Mark had hardly allowed himself to sleep during the night, worried that Nick would really start to react terribly to the withdrawal. But with the exception of a few bouts with chills and shakes. The rest of the night seemed to go by relatively easy. But Mark couldn't get his mind off of his last encounter with Nick, that kiss.... that kiss was driven and he couldn't stop thinking about it. So as he sat awake until the sun rose, Mark's mind kept going back. He could still feel Nick's lips against his, he could still taste him, and he savored that, knowing that he would never experience it again.

Nick tossed gently as Mark reached over for the bottle of water. "What time is it?" Nick asked.

"About noon," Mark replied. "You slept most of the day away." he handed over the bottle. "How do you feel?"

"Like I'm dying" Nick said. "Am I dying?"

"Hardly. Drink that."

Nick took a long sip from the bottle. He sighed, managing to sit himself up in bed. "Umm... listen... about last night..."

Mark shook his head. "Nick... forget it. It's no big deal. I won't tell anyone. I swear."

"Just listen," Nick said. "Just... I know I've been a jerk. I am... more than aware of that. But," he took a deep breath. "I'm not a liar though and I'd be lying if I said I didn't... feel something last night." He paused. "It's not something I'm all that comfortable with and... it's not something that I want the world to know about."

Mark nodded. "I understand that."

"But... this is going to sound really stupid and go against everything I was all about when I came in to this project." Nick paused again. "But what I felt with you... last night... it felt right. I'm scared to death about it but... I want to feel it again."

"Nick..." Mark said. "What are you saying? You'd want to do it again? With me? While you're in your right mind?"

"That's what I'm saying," he said. "I didn't think I'd every be saying it, but yeah. What do you think?"

"The two of us." Mark said. "As a... couple..?" Mark couldn't even fathom it. "An under the cover of darkness type thing."

"I'm not ready to broadcast it" Nick said.

"I understand" Mark nodded. "I can't... go back in the closet, Nick, but I won't force you out." He paused. "Are you sure about this? I mean... are you sure that you're not rushing yourself. This is all so new and..." Nick leaned forward, capturing Mark's lips again. He allowed the kiss to linger for a moment before pulling back. "OK," Mark said lazily.

>>>>>>

It was nearing three o'clock. Marcie sat in the quad at LU, letting the breeze blow her hair absently. She stared off, letting her mind wander, not noticing Michael walk up beside her. She jumped, hearing her name.

"Sorry," Michael said. "Marcie I didn't mean to scare you."

Marcie looked over. "Oh... it's OK," she said "I was just... I was sitting here, thinking"

Michael took a seat beside her. "About what?"

"Everything" she said "About Eric and Ronnie. Mostly about Ronnie. He... he has a new girlfriend."

"You don't sound too thrilled." He said. "What's the matter, you don't like her?"

"Oh no" Marcie sighed. "She's fine it's just... she's a lot younger and I don't think she's really right for him."

"Why not?"

"Just because... I don't know. I know Ronnie and I can't see this at all. They don't have anything in common..."

"But he likes her" Michael said. "It's Ron's choice, Marcie."

Marcie shook her head. "You say that now, if you only knew who he was dating."

"Come on," Michael laughed, "You make it sound like she's a kid. It's not like he's dating Shannon or anything." Marcie looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Ron is dating Shannon?"