If she knew anything for sure, it was that this was about to be about the hardest thing she had ever had to face.
There she stood, out the front of Slash's apartment. Earlier in the day, she had broken the news to both Gilby and Slash over the phone. Now, here she stood in front of Slash's home wondering how she was going to explain herself.
What would happen?
What would she say? What would he say?
What would he do?
Questions whirled through her brain faster then she could process them. The night was cold, and she pulled her jacket close around her, but she didn't go inside. Not yet.
No, she wasn't ready.
Raven didn't know how to face the biggest question of all.
She didn't think she could. What with everything that had gone wrong for her.
The time travel which made her lose her family, losing her virginity to a drunk stranger, the pregnancy, the miscarriage, the time jump incident which meant she missed not only most of the Appetite for Destruction tour, but also her son's first words and his first steps.
Steven.
Izzy.
And now- this. It was time to face that inevitable question.

Gilby or Slash.

She couldn't do it. But she had to. The real question here was who she couldn't live without.
Who would be fine as a friend, but not so much a boyfriend? Or husband, for that matter.
But who's the baby's father?
Her subconscious echoed.
Who would be best to raise the child?
Gilby deserved happiness as much as Slash. They were both amazing people. Definitely. But who would she choose?
She couldn't have both.
Gilby... or Slash...
She thought for a moment, weighing it up in her mind.
Gilby was new, exciting- exhilarating almost. Slash was familiar, warm, easygoing- Both of them had a sense of humour- Both of them were very attractive- They both played guitar... perhaps one better then the other, but nonetheless... guitar.
"Maybe I should just go ask Duff out and make it easier." She whispered. It was only a joke, of course, but it did make her feel better, if only a little.
Slowly, she approached the door, raised her fist, and rapped it against the wood a few times. It wasn't long before Slash was there, opening the door. He caught sight of her and tried to shut it, but she stuck her foot in the way. The door smacked into it painfully, causing her to wince.
"Look Slash, just hear me out." She pleaded. He gazed through his mass of hair at her for a moment as though thinking about it, and then he nodded and let her in. The place was untidy, but not filthy. She made her way to the couch and sat down carefully. Slash sat too, right on the edge of his seat at the other end of the sofa. There was a moment of silence, and then she piped up.
"Look Slash... I- I didn't mean for this to happen." She began to say. "I get that I sort of lead you on..."
"Damn straight you did!" Slash snarled, and then he caught her eyes, leaned in, and in a broken voice he said,
"I am in love with you." Raven's heart was in her throat. Her mouth hung open. Slash had said it with such conviction that she knew it was true. Slash loved her, and in a way she loved Slash. She had no words. "Raven. I don't care who's baby it is- I'll raise it as my own." He told her.
"S-slash..." she stammered, but he silenced her with a kiss. He leaned in, and his lips met hers, and in that moment only he existed. Her heart was about to leap out of her chest, her head spun, her eyes fluttered closed. It was a kiss full of raw emotion. Of anger, pain. Of adoration.
Slash loved her, and in a way she hated that he loved her.
Slowly, he pulled away.
"I needed that. At least once." His words were spoken bitterly. Slash's hand found her cheek, and ever so gently he stroked his fingers down her cheek. "I know you have to choose him. I get it." Slash said,
"Slash-" she shook her head, but he cut her off.
"No. Don't tell me it's gonna be okay. Don't tell me it'll work out. I don't want to hear it." She understood. It could be so infuriating when people sugar coated it like that.
"I don't have to choose him, Slash." She whispered.
"Just tell me the truth, Raven. Who can't you live without?" There it was. The inevitable question.
Him or me? He was really asking. She shook her head.
"It's not that simple Slash. He's the father."
"Not necessarily. You were pretty drunk that night." Slash said. He ran his tongue across his bottom lip almost nervously. There was sweat on his brow.
"Do you have something to tell me, Slash?" She couldn't remember much of that night. She remembered parts of what happened with Gilby. Enough to tell her that she had sex with him, but other then that she could only really remember snippets of drinking with the band.
"You didn't only sleep with Gilby, Raven." Slash confirmed her fears.
"Then... who?-" she stammered, playing with the hem of her shirt.
"You slept with me, too."
"Okay." She sighed. Half of her didn't believe him, and the other half wanted to.
"Who can't you live without?" He asked her again.
"You- and I like Gilby alot, but... I could go without him." She finally answered, biting her bottom lip.
But is that really the question? Is that really what matters?
She asked herself. Maybe it wasn't who she couldn't live without, but who was best for her. For the baby growing inside her.
"There it is then." Slash smiled.
"But... what if- what if that's not what's best? I could grow to love him- he could make a great partner for me!"
"Well you're gonna have to choose before that baby's born, Raven. For his or her own good." Slash murmured, frown returning.
She knew it was true. But first she had to go and see Gilby.

Thanks for reading!
Who should she choose!?
More coming soon...