What's this? GASP! An update...You know I'd love some idead for the next chapter, and I'm sure you'd all love a next chapter...maybe we can help each other out.

Chapter Seven

Ben left shortly after their conversation, but Stella stayed up on her ledge well after dark. She wanted to see the city at night, and had found the perfect place to take in the skyline all alight. It was a little after nine when she finally decided to come back inside. Johnny had been waiting at the kitchen table for her, pondering what he would say.

"Stella," he began.

"Save it Johnny," she shot back, irritably.

"No, Stella, you listen," he insisted. "I'm not used to this. I'm not used to all the responsibility and commitments. Ever since we got these powers it's been 'Johnny don't do that', 'Johnny do this', 'Johnny save the world', 'Johnny I'm your biggest fan.' It gets old, and it's hard on me. Look, I know I'm not perfect, but I'm trying. I'm going to make stupid mistakes every once in a while and I'm sorry, but I'm doing my best." Johnny paused a beat, he wasn't sure he should be telling her this now, but, desperate times called for desperate measures, and he wasn't about to lose her now. "Because...I care about you...I love you."

He waited for her to say it back, but Stella just smiled smally at him, and then hurried over to give him a hug. Johnny blinked, frowning slightly at the awkwardness of the embrace. She didn't say it back...crap.

"I love you too," Stella offered finally. Johnny let out the breath he had been holding.

"Phew," he started releasing the tension in his body and putting his arms around her. "You had me worried for a minute." He set his chin in the nook where her shoulder met her neck and got a good whiff of her hair. He smiled coyly realizing she still smelled a little of sweat and burning pine. Oddly enough, he found it attractive. Strong women, Johnny decided, were getting harder and harder to come by. Reed had one, so did Ben, now here was his.

"So," he began craftily as he pulled away slightly. "Is it time for make-up sex?" Stella rolled her eyes at him.

"We've haven't had sex on normal terms yet," she reminded him.

"And your point is?" Johnny inquired.

"Usually that's a prerequisite...How about make-up cuddling instead?" She asked, pulling him into another warm hug. Johnny sighed rubbing her back lovingly.

"Women and your cuddles," he muttered playfully.

Johnny was sitting on the sofa in front of the television with one arm draped over the back of the seat; Stella was sitting sideways in his lap, leaning against his chest with one arm wrapped around him and her head rested on his shoulder.

"Do you know how much I care about you?" He offered, drawing her attention away from the television.

"How much," She asked sleepily.

"I walked out on the probability of a very hot three-way kiss to watch Hollywood B-movies on Lifetime with you," Johnny explained.

"Oh, you got it bad," Stella teased, rubbing her nose against his cheek.

"You bet I do," he replied before planting a loving kiss on her lips.

Reed came out of his bedroom and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. He passed the living area and something caught his eye.

"Johnny?" He inquired, "What are you—"

"Shh," Johnny urged, motioning to Stella reclining on his arm with his free hand. "She's asleep."

"Are you okay," Reed indicated the odd position the younger man was in.

"Well," Johnny began. "It's getting harder to breathe, my arm's asleep, and I kinda have to use the bathroom...but I am so getting laid by the end of the week."

"Of course you are Johnny," Reed muttered, rolling his eyes as he retreated to his bedroom with his glass of water.