A/N: I am sooooo sorry for the 3 year wait on this x.x I could write a novel on all the bullshit that prevented this fic from being finished, but then you'd get really bored and probably make a voodoo doll of me. So, since that's NOT what I'm wanting, I'll give you chapter 5 instead. Also, I'm sure y'all are smart enough to know when Vayne and Jess are talking to each other using his phone (you'll see what I mean), so I won't have to put –He looked at his phone- every time.

February 5, 2010

The more I think, the more I dream. The more I dream, the more I think. It's a vicious cycle, and I'm not sure if I want to pull myself from it. I'd handle anything life threw at me if it meant I could pretend that I could possibly have some happiness with a nice girl, if only for a second longer. I daydream about her, about her smile and her happy eyes, and I wonder if one day I'll ever find out how it feels to smile like that.

I called Dr. Zeppel the other day, trying to get my prescription sent to me so I can have it filled here, but he wants to mail it to me. Doesn't he know that if Flay or Roxas or even Pamela were to find it, that it would be the end of me? I tried to make him understand, but he won't listen. Now, I'll have to keep a closer eye on the mailbox.

On a slightly brighter note, I got a letter from Sulpher. It's pretty much what I expected, meaningless filler with him expressing the slightest bit of concern for me. At least it's something, I guess.

Vayne Aurielius

Thankfully, Flay was reasonable and let Vayne see him at 9:30, just enough time to take his pills and pretend that he wasn't a pessimistic, depressed lunatic with an obsession about the first pretty girl to be kind to him since the accident. He sighed as he stood in front of the oak doors of his cousin's study, it sounded so much worse when he put it that way. Well, it wasn't like it could sound any better, either…

He was so engulfed by his thoughts that he missed the doors opening and the tall red-haired man tower over him. "Vayne, is there something wrong, or are you going to stand in front of my doors all day? I do have business to attend to and matters I have entrusted you with."

"O-Oh…Sorry, Flay…"

"I'll forgive you this time, but next time, I will not be so forgiving. Now, hurry and take this to Jess." The older man quickly thrusted an envelope in Vayne's hand and promptly turned to walk away before Vayne stopped him.

"Hey, wait! Why couldn't you do this yourself?"

"Because I told Jess you would, and I am no liar, so do not make me out to be one." Flay continued to walk back into his office, effectively ending the conversation. He heard Vayne sigh before shuffling off to do his bidding. As he closed his doors, he picked the mail up he was reading before Vayne came to his door.

"Dr. Zeppel, hm…?"

Vayne knocked on Jess's door, swearing to himself that he'd stand out here all day if he had to. He wasn't going back in unannounced; else Anna would beat him with a box of Trix instead. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long before Jess opened the door.

Her face was slightly red and she was panting, probably ran to the door to keep a repeat of last time from happening. Her hair was probably at one time done, but the frantic running loosened its hold. She was wearing a simple powder blue baby doll top and some black tights, which was fine with Vayne. He didn't like girls who wore at least three different tops. It just seemed kind of counterproductive to him. He then moved his observation to her face. The first time he saw her, she was wearing make-up, but this time she was bare, and she was beautiful…

He was jerked away from his staring as a pair of fingers was snapping themselves in front of his face. He could swear his face was hot with shame from being caught looking at her. However, by the cheery smile on her lips, she either didn't mind or didn't notice. She wagged her finger at her, beckoning him inside.

As soon as he stepped inside her house, the realization of an immense problem smacked him in the face. How was he supposed to communicate with her? The same thought seemed to strike her, as she whirled around and looked at him oddly, then at her hands. They stood there facing one another in silence for a while before a thought hit him.

"H-Hey…you have a cell, right?" She nodded, so he continued. "You could text me, that is if you don't get charged for texting…" Her face lighting up pulled a smile from his. He felt like a knight in shining armor with how happy she was looking at him. "Here, gimme your phone and I'll put my number in for you."

She happily handed it over to him, and their fingers brushed against one another. Vayne felt a tingle go up his arm, and his smile widened. If only for just one day, he could pretend he was normal, he could laugh and love and simply…be. He quickly dialed in his number and handed the phone when he remembered what he came here for.

"Oh yea, your paycheck…" He dug it out of his pocket to hand to her, feeling that same tingle as their fingers touched again. She placed the check on the nearest counter space and quickly whipped out her phone. When his phone vibrated, he checked it.

/thnx so much! I really app it! :D/

"It was no problem, I just hope I wasn't interrupting anything." She looked at him oddly, so he elaborated. "You looked like you ran to the door…"

/Oh! Silly boy :P I was playing FONV and ddnt hear the door at 1st/

He laughed, a real laugh. "I've never met a girl into video games before. You play Halo, too?"

/Like ttally! I play with Flay all the time!/

"Yea, I watched Flay play once. He…gets pretty competitive." Another laugh and a smile from her, today was a good day for him. Maybe…maybe Dr. Zeppel was right. One obstacle out of a thousand accomplished, and maybe he only had a few more to do…

Jess grinned at him and his heart skipped a beat. He could spend all day looking at her, and little did he know that he would.

/hey did u ever get a tour of Vegas? I could show you :]/

He didn't even have time to answer before she was throwing on shoes and taking his hand, dragging him out the door.