DISCLAIMER:ALL HUSH HUSH CHARACTERS BELONG TO THE LOVELY AND TALENTED BECCA FITZPATRICK, ALL OTHERS ARE MINE :)

THIS CHAPTER: WE HAVE THE RETURN OF TWO CHARACTERS, TRISTAN MAKES AN APPEARENCE AGAIN AND THIS TIME HE'S GOT A FRIEND WITH HIM THAT YOU MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT... READ AND REVIEW!

PERSONAL NOTE: I'M SORRY THESE ARE TAKING LONGER, I'M HAVING SOME PROBLEMS STAYING ON TOP OF THIS ONE, BOOKZRMYLIFE, YOU'RE THE REASON THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS HAVE GOTTEN DONE, YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT AND BEGGING ME FOR MORE DOES THE TRICK EVER TIME. THERE AREN'T LEMONS IN THIS CHAPTER, SORRY GUYS, BUT THERE IS SOME ANGST THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD FOR A WHILE SO I HOPE THAT MAKES UP FOR IT. AGAIN, I'M TRYING NEW THINGS OUT SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST STORY EVER, HERE'S HOPING IT DOESN'T SUCK TOO MUCH :)

CHAPTER 28

LET'S HAVE A BALL

THREE MONTHS LATER

Patch and I have been together for three months now. Things have been perfect, he hasn't given me any doubts that he was anything but sincere in his confession and promises to me. He didn't even seem to be struggling with monogamy like we all thought he might. In celebration Vee convinced grandma that we should have a dance, a formal masquerade ball. Normally I would never go for anything like this, but since my accident I tried to appease my sister, and to be honest, I like being able to show off my relationship with Patch. No more pining away in the dark, now I was free to hold his hand, kiss him, and best of all, tell him I loved him anytime I wanted. That amounted to once ever 2.2 seconds, and Patch wasn't any better. It was like once we said it we couldn't stop.

"So give me the update, where are we at, is everything ready for the ball tomorrow night?" This is a big deal, all the proceeds are being donated to the food bank and winter clothing drive for the homeless." I asked Vee who was organizing everything.

She loved parties and she loved throwing them even more so I was letting her do most of the arrangements. My requirement was that the donations go to support the causes I chose and I would have input on the decorations and party. I let Vee manage the guest list with one exception, no Tristan Miller. I was prepared for it to be the elite, the 'upper crest' of society, and while I hated that, it would bring in the money I hoped to raise. Sometimes things had to be special invite, exclusive only to get what you needed done. This was the one time that having our last names really came in handy, actually, it wasn't because of our last names as much anymore as the astonishing success of Patch's Corporation. He had really made a name for himself and that name brought recognition all of his own, independent from our families. I was more than extremely proud of him, even more so because of his ethics and business goals. He was on his way to the top in Forbes Magazine, one of the youngest, richest, most successful young entrepreneurs of our time. Someone they considered to be the one to watch and take notes from. It wasn't the money or fame that hit home with me or that made me proud, it was what he was doing with it. Like this ball, donating so much money to such worthy causes. His idea was to buy businesses that were having huge success but being driven into bankruptcy and closure by poor management. He would buy them up, bring in the right people, or train the one's already employed preferably to do the job right and use the profit from the new thriving business to step in and rebuild other faltering ones. With his advertising experience he could market the company to the target audience, taking advantage of his partnership with Angelo that he still held. He raised the wages of everyone's pay, only replacing those who he had to for legitimate reasons such as theft, not working, showing up drunk etc. Everyone else was encouraged to further themselves with training, he would offer to pay for it or reimburse the cost of once it was completed. Patch gave bonuses to those hard workers earning them and inside promotions. The people under him were valuable to Patch, he never forgot the days we struggled or how it felt to not have parents at home with us, sure it had been our parents choice not to be there, but others weren't that lucky, that choice was made for them so he made families a priority. There were parties at each business where families were encouraged to attend with raffles and games that were part of the festivities for all ages. For a guy who had planned to stay single and mingle he sure did have a family friendly view on how to run things. He insisted on paid vacations and not only paid maternity leave, but leave for new fathers as well. Patch set up a generous amount of sick leave for those with children or health issues that could be verified. Those who won the Employee of the Month at each business earned a weekend get away for them and their significant other and/or family. Patch wants to start a foundation to further his beliefs and rally support for the causes he believes in, I'm all for that.

The changes he's made and the growth he's showing have me beaming with pride, this is the boy I fell in love with, the man I'm madly, deeply in love with even now after all these years. That's why I'm involved in this ball, it will show him I support him, that we are a team in pursuing the things he's wanting to achieve because we are. This masquerade ball will bring together people with his common goals, allow us to celebrate our relationship and raise money for charity. Helping is the least I can do. I just have to keep reminding myself that this doesn't make me like my mom, I'm not doing this to further my reputation or to climb the social ladder, I'm doing this to help others in need, like Patch and I were when we left home. I had been to large parties before, we grew up a part of the founding families of our town, but this was sure to be on a whole other scale and that had me feeling slightly ill, I just had to keep reminding myself this would help Patch and this did not make me like my mother. The memories were there though of all the balls we had been to in the last six years since being disowned, the way everyone stared at us because we no longer belonged, the cold words that went with the cold looks and shoulders I received, it all hurt. It didn't bother Patch, but it sure as hell had bothered me.

"All of the guests have responded concerning their attendance and the invitations were clear that this is a formal event." Vee told me.

"I don't even want to know how many people you invited. The black and white dress code with masks required was made clear too?"

"Yes, and I wouldn't tell you anyways how many people are coming, you wouldn't show up." She smirked and my stomach rolled with anxiety.

Great, I groan. That means she's gone wild and probably invited half the city's population.

"What about decorations, has everything been set up?" This was a big deal, we were holding it at a hotel designed to be a miniature version of The Plaza, so elegant and over the top was the goal. Men would be in tuxedo's and women in ball gowns, you couldn't get in without an invitation and a mask.

"Table decorations are already there along with the linen's. The lights have been hung, the music has been picked and the orchestra is ready." Vee smiled.

Normally I hated this kind of music, okay, I hated anything close to this kind of event, but it was a rather exciting to be the one organizing it for once and for good causes.

"Did you mail mom and dad an invitation?" I asked Vee. I know she hates being put in between us, I don't like doing that to her either. I came out of my accident even stronger than I was before so if she did I would handle it better than I would have previously. Three months after my release I'm completely healed, off all medications and happier than I have ever been.

It's been six years since I left home with Patch and in a few months I will be graduating from college thanks to him. With my degree I will be able to know I can support myself and be independent, even though I know that Patch will insist on continuing to help take care of me. The knowledge I can do that though on my own is important to me and what's important to me is important to him. Plus, I love writing and I also love reading. I've thought about trying to write a book, maybe get published, but there's a lot of competition out there, it's not as easy as it seems, even if you have a brilliant idea and a great story. Just getting someone to read your manuscript is nearly impossible these days. I've considered being an editor, maybe opening my own business or publishing company. I have a lot of options now thanks to Patch paying for my education that I wouldn't have had without him. None of what I'm accomplishing is thanks to my parents.

"No, actually I decided not to." Vee said smugly.

"Really?" My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Seriously. This is your night, yours and Patch's and they don't need to ruin it for you guys. Plus, they've been the center of attention at enough parties, it won't kill them to miss out on the party of the century." She grinned.

"You realize that they are going to freak out, right? At least mom will. You're going to be hearing about this till the day she dies." I smirk.

"Yes, but you're worth it." She gave me a quick hug. Vee and I have gotten a lot closer since my accident, even with her not living in the city and being married we are closer than we've ever been.

"I didn't think there would ever come a time that I didn't long for them to be a part of my life, that I wouldn't crave their love and acceptance. I don't hate them, I just don't like or approve of their behavior, they're toxic for me."

"You didn't always approve or accept Patch's behavior." Vee looked down uncomfortably, as if she were afraid to say what was on her mind, very unlike Vee.

"I know, but Patch didn't do the things he did out of spite or to control me. He didn't choose those women over me to personally hurt me and he never made me feel unwelcome or unlovable. Patch is the one person I've had to depend on through any storm, not mom and dad."

"I never understood how you could choose someone over mom and dad, even Patch, but I get it now." Vee said.

"You do?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"When you were in the hospital mom and dad didn't even show up until we had been there a long time, then they didn't visit or call hardly ever to check up on you. We couldn't get Patch to even step outside of your hospital room door." She smirked. "That should have been mom and dad in there sitting holding your hand and not leaving your side, but it wasn't." Vee's voice was sad. "I lost my respect for them."

"You know I never wanted you to be in the middle of us, to be involved. I would never expect you to choose between our parents and me."

"I realize that now, Patch isn't the only one who had his eyes opened." She winked at me and I laughed. "Now you need to go get your homework done so you can enjoy the party tomorrow night." She shoved me towards the door.

Patch spared no expense on Nora's dress; he commissioned a custom-made dress from a designer in New York. The dress was black, which contrasts starkly with her mahogany red hair, and strapless with a sweetheart neckline which made the dress hug to her curve. The bodice had diamonds and pearls sewn into the fabric with gold thread to make the dress sparkle, it tapered to give way to a straight skirt with a slight train at the bottom. The masquerade mask was also custom-made; it was molded to fit Nora's face perfectly. The mask had lace sewn around the edges and was decorated with strands of pearls and blue sapphires with white feathers accentuating the right side of the mask.

Nora smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she took in her appearance; to her eye, she looks regal and elegant and she knew that Patch would be impressed. As much confidence as she had in herself she still had butterflies in her stomach over how many people were sure to be there. She grew up attending founder's parties and ball's, but this was in a league of its own. With Patch's success came expectations, they worked hard to balance that, staying true to themselves while meeting the responsibilities of someone in his position now. It was all so new, their relationship, his business, his success. It had the recipe of disaster written all over it with that kind of pressure riding on their new relationship, but Nora and Patch weren't a typical couple, if anyone could make it work it would be them, neither of them were the type of person who would be changed or swayed by money or success. They had been the victims of such a lifestyle, they weren't going to repeat their parents mistakes.

The ballroom was stunning, it would easily impress and surpass the expectations of the guests, Vee had outdone herself. The circular tables were set with six chairs each, they were covered in black table clothes- black signifying Fallen Angels. In the center of each table was a circular clear glass bowl filled with water that contained black floating candles surrounded by white roses- white was the color being used to represent Angels that hadn't fallen. The raised centerpiece bowl was flanked by crystal champagne flutes filled with water and a single black floating candle, white roses filled in the spaces between the bowl and flutes, scattered white rose petals decorated the black cloth around the decorative ensemble. The napkins were a fancy white folded linen cloth that was held by a black holder decorated in an intricate black and white rose design piece that's center attraction was two masks, one white and the other black representing angels and their fallen counterparts. The ceiling was draped in sheer black fabric and decorated by millions of tiny pin lights that gave the impression of a sparkling midnight sky. There were matching decoration pieces cast strategically around the giant ballroom, the place was fit for royalty and fog machines gave the room an ethereal feeling and look.

Nora wanted to make Patch proud, however, when she made her way into the ballroom it was filled almost to the rafters with masked figures, many of whom Nora had never met. Most, she assumed, were members of Patch's rich and powerful sect.

To the majority of these faceless people, Patch Cipriano was nothing more than a dashing, charming business person on his way to the top. To the men, Patch was an articulate and sophisticated man they wanted to befriend, to do business with, they all wanted a share of his growing company and wealth. Ah, but to the women, though? To the women he was this animalistic enigma they wanted to figure out, and tame. More than that each was hoping to test his reputation in bed. Patch wasn't married yet, that made him fair game in the minds of single women in this social circle, especially since he wasn't yet engaged either, something Patch planned to change.

Nora swallowed a sigh as she searched the room for her fallen angel. The masquerade was barely getting underway and yet she could see that a great many of the guests her...boyfriend, she corrected quickly. She wasn't quite able to call Patch Cipriano her fiance, even in the privacy of her own thoughts. Not that they weren't headed that way, because it was more than obvious to her (and everyone else) that they were. And it wasn't because she questioned her role in Patch's life. She was quite aware that to him, as well as to the world at large, she was the Queen of his vast empire, his Angel, but she wasn't about to curse the luck or love she had just been blessed with by being cocky, cocky was Patch's role, not hers.

Most of the guests, she saw as she slowly glanced around, were congregated in small clusters at the edges of the elaborate dance floor. A small crowd was twirling to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Op, 20 (Lake In the Moonlight), their black and white colored masks almost as extravagant as the jewels and costumes they were wearing. People had already been lining up in the dining room to partake of the refreshments being laid out when she'd passed a few minutes ago. A quick glance showed her that even more were taking advantage of the full service bar that was set up out on the balcony.

Nora was surrounded by a cornucopia of people.

Damnation, she thought as she reached up to finger the huge diamond nestled between her breasts. There are more people here than I anticipated there would be, even for Vee this is outlandish. She was half tempted to just flee back to the relative safety of their home and say the hell with the Ball. Patch knew she still got anxious in large crowds, especially one's that included their parents inner circle and those he needed to make acquaintances with, he'd understand why if she left. No, I'm going to make him proud, I'm not a coward, not anymore.

No, what she really wanted was for Patch to suddenly appear at her side, tuck her hand into the crook of his arm and escort her into the ballroom. Nora pushed that fanciful thought aside, he was busy taking care of his part as host and center of attention for the night. She had to do this without her sinfully handsome man to hold onto. Her anxiety was not something she could easily put aside. Not when the familiar bands of panic were already starting to wrap themselves around her chest and cinch tight. She chewed on her bottom lip, struggling to work up the courage necessary to take the final steps that would lead her into the sea of masked strangers. I have to get used to this, this is Patch's life now, our life now, and it's time to stop letting my past with our parents associates rule my emotions.

Almost as if he'd been conjured up by some sort of magic spell, Patch appeared at her side, a devastating smile curving his full lips. "Hello, my Angel."

"Patch." The stark relief she heard in her own voice sickened and annoyed her. Still… "I'm so glad you're here."

"I've always been there when you have needed me, have I not?" He rumbled.

"Yes." She nodded. "Of course you have been." And he had, that was no secret.

"Then you knew I would be here now." Patch raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly at her. She was as much his rock as he was hers, she just didn't see it yet, but she was getting there. It wasn't that she was still weak or insecure, she was neither of those, she just hadn't gotten her barring yet on things. This was their first event as a couple and her first time being in a room containing Coldwater Creeks upper crest on top of the countless strangers Vee had invited, these people were some of the worlds most intelligent, it was a little intimidating even for the experienced.

Nora saw his eye sweep her then, appreciation and something darker, hungrier burning in its depth that absolutely stole what little breath she was managing to draw in. The primal hunger shimmering in that obsidian depth left her knees wobbly, her mouth dry and her pulse bucking more than a wild Mustang.

"You look beautiful, Angel."

Nora shivered as her belly coiled into those achingly hot knots it always did whenever Patch spoke in that low, throaty baritone. "Considering how you chose my costume?" Her lips curled delicately at the corners. "I would hope that you are pleased with how it turned out." She flirted.

"I am more than pleased with how your costume turned out." He winked and gave her a devilish grin. He didn't look so bad either in his black tuxedo with black shirt, tie and cumber bun. He was every much the part of Fallen Angel, a sexy fallen angel.

Nora had to admit that she was pleased with how her costumed had turned out, remembering how it looked on her when admiring herself in the mirror. At first she'd been flabbergasted when he'd presented her with the mask and gown that afternoon, not understanding the reasoning behind his choice in costume at all, it was extravagant. The dress had flowed over his arm in a waterfall of stones and beads the color of sin and purity all in one. Once she'd dressed, though, she'd understood exactly why Patch had designed this particular costume for her. The woman looking back at her in the full length mirror had glowed with heat and pulsated with heaven. She was the sinfully delicious Fallen Angel and the Queen of the Angels if there was such a thing.

And both sides of her were his.

Same as both sides of this man were hers. She accepted that Patch was both the devilish Fallen Angel and the heart of a heavenly Angel, he most certainly was like a Guardian Angel to Nora. It's why I chose for him to dress as a Fallen Angel tonight, she thought, surreptitiously studying him. He really was a sinful sight for sore eyes, his raven black wavy hair, his strong jaw line and aristocratic nose, those sparkling midnight sky eyes that promised trouble contrasting with his Italian complexion, the rippling power of the muscles barely concealed by his tuxedo, he was edible. Patch was a man who could smile cruelly, or sensually. He hadn't shaved that evening, and the shadow of stubble along his jaw and over those angular cheeks turned what was already an arresting face into something edgy. Powerful. Beautiful. Ladies were sure to be drooling over him like a kid in a candy store over the last piece of candy. That's what he was, eye candy, man candy and every woman was going to be wanting a taste, Nora was sure of it.

She opened her mouth, intending to commend him on at least adhering to the costume part of the masquerade when a man dressed as the Phantom from the Phantom of the Opera shoved by her, she was sure that he was from the Coldwater Creek sect. Nora jumped and let out a tiny squeak. Patch snagged her hand and drew her towards him.

"Relax, love."

"There are a lot more people here than I'd anticipated," she finally mumbled once her heart left her throat. "I didn't think there would be so many who'd show up at once. I'm not sure I..." Her voice trailed off into a sigh full of both nerves and frustration. I don't need to be this much of a coward, she thought bitterly. I shouldn'tbe afraid of walking into a room full of masked strangers, especially with Patch present.

No, Nora needed to get used to the fact she was now one of the reigning socialites, she was just one that wasn't money hungry or status driven. This woman she intended to be wasn't going to have to be afraid to make a grand entrance (the grander the better, in fact) at this Masquerade Ball. This woman had to get used to go to parties like this all the time. She couldn't act like there was someone lurking in the shadows who could mean her harm or look at her crossly and their words needed to roll of her like water, not ruin her like her parents had tried. Nora needed to be strong and not worry that someone was about to shun or embarrass her.

No, this woman she was trying to muster the confidence up to be would boldly sashay into the ballroom with a mysterious smile curving her glossy lips. This woman would have boldly engaged these strangers (men as well as women) in conversation without feeling as if she was going to throw up the moment she opened her mouth. This woman would be flirtatious, playful, and fearless. She'd melt against this Fallen Angel and lift her mouth for his kiss, uncaring about who was watching or might disapprove of such a display or of her relationship with her parents or especially her relationship with Patch. This is the woman she was going to be tonight...as soon as she stopped shaking.

"Nora?" She heard Patch's concerned voice. Her demeanor must have caught his attention.

"I'm fine, just battling the past." Nora gave a nervous smile.

"Look at me," Patch's husky timbre rolled over her hypersensitive senses, super charging them even more than they already were. Only when she focused her eyes upon his did he ask continue. "What are you afraid will happen?"

She was tembling with the effort to not lose the contents of her stomach. "Right now? My greatest fear is that I will embarrass you by throwing up all over you." Nora gave a nervous laugh, something was off, a sense of foreboding.

His face softened and he reached up to cup her cheek in the palm of his hand. "You are letting your panic defeat you, Angel. And what have I told you about letting your panic rule you or this crowd of money and power hungry judgmental assholes?"

Nora closed her eyes and turned her face into his palm, absorbing the wondrous feeling of his rough skin upon hers. The sensation was heady, intoxicating, it always was. In the midst of turmoil Patch would always be the one who could turn it all around just by his presence alone.

"Don't let it?" Nora finally managed to sound more confident even with her question.

He nodded. "So what should you do about it?"

A voice in the back of her head whispered a logical response to that question: run like hell, I'm not going to though, I won't let those people win anymore. Her automatic mouth had her reply, "Remind myself that I am with you and that you will never allow anybody to hurt me anymore, not even my parents or their friends." Or the hundreds of women you've slept with...You're mine now, Nora smirked to herself feeling more and more confident.

"Promise?" She looked at him, her big dove-gray eyes melting his heart.

His thumb lightly traced her bottom lip. "I promise."

Promises, Nora had come to learn long ago, were things that carried special meaning with Patch Cipriano. They were not guarantees that he made recklessly, nor that he treated lightly. She recalled how the first promise he'd ever made to her after her release from the hospital was about how he would "never allow" her "to be hurt again" by their parents or anyone else for that matter, particularly those from Coldwater Creek.

"I will protect you, Angel." He assured her in a silky smooth timbre that made her belly do jumping jacks even while her head swam in its drug induced haze. "And I will keep you safe. I promise."

It was a promise he'd yet to break in the months they'd been together. Honestly, aside from the emotional pain, he had always kept her safe and he had thwarted a good deal of the emotional pain too from the time she was five on, aside from the pain he had cost her himself after Dabria.

The live band Vee hired began playing Grim, Grinning Ghosts. Nora felt it was an appropriate choice considering the innumerable ghosts surrounding them, ghosts of the past life they were leaving behind that night, instead embarking on a new journey together like they had six years ago. Patch led her into a dance, the magical lull had slowly overtaken them and all of Nora's previous worries disappeared as she got lost in Patch.

The night was passing by now without another meltdown, Nora had talked to Vee and her best friends then made a circle greeting their gusts and introducing herself, sometimes with Patch and other times on her own, to the people he was now 'bumping elbows' with in the business world.

Everyone was stunned at the breathtaking room, the event was far surpassing anyone's expectations and the money they had already raised would easily cover five years or more, probably much more for the food bank, not to mention the winter clothes they would be able to provide those in need.

Nora was proud of the success, proud that she had turned herself around with the help of Patch so she could enjoy their night. People had gathered to watch when her and Patch took the dance floor just like old times, it was a great feeling knowing that this time they truly were partners and it wasn't only a dream she had, it was now her reality.

Nora was standing near the banquet table when she saw Tristan enter. She should have known he would be here. On his arm was a woman she thought she recognized but she wasn't sure. The woman was wearing a black silk sheath with a black lace overlay. The dress clung to her body like a second skin, and the black lace bodice molded to her breasts, cinching in at her stomach . Her eyes were covered with a black mask highlighted with red stitching and her hair fell in blonde curls down her back. The two of them stood at the entrance observing the room as if allowing the room to take notice of them. Nora narrowed her eyes when she watched the blonde approach Patch and begin talking to him, she was ready to march over there and make her presence known when Tristan appeared in front of her.

"I need to talk to you." Tristan said, making me tear my eyes away from Patch and the unknown woman briefly. It wasn't like I cared if he talked to other women, I trusted Patch, but something about this woman raised my hackles.

"I really can't talk right now, Tristan. It's not a good time I have to be mingling with all of the guests since Patch and I are hosting the party." I gave him the only excuse that came to mind that was mostly legitimate.

"It really can't wait."

"Tristan," I tried to wiggle loose from the sudden hold he had on my arm. "You can't just-"

His eyes trapped hers, she couldn't seem to pull her gaze away, even when it became awkward, there was something there she wasn't comfortable with.

Tristan dropped his gaze to her full mouth, he wanted to run his tongue along her bottom lip, he wanted to lower that enticing layer of black that clung to her breasts until he felt her smooth, pliable flesh beneath his palms again. Why didn't she understand that she was his, HIS, not Patch Cipriano's.

A man near them coughed, breaking the moment, Nora stepped back with a flustered frown, rubbing her elbow with her free hand. "Tristan, I'm serious I don't think-"

"Then stop thinking." He said before dragging her bodily towards one of the dim corridor's off the ballroom.

Nora pulled hard against his hand while her heart rose to clamor against her throat. She didn't want to be alone with Tristan. Her skin crawled beneath his touch, she wasn't going to relinquish control or her judgment like she had the first time with him, this time she was thinking clearly, no fight no alcohol to cloud her judment. She wasn't a fool though, this looked like a fight waiting to happen. Last time at her welcome home party she had still been healing, still been on medication and she hadn't known the changes that were in store for her and Patch so she had been timid and still insecure when she saw him. That was the Nora she knew he was expecting.

Their night together had taught her how very wrong she had been, how very wrong it felt to be touched by another man, it had disgusted her and even now the thought of it made her want to run her ass back home and scrub herself raw for five straight days and pour bleach in her brain to erase in memory of the incident.

"Tristan, stop it." She pried fruitlessly at his curled fingers. She wasn't strong enough to resist him physically, he was stronger than her. "It's rude to leave the party."

Rudeness was apparently no deterrent, as his pace didn't slow until he'd ushered her into a quiet corner partially concealed by a cloud of fog from a near by fog machine.

"You shouldn't be here." Nora's heart filled her throat as she finally yanked free of his hold. "Vee didn't invite you."

He stopped and squared off in front of her, blocking her escape. "How do you know?"

"I asked Vee not to invite you." She flushed, her hands turning clammy.

He twisted her words to suit his purpose. "How gratifying to know you were hoping for my attendance." He smirked.

"I wasn't!" She bit out. "I only asked her to confirm you weren't going to be here."

"Ah." Tristan nodded slowly. His gaze traced her eyes, her cheeks and her mouth, warm and close and terrifying. "Then why haven't you raised an alarm or told me to leave?"

Somehow, she managed to retain a calm, social tone as she shot him an imperious glare. "Maybe I should. You just show up where you aren't wanted, thinking you can just monopolize my time by dragging me off to some corner as you choose when I have been nothing but nice and polite to you."

"Would you preferred that I come to your home, maybe we could break in your bed together."

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Nora gasped.

He shrugged. "Then you should be grateful that by coming here, yet another worthy cause will benefit." He tipped his chin toward the knot of the business worlds Who's Who clustered behind them. "That is what you're all about now, isn't it? Worthy causes?"

How is it that he managed to make it sound like an insult?

"I have no problem with you making a donation for the food bank or the winter clothing drive, or any other charity for that matter." She huffed. "It's your manhandling of me that I have a problem with."

"Really." His green eyes glinted with a feral gleam as he performed a blatant perusal of her body. "Because I seem to remember a time that it was you who manhandled me.

An incendiary blush rose up to her hairline. "Only you would be ungentlemanly enough to bring that up. I thought you were a nice guy, I guess I was wrong."

Tristan's mouth curved into the wickedest grin she'd ever seen on him. "Since when have I claimed to be a gentleman?" He really hadn't intended on being this way to her, but he was pissed over the way she had skipped out on him, and now she was supposedly with Patch when he treated her worse than a common street whore, he stomped all over her heart and here she was giving Patch a chance she hadn't given him.

"You obviously couldn't be even if you want to." Nora snapped. "You apparently don't know the first thing about it."

He encompassed the ballroom behind them with a dismissive flick of his thumb. "Whereas all the pantywaists behind us do?"

"They at least know how to treat a woman with proper respect."

"I have no doubt about that." He teased, leaning forward to breathe his question against her ear. "So tell me, Nora. How's that working out for you?"

Nora's eyes flickered for a moment at the memory of her earlier anxiety and he didn't miss it.

Tristan smiled. "Badly, I take it?"

She scowled. "It was working just fine until you showed up."

One of his hands moved to stroke the side of her neck, brushing the skin beneath her ear with a feathery touch. "Liar."

She jerked away from his touch like she'd been burned. "How the hell did you get in without an invitation?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Oh I had an invitation, the invites said plus one, I'm a 'plus one'." He smirked as her face flashed in understanding.

"Who did you come with? Whose the lady you're with and why aren't you with her now?" Nora's voice took on a hard edge.

"Andie, she's a reporter and a sort of...partner of mine and a long time friend." His eyes glinted with something she didn't understand when he said the word, 'partner'. Something in the pit of her stomach told her there was more to that story, more that she was sure she wouldn't like.

"We didn't allow any reporters in tonight. None of them were given invites." Nora was immediately suspicious. They didn't want the attendee's harassed, nor did they want to be harassed this evening. "How did she get in?"

"Let's just say she had some personal business and called in a favor." Tristan gave her a smile that made her swallow hard with anxiety.

Suddenly the face and memory clicked into place, Patch's loft, she'd seen that lady, Andie, at his loft when she was about to knock on his door one morning. It had been a long time ago. Nora's heart started hammering again in her chest, what the hell did she want, another go at Nora's man? Insecurity started to well up in her then she got a grip on reality, Patch had given her no reason to doubt him since they became an official couple, he had even been honest back then about not being able to give her monogamy, he never hid those other women from her.

Tristan seemed to soften, his face taking on a sympathetic look and his voice came out gentler. "You know he was just using you. He's only with you now because he feels bad you were hurt. I bet you had a fight about me the night you were in the accident and he feels guilty. He doesn't love you, I love you Nora, not him." Nora's eyes widened in shock at his words, he didn't even know her! He took a step towards her and she took an automatic step back.

"He can never give you what I can give you, Patch has never cared about anything but himself, I care about-"

"Yourself or you wouldn't be trapping her in a dark corner away from witnesses to your lies, scaring her and hurting her feelings by making her doubt my love for her." Patch's voice boomed loud and clear behind Tristan who hadn't noticed his approach. Nora ran to him and threw her arms around him and when she was safe in his embrace Patch locked his cold eyes on Tristan, his voice laced with deadly menace. "You have to the count of three to apologize and get your ass out of her before I rip your heart out of your chest and feed it to you."

"I'll leave, but I'm not apologizing for telling her the truth, she deserves to hear it and it won't be the last time." Tristan glared at Patch on his way by. "There's not enough money in the world to keep that truth from her, you'll fuck up, you always do." Then he turned to Nora. "I would say goodbye but we will be seeing each other again."

"Stay the fuck away from MY GIRL." Patch tried to take a step, ready to teach Tristan Miller a lesson but Nora put her small hand on his chest, stopping him.

"Don't, he's not worth it Patch. I know you love me, he's not worth ruining the reputation you're building, let him go as long as he leaves." Then Nora turned to Tristan.

"Go, get the hell out of here before I change my mind and let him go after you or call the cops on you for putting your hands on me."

"See you later, Nora." Tristan smirked before leaving, making Patch growl. He wanted nothing more than to go after that man and show him what happens when you disrespect and scare a woman, especially HIS woman. Trying to convince Nora that he didn't love her was a low blow.

As soon as Tristan was out of sight tears welled up in Nora's eyes.

"I thought he was a nice guy, I felt bad for what I'd done to him. I think I really hurt his feelings, but he was just a jerk tonight." This was the kind of guy that her parents would have her marry?

"Shh. It's not your fault Angel, girls and guys have one night stands all the time and they don't corner the other person in dark hallways and get rough with them or try to manipulate them with lies."

"He said he loved me." She hung her head in shame.

"That's not how you treat someone you love, that's not love Angel, Tristan doesn't love you."

"That's what he said about you too, that you don't love me, that you just feel bad because I was hurt and you feel responsible."

Patch tilted her chin up so that he could look her in her eyes and she could see the sincerity in his words.

"Is that what you believe, Nora?"

"No." She looked at him through her long lashes.

"Then that's all that matters because it's a complete lie and I will do anything to prove it no matter how long or what it takes to convince you my love for you is real, that this is what I want. I'm yours, all yours from now until the end of time as long as you'll have me."

"Forever." Nora whispered.

"Forever then." Patch brushed his lips softly against hers and she slid her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

"Do you know what you remind me of?" Nora asked Patch.

"No, what?" He raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "A fallen angel?" Patch smirked.

Nora laughed softly. "That too, but I was thinking of a guardian angel, you've always been there, always protecting me."

"And I always will be, I won't lose you, I almost lost you once before and I won't go through that again." His voice was serious.

"I know. We need to get back to our guests, but first I wanted to ask you about that lady Tristan was with, Andie, what did she want with you? Tristan said it was...personal." Nora looked nervously at Patch.

"It was nothing really, she asked me a few questions a while back and I verified some information for her." That didn't really answer her question, it more frustrated her than helped her, but Patch's voice had the tone that told her he wasn't going to tell her anymore no matter how much pleading she did and she wasn't in the mood to fight so she let it go. For now.

Patch let a breath of relief and thanked his lucky stars that Nora had let that drop. He could tell that she had put two and two together and remembered the lady she had once called a whore as she left his place when Nora arrived a little earlier than expected. Andie had chosen this night to question his intentions and motives with Nora. He had told her that he would never settle down. She had told him that Nora was in love with him and he had flat-out denied it back then. Now she wanted him to question what he and Nora were feeling in the present, much like what Tristan was doing with Nora back in that dark corner before he'd found her and intervened. Andie had accused him of the same thing Tristan had, there was no way that he could make people see his feelings were true and pure, and not because of what had happened to Nora. Every day he was more and more convinced that Nora had always had him, he had always been hers and not even Dabria had been able to stop that from being true. They were fated to be, their destiny had taken time and pain to come to fruition, but it was still meant to be and it didn't take an accident to make it so, it had helped him open his eyes, but the feelings, the love had always been there. Andie thought that he needed to try dating without bed hopping and not just with Nora, of course she would suggest that with the offer of taking him out. He wasn't interested in dating anyone else, especially a nosy reporter. He had a distinct distaste for reporters, he knew they had a job to do but you rarely could trust them, believe half of what you see and even less of what you read was his philosophy on reporters and the news. Patch didn't want Nora worried about Andie and she would have been, not so much he didn't think over her poor attempt to lure him away, Nora was confident enough in them he felt that she wouldn't have been too affected by it, but what he was worried about her finding out was the bad gut feeling he had, the one that was like a knife of foreboding that had hit him when Tristan and Andie had walked in. Something about them, especially together had set his senses on high alert and he couldn't shake the feeling they were working as a team and just getting started. Tristan had said he would see Nora again and Patch had a very bad feeling that he was telling the truth. If he so much as breathed on Nora the wrong way Patch would make sure he paid the maximum price for his transgression. He promised to keep her safe and he would, at any cost...

They just can't catch a break can they? So what did you guys think? How do you feel about the return of Andie and what do you think they have planned for Patch and Nora? I'm struggling some with writing this, both for personal reasons and motivation. I promise I won't stop until it's finished, I won't leave you hanging. As a reader of fanfiction, or any book for that matter, I don't like being left hanging I want to know what happens and it eats me alive when authors quit or leave it undone/unknown. Your reviews keep me motivated though so if you like something please let me know.

~FALLING4THEFALLEN~