Yet another installment of Krista & Rizzo…this one is a little while after the Olympics. Rizzo has saved up some money from whatever job he has gotten in the Twin Cities, and has found his own apartment so he doesn't have to stay with Buzzy and Gail. Today is the day he moves in.

"That's the last one," Krista said, carrying a cardboard box out to the truck. "Thank goodness you didn't have more stuff!"

Rizzo laughed. "I could always have my folks send some more things out from Boston…"

"You'll be moving those by yourself," she grinned.

He put the box he was carrying in the back of the truck and took Krista's box, kissing her lightly. "Let me get that," he told her.

"Always the gentleman," she smiled.

Once everything was loaded, the two climbed into the truck and drove over to Rizzo's new apartment.

"Did they deliver the furniture yet?" Krista asked. She had helped him pick out a couch, a bed and a dresser a few days before.

"They were supposed to do it yesterday, so it should be there."

They arrived at the apartment, and Rizzo fished the keys out of his pocket. They each grabbed boxes and headed up the stairs. The keys worked, and the door swung open.

"Very nice," Krista commented, walking in. It wasn't large, but it was clean, newly painted, and in good repair. The furniture had indeed arrived, and was sitting in the living room. "Why don't we move the furniture around first, then we'll bring up the rest of the boxes," Krista continued.

"You've done this before," Rizzo smiled.

"I didn't walk to Minnesota, you know," she told him grinning.

They placed the boxes they had carried up in an out-of-the-way corner and moved the pieces of furniture into their proper places. Then they unloaded the truck and unpacked as many of the boxes as they had energy to tackle.

"You had to get a place on the third floor, didn't you?" Krista grumbled good-naturedly.

"They had one available on the first floor, but I thought we could use the exercise, so I took this one…"

She laughed, collapsing on the couch. "Well, we certainly got a workout, didn't we?"

"Yeah we did. How about some dinner? Hungry?"

"Starving," she confirmed.

The phone company had gotten the line turned on in time, so they ordered pizza. When it arrived, they sat on the floor and ate by candlelight, talking. Out of the blue, she leaned forward and kissed him softly, unable to help herself.

"What was that for?" he asked, smiling.

"Because you're you," she answered. She laughed a little as she pulled away. "This is really hard to do sitting on the floor with pizza in my hands."

He grinned and kissed her back. "It is, isn't it? Why don't we try out the new couch?" They put the pizza in the refrigerator and made their way over to the couch, wrapping themselves in each others' arms and just relaxing. After a while, Rizzo yawned.

"You're tired," she said. "I should go so you can get some sleep. You still have more unpacking to do tomorrow."

"Don't go…stay with me tonight."

"You want me to spend the night?"

"Yes." He smiled sheepishly, "I've never lived by myself before…"

"And you thought we could spend our first night together in your new apartment?"

His expression suddenly changed. "Oh, no, honey, that isn't what I meant…"

"It's okay," she told him, grinning. "You're supposed to be attracted to me."

His smile returned. "That isn't the problem," he laughed. "You are the most beautiful woman I've even known, and I love you so much. I don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for."

"I know," she assured him, kissing him again.

"And I, uh…" he hesitated a little.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I'm Catholic…"

She knew where he was going. "Then we'll wait," she told him. "When we're both ready, it'll happen."

"I just don't want to let you go tonight," he said softly.

She touched his cheek. "I don't want you to let me go."

"Really?"

Krista smiled warmly. "How could I pass up a chance to fall asleep in your arms?"

They picked their way through the living room and into the bedroom, where they rummaged among the boxes for something to sleep in. They ended up splitting the only pajama set they could find, she wearing the top and he in the bottoms.

"Wow, you should wear my clothes more often," Rizzo grinned slipping his arms around her waist.

Her arms went around his broad, uncovered shoulders, and she laughed. "You'd have to find them first…"

Suddenly, he scooped her up in his arms, taking her into the hallway.

"What are you doing?" she asked, still laughing.

"It's our first night together," he told her. "I want to carry you over the threshold." He brought her back into the bedroom and laid her gently in bed, kissing her softly. He turned off the light and climbed in beside her. She snuggled up against him, laying her head on his bare chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I could get used to this," she whispered to him.

He smiled in the darkness, running his fingers over the small of her back. "Me too."