Mitchie's Prov

Jason's confession of sorts not only ruined the end of my night with him but managed to rattle me to the bone, bringing back the overall reason I didn't want to choose between them. So, from the moment I woke up the next morning my selfish side and the nicer side that knew I owed them to choose were at war in my head. The nice side had won by the evening, there was part of me that really wished I could be that selfish but I just wasn't that person so with a heavy heart I started getting ready for my date with Shane.

I was normally buzzing with excitement I mean Caitlyn sometimes swore she could actually see me vibrate with excitement when I was getting ready for a date, but not tonight. I didn't do my normal fashion show with all my nicest dresses so Caitlyn could advise me on which to wear. I just choose a red one without really looking at it and slid it on, same with my shoes. I sat in silence applying my make-up faintly aware Caitlyn was using one of her many talents to give my hair beach waves.

"Are you o.k. sweetie?" Caitlyn asked after a while.

I gave her a weak smile in response.

"Bad night?" She pushed.

"No, it was good."

"Really?" She asked unconvinced sliding some clips into place in my hair. "Because you haven't said a word about it all day."

I hadn't noticed that I hadn't told her about my date with Jason usually by this time we were analysing each word spoken on my date.

"So?" She pushed.

"Oh, it was great." I rushed to fill her in. "He took me to the Ritz Carlton up coast for dinner, then they do a movie night every week in their gazebo so we took our dessert out there and watched 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and after that we went a walk on the beach up there."

"What was that?" She asked immediately, I knew what she meant because even I noticed how my voice and posture stiffened up when I mentioned the walk on the beach.

"Uh…" I hesitated for a millisecond before I shrugged, why not tell her? "Jason let it slip last night that Shane and he set down rules for our dates."

"Like what?" She asked interestedly.

"Oh y'know, like we aren't allowed to discuss either date with the other guy, no kissing and…oh yeah and when I choose the other guy has to disappear." I said the last bit bitterly.

She studied me for while in the mirror, "The last rule, that's what's bothering you the most, huh?"

"Yes." I stated obviously.

She raised an eyebrow, "Why though? I mean you had to know that would have happened anyway when you choose right?"

I frowned at her realistic side, yes I knew but I didn't like thinking about it I just wanted to use it as a way to get out of this mess.

She smiled sympathetically reading my mind, "Mitchie, you can't get outta this it's choose one or lose both, remember?"

I wanted to scowl at her but she was making sense.

"Now, try and forget all about this and come out of your doldrums and enjoy your date with Shane for yourself and him." She smiled finishing clipping my hair in place so it was swept to one side.

I started to come around after that it was just the pep-talk I needed and I owed Shane the same courtesy I'd given Jason to enjoy this date as much as I did last night before the bomb about the rules wrecked it.

Shane's Prov

I had been so confident and so sure of the outcome of all this up till now but for some reason the unsure thoughts began nagging me as I walked to pick Mitchie up. I tried to block it out unsuccessfully why was I losing my cool now of all times? Today was important for god's sake. I tried to fight it, I was Mitchie's first love and she was mine we were meant for each other we managed to find each other after years for crying out loud but no matter what that little voice was still insisting it might be my last date with Mitchie.

I took a deep calming breath before knocking on her door, I could not screw this up I thought seriously. My pep talk seemed unnecessary though and the nagging voice in my head shut up when she answered the door. If there was a better word than gorgeous that's how she looked right now in a one shoulder red dress –her wavy chocolate hair pulled over to one side covered the strapless shoulder- that not only hugged every curve flatteringly but the colour complimented her own Latin colouring and its asymmetrical hem left exposed one long amazing leg right up to her thigh that looked longer because of her black stiletto sandals.

I didn't know how long I stood there just looking at her like an idiot but when I felt my mouth slack open I pulled myself together…well at least I tried.

"Amazing." I blurted out making her laugh. "I mean you look amazing." I corrected feeling a bright burning red creep up my neck and over my face.

She touched her finger tips to my new colour and smiled absentmindedly, then I watched realisation steep into her eyes but before she could move them away I stopped her placing my hand over hers and kept them there a little longer. The feeling of finality ruined the moment for me so playing it cool I laced my fingers threw hers and moved them off my face so they were swinging between us and led the way.

Because I'd travelled back to University with Mitchie I had no car and because renting a limo seemed cheesy I settled for taken a cab.

"Sorry." I apologised gesturing to the cab as it pulled up by the curb.

"Don't be ridiculous." She giggled. "What were you gonna do rent a limo?" She teased getting into it.

Mitchie's Prov

Shane mumbled the address to the cab driver and for once I ignored the need to know where I was going and just leaned into him when he sat back and enjoyed every moment with him.

"Here you are." The cab driver spoke uncertainly interrupting my silent meditation.

I'd let my eyes slip closed as I lay into Shane, memorising his smell, enjoying the smooth almost silk like feeling of his dark grey suit and black shirt and the butterflies he gave me by just putting his arm around me. But the driver's uncertain tone made my eyes pop open if he wasn't sure where we were how were we supposed to know?

Shane didn't seem worried though, "Thanks." He smiled handing over the cab's fare and helping me out.

The need to know feeling came back and as the cab drove away I looked around for some sign of where I was. I didn't have to look far the giant building in front of us I knew right away, it was cream and ocean blue and unlike most other building in California it was curvy not pointed and angular even its roof dipped and rose like waves. It was the Aquarium of the Pacific, but besides the blue up lights illuminating the buildings name and logo it was quite obviously closed.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"A little after hours visit." He smiled cheekily grabbing my hand and walking towards the main entrance.

He knocked on the door lightly and the guard behind the reception took his feet off the desk punched a button on the computer in front of him and the doors slid opened in front of us.

"Hey Shane." He nodded as we walked by him.

"Hey Lenny." Shane smiled back easily. "This is Mitchie."

I smiled at Lenny shyly and he gave me a quick nod as his eyes drifted back to the T.V. set beside the computer, I giggled quietly he was an 'X-Factor' fan.

We followed the arrows painted on the floors through all the exhibits, some were full of large TV screens, posters and dioramas others were the classic large glass walls looking into different tanks like the penguin enclosure or underwater so you could see into the shark lagoon and between each exhibit the corridors were enclosed in a tunnel of glass with tropical fish and plants surrounding you. These glass tunnels were the only thing I hated about aquariums I always felt trapped and like they were about to break but not tonight Shane's hand entwined with mine made me feel safe. Shane didn't seem to be in any rush which was a good thing because I kept pulling him closer to the glass windows so I could look more or stopping to hear the presentations. But he seemed to be enjoying himself as much as I was.

"Wow." I smiled as a basking shark swam above us as we walked through another tunnel the blue lights that illuminated the tank sparkled off his shiny scales. I looked back to Shane to see if he was as amazed as I was but he wasn't paying the shark any attention but he was smiling at me. "What?" I asked feeling myself blush.

"Nothing." He smiled coyly.

"Tell me." I insisted beginning to walk again.

He smiled again a little embarrassed, "It's just I'm seeing a lot of nine year old Mitchie tonight." It was my turn to be embarrassed was I really acting like a wondering child? "It's a good thing." He smiled reassuringly taking my hand again, reading my chagrin. "It reminds me of the old times, y'know when it was just me and you…" He trailed off suddenly not wanting to bring down the mood of the night but it was too late.

That upsetting feeling of finality flooded through me making my stomach churn uncomfortably and suddenly Jason's words were circling in my mind.

"Were you ever gonna tell me about the rules for all this?" I blurted out. "About how I might not see one of you ever again?" I felt myself losing it the upset and feeling of loss was making its way to the surface.

A look of surprise filled Shane's face before another look crossed his face, "He told you about that?" He frowned before sighing. "I'm not surprised really." He shrugged looking away.

I frowned at him was that all he was gonna say about it? I stared at the back of his head wishing for an instant I had heat vision so I could burn him for being so nonchalant…until I noticed the tears brimming in the corner of my eyes. I tried to blink them away so he didn't see how unhinged and over dramatic I was being but he'd finally looked back around before I could remove the evidence with the back of my hand. He looked horrified catching my hand so I couldn't brush the tears away and held it securely in his hand before brushing his finger-tips softly wiping the tears away himself sympathy quickly becoming his dominant expression.

"It's not gonna be forever." He spoke softly like I would break if he spoke louder than a whisper, I was mortified. I tried to hide my face in his shoulder but he moved so I couldn't while he looked me in the eyes. "I promise." He said fiercely urging me with his eyes to believe him and I did.

"I'm sorry." I apologised but my voice came out that gravelly way like after a proper sobbing session. I cleared my throat and tried again, "I overreacted I thought I'd made peace with all this before you picked me up."

He gave me his gorgeous lopsided smile, "Don't worry about it. I know how it sounded but you'll never really get rid of either of us. It's more of a precautionary measure for the first couple of weeks." He smiled encasing me in his arms for a long hug.

I allowed myself to get lost in the embrace taking him all in his smell –Hugo Boss aftershave my favourite-, the way I fitted perfectly in his arms, the sound of his heart beat and the heat he was given off. I felt myself relax and find that locker I used last night with Jason only instead of pushing it into a dark corner I let it fold in on itself until it was a cube and the second I accepted everything the cube vanished.

I sighed taken in one last deep breath to soak up the smell of his aftershave then stepped away smiling reassuringly at him, "No more blubbering." I promised. "Now make me swoon, Mr Grey." I teased.

He smiled brightly smoothly wrapping his arm around my waist and leading them through the tunnel of water into the next exhibit. The fluorescent yellow sign read "Southern California and Baja" and below that there was a map breaking down the whole exhibit into eighteen galleries including a ray touch pool, a seal and sea lion habitat, a Gulf of California and a shore bird sanctuary. I smiled like a kid in a candy shop I couldn't wait to go around the whole thing especially the touch pool. But that was outside and we had to go through a few inside galleries first. The entrance was closed in by faux boulders with a cave like entrance that had blue and silver beads draping down that you pushed through to get into the 'Blue Cavern' gallery. It sheer size took my breath away -it had to be almost four stories- with boulders and a sea bed with kelp sway back in forth in the man-made current local sea life darted through the kelp and up close to the glass whereas the beautiful giant spined starfish stayed motionless on the boulders and the sea bed. I was so taken away with the gallery I hadn't noticed Shane leaving my side until he coughed to grab my attention. He was standing arms out-stretched in a ta-da motion just to one side of the gallery; I took a step forward to see what was by his feet as it was hidden behind one of the many marble benches dotted about the room. I felt the smile only Shane could make appear spread across my face brightening it, it was that cheek splitting smile that should be sore but wasn't that probably showed my wisdom teeth it was so wide.

"How?" I asked amazed.

Somehow he'd managed to set up a chequer picnic blanket in front of the gallery with a wicker picnic basket in one corner and a silver three pillared candle stick holder.

"Nate hooked me up." He smiled pulling me around the bench and down onto the mat.

I felt that giddy high when someone really sweeps you off your feet all I could do was giggle like an idiot as he pulled the wicker basket close to him and pulled out a lighter and lit the candles then popped the lighter back in the basket so quick I couldn't see what else was in there.

"What else is in the basket?" I asked picking up his secretive expression.

He smiled excitedly, "I got Nate to do me another favour earlier."

"You'll being owing him for years." I quipped giggling.

He smiled before continuing, "He went to the diner back home for me and got us these." He spun the basket and opened it swiftly, inside was two cola to-go cups and eight packages wrapped in the yellow crispy to-go paper with the diner's symbol on it. "Cheese burgers, chili dogs, corn dogs and fries." He smiled. "A Friday night special, remember?"

I nodded giggling, "Of course I do." I smiled elevated that he did too.

He started unwrapping each package and handed me a cup and we ate as we watched the sea life side by side. I melted into the rest of our night in the aquarium forgetting everything especially the years I'd spent without Shane and it felt wonderful. After we ate we walked hand in hand around the rest of the aquarium talking and joking like always…best friends that were always going to have something more.

When we finally made it back to reception, our picnic basket with the candles, candle stick and empty wrappers inside, Lenny met us with an easy smile.

"Your cab just arrived." He smiled. "I ordered it when I seen you making your way back on the monitors."

"Thanks." I smiled gratefully as the two boys fist bumped parting. "Where are we going now?" I asked excitedly.

"It's a surprise." He winked opening the cab door for me.


The Orchid Lounge looked just like it had the first time I'd been there; Latin beats pumping, smoky and dimly lit, large bar to one side, tables and chairs pushed together on the other side and bodies moving in perfect synchronisation on the large dance floor.

Shane led us through the crowd to the bar and as he ordered I watched all the couples on the floor dancing lustfully to the music. It made me remember the night Caitlyn had brought us to the club's opening and how that type of dancing brought back my lust and other feelings for Shane back to the centre stage in my mind.

"Mojito?" Shane smiled offering me a tall glass the droplets of condensation already rolling down it with the heat of the club.

"Thanks." I smiled taking it in my free hand as he led us towards a free table.

I took a seat while he pushed the picnic basket under his seat then removed his dark grey blazer and put it over the back of his seat. I gave him an apprising look while he was busying himself; he always looked good and tonight was no different, the way his dark grey suit and open collared black shirt sat on him managing to emphasise his hard muscular chest, bulging arms and perfect bum (yes I looked) would have been envied by even the best looking star. He was cleanly shaving so you could see his dimples and chiselled jaw line, his hair had grown out a little from his neat short barber cut so it looked sexily untamed, his big brown eyes had flakes of sea green in the clubs lights and not once did his lips fall down he was always smiling my smile. My heart was fluttering just looking at him and I couldn't look away as I sipped my drink and embarrassingly he caught me gawking.

"See something you like, Torres?" He winked cheekily.

I rolled my eyes mockingly secretly embarrassed he caught me, in truth though I'd missed ogling him.

"O.k. little peeping tom." He teased. "Put down your drink and let's go." He smiled gesturing to the floor.

"You want to dance?" I asked surprised putting my drink down and taking his hand.

"I didn't come here to swim." He laughed leading us onto the dance floor.

I stuck my tongue out at him, he ignored me and twirled me around before catching my free hand easily in his other holding me close and swaying to the slow music that was now playing.

"I thought I was gonna have to start dancing with Caitlyn's cousin again to get you to agree to dance."

It was his turn to look away embarrassed at the memory, "You noticed, huh?" He murmured.

"Yep." I smiled putting my head on his chest.

The music changed just as I was getting comfortable the crowd around me seemed elated this crowd didn't like slow and easy they liked fast, and fiery, even Shane seemed to perk up excitedly making me look up at him.

"Don't you recognise this song?" He smiled a little smugly.

Something about the starting beat seemed familiar but the words were in Spanish and although I was Latina I was ashamed to say I never learned a word of it.

"It's the first full song we danced to here." He smiled crookedly before spinning me out like he did that first night we were here and it all came flooding back to me.

We dance like we had that night just as passionate and daring as the other couples with one difference Shane sang the words of the song in English as we did and that just made it hotter for some reason. He's voice was hypnotic and irresistible and the fact he bothered to learn the English version of the song flattered me and suddenly I couldn't get close enough of him, he wasn't holding me tight enough and every inch of me tingled with electricity. But all too soon the song had ended and we were in the same compromising position as we had ended our dance last time my leg wrapped around him his hand on my back and thigh and our faces inches apart.

I was thirsty and we were the only couple on the floor not moving to the next song but I didn't want him to move his hands and I wanted more than anything for him to close the gap between our faces and kiss me and he seemed to want the same before he grimaced. "Stupid rules." I thought I heard him mutter as he released my leg and helped me stand up straight.


We didn't return to our table all night until it was time to leave, our drinks were untouched but warm so Shane sweet talked the barman to give us two bottles of water as we left even though the bar was closed. The blue dusk that we had left entering the lounge had turned to a sheet of black and the moon and stars hid behind a wall of clouds. I didn't have to listen to the weather forecast to know what was coming I could almost feel the electricity of the coming lighting and smell the briny smell of a storm since I was a kid.

"Lighting storm." Shane muttered to himself looking at the sky and removing his jacket to put it around my shoulders.

I smiled at him noting another thing we always shared and he smiled back, these little things made me feel certain no matter what I would never really lose Shane.

He looked up and down the street we were on; probably looking for a cab but I had other ideas.

"Let's walk." I suggested.

He looked at me oddly then chuckled to himself, "Lighting bug." He chuckled before looking at me seriously. "If I get hit by lighting, I'll sue you." He joked.

I giggled taking his hand, "If you get struck I'll get struck too."

There was no need for Shane's joke though because the rain drops started to fall just as we got to my building and the first rattle of thunder made itself known only when we got to my door.

I giggled excitedly it was weird but I loved this weather just as much as I loved those sunny days meant to be spent at the beach.

"You haven't changed a bit." He smiled affectionately.

"Is that a bad thing?" I mocked concern.

He shook his head, "Not at all." He smiled raising his hand to my cheek.

There was a flash of lighting outside but it didn't startle us I only noted it absentmindedly to know I was right. Shane now possessed my every thought, his eyes held mine, his hand caressed my cheek I felt myself start to lean in…I stopped myself suddenly and sprang up straighter startling him, "No kissing." I breathed trying to keep my own lust in check. "That's a rule remember." I tried to smile instead of grimace about to close my door on him but he stopped it with his foot.

He wrapped his two large hands around my neck to hold my gaze I thought he was goofing around before the look of determination in his eyes told me otherwise. I probably would have squirmed outta his hold if I didn't want it…but I did. I wanted him to kiss me I was suddenly aching for him to kiss me. I didn't fully understand where the lust was coming from was it remembering how Shane and I used to be the whole night, was it the passion the dancing ignited or the freak storm starting up outside? I leaned into him pressing my body against his and let my eyes flutter closed and lips part…but his lips meeting my forehead made my eyes snap open.

"Only on the lips." He smiled cheekily letting me go. "G'night." He smiled teasingly winking as he turned and left.