�You make it sound like a political scandal. �The J.J. incident,�� she mocked, as she delighted in watching Apolo smile.
�That�s only because you downplay it. Admit it, you were really scared.�
�Yeah, I was, but who wouldn�t be?� she sighed.
�That�s what I�m saying. I don�t get how you can go through all this and not be all that affected. Or am I just being na�ve?� replied Apolo, turning to finally face her after stopping at the intersection.
�No, you�re not being na�ve. The thing is, I think you underestimate me sometimes. I�m a lot stronger than you think, and c�mon, you should know that I�m not one to sit around on my ass and feel sorry for myself. But I don�t plan on dismissing what happened tonight. I just don�t believe in mulling over it and�I don�t know, seeking a pyschiatrist or something.�
Apolo smirked and bit down on his lip. Damn him. She loved it when he did that. He looked completely gorgeous and boyish all at once. �I love it when you get all �Real World-y� on me. It�s
cute.�
�I�m not! And if I ever start whining and going on an ego, self-centered trip, please, I give you every right to shoot me,� Morgan protested, laughing.
�You know,� he started, as their giggles died down, �I�ve never underestimate you. Honestly, I don�t.�
�Really? Why not? Everyone does. It�s part of being associated with me. It�s like a god-given right.�
�Well, it�s not mine. Because I believe that you are everything you want to be. You just don�t know it. And the fact that you can�t see how incredible you are�It makes you all the more incredible,� said Apolo, his eyes glistening as he took off down the street once more.
�Why do you say things like that? Why? Please, don�t do that.�
Apolo glanced at Morgan out of the corner of his eye, perplexed. �But you��
�No. When you tell me that, you make it impossible for me to forget that you have someone else, and not me. Or to forget about what a little shit I am for letting you slip through my fingers. That�s why�I don�t want to think about those things. So don�t say stuff that�s going to make me want you more,� she earnestly pleaded.
�You�re cute when you say �shit� too. You kind of have a British accent.� Apolo flashed a smile her way, causing Morgan to laugh again, breaking the tension.
The car slowly came to a stop as Apolo turned into Morgan�s empty driveway. They both sat there quietly for a moment, not quite sure what to say. Their relationship had changed tonight. Being friends was no longer a pursuable option, especially since they felt it, in every square inch of their bodies, that unmistakable desire to be desired. By each other.
�Thanks for the ride home�and, well, everything tonight,� said Morgan, reaching for the door.
�Wait.�
�Yeah?�
Apolo leaned over the seat so that his face was only inches away from Morgan�s. He carefully brushed the strands of hair out of her eyes, and moved in to kiss her. Morgan leaned back, a bit shocked at the sensation of Apolo�s salty mouth on hers. She kissed him back lightly, letting her fingers explore the wavy curls tickling his neck. He could smell her apple laced shampoo and almost taste the softness of her skin beneath his touch. Morgan suddenly pulled back, startling Apolo.
�What if this is wrong? What if, we pursue this, and it only ends in heartache?�
He grinned at her, framing her face with his hands in a comforting effort. �And what if this is the most wonderful and beautiful love that we�ve been looking for?�
Morgan felt her palms go cold and her face bright hot. �Did you just say love?�
�Yeah, I think I did,� Apolo whispered. �Because if this isn�t love, then I�ll be damned to know what is.�
Morgan smiled. She grasped his hands in hers, entangling their fingers into one, and moved the pair down over her chest.
�You feel that?�
�Yeah, your heartbeat.�
�That�s right,� she nodded, �Now you have my heart in your hands. Don�t break it.�
�That�s the farthest thing from my mind,� Apolo trailed, his lips grazing over Morgan�s once more, this time, knowing that their kisses would linger on into the dark night, and for nights to come.
(AUTHOR�S NOTE: Sorry about the long hiatus. I was in sort of an Apolo slump. Anyway, the good news is that I'm back and so is RIA. WOOT! LoL. By the way, this is NOT the end of the fic so, STAY TUNED!)