Roswell Fanatics

Title: A Day in the Life
Author: Lindsay
Category: AU N/T + minor M/L (Nick POV)
Rating: ADULT
Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to The WB, Melinda Metz, and UPN. Nick Gannon and Joe Thorton are all mine!
Summary: Sequel to Good Things Come Come to Those Who Wait. Nick's POV on events surrounding Not So Little. Picks up after GTC, and gives a further look into the lives and loves of the Roswell gang.
Author’s note: I wasn't going to post this just yet... but Dee managed to talk me into it, so you guys have her to thank! Assuming anyone enjoys this... otherwise you have her to blame.

<center>Thank you Sarah aKa wearydreams2003 for the beautiful banner!! </center>

<center></center>

<center></center>


Round Five - Winner

<center></center>

(Nick Gannon)



Most Passionate/Romantic Love Scene
Best Lead Portrayal of Tess Harding
Best Original Character (Joe Thorton)
Funniest Fanfic




<center>A Day in the Life</center>




So this is my story.

The life of a guy who had it all… and let it slip right through his fingers. It sounds like the plot for one of those cheesy feel-good movies, right? The kind you see on Lifetime late at night when there’s nothing else to do but surf the television, hoping you might get lucky and find a skin flick.

Only there’s no happy ending guarantee. This is my life and it’s real, it’s honest, and at times… it’s downright ugly. You’ll laugh, cry and probably want to throw a blunt object at me before it’s over, but in the end… whatever happens, happens.

This is the attitude I’ve gained over the last three months. When I left Roswell, I thought I was leaving behind all my problems, all my insecurities. I was going to do the big boy routine and get in touch with my inner studmuffin once again.

I didn’t plan on having my past thrown back in my face every night when I closed my eyes. I didn’t plan to be haunted by memories of mistakes I’d made. And I sure as hell didn’t expect to screw things up so badly between the only people that have ever mattered to me.

They say the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Along those same lines, it’s safe to say that when I fuck up, I fuck up badly.

Whatever happens, happens.

Boy, does it ever.


<center>***</center>


<center>Chapter One</center>


“Hey, jerk! Watch your step!”

I spin around just in time to miss being flattened by what appears to be a gangly toddler driving a golf cart down the center of Main Street. He laughs demonically as he passes by, honking a horn that plays a short three note medley.

I cock my head, having to admit… that horn was pretty cool. Okay, focus Gannon. Procrastination is not my game. I’m on a mission, and I’ll damn well come back with my shield or upon it. Or something like that. My eyes take in the familiar sights and sounds, a small smile lifting the corners of my mouth as I realize one thing.

I’m home.

My gaze falls on the tacky spaceship across the street, the neon words blinking back at me as if in mockery. I take a deep breath and stride across the street, throwing open the doors to the Crashdown Café.

I’m greeted with the scent of grease and the sight of antennae-clad waitresses hurrying around and serving alien-themed food to tourists and locals alike. One waitress in particular captures my attention, and I can’t help but grin as I watch her lean on one hip against the counter, lifting her leg to rub at her calf while mumbling under her breath.

Her blonde curls are longer than I remember – falling just below her shoulders as she throws her head back, mouth spread open in sheer ecstasy. Until she looks up and blue eyes collide with my own.

I wish I had a camera, as every possible expression in the human psyche manages to cross her face in point three seconds. That’s how long it takes me to reach her side, hands shoved in my pockets as we continue to stare at each other.

I spread my arms in a wide gesture and smile. “Honey, I’m home.”

Later I would have realized that leaving myself wide open to possible attack wasn’t the smartest thing I could have done. But as her foot connects with my groin, all brain activity scatters as I fall to the ground.

“Owie,” I murmur in a shrill tone, clutching my hands against my battered balls as she glares down at me. Gritting my teeth against the unnatural pain, I attempt a smile, although truth be told it probably came off a little scary. “It’s… nice to see you, Tess.”

“You son of a bitch,” she drawls, yanking off her antenna and tossing it at me. “How dare you!” With that she flounces off, nose in the air as she disappears between the two slapping doors that lead to the kitchen area.

Okaaay. Obviously some things have changed during my absence. Like sweet little Tess Harding was abducted by aliens and turned into a psycho ball-basher. I wince at the poor line of thought. Ball-bashing… not a good mental image right now.

“Nick?”

The soft voice drags my attention away from my cock and towards the pair of feet directly in my line of vision. I glance up and see a brown-haired angel staring at me with concerned eyes. “Am I dying?” I whisper. “Can you die from having your nuts jammed into your throat?”

“It’s him,” the brunette yells over her shoulder, and falls to her knees to help me sit up. “Way to make an entrance, dumbass.”

“Yeah, someone should put a hazard sign on the front door,” I mumble, slowly coming to my feet as she puts my arm around her neck for support. I stumble slightly, one hand still pressed firmly against myself as I watch her warily. “You aren’t going to kick me, too, are you?”

She smiles, twin dimples appearing on either cheek and gifting her with an innocent expression that you can’t help but relax to. Unfortunately, I know her too well to be fooled. “Why would you think that?” she asks sweetly.

“Well, uh… Tess seemed kinda upset,” I scratch my head, closing my eyes as I wish for an ice pack. “Nice to know everyone doesn’t want to turn me into a eunich.”

“Why would I be upset?” she continues, and I sigh in knowledge of what’s to come. “I mean, all you did was leave town for three months. No word, no attempts to let us know you were still alive and not bleeding to death in a ditch, the helpless victim of a hit and run!” Her voice rises as she goes, and her finger pokes against my chest, backing me into the counter.

“Jesus, Liz,” I mutter.

“Well, spank my hairy ass,” an amused male voice cracks and I turn to see none other than Michael and Max walking up to where we stand facing off, huge grins on their faces. “I thought I smelled pretty boy.”

“Suck it, Parker,” I manage to jiggle my package… a little crudely, at least. For old time’s sake. “Could it be… did you actually take a shower since I’ve been gone?”

“Hardee-fucking-har,” he growls, crossing his arms across his chest as one eyebrow raises. “I just got a haircut, okay smart ass?”

“You should have been there,” Max pipes up, wrapping his arms around Liz as she settles back against him. “Thought the barber was going to have to sedate him. He was cringing every time he saw the scissors… almost got his ear cut off a few times.”

We share a laugh at Michael’s expense as he stands there looking fierce.

“That guy didn’t know what he was doing,” he mumbles defensively.

“Can we get back on topic here?” Liz taps her foot against the linoleum.

“Sure babe,” Max immediately soothes, ignoring Michael’s pained sigh. “So… hell, when did you get back?”

“About an hour ago, actually,” I admit, glancing up as Tess re-enters the main cafeteria. My gaze follows as she distributes platters of steaming food to demanding customers. “What’s that all about?” I ask in a low voice. “Why isn’t she at ballet practice or whatever dance audition she’s trying out for?”

The hair on the back of my neck stands up as they all exchange uncomfortable glances. Max and Michael shoot me sympathetic expressions as Liz glares. “What is it?” I ask, dread filling me.

“Some things have… changed since you left,” Max hedges. “Look, I’m sure you’ll hear all about it later. Right now, why don’t we-“

“Spit it out, Max,” I demand roughly, looking back and meeting Tess’s eyes. She stares at me for a long minute before giving me the same disgusted glare and turning around.

“She doesn’t have time for ballet anymore,” Liz speaks up, the acrimony in her tone easy to detect. “What with school, work and getting things ready.”

“Ready for what?” I ask, unable to keep from watching her every step. God, only now can I allow myself to admit just how much I missed her. How much I ached to just… look at her, for God’s sake. I can’t help but wonder how long it will take to get things back the way they used to be. And if they even can. “She still going to Julliard in the winter?”

That gives me approximately four months for Operation Tessa-Wessa. Hey, don’t look at me like that. It’s a long story.

Liz snorts, although her gaze softens slightly as she notes the concern in my gaze. “Tess doesn’t dance anymore, Nick. She can’t, the doctor told her not to.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She… she’s pregnant, Nick,” her soft words are like a blow to my gut. “She’s having a baby in four months.”

And I thought the kick in the balls was bad.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys! I know this fic is a little different... but I promise it's still going to have dreamy moments, okay? Another thanks to Dee, who's slowly turning into my beta for this fic!

Hugs,

Linds


<center>Chapter Two</center>


I don’t really remember what happened after I found out about Tess. I vaguely recall Max offering me a ride home when it became clear that I wasn’t moving. I was like a catatonic, unable to look away as Tess continued snubbing me.

So now I sit in the backseat of Max’s Jeep as he and Michael exchange grim glances every few minutes. I let my head fall back against the seat and watch the familiar sights pass by.

“I really fucked up, didn’t I?” I ask in a quiet voice a few minutes later. “I thought I was doing the right thing… walking away before I dragged her and everyone else down with me.”

Neither of them answer for a long moment, which in itself is extraordinary given the fact that Michael can never not butt into someone’s life. But he remains close-lipped as Max sighs.

“You should have called, Nick,” is all he says. “I know you had to get out, hell I can even understand why. But… you shouldn’t have cut us all out of your life like that. Liz was right – we were all worried, and then when Tess found out about the baby…”

“Tell me,” I whisper gruffly when he trails off. “When… when did she find out?”

“The week before you left,” he admits in a quiet voice.

My head begins to spin, remembering everything that had occurred during that emotional time in my life. Tess and I had just broken up, I was fighting with Joe, and I had made plans to get the hell out of Roswell. Then I remember her words to me when I told her I was leaving.

“What about Max? What about Liz? Are you going to miss their wedding? What about… what about… me?”

“Oh fuck,” I groan, raising my hands to tug at the hair falling across my brow.

“I’m sure she had her reasons for not telling you,” he adds quickly.

Yeah, like the fact that I basically said I was deserting her without a backward glance? “Right,” I murmur huskily. “Oh my God, no wonder she hates me.”

“She doesn’t hate you,” Michael says with a snort. “Her pride’s nicked, is all. I mean think about it, Gannon. You two were hot and heavy for months and then break up, she finds out she’s pregnant, and you hit the road the next week.”

“Thanks for the analysis, Mike,” I mumble sarcastically. “I feel so much better now. She doesn’t hate me – it’s just silly, feminine pride. Golly, I bet all it would take is a box of candy before she’s ready to take me back.”

Max presses his lips together tightly, obviously trying not to laugh despite the seriousness of the conversation. “I know you’ll figure out what to do, Nick. But I have to warn you… it’s not going to be easy. The girls are going to close ranks against you. They’re all really hurt by the way you left, and what with Tess and all… I don’t know if they know she didn’t tell you.”

Now I’m really offended. “They think I would leave if I had known?” I ask in a hurt tone. And as an afterthought I add, “And Tess wouldn’t have let them think that. She’s not one to lie to get sympathy.”

“So you still love her.”

“Of course I do,” I snap irritably. “Just because I took off for a few months and made a complete ass out of myself in the process doesn’t mean I stopped loving her.”

My vehement response quiets us all for a few minutes. Then I let out a ragged sigh. “Look, there’s something I need to know…” I trail off, unsure of how to ask what’s on my mind. Unsure if I want to know.

“She’s dating someone, but I don’t think it’s anything very serious,” Max answers, reading my mind the way I knew he would. We know each other too well. He catches my eye in the rearview mirror. “Nick… she’s been living with Joe.”

My head nearly bangs against the roll bar as I sit straight up, eyes wide. “What?” I yelp in shock. “What are you talking about… with Joe?”

“Not like that, dumbass,” Max states calmly. “She just moved in when her parents found out about the pregnancy. She’s working two jobs. She had nowhere to go, so Joe offered to take her in. Partly to help her out, and I think partly to have a way to hang onto you.”

I ignore that softly uttered statement, knowing that if I dwelled on it I would only lose any remaining composure I had. “Her parents kicked her out?” I bite off, my fingers digging into my palms. “God, I knew they hated me dating her but… that’s just cold. Fucking hell.”

“What are you going to do?” Michael shifts to stare at me. “She’s seeing Ben, Nick.”

“Ben?” I echo, my eyes crossing. “Ben Gallagher? Oh man!”

“It’s a casual thing,” Max hurries to say. “They’re just really good friends, mostly. I don’t think it’s like that at all, Nick. Don’t hurt him.”

I have to laugh at the honest worry in his voice. “What did you think I was going to do, Max? Bust his balls?” Although the thought is tempting… oh hell, who am I kidding? Besides the fact that I totally deserve to be in this position, I actually like the little fucker. “Does that Irish bastard know she’s pregnant?”

“Yes. Everyone knows, Nick. You know how hard it is to keep a secret in this town.”

Unfortunately, I do. I’ve been known as that screwed up runaway since I was fifteen. Then I discovered women and became that screwed up, sex-obsessed runaway. “Take me to Joe’s,” I say suddenly, realizing I can’t put this off any longer. And I don’t want to. It’s time to make peace with one fucking aspect of my life.

Max doesn’t question me, simply pulls a sharp U-ie and heads back the way we came, a satisfied grin on his face. Michael stares at me.

“You do know he might kick your ass?” he asks warily, and I can’t blame him. Joe Thorton is not a puny weakling. He’s a fucking brick shithouse and going by our last conversation, he’d probably love nothing more than to get a few licks in.

Nevertheless… “Yeah, I’m sure,” I answer gruffly.

After all, whatever happens, happens.


<center>***</center>


I don’t know what I expected when I knocked on the heavy oak door. But I definitely didn’t expect to be looking down into the cobalt eyes of a mirror image of Joe Thorton. “Um… hello,” I say carefully when he just continues to stare at me.

Then he grins, revealing deep dimples and a bright smile as he throws his arms around my legs. I grunt in surprise, immediately locking my knees as he hugs me. “Brother Nick! You came home!”

“Brother…” I trail off, my heart pounding as I glance up and see Joe staring at me with unreadable eyes from inside the house. If I didn’t know him better than I know myself, I would have thought he was completely indifferent to the fact that I stood on his front porch, his son wrapped around my legs like a vise.

But I see the way his jaw is clenched, his eyes filled with pain as continues to stare at us. I open my mouth, feeling my own eyes burning, when he speaks.

“Joseph, let him go.” The command is uttered in a low voice, but it doesn’t take away from the power in his tone. “Let brother Nick breathe, okay?”

Brother Nick. Oh, God. I blink, hoping like hell that the tears threatening my vision aren’t blatantly apparent. “It’s all right,” I manage to say thickly, smiling shakily at the little boy. Joe’s son. “Joseph, huh? It’s nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand.

He raises a brow, a gesture that makes him look much older than the eight years I assume him to be. “Brothers don’t shake hands… brother’s gotta hug,” he answers cheekily, drawing forth a strangled laugh from my throat.

“Raising him on the classics, I see,” I incline my head towards Joe, who still hasn’t moved. “Tommy Boy?”

He shrugs one broad shoulder. “What can I say? You loved that crap, too.”

My smile fades at the slight bitterness in his tone. “I just got back,” I say inanely, scratching my head as Joseph releases me and runs out into the yard, leaving the two of us alone.

“I know,” he states simply. “Liz called and let me know.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Well, this is awkward. I clear my throat, rocking back on my feet with my hands shoved into my pockets, trying not to despair over the fact that not even three months ago I would have felt comfortable enough to just walk inside, not ring the damn doorbell.

But there’s a line drawn now, dark and thick between us.

“He’s… he seems great,” I murmur, glancing over to see Joseph laughing with another kid. “So… how’s Kathleen?”

“Is that your way of asking whether or not we’re back together?” he asks coolly. “We’re not, by the way. She’s living over in the west end and we share custody of Joseph. Is that what you came by to find out?”

“Joe-“ I start, but he cuts me off.

“Or is it because you found out about Tess?”

I look away, unable to handle the sudden softening in his tone. “I just wanted to come by…” I admit roughly, hating the tension between us, but not knowing how to change it.

“Did you lose your key?”

I glance up at the vulnerability underlying his sharp tone. “Why?”

“You’ve never knocked on this door a damn day in your life,” he answers gruffly. “So I was just wondering.”

We stare at each other for a long, tension filled moment before I shake my head. “No, I didn’t lose it,” I say in a thick voice. “I just… didn’t think you’d want me to use it.”

He’s breathing heavily now, and I can sense the anger building inside him. “You dumbass. Shut the damn door and come inside before I kick your ass.”

Feeling like a reprimanded fifteen year-old from long ago, I quickly do as he asks and before I know it, he’s hugging the hell out of me. “Joe, you’re going to kill me,” I choke out, but I’m squeezing him just as tightly.

“You sure know how to piss me off, kid,” he answers gruffly, letting me go. “If you pull another stunt like that, I just might kick your ass.”

“Any time you’re up for it, old man,” I throw back, trying to hide the emotions pouring through me. “I… I’m sorry for everything, Joe.”

“I know you are, Nick. Just like I knew you’d come back. You’re like a thorn in my ass.”

“Oh, fuck off,” I return with a shaky grin. “You talk like that around your kid?”

“Not when his mother’s around,” Joe banters back, and we both chuckle. “We missed you, Nick. I’m glad you pulled your head out of your ass.”

“So am I.”

<center>Chapter 3</center>



“So you’re sure you don’t mind me staying here for a little while?” I ask as Joseph runs around the living room, waving a glowing sword from The Lord of the Rings as he pretends to fight Orcs and Trolls.

“Die, Mordor scum!” he cries, charging me with the blade pointed directly at my stomach. “Aaaahhhh!”

I easily duck his attack, and spin around to grab him and hold him upside down by the ankles. “Check it, Aragorn.”

“Stay as long as you want,” Joe replies, engrossed in the battle sequence taking place onscreen. “Joseph, settle down before I lock you in the basement.”

“You don’t have a basement,” Joseph huffs, swinging in my grasp.

“I’ll dig a hole.”

“I’ll escape and take my revenge.”

“Oh, I’m shaking in my boots.”

“I hate to interrupt this loving father and son moment,” I reply wryly, releasing Joseph to stand on his own. “But I’m going to go take a nap. I’m sure you guys can manage without me for a few hours.”

“Shit,” they both drawl, then look at each other with narrowed eyes. I can’t stop the chuckle as I head towards my old room. I don’t bother to turn on the lights, simply fall face-first onto the bed. As I drift off, I note the fact that my old jersey sheets seem to feel silky rather than cottony.

I’m awakened an unknown amount of time later by the sound of running water coming from the hall bathroom that connects to my room. I lift my head, running a hand down my face and grimacing at the small line of drool at the corner of my mouth.

Groaning as I stretch, I turn onto my back just as the door is flung open and bright light pours into my still-adjusting eyes. But that doesn’t stop me from staring in shock as Tess walks into the room as naked as a porn star.

She catches sight of me at the exact same time my mouth falls wide open and shrieks, raising her arms to cover herself. “Oh my God! What are you doing here?” she cries, looking for all the world like she’d love to turn inward and disappear.

I can’t drag my gaze away from the sight of all those luscious curves, some definitely curvier than I remember, long enough to make a coherent response. I settle for, “Damn woman.”

Her breasts are larger than before, the tips a deeper, rosier color that makes my mouth water for a taste. My gaze drops to the slight roundness of her stomach, and a strange thickness fills my chest as I realize… that’s my child. A child I created.

“Stop looking at me!” she shrieks, and reaches over for the nearest weapon to launch. Unfortunately for me, it happens to be a brush with bristles that remind me of needles.

I manage to duck the flying brush, but can’t stop staring at her as she continues to scream at me. “Hey, this is my room!” I frown, finally ungluing my tongue from the roof of my mouth.

She gasps, then her face turns bright red as she glares at me through icy blue eyes. “Take a look around, dumbass!”

I do as I’m told, and lift a brow at the decidedly feminine attributes covering my once masculine bedroom. “What’s all this crap?” I wonder out loud, running my hand over the pale pink silk sheets.

“This crap,” she snaps, “is mine. Now get out!” she shouts, reaching over for a robe and yanking it around her shoulders angrily.

“What are you freaking out about?” I lounge back against the bed and watch her in amusement. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before,” I point out in a husky voice. “I know you haven’t forgotten that.”

Her face turns even redder if possible, and I could almost swear I see steam pouring from her ears. “You… you’ll never see me naked again!” she swears, looking for another object to throw. “Joe!” she shouts desperately.

I raise my hands when she brandishes a pair of scissors, standing up and backing away. “Okay, okay… I’m leaving.”

She thrusts them at me as I scoot closer to the door. “Keep your eyes off my tits, Gannon,” she says sharply.

“Whatever you say, babe,” I drawl, more disconcerted than I wish for her to know. I’m so fucking aroused by the sight of her naked and wet and pissed off… I should go straight to hell for the thoughts running through my mind.

“Don’t call me that!”

“Fine,” I shrug my shoulders, opening the door. “Tessa-Wessa,” I add softly, letting my lips curl wickedly as she begins to fume. “And just so you know… we’ll continue this conversation later. Maybe when you aren’t so… wet. And naked.”

“Shut up!” she turns her back on me, pretending to dismiss me as if I’d never been there at all.

“I’m not leaving, Tess,” I state quietly, watching as her shoulder stiffen. “We will talk about this. You think I don’t know what’s going on? That you aren’t pregnant with my child? I’m not going to just… run away from this.”

She slowly turns around to face me, and this time there’s nothing but pain on her face. “You always run, Nick. It’s the only thing you know how to do,” she whispers shakily. “Now get out of my room.”

I’m so frozen by her statement and the bleak tone of it, that it takes me a moment to realize that I’m staring at a closed door. The undeniable snick of a lock breaks me out of my daze and I shake my head, laying my hand against the door as my forehead meets the wood. “I don’t think so, baby,” I whisper, knowing she can’t hear me. “The only one running right now, is you.”

I turn around and see Joe watching me. “What?” I hiss in a wounded tone, trying to brush past him and find a good place to sulk and plot.

“She’s gone through a lot,” he says quietly. “Don’t make it worse, Nick.”

“What do you expect me to do?” I answer gruffly. “Just forget about the fact that I got her in trouble… that all this is happening because of me?”

“Is that the only reason you’re hanging around?” he asks softly. “Because you think you ‘got her in trouble’?”

The answer is no. A big fat no-holds-barred, I’m-in-love-with-the-damn-woman NO. But right now I’m too hurt and angry to risk putting myself out there yet again. “I’m not leaving until she talks to me,” I cross my arms defiantly across my chest. “You can throw me out, but I’ll just sit on the front step.”

He sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Kid, I’m not throwing you anywhere. I swear, you try my patience.”

Just then, the doorbell rings and we both glance over to see Joseph letting in none other than Benjamen Gallagher. He steps in with a huge smile and a bouquet of red tulips, Tess’s favorite flower.

Well, la di da, how fucking romantic.

As soon as he catches sight of me, his smile falters along with his step. Then he shakes his head and grins. “Well, look what the cat drug in.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, ignoring Joe’s throat clearing. “You can just forget what you’re trying to do here, Ben. Go find your own woman. Tess is mine.”

Before he can answer, I hear a very cool voice from behind me. “Tess is no one’s. Least of all yours.”

She brushes past me with her nose in the air and takes Ben’s arm. “We’re leaving,” she announces needlessly. She doesn’t meet my fuming gaze, simply bends down and kisses Joseph on the cheek. He endures it, then quickly wipes it away and pokes his finger down his throat when she turns around. But I see the hint of pleasure in his eyes.

“Have a nice time,” Joe says in a cheerful tone, and I turn to glare at him. What the hell is he so damn happy about?

Ben gives me one last uncertain expression before allowing Tess to jerk him out of the house. I stand there, arms quivering as I try to keep from following them and throwing Tess across my shoulder so everyone knows just who she belongs to.

The sound of a car starting and pulling out of the driveway breaks the silence inside. Joseph mumbles under his breath about boring adults and heads to the living room to do God only knows what.

Joe stares at me, one brow raised. “Well?”

A growl escapes my throat as I turn on my heel and grab a jacket.

ETA: Thanks to my wonderful new beta, Dee, who has taken the Nick obsession to heart and made it her own. You'll own a piece of the Nickster forever, sweetie.


<center>Chapter 4</center>


So here I am. The self-proclaimed Studmuffin of Roswell reduced to stalking his ex-girlfriend while hiding behind a dumpster outside of the club where he used to work.

If I weren’t so damn pissed off about the entire situation, and the fact that this particular dumpster must not have been emptied in weeks because there’s no way this smell is normal… than I might be proud of the fact that I’ve yet to be detected.

Maybe I could get a job as a private investigator.

I perk up as they exit the restaurant across the street, laughing and holding hands and looking generally… lovey dovey. Oh, someone shoot me now. I’m going to be sick. Fighting back the nausea that threatens to rise, I step back into the shadows and watch as they walk towards Ben’s cherry RX8. Snippets reach my ears as they near my hiding place.

“-should hear what he has to say,” I can hear Ben’s deep voice intone. “He just found everything out, sweetheart. It’s bound to make a guy a little kooked.”

I roll my eyes at the Irish connotation and barely refrain from growling at the ‘sweetheart’ comment.

“I can’t, Ben,” I hear Tess state in a tight voice. “I just… I can’t look at him without wanting to just forgive and forget everything. You know how I feel about him.”

Well, well. My brows rise at this information and I lean forward to better eavesdrop. My heart pounds furiously in anticipation of her next words.

“And I don’t want to feel that way anymore,” she adds softly, ripping my heart out with the helplessness in her tone. “He left me, Ben. He left and didn’t even bother to let me know he was okay… he…”

“Hey, don’t cry, love,” Ben answers gently, and wraps her in his arms as she lays her head against his chest. “Aye, I know how you feel, Tessa… but I don’t think hiding from him is going to make you or the situation any better.”

She sniffles, and looks up at him through wet lashes. My hands clench at the expression on her face, and I begin to shake as she lifts a hand to his cheek. “I want to move on. I… I want it to be with you, Ben.”

Before he can reply she pulls his head down and kisses him, crushing her lips against his as he stands there stiff as a board. Just as I’m about to jump out and forcefully rip them apart, Ben steps back and holds her at arm’s length.

He breathes heavily and shakes his head, even as his eyes are bright with arousal. “We… we can’t, Tessa.”

She stares at him, then groans. “God, I thought you Irish were a bunch of horny, rowdy drunks! This is horrible.”

“That we are,” he grins, lifting her chin. “But darling… we’re also extremely possessive and hate to play second fiddle to anyone. You’re in love with him, Tess. Give him a chance. Nick’s my friend. Granted, he may have his head up his arse more than half the time-“

I stiffen at that comment. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

“-but he’s a good bloke. And I think he loves you.”

I hold my breath while awaiting her response, but she shakes her head. “He doesn’t know how to love,” she answers firmly. “He thinks because his parents didn’t care about him that he isn’t worth it, or something. I don’t know why, because God knows Joe obviously cares so much for him… and so do Max and Liz… the list goes on.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe something that’s right in front of your face,” Ben answers vaguely. “The bottom line, you’re pregnant with his child. He deserves to be a part of that, so you’re going to have to face him sooner or later, Tess. And the longer you put it off, the worse it will be. Nick Gannon may not be a lot of things, but he’s a stubborn bastard for sure.”

Well, I never. I fold my arms and scowl at the two oblivious figures, wondering what else might be revealed about everyone’s opinion of me before the night is through.

“You’re right,” Tess finally sighs. “I’ll talk to him when I get home. But I’m not going to let him back into my life in any other aspect than the father to this child.”

“You can try,” Ben states quietly. “Bet he changes your mind.”

As they drive away, I step out and watch the flashy red car turn a sharp corner and head back to Joe’s. Ben’s final words echo in my ears and I stick my hands in my pockets as a light breeze kicks up around me.


<center>***</center>


I walk back inside the house thirty minutes later, and find the Return of the King playing on the television. Catching sight of the sleeping figures sprawled out on the sofa, I grin and shut the door as quietly as possible.

I’m creeping towards the guest bedroom when one eye pops open, a sleep-roughened tone mumbling, “Well?”

I freeze, glancing over as Joe yawns and fumbles for the remote underneath his ass while trying not to disturb Joseph, who snores away at his feet, cradling his sword like a precious treasure. “Well…?”

“Tess is looking for you,” he smirks. “I guess she beat you back?”

I roll my eyes at the knowing hint in his tone. “I just went to the video store,” I mumble defensively, holding up the DVD cases to prove my point. “That guest bed sucks, I figure I need a little something to help bore me to sleep.”

“Let’s see…” he takes the cases from my hand and raises a brow at the titles. “The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, About a Boy… Enough? You really think watching J-Lo’s butt jiggle around in spandex is going to put you to sleep?”

I clear my throat. “Mind your own business,” I grumble, taking my movies back and shoving a hand through my hair as I head back down the hallway. The door to my bedroom… make that Tess’ bedroom… is open and I glance in to see her sitting on the bed in a long t-shirt watching Sleepless in Seattle.

She looks up and our eyes meet. I feel a little silly and wave my movies while giving her a small smile. Her gaze widens and she quickly turns off the television, beckoning me inside.

“What’s up?” I ask genially, affecting a clueless expression as she fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “Look… if you’re going to throw something else at me, can you make it a pillow or something? I may be thick-headed, but it’s a pain in the ass to shampoo over lumps.”

She just stares at me, then lets out a short laugh. I feel that much better as her expression brightens somewhat and she throws a pillow at me goodnaturedly. “Just sit down. You were right, we need to talk.”

“Oh… great,” I sigh dramatically, situating myself in the chair across from her bed. We kind of stare at each other, and I start tapping the movies against my leg as seconds tick by. Finally I cock a brow. “Well?”

“Well,” she echoes, nibbling her lip. “Hmm… this is more awkward than I thought it would be.”

“Would it be better if I left so you could practice… then came back whenever?” I tease, thumbing towards the door over my shoulder. “Or you could just write it in a letter and slip it under my door… then I could write you back… no face-to-face interaction whatsoever.”

“Nick, shut up.”

“Okey-dokey,” I clear my throat. A few more seconds pass by before I begin to shift in my seat. I stare at the ground by my feet, trying not to meet her eyes so that maybe she’ll feel a little more at ease. I reach down to adjust the strap on my sandal, then look up and catch her watching me with amused eyes.

“You just can’t sit still can you?” she giggles. “It’s killing you, isn’t it? The silence.”

I scowl and fold my arms defensively. “Do you have something to say or not?” I ask in annoyance.

Her expression clears and she looks a tad nervous again. “Yes. I realize you probably… have questions, so, I want to answer-“

“How long?”

“-them for… you…” she trails off at my interruption. “How long what?”

“How long before you planned on letting me know you were pregnant?” I ask softly, pinning her with a direct gaze as she stares at me.

She automatically stiffens, her lips pressing together tightly as the walls go up in her eyes. “You weren’t exactly around,” she snaps, then takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry… okay… this is definitely going to be harder than I thought.”

“No, wait,” I lean forward, hands hanging between my knees as I hold her bright gaze. “This is a good place to start. Why I left.” She doesn’t look moved, but I can tell I have her complete attention. I swallow, then say hoarsely, “First of all… it wasn’t because I didn’t want to be with you.”

“Don’t,” she warns, looking away as the light catches on the moisture in her eyes. “Don’t say something you don’t mean.”

“I do mean that,” I whisper harshly. “I… I thought you didn’t want me. I had no idea about… I never thought…” I swallow again past the salty lump in my throat. “Tess,” I try again in a gruff voice, “what I said to you before I left… you do deserve better than me. I knew it.”

“So you left to take the decision away from me?” she returns bitterly, sniffling as she turns towards me. “You left because you couldn’t handle a small bump in the road… you couldn’t try to work out-“

“Why didn’t you stop me?” I ask the question that’s burned in my mind since I found out about the pregnancy. “You knew you were pregnant before I left… why didn’t you tell me?”

She looks surprised by the fact I know, but then nibbles her lip and looks me straight on. “Because you would have stayed, and it was obvious you wanted to go. I didn’t want to be the reason you became miserable, okay? And I don’t need you to do anything you don’t want to do. If you want to just forget this ever happened…”

“Stop right there,” I hold a hand up, eyes narrowed. “You might hate me right now, but you know damn well I’m not just going to… fucking forget about it. Dammit,” I jump up, shoving a hand through my hair as I pace.

I can feel her watching me, surprised by my anger, and when I spin around to face her again the expression on her face nearly kills me. Uncertainty. Disbelief. “Do you really think so little of me, that you think I would abandon you?” I demand, stalking over until I tower over her. “Tell me you know me better than that.”

“I…” she stutters, staring up at me with a stunned expression. “I… I don’t know…”

“You don’t know?” I shout, then bite back another curse, turning away with my hands on my head. “I… I can’t believe this. This is fucking amazing.”

“Nick,” I can hear her standing up, reaching out to me, but I quickly move away. “Nick, I just… this isn’t what I want, okay?”

“What, for me to know you think I’m a shallow, unfaithful, jackass?” I ask huskily. “Hey, you learn something new everyday.”

“I don’t think that!” she cries out. “I’m sorry! I’m just… I have all this built up anger, I guess… from when you left… I just… please, sit down.”

We stand there, staring at each other and breathing heavily, the air thick with tension. Finally I drop my hands and shrug. “What are we going to do?” I wonder roughly.

“We can start over,” she blurts out, looking as surprised as I feel when the words are out of her mouth. Then she straightens and nods emphatically. “Yes, we can start over… and be friends.”

I take a step closer, unable to keep from lifting a curl from her neck and fingering the silky strands. “Friends?” I repeat in a low voice. “You think that’s possible, Tessa?”

She swallows as the mood turns a complete one hundred eighty degrees. “I think that would be the best,” she whispers, drawing closer to me as if pulled by an invisible thread. “That’s all I want.”

“Friends…” I echo again, lowering my head as my lids begin to close. The sudden clearing of a throat has me gritting my teeth as I look over my shoulder to glare at Joe’s smiling face.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt,” he says, although it’s obvious he’s enjoying himself. “Nick, you got a phone call.”

“Take a message,” I mutter, returning my burning gaze to Tess, who’s staring at me with a mixture of desire and horror. “And get the hell out of here, Joe.”

“I think you want to take this call.”

Closing my eyes against the violent urges swimming forth, I turn around and stalk over to grab the phone from his outstretched hand. “What?” I bark, turning my back on both of them.

“Don’t take that tone with me, Nicky poo,” an irate female voice snaps. “And stop hiding out at Joe’s. Come face us like a man.”

I resist the urge to groan. “Maria,” I state inanely. “Um… I’m not hiding, I swear… but can we talk about this-“

“Now,” she interrupts smoothly. “We can talk about it now. Be at my house in a half hour, or I’ll send Mikey the Hairless Wonder after you.”

I can hear Michael in the background yelling, “It isn’t that short! Jesus!”

“Fine, whatever. I’ll be there,” I mutter, hanging up before she can answer. I throw the phone at Joe before turning… to find the door shut. I stare at it for a minute, then turn on my heel to grab my car keys. “I’ll be back,” I snap, stalking out of the house and wondering just when the hell I’m going to catch a break.

Lol, you guys wanna see the Nickster crawl, huh?

Well, you'll get your wish. Dee's beta for this fic, and I'm going to get her to impart some of her angsty talent upon me - sorry Nick! But as long as you all continue to love him, I can promise satisfaction in the end. Hope you enjoy this new part!!

Hugs, Linds




<center>Chapter 5</center>


Just for the record – here’s a few stats.

I’m a twenty-one year old, one hundred and seventy pound, six-foot three-inch male with a very rigorous workout regiment, if I do say so myself. I’ve never backed down from a fight in my life.

Yet here I sit inside a Land Rover, staring grimly at the split-level brick house where four teenage women are waiting inside. And the only thing on my mind is - run. Run far, and run hard. But that’s when the whole never-backed-down-a-day-in-my-life thing comes back into play. Sometimes I hate my arrogance.

With a long-suffering sigh, I turn off the ignition and slowly drag myself out of the SUV, hauling myself up the driveway towards the door where a cheerful wreath of roses perches.

Before I can even raise my hand to ring the bell, the door flies open to reveal Amy DeLuca, otherwise known as Maria’s hot mom. She’s a total M.I.L.F… but that’s not something Maria would care to know. Considering the deep shit I’ve landed myself in, I definitely don’t want to be the one to tell her.

She squeals and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly while exclaiming, “Nicholas Trevor Gannon! It’s about time, young man! Where have you been? And don’t give me any of that ‘finding yourself’ crap, because you’ll only make me mad!”

I smile weakly. “No, ma’am. I was-”

“And furthermore, have you any idea how much I worried about you?” she interrupts - easy to see where Maria gets it – and throws her hands on her hips, gifting me with as evil a glare as she can manage. “And poor, poor Joey! Have you been by to see him?”

I don’t point out the fact that no one has ever called Joe Thorton Joey. The mere suggestion would typically send him into a spitting rage, but I assume he puts up with it for the same reason I put up with her hounding me about my bad language.

Because she’s hot.

“Actually, I just got back from seeing… Joey,” I try not to snicker. “He said to thank you for the extra pot roast. Said Little Joey really enjoyed it.”

Her eyes narrow at the amusement in my tone, but she simply says, “He’s a wonderful little boy, isn’t he? You’re very lucky to have such a sweet little brother.”

I open my mouth to reply, but choke on my next comment. Truth is, I’m still not used to being referred to as anyone’s ‘brother’. “Right,” is all I can manage, and I have to clear my throat to get it out.

Her expression softens and she places a hand on my shoulder. “Come on inside, sweetie. The girls are expecting you, I think.”

“Oh, I bet they are,” I mumble, all but dragging my feet as I enter the house. For a minute I debate on just hiding in the closet and leaving as soon as Ms. DeLuca is out of sight… but there’s that arrogance again.

Stiffening my shoulders, I walk up the stairs, growing closer to the sounds of girlish voices and laughter. I take a deep breath and knock on the door to Maria’s room before opening it and poking my head through. “Ladies?”

All conversation screeches to a halt, and I force a smile on my face as I become the sudden attention of four pairs of eyes. Then I’m assaulted with four pillows, straight at my head.

“Grab him before he runs!” I hear Maria shriek, and damn if that isn’t hell on the ego. Even if… well, I might have been getting ready to haul ass. But then Isabel’s fingers close around my wrist and with a swift jerk that has me seriously reconsidering her strength, she yanks me inside while Serena shuts the door and Liz folds her arms across her chest.

I’m at their complete mercy.

I watch as they all begin to circle around me like a school of hungry sharks, and hold my hands up in surrender. “I came willingly… there are certain rules when a prisoner surrenders. Just keep that in mind, okay?”

“Sit down!” Maria barks, slapping something that sounds like a ruler against the desk by her bed. I’m no fool, and I drop immediately into the nearest chair, which happens to be shaped like a pair of puckered lips. Gives a whole new meaning to ‘kiss my ass’, I guess.

I open my mouth to speak, but the ruler comes down sharply with a crack in the air. I wince and cross my legs, lest she grow tired of using the desk and wish to find a new point of retribution.

“Do you understand why you’re here, Gannon?” she asks in a deceptively pleasant tone, slapping the ruler against her hand as she walks forward. The sight of the flannel cow pajamas almost makes me laugh, but the threat of the ruler outweighs the cost.

“Uh… yes?” I reply after it’s obvious the question wasn’t rhetorical.

A hand slaps the back of my head and Liz whispers, “You weren’t supposed to answer, dumbass.”

“Well, how was I supposed to know she was being all metaphorical?” I hiss back, rubbing the back of my head with a wounded expression. “Damn, Liz… that hurt.”

“Oh, shut up, you big baby. I barely tapped you.”

“Oh, must be why my eyes are now lodged across the room.”

“Quiet!” Maria cries, and we all straighten as the ruler comes down again. Damn, that thing should be registered as a deadly weapon. She shakes her blonde head and strikes a pose of lead prosecuter. “What do you have to say for yourself, Gannon?”

No one says anything and I look back and forth between them before opening my mouth hesitantly. “Is it safe to answer?” I whisper. I’m pretty sure I hear a giggle to my right, but when I look Isabel is staring at me with narrowed eyes. So much for an ally.

“Well… I uh…” I stumble for a reply, trying not to notice the fact that they are all standing there in various stages of undress. It would be just my luck – stuck in a room with girls in nighties and they all want to kick my ass. Then my eyes fall on my cousin. “Oh my God!”

“What?” Serena asks in confusion, looking down to where my horrified gaze is trained. She exchanges a glance with Maria, who is watching me with an amused smile. “What?” she asks again.

“I can see your… your… oh my God!” I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping against hope that I can click my heels three times and wake up safe in my old room at Joe’s. Think happy thoughts, happy thoughts… like apple pie and Chunky Monkey ice cream. An all day Die Hard marathon. Tess naked on a bear skin rug. Serena’s nipples… “No! No!”

“What is his deal?” Isabel asks, but Liz and Maria are currently cracking up at my expense.

“Oh, fine!” I grumble, eyes still shut firmly as I cross my arms. “Have your fun, ladies. It can’t get any worse. Go ahead… cut out my kidney and sell it on the black market. I just saw my cousin’s nipples, for chrissakes!”

“Oh my God!” Serena screeches, and I hear Isabel start laughing. “This is not funny, you guys!”

“Here’s a shirt, ‘Rena,” Maria snorts, and I hear a scrap of material fly past my head. “Anyway, let’s get back on track here. You, Nick Gannon, are hereby under accusation of leaving your beloved friends and family behind because you got a bug up your ass and decided to act like a, well… an ass!” she finishes in a loud cry. “Do you deny these charges?”

I hesitantly open one eye and once seeing Serena covered in a baggy Metallica shirt – must be a Michael castoff – I relax. “I plead the Fifth?” I decide hopefully.

“Wrong,” Liz sings. “Let’s hear it, Nick. What’s your excuse?”

I spread my hands open and shrug. “I’m sorry, you guys. I… I just needed to get out of this place for awhile. I know I screwed up, but I swear I had no idea Tess was pregnant.”

I figured going ahead and pointing out that I knew about Tess and was planning on correcting my mistakes would put me in a better light. Instead, they descend upon me like vultures.

“Oh, so you wanna talk about Tess?” Maria growls, picking up the ruler menacingly.

“You made her cry,” Serena shakes her head while watching me in disappointment.

“You made her… fat!” Isabel scrunches her nose. “Or, she will be. I hope you’re happy with yourself!”

“Come on, guys,” Liz breaks in. “Let’s give Nick a break.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Liz,” I say gratefully, giving her a smile. That’s what best friends are for.

“Besides, he can’t help it that his shoe size outweighs his I.Q,” she adds, smacking me upside the head again.

“Owie!” I glare. So much for best friends.

“Why did you leave, Nick?” Maria asks, her lower lip quivering. And just like that, all four of them turn from tempered sirens to sniffling girls with large, wounded eyes.

“Aw, man…” I groan. “This isn’t fair.”

“You… you didn’t even say anything,” Isabel sniffles. “I woke up and Max said you were gone.”

“You left the key under the front mat,” Serena adds in a watery tone.

Liz smacks me again. “I couldn’t eat Chunky Monkey for months without crying.”

“Michael cut his hair!” Maria bawls, and we all turn to stare at her. “Oh, sorry,” she sniffs. “But it makes me emotional.”

“Ladies… I really didn’t mean to upset you,” I try gently. “I really missed you gorgeous girls. Come on… don’t be mad at me. Forgive? I’m just a brainless male bimbo.”

“I wish he was kidding,” Liz mumbles in an aside, then giggles. “Oh, I can’t stay mad at you. I like to save it all up for Mike.” She throws herself at me and hugs me tightly. “But if you ever do something like that again…” she lifts a hand in warning.

I wince and move away. “Duly noted,” I murmur, rubbing the invisible ache from my head before turning to Isabel. “Well?”

“I’m only forgiving you if you take me to the mall tomorrow,” she decides, turning her nose up. “And you have to go in. You can’t just sit in the car and play the drums on the dashboard and pretend you’re that guy from Cowboy Mouth.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble. “Fine! But you can’t drag me through that godawful store again.”

“Nick, there’s nothing wrong with Victoria’s Secret. Most guys love that store.”

“Yeah, they love when girls wear the stuff… but they don’t want to go in there. It only makes us horny and when you’re out in public…” I trail off when they all groan.

“I forgive you, too,” Maria declares, like that’s that. “I really just wanted to scare you with the ruler.”

Right. I shake my head at her, unable to keep from grinning before turning towards Serena. “Well, cuz?”

“Are you moving back in?” she asks.

I bite my lip, unsure of how my news is going to go over. “Actually… I thought I’d crash at Joe’s for a while. You know, mooch as long as I can…”

“But with Tess there, don’t you think…” Isabel trails off and pins me with a suspicious glare.

“What?” I ask innocently.

“Nick, you have to leave Tess alone!” Maria says firmly. “You caused her enough trouble.”

“She’s pregnant with my baby,” I point out, in case anyone forgot. “I plan to be there, okay?”

“Is that all you plan?” Liz asks wryly. “I know you, Nick. You won’t be happy playing second-best to Tess’s boyfriends.”

“Boyfriends?” I shout. “As in more than one? How many, dammit?”

“See?” Liz murmurs in an aside to the other girls.

“Look, me and Tess’s business is our own,” I cross my arms. “So… yeah.”

“Ooh… such a way with words,” Maria snickers.

“I think you should stay away from Tess,” Isabel states, and the rest of them nod.

Great. Now what?

Thanks for the lovely feedback guys! Okay, this part is kind of short... but I already promised the beta I'd have something else for her tomorrow.

Hugs,

Linds


<center>Chapter 6</center>



I’m awakened the next morning by bright sunlight pouring through the blinds. Apparently, Joe hasn’t quite gotten around to furnishing the guestroom. And why should he? He’s only lived here close to seven years.

I should probably mention the fact that I’m not a morning person. After working a night job in a bar for going on three years, and then spending three months making my own hours… I’m not particularly inclined to wake up with the birds and the bees. The fact that I was kept awake until the wee hours of the morning by four angry women doesn’t make it any easier, either.

With a loud groan, I roll over and bury my face into the pillow, hoping to drown out all the… morning-ness. Unfortunately, one part of me is very much awake. With another groan, I reach down and try to adjust the morning wood acting as a forklift.

Of course, the second my hand touches myself, I don’t want to let it go. It sucks to be a horny bastard that isn’t getting any, let me tell you. With a sigh of resignation, I jump up and head into the kitchen for a cup of... something. Coffee. That’s what people drink so they don’t murder someone first thing in the morning, right? I could definitely use a cup.

A few minutes later, I’m breathing in the decadent aroma of freshly brewed java, when Tess enters the room. She stops dead in her tracks upon seeing me, while I take a slow sip from my mug and watch her over the rim.

Lifting a hand to scratch at my naked chest, I study her with raised brows. The aquamarine uniform stretches tight across her plump breasts and ripening belly. Having seen the changes in her body, I’m highly aware of every new curve. And it excites me.

She’s staring at me with wide eyes, which then fall to my crotch as she stiffens. “Nick!”

“What?” I ask, glancing down and grimacing as I see my cock peeking out of the waistband of my boxers. “Whoops. Sorry about that,” I grin, tucking myself back in as I take another sip.

“You… you can’t just walk around here naked,” she huffs, eyes narrowed and cheeks flushed as she turns to reach for her keys on the rack next to the door.

“I didn’t think anyone else was here,” I quirk a brow at her snappish tone, and the fact that she can’t quite look me in the eye. Could it be that I’m having the same effect on her as she’s obviously having on me? Or am I simply wanting it to be true because I need it to be?

“Well… I’m leaving anyway,” she announces inanely. “See you later.”

With that, she turns and walks out of the door without sparing me another glance. Feeling slightly defeated, I turn to watch her as she struts down the sidewalk the way another woman would strut down a runway. Tess has no idea how inately sensual she is, but I do. And so does my dick.

Reaching down to rub my stiffening groin, I sigh as she opens the door to her car and bends down to reach for something in the front seat, her skirt pulling taut across her bottom. The sudden flash of that bottom, naked and pressed against me as I drive long and hard inside her has me releasing a groan of frustration, resting my forehead against the cool window.

She slides in, completely unaware of the lust swimming inside me, and cranks the engine once. Twice. A frown settles across her features as she tries again. Perking up, I begin to wonder if my luck’s changing as she slaps the wheel and opens the door again, rounding the car to pop open the hood.

With a smug smile, I place my coffee cup on the counter and fold my arms in anticipation. Sure enough, I hear the sound of cursing from outside before the door is thrown open to reveal a fuming Tess Harding.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I ask innocently, trying not to grin as she tosses me a smoldering glance.

Shoving back a few blonde curls, she slams the door. “Something’s wrong with that piece of shit. I should have traded it in for your motorcycle before you left.”

For a second, I’m not sure what to say as my absence sneaks up between us again. I clear my throat. “I wouldn’t have sold it to you, anyway.”

“What?” she demands in an injured tone. “Why not?”

I take a step forward, trailing my fingers casually along the counter. “Well, first off… you can barely ride a bike without training wheels, Tess. No, don’t try to deny it,” I grin as she frowns and starts to speak. “Secondly… you can’t ride a motorcycle in your condition.”

She falls silent, but doesn’t appear satisfied. “Whatever. Great, now I’ll have to call someone to pick me up or else I’ll be late. Liz and Maria are already there… Iz is probably haunting the mall… hmm, maybe Ben or Aidan is awake.”

She moves to pick up the phone and I dart forward and close my hand over hers, tightening just enough so that she looks up at me. “Don’t bother,” I say in a soft voice, trying not to look as insanely jealous as I’m feeling at her mention of the Gallagher twins. “I’ll take you.”

“You?” she blanches, pulling away. “But… no, absolutely not.” She shakes her head firmly. “I’ll just call Ben and he can— what are you doing?” She squeals as I grab her arm and begin to drag her behind me towards the guestroom. “Nick, let me go! I’m not going in there with you!”

“And I’m not letting you call and wake up Ben or Aidan. God knows those two need their sleep,” I mumble, tightening my grip on her arm while being careful not to hurt her. “I’m here, I’ll take you. Stop squirming.”

She pulls away as soon as I shut the door, and darts to the opposite side of the room as I watch with a half smile. I shrug my shoulders and turn to rifle through my dresser for a pair of clean underwear. As I slide my boxers down my hips, I hear a loud screech.

“What are you doing?” she demands. “Oh my God… put your damn underwear back on!”

“It isn’t anything you haven’t already seen,” I laugh, looking over my shoulder to see her peeking through the hand clasped over her eyes. “This will just take a second.”

She makes a sound that reminds me of a dog growling, and with another grin I toss the old underwear into the hamper and tug the new ones up my hips. A pair of jeans and a shirt later, and we’re off like a herd of turtles.

I glance over at her as I steer down the back roads towards the center of town. She sits with her arms crossed over her stomach, staring out the window. I reach down to adjust the air conditioner and she stiffens, shooting me a wary glance.

I pretend I don’t notice, even though it feels like a knife in my heart. “Want to listen to something else?” I ask, offering her a smile as I gesture towards the radio.

“This is fine,” she murmurs, as an old Tu Pac song thuds out of the speakers. Tess hates rap.

“Fine,” I mutter, trying not to scowl at her short responses. Before I’d left last night, I had thought we were getting somewhere on our road to recovery. If Joe hadn’t chosen that particular moment to barge in, I would have kissed her. And she would have let me. That makes her newfound distance even harder to bear.

We don’t speak again until the Crashdown comes into view. As I maneuver into a parking slot, I throw out casually, “Call me whenever you get off. I’ll pick you up, okay?”

She arches a suspicious glance my way. “Why?”

I bite back a scowl and smile tightly. “Because I said I would,” I say through my teeth. “Call me.”

She watches me for a moment, then turns her nose up and looks away. “No thanks,” she says airily, and places her hand on the door handle. “I’ll get a ride home from Liz.”

I’m across the seat in a flash, our faces inches away as we glare at each other. Beneath the anger, however, I can sense her desire as her eyes darken and her nostrils flare, her gaze dropping quickly to my lips and back. The subtle movement has me ready to lean forward and lay claim to her.

She licks her lips. I groan. “What are you doing to me?” she whispers, and the heartbreaking tone makes me want to cry.

“I just want to drive you home,” I murmur, bending to nuzzle her nose with mine as I lay sprawled across her in the middle of the Crashdown parking lot. “I just want to help.”

Apparently, I said exactly the wrong thing, because suddenly she’s stiff and glaring again. “I don’t need your help, okay?” she bites off, shoving me away. “Don’t be nice, I don’t want you to be nice.”

“What do you want?” I ask in exasperation, trying to think past the arousal burning in my blood. “Dammit, Tess…”

“I want you to leave me alone,” she cries out, startling us both. “Why did you have to come back, Nick?”

We stare at each other, breathing harshly in the interior of my car as Trick Daddy lays down a beat. “I always meant to come back,” I say inanely, not quite sure what else to say. “I always meant to come back.”

Something shifts in her gaze before she turns to look away. “I’ll ask Liz for a ride home.”

“I’ll be here at three,” I retort, leaning back to rub my eyes. “I’ll sit here until you get off. I’ll fucking follow you home if I have to, but we are going to settle this, Tessa. Once and for all.”

Her breath catches. “I won’t be here,” she answers. “Thanks for the ride, but I don’t need anything else from you.”

“Bet?” I ask softly, turning to snare her in my gaze. “You don’t know what you want.”

“Oh, and you do?” she throws back caustically. “Is that why you ran away three months ago?”

“Maybe,” I admit, catching her completely off guard. I would have never confessed the truth back then, that I really had no clue what I was doing. But despite what Tess or the rest of the gang thinks, I have figured some things out.

She stares at me a minute longer, then shakes her head. “Don’t you dare show up here,” she warns, stepping out of the car.

“Have a nice day at work, dear,” I answer sarcastically, but she’s already walking away.

Okay, you guys. You said you wanted to see Nick suffer... you're about to get your wish, lol. Ahem. I'm channeling Dee again for this part. Sigh... I can't believe I'm about to do this to my baby.

hugs, Linds



<center>Chapter 7</center>



After dropping Tess off, I decide to head over to the Parkers', knowing fully well Michael will be there. He never actually leaves the house until after noon, mostly because he doesn’t generally wake up until then.

I don’t bother using the front door, just walk around to the side of the house and hoist myself up onto the window ledge. Peering inside, I see Michael sprawled out on top of his bed, fully clothed and snoring.

Sighing, I throw open the window and climb in, not bothering to keep quiet as I walk by. Nothing short of Maria screeching at the top of her lungs is going to wake Michael Parker up.

Walking into the hallway, I nod at Mrs. Parker as she passes by. She smiles, then does a double take. “Nick?!”

I plaster a grin across my face. “Mrs. P.”

“When did you get back?” she demands in a huff. “Liz and Michael didn’t say a word.”

“Because I didn’t want you to bug me about it,” Liz says, coming up behind me. “You know Max gets jealous when you pester me about bringing Nick over.” She giggles, fully secure in the fact that she holds Max in her palm of her hand.

“He’s jealous of me?” I grin devilishly. “Good to know.”

“Well, come here and let me get a look at you,” Mrs. Parker snaps her fingers, beckoning me forward. I dutifully move forward as she examines me through narrowed eyes. “Well… you don’t look like a boy who’s spent the last three months doing nothing.”

Liz snorts in disdain. “That’s exactly what he is.”

“Funny.”

“I call it like I see it,” she sneers.

“Liz, don’t you give Nick a hard time… he did what he thought he had to,” Mrs. Parker wraps an arm around me. I’m prepared to smile smugly when she adds, “He can’t help it that he has that darn Y chromosome that seems to cancel out the working part of his brain.”

“Mrs. Parker!”

Liz and her mother slap hands and giggle like schoolgirls. “See you two later,” she sings as she walks off.

“This family is nuts,” I mumble defensively as Liz continues to laugh at me. “I’m leaving… I can’t take anymore of this.”

“Oh, honey… it hasn’t even started yet,” she tsks, grabbing my arm and yanking me into her room. “So… tell me the truth. How do you plan on getting back together with Tess?”

I blink at her excited tone. “Um… am I missing something? Did you not basically threaten to disown me if I tried that?”

She waves her hand. “It’s a woman’s perogative to change her mind. And well… I just want you two to be happy,” she admits. “Call me a romantic at heart, but you guys belong together. Even if you’re an idiot.”

“Gee, thanks. And I thought you were working today, anyway?”

“I switched with Maria. So… what’s the plan?” she flops onto the bed and tucks her knees beneath her. “Time to start the groveling.”

“Hey,” I correct her. “I do not grovel, okay? She can either accept my apology or… what?” I ask as she begins shaking her head.

“You’re groveling,” she states firmly. “Don’t think for one second you can get out of it, Nick. You dumped her, left her for God knows where after getting her pregnant—“

“I didn’t know about that!” I hiss, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks, because I know she’s right. “Besides, the breakup was mutual, okay? I didn’t see her running back to me!”

“Because you were too busy running in the opposite direction.”

Her soft words douse my anger and I slump against the bed, head hanging over the side as my chest starts to hurt. “Why do I always manage to fuck things up?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Good point.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes before she claps her hands together. “Well, we’ll just have to work on her. Have you tried walking around half-naked? That always works with me whenever I’m mad at Max. I always end up jumping him instead.”

“Liz!” I shout in horror, unwillingly imagining Max and Liz… “Oh, Christ! Thanks, I think my brain’s bleeding now.”

“Hmm?” she asks dreamily, apparently reminiscing over one of these instances. “Oh, sorry. But seriously, have you tried it?”

I think back to my striptease earlier. “Yeah,” I mumble dejectedly. “What do you take me for? It was the first thing I tried, okay?”

“And it didn’t work?” she sighs. “Damn, I thought for sure…”

“Apparently the sight of my bare butt doesn’t compare to Max’s,” I answer dryly.

“Whose does?” she grins. “But seriously… she won’t be able to hold back for long. You’re a sexy guy, Nick.”

“Wow, I’m touched, really,” I hold a hand over my heart, sniffling back emotional tears. “Ya think I’m sexy?”

“Yeah, too bad your mouth ruins it!”

A loud pounding comes from the wall across the room. We glance at each other as Michael’s irritated voice booms. “Will you two shut the hell up? I’m trying to have naughty dreams over here!”

I laugh as Liz winces and shouts back, “Shut up, yourself! Pervert!”

“Jerk one for me,” I call out, ducking as Liz tries to tackle me. Standing up with a chuckle, I brush my hands together and head towards the door. “Well, I guess I’ll go bug someone else for awhile. Maybe I’ll just go get something to eat and take it back to the house. Catch up on my daytime television.”

“I can’t believe you let Maria get you hooked on soaps,” she rolls her eyes. “They’re all the same, anyway.”

“Yeah, but the love scenes are hot,” I wink, opening the door and nearly running face first into Max. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Sexy Ass, himself.”

He stares at me. “What did you just call me?”

“Never mind,” Liz says quickly, shooting me a dirty look as she hurries up. “Nick was just leaving, anyway.”

“Oh, I could always stick around, find out what you guys are up to…” I trail off as they start kissing, practically ignoring my existance as Max’s hands slide down her back to squeeze her bottom. “On second thought… curiosity salted the snail.”

They don’t even hear me, now staring into each other’s eyes and exchanging soft kisses that make me equal parts disgusted and envious. The deep-seeded love and affection that glows from them has always been something I wanted for myself. Too bad I ruined the one chance I might have ever had at it.

“See you guys later,” I murmur, looking away as Max takes her into his arms and nuzzles her nose, hugging her tightly as she lays her head against his chest.

I leave, feeling both bolstered and defeated.


<center>***</center>


A knock on the door interrupts me from finding out who cheated on who and had an illegitimate child by their boyfriend’s father on the latest episode of The Young and the Restless. Cursing the person on the other side of the door’s bad timing, I throw it open and find myself staring at one of the Gallagher twins.

Judging by the slightly cautious gleam in his eyes, I assume it to be Ben. “Hey,” he stuffs his hands in the pockets of his shorts, wind tousling his dark hair as we stand there awkwardly.

“What’s up?” I question coolly, not exactly sure what he’s doing here. “Tess is working.” And boy, does it sting to think that might be the reason he’s here, especially after that scene I witnessed between them.

“I’m not here to see Tess.” He curses in a light brogue, and holds his palms out. “Look, before you start pounding on me… I think we should talk.”

I fold my arms across my chest, staring him in the eye. “What makes you think I’d pound you?” I wonder, although we both know the fucking reason. If he admits he’s so much as touched Tess in the wrong way…

“Don’t play dumb, Gannon,” he smirks. “I know you want to kick the shit out of me for cozying up to your woman.”

“She isn’t my woman,” I grunt, ignoring the pain that admission brings forth. “Not anymore, anyway.”

“If only,” is all he says. “Mind if I come in?”

I shrug, holding the door open wider. “Suit yourself. I was just about to pop in The Goonies. I need an acid flashback.”

He blinks. “The Goonies?” he echoes, looking completely confused. “What the fuck is that?”

“Oh, sorry… I forgot Ireland sucks,” I smirk. “You just don’t get raised properly over there, do you?”

“Eat me,” he mumbles.

“Sorry, my tastes run a little differently.”

“Speaking of… have you talked to Chris lately?”

I glare at him as he starts to chuckle. “Is that guy still hanging around?” I grouse, although… and I’d never admit it out loud… he amuses me to no end. If only he didn’t look at me like he’d like to introduce me to the anal side of life, if ya catch my drift.

“Yeah, he’s around. The girls love him,” Ben chuckles. “He’s quite… interesting. I’ve never known anyone so…”

“Freaking queer?” I state dryly. “Yeah, that’s Chris, all right.”

“Anyway, I ask because… Tess works for him. Her other job, I mean,” he adds when I look confused. “It’s just like secretarial work… but I think they’re pretty good friends. You might try talking to him, find out how she feels about things.”

“Why are you helping me?” I ask bluntly. “You want her, too.”

He doesn’t bother to try hiding it. “Aye, I do. But she’s not for me.”

“So… you’d help me get her back, knowing she hates me right now and you could easily maneuver your way into her pants?”

I’ve always considered Ben the more laid-back of the Gallagher twins. But right now, I see why people call it an Irish temper. His dark eyes glittering, he takes a step forward. “That’s not what it’s about, Nick. Don’t be an asshole, because I’ll take you up on the pissing match you’re trying to start.”

I watch him quietly, realizing what I feared to be accurate. He’s in love with her, too. From the way his shoulders slump, he knows I know. I open my mouth to speak, but I’m shocked at the words that come from my throat. “You should be with her, not me.”

He stares at me. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he demands harshly.

“Come on, look at the facts,” I spit out angrily, every dormant emotion rising inside me as I’m faced with the unbarred truth for the first time in my life. “I’ve hurt her, Ben. I’ve fucked up her life in more than one way. We’re… we’re no good for each other. Christ.”

I sit down shakily, rubbing a hand down my face as he watches me in silence. “I’ve said it before… but I never really believed it,” I whisper. “She’s better off without me. She should be with someone else. Someone… someone like you. Someone who can actually offer her something.”

“Are you finished?”

I look up, not bothering to hide the tears gathering in my eyes as he stares at me with an unreadable expression. “Yeah… I think I am,” I say hoarsely. “Jesus, I can’t do this anymore. I just… for once in my life I want to do the right thing.”

“You’re a fucking fool,” he says succinctly. “Just listen to you.”

He doesn’t sound sympathetic, simply disgusted. “What?” I bite off. “What do you want me to do? Give you my fucking blessing? Fine. Be with her. Give her everything I never could. But I swear to God, Gallagher… if you hurt her, I’ll—”

“I couldn’t hurt her,” he interrupts. “Because she doesn’t care a flying fig about me. Haven’t you wondered why I haven’t tried to take things to the next level? You think it’s easy for me to be with her all the time and not show her the way she makes me feel? And yeah, that includes ‘getting into her pants’, as you so callously put it.”

Just the image of Ben and Tess together that way nearly causes me to double over in pain. “Damn it, Ben…”

“Oh, shut the fuck up. What a little pussy you are,” he glares down at me. “Jesus, Nick. Grow some balls, man. I thought you would grow up some during your little vacation from the real world. Have you, Gannon?”

“You’re really starting to piss me off,” I reply, because I can’t think of anything else at the moment, other than the fact he’s right. Damn him.

“Good! Maybe you’ll step out of your pity party and face some facts,” he shouts. “You’re going to be a fucking father. Have you even thought about that?”

Honestly… I haven’t. I mean, aside from the fact that it will happen. It all just seems so… distant. Then again, maybe that’s because I haven’t really wanted to think about it. I’m twenty-two years old… nowhere near ready to be a father to anyone. Shit, I’m already screwed up enough.

That doesn’t mean I’m not committed to being a part of this. But I admit to a lot of insecurity over the entire situation. How is a kid who has me as a role model going to turn out?

“Haven’t thought about it, have you?” Ben asks softly, reading my face as well as my mind. “Wake up, Nick. You’ve got to wake the fuck up. Do you think I’m the only one who’s interested in Tess? You should see the guys who check her out on a regular basis. It’s enough to make me want to go on an all out punching spree, and she’s not even my girlfriend.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, and hope he understands the underlying meaning in my statement. Thanks for being there when I wasn’t.

He seems to catch on, and inclines his head. “Well, I think I’ve given you something to think about. I’ll let you get back to your…” he glances over and smirks. “Stories, is what the housewives call them, right?”

“Fuck you.” But my tone lacks the vehemence to make it truly threatening, sounding flat and weary.

His expression changes, becomes understanding and commiserating. “You’re a good guy, Nick. I’m glad to call you my friend, even if you can be a complete idiot.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that a lot lately,” I answer gruffly.

“Must be something to it then,” he winks, then turns to leave. “By the way, Tess gets off in fifteen. Friday’s her early day. I bet she didn’t tell you that when you dropped her off earlier, huh?”

I don’t bother questioning how he knows, simply wince. “No, she certainly didn’t. Thanks.”

“Anytime. And Nick, if you screw this up again… I’ll be forced to kick your ass.”

“Noted.”

With another nod of his head, he turns and leaves, the door falling closed behind him.


<center>***</center>


I wish I had a camera to capture the expression on Tess’s face when she steps out of the Crashdown to find me sitting on the hood of the car, waiting for her. The smile fades from her face to be replaced with fleeting horror, then absolute anger.

“What are you doing here?” she demands, stalking forward as I slide off the hood to meet her halfway. “I thought I told you not to come!”

“Short term memory loss,” I quip, grinning as she fumes. “Thought you could sneak out without telling me you work a half-day, sweetheart? Haven’t you learned you can’t hide anything from me?”

Although she blushes, she snaps back, “I have nothing to hide from you. I don’t think about you at all, so why would I have something to hide?”

Instead of calling her out on that obvious lie, I simply slide my sunglasses on and gesture towards the car. “Well, since I’m here and all… you need a ride?” I flash her my most disarming grin, hoping like hell she can’t read the intense emotion swimming inside me.

She stares at me for a long moment, before groaning. “Fine. You’ll just follow me, anyway.” With a huff she struts away, looking like five-feet-plus of sexy little female as she yanks open the door, casting me a fulminating glance before slipping inside.

With a deep breath, I walk around to the driver’s side. Once we’re settled, I glance over at her from the corner of my eye as I pull out of the parking lot. She seems distracted and irritated, and I don’t think it all has to do with me.

I decide to take a chance. “You all right?” I ask, keeping my tone casual and my eyes on the road. “I mean, aside from the fact that you’re being forced into my company again.”

Instead of rising to my bait, she surprises me by actually answering the question. “Just some shit at work. They want to cut down my hours because of the pregnancy and well… I need the money, you know?”

“That sucks,” I mumble, because I really have no idea what she’s talking about. “Can’t you just tell them you feel fine?”

“Apparently it doesn’t matter that I feel perfectly capable of working a normal shift,” she returns sarcastically. “What matters is the labor laws. Pregnant women aren’t allowed to be on their feet in an employment position for more than four-to-eight hours, depending on how far along they are, or something.”

“That sounds kind of smart,” my brow furrows. “What if you overtire? Obviously they have the rules for a reason.”

Damn it. I should have just kept my mouth shut, as she turns to glare at me. “I should have known you wouldn’t understand,” she snaps. “I’m sick and tired of people trying to tell me how I should feel! I’m the one having this baby, aren’t I? Not you, not my boss… so don’t try to tell me how I feel!”

“Um…” I’m stuttering over her emotional outburst, when she continues on.

“I’m hot, irritated, I feel like a freaking blimp and my breasts are sore from the damn colostrum buildup!”

What the fuck is colostrum? “Um… Tess… I don’t really…”

“And I haven’t been laid in over three months!” she screeches, nearly causing me to run off the road. “I’m horny as hell, and it doesn’t help to have you around prancing in the buff and… and… stripping and trying to seduce me!”

That does it. I make a sharp turn and pull off the road to turn to stare at her. “Why are you telling me this?” I demand in a harsh tone. “Do you have any idea what you’re… Jesus!”

She stares back at me wildly. “I don’t know! I… I can’t help it. I’m horny and I need… something and—”

She doesn’t get a chance to finish her statement, because I’m already across the car and crashing my lips down on hers. We both moan at the first contact of our bodies in so long. She shifts as I tear off my seatbelt, lowering myself above her as our tongues and teeth lick and nibble.

“Oh, God,” she moans, her hands burying in my hair and dragging me closer. “More… please…”

I can barely think through the haze of lust permeating my brain, when she grabs my hand and brings it to her breast, pressing firmly against her chest. “Oh, damn baby…” I groan, resting my forehead against hers as I swallow, eagerly cuddling and squeezing her through the soft material of her uniform. As I reaquaint myself with her changing curves, she reaches between us and grasps my hardening cock, nearly making my eyes cross as I let out a strangled groan.

“I want you,” she whispers, licking her ripe lips as she looks into my eyes. “I need you, please. Please, Nick. Even if it’s only sex.”

I open my mouth to tell her it’s never been just sex between us, but she grabs the back of my neck, pressing our lips together hungrily. I vaguely wonder if the windows are steaming up as we begin grinding against each other, desperately seeking out any flesh we can find.

I pull back with a gasp. “We can’t do this here, baby,” I groan hoarsely. “Anyone can see…”

“Take me home, then,” she purrs, fingers stroking the bare skin of my lower back where she’s hidden her hands. “Take me.”

“Oh, hell yes,” I hiss, bending to press another heated kiss against her mouth before pulling back jerkily to start the engine. She surprises me by shifting to run her hands up my thighs as I attempt to steer us toward Joe’s, fingers playing dangerously close to my groin.

When she closes her hand around me again, I groan and slump into the seat, wondering if it’s possible to erupt into flames from just a touch alone. I reach down with the intent of pushing her hand away, lest I blow my load in my shorts then and there, but end up tangling my fingers with hers and pressing harder against my cock.

We’re both breathing harshly as we explore my erection together and I steer one-handed down the road. The second I park, we’re out of the car and racing towards the house. With a giggle that makes me feel twenty times lighter, she allows me to pull her inside where she proceeds to wrap herself around me.

“Damn…” I mumble as she starts kissing my neck and I nearly knock over the bookshelf. “Hold on, babe.”

“Don’t wanna,” she whispers against my neck. “I want you. I want your hands… your mouth all over me.”

“Oh, you’re gonna get it,” I answer huskily, bending to lift her into my arms. She gasps at my obviously masculine display and wraps her legs around me as we fumble towards her room.

“No, no…” she whispers as I attempt to push open the door. “Not in there.”

I pull back to stare at her. “What? Why not?”

She nibbles her lips, then blurts out, “I want to do it where you sleep… so I can smell your scent… all over me.”

Well hell. I clear my throat, afraid my voice might actually crack as I answer, “All right.”

I back up a ways, kicking open the door to the guestroom and slamming it shut with the back of my foot as I head towards the bed. Seconds later, we’re rolling on the mattress, tearing clothes away from our bodies as lips roam to find any available bare skin.

The sight of her naked breasts, pressed close to my face momentarily distracts me as she shifts to straddle me. I lift my head and take one ripe peak into my mouth, suckling hungrily as she moans and wraps a hand around my head. “Oh, yess…”

I make a noise of appreciation, pulling back to lick the swollen tip before switching to the other, plumping her breasts with my hands as she begins to roll her hips above me, brushing against my erection with every thrust.

“Now!” she cries out, pulling away as she fumbles with my shorts, yanking them down in a way that makes her breasts jiggle in a most distracting manner. I groan at the sight, eagerly lifting my hips to allow her to finish undressing me. She removes her panties and sits up to take me inside her.

“Wait,” I say, suddenly realizing this is moving way too fast. “Wait a second, I want to…”

“Shh,” she places a finger against my lips. “It’s ok, I’m already pregnant, remember? We don’t need any protection.”

“That’s not what I… oh, shit,” my eyes roll back and my hips surge as she takes me inside of her, closing around me like a slick, hot glove. I can feel every inch of her, and sweat begins to bead across my flesh as she stares back down at me. “God, you feel fucking good.”

“Mmm…” she purrs in a sultry tone, grinding forward. “Ditto.”

“Tess…” I groan out as she starts riding me hard and fast, just the way I love. My hands come up to clench her hips as we both pant in the stillness of the room. “Baby… I… I love…”

“Oh, God!” she cries out, throwing her head back as she begins to contract around me. “I think I’m…”

“Oh, me too,” I groan, bucking my hips as my orgasm shoots through me like a bullet.

She collapses on top of me, still moaning in pleasure and rocking her hips gently against mine. I attempt to draw her lips towards mine, but she evades me. I decide to tell her what’s on my mind.

“That was pretty damn wonderful,” I start off hesitantly, wondering just how to approach the fact that I still love her and want to be with her.

“Mm-hmm,” she answers non-committedly. Definitely not the reaction I was hoping for. Then again, she wouldn’t have just made love with me if she didn’t feel something, right?

“Baby, we need to talk,” I say softly, playing with a long curl that lies across my chest.

She stiffens, looking up to meet my eyes for the first time. “About what?”

I stare at her like she’s crazy, which I’m beginning to wonder. With a nervous chuckle, I look down pointedly to where we still lay joined. “Well… for starters, we just made love and—”

“Sex.”

I stare at her as she interrupts. “Excuse me?”

“We had sex,” she states sharply, sitting up and pulling away as I try to keep her still. “Love had nothing to do with it.”

“What are you…” I make a grab for her and bark out, “Just where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“Oh, I’m sorry… I thought we were finished here,” she responds to my heat with coolness, glancing down pointedly at my rapidly drooping cock.

“Damnit, what’s your problem?” I throw out, trying to figure out where the hell everything went wrong. One minute we were so hot, and the next… a sickening thought begins to build in my mind as I replay her words from the last half hour. I had been so elated at the idea of being close to her again, I never stopped to consider why she was behaving this way.

“I don’t have a problem,” she answers, standing up and grabbing at her clothes. Holding the Crashdown uniform like a shield, she looks down at me. “I had an itch, and you scratched it. Thanks, Nick.”

And with that, she turns and walks out.

This part is pretty short, but I promise a new one tomorrow. So... think of it as part A.

Also, in case anyone is interested... I've started a canon, no you read that right... CANON fic. Give it a try and let me know what you guys think!

Gravity of the Situation

hugs, Linds


<center>Chapter 8 </center>


After Tess walks out, I lie there feeling a million different emotions course through my mind and body. There’s a numbness setting in that threatens my capability to understand what the hell just happened.

With the sweat from our coupling quickly drying on my skin and raising gooseflesh on my naked form, I stare up at the ceiling fan as it turns in a slow rotation. The longer I stare, the more fuzzy my vision becomes, until I realize that tears are filling my eyes.

“Fuck,” I breathe out in a pained hiss, reaching up to pinch the bridge of my nose as my lips quiver against my will. “You walked right into that one, Gannon.”

I refuse to cry over what was quite obviously a pointed statement from Tess addressed towards me. Yeah, it hurts like hell that she could use me that easily and turn away, but I can’t say I don’t deserve it on a level. Too bad it hurts so badly that I want to die.

“Anyone home? Helloooo…?”

I stiffen as the voice of the last person I need or want to deal with echoes through the living room, soft steps moving closer. With a curse, I jump up and nearly lose my balance as a sudden headrush overcomes me. One arm out in front of me for support, I lean against the dresser and yank a pair of sweatpants up my hips. A shirt later and I step into the hallway to come face to face with Kathleen.

She turns around at my approach, a welcoming smile on her pretty face. It falters as she catches sight of me, her lips parting into a surprised ring as I rake my hair from my forehead. “Nick,” she says softly, dragging the corners of her lips back up in a shaky smile. “Joe hadn’t mentioned you were back home.”

“Do you speak with him often?” I ask, forcing a polite tone to my voice as I lean against the wall. “I just came back, which is probably why he hasn’t mentioned it.”

“Of course,” she smiles broadly. “So… how was your… vacation?” Her brow furrows. “I’m afraid he didn’t elaborate on why you left…”

I meet her gaze directly. “I needed to get away,” is all I say. A thick tension fills the room, and has her clearing her throat as a faint flush darkens her cheeks.

“Well, I’m sure Joe is thrilled to have you back,” she tries again, an almost earnest expression crossing her features. “I know how much he adores you.”

“Thanks.” Really, what else can I say? I pretty much adore the big lug, too. Shifting uncomfortably, I nearly wish for Joe to walk through the door and save me from having to say anything else to this woman.

I have nothing against Kathleen Toploski… aside from the fact that she got pregnant with Joe’s child, broke up with him and took off for California without ever letting him in on that vital detail. I still remember the first weeks of staying with Joe, when I used to prepare myself to leave again every night.

I’d stand there, wearing two or three different sets of clothing, anything else of worth shoved into my bookbag while one hand was locked around the doorknob. It was always in the middle of the night that he allowed the pain to come out.

There’s nothing more disturbing than hearing a grown man cry. It isn’t a delicate feminine occurrence complete with sniffling and whimpers. It’s a horrifying, soul-wracking experience. And I shed a few of my own tears over the situation, no matter that I was at the tender age of fifteen and thought myself beyond such emotions.

Despite my determination to leave Joe Thorton and Roswell behind, every night without fail I would find myself sitting outside of his door and listening as he called out her name, those horrible sounds escaping his throat and sending shivers down my spine. And I knew I couldn’t leave. In my childish heart I believed that maybe… maybe he needed someone, too. Maybe that someone could be me.

God only knows we all need someone eventually.

So yeah, I have nothing against Kathleen Toploski… aside from the fact that I dislike her with a burning passion for all she’s done to the person who means the most to me. The person who knows me better than I even know myself, and seems to accept me without hesitation.

“Kathleen?” Tess’s voice sounds from behind me. I try not to show my surprise as I glance over my shoulder and meet her gaze. She pauses, our bodies pressed close together. Despite our last encounter, I can’t fight the way my blood heats as her gaze flicks down to my lips and then back. “Excuse me,” she whispers softly.

I don’t move out of her way, wanting her to suffer in some perverse way. Instead, I press closer, forcing her to brush against the length of my body as her breath begins to quicken. “Pardon me,” I murmur, an edge in my voice as she stares at me.

Oblivious of the tension or the reason behind it, Kathleen smiles. “There you are. I was wondering if maybe you weren’t feeling well and had decided to cancel.”

“Oh no, I was just getting ready,” Tess replies, shooting me a last warning glance and shoving at my chest lightly. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Ready for what?” I blurt out, my mind still reeling from the scent of her… recalling the tight, sweet feel of her around me not even an hour ago.

“Nothing,” she replies quickly, at the exact same time that Kathleen says, “We’re going shopping for baby furniture.”

“Really?” I raise a brow as Tess’s lips flatten. “Baby furniture?” I try not to feel hurt that she didn't even give me the option of coming with them. That she didn't even consider I would want to be a part of it.

“It’s not big deal,” she snaps, and Kathleen’s eyes widen in understanding as she looks away in the uncomfortable silence.

“On the contrary,” I smile easily. “It sounds fun. Mind if I tag along?”

“Well, I…” Kathleen trails off, obviously torn as Tess shoots blue flames my way. “I don’t see why not…?”

“Nick,” Tess smiles through her teeth. “I’m sure you have much better things to do with your time. Right?”

“Hmm… no?”

Something that resembles a growl escapes her throat. I simply smile provokingly, one brow raised in challenge. I stare right back at her, folding my arms across my chest, unwilling to back down. “You’ll need someone to carry the boxes, right? Someone… strong?”

“Oh, get over yourself,” she bites off, then flushes darkly. “Fine. Come then, I don’t care.”

“Great.”

“Wonderful.”

We’re directly in front of each other now, breathing heavily as we stand nose to nose.

“Maybe we should do this another time…” Kathleen trails off as we both spin around and shout, “No!”

“Go ahead,” Tess waves her arm magnanimously. “It’s a free country, Nick.”

“I’m all for freedom, baby,” I growl back, delighting as her nostrils flare angrily. “See ya in the car.”

“You aren’t going in that,” Kathleen laughs lightly. “Nick, you’re in your pajamas.”

“Good point,” Tess crows triumphantly. “Sorry, Nick, we just really don’t have the time to wait around for you… where are you going?”

“Out to my car,” I call, opening the door and stepping out into the daylight. “I have a change of clothes in the back. Just a moment, ladies.” I bite back a smirk of regret as the sound of a muffled shriek reaches my ears.

<center>Chapter 9</center>


“I wish I could afford it…it’s beautiful.”

I glance over where Tess and Kathleen are cooing over an attractive Jenny Lind bassinet. Or at least, that’s what the tag says. “I like it,” I answer, but only receive a small smile from Kathleen and a cold shoulder from Tess. “For what it’s worth,” I mumble, scowling and feeling like an absolute tool as Tess snaps her fingers towards me. I shove the shopping cart forward at the exact instant a twenty-something male walks up.

“Can I help you?” he asks smoothly as Tess turns around at the sound of his voice. “We have a sale on the…”

I block out his words as I watch the interaction between them. My blood feels like it’s boiling as she smiles back at him, discussing price ranges. His eyes trail up and down her body and a growl escapes my throat.

“Did you say something, Nick?” she ponders politely, obviously unwilling to treat me like shit around a perfect stranger. But she only meets my burning gaze for a split second before looking quickly away.

My jaw locks together tightly as I glance from her to the male clerk. We exchange a tension-filled stare, which he correctly interprets and quickly excuses himself. Before I can feel a momentary pang of smugness, however, I find myself forgotten and lagging behind as the women move on to the clothing aisle.

I release a breath as my eyes fall to the baby bassinet Tess had been eyeing with such longing eyes. Her soft words echo through my mind…

“I wish I could afford it…”

Without another thought, I grab a ticket from the pouch and shove it in my pocket before following after them. One step into the aisle and I’m frozen in place as my eyes take in the shelves of carefully folded garments, each one miniature and covered with trucks or flowers, pink or blue. Something in my stomach rumbles, not a sick feeling…but it makes me shaky all the same.

My gaze narrows in on a pair of denim overalls, a floppy-eared puppy making up the bib. He grins back at me as I reach out, stroking the velvety nose between my thumb and finger. The vivid image of a towheaded young boy stomping through the mud with a rascally expression on his face rips through me, and my fingers clench around the material.

“Hey.”

I start in surprise, turning to meet Tess’ unreadable expression as she watches me. I swallow, feeling overpowered by thoughts as I manage a husky, “Hey. You…you guys done?”

She nibbles her lip and for the first time since this afternoon’s debacle, her features soften. “Yeah, we’re done,” she answers softly, her gaze traveling to where my hand still rests on the pair of overalls. “Are you okay?”

“What? Why do you say that?” I demand, pulling my hand away as I realize where she’s staring. I shove it into my pocket, shifting on my other foot as color burns in my cheeks. Our eyes meet and something arcs in the air as she takes a step closer, tearing her gaze away and touching the garment thoughtfully.

“It’s adorable,” she murmurs. “Can’t you just see a little boy running around in this?” She looks up and smiles at me, the first true offering of a semblance of peace between us.

I can’t help but nod inanely, watching her fingers stroke across the material. Is it my imagination, or did she move closer? The scent of her delicate perfume fills my nostrils as she shifts, the length of her hair brushing across my forearm. I go immediately, powerfully hard.

In a blatant attempt to hide my burgeoning desire, I blurt out the first thing on my mind. “When will we find out?”

“Find out what?” she asks, sifting through the clothing and looking more gorgeous than any woman has the right to look.

I love women, and I make it my life’s work to be around them. Young or old, they all fascinate the hell out of me. I’ve seen enough pregnant women to fill a small stadium, but I’ve never seen one who appears as fucking radiant as Tess Harding.

It sounds so cliché, yet it’s the truth. She just…glows. I’ve always associated the first trimester of pregnancy with mad rushes to the bathroom where you throw your guts up, but even having just entered her second trimester…there’s nothing sickly about her. There are bags under her eyes that concern me, but at this moment in time she’s made it clear that I have no control over what she does and how much she works.

Pushing away those troubling thoughts and the questions that burn on the tip of my tongue, I settle for one that’s safe enough to discuss in a crowded baby superstore. “When will we find out if it’s a girl or a boy?”

She looks up, a sparkle of excitement shining in her eyes. “Well…we can find out, or we can be surprised.”

“I hate surprises,” I grumble goodnaturedly, earning a giggle from her lips. The sound does more for making me feel like a man than the dirtiest, raunchiest sex session ever could. I have to resist the urge to puff my chest out and announce to the entire store that I made Tess Harding…giggle.

“So do I,” she answers softly, leaning in like she’s imparting the darkest secret to me. One hand rests lightly on the shelf next to mine and my fingers twitch with the need to move just an inch…so they can tangle around hers. I literally have to take deep breaths to keep my urges under control.

My urges, for chrissakes. To hold her hand.

Completely oblivious to my inner turmoil, she pulls back and turns her attention to a pair of red tennis shoes. “If we agree to find out, then they can determine the sex as early as twenty weeks, I think,” her nose wrinkles. “But they can never be too sure. I don’t think I could wait, you know?”

She rambles on, and I just watch in dazed silence as she gives me a play-by-play of her last doctor’s appointment. The crushing guilt that I wasn’t there…that I didn’t even know she was pregnant weighs down on me again, keeping me from being able to do much more than smile and nod.

Eventually she notices my lack of response and begins to slow, an uncertain expression crossing her features as she clears her throat. “Anyway…twenty weeks,” she finishes in an embarrassed rush as I continue to stare at her. “Sorry, I forget that you’re…” she trails off, biting her lip and turning away in obvious misinterpretation of my actions. “I’ll just…go…”

The second I realize the path of her thoughts, I snap out of my clouded daze and reach out to catch her arm. “Wait…” I murmur thickly. “I didn’t…I…”

“You don’t want to hear this,” she laughs, a definite edge back in her voice as she pulls away and crosses her arms above her breasts. “And it’s okay, Nick. I understand.”

“I do want to hear this,” I state feverishly, taking a step forward and blocking her into the small nook where the shoe rack stands. “I just…I realized I’ve missed so much.” The second the words are out, I wish I could choke them back as I expect her to pull even further away by the truth behind them.

Instead, she stares at me for a long moment before asking softly, “Where did you go, Nick?”

The sudden change in topic throws me for a loop as my mouth opens and I struggle for a reply. “Where did I go?” is my mindless answer.

“When you left,” she elucidates, even though we both know what she meant. “Where did you go? Who were you…” she trails off, flushing and looking away sharply.

Who were you with? I finish her statement in my head, knowing that’s what she really wants to know. Hell, it was the first thing I wondered when I came back to Roswell. Who the hell had put their hands on her in my absence? The fact that she’s curious enough to bother asking nearly makes me want to fall to my knees and cry.

“I was in Miami,” I answer truthfully, watching as he eyes fly back to pin me with an incredulous expression. Before she can ask, I add, “I have some…friends who live there.”

She goes rigid. “Friends?” she inquires coolly, trying to appear casual as she asks the question. But she can’t hide the blatant jealousy that has taken root in her tone.

Taking a huge chance, I answer softly with, “You have nothing to worry about, Tessa.” As expected, her gaze collides with mine in a blue clash, stark emotion emanating in the air that separates us. Another chance, as I step forward, slowly closing the distance between us. “Do you know what I thought of every day, every second I was there…sitting on the beach at night and staring out over the ocean, wondering how I could be seeing something so beautiful…and it couldn’t move me at all?”

She doesn’t answer, simply shakes her head as both of us tremble. The fact that we’re in a public store no longer holds any importance, the realization that anyone could come back here and see us doesn’t even enter my realm of possibility as I whisper, “Because…I’ve already seen something more beautiful. And I lost it.”

She inhales on a ragged gasp, the naked emotion in my tone proving too much for her decision to keep me at arm’s length as she averts her gaze, looking everywhere but at me. “Nick, don’t…” she begs, finally meeting my gaze again as I move to take her in my arms. “Please,” she whispers. “Don’t touch me right now.”

“Okay,” I hear myself saying, my voice husky as I take a shaky step back. “Tess, I…”

I don’t know what I planned to say, something profound I hope, but I’ll never know because at that moment Kathleen’s questioning voice sounds the next row over.

“Tess? Nick? Are you both ready? Hello…?”

“Over here,” I manage, stepping away and giving her the distance she needs to pull herself together. Hell, I need my own space right now as I run a hand raggedly down my face. The second Kathleen appears, Tess explodes into motion and begins mumbling as she pulls the shopping cart towards the cash register.

Once there, she pulls out her credit card to charge the expenses. I catch the slightly uncertain expression on her face before she holds out the card, and I can practically hear her sighing over the loss of hard-earned money. That’s what has me reaching out and closing my fingers over hers before the clerk can take the card. “Wait,” I say, reaching into my pocket and yanking out my wallet.

“Nick, what are you—”

“Put it on this,” I ignore her as I hold out my own VISA to the bored looking clerk. “Oh, and put this on it, too.” I pull the slightly wrinkled ticket out of my pocket and slap it on the counter. Tess gasps, but I don’t meet her gaze.

Instead, I direct my comment to Kathleen, who’s watching with a half-smile on her pretty face. “I have a bit saved up from working over the summer…I’m not using it for anything else.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Tess staring at me with wide, uncertain eyes and I know she’s about to protest. I turn and meet her gaze, saying softly, “This is my baby, too, remember? Let me do this. Please.”

She blinks, then nods silently as I release a breath I hadn’t even known I was holding. I smile, feeling as though at least one bridge has been rebuilt.

<center>Chapter 10</center>



“Drowning your sorrows?”

I glance up to find Aidan smirking at me knowingly. I don’t bother replying, just nod towards the empty mug in front of me. He raises a brow, picking it up and placing it under the keg tap. For a long moment, the only sound that can be heard is that of the edgy beat of Judas Priest.

“What the hell do women want?” I blurt out suddenly, trailing my finger along the shiny bar. My mind is pleasantly hazy thanks to the alcohol coursing through my system.

Aidan snorts softly before sliding me the newly refreshed mug of Sam Adams. “Do I look like bloody Mel Gibson?”

I squint, the action distorting his features in the dimly lit room. Shrugging one shoulder, I pick up the glass and take a long draw of the amber liquid. “You’re probably right,” I smack my lips. “But still…there has to be a method to the madness.

“Christ Jesus, Gannon…you aren’t going to start waxing poetic on me, are you?”

Completely immersed in my own world, I continue haplessly. “I thought I’d just come back and everything would be…fixed.”

“You are a fucking moron, my friend.”

“Thanks for pointing out the obvious, and tell your brother to find his own damn woman.”

“I heard that,” Ben’s belligerent voice calls from down the bar. “What the hell has you so mopey tonight? I heard you were very charming earlier…buying baby furniture and drooling over overalls and the like.”

Aidan chuckles while I scowl. “You talked to Tess? Funny…she sure won’t talk to me…and here I thought she was finally starting to not hate me with such a fiery passion.”

Ben approaches, wiping his hands with a rag before leaning over and clapping my back. “Buck up, friend of mine. She’s touched…and she doesn’t want to be. Give her some time.”

Before I can answer, Joe comes walking out of his office, yanking on a fancy tie and dressed like he’s about to attend a Broadway performance. A faint glint of nerves shines in his eyes and has my gaze narrowing. “You look like a lawyer,” I grumble, downing the rest of my drink and letting out a rude burp.

“I hate these fucking things,” he rumbles. “Are they supposed to choke you?”

“Where are you off to, looking so debonair?” Aidan drawls teasingly, exchanging amused glances with Ben and me. “I take it you aren’t hanging around for the night?”

“Nope, you boys are on your own tonight,” Joe confirms. “Try not to blow anything up and if you do…don’t let Michael try to fix it. In the meantime, I’m off to some PTA meeting-dinner thing with Kathleen.”

We all pause and blink before repeating, “PTA meeting?”

“Yeah you know…parent-teacher-association…thing…” he trails off as we all start laughing. “What the fuck is so funny?”

“You,” I grin shamelessly, leaning back and crossing one ankle over my knee. “That no account Joseph Thorton all dressed up and attending a PTA meeting. Has there been a plague of locusts swarming through lately? Maybe a river of blood? Say, you haven’t experienced any festering boils…”

“That’s enough,” Joe cuts me off dryly as the Gallagher twins snicker. “And you’d best be taking notes, smart ass.”

The not-so-subtle reminder about my own impending parenthood sobers me pretty quickly and I lay my forehead against the cool bar. “Jesus…I’m gonna ruin the kid’s life.” When I’m met with no answer, I lift my head and frown. “Well, let’s not all jump to disagree.”

“I heard you were back.”

The familiar voice, full of amusement and husky with flirtation causes me to groan loud and long before I turn around to find myself staring into a pair of cobalt eyes. “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water,” I quip wryly.

“Oooh…you are a fiesty one,” Chris Perkins grins, sliding onto the barstool next to mine as he nods at Joe, Ben, and Aidan. “Is this a meeting of macho men?”

“Till you showed up,” I grumble, but a part of me is actually kind of glad to see the fucker. He’s all right for a dick-bandit…

“Hey Chris, how was the big date with what’s-his-name?” Aidan wiggles his brows with interest, and my jaw drops open at the easy comraderie that exists between them all now. “Did you score…or did you score, huh buddy?”

“Apparently I helped him re-find religion,” Chris returns with a devilish grin that has Aidan hooting and Ben unable to hide a smile.

“Shit, we’re gonna be late,” Joe mutters, checking his watch. “Where the hell is Kath…” He trails off, his eyes widening then darkening as he stares at something over my head. Unable to resist, I turn to see what’s captured his attention and my own eyes grow large.

“Sorry, Tess had a bit of an upset stomach so I stayed until she was feeling better and then I realized how late it was and…well, here I am,” Kathleen speaks in a husky rush as she approachs the bar. Dressed in a silky knee-length dress and heels that emphasized her shapely legs, it’s easy to see why my best friend had once been so captivated by the blonde beauty.

“Um…” Joe clears his throat twice before managing, “It’s no problem…”

I cock a brow at the slight quaver in his voice and wonder if I was too premature in putting a past tense to Joe’s feelings for Kathleen. The idea of them together doesn’t affect me nearly as much as it once had, even days ago. I guess after spending time with Kathleen today and realizing she isn’t the evil, cold-hearted bitch I once perceived her as helped…not to mention the fact that she and I share something in common.

We both had to get the hell out, but inevitably came back.

“Oh…get out of here, you two,” I wave them off like a proud parent. “And don’t stay out too late or I’ll dock your allowance. And the car better be in tip-top shape when you get back. And no hanky panky.”

“Bye,” Joe purposefully elbows me on the way out. “Aidan…you’re on lock up.”

“Well…that was interesting,” Chris muses. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say that—”

“He wants to bone her so bad,” Aidan shakes his head slowly.

“Oh God…I gotta get out of here,” I mock grimace while slapping down a few bills. “While I can still drive, anyway.”

“I think that little goal has already been surpassed,” Chris mumbles.

“You aren’t going anywhere until Max gets here to drive you home,” Ben decides. “In fact, he should be here any minute since I already called him fifteen minutes ago.”

“What?” I bluster. “How did you know I was gonna leave? In fact…what if I changed my mind, huh? You can’t make me leave with Max, Gallagher. You can’t make me do anything I don’t wanna do. In fact—”

“Time to go, Nick,” Max’s voice rings out and I whirl around to find him trying not to laugh.

“Dude…it’s not funny.”

“You’re tanked, dude,” he returns. “Come on. Say goodnight, Nick.”

“Goodnight, Nick,” Ben and Aidan both chime in with wide grins.

“Yeah, night sweet ass,” Chris purses his lips.

“Dream on, ass muncher.”


<center>***</center>


“Good God, how much has he had to drink?” I hear Tess’ hushed voice and my lids flutter to see her talking with Max. “Thanks for driving him home, Max.”

“He’s not too bad…needed to let off some steam,” Max defends me. “He’s been pretty tense lately with…everything…”

Tess’ murmurs an agreement in a troubled tone. “Hmm…”

I decide to make my presence known. “Hey…are we there yet?” I joke, my voice thick with sleep.

“Hey, buddy…can you walk?” Max asks softly. “You passed out on the way over.”

“I did not pass out, I was resting my eyes,” I glare at him. “Jesus, I’m really not that drunk.” To prove myself, I stand up and only wobble a little as I make my way inside the house, Max and Tess on my heels. “Where’s Joseph?”

“Asleep…it’s nearly eleven,” Tess answers. “Did you have fun?”

“Would you care?” I ask coolly, my hurt over the way she shut me off after I had thought we’d made a truce rising up to clench in my heart. “You didn’t seem too eager for my company tonight.”

Her face flushes and she looks away as Max clears his throat. “I’m gonna go…I promised Liz I wouldn’t be long…” He thumbs over his shoulder, obviously looking for an escape.

“See ya…and thanks for the ride,” I say gruffly, still staring at Tess’ profile.

“Bye, Max,” she adds softly.

The moment the jeep pulls away from the house, leaving us alone, I cross my arms and lean against the wall, staring unabashedly.

She stiffens her spine before turning to meet my gaze. “Come on…you need some sleep.”

“No, you don’t want to know what I need,” I answer in a hot tone, my gaze traveling up and down her body, taking in the long shirt and tiny pair of shorts. “So to make it easier on both of us, I can take care of myself. Goodnight, Tess.”

I turn to walk away, but she stops me with one plaintive, “Nick, please.”

I close my eyes briefly before turning to face her, feeling confusion and several other emotions swirling in my mind. “What, Tess?” I whisper achingly. “Just tell me…what do you…”

Before I know what’s happening, she’s in my arms and her lips are crashing down on my own. My arms close around her, pulling her onto her toes as I tilt my head to receive her more fully, more deeply. Just as I’m ready to groan her name, she pulls away and whispers, “Thank you… for today…”

Her fingers trail along my mouth and she offers me a smile as her brow wrinkles, and I know she’s feeling the same sense of perplexity. I don’t answer, just staring after her as she turns and walks to her room, the sound of the door shutting behind her.