One year later...

Ned and MJ were enjoying a movie from the couch in the main room of their apartment. Mostly they were enjoying cuddling and kissing. The film wasn't bad, it just couldn't hold their attention. This was their standard Friday night since they got to Boston six weeks before. Soon enough it would end they would retire to their separate bedrooms. Ned's parents had insisted on two bedrooms and they were paying the rent so two bedrooms it was. This arrangement frustrated Ned, who wanted to share his bed with MJ but was nervous and unsure how to broach the subject with her.

"Looks like it's over." Ned noticed the end of the credits on the screen.

"It's almost two AM, I can't stay awake for another one."

"Yeah, time for bed." Ned grabbed the empty popcorn bowl and glasses and took them to the sink.

Ned returned to the main room as MJ was standing.

"MJ, do you...never mind, good night." He started towards his room.

"Ned?"

He turned and looked at her questioningly.

"Do you want to ask me something?" She had a strangely anticipatory look on her face.

"Well, it was just...I, uh..."

"Ned, it's just you and me. Don't be nervous. You can say anything. You can ask me anything."

Ned's face grew red with embarrassment. "Would you...I mean, should we...no, that's not right..."

"Ned, it's OK to ask me."

"Is it? I'm, uh, not..."

"We're a couple. Couples do this."

"Well, yeah, uh...let's, uh...I, uh..."

"Let me make this easier. I want to go to bed with you. Is that alright?"

Ned was shaking in embarrassment, frustration, anticipation, fear, or some combination of all of them but managed to nod, hesitantly at first and then more vigorously.

"Good. Next time we'll work on you saying it out loud."

"MJ...I've never...I don't have..."

She had been closing the distance between them and now took his hands in hers. "Are you trying to tell me you're a virgin?"

He looked down at the floor. "Yes."

She leaned in and whispered in his ear; "I am too."

"Really?"

"Yes, Ned. First time for both of us. Like you always say, we'll figure it out."