TITLE: What Went On?
AUTHOR: Hayley
RATING: PG-13
DISCLAIMER: I own no one
DISTRIBUTION: ask first please

CHAPTER 37

Memories flooded in and out of her as her face presented a look of sadness mixed in with joy. Her heart pounded fiercely as he slowly walked towards her, a shy smile on his face.

Time seemed to stop as both stood there, not a word said to one another. They studied each other, seeing what had happened the past few months and how much the other person had changed. Her head spun as she felt her knees go weak in his presence.

"3 months..." He said softly as she sat down not being able to support herself anymore. Shyly, he grabbed her tiny hand and held it between his two large ones. Taking a seat beside her, questions left un-answered lingered in the air.

"H-how've you been?" She asked nervously not taking her eyes off their their clasped hands.

"I've been better." He said with a soft chuckled that broke the tension between them.

"Same."

But once again, silence fell between the two as neither knew what to say or do.

"I've missed you-"

She looked up with a sad expression. Her eyes said she missed him too but as her lips moved, they spoke another story. "Please don't..."

"I'm sorry." He felt stupid for bringing up wounds that both had hoped would have already healed.

Feeling bad, she looked up at him for the first time. His eyes were glassy as if they were going to break any moment and tears would come pouring out. Squeezing his hands a little tighter, she took in a deep breath. "I've missed you too."

He looked up at her and smiled warmly. They both sat there, looking out onto the gorgeous green plush scenery. Such natural beauty, so peaceful and serene yet beyond that natural haven, people left in pain and suffering, oblivious to such a perfect sanctuary.

"Are we crazy?" he asked in wonderment as he looked up at the bright clear blue skies.

"Yeah, I guess." she said not really sure what he was talking about.

"I mean...this...us...are we insane to be so-"

"Different? Distant? Awkward?"

Both laughed as they nodded their heads. "It never used to be so hard."

"I know." She replied softly as he rubbed his thumb on the soft skin on her hand which he still held.

"I've been doing some thinking, a lot of thinking lately." He said looking at her hoping she'd let him say all he wanted to say before he chickened out. When she gave him the green light, he proceeded. "I've come to terms with us no longer being 'us' anymore. I don't want it to be weird everytime we see each other. I want you to be happy, that's all I ever wanted. And if this guy makes you happy, then..." He fumbled with his words, as he paused to organize his thoughts. She smiled warmly as she waited patiently for him to continue. "Then I'm okay with it. As long as you're happy, that's all I'll ever need. Just to know that you're safe and with someone who will treat you like you deserve, then I won't get in the way of that." He could hear his heart pound loudly and felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

She looked at a crossroad as her face portrayed a mixture of emotions. Finally looking up, she pulled her hand away and leaned in as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He scooted closer to her as he wrapped his arms tightly around her tiny body, never wanting to let go.

"I'll always love you." He said into her shoulder taking in the feel of having her in his arms once again. "Even if all we'll ever be is just friends."

"I'll always love you too. And it means a lot to me, everything you just said."

She could feel her heart beat in tune with his. Her mind screamed a million things as her mind and heart fought a battle as to what to do. Her mind knew that she had to accept it, if he could accept her being with someone else, she should too.

But then her heart pleaded another case. Was this what she was really willing to give up? Was she ready to let him go?

She pulled away slowly, her heart doing somersaults. Looking at him, her heart took over her mind and almost instinctively she leaned in and met his lips with a long await kiss.

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