Raelene always looked forward to the weekly one-on-one basketball game at the gym. To tell the truth, it was probably the thing that she missed the most when Brian was away. Sometimes it was still really hard to believe that the Brian she played against every Thursday was the same guy who's face was plastered all over MTV. Her friends had a hard time believing that when she rushed off to the gym every Thursday, she was just going to play basketball.

She opened the door to the gym and had barely a second to think before a basketball flew at her head. She reached up instinctively while ducking in case she missed the catch.

"Hey Rae, you're late!"

"Hey Bri, what are you trying to do? Kill me?" She heard him laugh from a few feet away.

"Kill the best ball partner I got? Why would I do that?" He waited for her to put down her bag. "So, what's up?" Raelene shrugged.

"Nada, Bri. Anything with you? Any new diamond records for sales or anything?" She saw Brian sigh, and knew that despite her attempt at humor he was about to say something she didn't want to hear. "Uh oh. This isn't good news, is it?"

"Depends how you look at it. Tour starts in a month. I won't be around for a while." Raelene shook her head.

"You mean I won't have to look at your ugly face? Man, that's such a travesty." She ducked when Brian threw his sweat shirt at her, and then smiled. "You know I'll miss you Bri, geez!"

"But you won't after I kick your ass today." He caught the ball that Raelene threw at him. "Let's go!" He dribbled the ball around Raelene and headed to the basket before she stole it and went for a lay up.

"Ha ha! You're gonna kick my ass huh, boy?!" Brian stood in the middle of the court shaking his head.

"Always gotta show me up. You'll never learn." He grabbed the ball, and went to the basket to make a shot. Raelene couldn't help herself when he missed. She started dancing and chanting.

"Go B-rok! Go B-rok!"

"Shut up." Raelene knew from his grin, that Brian wasn't really upset with her. They teased each other like this all the time. It kept the game from being too competitive.

They played for a while until they were both out of breath, and then decided to take a break. They were silent for a minute until Raelene spoke.

"Hey B." Brian looked up at her from the bench where he was sitting. "How long have we been playing?" Brian looked at his watch, and Raelene realized she hadn't asked exactly what she meant. "No, no no. I mean, we've been playing against each other for a couple of years right?" It was obvious from Brian's expression, that he didn't know what she was getting at.

"Yeah, I guess so. Why?" Raelene didn't know exactly why she was asking, or how to explain it to Brian. She sighed.

"I d'know. I was just thinking."

"Rae, I've warned you before; thinking can be dangerous." Raelene rolled her eyes.

"Maybe for you, freak!" Brian laughed.

"Personally, I think AJ's more of a freak than me, but your choice."

"You know what I mean. And don't you DARE go tell him that I said he was a freak. I'd die!"

"You secret is safe with me. You ready to go again?" Raelene nodded and took the ball.

"Marten's fakes left, she fakes right," Raelene grinned at Brian who stood in front of her to block her shot. "She fakes faking right and fakes left, she goes for the three pointer." She jumped to make the shot, but was set off balance when Brian hit her arm trying to block the shot. In an attempt to keep herself from landing on the ground she grabbed Brian's arm, but instead she ended up pulling him down on top of her as she fell.

Raelene's heart was racing with adrenaline from the fall, and it raced a little harder when she realized how Brian had fallen. His face was only inches from hers. Their eyes met for a moment, and before she had a chance to say anything, he had leaned in to kiss her. It seemed to last forever and be over in a flash, both at the same time.

When they broke apart, Raelene couldn't think. Suddenly, she grinned and heard herself whisper, "Foul." Brian looked surprised, and then recognition crept into his eyes.

"I'm the ref, I say no foul," as he looked at her for a moment. Then he got up and held out his hand to help her. "Uh, Rae. You okay?"

"Fine, Bri. I've fallen harder before."

"I kinda meant with the kiss, and all." Raelene was confused for a moment.

"Why wouldn't I be, Bri?" She looked into his eyes, hoping for some clue towards his concern.

"We've been friends for so long, I just didn't want to lose that because of something impulsive and stupid. And I'm leaving again soon." Raelene realized that he wouldn't stop explaining unless she relieved his concern. On a whim, she leaned to kiss him, surprising him in mid-thought. Then she stepped back.

"I've been waiting for this since the day I met you."

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