"Do you want more hot chocolate?" Nick took Toria's cup, not even waiting for her to answer. As soon as she confessed a piece of her past, he knew it would be one hell of a long night.

"I can't believe I'm actually discussing this with you. I barely know you and yet I'm telling you things that I haven't told anyone." She looked into his caring eyes and knew she couldn't go on anymore. "I can't do this to you. You already have enough going on in your life without me crying on your shoulder."

She quickly rose from the couch. Nick shot up in a second and grabbed her arm. "You can't go." He saw a hint of fear in her eyes. "I mean, the food hasn't even arrived yet. I may be able to eat a lot, but I can't eat that much."

She tried so hard not to giggle, but it was useless. He was too cute for words. "You could invite Brian."

"Uh uh, he's out with Leighanne. And before you even go there, AJ and Howie went clubbing with Kevin. I'd invite one of those young ladies on the street up here, but I have a feeling any of them would rather devour me than the food. I'm in the mood for a deep conversation and pleasant company at dinner."

"Deep conversation? Did that request come from the mouth of a blonde?"

"Now that's the Toria I wanna see, the one with some spark in her. I also wanna know what caused that spark to ever ignite in the first place."

She walked quietly over to the bed, making herself comfortable as she lay on her back. Nick took a seat next to her, choosing not to lie down beside her. This topic would be awkward enough for the both of them. He didn't need thoughts of ravishing her running through his head as well.

"It happened a few years ago. Let's see, I'm twenty-one now and I was fifteen when it took place, so it was more than a few years ago."

"Fifteen?" Nick almost croaked out.

"There was this guy at school. See, I was always at voice and dance lessons so I would constantly be pulled out of my classes. Most of the kids thought it was pretty cool, knowing a rising star and all." Nick sensed a bitter tone, but kept quiet. "Anyway, one of the really sweet guys, someone I'd been friends with since I was a kid, was one of the big jocks. I was popular, but not popular like him. When he asked me out on a date I was bowled over. There was no way I could say no." Her eyes began to show she wasn't there, that her mind had taken her back to past occurrences. "I thought I knew him so well. Turns out I knew absolutely nothing about him. He took me to look over a cliff above the ocean one night. It was so beautiful. I never thought beauty could turn so ugly. There was no way for me to escape, no way for me to call for help and no way for me to forget."

Nick reached out to put a comforting hand on her arm, but was taken back when she flinched. "I'm sorry."

"Just understand, you've entered a sensitive territory with me. I don't trust this easily. I never have since...Look, all I'm saying is that for your sake I hope you don't do something to ruin that for yourself."

"I don't plan on it," he whispered. His body stayed frozen in place, afraid to move at all. A knock on the door caused him to jump up from the bed.

"Room service!"

"I'll get that." Nick took care of the tip and rolled the cart into the room. "Do you wanna eat on the bed or do you wanna go to the table?"

"The bed will be fine." Her sweet smile returned and she soon got up to help with the food.

Nick stood there almost dumbfounded. Now he really wasn't sure what to make of her. One minute she was crying and the next she was perky. Maybe she just needed to get more comfortable with him. He'd be leaving New York soon and planned on using his free time wisely with Toria. He had to get to know her better before he left. She may have been a little different, but it's what intrigued him the most about her. She was so strong, yet seemed to need someone so much; possibly someone like him.

"You gonna stand there all day?"

Nick looked over, seeing her eating already. "You keep me entertained, you know that?"

"Moi? Whatever makes you say that?"

"Because you're you, nothing more needs to be said."

"Carter, you're a strange one. So strange that I'm making you sit on the floor," she grinned.

"Huh? This is my room!"

"Oh quit your whining and get your ass over here."

He just stared at her, remembering all the times he said that he liked having a challenge when it came to a girl. He was now seeing that he would be getting exactly what he asked for.