A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: LIME

Chapter 4: Love Me

It had been five months since Serph had left Argilla. Since then, Argilla had started to live with Heat. It had been wonderful to say the least. He was everything that she could want in a lover. He was kind, understanding, had a sense of humor and had a high face value. Aside from that, he was successful in his career.

She sighed; how she missed Serph.

She lay there, on their bed, wide awake while the man beside her slept soundly. She began to think of the events that had thus far happened. When she and Heat began to live together, they knew that their relationship had taken the next step.

She felt so happy with him. She was really serious with him. She had already met his parents and they seemed to like her; relieved that their son was with someone on the same field rather than with a woman who only clung to him for money.

She smiled tightly at the compliment, but at the same time, she couldn't really be happy. No. She still thought of him; every damn day. 'Oh Serph…' she thought.

There were many times within the months that he left that she considered visiting him, calling him or looking him up at Capital City. But she decided against it; it was due to pride rearing its ugly head that kept her away from him. She kept telling herself that if he wanted to see her again, he should make the first move. Not the other way around.

But, aside from that, she was happy. She had become a full-fledged doctor at the hospital and her workload helped keep her mind off things. It was just these times, during the night, when everything was deathly still that she would get to think of her best friend.

Was he alright? What was he doing? Did he have a girlfriend now?

She frowned at the last question. Where did that come from? She couldn't care any less if he had a girlfriend.

'Then…why do I feel…?'

She shook her head; he was ancient history. He chose his life and that was all there was to it.

xxxxx

Argilla sat from across Heat that night; still curious as to why he brought her there. What was the occasion? It wasn't his or her birthday. It wasn't Valentines Day. It wasn't their anniversary either! And it sure wasn't Christmas. Then?

He ran his hands through his hair nervously. She quirked an eyebrow, "Heat? What's wrong? You're acting strange tonight…"

He blinked, "Yeah? Well, I ugh…"

She held his hand and smiled, "What is it?"

Heat took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, "Argilla…we've been together for almost a year now. I know that…it isn't a long time…but all I know is that, every day that I spent with you…the more I know that I love you…"

"Heat…"

He put up a hand and signaled for her to let him finish.

He nodded as she remained quiet, "And…what I know now is that…I wouldn't want to walk through this life…without you."

Her breathing quickened as his statements insinuated so many things in her mind.

"Argilla…marry me…" he said, pulling out a box and opening it, letting her see the diamond ring within.

Her heart stopped. Her eyes watered, "Oh God!" She stood up and he did too. She went up to him and embraced him tightly.

"Heat…! Of course I will!" she whispered, a tear dropping from her eye.

She felt him relax in her arms, "Argilla…I love you…"

"I love you too…"

xxxxx

Argilla looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. It was the piece of paper Serph had left behind on her bed. She looked at it hard…and considered numerous of times of contacting him. Of course she always managed to shake off that idea. But now, she was finding it very difficult.

She and Heat were to marry in a two days. This was her last few days of being 'her'. After this, she would no longer be just Argilla…she would be Mrs. Heat O'Brien. This was the beginning of another chapter in her life. It was big step, yes, but she felt that she was ready to take the plunge. But, like she said, she would cease to exist as she was now.

And with that, her priorities in life would change. That meant that her relationship with Serph, whatever it was, would be changed drastically as well. She sat down on the bed in deep thought. She would no longer be able to see Serph as much as she used to when she married. Her place was with her new family.

'Huh…it's not as if he were here anyway…' she thought painfully and bitterly. She hated it but she missed him. A lot.

But even after he left, and even after she felt hurt by him leaving, she knew that it wouldn't be fair if she married without him knowing. She nodded; she picked up the phone and dialed his number.

xxxxx

Serph walked in his room that night. It was a tiring day; but it was worth it. He was enjoying himself and for the first time in months, he had a peace of mind. He sat on his chair, thinking. Granted, that being with Argilla sent him through a whirlwind, but, be that as it may, he missed her. He missed everything about her. He missed her smile, her antics, her childish behavior, her tomboyish tendencies…and most of all, he missed her kisses.

'Stop it. She's not yours…' he mentally scolded himself.

He was distracted though as he heard his phone ring. Who could be calling him at this time at night?

"Hello?" he said.

There was no one; well, at least, there seemed to be no one. All he could hear was shallow breathing.

"Hello?" he said again.

"Serph." a voice replied.

Serph's heart skipped a beat; it was her. He smiled; oh how he missed her voice.

"Serph…hi…"

"Argilla…" he said breathing out her name, "Hi…How are things holding up?"

"Fine Serph; just fine." she replied.

Serph nodded; she didn't call to ask how he was doing. No; she was probably still hurt by his leaving. Then, that would mean that her call wasn't for some invite for a get together; it was to tell him something; something important. Serph's smile vanished; whatever it was, it didn't feel right to him.

"Serph, I called to tell you…that…I uh…"

His heart quickened its pace as he heard her struggle at her words. Was she looking for the most appropriate words to use for him? And if that was so, then why?

"I called to tell you that I'm getting married. Heat and I are getting married in two days." she finished.

Serph said nothing, his eyes dilating. Did he hear her right? Yeah…he did. His heart ached.

"I see…" was all he said.

"Well, that's it. Well, take care of yourself."

"Yeah…you too…"

"Right. Bye." she said curtly. The phone line went dead.

Serph didn't know what to think at that time. He had thought that by putting distance in between them that his feelings would diminish…or that perhaps he could learn to deal with the fact that he would never have her. But, with the way he was feeling right now, he knew he was mistaken.

It hadn't changed anything at all. He still felt hurt by her words. He was still desperately in love with her.

He slumped his shoulders forward and buried his face in his hands, letting a tear escape from his eyes. It had hurt so much. He had no idea that it would hurt this much. It was like there was a great pressure was on his chest that was choking him. It was so heavy that he couldn't breathe; he couldn't think…

'Argilla, I hope you'll finally be happy…' he thought.

He cried soundlessly that night.

xxxxx

Argilla slid to the floor as she put the phone down. She had told him. She should be happy that she was going to spend the rest of her life with Heat…but, for some reason, she just felt miserable. Serph was just a friend, he shouldn't be affected; right? She only loved him as a friend right? Then, why did she feel this way?

She shook her head, "I love Heat…I should be happy." she told herself. "I am happy."

She stood up and went to sit on her chair, looking at herself at the mirror, "Hi…I'm Mrs. O'Brien…" she said, practicing what it was like to say her soon-to-be name. She repeated it over and over until, without warning, she said something else that threw her world into confusion, "Hi…I'm Mrs. Sheffield."

Her eyes widened and her hands flew to her mouth, covering them as though her lips had committed heresy.

What did this mean?

Was she in love with Serph?

"Of course not; I'm just missing him…because…he's always been there for me…and now, he's not here anymore." she justified to herself. She stared at herself at the mirror; she would not make that same mistake again. She couldn't afford to. Heat loved her and she loved him. It wasn't fair.

'For you Heat…I'm letting all of my feelings for Serph go. It's the best thing for me and him.' she thought with conviction.

After making her silent vow, she smiled at herself again and practiced again.

Little did she know that Heat was on the other side of their door and had heard all that she had said. He looked at her sadly. Were they making a mistake?

xxxxx

Heat lay there on their bed wide awake. He turned to his side and saw Argilla fast asleep. She clutched the blanket to her chest tightly. He could only wonder what she was dreaming of right now.

His heart had ached all night…It was the reason why he couldn't sleep. He had heard her; granted it was an accident, a slip of the tongue…but slips of the tongue were windows to one's true feelings and emotions. Words couldn't describe how he felt as he heard Serph's name pass through his lover's lips.

Heat already knew what he must do…but he was afraid. He had just wanted to be with her. That was the main reason why he couldn't sleep. He didn't want the sun to rise. He didn't want the night to fade; he didn't want time to roll by. He just wanted to freeze everything as it was now. Because of what he had heard a few hours before, he had been damned. Because of that, tomorrow and the days after it would only serve to hurt him…and he didn't want that.

He caressed her face and pulled himself closer to her…Was she dreaming of him? Or was she dreaming of Serph?

He smiled as he saw her lips tug up to a small smile. But then, a painful feeling shot through his nerves and heart as she said the name that told him all that he needed to know. "Serph…" she breathed out. He closed his eyes tightly and held her tighter and pressed a kiss on her forehead, "I love you…you know that?" he whispered.

He felt so helpless. He was the one here now with her…but still, her heart ached for his rival. His rival who was somewhere else. Somewhere far away. How did it come to this? How did he not notice it before? How could he not notice that her heart had never been his to begin with?

"Argilla…"

xxxxx

Argilla was worried. The next day, she awoke with renewed vigor, expecting her fiancé to be by her side, only to find that he was gone. She blinked; it was a Sunday, he didn't have to go to work today. She forced herself to get up.

An hour later, she came down for breakfast. She went to retrieve her mug as she brewed her coffee, when her eyes noticed a note that was stuck to the fridge. She looked at it curiously, leaving her mug. She took it in her hands and unfolded the paper. It was from Heat.

'Argilla,

I'm going out for a while. Don't worry, I'll be home later this evening. I love you!

Heat.'

She smiled; he was so thoughtful. But still, she couldn't help but wonder what it was that he had to do. Suddenly, butterflies flew within her stomach; what if he was having second thoughts?

'No…I just know it…He won't leave me…' at that thought, her heart ached again, 'He won't leave me…the way Serph did…'

She let a tear drop down; she blinked. Today was supposed to be happy. She glanced at her watch; it was seven AM. Hm; she had a lot to do today. She had to make final preparations for the wedding. But thank God that they had hired a wedding planner; she made things so much easier.

The only thing that she needed to do today was to simply pamper herself at the spa. Heat had suggested it to her. She laughed out loud of course. She? Go to a spa? Had the Gods gone crazy? She had never really done anything of that sort to pamper herself; she always reasoned that as long as she looked presentable to the general public, she was fine. But Heat had argued that it did feel nice to be pampered every once in a while.

Flashback

"Come on honey, it's good for you." he persuaded, massaging her shoulders.

She leaned in to his touch, but then, pulled his hands away and spun around to face him, "Good for me? It's a waste of time; I could be doing something else!"

"Like what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Like going to the hospital." she said defiantly.

"But Leah has that covered; besides, I want you to feel absolutely great before our wedding." he said, persuading her.

She snorted, "I really don't know what the point is; it's just a frivolity that girly women do anyway."

"You're a girly woman…" he said, teasing her.

She glowered at him, baring her teeth, "What did you say?!"

He sweat-dropped, "Anyway, what I mean is that, baths like that are also important for your skin. It clears your pores of dirt and impurities. Also, it provides a soothing feeling that will relieve you of your stress. I don't want you to be all stressed out just before the wedding anyway."

She snorted again, "I'm a doctor Heat. I can handle stress just fine."

Heat wasn't about to give up though, "Argilla, I know you can handle stress well. I'm just worried about your skin, that's all…" he trailed off cryptically.

Argilla raised her eyebrow, "W-what do you mean? My skin is just fine!" she growled.

Heat turned his back to her, not allowing her to see his smirk, "I don't really know about that…"

She grabbed his arm and turned him around, "W-what is that supposed to mean?!"

He snatched his arm from her playfully, his amusement concealed by his stoic countenance, "Hmm…I don't know…You feel…sort of rough lately…"

She looked at him wide-eyed, shocked, "W-what?"

"Your skin feels…rough…almost…flaky…" he said with feigned seriousness, grasping her arm, inspecting it, "Yeah, here too."

She snatched her arm from him and took a step back, "Y-you're just saying that because you want me to go to this stupid spa!"

He shook his head and put his hands on his hips, "I'm not. I'm just saying that I'm getting the worst end of this deal."

"What do you mean?!" she asked frantically.

"Well, how would you feel if your partner has warts and flaky skin huh? Not very sexy…" he wrinkled his nose in feigned disgust.

Argilla paled, "W-warts? I have warts?!"

Heat chuckled, "It doesn't matter…You know I love you anyway…So it doesn't matter to me whether or not you have warts or whatnot…"

"Ack!" she yelled in disgust, "Uughh…you win." she murmured.

Heat grinned.

End Flashback

She shivered at the thought, "Warts?"

'Hmph! I don't have warts! Or do I? Hmm…I bet Serph wouldn't care if I have warts or not…' she thought.

Her eyes widened as she thought of her best friend, 'Why am I thinking of him again?'

'Because you miss him…'

She sighed in defeat; she really must get a move on. She shouldn't dwell on things in the past. Gulping down the last amount of her coffee, she rushed to her bedroom.

xxxxx

She let the water soothe her body. Heat was right; the Moroccan bath was just what she needed. She let her eyes close as she soaked in the bath. Her thoughts wandered to her fiancé and her best friend.

'Anything to make you happy…' a voice penetrated her head.

Her eyes snapped awake; 'Serph…'

She frowned; so much about relaxing.

xxxxx

She looked at her wedding dress…It was beautiful…An elegant strapless white gown. She turned it around and saw its crisscross back; she grinned; she just liked the corset design. She wanted to try it on but decided against it, knowing full well that it was tradition not to.

She lay down on the bed, still waiting for Heat. He still hadn't called and she was getting worried. He had called only once within the day and assured her that he was fine and that he was coming home that evening.

She looked at the clock; it was 08:30 pm. She thought of the wedding the next day; it made her nervous. She looked at her palms and saw that they were glistened with sweat. Her heart was racing.

She looked at her gown again and she smiled; she couldn't wait to put it on tomorrow and walk down the aisle. She closed her eyes as she began to imagine.

There she was, in her gown, walking down the aisle. She kept her gaze forward; the world was blurred and she couldn't care less who attended her wedding; it was just her, her fiancé and the priest. The smile and the feeling of happiness disappeared and were replaced with the feeling of dread as she gazed at her fiancé's face.

She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at his smiling face.

'You ready?' he asked, happiness glazing his eyes.

'You…' she trailed of.

"Serph…"

She bolted awake; she was dreaming. But the truth was undeniable. It wasn't Heat whom she had seen in her dream. It was Serph; it was him and his smile.

'What the hell am I doing? Why can't I stop thinking of him?' she asked herself, frustrated.

She was getting angry. She was getting angry at herself. She loved Heat didn't she? Then why…?

She forced herself to calm down, 'He probably doesn't care anyway…He's probably seeing someone by now…Besides…he's just my friend. We're not together anyway…'

She lay back down and forced herself to sleep.

xxxxx

She awoke to the feel on soft lips on her cheeks. She opened her eyes groggily, "Heat?"

He chuckled, "Yup."

"Hey…" she yawned, "I missed you."

"Me too…" he murmured, "Come on. Get up sleepy head."

She embraced him, "I don't wanna…"

He chuckled, "Now, now…don't be naughty. Don't let me carry you all the way to the bathroom."

She didn't budge, "I guess you'll just have to take me kicking and screaming then!" she teased.

Her heart leapt as she felt herself flung on his shoulders, as he walked out of the bed and into the bathroom.

She laughed, "Heat! Put me down!" she cried out playfully, hitting him at his back, her legs kicking madly.

He laughed, "No way. You said that I'd have to take you kicking and screaming right? Well, I'm doing just that!"

xxxxx

Serph sat at his table, reviewing his patient's records with tired eyes. Tired was an understatement. He was exhausted. He hadn't been able to sleep in two nights since Argilla had told him that she was getting married.

Something within him died that night.

He sighed; maybe he should have told her the way he felt. This was eating him up from the inside and he realized that he had been better off staying rather than leaving.

'Bonehead…' he said to himself.

He slammed his fists on the table; if only…

'Yeah well…there are a lot of 'if only-s' out there…If only I wasn't her best friend…If only I decided not to become a doctor…If only I didn't love her…If only I haven't been born…'

He snorted inwardly; he was wallowing in self-pity. But this was a position that he brought to himself; no one else.

And now, because of his foolhardy decision, he had to suffer the consequences. He would never see her again.

xxxxx

She looked at herself at the mirror in her bridal chamber. She didn't like what she saw. This was it; when she took the step outside, she will leave her previous life behind. She would belong to Heat and he would belong to her. She felt a knot in her gut. Was this what she really wanted? Was she really happy?

'I am happy…' she convinced herself.

She stared at herself; hard, 'Yes…I am happy…I…'

She sobbed; 'No…I'm not…I miss you…you stupid over achiever! I want you here with me…'

Her tears ran down on her face…She shook her head; this was a mistake. She had to stop it before it was too late. She had to stop herself and Heat from making a mistake.

'I owe him…that much…'

She rushed out of her tent. She blinked, shocked as she came face to face with him. He looked at her sadly. She took a deep breath; this was it.

"Heat…?"

"…" he said nothing, his red eyes piercing into her eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"…" he sighed, "I came to talk to you."

"What about?"

"…I think you already know." he replied.

"What do you mean?"

"…I came here for the exact reason that you were going to leave for my chambers."

"…" This she couldn't deny.

"I heard you." he said suddenly breaking the silence.

"Heard me what?" she asked, confused.

He cupped her face in his trembling hand, "I love you so much…" he said with desperation.

"Heat…"

"I heard you…you know?"

"Heard what baby?" she cooed, "Baby you're scaring me…What's wrong?"

He cast his face down, afraid to look at her as tears were threatening to spill, "I heard you say his name…"

Her heart stopped; what?

"You…you love him…don't you?" he choked.

She didn't reply and he nodded, "Then…Argilla, I'm letting you go."

"Heat…"

"That's why I left yesterday. I wanted to think; I wanted to clear my head. I had been having my suspicions lately…I noticed how you would think of him when you daydreamed. I heard you whisper his name in your sleep…and I heard you when you were practicing the other day…"

"I convinced myself yesterday that even if you loved him then, that, you would eventually forget him and love me wholeheartedly. But…I saw you again today…I saw how you thought of him. Then, I knew that…you love him more…"

Tears slid down her face and he embraced her tightly, "It's alright…"

"Heat…I…I'm sorry…" she sobbed and held him.

He pulled away and wiped her tears from her cheeks, "Go to him…" he whispered.

She looked at him with disbelief and he smiled sadly, tracing her face with his fingers, "He loves you…"

"H-he does…?"

He nodded, "Yeah…he does…I saw it from the moment I met him. That's why he left…"

Her breath got caught up in her throat and she stiffened. He drew his face close to hers and leaned in. He kissed her passionately. She reciprocated knowing what it meant. It was a kiss goodbye.

They broke apart a moment later and Heat spoke, "I'm letting you go."

He smiled tightly, "Go on."

She sobbed and hugged him, "Thank you…" she whispered, taking the engagement ring from her finger. She put in his hand and closed his palm.

"You're welcome…"

She ran from the church, not looking or caring from the confused and shocked looks that the people sent her way. She didn't care. She needed to see Serph. She needed to be with him. She was going to him. She was going to find him.

xxxxx

Serph looked at his watch; it was about time that she was to say her vows. He looked at the body before him. He sighed; he shouldn't really be distracted; he was performing an autopsy.

"It's August 14, Monday. The subject is a Caucasian male; named Gregory Moore. Estimated to be…30 to 40 years of age. Weight at 167 lbs. Estimated Time of death…"

xxxxx

The autopsy was quicker than he thought. The man had suffered from a fatal gunshot to the head that instantly killed him. His assistant had already finished the report and he had already signed it and was heading for his office but stopped as he felt thirsty. He walked over to the vending machine and took a bottle of water.

He then walked back to his office.

'She's probably having the time of her life by now…' he thought.

He passed by the secretary, "Dr. Sheffield. There's a patient who has requested to see you. She says it's urgent."

Serph raised an eyebrow, "Who is it?"

"A new patient doctor; she had just signed the forms."

"Oh." he said disinterestedly. It was work, work and work.

He walked in, "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm…"

He lost his voice as the said patient rose from the chair and looked at him. His heart leapt.

"Argilla…w-what are you doing here?" He looked at her; she was wearing a bulky coat and saw white peeking from the hems beneath. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Serph…I…I couldn't marry Heat." she said finally, letting the bulky coat gape open. His eyes widened; she was wearing her wedding dress beneath. She must've been in a great hurry to find him.

"What are you saying?"

She walked up to him, "Serph…I…I'm in love with you…"

He looked at her, shocked. His silence made Argilla panic, "Y-you don't feel the same…I-I understand…I should go…"

She moved to walk but he grabbed her hand, "No…you're wrong…I do…I do love you…"

She looked deep into his eyes, searching them for the truth. A tear trickled down her cheek and she smiled happily as she found the answer with his silver pools. There, love was staring back at her.

"It's always been you…Serph…I just…"

He took her in his arms, "Forget about it…"

He pulled away and tilted her chin upwards. He looked into her eyes intently before leaning down to fully taste her lips.

She wrapped her arms around him and he pressed himself tighter against her. He parted her lips easily and thus began their duel. She kissed him with urgent fervor and so did he. They pulled back minutes later, gasping for air.

Serph was the first to speak, "I've always loved you…"

"So did I…I just…didn't pay attention…I've loved you forever and I didn't even notice." she laughed lightly.

"And you call me dense…" Serph said, snorting.

"Oh shut up!"

"But what about Heat?" he asked, with a hint of doubt in his voice.

She looked away, ashamed, "He knew…so, he let me go. That's why I'm here Serph…I couldn't stand not being with you anymore…I…came to find you. I just love you…I love your ass polishing ass!"

He chuckled.

"I want to apologize for hurting you…I've been selfish…that I didn't even see you…I want to make it up to you…Ask anything of me…and I'll do it." she said, whispering.

He smiled, wiping her tears away, "There's nothing to forgive…really…though I've only one thing to ask from you…"

"And that is…?"

"Love me." he said.

She lunged herself at him, "I love you…"

"I love you too…"

"Hey…Serph?"

"Yeah?"

"…Back then…when we graduated from high school, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

He said nothing but just smiled.

"You promised me that you would tell me one day…"

He nodded, "Yes I did. Argilla…I left…I left because I loved you so much…I realized what I feel for my best friend…but…I also knew that you would never have me…You'd never love me the way I loved you…It just hurt being with you…and I thought that if I ran, it would be easier for me. I thought that if I didn't see you, I'd forget my feelings for you…I'm sorry…"

She nuzzled her face against his, "Oh Serph…at least you know now that running isn't the answer."

"I suppose so."

"Serph…if we have problems…please tell me…Please trust in me the way I trust in you…Don't run from me…Promise?" she asked, emotion lacing her voice.

He held her tighter, "I promise…I'll never run again…"

After a moment of silence, she looked up at him, "Um, Serph?"

"Hm?"

"Would you care if I have warts?"

He laughed, "You could have warts, blackheads, whiteheads, scabs, or excessive acne; I don't care."

She grinned and kissed him again.

xxxxx

Passion. Longing. Lust. Love.

Their bodies collided with so much force that the bed creaked noisily. She clung to him desperately, crying out in sheer pleasure as he moved fluidly within her. Serph looked into her eyes the whole time as he went mad within her. What he saw made him happy; he saw nothing but love in her eyes.

Her touches, her kisses were all for him now…There was finally passion within her…passion for him and him alone.

He grunted and then collapsed on her as he spilled his seed within her, hot and pulsing. She held him tight against her.

"Serph…"

"Hm…?"

"Love me…" she breathed out.

"Always…"

FIN