The Water In My Lungs

Imogen bounced her knee up and down as she felt the planes wheels touch the ground. She was tired: ridiculously tired. Her flight was at five A.M. and over on the east coast it was already three.

Everyone stood up and began shuffling around to grab their luggage. Imogen only had her laptop bag, a cage with Eran in it, and a small carry on with some of her clothes. The rest had been shipped to her new apartment building in coincidently Soho a few days ago.

She ran down the ramp, pushing past the random strangers. She couldn't wait and as she walked through Laguardia airport her nerves began working through her stomach.

They seemed to cease though as she saw a tall man standing outside of the terminal. A smile fell across her face as she watched him take a sip of his coffee and then a puff of his cigarette. His RayBans adorned his face and she could see his nose ring glinting in the sun.

Andy turned his head a bit to catch sight of the most beautiful girl in the world. A leather jacket adorned her skinny frame and he could see the new blue streak in her hair from here. He stubbed his cigarette and forgot his coffee by the bench and ran to her. She let her suitcases drop as he caught her in his arms. Tears fell down both of their cheeks as she buried her face in his neck.

"Imogen.." He whispered, kissing her cheek repeatedly.

"Well that was the longest we've ever been apart." He laughed breathily at her words, hating that they wasted so much time.

"But we're together again, that's all that matters." He said. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. They were filled with so much love that she immediately moved into kiss him, her feet touching the ground again.

They both felt like they could finally breath, that they had found themselves again. "I missed your mouth so much.." He mumbled. She heard a few shutters go off behind them and new paparazzi was around but she didn't care. "Are you mine again?"

She breathed in his intoxicating scent. "I've always been yours." He smiled at her and kissed her forehead once more, just like he used too.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." She smiled, kissing the underside of his jaw.

"There are men with cameras over there." He said, keeping his eyes locked on hers.

"Better get used to it, babe. They're always looking for next big story." She chuckled, "One time they were hiding in my bushes and saw me and Chris...you know.." She shook her head, laughing. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "That's when we became more of a public item. The fans started liking us and I felt..trapped I guess. I loved him but he was never you. When I found him with Sabrina, I don't know I guess I felt..relieved and broken."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and picked her bags up. "You won't ever feel that way again, okay? Nothing is ever going to come between us. Let's make the pact now." He held his pinky out to her and she smiled, taking it. "Deal?"

"Deal." She kissed his cheek.

"Let me help you unpack, where is your apartment?" He asked.

"Just off of Smithfeild Corner. It's called Lakewood Complex." She said.

"I know where that is." He smiled, rubbing her shoulder. "Not too far from my building."

"Great." She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked back to his car.

"Who is this little cat?" He asked, looking into Eran's cage.

"Her name is Eran." Imogen grinned, "My baby"

He smiled at her and chuckled. "You know, if I had known you were single and coming to New York I would have said to forget about finding an apartment and live with me.." He chuckled, taking her bags and putting them in the back of his black Mercedes Benz.

"Something tells me we'll be together a lot." She chuckled, running her hand over the roof of his sports car. "Wow, big shot now huh?"

He chuckled, "I make decent money as a tattoo artist."

She smiled at him and got inside the car. "I was hoping you'd tell me that dream came true."

"Well it did." He grinned, turning the car on and backing out. "I'm at Wooster Street Social Club in Soho."

"Awesome, NY Ink!" She exclaimed. "Why aren't you on the show?"

"I politely declined." He chuckled. "Didn't really want my life broadcasted across America, you
know?"

"Yeah it can be hard knowing someone is always thinking or talking about you." She said, gazing at her lap. He reached for her hand and began tracing circles into her knuckles, just like he used to do.

"I understand, my best friend Megan hates it too." He sighed. Her eyes widened and she sat up a bit.

"Megan Massacre!?" She exclaimed.

"Mhm." He nodded.

"She dated Chris, she cheated on him!" Imogen shook her head, "He said she was the worst."

Andy sighed, letting out an angry laugh. "He lied to you, Imogen."

"What?"

"He cheated on her, just like you." He shook his head and banged his hand on the steering wheel.

"If I had never left you, he wouldn't have ever hurt you like that."

Imogen was silent and praying he wouldn't look down at her still bruised and scarred arms. Chris didn't just cheat on her- he hit her sometimes when he was drunk and that's not something she wanted Andy knowing.

She slid her arm around his shoulder and kissed his neck. "It's not your fault, Andy. You know that." He nodded, melting under her touch.

The rest of the ride was completely silent until they arrived in front of a nice looking apartment building. He chuckled, "Megan lives here."

"Really!?" She exclaimed.

"Mhm, with her boyfriend Joey." He said, getting out of the car and opening Imogens door for her.

"Coincidence, guess that's how you knew where it was." She chuckled, taking her bags out of the back. They walked inside, getting her key from the front desk and they retreated up the stairs to her new home. She opened the door, smiling as she took in the white-walled front room. A kitchen was in the back and space for a living room. Behind that was a door to a bedroom that she would call her own.

Imogen smiled. It was small, but home like and she was happy. With Andy by her side she'd always be happy.

"It's nice." Andy smiled, grabbing her waist and kissing down her neck. She smiled and turned in his arms to kiss his lips. His heart pounded against his chest as his hand slid to her butt. "I've missed your body against mine."

"Chris never felt the same. You fit me, we're made for each other." She whispered, biting his lower lip and rubbing her hand across his back.

"I love you.." He whispered, "With every ounce of my being."

"I love you more." She chuckled, pulling away and clutching his shirt. She laid her head on his chest and sighed happily. "Your 23 and I'm 19."

"Time flies." He closed his eyes, relishing in the moment. "But we still have the rest of our lives."

"I know." She smiled. "I should start unpacking."

"I'll help." He said, kissing her cheek.

They began opening up her boxes and putting away all of her dishes first. Then they moved to putting her bed together but turned on some music first. They hung up pictures and some wall decorations next. Her black couch, two chairs, and coffee table were wrapped in plastic so they took it all off and then rearranged the furniture.

After about three hours, they were done and laying on her newly made bed. Andy's hands lightly traced her arms, but he stopped when he felt a few bumps on them. His heart contracted when he looked down to see a few cuts and bruises he'd failed to notice earlier.

"Imogen?" He mumbled in her ear, lifting her arm up. She sucked in her breath as he began tracing all of the scars. Tears formed in her eyes and she yanked her arm away. "Imogen where did you get these?"

She sobbed and buried her face in his chest. He knew. He just wanted to be sure.

"Im..." He moved her off of him carefully. "Did Chris do this?"

She then let out the most pained sob he'd ever heard. Andy was fuming. He hurt her...

He stood up and angrily slammed the door shut. She immediately followed after him to see him pacing in the living room. "I have half a mind to find him and kill him." He seethed.

"Andy.." She shook her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"Imogen, no one was ever supposed to hurt you." He said, sinking down to his knees. "I was supposed to protect you." He whispered, burying his face in his hands. She sat next to him and moved his body so her tiny arms were wrapped around him.

"Shh, it's okay." She rocked him back and forth and ran her fingers through his hair as he sobbed. "I'm here, we're together again." He wrapped his arms around her waist, making sure she was real. She scratched his back lightly and sang softly in his ear. A song she'd written for him a long time ago, right when he left her.

I swear I see the seasons change
More often than I see your face
November came and went
The summer left without a trace
And I'm left with distance on my mind
Was it me that caused you to just pack up and leave?
When you did, you took everything
I just hate seeing you without me
I'm better with you, you're better with me
I still miss all our nights
Even fights were all better with you
You're better with me
There is nobody else who can love me the way that you do
Better than you
I still miss all our days and the way you would carry me through
I'll carry you, too
There is nobody else who could love you the way that I do
Who can love you the way that I do?
You filled my place with his embrace
His touch was cold, you never came
You filled a hole that's in my soul
I wish you felt the same
But is it too late for things to change?
It was you, because leaving is just what you do
When you finally got something to lose
I just don't feel the same without you
I'm better with you, you're better with me
I still miss all our nights
Even fights were all better with you
You're better with me
There is nobody else who can love me the way that you do
Better than you
I still miss all our days and the way you would carry me through
I'll carry you, too
There is nobody else who could love you the way that I do
Who can love you the way that I do?
If there's a way for us to learn to forgive
There's nothing that I wouldn't give
There's still a space that I have buried away
It's deep in my heart, it's always your place
I'm better with you, you're better with me
I still miss all our nights
Even fights were all better with you
You're better with me
There is nobody else who can love me the way that you do
Better than you
I still miss all our days and the way you would carry me through
I'll carry you, too
There is nobody else who could love you the way that I do
Who can love you the way that I do?

He pulled back to look in her eyes and moved her so she was laying on his chest. "I love you. I'm so sorry he hurt you like that."

"It's okay.." She mumbled. Suddenly, a knock sounded against the door. Andy and Imogen looked up and sighed. She stood up and opened it to see a tall guy and none other than Megan Massacre standing there.

"Hi! I-" Her eyes widened. "Y-you're Imogen Blaze! I have to call-"

"Me?" Andy chuckled, wrapping an arm around Imogens shoulder.

"Oh Andy!" Megan smiled, hugging him quickly, making Imogen stiffen. "You've got her, I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Meg." He said, pulling away and grabbing Imogen's side again.

"Look, whatever Chris might have said-"

"Andy told me he was wrong. I'm sorry I've thought of you as bad for so long." Imogen sighed. "I never loved him like I love Andy anyway so the whole relationship was practically a lie."

"Wow, I'd love to get to know you more." Megan smiled.

"Please, come in." Imogen said, moving out of the way. Megan walked in, pulling her boyfriend with her.

She took in her surroundings, her eyes widening as she saw the three gold records hung on Imogen's walls.

"Wow. All three of yours albums went gold?" She asked, staring at each. Their first one Burn, the next one Whore, and their newest The Fighter. All three went gold within a matter of weeks of them debuting, a huge accomplishment for any alternative band.

"Mhm." Imogen smiled, sitting down on Andy's lap. "I'm Imogen by the way." She said, nodding at Joey.

"Joey, Megan's boyfriend." He smiled.

"Ah we've met before haven't we!?" She exclaimed. "Your in a band."

"Probably with William Control if you know him." Joey said.

"Yeah I do. Uh drummer for Combichrist!" She exclaimed.

"You got it." He laughed.

"Cool. I've heard you guys, you rock." She said, leaning back into Andy who only wrapped his arms around her thin frame and took her hands. He laid his head in the crook of her neck and sighed happily. She turned her head a bit and kissed his temple.

"I love you." He whispered so only she could hear it. She smiled at him and rubbed his knuckles.

"So Imogen what's it like to be so..desired?" Megan asked.

"Meg.." Andy shook his head. "Not appropriate."

"No it's fine." Imogen laughed. "I don't really try to think about it, you are too though."

"Not like you. I mean your this badass female rocker chick! I'm just a tattoo artist." Megan said.

"I'm a badass? Cool." Imogen chuckled, punching Andy's shoulder lightly.

"Ow!" He laughed, "Thanks Megan."

"No problem." She giggled.

"Well even if I'm desirable, my heart belongs to one guy so." Imogen winked at her love who didn't see it since his face was buried in her neck.

"Jesus don't suck her blood, Andy." Joey laughed as Andy only flicked him off and gathered Imogen closer to him.

"They haven't seen each other in three years Joey! Stop being so mean!" Megan frowned, hitting his shoulder. "So what exactly did Chris say about me?"

"Uh.." Imogen trailed off. "That you cheated on him. And that you were a bitch."

"Wow." She sighed. "The world thinks we're friends because of that one time he was on New York Ink but he sucks."

"Yeah, he does." Imogen nodded.

"Well, we're going out to grab dinner so we'll talk to you two soon. See you at work tomorrow Andy." Megan smiled, standing up. Joey waved towards the reunited couple and then walked out, lightly shutting the door.

Andy and Imogen stayed on the couch for a little while, drinking in the amazing feeling of each other.

"Andy?" She asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Mm?" He mumbled as he laid farther back into the couch. She turned so her head laid on his chest.

"How is your mom?" She looked up at him and tore his eyes from her.

"I-I don't talk to my family much anymore." He said. "Not since I moved away from Brooke because my mother lives with them."

She grabbed his shirt and buried her face in his chest. "I'm sorry." She said. "Is it my fault?"

"No." He shook his head. "It's Brooke's. None of this would have happened if it wasn't for her." He whispered, running his fingers along her jaw line, making sure she was real again. She leaned into kiss him, making him melt with a very real love that moved both of them to the very core. "Will you come to work with me tomorrow?" He asked, pulling away.

"Yes, of course." She said, kissing his cheek. "Do you need to go home?"

"No." He said. "Your stuck with me for a little while because I don't think I could let you go if I wanted too."

"No problem at all." She giggled, and shifted on his lap. Andy let out an involuntary moan when she rubbed against his dick. They looked at each other, lust clouding their vision. He leaned in and started trailing kisses down her soft neck. She moaned as he found her sweet spot and tangled her hand in his short black hair.

She rubbed her hands underneath his shirt and started kissing his neck as well. "Imogen.." He whispered, "I need you."

"I need you too." She said, her eyes glimmering. He pushed his mouth to hers and licked her bottom lip, begging for entrance. She happily excepted, letting his tongue massage hers. They kissed and kissed and touched and did everything they wanted to do for three years and finally could.

He threw his shirt off as she did the same and he took in a new sight. Her body, littered with gorgeous designs. She was so different, yet somehow the same. He let out a breathy laugh as he traced the raven on her arm. His name was etched into the right wing. She traced her name on his arm, the most powerful love she'd ever felt in her life had consumed her.

"You never gave up." She said, tears falling down her cheeks. He wiped them away, kissing her head, nose and then mouth.

"Never." He said, pushing her lightly back on the couch. She kissed him harder as his hands came up to cup her breasts. She unhooked her bra and let herself be exposed to him. "Gorgeous. The most gorgeous person in the world."

She looked into his eyes as he slipped her pants off. She moaned as his mouth came down on her most sensitive area. "No Andy.." She said, curling her fingers in his hair. "I want you. Only you." He looked up at her and nodded. He kissed his way up her beautiful stomach and then took his pants off.

"I don't have a condom." He said.

She chuckled, "I'm on birth control." He grinned and kissed her once more before pulling back and rejoining her in the best way they could be together. She let out a loud moan as he pounded himself into her. "Oh Andy..."

He stopped moving for a second, letting her feel him. "Look at me." He whispered, putting a finger under her chin. She opened her eyes and connected them with his. "You are my one and only true love."

She closed her eyes again and kissed him again. "I love you more than any words could do describe, and to think that Chris would ever match up...was ridiculous of me. You're it." He buried his face in her shoulder and started moving again. She moaned as he went deeper and deeper into her.

Their bodies were sweaty and hot and their hands were intertwined. Andy grabbed her waist to bring her closer to him and smashed his lips to hers as they both climaxed together.

He pulled out and collapsed in her arms. "You okay?" He asked.

"I'm so great." She mumbled and hugged him tighter. Andy smiled and kissed her head.
He hadn't made love in three years. Sure, he'd had sex with random girls, never Brooke, but people he'd met in clubs with Megan. Nothing would ever amount to Imogen. She was the most amazing woman in the world to him.

"That was amazing." He whispered, nuzzling her face in her neck.

"I feel like I haven't made love in years." She said, running her fingers across his sweaty back.

"I haven't either." He smiled. "Do you want to go grab some dinner?"

"I should probably go grocery shopping." She sighed, "We could eat and then go."

"Okay." He said, kissing her once more and standing up. She smirked at him as he started dressing.

"Cute butt." She chuckled as he shook his head.

"You too." He winked. Imogen stood up and walked to her bedroom, feeling Andy's eyes on her.
She grabbed fresh pairs of underwear, jeans, a tee shirt that says Lost on it, and quickly pulled them on. She tried to tame her messy "sex head" but gave up and threw it in a bun. She wore makeup now but not today since she was on a plane for a few hours.

She grabbed her spiked faux leather wallet and slipped on a pair of creepers before running back out to Andy who was playing with Eran. "I have a cat too."

"Really?" She chuckled.

"Mhm, it's a boy named Crow." He smiled, scratching Eran's head. She was a black cat with beautiful yellow eyes. Imogen rescued her from the animal shelter since no one usually buys the
black cats.

"We should have a play date." She giggled, picking her up and kissing her head. She stood up and grabbed her bowls from the cabinet and filled one with water and the other with the cat food she'd had in her carry on.

"Ready?" She asked Andy.

"Mhm. I'm gonna stop by my place okay? Grab a few things." He smiled, taking her hand. She nodded, slipped her leather jacket on, and they set off. Outside Emerson shivered a bit when the cool east coast air touched her skin.

"Geez." She said, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's freezing."

He chuckled, "It's like 50."

"I'm used to 80's, leave me alone!" She exclaimed. He smiled and pulled her into his side. She kissed his cheek and opened the door to his car. Imogen's car was supposed to arrive soon.

"Let's walk babe." He smiled, opening his arm for her. She happily pressed into his side and kissed his cheek.

"What about the groceries though?" She asked.

"We'll come back after dinner. I know a place not too far from here." He said, pulling her closer to him.

"Okay." She smiled. A few people smiled at Andy, muttering "hey's" as they walked by. They all knew him by name so Imogen believed Andy must've been a well liked person around Soho.

"Hey dude, how are you doing- IMOGEN!?" None other than Ashley Purdy yelled smiling at his old friend. She was sexy now- Andy had shown her a video or two but he had no idea she was back! And with Andy!

"What!? You live here too, Purdy!?" Imogen exclaimed, hugging him.

"I moved out here with Jake, CC, and another friend of ours Jinxx to make sure Andy didn't kill himself. We own a bar here in Soho! What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I needed a change of scenery and a few days before I moved this one
called me.." Imogen smiled as Andy wrapped his arm around her.

"That's great." Ashley said, "I think everyone always knew you two weren't over."

"I thought we were." Andy sighed.

"But we're not." She kissed his cheek.

"Well, I'll let you two go spend some time together. We should meet up soon, have a night out." Ashley smiled.

"That would be fun." Imogen said. "I'm having to start over with friends so.."

"No your not." Andy said, kissing her neck.

"Certainly not." Ashley chuckled. "I'll see you guys soon, great music by the way Imogen."

"Thanks." She grinned, walking on with Andy. He stopped in front of a small pizza parlor and walked inside.

"Hi Andy." A waitress smiled, "Where is Megan?"

"Out with her boyfriend." Andy chuckled. "I'm here with my girl today."
"Oh hello. I'm Ella, Andy and Megan come here all the time. They're some of my best friends since Andy is such good friends with Jake." She said, nodding towards the beautiful girl. She was pretty sure she heard Andy talking about some long lost love before and this girl was certainly a catch.

"Hi, I'm Imogen Blaze." She said, extending her hand. Ella shook it and nodded but felt confused, Blaze?

"Is that your real last name?" She asked.
Imogen chuckled, "No. It's Bradley but I don't really associate with my family much anymore. It's more of a stage name." She felt Andy's hand tighten around her waist.

"Ah." Ella smiled.

"Babe, Ella is Jake's girlfriend." He smiled, shoving is other hand in his pocket.

"Oh nice." She smiled. They waited for Ella expectantly to move out of their way but she was just staring at them.

"Uhm Ella?" Andy raised his eyebrow.

"Oh god- sorry. You guys are just such a beautiful couple." She said, stepping to the side. They nodded and sat in the first booth they saw. Ella followed and handed Imogen a menu. "I know what Andy wants but I don't think you've ever been here."

"Nope." Imogen giggled, opening the menu.

"What would you like to drink?" She asked Imogen.

"Uhm water will be fine." She mumbled, smiling. Andy reached over and took her hand as Ella walked away. "Still a desired man, I see."

"Ella is in love with Jake, Im. Don't worry." He said, squeezing her hand tight.

"I'm not." She mumbled. Ella came back with a glass of water and a coke and placed them on the table.

"Any idea what you want?" She asked.

"What are you getting babe?" Imogen looked up at Andy.

"Just regular cheese with green peppers." He said.

"That sounds good." She smiled.

"We'll split it then." Andy said, as Imogen handed her menu to Ella.

"Cool. It'll be out soon." She said, flipping her brown hair. Andy watched his girlfriend intently as she twisted her ring around her bony finger. Tears were seemingly surfacing to her beautiful blues.

"Imogen?" He mumbled. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. He couldn't help but stare at the tattoos on her fingers. On each one was a different design. A moon, a sun, a yin yang, a peace sign, and a paw print.

"Something is wrong." He said, plainly. He grabbed her hand and began tracing the designs.

"Andrew is mad at me. So is the whole band. I told them why you and me split and they don't care that we're back together. They're just upset because I left LA." She sighed. "I'm afraid we won't be able to come back from this fight."

"Were there fights before this?" He asked.

"Mhm, lots. The biggest was when Chris and I broke up." She said.

"Why?"

"Motionless was good for Horror Show. We toured with them, I sang duets with Chris. Everyone just associated our bands together and when he and I split, so did our fans. It wasn't good for album sales and the guys were upset. I understood why, trust me. The band is my baby and I would do anything for it but..." She shook her head. "When I saw Chris on top of her I knew I could never love him again. I never loved him like I thought. I loved the publicity he brought us and I think it was the same for him. I think he realized that when his album sales went through the roof with the duets on his album and how more of ours fans started to mix. It was the perfect rock duo, the King and Queen if you will, but it wasn't true. I always loved you." Andy stood up and sat next to her. She laid her head on his shoulder and tried to suppress the tears in her eyes.

"I'm so so sorry." He shook his head.

"It's okay." She looked up at him and placed a light kiss against his lips. "Everyone wants to know what the great Imogen Blaze will do next so my solo albums preorders are literally higher than my first album so far."

"Wow." He said, laying his head on hers. "I'm so proud. Don't worry about your band, Im. They'll come around."

"I love you." She said, looking up at him.

"I love you too, Flower." He said, brushing his fingers underneath her chin.

"Flower?" She scrunched her nose up.

"Yeah! Like your my flower. I like it, don't make fun of it." He chuckled.

"I love it." She grinned. "What does that make you to me?"

"Stem?" He chuckled.

She shook her head. "Raven."

"Flower and Raven?" He mumbled, playing with her fingers. "Sounds good."

"Sounds great."

Notes