Chapter 4

Owen and Cristina spent the rest of the night laughing. As it turned out they had a lot in common even though they came from entirely different backgrounds. Cristina learned a lot about him, although she was a little reluctant to talk about her personal life.

"Okay, I have an idea." Owen said. He was getting tired of hitting the wall that Cristina had put up around herself. He wanted to know her. He wanted to hear about her childhood, the things she liked. "Let's play a game."

"What kind of game?" Cristina said unsurely.

"20 questions. I ask you a question, you ask me a question." They were sitting on the couch and Owen turned toward her to see her reaction. He watched her fidget a bit until she sat comfortably with her legs crossed and looked at him.

"What if I don't like the question?"

"Well, if you don't like the question…you can choose to skip it. BUT if you skip a question, you lose the game. Just so you know, the winner gets the best price ever."

"Ooo, tell me more of this prize!" Cristina perked up when she heard that.

Owen smiled at himself as he realized he had done it. She was hooked and couldn't back out now.

"I'll tell you after the 20 questions you owe me!"

"That's not fair!" Cristina insisted, pouting at the fact that there was something she actually didn't know. She liked being able to see the whole picture and not being left in the dark, even if it was some stupid game.

"So?" Owen smirked. "Are you in or out?"

"I am so in. You're going down, Hunt!"

"We'll see about that, Yang" Owen replied, grinning. This was going to be fun.

18 questions later, both of them were still eager to win. They were now sitting on the floor where they could both stretch their legs. Owen was leaning on the couch, while Cristina had found a place next to him. She was using his leg as a pillow, her hair spreading all over him. He didn't mind, although his leg was already numb. They were trying to out-ask each other, each question becoming more personal than the previous.

Owen went on and on about himself. He had no problem answering Cristina's questions about his family because as it turned out he had had a pretty amazing childhood. His mother had spoiled him; he had been a popular kid in high school and had a lot of fun. Cristina on the other hand tried not to elaborate her answers. Honestly, she didn't really have a lot to tell. She certainly wasn't going to go on about her overbearing mother or her weird goth period (what was she thinking?).

"Come on, Yang! You can't give me 3-word answers. I'm pouring my heart to you here."

"Yeah, I'm sure you are. It must have been so tough for you growing up with a mother who loves you unconditionally. Let me guess, your dad probably took you fishing, didn't he? You look like the outdoors type."

Cristina waited for his response but Owen went silent. The wide grin that had been on his face had disappeared. Cristina immediately realized she had said something wrong and sat up: "Hey, I'm sorry if I said something wrong. I was just kidding around"

"Don't worry about it, it's fine." But he still couldn't look at her, so it obviously wasn't fine. And Cristina obviously couldn't let it go.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Owen finally turned to her and gave her a smile: "I'm honestly fine. It's just that my dad died when I was four so I never actually got to go fishing with him."

Cristina lied back down onto Owen leg and closed her eyes. Owen looked at her delicate face. He had come to terms with his father's death a long time ago. He had had some tough teenage years but that was because he was angry. He needed a male presence and wanted to get to know a father he barley remembered. He still liked to think that his dad was watching over him, but Owen preferred not to talk about him. The main reason was the look people gave him. A look of pity. Cristina had caught him of guard and a wave of nostalgia came over him. Owen looked at her face again. It was surprising that she still hadn't said anything. She wasn't the quiet type.

"Are you still awake?" Owen gently nudged her.

"Of course I'm awake. Just thinking", she replied, opening her eyes. She turned over and slid her hands under her head as she faced Owen.

"My dad died too. When I was nine. In a car crash. But we don't have to talk about it." The words came gushing out of her mouth. Owen started stroking Cristina's hair in an attempt to show her that he understood. Words were useless in this case as there wasn't anything they could say that could make the pain go away.

"I think you win."

"What?"

"You win the game." Owen clarified when he saw Cristina's confused expression.

"It was a stupid game."

"Hey, don't insult the game. We had fun, didn't we?"

"Whatever! What do I get?"

"Okay, on top of bragging rights, you get to choose what we do tomorrow. I'm paying."

"What do you mean tomorrow? We're hanging out?"
Owen looked amused. "Of course, we're hanging out. I'm free so I'll pick you up after your test. That's what friends do- they hang out. At least that's what I've heard."

"Oh, so we're friends now. What's in it for me?"

"Well, if you must know, I am a terrific friend. I even buy coffee."

"Coffee? Say no more."

"Cristina?"

"Yeah?"

"You really need to get of my leg now."

"Oh, sorry." Cristina rolled off to side, but was too tired to get up. Owen stretched and lay down next to her. "Is it okay if I crash her tonight? I don't I have the energy to drive back home."

"Sure, but don't think for a second you're sleeping in my room." Cristina laughed at Owen red face.

"Shut up. I'm taking the couch."
"OR you can sleep in your girlfriend's bed, weirdo."

"Right. Stacy."

"So I hear things are going well with you two." Owen wasn't surprised that Stacy had talked to Cristina about their relationship. Girls had a tendency to share. In his opinion, even overshare.

"Yeah, things are great. Stacy's great." He mumbled. The truth was that he did like Stacy. She was a pretty, kind and loving person. They could have fun together. The problem was that they never had proper discussion. They rarely talked about their days, much less their lives. Sometimes, late at night, a speck of doubt lodged itself in Owen's head and left him wondering whether this was really what he wanted- to be with someone he doesn't know entirely and who doesn't know him. He usually dismissed such thoughts. They had met each other a few weeks ago. Things were bound to improve. Right?

Cristina got up and threw the take out boxes in the trash. "I'm going to bed. After all, a girl needs her beauty sleep," she said, winking.

Owen got up too and wished her good night. He turned off the lights and headed toward the second bedroom, when Cristina popped her head around door. "Thanks, Hunt. This was fun." And went back inside, leaving Owen shaking his head in amusement.