Laura ran into her bedroom, a towel wrapped around her body, her hair up off of her neck. She easily grabbed the phone. “Hello?” she said a bit breathlessly.

“Hey, did I catch you at a bad time?” Nathan asked, amusement in his voice.

Laura smiled and sank into a chair beside her bed. “No,” she said. “Just got out of the shower.”

“Oh really?” Nathan asked.

“You are terrible,” Laura said with a soft laugh. “What time are you picking me up?”

“Was just calling to say I´m getting off earlier,” Nathan said. “We´re meeting Drew and Buck in Ajo for dinner, so can you be ready in about an hour?”

Laura nodded. “Yeah, I´ll be ready,” she said softly. After exchanging goodbyes, Laura rose and started to get dressed.

**

Laura was standing with Drew while Nathan and Buck paid the bill for their dinner. The silence was somewhat awkward for some reason. “So… dinner was good,” Laura said breaking the silence.

Drew nodded "yes it was." She wanted to ask Laura about her 'friendship' with Buck but couldn't find the words.

Laura bit her lip and was silent a moment before breaking it again. “Drew is there something wrong?”

Drew looked to her and shrugged "No." She looked away and back to her "yeah maybe? I don't know." She shook her head again and mumbled "just the green-eyed monster in me is all."

Laura frowned. “Jealousy?” she asked. “What are you jealous of, Buck loves you.”

"I know and Nathan seems to care for you. It's just, well I've heard things about Buck and all the women and..... Well did you and he ever?" She bit her lip.

Laura shook her head. “Not even close,” she said. “For a number of reasons. Reason one, I was engaged for a time, and he knew what that did to me, reason two, Buck´s been probably the biggest advocate to get Nathan and I together, and reason three, even if he had ever asked me I wouldn´t have dated him. The truth of the matter is, I´m not Buck´s type, and he´s not mine. The only needs we meet for one another is as good friends. Nothing more.”

Drew smiled "you're right. I'm real sorry for asking. I hope we can be friends."

Laura smiled. “Of course we can,” she said. Buck and Nathan came out of the restaurant and over to them. Nathan slipped his arms around Laura and kissed her. “Hey you,” she said softly once the kiss broke.

Buck's mouth dropped then went into a wide grin "well it's about time!" He pulled Drew to him wrapping his arms around her from behind.

Laura giggled and looked at Buck. “Yes well, considering I received a major kick in the teeth, I did something about it,” she said.

“You did huh?” Nathan teased her. Laura merely grinned at him.

Buck walked over and shook Nathan's hand "you're a lucky man. Don't you forget that.” Drew looked down a moment then looked back up to Laura and smiled.

Laura winked at her then kissed Nathan´s cheek. “Are we going to movies or not?” she asked him.

Nathan chuckled. “My lady has spoken Buck, and I bet that´s what yours is thinkin´,” he said. “We ready?”

Buck put his arm around Drew. "yeah Sunshine and I are ready."

Laura slid her arm around Nathan´s waist. “You know, you have a cute nickname from Buck, Drew,” she said. “Nathan calls me Eeyore.”

“Hey you always said you liked Eeyore,” Nathan said with a pout. Laura covered her mouth, smothering the laugh that threatened to erupt.

Drew laughed. "that is cute too. I like Pooh." She looked at Buck as he started to open his mouth "call me pooh and, well you know what will happen."

Buck waggled his eyebrows "wouldn't even consider it… Sunshine."

Laura laughed as she snuggled closer to Nathan. The two couples walked into the movie theatre and settled in to watch the movie.

**

Nathan rubbed Laura´s back as they lay together on the sofa in her living room. “Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked softly.

Laura turned and looked into his eyes, her chin propped on her hand as she lay on top of him. “Yes I did,” she murmured. “But I just keep thinking that I am too heavy to be lying on top of you.”

Nathan grinned running his thumb over her lower lip. “Shh,” he said softly. “You are as light as a feather, and I like feeling you there.”

Laura blushed and leaned up to kiss him. Nathan closed his eyes, dipping his tongue past her lips to spar with hers, losing himself in the sweet taste of her. Someone clearing their throat behind the couple towards the door broke them apart slowly. Katherine and Sean stood in the doorway, smiling. “Is there something that you two haven´t told us?” Sean asked, his Irish accent prominent.

Laura smiled softly and sat up, but didn´t get off Nathan. “Um, mama, daddy, Nathan and I have started dating,” she said softly.

Katherine smiled. “Really?” she asked. Laura nodded. “Oh honey that´s wonderful,” Katherine said walking over to her daughter and Nathan. She kissed them both and hugged them.

“Now wait a minute here,” Sean said. “Where do you plan on staying tonight young man?”

“Daddy, Nathan stays here all the time,” Laura said.

“That was before you two were dating.”

“Daddy.”

“It´s okay, Eeyore,” Nathan said. “Your dad´s just bein´ protective.”

“Damn straight I am, that´s my little girl you´re seeing,” Sean said with a smile. “Seriously though son, I´m glad you two finally got together. You just take care of her now.”

Nathan smiled. “I will sir,” he said. Laura and Nathan exchanged good nights with her parents and the older Fitzpatricks left.

Laura looked at Nathan. “You´re going to take care of me huh?” she asked softly.

Nathan kissed her softly, watching her. “Till my dyin´ day if I get any say in it,” he said.

“Such a romantic,” Laura said with a smile. Nathan grinned and they kissed, settling down again for the night.

.