𝓜𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝓕𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓

𝓒𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝓣𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 - 𝙻𝚘𝚞'𝚜 𝙱𝚊𝚛, 𝙻𝚘𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜, 𝙲𝙰 - 𝟷𝟽𝚝𝚑 𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟾

Addison handed the leery drunk his beer and quickly stepped back from the table before he could get his hands on her again. With a deep sigh she made her way back to the bar but before she could reach it she felt a tap on her shoulder. She was all ready to rebuke the person when she turned around to see two very familiar blue eyes twinkling back at her. "Temp!" Dropping her tray down on the nearest table she threw her arms around his neck and clung tightly to him.

He barely had time to drop his duffel bag before she was on him. His arms went around her back and he buried his head in the crook of her neck. "I've missed you so much Addy."

She pulled out of his arms and slapped him on the chest. "Six and a half years Temp. You left me six and a half years ago." Reclaiming her tray she walked off towards the bar while wiping her eyes.

Templeton picked up his bag and followed her. "Addy I wrote to you nearly every week. I just couldn't get back here."

She placed the tray on the bar and then took his bag from him, tucking it neatly away out of sight. "I know you did Temp and I loved each letter I received but it didn't stop me missing you." She nodded towards a stool and he sat down while she poured him a beer. "So why are you back now?"

He gratefully received the beer she pushed towards him and took a long drink before placing the glass back down. "The unit I'm part of finally got a chance to come stateside again. We have a few days before we head back."

She picked up a cloth and began to wipe down the bar. "You're going back 'there' aren't you?"

Templeton looked down into his glass of beer and almost whispered his reply. "Yes."

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "Temp I want you to promise me that you'll be careful and that you'll come back in one piece."

"Addy...." he started but she shook her head at him.

"Promise me Temp. I need to hear the words."

He reached across the bar and took hold of her hand. "I will do everything I can to always get back to you."

She looked into his eyes and could see that he really meant the words. Giving him a little smile she ran her other hand through his hair. "This got longer. Sister Katherine would be on to you to get a haircut."

He grinned at her and enjoyed the touch of her hand. "I guess I'll get that lecture later."

"You're staying at the Orphanage?" She looked at her watch. "Temp it's after ten now. Do they even know you're coming?"

He took hold of her arm and looked at her watch. "Dammit I didn't realise it was so late. I was planning on surprising them." He released her and quickly altered his watch back onto L.A. time.

"Just wait there a minute." Addison walked over to the barman and quickly spoke to him. Templeton watched them and was surprised when she kissed his cheek. She grabbed her jacket from the back room then went back to the bar to pick up Templeton's bag. "Right, come with me. Tonight you can stay at my place."

He drained the last of his beer, left some money on the bar, then took his bag from her before following her outside. "You never told me that you got your own place. When did that happen?"

Addison linked her arm through his as they walked along the dark L.A. street. "About two weeks ago. As nice as the Orphanage is I thought it was time I grew up and especially now I'm working at the bar. I hated having to sneak in quietly so I didn't wake anyone up." She stopped by a beaten up old station wagon. "I'll drive."

He walked around to the passenger side and laughed. "As you know where you're going it's probably a good idea." He opened the door and put his bag on the back seat before getting in.

She turned the key three times but it didn't start. Giving him a big grin she slapped the steering column a few times then tried again and this time it started. "She's temperamental."

He crossed his arms and sat back in his seat. "I'm not saying a word" he chuckled.

====

Addison drove for over half an hour and when she glanced over at her friend she could see that he was almost asleep and she wondered just how long he had been travelling to get to her. Pulling into an underground parking level she drove straight to her assigned parking space and stopped the engine. The sudden silence made Templeton open his eyes and look at her. "Are we here?"

"Yes Temp. Come on." She grabbed his bag from the back seat and walked around the car to where he was wearily getting out. With her arm through his again she walked him to the elevator. "I'm on the eighth floor." Luckily it was waiting for them so they quickly ascended to the right floor where she led him to the furthermost apartment. "This is me." Addison unlocked the door, pushed it open and flicked on the lights so he could look inside. "It's not much but it's home."

The apartment was small but tidy, however there were notebooks and reference books everywhere. "Studying hard I see."

She pushed him inside and closed the door behind them. "In my defence I wasn't expecting visitors." Pulling him to the bedroom she opened the door, hit the light switch and showed him the bed with the little bear sitting by the pillows. "We're going to have to share a bed because I'm not clearing the couch tonight. Hey, remember him?"

"Barnabus," smiled Templeton. He walked over to the bed and sat down with the bear in his hands. "I've missed you buddy. Hey I hope Addy has been taking care of you?"

She smiled as she put his duffel bag down. "Yes I have and you may notice the tiny rip he had by his ear has been expertly sewed up."

"Wow Barnabus, she's been spoiling you." He yawned and quickly covered his mouth up. "I'm sorry, it's been a long day."

Addison kicked off her shoes and grabbed some pyjamas from a drawer. "Tell me about it. I was up early so I could spend time in the library and then I had my shift at the bar." She grinned at him. "I'm going to use the bathroom so feel free to get changed."

"Addy, are you sure about us sharing a bed?"

"You're welcome to the floor" she called over her shoulder as she went into the small bathroom.

"The bed will be just fine," he called back. Reaching into his bag he managed to find a pair of sweatpants and removed all his clothes before pulling them on. "I'm afraid I don't have any pyjamas. There's not much call for them in the jungle." She walked into the bedroom wearing a white pair of pyjamas and with her long hair pulled back into a ponytail. For just a moment he was speechless.

"As long as you're wearing something" she chuckled as he took his wash-bag and headed into the bathroom. When he walked past her Addison couldn't help noticing his new muscled physique. He certainly hadn't looked like that when he left. She turned on a small lamp before flicking the main light off and after placing Barnabus on the nightstand she climbed into bed and waited. So much had changed in the last six years. For one thing she was now 21 and he was almost 23. Both of them had briefly dated other people in the last couple of years but it was never anything serious and they always told each other all about it. Before she could think of anything more he walked back into the room leaving the apartment in darkness behind him.

Templeton got into the bed and pulled the blanket up around him. "I appreciate you letting me stay here Addy."

She turned off the lamp and turned onto her side so she was facing him. Addison never closed the curtains so with the moonlight streaming in she could easily see him. "Temp I will always have a bed for you."

"That's good to know" he sighed as he closed his eyes.

Addison lay quietly listening to his breathing slow down and even out. She knew he was tired but seeing the speed with which he fell asleep she began to realise that he must have been exhausted. He shifted slightly and his hair fell down over his eyes. She carefully pushed it back and he smiled at the contact. Six and a half years after he walked away from her, he was finally back and she was going to make the most of however much time they had together.