Pick Up The Pieces [Cameron]

[Cameron Alexander Smith]

Cameron wished that he could go back in time and change things too. But what could he change? Erika actually stealing the money? Or Erika not having a problem in the first place? He knew the latter was impossible - if you were born a klepto, then you were a klepto as far as he was concerned. And he knew that Erika was a klepto, even if she had not actually said these words to his face. Sometimes he wondered if things would be better if he hadn't have caught her. Would today be like any other normal day for them? Sometimes he wished that he hadn't have caught her out. Deep down though, he was glad that he did when he did though, or else who knows how long she would have been able to talk herself into 'borrowing' money from him?

Thinking of what she had done made Cam feel physically sick to the stomach just as it did the night he caught her. The memory of that evening was still embedded in him as clear as day. She had excused herself to the bathroom and after a short while he had grown concerned for her. Was she sick? He had gone upstairs to check on her when he heard the sound of a drawer opening. That was odd - his parents were not at home. The sound was coming from his room though. He opened the door and found her next to his bedside table, the drawer wide open and the tin in which he kept his money on his bed, with Erika holding the money and pocketing a note or two. He had asked with a shock 'what are you doing?' and after Erika couldn't explain herself he had lost his temper and had told her that he was finished with her and to 'get out of my house'. After telling her to leave, he was so upset that he had been sick. He just didn't understand why she had done this to him. He had given her everything he could - and in return she had ended up taking from him. He was still mad at her but taking his frustrations out on her now when it was clear that she was outraged by herself too did not sit right with him. He was still disappointed though, and it leaked through his voice when he asked her his next question. "Why did you do it E?" He knew the answer but he still needed to ask. It was the one thing that had been playing on his mind since their break up.

She was upset by his words. He could tell with the way she was stirring her drink and ice, more harder than before. It bummed him out that he was the cause of this upset, but he couldn't lie to her - that wouldn't be fair. It pained him though (and he was surprised by the amount of pain still) when she suddenly stood up from the table and announced that she should go. "E..." He said with a sigh as she made her way to the exit, jumping up quickly and going after her. He'd forgotten that they had already ordered food and was pretty sure that the waitress would be a bit annoyed that they had left without saying anything. But that was the least of his concerns. He found Erika just outside the doors and walked up to her quickly, wrapping his arms around her to hug her. "Please don't cry. I hate to see you like this. You know I will always be there for you no matter what, right? That will never change. You'll always have a place in my heart." At these words, Cam's voice cracked as well, tears welling up in his eyes.

Tags: Erika/Mandee
Listening to: Breathe Carolina
Thoughts: Sorry for the back history of him catching her. Post sounded better and longer.
Word count: 707

[Erika Roxann Martens]

The thing was, Erika wouldn't come up to Cameron and admit she was a klepto in the first place because she wouldn't admit it herself. She realized that she had a problem, and she realized that what she was doing was wrong, but she couldn't pull herself away from it. She also wasn't willing to acknowledge to herself just how bad it really was. It wasn't that she was completely denying the problem, but she certainly wasn't acknowledging it to the extent that she probably should have.

Hearing his question made it worse. Why did she do it? If she'd known what would happen, she would never in a million years have done what she did to Cameron. Even now, looking back, she was disgusted with herself for what she did. Even if she was only borrowing, as she'd reasoned with herself at the time, she could have at least asked first. Cameron was her boyfriend of over a year, after all. "I don't know, but I regret it."[/color] And it was true. She regretted it every day, realizing that she and Cameron were no longer dating because of a mistake that she made. It was all on her. Yes, Cameron chose to react the way that he had, but she didn't blame him one bit. She'd taken money from him without asking.

Part of the reason that Erika was leaving was out of how awkward the conversation turned, but there was another reason as well. She was afraid of what else Cameron might say to her. It was best to just leave before things were too heated. As she was leaving she handed the waitress a few dollars for her drink and a bit of a tip. She headed out the door, not realizing that anyone was actually following her.

Erika made her way to the side of the building, a few tears flowing down her cheeks as she reached out and hit the side of the building. It wasn't with enough force to hurt herself (or the building obviously), but it was enough to help relieve some tension. She was simultaneously surprised and comforted by Cameron's arms around her. And to think, if she hadn't screwed up, he never would have stopped doing this. Who knew where they'd be at now? "I'm so sorry Cam."[/color] Despite how wretched she felt, she was not about to have a full out crying fit in public. Nevertheless, a few more tears slid down her cheeks and she moved in closer to Cameron, putting her arms around him as well. Despite the fact that they were no longer an item, she could not deny that being in his arms had that comforting habit on her.

Word count: 463
To: Cameron/Ali
Notes: It works. =P