Author's Note - Sorry 'bout the long wait. Oh well, on with the show.

'Nikki…' her shrill voice carried over the murmur of the food court. Time seemed to stop as she stared at me. Then, as if she'd never been there, she was gone. I was left in shock, staring blankly at her retreating back.

'Bra… wasn't that like, your boss?' Jude said, looking after what I was staring at.

'Yeah… I better go' I said, grabbing my bag and turning to leave.

'Wait before you leave' Jude said, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. 'I'm serious, give her a call, she's really nice' he handed me the number and gave me a warm smile. I pulled him into a hug.

'Oh Jude' I said 'I'm so glad I talked to you'

'Me too, bra. I'll catch ya later' he said as I walked away.

I was afraid to go back to work, so running through a list of places I could go in my head, I decided on Underground. I could talk to Wyatt, hang out and write, and I knew no one would bug me. Making my decision, I turned a corner and damn near sprinted the whole way. I slowed down as I got closer, the familiar sight of Wyatt restocking shelves calming me a little. I walked up to the counter and rang the bell.

'Just a second, please' Wyatt said without turning around. I rang the bell repeatedly, trying my best to look impatient.

'I said, just a min… oh hey Nikki' he said, finally turning around. 'What're you doing down here, don't you have work?' I snorted, and he looked up again. 'On another break? Why haven't they fired you yet?'

'Honestly, I have no idea. I think I make them look better.' I said, trying not to think of Krissy. It wasn't working, she was so gonna fire me, or worse, out me to everyone.

'Nikki, you in there?' Wyatt asked waving a hand in front of my face.

'Wha… Oh yeah, sorry, what were you asking?'

'Man Jen was right, you really are out of it today. I was asking if you've seen Jude?' he asked, staring at me.

'Yeah, I just had lunch with him… Wait, what did Jen say about me?' I eyed him suspiciously. So I'd been right, she had told everyone.

'Oh nothing really, she just casually mentioned that' I gave him a death glare. 'Okay, she said you seemed off, and sent us all out to find out why' he gulped as I chuckled.

'You're too easy.' I said, going to flop down on the couch. He stalled over by the counter. I flipped out my notebook and was about to start writing when he cleared his throat.

'So… uh… Are you gonna tell me?' he asked, a little nervously.

'What's there to tell?' I asked, 'Look, come sit down' I gestured to the chair across from me. He walked over tentatively, as though any sudden movements might set me off. I rolled my eyes as he sat down slowly. After a few brief moments of silence, Wyatt jerked his head up.

'I just remembered, I have something for you, in the back. I'll only be a sec' he said, getting up to get whatever it was he had. I sighed and pulled idly at a loose thread on the hem of my shirt. I heard a slight rummaging sound, followed by a small crash and a 'Shit!' I chuckled a bit as Wyatt came out, holding something behind his back with one hand, and trying to wipe the coffee off his shirt with the other.

'Smooth' I said as he sat down and pulled a movie from behind his back.

'Here' he half grunted as he tossed it into me lap, trying to pull of his shirt at the same time, revealing a plain white t-shirt underneath. I picked the movie off my lap, I had no idea what it was.

'They're film festival movies' he said, noticing my expression. 'Only copy in the store, I knew you'd be the only one who'd appreciate them' he said, giving me a small smile.

'Thanks Wyatt, I'll watch 'em tonight' His smile brightened.

'How 'bout we go get some coffee at Grind Me?' he asked, getting up again.

'Sure, I could go for a coffee' I said, getting up too. I glanced over my shoulder long enough to see I'd left my notebook and the dvd. I snatched the both and tossed them in my bag. By the time I turned around again, Wyatt was waiting at the entrance.

'Wayne, I'm taking my break' he called out to the backroom. There was a muffled 'Whatever' for a reply. 'Okay, let's go' Wyatt said before heading out.

We walked for a few minutes in silence. For some reason, my feet had suddenly become really interesting.

'So… are we ever going to know?' Wyatt asked, apparently examining me out of the corner of his eyes.

'Hmm… maybe. But not now. Besides, what's your interest in this anyways?' I asked trying to chose my words wisely. No good.

'Because, you're one of my best friends. Hell you're practically my sister, of course I'd want to know when something's wrong.' He said this as sincerely as he could, and I knew it. It was always hard not to taking him one hundred percent seriously.

'Lets just get some coffee, okay?' I snapped. I tried just to close the subject, but I could tell by the wounded look on Wyatt's face that I may have been a little harsh.

'Okay, but let me get it this time, you go sit down' As much as I wanted to argue, the couch by the fireplace was free. Judging by the size of the line, I might just be able to get a little writing in. I sat on the couch, getting out my notebook and curling up near the arm.

You're really standing there, asking me why I cry?

Well wouldn't you if you're life was a lie?

Oh, to hell with it now, I just want to die.

If up is down, and black is white,

Why is it I can't take flight?

If everything's so backwards, just turn off the light.

But then again, nothing's ever felt so right.

You with me and me with you,

Why is that such a hard thing to do?

My thoughts swirl around, and if only you knew,

Then maybe you could learn to love me too.

'I got the coffee's.' Wyatt said, waking me from my reverie. In his hands were two large coffees, and he placed one on the table in front of me before sliding down on the couch nextto me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him glance down at my notebook, left open on the table. I instinctively ran my hand over it, moving to close it, but then stopped. I withdrew my hand and waited. Wyatt, apparently aware that it was left to him to make the next move, cleared his throat and tried to spark conversation.

'I didn't know you wrote poetry' he said, looking at me. I grunted in response, I really had no idea what to say.

'So… uh.. what type of poetry do you write?' he asked, still trying. I really had no idea, seeing as how I never read poetry, I just sort of wrote what I thought, it just happened to come out sounding all pretty. When I didn't supply an answer, Wyatt slowly leaned over and picked up the book. Taking my lack of reaction as a good sign, he started reading. For awhile I just sat there as he flipped through the pages. Finally I heard him give a soft whistle, and place the book back on the table. He took a long sip from his coffee, as though contemplating. Finally he turned to me, I felt his stare rather than saw it.

'You're good' he said 'Really good.'

'Thanks' I mumbled, not daring to look up.

'Why did you let me read these? You've never let anyone read them before, have you?' he asked, curiosity tinting his voice.

'I knew you'd be the only one who'd appreciate them' Finally I looked up. A slow grin was spreading over his face.

'Thanks Nick, for showing me these' he wrapped me in a bear hug. Normally I hated being hugged, but an odd warmth had seeped through me. Wow, I was off today.

Checking his watch, Wyatt said 'We should probably get back, Wayne might just kill me' he smiled a bit, and gave my shoulder a squeeze as we headed back together.

Not much was said on the walk back to Underground, but it was a comfortable silence. When we finally got there, Wyatt turned back to me.

'Finish it' he said.

'What?' I asked shaking my head slightly, still staring at Jude, who behind Jude's back was miming 'Call her'. I chuckled slightly and turned back to Wyatt. 'What?' I asked again.

'Your poem, finish it' he said. It wasn't a command, yet it wasn't a suggestion. 'Oh, and Nick, I'm here, when you're, you know, ready to tell me' Maybe it was the understanding in his voice that made me grab him in another hug. He seemed startled, but gently patted my back in a soothing and comforting way.

'I really should get back' he said, pulling away from me slightly. I dropped my arms, and nodding, turned to go… where?

'Oh and don't sweat Jen, I'm sure I'll be able to get her to lay off you for awhile' he said, then thinking about what he said, he added 'Or I'll try' Then he turned and walked back towards Underground.

I wheeled around and walked in a new direction. This time I discovered I was headed towards the Lemon. On closer inspection, I realized it was empty. Caitlin had tapped a note to the front that read something like 'Friend emergency, be back in a half an hour, Caitlin'. Friend emergency? Jen and Caitlin were after me. Great. Well, I had a half an hour. Why not finish the poem? I sat in my usual chair at the table and pulled out my notebook.

But no, that can't be.

You're too good for me.

I guess you can see,

I'm a little off key.

But no, I'm not blind.

I see you've made up your mind,

To leave me behind.

I guess I'm back to the grind.

Why can't you believe it?

We're a perfect fit.

And I've already been bit,

By the fire, the candle's lit.

But in the end,

You're still my friend.

I couldn't do this to you,

Even though I'd be true.

But I'll always be there,

Just because I care.

Though it's all I can do,

Not to say 'I love you'.

When I'd finished, I looked around and sighed. For the first time in a long time, everything felt alright.

Author's Note – I really liked this chapter, writing for Wyatt is fun. Are things really getting good for Nikki? Maybe, but something has to go wrong soon, or else this would be really boring. On a vote, should I stay in Nikki's POV or switch or to Jen's soon? I think I might stick with Nikki. Oh well, thanks for reading, and don't hate me for what I write.