"Good morning sweetie." Brian mumbled, kissing my ear.

"Hmm, morning.  I'm so tired." I replied, yawning.

"Well we went to sleep pretty late last night.  Why don't you go back to sleep.  I'll get breakfast started."

"Nah, I can't go back to sleep, even if I'm tired.  Once I'm up - I'm up."

"So can I get a kiss?" he grinned.

"Alright." I laughed, as he leaned in to give me a kiss.

"Gross, Bri." I shrieked, pulling away.

"What?"

"Remind me never to kiss you in the morning.  You're breath is terrible." I smiled.

"Oh, thanks a lot.  Yours wasn't so great.  You better brush your teeth too." he said, defensively.

"You're so cute when you get all upset.  Too bad I can't kiss you…"

"You know I want you to, so - "

"Oh, would you two shut up!" Nick groaned, sitting up.

I looked over to see Nick's grumpy expression, which made me laugh. 

"Nick, you should go check yourself out in the mirror."

"Why? What's wrong with me?"

"You're hair's going in all different directions, you're eyes are all crusty… basically you look like shit."

"Thanks Col, you make me feel so good about myself." he mumbled, dryly.

"Anytime Nickels."

"Alright, let me get breakfast started.  Somebody wake Sophia." Brian said, before disappearing into the kitchen.

"You wake Sophia up." I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

"No way Col!  You know how she gets when she's waken up… very violent."

"Oh fine, you little baby.  Sophia, wake up."  I whispered, gently shaking her.

"Hmmm, go away."

"C'mon don't make this hard Cefi!  Rise and shine!"

"Oh fine." she mumbled slowly sitting up, "What's Nick doing here?"

"Oh thanks Sophia, what a warm welcome." he said, sarcastically.

"Sorry, but what are you doing here?"

"I was all alone last night, and I was bored… so I decided to bother the lovebirds."

"Yeah, aren't they the cutest?" Sophia gushed.

"No, it makes me sick."

"Aw you're such a sweetie." I laughed, "Now you guys better get yourselves into the kitchen.  Brian's making pancakes."

"I hate pancakes." Sophia whined.

"Too bad, you're eating them."

"Oh fine." she replied, making her way to the kitchen table.

"Nick, c'mon.  Get up."

"I can't.  You gotta help me up." he grinned.

"Okay." I mumbled, grabbing his hand, and pulling.  He tugged at my arm, and I fell on top of him.

"Nick!" I laughed, "You're mean!"

"Breakfast is ready." Brian said, coming into the living room, and seeing me lying on top of Nick.

"What's going on?" he said, trying to control himself.

"Oh nothing B.  Colleen was just trying to help me up." Nick muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

I slid off of him, and wrapped my arms around Brian.

"Let's eat." I whispered, kissing his nose.  Seeming to forget what just happened, he smiled, and led me to the kitchen.

Nick's View

"Looks good Brian." I complimented, looking at my plate full of pancakes.

"They better be good." Brian grinned, "Aunt Jemima hasn't failed me yet."

"Aw, these aren't from scratch?"

"Nope, sorry to burst your bubble Nick, but these aren't homemade."

"Oh well, they still taste great." I laughed, shoving another forkful into my mouth.

"So what's everyone doing today?" I asked.

"I'm gonna sit here and watch soap operas." Sophia replied.

"Ditto.  But later on tonight I'm gonna stop by AJ's -to see how he's doing." Col added.

"Me and Nick are gonna play some basketball."

"We are B?"

"Yep."

"Cool." was all I could say to that.  I knew Brian wanted to play ball with me today, so he could tell me to stay away from Col and shit like that.  Oh well, whatever.  Atleast it gives me the chance to beat his ass.

"So Cefi, why are you and AJ fighting?"

"He was flirting with some fans - as usual."

"Jeez, when does that guy learn?"

"You know what Nick?  I was beginning to wonder that myself."

"Well when I speak to him tonight, I plan on telling him he's gotta stop this behavior." Col said.

"Thanks Col." Sophia sighed, "I hate fighting with him."

"So how are things with Gwen?" Brian asked.  He was holding Col's hand… those two are sickening.

"Okay, I guess.  Seems like me and her are drifting apart.  So I dunno what's gonna happen with us."

"Drifting apart?  How so Nicky?" Col asked, giving me a sympathetic smile.

"Well when we're together, we usually end up watching TV.  We don't talk, or kiss… we have no relationship." 

"You guys kiss… I've seen you two going at it many times before." Sophia giggled.

"Yeah, but that was a while ago.  I mean, when we do kiss, it's like there's no emotion… I don't feel anything."

"You don't feel anything Nick?  That could be a problem." Col mumbled.

"Do you still love her?" Brian asked, giving me a questioning look.

I didn't really know how to answer that.  So I got up, and walked into the living room, plopping myself onto the couch.

Brian's View

"What was that about?" I whispered, so Nick wouldn't hear me.

"Obviously him and Gwen are having some relationship problems." Sophia replied, in a soft tone.

"Alright, well I'm gonna shower and change… so me and Nick can get out on the court.  Nick you can shower downstairs.  I'd give you some of my clothes, but you're too damn tall for them." I laughed, running upstairs.

"Okay, I'll shower quickly.  And yes, Col, I can take a quick shower." I heard him mumble. 

"Alright Nick, ready to get your ass kicked?" I grinned, as I tossed him the ball.

"I feel lucky this time… I know I'm gonna beat you."

"You wish Carter.  Let's get busy."

"Okay Littrell." he snickered.

I immediately stole the ball away from him, and tossed it into the basket.

"Oh yeah!" I shrieked.

"Don't get so full of yourself B -your only setting yourself up for a disaster."

"Yeah, that's what you think Nick."

He grabbed the ball out of my hands, and dribbled to the basket. 

"Slam dunk!" he shouted, hanging onto the rim of the hoop.

"Show off."

"You're just jealous 'cause you're too short to do this."

"Aw, c'mon man, don't tease me about my height." I whined.

"Sorry.  So you and Col seem happy." he said, taking another shot.

"Yeah we are.  I mean, we've only been together for two days, but we're happy so far."

"That's good, real good." he mumbled.  He didn't sound too sincere.

"Hey Nick?"

"Oh no, I knew there was a reason you wanted to play ball today.  What is it?" he asked, worriedly.

"Well, I trust you and all… but you're awfully close to Colleen…"

"Close?  Of course I'm close to her!  She's my best friend."

"No, I mean close as in… you're always touching her and stuff.  Like today, I walk into the room, and she's lying on top of you.  That doesn't make me feel so good you know."

"Brian, we were like that before you and her got together.  We flirt… it's just a part of our friendship."

"I would really appreciate it if the flirting stopped.  I can't lose her."

"I can't believe you're gonna get all protective of her."

"You know how I am… I'm the jealous type - I can't help it." I shrugged.

"Yeah, well you're just gonna have to trust me and Col." he replied, as I stole the ball from him once again, and swooshed it through the hoop.

"Nick, are you in love with her again?"  I had tried my best not to ask him that question, but I really wanted to know.

"What?"

"You heard me:  are you in love with Col again?"

"It doesn't matter… you got her Bri." he muttered, taking a seat against the fence.

"Dammit Nick, just tell me would you?!" I snapped, slamming the ball to the ground.

"Alright fine, yeah I am falling in love with her again.  A few nights ago, she came over to my place.  It was the night you blew up at her… she was really upset, and we ended up making out… but she stopped because she loves you."

I couldn't get mad at him:  that was before me and her got together.

"And now you love her again?"

"Well maybe it was before that… when I was dared to french her.  I felt something… I bet this is why I'm falling out of love with Gwen."

"You are?" I choked out.

"Yeah, but promise me you won't say anything."

"Alright fine.  But I swear Nick, if you try anything with her I'll -"

"I won't Brian, don't worry about it."

"Thanks."

"I'm pretty tired.  Mind driving me home now?" he questioned.

"Yeah, I'm tired too.  Let's go."

Sophia's View

"Aw, Lucky is so cute!" Colleen gushed.

Our eyes had been glued to the TV since this morning.  Soap operas were a regular part of our lives… and we loved watching them!  Especially since General Hospital was full of hot guys.

"Oh I love Lucky!  Sorry Col, I've got dibs on him… you have your own cutie to love." I said, sadly.

"Sophia, so do you!  This thing with AJ will blow over - you and him always make up."

"Yeah, I hope you're right."

"Hey, you guys are in the same position you were when I left!" Brian exclaimed running over to Col, and holding her in his arms.

"Yeah, we've been watching sappy dramas all day -very exciting!" Col laughed.

"I can imagine." he said, dryly.

"Where's Nick?" Col asked.

"Dropped him off home."

"I think I'm gonna head over to AJ's now.  Tell me what happens on General Hospital Cefi."

"Sure thing.  Talk some sense into AJ for me, Col."

"Believe me:  I will.  See you later baby." she whispered, giving Brian a soft kiss on the lips.

"That's all I ever get!  Soft kisses!  Get back here you." he laughed, pulling her into his lap.  He leaned in to kiss her… and it went on, and on, and on.

"Guys?  Um, guys?  You're depressing me."

"Oh sorry Sophia - later Col." he muttered, releasing her from his grasp.

"Bye guys.  I should be home in an hour or so, and AJ should be with me." she smiled, before heading out the door.

"Ugh, I'm sick of this show." I mumbled, turning off the TV.

"Yeah, I don't blame you.  Want something to drink?  I'm in the mood for a little vodka."

"Vodka?  Why's that Brian?" I asked, curiously.  Brian isn't a big drinker.

"I dunno -I just feel like it.  And it will help take your mind off of AJ, so... want some?"

"Alright sure.  Yeah, you're right… maybe it will help me stop thinking about AJ."

He disappeared into the kitchen, and returned with two huge bottles of alcohol. 

"One for me, one for you.  Now drink up!"