A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for tuning into my story! So you saw last chapter that Amanda basically pushed Kyle towards Jessi. So you all think 'so Kessi wins right!?' well…sort of. Since I kinda closed the whole love triangle deal I now want to focus on how Kyle and Jessi still can't be together because of Nicole's rules. Hopefully fans of Kymanda aren't too disappointed. I promise I will still keep Amanda in the story! One thing I wanted to get straight was people kept guessing that the story was going to be Kessi because I favored them more. Well while that is a reason for me going that direction the main reason is because the show was going that direction when the show ended. I'm here to try and continue from where it left off. Hopefully you guys will still enjoy the story. Please leave reviews! They help motivate me to write!

CHAPTER 4

Nicole looked at the scene that lay before her. Although she has to admit, she isn't really all that shocked. She knew how close Kyle and Jessi are becoming but she is still disappointed that Kyle went against her wishes to not pursue that kind of relationship with Jessi. It is so unlike Kyle to disobey Nicole's rules. She saw the two teens stand in front of her like two deer in the headlights. Nicole decides that staying calm is probably the best way to go about this situation.

"Uhh…I'll just be going to my room." Lori is the first to speak up feeling completely awkward in the situation. Kyle and Jessi snapped out of their state of shock and looked at Lori. Once it sunk in their head that Lori has been there the whole time, they both felt blood rush to their cheeks feeling slightly embarrassed. Lori gave them a 'good luck' glance and walked up the stairs.

"Kyle, Jessi. I thought you understood me when I said that pursing that kind of relationship is inappropriate." Nicole finally spoke up realizing Kyle and Jessi wasn't sure what to say.

"Nicole—"Jessi began to protest but Kyle immediately stopped her. He placed a hand on her back to indicate for her to look at him.

"Jessi let me handle this okay?" Jessi crossed her arms over her chest looking slightly annoyed.

"But Kyle, I have just as much of a say in this as you do."

"I know you do but just trust me on this." Jessi looked away from him and Kyle took it as a hint to go ahead and talk.

"Nicole, please don't blame it on Jessi. I'm the one who kissed her. I knew better but I did it anyways. I'm sorry I disobeyed you but I can't promise you that it won't happen again." Jessi's head snapped up and directed her eyes back to Kyle in shock. Nicole took a moment to register what was happening. Did Kyle just defy me? Kyle saw the hurt in Nicole's eyes and went on to explain his words.

"When I am around Jessi in such an intimate way I just can't help myself. My emotions take over my actions and I do things without thinking." Kyle hesitated, trying the best he can to explain these feelings he has for her. He looked over at Jessi and saw her smile when he did. He gently placed a hand on her cheek and saw her close her eyes at his touch.

"I can't explain these feelings I am having but I know I can't continue to hold them back and pretend they aren't there." Nicole studied what was playing in front of her. She always could see how much Kyle meant to Jessi, she knew that she needed him. But as she listened to Kyle defending his actions and seeing him place his hand on Jessi's cheek and looked at her with loving eyes, she saw exactly what Kyle was trying to explain. Kyle cared for and needed her just as much Jessi cared and needed him. Even the thought of Kyle being in love with her crossed her mind but it was too soon to really tell. Still, even with how much they needed each other she just couldn't approve and encourage a teenage relationship living under her roof.

"Kyle, I'm sorry but as long as you both live in this house I just can't encourage something like this. I can't make acceptations for just you two, think about how that would influence Josh and Lori. I know how much you care about each other and how close you feel to one another but I don't approve of you two being together in that way. It's just not appropriate." Nicole tried to sound stern to keep her ground but it just came out as sympathetic.

When Nicole finished speaking, Kyle could feel Jessi feeling uneasy and looked back at her. He saw in her eyes how much she wanted to be with him, to be able to hold him and kiss him without everyone thinking that it is so wrong. Kyle gave her a look of apology and turned his attention back to Nicole to speak.

"I understand…I'll try not to let it happen again." Nicole felt relieved, but still guilty for having to set such a big boundary for them. She saw the glances they exchanged and felt that they needed to be alone to talk. She nodded off, heading to the kitchen, where she can leave them alone but still close enough to make sure they understood that she was serious about what she said.

Kyle just looked at Jessi, searching for words to say to her.

"Jessi…" that was the most he could utter out of his mouth, he had know words for a situation like this.

"She doesn't understand how much you mean to me, how much I need you." She doesn't know how many times she has repeated this, but it never seems to get through to anyone.

"I know, but—"

"No! Don't say it; don't say that you can't be with me, that we can't be together."

"But as long as we are living in this house we have to follow her rules." Kyle wanted Jessi to understand but he knew how much it was hurting her too.

"Well, then maybe I won't live in this house. I still have the apartment."

"You finally have a family that cares about you, doesn't that matter to you?"

"Of course it does, but you are the most important person to me."

"I'm still here, I haven't gone anywhere."

"But Kyle can't you see? I have waited so long for you to have the same feelings that I have for you."

"And what makes you so sure that it's going to change? Isn't just spending time with me enough…? Why do we need a label of being in a relationship to know that we have feelings for each other?" Kyle paused letting that sink in. Then he slowly picked up her hand and brought it to his chest, placing it over his heart. "It should be about what's in here"

Jessi felt the warmth of his hand and the muscles hidden underneath his shirt. She embraced the moment and closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and looked back at him and smiled slightly.

"I guess you're right…" That was all that came out of her mouth; she was speechless to say anything else. Kyle smiled back glad to see that he made her feel a little better.

"You should get some sleep." He let go of her hand before Nicole walked in and gets the wrong idea. Jessi's hand lingered on his chest a little bit before slowly back off.

"Um, actually I wanted to go and talk to Lori first." Kyle nodded, not asking any questions. He knew he needed to get back to think about how to find Cassidy. Without even realizing it, Kyle brought his hand behind Jessi's head and pressed his lips to her forehead. It was as if it was out of habit, a reflex. The small gesture made Jessi spread a smile across her face.

"Goodnight." She walked upstairs towards Lori's room before he can see her blushing. Kyle took one last look at her and headed to his room. The events of the day replayed through his head. Although he meant what he said to Jessi, he still felt heart ache for what happened to Amanda. He knew that even though she pushed him towards Jessi, he still loved Amanda. He felt oddly relieved that he wasn't in a relationship with either girl. He wanted to be with both of them, and it wouldn't have been fair to pursue a relationship with one girl while still having feelings for the other. He sighed and climbed in his tub. He lay back to close his eyes and realized how exhausted he was, immediately drifting off to sleep.

A/N: So I wasn't really sure how to end this chapter. I had no cliff hangers in mind…well maybe except for what is Jessi going to talk to Lori about? What is Kyle going to do about Cassidy? I hope this chapter was enough to keep you guys reading. I promise there will be more action to come up since this chapter was filled with the "touchy-feely romance drama" stuff. Please review and tell me what you think! Comments good or bad, I want to improve if you think I am doing something wrong and some good comments to encourage me to keep writing!