In this story Kristina went to Yale and is returning to Port Charles 5 ½ years later. She is now interning at the DA's office. Which Sonny cautioned her against doing but she stated that she is not a little girl anymore and he cannot dictate what she does or does not do, and if he's afraid of this putting her in conflict with him then he should cease his illegal activities. They have not spoken since. Dante and Kristina have gotten closer as he made a conscious effort to always check in with her while she was in Law School. He couldn't explain it but he felt great pride in her. He is looking forward to her arrival back in PC as the internship will put them in proximity of each other. He and Lulu are now married with their first baby on the way. She returned to work for Kate at Crimson. After Abby was killed in an attempt on Sonny's life, Michael left Port Charles and began working for ELQ overseas. He maintains contact with Carly but had to learn the hard way what she, Jason, and Kristina had been telling him for years, which was that the lifestyle Sonny leads takes much more than it gives to you. Morgan and Molly are both in their Senior year of high school. Morgan returned from Military school. He maintains contact with his father but does not tolerate him coming into Carly's home. If he sees him he goes to Sonny's home. He's protective of Josslyn and does not have the same illusions of Sonny that Michael did at his age. Strangely though Molly has forged a close relationship with Sonny and often visits him and invites him to dinner at the Lakehouse. Alexis and Mac are now married and although it doesn't sit well with Mac he tolerates it for Molly's sake. Ethan now runs the Haunted Star on his own. Luke and Tracy left Port Charles a few years back as Tracy began having health issues after Edward died. Luke has stayed by her side and honored her request to not live her life under the microscope of people pitying her. Her farewell gift to Ethan whom she has forged a close relationship with was the Haunted Star and enough money to see him through nearly any pitfall. Johnny and Ethan have remained good friends. Johnny and Sonny's truce has lasted all these years and he even played a role in assisting Sonny with avenging Abby's murder. Sonny and Johnny will never be close but they have a mutual respect. Jason has retired from the Organization. After it turned out that Luke was framed for Jake's death and it was actually Franco he could not take the guilt. He left and although Sam tried to make the marriage work the hole left in Jason was more than she could fill. She still runs her PI agency with Spinelli assisting her. She is only now starting to date again.
Not sure where I want to go with this story so I'm just going to write and see where it leads me.
Part 1
Johnny and Ethan walked into Jake's and sat down at the bar.
"Usual Coleman." Johnny said as he sat down on a stool, Ethan taking the one next to him.
"Coming right up man." Coleman replied getting the bottle from underneath the bar and setting it down in front of Ethan and Johnny with two glasses.
"Man, expanding the legitimate side of my business is harder than I thought it was going to be." Johnny said pouring himself a glass.
"What areas are you trying to move into mate?" Ethan followed and poured himself a glass too.
"Well, my attorney made some inquiries and set a bunch of choices out in front of me. I've made a few purchases here and there and it's gone well but now they are requiring a little more attention than what I was planning on." He took a shot. "I need a vacation."
Laughing at his friend. "You took one last year to where was that…Cabo?"
"Yeah, and that was the first vacation I've taken in 7 years. I think I'm going to make that a standing ritual. It was a lot of fun." He says that last sentence almost thoughtfully as if he were remembering something.
"Yeah, mate I think I could use one of those myself. This is the longest I've stayed in one spot, and don't get me wrong I like having roots and all especially with Lulu and Dante having a baby. I don't know it actually feels good having a family around to share moments with. I never really had that growing up. But, every now and then I still get the urge to take off and leave responsibility behind for a bit you know."
Johnny spun around in his chair. "Yeah, I know what you mean." His eyes focused on the jukebox Coleman still keeps in the corner and the lady standing in front of it. Her form was perfection. She was casually dressed but her jeans hugged her curves perfectly and the short lavender tank top she wore was pulling up just slightly in the back, her long brown hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. However, what surprised him was Dante had his arm around her shoulders as it looked like they were picking a song. "Hey, speaking of Dante, isn't that your married brother in law?"
Ethan turned in his stool to see what Johnny was looking at and saw the scene. Dante had his arm around a very hot bodied brunette that most definitely was not his pregnant sister. Ethan's brow furrowed at the sight. "Come on, let's bust this up, and maybe him too." He said feeling anger building as he walked over to the jukebox.
"I really need that vacation." Johnny muttered under his breath as he shot back the rest of the drink that was in his glass before joining Ethan.
A laugh escaped the girl as they walked up and they could hear Dante say. "Man I've missed you."
"You want to introduce me to your friend mate?" Ethan interrupted from behind Dante. Dante turned around and immediately read the look on Ethan's face and smiled. "I don't think she needs an introduction." The lady turned around and Ethan froze as Johnny maintained his spot about a foot back as he saw who it was. "Krissy?" Ethan said as he almost couldn't believe his eyes.
"Hey Ethan. Actually it's just Kristina, I don't care for Krissy anymore." She smiled at her childhood crush. He was as cute as she remembered, but she was no longer the nervous, pushy teenager he remembered. This girl exuded confidence. Then her eyes met Johnny's. She took a breath in and then greeted him although her eyes wavered slightly back to Dante. "Hey Johnny."
"Hey Kristina, it's good to see you." He locked eyes with her but then looked back towards Ethan.
"Kristina when did you get back in town?" Ethan asked. Shocked to see her back in Port Charles. It had been years. They said goodbye when she went to Yale and gave in to a kiss that left them both wondering if it was the right thing for her to leave. She returned over Christmas break 2 months later and they gave in to passion for one night. After, he wanted nothing more than to have a relationship with her but then realized she was meant for better and deserved better. So, although it broke his heart to do it, he pushed her away to ensure she didn't give up a Yale education for him. They haven't spoken since. Both just barely keeping tabs on the other through family tidbits.
"I got in last night. Mom, Mac, and Molly picked me up at the airport. Dante was helping me apartment shop today." She answered knowing that when she agreed to move back to Port Charles for the internship that she would come in contact with Ethan again. She realizes he pushed her away for her own good all those years ago but it still hurt that he didn't give them a fighting chance.
"Apartment shop?" Johnny asked confused.
"Yeah, I've accepted an internship at the DA's office. I start next week. So, you," she pointed at him, "please do NOT keep me busy okay?" she gave him a smirk that meant I'm teasing you but her eyes said I really mean it.
"I'll do what I can to not cross your desk Ms. Davis." He put his hand on his heart but shrugged his shoulders as if saying 'I really can't promise, but I'll try'.
"Kristina, can I…can I buy you a drink and catch up." Ethan asked nervously. He wasn't prepared to see her tonight but didn't want to run away from the last girl he ever felt anything for.
"Uhm, actually Dante and I are catching up tonight but…" Dante's cell chose that moment to go off. He reached down and looked at his text. "Well, looks like my night just got cut short. Sorry sis, I've got to go in to the station for a little while. I'll give you a ride back home though."
"No, it's ok. I guess I do have a chance now to catch up with Ethan." her eyes locked back on Ethan. "I can come back and get you when I'm done." Dante offered.
"No, it's ok, I'll catch a cab. Don't worry. I'll call you tomorrow." Kristina gave him a hug goodbye.
"You two, be nice to my sister." He warned giving both men the eye before he left the bar.
"Well, uh, I guess I'll leave you two alone to catch up." Johnny offered awkwardly and then moved in to give Kristina a hug.
"It's good seeing you. Maybe sometime this week we can get together and I can catch up with you too." He offered.
"Sure. Is your cell still the same?" she asked.
"Yeah, haven't changed it."
"I'll text you." She replied.
"Great. Well, see you later Ethel." He pat Ethan on the back and walked out. He waited until he was outside of Jake's and shook his head wondering how this was going to go.
Ethan and Kristina sat down in one of the booths. Both not really sure where to begin. Silence filled the booth for a moment before Kristina finally spoke. "Look Ethan, I knew this was going to be awkward. Me coming back and all, but I'd like to move on from where we left things. I know what you did."
"You know?" he questioned unsure of how to respond.
"Yeah, I know you pushed me away. I don't know if it was because you thought I shouldn't give up Yale or if you were afraid of my father or maybe something entirely different, but I know you were pushing me away for some form of altruistic reason that you dreamed up in your head. It is what it is." She pushed the drink she had around for a minute while she spoke and then finally took a drink.
"Krissy, I mean, Kristina, I'm sorry. I didn't know another way to make sure that you didn't give up Yale because of me." He said thoughtfully as he tried to regain her eye contact.
She finally looked back up at him. "Well, it's over, and it's done. I mean, I have to believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe we were just meant to be friends and you were right from the beginning. I don't regret what happened between us. You helped to erase some bad memories for me and for that I'm thankful. I mean…I'm thankful it was you." She gave him a sincere smile.
The two friends spent the next 2 hours catching up on life, loved ones, movies, current events, and just life in general. It was almost like no time had gone by except for the fact that he no longer felt like people were looking at him thinking their friendship was inappropriate. At the end he took Kristina home to the lakehouse.
"Thanks for the ride home Ethan. It was good catching up with you." Kristina put her key in the door and opened it before she turned around to face Ethan again.
"Yeah, it was Luv. It's good seeing you. I hope we won't be strangers now that you're back." He was hopeful she would give him the answer he wanted.
"Ethan, we'd never be strangers. The past is the past. We're in the present now and we just have to move forward from here." she turned back towards the house and walked inside but turned around before she closed the door. "Good night Ethan."
"Goodnight Kristina." He smiled at her holding her gaze as long as he could, she returned his smile and closed the door.
He walked back to his car and got in and started the engine. Before he put the car in reverse to back out of the drive he looked back towards the window that used to belong to her room. The light turned on and he could see her silhouette through the curtains. My god she was beautiful. She always was, he just couldn't bring himself to give in to his desires back then. She had been through so much in her young life, and had so much potential. He knew he wasn't good enough for her. Hell, he wasn't good enough for her now. Yet somehow it just feels different. He finally gave in all those years ago once and then did the most difficult thing he had ever done and pushed her away, telling her he couldn't be with her and that nothing she said or did would change that. But, she's back now, and he can't ignore the feelings building inside of him. He backed out of the driveway and thought all the way home about the one night of passion they shared all those years ago. He regretted so much not being able to share more nights or moments with her. He knew he was in love with her, and he hated that it took so long to admit it to himself. Then, by the time he did, he had to choose whether to be selfish and hold onto what he wanted or do the right thing and give her what she needed. She needed to be away from Port Charles and not be known as the mob princess or the girl that was beaten by her boyfriend. She needed to seize and make the most of the opportunity in front of her. Yale isn't a choice many people have the privilege of having. He couldn't let her give it up for him, even though he knew she would. But Yale is over and done with. She's home now, and now maybe their timing is finally right.
Kristina washed her face and changed into her tank top and sweats to go to bed. She knew she would have to face Ethan when she decided to return to live in Port Charles. She guessed it was a blessing that it happened sooner rather than later. Maybe it's like a band aid, you know, you should just rip it off and deal with it. Her mind flashed back to their one night together. He was so gentle yet full of desire for her. She felt like that was her first time. The experiences she had with Keifer were anything but gentle and she wasn't ready, she was pressured. That wasn't how it was supposed to be. Ethan showed her that. It was more amazing than she could have ever imagined. She was lost in the memory and had to shake her head to refocus. That was then. This is now, and now she needed to go to bed.
3 days later
Kelly's
Kristina walked in to grab a cup of coffee before work. She saw her grandfather wiping down a table in the corner with his back turned to her. She walked up behind him and poked his back with her finger. "Boo!" she said loudly but not quite yelling. Mike jumped and turned to see his granddaughter laughing at him.
"You know you used to never jump when I did that." She laughed and returned the hug that she was immediately enveloped in.
"Kristina! My god you look beautiful sweetheart. When did you get back?" he asked ushering her over to the counter.
"Just a couple days ago Grandpa. Not a lot of people knew I was coming home. How are you?"
"Oh fine, fine. You know me honey, nothing ever really changes around here. The most you hope for when you reach my age is that you keep waking up in the morning and that you still have it all together up here." He said tapping at his gray temple.
"Oh stop. You are as full of energy as you ever were."
"Oh yeah right." He laughed at her. "Are you staying at your mom's? How long are you back for?"
"I'm at Mom's, but I'm apartment hunting right now. Dante is helping me but I'm just not having any luck. I'm back permanently right now. I've taken a position with the DA's office. It's an internship that can maybe turn into more, we'll have to see. I'm on my way to work right now."
"Oh that's wonderful! I'm so glad you're home. It will be nice seeing you regularly again, and just in time for the holidays. But honey, won't a position with the District Attorney put you in a bad spot with your Dad?" he asked concerned.
"No." she said matter of factly. "I told Dad that I accepted this position and I'm not going to cover for him in any way, shape, or form. I'm not going to go looking to prosecute him but I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me by either."
Mike could see this not being the ideal situation for his son and granddaughter but decided to hold his tongue for now. "Well, your Dad doesn't let anyone tell him what to do so hopefully he isn't surprised that you are sticking to your guns too."
"Well, I can't say that he is thrilled but I'm not going to stress about it. We'll just have to take things as they come." Her thought ended as the bell rang announcing another customer entering in Kelly's. She turned to see it was Johnny.
"Hey, Grandpa, do you still have that cinnamon creamer?" she turned back to her Grandfather changing the subject.
"I always keep some around. There are a few people that like it too, but it reminds me of you more than anything." He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "I'll go grab you a cup. To go right?"
"Yeah Grandpa. Thanks."
As Mike walked in back, Johnny walked up to Kristina. "Hey Kristina." He shook his head slightly and let out a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" she asked confused but couldn't help but laugh a little with him as it was contagious.
"You just look so different from the last time I saw you. I mean, here you are in a suit and stilettos with your hair pulled back. You look so professional." He smiled and she returned it but with a slightly distant look in her eyes.
"Yeah, it's a far cry finding me topless on a beach in Cabo huh?"
He put his hands in his pockets remembering how shocked he was to run into her on his vacation. She was sunbathing on her stomach with her top undone and he didn't even know it was her until he saw some teenage boys run by and snag it from under her. She yelled and caught his attention and he jumped up from his chair and became the brick wall the one boy ran into. He immediately dropped it and scurried off. When he walked over to give it back he found it was Kristina.
They stood for a second, both apparently remembering the encounter. Mike returned with Kristina's coffee in hand.
"Thanks Grandpa."
"Anytime sweetheart. Stop by for dinner sometime soon okay?"
"Sure. Love you." She used her free arm to hug him.
"Love you too." He went back to work.
"Well John, I've got to get to work but…" she started to say.
"Hey, do you think we could grab dinner tonight?" he asked and cut her off.
"Uh, yeah sure probably, what did you have in mind?" she was slightly apprehensive but knew that returning to Port Charles this conversation was bound to happen too.
"Not sure. I was just thinking we could talk and catch up. I'll pick you up around 8?"
"Sounds good. I'll be ready." She looked at her watch. "Geez, I better go. I'll see you tonight."
Metro Court
Johnny and Kristina walked in to the Metro Court for dinner. It was a little fancier than what Kristina was expecting but she had on a nice middle of the road dress. It could pass for both casual and dressy. It was an A line dark purple halter that flowed lightly around her to about ¾ of the way down her thigh. Johnny looked dressier than normal in black pants and a brick red collared shirt. They placed their drink order and were perusing the menu for a few minutes when Kristina finally had to speak her mind.
"Ok Johnny, what gives?"
"What?" he was caught off guard by her bluntness.
"All you've done is make small talk since you picked me up. You have never been a 'small talk' person. You tell it like it is and you like verbal sparring. Something is on your mind that you aren't saying and I'm fairly certain I know what it is so why don't you just say it." She sat back looking him directly in the eyes daring him to open his mouth.
Johnny closed his menu. "Ok. I'm sorry. It's just Cabo was one thing but Port Charles is something else. Here I'm reminded of that kid that used to follow Ethan around, and dared me to piss her Dad off. But now, I have this whole other memory of you and the two are kind of battling in my head."
"I'm not a kid Johnny. I would think the days and nights together in Cabo should have solidified that in your memory." She arched her eyebrows up letting him know she was teasing him.
He let out a small laugh. "Yeah, trust me, I know."
The waitress came over for their drink order. Johnny ordered Crown on the rocks and Kristina ordered a glass of Malbec, and then they were alone again. Kristina leaned in closer.
"Look John, I'm not the fragile little waif that was beaten by her high school boyfriend or the love struck teen that followed Ethan around relentlessly. I've graduated Yale, I'm an Attorney, and I'll share a little something with you." She used her finger to signal him to come closer, which he did. "I'm kind of a badass."
Johnny leaned back letting out a laugh. "What?"
Kristina leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her drink. "Well, I got to Yale and no matter how much I didn't like it, after Keifer, I had kind of gotten used to my Dad's guards, or Jason, Sam, Ethan, and even you being around most of the corners that I turned on to. Here someone always seemed to be there to get me out of uncomfortable situations." She took another sip. "Well, after my first year was completed I got a summer job as a waitress at this restaurant with another friend of mine, and one night after close my friend and I left work and she was parked almost right next to me and I left first and then after I left I guess she was attacked and raped." Johnny's face showed his distaste for the close call she nearly had and sympathy for the other girl. "I mean, it was random. No grudge or message that someone was trying to send someone like here, but it still happened. It made me realize that I could either run home scared or I could grow up and learn to take care of myself. So I did. I took kickboxing and self defense classes, and I even spend a few hours every couple weeks at the shooting range."
Johnny let a small smile escape one side of his face as he leaned over holding his hand out for Kristina to take over the table. She did. "I never had any doubt that you had the ability to take care of yourself. Just remember that you still have people here though that you can lean on if you ever need anything, me especially. Asking for help isn't weak."
"Well, I appreciate that John." She smiled back at him and squeezed his hand before letting it go. "So, who knows about us?" She couldn't help but ask.
Johnny looked her directly in the eye. "No one."
She arched one eyebrow this time in surprise.
"What? It's nobody's business but ours."
Kristina let a mischievous smile escape her lips and a glint took over her eyes. "Hmmm, are you sure you just aren't embarrassed that you spent a week jumping in and out of bed with Sonny Corinthos' daughter?"
Johnny leaned in again and whispered. "Embarrassed isn't the word I'd use. I'd take you on the table if we wouldn't get arrested."
"Yeah, maybe not one of the best first impressions of me at the DA's office." She laughed and took another sip of her wine.
They finished their dinner together and both felt better about not tip toeing around the other about the time they had spent together in Cabo last year. After all, they did nothing wrong. They were both very much consenting adults, free to do as they pleased.
One week later.
Kristina, Dante, and Molly were unpacking boxes at Kristina's new apartment. They had spent the most of the day moving her things from storage and Alexis' to the new place.
"What time is your furniture supposed to be delivered?" Molly asked putting dishes away in Kristina's kitchen. It was a two bedroom apartment with a good sized kitchen, small dining area, and very comfortable living space. Kristina had decided to turn one of the bedroom's into an office. She had to order new furniture for the dining, living, office, and bedroom, so the apartment was mostly filled with boxes right now.
"In about another hour." She said handing Molly the last dish. "I think we've done all we can do for today. I can wait for the delivery men and then put everything away. Thank you both for helping me. I appreciate it."
"I can come by tomorrow and help you put more away once all your dressers and shelves and stuff arrive." Molly offered.
"Sounds great. I'll call you and let you know how far I've gotten tonight."
Dante came out of Kristina's bedroom brushing his hands off on his jeans. "Ok, I put all the boxes marked bedroom in the bedroom and office in the office. Let me offer this up too, if you buy any more clothes you are going to kill me the next time you move." He teased his sister.
"Ha ha. I usually go through my clothes in the spring and donate a box or two to goodwill so don't start with me."
"Yeah, I hate to break your charitable heart little sister, but you need to get rid of like 4 or 5 boxes."
Kristina just rolled her eyes at her brother. "I'm stimulating the economy." Molly laughed.
"When you and Lulu go shopping this weekend could you not convince her to stimulate the economy with you?" he mocked.
"Hey, I'm going to spoil my new little niece or nephew so you don't have to worry about Lulu spending any money on this trip."
"Oh, I can't believe I didn't tell you. It's a boy!" he shouted excitedly.
Molly and Kristina both ran out of the kitchen and tackled Dante screaming! "Oh my gosh Dante, yay!" Molly shouted. "Congratulations!" Kristina joined in hugging Dante.
"Thanks. It's weird you know, I mean, it felt real before but now, it really feels real. Our little boy is growing inside Lulu."
"Aww, I can't wait to be a mom!" Molly said.
"Yes you can!" Both Dante and Kristina replied at the same time. They all looked at each other and laughed.
"Ok, Molly, are you ready and I'll drop you off at your Mom's?"
"Yeah. Let me just grab my bag." She ran over to the kitchen to grab her bag off the counter.
"Hey, you remember to always look through the peephole before you open the door and it wouldn't be the worst idea to keep a bat close to the door either." Dante offered up to Kristina. He was enormously proud of her for taking self defense classes and learning to protect herself but he still worried. Being back in Port Charles puts her back in Sonny's orbit and people can try to use her to get to him.
"Yes Sir Officer Sir." she teased him and saluted.
"Hey, I'm serious. You know coming home puts you…" he started to say but Kristina cut him off.
"Uh uh uh…not going to have the 'mob' lecture. I know the reality of being Dad's daughter. Remember I have more practice being his child than you do. In case you didn't notice that is why I chose this security building also right across from the Metro Court so that I had a very populated place close by."
"Yeah, well don't think I didn't notice Johnny Zacchara lives in the penthouse of this building too. What's up with that or do I want to know?" he asked taking a deep breath as if to steel himself against the answer.
"Oh be quiet. Johnny is my friend. But the fact that he is upstairs is also a pro on multiple levels. See, one the security factor having a friend so close by is a pro and two it protects Dad from himself as he isn't going to blow anything up in a building I'm routinely walking around in."
"Uncle Sonny wouldn't do that. He and Johnny have gotten along relatively well for the last couple years, ever since…" she didn't finish her sentence as she realized what she was about to say.
Kristina put her arm around Molly's shoulder. "I know Mol. Ever since Abby." She exhaled trying to choose her words. "Molly I know you and Dad have gotten closer but you still always have to be careful because it's just the reality of being a part of his life. You just have to be careful and aware of your surroundings. Don't live in fear but don't live with rose colored glasses on either."
"I'm not a child anymore Kristina. I know Uncle Sonny's world is dangerous but I know his heart is in the right place and he loves us all very much."
"Ok guys how about we let this one drop and just focus on the fact that Kristina is home." Dante stepped in before this turned into a back and forth argument that no one would leave feeling good about.
Molly and Kristina shared a hug. "I'm glad you're home Kristina. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." She gave her a tight squeeze and then let go. "Ok babe. I will call you tomorrow okay."
"Okay."
"Call me if you need anything too." Dante offered.
"I will guys. Thanks." She walked them to the door and closed it behind them.
About an hour and a half later the delivery men still hadn't shown up. Kristina called and found out they had her down for delivery the next day. She tried but there was no way they could work her in today. She hung up.
'Great.' She muttered to herself. How was she going to stay there tonight with no bed, no couch, not even a sleeping bag. All of a sudden she received a text.
'what r u doing luv?'
Ethan
'unpacking boxes at my new place'
As she waited for another text she debated what to do. She could spread some blankets on the floor to make a bed but that probably would NOT be very comfortable.
She hated to go back to Alexis' when this was supposed to be her first night in her own place. Maybe go over to the Metro for the night? That would work, but she still was eager to stay in her own place.
Text went off again.
'congrats! Can I help?'
'thx. w/o furn tho. Miscom w/furn store. Not much more 2 do 2nite. Trying 2 figure out where 2 sleep. Really want 2 stay here.'
She sent the text then walked into the bedroom to see if she could find anything that might make a decent bed.
Text
'hold put luv. Ive got an idea. Whats ur address?'
Hmmm. Wonder what he has up his sleeve. She thought to herself. She texted him the address.
'be there in an hr.'
He texted back.
'k, I'm going 2 order a pizza. Do u want any?' she txtd.
'absolutely. Get me some stix too plz.'
'k'
She ordered the pizza and went about unpacking her bathroom at least. The pizza arrived 30 minutes later and Ethan was about 5 minutes behind it. She opened the door.
"Hey." She greeted happily.
"Hey Love. I brought you a housewarming gift." He gave her the box he was carrying.
"Oh my gosh! Is that an air mattress?" she laughed.
"Hey, don't laugh, they are very comfortable in a pinch.
Kristina arched one eyebrow and turned around to allow Ethan to close the door behind him. She put the box down on the floor and began to read the back.
"See luv, you can use this 'til you get your furniture tomorrow and then if you ever have guests you can use it as a guest bed."
"Ok, well, how do I set this up?" she began to open the box.
Ethan put his hand over hers. "Allow me luv. There is a little pump inside. It will just take me a few minutes. Is this pizza here yet?"
"Yeah, I'll get some for you." She stood up. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Yeah, that'd be great luv." He began taking out the bed and pumping it up. Kristina walked into the kitchen and began taking out some plates.
"Have you ever slept on one of those?" she asked setting pieces of pizza on the plates along with breadsticks.
"Oh yeah. I carried one around with me for a while. It was a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a bed." He raised his head from the task at hand and glanced around. "This place is nice. Is it 2 bedrooms?"
"Yeah, I'm making the 2nd room an office, so actually your air bed idea might come in handy when Molly wants to sleep over or something."
"So can I ask why you chose Johnny's building?"
"It's not a big deal. The security here is top notch as well as the location. I also figured that coming back home could put Dad and Johnny at odds again given my friendship with him and I figured me being in the same building keeps Dad in check a little. I mean, he isn't going to storm the building or blow anything up in it with me here."
"Yeah, you know it's been 5 years since you left and your Dad and John have gotten along pretty well but you can still see that underlying distrust when he looks at Johnny and me both. I guess no one is good enough for his little girl in his eyes." He gave her his trademark smirk.
She walked over and handed Ethan his plate and a beer. His eyes jumped back slightly.
"What?" she scrunched her eyes slightly.
"No, nothing, it's just when you left you couldn't even buy alcohol." He took the beer and plate from her hands.
"Yeah well it's not the only thing that's changed about me Ethan." She walked back into the kitchen to get her plate and glass of wine, then walked back to Ethan and sat on the floor.
"Well luv, I look forward to making your reacquaintance." He held up his bottle in the air. She did the same with her wine glass and they clinked. "Cheers." She said.
A few minutes went by and Ethan finished pumping up the bed. He hauled it into the bedroom for her. "Voila!" he said as he dropped it down on the floor.
"Wow, I'm impressed Mr. Lovett. You didn't even strain a muscle." She said sarcastically.
"Gee, you're even funnier than I remember luv." He responded with equal sarcasm in his voice. He put his knee down on the mattress about to climb in to test it out when Kristina grabbed his forearm and held him back.
"Whoa. What do you think you're doing?"
"I was just going to make sure it wasn't going to pop on you luv." He said innocently.
"This is my first bed, on the first night, of my first 'I paid for this place myself' apartment. I think I am going to be the one to christen it thank you very much."
Ethan held his hands up and stepped aside. "My apologies Ms. Davis, but uh, just so you know, sitting on the bed isn't what christens it." He gave her a devilish grin full of innuendo.
She shook her head. "Yeah, maybe I'll have to find a guy in Port Charles that will help me with christening it the right way."
"Well, just so you know if you need anything you can call me anytime."
She reached on the floor and took a pillow off the pile she had and threw it at him. "Shut up." She fell back laughing.
Ethan cleared his throat. "So luv, what do you feel like doing now?"
"Actually….I feel like taking a break. I'd love to watch a movie or something but my TV won't be here until tomorrow either." She paused thinking. "Hey, do you think Johnny's home? Maybe we could crash his place and hang out for a while?"
"I don't know. He doesn't hang out and just veg much. He usually goes to Jake's or plays the piano."
"Yeah I know but he could use a break from his routine. I know he gets lonely and drinking and playing piano does not a full life make." She jumped up and grabbed her cell phone.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm texting him to see if he's home." She sent her txt.
Ethan wanted to spend more one on one time with Kristina so he was hoping John wasn't home. Her text tone went off rather quickly though and she read it.
"He's home." She looked back up at Ethan. "Want to go?"
"Sure."
Johnny's
Wonder why Kristina wanted to know if I was home. He thought to himself as he hasn't heard back from her yet.
Knock at the door.
He got up from the piano and went to answer the door.
"Hey neighbor." Kristina greeted smiling with Ethan right behind her. "Hey mate." Ethan followed Kristina in, neither waiting for an actual invitation.
"Neighbor?" he asks her puzzled.
She sat on one couch and Ethan sat on the other. "That's right. I just moved in a floor down from you. 11C."
"Wow, you should have told me, I would have helped." He closed the door and made his way over and stood in front of them. "But congratulations."
"Thanks. Ethan came over to help me out of a bed situation and we decided to take a break and come see what you were up to."
"Bed situation?" he asked looking at Ethan but only got his trademark smile in return.
"He brought me an air mattress because my furniture delivery got delayed until tomorrow."
"Ah. I see." He half rolled his eyes at Ethan.
"So, what are you up to tonight mate?" Ethan chimed in.
"Nothing much. I thought about going to Jake's for a drink."
Kristina and Ethan shared a smirk, which didn't go unnoticed by Johnny.
"What?"
"Nothing." They said in unison.
"Do you not have enough alcohol here?" Kristina gave him a look that said 'really?'
He went to sit next to her on the couch. "Ok, what do you want?" he looked her in the eyes with cautious wonder.
"We were looking for a place to watch a movie maybe." She smiled and batted her eyes.
He gave her a sideways smile. "So, is that what I have to look forward to with you living in the same building? When you're bored you are going to come knocking on my door?"
"Well, not if you're going to have this attitude about it?" she rolled her eyes at him.
He laughed and shoved her arm playfully. "Ok, but I haven't 'entertained' in a really long time so I'm not sure what I have in the kitchen. I do know the bar is stocked." He got up and made his way to the kitchen to look around. Kristina got up and went to grab the remote control.
"Ok Mr. Bartender, how about something smooth, sweet, and with a kick, while I look for something to watch."
"Yes Ma'am, but since you are outnumbered just so you know…no chick flicks." He stood up and went over to the wet bar.
A few hours, 2 movies and many drinks later, Johnny was the only one left awake. Kristina fell asleep on one couch, Ethan on the other and Johnny was on the floor in between the two with his back propped up against the place the two couches met. He can't remember the last time he just hung out with friends. Then he thought about it and realized it was because he really didn't have any friends besides the two people in this room and before them he really only had relationships not friendships.
He gently picked up the remote out of Kristina's hand and turned the TV off. The sound woke Ethan and he slowly raised his head off the couch and looked around. Johnny caught his eye and he held up his finger motioning him to be quiet then pointed to Kristina asleep on the couch. Ethan sat up and shook the sleep and slight drunkenness out of his head. Johnny picked up the bowl of popcorn and walked it into the kitchen. Ethan followed.
"So, how did it end?" Ethan sarcastically and groggily asked.
"Please." Johnny responded knowing Ethan didn't care. Ethan grunted a half laugh.
"Well, I'll grab Kristina and we'll let you get some sleep." Ethan patted Johnny's shoulder and was headed back out of the kitchen when Johnny pat his shoulder back to stop him.
"Hey, she's tired I'll carry her upstairs and put her down." Johnny offered.
Although Ethan trusted Johnny that didn't sound like something he wanted to do. "Nah, that's ok mate. I can carry her downstairs just as easily."
Johnny gave him a questioning look. "And open the elevator, select the floor, open and close her apartment door…" he paused and held his hands palms up, "really, man, just leave her it's ok."
Ethan squinted his eyes slightly as if contemplating and then looked back in the living room at Kristina asleep on the couch. "Nah, mate I'm sorry, look it's nothing against you I just think it means a lot to her to spend the first night in her own place."
"So, let me ask this, are you going to leave her down there or share her lovely air mattress?" Johnny pretended to tease but actually really wanted to probe and see what Ethan's feelings for Kristina were.
"Come on man, I would never take advantage of Kristina."
"So, what do you feel for her now that she's back and older? I mean that was your big hang up 5 years ago, was her age. I called crap to that myself because I know you had feelings for her but you wouldn't admit it."
Ethan flashed to the memory of making love to Kristina. It was not something anyone knew. It wasn't something he felt the need to share with anyone, even John. It was too special and he respected her too much. "I feel like I want to get to know her again. That's all."
Johnny stared at him trying to figure out what that answer meant.
"Quit trying to read more into my answer mate. Come on, could you help me with the door and elevator."
The two made their way back to the living room and Ethan picked up Kristina's keys off the coffee table and kept them in his right hand so he could open the door easily. Johnny opened the door for him as Ethan scooped Kristina up off the couch. She was just as light as he remembered. Johnny walked with them to the elevator and made the button selections for him. After the elevator doors closed and the two were gone he closed the door to his penthouse behind him and wondered if his friendship with Ethan would withstand the truth about he and Kristina being together.
Ethan managed to unlock Kristina's apartment door with only a slight stir from her. He didn't think she'd polish off 3 large rum runners along with the wine she already drank earlier. He gently laid her down on the air mattress and covered her with a blanket he found in a box in the bedroom. He watched her roll over on her stomach and stood there for a moment memorizing her face. He shook himself to stop looking at her and looked around the room for somewhere comfortable. He didn't want to leave her alone on her first night in a new apartment but there wasn't much to work with here on a hard wood floor.
The next morning.
Kristina woke up slightly disoriented and with very much a cotton mouth. She turned her head and focused her eyes after the spots subsided. She was in her new apartment but didn't remember leaving Johnny's. She rolled on her side and noticed Ethan laying on a pile of her clothes on the floor snoring slightly. She watched him and smiled. All of a sudden she was reminded of the time they were in the Dominican Republic together and Ethan guzzled every drink she tried to order for herself leaving him very passed out on the couch. She was suddenly very aware of the yucky taste in her mouth. She got up and made her way to the bathroom.
Ethan woke up to the sound of running water. He looked around and noticed Kristina was out of her bed. She must be in the shower. He laid his head back down the pile of clothes he slept on and realized how incredibly uncomfortable it was. He tried to get up and suddenly felt a shooting pain up his lower back. "Ohhhh!" he yelled. 'That bloody hurts!' he thought to himself and laid back down. He didn't hear the water stop. Kristina threw the door open dripping wet with a towel barely tied around her.
"Ethan? What was that? Are you ok, I heard you scream?"
He looked up at her and felt as though if he wasn't already lying down the sight would have floored him. Huge droplets of water were dripping off her tan body, and her towel was not tight and falling down in places that gave him sinful thoughts.
"Yeah, uh, yeah luv, it's just my back. I tried moving and it didn't agree with the idea." He tried to turn away respectfully.
Kristina smirked at him. "Well, you are pushing 30 now, it was only a matter of time before the body aches started." She walked over to an open box and pulled out her robe. She put it on and tied it closed then dropped the towel under it. She walked over to Ethan and put a hand on his shoulder and another on his hip. "Ok, turn over on your stomach slowly." He obliged.
"Ow, ow, ow!" he yelled as his contorted face displayed his discomfort. Kristina began to rub his lower back pulling outwards on either side of his spine, then kneading back in.
"Oh luv, where did you learn that?" he asked as his face melted into her clothes on the floor.
"Just a second. Breathe in deeply and then exhale." she instructed and Ethan followed orders. "Well, I dated a Chiropractor for a few months a couple years ago." She then pushed quickly and forcefully until you heard a sharp crack in his lower back.
"Yow!" he yelled surprised and she laughed.
"He showed me how to do that too. Just breathe for a second and then try to sit up." She instructed.
Ethan stretched his lower back in the area she just worked on and then moved to sit up. "Wow luv that was pretty good. You might be pretty handy to keep around."
"Well, do you sleep on the hardwood floors of women a lot?" she teased and stood up reaching her hand down to help him up too.
"Usually I'm invited into the bed, but seeing as you were incapacitated I figured it more gentlemanly of me to make a bed on the floor."
"Is the gentleman also going to wash and iron all my clothes for me too?"
"I only used the clothes that looked like they were sweats or exercise outfits. I didn't want to wrinkle your professional wear."
"Well, thanks, but you didn't have to stay. I'm a big girl now Ethan. You don't have to protect me from the big, bad world around me." She said the last sentence with a more serious tone than she had intended given the rest of the conversation was all joke and teasing. However, she wanted to also make it clear to him that she wasn't a barely 19 year old teenager anymore.
Ethan was caught slightly off guard by the last comment. Had been that Kristina loved him riding to her rescue and playing white knight, even when he didn't intend to. "I know you can. I just felt better knowing I was with you. Besides I figured you might wake up with a nasty hangover." He eyed her. "But, it looks like I'm mistaken."
Kristina smiled up at him and laughed. "Yes, yes, you are luv." She said sarcastically, using his pet name for her, and walked over to grab some clothes out of a box. "See, I was very tired yesterday from moving and I tend to sleep like a rock, but I'm guessing you carried me downstairs from Johnny's thinking I was passed out." She arched an eyebrow at him as if to confirm her summation of events, and then pulled out some jeans and a t-shirt from the box she was digging in. "This was in fact, not the case." She walked over to another box and began to dig again. "You see, I'm very much all grown up now Ethan, and I can most definitely…" she pulled out a very small pair of red lace underwear. "hold my liquor."
Ethan gave Kristina his most charming smile as he immediately pictured her in the undergarments she was holding. There was silence for a moment and then he cleared his throat trying to break it. "Well, luv, do you mind if I use your bathroom?"
Nice change of subject Ethan. She thought to herself. "Not at all. I'll get dressed out here."
Ethan politely nodded and made his way into the bathroom. Kristina set her clothes on the bed and opened her robe when there was a knock at her door. She rolled her eyes, closed her robe again and went to open the door. She looked through the peep hole and saw it was the furniture store. "Finally." She opened the door.
"Ms. Davis?" the delivery man asked.
"Yes, I am. Please come in. The couch, loveseat, coffee table, TV, Entertainment Center, and ladder shelves go in this room. The bedroom set goes into the bedroom to the right and the desk, a large bookcase go into the room on the left. The other odds and ends just set anywhere and I'll put them away."
"Sure. Sounds good. We've got the bedroom set first."
"Oh, let me move a few things but come on in and just follow me." He yelled behind him for the men to come in then followed Kristina. She scurried back to the bedroom and began hurriedly throwing clothes into a corner. Of course bending over in a loose fitting robe left little to the delivery man's imagination and he didn't exactly avert his eyes either. He actually had his head tilted to the side admiring the full frontal view he was privy to when Ethan came out of the bathroom. Neither noticed him enter but he followed delivery man's eyes to where he was staring, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He quickly moved in front of Kristina.
"Kristina, why don't you go get dressed and I'll do this."
Kristina looked up at Ethan and gave him a puzzled look but was eager to get ready and get things situated so she didn't argue. "Ok, great, thanks. I'll hurry." She grabbed the clothes she selected earlier and ran back into the bathroom.
Ethan turned his attention to the delivery man. "Did you enjoy the view there mate?" he scowled.
"Hey man, I didn't mean any harm. But you know, your wife is very beautiful."
Always quick on his feet Ethan didn't miss a step. "Yes, yes she is, and I don't appreciate someone in our apartment that can't even show her enough respect than to turn his head. Leave the furniture in the service area downstairs and I'll take care of it. Thanks, and you can leave now." He said very curt.
The delivery man held up his hands and conceded. He turned and left. Ethan clenched his jaw and turned back around and began deflating the air mattress. He then moved back to the clothes and began throwing them back in the boxes he took them out of last night. A few minutes later Kristina emerged from the bathroom. She looked around the room then out in the living room. Puzzled she turned to Ethan.
"Where are the delivery guys?" she asked him.
"They left the furniture in the service area downstairs."
"I paid for delivery. Why would they leave it down there?" she asked highly annoyed.
Ethan stood up. "Because I told him to. Look, Kristina I will take care of it ok."
"Why would you do that? Are you insane? Do you know how much stuff I ordered? You can't move all of that by yourself and that stuff is heavy. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that you just gave that guy an eyeful of your bare breasts and I didn't want him hanging around ogling you!"
Kristina turned from his face to the door and then back to him. "What makes you think I care if some guy is looking at me?" she asked almost accusingly. "Do you know how many clothing optional beaches in Europe I've been too? Do you know that I have exercised my option to not wear clothes many times." She stepped in front of him and began poking him hard in his stomach. "You (poke) do not (poke) know me (poke) as well (poke) as you think (poke) you do!" She quickly took her right leg and hooked Ethan's with it causing him to fall back right on his butt. He landed on the deflating air mattress. The sudden loss of air made for a comical noise. Ethan was shocked and his face expressed this. Seeing him hit the floor and the noise the air mattress made shook Kristina out of her 'anger' mode. She ran her hand over her forehead and through her hair before exhaling. She knelt down in front of Ethan.
"Ethan, I'm…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Ethan's shock subsided and he looked straight at her. "Well, maybe I owe you one 'I shouldn't have done that moment' now." He quickly and lustfully pulled Kristina into him for a passionate kiss. She resisted for a moment but just a moment and then gave in to and matched Ethan's intensity. After a few moments she pulled away breathless. She tried to regain her composure and moved to stand up. Ethan followed. They stood there looking at each other until she finally spoke. "I…I…guess we're even." She exhaled and before Ethan could interrupt she continued on. "We…we better start hauling things up."
"Kristina…" he began to say but she stopped him.
"Look, I think I'm going to call Dante and see if he can help us." She said that in a tone that said 'I'm not talking about this now', so Ethan let it drop.
"Ok, uh, I'll call John and see if he can help for a few."
"Ok. Thanks." With that they went about the task at hand.
A few hours later Ethan, Johnny, Kristina, Dante, Lulu, and Molly were all hard at work bringing things up from the service area downstairs via the service elevator in the building. Lulu was helping Molly put Kristina's clothes away as everyone unanimously told her she was not to lift anything over 5lbs! Kristina and Dante were carrying a bookshelf into the office while Johnny and Ethan were placing the loveseat down in the living room.
"I can help Dante with that luv."
"I've got it thanks." She politely replied over her shoulder.
Johnny noticed Ethan's expression. "Is there something wrong with you guys this morning?"
Shaking his head. "Come on, let's go get the entertainment center." The two left and got back into the elevator and headed down.
"She knocked me on my bloody ass this morning." He told Johnny very plainly, and Johnny couldn't help but laugh. "Are you meaning metaphorically?" he asked.
"No, she was angry at me for sending the delivery men away and she took my feet out from under me, knocking me to the ground."
'Well she really is a bit of a bad ass' was Johnny's first thought. "Well, she took some self defense and kick boxing classes."
He turned to look at his friend. "How do you know that?" he asked.
"She told me." He looked his friend in the eye. "We had dinner last week and kind of got caught up a little."
He looked at his friend for a moment. "Mate, are you interested in Kristina?"
The question took Johnny by surprise. "As a friend. We've kept in touch through email over the years here and there. I assumed you two did too." He gave his friend the same look back. "Are you interested in Kristina as something other than a friend?"
The elevator stopped back downstairs and the doors opened. Ethan and Johnny walked out leaving the question in the air until Ethan grabbed one end of the couch and Johnny the other. "I don't know what is going on in my bloody head mate." They lifted and walked towards the service elevator. "Seeing her again just brings up a lot of old feelings."
"Wait, you swore up and down years ago that you didn't feel 'that' way about her." Johnny reminded.
"Well, I was a bloody liar, and you were right, I just didn't want to own up to it."
"Let me guess, now that she is all grown up you do?" Johnny guessed what his friend wasn't saying as they walked in the elevator, set the couch down, and Johnny pushed the button.
"I'm ready to try and see what happens. Problem and bloody irony is now I don't know that she is. Can't say as I blame her really, and it'd be my own fault if she didn't want to."
"Have you asked her?"
"No, but I kissed her this morning and she kissed me back but then pushed me away. What does that tell you?" he said sarcastically.
"Well, I think you need to talk to her. I mean really talk and lay your cards on the table once and for all. Either way it goes at least you won't be thinking about lost opportunities or wishing you would have said something more."
The doors to the elevator opened and they both bent down to pick up the couch again. "Yeah, you're right mate."
Another 30 minutes and all the furniture in the apartment is in and the Dante and Ethan are finishing assembling the bed in the bedroom.
"Look, I know this isn't my business know I don't have any issue with you Ethan and you know that, but as Kristina's brother I'm going to ask you to please respect who she is now."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, she isn't a teenager anymore Ethan. She's a Yale graduate, and hell she even graduated early to get into law school earlier. She has SO much potential I can't even imagine what she can accomplish. She doesn't need to be drug back down into emotional drama and have her feet knocked out from under her before she even plants them in her new job."
Ethan shakes his head. "I know what you are saying mate, but if anything she's knocked me off mine."
Molly and Lulu are in the kitchen making snacks for everyone, and Johnny and Kristina are in the office putting her books on the shelf.
"So, what is going on with you and Ethel?" Johnny asked handing her a couple books from the box.
Kristina rolled her eyes. "Nothing is going on, and nothing will be going on." She said matter of factly.
"Time was that was your life's ambition." He said as more of a question than statement.
"Well, time's change John." He continued to look at her when she didn't expand on the statement. She finally sat down on the floor and exhaled as if completely drained. "Do you know I emailed him like twice a week for the first month I went to Yale. Then I waited and waited, and sent one more email another 2 months later and still nothing. No response. Is that how you treat a friend?"
He sat down next to her. "Maybe he just didn't want to lead you on, you know. Maybe he thought he did that while you were here and he didn't want to feel tied to him still while you were trying to create a life for yourself at Yale."
"Oh bull." She said bluntly.
"Ok." He had to laugh a little at her candor.
"If he didn't want to lead me on then he shouldn't have slept with me and then pushed me away." Johnny's laugh stopped and he looked at her with his face contorted. She returned his look and then realized…"You didn't know?"
"No. He never said anything." He couldn't believe Ethan did that.
"Hmm…well, maybe it wasn't a big enough deal to register another thought." She said sarcastically.
"Don't say that. Look, you are beautiful and intelligent and as a man who has had the privilege of sharing a bed with you I know that it is a very big deal." He held her hand and smiled at her.
She placed her other hand on top of his and returned his smile. "Thanks. But see, even after we spent that week together in Cabo you spoke to me. I mean, we've texted and emailed, but with him it was absolutely nothing. I came home over break. We argued, he pulled me into a kiss, one thing led to another, but then afterwards he said no matter what I said or did we were over and that it was only one night. I know he was trying to push me away but really, that's how he left it, and what am I supposed to do now? Oh now he acknowledges his feelings for me and I'm supposed to go running into his arms? I'm not so easily appeased anymore. I have a little more self respect for myself than I did then."
"Good. You should. You've built a life for yourself and you've accomplished so much. You should be proud and you should do what your heart tells you to. Just be sure to listen to your heart. Do what makes you happy, not just what you think will make him miserable. Although, right now, I do believe he deserves a little miserable." He paused for a second and then had to ask. "I'm sorry that I have to ask this but did you sleep with me in Cabo to get back at Ethan?"
Kristina looked at him shocked that he'd even think that and was about to give a very nasty response. She opened her mouth but then closed it again and grit her teeth and took a couple breaths. "Ok, I can see where you might think that after finding out about Ethan and I but you also have to remember that was what 5 ½ years ago. I made peace that he pushed me away thinking he was being a 'good guy'. I don't like the way he handled it but what's done is done. When I was in Cabo, I was 100% just me. The me that I am now not the lashing out teen Kristina from years ago, and I was 100% with you because I just wanted to be with you. It felt good, it was fun, and it was in that moment. You're a good friend Johnny and I would not want to ruin our friendship for anything." She squeezed his hand that she was still holding. "Now having said that." She exhaled. "I can't deny that at this moment I am screwed up in my head. It's like being back in Port Charles is screwing up the peace that I made with Ethan and mines relationship or lack of. I feel like he's apologized, and thinks that now that I'm older it's ok to want to be with me, and that that should be ok with me. Like that's it." She ran her fingers through her hair. "You know, what's done is done and we have to just live in the present. In the present I absolutely do not hate him, I do not begrudge him any happiness. But, I also can't just open my heart to him like that again. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah, it does. Sometimes when we don't seize the opportunities life gives us they can pass by and we have no one to blame but ourselves for letting them go." He looked at her as if he were remembering something.
There was a knock at the door. They stood up and Dante walked in.
"Hey, I think we're done. I'm sorry we have to head out but Lulu is a little worn out and Molly has a date so I'm going to drop her back at your mom's to get ready."
"Oh, that's no problem. Thank you so much for coming today. I really appreciate it." She walked over and gave her brother a hug. He could see the troubles on her face though.
"Are you ok?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'll call you tomorrow." She brushed his question off trying to downplay her mood.
He looked at Johnny, "Hey, you know why don't you and Ethan call it a day too and let Kristina have some peace in her apartment."
"Dante." Was all Kristina got out before Johnny spoke.
"You know Detective I think you're right. I'm going to grab Ethan right now."
OK LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN ETHAN AND JOHNNY….LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. THANKS!