A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 89- People will believe a lie because they want it to be true, or because they’re afraid it’s true.

Dad decides to take the information about the poison to the Logan's personally and explain it all to them. He probably needs to talk to the doctors and update them too anyway. He could do it all on the phone I guess, but since all the people he needs to talk to are in the same place, it's just less complicated to go see them in person. He promises to be home in time for dinner since his reason for working late so much has been resolved. Not that I think he's going to stop being a workaholic, but I suspect he might take a few half days in the next week or so to spend some extra time with me. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I know I'm meant to go back to work when Ashton and Fin leave, but maybe I can drag my holiday out a little while longer. I could use some of my annual leave or something. I AM tired, it's not like I've rested during this time off of work. Taking a break is supposed to be a happy thought, but mostly I'm just feeling down because I've remembered that Ashton is leaving. I don't know when, but I'm sure it'll be soon. He didn't even get permission to come here in the first place, his mother has to be missing him.

I drive Ashton and Fin back home and after I shower and change into comfy clothes, I wander off to the kitchen to look for a snack. I can hear Fin talking in the living room, I assume to Ashton, at least I did but I'm apparently wrong because I turn around and walk straight into Ashton since I didn't realise he was behind me. Maybe he's on the phone? Ashton must see my confusion because he answers my silent question.

"I believe that Fin is calling Lucy to tell her that we caught the last fae criminal... He is going to miss her." Ashton sighs and I can't help but do the same.

"I suppose that means that you have to leave soon." I comment, trying not to show how much that bothers me. Ashton frowns and gives a reluctant nod. My heart sinks. I knew that would be his answer, but it still sucks to have it confirmed. "When?" I ask, my voice barely more than a whisper. Ashton bites his lip, his expression pained.

"We should leave as soon as possible and make arrangements to have the fae returned home to be properly sentenced and locked away." He grinds the words out and if it's possible my heart sinks even further. I don't know what I was thinking. Of course I was going to get attached to the handsome, charming fae prince. Why did I ever think that I wouldn't?

"Tomorrow night?" I ask quietly. Ashton takes my hand gently. His hand feels colder than usual and he shakes his head.

"We should leave tonight." He doesn't seem any happier about his answer than I am.

"Oh... I suppose that makes sense. Is... Is there anything we need to organise for you? Food? Or we could pack some of your stuff, I'm not going to use any of it so you might as well take it all with you. It can be like a souvenir or something." I try to joke but even I can hear the distress in my own voice.

"Kat." Ashton is watching me with a sad expression. I can't deal with it so I keep going.

"We should tell Fin he can take his stuff too. I mean your phones won't do you any good back home but they're yours anyway. Oh, we have a printer, did you want to print some of your photos out so you can take them with you? It wouldn't be that hard and-" Ashton cuts me off by placing a finger on his free hand over my lips.

"Kat. Please slow down. I would like to talk about our relationship." He states clearly. I blush red and stare at the floor. This is the part where he lets me down easy I guess. Tells me that a relationship wouldn't ever work, that he can't travel back and forth all the time. I already KNOW that I don't want a relationship like that anyway, but I suspect it's still going to hurt to hear it. Ashton can't lie, so whatever he tells me is going to be what he actually believes. There's no way he can believe this would work out between us. It's nice to dream about, but I have to be realistic.

"Okay." I answer. I'm not even totally sure what our relationship is, but I'm fairly sure that this is the beginning of the end.

"Would you permit me to come and visit you sometime? I may have free time in the future, I could use it to come and see you." He says hopefully. I force a smile and nod.

"Of course you can." I answer brightly. It's nice that he wants to visit, but I don't believe it will really happen. Or maybe it will, but a visit every now and then isn't enough for a relationship, it's barely enough for a proper friendship. He couldn't even phrase the statement as a promise. I don't think he means to lie, more like he's lying to himself that he thinks it's possible. Still, I can't help but agree. I'm sure I'll see him again. He's promised to pay me after all and he's too honourable not to. But I think good intentions aren't enough to place my hopes in and they're definitely not enough to risk my heart. I can still hear Fin on the phone to Lucy in the living room. I imagine he is having a similar conversation with her. Well, at least I won't be the only one left behind. I suddenly feel the need to go buy some extra ice cream. I think I might be needing it.

I think Ashton can tell that I think this is all over, because he groans and pulls me into a tight hug.

"Kat, I do not want you to be sad. What can I do to fix this? This will not be goodbye forever. I will come and see you again." he promises. I have to choke back tears. If only believing something was enough to make it true.

"I'll miss you." Is all I answer. Ashton pulls back a little so that he can see my face. His gorgeous green eyes are so close that I can't seem to look away. I don't know if he moves first or I do, but our lips meet and he kisses me gently and I think I might cry. I take it back, I am crying. Ashton just kisses me harder and pulls me closer. I try not to think about it, but this kiss is goodbye. A throat clearing in the doorway has me jumping backwards. When the hell did my dad get here. I'm bright red and I try not to look guilty. I wasn't doing anything wrong.

"Dad, I thought that you were at the hospital." I say awkwardly as a way of greeting. Dad narrows his eyes and glances between Ashton and I.

"I called ahead and was told that George was already there getting some paperwork sorted. I had him tell them instead so that I could come home and get some rest." I wait for him to say something about the kiss, but he doesn't. "Ashton and Fin are leaving tonight." I blurt out. Dad raises an eyebrow at us. He lets out a deep breath.

"Kat, can you leave us for a minute? I need to talk to Ashton in private." Dad asks. Well this can't be good.