A/N: Because so many people have requested it, Rice Moves has become a full length story, so here you go! Hope you enjoy!

"So," Christina began, absently swirling her straw around her cup in an effort to not look up at Joe. "You actually came."

Joe sat across from her, grinning. They had tucked themselves away in a small restaurant where Joe could be at ease, and he sat back, watching Christina carefully, his eyes twinkling. "Yes," he said. "Of course I came." He picked up a french fry and waved it at her. "You're different, and you interest me. You were worth coming to find."

Christina snorted. "You make me sound like an investment, or a science experiment, or both."

Joe smiled. "Sorry," he said, ducking his head to hide his laughter.

Christina shook her head. "No you're not, but I'm too tired to argue with you."

Joe cocked his head to the side. "Why?" he asked curiously. A smiled tugged on the corner of his mouth as he asked, "All that dancing wore you out?"

"No," Christina responded tartly. "Packing did."

The words confused Joe, and he frowned. "Packing? Packing what?"

Christina looked at him blandly. "My brain," she explained. "With information. You do realize how hard it is to fit stuff into such a tiny little space, don't you?"

Joe sat for a moment, blinking. "You're joking," he finally said, but there was no conviction in that statement. It was more of a question. Was she being serious, or was she just teasing him?

Christina smiled. "Yes," she said with a nod. "I am." She took a sip of her soda and sat back in her seat. "Actually, I'm doing more important packing. I've received a full dance scholarship at a university in Colorado."

Joe's face lit up with an excitement that he didn't understand. "That's great!" he enthused. "When are you leaving?"

"Eager to get rid of me so soon, are you?" Christina teased.

"No," Joe replied gamely. "We're spending our Christmas break in Colorado, and you're welcome to come spend it with us. Even Kintra's coming!" The excitement in his voice at the last sentence made Christina's heart sink.

"Kintra's your girlfriend?" she asked nonchalantly.

No," Joe replied, hurriedly explaining, "Kintra's a friend of mine. She's like a little sister to me. She was in a car accident and crushed her vocal cords, so my mom taught her sign language. She has leukemia too." He shook his head. "She's had a rough time this past year." He looked up and smiled, leaning forward conspiratorially. "If anyone's interested in Kintra, it's Nick." A light seemed to go on, and Joe leaned forward a little more, moving halfway across the table. "Why do you ask? Are you jealous?" The smirk on his face showed that he was challenging her.

Christina, not one to shrink away from a challenge, leaned forward over the table until she was only a few inches away from Joe's face. "No," she said evenly. "I'm just curious."

Joe moved a little closer towards Christina. "Why?" he whispered.

"Because I have a very curious and complex mind," she responded, not backing down.

His eyes twinkled. "Interesting," he said, and moved to close the gap between their lips.

Christina sat back. "Yes, I suppose it is," she replied. At Joe's pout, she grinned. "You're going to have to work a little harder than that," she informed him.

Joe exaggerated his pout. "But I came all the way to Ireland!"

"On your tour," Christina pointed out.

Joe frowned. "It was the thought that counted," he replied sulkily.

Christina smiled. "And it was very thoughtful to come and find me, but I will warn you that I'm not going to just fall at your feet, begging and pleading with you to let me be your girlfriend. You'll have to work for me."

Joe smiled, all thoughts of pouting gone once more. This girl would challenge him, stretch him. She would not just be someone to forget, she would be someone to remember. "Very well," he responded haughtily and resignedly. "I'll work for you, but mind you, I always get what I want." The mischief in his eyes showed that he was teasing.

Christina moved to slide out of the booth. "There's a first time for everything," she told him.

As she went to stand up, her shoe caught on the side of the booth and she tripped. Joe shot his arm out to catch her before she fell, and he pulled her up, holding her close. "What was that you said about not falling at my feet?" he asked, humor in his eyes. Not letting her finish, he smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry about it. There's a first time for everything."

Christina wondered whether she should slap him or smile at him, so she chose both and slapped his arm even as she smiled. She disentangled herself from his arms, trying not to remember the way she had felt when he had kissed her forehead. "Thank you for catching me," she responded, brushing off her clothes, "but I assure you that my fall had nothing to do with you."

Joe shook his head in mock sadness. "And here I thought that it was my stunning good looks, or maybe my charm, or perhaps my smile?" At this, he smiled brightly, and Christina had to work hard at keeping back a smile.

"Mm….nope," she responded, tilting her head up to look at Joe. "It wasn't any of those. Sorry."

They had walked outside the restaurant by now, and Joe took her arm. "In all seriousness," he told her earnestly, "I'd really like to see you again. Would you let me?"

"You really meant what you said about inviting me to stay with you guys for Christmas break?" Christina asked, unwilling to believe that such an offer was really being extended to her.

Joe nodded. "Yup," he said. "You and Kintra should get along just great, and I know that all the others will like you too."

"Then I guess I accept," Christina responded, smiling up at the excited young man next to her.

"Great!" Joe said, fishing around in his pocket. "In the meantime, though-" He pulled out a backstage pass and offered it to Christina.

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Really?" she asked. "For me?"

Joe nodded. "See you tonight?"

A/N: What did you think?