[Library] The "Talk"

[Alex Doyle]

"Alex?" Came the voice of Jay, one of his friends from the Ravenclaw common room. Alex was going over his Astronomy essay, working through the kinks and trying to figure out the phases of the moon. "Alex, you have a note." Jay threw the piece of parchment to him and sat down on the table opposite him, "Some First Year Hufflepuff asked me to give it to you, dont know who it's from though"

Alex,
Can you meet me in the library tonight at 9pm?
I am on duty so you do not need to worry about
other professors catching you up... And a Ravenclaw
in a library is not really a strange sight!
Dan Hubbles

"Its off Professor Hubbles," Alex told Jay, "He wants to meet me in the library tonight, though he doesnt say why." Alex and Jay exchanged one of those looks, a mixture of 'Uh oh' and 'Yipes' "What time?" Jay asked as he picked the note off Alex, "Nine? Well thats in five minutes dude, better get your skates on, Knowing you, you failed to hand in homework or something."

That was a good way to think, though Dan never set homework so it couldnt be that. Maybe he just wanted company, though if that was the case why ask him and not Girty. Still, there was no point pondering over it as he clambered out of the common room and up the hall, he was find out soon enough anyway. Walking fast, his green jacket on and his hood up. He was dressed in muggle clothes since he always changed once the day was done. Turning another corner, he walked up the stairs to the floor the library was on.

As he pushed open the doors, he had no idea how loud they creaked. The library wasnt a place you would usually find Alex but it was welcoming occasionally. He stepped into the library, hit instantly by the smell of musty books that had been here probably since the time of the founders. "Professor Hubbles?" He called through the library, the Claw stood by the librarians desk drumming his fingers on the side. If he was on duty, he should be able to see him.

"Hellooo"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

There was only two perks about being on duty in the library, it was quite and Dan could just stand and talk to Offley for hours on end without having to dash off somewhere. Tonight the library was quite and Offley and Dan had been having a discussion about how crushed up parsley would work better to cure mandrake acne better then dock leaves.

“I mean it is not like they are nettle stings.”
“Yes but that is muggle theory dock leaves actually have…”
“Yes yes dock leaves have great magical properties when used in the correct manor.” Dan interrupted knowing his friends argument all to well.
“Don’t you have students to be tending to Professor Hubbles” Offley joked folding her arms in defiance to the Charms professor interruption.
“Oh they are fine; I will only worry if they set fire to the books.” He grinned “I am actually waiting for…” The library door opened and he heard his name being called out. “That!”

With wink at Offley Dan turned the corner in the bookcase and peered out towards the front desk where he saw Alex tapping his figures against the woodwork looking around. A smile spread across Dan’s face, he was glad the first year had got the message to him and even happier that Alex had agreed to come.

“Good evening Mr Doyle thank you for coming down.”

Dan extend his hand out to the lad in greeting. He was not really sure why he did such a business like thing, or the reason why he had called him Mr Doyle he just felt like this was going to be an important talk and they needed to take things seriously. With a glance around Dan noticed a few of the students in the library were peering over the top of books and hushed their conversations even more to try and listen in, and this was something Dan did not want others to hear.

“Would you care to follow me Alex.” Dan walked around him and towards the small room at the edge of the library. “Offley I am borrowing your office darling!” He called out over his shoulder as he pushed open the door, leaving it open for the green clad Ravenclaw to walk in first.

[Alex Doyle]

There were still a few students dotted around about since they did not technically have to be in their common rooms for another hour or so depending on their years, Alex found it quite distracting how few people were around, he was used to the place being jammed full of people walking shoulder-to-shoulder down the corridor, trying to to stand on any toes, or any little animals that may of escaped or something. In truth, it was quite hectic.

Alex looked at at the sound of his name being said rather professionally which he was not used to by the likes of anyone. No Mr please, Im not in my thirties yet. Alex thought to himself as Dan thanked him for coming out, though it hadnt taken much convincing, one note and bumph, he showed up. Was this Alex's way of getting in the Charms professors good books?

"Yeah, not a problem." Alex gave a small smile, whichever way you looked at it, Dan was still a professor, you could date all his family at once and it wouldnt change the fact that Alex still had to be careful of what he said. "Thanks for having me."

This was either very formal, or very businesslike, or possibly both and Alex was quite unsure of what was going on, but the feeling in his stomache that was tensing, was getting tighter. Alex shook Dan's hand. This was either going to turn into a very long night or a rather confusing one, and Alex was willing to stake his bet on the first one. Knowing full well they were being watched, Alex muttered under his breath with a sidelong glance at them, "Nosey buggers."

Alex walked into the office not really saying much as he walked past, Dan's cheery yet businness like ways were putting the Claw on edge and it wasnt difficult to see that. Sighing, his shoulders relaxed and pulled down the hood of his jacket, running his hands through his hair he turned to look at the Charms Professor, "So, you wanted to talk to me Professor?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan watched as the Ravenclaw walked past him and into the small office and he pulled down his hood, ruffling up his hair. Girty always did have a thing for hair and Dan could not help but wonder if that was something that had tipped her towards him. With a slightly amused smile as Alex asked why Dan wanted to see him he closed the door to the office and looked for where Offley hide her chairs. He spotted one covered in books and hen he saw that there was a stool upside down on one of the desks a laugh escaped his lips.

“Offley is one crazy woman.” He muttered and he lifted the stool off the desk and placed it down the correct way up for Alex to sit on before removing the papers and books on the other chair for himself. “The life cycle of Hyaginthus…what on earth are Hyacinthus’?” Turning over the page he gave a groan of realisation. “Purple flowers…should have guessed.”

Dan was strangely nervous about this ‘talk’ they were going to have, he had never had to do it before…well he thinks he may have given Simon one before Christmas but that time was a blur as he spent almost everyday intoxicated with alcohol trying to numb the pain of being without Dia. However now was now and he did not have any alcohol to help so he was going to have to get this over and done with.
Putting the books down on the clear space where the stool had been Dan sat down on the chair and looked over at Alex with a small frown upon his face.

“I am not realty one to dance around a topic…as a family we are rather forward thinking and proactive.” Dan was not quite sure where he was going with this, it might be the reason why the Hubbles family told it straight out as they always got themselves confused when trying to avoid talking about something. “But anyway…I am lead to believe that you and my sister are…intimately connect. Is this correct?”

[Alex Doyle]

Turning at the sound of Dan's voice, Offley, he assumed that to be the librarian, he only knew her by Miss Marsh and since Alex tended to stay away from the library, he didnt really see it of any importance to know her name. Dan seemed to be talking to himself so deciding not to interrupt him he looked around, typical place for a librarian, full of books and goodness knows what else, still, it wasnt anything to do with Alex what the woman did with her place.

Alex surveyed the stool before taking a seat on it. He clasped his hands together and leant on his legs. There was a silence between the two of them, as they seemed both to be on edge, Alex knew why he was here, why Dan wanted to talk to him, there was no other reason it had to be about his sister. As far as Alex knew, he was a good participator in his lessons and he didnt do anything he shouldnt, well obviously he did, but he was smart enough to not get caught.

It seemed a while before either of them spoke, and it seemed as though the silence had grown rather too much for Dan as he was the first to speak, and this was where Alex groaned inwardly. He had been dreading this, ever since Girty told him over the summer to expect one of these talks, he still never prepared for it. Jokingly his reply to Girty was, 'Lets elope.' As soon as the word intimate came out of Dan's mouth, Alex bit down on his lip as he felt that familiar rush of heat moving over his cheeks, a sure sign of flushing. This is going to be one long night, Alex thought. The summer just passed had been one of his best summers, obviously since he spent half of it with Girty but still, the whole older brother talking about it thing wasnt good. Alex was sure Dan didnt want to know the truthful answer to that seeing as how Girty was his sister.

"Well," Alex stammered, his brow furrowing as he tried to find the right words. Alex was worried if he said yes to that question, Dan would think that Alex was taking advantage of his sister, which he wasnt, and if he said no, would Dan think he was lying, and if Alex was lying that would mean he was ashamed, which again, he was not. "We are seeing eachother yes. Just before the end of last term, one hell of a roller coaster ride we took to get where we are now but," Shrugging he carried on, "It was worth the wait."

In truth Alex would have waited another seven years for her.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

They were ‘seeing each other’ that was almost as common knowledge as him and Dia being totally in love with each other but not talking for almost 9 months. It was a fact that was thrown around the common rooms like the enchanted paper airplanes, it told Dan nothing. But as the Ravenclaw continued and his next few answers were more satisfactory although there was something about the way he said ‘it was worth the wait’ that made Dan frown once again.

“Why was it worth the weight then Alex?”

Dan placed his hands on the arms of his chair almost bracing himself for an answer that he did not want to hear. From everything Girty had told him Alex seemed like a nice lad and his intensions were honourable he was sure of that, but he could not help but feel that like most males they would change over time, Offley remind him often enough that at around the age of twenty five men go through a physiological change. (She teased him saying that it took his small little mind a little longer to mature.)

The only reason Dan was doing this was because he loved his sister and did not want to see her get hurt either emotionally or physically, this was his own personal one two check over on the Ravenclaw and he would give him the warning…the warning that all protective brothers gave and the thing was...Dan would be willing to follow the threats he placed down on the table.

[Alex Doyle]

Where was the threat? That was one of the biggest parts of the conversation Alex was totally dreading, he was being put on the spot, though usually under pressure Alex could handle, but this pressure was different and Alex didnt like it. He felt intimidated, uneasy and rather nervous. Three things this Claw wasnt used to feeling. He couldnt help it though this time. He didnt want to, and he had been expecting a talk but this was more like an interrogation and Alex would sooner be in front of the Wizengamot court than having this discussion.

It was when Dan asked his next question and Alex looked at him and saw his stance, knowing full well what he was thinking and all Alex could do was sit there dumfounded. Dan had mistaken his meaning and now this could prove troublesome for Alex and he wasnt quite sure what to do or what to say.

"You dont honestly believe I mean that do you?"

Alex's tone was rather hurt, though there was a tinge of annoyancy in it too. In all honesty, that wasnt the thing that was on his mind when he was with Girty. He shook his head and looked down at the floor, his hair falling forwards and he felt like he was shaking through nerves, maybe he should have had that extra boost of sugar this morning like Jay had advised him too, it may have helped.

"Believe it or not, Professor," Alex said rather business like, if Dan was going to be businesslike with Alex he would do the same, "That is not what is on my mind when I am with your sister."

This was true, because when he was with Girty his mind was blank, he couldnt think straight, if at all and you could guarentee his stomache would be doing that jittering thing. Alex wouldnt say he never thought about it, or infact dreamt about it because he had, he was only human afterall but it wasnt what he thought of most. In fact it was far from it, when he thought of her, he smiled, laughed or went a little nuts. Everyone who knew him, knew that she made him happy and he wouldnt hurt her, not for anything!

"What I meant was," Alex began, taking in a deep breath but not making eye contact with Dan, "I have waited Seven years to finally tell her how I felt. I waited seven years for your sister to notice me, and now that we are seeing eachother I couldnt be happier. Thats what I meant by its worth the wait." Looking at Dan, he said, "Surely you know that feeling?"

Lowblow. Bringing up how Dan felt about Dia, touching his sore point, the way to get under Dan's skin was like that but Dan had hit a nerve in Alex when he had suggested he thought of one thing only. Alex had always respected Dan, he was a good man and an excellent professor, though he had no place to throw accusations like that around and Alex wasnt particulary pleased that Dan thought of Alex as being like that either.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan felt his throat close up and he was finding it hard to match the look Alex was giving him, he would keep breaking eye contact occasionally flicking briefly to other areas in the office every time he felt the slight prickle of the threat of tears. Dan never saw himself as being a weak person but over the past year something had changed and now just the smallest prompt to the painful memories nearly broke him down in tears every time. He knew what Alex was talking about, with every syllable that left the boys lips his heart sank after accusing him of such a petit thing…he was after all not like him…the old Dan Hubbles that is.

Licking his lips Dan knew he had to say something, the silence was lingering for far to long but no words, or at least no sensible words were coming to him except the plain obvious and it was that which Dan decided to go for.

“I…I am sorry for accusing you Alex of being so single minded, I needed to know just to rest my mind. You are a sensible guy and I do trust you but…”

‘But what Dan?’ He asked himself, there had to be something stopping himself from saying the next part of his sentence. Maybe it was because after what Alex had said, that he felt for Girty the same how he felt for Dia…Dan loved Dia with all his heart and yet he still hurt her and ruined everything. Then almost as if their was a bright neon light flashing above the memory Dan’s eyes grew wide and he shuffled in his seat.

‘Alex Doyle right? He used to go out with that babe from Ravenclaw, ya know! The fit one? Whats-er-name?...Stephanie McKyle! She is... Wow...’

“Should I be worried about Stephanie McKyle coming in between you and Girty?”

Dan was not sure where this memory had come from but it put doubt in his mind. Alex seemed to be a loyal and honourable guy and would never purposely hurt Girty, but then he had sworn to Dia never to hurt her the way Fitz had done…and then he went and caused her more pain then all her past loves put together just because of a moments weakness.

[Alex Doyle]

After a moments silence, Alex looked up to see Dan's reaction. Alex had not meant to do this to him, he had not meant to bring him on the verge of tears, he had just meant to shake him up a bit, stun him. Alex felt totally ashamed of himself, he had never been cruel, though that really was a low blow, Nearly worthy of Steph he thought knowing how that girl's tonge could be. Exhaling a deep breath that he wasnt even aware was there, he ran a hand through his hair unsure what to do or say next.

Alex looked at Dan as he muttered his apologies. He was stumped, he hadnt expected that, not the stammer, not even the word sorry. Alex was at a complete loss, he didnt know how he could have stumped so low to say such a thing, he was only looking out for his sister.

"Dan, I uh, mean Professor..." Biting his bottom lip he didnt know how to say what he needed to say, nor did he know how Dan would take it. The worst he could do was hex the living daylights out of him and forbid him to see his sister, which of course Alex would never stop seeing Girty. "Listen, About the single minded thing..." Bad start, "In a way I am like that... But its only to girls like Stephanie McKyle. Girls that throw themselves at you and have no respect for themselves." He sighed and ran a hanf nervously through his hair, this was not going well. "What I mean is. There are types of girls who will throw themselves at you without so much as a second thought for themselves or anyone or anything else, those are the types of girls that I am single minded about. Then you have the girls like your sister, girls which drive me crazy, in a good way obviously. Girls that people like me dont just want a fling with. Girty does that to me, she... does things to me I never thought was possible, she makes me happy and thats all I want to do for her."

Alex stopped himself there, he could go on all day about girls like Steph and the differences between Steph and Girty. Though the fact remained, even though Alex had a one track mind when it came to Steph, he would never follow his mind, not now he had Girty. Steph and Girty were two girls in his life, two of many, but Girty was the only one he wanted to hold, the only one he wanted to share himself with now. Steph was his best friend and he would always be there for her, but the only feelings he had for Steph were purely physical, not emotional. Alex, Girty, the feelings there were emotional, and no amount of physical feeling could ever make him stray from that.

"Everyone has their kryptonite" Alex told Dan, "And Steph is mine."

This was true, Steph was his kryptonite. Over the summer when Girty wasnt there, Steph and Alex went to the pubs and clubs and Steph could be quite the little dancer, she tried to temp Alex into straying then, but he wouldnt, he ignored his temptation and pushed her away from him and told him that even though Girty wasnt here, and true, she would probably never find out, he could never live with the guilt himself of knowing what he had done if he decided to take Steph up on her offer. Of course she didnt like this, but she didnt try again.

"Though I would never risk losing Girty for someone like Steph"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan had not expected Alex to open up like that; maybe it was because his own reaction to his previous comment had put him on the back foot, but whatever the reason was it was a very honest answer. The Professor listened with deep interest as he explained things that he was not even Girty knew and he would not be the one to tell her either, Alex admitted to the single mindedness to some girls although he tried his best to reassure Dan that it was not like that with Girty and he wanted to believe him more then he actually did. He knew about the type of girls he was on about, those were the types he used to go for so he knew the temptations but he knew how to cover come them…even if they were you Achilles heel.

“Well these things can be overcome for the ones you love.”

Dan commented thinking about his own weakness; or rather what had once been his Kryptonite. Drink and women those had been his green rock, the one thing he could not resist and yet although when he was in the relationship he dared not ruin he failed, but now he had learnt from it. After the first few weeks of pain had passed and he had drunk his own weight in French Champaign and spend every night with a different woman, Dan went cold turkey. But it was Alex’s next comment that made Dan weary, his own lack of confidence in the male species due to his own actions began to take hold.

“Well I never thought I would cheat on Dia with Quinn, but I did and now look at me...” Dan broke off and closed his eyes. His frustration was staring to come out and he knew it was not right to direct it at Alex, this was not the reason he had brought him here. “…Alex I will not toy with your intelligence any longer, you do know that if you ever do anything that will hurt my sister in anyway I will come down on you like a ton of bricks. I do not care if you say this girl is your one weakness you best have the strong will to never cheat on my sister with her.”

[Alex Doyle]

((Waaa its a beast))

As Alex spoke, Dan listened, though Alex deep brown eyes didnt make eye contact with the professor, he felt like some part of him was betraying his friend when he told Dan what Steph could be like, however, due to concern about what he thought Dan would say, or to what Dan would do to Steph, he kept quiet about the fact she had tried to get into Alex over the summer holidays, the part of the Holiday, Girty had not spent with him. Though Alex's head came up and he looked at the professor, his face rather contorted and strained as even though Alex spoke the truth, a little bit of his still refused to believe the rumours about Steph even he had heard.

"I know they can."

The thing was, anybody who was in a relationship had a Kryptonite, that one person who, above anybody else, could tempt you, Steph was Alex's, this Quinn was clearly Dan's and Alex knew for a fact that Simon was Girty's, even if she refused to admit that. Though the truth was, he trusted Girty, he trusted her more than anyone, and Alex trusted in himself not to hurt her, though, as Dan started to speak again, Alex couldnt help feeling sorry for the Charms professor.

"Temptation never really goes away, I know that." Alex said as he told Alex that he would never have thought he would cheat on Dia, "Sometimes it can be so powerful you cant resist it, though I've found if I dont put myself into positions where the temptation is going to be too much, it's easily overcome." Which was true, he had realised that over the summer when Girty left and Alex and Steph went for a drink, it was under the influence that Alex found her charms almost irresistable, but upon feeling this, even in his rather deluded state, Alex had pushed her away and stumbled home. The next morning, he couldnt even be sure it happened, as when he saw her, the two didnt mention a thing about it.

Frustration set in again, even after everything Alex had told him, Dan still had to get in the "Im the big bad brother" threat. Alex had thought he had told him enough to know that the threat wasnt even necessary. His head stapped around, his brown eyes were aflame and he was pulling a face as though he could not believe what Dan had just said to him, like he had offended him in the worst way possible. Standing up rather sharply and suddenly, Alex paced backawards and forwards, running a hand through his hair as he did, though the frustration and anger werent going away, it was rising like a sick feeling in his throat, and he knew before it happened, that his tongue would not be able to stay still.

"Y'know Hubbles." Alex said rather cooly, though with great strain on his face, "You have absolutey no right in preaching to anybody about cheating on anyone!" Alex stopped pacing and looked stonilly at the professor, the mere thought of him coming out with something like that was laughable, "You're not exactly... Well... Lets just say its rather stupid to warn somebody about cheating, when you are supposidly in love with your soul mate and yet," Laughing sarcastically, "You cant control yourself." Alex smirked, through rathermore through anger than anything else and he would certainly hex himself for saying all this later, if Dan didnt beat him too it, "You should really learn to practise what you preach, then we wouldnt have a heartbroken head of house on our hands."

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

(YAY for long posts hehe)

It was clear really to anyone who was pressing their ear to the office door (which for a while Offley had been doing) that Dan did not really want to give this talk and Alex most certainly did not want to hear it. But as an older brother and a protective one such as Dan he felt it was his duty to give him the threat, to tell him that he will always be there if the guy ever slipped up. However Alex was putting forward a very good case and the look in his eyes, the occasional smile that would spread across his face and in the mere fact he looked insults by such acquisitions suggested to Dan that Alex was indeed not the type to hurt Girty.

When the Ravenclaw shot up off the stool and started to pace from one side of the office to the other Dan became a little worried, the look in his eyes was no longer soft and caring as if he was thinking of Girty, they were wild with frustration almost as if he was planning what hex would make Dan suffer more…but then who needed magic when words could do a better job and Alex picked words that were more powerful then the killing curse.

It felt like Alex had thumped Dan straight in the stomach and then broke the stool on his head for good measure. All the air was pushed out of his lungs in one long breath, his head was spinning and combined he felt like he was going to be sick. The colour in Dan’s face slowly drained away and he was left sitting stunned in his chair looking at Alex, his mind was blank and although he wanted to cry his eyes were as dry as a desert, so instead Dan pushed himself up out of his chair and walked over towards Alex, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Practise what I preach?” he questioned in an aggressive tone. “On that fateful night in December I was drunk and not only did I kiss Quinn I also kissed a guy.” He knew it would not help his argument but he felt like it had to be said even just to add a little bit of humour to the situation. “It has been 9 months since my last drink, the last time I spelt in the same bed with another woman. I am doing something I should have done a long time ago…I am growing up and I will never be able to forgive myself that I had to hurt Dia to realise my fatal errors.”

Dan looked over at Alex, his chest was heaving up and down with frustration and he was sure he was going to get a bruise from where he had been pointing to himself every time he referred to himself and due to the intensity of his declaration he had been pocking himself with some force. Lowering his hand and turning his back on Alex Dan faced the door in attempt to compose himself and for a while he thought about storming out and going to hibernate in his room for the rest of the week, to try and run away from everything once again. Nevertheless he had just been preaching about growing up so instead of running away he had to face the music.

“You clearly have a wiser head on your shoulder Alex.” Dan turned around once more to gaze upon the Ravenclaw, feeling his anger dissipate into shame that he had acted in such a way. “I have a feeling it…it will not be you hurting Girty in the end.”

[Alex Doyle]

(Wow nice beast Liz!)

Alex watched Dan as he had carefully chosen his words to get the best kind of reaction. He watched as the colour drained from his face and as the charms professor stood there looking rather stunned. Dan pushed himself off the chair and all of a sudden Alex couldnt help but wish Steph was here, she would have him beaten back in no time with a sharp tongue like hers. Alex had a sharp tongue and could usually make words work for him, except he didnt like doing it, unlike Steph who seemed to live for it.

"Thats what I said wasnt it?" Alex argued back, his tone was just as aggressive as Dan's. He couldnt help but feel as though this was going to get out of hand, but at the same time, this would probably do them both a world of good. It was clear Dan had been holding back a lot of frustration just like Alex had, and if the two of them could get it out, who better that to do it on eachother, when in reality, neither could be really hurt or stumped considering they both had a lot of frustration pented up inside them.

Dan was stood right infront of Alex, the two of them seemed to be squaring upto one another. Alex was looking right in Dan's eyes with the same kind of ferocity as Dan had in his. "So not only did you cheat, you're also a bit on the swinging sides of things?" Alex snarled, his frustration was nearly at boiling point and it was as though some other person had taken over him, Alex knew he should stop with these sly comments as it was Dan who was the professor, it was Dan who would do more damage in the long run. Not Alex.

Alex couldnt help but wonder why Dan was going into detail about his problems with Dia, it was none of Alex's business. Though maybe Dan just wanted someone to talk to about it, everyone needed someone to talk to at least once in their lives. Instead of throwing out another comment, which Alex could have easily done, he bit his tongue and took a few deep breaths, trying to put the lid back on his frustration. It wouldnt do to have it all come out at once, Alex did not want Dan going to Girty saying her boyfriend was a psycho.

Alex looked back at Dan when he felt the professor was looking at him, Alex had by now calmed down. He could tell Dan was less than pleased with him, but if Alex apologized for what he said he would only be lying. Sometimes people needed to hear the truth whether or not they wanted too, and Alex wasnt going to apologize for telling Dan the truth, instead, he smiled and simply said,

"Feel better?"

What he meant of course was, did Dan feel better now he had gotten a lot of his frustration out, and did he feel better he had told somebody about the problems, and what he was feeling. Sometimes it did help to have someone to let loose on, and it seemed as though in this event, it was Dan letting loose on Alex, and vice versa.

Alex looked at Dan, though you could tell by looking at the Ravenclaw, even though he wasnt sorry for what he said, he was ashamed of himself for letting himself get out of control like that. He didnt even answer the professor, he just gave a small nod of his head.
"What do you mean by that?" He asked, "Do you mean to say she will hurt me, then?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

These were feelings that Dan had been keeping locked up inside, he had told the story to Girty thousands of times and every time he would start to say it again she would cut in and finish his sentence and normally walk away before he could get anywhere. But in those telling of the tale he had been trying to defend himself, convince himself that he had done nothing wrong and it was Dia who said the fatal words to end the relationship, however now he had finally been able to see how foolish he was and no matter how much he shouted about the fact he had been drunk it made no difference even in a drunken state he should have been stronger.

He had been a fool and Dan now knew that but he did not know how he could change it, so much time had passed, so little had been done and no words had been spoken between them everything has just ended so suddenly.

“Of course she will.” Dan broke his own train of thought and looked over at Alex, his voice was sombre and he had the look on his face as if to tell someone that a loved one had died. “She is a Hubbles, it is in our genetic make-up to ruin any relationship we are in, and every generation has done it. They lie, cheat and run away destroying everything and hurting the ones we confess to love.”

Dan slumped back down into the chair shaking his head. This was not how he had expected this conversation to go. He did not expect to go from one high of emotion to the other so quickly, to at one point be threatening Alex and then moments later give him a history lesson in Hubbles family relationships. Running his tongue over his dry lips Dan looked over Alex’s shoulder at the blank wall behind him finding it hard to hold his gaze for too long.

“I maybe wrong, there has not been many female Hubbles so Girty maybe different…I hope so for your shake, by the sounds of it you have been through enough to even get to the stage you two are at now.”