We put the cans of paint down on the floor of the apartment once I finally managed to get the door unlocked. I guess there was something about holding two cans of paint, trying to get the key in the hole, while not being able to see, that disabled me. Blink!! Blink!! The answering machine was flashing its little red light and I immediately went over to it. " Nick called! " I happily chirped as I checked out the caller ID.

" Hey babe. " His voice came through the little holes in the plastic voice box. " I'm sorry we got so wasted last night, damn, I've still got the headache to prove it, but the guys and I were wondering if you and your lovely lady friends would like to hang out today! Give me a call back. Till then my bella. " Nick's voice faded away as I heard the click of his phone.

" Awwwww, " Everyone smiled at me, gushing away.

I grinned and laughed a little. " You guys are too much. "

" Oh we know...now call that boy back and tell him your lovely friends would love to hang out!!!! " Tabby ushered me towards the phone.

" Aight, aight! Sheesh, calm down! " I giggled and picked up the phone, while dialing Nick's phone number.

" Hello? " The voice wasn't Nick's that came through on the other end.

" Hey, is Nick there? " I smiled suspecting that it was Brian.

" Sure he is...hold on. " I heard him pause. " Oh Nicky Boy! It's your little bella!!! " Brian teased at him.

" Give me the phone, you frickin moron. " Nick grabbed the phone.

" Hey, watch it, Frack! " I heard the argument continue for a second before I started laughing hysterically.

" Sorry baby, what's up? " Nick finally remembered that I was waiting on the other side of the replies.

" Nothing much. We just got home from doing some interior decorating shopping." I thought for a second. " Who said you could call me baby? "

" Oh..." Nick was silent for a second. " Erm, well.."

I laughed. " Don't take me so seriously, Nick. "

Nick breathed a sigh of relief and he laughed. " All right, I'll try not to! "

" Well, I had a brainstorm. Do you and the guys wanna come over and help us fix this place up? We sure could use the help! " I smiled as my friends bounced around in the background.

" Let me ask the guys. " Nick put the phone down, but I could still hear him screaming. " Who wants to go help five, very fine, young ladies fix up their apartment? " Nick slyly called out.

" I am so there! " I heard AJ's voice anxiously called out.

" Only you would say that. " Kevin groaned.

" I'll take that as a yes..." Nick shrugged and picked the phone up again. " It's all sounding good here. "

" Perfect! " I grinned at my friends who were busy running around. " I'll be seeing you soon then? "

" Yeah.." Nick paused. " And I really am sorry that we got so wasted last night. I don't want you to think that I did that on purpose or anything.."

" No. I know. Don't worry, it wasn't your fault. " I smiled. " It wasn't that bad. How's your head feeling? "

" It's better! But I think I might need one more thing to completely heal the pain.." Nick suavely spoke.

" Oh and that would be? " I grinned sheepishly.

" A single kiss from you. "

I beamed and blushed a little. " Well, I think that can be arranged if you get your butt over here. "

" All right, we're on our way! See ya soon! " Nick hung up after I said my good-bye and I looked at my frantic friends. " You guys are insane. "

" Ah yes, insane, but happy asylum attendees! " Sarah grinned and hugged me.

" Did I ever tell you how much I love you? " Amanda smiled and nearly knocked me over while hugging me.

" Eek! " I took a step back. " All I did was get you alone in an apartment with the men of your dreams..." I grinned. " Oh, nevermind. " I walked back towards my bedroom with my two cans of paint.

I had also chosen a darker green to accent the window sill and door frame with. I was making a survey of the chipped paint when someone knocked on the door to our apartment. I walked out of my room and my friends were standing timid by the door, discussing who should open it. " Oh geez! " I ran to the door and flung the door open.

" Hey beautiful. " Nick grinned and pulled me into his arms, kissing me. I smiled back and let myself succumb to his affection.

" Hey lover boy, some of us actually wanna get in the apartment. " Brian and the other guys gently pushed past us and went inside. " Hey, I'm Brian. " He greeted everyone and caught sight of Amanda who couldn't talk. " Are you okay? "

" I uh, yeah, I uh.." She wet her lips hoping it would help, but she found herself in awe.

Brian grinned and looked around the apartment. " Well, I sure hope you can talk soon because it looks like this place is gonna need some fixing up and I would love to help you with it! "

Amanda smiled. " Sorry. I think I'm good now. " Similar situations were taking place between Sarah and Kevin, Howie and Tabby, and Helen and AJ.

AJ had wasted no time flirting with Helen who just grinned and flirted back.

Meanwhile, Nick and I were still kissing in the doorway. " Do ya think they can breathe? " Brian pointed at us and made a goofy face. " Oh Nicky..."

" Hmm, " Nick made a questioning sigh, but his lips never left mine.

" Would you guys mind? " AJ piped up. " I JUST ate! "

Nick and I broke apart, laughing. " Sorry! " I smiled and stood closely to Nick who took my hand.

" Yeah yeah, my eyes, my eyes! " Howie complained and Tabby laughed.

Sarah rolled her eyes with Kevin simultaneously and they grinned at each other's similarity to the other. " Well, we want to start in the living room. " Sarah went to the bag from the store. " We have sandpaper, paint rollers, pans, everything and anything. " She dumped the bag out on the floor.

" Um, Lauren and I will work on her bedroom. " Nick grinned and started heading for it.

" The hell you will! " Helen dragged Nick and I back. " You go in there and you're both lost for all eternity. "

Nick seemed as if he would protest, but he shrugged his shoulders and just smiled at me.

" Later. " He grinned. I nodded while smiling back and everyone got to work. All of the guys had stripped down to white wife beaters and we were enjoying it thoroughly.

*~*

Sarah grinned as she watched Kevin's muscles ripple as he moved the couch farther away from the living room walls. " Can I help you with something? " Kevin stared at Sarah sexily.

" Naw, I was just admiring your...mm..." Sarah searched for the words. " Strength!" She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as Kevin and her laughed.

*~*

Brian and Amanda were fooling around mixing up the paint. " Brian!! I didn't want paint on me, so what's the first thing that you do? " Amanda stared at him accusingly, but playfully.

" Well, duh. I put paint on you. " Brian smiled like a little boy, but frowned when Amanda wiped a paintbrush on his cheek. Brian then started tickling her and they started rolling around on the floor laughing.

" Jesus. And I thought Lauren and Nick were bad. " AJ groaned.

" Hey! " Nick and I shot our glances towards AJ, but smiled.

" What? A little romance has never hurt anyone before.." Helen looked at AJ.

" Yah, whatever Jess. " AJ sighed.

" Jess? Who the hell is Jess? " Helen put her defenses up.

" Oh..did I say Jess? " AJ averted his stare.

" Yeah you did. Who is she? "

" Jess is my...erm...ex. " AJ continued to sand paper at the wall, as if distracting himself from his own feelings.

" Oh, I'm sorry. " Helen gently patted him on the back.

" It's all right. I'm actually over it...." AJ smiled, but thought in his own head, " Or at least I think so, rather hope so. Helen is a really nice chick...I wonder if she could make me forget about Jess..." They both smiled at each other and continued to work side by side.

*~*

" Aww, now I know why they call you Sweet D. " Tabby smiled at Howie who was telling her about how he did this before when he was fixing up his family's home.

" It took a lot longer than I think your apartment will, but to see my mom smile was enough satisfaction and reward for my hard work. " Howie grinned and winked.

" Awwww! " Tabby grinned as Howie took her hand.

" It would be an ever greater reward to see your smiling face when we finish here. " He kissed her hand as Tabby melted.

" Nicck!! " I screamed as he put paint all over my back and shoulders.

Nick grinned innocently. " What? Me? Huh? "

" Grrrr, " I made a pissed-off type of face and took after Nick, who had gotten a head start. " Nickolas Gene Carter, get your ass back here! " I called after him as he reached my bedroom.

" Oh God. " Sarah groaned and Kevin laughed with her once more.

Nick slammed the door to my own bedroom in my face. " Nick! Open my damn door! " I groaned and knocked a few times. The door slowly opened and I didn't see Nick. " Uhh..Ni--"

Nick grinned and pulled me inside, while shutting the door. " I'm right here. " He kissed me and I fell into his arms once again. We quietly kissed for a few more minutes as I wrapped my arms around his neck. " Lauren..." Nick smiled when we pulled apart.

" What? " I grinned back.

" Lauren...I.."

*~* End of Flashback *~*

" Lauren! Lauren! " Someone was shaking me.

" What? " I slowly opened my eyes and I was back on the sofa of our apartment. I guess my flashback had gotten total control of me because I had apparently dozed off.

Kevin was staring at me blankly with a worried expression.