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Date Posted: 19:29:46 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Vick
Subject: Repost: One Step at a Time, parts 6-10

part 6

Carrie slammed the door behind her and threw herself on the bed. She gasped for air as she continued to cry into her
pillow. Her head was jumbled with emotions…confusion, hatred, embarrassment, loneliness. The kiss she had just
shared with Mike had truly been unbelievable. Austin’s kisses didn’t even come close in comparison. With just one
kiss, Mike had taken her to a level of passion that she never thought she possessed. With just one kiss, she reaffirmed
her love for Mike. With just one kiss, she was convinced that Mike loved her, just as she loved him. With just one
kiss, her world came crashing down around her. Mike didn’t love her. She didn’t understand how he could kiss her
like that and not love her. The thought made her mad and she cried even harder.

After a few minutes, her crying started to subside and she began to feel embarrassed. She’d made a fool of herself.
She’d let her feelings surface and she’d been rejected. Carrie wasn’t sure how she was going to face Mike, especially
since their trip had just begun. Perhaps she could catch a bus back to Salem. No, that was not an option. They were,
for all practical purposes, out in the middle of nowhere. She’d at least have to continue on the journey until they
reached LA. In the mean while, she’d just keep to herself and not talk to Mike. She knew it would hurt him, but she’d
already ruined their friendship when she’d confessed her love for him. The thought of not having her best friend
anymore caused a single tear to escape. All of a sudden, Carrie felt very much alone. In a trance like state, she got up
and got ready for bed. The aftermath of her confession had generated shear exhaustion. Making sure her door was
locked, she turned off the lights and climbed between the covers. Quietly, she cried herself to sleep.

**

Mike stood in front of Carrie’s door. His tear-streaked face didn’t even come close to telling his story. On the other
side of the door was the woman he loved…the woman who’s heart he’d just shattered. He brought his hand up and
laid it flat against the wood surface, as if trying to feel her presence instead of the cold, stiffness of the door.

“Carrie…” he whispered.

His heart cried, as did his eyes. His body slid to the ground, his hand still pressed against the door. The more Mike
thought about the turn of events, the madder he got at himself. How could he do this to his Princess? She had
admitted her love for him, and he scorned the idea, telling her she didn’t love him, but that she was in love with Austin.


But that kiss…that was a kiss between two people in love, Mike was sure of it. He had never felt that kind of intensity
in a kiss before. If only he had followed his heart instead of his head. He would have told Carrie that he loved her. He
would have kissed her more. He would have savored every moment that she was in his arms dancing. He would have
taken her back to the hotel and made sweet, passionate love to her all night long. But, no…noble Michael William
Horton blew it. For so long, he’s had his head convinced that Carrie needs time to get over her feelings for Austin.
And even at that point, he could only dream that she might fall in love with him. He cursed himself for ruining the
moment, and perhaps ruining their friendship. He only hoped that Carrie could forgive him for being an idiot. And he
hoped that she would believe him when he told her that he loved her, too.

Mike stood up and knocked on the door. He waited, but there was no answer. He knocked again, this time louder,
and he called her name.

“Carrie…Carrie. Are you in there? It’s me…Mike.” By the time he said his own name, his voice had about faded.
His heart ached at the realization that Carrie probably didn’t want to see him, let alone speak with him. He again
placed his hand on the door, whispering, “I love you, Carrie.”

With that, Mike turned to walk down the hall to his own room. As he unlocked the door and walked in, he failed to
hear the sound of another door opening.

**

As tired as Carrie had been, her sleep was unrestful. She had awoken with a start from a dream in which Mike kept
saying ‘I love you’. But every time she returned the words, he would shake his head and say ‘no, you love Austin, not
me’. She was getting up to get a glass of water when she heard the commotion outside her door. As she looked
through the peephole, she gasped. Mike was on the other side of her door, just standing. Even though it was difficult
to tell, she was sure that he had been crying. She saw the pain in his face and knew that she had caused it. The
thought of hurting Mike like that made the tears in her eyes swell. When she looked through the peephole again, he
was gone. Her heart sank, thinking he had left, and then sank further when she realized that he was still there, but that
he was crying. Carrie let herself sink to the floor.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been there when she heard a knock on the door. She sat there, scared. As much as
she wanted to open the door and leap into Mike’s arms, she knew she couldn’t. She heard another knock and the
sound of Mike’s voice…”Carrie…Carrie. Are you in there? It’s me…” Slowly, Carrie stood. She sighed, knowing
she’d have to face him sooner or later. She walked over to the chair and grabbed her robe. Taking in a deep breath
and wiping the tears from her eyes, she opened the door. She fully expected to see Mike, but instead, she was
greeted by emptiness. She looked down the hall just in time to see Mike slip into his room. Carrie closed her eyes and
leaned up against the doorframe. “Oh Mike,” she whispered, “I love you.”

**

Mike awoke just as tired as he had been when he finally fell asleep. For hours, he had laid awake, tossing and turning.
Sleep would not come, only memories of Carrie. They would start out happy but would eventually end up with the
stark realization that Mike had hurt her heart and soul. Not wanting to face the world, but knowing that he had to,
Mike got up and got ready for the day.

Down the hall, Carrie was also getting ready for a day that she dreaded. She didn’t know how she was going to face
Mike after everything that had happened last night. If only he loved her the way she loved him, things would certainly
be different. Knowing she’d have to make an appearance this morning, she got up and got ready.

Carrie was putting the finishing touches of makeup on when she heard a faint knock on the door. Immediately, her
heart started to race. She knew it was Mike. Carrie took a deep breath before answering.

Mike’s heart was pounding with anticipation as he knocked on Carrie’s door. He was scared and anxious, not
knowing what to expect. The one thing he didn’t expect though was exactly what happened. He was robbed of his
breath the minute the door opened. God, Carrie…you’re so beautiful…I love more than you could ever know.

Carrie’s heart skipped a beat as she stared into Mike’s eyes. She quickly broke the stare and looked down at the
floor. Stop it, Carrie. You only think you see love in Mike’s eyes. He doesn’t love me and I’ve got to face the
facts and get on with my life.

Mike finally found his voice. “I…I thought we should grab some breakfast before heading out.”

Carrie continued to look down. “Yeah. Just let me grab my purse.”

Silently, they rode the elevator to the first floor and got in line for the breakfast buffet that the hotel offered. With food
on their plates, they found a table and sat down. Mike and Carrie both busied themselves with their food.

It was Mike who finally broke the strenuous silence. “Carrie…I…”

“No, Mike…I’m sorry. I made a fool of myself last night. So can we just please drop it?” Carrie knew the
conversation would come up eventually. But the last thing she wanted to do was to rehash her confession of love.

Mike looked down and played with his food. “I’m the one that’s sorry, Carrie.” His voice was barely audible.

Carrie didn’t hear what Mike said. She just wanted to finish breakfast so they could get on their way. After all, the
sooner they got to LA, the sooner she could get on a bus and away from Mike.

**

The warm air blew on Mike and Carrie’s faces as they drove. They’d barely spoken two words since breakfast and
the silence was killing Mike. He had to find a way to talk to Carrie. Of course, what he really wanted to do was tell
her how much he loves her and take her in his arms and kiss her.

The silence was also getting to Carrie. She had to think of some way to break the silence, as it seemed to be an
invitation for Mike to talk to her.

Mike needed a way to think of what to do next.

Carrie needed a way to assure that no talking to place.

Simultaneously, Mike and Carrie reached for the radio. The moment their hands touched, sparks flew, reigniting the
flame that burned in both of their souls. Though shaking with desire, Mike managed to flip the radio on. Reluctantly,
they each withdrew their hand.

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And I've never been this swept away

Mike glanced over at Carrie. In his mind, he reached over and brushed her wind-blown hair out of her face. He
wanted desperately to look into her eyes, to see into her soul, and to touch her heart. As Mike’s gaze focused on the
road ahead of them, Carrie turned to look at Mike. Her heart was playing tricks on her. She could feel the passion
between them every time they touched, every time they became lost in each other’s eyes.

All my thoughts seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear is the beating of your heart

Carrie closed her eyes as the memory of being in Mike’s arms last night invaded her mind. When they were dancing,
the whole world had ceased to exist. Carrie could still feel Mike’s breath on her neck. Her back ached with longing to
have his hand pressed against it. Her lips quivered at the thought of Mike’s lips on hers.

Mike, too, was thinking about last night. It had felt so wonderful to hold Carrie in his arms…that was were he had
wanted her for so long. The undeniable force that drew their lips together had surprised Mike. But the way they
melted into each other at the instant they made contact told Mike that this was meant to be. They were soul mates.

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be?
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe..

A tear slid down Carrie’s cheek at the realization that she and Mike would never be together. Why God allowed
one-sided love to occur, she would never know. She tried to push Mike out of her mind, but couldn’t.

Mike could feel the tears pooling in his eyes. His heart ached at the memory of how last night had ended. Their love
was unmistakable…it would never end, only get stronger. Mike looked over at Carrie and saw a tear glistening on her
soft skin. It doesn’t have to be this way, a voice told Mike.

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than I've ever felt before
And I know and you know there's no need for words right now

Mike veered the car off the road and slammed on the breaks. The sudden movement caused Carrie to scream. The
forceful hands upon her shoulders brought her attention to Mike. He was staring into her eyes…searching for
something. Carrie opened her mouth to say something, but no words would come out. Mike knew no words were
needed right now. What they needed, wanted, yearned for, was much more important at this moment. That
knowledge erased everything else from Mike’s mind. Carrie’s mouth was still open when Mike’s lips came crashing
down on hers. Carrie’s first thought was to resist, but her heart had a different agenda.

~*~*~Breathe by Faith Hill~*~*~

part 7

Carrie was in heaven. The forcefulness by which Mike took her lips made the whole experience that much more
exciting. It seemed they couldn’t get close enough to each other, and Carrie cursed the stick shift for its intrusion.

Mike had hoped that Carrie would react the she had. He had hoped that this would mean a second chance for him to
express his true feelings for her. And he hoped that she would forgive him for his behavior from the previous night.
The truth was he had been in shock when Carrie confessed her love for him. It was a moment that he had dreamed of
for years, but when it actually happened, he froze.

Now, he had the woman he loved more than life itself in his arms and together they were experiencing the most
passionate, hungry kiss that either had only dreamed of. They drank each other in with each deepening, with each
tongue encounter, with each hand movement. Both were out of breath, feeling like they had just run a marathon, when
their lips finally parted.

Carrie slowly brought her hand to her mouth. Her lips were on fire and she started shaking from pure enjoyment.
After everything that had happened the night before, she couldn’t believe that Mike had just kissed her like that. She
opened her mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. It was her turn to be in shock.

Mike could sense the wheels turning in Carrie’s mind as she tried to interpret what had just transpired. He saw her
mouth trying to form words and when no sound came out, he knew it was time for him to talk…from his heart and not
from his head.

Mike’s eyes went from her mouth to her eyes as his hand gently brushed her hair out of her face. He could see all the
love and desire that she felt for him, but he could also see the uncertainty and questions that she was feeling at this
moment.

“Carrie, I love you.” There…Mike had said it. He continued to look into Carrie’s eyes, waiting for his words to
register in her heart and head.

Carrie stared at Mike. Had she heard him right? Surely not after last night…no, he must have said something else.
Carrie closed her eyes.

“What did you say?” She needed for him to say it again, for she didn’t trust her heart to have heard correctly the first
time.

Mike heard the pain in her voice as she spoke. He realized that she didn’t believe what she had heard. So he said it
again. “I love you.”

Carrie heard him this time. But now she felt he was saying this out of pity…because of last night and the pain and
humility that she had felt. Her eyes were still shut, but she could feel Mike’s eye’s on her, trying to see into her heart
and soul. Slowly, she turned her head. As her eyes opened, the pooled tears escaped down her cheeks. She looked
at the trees along side the road.

“Mike, please don’t do this.”

Mike tried to turn Carrie’s head toward him, but she wouldn’t budge. “Carrie, I love…”

“Please, Mike. I know you’re just feeling sorry for me. I’m sorry I said anything last night. Why can’t you just drop
it?”

Mike smiled. This was definitely going to take some convincing, but he was up for it. “Carrie, let me tell you
something about last night.”

“Mike…” Carrie started to protest.

“No, Carrie, it’s my turn to talk.” Carrie turned to face him, startled by his tone of voice…forceful, yet sincere. She
simply nodded her head.

Mike knew he had her full attention, so he continued. “I have never felt so at ease as I felt last night dancing with you.
We just fit together so perfectly.”

He paused and smiled as he thought about another way they would fit perfectly together. Hoping he hadn’t blushed,
he cleared his throat and went on.

“I could have spent the entire night with you in my arms like that. In fact, I’ve dreamed of dancing with you that way.”
Mike noticed a small sparkle in Carrie’s eyes.

“There’s something else that I’ve dreamed of. And that’s telling you how much I love you. I never thought I would
have the chance because you love Austin. Even with everything that’s been going on, I think I convinced myself that
you would always love Austin and that you could never love me.”

Mike looked down, trying to figure out how to continue. It was Carrie’s turn to smile. She reached for Mike’s hands
with her own and gave them a squeeze, urging him to go on.

“I thought I’d died and gone to heaven last night when we kissed. I’ve never felt so alive and so full of passion. And
you told me that you loved me, my heart soared. I wanted nothing more than to tell you how much I returned you
love. But then I listened to my head. I thought about Austin and how I didn’t want to come between the two of you,
so tried to convince you of your love for him, just as I had convinced myself of that love.”

Mike stopped again, this time with the image of Carrie crying and running from the room…running from him.

“When you ran out of the High Note, I knew I was wrong. I was wrong to think that you couldn’t love me. And I was
wrong to try to convince you of your love for Austin.”

Mike noticed the tears falling from Carrie’s eyes. He let go of one of her hands and wiped the tears away.

“I’m so sorry Carrie. I love you more than life itself and the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. But I did.”

Carrie brought her free hand up to Mike’s face. He really did love her. “Can I say something now?”

If Mike hadn’t seen the love that shone in Carrie’s eyes, he would have been scared. But somehow he sensed that
everything would work out. He nodded his head and smiled. “Yeah.”

“First of all, you aren’t the only one that was convinced that I loved Austin. Everyone back in Salem was convinced
and I was convinced. When we started on this trip, I realized that there was only one person that ever truly cared
about me. There was only one person who put my needs before everyone else, including their own. There was only
one person who I loved completely. And that person was you.”

Carrie let out a soft laugh as she thought about all the hints she’d dropped, trying desperately to figure out Mike’s
feeling for her.

“I wasn’t sure how you felt about me, though. I wasn’t sure if you could ever love me the way that I loved you. But
last night was magical. Dancing in your arms was wonderful. And the kiss…well, I’d never experienced anything like
it. I felt something when we kissed. I felt our love for each other. That gave me the courage to tell you that I love you.
I was crushed when you didn’t tell me that you loved me back. And I was mad when you told me that I couldn’t love
you because I loved Austin. Then I was embarrassed for having opened my heart to you only to have it rejected.”

Another tear escaped from Carrie’s eye. Mike leaned over and gently kissed it away. Then Mike moved to the other
side of her face and kissed her again. Carrie closed her eyes. She felt a kiss on her forehead. She smiled. He kissed
her nose. She parted her lips in anticipation. After several seconds, she opened her eyes again. Mike was staring at
her, smiling. He had known what she was waiting for and had purposefully delayed it. Carrie smiled back and
playfully hit his arm.

Mike once again moved toward Carrie. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

For a second time along side the road, their lips met.

part 8

To everyone who passed him, it was obvious that this was a man in love. His head was held high and his eyes danced
with the light. The smile that his mouth formed made it difficult to whistle a happy tune, but somehow he managed. As
he waited for his order to be served, Mike’s mind wandered back to the drive that had brought them to this hotel.

~*~*~

The whole thing was like a dream. Once again, Mike was kissing her. Carrie’s head was overflowing with sensations.
The warm breeze intensified the fragrance of the wild flowers that adorned the side of the road, not to mention Mike’s
after shave. The feel of his lips against hers was like a raging fire. She slid one of her hands from behind Mike’s neck
and rested it on his chest. She could feel the pounding of his heart and knew that her heart was beating in sync with
his. Suddenly, her lips were free but she was still a hostage to Mike’s lips. Carrie sucked in a deep breath as she felt
Mike’s warm lips on the side of her neck. The shear ecstasy sent shivers down her spine.

Any rational thoughts that were in Mike’s head evaporated the minute his lip’s touched Carrie’s. The only thought in
his mind was that if there was a heaven, it was right here on Earth and Carrie was the archangel. Mike’s senses were
overtaken by the sweet smell of Carrie’s perfume and the gentle touch of her hands against his body. As he released
her lips, he heard the small moan from Carrie that he had only dreamed of hearing. That encouragement was the only
thing needed for his trail of kisses to proceed down Carrie’s neck. He wanted desperately to make love to Carrie, but
he knew that would come when the time was right. He didn’t want to risk losing their newfound love by rushing to the
nearest hotel bed.

With arms still wrapped around each other, Mike pulled back slightly and looked deep into Carrie’s eyes. He smiled
at the love that he saw. Carrie returned the smile.

Without taking her eyes off him, Carrie spoke in a whisper, “I suppose we’d better get going if we’re going to make it
to our next stop before night fall.”

Mike simply nodded.

After a few minutes, Mike finally found his voice, “We had better go.”

Carrie nodded.

It took the honking of a passing car and a voice yelling ‘get a room’ for Mike and Carrie to break the trance that they
held on each other. Mike cleared his throat as he released his hold on Carrie. With shaking hands, he grabbed the
steering wheel and started the car up. Mike and Carrie were still too caught up in the moment to notice the car that
pulled onto the road right behind them.

**

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”

Sami looked at him in disgust. “You want Carrie, don’t you?”

“Of course I do, but do we have to go spying on them?” Lucas looked over at Sami as she peered through her
binoculars.

“I have to make sure that Austin doesn’t interfere with Mike and Carrie’s little love-fest.”

“What makes you so sure that Mike and Carrie are even in love?”

Sami put the binoculars on her lap. “I just know. Besides, that first night on the road they shared a room, remember?”

“But the second night they didn’t.” Lucas was fast with his come back.

“I’m sure there was a perfectly good explanation for that.”

Lucas eyed her again as he shook his head in exasperation. “What ever. So, Miss Schemer of the Year, what’s your
plan?”

Sami pressed her lips together in an evil smile and raised her eyebrows. “Well…”

**

Austin thought back to the day that Carrie had called and told him she was going out of town for a while. She refused
to tell him where she was going. Thinking he could talk her into letting him go with her, he made his way over to her
apartment the morning she was to leave. He was upset when he saw Mike knocking on her door, and even more so,
he was furious when they climbed into his red convertible and left. Austin did the only thing he could think of…he
followed them.

That was two days ago. When Mike had suddenly veered off the road earlier, Austin nearly blew his cover. Luckily
he managed to pass by unnoticed and stop up the road from them, out of sight. He would just wait until they started
up again.

“There they go.” He said to himself as the red car drove by him. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let Mike steal my
girlfriend. I know he forced her to go on this trip with him. At least now I know why she was so vague about the
whole thing.”

**

Wo! I feel good,
I knew that I wouldn't of
I feel good,
I knew that I wouldn't of
So good, so good, I got you Wo!

Mike belted out the words in an off-key manner. Carrie couldn’t help but laugh, which only made Mike sing even
louder.

I feel nice,
like sugar and spice
I feel nice,
like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you

By this time, Carrie’s sides were hurting.

“Please stop, Mike!” she pleaded between gasps and fits of laughter. Mike wiggled his eyebrows and continued in a
melodramatic act.

When I hold you in my arms
I know that I can do no wrong
and when I hold you in my arms
My love won't do you no harm

By the time the song ended, Carrie was in tears. “I wouldn’t give up your medical career just yet, Dr. Horton.”

“Aww, what’s wrong with my singing?” Mike pouted before breaking out into a smile.

“Everything,” Carrie smiled back.

A comfortable silence fell over Mike and Carrie as they continued to their next destination…Las Vegas.

~*~*~

Mike was still deep in thought when the bar tender tapped him on the shoulder.

“Your order, sir.”

Mike tipped the man and headed back up stairs to their suite where the love of his life was waiting.

The phone rang just as Carrie was heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

“Hello?” Carrie grabbed it on the second ring. “Marlena! I’m so glad you called me back…Yes, it’s important…How
did you guess?…I just don’t know what I’m going to do…Yes, he says he loves me…But that’s just it…I don’t love
him, I never really loved him…I don’t know why I told him I did…It was all a big mistake…”

Mike looked down at the bottle of champagne he had purchased to celebrate their love. Carrie hadn’t heard him
enter the room, nor did she hear him leave.

~*~*~ I got you (I feel good) by James Brown~*~*~


part 9

For the first time in a long time, life was good for Carrie Brady. Well, pretty good. There was one minor problem that
had to be dealt with, and then everything would be right. Carrie picked up the phone and dialed the all-to-familiar
number. She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until she had to speak.

“Hello?”

“Austin…hi, it’s Carrie.”

“Carrie! It’s good to hear your voice. Where are you?” Austin smiled, knowing very well where she was. He looked
up to the second floor balcony where moments before Carrie had been.

“Oh, we stopped in Vegas. We’ll be heading out to LA in the morning. But, listen…” Carrie hesitated, not knowing
where to begin.

“Ah yes…LA. And how is Mike? Are you two having…fun?” Austin tried to hide the twinge of jealousy that invaded
his voice.

“Mike’s fine. Austin…we need to…”

“So, what do you two have planned for tonight…a little partying in the city that never sleeps?”

“Austin, will you please let me talk?” Carrie was getting frustrated, but then again, this was nothing new. This was how
their relationship had always been. Austin tended to dominate the conversation, usually by talking about himself.

Austin was annoyed at Carrie’s tone. “When are you coming home?”

Carrie let out an audible sigh and looked at her watch. She wanted to get this conversation over with before Mike
returned to their room. “I don’t know, Austin. But I didn’t call you to talk about my trip. I called to talk about us.”

Austin smiled. Well, at least she knows there’s still an “us”. “Of course, sweety. What did you want to talk
about?”

(Continued)

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