Title: Yesterday to Tomorrow: Chapter Three, A Breath Away
Rating: PG-13 [mild swearing]

Summary: Just because the sun is setting, doesn't mean the day is really over....

Previous Chapter Waves

Current Chapter A Breath Away

Next Chapter Completely platonically

For the longest time they laid on the beach, the waves slowly retreating from their toes. They talked of all sorts of things, past, present, future. Alyssa could not remember the last time she and Chris had such a heart-to-heart conversation. Probably not since the day he chose to clean himself up, go sober. She had not realized how much she had missed him, missed what they were doing. Never before had she even thought she was jealous of Vicky or even of Susan. But as she laid on the beach, the sun making its slow journey to dip below the horizon, Alyssa realized she was happiest when she had Chris all to herself, no distractions.

"Lyssa?" he asked softly, reaching over to poke her softly in the belly. "You've gone quiet on me. What are you thinking about?"

She turned on her side again, her eyes going to his, "You. Me. Us."

Chris didn't reply for a moment, clearly trying to decipher what those three words meant.

"I've enjoyed today immensely, Chris. I hadn't realized how much I missed you, the real you, the you who's right next to me right now," Alyssa admitted. "The one who isn't afraid to tell me anything and listens when I bare my soul as well. I've missed this and I didn't know that until now. We've both been so caught up in our lives...... I missed you."

He smiled crookedly, reaching forward to tuck her hair out of her face, "I've missed this too."

His hand slowly traced down her jawline, before losing contact with her. She chuckled and moved to sit up.

"But we've been out here so long. I'm hungry and thirsty. What other plans do you have for me tonight?" Alyssa asked.

Sitting up as well, Chris moved to stand, offering both of his hands down to pull Alyssa up, "Let's go grab a movie and dinner?"

"Only if we're watching it at your house. I'm not going out in public in sand and salt caked clothing," she claimed, hopping a little as he pulled her up.

"Fine by me," he smiled, obviously not wanting to let her hands go.

Her lips parted slowly and she ran her tongue over them. Their eyes never parted. Smiling crookedly, Alyssa shook her head.

"Come on, Chris. Let's go," she pulled her hands out of his and turned to find their shoes.

Chris's arms wrapped around her from behind. For a moment he just hugged her before reaching for his shoes in her hands.

"Wasn't about to let you run off with them," he teased as he pulled away to put his shoes on.

"As if I was going to ride off on your hog myself," she rolled her eyes in response.

"I'm sure you would. You just pretend to not want to drive it so that I will be unsuspecting when you steal it. I know you, Lyssa," he flashed her a grin as he finished fastening his shoes. "You're just hiding the truth. You love that bike as much as I do."

"Oh whatever. Quit your talking and let's go get some dinner!"



It was one thing to bring movies home on the bike. It was completely another thing to balance takeout food. Alyssa had to convince Chris to tuck the takeout containers in the bike, because she certainly wasn't going to hold it all the way back to his house.

Her eyes looked instantly for Vicky's car when they pulled into the driveway. It was gone, which didn't surprise Alyssa all that much. And she relaxed at the realization as well. She hadn't wanted to get involved in anything with Vicky that day, especially as she already knew she would take Chris's side in anything.

With the bike parked, Alyssa tucked her helmet away and retrieved the movies. Chris could carry the food. Together they entered the house. There was a tension in the house, even though no one was there at all. Alyssa chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, before Chris sent her a reassuring smile.

"The house isn't going to blow up, Lyssa," he teased.

"Still," she argued. "It does however explain the tension I'd been feeling lately."

"Yeah," Chris replied, heading into the kitchen.

A pregnant silence fell between them as Chris pulled plates, cultery, and glasses from their respective places. Alyssa took over filling the glasses while he worked on removing the food from the takeout containers and warming it for a moment in the microwave. She watched his back, seeing the tension that she felt return upon entering the house. Without even a thought she moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Things will be fine, Chris. I know it," she breathed. "Just take a deep breath."

He did as instructed, one hand reaching up to pat her arms, "I know, Lyssa. I do. It's just..."

"Things will be fine," she repeated. "Let's go watch a movie."

Her arms loosened as he turned to face her. His fingers touched her face softly and he leaned closer. A breath away from changing their relationship with an innocent kiss, the microwave sounded. Alyssa grabbed the opportunity to push away and grab their drinks and movies, heading out of the kitchen. Chris sighed and followed her out, two plates in his hands.