Restoring the faith

And then there were two.

I woke up startled as a loud bang went through the house. Zak stirred and tightened his arm around me, he had his legs over mine intertwined. I couldn't move even if I wanted to.

I laid there listening to his house and the noises it made, I can only presume was his demon. The scratching on the walls, thumping, cupboards slamming, the smell of sulfur and growling.

No thought went into it, I just did it..

I took off my medallion and rolled over putting it on Zak carefully not to wake him. I had my cross on and hoped that would be enough. I just needed to make sure that nothing got into him.

He woke up slowly "what are you doing?" He whispered.

"Protecting you.. Go back to sleep for me." I whispered.

He lifted my chin and kissed me.

I mentally froze as well as physically, but through habit my eyes had fell shut, his lips were gentle, soft and warm. I almost gave a little whimper when he stopped. Zak grumbled and fell back to sleep.

That's all bloody well said and done! But what about me and that kiss?!

I laid there looking at his face in the dark and suddenly the demon below is didn't seem as scary as the feeling surfacing in me.

Was this why I was so protective over him? Why I would go to extreme lengths to speak to him?
Because I had fallen for him?

Why I was jealous at the BBQ? Why I was worried about going into the cupboard with him? Because we all knew things happened on the spin the bottle cupboard, even as adults.

Why I was so hurt to think he was avoiding me?

Because all along I had feelings for him that I hadn't allowed myself to feel?!

"You have no idea what you've just started in my mind." I whispered to him.

I decided in that moment then I wasn't ever going to give up on him, that no matter how much we argued, he pushed me away and avoided me that I was going to make this man trust me again.

Boy I had my work cut out but he was worth it, even his grumpiest of times.

---------------------

It was late afternoon before Aaron showed up, Zak was still sound asleep and I had checked him on multiple occasions to make sure he was still breathing.

"Hello?" Aaron spoke.

"Shh.. Up here. Aaron. Get the key." I whispered over the bannister pointing to it.

"You've both been there all day and night?" He asked.

"Yeah. My plan went spectacularly wrong but we talked." I answered.

Aaron came up and unchained us both as he sat on the stairs with a Starbucks.

"Did he say much?" He whispered.

"Doesn't trust women or me." I replied rubbing my ankle.

"You're kidding.."

I shook my head and crawled to my phone picking it up and coming back with it putting the charger in.

"So he's told you everything?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah."

"Even about Nick?"

My ears pricked and I looked up at Aaron "What about Nick?"

"I- you said.. Shit." He muttered.

"What about Nick Aaron?!"

"He's gone." Zak spoke making me jump.

"Gone? As in gone home? Gone on holiday? Gone gone? Gone where?"

"He's gone Brit.. 10 years and that's it."

"He's.. How?! What happened?!"

"He's left us Brittany he's not dead." Aaron spoke putting me at ease for a split second.

"I don't understand.." I mumbled. "He wouldn't go without goodbye.. He, he's my. I don't get it."

I could feel my eyes watering looking between the pair.

"He went lonewolf, Veronique is due to have the baby soon.. So he's come away."

"For parental leave?" I asked.

"No sweetie. He's left the crew." Zak spoke softly.

"But.. But my boys? My musketeers?"

"I knew you'd take it the hardest as you worry about us all." Zak spoke pulling me over to him.

"He left without a goodbye? Why now?" I asked sitting on Zak's lap.

"Now was the time for him, that's all." He replied tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"You said.. You said you wanted to go. Is that cause he has?"

"It's always been us three.. Brit I don't know how much it will effect the show." Zak explained.

"I better go. I've got to meet Kate. Don't worry Brit, it will work itself out." Aaron answered before leaving.

I hugged Zak when Aaron left knowing he's probably need it more than ever, I knew I did anyway.

"Is this another reason why you holed yourself up?" I asked.

"Yeah.. I've fallen out love with the world Brit. What else can I do?" He asked me.

"We need to get out of Vegas, okay? Me you and Gracie.. Will you come with me if I book somewhere?"

He shrugged.

I waited and eventually he agreed to come on a road trip with me.

"Okay, okay good.. Now let's get you into the shower." I answered helping him off the floor and info his bedroom.

While he took a shower I tided up his landing and fixed his bed before booking a holiday.

He needed to get out of Vegas again and connect with the world.

And I had found the perfect place..