Nick knocked on the door and heard a soft shuffling on the other side. When the door opened, Cece's piercing eyes were staring back at him, as she leaned on the door handle. "She's not here."

"Do you know where she went, I really need to talk to her." His tone was desperate, as his eyes searched hers for understanding.

She glared at him and raised her eyebrows. "I know you do. But...she needs some space, Nick."

Nick's shoulders slumped and he stuck his hands in his pockets. His voice softened. "I think I really messed up."

Cece stared at Nick for a moment, watching his sad eyes glance up at her before lowering his head once against toward the floor. She pursed her lips and stepped to the side, opening the door wider. "Do you want to come in?"

He nodded gratefully, Cece closing the door behind him and walking past to motion toward the small table to their immediate left. He sat down slowly in the chair closest to the door, running his hands over his thighs nervously, before leaning back and frowning. He glanced up as she slowly sat down in the chair opposite him. He noticed Jess' things laying on the couch near them. Following his eyes, she just shook her head.

"She dropped off her things, but she wanted time to think." She watched him frown in acknowledgement. "She just went for a walk with Natalie..."

He nodded and took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts before speaking. "Hey, I'm sorry to come barging in here when you..." A small smile crossed his face as he looked her up and down. "you look really nice, by the way."

She glanced down at her red beaded sheath dress and smiled. "Thank you. And," She gently laid her hands on the table, her gold bangle bracelet making a gentle clanging sound against the dark wood of the table. " ...don't worry about it. Truth is, I kinda needed a break from all this anyway."

Nick leaned forward, laying a hand on her arm as she took a deep breath. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just..." She glanced up at him and searched his eyes, her voice soft. "He's having second thoughts...isn't he?"

He cleared his throat and pulled his hand away, clasping them both in front of him. "It's not for the reason you think, Cece."

"Do you think we're making a mistake?"

Nick was taken aback by her question. He wasn't sure if she really wanted his opinion, or if she was simply searching for the reassurance that what she was doing would finally work out for them. He gave the most honest answer he could give her. "Not if you love him."

"You know I do, but I'm serious, Nick." Pulling her hands into her lap, she shrunk back into the chair, rubbing her hands along her arms protectively. "You know Schmidt better than anyone and, ...do you think he really wants this?" She bit her lip and watched Nick nervously.

"You want the honest to God truth?"

She closed her eyes briefly as she let out the breath she seemed to have been holding. "Please."

"Okay, look," Nick shook his head and laid his hands out flat along the smooth surface of the table. His fingers extended stiffly as he tapped them. He looked right into her eyes, a small smile on his face. "Schmidt can be a real ass sometimes, you know that better than all of us." Her mouth twitched as she nodded her head in agreement. "But...he's a good guy Cece. He's come a long way after everything that's happened this year and he wants to get married."

She took a deep breath. "You really think so?"

Nick crossed his arms in front of him and leaned closer to her, smiling. "I do."

She smiled slowly and nodded, taking a deep breath as a relaxing calm finally came over her body. She glanced up at Nick and noticed he had nervously started to run his thumbs over his clenched fists. Leaning forward, she softly laid a hand over his. "Hey, what about you? You okay?"

He shrugged, avoiding her stare. "I guess you heard what happened."

Cece nodded. "I did."

He slowly raised his eyes to hers, unable to hide the hurt and regret in his eyes from Jess' best friend. "No matter how hard I try to change, I'm always going to be that guy who screws it up."

She slowly patted his hand and shook her head. "You didn't screw it up, Nick. You said one stupid thing," His eyes dropped, ashamed. "Just give her some time, she'll be fine." She gave his hands a squeeze before pulling hers back again. "And you want to know something else?"

He shrugged, glancing up. "What?"

"You know you don't need to change for Jess, right?"

He stared at her knowing smile, a silence falling between them. He swallowed hard and shrugged again, speaking quietly. "What do you mean?"

"Nick, she's been in love with you for a long time, longer than she'll probably even admit to herself. She's never expected you to become someone you're not."

He sighed. "I guess I know that..."

"You should." Cece smirked. "Jess can get emotional sometimes, like right now...but it doesn't mean you just give up. You said something stupid and she overreacted. She's scared."

His eyes darted to hers, confused. "Scared? Scared of what?"

Cece rolled her eyes, a forced laugh escaping her lips. "Are you seriously asking me that question right now?" When he didn't respond, she continued. " ...Scared of losing you Nick."

He shook his head, dumbfounded. "Why would she..."

Cece raised her eyebrows and continued. "How did you meet Jess?" She paused for a moment, before continuing. "You met her because she spent years with a man she thought she loved, only to have him break her heart."

"Cece, I would never do that to her."

Cece made a quick motion with her hand before leaning her elbow on the table. "I know that. Hell, even she knows that. But it doesn't mean, that every once and awhile, in those moments when she's really unsure of herself, there isn't a small part of her that's scared it will happen all over again. All she heard tonight was her worst fear...that you might not see a future with her, and that terrifies her." He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head from side to side.

"You know that's not..." He took a deep breath. "I'm trying so hard for her." Nick looked at Cece with a mix of fear and determination.

"I've been with Jess through a lot, and I've never seen someone bring out the real Jess like you do. She needs you. Give her some time to herself, apologize for being an idiot, and..." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "... be honest with her if you think there's no future here."

His eyes widened in panic. "Wait, she doesn't think I really meant that, right?" He slapped his hands down on the table, his voice pleading. "Please tell me she knows that."

Cece tilted her head, squinting her eyes. She had watched the two of them get in plenty of ridiculous arguments before, and even though she knew Nick was sometimes unsure of himself, she had never seen him so anxious before. "Nick, what's going on? This isn't making sense, even for you."

Nick stood up suddenly and shook his hands in a panic. The words rushed out of his mouth before he even realized what he was saying. "I bought a ring and I was going to ..." He stopped suddenly, the room falling silent as he stood there frozen in place.

Cece's jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock. Her body sat straight up in the chair. "So this whole time, you..."

Nick's breathing began to pick up pace, a small bead of sweat forming across his forehead. He watched as a smile slowly crept across Cece's face, her stern features softening. His voice was barely a raspy whisper. "Please don't say anything."

Cece slid off the chair slowly. Stepping in front of him, she reached out to give Nick's shoulder a comforting rub. She spoke softly. "Stop thinking you have to be perfect Nick, and just be the man she fell in love with."

Nick's face became serious and he nodded, staring into Cece's determined expression. He choked on his words. "I can't lose her, Cece."

"You're not going to." She laughed quietly, squeezing his arm. "Just quit stalling and go ask her."