It's Alway's Been You

Chapter 2

Two days had come and gone with few words being said to one another. James was leaving in a few hours and everyone was eating breakfast silently at the table. James kept glancing up at Sarah but she did not return his looks. She hadn't spoken to him since he had told them he was leaving and he didn't want to leave with her angry at him. James didn't know what to say to her after what had happened; he wasn't sure if she thought of him as more than a friend or not. But most of all, he wasn't sure if he should tell her his feelings.

"James, don't go! I will miss you too much! If you go who will annoy Sarah?" Henri said ending his train of thought. James chuckled and eyed Sarah who returned with a weak half smile that made his smile vanish quickly.

"Henri, why don't you and I go out to buy more ink?" Moses suggested.

"And pastries?" Henri exclaimed licking his lips and patting his stomach.

"We just finished eating and you're still hungry?"

"Oui! I am always hungry! Except when I am eating." Everyone chuckled.

"Alright Mr. Eight stomachs if you come with me to buy ink I'll buy you a few pastries."

"Yippee!"

They got up from their chairs, grabbed their jackets, and headed out the door, leaving James and Sarah alone in the print shop. Sarah began collecting the plates from the table in order to clean up.

"Here let me help you with that" James said as he lifted up a plate from the table. Sarah grabbed the plate from his hands without looking at him and continued on with her business.

"Come on, are you gonna stay angry at me forever?"

Sarah wasn't really angry with him she was just hurt. She had thought for a second he may care for her too but then he changed and was so cold. He was leaving soon and she felt she should tell him how she felt because it could be her last chance. "I'm not mad at you, James" she said turning to face him, his light blue eyes met hers and they stood there a moment just looking at each other as if trying to memorize every feature.

He thought of how much he would miss seeing her face everyday, hearing her laugh, everything, he would miss everything about her.

"You're not?" he said breaking the silence.

She just shook her head still looking at him. He got closer to her and lightly brushed a piece of her red hair out of her face. She blushed and looked down shyly, making him smile. He lifted her chin with his hand and leaned in closer. Suddenly, the door swung open and Henri and Moses came walking in, causing James and Sarah to jump apart. Moses eyed the two noticing their beat red faces and chuckled.

"What's so funny Moses?" Henri retorted.

"Nothing you should know." Moses replied, Henri let Moses walk past him before sticking his tongue out at him.

"I saw that!" Moses yelled and Henri hastily ran up the stairs. They all laughed and shook they're heads.

"You should be leaving soon James." Moses said putting a hand on James shoulder, "Why don't you fill your sac with some supplies, get your coat and hat, and start saying your 'good-byes."

James nodded and went upstairs to grab his sac. For the first time since he had enlisted James felt scared; it had never seemed real to him until that moment. When he got downstairs everyone was there waiting with grim looks on their faces. He knew he would say 'good-bye' to Sarah last because it would be the hardest one to do. He put his coat and hat on and walked slowly over to Moses.

"Well I guess this is good-bye" James said shrugging his shoulders a little. He had always envied the way Moses always appeared to tough like he could handle anything.

Moses put a hand on his shoulder, "Not forever, James." Moses commanded.

"It might just be." James gave a weak smile feeling the tears forming in his eyes.

"Be careful out there, son, take care of your self." James noticed something in Moses he hadn't seen in awhile...Fear.

"I will," was all that James could say in reply.

He gave him a good man hug and walked over to Henri. Henri face was plastered with tears and his lower lip was curled down hoping he could guilt James into staying. James put his hand on Henri's shoulder and crouched to his knees becoming Henri's height. Henri shot into him with a hug making James grunt in surprise. They hugged one another like the brothers they felt they were and then released. Henri wiped his tears and James stood back up patting the top of Henri's head, he looked over at Sarah who he could hear sobbing.

He took a step towards her lightly grabbing her hand, she cried harder, pulled her hand back and ran up the stairs. James stood there for a second looking down and then ran after her. When he got to her door he knocked softly but she didn't answer, he opened it slowly and walked in shutting the door behind him. She was curled up on her bed, her body facing him, and crying. Seeing his face filled her with more sorrow, making her tears run faster. She didn't want him to say good-bye; she wanted him to stay with her and be safe. But his decision had already been made, and it was too late. He sat down on her bed and she shifted, positioning herself beside him. He put his arm around her and she buried her face in his shoulder continuing to weep. He pulled her away slowly and held her hands in his.

"Please don't cry, I hate seeing you cry." He said.

"I can't help it." She sniffled and wiped her tears away, though new ones were beginning to fall.

He stood up pulling her up with him and into a hug. They half released keeping their arms around each other noticing now that they were both crying. They laughed a little, wiping their faces, but never lost their hold on one another. He drew her in closer to him so that their foreheads were touching, they both closed their eyes feeling the tears materialize once again.

"I love you." He whispered.

Without letting her respond he pressed his lips on hers. She put her hands around his neck getting as close as possible to him, not caring how improper she was being. He tightened his grip around her waist as he deepened the kiss. One of his hands moved up to the back of her head tangling itself in her hair, as she slid one of her hands to his cheek. The kiss lightened and their lips separated. They looked at each other, breathing heavily and smiling.

James put his hand on her cheek, closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers again. They stayed there just holding each other, neither one of them wanting to let go.

"I love you, Sarah. I've always loved you, and I always will." James said softly. He stepped back looking down and holding her hands in his, becoming very aware of what he had just confessed to her and that his fears of her not feeling the same could become real in seconds. He looked up at her and saw the smile on her face and the gleam in her striking green eyes, his fear disappeared and a huge grin spread across his face.

"I love you too, James." She said and his smile grew wider.

He embraced her tightly, picked her up and spun her around, then gently placed her back down and kissed her sweetly.

So I hope you liked it sorry it's so short just wanted to give you guys something :) Next chapter in progress..