Authors Note: Firstly, I want to say I'm so, so sorry for the long gap between updates! I'm also sorry this update is only a short one, again, but I wanted to get something up.

The trip to see my grandmother was rough, in more ways than one. On top of seeing my grandmother unwell, there was family drama that upset me. Needless to say, it wasn't a fun trip. Thank you to those of you who sent well wishes for my grandmother. :)

Since the trip, I hadn't felt like writing at all, to the point where I was worried I didn't want to write anymore. But writing these two chapters was fun once I got going, so hopefully I'm still good to go.

Hope you enjoy the update. :)

Chapter 84: Shopping and Girl Talk

After we had arrived back in Vegas, we all took a couple of days to recover from the trip.

Zak and I spent most of those couple of days together, either at his place or mine.

It felt like we were making up for lost time, even though it had only been a few days where we hadn't been speaking to each other.

I didn't think it would have been possible, but we seemed to grow even closer during our time together.

Anytime we had hung out at my place and Cheryl was around, she had kept teasing us to just "make out already".

Zak and I had laughed and told her off each time, but we'd also look at each other and then look away in embarrassment.

I had a gut feeling that something would probably happen soon – I think we were just waiting for the right time.

But our time together didn't last for very long.

Because the Romanian investigation was to air in a couple of weeks for Halloween, and was also going to be shown at a premiere party in one week, Zak had to quickly get to work on editing with the editing crew.

The network decided to hold a premiere party, partly because it was the tenth season of the show, and I think partly as another way to introduce me.

Obviously, the party wouldn't be a large scale event, and most of the guests would be cast and crew from other "Travel Channel" shows, but it was still a bit nerve wracking to think about.

It would be the first time anyone other than people who were a part of the GAC, and Cheryl, would see footage with me in it.

I had been feeling bad about Michael and Marti – the Psychic couple who were coming to talk to us – flying to Vegas with the sole intention to see me.

So, once I had found out about the party, I suggested that they wait a few extra days, and then they could attend the party and meet with us there.

Zak was fine with the idea, so he made the call, and Michael and Marti were fine with the idea as well.

With that settled, and Zak busy editing for the episode, Cheryl and I had gone on a few shopping trips through out the rest of the week to buy new outfits for the party – she was obviously invited as Aaron's date.

"Cheryl, for the last time, unless I actually see one I want, I'm not buying a dress!" I exclaimed, as Cheryl and I browsed through clothing racks.

"But it's a premiere party! There's going to be a red carpet! With press!" Cheryl exclaimed.

"Ugh, thanks for the reminder," I replied.

I thought it was a bit over the top of the network to have set the party up as a red carpet event.

Not that it would be like the "Oscars" or anything, but still.

It also made me extremely nervous – I prayed I wouldn't have to do any interviews.

"Well, you need to be reminded! You're going to be posing for pictures!" Cheryl said.

"So? Women can't wear pants in pictures?" I asked, laughing at how silly that ended up sounding.

Cheryl laughed.

"Oh come on, you know what I mean," Cheryl replied, taking a dress off the rack and looking it over.

"Look, I already talked to Zak about it, he said to wear whatever makes me comfortable," I explained.

"I don't believe you," Cheryl said, putting the dress back on the rack and pulling out her phone.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Texting him," Cheryl replied, as she quickly typed on her phone.

"No! He's busy, don't bother him!" I exclaimed.

I knew how seriously Zak took editing each episode, and this episode was to be a two-hour special.

"Too late," Cheryl replied, showing me her phone to show she had sent a text already.

Ugh.

"If he gets cranky, I'm blaming you," I muttered, looking through another rack of clothes.

Cheryl laughed.

"Don't worry, he won't get cranky," Cheryl said.

I just rolled my eyes.

Cheryl's eyes suddenly widened, then she laughed.

"What?" I asked, but had a feeling I'd regret it.

"I said: 'What's this I hear about you telling Ali she doesn't have to wear a dress?' And he replied: 'She doesn't have to wear anything if she doesn't want to' with a winky face," Cheryl replied, still laughing.

I felt my face flush.

"I hate you," I mumbled.

Cheryl laughed, then her expression changed, as if she had suddenly seen a basket full of puppies.

"Aww, he said: 'She looks good in everything she wears. I know she'll pick something awesome'," Cheryl said, before typing a response.

I smiled as my face flushed again.

"You need to claim him girl, before someone else steals him," Cheryl teased.

I laughed quietly.

"Yes, I'm such an expert at claiming men," I replied, sarcastically.

Cheryl laughed.

I suddenly heard my phones ringtone sound, indicating I had received a text message.

I took out my phone and opened up the message - it was from Zak.

"I'm only teasing. And don't let her pressure you. I know you'll look beautiful in whatever you pick. ;)"

Aww…

Cheryl was right.

I did need to "claim" him before someone else did.

A few hours later…

Cheryl and I had both bought a few pieces of clothing each, not having entirely decided on what exactly we would wear to the party.

We were now at a restaurant for a late lunch, having just ordered our meals and we each took a sip of our drinks that had just arrived.

"So…speaking about claiming men," Cheryl started, as if we had only been talking about it moments ago.

"Oh god…what?" I asked.

Cheryl laughed.

"Relax, I'm just curious. You and Zak are practically a couple already, why don't you make it official?" Cheryl asked.

I chuckled quietly.

"Like I have any experience in making first moves," I answered sarcastically.

"First time for everything," Cheryl said, winking at me.

I laughed quietly again.

"Maybe…but what if he rejects me?" I asked worriedly.

Cheryl looked at me like I had two heads.

"You can't be serious!" She exclaimed.

I sighed quietly, absentmindedly stirring my drink with my straw.

"You know my self-confidence is shit," I mumbled.

Cheryl frowned slightly.

"I know, but it shouldn't be. You're beautiful, funny, loving, loyal," Cheryl started, causing me to blush slightly.

"Don't start," I muttered.

Cheryl laughed.

"It's true! And besides, Zak adores you, we all see it," Cheryl replied.

I smiled despite myself.

"You think so…?" I asked softly, looking across the table at her.

"I know so! It's obvious," Cheryl exclaimed.

I stirred my drink a bit again.

"I guess I'm just afraid…I don't want to lose what we have…and they always say you shouldn't get involved with someone you work with," I replied honestly.

Cheryl chuckled.

"True, but you guys don't exactly have normal jobs," Cheryl said.

I laughed slightly.

"I suppose that's true," I replied, watching my drink swirl in my glass as I stirred it.

Cheryl leaned forward and rested one of her hands over mine.

"I just think you two are great together…and why wait?" Cheryl asked.

I looked at her.

"Because I'm nervous as fuck…" I replied bluntly, then laughed.

Cheryl laughed too.

"Well, I think you're overly nervous. It's a lot of fun having a boyfriend," Cheryl said, winking at me again.

I laughed.

"Speaking of boyfriends, what about you and Aaron? You two haven't exactly made things clear," I replied.

Cheryl laughed and smiled at me.

"We're dating…we just don't want to shout it from the rooftops yet. I mean, he was married before, and I think he kind of thought along the same lines as Zak – that he wouldn't find anyone," Cheryl explained.

I smiled.

"Well, even though it was a shock to me at first – he's not exactly you're usual type – I'm glad. You seem happy," I replied.

Cheryl's smile grew wider.

"He makes me laugh…I didn't realize before how much that matters to me. And I am happy," Cheryl replied.

I smiled.

"I'm glad," I replied.

Cheryl smiled and squeezed my hand briefly before pulling her hand back.

"It's what I want for you, to be happy," Cheryl said.

I smiled a bit more.

"I am happy," I replied.

Cheryl chuckled.

"I know, but I mean with Zakky-poo," Cheryl teased.

I laughed at her nickname for Zak.

"I think something might happen soon…just need the right moment…" I said honestly.

The waiter suddenly appeared with our food.

Cheryl waited until he left before responding.

"Good," Cheryl said, smiling at me.

I smiled in return as we began to eat.