Jess was sitting on top of her neatly made bed whilst Nick was pacing back and forth at the bottom of her bed, his thumb and first finger pressed tightly against his eyes as if he was forcing them to stay shut. Finally after several tense and silent moments had passed, he let out an exasperated sigh and let his arms fall loosely to his sides. Jess watched his movements and she could see how tense his whole body was.

Nick was first to break the silence, "Jessica why is it so hard for you to talk about it? IT'S JUST SEX!"

And it was, so why did her heart hurt so much to hear him say something like that?

Jess numbly nodded and as blue eyes met brown, she couldn't help but avert her gaze downwards to focus on her hands which were now fidgeting with the soft woolen fabric of her turquoise throw. Nick's expression softened as he watched tears silently fall down her face.

The thing was, last time they were "fucking" as Nick liked to put it, she had a realisation. Everything with Nick was intense, from their heated arguments to their 'eye sex' as Schmidt called it, and everything in between, including her feelings. And if she was being honest, the last thought scared her. All of these thoughts combined lead to only one conclusion - love. Jess Day was in love with her scruffy room-mate turned boyfriend, Nick Miller.

Flashback

Soft moans and cries filled the air of apartment 4D.

"Fuck Jessica" Nick groaned out from beneath her in between his teasing nibbles of her hardened nipples using his teeth and wet lips to nip and suck her soft flesh. Jess continued riding him at a steady pace, Nick's pelvis thrusting upwards to meet her movements. As she felt the familiar feeling building just South of her stomach she began to quicken the pace, desperate to reach her release. She placed her hands into his, either side of his head. Just as she came undone, riding out the waves of her orgasm, it hit her - if she was in love, which she was, then this was lovemaking.

It all made sense now. Things with Nick were always more fiery and passionate, not too mention in the bedroom department, than with any of her previous boyfriends because it meant so much more.

End Flashback

Nick continued to talk as Jess struggled to put what she was thinking into words. She was always the one who loved more, that's her thing. And she didn't want to rush things with Nick, but the thing is, it doesn't feel rushed. It feels like she has known for some time now but had not been able to process these thoughts until now. Surely Nick couldn't feel the same way, could he? His words seemed to suggest that he was not yet at this point and she didn't want him to feel pressured.

Nick lowered the level of his voice as he sat down on the edge of her bed, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you. But seriously Jessica we have to talk about this." He lifted his thumb to wipe away her tears. He hated to be the cause of them.

Without saying anything, Jess uncrossed her legs and got up off of the bed. Her face remained expressionless as she slipped on her pair of purple flats and headed for the front door.

"Jess c'mon" Nick shouted after.

Nick followed her out of her room and when he caught up with her, her hand was tightly wrapped around the front door handle and her forehead leaded against the door as if she was contemplating what she should do. She heard his footsteps behind her and turned her head to look over her shoulder as she began to open the door.

Jess just barely managed to reply in a whisper, "I just need some time."

Her eyes showed her sadness and pain.

Nick slowly nodded, his mouth turned downwards at the corners as if he was trying to fight of an inevitable turtle face.

As Jess left the loft, she let out the tears which she had been holding in. This was all her fault, Nick hadn't done anything wrong. She was just being stupid, everything with Nick was great so why was she ruining things by over thinking? That was their deal, no thinking about it, 'all in'. But they hadn't said I love you yet, but they already acted like a married couple in many respects.

She walked a few blocks hoping the crisp winter air would help clear her head but it didn't seem to help. She lifted out her phone and dialed Cece.

"Hey Jess, what's up?"

Jess bit her lip wondering how much she should share with her friend "Not much, just the usual Nick drama. Do you want to hang out? I could really use some girl time."

"Sorry babe, can't. I have a photo shoot today. You could come round mine tonight if you want and we can talk then?" Cece asked, feeling bad she couldn't be there.

"Okay, maybe see you tonight. Good luck with your shoot." Although she tried to hide her disappointment, it was clear Jess needed someone to talk to.

She scrolled through the contacts on her phone and paused when she reached his name, Schmidt. No one knew Nick more, but thinking back he was always trying to sabotage their relationship so probably not the best person to discuss her relationship with. Then after thinking about it she knew who would listen to her, Winston. Although he would never admit it, from what Nick had said, Winston was secretly rooting for them to work out. She hit dial and bit her lip nervously hoping he would pick up.

Mean while back at the loft Nick sat at the end of Jess' bed, his head resting in his hands. Winston had decided to make a quick dash to the kitchen now that things had become quieter, as this usually meant Nick and Jess were making out after a fight which usually led to other things. Winston shook his head side to side and smiled as the thought how crazy they were.

He stopped in his tracks when he noticed both Nick and Jess' doors where open, he looked into Jess' room to see Nick slumped over her bed. Winston leaded against the door frame, arms folded across his chest, eyebrows raised and a knowing expression on his face. He was used to this happening,

"Well Nick, what did you do now?" he asked in a light hearted tone.

"Honestly man, I've no idea. But Jess seems pissed."

Just as Winston was about to interrogate further his phone started to ring. He went to grab it from his nightstand and seen the caller id - Jess. He sighed, why couldn't these pair of love struck idiots see how perfect they are for each other?

"Hey Jess, what's up"

"Hi, erhm if you are busy that's totally fine but I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me today? you know a little Jess/Winston bonding time?"

"Hey, I know what this is really about but sure, if you are paying girl, I am starving."

"Thanks Winston you're the best. Meet you at that little cafe around the corner from the loft?"

"Sure thing be there in fifteen." Winston hung up the phone, yet again he was the one who would have to fix this mess.