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[pambeesley]

She'd had the ring hidden in their room for almost a week now. She had no idea what had possessed her when she asked Jon for her engagement ring back, but last weekend, when she ran into him, she'd asked for it. Of course he'd given it back without question, but she couldn't help wondering just what the hell she was going to do with it now

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[handandahalf]

Jon saw Pam from a ways off, looking introspective and conflicted. Hoping he was not intruding, he went closer, calling her name as he came within a few yards of her. As she turned, he could see she was upset, and gave her a look of friendly concern. "If you wish to be alone, I can come back," he said quickly, before she could pretend she was alright.

[pambeesley]

"Oh, um. It's okay," she insisted, closing her hand in a fist and bringing it to her chest.

"I was just.. Well. I was getting rid of my ring."

[handandahalf]

"Ah," Jon said, "I see." He did rather understand the symbolism of ridding herself of it, though he did wonder at the timing. "If you don't mind my company, I'll sit and wait till you're done," he offered, pointing his thumb back over his shoulder. "Or I can go and find you another time. I won't be offended if you want me to go," he added with a little smile.

[pambeesley]

"No. You can stay," she said with a nod. She actually felt relieved that someone would be there with her, even if he wasn't right with her.

"I'll.. be right back."

[handandahalf]

"As you wish," Jon said with another small smile, clasping his hands behind his back and turning his face up to the sun. He watched her from beneath his eyelashes, not wanting to be seen looking, but curious to know what it was she was doing.

[pambeesley]

"Thanks," she murmured, turning and heading back out into the water. She opened her fist again, fingering the ring and moving it around in her palm. A moment or two later, she drew her hand back and chucked the ring out into the water.

[handandahalf]

Jon saw the flicker as the diamond left her hand, and while he did not see the splash it made, he could see by the way one of Pam's shoulders slumped that she had watched it sink. Objects were hard to let go of, he thought, especially ones with such meaning attached.

[pambeesley]

Pam sighed, standing there in the waves for a long moment before backing up and finally turning around when she almost stumbled over a shell. She walked to where Jon was waiting for her and offered him an uncertain smile.

[handandahalf]

Jon responded by putting his arms around her and pulling her tight into a brotherly hug. "You are very strong," he said softly. "It is hard to give up the past, but you have done well in this, I think. You will be the happier for it." He pulled back and smiled down at her, hoping to elicit a truer smile from her.

[pambeesley]

"Thank you," she murmured, returning his hug just as tightly. When he stepped back, she smiled again and lifted her eyes to his.

"Thanks for everything, Jon."