Hey guys! I know it's been a while but I'm finally updating my story. The way things have been going between Martin and Ruthie on the show, or the way they haven't, is just depressing. So hope this cheers you all up a little.

Martin put the car into park and turned the key backward so the music would carry on playing as Ruthie continued fiddling with the radio.

This year's love

It'll last

Ruthie smiled as she flipped to another random station and heard the beginning to one of her absolute favorite songs. Turning it up loudly so they'd be able to hear it over the sound of the rain and thunder she jumped from the car, waiting impatiently for Martin to follow her.

Heaven knows it's high time

I've been waiting on my own

Too long

Once he made his way around the car he wrapped an arm around Ruthie's waist and gently pulled her closer to him so they were almost, but not quite touching.

When you hold me

Like you do

Feels so right

Oh now

Start to forget

How my heart

Gets torn

When that hurt

Gets thrown

Feeling like you

Can't go on

Ruthie almost couldn't believe how right it felt to be in Martin's arms, how safe she felt there. In Martin's arms she had always felt very comfortable, like she was home. And although she would never tell him that she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same.

It was funny because since the night before she hadn't quite been able to push away the sting of Martin's words, but now in this moment it had completely disappeared.

Turning circles

Time again

Cut like a knife

Oh now

If ya love me

Got to know

For sure

Martin spun her around, holding only her hand as she twirled around and around laughing. Then just when he thought she would surely fall, he pulled her back to him quickly. He was glad to see her so happy tonight after being the cause of her pain just the night before. He knew that she was his best friend and last night had done nothing, if not reassure him of that. Only a best friend would stand by him like she had when he was at his darkest.

Cause it takes something

More this time

Than sweet, sweet lies

Oh now

Before I open

Up my arms

And fall

Losing all control

Every dream

Inside my soul

Ruthie let herself fall into Martin as she caught her breath from spinning around so recklessly. She could feel the rain cascading down on them and she made the effort to raise her face upward to feel the cleansing drops. She smiled as Martin glanced down at her, his amusement and happiness evident in his expression.

When you kiss me

On that midnight street

Sweep me

Off my feet

Singing ain't this life

So sweet

Martin surprised himself and Ruthie by lowering his head further and placing a gentle kiss on Ruthie's upturned nose. Then before she had time to read the new look in his eyes he swept her petite frame into his arms as he sang the last two lines from the chorus in an exaggerated tone, causing her to stick her tongue out at him.

This year's love

It'll last

This year's love

It'll last

Once he put her back down she wrapped her arms around his neck and they began to again sway to the beat of the song, both now content just to simply dance. Ruthie was aware of the heat of his hands on her lower back, especially through the wet fabric of her shirt and she found it only made her want to be closer to him, so she was more than a little pleased when he somehow managed to wrap her even tighter in his embrace.

Cause who's to worry

If our hearts

Get torn

When that hurt

Gets thrown

Don't ya know this

Life goes on

Martin couldn't believe how good it felt to be holding Ruthie like he was. Before tonight he had always believed or at least he had wanted to believe that they were strictly friends, nothing more, but for some reason now he couldn't help but wonder.

Won't ya kiss me

On that midnight street

Sweep me

Off my feet

Singing ain't this life

So sweet

Ruthie half-sang, half-whispered the chorus into Martin's chest and was granted with another unexpected kiss, this time on the crown of her head. And even though it was no where near her lips, it still resulted in goose-bumps and sent a tingle down her spine, causing her to shiver.

This year's love

It'll last

Martin could feel her shiver and began rubbing up and down her back with his hands, assuming that she was starting to get cold from the rain.

This year's love

It'll last

Ruthie smiled ruefully at Martin's misinterpretation but didn't say anything that might cause him to stop.

This year's love

It'll last

Martin knew the song was almost over and even though he knew if they stayed out much longer they would probably catch cold he couldn't help but wish that it'd play all night, just so he wouldn't have to let go.

This year's love

It'll last

Ruthie closed her eyes, savoring the moment and sending up a prayer of thanks that one of her childhood dreams had been granted.

This year's love

It'll last

Martin settled his chin on top of Ruthie's head and stood swaying in place as the song slowly came to an end.

This year's love

It'll last

After the song was over it took them both a second to pull away, but once they did it was as if the time, that had moments before stood still, hurtled ahead.

Quickly they both scrambled to get inside so they could get warmed up, because without the other's body heat they both found themselves freezing.