Waiting for Love. (Cody + ANYONE)

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen had been out of town for 3 weeks and been missing Cody like mad. He wasn't able to come visit her because of his work and she was so busy they wouldn't of been able to spend much time together. He did pop over one night late so she could sleep in his arms cause she had been crying. Cody understood her better then anyone else. Just laying in his arms made the world feel right and like nothing could go wrong. She had missed those arms so much. Thank merlin for Alana for working in her store while being gone. She needed someone to cover it for her and Alana was fantastic.

Gwen wandered into the book store looking for something that could catch her eye. She liked to have something to read in between down times on her trips. Thank fully she wouldn't be traveling for a month. she decided that was how long she needed off. As she held a book in her hand she looked down at her fingers and wondered what it would be like to have a ring on their. An engagement ring or a wedding ring. Was she ready to make that next step?

Gwen pushed her hair out of her face and went up on her tip toes to grab a book that caught her eye. It was shinny and silver with gold on the side. Looking at it closer and smiled. It was a book about love. Maybe it was a sign. She slipped it under her arm and walked to the counter. Paid for her goodies and walked outside the shoppe with her bag.

She was supposed to meet Cody right out side and their was a little bench so she down and opened her book. Her cell went off and she dug in her extra large purse to find it. "Curses" She muttered, she had forgotten to slip it in the little pocket she had made for the damn thing and now it was at the bottom. When she found it all it was was a text message. Jenn wanted her to come over for dinner with her and Seth.

Jenn was starting to show with the baby growing in her tummy and Gwen was getting excited to have a line of baby stuff come out just for Jenn. Once they knew if it was a boy or girl Gwen was off to work. She replied back. "Ill talk to Cody" and then slipped the cell phone back into the pocket. Opening her book she slipped on her reading glasses and got lost in the book until Cody appeared......

[CODY LUCAS]

Cody had been horribly busy with a handful of cases he was juggling at the moment. He was the type of person who took on cases that meant something to him, that the truly cared about. The cases he chose to pursue and work his tail off dealt with people he believe were innoccent, deserving of reconcilliation or worth saving despite the ugly deed they committed - seeing the change of heart they had made. Cody was a guy with a forgiving heart so was eager to help others start anew, especially as he let his mind wander back to a time when he was a bitter git, stuck up and full of hypocrisy. This was a time he was a pet to his father, doing whatever he could to please his never grateful father. Things were different now, he was different. He had made great strives to become someone better, to do something greater with his life. Rather than seeking for power as his father Burton had always done, he sought to find peace and to redeem those who had fallen so low in the valleys and hills of life that hope was no longer a word in their vocabulary.

Though Cody had so busy, and his mind cluttered with the worries of others his mind always came to dreaming of Gwen Wood. She was the most perfect girl - no woman he'd ever met. Not only was she was divine to look at, but her personality could outshine even her outer presence. She had this side to her that was fierce and full of strength, but then she had this other side that was gentle and understanding. It was hard to imagine how someone could be so balanced in personality traits that seemed so distanced from one another. He admired her work ethic of always trying to come up with the newest and lastest style of fashion along with her passion for Quidditch. Cody would love to have a woman like that in his life forever. He wanted Gwen in his life forever. This was definatley the desire of his heart but he wondered if he could committ to her. He knew he committ right then and now to loving Gwen Wood for the rest of his life more than air itself but.. time was another issue in itself. Did he have the time she would need and want to be happy. Cody couldn't let himself ruin her life by being a dead beat husband. He loved her too much for that.

The couple was already living together but was that enough? He wondered if he was enough for her. Cody tried to imagine ways to make the situation work out better. The idea of losing clients didn't set well with him. It wasn't because he'd be getting a smaller paycheck or because he was a natural work-a-holic. It was because he cared too much about the people he was serving. He didn't want to abandon the cause he promised his heart to follow. It was very robin hood esque of him, the quest and path he begun to travel. If only there was an easier, smoother road to Lady Marian. Though they lived together, he hadn't seen Gwen since she got back from her trip because of their busy work schedules. Cody was on break and so promised to meet up with her.

Cody had almost lost track of time when he heard the clock on the wall cluck loudly with an enchanted KooKoo-ing bird. He stood up, grabbed his coat and ran down the hall into the throng filled hallway of the ministry. Cody found the first empty out-going fireplace and jumped in to travel via floonetwork to the Leaky Cauldron. Once he arrived he dusted himself off and made his way out into Diagon Alley walking to Obscurous books where they planned to meet.

As he got closer Cody heard Gwen's phone go off and new he was getting warmer to the spot. He couldn't help but chuckle that she was one of the few who managed to get muggle reception in a wizard's only section. Though he figured that it was getting easier these days to get the reception. Cody saw Gwen sitting on a bench, he paused and smiled to himself seeing her beautiful golden hair sparkling in the sunlight. Quietly he mumbled a charm that made flowers appear in his hand - her favorite kind. He tiptoed towards her and then sat down beside her. Cody wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear "I missed you". He kinda hoped his sneaky entrance would spook her a bit for laughs.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen had been lost in thought of her book and didn't hear Cody. When he kissed her and puled her out of her book she nearly jumped out of her skin and started laughing. Her hands dropped the book which fell to the ground and she reached for him. Her arms went around his body and she kissed his lips. The flowers. She felt them brush against her cheek. This made her laugh. "You are amazing." She sighed happily, taking the flowers with one hand and set them on her purse and went back to holding him.

"Merlins Beard I have missed you more then i miss air." She kissed him again. "I hate being away from you for so long, but the return is wonderful." She longed every time she returned to him for his touch and his voice and the whispers against her ears. "I have missed you too." She replied late to his comment, not like it was needed with the way she held him. "Do you have to work late tonight or is tonight going to be you and me?" She trailed a hand up to his ear and let her fingers play with the hair right above her ear. She knew that was a spot to soften him up.

Living with someone makes you learn alot about the other person, sleeping with them, you learn the world about them. She knew they only had a short time before he had to go back to work, she was curious if she could convince him of playing hooky for a day. Her cell phone went off again and she reached for it from her bag and grinned at him. "I pay damn good money to make sure I have reception over here thank you." She stuck her tongue out at him. Jenn replied to her with a "OK, well you better or else." Gwen laughed after reading the text. "well Jenn and Seth want us over for dinner tonight. I don't think we are going to get out of it, well I am not. I am praying to Merlin you can come." She giggled and clung to him again.

Gwen knew she had missed him but until her body was with his she didn't really know that it was this much. "I am taking a month off from traveling Cody. Its for me." She knew he would think she was doing it for him. "Its for me to relax. I have been going and going and I would rather sleep in your arms for a month and just work at my store then travel. And I can use the fireplace if its an emergency. I just want to be home for a while." She sighed.

Her mind went back to the night when Cody came and held her while she cried, she never told him what was wrong. She just couldn't cause she wasn't sure. She had stopped eating during the photo shoots and was throwing up again. She pulled away from Cody and looked into his eyes. "We need to talk...."

[CODY LUCAS]

Cody always thought it was cute when Gwen lost track of the world when reading a book. There was something about the pensive look on her face with her eyes full of intrigue and her lips in a soft pout that never seized to make him smile. The reaction she gave him was not one of being spooked which was slightly disappointing at first but once realized the real love in her embrace and the sweet longing in her voice, he couldn't think of a response more perfect than this. When Gwen laughed calling him amazing he smirked a bit and said "I try" in a sauve tone, putting a tender kiss to the side of her forehead, her golden locks grazing his lips at contact. At first Cody was put back when she put down the flowers so quickly but when he felt her grab hold of him again it was worth it a million times over. He was glad that his presence was more cherished than that of the flowers.

When Gwen exclaimed that she had missed him more than air it was a bit of a relieft to hear that they were on the same page. That they both seemed to love one another more than air. Gwen being alive, his ability to see her face was more important to him then getting that last breath of air. She was the center of his world, no matter how cluttered and crazy the world he inhabited seemd to get. As she talked to him he just smiled to himself and when she whispered back he took hold of her hand, his fingers weaving through hers. When she asked him about his plans, he knew very well what he had scheduled but his heart wanted Gwen - no, it needed Gwen; he forced his mind to look for loopholes at work, ways to reschedule his life so that he could spend time with Gwen. As his mind was racing he felt her delicate fingers being to twist the hairs above his ear and he almost lost his train of thought. Finally he said "For you Gwen, I'll take tonight off. I'll just go in extra early tomorrow". Cody couldn't help but kiss her cheek, the smell of her fruity skin was just too good to pass up.

Again he heard Gwen's cell phone go off and he shot her a look like 'only you would have service' which warranted her response of the fact that she paid good money for it, and there was no doubt in his mind that this was true. He couldn't blame her though, Gwen was one of those girls whose life was very much intwined with the world of muggles. This was becoming more and more common. Some people liked being close with the muggle community and outside world... others, like his father thought it was unneccessary and contradictive to the vow of the community of secretcy. He was about to ask Gwen who was trying oh-so hard to connect her, miss popular when she flat out said that it was Jenn and Seth wanting them over for dinner. Cody laughed to himself, happy for this unexpected night of fun but it was also a bit of a nervous laugh, comptemplating how difficult life would be tomorrow trying to catch up on everything. "Yeah we can go, no problem Gwen". He couldn't give up the chance to spend the first night Gwen was back without her, and there was no way he could resist saying 'no' to those pleading eyes asking him to join her. Her clinging to him was just another sign of where he should be tonight, at her side.

Gwen began to say that she was taking a month off. Cody was just about to interject, believing that for some reason she felt the need to take it off for him. He didn't want her giving up her life and dreams because of him. He'd never get over feeling guilty. Then before he could speak, she clarified that it was for herself. When she said she'd wanted to be home for awhile, it didn't click in his head that he meant his house, which was now their house. Cody figured she was going to Ireland to visit her family. "You're going to Ireland to visit your family for a whole month?" Though her family was so far, she was very good at keeping in contact but it was still difficult to get together, especially now with her siblings having families and full plates of their own. "That should be fun. I know Zoey mises you like crazy". Cody was very happy for her but he couldn't help but feel horribly empty inside, imagining another month without her near. This night together was going to be even more special then.

The look on Gwen's face changed drastically and quickly. She had been so full of joy and happiness with their reunion and talk of her vacation plans and then she looked as if a dementor was breathing on her neck as she said 'we need to talk'. He scooted closer to her, putting his hand under her chin, lifting it up so he could see those sparkling blue eyes of her. "Yes, of course, what about?". In his other hand was her hand and he squeezed it reassuringly "I'm here for you. Don't be afraid to let it out" he cooed to her. Cody wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible about whatever it was that was on her mind. He prayed in his heart that she wasn't about to break up with him.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen loved clinging on to Cody. He was her life support, her drug of choice in other words to put it. And he was willing to put his work aside for a day to be with her. She felt a tinge of regret asking him to do that but she needed to be with him. Being away from him for so long was killing her and making her slide down a path she couldn't go back down. When she started to feel like she was losing something she would hurt herself and usually it was in not eating or making her throw up her food. She use to cut herself but she stopped that, it left marks on her skin and got tired of having to do little spells to fix the scars.

Her giggles got louder when she knew he was pretty much making fun of her for having cell service but she loved it cause she knew he loved her for her craziness with her phone. "Jenn will be excited to know we are coming." She giggled again, and giggles were only around Cody. No one else, other then family, did she giggle around. She shot back a quick text to Jenn and paid all attention to Cody.

"No baby, I am home." Her fingers went back to his hair. "I am at our home. The one you and I share when I can actually be there." She gave a sad look. She wished she was always there with him, morning and night. "Seeing my family had not even crossed my mind actually but I will go over their for a day through the fireplace. Maybe you can come if its on a saturday? Oh! I could plan a BBQ." This put Gwen's mind to work but she had to stop it when she looked up into Cody's eyes and he wanted to know what was wrong. He always made it so easy for her to talk but this subject was hard. Its what pushed others away. She uncoiled from him and stood up. "Walk with me?" She said in a soft voice and knew he would follow. "I have an issue that I haven't spoke much to you about Cody." She looked down and kept walking. She was ashamed of it but still let it happen when she got weak. "You look at me like I am this strong woman and I am not that at all. I put on a really good face when I need to and I don't want you to have to see this side of me Cody." She let a tear fall down her cheek. "Cody I am weak and when I was away I feel into this habit that is bad. I stop eating and then when I do I don't keep it down. I need to be home right now to get myself back on track." She turned away from him afraid he was going to look down on her.

[CODY LUCAS]

When Gwen had giggled, he laughed along side her. There was something about her laugh that just made him feel alive. It was wonderful and he soaked it up. Cody felt like it was ages since he heard her laugh like that. He knew that even though she was great at meeting new people there was a side of her that only came out around people she really trusted. This giggly side was one of them. He was glad that she felt so comfortable around him. "I'm excited to see them. It's been some time since we last hung out".

When Gwen reassured him that when she said 'home' she meant their 'home' a warm fuzzy feeling came over him. It felt right to hear her say that. That they together were one entity. If only he could truly make 'home' more 'homey' for her. She had free reign of decorating however she liked. He trusted her, and wanted her to feel she could make their place look the way that her self expression dictated. He figured this wasn't enough though. A home wasn't just a place that looked good to you.. it was where the people you loved were. Where you had a connection to the people that lived there. He knew he had a deep connection with Gwen, but was he there enough to keep the fire lite? Cody wasn't sure. Coming home to an empty home, day and day out wasn't the most appealing situation for anyone.

He was surprised that she hadn't thought about seeing her familly yet, but he felt pretty good about being the first thought on her mind. Then he felt kind of guilty. He never thought he treated Gwen as well as she deserved. It was rough. He couldn't pull himself away from being away from her, because he needed her. Cody didn't know if her needing him was good for her. He knew he'd never try to hurt her but perhaps being let down, by being absent to much would be a bigger let down, and a bigger disappointment in the longrun.

When she asked him to walk with her he of course was standing by herside in an instant. He'd follow her to the ends of the earth if she asked him too. Gwen began to talk about an 'issue' she had. Her voice seemed to get more and more somber and he realized the mood was getting increasingly serious. He was afraid of what she'd reveal. When she finally let it out that she wasn't eating and throwing up what she did eat he felt horrible. Cody held her tight and kissed her forehead "Why are you doing that to yourself? Did I do something?" he hoped he hadn't done anything to cause it. "I should take you to a physician. They'd know what to do" truth is he had no clue what to do for something like that. "I want you checked out". His heart was racing so fast, scared that she was going to crumple to the ground at any moment. "How are you feeling right now? Do you need food? Are you hungry?" Cody's mind was trying to find a solution.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen felt his arms go around her and she wanted to lean into him and pull away at the same time. He thought it was him that was causing her to do it? How could he think that? She sighed and pulled away just enough to look up at him. "No Cody, its not you. Nothing you did. Its me. Its something I have done since I was 16 but I stopped." She pulled away and started walking and then turned around and looked at him. "I have to stay like this." She motioned at her body. "It has to be perfect for the modeling and...for you." She said the last part as a whisper.

She ran her hands through her hair. "I hate myself for this. I have been seen. I have gone to Hunter. I don't need anyone else seeing me or checking me out. Damnit, I know I shouldn't be doing it." She wanted to crumble. She had only show this side to one other person and it was Alek and he didn't know how to deal with it. She figured neither did Cody. "No I am not hungry, I already ate. The idea of seeing you today let me be able to eat something." She knew how stupid that sounded. She looked away from his pleading eyes. "I will move out tonight. You don't need to deal with me like this Cody." Tears started to flood down her face. "I can't put this on you. I will go back to my shoppe and live in the apartment." Taking a deep breath she tried to pull herself together. She should never of told Cody, now he thinks she is crazy and she can't handle it, him thinking that. All she wanted was to cling to him but knew that he didn't want that, how could he?

[CODY LUCAS]

Cody began to feel emotional when Gwen reached out to him on this level. It was special that she trusted him so fully but it was heartbreaking to see her like this. When Gwen pointed to herself as if it was a just an object that needed to be continually shined and polished he felt horrible. She said it wasn't his fault. It may not just be him that caused her this struggle, but he was still a bump in her road to recovery. "Gwen, I love you no matter what you look like. I love you, who you are, where your heart is. You don't need to feel like you need to impress me in that way. I will always think you are beautiful" then he thought about her modeling career "if anyone is telling you different, then screw them Gwen. I think no matter what shape or size you are, you will be perfectly beautiful to me. If modeling makes you feel inadequate then don't do it anymore. Its better that you are healthy ok".

When she started saying she was moving out and started crying he almost broke down right then and there. He couldn't deal with her leaving him, and especially not like this, or for this. He grabbed hold of her, pulling her close to him "hey, what are you talking about. Whatever it is you are going through. I want to be there for you. I don't want you deal with this on your own. If you leave me now, I'll just have to follow you. I won't be able to sleep not knowing how you are doing. Gwen, I love you. Don't leave me. I need you." He was starting to feel frantic with worry. "What do you want from me, just name it, have it. Have anything. Nothing will matter to me if you go."

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen was hearing him. He loved her. He was pleading with her and this made her sick that he was doing this. “I love you to Cody but I can’t hurt you. You are my everything. You are the only one I think of being with.” Her heart was breaking. She needed to just push him away before she hurt him didn’t she? He was telling her to give up modeling. She had done it right before and she only started back up right before she met him. When she was trying to fill that void. “Cody, I don’t know what to do.” She felt broken inside. “Cody I am just going to hurt you. I am not clingy with people but with you..its different. I need you.” She knew she had her life and he had his. How could she stop her life and ask him to stop his. He had his cases he had to do, she had her travels. Pulling away from him she leaned against a wall and then walked to him and grabbed his hand. “We are going to your office. I can’t do this on the street anymore.” She hated causing a scene. People would see and then it would be on the tabloids and she had enough to deal with then putting Cody through that hell. She apperated them both back to his office, she didn’t wait for him to do it. Walking over to the couch that was in the room, she slipped her shoes off and sat down with her feet curled up under neither her.

She looked up at Cody with pleading eyes. “I love you Cody.” The tears were flowing again but she was in his office and no one could see. “You aren’t supposed to see me like this. You have always seen me strong.” She sighed. Gwen let him see her this way one time, the room on her travels but it was not at this level. Just some tears. She was afraid to lose him, afraid to keep him. “Cody I ask to much of you.” She wasn’t even sure if he should want her. Gwen let her cell phone ring and ignored it. The last thing she cared about was anything else but Cody and the situation at hand. “Maybe I should go?” She said in a sad voice.

[CODY LUCAS]

Cody's voice was soft, frantic and pleading. She had pulled away from him. "Gwen, Gwen," and by the third time he said her name his voice had cracked being shredded with emotion "Gwen". He finally was able to put a sentence together "Can't you see, leaving me, pushing away from me like this is what will rip me apart. The only way you can hurt me is if you hurt yourself or break my heart. If you leave... you'll do both and then I'll be the biggest train wreck because I won't have an end point, a destination, a reason for going on. What is the purpose of a train without a place to stop? I might has well drive off the cliff". He was being dramatic with his metaphor but he couldn't help himself, if was what he felt in his heart and it was the best way he could put it into words.

In a whoosh of air Gwen apparated them to his office. He watched her slink over to the couch and sit in a fetal like ball, her eyes pleading. Cody sat beside her, he wanted to grab her, hold her tight but didn't want to over do it. He didn't want to scare her or make her run. It felt like he was trying to catch a dove before is flew away spooked by the sound of a twig breaking beneath his bare feet. Difficult. "You know I love you. It doesn't matter how I see you Gwen because no matter what I love you and want the best for you alright. You don't always need to be strong. I can be strong too. I know you don't like to lean on people in that way, but let me carry you sometimes" he meant it figuratively of course "let me bear your burdens with you. I'll do whatever it takes. Despite my amazing sense of organization I've always lacked in the priortizing part but now I know you see me, as I see you and I know where my number one is. Its you and I'll do whatever it takes. I'll cut back work... whatever. I need you". He pushed his fingers through his hair trying to calm the frustration "Nothing you ask is too much. How can you? We have a symbiotic relationship going on it seems. The only way you can ask too much... would be for you to leave me and ask me to live with that." When she said she should go he finally reached his arm out to her "No, please... don't"

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen was ashamed of herself for doing this to Cody. "Cody, I can't ask you to cut back from work. I know I can. I know what I can cut out and delegate to other people but you love your job and your long hours." She wanted to stop crying. When he begged for her to not go she turned her body and leaned into him. She needed his touch and he was reaching for her. He loved her. Hadn't she known it all along? Of course she did but was she asking to much? Of course she was! The modeling could be dropped and the fashion line could be cut back. Money wasn't a need, she had enough. Turning her head up she looking into his eyes. "I need to be able to support myself. I don't want you to ever think I am going to have you do all the working in the relationship. Just as I know you don't expect me to support you." Praying that that did not come out wrong. "I would support you Cody but we both know we aren't like that." She sighed. Moving her body so she was curled into his chest and holding on to his arm she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I can't live without you Cody, but the second I start to hurt you I won't be able to live either. You have never seen the side of me that hurts people. I am kind and you see that cause its how I make up for the hurt I have put on others. Boa was always there for me and tried to help me. I think thats why her and I got along so well."

Her phone went off again. "We are going to have to leave for Jenn and Seth's in a few hours. I know this wasn't how you wanted to spend our first day back, me crying all over you. Can I lay here while you do some work? I don't really wanna go back home and be alone." Gwen could handle hard thing but this moment in time she felt weak and like the only person she could lean on was Cody. She really thought he was going to kicked her out and tell her to go. Who was this man who loved her so much? How was it possible? She knew Alek loved her but she didn't love him the same way. She didn't have the feelings for him like she does for Cody. Cody is her rock and she was his. They needed each other.

[CODY LUCAS]

When Gwen said that she 'couldn't do this to him' that she 'couldn't ask hi to cut back at work' he could see and feel the pressure in the air. The pressure that was pounding on the back of Gwen's neck. He felt for her, he truly wished that there was something he could do to not make her feel this way. Maybe there was a spell for some kind of magical wind that can blow away someone's troubles and worries. Cody had to say something, he had to stand his ground and let her know that he wasn't going anywhere - atleast not anywhere that she wasn't going. "Gwen you are right, you don't have to ask me cut back hours. I will do it - simply because I love you and I want to do it. Can't you see - the happier you are, the happier I am. If there is something I can do that will make your life even the tiniest bit easier it will be instantly affect me as well. Gwen, just let me help you". When she held onto his arm, he just held her tighter. He wanted to let her know that there was nothing more important to him than her, that somehow their bodies being so close he could send her that vibe. Gwen was going on about how she hurts people. She does not hurt people. He knew Gwen. He knew that there was nothing about her that was evil or trying to inflict any arm on anyone. Cody said "You are human Gwen. Sometimes people make mistakes. You don't hurt people on purpose and everyone around you know that you love them. They know the true you, real you and they aren't holding grudges against you. Its time that you stop holding grudges against yourself. Gwen, Gwen" he held her chin gently "you are an amazing woman. I wish you could just see that. You know, and now I know you are dealing with things. Things that seems impossible to overcome but I know, I know that you can do it". Cody held her close, quiet for a moment. He then spoke again "Remember when Quinn was on trial... remember how bleak the outcome of her trial was? It didn't seem like anything we could do would be enough to save her." he paused "but, together we all did our part and helped her out. Now she is starting to live life again. She has emerged as a clever young witch despite the place she was at a few years back". Cody played with her hair and rubbed her back "You see, this road, this road we're on - yes- we are on together isn't going to be an easy one but we will get through it". Cody kissed her cheek "there is a saying that 'the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. Let's take it together". He then laughed, shocking himself a bit "Frodo didn't make it in and out of Mordor without Sam and hell, even Harry Potter always had Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger".

When Gwen reminded him about Jenn and Seth. He wasn't sure if Gwen was ready to put on a happy face and go over there now, but he knew Gwen wouldn't hear about not going now. He hoped that hanging with friends would cheer her up some and help her relax. "We're gonna have a good time tonight ok. Eat some good food and hang with some real partiers" he smiled "I know I wasn't born a party animal .. but I try".

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen thought Cody was so sweet and cute. He knew how to comfort her. She loved how he was rubbing her back and playing with her hair. She felt protected. Safe in his arms. She was so tired from crying so hard she let her eyes close and she drifted off to sleep on the couch listening to the man of her dreams go on about Frodo and Lord of the Rings. That made her smile.

When she awoke Cody was working away at his desk and she had a blanket over her. She wasn't ready to let him know she was awake from her tiny nap and laid there watching him. He looked so professional to her in his robes and working away. She thought maybe she should come to his office more often, thats how she could be with him, without him needing to take anytime off from work.

She sat up and smiled at him. "I am sorry about that." She said in a whisper, hoping not to startle him. Standing up and walking over to him and sat on the corner or his desk she moved her hands through his hair. "I am just a mess it seems and I started taking you down with me." He watched him with sad eyes. "I am going to pop home really quick and change, do you want me to pop back here or do you want to meet me at home?"

She waited for his reply and kissed him on the cheek and apperated out to their house. First thing she did was collapse on their bed and pulled a pillow tight to her body and cried some more. She just needed to let out some more tears before going to Jenn and Seth's. She was such a fool with falling apart like that with Cody. She felt like everything was so emotional lately and she didn't know why....then she stopped breathing for a moment. She shot out of bed and ran to the bathroom and started opening drawers frantically. "Damnit! I keep them here just incase..thats what your supposed to do. The just incase. And its supposed to turn up false. Damnit!" She hollered and then found on. She tore open the pregnancy test package and just looked at it. "There is no way. I was gone for three months, we had one night together." She looked down, the time frame actually works.

A few minutes later she was looking dumbfounded at the test. It was two pink lines, and that meant her and Cody were going to have a child. A child?? She dropped the test into a bag and started walking back and forth in the bathroom. "No. Not a child. We can't have a kid. I can barely make time for myself let alone a child." She tore her clothes off and jumped in the shower. The water was boiling hot and just hitting her body ultra hard. She needed time to just stop, she sat down in the shower and just watched the water, her mind stopped working and she felt numb......

OOC: Sorry if I skipped ahead...

[CODY LUCAS]

When Cody saw Gwen give a smile his heart melted. He knew then that there really was hope. That they could work things out and that he could help her get back on track. Cody was glad he was able to give her that momentary relief from all her pain. It was a tense moment, and it was going to be a rough road but together as a team he knew it would work out.

Gwen had tired herself out from all of the drama and crying so much that she fell asleep. He had a drapped a blanket over her, knowing that she gets cold easily. He had decided to work a bit while she was taking a nap. Cody knew he'd have to get the work done sometime, so better now while she was sleeping then have to spend a waking hour away from her. After some time she began to stir on the sofa. She smiled at him again and he couldn't help but give her a big smile in return. "Don't even worry about it" he motioned to her with open arms. Gwen sat at the edge of his desk and he was just happy to see that she looked like she could function again. She was a fighter, never giving up.

She kept blaming herself for things that weren't so. He gave her a puzzled look "No, no, not at all. Please don't think like that". Cody stood up and kissed her forehead. He embraced her as she continued to talk "I'll meet you at home in a bit, just take your time getting ready. Things will be get better alright". He wanted to give her hope and peace of mind.

About a half hour after Gwen apparated out of the office he ued the floo network to go home. When he got there it was awfully quiet. It was like a ghost town. Then his ears were atuned to a sound. It was Gwen crying. He ran around the house until he found her. His heart racing, thinking something horrible had happened to her.

He walked into the bathrooms and the draws were askew with junk thrown all over the place. The room was steamy with the hot water running in the shower. "Gwen are you in there? Are you alright?" he didn't want to overstep by ripping the curtain open which is what he wanted to do to see that she was really alright.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen was in shock, she was going to be a mom. Yes she was 22 and at the right age, Shit, her sibs seemed to have them younger or right at the time. She was the only only one left to not have a spawn but she wasn't ready for this. She needed to live life more, didn't she? And then what? She would have to give up everything like Boa did to raise spawns. She loves kids, her nieces and nephews were priceless and she loved to spoil them silly but her own children?

The tears kept flowing down and the water was hitting her body. She then heard Cody running around the house looking for her. She couldn't move, she couldn't even yell to tell him she was in the shower. She felt dead. She could sense his presence in the bathroom before he even spoke, it was a connection she had with him. That made her want to cry more. She was so tired and over welmed she couldn't even pop into his mind to tell him without speaking. With out moving the curtain flew open, she had used magic, which seemed to take less energy then actually doing it. Then a towel flew over to her and covered her up right after she switched the water off. All with out moving or saying a word. Magic was something Gwen was damn good at.

She finally raised her head and looked at Cody in the eyes. Shouldn't she be smiling? Shouldn't she be happy and jumping up and down? No. Now the man she loved was going to think she was trapping him into marriage and a life with her. Forcing him to be with her because she was pregnant. Should she get rid of it? NO! As she looked into his eyes her hand went to her stomach and rested there. "Cody?" She said in nothing more then a whisper. "We need to talk, but I can't move." She looked broken. PLease carry me to the bed. She said in his mind. She knew he was going to get wet but she just needed him at that moment. She figured he would dry her off before putting her on the bed so she sat their and waited for him to say something.

[CODY LUCAS]

Gwen turned off the shower and put a towel on herself without even using a wand. He was always so impressed by her skill. Magic seemed to come more naturally to her than it did to himself and others. Cody was good wizard but not because of natural skill or raw talent. He was the type that all through Hogwarts had to work his a$$ off night and day to get where he was at. It wasn't that Gwen never studied, it was just she was lucky to have that ease with it all.

When she looked up at him she seemed so small and helpless. She didn't look like the Gwen he knew and loved. She seemed broken and frail. His mind was searching, trying to figure how this had happened. Last time he saw her before her trip she seemed lively enough. Then she came back and it was like all her troubles had crushed her. Cody wrapped his arms around her "Are you ok babe? What do you need?"

She told him that they needed to talk. He was horrified. He was scared she was going to bring up the idea of breaking up again. Cody could't understand how she thought breaking up with him would solve anything. He knew that she loved him and when she talked crazy like that it broke his heart. Cody nodded though and said "alright, what is it? You can tell me anything". He was always reassuring her that she could trust him.

Then with her mind she told him to carry her to the bed. He knew that her mind talking had begun with her brother Oliver. She had been able to carry it over the skill to be able to communicate with other loved ones. The idea of having someone talk to you could be scary, but knowing it was Gwen and the love he had for her. He couldn't think of a better honor than for her to do that. This time was different though. She sounded so forlorn and scared. Cody picked her up and gently put her down. He sat beside her and waited for her to say something, anything.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen felt bad using her power on him. She knew most people hated it with a passion when she did it, but she didn't have the energy at the moment. After being placed on the bed she reached for a bottle of water and took a sip. Turning back to him she looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath. She pulled a blanket from the bed and wrapped herself around with it. "Cody, this is either going to make you very happy or have you run for the hills. How was she going to tell him this? He was always so sweet and ready to hear what she had to say. In his office she had already sent him on a roller coaster was she ready to do it again?

"Cody....I am pregnant." She let that sit for a moment. "Remember when you came and visited me that one night? The one night we were able to spend all night together?" She looked down. "You can run. I am not trying to trap you." She started crying again. She knew Cody was a good man and deserved better then her nut case of a self. Was he really ready to live with her forever? How could he? When she spoke to other people about her business or modeling she was always so positive cause she knew she was damn good at what she did, but when it came to her and a relationship she doubted it all. She felt like she was not good enough or that she should just be alone and worry about work and family. Then here is Cody and he is amazing but has his job, she hated asking him to step back from it for a family. Was he ready for that? The tears started flowing again down her cheeks.

[CODY LUCAS]

Cody sat behind her, playing with her hair gently, trying to relax her from the state of panic she obviously was in. He was trying to figure why she was so frazzled and just wanted to make it all better. He wished he could just wipe her tears and rid her life of all the fears and insecurities she was carrying.

Cody was curious at what she meant that his emotions could flay so far from either very happy or make him want to run. Nothing was coming to mind. Cody rubbed her shoulders hoping to loosen her up a bit. She was so tense, so tight - it hurt just trying to rub it out. He whispered in her ear "c'mon baby, just say it. Don't be afraid. I'm not going to run for the hills"

Finally she spit it out. The second she said it he felt giddy. He was happy and excited but it was happening all wrong. Cody wasn't completely old fashioned but he felt that he should at least marry her before getting her pregnant with his spawn. Though he was excited for the possibilities he could tell that Gwen was confused as to how to think or feel. "You're not happy about this? You're not ready? I... I..." he was stumbling over his words not sure what to say to her. Cody wasn't mad. He just hated to see her like this and how she was unsure how to feel happy about being a mother. Cody was definitely not ready to be a single father... but if that's what had to happen he'd do it. In times like this, he couldn't trust any child of his to be put under a stranger's care. "I would take the child... if you don't want him or her... or whatever it decides to be" his brow was furrowed trying to access the situation and what was really happening.

[GWENDOLYN WOOD]

Gwen felt him playing with her hair and it calmed her but she was still frazzled. She was pregnant. She was supposed to be the auntie not the mommy. Looking at Cody, she could see he was happy in his eyes but then something changed. She jumped up and moved away from him. Her hands went around her belly. "You can't take it. You want the child but not me?" Was that what he was saying? He was happy to be a father but not with her? She thought he loved her and wanted her. All he wanted was the child? She kept backing up until she was against the wall. "Cody? You don't want me and the child?"

Gwen was such a mess but she must of miss heard him cause she couldn't believe he didn't want her anymore. Before she could say anything else Oliver popped into the room looking red and angry. "What is going on?" All Oliver saw was his sister in a towel against the wall crying holding herself. He turned to Cody. "What did you do to her?! All I was getting was sadness and pain, like she had been hurt. I know when my sister is hurt or upset." The connection they had let them feel when something was wrong and usually Oliver could push it away but when he was getting such strong emotions sent to him he couldn't ignore them.

He thought Cody had hurt Gwen or something bad had happened. He wasn't getting clear thoughts from Gwen and she wasn't letting any in, so he had no choice but to pop over into their house and make sure everything was ok. Why was she crying? Holding herself. "Cody?! Tell me now I so help me Merlin's Beard I am will hurt you." Oliver knew how to muggle fight better then magic fight so thats what he was ready for if it came down to it.

Gwen notice him come in while she was looking at Cody with big sad eyes. "Oliver! NO! Stop it! This is between me and Cody!" She looked around desperately for her robe but the towel was really big so she didn't think it would fall off. What had she done?! "This is all my fault." She knew if she was letting herself get this upset then she could lose the baby and that made her feel worse, she couldn't lose the one thing that might keep Cody with her. But was that trapping him??