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Author: Toni McIntyre Title: The Next Step 8/? Rating: R for language and sexual reference (only this part) Summary: How the hell did Lori end up sleeping with Nick? Feedback: Lack there of right now, come on people! Note: For this part, we shift over to Lori's POV Dedication: Once again to the plot wiz that is Liza. And to the Beta genius known as Tessa. DROP IN: Vote for Erin and Shelley! The Jeds are closing soon but a new awards the Sam and Toby Literary Awards was introduced and they'll get a nom for sure! See ya guys. : ) The Next Step 8: A Leap of Faith She's going to freak out. Any second now it's gonna happen. "WHAT!" And here we go... "Lori! WHAT? I mean...HOW?" Okay, Joanie is my best friend; we've known each other since before I can remember. However, when she's upset, startled and slightly pissed she's not exactly articulate. Right now she looks somewhere between fit to kill and dying of shock. "Well I think you know how it works Joanie..." my attempt at cracking a joke falls flat. "Lori! You know what I mean! The last time I talked to you, we agreed you'd tell him you want to try to be friends." "Yes." "And then you slept with him." "Yes." "Ya kinda skipped a couple steps, don't ya think?" "Joanie," I roll my eyes, desperately trying to break the tension. "I'm not gonna lecture you Lori I just want to know what happened...now spill." Joanie puts her hands on her hips and puts on her intimidated face. Now I myself can be pretty damn intimidating. I mean...have you met my parents? But it's times like this when Joanie's three extra inches seem like feet and I cower slightly. "I don't know where to start," I sigh. "The beginning is a good place," Joanie states, crossing her arms in front of her chest and tapping her foot impatiently. "Okay...uh...it was after I talked to you and you took my champagne away AGAIN— "Do I have to remind you of the non-alcohol when making confessions rule?" "Shut up for a second, okay?" I ask, exasperated. I'm having a hard time getting the out without the famous Lyman wit. "Fine," she mutters and I can tell it's killing her. Being quiet is not a Lyman trait. Fortunately explaining things is a Ziegler trait so I collect myself as best I can, considering I'm still in my dress from the wedding, haven't taken a shower in twenty-four hours and probably look like shit. Glancing over Joanie's shoulder at a mirror I scrunch my small nose up in disgust. I look like the guy from Rocky Horror Picture show. Right, the GUY. "I'm waiting," Joanie reminds me as I'm scrutinizing my make up in the mirror. "Okay," I sigh. "Uh...I found him over by the bar sometime later..." "Oh good, a great place to start a story." "Okay Joanie I'm warning you NOW. Cut the sarcasm and let me speak." "Fine," Joanie pouts. Lack of sarcasm, another Lyman weak point. It's also a Ziegler weak point, but I'm the one telling the story. ************************************* I walked away from Joanie to my own little life and didn't see Nick till a bit later. I had been occupying myself by seeing how many sugar cubes I could stack into a pyramid. Building pyramids was one of the least noticeable things Joanie, Leo, Noah and I used to do when our parents brought us to state functions as kids. We really were embarrassing children to bring anywhere. Well I had managed to get mine pretty high 'til I realized I was out of sugar cubs. That and kinda in need of a drink. So I pushed my way to the bar and didn't really see Nick until I had ordered my drink. "Hey," I said nonchalantly. ******************** "Nonchalantly?" Joanie pipes in. "Yes." "Lori, you never do anything nonchalantly." "I do to!" "You're Lori Ziegler!" "Fair point." ************************ "Hey," I said off handily. "Hi," He nods. I drum my fingers on the bar, not really knowing where to go next. I mean, Lori Ziegler, am usually a regular chatterbox, but when it comes to men I clam up. Don't ask me why. "You okay?" I ask. "Why?" he looks surprised I even thought to wonder about his health. "You look...I dunno...down, depressed." "Weddings aren't my thing," Nick says, smiling morosely into his beer. "No?" "Nah. I mean with Charlie and Zoey it's a little different," Nick shrugs. "I might've only known 'em for a couple of months but I can tell they're gonna last...most don't. It's depressing." "Yeah, sometimes I think how much of a miracle it is that my parents, Joanie's parents and Leo's parents are all still together and so much in love," I smile to myself. Nick only nods and takes a swig of his drink. "Hey...you know something?" "What?" he asks. "We've been talking for like a whole minute now and you haven't insulted me once," I say, grinning. "Well...I'm pretty drunk," Nick says, setting his now empty beer bottle on the counter. "You hide it well." "It's a gift." I nod and lean against the bar absently. Nick stares strait in front of him at the bar, hands clasped around the empty bottle, absentmindedly playing with the label. His brown/blonde hair is sticking up a little more than usual and I noticed his Boston accent emerges more when he's drunk. "You're parents look great together," Nick comments suddenly. I turn to him and smile slightly. "How do you..." He nods to a mirror above the bottles in the bar that reflects the dance floor where my parent's are currently cutting the rug. "Yeah well...they knew each other for a long time before they tied that knot," I mutter. I take a swig of my own drink that the bartender set down some time before but I had been ignoring. I look sideways at him and get what Noah nicknamed my "evil-I-gotta-plan" face. Yeah, Noah 's not good with titles. "Hey, you, ah, feel like dancing?" I ask slowly, straitening up. Nick snorts disdainfully, "I dunno if I'll ever be that drunk." "All right," I say, casting my eyes to the floor. "It was just a suggestion." I snatch my drink and start to walk away. Nick grabs the sleeve of my dress; fear of tearing the loaned dress halts me. "No wait, I'm sorry," Nick sighs. "I really should speak before I think— "Think before you speak," I correct. "Whatever," he waves it off and I chuckle. He has this remarkably intense look in his eyes, even though they're slightly clouded with the amount of alcohol I know he's consumed. "I'd love to dance with you." He gets this amazing smile on his face that's kind of lopsided. I grab him by the hand and lead him to the dance floor. As we get there he trips, but I catch him and he starts to laugh as do I. "You may need to...oomph, support me," he tries to regain his footing by leaning against me. Okay I'm not a very big woman so my knees are buckling but I don't' complain. He's amazingly close. "Well let's at least try to look professional," I say and put on arm around his waist and clasp his hand with my free hand. It starts out fine; at least he doesn't look as drunk as I know he is. God, why am I doing this? Dancing with the man I love, and he's drunk out of his mind. Have to admit though, it is slightly amusing, me trying to support him. With at least a foot separating us he's much broader. Luckily I've always been stronger than I look. We're doing well, but of course he trips once more. I grunt as I quickly steady him but his hand accidentally falls to my, well, no good way to put this, his hand lands on my ass. Like square on my ass. I muffle my laughter by digging my head into his shoulder and pray to God no one sees us like this. I mean his HAND is on my ASS. God please let my father be busy right now! The last thing we need is a pissed off overprotective Toby Ziegler. Okay so we sway a little longer and I can practically feel him sliding down me as he looses his footing again. He's drunk, I should put him to bed. God, I know how this is going to end. I can tell you right now. I'm going to take the coward's way out. I'm going to end all this tension, get it over with while he's drunk and can't possibly turn me down. When did I turn into such an emotional train wreck? I used to actually have backbone. I'm hating this. "Come up with me," I whisper in his ear finally. I feel him nod silently and I keep my arm around his waist as I lead him off the dance floor and outside. The reception was luckily held in a ballroom not far from where we all have hotel rooms so a short taxi ride later we're at the Hyatt. I pay the driver, aid Nick inside the building and then up to the floor where the wedding party is staying. I support him as I struggle with his room key. Damn electronic light things! I finally get the door open. Let me tell you, it's not easy juggling a full-grown inebriated man and a key and at the same time. Nick stumbles in and flops down on the bed. "Okay," I sigh, tossing my purse to the side and on to one of the chairs. I throw myself into one of the other chairs and watch Nick as he stares intently at the ceiling. "I'm sorry we fought," Nick mutters suddenly. He's still staring at the ceiling with fascination. I suddenly wish he were dead sober. "Yeah," I whisper. "Me too." "You know how when you're little and you got a crush, you do everything in your power to make them hate you?" he whispers. "Yes." "Doesn't change as you get older." I pause, wondering if he's telling me what I think he's telling me. There isn't much time to think because Nick gets up from the bed and walks to me without falling once. He kneels in front of my chair. His hands resting on my thighs, he leans forward, dangerously close to kissing me. "Nick," I murmur, placing a hand on his chest. "We can't— "Why not?" "Well...you're drunk for one," I reason. "I don't care." His lips are a breath away. "But you will tomorrow," I protest, saying out loud what I had been dreading all this time. "Then I'll deal with it tomorrow," Nick says simply. A sigh passes from my lips to his as I run through the many ways that this could ruin my life. Never before had I taken a leap of faith in any type of relationship, here was my chance. I was standing at a cliff and Nick was below swearing he'd catch me. I could jump and believe him, trust him, or I could stay on that ledge and remain utterly alone. So I jump in headfirst. ******************** I pause in my story and Joanie just stares at me, a confused look on her face. "What?" I ask. "So you kissed him?" "Yeah...you didn't get that?" "You confused me with your metaphors." "I'm a writer it's what I do," I shrug. "So, what happened next?" she asks. I raise my eyebrows and make continuation gestures with my hands. "Oh," Joanie says. "OH!" Her eyes widening. "Yeah, I think your better off if I not go into detail in that arena." "So how was it?" she asks slowly, a smile slowly spreading across her face. I pause while trying to find words to describe it. "Good," I decide on. "Just good? Lori, you're a writer and the best you can come up with is 'Good'?" "He was drunk Joanie, not completely aware at times." "Okay stop there, too much info." "You asked!" "Okay, wait, pause, fast forward," Joanie says loudly, gesturing wildly. "So what happened when you woke up?" ********************** I wake up when the alarm Nick must have set the previous day goes off in my ear. I leapt slightly as the news blares and frantically search for the sleep button. Not finding it I simply pull out the plug and roll over to go back to sleep. Well, that's when I realize Nick was next to me and I am slightly naked. I mean I hadn't forgotten but somewhere in my mind I was convinced it had all been a weird alcohol induced dream. I sit up slowly, careful not to make too much noise and gather my dress and other clothing. I manage to get completely dressed and slide my shoes on before he wakes up. I'm forced to freeze, one hand still putting on my shoe. "What?" he asks, still slightly sleepy. Then, like me, the memories of last night come back to him in a flood. "Oh God..." Okay, not the reaction I was going for. "Nick," I sigh, grabbing my purse. "I have to go, this was a mistake." I don't know why I said that. Probably because I need to hear him assure me it wasn't. "Yeah," he mutters. Okay, once again, not the answer I was looking for. "Okay well thanks, it was good for me too," I snap and storm out of the room before he could infuriate me any further. ************************ "And that's when you found me with Noah," Joanie interrupts. "Yeah," I nod dismally. "Oh wow Lori! What now?" Joanie asks. "I don't know," I sigh. "I honestly don't know. *************************************** We check out of the hotel later. I struggle to get my things together and have them ready for the bellhop. I'm booked on the first available flight back to California, anxious to leave Nick and all the screwed up memories behind me. I shoved the bridesmaid's dress that will forever bring back horrible memories, in the back of my suitcase. I'm busy right now trying desperately to find my purse and praying I didn't leave it where I think I did. I swear I shut my hotel room door but I guess in my haste to put my things out for the bell boy the door didn't shut all the way. At least that's what I assume since Nick is suddenly standing in my room holding my black purse. The one I left in his room when I ran out of there like it was on fire this morning. "This is yours," is all he says. "Yes it is," I take it from him and turn back to checking my room for anything I left behind. However, Nick doesn't leave. So I decide to clue him in. "Thanks, you can go now." "I think we need to talk," he sounds determined. "You really just don't take a hint do you?" I sigh and start throwing things in my carry-on bag. "Lori." "Just go Nick," I snap. "I can't and I won't," and I'm reminded that he can be just as stubborn as I. My hotel room door shuts and I jump slightly, gaping at Nick, but regain my composure quickly. "We need to deal with this now!" He's slowly walking towards me. "I think you made yourself perfectly clear this morning," my voice dripping venom. "Lori I didn't mean to—" "Humiliate me? Embarrass me? Make I complete FOOL out of me?" I ask angrily. "Take your pick Nick." "Those all mean the same thing," A grin slowly coming to his lips. "Shut up," I growl and he looses that grin awfully fast. "You know what I mean." "I didn't mean to say that," he says. "Then what did you mean?" I demand. Nick gets a blank look on his face and I sigh. "Yeah, thought so." "Lori wait," Nick sighs and grabs my arm so I turn around to face him. My mind flashes to last night. "Let go," I say and pull away from him. "Let me explain!" "Would you SHUT UP for one SECOND?" he roars, matching my volume. Hopefully the hotel walls are thicker than I think. "Jesus Lori, every time I say something you don't have to jump down my throat like I'm picking a fight! I'm not always trying to argue with you!" "No?" I ask bitterly. "No, you're right. We don't fight when you're sleeping with me and trampling my emotions." "It's not that either!" Nick insists. "God Lor I don't know how to say this to you— "Just say it Nick! Get it over with so I can catch my damn plane." "I'm married." What? I think I look pretty damn horrified 'cause I can practically see Nick's heart sink with mine. "You're what?" I ask with a deceptively soft tone. "Lori..." "YOU'RE WHAT?" I scream. "Lori— "What in HELL do you mean you're MARRIED?" "Well technically..." "I SLEPT with a MARRIED MAN?" I mumble to myself in shock. "Oh God I've turned into the person mothers warn their daughters about." I think I may be sick. "Lori," Nick tries feebly to interrupts. "Watch that Ziegler," I shout. "She'll steal your husband!" I'm on a roll now. "I'm no one's husband," Nick's voice is shockingly quiet after my outburst. "You just said you were married." "The annulment papers still haven't been cleared," Nick explains with a sigh. "It was a mistake, a huge mistake. She was this woman I knew from the TV station where I worked. It was really fast and we didn't know what we were doing. It was a mistake and we were never married as far as I'm concerned and soon the Governor of Massachusetts will agree with me." Throughout his explanation Nick has slowly crossed the room and is now less than a foot away. I take a deep breath while thinking what the hell to say next. "You don't think it was a mistake?" I ask, looking at my feet. "Us, I mean. You were awfully drunk." "Then I hope," Nick's hand comes up to caress my face, tilting my chin up so that he can look me in the eye. "I hope I make decisions that well in the future while inebriated," he laughs. "You?" "Well...I'm still kinda freaked," I admit. "I've never really felt this way before." "Me neither," he admits. "It scares the shit out of me." I blush—which trust me does NOT happen often—and smile uncertainly. "You should give me a call when you get in to Hartford," I say. "Actually, I'm staying here for another night, visiting with a Congressman for the campaign," Nick explains. "You heading back to California today?" "In an hour," I say, gesturing to the plane tickets I have on the table. "Wanna drive me to the airport?" "Yeah," he sighs but doesn't move from in front of me. He cups my head gently and his hands feel good against my skin. More memories from last night flood my mind. "Where does this leave us Lori?" he asks softly. I never imagined he could be so soft spoken. I reach up and take his hands in mine, inching them down away from my face. As much as I think I'm in love with him, for now this should slow down. I mean, he is technically still married. "For now," I say slowly, forcing down tears. "I'd say we're friends." TBC in 9... ENDNOTE: I'm considering doing a Lori/Nick spin off if enough interest is shown in feedback! Come on people, I know you're out there, tell me what ya think.
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