* This one shot takes place after the first season. Neither Jess or Nick are dating, and Nick has had a slight realisation. The others I have done have Jess as the initiator, so I have taken a different route for this one. ;)*
"You know why I came back right?" Nick asked Jess, still leant against his door frame.
She still wore a beaming smile, not quite believing he had come back.
"You realised Caroline was a mental woman? Wasn't she like 58?" Jess laughed while pushing her glasses up her nose.
Nick laughed too "yeah something like that but err, no."
His laughter died down and the moment became very tense very quickly.
"So what... What was your erm reason Nick?" Jess asked, head tilted down but her eyes fixed on him over her glasses. She was scared to hear his reply. She knew what she wanted to hear, but also knew that it would jeopardise everything in her home. She stared into his darkening eyes, waiting for his response as he took a slow step forward Jess widened her eyes in both panic and lust. Lust for the man who had been her roommate, then her best friend. He took another step, followed by two more. He stood face to face with Jess, and stroked his hand from the top of her head, down her hair, past her now pink cheeks and stopped at her chin. She let out a small gasp, confused to whether this was too close for comfort for roommates, or if it wasn't close enough for what she was too scared to have.
No Jess no. She thought to herself, trying to avoid his deep gaze.
"I knew I still had so many things to do back here. Things I couldn't fight away Jess." He held his hand in place while she just looked at him open mouthed, but still not directly in his eyes.
"And- what... what are those things Miller?" She breathed, unaware of when it had happened. It being the attraction to her roommate.
"Well, there are a few things." Nick began, his chest almost touching Jess' now. " but first, can I sleep with you tonight?" He asked, releasing her body from his, reluctantly on his part but he knew she wouldn't understand what he had actually meant.
"WHAT?!" Jess shouted, taking a step back into her room. Nick smirked and leant against her doorframe, waiting for her to realise his true intentions. Obviously he wanted what she thought he meant, but Nick wasn't good at this. Flirting. It was almost impossible for him to feel sexy, let alone make that come across to others. His eyes darted around the room, trying his hardest not to laugh at the panic in Jess' voice as she spoke.
"Nick you're great, and you know, kinda hot in a scruffy way-" his eyes darted to hers and the air in the room became heavy and almost unbearable "-but you've just split up with a long term girlfriend, I slept with Genslinger, you only just moved back in and-" realisation dawned on Jess who's tone changed dramatically. "-you meant to sleep, because your bed isn't assembled." She hid her face in her hands and shook her head.
Nick nodded with a smile "yeah but please continue about the hot thing." He said, now showing his teeth at Jess in an almost cheeky way.
When had Nick ever been cheeky? Grumpy, yes. Insufferable, of course. But cheeky? Jess peeked through her fingers and mumbled muffled speech behind her hands.
"Shut up Nick. You can sleep in here if you want just-" she went over to the bed and created a pillow barrier between the two sides.
"Respect my boundaries!" Jess finished arms slightly flailing. He thought it was so cute when she tried to be mad at him.
"Fine, hey can I sleep in my boxers? Or is that too sexy for you?" Nick laughed at his own joke but soon stopped when a box of tissues hit his shoulder.
"Hey! I'm joking! Well not about the boxers, jeans are a nightmare and this shirt makes me too hot- THAT WASN'T A JOKE PLEASE DON'T THROW ANYTHING!" Nick said, covering his body with his hands defensively.
"Whatever. I'm sure I can cope with not crossing YOUR boundaries Nick" Jess said, wriggling into bed and getting under her sheets. Nick stripped down, not that Jess was looking (much) and he too got into bed.
"You might be able to Jess, but I can't be a hundred percent sure" Nick whispered in her ear. She had closed her eyes when he had taken his shirt off, but he knew she was still awake. He saw her eyes squint tightly, and while Nick never usually did anything like this, he continued to attempt to flirt with her.
"Lets hope these pillows don't move in the night-"
"-Don't you dare Miller" Jess turned over to face him, staring angrily at him regardless of the darkness. He leant forwards and kissed her forehead and mumbled "One day Jess, I will move it. Trust me" he replied, hoping he sounded sexier than creepy. He felt like he succeeded because Jess made a quiet squeak out of shock as her response.
Jess sat up in bed, the pillows still in place. She hated just how upset she was the blockade hadn't been moved. She couldn't decide if she was glad that nothing had happened or if she was annoyed at herself for not just kissing him then and there. The opportunity was there and she didn't take it. But then again she thought, neither did he. He had left quickly this morning, and Nick didn't do mornings.
She walked to the kitchen yawning, not quite believing what had happened the night before. That she actually had considered ruining her friendship and the loft balance for someone who didn't even have the decency to be there in the morning. He didn't even have the decency to follow through with his intentions that he made pretty clear last night.
Stupid Nick Miller.
But if she couldn't get her head around that, she certainly wouldn't understand what was happening in the kitchen.
"Cece you two split like yesterday!" Jess shouted at her best friend, who was currently straddling Schmidt.
"Can't stop this interracial fusion. You can't suppress the Jew Jess!"
"Ew jar!" Shelby shouted from the other end if the table. She was currently bumping her nose against Winston's, which made Jess feel nauseous. But the most surprising thing was there was no Nick.
"If you're looking for your lover boy he's taking a call from Caroline in his room" Cece said, while coming up for air from Schmidt's mouth.
"All four of you, five dollars in the jar. This couple stuff. Just. Ugh!" Jess did her best to stomp away, but everyone just laughed. She turned and addressed Cece, perplexed at what she had said.
"What do you mean lover boy?" She asked.
"Um. Err well..." Cece cut herself off by kissing Schmidt, hoping to avoid the question. Luckily, Nick reentered.
"Why are they calling you lover boy?!" Jess said, spinning on her heels and pointing in his face.
"Because I told them that you called me hot-"
"- in a scruffy way! Like Schmidt-" she pointed at him before continuing "he's hot in an oily waxy kind of way. And Winston in a short guy way- sorry, Winston" she said, looking at him apologetically.
"Hey! What about Schmidt!? I'm not waxy!" Schmidt protested, met by a unanimous group of nods and 'yeah you are's.
" Thanks Jess, that made me feel really good about my self" Nick said with his lips thinned. Jess opened her mouth to apologise, but Nick continued " and just so you know I can't get my bed back until the Monday, is it alright if I stay with you again tonight?" Nick asked.
"Ha! Well no. No you can't. Go hit on Schmidt or Winston. I am not meat Miller!" She shouted, and he knew that she was trying to be serious, but he couldn't help but laugh.
Okay, who here thinks Jess and I could work?" Nick asked addressing the other four people in the loft, while raising his hand. Four more hands were raised, but Jess folded her arms.
"Who thinks it would be a disaster? We fight! We are polar opposites!" Jess said.
"What about me and Schmidt?" Cece said, looking at Jess in a 'please tell me I'm nothing like this douche?' Kind of way.
"You two share some similarities! You're both attracted to Schmidt! But me and Nick- just- ugh! I'm going for a shower! I REFUSE TO FACE THIS PEER PRESSURE!" Jess once again stormed off, in the angriest way she could.
Nick just watched her leave thinking once more just how cute she was when she was really pissed off. He loved how pink her cheeks would go and how wide her eyes could get depending on what kind of mood she was in. He knew Caroline was a mistake, but it took having the most surreal and amazing girl in his life to realise it.
"Schmidt you're staying with me tonight-" Cece said, before Winston asked Shelby if he could crash at hers.
"Okay Miller. The apartment will be empty until morning. There's pink wine in the fridge. Don't mess it up she's close to opening Up. She wants you I can tell, but she's just to sensible to let her self feel anything when you could be the best thing for her. And I don't think I need to say it, but hurt her and I swear-"
" I'm not a dick Cece I wouldn't." Nick interrupted, which she responded to with a smile.
Nick returned to the loft with Indian food. It was six thirty and Jess was grading papers at the table.
"So the others are doing some joint couple stuff Jess-"
"No! No Nick! You embarrassed me!"
"I know! I'm sorry I bought apology korma?" He said with a smile, holding the bag high up for her to see.
"Fine I'll get plates." She replied, not being able to resist his grin. She didn't care if she looked weak, she knew she wasn't going to over step the mark, and she was determined not to let him. This was purely platonic food from an apologetic friend.
The pair began eating. He had poured her wine. She had shared rice. He offered her food from his plate, and for any outsider looking in, they looked very couple like.
"See Jess? We work well together!" Nick said, as he dried the plates she was washing.
"Nick you don't mean that. It's not that simple anyway, you're just confused. It's because I'm the only single girl in your life. Just try and get back out there and then you'll see- pass me that towel please" she added, reaching out, but he held it in the air and took a step back.
"Let me kiss you and I will."
"You kissed me last night-"
"- on the head! That doesn't count!"
"Just- gimme!" Jess said, straining on her tip toes reaching up his front, not realising how close they were.
He too went on his tip toes.
"One kiss on the mouth for three seconds."
"No Nick jut gimme!"
"Without the threat of tongue!"
"NO!"
"Fine here!" Nick held it at his chest, embarrassed at the flat out rejection he had received. Jess took a step back.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Don't tell me you actually want to kiss me now? Cause I understand that I am hot and stuff..."
"You're a douche." Jess reached out in front of her, and he released the towel. She dried her hands trying not to look at him. Dammit she thought. That was her moment and she let it slide again. She was in two minds about Nick Miller. She thought about how hot he was, but then thought about what a good friend he was too. How living with a partner is tricky, especially since it would be from the start of their relationship.
Nick watched Jess who was lost in her thoughts, as he leant against the kitchen counter, blocking access to the draws. He too was thinking hard, trying to create ways in which he could convince her that they weren't a mistake. He could see in her big blue eyes she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He just needed to show her that.
"Nick I need to put this away, and I'm not playing your silly game so just move please."
"You seem to make all of the decisions around here Day, I'm not so sure if I want to move-"
"-Nick! Stop it! We live together! We brush our teeth together! Eat together!"
"We could also sleep together Jess. Don't tell me you haven't thought about it. Cause I have. I did a lot of thinking and I came to a great conclusion-"
"No Nick! Just-please-" Jess pointed to the draws in a confused state, he slid to the side and allowed her access to the drawers. Just as she closed the second drawer, she looked up.
Nick looked into her eyes. It was in that second that Jess realised they couldn't work. She looked at him, her roommate, and saw the different possibilities of how this could end. It seemed mostly bad in her opinion.
Nick, who was doing the same to her for the short moment that their eyes met saw all the good possible out comes and made a bold decision.
Nick's mouth met hers quickly, and before she got over the initial shock, he had pulled away. The kiss was soft and brief, his lips only pressing against hers slightly but the affection behind his kiss had left the room tense and very confused.
There was silence. Nick and Jess turned their faces away simultaneously, Nick instantly regretting his technique. How stupid could he have been? Instead of showing her they could work he forced her to so something she had said no to. Out of panic he looked back at her and spoke "I'm sorry Jess. I know that you said no. That wasn't cool of me. Want me to put some money in the jar? It's only fair we made Schmidt and-"
"Will you just shut up Miller, for one second?" She said, turning to face him too. He did as he was told and she just looked at him, her lips slightly parted.
She tried to consider the possible aftermath of what could happen next now they had kissed, but all she could think was how much she wanted to do that again. Properly. And much much more.
"I err, don't think that was three seconds Nick, maybe you should try it again" she said, her cheeks turning a warm pink.
He looked Into her eyes, before diving forward and pulling her close while cradling her head and neck with his hands. His lips quickly crashed down onto hers and clearly she didn't object. She deepened the kiss and pulled at his shirt while they fumbled around the kitchen.
He pulled back breathlessly " I still don't have a bed y'know, sure i can't sleep with you tonight?" He whispered. Before kissing her again. She stopped for a moment and spoke against his lips with a smile.
"Miller? You're never leaving."