Author's note: With Series 4 now airing, I'm not up to writing about "current events" in the show. I want to see what the professional writers come up with. Instead I'm going to finish this AU story. I realize "other character" romantic interest stories don't get many readers, but stick with me. I'm a huge Connor and Abby fan as you can already tell. Reviews really appreciated.

Chapter 7 – Abby's Mistake

The cool night air felt wonderful as Abby stepped out of the crowded bar. She took Ron's hand and led him down the street toward her flat. She was feeling carefree and sure of herself. Ron reminded her of a sandy haired Connor and that made her feel safe with him. She felt sure he was a gentleman and would enjoy watching a movie with her and eating popcorn on the couch. As she stuck her key in the door lock, she said, "Would you like to watch a drama or a romance?"

Ron followed her into the dark flat and closed the door behind them. Ron watched her reach for the lamp beside the couch. As she turned on the light, he sat down and pulled her into his lap. Before Abby knew what was happening, Ron had his mouth on hers. Abby yelped as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. When she felt his hand on her butt, she started to get angry. He quickly rolled her under his body and pinned her to the couch. Abby struggled, vaguely surprised at how much slower her reflexes were due to the beer.

"Get off," she yelled in disgust. She managed to free one arm and was about to punch him in the face, when she heard a key in the front door.

Then Connor's frantic voice called, "Abby!" He rushed into the room and grabbed the man on top of Abby by the back of his jacket. He pulled him off her and forced him toward the door, "The lady said get off."

Ron looked at Abby and then at Connor, "She asked me here, mate. You should have seen her in the bar, rubbing against me… giving me the look."

Connor looked at Abby's pale, horrified face and then back at Ron. "Not another word," he said in a voice gone deadly soft, "You need to leave here now."

Ron studied Connor, noting how unsettled he was. It was a good start. Ron decided to add a bit more doubt to Connor's mind. Pretending righteous anger, he stomped to the door. "Fine. You're welcome to her. She a real tease."

Connor stared after Ron until he was sure he had left the area, and then he carefully closed the door. He leaned his forehead against the door and took a couple of deep breaths before he turned to face Abby. Concern and relief were clear on his face as he walked toward her. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Abby backed slowly away, feeling confused and amazed by Connor's rescue. She gazed at him while he continued to close the distance between them. His eyes searched her body and face for any signs of bruises as he moved right up against her. Abby bumped back into the wall and stared up into Connor's worried eyes.

Putting his arms around her, he hugged her tightly, trying to assure himself that she was O.K. "That ass had no right to treat you that way," he said as he pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes. "He had no right," he whispered again as his mouth came down softly on hers. He kissed her as if he had done it a million times before, as if she was his.

Abby forgot all about Ron's awful groping as the pleasure of being in Connor's arms overwhelmed her. Her heart began to pound in excitement as she kissed him back.

Connor felt desire shimmer through him as he continued to kiss her and caress her back. It was his dream come true to be kissing and holding Abby. He never wanted to stop. In a haze of pleasure he began to nibble his way across her cheek until he could kiss her ear and neck. Abby made a small sound of enjoyment and tried to pull him closer before reality slammed into her.

Connor was dating Jayne. "Connor… you should stop now," she said regretfully.

Abby heard and felt his breath on her ear as he mumbled, "Don't want to…"

"What about Jayne?" she said gently.

It was as if someone had poured ice water over him. He froze and stepped back from Abby, "Oh god, what have I done?" he said in stunned confusion.

"Connor, it's O.K., I won't say anything. It was nothing. Just a meaningless reaction to saving me from that jerk," she said quietly.

Pain lanced through him at Abby's casual dismissal of his feelings. What had been the greatest moment of his life meant nothing to her. With every word she said she was ripping his heart apart.

Abby watched Connor's face turn pale and felt awful for him. She knew he would continue to beat himself up for betraying Jayne if she didn't fix it somehow. She would think about her own feelings later. For now, she needed to ease Connor's mind, even if it meant lying through her well-kissed lips. "Honestly, it was like kissing my brother. There's no need to worry about it any more," she insisted.

To Abby's surprise, Connor's face went even whiter as he backed away from her.

He stumbled to the door and said in a rusty voice, "I'm going to Danny's for the night. Bolt the door behind me, please."

Abby watched him hurry away without looking back at her. Not sure what to do, she called after him in exasperation, "Connor!" As he broke into a run, she closed and locked the door to the flat. Leaning against the wood, she absently ran a fingertip along her swollen lips.

When Connor had kissed her it had been so different from Ron's disgusting behavior. Her instinct had urged her to give in and just admit what she felt, but she had promised to stop hurting Connor. She thought that taking away his guilt for kissing her was a good start.

Pushing away all her confusion, she reminded herself that Connor deserved a sweet loving girl like Jayne. She wouldn't muck it up for him. No matter how much it hurt her, she was going to be the perfect friend to Connor from now on.

Cursing herself for being a fool, she wandered into her bedroom while the lies she had told Connor burned into her lonely heart.

She had told him it meant nothing, but in all honesty, Connor Temple had given her a kiss she would never forget.