Part 5 ~*~*~*~ The Next Day ~*~*~*~ "Well, It's almost 12:30. I should go wake JC up and see if he wants a ride home," Justin got up from the the table and walked down the hall. He quietly opened the door to the room that JC was in. As he stepped in, he saw Angie and JC lying together on the bed. JC still had one arm wrapped around her and her head lied on his chest, with her right hand lying next to it.
"HEY JUS -- tin," Kathy voice trailed off as she followed Justin's eyes to the bed. "Wow! Looks like they're getting along pretty well." JC stirred as he heard the noise in the room. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times, tryng to focus on the people in the room."Morning Sunshine," Justin joked.
"Morning," JC said. As he went to sit up he remembered the he wasn't alone in the bed. He looked down at Angie, who was just starting to wake up. He then looked at Justin and Kathy. "This isn't what it looks like…We just…we didn't…"
"Hey," Justin said, putting his hands in the air, "You don't have to explain to me man."
"What time is it?" Angie asked groggily as she sat up in bed.
"A little after 12:30 Ang." Kathy answered.
"Why are you guys in here?!?" Angie asked suddenly realizing the situation.
"No reason," Kathy said grabbing Justin and pulling him out of the room, but not before shooting Angie a sly grin.
"Well, I really should go home and shower now," Angie said as she crawled out of bed.
"Yeah, me too," JC said stretching. They walked down the hall and into kitchen where they joined Kathy and Justin at the kitchen table. After about twenty minutes, Justin stood up and said he had to go.
"JC, I'll drop you off on my way home, ok? Justin said.
"Great," JC said as he stood up. Realizing he was still wearing only his boxers, he turned to walk down the hall. "It might help if I had some clothes on," he mumbled more to himself than anyone else. When he returned, Angie sat at the table by herself. She looked up and slowly walked over to him. He enveloped her in a long tight hug. They stood in each other's arms for a few minutes, neither of them muttering a word. "So, when are we going to get together?" JC asked, breaking the silence.
"Whenever, I usually get off work by 4:30 or 5:00. So anytime after that."
"Are doing anything today?"
Angie smiled at the thought of spending the whole day with JC. "Nope, my whole day is free."
A broad smile spread across his face. "Great," he said. "Well, I'm going to go home and shower and everything and then I'll call you, ok?"
"Sounds good!" she said as she placed one last kiss on his pouty lips. "I'll see you later."
"Bye, sweetie!" JC yelled back as he walked out the front door.
~*~*~*~*~ Angie shut the blow dryer off and set it on the counter. She picked her make-up bag as she heard the phone ring. She walked into the living room and picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Beautiful."
Her face instantly revealed a smile at the sound of JC's voice. "Hi, did you miss me?" she joked.
"Of course I did. So what are we doing today?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter to me," she replied.
"I was thinking maybe a picnic in the park. I'll bring dinner, wine, the whole nine yards. What do you think?"
"Sounds great!"
"Ok, Do you just want to meet at the instead driving all the way to my house and then ALL the way back to the park?" Angie suggested.
"Sure, how about five o'clock?"
I'll be there," she said. "Bye!
"Bye!"

~*~*~*~*~*~
Angie arrived at the park at precisely 4:55. The park was completely empty. Since, there were no other cars, she knew that JC obviously wasn't there yet. She got out of her car and leaned against it. The sun had gone behind the clouds and she shivered when the wind blew. She quickly turned her head when heard a noise behind her. She looked. Nothing. 'Probably a squirrel or something' she thought to herself. heard the noise again. She looked at the bushes that surrounded the parking lot. She still didn't see any movement. She glanced at her watch. 5:00. JC should be here soon. She decided to get her jacket out of the car. She opened the door and leaned in to grab her jacket out of the back of the car. Angie suddenly felt an arm wrap around her waist pulling her angrily out of the car. She knew by the force that he used that it was definitely NOT JC. She opened her mouth to scream but it was quickly covered by a gloved hand. The man dragged her back towards the bushes. Angie kicked and hit the man, but it didn't see to even make him flinch. He dragged her behind the bushes so they couldn't be seen from the parking lot. He violently through her on the ground. Before she could get back on her feet, she could feel his weight on top of her. She kicked and pushed him with everything she had, but it was still no match for his strength. She tried hitting him once more. He grabbed her arm with one hand and backhanded her across the face. Angie's face felt like it was going to explode. He grabbed her other hand and hastily groped her body with the other. She screamed over and over again. "NO!" she yelled. "NO!" She twisted under his touch, trying to get away. He ripped opened the buttons on her blouse. He grabbed her chest, which was still covered in her lacey white bra. "Why?" she repeated over and over. "Why?" The mans hands moved to the button her pants. He undid the button and unzipped her pants. He attempted to slide his hands inside her pants. Angie pushed with all her might. She closed her eyes as tight as she could get them. She suddenly felt the weight of him lifted off of her. She quickly opened her eyes and scrambled ot her feet. She turned around to see JC standing over the man repeatedly punching him. She sank back to the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. She stared at the ground as she rocked back and forth. She felt JC kneel next to her on the ground. He gently rubbed his hand over her back. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. She sobbed against his body. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Suddenly, she started grabbing at JC's shirt. "Where is he?" She asked worried. "Did he leave? He could still be here!"
"Shh…Shh…it's ok. He's gone," JC said softly. He took her back in his arms. She sobbed loudly. "Shh," he said soothingly. "It's ok, I'm here now."

PART 6

JC and Angie made their way back to Angie's apartment. "You should change your clothes," JC said, "These are all dirty."
"You're right, I'll be right back," Angie answered.
"Do you want something to eat or drink?" he asked before Angie walked out the room.
"I guess. There's the kitchen," she said pointing.
"Ill find everything on my own. Go change."
*
JC walked down the hall, a glass of milk in one hand, a sandwich in the other. The door to Angie's roomm was crack just enough that he could see in. He saw her standing in her bra and pants. She was looking over her shoulder at the mirror behind her. She eyed the cuts and scratches on her back. JC gently pushed the door open. "Can I come in?" he asked softly. She spun around quickly, surprised to see him in her bedroom. He set the glass and plate on the table next to her bed. "Let me see," he said as he walked over to her. She turned around and pulled her hair over her shoulder. JC looked at the scratches and cuts on her back. "My God," he uttered barely above a whisper. Angie could feel tears welling up in her eyes again as JC gently touched her. "We should clean these," he said delicately, referring to her cuts.
"There's some peroxide in the linen closet," she told him.
"I'll get it," he said, walking out of the room.

"Sit on the bed," he instructed when he returned. She sat on the edge of the bed, he kneeled behind her. She jumped at the feel of the cold iquid on her back. "I'm sorry. Does it burn?" he asked with grave concern. "No, it's just a little cold," she answered. He continued to clean all the cuts, love and concern present in his every touch. "All done," he stated about twenty minutes later. Angie stood up and went to the closet. She chose a loose fitting t-shirt that wouldn't rub against the cuts. She pulled the shirt over her head. She watched JC as he put the cap on the peroxide and set it on the counter. What would she have done if he hadn't shown up? What would have happened? "Thanks JC." Angie said softly.
"No problem," he said lightly.
"No, I mean it," she said moving to him, "Thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't shown up."
"Don't…this is all my fault," he said interrupting her. He walked to the window. "If I had been on time and not running late, none of this would have happened," he said, running his hands through his hair. "It's all my fault."
She moved over to him again. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "No JC. It's not your fault. It's not," Angie began to cry her scared tears once again. "It's his fault. That…that monster." JC turned towards her. He looked at her and saw that scared look in her yes again. He wiped a tar that was dangling from her chin. His hand lingered at her jaw. He traced her jawline with his fingers. He wanted to kiss her, wanted to hold her. He dropped his hand to his side. He knew that after what had happened today that she shouldn't do anything he wanted to . He enveloped her in his arms. She cried against his chest. Neither of them said a word. He delicately stroked her hair. Angie glanced at the clock that sat on the table next to her bed. "It's already 12:30, you should go."
"No. I'm not leaving you alone tonight. I'll sleep on the floor, the couch wherever…I'm just not leaving you here by herself." "JC, I'll be --"she began. She was interrupted y him placing his two fingers over her lips. "You're not going to win this argument," he said with a smile. She smiled up at him. "Ok, she said softly. "So, what are we going to do? Or do you wanna go to sleep now?" JC asked. "No, I don't know if I want to go to sleep. Everytime I close my eyes, I see him. I feel his hands…and--and…I feel his hands and his--his weight against me."
JC could see that she was crying once more. "Shhh," he whispered in her ear. "Shhh." They stood together in a long silence in the middle of her room. She felt safe and secure in his arms. JC noticed Angie stifle a yawn. "Maybe you should lay down for awhile."
"You're probably right, but…" her voice trailed off.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked.
"Yeah, I told you I wouldn't leave you."
"No, I mean will you stay in here with me? I want to be able to see you and touch you…if I want to."
"Of course," gently stated. I'll sleep with you…I mean…um…next to you…not with you…I'll just shut up now." JC looked at the floor, blushing. Angie giggled at the sight of his crimson cheeks. "I know what you meant," she said still giggling. She reached yp and gently brushed his cheek with her hand. "You're too cute."
He looked down at her. His aquamarine eyes twinkled as an embarrassed smile spread across his face.
"You're still blushing," Angie teased.
"Shut up," he laughed. "God, I'm such a dork sometimes."
"yeah, But you're a cute little dork," she replied. "I'm not really in the mood to got to sleep now. You wanna watch some t.v.?"
"Sure," he answered.
He followed her down the hall to the living room. Angie grabbed the remote off the table and plopped down on the couch. JC sat next to her, his arm across the back of the couch. Angie shifted, trying to get comfortable. "AAGH!"she cried. JC sat straight up, intense concern burned in his eyes. "What is ti? WHat's wrong?"
"My shirt rubbed against my back when I moved. With all the cuts and everything, it kinda hurt. I'm fine though. Don't worry about it."
"You sure?"
"Yeah,"

Part 7
JC slowly awoke a few hours later. As he went to move, he felt Angie's weight on him. Not wanting to wake her up, he gently slid out from underneath her. He walked to and pulled the thick comforter of her bed.He made his way back to the living room. He shut the tv off and set the remote on the table. He lowly slid one hand under her legs, and the other under her back, careful to rub against her cuts. He slowly walked down the hall, Angie in his arms. He reached the bed and delicately set her down. He pulled the blankets up to her chest. After making sure she was securely in bed, he rid himself of his jeans and shirt. He grabbed a pillow off the bed and an extra blanket that was folded on a chair. He laid the pillow on the floor and unfolded the blanket. He switched off the bedside lamp and laid down on the floor. He was sound asleep within minutes.

*~*~*~* "JC! JC!"
JC jumped up off the floor at the loud cry of his name. He saw Angie sitting up in bed, sobbing. "It's ok, Angie. It's ok. I'm right here," JC said as he sat down on the bed next to her. He wrapped her in his arms."Shh, I'm here."
"I-I-I was about- about- him," she sobbed, " He was here ---in my apartment and-and-and- you had gone to the store so you weren't here. And he came after me again. I was screaming for you and you weren't here, you weren't here."
"I'm here now..Always..." He said soothingly, "I'll never leave you..never."

Angie awoke of a calm sleep a few hours later. She smiled as she looked at JC sleeping next to her. His skin was so smooth.. He was sound asleep. They had both fallen back asleep shortly after her little her little outburst earlier. She looked at the table. 5:00. It was still dark out. The only light in the room was that which was streaming in from the hall. 'JC must have left a light on' she thought to herself. She didn't know what she would have done if JC wasn't there for her yesterday. She smiled at him again, he was still sleeping. She slowly leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his pouty lips. He slowly stirred.
Opening his eyes, he blinked a few times trying to focus. He smiled at the sight of Angie's face. "What was that for?" he asked still smiling. "For everything," she said, snuggling against him. They sat in silence for a couple minutes, their bodies close together. He ran his hand through her blond hair. "You want some breakfast?" he asked. "It's only quarter after 5, you should get some more sleep," she said looking up at him. "Nah, I'm awake now. I won't be able to fall back asleep. So, you wanna go to breakfast?"
"You're not going to cook for me?" she teased.
"You don't want me to cook...Me and the kitchen are not a good=20 combination."
"Fine, I guess we'll just have to go somewhere then. Let me jump in the shower real quick, k?" she said.
"Ok."

JC sat in the living room while Angie was in the shower. It took everything he had not to go in there and join her. But he wanted their first time to be special and knew that he cared too much for her not to make it special. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It had only been five minutes. It seemed like an eternity. He was trying so hard to control himself. He'd never felt like this before. No one had ever had such an effect on him. He suddenly stood up and walked towards the hallway. "Screw breakfast," he said out loud. JC hurried around Angie's room, straightening the bed and lighting candles. He stopped and stared around the room. Something was missing. He remembered that he had seen a rosebush outside the day before. He walked out side, leaving the door cracked so he could get back in. He cut six roses off the bush and hurried back into the apartment. He quickly plucked each petal off thestem. He scattered the petals on the bed and the floor surrounding it.He then used the flowers to make a trail from the bathroom door to the bedroom. He looked around the room. Perfect. All he could do now was wait...and wait...and wait..

Angie slid open the glass shower door and stepped out. She grabbed a fluffy green towel and wrapped it around her. She grabbed another matching towel and towel-dried her hair. She made sure that her towel was secure as she stepped out of the bathroom. As soon as she did so,she felt the petals underneath her feet. "What the..?" her voice trailed of as she saw the trail leading to her room. She carefully walked down the hall. The door to her bedroom was slightly open, but not enough for her to see in. She silently pushed open the door and peeked her head inside.She was breath taken by the simple elegance of the room. As she slowly took a few steps forward, she smiled softly and continued to look around the room."You like it?" she heard JC's husky voice ask from behind. She spun around to see a sly smile on his face. She couldn't answer, she simply nodded her head. He stepped closer to her. As the distance between them closed, her breathing became ragged. He took one last step toward, mere inches separated them. Slowly, he raised one hand and lightly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingertips. He was so close she could feel the heat of his breath brush her face. She couldn't speak. She didn't know if it was the lack of distance between them, or his touch,or maybe both. All she knew was that the world seemed to slow down andeverything became unmistakingly clear ----his aquamarine eyes on her, the way his lips curled in a soft smile, the searing contact of his fingertips on her as they trailed to her jawline, then lightly cupped her chin. Right there, in that very moment, she knew that this was what she had always waited for. At this moment, she felt more alive then she ever had. "Dance with me?" he whispered. "W-w-what?" she asked, her mind not registering the words. He hit play on the remote that he was holding in his hand. Music filled the air. "Dance with me," he repeated.He drew her tom him. Her hips met his, and his hands slid to the small of her back. Holding her against him, without a word, they began to move slowly to the music. He drew her hand to his chest and brushed a kiss across her cheek. In the dim candle light, they moved together, as if the had danced together for a lifetime. She rested her cheek on his shoulder. She was astonished at how safe she felt in his arms, virtually the arms of a stranger. A stranger, a man who had burst into her life,was starting to feel as if he had been there forever. Both of them were aware of everyplace their bodies met, of the way she seemed to fit with him. But, when it came down to it, he was in fact that: a stranger. But when she lifted her head from his shoulder with every intention of stopping what was happening, she met his gaze. But when she lifted her head from his shoulder with every intention of stopping what was happening, she met his gaze. The music went on, but they both stopped dancing. A soft smile played on his lips as his eyes bored into hers.When the kiss came, it sent heat waves over Angie. The feelings connected with the kiss were so fierce. She lifted her arms, circling his neck. She wanted ot be with him, no space between them, almost wishing she could dissolve into him. When his hands slipped down to her hips, her feelings intensified even more. She knew that he felt the same way. She could feel his hard strength against her. He let out a low a moan as they still kissed.

What was she doing? She never had done anything like this before. <> That was what JC told her the first night talked. <>. She was doing just that and it frightened her. Despite the feelings that overwhelmed her, she couldn't get past the fact that this shouldn't be happening--not here, not now, not with a stranger. A stranger who could touch her and find her soul. A stranger that could bring life to her. A stranger who could make her do things she had never done before--not plan ahead, want more, need more. A stranger.

JC had never felt a need for a woman like he did for Angie. He realized that the first time he'd held her in his arms. But what he didn't realize until now was that what he needed from her went beyond the basic physical desires. It was much more than that.

They broke apart and both stared at each other. His lips quickly found hers again. She lost herself in his arms. Time might not be able to stop, but for now, for this night, it had no meaning. <> Whatever came tomorrow, she would deal with. She would go on, but for tonight, this was her moment. Reasoning was gone, sanity was a thing of the past. She lived in that moment, her moment.

There was no building of passion. It was already there. She had a need to touch him that was like a physical hunger. She brought her hands down to his chest as they kissed, awkwardly trying to undo the buttons,needing that skin-to-skin contact.

His fingers tangled in her damp hair. His lips made a path to her ear,then her neck and throat.

She undid the last button and worked her hands under his shirt. His skin was warm and smooth. She felt his heart beat against his chest, a mile a minute. She ran her hands over him, then his hands found her. He slid his hands from her waist up to her breasts. Even through the material of the towel still wrapped around her, she responded to his touch. She kissed his chest and neck. "the bed," she mumbled between kisses. The next thing she knew, he swept her off the floor. He carried her to the bed, set her down on the flower-covered comforter. She kneeled on the bed facing him. Without a word, he slipped off his jeans and stood in front of her in only his boxers. She couldn't move. She couldn't do anything but simply look at him. The light from the flickering candles exposed his need of her. Mere inches apart, JC reached up and slowly removed the towel that was still wrapped around her. He eyes were shadowed, but she knew that they were studying her. There was no embarrassment, no urge to cover herself up. "You're beautiful," he said barely above a whisper. "C'mere," she said, not that he was real far away. Sensations ran through her as he touched her. Together, they fell back on the bed. His boxers were gone before either of them realized it.Their hands explored and their mouths tasted each other. There movements were urgent and demanding, as if they couldn't get enough of each other.Her breathing became ragged as his hand slid down and found her womanhood. She moved against his touch, it seemed so intimate yet so natural.

Just when she was certain she would explode, his sensual touch was gone. Before she could protest, he was over her, bracing himself with his hands. He stared deep into her eyes. She felt his manhood touch her --- testing, teasing. She arched her hips begging for more. Then, with great ease, he filled her until they were joined completely. At first neither of them moved. The feelings were too intense, too deep. Both of them had made love before, but tonight held that same passion they both knew from their first times. JC eased partly out of her, then thrust back in again. She met him stroke for stroke, thrust for thrust. The pleasure they both felt grew and grew, building beyond anything either had ever dreamed a person could feel. As his rhythm sped up, she felt herself going to a place where there was just the two of them. Her and JC,alone, just them, their touching, their joining. Then the explosion came. At their peak, Angie cried out. Her voice muffled by his own moans of pleasure. The two were one, for that moment in time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JC woke up to the bright sun streaming in the windows. He knew instantly where he was and who was snuggling at his side. God, he'd never experienced anything like this before. He considered what it would be like to wake up with her every morning, what it would be like to go to sleep with her every night. He opened his eyes, shifting slightly to the avoid the direct sunlight. He saw the blur of her hair on his shoulder. He felt her hand resting on his chest. He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. She shifted lightly. Opening her eyes, she focused on JC's face, his angelic eyes, his warm smile. "What time is it?" she asked lazily. "9:30," he leaned down, kissing her deeply. He was cut off by the phone ringing. "Grrr!" she slowly sat up. "Can you hand me the cordless, it's on the table?" JC grabbed the phone from the bedside table and handed it to her. He leaned back against the head board. She sat in the middle of the bed, the sheet half off of her. He admired her sitting there. He reached up and ran his hand down her exposed back. His touch was so light it almost tickled her. She let out a soft giggle.

"What? Oh yeah, I'm listening Kathy." JC moved forward. He softly kissed her shoulders. She tipped her head exposing more of her neck to him. He kept causing her to giggle.
"What is up with you?" Kathy asked on the other end of the line. Before Angie could answer, she spoke again. "OH MY GOD! You're not alone are you?!?" she asked in shock.
"No," Angie said trying not to laugh at the surprise in her friends voice.
"Who's there? Who did you -- oh my God! You slept with JC didn't you?"
Angie laughed, "Maybe!"
"What?!?" she heard Justin gasp in the background. The he laughed. "That's my boy, GO JC!"
"You're such a pig sometimes," Kathy said to Justin. "I don't believe you," she said returning her attention to Angie. "You've known him what? 2 days?"
"Kath, I'm kind of busy. Please don't lecture me right now, ok? There will be plenty of time for that later," Angie said. "I'll talk to later, ok?" They said their good-byes and hung up.

"What was that all about?" JC asked between kissed.
"Nothing important," she answered. "Now c'mere." She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him back down onto the bed.
"We probably shouldn't start this again," JC said rolling off of her. "And why not?" Angie asked, half joking.
"Because I have to get in the shower and be at the studio by 10:30." "Do you have to?" Angie asked sweetly.
"Yeah, why don't you come with me?"
"In the shower? OK!," she joked.
He laughed. "No, C'mon down the studio with me, Please????"
"I'd love to."
"Good! You know, that shower idea ain't too bad."

*~*~*~*~* "Alright JC, we're going to run through that new one again," a man said to JC at the studio.
"Ok, tell me when you're ready," JC answered on the other side of the thick glass that divided the room.
"He's great isn't he?" the man, Mark, asked Angie as she stood behind him. She was studying JC as she spoke. "Yeah, he's great," she said with a smile. Pressing a button, the man spoke into the mic, "All right. Ready."

Angie heard the soft sounds of the music begin to play. After a few seconds, JC began to sing. Angie moved forward in the room, closer to the glass. JC stared at her as he sang the song.

Baby come to me
I will chase you tears away
Put you trust in me
Girl I swear I'll never change
Darling you will see
That my love is her to stay.
I promise you, I will be true
From her and now, forever
I ---

I said I love you
I said I care
When I tell you I love you
It means I'll always be there
I'll never leave you
I ain't going nowhere
When I tell you I love you
Cross my heart I will be there

Open up your heart
Don't be afraid to love again.
We can take it slow
You should know I understand
Baby take you time
And I don't care how long it takes
'Cause I promise you I'm here for you
Forever here and now, forever girl
I--

I said I love you
I said I care
When I tell you I love you
It means I'll always be there
I'll never leave you I ain't going nowhere
When I tell you I love you
Cross my heart I will be there.

And I will be there
And I will be there for you
Forever sincere to you
Girl I'll always care for you
I just wanna she my life with you

As the song ended, JC still kept his eyes on Angie. His eyes never left hers throughout the whole song."All right! That was perfect JC! You always have a hard time with that song, but not today! We're done now!" Mark said into the mic.Mark looked back at Angie who was still staring at JC, a smile played on her lips. "It looks like JC finally found some inspiration," he said under his breath.

JC came through the door and walked over to Angie. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek and whispered in her ear, "Let's get outta here." He took her hand in his and led her out of the studio. As soon as they were outside, he turned and kissed her passionately. I've been waiting all day to do that. Didn't think it would be very professional to do that in there."
"So, now what?" Angie asked.
"Food," they both answered at the same time.

*~*~*~*
They both ate in silence for almost for about fifteen minutes at lunch. "Well," JC began, grabbing his napkin, "I guess I'll say what's on my mind. I've always been a very open and up-front person. I'll understand if you don't agree or feel the same way, but I've got say this." He stared down at the table as the began to speak. "I-I-I don't really know what's going on with my life. I feel like I'm helpless, like my life is out of control, but I like the feeling because you caused it.

the final parts