Chapter 10: Steadied my feet on the ground...

Brian's older brother Harold met them all at the airport. At first glance, he probably thought Monica had just ran through hell and back. She looked awefull. Completely drained of color, bags under her eyes, and she was obviously very tense.

"Hey Nick, Brian! Are these your two new friends?" Harold asked as he led them out to his car.

"Yeah, Harold. This is Steffany, my girlfriend." Brian said proudly." And this is Monica. She is Steffany's younger cousin."

Monica gave him a week smile and waved at him. She steadied herself agains Nick for balance.

"You'll have to exuse her. She hates flying and basically learned at first hand how much she does." Steffany said as she shook Harolds hand.

"Maybe we should get her home and to bed. She looks like she might be exhausted." Nick said as he helped her stay standing.

They all agreed that would be the best thing for them to do. They hopped in Harolds car and rode through the country scenery. Steffany thought it was absolutely beautiful. Monica probably would have enjoyed it if she could see straight, but she was a bit dizzy.

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They walked into the large country style house. It was so big. It was Kevin's parents home, but the Littrell's and Richardson's gather at this house for christmas every year. Brian took Steffany up to her bedroom. (He wanted to be respectful while in his family's home) And Nick showed Monica to her's. Well, he practically carried her into her bedroom.

"Monica, I'll put your stuff away for you if you want. Why don't you lie down on the bed and relax. I'd say you had a rough morning." Nick said quietly.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"No, it's not a problem at all. I'll put them in the closet over here, ok?"

"Yeah, thanks Nick. Thanks for everything."

Nick went through her bags and placed her articles of clothing away. He didn't want to be perverted but he noticed her lace bra's and her matching underwear as he placed them neatly in her drawer. When he was done he slowly walked passed Monica lying in her bed and he heard her softly crying.

"Mon? What's wrong? Are you ok?" Nick asked as he sat down on the side of her bed.

"Nick, it's just...I'm so embarassed. Look at me, I look like, well complete shit!"

"Oh, Mon! Sh....no you don't. Please, your beautiful. So you got sick on the plane, so a few people saw you, so what. All that matters is that you made it through the flight and that your here right now." Nick sad as he gently rubbed her back.

As Nick soothingly rubbed her back he noticed how tense she really was. He decided to take it into his own hands and try and relax her. He rubbed her shoulder's the best he could from the position she was lying in.

"Nick? What are you doing?" She said as she smiled from the comfort she felt right at that moment.

"I'm trying to help you relax, but it is really hard from the way your lying down. Do you feel alright to sit up?"

"Uh...ok." She sat up slowly but felt very week. Nick helped her steady herself and he leaned her against his chest.

"Ok, that's better. Now, just relax. I've been told this helps alot. Not like I've had lots of practice, but we'll just say your my first patient." Nick said as he began softly kneeding the nots in her neck.

Monica felt chills going up her body. Why was that? What was it about Nick that all of a sudden made her react to his touch this way? She couldn't be falling for him, could she? She felt Nick's hands going down her back untill it reached the center of her back.

"Here, why don't you lie on your stomache?" Nick said as he helped her.

Monica didn't argue or disagree with him. She just did what she was told. She was enjoying the special treatment Nick was giving her. But, she didn't really understand what it all ment. Was he just being nice, or was he implying that he liked her?

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Brian and Steffany walked through the hallway on the second floor. They wanted to check on Nick and Monica. As they walked up to the open door they saw that Nick was giving Monica a back rub. Steffany smiled widely as Brian just blinked a few times.

"Oh my gosh." Brian said as he grabbed Steffany around the waist.

"Oh my gosh, what?" Steffany said.

"Look at him, look at her! I mean, I knew he liked her."

"Wait....what? He is rubbing her back, that doesn't mean he likes her." Steffany said.

"Well, I know! I just think it would be cute if they hooked up."

"Yeah, it would be. But what about when you two leave? Oh my gosh...wait, I don't even want to think about that now." Steffany said.

"Steff....sweety! When I leave, it won't change anything, I promise." Brian said as he kissed her sweetly.

"But what about Nick and Monica. She might not lead on that she'll miss him, but I think it's obviouse that she will."

The two of them watched silently as Nick gave Monica a back rub, putting her into a peaceful sleep.

"God, I really am beginning to like her. I want to tell her, I want her to know. But, I'm afaid she'll think this will just be a fling while i'm here. But, I'm not like that." Nick said as he continued to rub her back.