Cairo sighed. It had been a long night. Between Veronica and her pathetic shots at both Cairo and Lacey and keeping Lacey from completely freaking out, it had been a hassle of a day.

And now the house was quiet and night had settled in. Unable to sleep, Cairo crept into her back yard and walked down to the water. Sitting just away from the edge, she curled up her feet and gazed up into the miraculously clear sky. The sky was a beautiful dark blue backdrop for the twinkling stars. Cairo sighed and rested her head on her knees.

Confusion sucks. I mean, what the hell does Nick want? Brian told me that…well, that what I'm feeling isn't one-sided. But why is he with that fake, spiteful little...ahh! her mind screamed in frustration. He ignored her all night and seemed really frustrated with her. But if he is, then why is he with her? It wouldn't have been so bad if he were happy with her. I could except that, I want to see him happy. But he's not and he's with someone else and it's killing me! Sighing again, Cairo gazed out into the water unaware that she had an audience.

Nick, after practically pushing Veronica into her car to get her to leave, was enjoying the silence for the first time all day. He wandered outside to absorb the quiet stillness that he adored and enjoyed, living by the ocean, and he saw her.

She was sitting there, gazing out into the water, just enjoying his favorite sight. Rays of soft moonlight glinted in her hair and the water lapped around her feet. He thought of the day he had spent listening to Veronica's menial babble and then of the sight before him, and he cursed himself. She's so perfect, he thought wistfully.

Walking forward a few steps, he stubbed his toe on a chair, causing him to grunt in pain which caused Cairo to turn around, finally noticing him.

"Nick," she said quietly.

"Hey, Kay. I was just happy to hear some silence for once," he explained, joining her on the sand.

"Well, Veronica likes to talk," Cairo said, trying to be nice.

"The talking is not the problem. It's the fact that she doesn't have anything intelligent to say that bugs me," he complained.

"At least you'll always seem intelligent when you're with her," Cairo commented, turning her gaze back out to the water. Nick sighed heavily. They sat there in silence for a few moments.

"See? That's why I love spending time with you, Kay! You can carry on a decent conversation, but you know, you just know when not to say anything!" he said.

"Nick, you said that there was a reason why you were with her. You don't seem to be enjoying it, so I'm really beginning to wonder why. What is your reason?" Cairo asked, trying to keep the pain out of her voice. What did I do? Why did you run to her, while I was at home, waiting anxiously for you to call? she was dying to ask.

"Kay, I did tell you there was a reason, but I…it's just that now, it seems so trivial, so ridiculous and I don't want you to think that it's an excuse," he started to say.

"But isn't it an excuse? Why else would you be with her? You can hardly stand her, Nick! Even a blind person could see that!" Cairo exclaimed.

"No, it's not an excuse. It's an explanation. I want to tell you…but I don't," he said. Cairo sighed in frustration.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to think less of me. I don't want you to think that I was so…stupid to get myself…trapped like I am now!" he said. Cairo stood up.

"Why does it matter so much what I think?"

"Your opinion matters more than you'll ever know," he whispered.

"Nick, we're supposed to be friends! You should be able to tell me anything, no matter what! That's what friendship is all about, it's unconditional. Don't ever be afraid to tell me something," she pleaded as he stood up to stand beside her.

"I'll tell you, but not right now. It's just one of those things that needs to be told in detail, and right now I can only tell you half of it. But I will, I promise," he said. She nodded and hugged him.

"Don't worry Nick. If you're trapped, you'll be able to find a way out of it, I'm confident that you will," she said.

They sat down together and for the first time since Nick had returned, they were back to the way they were before. For that time, they were friends. They talked for hours, and they sat in silence for hours. They were just with each other, and no matter what they were going through individually, just being with each other seemed to make everything okay. They just forgot what was wrong and focused on what was right. They were together.