Part Six

    Natalie was still shaken from the kiss, as she made her way down the stairs. Her cheek was still warm from Joey’s cheek and could still feel the imprint from his lips. She let out a shaky sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair. She thought he was going to kiss her....on the mouth. But even though it was on the cheek, it was far from a brotherly kiss. His lips were soft and comforting and the way he looked at her made her knees go weak.
    She cleared her throat and made sure she was under control, by the time she walked into the den. She stopped short and smiled when she saw the picture displaying in the den. JC was putting the Barney tape in the VCR, while Steven was snuggling next to Mary Ann. JC popped the tape in and then walked over and sat on the other side of Steven. Not wanting to interrupt them, she smiled and trotted back up the steps to Nicki’s room.
    “Oh, I’ve seen this one,” M.A said with a smile when Barney started.
    JC looked at her strangely. “Excuse me?” He asked with a laugh.
    She looked at him and laughed when she saw his face. “I’ve seen this one,” she repeated. “With my niece, Benton. They play ‘school’ and Baby Bop is the teacher.”
    “Ohhh,” JC said as he nodded. “Well, good to know.”
    Mary Ann studied him and noticed he was trying his best not to laugh. “JC, you aren’t making fun of me are you?”
    He cleared his throat. “No...uh..of course not,” he said as he kept looking at the dancing purple dinosaur. “So, do you think the show will be nominated this year?”
    “Oh, you just couldn’t help it could you,” she laughed as swatted his arm that was resting against the back of the couch.
    JC just laughed and pulled his arm away. “I think Barney should get best actor, what do you think?”
    “Oh, just be glad that there’s a child between us, or else your ass would be in danger.”
    “A sleeping child,” JC added as Steven was passed out between them.
    “Aww,” she cooed as she gazed at him. “He looks like Justin.”
    “And acts like him, and I happen to have a very nice ass, M.A, why do you want to put it in danger?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t worry your pretty head. I won’t lay a finger on it, too many damn girls would tear me apart.”
    “Now, I didn’t say you couldn’t touch it,” he teased.
    Her eyebrows lifted in amusement. “Hmm, I’m gonna remind you of that some time.”
    “Anytime, sexy mamma.”
    Just then the backdoor opened and Justin came running in. “I’m SO sorry but....”
    “Shhh!” JC and M.A said in unison as they looked at him sternly.
    Justin winced and then walked in quietly. “When did he fall asleep?”
    “Just a second ago,” M.A said.
    “You must be sexy ma....er.....Mary Ann,” he corrected when JC gave him a stern look.
    “That’s me,” she said as she grabbed his hand.
    “Where were you? No wait,” he said before Justin could speak. “I know where you WERE, the question is what were you doing.....no wait, I know that, too.....lemme try this again.”
    Justin rolled his eyes. “Okay.”
    “What the HELL took you so long??” JC whispered softly.
    “Actually, C,” M.A said as he grinned. “We know that one, too.”
    JC snickered at Justin’s stun face and then put an arm around her. “Isn’t she going to fit in great??”
    “Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “Scary.”
    JC just laughed. “Anyway, you’re a prick for leaving Joey with these two.”
    He sighed as he sat in the leather chair across the room. “Yeah, I know. But I really didn’t think I was going to be that long.”
    “I could so make a bad remark after that comment,” Mary Ann teased. “But I won’t.”
    JC shrugged. “I will. I.....”
    “Don’t even dare finish that sentence, buddy,” Justin said as he pointed him.
    He just grinned and held up his hands. “Okay, but I don’t think I need to.”
    “Well, finally!” Joey exclaimed when he saw Justin.
    “SHH!!” The three of them shushed as the turned toward him.
    Natalie and Joey both froze and then looked at Steven sleeping soundly. “Oops. We just got Nicki down.”
    Justin sighed as he walked up to Steven and carefully picked up his little brother. “I'm gonna go ahead and take him home. Thanks, Joey....guys...I owe you big.”
    “You bet your ass,” Joey mumbled. “Natalie actually made me change a dirty diaper.”
    Justin’s eyes widened. “Oh, I would have paid money to see that.”
    Natalie chuckled. “It was pretty funny, but he survived.”
    Justin smiled. “Well, I’m going to get going,” he said as he walked towards the door. “I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow.”
    “I’m gonna go, too,” JC said and then wrapped his arms around Mary Ann. “Glad you're here, Mary Ann.”
    She smiled as she wrapped her arms around him, something she had wanted to do for so long. “Me too,” she said softly.
    He leaned back and kissed her softly on the forehead, before he hugged Natalie and patted Joey on the arm. “Call us tomorrow.”
    “Will do,” he said and then looked at Mary Ann and pointed to her. “You..Me...tomorrow....you're going down.”
    “You wish,” she said with a cocky smile. “You better go shoot some hoops before you come over.”
    “Ditto,” he said and then said good bye and left.

    “Can you believe we're here?” Natalie asked as she left the bathroom and crawled into bed.
    “No,” Mary Ann said as she stared up at the ceiling. “I can’t.”
    She laughed as she snuggled down in the covers. “Well, the guys are great. Haven’t met Chris or Lance though.”
    “Um...So what’s going on between you and Joey?”
    Natalie sighed. “First JC, and now you.”
    “Okay, you know I’m going to ask,” she said as she looked at her. “I mean, you have had feelings for Joey forever.”
    “I wouldn’t call it feelings,” Natalie said. “Just...Just a crush.”
    “Yeah, now you know the guy,” she pointed out. “Crush has turned into feelings.”
    “Well, yeah of course, M.A, but that doesn’t mean anything is going to happen. It goes two ways here.”
    “Yes, I know. Joey cares about you.”
    “Well, of course. He’s been really nice and....”
    “No...Natalie...I mean he CARES about you.”
    “And did HE tell you that yourself?” She asked annoyingly.
    “Of course not, he doesn’t need to. I can tell when he looks at you.”
    Natalie couldn’t help but smile. “He...He kissed me on the cheek.”
    M.A sprang up and stared down at her. “What??”
    Natalie giggled. “Thanks to Nicki.”
    “Nicki?”
    She nodded. “Yeah, Joey kissed him and then he was like, kiss Natty.”
    “Oh my gosh...that is so cute. Was it just wonderful?”
    “Oh god, it was...Let’s just put it this way...if a simple kiss on the cheek can make my toes curl, god knows what he’d do to me if he kissed me.”
    M.A grinned evilly. “I have a feeling you’ll find out soon.”
    “Oh god,” she groaned as she hid her face under the covers.
    Mary Ann laughed as she laid back down. “I just love provoking you.”
    “You’re evil. Okay, two can play at this game....you and JC are getting a little....FRIENDLY.”
    She grinned. “Indeed we are. Gotta do better than that.”
    “Ahem....and tomorrow ya’ll are doing a little one on one, right?”
    She looked at her strangely. “Yeaah? So what?”
    “Well, maybe one of these days you two will do a little one on one in the bedroom.”
    Mary Ann gasped. “Natalie Dawson!” She exclaimed as she threw a pillow at her.
    Natalie busted out laughing. “Oh, that was good! I scored big!”
    M.A and Natalie kept on laughing, until the bathroom door swung open and they froze when Joey was looking at them. “Okay, girls.....what are ya’ll laughing about?”
    “Ahem...Sorry Joey did we wake you?” She asked still giggling.
    “I couldn’t go to sleep, because your giggles were keeping me awake,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest.
    “Oh..well uh..sorry about that,” she said as M.A tried to contain herself.
    “We’ll try to keep it down,” M.A finally said with a laugh.
    Joey eyed them. “You two I swear....not a good pair.” He then just laughed and said good night, before he closed the door behind him. He paused when he heard the laugher ring out and then chuckled as he walked back to his room.

    The next morning, Natalie got up before Mary Ann, because her foot was throbbing and it woke her up. She winced as she threw the covers off of her and stood up slowly. Her foot always hurt in the mornings, because she takes the cast off at night when she sleeps. But this morning, it hurt like a mother! What she needed was a good soak in the tub, she thought as she limped her way to the bathroom.
    She closed the door behind her and turned on the bath and tested it until it was just right. She searched the drawers and cupboards, for any kind of bubble bath and nearly jumped for joy when she found some. She poured a whole lot in and grinned as she watched the bubbles begin to form. "This is gonna be heaven," she said and then started to undress.
    She carefully slipped inside the huge jacuuzi and let out a tired groan as she closed her eyes and felt her whole body relax. She took in a deep breath and slowly began to fall asleep.
    In the next room, Joey peeked his eyes open and focused on the clock next to his king sized bed. He was sprawled out on his stomach and layed diaganoly so he took the whole bed. He yawned as he rolled over on his back and then threw the covers off as he cursed softly. "Why did I agree to meet JC at the studio," he mumbled as he stood up and then stretched. "Too early."
    He then yawned again and shuffled his way to the bathroom. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair as he reached up and knocked on the door to be safe. "Come in," he heard Natalie said tiredly from the other side fo the door.
    "What is she doing up?" he asked himself quietly and then opened the door and walked in. "Oh God," he groaned as he froze in his tracks.
    Natalie's eyes flew open. "Joey?!" she asked in embarrasement as she hunkered down in the blanket of bubbles.
    He looked down. "I..uh..I knocked and uh...you said come in and uh...."
    "I thought you were Mary Ann!" she exclaimed.
    "Why would Mary Ann knock on my door?" he asked, not believing he was arguing with her while she was naked in HIS bathtub.
    "I...I was half asleep so I didn't notice," she said warily. "You don't mind me being here do you?" she asked nervously. "Cuz my ankel hurt and...."
    "Your ankel!" he asked alarmed as he walked towards her.
    Natalie tensed. "Too close, Joe."
    Joey froze and then took a step back. "Sorry...um...but your ankel? Is it okay?"
    "Yes, it's fine but...."
    "But what?" Joey asked concerned.
    "Um...could we like talk about this later?"
    "Oh!" he said as he quickly turned to leave. "Sorry, I... didn't mean to... well..."
    "Joey," she said with a sigh.
    "Right, right," he said as he opened the door. "I'm going...Just uh...knock on the door when your done... or better yet I'll just go use Steve's.... okay going," he added when he saw her brows raise in annoyance.
    He then quickly shut the door behind him and let out a shaky breath as he collapsed against the door. "Damn, who the hell needs coffee NOW!"

    Mary Ann woke up about thirty minutes after Natalie and she swore slightly at the bright sun shining in her face. She noticed she was alone, so she figured every one was up except her. She threw the covers off of her and then slipped into her doggie slippers.
    Her hair was tangled from sleep, she had on a pair of gray pajama bottoms and a white long sleeve shirt. She looked like crap, but at this point all she wanted was a nice bowl of cereal and a glass of O.J. She ran her hands through her unruly hair as she walked out of her room and trotted down the steps.
    She heard commotion in the kitchen, and thought it could be Natalie or Joey, maybe one of Joey's relatives. She swung open the kitchen door and groaned when she saw Joey and JC in the kitchen. She did NOT want JC to see her like this. Hell, no one should see her like this, she looked like something the cat dragged in.
    JC looked up and grinned at M.A, who looked like she was about to collapse. Her eyes were droopy and her hair went in all sorts of directions. She looked ridiculously sexy, he thought as he laughed softly.
    "No laughing aloud," Mary Ann threatened as she shuffled her way in. "What are you doing here so early, anyway?"
    JC walked over and put his arm around her. "I just couldn't stay away from you, Sexy Mama."
    "Yeah right," she said as she shrugged his arm off. "Hey, Joey, got like any cereal?"
    "Yeah, in the pantry," Joey said with a grin. "Not a morning person?" Mary Ann replied by giving him a blunt look, which made him chuckle. "Guess not."
    She opened the door and gasped. "Oh dear lord there is a God," she said as she pulled out the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
    JC smiled. "Want some coffee?"
    She shook her head as she looked around for bowls. "Not a coffee drinker."
    "Next cupboard," Joey said as he scooted up on one of the stools as he began to nibble on his toast.
    M.A opened it and pulled out a bowl. "Get a bowl for me, too," JC said as he walked to her. "I could go for some cereal."
    "So tell me the real reason your here so early?" she asked as she handed him the bowl.
    "Loser here is making me go to the studio," Joey mumbled before he sipped on his coffee.
    "Oh," she said interested. "What are ya'll going to do?"
    JC shrugged. "I'm just working on a song and need someone's opinion."
    "Justin's busy today so he's stuck with me," Joey teased.
    "Oh, shove it," JC said as he poured his milk in the cereal. "You're opinion is just as good as Justin's. All I need is an opinion."
    Joey chuckled. "Yeah, I know, I'm just teasing."
    "When will ya'll be back?" she asked.
    "Aww, you gonna miss your stud muffin?" JC teased with a mouthful of cereal in his mouth.
    Mary Ann eyed him. "So attractive," she said sarcastically. "Didn't your mom ever teach you not to chew with your mouth open." He only opened his mouth and stuck out his mushed, cereal covered tongue. "Ugh," she groaned as she looked away, but then just laughed at his silly grin and stuck out her tongue as well.
    JC laughed and then put his bowl in the sink. "Okay, Joey you ready?"
    "Yeah," he said as he sipped the last bit of his coffee. "Let's get going. Oh, and M.A?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Tell Nataie I'm sorry for this morning," he said and then left then walked out the backdoor.
    JC stared at M.A. "What does that mean?"
    She shrugged. "Don't know, but I'm going to have fun finding out."
    JC laughed and then hugged her goodbye. "Me too. We'll be back soon and then it's go time."
    She smiled. "Can't wait."

    JC and Joey spent a good two hours at the studio, going over the song JC was working on. They both played around with it a bit and Joey was giving him advice, both positive and negative... but mostly positive.
    It wasn't until they were back in the car on the way home when JC asked what he wanted to ask. "So, what exactly did you mean when you said that?"
    Joey looked at him wierd. "Said what?"
    "Back at the house," he said. "About telling Natalie you're sorry?"
    Joey felt himself turn red and he quickly looked out the window. "Oh...that."
    JC laughed. "Okay you just got so red, what gives?"
    Joey cleared his throat. "It's nothing."
    "Hardly, what did you do? Walk in on her naked or something?" he laughed, but then stopped when he saw Joey look at his lap. "You didn't!"
    He cleared his throat. "I...I walked in the bathroom while...while she was taking a bath."
    "SHUT UP!" JC exclaimed as he turned toward him.
    "Jesus, C!" he yelled when the swerved. "Watch the damn road!"
    JC turned his head straight ahead and then got under control. "Okay," he said quietly as he got the car under control. "Tell me EVERYTHING." When Joey gave him a wierd look he rolled his eyes. "Well, not EVERYTHING, but tell me what happened at least."
    "Well, I didn't see her naked for cryin out loud," he said quickly.
    "Better luck next time, right?" Joey replied by punching his arm and JC just laughed. "Sorry, continue."
    "She was taking a.....a bubble bath."
    JC whistled. "Man, that's like the sexiest image ever...a woman taking a bubble bath."
    Joey eyed him. "You're not helping.",br>     "I think I'd shit in my pants if I saw M.A taking a...."
    "JC!" he exclaimed with sigh.
    "Okaay, sorry," he said as he held up his hands. "Why are you so uptight about it, anyway? I would be grinning like a little boy if I was you....ahem...I mean if I walked in and saw Mary Ann that is."
    Joey just shook his head. "It's gonna be awkward now."
    "Oh please," he sighed. "It's only going to BE awkward if you MAKE it awkward. Just say you're sorry and move on."
    Joey let out a laugh. "Man, C...it's not THAT easy."
    "Why? Because ya'll are attracted to each other?"
    He opened his mouth to deny the attraction, but then he closed his mouth and sighed. Him and JC both no it would have been a lie if he said he wasn't attracted to her. "Yeah, I guess so."
    "Don't worry about it, man," he said as they made their way up his drive. "Yeah, it's gonna be awkward, but the best thing to do is just make her feel comfortable. It will work out."
    Joey groaned as he closed his eyes and collapsed his head against the chair. "I sure hope so."
    "Don't worry," JC said as he slapped his shoulder before they climbed out of the car and headed towards the backdoor. They opened to see both girls hanging out in the kitchen, murmuring about something, but when they saw them; Natalie turned red and M.A smiled brightly. "Hi guys. Joey, you're mom just left, she said that she's running errands and you need to drop off that gift to the Hendersons sometime today."
    He rolled his eyes. "Just great. Can I borrow your car?"
    "Just don't wreck it," JC said as he tossed him his keys and then walked to Mary Ann and put an arm around her. "I see your ready for the battle," he said when he noticed she was dressed in work out clothes. She had on some black tight pants and a purple sports tanktop with spagetti straps. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail, except for a few strands that fell against the side of her face. She had on a long white shirt wrapped around her waist, just in case she got cold and her lucky pair of running shoes.
    "I am ready for the showdown," she said as she tilted up her chin. "What about you? You need to change."
    "Nah," he said as he took off his ratty orange cap and turned it around. "I got my lucky hat and my running shoes on...that's all I need."
    She shook her head. "You're too funny."
    He grinned and then squeezed her. "Come on, sexy mamma."
    "What are we going to play first?" she asked as they started to walk out the door.
    "HORSE," he decided. "So we can warm up."
    "You're gonna need it," she teased.
    "And you won't?"
    She laughed as the four of then walked outside and then picked up the basketball and dribbled it twice, before she shot it and grinned when it swished. "What do you think I've been doing for the past hour?"
    Joey snickered. "You're in trouble, C."
    "Yeah, yeah," he mumbled.
    Joey just laughed and then stared at Natalie who was smiling at the pair. When they made eye contact, her smile was still there, but he could sense the nervousness. He cleared his throat. "Care to ride with me?"
    Her eyes widened. "You...You want me to?"
    "Sure," he said with a smile. "I'd like the company."
    She smiled as she tucked a curly strand behind her ear. "I'd like that."
    He smiled and held out her arm toward's JC's car. "This way." Natalie walked past him and then followed her and opened the passenger door for her. "JC, we'll be back in a minute," he said and then shut the door.
    "Okay," he said as he took a shot and then grinned when he made it. "We'll still be here."
    Joey just laughed as he crawled in the driver's seat. "Those guys, I swear."
    Natalie grinned. "How long until they just quit all the harmless flirting and go straight to hard core?"
    "Oh, I don't think JC can take it much longer," Joey said with a grin. "I say he cracks tonight."
    Natalie laughed as they drove out of the driveway. "Not unless he cracks before the game is over."
    Joey chuckled at that and then looked at her. "So, how's the ankel?"
    She shrugged. "It's okay. It was sore this morning, that's why I took a ba...ahem...a bath."
    Joey bit his lip nervously at the mention of it and studied the road. "Did it help?"
    "Yeah, a little," she said as she looked out the window.
    "Good. I...uh...wanted to apologize for..you know...what happened and all."
    She looked at him and almost grinned when he saw him turning red. "Joey, it's not your fault I said 'come in' when you knocked on the door."
    He looked at her and saw her grinning. "Yeah, I know..but still..."
    "And it's not like you didn't see anything bad," she pointed out. "I was covered."
    "Yeah, I know...I just....I don't want things to be awkward between us, you know?"
    "Well, I'm okay with it if you are," she said with a smile. "Besides, you were kind of funny all flustred and embarrased this morning."
    "Excuse me?" he asked with a laugh. "I was NOT flustered."
    She chuckled. "Yes you were...you were flustered over nakie nattie."
    Joey laughed even harder at that. "Well, okay maybe a little," he said as he pulled up to the Hendersons. "I mean, like JC said...a woman in a bath of bubbles is a sexy image."
    Her eyes widened. "You told him?"
    His smile faded. "I..uh...no of course not."
    "Joooey," she warned.
    "Gotta go," he said as he pulled the present and ran up to the house.
    Natalie just chuckled. He was so cute when he was flustered, she thought with a grin.

Part Seven