Part 2 Chapter 6: In the Aftermath

A few notes...yes, even more than usual. We're to the point in the story that when I was writing this it was before the games happened and obviously a large chunk of this chapter hasn't passed in real time yet so we're talking 100% fictional. Even more fictional than usual. Also if you're aware of the soundtrack songs the song for this chapter is 21 Guns from American Idiot the musical. Lyrics, words all of it, I love for this chapter but it's not exactly title worthy. I hope you guys like this chapter it was a tough one.

Three games since Christmas, three multi-point showings for Kris. Sarah could easily see he was channeling whatever feelings of anger, frustration and hurt into his game because he sure as hell wasn’t talking to her. After the game with the Islanders he had pulled to the lead in points for defensemen and cracked the top five of all skaters.

Sarah on the other had had no one more than DTD injured and was back to regular shifts ar the hospital. They stuck her in her most hated department ever. The ER. It wasn’t the snapped bones or kids with dangerously high fevers that bothered her, it was when an all to familiar scene from her past played out. A police car would pull up and they would carry in children who were confused and more than likely dirty wrapped in scratchy blankets that usually get stored in the trunk of the cars carrying the only possession that mattered to them a teddy bear or ratty doll. It was always the worst when a sexual assault evidence collection kit was asked to be brought and completed.

December 30th was the lay that it was finally to much. An 18 hour shift that had three burns, four flu’s, two ear infections and one appendicitis and three sexual assault kit collections on a trio of Sisters removed from the custody of their parents. They were three, four and six years old. It was the straw that broke her back. She walked into the apartment which had been extremely stuffy with awkwardness since their return home. Sarah didn’t even bother to remove her coat just kicking her boots off by the door and immediately curling up on his lap on the sofa where he was watching tv.

“Bad day?” he asked stroking her hair for the first time in to her what felt like forever.

All Sarah could do was nod and lay her head against his shoulder.

“I know you hate ER.” he said as he unzipped her coat taking it off of her and tossing it into the chair across the room. When she didn’t respond he rubbed his face against her arm like a cat demanding attention would. It was one of his little physical cues he gave her always pushing her to talk or interact when she was stone walling him. When she didn’t respond he picked up her hand reading off the three names written there. “Who are Ramona, Rebecca and Ruby?” he asked catching her golden brown eyes with his dark chocolate ones.

“Remember back in the fall when I told you about what happened to me when I was little?” she said softly just resting against him.

“How could I forget?” he said shifting so he could watch her talk.

“Well it happened to these little girls too. They’re staying at the hospital for a few days and I wanted to check on them on Monday.” She sighed. “I just… no one checked on me. No one checked on me when I was at the hospital. No one could even look at me till G-Dad and Grandma got there.” She started to tear up but did her best to fight it back. “They knew but we never talked about it. I never talk about it with anyone. Mal guessed about some of it but I didn’t even tell her the whole truth. You’re the first person to really know it all.” she pushed her hair out of her face looking everywhere but at him. “I let Eric do what he did because I thought he loved me. They can tell you a million times in books and classes about your past effecting your future but I let him do what he did to me over and over again hurting me because that was my fucked up view on love. I thought when I was little if I let those men do what they wanted if I was a quiet good girl maybe my Mom would bring home KFC for dinner and we’d be a normal family. I thought she’d love me for being a good girl.” she shook her head the silent tears turning to body shaking sobs. “I thought maybe if I was a good girl fro Eric the perfect girlfriend…” she paused taking in a ragged breath. “I tried so hard to be lovely for all of them. I thought if I was a lovely little girl and a lovely girlfriend they would stop hurting me. I just had to try harder.”

He cut her rant off. “We accept the love we think we deserve.” He wasn’t sure what the quote was from but he thought it applied. It was all starting to come together in his head. He was understand why she did what she did in Montreal. He had never hurt her and she didn’t think she was deserving of his love. Those psych books of hers she had put on the shelves of the apartment that he had been secretly reading were paying off.

“I don’t deserve someone as good as you.” she whispered crying into his shoulder.

“But you do!” he said stroking her hair holding her close. “I know you don’t believe me but you do deserve love, love that will never hurt you.”

All she could do was look up at him unbelieving.

“God, Sarah I love you so much. Love you because you do this…” he picked up her hand looking at the three names. “You care about people.” He carefully shifted her from his lap going to the message pad she had put by the phone taking a sheet. Previously he would just use whatever receipts he had in his pocket or laying around. He took a piece of her message paper copying down the three names for her. He then headed to the bathroom starting up the shower for her.

“Ok bath time.” he said leading her by the hand to the bathroom putting her in the shower.

“Get in with me?” she asked softly standing in the shower just letting the water wash over her.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Kris. I’m processing a lot but my brain isn’t completely broken.” she gave him a little smile. “As in get in here the cold air is getting in.”
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“oh my God Sarah that’s two goals!” Mal said jumping up and down with her friend in the second goal celebration for Kris Letang. “Sarah do you think Kris is going to get a H-------”

Sarah covered Mal’s mouth cutting her off. “DO NOT JINX IT.” Sarah said letting to of her friend. She usually wasn’t the superstitious type but when it came to something like this in such a big game she had to err on the side of caution.

Apparently it was a beautiful day for outside hockey. 20 degrees with the wind chill dropping it down to 15. The cold winter sun over head making the eyes a white so bright it was almost hard to look at. Heinz field was crawling with Pens fans just the way it was supposed to be. With Kris’ two goals the Pens had the advantage by one. Sid wasn’t scoring, Geno wasn’t scoring no one was from around the net it was just to defensively fortified. Kris’ two goals had come on the power play.

With 9 mins left in the second Kuni, Sid and Kris flew up the ice in a three on two. Sid had just jumped out of the box took puck on side and boom drop pass to Kuni, cross ice to Tanger a rocket of a shot top shelf blocker side. Pen up 3-1 hat trick Kris Letang. Never before had anyone heard anything like that roar of the crowd and what looked like thousands of hats, scarves and gloves rained down on the ice and field that surrounded it.

It was a simple play on Kris’ next shift. He pinched down like was usual for him. It didn’t matter who took the cross ice run at him smashing his head off the boards and ice as he went down. It didn’t matter if HBO was there filming every second of it. For a moment time stood still and everyone in the stadium gasped. The hero of the game taken out with what looked like serious intent to hard. The scrum followed but Sarah wasn’t paying attention. She was charging from her seat digging through her bag for her security pass. She was working hard to separate nurse from girl friend as she made it to the runway.

She was ready to charge on the ice, ready to kill and by the look in her eye. “Clear a path!” she screamed as she stomped down the runway. She was caught by the arm by her friend and the team Chaplin Brian. “Let go of me.” she demanded. “I’m going to kill whoever did this. I’m going to kill the bastard who just dropped the man I love.” she yelled trying to yank her arm free wrenching it till it hurt her shoulder.

“Sarah Kris needs you now. He you to be you, he needs you as a nurse and as the woman he loves. Don’t go getting yourself in trouble.” he said continuing to squeeze her arm.

“I know!” she yelled back. “I know.” she said softer relaxing so he would let go of her arm.

They wheeled Kris by on the backboard head in the brace position. Sarah and Brian followed down the runway and out of the stadium.

“She rides with.” Brian said catching the door as the EMS attempted to shut them out.

“She’s the team nurse.” Chris Stewart said pulling the door back so Sarah could climb in.

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Sarah pulled on a pair of gloves. “No latex allergy.” she said seeing them looking at her. Next she snatched the pen from the paramedic’s pocket jotting down the time the hit happened. When sometime like that happens it’s second nature for her to check her watch and note the time.

She looked up as she put the pen back in the pocket seeing Kris’ brown eyes open and alert. He flinched as the Paramedic started to remove his skates.

“Just relax.” she said softly putting her hand on his chest meeting his eyes. “Be as still as you can.” she knew that would be hard for him. He was usually a fidgety mess especially when uncomfortable and being strapped to a back board was in no way comfortable.

“I’m fine.” he half groaned. “Where are we. I need to be ready when Goose hops off.”

“Can you tell me your name?” the paramedic asked.

“Kris, Kristopher Allen Letang.” he said looking between Sarah and the Paramedic who’s nametag said Rick.

Sarah made note of the time again. In total he was unconscious for 17 mins. That was a scary long time.

“Ok Kris do you know the date?” Paramedic Rick asked next as Sarah texted Chris Stewart the head trainer that Kris was conscious now.

“The first of January 2011.” he said looking at Sarah. “You’re beautiful.” he smiled a kind of flirty smile she didn’t see from him till maybe their third date when he conquered his shyness. “Your hair, makes you glow like an angel.”

All Sarah could do was touch the side of his face lightly. She loved him and was seriously afraid about what might be going on inside his head.
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They arrived at the hospital and immediately sent him up for a CT scan.

“What is your number?” he asked watching her out the corner of his eye filling in his medical history.

“Same as yours silly.” she said not thinking anything of the question as she filled in his information.

“Oh so you’re my wife. I remember.” he said smiling. “I’m a lucky man to have a wife a beautiful as you. My friends always joked that I would marry the first girl who was willing to sit in silence with me and not feel the need to talk.”

Sarah stepped closer as the orderly started to snip off his gear with scissors. “Don’t cut his pads.” she said softly. You can get them off by taking them apart.” She knew he would flip to find his pads had been destroyed. “Kris what’s my name?” she asked resting a hand on his bare chest.

He looked up at her blankly his brows then knitting. “Sweetie?” he said that weird smile returning.

“Kris I’m not your wife.” Sarah said softly working hard to maintain eye contact. She was panic stricken her heart racing. She hoped he couldn’t feel it through the pulse in her wrist.

“Not yet. But you will be.” he winked at her and she did everything she could not to tear up or give away any emotion. This was not her Kris.

“Did we win the game?” he asked to whomever could answer.

“Yeah man. That hattie of yours sealed the deal. The guy who hit you got a game misconduct and will more than likely be fined and suspended.” The tech said as he and Sarah worked to take off his chest protector sliding the back section out from under him extremely carefully.

“I’ll be just over there.” she said as she was motioned to the room behind the safety glass. She was sat down in front of the microphone and prompted to talk.

“He likes you. Just try to help him stay calm.” The tech said.

“It’s going to make some noise. Kris just be as still as possible.” Sarah said into the mic the reality of the situation her mind trying to handle.

“Dude why don’t you tell me how you met your future wife here?” The Tech asked when he saw Sarah struggling.

She turned off their end of the mic looking at the tech. “We’ve been together for over a year you know. I really love him and am kinda freaking out here.” she explained turning the volume up on Kris so they could hear his response.

“I wake up and she there sitting next to me in the…” He paused searching for the right word. “transport de carabin… she has gold brown eye and light hair. I like her light hair. She look like angel.” he said using about what Sarah thought was her panic stricken face.

“Is his speech off?” the tech asked looking at Sarah.

“No, he’s French Canadian. Plurals are always a struggle for him.” She explained.

“Ambulance Kris.” she said pointing out the right word.

“See and she smart. I like the smart angel.” he said as the machine completed it’s scan.

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Two hours and a few more tests later he was freed from the back board and neck brace given an ok to use ‘gentle movement’.

“I can not wait to go home and sleep.” he said being careful as he reached for the cup of juice with a straw he had been given.

“Are you feeling sleepy?” Sarah asked from the visitors chair next to him in the standard room he had been put on.

“Not like dat. After a game tired.” he explained. “You may not be my wife but you did my forms so you know where I live and will take me home.” he smiled that smile that was so uncharacteristically him that it worried her.
Sarah opened her mouth to speak but a knock at the door interrupted her. Mal stood there beckoning Sarah into the hall.

“I’ll be back Kris. Try not to go to sleep ok. Watch some tv or something.” she said giving him the remote control for the tv.

Sarah picked up his chart and headed into the hall where her friend waited.

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“What do you mean he doesn’t remember you? Sitting in the waiting room with Sarah going over the chart with her.

“He think’s we just met.” Sarah said with a shrug. “They always say memory loss is possible but I’ve only ever see it be temporary and with teenage football players in the ER. He hasn’t come around to remembering me yet. He’s got everything else falling into place but me.” Sarah ran a hand through her hair. “He asked me to marry him.”

“Even though he thinks you just met?” Mal asked holding an x-ray up to the light.

“No in Montreal on Christmas eve.” Sarah said with a sigh.

“OMG Sarah congratu-..” Mal paused looking at Sarah’s hands. “You don’t have the ring. Where’s the ring? Did you lose it? You better not have it‘s so perfect.”

“I said no for now but how did you… you knew!?!” Sarah asked dropping her jaw.

“You said no!” Mal shrieked looking at her friend in total shocker. “I can’t believe it. Actually I can.” Mal said as she got up. You finally get something good in your life and you just can’t accept it.” Mal stood putting the x-rays and sheets back in the file. “God Sarah you don’t always need drama and pain in your life. I don’t know what happened to you as a kid but I know what you let Eric do to you. You’ve had it rough I get it but you’re doing this to yourself.”

“Shut up Mal.” Sarah said looking down at the floor between her feet. “Just shut up.”

“You’re right I don’t know about everything but that man does and if he doesn’t I know he’s still willing to accept whatever it is.” Mal pointed to Kris’ room as she spoke. “That man fucking loves you. He would die for you Sarah, you need to get your issues dealt with or he’s gong to walk.”

“I know Mal.. I know.” Sarah chocked out through tears. “I know.” she whispered again.

“The truth is painful. Both the truths we can accept and the ones we can forgive our friends for pointing out.” Mal said sitting down next to her friend.
“Yeah.” was all Sarah could say in agreement as she did her best to dry her tears as the Doctor approached.

“I’ll see you soon Sarah. Mal said getting up. Just keep me posted ok?” Mal put her hand on her friends shoulder.

“I will.” she agreed.
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“The only thing that’s concerning me is his memory.” Sarah said to the Doctor who was slightly annoyed to be talking with a nurse rather than just hysterical family. Family didn’t have opinions or ideas they just accepted what he said.

“Well we’re going to keep him overnight. He can sleep but someone will be in to wake him every few hours. We can reassess in the morning.” The doctor closed the file.

“I’ll wake him. You don’t have to have the nurses bother I know how busy they are.”

“I’m sure you do.” he said straightening the file handing it back to her. Sarah close to ignore the somewhat snide comment.

She took a moment to call and text the necessary people keeping them aware of the most recent news. By the time she got back to the room he was asleep and the nurse was waiting on her.

“Sweetie we’ll wake him up. You need rest too.” The nurse on duty said.

“No, it’s ok.” Sarah insisted.

“Really dear. Your friend stopped by the desk and said we should insist.” Sarah sighed giving in. She was tired.

“He was just awake about 15 mins ago so we’ll be back in about an hour.” the nurse who’s name was Becky said patting Sarah on the back. “Get some rest. He’ll need you tomorrow.”

Alone in the room Sarah silently moved the chair next to his bed taking his hand as she said her head on it. “You have to come back to me.” she whispered knowing he was sleeping. “I’m so scared Kris and you’re the only person who can make me feel safe.” she whispered sniffing. She was all out of tears. “You’re the only person who can make me feel ok.” she chuckled. “I know it’s a cliché but you made me a whole person when I didn’t even know I was partially empty.”

Sarah slept there with her hand on his hand not daring to let go. She missed all the early morning flower deliveries, she even missed breakfast.

“Hey you’re drooling on me.” she heard in an all to familiar accent as the hand she hadn’t dared to let go wiggled under her face.

“Oh… sorry.” she mumbled sitting up her back cracking in a million places as she stretched.

“I can not blame you.” he said with a smile that was like the one she was used to seeing from him.

“It is a good thing you slept on my right hand.” he said making no effort to pull it from where she still held it even now.

There was a pause as they just looked at one another.

“Next time I ask you, you will say yes?”

“Yes, Kris completely yes.” she said though a combination sob and laugh.

He was back.

Chapter 6 Out of My League - Stephen Speaks

Out Of My League - Stephen Speaks

“Purple or green Mal?” Sarah asked as she held the phone between her shoulder and ear as she looked over her two choices for her dinner date. “It’s like a dark eggplant purple or a kind middle of the road faded kelly green.” she said holding up different accessories to each. “Actually hold on…” she put her home phone on speaker picking up her cell to snap a picture to send to her. “See…” she said hearing the message arrive on Mal’s cell.
“Oh eggplant all the way babes with you thick black belt and the long gold keys necklace. Don’t forget the black heels.” Mal said with a chuckle. “And you need to straighten your hair. Light make-up think luminous lids with thin black liner. Natural lip babes.” Sarah had to chuckle. It was nice having a style guru on speed dial.
“Ok Mal thank you for one again keeping me from being a fashion disaster. I will talk to you tomorrow.” Sarah said as she got out her flat iron turning it on to heat up.
“You best remember all the details. For example does he speak English or French in bed…”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow Mal.” Sarah said with a laugh hanging up the phone putting it back on the base at her bedside table.

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“The dark grey slacks and the medium blue shirt mon ami.” Max said as Kris held the phone to his ear. “Be sure to wear brown shoes too. Nothing worse than black shoes and brown pants.” Max explained.
“ Are you sure? I do not want to look stupid.” Kris said running a hand though his wet hair. He was picking her up in an hour and did not want to be late or look like an idiot.
“Mon ami do I ever look unfashionable?” Max asked. Kris could crush Max’s image mentioning the crushed velvet suit or any number of the weird facial hair styles he had over the years but he let his friend continue on blissfully unaware of these fashion faxu pas. “Relax and enjoy. She is a good girl. One of the best ones you’ve ever picked.” it was obvious Max was being called away from the phone. “Have fun tonight. Be sure to tell me what she sounds like…”

Kris didn’t give him a chance to finish the thought as Kris hung up the phone. He wasn’t going to add that pressure to the evening just yet.

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She checked her phone knowing he had to be on his way. She was finally on make-up as she did her best to smudge the thinnest line of eyeliner ever into her lashes. “I hate you make-up…” she grumbled as she worked the tiny brush along her lashes. The door bell rang just as she was putting on lip gloss. She picked up her shoes and small clutch purse heading down the steps. “One sec…” she called loud enough knowing he could hear her. She hopped along trying to put her heels on only to send her clattering against the door. “Yes I just fell down no laughing when I open up.” she said not able to contain her own laughter as she opened the door for him finally having gotten her shoes on properly. “So lets just pretend that never happ…” she trailed off as she lifted her head to look at him. “Wow, you look awesome. Nott hat you don’t look awesome all the time but yeah I’m going to shut up now.” she said running a hand though her perfectly straight hair.

Little did she know he was having the same kind of nervous glitches. He had been experiencing horrid road rage as he made his way to her apartment. Thankfully he could yell at people in French so they didn’t know exactly what he was saying but he was sure they got his tone. On the way to her door he checked his fly to make sure I was up as he step-dad had taught him only to find it was down and his shirt was poking out. Thankfully he caught that one before she could have. Finally at her door or more what he thought was her door. He rang only to find the elderly neighbors open up. “Oh you must be here for Sarah. Aren’t you a handsome one. You better be nicer than that Doctor he was a right bastard.” the neighbors explained. “We didn’t like him with all his shouting and the way he threw her around. We called the police on him a few times though she never pressed charges.” she paused bringing her hand to her mouth. “Oh I’ve said to much.” Really she had said everything she wanted to subtly warning this new man in Sarah’s life that she wasn’t afraid of calling the police on him. Her mission was accomplished.

“No, I have met him. He is not a nice man.” Kris said trying to keep the details of meeting Sarah’s ex and his opinion on him to a minimum. “I should go. Sarah expecting me.” he said pointing to the door a few steps to his left.”
“Have fun. With that accent and hair… you’re a keeper.” she said checking him out up and down one last time.
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“You clean up nice.” She said opening her door taking the sight of him in without looking at him like a piece of hunky meat. “I mean you always smell great and I know you’re clean…” she lowered her head smiling at her own awkwardness. “I’ll be quiet now.”
“You are beautiful. Always beautiful.” he offered his hand and she took it the light breeze ruffling their hair. She hadn’t had a guy say that to her without some kind of caveat or a back-handedness to it. He waited patiently for her to lock her door before leading the way to his car being the constant gentleman opening the door for her and everything.

The trip to the restaurant was short since it was only two miles as the crow flies from her apartment. “This is my mother’s favorite place when she comes to visit.” he explained as the walked the short distance from the parking place he had found. “She say it is how she would cook for me if she was a good cook.” he chuckled remembering her say it as he opened the door for her letting her pass through first.
“It smells amazing in here.” she said taking a deep breath in smelling fresh bread and the delicious scents of food meeting heat. The were seated and Kris ordered a bottle of wine for them sending her into a trance of some kind as she watched and listened to him speak with total confidence. His English was fantastic but he never sounded as confidant as he did just then speaking his native tongue.
“So what does your Mom recommend?” Sarah asked looking over the menu her eyes immediately landing on a chicken and mushroom dish. Thankfully it was on the short list of favorites he listed off.

“I met your Neighbor.” he said once water and wine was brought to the table and their orders taken.
“Oh you poor guy.” Sarah said rolling her eyes. “You’re lucky she didn’t try and invite you in only to molest you or something. She’s a cougar though and through.” she couldn’t help but smile thinking of poor Kris in Mrs. Charles’ clutches. Her elderly neighbor was quite a character reminding Sarah of a mixture of Sophia and Blanche from the Golden Girls.
“She gave me that look. The look of wanting to eat me.” he said getting the phrase a bit confused but his point came across clear.
“Oh she’d do more than eat you.” Sarah said with a good laugh. “You’re a handsome hunk of man she’d take you right upstairs given the chance.” She blushed knowing she called him a handsome hunk of man without thinking about her word choice.
Dinner went smoothly with conversation flowing easily. They chatted about friends and how they got to be where they are now. Even music came up. “Really Korn and Metallica?” she asked tilting her head looking at him a bit like a confused puppy. “I wouldn’t have guessed that. I mean I don’t know what I would have guessed but not that.” she was picking at the left over rice on her plate finally covering it with her napkin so she would leave it alone.

“I would not expect you to like techno indie.” he said his own shock coming out.
“Hey I like anything from Jay-Z to Passion Pit with stops at Neil Diamond and musical theater in between. Really it’s anything but country and the scary screaming.” she explained. “You don’t mock my weird playlists and I won’t mock your tough guy anthems.” she said smiling as she took a sip of her wine.
The waiter came back to the table asking about desert but Kris declined for them. The waiter left again to get their check. “if it is ok we go back to mine? I have something special.” he explained.
All Sarah could do was nod yes and wonder what he had planned. With the bill paid they headed out to Kris’ car. She shivered the night having settled in. “May I?” he asked putting his arm around her. She was hesitant at first but he was warm and holding her close so she let her body drift closer to his as they walked.

“Thanks.” she said as she opened the car door for her once again. “You’re really warm. It’s a good thing. Men are supposed to be slightly warmer than women.” Leave it to Sarah to put in a technical fact.
She remembered how to get to his place for the most part though it was ncie to see it completely sober and not drunk or hung over. “She remembered the basics of his apartment the layout not having changed.
“Relax take your shoes off.” he encouraged slipping his own dress shoes off by the door. She did the same walking on his hardwood floors in her bare feet.
“I missed these last time.” she said drifting to the floor to ceiling windows to look out at his view. She could hear him clanging around in the kitchen doing something as she looked out on the city she loved.
“It is heating now.” he said joining her by the windows. “It is a beautiful view. I am lucky.” he said brushing a stray bit of her hair from her face his hand moving to cup her chin as he stepped into her personal space. It was shocking how gentle he was with her as he brought his lips to hers in a delicate kiss. It made her knees go week forcing her to hold onto him as the kiss unfolded opening up as she brought her body closer to his encouraging him as her hands found his shoulder and side to steady herself.
He pulled away slowly and she was left there in a beautiful haze. “Good kiss.” she mumbled her hand moving to her own bottom lip feeling it was slightly swollen with increased blood flow from their contact.

He chuckled at her reaction. “Thank you.” he said pushing his own hair out of his face before leaning in to kiss her again. He held her a bit tighter things slowly starting to simmer more and more till they were interrupted by the sound of a timer going off in the kitchen. He groaned letting his lips slip away from hers. “Desert is ready. Sit I will bring it out.” he said a smile wide on his face as he slowly backed away to the kitchen.
“Really?” she said seeing him exit the kitchen with an extremely distinctive piece of cookware. He was carrying a fondue pot on a tray with fruit and mini marshmallows on it along with the dipping sticks. “That is so freaking cool.” she said with a big grin as he put the tray down on the coffee table.
“It is my favorite. My Mother makes better but I try.” he said with a shrug handing her dipping stick. He speared himself a strawberry dipping it in the chocolate. Sarah went for the pineapple first.

“This is pretty awesome.” she said a few bites in. “I’ve never actually done this before.” she explained covering her mouth as she put a marshmallow in her mouth.
“Special occasion favorite.” he said going in for his own marshmallow.
“Oh I’m a special occasion am I?” she jokingly asked.
“I like you very much.” he said taking her question seriously. “Ever since I saw you on the table. Not just because Max says you have nice legs.”
“Remind me to smack him for that one.” she playfully narrowed her eyes making him laugh. It was nice being able to relax and make someone laugh by being herself rather than feeling like she was putting on a show.
The rest of the night went smoothly till they had nearly cleared the tray. “I don’t think I can eat anymore.” she said relaxing back into his sofa.
“Myself either.” he said leaning back next to her his eyes meeting hers. “I know I will see you on Monday. When can I see you like this again?” he asked motioning between the two of them.
She nodded thinking. She knew they could never be like this at work. It would be the opposite of professional. “Next Friday. You have the day off I have the day off.” she shrugged. “I think that would be the best time. I mean we can still hang out but I think it will more than likely be with the other guys or they’ll really know. Not that I don’t want them to know but you know we should keep things private.” she explained.
He just nodded. “Yes, down low would be best.” he agreed. “Friday we go out again. Something fun.” he added with a smile. “I will make a plan.”

The night came to an end at 1am when they finally yawned enough leading him to drive her back to her home. The stood at her door kissing. “I would really like to invite you in but I think that would be slutty.” she mumbled against his lips.
“Not slutty.” he said his lips smiling against hers. “But I should go home. I am hanging out with Geno tomorrow. He likes to get an early start.” Kris explained.
Sarah nodded stepping back into her open door. He followed her pressing his lips to hers one last time. “Rest well I will see you Monday.” he ran a hand through his hair before smiling and heading down the steps. “Have a good night.” he added as he got into his car.
“I had a great time.” she shouted a bit to loud cringing in worry she woke her neighbors up. “I can’t wait till next weekend.”