Disclaimer: I own nothing but part of the plot and a few characters of my own creation.
Author's Note: Hello again. Thanks to all who have reviewed and keep it up! So enjoy this next chapter of Not the Last! I love my beta because she is so awesome and wonderful. Her penname is Belba Sandylows. By the way, if any of you are wondering, this is not a Remus/Bennett slash. That's just...not how it's supposed to go.
Not the Last
Chapter 9-Good-Byes
There's nothing else I can do. This is the only way. It will be worth it in the end.
Is it even possible? This is huge. A life sentence in Azkaban, or worse...
These thoughts were all tossing and turning through Bennett's mind as he waited for Remus to return. Eventually, his friend walked through the door, weighed down with parcels.
"Oh, hello," Remus said when he saw Bennett sitting on couch in almost complete darkness.
"How'd your errands go?" Bennett said, trying to make small talk.
"They went fine. So what'd you do today?" Remus replied.
"I made a really important decision while you were gone," Bennett answered. He really didn't like what he would have to tell Remus next.
"And what would that be?" Remus asked as he sat down in an armchair across from Bennett.
"I am going to leave tomorrow. I'm going back to my previous residence," Bennett blurted out quickly.
"I have just one question: why?" Remus said in astonishment.
"It's just something I have to do, Remus. Please understand," was all Bennett offered as an explanation.
"This isn't about my reaction to your theory on Peter, is it?"
"No, it isn't. I don't care what you think. I just think it's time for me to go home," Bennett said, wishing he wasn't doing all of this.
"Well, if you feel that strongly, go ahead. When do you leave?" Remus asked. His tired eyes drooped in sadness.
"Tomorrow afternoon, or so. I still have to get some things in order."
"Good. I just wanted to make sure I would be able to say good-bye," Remus said as he got up to go to bed.
"Night, Remus."
Remus sighed as he climbed the stairs. When he reached the landing, he looked down at Bennett.
Bennett stared back and he distinctly thought he saw Remus's eyes glaze over with tears. It hurt him a lot to just leave Remus out in the cold like this after he had been so accepting of his denial of James and Lily being betrayed by Sirius. Remus had hardly any family around and Bennett felt like he was betraying him as a friend by leaving.
Before Remus walked into his room he said sadly, "Good evening, Bennett."
"Ok. Could you explain that middle part once more, please?"
Holly stared at her friend in exasperation.
"Bella, I have told you exactly how it happened five times! It's not going to change."
"Fine. Pardon me for trying to help," Isabella said sarcastically.
"What makes you think I need help? I am a big girl. I am nearly 28 years-old and have been dating since I was sixteen," Holly said, coming to her own defense.
"Just leave her alone, you two," Whitney said, sensing Holly's regret of opening up this subject.
"You may have been dating for a long time, but things have never really gone right with your relationships," Lorelei said, being her bold self and pretending that she didn't hear what Whitney had said…She was one of Holly's most trusted friends but at the moment Holly thought she was just being a nosy prat.
"If I admit that I like him, will you all stop analyzing the situation?" Holly asked. She really didn't feel like talking about this, but she had accidentally slipped up. She would say or promise anything that would put this to an end.
"Maybe he just got caught up in the moment and it really didn't mean anything to him," Isabella suggested.
"Thanks. That makes me feel a whole lot better," Holly said as her mood reached an all-time low.
"Sorry," Bella said quietly.
"Will you just tell us the truth: do you like him or not?" Lorelei asked.
All night she had been reliving everything in her head and yet, she hadn't even bothered to ask herself this question. Lorelei recognized this silence.
"Let me guess. You haven't even thought about that, have you?" she said.
"Yeah. I guess I have been neglecting the subject, haven't I?" Holly replied, not exactly liking the fact that her friends knew her this well.
"We'll back you no matter what you decide to do," Whitney reassured her.
Isabella and Lorelei looked at each other and decided that it was a lost cause.
"I guess we'll support whatever you do," Whitney agreed grudgingly.
"Yeah, whatever," Lorelei agreed.
"Thanks for all your advice, but I think I have it covered, ok?"
"Ok," they said quietly in unison.
For a few moments they sat in silent thought, all trying to think of something of a lighter nature to talk about. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the doorbell rang. This caused them all to jump.
Holly immediately stood up to look through the peep hole to see none other than Bennett standing on her doorstep.
"He's outside," she gasped in astonishment.
As if receiving a sudden electric shock, Whitney, Isabella, and Lorelei shot up from where they had been sitting on the floor and began to hurriedly tidy up Holly's living room. Once everything was in place, Holly opened the door.
"Uh, hi," Bennett said shyly.
The four girls secretly exchanged approving smiles.
"Bennett, I would like you to meet my friends, Whitney, Lorelei, and Isabella," Holly politely introduced her friends.
"Nice to meet you," Bennett said, smiling.
The small group stood in silence for a moment before Bella piped up.
"Um...how about we get out of your way so you two can talk? We were about finished anyway."
"Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt anything," Bennett said apologetically.
"No, it's fine," Isabella insisted as she and the others quickly filed out the door.
"See you later, Holly. And nice to meet you, Bennett," they called as they headed down the walk.
"Would you like to come in?" Holly offered.
"Sure, that would be great," Bennett replied as he walked into the living room.
Holly gestured for him to have a seat.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Both were completely nervous and at a loss for words. At last, Bennett found his voice.
"Your friends seem quite nice."
"Yeah, they're the greatest," Holly agreed.
"Holly, I'm came here to tell you something," Bennett started.
Holly looked back at him expectantly.
"I'm…I'm leaving town today. I'm going back to my own home. I think I've exceeded my welcome here."
Holly just sat there, stunned into silence. It took her a few moments to regain her composure.
"So that's it? You're leaving? After everything that happened yesterday?" Holly said, not believing that he could possibly be doing this.
"You don't understand the situation, Holly," Bennett said in explanation.
"Oh, I understand. I understand quite well. You didn't mean to kiss me yesterday. It meant nothing to you and you didn't want me getting any ideas that you may like me so you're leaving town," Holly said defensively.
"No, Holly that's not it, please believe me," Bennett pleaded.
"You really think I'm going to believe that? Bennett, there is no other possible reason you could be leaving! I know Remus well enough that he wouldn't kick you out and I also know you don't have a job, so that can't be the reason. What other reason is there!" Holly shouted.
Complete and utter silence followed. Bennett eventually spoke, trying to stay calm and collected.
"Holly, there is more to the story. I'm sorry I can't tell you now. I hope to in the future but just not now."
Hot tears of anger and disappointment ran down Holly's cheeks. Bennett slowly got up and gently sat down beside her. He reached one hand up to her cheek and carefully began to wipe her tears away. To his dismay, more tears followed.
Bennett cupped her chin in his and hands made it so that she looked right into his eyes. He spoke softly and his words were filled with meaning.
"Don't ever think, even for a second, that I kissed you for no reason at all. I meant everything I did. Also believe that if there was another way to do what I have to do, I would choose the other way in a heartbeat if it meant I could stay with you."
Figuring he had nothing left to loose, Bennett kissed Holly with deep passion and longing. He wished with all his heart he could stay here forever, holding her in his arms and keeping her happy. But for now, he had to leave.
Carefully, he broke their connection and looked at Holly for one last time. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and whispered, "Good-bye."