Well, I'm guessing you guys would prefer I just get right to the story here, am I right?

Just remember, if you recognize it, I don't own it.

Erik realized that he essentially made a decision to commit suicide during the night. Because his nerves and hormones were killing him slowly. Lying next to Christine and trying to sleep was becoming rather pointless. 'I'm an idiot' he thought as he lay there, wondering why he thought this was a great idea.

After he had made his oh so bold stand, asking Christine if she was willing to share a bed, she looked up at him, and he could have sworn she drew herself up about 5 inches as she squared her shoulders and said with a slight smile "Sure, as long as you don't hog the covers." He could barely keep his jaw from dropping when she said that. Evidently she wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

So while she was in the bathroom changing, he quickly changed into a pair of sleep pants and climbed under the covers. She walked out, and he was rather relieved that she was wearing something that wasn't too horribly provocative. 'She could wear long John's and you'd find them sexy on her!' he thought ruefully as he took in her oversize shirt and grey shorts. Christine grinned knowingly, as if she could read his mind as she came over and got in the bed. She then leaned over, kissing him gently on the lips as she whispered "Goodnight Erik." She then rolled over as if none of this was a big deal and snuggled down to go to sleep.

Sleep, hah. He wasn't going to be sleeping tonight. He was going to melt into a puddle of his own longing and desires while she slept on oblivious. If only he knew that she was laying beside him trying to contain the nervous giggles threatening to escape. Christine could tell he wasn't relaxing, and she could guess why. 'I should put him out of his misery' she thought somewhat guiltily. She decided to do just that, but remembering his orneriness earlier she decided to have some fun first.

She rolled over and draped one arm over him, pretending to sleep. She felt every muscle tense even more. To prolong the torture, she then snuggled up closer to him; rubbing her head on his shoulder and letting a small sigh escape.

'Oh good God, I'm going to explode. Just kill me now' Erik pleaded mentally as he felt her sleeping form curl up closer to his body. He felt his desire vibrate through his body, and he wondered why the shaking wasn't waking her up. Then he realized: he wasn't shaking that badly… It was Christine! He leaned down and heard a squeak escape. "Are you awake?" he whispered, hoping not to startle her just in case he was imagining the entire thing.

Christine lost her control. She bust out into a fit of giggles. Erik sat up and gaped at her as the truth dawned on him. "You've been awake the entire time! You did that on purpose!" he said accusingly, but getting caught up in her infectious laughter. When she could finally draw a breath, she said "I'm sorry, but you deserved it! It was payback, and I think it worked." She looked up at him, the moonlight shining enough light in the room for her to see the smile he was fighting. Finally he shook his head, laughing softly and saying "Ok, you're right, I did deserve it a little. Truce?" He held out his hand and she took it, shaking and saying "Ok, no more torture. Can you at least not act like you're afraid of me? Now you're acting like if I get too close you're going to run away screaming."

Erik chuckled. "Believe me Christine, running away is the last thing I want to do when you're close to me." He ran his finger through his hair as he continued speaking softly, as if to a wild horse he didn't want to spook. "I want to hold you close, to kiss you, to feel you come alive in my arms. But I don't want to force you or rush you into something you might regret. I want you to be ready, to be sure."

Christine took a deep breath to try and calm her heart's pounding from his words. She said slowly "I want those things too. But I don't want us going too fast and having nothing between us but passion and heat. I have loved our nightly talks, and I feel like we are getting a good relationship. And believe me, I want more." She hesitated for a moment before continuing "I remember that night in Vegas, and when I say I remember, I mean I remember it all. But I don't want our relationship to be based on that."

Erik's jaw dropped again. 'She remembers it?' Then the full import of her words struck him. "You mean to tell me you could want me?" She smirked as she said "I'm saying I already want you-" her words were cut off as he grabbed her and kissed her. He wanted to burn this moment into his memory, and hers too. They kissed tenderly for a moment before he pulled away reluctantly. "You're right, Christine. We shouldn't move this too fast. But God, I want you. You don't know how badly I want you." She leaned close to mimic his earlier actions and whispered "Oh, believe me, I know." He gulped audibly, making her giggle. He started laughing, and for the first time since they had gotten into bed, he relaxed.

He wrapped one arm around her and said "Why don't you just let me hold you tonight? No funny business, I promise. But I think we need to get used to this." She cuddled closer as they lay back down and asked "Used to what?" As he pulled the blankets back over them he murmured "We need to get used to sharing a bed, and holding each other. From now on, this will be a regular occurrence."

Ok, so not exactly sexy time, but it will happen! And at least now they are getting on the same page, and Christine isn't holding out on him. And besides, I find funny conversations almost as good as sexy time… Maybe that's just me though. Y'all can discuss that in the reviews…

Anyway, Gerry made lemon bars again, and he wants to give them to you reviewers. So hit the button to get the treats!