Darcy glanced at the clock on the hospital wall and inwardly groaned. This was her second night in the hospital with her mother. They installed a feeding tube earlier. It seemed like her mother was giving up.

Right now Diana was awake. Darcy was sitting beside her bed reading out loud. She heard a knock and looked up.

Fergal.

Her mouth went dry. Diana glanced at her daughter, unsure about the man in the doorway.

"May I come in?" He asked. He looked good tonight. Wearing dark jeans, boots and a black sweater. He was holding a bouquet of flowers. His hair was parted neatly unlike last night when he was kissing her. The memory of his lips flashed in her mind.

"Yes." She answered.

Her mother touched her hand, too weak to speak.

"Oh, mum, this is Fergal. Dont you remember Fergal?"

He stepped in the room, "Hello there Mrs. McBride. Its me, Fergal Devitt. Oh, these are for you." He handed her the flowers, and she reached to accept them with her frail hands.

She looked to Darcy, and gave an approving glance.

"And this is for you." He said as he gave her a single red rose.

She hesitantly accepted it from him, their fingers touching briefly.

"I was hoping I could talk to you for a moment?" He asked Darcy.

She looked at her mom. "Alright," she answered, "But only for a second."

She followed him out into the hall. She could feel herself blushing, and she hated her body for betraying her. She leaned against the wall outside her mother's door.

"I'm sorry about last night." Finn said.

"I feel like that's all you've been doing since you got back to Ireland."

"What?"

"Apologizing." She said flatly.

"Would you rather me not?" He quirked an eyebrow at her curiously.

"No... I don't know, Fergal. What are you trying to do here? Are you trying to get back with me? Sleep with me? Break my heart all over again? Prove something? I mean seriously, what?" She looked into his eyes.

"I... I don't know, Darcy. I really don't. I come back here and its like...wow I really loved you. And there's no closure, it was an open wound and being here has me bleeding for you all over again."

He put his hand on his heart. "I made a mistake all those years ago."

Darcy caught her breath. This was everything she wanted when he left. For him to come crawling back...for him to love her again. Her head was spinning. There was too much happening.

She took a step back, "I have to go..."

He grabbed her hand, "It was a mistake. I shouldn't have gone. I should've never left your side."

"But you did. How can I ever forgive you for that?"

"I'm leaving in a week, Darcy. I have to go back. There are people counting on me. If you change your mind..." He dropped her hand from his grasp.

She nodded and disappeared into the room leaving Finn in the hallway with his heart on his sleeve.

He didn't blame her. He didn't even know what he wanted. He had no idea what his plan was...what his intentions were towards her. He hadn't a clue. All he knew was that he was falling for her all over again...just like the first time.

20 years ago...

Darcy McBride was walking home from school on a cold December day. School was out for the Christmas holiday and she was excited. She pulled her puffy blue coat closer around her. It had snowed the night before and was snowing again now.

Her white snow boots were getting a workout today. She heard someone walk up behind her, but didn't think anything of it, lots of kids lived on her street. Her white uniform tights did nothing to keep out the cold.

"Hey lass." She heard as a tall figure appeared beside her.

Owen O'Dell. She inwardly groaned. She couldn't stand him. He was 18 and in his last year of schooling. He fancied Darcy and she knew it. He was also a bit of a bully, and frequently had tried to push his advances on Darcy, who was only 14.

"Hello Owen." She kept her eyes on the ground as she walked.

"Mind if I walk with you?"

Darcy shrugged, of course she minded. They walked on with Owen offering suggestive compliments every so often. She was walking as fast as possible, just wanting to be home.

Suddenly, she tripped and landed on her backside on the icy sidewalk. She looked for something to pull herself up with, but there wasn't anything. So when Owen offered his hand she accepted.

"Thanks." She muttered as he pulled her up.

He didn't let go of her hand, "Come on lass you can do better than that." His slimy finger caressed her cheek while his other hand tightened the grip on her wrist.

"Excuse me?" She said shakily.

He tried to kiss her, but she screamed. "Stop it!" She frantically tried to get away. It was then she saw a figure approaching.

"There a problem?" The boy asked. She recognized him. It was Fergal Devitt. He was a year ahead of her in school.

"Mind your own, Tiny Tim." Owen teased.

Darcy wasn't sure just how tall either boy was, but it was clear Owen was at least a head taller.

"You okay, lass?" He asked Darcy, ignoring Owen's comments.

Darcy looked from Owen to Fergal, and quickly shook her head no.

"Let the girl go." Fergal said.

Owen tightened his grip more, and twisted Darcy's arm to bring her to her knees in pain. She screamed and in an instant she realized she was free.

She scooted across the ice as Fergal sat on top of Owen after tackling him to the ground. He landed punch after punch to the bully's face.

He didn't overdo it, and after a few choice words he scooped Darcy up and walked her home.

They were inseparable ever since. At first her parents didn't approve, but Fergal charmed his way into their hearts. Especially Darcy's father. They were close.

Finn shook his head. He hoped Darcy would come around, but then again he couldn't promise that he wouldn't break her heart again.

He loved the money, the fame, the titles and achievements. But then he came home and his heart ached. His soul longed for more. He had to square with that...he just wasn't sure how.