Chapter 11: New Year's

Karli still came by that week but did give him some time with his family. TJ invited her to spend Christmas with him but just like before, she already had plans. A few days before Christmas, he did finally give her the gift he found for her. Chuckling as she looked at the cover of the book, she said, "Singing for Dummies? I thought you said I was good already?"

"Doesn't hurt to have every resource you can. Besides," he grinned, "That's not all."

Looking in the bag then back at him, she said, "I don't see anything else unless it's microscopic."

"That's because it's in here," he grinned, leading her inside. There under the tree sat one large box with her name on it. Nodding his head in encouragement, TJ watched as she opened it. Her eyes lit up when underneath the wrapping a new keyboard appeared. "You're joking!" she said excitedly, "This is…amazing."

"You like it?" he asked.

"Uh yeah!" she smiled and hugged him, "Thank you, so so much. Only one minor problem, I don't have a place. I mean, I do but it's kinda small. Where am I going to put this?"

"We'll find a spot."

"We?"

"That's my subtle way of saying I'll help you move."

"Hate to tell you this," she chuckled, "But I move in New Year's Day."

"I wasn't really planning a crazy New Year's Eve."

"Me either. I usually just watch Rockin' Eve."

"Then why don't we just do that?"

"You don't mind?"

"Nope. It'll be great."

"Then I'll bring snacks."

TJ grinned, "Deal."

Up until the move, whenever she came over, both Karli and TJ would play on the piano. He'd insist she sing too and most of the time she did. When New Year's Eve finally rolled around, she showed up on that familiar doorstep. TJ opened it to see a bundled up Karli with a couple grocery bags. "I brought snacks like I promised" she said with a grin.

The two of them spent the night watching the ball drop just like they said they would. She fell asleep next to him on the couch. At some point during the night she must've been moved because the next day, Karli woke up in TJ's room to see him not next to her but instead coming out of the bathroom, shower fresh. Chuckling, she said, "You probably should've waited 'til after. Haven't you moved before?"

"Actually we always had movers so no, but I'm not too worried. You ready?"

"Yes and yes. Just let me throw my jeans back on…and my parka."

Light flurries floated in the air as the last of Karli's things made it into the U-Haul truck but by the time it came time to get it into her new apartment, the snow began to pile up on the sidewalk. "You sure you still want to do this today?" TJ asked, rubbing his hands together.

"Oh c'mon, I don't have that much anyway."

As they made it up the flight of stairs, Karli turned the key in the door. Once inside, she said, "It's not much but it's better than nothing."

"At least you have a place of your own. I'm stuck living with my mother."

"Oh please, only Margaret is there thanks to the campaign. Stop whining" she said, pausing to set a box down, "You know, if you really want to get out, maybe a couple nights a week you could stay here.

"You do that with all the people you help?" TJ said with a smile.

Chuckling she said, "No. Just you."

"Why am I the special one?"

"I don't know. Maybe I just like having you around and maybe it'll be good for both of us. We are friends right?"

"Yeah which brings me to the fact you still know more about me than you. I don't even know what you do for a living" he said, setting his box down.

Karli laughed, "This IS what I do."

TJ raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Gunner really didn't fill you in?" she asked as they went back down the stairs. After he shook his head she said, "Gunner and I have been friends since I was in the program. It worked but not for everyone so after I was better I decided to do it my own way. I founded the Canton Rehabilitation Program."

"So you help anyone who comes to you?" TJ asked as they both grabbed some more and headed back inside.

"Yes" she answered, "though not always me in particular. I always felt it kinda needed to be personal and work with each individual person."

"That's actually really cool" he said, smiling, "So why help me? Publicity for the Foundation?"

Karli shook her head, "Nope. All this is pro bono. Gunner is a good friend and he asked me to try. He told me nothing else worked for you" sighing she said, "I'll admit I was a little worried at first, but I think you're making great headway."

"I'm surprised you don't have a Nobel Peace prize by now if you've helped everyone you've ever had" he said, pushing open the door.

She shrugged, "that's not the goal though. I'm not looking for a prize just hoping to save people, like I was."

Setting his box down, he said, "Well you are doing a good job. I owe a lot to you."

Smiling she said, "You don't owe me anything. All your progress, it's all you."

After most of the day passed, they finally got everything in and collapsed on her couch. "I want to just sit for a week," she said, chuckling and looking at him.

"Next time, get movers. This sucks" he said, "And you have more stuff than you think you do."

"I was just thinking the same," she laughed.

They sat a few moments and Karli glanced over at him. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead then met her eyes. Both of them smiled at one another before she looked away. "Thanks for helping me," she said.

"You're welcome" he replied.

After about twenty minutes, Karli hooked up the TV at least and they sat and watched a movie before TJ disappeared with Agent Clark. A week went by and finally everything was organized. When TJ came back, he barely recognized it. And so, they did what they already spoke of. A couple nights a week, he came over and spent the night. They had to sleep on an air mattress because she no longer owned a bed but neither of them complained. Each night they spent, they got closer and closer, learning more about each other than either had about anyone else.

It became apparent to Karli by the end of January that Gunner had been right. She liked him. She liked him as more than a friend after all. Suddenly whenever they watched a movie, the slightest brush of his fingers gave her chills up her spine. She found herself looking at him more often and really looking at him. But the second she really knew was the night he came over and she made spaghetti. He had some leftover sauce on his lip from slurping in the noodle. She wiped it off for him smiling but realized how badly she wanted to kiss those lips.

What Karli didn't realize is that TJ was grappling with almost the same exact problem. He too realized his brother was right. He really liked her. Her smile genuinely made him smile and everyone had noticed. His Nana had repeatedly told him he looked like himself again, smiling and happy. And for once in his life, TJ agreed. He was happy and it was all thanks to Karli. They had fun and she always made him laugh. And the best part is she made him re-realize his love of piano. It was after all this TJ knew how much he needed her in his life. She was the one positive thing that held him together and he would do anything to keep it like that.

One night while watching a movie, Karli leaned up against TJ as the popcorn bowl sat on her lap. On the table in front of her, she reached for her glass of wine but just as he was about to reach for popcorn. Next thing they knew popcorn was all over the floor and wine all over TJ's shirt. "Oh my God!" she gasped, "I am so sorry. Here let me grab you a rag or towel or something."

Karli rushed into her miniature kitchen and grabbed a dishtowel from under the sink. As she whipped around, there he stood. "Whoa" he said, putting his hands up.

"I'm so sorry," she muttered, frantically dabbing at his shirt.

"Don't worry about it," he said before pushing her slightly back. Pulling his shirt over his head she swallowed then looked up at him. "What are you doing?"

Rolling his eyes, TJ said, "Oh c'mon like you haven't seen a guy shirtless before. Just let it dry. I don't care if I have to wear a stained shirt home. I got plenty more."

"Oh…okay" Karli stuttered. He handed her the shirt but honestly the close proximity was killing her. Gritting her teeth, she willed herself to turn around and go into her bedroom, handing the shirt on the door after putting it on a hanger. Biting her lip, she realized before she headed back out to where he was sitting that her reaction wasn't friendly, not at all. I'm attracted to him. And for Karli, it was confirmation. I'm in love with TJ. After a bit of awkward movie watching, they both got on the air mattress and laid back, going to bed. He smiled and said 'Goodnight' before rolling over. She heard herself say it back but knew it wouldn't be good. Not anymore.