8:00 that evening found Ian pacing his hotel room like a caged animal. He was restless with his need to get to Charlie. Don had left the office at 6 sharp with the promise that he wouldn't be too long. It felt like forever.

He was going stir crazy with anticipation. In the 2 hours since he had gotten to his hotel he had eaten a light dinner, exercised, showered and tried reading. It didn't work. All he could think about was Charlie. How he had hurt him and how he longed to make it right.

He sat on the bed again and placed his head in his hands. He thought back on the last few weeks. How him and Charlie had gotten closer again. He truly believed that Charlie would give him another chance. But he couldn't help but wonder...could he go back to being just friends? If Charlie wanted that then he could. He would. But not without him knowing how he felt first.

Ian had, in the last few weeks, come to terms with the fact that he was in love with Charlie. And he also knew it wasn't a recent development. He had been in love with him before that night he threw everything away. He just didn't open his eyes to that possibility.

His eyes are wide open now.

They were open to a future with the gorgeous mathematician. Waking up every morning to his face next to his. Sharing dinner together with Don and Alan. Growing old together. Hell, maybe even adopting a couple of kids!

He could see all of it. A life with him. But first he needs the chance to make it right.

Giving up on waiting patiently he grabbed his phone and keys. He would go to Charlie's. Even if he had to wait outside if Don wasn't finished. He just had to be closer. Walking to the door he threw it open...and came face to face with Charlie, hand raised to knock.

Biting back his surprise he stepped back. "Hey Charlie, come in." Charlie hesitated, as if unsure, before stepping in. "Are you going somewhere?" He asked, hoping his voice didn't hitch. "If so I can go. I don't want to keep you." He hovered by the door.

Ian took his hand and led him to the little table by the window. "Actually, I was, uh, on my way to your house."

Charlie looked surprised, which surprised Ian, then it hit him. The last time Charlie had come to his hotel he was met with a shock he was not expecting. Ian hated that he was still effected by his bad judgement.

He sat them both down, and wondered where to start. Charlie took it out of his hands. "I stayed in my car almost an hour before I came up. I didn't.." He swallowed, " I didn't know what to expect." He finished softly but kept his eye contacted with Ian.

Once again Ian felt like shit, and he had no one to blame but himself. "Charlie, I don't think I could ever tell you enough how sorry Iam for hurting you like that. I could tell you excuses but it boils down to me being stupid. Not knowing what I had." He looked down at Charlie's hand and laid his over it gently.

Charlie didn't know what to say, what was Ian saying. He could feel the warmth of ian's han and almost could help turning his hand over and entwining their fingers. "And what did you have Ian?" He had to be sure where Ian was when it came to them. He couldn't hurt again.

Ian smile at Charlie. "Someone I love. Someone I see myself spending my life with."

Charlie was in shock. Ian loves him? His brain tries to compute that but it just...can't. How could he love him. The relationship they has was just sex. Ian said so himself. How could he...

He jumps up from the table and starts walking back and forth, trying to calm his suddenly fast beating heart. "How can you say you love me Ian! How can you go from it was just sex to spend your life with me! Do you just expect me to fall to my knees and say its all OK? That I can just forget how you hurt me? How you didn't even give me a choice in seeing you all the time? You didn't care how I might feel about that! You only cared about getting what you wanted!" Charlie's voice was getting louder but he didn't seem to notice.

Ian sat, letting every word Charlie said cut through him. He needed to get this out. Needed to let Ian know everything he was feeling. His words hurt, bad, but what Charlie said was true. He didn't think about Charlie, not in the way he would feel about everything. Just in Charlie giving him another chance. It was time to rectify that.

He waited till he was sure Charlie was finished. Charlie was breathing heavily, hand on his side. Ian stood and walked to the other man slowly. He took Charlie's hand and led him to the bed. He sat Charlie down gently before kneeling in front of him.

Charlie calmed his breathing before bringing his eyes to met ian's. "You didn't care." His voice was almost a whisper, and it broke ian's heart to know he had hurt Charlie again.

Ian brought his hand up to cup Charlie's cheek, rubbing it with his thumb. "I did care Charlie, I do care" Charlie looked like he was going to interrupt so he plowed on. "But I went about all of this the wrong way. My way, which only made matters worse. So, in the interest of starting over, tell me what you want Charlie. Anything you want from me I'll do it." He knew he sounded vulnerable but he didn't care. He would be vulnerable for this man.

Charlie stared hard into ian's eyes, bringing his thoughts into focus. "I want to believe that you love me, more than anything. I want to trust you to only be with me. I want everything you told me, the lives together, growing old together, everything but..."

Ian gripped his chin and brought his gaze back to his. "But what?"

Charlie wanted to look anywhere else but Ian but he still had his chin in his hand. He took a deep breath. "I'm scared." He confessed. "I'm scared that I will give us a chance and somewhere down the road you'll get bored with our life and leave me to go back on the road. I'm scared that you'll regret us. Regret me"

Ian wiped a tear from his eye, not even bothering to hide it from Charlie. He brought his hands to the sides of Charlie's head, holding him gently. He moved slowly, giving Charlie time to back away if he chose. When hedp didn't, he brought their lips together for a soft but swift kiss. Ian wanted more, wanted to get familiar with Charlie's taste again but he knew better now. He would take things slow. Do right by Charlie fromall angles this time.

His thumb caressed Charlie's lower lip as he spoke. "The only thing I regret, Charlie Eppes, is not knowing how much I had and loosing all that I love because I was a dumb jackass."

Charlie smiled slightly. "So what now?" He asked. He knew what he wanted, but he needed ian to make the first move.

Ian stood up and took Charlie's hand in his, bringing him up with him. "Now, I have a question to ask you."

Charlie arch's an eyebrow in confusion.

Ian brought Charlie's right hand up and kiss his knuckles, all the while looking at him. " will you do me the honor of going on a date with me?"

Charlie almost blurted out that Ian doesn't date but stopped himself in time. They were starting over. Starting new. "Yes, I would love too."

Ian smiles and it feels like his face will split but he didn't care. Charlie said yes!

He kissed Charlie's hand again. "Thank you Charlie. Thank you so much!" He couldn't believe it. He was getting a second chance. And he would make damb sure not to blow it this time.

Charlie leaned forward a bit and kissed ian's cheek, catching a wiff of the other man's cologne. "Thank you for not giving up."

Ian's smile became softer. "Never."

Charlie walked to the door, knowing it was time for him to leave. "Let me know about our date. Ian nodded his head while opening the door for Charlie. "I'll call you tomorrow"

Charlie smiled. "Good night Ian"

Ian caressed Charlie's cheek once more, he couldn't help himself. "Good night Charlie"

He watched Charlie walk down the hall and around the corner. Shutting the door he locked it and started to get ready for bed.

Once under the covers his thoughts turned to the next day and what it would bring. He fell asleep with those thoughts streaming steady, the smile never leaving his face.