Pedro

****
Warning this chapter mentions drug use and alcoholism.

....

The next few weeks are a blur of Ana and I, coming together and just living for the moment. We're rarely apart, except for interviews and auditions for me and photo shoots and promotions for Ana.

My agent has been sending me scripts for some new stuff, although the filming for the second part of The Last Of Us will be starting within a few months. I dread telling Ana because I know she'll probably get upset and throw a hissy fit, accusing me of leaving her again.

She has no idea that the last thing I want to do is leave her. Now I have Ana again, leaving her isn't in my plans. I only hope she'll understand that.

***

"There's something we should discuss." It's late and I probably shouldn't even be broaching this subject but I'm tired of putting off the inevitable here and I'm trying to be as honest as possible about shit with Ana this time around.

"You're gonna be leaving for filming soon, aren't you?"

"Damn." I give Ana a rueful grin. This chica is sharp. "Am I that transparent?"

"No." Ana doesn't look happy and it's already gnawing at me, knowing that I'll be leaving her within a few weeks.

"But you're an actor, Pedrito. It's your job." I grab her hand, suddenly needing to touch her. She looks at me sadly.

"Come with me," I plead softly. "You could get modeling work up in Canada."

"Pedro." I sigh, releasing her hand. Ana surprises me by grabbing on to me, clinging to my shirt.

"I'll come."

"Really?"

"Of course. I don't want to lose you again." Then Ana's crying and I tug her into my arms as she slowly calms down.

"You're not losing me, mi amor," I whisper against her hair. It smells like coconut. "I don't want you to leave me, either."

"I know." Ana extracts herself from me, wiping at her face. "I just don't want you to start..resenting me."

"I'd never resent you, chica." Ana gives me a funny look but doesn't say anymore. I wonder if she's already figured out something.

"You better mean that, Pedro Pascal." I lean over, gently kissing her. She smiles and it makes me happy.

"Oh I definitely mean it, mi amor."

***

Several weeks later, we're both boarding the plane, heading for Vancouver. Ana seems excited about coming along. She's been chattering almost nonstop since we've left the apartment this morning.

"This is gonna be fun!" She tucks her carry on bag in the overhead bin and hurries to sit down, fiddling with her ear buds and her phone. I store my own bag and sit down beside Ana.

"I'm allowed on set with you, correct?"

"Yes." I frown. Not that I don't want Ana on set with me, it's just I'm hoping she'll get some modeling work as well.

"Great!" Ana grabs my hand, holding on tightly as the plane roars to life.

"Are you nervous about flying?"

"A little," Ana admits. I give her hand a squeeze.

"Everything will be fine," I murmur, touching my forehead to hers. Ana chuckles nervously.

"I know. It's just..." She doesn't continue and I know she's thinking that I am gonna come to resent her.

"Hey, I'm happy you're here."

"You promise?"

"Ana, seriously?" I frown.

"Don't take that tone with me!" Ana yanks her hand free, just as the plane lifts into the sky. She stares out the window, brooding.

Shit. We haven't even left New York and we're already fighting.

"Ana, baby. Please look at me." She reluctantly turns, her eyes moist.

"I am happy you're here," I murmur. "I just don't understand why you feel the need to ask me all the damn time. Don't you believe me?"

"Yes," Ana whispers. "And no."

"Because of before?"

"Yes."

"Look," I say, taking Ana's hand again and she allows it. "I know I screwed up. I know I'm not perfect. But the one thing I do know; I want you with me."

Ana nods, raising my hand to her lips, just barely brushing her lips across my knuckles. I shiver, shifting in my seat.

"All right. I promise to stop asking."

"I'd appreciate that, chica." Ana smiles and I lean in for a kiss. She chuckles.

"I still think this is going to be fun." I grin.

"Sure," I remark dryly. "You're not the one who has to battle zombies."

***

"Pedro!" Bella has spotted us, the following morning as we arrive on set. They comes barreling towards me at top speed, nearly knocking us both to the ground, a huge grin on their face.

I hug them back, grinning as I rock them from side to side, feeling light inside at their appearance after so many months.

"Did you miss me?" I tease as Bella releases me, they're grin still firmly in place.

"Nah," Bella responds. They turn to Ana, who's smiling. I'm happy that Ana isn't playing the jealous girlfriend part.

"Ana! I'm pleased you're here!" Ana opens her arms and Bella immediately moves to hug her. Ana laughs.

"Thanks, Bella. Its nice meeting you in person."

"Of course!" Bella grins mischievously and immediately I'm suspicious of what's going through their mind.

"We're going to have so much fun together!" Bella leans closer to Ana, lowering they're voice.

"I know all Pedro's secrets!"

"Bella!" I admonish them but they just laugh.

"I look forward to you sharing your secrets," Ana tells Bella.

"Don't encourage them!" I grumble playfully and both Ana and Bella laugh.

Bella grabs Ana's hand, tugging her towards the make-up trailer. "I want to hear all about..well, everything."

"Got several weeks?" Ana jokes.

"Actually," Bella says. "I do."

***

The first day on set is amazing. Bella is perfect, naturally, and Ana seems to be enjoying herself, sitting in a chair, off to the side, watching as we film scenes.

Things between Bella and I are like we were never apart. Everything is natural and wonderful. I can't help wishing that things were that easy between Ana and myself. Of course, I know the reason behind that.

I can't focus on that now. So I put all my energy into my scenes, hoping that by the time we've finished filming this show, Ana and I might be in a better place.

***

"Bella is adorable." Ana is preparing for bed, wearing one of my t-shirts, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She's so beautiful. I smile.

"I know. We became super close the first time we filmed." Ana joins me, as I'm stretched out on the bed, wearing only my boxers.

"They're so sweet," Ana continues as she slides over to me, snuggling against me. I put my arm around her.

"Yeah. Guess who else I think is sweet?"

"Me?" I nod, leaning in and pressing my lips to hers. She immediately responds, clutching my waist.

"You're perfect, Ana," I murmur, stroking her hair. She smiles. I'm pleased she's in such a good mood after such a long day.

"No, Pedrito," she whispers, touching my beard. "You are." I chuckle, drawing her closer.

"I'm...trying to be, chica."

"Things will be different from now on."

"How so?"

"I'll try to not be such a bitch," Ana replies. "I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy."

"You already make me happy." I kiss Ana again, holding her tightly.

"I'm trying."

"You're doing fantastic, mi amor."

****

Two years ago:

"Pedro, where the hell have you been?" Sasha looks pissed as I approach her. I shrug noncommittally. As if she honestly gave a shit that I wasn't there to hold her hand while she got higher than a damn kite.

"I told you I had that interview." I grab a beer and unscrew the cap, quickly downing half the bottle, hoping it'll take the edge off.

"You never told me that!"

"I did. You just can't remember because you're too busy killing off your damn brain cells."

Sasha gives me such a nasty look that I'm surprised I don't drop dead on the spot. I push past her, eager to get away, even if it's only momentarily.

I spot some others I know and quickly head over to enter into they're conversation, leaving Sasha to stew over the fact that I'm late.

***

"I'm telling you, Oscar," I murmur. "She's got a drug problem."

"So dump her sorry ass." Luckily for me, Oscar arrived at the party only minutes after I did.

"It's crossed my mind." I drink another beer. How many have I had now? I can't remember. "But what if that pushes her over the edge and she..does something drastic?"

"Pedro, you're not married to Sasha. It's not your responsibility to take care of her."

"I didn't say it was." The alcohol isn't diminishing the edge I'd been feeling. It's only intensifying it instead. I need to get out of here.

"I'm going home." I set my empty beer bottle on the table and head for Sasha. I shouldn't even be giving her a heads up that I'm leaving but I don't want her to discover that I just bailed.

"I'm leaving." Sasha's eyes are glazed over. I doubt she even knows what I'm saying.

"Well...if that's how it is."

"Yeah. I'm exhausted and I have to get up early tomorrow morning." I automatically lean in for a kiss but suddenly change my mind.

"All right, lover boy. I'll see you later!" Sasha wiggles her fingers in a goodbye gesture, an idiotic grin on her face.

"Yeah, sure. Later." Oscar grabs my arm and I allow him to steer me out of the room, heading for the nearest exit.

"Wow. She is out of it."

"No shit." We walk down the nearly empty street, the cold air liberating. Neither of speak for several minutes.

"Remember Ana?"

"Don't." My voice is raw and gruff. I can't go there now. I'm not in the best head space for that conversation.

"She loved you, asshole. Too bad you had to go and screw it up."

"Stop." Oscar stops. Good thing, too. Otherwise I might have ended up punching his ugly mug.