AN: It's been a while, but the mood has returned, and I'm back. This one's short, but it's straight up N/K, so I hope you enjoy it.

Summary: Nita figures out something important.

One Plus One Equals Two

Hold my hand firmly, and don't let go just because other people are looking.

Kit was her rock. He was stubborn and steady, and never let her take the easy way out. She was always inspired to be the best she could be around him, and it wasn't even because he wanted her to be perfect. It was because he honestly seemed to believe that she wouldn't accept anything less from herself. He believed that she wouldn't let herself down, and for some reason, his belief made her believe it, too. If someone teased them about being joined at the hip, Kit would just shoot right back that the teaser was jealous just because they'd have a better shot at the three legged race. Sometimes life with a partner in it really did feel like that, though. Like someonehad bound them indivisibly together, and now they had to match each other's faulty stride to cross some great, invisible, finish line. It could've been a chore. But, Kit was courageous, and witty, and puppy-dog loyal. He knew when to be serious, and he was quick with a comeback. As far as supernatural deals that encouraged complete co-dependent went, she felt like she could've done a lot worse.

And yet, after a while, Nita realized something.

Nita was fantastic when she worked alone. She was smart, and she was strong, and she was resourceful, and a damn good wizard to boot. Nita needed food, and air, and the blood and magic that ran through her veins. But Nita didn't need Kit, not really. She was great all by herself.

But revelation 1 was quickly followed by revelation 2:

Nita didn't need Kit.

But, she was so, so much better with him.

She was herself, but she was also more with him. It was just basic math.

Which was why, when things "changed" between them, Kit knew better than to put his arm around her hip, or carry her books, or try to be a gentleman and hold open doors. They still raced from the car like they did everyday, and that day Kit won, slamming through the metal doors ahead of her and pointedly laughing and ignoring her scowl when she came in panting 20 second later. They bickered in the stairwell, and as for their bookbags- He carried his. She carried hers. He didn't touch her beyond an accidental bump in the crowded hallways. It wasn't until they'd idled away the few remaining mintes before the bell rang for first period in front of her locker, that there was any indication of a change in the status quo.

It happened when they once more shouldered their backpacks to head for their shared morning class. Kit paused deliberately, breaking her out of step and making her stop. He didn't grab her hand. Instead, he looked her right in the eye, and offered his hand to her. Nita held his gaze for a long second, grinned approvingly, and took it. He grinned back.

A few people stared. They walked down the hall, joking like everything was normal, while their fingers, defiant to the following eyes, twined like strong ropes.

I'm not going to ask you not to let go of me.

Because, as long as you want me, I wont let go of you.