Title: Downfall
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13 (Sex, Alcohol, possible drug content)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Tragedy strikes Lucy and Kevin, who then must decide what to do with their lives.

Writer's Note: Thanks for the great comments! I appreciate it. I'm also sorry if this is a little slow developing. Again, thanks for the reviews!

Downfall

Chapter Five: The Offer

It had been around two weeks since the funeral when Lucy and Kevin received a visit from Amelia and Nichol. Kevin and Lucy sat across from their company at their small table. Everything was silent. Nichol had a cigarette lit and seemed to be enjoying it; Amelia continually stared at her glass of Coke. She didn't drink it, but she looked at it.

"And so it is," Nichol said, breaking the silence. Amelia glanced at her husband; Kevin and Lucy snapped out of a daze.

"And so what it is?" Kevin asked, a little confused. Nichol shrugged and put out his cigarette in his ashtray, which he brought everywhere he went.

"I'm not sure," He answered, "but the silence was creeping me out."

"Yeah," Kevin agreed, "Can we cut to the chase?" Nichol looked a bit alarmed.

"The chase? What chase?" He wanted to know, "I gave up on the force long ago." His lips curved into a smile, but he immediately dropped it.

"We're moving to Albany in two weeks," Amelia began. Lucy looked up at Nichol, who stared happily back at her.

"That soon?" Kevin asked, a little shocked, "That's great!"

"Yeah," Nichol answered, "We went there last weekend and found a nice house. Three bedrooms, big living room, nice bathrooms; it's basically all that we'll need and more." He lit another cigarette.

"We know how much your family has been bothering you about your feelings on Gabriella and how you're doing and all, so we were wondering if you might want to come with us," Amelia announced. Lucy and Kevin's eyes went wide.

"To live?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah," Nichol answered, happily, "Just think about. Two young couples in New York in the spring. It'd be fun."

"I don't know," Kevin said, hesitantly.

"We've got it made here," Lucy agreed.

"We don't pay that much and the Camden's provide all our food and everything we could want and more," Kevin added. Nichol nodded, lighting another cigarette.

"You can't rely on Lucy's family to support you forever," Nichol informed them.

"Plus, our house is really nice and big. We'd really like someone filling up the other rooms," Amelia replied.

"Maybe you'll have kids someday," Lucy stated.

"That won't happen," Amelia replied, laughing. Nichol glared at his wife.

"Yeah, that won't happen," He repeated, angrily. A moment of tense silence passed before anyone said another word. Nichol finished his cigarette and dumped the ashes in his tray in Lucy and Kevin's trash can.

"Promise us you'll at least think about it," Amelia spoke, breaking the silence. Kevin nodded.

"We'll think about," He stated. Lucy nodded.

"We'd better go," Amelia decided, nudging her husband gently. He flinched at her touch, but ultimately nodded.

"Yeah. We'll talk to you guys within the week," Nichol added. The two stood up and made their way to the door. Lucy and Kevin followed.

"We'll give you guys a call or something," Lucy told them.

"Yeah," Kevin agreed, "With our decision. We'll definitely think about it."

"That's all we ask," Amelia replied, smiling. She and Nichol walked out the door, closing it behind them. Lucy walked across the room and turned on a fan. Kevin watched her with curiosity.

"Honey, it's March," He breathed. Lately he'd been somewhat confused by his wife's actions.

"I'm trying to get rid of the smell of Nichol's cigarettes," Lucy explained. She took a seat at the table and laid her head on it.

"What do you think about it?" Kevin wanted to know. Lucy shrugged.

"Nichol's smoking? I think he smokes a little too often, but what can you say?" Lucy replied.

"No, about their offer," Kevin said, correcting himself.

"Oh. I don't know. It's nice that they invited us, but I don't know if it's the right time to leave my family," Lucy answered.

"Albany is closer to my family," Kevin informed her, "and we would be with Amelia and Nichol." Lucy sat up.

"Are you actually considering it?" Lucy wanted to know. She was obviously a little surprised, but tried to hold it in.

"I don't know, Lucy. My judgment is a little impaired right now. Maybe it's not such a bad idea. I mean, you've always said that someday we're going to have to get out of here. It'd be a lot easier if we had friends helping us out," Kevin explained.

"I know, Kevin, but I really think we need my family. Annoying or not, it's nice to know that they're there," Lucy argued. Kevin nodded.

"It's also nice to know that all we need is each other," He replied, "and with Amelia and Nichol with us, we'd have a lot of support." Lucy's eyes softened.

"You really want to go, don't you?" She noticed.

"I think it could be really good for us," Kevin stated, "You know, draw us closer. We're supposed to cling to each other in these situations, not your family."

"You're right," Lucy agreed, "I'll really think about it."