He pushed the door open hesitantly, glancing around.

"Kris?" He called quietly. Listening for an answer he followed the sound of muffled music to the bathroom door. He could hear the shower running and the radio blasting.

" -The day I turned to you, and said I didn't like the way he was looking at you." The female voice that sang along to the song was unfamiliar. "You just couldn't get what I was saying. It was my imagination." Strong and rich it echoed the well known song.

"So do you believe me now? I guess I wasn't really that crazy. And I knew what I was talkin' bout. Every time the sun goes down, he's the one who's calling you baby. And me I'm missing you-" Kenny snickered, leaning against the wall to listen. Suddenly the singing stopped and the shower faded into a rhythmic drip. The radio dimmed until he could hear the gentle humming beneath it and the click of the door as it opened.

"Holy Fuck!" Kristen grasped at the top of her towel, pulling it tighter around her body.

"What the hell Kenny!" He grinned at her furious expression.

"Well, you didn't show up this morning, so I figured I should check in and make sure your alright. You should probably let me do a thorough inspection of the body in question." He poked his head around her, jokingly. Her cheeks flushed.

"Get lost jackass. I had an appointment at the doctors this morning." She slipped past him into the bed room, shutting the door.

He pushed his hands into his pockets, keeping them from drifting towards the doorknob. This was Kyle's fiance he reminded himself for the millionth time, and while it would be funny as hell, it was not appropriate.

"So, you calling off the wedding?" He asked through the door, casually.

"What?"

"The wedding. Are you calling it off?" He heard a drawer shut with a slam. Kristen opened the door, rubbing her hair with her towel.

"What the hell are you going on about?"

"The song you were singing in the shower. Obviously you've figured out Stan's desperate love for your fiance and now realize the futility of trying to hold onto him." She laughed slightly, smacking him lightly with the wet towel.

"Very funny Ken." Her voice was tense, layered under amusement. He frowned at her back.

"No seriously, I mean if you give up now, the two of them could take over the wedding plans! It would be totally hassle free!"

"Ha. Ha."

"And I'm sure Stan would love Mexico-"

"Shut UP Kenny!" Kenny froze in surprise at the venom in her voice and the heat in her eyes. It melted as quickly as it had come. Remorse quickly took it's place.

"Sorry," she murmured, turning away and hanging her towel on the rack. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," he shrugged absently. "Are you okay?" His hand drifted towards her bare shoulder blades, before he pulled it back jerkily. He shoved the hand back in his pocket.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Without looking at him, she brushed by, making her way to the kitchen.

"Somehow I doubt that." She turned, smiling lightly at him. She lifted herself gracefully onto the counter, kicking bare feet against the cupboards. Looking up in the ceiling he could see her formulating her answer.

"No, I'm okay. It's just...I'm used to having Kyle all to myself. Four years of school where neither of us had old friends or family anywhere around us. Any friends we had were our friends. Now, all of a sudden here I have to share. His family is here, his old friends, you, and...Stan. I knew they were close but I never realized how close. If we're all together he isn't the third wheel - I am."

"It's okay to feel-"

"I know," she interrupted, holding a hand up. "But it's fine, to a point. If he was ignoring me, or ditching me then we would have something to discuss but he's welcome to have a life outside of me. I just get jealous sometimes, which is probably pretty normal."

"It's cool. I get jealous of the two of them all the time." She laughed, a real smile slipping onto her lips.

"Yeah, I could see that. They are ridiculously tight." Kenny walked forward, a predatory glint in his amused eyes.

"Oh no worries Kristen. We can be just as tight, and make Kyle stupidly jealous." He leaned forward, hands on either side of her. He could feel her breathe on his face for a long moment before it caught. Blue eyes met green as he leaned closer unconsciously. He could feel the warmth from her lips, his nose brushing hers when she turned her head suddenly. His lips brushed her cheek, and his eyes closed as pain exploded through his chest. As he pulled away he met her eyes worriedly. They flashed with unknown emotions for a long moment before she laughed lightly, raising an eyebrow.

"You wish," she stated, smiling wryly. He pulled back, grinning, his heart thumping uncomfortably. The tension in the room shifted, no longer the unbearable crush of the moment before.

"Obviously."


He ran up the stairs two at a time, grinning. She was late yet again, the silly girl. Maybe he'd catch her without her shoes on again and toss her into the snow. The way she had screeched was still etched into his brain and he chuckled at the memory. He pushed the door open, sticking his head into the entrance. He walked in further when he didn't see her immediately and slipped his shoes off.

He dropped them into his normal spot and smiled. He had a normal spot for his shoes. The only other place he had that was at his home. Even at Stan's he was rarely there for long enough to take them off.

It had been a long time since he had hung out with someone this much. It had been even longer since he had really wanted to. Every time they talked she captured his interested even further. The way she talked, the way she thought was just so completely different than what he had been raised in. She was so normal.

She loved cats and hated raisins. He favorite color was purple, and she had had a turtle named Bob when she was young. She had never seen aliens, or hunted ManBearPig, or died. She had never had to deal with the sheer amount of insanity.

And yet, when she was faced with it, with the craziness that this town could provide, she took it in stride. When she had discovered that two of her students were actually dogs, placed into human bodies by the mad scientist down the street, not only did she keep them in the class, but she had actually trained them to sing harmony.

He wandered through the kitchen following the quiet sound of her voice. Every time Kyle wandered out with Stan, which was more often than not she would call him up, or he would and they would do something. Watch a movie, order take out, or even play monopoly. He had never played monopoly in his life but he had learned he rather liked the game. She had been here for nearly six months and as Christmas approached this little down the had spent hours wandering through the little shop section hunting for Christmas gifts for her family, friends, and of course, Kyle.

It was a whole hell of a lot better than fighting off giant guinea pigs.

"No, Mum, it's okay. I understand. If Nicole is sick you should stay. Dad can't handle puke and we both know you'd get home to a disaster." Kristen was quiet as the other person on the phone said something. Pulling her knees to her chest she curled into her chair as he watched from the entrance.

"It's been fine. Kyle's great as always, and his mum is really nice. A little crazy, but we get along pretty well. His little brother is a typical irritating eighteen year old and his dad is really nice." She laughed.

"Ok, go get some orange juice and don't you get sick. Tell Nicole I hope she gets better. I love you too." She hung up, sighing deeply.

"Your sister's sick?" She jumped, spinning as far as she could on the small chair.

"What the fuck Kenny! Seriously, make some god damn noise when you move or I'll have to get you a bell and collar." She rolled her eyes as his eyes glinted in amusement. "No, that is not an offer to try some bondage."

"Damn." He snapped his fingers, grinning at her. "So what's up? You're late again." She stood, stretching. He stared casually at her face, ignoring the flash of skin between her shirt and sweats.

"When am I not? Maybe it's just that your always early. But sorry, my mum called."

"About what?"

"Oh. We...we were supposed to go dress shopping tomorrow. But my sister got sick suddenly and so she can't fly out tonight." Her words were wistful, and he could clearly hear the disappointment flooding from her, despite her smile. She jerked her head towards the doorway, grabbing her sweater off of the back of the chair. "Come on, let's go run."

He nodded absently, following her as she brushed past him. He paused as she shoved her feet into her runners. She wasn't allowed to be like this - to be so somber. Her face was relaxed, calm even, but he could see the subtle tension in her shoulders and the bubble of silence that seemed to envelope her.

"You can't go on your own? Or with Kyle?" he asked quietly, when she looked up questioningly. Her short laugh looked more like a wince.

"No, you never take the fiance. And going by yourself is...I don't know. I'm not all that fashion conscious, and I don't want to get something I look stupid it. Plus it would be...lonely. I guess I'll just have to put it off until my mum can make it out." Suddenly she was grinning, her eyes dancing.

"Seriously Ken? You would come with me?" He blinked in surprise as his mouth continued to talk without his permission.

"Definitely. Who better to tell you if your guy will like the way you look than a guy?" He looked away, shoving his own feet into his runners harder than necessary. What the hell was he doing? He was offering to go shopping for a wedding dress with Kyle's fiance. He was not a wedding person. He was not a marriage person. He was not a relationship person. And...he shouldn't be around her more than necessary. It was just a bad plan.

"I have an appointment at the salon tomorrow morning around 11. We could just go after we run, if that's okay?" She was bouncing on her tip toes as she spoke, bopping to some silent radio. She stopped, looking at his face carefully. "But you don't have to. Don't feel like you need to because I want to go." He could see the concern in her eyes, and he smiled, rolling his.

"Relax. I'm going because I want to put you into the skimpiest possible wedding gown and take pictures of Kyle's mother when you walk down the aisle." Her smile lit up the room.

"I will forgive that because your being awesome. Thanks Kenny. I really appreciate it." She jumped forward, hugging him warmly. He squeezed, holding onto her one moment longer before she pulled back to pull her sweater over her head.

"No problem." But there was a big problem. The problem was that it really was no problem.


"I'm not coming out." He snorted at the shrill voice from the sitting room. He leaned back into the squishy green chair he sat in and took a sip of champagne.

"Yes. Yes you are."

"I am not."

"You are too."

"Am Not!"

"You know, if she isn't comfortable in the dress we really should just try somethi-" Kenny shot the attendant a look and her mouth snapped shut. "Why don't I just go look for some other options?" He grinned at her.

"Sounds good." He stood, placing the champagne flute on the table. "Kristen, either you come out, or I come in. Pick." He heard multiple swears from the small girl as she muttered under her breathe.

"Fine." He grinned as the curtain swung open, then crossed his arms in annoyance as it swung right closed again.

"Kristen. That doesn't count. Come on. I came all the way out here for you."

"And you are having way too much fun!"

"Well I didn't know they gave you alcohol. That makes everything fun." Slowly the curtain slid open and Kristen stepped out, her face twisted into a glare.

The white dress hugged her body tightly, the fabric brilliant against her light skin. He grinned, his eyes sweeping down her thin form, from the dangerously low neckline, to the sheer lace covering her midsection. A long slit on the side of the dress showed long legs. He looked up again, grinning at her. He swallowed hard, refusing to show how the dress was effecting him. His stomach twisted as she shifted uncomfortably, more of her pale skin peaking out.

"Well, I think we're found the one." She didn't even bother to dignify his quip with a response. She took a step back huffily and swung the curtain shut. He laughed, falling back into the chair he had been in for the last hour. He had seen her in many dresses, some cute, some frumpy, and some just downright ugly. He could see from her expression that she was starting to become frustrated and stood, glancing over the few racks that were near him in the small store.

A dress jumped out at him suddenly, and he pulled it down tilting his head as he examined it. He walked back over to her dressing room and pushed the dress through the gap in the curtain.

"Here. Try this one."

"Kenny I'm not-"

"Seriously. Try this one." He felt her hand brush his as she took the dress, and he backed up, unconsciously rubbing the place where she had touched him. He grabbed the glass, downing the last of his drink before he turned back to face where the curtain was sliding back.

She slipped out of the small dressing room in the long white dress. She held it up around her chest uncomfortably.

"Sorry Ken but I can't reach the zipper. Can you...?" She turned, looking at him with a small embarrassed smile gracing her lips. He nodded mutely, his heart thumping. Standing and stepping towards her, each step echoed in his ears. She turned, and his eyes slid down the long expanse of creamy skin.

She looked away, as he reached towards the small silver zipper. His finger brushed against pale skin gently and he heard her breath catch. Unconsciously he ran his finger tips down her spin gently, stepping closer to her. Her skin warmed beneath his touch, sending shivers down his spine.

He grasped the small tab, pulling it slowly up her back. The back of his hand slid over her skin smoothly and he felt her shiver beneath his touch. He stepped forward again, pulled towards her warmth. He could smell her shampoo, the scent of vanilla overwhelming his senses. He breath quickened as his hand slid off the zipper, over thin shoulders. She leaned into the touch slightly.

"And how are we doing here?" The cheerful voice sent panicked lightning through Kenny's system as he stumbled away from the bride-to-be. He glanced up nervously at the attendant as she swiftly made her way to Kristen's side tugging at the long gown efficiently.

He rubbed the back of his head absently as he mentally screamed for his heart to calm down. Kristen glanced at him, confusion thick in her glance. Their eyes met and held for what felt like forever. He swallowed, his face burning.

"Huh?" Finally she looked away and smiled at the attendant, answering some random question about the fit. Kenny collapsed quietly into the green chair, pushing the panic down.

He watched as the woman helped her up onto the pedestal, watching the smile that grew as she looked at herself. She was glowing as she spun gracefully, examining herself.

His breathe hitched again as his eyes ran over her long neck as the attendant talked about the detailed embroidery the covered the top of the dress. He had to look away as her long brown hair slid off her shoulder, fanning out across the ivory dress. Her wedding dress. That she would wear when she married Kyle. His friend Kyle.

He swallowed heavily, closing his eyes. What the fuck was he doing?

"Kenny?" His head snapped up at her quiet call. She smiled gently at him, a ghost of the previous confusion slipping through. "What do you think?" His eyes swept over the simple silk gown before once again meeting her eyes.

"You look beautiful," he answered, his voice soft. Understanding fled through her eyes as she bit her lip.

"You think Kyle would like it?" she asked, and he could her the gentle purpose in her voice. Swallowing he took a deep breathe.

She was Kyle's, he told himself again definitively. No matter what he felt between them, no matter what he wanted, or the glimpses he could see hiding in her green eyes, she was Kyle's first.

"He would be an idiot if he didn't," he replied, smiling at her. She smiled back, her eyes sparkling again.

"I think he will too," she turned to look at herself again.

Kyle would be an idiot if he didn't see how beautiful she was, and he was an idiot for seeing it.


Hi all!

So this isn't the longest chapter, but it gets everything set up for the next one. And oooooh, the next one. Think obscenities, kisses, and broken coffee tables. It should be done very soon. It's almost complete as it is.

Miric.