"Come on, Bert."

"No, Agnes, they don't want to see me."

"Come on, the author wants us to do the introduction for this chapter."

"No one wants to see me Agnes, not even in fanfiction land. All of the stories on this site and other Moonlighting fanfiction sites revolve around Miss Hayes and Mr. Addison."

"Bert, there are a few about us, but there are more about them because they're more interesting."

"Exactly, so why would they want to see me?"

"Oh Bert, I meant that we're less complicated than them – the readers know we're together and married, they don't know what happened to Miss Hayes and Mr. Addison. If we weren't together, then more people would write about what happened to us."

"So what do we do? Maybe, we should break up, Agnes, so we have more stories. Ouch!"

Agnes grabbed Bert by the ear and dragged him out. "Listen up, Buster, if you ever mention us breaking up again, you'll be so broken up that not one author will find a big enough piece of you to put you in a story. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. Now, Bert, start the intro."

"Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, the author would like to thank everyone who read and reviewed the prologue or lack thereof. She wants to apologize that the prologue did not give much plot away, although this chapter does not give away any plot either –"

"Bert, do you want to end up in this story?"

"Of course."

"Then, no comments from the peanut gallery. The author already threatened Miss Hayes and Mr. Addison for acting up in the prologue and from what I read, she made good on that threat."

"Oh, right… What I mean to say is that this chapter still takes place in 1989, three days after Blue Moon closed. The crossover with Beauty and the Beast, as promised in the prologue or lack thereof, will probably not show up for another two or three chapters as Miss Hayes and Mr. Addison need to settle their relationship to make way for the future or your, the readers', present. Is that better?"

"It's as good as it's going to get with you. Now, Readers, the author wants to also say that she does not own Moonlighting in any way. She also wants to remind you that she just started studying the show about seven weeks ago so if anyone is out of character, please let her know. Reading and reviewing is greatly appreciated. Now, on with the chapter."

"Should I start the projector?"

"Bert, this is fanfiction. The readers can't see a projector."

"But Mr. Addison got to start it all the time."

"Fine. Start the projector."

Silence. "Um, Bert, did you start the projector yet?"

"I can't find the switch."

Agnes sighed, "Readers, just start reading and welcome to the first chapter."

"Oh, wait, here it is!" A projector clicked on. "And watch the DVDs for the theme if you need it."

"This is the best deal the network has to offer."

Alan Webb pushed the contract towards Maddie.

She asked, "Do I get to keep my house?"

The lawyer nodded, "The house won't be dismantled, just transferred into fanfiction and the remodeling will actually be finished today. The money that the network is offering for the cancellation of you show is more than generous, and I don't say that often. It's almost like your accountant never took your money in the first place."

"So I never have to work again?"

"Not as long as you invest properly."

Maddie read the contract for over an hour making sure she understood every detail. Finally, she signed.

Alan took the contract and handed her another one. "This one is for Mr. Addison. I need his signature before your deal goes through since you were partners."

Maddie sighed, "I'll see what I can do. I haven't seen him in three days."

He sympathized with her, "I'm sorry about your cancellation."

Maddie's eyes began to water, but she refused to cry. Still, she whispered to herself, "Why couldn't it work?"

Alan replied, "I think you know the answer to that."

Maddie's head snapped up, "What?"

"What what?"

"Never mind. Thank you, Alan for everything." With that, she left the office and contract in hand.

Alan watched her go and then looked outside the page, "Really?"

Hey, someone has to knock some sense into one of them. Since you were with Maddie, well…

Alan replied, "Bah humbug." After realizing what he said, he gave the author a dirty look, who just shrugged in reply while chuckling on the inside.

Maddie, meanwhile, went to David's apartment and knocked.

David answered, "Maddie, what are you doing here?"

"I brought the deal from the network regarding our cancellation. I thought you would want to read it over and then go to my lawyer's office to sign it."

He stepped aside and let Maddie in. When she entered, she noticed the couch in the living room. "When did you get that?"

David's eyes widened as he stuttered, "Oh, well, I, um, I got it when, um… I got it recently in case of company."

Judging by David's reaction, Maddie figured it out, "You got it when you were living with my cousin." She tried very hard to keep her temper.

David did not respond and the silence became deafening. After their attempt to get married and admitting that it would be hard for them to not see each other at work again, they did not speak. It was almost exactly like when Maddie had the miscarriage. David was there for her when it first happened, but she soon shut herself off, which in turn led to David shutting himself off. They had not been the same since.

Finally, Maddie broke the silence, "Let's go over the contract and then, I'll get out of your hair."

David just nodded, "Yeah, let's."

David pulled out the trunk and they sat reading the contract thoroughly as Maddie explained what the network offered her. David did not mind that Maddie was getting more money because he knew she would be happier if she got to keep her house. However, he was not as lucky when it came to his living arrangements.

"Whoa, whoa, hold up. This says that my apartment will be dismantled and my furniture will be taken away. How am I supposed to live? Where am I supposed to live?"

Maddie replied, "Let me see that." She took the contract read that section over.

"It says that the new apartment you're supposed to get in the fanfiction world might be more expensive, but the network will make sure you are compensated."

David was still upset, "Why do I have to give up my apartment, but you get to keep your house?"

"How would I know? I didn't write it."

David needs a new start and an apartment that is actually furnished without tainted memories would help.

David looked at Maddie, "No matter what, we're at the mercy of writers. When do we get to make our own decisions?"

She replied, "Never, that's what comes with being a character instead of a real person."

"I guess so. Alright, where am I supposed to find this new apartment, miss smarty pants?"

It's a second floor apartment about five minutes from Maddie. You can move in tomorrow and it comes completely furnished.

Maddie looked at him, "You're moving closer?"

"You heard the author."

Maddie just rolled her eyes and they continued reading through the contract. When they were done, David told her that he would be in Alan Webb's office first thing in the morning.

As David walked Maddie to the door, he asked, "Hey, in memoriam and celebration of five seasons and great compensation, how about we have dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?"

"Yes, dinner, you know, that meal that comes after lunch and before breakfast usually between five and eight at night?"

"Funny."

"So?"

Maddie asked, "So?"

David pressed, "So I'll pick you up at seven?"

"You don't have a car."

"It's in my contract."

She replied, "That contract isn't valid until you sign it."

"Fair enough. I'll meet you at your house at seven and I can drive your car. What can go wrong?"

"David, anything can go wrong with you. I shudder to think what can go wrong."

The next morning –

The sun came in through the window slowly heading towards Maddie's face as she laid sound asleep in bed. As it was hitting her face, she reacted by waking up. When her eyes opened, she felt a major headache hitting her at full force. She quickly moved away from the sunlight and bumped into something else –

"Ouch!" David had his hand over his eye.

Maddie clutched the sheet to her as she realized she was not wearing any clothes. "David, what are you doing here?"

"Apparently, getting elbowed in the eye."

Maddie cringed, "Sorry. Wait a minute, what are you doing here?" She looked around the room, "And where is here?"

David looked around, "Looks like we shacked up in a hotel room."

"David!"

"What? It's not like it never happened before. Well, actually, we never did it in a hotel, so this is a first."

Maddie just glared.

David rolled his eyes and sat up grabbing his head as well. "Ouch! Maybe we should spare the readers by skipping ahead a few paragraphs and get to the pact."

She was surprised, "You want to make a pact?"

"No, but I know you do. I'm not just sparing the readers, I'm sparing myself a bigger headache."

Maddie sighed, "David, it's just that we're better off when we're friends."

"What's your definition of 'better off?'"

"We hurt each other when we've been together."

David shook his head, "And we hurt each other when we're friends. Face it, Maddie, we're always going to hurt each other. Our relationship is built on fighting. I think we're better off fighting when we're together than when we're apart."

Maddie was confused, "What? Never mind. I knew I shouldn't have gone out with you last night. It's always a disaster."

"Who said last night and whatever happened last night was a disaster? Right now, I have a major hangover so I can't remember much. Can you?"

She had put her head in her hands, "Not really."

"Then, who are we to judge?"

Maddie growled.

David had put his hand on her back, "Hey, Goldilocks, it's not the end of the world. Maybe it's kismet, maybe the world is telling us we're supposed to be together."

"David, I don't believe in kismet, providence, destiny, or whatever else you believe in!"

David shrugged and nodded, "All right. So you don't believe in signs?"

"No, I do not!"

"What about legally binding documents?"

Maddie's head snapped up, "What?"

David pointed straight ahead and Maddie's eyes followed it to the vanity. Attached to the vanity's mirror was a white piece of paper.

Maddie had a sinking feeling as she stood from the bed wrapping the sheet around her.

David quickly grabbed a pillow to cover up. He mumbled, "Always with the sheet."

Maddie reached the vanity and took the paper in her hand. As she read it, her eyes became wider and she fell onto the vanity seat.

David knew exactly what the paper was but he wanted to heckle her, "What is it?"

She became pale, "I think I'm going to be sick."

He smirked, "Now, Honey, that's a common reaction among new brides."

Maddie stood up quickly, although her stomach was ready to rebel at the action. She took a deep breath to calm a little and started, "Addison! This is not funny! How are we going to deal with this?"

David pretended to think, "Let me see… we got married last night which means we're on our honeymoon, so…" He patted the empty side of the bed.

Her eyes narrowed, "You despicable, oversexed –"

"Narcissistic, underdeveloped, male pig or do you need more adjectives?"

"I'm surprised you know what the word 'adjective' means."

"Very funny," said David sarcastically.

Maddie responded, "I wasn't trying to be."

David had a half smile/half grimace on his face, "I know."

Maddie's pride deflated a bit, "I'm sorry, David. This isn't completely your fault. I was drinking last night as well. I haven't been inebriated in twenty years."

"Look at it this way – at least, you woke up married to me and not some stranger."

Maddie sat back on the vanity seat, "You had to bring that up, didn't you?"

"What do you me– oops, sorry, I really didn't mean to do that. Rewind the last thirty seconds of your life."

"Fine… What are we going to do, David?"

David leaned forward, "Honestly, I don't know." He wanted to go into a tirade of her always giving him mixed signals, but with his hangover, he did not want to start a fight. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again, "Look, Maddie, we're both hung-over, probably ready to lose our supper if we think or move too much, so I have a suggestion. I think we should get cleaned up, order room service with aspirin, and then, find out if the marriage is legal before we really over think this situation. If it helps, you can have the bathroom first."

Maddie agreed, "You're right. We're probably overreacting." It took all of David's strength not to react to the "we're" of her statement.

She stood up and walked to the bathroom. Before she went inside, she said, "Besides, we obviously were so out of it last night that there has to be something wrong with the license making the marriage invalid." With that, she had shut the bathroom door.

David sighed and shook his head, although the latter action made him want to break the bathroom door down to empty his stomach. He thought back to that month almost two years ago when he and Maddie were in a relationship or whatever it was. Back then, she kept making pacts and then right before she left for Chicago, she asked where the relationship was going. If getting married was not a sign of the relationship going somewhere, he did not know what was, especially when it came to that blonde. Personally, he thought it was kismet and a second chance that he was not going to screw up with her. He would be the best husband for her – yes, they would continue to fight but they complemented each other just like he said at the Laundromat. If only she would see it…

Meanwhile, Maddie's thoughts were in turmoil as the warm water was hitting her skin. She wanted to be with David, if she were honest, but there were so many problems in the way. The first problem was, of course, their complicated relationship. They were always fighting and she did not know if she could live with that. The month they were together, sort of, was horrible and wonderful at the same time. The weekends were her favorite because she did not allow herself to think about work and the rest of the world, and David was wonderful bringing her breakfast in bed, giving her massages, and just holding her. On the weekends, she could actually see herself with him having a future. The weekdays, though, they fought constantly. She knew that married couples fought but she never heard of them acting like her and David.

Another problem was that she was not sure if she could trust David. When they were stuck in the elevator, he told her about his indiscretion when she was in Chicago, and while she was upset at first, she quickly realized that she practically did the same thing by marrying Walter, although she and Walter were never intimate. She was still hurt, but she knew her betrayal was still hurting him as well. What really made her wonder if she could trust him was the whole situation with Annie. Yes, they were not a couple so David had every right to sleep with someone else and live with that person, but it was the fact that once David found out Annie was married, he continued the relationship. She was sure David was faithful to Tess during that marriage and would have remained with her if he had not caught her cheating. However, she wondered if that event changed his views on marriage so that if he ever married someone else, he would not think that cheating was out of bounds. It was not a fair statement to David, she knew, but that was how she felt.

Other problems included that the way this marriage was starting out was relatively similar to her marriage to Walter, except she was not drunk when she married Walter. However, knowing David, he would probably say that her hormones (she left the word "pregnancy" out of her thoughts) back then were equivalent to several double martinis. She was not sure if David realized their location, although he would figure it out soon. How she and David ever got to Vegas, she would never know, or maybe she would know since it was likely that one of her credit cards got them there. Still, she knew that she and David would not be able to get an annulment if the marriage was legal – it was definitely consummated. She never wanted a divorce on her record and she knew that David did not want to go through a divorce again.

Maddie finished her shower and wrapped herself in a towel. When she was sure everything would remain covered, she exited the bathroom. David wore his heart boxers and examined his shirt with two piles of clothes on the bed – his and hers.

When he realized she was out, he smirked and held up the shirt, "I wonder if the hotel has a seamstress. Good thing we're in Vegas – plenty of souvenir shops around."

Maddie was a little confused until she really looked at the shirt – it did not have any buttons. As she came to the realization of what must have happened, another memory came to mind making her face turn bright red: the dream she had on the train from Chicago over a year ago in which she ripped David's shirt open. While they were passionate when they were together years ago, they never went as far as to destroy each other's clothing. She looked at him sheepishly, "Sorry."

David then held up her bra which was ripped in the front, "Apparently, you were paying me back for this or I was paying you back."

Maddie became even redder.

David used the bra as a slingshot and it landed on the bed, "Don't worry about it, Blondie. Nothing else was damaged."

Maddie tried to glare, but she was too embarrassed. She hated losing control and only David could make her do that. She grabbed her clothes quickly and walked over to the vanity. She pulled a hairbrush out of her purse and brushed her hair roughly.

"Hey, slow down, Goldilocks, or else you'll lose your hair and I'll have to find another nickname for you. How about Baldy?"

This time, Maddie was successful in her glare.

David shrugged at her. "Mind if I take a shower now?"

Maddie turned back to the mirror, "Please do."

David grabbed his undamaged clothes pile and walked into the bathroom. "Also, if you want to order breakfast now, that's fine." He slammed the door closed in frustration.

Maddie turned her head at the direction of the sound. She knew that whatever happened with the marriage license, the resulting conversation would not be pretty. The question on her part was did she want the marriage to be valid. David had proposed twice – once that seemed more like a joke and then after he found out she was pregnant – and she turned him down both times. The only time she seriously considered marriage was mainly during that train ride back to Los Angeles and in her opinion, marriage to David would have been a nightmare since she knew he was willing to change losing himself in the process. She still did not understand how much David did lose of himself between the time they were together and the present.

When David came out of the bathroom, dressed without a shirt, Maddie was dressed herself and room service had just arrived. They both ate breakfast in silence not knowing how to react – David hoped the marriage was valid but he knew Maddie was confused and if he was not careful, she would be on another plane to Chicago. When they were done, they slowly stood up.

David began, "Well…"

Maddie agreed, "Well…"

David decided to take the plunge, "I guess we better find out if we are really married."

Her heart was pounding but she did not let it show, "Guess so."

Neither made a move toward the phone.

David knew that there was nothing they could do to ease the tension, so he started again, "Maddie, do you think we should talk about what we're going to do either way."

Maddie tried to be defensive, "What can we do? If we're not married, then we're not married, but if we are, we are."

He shook his head, "You know it's not as simple as that."

She replied in a small voice, "I know." Her voice became stronger, "But what can we do either way?"

He knew he was setting himself for more heartbreak with this woman, "Well, let's start with a basic question – do you want the marriage to be legal?"

Maddie was silent and did not look at him.

"Okay, then, let me rephrase the question – do you want the marriage to be illegal?"

Nothing from her. In a strange way, this helped David's confidence since she did not jump at the chance to say she did not want to be married to him.

Then, he heard, "Do you want the marriage to be invalid?"

He was speechless because if he said what was truly in his heart – HELL NO! – he would be putting himself on the line for her again. Why did it always have to be him?

Maddie, however, was annoyed by his lack of response so she decided to push the issue, "Have you ever thought of being married to me?"

David was in shock at her question and knew his answer would lead to an argument. Still, if they were legally married, maybe everything needed to get out in the open. "Have I ever considered marrying you? Are you kidding me? I recall proposing twice in the past and both times, I was shot down."

"How could I take either one seriously? The first time was after sex and I believe your words were, 'That was so good, I should probably marry you.' Boy, that was flattering. Every girl dreams of a proposal like that."

David was incensed, "I was testing your reaction. I had no idea how to bring up the subject with you. Less than a month before, you decided to turn down Luke Skywalker and I didn't want to be like that schmuck. Although, I still ended up like him, worse than him…"

Maddie decided to ignore his last statement, "Then, the next thing I know, you were talking about bringing over some of your things to my house as if we discussed living together. That's sounds like backtracking, Addison."

David could not believe it. She was making it sound like he was the one with commitment issues. "Seriously?! Backtracking? If I remember correctly, within twenty-four hours that day, you were in Chicago running to mommy and daddy and telling me not to call you. Two weeks later, I have to hear that you're pregnant from Bert Viola, not you –"

"You would've heard it from me if you hadn't been with that tramp! I called you first and you didn't answer. I wanted to tell you in person, not in a message, so I hung up and called Agnes instead leaving her a message. I needed to tell someone, I needed to talk, I needed you!"

Both were breathing heavily from their argument. Maddie deflated a little, "Maybe it's better if the marriage is invalid. I think we've hurt each other too much to be together."

David knew he had to act fast. He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "No, I think we need to get all the crap out in the open. We never talked about it, any of it. Let's go back to the first question – have I thought of marrying you? The answer is of course. Madolyn Hayes, from the moment you took my hand on the first case, I thought you were someone I wanted to grow old with. I might have said I slept around during those early years, but the truth is that they were mostly talk. I wanted you but I couldn't have you so sometimes I went with women I could have. Those few, and I emphasize few, women were one-night stands and after you followed me to New York, there wasn't anyone else. There – my cards are on the table. Now, answer your own question."

Maddie took a deep breath because she knew her answer would hurt him, "The truth is the only time I considered what it would be like to be married to you was on the train back from Chicago. Before and after that, I only thought about being in a relationship with you but never anything more."

David was slightly hurt but at least, she thought of them together in some way. "Alright, I can understand that. Now, what did you think about us being married when on that train?"

She could not look at him in the eye, "It was my worst nightmare."

The first thought that ran through his head was You got to be kidding me! He wondered what he ever did to her to make her think he was not relationship material. Yes, he had a past, but he never did anything to hurt Maddie. Even before he admitted to himself that he loved her, he felt an obligation to protect and help her no matter if he thought she was doing something stupid or if she hurt him. He now wanted to hit something, to destroy the room like he destroyed his office the last time the spaceman was there. However, he managed to control his temper and asked, "How so?"

"I was afraid you were going to change and lose yourself in the process. In my dreams, you no longer looked or acted like you – you sold my house and brought a ranch-style saying it would be a better to raise a family. In another dream, I tried to… seduce you, but it was eight o'clock and you said you needed to sleep."

David started laughing but slowly sobered as he continued, "Really? You and I both know that neither would ever happen. You love your house too much and I wouldn't do that to you. And you don't have to try to seduce me, just looking at you does the trick. Besides, I lost myself long before that starting around the spaceman. I don't get jealous. I've never punched a guy because I didn't want him with my girl. I don't show up in said girl's bed to apologize and then tell her I love her. I don't put up with said girl coming up with several pacts whenever we were together and telling me that she's not supposed to be with me, then waiting four and a half months for her to stop running to her parents and away from me. Need I go on?"

Maddie looked at the floor. He was right – he did things for her that were uncharacteristic of his love-them-and-leave-them attitude that he had.

He continued, "And there are a lot of other things you don't know, Madolyn Hayes. When you told me to speak now or forever hold my peace, the truth is that I tried to tell you even before then. I never mentioned before, but that night when you wanted to 'be bad,' I followed you –"

She was upset, "Wait a minute, what right did you have to follow me?"

"I was worried about you, maybe jealous even. I lost you at Metropolis when another woman stole your hat and coat. I ended up following her, she murdered someone and I got the blame. She later confessed and I was released but not before she made me realize I was in love with you."

"And?"

David rolled his eyes, "And what?"

"What happened after?"

"I went over to your house with some flowers. I was going to tell you, but someone else answered the door."

Maddie was afraid to ask, "Sam?"

"Sam."

She buried her head in her hands. "He never told me you were there." She thought, What a mess!

David replied sarcastically, "Yeah and I wonder why."

Her head snapped up, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, it means nothing."

Maddie's temper was building, "It means something."

David knew that the fight was back on, "It means that a guy like Sam knows that when another guy shows up on a woman's doorstep, that the second guy obviously wants to confess something, probably love. Once Sam got a taste of Maddie Hayes, why would he tell her another guy wanted to talk to her at four in the morning?"

She was furious, "You bastard! A taste of me?! I told you everything that happened that morning when I came in."

"How was I supposed to know? And the morning after, you certainly didn't come in blaring trumpets 'I slept with Sam, I slept with Sam!'" David added trumpet sound effects and started parading around the room.

"Enough! What I did with Sam was none of your business."

David was riled up, "It became my business when you found out you were pregnant and that either Sam or I were the father. And then, you told me it wasn't mine."

At the mention of her pregnancy, Maddie's anger turned to desperation, "How was I supposed to know? According to the doctors and charts, it couldn't have been yours. I didn't find out until I was about to leave the hospital. I never would have said Sam is the father had I known it was yours." She sat down.

That diffused David's anger, "What?"

Maddie's voice was quiet, "What what?"

"Was the baby mine?"

Her hand went over her mouth, "I never meant to tell you."

David knelt in front of her, "How… how did you find out?"

"When I was getting ready to leave and you were bringing the car, I was depressed and curious. I never saw him, never held him, and so, I asked the nurse to give me details about him. He was perfect, it just didn't work. He had ten fingers, ten toes, and the only other detail was that he had AB blood type. Sam was A, you know I'm A – it wasn't possible for Sam to be the father. I know you are B so…"

He took her hands, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't. I was too depressed, I knew you weren't taking it well either. I didn't want to put more of a burden on you so I kept it to myself. Even if Sam was the biological father, you would always be his father because you were there for me so it wouldn't matter."

David stood up and walked slowly to the other side of the room. Both he and Maddie were thinking the same thing, Another hurt to add to the list. Maddie thought that with this last secret, she and David were done no matter how legal the marriage license was, but David was more determined to work it out.

He took a deep breath, "Maddie, I'm not going to lie and say that keeping this from me doesn't hurt. It feels like a punch to my stomach, my head, and my heart all at the same time, actually it feels worse. But I don't want us to be over." He turned around and met Maddie's eyes, which were shimmering with tears. He asked, "Do you?"

"I don't know."

David couldn't take the indecisiveness anymore. He grabbed his wrecked shirt and headed towards the door, "Fine."

"Don't go!" Maddie's voice was desperate. David stopped and looked at her.

She took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry, David. I don't want us to be over either, but I feel like it is over. I know I've hurt you badly and this one had to be the worst. I just feel like you could never forgive me."

David showed no emotion, "Don't you think I should be the judge of that?"

"You should, but how can I expect you to forgive me when I can't forgive myself."

David knew part of that statement was regarding the miscarriage. "It wasn't your fault."

"I know, but it's part of the reason why I can't forgive myself. David, I can't help but compare myself to Tess and Gillian. Gillian walked out on you – I left for Chicago. Tess cheated on you – I married Walter. She even miscarried."

He sighed, "There's more to Tess – the IRS agent was not a man, and the baby, I said the baby didn't make it, but what I meant was that the baby did not survive the abortion."

Maddie's eyes widened at the second part. Tess never told her that, although she said the IRS agent was a woman.

He continued, "When I went to work one day, Tess secretly got an abortion. It went badly and she ended up in a hospital. She bribed the doctor to tell me it was a miscarriage and I didn't find out the truth until the divorce. The divorce was also a piece of work. I wanted to file on the basis of infidelity and mental suffering, but she begged me to let her file to protect her reputation with her family and her budding acting career. Stupidly, I agreed and she claimed I cheated on her with the waitresses who worked at the bar. She also claimed physical abuse since when I saw her with the other person, I threw a chair and it splintered, although no one was hurt. She said she got the abortion to save the baby from me. The judge said I was lucky she didn't want to press assault charges. It took me a while between alimony and my own bills to save enough money to get away from New York. Still feel like you treated me worse?"

Maddie could not look at him, not sure how to react. She never did anything to purposely hurt David, so in that way, she was better than Tess. Finally, she looked up and reached for his hand. He saw and held her instead.

"David, I am so sorry for what you've been through."

"It's okay, Blondie. It will all be worth it if we can make this work."

"David, why do things have to be so hard between us?"

"Because by working so hard to be together, it shows how much we love each other, and yes, I mean love. Can you deny you love me?"

Maddie had tears in her eyes, "No. I still love you, David."

David held her closer, "I love you, too, Maddie." He pulled back and softly kissed her. She responded and when they broke apart, they still held each other tightly.

Slowly, they pulled apart and David wiped the tears off her face. He began, "So, we should talk about what we're going to do. I say if we're not legally married, maybe we start over again and this time, we'll do it in order – dating, showing affection, proposing, marriage, growing old – the whole bit."

Maddie smiled, "I'd like that, but what do we do if we are legally married?"

David looked down before looking up at her, "I know you and I know you would need time. I think we should do the same if we are legally married, just minus the in order, proposing, and marriage parts."

"David, after everything we've been through, we don't know if we're going to make it. We both know we love each other, but what if love isn't enough. Maybe we're better off getting divorced and then having a fresh start."

David did not like that one bit, "How about we stayed married for a year, but we live separately and go through more of a dating phase?"

"A year seems a little quick."

"Maddie, we've known each other five years. Be thankful I suggested a year when I really want to say three months. Besides, it can be extended if need be."

Maddie sighed, "Fine. Let's call the judge."