Found At Last (Closed)

Kayla Rose was in the process of moving her entire life to not only a new city but a new state. Leaving her life behind and everything that went with it. She was leaving the past in the past, the lonely nights, the tear felt moments curled up with ice cream and a spoon on the couch by herself. She wasn't going to be the same broken hearted girl she once was. She hadn't dated since the event. Hadn't looked at another man, unable to get the words and look of her best friend from her minds eye.


******* 6 years earlier*******
"I object!" The voice cried out as the church doors were slung open. Her eyes shot to the man she had spent her life with. Her best friend and the most important person in her life.

"I'm sorry for interrupting this service, but I have to say something first. Kay, I'm in love with you. I have since the second grade when we first met. I tried to tell you multiple times, but you never seemed to understand how I meant it. I know I have no right to say this, but you needed to know how I felt, honestly for once," He shouted shaking like a leaf. His words spoken and his heart obviously broken her turned, running out. Disappearing as quickly as he appears.

"Who the hell was that!" Hands gripped hers at the alter as she stared out at the man she had known all her life. She could hear her mother cursing and reprimanding him for ruining such a day. She could feel her groom squeezing her hands. But everything felt as though it was off in the distance. A mirage that wasn't entirely there.

"Kayla. What is your response." It was the Priest who held the bible tight in his hand. Looking around at the many guests she thought about everything in that moment. None of this was what she wanted. How could she have not seen the writing on the walls. The way he had always laughed with her even if it wasn't funny. How he had doted on her, cared for her always with a smile on his face. The way he hugged her when she was down. Tears touched her eyes as she stood at the alter.

Looking to her groom she shook her head in silence. She hadn't wanted this wedding. She had wanted something small, a simply dress, a simple wedding. Now she was standing there in a dress that not only was to tight and covered in glitter but was so filled with fluff she wouldn't be able to sit down. There were hundreds of people sitting there, gawking at her. This wasn't her life!

Taking a step back she shook her head again. "I... I'm sorry. I just." She looked around one last time. "I can't." Turning she pulled up her dress just enough to run down the stairs and out of her own wedding and into her own life. Only to find the one person she needed in her life no where to be found.

******Present*******

She had taken the red eye flight to her new home, making it in just in time to begin unpacking enough to find her suit and work things. She was a marine biologist waiting on her next grant to come through so she could continue her research off the coast. She barely managed to tame her bright red hair as she walked out the door. She was scheduled to have a tour of the her new 'office' before sitting down to do paperwork.

The university was not only big it looked rather old to her green eyes and her tour guide seemed just as old as the school. The poor old man worried her as he showed her up and down the halls, speaking of the history and sharing stories of his youth. "Now this is where you will be teaching. This is our science wing. Down the hall is the labs. This is the chemistry rooms. Then we get into the psychology rooms, next is Economics." The old man waved his hand. "After Economics is Marine Biology where your room will be."

She smiled hugging her things to her chest. "Thank you. This is such a beautiful school." Looking around she wasn't taking any time to watch ahead of her. Before she knew it a door was opened in her face causing her to topple on her heels. She barely had time to keep her skirt from revealing to much.

Jack meets Kay after six years

The second year economics class was going well, talking about the value of money and whether investing in the stock market or a savings account was the best way to insure they would have money in the future. Some of the students had taken his first year course and were now getting more in depth about economic issues when one of those students raised his hand.

"Yes Jeremy."

"Professor Jackson my girlfriend and I are engaged and we were wondering if it is better to wait and save up enough money to get married or should we take the plunge now even though we don’t have much money in the bank?"

Jack Johnson, JJ to his friends and Professor of Economics at the prestigious Central College looked at the young man and smiled. At 6'2" he stood tall in front of the classroom. Running his hand through his blonde hair, he thought about the question. It was an age old question that had been around for many years and he had heard the question from past students. They were young lovers eager to start sharing their lives together but concerned about having enough money to make it in a tough world. As he looked at the student and then over the class of 30 students, he thought of a long lost love, Kayla Rose. A love he didn't act upon and now she was gone, probably happily married with kids.

"That's an interesting question Jeremy. There is really no good answer as to when two people should get married. Some think it is better to invest their money and wait until they have a nest egg to start. Others argue that if they wait they will be waiting for a long time. And what happens if he stock market crashes or the banks fail.” Jack looked out over the students and added, "If you truly love each other then you should start sharing that life together no matter what your economic position is." He saw some of the students nodding their heads as if to confirm his theory.

"Mr. Johnson. Did you have a true love and did you marry her?" came the question from a cute blonde in the front row.

There were a few giggles and laughs as he looked at the cute blonde. The last image of Kayla standing at the altar with her to-be husband next to her came crashing back to his head. He had tried to push the image out of his head but it always was there to haunt him.

"Gloria I .... ah ..... I'm not married," he stammered. Jack didn’t want to talk about his past that pained him. "This is not a philosophy class. It is economics 201 and let's get back on the subject at hand." He had to change the subject lest he reveal to the class that he didn't follow his heart long ago.

Finishing the lesson, he returned to his office and sat at his desk, memories of what he did six years ago flooded his brain. The image was very vivid in his mind of when he busted through the church’s old ornate oak doors and saw the love of his life about to be married. His words still rang in his head "I object! I have to say something first. Kay, I'm in love with you.

“What the hell were you thinking Jack? You blamed her for not seeming to understand that you loved her. Yea you told her a few times when you were laughing and joking but never when the two of you were having a serious conversation,” he said out loud to the empty office.

“I have since the second grade when we first met …….. I know I have no right to say this, but you needed to know how I felt, honestly for once,"

Even today, six years later, he could still see the confusion on Kay’s face and the astonished look on her future husband, parents, and friends. And then there was the yelling and screaming from Mrs. Rose who knew him so well. He had spent many a day and night at the Rose’s house over the years. And then there were the mutual friends they knew together, some who made comments that they were maybe too good of friends.

His outburst was so unnatural for him. He was known as an easy going person who seemed to have only one true friend in town, Kayla Rose. Leaning back in his leather chair, he closed his eyes seeing the images of them together walking home from school, carrying her books, lying in the open field in late August watching the meteor shower and talking about what they wanted to do when they grew up. He loved numbers and she loved the sea. They went to the county fair and he told her he loved her when they were at the top of the ferris wheel. She had laughed and he took that to mean she didn’t care for him as much as he did her.

But their relationship changed in high school when they started dating other people. They were still friends, talking about the person they were dating, comparing notes but never once did he really confess his love to her. Then in college she met David Anderson and in e-mails she told him she thought she found the right man to marry. Jack wanted to scream and write back about his undying love for her but he didn’t.

During one spring break, he met her David and after only one evening Jack knew he was not the man for her. But he kept quiet and then when the wedding announcement came, he declined telling Kay a lie that he had to attend an important seminar and he couldn’t get away. He knew he hurt her and then at the last minute he decided to tell her of his love at her wedding.

When he ran out of the church, he knew he would never come back to his home town. Finishing graduate school, he accepted a position at Central University near the ocean and known for their strong economics program. He knew Kay had gone to school to study marine biology before she was married and Central had a great marine biology program but it was so far down the coast from where they grew up.

Opening his eyes, he looked around the empty office and he felt an emptiness inside him. He had dated a few times but the memory of Kay always seemed to interrupt any serious relationship. He heard students and faculty walking in the hall and looked at the clock on the wall. There was some time before his next class and Jack decided to get a coffee.

Opening the door, he heard a commotion and then felt something or someone hit the other side of the door. “I ….. ahhh …. I’m sorry,” he blurted out as he looked around the door. There on the floor was a woman with red hair trying to straighten her skirt that had ridden up to mid-thigh. The professor with her was trying to help her to her feet as she tried picking up loose papers that had fell to the floor. She was facing away from Jack and then she turned her head and looked up at Jack.

Jack’s heart stopped for a moment as he stared into the eyes of the woman he knew so well. “Kay ...... what ….. what in the world are you doing here Kay,” he stammered, too stunned to move a muscle. From the expression on her face she too was stunned by the sight of him. After all these years, she looked just as beautiful as the day he left.

It all happened so very fast, to fast for her to grasp the voice speaking behind her. Grabbing at papers and wrestling high heels to find her footing once more she felt a hand on her arm, steadying her.

"Ms. Rose, oh Ms. Rose are you alright?"

It was the old professor who had been showing her around...but she didn't hear him nor did she feel his hand any longer as he held it tenderly to make sure she was stable on the tall shoes she wasn't used to. Everything fell away around her as she stared into those dark eyes. Goosebumps ran along her pale skin and the hairs on the back of her neck seemed to stand at attention. He spoke her name as if it was a whisper of a long dead memory. She Clutched the file that was now a scatter of paperwork and forms tightly to her chest to keep herself upright. She needed a ground, needed to know that it was real that he was truly and absolutely standing before her. She had to say something but everything within her seemed to be on halt. Even her heart beat painfully in her chest.

She thought she would never see him again, would never see his smile or hear the way he laughed ever again. She wanted to run up to him, to wrap her arms around his neck as she used to and tell him he could never leave again but she couldn't. Not here, not now. They were at her new place of work, with students and faculty congregating around to see what the fuss was. Finally she pulled herself together, forced her mind to begin working once more. She only hoped her voice wouldn't betray her.

"JJ....I can't believe... it's really you." Swallowing the cotton in her mouth she was almost proud of the evenness of her voice. With new found courage she took a slow step forward, reaching out to lightly touch his arm. "I'm the new Marine Biology teacher...I had no idea..." She gave his arm a gently squeeze. He was real, he was not a figment of imagination nor a hope fluttering desperately in the wind. He was there, standing before as handsome and as real as the last time they saw each other.

A small smile came to her lips her throat slowly beginning to burn with yet unshed tears. "I...." She had so much to say, so much to catch up and so much she had to get off her chest but for now she had a tour. As if the universe had been reading her mind the old professor, never having let go of her arm gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I see you two have already met? Since it seems you have some time on your hands Professor Jackson would you mind continuing Ms. Rose's tour of the facility. I have a few documents I need to take care of before her position is set in stone."

Her heart heaved at the suggestion. Would she be able to handle him covering her tour? Would she even be able to concentrate? She opened her mouth to protest, fearing what he might think of her at this point, but her voice finally betrayed her. "That would be lovely! Thank you Professor... Do... you have time JJ? I don't want to pull you from your class."

She only hoped she could convince him to give her another chance. To start over with him in her life once more. The longer she stared up at him she more she feared he had moved on, forgetting her completely. She had realized her mistake but as per the norm she had realized much to late. She could still see the look in his eyes as he turned away from her, the way he disappeared before she could right what had been wrongs. She wanted her friend back, the love of her life and the more important person she knew. The only question was.... had he clung to any of his feelings as she had clung so desperately to hers?

JJ shows Kay around campus

Jack saw that his childhood heart throb was just as stunned to see him. He never thought he would see her again, assuming she was married to David, kids to raise, and PTO's and other functions to attend as a mom.

"JJ....I can't believe... it's really you." she was saying while reaching out to lightly touch his arm. He was looking at as if he was seeing a ghost as she squeezed his arm, telling him she was the new Marine Biology teacher. He could tell she was trying to find some words to say just as he was. The moment of their meeting again was over and there was an awkward silence between them.

He was about to speak when her heard her say, "I...." But before she could finish whatever she wanted to say, Professor Robinson cut in. "I see you two have already met? Since it seems you have some time on your hands Professor Jackson would you mind continuing Ms. Rose's tour of the facility. I have a few documents I need to take care of before her position is set in stone."

Jack's mouth opened in disbelief that the old professor was pawning off his duties of showing Kay around campus. He was still in shock and started to object since he had a class in about a half hour. But then Kay said it would be lovely, thanking the professor and turning to him with a burning question. "Do... you have time JJ? I don't want to pull you from your class."

Jack was flustered and felt as if he was pinned into a corner. He had thought about Kay over the years and in fact rehearsed what he would say to her. But that was always in his daydreams and now standing before him, was the woman he loved. But she was married and he tried to act as nonchalant as possible. "I can give Kay a few minutes Professor. I have another class in about a half hour."

The professor smiled. "That's about all you will need. This is the last building and if you would be so kind as to show her around." He was not asking him, he was telling him. And then he was gone leaving JJ and Kay to stand in the hall outside his office, looking at each other speechless.

He felt like a little kid again faced with having to do something that he didn't expect to have to do. He looked at Kay, seeing her eyes searching his and there was so much he wanted to say. But would it do any good to dredge up old wounds. Wouldn't it be better to let the past be the past. She had moved on with David and he should be happy for her.

"Well Kay," he finally said. "I'm sure this is just as much as a surprise to you as it is to me." He wanted to take her into his arms and feel her body against his but instead he smiled. "This is my office," he said waving his arm to open door. He tried to sound professional and detached as he continued. "I'm sure Professor Robinson told you this is the Gant School of Business and all about how Rachel Gant left millions to build it."

Jack looked at his watch, seeing he had about twenty-five minutes until his next class. He was nervous being around Kay, knowing the last time she saw him he was acting like a crazy man, telling her not to marry David. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was to ruin her special day and most of all he wanted her to forgive him. He was pretty sure her family thought of him as deranged for busting into the church like they do in the movies.

As he walked with her down the hall toward he large glass doors that led to the common area where all the students congregated, Jack was telling her, "This building is all classrooms and computer labs. We do have one large lecture hall at the end of the building. Other than that there is really nothing more to show you Kay."

They were standing at the glass doors and Jack could see the Marine Biology building across the commons. A young student was entering the building with a look of confusion on her face.

"Professor Jackson. I'm so glad to find you before class," she cooed.

"What can I do for you Regina?"

"I'm having a terrible time figuring this formula you gave us for calculating the GNP. Can you help me?" she said with a impish grin.

Jack was flustered as he looked at Kay. "Kay. The Marine Biology building it right over there," he said pointing across the commons. "I have to take care of this and I hope to see you again and I'm sorry for bumping into you with my office door."

Regina, the redheaded student gave Kay a smile and walked down the hall and was leaning against the wall, waiting for Jack. He moved close to Kay and took her hands into his. "I would love to chat sometime but I have a student who needs help." As he turned away he stopped and turned back to Kay. "I'm truly sorry for what I did at your wedding. I'm sure you and David are happily married and please tell him I am really sorry for crashing the wedding." he saw her confused look but then Regina was calling him. He saw her open her mouth to say something. "I'm sorry I have to go. If you want to talk you know where my office is," he said and turned to his student.

Everything seemed to happen at breakneck speed to her. One minute she was walking with an elderly proffessor listening to the dry history of her new work building and the next.... Her chest was so tight it felt as if she couldn't catch her breath as she stared at him. She could barely hear what he was saying, as if he was speaking through water and her ears were full of cotton.

"I'm sure this is just as much as a surprise to you as it is to me."

She managed a small nod before he began to walk. Clutching her papers to her chest she struggled to keep up with him, barely listening to the history at all. She wanted to tell him so much, to explain everything, to thank him, to....

"Professor Jackson. I'm so glad to find you before class," Her eyes darted to the young redhead before them.

No, it couldn't be. It couldn't be the end of the tour. He couldn't leave! She hadn't said anything! Think Kay! He's right there, grab his arm, his hand... SOMETHING! She thought, her mind screaming at her to stop him. This might be her only chance to fix things. To take a step towards a future with her best friend and the man she had loved for so long. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off, feeling his warm fingers grasp her shaking hands. Her eyes searched his frantically. Stepping forward she tried to force her voice to come forth but then.... he was gone. Standing in the middle of the empty hallway she felt her throat burn as she stared down the hall after him. It was as if her wedding day had been relived. Left grasping at the strands of memories and I wish I hads.

She replayed his words in her head over and over again as she stood there. He had apologized for the wedding but it was she who should be apologizing. She had spent years trying to force someone into the mold she had formed just for him, ignoring what was standing before her. Taking a deep breath she tried to calm down. She was confused and most of all she was overwhelmed.

"I'm sorry I have to go. If you want to talk you know where my office is," he had said before he turned to his student.

She gave a small nod as she turned to look out at her new building. Glancing to her watch she knew what she had to do. She wasn't sure if his classes were half an hour or an hour but she would wait. She had to talk to him today. With the courage bubbling up in her stomach she knew that it was now or never. Taking a deep breath she made her way to her new building. Set up her room, learn her way around and get situated while she waited. To her that made sense.

It took her only a few tries to find the room scribbled on a piece of paper stuffed in her folder among rule books and lesson plans. Opening the old door she held back a chuckle at the soft creak. It was a simple room, smelling of old paper and dust. It reminded her of her grandmothers house, always littered with newspaper clippings and shortbread biscuits. The memory made her smile. She had spent many summers there, some with JJ at her side. The old house had stood since the teens when her great grandfather had built it after coming from Scotland to start a new life with his wife. She found she was drawn to old buildings like this college, finding they had their own character built into the corners and old chipping paint.

Placing her folders down she took a seat at her desk, staring up at the many seats before her. She thought then of what this new job would being her. What would JJ say when she told him she wasn't married? Would her students enjoy her teachings as they had her grandfathers when he was a professor? Could she handle the hard work of teaching such a big class and what would become of her class when her grant came through for her research? So many questions ran through her mind as she sat very still in the warn chair. How many classes had this room seen? Sometimes she wished the walls could talk as they did in story books such as Alice in Wonderland.

Glancing down at her watch she let out a small sigh. She had been contemplating longer than she thought. More than forty-five minutes had ticked by and as she glanced over to the building across the path she wondered how his class was going. With a small nod she made up her mind to go check, hoping she hadn't missed him.

She took her time getting to his door, her eyes gazing over the numbers before hearing his muffled voice on the other side of hard wood. Standing next to the door she leaned back against the cool wall, letting a shiver run down her body. Before long she could hear the shuffling papers and the screeching of chair across the linoleum floors. Turning her head to watch as the many students exited the room, chatting among themselves she tried to calm her pounding heart. Her ears were ringing as she stepped up into the doorway once the last student had left.

-tap- -tap- -tap-

The cool wood against her knuckles seemed to ground her as she stood, staring at the man before her. He was gathering up his things and cleaning the board when she stepped into the doorway. "Do you mind if I come in?" With a small chuckle to herself she stepped inside the small threshold, sliding a curling piece of red hair behind her ear. "It's...really good to see you JJ. I...I kind of hopped we could talk for a moment if you have the time. We really didn't get a chance early with all the commotion."

She hid her shaking hands behind her back as she stared at the board. "If you don't have time... I understand. I don't want to take you from you plans but I would like to give you my number." A deep breath was the only thing that stopped her from speaking. She felt as if she was talking faster than normal. Fearing that if she stopped to hear his reply she would lose all courage. "I'd really like catch up and I've missed you so much. I looked for you but no one knew where you went and your parents, well they didn't know what really happened to a full extent so they thought I had done something, which I did, but they wouldn't tell me how to reach you and..." Her word has been a tumble of syllables as they got faster and faster. She bit her lip her shaking hands were now balled together before her as she looked down. Do not cry. Her mind scolded her as she felt the burning her throat. Why was this so hard? Closing her eyes for a moment she took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry...I thought... I'd never see you again. And that scared me more than when I ran out of my own wedding." It was barely a whisper as she looked up at him. Reaching into her breast pocket she pulled out a small piece of paper. Offering it to him with a rather shaky hand she felt her heart clench. He probably thought she had fallen off her rocker at this point.

Kay visits JJ's classroom

As JJ walked down the hall with Regina he resisted looking back at Kay. When they arrived at his room, he couldn’t fight the urge to look back at the woman he embarrassed six years ago. He saw her walking on the path leading to the Marine Biology building. He and Regna went into his classroom but he was having trouble keeping focused on her concerns. His thoughts continued to be torn from her problem with the GNP formula to Kay. He saw the hurt on her face and he knew he should have told Regina she would have to wait. But he was still reeling from seeing his old friend. A friend who he really loved and who had a look of shock when he crashed her wedding.

He decided to go find her after his class and apologize to her for being an asshole again. The classroom filled with students and he had a very difficult time keeping his mind on the subject material. JJ had a feeling that the students knew he wasn’t at the top of his game as he made a few mistakes which were caught by some of the smarter students. When the class finally ended, he began picking up and organizing his papers. His back was to the door in the empty classroom when he heard a familiar voice. "Do you mind if I come in?"

He turned and saw the redheaded Kay standing inside the door. “Hi Kay. No please come in,” he said sitting down in his chair. He was still trying to figure out what to say to her when she said she it was good to see him and wanted to know if he had a moment to talk to her if he had the time, wanting to give him her phone number. “I’m done for the day Kay so I have plenty of time.” He wasn’t sure how this was going to turn our or what she wanted to talk about. He had the feeling she was going to admonish him for ruining her wedding day.

He saw her take a deep breath and waited for her to start telling him what a worm he was for busting into the church. But he was surprised when she told him she wanted to catch up and she missed him. ‘Did I hear right,’ he thought as she told him she tried to track him down but his parents wouldn’t tell her where he lived. He remembered telling his parents not to tell anyone where he was unless it was an absolute emergency.

JJ saw her biting her lip and he thought of when they were good friends how she would bite her lip when she was nervous. He was still waiting for her to yell at him when he saw her hand shaking and noticed she was not wearing a wedding ring. ‘Did she and David get a divorce sometime after the wedding,’ he wondered as he saw her take another deep breath. ‘Here it comes,’ he thought.

His eyebrows raised when she told him she thought she would never see him again and she was scared more than when she ran out of her own wedding. ‘Did I hear her right? Did she run out of the church after he stormed out?’ She reached into her breast pocket, pulling out a piece of paper he took it from her seeing she had written her phone number on it.

JJ saw the tears welling up in her eyes and he got up and crossed the short distance to her. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he looked into her eyes, tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. “Are you telling me that you and David never married?” he asked. She looked up into his eyes and all she could do was nod and then her head buried into his shoulder, her body shaking as she cried. He held her in his arms, holding her tightly to him waiting for a good time to talk to her.

When he thought her body was calming down, he pushed her away, holding onto her shoulders and looking into her tear streaked face. “Kay I had no idea,” he said suddenly feeling guilty for what he did six years ago. “Let’s go grab a cup of coffee and talk. Is that ok with you?” he said waiting for her answer.

Everything seemed in slow motion when he stood up, her hands shaking so much she had to hold the bottom of her jacket to keep them still. She was willing herself not to cry when he crossed that short distance but then... her touched her. A gentle touch as he grasped her shoulders. “Are you telling me that you and David never married?”

She could barely manage a nod before all of her will power was gone. The wall she had built up brick by brick over the years crumbled away before him. Stepping forward she hid against his shoulder, grasping softly at the front of his dress shirt. Crying against his shoulder she felt his arms grasp her, holding her tightly against him and she knew then that she wouldn't wake from this wonderful dream into a horrid nightmare.

It took her a moment to finally calm herself and as if on cue her pushed her back. Lifting a still shaky hand she wiped her cheeks shyly. "I'd... love coffee..." She said quietly. Managing a small smile she took a deep breath to finish calming herself before chuckling at her weakness. "I'm sorry.... I never meant....I had every intention of coming in here cool calm and collected...." Looking up at him she laughed. "I guess some things never change, I was never any of those when I was around you." Smiling she ran her fingers through her waving curls.

She allowed him to lead the way, staring down at her feet as they walked. "How have you been JJ?" Her eyes flicked up to him and she quietly questioned if he had always been so tall. Even in her short heels he was taller than her by a few inches. Thinking back to their childhood she remembered the teasing by the kids about her short height but she had managed to grow later in her school career, managing almost five two and a half. Brushing off the thought she walked with him, happy to be with her best friend again.

As she waited for his answer she wondered if he had someone. She hadn't seen a ring but that didn't mean he was single, or that he wasn't in a committed relationship. She wondered secretly if he still had feelings for her and chided herself on being so selfish. Just because her life had stopped when he left didn't mean his had. Maybe he had moved on, forgetting his love for her behind. Her stomach flipped at the thought, her heart aching as she came to the realization that maybe he didn't care for her any more. That although she had realized how much she truly loved him he in turn had realized he no longer loved her. Shaking the thought from her mind she stared back up at him hoping he didn't notice her worry.

JJ held her in his arms and smiled when she told him she would love to go with him to have some coffee. He was still in a state of shock from seeing his friend that he grew up with ..... played with ...... joked around with ..... was his best friend until he stormed into the church and ruined her wedding .... and he knew he was still in love with her. And now here she was standing in his classroom and in his arms sobbing.

"I'm sorry.... I never meant....I had every intention of coming in here cool calm and collected...." Looking up at him she laughed. "I guess some things never change, I was never any of those when I was around you." He saw the familiar thing she did when she was unsure of what she was doing, running her hand through her long red curly hair.

As they walked out of the building into the warm sunlight, he was still unsure of what was happening. They walked together not holding hands as lovers do but as friends when she asked him, "How have you been JJ?"

He looked down at her, seeing her eyes scan his face as if trying to remember something. "I've been good Kay. When I left the church, I left town ashamed by what I did to you and your soon to be husband." He stopped talking still ashamed by what he did so many years ago and they walked in silence.

"I know a nice quiet place a in the next block where we can chat," he said not sure what he could possibly say to take away the hurt of that day. When they arrived at the small café, it was nearly deserted this time of the day. Finding a seat near the front window, they ordered coffee and while they waited he turned his attention to her.

"Kay I still feel really bad about what I did on your wedding day. When I left town, I moved in with some friends so that I wouldn't have a mailing address and it would be hard to trace me. I told my parents what I had done and they promised to protect my wishes not to be found unless it was an emergency. I finished my master's degree here at Central College and they offered me a position in the business college. I have been teaching ever since."

JJ stopped and looked at Kay seeing the beauty he always admired but was so afraid to say anything for fear of rejection. Now she was sitting here in this small café and he wondered what kind of relationship they could have now that she would be around campus. 'Did she have a boyfriend after she broke it off with David?' He smiled and said, "Tell me how have you been Kay?"

Kay listened in silence, her mind wheeling with questions and concerns. Taking a seat at the small café she wondered how many times he stopped there for a cup of coffee or to relax. With a small smile she could envision him sitting alone with his book on the stock market or the rising of profit margins while sipping on a small coffee. The image almost made her chuckle. Turning her eyes to him she looked him over fully for the first time, noting the small changes he had made over the years. Different hair style, his fashion had changed drastically but he was still her JJ. She could still remember the days they played behind her house near the big oak tree, the time he almost broke his arm fighting the bully who had pushed her do-

"Tell me how have you been Kay?"

Her heart stopped. How had she thought she would be able to ask the questions and not answer any? Looking down at the cup of coffee before her she realized she hadn't seen the waitress come back. Taking a deep breath she wrapped shaking fingers around it's warm surface. What could she say? 'I realized I loved you instead of david so I left everyone I knew, became a hermit who lives on a ship' Instead she smiled looking up at him. "Well, after you ran out I was left at the alter with David and everyone around staring at me. Unbeknownst to me when someone object you have to have a response..." She chuckled shaking her head. "The preacher asked me what my response was and well.... I looked around to everyone and realized that a fog had lifted. For that I have to thank you.... Had you not done what you had done... I would have mad a horrible mistake." Taking a sip of her coffee before she continued she tried to compose her thoughts.

"I had always wanted a small wedding, a simple dress and a groom who loved me unconditionally....Instead I had a large wedding with people I didn't even know, I dress that was so elaborate I had no idea how I was going to sit down at the end and a groom... well..." She shook her head. "David is a good man and one day he will make someone very happy but.... that someone isn't me." She said quietly her eyes down. "I didn't love him I just thought I did. I was trying to fill a hole left when we parted ways for college." She sighed and tried to smile but it came out rather sad. "Well after you ran out I ran out too. I searched everywhere but I couldn't find you so instead I decided to start living for me. I finished my major for marine biology and my bachelors in photography. I managed to get onto a research team stationed of the coast."

Taking a deep breath she took a sip of her coffee. She hadn't expected this to be so hard. She could feel her throat burning with unshod tears. "About a month ago we ran out of funding so we began to start fundraising. At our last fundraiser the dean of your college came to me and after about an hour of talking he offered me a job so... here I am." She chuckled.

"I.... don't expect to be the way we were. I could never ask that of you. Not after I broke your heart but...." She slipped a piece of hair behind her ear her hands shaking once more. "I've missed my best friend...and if you can find it in your heart....I'd like to have my friend back..." She smiled. She loved him, sitting across from him after six years drove that fact home. She loved the man sitting before her but if all they could be was friends she would take that before living without him any longer.

JJ waited for Kay to tell him how she had been since that fateful day six years ago. He saw her take a deep breath and noticed her hands were shaking. He listened as she recounted the scene at the church. The mere mention of the church sent a shiver of regret down his spine. Her soft chuckle at the recollection of the minister wanting an answer brought a smile to her face. It was the same soft smile that he had come to love but was so afraid to express it.

When she thanked him for what he had done, a small smile formed on his face. He never realized the impact he had on the wedding and on Kay when he burst into the church. Now she was thanking him for preventing her from making a mistake.

Kay was telling him how she wanted a small wedding and simple dress and he chuckled. "You always told me that when we were growing up. When you were planning an elaborate wedding I felt it wasn't the real you," he commented and then she was telling him how David was a good man and would find the right partner someday.

He thought she was just like him, running away and trying to find themselves. "I'm glad you finished your degree in photography. I know you always liked it," he said. He was going to ask her about her photography but then she continued speaking, telling him how she came to Central College. His eyebrows raised a little when she told him she missed her best friend. That was exactly what JJ was thinking when she was about to marry David. Now after six years she wanted her friend back.

JJ wanted to jump across the table and take her into his arms but he resisted. He could tell by her smile and disposition that she was happy to see him again. JJ daydreamed many times in the past six years of what it would be like to have a friend like her. And now she was seated across from him and he knew one thing, he wanted her as a friend as well.

He reached across the table taking her hands into his. She had said she didn't expect their relationship to be the same as it was so long ago. Yes she broke his heart but then again how could she when he never told her how he felt until that day at the church. he didn't want her the same way they were ..... no he wanted more. He wanted her not only as a friend but as a lover too.

"Listen Kay this has been a hectic day for both of us. I want to see you again and I too want to be your friend." 'Why in the hell can't you tell her you love her,' the thought as he stared into her eyes. To him she had not changed much. She was still the beautiful girl / woman he knew.

"Since you're new in town, how about if you come to my place tonight and I'll cook you a nice meal?

His hands took hers and a small smile touched her lips once more. His hands were warm as they always were and gentle as he squeezed them. He told her he wanted to see her again, that he still wanted to be her friend. At the knowledge her small smile grew, filling her face and reaching her emerald eyes. Of coarse she wanted more, wanted to be the one he fell asleep next to at night and awoke to in the morning but... this was a start.

"Since you're new in town, how about if you come to my place tonight and I'll cook you a nice meal?"

He was offering dinner at his place, alone.... like old times. She could remember the days they had spent curled up on one another couches after cooking to watch movies together. How many times had they fallen asleep watching something, never flinching as she cuddled up under a blanket to keep warm. How she missed those days. Blinking she looked back at him. She couldn't exactly cook at her house, she didn't even know where her cookware was let alone her silverware or plates. Everything was stacked in boxes, scattered through the small townhouse she had rented. Taking a deep breath she nodded. "That sounds wonderful. Everything is in boxes.... the movers didn't do the best of jobs in organizing the items. I have labels on everything but with they way they sorted it's going to take me weeks to put everything back together." She chuckled before biting her lip. "I do have to get a change of clothes if that's alright..."

Thinking for a moment she played with a small piece of hair her cheeks turning pink. "And...I still have to put my bed together if I don't want to sleep on the couch..." She really had picked the worst movers. All they had managed to do was get everything into her house, besides that they had run off, leaving things in a disarray. "It shouldn't take me long though if you want to follow me to my place to I can grab a change of clothes and then we can head over to your place." She smiled.

She was uncomfortable in the skirt suit she was wearing, having been a while since she had to wear one. She enjoyed her simple wardrobe and her scuba suit that seemed like a second skin. Looking down at her coffee she took another sip, enjoying the warmth it gave her. She still couldn't believe she was sitting before her friend after so much time. She only hoped that maybe just maybe she would one day become his lover, if only she had the courage to tell him.

JJ offers to help Kay unpack

JJ smiled when she bit her lower lip and started talking about the movers and how she had labeled every box. He recalled how fickle she was when they were younger, always making sure everything was in its proper place. He let out a soft laugh when she said it would take her weeks to put everything away. If he was correct, she would have everything done before the weekend before her first class on Monday morning. ‘Maybe I should offer to help her unpack the boxes,’ he thought as he didn’t have anything else planned for the weekend.

As he was daydreaming about helping her, he heard her tell him she still had to put her bed together or else she would have to sleep on the couch. Looking at her, he saw her playing with a piece of her hair and biting her lip. He looked into her emerald eyes that shone so bright. How was it that he never had the courage to tell her how he really felt? He was feeling a bit awkward sitting here in the coffee shop with his longtime friend who he still had feeling for.

JJ smiled at Kay and said, “Look Kay, if you come to my house you’ll end up having to put your bed together later tonight and you may end sleeping on the couch. How about if I pick up Chinese food and I come over to your house and help you get a little organized so you can get a good night’s sleep? We can dinner at my house some other time.”

JJ watched her mull over his revised proposal and he didn’t know if he overstepped his bounds as he waited for her to answer. He remembered some good times they had together, staying out late, falling asleep on the couch as friends. JJ had wanted to make approaches in the past but it never seemed that the time was right. And then she was going to marry David and he the thought of him busting into the church bounced around in his head. “So what do you say Kay? Do you want my help tonight so you don’t have to sleep on the couch?”

Kay listened quietly before a smile touched her lips. "Chinese... how many nights did we spend curled up doing study sessions surrounded by take out boxes." She laughed as she nodded. "That sounds wonderful. I could use the extra pair of hands. Do you want to stop at your place to change out of your nice clothes? I'll try and find some of mine once we get back to my place." Reaching out she touched his wrist delicately, her fingers playing across his skin before taking his hand.

"I'll give you my address and meet you back at my place?" She said before glancing down at her empty cup. "Thanks again JJ." She cooed. "Maybe... if you don't have anything planned this weekend we could do dinner and a movie night like old time?" She asked.

Thinking back to the many times they had spent curled up on the couch only to fall asleep leaning against each other. There had been many times she had woken up to his arm wrapped around her, holding her tight to his body. She would always brush it off as a friend dreaming a happy dream but now, as she grew older and life began to clear she realized just how important those nights had probably been to him. Her heart clenched at the missed opportunities and missed chances at happiness. Taking a deep breath she stood slowly, squeezing his hand before she let go.

"I'm going to go on ahead and attempt to find some clothes to change into.... I don't think a skirt suit is fitting for unpacking." She laughed. Leaning down she kissed his cheek, the tips of her cheeks turning pink. "See you soon JJ" She called after giving him her address.


********

Kay was elbow deep in boxes, her suit replaced with a clinging tank top that seemed to fit her every curve, revealing bright colors along her left shoulder and a pair of old sweats that would look much to familiar to him. Though they should as they were his. She had stolen them years ago during one of the million sleep overs that had been unscheduled. Her bright curls were pulled back into a messy bun though most escaped around her face. Her makeup was gone, revealing the freckles she had grown up with, though her foundation hid them well.

Standing with a handful of sheets and pillowcases she made her way towards her room in the back. Dropping them in the corner she placed her hands on her bare hips. Just as they were back then the sweats were much to big for her, falling against her hip bones to reveal more colors along her right side. When she had said she had begun to live her life her way she meant it. She had gotten two tattoos, tried a few piercings and had even thought about cutting off most of her hair into a pixie... the latter hadn't stuck as an idea long.

She jumped when she heard the doorbell before chuckling to herself. Turning she made her way to the door, her bare feet padding against the hard wood. Opening the door she smiled brightly to the man she was in love with but was much to afraid to tell.

JJ smiled when Kay accepted the change in plans. They could have dinner at his place anytime. When she smiled at the suggestion of Chinese, he also laughed when she mentioned about how many nights they curled up together after having Chinese food and watching a movie. While she talked about changing clothes, he reminisced about how sometimes in the middle of the night, she would snuggle against him and he would wrap her in his arms or when he wanted to snuggle with her. The next morning was always the same, they would apologize to each other and laugh about it. As they grew older, he wanted more from those snuggles but was always too afraid to ask.

The next thing he knew, she was thanking him for what. For the coffee? “I don’t have anything planned this weekend and I think it would be great to do a dinner and movie,” he said in answer to her question. He saw her take a deep breath, then stand as she squeezed his hand tighter. To him it seemed she was sending a silent message or was it just an act of friendship?

After Kay left, JJ sat for a few moments thinking about her. They grew up best of friends but as they grew he wanted more intimacy but since they were both so in tune with each other, there never seemed to be a right time to express his love for her. There were both so outgoing with a lot of friends and when they were lying snuggled together he was nervous about telling her how he felt. That is until that fateful day of her almost marriage.

JJ left the coffee shop and headed home, changing into jeans and t-shirt. When he picked up the Chinese food, the manager remarked that it looked like a night in front of the television. He let out a soft laugh and thought again about the times he and Kay sat on the floor watching some movie, eating Chinese. There would be no television tonight unless she got her cable hook up today.

Knocking on the door, he smiled and when he saw her outfit. ‘God she looks beautiful,’ he thought as he entered carrying the food. “My Kay you sure do have a mess on your hands,” he said looking around at all boxes. He saw the outline of her breasts under the tank top, each nipple making an impression in the soft material. When his eyes cast downward, he let out a laugh seeing his sweat pants hanging off her hip bones. “I wondered what ever happened to those sweat pants. I may have to steal those back some day,” he said teasingly.

JJ’s eyes were locked on her still youthful face with the bright red hair framing her freckles. How he loved to look at her when they were younger and now so many years later, she still had that youthful look. That look that he fell in love with so many years ago. But what caught his attention were the tattoos on her left shoulder and when she turned to walk back into the house, he saw another tattoo along her right side just above where her sweat pants stopped. “I see you have a few tats. I will be interested to hear how my sweet Kay, who never liked tattoos, ended up getting them.”

She didn’t answer but only laughed as they walked around boxes back to the kitchen. Kay rummaged through some boxes until she found some forks. Walking back into the dining room, he pulled out a couple of chairs. JJ sat at the end of the table and Kay sat next to him, close enough to touch. As they dug into the Chinese like they had done so many times in the past, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was so much more developed than he remembered and he wondered what she looked like naked. He had seen her only once so many years ago when she had just gotten out of the shower and he walked in on her. They both froze for a moment and he apologized profusely and they never spoke of it again. But now he was older and he saw the twin nipples sticking out as if inviting him to explore. JJ shook his head and looked up at Kay seeing her eyes shining.

“So Kay please tell me about those tattoos that adorn your beautiful body.” She may have thought he was teasing about the beautiful body but he always thought she had a killer body kept in shape by her love of swimming and scuba diving. And the thought of seeing her naked so he could see the entire tattoo on her side crossed his mind.

With a small smile she chuckled. "You can get these sweat pants back over my dead body." She called over her shoulder playfully. Taking a seat she smelled the Chinese with a small 'mm' Taking a small bite she grinned happily while she listened to him, her eyes glancing to him curiously. Even though they had grown up, changed in many ways he still looked like the same man she had fallen in love with. Looking him over she was silent, her mind shifting back to the times they spent together. He had gotten taller, filled out in the shoulders a little and had begun to gain some muscle but over all he was still the same man she adored.

As his eyes turned to her she blushed brightly as she was caught staring. With a small chuckle she looked down quietly. "It's....not all that beautiful." She cooed shyly. Biting her lip she played with her food for a moment before speaking very quietly. "Well....the tattoos...I know I never really liked them but I guess when I finished my major one of these girls who had come to be my shadow was talking about getting a tattoo to commemorate our journey though school." Glancing up at him she smiled. "Everyone thought it was good idea so I tagged along. I hadn't really gone out since that day." She mumbled shyly.

Running her fingers though her hair she was silent for a long moment as she composed her thoughts. "So... when we went everyone was getting these really cool tattoos and somehow they talked me into it." Lifting her hand she ran her fingers over the octopus on her shoulder. It was colored blue and purple that fit elegantly on her shoulder. "It just... seemed right and now I love it. I got addicted to the rush so I got the one on my side. I kind of went through a rebel phase at that point." She laughed leaning back in her chair.

Looking up she hid the embarrassment on her face. "I got some piercings thinking if I liked the the tattoos I'd like them too. I ended up with a lip ring that lasted all of a month and a nose ring that lasted two. They just weren't for me." She cooed. "I thought about getting my hair cut short to but that didn't happen. I like my curls to much." She finally laughed looking over to him.

"So what about you? Any wild side come out after you left?" She teased playfully as turning back to her food.

JJ listened intently as Kay told him about the tattoos and the piercings. He looked at her lip and nose and couldn’t imagine her wearing such jewelry. “First of all you let me be the judge of what I think is beautiful and from where I sit I see an very beautiful woman and I love the octopus,” he said looking at the colorful art work. “It really fits into your desire for marine biology.” He let out a chuckle thinking back to how she was somewhat of a conservative by nature. “I bet it was hard for you to go into the tattoo shop the first time?” he asked and saw her nod.

“Hmmmm interesting question about my wild side,” he laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “I didn't do anything with tattoos but when I was getting my masters in economics, I met a few people and they got me interested in a start-up internet company. I took the little money I had and invested in their idea and when they were bought out by a large corporation after two years, I got a handsome return on my investment. So when I graduated I decided not to go back to work and brought myself a motorcycle."

JJ saw her eyes widen at the mention of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. “Yea I know Kay. My parents weren’t keen on the idea when I was younger but being on my own I didn’t have to answer to anyone. So I took off for a few months, sightseeing and camping out under the stars. A lot of those nights, lying on the ground and looking up at the billions of stars, I thought of you.” He stopped and looked at her. “Remember when we used to go out into the country away from the city lights and just lie there for hours.” He could see she was thinking of those old times.

Shaking off the thoughts of yesteryear, he said, “Anyway when I got back I decided to put my application here for an opening and it just so happened the dean of the college of business was one of the investors. Since then I have been teaching, sailing, and …….” He smiled at her as he added, “I started snorkeling with a friend and she is also teaching me to scuba dive.” At the mention of “she” JJ saw her facial features change. “I’ll have to introduce you to Patty. I’m sure you two will get along just great as she is in the marine biology field too.”

They finished the Chinese food and JJ pushed away from the table. “Ok Kay what do you say we get your bed squared away so you don’t have to sleep on the couch tonight.” As he stood, he smiled and then chuckled. “By the way Kay, I won’t have to kill you to get my sweats back.” He stopped and the thought of them wrestling like they used to do crossed his mind but instead of lying together laughing, he thought there might be no stopping until he pulled the sweats from her body.

"...from where I sit I see an very beautiful woman..."

The comment made her still, her cheeks turning almost as red as her hair.Tipping her head down slightly she hid the large, shy smile that crossed her lips. She ate quietly as he told her about his investments and his motorcycle. At the mention of the vehicle her eyes shot up to meet his. He had always wanted one when they were younger but his parents had shunned the idea, stating it was too dangerous. She could imagine him on the large bike, a helmet in one hand and a jacket in the other. The thought made her shift slightly as she grinned. She could only imagine how sexy he would look on a bike like that. Shaking the thought away continued to listen.

"You really thought of me on those nights?" She spoke quietly before he was speaking of a new friend, a female. Deep in her chest her heart squeezed tightly her features turning sad for just a moment before she was once again smiling, her eyes shielding her true heartache. She could feel tears threatening to burn her throat as he continued. Giving a small nod she looked back at her food. "Yea... I'd um... like to meet her." She said quietly. She had been so naive to think that just because her life had stopped when he left that his had as well. Slipping a piece of hair behind her ear she played with the remnants of her food in the small to-go box finding her appetite gone.

At the mention of her bed she glanced back at him chuckling slightly. "Yea, I really don't want to sleep there tonight." She cooed. Standing slowly she looked up at him for a moment. A smile spread across her face as he joked with her about the sweats. "There is... one thing I've been meaning to do ever since I saw you today... I didn't feel it appropriate at the school." Stepping forward she stood on her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck. She hugged him softly, hiding her face in the crook of his neck for a moment. She inhaled slowly, memorizing the smell of his cologne and the feel of his arms wrapping around her. If he loved Patty at least she could still be in his life.

After a moment she pulled away just enough to look up at him. "And as for these sweats....you'll never manage to wrestle them back." She teased. "Cause you'd have to catch me first." With that she let go, laughing as she went running out of the room, grabbing the toolbox sitting on the counter first. "See you in the bedroom!" She called over her shoulder playfully. She remembered their old racing games, the times they had played tag only to turn into a wrestling match in the front yard filled with laughs and squeals. For a moment she felt like the children they had been so many years go playing in the front yard without a care of who was watching or what needed done.

JJ saw that Kay had fallen a bit silent when he mentioned Patty. But then she seemed to perk up when he mentioned about putting the bed together, telling him she didn’t want to sleep on the couch. As she stood facing him, he saw a smile spread across her face and then she was stepping toward him, saying there was one thing she meant to do earlier. He wasn’t sure what she meant by not being appropriate at school and then suddenly she was hugging his neck and her soft breasts pushing against his chest. Instinctively his arms wrapped around her slender waist holding her his head resting on hers.

He was thinking of the kiss that would follow but when she pulled back and started making comments about his sweatpants, he felt a little crushed. JJ was hoping to taste her lips, but she was taunting him telling him he would have to catch her first to get his sweats back. When she bolted from the room yelling that she would see him in the bedroom, he laughed. The games of tag and the wrestling they played when they were younger were usually followed by one of them tickling the other in innocent fun.

“That’s no fair,” he yelled as he watched her run into the kitchen and then disappear with the small took bag. JJ took off after her and just as he got the kitchen he saw her disappear down the hallway to the bedrooms. “I’m coming to get you and my sweats,” he laughed picking his way around the boxes.

Rounding the corner, he saw her halfway down the hall and he picked up the pace, trying to catch her. He caught her just as she entered the bedroom. Grabbing her, he heard her squealing as he wrapped his arms around her, saying, “You’re still not as fast as me,” he joked as he started to tickle her sides. The tool box fell onto the floor with a thud and she was squirming in his arms.

The box springs and mattress were in the middle of the room where the movers had left them. The frame, headboard, and footboard were leaning against the far wall. As they struggled against each other, they tripped and they fell onto the mattress, wrestling to try and get an advantage over the other one. JJ quickly got the better of Kay, flipping her onto her back and he straddled her stomach, both of them laughing. But then JJ stopped laughing as he stared down at his red headed friend.

“This is something I should have done a long time ago,” he whispered leaning down pressing his lips against hers. The longing of those lonely nights had built into a pressure cooker and now he was unable to stop himself from doing something he had resisted for so long.

She could hear him yelling after her, her small laugh bubbling up in her chest. She ran quickly through the house, her small feet padding across the hard wood floor. She was almost into her bedroom when she felt strong arms around her. with a squeal her picked her up for a moment before tickling her. Laughing she wiggled and squirmed against his hands the toolbox falling to the floor as they struggled. Soon the world tipped and they were falling, landing against her mattress. She couldn't stop laughing as she wrestled him, their legs and arms tangling with each other. As it happened every time when they were younger she was soon pinned under him. Staring up at him she was panting slightly, her hair falling out and around her.

She stopped laughing when he did, her eyes becoming deep, her hands on the side of his thighs while he straddled her. Her heart was pounding as she stared up at him, her eyes searching his face curiously. And then... he spoke.

“This is something I should have done a long time ago,”

She was about to ask what he was talking about when he leaned down and then it happened. He kissed her. As if the flood gates opened emotions flooded her before her instincts took over. She couldn't let this chance go by. Reaching up she touched the side of his neck as she kissed him back. She felt as if her head was spinning from her excitement. She hoped this moment would never end. She could feel his fingers in her hair as they kissed and behind the kiss she smiled. Maybe... just maybe she had a second chance.

For a moment JJ thought Kay was going to push his head away but her hand landed on his cheek, rubbing it as the kiss grew deeper. His finger toyed with her red locks splayed out on the mattress. He didn't want this to stop, her lips felt like they belonged on his.

He broke the kiss for a moment, looking into her emerald eyes. "God you taste great," he whispered and then his mouth covered hers again. The kiss lingered as his tongue slid out to touch her lips and then slide between them. Pushing deeper, he felt her tongue advance to meet his, flicking sensually as the intruder.

Pulling back, he smiled down at her. His eyes searched her face for a sign that it was ok that he kissed her. They had come close to kissing like this a few times but they always pulled back, giving an apology and not bringing the issue up again. But now it was different. They kissed, not just a friendly kiss, but a kiss that was filled with emotion and passion.

Her heart was pounding as she laid under him, her fingers coming to touch his chest. She held back a whimper as he pulled back. Looking up into his eyes she was silent for a moment. He whispered quickly before he was once again kissing her, deeper this time. Shifting under him timidly she pulled him closer not wanting him to ever stop.

His velvet tongue brushed against her lips before delving deeper. He was kissing her as a lover would kiss another and as she pressed her own against his she knew without a doubt that she loved this man uncontrollably.

Finally he pulled back staring down at her. It was as if he was trying to find persmission in his face. "JJ..." She whispered breathlessly. Her face was red and her eyes gleaming. "JJ....I...." Why couldn't she tell him? Why couldn't she tell him she loved him.

JJ breathing was a little more rapid from the passionate kiss and he looked down into her eyes. He tasted just like he had imagined when he lay awake at night thinking about her, wishing he had said something before she was going to marry David.

Now with her lying under him and he had finally taken the initiative, she was searching his face and he felt doubt creep into his soul. Doubt that he should not have kissed her. It seemed she liked the kiss but then when he pulled back, she seemed so hesitant when she whispered his name and then again but not telling him what was really on her mind.

It was as if she were trying to tell him something important and he noticed her face was red. It was always like that when she had something on her mind but was too timid to say anything. JJ got the feeling he had overstepped his place.

"I ..... ahhh ..... I'm sorry Kay. That kiss was something I thought about for a long time and I guess thinking about it got the best of me," he whispered thinking she had another boyfriend who replace David and rolling off to the side and silently cursing himself.

Looking up at him she bit her lip as he spoke. Shaking her head she watched him roll off of her. She had screwed up now. He was apologizing! He was apologizing just as he had apologized for stopping her wedding. Shaking her head she sat up looking at him for a moment. Taking a deep breath she decided not to be afraid anymore.

Carefully she straddled him, her fingers touching his chest timidly. "JJ..." She whispered breathlessly. "JJ...please don't stop." She finally whispered against his lips as leaned into him, kissing him deeply her hands shaking as she held the front of his shirt. "Don't be sorry....Don't ever be sorry." She murmured against his lips as she kissed him her heart pounding in her chest.

Carefully she tugged on his shirt enough she run trembling fingers along the smooth skin of his stomach. She nibbled his bottom lip as she felt him hold her. She could feel his fingers running along her skin as she smiled behind the kiss. She was in heaven.

JJ was confused. He had taken her stammering and hesitation for something that it was not. Now she was straddling him and he was looking up as she again repeated his name. But this time she was telling him not to stop and he saw her lips move ever closer to his.

He realized she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. "I'll never be sorry for wanting you," he murmured as he returned her ardent kiss. They had been friends since childhood and now it seemed strange and exciting at the same time to be kissing passionately. He had protected her from bullies, was her friend when other girls picked on her but now so many years later, things were different.

JJ felt her fingers pulling at his t-shirt and then her fingers roamed over his tight muscular abdomen. His fingers moved along her bare skin not covered by the tank top and then down her sides to her hips. Feeling the hem of the tank top, he pulled it up until his hands could travel along her back, touching her bare skin and feeling a growing desire in his jeans.

He left one hand on her back while the other traveled back up to her hair. His fingers intertwined into her long red curls and he was glad she didn't cut her hair. Pulling her head down to his lips, they crushed against one another, their tongues dancing and their breathing becoming more pronounced.

He pulled her head back and smiled at her. "God your beautiful," he said and then added. "I guess I'm going to have to wrestle you to get those ..... I mean my sweat pants back." His fingers moved quickly finding the sensitive areas on her sides and tickled her.

"I'll never be sorry for wanting you,"

Her stomach flipped and her heart fluttered as she smiled. "Oh JJ..." She said quietly as she kissed him deeper letting his fingers roam her body. Soon she felt his fingers running along her sides and up her back leaving a trail of goosebumps in their path. She had spent her entire life at his side being nothing more than a friend. He had protected her, taught her and even cared for her when she was sick or sad but now...Now he held her as a lover, as someone desired and special.

As he pulled away she stared down at him. He called her beautiful and she looked away shyly just as he began to tickle her. Laughing she rolled off of him, shifting as her sweats fell low on her hips. Giggling she began to wiggle in his grasp as she smiled. "Uncle! Uncle!" She laughed as she held onto him breathing heavily as she giggled. Looking up at him she smiled sweetly.

She could feel his fingers along her skin her eyes watching as he looked her over. Usually she felt like a slab of meat when she was looked over but as his gaze slid along her revealed skin she felt special, one of a kind and beautiful.