Chapter One He reached for his coffee, taking a sip. He frowned, pressing his thumb and index finger over the bridge of his nose, trying to calm his pounding headache. Last night had been so... well, fun, but it wasn't like him. He didn't normally drink. He didn't normally party. He sighed, moving his fingers from his nose to his temples, massaging them gently. He felt a pair of hands cover his own and he closed his eyes, exhaling. The fingertips rubbed gently over his temples, moving to his scalp, rubbing it softly, running through his hair. A firm kiss on his cheek caused him to open his eyes. "Come sit with me." he said, taking her hands and pulling her next to him on the couch. She rested her head on his chest and sighed, tracing the logo on his shirt with her index finger. He sighed, not knowing where to start. "Look, about last night..." he began. "You don't have to say it." she interupted. "I know you didn't mean it, and it's okay. I'm okay with it, Ashley, we don't need to be forever, until we're sure we're ready." "No. I wanted to tell you, Karine, I did mean it. No matter what. I love you." "Ash, you were drunk." she laughed a little, remembering the sight he had been, showing up at her door at three a.m. "I know. Trust me, if I had forgotten, this headache would still be reminding me. But still, Karine, I mean it. I love you!" he said, his tone rising, slightly agitated that he wasn't taking her seriously. "You need to get some rest before tonight." Karine replied simply, standing up and leaving the room without further response. He sighed, even more agitated, before closing his eyes and leaning his head back on a pillow. How can I possibly tell her, and ruin this for her? He thought to himself. I do love her, but I just can't be there for her the way she deserves. He slowly drifted off into sleep, thoughts of the unknown dancing in his head. Chapter 2