___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nick moped around the house for three days after that. He acted like he had lost his dog or something. He was a wreck, and he was really starting to get on Aaron's nerves. So Aaron did the only thing he knew how to do. He called in reinforcements. Brian arrived early the next morning.

Nick was surprised to find his best friend on the other side of the door, when he heard a knock early Thursday morning. He looked at Brian strangely when he opened the door. He couldn't figure out why his best friend was standing on his doorstep.

Gavin came running out of the kitchen and attached himself to Brian's legs. He smiled and picked him up.

"How is my little man?" Brian said tickling his tummy.

Gavin laughed and grabbed at Brian's hands trying to get him to stop.

"Is oks Uncle Brian. Daddy's not. He's got cooties!" Gavin said whispering in Brian's ear.

Brian nodded and kissed his forehead. Gavin reached for Nick and he took him out of Brian's arms. Gavin hugged Nick's neck and kissed his cheek.

"Is wobs you daddy," Gavin said grinning innocently.

"I love you too baby," Nick said holding his son close before setting him back down on the ground.

Gavin ran off leaving the two men alone in the living room. Nick gestured towards the couch offering Brian a seat. They collapsed onto the couch. The silence grew thick before either man said anything.

"What's going on Frack?"

That one question. What was wrong with him? He had no idea. He couldn't think of anything beside Kayleigh for the past several days, and it was beginning to scare him. He had never focused that much attention on someone he had just met.

"I don't know man," Nick said rubbing his eyes. " I met a girl,"

Brian was silent. Thoughts swirled into his mind. Why hadn't Nick said anything about her before? Where was she now? What was going on??

Nick stared ahead, never letting his eyes land on his best friend. He knew Brian would be upset that he hadn't told him before, but he had not wanted to discuss it if it wasn't going to progress.

"What's her name?" Brian asked breaking Nick out of the thoughts that consumed his mind.

"Kayleigh, Kayleigh Hilton." Nick said smiling lightly.

Brian nodded but didn't say anything. He did notice though, the way Nick's face lit up whenever he said her name. Wait a minute, wasn't that Gavin's pediatrician?

"She's Gavin's doctor," Nick said voicing aloud Brian's silent question. "She's great"

"So what's the problem?" Brian asked his younger friend obviously confused.

"I was a complete jerk to her. I burnt my hand trying to make her dinner. Then I pinned her against the counter and kissed her, and Gavin and Aaron caught us. So I left to go talk to them, and I lost track of time. By the time I came back into the kitchen, she had remade the dinner I burnt, and was gone." Nick said unloading his troubles on his friend. "And I can't get her out of my mind"

"I'm glad you finally met someone you feel you can be yourself around," Brian said smiling and patting Nick on the back.

"I told her about Amanda."

Brian stopped smiling. That was a very closed topic for Nick. He hadn't really discussed that with anyone. He kept it all bottled inside. For him to talk about it with someone else, someone he had just met, was a big step.

"Are you serious about her?" Brian asked, hoping he was getting somewhere.

Nick shrugged. Brian sighed feeling as though they were running around in circles.

"I like her, a lot, but I still don't feel right. I feel like I am somehow leaving Amanda behind and forgetting her, I don't want that to happen." Nick said dropping his head into his hands.

"I know Nicky. I wish there were some way for me to show you that you will never forget Amanda. She was your wife, the mother of your child, but you can't stay alone forever buddy. It isn't healthy, for you or Gavin. He needs a mother, not that you aren't doing a great job on your own, because you are, but he does need a mother Nick."

"I know. I know. I really like her Bri. I just keep thinking I blew it. She's got something going on with her too. I can tell. Her eyes, they hold so much pain, you know. I want her to tell me all of the reasons that she feels like that. " Nick sighed deeply.

"Call her Nick." Brian said handing his a phone book and the cordless phone.

Nick looked at it scared for a few moments before he took it from Brian's outstretched hands.

"What do I say?" Nick asked looking at Brian with pleading eyes.

"That you will have to figure out for yourself buddy. You wanted to know if you blew your chance. Call her and find out." Brian said standing up and walking into the kitchen, leaving Nick alone with his thoughts, and the telephone.