Natasha lay there, getting lost in their moment of relaxation, when a thought hit her. "Nickolas, we have to get you back while it's still night!"

"No, I just wanna lay here with you," he replied calmly.

"You don't understand! You've been gone for almost two nights. People are going to begin to suspect. We can't risk having them find out!"

Nick started to join in with her panicking, "What am I gonna tell people? What am I gonna do about the concerts...and the rehearsals? What am I gonna..." Natasha lightly tapped his cheek with her hand, hoping to calm him down a bit. She saw his eyes water. "I don't even wanna return to that life, Natasha." He spoke softly, almost afraid of breaking down completely.

"Nickolas, you have to go back and you have to act at least somewhat normal."

Nick sniffed, hoping to hold back a few tears. He was scared out of his mind. He had no clue how to act around anyone but Natasha anymore. "I can't go alone. I can't be by myself. No one but you actually knows me anymore." He took a deep breath as he looked at her blank stare. "I need you with me."

It felt as though her chest was caving in as she looked into his sweet eyes, finding it almost impossible to say no, but knowing it was what she should do. "Nickolas, I..."

"Please," he pleaded, "I'll take such good care of you!"

"But your parents..."

"We'll stay with Brian!"

"Nickolas, you're not thinking this through!"

"That's right, I'm not thinking...I'm feeling. For the first time in my life, I'm being compulsive and I'm going with exactly what I feel. I don't need to think about anything. All I need is for you to say yes."

"Nickolas, I don't think..."

"That's your problem, Natasha...you're thinking. What is it you feel?"

"Nickolas," she said sweetly, "you know I wanna be with you..."

Nick softly pressed his lips against hers. "Well then, I don't wanna hear anymore about it. I'm not going back unless you come with me."

Natasha felt herself in an awful position. "Fine, Nickolas, you shall win this one. There may come a day, though, when you won't win," she grinned.

"I'm not too concerned about that one, darlin'!" he laughed, preparing himself for leaving.

Natasha stared at her clothes while she put them on. "I feel so...yucky! I need a change."

Nick approached her slowly, placing his hands on her waist. "We'll go to my place before Brian's. I'm glad we left your car out there. It'd be one long freakin' walk! I'll just run in real quick. You can wait in the car while I get you some clothes. Just let me take care of you," he whispered, hugging her tightly. She found herself relaxing in his arms, knowing things could not be rosy forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick tiptoed through his house, not wanting to wake anyone until he could get to Brian's house and say he was okay. He had no plan or excuse and needed to think of one quick. He made it to his room without incident, hoping that he could get some clothes without waking Aaron.

No such luck.

As soon as he shut the door, he went to turn around and tripped over a collection of clothes in front of his bed.

"Nick?" Aaron's tiny voice drifted from the loft.

"Yea, it's just me, buddy. Go back to sleep."

Aaron was already walking down the ladder and running towards him. "Where have you been?" He hugged him with full force.

"It's okay, bud. I'm okay. I...I'm just am gonna stay at Brian's tonight. I just met up with someone at the party the other night..."

"A girl?" he questioned with a slight grin.

"Yes, Aaron, a girl and..."

"You spent over 48 hours with a girl?"

Nick sighed once more, knowing this wouldn't be easy. "It's not what ya think, bud. I just gotta go to Brian's now...okay?" He knew that putting Aaron in this position was wrong, but it was something he had to do...and he hated it. "I just need to go to Rok's. Tell mom and dad I’m okay once you wake up in the morning, okay?"

Aaron nodded his head, but still looked unsure. Nick quickly rushed around, gathering some clothes for Natasha and himself. He grabbed a few more items, quickly and quietly stepping out the door, tiptoeing back down the stairs and slipping out the front door. He had to pat himself on the back as he headed towards Natasha's car. True, he still didn't have the plan of what he was going to tell his parents...but he had another night with Natasha, and that's all that mattered.

He directed her to Brian's house, teasing her the entire time by rubbing her thigh and kissing her ear. She thought she'd have to pull over a couple of times but then remembered they still had the entire night.

Once they arrived at Brian's house, Nick took a deep breath. "Well, here goes nothing. Am I to tell him about this entire situation?"

Natasha thought for a moment. "No, there's no reason to get him that deeply involved. I already have to think of a plan for working with your schedule."

"You won't have time to think about that once we get to bed," he whispered.

"Nickolas, behave yourself in your friend's house," she smiled.

"Ha, if only you knew of the horror stories from out on the road! I've been put through hell these past years!" They approached the door, almost afraid to knock. Nick let his shaking hands ring the bell instead.

Brian, half asleep, answered the door. His eyes shot open once he saw him. "NICK!" he yelled, hugging him. He soon noticed the young lady with him.

"Frick, we need to stay here," he said softly.

Brian invited them in, curious as to what was going on.