Author's Note: Okay, I'll be honest here. I'm not pleased with the way this chapter came out, and it's really frustrating because I had it all pictured in my head. Somehow, it just did not translate well in words despite several re-writes. That's what I think. So, I hope you guys will be nice about this chapter, because it's kind of a sore point for me. All I hope is that I pulled it off well, and that you somewhat understand the dialogue and the characterizations of Sandy and Kirsten. If not, well, I hope you'll still come back to read the fourth chapter! It's already done, I'm happy about it, and I'm excited to hear what you guys think of it. But that will have to wait. One chapter at a time and all, so chapter three for now. ;)

PS - How do you like the style of my chapter titles? Very Private Practice, but I like it!

Disclaimer: Let's see. Hmm. No. Still don't own The O.C. How unfortunate. But, hey, on the brighter side, it's almost my birthday!

STOLEN

Nearly an hour had passed since Sandy and Kirsten had stepped into the delightfully comforting coffee shop. Both were already on their second cups of coffee, and still, the conversation was in full swing. It wasn't more of the getting-to-know-each-other kind of talk – both were still rather shy despite the confidence growing with each word. All Sandy knew was that Kirsten was from Newport Beach, a world away from New York City, and all Kirsten knew was that Sandy had left New York City to pursue his studies here in Berkeley. They found they had common ground in how their move to Berkeley had disappointed their parents, but they didn't talk extensively about it.

Surprisingly, the topic about the party earlier was not something they couldn't stop talking about. Despite the lapsed time, it kept on coming up in their banter, and they continued to laugh about what happened.

"You know, you might think I'm crazy, but I wouldn't trade this night for anything." Sandy admitted shyly, knowing that she would catch on to what he really meant. "I'm really having a great time with you." He had to be careful with his words. He was on the verge of telling her how he was interested in really getting to know her and how he wanted to see her again, but he didn't want to scare her away.

"I know. Me too, Sandy. Me too." She felt her breath hitching, and for a moment, she couldn't meet his gaze. Eventually, Kirsten looked up and gave him one of her smiles. There was that comfortable silence between the two of them again, something which neither could really explain. It wasn't awkward, but it felt like that jolt of electricity they had experienced earlier.

"I still really wonder what it would've been like if the party was still in full swing when Paul and Larissa got around to… you know." Kirsten laughed for what seemed like the millionth time that night, and Sandy joined along with her. She was so adorable, and her laugh was so contagious he couldn't help himself. "I'm sorry I keep bringing it up, but I can't get it off my head."

He decided to humor her. "I understand. It's very embarrassing on your part, and we both know I know that all too well myself." Sandy paused, making sure she was able to follow him. Lord knew he had a tendency to ramble too fast. "But like I told you, it happens. A few more semesters of this, and you'll get used to it."

"I know… it's just…"

"Out of curiosity." He cut her off. "Out of curiosity, what would you have done if I wasn't around?" Sandy wondered with a slight smile. He knew he was treading on dangerous waters, but Kirsten interpreted it differently. She thought there was something a little daring about his question.

"I guess I'd have gone into my room if it wasn't so near Larissa's. But I think I would most likely lock myself up in the bathroom and run a bath. You know, with the taps turned on as loud as I could to drone them out?" The corners of her lips curled upwards at the thought, obviously fantasizing about how good a bath would make her feel.

On the other hand, it was a different fantasy Sandy had in mind. It was inappropriate, but he wasn't able to deny the mental images he conjured up of Kirsten lying naked in a bathtub. He felt his pants tighten and was thankful she couldn't see him from the waist down.Get a hold of yourself, buddy. If only she had an idea of what she was doing to him.

However, it seemed as if Sandy wasn't able to control himself. Instead of his head, he let his pants do the talking. "So, you're in the bathtub." Naked. "Don't tell me you honestly wouldn't think about what's going on in the other room, with Paul and Larissa. Thinking of all the noises that you heard. They were pretty loud." He commented, trying to sound as if he was posing the question matter-of-factly. Maybe it was just him; Sandy didn't know if Kirsten noticed, but he felt things were getting heated up between the two of them.

Kirsten squirmed in her seat, but tried hard not to show him how uncomfortable she was with the direction their conversation was going. "Of course I'd be thinking about it. It's not exactly everyday something like that happens, and I doubt it's something I could get off my mind easily…" She responded honestly. What on earth was he playing at?

"You're thinking about it." Sandy smiled a little, not quite able to stop himself now. "Would you be horrified like you were with me tonight? Or would you be… aroused?" He tried to play his cool, tried to make their conversation seem as if it was completely harmless, tried to act as if their exchange wasn't doing a lot to him in places she couldn't see above the table.

Truthfully, Kirsten wasn't comfortable anymore with where this conversation was headed. She escaped from her dormitory to get away from the situation, not to study about it. However, Sandy's question intrigued her in a way that was surprising. She hadn't thought of the circumstances that way, that was for sure. It took her a while to come up with a truthful answer.

"I don't know if I would be." She began awkwardly. Here she was, at nearly four in the morning and having a rather stimulating conversation with this good-looking and sexy-voiced man that was making her shiver a little in anticipation.

"But I guess it would make me think of sex." Kirsten concluded with a final nod of her head. She was somewhat satisfied with her response. It wasn't blatant, but it was enough to keep him thinking. Or at least, that was what she thought. The corner they were seated at was dimly lit, but she thought she could see his bright blue eyes darkening with what was unmistakably desire. For a second, she wondered if she had said the wrong thing. Sandy may seem to be nice, but he was still a guy.

Tentatively, Kirsten broke the silence. The way he was staring at her should make her feel uncomfortable, but it only made her flushed all over. Was he thinking what she was thinking? They barely said enough words about the topic and already she was feeling positively heady.

"What are you thinking about right now?" She asked, her voice coming out huskily. She could see the wheels turning in his head.

He wondered if he heard her right. There was a seductive undertone in her voice that he was sure that he just imagined. Unless of course, it was not just him and Kirsten was also feeling the same heat as he was feeling. But whether he imagined it or not, it excited him.

"Nothing." Sandy answered in a subdued tone, trying not to sound too strangled. He saw her raise her eyebrow, obviously expecting that he could come up with a better answer than that. But how were you supposed to tell this girl that you were thinking of having sex with her? It was inappropriate, and he was sure that if he mentioned it out loud, she would take off.

Beneath the table, she nudged his leg with hers. "Nothing?" She insisted. As she was met with silence, presumably with Sandy still thinking up of what to say, Kirsten's eyes found themselves looking at the wall clock for the first time.

"Wow. I didn't realize how late it was already." She said, surprised. She looked outside through the huge picture windows while Sandy looked at the clock himself. Instead of being surprised like she was, he just looked amused.

"It was already late when we made our way here. When we…" He told her with a beguiling smile, his voice still quiet. "started this."

"This?" When Kirsten looked back at him, that silence fell between them again. Sandy still had a soft smile on his face, but he didn't make a move. His eyes were fixed upon her intently, making her feel as if he knew what she was thinking all along. This sent a rush of arousal down her body. She wanted to believe that it was the effect his intense eyes had on her, but she knew it also had something to do with what they were talking about earlier. It was odd. There was nothing malicious about their exchange at all. It didn't even involve a lot of words, but it had provoked her to think and see things in a different light.

Kirsten shook herself mentally. She was being ridiculous, wasn't she? It was probably just fatigue from earlier and how she lacked sleep last night, after having been caught up in Larissa's last-minute preparations. For all she knew, this impromptu date with Sandy was just a figment in her imagination.

"This." His deep voice snapped her out of her thoughts, reminding her that, yes, she was sitting in a booth with a senior student and wearing a party dress. However, there was something meaningful in the way Sandy said that lone word, something she felt she caught on to immediately. This was definitely not a figment in her imagination, that was for sure.

"But this is… coffee, and… and, uh, conversation." Kirsten murmured, not sure if her words made perfect sense in their talk. But on her part, thinking clearly or not, there was no denying what she wanted any longer. She had to know if he was on the same page as her.

"Sandy… what are we talking about?"

Sandy had been looking at his drink while she spoke, but it was the way he met her gaze that sealed the deal. He wasn't leering at her. Instead, he looked… honest. Not aggressive, not desperate, not even pleading with her. He looked just a little hopeful, but the look in his eyes told her that it was going to be up to her.

"Kirsten," He began hesitantly. Sandy had slept with a few women in the past, but it had never been anything like this. It was less complicated, but he figured that alcohol played a factor in making things easier. Even then, he was never the type to go for drunken one-night stands. He always made sure that even if they were slightly buzzed, they knew what they were doing.

But tonight, both he and Kirsten were sober, although whether they were thinking clearly was debatable. There was no denying that he wanted her, even just for one night. But he was not going to take advantage of her, or force her if she would say no. He wanted her to want this as much as he himself wanted this. He didn't want her to have regrets in the morning. That was what mattered to him.

Sandy cleared his throat. "Would you like to extend this conversation of ours?"

Their eyes locked, and somehow, they managed to communicate without words. Kirsten immediately understood what he meant with his invitation, and it was what she was thinking of all along. However, despite her growing urges, she began questioning herself. Did she really want this? Being intimate with a man she had never met before tonight? Kirsten Nichol?

Somewhere in the back of her mind, a self-righteous voice was telling her that she should be angry and saying no at this. After tonight, she would be nothing to Sandy but a notch in his bedpost. Kirsten bit her lip. There was a louder voice inside her head, asking her, why the hell not? It wasn't as if she was asking for something long-term from Sandy anyway. It was just going to be one night with him, and that was what she wanted.

"Yes." Kirsten answered breathlessly, loving how Sandy seemed to have brightened up. The long pause after his question must've made him think pessimistically, but that didn't matter anymore. She knew what she wanted. He knew what he wanted. They both knew what they really wanted.

"I believe I would like that very much."

"Very well." Sandy was about to ask her if she would like to go now, but before he could say a word, Kirsten had gotten up from her seat. He stood up himself as she approached him apprehensively, suddenly a little shy and nervous.

He immediately understood – this was not something that she did often, and knowing that fueled Sandy's desire to make this night as special for her as much as he could.

As Julie puts it, "One little stripper who'd never hurt anyone, who's just trying to make his way into the world… naked."

So, if reviews are sex, I am definitely a stripper. Heh. My sense of humor fails. Does this even amuse you? Should I keep up this reviews-are-sex thing, or is it starting to scare you?

Eh. Yeah. Go ahead, push that pretty little button and make me happy! I see the stats, you know. I know how many are reading! And besides, as stripscrabble cleverly put it, reviews to me are updates for you.