Kyle trudged groggily out of her bedroom the next morning, expecting to find Chris asleep on the couch where she had left him the night before. After arriving home and sucking down a few more beers (though they were both already quite drunk), they'd settled into the sofa. At first it was much like the other evening: giggles and laughter, stories and talks. But eventually things had grown more heated; hands roaming, tongues lashing. It had taken Kyle all of her self control to pry herself away from him and excuse herself to bed, her own bed. Alone. Even Caesar had decided to stay with Chris on the sofa, and she could hardly blame him. She was getting lost in the bearded, blue eyed Bostonian, and it made her quite uneasy at best.

When she exited her room, however, she didn't find Chris passed out on the sofa, or anywhere in sight for that matter. And she didn't find Caesar asleep at his feet. Just as she began to grow concerned the front door open and in strolled Chris, clutching a brown sack, a tray of coffee and the peppy pup on his bright red leash.

"What's all this?" Kyle asked with a laugh, taking the coffee from the man's hands.

"Well someone wanted to go for a walk this morning, so…thought I'd grab breakfast on our way back," Chris answered.

"You took my dog for a walk and brought me donuts?" Kyle asked with a cocked eyebrow as Chris sat the Dunkin Donuts bag on the counter and pulled off his leather jacket.

"I did."

"What're you up to?"

Chris laughed heartily. "Nothing. Being a decent guy?" he retorted, taking a step toward her. He placed his hand on her hip, covered only by a tiny pair of shorts and a much too large sweatshirt and softly pressed his lips into hers. "Morning."

Kyle laughed and smiled, her cheeks growing hot and flushed. "Good morning."

He sighed and took a seat on the stool at the island between the kitchen and the living room. "What makes you think I'm up to something?"

"Because most people are," Kyle stated, pulling a coffee from the tray.

"They're both just black. I didn't know how you take it," Chris stated.

"Black is fine…especially after last night."

"Things got a bit out hand," Chris said with a chuckle. "I'll be feeling this one for awhile."

"Mmm. Amen," Kyle sighed.

"So you always paranoid about people's intentions or just mine?"

Kyle laughed. "It's definitely not just you. Just kind of how I am."

"Well get over it. I'm not trying to get anything. Just…being a good guy." Chris watched as her dark locks slipped into her face as she shook her head. "So what're you're plans for the day?"

Kyle sighed. "Heading to Concord. I need to see my dad…and I need to call Margo and see if she'll take Caesar."

"You don't take him with you?"

Kyle shook her head. "No. All the dander and stuff around my dad isn't good. His immune system is shot so…"

"Well…let me take him."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to. I want to."

"Really?"

Chris chuckled. "Yes , really."

"You're sure?"

"Jesus Christ, woman, yes!" Chris laughed. "It'll be fun to have the little guy around for awhile."

"I'll only be gone til Monday morning."

"That's fine. I don't have anything planned until Tuesday."

"What's Tuesday?"

Chris groaned. "Um…I have to head to Los Angeles for a couple weeks."

"Don't sound so excited."

"Mm. Yes. Excited," Chris said sarcastically.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot," Chris stated, taking a drink from his coffee cup.

"If you hate it all so much…why don't quit?"

Chris sighed and thought a moment. "It's not…It's not that I hate it, really. I mean, I kind of do, parts of it anyway." He paused. "I don't know. I got a few things I need to wrap up and then I'm done, at least in front of the camera for awhile."

"Marvel stuff?"

Chris nodded. "One more Cap and two more Avengers and I'm out."

"How long's that?"

"Two years or so."

"Seems like a long time to be doing something that doesn't really make you happy."

Chris laughed. "Do I have to pay for this therapy session or does it come free of charge?"

"You brought me coffee. We'll call it square."

Chris just smiled and shook his head. "I get such fucking anxiety about this shit. It's stupid and I know that, but…I mean…I'm not living in poverty or… in the middle of some war torn, third world place. I'm doing pretty fucking well for myself."

"But that doesn't matter if you're not happy."

"You wanna hear the weirdest fucking part? It'll probably freak you out."

"What's that?" Kyle asked.

"Here, with you for the last week or whatever…is the most normal I've felt in a long fucking time," Chris stated.

Kyle smiled. "That's sweet."

"I'm serious. I just…I feel like a regular guy. I feel like you don't care about any of…the Hollywood, fame shit."

"That's because I don't," Kyle stated.

"That's why I like you. I'm just some schmuck off the street to you."

"Some asshole schmuck."

"Asshole huh?" Chris laughed. "Some asshole that bought you breakfast."

"Oh well thank you. Should I blow you in thank now or later?"

Chris's eyebrows rose. "I didn't realize that was an option, but…"

"Shut the fuck up," Kyle laughed, tossing a napkin haphazardly in his direction. It more or less just floated to the counter below, but her point was made. "So what happens after you walk away? Behind the scenes? Gone completely? Wedding and babies?"

"Why? You planning on hanging around that long?" Chris asked.

Kyle laughed. "Not necessarily sure I meant me."

"That's mildly disappointing" Chris stated as the girl's cheeks grew pink once again. "Come on! Every girl wants the princess dream wedding, white picket fences, two point four kids."

"Not ALL of us," Kyle argued.

"You mean to tell me that if you meet and fall madly in love with some SOB, you wouldn't settle down? You wouldn't walk down the aisle and do the whole be with him forever thing."

"Have to fall madly in love first."

"Well I am trying as hard as I can here, girl. Fuck," Chris teased. "You're not all that easy to break."

"Stop trying to break me."

"No, I like trying to break you. I'm just wondering how long this process is really going to take. I don't usually have to work this hard." Chris was met with a disapproving glare from Kyle. "Easy, tiger. I'm just kidding."

"Well I'm sorry my panties didn't drop the second you walked into the room."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Chris exclaimed. "That is not at all what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying, Chris?"

"I was joking! I just got done telling you I like that I have to work. I like that you don't give a shit who or what I'm supposed to be. I like all of that," Chris stated. Kyle didn't even flinch. "You're about to stab me, aren't you?"

"Not immediately."

Chris chuckled. "I guess…that's better than a yes." He stared at her and sighed. "I am batting straight up fucking zero today, aren't I?"

Kyle sighed and shook her head. "No. I was being a jerk. I'm sorry."

Chris stood and headed to her on the opposite side of the counter. He put a hand on her waist and turned her to face him. "I'm not…trying to pressure you into…anything. In any way, shape or form. You know that right?" Kyle just nodded. "We're having fun. We're getting to know each other and…as of this minute, that's all I care about. Slow and steady, huh?" She laughed, but nodded once more.

Kyle could feel her heart start to pound in her chest as his lips neared hers. Her brain was begging him not to kiss her. She couldn't get any more tied up with this guy. Meanwhile her heart pleaded for the opposite. Her heart won, and as Chris's fingers, weaved into her hair and his tongue invaded her mouth, she knew it was decision making time. Was she going to stay and continue with whatever this was? Or would it be easier to break is heart now and walk away before it got worse? As he kissed her and kissed her and kissed her some more, pinning her body against the counter behind them, she only grew more confused. Getting out of town was definitely a good idea.