{"id":10510,"date":"2016-12-03T12:03:12","date_gmt":"2016-12-03T12:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=10510"},"modified":"2024-04-07T10:25:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T09:25:15","slug":"breathe-again-1-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2016\/12\/03\/breathe-again-1-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Breathe Again. 1-3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The rest of the day had passed by sluggishly. No visions had meant a quiet night, and Angel had spent most of that time watching the warm interaction between his three friends. He hadn\u2019t made any attempt to approach Cordelia after that single time, throwing discreet and searching looks her way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia had always been a tactile person; something that at one time unnerved him, and then took for granted. As he watched her constant patting of the arms and knees of the other two men- and especially the moment she\u2019d laughed and hugged Gunn, kissing his bald head with affection, he\u2019d had to stifle the growls of jealousy.<\/span><\/p>\n

He<\/em> wanted that again; wanted – needed those warm touches and megawatt smiles. Warm hazel eyes glowing with a blend of fall leaves and melting honey\u2026 he had to work out what he\u2019d done wrong and put it right.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d nearly lost her once and wasn\u2019t prepared to lose her again, for whatever reason it may be. His new feelings only strengthened his need.<\/span><\/p>\n

At lunchtime, Gunn popped out and Wes followed shortly after, but not before suggesting to Angel that he check up on Fred, and with a quick glance over at his seer, seemingly absorbed in her work, Angel had reluctantly ascended the stairs. By the time he\u2019d returned, Gunn was back with take out, perched on her desk and chatting with an ease Angel envied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia had again disappeared into the bathroom, clutching a small holdall, leaving as soon as their boss entered his office and shut the door firmly behind him. Halting the slow rise to his feet when finally they were alone, Angel cursed his hesitation as he once again wasted a chance to speak to her without the others around. Gunn had left an hour or so earlier, saying he needed to catch up with his old crew.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you ready, Cordelia?\u201d Wes yelled as he exited his office, drawing the vampire\u2019s attention instantly from the book he was at present attempting to read.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a new look, Wes,\u201d Angel took in the off-white t-shirt that had seen better days, the baggy grey sweats, and scuffed sneakers before lifting his head to grin at the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia!\u201d Wes called again, harrumphing when he received a muffled Okayyy! Jeez<\/em> then glanced towards his friend as he made his slow way towards the basement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGunn and I are taking turns in training Cordelia in advanced self-defence,\u201d he explained casually. Angel straightened up from the check-out counter he\u2019d been propping up, surprise written all over his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Whose idea was this?\u201d he asked with interest; it wasn\u2019t something that had ever been broached in the past – mainly due to himself not even considering letting the impetuous brunette develop skills more difficult than staving, knowing that it that would only make her more gung-ho than she already was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia\u2019s,\u201d Wes\u2019s reply surprised him even more. It also caused him to feel a bit irked that she hadn\u2019t asked him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s never said anything,\u201d Angel almost grumbled, folding his powerful arms over his broad chest when his boss finally halted and turned to face him. Looking at the floor for a moment, Wes paused and glanced in the direction of the bathroom before replying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt never really became an issue until recently, Angel,\u201d Wes pursed his lips before continuing. \u201cWe had a little\u2026 incident whilst tending to one of Cordelia\u2019s visions. Gunn and I were a little overpowered for a while by more vampires than we\u2019d expected. Cordelia ended up with a broken wrist.\u201d He stopped talking when the vampire approached quickly, his face darkening in anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou took her with you?\u201d the growl that laced his tone had Wes stepping back instinctively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot much of a choice, really, what with you taking off.\u201d Both men spun around to look at the brunette who now stood near her desk, her hands propped on her hips, which were now covered in similar sweats to Wes\u2019. \u201cThe visions didn\u2019t go on sabbatical too, Angel, and I refused to let my friends fight while I was left freaking out at home wondering if they\u2019d come back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel took a step back; her words hadn\u2019t been accusing or bitter\u2026 on the contrary, they were delivered in such a matter-of-fact way that it had sent a light bulb glowing above his head. Then the full import of Wes\u2019 words crashed down on him and in a blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of his seer, reaching for her hands and running his fingers over her delicate wrists.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Cordy almost growled as she pulled her hands out of his and stepped back. \u201cThe cast was removed a couple of weeks ago, and it\u2019s good as new, see?\u201d she wriggled her left hand in his face and walked past him to join Wes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Master of Pain, let\u2019s get this over with,\u201d she cracked a grin. \u201cPromise not to hurt you this time.\u201d The grin turned into a chuckle at Wes\u2019 instant expression of outrage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou started before I was ready, and you know it,\u201d he retorted defensively, following her through the open basement door. Angel heard her chuckle grow into an all-out laugh as the door was pulled shut behind them, and they descended the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel walked over and stood directly in front of the closed door for several minutes, debating whether to go down and join them, But that all-too-familiar feeling of being on the outside again stopped him. Then his broad shoulders sagged as he recalled her words:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe visions didn\u2019t go on sabbatical too, Angel, and I refused to let my friends fight while I was left freaking out at home wondering if they\u2019d come back.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

At least now he knew what he\u2019d done.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d left his seer and human friends to deal with the visions, and either one of them could have easily been killed. The thought of losing any of them turned his already pale skin ashen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The added realization that he could all too easily have returned to find it had been Cordy\u2019s neck that had been broken instead of her wrist brought bitter bile to his throat. A fleeting taste of the anguish that news would have caused had his knees buckling in reaction, and he reached blindly towards the door, then slipped soundlessly to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stark memory of seeing Wes in that hospital bed the last time he\u2019d left them to fight the visions – meant for him, returned to taunt him with a vengeance. He should have learned from the last time he’d left them alone. Instead, he\u2019d thoughtlessly abandoned them once again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Part 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the two had returned to the lobby, Angel had managed to collect himself. He discreetly observed the high flush on her cheeks and the film of sweat clinging to her bare arms and face; her chocolate locks damp from exertion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The whole picture made him ache. Especially the tired yet cheerful smile she bestowed on Wes, who himself looked rather worn out, his t-shirt damp in patches.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoo, boy! Time for me to go have a long bath before I get mistaken for a Stink demon,\u201d Cordy grinned at Wes and headed towards her desk, barely acknowledging the vampire as he stood there uncertainly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt that, Cordelia\u2026 Most \u2018Stink\u2019 demon\u2019s I\u2019ve had the misfortune to come across had odours that quite literally made your eyes water.\u201d Then a grin cracked his face, and he sauntered over to sniff her shoulder, then scrunching up his nose in distaste, \u201cbut then again, you could make it into the top ten – Ouch! That was uncalled-for!\u201d he mumbled from behind his hand when she flicked his nose sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cServes you right, Mister-I-Smell-Even-Worse,\u201d Cordy stuck her tongue out at him then swept by. \u201cSee you tomorrow, Slave Driver,\u201d she called over her shoulder, her eyes locking with Angel\u2019s for a split second and giving a perfunctory \u2018bye.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes turned, noted the pensive expression on the vampire\u2019s face as he watched Cordelia leave the hotel, and gave an inward sigh. He wasn\u2019t unaware of the strained atmosphere between them since Angel had returned, but at the same time, he was not all that surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n

His abrupt departure and lengthy absence had hit her hard, and although she\u2019d made a valiant effort to hide her hurt, it had been plain as day to both himself and Gunn, especially marked after a vision when her defences were fully down.<\/span><\/p>\n

On his way back, after quickly collecting his clothes and briefcase from the office, Wes glanced over at the unmoving vampire and cleared his throat. \u201cWell, I think I\u2019ll be off too\u201d, he murmured softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wes\u2019 voice broke into Angel\u2019s brooding thoughts and finally turned his head away from the view of the main doors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCordelia\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Bleak brown eyes met troubled blue. \u00a0\u201cShe has many issues to work through right now, Angel,\u201d Wes quietly assured, \u201cJust give her time; I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll come around,\u201d he added, even though he doubted that would be any time soon. Twice bitten\u2026.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Angel nodded absently, his now-unreadable yes following the same path as Wes made his way to the exit and let himself out.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the door closed quietly behind the Ex-Watcher, silence settled on the lobby like a suffocating blanket. After several long minutes had passed, Angel strode to the weapons cabinet and grabbed his broadsword.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe a little pest control would fill the emptiness in his soul\u2026 for a little while anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

\n

Part 3<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Angel awoke to the muted sound of a woman\u2019s uninhibited laughter, and for a moment, a smile crept onto his lips, disappearing just as rapidly when he woke fully, and reality came back with a thump.<\/span><\/p>\n

A week had passed since he\u2019d returned, and to say that the atmosphere had been uncomfortable was an understatement. Wes and Gunn were making a valiant attempt to ignore the growing rift between Cordelia and himself, but the vampire could see clearly that they found their feigned nonchalance a strain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reluctantly leaving his bed and heading for the bathroom, Angel wondered which one of them had caused her to laugh so heartily, tamping down the ache of envy that hit him. He stretched wearily, easing the ache in muscles that still protested from the fight he\u2019d picked with a Slothourn demon last night. It had been twice his height and weight, but damn satisfying to pummel into the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twenty minutes later, he made his way silently down the stairs; eyes flickering over each member of AI until they settled on Cordy, who was browsing the Internet at her desk. Gunn sat sprawled on one of the couches playing on a Game Boy, and Wes leaned against the counter, shoulders hunched, with a deep frown on his face. One hand supported his chin and the other slowly turning the pages of a book.<\/span><\/p>\n

After nuking a mug of blood, and then debating where to sit, Angel decided on a couch facing the side of his seer\u2019s desk, shifting a discarded jacket over the arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunn briefly lifted his eyes and nodded good-naturedly towards the vampire before getting back into his game, whilst Wes seemed in a book-world of his own. Angel absently wondered how long it would take for the man to realize he was up and about; by the look on his face, he doubted he\u2019d hear a hurricane enter the lobby and rearrange it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy\u2026 she\u00a0remained facing her computer monitor, but he could tell by her posture that she was all too aware of his presence. He itched to shout \u2018HELLO!\u2019 in her ear and make her acknowledge him, but he doubted that would get him any brownie points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, Rhicton, damn you to hell!\u201d Three pairs of eyes turned to stare bemusedly at the ex-watcher, who was glaring furiously at the pages of the book he\u2019d been reading so intently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you been watching Homer again, Wes?\u201d Cordy attempted to stifle a grin as she wagged a chastising finger his way. He harrumphed and abruptly turned another page.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks all US citizens are like that,\u201d Gunn drawled without looking up from his game boy, \u201cHe had a shock the first time he came across the pond and found out we ain\u2019t got three fingers.\u201d Angel lifted a dark brow in surprise when his boss flipped a finger in the direction of the young man without lifting his eyes from the book.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026 what are you reading, Wes?\u201d he asked the visibly agitated man, attempting to ignore the way Cordy immediately turned back to her work when he spoke.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy tamped down the surge of guilt even as she turned away. Until now, the vampire had merely hovered on the peripheral the last ten minutes whilst she and the others had carried on with whatever they were doing, and he\u2019d not attempted to approach or speak to her. That only made her feel worse – no, dammit! Quit feeling guilty.<\/em> She refused to go down that path again, knowing exactly where that path inevitably ended; more heartache. Refusing to think about it anymore, Cordy tuned in to Wes\u2019 reply instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, nothing to write home about\u2026 except,\u201d he added, glancing up with a deep frown. \u201cThis-this imbecile<\/em> has basically rubbished a thesis I did on the dagger of Algathan.\u201d His hands clenched around the book before slamming it shut and tossing it across the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The very act drew everyone\u2019s eyes, as Wesley Wyndham Pryce did not treat books with anything less than reverence normally.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWes\u2026 that book was published at least a century prior to your birth,\u201d Angel reasoned calmly. Wes rolled his eyes, reminding him disconcertingly of his seer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI realize that, Angel. But the thesis this-this man has torn to shreds was very similar to my<\/em> findings, so I tend to take a little offence.\u201d Then he sighed heavily. \u201cSadly, an all too human weakness. I received a distinction for that thesis.\u201d He grumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA distinction? Isn\u2019t that like a gold star or something?\u201d Cordy asked, mock-seriously, and received a glare for her trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGold stars are reserved, no doubt, for achieving a pyramid on a football pitch, Cordelia; a distinction is much higher\u2026. Accolade,\u201d he replied snottily. Gunn snorted and sunk lower into his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Hall-Monitor boy, watch it with the \u2018tude, unless you want another \u2018distinction\u2019 up your ass,\u201d Cordy glared back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou go, girl,\u201d Gunn dropped his game boy on the seat next to him and grinned with anticipation, \u201cI\u2019ll hold your sweater.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy looked down at the loose knitted cotton top she was wearing and frowned. \u201cI\u2019m not wearing a sweater, and if I pass you this top, you guys would shriek and run like little Monitor<\/em> boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho told you that lie?\u201d Wes piped up, a grin finally creeping onto his face. Angel straightened up in his seat and flicked Wes a surprised glance. He didn\u2019t think he\u2019d ever heard the man speak with such a marked lack of restraint before. Cordy wasn\u2019t the only one full of surprises, it seemed. Then he turned his attention back to the scene playing out in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, gimme the top, I dare ya,\u201d Gunn winked cheekily, leaning forward and held out a hand, wriggling his fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy harrumphed and locked eyes with him, easily reading the teasing challenge in his amused brown eyes, and commenced with a staring contest. Gunn folded his large arms across his chest and refused to back down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel watched the interplay with reluctantly growing resentment at the warmth and complete ease between his seer and Gunn. Once upon a time, he\u2019d had that connection with her\u2026well, maybe not as relaxed and humour-filled as what he was observing now, but it stung to feel like an outsider; the memory of how it had felt the last time still clear in his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee? I knew you\u2019d be too chicken,\u201d Wes declared, then clucked and flapped his arms. Breaking the battle of wills, Cordy looked over her shoulder to glare at Wes. Gunn grinned and nodded in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give you chicken,\u201d Cordy growled and abruptly stood up, wrapping her arms around her waist and grabbing the hem of her top.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel\u2019s eyes widened when he realized what she was about to do, and half stood. No way in hell!<\/em> That was all he could think.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordelia, who\u2019d had second thoughts and hesitated, caught Angel\u2019s shocked and simmering gaze, easily able to read the silent demand that she should stop, flashing in his eyes. As if he had the right to make her do anything. Pfft, to that! Anyway, they\u2019d all seen much more in her princess outfit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCorde-\u201d too late. Angel slowly sank back down, and\u2026.helplessly gawped. Three mouths dropped open as they took in the close-fitting lilac camisole. Even though she wore a bra beneath, the thin silk didn\u2019t fully obscure the delicate satin and lace that seemed too fragile to contain the full breasts they held.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the shiver of nerves that suddenly hit her, Cordelia placed her hands on her hips and turned to face the now gaping and flushing Ex-Watcher. She stifled the urge to cover her chest with her hands as she felt the heavy weight of one particular pair of eyes. \u201cWho\u2019s clucking now, Wes?\u201d She grinned at her dazzled boss, keeping her hands firmly on her hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I-I-I-\u201d he spluttered and then gave up and continued to stare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYup, sure sounds like clucking to me, Monitor Boy,\u201d Gunn nodded, then burst out laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound yanked Angel out of his funk, and shaking himself abruptly, averted his eyes from the beautiful vision in front of him and instead turned to ferociously glare first at Gunn, who, oblivious to the daggers heading his way, continued to laugh in glee at his friend\u2019s reaction, then to a vividly blushing and speechless Wes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anger rushed to the surface, and without considering the repercussions, he rose to his feet, sweeping up the leather jacket he\u2019d left over the arm of the couch, and approached her rapidly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Cordy leaned away from the vampire who\u2019d magically appeared in front of her, and she raised her hands to clutch at the jacket he\u2019d draped over her torso.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ve made your point, Cordelia,\u201d he began, only to be quelled by a death glare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I ask for your opinion? No? I didn\u2019t think so.\u201d Cordy added before he could open his mouth, tugging off the leather and shoving it hard against his chest before sliding around him and stalking towards the bathroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d ruined an innocent moment of fun and had turned it into something seedy; Cordelia could barely see for the red haze of mingled embarrassment and rage that blurred her vision. Since the floor had refused to open up swallow her, she made for the bathroom instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Barbie. You forgot something,\u201d Gunn called, stopping her in her tracks. He\u2019d watched the scene unfold and had found it hilarious – if you ignored the anger sparking between Cordy and the vampire, that is. He shrugged. Maybe it was taken just a little too far, but he hadn\u2019t been able to stop a wince of embarrassment for the dude when he went at it like a chastising father.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy turned just as he lobbed her top towards her; her words muffled when it landed half over her head. Snatching it off, she glared even as \u201cThanks\u201d left her mouth and then turned to hurry towards a temporary refuge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think our man here needs a beer,\u201d Gunn casually commented to the silent vampire as in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, and eyed the gaping mouth and wide eyes of his boss. Probably more than one beer<\/em>, he corrected inwardly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel pulled his brooding gaze away from the retreating figure of his seer and turned to head toward the stairs. Without pause, he reached out and flicked Wes\u2019 chin shut with an audible clack on the way past.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, thank you,\u201d Wes muttered dazedly as the vampire rapidly disappeared up and out of sight. Gunn grabbed his discarded Game Boy and slid down in his seat, shaking his head and grinning as the other man shakily rose and made his way to the office.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Less than ten minutes had passed before his door was sharply rapped, and Angel automatically called out an invitation to enter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door remained firmly closed, but he could easily hear the rapid beat of Cordy\u2019s heart on the other side of the wood panelling. With a heavy sigh, Angel got to his feet and walked over, opening the door and moving to the side to let her enter. She remained where she was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d he repeated quietly. Cordy shook her head jerkily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks. What I have to say can be said just as good from here.\u201d She seemed to draw herself upright without physically moving, and for a moment, he thought she was going to turn on her heel and walk off. Then she continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell was that<\/em> downstairs?\u201d Her hazel eyes spat fire at him as her hands lifted to prop her hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2026 just thought you kind of took it too far.\u201d Angel didn\u2019t even bother to pretend he didn\u2019t understand and folded his arms tight across his chest; pale face unrepentant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordy seethed at his expression, and all ideas of being reasonable went right out of the window. \u201cWell, in the future, keep your thoughts to yourself! They\u2019re not wanted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Her finger itched to jab him in the chest, but physical confrontation was a big no-no right now or at any time in the distant future. \u201cYou turned a joke between friends into something cheap and nasty, and you had no right to do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel bristled even as he pushed down the hurt her words brought to the surface. \u201cCordelia, what you did was-\u201d he began, but she raised a hand abruptly, cutting him off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go there, Angel. I am so angry with you right now that I could just as easily walk out and never set foot in here again-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Angel stepped forward sharply, his hulking form unintentionally intimidating as he towered over her, causing the words to dry up in her throat at the stormy look in eyes that had darkened to pitch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t leave me – what about the mission?\u201d he added hastily at the quick rise of her brow, and then a small bitter smile touched those full lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI meant this place. Leaving the \u2018mission<\/em>,’\u201d Cordy air quoted the word with a bitter twist of her full mouth,\u00a0\u201cis something I couldn\u2019t do even if I wanted.\u201d Icy cool eyes locked with his, and he swallowed, inwardly cursing himself for giving her enough rope. \u201cBecause no matter where I go, we both know that the visions will always<\/em> be a part of me. If only walking away was that easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like it was for you. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Even though the words hadn\u2019t said out loud, they hung in the air between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut that isn\u2019t why I came up here,\u201d Cordy waved a hand dismissively. \u201cYou can\u2019t come strolling back into our lives and think you can just pick up where you left off.\u201d She looked away from the growing hurt in his chocolate brown eyes for a moment, and then looked back up after taking a steadying breath. \u201cWe\u2019re colleagues \u2013 that’s all, so drop it, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time she\u2019d finished, all signs of emotion on the vampire’s face had bled away, leaving an unreadable expression behind. “Okay.” His jaw flexed for a second before he nodded his dark head. \u201cAre you done?\u201d Angel asked, oh, so politely, and Cordy jerkily nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

His powerful frame exuded a stillness she\u2019d only seen in a battle, just before leaping into the fray and decimating whoever or whatever stood in his path. She fidgeted uncomfortably on the spot and stared up at him in anxious silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, if you\u2019ll excuse me?\u201d Angel stepped back with those last few words, reaching a hand around to grab the handle, and then quietly shut the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her rapidly blurring eyes stared at the wood panelling for several long seconds before a shaky sigh wrenched itself from her slightly trembling mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, she\u2019d wanted \u2013 needed<\/em> – to keep a distance between them, and it looked like she\u2019d finally succeeded in clearly passing that message on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Back to Prologue<\/a> \/ \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>Part 4<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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