'married' three years ago.

Almost ready to give up when I hear the sixth ring, the phone is answered with a breathless 'Hello?' It's her.

For a moment I am frozen, unsure of how to reply and what to say.

'Hello?' she repeats over the line. 'Is anyone there?'

I am silent. I have almost forgotten how soft and alluring her voice can be without a microphone in her hand. I remember nights when we just lay in bed, talking into the early hours of the morning about anything and everything under the sun. I used to love hearing her speak, especially when it was on something that she felt passionate about.

'If this is some crank call-'

'Steph, it's me.'

It is her turn to be mute, and I imagine that she is stunned to hear from me. I briefly wonder if she even recognises my voice.

'Hunter?' she asks in a whisper.

I shake my head, wondering when it was that I began to find it difficult to speak to her. In all the years I've known her, communication was always something that came easy to both of us. Kind of.

'Yeah, it's me,' I repeat when nothing else comes to mind.

'Why…why are you calling?' Her voice shakes.

I can't help but smile wryly. I can only assume that the shock of hearing from me has made her slightly unable to think for a minute or so. 'Can't you guess?'

'SmackDown,' she replies. 'You saw what happened.'

'As did the rest of the world,' I say, proud that I don't sound the least bit bitter or jealous. Despite what I felt inside. 'And from what I hear, it is apparently no big surprise to many people.'

'He and I never hid our relationship,' she informs me.

I am unprepared for the jolt of pain that shoots through me. Our marriage may be over and we may have no right to interfere in the other's life anymore, but it still hurts. 'How long?' I ask, a coldness seeping into my voice.

She sighs. 'A long time after we separated.'

I suddenly realise that the date is nearing what should have been our third wedding anniversary. This time the bitterness isn't so easily hidden. 'I guess that's your MO, huh? Marry 'em as soon as possible.'

The woman I knew would have retaliated with cruel words of her own, possibly mentioning the way I had drugged her to marry her. But she says nothing.

I am angry, and I demand that she answer me.

'I didn't do it to spite you,' she tells me, her voice soft. 'I'm sorry, Hunter. I didn't realise how much it-'

Not wanting to face the painful truth staring at me straight in the face, I hang up on this stranger I have no wish to meet.

A stranger who is set to marry once again.

end part six.

end.