"You're not serious." Gavin shook his head as we stood outside Burnie's house. We were just coming back from the cinema and I had the brilliant idea to spill it. I had finally decided to tell him about our relationship, but Gavin was still cautious. I knew he was frightened, knowing that I was like a daughter to Burnie and he believed Gavin to be a bad relationship guy.

"I am, Gav. I have to. I can't just keep this big lie from him. I think that's worse than him knowing the truth." I said, arms crossed.

"Yeah, you say that. But wait until he rips my bloody head off. Then, what's worse?" Gavin raised his eyebrow, staring down at me.

"Please, Gavin." I widened my eyes into a puppy stare and busted out my bottom lip. He just stood there, taking me in and thinking it over. Before I knew it, he sighed, bringing me against him and kissing the top of my head.

"I can't fight with that face." He muttered and I giggled into his chest. He literally was the sweetest and we hardly had any fights because he heard me out or we avoided any situation that could lead to one. "Here goes nothing." He said and I opened the front door. Burnie was sitting on the couch with Ashley, clicking their Xbox controllers so fast I thought they were going to pound the buttons in. They were playing a Team Deathmatch in Call of Duty: Ghosts, but when we came in they smiled up at us.

"Hey guys," Ashley said. "What's up? I'm just kicking Burnie's ass over here." She giggled as Burnie bumped her, making her lean on her side, but still she was able to take a guy out. Gavin started to look even more uncomfortable, but I gave him a supportive smile.

"Not for long." Burnie chuckled as the screen paused saying Ghosts won and Ashley whooped, letting us know that she won. Burnie cursed and threw down the Xbox controller. Great way to start this off. "What are you doing here, Gavin? I thought Geoff wanted you home early to help with the steaks." Geoff had made an excuse for Gavin to leave early so he could take me on a date. Gavin bit his lip as he nodded.

"Yeah, I wasn't helping him," Burnie just shrugged, seeing as that was Gavin--half-assing shit.

"Burnie, can we talk to you?" I asked and immediately I got cold feet about this. I was starting to feel nervous and that was something I pushed into the back of my mind, but now the feeling moved forth, ruining my calm plan.

"About what?" He asked. Ashley turned off the television so that we could speak. It was more difficult now that she was here because she even warned me about this, so it was going to be awkward.

"Something that I know you're going to be angry about," This got his full attention and he quirked an eyebrow up, waiting for me to continue. "It has to do with Gavin and I," I saw a flash of what looked like understanding and changed to frustration. "We're dating." I said and waited for the explosion to ignite in him.

What was worse was that silence filled the room. It was worse than yelling or cussing. Ashley looked from Burnie to us and I felt Gavin's hand on the small of my back. Burnie watched the motion--his lip twitching slightly. "For how long?" His voice was calm, which made it scarier.

"A couple of months." I said. Gavin was ridged behind me and I started to feel sorry. "Please, don't be angry." I added quickly, but Burnie looked away, trying to comprehend what he was hearing.

"This has been happening under my nose for--how many months?" He asked.

"Maybe 4 or 5." Gavin answered. Burnie licked his lips as Ashley just smiled. Even though she had warned me, she looked happy for me. Burnie on the other hand was simmering.

"Does anyone else know?"

"A-actually everyone does. Even Geoff." I said and I saw his eyes widen slightly.

"Geoff approves? He actually thinks this is okay?" Burnie seemed stricken with disbelief.

"Not at first. I mean, he caught me with just Gavin's shirt on," I paused as he glared over at Gavin and my boyfriend's body stiffened. "I mean, yes. He's perfectly fine with it."

"And what about when we were in England, when your father was in the hospital? All the times you came back to the hotel late?" This time it was my turn to stiffen. "I'm guessing you guys were together?" This conversation was going down bad. I had to figure out a way to change the mood.

"Can I talk to you alone? Please?" I asked Burnie. I wanted to change his mind about the whole situation and with Gavin here beside me, his hand placed against the small of my back, I wasn't going to get anywhere. The time had come for Burnie to realise that I was going to do what I wanted. Gavin looked at me, worry written in his green eyes, but I smiled at him, reassuringly. "Yeah." Burnie finally said.

"Come on, Gavy. Wanna play some games?" Ashley smiled to him as Burnie got up from the couch and left to his room, awaiting me. Gavin kissed my cheek before allowing me to follow the dragon into his den. I rubbed my arm in complete embarrassment from before. I knew this conversation was going to get awkward, I knew what he was going to ask me soon.

I entered Burnie's room, closing the door behind me as I heard the Halo theme song being played in the living area. I turned to see Burnie standing near the bed, a hand on his hip and the other on his face as if he had just found out the strangest thing and he couldn't believe it.

'Are you serious, Jane? Him? I told you 'no one at the office.' And when I said that, I specifically meant him." Burnie looked to me and I wanted to yell at him, but I restrained myself. "Have you guys had sex, yet?" My silence was all the conformation he needed. Well, it really was none of his business, anyway.

"He's your friend, Burnie and he does care about me." I shook my head. "I know I promised you I wouldn't do anything with anyone at the office, but I really want to be with him. I love him." I shrugged, as if it was a known fact. Well, around the office it was. Burnie just didn't get the memo.

"Love him, huh?" He smiled, but it was bitter.

"Yes. My dad approves of him. Why can't you?" At the mention of my father, his eyes almost bugged out of his head. I bet he wasn't expecting that.

"Even Mason approves. I feel like a lone soldier." He looked like a defeated one at that. He sat on the bed. I rushed to him and smiled at him as I sat beside his body, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Just give him a chance. My dad did say your opinion doesn't matter, but to me it does. I want you to accept the fact that I'm going to be with him and there's nothing...nothing you can do to change my mind. I really love him and I haven't had anyone as caring, supportive, considerate or crazy about me. Not even Will can compare." He finally looked to be accepting my words. He smiled and nodded. I could tell the smile didn't reach his ears, knowing he still disapproved of this, but he seemed to recognise me as a grown woman finally.

"I guess if he makes you happy, its enough to keep him away from my fists." We both laughed, me more than him. We stayed in his room, talked a bit, before we left and saw Ashley and Gavin engrossed in a game of Capture the Flag.

"I've got the flag! I've got the flag!" Ashley exclaimed. I heard Gavin groaning under his breath in frustration and when Ashley brought it back to her team's base, she almost knocked over the coffee table from jumping up in victory. "Ha! Take that, bitch!" She practically said in his face. Gavin laughed and when he saw Burnie and me, his smile faltered.

"Don't worry, Gav. He's not going to butcher you." I giggled and went to him, kissing the top of his head. Burnie tensed, but I saw him trying to regain his composure. Ashley smiled at our affection.

"Well, that's a...surprising relief." Gavin smiled at Burnie and I saw my dear guardian return one.

*

"So, he didn't try to chop you up into little pieces?" Lindsay asked as Gavin, Michael, and I sat with her at a restaurant for lunch the next day. We had told them the whole story and they were impressed by Burnie's fist retraction.

"Thank God. I wasn't in the mood to become his cat's food." Gavin said, making me giggle next to him. He had an arm slung around my shoulders, toying with my curls. Michael and Lindsay sat across from us, to busy with holding  their beers to be cuddly or touching.

"I don't think Joe would have touched his food if you were in it. He'd be like 'What the fuck is this shit? Why's there a bunch of British bits in here? Shouldn't this be in my litter box?'" We all laughed at his comment, Gavin's laugh loud and melodious.

"Well, cheers to you guys." Lindsay said, raising her beer. We toasted with her and drank until our cups were filled with the dregs. "Now, it's time for the fans to finally hear the good news." She raised her phone and had us scoot closer together for a photo. "Perfect," She said as she took the picture. "So adorable."

'What are you doing?" I asked and at that moment I received a Twitter notification from Lindsay.

Tweet: @LindsayTuggey- Javin is now official to the public! Cheers to this lovely couple!  #JavinForLife @GavinFree @JaneFromDownUnder

"That's what I was doing." She smiled, ordering another beer for herself. Gavin chuckled, kissing my temple as he looked at the tweet on my phone. I smiled at the picture of us and saved it to my camera roll, so I could revisit the moment. Gavin had me send him a copy of the picture which I was happy to send him. He immediately made it his wallpaper to his phone.

"So, how are we going to save Ray's and Bree's relationship?" Michael asked. I looked up to him to see he the dim light of pain in his eyes. Since Ray was his best friend, I knew this was hard on him--seeing how much his buddy was under a lot of duress.

"I think they should rekindle their flame on their own," I said. "We shouldn't play any part in it. They have to try first before we get our hands dirty." Gavin brought me closer, knowing how sensitive this topic was for me. My phone was buzzing so much from Tweet notifications that I thought it was going to explode!

"We've already allowed them that option, though and still they are under depression," Lindsay said, sighing. "Maybe we should plan a date for them! Michael can invite Ray to the venue we choose and Jay, you can do the same thing with Bree. They won't really know that they're actually going to be meeting with each other so they'll think they're just having a night out with their friends." She looked so proud of her plan that I had to smile.

"Where will we be?" Gavin asked.

"Well, we have to make sure they won't leave once they see each other, so somewhere at the restaurant or wherever we plan for them to meet." Lindsay nodded. Michael seemed to agree with the idea and before we knew it, Gavin and I were nodding as well. We planned for the dinner at an Italian restaurant to happen tonight. Lindsay made a reservation for a table for two while Michael and I called up our friends to ask them out to dinner. Thankfully, they both agreed and Michael and I high-fived each other whilst still on the phone with the two.

I told Bree I wanted to have a Girls' Night Out and that I've been dying to have some Italian food. Michael did the same. "Great! I know this will work!" Lindsay said, her smile bright. Hopefully it will.

Bree's POV

When Janie called to have a Girls' Night Out, I couldn't refuse. I made sure to brush out the tangles that knotted my dark hair, making it shine once it was smooth and soft. I added on eyeliner, smoky eye shadow, and a hint of shimmering gloss just in case if any guys wanted to come up to me. Being in this terrible spot with Ray made me wonder about our relationship and I didn't know if it would get worse or if everything would eventually be better. I wasn't sure what Jane had planned for tonight, except for the restaurant, so I dressed in a simple black dress that reached my knees. I added on the necklace my mother had given me before she left me behind--a diamond in the shape of a heart.

My phone buzzed and the picture of Janie flipping me off popped onto the screen. I chuckled at the photo, remembering that day.

"Hello?" I answered, running a hand through my dark curtains.

"Hey, Bree! I'll be a little late for the restaurant. Burnie's having me help him out with RTX shit, so just ask about the reservation and I'll get there as soon as I can!" Jane said, sounding guilty. I sighed and nodded, even though she couldn't see me.

"Sure, that's fine. I don't know if I'll be able to wait for Happy Hour to start." We both chuckled and once she hung up, I called myself a cab.

*

The restaurant was small, but inside it seemed so much bigger on the inside--almost like the TARDIS...Damn it, Jane!

It wasn't quiet, for there was a small band playing on a stage in the corner and they sounded really good.

"Hi, reservation or just a table?" The waitress with glittering blue eyes asked me. Jane told me that Michael paid for our table, saying he lost a bet, so I told her 'Jones.' "Right this way." She smiled and led me to some booths that were perched up higher than the ground tables. She handed me a menu and I pondered over what I was wanting to drink. I said I was going to stop drinking, but red wine or a nice blond ale was tempting.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" The waitress said. She had her notebook and pen ready. Might as well do both. I'm just going to be with Jane.

"Red wine and a blond ale, but bring them out at separate times so I don't die from intoxication. I'm planning on doing that sometime later tonight." The waitress nodded, laughing and said she'd bring the wine first. The music was peaceful and the lighting in here made me really calm. I was hoping Jane and I would later go to a club or something exciting. I needed an upbeat club to make me forget about my depression, the miscarriage...Ray.

I really still loved him--I always will, but now our relationship seems to be hanging by a very thin thread. The loss of our child is something we can never recoup from. We will always have to deal with the fact that that happened and for me, I have to remember the deaths of two of my children. And yes, I have been shutting him out of my past, but that's my past and I don't want to revisit it. Janie keeps insisting I allow him inside my guarded walls, believing he should know my whole story, but I'm afraid of his reaction, afraid if he'll think of me as weak and not standing up for myself when I should have. Jane saw me as the victim, but I was aiding the culprit lying for the scumbag that inserted his child into me. I was much at fault here as he was.

"Bree?" You've got to be fucking kidding me. I looked up to see the very person I wanted to get my mind off of. Ray stood there, hands in trouser pockets and a regular black tshirt. His eyes were dulled and not their usual lovely brown that always made my knees buckle or my heart quicken. "I-I thought I was meeting Michael." He adjusted his glasses on his nose and I almost fainted from the act.

"Well, I was supposed to meet Jane. Looks like we both got stood up." I was going to yell at Jane for this. She knows I need space from him, she knows I have to have time to think to myself. "I think I'll just go." I didn't even want to wait for the wine. I'll just walk to a liquor store on the way to Burnie's. As I brushed past him, his warm hand held onto my elbow, pulling me to a stop.

"Please, don't go." His voice seemed hurt and my heart ached at his tone. I wanted nothing more than to hold onto him for dear life, kiss his cheeks, forehead, lips. But, I couldn't. He was the one to push me for my sensitive information and I know you're supposed to tell everything in a relationship, but some things should be kept in the dark.

"I have to. If I stay here any longer, I think I might actually cry." I stare into his eyes, those lovely brown eyes of his, and hurt flashed across his face. I didn't cry that much, but seeing him in pain was the reason I might actually tear up.

"I just want to talk. That's all. I won't push you into anything, I promise." He nodded. He loosened his grip on my arm and felt the electric tingles he always made me feel, disappear. I wanted them to burn my body once more, but then again it would make me fall into his arms and I couldn't allow myself to break. I considered his proposal before sighing and sitting back down. Ray followed, sitting across from me. The waitress from earlier came to bring me my wine and I clutched it in my hands, taking a lengthy swig.

"Would you like anything?" she asked Ray.

"Just a water." When she left, Ray looked to me. I took another swallow of the sweet spirits and raised an eyebrow at my glass.

"Wow, this is good." I chuckled, having a small sip this time. "Michael better be paying for this."

"So, you're drinking to pass the time, huh?" Ray asked. I shrugged, twisting the glass on the table. "What I want to know," He licked his lips when he paused and made sure I was paying attention. "Is why you left. Are we done? Because I asked you about what happened when you were a child? So, you thought that since I wanted to know more about you--to get just a little deeper-- you run away like a little kid? I won't push you on the subject anymore, but leaving me, not knowing where you went, do you realise that that hurts? I feel like you don't care. The miscarriage we can get over. That's what I'm willing to do."

"You're willing to try again, but what if I'm not ready?" I asked, taking another drink of wine when Ray's water came. We dismissed the waiter from interrupting us.

"Then, we don't have to, Bree. I'll wait as long as you want to." Ray sighed, not evening touching his glass. I stared at him, eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't going to push me on my past, thankfully, but I still couldn't ignore the fact that he did try to. Okay, I was being a child again.

"What if we're not together by the time I'm ready?" That hit a nerve in Ray, for I saw his jaw clench and a muscle twitch in his neck. I didn't mean it to sound harsh, but I had to live on the possibility that it might happen. Janie was even thinking that part over about her and Gavin's relationship. Anything can happen between now and next week. It was something everybody had to consider when with someone.

"So, you see us done?" Ray asked, his voice more quiet. I didn't want to end this. We were fighting over about me being a child and him pushing me about my past. Every couple fights and some even break up over the most stupidest of arguments. I was starting to panic in my mind, I couldn't even think clearly.

"I-I don't know." Was all I could accomplish to say. Ray nodded, looking down. He was so hurt and I could tell he was ready to walk out, but I couldn't allow that. I didn't want him gone from my life whatsoever.

"Once you have your mind made up, call me. You have my number." Ray grabbed my hand, kissed the top of it, and left without another word. I was crumbling inside. I felt this utterly deep, dark void in my soul, like a fragment of it has disappeared along with Ray's presence. We were fighting over something so silly and I was the one making it more difficult than it had to be. I was going to have to do something about my stubbornness and face the fact that I need Ray in my life.

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A/N: Please don't hurt me! Please! *hides behind hands* This is what happens in stories or fan fics. Characters need to suffer, cry, mourn, or deal with difficult situations. Comment #BrayForLife if you want their relationship to truly thrive and survive!

Comment, vote, and follow!! Yay for two updates in a day!! I'm on a roll :)...still please don't hurt me D: And about the whole Burnie thing and him being cooperative on the whole Jane and Gavin relationship, he just had to understand that he was wrong: she is a grown woman who can do whatever she wants. But don't worry...more drama is yet to come!