Stubborn Love

How had he let himself be here again? This time he should have gotten someone else to see to Shaye's wounds. He never should have slipped into her den, never should have allowed her so.. Close. Here they were though, arms wrapped up together in the dark quiet place. Rhyme wanted to let himself fall into her, to enjoy being this close. To really embrace the challenges of parenthood with her.

She softened her sobs, the pain she felt reflective of his own as she too denied how she really felt. Shaye held on to him tighter as she heard his confession, and she replied. He waited to let the relief wash over him the words teasing him as she banished her earlier commitments. Was she saying what he had longed to hear? He stilled, barely breathing as he contemplated what she had said. Rhyme would never have her leave. Had he felt more like joking he would have mentioned he wouldn't dream of kicking her out of her own den.

"Don't leave. I could never want that." He interrupted, but quieted as she continued. She didn't want to be so far away anymore. He didn't want their distance to continue. Rhyme wanted her to be happy. "What do you want, Shaye?" He asked softly, did she want to continue keeping how they truly felt a secret or would they embrace the truth. "I don't want this ache in my heart anymore."