"Do you remember what I told you the day we had our first fight?" She spoke low and soft.

"That was a long time ago." His eyes avoided hers, fearful of finding rejection there.

"It hasn't changed, and it never will," she held her hand out, palm up. "I'm always going to be here, whether you take me or not."

He stared at her hand, unwilling - and desperate - to believe. "Why?"

She chuckled. "Because I love you. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Just take my hand, you can be safe with me."

He looked at her then, through a sheen of unshed tears. "I'm only going to hurt you. That's all I know how to do."

She studied him, drinking in the tortured eyes, trembling lips, and shadowed soul. "Then let me teach you how to love. Just take my hand."

He glared at her outstretched hand for another moment - thoughts, emotions, and heart racing - then reached for her. Their palms met - hers warm and soft; his cold, trembling, and calloused. Fingers entwined, as surely as their hearts.

She leaned in and kissed him. Resting her brow against his she sighed. "That's not so hard, now let's just sit here and breathe for a minute."

"Even if it hurts?" He whispered, face mirroring his fear and doubt, his pain and worry. His inexplicable sorrow. There was silence as she raised their joined hands to her lips.

"Yeah, even if it hurts."

-End

©2007 Lili Leader