From her bedroom, Luca could hear Denise's phone ringing; the set ringtone informed her it was Chris finally calling. Denise had been waiting for his call for about an hour now, a mishap on set had pushed filming back which was why he was late. It'd been a rough month for Denise. Her boyfriend was away, business was picking up at the Italian restaurant she worked part time at, and her school work was piling up. She was yet to admit it but she was threading water on the verge of drowning.

The week she took off turned out to be a terrible idea, she got back and found herself overwhelmed by everything she'd missed out on. A month later, she felt like she was still trying to catch up. But that was the thing, she just felt that way because it was all in her head. It was always all in her head which was why her mom, best friend, and boyfriend were always so worried about her. It was human nature to strive for perfection, but the difference between regular people and perfectionists was regular people knew when to quit. Denise was an incredibly intelligent and diligent student who remained ahead of her class in spite of her week in Boston. But her mentality after returning back to Los Angeles without her boyfriend ruined her stride, leaving her dispirited, overworked, sleep deprived, and stressed beyond belief.

It pleased Luca to hear 'Kiss The Girl' coming from Denise's phone. She knew her best friend would benefit greatly from hearing from her sweet, loving, and reassuring boyfriend. Reassuring Denise was a job the mom and the best friend had until Chris came along. Their methods may have been similar, but their success rates were vastly different. It was surprising, but her mom and Luca weren't always successful in calming her down. No matter what they'd tell her, she'd doubt herself and let her anxiety chew away at her brain. But it was never like that with Chris for he had a way with her that no one understood. It was like he had her handbook; he always knew what to say and when to say it. Similarly, she had his handbook. She was the one he instinctively looked to whenever he had a particularly bad or stressful day. He had complete faith in her capabilities to reignite his flickering flame and cast away the approaching shadows. It was bewildering. But the hypothesis that soulmates existed was proved every time anyone saw the effect they had on each other.

Luca waited, but the ringtone didn't stop. It was only momentarily, but when it was a call from Chris- momentarily was already far too long. Luca's eyes narrowed and closed her MacBook screen, making her way outside. She heard herself sigh when she found Denise asleep at the dining room table with Dodger resting by her feet. It was heartwarming how close the puppy had grown to his best friend's girlfriend.

Denise was conspicuously surrounded by her textbooks, assignment notes, class timetables, work schedules, and other bits and pieces. Luca didn't have to assume Denise had tried and failed to plan out her week because it was typical Denise. Every Sunday evening, she'd sit and plan her whole week like life was just going to do what she wanted it to. It never worked out, but it didn't stop her from trying.

Luca walked over and held a finger up to her lips when Dodger looked up at her whining slightly. She carefully pried Denise's phone out of her hand; breath held when she stirred. Luca let out a quiet sigh when Denise remained asleep. She answered the call, walking a distance away before she spoke because the last thing Denise needed was undisturbed rest.

"Hello? Babe, you there?" Chris' voice came through sounding confused at the lack of Denise's chirpy greeting. She'd always answered with "oh Evans, my Captain. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Always, every call, with no exceptions- unless he caught her while she was half asleep then it wasn't so chirpy and coherent. "Sweetheart," he chuckled, "are you there or is this your cute butt I'm talking to?"

"This is actually her cute best friend you're talking to," Luca quipped and a light laugh escaped Chris. "Sorry, Cap, but your girl's passed out at the table." Luca heard Chris sigh and began to explain to him what he already knew happened. "It's Sunday so-"

"She overwhelmed herself trying to plan her week out again," Chris finished for her and Luca noised confirmation. "God, I leave her for a month," he commented with a weary chuckle. "Other than her usual Sunday activities, how's she doing? I feel like I have to ask you because she's not going to tell me the truth about anything bad. Every time I ask how she's doing, she says she's fine but- if she's falling asleep while planning her week, things must be a little chaotic."

"A little, she's stressed. But-" Luca looked over at Denise, a small smile on her lips. She wished her best friend would let up a little, she'd be so much happier if she did. "When is she not?" Chris nodded in agreement, a weary eye roll was used. "But she's okay, she's tough." Chris smiled, knowing very well how tough she was. "Dodger and I've got her sorted, don't you worry."

"Thanks, Luca."

"I'm going to have to hang up on you though, I don't want to wake her up. She really needs her sleep, she asked for an extra shift at the restaurant and that's in an hour so- I'll have her call you tomorrow?" Luca made it sound like a question but it was more of an order; Chris said nothing because he knew what his options were. "I'll tell her you called so she can-"

"What time is it?!" Denise shot up from her quick 'rest-of-the-eyes', worried she was late for work. She scrambled for her phone then looked up and saw it in Luca's hand. "Is that-" Luca nodded, walking back over to hand off the call to her. "Hey, sorry." She said into the phone, then mouthed a "thank you" to Luca, who nodded and went back into her room to give the couple some privacy. "I don't know what's wrong with me, I've just been really tired lately."

"There's no need to apologize, sweetheart." As Chris spoke, Denise transferred the job of holding her phone to her shoulder so her hands were free to fiddle with the pieces of paper in front of her. "You've got a lot on your plate, I get it and it's fine. I just want you to take care of yourself, please."

"Yeah, the weather's been lovely," was her response because she didn't actually process anything Chris had said to her. She was too preoccupied, scribbling all over her planner to listen and respond accordingly. "A little warm, but perfect for my afternoon walks with Dodger."

"Step away from the table, Denise," he instructed in a firm tone and she found herself dropping the pen she had in her hand. She took her phone back in her hand as she stood up and walked over to the couch where she couldn't fiddle with anything. Dodger quickly followed, jumping up on the couch and settling his head in her lap. His action coaxed a smile from her as she stroked his head. "How are you, really?" Chris asked, surely with furrowed brows of deep concern. "I know you don't want me to worry, but lying to me- that's even more worrying."

"What? I didn't- what have I lied to you about?"

"Every time I ask how you're doing, you tell me you're fine-"

"Yeah, and that's not a lie because I am fin-" she interrupted.

"I just talked to Luca and she tells a different story," he interjected and she huffed, wishing Luca had stayed out of it. Her struggles were minor, it was nothing she couldn't handle and it was definitely nothing Chris needed to concern himself with. "What is going on, Denise? What's got you so stressed out?" Denise sighed because she wished she knew. "It can't be school, right? You're doing so well." Chris waited, but she neither agreed nor disagreed. "What can I do to help? Luca said you're asking for extra shifts, do you need-"

"I don't need your money," she stopped him before he could offer and he sighed. "I'm fine, honestly," she let out a laugh to lighten the mood. "I'm just missing you and it's affecting me a lot more than I thought it would." He chuckled, but the angst didn't release its nasty grip on his stomach. "Don't worry, I'm fine. School's great, work's good, my financial situation is perfect so- don't worry about me, okay?"

"That is like telling water not to be wet, Denise," he told her and she smiled. "You promise you'll tell me if something's up?" She nodded, 'mm-hm-ing' her response. "That you'll keep things honest between us?" Another 'mm hm' left her throat. "That you'll ask for money if need be?" He winced as that particular sentence left his lips because he knew he was trying his luck; she was one of those 'make-my-own-way' girls, and proudly so. "Denise?" He pressed when he heard nothing come from the other end.

"No," was all she said.

"I can afford to support you," he reminded her.

"And I am capable of making my own way," she retorted.

"I know," he sighed. "It is just a reminder, I know how much it sucks having to balance work and school. I need you to know you have an out if you need it." It was hard for her not to know when he reminded her every chance he could, and while she did appreciate his offer- she couldn't take it. She already had tabloid magazines and his fans questioning her intentions with the illustrious Chris Evans. Was she with him for the fame, or the fortune? She didn't want to fuel the fire that was already ferociously burning, she needed to remain independent- at least until they were married, or somewhat equal on the social and financial ladder. "Are you sure you don't need anything, baby?"

"Absolutely."

"Can I at least pay for Dodger? He's not technically your responsibility, I can-"

"He's not technically my responsibility?" She scoffed and he laughed. "Look, pal. I know you adopted him, but Dodger and I- we've bonded, so I will be fighting for custody if we break up. And if I don't get custody, I will be requesting visitation rights." He bellowed with laughter and she smiled. "I'm a waitress, Chris. I'm not broke," she chuckled, smiling at the puppy who'd perked up at the sound of his best friend's name.

"Yet if you were, you'd still decline my help," he quipped and she rolled her eyes.

Dodger's tail wagged excitedly and he rose to his paws, prodding Denise's hand with his nose. She chuckled and put the call on speaker. "You're on, Chris." The second Chris greeted Dodger, he barked. Denise flinched then giggled; Chris smiled, feeling a longing ache in his chest. "He's excited every time I mention your name, you know that? It's kind of heart breaking 'cause he doesn't understand the concept time and I do." She leaned over and pecked Dodger's forehead. "I love you, Chris, but I really hate having to do long distance." Her eyes watered and his stomach flipped when she admitted that. "The whole thing sucks, there is no sugar coating it."

"I know," he nodded. "I hate having to do it too, but we've discussed this. Being with me means-"

"Long distance," she finished for him. "I know. Not complaining, just stating a fact out of frustration."

"I promise I'm worth the trouble," he joked and she chuckled, easing his nerves. His own eyes watered as he reached for the Polaroid photograph he kept on his desk in his trailer. The photo was of him, Denise, and Dodger the morning after they admitted they had feelings for each other. It was such a blissful moment, the three of them snug in bed. Denise had a copy too, one she kept safely in her daily planner. "I'd count the days, but that's just going to make us both sad."

"Yeah," she chuckled with limited humor.

"I'm going to let you go," he told her and she felt herself sigh. "You need some rest before you go to work," he explained his leave and she nodded in agreement, running a hand through her hair. "I'll call you tomorrow and we'll have an actual conversation, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded.

"I love you." He ended the conversation like he always did, wishing he could be there with her. He wanted to be able to hold her and tell her things were going to be okay because she clearly needed that. She'd lied about being okay and he knew she was lying, but she was going to work and he didn't want to put her in a bad mood by calling her out. He was going to save that conversation for another day, when she didn't have classes or work to go to or worry about.

"I love you too," she responded then stayed silent until she heard the dial tone; he'd hung up. She put her phone aside and sighed, burying her face in her hands. She only looked up when she felt Dodger nudge his head into her arm. "How do you do it, Dodger?" She turned to him, cupping his furry face in her hands. "How do you survive without Chris for months on end? Because it's hard, like- it's really fucking hard," she chuckled to stop herself from crying. Dodger licked her face when she bent over to kiss his forehead, making her smile. "Yeah, I know I've got you and Luca."

Nine months; one down and eight to go.