(A/N Sorry I haven't updated in a little while, it was the holidays and I was super-busy! Anyway, I think I'm gonna start like a schedule so I don't fall behind, like I could start updating every Sunday or something...I'm not sure yet. I guess I'll just play it by ear for now. Again, thanks for all the reviews! it's good to know what people think of my story! I know I left it on a cliff hanger last time, so finally here's chapter five. R&R!)

Chapter Five

Martin finally broke the silence. "So do you want to catch a movie?" He asked her, looking her way. "We could go check what's playing at the Cineplex." He suggested.

Ruthie looked back at him for a moment and smiled before returning her focus to the leaf-covered ground. She stopped walking and faced him. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off. This time, Martin wasn't the one that was interrupting her.

"Ruthie?!" Yelled a familiar voice. Both Martin and Ruthie turned to the source of the noise. Ruthie stopped in her tracks. When she saw him, she froze. Ruthie couldn't move. All she could think was, no. Please, no. Over and over again. She shut her eyes tight. She knew who was yelling her name across the promenade. She knew that guy…the one guy she never wanted to see again.

It was the one guy that held her deepest secret. The one she so desperately tried to keep to herself, and only herself. It was the secret that changed her life...the secret, that could break her. Whether she wanted it to, or not.

Ruthie inhaled sharply. Again, she shut her eyes, trying and failing to get the image out of her head. What is he doing here? Why now? She was confused. She wasn't expecting this. She wasn't expecting to ever see him again. She didn't want to ever see him again.

In Scotland she had been confused. She had been hurt and angry. She was a mess; a complete and total disaster. She wanted to forget the outcome of her vulnerable state. She hated that she had been so careless and slipped. She was upset at herself and at the fact that she had absolutely no control over her emotions.

That night...was the night that had changed everything for her. She wasn't little innocent Ruthie Camden, the preacher's daughter anymore. She wasn't who she used to be. And it was all because of that night. That night that only two people knew about. It was that secret that she hated having, but hated even more the thought of it not being so secret.

Ruthie opened her eyes slowly to find him still walking across the promenade toward her and Martin. He walked tall and confidently as if proud to have something over her. He had acknowledged her obvious discomfort at his being there from the moment she saw him. This, only made him enjoy the secret that he held all the more. He was sure she would do anything to take back what had been done, or at least to ensure that it would never be heard by another soul. He thought about this as he approached them and a slight smirk was hidden in his facial expression.

Ruthie exhaled heavily as if finally giving up on something that required huge amounts of energy, and whispered to herself, "T-bone."

As T-bone stood only a few feet from the two, he greeted them. "Ruthie," He paused looking at her nervous face. He turned to see Martin's expression. He was clearly confused as to what was going on. "Martin."

They stood there in the middle of the promenade in silence before Ruthie bravely poke up. "Martin," She said lightly touching his arm, "I need to talk to T-bone for a minute. It'll be quick, I promise." She added. Something about her face seemed to say that she really needed to do this...but there was also a fear in her eyes.

Martin sensed that he should let them talk. Give them a minute, maybe two before he stepped back in. "yea, sure. take all the time you need." He said, sincerely, looking into her eyes.

She thankfully squeezed his arm before letting go. Martin walked over to one of the shops, pretending to browse. T-bone rolled his eyes.

He andnRuthie watched as Martin walked away. He returned his gaze to Ruthie. "So you and Martin, huh? Now that's rich."

Ruthie sighed and looked up at her ex. "T-bone, what do you want?"

He hesitated, He could tell she didn't want to talk about it. He immediately caught on. "Wait, so he doesn't know?" He feigned shock. "I mean, Ruthie Camden-keep a secret from her beloved Martin Brewer? Ruthie, I'm shocked!" His tone was full of sarcasm as he pretended to be astonished at this.

Ruthie glanced at Martin and he stared back at her. She turned her focus back to T-bone. "If you have to know, I just ran into him last night. Not that it's any of your business." She muttered the last part under her breath as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Ah...so you were planning on telling him?" He asked, eyebrows raised.

Sighing again, Ruthie shifted her arms and wrapped them more tightly around herself. She flickered her gaze to Martin and then looked at the leaf-covered ground.

"No?" Ruthie remained silent. T-bone smirked. He started to take a step towards Martin before Ruthie reached out and grabbed his arm. He faced her again.

"Look, what happened...was a mistake. You took advantage of me when you knew I was hurting. Please. Please don't ruin this for me. Please." T-bone looked at her begging eyes. He looked at Martin who looked like he was going to head over and interrupt any second.

He laughed quietly to himself and shook his head. He walked in the opposite direction causing Martin to go over and put his arms around a crying Ruthie.

"Ruthie, what's wrong? what did he do to you?" Martin asked, cupping her face. Ruthie sniffled.

"Nothing...can we just, uh,get out of here?" she asked hopefully.

He studied her face for a second before saying, "sure. C'mon, lets get you out of here." They walked towards the parking lot and Martin grabbed her hand. Ruthie looked up at him and he looked back. He gave her a reassuring grin as he held her hand. She smiled back at him sweetly. Martin wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple gently. She looked up into his deep green eyes with an idiotic grin plastered to her face. His own face mirrored the same expression. She reached up on her tippy-toes and kissed him gently. When she pulled away he still had that goofy smile she loved.

At that moment Ruthie came to a realization. She forgot all about her encounter with T-bone that occurred just a few moments earlier in the promenade, and about her harmful secret. She forgot everything besides the fact that this had been her dream since she was sixteen; to be held in Martin's arms, to be kissed by him and to be this close to him, without being treated like a little girl. There was nothing sisterly about it, she mused. I'm in love with Martin Brewer. she thought.