Do or die. "Actually yes. I. Wanted to tell you something."

"Funny. I actually wanted to tell you something."

"Ladies first." I can feel my heart pounding. If I tell her, there's no turning back.

"I wanted to tell you that. I'm leaving New York. Because...I don't want to cause you anymore pain. I love you Bobby. And the only fair and decent thing to do is leave. Because we can never be. Understand?"

I. I can't believe my ears. But...she's leaving...

"I wanted. Had to tell you. I...I love you Nicole. For whatever reasons."

That was. Easy?

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry it couldn't have been different, love. But you've seen first hand what happens to the ones I love. They always end up. Well, a lot worse for the wear. I just couldn't leave without telling you. I'm glad you found me. Called me."

"I am too. I just thought you should know."

She nods. "I'm going back to Australia. To take responsibility for what I've done. I'm tired Bobby. Tired of running. Tired of hurting everyone. Tired of knowing that I killed my own child and showed no remorse for it. I'm a criminal and I need to pay for my crime."

"At least you're doing the right thing."

I watch a single tear slide down her cheek, "Well, that's just it now isn't it. I can't believe I'm crying...I'm sorry. For everything I've done to you. All the pain I've caused."

I can't let her just leave without knowing. I take her face in my hands, brush away that tear with my thumb. She starts to protest, I have to do this now or I'll loose my courage,"Sssshhhh"

I press my lips against hers and feel alive. Like this is the one thing I've always wanted from her. I know we're standing here in the open. That all of New York can see us kissing. And I don't care. All the pain, all the questions, all the grief, was worth it. For this one perfect moment. It belongs to us. Forever. It's almost like time stops, lost in each others embrace. Then...

She pulls away. And I can see in her eyes that she knows.

I whisper in her ear, "For the record, it was everything I hoped for and more."

She smiles sadly. "Me too. I'm going. Please. Don't follow me. Don't try and find me. The best thing is to let me go. Let me fade into just a memory. And maybe, you'll forget."

I nod in agreement,even though I know I can never forget her.I can feel the sting of my own tears but hold them back.

"Good-bye Nicole. Good luck."

"Good-bye Bobby. Thank you."

I watch her walk away. She glances once more over her shoulder before she disappears into a crowd.

And just like that, she's gone. Nicole Wallace is out of my life. Part of me wants to believe that it's just another game. That she'll stay. That I can see her again. That I can take her in my arms and never let go.

But another part of me knows that she's leaving. I mean, I'll check it out. But I know she's gone. My heart aches. I let the one person that I've actually loved walk away. Like it just happens everyday. Without protest...because I know that's what she wants. What she needs.

It's for the best. That's what I tell myself the whole way back home.

As I sit in my lonely apartment, gazing out the window, I find comfort in that somewhere she's thinking about me. Knowing that I'm thinking about her.

She took a piece of me with her, as corny as that sounds. And honestly, I know that moment we had today will always be with me. I smile as that feeling washes over me, sweeping me off to that place where I was with her. Happy. For once in my life.

I've spent most of my life trying to find out what motivates people. Now I know. Love. Love is the great equalizer. It can make a brilliant man and fool and the poor man rich. It makes a criminal out the law-abiding and gives people a way to explain the unexplainable.

As I crawl into bed, complete with my new knowledge, I wonder what tomorrow will bring. What criminal mind will I have to decipher next...and whose life we'll have to piece back together.

And wonder...will I ever love again?

You know what to do people...hope you found it interesting!