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Dawn Marie stood in the hallway corridor, actually relieved for the late hour, as she didn't want anyone to happen by while she was out here, crying.

The brunette sobbed softly, almost silently, and it was sheer torture for her.  It would have felt much better to just scream while she cried, but she wanted this to be a private moment.  Also, she didn't want anyone's pity.

She gave a slight start as she suddenly became aware of a shadow of a figure as someone pushed open the door beyond the immediate area - the stairwell was right there.  Someone obviously was returning to their hotel room, and late, at that.

Dawn Marie didn't have much of a chance to scramble away before the person appeared, so she merely turned her back.

Hoping whoever it was wouldn't take notice of her, she held her breath as she desperately tried to still her crying.  However, it was no use.  Not even a moment later, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Dawn Marie?"

The brunette felt more tears well up in her eyes, her heart pounding quickly in her chest as she instantly recognized the voice.  Then, slowly, despite the fact that she didn't want him to see her like this, she turned around to face Sean O'Haire.

The dark, shaggy-haired man gazed down into her face with concern, almost wincing as he raised a hand to her face.  Then, tilting her head up a bit more, his thumb gently on her chin, he spoke softly.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?"

"What's the matter, sweetheart?"  Sweetheart... Why was it that the way he'd said that, and that word in particular made he feel almost weak in the knees?

Dawn Marie started to shake her head, and she found herself unable to speak.  Meanwhile, Sean's gaze traveled briefly from her to the suitcase at her feet.

After a beat, the man bent over to grab hold of the bag.

"Come on..."

Dawn Marie's teary eyes widened just a bit as O'Haire started down the hall, and she hurried after him.  Not a word was spoken between them as they approached his room, and she appreciated that.  In truth, she really didn't want to talk about what had happened - but at the same time, she really didn't have to.  Sean knew.  He knew, and he understood... Nonetheless, Dawn knew she was going to spill out everything that had occurred tonight.

The dark-haired man swiped his keycard through the door, then held it open and stepped aside so as to let her in first.  After, he entered the room, still holding her suitcase, and he placed the valise on the floor near the door.

Dawn Marie seated herself in a chair across the room, at a small table.  Although she was no longer crying, her face was still sticky with tears, and she knew her eyes were bloodshot.  She couldn't get the mental image of Test rolling around the bed with some floozy out of her head.  Even worse, she couldn't stop replaying the scene that had just taken place between them - in her rage, she'd pounced on him, but damn it, there was no way she could have really hurt him.  And what had he done?  He'd grabbed her and tossed her to the floor like a ragdoll!  As though she were nothing but trash - like the slut he'd been screwing behind her back!

She sat there in silence for long moments - until finally, Sean came over, getting down on his knees before her.  He took hold of her hands and gazed up into her sad face.

Dawn Marie gazed almost blankly into his eyes, wanting nothing more than to just forget everything.

"He doesn't deserve you, Dawn..."

The way O'Haire spoke those five words, in his deep masculine voice, did somethng to her - touched her deep within.

"You deserve a helluva lot better than that..." Sean continued.  "You are...you're..."  He lifted his hands from hers briefly to gesture at her.  "...sweet and intelligent, fun to be with, and a good conversationalist.  And oh yeah, you're probably the most beautiful woman I've ever seen..."

Something inside Dawn Marie seemed to melt as she cocked her head to one side, her gaze locked on his.  Somehow, she knew he wasn't just saying this - he really meant it.  And slowly, a smile came to Dawn's face.

"It's great to see you smiling," O'Haire said softly, his eyes intense.  He gave both her hands a gentle but reassuring squeeze...