Just because of some current events; and some wanted to see this duo again. Enjoy.

Riptide

He took a deep breath as he walked up the the familiar long steps to her door. He was trying to steady himself for the onslaught he knew was coming. He loved her. He knew he did and he always would. But along the way, he met a beautiful petite blonde woman that was a breath of fresh spring air when he had been dealing with months and months of cloudy days and rain.

He knocked on her door silently praying she wouldn't hear it.

The door swung open.

"Tell me it's fake. Tell me it's not real." She spoke as her eyes welled.

He stared at her, oddly silent before looking down at his shoes.

"Oh my god." She whispered, "You really did it? You're married? To her of all people?"

He looked up slowly to see her crying. God, he hated that.

"I...", he started, "It just happened. She and I have been together for a long time."

She stayed silent, but her tears wouldn't stop.

"I am so sorry." He spoke reaching out to wipe her tears.

She flinched away from him, "Congratulations, Jon." She looked into the clear winter sky blue eyes, feeling her chest tighten even more before more tears fell.

She stepped back slightly and closed the door gently before turning the lock. She pressed her back to door and slid down to the floor.

She knew Renee was already or was going to become a factor. He'd always told her he wasn't the settling down type, but when they were together it felt like home; it was comfortable and safe, but somehow unpredictable because of her. He claimed he liked the thrill of it, but somewhere along the line, he got tired of her and found comfort in someone else.

No amount of love or mind blowing sex was going to make him stick around. And she didn't blame him, but this hurt. It hurt like hell.

She got up from the floor, tears still in her eyes, before she grabbed the first thing she saw and threw it as hard as she could; and then another.

Hearing things breaking on the other side of the door, shook him. He was trying like hell not to break the door down with his shoulder.

"Come on, please open the door!" He was banging on the door and ringing the doorbell.

She stood with her hands in her hair before she let out a strangled cry.

He broke the window next to her door before reaching in and and unlocking it.

"No no no! Get out!"

"I'm not leaving."

"I said get out!" She pushed him as she yelled.

"And I said I'm not leaving!" He grabbed her by her elbows.

She jerked away from him so hard she almost fell. He stared at her before she reared back and slapped him.

He grabbed her wrist, "He doesn't exist anymore. That shit ain't gonna work."

"I don't give a fuck about Mox making an appearance. Mox wouldn't have done this shit to me."

"It's not about you!"

"So you married her for you?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Goddammit, Good. Why?"

"I love her."

She rolled her eyes, "Bullshit."

He narrowed his eyes at her, "I do actually. She has fucked up, but so have I. We're human, we all make mistakes."

Her heart dropped and she had to stop her eyes from welling up again. "So, I was a mistake?"

He stayed quiet.

"Oh, don't stop now. You were on such a fucking roll."

" I couldn't fix you."

"I told you that you couldn't, Jon!"

More silence.

"I get it. She's not what I am. And that's great, ya know? Whatever floats your boat." She sniffled, "But are you happy?"

Another long silence.

"I know I couldn't make you wanna marry me. Despite all the declarations of love."

"Don't try to act like I didn't mean that. I did and I still do. I would've walked away if I didn't give a shit about you."

She gave him the saddest smile he'd ever seen grace her face, but she didn't say anything as another long silence engulfed them.

"Walk away now then."

"Why are you pushing me away?"

"You're married."

"So? We're friends."

"We are so much more than that. I'm giving you an out."

"I don't..."

"Don't want an out? You can't come over here and fuck your frustrations out anymore. I can't be your back up plan."

"You weren't any of that to me. I fucking love you!"

"So why are you fucking married to her?!"

It was quiet for a beat before he mumbled, "Because I love her too."

She rolled her eyes.

"And it was about time."

She scoffed and folded her arms.

"And..." He trailed off, "And she's a safer bet."

"A safer bet? Jon, have you lost your fucking mind? She cheated on her fiancé with you. She's forcing you to be on that fucking show. But she's safe? Don't bullshit me, OK?"

"I get to see her every day. We travel together. She doesn't storm out on me when I fuck up..."

"So basically, it's because she's got more redeeming qualities about her than I do?"

He shook his head, confusion marring his handsome face, "What?"

It was her turn to be quiet.

"Marriage wasn't something that was ever in the cards for us. You and I both know that. Yeah, we get along great and the sex was amazing, but we're a volatile pair. That's kinda what made it fun." He smirked.

She nodded, but kept her mouth shut and her eyes off of him.

"You didn't expect me to marry you, did you?"

"No, absolutely not." She was the quietest she had been during all of this. She shook her head, "I just meant she's better for you than I am."

"Right now and for the past couple of years, yeah. Who knows, this could be a huge mistake."

She could feel the tears coming again. She headed towards her kitchen trying to avoid stepping on the shards of the things she'd thrown and broken.

He watched her go, his left hand on his hip and his right running over his beard. He fought the urge to pace.

She came back with a broom and dust pan.

"You want me to help?"

She finally looked him in the eyes, "Nah, I'll clean up my mess like I always do."

The euphemism wasn't lost on him. He approached her cautiously. They weren't right. They probably wouldn't ever be right after this. He hugged her tight and she returned his embrace. He pulled back and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll pay for your window."

She nodded slightly.

They shared one last hug before he turned and left.

Her gaze turned to the mess of broken glass and ceramic of the things she'd thrown; broken like her, but she wasn't silly enough to try to pick up those pieces. They were better swept away.

Dedicated to one of my bffs, J.