I've been thinking a lot about starting to write a multi-chapter. I started writing one secretly several months ago, long before I even posted "Lovebirds". But since I wanted to finish writing all the chapters before posting it (to be honest, I tend to give up quite easily on the stories I write, that's why I'm better at one-shots hehe), I ended up taking too long to post it and decided it wasn't a good idea after all.But when I watched 'Moonshot', I've been hit by a scenario I would very much like to see happening (even though we all know it won't). Anyway, I won't reveal the plot of the story in the first chapter. That would be far too easy, hehe!

So, here I am, posting the first chapter of my very first Limlendez multi-chapters story (does what I'm saying even make sense?).

As you could read in the summary (and as you will notice quite soon), this takes place after the episode 'Moonshot'. I've transcribed the break-up scene with more details. Of course, I don't own the characters or the series. I just think it was important to start from there to settle the rest of the story. It's also not needed to take on board the last episode, as I started writing "What comes next?" before it'd been aired. Oh, and this story will obviously be an AU.

Now, less talking! I hope you will enjoy this new journey with me and stick around for a while.

Audrey had just parked her Ducati in the driveway, along the Tesla. She turned off the engine and took off her helmet. She remained seated on the motorbike for a moment, staring at Neil's front door. What she was about to do wasn't going to be easy and she could already feel the knot in her stomach just thinking of his pleading eyes looking straight at her when she will tell him. She had turned the problem upside down, she had thought about plenty of other options, but the only one that seemed most reasonable to her was by far the most difficult one she ever had to take.

She took a deep breath and got off the Ducati. She walked towards the front door with a slow and resigned step, her face literally showing no emotions. Part of her was screaming at her to turn around, telling her there was still time before she would do the irreparable. But Audrey had always been a woman of reason and she knew she had to go through with it, even though it was gonna break both of their hearts. She rang the bell, and waited a few minutes before Neil came to open the door. As soon as he saw her, he couldn't help but smile and it crushed her heart a little bit more. She noticed he had dropped the suit for a more casual outfit and realized she hadn't even bothered to look at the clock when she decided to drive to his house right after the end of her shift.

"I hope it's not too late." She told him.

"It's fine." He shook his head. "Come in." He stepped aside and let her in. She took a few steps and turned around, waiting for him to close the door. She had deliberately chosen not to go any further and stayed in the entrance. She was determined to tell him what was on her mind, and she needed to put some space between them to make all of this easier.

He walked closer to her, slowly. He could tell something was off but still, he chose to ignore the odd feeling.

"You were right." He admitted, leaning against the glass railing. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn't expect him to say those words, and she thought for a second that maybe things could turn out easier than she had thought in the first place. "It was a crazy surgery."

She sighed, smiling. Of course, he was talking about work.

"Less crazy as I thought. It wouldn't have even happened if it wasn't for you."

"You were right, too." She paused, "I'm not objective when it comes to you. I blew off your concern about the risks because I thought you lost your mojo." Neil walked closer, smiling softly at her.

"Great." He said, grabbing her hands in his. "We're both right. And we found a way to work together, and it helped our patient better off forward."

"Today…" She said. "What about the next time?"

"We won't make the same mistakes." He gave her a reassuring smile. Neil wanted to be enthusiastic and positive for their future. He was convinced they would be able to get through whatever storm they were in, but Audrey wasn't.

"I'm not sure they were mistakes. I think…" She took a few seconds to choose her words carefully, "they might have just been our nature."

Neil remained quiet, and he let her speak. His heart was starting to squeeze in his chest as he realized where the conversation was going.

"I don't think I can give you the unconditional support you deserve from a partner, and the objectivity you need from a chief." She paused again, "and… I don't want to give up on my dream." She looked up at him, with gleaming eyes. Her voice trembled as she fought back the rushing wave of tears. He couldn't believe a word she said. He was confused, and he opened his mouth to say something but no sound came out. It hurt, so much. He knew deep down, no words would ever change her mind right now. She had made her decision, there was no way she was gonna abandon her position as chief of surgery or make any sacrifice that would damage her reputation. She worked too hard during her entire life for that. And in a way, he understood her. They were both competitors at heart; he probably would have done the same thing.

"I love you." She whispered, and he sadly smiled at her. Hearing those words had hurt him more than anything else. He would have wished to hear them in other circumstances, much less desperate and heartbroken than this one. "But it's not enough." She added.

Audrey looked down again, not being able to keep holding his gaze as it was unbearable to witness the sadness in his eyes. She nodded gently, convinced it was the best thing to do.

"Goodnight, Neil." Suddenly, she had a feeling of déjà vu. Almost a year ago she was saying these exact same words to him, carrying hope and love for a brighter future. Today, this future darkened as these words sounded like a tearing goodbye for which neither of them was ready to face.

He felt her slowly pulling away and let go of her hand. Without a word, she walked to the door. Neil was back at her, and neither one of them found the strength to turn around and look at the other. He heard the clicking of the door, meaning she had left and closed it behind her.

Audrey took a deep breath once she was standing on his porch, looking straight ahead. She was relieved she had said what she needed to say, but a part of her had whished he would have at least tried to stop her. The conflicted feelings made her feel unsure about what the future was holding for them, but she preferred not to think about it for now.

That night, when she was finally home in her own intimacy, her walls dropped heavily. Slowly, she leaned against the closed door and all the tears she had been holding desperately until now finally came back again violently. This time, she didn't even try to hold them back and she let herself slide along the door until she sat down on the floor. As she let a sob escape from her throat, she felt her heart ripping apart in her chest. Despite the pain, she kept believing it'd been the right thing to do for the both of them. She was convinced things would get better with time and that they would resume to their respective life without a flinch. This was gonna be easy, right?

If only she knew how complicated things were going to get…

To be continued…

PS: I will post a new chapter of 'Lovebirds' in the next few days, so stay tuned!