A/N: We're getting close to the end, guys and gals. And, as always, this is all for theladyingrey42 with supreme beta-queen ahizelm and British wonder Miss-Beckie-Louise.

As always, thank you for all your reviews and comments. I love hearing your opinions and frustrations.

The Setting: London, England

The Music: Tired of Being Sorry, Ringside

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EPOV

I wake early the next morning and groan. The world is still spinning and my stomach churns uncomfortably. I'm not sure how much I drank last night, but it was definitely too much.

I look at my bedside table to read the clock and notice a glass of water and a couple ibuprofens there. I say a small silent thank you to Maggie before downing the pills and the water and covering my head with my pillow. It's only seven and I don't have to be in to the hospital til two.

The next time I open my eyes, the clock reads eleven and I roll out of bed, standing cautiously. My head is lightly pounding, but I am definitely better. After a shower and shave, I feel more like myself and make my way to the kitchen to grab something before my shift.

Maggie has beaten me there and already has a sandwich and crisps waiting for me.

"You are too good to me, Mags." I hug her tightly before grabbing the plate of food and sitting at the table.

"Well, after what I heard happened last night, I figured you needed some love," she says while taking the seat opposite me.

I look at her curiously and wonder exactly what happened after I left.

"Alec called me last night. Said you bugged out of there without a word to anyone. By the time I got home, you were passed out." She shrugs and once again I'm reminded of why I'm so happy that she's my flatmate. "Want to tell me what happened?"

"There was a guy..." I trail off, not exactly sure how much to explain to her, how much I want her to know.

"There's always a guy, Edward," she retorts, smirking.

"Very true. Anyway, this guy, Garrett, came on to me and I freaked out and left." I stop there, warring between telling her everything and keeping my reasons to myself. She saves us both the trouble by being more observant than I give her credit for.

"This couldn't be because of the Yank you talk to almost every day, could it?"

"What? Um...I..." I have no response for her. Nothing sounds reasonable or good or part of a healthy relationship. Yeah, we met in Australia, and he's probably everything I want in a man. Oh, by the way, we fucked but now he's in America so I can only talk to and see him online.

Great.

"Don't even try lying to me, Edward. I can always tell."

"Yeah, well. He and I, I mean... We're... Shit." I give up in defeat, hanging my head in my hands.

"Hey, now," Maggie comforts. "It's okay. It's complicated. I get it. But you should figure it out one way or another or it'll stop you from being happy."

With her words, some of my determination from last night returns, and I know Jasper and I need to talk about this. Maggie's right. If I keep this half-relationship going online, I may never find true happiness and love in real life. I know it's too early to call Jasper just yet, and I probably won't have time before my shift, but I resolve to try when I get home.

Maggie and I relax and watch some stupid show before it's time for me to go. I kiss her on the forehead on my way out and she pats my arm affectionately.

"Take it easy on Alec. He meant no harm," she warns, raising her eyebrows expectantly at me.

"No worries, Mags. He didn't know anything, so I can't blame him at all."

"Good. Then I'll see you when you get back."

"Won't be til late," I start but she stares at me, exaggerated shock and hurt on her features. "But I'm sure I'll see you then."

"Yes, you will," she replies, smiling broadly.

By the time I arrive at the hospital, I'm feeling almost good. My hangover is gone, my time with Maggie was fun and I only have a ten-hour shift today. Halfway through the night as I'm grabbing a nibble in the break room, Alec finds me there with a sandwich half stuffed in my mouth. He apologizes for the previous night but I wave him off. No harm, no foul.

"It's just... I didn't know you had a boyfriend. You've always denied it."

"I don't really, but... Hell, I don't know what I have," I say, looking up and seeing his head cocked to the side in confusion. "We're still figuring it out," I finish lamely.

He just nods and claps me on the back on his way out. "Well, Edward, next time, I promise I won't be surprising you like that again. Hell, Garrett is more pissed at me than you are."

I chuckle and shake my head. "Maybe this'll teach you to play matchmaker then," I call after him as he walks out the door. He waves at me over his head, dismissing my teasing.

I smile and finish my sandwich before heading back into the hospital to finish my shift.

Midnight comes quickly, and I finish my charts as fast as possible so I can be home early. Maggie is barely conscious when I return to the flat and I pull her limp form off the couch and put her in bed before going to my room. I shower and change before checking my computer, knowing it's still relatively early in the eastern US.

I frown when I realize that Jasper's not online and note that he didn't send me an email all day. I send him an email asking if we can talk tomorrow and letting him know that I should be home by 8pm from work.

I close my computer and fall into a fitful sleep with dreams of Jasper and myself all swirling with other faceless boys. When my alarm sounds, I feel neither rested nor happy. I tossed and turned all night with my dreams echoing my fears for myself and my life. Checking my email, I see that there are no new messages and I feel my heart sink even further.

Yesterday I still had hope that Jasper and I could figure something out. Today I wonder if he's come to the same conclusion that I have. Work at the hospital drags and I watch the hours tick by slowly on the clock, anxious to return home. When I finally do, Maggie forces me sit at the dinner table while she feeds me and makes me tell her about my day. My anxiety is rising to new levels and I know my incessant knee bouncing and glancing at my watch is driving her crazy, but my need for Jasper is becoming unbearable.

After talking to him every day for the last month, I had no idea that not speaking to him for only two days would make me this neurotic. He and I need to talk. I can't let him end our relationship even if it's not all that I want. I was wrong last night when I said it was either more or nothing. I need him like a drug, and if that means continuing what we have, then I might be able to live with that. I just need to know that he's waiting on the other end of that line for me as well.

And that when the time is right, we can have more.

By the time I finish dinner, I basically sprint up the stairs to my room. Waiting for my laptop to boot up and my browser to open is painfully slow and my knee bounces in anticipation. When the chime indicates that I have new mail, I swear time just stops. I hold my breath and close my eyes as the page opens, hoping that it's from Jasper.

Opening my eyes slowly, his name is highlighted and I hurriedly open the message.

Edward,

I'm sorry I missed you yesterday. Some things came up. I really want to talk to you, too, and I'm positive we can talk tomorrow. When are you off work?

Yours, Jasper

I can't help the frown on my face when I realize that I won't be talking to Jasper tonight. His email is fairly vague and I wonder what "came up" that prevented him from talking to or emailing me earlier. I suppress my frustration for a few moments to email him back, saying that tomorrow I have an early day. I'm scheduled from seven in the morning until three, but that means I will be home around five. I worry I may be being too detailed in my answer, but I don't want to miss him again.

His continued absence is worrying and I try to distract myself by studying some, but really it's pointless. I finally give up and go to bed early, hoping tomorrow will bring answers.

And Jasper.

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