A few days later things began to settle down just a little but now the six of them were on  the most wanted list.  Which if they were caught not only meant death but it also meant that before they died they  would be tortured to drag out the pain and humiliation.  This scared them all. Even Kevin was worried. They were having a hard time on figuring out how to get out and to LI.

 

Kevin was sitting with Kiefer trying to work  out what they were going to do.  Rachel wanted to join in but they both thought it was best if she just relaxed so she was in the dining area with the others. Brian was up and about now and sitting with them as well playing cards.

 

Over the past few days the group had bonded even more together. They didn't want to  have to separate but  by the looks of it they just might have too.

 

"I win!" AJ said with a smile.

 

"You got lucky!" was Nicks response. Everyone laughed.

 

"Nick  you lost get over it!" Rachel laughed.

 

"Sore loser." Angel stated smiling and Nick pouted. Laughter erupted again.

 

"Ok I'm tired of cards I need to walk around a little." Rachel said getting up.

 

"Yea let's take a break from it. I am hungry anyway." Brian said. Nick got up.

 

"I'll walk with you." He said and Rachel smiled and they walked out of the room. The others smiled and looked at each other.

 

"At least seeing that gives a bit of normalcy." Brian stated to the remaining two at the table. They nodded in agreement.

 

"They so like each other!" Angel giggled.  AJ and Brian laughed a 'uh huh'

-------

Rachel and Nick slowly walked around the hide out. It wasn't a huge place so there wasnt much to walk around and really no place to go to be alone. They had been walking in silence until Rachel spoke up.

 

"Nick?" She started quietly.

 

"Yea?"

 

"I know I'm a Freedom Fighter and I'm supposed to be strong but I am scared." She confessed looking down wondering what Nick might think. Nick reached for her hand and held it. They stopped walking and she looked up at him.

 

"It is only natural to be scared. This is a dangerous world now, more dangerous then before. I am scared too." he said. Rachel felt a bit better hearing that even though she knew they all were, just hearing it from someone else made her feel better.

 

"I will do anything to make sure that no one hurts you again." Nick said and hugged her. They  pulled out of the hug  and they looked into each  others eyes. Thats when it happened. Nick leaned in and touched  his lips to Rachel's. She was a little surprised but kissed him back and for that brief moment they both forgot everything around them. When they pulled apart Nick pulled that half-smile,  the one he used  to do on tv and in videos to drive the girls nuts. Rachel smiled back.

 

"Wow. That was nice." Nick said caressing her hand with his.

 

"Yes it was." Rachel said and touched his cheek with her hand and brought his head down to kiss him again. She had been a shy girl but since the prospect of dying popped up she knew she couldnt hold back her feelings. When they pulled away again she spoke up.

 

"Nick, I like you.....a lot. And I wanted to let you know it, you know, just incase anything does happen, I dont want to regret not telling you." She said feeling like he felt the same but wasnt completely sure.

 

"I really like you too." Nick started softly. 'I feel good around you." Rachel shyly smiled at this.

 

"Are you  guys gonna be boy friend and girl friend or what?' they heard Angel yell.  They turned to look and her and flushed. There was Brian, Angel, AJ and even Kevin standing there.

 

"How long have you guys been there?" Nick asked embarrassed.

 

"Long enough." Brian laughed. Kevin waved  the other three inside the room. Nick and Rachel looked at each other.

 

"What do you think?" Nick asked. Rachel smiled.

 

"Are you asking me to be your girl?" she asked. Nick chuckled.

 

"No I am asking you to make me dinner! What do you think?" Nick said laughing. Rachel laughed too and then nodded her head.

 

'I would love to be your girl." she said and they walked back to the room to tell the others even though they already knew.