Title: Never Been Kissed: A different story (1/13)

Part Three: Meeting Mark

Author: Jaycee

Disclaimer: Not mine and they never will be. Sam Coulson, Josie Geller and the whole gang of NBK are the properties of Flower Films and their affiliates. Okay? Get it? No suing please! I have no money!

Summary: Sam didn't kiss Josie on the pitcher's mound and two years later, they meet again.

Rating: G to PG – depends on the chapter really.

Author's note: Please read and review. I've posted this story in my stories. Com portfolio but I thought that to encourage more people to read and write more NBK stuff, I should post it here. Me posting the next chapters will totally depend on the reviews I get. Okay? Have fun reading!

Looking behind Josie, Sam saw a man, in his early thirties, walking towards them. He was very attractive, with dark hair cut short, very athletic and as he got closer, he saw the man's piercing hazel eyes. He then noticed that it seemed like the guy was coming towards them. He was about to open his mouth to ask Josie if she knows the guy when suddenly, the man covered Josie's eyes with his hands.

* * * Josie was looking at her pad so intently, so that she wouldn't look at Sam again, that she didn't even hear someone approaching them. Then suddenly, someone's hands covered her eyes, she was surprised at first, and then she started to laugh.

Grabbing the hands of the person behind her, she stood up and threw her arms around the person's neck, pulling him into a hug. "Mark! I missed you!" she exclaimed, hugging him tight. Laughing, Mark hugged her back. "I missed you too, sweetheart!" he said, and then gave her a kiss on the top of her head. They released each other, then leaned in to give Josie a kiss on the lips. Josie turned her head to the side instinctively, as always, making Mark's kiss land on her cheek.

Mark sighed as Josie stepped away from him and sat down. They've been together for a year, but not once did Josie let him kiss her on the lips, or to get intimate with her. He was tempted to break up with her to be with other woman, but in the flings that he had while he was still with Josie, were never fulfilling, unlike his relationship with Josie. She was an extraordinary woman, and he knows that she's the one he wants to be with for the rest of his life. But still, it would be much better if she would let him kiss her. Just for once.

He sat down beside Josie then handed her a bag of stuff that he bought for her from Baltimore. Josie smiled at him, and then got the bag from him. She opened it and found two different boxes, both wrapped in special wrapping paper. She took out the first box then opened it. "Oh! It's a Cal Ripken Jr. baby beanie! Thank you Mark! You remembered that he's my favorite baseball player!" she kissed Mark on the cheek then placed the beanie baby on top of her bag, then started to open the next box.

* * * Sam felt a twinge of jealousy when Josie hugged her boyfriend. He couldn't believe that he has to see her boyfriend now, at all days, when he was still getting over the shock of seeing her again, after two years. He was relieved though, when Josie leaned away from when he attempted to kiss her.

He thought his jealous attacks were over for the day, but when Josie took out the beanie baby, Sam sucked in a painful breath. What Mark bought Josie from Baltimore was the same thing that he has asked his best friend, Jonathan to buy for him at Baltimore 2 years ago, so that he could give it to Josie the day after she graduates, as a proclamation of his interest for her. His sign that he's going to start courting her. But, of course, all that didn't happen. (A/N: Read Carol's fan fic, "Sam's awakening" which can be found in Shelle's website: NBKOnline. www.geocities.com.nbkonline) That's where I borrowed this little info about the beanie baby.)

He snapped back to reality, when he felt someone's hand, touching his shoulder. Looking up, he realized that it was Maria. He smiled at her, and then gestured for her to sit down. "Hey guys!" she started then looked at the guy that was now sitting beside Josie. Josie looked up from opening the second box and noticed Maria's confused expression.

She smiled then introduced Mark to them. Gesturing at Maria, Josie said, "Maria, Sam, this is Mark Springsteen, my boyfriend. Mark, these are Maria Rodriguez and Sam Coulson. They're the couple that I was set to interview for Sun Times." Mark held out his hand to both Sam and Maria. "Hey!" he greeted them.

Sam took his hand and shook it firmly, careful not to let his jealousy show through his handshake. He smiled at Springsteen and said, "Hey! Nice to meet you!" "Nice to meet you, Mark." Maria said, enthusiastically then turned to Josie. "Hey, what's that Josie?" "I don't know. I'm still opening it. Mark brought it from Baltimore."

When the box was finally opened, Josie recognized the smell of strawberries. When she opened it, her suspicions we're correct. It is strawberries. Chocolate covered strawberries, to be exact. She chuckled at Mark's sweetness. "Oh, this is so sweet Mark! You remembered that these stuff are my favorite!" "Yup, I did! I saw them at this dessert shop and I just thought of buying them for you." Mark said, proud smile lighting up his face.

Mark gingerly took one of the strawberries and brought it close to Josie's mouth. Josie blushed at Mark's public display of affection but still, she opened her mouth then carefully took a bite, not knowing what effect her teeth biting into the strawberry was bringing to Sam. Sam sighed as he saw Josie do the same to Mark. Not knowing how to stop the two of them, cleared his throat,

loudly. He saw Mark and Josie jump up at the sound, and Maria's laugh at the couple's reaction. Josie wiped her mouth with the piece of tissue that she was holding and smiled sheepishly at them. She reached out to wipe a spot of chocolate on Mark's mouth and again, Sam had the sudden urge to drag Mark away from his Josie.

Sam's head snapped up when he realized that he was again thinking of Josie as his. His Josie. 'God, I've got to have a grip here!' he told himself, and then he looked at Josie and saw her closing the lid of the box of strawberries. He sighed in relief as he saw her keeping the box. "Okay! So what else do you want to know Josie?" he asked, his voice louder than usual.

He saw Maria turn at him in confusion at why his voice was unusually loud. He glanced at Maria and then turned to Josie for her questions, his left eyebrow raised as he waited. Josie's eyes rolled, as if she knows why he interrupted them. "No, I think what I have now is enough, Sam. Thank you, you guys, but I believe that I'm taking up too much of you time already." She answered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

She started gathering her things and extended her hand towards Maria. "Nice meeting you, Maria." "Nice meeting you too, Josie. You too, Mark!" Then, Josie turned to Sam, "Nice meeting you, Sam." She said as she extended her hand towards Sam. Sam slowly took it and gave it a gentle shake. He was immediately repentant at what he did towards Josie. "Nice to meet you too, Josie." His voice coming out in just barely above a whisper.

 Josie looked into his eyes, her features softening as he smiled at her. Releasing hands, Josie waved at them then walked away. "Isn't she great, sweetie. I'm so happy that Rigfort sent her and not some stuck up reporter." Maria gushed, as she sat down again.

"Yeah. Me too." He said, as he sat down and looked at the direction Josie took, and he saw her riding her car. He was glad that Mark didn't ride with her. His eyes never left her until he saw her car was gone lost in the busy streets of Chicago.