" Laur, are you okay? " Kevin's eyes stared deeply into mine.

" Yeah, I'm fine..." I rubbed my eyes and sat up, coming out of my curled up position. Kevin was sitting next to me on the couch. " Sorry, I guess I must've dozed off while doing some thinking. "

" It's okay. I was just worried when I couldn't wake you up. " Kevin shrugged.

" I let myself in using Sarah's key. She's over at Brian's with the rest of the guys and gals. They're gonna come over later, but I wanted to talk to you alone first. Laur, I know the things that I am about to say are the last things you want to hear, but you're gonna have to put up with me and listen. " Kevin's voice was stern, but nurturing.

" Okay..." I replied with a simple nod.

" What you did today was low. It was base and just mean. " Kevin looked for protest from me, but I just looked down and traced the outline of flowers on the sofa pattern.

" Nick could've been seriously hurt or something worse! You know that he didn't have security with him and--"

" No, I didn't know that he didn't have security wit--"

" Don't interrupt. " Kevin looked at me and gently patted my hand.

" Look Lauren, I know you're still really upset with Nick for what he did, and you have every right to be. I won't deny that simple truth, but you do have to understand that the guys and I have it tough enough without you screaming Nick's identity out in the middle of a freakin mall, and especially with that many fans around. " Kevin sighed. " Nick was lucky that he got out alive. "

" Kev, I--"

" Just wait. " Kevin hushed me once again. " Lauren, I want you to apologize to him and if you can't do that, at least talk to him. He deserves it. After all the hell that you've put him through, he still loves you. "

" But why? Why can't he just get over me? "

" Lauren, maybe I wasn't clear...but the guy ‘loves’ you! " Kevin put extra emphasis on the one word.

" I wish I could say that I could just forgive and forget, but I'm not that kinda person. I never have been and I don't see that I could change now. " I looked away from Kevin. " Why do I feel like I'm disappointing everyone just because I won't go running back into Nick's arms, telling him that I forgive him for doing me wrong? "

" You're not disappointing us. We're just scared for you and Nick. Nick's torn up to hella pieces and it seems as though you never even had a thought or care for him in your entire time with him. " Kevin spoke honestly.

" Now Kevin, you know that is beyond untruthful! " I was slightly annoyed by that suggestion. " I cared for Nick so deeply and I loved him with my entire heart. Sometimes your heart can't stand it when it gets used and abused, though. "

" I never said that you weren't hurt, but he's hurt too! "

I thought for a second, remembering my flashback of when Nick and I first met on the plane. I remembered his exact words and how they had enlightened me. I lowered my eyes so Kevin wouldn't see the tears that were forming in my eyes. " Kev, I'm so confused..."

Kevin held me in his arms soothingly. " It's okay, I'm here for you. "

" Aw, Kev. " I took my head away from his shoulder and sniffled back a few more tears beyond the ones that I had let fall. " Kev, I still love him.." That was the first time that I had revealed that since I told Nick it was over. " I still wanna be with him, but I'm afraid for myself and that's why I've been avoiding him and taking out, I guess you could say, revenge on him. "

" Laur, if you wanna be with him still, why don't you just tell him that? " Kevin looked into my eyes searching for an answer that I hadn't found yet.

" Cause, I just...I can't! " I stood up and looked at Kevin.

" Lauren! " Kevin stood up next to me. " I hate to say this, but you gotta figure some things out and you gotta figure them out fast. " He sighed and looked at his watch.

" I gotta get back, we'll be over shortly. Nick's said that he'll stay back at Brian's because he doesn't want to get into another damaging fight with you. But after that, we're holding a party at Brian's house on the marina, will you come? And just talk to him? " Kevin looked at me, almost pleading.

" Okay, I'll come, and I promise that I will apologize because you asked me to. " I sighed and hugged Kevin. " I'll be seeing you guys soon. " I smiled as Kevin walked out the door and shut it behind him. When I went to lock it, I sighed again and headed back to the couch, wanting to remember more, and once again, I was sent back into my flashback.

*~* Flashback *~*

" Nick, you what? " I was back where I had left off from before.

" Lauren, this is going to sound so abnormally crazy, but.." Nick grinned.

" But...? " I shook my head waiting.

" I like tickling people! " Nick grinned and lunged for me, while tickling my sides.

" Nooo, oh come on! " I giggled and fell to the floor with a thud, taking Nick down with me. I continued to laugh as Nick continued to tickle me.

*~*

" What the hell..." Amanda got up from where Brian was painting more of her leg than the actual wall. " Brian! " She glanced down and Brian grinned innocently.

" Oh, come on. We better go make sure that those two are all right, " Amanda gave Brian her hand and managed to pull him up as they ventured towards my bedroom.

" Nick, Stoooop!! " I giggled some more.

" On second thought, maybe we don't wanna look in there.." Brian took Amanda's hand and tried to drag her away.

" Well, if we don't, they're very going to come back out and help. " Amanda shrugged sensibly and knocked on the door. " We're coming in, whether you like it or not! " The door flew open and Nick and I were on the floor laughing. " What the heck are you guys doing? "

I glanced up as Nick and I sat up, brushing ourselves off. " Nick was being a meanie butt and was tickling me. " I stuck my tongue out at him.

" She started it. " Nick grinned.

" I did not! "

" Did too! "

" Okay, Children, enough! " Brian smiled. " Whoever started it, just don't do it again! We have work to do! Now get off your lazy bums and let's get it movin! "

Nick and I reluctantly got up and went back with Amanda and Brian to the living room where everyone else was painting and sanding. I glanced around the room and noticed that all of my friends had coupled up with their dream guys. I grinned happily and kissed Nick on the cheek.

He smiled at me. " What was that for? "

" For coming into my life and making all of my friends happy. " I smiled at Nick who glanced around the room.

" Ooh, hmm, " Nick grinned. " It was my pleasure. " As I remembered the sweet touch of Nick's lip against mine, the next four months rolled across my mind.

With the help of the guys, who used their breaks to come help us, we managed to transform the beat-up and rundown apartment into a comfy and cozy home.

*~*

On the final day of working, the guys were over and by now, everyone had coupled off.

AJ had obviously gotten over his ex with the help of Helen.

Brian and Amanda couldn't have been a goofier nor happier couple.

Tabby and Howie were the sweetest together.

Sarah and Kevin were enjoying being the most mature of us, and Nick and I thought that we shared the strongest bond out of everyone else.

Every time that Nick was away in a different area, he always managed to find the time to call me, even if Kevin was yelling at him in the background that they didn't have time. Still, Nick ignored them and made sure I wasn't missing him too badly.

I would always grin and tease him for a while, but we kept our long distance relationship functioning very well. I remembered the first time that I had spent the night at Nick's in Florida.

I had flown down for a weekend and when I woke up next to him, he simply held me in his arms and sang softly his verse from " No One Else Comes Close, " to me.

" And when I wake up to...the touch of your head on my shoulder. You're a dream come true, girl you know I'll always treasure every kiss and every day...I love you girl, in every way, and I always will cause in my eyes...ooh baby, no one else comes close." After that, Nick had gently kissed me and I knew that I would be his forever. I guess I hadn't really changed my mind until a month later.