He's Always There

Jess was lying on her bed in her childhood bedroom, unable to sleep after the day she had just experienced. Although she had just ended things with Ryan mere hours ago, she found that he was not the person occupying her thoughts. She really thought she had loved him, she thought they had a future together, hell she had even considered moving to England just to make things work with him, but like most of the men in her life he had failed her. The more she thought about it, she realized that it wasn't real love that she felt for him. He didn't show up to the one thing she needed him for so badly, but instead it was him, the one person who was always there for her, always telling her exactly what she needed to hear even if it hurt, Nick Miller, her best friend, the man she let get away.

"The only thing that matters is if the guy is there for you when yah need him, otherwise you're dating a wall."

Those words had been ringing in her ears for hours, Nick was right, he was always right. Since Ryan had moved to England, he had put in little to no effort into making their long distance relationship work. He had promised her that it would be fine, that he would call or skype with her every night until they could eventually be together again, but it was all a lie. He had kept that promise for about 3 days until eventually he just stopped calling altogether, all she got from him was a text every couple days telling her that he "missed her" and that he was "Sorry for not calling" and that he was just "So busy all the time."

Jess found herself becoming angry at herself. How could she have been so stupid? She had been so desperate to find something real, to fall in love and live happily ever after with her Prince Charming, but when she really thought about it, Ryan was no Prince Charming. Sure, he was sweet and treated her well, but he was actually kind of boring if she was being completely honest with herself. There was always something… missing. He never made her laugh until she cried, he never made her angry or flustered, he never argued with her until she stormed out of the room, only to follow her and sweep her up in his arms and make passionate love to her until she gave in.

Passion.

It was the one thing she had been missing with every man that she had ever been with, except for him. Nick Freaking Miller. She had never met someone that could work her up like he could. He knew her so well and he knew exactly what to say to push her buttons and make her so angry that she wanted to punch him in his stupid handsome face, then rip off his clothes and fuck his brains out. Whoa, where did THAT come from? Jess felt her entire body heat up as erotic images of her and Nick flashed through her mind. Suddenly there was a knock at her door. She glanced over at the clock on her nightstand and slowly pulled herself out of her bed and walked to the door, wondering who would possibly still be awake at this hour. Damnit, of course it was him.

"Hey, Nick. What are you still doing up?"

They locked eyes and he gave her that smirk that made her insides melt. "Hey, Jess. I couldn't sleep and I just… I guess I was thinking about yah, I just wanted to make sure you were okay after… everything." Jess couldn't help but smile at him. For a guy that always acted like he hated everything and everyone, he was just so damn sweet to her.

"You were thinking about me, Miller?" She watched as he nervously shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "Come on, Jess. You're my best friend and you just broke up with your boyfriend, of course I was thinking about yah. That and I didn't hear Dirty Dancing, so I got a little worried." He said with a chuckle, making Jess's heart flutter in her chest. That Smile.

She opened the door so he could enter the room and shut the door behind him. She took his hand and lead him over to the bed, letting go of his hand as she sat down and pulled the blanket back, she patted the spot next to her, silently asking him to join her. He looked a little hesitant at first, but he eventually sat down and pulled the blanket over their legs as they both sat up with their backs leaning against the headboard.

Jess leaned heavily against his side and pulled his arm over her before wrapping her

arms around his waist and burying her face in his shoulder. She heard his breath catch in his chest and it made her smile that she still had that effect on him. "I'm actually okay, Nick. Everything you said was right, I need someone who will be there for me when I need them." She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him, His head was tilted down and his eyes were squeezed shut. She brought her hand up to his face, turning his head towards her, his eyes still tightly closed.

"Open your eyes, Nick."

Nick took a deep breath as he finally opened his eyes. She stroked his stubbly cheek tenderly as she stared into his dark eyes, seeing something in them that she hadn't seen in over a year. Love. She felt tears prick her eyes as she spoke. "You're always there for me, Nick... always." Her voice cracked and she squeezed her eyes shut, feeling as the tears escaped, running down her cheeks. Nick cupped her face with his big, soft, warm hands and gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

"Jessica, You're my best friend and I care about you so much. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You know that."

She listened to his softly spoken words and felt her heart ache. He was her best friend but she wanted so much more. She loved him so much and it had never gone away, not really. She had been very good at hiding it, but when he started dating Kai, she cried herself to sleep for a week. She hadn't told anyone, not even Cece. They had agreed that it wasn't working between them, that they had nothing in common and that they were better as friends, but that was bullshit. She knew it and she was pretty sure he did too. They challenged each other, they had passion and friendship and love.

She opened her eyes, finding him looking at her in a way that sent shivers down her spine. "Nick… I love you. I never stopped loving you and I don't think I ever will. You mean so much to me and you're my best friend, but I want more, Nick. I can't stand not being with you anymore."

"Jess… C'mon, where is this coming from? You just broke up with Ryan, you're just feeling emotional and…"

"NO! This has nothing to do with Ryan. I love YOU, Nick. I never loved Ryan, he was just what I thought I needed. When I found out that you were dating Kai, it killed me Nick.. I think… I think Ryan was just my way of coping… I think…"

She felt Nick shift as he turned towards her, grabbing her shoulders and gently shaking her. "Jess… Please don't do this to me. You know how I feel about you, How I've always felt about you. You're upset and you don't know what you're saying right now…"

Jess grabbed his hands from her shoulders and pulled him towards her, crashing her lips against his, desperate to show him all the love she felt for him. She felt his hands move to her waist and as the kiss deepened he pulled her up onto his lap so she was straddling him. As he broke the kiss he cupped her face in his hands, they locked eyes and the look on his face broke Jess's heart.

"Jess, please tell me this isn't just you being sad and feeling vulnerable. I can't be your rebound Jess, I won't…" His voice cracked with emotion and his eyes glimmered with unshed tears. She leaned in and kissed him gently, pulling away she placed her hands on his face and looked deeply into his eyes, those eyes that made her feel more safe and loved than she had ever felt in her life.

"Nick, I promise you this has NOTHING to do with him. You could never be a rebound, ever. HE was a rebound Nick, he was just a distraction from all the pain I felt after losing the only man I've ever truly loved and that's you, Nick Miller… It's always been you."

Nick hugged her tightly to his chest and buried his head in her silky curls. "God, Jess. I love you so much." Jess laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him back just as tightly, not able to control the tears of joy that were now streaming down her face, wetting the soft material of his green t-shirt. She heard him inhale a shaky breath and that's when she noticed the dampness on the shoulder of her light pink pajama top.

"Oh, Nick… Don't cry baby." She kissed his forehead and forced his head up so she could see him. He smiled at her with tears running down his face. "I'm sorry, Jess. I'm just so happy. I never thought I'd get to hold you like this again. I thought it was over, for good." She returned his smile and gently wiped the tears from his cheeks.

She leaned in and kissed his soft lips. "I always knew we would find our way back to each other eventually. It's us, Nick. Pepperwood and Knight!" They both chuckled as he continued to hold her in his arms. As the laughter died down, Jess leaned in to kiss him, softly at first but as their kisses deepened, Jess started feeling something she hadn't felt in so long. No one could kiss her like Nick could, it was… Electric, passionate, sweet and oh so sexy. She needed him, Now.

"Make love to me, Nick." She whispered as his hooded eyes burned into her very soul. "Are you sure, Jess? I mean we can…" Jess shut him up by pressing herself into the hardness she could feel in his sweatpants, making him groan. "I'm sure, Nick. I need you."

He placed his hands on the small of her back and shifted so he could lay her down gently on the bed, covering her body with his own. He kissed her lips before moving across her face down to her neck, taking his time. He ran his hands up and down her sides, taking in her curves before reaching for the buttons on her pajama top, unbuttoning them slowly as his lips moved to every inch of newly exposed skin, driving Jess out of her mind.

Nick pulled her shirt open and lifted his head to lock eyes with her. "You're so beautiful." He whispered before taking one of her rosy nipples into his mouth, making Jess cry out in pleasure. He slowly twirled his tongue around her nipple and gently nibbled on the hardened peak before moving to the other, giving it the same amazing attention.

"Oh, Nick!" She cried out, lacing her fingers through his soft brown hair. As she felt his kisses start to move lower, she sat up slightly to peel away her shirt and toss it on the ground before reaching for his shirt, pulling it over his head. He kissed the soft plain of her flat tummy all the way down to the top of her pajama pants. He kissed along the elastic before placing his hands inside of them and pulling them gently off her body.

He locked eyes with her again as he ran his big hands along the creamy skin of her thighs, he reached her pink cotton panties and lightly ran his fingertips across the soft skin of her stomach just above the elastic waist. He smiled up at her sweetly before lowering his head to replace his fingertips with his lips. He reached up and slowly pulled the cotton material from her body and spread her legs, laying on his stomach between them.

He teased her as he kissed her inner thighs, going back and forth, getting closer and closer to where she wanted him but pulling back before he reached his target. She opened her eyes and looked down at him, ready to beg for what he knew she wanted, but it seemed she wouldn't have to beg tonight as she looked down just in time to see him bury his tongue in her hot, wet folds. He was working slowly, taking his sweet time with her tonight and she had no complaints. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to have Nick worship her body like this. He was good, so fucking good.

"Yes, Nick! Oh god, that feels sooo good. Mmmm…"

"You taste so good, Jess. You're so wet…" He whispered against her hot, wet center as he reached up and slowly inserted two long fingers inside of her, going in and out slowly as he continued swirling his tongue around her sensitive clit. Jess could no longer control her hips as they bucked and circled slowly along with the strokes of his amazing tongue.

She was panting and moaning softly as she felt her orgasm build inside of her, ready to burst at any moment. "Nick, ohh Niiiick. I'm coming, oh my… NICK!" She pulled roughly at his hair as he continued to soothe her with his tongue until her body stopped trembling with the amazing pleasure she had just experienced.

She felt Nick kissing his way back up her body, stopping at her breasts once more to take them in his mouth, making Jess whimper loudly. He kissed his way up her neck, finally reaching her lips and kissing her deeply, she could taste herself on his lips. He didn't even give her time to come down fully from her orgasm as he pushed his throbbing cock inside of her slowly, almost torturously slow. She could feel every inch of him sliding in and out of her. She felt like she had died and gone to heaven.

Making love to Nick was always amazing, but the way he was taking his time tonight was more intense than anything she had ever experienced. The way his eyes locked on to hers as he to thrust into her with slow strokes, stopping every once in awhile to pulse deep inside of her, it was all almost too much. Her body felt like it was on fire in the best way possible. She ran her hands gently up and down the soft skin of his back before settling them on his peachy ass, squeezing gently as she felt the muscles flex with his efforts.

"You feel so good, Honey. God, I missed you so much…" The sound of his gravelly, low voice in her ear made her entire body tremble. She pulled his head back down to hers and kissed him deeply, massaging his tongue with her own. She ran her hands up her own body, stopping at her breasts and gently massaging them in her hands. She pinched and rolled her nipples in time with Nick's thrusts. He broke the kiss and looked down to see her hands playing with her own breasts, he pushed her right hand away so he could take her nipple into his mouth and groaned as his lips wrapped around the hardened nub.

"Fuck, Nick!"

Suddenly Jess felt Nick's hands on her hips, he flipped them over so she was now on top, somehow never breaking their connection. She sat up and looked down into his dark eyes, he was breathing heavily and his hair was a mess, but my god… they way he looked at her. He gave her his signature side smirk and she couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips. God, he is perfect. Nick Miller, beautiful white man. His smile widened but quickly fell from his face as she started moving on top of him, his mouth fell open and he moaned loudly as she slowly started circling her hips as she slid up and down his glorious erection.

His big hands were all over her body, sliding up and down her soft, flat tummy and squeezing her perfect creamy breasts before finally settling on her ass, gently massaging her soft skin with his long fingers. She threw her head back in complete bliss. God, he's so big. No one filled her up the way he did. She opened her eyes and looked down at him beneath her as she heard his voice.

"Faster, Jess. I want you to ride me."

She smiled down at him wickedly before adhering his wishes, loving the way his eyes squeezed shut and his mouth fell open as she lifted herself off of him almost completely before slamming back down, riding him hard and fast. They were both getting very vocal, but the thought that they might wake up their friends or, god forbid, Jess's Mom was the last thing she cared about right now. She couldn't care about anything except the way Nick filled and stretched her as she rode his cock like her life depended on it.

"Oh my god, Jess!" He panted out before firmly squeezing her ass, only making her go faster, work harder. The headboard started to bang against the wall with her efforts, Nick reached back with one hand and stopped it, their moans and groans were loud enough in a house full of people.

Jess felt her second orgasm of the night building inside of her so she reached down with her right hand to circle her clit, watching Nick's eyes as they followed her hand and widened in amazement as he saw what she was doing. He always loved it when she touched herself in front of him. He knew she was close so he let go of the headboard and placed both hands on her hips so he could pump up into her.

"Come for me, Jess. I know you're close, I can feel you squeezing my cock. Fuck, Jess!"

"Niii-" Jess couldn't even get his full name out as she felt her orgasm consume her entire body. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Nick wrap his arms around her waist and hold her tightly to his chest as he spilled himself inside of her. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck, feeling as though she may never come down. She always loved the way he holds her tightly to his chest and the feel of his beating heart against her chest as she comes, trembling in his strong arms. It was such an insanely romantic and loving gesture for a man who seemed to have so little feelings. She knew him though and contrary to popular belief, Nick Miller is a romantic.

She felt his soft lips trailing along her shoulder and up neck, making her giggle softly. "You okay, Honey?" She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked into his dark eyes, mesmerized by the way they shimmered in the moonlight coming through the windows of her childhood bedroom. She let out a loud throaty laugh as she looked around the room, the confused look on Nick's face making her laugh even harder.

"What the hell are you laughing at, Jess? Did I do something… wrong? It seemed like you enjoyed it, I mean the shaking… and the uh… the moans. I mean, wha..?"

Jess shut him up by pressing her lips against his in a sweet kiss. "I wasn't laughing at you, Nick! You were AMAZING! I mean really amazing, I think I almost blacked out at one point." They both chuckled as Jess lifted herself off of him and laid down on the bed, pulling him with her and settling into his arms. "It's just… I never thought I'd get the chance to do it in this bedroom again. I mean seriously Nick, we just did it in front of all my stuffed animals and my poster of Jared Leto from "My So Called Life." And we did it good, reeeaaaal good."

Nick groaned loudly and buried his head in her chocolate curls. "Come on, Jess. How can you make something so amazing sound so… creepy." She felt Nick shudder a little before he kissed her neck softly. "I'm still convinced that's just a bunch of pictures of you, by the way." Jess sat up a little and swatted at his chest. "Nick!" He pulled her back down to him and hugged her body to his tightly. "I'm kidding, Jess! You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Jess smiled at him sweetly before relaxing heavily against his body and burying her face in his neck, deeply inhaling his scent. God, I missed this.

"I love you so much, Nick."

"I love you too, Jess."

They both drifted off to sleep with smiling faces, knowing they had a lot to talk about in the morning, but both perfectly content to be back in each others arms.

**So sorry for the long wait, I've been super busy lately. I promise the next update will be MUCH faster. I've taken all of your ideas into consideration while writing these Ness-sexy little fics, but I was just really feeling a fluffier story after the adorable scene in "Goosebumps Walkaway", so I chose the Portland idea for this one. I Hope you all enjoy and here's to Nick and Jess falling in love again on the show!** :-)