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{How many times have you told me you love her
As many times as I've wanted to tell you the truth
How long have I stood here beside you
I live through you
You looked through me
Ooh, solitude
Still with me is only you
Ooh, solitude
I can't stay away from you...}
Slowly, her breath catching in her throat, Trish turned back at the sound of his voice issuing her name.
Christian was standing in the doorway of his hotel room, his blue eyes looking somewhat different than she could ever remember them... They looked sad - as they had for awhile now - but they also looked weary, defeated. Such a look in the beautiful eyes of the man she'd loved for so long made her wince and want to break down.
"Christian..." she finally spoke, tiniest trace of a smile touching her lips. It nearly overwhelmed her to see him in the flesh, still very much alive and vibrant after the horrid dream from which she'd awoken only moments earlier. She felt as though she could burst into tears of relief.
They stared at each other for another beat, each battling with his or her own internal feelings. Then, the blond man gestured to her, holding the door open more widely.
"Come in..."
She did so, biting her lip as she felt his nearness with him just behind her. She could feel his warm breath on her hair, as though he were smelling it.
{How many times have I done this to myself
How long will it take before I see
When will this hole in my heart be mended
Who now is left alone but me
Ooh, solitude
Forever me and forever you
Ooh, solitude
Only you, only true
Everyone leaves me stranded
Forgotten, abandoned, left behind
I can't stay here another night...}
Christian's breath was nearly taken away as he gazed down into Trish's face. As always, she looked so beautiful, but at the same time, there was a melancholy he'd never detected before in her brown eyes. Plus the fact that those lovely orbs were red-rimmed, and he knew without a doubt that she'd been crying not long ago. He hated himself as he thought it must have had everything to do with *him*.
They both started to speak simultaneously.
"I'm sorry - go ahead."
The little blonde blinked as she searched his handsome face.
"I... God, Christian, I just feel awful about everything. I didn't mean to be so harsh, and... I'm so sorry."
The short-haired Canadian nearly did a double-take. Her words, her apology, were the last thing he would have expected. But something was not quite right...
"Trish," he began, "what are you talking about? You had every right to be harsh... *I'm* the one who should apologize... I am *so* sorry." He shook his head, a lump forming in his throat. "I never wanted to hurt you... I never want to hurt you."
"I know..." Trish nodded and reached out, gently placing a forefinger on his lips, silencing him. "But I *do* have to apologize - for *everything*. I *hate* what I did to you..."
{Your secret in my heart
Who could it be
Ooh, can't you see
All along it was me
How can you be so blind
As to see right through me
And ooh, solitude
Still with me is only you
Ooh, solitude
I can't stay away from you
Ooh, solitude
Forever me and forever you
Ooh, solitude
Only you, only true}
Christian swallowed hard, the true meaning behind the diva's words crystal clear. She was apologizing for leaving and subsequently hurting him three years past. Then, casting all else aside, the blond man did something he'd been wanting to do for so long... He'd waited for *too* long to do it again...
... He kissed her.