After a few more hours sleep Brianna woke and decided that she needed to get a few things if they were going to stay here for a few days. Dressing and leaving a note for Nick she went off to the store. When she returned a little while later Nick was still asleep.

“He needs to eat something.” She said out loud for no particular reason. It was too late for breakfast and she wanted to fix something that would be a little easy on his stomach. “Okay, I can do this. For Nick, I can do this. Just pay attention to EVERYTHING, Brianna.” She scolded herself. Cooking was not something she did well. But she figured how bad can you mess up baked chicken breasts with potatoes.

About 20 minutes later Nick came down the stairs with a very confused look on his face. “Bree, who’s cooking?”

Bree had brought one of the barstools around to sit in the kitchen. She wasn’t leaving for anything until it was safely out of the oven. When he walked into the kitchen and saw her sitting right in front of the oven he chuckled. “I guess that answers that question. Now I guess I should ask WHAT are you cooking?”

“Chicken and potatoes. I figured that was pretty easy, right? And I’m staying and watching it. No smoke alarms today.” She winked at him.

“You never cease to surprise me, you know that don’t you?” He came up and gave her a morning hug. “When’d you go to the store?”

“This morning. You were still sleeping.”

“You don’t have to do all this you know. Just being here’s enough.” He got a glass of milk and sat down at the counter across from Bree.

“I know. But I wanted to. So, enjoy it. Well, I hope. Who knows when I’ll venture the perils of trying to cook again?” They both laughed. Then Nick realized what he was doing, stopped and looked down at the glass.

“Nick, it’s okay to smile a little or laugh some. I don’t think AJ’d want you to stay upset. Laughter helps the heart heal.” What she wouldn’t give to make everything better, everyone better.

Softly he answered, “I know, Bree. It’s just hard.”

“I know that too. Just take your time. Don’t feel guilty if something feels good. Just go with it, or try. No one’s gonna push you. Everyone heals at their own pace.” Nick smiled a little half smile and shook his head. “What was that for?” She knew that was a good smile, a yeah that’s amusing smile.

“When did you grow up and get all smart on me?”

“I’ve always been smart.” She teased. “But really, it’s just that I’m looking at things from the outside. You’re, well you’re kinda there, you know. Stuck in the middle of it all.” About that time the oven timer started beeping. “I guess that means it’s ready. Shall we cross our fingers?” He rolled his eyes at her but crossed his fingers under the counter anyway.

It actually turned out okay. Both of the were surprised that it was fully cooked, not over cooked, and tasted good. It wasn’t gourmet, but Bree had made it special for him. He knew she wasn’t a cook and it made it even more special that she had tried so hard. After helping her with the dishes they decided the rest of the afternoon would be best spend vegging on the couch.

Neither of them talked much. They were just content to sit and watch whatever movie happened to be playing. Sometime during the third movie they drifted off to sleep. Both still worn out from just the emotion of the previous days’ events.

It was dark when Bree woke up and she was hot, smothered. And she knew why. She was on the inside of the couch with Nick practically laying completely on top of her. “Okay, Nick, snuggling’s good, but breathing’s better.” She said softly, not really wanting to wake him but trying to figure out a way to get some air.

After a few minutes she gave up. “Nick?” He didn’t move. “Nick.” She said a little louder. But nothing. “Nick.” This time she gave his shoulder a little shake. That got through, but not the desired effect. Brianna got caught under a huge stretch before he wrapped his arms completely around her and snuggled back in. “Okay, this is getting ridiculous.” She pushed at his shoulders a little hoping to loosen the vise grip he had on her.

Finally he lifted his head. “Hmm?” He asked eyes barely open.

Smiling, “Nick, really you make a good blanket. But it’s July, it’s Florida, and it’s hot.” When he just gave her a blank stare she just closed her eyes for a second and smiled. Looking back at him she asked, “Honey, are you even awake?”

Again she was answered with a “Hmm?”

Taking his chin in her hand she lifted his head a little more and said a little bit louder, “Nick, I need you to wake up.” She stressed the ‘wake up’ by making it even louder than the rest. He opened his eyes completely. She smiled. He smiled.

“Yes?” He was still foggy from sleep.

“Nick, I can barely breathe.”

He looked confused for a second then realized he was completely on top of her. “Oops. Sorry.” He said rolling over to the side. “When’d we fall asleep anyway?”

Taking a much needed deep breath, “I don’t know. But man were you dead to the world. I’ve been trying to move you for like 15 minutes.”

“Ahh, Bree I’m sorry. Just comfortable I guess.” He gave her a little lopsided grin. It was only for a second though. Then seriously, “You okay?”

“Yes, Goliath, I’m just fine. I just needed to breathe. That’s all.”

“Good.” He started to say something else but stopped. Again he opened his mouth like he was going to say something and stopped.

Wrinkling her forehead, “What’s wrong?”

“I…” He stopped again. This time he brushed a curl from her forehead and as he tucked it behind her ear he brought his mouth down and covered hers. This time it wasn’t slow and soft. When he kissed her this time it was filled with need. He had caught Bree off guard but she still responded almost instantly wrapping her arms around him. Holding her head in one hand he reached under her with the other and pulled her underneath him, in the process deepening the kiss even more.

Neither of them had a single thought going through their head. Not their friendship. Not AJ. Running her fingers up his back underneath his shirt she felt him shiver and arch into her nails. He grabbed at her hips pushing down on them causing him to slide a little over her, and causing both of them to gasp, but still not breaking the kiss. Completely lost it took a minute or two for the phone ringing to register and cause Nick to pull back. Looking down at her they were both breathing heavy and a little dazed. This was definitely different than before. Nick reached over his head and grabbed the phone.

“Hello?” He managed to get out between breaths.

“Nick, man you okay? Something wrong?” It was Tony.

He had to shake his head and smile a little, “Nothing wrong.” He mouthed to Bree that it was Tony.

“What took you so long to answer the phone? Why are you outta breath?”

“Dude, what’s up with 20 questions. I was just, busy. Um, away from the phone.” Brianna was pushing at him to let her sit up. When he did she kissed him on the cheek and left the room. Nick wasn’t sure where she went but he thought it was upstairs. When he heard water running, he knew he had guessed right. “Huh? What was that? Sorry dude. Just out of it a little I guess.”

<~ Chapter 27 or Chapter 29 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003