Disclaimer: All characters portrayed in this fanfic are the property of CLAMP and their company people. They're not mine. Well, except that is the people that I'll be making up. :D

AN: Here you go! Another chappy, I hope you like it... it's a tad bit err...emotional, for Tomoyo anyway. I kinda rushed it. Sorry! _ Well read on and don't forget to R&R!

Duffel bag in hand Tomoyo was walking to the studio after a long day's work, when Eriol drove up to her in his sleek silver Celica.


"Need a ride?" he offered smiling good-naturedly. "Even if you don't want to, I think we need to catch up on old times."

The corners of her mouth twitched, wanting to smile, but Tomoyo held it in. Within she sighed, normally she would reject free rides, but seeing as it was an old friend she accepted. How could she refuse Eriol Hiiragizawa?

Eriol stole glances at Tomoyo every so often when he thought she wasn't looking, nevertheless Tomoyo noticed anyway. He gaze landed and lingered on her often, almost as if he wanted to say something but couldn't exactly bring himself to say it. "What?" she asked a bit harshly annoyed with the glances being shot her way.

"Nothing, I've just never seen you in a leotard before," he said smoothly while rounding a corner.

"There's many things you've never seen me do before, but it doesn't mean I don't do it," Tomoyo muttered under her breath.

Eriol had heard her comment, but decided it be best if he didn't say anything. An uneasy silence enveloped the two as Eriol focused on his driving and Tomoyo stared at the busy activity happening on the streets. The suggestion of catching up on old times was as forgotten as an unwanted memory.

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Ronan frowned and twisted under his dusky red covers. It was aggravating, he didn't know whether or not his girlfriend and his unborn child was all right. He knew the person the paramedics came for last night was Anna, for her roommate Tomoyo was sitting in the pouring rain. Why else would someone sit in the rain unless they were severely depressed or traumatized? He closed his eyes and thought of all the years he shared with her. He was a fool to run off like that, now he didn't even know if she was injured or not. A sharp ringing sound cut through his thoughts and he groaned, trudging into the living room.

"Hello?"

"May I speak with Mr. Ronan Nicholas?" He gulped, suddenly he was feeling very nervous.

"Y-yes, speaking..."

"This is the West End Hospital, we are very sorry to inform you that Ms. Anna Raymis and the unborn fetus was reported dead today at 7:53 A.M...."

Ronan dropped the phone and it hit the floor with a dull thud, he didn't hear much after that. What he just heard came too much as a shock. He was speechless. Sure he might have known somewhere in the back of his head, after what he was told last night, that it was Anna lying on a stretcher hurt badly, but it was just confirmed. It had just been confirmed that Anna was deceased.

His Anna was dead. Never to be awakened again. Never to see the setting sun or the twinkling stars. He would never hear her laughter, share her tears, hold her hand... The impact of what happened finally hit him. Nausea swept over him as he stumbled towards the front door. He suddenly needed fresh air. Maybe he could walk it off.

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He pulled to a slow stop and Tomoyo in turn stepped out of the car gracefully, "Thanks Eriol."

"You're welcome." Eriol said giving her a affectionate smile.

Tomoyo smiled weakly at his tender visage. She was about to walk into the building when she froze noticing that he had made no effort to drive off. Her delicate smile faded. She turned to face him and tilted her head to one side, questioning him. Yet another smile graced Eriol's flawless features and he brought his cerulean orbs to the setting sun.

"Do you want a ride later? I can swing by and pick you up. It won't be much trouble."

By this time, her lips where in a thin line, she had slipped on her 'I don't need you' mask again. "No thanks, I can manage to get home by myself. Thanks anyway Eriol," this was all said in a very courteous voice.

Eriol frowned slightly, "But I don't-"

She cut him off with a firm voice, "Eriol, I said I can take care of myself. I don't need you to be my private chauffeur."

He coughed slightly to clear his throat, "All right then, but if you need a ride, you call me okay?" Eriol gave her a wry smile as he drove off.

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The bright overpowering sun had long ago set and the moon had taken it's rightful place among the heavy expanse of night. The city of London was glowing with it's seemingly natural lights that twinkled everywhere one would look. Shadows of families eating and watching television was a warm and soul-fulfilling vision. Tomoyo's eyes darkened at the loving tenderness displayed across the street in the flat. She made a frustrated sound and turned away from the second story windowpane wall.

The dark haired beauty was sprawled onto a bright blue mat on the floor. She was tired, she had stayed well after hours to push herself more. Gradually her eyes began to flutter, indicating that her body needed sleep. She positioned herself into splits sluggishly. "I can't sleep now..." she mumbled as she stretched.

A creaking of the one of the studio doors brought her attention to one of her fellow dancers behind her. "Tomoyo! The list of who got the jobs are up! C'mon! Hurry!"

"Thanks Erin. I'll be right out." The tall skinny blonde beamed enthusiastically at Tomoyo and dashed out of the studio with another loud creak. Her stomach did flip flops as she gathered her things and pulled on a red jacket. She smiled with giddiness as she scurried out the door with her possessions.

She immediately knew where the names were posted for there were a group of females, as well as males clamoring around a certain yellow-green bulletin board. Taking a deep breath she walked past squealing, "I got it!!!"'s and grunting "Yeh!!!"'s. Tomoyo had finally pushed her way to the front and eagerly peered at the bright white paper. Her stomach clenched as she got half way down the list, but didn't see her own name.

Chewing on her lip she closed her eyes for a moment before swallowing dryly and quickly read the rest of the list. Nostalgia swept over her when her name wasn't on any part of the list. Her mind told her to scan the document again for her name. Perhaps she was so special that they decided to put her name someplace else? She inwardly prayed that that was the case.

Her eyes quickly scanned it a second time. Then a third time. A fourth time. A fifth time. A sixth time. She was numbed. Her name was no where to be found. A loud clang rang out and it finally came to her attention that she was left alone in the hallway. How long had she been standing there? How long had she been staring at the list?

Maybe they made a mistake. They had to have made a mistake. She was better than a lot of the dancers that had gotten a job, or so many have said. How could they have made it but not her? Feeling paralyzed she staggered downstairs and out into the streets, confused and skeptical of what just occurred.

The streets were usually happy, filled with laugher and conversation. Tomoyo grimaced. She couldn't stay wandering the streets. She had to go somewhere. Somewhere where she could find loving reassurance. Where would she go? Then it hit her: Mr. and Mrs. Sterling. It was the only logical explanation, they were like parents to her. She'd go to them for help, they'd help her, with whatever they could. They were like that, two tender and giving spirits in the world of rights and wrongs.

Rushing to their apartment she stumbled up two flights of stairs and knocked at the familiar dark green door rapidly. She frowned. Where were they? Tomoyo glanced at her watch briskly, it was 9:47 P.M. where could they be at a time like this? Pain wrenched her heart, she begged with all her soul that nothing had happened to them. Please don't let anything happen to them. Tomoyo leaned on the silver door knob to steady herself, she was jumping to conclusions. They're perfectly fine, they probably fell asleep or something and by chance didn't hear the knocks.

She knocked louder this time, yelling for them too, "Mr. Sterling? Mrs. Sterling? Hello?! Is anybody home?!" Salty teardrops slid down her cheeks, from what happened to her and what might've happened to them.

A hand on her shoulder caused her to shriek and turn around abruptly. Tomoyo stared into a gentle face of a woman in a orange bathrobe. "D-dear, I'm sorry, didn't you hear? They...passed away this morning."

The woman looked at her with sympathy filled eyes. Tomoyo backed away slowly, shaking her head in denial. "B-b-but-" she couldn't continue, it seemed as if all her nightmares had come true in a single night.

The woman winced and held out her hand in compassion toward Tomoyo, "Why don't you come here dear, you seem distressed. Why don't you come in and I'll get you some cocoa?"

She shook her head and nearly fell down the stairs as she retreated. A surprised "Oh dear! Be careful!" was heard from the woman as Tomoyo staggered away. She swiped away some of her sorrowful tears with the sleeve of her jacket. She didn't know where to go now. Where could she go? She needed to be alone. Home, her apartment, that's the only place she could go, she wouldn't be bothered there. She'd be alone. Completely alone. For now, she had forgotten all about what had transpired there, only focusing on her own self pity.

Tomoyo almost tripped over a couple of kids playing in front of her building steps as she made a hasty run for her apartment. Running up the stairs, she struggled into her living room, not bothering to turn on the lights and blinked twice when she saw a dark figure brooding on the couch. Her breathing became ragged. There was someone in her apartment! Nobody had the keys except for her and her now late roommate. She suck in her breath as she backed into the front door slowly.

He must've sensed her, because his head snapped up and his intense hazel eyes locked into hers. He looked familiar, brown hair and a broad build. Ronan, Anna's boyfriend. She wrinkled her face in confusion at why he was there. Fresh tears sprang to her eyes as she saw the immense hurt and pain in his eyes. It was too much, she tore her gaze away. She knew what happened, just from the look in his poignant eyes.

Biting back her own pain she tediously walked over to him and wrapped him in her arms. At first, he stiffened at what she did, but finally gave in and sobbed into her shoulder. Tomoyo didn't know why she did that instead of turning around running. But it just felt right. To be comforted by someone who felt the same emotions as she did at the moment.

Though the long and tear-filled night, both traumatized teenagers sat in each other's embrace comforting the only way they knew how. In silence.

AN: Eeep. :| I'm sorry for dumping all this grief on Tomoyo, but I needed her to be completely broken and stuff so that Eriol can come in and sweep her off her feet! Yey! :D Don't worry there'll be plenty of E/T in the chapter after the next! So don't hurt me! ::hides under my pillow::