May 13, 1989

**Prince POV**

Throughout lunch, I think I finally figured out how to get Hope to open up to me...at least a little bit, and I just couldn't resist the impulse to gently tease her.

I'd already managed to figure out that she was from Texas, even if she doesn't know that yet...and that she apparently has quite the sweet tooth. That may just work to my advantage...

"You know Hope...I know I promised you dessert. What I didn't promise is that we'd be having it here..." I toss out in a soft, playful tone.

A nervous expression suddenly crosses her face as she breaks eye contact and starts eyeing the door. Shit!

Before I can think things through any further, as her gaze continues to drift between my eyes at the door, I hear a tentative, almost inaudible, "If not here, then where...?" Tread carefully, Prince. You don't' want to spook her.

"The only place in town I know where you can get just about any dessert your little heart desires..." I begin enticingly.

Her eyes start to light up in anticipation, so I can tell I'm on the right track. "...where the cook will make you anything, and everything you could ever want..." I continue beseechingly, building up both her anticipation and my own nerve to just spit it out already.

"It's all waiting for us back at my place." I say in a rush, hoping with everything in me that this gamble pays off as I'm not ready to say goodbye to her just yet. There's just something about you that tells me you need help...please let me help you...

Her expression turns blank, then white with fear, and it becomes apparent that I've played my hand a little too soon...especially when her eyes dart to back to the door before coming back to mine just briefly. "I don't think so...I think I'd better go," she says quickly...followed by a quiet, "Thanks for lunch," as she tucks what little remains of her sandwich into her pocket before shuffling out of the booth in preparation to leave as she head out of the restaurant.

"Hope, wait!" I call urgently, dashing over to join her as she rushes out the front door. "At least let me walk you out."

She slows her pace just enough to allow me to open the door for her as we walk out the door. Once outside we quickly say our goodbyes before I head across the parking lot toward my car.

Once I get to my car I take a quick glance back in her direction, hoping she might change her mind, but when her feet stay firmly rooted to the sidewalk, hand raised in farewell; I offer her one last wistful smile with a nod of acknowledgement before waving goodbye, climbing into my car and driving away in silence. What happens now?

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Ever since I left Hope in front of the fast food joint, I've been sitting in the studio trying to put the finishing touches on the upcoming Batman album, but find my thoughts keep drifting back to my encounter with Hope.

The small amount I managed to pull out of her over lunch left me with more questions than answers...and no amount of work seems to be able to distract me from my musings. How long has she been out there...?

If I were to guess...it looked it'd been at least a few days, which was definitely concerning. The streets are no place for a woman...and even though it's spring, it still gets quite cold here at night....

I strum my guitar mindlessly as I try to pull my attention back to the task at hand, but find myself failing miserably. There's obviously a lot more to her story, and I can't help wondering what it is. She seemed so nervous during lunch...almost like she was afraid someone was after her. Who knows? Maybe there was...

One thing was clear though...and that is that her fear was enough to keep her from accepting my offer to join me for dessert despite how hungry she clearly was. Based on how quickly she finished her lunch she hadn't eaten in a while. Where would her next meal come from...?

I feel terrible that despite my best efforts, she still hadn't trusted me enough to take me up on the dessert she so obviously wanted...and had won fair and square. Is there any way I could possibly make it up to her?

From that simple question an idea was born, and I quickly abandoned my studio session; a smirk alighting my face...with the intent to set my newly formed plan into motion. I just hope this works...

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**Hope POV**

I never realized how much I missed something as basic as simple human companionship until the moment Prince got into his car and drove away. Not for the first time I find myself wondering how I let things go this far.

Honestly I'd wanted nothing more than to be able to accept his offer for dessert and companionship...even if it was just for the afternoon. But I knew there was no way I chance it...

Someone as famous as that man could only mean trouble for someone like me. Seriously...what if the wrong person saw us together and word somehow got back to Damien? I don't even want to think about it...

That fear alone brought me back into the scope of my reality...and the realization that the only person I could rely on for protection was myself.

Feeling lonely and dejected, but thankfully with a full stomach...at least for now, I sadly made my way back behind the restaurant trying to come up with a plan of action for getting through another day.

I started looking at the area behind the dumpster, debating whether or not it might be safe to set up camp there...at least for the night, when I heard a familiar sound from the alleyway across the parking lot. Mewww...

Could it be...? I wonder curiously as I slowly make my way across the parking lot. I headed in the same general direction the sound appeared be coming from when I heard it again...slightly louder this time. Mewww...

I carefully make my way down to my hands and knees...looking inside errant boxes, and underneath various debris in the alleyway in the hopes of finding my newly acquired feline friend. "Here kitty kitty..." I coo gently, reaching carefully into my pocket to pull out a bite sized piece of what's left of my chicken sandwich from lunch.

"I bet you'd like some chicken..." I offer softly, hand outstretched in appeal. Come on little one...I could use the company, and I'm sure you could use the meal...

Just as I'm about to give up and make my way back toward the restaurant I hear another pitiful sounding mew seemingly coming from somewhere just off to my left.

I slowly make my way in that direction, arm outstretched with a small piece of chicken grasped inside my fingers. Suddenly a recognizable kitten face comes out from underneath a pile of newspapers, and in the blink of an eye, tiny kitten teeth quickly snag my meaty treat before ducking back underneath the debris surrounding her.

"There you are, little one." I mumble softly...hoping not frighten her away. "You're a hungry little one aren't you?" I coo gently, as I hear her voraciously nom away at her unexpected meal.

Once the sounds of her quickly gobbling down the scraps subside her tiny face reappears, with her uttering another desperate mewling sound as she eyes my pocket, hoping for more of the tasty treat.

I reach inside my pocket to pull out another small piece, extending it carefully in her general direction...hoping to coax her out. "It's okay...sweetie. There's plenty more where that came from..." I murmur softly.

My gentle voice coupled with the smell of greasy chicken was enough to bring her out of hiding, allowing me to get my first real look at the poor little thing...

"Aww...what a sweet little girl..." I offer in a whisper soft voice, attempting to lure her over to me. "Why are you so cute?" I coo at her gently as she emits another high pitched squeak...demanding even more of my sandwich.

"Come on over here sweet pea..." I say, coaxing her over to me with another meaty offering. Apparently this time, her hunger has overcome her fear of me...as she finally comes close enough for me to gently maneuver her into the crook of my arm as she happily noms away, purring all the while.

I'm concentrating so intently on the feather weight of a whisper soft kitten in my arms that I somehow miss the familiar clacking sound of heels bouncing across the pavement, headed in my general direction until he's nearly caught up with me.

He's calling my name out excitedly as he continues to rush toward me in a deep baritone voice I'd recognize anywhere, but never expected to hear again. "Hope! Hope!"

He successfully manages to capture my attention as the kitten stealthily makes her way into my pocket to enjoy what little remains of my chicken sandwich.

Sneaky little bugger! I think with a smile, as my eyes rise to meet his expectant golden gaze with a look of surprise as he finishes his journey across the parking lot, stopping right in front of me.

"I'm so glad I caught you." Prince rushes out breathlessly, hands laden with a tray filled with desserts as far as the eye can see. Of all the things I expected to happen today... seeing him again certainly wasn't it...

A grin of recognition and delight lights up my features as with a self-satisfied smirk, he continues with a soft sounding, "I figured since you wouldn't come to dessert, I'd bring dessert to you."

**Author's Note: With all the hoopla surrounding the awards, coupled with some RL stress this chapter unfortunately took a little longer to get out than I'd planned. Still...I'm pleased with how it turned out, and I hope you're all enjoying Hope & Prince's journey. ;) **

**Just letting everyone know I haven't forgotten this story and P & Hope's journey.  Unfortunately, I've gotten a cold which is slowing  me down and I'm starting another new job on Monday so my progress overall may be a little slower than it's been lately.  This will be the next story I work on as soon as time allots, so stay tuned.  I'll do my best to make it worth your while for the wait.  ;)**