By Angie

April, 99

"Kae, you have to come our with us tonight. It's your birthday!" Angie pleaded. Kaekoa turned to face her best friend.

"Ang, I just really don't feel like going clubbin' tonight!"

Angie grabbed her hand and dragged her down the hall. Shoving her through the bedroom door, she said, "I don't care. You're coming with us and you're gonna like it. Now get dressed!"

"But Ang---"

"No buts. JC will be here to pick *US * up in 45 minutes.

*

"Now, aren't you glad you came?" Angie asked as her and Kae sat back down at the table.

Kae smiled at her friend. "Yes. You were right."

"I'm going to get a drink, you guys want?" JC asked as he stood up.

"Sure," they both said. He headed towards the bar.

"Thanks Ang, I'm glad you made me come."

"Well, I wasn't going to let you sit home on your birthday! What kind of best friend would I would be?"

JC returned to the table and set the drinks down. He sat next to Angie with an odd expression on his face. Angie leaned over, "Is something wrong?" she asked.

He looked to Kaekoa before leaning over and quietly saying to Angie, "When I was at the bar, I saw Justin come in."

"Oh no," she said as she turned and searched the room.

Kae watched her suspiciously. "What are you looking for?" she asked as she too looked around the room. Her face went pale as her eyes settled on him. His chiseled yet soft features. His full sensuous lips. His breathtaking baby blue eyes. Kae tore her eyes away from him and looked back at the people at the table.

"I didn't know he was going to be here," JC said, sincerity filling his voice.

"I know," Kae said so softly it was barely audible above the music.

Angie finally spoke up. "Try talking to him. You two haven't had a conversation since you broke up with him."

Kae drew in a sharp breath as she looked up and saw him walking toward their table. She gave a weak smile as he approached. "Hi," Justin said. Kae just stared at him, not sure if she would be able to speak.

Angie nudged JC in the ribs and motioned towards Justin. JC, taking the hint, said, "Hey Justin! What's up man? Why don't you sit down?"

Justin sat thin the chair next to Kaekoa. Everyone sat in an awkward silence. Tension filled the air.

"So," Angie finally broke the silence. "JC, do you want to dance?"

Kae shot her a look. Angie played innocent and grabbed JC's hand. "Come on." They made their was to the dance floor.

Back at the table, Justin and Kaekoa still hadn't said a word to each other. Justin finally mustered up the courage, "Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Oh, thanks," she said coldly. The music slowed down as a soft melody began to play. "Do you--uh-- wanna dance?" he asked, motioning to the floor.

"Justin, I don't think---"

He grabbed her hand. "Come on. It's your birthday and I want to dance with the Birthday Girl." He led her to the floor. Nervously, they stepped together. He placed his hands on her hips as she wrapped hers around his neck. As they danced, they both stated to become a little more relaxed. He slid his hands to the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. They danced in silence until he whispered in her ear. "I really miss you Kae." He felt her body tense up. He pulled his head back and looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't think that would make you uncomfortable. That's the last thing I want."

She relaxed again as she looked into his eyes and listened to his words. He pulled her back to him and they resumed their dance. After a few moments of silence he said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure. What?"

He hesitated, but finally spoke. "Why did you break up with me?"

A lump formed in her throat, disabling her ability to speak. He sighed deeply. "I'm sorry--again--- this isn't the time to bring stuff like that up."

"No, it's ok. I guess I never really told you why." They stopped dancing and she looked him in the eyes. "I-I-I-," she didn't think that she would be able to tell, but eventually she found the strength. "The truth is I got scared.

A confused expression overtook his face. "What do you mean?"

" I got scared. I -- this is hard. I was beginning to realize just how much I need in you in my life. My whole world revolved around you and it scared the hell out of me to think that I didn't have a world outside of you." Her tears flowed freely. "I mean, what would I have done if you would have left me? Or, God forbid, some happened to you. What would I do then? Where would I go?"

He reached up and gently wiped the tears away from her reddened cheeks. He let his fingers linger at her jawline before his hand slid around the back of her neck, gently pulling her to him. Their lips were a fraction of an inch away from each. He whispered to her, "Kae, I wasn't going anywhere." He moved even closer. They were so close that his lips barely missed hers as he spoke. "And I'm not going anywhere now." With that he finally pressed his lips to hers. A wave of ecstasy crashed over her. Her body tingled from head to toe. As they broke apart, she stood here, breathless. He ran his fingers over her cheek. "Do you know how long I've wanted to do that?"

She smiled at him. "Probably not as long as I have."

They both laughed softly. Finally he asked, "So, does this mean that we're back together?" He waited for her answer.

"Justin," she began. "I now know that I can live my life without you."

His blue eyes fell, almost becoming darker.

"But I also know that I don't want to."

He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. He pulled her into his arms, wanting to never let her go. "I love you Kae, so much."

"God, I love you too, Justin." His lips found hers again.

"Oh my God, JC! Look! " Angie said excitedly as she pointed across the club. JC followed her gaze to find Kaekoa and Justin lip-locked. "I'm so happy for them. I want to go talk to Kae." She began to walk away, but JC grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. "No, just let them be. Let them have their moment." Angie looked disappointed but realized he was right. She threw her arms around his neck. "You're always spoiling my fun," she joked as she kissed him. "You're no fun. I don't think I like you."

JC laughed. "That's not what you said last night."

She slapped his arm. "Joshua Scott Chasez."

"What?" he asked innocently.

"I don't believe you just---" Her sentence was cut short by Kaekoa tapping her on the shoulder. She turned to see her friend, a huge smile on her face. "Um-- I'm going to head home with Justin tonight. So I'll talk to you tomorrow ok?"

Angie laughed and gave her that "I don't believe you're doing this' look. "Bye. Happy Birthday."

Kae looked at Justin and smiled, "Yep. Definitely happy."

JC wrapped his arms around Angie's waist as she leaned back against his chest. They watched as Justin and Kae left the club, hand in hand. 'Kae's happy,' Ang thought to herself. 'For the first time in a long time, she's truly happy.