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Candace watched him, lifting her head from his shoulder so Jerry could situated himself to be comfortable. She didn't feel awkward, but that could easily be because she was so desperate for his attention. She wanted him. She wanted him to hold her, to comfort her. Though was it him specifically? She hoped it was. She wanted it to be.

He started to play and she smiled, hugging her knees to her chest again and watching him. He always looked happier when he was playing. She hummed along at first, closing her eyes and swaying gently. This was nice. There were times she regretted giving him something to make noise with, but times like these reminded her of why she got the guitar for him in the first place. It made him happy. He'd said it was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him. "...I see trees of green...red roses, too~." Candace sang softly, just loud enough for Jerry to hear. Her eyes were still closed and she refused to open them anytime soon, as if doing so would remind her she was not alone and anyone who walked by could hear her. "I see 'em bloom for me and you...and I think to myself, what a wonderful world~." She smiled, putting her head on Jerry's shoulder again.

Candace didn't hear any whispers for once. She didn't even hear Atropos hissing them away. The singing and Jerry's presence seemed to be helping. "I see skies of blue, clouds of white. Blessed bright days, dark sacred nights~." She giggled a little. This was fun! "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.."

Wait. Jerry wasn't singing.

She opened her eyes and watched him again, wincing a bit as he messed up the song. "Jerry?" That was so unlike him not to sing along, too.

It's because you're not Sasha, Candace. You're not Sasha. Why would he be happy you're stepping out of your comfort zone? You're not Sasha just stop trying.

Candace frowned, her hands shaking a little as she gripped her knees. You're not the woman he wants. You're not his lady love. Not anymore. You had your chance and you <******** it up. His problems were because of you now, Candace. You did this to him. She cleared her throat. "The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky?" She sounded hopeful. Would he join in?

He...wasn't in the mood to sing? She could understand but wow. Jerry wasn't in the mood to sing. She frowned, at least until he said it was..nice hearing her like this.

She..she was doing something right. She was doing something he said was nice. Smiling again, Candace listened to find a place to jump in again. "The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky..are also on the faces of people going by~." She sang a little louder now. It wasn't belting, but it was a bit more confident than before; Candace still kept it a private thing, however. But Jerry said it was nice. He said something good. He wasn't pushing her away..it...it was almost like before again.

Not quite, but almost.

Her cheeks flushed as she kept on. "I see friends shaking hands, saying 'how do you do?'" She grinned. "They're really saying--er.." Her cheeks flushed hotter, looking to Jerry beside her and clearing her throat as she looked away. "I love you~." Awkward. But she had to keep going. It was just a song.

Her eyes widened as he stopped playing and started to move. No..no! Candace reached out for him, holding his arm tightly. "No! No, please. Don't leave me. Please." She frowned, her hand trembling as she clung to him. "Please, don't leave me. Just this once. This is the first time in weeks I've really felt calm."

Candace bit down on her lip, looking up at Jerry with the most pleading look. Please stay.

Candace watched him and her heart sank. Goddamnit..

Goddamnit. She couldn't do anything right.

Good feeling gone.

She put her head on his shoulder and sat close, cuddling against the man and closing her eyes. "I'm sorry..." She mumbled. This was wrong. She should let him leave. He didn't want her, he wanted Sasha. He didn't want her...he hated her. He hated her so much. He probably wish she'd died on that mission.

Yes, that was it. He was lying. This wasn't nice. Seeing her relax wasn't nice at all. He wanted her gone. Forever. He didn't want her.

He didn't want her..

She should go. She should let him leave, to go to his sweet Sasha. To his sweet little fairy tale where they could have their adorable little storybook romance and--

What the hell?!

Jerry's lips were suddenly against hers, something she hadn't felt since..since before Valentine's day. Her eyes widened at first and she forgot how to breathe, her heart racing wildly in her chest. He was kissing her. Jerry. Was. Kissing her.

Oh my god is this really happening?

Candace's arms moved, wrapping around his neck as she finally regained her senses enough to return the kiss. Jerry was kissing her. He was kissing her. Oh god, she'd missed this. She'd miss these lips. Candace kept it gentle for now, not wanting to chase him off.

Candace was still awestruck as Jerry released her, staring up at him with wide eyes. She looked over his face, his eyes, taking in every last little detail. It had been months since she was this close and intimate with Jerry. Wait..wait what? Her heart skipped a beat. More discreet. Oh god. Oh god he wanted her. He actually wanted her!

She smiled. "I'd like tha--" Wait. She cut herself off when the look in his eyes sank in. He looked...not all there. This wasn't really Jerry wanting her.

Her chest felt tight, her hands sliding down to press against his chest. Candace didn't push him away yet, but she did lean in so her forehead was against his lips. "That's not what you want." It hurt to say that. It really hurt.

"You don't actually want me.." Candace whispered, tightly grasping the front of his coveralls. "I know that look...Jerry.." She bit down on her lip and closed her eyes.

Jerry didn't actually want her. He didn't. He never would.