Olive felt herself begin to leave the hazy state of sleep, but tried to hang onto it. She had been dreaming of Ned holding her is his arms, so gentle and caring. It had been a very good dream. She could still smell his scent, even as she felt her sleepy feelings leave her. Her eyes snapped open and she looked around, confused as to why she was in Ned's apartment. As she sat up her book made a loud clank as it fell to the floor. The events from the night before came flooding back to her and she quickly looked over at the couch, but Ned was not there. She stood up cautiously and the blanket that had been covering her slipped off and joined her book on the ground. Olive looked down at the blanket for a moment, wondering where it had come from, but a rustling sound from the kitchen made her forget the mysterious blanket and she walked towards the sound. As she entered the dinning room, Ned came in as well with a bowl of cereal in hand. He jumped a little when he saw her and almost spilled his breakfast.

"Olive, you startled me." Ned said as he walked to the little dinning room table and sat down.

"Sorry," Olive said taking the seat opposite him.

"Um, are you hungry?" Ned asked and pushed his chair out, about to get up and get her something, but she shook her head.

"Nah, it takes me a few minutes after I wake up to get hungry." At her words Ned sat back down. "I'm glad to see you're eating." Olive continued. Ned smiled at her words and Olive was filled with relief to see him able to smile again.

"Olive I… it's nice to… thank you for being here for me." He finally said.

"It's nothing, what are friends for right?" She said this with a hint of sadness, knowing that's all they'd ever be.

"No it's not nothing," Ned said sincerely, "I've been a complete mess; looking back on it I'm ashamed. I put so much of my emotional weight on you, just expecting you to be here for me when I know you will be no matter what. You don't deserve to be treated like that and I'm sorry. But I am glad that you are here."

"Aw, shucks Ned." Olive said, blushing, "I… it's the least I could do." It was then that Ned's phone began to ring and the momentary look of happiness that had graced his face turned distorted with grief once more. Ned quickly grabbed his phone and hit the "ignore call" button. Olive knew that call had been from Chuck and pretended to be looking out the window, fascinated by a bird, busy making a nest using bits of twig and what looked like some twine.

"Uh, I'm going to go take a shower now." Ned said after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.

"Oh, right," Olive said, standing up along with Ned. "I have to go home and feed Pigby anyway." Ned nodded and then gave her a smile, although it was not as bright as before. Ned left the kitchen and Olive began to head in the opposite direction to the door, when she heard Ned's phone begin to ring. Olive looked after Ned, confirming with the sound of running water that he had gotten into the shower. She looked back at the phone, knowing who was on the other line, and hesitated for a few milliseconds before walking determinedly to it and answering quickly. Before she could even say "hiya" she heard Chuck's relieved voice on the other end.

"Ned?!"

"No, it's Olive." Olive's voice was sharp and angry, and she could hear Chuck give a small surprised gasp.

"Olive?" Chuck did sound surprised and Olive could have sworn she heard a tinge of anger, suspicion, and jealousy. Before allowing Chuck to say anymore Olive cut in.

"I just wanted to let you know how much you have hurt Ned. He's been walkin' around all emotionless like a pie-making Mr. Darcy!"

"Olive please here me out." Chuck said desperately, and Olive pursed her lips waiting to here what her excuse would be. "First off I feel so horrible, you can't even know. I would never intentionally hurt Ned, I love him too much." Olive suppressed a snort at this. "It was just getting swept up in the land of Egypt and this man who swept me off my feet, in the literal and figurative sense, and the feeling of being swept off my feet for once, in the literal sense, was so different and new, and at that moment I just needed the physical contact, since… I'm allergic to Ned. I know it is no excuse, but can't you understand where I'm coming from?" Olive had been so wrapped up in listening to Chuck's story that she hadn't noticed the shower water stop running, had not heard Ned walk to his room to change, and did not see that he had entered the kitchen doorway and was now watching her.

"Let me tell you something Chuck," Olive said, feeling her temper rising, "Weird and complicating as your allergy to Ned may be, and as much as that probably puts a strain on having a relationship with someone, I would give anything to have Ned look at me the way he does to you. Just knowing that everything you say and do brings a smile to his face, and knowing that you're the reason he is in the world would be enough for me, and I am sorry that you can't realize what a great thing you have, because that is a huge loss for you!" Olive hung up and stood there fuming for a moment. She knew that what she had just said was not only for Chuck's benefit, but it was something she had needed to let out for a long time. The clearing of a throat behind her made her jump, and also made her heart sink with fear. She turned around slowly to face Ned, and hoped that he hadn't heard too much. Ned looked at her with embarrassment, but it was an almost pleased sort of embarrassment.

"How much did you hear?" Olive asked, looking at the floor completely mortified.

"Uh, I came in at the start of your little diatribe." Ned had put his hands in his pockets and was also looking at his feet, rocking them backwards and forwards slowly. Olive stood for a moment and then began to walk towards Ned, heading for the door on the other side of him.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have been up in your business." She said, not daring to look up as she began to pass him. Ned allowed her to pass, but then turned around and called her name just as she had reached the door. She turned at his call, but still didn't make eye-contact. She heard Ned's footsteps as he approached her, but she was still to afraid to look him in the eye. Olive almost jumped when she felt one of his hands cup her small chin and lift her head gently to meet his gaze. While Ned still looked a little unsure of himself his determination won out and he decided to be completely truthful with her.

"Olive, that was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said or done for me, and while it may have been a slight invasion of privacy for the situation I don't really care, because what you said was nice and now I'm just repeating myself, but the point is I… thank you." Ned said all this very quickly and a little uncomfortably, but he still kept eye-contact. Olive smiled a little, but was still irked by the fact that his hand had not left her face.

"Well, you're welcome then," what she said next was almost so quiet Ned almost didn't hear, "and I really did mean it…" He stared at her for a moment, as if he was seeing her for the first time, and not just how pretty she looked when she laid her hope-filled eyes on him, but also what a truly remarkable and stunning person she was on the inside. Before either of them knew what was happening Ned had leaned down and kissed Olive on the lips. He pulled away slightly and looked at her for a moment before they both leaned in again and this time the kiss was much more than just a peck. Olive, quite literally, felt as though she could have flown at that moment. The feeling of the tenderness and devotion that she felt for Ned being radiated back at her was what she had only dreamed about. And it felt so much better than a dream. But something inside the back of Olive's brain spoke to her, not unlike the time on that Halloween night. Magical as the moment was, she couldn't help but feel as though Ned may only be doing this, because, deep down, he wanted to get back at Chuck. For the second time in her life Olive did the unthinkable and pushed Ned away gently, ending the kiss, a heavy feeling settling in her heart as they broke apart.

"Ned, I… I've wanted this for a long time, but," Olive looked up at him sadly, "I don't want to be the rebound girl. If you could ever have feeling for me I would want it to be because of me, and not just because you need someone you can hold." Ned looked a little shocked at her words and she turned around and opened the door. "I'm sorry." She said quietly, and she gently shut the door behind her.

I finally had some Nolive fluff! Whoot whoot! Yes it did end angsty, but I still had fluff! There is probably one more chapter to come, so please review! I don't know what a new chapter has to do with reviewing, but please just do it anyway. :)