By the time they got into Chicago's city limits, he swore her hand was already on the door handle.
When Nick pulled up outside his apartment, the car was just crawling to a stop when Kate had the door open, ready to jump out. Nick stopped her.
"Wait. The bags aren't in a hurry to get out. Talk to me." He said, grabbing her arm gently. "Kate, look at me."
Kate kept her gaze out the windsheild, but sighed, saying nothing.
Nick let go of her arm, throwing himself in frustration and loss for words into his seat, also staring at the street before them. "Are you mad? Did I do something wrong?" He asked quietly, not really ready for her answer.
Kate remained silent for a minute. "No, I'm not mad." She looked down, fidgiting with her purse.
"What did I do than?"
"Nothing, you didn't do anything, Nick." Kate's hand rubbed her forehead. "This was both of us. I'm as much to blame as you are." Kate again looked out her window, but made no attempt at getting out. "Maybe even more."
Inside Nick was boiling mad, growing more and more angry with every passing second. "To blame?" Nick turned towards her. She tensed up with his tone. "To blame for what, Kate?"
Kate groaned and again reached for the door. "Stay here and talk to me!" Nick demanded. Kate threw up her hand and hopped out. Nick was hot on her heels, disappointed to see that she had his two bags out of the trunk, and was holding her hand out for the keys. In disbelief, he stood there in front of her. She didn't look mad. She was blank. He couldn't read her, which frusterated him more. "So this is how you want it?" He asked as he handed off the keys.
Kate dropped her eyes to the ground. "I'm just so confused right now, Nick..." Her eyes met his. "...I just need some time." Her voice wavered on her.
Nick stared coldly down at her as he straightened up. "Fine." He said flatly, grabbing his luggage, turning away from her.
Kate's heart sank as she watched him disappear into his building. She loved him, God she loved him, and she knew she had hurt him. However that part of Kate that was guarded, that small part that was selfconcious, untrusting fought her. She had questioned and analized it so much over the last two days, that she began to wonder if it was hurt Nick felt, or just bruised pride. Tears fell down her face as she drove away. She wanted to love Nick this way, and allow him to love her, but she had been hurt too many times to walk head first into a trap, and her fear blinded her from seeing this was the one man who would never hurt her, who would never reach for her unless he was damn sure he wanted her. Somewhere deep down inside Kate knew she messed this one up bad, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. Instead she drove home, feeling cold and empty, wondering what Monday would bring, when they had to return to work and face eachother.
The burning in Nick's chest raged. He couldn't breathe right. He felt restless, desperate. What happened? His mind played her words over a thousand times by the time he reached the elevator, and three thousand times when he opened his apartment door. Furious, he unlocked his door, threw the bags down, and once again found himself walking out of his building, knowing he was minutes away from seeing Kate.
(OK, sorry, I had forgotten about this one. Will finish it up by tomorrow. Don't get too upset, anyone that knows my writing knows I have to toss in a dash of turmoil and hostility to spice things up. But I assure you, Nick and Kate will of course be alright in the end. They always are!)
And for those of you who don't always check your "mature" rated fanfiction, there is a new fic for SU2 entitled "Playing For Keeps," which is WELL worth taking a peek at. It is not complete, but it has I think four chapters. No, I did not write it, but missed it, as I normally forget to update the settings and browse the "mature" rated fics, so I thought I would let you all know in case you also just find yourself clicking on SU2 and overlook the ones rated more spicy. Anyway, ty for the reviews, and I'll see ya back here tonight! P.S. To the author of Playing For Keeps, I hope you finish your fic, it was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!