"When you said time was all you really needed
I walked away and let you have your space
Cuz leavin' didn't hurt me near as badly
As the tears I saw rollin' down your face…

…Just to see you smile
I'd do anything
That you wanted me to
And all is said and done
I'd never count the cost
It's worth all that's lost
Just to see you smile"

Tim McGraw ("Just To See You Smile")

He is determined. He will have her. He will do whatever it takes, no matter how much it destroys him. That was why he had every intention of honoring her wishes. To give her time, to give her space. To let her think, to let her heal by herself.

He feels the hungry eyes focused on his every move. He sees the predatory glint in their eyes and how they lick their lips in appreciation when he walks past them. He notices the lingering touches and the way they bat their eyes when he passes a report to them. He knows that these women are putty in his hands and this should make him insanely happy. Yet, he ignores their advances. All of them.

Rebuffed, they hiss and whisper in retaliation. It was only a matter of time, the rumors swirl. She is a shrew, a harpy. There's nothing special about her. Why would someone as attractive as him want to tie himself down with someone so plain, they spit venomously. They mock her accent. They ridicule her mannerisms. They ironically showcase their worst sides to him. And though it angers him to hear the vicious lies, he will not stoop to their level. No matter how much it is killing him to hear them tear his Montana down; he will take the high road.

Because he wants to hear only one voice and feel only one set of eyes on him and he does not want to cause her any more hurt. So he does not comment on what has happened between them. He does not want her to be a part of any more office fodder. He cares for her too much – which is also why he puts aside his selfish need to be near her and avoids her all day. It is torture, but he will endure it in the hopes of winning her heart back.

But he decides that it is bullshit as he holds her close in the locker room. As he kisses the top of her head, he resolves that he is never going to leave her alone ever again. No way in hell.

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A/N - Thank you to ALL of my reviewers and readers. You all rock!