[Hogshead] Sober (Vic)

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky didn't mean to make him think that there was something wrong with her. Honestly there was nothing wrong per say she was just thinking about a lot of things. Warren happened to be at the forefront of her mind at the moment. It was obvious that they felt something for each other though Vicky was sure neither could call it love at the moment but, what was it that they were feeling. Heather was still a factor, she was the mother of his children and she was afraid of having the woman pop up again. Plus, Vicky wasn't a fool she knew that if Heather had just left before she got here her and Warren had been together.

There was no way she was going to stay for that long without having some of Warren. That's what she had come down here for after all. Vicky was feeling slightly jealous even though she knew she had absolutely no right to be. She opted to give Dan another chance, she stood Warren up. What was he to think? Of course he probably turned to Heather. The question now was could be stay away from her, or would he want to?

Vicky wanted to ask all of these things but it scared her. Last thing she wanted was to freak him out and think she was trying to tie him down or something. It was just hard being with someone and not knowing where you stand. She didn't like the feeling, to her it was like walking a tight rope. You had to be careful every step you took because one misstep and you would fall. That's what this was like one misstep and she feared she would fall. Vicky had been silent for quite some time and his voice already sounded worried.

Maybe she could just lie. But why should she? Vicky had the right to know, just like he had the right to know about her and what her intentions were. Things were going so well though did she want to mess that up asking these things.

After a while her head lifted slowly. "Nothing is wrong in the bad sense of the word I suppose. I guess I just have a lot of things on my mind, lots of questions I want to ask but I'm not sure if you want me asking them and well you've been so good to me I don't feel like ruining that, but its hard for me to just go ahead and ignore my thoughts. What can I say there are times when I'm just too damned inquisitive. Just tell me to shut up if I'm talking too much."

[Warren Hubbles]

A comforting arm and a few quiet whispered words in her ear was clearly what Vicky needed as her head slowly rose from the counter and although a slight frown was sill present on her fair features he hoped that he would soon be able to bring a smile to it once more. The problem was it was clear Vic had a lot she wanted to get off her chest and Warren simply stood by and listened to her slightly ramble finding it hard to keep a straight face as she did.

“Well how am I supposed to answer when you never asked me the question?” Warren raised an eyebrow in jest as a small lopsided smile filled his face. “And sadly I can not read minds and there are a lot of answers that I could give to a lot of questions.” He had turned his back to the bar and was leaning against it, his elbows resting gently on the counter behind him as he gently rocked his head from side to side as he gave a light chuckle. “Yes…no….thirty … twenty-four… yellow …. Titanic …. Gargoyles ….these any of the answers you are looking for?”

He had a feeling Vicky knew how old he was and she would not really care what he favourite movie was either, he had a gut wrenching feeling her next question would be related to the previous one about whether or not a certain someone was still upstairs in his bedroom. Of course Vicky had a right to know, in his mind he was classing Vic as his girlfriend so then why should he worry about answering any questions about an ex-lover. Heather was nothing to him now other then the mother of his children, he did not love her, he would be hard pushed to say that he ever loved her…but he was there for her but not now. Now she was an annoying memory of the past who had provided him with two of his greatest joys, he felt no remorse by walking away from her and non as he looked down at Vicky with fond eyes.

“Angle you can ask me any question under the sun and you will get an honest and truthful answer from me.” A small lopsided smile, very similar to that of his cousins filled his face as he waited for a response, but then as he did an idea came to him. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to fill in the missing pieces on the jigsaw puzzle of one another’s lives. This would be the time to clear the air and understand on another. “Of course you will do the same to my questions yes? So if I asked how long you have been crushing on Dan for…then you would tell me. Fair is fair.”

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Why in the world was she acting like a little girl? Vicky normally spoke her mind -OK except for when it came to Dan- but now she was acting scared. Warren had been pretty nice to her, a hell of a lot more than she deserved. This was the one constant thought in her mind, Vicky started to wonder if she thought all her ex boyfriends treated her badly. The truth was no they hadn't, most of this stemmed from the situation with Dan. He was the first man she was really into in so long, there's couldn't be called a relationship it was anything but that and it seemed that this is what Vicky was basing a lot of things on lately. She needed to purge that man from her system and move on from him. Warren wasn't the same as Dan and Vicky needed to heed that.

She allowed him to finish his teasing even laughing along with him, he was making everything so easy for her. This was the happiest she actually felt in some time the banter came easy now "I'm quite glad to know your favorite movie is Titanic Hubbles, though I always characterize it as a chick flick" she teased him back her smile wide. Odd, she hadn't smiled so much in so long her face was actually sore, her cheeks twitched like they were trying to get used to the action.

Vicky knew she was stalling, no reason to, he had pretty much told her that he was willing to be honest with her and answer her questions if she asked. All he wanted in return was the same courtesy. That prospect scared her a little wondering what it was he might ask, she was sure some of the questions would be about Dan and she didn't really want to talk about him much, but she couldn't ask him to do for her if she wasn't willing to do for him. Nodding her agreement she looked directly at him.

"OK what's the deal with you and Heather? I mean I'm sure you and her were together, while she was here I can't fault you on that and I won't, but what is the deal between you two? Is she going to pop up again and assume that your bedroom is her bedroom? What is going on with us, what do you see me as?"

There it was all out there she asked him what was on her mind, at least what she felt was most important at the moment. There would be more to come of course because they didn't really know each other very well...

[Warren Hubbles]

Warren would never dream of asking Vicky such a question as the example he had given, it was personal, vindictive and it truly did not matter anymore as he could tell merely from the woman’s reaction her small crush on Dan was no longer present, but then there would always be that niggling doubt in the back of his mind. But as of yet it was not his turn to ask the question and he waited with baited breath for Vicky to ask the one that had been bothering her for so long and when it came it was indeed the one he had expected.

Taking a deep breath Warren thought carefully about how he should phrase his answer to his question. He knew in a state like this with such huge a pressure on her shoulders Vicky was slightly temperamental and at no point did he want to discourage or upset her. Slowly licking his dry lips Warren gave a small nod of his head in signal that he was ready and willing to answer her long list of, admittedly sensible questions.

“The deal between me and Heather is that we are the parents of two beautiful children. She did have it in her mind that we were going to be married. However, after regretfully spending the night with her I lay down the law and told her we would not be married because…’I just was not in the right place just now’.” It was clear from Warren’s tone that even he was not convinced that Heather had got it though the blond head of hers that they were not really together anymore. “I am always going to have to deal with her Vic but I am going to tell her about us.”

Warren gave Vicky a small smile as he moved closer to her, his left hand gently cupping her cheek while his right carefully moved her fringe away from her eyes. “Cause I am falling for you Victoria Potter, hard and fast. So I don’t want another situation like the other night when she walks in ruining the time we have together.”

His hand that was tenderly placed on her cheek slipped down, tracing a line down the side of her neck, across her collarbone before gently swooping down and taking hold of her hands. All the while his grey eyes were fixed upon her striking violet eyes and that familiar smile was present upon his weathered features.

“What about you?” He asked cryptically, almost hoping that Vicky would be able to follow his train of thought. “What do you see me as? And if you dare say a replacement for Dan I swear my heart will break in two and I might as well die here right now.” Although there was a light jovial tone to his words he could not help but pray he was not a replacement, and after all what would a situation like this be without a bit of Hubbles dramatics thrown in?

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky sat at the bar suddenly anxious. What was Warren going to say to her? Could she handle it if he said Heather was here to stay, she already knew the answer was that and it was a huge NO. If she was going to go through with this, be with him then she wanted him to herself. There was no way she was sharing another man with another woman. Granted she was the mother to his kids but that she could handle. That just meant he had to deal with her when his kids were involved, didn't mean they would be taking tumbles in the sack together. At this moment Vicky knew there was nothing left for her and Dan that affair had run its course and ended on a sour note, but she was done.

Biting her bottom lip Vicky tried hard not to fidget. Already her pulse was racing. the apples of her cheeks held a slight red tinge to them, hey eyes were open wide and she waited. Vicky was in a right state already because of the whole pregnancy thing, last thing she wanted was more stress wondering if Heather was going to waltz back in here and lay claim to Warren. Vicky could see herself clawing Heather's eyes out if she did. Now that was weird, Vicky wasn't usually so jealous. Must be hormones or something she thought.

Cocking her head to the side she sighed because Warren still hadn't answered and it was starting to worry her. Maybe he was about to let her down gently as some men liked to say. If that was the case Vicky would just have to brace herself for it what else could she do. There was no way she was going to humiliate herself over another man who didn't want her. At last he spoke he laid it all out for her Heather wasn't going to be an obstacle for them. She was just as Vicky hoped, mother of his children and naught else. Her joyous mood returned.

Then like icing on her cake he went on to tell her that he was falling for her hard and fast. Vicky's eyes began to dance, her lips curved up into a huge Cheshire cat like grin. Warren was falling for her, the other man she had been crushing on for so long was now falling for her. This day couldn't get any better. Vicky wanted to jump from her chair and do a dance, childish as it may seem, she even had a chant to go with it...Warren Hubbles has fallen Warren Hubbles has fallen for me...But she stopped herself, she was an adult not a teenager. At the moment though she felt like the later.

Of course the question was soon turned around and asked to her. What did she see Warren as. He said replacement for Dan and Vicky frowned a bit, there's no way he was a replacement for anyone. Vicky had wanted Warren so long, had she had any inkling that he had wanted her too she would be with him right now.

Squeezing his hand gently she locked eyes with him so he could see she was being completely honest"Warren you're not the only one that's falling here. I wanted you since the first time I met you. I only want you more now. You could never be a replacement you're the one and only one I want. Never ever think you're replacing anyone." Taking her hand out of his she cupped his face, bending her head toward his so that they're foreheads touched. "I'm your girl Warren, that is if you'll have me."

[Warren Hubbles]

Admitting such a thing was difficult for Warren, he was always the kind of guy to just stroll by life taking one thing as they came. Having kids with Heather was just another one of those things that happened to people like him and for the majority of the time he had taken it all in his stride. If he ever did say anything as momentous as what he had just confessed then it did come from the deepest reaches of his heart and he meant every syllable of it all. He was falling for her, there was something about Vicky that just made him gravitate towards her, the saying was don’t judge a book by its cover and boy Vicky had a good cover. After all Warren was only a man and it would be a lie to say Vic was not easy on the eye, she was beautiful and of course that was what had attracted him to her at first.

He knew of course there was still a lot he needed to learn about Vicky and her about him. He knew the basics, just like she knew with him but there were certain things that were still a mystery to him. Of course that sort of did help his attraction to her, this enigma of a woman who could have such a dark side to her, he already knew she was capable of willingly taking part in an affair so what else had she done? But right now that was not the question he had asked, he had wanted reassurance that he was not barking up the wrong tree and when Vicky locked eyes with him and reassuringly squeezed his hand in response he knew they were on the same level.

Her words were comforting, very comforting in fact and a small smile wiggled its way onto his features although it did not burst out into a full blown Hubbles grin. There was something in what she had just said that made a little voice in his brain groan in annoyance. This was the voice that he ignored most of the time as it got him into nothing but trouble so once more Warren held his tongue. Who cares if she wanted him before but still went after Dan, everyone has needs, and Vic clearly just had a large appetite that was all. She had had her fill of Dan and now it was his turn and clearly there were more feelings involved in this relationship then hers with Dan now that was something he was sure of.

Before his mind could think anymore their foreheads touched and Warren could feel the warmth of her breath on his face and it caused his mouth to turn bone dry. The feeling of her hand against his cheek just felt…well right. Being this close to someone and that someone being someone your really cared about was something that Warren had never really done and he was soaking in every single bit of it.

“I am surprised you had to ask.” He whispered back, finding it hard to hide the smile that was staking its claim across his face. Vicky had taken another breath and another sweet blast of hot air hit his skin and before he could think twice Warren had leaned in and was kissing Vicky. Slowly and passionately.

“Out of all the women I have kissed…” Warren began almost as soon as their lips had broken contact. “…you are by far the best kisser.” His trademark lopsided grin appeared as his hand gently stroked her silk like hair. “And trust me as a bar man I get kissed a lot, women seem to think it is good payment for a drink….normally tends to work as well.” He gave a soft chuckle to show to Vicky that he was only jesting, that was something he was going to have to cut back on though. No more kissing random women, he had to be a good boy now.

“Come on then angle, it is your turn to ask the question now.”

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Victoria Potter was in the Hogshead, one of the seediest pubs in Hogsmeade, but right now it didn't feel that seedy at all. Right now it was the happiest place in town. Vicky was simply beaming and it was all down to Warren Hubbles. Who knew that the sexy proprietor with the lopsided grin would end up being the one man Vicky could turn to in times of a crisis, be the one man Vicky felt that she could fall deeply for. This is the way things should have been for her. The next man she had fallen for should have been a man that wanted to be with her and only her.

Of course life never went down as planned, but maybe it was simply fate that allowed this to happen. Had she not gotten involved with Dan she might not have managed any of this. Not that she was about to go up to Dan and hug him for this. At this moment she didn't even want to see that man. OK now was certainly not the time to be thinking of that one. No not when she was here with Warren and he was looking at her and she was looking at him.

Their heads were close together his breath on her face and hers on his. Each warm blast sent shivers up and down her spine. He was effecting her, the way he had that night in her room. So far he hadn't pushed for anything physical. Vicky hadn't really pushed either, but she couldn't lie and say there wasn't a sexual pull. Course at this very moment, her possibly with child, that didn't seem like a good idea.

They were there together, close and Vicky knew this was one of those moments were a kiss was surely in order. Vicky felt it and she wanted it. Lucky, for her Warren wanted it too because he leaned in and gave her a kiss she surely would never forget. It was fully of passion, and it took over her every waking thought. She leaned in closer feeling that they were still too far apart. He tasted sweet, tasted like she remembered from last time.

Of course she didn't want it to end but it had to, there was no choice he stopped it. The look of disappointment on her face could not be hidden, but Vicky didn't say a word, she didn't want to push. Licking her lips, tasting him once more Vicky listened as he told her that out of all the girls he kissed she was the best.

Two things happened, one part of her was happy that he thought then, but then the other part of her wondered how many girls there had been. He mentioned that it was a lot.

Vicky didn't want to get mad at that, it was in the past. They were together now and hopefully he wouldn't be kissing anymore girls as payment for drinks. Vicky didn't want to let this ruin their time so she forced herself to let it pass.

"My turn to ask a question huh. Well here's one, now that you've made an honest women of me what's your plan" it was a joke of course Vicky grinned after asking it to let him now that. "No, that's not it. Actually what I want to know is why you never tried to be with me before. All those times I was in here I thought I sent you all the right signals why wasn't I what you wanted until now?"

[Warren Hubbles]

Warren had completely forgotten the pub should have been opening soon, he ignored that fact that a load of locals where most turned around and started to make their way to the Three Broomsticks instead of his pub but when he was with Vicky thoughts of breaking even and making profit flew out of the window. It seemed so easy for them to be serious one moment and then drop into a playful banter that caused both of them to smile even when Vicky joked about what he was going to do with her next. The obvious answer would have been to tease her by asking her to marry him but thankfully it never came to that…

But then Vicky asked her real question and it felt like he had run into a brick wall, it had truly knocked Warren for six. Stepping back slightly a frown filtered across his brow as straight away his brain tried to think of suitable answers. Was this a trap? Of course it would not be, Vicky did not play dirty games like that, it was an honest question from his girlfriend who was clearly trying to get her head around where all of this had suddenly come from. Yes, admittedly wanted Vicky this way, he saw her more as a friend then anything else as there were…well other people that he had a slight crush on. Which in all honestly would be fair considering he had almost always non that she liked Dan so why should she like him??

Of course after Trish came to her senses and went off to marry her old boyfriend Warren kind of had the feeling it would be pointless to long for something that he could never have (the difference between himself and Vic he always thought) and so he carried on with life, not really looking for anyone special and then when he was not really looking for anything Vicky just kept appearing and he slight feelings of friendship turned to something else. Now the question was ho could he convey all of these emotions into a sentence that did not result in the three words of ‘I just did.’

Licking his dry lips and giving a small cough to clear his throat Warren took in a slow breath and gave a small nod of the head just so Vicky knew he was now ready to answer the question.
“You have always been my friend Vic and I knew how you felt for Dan, so when my feelings started to become a little more I guessed it would just be a one sided attraction.” Well in his mind things seemed to be going okay so far. “I took your signals simply as alcohol induced flirting which I get all the time and the reason I never pushed for anything more was the good old fashioned fear of rejection. I did not want to lose the friendship we had but your reaction the other night gave me hope that maybe you felt more.”

Honestly was the best policy and Warren stuck by that rule, however he did attempt to re-word parts to make it sounds a little better then it could have done. Maybe that was the difference between him and Dan, Dan told you everything straight off with a bluntness that hurt while Warren always tried to cushion the blow slightly. He had hoped he had done that now with Vicky and as his gray eyes locked on hers he waited with baited breath for any kind of response.

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Maybe she shouldn't have asked such a hard question. Perhaps she should have saved it for some other time, but she just needed to know after all they were asking each other questions. Vicky wondered about this because as much as she tried he hadn't seemed to notice her that way, and then all of a sudden they were in her private quarters up at the school and out of the blue he plants this kiss on her that makes her head spin, and her knees weak, then goes on to ask her out on a date anywhere she wants to go. He did a total three sixty on her that night.

No, she had to know why and she had to know that day. All the times she had been in his pub, did he actually think she was coming there for the ambiance. Hell, if she wanted ambiance she would have gone to The Three Broomsticks, its closer and the clientele is a lot nicer. Instead all those nights she came into his pub. She sat there, she never flirted with anyone else, even when other men offered to buy her a drink she ignored them, when she wanted a word it was always with him, when her eyes watched anyone it was always him. How in the world did he not know?

Vicky stood there waiting for his response. For some reason she felt as if she needed to know what changed, suddenly. He took a while to answer Vicky wasn't worried that he wouldn't Warren wasn't like that, he would find a way to express himself. Sure enough he did a moment later. His words were just what she wanted. Vicky found herself once again giddy as a school girl. She was now so excited she didn't know what to do with herself.

Suddenly, something came to her, and she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer to her. Then Vicky planted a kiss on him that would have put any other woman who had come before her to shame. Vicky wasn't always good with words, so sometimes she would have to show someone what she wanted them to know. What she wanted him to know was that she was his, that he was going to be the luckiest man in the world because she would make it so any way she could. Oh, and she also wanted him to forget all the women he had kissed before her, she wanted her kisses to be the only ones he craved.

Once she was sure she had made her point she pulled back, her breathing was slightly harried, her eyes dancing with delight. Vicky said "I think its your turn to ask a question, any question you'd like handsome." She wanted him to feel good about this, about her so there was nothing off limits. If he wanted to know it then she would tell him. Her violet eyes scanned his, waiting.

[Warren Hubbles]

It was like something from a movie, the silence had filled the room except for the faint beating for their hearts and then out of the stillness that has passed over the couple Vicky reached out for him. Her fingers gripped his shirt, he could feel the material gather up and pull tighter over his shoulder and then mixed in with the motion of being pulled forward the barman did not quite know what was happening. Moments later Vicky’s lips were crushed against his and for the briefest of moments he forgot where he was let alone who the person was he was kissing. He was lost in the passion of the moment, the taste of Vicky’s lips, the feel of her tongue as it brushed past his, his hands where lost in the silk softness of her hair as they ran through them…it was an amazing kiss.

When she pushed him away it took a moment for him to regain control of himself, he mouth was left open almost wanting for them to be in contact with Vicky’s lips once more. It was safe to say that that action had spoken louder then anything ever could as it bloody well proved to Warren that she wanted him. His heart finally started to beat once more and with a rather noisy breath a small cheeky smile filled his face as she teased him about being handsome. It was nice though to have the reassurance that he could ask her anything, there was a question that had been burning on the tip of his tongue for so long and he felt like he could now find the courage to ask such a question now with her blessing.

“Please don’t hate me for asking this.” His eyes were pleading as once more a timid smile filtered across his weatherworn features. “If you…er…well if you claimed to like me so much th-then why did you go after Dan and enter such a…a hmm.” Warren broke off as he tired to control his emotions and frustration to try and find the right words. “Why did you enter such a ludicrous affair?”

He did not know what the answer would be, he did not care what the reason was, he just wanted to understand. All that mattered to him was that he liked Vicky and she liked him and they were happy together. But he still could not help but feel slightly tense about the possible answer that might soon escape from his loves lips.

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky started to wonder why she stopped the kiss. It was amazing to say the absolute least. His lips were soft and pliable against hers, the taste of him had sent her mind reeling, and the feel of his body against her own had her longing for so much more. He was an amazing kisser, she judged this by the fact that it took her several minutes to remember her name yet alone why she had stupidly pulled away from him to begin with. Sitting there dazed she licked her lips enjoying the lingering taste of him. For once Vicky took charge and went after what she wanted.

It took a minute but she suddenly remembered why she stopped kissing him, she wanted him to be able to ask her questions, any questions he wanted. So she sat letting her heart rate return to normal. She looked at him and saw that there was something on his mind, Vicky had a sneaking suspicion that she knew what was coming. She was going to have to brace herself and do the right thing by being completely honest with him no matter what, it's what she vowed and certainly what he deserved. Vicky wished she could have a real drink just then but picked up his fruity island inspired beverage instead. Taking a sip though not really tasting anything Vicky tried to look calm cool collected.

Then it came the question why if she said she wanted him did she go after Dan. Vicky didn't flinch didn't shy away. Looking right at him she said in all honesty " I met Dan first and did have a crush on him for so long. He didn't want me I pined. Then I met you and started to like you to, but again nothing. So two men I want and neither wanted me. Then one night I was here you were gone and Dan was here, a few drinks and lowered inhibitions next thing I knew I was agreeing to an affair I now regret. I don't know why I continued it either, I was stupid, the whole thing was stupid. I liked two men and in making a choice I made the wrong one I will have to live with that but I don't want anyone but you and I hope you know that and that you can look past my stupidity."

Vicky really waned the last part to be true the part where he could look past. She didn't know if her answer would suffice and until she knew she chose not to say a word just sat there staring trying not to freak out too much.

[Warren Hubbles]

Well he was not going to say fairer then that, he had asked the question that had been pressing on his mind for so long and Vicky had given him the answer that he had, well maybe not expected but the answer in which he had hoped for more then anything. It was honest and true and although it did not make him jump for joy or want to stand on the roof and scream hallelujah, he was happy that he now knew where he stood. No, it was not just that he now knew his place in the world it was that he understood how this whole affair had begun. Vicky had never said anything about it to him before, he knew she liked Dan but he had put two and two together to come up with the right answer (for once) but he never knew the details, that that he truly wanted to know the number of times they had spent the night together or…well that was the wrong road to be going down. It was after all his cousin and girlfriend he was on about!

Maybe he should have given her a bigger reaction then the simple smile that has passed across his face, after all once he had made his confession to her she had literally thrown herself on him. As a result he knew he had to say something, at the present moment in time he did not feel that kissing her would have the same impact as her kiss had had previously, it had after all been a rather amazing kiss, but he could neither find the words to state how he felt. At least she had admitted the affair was stupid and she was looking for his forgiveness on the matter but then that annoying little voice in her head kept whispering to him, telling him that Vic had not said she was over Dan…but that was obvious was it not? Her saying ‘I don’t want anyone but you’ had to be the biggest clue. It was time for Warren to try and step out of that shadow that in his mind Dan cast across him.

“I don’t think there is anything to forgive.” His voice was a little hoarse as, for some reason; his throat and mouth had turned bone dry. A wave of emotion was passing over him and it took everything in his power to restrain the tear ducts in his eyes kicking into action. “I think your stupidity has brought us closer…in fact I like your stupidity.” He placed his hands gently on Vicky’s shoulders and looked her square in those violet eyes of hers. “Never change.”

Now that was pure cheese! It sounded like something someone would write in a year book to someone who you do not really like but it is the only good thing you could think of saying as it is nothing to personal but made the person concerned seem like a really good person. Maybe he did not know Vicky well enough to say anything better…now that was another road that he should not be going down, Warren had always believed it was the female in the relationship that was meant to get the cold feet anyway. Right he needed to get off this dangerous dirt road and get onto more familiar territory.

“Come on then angel. Your turn, ask away!”

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky didn't know if her answer was good enough, it was the best one she could give him. Question was would he accept it. Vicky hadn't meant for any of this to happen, she wanted to men, and out of the two one showed interest and stupidly she allowed that to cloud her judgment. Dan was married and the best thing to do would have been to stay away, but her stupid heart thought maybe just maybe he would choose her. It didn't take her long to realize that it was never going to happen and that she was simply the piece on the side. Then Warren suddenly admitted that he wanted her, Vicky had thought they were only just friends. When he admitted his feelings she couldn't deny her own. So there were two men, but it was now down to one.

She had finally come to her senses about Dan. She was truly done with him, Warren was the one she was focused on now. Vicky wondered what he was thinking of because he hadn't said anything for a while. Vicky couldn't say anything more, there was nothing else for her to say. Dan was a mistake, a huge one, but she didn't want this mistake to haunt her and Warren's relationship. Somehow she felt that there was some sort of competition between the two of them and she didn't want to make it worse.

When he finally spoke it was to tell her that she didn't need to be forgiven for anything. He even complimented her stupidity and told her that he liked it and that he didn't want her to change. Vicky was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. He understood, he knew that she was his. He put his hand on her shoulder and she gave him a cheeky grin.

"Just so you know I'm over him," she didn't know why she felt the need to tell him that but she did. Taking her hands and placing them on top of his, she just wanted to reassure him make it known that she was done with Dan and wanted nothing more to do with him. Taking one of her hands and stroking his face she wondered what to ask him next since it was her turn.

"OK I guess I want to know that since I hadn't shown up for our trip to Italy, were you ready to just give up on me? Would you have come after me at some point?" Had she not shown up here this day would have have just given up on her.

[Warren Hubbles]

This surely could not have been healthy for him; his heart rate had gone from one extreme to another. Seeing Vicky walk into his heart had stopped dead, then that kiss...whoa what a kiss…but that kiss had made his heart beat so fast he was sure it would burst out his chest. Now however Warren was having to use the skills he acquired with Heather at the prenatal classes years ago and steady his breathing. It was helped slightly when Vicky reassured him once more about how she was over Dan, which had to be a good sign, already she was able to know when something is on his mind. There would be hope for them in the future.

It was now time for him to hold his breath and wait for his next question from Vicky. This was like the most dangerous game of truth and dare that he had ever played and for some reason he kept on saying truth instead of dare, what he would do now to down a double of pints or eat a beer matt instead of answer some questions. This however does not mean that he was unhappy telling Vicky these personal things, it was just that he hated feeling awkward, but as she gently stroked the side of his face Warren could not help but feel at ease, her touch was so relaxing.

Warren breathed in deeply as she asked this question; it was a dam good question and one that he did not really know the answer to. His brow creased into a small frown as he thought about the question at hand, would he have chased after Vicky? “I…I don’t know.” It seemed that honesty had been getting the couple through the most of this question and answer session and it made no sense to Warren by lying about an ’if’ or a ’but’ as there was no chance of Vicky getting upset over it as it never did and never shall happen. “In my mind I thought you had simply picked Dan over me. If it would have made you happy then I would have slowly got over it.” Warren gave a small shrug and grinned over at Vicky. “But would you have given up on me? We all know I am wimp you would have had to taken the lead.”

So there it was, he had batted a question straight back at her like some form of verbal tennis match. If she could ask him such a thing that he had no answer to then she could provide him an answer too. In the end they no doubt would have met in the pub again, Vicky drinking herself into stupor and he would just be plying her with the alcohol whishing he could do something. What a sad little life they might have led.

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky should have known that her question was going to get turned around on her, but it didn't stop the look that appeared on her face. Would she have come after him? Things were so out of control the last few months that she wasn't expecting anything to happen with Warren. Then bam one night they found themselves alone and in each others arms. They shared the most amazing first kiss, and after that he offered to take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go.

Then she acted like a rat, committed a ratty transgression by not showing up, pretty much forgetting the date had been made. Vicky couldn't forget that she'd been a witch, witch with a capital W. Warren offered her a fresh start the kind of start she had been looking for and then she opted to ruin that because Dan flirted with her some more Vicky lost her head once more. Now here she was standing in the Hogshead asking Warren to forgive her for all that she had done. The woman had just asked a lot of him he was being so good to her.

Now she had to answer him about this, would she have come looking for him, once she did realize her stupidity. He didn't know the answer to that question and in all honesty neither did she. So many things were going on, are going on. Vicky looked at him started at his handsome face for a while. Then she remembered that kiss they just had, the kiss they shared before in her room. Then she thought of all the times she had shown up at the pub just to get a glimpse of him.

She knew right then the answer to his question. "Yes, I would have come looking for you. I was always coming in here looking for you. I was in here looking for you way before anything happened between us. When everything had died down, I would have realized what a fool I was and made my way here to beg your forgiveness. I know I showed up here now that stuff hit the fan but Warren I would have come to my senses. I made a lot of bad choices, and for the first time in months I've finally made the right one."

Grabbing his hand, and holding it in hers, she smiled the man just made her want to do nothing but smile. "So tell me now that I've made up my mind finally, now that I know what I want, where do we go from here?"