Ugh! Too much school! So sorry for being so slow! I know I promised not to take so long, but I've just been so incredibly busy! Marching Band is taking up my whole life! Just this past weekend we performed at our college's football game, a high school competition, and the Bengals/Steelers game! It's craziness I tell you! Don't worry though… September is the busiest month and it's almost over now! Yay!
Thanks to MissyJane, adpi24, cRaZyPiXiE, crazi river, PeTiTeCaT, oOoOo, EmmyMik, candaceFABULOUS, and Nepeace for reviewing the last chapter. You guys rock!!
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Sara woke to the sound of thunder booming in the sky. She rubbed her temples trying to stop the migraine of all migraines, but it was no use. That's when she felt the bandages on her cheek and nose. It all came back to her now: running out into the middle of the street, the car that she never saw, Nick pushing her out of the way, and then being in the hospital.
Slowly she opened her eyes and gazed around the room. It wasn't hers.
She sat up straight and noticed that the clothes she was wearing weren't hers either. She had on a pair of navy blue sweat pants that were a bit too big for her, and a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt.
"Nick?" She whispered into the darkness.
She was only answered with a bright flash of lightening and another clap of thunder. She looked around the room for a clock and found a small digital alarm sitting on the bedside table. It read 11:33. 'Maybe he's at work?' she thought to herself.
Slowly Sara pushed the sheets off of her body, and got up out of the queen-sized bed. She saw her clothes sitting in a neat pile on a chair in the corner of the room, and for a second she wondered who it was who changed her clothes. But her thoughts were interrupted by an even louder clap of thunder that nearly made her jump out of her skin. "Sheesh" she breathed.
Sara quietly tip-toed out of the bedroom and into the dark hallway. From what she could tell, there was not one light on in the small house. "Nick?" She called.
No answer.
She felt around the wall for a light switch and let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding when she finally found one. She flipped the switch and shed light upon on a small living room and kitchen.
Empty.
Sara gazed around the room for a note of some kind that would let her know where Nick was.
She didn't find anything.
Suddenly Sara felt very vulnerable. Her heart rate sped up and she could feel beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. A shiver ran down her spine, and another sickening clap of thunder made her yelp.
"Sara?"
Now the sound of her own name made her scream. She spun around to find Nick standing in the doorway of what appeared to be another bedroom, a concerned look on his face.
When she said nothing, Nick took a few steps towards her slightly shaking body.
"Sara, are you okay?"
She nodded, trying to stop the trembling of her hands as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
"What is it?" He asked taking another step towards her, and placing a hand on each shoulder.
When he felt how badly she was shaving, Nick pulled Sara's body up against his, and held her tightly. "Oh, Sara."
Sara felt her body relax, and breathed a sigh of relief. She pulled away and looked up at him with a sheepish grin on her face. "I just don't like storms I guess. And I didn't know where you were." She looked down at her outfit, then continued. "I didn't know where these came from."
Nick chuckled, and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Sorry. You were just so tired when we got here, and your clothes were soaked, so I put these on you. And then I threw your wet clothes into the dryer so you could have them when you woke up. Sorry if I scared you."
"It's okay."
Nick led Sara over to his couch and they both sat down.
"How long have we been here? And shouldn't you be at work?" Sara asked.
"A few hours, and I took the night off so I could make sure you were okay."
"Oh."
Nick gently touched Sara's injured cheek. "How do you feel?"
Sara turned her body so she was facing him. "I don't know."
Nick gave her another concerned look, and gently caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"Physically… I have a headache, and my nose hurts. Mentally and emotionally? The jury is still out on that one."
"Sara, I'm sorry for doing this to you"
Sara pulled away from him, and looked into his eyes. "Please, don't start this again."
"We need to talk about it."
"Why? It's in the past. It's done and over. Can't we just move on?" Sara stood up a little too quickly and fell back down onto the couch.
Nick moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. He ran his fingers through her hair and rested his chin on top of her head, slightly rocking her body back and forth.
Sara buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso.
"I love you" Nick whispered into her hair.
Sara silently pulled away from him, and looked into his deep brown eyes. Nick reached up and cupped her cheek with his hand, caressing her soft skin with his thumb.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked.
Sara shook her head from side to side slowly, not breaking his gaze.
"Oh" Nick dropped his hand from her cheek and stood up, but before he could walk away, Sara grabbed his hand.
Nick looked back down at her, but she didn't say a word.
"I understand Sara. I mean I put you through a lot. I could understand why you wouldn't want to be with me-"
"Nick. Stop."
Nick shut his mouth as Sara slowly stood up, using him for support. She didn't let go of his hand as she stepped closer to him, their lips mere inches apart. She could feel his hot breath against her face as she slowly leaned in and brushed her lips against his.
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TBC
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