Chapter 13: Finally Ready

"So do we tell the others?" Gretchen said at the top of stairs unaware that two of her friends were in a close and somewhat compromising situation.

"I think TJ knows already, but I was thinking I'd make the announcement at dinner." Vince said quickly to stave off any questions about how TJ would know. Vince would have to talk to him about that real soon too.

TJ snapped his head towards the stairs when he had heard Gretchen speaking. Seeing that she and evidently Vince were still at the top of the stairs TJ turned his attention back to Spinelli but shifted on the couch so that he was a respectable distance from her. She didn't notice or chose to show any reaction but had her head turned so that she seemed to be looking at her shoulder. Her left hand was on her cheek trying to hide the rosy color of her cheek that her embarrassment had turned her cheek. Despite her efforts her embarrassment showed loudly on the tips of her small ears.

Spinelli mentally cursed at Gretchen for choosing now to make her presence known. She had been so close to kissing TJ Spinelli thought as she watched his gentle brown eyes turn sharp and direct them towards the stairs. She had been so close to kissing TJ. The realization hit Spinelli like a semi hitting a steel wall. They had nearly kissed. A sudden sense of embarrassment swept over Spinelli and she turned her face away from TJ cursing herself for having her hair in a bun so that she couldn't hide behind a curtain or black. Spinelli also scolded herself for being embarrassed but that just made her feel more like an embarrassed little girl instead of a young woman who should have been above something this simple.

Hoping to hide her embarrassment Spinelli brought her left hand up to her cheek and was amazed to feel the heat radiating off of her cheek.

Vince and Gretchen descended the stairs and walked in on the scene of TJ looking at Spinelli who was looking down at her shoulder, pink evident on tips of her ears. "Did we walk in on something? Want us to leave so you can continue?" Vince said in a good mannered fashion. However his comments earned him a playful hit from Gretchen, a look at could have killed from Spinelli and an amused raising of an eyebrow from TJ.

"Fine, fine. I'll go check on the others." Vince called out as he disappeared down the hall were the other guys bedrooms were.

A moment of silence passed before Gretchen decided to give Spin and TJ a tease. She wasn't stupid and knew that they must have been doing something for Spinelli to be this embarrassed. "So, did we walk in on you two making out finally?" Gretchen knew she was treading on very thin ice there but the reactions she got would be worth the verbal bashing Spinelli was going to be giving her later, though tonight she was spending the night in Vince's room…

Spinelli didn't know how to react to that. Gretchen had almost let TJ know her closest guarded secret. She was sure that her face had faulted when she had whipped her head around to stare at Gretchen in disbelief at what she had just heard. Furiously Spinelli worked her jaw but couldn't manage a single sound. Fortunately TJ ended Spinelli's floundering for which she was grateful, relieved but also a tad bit hurt because it meant that TJ was denying that anything even close had happened.

TJ simple stood up with a straight face, put his hat on and said in a deadpan tone; "Do you really think that poorly of my honor as a military officer?"

Though he kept his voice and face neutral TJ's mind was a beehive of activity. 'Did I just here what I think I did? But none of them know that I love Spinelli, not even Vince. But does this mean that she takes a fancy to me? STOP THAT! You know your past; she'll never accept you for what you've done. She deserves better and you know it. She's not for you so just accept it and stop tempting yourself. You'll hurt yourself and most importantly you'll hurt her so badly you'll never be able to be friends again. Now just act like a gentle man but stop it!' The last thoughts being TJ's darker past and conscious doing it's best not to get him hurt. And it was all true; TJ did have another past that no one of the gang knew about, a past he would prefer that no ever found out about.

Gretchen was too uncomfortable to answer TJ's question but fortunately for her Vince and the other two guys came out dressed and ready to go.

Chapter 14: Taxi Ride Home

Dinner was a bit uncomfortable for Spinelli. First the near exposure of her secret kept her a little more quiet then she normally was and she had a hard time being in TJ's presence, which at the same time oddly helped her calm down. However it only got harder when Vince flagged down two cabs and the other four all climbed into one forcing TJ and Spinelli to share the remaining taxi. They traveled in silence with Spinelli in the back seat and TJ in the front.

Upon arrival TJ was the one who opened Spinelli's door and helped her out of the cab much to her annoyance. However the shock of TJ being so gentlemanly towards her made her hold her tongue from barking out that she didn't need help to get out of a cab. What surprised her even more was when TJ offered her his arm which she took before she knew it. Arm in arm TJ escorted Spinelli into the classy restaurant that the gang had decided to celebrate TJ's return in.

Inside was a metal detector as a post 11-9 precaution. Reluctantly Spinelli detached herself from TJ and stepped through the detector. Once through Spinelli waited as TJ went through setting off the shrill alarm. Calmly TJ reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. Spinelli watched as TJ pulled the security supervisor aside and talked low and quiet so that only that no one ease could hear what was being said. Whatever TJ had shown and said to the man seemed to have worked because Spinelli once again found her arm in his as they were led to the table the others had picked.

Seeing the table Spinelli gave the others a cold glare. They were seated on the sides forcing Spinelli and TJ to sit opposite of each other. 'I'll make them pay for this.' Spinelli remembered thinking before sitting in the chair that TJ had graciously pulled out for her.

Dinner was a lively and amusing occasion. Everyone had a good time and shared stories, new and old that they had happen to them. Mikey managed to get himself drunk to the point that he couldn't even stand by the end of the evening. It took both TJ and Vince since both were not quite a 100% themselves to haul Mikey to the taxi.

And that's how the evening had gone. Now Spinelli was in the back of a cab with TJ headed back home at last. Spinelli was so tired and cold sitting on the far side of her seat. 'Why do cab drivers always make it so cold?' Her dress had short sleeves and only went down to the midway of her thighs.

TJ looked over towards Spinelli. She looked stunning with the moonlight streaming in the window making her silhouette more pronounced.  She had a slight hint of rosy red on her cheeks and ears, tell tale signs that she just like everyone had drunken a little much. TJ saw Spinelli shiver and rub her arms to try and get warmer. TJ took off his jacket and offered it to her by holding it out to her. Spinelli, too tired to even mutter thank you, just took the jacket and placed it over herself, legs tucked under, making herself into a human cocoon of sorts.

A few more miles pasted in silence. TJ watched as Spinelli's eyes grew heavy and she would head bob before giving herself a shake to stay awake. After the fifth time this happened TJ leaned over, picked up Spinelli, and settled her against his chest.

Spinelli was too surprise and sleepy to protest TJ's offer of being a pillow. Plus his chest was big, warm and comfortable. However Spinelli made an effort just in case TJ got the wrong idea. She looked up into his gentle brown eyes with her own black pools and silently he told her not to say anything. To enforce his point he rested on her pulling her closer to him.

Spinelli looked down again to hide her smile and blush. She had been doing that a lot lately but then most men didn't have this effect on her. In addition of the alcohol that she had consume the presence of TJ being so close made Spinelli no longer care. It felt sight to have his arm around her keeping warm, safe, special. Spinelli let out a little sigh and snuggled closer to TJ before allowing herself to drift off to sleep.

TJ watched Spinelli blush again. She looked so cute whenever she did that. Everything to do with Spinelli's soft side was the same; kind, sweet, and ironically a little bit vulnerable. TJ heard Spinelli sigh and felt her as she snuggled closer to him before drifting off to a peaceful sleep. TJ leaned down and placed a light kiss on the top of her head before leaning back and watching Spinelli sleep for the rest of the trip home.

Unbeknown to TJ, a pair of eyes followed close behind on a motorcycle. They watched the little exchange and saw TJ gently carry his sleeping beauty into the house. They watched and glowed green with envy.

Evil Eyes, well I finally finished sammi. The twist has just begun and lets see if those eyes will do something to disturb this couple.