Johnny let Laurie go ahead of him as they left the restaurant, checking out the street scene unfolding before him. Music of all kinds filled the street, and just as the night before, Johnny was somewhat overwhelmed by the activity.

"Ooh, how about this one?" Laurie suggested. "There's a live jazz band tonight."

Johnny figured that after last night, he was open to just about any kind of music. "Hey, yeah. Sounds interesting."

Before he could say anything more, Laurie took him by the hand and led him into the club. It was dark and smoky, a little eerie, if Johnny thought about it too much. But soon his eyes adjusted, and they found a table near the stage and settled in.

A waitress stopped at their table and placed a pair of cocktail napkins in front of each of them. "Good evening. My name's Lucy and I'll be taking care of you. What can I get you?"

They each placed their drink orders, and as the waitress left, Laurie smiled at him ever so slightly. "I think I'm going to take it easy tonight. This morning was a little rough."

Johnny laughed a little at that. "I've heard those hangovers get nasty as you get older."

Laurie swatted him lightly on the shoulder while giving him a slightly reproachful look. "I don't have much to compare it to. I'm not a big drinker. I just, well, got a little out of hand last night. And who are you calling old, anyway?"

"I didn't call you old." Johnny protested. He was really sticking his foot in his mouth tonight. "I just said, well, older. That's all. Hell, I'm older, too. Or have you forgotten?"

Laurie rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her hand as she studied him. "I don't see it."

The waitress returned with their drinks, and Johnny immediately took a swallow of his beer. "It's the lighting. Or lack of it."

Laurie merely rolled her eyes as she took a drink of her own before turning her attention to the band that was warming up on the stage. Before long, the music started, but not the kind of jazz Johnny thought he was going to hear. This was a faster beat, much closer to the rock he usually listened to, and Johnny found himself getting into it, his fingers drumming on the table.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Laurie scooting closer to him, that wide smile lighting her face. Johnny took the opportunity to slide his arm across the back of her chair, and Laurie moved in even closer. It felt so oddly intimate, and yet it felt so right.

The band started a slower song, and a few couples started making their way toward the small dance floor. Johnny knew that at best, he was awkward on the dance floor, though Laurie hadn't seemed to mind the night before. Maybe she wouldn't mind this time around, either.

He leaned in a little closer. "Do you wanna dance?"

Laurie looked over at him and nodded, and they rose from the table and joined the others out on the dance floor. It was a slow enough song that Johnny could fairly easily keep up, and he simply pulled Laurie in close, placing one hand at the small of her back while lightly grasping her hand with the other.

As oddly intimate as it had felt to sit so close to Laurie at the table, holding her this close felt even more so. But somehow this just seemed to work, whatever was happening here. Something was pulling at him, some odd desire to find a way to make this feeling last.

Laurie laid her head against his shoulder, her arm slipping around his waist. She was so close now, and if Johnny could have pulled her in any closer, he would have. Instead, he dropped a kiss on the top of her head just as the song ended.

The band started in on a slightly faster song, and Johnny somehow managed to keep up without stepping on Laurie's toes, or anyone else's, for that matter. He had to admit that now that once he allowed himself to relax, he was enjoying himself.

Of course, having such excellent company didn't hurt.

After a few more songs, the band took a break, and Johnny and Laurie returned to their table, ordering another round of drinks. Laurie's cheeks were slightly flushed, and there was a sparkle in her eyes that Johnny couldn't recall noticing before.

She rested her chin on her hand and looked across the table at him. "Something on my face?"

"No, no." Johnny shook his head, realizing now that he must have been staring. He felt the heat rush to his face. That's all he needed, to act like some lovesick teenager.

And for what? They weren't likely to see each other again after this convention.

Laurie looked past him, over his shoulder. "Looks like they're getting ready to start up again."

"I might have to sit out a couple of songs." Johnny told her before taking a long drink of his beer.

"What's the matter?" Laurie answered with an amused expression. "Can't keep up?"

"Just need a breather, that's all." Johnny replied casually. "Next slow song, I'm all yours."

Laurie's expression changed ever so slightly, leaving Johnny to wonder if he'd fumbled once again. "Or not." He continued carefully.

Laurie stirred her drink, seeming to study the way the liquid swirled in the glass. Finally, she looked up at him and smiled ever so slightly. "No, I'll take you up on that. You're not a bad slow dancer."

"It's a speed I can manage." Johnny answered, the relief he felt allowing him to relax again. "Got two left feet otherwise."

"I did notice that." Laurie's smile widened. "I wasn't going to say anything."

Johnny scoffed. "Sure, let me look like an idiot."

"Never." Laurie assured him. "It doesn't matter, anyway. I'm still having a good time."

"So am I." Johnny responded.

They talked a bit more as they worked through their drinks, ordering one more round when it seemed another slow song wasn't forthcoming. Johnny was starting to feel the effects, just enough to loosen up a little, not enough to start making a damn fool of himself.

He hoped not, anyway.

As they finished off the round of drinks, the band moved into a slow song. Johnny rose from the table and held out his hand. "How about it?"

Laurie rose to join him, taking his hand as they returned to the dance floor. It was crowded with other couples, a good excuse to pull Laurie in as close as he possibly could, Johnny figured. Not that he needed the excuse.

They gently swayed to the rhythm of the music, Laurie laying her head against his shoulder as Johnny's hand slid to the small of her back. The moment was almost too perfect, and Johnny was loathe to do anything to break the spell.

He kissed the top of her head, but he wanted to do much more, so much more. Maybe they could bail out of here after this song. Maybe they could finish what they had started the night before.

The song ended, and Laurie lifted her head to look up at him. His impulses won out over his good sense, and he leaned down and kissed her softly. Almost automatically, it lingered and deepened, and Johnny found himself utterly lost in her, nearly forgetting about the crowd that surrounded them.

They slowly broke apart as the band played on, staring into each other's eyes for a long moment before Johnny finally broke the silence between them. "Do you wanna get out of here?"

"Yes." Laurie nodded.

They wove their way through the crowd, and Johnny stopped at their table to leave a tip before making his way to the bar to cash out. As soon as he did so, he and Laurie left the club, the cool evening breeze sobering him up a bit. "We don't have to go right back to the hotel, I guess. Not unless you want to." He told Laurie.

Laurie gave him a puzzled look. "I suppose we could walk around a little bit."

"Yeah, sure." Johnny nodded, suddenly nervous again.

God, what the hell was wrong with him? There was a time when he wouldn't have thought twice about rushing headlong into a one-night stand. Even more so when he was far from home and would likely never see the girl again.

But something about this was different and Johnny knew it. Now that he had spent a better part of a day and most of an evening with Laurie, he knew this would never be a mere one-night stand. Laurie was special, and that desire to make more than a few days out of whatever was happening between them was strong.

That being said, he did have a strong desire for her. That wasn't going anywhere. Why not indulge it?

Laurie slipped her arm through his, and they started winding their way through the crowded street. Tonight seemed even busier than the night before, and Johnny grew increasingly uncomfortable with all the activity.

"Sure is busy tonight." Laurie's words echoed his own thoughts.

Johnny huffed in annoyance when someone bumped into him. "Yeah, not a great place to just walk around, is it?"

"You know, we could just go back to the hotel." Laurie suggested. "It would be quieter, anyway."

Johnny had to admit it was an appealing thought. "Yeah, suppose I've had enough of these crowds."

"I thought so." Laurie looked amused. "You're not very good at hiding your thoughts."

"Never have been." Johnny answered as he flagged down a cab. He opened the door and let Laurie climb in ahead of him. He gave the driver the hotel address, and they were soon on their way.

Laurie sighed and laid her head on Johnny's shoulder. "It was fun. I suppose the day's catching up to me."

"Offer still stands." Johnny told her, turning and kissing the top of her head.

"And what offer is that?"

"To tuck you in, remember?"

"That's right, you did offer." Laurie replied. "Maybe I'll take you up on it this time."

Johnny found Laurie's hand, threading his fingers through hers and squeezing lightly. They were silent for the rest of the ride, Johnny's mind working the whole time. The thought of spending the rest of the night with her was an appealing prospect, to say the least, and not just for the physical aspect.

It had been longer than he cared to admit since he'd been so intimate with anyone, and he definitely didn't want to blow his chance. Assuming that he and Laurie were on the same page. If they weren't, well, that was hardly the end of the world, Johnny supposed.

The cab stopped at the hotel, and Johnny paid him before they slipped out and started toward the entrance. There were a few people milling around the lobby, but no one Johnny recognized. It was easy enough for them to make their way to the elevator and get on.

A few people joined them, but they didn't seem to notice Johnny and Laurie. One of the others hit the button for the second floor. The man turned toward Johnny and Laurie. "Where you headed?"

"Fourth floor." Laurie answered before Johnny could say anything.

Well, that settled that, Johnny supposed.

The man hit the button for the fourth floor, and the elevator doors closed before beginning its journey upward. When the door opened for the second floor, the elevator emptied out, leaving Johnny and Laurie all alone for the remainder of the ride.

As soon as the doors closed, he felt Laurie's hand slip into his, their fingers threading together just as they had in the cab, and he could feel his heart beat faster as the elevator started its journey again.

He pulled her in, guiding her toward him with a hand on the small of her back, leaning down to capture her mouth with his. Laurie leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and drawing in close, their bodies pressing together as their kisses lingered and deepened.

The sound of the elevator doors opening made them quickly break apart, and they stared at each other for a long moment before Johnny broke the silence. "Suppose this is your floor, right?"

"Right." Laurie answered softly with a brief nod.

They exited the elevator, and Johnny followed Laurie down the hallway until they reached her room. Laurie dug into her purse for the key, finally coming up with it and fumbling ever so slightly before managing to fit it into the lock.

Johnny kissed the back of her neck. "Need a hand with that?"

The blush crept over Laurie's skin as she let out a soft laugh. "I think I can manage."

She turned the doorknob and tucked the key back into her purse before letting them into the room, and Johnny closed the door behind them. Laurie set down her purse and approached him, placing a hand on his chest and pushing herself up on tip toe to kiss him lightly. "I won't be but a second. Make yourself comfortable."

Easier said than done, Johnny figured.

As soon as Laurie slipped into the bathroom, Johnny shed his jacket and set it next to Laurie's purse, following with his tie before unbuttoning the top button of his shirt and rolling up his sleeves. He toed off his shoes and waited for a moment. Laurie still hadn't emerged, and Johnny couldn't help the edgy feeling that crept over him.

Maybe he should just forget this. After all, just because he was here didn't mean he had to sleep with her. But God, those kisses and touches in the elevator had set him on fire, and that feeling refused to abate. And anyway, they would only have these few days together, and then they would likely go their separate ways. If this all went badly, they'd never have to see each other again.

The bathroom door opened, and Laurie emerged wearing a nightshirt that resembled a long T-shirt, hitting her just above the knees. He couldn't help the short laugh that escaped him at the sight.

Laurie tilted her head and gave him a meaningful look. "Yes, I know. It's not exactly sexy."

"Oh, I disagree." Johnny told her lightly, that edgy feeling quickly dissipating as he approached her, his hands coming to rest on her hips.

Laurie looked somewhat skeptical as she reached up to trace a finger along the base of his throat, pausing at a button on his shirt before undoing it and letting her fingers rest there again.

Johnny couldn't help the sharp gasp that escaped him as he leaned down to kiss her, his fingers curling in the soft material of her nightshirt as he gathered it in his hands. "Don't stop there." He murmured.

Laurie's hands briefly spread out across his chest before she picked up where she left off, slowly undoing each button until she tugged his shirt out of his pants and pushed it off his body, her soft hands sliding to his back.

The sensation further lit Johnny's desire, and he let out a low growl as he moved his hands under her nightshirt, finding soft and smooth skin underneath. He found the waistband of her underwear, slipping his hands underneath and squeezing her rear lightly.

She made a sound somewhere between a sigh and a moan into his mouth, drawing in even closer to him. God, this felt so good, so right, and Johnny only slightly regretted not going through with this the previous night.

But they were here now, and Johnny was damn sure going to make the most of it.

Laurie's hands moved to his belt, fumbling briefly with the buckle before she got it undone, quickly moving on to undoing his pants. Her boldness thrilled him, even as it threw him a little, and it didn't take him long to start pushing down her underwear until it slid to the floor. Now there was nothing underneath her nightshirt, and Johnny let his hands wander all over, brushing his thumbs over her nipples and taking hold of the soft flesh of her breasts, squeezing lightly.

Each one was a perfect handful, Johnny thought, breaking away from Laurie's mouth to start a line of kisses down her neck. Laurie tilted her head back, letting out a soft moan and arching into him as she pushed down his pants. They hit the floor with a soft thump from the weight of everything Johnny carried with him.

He had every intention of stepping out of them and guiding Laurie toward the bed, but he misjudged his step, stumbling over them and sending both of them crashing to the floor.

Johnny almost immediately went into paramedic mode. "Are you okay? Did you hit your head?"

Laurie started laughing, her arm over her head as she looked up at him. "I'm fine. Really."

"Jesus." Johnny huffed. "Sorry about that. Suppose I should have warned you that I'm a klutz."

"I already knew that, remember?" Laurie answered. "Two left feet?"

"Right, yeah." Johnny shifted so that he lay next to her. "If you wanna call it a night, I understand. Don't blame you, honestly."

Laurie reached up and pulled Johnny down to her for a long, lingering kiss before pulling back. "I don't."

"You're sure?" Johnny asked, even as he let his hand drift up her leg.

"Yes, I'm sure." Laurie answered softly, her hand on the back of his neck.

She pulled him toward her again for another long kiss, and it wasn't long before he was drawn in again, his hand going under her nightshirt and running over every inch of her skin.

"This thing's gotta go." He murmured into her mouth. "It's in the way."

Laurie shifted slightly, and Johnny was able to get the nightshirt up and over her head, leaving her completely naked before him. She was so delicate, so lovely, that she took his breath away.

"God, you're so beautiful." His voice was rough to his own ears as he broke away from her mouth to start leaving kisses everywhere, the base of her throat, her collarbone, her shoulder, working his way down her body. Her only reactions were a series of soft sighs and moans as her hands slid over him, her fingers threading into his hair.

He moved so that he was between her legs, the sight of her spread before him further fueling his desire. Her lips were slightly parted, her chest rapidly rising and falling, her eyes half-open. As he ran his hand up the inside of one thigh, she arched upward, her eyes fluttering closed as she let out a little cry of pleasure. When he followed that up by leaning over and leaving a trail of wet kisses up that same thigh, she let out a sharp breath and a moan, her hand stroking the top of his head as he progressed upward toward the bright red patch of hair between her legs.

She was nearly vibrating under him as he spread her apart with his fingers, leaving a brief kiss in that thatch of hair before dragging his tongue along the nub of flesh, evoking more sounds of pleasure from Laurie as she threaded her fingers through his hair, arching up into his mouth. Further encouraged, he lightly sucked and licked her, sliding his fingers deep inside her and feeling around.

"Oh, oh my God." Laurie sounded nearly breathless as she got a good grip on his hair and writhed under him. "Don't stop. Please don't stop."

Johnny had no intention of doing so. He continued on as Laurie cried out, clutching at him as she thrust upwards over and over until she finally relaxed under him, releasing her hold on his hair and stroking the top of his head.

"Oh my God, John." She sighed roughly.

He couldn't resist teasing her a little as he kissed her where her thigh and her hip met. "So, that was okay?"

Laurie laughed right out loud at that, lightly smacking the top of his head. "Yes. More than okay. I feel like…I don't know, a limp noodle or something."

"Good." Johnny couldn't help laughing himself. He'd gotten almost as much pleasure out of it as Laurie had, though his own desire hadn't died down, if his own hardened flesh was any indication.

He slowly worked his way back up her body until he lay next to her, admiring every bit of her. God, she really was something.

She shifted so that she was facing him, her hand on his chest and starting downward until she slipped inside the waistband of his boxers and rested it on his hip before finding that hard flesh, curling her fingers around it and stroking the head with her thumb.

The sensation caused Johnny to take a sharp breath followed by a brief sigh, and he allowed Laurie to push him to his back. If she wanted to have her way with him, he damn sure wasn't going to object.

Laurie released him with one more light stroke over the head and moved so that she was between his legs, tugging at his boxers with an expression of amusement. "Got to get rid of these."

"Yeah, they're in the way." Johnny answered as casually as he could as he lifted his hips enough to allow Laurie to get them off him.

"Exactly." Laurie responded, tossing them aside and returning to slowly run her hands up Johnny's legs and up his stomach. He let out a soft hum at the sensation, much to Laurie's seeming delight. "Is that okay?"

"Oh yeah." Johnny replied quietly. "That's fine. Just fine."

Laurie's mouth followed close behind her hands, leaving little kisses all over him. The sensation only heightened Johnny's desire, and he wasn't sure how much more of this he was going to be able to take. It was too much, and yet somehow not enough.

Finally, Laurie started working her way back down, pressing those kisses to his hip bones, to the spots where his leg and hip met, all while taking his flesh in her hand and stroking him. He let out a rough groan, closing his eyes and giving himself completely to the desire that coursed through him. Soon he felt her mouth close over the head, her tongue sliding over and around it before taking in more of him.

He could barely get a sound out, just stroking the back of Laurie's head as she continued, alternately stroking and licking and sucking him until he couldn't contain himself any longer, unloading with such force that it left him shaking.

Just like that, the tension left him, and he let out a long sigh, lightly caressing the top of Laurie's head. "Jesus."

Laurie started laughing again, returning to lay on his chest, looking at him. "Are you okay?"

"I am now." Johnny wrapped an arm around her. "Hope you weren't planning on kicking me out right away. I don't think I can move."

"I wasn't." Laurie replied quietly, her smile fading ever so slightly. "I suppose I hadn't thought that far ahead."

Johnny let his hand slide down her back. "Suppose neither one of us did."

In reality, he was reluctant to leave her. He wanted to wake up next to her, wanted to hold her, touch her, kiss her, maybe more. No, scratch that. He definitely wanted more. He didn't want to merely sleep with her. He wanted to make love to her.

The thought caught him entirely off guard. He had a habit of falling in love at the drop of a hat, always too fast and too hard. It had never ended well. The idea that whatever was happening between him and Laurie was more than a brief affair was ludicrous.

No, he should be satisfied with whatever transpired between them here, and be content to leave it behind, to simply have the memory. But somehow, he already knew that wouldn't be enough.

He turned his head ever so slightly to look at Laurie, stroking her hair as she lay across him, her eyes closed. "Hey, you asleep already?"

"No." She murmured softly. "Just comfortable."

They were both silent for a long moment until Johnny broke it. "Is it okay if I stay the rest of the night? Kinda don't wanna leave."

"That's convenient." Laurie replied. "Because I don't want you to leave, either."

"On one condition." Johnny told her.

Laurie lifted her head. "What's that?"

"That we make it to the bed at some point." Johnny replied. "I'm too damn old to sleep on the floor."

Laurie laughed, rising from where she lay on Johnny's chest and offering her hand. "Deal. Do you need help?"

"I'm not that old." Johnny scoffed as he pushed himself off the floor.

Soon enough they climbed into bed, and Laurie laid her head on Johnny's shoulder. "You're right, this is much better."

Johnny wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "Told you."

Laurie let out a short laugh and snuggled closer, and Johnny let out a little sigh. If only a future with her was anywhere within the realm of possibility. But there was no point in concerning himself with that. Better to enjoy the present with her and maybe, just maybe, the future would take care of itself.