My Last Good-Bye (Massimo)

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden winced and jumped back a little. Damn Aubrey. Even though he had just further pissed off Aubrey he still held the smirk on his face. This was one of those times he wished he could get drunk. But sadly he couldn't. Shaden wanted to nod and say, "Why yes I can be more childish, just watch and see." But he kept his mouth shut. Which was a smart move because he could just feel her anger, although it was beautiful in some way, it was also directed toward him as well as Massimo.

He watched Kaden leave and then Arielle. Then he walked over to the door and looked back over his shoulder to make sure Aubrey was coming.

Shaden knew Massimo enough to know that when he said get out. It pretty much meant get out or I'll kill you. So he left the office, and started walking down the hallway.

Shaden pulled out a small silver key from his right pocket and stopped at a door and unlocked it. He went in and went over to his old dresser. After searching through it he finally found his old gun. He smiled to himself and put it in his jacket pocket. Then turned and left the room, locking it again. He waited in the hallway for Aubrey. While he stood there he wondered why no one had yet asked why Massimo owned him. Or what Shaden had done. It was interesting. However Shaden had no plans on telling anyone anything about what happened. It was past. It should stay in the past. It did no good talking about it.

[kaden]

Kaden leaned against the Black 2008 BMW. He slowly inhaled the cigarette. This had proved to be a very interesting night indeed. He wondered how long they were going to stay in New York. Aubrey had booked two rooms for a full week. He smirked. He wouldn't mind staying a full week. It had been a couple of years since he had been back in the city.

He thought briefly about Hailey, his old neighbor. She would be 18 or 19 by now. He had always been extremely fond of her. Maybe he could go see her. Then again, he didn't like being in New York and Chloe being left in London. He had asked Aubrey to bring her, but Aubrey said there wasn't enough time. Xavier hadn't sent them. Aubrey lied through her teeth down there with Max.

She was a damn good bluffer. But sooner or later it was going to get her into a lot of trouble. She was good, but she wasn't that good. Kaden was pretty sure she knew that too, hence the super aggression down there. It made him smile. At least he knew that even if he ever pissed her off she would come bail him out.

Kaden brought out Aubrey's phone. He wasn't sure how he had managed to have it, but he did. He sent a short text message to Arielle, just to piss her off.

Move your ass princess. I am in the back deck.

He chuckled and put the phone away. Maybe he could talk Aubrey into letting Chloe come down while they were here.

[arielle]

Arielle let out a sigh of relief. That was easy. Well, easier than it could have been. Although when you have two guns pointed pressed against your face you really have no choice but to submit to your options.

Arielle cleared her throat and looked at Aubrey as Massimo stepped back and sat back down. She was surprised that he had just folded over so easily. She cast a forlorn look over to Shaden. Poor guy. He is just getting it bad from all angles.

"I am going up to meet Kaden." She cringed as she said it. He was the last person that she wanted to be around. But then again, she didn't want to be anywhere near Aubrey when she left this office with Shaden. "Don't take too long."

Her phone buzzing shocked her and she jumped slightly. She opened it and growled as she read it. Aubrey must have given him her phone. She hissed softly. "Hurry the fuck up, he moved the car to the back deck."

Arielle turned and hurried down the hallway and up the stairs. She was going to kill him. She spotted him and growled. She rushed forward and before she could even think straight she pulled her arm back and punched him in the face.

[aubrey]

A satisfied smirk crossed her features. Massimo was afraid of her and that made her happy. She kept the guns pointed at him, but allowed him to step away and sit back into his chair. She had won. Bully for her. "Shaden belongs to The Black Nail Coven and to me. Any debt he owes is now mine. She winked at him and puckered her lips to smooch him a kiss. "You just let me know when you want me to come and settle up." She laughed. "I promise you that I am looking forward to it."

She felt Shaden leave. She glowered down at Massimo. "If you try to fucking touch him again. I won't hesitate to kill you." She could have said more. God knows the things he had been waiting to say to him. But it could wait. Soon enough she was going to be able to do a lot of things that she had been waiting for. Taking care of him was one of the things that were at the top of her list. "And stay the fuck away from Arielle."

She shut the door to his office when she stepped out. She wasn't sure why though. Maybe she was making a point, maybe she was just trying to stall looking at Shaden. Arielle had dropped her ridiculously large bag on the floor. Aubrey tossed her guns into it and scooped it up, slinging it around her shoulders.

Shaden was waiting for her in the hallway. She had half expected him to go on up without her. She was relieved that he had waited. relieved and pissed off at the same time. She clenched her fists and made her way toward him. She hated that he was standing there, hated that he was just waiting for her. She hated that she had to come down here and pull him out of Massimo's hands. What the hell was had he been thinking?

She hated that he was just standing there with his stupid smirk. She hated that. She hated his blue eyes. She hated that she couldn't have just left him here with Massimo. She hated that she couldn't just let go of him. She hated him because she loved him.

She let her shields down. She wanted him to know that she wasn't just angry, she wanted him to feel how scared she was of the possibility of never seeing him again. Her eyes were back to their golden honey. She dropped Arielle's bag when she reached him. She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to hers. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him.

She was too afraid to close her eyes. She was afraid that if she did that he might not really be there. He had left before she could even tell him what was going on. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. She pulled away and buried her face in his neck. She enfolded herself in his scent and began to cry. She hated herself because she loved him. "I hate you." She mumbled the words against his skin. "I hate you." She pressed into him and squeezed her eyes shut. I love you.

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden stood calmly and watched her walk toward him wondering what she would say to him. He felt her anger and now how scared she was. Which only added to his guilt. He had come here without telling her and she got scared of never seeing him again. A worry she should never need to feel. Not even Massimo would have been able to stop him from leaving.

But there was still that possibility that even scared Shaden a little. What if he hadn't been able to leave? What would he have done if he couldn't see Aubrey? But Shaden wasn't one to think about these things so much and so he pushed those questions to the back of his mind. Of course they would come back later when he was alone. They always did.

When she finally reached him, he was slightly surprised by her actions. Shaden had thought she might at least hit him. Its what he deserved for making her worry about him. But she kissed him. And he kissed her back passionately, putting his hands on her waist. He stared back into her golden honey eyes with his own blue ones. His always too honest eyes that seemed to show every damn emotion going through him.

He he simply held her when she pulled away and started to cry. He just let her get it out of her system. He hardly listened when she said I hate you. Maybe she did hate him, but she also loved him. If she didn't at least love him a little she wouldn't have come here. "Can you forgive me for coming here without you?" He asked softly.

Shaden glanced down the hall. They needed to get out of here before wonderful Massimo comes out of his office. When he saw Shaden he would most likely starting at him. "Come on, we should get out of here." He said and let go of her briefly to pick up Arielle's back, pulling it over his shoulder.

[aubrey]

Aubrey sighed against him. "No." She half mumbled, half whimpered the words against his neck. She pressed herself against his body. For a second there she didn't care if Massimo did step out of his office. She didn't want to let go of Shaden. He let go of her.

Aubrey snapped back to reality. She couldn't give Massimo enough time to figure out that she had lied to his face. Xavier hadn't sent her. He didn't know she had even left. She was sure that he would know by now and she was in no hurry to see him. Stupid Shaden and his stupid pride.

She took his hand and started down the hallway. She bounded up the stairs taking them two at a time. When they stepped out onto the deck she pulled Shaden to the car. She raised her brow at Arielle and Kaden. "Kaden, please just get in and drive. Arielle. Go with him. We can meet up at the rooms in a bit. I have my bike, I'll follow."

When they were gone, Aubrey turned to Shaden. They were alive. He wasn't dead or in Massimo's hands. She had been angry, then sad, and then relieved. Now she was just pissed off again. Aubrey kicked a car nearest to her and growled. She turned to glare at him.

"What the hell were you thinking? Are you trying to push me as far away from you as you can?

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden chuckled at her mumbled no. She would forgive him. Whether it was quickly or not he couldn't tell. He let her pull him up the stairs. He looked around when he got up onto the deck. Shaden wasn't too concerned with Aubrey's mood right now. He would simply sit back and let her get her anger out.

He looked over at the car she kicked. He didn't know who's it was, but he liked to believe it was Massimo's. He turned back to Aubrey, an amused grin on his face.

"I wasn't thinking OK? I was being my normal, foolish self." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "No. I'm not trying to push you away."

[aubrey]

Aubrey just glared at him. He wasn't talking any of this seriously. She turned away from him and closed her eyes. She started to cry again. He didn't care about anything. She was the only one that was doing anything about their situation. Chloe was supposed to be helping her, but here lately Aubrey had been doing everything on her own.

She had been making rash choices and having to do a lot of things that she didn't want too. Things that made her hate herself. Shaden was never even around. He was always off somewhere or another. She clenched her fist. He didn't have to try to push her away. He already had. She was doing everything just so she could be with him and he didn't even care. It was all a game to him.

"I can't do this anymore Shaden." Her words came out in a hoarse whisper. He had attempted to leave before, she had just stopped him. She had begged him not to leave her. Obviously something was different now. Obviously he didn't care to stay with her anymore.

She had been so happy that he had wanted her to come to New York with him. Instead he came without even telling her. She sobbed softly. She turned around. Tears glittering her eyes and cheeks. She held out her hand. "Give it back to me Shaden. Give me back my rosary and get away from me." She wasn't even mad. There was nothing to be mad about anymore. He didn't care and nothing else mattered.

Chloe had turned on her. Shaden had abandoned her. She didn't have anything left. She was nothing. She had given it to him so he could have something of hers. It was a reminder for both of them of what they had. Almost had. "Just give it back."

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden's smile faded. Shit. He didn't like what he was feeling. And now she was crying again. He felt helpless. He was always messing up. Always causing her some kind of pain. Had he been pushing her away without really knowing it? He shook his head. No. He couldn't have been.

Then she spoke, pulling him away from his thoughts. Those words. They were worse then when Chloe told him about Aubrey and Sevanni. Nothing could be worse then that. "Wh..What are you talking about. I made a mistake coming here I know that, but.." He was having trouble holding a thought in his head. He took a small step closer to her but stopped when she turned around.

"No. I wont." He said firmly. "I can't give it back to you. And I can't just walk away." She didn't even look mad anymore. That scared Shaden. More then anything that scared him. "Aubrey... You don't understand."

[aubrey]

Aubrey's eyes widened. "You think that I don't understand." She laughed. It was short, sarcastic, and slightly muffled by her sobs. "You know what Shaden. You're right. I don't. I don't understand you at all. You came to New York on your own. You were the one that said that it was a bad idea to come alone. You want to be pissed off that me then fine. But you could have brought someone. Anyone!

She unclenched her fist and moved forward to shove him. She huffed and shoved him a second time. "What the hell did you do to make Massimo so mad at you. Do you have any idea what is going to happen to me when Max tells Xavier what I did?"

She covered her face with her hands. "I LIED! Xavier is going to be furious and you want to smirk and shrug like it is no big deal. You have no idea how coming here to get you could fuck everything up." She shoved him again. "And you don't even care!" She thrust her hand back out. "SO GIVE IT BACK TO ME!"

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden sighed, "I hadn't really planned on coming here. Alright. I came to New York to be alone. It wasn't until later that I figured I mine as well go see Massimo." He looked away for a second, "And you were a bit busy, so I went by myself so no one else would have to get hurt." He looked back at her. He didn't move when she moved forward toward him. And he didn't try to stop her from shoving him. She had a right to be pissed off at him. But he also had a right to be pissed, however she was the only one starting a fight. Shaden was the calm one.

"What does it matter what I did?" He asked, taking a small step back. "It was a long time ago. I was weaker then. More soft. Theres no point in telling you what happened because it wont change anything." His voice took on a softer tone. He really didn't want to start yelling. But he could feel it building in him.

"How was I supposed to know you lied?" He questioned, he took yet another step back as she shoved him again. He didn't care? He chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah thats right Aubrey. I don't care. I'm so glad you finally figured that out." He said mockingly. How could she say something like that?! "Maybe its you who doesn't care. Maybe your the one trying to push me away. Did you ever stop to think about that. All I've ever down is love you, Aubrey. No matter what you've done. Don't you dare tell me I don't care." He smiled but it held no humor. "I'm sorry Aubrey. But like I said your not getting it back." Another step back.

[aubrey]

Aubrey scowled at him. "You didn't want anyone else to get hurt."It was more soft comment to herself than anything. "Well, you failed on that one. And your right it doesn't matter. God forbid I get an explanation for having to bust down Massimo's doors and bail your ass out from him."

She turned away from him again. She fought the urge to lean against the car. She was tired and this wasn't helping anything. She had been busy. It was the price of belonging to Xavier. She was running around following Oliver and Aki. She was busy trying to keep the damn werewolves in line. The alliance was broken and now she had more work to do. More lives to ruin.

She had been working at that damn club trying to gather information for Xavier. She hated that he had her running around. But it didn't matter, she had no choice. Shaden was supposed to understand that. That was Aubrey's punishment for wanting to be with him. The more she tried, the more Xavier made her do. She sighed as the tears fell down her cheeks.

"I'm not trying to push you away. I am doing all of this bullshit because I do care. I came to New York because I cared." She closed her eyes. "When I am not around you all I can think about is the smell of your skin. The way your hair would fall just into you eyes. The way your body feel pressed against mine.

She gave in. She leaned against the car and buried her face into her arm. "I would have fell to your feet and begged you to tell me a way that I could make you happy. I can't just tell you I'm sorry. I hate myself because of the things I have to do. I hate myself because i love you and in trying to be with you I keep fucking everything up."

Aubrey squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't keep doing this. I can't try and be with you and not actually get to do it anymore. Please Shaden. Just give it back." She sobbed. It was killing her to do this. Why wouldn't he just cave. Why couldn't he just give it back to her. "Please." Her words came out in soft whimpers. "Give it back and just leave me alone. I don't deserve you."

[Shaden Grace]

Shaden sighed and looked away. "It was about a human okay? I saw this girl. She was so sweat. A real innocent in a world of lies and power." He looked at the ground as he went on, "I didn't want her to be around those who would make her change into something evil. She was so loving." He smiled, "So I kept her safe for a few years, but then another vampire came along and tried to take her. So I want to Massimo for help. But he said he didn't protect humans. I begged, and begged for his help, finally he gave in but he told me there would be a price to pay for it. I said I didn't care." He looked back up at her. "I was weak. So very weak." He shook his head as if he was still ashamed of himself. "In the end it wasn't enough to save her. She died. And thats when I lost all hope." He smiled. "Until I met you that is."

He watched her judging her reaction. He crossed his arms, shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to keep moving so he wouldn't go crazy.

When she leaned against the car he went over to her, put his hands on either side of her face. "You don't need to beg for my happiness, Aubrey. Just being with you makes me happy." He said in a soft whisper. I love you so much...

He kissed her cheek and then her forehead. "Aubrey..." This was killing him. More then he thought it ever would have. He wrapped his arms around her, just trying to be close to her while he could. If she wanted to push him away he'd let her. He'd understand. "If you really want it back then take it. But it wont make a difference. Taking back your rosary wont change my love for you." He whispered close to her ear. Dear God, how could this be happening to me? "Your wrong Aubrey." He said after a few minutes, "I'm the one who doesn't deserve you." He kissed her cheek again. "No matter what you do, I'll always love you." He finished with a soft smile.

[aubrey]

His story made her heart hurt. The pain seeped in slowly and torn at her numbness. She hated Massimo for a new reason. he had tormented Shaden just like Xavier was tormenting her. A new string of tears were running down her cheeks, but it wasn't from her pain.

She whimpered when he touched her. Why did he have to make this so hard for her. She had to do this. But then again, if she really had to do this why was it so hard. She slid her hands up over his and sighed softly. His words poured over her. Each one making her want to just disappear with him. They could just leave. They could run away from everyone.

But they would always be running. Running from the coven, running from Xavier and Massimo. She could shield Xavier now, but eventually it would become to hard and he would be able to find them. Running wasn't an option. But Aubrey wished like hell that it was.

When he wrapped his arms around her she did the same. She cuddled him in close and inhaled his scent. She closed her eyes and fought to control the new tears. He didn't deserve what she was doing to him. It wasn't fair and she couldn't be selfish anymore. It wouldn't seem like it to him, not at first, but she was doing this for him.

There were things that she had to do before they could ever really be together, but Aubrey was afraid to let him go. She was afraid to be without him. He was the only thing keeping her sane. "Shaden I love you." She tilted her face up and kissed him softly. "But I can't be with you right now. I am just going to hurt you right now. I can't bear it. I just can't."

Aubrey pressed herself into him. This was hurting her so badly. She couldn't bear to hurt him any more than she had."Just keep it." It would hurt her to think that he still had it. She wanted to separate herself from him completely, at least for a little while. In the end of all of this they could be together, but as of right now they couldn't. Not like this. "But you have to stay away from me for a little while. We can't be together right now." She pressed her face against his chest. "I just can't. This proves that we aren't working like this."