We were walking for about an hour when we came across this cute little antique store. The signs across the front said, "Past meets present here!" and "Come in for one look and you'll come back again!" As I focused on the gorgeous dress that was in the window, Fabian was looking at the store itself.

"-some people come up with! 'The New Antique Store'? Who names a store that? 'The New Antique Store'! Where the antiques are new! Sometimes I-"

Cutting off his mini rant, I spoke, "Fabian! Can we go in? Please? It looks so tiny and cute!"

Fabian turned to me, locked eyes, and slowly nodded. "You just get everything you want, don't you? No one can say no to you." He held open the door for me, and we were greeted by the scent of lavender. A bell dinged, alerting the clerk to costumers.

A small women, most likely in her forties, came running out from the storage room. "Bonjour! Bienvenue sur La Magasin D'antiquité! Comment puis-je vous aider?"

Turning to Fabian, I waited for his reply. He spoke effortlessly and flawlessly, "Anglais s'il vous plaît."

The lady looked at him for a moment then repeated, "Welcome! Welcome to The New Antique Store! How may I help you?" Her tan skin matched her dark black hair. And her rosy red cheeks contrasted with her pale pink lipstick. Over all, had she not looked stressed and running on zero sleep, she'd be considered beautiful.

"We're just-" Fabian started before I cut him off. There's no way we're going to tour Paris without looking like tourists.

"Please forgive him! He must have left his manners at home, right Fabian?" I said with a smile to show I was kidding. "We were wondering if you had any… What do you call them here? Robes? Yeah! We were wondering if you had any robes in here like the one in the window display."

She nodded her head three times, and then grabbed my hand. Leading me through the tiny store, she spoke very quickly and her accent made it hard to understand. I looked back at Fabian with a confused look, and he laughed as he mouthed that he would tell me later.

The little lady finally came to a stop at a rack full of elegant dresses. She started speaking again, and I found myself watching her mouth in hopes of catching what she was saying. Thankfully, Fabian was there and conversed with her as I started looking at the dresses. There were ones of every colour and every size. Amber would have a field day with this, had Amber worn used clothing. At last, I felt Fabian standing behind me, and I turned bumping right into him.

"Whoa!" He said as he caught me from falling backward into the rack, his hands landing perfectly on my waist as mine grabbed his triceps. "Don't want you falling. Are you okay?"

I quickly nodded as I tried to regain my composure. He still hadn't moved his hands, and neither had I. "Uh… What was she saying?" I managed a coherent sentence at least.

"She thought we were young and eloping. Everyone thinks that around here, apparently! People must marry young here." He blushed as he looked down at his hands and refused to meet my eyes.

"Fabian…" He looked over my head to appear as if he was looking at me. "No, Fabian. Look at me." We locked eyes. He gave me a sincere smile, and tipped his head to the right as he slowly leaned in.

"Avez-vous besoin d'aide?" A voice said from behind Fabian. A young lady in her early twenties appeared over Fabian's shoulder. Her long, beautiful black hair was gathered up into a high side ponytail, and she had rosy cheeks just like the store owner. Unlike her mother though, she wore no makeup, and looked much more youthful and joyous.

"Non merci," Fabian said with a smile as he stepped away from me. I was all too aware of the removal of his hands and the heat of his body. The lady smiled and nodded three times before she stepped back and turned to leave. I gave Fabian a quizative look and he shook his head before explaining. "She was wondering if we needed any help."

I smiled as I turned back to the rack, cursing the world for the fact that we always got interrupted. We were in Paris for Sarah's funeral, but were it really so bad that I wanted something more to happen while we were here? And it seemed as if Fabian wanted it to happen as well. Maybe it wasn't meant to happen. Maybe we were meant to be just friends.

Have you ever seen a program were two friends try on countless outfits for hours? Yes? Well that was our day. We spent hours picking out clothing for the other and trying them on. My favorite was when Fabian tried on a fur coat, with leather jeans, and a pimp cane. It eventually became time where we had to leave the store due to its closing.

As we were walking down the street, I felt Fabian stopping, pulling my hand. "Nina? Did you grab the camera?" He had a hint of worry in his voice, and his face showed confusion.

I shook my head and told him that I thought he grabbed it from the floor after we changed back into our regular clothes. Fabian looked frustrated and turned to rush back to the shop. I chased after him in my black flats, not exactly as quick as him. I should have been used to running by now, what with all of the mysteries we ran during, but every time I was just as shocked at how much slower I was than him.

I turned the street corner and ran into a woman selling roses. Pausing to help her pick up the flowers, I said the only word I knew in French repeatedly, which thankfully was sorry. "Désolé! Désolé! Désolé!" The lady smiled as the last flower was returned to the vase.

"Ce n'est pas grave. Personne n'a été blessé." I smiled and nodded as if I knew what she was saying. As soon as she started walking away, I took off toward the Antique shop. I had just arrived at the store when I saw Fabian step out of the doorway.

I gave him a hopeful look, but he dismissed it and just walked away. I caught up to him and grabbed his left hand, pulling him to a stop. "Fabian. Did you get it?" The camera had all of the pictures so far, and I hoped to continue to take some for the remainder of our trip.

He shook his head and spoke slowly, "We'll have to come back tomorrow." Confusion took over my facial features. He had just left the store when I saw him. Why wouldn't he have got the camera? But then his next statement explained everything. "The women were talking to Burt. He was asking them questions, and demanding answers. He had pictures too…" He paused for a moment and looked right at my eyes. Concern overtook his face, and his eyes held fear. "He was asking about you."

I feel like I owe you guys an apology. I always owe you guys an apology. I love you guys so much, and I'm so sorry for everything. Thank you so much for being there and reading this, no matter the delay. I'm your biggest fan. I'm a message away if you need anything or have questions. Thank you so much. Also, a quick teaser for my new story? :)

I felt her body cuddle up closer to mine. "If I was sick, I wouldn't want anyone to know. I'd want every day to be the same as the others. I wouldn't want any special treatment. And I'd die knowing that I was happy and blessed."

"I wouldn't. I'd want everyone to know. I'd want them to prepare for a life without me, and I'd want them to know I'm sick and I'm not ashamed. I'd fight it too. I wouldn't give up, not ever. As long as you're here, I'll fight anything."