A/N: I enjoy writing early Ked so much. Plus there a lot of Katie's second year away at school that I haven't explored... enjoy xx Mariah

Ned pulled up to the curb beside Katie's apartment complex, climbing out of his truck to see her as she came out of the front door. He'd driven to see her for the weekend after she'd come back to the city for the preparation for the start of the new semester.

Hannah had stayed in the city for a majority of the summer and took on the rent with Brandon since Katie came home until last week when she packed up and came back. With the apartment clear of Hannah and Brandon for the weekend for a tubing trip, Ned took the opportunity to visit Katie and get some last minute time with her before school starts.

She came running down the steps, a bright smile on her face and her arms outstretched for a hug. He took a moment to take in his beautiful girlfriend before she hugged him. Long legs and slim hips showed to perfection in denim shorts, a hint of her stomach in a crop top and her hair was pulled up in a high pony.

"I'm so happy to see you!" She hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek. "I feel like it's been forever."

"Only six days," he shrugged, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I'm gonna miss you these next few weeks. They are riding my ass at work right now. I won't be able to get time off again until Halloween."

"I'll be home for that long weekend," she smiled at him, her phone ringing in her back pocket. She stepped back as he walked back to his truck to grab his weekend bag. She was talking in hushed tones, something about a grant for school.

It was hard to believe they'd been together for almost ten months. They were strong, solid and both loved each other. They fought like any couple and the distance sucked during the school year, but they were good at communicating. At finding fun ways to spark things up through a video chat.

She tucked the phone in her back pocket, turning back to face him.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that call today." She sighed, wrapping her arm around his back as they walked toward the stairs.

"Was that the school?" He asked, holding the door open at the top for her.

"Yeah. They just needed me to confirm something before my financial aid would go through. It only covers a like half of tuition, but I need it." She shrugged, smiling at him. "How was the drive?"

"It was good. Boring." He kissed her cheek then, smiling into her. "Definitely worth it to see you though," he pressed the button, waiting for the elevator. "How long will it take for the grants to go through?"

"I don't know. The new year starts in two weeks, they said it should go through by the end of the week." The doors opened and they walked inside. "I'm going to campus on Monday because I have a meeting with my advisor, so I'll let you know as soon as I do."

"If you need any help-" He started.

"Ned, it's fine. I have it covered," she smiled at him, turning his chin to look at her. "You're sweet though."

"So we gotta talk about what our plan is gonna be for this year," he says, as the doors opened again. "You know how busy I'm starting to get."

"Well," she slid her hand into his, squeezing it as they walked through the hallway. They came to her door and she leaned against the frame as they talked. "This year is different than last. My schedule at is completely full between classes and my campus job, so I won't be coming home unless there is a break."

He nodded, smiling at her. "It'll be hard to get out of work like I said," he sighed. "We'll have to Skype."

"We'll make dates out of it. I promise that I'll come home as much as I can," she laughed, kissing him lightly. It was soft, punctual, he lingered against her face, his nose against her cheek. "We'll make it work."

"I know. We have this whole weekend to enjoy now too..." He pressed another kiss to her lips then, losing himself in her.

He held her face in his hands as he dropped his bag at his feet. She gathered her keys from her pocket, pushing them in the door as they kissed, pressed up against the door now. The door slipped and they nearly fell to the floor as they stepped over the threshold. Ned kicked his duffel bag inside, shutting the door behind them as they crashed inside. He picked her up quickly, swinging her onto the nearby kitchen table. They kiss for a moment longer, in a fiery passion until she pulled back

"As much as I'd love to keep going here," she breathed, trying to catch her breath. "I want you to take me to bed Ned."

"Forever," he breathes into her neck, picking her up.

Ned wasn't sure at first what had woken him up. It was quiet throughout the little apartment, and they had the place to themselves.

Katie was rolling over, tucking her hands beneath her head, and blinking at him sleepily before a slow smile spread across her face. "Morning," she said so softly, he probably wouldn't have heard it if he hadn't been listening for it.

"Hey." He felt himself grinning back. "Morning."

Katie squinted in the general direction of over his shoulder. "What time is it?"

"I don't know," he yawned.

They had no rush to get out of bed. They could enjoy this moment between just the two of them.

He saw the realization in her face too as she hummed contentedly and sank back into him, toes curling against his leg. He loved watching her when she decided to savor a moment, loved the way she smiled so

wide it made her eyes crinkle and her face glow.

"What?" she asked, a laugh under her voice that made it obvious she didn't actually mind his staring.

"Oh, nothing." He gave a tiny, overly casual shrug. "Just enjoying the view."

"I see," she whispered.

Some mornings, that would be her cue to roll over and wake him up in ways that had nothing to do with their sometimes hectic schedule and everything to do with how much they enjoyed they being together. This morning, it was apparently her cue to snuggle into his side and tug on his arm until he wrapped it around her properly.

"And what do you see?" she asked, faux serious.

"Well, I see a woman who's happy and content," he began, equally pretend serious, "and oh, absolutely gorgeous."

"Gorgeous, huh?" She didn't even try to stop the grin spreading across her face. "At..." She looked over her shoulder, seeing the alarm clock. "Nine in the morning?"

"Yep. And smart and warm and caring…" He said.

"And you see all that right now?" She raised her eyebrows, juxtaposing skepticism with dancing eyes and a crooked grin. "Not my messy hair."

"And the morning breath?" he added.

She giggled.

"Maybe." He kissed the top of her head. "Just a tiny bit, but it's okay."

He'd told her a long time ago, he had no deal breakers. He still didn't. Nothing, not even morning breath, keeping him from pulling her close and letting her curl up in his arms while humming something contentedly under her breath.

"I love you, you know that, right?" she asked, tilting her head up to look at him directly.

"Yeah," he said softly, feeling full of everything she made him feel. "I love you too."

She moved from lying down, to straddling him as she captured her lips. "I think it's time I was in charge..." She hummed, sitting back on his legs. "You okay with that?"

"So okay with that," he plants his hands on either side of her head, kissing her and appreciating the view he gets of her as she pulls the only article of clothing she'd worn to bed last night, a tank top. "And this. This too."

She laughed then, bringing his hands to her breasts, remembering and relishing in the feeling of his hands on her.

This weekend was just what they needed before the start of the school year.