"No Longer Neighbors"

Chapter 7

Thank you Rainbow for all your help as my Beta!

JE, you already know what characters you own. Do I really have to repeat this?

A/N: Character's thoughts in Italic.

Previously...

"Now, you don't have to worry about your schedule, and think about how much more time we will have together." He told me with a grin.

I just smiled, but inside Steph and Woody's words raced through my mind.

…...

Ashley had been dreading this visit. She was seriously going to claim she wasn't feeling well and wanted to go home this time. It would be the truth, too. She hadn't been here since their first Thanksgiving. The beginning of the end, she remembered. She tried to pep talk herself about this visit for Tank's sake.

Smile.

You are here for him.

This means a lot to him.

You owe him a few good holidays.

Smile damn it!

She went to squeeze his hand as they walked up the steps to his mother's house, when she realized he was not holding her hand.

He's always holding my hand, or has his arm around me.

Um... maybe he feels the awkwardness, too.

She was staring down at his hand, when his mother opened the door.

"Happy Easter!" She wrapped her arms around Tank as much as possible. "Oh Pierre! I have missed you!" She looked him over and kissed both his cheeks.

"Hi Mom. I missed you, too."

"Ashley, it nice to see you." Charlotte gestured them both in.

That's it?

No bone crushing hugs?

No dragging me inside?

Great. This is weird for everyone.

Tank went over and said his hellos to his family, while Ashley stood in the living room smiling. Tank's sister in law, Kate walked up to her.

"Wow. I didn't expect to see you here."

Ashley was taken aback and didn't know how to reply.

"I didn't realize you two were still together." Kate smiled.

Ashley smiled back for lack of anything else to do besides strangling her.

Kate walked off and up to some woman that was sitting on the couch. Ashley had never seen her before. Kate looped her arm through the stranger's and paraded her up to Tank.

"Tank, I want you to meet Heather. Heather, this is Tank. I told you he was gorgeous, didn't I?"

It was obvious from Heather's bulging eyes that she felt the same. She grabbed his hand, and instead of shaking it, she just held it.

I might have to kill her and Kate today.

Might not be such a bad trip after all.

Ashley looked over Heather and cringed. Heather was everything she was not. She was perfect.

She was tall and she looked like the perfect height next to Tank. She had long dark hair and beautiful tan skin. Ashley had to admit that Heather had gorgeous eyes. They were big and dark with long lashes.

Ashley sighed. She noticed Tank still hadn't moved his hand out of her grasp. He hadn't said anything yet, either. He just looked at her while she flirted away. Ashley couldn't believe this was happening. Here she stood in his mother's living room, ignored by all, while her boyfriend was being set up in front of her. Kate came over and stood next to Ashley. She smiled and nodded to Heather and Tank.

"They make a cute couple, don't you think?"

Exactly what did I do to piss this family off ?

Unless...Tank told them I broke his heart.

Yep, that would make them hate me.

Great.

"I'm need to run outside to..." Ashley walked out the door.

To run for my life...

What the hell is going on?

She sat on the front steps, alone, thinking.

This is it then.

It's finally over.

There were no tears this time, just realization. She nodded to herself and gathered up her courage. She was going to march in there, pull Tank away or off of that woman, and tell him it was over. Then, get the hell out of here, even if she had to run for it. She walked up the stairs and reached for the door, when the door opened and Tank walked right into her. She fell backwards from the impact with the mountain of a man, and down the stairs. She landed on the sidewalk and heard a sickly crunch.

"What the hell, Ashley?" Tank barked at her.

Ashley wiped the tears that were quickly running down her face. She looked at her right leg that was lying in a weird angle.

"You need to watch where you're going. What the hell are you doing out here anyway!"

She blinked and looked at him in astonishment.

Who is this man?

Where is my overprotective and loving Tank?

Instead of hurt or sadness at his comments, she answered with anger. "Did you seriously just yell at me after you bumped me down the stairs? Oh, and broke my leg!"

"Don't exaggerate. I am sure your leg is fine. I didn't bump you down the stairs. Kate just told me you were out here."

"Just? Just told you? You mean, you just noticed I wasn't there?" She yelled at him. "I have been out here for half and hour! You didn't notice I was gone because you were too busy getting acquainted with your date!"

"Ashley, you are being ridiculous. Please keep your voice down."

"You did not just say that! The man who roars...roars at my friends and beats them up before he even knows what is going on. Oh, I think I have more than a right to yell about this!"

Tank walked down the stairs and reached out his hand to help her up.

She just stared at his hand, but she really wanted to slap it. Slap him.

"My leg is broken." She said through gritted teeth. "Call 911."

"Really, Ashley. 911? Let me help you up. There is no reason for all this drama. You probably skinned your knee or something."

"Skinned my... I can see bones sticking out of my lower leg. I have a compound fracture. Call 911!"

Tank leaned over and looked. "Look at that. You sure do. Wow, from that little fall." He reached down and scooped her up in his arms.

She cried out in pain. "It needs to be splinted. You can't move me like this."

"I got you." He juggled her a little while he opened the back seat door of the truck, then carefully slid her in. He grabbed a light jacket he had in the backseat, and positioned it gently between her lower legs as to help the injured leg from moving too much. "No need for an ambulance. I can get you there quicker." He buckled her in, and drove her to the hospital.

…...

Ashley lay on the hospital bed waiting to be taken back for surgery. Tank was sitting at her side quietly. He had taken care of her and made sure she was as comfortable as she could be.

It was awkward and you could feel the tension between them. Tank stared off looking nowhere with his hands in his lap. Ashley noticed. She lowered her head.

It's time.

"You don't have to stay." She whispered.

"What? Of course I am staying. What the hell, Ashley?"

I don't think I have ever heard him say my name so much in one day. No, not ever.

I don't think he has called me Angel all day.

She thought.

She reached out to him, offering her hand. He took it in his.

"I..I didn't mean to run into you. I would never hurt you. You know that, right?" He pleaded.

"Of course, Tank." She sighed. "That's not why I said you could go if you wanted." She paused. "You could go back to your Mom's and salvage what's left of this holiday." She smiled weakly.

"I'm not leaving you. "He said flatly.

She squeezed his hand. She looked at their fingers laced together. She thought how that simple sight used to bring her such happiness. She took a deep breath, and said what needed to be said.

"It's time."

He didn't answer.. He just looked at her and studied her face.

She gave him a moment, then continued. "It's over, Tank."

When the words left her mouth, she knew in her heart it was true. She knew if he would be honest with himself, he would see it too.

"I think we both knew it was headed this way. We clung on." She gave a small laugh. "It's what we do. We cling to each other."

He just watched her, but she could see the thoughts racing across his face. He was fighting it. Arguing with himself.

She brought their hands to her mouth and kissed his. "We're like fire. Our love was bright and out of control." She gave another little laugh. "But what a hell of a ride!" She kissed his hand again.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Ashley rubbed their joined hands along her cheek and occasionally kissed his.

Tank finally looked up and she saw tears forming in his eyes.

"So, that's it? We're over?" Tank's voice had a mixture of sadness and realization.

She held his hand tightly in hers. "I love you, Tank. I am sure I always will. I will always be here for you, as a dear good friend." She leaned in and kissed him softly on his cheek.

…...

Thank you for reading!

Melanie

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