X: Thanks. It was hard to write. I want the tension to feel real and not contrived, which is what I'm trying to do with this chapter. And that's why it's taking me so long to finish writing it. I keep rewriting everything. I have an ending I want to get to but as someone once said, it's the journey not the destination…. Actually, I would prefer both to be good.

Guest: Wow, I'm glad you liked it. I thought it might be too cliché.

Mari. v: Gracias por sus comentarios. El traductor no era muy buena, así que no estaba completamente seguro de lo que ha dicho. Pero yo entiendo que te haya gustado. Lo que me hace feliz.

I do not own.

Holiday turned around and crossed her arms. Her face was completely passive. It unnerved Six more than he cared to admit to see her so emotionless. He had a whole speech prepared and rehearsed several times during his meeting with White, where he had to smooth things over with him for the destroyed jet. Now that he was actually standing in front of her his mind went blank. So he went with the first thing that popped into his mind.

"How are you doing?"

The question took her by surprise. Six was gratified to see some sort of reaction.

"You drag me in here to ask that?" She asked bewildered. "In that case, I'm fine. You can leave now."

Six did not budge. "You shouldn't have done that. I could have taken care of it."

Holiday didn't know what he was talking about at first. When it dawned on her what he was referring to, she started getting angry.

"You can't tell me what to do especially since you didn't listen to me." Holiday said coldly.

"I did listen. I was buying time for Rex to finish taking care of the other EVO. He could have easily taken out the second one."

"And you would have been killed in the process! Most people would just say thank you and move on."

"Except I told you to leave."

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"You could have been hurt."

"Well I wasn't. And the fact that in my world I'm still alive and you're…" Holiday's voice choked. She swallowed several times before continuing. "I can take care of myself. You and Rex need someone to look after you."

"Don't worry about me."

"Well, don't worry about me!"

"I have to."

"Why?" She challenged.

"Because…" He stopped.

"Because what?"

He took a step closer to her. She took a step back. One again he took her by surprise, he took off his shades. Meeting his intense brown eyes, she felt her breath catch.

"I love you." He said so softly that she at first thought she misheard him.

"I… I… don't belong here. I'm going home." She said holding that like a shield to keep him at bay.

"I know. But… but I have to tell you, even if you leave. I didn't realize how much you… Holiday meant to me until I lost her. You're the closest thing I have to tell her… you, that I'm sorry for all those wasted years. I'm sorry that I was so absorbed by my own self-preservation and fears that… I was afraid if I let anyone in, I would be hurt…" Six knew he was rambling. He hoped he was making some sense to her because now that the flood gates were opened he couldn't stop. "I wanted to ask you to forgive me… if I can do it all over again… I would make sure you knew everyday how special you are to me. I love you, Rebecca."

At the sound of her first name, she felt her lower lip tremble. She hated herself for letting him get to her again.

"Get out." She said in a shaky voice.

"Rebecca, please…"Six's own voice was wavering too.

"No! How dare you! I'm not her! I'm over you! Just leave me alone." Tears began pooling in her eyes. She tried hard to keep it in.

"I can't." Six said quietly. "I've left you alone for too long."

With that Holiday broke down. A sob escaped her throat. She quickly covered her mouth as if to shove it back in. But her shoulders started heaving. Tears streamed down her face. She turned to get away from him but stumbled over the night stand. Six grabbed her before she could fall but then didn't let go.

Frantic like a trapped animal, Holiday began struggling to get away. Six, however, had many years of experience of restraining people. So he held her firmly but not painfully, allowing her to work through her pain and rage. And did she rage! She pounded him with her fists, tried to kick him in sensitive areas, scratching, biting, and all the while screaming that she hated him.

Six stood there and took the abuse. He did not budge. He did not try to defend himself. He just held her as tightly as he could without hurting her. His only words were, "I know, I know. It's okay."

Finally, with all her anger spent, Holiday fell limply in his arms just crying quietly into his already soaked shirt.

Six fell silent too. He buried his face into her hair and waited.

"I'm sorry." She said after an eternity.

"For what?" He asked.

"I got snot all over your shirt." Holiday sniffled.

Holiday could feel Six smile into her hair.

"At least you didn't take it for a dip in the East River."

Holiday chuckled a little. More silence ensued.

"Why are you telling me that?" Holiday asked softly.

"Because I do."

"The you in my universe told me he didn't."

"Then he was an idiot or in denial. If he was anything like me, he wouldn't be able to help but love you. You are perfect." Six tightened his grip around her.

"What happens now?"

"I don't know. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. All I know is you're here with me now."

"Six, I'm not…"

"I know. I don't want anything other than to hold you and tell you I love you."

"I love you, too."

It was all Six wanted to hear. Together they sank into the bed. With foreheads touching and arms wrapped around each other, they slowly fell asleep.

I don't write lemons. I'm extremely old fashioned so even this is a little risqué for me. But feel free to imagine anything you want. I'm just not writing it. So what do you think?