"Thank you for the dinner." She spoke up as she finished her meal. It had been an hour after they arrived, and they had all gathered around a large table in a beautiful dining room. She had gotten to know most of them; his family was amazingly kind and friendly, almost like him. She hadn't remembered the last time she felt safe in a stranger's home like she did then. She almost felt like she was apart of a family.

A real family.

"I'm glad you liked it." His mother responded.

"Yeah, sweetie, tasted pretty good." His dad agreed with Stephanie.

"Oh, so you actually liked it this time?" she smirked.

"Are you still on that?" he laughed, good-naturedly.

"Well, it's not MY fault I overheard you talking about my food—" she replied. Stephanie watched them go back and forth, and she suddenly realized that it was reminding her of something.

Welcome to the twilight zone. She suddenly realized that his parents were acting almost like how she and—no, that couldn't be right. She quickly got THAT thought out of her head. It was just a coincidence—right? God, I think I'm finally losing my mind—not good. I really need to stop thinking about this. Why can't I just ignore it like I always do? What I'm thinking would be impossible—I'm married, for god's sake—but why does it feel like this is too perfect to pass up? Gotta stop thinking..

"So, who is coming tomorrow?" she looked to Chris, who seemed interested.

"The usual crew." His aunt responded. "You better get your friend ready for that."

"I'll be fine." She spoke up, grinning slightly.

"See that? She's all ready comfortable here." His mother chuckled lightly.

By the time they all ended up were in the entertainment room, Stephanie was feeling the effects of the long day and the full stomach. She sat next to Chris on one of the couches, letting herself curl against him, sleepily. She actually thought nothing of it, nor was awake enough to note the knowing looks she was getting. She listened as the family talked about the past, really not talking, but really listening for once.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, but when she woke up, she found herself curled up in a nice soft bed. She lifted her head, peering at the clock. It was 2 AM. She suddenly realized that she really had to go to the bathroom. She almost cursed herself for not asking for a tour of the house, because she had no clue where she was exactly. Sighing, she stood up, deciding to just quietly look around and find it herself. She took one step forward, and felt her foot land squarely on something big. Surprised, she lost her balance and fell.

"Oof." She groaned, landing on her butt. She winced slightly, and watched what she tripped on sit up.

"What the—?" the voice quickly registered.

"Chris?" she asked in a whisper, surprised.

"Whatcha stepping on me for?" he asked, sleepily.

"I didn't know you were on the ground." She explained, softly. "Sorry about that."

"What are you doing up?" he glanced toward the clock. "It's only two in the morning."

"I need to go to the bathroom." She replied, embarrassed.

"Come on, I guess I'll take you." He stood up, sleepily, stretching out. She saw him reach out a hand to her and she took it, letting him help her up. "Follow me." She nodded lightly, doing as he asked, staying close to him so she didn't lose sight of him in the dark. "Here we go." He whispered. "I'll be out here."

"Thanks." She replied, walking into the room, closing the door behind her. She flicked on the light, and let her eyes adjust to the sudden brightness assaulting them. Sighing, she did her thing, feeling suddenly itchy. She scratched her arm, and stopped short. No—wait a second. She pulled her sleeve up, and blinked. It was what she thought it was. "Hives!" she exclaimed lowly to herself. Not good.

She walked to the mirror and saw it had spread to her face. It was probably too dark for Chris to notice it in the first place. Still, when she got this many, that meant--"Chris!" she opened the door and he let out a surprised yelp when she pulled him in. He looked like he was about to demand to know why she just pulled him in, but when he saw her face he stopped.

"What the hell?" he stared at her.

"Hives." She explained miserably. He frowned.

"All right, um—let's see, I have to have something—just—don't itch." He opened a cabinet with medicine stored in it. "Let's see—oh, here we go." He pulled out a box of Benadryl. "I remember my mom said something about this stuff. Take one. Does it itch?"

"Of course it does." She popped a pill into her mouth and swallowed it with ease. He looked at her, then shook his head.

"Um—oh! I know that one. Calomine lotion." He rummaged through the large cabinet again, looking. "How'd you get those anyway?"

"Peanuts. Which one had it?" she said simply.

"Oh, you must have had some of my mom's secret dish." He replied, knowingly. "Ah, there it is." He pulled out a bottle of the stuff. "Put this on. It'll stop the itch."

She sighed and sat on the toilet, beginning to put the stuff on. Chris watched her impatiently, then groaned and grabbed the bottle from her. "Hey! What are you doing?"

"I'm not sitting in here all night." He explained, rolling the other sleeve of her shirt up. "I got this arm." She felt herself flinch at his touch, but realized that it was actually soft and almost caring for someone who was complaining about her taking too long. She watched him for a moment, then went back to doing the other arm, feeling the soothing relief all ready.

After she was covered, they left for the room again. Chris lay down on the floor, while Stephanie sat on the bed.

"Sleep—" he mumbled gleefully. Stephanie paused, then figured it was a good enough time to bring it up.

"Before you go to sleep, Chris, I just wanted to thank you for putting up with me." She explained. This gained his attention, and he turned to face her from the ground. She let herself slide to the ground so they were at eye level.

"What do you mean by that?" he inquired.

"Well, I know I'm still annoying." She sighed. "Guess I haven't changed much since we first met."

"You weren't annoying when you were little, and you're not now either." He shook his head. "I wouldn't waste my time with someone annoying. You're my best friend now." Stephanie was almost taken aback by the emotion in his voice.

"Do you really mean that?" she asked.

"I brought you here, didn't I?" he pointed out.

"Well, yeah, but that might have been out of pity." She shrugged.

"No, it's because I care about you. Now don't worry about it, huh? Anyway, I'm more annoying then you." He laughed lowly.

"You're perfect the way you are." She found herself saying. She couldn't believe she wasn't embarrassed in saying that.

"Coming from you, that means a lot." He replied. "All joking aside."

"It's true." She shrugged lightly.

Her hives were gone by the time she laid down on the bed again. As she pulled the covers up to her chin, she heard his voice again, soft but firmly clear.

"You're perfect too, Steph." The words sent a small jolt of emotion up her spine. She couldn't help but repeat exactly what Chris had said to her. Coming from you, that means a lot—a lot more then anyone could understand. She didn't respond, but went back to sleep with the knowledge that she was trying to win a losing fight with her emotions.

And like that, the morning came. She felt something jabbing her in her side, and she continued to ignore it, hoping it would go away. She just wanted to sleep. Sadly, that jab seemed to get annoyed because she suddenly found herself holstered out of the bed. She let out a surprised gasp and she suddenly felt like she was moving. Opening her eyes, she found herself looking upside down at ponytailed blonde hair.

"Chris! Chris, what are you doing?!" she squirmed in his grip, but he had a tight one on her.

"Presents time! Come on!" his voice was jovial, and she knew he wouldn't let her go until they were down there.

"I can walk by myself, you know!! Let me go!" she demanded. "Put me—" she felt him suddenly toss her down, onto a soft couch. He grinned brightly. "—Down."

"Good morning, Stephanie." She looked sleepily at his mother. "I see Chris got you up?"

"Yes." She shot him a look. He gave her a bright grin.

"Well, it's time we opened the gifts, then."

"All right!" Stephanie noted Luke was sitting by the tree, looking at the presents brightly.

"Wait your turn." Chris's aunt, who was probably Luke's mom, scolded.

"Man—" he sighed, watching as the presents were being given out. Stephanie, now wide away, suddenly felt incredibly nervous. She did get Chris something, and even though she knew he'd probably love it, she still felt like she was going to hyperventilate. She got his parents money; she didn't know what else to do for them. She grabbed the bag she had put the stuff in, placing it next to her, waiting her turn quietly, feeling her face all ready turning into a full out blush.

"Stephanie, this is for you." She snapped out of her thoughts to see Chris's mom holding a present out for her. She smiled, a little surprised.

"You got something for me?" she asked.

"Of course." She chuckled lightly. Stephanie took it, smiling graciously.

"Thank you." She opened her bag and pulled out her card. "Um—well, this isn't really anything, Chris wouldn't let me get you a physical gift—he was rushing me. That's for you, though."

"Don't worry about it." She chuckled. "You didn't have to get us anything, though."

"I would feel bad if I didn't. Think of it as a thank you for the dinner last night and the food today."

"It's a deal, then." She chuckled, leaving her at that. She sat back, opening the gift. She smiled lightly. Pajamas. Chris must have hinted to his mom to get her a pair, considering he had been wearing his shirt for more then enough of time. She looked up to see Luke tearing open one of his gifts.

"A skateboard!" he squealed. She couldn't help but laugh as his face lit up. She had to wonder, though, who'd want to skate outside in cold like this? She suddenly noticed Chris walking to her, ultimately plopping next to her.

"Ah, I see my mom got to you, huh?" he smiled.

"I guess you want your shirt back, huh?" she giggled.

"Nah, it looks better on you. I just thought real ones would be more comfortable." He explained, and she nodded. "Umm—well, I got something for you too." He scratched the back of his head. "Here." He handed her a small present. She knew the shape of a box.

It's either a bracelet of a necklace. She took out the other thing in her little bag, which was also looking much like a card. I hope he likes them—he will. I know it. "And this is for you." She handed it to him

"You open first." He grinned. She nodded absently, slowly tearing the gift-wrapping off, to find the prize inside. A black box; it was what she expected to be. She opened it, her eyes widening, for it turned out to be a little more then she expected. It was a necklace, all right, but it was beautiful—better then she could have imagined coming from a guy.

It was all very—silver. Actually, it really wasn't all silver—there was a few gems in it that really looked like diamonds. REALLY looked like them. The pendent of the necklace was interesting, sort of like two box shapes, one in the other, with the outer one looking like the sides were pushed in to for almost a flower-like look. And it was clear, crystal clear. She stared it, speechless.

"What? You don't like it?" he asked, trying to read her expression.

"I—" she found herself still at a loss of words. "I can't accept this, Chris—this must have cost a fortune."

"Think of it as a number of gifts—for your birthday, for Christmas, and for one of those 'I'm sorry' sort of days." He grinned. "I want you to have it."

"But—" she looked at it again. "Are you sure?"

"My mom doesn't like necklaces anyway." He smiled. "I'm positive."

"Well, this certainly blows away my—" she noticed he was ripping her gift open.

"Holy hell! Front row?!" he blinked in shock.

"Watch your language—" his mother stepped in. He glanced at her as she continued to give out presents to the family.

He lowered his voice. "Steph, this is amazing! These tickets are impossible to get!"

"Well actually—the backstage passes were even harder." She explained, still trying to let the shock wear off from what she had gotten. "I got two, thought you might bring Jeff or Matt or something—"

"Or you." She looked at him, a little surprised at the offer.

"Yeah, maybe." She replied, feeling a bit dazed. I think he really likes it, but my gift—no one has ever gotten me anything this perfect—so beautiful. She let him help her put it on a few minutes later, and she realized that something was quickly happening to her mindset.

And if it continued on like this, she was afraid that it was only going to get worse—or better, however she could look at it.