Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 10

The car pulled up at the back of Abby Road studios, allowing Paul and Ringo to go in unnoticed by awaiting fans. Annie and Brian followed them through the back door. Annie panicked when she discovered that the door lead straight into Studio two where George and John had been awaiting the others. They looked up, astonished to see Annie but greeted her warmly.

"So what brings you here Annie love?" John asked her quietly, "You're the last person I expected to see."

"I had some trouble with fans in town." she told him honestly, "Four of them had a go at me!"

"What?" Paul now joined the conversation. "Did they hurt you?"

Annie found his concern after someone had hurt her ironic, but she nodded slowly.

"Oh Annie, I'm so sorry! I hoped they'd leave you alone!"

Annie shrugged, not really wanting to talk to him. John, meanwhile, had sidled away, leaving Annie and Paul alone. She turned to leave him.

"Annie please, can we talk."

She faced him, stepping back a little to create more distance between them.

"We have nothing to say."

"Annie love," He stepped towards her, his hand out.

Annie flinched and stepped further away from him, a movement which Paul noticed.

"Please Annie, I just want to talk. Nothing else. You're safe."

She eyed him warily then shook her head.

"Annie?" It was John, "Annie, give him chance to speak to you. He won't hurt you, that I'll  make of that myself love."

"Fine." She sighed. "So what do you want to say?"

The others moved away to give them privacy although John stayed in the same room. Annie didn't mind John being there. The chances were that Paul had already told him whatever he wanted to tell her anyway.

"Well?" She asked, keeping her eyes on Paul but maintaining her distance from him.

"I just wanted to thank you personally for helping me. When you spoke to the police I mean."

"I didn't do anything. I just told the truth."

"But you didn't need to though did you? After after everything I did to you."

Annie shrugged. "You weren't guilty of what they were charging you of. I just told the truth. I'm not a malicious person Paul. If you'd have been guilty, I wouldn't have done it."

"You always were caring and honest." said Paul with a sad smile. "That's part of why I love you Annie."

She shook her head. "We're finished Paul. Please, just leave it."

"I still love you."

She nodded.

"Do you still have any feelings for me?"

She laughed. "I used to hate you... but then realised that I didn't hate YOU, I hated what you had become."

Paul looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

"You changed Paul. Something inside you changed. You were....I don't know....angry with the world...all the time even when there was no particular reason for it. I took the brunt of your anger and I didn't deserve it!"

"I know." Paul looked at her. A single tear rolled down his face which he wiped away quickly. "I'm sorry." He turned from her.

"Paul?"

He stopped and turned back to her.

"Get help Paul. Please. Get help for whatever is eating you up at the moment."

Would that make you love me again Annie?"

She looked at him, taken aback by his question. "It would make you more lovable.. whoever becomes that person, who knows but it would at least make you a more lovable person."

He nodded. "For you, I'll get help."

She walked up to him, no longer afraid. The wall he had put around himself lately was beginning to crumble. "Not for me Paul. For you. Get help for you." 

Suddenly she hugged him. They held each other for several minutes.

"Your cab is he...."

Annie pulled away as Brian's voice interrupted them. She turned to him. "Thanks Brian." She turned back to Paul. "Good bye Paul. Hope things go well for you." She gave him another hug and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Take care of yourself now."

She turned and followed Brian from the room.

"Go after her mate." said John quietly.

Paul ran after them. Annie was already on the front steps of Abbey Road, about to get into her cab,

"ANNIE!"

She turned to him, a surprised expression on her face.  "What's wrong?"

Without warning he kissed her passionately. "I'll always love you Annie." he told her softly. "Stay safe. I love you."

He watched her climb back into her cab and drive away.