AN: Thanks again for the reviews, those posted, and those emailed! I'm posting this next chapter sooner than I normally do because it's short, but please, don't be disappointed if I can't always update so regularly!

Chapter 8

"Well, this is it." Nicholas was surprised at how nervous he was to have Kay come into his home, his space. He was anxious to hear what she'd think. He looked over at her and was relieved to see that she was grinning.

Kay's eyes scanned the medium-sized studio apartment. He flaunted traditional standards of "masculine" decorating by having light wood tables with curved edges accenting a softly upholstered burgundy sofa and loveseat set. His desk, too, was light in color, and full of soft, almost art nouveau-like curves and contours. His bed, dining area and kitchen likewise matched the rest of the décor. The ceilings of the apartment were vaulted, almost cathedral style, and he had taped little phrases of inspiration and food for thought to the edges of the semi-arches.

Nicholas enjoyed her perusal of his place. His friends, especially his guy friends, always teased him about the "feminine" feel to his place. He wondered if Kay understood why he chose such décor, other than the fact that he really was a fan of the simple beauty and curve of art nouveau.

Kay finished her inspection of the place and turned to him. "You know, my dorm room is done in the almost exact opposite style as this place, and everyone always tells me it looks like a dude lives there." She paused thoughtfully. "Don't tell me you chose this stuff to make a statement about assigning gender to décor like I did."

He grinned that special grin of his. "Okay, I won't tell you that. But it'd be a lie by omission." He gently pushed her farther into the studio, towards the dining area. "Have a seat and I'll heat up some water for tea. Is mint okay?" he asked.

"That's perfect." As Kay sat down, she realized once again that she was going to have to explain herself to Nicholas. As he put the mug of hot tea in front of her along with some honey and a spoon, she breathed in deeply the scent of mint and willed herself to be calm.

Nicholas say down from her, without saying a word and waited for Kay to begin.

And she did. "Well, Miguel and I have been best friends since either of us can remember. But when we got to college, I started wanting something more."

And for the next couple of hours, Nicholas relives Kay and Miguel's friendship in college. His complete obliviousness to her feelings, her inability to convince herself that they will always be just friends; his superficiality, her depth. When they had each finished three cups of tea, they moved from sitting at the table to the sofa. As she grew engrossed in her story, and fatigued at the same time, Kay gradually leaned over on the sofa, until she was laying looking into the ceiling with her head on Nicholas' lap. When she finished talking, she turned her head slightly to see if she'd put Nicholas to sleep with her long tale.

Nicholas smiled softly down at Kay, as she looked up at him, eye searching, and he casually tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. He wasn't sure what to say to her, so he just met her gaze and let her see in his eyes all the thoughts flying around in his head. Anger at Miguel for being able to reach through the strength that Kay exuded to destroy slowly little bits of her self-conception. Angry at Kay for allowing someone to whittle away at that strength. Jealousy at the history that Miguel and Kay shared. Helplessness at being unable to erase Kay's feelings for Miguel away, leaving him with only his Kay, the Kay who in one strange night had made him. Well, he wasn't about to take that leap yet.

In his silence, in his eyes, Kay read all these things. Because of the extreme emotions she had been feeling all day and night and now morning, because she was tired, and because of the inability to comprehend the depth of empathy she saw in Nicholas' eyes, Kay began to cry. Not wracking sobs, but slow, steady tears that fell from her face onto his lap.

Nicholas quickly, but gently shifted their position on the sofa so that instead of her head resting on his lap, her entire body was leaning into his support. She continued crying, still without sound, overwhelmed by the night and the comfort he provided. Nicholas closed his eyes and held her, determined to hold on to this incredible woman as long as she would let him.