A/N: Sorry about the chapter being so short. I wanted to focus more on what Aiden and Michael might talk about this time. I will try to update soon. Sadly, this semester of college has me in the ninth ring of hell so writing is my only respite.

Chapter 4- Sex and Relationships

Spoilers: Now Approaching… The Line and The Art of Desperation

October, 2000

Aiden was cooking dinner when Michael walked into her apartment, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Are you okay? What happened?" asked Aiden.

"Fell off a ladder at work," said Michael.

Aiden grabbed an ice-pack from the fridge and put it around Michael's neck.

"That's cold!" said Michael.

"It'll help ease the pain," said Aiden.

"Thanks," said Michael.

"Sit, I'm making lasagna," said Aiden.

"Smells good," said Michael.

"Says the one Italian in the family who can't cook to save his life," said Aiden.

"Hey!" said Michael. "So, you got any Tylenol?"

"Bathroom cabinet, bottom shelf," said Aiden.

"Nick's not coming home?" asked Michael.

"I doubt it, he keeps staying at the office late so he can abide by the 'no sex until the wedding night' rule he made," said Aiden.

"He doesn't want to have sex with you? You should dump him," said Michael.

"I'm not that kind of girl, Michael," said Aiden. "So, how did you fall off a ladder? You're usually more careful, aren't you?"

"Trying to avoid a flirtatious coworker – Tracy," said Michael.

"Ah, I see," said Aiden. "Just tell her you're in a long distance relationship and that you're not interested."

"That'd be lying," said Michael.

"You already are," said Aiden. "That aside, you gotta see a doctor about your neck."

QUEER AS FOLK

He went back to Aiden's apartment a couple days later.

"Did you see that chiropractor Tracy told you about? You look a lot better… how's your neck?" asked Aiden.

"Never felt better," said Michael. "You've been on dates, right? I mean… you're straight. Straight people go on dates all the time."

"What's his name?" asked Aiden.

"David Cameron," said Michael.

"The chiropractor you saw? Awesome," said Aiden.

"No it's not! I don't know what to do! I thought you might know," said Michael.

"Be yourself. A date is an opportunity to get to know someone," said Aiden.

"I've just had sex with guys, not gone out to dinner with them," said Michael.

"This time you'll get to know someone for more than their physical ass… ets," said Aiden.

"You're becoming almost as bad as Mom," said Michael.

The twins laughed as Michael left to ask Brian to borrow some clothes.

QUEER AS FOLK

Michael wasn't sure what he thought of this. Fancy Italian restaurant, wine? It seemed more like something Aiden or maybe even Ted – given his new priorities in life – would enjoy. David was gorgeous, and Michael wanted to have his way with him after they had dinner.

Unfortunately, David didn't appear to want sex – or he just didn't want Michael.

Michael took off to Babylon minutes after David let him out of the car.

QUEER AS FOLK

"You're on the line with Aiden!"

Aiden vaguely wondered who was calling in on her show – the number appeared to be local.

"So I went on a date with this really hot guy… and I screwed up," said a man.

"Are you… who I think you are?" asked Aiden.

"Yeah, it's me," said Michael. "What do I do, Aiden? How do I fix it?"

"Surprise him – something, anything," said Aiden. "It'll get his attention and show him that you're sorry."

Aiden smiled and rolled her eyes as the call ended.

Her brother was probably going to have a boyfriend – Aiden just hoped the couple would be happy together. Michael deserved that.

QUEER AS FOLK

"Nick, how was work?" asked Aiden.

"Exhausting," said Nick.

"How about we order takeout and watch a movie," said Aiden.

"Sounds like a plan," said Nick.

"I was thinking we could go together to an art show tomorrow," said Aiden. "My mother called. The Gay and Lesbian Center is doing an art show of this teenager's drawings. His name is Justin Taylor. I peeked at a few that Lindsay showed me – Justin is very talented. You like art, right?"

"Not particularly – my mother was always buying expensive pieces as a way to show off to the other neighbors. She tried to stick a sculpture in the bathroom once when I was a teenager, I tripped over that damn thing nearly a hundred times," said Nick.

"Lindsay and Melanie are in charge of the event so I doubt anything being shown will be a hazard," said Aiden. "At least come with me and show solidarity for everyone there. They haven't had easy lives, Nick."

"You're right – and I think it's great you always want to do something to help," said Nick. "Unfortunately, tomorrow is Day 20 of the Carmichael case and I can't miss this trial for anything. If he's found guilty… I could become a prosecutor in one of the Circuit courts. This could be huge, Aiden. We could leave Pennsylvania and start over where no one would know us. Isn't that what you want?"

Aiden wasn't sure what she wanted anymore.

QUEER AS FOLK

The day of Justin's art show, Aiden wore a red dress and went to the Gay and Lesbian Center with her mother. Debbie's outfit made Aiden's dress look simple by comparison. Aiden could hear the piano playing, which Ted directed her to.

"This is my boyfriend, Roger," said Ted. "Roger, this is Aiden. She's a good friend of mine."

"Pleased to meet you," said Aiden. "You're a very good pianist."

"Thanks," said Roger.

Justin later dragged Aiden to one of his drawings, where he introduced her to his best friend Daphne.

"Wow you're the woman who hosts Fire Pitt?! Awesome! Can I have your autograph?" said Daphne.

"Sure," said Aiden.

"Is Brian coming?" asked Justin.

"I've known Brian since I was 12. He won't come," said Aiden. "Prefers to fly solo and to hell with everything and everyone."

Brian eventually showed – so did Justin's mother, Jennifer Taylor. Aiden immediately felt tension in the room the minute Jennifer laid eyes on Brian. Michael grabbed aiden and introduced her to David.

"So you're the famous Dr. David Cameron," said Aiden. "Michael told me a lot about you."

"He also told me a lot about you," said David. "Says you're very supportive of him."

"I try," said Aiden. "Be good to him, or you'll hear it from me!"

Michael rolled his eyes as David chuckled.

QUEER AS FOLK

"You should've come, the gallery was phenomenal," said Aiden. "We don't do a lot of things anymore."

"Yeah we do, we go out," said Nick.

"Not enough to make up for the time we spent together while we had sex," said Aiden. "I know staying celibate till the wedding night means a lot to you, and I don't have a problem with that. It's just that I don't feel like we're spending enough time together anymore. That's why I asked you to come with me."

"Fair enough," said Nick. "How about spending Saturday together?"

"Sure," said Aiden. "What about moving? Can we put off deciding whether or not we should leave until after something definite happens?"

"You lived in New York, you've left Pennsylvania before," said Nick.

"You and I know damn well the move would be permanent," said Aiden. "Can we just cross that bridge if we have to?"

"Sure," said Nick.

Aiden had to wonder why he wanted to leave Pennsylvania so badly. He didn't have something against her family, her friends… did he?

TBC... Any reviews would be appreciated.