"She's the last one, miss. And it's cold so I'm holdin' her." the girl said. Nicky could see the small gray pup curled up in the girl's jacket. 

"You can't keep her?" Nicky asked, kneeling down. The girl shook her head.

"My papa said he'd kill the puppies if I don't get rid of 'em. Drown in the lake." The girl's eyes filled with tears. Nicky pulled out her cell phone.

"Damn batteries." she muttered. Looking around, she saw the pay phone with an OUT OF ORDER sign. "Look, honey, I have to run home and talk to my sister about it. Stay here, ok? I'll be back in half an hour."

"Ok." the girl watched as Nicky hurried to her Explorer.

Auren loved dogs. So did Em. Theoretically, she could just take the puppy now. Auren couldn't resist them. It'd be a Christmas gift for the girls.

Grinning, Nicky drove the Explorer around to the front of the store where the girl sat.

"You know what? I'm going to take her anyway."

"Some one just bought her." The little girl said sadly. "I'm sorry. I told him I was waiting fer you, but he handed me some money and begged for it."

Nicky smiled at the girl. "Well, I'm sure she'll have a good home."

The girl waved as Nicky left. Sighing, Nicky pulled out into the street. Oh well. Maybe next time. Coughing, she turned on the heater.

***

"Will you stay put already?" Auren demanded.

Nicky coughed violently. The younger twin had resumed her position on the couch. Auren handed her a cup of tea.

"How come I got sick and you two haven't when you two are the ones sharing germs with other people?" Nicky demanded. Auren shrugged.

"Who knows." Glancing out the window, she smiled. "Damian's here."

Nicky scrunched further under the blanket, ignoring the twinkling of the colored lights on the Christmas tree.

Auren opened the door and almost tripped on a box.

"Hi." Damian kissed her and looked down.

"What's that?"

"I don't know."

Auren reached for it, then it moved and she jumped back. Curious, Damian knelt and opened the lid a tiny bit. Chuckling, he picked it up.

"I think this should be inside."

"What the hell is it?" Auren asked. Em came over and peered at the box. 

"There's a card."

Quickly, she opened it. "It's for Nick."

Nicky poked her dark head out from the comforter.

"Something to put me out of my misery?" she asked hopefully.

Damian set it in front of her on the floor. Nicky leaned over to lift the lid when it flew off. Crying out, she pulled back as a chubby, gray and black furry face popped out.

"The puppy!" she cried. The others exchanged confused glances. "I saw it at Wal‑Mart, but someone got her before I could!"

The sick twin reached down and scooped the puppy up, rewarded with a long, pink tongue covering her face. Giggling, Nicky held the dog happily.

"Merry Christmas, Nick." Em read. "That's all it says."

Damian looked at it as Nicky watched him. "It's Kenny's writing."

"He must have seen me earlier. I was going to call, but my cell was dead." Nicky cuddled the puppy. "I'm not naming her after him."

Damian chuckled. "She's a cute one."

The plump puppy's muzzle was dark gray, with a black mask around her eyes, tall, pointy ears that stuck up, and a black head. A stripe of gray from her muzzle ran up her forehead where there was a small white splotch. Her left shoulder was black, the rest of her mottled a blueish,

gray smokey color.

"She looks like a blue heeler." Damian said.

"That would make sense, they're all over the southwest." Auren eyed the little critter that happily loved on Nicky.

"You're uh . . . gonna be in charge of her right?" the older twin asked. Nicky laughed.

"Yeah. Such a little cutie." Nicky nuzzled her face in the soft fur. Her cold was forgotten as she and the puppy got acquainted. 

***

Auren kept glancing around, waiting to be caught by someone she knew. Having never really bought lingerie before, and too embarrassed to bring Nicky or Em along, Auren found the salesgirl at Victoria's Secret very helpful in assisting her choose something for Damian.

"Thank you. Have fun." the salesgirl winked at Auren, who just chuckled as she left.

***

Blowing her nose, Nicky eyed the milk section. Auren had vanished for a couple hours and Em was insisting she needed more buttermilk and whipping cream for their Christmas Eve feast.

"How the hell many kinds of buttermilk can there be?" she muttered, finally picking one.

Moving down a few feet, she found a similar number of whipping creams.

"Good Lord."

Grabbing a carton, she coughed her way towards a checkout stand. Coughing violently, she didn't see Kenny until they collided.

"You all right? I didn't mean to knock you down." Kenny helped her up. Coughing, she nodded.

"Thanks." she rasped. Kneeling down, he picked up her cartons and held them out to her.

"How are you?" he asked awkwardly.

"I'm fine." she replied coolly. "Thank you for the puppy."

"You're welcome." he smiled at her and Nicky almost smiled back, but caught herself.

"I have to get going." she said abruptly, stepping around him.

"Take care of yourself." he called.

***

Damian hummed as he set the table. The fire was roaring with plenty of wood stocked nearby. Gold candles on the table, the music was playing softly in the background. Kenny was in Santa Fe, so he had the apartment all to himself. Auren's packages were wrapped in gold foil paper and under the Christmas tree.

The morning had been spent opening presents with their sister and her kids, and their younger brother, uncles, and the rest of the family. After a big Christmas lunch, Damian had headed back up to Denver to spend the night with Auren.

*** 

Auren was brushing out her hair, getting ready for her date with Damian. The previous night had been spent with her sister and cousin, the three giggling all night, watching movies. A few tears had been shed as they remembered their parents. Sometime around three in the morning, they had all dozed off in the living room. Piglet, the puppy, had woken Nicky up by peeing in her lap.

On her bed lay a borrowed outfit from Nicky.

Clingy, low waisted, soft, velvet, black pants; a maroon, velvet, long, fitted sleeve top that clung to her, exposing her navel and a teasing display of cleavage; and a sheer, filmy, white overshirt. Nicky had even talked her into wearing a pair of heels.

"Trust me." the younger twin winked. "Men think they're sexy."

Throwing her overnight bag, she ran through the checklist. Her lingerie was tucked safely away from Nicky's sharp eyes.

"Hey, you about ready?" Nicky poked her head in. Piglet waddled into the room.

"Yeah, I think so. What should I do with my hair?"

"Let's pin it up." Nicky stepped behind her sister, watching their reflections in the mirror.

Quickly, she had twisted Auren's hair up into an elegant coif.

"Pull a few little bits down. There. Very sexy."

"Thanks. I think." Auren laughed as she slipped her earrings on.

"Have fun tonight. Don't do anything I wouldn't." Nicky winked. Auren laughed.

"That doesn't leave much now, does it?"

Nicky grinned.

***

"You look gorgeous." Damian said softly, drawing her inside the apartment. Laughing, Auren let him take her bag and remove her long, black, suede and leather coat. "Even better."

"It's Nicky's." she blushed. Damian kissed her gently, eyeing her lush, full figure.

"It looks better on you. Don't tell her I said so." he smiled, kissing her. "Dinner is almost ready."

"Ok." Auren pushed him back slightly. "I'm going to put your presents

under the tree."

"I can't just unwrap you later?" he grinned, still holding her. Coyly, she answered,

"Wait and see."

While Damian played in the kitchen, Auren set her presents for him out. Having wrapped one set of lingerie, the other she would change into later.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't know he had sat down next to her until his arm slipped around her waist.

"What are you thinking about?" he whispered in her ear. Turning to face  him, she slipped her arms around his neck.

"How happy I am to be with you." She smiled.

Gently, he kissed her and eased her down to the floor, his hand unbuttoning her velvet shirt. Touching her soft skin sent him spiraling.

"Damian." she whispered. His answer was a mumble as his lips moved down her neck. "Something's burning."

"Huh? Oh, shit!"

Jumping to his feet, he darted into the kitchen. Shaking her head, Auren rebuttoned her shirt and followed him into the kitchen where he was removing a pan from the stove.

"Everything ok?" she asked, amused.

"Yeah." He drew her close for another passionate embrace. "That gold bra of yours is really sexy."

Auren burst into laughter.

"It's new."

"Anything to match it?" he grinned wickedly, slipping his hand down her back. Playfully, she swatted his hand away.

"Maybe."

"You know, we have a few minutes before the food is ready." he nuzzled her neck.

"Are you suggesting something, mister?" she giggled.

"If I wasn't fully aware you'd break my neck, I'd throw you over my shoulder and hide you away in a cave so only I could see your beauty." he stared into her eyes.

"You better feed me first." she winked. "I'm mean when hungry."

"I've got everything you need." he murmured, kissing her again. Laughing, she pulled away again.

"Gee, you go home for a couple days and you're a changed man." she teased. Shaking his head, Damian rolled his eyes.

"You don't understand. I love my family and they're great, but God, waking up in another state from you sucks." he chuckled, leading her to the table.

When she was seated, he lit the gold candles, struck by the beauty of her glowing in the candlelight. Opening the wine, he poured two glasses and handed her one. She took a sip while he brought out their dinner.

While they ate, Damian told her about his family, how much the younger twins had grown, and how they loved to switch identities frequently.

"Didn't you ever do that?" Auren asked. Damian blushed.

"Once or twice." he admitted.

"When it involved a girl?" Auren asked, a smile playing on her lips. Damian was grateful the candlelight covered the shade his face was turning.

"Maybe."

Sipping his wine, he was content to just stare at her. With her hair swept up she looked older, and even sexier than usual. In the fridge were white chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, for which he had later plans.

"Nicky tormented me all night with old photos." Auren laughed. Damian raised one eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes, and if you ask her about them you'll be sorry." she teased, rubbing her foot gently against his. Startled by the erotic move, he almost dropped his glass.

After dinner, Damian loaded the dishwasher quickly and joined Auren on the blanket in front of the fire. Studying her stretched out on her back, Damian was gripped by a sudden fear of losing her. The four short months had sped by, but he was so madly in love with her it was crazy.

Lying next to her, he kissed her gently.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" he asked. Turning her head, she smiled at him.

"Whatever you want." she said mildly, her eyes taking in how his royal blue and white sweater hugged his chest. What she really wanted involved nothing but the two of them. "There's nothing to burn now."

"Sure there is." he chuckled, picking up where they were interrupted, slowly unbuttoning her shirt. Aroused, she ran her hands through his hair, kissing him deeply.

"I hope you took your vitamins today." she whispered as his lips inched their way down from her neck. His answer was a soft chuckle.

***

Laying in front of the fire an hour later, the pair basked in the warmth of their love, the blanket wrapped around them.

"We still have presents." she reminded him.

"I like the one I just got." he held her tightly around the waist, not letting her go. She giggled.

"So did I, but I like getting presents." she smiled.

"I'll give you all the presents I can." he laughed, rolling over so he had her pinned down to kiss. "It is the season of giving."

"Look, mister, I want my presents." Auren pouted. Damian burst into laughter.

"Do you have idea how adorable that is?" he asked, kissing her. Auren chuckled.

"Just part of my feminine wiles."

"You can wile me any day." he laughed. "Now, be a good girl and you'll get your presents."

"I'm always good." she said slyly. He chuckled.

"I must agree." Rolling off of her, he searched for his clothes. Auren had hidden them under her, under the blanket. "They were right here." he muttered.

"What do you need them for? I've seen you naked." she giggled. "If we were in a nudist colony, they'd be forbidden."

"True." he admitted. Instead, he snuggled down into the blanket with her. "This is comfy for me." he grinned. She smirked.

"It's not nice to keep a lady waiting, you know."

She stuck her tongue out at him. In a mock sigh, he kissed her again and reached around behind her.

"I knew you hid them!"

"Who me?" she widened her eyes innocently.

"Hmmph." he replied, slipping his sweater over his head. "There are advantages to being dressed, you know."

"Really?" she rolled on her stomach, resting her head against her arms. "Like what?"

Leaning over her to kiss her cheek, he whispered,

"Taking them off again."

Giggling, she found her clothes again.

***

Handing her a mug of hot chocolate, Damian got comfy on the floor. At some point he had removed the pins from her hair, enchanted by the cascade of golden curls. Now they framed her face, shining in the firelight.

"Ok, here we go."

Happily, Damian began handing her the brightly wrapped packages.

Auren waited till he was sitting across from her.

"Ok, pick one." He smiled.

Studying the four packages in front of her, she chose the biggest. The box was at least a foot high.  Eagerly she opened it and started laughing, pulling out the large, stuffed, black dragon with the purple.

"It's Maleficent!" she giggled. Damian grinned.

"I saw it at the Disney store and couldn't resist."

"I love it. Open one of yours."

"Any one in particular?" he asked. Auren eyed them. The green bow was the lingerie.

"Save the green bow for last." she teased him.

"Ok."

They alternated opening presents, two cds for Damian, a candle set of green, wax dragons for Auren, a movie for Damian, and a picture frame with dragons wrapped around it for Auren.

"So, if green is for last, this one is next?" he asked. Auren frowned.

"I . . . that's not from me." she said, puzzled. Damian raised one eyebrow.

"To M, from A."

"I don't sign my name as A . . ." Her voice trailed off as she turned pale. "Nicky does."

Curious now, Damian opened and withheld his laughter at the black leather. Auren turned red with mortification.

"Oh, my God." she muttered.

Choking back his amusement, Damian removed the black leather bodysuit . . . or whatever it was supposed to be.

"Oh, it gets better." he muttered to his appalled girlfriend, as he removed the G‑string.

Auren shook her head, too stunned to answer.

Shaking his head and laughing, Damian replaced all of the items in the box and set it aside.

"I'm not about to the wear that." he laughed. Auren's face was the color of a tomato. "It's ok, really." he leaned over and kissed her.

"She's dead. She is so dead." Auren muttered.

Damian opened the box with the green bow and was silent for a minute.

"Is this from you or Nicky?" he asked. She blushed further.

"Me."

"It's only a large. I think I would need an extra large." he said, deadpan. Auren stared at him for a second before laughing.

"Well, it's blue, your best color." she teased.

Damian grinned and scooted over next to her.

"You're fabulous, do you know that?" he asked.

"Thanks." she murmured, embarrassed.

"Blue lace is my favorite to wear." he smiled. Auren scooted closer to him.

"I'm sure you'll look stunning." she smirked, resting her head against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.

The pair sat snuggled together, watching the flames lick the logs, each content in their thoughts.

***

Nicky shivered, waiting for Piglet to find the right place to relieve herself.

"Come on already!" she called, the last word more of a cough. Piglet stood still, sniffing at the crisp air.

"Hey, go inside, I'll take care of her." Em stepped out.

"You s‑s‑sure?" Nicky chattered.

"Yeah. Get." Em shoved her taller cousin inside.  Piglet had finally decided to go. Em had just picked the puppy up when she felt the eyes on her. Turning, she stared down the street, catching

a glimpse of a tall man in a long, black coat with a black hat. Craning so she could see better, the man vanished.

***

Damian had moved the champagne bucket to the bedroom with the strawberries, and lit the candles. There was one more present to give her, tucked away under his pillow. So far this had been the best Christmas in his memory.  While lighting the last candle, he didn't see or hear Auren slip out of the bathroom. Her warm, soft hands covered his eyes.

"Kenny?" he asked teasingly.

"Don't make me wonder about you." she purred in his ear.

Chuckling, he turned, slipping his arms around her as she kept his eyes covered.

"Feels nice." he murmured, kissing her. Shyly, she removed her hands from his eyes, letting him see her.

"Wow." he murmured, drinking her in.

The short blue silk glowed against her fair skin, the gold lace sparkling in the candlelight. Her gray eyes were nervous, wide, and filled with uncertainty.

"You're so beautiful." he murmured, running his hand over her neck.

"I ‑ didn't know if you'd like it." she said shyly.

"I'm just going to stare at you all night, ok?" he asked, kissing her gently.

"I'd hoped for a little more entertainment than that." she whispered with a nervous giggle.

"Anything you want, goddess." He kissed her again.

***

"It's so . . . quiet when Kenny isn't here." Auren murmured. 

"And clean." Damian laughed. "He's such a slob sometimes."

Auren rolled over onto her stomach, snuggling into the blanket and closer to Damian. His finger traced over her shoulder bone.

"Try living with two other females." she chuckled. Leaning over, he kissed her shoulder.

"Nah. You're the only one I'd want to." he laughed, his lips feeling the slight tension in her shoulder. "I was kidding."

"I know." she rolled back over to smile at him as she wrapped her arm around his neck. "But it's a thought."

"Moving in together?" he asked, surprised.

"It's occurred to me." she admitted.

"And?"

"And I don't think so. Not yet anyway." she said softly. He nodded his agreement.

"I don't think Kenny could handle living on his own. He'd drown in dirty clothes."

Auren laughed, eyeing the bottle of champagne.

"You know, I'm thirsty."

"I <I>might</I> give you something to drink. But first. . ." he reached under his pillow. "One more present."

Auren raised one eyebrow and sat up, pushing back her golden hair.

Finding the small velvet box, Damian turned back to her with a boyish smile. Wearily, Auren eyed the box.

"It's just . . . something I wanted you to have. To express my love." he said eagerly, placing it in her hand. With a feeling of dread, she opened it and gasped.

"Damian!"

The gold ring glittered up at her, alternating 4 oval‑shaped sapphires and 3 white diamonds.

"What ‑" Auren couldn't find the words.

"It's not an engagement ring." he said quickly. Relief washed over Auren. "It's just a ring that when I saw it, I thought of you. It's just a token of my love for you."

"It's stunning." she managed. Taking it from the box, Damian took her hand and slipped it over her finger.

"I had Nicky try it on so it would fit."

"Well, she's good for something." Auren laughed. Slipping his hands around her face, Damian kissed her.

***

The doorbell ringing woke Nicky from her sleep on the couch. Piglet stirred from where she had been sleeping in Nicky's lap. Carrying the puppy to the door, Nicky coughed as she opened it and glared at the intruder.

"Hi." Kenny said softly. Nicky leaned against the doorframe.

"What do you want?' she asked tiredly.

"I came by to check on you. You looked pretty sick the other day."

"Yeah, well, I don't feel too hot right now."

Kenny stepped in and shut the door behind him. A minute with the icy air on her and she was shaking.

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"No. I don't like them." Nicky muttered, wishing he would leave before her knees gave out.

Piglet was squirming, so she set her on the floor. Standing back up, the room spun.  When she opened her eyes a few minutes later, she was lying on the  couch, Kenny kneeling next to her. Piglet was staring up at her, whining.

"I don't feel good." she muttered.

"I think you should see a doctor."

"I'll be fine." she licked her lips, they were so dry.

"Don't get up." Kenny ordered.

Standing, he left the room as she closed her eyes. When he returned, he was carrying a glass of juice.

"Here, drink this. I bet you're dehydrated."

Nicky turned her head to avoid him, but he gently forced her to drink it. The cool liquid soothed her burning throat instantly.

"Thanks." she murmured.

"Where's Em?"

"Movies, I think." Nicky snuggled into the blanket. "I'm cold."

"Will you let me take you to the hospital?" he asked.

"No. I'll be fine. It's just a cold."

Gently, he pushed the lock of damp hair from her eyes. Her tanned skin was pale and clammy. Just a cold, his ass. Her breathing was shallow, but he knew she was asleep. Sighing, he decided to wait until one of the girls got home.

***

Auren frowned when she saw the red Jeep parked on the street in front of the house. What the hell was Kenny doing here?

"Nick, you ok? Need me to strangle anyone?" she called as she came in. Kenny sat up.

Having stretched out on the floor, he had dozed off, Piglet curled up against his side.

"She's really sick." he stood quickly.

"Why are you here?" she asked bluntly.

"I stopped by to talk to her. She almost passed out so I thought I'd wait until you or Em arrived." Kenny replied nervously.

"Thanks for staying with her." Auren said coolly. 

"No problem. Will you ask her to call me when she's feeling better? Or if you'd call me and let me know how she is . . ." his voice trailed off. "I'll see you later."

Quickly he took his departure.

Auren checked on her sister. There was a little color to her cheeks as she slumbered, appearing to have broken her fever. Piglet whined at Auren, who sighed and took the puppy outside.

*** 

Nicky strolled into the club, searching for her twin and Damian. It was karoake night, and Damian had convinced both of them to go with him. 

"Just cause you can sing, doesn't mean we all can." Auren had told him. With a grin, he flipped his growing hair from his eyes. 

"Yeah, I know, but it'll be fun."

Emily joined Nicky at her side. Marie had gone back to France.

"Are they in here?" she asked, peering into the dim room.

"I don't know. This place gives me the creeps." Nicky finally spotted them, liplocked in a booth.

"Great. Hormone night at the karoake bar." she muttered.

Snickering, Emily followed her taller cousin to the booth.

"Gee, hate to interrupt you." Nicky said loudly.

The pair ignored them for another minute.

"Nice to see you up and alive." Auren replied.

"At least I can walk." Nicky removed her leather jacket, but kept on her heavy sweater.

"How do you feel?" Damian asked.

"Semi‑human." Nicky answered with a short laugh. "You singing tonight?"

"Nah. But it's fun to watch other people."

"Painful, if you ask me."

Emily noticed how her cousin glowed when next to Damian. Having ooohed and aahed over her ring, Em knew these two were meant for each other. Though that ring may not have been an engagement ring, she would bet one day Auren would wear one from Damian.

After they had ordered drinks and dinner, the four talked about the newspaper and the upcoming semester.

"Not a whole lot happening story wise, other than the <I>Grease</I> production." Nicky took a bite of her nachos. Auren played with her caesar salad.

"Yeah, I know. Something has to give."

"Are you going to eat it or mutilate it?" Em asked, eyeing Auren as she bit into her hamburger.

"Save it for an experiment." Auren grinned.

"Speaking of <I>Grease</I>, someone is about to butcher it." Nicky winced as the familiar strains started.

"It never fails. You have a favorite movie, some fool trying to sing will ruin it." Auren sighed.

"Those Magic Changes." Em named the song first. "You know, that singer for Sha‑Na‑Na was kind of cute."

"Yeah, I supp‑" Nicky stopped, her margarita halfway to her mouth, when she saw Kenny onstage, mic in hand. "What the hell!"

Auren and Em glanced up. Damian was grinning at his brother.

"What is that fool doing?" Nicky asked.

"What's that playing on the radio, why do I start swaying to and fro, I have never heard that song before, but if I don't hear it anymore . . ."

Kenny was singing. Nicky ignored the shivers that went down her spine. He had sung to her a couple times during their brief affair, and it had really turned her on. Especially when he looked at her . . . the way he was now. That bastard.

"A melody that's never the same, a melody that's calling your name, It begs you please, come back to me, Please, return to me, don't go away again, oh, make them play again . . ."

"Nick, I'm really starting to think he wants you back." Emily munched on her burger.

"Forget it." Nicky looked at her nachos, trying to block his seductive voice from her head.

Several women in the audience were eyeing Kenny hungrily as he sang, his eyes on Nicky.

Jumping down from the stage, he started moving towards them. Auren was trying not to laugh hysterically, Em was about to choke on her burger, and Nicky wanted to hide under the table.

"I'll be waiting by the radio, you'll come back to me some day, I know, Been so long since our last goodbye, but I'm singin' as I cry‑yi‑yi . .."

Nicky forced herself to pick up her glass and take a sip. Auren couldn't restrain her laughter anymore. Nicky made a mental note to strangle her twin later that night.

The song ended and Kenny handed the mic back to the guy running the karoake as the crowd applauded.

"Can we talk?" Kenny asked Nicky. He was kneeling to her.

"Now?" Nicky demanded.

"When you're done eating."

"Let's go." Nicky sighed, wiping her hands on her napkin and getting up. Em tossed Nicky her jacket as the pair headed outside.

"What are you doing? Why are you doing this?" she demanded angrily.

"I want you back. I want another chance." he said simply. Nicky couldn't help but note how sexy he looked in his black sweatshirt.

"I don't give second chances, Kenny. Only fools do."

"Then I'm a fool. But I want to be with you."

"You had a chance. And you blew it." she said through clenched teeth.

"I know I did. I'm human, Nicky. You're the one I'm always thinking about, always dreaming about."

"Why? Cause I dumped you first even though you were sneaking around with some slut? Oh, by the way, she dumped you for Emily." Nicky said bitterly.

"I know. I saw them together one day after we ‑ she and I ‑ stopped seeing each other. She did what I did to you. And I realized how much I hurt you."

Nicky crossed her arms over her chest.

"Payback is a bitch, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. But Nicky, even before that, I felt guilty the whole time I was with her. I thought about you all the time." 

"That's sick." Nicky reached into her pocket, pulled out her knit cap and put it on.

"Not like that! I mean, the night of your birthday, I drove by but didn't come in. I had a gift for you, I bought it before I even met Marie. You were having so much fun with some other guy, I just left."

Nicky didn't answer, just listened.

"Nick, I chose that song tonight because it says what I feel for you. I ‑ I really want to be with you. You mean a lot to me." 

"So much you openly had an affair with another girl."

"I can't apologize enough for that. I can't apologize enough for how I hurt you, but please, give me another chance." he stepped closer to her. 

"I don't let myself be made a fool of twice by the same person, Kenny."

Nicky was trying to stand firm, but it was so hard. A whiff of his cologne tickled her nose. So handsome, she thought, his black sweatshirt hugging his muscled chest.

"One more chance, Nick. Please. Let me show you how much I need you. We were good together. Let me show how much better we can be." he said softly, daring to kiss her. She didn't resist when he kissed her and finally he was able to pull her close to him.

"If you ever even think about cheating on me, I will let Auren kill you." she whispered against his kiss.

"Never again. I'm not letting you go twice." he crushed her in his passionate embrace.

***

"They've been out there a long time." Em commented.

"I don't see any body parts flying by the window." Auren chuckled. Damian kept his arm around her.

"No screaming."

"Here they come. I'll be damned, she took him back."

Auren sat up. The couple approached the table. Em scooted over closer to Auren as Nicky and Kenny joined them in the booth.

"My lucky night." Kenny said with a nervous laugh.

Auren noticed the color that had returned to her twin's cheeks. To herself, she swore to kill Kenny if he hurt her again.

"Excuse me."

The five looked up to see a thin man in his forties, with a receeding hairline and oval glasses.

"Yes?" Damian answered first.

"Joshua Lenn. I'm a producer."

"Producer of what?" Kenny asked. Nicky looked up at him.

"You're the director for the college play. You're directing <I>Grease</I> this semester!"

"Yes, I am." The man grinned. "I, uh, couldn't help but overhear your singing."

"Thanks." Kenny said awkardly.

"I came over because, well, you four are what I'm looking for."

"What do you mean?" Auren asked suspicously.

"My whole thing in directing <I>Grease</I> is to alter it. And you four are perfect."

"Perfect for what?" Damian asked politely, wondering if the man had had too much to drink.

"The lead roles. Twins. Two sets. This is amazing. You," he looked at Kenny, "would be a perfect Danny, your brother as Knickie. And you, my lovely, dark haired lady, would be the perfect Rizz. Complimented by your twin, the blonde one." The man's green eyes were practically

glowing.

"You want us to be onstage?" Kenny asked.

"He never was the swiftest." Damian snickered. Kenny kicked him under the table. "Ow!"

"This is my card. You have natural singing talent, my boy. Does your brother?"

Kenny nodded.

"Please, think about it. Seriously. You four would be a smash! I'll give you a couple of days to think it over, but please, call me soon."

"Sure thing." Kenny slid the card into his pocket as the man walked away.

"What a fruitcake." Em sipped her Bloody Mary.

"It's so perfect. He's right." Nicky muttered. Auren shook her head.

"You're not serious. Nick, I'm a writer, not an actress!"

"Auren, remember when we were fourteen?" Nicky asked. "That summer we spent on dance lessons and singing lessons so we could learn the whole movie of <I>Grease</I>?"

Damian was shocked by the murderous look Auren gave her sister.

"We both know that movie inside out. We know the dance steps. We can carry a tune. I can see what that guy is talking about. Four twins in the lead roles. It'll be fantastic!" Nicky exclaimed.

Damian was stunned. Auren had never mentioned any of this to him.

"I don't act." Auren said quietly, sipping her mudslide.

"Auren, think about it! You loved being onstage! And mom loved watching you."

The grip on her glass tightened. Damian watched Auren carefully. Never had the twins discussed their parents in front of him.

"Not fair." Auren said.

"You quit because Mom died. But you're as good at acting as you are at writing!" Nicky told her.

Em sipped her drink, knowing better than to get involved. Nicky was right. Auren had channeled everything into writing.

"I'm not getting on that stage." Auren replied calmly. "And that's that."

*** 

"Would you be upset if I did it?" Damian asked.  Auren opened one sleepy eye.

"No. If you want to, go ahead."

"I'd rather have you involved in it."

"Damian, I'm a writer. I'm the editor of the paper. I don't have time for such nonsense."

"You sound like you're a sixty year old grandmother." he whispered  in her ear, snuggling closer to her.

"I am. My rheumatism is bothering me." she chuckled, appreciating the warmth radiating from his body. They were snuggled into her bed later that night. Kenny  and Nicky were downstairs.

"I'll massage it for you." he chuckled. She giggled.

"Silly."

"What's silly, honey, is for you not to consider this offer. It'll be fun."

"And the paper? Who will run it if Nick and I are doing this thing?"

"Em. Let her be acting editor in chief. You can still look things over and have final say, but let her do the business stuff. She's a business major anyway." Damian was massaging her back.

"Hmmph." was the reply.

Auren was letting herself drift off to sleep with his hands kneading her

back muscles. Typing all day gave her sharp pains in her lower back.

"Is the big bad ninja afraid of a little stage?" he whispered into her ear. She turned her head to look at him.

"Them's fightin' words." she growled mockingly.

"Think about it, honey. You and me up on that stage."

"Me as Sandy and you as Knickie. Last time I checked, they didn't get together."

Damian laughed quietly.

"Well, I'll be Danny then. Lenn won't know."

"You two aren't as identical as you think you are." Auren turned her head back the other way. "I don't want to kiss Kenny. And I don't want you kissing Nicky."

Damian's lips twitched in a smirk.

"Afraid I'll like her better?" he teased.

"No. I'm afraid I'll like Kenny better." she replied, getting the shock she wanted. He went silent. Turning, she pounced on him, pinning him down against the pillows to give him a passionate kiss.

"Do you really want to do this?" she asked.

"I think it would be fun. But if you don't, it's ok." he said honestly, kissing her again.

"I'll think about it." she said reluctantly.

"No pressure, goddess."

He ran his hands through her hair. Winter break would end in a few days, and he was afraid so would their new closeness. Without the pressures of the paper and school, he and Auren had been able to really explore their feelings for one another, and he had never been happier. A future with

her was entirely possible, and one he welcomed.

***

"I missed you so much." Kenny whispered, his desire with Nicky growing as he kissed her. Nicky pushed him back.

"I want things to go slower this time." she answered. He nodded.

"Whatever you want."

"I mean it. I think we went too fast."

"I mean it, too, Nick. I'm not going to screw up again." he brushed her bangs back. "We'll go as slow as you want."

"Are you sure you're Kenny Nelson? The insatiable one?" she asked with a laugh, leaning back against the couch. Sheepishly, he smiled.

"Yeah, I'm him. Just a little wiser this time."

Nicky's finger traced his jaw line. He hadn't shaved for a couple days and had a little scruff growing.

"My instincts say to run." she said quietly.

"Ignore them. I learn from my mistakes." he said quietly.

"I hope so." she chuckled.

"With your sister around, you bet your sweet ass I do." he chuckled.

***

Auren sat at her computer in the office, visiting the website for the University of Arcadia. Tuition was reasonable. Their program was excellant, she had called a few other sources at Universities around the US. It was a definite possibility for grad school. She had sent in her application  for the full scholarship, but didn't really think she'd get it.

The computer beeped, signaling new email.

Checking it, she sighed. From the president of the college ‑ his semesterly bullshit letter welcoming everyone back and full of empty promises for a successful spring.

Scanning over it, she got halfway through and deleted it. Same old crap. Someday the Faculty Council would smarten up and get rid of him. 

Her mind turned to the Grease production. It was an interesting offer, for sure. Damian, Nicky and Kenny were all eager to do it. It could be fun.

But the paper. It would suffer without her guidance. Or would it? Em was more than capable of running it. And she wouldn't hand over complete control. Her courses were light this semester, mostly easy A's.

To be onstage again . . . after all these years. Auren bit her lip at the memory of her parents, proudly coming to all their plays. Their  father throwing roses to them onstage during curtain call.

Swallowing back her tearful memories, Auren made her decision.