A/N: Hi There! So, I have some really good news! I don't know how good of news it would be for people who don't like me- but for those of you that do... I'm back from my little DSS vacation! I'm going to be coming back full time, which means updates will be coming more often, messages will be answered quicker, and I'll be reading and reviewing stories again! I got a twitter, and you can follow me on RonnieDexter! I think you totally should! I'm going to reply to reviews starting the next chapter, as for the poll results... WERE AT A TIE! So go on and cast your vote! There isn't any Cassie and Kade in this chapter but of course THEY AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE! I want to give a special shout out to Jaa162 for giving an awesome song suggestion! Songs play a big part in my writing, so if you have any song that would fit any situation in the story- drop it in a review!

Thank you to my beautiful reviewers, you keep me coming back ;)

Listening to: "Bottom Of The Ocean" Miley Cyrus and "Listen To Your Heart" DHT

I reluctantly let my hand slide from my hip and stared at the ground, pursing my lips. I couldn't get myself to look at him when he talked to me, he had not even uttered a word- yet I couldn't keep my hands from shaking. I breathed in slowly, in short, ragged gasps.

"Fine," I spat, masking my voice and trying to keep it from showing how I really felt inside. I felt like a sad, alone little girl. Ever since I left the mountain, I felt as though I was always trying to catch my breath. I wanted to hit Darren so hard in the mouth that his mom would feel it, but inside I'd rather just live in his arms and never leave, and that's what was so frustrating. My stupid heart wouldn't coordinate with my head- I knew how I should feel, and what I should do, and how I should do it. But my logic couldn't overpower my feelings, and it sucked.

I looked up and ran my hands through my bangs before crossing my arms and waiting for Darren to speak. I was deciding whether I wanted to start tapping my foot, but I figured I was being cruel enough, the bitchy sarcasm wasn't needed. Darren had his hands in his pockets, and was swaying back and forth. I could see his fingers twiddling through his pockets, and the shadows that casted over his face made his gaze look dark, and full of sorrow. His hair fell into his eyes, just as it always did, barely brushing over his eyelashes. I saw the muscles in his neck tense as he gritted his teeth in thought, probably trying to choose his words wisely.

"I can't make an excuse for anything that I did," he started, looking up at me. The second our eyes connected, I redirected them away. "I mean, I could but there's no way you would listen to them, or even believe them. Because what I did was horrible, and terrible and-"

"A complete dick move, you caught me completely off guard, Darren. Do you know that?" I spat, tears threatening to spill from my eyes when I remembered exactly what had happened. I played that night over and over again in my mind, and imagined my face- the way my smile probably just slipped off of my face.

"You don't understand, Ronnie." He stepped towards me, shaking his head vigorously, his voice becoming louder. I stood my ground and twisted my wedding around on my finger, it was the only thing that kept me from running to him. "That hurt me- probably more than you could imagine. When you left, I didn't even know what to do. I drank, I fought anyone who gave me a reason to pick a fight with them. I was a total mess, because I knew I hurt you and it was something I never wanted to do, ever. I love you with all of my heart-" he pounded a fist over his chest, "you are my heart. I would do anything for you, I would die without you and I almost did. I'm so sorry, I couldn't express to you how sorry I am. You know me better than anyone ever had, and you've always been in my life. We've been through more than two people should ever go through and I wouldn't want to go through it with anyone else, I don't think anyone else could... complete me the way that you do."

I was so focused on keeping my face straight, that I didn't notice how much he had traveled towards me. He was only a couple of inches away, and I could hear his tattered breathing. I could smell him, I could smell happiness, home. Darren was where I should be, and my heart knew it. He not only was every last piece of home I had, he was home. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears from spilling, and ruin the image I had tried so hard to paint.

"Then why?" I shuddered, my voice low and soft. "Then why? Then why would you leave me? Why, after I gave up everything for you, my home, my life, everything!" My voice had started to rise, but Darren didn't step back when my anger started to boil- just like he never did. "I gave you every piece of myself, there was nothing more that I could give! What more could I have done! I've told you everything, I trusted you with my life... I trusted you with my heart. You KNOW, I don't trust anyone! And you're the exact reason why I don't. You looked me in the eyes-", the tears started to cloud my vision and stream down my cheeks, but I refused to let it affect my facial expression. I remained cold, and hard and expressionless. "And told my that you didn't love me, Darren! I left, and you didn't chase after me. I tried to be everything you wanted and needed, what was wrong! How could yo-"

His lips connected to mine, and interrupted me mid sentence. His hands were placed on my shoulders tightly, his grip was desperate. I fought to keep my eyes open, but they surrendered and shut tightly. My arms found my way around his neck and with that he wrapped his arms around my waist and yanked me towards him, pulling me into his body with a fierce yearning as if I couldn't get close enough. We heaved and struggled for air as the kiss broke, throughout it all tears continued to spill from my eyes. My heart felt as though it was going to shut down, my whole body shook along with Darren's who seemed almost as unstable as mine. We held each other closely, I looked up into his eyes which were cloudy with tears. The silence was louder than anything I had ever heard. He pressed his forehead against mine, and everything was the same as it was before. Like nothing had ever changed, that was the thing with Darren- it never changed. His kiss, his smile, the way he made me feel never changed, and nothing could ever compare to it. Nothing could even come close. But then, with my hands intertwined around his neck, my hand connected with a piece of silver metal wrapped around my finger, Steve.

I quickly pulled out of Darren's arms, and stepped backwards and turned on my heel and listened to the voice that whispered to me to run like hell.