"You look like you're feeling a lot better," Jen said to Marcie as they entered the kitchen. Jen opened the refrigerator, pulling out the milk. "Are you and Michael OK now? I know that you two have been on edge lately."

Marcie nodded. "We... talked" she smiled. "Michael said that he's gonna try to understand what's going on with Eric and I... well I promised I'd try not to nag him so much about it."

"As long as you two are talking again," Jen smiled. "That's what really matters."

"You're right" Marcie said. "We love eachother. We do, and that's stronger than anything." She smiled as Mark came into the kitchen.

He went into the refrigerator, taking out a few bottles of water. "Marcie?" he said. "You think you can do me a favor and get my assignments for the next few days? Nick's too?"

Marcie looked at him curiously. "Yeah... sure. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing that can't be fixed." Mark said. "But we're not going to be at the site for a while. Do you think you guys can... handle it without us?"

"We'll tell the others something." Jen said sensing the urgency and importance in Mark's tone. "Don't worry about it."

"Thanks, guys," Mark said. "Oh and... no matter what you hear coming from our room... don't come in. Don't even come near the door, OK?"

"OK," Jen and Marcie said in unison.

"OK," Mark said. He turned, leaving the kitchen.

Marcie and Jen looked at eachother. "What do you think it is?" Jen asked. Marcie was silent for a moment. "Marcie?"

"I'm afraid to think about it," she admitted. "But Mark... would ask for help if he needed it. I know he would."

>>>>>>

Shannon slowly pulled back, her hands still on the back of Ron's neck, her forehead resting against his. Neither of them said a word, Ron gently running the backs of his fingers over her cheek. Shannon smiled softly. He leaned on, kissing her again, letting it linger. Shannon pulled away.

"Ron..." she said "This is wrong."

"Why?" he asked. "Why's it wrong?"

"Because... you live with my cousin. He's dating your sister. Doesn't that... I don't know... kinda make us family or something, I mean if Marcie and Michael ever..." Ron placed his finger against her lips, hushing her.

"That's crazy, you know that?" Ron said. "You know how much sense that makes?"

"You don't really..." Shannon pulled back completely. "You don't really want to... have anything to do with me, Ron. Nobody's ever wanted to have anything to do with me. I'm unlovable."

"Who told you that, Shannon? That's not true. You're smart, you're sweet... Shannon, you're beautiful Whoever told you that you're unlovable was a liar. Because I do want something to do with you. I don't think this was wrong. I don't think it was a mistake."

"You're not interested in me," Shannon lowered her head. "You can't be."

Ron moved closer to her, taking Shannon's hands into his, gazing at her for a moment before leaning in once again to capture her lips. "I am," he said. "I'm interested in seeing where we can take this. I'd like to find out... if you do, Shannon." She simply looked at him. "We can start slow... dinner maybe? What do you say, Shannon? "

Shannon smiled, feeling Ron's hand still in hers. She looked into his eyes surprised, but happy. She nodded. "It's a date."