Promises You Can't Keep (A Tom Hiddleston/Lee Pace Fan Fic)

Part 1 ~ Chapter 14

Lee's POV

I drive both women to their respective homes, wishing that Mallory would stop asking questions and that Paloma would stop answering them.

"So, Paloma. You've been living somewhere other than London, I gather," Mallory asks as she stares straight ahead from the passenger seat. I can see the tension in her features, and I want to remind her to relax, even help her to relax, but I cannot... because of Paloma.

"Yes. I was in Canada for a time," Paloma answers from the back seat. I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, remembering when Paloma left for Canada. Though it's been three years, that memory is all too fresh... and painful.

"And now you've decided to return to London. It must be nice to be home again."

"Yes."

I look in the rear view mirror and see that Paloma is staring back at me. She continues to stare at me in the mirror as I switch my eyes back to the road.

"So, how long were you two married?" Mallory asks, and I know this is the crux of her questions. I also know I've messed up with Mallory; I just do not know how badly.

"A few years," Paloma answers, and the questioning stops, thankfully. I believe it's mostly because we've stopped in front of Mallory's building.

"Well, this is me," she says as she exits the car, not waiting for me to come around and open her door.

"Mallory, wait!" I call as I step out and jog to her before she can enter her building.

"Mallory, please... believe me. I didn't know that Paloma would be there. Hell, I didn't even know she was back in London," I say, taking her by the shoulders and turning her toward me. I can see out of the corner of my eye that Paloma is now standing beside my car. I don't really care. I know how that relationship turns out already; I still have a chance to fix things with Mallory, though.

"It's not that she was there, you know," Mallory says as she places her hands on my chest. I move to take her into a hug, but she stops me. "It's because I didn't know about her in the first place."

I stare down at her, trying to think of the right words to make this alright. "I know, Lovely, and I'm sorry. I truly am. I should have told you about Paloma. I should have told you everything."

"Everything?" Mallory asks, looking into my eyes for the first time.

I sigh as I can see Paloma pacing before leaning against my car while crossing her arms and staring at us.

"Yes, everything," I say, looking back at Mallory. "Will you give me that chance?"

Mallory looks at me, and I know she's deciding if I'm worth it. God, I hope she finds me so.

"I need time to think," she says, and I'm elated and crestfallen at the same time. Still, I don a smile and kiss her softly on the forehead.

"Alright Lovely. You call me when you're ready to talk, okay?"

She nods as she allows me to open the building door to enter. I want to follow her, leaving Paloma and my past on the pavement. I don't, though. I know Mallory needs time to mull things over, but bloody hell if I won't fight for her if need be.