Bedtime for Angela I thought to myself later that week as I stumbled into the bathroom to wash my face, examining my reflection in disgust. Looking beyond my reflection I noticed Nick's form gently rising and falling as he continued to sleep. I sighed, wishing that Nick and I weren't still fighting. This had been going on for over a week now. After that evening at the Mexican restaurant I had felt extremly guilty and not gone out with Brian again, despite his frequent invitations. I came to a decision. Nick and I needed to talk. The apartment was dead quiet, as I was the last person up that night. I went into Nick's room with the intention of waking him up, and I had reached his bedside when then I realized that it wouldn't put him in a good mood. I wanted him on my good side.

"Tee hee hee hee..."

I looked down at Nick with curiosity. A slight smile was dancing on his lips. I leaned toward him intently as he started to mumble.

"Ange....not here....Bri might come in...."

"Ughhh!!!!!" I screamed and raced out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

I heard Nick and Brian's muffled utterences of confusion from behind the door. A second later the door burst open, a bedwraggled and pissed Nick standing at the doorway. "What the hell is your problem?" He shrieked.

I looked away nervously, avoiding his eyes, embaressed by what I knew.

"I'll have you know I was having a good dream!" he said matter-of-factly.

"Don't I know it!" I fumed.

"Huh?" he scratched his head sleepily.

"Did I give you permission to have dreams about me?" I sounded riduculous, but I was embaressed.

Nick's eyes darted back and forth and he avoided my eyes. I noticed a slight flush creeping up his face.

I crossed my arms and turned my back to him.

"Ummmmm.....ok....but I have no clue as to what you're refering to!" he mumbled under his breath.

"Ok Nick...just be aware...you talk in your sleep bud!" I patted him on the shoulder.

I attempted to perform an about-face but Nick grabbed me by the arm "Oh no you don't!" he seethed. "I'm not going to let you have the last word again!"

I attempted to escape his grip, but my effort was useless.

" You are going to listen to me for one minute--"

I relented, sighing. "Ok, Nick. I overreacted. You can dream what you want. I'm just sorry I had to hear about it." Secretly, though I was flattered beyond belief that Nick had dreamt about me. That's why I reacted so strangely. It was hard to picture someone like me actually being desireable.

"You're not even going to struggle?" he asked, sounding slightly dissapointed.

"Nick I know you like a challange, but quite frankly I'm sick of--"

His lips were on mine, and I didn't even see it coming. I closed my eyes, and found myself living in that explosive moment. I didn't pull away, but moved closer to him, like it was meant to happen. If I could visualize what I was experiencing I would have seen fireworks.....brilliant, colorful fireworks.

Finally I pulled away because I needed to breath. We looked at eachother...."Whoa..." we said simultaneously.

Brian was sitting up in bed, eyeing us with his hands on his head. "Ay chawowa!" he said. He stood up and walked over to us. "I can certainly tell that moment was awaited all too long...."

Nick and I both responded by lightly punching Brian's arms. "Hey!" he protested. "No beating up the small fry ok? Anways I could have told you both that you wanted eachother...neither of you stubborn oxes would listen to me...."

"Nick, we need to have a long talk," I said grabbing his hand and leading him to the kitchen table.

Nick nodded, agreeing.

I ushered him to the table, "would you like some tea?" I asked, knowing fully that he wasn't the biggest fan of tea.

"Sure," he agreed.

I could sense Nick's gaze on me as I went about preparing the hot drinks. Finally when we were settled I began the conversation. "I have no idea how to say this Nick..." I started.

"Look, if it's about the kiss," his faced turned pink at the word "then I apologize. I was out of line and I invaded your space--"

I shook my head fiercly "No, no.....it's not your fault. In fact....I'm partly to blame....I mean....we've lived together for monthes now....well...I doubt that I've given the impression that I uh.... don't like you."

"But still I had no right to do that....I should have at leasr asked you first."

"Nicky! Stop apologizing. If you're going to apologize, then say you're sorry for going out with another girl!" I didn't realize the phrase "another girl" had escaped my lips until I saw the smug look on Nick's face. The look, however disapeared whnen he realized the hypocrisy of what I said.

"Another girl huh? You were jealous?"

I was sick of playing games. Sick of trying to cover up my feelings....I rationalized that my interesrt in Nick was none other than a brotherly affection, but I knew that was untrue. So I nodded.

"Well you sure have a funny way of showing it dear!" he said his voice drenched in sarcasm.

I shrunk back in guilt, thinking about how I had used poor Brian to hurt Nick's feelings. I had to admit, if only to myself, that it was even lower than what Nick had done.

When Nick saw the hurt look on my face, his expression softened. "But I don't want to keep fighting, Ange. I think we've done enough of that."

A small smile crept onto my lips "does this mean we're not fighting anymore?"

Nick returned the grin, and patted my hand, nodding.

"Nick....I have one question for you...." I said giving him a devious look.

"What's that?"

"Can you kiss me again?"

Epilogue coming soon....