crossinglines | Together Again

"So do you," she replied, teasing lightly, "Nice to see you in a tie voluntarily."

Neither of them had ever been big on school uniforms. But she thought he was still just as handsome as that boy she'd fallen for.

"Come on, there's a very nice restaurant downstairs I got us a table at," she said, taking his hand in hers. "I want to know everything you've been up to."

She wouldn't start flirting with him because she didn't know if he was seeing anyone now. Or if he'd even be interested in rekindling what was a teenage romance. People did change.

"I've started liking suits. Thanks to the job."

Stuart took her hand gladly, following her downstairs. He couldn't help but wonder if she had someone in her life now. Those old feelings hadn't really gone away.

"I got the job. Went through some personal turmoils on the side. What about you?"

"I spent five years in the Navy. Was trying for Naval Intelligence, but that's not really a thing anymore," she explained as they walked. "So I work for the Ministry of Defence now, in London. I'm in security."

She walked with him to the elevator and pushed the button to take them to the restaurant.

"I got married, divorced now. Met someone in the service, but I wanted to get out and he didn't. What about you?"

"Security? Nice one. You do have that aura about you now.. I wouldn't want to mess with you."

Stuart grinned cheekily, nudging her arm.

"No kidding? I met someone through my job 6 years ago. We got married but it didn't last. Just wasn't meant to be."

"I still remember how shocked you were when I told you I was joining the Navy!"

She laughed at that, pausing only to greet the maitre'd at the restaurant. Once they were shown to their table and ordered drinks, she continued.

"You know, following you to Oxford was the smartest thing I've ever done," she told him. It had been an impulse decision at the time not wanting to leave him and not having anything else tying her down. "If I hadn't gone with you I never would have figured out what I wanted to do with my life. So thank you."

"That was a bit unexpected, yeah."

He greeted the maitre'd too. Looking around the place before they got settled in.

"I was glad you did that. And you're welcome. A whole new side of you seemed to come out during that time, Meredith. It was amazing to watch."

"Admit it, though, you liked seeing me in the uniform."

She teased playfully as they relaxed together. Enjoying looking back at the past and the five years they had spent together. It was no teenage fling, they had really made a decent go of it.

"My father thought I was crazy choosing a college because of a boy," she added with a laugh. "But it was worth it. I had you and I found something to do with myself. That was all I ever wanted. Just to feel like I was doing something and wasn't having it all handed to me."

"You did look pretty hot."

Stuart had no regrets about the past. It was a good, happy five years and he'd do it again if he could.

"I've seen a lot of rich girls and you were always more down-to-earth than any of them."

"I'm just glad I figured myself out. I was so frustrated with where my life was going. And now I'm really happy with how things have turned out."

She smiled at that.

"I knew there was something special about you the day we met. I'm just glad I could track you down. I've been wondering what happened to you."

"I always wondered about you too. You went off into the world and I didn't hear from you for so long."

Stuart sipped his drink. It felt a little surreal sitting opposite to the girl he was so deeply in love with in his teenage years.

"It's good you found me. I've missed you, Guin."

"I know. Being gone in the military, then with this job, I move around a lot and there's not always the opportunity to talk. If I had it to do over again, I'd have tried to keep in better touch."

She nodded, pausing just to look at the menu and figure out what she actually wanted.

"I missed you too. I'm glad things have turned out so well for you. You deserved that."

"It's okay. We're here now, Guin. I don't plan on losing touch with you again, just so you know."

He flashed his trademark grin at her, taking a look at the menu too.

"Likewise. I always knew you'd go on to do amazing things."

"Just needed someone to help me find some direction."

She smiled at him, pausing so that they could order dinner. After they did that she dug into her purse and handed him one of her business cards, writing her home number and her address on the back.

"That's where I'm living now. You should come by sometime. Although I'll be here for a few more days."

"I'll definitely come see you. We've so much catching up to do."

He took the card, looking at it before putting it safely in his pocket.

"One thing I learned in school is that there's greatness in all of us. Some of us just need a little extra push."

"Or some reason not to run."

She smiled at him. If not for him she knew she'd have gone back to the States as soon as she was able. He'd kept her there and her whole world had changed.

"So how are things here? The city doesn't look too much different than I remember it," she said. "And you look even better than I remember you. You've gotten even more handsome with age."

Stuart had never felt something so strongly as the urge to tell her how he felt. To tell her to stay. He didn't want to imagine how his life would've turned out without Guinevere.

"Things are definitely better. I've learned to love this place," he nodded. "You've gotten even more beautiful, if possible."

"I was really happy when work took me here. The first thing I said to myself was I should track you down," she replied. "Thankfully I've gotten good at that kind of thing after a decade working for the government!"

She smiled. "How busy are you the next couple of days? Once I finish these interviews, maybe we could catch up? Visit some of the old places we used to hang out?" Presuming they still existed.

"You could call it fate."

Stuart only needed to think for a moment. "Not really busy. I could easily make some time for you. A trip down memory lane sounds fun."

"You'll have to show me around. Again," she corrected with a laugh. "I don't know what's still here and what's changed or what isn't here anymore. This is the first time I've been back since we went off to college together."

She held his eyes for a moment blushing faintly. The idea of inviting him back to her room after dinner was starting to cross her mind, but she worried it might be too forward. She was a lot less blunt as an adult.

"So are you seeing anyone these days?" she asked. Small steps.

"I'd be happy to, Guin. Things are mostly the same.. Some museums are abandoned old buildings now, moved to bigger locations."

He met her gaze, wondering if she thought the same thing he did. The night shouldn't end after they leave the restaurant. It's been 10 years since he saw her and the old feelings were sparked.

"No. I've been on my own after the divorce.. Keeping busy with work and stuff like that. What about you?"

"Me neither. This job requires a lot of driving from place to place, and so it's hard finding someone who can deal with my erratic schedule. And I just haven't really tried that much."

She chuckled.

"Maybe you ruined me for other men."

"You may have done the same for me. I could never really forget you, Guin."

He smiled at her, reaching for her hand again.

"What do you say we continued the night? I'm in no hurry to go anywhere."

"I'd like that."

She squeezed his hand and looked down shyly.

"To be honest, I've wanted to kiss you for the last twenty minutes."

"That's what I've been thinking about, too. I miss your lips on mine."

He kissed the back of her hand, eyes fixed on her.

"We should go back to your room after this."

It was an intriguing proposition and one she didn't hesitate in accepting. She didn't want to say goodbye just yet after an entire decade apart.

"I'd like that," she said. Even if all they did was talk like they used to it sounded like exactly what she wanted. A chance to reconnect with someone she cared about and had missed greatly. Someone she had never stopped loving, even though their lives had forced them apart.

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