Disclaimer-see chapter 1

This wasn't actually part of my outline, but it's been running around my head. I thought I'd go ahead and post it before the real world demands my attention again. The stuff in italics are Tori's thoughts-I hope that's clear. Thanks for the reviews guys. I'm off Sunday so I hope to post a longer chappie then.

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"Home at last," Tori said as Hunter unlocked the front door. "I don't know about you Thunder boys, but I need my beauty sleep." The brothers nodded and said, "Night Tor," in sync. Tori put her hands on her hips and pretended to be offended.

"Geez! You didn't have to agree so readily." Blake and Hunter fell all over themselves trying to assure Tori that she was always beautiful, but she was already heading for bed. "I was kidding. Have you ever seen me fish for compliments? Night guys."

Hunter stretched and said, "You can take my room bro. I'll sleep on the couch."

"Thanks man, but I can't do that to you. I may be on vacation, but you still have to work. I'll just get a room somewhere." "

No way. You're family and this is still your home. You have to stay here."

"OK, but only if you let me take the couch," Blake insisted. Hunter nodded in agreement and Blake jokingly added, "Or I could stay in Tori's room.

Hunter was not amused. At all. "Listen bro, Tori isn't like that. I love you, but don't think for minute that I'm going to let you..."

Blake put a hand on his brothers shoulder to stop him. "Calm down. It was a joke-a bad one, but only a joke. You'd know that if you thought for two seconds."

Hunter relaxed and ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. "Sorry. You're right-I didn't think."

Blake grinned, "Well, it's not your strong suit." Hunter lightly smacked the younger man. Turning serious again, Blake asked, "You and Tori have gotten really close huh?"

Hunter shrugged and sat on the couch. "It was hard on both of us when you first left, so we started spending a lot of time together. Then her apartment building went up for sale; and, well, you can't live with someone and not get close." Blake nodded and a comfortable silence fell. Blake looked down to ask about spare blankets and discovered that Hunter had fallen asleep. He had been standing there for a few minutes trying to decide what to do when Tori came down the hall.

"Just let him sleep there. You can take his room tonight."

Blake nodded and headed for bed.

Tori eased Hunter's body into a more comfortable position and removed his shoes and socks. She then fetched an extra blanket from her bed to cover her sleeping roommate. He looks so peaceful she thought and really adorable. Before she quite knew what she was doing, she had leaned over and lightly brushed her lips across his. As she was pulling back, slightly shocked by her own boldness, she heard Hunter mutter, "Love you." Tori froze. Is he awake? Is he talking to me? Her heart sped up and there was the strangest flutter in her stomach. Had Blake heard? Tori quickly looked around the room, but Hunter was the only other person in the room. The man on the couch mumbled something unintelligible and rolled over. "Hunter?" Tori whispered, "Hunter, did you say something?" When there was no response, she let out a sigh. Still asleep then. "Dreaming up ways to pick up chicks tomorrow no doubt," Tori said aloud, surprising herself with the bitterness in her voice. I'm just annoyed that he's tagging along on my date with Blake she told herself. Still, she couldn't resist giving Hunter a quick jab in the ribs before storming off to her room