Sorry it's shorter.

"What are you talking about?" Oh, crap. Now we're in trouble…

"I may not be the smartest guy here, but I'm not dumb, either. You just looked me in the eye. Blind people can't do that."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes you do."

"What of it?"

"Were you really blind when you got here?"

"Yes, okay? I was blind, but now I'm not. Don't let anyone know."

"How did that happen?"

"Swear you won't say anything?" He nodded.

"You have my word."

"Abe."

"But Manning told him not to attempt it."

"Well, he didn't listen." I put my chin on my knees and stared at my feet. "The big idiot."

"He's not an idiot."

"Yeah, he is. He has risked everything for me! I'm not that important! I have no idea how much trouble he could be in…"

"Manning won't do anything. He knows how important Abe is."

"Good."

"So what else are you upset about?"

"Nothing." I closed my eyes because my answer was too quick, too sharp, to be believable. He seemed to be thinking the same.

"Fine. So you were crying over nothing?" Crap.

"Sure. Think of it what you will."

"Hmm."

"You're not leaving, are you?"

"Nope." We remained silent for a time.

"Is it hard for you and Liz? You know, being together?"

"Yeah, but that's life and love for ya."

"Tell that to Abe."

"He cares for you, ya know."

"He cares. Ha! Sure didn't seem that way today."

"Why?" I caught myself before I even answered.

"I told you that I'm through talking to people."

"I'm not people."

"You're a person. Same difference."

"You think of it that way?"

"Yes! And I want to talk to absolutely no one or thing!"

"Especially not me, I'm guessing." The voice came from the door and HB and I turned sharply to see Abe standing there.

"No, especially not you." My words were harsh and I could see that they stung, but I didn't care.

"And why?" he asked quietly.

"You have to ask?" Hellboy stood and began to leave so we could have privacy…again. "Close the door this time, please." He nodded and was gone, the door cutting out the sound from the hall.

"You didn't let me finish in the library."

"Then finish. Why do you want me to leave?"

"I don't want you to. I just think you should."

"Why do you think I should?"

"Distractions."

"Don't Red and Liz get distracted?"

"They can handle it better than I can." He sat in the spot HB had just vacated and put a hand on my arm. "Please understand how I feel, especially if you got hurt again."

"What about me? What if you got hurt? What would I do? Did you think about that?"

"Yes. That's why…" He didn't finish, but I knew what he meant. That's why we couldn't continue this. I stood and picked up my bags from under the bed. "What are you doing?" I didn't look at him as I took the folded clothes from my dresser and put them in the bags as neatly as I could.

"What does it look like?" I was tearing up again. He silently stood and helped me.

My bags were full and my books were in the plastic box I kept them in. I set them by the door and sat back on the bed.

"So, how am I going to get back home?"

"We can talk to Manning."

"Let's go." He caught my hand.

"How mad at me are you?"

"I'll live…and so will you."

"Please understand—"

"I understand perfectly. This is just like every other story in my life. Every guy has left me, except John. He's my friend and that's all he'll ever be. I thought you were different."

"I am different."

"Besides physical appearance."

"I'm still different. Has everyone left you for your safety?"

"You're not worried about my safety. You're sending my away to save your own precious hide." I was angry and this talk was not helping to calm me.

"Now you know that's not true! I'm as much of a distraction to you as you are to me. What if I got hurt? You would try to help me and might be killed in the process. Do you think I could live with that?" I didn't answer. "Laura?" My head was bowed.

"No." I turned to him. "But I would rather die and have been with you than to leave and never feel this way again!" He pulled me close and hugged me. The tears were free again.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but I'd rather you be safe than worry about you every day," he whispered.

"Then I don't have to go out! I'll—I'll cat-sit!"

"Could you live with worrying about me?"

"I would deal with it."

"Are you sure?" I didn't hesitate.

"Yes. Please don't make me leave, Abe." He wiped the tears from my eyes and brought my face to his.

"You win this time," he whispered.

"What do I win?" I gave him a small smile.

"This." He kissed me and I could feel his joy at the solution we had found.

TBC

:-D

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