Tried and Tested

I approve of this challenge. It has been interesting and insightful. I have noted the recurrence of affairs of the heart and also the fine line between the selfish and selfless. And thus I present my tale.

We met in a park. I walking a friend's dog as she was incapacitated (not the selfless bit of my story, although it could have been, hateful creatures). He had a whole team of tiny doggies; dachshunds, chihuahuas and terriers. It is a testament to his winning smile that I didn't run a mile right then.
Anyway, several excitable pooches and some tangled leads later we accidentally brushed hands and stared into each others eyes. Cue the fucking Tchaikovsky (although the less said about the short-lived am-dram production Romeo and Julio the better, probably).
It was a speedy romance. We were near inseparable. We shared the same taste in music, books, art, films and it turned out he hated dogs too. Also he was incredible in the sack.
I was falling, dear reader, fast and hard. Whatever had I done in a previous life to deserve this angel?

Those of you paying attention may be wondering why a delicious man with canine-aversion was walking the aforementioned hounds round a park on a midsummer's day. I shall tell you. He worked in animal testing. Apparently the "good kind". His specific job was on the laboratory site, but in the section the only slightly maimed creatures were nursed back to health. Also where the animals yet to be called up for testing were kept, in rather excellent conditions actually. No point testing on them if they're already a bit iffy.
I forgave him this dubious link to the devil's work and our relationship blossomed. He was the first fella I took to meet the parents (technically, others had met them but were always introduced as "friend" and not "boyfriend") and he was the first lover I lived with.

Things were getting serious. Four years is a long time to be with someone. It was then of course that the bombshell came.
He had to leave. Research position in America. Much more advanced facility. Something he had been working towards.

Wait a moment! Research? Facility? Work? Surely his profession doesn't need to be much more advanced than a good supply of clean straw? Could it be?

Why yes, he was crossing over to the dark side. Oh, and would I give him some cash for the trip over there?

I stumped up. I was doing well back then and gave him enough for the flights and two months rent on a small apartment. I bought a return ticket for him.
I was selflessly giving up my very happiness. But obviously he'd hate it and return to me soon, in a matter of weeks probably.

He didn't, of course. After a month or so of exchanged emails and expensive phone calls he revealed he had hooked up with a marine biologist. Their research had been extremely successful and they would be in Britain soon to open a new lab. It was at this point that I may have called a certain group of activists, informed them of the activities of a certain company and watched them destroy the careers of certain people. Maybe.

When he knocked at my door, broken and alone, I killed him. I saved a marine biologist and a laboratory full of fluffy animals but lost my love.

Ok, I made that last bit up, but the rest is true. And he did actually pay me back the money.

Comments

[Angelalala]

I'm sure I'll have something to say about the whole good/evil thing at some point but for now, on first read, I'll say this.

Bollockyfuckballs! I so wanted to tell Mike (Troubled-Diva) that his loss was womankind's gain and you've been and gone and wrecked it now!

*hides under duvet for a subtle sob sesh*

[SpanishGoth]

Tits - the I killed him bit was my favourite bit - you dashed my dreams ;-)

[Joseph]

Angela, I have no clue what you're going on about. Have I missed something or am I being monumentally thick?

Goth, I could always track him down again...

[Clare]

Joseph, I think Angelala was hoping you might be straight...

I liked the last bit of your story best! ;o) No, liked the tangled leads, too. And tis terribly sad and all. {HUGS}

[Joseph]

Ah yes, things click into place now. Am I really expected to keep up with conversations from two different places? Tch.