At rehearsal, Howie and Cait avoided each other's gaze. One catching the other looking at them, automatically looking away.
When the rehearsal was over, Howie walked over to Cait, apprehension showing on his face.
"Cait, can we talk?" His voice was soft.
"Why?"
"Caitlyn," He said gently, "I think you know why."
"Okay, but let's go somewhere else, please." She sighed.
Silently they walked to Howie's dressing room. Once inside they sat down on the couch.
"Cait, you're my best friend," Howie began, "and I wanted to appologize if I scared you or made you angry because of what happened last night. If I did, I didn't mean to."
"I'm not mad, I was just really confused." She lifted her eyes to his face.
"I am, too. I really don't know or understand what happened. I just wanted to say that I don't want it to affect our friendship. And if there's going to be something more between us or not, we shouldn't think too much about it and just let it happen...if it does." He looked a little unsure of himself.
"I think that's a good idea. I don't want to lose our friendship, either." She smiled reassuringly. "Howie?"
"Yeah?"
"By the way, have you by any chance been talking to Anna about this?"
"No, I talked to Kev. Why?"
"Because I talked to Anna and she told me the same thing." An amused smile lit Howie's face.
"Well, I guess great minds really do think alike." He laughed lightly. "Let's go. Everyone's going to be wondering what happened to us." He got up and helped her to her feet. He began walking towards the door.
"Howie?"
"Yeah?"
"One more thing. No matter what happens, we're still friends. No matter what."
"No matter what." He smiled and they walked out of the room.

For the next few weeks things returned to the way they had been. One day, the Boys were off and Cait wanted to go ice skating, and she wanted Howie to come with her.
"I don't know how to skate." Howie protested.
"Then I'll teach you. I want you to come. Skating's fun. I love to skate."
"You'll teach me?"
"Yes."
"You won't let me fall on my head?"
"Never!"
"Okay, I'll come skating with you." He sighed and hoped he wasn't going to end up in the hospital.

"Come on silly. It's not that hard. Watch!" Cait called.
Howie's eyes followed her as she glided easily around the ice, tossing off the occasional toe-loop and salchow, before coming to a stop in front of him, covering his jeans with snow.
"Gee, thanks Cait. I'm gonna be soaked and I didn't even fall yet." He pretended to glare at her.
"Come on. You can't hang onto the boards all day." She took his hand and pulled him away from the side of the rink.
"Whoa! Cait! I'm going to fall, I know it!"
"No you're no. I won't let you. Come on, you need to get a feel for the ice." Slowly they made their way around the rink, Howie never letting go of Cait's hand.
"Here, I'll go backwards so you can hang onto both of my hands." Cait did a neat 3-turn, took his hands and began doing back cross cuts. "Better?"
"Yeah, but how do you know where you're going?"
"It's a figure skaters' secret." She smiled up at him.
"How long did you skate?"
"I skated when I was little, but after we moved, I didn't do it anymore, until I was 15 and I decided I wanted to skate again. I worked really hard to get where I am. When I started again, I couldn't even do a cross over."
"And now you can do jumps and stuff."
"Yeah. I used to be able to land a double salchow, but I don't know if I can anymore."
"Let me skate by myself for a bit and go try your stuff. Show me what you can do."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I want to watch you."
She skated for a while, jumping and spinning with total abandon.
"Come skate with me again?" Howie asked when she stopped. "I'm still pretty shaky." She skated over and took his hand again.
"No, you're not. You're doing really well."
"I'll take your....whoa!" Howie exclaimed as his skate slipped out from under him. Caught off guard Cait was pulled down with him. Seconds later, they were both lying on the ice in gales of laughter.
"Are you okay Howie?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Hey. You lied. You said you wouldn't let me fall."
"I don't think it counts since you pulled me down, too."
"Oh, okay. You're forgiven." He conceded.
"But you're not! I can't believe you pulled me down with you." Cait cried. "That's not fair. You owe me now!"
"What?! I don't think so, girl!" Howie grabbed her, intending to tickle her, but as they came face to face, their eyes met. "Cait..." Howie's voice was hardly more than a whisper. Their arms went around each other as Howie's lips came down on hers, soft and sweet. As the kiss deepened, Cait melted into his embrace.

Chapter 5

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