I woke up a while later, still wrapped up in the sheets of the bed. I stretched my arms and legs, remembering my ankle too late. "Ow!" I cried as sharp pains echoed through my leg. I rubbed it gingerly and looked around the room. I smiled when I smelt breakfast cooking downstairs, and decided to get up. I stumbled over my sprain, but composed myself long enough to hobble over to the closet to get changed. When I was finished, I managed to walk downstairs, ever so carefully, to the kitchen. Tyke was lying outside the kitchen door, looking quite dejected.

"Awe, what's a matter Tyke?" I asked softly. He brightened up when he saw me and walked over to my side. "Were you eating off the kitchen floor again?" I asked. He barked guiltily, and whimpered. I chuckled at him as he jumped up on my legs, like he knew I couldn't bend down to pick him up. I carefully leaned over and let him jump into my arms. I laughed as he began licking my face. "Gosh, you're in a very affectionate mood, aren't you?" I asked, scratching him behind the ears. He answered only by panting loudly and wagging his tail. Suddenly, I heard a loud crash in the kitchen (followed by some obscenities), and decided to make sure everything was okay.

I limped over to the door with Tyke still in my arms, and pushed the door open with my back. I laughed as I peered in the room. Brian was dancing around the kitchen, his cell phone in one hand, a pan in his other and he had an apron wrapped around his waist. "No Tim, I need those today. Thanks, I'd appreciate it... busy? Oh yeah, just a little!" Brian said sarcastically into his phone. I put my hand over my mouth as I chuckled; he looked too cute!

Brian turned around and noticed me for the first time. He smiled and continued his conversation with the man on the phone. "Tim, I'll call you back later, alright? Okay, bye!" He hung up and walked over to me. "Hey Corinne, how are you this morning?" he asked, kissing my cheek gently.

"It seems as though I'm doing better than you!" I smiled. Brian laughed at me, "What makes you say that?" he asked as he scratched Tyke's ears. I only smiled more and pointed over to the stove where smoke was rising from a small pan.

"Ahh... dang it!" Brian cried as he swiftly made his way to the stove. I laughed and exclaimed, "Hmm... now I'm kind of glad I made breakfast yesterday after all!" Brian laughed at me as he moved the hot pan off the burner. "Hey! Cooking and talking on the phone at the same time is a new experience for me... I guess I just highly underestimated my abilities!"

I giggled at him as he came back over and helped me to a chair. "This morning I made a few calls and set up an appointment for you at the doctors office, just to have your ankle looked at. He said that it's probably just a minor sprain, and you'll just need crutches for a while," Brian said. I nodded my head as he continued, "We'll leave right after we eat breakfast... yes, I'm going to make you eat it!" I laughed at him and said, "Awe, but I'm not hungry!" Brian just gave me the evil eye and continued. "Also, I booked our trip back to New York. It seems as though Kevin is rather antsy to have me back," Brian laughed. "Anyway, we're going to leave today at 1:00pm for New York, and then tomorrow our plane leaves for Europe at 8:00am."

I looked rather shocked. "Oh, so we're leaving so soon?" I asked.

Brian looked somewhat distressed. "Yeah, it's been 3 days... we need to get back. Are you okay with that?" he asked nervously. After recalling all the memories with Alex yesterday, he was afraid he was pushing me too fast.

"Oh, yeah, that's fine. I was just getting used to the peace and quiet, that's all," I said with a smile.

"Are you sure? Because if you don't want to come so soon, you don't have to-" Brian said.

"No, really Bri, I'm fine," I continued.

"I don't want you to feel obligated-" he once again spoke up.

"No, I'm fine!" I interrupted.

"Are you sure?"

"Brian!" I exclaimed. "Why are you so concerned all of a sudden?"

Brian blushed slightly. "Just... some old memories." I looked at him a little confused. "Never mind... I just want to make sure you're comfortable," he continued. I smiled at him and brushed my hand over his cheek, "I'm fine. Stop worrying!" Brian smiled at me and got up from where he was.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" he exclaimed. "I made that ointment my mom told me about yesterday."

I laughed. "Oh Brian, you're something else, you know that?" I said. He chuckled at me. I loved how intently he looked after me; It made me feel like if I ever got hurt, he'd always be there to comfort me. I felt safe; I felt special. He turned and walked towards me with a small jar. "Okay, this shouldn't hurt a bit," he soothed, kneeling by my side as he dipped his fingers in the ointment and gently rubbed it on my ankle.

I moved with a start, "That's cold!" I cried. Brian looked up at me and smiled. "Awe, don't be such a baby!" he joked. I pretended to be offended and kicked him in the stomach with my good leg. "Hey!" he laughed as he fell backwards. I giggled at him as he cast me a sour look and got back up to his knees. After a bit he gently massaged the cold ointment onto my ankle with both his hands. "Does that feel better?" Brian asked as he looked up at me. I shook my head, blushing, and muttered an, "uh-huh." Brian returned the same bashful look.

After breakfast, which was actually delicious, Brian and I headed to the doctors office, where I picked up a pair of crutches. "You know how to use these, right?" the doctor asked. "Oh yeah!" I answered with a smile. After we got back home, we packed up our things and loaded them into the car. Tyke was upset we were leaving, so Brian gave him a bone to chew on as a present. After that, we headed off to the airport, and began our trip back to New York.

"Corinne, what happened?!" AJ asked once Brian and I arrived at the airport.

"Brian beat me up..." I lied. Brian gave me a shocked look and I began laughing. "I'm just kidding!" I exclaimed when I noticed AJ's look. "I sprained my ankle rollerblading."

"Oh, okay," AJ said, relieved. "Are you sure you're okay? Do you need any help?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine AJ. That's what I've got these for!" I answered, displaying my crutches. Despite my answer, AJ escorted me out of the room as we made our way to the hotel they were booked at. Nick and Brian walked together, just behind AJ and I.

"So, you've been beating up Corinne!" Nick yelled playfully.

"No I have not!" Brian answered his friend by giving him a slight shove in the shoulder. Nick laughed under his breath as his light blond locks brushed across his face. "Good," he said to Brian. "Because you do know that Corinne is one of my best friends... I've known her since I can remember. If anything ever happened to her... well, let's just hope you take good care of her," Nick said, giving Brian a look. Brian stared back, a little surprised. He'd never seen Nick this way, but he could tell that Nick was genuinely concerned for Corinne. "I swear Nick, I'll take care of her," Brian answered. Nick smiled slightly and shook his head. The two continued walking side by side, an uncomfortable silence lingering between them.

AJ helped me up into the bus and I turned to smile at him. "Thank you Alex," I said. AJ smiled at me as Brian and Nick walked onto the bus, and the three of us walked away. AJ decided to stay where he was, instead; alone with his thoughts. "Alex?" he thought to himself as he watched Corinne laugh at Nick and brush the hair out of her face. He smiled and then shook himself to reality. "Damn it AJ!" he scolded himself. "I thought you were over her?" He looked back up at me and couldn't help but feel the same way he always had.