A reunion of sorts [Mav]

[Katya Romanova]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/OhUtY.png] Mav STAFF POSITIONS In a place like this STAFF POSITIONS Since when had hell frozen over STAFF POSITIONS The woman bit her lip and shuffled her weight awkwardly. The pudgy receptionist almost made her giggle like a madwoman. "Hi, I'm here to see Mav--.." She bit her tongue before the rest had the chance to come out. After nearly a decade, what right did she have to call him by such an informal name STAFF POSITIONS She was nothing more than a stranger now, despite the past they had shared. The woman in front of her cleared her throat, impatiently awaiting a response. As was the Katya way, she lost her shit. "Look, bitch, I don't know who you think you are, but I hardly call that friendly service." She snapped, her words dripping with a vehemency that would have probably surprised those that didn't know her. Of course, Katya never thought much of it. Why would she STAFF POSITIONS It wasn't like she had anybody to impress. Despite her habits, even though she was thirty, she could easily pass for somebody a decade or so younger. "If you're done being the biggest bitch in the whole wide world, I'm here to see Mister Andenhal." She sniffed like she had been offended. For a moment, the woman's mouth fell open like she was going to say something then she pointed a fat, sausage-like finger toward a door. Giving a bitter smile, Katya followed the direction of the pointed finger while muttering obscenities. That day, she wasn't dressed for the occasion. Halloween, perhaps but not a reunion with a long-lost friend. She looked like a goth, clad in black clothes and wearing red lipstick. Her black hair had green highlights and when the light hit it just right, you could almost swear that her hair had glitter in it and if you knew her well enough, you would know that it probably did. That was, perhaps, the best quality about Katya. She wasn't afraid to be herself and in the entire time she had been alive, she hadn't changed to please anybody. Oftentimes when asked to change, she lost her shit and did the complete opposite. Instead of knocking like a normal person, she just moseyed on in like she owned the place. The door closed after a nudge from her hip and she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, giving her an unfriendly appearance. Of course, in the case of her smoking buddy, she was usually nothing but friendly, unless he managed to piss her off. "Nice place you got here, Mav. By the way, 'twas a bitch of a time finding you. More the place, I suppose." She shrugged nonchalantly and drifted toward a chair, settling into it with a yawn. She looked around the room with little more than amusement and chuckled faintly. "So, what have you been up to for the past decade and at which point did you decide to become...well, this STAFF POSITIONS " Her nose wrinkled and a perplexed look crossed her pale features. Naturally, she was curious. She hadn't ever thought much about employment, herself. When her parents split, her mother insisted she get a job, but she had just laughed it off like it hadn't mattered. Her father had moved back to Russia with his...mistress. Her brothers took turns supporting their wayward sister, and she didn't show much gratitude for it. She just kept telling them that soon, she would make things right. How, she wasn't sure, but it would happen. Who was she kidding STAFF POSITIONS She was enjoying the lazy life. It was easier and had less drama. Still, she had to admit that in a small way, as it stood now, she was jealous of Mav. He had seemed to make something of himself, and the most she did was laze around like a fat cat, smoke, drink, screw, and play video games. Her brothers had been supporting her habits without qualm but only because she appeared to be happy. Naturally, she was anything but happy but after a time, she had learned to just roll with the punches and not complain. She hated being the object of somebody's concern. It was like the worst feeling in the world, and she knew from experience. "In case your brain is addled or whatever, it's me, Katya." She said after a long moment of silence, finally turning her pale gaze upon him.

[Maverick Andenhal]

[bg=6b4916][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,380,true] This job was so damn cushy, it almost made Maverick sick. He didn't have to do a lot, and he made a shit ton of money. Horse snob parents would pay an arm and a leg for their precious to go to a school where they could prove themselves to be an exceptional rider, and Maverick wasn't going to complain. More than half the students at his school were stuck-up, spoiled little shits and sometimes, thinking about what he was a part of made him feel a little ill. And then, Mav would remember the other students, the ones who had gotten to Hollow Aspen by true grit, determination, sweat, and lots of fundraising. Some of his students even had sponsors that paid Mav monthly to house a child from their city or town. Others were at Hollow Aspen simply because their student loans alleviated the costs so that they could spend everything else they'd saved up over the duration of their life on all the other expenditures that were necessary. So although half of his student body were lowlife little pricks, the other half made everything worth it. After all, Maverick wasn't in it just for the money. He was in it for the underdog. Aside from the little shits that he housed, the only other problem with his job was that with the responsibility and ownership of such a responsibility came paperwork. Sometimes truckloads (or so it seemed to Mav). He was a bright man, and didn't struggle with it at all, but the monotony of signing his name, checking bank statements, accepting payments and making payments, writing cheques, tallying numbers and making estimates, along with everything else, began to wear on him after a while. He had neglected his growing stack on his desk for a total of six days this time, and he was paying for it. He glanced at the clock and sighed. He had been awake since six o'clock in the morning, and it was now two in the afternoon. He had neglected to break for lunch and he was only half done the paperwork. He had completed the majority of the financial business, and was now doing the tedious job of going through applicants. The stack of 'denied' letters (though none actually said denied, Maverick thought it would be very comical indeed to send some letters with his header that had DENIED in big red writing) was much taller than the stack that had his signature and a statement welcoming them to Hollow Aspen. In fact, the accepted 'stack' was a whopping two applications. Maverick rubbed his forehead and tapped his fingers irritably on the desk as he inserted another audition disc. All of his trainers reviewed them beforehand and then sent them to him with their opinions for him to make the final call. The audition videos could be anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes long and it was Maverick's policy to watch every. Last. Second. Of them, so that he could make a fair judgment call. He agreed with his staff 99.99% of the time, anyway, so he felt it a waste of time. Especially today, seeing the sun shining in and feeling it on his arms and the top of his head, which was bent down toward his desk. He would love to be out riding. Recently he had gotten a group of younger students from different teams together to co-mingle on a large group trail ride. If he hadn't had to deal with all this damn paper, he would've done the same today. His little bay, Carmina, would've loved the weather too. She would've waggled her upper lip at the sight of him, and pushed him into the wall with her eagerness to be tacked up. Maverick closed his eyes, thinking about her cute little jog. When he opened them, he realized he'd missed a good chunk of this audition video on his laptop. Bloody freaking hell on a stick, he thought irritably, rewinding the video in Windows Media Player. A voice echoed into his office from the main office just beyond the door. It sounded vaguely familiar. This did not interest him much, though. He knew a lot of people. He still had a good few hours work ahead of him and if this person wasn't here for him, he didn't really care who they were. Not today, at least. Maverick thought he heard the voice call his receptionist a bitch as he clicked play on the media player. Well, she is kind of a bitch... But then, it became his business, as a blast from the past burst through his cracked-open door. A face he hadn't seen in a decade or more. A face he would recognize anywhere. Katya. She looked bemused and all traces of animosity that he had heard in her voice were gone as she smiled at him. "Nice place you got here, Mav. By the way, 'twas a bitch of a time finding you. More the place, I suppose." Maverick had nothing to say. The term 'fish out of water' would very accurately describe him as he felt his eyes had grown into saucers and his mouth was hanging on a loose hinge as he spluttered, unable to gather his thoughts well enough to say something, ANYTHING, for petes sake. "So, what have you been up to for the past decade and at which point did you decide to become...well, this STAFF POSITIONS " Maverick blinked stupidly at her as she settled herself into the plush chair against the wall of his office. She didn't give him much of a chance to think of anything to say (although he shouldn't have had to contemplate her question, it had a straightforward answer) before spitting out, "In case your brain is addled or whatever, it's me, Katya." Maverick physically shook his head and then slapped himself playfully on the cheek as his sense returned to him. "Uh. Wow. Katya. Yep, definitely never heard of her," Maverick said, his usually strong, confident voice wavering. Before she could respond he raised his hands and said, "No I joke, how could I ever forget you... But I must say, what the flying fuck are you doing here STAFF POSITIONS You nearly just sent me to my grave early." He paused. "I haven't heard from you, not even a phone call, in what... Eleven years STAFF POSITIONS What brings you here now STAFF POSITIONS " Then Mav remembered she had asked him a question first. "Oh and uh, this," Maverick made a nonchalant gesture with his hand around his office, "Dad died. Left me with a ... A lot of money. Some companies... But you know it's never been my deal. It's always been the horses. And I thought maybe if I ... Well, I just wanted to help out little Maverick's, if you know what I mean STAFF POSITIONS You know how shit everything was for me... God, of course you know... I mean, it's you. It's really YOU." Maverick wasn't sure exactly what he was feeling, but it was a mixed bag. He was ridiculously excited, elated even, his heart pounding in his chest like he was a little boy all over again. He had loved Katya, long ago, as a friend - his best friend, and his best smoking buddy - and maybe even as more, though he'd never admit it to himself or her. She wasn't the kind to settle down and make babies and cook dinner every night. She was the kind to get high, drink ridiculous amounts of alcohol, have unsafe sex with pretty promises to go with it, only to wake up and split before the guy could wake up. Or the girl could wake up. There were no confirmed instances but Maverick would not be even a little surprised if he found out Katya swung both ways. Regardless, Maverick had been on the receiving end of such a night. There was one specific night he remembered, the first night ever. He hadn't been a virgin and she definitely was not, but it felt like the first time to him. There had been so much raw passion and sheer joy. She had rocked him and left him shaken. When they fell asleep together, her finger nails tracing patterns on his chest, he had felt purely blissful. But the very next day, everything was back to how it had been, with Katya being, well... Katya. ▐ W O R D S » 1,550 ▐ M U S E » freaking awesome. ▐ O T H E R » I love Maverick. I love Katya.

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[Katya Romanova]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/OhUtY.png] She shrugged and settled in her chair, trying to get more comfortable. "Truthfully, Mav, papa went back to Russia with some...whore on his arm. Mama turned to the bottle and swears that he left because she's old and wrinkled but alas, the whore looks like she's been hit by a bus...then again, that's old news." She let out a lengthy sigh and smoothed her hands along the leather fabric of her pleated skirt. "My brothers have been bouncing me back and forth amongst themselves, trying to support me." Her nose crinkled briefly with distaste. It was a touchy subject and at first, although she'd never admit it, she ha cried herself to sleep about every night for the next three or four months. Her initial sorrow had been replaced by weed and sex. Lately, she was just at home, staring up at the ceiling and trying to figure out where she begun to go wrong. It wasn't like anybody had pushed her into this life. At first, she made excuses like it was a coping technique but after a time, she had grown addicted to the calming sensations that were brought on by her habits. When the rest of his words registered, she couldn't help but chuckle. "Who else would it be, goofball STAFF POSITIONS " She joked, rising from her chair as she walked toward him. She sank into his lap and rubbed her eyes, resting her head against his shoulder. "I came here because of you, Mav. I certainly wouldn't be here otherwise, especially not when I have an arsenal of games at home." She thought her dry wit was rather amusing, granted most people thought it was downright offensive but hey, she just didn't give a damn. "I went from being stoner sex kitty to being...well, just stoner." In her head, she had pictured this going much smoother, just like the old days. Maybe, just maybe, that was why they called them the 'old days.' A quiet sigh left her lips as she burrowed against him, drawing her jacket tighter around herself. "GiGi sends his love, and he wants you to know it's a no-homo or...whatever." If she had been facing him, which she wasn't, considering her face was all but buried against his neck, she would have flashed him that cheeky, signature smile of hers. "GiGi said I had to get off my ass and stop avoiding people like they have a contagious, incurable disease and when I tried to shrug it off like I'm famous for, he chucked the keys to his lambo at me and demanded, for lack of a better phrase, that I get the fuck out of his house before his date arrived." Her lower lip quivered, and she sniffed softly. "GiGi is Grigoriy, my brother, in case you're confused." She said matter-of-factly, taking hold of his hand as she began to toy with his fingers. It was...well, it was comforting to be around Mav. She felt at peace when she was around him. "Eleven, really STAFF POSITIONS I thought it was ten." Her brow furrowed, and she sighed heavily. "In any case, I stopped contacting you because one, I got that whole 'want to settle' vibe and figured you deserved to have a real shot at it, instead of letting little, old me slow you down." She hesitated. How did she explain the next part without giving away what she felt for him STAFF POSITIONS "Two, I woulda smacked da bitch silly and told her to get her own." She tried to nonchalant about it, joking even, but the humor that was present in her voice earlier had abandoned her. Were the warring emotions that she felt similar to what people felt when giving some type of a permanent goodbye STAFF POSITIONS Her throat closed up, and she fought back tears. The stinging sensation grew to the point where she could no longer stand it and then, one blink sent a single tear trickling down her cheek. Her earlier plan had been to come in, say her peace, and leave but now, she wasn't so certain. To make matters worse, her reaction was slow and thus, she wasn't particularly quick to wipe away the stray tear. In the past, Katya could have gone through this and been done almost instantly, no emotion on her part whatsoever. Now, she felt more emotional than your average...well, emotional person. Another thing she wasn't known for was crying. In the short time she had been reunited with Mav, she had completely obliterated the cold, heartless bitch that everybody probably perceived her to be. "Three, I don't think I'm fit for a jail sentence." She chuckled darkly, trying to force her emotions into the smallest box imaginable. A quiet sigh left her parted lip as she rose suddenly on shaking legs. She had to release some of this pent up...bleh. She began to pace the room, her arms wrapped around herself. Her raven-hued hair framed her pale face, hiding the quickly-changing emotions from view. Her combat boots made a steady thud against the floor with each step that she took. What had she been thinking STAFF POSITIONS Goodbye STAFF POSITIONS In what universe did goodbyes fit the profile where Mav was concerned STAFF POSITIONS Another tear traveled down her cheek. She refused to fight the wall of emotions a minute longer. What was the use STAFF POSITIONS Unless Mav had changed over the past decade, which she highly doubted, he could probably still read her like she was an open book. Though her mask was infallible to most, he was about the only person that could see past that and get a glimpse at the tortured soul that she locked away, just to wade her way through another day filled with shitty circumstances. Hell, even her own family was getting to the point where they were just getting sick of her shit. Her father had offered to pay for her to move to Russia, and she had debated on taking that offer. Maybe that's why she had truly come here. To let Mav talk her out of making the stupidest decision ever in the entirety of her thirty years of life. She wasn't known for falling into the arms of somebody and begging for comfort but her mind worked in mysterious ways. A thought struck her. What if it wasn't the offer or her desperation to have Mav changed her mind that brought her here STAFF POSITIONS What if her heart was trying to rekindle that old flame STAFF POSITIONS That wasn't possible. He couldn't feel that way about a street urchin. She was a lost cause and most gave her a wide berth, lest they get caught in that fucked up web. He could have anything he wanted. Come to think of it, he could even have anybody. On what planet would a guy like him choose a girl like her STAFF POSITIONS She had never worked a day in her life and her idea of work was asking one of her brothers to pay for her drug of choice. Her stomach churned and for a moment, she thought she was going to be sick. Still, she kept pacing. Her wide circles gradually became smaller and smaller, until she was staring at him with that wide-eyed 'help' look. "I shouldn't be here. I-I mean...I should be packing...or s-something." Why the fuck had she said that STAFF POSITIONS Now, he would know something was wrong. Score one for stupidity. She felt her heartstrings tug and the urge to wrap herself in that familiar embrace of his was suddenly slamming back into her. Maybe he had already found somebody. That would reduce the likelihood of her freaking the fuck out, wouldn't it STAFF POSITIONS No, he couldn't have, unless he just didn't bother to decorate his office with mementos from his relationship. There was no ring on his finger and subconsciously, she had been making sure of that while she fiddled with his fingers. Why was she obsessing over this STAFF POSITIONS It wouldn't work, and it wouldn't happen. They were from different sides of the tracks and in a decade, that gap between them had grown. She was bound for loserville, and he was headed in the opposite direction. She found the nearest chair and sank into it, burying her face into her hands as she struggled to piece it all together. None of it made any sense to her whatsoever. "This fucking blows..." She mumbled under her breath, sounding rather bitter.

[Maverick Andenhal]

[bg=6b4916][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,380,true] Mav still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that Katya, Katya Romanova, his Katya, was in his office, right here, right now. Not five feet away from him. He yearned to touch her as his eyes searched her face. "Truthfully, Mav, papa went back to Russia with some...whore on his arm. Mama turned to the bottle and swears that he left because she's old and wrinkled but alas, the whore looks like she's been hit by a bus...then again, that's old news." Maverick's face twisted into what must have been a grimace. The Romanova's have always been a wee bit ... Well, I could've seen that one coming, Maverick thought solemnly. "My brothers have been bouncing me back and forth amongst themselves, trying to support me." Yet another weighted statement, one that Maverick couldn't easily respond to. This too didn't surprise him, but how could he say that without it being a barbed hook STAFF POSITIONS Gee, of course they're supporting you, you've never truly supported yourself, ever! Real tactful. Maverick chose to stay quiet - he wouldn't need to say anything, because she seemed like she was feeling particularly talkative. Not entirely a Katya trait, but it had been 10 or 11 years. When it's been that long and you cared for someone as much as Mav cares for Katya, there are lots of things to be said. When she rose from her chair and walked toward him, his heart twinged. She settled herself in his lap, her head fitting perfectly on his shoulder, tucked in the crook between his neck and jaw bone. He felt like he was on fire, and he wrapped one arm around her waist, holding her firmly, as if she were going to disappear. Her hand played with his free left hand, toying with his fingers. His heart was racing. "I came here because of you, Mav. I certainly wouldn't be here otherwise, especially not when I have an arsenal of games at home." Maverick chuckled. Arsenal of games, alright. "What do you mean, this place isn't totally your style STAFF POSITIONS I'm offended," he breathed, sounding winded. She was warm and solid against his body, and he was fighting all sorts of urges. This is a dangerous game, he thought to himself, positively loving her hands on his... Wanting to wrap his fingers around hers and squeeze tight. This was Katya. This was really Katya. "I went from being stoner sex kitty to being...well, just stoner." Mav loosened his grip on her waist and moved his hand down to her hip and then up toward her rib cage, back and forth. "That's interesting news. You've always been such a babe, Kat. Still are, from what I can tell. What gives STAFF POSITIONS " He jested. This statement had sent yet another shiver down Maverick's spine. Katya, abstaining from sex STAFF POSITIONS Surely she didn't mean entirely, but still it was clearly enough for her to feel it worth mentioning. This was totally ass-backwards from the Kat he remembered. But on the other hand, did she have a motive for mentioning it STAFF POSITIONS Was she planning on using Maverick for a night or two, and then leaving him, bare bones picked clean STAFF POSITIONS Mav certainly hoped not. It wasn't unlikely given her previous history, but he sure hoped that wasn't why she was here. Not that he wouldn't love to close and lock his door and ravage her right here on his desk, on top of his damn paperwork, but he'd grown a lot since he'd last seen the woman in front of him. He wasn't exactly professional, but he had to keep up appearances. Sleeping with the woman who was dressed in a very... Unique way... Who had just called your receptionist a bitch publicly was not the best way to keep up appearances. "GiGi sends his love, and he wants you to know it's a no-homo or...whatever. GiGi said I had to get off my ass and stop avoiding people like they have a contagious, incurable disease and when I tried to shrug it off like I'm famous for, he chucked the keys to his lambo at me and demanded, for lack of a better phrase, that I get the fuck out of his house before his date arrived." So that cleared things up, if even just a little bit. She was here because her brother had told her to come. But was that her entire motive STAFF POSITIONS Katya wasn't one to be pushed around and told what to do. There had to be another reason, something solid beyond 'my brother told me to get off my ass and be social.' "Ahh, well next time you see Grigoriy, tell him I send my love back and, erm, no-homo as well." Maverick smiled, his conflicting emotions making it difficult to keep straight how he should be responding to his harlot. Or ex-harlot... Whatever "Eleven, really STAFF POSITIONS I thought it was ten. In any case, I stopped contacting you because one, I got that whole 'want to settle' vibe and figured you deserved to have a real shot at it, instead of letting little, old me slow you down. Two, I woulda smacked da bitch silly and told her to get her own." Maverick was taken aback. Her, slow him down STAFF POSITIONS She was such a firecracker. But he understood what she meant, the message conveyed in her words. "Oh darling, Katya, no. No no no. Well, yes, maybe I want to settle down, if that's the way you would word it, but I never considered you a burden." He moved his head backwards so he could see her face resting on his shoulder, and was surprised to see a glistening line traced down her cheek. He wasn't sure what she or he had said that had caused that droplet to loose itself from her eye, but it was one of the most shocking things that had happened yet. And Katya bursting into his office with the 'tude she'd had years ago was pretty damn shocking. He tucked her up tighter under his chin. "I wondered for years what I did to make you stop talking to me. Scrutinized interactions we'd had. Went over minute details of our last encounters... And drew blanks." Three, I don't think I'm fit for a jail sentence." She rose and began to pace his office, her arms wrapped around herself. She looked as though she were holding herself together - like she was afraid she was coming apart at the seams. Maverick had never seen her so disorganized and ... Vulnerable. He felt empty, too. The weight and warmth of her body had been so real, that when she stood up he felt cold. The spots where she had touched him were buzzing faintly, and his heart was still beating more rapidly than usual. He saw another tear escape her eye, but didn't say anything. He allowed her to pace, trying to understand what was going through her mind. Her path grew smaller and smaller and she seemed agitated, like a caged animal. Concern was evident on Maverick's face as he laced his fingers together, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "I shouldn't be here. I-I mean...I should be packing...or s-something,"

[/i] she spluttered. Still unsure of how to respond to this Katya that he had only seen rarely, and never this distressed that he could recall, Maverick stood, leaning on his desk. His forehead hurt from furrowing his brow. "This fucking blows..." He moved around his desk to where she was now standing, looking very upset. He unwrapped her arms from around her and grasped her left hand tightly in his, his left hand cupping her cheek. He kissed her gently on the cheek, a friendly, familiar kiss. His hand remained on his cheek as he made eye contact with her. [/color]"What is it, love

STAFF POSITIONS

You can tell me anything. It may have been a long time, but I'm still Maverick. I'm still your Maverick. I will do anything in my power to help you, Kat, if you just let me know what it is." He felt as though he were falling into a dangerous web right now. Walking willingly into it, even. Because even if Katya really needed help, was genuinely in distress, or if she was just aching for a sex fix, he was likely to end up the loser in the end.

---

▐ W O R D S » 1,512

▐ M U S E » freaking awesome.

▐ O T H E R » </3 my heart strings.

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[Katya Romanova]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/OhUtY.png] She sighed heavily. "Oh, come on, Mav. You coulda gotten yourself somebody respectable and had kids or somethin'. Being a woman, I can tell you I would have steered clear. You were the crutch of somebody that had way too much baggage. In a way, you're still that crutch, and I'm still that girl with too much baggage." She gave a weak chuckle and blinked, becoming lost in those eyes of his. Her breath caught in her throat. "I've been in a dry spell for about....the past year and a half. For the most part, I just got high, drank a bit much, and played video games until my hands cramped up." She shivered and tried to feel some amount of comfort but all she felt was anxiety. "About a week ago, papa called and told me that he'd pay for me to move to Russia and live with him, that I'd never 'ave to worry about anything ever again. I had found your name in a few articles and was grateful that you were doing alright but then I started seriously debating taking papa up on that offer." There was a weak sigh as her gaze went downcast. She felt lower than dirt in that moment. "All of a sudden, it just hit me that I was a burden on my family. It's pretty bad when your own family doesn't want you around." She hesitated, wondering if he could hear the sound of her heart beating as it thundered rapidly against the confines of her rib cage. "My original plan was to come here, make my peace, and go but then I was hit with something else. Ever since we first met, I was sort of smitten with you and then when shit went awry, I went to you." She shrugged limply, another tear trickling down her cheek. The words were coming out faster than she could think to formulate coherent sentences that didn't give her away. "In the morning, I was so used to just...leaving...that I left. You're about the only person that wanted me to stay and now that I've been debating on leaving, a selfish part of me only wanted to come here so you could stop me. Back then, I was content to assume that my feelings were just a phase, brought on by hormones and now, at the age of thirty, I'm gaining a different perspective. I've always taken the easy way out and each time, I've missed out on something or somebody...sometimes, both." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, still trying desperately to piece her thoughts together. Why did everything have to be so...so hard STAFF POSITIONS She rested her hand on his for a moment then shifted positions, burying her face against his chest. "I almost didn't come but at the same time, I-I couldn't just leave without....without giving this some closure for both of us. A twisted part of me is overjoyed that you're not a taken guy and yet, I feel like I somehow caused it indirectly by just...allowing myself to get so close to you. It wasn't my style back then and a decade later, it's still not my style." She tilted her head back to look him in the eyes then her hands cupped either side of his face as she reached up to brush her lips along his. "Mav, I don't want your help." She murmured, her voice cracking as the words left her lips. Come to think of it, she didn't know what she wanted anymore. She kissed him again and sighed softly. "Mav, I want...I want you to be happy. You can't keep dwelling on the past." Right, because she was suddenly an expert on not dwelling on the past. Her nose crinkled lightly at the thought. All she ever did was dwell on things she couldn't change, the past especially. Her head lowered back to his shoulder and she moved closer to him, breathing in the familiar scent that she had gotten used to ten years ago when wrapped up in his embrace. How did one explain that instead of dwelling on the past, she wanted to create a future with him STAFF POSITIONS Better yet, how was it done in a way that it was traditional STAFF POSITIONS Perhaps, their relationship, if you could call it that, had never been traditional in the first place. Had they even had a relationship to speak of STAFF POSITIONS Certainly, they both seemed to think something was there, but she couldn't help but wonder if it was the same as it was back then or if they were only fooling themselves into believing that there had been something. What if they both got what they wanted and then they discovered it wasn't really what they wanted STAFF POSITIONS Would it be like the way her parents had divorced, or would they be respectable adults and simply agree that it wasn't meant to be STAFF POSITIONS She doubted she would be able to take such a fiasco. She'd probably fall deeper into that pit of hers and when that time came, she wouldn't be able to just dig herself out and withstand everything that sought to knock her down. She had barely made it out this time. There was no way in hell she'd be able to do it a second time. Should she trust him with her tattered, pessimistic heart STAFF POSITIONS He hadn't done anything, as of yet, to hurt her. Tears began to sting at her eyes again and this time, she was prepared. She quickly blinked them away and shivered for what had to have been the hundredth time during their short reunion. "We need...we need to start living for today, you know STAFF POSITIONS We gotta...gotta look forward to tomorrow and stop thinking so hard about the past. Whether we like it or not, it's shaped us into who we are today and no matter what happens, we can't change that." She knew it was awkward and lacked conviction but coming from somebody like her, she wasn't entirely sure that she meant it. After all, this whole business of relationships was just...not her style. Lately, regrets had been piling up left and right. When she thought she had found some small corner of sanity, it was ripped away, and she was left to feel naked and more vulnerable than she had ever been before. In thirty years, she had only thought about herself and how her actions effected her. She didn't ever seem to remember that her actions oftentimes effected more than just her. Her life was far from perfect, and she could tell you with one hundred percent certainty that doing a lifetime of growing up in a single day drained your defenses and made you an emotional wreck. She wasn't sure how to react anymore. She knew Mav could see into those darker parts of herself and as selfish as it sounded, she was almost glad that she had let him in. She wondered how long this could go on. At a certain point, for all of his claims, even Mav would probably end up getting sick of her. Another thing she knew was that she hadn't come to him for sex. In the past, certainly. One thing she would never admit was that he had been one of the best ones she'd ever had. When they got finished, she didn't feel like a dirty whore, which was how she had felt with everybody else. He had made every second of emotional uncertainty worth it. Behind those pale eyes of hers, pain was lurking. It nagged at her until she could hardly function. In the past year and a half, she had handled her problems by avoiding them entirely. She just curled up on her brother's couch and waited for the storm to blow over. When it didn't, she had become a permanent fixture on his couch. About the only time she got up was to go to the bathroom for various reasons. During that year and a half, she had lost a considerable amount of weight, simply because she claimed not to be hungry. Depression did funny, cruel things to a person and lately, she had been depression's favorite bitch. She knew better than anybody that it was a pathetic state of affairs, but she had stopped caring. She was nothing more than a shell of her former self. She sighed and finally lifted her head to meet his gaze again. Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign that he might be...well, playing a joke of some sort on her. "So, Mav, you ready to give this thing another go and do it the right way STAFF POSITIONS " She asked when her curiosity was sated and although she tried not to sound too hopeful, she probably failed miserably.

[Maverick Andenhal]

[bg=6b4916][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,380,true] "Oh, come on, Mav. You coulda gotten yourself somebody respectable and had kids or somethin'. Being a woman, I can tell you I would have steered clear. You were the crutch of somebody that had way too much baggage. In a way, you're still that crutch, and I'm still that girl with too much baggage." Maverick blinked. Somebody respectable... Sure, yeah, but... God. He shook his head a little; hardly noticeable. The idea was absurd. Yes, he wanted children, and a family, and all of that. Yes, he had met women who would have fit the bill, who probably would have loved him - if even partially for his money and not entirely for him - but none of them could hold a candle to Katya. In his mind, even after a decade of not hearing from her, let alone seeing her..."You're right. I could have met that woman. Well, maybe I did. But I let her go without giving her much of a chance, every time. Because as much as I tried to deny it, am still trying to deny it, there's only ever been one girl - woman - who has had my heart." Maverick wasn't usually the gushy gushy kind, in fact he felt as though he were revealing way too much to the woman in front of him... She had the ability to tear his beating heart out of his body, and she probably didn't even realize she had that power. It's a lot of responsibility when someone loves you; if you don't treat them right... Well, people have died for lesser circumstances than a broken heart. "My original plan was to come here, make my peace, and go but then I was hit with something else. Ever since we first met, I was sort of smitten with you and then when shit went awry, I went to you." She was throwing curve ball after curve ball at him. Where was this coming from STAFF POSITIONS Was she being entirely genuine STAFF POSITIONS He'd never known Kat to be so open and so ... Vulnerable. It was unnerving seeing this tougher-than-nails woman he'd idolized and adored for years talking like she was love sick. She almost did look sick. Not that Maverick was complaining. In a way, he was partially elated - Katya reciprocated the feelings he had been experiencing since he met her, if even only marginally. "In the morning, I was so used to just...leaving...that I left. You're about the only person that wanted me to stay and now that I've been debating on leaving, a selfish part of me only wanted to come here so you could stop me. Back then, I was content to assume that my feelings were just a phase, brought on by hormones and now, at the age of thirty, I'm gaining a different perspective. I've always taken the easy way out and each time, I've missed out on something or somebody...sometimes, both."

[/b]

Maverick's eyes teared up a little. He sniffed stupidly as Katya did the same. He yearned to reach out and brush the tears away, kiss her cheeks, her mouth, her nose, her eyes, make her feel better, make her happy, like he'd always wanted to. Maverick wanted nothing more than to see her smile a genuine smile at him, to love him like he'd always loved her deep down.

"I almost didn't come but at the same time, I-I couldn't just leave without....without giving this some closure for both of us. A twisted part of me is overjoyed that you're not a taken guy and yet, I feel like I somehow caused it indirectly by just...allowing myself to get so close to you. It wasn't my style back then and a decade later, it's still not my style."

Maverick stiffened. Had she caused him to be 31 years old and single, with no family to speak of, aside from an ungrateful younger brother and a mother who spent too much time attached to a bottle

STAFF POSITIONS

Yes, he thought, I suppose she has. He was just opening his mouth to tell her exactly that, when she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips. His hands reached up involuntarily and cupped her face like she was cupping his, and he pressed harder into the kiss, only for a moment, then released. He had something to say.[/color]

"Katya, you're right. It is your fault that I am a single man, with no family. It is entirely your fault. But at the same time, you cannot fault yourself for it, because it's a choice that I made. I've chosen to let my feelings for you kill any chance at my finding happiness elsewhere. And to be honest, Kat, I am perfectly okay with that," he didn't finish his thought. How could he tell her that he would rather be alone if he couldn't have her

STAFF POSITIONS

That she was the only one that he really, truly wanted, out of all the women he'd ever layed with

STAFF POSITIONS

There were no words to get this point across, not at this moment. Not when she still seemed so full of words, things to say to him. He needed and wanted to hear her talk, to say more of these things he'd wished he'd heard (in some way or another) when they were young and spry.

"Mav, I want...I want you to be happy. You can't keep dwelling on the past. We need...we need to start living for today, you know

STAFF POSITIONS

We gotta...gotta look forward to tomorrow and stop thinking so hard about the past. Whether we like it or not, it's shaped us into who we are today and no matter what happens, we can't change that."[/i]

He nodded, smiling faintly, drawing her closer. She's grown up. His left arm held her at her lower back, tight against his body, his free right hand stroking her hair. She smelled much the same, of perfume put on with a heavy hand, mingling with the lingering scent of smoke and booze... And that faint sugary smell that wasn't perfume, or habitual, but entirely Katya - something that was just her. [/color]"Kat, do you remember when we met

STAFF POSITIONS

I had just been kicked from boarding school. My parents didn't want anything to do with me, and I went walking all the time. Surely you remember that... Anyway, I remember the first time I saw you. I thought to myself, 'wow, that is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen,' and I remember now too thinking 'what the fuck' because up until that point, most girls were beneath my notice. I mean, I was only 11, and you were 10, looking every bit as badass as you do now." Maverick's face split into a fond reminiscent grin. "You asked me what the hell I was looking at. I don't remember what I said, but I know it wasn't polite. I think that's why you kept talking to me - because I successfully sassed you. The first and only time. It didn't take me long to fall in love with you, Katya. I think you've always been my one. It's pathetic, it's corny, it's over-rated, and this sure as hell is no fairy tale, but it is what it is to me, and that's how I felt... Feel." They had drawn apart at some point during his spiel, and they searched each others eyes - for eyes are the windows into the soul - for some sign of... He didn't know what. Mav had not felt this confused in years.

"So, Mav, you ready to give this thing another go and do it the right way

STAFF POSITIONS

"

Mav felt himself begin to tear up again and he took a deep breath, looking at the ceiling. He was acting like some foolish teenaged boy, not a grown man who had a reputable business. It took a moment to pull himself together, and when he made eye contact with Katya again, there was a powerful certainty behind his voice that startled him. "Kat, I've been waiting twenty years to do it right with you. With you. Not a Suzy Homemaker... With you, Katya Anastasiya Romanova."

---

▐ W O R D S » 1,366

▐ M U S E » freaking awesome.

▐ O T H E R » ILUVMAVILUVKATYA.

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[Katya Romanova]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/OhUtY.png] She wanted to believe she wasn't dreaming, but it was difficult, and she'd be the first one to admit it. When she heard those words coming of Mav's mouth, her first response was to sag against him. What followed surprised even her. She began to cry and laugh at the same time, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She never wanted to let go of him or at least, not if she could help it. "And the most awkward couple award goes to..." She paused as if for dramatic effect. She really didn't understand how or why her life had suddenly taken such an amazing turn, but she was grateful. "Maverick Andenhal and Katya Romanova!" Tilting her head back, she gave a grin then pecked his lips lightly. "I remember thinking you looked like a rich loser that was trying to appear bad ass and had probably just gotten his ass reamed for going against the family grain." Her tone was teasing as she spoke and then as she finished, her arms lifted to loop around his neck. "And just so you know, I wasn't lying when I said those things back then, but I wasn't about to...well, take a chance, I guess." Truth be told, she was actually more fragile than she let on. She was afraid of being hurt, among other things. She had seen relationship after relationship crumble to dust around her. She hadn't wanted to be another statistic but now that everything was out in the open, she found that she didn't mind as much. Certainly, she was still scared out of her damned mind but overall, she wasn't going to try to run from it anymore. After all that they had been through, they deserved to, at least, give this a go. It seemed perfectly logical in her mind. Maybe she was wrong and if she was...well, so be it. She sidled closer to him, giggling quietly. "I think we're both glad that's out in the open now." She murmured, her eyes twinkling with mirth. She saw that his own eyes were sparkling with what were probably tears, and she instantly felt guilty. Had she been the cause behind them STAFF POSITIONS If so, she hadn't meant for it to go down like that but unfortunately, it had. She could only hope that everything would work out for the better. She wouldn't know what she'd do otherwise. She knew one thing, though. She was undoubtedly in love with Maverick and a decade had done nothing to quell the fire that had been burning so brightly within her core. She also had to wonder if he really felt the same or if he was only pulling her leg. She was bearing her soul to Mav and giving him her heart, which wasn't something she did just for the fuck of it. She wanted him to want her. She wanted that so badly that it hurt, which was something else that immensely surprised her. She craved him in ways she didn't understand. What would she do if he did end up hurting her, though STAFF POSITIONS Would she be able to survive it STAFF POSITIONS No, he wouldn't do such a thing. He couldn't, could he STAFF POSITIONS Anxiety swelled and crashed within her, and she bit her lip. The uncertainty she felt flickered across her face clear as day, even though she tried desperately to hide it. She blinked and tilted her head, gazing up at him. "Mav, I love you." As she finished speaking, her lips caught his in another kiss. The only difference between this kiss and the last few was that it was passionate. It was her trying to convey every feeling she had ever felt for him into one kiss. She couldn't think straight. In that moment, she didn't want to think straight. All that mattered was her getting wrapped up in that embrace of his. She craved it, yearned for it. It was the only thing she could think about, besides the fact her heart swelled when she was near him. She almost became an entirely, different person. She wasn't sure how to react or even if she should react. She was leaving everything up to him. A lot like dancing, she would follow his lead, no matter where it took her or how much it hurt her. She loved being in his presence, inhaling that scent he carried. It had brought her so much comfort a decade ago and now, after all the time they had spent apart, it still brought her peace of mind. It was when she remembered that she needed to breathe that she finally came up for air, sucking in a sharp breath. Her lungs grabbed greedily for air, and she chuckled faintly. "Suzy Homemaker, huh STAFF POSITIONS " She lowered her arms and prodded him affectionately in the abdomen. She resisted the tempting urge to allow her hand the chance to go lower. It would have been rather easy to slip her hand into his pants and ease another part of her that had been going without for so long. She had promised that she had turned a new leaf, however, and she was going to do what she could to stick to that promise. Call it an act of good faith, if you will. She wasn't entirely certain but what the hell, everybody had to grow up at some point, right STAFF POSITIONS Things wouldn't ever be perfect, per say, but with the way things were going now, she would happily guess that it was about as close to perfect as it would ever get. She wanted to figure out what he was thinking or if he was thinking anything at all. At times, she even wished she could read minds so she knew how to react and when. This game of guessing was hard and usually, she lost. She wasn't ever the type to pick up on subtle, social cues. Hell, she usually did the exact opposite. You could always trust her to do one of two things, if not both: tell the cold, hard truth or completely fuck things up. She did what she could when she could, but she was only human so no minor mistakes should have been held against her or at least, she thought so. She blinked, clearing her head and then watched him curiously. "So, what now STAFF POSITIONS " She queried, her brow furrowing. She appeared to be thoughtful and perhaps even concerned. Either way, you had to give her credit for trying. "The ball is in your court, Mav." She gave a fleeting smile then found herself looking anywhere but at him.

[Maverick Andenhal]

[bg=6b4916][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,380,true] "And the most awkward couple award goes to... Maverick Andenhal and Katya Romanova! I remember thinking you looked like a rich loser that was trying to appear bad ass and had probably just gotten his ass reamed for going against the family grain." At this, Maverick had to laugh. What else was there to do STAFF POSITIONS It was true, probably - a young Mav wearing scruffy clothes, his jeans full of tears and rips accumulated from fence hopping and falling down, his shirt untucked and his hair a mess... Rebelling in every way humanly possible, going against his parents every wish, simply because they didn't understand the brilliance that was his mind. They had not understood they'd needed to cultivate his intelligence, draw it out, instead of hampering him like they had. School had always been too easy, and Mav didn't handle boredom well. "I think we're both glad that's out in the open now."

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Mav nodded his head. What to say

STAFF POSITIONS

What words to convey the deep feelings he was experiencing

STAFF POSITIONS

This was all too unreal to him. Katya, bursting into his office like she was still the shit (and let's face it, to Mav, she still is), throwing all of this news onto him, and then breaking down. Who knew it would be Katya falling to pieces

STAFF POSITIONS

And that would be what prompted Mav to finally let her know how he really felt

STAFF POSITIONS

He would've let her know sooner, but back when they were teenagers, they were so young, and he had loved Katya so completely that he would rather be with her as a friend, watching her go from guy to guy happily in a drunken stupor, than admit his feelings and scare her away. He had felt like he'd come on too strong and that was why she'd left him. Now he knew that it wasn't that, it was never that - it was that Katya had wanted to give him a chance at life and love. But she hadn't known that she was his life, and his love. Now she knew, and she felt the same. Maverick's heart felt like it was swelling to bursting point.

"Mav, I love you."

Boom.

Those words. Those words electrocuted Maverick, and suddenly he was kissing her, but not just her - he was kissing all of her pent up feelings while pouring his own back into her. The emotional power behind the kiss was overwhelming and he felt as though he might faint. Instead, he pulled her closer, his lips parting. There was nothing gentle or careful about this kiss. It was nothing like the hundreds they'd shared casually or during sex. This kiss told of words unspoken for years. This kiss was their first kiss - their first real kiss, where neither were too intoxicated to feel anything, where nobody was lying and falsifying emotions to save face... This was one that Maverick would always remember, up until the day he died. The day his lips came alive, and his body and heart with it. Katya. And then they parted, because for some inexcusable reason, their bodies needed oxygen. Maverick felt this entirely unfair. He would have stayed like that, her kiss enveloping him and his likewise to her forever, were it possible. The intensity had left him shaken.

"Suzy Homemaker, huh

STAFF POSITIONS

" She poked him playfully in the abdomen and he made a mental note to start going to the gym.

He felt himself coming back down to Earth, and the trip back was not nearly as fun as the ride 'there.' Staring up at the ceiling tiles, he counted them, taking a deep, shaky breath to steady himself. While he was looking up, he exhaled exaggeratedly, then met her eyes again. She was glowing. Everything about her was positively alive. He saw in her face everything he was feeling, and he wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to drown her in kisses. Instead, he took another deep breath and smiled sideways at her.[/color] "Yeah, Suzy Homemaker, you know - the perfect woman

STAFF POSITIONS

Cooks, cleans, carries your children, gives you sex - albeit, probably boring sex - and blowjobs," he was partially teasing, though he figured that was the true definition of a Suzy Homemaker. He imagined himself coming home to a bland looking woman who was brandishing a cookie tray at him with a child on her hip, dinner on the stove behind her... And shook his head. "Not my cup of tea. Or coffee. Or brandy. Or whatever it is that manly men drink."

"So, what now

STAFF POSITIONS

The ball is in your court, Mav."

Mav smiled at her, his breathing finally returned to normal. She avoided looking at him, which amused Maverick greatly. God, I love today, he thought, fuck paperwork. Taking a deep breath, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her back into him tight. Truthfully, he never wanted to let her go, even a little bit. It had been too long since he'd experienced the wonder that was his Katya, and it had driven him mad in the years since their parting. Now she was his. He was going to make sure of that - he was going to make her happy, and make this thing work. Even if it killed him. Life without Katya now, after today, would be nigh unbearable. Unlivable. "Well, luv, I think you have a phone call to make, and whenever you're ready, bring your things here. We've wasted too much time as it is, and my house is, from this point onward, your home. You can call it such whenever you feel ready." He paused, contemplating what to say. He didn't want to turn into one of those corny shmooze-y boys, especially considering his age and who he was talking to, but there was only so much power he had. His feelings were so vivid in his mind, he couldn't think of anything else. "I am so ... I don't even think there is a word for it, Kat, but we'll go with elated... So elated that you came here today. I finally get to hold you, and kiss you," he paused again, but only to place a warm, gentle kiss on her lips, "and tell you that I love you, Kat. With every fibre of my being, I love you."

---

▐ W O R D S » 1,055

▐ M U S E » freaking awesome.

▐ O T H E R » ILUVMAVILUVKATYA.

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[Katya Romanova]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imgur.com/OhUtY.png] She sniffled and nodded, taking a tiny step away from him. She wiped her bleary eyes on her sleeve and crinkled her nose as her makeup smeared. "Bloody hell, I look like a fucking mess." She giggled and reached into her pocket, pulling out a phone with a purple K on the front. She flipped it open and pressed down the number that she had assigned as her brother's speed dial. As it rang, she began to chew on the corner of her thumb. It was a well-known nervous habit of hers. Before she could even think to hang up and claim her brother wasn't answering, the ringing ceased. "Katya, how are you STAFF POSITIONS " Grigoriy purred, his deep baritone sending chills down her spine. "G-Good." She stammered, her pale gaze moving instantly to the floor as she shuffled her weight awkwardly. "And what is the purpose for your call, considering I'm going to go out on a limb and say you haven't crashed my car STAFF POSITIONS " He chuckled, and she seemed to loosen up a tad, although not much. Normally, it was her father she feared, often to the point that she avoided her own home as a youth. She left before the rooster crowed and came back well after he had passed out in a drunken stupor. She hadn't ever talked about it nor had she ever allowed anybody outside of the family near their small home. Apparently, ten years had made her father a rich sleazeball. "No, I didn't crash your precious car, dumb ass." She snapped, twitching as he began to chuckle like what she had said was remotely humorous. How did she break it to him STAFF POSITIONS If anything, he'd probably be happy. All of her siblings were waiting for the point when they'd no longer have to support their loser sister. "Just so you know, I'm moving." When her brother scoffed mockingly with disbelief, she almost regretted that she couldn't reach through the phone and make him her bitch. "Now who is taking pity on you, dear sister STAFF POSITIONS " He purred and though his tone was teasing, she could also sense the underlying tinge of relief. Too bad it wasn't April first, or she would have made him shit his pants. He was one of the few that put up with her shit for extended amounts of time, often those aforementioned periods spanned weeks, if not months. "I'm moving in with Mav, and it's not pity!" She snapped, chucking her phone across the room with an agitated huff. She didn't even seem to notice when the small device broke against the wall. "Sometimes, I hate GiGi." She sniffled, although she was now beginning to wonder if it really was pity. What he had shown appeared genuine, but she wasn't exactly a professional at reading people. It usually took all she had to keep her flimsy mask in place. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve a final time and sighed quietly. "So, um...do you have a good-sized trunk STAFF POSITIONS I don't have much, but it won't fit in the lambo. I-I'll pay you for gas and everythin'." She wandered to where her phone had broken and knelt down, picking up the pieces. Luckily, her brother made her carry a backup, which was tucked in a place you didn't even want to think about. When her jacket rode up, dragging her shirt along with it, a tattoo became visible on her lower back. It simply read: love and lust, learn to differentiate. If you pined after somebody for ten years, without them being there, it wasn't lust. For a year or two, perhaps but when it crossed into the territory of obsession, it ceased being lust. That was how she saw it, and she knew that certain people would stubbornly disagree with her views, which in essence, were pretty outlandish. She kicked ass first and asked questions later. In her mind, that was her way of being better safe than sorry. She rose and dusted off her legs, dropping the broken pieces of the phone into a nearby trashcan. "Rum, real men drink rum." She said after a long moment of silence, turning toward him with a grin that illuminated her entire face. She slipped out of her combat boots and returned to his side, reaching up to kiss him. Her teeth nipped playfully at his bottom lip before she withdrew from him. "So, returning to our previous conversation, by saying Suzy Homemaker gives boring sex and blow jobs, does that imply that I give great sex and better blow jobs STAFF POSITIONS " She smirked at the thought but then her features seemed to pinch. Had he said kids STAFF POSITIONS Cooking and cleaning weren't an issue but kids STAFF POSITIONS She was hardly an adult, herself. How in the hell was she going to be a parent, let alone a good one STAFF POSITIONS She kept these insecurities quiet, however. It was normal to feel like she'd be the worst parent in the history of parents, right STAFF POSITIONS Everything she would tell her kids would make her into the world's biggest hypocrite. She hadn't done anything right with her life, except for what she was doing with Mav in that very moment. Ever since she had laid eyes on him that day, she had felt this desire slowly take hold of every fiber of her being. While the majority of what she felt was emotional, she also craved that physical release. "How long will it take for this day to end STAFF POSITIONS We have ten years of making up to do, and I don't think you want that bitchy receptionist destroying your rep if we trash this nifty office o' yours." She teased, her hands finding his as she held them tightly, giving them the occasional squeeze. "'Sides that, I'd rather leave when you do, just so I get a feel for your schedule." She yawned and rested her head against his chest, still not letting go of his hands.