Temporary -- A Rocky Lynch Story

Chapter 6

*Rocky's POV*

A week had gone by without any word from Liz. The withdrawal hit me hard. We barely ever really spoke when we were together – it was mostly profanities and dirty talk – but I missed her. Not so much the sex, but just her presence in my life.

I left her alone for a couple of days, letting her have some space. But when even Ross expressed concerns about not having heard from her, I gave in and texted her. When I didn't get a response, I tried to call. Nothing. Multiple texts and calls later, and she still hadn't responded. It had crossed my mind that maybe she was ignoring me in particular. But even when Rydel tried to get ahold of her, she was nowhere to be found.

"Just give her some space," Riker sighed as we shared a moment together in the kitchen. I had my eyes glued to my phone, searching her Facebook to see if she had updated it. She hadn't. Her Twitter page was completely dead. I was worried. This wasn't just fallout from the fight. "You're acting crazy."

"Yeah," I grunted, not even paying attention to what he was saying. I was too busy playing detective. When Rydel and Ellington entered the kitchen, in obvious search of their morning brew, I had to ask. "Del, did you hear from Liz?"

She yawned and stretched as Ellington rubbed her back lightly. "No, sorry." She wasn't big on conversation before she had her coffee. She sighed in contentment when Ell handed her the warm cup, prepared just how she liked it. "I can try again later, though." I shook my head, my eyes wandering back down to my phone. "I'm sorry, Rocky. You really love her, huh?" she asked as she kissed my cheek.

"Yeah," I sighed. I set my phone down, the screen against the granite countertop. "Whatever." Ross came stumbling into the kitchen, completing the group. He was in nothing but his pink underwear, and he had awful bedhead. His eyes were barely open.

"Did you know she was going to react this way?" Riker asked, sipping his own coffee. After the blow up with Liz, I was a total mess. I stayed in my room and slept most of my time away. I wasn't able to focus, and everyone was starting to ask questions. So I gave in and told everyone the whole story. If it was ever going to work between me and Liz, we had to start with a blank slate.

"Obviously he didn't," Ross interjected. He had been a little aggravated ever since the blow up. It seemed like he was taking it personally.

"I kind of did, though," I corrected him. "I mean, you did warn me about her personal problems."

"Yeah, and you didn't even listen to me. I told you to drop her like a hot potato."

"Ross, I am not going to abandon her. That's the last thing she needs. I want her to know that I am here for her, no matter what. She can freeze me out. She can fight my every attempt to be with her. I am not going to give up on her." My phone vibrated and I jumped, my eyes going wide as I stared at the counter. Everyone leaned forward in anticipation, wondering the same thing I was. Was it Liz? When I picked it up, I saw that it was just another business email. When I shook my head no, everyone sighed and leaned back once again.

"This has gone on long enough," Ross hissed. "I'm going to take care of this." He stormed out of the room. After a minute, he re-emerged and he was completely dressed. "I'll be back later." The door slammed as he left the house.

*Liz's POV*

I tripped over the empty takeout and pizza boxes that littered my floor on the way back to my desk. There was garbage everywhere. I hadn't had time to clean lately. Ever since Rocky... I just didn't have the energy. All I could do was write. Think and write. Think about everything. About my step dad, about my work, about the mess, and about Rocky. Especially about Rocky.

After everything that happened between us, I experienced a surge in my writing. It was all I ever did. My bed hadn't been slept in for the past week since I barely slept to begin with. My moments of slumber occurred sitting up at my computer, resting my chin in my hands during little breaks in writing. The only contact I had with the outside world was with the food delivery people.

I just typed. I typed out all of my feelings. My own story poured out onto the blank document. My soul was that heavy cloud, releasing a much anticipated storm. I couldn't stop it. All I could do was reach for my umbrella and pray for sunny days to return. It was cathartic. With every letter I typed, I felt more and more like myself. More and more ready to face life again. Ready to talk. I just hoped Rocky was still waiting like he said he would be. It was unfair of me to think he really would wait. But his words were all I had to hold onto.

Three loud bangs at my door startled me away from my thoughts. "Open the fucking door, Liz!" yelled a familiar voice through the wood. My stomach dropped immediately, and my body froze stiff in my chair. That was it. That was life knocking at the door, and I couldn't ignore it any longer. It was time to face the damage I had caused.