A'N- the hockey game isn't important to don't be too upset about not reading much about it.

I Can Barely Say - The Fray

I'll check mistakes in the morning...

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What the hell is that on your neck?

Amy's jaw clenched and she held back her anger as the sixteenth person in a week asked what the horrible bruise was on her neck.

"I got punched in the throat." Was one excuse. "I have a contagious rash." Was another. "I'm dying." Was the one she used when she started to get pissed off. 

"None of your damn business." She told her classmate as she exited the classroom. 

The amount of cover up on her neck was astounding. Her cousin was none too happy however Jen just found it hilarious. The only people not to ask about it were Mike, Evie and Katherine.

They actually ignored it; pretended like it wasn't there.

But the worst of it was when she discovered it last Saturday morning. She was certain that that morning was the most she'd ever swore since discovering that swearing was okay as long as you weren't in front of your parents/family.

Pillows were thrown, True Blood novels were thrown, pencils were thrown and then there was the yelling. 

John had been asleep when she found it. She'd been shaking with anger by the time she'd locked the door and started throwing things. For a good two hours she yelled at him. He took it like a good boy. He didn't once interrupt but he did grovel. Matty tried coming in, which was why she thanked God she locked it but she had told him to go away.

By the last half hour, she'd sat on the bed not speaking a word to him which turned out successful because he was practically begging her to talk to him.

"I am so sorry, Amy please talk to me." John had crawled behind her and snuggled her into his chest. The fight was useless; she'd been so tired.  "Please, please, please."  

She'd been timing herself; twenty-nine minutes she lasted before she'd replied. "I am still mad."

"I understand, I do. I know I shouldn't have given it to you, I was caught up in the moment." He'd placed the sweetest of kisses on her cheek. The night before still rang fresh in her mind so his touch, unfortunately, had her burning. So she didn't have the heart to pull away.

He'd left after ten more silent minutes of snuggling behind her promising to call later in the night and by then she'd calmed down. She didn't leave her room, only for food or supplies. John kept his promise calling in the evening. She talked properly to him and not entirely forgave him. She wouldn't, not until it's gone.

And now, Friday, almost a week since having it, Wednesday it was at its worst, it was almost fading.

Amy walked down the hall, scarf now wrapped around her neck, and found Micah, Laura and Evie at her table. 

The sound of Micah's laugh brought a smile to her face. She had the pleasure of watching Evie and Laura smile along with him.

"Feeling alright?" Evie asked her as she approached the table. 

"I'm fine." She grumbled sitting beside Micah.

He grinned at her. "You sure sound fine."

"Haha," She mocked.

"Are you still pissed about it?" Laura asked. She'd seen it by accident when Amy had taken her scarf off at lunch the other day. So technically the whole freaking world knows. 

"I'm not as bad because it's disappearing."

"Talked to him?"

"Of course I have." 

Evie still hasn't really said anything about it which surprised her. Out of everyone that would comment on it, she expected Evie's more than anyone. But nothing was said. She'd looked at it, frowned and carried on as if she hadn't seen anything.

Actually, Evie has been quite quiet the last week. Amy was worried she knew something but what was there really to know?

Micah's head turned to the side and he chuckled. "I hear determined footsteps."

All of the girls turned to watch Katherine walking straight over to them. She looked slightly flustered and her eyes looked oddly wild. "Evie, I need to talk to you."

Without any questioning, Evie stood.

Kate's gaze flickered to Micah and paused. "Oh,"

"Hello." He said with a small smile turning his head in her direction.

"Hi." She smiled back. "You're...?"

"Micah. Amy's friend." 

A small blush rose to her cheeks. "Katherine." 

Well.

Even Evie was looking between them with a raised brow and a smirk. Evie winked at Amy before saying, "Kate?"

"Oh, yes." She waved at Laura and her before scurrying off with Evie.

"Have you met Kate before?" Laura asked him before Amy could. 

He bit into his sandwich and waited until he swallowed before he said, "Nope." 

**

"What was all that earlier? With Kate pulling you away?" Amy asked Evie later on that night as she sat on the edge of her and Michael's bed.

Evie was in the bathroom finishing getting ready for their double date hockey game tonight.

Yes, she was still going. She hasn't exactly shunned John completely. Sure, she was still mad about it but he'd apologised and time can heal it. Plus he'd been showering her with so much affection lately she couldn't stand the thought of being completely out of touch with him.

She was excited for tonight, she couldn't help it. Officially, this would be their second date, the first being the movies weeks ago. Amy had sort of dressed to the occasion. It was a hockey game after all. She was in a pair of jeans, a pair of brown boots and a nice cream v-neck loose fitting top that had string crisscrossing at the V covering her cleavage. 

Her dark blue Parker coat and grey scarf was placed on her lap as she waited for Evie to finish.

"It was nothing," She answered as she exited the bathroom. She was dressed almost similar to Amy except she had on a navy green sweater. "Up or down?" Evie asked as she pointed to her hair.

"Down. Katherine looked a bit flustered."

"She was just surprised." She dismissed with a wave of the hand. 

Amy stood, shrugging on her coat and wrapping the scarf around her neck. She removed her hair from inside the coat and frowned at her friend. She was hiding something. She couldn't put her finger on what but...

Evie's mouth lifted in the corner in a half smile. "Ready?" 

They both made their way downstairs and found the men waiting in the living room. John, as usual, had her full attention immediately. Although he'd picked her up and brought her here, she still found herself in his awaiting arms and smiling up at him. The way he was looking at her had her heart almost floating out of her chest. His hazel stare that used to bother her all those months ago was practically welcomed. 

Her thumb brushed across his neck as she said, "You know, you stare at me like I'm about to disappear right?"

"I'm aware." He replied snaking his arms around her waist. "Because sometimes I think you will."

"I'm not going anywhere." She found herself saying. 

His gaze softened and an almost ironic smile passed his lips. Because she was leaving. She had a time limit and they both never spoke about it. She realised how her relationship with John had escalated to the point of her falling for him. Hell, falling for him? I am-

"Enough you two or we'll miss the game." Evie said from behind them with a light-hearted laugh. Amy sent her a small smile as they exited as a thank you. She couldn't deal with that right now. The talk of her leaving can come later. Way, way later.

The game itself went well. It started at half five and finished around eight. It was Amy's first hockey game and compared to baseball, it was a hell of a lot crazier. But it was fun. She cheered when she was supposed to cheer; she booed when one of the Canucks got put in the 'box' or whatever the term was. 

After the game, Amy met Matty and thanked him for the tickets. Of course Matt was still a bit wary of John because of their argument the other day but thankfully he didn't say anything. Evie and Michael said their goodbye's in the parking lot and went home whilst Amy and John set off to his house for dinner. 

"Did you enjoy it?" He asked her as they stepped into the house.

"Of course. I'm glad Matty gave us the tickets."

"I don't think I'm in your cousin's good graces right now."

I wonder why?

He stepped up behind her to help her remove her coat. "I know what you're thinking."

"Am I that obvious?"

His lips pressed to her cheek. "Yes."

John's warm hand enveloped hers as they walked up the steps to the living room. "I'm going to change, I'll be right back. Stereo's there, TV remotes on the couch, books on the shelf. No breaking anything, Ames."

"Like I would." She mumbled as he disappeared. As he walked up the steps she found herself standing in front of the huge stereo system. She couldn't see the speakers at all so, why not test them? As long as she didn't break it, she was sure he wouldn't mind. An iPod was already on the doc so she pressed play. 

A piano symphony she didn't recognise filled the... Whole house. It wasn't loud but it surrounded her completely. The song was haunting, almost too haunting. So she flicked through and found a playlist named, 'Katherine.' 

The first song to play was a Lana Del Rey remix of Blue Jeans.

"Obviously this is not a playlist I made."

Amy turned her head and smiled. "Obviously."

He'd put on a pair of crisp black jeans and a cotton torso hugging grey polo. She frowned at the buttons and gestured him over to her. "Let me just..." Her fingers quickly unbuttoned the top two and pulled his pendant to rest outside of his shirt. "Better."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were undressing me." He smirked.

"So chef," She ignored his question with a wink and sidestepped him. "What's on the menu?"

"Well, earlier this evening I seasoned a spring lamb, readied a vegetable platter and made the gravy and mint sauce from scratch."

"Aren't you the perfect cook?" 

"That I am, Amy."

Amy watched him cook, often annoying him by nibbling on a few cut vegetables when he wasn't looking. Of course, he caught her a few times and scolded but he was always smiling or laughing afterwards. His graceful moves and delicate ease in cooking had her mesmerised. The concentration on his face, the small frown to his eyebrow, she wanted to smooth it out with her thumb and kiss the frown away.

"Do you want to go wash up? Dinner will be done in less than five. There's a bathroom to the right of the second hall."

"I'm still awaiting a tour you know." She threw behind her before walking out of the kitchen.

"I'll give you the tour soon." He replied before she was out of ear shot. 

Amy smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she tied her hair into a large bun on top of her head. Her eyes were bright with excitement and she had this smile on her face. A comfortable, carefree smile. She didn't feel... Confined anymore, if that was the right word. She felt normal around John. She used to feel uncomfortable, used to feel slightly awkward around him. But now... she didn't feel any trace whatsoever. And what he did to her on Friday night. The amount of pleasure, Lord, she hadn't ever felt that way before. The man was brilliant with his hands and mouth. 

When she walked into the dining room she paused. "Wow. It looks and smells delicious."

"I do try." John was holding a chair out for her. The table was covered in a white cloth; a few candles in the middle of the large table lit the room so there was no need for the overhead light. "Take a seat and dig right in. If you don't like it then let me know."

"I doubt I won't like it." She sat down in front of the magnificent meal and allowed him to push her chair in. 

He joined her, pouring red wine into his and her glass. "You're too nice."

"Aren't I?" She grinned as she cut into the lamb. As soon as it went into her mouth, it melted. "Jeez, John. Why didn't you tell me you could cook?"

He smiled cockily. "Never really came up."

In the matter of minutes, she'd finished the meal. He'd been watching her but honestly, she couldn't care less. The music was still playing and a song she vaguely recognised quietly filled the room. It was an old song; it sounded a lot like Billie Holiday.

"Where did you learn to cook?" She asked after they both set their plates aside.

John inhaled, rubbing his hands together with a smile. "Spare time."

"Well, spare time has worked wonders. That was wonderful, thank you."

"You're welcome. We should have dinner more often." He picked up her hand and turned it over.

"I agree completely but I foresee a fat future on my behalf."

John chuckled as his fingers tickled along her wrist. "I enjoy feeding you."

"You've fed me once, I wouldn't say 'enjoy' is the right word to use."

"Alright then. How about I love feeding you." 

Amy removed her gaze from her wrist to catch his eye. There was something in his eyes. Something she couldn't quite place. It looked like... Nerves. But she couldn't be sure.

"That's a stronger word." 

His smile spoke volumes. "With a hell of a lot more meaning."

As she was about to ask him what he meant by that meaning, a song she did recognise came on. Yes, it was definitely Billie Holiday. "Is this still Katherine's playlist?"

"No, I changed it. It's mine."

"I love this song." 

"Do you want to dance?"

"Dance? I can't-"

"Sure you can, come on," He stood and held out his hand. "I'll clean up the plates later." 

John stacked their plates together before leading her out into the living room. The song was still on the first verse by the time he dimmed the lights and grabbed her hand. "May I?"

"Ever so the gentleman." She smiled as he slid his hand over her waist. 

He started moving his feet slowly but then he paused. "Wait," His fingers came up and he removed her glasses. "Better."

He placed them on the coffee table before taking her hand again. She rested her other hand on his shoulder and started to slowly move her feet. She wasn't much of a dancer, but with John in the lead with his graceful sway, she didn't really need to be good at it.

His cheek rested against her temple as his body pressed to hers. Being with John was like being in a fairytale: none of it ever seemed real. He was perfect and sometimes it took her a full minute to comprehend that fact. Despite knowing little about him, it was enough. Enough for her and enough for him.

Her eyes shut as the song started its last verse. As the song came to an end another Billie Holiday song came on and they continued. His nose brushed the side of her head and she sighed, contented, happy. 

Well... Was happy. Until he said four words. Four words that ruined the fairytale. Four words that brought her back to reality:

"My family was murdered."

Amy felt like someone had dropped a ball in her stomach. A led ball. He'd completely frozen against her, the music still playing but it might as well be off.

"I know you weren't expecting me to say that." His voice shook as he held her to him. His grip tightened considerably on her waist and hand. "But you need to know why I'm so... fucked up."

She stood against him waiting patiently not trusting herself to speak.

"At the time there were killings, murders, deaths, slaughters. All of them unexplained. I made my family move. I had to, I was so... Worried about them and my sisters. We moved to the heart of Vancouver from the edge of Burnaby. A year had gone and I was stupid and I left for work and I came home and they were on the floor of the living and dining room and kitchen and there was blood everywhere and... It was my fault. I should have shipped them out of the country."

Jesus...

"And I should... I should tell you about... About Arabella."

She waited. 

"She was... My... She and I-"

"Okay." Amy interrupted stroking his neck tentatively. "I understand who she was to you."

"I tried moving her too. Making her run. And the night she finally agreed, I went to the shops for twenty seconds. Twenty seconds that's all..."

"John..." 

"I ran there and back to get the travel items she asked for. She said we needed them, she..."

Amy cupped his face in her hands and looked him in the eye. She'd never seen a man so broken. So much pain in one person wasn't fair. Never has she seen Jonathan this vulnerable. His eyes were glazed over in unshed tears and his top lip was quivering.

Without saying any words, she tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He took the comfort almost immediately and buried his face within the crook of her neck and shoulder.

She could finally understand why he looked at her the way he did. Why he said he wasn't emotionally there. Why it took so long for him to tell Michael about himself.

He looked at her like she was about to disappear because he thought she would disappear. Losing those loved ones scarred him. She didn't know how long ago it was but it honestly didn't matter because pain like this doesn't go away.

However, there were holes in his story.

A lot of them. 

It didn't make sense why he had to relocate his family and his girlfriend. Why his family in particular were targeted. John was missing something out. And it was obvious he wasn't going to tell her, not right now. There was more to his story. But she was going to be patient. She would wait for him because she wanted to wait.

"Arabella is a lovely name." Amy mumbled.

John's shaky chuckle had her tightening her arms around him. "I ruin the night and that's what you can say?"

"What was she like?" She wondered, her hands running through the back of his hair.

He pulled back to look at her, his gaze filled with an emotion she knew she could place but didn't dare utter it in case she was wrong.

"She was nothing like you." 

She didn't realise she was relieved to hear it until he said it. Amy was afraid he'd replaced Arabella with her. But John wasn't like that. He wouldn't do that, ever.

He was giving her that look again. So she repeated what she said earlier, "I'm not going anywhere, John."

He swallowed and nodded as if reassuring himself. 

"All of your sisters..." She said cautiously.

He nodded.

"And your mother..."

He nodded again.

"Pamela helped you get through it."

"Forced me to."

"And Katherine's grandmother?"

"An old friend." 

Amy pressed a kiss to his cheek and hugged him again. "I can't say I understand because I don't."

His hands gripped her shoulders and stepped back. "No, you don't."

Was he pulling away from her now? Closing himself off? She didn't think she could handle it.

But then he said, "I can try to show you though."

Before she could question him, he turned off the stereo, grabbed her hand and led her upstairs to the study. He switched a lamp on next to the couch and led her over to his piano. John sat down in front of the keys and stared. Amy didn't know what to think. Her head was over thinking, overworking, doing everything she usually did when she couldn't figure something out.

But this, no this wasn't hard to figure out.

She just refused to accept what he was about to do. She slowly stepped forward as his fingers lay over the keys.

'As soon as that man plays to you, you know you have his heart.'

She knew the second she fell madly and deeply in love with him.

She just refused to accept it because like a normal scientist she was unsure until proven otherwise. The second he handed her that book... No, the second she invited him over when he called at two o'clock in the morning... No...

There were so many things. She thought she had to wait for one big thing to happen. But it was every little thing he did that made her love him.

She could count this as a big thing but this wasn't what mattered. It was everything else about him.

His hazel gaze found hers and her heart swelled. He smiled at her; a sad smile made by a man that didn't know how else to express his emotions.

Until he started playing.

She softly gasped.

She hadn't heard... hadn't ever dreamed... She could hear such beauty...

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*ducks for cover*

HOLD UP. Ya'll are going to hate me for the cliffy... But it had to be done. I have to save something!

Obviously there is a lot missing from John's story... right guys?

VOTE COMMENT AND STUFF. Your comments on this chapter, I'm sure, will make me LOL.