Claude stood there for a few minutes just staring at her. He couldn't believe that she was standing there in front of him. It felt as if all of the air from his lungs had been sucked out of them. The love of his life, the one who got away, the one who tormented his every dream was standing right in front of him. 'Ainsley Strigler' was standing right in front of him. 'Ainsley Fucking Strigler' was standing right in fucking front of him and all he could do was stand there and have his mouth flop open and shut, like a damn fish. Surely whatever higher powers that there might be wouldn't be as cruel and torment him so. Not that he didn't want to work with Ainsley. But it just seemed as if someone was playing a cruel joke on him. He pinched his arm hard and quickly to see if he was only, wincing when he realized that he was wide awake. He heard her clear her throat and looked up at her, she was looking at him with an amused look on her face. He gave her a quick once over again and had to say he was impressed with how she looked. Not that Ainsley had ever been unattractive. But it was obvious that in the last couple of years she had matured, her body had grown a few more curves and filled out a little, well in all the right places. "So are you just going to stand there all day, with your mouth hanging open like a dead fish? Or are you going to say something Roo?" Ainsley asked, he could still hear her faint Quebecois accent in her voice. "Roo?" Claude echoed, with a raised eyebrow. Not that he didn't like hearing his nickname coming out of her mouth. But it came as a shock that she would call him that. "Anyways Claude that's not the point," she replied, with a shrug. But he didn't miss the faint blush on her cheeks from being caught. "So you never answered my question, are you just going to stand there all day?" She asked clearing her throat, after catching him staring again. "Oh right sorry," he muttered and than closed the office door, which happened to still be open. Right at that moment he made a decision, he could either just get this meeting over and done with and than forget about Ainsley. Or he could get the answer to what he had been wondering about for years. He wasn't completely a hundred percent sure if he wanted to know the answer to his question. His good friend and teammate Danny Briere's girlfriend, whom was also Ainsley's cousin had said that he might not like the answer he got. Well that was when she started talking to him again and had semi-forgiven him for evidently the heartbreak he had caused Ainsley. But he had suspected there was something else behind the dislike she used to have for him. Shaking his head from the thoughts of the thoughts of Ainsley's cousin wanting to hurt him. He walked over towards Ainsley's desk, where she now stood behind looking down at some papers spread across the wide desktop. He walked around the desk and slowly moved behind her, not sure how far he could push, before she noticed him. He was right up behind her, he chanced placing both of his hands on either side of her on her desk, his breath hitting the back of her neck. Ainsley quickly turned around, so fast in fact if Claude hadn't been standing so close she would have stumbled. Fortunately or maybe fortunately for her Claude was pressed against her. She could feel his muscles through his shirt and even felt some newly acquired muscles. Being so close to him caused her body to tingle, from the tips of her toes to the ends of her fingers. It brang back so many memories and unwanted feelings, she couldn't believe her body was betraying her and making her feel things she didn't want to feel. It wasn't that she didn't think he wasn't attractive, because he was definitely even more attractive now. She kept her gaze on his chest a few minutes, so he couldn't see that he was turning her on. Claude watched silently as she stared at his chest. He wasn't sure what she was doing, if she was embarrassed or ashamed or if she was secretly enjoying it. He had always been able to read her facial expressions and she always gave away what she was feeling in her blue eyes. Just as he was thinking of her blue eyes those particular blues looked up into his. And again he felt as if he stopped breathing just from the hurt, frustration, betrayal, confusion, and even still love that shown in them. Her eyes held more torment than even his eyes did. "Why Cherie?" He murmured, his breath fanning over her face. Ainsley knew it was a mistake to look up at him as her eyes filled with tears. She tried to move away, but he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. He continued to stare at her as the memories came back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {FALSHBACK} She knew this wasn't a good idea, that it was considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. But it wasn't technically their wedding day yet. Considering it wasn't yet midnight, and she knew that Claude had skipped out early on his bachelor party. Thanks to a close friend to both of them. She wasn't particularly worried about him seeing her anyways, wether it was midnight or not. She knew that her and Claude loved each other enough that, nothing would tear them apart. Not even him seeing her the night before the wedding. Pulling up to their apartment she noticed that yes indeed Claude's car was parked in his spot. Turning off her car and getting out and locking her doors. She walked up to their door, even though it was their apartment she still didn't technically live there until tomorrow. So technically it was still Claude's apartment. So instead of using her key right away she knocked on the door. Waiting a few minutes and getting no answer. She knocked again, figuring maybe he had decided that he would go to sleep. She took her key and went to open the door. She should have known something was off, when she realized the door was unlocked. She should have turned around and left and been oblivious to everything, when she saw the empty bottle of red wine laying on the coffee table. Of course she didn't notice the two cups sitting at the table, next to the discarded bottle. She was too wrapped up in her own little world of happiness. She should have turned around and never looked back when she noticed the black stiletto laying in the hallway. One she was very familiar with, but wouldn't be caught wearing herself, for fear of breaking her neck. She should have left when she noticed the bedroom door cracked open an inch, and had candle light illuminating the room and the sound of soft music drifted through the open door. But nope Ainsley couldn't stop herself when she pushed open that bedroom door. She was unprepared for the scene that hit her, like a train wreck you can't stop but can't stop watching either. What she came face hit her like a harsh reality. There in their bed was the man she was about to marry and her dearest cousin Phoebe, having sex in their bed. Not that she could see Phoebes face, but she recognized the tattoo on her hip that was facing her. Because her, Phoebe, and Phoebes sister Langley all had the same tattoo on the same hip. Plus she would recognize that blonde hair anywhere. Ainsley covered her mouth with her hand to stop the gasp that was about to escape her mouth. She didn't want anyone to know that she had seen them or caught them in the act. Even though she had every right to go in there and cause a scene. No she was a bigger person than that. Her dearest two-faced cousin was causing a big enough scene, by sleeping with her fiancé.'Well ex-fiancé now' she thought. She turned on her heel and fled the scene as fast as she could without being noticed by either party. As much as she wanted to break down and cry and scream and throw things at Claude's head. To tell them both how much she hated them for doing this to her. how much she hated Claude for doing this to her. How badly they had betrayed her. She couldn't until she got to the one person she knew would understand. The one person who wouldn't judge her, who would listen to her, would let her vent her frustration. Than would let her break down and cry and scream and throw things. Than would hold her and not sugar coat things. Escaping the apartment she drove blurry eyed to Langley's apartment. Sighing she looked at the clock on the dash board and almost thought about not bothering her. But Langley and Phoebe were like sisters to her. Well not Phoebe anymore, not after she had double crossed her like this. She couldn't think of any logical reason why Phoebe would do this to her. Well she knew her cousin had always been a little jealous of hers and Claude's relationship, but to the extent of sleeping with him. She was oblivious to the fact she had already gotten out of her car and was now standing at her cousins door and knocking on it already. It wasn't until her very sleepy and disheveled cousin Langley opened her door and looked at her worriedly that she lost it. Falling into her cousins arms she let the tears finally break free, as she gripped the lapels of Langley's robe. Langley didn't say a word as she stroked her hair in a soothing manner and just let her sob. The only thing that Langley did say was a quick murmured 'Come On' once they had been standing in her open door way for ten minutes. Than lead her into the living room and they both sat down on a couch. Langley didn't utter another word as she let Ainsley clutch onto her as if she were a life line or as if she were her own personal buoy. She continued to let Ainsley sob into her robe, every once in awhile brushing some of her hair out of her face. Or to rub her hand up and down her back. Once she got her sobbing done and had soaked the front of her cousins robe with her tears. She stood up and angrily paced back and forth, while yelling and shouting. All the while Langley sat there and let Ainsley let it out, just like she knew she would. When she collapsed back down onto the couch, breathing heavily. Langley looked over at her. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked quietly. Ainsley poured her heart out to Langley about everything. Every now and than hiccuping and than breaking down again. But the time she had finished telling her everything. She was practically crawled up in a ball on her cousins lap, with tears running down her face. Even though Langley was again soothingly stroking her hair, she could tell it was taking all her cousins strength to not go and kill her sister and Claude. She could feel the tension in her body and could hear her gritting her teeth. But that was why she loved Langley the most and knew why she could come to her first. Because even though Phoebe was Langley's little sister, she knew how her sister could be. Langley had experienced her own betrayal by her sister. "I'm gonna kill ummm. Both of them," Langley hissed through gritted teeth. "No please don't Lang. Just leave them be," Ainsley pleaded, gripping onto her cousins arm. "Ok Ains for you I won't. But what about tomorrow? Are you going to speak to Claude?" Langley sighed, than looked over at her. "No. I can't Lang," she replied, shaking her head. "Ok well Ains you can't just ignore him the whole honeymoon honey. Or just pretend it didn't happen at all. If I know my sister and unfortunately I do know her. Than if this is the first time of this happening than it won't be the last sweetheart," Lang said sadly. "I don't want talk to him at all. I don't want marry him," she wailed, with fresh tears running down her cheeks. "Ok but Ains, do you think not showing up by running away is a smart idea?" Langley asked carefully, not wanting to upset her anymore. "I can't show up there tomorrow Langley. You don't understand I can't go. I just can't," she croaked, starting to hyperventilate. "Ok Ains. Ok just settle down," Langley replied gently, once again rubbing her back. {END OF FLASHBACK} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This is my work place Claude. Plus I don't think this is the appropriate place to discuss that. Also I don't feel like discussing that," she replied, trying to weasel her way out of his arms. "I deserve an explationation Ains. I was left embarrassed in front of our friends and family at the alter. Don't you think I should get some reason as to why that was?" He asked searching her eyes, while tightening his arms around her. "You deserve an explationation? You were embarrassed? Well you should have been. I was humilated. I'm the one who deserves the explanation out of the two of us," she snapped, now angry that he came in here demanding an explanation. 'Who the hell does he think he is?' she asked herself. "You were humilated, how?" He asked. "Never mind Claude. Can we please just get what we're supposed to get done, done? Than you can be on your way," she replied, casting her eyes downward and made another futile attempt to get away. "Cherie please," he said softly, letting one of his arms move from around her and moved his hand to stroke her cheek with the back of his knuckles. "Fine you want to know what you did that hurt me so badly. That had me leaving you at the alter. I'll tell you what you did," she snapped, than took a deep to gather her bearings. "You betrayed me in the worse way. You betrayed my trust that I had in you. And to make matters worse it was on the night before 'our' wedding." She watched as his face blanched at that. 'Good he does remember what he did wrong' she thought smirking. "Actually what makes matters worse is that you betrayed me with the one person you could hurt me with the most. One person who was family to me. More than just a cousin, but she used to be like a sister to me. You know know what the funny part is? The funny part is had it been anybody else, I could have forgiven you after some time had past. But Nooooooooo, you had to fuck my cousin in 'our' bed the night before the wedding." She snapped, breathing heavily at the end. "I'm so so sorry Ains. I can explain," he replied. "No. No you have no right to call me Ains, or any sort of pet name. There is no explaining what I saw. How much you hurt me," she said, her voice raising at the end. "Please Ainsley. I know you probably can't forgive me. But I want you to know that I was so worried about you, when you just disappeared. I've never stopped thinking about you. I've never stopped asking about you," he said. "I know," she mumbled, looking everywhere but at him. "What?" He asked, curiosity in his voce. "I know you ask about me. You do know I still talk and visit with Langley. So her and Danny always tell me that your always asking about me," she replied. "Oh," he replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look Claude maybe you should leave. I'll get the shirt and campaign to fit your style," she said. "So you don't want my help?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "No I think it would be best if you left," she replied. "Well you don't know how I want everything," he said. "Claude I think I know you well enough to know how you want things. Plus I've seen your signature line of clothing at Team Unsung Hero to pretty much know you haven't changed that much," she replied, he caught the double meaning behind her answer. "Fine I'll go even though I don't want to. But now that I know where your at Cherie. I'm not going to let you get away this time," he replied. 'What does that mean?' she asked herself. Before she even knew what was happening. Claude moved closer to her body, so the his front was pressed flush against hers. He moved them so she had to sit on the edge of her desk. He scooted her back some and than stepped between her legs. Placing his hands on the sides of her thighs he pulled her forward and than captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Quickly moving one of his hands behind her neck so she couldn't move her head. Pulling back and resting his forehead against hers. He stroked her cheek with his other hand. "I will prove to you that I'm worthy of you," he whispered, placing a quick kiss to her lips. Than pulled back and started striding to her office door. Leaving her still sitting there on her desk in a confused daze. She lifted her fingertips to her lips which were still tingling. She vaguely heard the sound of a cell phone dinging. "Come to Germany with me," Claude said, breaking her from her daze. "What?" She asked confusedly, turning her head to look at him. "I just got a text from my agent stating that he got Danny and I spots on a team in Germany during the lockout. So come with me," he replied, watching her reaction. "That's ludicrous Claude. I can't just drop everything and come with you. I have a job here, that I can just leave at anytime I want. Plus we're not together. So why would I go with you?" She asked, slipping off her desk and straightening out her skirt. "Because Ains," he replied, holding up a hand when she was going to interrupt. "Yes I call you Ains if I want to, you'll always be Ains to me. Plus I want you to come with me because I still Love You. I've never stopped loving you. I want to prove and show you I wasn't the asshole you thought I was. I want to be able to explain my side to you of what happened at some point. I want to show you that we still belong together," he replied, coming back over and wrapping his arms around her. He dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. One of his hands cupping her cheek. The other going into the loose hair hanging down to her shoulders, tangle his fingers in it. He ran his tongue over bottom lip begging for for entrance. Which she denied at first. He bit down on her bottom lip, causing her to gasp and him to slip his tongue past her parted lips. As soon as his tongue meet hers, she couldn't help the moan that escaped her. As fast as it started she found Claude pulling away from her. Leaving her breathless once again for the second time in the span of ten minutes. "Tell me you still don't feel the electricity between us. Tell me we don't belong together," he said. "That's not the problem Roo," she replied, not caring she let him hear her calling him his nickname. "Just think about it. It could be a new start for us," he said, looking straight in the eyes. So she would realize how serious he was being. Than turned and strode out the door like he didn't just purpose a serious matter. Like he didn't just leave her in a dazed state again. That he didn't leave her with a thousand thoughts running through her head. She touched her lips once again and collapsed down into her desk chair with one major question running through her head. 'Could she trust the love of her life Claude Giroux once again?' she asked herself, staring at the empty doorway.

Notes

So I really hope this worked this time and isn't all squished together!!!! :\