Author Note: This chapter is mostly going to center around Becky/Roman. I hope you all enjoy reading it. I appreciate all the support you've all be giving me as of late. I'd say we have three or four more chapters to go until the end. It's been a crazy run and I'm grate to how well it's turned out.

A special thanks goes to: Levesque-Rollins823, espeon44 and rkosgirl1 for the wonderful reviews.

Chapter 36: If Only For Now

Becky

It was quiet in the car as I drove down the freeway. The only sounds I could hear was the other cars driving passed me on the wet roads. The humid air blew through the open window, tossing my hair in every which way. I never bothered to turn the radio on or plug my phone into the auxiliary port. There was just too much going on inside my head to concentrate on a single thing.

This was probably one of the craziest things I've ever decided to do. I was about to chase down a guy who walked away from me, without realizing just how much he's done for me. I honestly didn't care about the money, there were ways to earn it back and I probably had too much faith in the authorities to get it back for me once Adrian was caught.

"How did I get myself into this position?" I asked myself wondering if it was all worth it.

Thinking back over the course of the last few months, I realized that even when I hated Roman or thought I hated him...there was a lingering voice in the back of my mind. It told me that he wasn't that bad of a guy, just lost. After the burn out between him and Savannah, he most definitely lost his path; but now, he insists on being alone just keep me safe. That isn't fair. It should be my choice, not him making it for me.

I thank Savannah up and down for giving me the address to his private home. It wasn't like me to just show up unannounced; but I just couldn't take it anymore. The way he walked didn't sit well with me and it hurt that I didn't give him much of a fight. I should have fought more, after all...I was a fighter not a quitter.

Blinking several times, I could see the car in front of me slam on the brakes. Pressing my foot down on the brakes, slowing down; but the car in front of me couldn't stop on the slick roads. It collided with the large truck ahead of it. Immediately, I pushed the button for my flashers and make a complete stop. I could see the woman in the drivers seat lay limply back against the deployed airbag. I got out of the car, and made a beeline towards the unmoving driver.

Blood oozed out of her forehead, the windshield was smashed out and there was a screaming child in the backseat. I dug out my phone to dial 911. The driver of the truck stepped out of the cab and rushed to where I was standing as I was telling the person on the phone what happened. She assured me that help was on the way.

"I am so sorry, there was something on the road." He stated frantically looking inside the smashed car.

"It's okay. I know it wasn't your fault." I replied opening the backseat.

The child couldn't have been more than nine months old. She had only a little cut across her cheek from the safety belt of her car seat. I unclasped it and picked her up, rocking her against me until she calmed down. I could hear the sirens closing in to our location.

Once they arrived, they went to the unconscious woman. The police talked to the driver of the truck and they asked me questions as well since I was a witness. The baby in my arms fell back to sleep as they continued to ask me for more details as to what happened. The baby snuggled deeper into my chest. "What's going to happen now?" I asked curiously.

"We are going to take the baby with us and contact the father if there is one, if not the mother's parents. She's in no condition to be taking care of anyone right now." The female officer stated.

Looking down at the small human being in my arms, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her if there was no one to take care of her. Reluctantly, I handed the baby to the officer and took a couple steps back. The warm smile on her face was slightly comforting that she'd do everything in her power to make sure that small life was taken care of.

The rain released from the sky, coating my skin in it's coldness. I stood alone as the tow truck attached the obviously totaled car to the bed. Slowly making my way back to the safety of my own car, I got inside. The water droplets ran down my face and dripped from my chin onto my already wet hands that were resting on my lap.

Looking down, I could see that my phone was lit up. Sliding my finger across the screen, I noticed the message waiting for me. It was Savannah, probably wondering if I was okay. "Have you made it there yet? I'm worried that this will only get worse."

"No, there was a car accident and it delayed me. I'm ready for whatever that bastard throws at me."

Sitting my phone into the center console, I slid the gearshift into drive and continued on through the rain. Time was passing me by much too quickly for my taste and I knew by the time I got to his residence it was going to be damn near five or six in the morning. This time it wasn't just a single vibration to indicate a message, it was a phone call from her. Letting out a sigh, I answered while keeping my eyes on the road ahead of me.

"Hello Savannah."

"Are you sure this is what you want to do? I support you either way...I'm just concerned..."

"I understand where your concern if coming from; but I can't have a single person control everything that I do. I don't want to live like that. If I have to loose fifteen thousand dollars just to have my freedom...then so be it."

I could hear her lightly chuckle at my response. There was a silence between us for a few moments before she continued to say that she supported my decision and hoped for the best. She said her goodbyes and hung up, returning to the silence of the drive once again.

Roman

Rolling over in the empty bed, I saw the backyard lights still shinning. The rain hitting the windows was slightly peaceful; but I remained restless. This was probably the most sleep I've gotten in the last few days. Walking from Becky was not an easy decision to make and the only thing I could tell myself was that it had been for her best interest.

Sitting up, I ran a hand through my hair before tossing the covers off. It was only 4:30 in the morning and there was no reason not to still be sleeping other than my wandering uneasy mind that kept thinking of other things instead of resting. Getting up, I saw that there was a message flashing. It was surprising to see Savannah's name on the screen.

"When you wake up, call me...please. I don't care what time it is."

The message worried me. It made me think that something was wrong with Becky. Not hesitating another moment, I hit the call button and let it ring. It didn't take long for her to answer. There was a certain calmness to her voice that was slightly comforting. "What's wrong?" I asked softly making my way into the kitchen to brew myself a cup of coffee.

"Nothing...I've been just worried about Becky lately. She's not herself at all."

"I'm not going to let him torment her anymore. She doesn't deserve that."

"But you didn't let her make the decision herself. You made it for her."

It was true, I hadn't allowed her to argue with what I had in mind. Maybe she thought that I didn't care enough or not at all. Maybe I broke her heart just like I had broken Savannah's. There was so much that happened so quickly between us and I think that I enjoyed it far too much, when I really didn't deserve the attention Becky gave me. "She's better off without me and we both know it." I answered.

"Don't do that. She misses you."

Before I could open my mouth to speak there was a loud knock against the front door. It was odd and even odder than that person got passed the gate in the front, unless this person knew the code to get it to open up. Moving across the room, I slowly opened the door to see a soaked to bone Becky standing there.

"Becky..."

I could hear Savannah say goodbye, so I just hit the button and tossed the device onto the side table. Becky was shivering from the intensity of her clothes being drenched from the rain. "Hello, Roman..." She greeted, trying to smile as she shivered.

"What are you doing here? You are going to risk him finding out that we spoke." I stated grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped her up in it.

She held it close, soaking up the warmth. I couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked even with all her make up running down her face and how her clothes clung to her body in a way that would just get my hormones soaring had I not been thinking of other things before that. "I couldn't just sit at home anymore. I never gave much of a fight when you left..." She replied cutting herself off to snuggle deeper into the blanket.

She was going to get sick if she remained in those clothes any longer. I reached for her hand and pulled her against me. Her body shook feverishly against my chest. "Let's get you out of those wet clothes and into something warmer. You are going to get sick." I commented before stepping away from her.

I continued on deeper into the house, knowing that she was closely behind me. Turning back around to face her, her eyes were puffy...like she had been crying. Opening the side closet door, I pulled out a dark blue towel and handed it to her. Pushing the bathroom door open, I allowed her to walk inside. "Go ahead and take a shower, I'll grab you something to wear."

She silently nodded her head, handing me the blanket back. She closed the door and I could hear the water running from the other side. Continuing on down the hall, I stepped into my bedroom to find her something to wear which was going to be difficult since it was all my clothes. I settled for one of my t-shirts and lounge pants that were probably going too big on her.

Knocking on the door, I opened it a crack to make sure she was indeed inside the shower before stepping fully inside. Placing the clothes on the counter near the sink, I hesitated in walking back out. "The clothes are on the counter."

"Thank you..."

"Becky...you do understand that things aren't going to be simple now. He's going to know you came here."

Her silence was an indication that she wasn't going to speak on the subject in that moment. Couldn't blame her, she was in the shower. There had to be a reason she came all this way, knowing that she'd never see her money again if we spoke to each other before Battleground. I turned to walk out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I slowly made my way back into the living room and retrieved my phone from the side table. Another message from Savannah was displayed on the screen, "Sorry; but she asked for the information and I gave it to her. It was her decision to make."

Becky

Standing under the hot spray of water, it warmed me right up where I had been so cold moments beforehand. I don't know why I expected a better reaction than I got. It was as if it didn't matter that I was there, like my feelings didn't matter. Was it a ploy to get me to leave in hopes of salvaging the deal with Adrian? Or was it my worst fear come true, he never cared about me? Was I about to make the same mistakes I did in the past? The questions just kept coming.

Shutting the water off, I reached for the towel. Standing naked in his bathroom, caused a sudden blush to form over my skin. Shaking my head, I proceeded to dry myself off and dress in the clothes Roman left for me. They smelled of him, making my heart pound even harder than before. Opening the door, steam rolled out of the room instantly.

I could smell coffee brewing in the direction of where I had come from, so I walked that way. Roman was in the kitchen pouring two cups of coffee when he looked up to see me standing there. "I'm sorry..." I apologized.

"What are you sorry for?" He asked sliding the cup over to me.

"I shouldn't have come here...it's pretty obvious you don't want me here..."

He rose an eyebrow at me before walking around the counter to stand before me, towering inches over me. I felt stupid standing there in his oversized clothes with his scent intoxicating me over and over again, torturing me to a whole new level. This was not what I expected nor was I prepared for what happened next.

Roman pulled me closer, cupping the side of my face, tangling his fingers in my wet hair and finally pressing his mouth against mine. The desperation behind the kisses matches mine fluently. My hand slid up his bare chest, finding his hair so I could tangle my own fingers in his locks. His tongue slid through my parted lips, begging for full access.

There was a fire burning in the pit of my stomach. His other hand caressed my hip over the material of the shirt I was wearing. Breaking away for a breath of air, he leaned his forehead against mine. "I never said that I didn't want you here." He whispered.

"I just thought that I would have gotten more of a welcome..."

"You should have listened and stayed away, Becky. You know he's going to know that you're here."

I took several steps back, trying to keep some space between us. The need for him to be touching me again was overwhelming. I just wanted to be near him. Was that wrong of me to want something so simple as that? I guess in Adrian's eyes, it was. "It doesn't matter. You should have let me make my own decision. I deserved that much respect." I answered tucking a chunk of my wet hair behind my ear.

Streets crowded with voices
Thousand of faces,
but you're what I want to see
Lights, reflections of yesterday
Days that have flown away,
You're all I wanna keep

"You're right, you did deserve that."

Looking up from the floor, I could see his jade eyes swirling with emotions that were battling each other for dominance. He took my hands into his own and pulled me to sit down on the couch next to him. Leaning my head against his chest, I closed my eyes enjoying the comfort with his arms wrapped around me. The sound of his beating heart was soothing my unease that had been on the edge of every emotion I had been feeling up to this point.

So if you lay here with me now
I promise the stars they won't make a sound
If you stay, just for a while
Cause we know the world won't ever slow down
If only for now, right now
If only for now

"I couldn't live with myself, because I never gave much of a fight to get you to stay." I admitted softly, fighting the exhaustion I was feeling.

"Even if you had, the outcome would have still been the same. I felt it was best to walk...so you would still have a chance to see that money again."

Closing my eyes even tighter, I hated to hear that excuse. Forcing myself out of his embrace, I turned away from him. Frustration was settling in, because the only thing I wanted was for him to make it all alright and tell me that he cared for me just as much as I cared for him. The money didn't matter. The fact that Adrian had ruined my relationship with Roman was the worst thing I had ever felt before. "Becky..." He called in a soft voice.

"The money didn't matter to me...you matter to me. The fact that Adrian drove a wedge between us does not sit well with me at all."

"Becky..."

"No! I told myself that I would never let another man in...and yet here you came, crawled right into my heart and you expect me to just let it go without a fight? I'm not one to just give up without a fight, Roman. You should know this about me."

Roman let out a soft chuckle at my rant. It dumbfounded me and I stared at him blinking several times, before comprehending that he was pulling me back towards him. He lifted me over his lap, so my legs were straddling him. "Do you know how beautiful you are when your irritated?" He commented.

"I'm being serious, Roman..."

"I know and I know how you feel. I wasn't about to let someone else in after Savannah, let alone one of her friends; but you managed to do that. I tried to push you away and you kept coming back...willing to help me through all the pain. It's hard to understand what I feel with you because it's so different. Please understand...that I was just trying to do what I thought was best for you."

He caressed the skin of my cheek, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip. He moved his hands down my sides, then flipped me onto my back. He hovered over me a few seconds before capturing my lips once again. "We will figure it all out...I promise..." He whispered.

End Note: The italic lyrics in the chapter were by Pop Evil. The song is called 'If Only For Now'.