TITL 3- Memories

Kris stood in the shower, trying to clear her head. As the water ran down her face she closed her eyes, letting the heat relax her. The water droned in a pattern on her back and as she stood she thought about the past.

"I see you."

"But we are alone in the dark our eyes can play tricks on us." She replied softly.

As he shook his head silently to signify he disagreed he leaned in and gently placed a kiss on her lips.

--

"Do you want to?" Junior asked softly. She smiled and nodded her head as a small sigh escaped her lips.

"Not here," she stated quickly causing him to smile as well.

"My place?" he asked.

"What about your Dad and Dani?" Kris replied.

"Your trailer?"

"But that's not special," Kris stated softly.

"It would be to me," Junior replied causing her to smile.

He leaned down and kissed her before making his way to her neck. They would meet up later, at her trailer that was for certain.

--

"Please Kris, I would do anything, you have to know, I love you."

He leaned in and kissed her, which she complied with. Slowly they pulled away and she looked up into his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Kris whispered "but I have to take the offer. I can't pass this up."

He nodded his head softly, trying to be strong.

"Take care of yourself," Junior whispered softly as he reached up and brushed a stray strand of hair off of her face.

"We will still see each other," Kris replied looking into his eyes hopefully "won't we?"

"I'm sorry Kris," Junior answered her "but I think for the time being it would be best if we were friends."

She could feel the tears on her cheeks, but she softly nodded her head.

"Friends it is." Kris replied as she leaned in and softly hugged him.

"Goodbye Junior." She whispered as she turned and walked away.

--

"Well, well if it isn't Kristine Furillo." The man called to her.

She turned around and was enveloped in a huge hug.

"MATT?" Kris asked shocked as she hugged her best friend. "What on earth?"

"I thought you could use a friend," Matt replied as he wrapped his arm around her and continued to walk with her.

"Well you were right about that!" Kris replied looking up at him and smiling "It is so great to see you."

"It's great to see you too!" Matt replied softly "I really missed you."

"Yeah I miss you guys too." Kris replied "How is everyone?"

"Good, really good." Matt stated softly. "Mom is dating this new guy and I guess he is ok. Todd is doing great at school, but that is no surprise. Pablo is amazing with the horses, we have a couple of really great contenders this year. Dani is well, Dani." Matt stated laughing.

"And Junior?" Kris asked quietly not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

He looked at her for a moment and she could tell he was contemplating something.

"Junior is seeing someone new." Matt stated softly "I am sorry I had to be the one to tell you."

Kris nodded her head quietly and she could feel the tears bristling on her eyelids. She slowly pulled away from Matt, causing him to pull her in tightly.

"I'm sorry," Matt whispered again as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you," Kris stated softly "for being honest with me."

"Always," Matt replied as they continued to walk away from the track.

--

"Kris" Matt stated softly as he looked at her across the table. I need to tell you something."

"You can tell me anything, Matt." Kris replied as she reached across the table and gently laid her hand upon his.

He looked at her for a moment before slowly nodding his head. His eyes met hers, causing both of them to momentarily smile.

"I think I am in love with you and I want to give us a try."

She looked at him for a moment contemplating what he was saying.

"Junior," Kris whispered softly.

"Is with someone new," Matt replied gently "you can't tell me, Kris, that you don't feel it too."

"I just don't know," Kris stated softly "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"For once in your life Kris, think about what you want and not what others want!"

A small sigh escaped her lips and she nervously placed her hand near her mouth, chewing on the tip of her fingernail.

Slowly a smile formed on her face and she lifted her eyes to meet his once more. "I suppose we could give it a try." Kris replied.

He leaned over and gently picked up her hand placing a soft kiss on the back of it, causing her to blush.

"I was hoping you would say that."

--

Kris ran into him a few weeks later, as he made his way out of the track.

"Junior Davis," she called laughingly and he turned to look at her.

"Kris," he replied softly pulling her into a hug.

"Surprise!" Kris stated exuberantly as she threw her hands in the air.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Junior asked shock evident on his face.

"Visiting, I was really hoping that I would run into you."

A tall blonde woman walked over and gently wrapped her arms around his waste, taking Kris back a little bit.

"You must be Katelyn." Kris stated softly, forcing the smile on her face. She looked to Junior and the shocked look had turned into horror.

"That I am," The woman replied giggly before turning and looking to Junior. "Hurry up babe; we have a luncheon to catch."

Junior nodded his head quietly in her direction before replying. "I will be there in just a minute, why don't you head on without me."

"How in the world?" Junior stated confusion evident in his voice.

"Matt and I have been keeping in touch," Kris stated softly.

"Keeping in touch?" Junior asked.

"Matt and I are together." Kris stated as she looked off in the distance avoiding the hurt look on his face.

"Oh really, how wonderful," Junior stated sarcastically.

"Well," Kris replied brusquely "he was willing to work with me on my schedule. He made an effort."

"That's low Kris," Junior replied.

Just then Matt walked up and gently slinked his arm around Kris' waist. "Oh hey Junior," Matt stated casually as he looked at his friend "Katelyn said she was waiting for you."

"Right, well I should be getting to her then shouldn't I?" Junior replied before quickly walking away.

--

"Can we talk?" Kris asked as she gently placed her hand on his knee.

"Of course," Matt stated softly, worry evident in his voice.

"I just can't get the look on Junior's face out of my head." Kris stated softly.

"Me either," Matt replied his voice dropping a bit.

"What do we do about it?" Kris asked, "I don't want to come between your guys' friendship."

She heard Matt take a deep breath before he replied "I think that damage has already been done."

"What are you saying?" Kris asked her voice rising "Are you saying this is my fault?"

"Not at all," Matt replied looking at her longingly "I just think there are some unresolved issues there."

"I'm with you Matt, not Junior."

"Yeah but I am available." Matt stated honestly "Junior isn't."

Kris let a huge gasp escape her lips as she stood up and pulled away from him. "Is that what you honestly think?"

"I don't know what to think Kris, but I saw the way you looked at him the other day. You don't look at me that way!"

She slowly turned to walk away and he grabbed her arm pulling her back.

"Where are you going?" Matt asked.

"I have work to do," Kris stated jerking her arm out of his grip and gently wiping a stray tear off of her face.

As the door slammed behind her, she heard him calling to her "I'm sorry, please come back. I love you."

--

That had been almost a year ago and Kris hadn't had contact with any of them since. Any of them, that was, except Dani. It was surprising to her how much she and Dani had kept in contact since she had left, and even more surprising that they had gotten along.

As she stepped out of the shower and gently wrapped the towel around her, she could feel the muscles in her back instantly tighten again. She knew that she should call Dani, and probably Matt, but the problem was what would she say?