We stay on lockdown the whole of Thursday. By the time we go to bed Thursday night Jon is just getting comfortable touching me without me prompting him to do it. His laundry is done and his bag is packed ready for him to leave me to go on his house show loop. He gets into bed, watching me as I brush my hair and take my makeup off. "Why did you even put that on?" he asks, puzzled. "I mean, we haven't been anywhere, and everyone knows not to disturb us." I shrug. "Habit, I guess" I say, checking it's all off before looking at him. "Besides, I like my war paint." He smiles. "You don't need it" he says, watching me as I strip out of his shirt and get into bed. He wraps his arms around me instantly and I smile. "I love you Lora Good" he says, kissing my head. "I may be an ass..." "May be?" I ask, laughing. "Ok" he laughs. I am an ass, but I'm an ass who loves you. I guess I should thank you." "Thank me?" I ask. "Yeah" he says. "For not letting me leave. If I had gone, who knows when this would get sorted, or even if it would get sorted. We could have split Lora, and that thought petrifies me." I nod. "Well" I say. "Next time, keep your stupid ideas to yourself." "Point duly noted" he whispers.
We both wake up early, knowing we don't have long together before Jon has to catch a plane. "I wish you were coming too" he whispers. I nod. "Maybe this will do us good?" I say, not even managing to convince myself. He nods slowly. "I guess so" he says. "I mean, we're not always gonna be on the same loop. We might meet up for the tapings but that's it." I nod. "Thank god for days off" I say. He smiles, kissing my head. "I'm gonna go shower" he says. I smile, watching as he walks to the bathroom. I'm gonna miss that view while he's gone.
When he comes out I'm in the lounge. "Coffee is made" I say. He smiles and heads to the kitchen, pouring himself a huge mug before joining me. "I'll drive you to the airport" I say as he sits down. "Ok" he says. For some reason, it's really awkward between us. "Jon" I say suddenly. "Are you pulling away from me? Because it sure feels like it." He looks at me in horror. "I thought you were pulling away from me" he finally admits. "I thought you were taking a step back because we both know R... Well, she is gonna be at the house shows knowing full well you won't be there." I nod. "I hadn't thought of that" I admit. "But I'm not pulling away from you Jon. I wish we didn't have to be apart like this, but we just gotta accept it. That's the way this thing works." He nods, glancing at the clock. "I gotta go doll" he moans. I stand up and look at him, holding out my hands. He takes them and lets me pull him off the sofa. "I love you" I whisper, wrapping my arms around him. "And no amount of time spent with Finn Balor is going to change that." He laughs, hugging me tightly. "You're amazing, you know that?" he says quietly. I smile. "Yep" I say, kissing him.
When we get to the airport I park the car in a drop off bay and pause before getting out. "I hate this part" Jon admits as I finally join him outside the car. I nod, my sunglasses hiding my eyes from him so he doesn't see just how much I hate it too. I'll cry later, alone. He picks his bag up and holds his free hand out to me. I take it and we walk into the airport together. He pulls me with him while he checks in, and I wait with him gladly until his flight is called. "I love you" he whispers, rubbing his nose against mine. I smile, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head on his chest. "I love you too" I whisper back. "Hey Ambrose!" a guy in a group of fans yells. "Need me to look after her while you're gone?" Jon shakes his head. "She can handle herself" he says. "She's tougher than she looks." "Yeah" the fan laughs. "If she has a problem she can always call Balor!" I shake my head as Jon catches his breath. "Don't bite" I warn. He nods slightly, dipping his head and kissing me so softly, and so tenderly, that the fans are gonna wonder if he's had a personality transplant in the few days we've been alone. "I'll see you Monday" he says as the last call for his flight rings out. I shake my head. "Sunday" I say. "I'm flying out to you early. I need you. And you'd better be ready." He nods. "More than ready" he says, winking before heading off to his flight.
I wait until his plane has taken off before leaving the airport. I don't want to go home without him. When I get in the apartment it seems huge, lifeless, without him. I finally start my laundry and lie on the sofa while I wait for it to wash. Jon texts me when he lands, letting me know he's safe and missing me. I smile, replying that I miss him too and can't wait until Sunday. I put the phone on the table, intending to have a little nap, but it doesn't go to plan. When I wake up, it's Saturday.