A/N. (why is fanfiction screwing over my breaker things?)

I totally rewrote this whole thing. Seriously. I…can't believe it. But things are finally starting to fall into the right order for me. So I am happy. [YAYYY!]

This entire chapter was written with VB Rose in mind. It's an excellent romance manga- you all should read it. Ah, for shojo pretty boys~~~~

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Chapter Five

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Lost

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The drive back to Rhyme's apartment was quiet. The light night wind made Joshua's silver-tinged bangs flutter like moths in the moonlight. The faint musing smile hovering about his lips was as distant as his gaze.

Rhyme toyed with the corner of her skirt, eyes unfocused as she, too, dwelled on her own private thoughts.

"Thanks for all this, Joshua. "

One eyebrow arched slightly. "Oh? For what, now? "

"Well, for being here. I was kind of having a rough day, but... seeing you, being with you... It really helped cheer me up. You're right- shopping is fun. " She smiled, and settled back more in her seat. "You're a good friend, Joshua. "

Keeping his eyes on the road, Joshua smiled ever-so-lightly. "I'm glad. "

The silence returned, easy and comfortable.

"Do you love Tim? "

Rhyme's first reaction was to jump and gabble something in defense. "Of course I do. Why else would I stay with him? "

He shrugged nonchalantly, as if this was normal conversation. "To save him? "

"Well, yes I do want to help him…" Rhyme sighed, eyeing the AA booklet in her purse. " But I do love him, " she finished.

"Okay. " Joshua seemed satisfied.

What was that sudden pang of guilt that made her cringe? She did love Tim, truly and deeply.

So why did she feel like she was lying?

Laying the AA booklet on Tim's nightstand, Rhyme slid carefully into her bed beside his, only bothering to slip off her shoes before curling up under the downy blankets.

"Rhyme? "

"Oh, Tim. " Rhyme sat up, and turned to face him, just making out his outline in the moonlight filtering through the curtains. "I'm so sorry. Did I wake you up? "

"No... I just couldn't sleep. " She heard him sigh. "You have a good time? "

"Mmm-hmm. "

"I'm glad. " He was quiet for a moment. "Rhyme… can I ask you something? "

"Anything, " she replied, truly thinking she meant it.

He sat up, facing her but keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. "I… I did something thinking while you were gone today. I.. though about how much you meant to me. I'd be so lost without you. You've stayed with me all this time and… I… I want you to stay with me forever. Will you marry me?

Rhyme felt her heart stop for a second- she couldn't breathe. "I… " As he offered her the shimmering, shining ring, all she could hear were her own words from earlier. But I do love him. But I do love him.

"I'm sorry it's not much- I can't afford much right now, " he apologized, indicating the ring. "You deserve the best Rhyme- and I want to give you that. …Will you accept me?"

She met Tim's pleading gaze, and in her moment of hesitation, she surrendered. "…yes. "

As the cold band of metal was slid around her, she felt of burst of panic and the horrible feeling that she had made a mistake. Rhyme smiled on the outside, even though on the inside she felt like something had broken.

In that moment, something had been lost.

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DUNDUNDAH.