By the end of his first day at work, Robert felt better than he had in over a month. The ache in his chest had lessened to a faint reminder he could ignore for stretches at a time, and for a good part of the day he'd even managed not to think about her. He and Joey chatted easily on the way back to Robert's house, swapping observations about the blokes, mostly of how little they'd changed and their individual personality quirks that convinced the two of them they were truly mad.

When Robert was dropped off, Joey said he'd be back at the same time the next morning to pick him up and Robert promised to help pay for petrol. He walked in the house and could hear his mum in the kitchen. He found her just starting to cook dinner and gave her a hug and a kiss.

"So? How was it?" she asked. He detected a note of worry in her voice even though she was smiling at him.

"It went well, mum." He could tell by the way her body relaxed she was relieved to hear it even though she tried to hide it from him, and he died a little on the inside. Did she really think he was so far gone that he couldn't even manage his old job?

"I'll go up to my room and change, yeah?" he said, trying not to let on how he was suddenly feeling.

"Alright, Robbie."

He went upstairs with a heavy heart. He'd been home less than five minutes and he already felt like crap. He took off his work clothes and tried to decide what to do while he listened to the silence. He couldn't go back downstairs. He didn't think he was up to being with his mum, trying to carry on a conversation with her and pretend everything was normal. And besides, there were too many topics they couldn't talk about. But the thought of staying in his room was depressing as hell. He felt like the walls were closing in on him, making him feel like he was suffocating. He had to do something, he couldn't stay there.

He'd go for a run, he decided suddenly. He changed into running shorts and went downstairs, stopping to give his mum a proper good bye before he went out the front door. When he walked through the garden gate, he purposely turned left.

---Then---

Robert had been home for a week and a half and he was getting restless. Georgie had now taken on the role of caregiver for his mum so his dad could return to work for the first time in over a month. The two of them hadn't gone out much since they didn't want to leave his mum alone, but she'd improved enough she could manage short periods of time on her own. Georgie spent most of her time either cleaning, like she had at the flat, keeping his mum company, or helping her in the kitchen while his mum taught her how to cook.

Georgie seemed perfectly happy staying in the house, but it was starting to wear on him they were inside so much. Even though he was busy trying to sort the university application process, it was beginning to feel like he was a prisoner again and he didn't like it. He could see and feel the effects of a lack of exercise on his mind and body. He'd liked being more in shape and was determined not to slip into the bad habits he'd acquired before he'd been kidnapped when he'd been too busy to work out.

"I think we should go for a run," he told Georgie after they'd finished breakfast and were getting ready to dress for the day.

"Don't you think it's too cold?" she said, suddenly looking worried.

"No, not if we dress properly."

"I don't know. I don't think if I have the right clothes for running," she said quietly, looking away. He got the distinct impression she didn't want to go outside whether she had the right clothes or not. It worried him she was still finding it hard to leave the house.

"Let's look through what you have and I'll help you pick out what you need, alright?" he said, putting his arms around her, trying to reassure her. "I think we should start working out like we used to, Georgie. We'll feel better, yeah?"

"Alright, Robert," she said quietly with a sigh, avoiding his eyes.

While he helped her find things to wear, he explained to her about wearing light layers so she could remove them bit by bit as she warmed up. When the two of them were dressed, they headed outside and Robert had them turn right so they could follow the route he always used to take when he ran while living at home.

This was the first time they'd ever been able to run together since they'd only had the treadmill in the flat, but they soon found a steady pace that was comfortable for both of them. It felt wonderful to run with Georgie at his side, like they were a true couple, and the way she looked over at him occasionally and smiled let him know she felt the same way. It made him feel even better seeing her looking so happy and comfortable beside him, knowing he'd managed to beat her fears. When they were finished, they returned home winded and smiling, walking up to the house hand in hand.

While he showered and dressed, Robert felt really good. Just like at the flat, working out had been just the thing to calm his nervous energy. He could tell Georgie's mood had improved as well. She was smiling as she went about tidying the house, chatting happily with his mum.

Later, when he was sitting on his bed doing research on nearby universities on his laptop, Georgie came in. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it waiting for him to look up. When he did, the way she was grinning at him, let him know she was up to something.

"What?" he asked, and he couldn't help laughing a little.

"I don't know," she said slowly, and bent a little at the waist as she came off the door, taking a step towards him, still grinning.

"Maybe I just saw your mom," she said, slowly advancing another step, playfully stalking him.

"And she told me," she said, taking another step. He quickly closed his laptop and put it on the bedside table without taking his eyes off her.

"She is taking a nap," she finished, and before Robert could react, she leapt at him, throwing him backwards on the bed and tried to kiss him while he laughed.

He playfully tried to fight her off but she was having none of it. She grabbed onto his jumper and t-shirt, pulling them off him in one go, and then was at his jeans. She had them unfastened and started pulling them off along with his briefs while he pretended to try to get away from her, but only so she'd have an easier time wrestling them off him.

As soon as he was naked, she stood up and didn't waste any time pulling off her own clothes, grinning at him while she did. Then she crouched in front of him, looking like she was going to pounce on him again, both of them half laughing and panting a little from their wrestling match and desire. Suddenly she was on him, half lying on him and feeling her naked body on top of his made him want her so badly.

She was kissing him as if she couldn't get enough of him and he kissed her back hungrily, burying his fingers in her hair as it spilled over her shoulders, feeling silky on his skin, her soft lips on his. When she reached down and began stroking him, he groaned and she took the opportunity to slide her tongue in his mouth, finding his tongue with hers. It was almost too much, feeling her tongue rubbing his, her soft hand sliding up and down, grasping him. He couldn't help moving his hips under her, matching the rhythm of her stroking.

He wanted her so desperately and couldn't help the loud groans he was making, grateful Betsy was back at university and their bedroom was far enough from his parents' his mum wouldn't overhear them. He rubbed his hands all over her, feeling the soft skin on her back, sliding over the soft curves of her hips and then grasping her bum, squeezing her cheeks. He slid his hands closer together until his fingers could feel how ready she was for him. She whimpered in his mouth and began writhing on top of him when she felt his fingers sliding on her.

"Please - Georgie," he panted, still moving under her as she continued to stroke him. "I want - I need."

She looked at him, her eyes burning with desire, then got off him. She was back within seconds with a condom package. He was surprised when she didn't hand it to him but opened it herself, smiling slyly at him. He got up on his elbows, watching her carefully put it at the tip of him, pinching the top and rolling it down. It was the first time she'd ever put it on him, and he couldn't help thinking how incredibly sensual it was to watch her do it. She smiled at him with triumph when she finished.

Then she got that glint in her eye like she was stalking him again, and slowly climbed up on him so that she was straddling him. It only took a moment before she had him positioned and then he slid inside her while both of them moaned. She was so tight and hot, and then she began moving on him, making love to him.

She started slowly and he closed his eyes, grabbing onto the bedcovers, submitting to what she was doing to him, losing himself in the feelings. He panted and moaned as she moved faster, bringing him close and then slowed, pulling him back from the edge. What she was doing to him felt like sweet torture. She went faster again and then slowed when she felt him getting too close, making him last longer, making him lose his mind.

He put his hands on her waist, and slid them up to her breasts, rubbing her nipples with his thumbs, making them hard and she whimpered. His hands traveled over the soft skin of her stomach and hips, then he felt the muscles in her bum and legs working as she made love to him before he slipped a thumb between them so he could touch her while she moved on him.

She began moaning and he opened his eyes so he could watch her. Her head was thrown back, her eyes closed and her mouth was open slightly as she panted and cried out, a look of ecstasy on her face, as she was getting closer to her own orgasm. He thrust up to meet her as she went faster, bringing both of them closer and closer. She nearly fell over, leaning on her arms, her hair spilling over her shoulders, creating a curtain around them. She rode out her climax, crying out while he held onto her hips, pushing into her and moaning as he came deep inside her.

When they were finished, she laid on him and he put his arms around her, hugging her tightly for a minute. Then he stroked her back while he waited for their breathing to calm, enjoying the feeling of being close to her in every way and filled with love for her.

After a few minutes, she lifted her head and looked at him with that familiar smile he'd seen so often after they'd made love. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," she said quietly.

"Well, feel free to do it again anytime," he said, smiling back at her.

She climbed off him and once he'd dealt with the condom, she snuggled next to him under their bed covers. Robert laid there, listening to Georgie's breathing change as she fell asleep, feeling her soft skin pressed against all of him, running his fingers through her silky hair, and concentrated on being in the moment with her.

He couldn't help thinking back to just a few weeks ago when he'd been so worried about being forced to leave without her, not knowing what would happen to her, or even if he'd ever see her again. Now she was with him, safe and loved in his arms just as he'd wished. They had they're whole lives ahead of them to be together. Just before he fell asleep, he thought, life couldn't get any better than this.

---Now---

Robert pushed himself hard, running until he couldn't anymore, then walking until he felt he could run again, trying not to feel or think anything. When he finally dragged himself home, he walked in and his mum called out from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready, Robbie."

"I'll be down in a minute. Just give me a chance to clean up, yeah?" he called out.

He changed into jeans and a t-shirt, then went downstairs. He couldn't help feeling disappointed Darrell wasn't there when he walked in the kitchen. It was going to be harder with just him and his parents.

As they sat down, his dad said, "Your mum told me you went out for a run. It's good to see you getting out again, Robbie."

"Yeah, it was good," he said quietly, filling his plate.

"Your first day back at work went well?" he asked.

"Yeah, it went well," he said quietly. He hunched over his plate and started eating, hoping he wouldn't be asked any more questions.

There was an awkward silence for a minute with only the sound of cutlery on plates until his mum asked his dad about his day at work. They chatted through the rest of dinner, gratefully leaving him out of the conversation. He hated the awkward tension that surrounded the meal. He knew it was because there were too many things they couldn't talk about. Whether he liked it or not, a member of their family was missing now, and it was hard for everyone to pretend she'd never been there.

When dinner was finished, his parents stood up and his mum started taking the dishes to the sink. His dad squeezed his shoulder and Robert looked up at him, pushing his hair out of his eyes. His dad was smiling down at him.

"I'm proud of you, lad." Robert looked away, feeling worse.

"Yeah," he said quietly.

"You need to give yourself some time, Robbie. I know it's hard to see it now, but it'll get better."

"Thanks, dad," he said, pushing the hair out of his eyes so he could look at him again. He appreciated his dad saying it, even though he wasn't so sure he'd ever feel better.

His dad tousled his hair a little and laughed, saying, "God, you need a haircut. Will ya get one tomorrow? Do it for your old dad, will ya?" Robert couldn't help smiling. His dad had been telling him to get a haircut in nearly exactly the same way for years, ever since Robert had been old enough to demand wearing it longer.

"Yeah, I'll get it cut tomorrow," he said, and laughed a little as he moved out of his dad's reach so he couldn't tousle it again.

While his parents started washing the dishes, Robert wandered into the sitting room not quite sure what to do. He looked over at their small upright piano and thought about playing. It had been over a month since he'd last played, the longest he'd ever gone, even longer than when he'd refused to play at the flat.

He started walking toward it but the closer he got to it, the more memories started coming to him. Playing while she sat behind him a little leaning against his back, her arms around him, her cheek resting on his shoulder. The two of them singing the songs he'd taught her. Her playing for his mum from his old music books while he sat on his bed upstairs with his laptop, making plans for their future. He stood looking down at the piano feeling more desolate than ever, his chest aching, and realized he'd lost this as well.

He turned away and went upstairs to his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

 ****

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