Closure [Shiloh]

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony stepped out of the Ministry offices, several papers rolled up in his hand. Stuffing them in his jacket, he sighed and started down the sidewalk, dodging the people in their midday commute. Tony Dedrian had just placed his resignation notice in the Auror Department.

He continued to the corner, and decided he would go to Diagon Alley for a light lunch, and some time to evaluate his life... being an Auror was all he had, since Delilah died. But since he met Shiloh, things had changed... Everything had changed. He had fully accepted that he had fallen in love with Shiloh, but wasn't sure she'd be so happy about that. They had initially agreed to a no strings attached physical relationship, but, as those kinds of relationships tend to do, his feelings had somewhat evolved into deeper feelings, something he both feared, and was awed about. He felt like a child just discovering something new, almost as if he had forgotten the feeling of wanting to be with someone... the feeling that he needed this person.

He walked up to the brick wall in the alley and counted the bricks up and over, tapping it with his wand, causing the great archway to appear. He let out a quiet sigh and walked in, the archway closing behind him as he walked into the crowded path. He then stood off to the side, looking around for a good place to eat.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh was wondering Diagon Alley mainly to give the headmistress time to cool off after their run in at the three broomsticks. A sigh escaped her as she wondered silently what she'd been thinking trying to make a move on the mistress's man. It'd been just for kicks, she laughed disdainfully. Just to see if she could sway the guy.

She'd went through most of what the Alley had to offer in way of shops: book, potion, broom, candy, even the creature shoppe. She gave a shudder and shrugged as she exited the last on the list. Maybe the 'talk' Zadiken had given her had lessened her fear or made it more tolerable. Something of that nature anyway. A wiry smile crossed her lips as she remembered Professor Anvion dragging her into the hospital wing to show her what the beast in the forest was capable of.

Her tummy rumbling reminded her that it was close to lunch time, if not a little past. Where to try out? she pondered to herself. She'd just looked to her left and saw.... Or thought she had through the throngs of people... Tony standing at the 'entrance' to the Alley looking rather down about something. She walked to where she thought she'd spotted him, a smile on her face as she realized it had indeed been him. But he looked.....lost.... the smile melted into a frown at the look.

"Tony!? Are you ok? Did something happen at the castle?" she had to shout to be heard over the din of the other people occupying the streets. He didn't look frightened, or worried.. Just lost, and that worried her.

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony was brought out of his trance by a familiar shout. He looked up and looked around the masses of people to see where the shout came from. Finally, he saw a familiar head of blonde, and his heart leaped. Shiloh? He shoved his hands in his pockets and started towards her, subconscious of the papers in his jacket. He pulled his jacket closed and smiled at her, buttoning the first few buttons and nodding.

"Good to see you out here." he smiled and glanced behind him. "I'm... fine. I was just here on some business and was looking for a place to eat... you hungry? We could go somewhere outside of the alley and grab a bite." he said, hoping she would return the smile. She looked so worried. He didn't understand... she was such a stickler about keeping personal feelings out of it, and here she was, almost falling over herself in regard for him. He kept any outward expression to himself regarding this, and just counted his blessings that he had a friend to keep him rather happy. The depression was too much as of late, and it's never a good thing when your thoughts turn to letting it all end...

He looked around, and held out his hand. "Let's go, there's bound to be a less packed spot out there somewhere."

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh watched as Tony quickly buckled his jacket... something he doesn't want me to see.? she worried.

Wondering to herself why it made any difference to her what he did or didn't do she smiled up at him as they got within touching distance. She let him in on her reason for being in the alley. " I'd rather be here drowning in the masses or my own sorrow than at the castle at present. Kaliana's got it out for me for more than one reason."

She returned his smile and asked, "So..... What kind of business? Did we learn something else about the beast? Actually I'm starved, it doesn't matter where we eat.. Just feed me." She blushed scarlet at her own demand. His lost look still worried her but because he'd seemed taken aback at the worried look she'd had on when they'd seen each other she kept any other feelings to herself. Though she did curl an arm through his while they made their way to where ever he decided. She was up for most anything at that point.

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony smirked at her when she said that the Headmastermistress had it out for her for more than one reason now. He shook his head, and crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow and saying "What'dya do?"

She then demanded that he feed her, which he thought was immensely cute. He loved that she was demanding, and straightforward with what she wanted. Made pleasing her and such much easier for him, because he sucked at doing such things on a whim, like buying gifts, or surprise parties.

But why would he think about buying her gifts?

He mentally shook the idea out of his head as he smiled at her, nodding and saying "Sure, that'd be-"

Then she took his arm.

He then, without warning, took her hand in that arm, blushing madly. What was he doing? Maybe just showing that he was comfortable, that he enjoyed her support... though, she knew not what she was supporting. What was he to do? There was nothing now, just a long, drawn out day coming to a better end than he thought it would. However... his mind wasn't on her curves, or what she concealed under her clothes, but... more of how their day would go together... and if he would decide after all that he would go to the house he never visited... his and Delilah's house... after all.

He then would lead her to the nearest Muggle sidewalk cafe ("Gosselin's Sideshow Luncheon"), and pull out a chair for her, smiling.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Putting on an innocent smile, Shiloh replied to his loaded question.. "I....uhm... kind of... tried hitting on Anvion..? Though it was reported back to her that I had him in the closets." her eyes glittered with laughter as she remembered the lady's temper at their confrontation in the three broomsticks. She shrugged and made light of the situation. "The joys of having a rep. Though I did tell him I thought he could do better than HER." a snicker covered the obvious ill feeling quite well.

As she demanded he feed her she saw a smirk toy with his features, yet that soon went away to be replaced with a look she couldn't or didn't want to describe. Trying to pay little mind to it, she listened to him speak as she'd placed her hand on his arm which for some reason made him stop dead. To evoke a continued response from him she prodded farther. "That'd be......?" she asked softly.

Noticing he had discarded her question as to his business meeting and adding that to his unusual mannerisms at present she felt the need to ask again. "Tony, are you sure you're ok? You're not acting normal.."
she spoke, layering her voice to hide any seemingly undesirable feelings or worry that she felt.

They continued walking until they'd reached a cafe which he led her into without her catching the name and had a chair pulled out for her before she'd even cleared the doors. A smile that didn't convey to her other features played with her mouth as she thanked him and took the offered seat.

[Tony Dedrian]

His mouth was dry. She tried hitting on the old fuck?

Aw, HAYL NAW.

He sat down and almost, almost, almost, let his jealousy show, only for him to clear his throat and pull the papers out of his jacket, setting them on the table. He would have joined Kaliana in her warpath if she had come and gotten him, resolving to give Zadiken a swift kick in his self righteous ass the next time he saw him.

However, Tony was able to supress the 'jealous boyfriend' rage, and decided it'd be better to give her the bad good news.

"I'm resigning from the Ministry. As of right now, I'm am the, and only the Gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." he said quietly, eying Shiloh for her reaction.

The paper work was rather thick, probably about ten or eleven sheets of paper, and Tony was lucky. Since he was supposedly not clued into the Chambers at all, his memory was not required to be erased. He loved this, and was glad he could keep the memories to help Zadiken locate, and secure the Chambers... now, just to keep this secret about his secret a secret, and there will be no worries... maybe.

He silently sighed, ordering himself a Coke with Lime, and took his jacket off, revealing his black, long sleeved turtleneck underneath. He rubbed his hands together per the chill, and sighed out loud, stretching. Of course, what was he to do? He didn't want to get into a fuckin pisser with the Ministry... that was the last thing he wanted to do.

He awaited her to order her drink, and then closed his eyes. He then wiggled a finger back and forth, tapping the side of the table with it, expanding his mind out, seeing the line of Legilliimency, hopping through the minds of the surrounding people, not really long enough to cause them alarm, but to make sure he wasn't being profiled by an agent of the Ministry... the corrupt twats would most likely send someone after him, and it dawned on him that they would go after Shiloh too, seeing as they're away from the school meeting at a Muggle establishment.

After about thirty seconds, he opened his eyes, not finding anyone within a forty foot radius, and smiled at her, his other hand moving away from his holstered wand.

"So, other than flirting with Zadiken, how have you been?" he strained a bit when saying Zadiken's name. He was about three steps away from getting into a fuckin pisser with Zad... and he hadn't a clue why.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh watched as Tony walked around the table and took his seat, her smirk faltering as she noticed a tiny but quickly well hidden flicker of something when she'd relayed the reason the headmistress had set out to maim her beyond the well-done point. What was that... jealous....? It couldn't possibly be... They had nothing going except a good roll in the hay or two. It must have had something to do with the business he'd had.

She'd taken the menu that had been placed in front of her by the waiter and had started trying to decide what she wanted to drink when he brought out papers laying them flat with a look she didn't know how to decipher. As she looked questioningly at him, he decided to let her in on the secret. Her expression remained emotionless though with a great deal of effort as he told her he'd quit his job.... His calling....? His reason for living since his fiance had passed..

Allowing her brow to furrow in worry masked by confusion she asked his reasoning and if he'd give it to her. "Why'd you do that, did they force you to since you'd been attacked? Do they not think you can do the job any longer? Or what?" Though the questions were hurried her voice was calm and even, belying little emotion unless a person really looked hard. Then they would hear just the slightest hate for the Ministry, and the tiniest of caring for the man seated across from her.

Just then the waiter returned to take their order from whence she'd decided to order the house specialty strawberry tea while she watched the man across the table seemingly tapping his finger to music only he could hear. Figuring it was some sort of auror ability she kept herself quiet and allowed him to finish before she opened her mouth.

"As a matter of fact, since the joke, I've rarely set foot on the castle grounds this week. As the whole thing really was a joke on my part. Though I guess seeing my rep, and such, I guess it could be misconstrued as shoving my tongue down his throat.... Besides that, Anvion has been on my ass to loosen up." Her giggle hid the snarl quite well. She enjoyed toying with her men.... Men she slept with.... Though she'd never met any of them for a casual 'after' lunch.

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony didn't answer, he just twirled the straw around in his fingers before remembering that it was a straw. Use straw, drink, duh. He dropped the straw into the drink, and, due to the pressure and air bubbles in his Coke, the straw bounced right out, and landed on the ground. He stared at the straw for a moment as if it was a mortally wounded animal, his mouth open in relative surprise. He, for some reason, could not believe that this had happened. He sank down in his chair, sighing miserably, and looked up at Shiloh.

"I'm just pitiful, all around." he muttered, picking up the straw and wiping it on his shirt, gently placing it back into the glass of Coke. However, he didn't sip the Coke, he just sat there, staring at it. Staring at the drink. Wishing it'd just... shoot him. He had lost everything, in his opinion. His love. His dream job. His entire life had screeched to a halt, and all he had now was this Coke, and this girl that he wasn't sure if he loved her or not. They had promised each other no relationship, no lovey dovey, no kissy kissy bull... but he wished that just once, just once that she'd come and hug him, kiss him. He wished that one time after they slept together, their love could end in kisses instead of her getting up, giving him a business-like wave, and leaving. He wanted a cuddle, for Christ's sakes....

He grabbed the Coke and took a sip, the Waiter walking up and asking them for their food order.

"Not hungry." he said, despite his quietly growling stomach. "I'll pay, though." he said, looking over to Shiloh and giving a small smile. A fake smile, yes, but it was a smile.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh watched Tony's little 'fit' and heard how he pretty well said he was worthless. She started shaking her head vehemently at his pity poor me play. This wasn't the Tony she'd all but fallen for. This wasn't his usual way of acting and it was beginning to worry her more than she'd like.. than she'd thought possible a few short weeks ago. Noticing that he seemed to not want to talk about the resignation papers, or the reason leading up to it she let it slide. For now..

Going off of pure gut-felt...instinct..? She reached across the table, past the Coke that Tony had taken to staring at like it was something alien, caught his hand and laced her fingers through his slightly unwilling ones. With the worry becoming more evident on her features she said the only thing she could see at that moment. "Tony, what ever reason you chose to do that.. It was your decision to make, I take it. So, you needed a break. You needed out.. That's a lot of stress added on top of the personal kind that really never goes away. I don't think anything less of you, not that it's my place to judge, and I'm sure no one else in their right mind would either." She said, her voice having a slight admonishing tone.

The returning waiter interrupted her string of thoughts, yet she aimed a smile his way, she ordered her sea food salad. Expecting Tony to order something she'd turned her attention away until the waiter had turned his back on their table having not written anything further on his pad. With a challenging glare aimed at her lunch partner she ordered him a steak sandwich with fries, after the young waiter had left she gave him a piece of her mind. "You think I'm going to let you get away with that after you invited me here? You are the one who said you were hungry.. Remember? You'll either eat it freely or I'll find ways to make you eat it. Got it? Besides that, I pay my own way."

She gritted her teeth waiting on his response that would no doubt be heated even the slightest bit. Yet she leaned her head back against the chair and closed her eyes still with her fingers laced through his, her thumb slowly trailing across his wrist. Why she felt so comfortable, or such a need to comfort the man across from her she still hadn't placed a finger on.. But she needed to give herself to him in any way possible. It just happened that at that moment what he needed was someone to lean on, even if he wouldn't share his woes with her verbally.

Opening her eyes she tightened her grip on his hand restlessly and smiled reassuringly while saying, "Casual or not.. I have told you things I've never shared with anyone.. That part I doubt will change whether we share a bed regularly or not. My shoulder is yours when you need it." she said, her voice soothing as a noon-day rain in a scorching desert.

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony was never one to freak out or panic over anything (unless it was dumping a gallon of snow on his crotch), but this surprised him. Pleasantly. He gave a small smile, and tightened the grip on her hand gently, showing appreciation, and, unbeknownst to her, immense care. He sighed and took another sip of his Coke, then swirled the straw around, changing it from Coke to Dr. Pepper. A parlor trick, yes, but sometimes he wanted something different. He took a sip and was satisfied, leaning forward and holding her hand.

"I appreciate it, Shy." he muttered, giving her a weak smile. The depression... it was ebbing. This was good. He liked feeling it lift off of his shoulders. But, then again, that could also be the caffeine taking effect. He looked over at a couple of Muggle schoolgirls who were pointing and giggling at them.

"Lookit them two-"
"Adorable couple..."
"I wish I looked like her!"

Tony couldn't help but smile, taking a second to glance around to see if there was another couple nearby. When he realized there wasn't, he gave the beauty across from him a small smile, looking up as their food arrived. The sultry, sexy woman that sat across from him now became his pillar, his rock... he hoped that she wouldn't mind if he cashed in that offer for her shoulder after lunch...

He looked at his steak sandwich, opening the bread and taping some salt on it, mixing it with the special gravy sauce that they placed on their beef sandwiches. He then picked it up, and nibbled on it, not taking big bites, and eating slow. He zoned out as he ate, deep in though, before he realized that his eyes were now affixed on her chest. He blinked, then looked back up at her, swallowing and smiling. "Sorry, thinking." he said, wondering how she took his sudden 'fascination' with her chest. He kicked himself mentally... sure, he knew her body, but he still had his manners... especially if this was a 'date' date.

He bit into a fry, taking another sip of his now Mtn Dew, and sighed, humming to himself. A song. The song. He never knew his parents... never knew anything about them, being raised in an orphanage and then in Beauxbatons, leading to his Brit/French mind set.

"La seule force ne sera pas apaiser la haine d'une seule personne, mais l'amour et la considération mettrait fin à toutes les guerres." he muttered, fluently speaking French for the first time since Delilah had died. He couldn't remember who told him that so many years ago, but it literally meant

Might alone will not quell a single person's hate, but love and consideration would end all wars.

He closed his eyes, smiled, and looked up at Shiloh.

"So, ma dame, may I show you something after we finish eating?", he asked quietly, looking into her eyes with a kind of eagerness that he hadn't felt in years.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh's eyes widened the tiniest bit as Tony griped her hand hard enough to be noticeable to someone who was looking for it. Something she'd said must have lifted part of his dreary mood enough to allow him to breathe at least. This made her smile inwardly the more she thought about it. She watched him change the drink in front of him multiple times, and was slightly jealous. The one she'd thought sounded delicious at the time was bland and honestly rolling her tummy the more she drank of it. Though she didn't ask him to switch hers.. She waited until the waiter came back to the table to get something else.

The seemingly flirtatious giggles coming from the table of young girls had Shiloh glancing their way noticing they were aiming their stares at her table, she chuckled and looked at the man whom had dropped in her lap, literally a few weeks before. "Come on Tony, quit leading the poor girls on. They're way too young." her vocals carried a hint of chiding mixed with a good dose of amusement. It seemed like every where she'd been in his company the guy drew attention of the female sort. She hadn't heard what the girls a few tables over were actually saying so she'd just assumed that was the case here too.

She returned his smile and made a rather silly face, something she wouldn't have been caught dead doing to anyone else. But she knew somehow that Tony wouldn't twist it, he wouldn't make fun of her for being slightly childish in that way. Giving him a wink she said, "Hey, no worries. It's not that big a deal." Just then their food had been delivered to the table, and she requested a plain water to try to wash the all too sweet sickening taste from her throat.

Noticing Tony seemed to at least tolerate the choice she'd made in his non-decision making absence with the addition of a quantity of the gravy supplied she smirked. So, he'd been hungry after all, the jerk ran through her head. Taking a bite of her salad she moaned with pleasure at the tastes tickling her tongue. On a whim she gathered another bite but instead of placing it in her own mouth she held it across the table close to Tony invitingly, offering a bite. Her hand sat there, in front of his face, for a minute or two before she realized his attention wasn't even on what was in front of him but was plastered on her bosom for some reason.

"Hey, Tony... um... I'm up here? Remember?" she got out before he snapped back. Her laugh at catching him ogling at her was heartfelt. "Yeah.. I get that.. You were thinking... About what exactly that concerns my woman parts?" she said, still laughing to tease him.

He took her by surprise by speaking to her in French, that she recognized from somewhere in her memory, but what he said she knew naught. "That's beautiful, but... What does it mean, if you don't mind my asking?" she inquired curiously of him. For all she knew it could be something concerning his dealings with the Ministry that he didn't want to say outright in such a public place. Either he told her, or he didn't, it was up to him. Anyway she went about it the language was beautiful, so elegant... So him.

She ate the last few bites of her salad and looked at Tony across the table as he inquired if he could show her something after lunch. Her curiosity was peaked at the exuberance his eyes relayed, something she hadn't seen since she'd known him. Figuring it was a favorite place, or a silly movie that just happened to be playing at one of the many muggle theaters as a matinee she shrugged and replied with amusement. " Seeing as I have no where else that requires my attention over the weekend. You can show me whatever you want. " her tone had a hint of suggestion to it as she gave him a lopsided grin.

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony smiled a little, and shook his head. "Might alone will not quell a single person's hate, but love and consideration would end all wars." he said quietly, closing his eyes. "You know, English is my second language. When I was younger, I had this horrible French accent... Ju Kno, I t'ink theze sandweech ez fantastique!" he said, snickering at himself. Sometimes, when he was really upset, he'd break into a long string of French curses, or somewhat acquire his accent again... he found it slightly embarrassing, because, honestly, the French accent sounded so silly, but, it was him.

He smiled and finished his sandwich and awaited Shiloh to finish eating, then would look towards the road, an ominous feeling running up his spine as he glanced around. What was this feeling? He looked around and mentally shrugged, looking back at Shiloh.

"You ready?" he asked quietly, knowing what he was doing, but also not knowing.

Deep inside, he was afraid that this would kill him before it would save him.

He slowly stood, an utterly serious look on his face as he pushed in his chair. Looking towards Shiloh, he held out his hand. "Alright, I'm ready." he said, taking her hand and slowly leading her down the street, holding her hand tight. His heart pounded as they passed the spot that unbeknownst to her was the very spot where Delilah was killed. He caught a breath, and let it out quietly, staring ahead, unwilling to look at the spot not three feet from another sidewalk cafe, with four witnesses that refused to say anything after the shooting...

He pushed on, moving a little slower, relaxed now. He looked up ahead at a street that said M. Hemington Way, his street. After a few moments, he would stop, and look at a grand townhouse, smiling up at it.

"This... Shiloh... is my house." he said quietly, looking up into the windows as if expecting something to look out of them.

[Shiloh Alexis Mindel]

Shiloh listened as Tony let her in on what he'd said, and told her it was his native language.. It didn't hit somehow.. She'd thought he was a Brit, not French. She shrugged.. Not that it mattered much it'd just surprised her greatly. She laughed as he pretended to take on a thick accent, though she thought it was entirely too cute. "That's cute.. Though I never would have guessed that it was your first language.. You hardly have any accent to your English.. But now that I pay attention there is the tiniest bit."

She took the last drink from her water, still jealous that she couldn't pull off the trick he had with changing it from one thing to the next at the slightest tickle of want. A wanting sigh escaped her as she chewed on a piece of ice watching his face change from that of excitement to foreboding. Apparently something had crossed his mind, she'd misconstrued his inquiry to 'show her something', or he'd changed his mind and didn't want to seem like an out right ass. "Hey, I didn't mean it like that.. I was just kidding around. No harm done?" she worried out loud. The last thing she wanted to do was further ruin the day that had taken him down so far.

If she hadn't been looking at him at the moment he stood, she would have missed him asking if she was ready or not he'd said it so low. She nodded and pushed back her chair, offering her hand for him to help her from the chair. "What ever you got for me.. I'm here." her smile was reassuring as she laced her fingers through his, refusing to let him pull away even in the public eye. Sure they weren't an item or anything of the sort, but she could offer support where it was obviously needed.

Her quick intake of breath was the only suggestion that he'd tightened his grip on their laced hands to the point it hurt. Gritting her teeth she let him lead her down the street, past one point on the walk rather quickly and she noticed he held his breath.. like he was trying to remember or not remember something. The tiniest frown played with the corner of her blues as she tried to slow him. "Tony, is something wrong? You're nearly dragging me.. If you don't want this.. We don't have to." she said, trying to get through was like trying to get reception on a radio through a steel wall three feet thick.

When he finally slowed, she noticed he looked at the street sign with a forlorn look. It wasn't a few more paces until he pulled her to a stop, looking up at a house that cost more than she'd make in three lifetimes she was sure. Confused as to why he'd take her to a house in the middle of London for no apparent reason. The only thought she could come up with was a family member or friend lived there and he was going to....introduce them?

Then he said it... That was his house.... The house him and Delilah had bought...? She could only stand there and stare. Why would he...... Her jaw dropped. She had to have heard him wrong..

"Tony??..... Your. House?.. As in the one you haven't been to since you bought it?.... Why did you.... Huh... Uhmn.." she forced out, her mouth dry. She didn't know what to think.. What to do. All she could do was continue to stand there, her fingers still laced with his in utter wonder...shock... and terror was mixed in there somewhere she was sure.

Some how she felt she was betraying the memory of the woman....lady who'd loved Tony with such a fierceness that she felt a chill run down her spine when she looked in one of the windows. She felt like in essence or some twisted way she was betraying Tony by being here knowing this was the first time he'd set eyes on the house since she'd been there with him. Nonchalantly she tried to free her hand from his to back away. But he wouldn't give.. His had had hers wrapped so tightly that not even a breath of air could have past between their palms. Not able to shake the feeling that she was invading where she shouldn't be.. Invading his privacy beyond measure she tried again to back away. "Tony.. This is yours..? I really shouldn't be here.. Especially the first time... This was hers and yours together.. I'm invading that." her voice held a hint of panic though she didn't know why.

Though she couldn't turn her head from the grand entrance, or her body away from the man next to her. Something, somehow had her glued there she suspected by an immobility charm the way it felt. Yet she knew it wasn't Tony.. He wouldn't hold her against her will... Was it something other worldly? Was Delilah holding her there so she could offer Tony the comfort that the woman passed could not? She didn't know.. Either way she knew she was walking away from the place some how changed..

[Tony Dedrian]

Tony closed his eyes.

"I've stood here for hours at a time, wondering if she'd be waiting for me on the other side of those doors... But I know better... if she had lingered here, she would have visited me already..."

He let a tear fall. A single, true tear, fell down his cheek as he said this, his heart pounding. deep inside, he knew that she was in fact with him, however impossible that seemed. He took in a deep breath, shuddering as he gripped Shiloh's hand. He felt her tug a bit, as if she wanted to walk away, to leave, to not intrude. She even spoke to him, telling him she didn't want to intrude, but it was here... here that Delilah would give them her blessing... so he could finally move on.

He wasn't stupid. He knew Shiloh had the slightest of feelings for him... but one thing kept them apart. He wasn't over Delilah, and she was frightened half to death over commitment. Who wouldn't be? She was never given a chance to be happy... he hadn't received a chance to do anything for himself to be happy for himself, to accept that Delilah was gone, and finally be himself, truly.

He looked at Shiloh with wet eyes, almost about to break from t he pressure. Everything happening at once, all of this... he couldn't...

He silently broke down within, his walls falling, his heart breaking, his soul shattering under the weight finally. He let go of her hand and his knees hit the ground, his eyes glazing over with dread as he looked up at the door, feeling like a lost child, something had taken his heart out and threw it down the street.

He looked up at Shiloh, taking deep breaths as he slowly stood, and looked up to the house again.
----------------------------

Now, a soft voice only Shiloh would hear would speak into her heart.

You care for him... as I did... please... let your heart open to him, because he does love you, as he loved me.

Please, try, for him... for me...

------------------------------

Tony took a silent step forward, towards the stairs, holding his hand out to her, then letting it drop.

"I have to do this... I have to." he muttered silently, looking back up at the house, looking back up at the place he left his heart when Delilah was murdered. When all he had left of his life was a kitten... a kitten that would take Delilah's name.

He opened the door slowly, stepping into the home, a cool rush of air, sweet smelling almost, as he blinked at the small box that was in the middle of the floor. Walking over, he knelt down and picked up the box, looking at the tag, and letting his breath catch.

To my Tony... the second half of my housewarming gift

He opened the box and let a small smile out as he pulled out a small kitten's collar, laughing a bit. A collar for Dj.

I wanted you to have this for our little kitten, our little Mary.

He wiped his eyes. She had named the kitten Mary... no wonder the cat wouldn't answer to DJ... he let the box and the collar drop from his hands and leaned against the doorway, looking over at Shiloh.

"I'm... at peace..." he said quietly.