I was back in the U.S for good now. The Spain sets were a huge success, and Sony already wanted to sign for another movie. I had to go back to Boston for the meeting soon.

I immediately flew to LA when I was finished in Spain. I waited around for Chris on his set. We were going to lunch, with Mackie, and Seb. I was excited to spend more time with them.

"Ms. Jones, can I speak with you?" The soft voice made me turn around. It was Kevin Feige, the big man in Marvel. I swallowed rather harshly and smoothed down my outfit.

"Of course." I replied putting on a brave face and voice. I kept my head high as I followed him into an office.

"Ms. Jones, it has come to the attention of Marvel that you are romantically involved with Mr. Evans. And that is fine, but we need to know that your contract with us comes first."

"What do you mean?"

"We want to make sure you're still going to be professional. Some aren't too happy with the idea of you and Chris."

"I'm always professional, sir. I have no intention of letting that go. I will of course keep doing my job." Then I got why this conversation made no sense. I shifted back in my seat a little.

Would they ask me this if I wasn't a girl. If it was switched and Chris was in my place, and I was in his, would they ask him this question? No. They wouldn't.

"Mr. Feige, I have to say I'm disappointed that you don't believe in me. I find it offending that you think I would ever do anything less than my best."

"Ms. Jones, I'm very sorry that this conversation came across this way. We just want to make sure we are all on the same page."

"Well I'll keep doing my job, and you do yours, which doesn't consist of checking on my love life." I stood up ready to leave this bullshit meeting.

"Marvel has an appearance to keep up."

"Yes it does, one that I've designed myself." With that, the meeting ended with a tight handshake. I walked out of the office knowing I owned that meeting.

Chris was waiting for me when I came back.

"Where were you?"

"Having a nice little chat with Kevin Feige." Chris rose his eyebrow in question. He noticed my tone and look of determination which means someone had gotten flattened.

"Oh wow, the big man."

"Yeah, and I put him in his place."

"Oh no." Chris joked, I gave him a light shove.

"Oh yes, Christopher. Where are your friends." I asked crossing my arms and looking around.

"They are already at the restaurant."

"Then lets go." I said and Chris trailed behind my lead.

At lunch I tried to relax. Chris of course noticed how tightly strung I was and tried to act as if everything was normal. He kept the conversation away from me and let me brood in peace. Anthony, Seb and Chris sat and cracked jokes the entire time. Their booming laughter brought attention but they didn't mind. The restaurant was mostly empty. I sat and laughed at some of the jokes, but my brain was filled with the conversation I had earlier. Did people really question my ability to do my own job now that I was dating Chris?

My phone rang and I stepped outside to answer it.

"What's up Whitney."

"There are people huddled outside the office right now. I can't get home. When I step outside, they hound me with questions." She informed clearly unhappy. And I felt bad, I left her to fight alone. She sounded a little panicked too.

"Call the police."

"Why didn't I think of that!" She yelled hanging up the phone. She later called and told me that the police want to talk to me about what to do about the problem. Reporters, and god knows who were standing outside the office trying to learn about me. It was absolutely ridiculous, I couldn't possibly be that interesting.

I stalked back into the restaurant to gather my things. I needed to go home, and deal with this little problem. I could have dealt with the press alone, but now they were stopping my friends and I couldn't allow that.

"I'm so sorry, but I have to go."

"Where are you going?" Chris asked worried. The tone of the lunch dramatically shifts. Seb and Mackie start to busy talk to themselves to give us privacy.

"Home." I answered him picking my purse up to leave. I turned to leave before he had time to register the words I just said.

"What?!" He yelled rushing after me out the door of the restaurant.

"Yeah. The press are currently outside my office, my staff can't get home without being harassed and now the police want to talk to me. I'm leaving." I quickly walked down the street trying to find a taxi. Where were they?! My blood was boiling. I was angry at the press, me, Chris, Marvel, the world.

"Where is a fucking taxi when you need it?!" I shouted

"Why are you so mad?"

"I'm mad because my friends are being harassed because of me. I'm mad because I've given up everything." I've failed myself. I told myself to keep in control and now there I was , just like last time.

"What have you given up?"

"My time, my privacy, my security. My world seems to be ripping at the edges. My clients are questioning my work because I'm dating you. My work is hounded with press looking for me because I'm dating you. I've spent hours and hours traveling to see you. "

"Everything has a cost Lucy." he stated calmly trying to defuse me.

"Love shouldn't cost me anything."

"It's funny you use the word love." I guess he tossed the idea of deescalating this fight out the window.

"Oh no. Don't do this Chris. I cannot fight about that now."

"We have to talk about it."

"We've already talked about it. Remember when you told me it was okay, for me not to feel the same way? Taking those words back now?"

"How do you think I feel knowing you don't love me? I'm trying to give you everything here Luce, and it's like you aren't even trying. You're always pulling back." His voice was raised and crushed me with every word. I wanted to stop walking and cry but I kept pushing myself down the sidewalk. I wanted to scream and freeze time to catch my breath and fix one problem at a time.

"It feels like I'm not trying because I have nothing to give you Chris. I've given you what I have. This is the best I can do."

"Bullshit. Lucy, that is absolute shit. What are you scared of? Why are you always pulling away? Is this because of him? You're so scared let go of him, why?" I stopped moved to turn and glare at him.

"I gave up everything for him too. I gave up time, privacy, security. And now I've given those up for you too. I've given you everything I can Chris, why is that not enough?"

"It's not enough, because you haven't given up your heart. You gave him your heart, but yet you refuse to trust me with it. Why don't you trust me?" By this time I couldn't even look at him. I moved my legs. I had to keep moving. I promised myself, I wouldn't give up who I was like I did last time. If Chris was asking me to do that, and I wouldn't.

"I've worked hard to become who I am today, and where I am Chris. And I'll be damned if I let you ruin it."

"What are we to you? You think I'm going to ruin you? Why are you still here if you think that?!" He interrogated and I snapped. Spinning on my heels I turned to him and walked straight up to him.

"I'm here because I want to love you. I stay because I know you are giving everything to me. I stay because I don't want to fail you any more than I already have. I'm here to find out what love really is, and I thought I could find it in you. But obviously this isn't working. I can't give you what you need or want. And I'm sorry I wasted your time! Is this what you wanted to hear?! Is this what you wanted?! I'm done trying Chris. I've given up all I can. All I will ever allow myself to give up. This is it. This is all I have to offer take it or leave it." He fell silent and I took his answer. He stared at the ground trying to keep himself together, and so was I.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. Guess this is the last good bye." I told him. I took one good look at him. I tried not to memorize that sad look in his eyes. The frown he pulled off and his slumped shoulders. I ignored the deep look he was giving me as I turned away. It was over. It was done. The end.