"You and Nick seem to be hitting it off," AJ commented once they were in the kitchen.

"I guess. I'm not really looking to replace Todd yet. I'm enjoying Nick's company, though. I really like him." Rae looked up at AJ.

"What about us other guys?"

"I think you're all cool. And cute. My friends are not going to believe me when I tell them about you guys."

"How long are you staying out here?"

"Until September 2nd. Then, I'm flying out to New Mexico for the feast day. Make a little money off the tourists."

"What do you sell?"

"I make beaded crosses, friendship bracelets with Indian designs on them...."

AJ had been moving closer and closer to Rae and was leaning down to kiss her. Their lips met tentatively at first. Then, AJ kissed Rae again, this time more fully. She let it go on for about a minute before she broke away from him.

"I better go," said Rae. Then, she turned around and left the kitchen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Where's AJ?" asked Nick when Rae came back by herself.

"He should be coming out with the popcorn soon," she said, sitting down next to Nick. Nick put his arms around Rae's waist, while she rested against his chest. Then Rae noticed Brian was gone.

"Where did Brian go?" she asked.

"He went to his room to get something, which means we can lay down." Nick shifted his position to lay down. Raelene did the same. Nick pulled her closer to him and smiled happily to himself.

"Just because I left doesn't mean you take my seat," Brian said when he got back.

"Looks like you're sitting on the floor now," Nick said.

"Okay. I'll sit right here," Brian said, sitting right in front of Raelene and Nick, blocking their view of the television.

"Hey, you're blocking the TV," Rae said.

"Oh, am I?" Brian asked, innocently. Then he burst out laughing and layed down on the floor next to Kevin.

"Popcorn is served," AJ said, coming in with two big bowls of popcorn. He looked at Nick and Rae lying on the couch. They weren't even watching the movie. Nick was saying something in Rae's ear, then she smiled at him, and kissed him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I'll never get tired of watching that movie," AJ said, as the credits rolled on the screen. "What time is it?"

Howie looked at his watch. "Twelve-thirty in the morning."

"Look at those two," Brian said, looking at Nick and Rae.

"Isn't that just cute," said Kevin, sarcastically.

"What's wrong with you?" Brian said, looking at Kevin.

"She said she'd call her friend, whoever he is, and tell him she's here. She never did."

"That's not all that's bothering him," said Howie.

"So you ARE having thoughts," AJ said, recalling what he said earlier.

"Not those kind of thoughts," Kevin said. "I admit she's beautiful, she has a beautiful smile, a nice laugh, nice voice, soft hair, beautiful eyes, GREAT body...."

"And you keep saying you don't have those thoughts," AJ said, a knowing smile on his face.

"He also says she reminds him of Beth," said Howie.

Kevin was in his own world, looking at Rae sleep. Nick has a tight hold on her. 'How can someone so young be ready to even sleep NEXT to a guy,' he thought. 'And how can NICK be ready to do that. He's only thirteen, for God's sake.'

"Kevin, is that true?" Brian asked, concerned.

"Is what true?" Kevin said, coming out of his reverie.

"That Raelene reminds you of Beth," Brian repeated.

Kevin looked at Howie with an angry expression on his face. "How come you told them?"

"Because it's true. You said so yourself. I just don't want you to fall in love with a memory." Howie looked at Nick and Raelene.

"I'm not in love with her," Kevin said, insistantly.

"Age is just--," AJ started.

"I know, AJ," he said, exasperated. "Age is just a number. I'm sure I'll be over her tomorrow."

"Whatever you say, Kev," AJ replied.

"Okay, back to the original reason for this conversation, how do we let her friend know she's okay?"

"Here's a thought. Wake her up and ask her," AJ said.

"No, no, don't wake her up," Brian said. "She needs her sleep. Wake up Nick."

"Okay," said AJ.

"Hey, Nick," Howie said, shaking Nick to wake him up.

"What?" he said, sleepily.

"What hotel is Rae staying in?"

"The Hilton, a couple of blocks away from Disney World. Why?"

"We're going to call her friend to tell him she's staying with us."

"Scott Weinger is his name."

"The guy on TV?"

"Yeah. And remember, don't tell him where she is. Can I go back to sleep now?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Thank you." Then Nick went back to sleep.

For a while, Kevin, Howie, AJ, and Brian watched them sleep. It did look kind of cute. It also looked natural. Each one of them noticed that.

"Oh, we have to call Nick's mom, too," Brian remembered.

"I'll call Scott, you can call Nick's mom," Kevin said to Brian.

"Alright. I get to go first." Brian picked up the phone and dialed Nick's home number.