It took him awhile, but Nic finally started to realize something wasn't right. Then suddenly he tried to push her away.

--

Blaze nodded, she understood now.

As soon as Nic pushed her away, the tears started to fall. "S-Sorry..." Laurel whispered, heart still pounding loudly in her ears. Actually, it looked like she might fall right off his lap without his support, she still felt terribly lightheaded.

--

Wolfe glanced at Yue, "You, James and Kalma will be traveling back as well. We have no need for you here and James... needs to be home."

Nic kept pushing her away, but managed to notice and keep her from completely falling at the last second. He leaned her up against the desk. He lingered a little to close for a little too long, but then he pulled away again forcing himself to put a good distance between them as he leaned back against the bed. He looked light-headed too.

--

Yue didn't say anything, just accepting what was being said.

Laurel managed to stop her tears, wiping her eyes as she forced herself to take deep breaths. "Sorry..." she repeated again as the room finally stopped spinning, "I-I'm new... at all this." she admitted in a whisper, sounding a bit ashamed.

--

"We'll let you know when your juttle leaves." Pepper informed them. Then it looked like they were done talking.

Nic didn't say anything, but he shook his head a little. He ran a hand through his hair a few times before suddenly laying down on his stomach and beginning to do push-ups. With one arm.

--

So Yue started to leave. Blaze waited around for a short moment before following after her.

Laurel blinked before slowly slipping down and sitting on the floor in front of the desk. Her mind was rather blank at the moment, too overwhelmed to process much at all as her head fell back against the wood with a soft thunk.

After a minute, the pushups seemed to start helping. He stopped and leaned up against the bed frame again after a few minutes.

Laurel watched Nic do pushups blankly and by the time he was done she looked less confused. In fact... as she stared at Nic she suddenly burst out laughing. Loudly. It had been a long time since Nic had heard this laugh. Well, at least she didn't seem to be upset anymore. "Clods..." she managed between fits of laughter, "We're ridiculous!" she announced.

Nic blinked, confused.

"How..." she laughed a little harder, "How long had you been holding that in?" she asked as she smirked at him, "It was like... an avalanche. A little warning next time would be helpful." she informed him, shaking her head, "But what a sight we are now. Pushups! We're so weird." she chuckled with her hands over her cheeks.

Nic glanced away, a little thankful for how innocent and naive she was. But as long as she wasn't upset.

Laurel seemed to be trying to recall something. It took her a minute. "Oh!" she exclaimed before smiling at Nic, "I kissed you to remind you of what you're fighting for, Mr. Knight." she teased him, "So don't lose hope yet."

Nic frowned a brief moment before he seemed to remember. Then he quickly got up and went over to his computer, let out a quiet cuss, and typed away for a few moments.

Laurel blinked as she slowly got up as well, "I didn't mean to start the avalanche." she complained at his cuss, "That was all you!"

Nic didn't hear her. Or he choose not to argue back. After awhile, he stopped typing and took a step back, watching the computer work on its own for a moment as he ran a hand through his hair.

Laurel watched Nic for a long moment before she turned to leave him with his computer. But then she turned back, "I know I seem silly to you." she finally said quietly, "But I've really never been with someone like this before. Everything you do is... is a first for me. So when you do so many at once it's too much." she tried to explain. "I love you but I can only go so fast. I know you're more experienced than me. You've been with other girls I'm sure." Surprisingly that didn't seem to upset her. "So maybe... these types of things are normal and not as special to you anymore. But please bear with me, one step at a time, and I promise you it won't be too long before you can stop doing pushups." she vowed quietly with an amused smile. Laurel probably didn't understand to what extent she had just vowed, but the depth of her love was clear.