Fight

A/N: After the series, after they had been dating for awhile.

She looked at him sullenly, tears flowing from her eyes, "But why?"

"I'm sorry." Bridge could not bring himself to look at her, afraid that he would turn away from his decision.

"Stop saying that and answer me." She stared at his back trying to comprehend what he was thinking. "At least give me a reason!"

"Because it hurts too much not to be able to touch you."

"But we can work around that! We can do anything, if we stay together." Z wringed her hand together trying not to throw her arms around him.

"What if we can't? I can't have you living like this. You need someone to hold you, to be able to make physical contact. I can't do that, there's too much risk."

"I'll risk it, I love you." She stood up from the couch she was sitting on and approached Bridge, only to find him pulling away.

"You don't know how much that means to me. All my life keeping people at arm's length, afraid to get close to anyone just because of my powers. Did you know that my even my parents are scared of me? My mom gave me a kiss on the cheek when I was little and that was all it took for me to find out her deepest fears, a freak child. She never touched me again, she told me she loved me all the time but I craved the simplest hug. I can't do that to you!"

"I know what it's like...I was called a freak, too...all the kids at school were so mean to me...calling me names and running away whenever I came near. I understand...please, Bridge.

"Have you thought about our future?"

"What about it?"

"Do you want a family?"

"Of course. What does that have to do with anything?"

"I can't even touch you, we can't have children. And if somehow we could, what kind of father could I be?"

"You would be wonderful!"

"And when he or she is hurt? Or when they need a hug?"

"We'll find a way, your gloves..." Z grabbed his hands trying to get him to look into her eyes.

Bridge looked away, "Are just enough to keep me sane, if we get any closer..."

"You don't know what will happen, you won't even give me a chance."

"I'm too scared of what might happen. I'm sorry, Z. This is for the best." He rushed to the door but stopped briefly. "I love you, too."

She looked at his retreating figure, "I'm not giving up, I'm going to fight for you, Bridge."