Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring) was put into the DVD player, but it wasn’t watched. There was a full mug of tea (cold) sitting on the coffee table along with a can of soda (unopened) and when the closing credits rolled on, the two people entangled on the couch realized they’d missed the entire three hour movie.

Katie looked up at Aaron, a nervous smile on her lips. “I think we did that making out thing again.”

Aaron laughed and rolled off her, landing on the floor in an Aaron-heap. He looked at his watch and sighed. “I should probably go. It’s really late.”

Katie sat up, adjusting her t-shirt. She grabbed his hand and pulled him down beside her. “Or you could stay.”

“Katie Harper,” Aaron stated in mock-accusing tones. “Are you trying to have your way with me?”

In spite of herself, her cheeks colored and she looked away, embarrassed. Aaron leaned over so his nose was touching hers. “I’d like to stay,” he said, kissing her briefly.

“It’s gonna change everything,” Katie said, watching as Aaron stood up in front of her. “Everything’s going to be different,” she said faintly, taking the hand Aaron had outstretched to her.

Aaron pulled her up to stand beside him. “Yeah. It is. Are you sure you want to?”

Katie nodded slowly and reached up to kiss him again.

*

Katie woke up the following morning feel really relaxed and happy. When she opened her eyes and rolled over, she figured out why.

Aaron smiled at her. “Hey,” he said gently.

“Hey yourself,” she replied, grinning.

“I think we should go spend a lot of money today,” Aaron stated matter-of-factly, shifting closer to her so he could give her a kiss. “We’ve gotta get you something to wear and I can’t do it tomorrow ‘cause of the Today Show and Cold Pizza.”

“Ah, yes, the life of a swim God.”

Aaron stuck his tongue out at her and then became serious. “Last night was great, Katie.”

Katie smiled softly. “It was pretty good.”

“Pretty good?” Aaron echoed, his eyes wide. “Way to build up a guy’s ego.”

“Oh don’t pout,” she said, running a finger along his jaw, which was sporting quite a lot of stubble since he hadn’t shaved yet. “You were the best I‘ve ever had, Aaron Peirsol. There. Is that better?”

“Much.” He nodded stoutly and swung his legs over to the floor.

“Do you have to get up?” Katie whined, stretching and rolling over closer to him. “Can’t we just stay in bed for a while? It’s only…” she glanced at the clock and gasped. “…Good God, it’s noon!”

Aaron turned around as he was pulling some boxers on. “We slept in, I think.”

Katie laughed. “I’d say so. Well, we were up pretty late.”

He nodded seriously. “I barely got ANY sleep at all, damn you.”

She was busy rubbing his back and yawning, but responded after a minute. “I don’t think it was all my fault. If I remember correctly, you were there too.”

Aaron leaned down and kissed the top of her head, then ruffled up her hair in a very good imitation of how he used to when they were young. “I was there, all right.”

He stood up and went around the room grabbing various articles of clothing. “I think I’ll go back to the hotel and change and then come back.”

“You don’t want to wear some of my clothes?”

Aaron gave her a cheeky grin. “I don’t think I have the right legs to pull off a skirt.”

Katie laughed and dropped back onto her pillows. “Would you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Can you pass me my robe? I feel really weird.”

He tossed the robe over to her and turned to retrieve his socks, which were hanging on the mirror for some unknown reason. “Don’t you feel weird?” She asked, watching as he pulled his t-shirt on.

“Nah.” Aaron turned his head round to look at her. “I feel great.”

She colored slightly and snuggled deeper under her covers. “Well, I feel weird. I mean...I’m naked and so are you. And we’re not six.”

Aaron guffawed as he pulled his jeans on. “I’m not naked,” he said pointedly, buttoning up his jeans. “And you’re bound to feel weird because I’m sure you haven’t envisioned this morning forever. You won’t be used to it yet, like I am.”

Katie sat up and threw a pillow at him. “Aaron!”

The pillow hit him in the head, causing his hair to become even messier than before. He threw it back at her, laughing. “I love you, don’t throw stuff at me and mess up my hair! It’s carefully disheveled!”

Just for that, she threw it back at him, carefully aiming for his head, and succeeding to catch him off balance so that he and his mop of hair fell back onto the bed in a heap.