Redemption

Chapter 25

T'Pol ordered a taxi to meet her outside the hotel at around 6:15pm. Since Admiral Forrest lived on the other side of the Golden Gate, in Mill Valley, she wanted to ensure she arrived on time.

The traffic was practically non-existent and by 6:30pm she was already crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. She watched the people walking or jogging along the footpath on the bridge and remembered the day she'd spent with Jonathan walking along here. It seemed so long ago, yet in reality it was exactly 2 weeks ago.

Ten minutes later the taxi pulled up outside the Forrest family home and T'Pol stepped out. She hoped her early arrival would not inconvenience the admiral or his wife. She was greeted at the front door by Phillipa Forrest who ushered her in. T'Pol apologized for being early but Phillipa explained she wasn't the first to arrive. Erika Hernandez and her chief engineer were already here.

"I didn't know Captain Hernandez had been invited."

"Oh yes, Erika and Jonathan go way back. I would have thought he'd told you. Max tried to invite people Jonathan knew."

"I see. Was this social activity arranged especially for the captain?"

"Between you and me, T'Pol – do you mind if I call you T'Pol?" The Vulcan told her she didn't. "I think Max just wants him to have a good time, get out and socialize. I know he'd hoped Jon would get some rest in Fiji, but that doesn't seem to have happened."

"It's kind of the admiral to be so concerned."

"I often think Max sees Jon as his responsibility, especially since Henry died when Jon was so young."

"You've known Captain Archer that long?"

"Oh, yes."

Phillipa led T'Pol to the garden. She noticed a Latino woman in her 40s with dark hair tied back talking to the Admiral and a younger woman standing next to both of them. Admiral Forrest made all the introductions.

Erika smiled at T'Pol. "It's good to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. I had hoped to hear from you, but I wasn't sure if you got my message."

"I did, Captain. Captain Archer thought you wouldn't want to be disturbed at the weekend so I thought it prudent to wait till Monday to contact you."

"Hmm…Jon is sneaky; he doesn't want me to contact you. I hope we can talk privately some time this evening."

"That would be agreeable."

"What are the two of you plotting?" Maxwell teased, moving over to the two of them.

"We were discussing ship's business, Admiral," Erika explained.

"I believe the captain is eager for T'Pol to join us on the Columbia," Christina Dobson interjected.

Maxwell looked surprised but didn't get a chance to comment as he heard the doorbell ring and excused himself as he went to answer.

"My chief engineer doesn't beat around the bush," Erika explained. "But I presume you had some idea that's why I got in touch?"

T'Pol explained that Jonathan had suggested that might be the reason Erika had wanted to see her.

"Would you consider it?" Erika asked.

"I would like to discuss the particulars before coming to any decision." She heard Jonathan's familiar voice at this point. Turning in that direction she saw him approach with Maxwell Forrest. He had a frown painted on his face as he spied her with Erika.

"T'Pol." She looked into his face as he greeted her and noticed how tired he looked, as if he hadn't slept last night. The lines around his eyes seemed more pronounced. She wanted to ask him if he was well, but felt it inappropriate in company.

"Jonathan." When she noticed the surprised expression on Christina and Erika's face at using her captain's first name she chided herself for being informal. What did they think? Jonathan must have noticed as he quickly covered for her, explaining how he'd asked T'Pol to call him by his first name off-duty.

"You look tired, Jon." Erika said, after he'd greeted her and Christina.

"I was up with Porthos most of the night. Seems he ate something that didn't agree with him. I had to take him to the vet this morning."

"Is he better?" T'Pol asked, genuinely concerned for the pup.

"He should be okay. Vet says to keep him off solids for the next day or so."

"T'Pol informed me you told her not to contact me until Monday," Erika said to Jonathan, after a few moments silence.

"Did I? I can't recall." He sounded resigned.

"Jon thinks I'm trying to poach you," Erika said to T'Pol. "I don't see any reason why it would be wrong to offer you a position. The decision is yours."

T'Pol nodded, feeling uncomfortable. Jonathan's jaw was clenched and she could see he was restraining anger. It was also evident that Erika was trying to bait him. She wondered why and what the history between the two of them was. "Mrs. Forrest mentioned that you know each other from a long time ago."

"Yes, I worked with Frank Gardner, A.G. Robinson and Jon on the NX-Project at one time."

T'Pol remembered the story of A.G. when she and Archer had explored the dark matter nebula. But he'd never mentioned Erika. "I see."

"Not for long. Erika transferred out to another team after a few months and Duvall replaced her," Jonathan explained.

"Actually that was Jon's doing. Some silly rule he had."

T'Pol noticed them exchange glances and Jonathan looked annoyed. Her curiosity was piqued as to what Erika implied.

Erika excused herself saying she'd go help Phillipa in the kitchen. Maxwell invited Christina to come to his study and have a look at some schematics for engine adjustments to Columbia's warp drive. She asked if Archer and T'Pol wanted to join them but they declined.

"So you found the house okay," Jonathan said after a brief silence.

"Yes. I'm sorry to hear about Porthos."

"Thanks. He'll be fine."

"Captain Hernandez is correct, you do look tired."

"Yeah, I guess I do. What did you tell her?"

"About?"

"Joining Columbia, did you agree?"

"We haven't discussed it in detail and I haven't given it much thought yet."

"Oh. Well it would be kind if you gave me some notice, you know so I can actually find a new first officer."

"Of course…that is if I decide to accept."

"Right."

He moved a few paces away to the table where there was an assortment of snacks and shoved a few potato chips into his mouth. He asked if she wanted anything but she declined. He walked back to her carrying a small bowl of roasted peanuts.

"Do you know who else has been invited this evening?" she asked.

"Not a clue. Phillipa just said they were inviting a few Starfleet officers. I had no idea Erika would be here."

"What was the silly rule?" she inquired.

"Nothing." He seemed hesitant in answering. He glanced down at the lawn, then up at her. "Actually, Erika and I dated for a few months – I broke it off because of fraternization rules."

"I see." She was surprised, she couldn't imagine them being a couple – she didn't seem his type. But what did she know? Her only frame of reference was Maggie and Rebecca. Erika seemed nothing like either of those two women. "Captain Hernandez did not agree with you?"

"She reported to A.G., not directly to me, so she didn't see the conflict. But if A.G. was out testing a new design, then I was in charge and automatically became her commanding officer. I didn't think it would be right."

She nodded, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Actually that's not exactly the truth," he confessed. "I used it as an excuse."

"The fraternization rule?"

"Yeah…I didn't want to hurt her feelings but I wasn't in any position to have a steady relationship…things were so crazy. But I didn't want her to feel bad."

"Interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"How humans make up untruths in order to protect each other."

"Sometimes it's for the best."

"Vulcans value truth highly," she stated. "I wonder…" She didn't continue her train of thought.

"What, T'Pol?"

"It is unimportant."

"You were going to say something. I'd appreciate if you finished your sentence."

"Very well. I wonder if you using the fraternization rules as an excuse with Erika isn't the only time you have employed that tactic." She remembered how he'd pulled his hand away from her at the pier, insisting they couldn't be together for that very reason. She hadn't been convinced then, and she was even less convinced now.

Using a lie to protect someone…what if his relationship with Rebecca was a fabrication also? That would explain why she hadn't returned to San Francisco with him. Jonathan was such a complicated mess. It was hard to understand why he'd weave a web of deceit, but trying to look at it from his point of view – his skewed mixed up head, it made a little sense.

Had he used Rebecca as an excuse not to be with her? And had he seen that as a way of protecting her? It seemed highly illogical, but at times humans were embodied that trait, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

"Jonathan?" He'd made no comment on her observation.

He massaged his temples. "I think I've got a headache coming on. I'm going to ask the Admiral if he's got any pain medication."

"I'll come with you," she offered.

"Why?" he asked. "I don't need a nursemaid." He walked off before she had a chance to say another word. He'd seemed irritable. She chalked it up to his not sleeping last night, though she did not care for his tone.

She poured herself a glass of water from the refreshments table and pondered as to when the other guests would arrive.

Jonathan felt much better after Forrest had given him a hypospray for his headache. The Admiral explained he had a whole batch of them which he sometimes used when his back was troubling him. He was grateful for it. Hyposprays worked a lot faster than pills.

By 7:30pm all the guests had arrived. Jonathan was pleasantly surprised to see Malcolm Reed among them, along with Phlox. Also in attendance was Captain Frank Gardner with a pretty lady on his arm which he'd introduced as his fiancé. Well wonders would never cease…Gardner getting married, huh?

Jonathan wondered how his bride to be would feel about being a Starfleet widow, as Maggie had so aptly put it once. After Maggie he'd decided marriage and Starfleet didn't mix, but Forrest was married and now Gardener. And it wasn't as if they were the only ones.

The guests were spoiled for choice with the food. There were spare ribs, steak, salmon, Polish kielbasa, and even some vegetarian type burgers for those who didn't want to eat meat. To accompany that there was a wide choice of side dishes including potato and pasta salads, French baguettes, coleslaw and cold rice mixed with tuna and sweetcorn.

He approached Gardener to offer his congratulations. It seemed Erika had beaten him to it and was talking to him and his fiancé. "Nice to see one of us captains here tie the knot," Jonathan stated as he shook Frank's hand. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, Jon. This is Karen," Frank replied, introducing his soon to be wife. Jonathan offered his congratulations to her as well. "You okay with him flying off into the unknown at a moment's notice?" he asked Karen, the curiosity nipping at him.

"We did think Frank was going to get Columbia, but now we're glad he didn't. He's going to be stationed on Earth for the time being."

"I did you a favour in getting picked," quipped Erika, smiling.

"Maybe you did. Anyway, I think they're grooming me to be an Admiral," Frank said.

"Oh, know something I don't?" Jon asked.

"No, just speculating. But I've been Earth bound most of my career."

"Not if Soval had had his way."

"True," Frank laughed. "When you heading back out to explore the vast unknown?"

"Enterprise is still being repaired and upgraded. Gonna be a while still."

"You must be itching to get back out there."

For the first time in his life Jonathan realized he wasn't. There was still too much to sort out in his head for him to be able to go out and enjoy exploration again. And there were the Illyrians. He couldn't in good conscience pick up where he'd left off before the Xindi attack and forget them.

He excused himself and went over to talk to Admiral Forrest who was piling some food onto his plate. "Admiral, I was wondering if you'd have time tomorrow to see me, you know so we could talk—"

"Actually now that you bring it up Jon, I was going to ask you to meet with me at 2pm tomorrow. I'm doing an inspection of Enterprise and I thought you'd want to come along."

"Yes, I would. But I'd also like to discuss—"

"The Illyrians. Yes I know. I'm sure we'll get a chance to do so."

"It's important."

"I know, Jon. But you shouldn't let it occupy your every thought. Why not relax and try to enjoy this evening?"

Jonathan felt anger bubble inside him. Why couldn't Forrest, his friend, someone he'd known since childhood, understand? Or was that only possible if you'd actually been there and seen the look of hatred in the Illyrian captain's eyes? It was futile to argue with Forrest now; they'd be time tomorrow to discuss this in full.

"Sure, I better go and mingle some more."

"That's the spirit," Max said, seemingly pleased with himself. Jonathan left him and made his way over to Malcolm and Phlox. He hadn't seen Reed since they'd returned back to Earth and was curious what his armory officer had been up to.

"I just got back from England, sir."

"Your parents left Malaysia?" Archer asked.

"No, sir. I wasn't visiting with my parents. An aunt and some cousins who live in Leicester. Do you know it?"

"Can't say that I do."

"Well it's not exactly famous, but it's where my family is originally from. It's a reasonably sized town about 100 miles north of London."

"Have a good time?"

"Yeah, revisited some old haunts and looked up some old friends."

"Good."

"And you, sir?"

"Oh you mean my trip to Fiji?" Malcolm nodded. "Yeah that was fine."

"I think I'd have stayed out there the whole time if it had been me."

"Mmm. It was beautiful but I'm not really one for vacations," Jonathan explained.

"Nonsense, Captain!" Phlox interjected. "Everyone needs a vacation, even you."

"I was there a week, Phlox."

"So why did you rush back?"

"Well the media were on my tail again, and believe me, that can get pretty tiresome." That was a good enough explanation and it was partly true.

"I heard about that," Malcolm said. "That was quite something – you rescuing that boy."

"Not really. Anyone would have done it." Jonathan couldn't understand why he was treated like a hero over this – any decent human being who was a good swimmer would have acted in the same manner.

"The captain is being modest, as usual," Phlox explained. Jonathan didn't agree but didn't pursue the matter either. He asked Phlox if he planned on going back to Denobula for a visit before Enterprise went back into commission.

"No, two of my wives are coming to visit this week. They arrive on Wednesday – just in time for the Starfleet Ball. That will be interesting event; I've never been to one."

"Yeah, I guess." Jonathan couldn't muster any enthusiasm at the thought.

"I notice T'Pol seems to be getting along well with Captain Hernandez. It's nice to see her make new friends," Phlox commented.

"Don't be so naïve, Phlox. Erika is trying to get T'Pol to join Columbia. I'd stay clear of her if I were you, she might want you as her doctor."

"Such macabre thoughts, Captain. Not that I'd ever leave Enterprise, but it would be flattering to be asked." He gave Jonathan one of his Cheshire cat grins.

"Think she'll ask me?" Malcolm asked excitedly.

"You all tired of Enterprise?" Jonathan asked, in a serious tone. He felt a little hurt that his crew was so eager to jump ship.

"Of course not," Malcolm answered. "By the way who's that pretty little filly next to Captain Hernandez?"

"Commander Christina Dobson, Columbia's chief engineer."

"Hmm…looks a little young for that position."

"Erika obviously doesn't think so." Malcolm answered by saying he'd go and introduce himself.

Phlox noted that the captain looked tired and seemed out of sorts. Jonathan mentioned Porthos and that he hadn't slept very well. The doctor didn't seem convinced and felt there was more to it.

"You're concerned T'Pol may leave Enterprise?"

"I don't have a hold on her. If she rather advance her career by joining Columbia, I won't stand in her way."

"But you'd miss her."

"I'd be sad to see any of my crew leave Enterprise."

"Going on vacation didn't help."

"Excuse me?"

"You're troubled, Captain. I know you hate this subject but maybe it's time to consider—"

"Seeing a shrink?"

"I hear your friend Steve Johnson is a psychiatrist."

Oh boy, don't even go there, Jonathan thought. He'd managed to put the scheming Dr. Johnson and his wife out of his mind for the day. Now Phlox had gone and reminded him of them.

"I hear that too. Nice cushy job at Starfleet Medical."

"I detect sarcasm in your voice, Captain. Am I mistaken about your being friends with this man?"

"Long story, Phlox."

"I'm in no rush."

Jonathan smiled. Of course not, Phlox would only be too interested to learn more of Johnson and find out he was married to Archer's ex-girlfriend, the one he'd wanted to wed. Oh yes Phlox would have a field day.

"We knew each other a long time ago. I wouldn't go so far as to say we are close friends anymore."

"That can always be remedied," Phlox said; his voice full of optimism. "If not, well I'm sure there's a fine selection of therapists and counselors at Starfleet medical. Failing that, you know I have several degrees in—"

"I remember, doctor. And thank you for the offer."

Phillipa Forrest walked in at that moment with a large cake in her hands covered in white icing. She placed it on the table and called Jonathan over. She said she'd made it especially for him as Max had told her carrot cake was his favourite. He really didn't want the attention but thanked her and wondered how Forrest knew such minutiae about him. She cut him a large slice handing it to him on a white dessert plate. It almost felt like it was his birthday. He sampled a piece and declared it was delicious. Phillipa seemed to beam at his reaction then cut slices for the other guests.

"Come on, T'Pol," she encouraged. "You have to try at least one slice."

The Vulcan didn't seem too enthused at the idea but Jonathan guessed she didn't wish to be rude and so accepted a small slice.

"How is your headache?" she asked Jonathan.

"Oh it was gone about 2 hours ago. Forrest keeps some hyposprays in his bathroom for his bad back and let me use one."

"I see."

"Thanks for asking," he added, finishing off his cake. Phillipa immediately noticed he'd finished and called him over to get another slice. Normally he wouldn't indulge but since it was so delicious he couldn't resist, though he began to wonder if he'd need to buy new clothes soon. Things were beginning to feel a little tight around the waist. He'd just go for a long jog in the morning.

He returned to T'Pol who'd only taken one bite out of her slice. "Don't like it, huh?"

"I don't understand the pleasure you derive from such sweet concoctions."

"Guess you need to be human to do so." Jonathan finished his second slice and T'Pol offered him hers. "I shouldn't," he protested.

"I would not wish for it to go to waste."

"True," he agreed and took her portion from her, glancing up to make sure Phillipa didn't see. She appeared to be busy talking to Frank and Karen about their upcoming nuptials.

T'Pol looked in that direction as well.

"It's interesting to see that Vulcan and certain human captains have something in common."

"What?" Jonathan asked.

"They take life mates. It is most common on Vulcan."

"And their wives don't mind their mates being away for such long periods?"

"Often it is the wives who leave the husbands behind. We have a lot of female captains."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound chauvinistic."

"No apology necessary, I was simply stating a fact. As for long absences, they are common amongst Vulcans."

"Probably have something to do with your long lifespan."

"Yes," she agreed.

Jonathan couldn't think of any more to say and felt awkward that the conversation had stalled.

Erika came over and asked T'Pol if they could meet tomorrow at Starfleet around 1pm to discuss the transfer to Columbia. The way she said it made Archer's heart skip a beat. Had T'Pol decided? T'Pol agreed to the meeting. Erika said that she and Christina were going to call it a night – they were running some engine tests on Columbia at 7am tomorrow so they wanted an early night.

"It was nice to see you again, Jon," Erika said. "I'll see you tomorrow, T'Pol." With that she bid them goodnight.

Jonathan sighed. He suddenly felt very tired and just wanted to go to bed. He didn't even want to contemplate the idea of Enterprise without T'Pol. He gathered his and T'Pol's plate and strolled across the lawn to the house to put them in the dishwasher. Inside he found Phillipa making coffee.

"What's the long face for?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he lied, trying to put on a fake smile.

"You don't look fine, more like you just lost your best friend. Wanna talk about it?"

That seemed everyone solution's didn't it? Just get it off your chest and all your troubles were going to miraculously disappear. If only it was that easy!

"No thanks, I'm fine, honestly. Just a little tired. I'll probably be leaving soon."

"Jon, it's only 10pm and you're the guest of honor."

He gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing."

"You must have meant something by guest of honor."

"Well just that Max is worried about you and he thought a little socializing might make you feel better. Why not stay a bit longer and have coffee?"

Ah, so that's what all of this was about. Well if Forrest really wanted to make him feel better he'd help him with the Illyrians. He didn't need parties or social functions being organized on his behalf. "It was kind of the Admiral and I thank you for your hospitality, Phillipa. But I really am tired and think I'll be going."

She tried to persuade him to stay but to no avail. He wanted to get away. The evening had turned out to be more of a downer than he'd expected. It seemed for certain now that T'Pol was going to accept Erika's offer, if she hadn't already accepted it. Then Phlox had reminded him of Steve and Maggie, and suggested therapy again. Forrest had dismissed his plea about the Illyrians and told him to relax, and on top of that he had to admit he felt a bit jealous of Frank Gardner. The guy looked so blissfully happy – it just didn't seem fair. If Soval had had his way it would be Gardener right now suffering from guilt over the Illyrians and what had gone on in the Expanse, not celebrating an engagement.

He said goodnight to Phillipa and went back out to the others to announce he was leaving. To his surprise T'Pol asked if he'd give her a ride back to her hotel. He agreed, they both said their goodbyes and left the house.

He opened the passenger door for her and she climbed in. "Why the change of heart, T'Pol?" he asked as he got in.

"I don't understand."

"I offered to pick you up yesterday to bring you here and you seemed to hate the idea."

"I think hate is too strong a word. I did not wish to trouble you."

"But it's okay now?" He was confused.

"You can drop me off at your apartment and I'll walk the rest of the way."

"That's not what I mean." He turned his head as he backed out of Forrest's drive to see if there was any traffic. "I'm more than happy to drop you were you want, I'm surprised that you are willing for me to do so. That's why I asked – why the change of heart?"

"I see no reason to over analyze something this trivial."

"Ah, but is it trivial? I feel as if you're evading the question, accusing me of over analysis when in fact you don't want to explain the reason."

"Jonathan, you said you were leaving and in that instant I decided to ask you. There wasn't a great deal of thought to it."

"Okay." He wasn't satisfied with her answer but decided not to probe further. He turned the CD player on, not realizing what disc he'd left in there. It was the jazz music they'd listened to in his apartment when they'd danced and he'd kissed her. He wondered if she'd remember. If she did, she didn't comment on it.

They arrived outside her hotel and she thanked him for the ride. "T'Pol?" he said before she stepped out.

"Yes?"

"Listen, it's been awkward between us since I got back from Fiji. Can't we declare a truce?"

"You make it sound like we're at war."

"No, but we haven't exactly been on friendly terms, have we?"

"What do you want from me, Jonathan?"

"I'd like us to go back to how it used to be."

"A lot has happened."

"I know." He wasn't sure if she was just referring to him going away to Fiji or if she meant it in broader terms like how they'd drifted apart during the Xindi conflict. Or more accurately how he'd shut her and everyone else out. "Are you really going to transfer to Columbia?" he asked after a long pause.

"I will discuss it with Captain Hernandez tomorrow. In light of current circumstances perhaps it would be a wise choice."

"How is it a wise choice?" She was slipping through his fingers and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"I don't believe we can return to our former comradeship, Jonathan. Working together might be difficult and uncomfortable for both of us."

"Don't say that."

"Then it would be difficult for me."

"I see." He couldn't say anything more at the moment as his throat felt tight and his emotions were playing havoc with him.

"If there's nothing more, I'll bid you goodnight," she said as she started to open the door.

"T'Pol, wait." He said and then added please. There was so much he wanted to say – explain about Rebecca, tell her how he really felt, explain that she was right, how she'd been right all along and that he'd try and get better – if she wanted him to see a therapist he would. But most of all he wanted to tell her that he wanted to try…try with her, give their relationship a chance to grow, to blossom into something more than just friendship.

"I understand you being angry with me and hurt, but I'd like to make amends. Tell me how I can do that."

"Jonathan, I think it's more important that you make amends with yourself."

"I'm not talking about me right now." Why was she trying to change the subject? "I'm talking about us." When she didn't respond it finally hit him. She didn't feel that way anymore and she wanted to get away from him. That's why she was going to transfer to Columbia, because the idea of working with him was too distasteful.

"I will always be your friend, Jonathan. But I think it prudent that you concentrate on being fit to captain Enterprise."

"It doesn't feel like you're my friend. Since I've been back at times it's felt like you could barely tolerate being in the same room with me."

"I believe you're exaggerating."

"Okay, but you don't deny it, do you? Maybe it's an exaggeration, but you do find it hard to be around me. That's why you are going to join Columbia."

"I already explained why I was considering that."

"Yes, you said you'd find it uncomfortable to be around me."

"You didn't understand my meaning."

"I think I did."

"No."

"T'Pol—"

"Jonathan, I do not wish to fight. I will bid you goodnight and I thank you for the lift." She got out of the car and started to walk towards the hotel entrance. He watched her with sadness in his heart. He'd gone through terrible heartache once before in his life and he'd vowed that it would never happen again. He was older now, more mature and supposedly more impervious. But he wasn't so sure.

He turned the car engine back on and drove around to the back of the hotel and parked the car. He entered through the back entrance and took the elevator up to her room. He couldn't leave it like this between them.

He rang the bell to her door and waited, his heart pounding in his chest. She opened the door, obviously surprised to see him.

He'd rehearsed a few lines coming up in the elevator but now his mind went blank. All he could think to ask was whether he could come in. She seemed reluctant but invited him in nonetheless.

She closed the door behind him. He glanced around the room – it was spacious for a hotel room. The décor was elegant – Starfleet must be paying a lot to keep the Enterprise crew in such lavish surroundings.

"Did you want something to drink?" she asked.

"No, thanks."

"You wish to continue our discussion, I presume."

Is that what he wanted? No, not really. That conversation hadn't gone to plan and if he tried to resume it now he feared it would go further off-track. She stood with her back ram-rod straight and her arms behind her back. She'd often stood that way in his presence when she'd first come aboard Enterprise. It made him think she was uncomfortable, and fuelled the feelings that she didn't want to be around him. He had to know one way or the other.

"T'Pol," he said, stepping closer to her, taking her shoulders in his arms.

"Yes?"

He gazed deeply into her hazel eyes looking for something – some clue, some spark of emotion to give him hope. But her eyes seemed as emotionless as she was now and he couldn't read her.

"I need you." It was a plea from the heart. He couldn't stand going on like this any longer. He needed to know one way or another if there was a chance with her. With trepidation he stroked her cheek. "I missed you."

Whilst there was no reaction from her she hadn't stepped away. He lowered his head and placed his lips gently on hers. It was a fleeting kiss – their mouths barely made contact before she pulled away.

"This is a bad idea, Jonathan."

"I'm sorry." He felt like a stupid fool. "I apologize for barging in here." Rejected, he turned around and left, with a heavy heart and his hopes crushed.

TBC