Nick watched Becca literally bounce to the Durango, her hair swaying in the breeze, held back only by a huge tortoise shell clip. He smiled, thinking how free and relaxed she was tonight compared to last night. "Hey," he called, "slow down. Bec, stop, I forgot something!"

"What?" She turned back, only to be pinned against the side of the vehicle, Nick's body pressing against hers.

"This," he said, his voice low and sexy as he kissed her deeply. Becca wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.

Finally they broke apart, Nick looking extremely satisfied with himself and Becca looking extremely dazed.

"That's much better," he said. "See? We got that out of the way first. Now we don't have to wonder all night when it's gonna happen because it already did."

"You're insane, Nick," Becca laughed, "but it makes perverse sense."

"C'mon, I have a very special evening planned for you."

"Something local this time?" Bec snapped her seatbelt in place, grinning.

"Funny. Very funny. But yes, it's local. It happens to be one of my favorite places to hang out when we're home. Good food, great entertainment . Bec? What's wrong?" Traffic was heavy and Nick couldn't spare the time to really look, but she'd suddenly become so quiet.

"I'm sorry. It's just . I can't get my mind off of Sarah, Nick. We had a great day today; just like old times. But then she got a flower from Howie, and AJ showed up and, well it was just very strange."

"I'll take you home." Nick pulled over, ready to turn around and head back.

"No, please? I really want to be with you tonight, Nick, I'm just worried."

"Hold on ." He pulled out his cell phone, calling up the index and touching 'call'. "Hey, Kev . what's up? Yeah, of course I had a date, but we need a favor. No, 'dad', I don't need money and I yes I already have one . it's in my wallet." He glanced a Becca who was turning purple with embarrassment. Squeezing her hand he laughed. "Seriously, would you call Sarah and check on her? She had a rough afternoon and seemed really down when we left. I know Bec would feel better and I know my evening will be a lot more fun if she's not obsessing over her roomie." Becca smacked him on the arm. "Ouch! Damn, woman- Thanks Kev, I appreciate it. Later, man."

"Nickolas Carter, that was NOT at all funny."

"Yes it was, and for your information, I *am* well prepared for this evening." He winked at her as he put the Durango in gear and pulled back into traffic. "Kev was already in the car, on his way to your place. He'll keep her company for the evening and he's got my number just in case."

"Thank you." Becca leaned as close as she could and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, where's this fancy restaurant you promised me?"

Laughing he said, "We're almost there. Hold on."

After a few more minutes he pulled into the back parking lot of one of the major shopping malls on the South side of Orlando.

"Close your eyes."

"What?" 

"Just close your eyes. I want this to be a surprise. Trust me, Bec." 

Sighing, she did as he asked, knowing full well he was up to something. Soon he parked, cautioning her to keep her eyes closed for just a little longer.

Finally, she felt him open her door and help her out, keeping her from tripping over the curb. 

"We're here, you ready?" Seeing her nod her head, he said, "Open your eyes." 

She did and burst out laughing. "Oh god .. Nick, you're too much!"

"Like it?"

"Like it? I love it! Chuck E. Cheese?! Oh lord . Let's go, golden boy, you owe me dinner."

**************************

Dinner was a large cheese pizza, dripping with extra cheese and washed down with a pitcher of soda. They managed to be on the fringe of a six-year-old's birthday party, so they were paid a visit by Chuck himself. Becca flirted outrageously with the giant mouse until Nick pulled her away, heading straight for the game room.

**************************

"Damn, Bec, who knew?"

Becca grinned. "Sarah knows."

She had just beaten him for the fifth time at skeeball, racking up a handful of prize coupons. "Did you tell Sarah where we were going?"

"No, but maybe I should have," he mumbled.

"Aww, poor baby, come on, I'll make it up to you."

"Yeah?!" His mood brightened considerably, deliberately misreading her.

"Silly boy, I'm talking about video games. You're good and I suck."

She shot him a look that said 'don't even go there'.

An hour later, laden down with tacky prizes, they made their way to Nick's Durango, laughing at the antics of the kids inside and acting just about as juvenile.

"I got more stuff than you," he teased.

"Did not."

"Yuh huh!"

"Not. Look, I got a yo-yo."

"So? I got jewels. Check it out!"

Holding up the sparkling plastic beads, he placed them over her head to dangle against her cream colored top. "Perfect."

"Very nice, and it's only our second date."

She smiled, turning sideways in her seat to look at Nick. "I've had a great time tonight, Nick. Thank you."

"My pleasure. I love being with you, Becca." Smoothing her hair away from her face, he tucked an errant strand behind her ear. Softly, he drew his fingers along her cheek, loving the way she shivered as her eyes darkened. "Bec."

"Nick." she sighed as he leaned closer, his kiss inevitable. Her eyes closed as he touched her mouth with his, moving softly, persuasively.

He scooted closer, as close as the center console would allow, his arm around her back, holding her close. They kissed like teenagers at Lookout Point, their breathing hot and heavy, the windows fogging with their efforts. Nick's hands began to wander, eager to touch her, to make her feel even half of what he was feeling. His fingers skimmed over her breast, flicking the tight peak and moaning as it puckered for attention beneath his fingers. His hand moved down her side to rest on her hip as her fingers tangled in his hair. But when he reached behind her, to gently squeeze her bottom, she stiffened slightly. Foolishly, he ignored her warning signs, sliding his hand around and up her leg, dangerously close to her heated center.

With a strangled cry, Becca pulled away, her hair in disarray, her eyes wide and haunted. Only then did Nick realize his error in judgment. 

"God ." he panted. "Bec -" "Nick, take me home." Her voice was small as she moved away, as close to the door as possible.

"I'm sorry."

"I know." She sniffled softly, and the sound hurt his heart.

Nick started the engine, pulling slowly from the parking lot onto the nearly deserted street. They had gone several miles when Becca realized she had no idea where they were.

"Nick?" she asked, a slight edge of panic in her voice.

"It's ok, I just . well, Bec, we can't go home yet. Kevin is there with Sarah, and -" 

"Oh, yeah, I guess you're right."

He pulled off the road into a dirt lot. "This is a favorite place of mine. I like to come here when I need to think, to be alone. Come walk with me?"

Still hesitant, she stepped from the car, realizing they were at a public park. To one side was a playground, deserted now, and off in the distance she could hear the ducks as they settled in for the night. Taking a deep breath she strode off toward the water.

Nick watched her go, giving her the space she needed and wondering how the hell to fix what he'd done. He watched her for a long time; she seemed lost in her thoughts. Becca was somewhere in her past, the memories as vivid as the day they had happened. She was pulled from her thoughts by strong, warm hands on her arms, warming her against the sudden chill of the night.

"Who was he?" Nick asked quietly.

"Who?"

"The man who hurt you, who made you into a hesitant, frightened shell of yourself."

Becca sighed. "Andrew. His name was Andrew."

Nick gave her silent encouragement, knowing she needed to free herself from the hold he had on her.

"I loved him, Nick." Her voice broke as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I loved him with all my heart."

"Is he -"

"Dead? I wish he was," she spat with venom. "He took the one thing I had to offer, the one precious gift that was mine to give and then he laughed. I was nothing more than a trophy to him, a conquest. A side bet with his friends."

"Bec, you don't -"

She continued anyway. "I met him at work. Isn't that a hoot? Church choir, Nick. How much safer can it get?" She laughed derisively. "We went out a few times, you know, coffee after practice. and then it began to get serious. Real dates." She shuddered. "He always wanted more than I was willing to give. I'm not a prude, Nick, just selective. I'd always vowed that I'd never sleep with a man unless I was sure that it was forever, that he was the love of my life."

He held her closer, the dread in the pit of his stomach becoming a hard, vicious knot.

"We were always together, they called us the 'perfect couple'. He was so persuasive . He told me he loved me, that we were going to be together forever. He made me feel so good, Nick, he made me feel so special and I wanted him. And I knew it had to be right or I wouldn't crave his touch like this."

She was weeping openly now.

"Baby, don't," he tried in vain to stop her words, to stop her tears.

"We had the most wonderful weekend planned. He took me away. We booked a romantic weekend and he set the scene so perfectly. I loved him. I let him touch me, Nick. I let him take the one thing I can never get back and then he left me." Becca was holding Nick's arms around herself, afraid he might flee and leave her alone once again. "He hurt me. He was fast, he was rough and I begged him to stop, to slow down but he wouldn't stop. Nicky, he wouldn't stop... he wouldn't stop."

She collapsed against him and they sank to the damp ground. Nick held her in his lap, cradled in his arms as she wept for her lost innocence. Becca sobbed against his chest, not feeling the single tear that fell into her hair as he wept with her. He rocked her gently, letting her find her release.

"When I woke up he was gone. I waited and I waited and then I went looking for him. I found him in the bar, with his buddies from work. I watched long enough to see money exchange hands and for one of his friends to high five him for ruining me. I was a bet, Nick, a stupid, naïve girl who was the payoff in a bet."

"I'm not him, Becca."

"I know. Deep down I know, but I can't-"

"Shh. I'll make it better, sweetheart. Give me a chance. Maybe not tonight, but let me love you. Don't walk away from what we have, what's just beginning."

"I'm so afraid, Nick. And you don't need this in your life. You need someone who can be with you, make you happy."

"YOU make me happy. Damn, Bec, I'm better than I've been in so long. Give 'us' a chance. Please? I need you."

Becca wrapped her arms around his neck. "Take me home, Nick."