Chapter Nine

Gabby POV

I haven't spoken to Matt since he kissed me. I honestly don't know what to say to him, we both know that it was a mistake, a weak moment between friends, it could never happen again. I am happy with someone else and Matt is just getting over Hallie's death. I pang of guilt courses through my entire body as I think of Evan, I know I should tell him what happened, but it was never going to happen again, Matt and I are just friends I tell myself. I take a deep breath looking over at the clock, knowing that in a few short hours I would be seeing him for the first time since it happened.

I lace up my shoes for my morning run, I need to clear my head and stop all this craziness in my mind and just focus on what really is. I open the door to morning air and begin running as I listen to the music playing from my playlist. I listen to the first song with each step I take, but as the music fades out, my mind wanders to what today will be like when I see Matt. Will he avoid me or pretend like it never happened? I need to stop; I remind myself as I turn the corner and continue my run.

Matt POV

Every time I hear foot steps coming into the locker room my heart begins to race and my mouth starts to become dry. I have practiced a thousand times of what I planned on saying to Gabby when I saw her today, but in all honesty everything I didn't think last night was a mistake. I didn't realize it until after I had kissed her, but I had wanted to do for a very long time and know that I knew what her lips felt like I wanted to do it again and again. But there was no way I could tell Gabby this, the look in eyes spoke volumes. I had been so stupid.

I threw my jacket in my locker as I sighed almost treading the next twenty-four hours. I turned around to leave, as I looked up I found Gabby standing in the doorway almost frozen as she stared at me. I could sense the awkwardness both of our bodies were portraying.

She cleared her throat as she looked down at her hands and then back up at me, "Morning."

"Morning," I greet using the same tone she did. I didn't want to be the first one to talk about the other night, but I knew she was waiting for me to bring it up, "You got a second?" I asked looking around the room to make sure that no one else was around. We didn't need an audience as we hashed this out.

"Uh, yeah," she replied as bit her lower lip, she was nervous.

"I really want to apologize about what happened," I tell her knowing this is what she needed to hear.

"I get it Matt," she said looking down at her feet then back up at me. "You were in a bad way last night and so was I and after everything that has happened in the last few months you needed someone. We both were looking for comfort and that's all it was, two friends, two best friends comforting one another," she says rationalizing the incident.

"You're right," I agree with a nod of my head and a small reassuring smile. "Let's not let things get weird between us. You are one of my best friends and I don't want anything to get in the way of that," I tell her truthfully. I knew my feelings for Gabby were more then just friendly ones, but it would be better to have in my life as just a friend then not at all.

"I meant was I said before, that will never change."

"I…" before I can say anything else I hear footsteps behind Gabby, I look up and see Otis and Cruz coming in.

"Hey Lieutenant and Dawson," Cruz says to me and Gabby as he walks to his locker and begins to put his things away.

"Morning," I say turning my attention back to Gabby as she goes to her locker.

"Did you catch the game last night?" Cruz asks.

"No, I missed it I was working a couple of repair jobs."

"Oh, you missed a great game," Otis said with enthusiasm.

"I'll have to take your word on it," I say as I leave the locker room.

Gabby POV

I know that I was the one to say it was a mistake and it was, but some part of me thought I saw Matt flinch at my words, but now that he agreed it was nothing we both can move on and keep our friendship in tact.

"Dawson," I hear someone call out my name, I turn to look at Shay who seems to be annoyed with me.

"What?" I ask unsure what is going on.

"I have been trying to get your attention for last minute or so. Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine I just have a lot on my mind," I tell her looking back down at the chart in my hands.

"Anything that I can help with? Is it Evan?"

"Yes," I partly lie hoping she can't tell. Evan was a large part of the complication. I felt so guilty when he came over that night and he told me he loved me. I wanted to tell him I loved him too, but after what happened between me and Matt early that evening I couldn't. Now that the air is cleared with Matt and I know that our relationship is one build on friendship, I feel like Evan and I can really make a go of it.

"And?" Shay asked waiting for me to continue as she sat across from me in the ambo.

"I think that I'm ready to tell Evan that I love him," I say with a smile.

"Really? That is great, but what made you realize that you were ready?"

"I have spent so much time waiting for this perfect idea or the ideal feeling that I thought I was suppose to have, but I was just being ridiculous. Love is not perfect and I know that now. I know that I care deeply for Evan and that when I'm with him I like who I am."

"What about Casey?"

"What about him?"

"Nothing, I just thought that you had feeling for him. Wasn't that the reason you went over to his place the day and found him?"

"Things change," I tell her quickly, too quickly. "I have changed, I have found someone that wants me and wants to build a life with me."

"Gabby, you know that I only want you to be happy and if that is with Evan then great, but I just don't want you to settle for something that feels safe."

"I'm not settling Shay," I insist doing my best to control my nerves.

"Then I'm happy for you," she says as she pulls me into a hug. From this moment on I chose to love Evan and focus on our relationship. I know that I'm fully ready to commit myself to him.

After shift I race home and decide to wait up for Evan, he should be getting off of shift soon. As I wait, I clean the apartment and practice my speech over and over again. Everything had to be right; I had been putting this off for far too long. I began straightening the pillows on the couch when Evan walked in. He looked tired, but was still able to have his hansom features shine through.

"Hey babe," he says as he closes the door and walks over to me. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him as he places a kiss on my lips. I close my eyes as I revel at his touch. "How was work?" he asked as he pulls back.

"I don't want to talk about work," I tell him as I look into his eyes. "I want to talk to about something else though."

"Okay," he replied with confusion.

"I know that you have been patient with me and for that it has made me realize how lucky I am to be with you. I want you to know that I care about you deeply and hate the days when I don't get to see you," I pause for a moment before I spoke again. "And that is because I love you."

A smile instantly fell onto his lips, "I love you too," he then kisses me hard on my lips.

I pull back a little, "there is more," I say looking into his eyes. He doesn't say anything, but nods his head to encourage me to continue.

"I was thinking that if you wanted to, you could move in with me."

Author's Note:

Don't kill me! I know that you are all waiting for Gabby and Casey to get together (and it will happen) it just is going to take some time (and patience!). I hope that you will continue to read this story because the pay off is going to be great. Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing, it really does make me write faster. As always, please tell me what you think.

Thanks,

Grace