Vaughn's POV

I looked at my friend in my arms…there was something so serene about her when she wasn't yelling or running around everywhere. As cheesy as it sounds, I took a moment to just appreciate the fact that I could be there for someone and have someone be there for me; it was nice to realize you weren't alone. Maybe a part of me was changing, a part deep inside that was stirred by her, a part that allowed me to let someone in.

I shook my head, Vaughn you're getting too emotional.

But why couldn't I? What was stopping me? What was my reason to not trust her?

You've been hurt before.

And it was true…that voice inside my head was right….I had been hurt and damaged and I had let it destroy me. It had taken me so long to build myself back up and I had done it alone. I hadn't had anyone else to help me.

I took one last glance down at her; her long dark lashes made her ivory skin glow with a tempting allure.

I grimaced at my own impure thoughts and the feelings tugging on my heart strings. "Goddess dammit…" I murmured with a grumble before scooping her up in my arms. Her warm soft skin felt good as it was pressed lightly against mine; I let my eyes trail down to the neck line of her shirt that seemed to sit a little lower than usual.

Don't Vaughn, you're an ass, but you're not an asshole.

Well I knew that much at least….

Nonetheless I slowly walked the girl over to her bed, pulling back the covers before gently laying her down. The wind outside was still vicious, but it seemed as though the storm should pass by tomorrow morning. I frowned; the entire town would be in a fuss for the next few days, checking to make sure every person and animal was accounted for and then helping everyone else with damages. As they say, "there ain't no rest for the weary."

Before pulling the covers back over Chelsea I looked at her vulnerable sleeping form and then to the door. I was pretty tired and it would probably prove to be impossible to make it back to my place in this weather, let alone at this hour.

I took off my hat, then my vest and set them on her bedside table before kicking off my boots. I looked at Chelsea, then decided to remove her jacket and bandana, but I wasn't about to go any further, especially when a familiar little whine sounded from under the bed and out popped 'Bella,' Chelsea's dog.

"Ya ya…" My soft spot for animals arose as I scooped up the pup in my arms and slid into bed beside the brunette.

An awkward moment passed as I lay there seemingly wide awake. For some damn reason my heart couldn't stop thudding against my chest, goddess was I going to have a heart attack? The bed was small and her bare legs and arms were pressed up against my sides. The warmth of a woman….it had been so long, yet there was something so comforting about it.

Easy there cowboy , a teasing voice said in the back of my mind; easier said than done though. I turned on my side to face the girl-bad mistake. Her face was mere inches from mine and her hot breath ghosted over my face with ever little snore she let out. For some reason I found that cute.

I couldn't stop myself as my hand reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Goddess, when did you get so beautiful…" The words just passed through my lips before I even noticed.

My cheeks went red in the dark room and the girl before me stirred slightly.

"Don't wake up…" I begged internally, my hand still lightly cupping her face. I just wanted to look….to see her when she could just be herself, without any fronts and acts of courageous valour and determination.

My heart throbbed again.

I shouldn't think like this…I shouldn't want this…it was too risky.

Kiss her.

A sinister voice whispered in my ear. I shook my head to clear the thought. I can't…

I looked back at her, her gentle features. The way long hair cascaded over her shoulders, shaping her soft round face, trailing down to her slender neck and fair toned shoulders. A part of me wanted to ravish all her bare skin, but I fought that urge the moment it arose. I threw it so far to the back of my mind that it should never submerge again, unless circumstances called.

What about this circumstance?

There is no circumstance!

Oh great, now I was fighting with a fictional voice inside my head, though I guess some people would say it was your consciousness.

But I wanted to.

I wanted to have that one selfish moment for myself, to allow my guard to drop in front of another person and enjoy the feeling of not being alone; to be wanted and to want someone else. I looked at her again, contemplating my actions, but deciding that I may never get another chance. Slowly, I inched my face closer, her breath grew warmed the closer I moved. Soon our noses were touching and there was the smallest of spaces between our lips.

Without another moment's hesitation I pressed my lips to hers. Warm. So warm and soft. So soft. It was comforting, soothing. I could smell the freshness of her skin and taste her breath. I wanted more.

But that was enough.

I pulled away; I had lingered too long. My hands were starting to sweat and my heart beat was in my ears now. Goddess I was acting like a school girl or some damn embarrassing thing. As I turned to face the other way, or leave the bed altogether,- I wasn't quite sure at this point- I felt a hand tug at my sleeve.

My heart stopped. Dammit! Had she been awake! Had she felt that? All my lingering? What!

Mortified I slowly turned my head, only to hear the name slip past her lips, "Fuji..."

And with those simple words I felt my heart shatter, like a knife. Of course she still loved him! How could she not? Goddess Vaughn! You're so damn stupid!

Nonetheless I let her pull me back in. As I lay on my back she sidled up to my chest, her head resting perfectly in the crook in my shoulder. Part of me was still happy…happy that I was the one here. But at the same time I felt for her loss…how could someone like me ever fill the shoes of her hero and her first love?

I felt something else stir inside me…something deep, something knew. I think I wanted her…I think I wanted to prove that I could be someone for her, as annoying and pesky and aggravating as this girl was. No matter how much she could make my blood boil and make me want to smash a tree or kick a rock out of sheer frustration, she could do something no one else could.

She could find me.

Chelsea's POV

I woke up when he was carrying me to the bed. "How sweet," I had thought. "Vaughn's actually a really nice guy."

I held my breath, pretending to be asleep just to see what he would do. Call my stupid, but a part of me liked having someone who cared, someone who I could call a friend; even if it was Vaughn. I think I misjudged his character…

It felt like an eternity. I listened as he picked up Bella and placed her on the bed, but my heart stopped when I felt him crawl in beside me. Oh goddess! I wasn't ready for this sort of relationship! I didn't want this!

As I lay in panic I'm pretty sure I forgot to breathe a few times so when I did it sounded like I was snoring.

But…the more I thought about it…the more my heart felt strange. I had loved Fuji so long ago with everything I was. He was my saviour…no one else could replace him and I didn't want anyone else too.

Then why was my heart racing when Vaughn was lying beside me? Why did a part of my heart skip a beat at the feeling of not being alone? Was that it? Was it just out of loneliness that I wanted to reach out?

Don't….

A warning sounded in my head. Don't let down my guard, don't let down my walls. You'll lose everyone again. Don't get attached, don't trust people who will leave you. Don't, don't don't-

Then I felt it.

His hand. It was so warm, so comforting, stroking my cheek and tucking my hair behind my ear. It was the smallest gesture, but it was so sweet I felt my heart twinge with both delight, nervousness and confusion.

What if I just-

No!

But he's different! He's not Fuji!

I was arguing with the inner demons of my soul and I wasn't quite sure who was winning.

A moment later and it seemed as though the room got hotter, or maybe that was just my face. Was that Vaughn's breath? Did he move closer? Suddenly his musky, yet fresh scent washed over me; it was somehow alluring.

I felt his breath tickle my face, and then I felt something distantly familiar, something nostalgic.

His lips were on mine. Vaughn was kissing me! It was the slightest of kisses, sweet, but just long enough to linger and mean something. Without thinking, I reached out to him. It was like my first kiss with, "Fuji." The word passed my lips before I could stop it.

No! That's not what I-!

Yes it is! Admit it! You only want Fuji…

I was expecting Vaughn to leave after that, to run away like so many, and leave me alone….leave me behind once more.

But he stayed. He put his arm around me and stayed… I didn't know what to think now. I didn't want to think, I just wanted one moment of selfishness, to be happy, to not be alone.

But a deeper part of me wanted him.

As I curled up to his warmth and allowed myself to be lulled to sleep by the sound of his heart beat I wondered if such a thing was even possible.

A/N:

I know nothing much happens in this chapter and it's like uber fluffy…XP But I hope you guys like it. I also know it's been a while since I've updated and this is really short, but when it comes to me, I just need to write it out! Hope you guys don't mind this bit. I kind of wanted something to happen.