time is on our side by >> christine graham

Over the next week Emily and Donnie spent most of their time together. Serena on the other hand was holding back, she had enjoyed spending time with Joey but something held her back and the look in Jonathan eyes intrigued her every time she saw him. It was Friday night and the crowd was loud and full of energy as the girls stood in the middle of it, feeling the energy roll around them like waves and the guys could feel it too, it was obvious as they were bouncing across the stage being fed by the crowd. While the guys came back on for their encore Emily tugged at Serena to indicate that she was heading back stage, Serena turned and looked towards the stage and she caught Jonathan's eye who smiled back at her before she followed Emily through the crowd towards the security door.

Serena saw Donnie up ahead as Emily quickened her step and was quickly caught up in Donnie's arms. He held her close crushing their bodies together as their lips met and Serena smiled as she watched them. They made a great couple she thought but as she watched she knew that it couldn't last and it made her sad. Lost in her thoughts she was snapped back by Jonathan as he slide his hand onto the small of her back.

"Penny for them." He smiled at her warmly as she looked up at him, sweat coated his face and he had a towel slung around his shoulder.

"Uh? Oh Sorry. I was just thinking that they look like a great couple!"

Serena turned her head back to look at Donnie and Emily who were making their way down the hallway with their arms wrapped around each other. Jonathan watched her closely and she seemed to get lost in her thoughts again.

"So, you gonna hang out with us tonight? Or are you gonna disappear again?"

Serena smiled as she lowered her eyes before looking back at Jonathan. He was smiling down at her as he stood next to her, his hand still resting on the small of her back. She felt safe with him and she felt in control but she knew that had something to do with the fact that she couldn't smell him. Oh he smelt great, but she couldn't smell his blood, his scent and somehow that made her feel safe, but she knew she couldn't let her guard down.

Jonathan leaned closer to her so that his lips were almost brushing against her ear. "If I said please would that make a difference?" he whispered softly. Serena smiled and turned slowly so they were facing each other.

"All right" She teased "since you asked so nicely!"

Jonathan slid his arm further around her waist tightening his grip as they wandered down the hallway towards the dressing rooms.

When Joey saw Serena stroll into the dressing room with Jonathan's arm wrapped around her waist his heart flipped over and seemed to drop into his stomach. She was laughing at something Jonathan was saying and she turned placing her hand on his chest as she looked up at him. "Stop it. That is not true!" Jonathan nodded his head as he raised his eye brows and she giggled back at him. Joey watched and the gesture of her hand on Jonathan chest seemed to cause him physical pain. He needed to look away but somehow he couldn't tear his eyes away. Serena knew Joey was there, she could sense him, smell his scent which filled her and make her want to turn to him. As she stood laughing with Jonathan she was fighting the urge to go to Joey. She slowed her breathing and nudged Jonathan back. "Get in the shower Mr Knight. I believe you have a bus to catch!"

Jonathan pressed his lips to her cheek and with a look at Joey he made his way towards the showers. Serena watched after him and knew she was going to have to face Joey. They had spoken only briefly since they had chatted at the bar, she turned slowly and looked at Joey and immediately she felt the draw, his blue eyes looked sad she thought as he watched him. She took an unconscious step towards him and fought to stop herself, ‘he is magnetic' she thought as she watched him standing there proud but hurt.

"Hey Joey. You guys were looking great tonight."

Joey looked at her then closed his eyes as if the sight of her hurt him "Thanks" he muttered as he opened his eyes again, drinking her in. She had worn a long dress tonight that was wonderful blue which seemed to make her green eye pop even more. Her shoulders were bare apart from the thin straps of the dress and with her hair pulled back into a long sleek pony tail, her neck seemed to go on for miles. As Joey watched her he fought the urge to walk towards her, grab her by that ponytail and kiss her. He made his way towards the sofa and flopped into it, he had showered and his hair was still damp as she watched him move across the room. She tentatively made her way over and slide on to the sofa next to him making sure that they were far enough apart so as not to touch. They sat there in an awkward silence for a few seconds before Joey turned to look at her.

"So, I guess I am confused!"

Serena turned to look at him "Confused? How."

Joey moved closer to her on the sofa so that their thighs were rubbing against each other "I thought that we connected the other night but then you kinda ran out on me and then.... Well since then you have been avoiding us and now, tonight I see you flirting with Jon." Joey paused watching Serena closely "So I am confused as to what is going on. I mean if you like Jon then I will back off, but I kinda thought we had something!"

Serena could hear Joey's heart beating wildly in his chest and she could hear the sloshing of the blood as it pumped ferociously through his veins. Serena parted her lips as she felt the ache rush over her, she was fighting with herself and she knew that normally she would get out of there but Joey had just asked her a question and looking into to those deep blue pools she knew he deserved an answer.

"Joey" Serena almost whispered as she tried to steady her own breathing which was becoming rapid. She took a long slow breath before lifting her eyes to meet his "Joey" she began again "I am no good for you. I like you, I really like you but eventually I will just hurt you and you deserve better than that. You deserve someone who can give you everything that you want. I can't do that!"

Joey watched her and he thought he detected sadness trace across her face but suddenly her face hardened "I don't think we can be together Joey, no matter how much you want it or I would like it to happen."

Serena stood up quickly from the sofa and took one step away before Joey caught her by her wrist spinning her around so that she was in his arms "No Serena, I will not just walk away. What kind of bullshit excuse is that!" he was raising his voice and she knew that she needed to step away from him as the ache growled inside of her. They were face to face, she could feel his breath as it bathed her cheek and her lips parted as she struggled to control her breathing. Joey arms were tight around her and she had to get away

"Joey please. Don't make this harder than it needs to be. We can't be together as I can't give you what you want, what you need. The other night you talked about your family, you talked about your nieces and nephews I know that you want to have a family, you want to have your own kids. I can't give that you. I can't. I'm sorry but it's better that we walk away from each other rather than getting hurt!"

Joey loosened his grip on Serena and she stepped away from him turning her back as she pushed the ache back down inside of her. She was feeling in control again when she felt Joey slide his arms around her, pulling her back so that she was leaning back against his chest, his lips slowly nuzzled at her neck and she closed her eyes as the sensation of it filled her. She hadn't felt anything like that in years, decades and she felt her knees weaken as he slowly turned her cupping her face with his hands and gently brushing her lips with his own, letting his tongue run over her lips asking for permission to enter. She gasped as his tongue slid inside her mouth and teased her own as they danced together. His breath mingled with hers as she melted into his arms, absorbed in the sensation that made her feel alive again. She had not felt this since...she stopped abruptly pulling back from Joey putting distance between them.

"No Joey. Please. We can't!"

Joey started towards her and she stepped away again "NO!"

Emily came bounding into the room, closely followed by Donnie, and immediately saw the sadness on Serena's face. Serena glanced at her to show she was okay and not to worry but Emily slide her hand into Serena's as she stepped next to her "You okay?" She whispered softly

Serena nodded and smiled at Emily "Yes Em, I'm fine" she squeezed Emily's hand and turned. "I am gonna get out of here. You have a great night and I will see you at home. Okay?"

Emily nodded and released Serena's hand as she made her way to the door. She turned to the room as Jordan and Jonathan both strolled in with Danny close behind. "Good Night everyone, safe journey and it was a great show to night!"

She smiled brightly but Jonathan made it to the door before it closed behind her and slipped out behind her.

"Serena? Where are you going?" Jonathan took both of her hands in his and held them on front of him as she watched him.

"Home Jonathan, I'm going home."

Jonathan pulled her close to him wrapping his arms around her. She let him hold her close as she listened to his heart beat rhythmically in his chest, it was like music and it was calming her as she stood there wrapped up in his arms. He smelt like soap and water, freshly showered and she liked it. He dropped his head so that his lips were on the top of her head and he gently kissed her as she closed her eyes.

"Something is going on with you" he said quietly almost to himself "but if I can do anything to help. Then please let me. I would like to help. Maybe we could be friend if you don't want anything else." At that moment she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, she wanted to take him to the bus and feel his skin next to hers but she knew that wouldn't solve anything. Serena slowly stepped back looking up at Jonathan.

"Thank you. But I'm good. I promise."

He placed his hand gently on the side of her neck as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek "Your not, but I'm here and you can trust me!" Without waiting for her to speak he pulled her back into his arms, holding her close as she wrapped her arms around his waist and stood there letting the feeling of safety wash over her and she liked it.

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