"Unbelievable." Maxie snapped at her reflection. Her hair was too short to put in a braid and too long to force behind her ears. It was obviously a disaster. Irritated at her one and only option, she forced the hair band down onto her head almost breaking it. She didn't know what had her up in the air today. She had had plenty of sleep the night before and Hunter had cooked a splendid breakfast for the two of them before he went to check in at work. There was no reason for her current mood.

She went into the kitchen, suddenly feeling incredibly thirsty, and tried to pour herself a glass of orange juice. Hunter was a fitness buff and she didn't really mind. Her figure mattered to her more than it ever had. She had an image to project after all. Taking a clear glass from the cabinet, she screamed when the pressure from which she had been holding the glass caused it to shatter in her hand. Forcing back tears and nausea at the sight of blood—there was so much blood—she left the remaining shards on the counter and rushed over to the sink to clean the wound. The water was unforgiving as she tried to get the blood to clot and finally she had no choice but to flip off the faucet and hold a warm washcloth to the cut.

Maxie glanced at the calendar. The fifteenth. She needed to go down to her mailbox and take care of some bills. It was a stupid process but part of being an adult. She flung open the door and barely muffled a scream, jumping backwards.

"Hey Blondie." Ric smiled at her, pushing his sunglasses down to the tip of his nose. He pulled a bouquet of lilies from behind his back. "Special delivery for you."

"What do you want?" Unintentionally she took another step back allowing him access.

Taking a step forward, he continued to offer the flowers to her. "I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd stop by."

"You live three thousand miles away." Maxie argued trying to fold her arms only to be met with pain and resistance.

"This is exactly why I need to see a familiar face." He noticed the grimace of pain that shot across her expressive face when she moved her arm. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." Maxie snapped.

"No you aren't." Ric placed the flowers on the table on the hallway, grabbing for her hand. "You're bleeding."

"Well thank you for telling me. You should be a doctor or something." Maxie rolled her eyes.

"Or something." Ric studied the cut carefully. It didn't look deep, but she should still get it bandaged. Gently tugging her hand, he looked through the apartment, spotting the kitchen easily. "Come on. I'll take care of you."

"Don't touch it." Maxie squeaked out.

Ignoring her protests, he ran her hand carefully under the spray of the tap. Reaching behind him, his hand found a paper towel roll. Turning off the water, he pulled her hand to him and gently blew on it. "I don't want this beautiful skin to scar," he whispered. "Where are your Band-Aids?"

"Bathroom." Maxie gulped uncomfortably.

"Lead the way."

"I can get them. I don't need your help."

"I know you can, but I am a professional at this Maxie."

"So I need a medical degree to find a box of Band-Aids?"

"We could have been done by now instead of arguing." Ric pointed out. "Just tell me where they are."

"Medicine cabinet." Maxie dragged him to the bathroom and took the box from above the sink. "If you hurt me, I'm going to hurt you." She warned.

"Why would I want to do that?" he asked as he selected the right bandage. No obvious badge of injury for his girl.

"There. You fixed me. Bye now."

"I know you didn't think it would be that easy to get rid of me."

"Why are you here?"

"To see you."

"Well you've already done that."

"And I was hoping you'd consider going to dinner with me."

"I've already eaten."

"Tomorrow night then."

"Don't you have to go back to work?"

"I took some time off."

"How much time?"

"Enough."

"Ric, why are you doing this? I said everything I wanted to say in New York."

"But I didn't." Ric explained patiently.

"I've heard it."

"But you never saw it."

"Saw what?"

"You'll have to agree to see me and find out."

"I have plans."

"I'll wait till you're free."

Maxie gave him a half-smile. "I make it a point never to be free."

Ric took the smile as a small ray of hope. She could have kicked him out long before now. She could have denied him access to her home altogether. This was actually progress. "I'm not going anywhere Maxie."

"You're not going to sleep on my doorstep are you? That could prove really awkward with Hunter."

"Hunter? Who the hell is Hunter?"

"My boyfriend."

"Your what?" Ric shook his head.

"I told you I was seeing someone. He lives here with me."

"Then I should meet him. Get to know my competition."

"Are you jealous Ric? I never thought I'd see the day."

"I just want to meet the man is all."

"He'll be home soon. He hates to be away from me." Maxie turned her back to him then and plopped down onto the couch.

Ric followed and sat beside her uninvited. "Then I'll just keep you company until then."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?" He reached out and lightly traced the curve of her hand with his thumb.

Gracefully she pulled her hand away from him and laid it on her thigh. "I just don't like it."

"Maxie..."

"Wha-what?" Maxie hated herself for the stutter. She had been in control and now she didn't know what she was.

"I just want to talk to you." Ric whispered, leaning closer to her.

"You never want to just talk." Maxie protested weakly.

"But it's the only way we can fix this."

"Fix what?"

"Us."

"What do you want, Ric? Forgiveness? Fine. I forgive you. It was stupid to hold onto my anger for so long. Hunter showed me that."

"You Maxie." Ric said simply. "I want you."

"I want you too."

"Then tell me how to fix this Maxie."

"I don't know," Maxie looked away. "You're going to hurt me again."

"Not on purpose."

"There's a concession worth throwing my relationship away for." She mocked him.

"But you'll hurt me too." Ric countered.

She laughed without humor. "Not on purpose."

"See? So we'd be even."

"I'm a different person now Ric."

"So am I Maxie."

Maxie faced him and got her first real look at him. His hair was a little messier, but he looked exactly the same to her. "It wouldn't work."

"Why not?"

"I'd lose myself."

"I've already lost myself over you Blondie."

"I don't want you to say things like that to me." Despite her words, her voice was begging.

"But it's the truth. I thought you wanted the truth."

"I want you not to be here." Maxie said, abruptly standing. He caught her wrists carefully and she felt her lips tremble.

"There is no place I want to be but here." He said softly rising up.

"You're hurting me." Maxie tugged her hands back only to be met with more resistance.

"No I'm not."

"I don't...I don't want this."

"What do you want Maxie? Just tell me what you want." Ric whispered stepping closer to her.

"I, um, I...I want." Maxie wanted to kick herself for her behavior. A little touch and she wasn't in control of her own body anymore. Why was she moving closer to him? Did she really want to get hurt again?

"I know what I want. I've told you what I want. Dinner. You and me."

"But Hunter?" It was a last-ditch effort and he must have realized it too.

"Hunter isn't here. I am."

She stopped a hairbreadth from his mouth. "No. What's the matter with me?" she asked aloud.

"Blondie. Just come to dinner with me."

"I've already eaten." Maxie said for the second time.

"Dessert then."

"So," a voice called from the doorway, "did I miss anything?"

"Hunter." Maxie blew out a breath of relief and jumped away from Ric.