Guess who's back, lovelies?

Courtney's eyes opened slowly, and she squinted in the darkness. She hazily looked down at her surroundings and furrowed her brow at the royal blue blankets covering her clothed body. Last thing she remembered was curling up on the floor and nodding off…

She turned onto her side, blinking confusedly at the sight of the time. It was 10:06 a.m., yet there was no sunlight streaming into her room.

Odd, she thought. Courtney yawned as she slowly slid the covers off of her, fanning her face as she stumbled through the lush and pristine white carpet over to the window. She threw open the curtains and jumped a little at the sight of nothing but pure whiteness.

Courtney's onyx eyes squinted at the window, before she rubbed them with the back of her hands. Snowed in, I guess…

She blew out a breath, the air pushing her bangs out of her eyes. There would be no use trying to head in to the office today… And although it would be hard for her to have a relaxing day to herself, her being a keener and all, she would just have to suck it up and just sit on the couch and take it easy.

Besides, she needed it... especially after nearly uprooting her apartment frantically searching for that long lost item. It was probably long gone by now, and it made her feel awful and ashamed of her fabled temper.

Believe it or not, Courtney was actually an even bigger drama queen as a child. Shocking, right? And although she was still a raging tyrant occassionally, she was better at suppressing the physical side of it now.

Yawning once again, Courtney crossed her room and grabbed her silvery silk housecoat off of the hook on her door and slipped it on. She opened the door and padded down the hallway towards the living area, onyx eyes still slightly droopy from sleep.

Oblivious to the folded clothes by her couch and the blanket draped over it, the brunette entered the kitchen and grabbed a glass. She yawned as she filled it with water and took slow sips, before she went about filling her kettle in order to steep some herbal tea.

Courtney wiped her eyes, setting the empty glass in the sink before she headed towards the bathroom as the water began to boil. Still hazy from sleep, she furrowed her brow when she reached for the doorknob, feeling it twist beneath her palm.

Suddenly, the door swung open by a hand that was not her own, and Courtney's droopy eyes snapped open as her reflexes kicked in.

Green eyes met startled onyx ones, and before Trent could finish formulating a greeting, a tan fist collided with his right cheek and knocked him off of his feet. He hit the tiled floor with a thud and he groaned, stunned as his vision blurred.

Courtney had her hands over her mouth as she gasped with wide eyes, her hand slightly sore from the force she packed into the punch.

"Trent?" She cried, shocked to be seeing him in his house. How and when he got there was beyond her. Courtney quickly rushed to his side and laid him on his back, and cupped his face as she leaned forward to examine it for injuries.

She pushed his raven black hair out of his turtle green eyes, which were clenched shut as she frantically analyzed his face. She slid her fingers over the bruise that was starting to form gently, wincing herself.

"Jesus, Trent. You scared the crap out of me!" Courtney exclaimed.

Trent's eyes fluttered open as he cringed, still looking down for the count. Ever the optimist, he cracked a pained smile.

"W-well, at least I know that I don't have to worry about you as much when you walk home late at night…" He mused, slowly sitting back up and meeting her gaze with his own. "Honestly Court, you know I'd drive you home in a heartbeat. It's no problem at all-"

"How many times do I have to give you the 'walking home' lecture, Trent?" Courtney sighed, sending him an exasperated look. She pushed her chocolate brown hair out of her onyx eyes before corssing her arms, shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position on the tiled floor, not knowing how long she and Trent would sit there. It could be anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours. "For one, walking is great exercise. Which reminds me… When was the last time you went to the gym?"

Trent shrunk back at the mention of the gym, being rather 'allergic' to that god-awful place. He avoided her pointed and factual gaze.

"Exactly." She huffed haughtily, turning up her freckled nose slightly.

"Court…" He groaned, rolling his green eyes slightly. "I know you're a health nut, and I appreciate that you care so much about my health but what I do with my body is my business."

Courtney looked around shiftily, blushing slightly at the impication that she cared about his health a great deal, but she quickly shook it off and regained her composure. She cleared her throat.

"W-well all I'm saying is, I don't want you to get sick! You're already far behind on your work, and you can't afford to take anymore time off." She stated, jabbing his shoulder with her pointer finger accusingly.

Trent looked slightly taken aback, and he absentmindedly clutched his purple cheek. He paused for a moment before narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Hey, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the one who keeps calling me at work and distracting me." He pointed out.

It was Courtney's turned to look taken aback. Her onyx eyes widened slightly as her mouth opened and closed, before she huffed and crossed her arms.

"We're getting off topic. Which reminds me, what are you even doing here? You know, besides scaring me half to death." She muttered, sending him a vaguely dirty look.

Trent avoided her gaze, unable to answer her question seeing as he didn't really know the answer himself. He refrained from admitting that it was mostly because he couldn't get her off of his mind pretty much all of the previous day out of fear that he'd end up stroking her rather oppressive ego.

Now, it wasn't that he didn't her self-confidence attractive or impressive. It was quite opposite, actually. He was extrememly glad that she had grown into such an empowered and self-assured woman.

Contrary to popular belief, Courtney was actually rather meek and lacked self-esteem in her freshman and sophomore years of high school. Any boyfriend she had would end up dumping her rather harshly, unable to put up with her prissy and prudish tendencies for longer than a few weeks.

And there Trent would sit, her tear stained face buried in his shoulder and her hands clenching his shirt tightly and needingly. His hand would gently run up and down her spine every now and then as he remained rather quiet and sincere with the rare words he'd speak, barely audible over her sniffles.

And all it would take was a genuine smle to bring a small one to her lips chewed raw from biting them.

Trent flinched slightly, pulled out from his miniature mental reverie, and he blushed faintly at Courtney's raised eyebrow and expectant look.

"W-what...?" He asked, self consciously before clearing his throat. "Can't a guy pay a visit to his best friend in the whole wide world...?"

Courtney rolled her eyes and punched his chest, earning herself another pained smile; that's one of the many things Courtney admired about Trent. The fact that it was virtually impossible to see him without a smile.

"You are so full of crap. When did you get here?" She asked.

"Last night. Didn't you wonder how you ended up in your bed?" He replied.

"Wow, I'm surprised you could lift me with those scrawny arms of yours."

"Ouch. You wound me."

The two close friends shared a short laugh before they heaved themselve up off of Courtney's bathroom floor. They exited the small vacinity and headed towards her main living area. Her apartment was open concept, and there lacked any walls between the kitchen and living room.

The water she had begun to boil for her green tea had finished boiling, as she crossed over to her counter and pulled two mugs out from the wooden cupboard. She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out her cartoon of soy milk before hesitating. Courtney looked to Trent meekly over her tanned shoulder, and frowned faintly.

"Do you want some ice for that…?" She asked, referring to the now rather purple bruise forming on his right cheek.

Trent, who had been holding the aforementioned bruise thought for a moment before nodding. It was probably best to bring any swelling down to prevent his co-workers from trying to pry.

Despite Trent being on rather good terms with his associates, many of his office mates were incredibly nosy and patronizing. They were all, on average, at least nine or ten years older than recent graduate Trent, and saw him as a child. Which he certainly wasn't.

He wasn't exactly the happiest person to be working shifts in a stuffy office all day crunching numbers, but it made his parents happy… So in hindsight, Trent was happy…

Courtney brought an ice pack over to him and gave it to him with a faint, apologetic smile before going back to brewing her tea.

"Earl Grey, I'm assuming?" She asked, box of the aforementioned tea already in hand. She sent him a knowing look, as if she already knew the answer.

"You know it. Thanks, Court." Trent replied, leaning against the kitchen island as he readjusted the ice pack; the coldness pricked his warm hand uncomfortably.

Courtney turned back around, her toned back defined through the thin silk fabric of her housecoat. She preapared tea for both herself and Trent, before reaching over to grab sweetener.

"Well, it's the least I can do for you, for housing my insanity for a couple of days. I consider us even now." Courtney said, voice firm and slightly authorative. Not one to dwell on much, Courtney had made up her mind that it was best to treat her lapses of judgement as nonexistent.

Trent nodded weakly. He was then presented with a cup of steaming hot tea, just the way he liked it as Courtney sipped on hers absentmindedly. He analyzed her facial expressions, considering it rather strange for the always analytical Courtney to be so distant and vacant at mind.

Contrary to his conceptions, Courtney was actually thinking rather deeply of places where she could've left that damn bracelet. For all she knows, she could have left it at her parents house. She cringed at the thought of visiting them; they never really approved of her friendship with the 'Smith boy', seeing as they considered his optimism unrealistic and a threat to Courtney's 'practical' endeavors. They didn't want him to fill her head with pretty words and false hopes. They wanted her to be grounded, and if her happiness suffered, so be it.

She had to give them at least a little credit; thanks to their strict nature, Courtney had become rather well-known in the world of corporate law.

Which was ultimately what she wanted, along with companionship… And a chance to have a family, and be truly happy in life.

Courtney lifted her gaze from her mug, eyes flickering over Trent's face.

And one thing she knew for certain, was that he made her happy… His smile, his bad jokes, his clichés, his kindness, his messy hair, him. And it made her feel really foolish for how blunt she had been previously, by declaring and demanding that he father her children. Even the thought brought a blush to her face.

She bit her lip, before quickly taking another sip of her tea to wet her drying throat.

"Looks like we're snowed in." Courtney remarked, attempting to break the awkward silence. She looked over to the snow whipping at her living room window, and the dull grey skies. It made her feel slightly claustrophobic and on edge, not being able to go out and do something. She could always work from home, but…. Trent was here, and it would be bad hospitality to ignore him… She sighed.

Trent furrowed his brow, ice pack discarded and tea in hand as he took a small sip.

"What's wrong?" He asked concernedly.

"Oh, nothing… Just lost in thought." She replied with a weak smile, before it faded.

Trent frowned faintly at her response, before he paused to drink some more tea. The hot liquid was heavy in the back of his throat as he swallowed, before cracking a small smile.

"Well, I'm quite prepared to have a do-nothing day, curl up on the couch and watch Glee all day with you. I know how much you love that show…" He said knowingly, smile widening as she looked away to conceal her embarrassed blush.

"I don't know what you're talking about…" She muttered, in denial.

Trent sent her a deadpan look, tilting his head to the side slightly. He chuckled and rolled his green eyes playfully.

"Come on, Courtney… I know you enjoy it… Don't lie to meeee…" He prodded, leaning closer to her as he tried to bring her beautiful smile to it's rightful place.

"Shut up!" Courtney blurted out, chewing her lip to suppress the smile that Trent was fishing for, before she sighed deeply. "It's obvious that you're the only Gleek here, Mr. Musician!"

Trent chuckled, smile widening further as he shrugged. "It's not a horrible show, I will admit that. Now come on. Snow days are cozy days, if you ask me." He stated, rubbing his lukewarm palms together.

With an eyeroll and a reluctant smile, Courtney made her way over to her soft leather couch and held her tea firmly in one hand as she held the fleece blanket up so Trent could join her. He finished off his tea before heading over to the couch to join her.

Courtney grabbed the remote and prepared to turn the television on, but just as she did so, all the lights in the apartment shut off and the displays on her appliances shut off. Her brow furrowed as she looked around the dim room before a scowl formed on her lips.

"Well that's just fantastic!" She yelled, throwing her remote to the ground irritably. She fumed quietly. Power outages completely wiped out any possibilities of checking in with the office or finding out tasks she could work on once Trent left.

Trent looked a little on edge, knowing how hard it was for workaholic Courtney to find serenity without technology. She could barely last fifteen minutes without checking her work email, and another five after that before acting on it. He could already sense the impending doom that would be a Courtney tirade.

"Well, let's not panic… I mean, we can…. Play cards…?" Trent offered lamely, the corners of his lips raising to a meek smile. He cringed as he was met with narrowed onyx eyes, and a sour scowl.

"In the dark?" The brunette deadpanned, raising a perfectly waxed eyebrow.

"Well, we could light candles. It'll be fun." He explained further, the idea of having a cozy card game beginning to sound quite appealing. Trent offered the peeved girl a more confident smile, as he got up and exited the warmth that was the blanket. He crossed the threshold into her kitchen and approached the counter next to her refridgerator. Trent then opened the drawer and let out a short chuckle. Leave it to Courtney to even have an impeckably organized misc. drawer. He then pulled out a pack of cards, and a lighter.

Courtney's gaze remained on her friend as he begun to light candles, the orange flickers defining his handsome facial features. He sent her a smile, and she simply pursed her lips, still a bit annoyed due to the lack of power. Which would also mean a lack of heat… That wouldn't be good, especially for her immune system. Part of the reason why the brunette hated winter was because she got sick incredibly easily, and she absolutely hated the numb feeling she got in her fingers and toes.

"All right, so what do you wanna play? War? Old maid? Oh! How about Go Fish? I remember playing that all the time when you'd visit on school holidays. Why don't we play that!" The raven haired male grinned as he sat down on the floor. He patted the spot across from him with an eager smile, making her roll her eyes with a small smile and a sigh.

"Honestly, Trent Smith…. You get way too excited over nostalgia like that. It's not even a big deal." Courtney pointed out, tucking her legs beneath her and wrapping the blanket over herself to keep warm. She could already feel the heat beginning to leave her fingers and toes and she sighed again.

"Oh? Well, maybe you don't get excited enough. I love remembering the little things, because it's the little things that truly shape how we are today. Believe it or not, Courtney, but I can see every little detail that you had as a kid in you now. Not all the time, but… they're still there." Trent said, turtle green eyes locking on hers. His anecdote made Courtney's eyes widen a bit and a faint rosy colour begin to stain her cheeks.

"You can? How?" She asked skeptically, gaze flickering over his face as she searched for any hints of a bluff. Although, she knew it would be in vain; Trent never lied when he talked like this.

"I just… can. I can't explain it." He said with a shrug, and a furrowed brow. Trent bit his lip as he felt an odd warm feeling in his lower stomach, despite the rest of his body beginning to feel quite cold due to the lack of heating in Courtney's apartment. He cleared his throat quietly and begun to deal them cards, smiling once he was done.

"Okay. Ladies first." Trent said.

Courtney rolled her eyes playfully, holding up her hand and flickering gaze of the cards. She narrowed her eyes in concentration as she strategized, trying to pick the best card to ask for. Another few seconds passed, before Trent let out soft chuckle. Courtney tore her eyes away from her cards and sent him a small glare.

"What?" She asked, voice slightly clipped.

"You haven't changed one bit since high school..." Trent grinned weakly, shaking his head a bit. Courtney tensed up defensively as she puffed out her lips, eying him suspiciously.

"What's that supposed to mean? That I'm what- immature?" The brunette accused.

Trent was slightly taken aback.

"What? No! That was... a compliment!" He tried to explain.

The girl huffed, still slightly unsure even though she knew she had no reason to be, and that Trent not once in his life ever meant to be malicious or judgemental.

"Do you have any tens?" Courtney asked, finally.

"Courtney..." Trent frowned a bit, still lingering on the brunette's allegation. 'That I'm what- immature?' She had said... Trent furrowed his brow as the words flowed through his mind repetitively, trying to string some sense and context to her thoughts.

"Ugh, I'm not playing. I'm so done with this stupid game." Courtney huffed haughtily, setting down her cards and making to get up- but a warm hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her from doing so.

"Courtney, look at me..." Trent murmured softly, vocie slightly pleading. His green eyes searched for her onyx ones as his hands remained on her small wrist. She slowly looked over at him, heartbeat quickening its pace.

"What...?" Courtney said, voice losing it's harsh edge. It sounded more exasperated. She pursed her chafed lips as the silence pulsed in their ears.

Trent stared at her closely, the thoughts of all the time they've spent together flocking to him like ravens to a graveyard. The soft orange flickers of the candle light accentuated her smooth, tanned features and cast an alluring glow over her obsidian eyes, which blazed like embers in a rustic fire. He tentatively reached up, feeling as if he was moving in slow motion. His warm palm landed on her smooth cheek as he tilted her face up so they were gazing into each other's eyes more closely.

Courtney's eyes widened faintly as she felt her pulse spike and her blood rush to her face. His hand felt tender against her face as his breath ghosted over her lips; it smelled like earl grey.

The two were locked in a calculating staring contest, as millions of thoughts and questions flashed through their minds.

His gaze travelled down to her lips, and thoughts of the drive back from their tree house made his throat go dry. They were so close... But he had stupid pushed her away. Trent had no clue what game she was even playing at anymore. She more confusing than a Japanese game show, sometimes... This whole craziness... her want for him to father her child... There were so many ifs, so many complications... Courtney in herself was just one huge contradiction.

Trent desperately wanted things to go back to being as simple as they were before all of this happened. But... then again, weren't things always complicated? Trent swallowed dryly, as a sudden realization hit him. The constant want to kiss Courtney... it had always been there. As well as the gritting sexual tension, and admiration.

Courtney had just put it out in the open.

Trent couldn't believe he had been so naive as to have thought that this situation was completely one sided. In fact, he felt guilty.

Courtney, on the other hand, had no clue what was going on. Her heart beat so loudly, she was positive Trent could hear it and she was beginning to feel incredibly self-conscious which was a rarity for her. The headstrong brunette normally felt noting but confidence, but Trent could tear that away in a single glance. When he looked at her... she couldn't help but feel that she wasn't perfect enough, or a good enough person to deserve such an amazing guy to be her friend. And selfish as she was, she wanted more. Courtney wanted him. All of him to be hers, and hers alone.

But her pride prevented her from outright saying it. Her deadly, deadly pride made the want more possessive, and superficial. Now, she was beginning to realize that what she wanted... wasn't what she needed... nor what she deserved. Trent didn't deserve it either... He deserved better...

So, as Trent leaned into kiss her, Courtney leaned turned away. Trent's breath hitched as his eyes reopened and he met Courtney's onyx ones full of regret and sorrow.

"I'm done with this stupid game..." She repeated softly, looking away from him.

"Courtney..." Trent frowned, quickly reaching for her hand but she pulled it out of his reach.

"No, Trent. Just... no..." Courtney murmured, cleanching her cold hands into fists. She grit her teeth as guilt ate away at her. "I've been a horrible friend to you, Trent, I... I just..."

Trent was silent as he looked at her. Courtney was never one to be at a loss of words, and that worried him.

"What? That's impossible Courtney... you could never be a bad friend, despite what you think." He reassured her, truth riddled in his eyes.

"No!" She barked, voice amplified in the empty apartment. Trent flinched slightly, as she clenched her fists tighter. "You don't understand, Trent! You can't... So-so don't even try! Okay? It's not worth it... don't even try..." Courtney whispered, feeling tears begin to line her vision.

Trent felt confusion at Courtney's outburst, and was disheartened by her quitter-like words. Where was her firey passion? He was starting to get concerned.

"...I think I do understand, Courtney." Trent said. His voice was calm, and brought a sad smile to the brunette's lips. "But what I don't understand, is how someone as smart as you can be so stupid..." He smiled.

Courtney was taken aback, and her prideful spunk was beginning to resurface again. She sent him a small scowl.

"What?"

Trent was quick to catch her lips with his this time, taking her by surprise. He let his lips mold with hers as all of the unspoken words they had for each other pouring out through the intensity of their kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his hands found her waist.

Trent felt incredibly buzzed and alive, having never poured so much passion into anything in his life. Despite both of them being rather cold, all they felt was heat, and friction between them.

"I've wanted to do this for so long..." Courtney breathed into the kiss, stomach fluttering with lust. She felt so much lighter after this confession; as if the past few days of tension and strain had all been erased from her memory.

Trent broke the kiss to catch his breath, and Courtney panted as well. Both of them kept their eyes closed as their lips remained incredibly close. He reached up to tuck a few strands of chestnut brown hair behind her ear, eyes fluttering open.

"Why don't we... just let things happen, Courtney...?" He murmured.

Courtney opened her eyes, meeting his shyly. She bit her bottom lip as a small blush formed on her cheeks.

"You mean... no planning? No preparing? No... nothing?" She asked, the thought making her slightly fearful and nervous. Courtney was an obsessive planner after all...

"Well... to some extent. Planning and structure is always good, but too much of it isn't healthy... Just like too little of it isn't healthy either." Trent explained.

Courtney was quiet for a while as she thought, before a slow smile graced her lips.

"Being spontaneous... could be fun..." She mused.

Trent smiled widely, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"That's the spirit. And hey... you've already got a good start on it."

"I have?" Courtney said, furrowing her brow confusedly.

Trent smirked a bit.

"What could be more spontaneous than randomly asking your best friend to have a child with you?" He replied, earning a smack to the chest that only made him laugh.

Trent and Courtney lay there in the darkness, candle light the only source of illumination. A comfortable silence blanketed over them, as they stared at the cieling, staying warm in each others arms.

Courtney had planned many things in her life.

But she had never planned on being this happy.

Le fin.

And I'M NOT DEAD! Thanks for your concern, guys! I hope that you're not dead either, and I feel like a terrible author and friend for not trying to stay in contact with you more... :( But hopefully, I will not disappearing for like, eight months. I've been incredibly busy and I had a terrible writer's block. Hopefully th juices will get flowing again and I can have something else- be it a oneshot or an update, by Halloween.

It would absolutely mean the world to me if you would review, and tell me how you've been during my absence. I hope that you're all good and well :)

Once again, please review. :)

~Alexex