Friendly Help 5??
Title: Friendly Help 5/?
Pairings: Mark/Sabrina
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I own no one.
Summary: Mark and Sabrina have a relationship that most don’t understand, but it works for them. When Mark needs Sabrina’s help, she’s always there for him.
Comments: Welcomed and appreciated.
Chapter 5
Sabrina had stopped crying at least 10 minutes ago, but they still sat in utter silence, neither knowing what to say. Mark could only see all the hurt he had caused and it was confusing for him, since he loved her so much…he always has.
Sabrina’s thoughts were numbed. She didn’t know what to do or say. She ran the words around in her head again. ‘I want you back’. He wants ME back? HE wants me back? He wants me BACK? He WANTS me…
“Sabrina, say something, please.”
She looked up at him and suddenly he couldn’t read her as he usually could. She had a look in her eye that he’s never seen before. “What should I be saying Mark, what?”
“I don’t know for sure, just something! Tell me how you feel. Tell me there’s a chance for us.”
“I don’t know what to say. I know I promised you we could work today, but I need to leave. I’m sorry. Maybe I’ve given you enough to help Morgan with.” She stood to leave and he gently grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Please don’t leave like this.”
“I can’t do this now. I need to get going.”
“Sabrina! Please baby, stay and talk to me!”
She shot him a look that he’d only seen when she was really mad. The fire that flashed in her eyes was somewhat scary and very uncommon. “Do you like causing me pain? I’ve asked you repeatedly to stop calling me that. I can’t do this…I just can’t. It was a mistake helping you with this dance and spending this time together.”
She quickly left the trailer and Mark didn’t know what to do or how to get her to talk anymore. He then remembered something really important. He walked outside and saw her sitting on the studio steps. He drove her here. Her car had a flat this morning. He was her ride. Sure, she could call someone else to take her home, but he wanted to see if he could just to talk to her some more.
“So, did you forget you’re supposed to have a car here before you storm out!” He smiled weakly at his sad attempt at humor. “I can take you home if you want.”
She starts crying. “I guess I don’t have a choice!” She stands up and starts to walk past him to his car.
“Sabrina? What are you talking about? I’m not forcing you to get in the car.”
“Kiely and Adrienne are gone and in different states, my sister is hard at work with my parents. Shawna and my other friends all work, so there’s no one to call to come and get me.”
He does something instinctive. He pulls her into a hug and strokes her soft hair lightly. He even kisses her forehead in an attempt at comfort. “Let me take you home then.”
She nods her head and Mark walks her to the car. He opens her door and watches her get in and then goes to his side of the car. He drives her to his house. She’s like a zombie on the ride there. She doesn’t talk and won’t look up from her small hands in her lap. Mark tried several times to start a conversation, but it never worked. He pulls up in her driveway. “Sabrina, can we please talk?”
“No. I’m sorry, but no.” She got out of the car and he quickly followed. She made it to the front door and he had already caught up with her.
“Please let me talk to you. Please. I need you to be okay with us.”
“There is no ‘us’. I’m not sure why this is so hard for you? There is no ‘us’ and as I recall you said at one point that ‘us’ was for publicity.
“I’m sorry! I don’t know what else to say to you. I’m sorry I was a jerk. I’m sorry I broke your heart. I’m just SORRY!”
She goes inside but doesn’t shut the door. He follows quickly, before she changes her mind. She goes into the bathroom and shuts the door softly. Although he listened, he didn’t hear a solitary sound. He didn’t know what to do for her, so he waited, hoping she would know that he hadn’t walked away from her…again. It seemed like an eternity later, the door opened slowly and she came out with her eyes down, but he could tell by how puffy and swollen they were that she had been crying.
“I don’t want to fight with you.” He knew she had more to say and just needed a minute, so he stayed quiet, thinking it would play out better for him. “I don’t want to hurt you either”, she looked up to meet his eyes for the first time. “This is so hard and true love shouldn’t be this difficult. I can’t tell you that I don’t still hold some feelings of love for you, it would be a lie. I can tell you that I won’t let myself go there again, not now anyway. I liked our relationship the way it was a few days ago. I still got to hang out with my great friend, the one who knows me inside and out. The friend I thought knew I would struggle with this.”
“You know what you have taught me?” She knew it was a question, but she didn’t respond, so he continued. “You taught me to fight for the things I’m passionate about. The things I love and don’t believe I can live without. I’ve tried to be your friend, the one you say you need, but I won’t lie to you and say I don’t have the feelings I do. I won’t do that for either of us, it’s not fair.”
“I wish this was easier and not so complicated, but I’ve told you how I need for it to be…please try to respect that.”
“I will for you, but my feelings won’t change. I’ll always love you.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes and out of respect alone he stood, bent over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be here for you always. I love you and I’m not able to stop. I’ll respect your decision, but it’s breaking my heart. I’ll leave you alone, but please know I’m not walking out on you. I’m giving you what you have asked for, even though I don’t want to.” He didn’t sound mad or upset, but like his heart really was breaking. He turned and walked away. Before the door closed behind him, he heard her let out a sob. Maybe it would work for them one day…but not today