Klaus stayed at The Moorings until I fell asleep that night. He knew better than to talk about what had happened with Oliver.

The next few mornings were all very sluggish starts as I felt completely numb.

I slid into a chair, poking at the slice of toast I had accidentally burnt. I glanced at the calendar... One day until I was back to work.

I sighed, taking a bite of my toast, only to spit it back out. I scowled at my plate, my general anger at life focused on the crumbly thing.

Why was I angry at my toast?

This was getting ridiculous. I found I didn't miss work all that much. I got along well enough without Sean breathing down my neck about propriety, and, much as I loved them, it was nice to just have time to myself rather than spending all of it with Lara and Toni. In the past two weeks alone, I had read any book on Tudor England I could find, finding the passages about the witch, Anne Boleyn, particularly fascinating. All my research was neatly organised, and I had even written a proper script for the show.

Maybe I would resign. It had crossed my mind several times in the past few days. And that decision had nothing to do with Clancy, or Bray, or Oliver. It just wasn't as fun as it had once been. I rather liked being tucked away at home, boring as it could sometimes be, lounging about and reading. There were no worries, no scrutiny, just me, books, a fruit basket, and whatever visitor decided to pop by for the afternoon.

However, I probably just needed a break. I had been working nonstop for three years. I had gone through several bouts of doubt in that time, and I always decided that I had to stay. But a long holiday was certainly overdue.

"Rue?"

I looked up to see Klaus standing on the other side of the table, looking down at my plate in disdain.

"I brought you some breakfast."

"Oh, thanks."

"How're you getting on?" he asked, grabbing fresh bowls from the cupboard.

"I finished all my research," I supplied cheerily.

He pulled out the chair across from me and sat, serving up the porridge Anna had probably just prepared.

"Well, that's good, but you know what I was asking," he said with a pointed stare as he slid a bowl to me.

I picked up the spoon, choosing not to answer.

"Rue, c'mon, you can talk to me. I know I give you shit more often than not, but I've watched your relationship with Wood from the beginning, as dysfunctional as it was."

I shifted in my seat.

"That was the first time I've seen you cry since we were kids," Klaus murmured.

"What're you getting at?"

"You need to talk to someone, preferably me, about what happened," he said firmly.

"And why would I need to do that?"

"Because, knowing you, you're going to bottle it all up and make things even worse than they are now by doing something incredibly stupid that'll only backfire on you."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. So, out with it."

I was quiet, taking small spoonfuls of porridge as I thought over what exactly I wanted to say. That I was stupid? That he was stupid?

"Right, so, he proposed to you?" Klaus prompted.

"Yes."

"And you said no?"

"Right."

"Why?"

I blinked a few times. I wasn't expecting that. Why had I said no? I couldn't say for sure.

"I was upset, and I finally decided that I thoroughly disliked him."

"Then why are you still upset now?"

Because you should have said yes, the annoying voice of reason piped up. I quickly quelled it though. I was right to say no.

"I don't know," I said.

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "Theoretically, based on your 'decided' feelings toward the bloke, you should be quite satisfied with yourself. And yet you aren't. So," he paused.

I continued to stare into my bowl.

"Why are you still upset?" he asked slowly.

He would have to drag a legitimate answer from my last dying breath. And, honestly, I should have been happy and quite pleased with myself for rising above Wood's foolish nonsense. And yet I had been tortured.

I had barely slept, my thoughts keeping me up at night or suddenly awakening me from a pleasant dream turned hellish nightmare.

That wasn't how it was supposed to be, especially not when I got my way.

What in Merlin's name had happened?

Finally, I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I don't know," I whispered desperately.

"Do you still lo-"

"No," I said firmly, my hands falling to the table. "I couldn't possibly."

"Couldn't you?" Klaus volleyed back.

A tense silence settled over us as Klaus began picking up the bowls and made to leave.

"It's just a thought, Rue. Try not to kill yourself over this, yeah? You've got two days of work and then you're off for a proper holiday at home."

And with that, Klaus was gone.

"Ooh, it's beautiful!" Lara cooed as we walked up the hardened footpath towards Windsor Castle. We had already stopped off at Hever Castle and Hampton Court. We would be staying in London for the night to finish up there.

Normally we would just be piddling around as Robbie took photographs, but it seemed Sean was actually interested in where we were, so he insisted on all the tourist trap tours, which is why we were ushered inside the castle and up a flight of stairs by an eccentric elderly man.

I tried to hide my exhaustion from them. I hadn't done this much walking and climbing stairs over the past two weeks, and, pathetic as I inwardly felt, I put up a front of strength. Instead of asking to sit out for awhile, I would complain that I needed the loo, and off I would go to find a dark, secluded space to sit out of the watchful eyes of Sean, Robbie, Lara, and Toni.

I didn't want them to be concerned. The healers said I was far better off than most victims, especially taking my fall into account. I wanted to leave it at that. Two days of walking around and going up and down stairs couldn't be so bad.

And, besides, what didn't kill me made me stronger.

"Oh, uh, Sean?" I asked, faced with another long, steep staircase. "I'm, er, in need of a toilet, so I'll catch up with you lot in a bit, alright?"

I pointed behind me where I had seen signs earlier.

Sean regarded me for a moment, "Alright, be quick, though. Try not to get distracted by something! We want you in pictures for the pamphlet!"

I gave him a mock salute before speeding off in the other direction. Once I turned a corner, I plopped down on the first bench I could find.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the cold stone wall.

This was our last stop for the day before heading to The Leaky Cauldron for dinner and sleep. I had owled George this morning to tell him I was going to be in town, should he fancy seeing me for dinner or something.

He probably had a date with Angelina, though, so I wasn't holding out for him.

"Rue?"

My eyes shot open. Robbie, looking concerned, stood in front of me.

"You alright, then?"

"I'm fine," I said softly, sitting forward and wringing my hands. I wasn't sure how much time had passed.

Robbie raised his eyebrows and sat next to me, "I think if you tell Sean you aren't up for all the moving about, he would understand-"

"It's nothing, I'm just tired."

Robbie put a hand on my knee, "Rue, you've already impressed everyone with your quick recovery, and I promise we'd be forgiving if you needed to take it easy."

"It's just one more day," I sighed, leaning and resting my head against Robbie's shoulder.

He was right. I didn't need to impress anyone by pretending.

I hated when other people were right.

"C'mon," he said, squeezing my knee, "you're going to check in at The Leaky Cauldron early, alright? Have yourself some dinner and go to sleep. We need you tomorrow, and then you get a long vacation. That'll be nice."

He gently lifted me from my seat and pulled me to him. In an instant we were standing in front of Tom.

"She'll have some stew," Robbie said, guiding me to a table. "And her room key!" he called after Tom.

"I'll tell Sean you're here, and we'll see you in the morning. You need to be in top shape for the Tower, Westminster, and Saint James tomorrow. Try not to get into any bar fights with anyone, yeah?"

I nodded, "I'll try."

Rue.

Rue. Rue. Rue.

Over and over, his voice saying my name.

Rue.

I turned to him. His fingers traced my lips before pulling me to him.

You infuriate me.

And he didn't let me say anything in return, taking my lips with his own.

I pulled away from him. I'm sorry.

He shook his head and moved to turn away. I caught his sleeve, stopping him.

But I didn't know why I stopped him.

Rue?

Was I...crying? He stepped forward and cupped my cheeks, brushing away tears with his thumb.

Why did you do this to yourself?

I didn't know what he meant.

What did I do wrong?

I didn't respond.

Tell me the truth.

What truth? You already know it. Apparently, Dream Rue knew what he was talking about.

I need to hear you say it.

Hesitation... Because I love you.

Then come back to me.

I shot up, the quilt pooling in my lap. I brought a shaking hand to my face, finding my cheeks tearstained.

I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but that only encouraged the twisting in my chest and the sudden cry I couldn't hold back.

I wrapped my arms around myself as my body shook with sobs.

He had been the one to break up with me. He had made no effort to make amends in the three years following. He stood by idly while she tormented me for a week. And he had the nerve to propose only days after breaking up with the woman who had almost killed me.

And now I was a weak, vulnerable, sobbing mess. A mere shadow of the once strong, confident woman I had been.

Oliver Wood had ruined me.

I did not love him. I could not love him. I would not love him.

If you haven't already checked it out, I suggest you scoot along over to The Twelve Days of Christmas for some fun reading. There are two Rue & Oliver one shots among other characters, including Lizzie & Remus! Now, Rue's having a hard time; she has no idea what she wants. Poor, stubborn dear. I'll update again tomorrow so as to not keep you in suspense for too long now that she's decided she won't love Oliver. As always, JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter universe, and I that which you don't recognize from it. Also, as always, do be kind and leave me a review! Yours.