Disclaimer: I don't own anybody but Vivian, Geena, and Faith…blah blah blah.

Chapter Nine: I Love You (Prelude to a Tragedy)

The next night, she waited up all night for him to come, but he never came.

Geena was in the newspaper though. She was found in an alley, beaten up pretty badly. She didn't tell who beat her up, claiming she didn't see his face. Her picture was horrid. Her face was all bloodied up and her arm was broken along with many other injuries listed in the article. A shop keeper was taking a short cut and found her unconscious body under a pile of garbage cans. Vivian snickered to herself as if it were an inside joke were only her and Ville knew the 'punch' line.

He didn't show the next night either. Not the next week or month. Each night, she went to bed with the door open and a heavy heart. But still, nothing.

4 months went by and still nothing. On Halloween night, she stood out on the balcony to escape the constant knocking on her door from the trick or treaters. Normally Halloween was her favorite holiday and she usually partied with her friends, but she found no reason to celebrate this night.

She stood out on the balcony; she admired the moon just like she had that one night so long ago.

"Beautiful night, isn't' it?"

Vivian couldn't believe her ears, she refused. She had teased her self so many times, what's one more? But curiosity got the better of her. She looked around to the sound of his voice and there he sat. The same way he had before.

"Ville," She breathed.

"Oh, so you do remember me?"

"Of course. Believe it or not, I kinda missed my stalker." She joked. A small smile came across her face. It had been almost 5 years since she was last smiled. "Where were you?"

"Wounds that big need time to heal," he said, leaving out the fact that he passed out.

"Will you tell me now why she wanted to kill you sooo bad."

"I don't want you mixed up in this," he answered shortly.

"Up in what! Why won't you tell me," Vivian was getting frustrated. "You can tell me, maybe I can help," she urged.

"You can't help me," he finally looked at her, that pain was back. "Vivian, I only came back to say good- bye. Properly this time. I want you to forget I ever existed. To put me out of your life. I'm leaving and this time I don't intend to come back. I just had to see you one last time before I left."

"No, Ville. Please. Don't leave me again." Vivian pleaded.

Ville shook his had, "I can't stay, Vivian. Don't you see? I'm getting attached to you. I love you, Vivian. I can't stop thinking about you. I don't want you to get hurt because of me." He hopped off the rail and walked toward her. "I couldn't stand seeing a knife to your beautiful throat again." He said as he reached out to her. "The tears on your face." His gloved hand pressed against her face, she put her hand over it and closed her eyes. "To see you have to run from danger again." Vivian felt an arm slip around her waist and was pulled into him.

"I'll manage," She choked, opening her eyes. She threw her arms around his neck and rested her head on his t-shirt covered chest.

Ville wrapped his arms tightly around her. Then he started humming, a soft slow tune. Then he began to sing. His voice was low and sweet. Vivian listened as they swayed back and forth.

Home is behind

The world ahead

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadow

To the edge of night

Until the stars are all alight

Mist and shadow

Cloud and shade

All shall fade

All shall… fade

('Pippins song'. The return of the king)

On the last 'fade', Vivian found her self clutching nothing but air. The remnants of fade still echoing.

She crumpled into a heap on the balcony; sobs unstoppable.

And that is where she found herself the next morning. She tried to go into work, but got sent home with an extended vacation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Poor Vivian. Next chapter on its way. I promise. But as you know, it is the Fourth of July and we are having a huge BBQ, so it will be awhile. Sorry guys. I will try to escape to my safe haven as much as I can. (Computer room, or if all else fails. My room.) Please R&R.