A/n: Here I go again with that crazy backstory! I think it sucks, let me know if you agree. Ten reviews gets a new chapter ;)

--

The snow fell in soft, fat flakes, clinging to the ground in a thin sheet of powder. Everything looked cleaner, as if the white somehow washed away all the dirt and grime in the world, and with it, the problems that afflicted that world. It belied an innocence that wasn't there, a purity that existed only until you opened your eyes and started living. The streets were empty at the late hour, so the snow remained untouched by footprints, the streets melting into the sidewalks where no cars made tracks.

"Don't do this to me," he had pleaded.

The corners of her mouth, turned downward, were wet with tears.

"You're my baby," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "My girl..."

"I..."

He felt tears spill over his own eyes, the cold stinging his wet face, and he wondered if he should give her his jacket.

"I'm sorry, Travis," she said, looking down, kicking some snow into the air and watching it drift down. "It's just...it's not working."

"No," he said, shaking his head still. "Please, I-"

"It's too little, too late," she had said softly, toying with the ends of her scarf. "I can't wait around forever for you."

With those last apologetic words, she turned, and walked away. He wanted to turn, to run after her, but his legs refused to move. His right arm hung limp at his side, the other tucked safely in his jacket pocket.

He watched her back retreat until she was gone, and only then did his tongue loosen, his legs grow weak. He sunk to his knees, his jeans soaking in the frigid snow.

"I love you," he finished, pulling his hand from his pocket.

In his icy fingers, the diamond in the ring shone brightly under the streetlights.

"I love you, baby," he had repeated to the night air. "God, I love you..."

Returning to reality, Travis was surprised to find his cheeks wet with tears, as they had been that night all those years ago. He angrily swiped a sleeve across his eyes, and sniffled, trying to erase any signs of the emotional weakness.

"Travis? What are you doing out here?" a startled voice asked suddenly.

He turned around to see her standing in the doorway, surrounded by light from the hallway, giving her the appearance of an angel. His angel.

He smiled softly, but couldn't dredge up an answer.

Furrowing her brow, she stepped outside, letting the door shut behind her. Rubbing her arms for warmth, the angel walked over and sat down beside him.

"How long have you been sitting here?" she asked. "It's freezing!"

Another time and he might have draped an arm around her to share his body heat. Now, he just shrugged.

"Dunno. While."

Ah, short syllables. That was the key.

"Are you drunk?" she asked, peering at him thoughtfully.

He shrugged.

"Ah, of course. The rum," she remembered.

And the beers, he wanted to add. And the shot of tequila someone had passed him.

"No wonder you're not cold," she said, staring up at the moon.

"Are you?" he managed.

"I'll survive," she said, giving him a sideways glance. "Whatcha doin'?"

That pesky question again.

"'M thinkin'," he said finally, returning his glassy-eyed gaze to the sky.

"What about?" she asked, brushing some hair out of her eyes and turning a bit to face him.

Under her attention, he was nervous. What had he been thinking about? Not love, not love, not love...

"Love," he said.

She smiled and snorted a bit. "Love, eh?"

Dammit. He nodded in the affirmative.

"The notorious Lone Wolf, single for two and a half years, the man who never once in our two year relationship uttered the three words every girl wants to hear," she said, smirking, "is thinking about love. Wow."

Travis looked down at his feet.

She had no idea.

A fiery rage suddenly burst inside his chest, and he stood up too quickly, almost falling right back over. She rose, too, both in surprise, and to help steady him.

He pulled away when her arm touched his.

"Travis?" she said, her expression one of concern and confusion.

"You have no fucking clue, do you?"

"What?" she asked, his sudden profanity catching her off guard. "No clue as to what?"

"How much I love you!"