'Tis confusion!

round two

Once we were in his room, Q shut the door. He motioned to the bed. "Sit." I did. He sank down next to me and started to kiss me again, softly at first, then with more force. His hands tangled themselves in my hair. Mine wrapped around to his back, clutching his t-shirt. He pulled away momentarily and gazed into my eyes, almost like he was trying to memorize my face. After only a second or two, he resumed the kiss. I once again let the rush of feelings crash over me like an angry wave. This kiss was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It was firm and passionate, and delivered like it was the most important thing ever. I felt myself getting lightheaded, and clutched him to me closer. He pulled away again "Mara, I..."

"Shh....whatever you're going to say, please," I pleaded. "just remember we have a house full of people here."

Q shook his head. "I don't care. I can't hold back how I feel. You make me feel..."

"Q, if I told you all the things I'd like to do to you, we wouldn't leave this room until tomorrow afternoon. But, like I said, we have a bunch of people just down the hall, and you've got me so excited I can't think straight. Now I need a minute to 'cool down'." Q was quiet for a moment, then playfully tackled me onto the bed. He started kissing me again. I giggled. "You're terrible. This is not what I meant." "Yeah, but you like it, don't you?" he whispered. "Tell me you don't, and I promise I'll stop." I reached up and kissed him, deep. He smiled. "That's what I thought." He gave me one last kiss on the forehead and whispered, " Ready to go back out there?"

"No..."

"Hey, round two later. I promise. Now let's get out there before the guys decide to watch nothing but my punishments."

I pouted. "Ok. As long as you promise." We got off the bed and went back to the living room. Murr and Joe were still sitting on the couch, listening to Emily. She was singing a song that seemed mildly familiar, but I couldn't place it. She had a wonderful voice, though. I could see Murr's face from where I stood. He was staring at Emily like she was an angel who'd descended straight from the  heavens.

Watching Murr stare at Emily reminded me of the nagging question from before. "Q? I had a question about something, if you don't mind?" "Sure, what is it?" I shook my head and muttered "Not here. Somewhere private." Q frowned. "It's not a trick, I promise. I will refrain from jumping you until later. I really have a question." He smiled. "Let's go in the bathroom." He opened the door- and found Sal and Barbara engaged in a full-on makeout session. They broke apart as soon as they saw us. "Oh god, guys, sorry-sorry-" Q and I blurted out. Q turned to me. "Back to the bedroom?" 

"Yep." We headed back. Q shut the door. "What's this about? "

"Well, it's really none of my business, so feel free to tell me to butt out..but earlier tonight, when you asked if Emily went by Em, and she said Murr had been calling her that all night. Why did you change your mind about calling her that?"

"Ah. See, the thing with Murr is, when he finds a woman he likes, he shortens their name and uses it as a kind of pet name. There was a girl he dated, Stephanie. She was Stephanie to every one of us- except James. She was Steph and only Steph. Never the full name. Same with Melissa, or as James called her, Mel. And now it looks like Emily is getting the same treatment. It' s not a bad thing by any means. But Joe, Sal and I all recognize it for what it is, and we refrain from using the short names, as a kind of sign of respect to him. It sounds really stupid now that I'm saying it out loud, but that's how it's been for ages."

"I don't think it's dumb. I was honestly just curious. And I'm pretty sure Barbara was, too. I wonder if Sal would tell her if she asked?"

"Yeah, probably. But he might not be as kind as I was when it come to describing it.," Q cracked. "And now that we're in the bedroom again, I think it's time for that round two I mentioned earlier..."