(A few weeks passed since the Christmas party and it's like a shift has changed between them. They have become more deeply connected and so in sync that it was scary. Mariska had Chris over for dinner that she cooked because it's his birthday. She wanted to surprise him so she just made up a tale to get him to come over. She was just finishing up getting dressed when she hears a knock at the door.)

Mariska: Coming.

(She leaves the room and walk to the door opening it and smiles.)

Chris: Woah.

Mariska: Come on in.

Chris: What, I thought we was just hanging out?

Mariska: We are but I just wanted to do something nice for your birthday.

Chris: (kiss her) Mmm I love it.

(He goes to reach for her and she dodge him.)

Mariska: Not yet, I've made you dinner and dessert.

Chris: Does dessert ends with me between your legs? Because I'm having all kinds of feeling right now with you in this dress.

Mariska: (blush) Maybe, but first let's eat.

(She takes his hand and lead him to the table and sits him down. She goes to the stove and fix two plates bringing him his before she sit down with her own.)

Chris: I just want to say thank you for making me dinner. This is the first time anyone other than my mother who has done something on my birthday.

Mariska: What?

Chris: Yeah, so this is really special for me and thank you again.

Mariska: Well I'm not really big on cooking but this is one of my grandmothers favorite recipe.

Chris: Ouuu I must be special.

Mariska: (smiles) Just a little bit.

(Chris fake puts his hand over his heart and pout.)

Chris: I'm so hurt.

Mariska: (laughs) Just eat your food because I have plans for you later.

Chris: (makes a face) I'm not even hungry anymore, we cant skip right to dessert.

Mariska: (gives a seductive look) Eat your food because you will need your energy.

Chris: (fans himself) Hot damn.

Mariska: (giggles) You're a mess.

(They eat and two glasses of wine later Mariska was ready to come out of her dress. She clear the table before she walks up to Chris and sits on his lap.)

Chris: You do not play fair you know that.

Mariska: Oh ice beesn told a few times.

(She leans in and kisses him on the lips before she moves to his jaw and then his neck. She licks and sucks his pulse point before letting go with a pop.)

Chris: You smell good.

Mariska: Mmmm I hope so.

Chris: You always smell good.

(She sits back a little before she takes him in feeling that all too familiar ache between her legs.)

Mariska: I need to go use the bathroom.

Chris: OK, I'll be waiting on the sofa.

Mariska: OK, maybe we could watch a movie or something.

Chris: I'll go find something.

Mariska: OK, I'll be right back.

Chris: I'll be here.

(She kisses his cheek before getting up and going into her bedroom. She hurries into the bathroom and closes the door before pulling a box from under the sink. She opens it and sees the white lace see-through lingerie she brought yesterday. She undresses and puts on the sexy lingerie and heels before she sprays a little perfume and goes to sit on her bed.)

Mariska: Chris can you come here for a second, please?

Chris: (looks back) Everything ok?

Mariska: Yeah, I just want to get comfortable and I can't get the zipper.

(He gets up and heads towards her bed from for to do as she asks. Once he hits the threshold he has to do a double-take. He swallows hard as she takes her in with this sexy number on, high heels, and her hair is down.)

Chris: Oh fuck me.

Mariska: (smiles) Oh I plan to. Come here.

(He slowly moves to her with nothing but desire and lust-filled eyes. She parts her legs as he stands between them looking down at her. She runs her hands up his stomach and chest taking his shirt with them. As she admires his amazing pecks, her fingers find the button on his pants and pull them off.)

Chris: I need to touch you.

Mariska: Well what are you waiting for?

(He bends down and kisses her as she moves back toward the headboard. He moves a hand behind her back and holds her in place as he pushes her down. His mouth attacks her everywhere before moving down past her hips, thighs, and lastly her feet.)

Chris: You have no idea how fucking gorgeous you are.

Mariska: Mmm why don't you come and show me?

(He takes one of her legs and places small sweet kisses on it as he caresses her inner thigh. He takes his time enjoying making her squirm and whimper. He moves up her body placing kisses as he sends until he finds her lips.)

Chris: This is the best birthday present ever.

Mariska: I'm glad you like it.

Chris: I love it.

(Not able to take anymore she grabs him behind the head and crushes her lips to his as they fight to take off the rest of their clothing. The night is filled with their lovemaking and sweet kisses before they both are exhausted. It's midnight by the time they are done and are tangled up in damped sheets.)

Mariska: (panting) That was incredible.

Chris: I think I blew my hip out.

Mariska: (laughs) I can't feel my legs.

Chris: You wore me out.

(They both laugh out loud as he pulls her to him and holds her. They lay there for a few minutes to calm down from that intense sex they just had. Mariska closes her eyes as she listens to Chris's heartbeat.)

Mariska: Your quiet

Chris: Just thinking.

Mariska: About?

Chris: Us.

Mariska: What about us?

(He moves and sits up with his back against the headboard looking down.)

Chris: I've been thinking a lot lately about us and what we're not. I know we agreed on it just being two people who really like each other but Mariska I want more.

Mariska: (looks shocked) Chris.

Chris: No hear me out.

(With this she sits up covering her breast with the sheet.)

Mariska: Ok.

Chris: I don't want you to leave there I said it.

Mariska: Chris it doesn't work like that I can't just...

Chris: I love you. I'm in love with you Mariska and I know we said we couldn't but I do. You are the one for me, who I want to spend the rest of my life with. You can just maybe quit school and stay here I make enough money to take care of you.

Mariska: (makes a face) Are you serious right now?

Chris: Yes I am.

Mariska: (mouth hangs open) I'm sorry but I can't. Chris I've worked so hard to get where I am and I'm not about to just give it all up because you want me to. I leave in less than three months yo complete the last year and a half of my residency.

Chris: You can work alongside me. I don't want to lose you, Marsha. We can get married and...

Mariska: I'm not going to put you through that Chris. What will happen if we do get married and one day you decide you want children? Chris, I can't give that to you, you will only end up resenting me and I couldn't handle that. I'm sorry but it's best if we don't and just remain friends.

Chris: Do you love me, or did you just say that to shut me up?

Mariska: Chris can we please not do this?

Chris: Just answer the question. It's a simple yes or no.

Mariska: (looks down) I'm sorry.

Chris: (nods his head) Got it crystal clear.

(He gets up almost tripping from being stuck in her sheets. He snatches his boxers off the floor and puts them on.)

Mariska: What are you doing?

Chris: Leaving.

Mariska: Chris it's late just come back to bed.

Chris: (puts on his shirt) No I think it's best if I leave. I pour out my heart and it gets stomped on by someone I thought felt the same way I did.

Mariska: Chris just...

Chris: No I'm good. I think we should leave this where it is from here. I'll be the Chris I was before all of this and I promise to sign off on all your paperwork.

Mariska: (crying now) Chris please don't leave like this.

Chris: I'll see you Monday.

(With that he walks out of her room as she sits there with tears on her face. She hears the front door open and then slams before she falls back on the bed. She hugs the sheet against her as she cries until she finally falls asleep from is exhaustion.)