• Don't Want an Ending •

[Margaret Rose Warren]

It was time for Meg to get this over with. She'd been putting it off for two days now, letting Theo avoid her as he seemed to be doing lately. But, she could take it no longer. All of these games were too much for her; no matter who she was playing them with. If he wanted to be her boyfriend, he needed to say it. If he didn't, she didn't want to be dragging him down. Meg really just wanted it all done and passed. What else could she do though? He wouldn't talk to her; wouldn't return her calls or texts and wouldn't even wait for her after class like he'd been doing before. As they'd seemed to get more serious and comfortable, he'd bolted and left her hanging. Now, all she had was a close-to-broken heart and some very large questions to ask him. She would ask them, however. Margaret Rose Warren wasn't raised to be a coward; she was taught to stick up for herself. And, now, she'd do that. No matter what it took or lost her.

Meg marched across campus with a very determined look on her face. She'd said goodbye to Nix after their last lecture of the day and recieved one last encouraging hug. Then, she headed straight for the theatre wing and auditorium. Theo would be there today; she knew it. They'd met their a few times before... before he'd started completely avoiding her. It kind of felt like stalking, but that didn't bother her for the moment. If that was what it'd take to get him to at least say "hi" to her, she'd do it. She'd do anything for him to talk to her again.

She pulled open the doors to the building, elbowing her way through the crowd of students flowing from the auditorium doors. So, their class had just let out, too. Part of her had been hoping for a second to gather her wits, but she'd work with it. Somehow. Meg gulped down a deep breath, closing her eyes and walking closer to the actual theatre. Hopefully, Theo would be somewhere within it. And, hopefully, he wouldn't bolt at the sight of her.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 449!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: Kind of short, but I wanted to get them rolling! <3

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[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Theo liked Meg and he hadn’t felt like this about someone in a very long time. It was nerve wracking, but he enjoyed spending time with the young blonde woman and the thought of her always made him smile, but it wasn’t as simple as all of that. He hadn’t told her anything about his life, his past or his family situation and now he didn’t know how to go about breaking the news to her. It wasn’t something he could just bring up in conversation casually. He knew that the moment he told her about his past, his marriage and his daughter, she’d run a mile and never think twice about him again. No young woman with the world at her feet wanted to be tied down to a man who had more responsibilities than he could count on his fingers. At twenty-two, she wouldn’t want to have to rely on Theo’s shift swaps and babysitters for them to have a date and nights in would always be interrupted by Issy needing feeding or changing or getting sick.

He couldn’t put his daughter in second place, ever. He may not have talked about her to everyone, but she was still the apple of his eye and the person he would always put before himself. He adored Meg and he felt ready to be with her, but how could he be when he had so many secrets and no real way of telling them to her?
He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t talk to her either. The more time he spent with Meg the more awful he felt from keeping such a huge secret from her. Theo felt as though it was too late to bring it up though. It was something he should have told her at the start, but he didn’t think that they would become more than just the occasional bump in the hall or the library. Now that they were, he didn’t know what to do and he was panicking. Every time he saw a text or her name flashed up on the caller ID he couldn’t bring himself to answer it. It was best if she found someone else before she found out the truth. That was what Theo just kept telling himself.

Theo’s class came to an end when he was on the stage enacting a scene from Romeo and Juliet with one of his fellow seniors. After a few brief words with his professor, Theo grabbed his bag, throwing in the script and quickly checking his cell phone before joining the back of the throng of actors that were making their way outside and off to their own homes, social lives and sordid love affairs that the girls often liked to discuss before their workshop began. What he didn’t expect was to step outside the room and find himself staring at Meg, who was standing just a few feet away from him, impossible to avoid. “Meg! Sorry, I’m in a hurry today.”

[/color] He said quickly, making up a vague excuse to get away from her before she asked too many questions and he couldn’t take it anymore.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!564
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

Meg had no clue what was going on with Theo and she couldn't figure it out, either. No amount of critical thinking and bouncing thoughts around helped; she simply couldn't find the piece that made everything sensible. And it was starting to frustrate the hell out of her. Why wouldn't he talk to her? Why did he always seem to bolt at the mention of certain topics or words? Why did he look so sad at times, but then happy the next second? Why couldn't she figure it out? She'd get her answers somehow, and she'd be getting them shortly. Even if he didn't touch the thousands of random thoughts floating through her mind, one subject would be discussed, no matter how hard he tried to run or what excuse he gave. Meg didn't care if World War III happened to break out; they were settling this once and for all. Whatever "this" really was.

The bustle of students appeared to be ebbing, but, still, Meg had yet to spot a coppery head of hair. Her heart quickened as the crowd thinned more. What if he wasn't even here? She'd feel so embarrassed and stupid and... lovestruck. Never in all her days had she pictured herself hunting down a guy on campus just so he'd confess if he liked her or not. Theo really was having his effects on the poor girl. After a few more minutes, Meg was on the verge of giving up. This was so idiotic of her; if he wanted to see her, he'd call. Or, maybe, she'd said something again that'd made him run off for good. She always seemed to be doing it, anyways. This time must've been worse than all the others combined.

She prepared to turn away and let it go for now, when suddenly Theo appeared, brushing her off as quickly as he had been lately. Meg would have none of it though, even if she had been about to give up on him. He was here now, and it was her turn to talk, no excuses interrupting her. "I'm sure you can spare a couple minutes, Theo," she said with ice edging her tone and a bit less politely than was typical for the blonde young lady. Meg wasn't here to be polite, though. She was here to make him talk. And, he hadn't even said hello to her.

Her eyes held the challenge for him to leave. If he did, she'd be following right after him, chattering at him until he finally answered her. Did he want to be with her or not? That was all she wanted to know; all she needed. If he did, she'd take another step and figure out what was up with his avoiding her. If he didn't, she'd be more than happy to follow his wishes. At least, she'd appear to be. Deep down, it'd crush a small piece of emotion she hadn't fully realized the depth of.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 525!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

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[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Theo knew that he owed Meg an explanation for his recent behaviour, but whatever he said now would make him seem cowardly or a grade A jerk. How could she understand why he had done what he did? Surely it would just make him seem as though he didn’t want her to know, that he was trying to use her or make her some kind of meaningless fling; though, hiding from her the way he had been hardly made him look much better either. It was just that he had found himself in a position he’d never thought he’d be in and now he didn’t know what to do. It was something that even had Lilia stumped. His sister wanted him to date and find love again, but she didn’t have the answers to help Theo cushion the blow of the truth. Not many people found themselves widowed and playing the role of single parent when they were only twenty six and Theo suspected that the idea had never crossed Meg’s intelligent mind. It simply wasn’t what everyone expected when they looked at him, even when he was in a melancholy sort of state.

He didn’t want to hurt her, but he knew that it was inevitable. She might be hurt that he had kept such a big secret from her or that he had ‘strung her along’ as was his biggest fear. He hadn’t taken Meg out with false pretences or hung out with her deliberately trying to ‘score’. He genuinely liked being with her and for the short while they were together the dark cloud that seemed to loom permanently over his head vanished and he could relax and forget about the stress that he usually felt. It was only when she said something that reminded him of just how much he hadn’t told her that he needed to get away from her. When that happened, he felt like he was drowning, guilty for moving on and scared about what would happen if he did just blurt the truth out to her. How could she accept something like that? No way would she want to stay with him when he had a kid and a deceased wife in the picture.

Meg didn’t look happy with him and he didn’t expect her to be either. He had been deliberately brushing her off and ignoring her in order to avoid this conversation and the longer he did it for the more he realised that he couldn’t just go back to her and pretend that nothing had happened or that he didn’t have secrets to tell her. He glanced down at her and so wanted to be able to tell her everything, but he couldn’t. He let out a sigh and looked ahead at the people still walking away from the auditorium, wishing one of them would provide him with a distraction. “I’m running late for work as it is, Meg. We can do this later.”

[/color] In honesty, Theo didn’t have a shift at the cinema today, but it was the first thing than came into his mind and he gave thanks for his acting talent; it meant he could lie about that without being too obvious, even if he did hate having to lie in the first place. He continued to walk down the hallway, hoping that Meg would let it go for now and give him a chance to get away with this. She deserved so much more better than what he could offer her.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!623
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

Meg could feel the anger boil within her at his simple words. They seemed so unfair, so cold. Hers hadn't been much better though. And, she hadn't been avoiding him without a good reason; he'd left her completely in the dark, not even bothering with a good-bye. His brushing her off just pissed her off more. It looked like, if she wanted answers, she was going to have to press him until he spilled, no matter what it cost. She would figure this situation out if it was the last thing she did. But she really didn't want to hurt Theo. She knew it was bad, whatever he was hiding. She knew it must be hard, must be pressing on him. It was what made him different from most everyone on campus; different from even her. She knew. It still didn't mean he could go blowing her off.

The frustration and rage bubbling inside of her shone in her usually laughing, playful eyes. It was rare for Meg to lose her temper. Hell, it was unheard of. But, this was a special case with a special person. She was only sorry he'd have to see her blow her top if he continued feeding her fire. Which, at this rate, seemed like a logical prediction. "Theo." Her voice held it all, crammed into one tiny word. The pain he'd inflicted, the confusion, the frustration, the concern, the feelings that were blossoming inside her heart. The emotions converged themselves into a single word; his name. Meg swallowed it down with some difficulty, trying to find her voice. She couldn't stand being silent when there was so much to be said between them. Before she could stop it, the biggest question nagging her mind came flooding past her lips. "Why do you keep running away from me?" The fire was draining slowly from her eyes, being replaced by the tender side she hardly ever showed. Meg was hurt by all this and she wanted him to know it.

Shoving down the frantic whirlwind threatening to tear her insides out, she stated bravely. "I just want to know what I did wrong - what I did to make you avoid me and not answer my calls and blow me off... what did I do, Theo? And, you're not leaving. Not until you answer me. I'm done being pushed aside and left behind. I want answers, and I want them now." Meg's heart was thumping faster, but she didn't budge. The determination set itself in her shoulders and stance, fully preparing her to chase after him if he decided to bolt. There was no way he was getting out of this now. At least, not without giving her some reasons behind his actions.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 485!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[/size]

[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Theo hated hurting people and to hurt those who he cared about upset him most of all. He was a kind hearted guy who only ever wanted to do the right thing for everyone, but he was out of his comfort zone. If you put him on a stage in front of a critical audience in a venue filled to capacity, he could handle that, but give him one person who was slowly capturing his heart and the chance to tell her everything and he wanted to swallow hard and bolt for the nearest exit without looking back. He was the epitome of a nervous wreck right now and he needed to get away from the crowded hallway and the loud building. Outside was where he needed to be; a place where he didn’t feel so trapped and secluded. He wanted to know that he could make up another excuse and escape with a split second thought. It seemed to be a talent he was developing lately with the amount of times he had done an impression of Flash and bolted without any warning or legitimate reason.

He was about to walk away and act as though he really did have someplace else to be, when her voice reached his ears again. The way she said his name, the emotion packed behind it and the guilt he was already feeling were enough combined to stop him in his tracks. His shoulders slumped and he sighed as he tilted his head back to focus his gaze on the ceiling. He knew what he was doing wasn’t fair to Meg, but was telling her the truth going to make anything better? It wasn’t like he had lied about his age or kept his real job a secret from her, he had basically kept his whole life a mystery. The events that made him the man he was were the secrets he held back from the beautiful blonde and how was that fair, at all? “I’m not running from you. I’ve just…I’ve been busy.”

[/color] Another lie and another pang in his chest. He hated lying, but it seemed to be slipping through his lips easily now when it came to evading the truth.

He sighed again, closing his eyes before turning around to face the young blonde again. He looked down at her, his eyes filled with sadness, guilt and turmoil. He didn’t want to have to tell her everything he’d done wrong with this. How could she understand? She deserved answers but he didn’t want to hurt her even more by giving them to her. “You didn’t do anything Meg. It’s me, I’m…I’m not the kind of guy who can make you happy. I’m not what you think and all I can ever do is hurt you.”[/color] He had never felt so pessimistic in a long time, but now it was flooding back to him and he shook his head, unable to do this anymore. “Look, just forget about this and me. You’ll be better with someone else, someone closer to your own age without so much baggage.”[/color] He sighed again and pulled his eyes away from her, turning back to carry on walking away, hoping that this time she would let him go before he could break her heart more.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!588
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

Meg wanted to hug and kill Theo all at the same time. He looked so upset, so sad... but she was mad at him. He was running away from her, not returning her calls, and had already tried to bolt now. She was supposed to be upset with him. Seeing him like this was making it harder to stay angry with him. Oh, she was still hurt and confused and desperate for answers, but, now, she wanted more than anything to make him feel better. But she was mad at him. Sort of.

Her heart sank to her stomach as he turned to walk away. Should she chase after him? Yes. She would if she had to. But, Meg wanted him to stay because he wanted to, not because she had to tie him down and shine a light on him like a detective. She wanted him to trust her enough to spill whatever it was that was holding him back. She also didn't want to hurt him. So, instead, she continued to talk, even if he wasn't looking at her now. "Busy avoiding me? Yeah, I caught on to that much," she replied sarcastically. It wasn't playful or joking like normal; it was acidic and slightly cruel. Meg was mad though, no matter how much she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him close to herself. She wasn't going to let that part show, not even if he started bawling like a teenage girl.

She met his eyes evenly, not backing down. The sadness in his didn't go unnoticed, but she couldn't do anything. Meg wanted to erase that heaviness from him like she sometimes thought she could; she just couldn't. Not this time. Not yet. His words made hot tears burn against her eyes, reminding her why she was here in the first place. This conversation wasn't over, and she wouldn't even consider playing nice until it was. But, those eyes... that sadness... it was pulling on her lovestruck heart. "You have no idea what kind of guy could make me happy!" Meg almost shouted. How the hell did he know what was good or bad for her? How did he know if he would only hurt her? He didn't; he was just putting himself down. And she wouldn't stand for it. "Then tell me 'what' you are. All I see is a sweet guy who won't let himself be happy, but I can't figure out why. I... I like that guy, though. I don't want to let him run away, not if I have a chance to fight for him," she said, the tears burning harshly against her eyes now. One slipped down her cheek as his next words met her ears, the dig about being "too old for her" cutting deep. Meg had never for a second thought he was too old for her, or she too young for him. But, in moments like these, she wondered if it bothered him that there was almost four years between them. It was another question she doubted she'd ever get an answer to. "I don't want someone my age," Meg called after him quietly. "I want you, baggage and all." More tears streamed down her face as she waited, prayed, that he'd turn back around for her. She didn't want to lose him.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 604!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[/size]

[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Theo ought to have known better than to try dating someone as amazing as Meg. He couldn’t make her happy like other guys could. He was weighted down with responsibilities that she couldn’t take on and he couldn’t expect her to either. He had a kid, a wife and a future that had gone up in smoke as fate cruelly tore the happily ever after from beneath his feet. He didn’t want to hurt anyone else in the same way that he had been hurt and he regretted taking Lilia’s advice after all of this time. He would be better on his own, with just Issy to care for. He could do that simply enough and no one else had to be dragged into this, least of all Meg.

The bitter sarcasm of her words struck him hard and he had to try and keep a lid on his emotions. He knew he wasn’t being fair to her - he knew that - but what other option did he have? Guys did horrible crap like this all of the time to college girls and they bounced back without too much irrevocable damage done to their hearts, so surely he could play the pretence and hope for the best too, right? Except, he wasn’t that kind of guy and he knew that almost anyone who had met him would know that too. He didn’t have it in him to deliberately hurt someone and the fact that Meg was clearly upset with him was like someone plunging a dagger into his chest. “Please, dinnae be like this, Meg. It’s not as simple as you’re thinking.”

[/color] He paused, reaching up to massage his temples. He hadn’t been sleeping again. “There’s stuff going on at home.”[/color] He said, keeping it vague and hoping it would be enough to satisfy her for now.

He couldn’t take it anymore. Meg wasn’t going to leave him alone unless he upped his game too and now that his classmates were well and truly on their way home it was pretty much only them left in the hallway and he came to an abrupt halt before turning on his heel and putting on his best acting skills. He was doing this for her, as much as it would hurt both of them, but he knew it was better in the long run. “Any guy that is nae me!”[/color] Theo hissed, trying not to raise his voice and cause a scene. “What I am is a guy who does nae deserve you. And there’s nothing ta fight for. I thought that I was ready for this, but I’m never gonna be. It’s too late ta change that Meg.”[/color] He looked at her, his eyes still filled with overwhelming sadness as he closed himself off once more, or at least tried to. “I have more baggage than a forty year old man and I’m only twenty-six. You cannae say you wanna be with someone like that.”[/color] His voice was soft, almost trying to be comforting. “You have no idea how lucky you are, Meg. You have nothing ta hold you back and you can do anything you dream of. Being with me will get you trapped in something far beyond your years and I cannae let you do that.”[/color] Theo was trying to put her off, persuade her that there were so many better things out there for her than a relationship with him. He moved closer and cupped her face in his hands, the pads of his thumbs brushing away the tears. “Trust me, hen. This isn’t what I wanted ta happen, but it’s for the best. You can do so much better.”[/color] He pressed a light kiss to her forehead and then turned to walk away again, this time feeling more certain that Meg wouldn’t follow.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!680
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

Meg didn't care about all this baggage he was claiming to have. She didn't care. It was all a piece of him, and that was what she cared about. Theo was all her heart wanted; the rest they could figure out. She'd do anything to prove that none of it mattered to her, not as long as he said he cared for her. If he was falling for her, she would stay, even if he had twenty-two cats and a secret obsession with the color pink. Meg would stay because she was head over heels for the man standing before her. And no amount of baggage or happenings of the past would change that in her.

It was too late to pull her words back into her mouth. They'd been said in a tone never used by the blonde young lady; and she regretted it the moment the remark had gone past her lips. It was harsh and unfair and stupid, all things that she knew. But she couldn't help it! Theo was making her so damn upset! What was all this crap about forgetting about him and him not being good for her? Where had it all come from? As far as she knew, she'd never suggested any of it, not even by accident. If anything, it should've been her feeling this. She was younger than him, was technically a "nerd," and she hadn't had too many relationships in her time. So why was he the one with all the doubt? "You could've just said that. I wouldn't have minded," Meg said gently, the complete opposite of what she'd been a few mere seconds ago. She could see the pain on his face and it was haunting, tearing at her heart. She couldn't stand the idea of her hurting him; though, from an outsider's prospective, he was the one doing the inflicting, not the recieving. Or at least he was supposed to be.

Giving up was not in her DNA. Margaret Rose would do what it took to find the truth behind a situation, and this "thing" with Theo was no different. She had no idea what terrible secrets were making him say these things to her, but she wouldn't stand for it. If he was going to keep up this act that he wasn't good enough for her, didn't she at least deserve to know why he thought so? Wasn't that fair? It was her choice, afterall, not his. Well, not really. She was old enough to decide for herself is a guy was bad or decent. And, in her books, Theo was much, much more than decent. "Then let me make that choice, Theo! It doesn't matter if you think you don't deserve me; that you're not good enough or some bull like that. It doesn't matter. None of this 'baggage' does, either. I want you. Baggage, no baggage, I don't care! I do wanna be with you, Theo. So much. But you won't even let me try to, and I don't know why or how to convince you that you're wrong. Because you are," she argued, the bitterness gone from her voice now. "I want to be with you, Theo, and none of your excuses are going to change that." Meg's eyes were searching his face for any signs of a break through. Was this going to be it for them? They'd barely started and they were already breaking up... or had they not even started to begin with?

"Lucky?" she snorted, shaking her head. Of all the adjectives to describe her, "lucky" had never come to mind. Compared to the majority of the kids around here, she wasn't lucky at all. She'd had it hard, rather, compared to them. No riches, no expensive cars, no mother for most of her life, the knowledge that, if she didn't get a job after college, her and her father might be out on the street. There was no other family for her to run to, no trust fund to fall back on, the rent money and school bills were drowning them, and she was thinking about taking a second job. When you looked at all those, she wondered how someone could describe her as lucky. She wasn't lucky; she was just enduring life with a hard earned smile. "I have a lot of things holding me back. The difference is I don't let them slow me down. And, I promise you, whatever you come up with won't change that. No amount of excuses, or faked reasons, or... anything is going to change the fact that I don't care about it. The only thing I care about is if you want to be with me." She was getting clingy, whiney almost. Meg didn't care how it sounded though; it was the truth, every single damn word of it. The sooner he believed that, the better off they'd all be.

Her face fit into his hands comfortably, though his thumbs did little to help her tears. More replaced the ones he wiped away. Meg then realized she hadn't cried in a very long time. And, now, here she was almost sobbing over a guy. But, he was already gone as soon she'd registered his lips on her forehead. He was gone. Meg wouldn't stand for it. He had to want to be with her if he'd declared himself not good enough; it proved he cared. She wasn't about to let that get away.

Meg had to run to catch up to him, but she didn't mind. She planted herself in front of him, looking up into his handsome brown eyes and wishing, praying, she knew what to say. Instead, she opted for two words spoken with enough emotion for a thousand. "I'm sorry." And, then, she reached up and kissed him, not caring if he pulled away or shoved her off. She loved him too much to think about it.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 1072!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[/size]

[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Why was she so stubborn? Why couldn’t she just make it easier on them both by accepting the bullshit he was spouting to try and push her away? He wasn’t doing this just for the damn kicks, he was trying to save her from getting her heartbroken even more. Feeding her this vague crap was protecting her from finding out the truth and knowing that she was getting caught up in something far beyond her years. Meg was fun loving, happy-go-lucky and youthful. When he was her age, he was married and working his way through life as a husband; he hadn’t even started university then. Their paths were entirely different and he knew that he carried the weight of a man twice his age on his shoulders at times. He couldn’t drag her into his world and give her more to consider. He wasn’t the guy who could go out on dates all the time or have romantic nights in without a baby monitor disturbing them at some point in the evening. She was twenty-two, she shouldn’t be playing around with a guy who had been married and had a baby girl to take care of when he wasn’t acting.

In addition to all of this, Theo had only ever been in a relationship with Jenny before and that had been a decision that was supposed to last a lifetime with the fairytale ending. He didn’t know how to date someone else! He didn’t know how any of this was supposed to go or what was supposed to happen, but every time he was with Meg he kept seeing Issy’s wide brown eyes in his head and he knew this wasn’t fair for the young blonde. She was so carefree and he was old before his time with a wedding ring hanging around his neck on a hidden chain. “I dinnae want ta drag you into it.”

[/color] He whispered, the truth dangerously close to slipping through his lips, just to get it over with.
The truth was pressing down on his lungs, squeezing the air out of him painfully slowly as he tried to escape the hallway and the blonde girl who was determined not to let him get away so easily from this. He couldn’t do this and why couldn’t she just accept that?

He stepped away from her, his hands dashing the air in frustration. She was making it sound so easy when it was quite the opposite! If life was as simple as saying ‘I want to be with you’ then this situation never would have happened! He liked Meg, he did, and he was falling fast for her, but he couldn’t let his life slow hers down. “Life is nae so simple, Meg. I’m not talking about ex-girlfriends or unresolved feelings here, I’m talking about life changing baggage; the kind that can never be dumped or forgotten.”[/color] He didn’t exactly like thinking of Issy and Jenny as ‘baggage’ but it was the only way he could talk about them without going into the details he was trying to keep safe from Meg, so that she couldn’t feel awful about everything.

Theo sighed, the exhaustion of the last week or so finally catching up with him. His eyes felt heavy and his heart even heavier as he listened to what Meg was saying. How could she believe it was so easy to be with someone? Someone like Theo was damn near impossible to be with. His hand reached up and brushed over the stubble on his chin before dropping to his side, reaching out slightly for Meg before deciding against it; no need to make this harder than it already was. “I do want ta be with you, but I can’t. It’s not that easy, Meg. If it were then I would nae be doing this ta you.”[/color] He steeled himself and then stepped back from her before the urge to pull her into his arms became overwhelming. “You might have things holding you back, but I’m not gonna let my life be one of them. I’m stuck here, Meg, but I don’t want you ta be.”[/color] He shook his head and swallowed hard. “Look, dinnae feel bad for me. I’ve made my decision, but I’m not gonna let it pull you down too. Live your life, Meg and find someone who can give you the world.”[/color]

He furrowed his brows as she stopped before him, but the kiss caught him off guard and his reflexes kicked in; his hands moving to her waist to hold her close as his lips instantly moved against hers once, twice, three times…then he groaned and pulled back, putting a lot of distance between himself and the pretty blonde. He couldn’t do this. “No. I cannae do this! Don’t you get it?”[/color] Then, with a flash of light in his dark eyes, the weight of the secrets came flying from his shoulders, moving full force down the hallway to where Meg was still standing. “I’m a father!”[/color]
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!880
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

If Meg gave up, then this was over. She knew Theo wouldn't come and try to fight for her like she was currently doing for him; he was making it clear he didn't want to fight at all. But, she wasn't about to give up on them so easily. There was something between them. No one in their right mind could deny it! And, yet, there were things blocking their path. They were invisible to her, but, from her point of view, they seemed to be blocking Theo's sight completely. He was so convinced he was doing the right thing here, and he wasn't. He couldn't be. He was giving up, or trying to at least. The only thing not letting him was Meg; and she'd be damned if she gave up now.

In her mind, this was all black and white. There was no grey-ground to be fuzzy about. Either he wanted to be with her, or he didn't. And, if he did, she was unable to understand why he'd keep throwing all these road blocks up. Why couldn't he just let himself be happy? Everyone had their baggage, but he couldn't keep letting his drag him down like this. If anything came out of this arguement, Meg was hoping it was Theo getting over whatever was wieghing him down. Even if he still wouldn't be with her, she at least wanted to make herself useful somehow. And, once Meg set her mind on something, there was no stopping her until it was accomplished. "It is that easy! You're only making it more complicated. If we want to be together, what's stopping us? You. That's it. Not your 'baggage' or the world; just you. Let it go and be happy, Theo. You could be if you gave yourself the chance, but you keep pushing them all away. Stop running and face the music." Her entire face glowed with the passion of her words. If she had to be harsh on him, fine. But he needed to realize he was good enough, not only for her, but for life in general. He needed to get back into the sunlight.

Her honest, frank passion soured into frustration as he, yet again, tried to sound like he knew what was best for her. She hadn't let her father do this to her for years; she wasn't about to let him. "Theo, I swear, if you pull that line one more time I'm going to physically slap some sense into you," she said, trying to mask the anger in her voice. Meg didn't enjoy being talked down to, as her flashing eyes and tensed up body now showed. Even if she was fighting with him, she wasn't going to take this from him. He was only a few years older than her. What gave him the right to be so "world-wise"? Nothing. At least not in her book.

The tears in her eyes stopped as he kissed back. He actually kissed her back. Meg could feel her heart leap in her chest as she relaxed against him, savoring their sweet moment. Maybe this would be it. Maybe she'd won - or not. She blinked at him with her big doe-eyes as he yanked away, a rush of cold air enveloping her body as his arms left her. Her feet rooted to the spot, Meg could only stare as he finally exploded. It looked like her pressuring had worked, afterall. She shook her head, a small, relieved laugh bubbling from her lips. "Is that it? That's the 'baggage' you're so concerned with?" Carefully, slowly, Meg moved towards him again, a smile on her face now as she looked up at him. "Theo... I still don't mind. Actually, it makes a lot of sense. And, besides, I love kids." Her smile stayed as she glanced up at him with her pretty eyes. Quietly, she begged, "Now, will you please stop running away from me?"

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 718!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

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[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Theo had lost the fight in him some time ago. It vanished from his spirit the moment that the life had faded from Jenny. He knew he had to be strong for Issy and Lilia, but he only ever did what he needed to do and nothing more. It kept his daughter happy, blissfully ignorant of the horrors that her father was still recovering from and it kept his sister from thinking that he was about to breakdown altogether. Being happy for himself was never an option he paid much attention to anymore. He always felt guilty whenever he did manage to adopt a relatively care free attitude to life. He had vowed to be happy with Jenny and then she had died and now, what? He always felt like he was betraying the woman he had first fell for whenever he had fun spending time with another.

Then, Meg had appeared and gave him the chance to be happy again, but he couldn’t understand how someone like her would want to be with him once she knew the truth, his whole story and the fact that he had more life experience than most of his age; marriage and fatherhood were not things he fell foolishly into. He had worked hard to achieve happiness back then, but it wasn’t enough to stop fate being a bitch and taking most of it from him without a second of warning. “I faced the music long ago, Meg and it’s not as easy ta be happy as you think.”

[/color] He said resignedly, exhausted from fighting, from this conversation that seemed to have haunted him now for over a year.

Theo blinked in surprise at her reaction. He did expect her to freak out even more and run away before he could give her another explanation, but Meg did quite the opposite. He should have come to expect that by now, considering she was the total opposite of everything he ever expected in a twenty two year old forensic scientist. Maybe she didn’t quite grasp what he was saying to her. So, with the strong belief that that was the problem at hand, he shook his head and held his hands out to stop her coming any closer until he had fully explained the situation to her. “No, I don’t mean I’m a dad who sees his kid every other weekend. I have a one year old at home waiting for me, Meg. When I’m not here, I’m usually changing nappies, getting covered in baby food and trying to stop my daughter from putting pieces of Lego in her mouth. She is my life and everything I’ve done is for her.”[/color] He paused, speaking again, but slower, trying to make this next part clear. “I don’t have the freedom to whisk you away and there’s a strong chance that I’ll cancel dates because she’s sick or the sitter isn’t available. Having a relationship with me isn’t going to be as simple as you seem to think it will be.”[/color] He kept his voice soft, not wanting to sound like he was pushing her away. Theo just didn’t want her to fall into this and be disappointed in what he couldn’t offer her. Issy was always going to come first, no matter what and he knew that not a lot of women would understand or like that.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!601
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

Meg wasn't sure what she wanted from this. Well, she wanted to be with Theo, that much was obvious. But, what that relationship included was far from her mind. She didn't want anyone or thing high maintenence; she was too laid back and easy going for that. She wouldn't be one of those girls who got extremely jealous or bitched because a date was canceled the day it was to take place. None of that was her. Meg only wanted a simple romance. She didn't need flowers and chocolates, or trips on the weekend, or dates every other night of the week. All she required was someone who adored her as much as she did them; she believed the rest would fall into its rightful place. It was a bit naive, sure, but she didn't care. There were bound to be bumps and rocky roads or people and incidents that got in the way, and she knew that. But she didn't care. Wasn't love suspose to conquer all? Couldn't it over-come whatever it was that had Theo so damn riled up? Her answer was yes.

"That's because you won't let yourself be happy! That's what's complicating it! Let me help, Theo. You know I could. I've seen your eyes light up when you smile and heard your laugh; you can be happy. Just take a chance with it, for God's sake!" Meg gave him a helpless look, her voice quivering. She paused and took a deep breath, adding in a much softer tone, "Even... even if it's not with me, you deserve to be happy." The thought of him with another girl sliced deep, but she could bear it well enough. If he was happy... wouldn't it be worth it? That was what she wanted, afterall. Where would she find another Theo, though? It was impossible to even try guessing.

Meg was relieved he'd finally told her what this big secret was. So, he was a father. She could handle that. As long as he wasn't cheating on the baby-mama with her or something along those lines; then, there was a high chance he would be getting slapped. But, Theo didn't seem the type, so she quickly dismissed the idea. He was too sweet and sad and adorable to be a cheater. Meg paused as his hands came up, sighing as he began again with the excuses. She listened, however, drinking in the truth she'd been waiting so long for. He had a daughter. The smile flickered on her lips. Did the child look like him, or the mother? What was her name? Would she be allowed to meet her? The questions were on the tip of her tongue when he spoke again, her excitement melting somewhat. Did he really think that was all she cared about? Meg would never demand all his attention; she wouldn't try and control him like that. She understood he had other responsibilities. "Theo... I wouldn't mind. At all. I get it; she comes first. And I'm alright with that, really. Whatever time we could spend together would be great; but I wouldn't make a big deal out of it if it was cut short for your daughter." Her eyes watched his face, waiting for signs of the protest that could appear. If his mind was set on them being apart, how could she convince him otherwise? Before he could come up with more reasons for them to not be together, she continued. "So what if it's not simple? I like puzzles." A smile found its way onto her lips, inviting him to finally let this all go. She was done fighting with him; it was much easier to make him laugh.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 668!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

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[Theo Anthony Sterling]

Could he do this? Theo didn’t want to make any promises that he wouldn’t be able to keep and he wasn’t sure if he could pull this off and make the young blonde as happy as she deserved to be. He still felt guilty in regards to his long passed wife, but Lilia had been right the whole time; he couldn’t wallow in misery for the rest of his days, even if he did struggle to get past it. He was young, he had dreams and a whole life ahead of him and yet he often walked around as though middle age had hit early and left him with too many regrets to count. Meg might very well be his chance at the happiness he had denied himself of since Jenny’s death, but he didn’t want to disappoint her and whatever idealistic romance she was thinking of.

He studied her reaction carefully. He knew Meg was never fake and everything she said or did had always seemed so genuine in the past, but he needed to see if it was the same right now. He didn’t want her hopeful spirit to be saying things she didn’t really mean or want. She was only twenty-two and it might not be entirely fair for her to be stuck with a boyfriend who would take her to his house for a romantic dinner only to then have to wait whilst he dealt with a sick or crying baby girl. He stepped closer, his hands coming to rest gently on her forearms. “I just don’t want ta give you any less than you deserve.”

[/color] He whispered, his dark eyes seeking out hers. It was one thing to say that she didn’t mind, but when she was faced with the reality of the situation she might find herself feeling differently. Theo didn’t want Meg to see him as a regret one day in the future.

Tentatively, he moved his rough hands from her arms to her waist, his eyes never leaving hers as he did so. “You’re going ta need ta be patient with me, Meg.”[/color] He whispered. It would be hard for him to do this without upsetting her at some point or another and she’d have to fight him sometimes to get close to his well guarded heart. He’d do his best, but it would take time and it definitely wouldn’t be easy. Slowly, almost nervously, he bent his head and softly brushed his lips over hers. “You might take an awfully long time to solve this puzzle.”[/color] He commented with a ghost of a smirk gracing his features. He was nervous, he wanted this to prove fruitful, but he was terrified that he’d mess it up somehow.
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• • •

TAGGED! The lovely Meg!
WORDS!494
OUTFIT! Well Dressed Mess!
LYRICS! Halo- - - Florence And The Machine
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Margaret Rose Warren]

She knew that this wouldn't be easy on either of them. But, then again, who wanted an easy, bumpless relationship? That took the fun out of it! If there were no obstacles or hard times or even fights, Meg knew she'd be bored within weeks. It was part of the reason she was falling for Theo. He was complicated and mysterious and still gentle and kind. He was a new puzzle for her heart to try to tackle, and that excited her curiousity. She wanted to be able to figure him out and open up to him like she hoped he'd someday do with her; she wanted him to let go and be happy. If it just so happened to be with her, well, that was icing on the already baking cake.

Meg was honest down to the bone. She wouldn't lie to those she loved or to her friends; it was too hard for her. Besides, her future job involved her searching for the truth in extreme situations. If she couldn't be truthful in real life, how would she ever be able to do well in forensics? That frank honesty showed in her wide eyes as she met Theo's. She meant each word she'd said about not minding being put in second place. It wasn't a realistic idea, in her mind. A romantic relationship shouldn't be the center of a person's life; family, friends, etc. were often more important. Even if she was supposed to be a "lovesick" girl, love was not number one on her list. Reality, however, was, and she wasn't afraid to face that in the relationship she hoped to have with Theo someday, if he'd only give it a chance. "Less? You're already more than I should have," she whipsered back, staying perfectly still as his hands rested on her arms. Meg had to be careful, especially right now. One wrong step, and she could be saying goodbye to him forever. Therefore, the usually carefree and slightly wreckless blonde was controlling herself now. She didn't want to mess this up.

Slowly, Meg rested her hands on his chest, enjoying the small amount of intimacy between them. Her eyes stayed on his, her head nodding at his words. "And you're gonna have to trust me, Theo." Her voice was soft and quiet, lips readily moving against his as they brushed over hers. They could do this; they could. It'd be hard for both of them at times, and Meg knew she'd have work to do before he fully trusted her with whatever it was that kept that shadow in his eyes. But, for right now, that didn't matter; nothing outside of his warm embrace did. "I'll take as long as you need me to," Meg answered, tipping her head up so her lips could meet his again.

It looked like she'd won the first fight of a very long war.

TAG: Mr. Sterling <3
LOCATION: Auditorium!
WORDS: 519!
MUSIC: "Don't Want an Ending" by Sam Tsui
OUTFIT: COMING SOON!
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

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