5,000 Miles & Only One You

Losing a Best Friend

Warning: This does touch a bit about rape and assault.

Steve took a deep breath before walking into Natashas room. He closed the door behind him and tried to make his way to the bed without bumping into anything or even falling flat on his face. Unfortunately, Steve wasn't that skilled and ran his left thigh right into the corner of the dresser and then stubbed his baby toe on the corner of it was well. With a hiss escaping his lips, Steve limped to the bed and plopped down and stared at what he believed to be Natasha. Hearing her laugh at his pain, Steve shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Laugh all you want now because, in a few hot seconds you're not going to be." The sound of Natasha quickly becoming silent, Steve cleated his throat. "May I lay down? No funny business, I promise." "Sure, just keep that promise, yeah?" "Of course." Steve slumped down on the bed, laying on top of the covers, he folded his hands on his abdomen and he took another deep breath.

"You want to know it all? Every little detail?" Steves voice was breaking a bit as he wasn't truly ready to explain everything to Natasha. He never told Sharon the whole story. He never told anyone the whole story. "Yes, Steve. I want to know it all. I want to know that you're not some guy that wants to cheat on his wife. I want to know that there's something more to you...so...go ahead and start." Steve once again cleared his throat and he closed his eyes, remembering every little detail about that day:

"It was December 23, 2004. My best friend Peggy, she was like a sister to me, was on her way to my apartment. Our families have known each other for years and they always assumed we would marry. Unfortunately for them, Peggy played for both teams. She liked the idea of marry a man, but she admitted to me that sex with a woman was better and would probably marry a woman. Anyways, we would always get together the day before Christmas Eve; she would come with her girlfriend, at the time, and I would have our other friends: Bucky, and Sam, who you met tonight, over as well. They would bring their significant others over as well, if they were seeing anyone, and it would be just one big ole Christmas Eve Eve party. We would exchange gifts, have dinner, drink, watch Christmas movies, build gingerbread houses, and all pass out in the living room. It's been like that for years, it was the best time of the year. Peggy could be herself and not have to worry about judgement from her family.

Well, on her way over she got pulled over by a cop. She was supposedly speeding, which honestly didn't surprise me. The cop that pulled her over was a guy that's been pursuing her and she's always politely declined a date with him. Unfortunately, he found this to be the perfect time to ask her again. Peggy declined the date as she already was seeing someone. The guy looked into the car and he saw Peggy holding hands with her girlfriend and he thought it was the worlds greatest thing. He forcefully opened Peggys door and he pulled her out. The girl that she was with got out and tried to get Peggy away from the man, but I guess he pushed her into a snow bank and told her to shut up and watch. She told us that this guy lifted Peggy and put her on the hood of the car and forced her legs open. He raped Peggy. He raped my best friend and after he was done with her, he made her perform oral on her girlfriend in the back of the patrol car. Peggy refused until he pulled a gun on her. Her girlfriend told us that after Peggy was done performing on her, that Peggy was forced to suck the guy off.

Once that was all said and done they parted ways and Peggy was on her way here. However the moment she pulled away from the curb and started to drive up the bridge, the cop came up behind her and he smashed his car into the back of hers, causing them to crash into the bridge railing. Peggy wasn't buckled in, so when they crashed she flew through the windshield. She was dead at the scene and no one questioned the cop until her girlfriend took him to court for the murder of Peggy. Peggy never got justice for what he did to her. When I found out that she was dead, my world shattered. I loved her with all of my heart. She was everything to me because, we grew up together. When the trial came up, I was there for every second of it. The moment the cop for sentenced to 4 years in jail and 2 years of probation, I was angry. I hated our justice system; that scumbag should be rotting in jail, but instead he's out and about working and probably doing the same damn thing again.

I locked myself away from the world and I refused to be around anyone. Sharon, she worked at the courthouse. She was a clerk there and when she heard about the trail and saw my reaction, she kept tabs on me. I didn't want her help, I didn't need her help, I didn't ask for her help. I wanted nothing to do with her, I wanted to be alone. She didn't take no for an answer and she kept showing up. I fell in love with how she cared for me, how she poured time into me. Sharon helped me overcome my best friends death, but I never wanted marriage...not with her. She stuck around that our families just went with the flow and believed we were together. Shortly, we messed around and started playing with each other and yes, I eventually asked her to marry me because, she wanted it. After we married, Sharon changed. She became controlling and needy. She tracks me with my phone. I have to lie to her to tell her where I'm going just so she doesn't try to find me. It's toxic. I don't love her, Natasha. I never truly have."

Steve finally took a deep breath and as he was about to exhale, he felt Natashas hand in his and he couldn't help but smile softly. "Steve, I'm so sorry. I feel horrible for treating you the way I did...but it doesn't justify cheating..." Steve nodded his head knowing what Natasha said was true. "I know Natasha...I'm sorry for not telling you earlier."

Natasha rubbed her thumb over the top of Steves hand before rolling to her side, trying to make out his profile. "It's fine...I just...I feel bad. You deserve better, especially if she's doing the things you said she's doing." Biting her lower lip, Natasha moved closer to Steve and before she knew what she was doing, she kissed his cheek gently and snuggled in close to his body. "I'll make sure justice is served...don't you worry."