Sam awoke to sunlight hitting her face. Groaning softly she turned away from it and found herself staring at Nick's sleeping face. Pulling back, slightly alarmed, Sam lay there as what happened last night came rushing back. Blushing, she gently pulled herself out of Nick's arms, being careful not to wake him. Slowly getting out of the bed, Sam tiptoed into her room and got dressed. Last night replayed in her mind, over and over again. Torn between confussion and happiness, Sam made her way to the kitchen to get something to eat. With shaking hands, Sam grabbed an apple and leaned against the counter, sighing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick groaned as he slowly woke up. Turning to look at Sam, he found the bed empty. Sitting up quickly, he scanned the room. Seeing nothing, he jumped out of bed in a slight panic. Pulling on his boxers, he raced out of the room and stopped. There she was, standing with her back to him, leaning against the counter. Sighing softly, Nick tiptoed up behind her. She must have been lost in another world, because she never even noticed him there. Grinning slightly, Nick leaned in and kissed her neck seductively and watched as she jumped.
"Geez Nick, you scared the crud outta me!!" she accused.
"Me sowwy......but you looked so cute standing there.....and you didn't even notice I was behind you......couldn't miss the opportunity."
Sam smiled slightly but averted her eyes.
"Okay, what's wrong Sam?"
"Nothing......"
"Don't pull that shit with me.....if nothing was wrong you'd be able to look at me....."
"It's nothing...just...."
"Just what? Do you regret last night?"
"No! Not in the way you're thinking at least......"
"Okay explain then."
Sam just shook her head, "No, it's nothing."
"Dammit Sam....it's obviously something. Why won't you tell me?"
"I don't want you to be mad....." Sam whispered, barely audible."
Nick's jaw dropped open at that. Gently lifting her chin with his thumb, he forced her to look into his eyes.
"I'm sorry......."
"For what Nick?"
"Well for whatever I did that would make you afraid to tell me something.....that seems to be the cause of all of our problems.......so I'm sorry."
"No...it's not like that. I just don't want you to take this the wrong way..."
"Take what the wrong way?"
"I guess we probably need to sit down and talk now don't we?"
Nodding, Nick let go of Sam and went to sit down on the couch. Sam followed slowly behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jordan giggled quietly as she watched Brian sleep. He was quite amusing. He kept groaning and wiggling around. Finally unable to take it any longer, Jordan grabbed a pillow and knocked him upside the head, laughing as he sat up with a start.
"What the........JORDAN!!!!"
Taking one look at his face, Jordan dropped the pillow and began running as Brian chased her.
"You are so dead!!! No one wakes me up!!!!!"
Their game of tag continued....up the stairs, down the stairs, around the couch.....and finally outside. Jordan raced out the front door and ran right into AJ as he was getting ready to knock.
"Whoa!! What's going on?"
"HIDE ME!!! Brian's after me!" Jordan squeeled exasperated.
Quickly jumping behind AJ, she peered over his shoulder as Brian raced out the front door.
"Outta the way AJ.....I've got to punish her!"
"Why Bri?? What the hell is going on?"
"She woke me up!"
"Yea?? So......."
"I was having the beach dream!"
"Oh...." AJ said, moving to the side.
"HEY!! You're supposed to be on my side AJ!!" Jordan screamed, backing up.
"Sorry Jordie......the beach dream is a good one....no one interrupts that one. Fraid I can't help you here.....sorry!!"
Jordan looked around helplessly as Brian grabbed her, slung her over his shoulder and began to carry her inside, all the while she was yelling and squeeling. AJ just followed behind as Brian carried her through the house and out the back door.
"NO!!! Oh please Brian, come on!!"
Brian just grinned and threw her into the pool. She came up sputtering and shivering.
"That was so not funny!" she declared angrily as AJ helped her out of the pool, "It's freezing!!"
Brian was on the ground, laughing.
"You know Jordan.....you look quite nice wet," AJ said with a huge grin on his face.
Jordan smiled sweetly until she was out of the pool.
"Oh really?? I'm sure you'd look just as good as I do........wet," she said with a purr. Putting her arms on AJ's chest, she leaned in...........and pushed him into the icy cold pool.
Brian began to laugh even harder as AJ came up sputtering.
"Thanks babe....I was getting kinda hot!"
Jordan just rolled her eyes and walked inside. Brian went over to help AJ out.
"I think she likes me," AJ said grinning.
"Go for it dude......and go change before you get sick. You can borrow some of my clothes, you know where they are."
AJ nodded and walked into the house wearing a silly grin on his face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sam sat down next to Nick and took a deep breath.
"Okay......now don't take this the wrong way.....but last night was stupid." Sam said bluntly.
Nick looked at her for a minute before laughing a little, "Okay....."
"Sorry.....way too blunt. I meant the reason it happened was stupid and we were dumb....."
"I know.....I'm sorry....it was just a spur of the moment, go with the gut instinct kinda thing"
"I know..I mean, it was.......great," Sam said shyly, looking at her hands, "But we should have been more careful. I mean we didn't use protection or anything......"
"Well...I can ease your mind about any STD's if you'd like. I've never had unprotected sex until last night. And you being a virgin I don't think you have either," Nick said with a twinkle in his eye, "And as for pregnancy......I guess we'll just have to wait and see......."
"Yea.......but what about why we did it? I mean....we both know what happened was so we could avoid the obvious."
"You're right.....so lets work this out. Sam, last night was amazing.....and I wouldn't take it back even if I could. I want to work this out. I miss you. I miss our friendship, I miss everything we used to have....."
"So do I.........I'm sorry for everything I've done to you these past few years. There really is no way to explain it......at least to a point where it would make sense. All I can do is apologize....."
"Do you have any clue what you did to me?"
"I have an idea.......cuz I did the same thing to myself.......but I'd like you to tell me......"
"Are you sure??"
"Yes, " Sam whispered, barely audible.
"Okay......lets see.....first, the obvious. I broke down and told you I loved you.....something that scared me beyond belief.......and you ran away. That hurt, more than you could ever imagine. Then, you ignored me and any attempts I made to contact you. Another blow. I thought we were friends and I just couldn't see my friend doing that to me on purpose. So, after a period of intense hurt, it turned to anger. I was mad at you, I was mad at myself.....hell I was mad at everyone. The group took off and I started partying. I began to drink......a lot. I started chasing anything in a skirt. Brian bailed me out so many times. If it wasn't for him, I'd have been kicked out of the group. But even while everyone was covering for me and trying to help, I shut them out. I didn't want them.......I wanted my best friend..... Then it happened. I did the stupidest thing in my life. I slept with someone I didn't know. I was drunk, she was willing and I was lonely. I woke up and looked next to me where someone I didn't know lay. I freaked out. I got mad, kicked her out, yelled at her, called her horrible names. Then I sat in the hotel room and thought about killing myself. My life was being ruined. I had nothing to live for. Then Brian found me.........and between him and the other guys, they got me into AA and into counseling. And slowly I came out of my depression and I'm a lot stronger now. I've made mistakes and I've learned. The most important thing was that I learned not to blame myself.......that it wasn't my fault. And that brings us to now. I freaked a little when I saw you in that front row. I mean I was finally back on track....and there you were. And obviously Brian and the guys knew what was best once again..........cuz here we are."
Sam sat there silently crying. She had no idea she had caused so much pain to so many people with one simple action.
"Sam? Look at me......" Nick said, lifting her face upwards, "Don't cry over it. What's done is done. I'm a better person because of all this. I don't blame you anymore. I didn't have to start drinking and partying. You were just an excuse for me to be weak......it's okay."
"No it's not......I can't tell you how sorry I am...."
"You just did.......but why don't you tell me what happened to you...."
"Okay........lets see....I don't know why I freaked that day in the cave. Everything just boiled up. Everything was happening so fast. I didn't believe you.......but anyways. I went to college. I was miserable. Everytime I got a letter from you, I would read it over and over again and just cry. I wrote you too. Everytime I got a letter, I wrote you one. I just never had the guts to mail them. I still have every letter you wrote me.....and every letter I wrote you. I shut everyone out. I never came home cuz I was afraid to face you. I hurt so many people. My parents, you, your family...your friends.....and I didn't know how to own up to it. I didn't keep in touch with anyone except my folks. I never called Sara or anyone. I threw myself into my schoolwork. Got good grades.....never did any outside activities. Jordan was.......a pain in the ass as well as a godsend. She dragged me out a few times and tried to find out what was wrong, but I just couldn't tell her. I was afraid she'd hate me too. Eventually I went into counseling and one day the doctor hit a nerve. I never went back. I decided to help myself. I don't know what happened but after graduation I knew I couldn't move on unless I put this behind me. So I came home......brought Jordan with me for support I guess. The rest is history.......and I am truly so sorry for everything Nick......I just....."
"It's okay Sam. As hard as this may be to believe....I forgave you a long time ago. I just want to get to know you again....I want my friend back. Think we can do that?"
"Yea......I think so..."
"Good! Now.....lets put this all behind us! My name is Nick, how ya doing?"
Sam just laughed at him as she shook his hand, "You are way to weird Nicky!"
"Me?? Weird??? NEVER!! I'm just a psychotic freak of nature!"
"Yea that too! So now what? We don't know when Brian and Jordan are coming back!"
"Well.....I unpacked and found some lovely things Brian packed that we have some fun with, but in the meantime....lets eat!! I'm starved!!"
Sadly shaking her head, Sam followed Nick into the kitchen and they began to make pancakes. Both of them were laughing and goofing off.....kinda like old times. It was as if a huge weight had been liften off both of their shoulders. Dousing each other in flour, they began to recapture their lost friendship.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AJ tiptoed up the stairs and headed towards Brian's room. After changing real quick, he began to search for Jordan. It wasn't too hard. He found her in the spare room, changing. The door was cracked and AJ couldn't resist a peek. He stared at her back as she pulled a shirt over her head. Backing away, AJ waited a moment before knocking on the door.
"Come in."
AJ walked in and began fidgeting with Brian's shirt.
"Um....Jordan?"
"Yes, that would be me. What's up?"
"Well........I was just......I mean I........well you see.....I was wondering if you'd.......well if you'd.....like to um...um...well...."
"AJ?"
"Yea?"
"Spit it out already......you're mumbling."
"Oh sorry...I was just wondering if you'd liketogotothemovieswithmetonight?" AJ asked with a rush.
"What?? I didn't understand a word after like!"
"Geez! I was wondering if you'd like to go to a movie with me tonight."
"Oh is that all?"
AJ stared at her incredulously, "Yea...."
"Well I had other things in mind.......like dinner and a movie. I think I'm worth more than a movie.......but if you'd like to add dinner to the agenda, then I'd love to."
"Really? Sure, dinner and a movie then. Say I pick you up at 8?"
"Sounds great.....oh and AJ..."
"Yea?"
"You are so damn slow!! I was expecting this awhile ago sweetie!"
Jordan kissed his cheek before strolling out of the room and down the stairs, leaving a stunned AJ upstairs.
"Well I'll be damned," AJ mumbled aloud.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nick and Sam spent the day pretty much just hanging out and getting to know each other again. Both had changed a bit in the past 4 years. It was later that night that they sat on the couch staring at the fire, neither saying much.....just enjoying each others company.
"Oh yea, Nick?"
"What?"
"What was it that Brian packed that we could have some fun with?"
"Oh....ummm...." Nick stumbled blushing, "Hold on and I'll go get them."
Sam stayed where she was and waited. A moment later Nick came out of his room and threw a box at her. Picking it up, Sam read the package and burst into laughter.
"You still have these!!!?"
"Yea...I never got rid of them.....never used them either....."
"OH man...I still can't believe Sara bought them!!"
"Yea tell me about it!! I don't know why Brian packed them though."
"Um Nick....after last night, you don't know why?!! I think this was his suddle way of telling you to finally use them."
"Yea well.....maybe some other time. I'm having too much fun just hanging out with you right now. Why don't we save the kinky stuff for later."
"Deal...besides.....why rush anything......I think we can afford to wait awhile before jumping into bed again."
"Agreed!! Now, I'm tired....hope you don't mind, but I'm going to go to sleep."
"No, no problem....I'm tired too. G'night Nick," Sam said standing up, placing the box on the table.
Nick walked her to her room and kissed her cheek before turning and going to his room. As Sam sat on her bed, she sighed. The day had been perfect. Almost as if nothing had happened. Maybe things could go back to normal.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jordan lay in Brian's spare room that night, staring at the ceiling. Her date with AJ had been a blast. They actually got along pretty well and seemed to have a lot in common. He had been a total gentlemen, which surprised her completely. With all his sexual, perverted talk, she half expected him to try and jump her when he dropped her off. Instead he had walked her to Brian's door, kissed her cheek and gone home. Now laying awake, Jordan thought of Sam.
"Sam.....I hope you're doing okay......hope you don't hate me.......and thanks. Wouldn't have met AJ if it wasn't for you.....I owe you one......."
Smiling, Jordan closed her eyes and fell asleep. A few hours away, Sam laid in the darkness, smiling. Somehow she knew about Jordan and AJ.....call it a sixth sense. Grinning, Sam finally knew that everything would work out. Seems everyone had a weight taken off their shoulders that night and all slept soundly for the first time in what seemed like ages.