Author's Note: It's the return of the- Ah, wait, no way, you're kidding. She didn't just say what I think she did, did she? JK but it's true. I'm back. I'm determined to finish and by God this will be finished. Long chapter in hopes that it makes it up to you guys somehow . . .

Melody couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. She was empty. The aches she felt went deeper than she'd ever thought possible. There was nothing left inside of her. She'd never felt this way before, so hollow. It had taken all her strength to shut those blinds on him, to not let him in. The rage she had felt before had faded quickly, which had made it difficult to turn him away. She missed the anger. It was easier when she could scream and curse his name, but now she just missed him. It was too confusing, too upsetting. She hated that she missed him, hated that she wanted him back after he accused her of trying to betray him. The idea of it still made her sick. Her father had ruined a lot of good things for her, but this was the worst he had ever done.

"Come on, little miss mopey, get in the shower," Tina commanded, pulling the covers off Melody. "We're going out tonight."

Melody groaned, "I don't want to."

"Doesn't matter, we're going. You can't stay in bed anymore."

"What if I move to the couch?"

Tina snorted at that. "Nice try. Now, get your cute butt up and into the shower."

Melody obeyed and walked slowly into the shower. She made it quick and methodical, and when she finished she found out Tina had laid out a dress and shoes for her. It was one of her favorites, a short red number with a plunging neckline. The shoes were a pair of black pumps with a gold embellished heel. Tina had even taken the time to lay out some jewelry for her, a long gold necklace and earrings. Tina popped her head back in, already dressed and affixing an earring to her lobe. "Hurry up and get dressed, Charlie will be here in an hour."

She did as she was told and changed out of her pajamas. Tina returned to curl her hair and do her makeup for her. Charlie arrived promptly on time with a six pack of craft beer, saying something about how grateful he was that he was missing game night because all his husband's friends cheat. The three of them walked out to where the clubs and bars were. A lot of them had lines, but most weren't really their style. Too loud, too young, too full of girls doing lines in the bathroom. They settled on a regular spot where a live band was playing. There was a line forming outside, but that was never a problem for them. The bouncer caught sight of the girls and waved them in ahead of the line, Charlie riding on their coattails. It wasn't long before Melody was getting free drinks from strangers sent to their table. She downed her third apple martini, because for some reason these men seemed to think she thrived on apple martinis, before heading out on the floor to dance and check out the band.

She danced and drank, and kept drinking, but it was all mechanical. Men tried to talk to her, to dance with her, and she let them for awhile until she got bored with them. Their hands felt foreign and strange, the liquor burned and made her dizzy. It was the most she'd felt in weeks. Melody moved her way up to the stage where the singer was crooning romantically into the microphone. He was tall and young, with dark hair and eyes. He had a slight dusting of color on his skin which could either be hereditary or from the sun. He smirked at her when he saw her and she felt herself drunkenly smile back.

Jason didn't mean to follow her. It had honestly been a mistake. He'd headed out to walk past her apartment, just to check in, when he saw her leaving with Tina and Charlie. She was dressed to kill in that outfit and he couldn't stop staring at her. He found his legs moving without his mind telling them to, but he kept his distance. He didn't follow them in to any of bars or clubs they went into until he saw her stumble into the bouncer at the last one, watched her throw him that beautiful smile as he caught her before she fell. Jason watched the man whisper something into her ear that made her giggle and it made his stomach twist in knots. So he walked in.

He didn't intend to interact with her at all. He was just there to watch, just there to make sure she stayed safe. After all, there were still people out there trying to kill her. He tried to ignore the men who bought her drinks, how their hands skirted along her waist, her legs, as she danced. What made it worse was that she didn't even seem to care that they touched her. Her body moved so fluidly, so open and unrestrained, she was like a fire. She was so bright and vibrant that you couldn't help but wonder what she felt like on your fingers. Jason knew what she felt like, remembered exactly how she tasted, how her body moved on top of him and beneath him. The thought that another man would know her body, her taste after him made his blood boil. But he stayed, and he watched.

She was eventually drawn up to the front of the place near the band once they finished their set. The lead singer had been eyeing her all night, drawn to her fire. Jason didn't have time to react before Charlie stood next to him. Charlie had a beer in his hand and a scowl on his face. "She's gonna go home with that asshole, I know it," Charlie said, staring at Melody as she leaned in close to the lead singer.

"Fuck, I hope not," Jason commented.

"How long have you been standing here?"

"Embarrassingly long."

Charlie shrugged and sipped his drink. "At least your honest."

"She's too drunk to go home with him. If he tries, he's a real piece of shit."

"I agree, which is why you're going to go over there and lure her away," Charlie said, finally making eye contact with Jason. Jason raised his eyebrows at him. "Let me clarify that you are also not going to take her home. I just need you to make sure she doesn't wind up with that clown and I know she's not going to listen to me."

"What makes you think she's going to listen to me?"

"She likes you," Charlie said, taking a sip of his beer. "She just doesn't know it yet."

"You think?" Jason's stomach twisted again.

"Go get'em, tiger."

He told himself that he was just helping out, that he was just trying to make sure she was safe, as he moved his way over to where she was running a finger down the lead singer's chest. He wasn't interfering, he told himself, when she caught sight of him and her face lit up. She tackled him in a big hug, completely forgetting about the lead singer who looked slightly annoyed. "Jason!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here!?" He tried to ignore how good she felt in his arms. She smelled of roses, jasmine, and alcohol. She pulled back and pressed a kiss to his cheek, slower than a friendly peck.

"I was in the neighborhood and decided to check out the band," Jason lied, allowing his arm to fall around Melody's waist. "Excellent set, dude," he complimented, extending his fist towards the singer. The singer half-heartedly touched his fist to Jason's and muttered something about having to get back on stage, disappearing quickly.

"I can't believe you're here. Charlie is here too! And my friend Tina!" Melody waved back to where Charlie and Tina were sitting.

"Yeah? Maybe we should head back over to them," Jason suggested, giving her a little tug.

"Aww, but the band is going to start up again," she whined. She looked up at him with those pale blue eyes and chewed the bottom of her bright red bottom lip. "Do you wanna dance with me?"

He should say no. After all, doing this seemed a little morally corrupt. He'd betrayed her trust behind a mask. He couldn't do this. But then again . . . she was looking up at him with those wide eyes and her fluttering eyelashes. He'd thought of every time she looked up at him with those eyes, her mouth wrapped around his cock and he stiffened. He sighed, "okay, just one dance," and she squealed with glee in response. She led him out onto the floor as the singer began the chorus of a song.

Dirty laundry is piling in her room / She's got her secrets, yeah I got mine too / I don't care about what you did / Only care about what we do / Dirty laundry / Looks good on you . . .

She swayed in time with the music, torturing him with the slow winding of her hips against his. Jason clenched his jaw and tried to dance with her, keeping her at a respectable distance, but she seemed determined to get as close to him as possible. She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and smiled up at him.

Now here's some honesty / Sometimes I trip over your history / Wish I could change my mind / But it's the things I shouldn't see that always catch my eye . . .

Fuck, he wanted to kiss her so bad. He could tell that she wanted him to kiss her with the way that she angled her mouth up towards him. She felt so small in his hands, so wonderful. He knew if he kissed her then she'd figure out who he was. It would be too similar, that heat between them. She would know instantly, but would she take him back?

"I want you to kiss me," she said to him, only loud enough for him to hear over the music. "But you have a girlfriend."

Jason grimaced. "Not anymore, I don't." Before he could think himself out of the idea, he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her throat. A promise of more to come, later if she wanted it.

Dirty laundry / Looks good on you . . .

It was 2:30 in the morning when they finally brought her home. Tina took a cab home and Charlie and Jason helped a staggeringly drunk Melody up the stairs into her apartment. They managed to get her through the door before she started crying, clinging to Jason the entire time.

"What is wrong with me?" she asked, in-between sobs. "I can't do anything right."

"There is nothing wrong with you, Melody," Jason replied, as soothingly as he could.

"There has to be. There must be. He was so perfect, so good, and I ruined it."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Oh stop, he wasn't perfect and you know it." Ouch, but true. "He shouldn't have said that stuff to you."

"I love him, Charlie. I still love him. I know I shouldn't, but I can't stop."

"It will hurt less and less with time," Jason said, scooping her up in his arms in order to quicken their pace. He carried her into her bedroom and held her while Charlie pulled off her shoes. Charlie then pulled the covers aside and Jason slipped her into her bed. He was just about to turn away when Melody grabbed his hand.

"Please stay with me. I don't want to be alone."

Jason looked between her and Charlie, a silent question. Charlie sighed. "I guess it's a sleepover, then" he said, snuggling into a comfy chair in the corner. He clearly didn't want to leave Jason alone with Melody. Jason settled himself onto his knees beside her bed, his hand still in hers as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

A/N: The song is "Dirty Laundry" by All Time Low in case you were wondering :)