Chapter VIII: You're My Best Friend

A/N: Another problem chapter that did not want to get written, even though I was looking forward to it. This year's winter can't be made up. A perfect story violent winter. SSD

"Are you two sure you don't want to wait out the storm here in Madison?" Doctor Volkov asked. The two surgeons from Gaffney had been demonstrating the procedure they'd done on Mr. Stanton on a computer.

"Our COO is a cheapskate and wants us to make it to the Rockford Holiday Inn before stopping for the weather," Doctor Rhodes said.

"She wouldn't spring for plane tickets," Doctor Byrne continued.

"So who's driving?" Volkov asked.

"I am." "She is." the Russian doctor smirked at the pair that acted like an old married couple.

"Sabrina drives better in the snow if we get caught by the storm," the CT surgeon said.

"A Jeep is also a more sensible car for the conditions than a top of the line sports car. Which is why I picked you up and not the other way around," the neurosurgeon snarked.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Connor asked for what seemed the fifth time.

"I'm sure. I did the drive up here while you sawed logs. Shut up, I need to focus!" Sabrina replied.

They were on I-90 in Wisconsin when the snow finally caught them. They'd just passed Janesville, nearing Beloit.

"How much further is it? We're almost getting into whiteout conditions," Connor queried as he looked at the thickening snow.

"Not much. I just saw the "Welcome to Illinois" sign. We need to look for the Business Illinois 20 exit."

Sabrina's mind was not entirely on the road, but on that damned kiss at Christmas under the mistletoe. Her lips still burned and thinking about it made her blush. It had been meant as a short "lets get this over with kiss", but for some strange reason, Connor had other ideas. Even when the kiss had finally ended, Sabrina's feet had been stuck to the floor.

No kiss anyone had ever given her had managed to do that to her.

"SABRINA! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FUCKING ROAD!" Connor roared.

She barely made it out of a skid at the exit for business 20.

"That's it. I'm driving the rest of the way. Get out of the driver's seat!" Connor said with an ashen face.

Sabrina looked like she might argue, but his glare was dangerous. They made the switch at the light.

His friend usually was not easily distracted, so it must have been something major to distract Sabrina to the point of the skid.

"Are you sure the computer is right? Our boss was pretty clear about us having two rooms," Sabrina said as the concierge went through the bookings.

"We double booked one of the rooms, and the room you two will be sharing is a suite with two beds and one bathroom. So you both will have your privacy when you want it.

"We'll be splitting the bill," both said in stereo.

"Not surprised by that at all," the concierge said.

After splitting the bill for two days with Sabrina, Connor dragged his suitcase to the elevators. Like him, Sabrina was too tired to talk.

Once the door to the room was open, his friend said, "I do not know about you, but I'm too tired to eat. Just want to sleep."

"Same here. The breakfast at the Hoffman House is said to be excellent, so that is something to look forward to." he replied.

"Good night" Sabrina yawned as she headed to bed first stripping off her winter gear and a few layers of clothing until she was down to a t-shirt and sweat pants. She crashed onto the pillows without moving the covers.

Nimbly walking around the trail of clothing, Connor shucked his own layers until he was down to a t shirt and sweats as well. He then got part of Sabrina's cover moved down, then rolled her to the other side and tucked her in. She made a noise of contentment before snuggling more deeply into the blankets.

"Sweet dreams, Sabrina," he murmured.

Sabrina blinked her way awake. She wasn't quite sure where she was. Then she heard a shower running, recognized the hotel room, and remembered who she was sharing the room with.

Rats. Connor woke up first. Then again he's the better morning person than I can ever hope to be, Sabrina thought as she looked at the clock in her room before getting out of bed. It was 8:30 AM and it was quite the Winter Wonderland outside, full of snow and ice.

Looking at the floor, she noticed the mixed trail of clothes that led to both rooms. Anyone seeing it would assume the worst of the situation.

As Sabrina began to clean up her part of the mess Connor left the shower in nothing but a towel.

Even though it was nothing she had not seen before, Sabrina could not help but blatantly ogle her friend. She barely made it up to his face in a decent amount of time. She'd never live this down.

"See something you like?" Connor snarked.

"In your dreams. Where'd you get the tattoo?" she asked to distract him and get her mind out of the gutter. Of late her mind had taken up permanent residence there, at least in regards to Connor.

"Got it in Saudi Arabia. You have any?" her friend leered

"Nowhere you will ever see!" Sabrina had to fight the urge to rub the small of her back.

The rest of the day was fairly quiet. Those with kids made beelines to the pool, those that were single stayed around the restaurant and bar area. Later that night, after the kids were long asleep from their adventures in the pool, there was a blackjack tournament for the adults. Those with kids tended to let themselves get knocked out quickly.

Connor and Sabrina were cleaning house. No one had caught onto the fact that both of them may or may not have been counting cards. It was down to the two of them, the final hand, the pot was $1,000.

He could tell that Sabrina had a good hand. He knew her tells as well as she did his. His was better as he had 21. She was obviously feeling her oats a bit when Sabrina said, "In addition to the pot, I'll throw in a kiss."

"Guess I'll be getting another kiss, I've got 21," he said as he showed his hand.

Her eyes went wide as she showed her own hand, which was another 21, "Looks like we have a tie."

After the pot was split, the crowd dispersed. Sabrina was nowhere to be seen.

He found her near the elevators, she wouldn't look him in the eye. Connor was far from stupid, Sabrina was likely expecting him to try and collect on the kiss.

And he wasn't going to collect on it. Yet.

"Sabrina, the next time I kiss you it won't be on a bet. It'll be because we both want to. You're my best friend and I don't want to mess that up."

"You're my best friend too Connor. Let's get to bed, before either of us says something we can't take back," Sabrina said before hugging him goodnight.

A few hours later...

Sabrina was up like a rocket and made a beeline to the bathroom.

She had no need to use the toilet, but to splash ice cold water on her face. When that didn't work, Sabrina stripped, got into the shower and made it as cold as she could stand and then some.

Her subconscious had decided to tantalize her with an imagining of just how good Connor could be with his hands and tongue. Sabrina could still feel the rasp of his...

Damn it all to hell! Sabrina mentally growled. She needed to get laid. And fast.

A/N 2: So... What did you all think? Don't worry I'll be dealing with Ava very soon. Connor may find out about certain things a little bit sooner than on the show.

Doctor Nickolai Volkov- Michiel Huisman