"Okay, I was going to try to do this covert, but what the hell, you think I need this crew… WRONG! You're working for me, Mega-Girl, whether you like it, or not. 'Cause you see, all I have to do is remove that Inhibitor Chip, and then you can say goodbye to all those behavioral programs that are making you think you've got a little crush!"

Brian grabbed Meredith's arm, surprisingly gently, and spun her towards the bright auditorium lights. Even though Brain's character was yelling at her and forcefully holding on to her arm, all Meredith could think was 'Never let me go!'

Meredith loved Brian. She had since the very first "Starship" rehearsal. She loved the way Brain's warm hand grasped her arm during their scene together. She loved how she blushed when he talked. And she just loved how sexy Brian was playing an evil character. Meredith always looked forward to rehearsing their scene together, and would often purposely mess up just to feel Brian's warm touch again.

The lights went out for the curtain call signaling the end of the final show. Meredith bolted through the wings and past all the puppets and platforms being removed from stage, and ran for the most secretive place backstage, the prop loft. She sat hidden behind bins of old props and costumes from A Very Potter Musical, buried her face in her arms, and wept. 5 minutes after Meredith found sanctuary in the prop loft, there was a knock at the door.

"G-Go away," Meredith stuttered thru sobs.

The doors creaked open and Brian's head peaked in to see a swollen faced and red-eyed Meredith sitting in the corner.

"Mere, what's wrong…? You're missing the cast party" Brain said coming into the room and sitting in front of Meredith. "Are you okay?" His soothing voice was full of concern and confusion.

Brian locked his eyes on Meredith, longing to know what was troubling her, but Meredith couldn't look at him… It would have driven her crazy.

"Brian, I-I… I can't do this!"

Meredith flung her arms around Brian's neck and wept on his chest as he fell back into a reclined position against the wall. Brain caressed Meredith in a warm embrace as she laid her head down on his shoulder. They laid there together for what seemed like hours, and that's the way Meredith wanted it. She wanted to stay warm and safe in Brian's arms forever. Brian placed his head on top of Meredith's and cuddled her, wrapping his arms around her.

Meredith felt a warm droplet fall on her mascara-stained cheek. She looked up to see the drop came from Brian, who was still holding her, with tears rolling down his face.

"Brian, wha-what's the matter?" asked Meredith as she rose off of Brian's tear-soaked shirt.

Brian brought himself up to a sitting position and took Meredith's face in his hands, brushing away the mascara streaks with his thumbs. They were eye to eye; so close their noses almost touched.

"I'm in love with you Mere!"

Meredith's eyes went wide. She didn't even have time to react before Brian pulled in her face for a kiss. It was deep and passionate, their mouth's moved in patterns neither of them where familiar with, but it was amazingly exotic and enjoyable. Strangely, Meredith didn't push Brian away, but pulled him in closer to her. This was what she had wanted since the first day they met. One of Brian's hands moved from Meredith's face to the back of her sleek, brown, curls. Meredith flung her arms around Brian's shoulders and ran her fingers through his luscious, wavy hair. They kissed and kissed, not giving any regard that they were in the prop loft or that the cast was having a party in the lobby.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, making Meredith jump.

"Hey Brian, you in here?"

It was Joey, who had broken away from the party to come looking for Brian.

"Yeah Joey, I'm in here. Hang on"

Brian stood up and leaned down to where Meredith was sitting on the floor in awe.

"To be continued…" He whispered seductively in Meredith's ear, giving her goose bumps.

He opened the door where Joey was leaning up against the wall waiting.

"Sorry Joey, I was helping Mere get out of her costume," said Brian as he looked back at Meredith and winked.