The months drifted by….
The spring ended, as did summer…until winter soon began to rear it's icy head once again.
The night's grew darker and the people of the city were enjoying the festive feeling in the air. The perfect end to a great year.
But unfortunately the same couldn't be said for everyone.
The past few months had been tough on Missy
She was alone and exhausted. Both mentally and physically.
Her cheeks were hollowed and dark circles seemed to linger under her eyes….
She had had no contact with her friend or family for months…only David.
But he loved her and she was grateful. He was the only one who did and ever could, she had now come to realise that.
To her, Wade Wilson was just a distant memory… someone who belonged to her past...
Seeing him, would only hurt David and that was the last thing she wanted to do.
It was just a couple of weeks until Christmas and just the thought of the holiday filled Missy with dread.
This would be the first year she would spend without her Mom…and that thought alone, constantly made Missy feel like crying.
Her mother had tried to call the landline several times, with David managing to pick up the phone before Missy had a chance to. He had then passed the phone over to her and proceeded to stand close by, listening into her conversation. She had kept her words short and flat, and hurriedly made her excuses to get off the line, despite it paining her to do so.
She knew Christmas without her family was really going to hurt.
Food over the holidays would also be a major issue for her. Usually the festive snacks would come thick and fast in her house…egg nog…cookies …chocolate…
But nowadays David always watched what she ate, and she felt his eyes on her if she made for seconds or dessert. It was for her own good, she knew that…but her body seemed to paying for it, with each day that passed.
She was constantly exhausted and had little or no energy to do anything.
She would go to the gym or out for a run first thing in the morning, and would stick to salads and small portions wherever she could.
David said that this was all good for her….and he was right, of course he was.
It was a cold crisp evening and David had already told her he would be working late at the office and probably wouldn't make it home.
Missy didn't for second believe he was cheating on her. He couldn't be. He loved her and she trusted him…always.
She needed to. He was the only person she had now.
She had spent the last two hours working overtime. She had been late to work twice this week after spending some extra time in the gym and had so much work she needed to catch up on. Her bosses were already on her case and Missy knew that if she didn't clean up her act she would be fired any day now. But she was struggling to concentrate on anything. She constantly had a horrible twisted knot sitting in her stomach that she just couldn't not seem to shake…and it was killing her.
Missy walked down the dark street, bag clutched beneath her arm and long coat wrapped around her.
All around her Christmas lights were shining from store windows, and festive music floated through the air.
She felt light-headed and weak, as she had done all day, if truth be told, having only eaten an apple since yesterday lunchtime.
Her mouth watered as she walked past a vendor on the side of the street selling hot dogs. Though she knew she couldn't indulge like that. David would be so so angry if he ever found out…
But Missy had only gone a few paces further down the sidewalk when dizziness suddenly took over.
She stopped suddenly, stepping off to the side and clutching onto the brick wall of a building beside her, white spots flashing across her vision.
This was probably due to lack of food, she knew that. This wasn't the first time this had happened.
Everything around her felt a million miles away and she felt herself slowly slipping out of consciousness…
But before she could register what was happening, she felt a sudden hand grip her waist and a voice far off in the distance calling her name…
She wobbled uneasily on her high-heels but the hand kept her upright…steady…as her eyes moved in and out of focus…
"Missy…"
She voice was familiar…warm…
"Missy…"
She gazed up, blinking twice as she saw him...
Wade had had a rough few months.
He had worked himself ragged on job after job…Hurting people and often being hurt equally as much…
But he didn't care. To him nothing mattered anymore.
He was a mercenary. Not made to feel or care about anyone.
That was until he saw her again…for the first time in almost twelve months.
"Missy…" he uttered, his voice full of concern as he stared down at her.
He had recognised her instantly, she had been walking quickly, as if in a daze, in a black trench-coat and high heels.
He had seen her stumble, unsteady on her feet, looking like she was about collapse at any moment.
But it wasn't until he turned to face her fully, that he truly saw what concerned him so much.
Her face looked grey and sallow, as if all the life had been sucked out of her. That rosy tinge to her cheeks was gone, leaving only tired eyes and an absent expression.
"Hey…" he said as her eyes slowly began to focus on him.
Wade lifted a hand to her cheek.
"Fuck me I thought that you were going to pass out," he said giving a smile as her gaze locked onto his. "I'm a fucking mercenary. CPR is not on my resume."
Missy took in a difficult breath, blinking a couple of times.
"Wade?" she said, her eyes roving across his features as she placed a hand to his arm. It was as though she didn't believe he was really there.
The merc merely stared down at her, his face brightening.
He had thought he would be angry with her, but staring down at her, his heart pounding inside his chest, he knew that that could never be the case.
"Yeah, long time no see…" he said, dropping his hand from her cheek, his other still lingering at her thin waist.
He wanted to ask her why she had ignored his calls, but knew that he didn't want to blow it. The last thing he wanted to do, after months of no contact, was to lose her again.
"Wade, I-" she began, her eyes wide and almost scared looking. But she faltered.
"I-I'm freezing," she murmured, her eyes dropping to the floor. "Can we walk?"
Wade gave a nod, so desperately wanting to take her hand in his, but he refrained, instead walking at her side.
He couldn't help but gaze over to her. She looked tired and worn… and not like Missy he had once known.
"So…" he said after a long moment as they turned a corner and headed down a small side street. "You been ok?"
Missy gave a nod, but Wade could see through her.
Even after all this time, he knew her too well.
"Yeah I've been good," she said quietly. "I…um…I joined a gym…"
She trailed off, giving an inward sigh that Wade just about caught.
"A gym? Ugh, I count think of anything worse that people grunting and sweating in my face," he said making a face. "I get enough of that on the subway."
Missy gazed up at him for a long moment…her face breaking into a soft smile.
"It's not that bad…" she said as they crossed the street, looking both ways. "I did get a free water bottle for signing up."
"Wow, so worth it…" said Wade shaking his head, grinning down at her.
Missy pursed her lips together, smirking, as they both came to stop by an enormous outdoor ice rink filled with people.
The pair of them leant over the barrier, watching the numerous families and couples skidding around and around on the ice.
Wade gazed once again at Missy's face.
"Want to get something to eat?" he offered, gesturing over to a small outdoor booth selling street food and hot drinks.
But Missy gave an uneasy gulp, avoiding his eye. "I…errr….I just ate…." she said quietly, staring out over the rink.
The Missy that Wade knew would have never passed on the opportunity for food. He had known times where they would fill their faces with tons of junk food and still have room for chimichangas afterwards.
"Ok, well then give me two seconds," he said giving her a smile.
A couple of minutes later Wade returned with two large steaming cups.
"I got you a hot chocolate," he said handing her the warm paper container.
Missy took it, looking slightly nervous, her eyes wide…but, after the longest of moments, she finally took a sip.
Wade instantly noticed the look of warmth and happiness that flooded her face as she gulped down the sugary beverage gratefully.
After a second she glanced up and caught Wade looking, her face flushing immediately.
"Sorry…thirsty…" she uttered, turning back towards the skaters.
Wade gave a nod, but he couldn't help but scrutinise her face. She looked so different now…strained.
"So are you still working?" she asked looking up at him. "You don't look too beaten up…"
Wade raised his eyebrows, taking a sip of his chocolate.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," he said grinning down at her.
Their bodies were close but barely touching.
Wade could smell her vanilla perfume…and memories of the last time he had seen her, came flooding back to him. Her touch…her taste…the feeling of her in his arms…
Missy gave a laugh and Wade could only gaze at her…
Right now she was the only thing he cared about in this entire fucking world…
"So…" he said, knowing he needed to ask. "How's David?"
He practically spat the man's name.
Missy's fingers toyed with lid of the chocolate in her hands, and the slightest of frowns appeared between her brows.
"He's good…" she said, unable to make eye contact with him. "…he's really busy with work…"
Wade had to stop himself from giving an audible growl.
David treated her like shit and whether he was cheating on her on not, Missy was a fool to still be with him.
Anger bubbled up inside him.
How could she be so stupid…
"And you?" she asked, smiling up at him, a little strained. "I met that girl at your apartment….she seemed lovely…"
Missy was, of course, talking about Vanessa.
"Of yeah, Vanessa?" said Wade snappily. He was hurting and right now wanted make Missy feel as jealous as he was. "She's fantastic actually. The sex is out of this fucking world…"
It was a blatant lie, but Wade just couldn't help himself. Despite it paining him to do so.
Missy faltered for a second.
"That's…great…" she said gently. "You make a cute couple."
None of this was what Wade wanted at all. But the moment was gone. And it was done.
Missy took another desperate sip of her drink, closing her eyes as the warm liquid sipped down her throat.
"You been keeping up with Game of Thrones?" he asked in a playful tone, after a moment of long silence. "Fuck, that Ramsay Bolton is a total asshole, right?"
But Missy wrinkled her nose, holding her hands over her ears. "No spoilers!" she said giving a spirited squeal. "I haven't seen any of this series yet!"
Wade chuckled.
"Jeez, you are so fucking far behind," he said turning his body to face her, leaning against the railing. "Soooo much has happened! You know that Jon Sn-"
"Nope, nope, nope," said Missy jumping forwards and covering the merc's mouth with her hand, laughing as she did so. "I need to catch up, don't you dare ruin it for me, Wade Wilson!"
Wade grinned as she pulled her hand away.
He stared down at her face, feeling so warm, even in the crisp evening air.
"You should come over my place and we can binge-watch it together, I would mind another repeat viewing of Khaleesi's boobs anyway," he said biting his lip. "Or I can come over yours one night?"
But at this, Missy instantly bowed her head, her eyes flickering away from his, losing all of their spark.
"I-I can't…" she uttered in a quiet voice. Giving no more of an explanation.
Silence suddenly blanketing the pair of them.
"Listen…it's getting late…" she said staring down at the cup in her hands. "…I should be getting home…"
Wade gave a sad frown, his eyes roaming across her weary features.
"At least let me walk you back to your apartment," he said glancing at her. "Can't have you passing out on the street again."
Missy gave a nod, her eyes catching his, momentarily.
She looked as though she desperately wanted to say something to him, but the words never came…
They walked down the block, away from the laughter and noise of the ice rink. Each step like a bell tolling their fate.
He knew that it wouldn't be long until she was gone…..again.
"So you seeing your Mom this Christmas?" Wade asked lightly, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets to stop himself from automatically entwining her fingers with hers.
Missy looked down at the ground.
"I don't think so…" she said, her voice sad.
Wade, usually quite the talker, couldn't think of a thing to say.
All he wanted to do right now was tell her to come home with him…to leave David…and be with him instead…
But he had tried that…and it hadn't worked then…what made him think that it would work now?
"Thanks for the ornament from Florida," he said grinning. "I would say it's hanging on my tree, but I've been totally fucking lazy and haven't decorated yet…"
Missy smiled up at him.
"It's December 11th, Wade," she said giving him a small nudge. "Get decorating!"
The merc gave a nod, tugging at his bottom lip with is teeth.
"Well, you know…" he said with a sigh. "You did such a great job last year, you can come over and decorate for me if you like?"
But Missy merely continued to smile. Her eyes falling to the floor.
"I-I'd love to…" she said softly. "But I can't…"
She opened her mouth to say something else but soon closed it again…changing her mind.
The pair turned the corner, finding themselves on Missy's street.
"Well this is me," she said stopping and turning to Wade.
Her tired eyes stared up into his brown ones.
Right at that moment, Wade wanted nothing more than to take her in his strong arms…and press his lips to hers…
But he could see the worry that lingered across her features.
He couldn't do that to her.
""Ok," he said, after a moment. "I guess…..well, I guess I'll see you around."
Missy gave a nod, her eyes sad and wide.
"Mmmhmmm," she uttered, her eyes flickering to the still-warm cup clutched in her hands. "Yeah…"
Wade needed to go.
If he didn't go now…he would never be able to tear himself away.
He gave her one last smile before turning on his heel and beginning to walk away, when suddenly-
"Wade, wait!" said Missy behind him, as he swung around once more to face her.
She closed the gap between them in a second, rifling in her bag and quickly pulling out a pen and a small rumpled paperback.
"I…um…I lost my cell phone…could I get your number….maybe?" she asked, with a desperate look.
She held open a random page in the middle of the book, handing him the pen.
Wade frowned for a long moment before, of course, doing as he was told, and scribbling his number on the top of the page.
"It's my work line too…" he said poignantly, giving a frown. "So…I never switch it off…..day or night…"
He stared hard into her eyes.
Trying to convey that message to her.
Missy gazed at him for the longest of moments, before finally tearing her eyes away, and shoving the pen and the book back into her purse.
"Thanks…" she said quietly, bowing her head low. "….Bye Wade."
And with that she hurried off, towards the steps leading up towards her apartment as Wade watched her go.
He gave a long sigh as she disappeared into the building, running a hand over his face.
He stared up into to the night sky, opening his mouth and closing it again.
Right now he hurt so much…
Wade turned, walking back around the corner…
But suddenly another kind of hurt came over him…
He stopped, swaying on the spot…
Everything around him becoming fuzzy…and distant…..
Before he collapsed in a heap. Passing out on the cold ground.
I really hope that was ok?! Don't worry hope is not lost, the next chapter will be a good one... I promise!
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who left a review. Thanks to imaginationcreationer, , BellaFantasia, jeffhardyluvsme, HarleyWilson, Faye, Vanessa, McflyGoonieFaxFan, Guest, katiesgotagun, FreyaCabanas, Guest, ImmaSlytherout, MissUnderstoodXOXO, PepperCornPie, Guest, EliseWatson and kiera666 for reviewing the last chapter.
Let me know what you thought of this chapter. Was it ok? I'd really love to hear your thoughts on it.
Please review!
