Chapter 12

Cliques and Chick Flicks

Raven awoke to the sound of sinfully cheerful robins. She never liked such birds. Their strange tune was like none she had ever heard. It was almost ...sinister. She sighed realizing that sleep would no longer claim her and began to lift herself out of bed. However, as soon as she had begun to do so, and arm snaked around her waist. At first, she stiffened. The action, insignificant as it was, seemed alien to her. It was hard enough getting use to having Gar sleep in the same bed with her, and harder still to adapt to such close proximity. But when she thought back to the previous night, she let herself be enveloped by his muscled arms. She would relish the moment while Gar was still asleep.

She felt him shift slightly,"Rae?"

Damn.

"Yes, Logan?"

He pressed his face to the crook of her neck and it took all of her will power not to gasp, "I...l- promise to always be here when you need me."

She was, though she would never admit it to anyone, touched by the sincerity of his words. She could tell that he spoke the truth, "You always have been..."

And he had. He had seen her at rock bottom and helped her to the best of his ability even though she tried her hardest to push him away. He had shared her triumphs, laughed, cried, and even joked with her; something that no one was brave enough to do. They had grown up together... sometimes she thought of them as yin and yang; if he were to ever leave her she would never fell whole again. She had already been through the heart wrenching process of watching Gar and Terra date. Watching them kiss and hold hands. Watching them laugh together and finish each other's sentences. Seeing the look in Gar's eyes whenever she walked in the room. At first, Raven had dealt with it by simply ignoring them. She soon found that her efforts were futile. She could never tear her eyes away from them no matter how it hurt. Her fate was to be alone... and watch the one that she loved drift away from her.

Love? What did she know about love? She had never shared such an emotion with anyone except her mother. She had no indication that what she felt for him was love, but somehow she knew. She knew that she would never feel the same towards anyone.

Was fate so cruel to cause her to fall in love with her best friend?

His voice interrupted her thoughts. "Raven... he kissed you."

He only said her full name when her was absolutely serious. But, she was confused. Why would he care if that demon had kissed her? "What's your point?"

He sighed, "He waltzed in here like he was supreme ruler of the world and kissed you. And you... you kissed him back."

Why did he have to sound so betrayed? What was she supposed to tell him? She couldn't possibly tell him that she thought Garth was him! He would laugh at her! "I wasn't thinking. I was half asleep."

"Didn't look like it to me, Rae." He said softly. "Do you... like him?"

She narrowed her eyes. "What would make you think that, Logan?"

He flinched at her voice, "It's just..." He sighed, "It was hard enough to see him steal your first kiss. It almost killed me to see him kiss you again... to see him do it so effortlessly without any hesitation. If it's going to hurt so much I might as well know if you enjoyed it or not."

She didn't answer. She was too busy trying to decode his sentences. What did he mean? He couldn't... no. She wasn't going to assume anything. "I'm not stupid. I can see you are avoiding my questions, Gar, and I'm not going to answer you until you answer me." She looked him in the eye and tried her best not to be lured in by their beauty, "Why does it matter to you if I kissed him or not?"

"I... I can't answer that question." He sighed deeply, " If you knew what you were asking of me, you wouldn't want me to answer. I can't do it now."

For some reason, Raven could feel anger pulsing in her veins. "Why, Gar? Why can't you answer a simple question?"

"Because it's not as simple as you think, Rae." The tone in his voice hinted at finality, but Raven wasn't about to let him off the hook just yet.

She turned around in his arms to face him. "What made you... what made you come back yesterday?"

He looked at her quizzically, "What do you mean?"

"You ran off after... after...he kissed me."

She could feel his muscles tense and she suddenly wished that she hadn't brought it up again, "I guess I couldn't leave you with that creep. I didn't like the way he looked at you, Rae." He pulled her closer to his chest, "You're like a sister to me. I feel like I have to look after you."

It was Raven's turn to become tense, "I can take care of my self, Gar."

He raised an eyebrow at her in disbelief, "That's obviously not the case since I'm always the one that comes to your rescue."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing! She pushed herself off his chest and glared at him angrily, "Is that why you hang around me? Because you think I'm in need of your protection?"

He shook his head, "No- that's not it..."

She narrowed her eyes at him,"You don't think I can take care of myself, do you?"

Gar grabbed her shoulders in desperation, "Rae, you know that's not-"

"I don't need anyone to protect me! I can take care of myself-"

He gripped her shoulders more tightly now, "You want to know why I hang around you, Rae? I pity you. You're such an ice bitch to everyone around you! I'm the only one who can stand being around you and yet you treat me like dirt. I know that without me, you would probably kill yourself. Because if I were stuck being you, I would do the same thing."

She felt as though a knife had been plunged into her heart and each of his harsh words were twisting it further. Was this what he really thought of her?

He laughed harshly, "Garth and you would make the perfect couple seeing as neither of you give a damn about anything but yourselves-"

"Shut up!" She shouted, "You know what, Logan? You're right. I do push people away. I do sometimes fell like killing myself. But don't accuse me of something I didn't do." She tried with all her power to keep the tears from welling up in her eyes, "I don't like him. I ...love you. I only kissed him because I thought he was you."

She didn't receive a response from him so she continued, "You don't know how hard it is to keep everything inside. You don't know all the things I've been through! To her kiss you and how happy she made you. I tried so hard to cope with my feelings for you... but it was killing me inside. I didn't push you away, Logan. You pushed me away."

She moved to get off the bed, but his hand gripped her shoulder. "Rae, don't-"

She wriggled her shoulder from his grasp,"You hurt me, Logan."

"I'm sorry, Rae."

She got off his bed and stood up. "Sorry can't fix everything."

Her sudden movement towards the door made his heart lurch. He couldn't let her leave. "Rae... please?"

She kept walking, ignoring his cries of desperation. He knew he had to do something...

He jumped up and blocked her way out of the room with his body. "Rae, do you even know where you're going? This is your house."

Her eyes flashed, "I can take care of myself, thank you."

"I'm not letting you leave."

She punched him in the stomach. Hard. He lost his balance and fell forward onto her small frame. "Damn it, Rae. Are you trying to kill me?"

"I will if you don't get off of me."

He laughed, "I don't think you're in any position to make threats."

She knew he was right. His frame was much larger and heavier than her own. "Get off of me, Logan."

"Do you really love me Rae?"

She was trapped. She wished she could lie about the whole thing... but those god damn eyes wouldn't let her. "...yeah."

To her surprise, he covered her lips with his own. The sensation was unreal... unlike anything she had ever felt before. The warmth spread from her lips to the tips of her toes. It was, in one word, amazing.

To her disappointment, they broke apart. He lifted her of the ground as though she weighed nothing at all, and laid her on her mattress. He leaned down so close to her ear that she could feel his warm breath in her ear. "Guess what Rae? I love you too."

She almost rolled her eyes at him, but she refrained. This was something that she had been hoping for since she was a little girl. She could have never imagined that it would feel like this. That he could be capable of drawing out any feeling from her cold heart.

His arms wrapped around her from behind again, and this time she was relaxed. "Why do you always do that, Logan?"

He placed his head in the crook of her neck, "So you won't even think about leaving."

She smiled, a notion that seemed foreign to her,"Don't worry. I wouldn't dream of it."

How wrong she was.

GA

Ryan Anders might not have been the brightest bulb, but he didn't need intelligence to see that there was something going on between Richard and his sister. As much as both of them denied it, there was something there.

Kori jumped up in the air screaming in jubilation while Richard threw down his controller in anger. "It was rigged! There is no way that you could be capable of beating me! I am the best at video games!"

She poked his chest with her finger, "Admit it. I destroyed you."

He huffed and sat down on the couch, "Cheater."

She rolled her eyes, "How old are you again, Grayson? Five?"

He stuck his tongue at her causing her to roll her eyes again, " I stand corrected. You're two."

Ryan watched this exchange in amusement. He'd never seen his sister act this way towards anyone, even Xavier. The chemistry between them was almost tangible and he wished, though he shuddered at the thought, that they could be together. Even though he could feel traces of resentment towards the object of his sister's affections, he proved to be the lesser of the two evils.

Ryan turned to him, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face. "My sister always was the best at video games. The only one who could ever beat her was my other sister, Blackfire."

Richard flinched at the name which earned his a glare from Ryan. Kori was oblivious to it all. "Yeah, Kom was always the best at everything wasn't she? Singing, Dancing, and apparently kissing."

Her brother gave her a quizzical look and she smiled sadly, "Don't you remember? She stole one of my boyfriends... what was his name? Ethan!" Kori rolled her eyes. "I was such an idiot back then! I can't believe I cried over that idiot!"

Both Ryan and Richard let out the breath that they had been holding. "He had braces, didn't he? And greasy hair!"

"Yeah, he was an eyesore. The only reason that I even went out with him was because he was so sweet." She sighed, "I guess I misjudged his character."

He's not the only one you've misjudged. That bastard you call your boyfriend is nowhere near as sweet as you think he is... thought Richard as he stared at Kori as though willing her to read his mind. You're just going to end up getting hurt...

"Anyway... We've got a whole day to kill!" she looked at them expectantly. "What should we do?"

Ryan's eyes flickered to life, "Kori, I brought your favorite movie in case you wanted to watch it."

Her eyes widened in disbelief, "You didn't."

Richard was puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"Titanic!" she squealed.

Richard rolled his eyes. "You're such a girl..."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "You've never seen it, have you?"

He shrugged, "Don't have to see it to know that it sucks."

"I bet you fifty bucks that you'll cry before this movie is even over, Grayson. Even my boyfriend cried when he watched it, and he happens to be the toughest guy I know."

The blow to his ego was harsh. She thought that scrawny little runt was the toughest? He's show her tough. He never lost a bet to anyone and he wasn't about to start now. "Alright Summers, you've got yourself a deal." He smirked arrogantly, "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

She arched a delicate eyebrow in skepticism, "Oh? And what would I be getting my self into?"

"Debt."

She rolled her eyes at him. "You seem rather confident, don't you? Alright let's raise the steaks a little bit. I bet you one hundred dollars."

Ryan gave her an odd look, "Star? Where are you going to get the m-" He was cut off by a sharp glare from his older sister, "Erm... snacks."

Kori let out the breath that she was holding. She was relieved that her brother hadn't said anything about money. If she had to explain where she got her money from she'd soon be on the next train to the insane asylum.

"We can go together." she told her brother,"Richard said he knows this place like the back of his hand."

He heard the slight disbelief in her voice and frowned. Did she not think he knew the place like the back of his hand? He knew it was a figurative saying, but he decided to look at the back of his hand for good measure...

She had written the word 'loser' in permanent marker and he hadn't even noticed! He rolled his eyes at her as she shook with silent laughter. Her brother ginned widely at her antics. It was good to see his sister back to her happy-go-lucky self.

She wiped an imaginary tear from her eye, "Ah, good times." Richard sent her a glare, "Let's get dressed and go to the supermarket."

As they separated, neither of them noticed that a pair of amber eyes had been watching their every move.

GA

"Alright, Richard, we are going to settle this the easy way."

He shrugged, "Fine by me."

She dug into her jeans pocket for a few moments before pulling out a shinny copper penny. "Heads is Rocky Road and tails is Moose Tracks."

They had been walking around the grocery store for about an hour in search of snacks for the movie. Surprisingly, they had the same preferences when it came to candy, popcorn, and drinks.

But as soon as they had headed down the ice cream isle there had been conflicts. Richard and her brother, the damn traitor, had agreed with Richard. But she had put her foot down. Who wanted marshmallows and almonds when they could have peanut butter cups and fudge?

"Here goes," Kori said. She proceeded to flip the coin into the air and catch it. She flipped it over on her hand to determine the victor, "I thought you said you never lost to anyone, Richard."

"I don't." He said simply.

"Well you lost the coin toss, oh mighty King of Games." She pumped a fist in the air causing the two boys to roll their eyes to the heavens, "Moose Tracks here I come!"

Richard stared at her oddly for the second time that morning. Why was she acting so happy? Up until now he knew her as an argumentative and calm girl. Seeing her like this made him understand that he hadn't ever really seen the real Star Summers. Her typical attitude toward him was clearly a carefully constructed facade. This was the girl that he wanted to get to know.

"Let's go." She said as she placed the tub of ice cream into the cart, "I want to see you cry as soon as possible. There are these nice shoes that I've been needing for my wardrobe for the longest time."

"Too bad you won't be getting them anytime soon."

Kori ignored his comment and started pushing the cart out of the ice cream isle. She almost immediately felt his big hands cover hers. "You think that two strong men- well one man and a little boy- would let you move that cart?"

She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time that day, "Honestly. I'm not a weakling."

Ryan glared at Richard for his comment. "And I am not a little boy!"

"Who ever said that you were?" he sighed, ignoring Ryan completely, "Could you just let me move the cart?"

Kori opened her mouth to argue but shut it immediately as she saw the sincere look on his face. It was odd to see such a look coming from the Grayson monster. She almost wanted him to flash her an other arrogant smirk just to quell the odd feeling in her chest. It seemed as though she was staring at him for an eternity before she spoke.

"I don't see why it's so important for you to move the cart, but be my guest." she sighed, "Boys... I will never be able to understand them."

They walked in silence towards the cash register. Kori insisted that she load the items from the cart onto the conveyer belt, but Richard wouldn't let her. God he was such an over protective boyfriend-

Boyfriend? Where had that thought came from? He was most certainly not her boyfriend in any way shape or form. She be with him! The idea was absurd! He was too arrogant and argumentative for her tastes. And he...he

What was the other reason again?

Oh. Right. X...

The more she thought about him, the more angry it made her. He hadn't wanted to go anywhere with her that day in the parking lot. Weren't they supposed to be inseparable? Two teenagers torn apart by death and brought back together because of the decree of the angels...

Ugh. She really needed to lay off the crappy romance novels.

The cashier's dull voice broke her out of her stupor, "Your total is $20.94."

She reached into her pocket but, once again, Richard's hand stopped her from doing so. He held a rather expensive looking leather wallet loosely in his hands. He unzipped it and took out a random bill.

"Keep the change."

The cashier's eyes widened considerably as she stared at the crisp one hundred dollar bill in her hand, "Thank you, sir. Have a nice day."

Kori shook her head in astonishment. Shopping with Richard was definitely an experience. Had it been Xavier, he would have tricked her into paying for the food and then laugh about it later. Richard was so much more mature. She enjoyed being with him; it made her feel protected. She didn't really mind his insults anymore... they didn't even seem to make her angry anymore. His comments, though often annoying, seemed to make her laugh. Her green eyes focused on his profile as he proceeded to push the cart out of the automatic sliding doors. It was an added bonus that he was extremely good looking...

Richard turned to her and quirked an eyebrow, "Is there something on my face, Summers?"

She sighed, "No. Your face is a problem in itself."

She wasn't smiling or wearing her superior smirk he had become so accustomed to. She almost looked, dare he say it, upset. And if there was one thing that he knew about Star Summers it was that she didn't wear her heart on her sleeve. Vulnerability wasn't a quality that he had even associated with her. Yet these few days that he had spent with her, without the obstacle of school or her friends, he realized that he really didn't know her at all.

Ryan eyes were shifting between the two of them. He almost wanted to knock their heads together in annoyance. He could see it so clearly and yet they were completely oblivious to what was going on between them. It was difficult to resist temptation and just tell them how stupid they were really being.

He sighed, "Are we going to get home anytime soon or are you two just going to look at each other all day?"

His comment seemed to break them out of their stupor, "Oh just shut up, Ryan ," she scoffed and handed him three bags to carry, "Just for that, you're carrying my bags."

Ryan rolled his eyes, "You would have made me carry them anyways."

She winked, "Exactly."

She walked in front of them and Ryan wade rude gestures at her back, but Richard payed them no attention. What was with her today? He always used to think of her as annoying... but annoyingly hot. He believed that his hormones were what led him to be attracted to her. But he had seen her at her absolute worst, tears streaming down her delicate face, and he felt that annoying fluttering feeling in his chest. Without the make-up, short skirts, and overbearing attitude she was just beautiful, in every sense of the word. He didn't have any excuse for being attracted to her. But he was, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Somehow, knew that he wasn't just attracted to her. There was another feeling he had when he looked at her, or even talked to her, one that seemed almost impossible to decipher. Never in his life had he felt this way towards anyone. The unexplainable feelings that he had scared him. He never wanted to be attached to anyone because everything that he touched seemed to touch seemed to turn to dust. This time he was determined to keep himself in check.

"Richard," Kori turned around and looked at him quizzically, "I never look a gift horse in the mouth, but you haven't spoken once since we left the supermarket."

He shrugged, "I was just thinking, you should try it one of these days."

She rolled her eyes, "Bite me."

"As tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass."

She was taken aback. What did he mean by that comment? Did he- no. He couldn't mean...

He noticed the expression on her face, "Get your mind out of the gutter."

She glared at him, "Don't flatter yourself, Grayson."

Somehow hearing his surname from her lips brought him back to his senses. What was he thinking? They were mere acquaintances: no more, no less. But then...

She tapped him on his shoulder. He turned around, but when he realized who it was his eyes held no emotion. Kori flinched, "Listen Grayson. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I had a boyfriend, but I honestly didn't think it would have made that much of a difference. I thought that you were a good friend, but if you can just hate me because I made one mistake, then I guess considering you as a friend was stupid."

They were friends. He had denied her of his friendship once and regretted it. Suddenly, his mother's smiling face appeared in his mind along with a younger image of himself looking shamefaced. His mother had caught him stealing cookies from the jar before dinner.

She was a stern woman, but she had a very kind face. Kneeling down until she was at eye-level with her son she held his small face in her hands.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

He hadn't understood what she had meant back then. Although he was a very intelligent young boy, his mind was still that of a young boy. But now, he understood completely. Just as she trusted him not to steal anymore cookies, Star trusted him not to deny her friendship. He knew that if he ever did such a thing, she would never talk to him again.

"Why do you call me that?"

She looked confused, "It's going to be alright Grayson, there are treatments to help you with schizophrenia."

He was frustrated, "No, why do you call me by my last name?"

She smiled, "You call me by my last name, and besides you wouldn't be the Grayson monster without it." she rolled her eyes at his expression, "Don't worry, it's not a term of endearment or anything."

Ryan, who had been quiet throughout the entire conversation, decided to speak up, "You know, I could be wrong, but I do believe that we have been standing in front of the apartment for about fifteen minutes." he sighed irritably, "I would like to get inside if you don't mind."

Kori stepped on his foot, "Patience is a virtue, dear brother."

Nevertheless she opened the door to her apartment and let them in. She turned to Richard and smiled evilly, making her red hair look as though it was on fire.

"Time to cry."

He shrugged, "I'll have a box if tissues ready when you do," he smirked, "and try not to get any tears on my shirt, it's new."

GA

The ride to Bee's house was silent. Both of them were thinking of all the events that had past between them during the last twenty-four hours. It all seemed so surreal. Vic had to pinch himself every five minutes to make sure that he wasn't in some kind of elaborate dream sequence. It was almost perfect. Almost...

"There is always trouble in paradise."

The voice of a boy that Bee hadn't seen since the summer of the eighth grade seemed to be haunting her lately. Torturing her whenever things just happened to be going good for her. She couldn't ignore it...

"Shut up and leave me alone. I'm finally happy... I don't want you to ruin this for me."

A cold laugh erupted throughout her mind sending chills down her spine, "If you think you are going to get away from me that easily, you've got another think coming. I was so close... I almost killed him. If you hadn't been there to save him, I would be in my body again. Look what I've been reduced to, finding solace in your mind with nowhere else to go. But my brother, he's going to make you pay for what you've done. And perhaps I'll take your boyfriend's body in the process."

She wanted to scream, to tell Vic. But she knew that he wasn't a believer in 'hocus pocus'. He wouldn't believe her if she told him about her secret. The fact that she had kept it this well was a miracle in itself. She knew there were others in the region assigned to do different jobs, but she had only seen one so far. Her job was supposed to be finished. She had saved someone from dying and her life was given back as promised, but the demon still haunted her mind.

"Bee?"

She shook herself out of her stupor and smiled genuinely at him, "Yes?"

The car had come to a stop, they had been sitting in the car for quite a while. Bee felt her face heat up with embarrassment.

"Oh, I'll get out. I'm sorry I had to keep you waiting and everything and I- "

Before she knew it, his hands found their way to her waist and he had pulled her onto his lap. She leaned against him relishing in his warmth; basking in his presence. Suddenly every thought in her mind vanished.

"Whatever it is that's bothering you, it's going to be okay."

I wish I could believe you...

"Thanks Vic."

She could feel almost his satisfied smirk from behind her, "So you've finally decided to stop calling me Sparky?"

She rolled her eyes, "Of course not. Think of it as a term of endearment."

He sighed knowing that arguing with her was a futile attempt. He didn't know why but it was almost as though he loved to argue with her. Maybe it was because she looked cute when she was mad, or maybe because her chest would heave when she was frustrated, or perhaps...

It didn't matter what the reason was. He was just glad to be with her. He had been waiting patiently for this moment for as long as he could possibly remember. Every time that he summed up enough courage to tell her, something would happen to prevent those words from leaving his lips.Every time that those same lips almost covered hers he'd pull back at the last moment in fright. But now, he didn't have to worry about any of those inhibitions. Now he had her all to hims-

Damn.

He moaned as he heard her tell-tale soft breaths. Bee had fallen asleep on him... again.

However, he didn't blame her in the slightest. It had been a rough day for her after all; not to mention that she had been violated by some random teenage boy in a parking lotWho did he think he was anyway? How did she even know such a jerk?

He sighed angrily. That boy couldn't even hold a candle to her, whoever he was. He should have given up while he was ahead. Only he could touch her like that...

He could feel his face heat up at his ludicrous thoughts. She would probably slap him if he even tried. That was what surprised him about the situation; Bee didn't even try to beat the guy up. And Vic knew that she could have kicked his scrawny ass to the moon and back. If he didn't know better, it was as if she was scared of the boy.

He shook his head. Bee wasn't afraid of anything. It must have all been in his imagination. Maybe the boy hadn't touched her at all and he had just imagined the whole-

His eyes focused on a piece of paper sticking out of her pocket. Overcome with curiosity he pulled it out slowly, making sure not to wake her up. Taking as much caution as he could, he unfolded the letter with shaking hands.

Agent Karen,

I am sorry to inform you, but your job it not yet finished. There is another renegade demon planning to corrupt the Grayson boy's soul. Though Grayson has a Guardian angel, it is your job to make sure that the demon doesn't go near him. Take caution for he might attempt to corrupt the people close to you in the process. It is advisable that you cut all ties with the people close to you so that they won't be in any danger. Good Luck!

Jinx

What the hell did this mean? Had she gone crazy? Was this some kind of joke she was playing on him? He knew for a fact that there were no such thing as guardian angels and demons. And how did that Grayson bastard have anything to do with it?

He could feel his heart twinge with jealousy. Did he know something about Bee that he apparently didn't? Was he in on the joke as well?

Bee snuggled up to him more causing the heat to rise to his cheeks once more. She had never hidden anything from him except, apparently, her feelings for him. He shuddered to think that perhaps there was something he didn't know about her...

She moaned and mumbled something incoherently under her breath before turning her body completely around in his lap. All of his thoughts vanished as quickly as they had come as he gently wrapped his muscular arms around her petite waist. He could feel her heart beating in her chest rapidly as though she had just completed some type of marathon.

She must be having some kind of nightmare... he mused.

"Victor..." she moaned as she pressed her fame flush against his own, "Vic...tor."

Or... perhaps some kind of... fantasy?

"Don't leave me...please?" she murmured softly making Victor unsure if was awake or not. "Don't let him... hurt me..."

He tensed suddenly wondering who she could possibly be referring to. He arms tightened around her now trembling frame protectively.

"I won't let him hurt you, Bee. I won't let anyone hurt you."

He let his hands caress her silky brown locks to console her. Her body immediately relaxed in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his waist so that they were engaged in an odd sort of hug.

"Thank...you."

GA

Jack: It's getting quiet.

Jack: Just a few more minutes. It'll take them a while to get the boats organized

Rose is unmoving, just staring into space. She knows the truth. There won't be any boats. Behind Jack she sees that Officer Wilde has stopped moving. He is slumped in his life Jacket, looking almost asleep. He has died of exposure already.

Jack: I don't know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this.

He laughs weakly, but it sounds like a gasp of fear. Rose finds his eyes in the dim light.

Rose: I love you Jack.

He takes her hand.

Jack: No... don't say your good-byes, Rose. Don't you give up. Don't do it.

Rose: I'm so cold.

Jack: You're going to get out of this... you're going to go on and you're going to make babies and watch them grow and you're going to die an old lady, warm in your bed. Not here. Not this night. Do you understand me?

Rose: I can't feel my body.

Jack: Rose, listen to me. Listen. Winning that ticket was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Jack is having trouble getting the breath to speak.

Jack: It brought me to you. And I'm thankful, Rose. I'm Thankful.

His voice is trembling with the cold which is working its way to his heart. But his eyes are unwavering.

Jack: You must do me this honor... promise me you will survive... that you will never give up... no matter what happens... no matter how hopeless... promise me now, and never let go of that promise.

Rose: I promise.

Jack: Never let go.

Rose: I Promise. I will never let go, Jack. I'll never let go. Hear.

She grips his hand and they lie with their heads together. It is quiet now, except for the lapping of water.

Kori was trying with all her might not to burst out in tears. She was surprised that she had in fact made it this far into the movie without a single tear.

She glanced at Richard out of the corner of her eye and was amused to see that he was looking intently at the screen. His lips were pressed together in a way that looked suspiciously like he was holding his breath.

She almost giggled aloud but she restrained herself for she didn't want him to look away from the screen. His right hand was draped casually over the couch and would occasionally brush against her shoulder causing her to shiver pleasantly. She tried her best to quell the feeling of liking she suddenly acquired from him but found that it was immensely difficult to do so. She couldn't help but notice that one of her feet had hooked under his own and he hadn't bothered to tell her off about it.

Rose sweeps down the staircase. The crowd of beautiful gentlemen and ladies turn as she descends toward them. At the bottom a man stands with his back to her... he turns and it is Jack. Smiling he holds his hand out toward Rose.

Rose goes into his arms, a girl of 17. The passengers, officers and crew of the RMS Titanic smile and applaud in the utter silence of the abyss.

Kori was biting her lips. She knew she was about to cry, she just knew it. She glanced at Richard expecting to see him looking smugly at her for winning the bet. And to her surprise...

...a single crystalline tear was cascading down his face.

"Hah!" she exclaimed in triumph, "You cried first! You lose!"

He turned away from her mumbling something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'fluke.'

She rolled her eyes, "Looks like those shoes will make a nice addition to my collection."

"Shut up..." he hissed angrily, "I just... just have something stuck in my eye."

"Aww!" she cooed, "You want me to kiss it and make it all better?"

He was about to glare at her in contempt, but then she did the oddest thing: she kissed him softly just above the eye. He closed his eyes trying to relish in the soft tender feeling of her lips against his skin. But the action ended just as quickly as it had started. She pulled way, a delicate blush staining her features.

"I-I'll go and get you a tissue." she mumbled before making her way to the bathroom, tripping over her own feet as she walked.

Richard smirked at her obvious nervousness. They were virtually alone. Ryan had fallen asleep in his sister's arms less than an hour into the movie which happened to be immensely long. She'd just recently brought him to the guest room and dropped him unceremoniously on the bed. He'd noticed the way that he's snuggled into his sister's arms as she watched the movie. He couldn't help wishing that he was in the little punk's body...

He sighed at his hopelessness. Never in his life had he felt this way about anyone He'd always thought that girls were the most useless beings, what with them sashaying around in short skirts and pouty lipsluring in every guy imaginable. But she... she-

He never found out was she was for a sharp bloodcurdling scream had interrupted his thoughts. He dashed to the bathroom as fast as he could and opened the door with so much force that it almost came off its hinges.

There in the corner of the bathroom was X, Kori's boyfriend leaning casually against the linoleum wallsa look of malice on his devilishly handsome features. His hands were gripped loosely around a knifea knife that was pointing in the direction of Kori.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Richard screamed his eyes darting from X to the knife in his hand.

X walked over to Kori in two quick strides and Richard didn't fail to notice the look of pure shock that had marred her features. "Sorry Grayson," he drawled coldly, "But this is between me..." he traced a finger down the curve of her neck and traced her lips with his fingers causing her to shake violently, "...and her."

Richard was shaking with anger at the way he touched her, "Don't touch her."

X seemed to ignore him proceeding to snake his hands around Kori's waist and pulled her body flush against his own, "Did you miss me, babe?"

He leaned in and kissed her so roughly that it caused tears to well up in her eyes. Her hands were on his chest, attempting to push him away, but he was much too strong for her.

Déjà vu.

Richard walked closer to get a better look, and what he saw disgusted him. There was a girl trying as hard as she could to push Johnny off of herself, but Johnny was coming on too strong. His hands were all but up her shirt, and this girl was crying her eyes out. This was low, even from Rancid's standard.

"Hey, Rancid! Have you sunk so low as to harass innocent girls for pleasure. I never thought even you wouldn't sink that low." Richard spat.

"Bug off bird-boy! This is none of your business!" Johnny hissed.

"Oh I think it is, Rancid. This is the hallway and everything you do here is everyone's business," Richard said smugly.

Rancid growled threateningly, "You're going to regret even talking to me like that, bird- boy."

He turned to walk away, "I'm not done with you yet, babe."

He couldn't bear to watch her go through the same pain again. He just couldn't...

Without thinking, he lunged at X pushing him against the wall with all the strength he could muster. His eyes widened in surprise and the knife he was holding clattered to the floor. He pulled back his fist and punched him as hard as he possible could. He attempted to punch him again, but X caught his fist in midair and proceeded to punch in the stomach.

Unfazed, Richard lifted his knee and pressed it into X's stomach in retaliation. The taller boy grabbed him by his shoulders and slammed him to the ground. Richard winced in pain as his head hit the hard floor.

X sneered at him and leaned down to whisper something into his ear, "She's mine, Grayson, and so are you."

He slammed his head repeatedly against the floor causing Kori to scream in horror. She ran over to X attempting to rip him off of Richard, but he simply pushed her hard into the wall causing her head to hit it with a resounding thud.

This caused Richard to regain his fervor. He pushed X off of him and slammed a fist into his face. He heard a sickening crunch of his nose breaking and a fountain of blood squirted from his nose.

"Damn... Master X is going to kill me!" the boy below him wailed, "I've ruined his connection to me."

Richard watch in horror as the figure below him morphed into a rather unpleasant and feeble looking monster. He looked strangely like the monsters that he and Star had fought not to long ago.

"W-what are you?"

"A messenger." the monster sniffed, "Here to tell you that you and the girl are to be killed soon."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"That is all I am to tell you. X asked me if he could merge with my soul to deliver the girl one last kiss before she dies."

Before Richard could even ask him another question, he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

He ran hurriedly over to Korihis mind in disarray. "Hey, you okay?"

She was shaking furiously, her lips barely able to form words. "He... he..."

Richard sank down next to her, placing a hand around her shoulders in comfort, "Shh... I know."

She laid her head on his shoulder and let the tears fall down her cheeks freely. "I-I loved him..."

Richard's heart twanged with hurt but he didn't let it show in his face. Instead he hugged her tightly letting her lay her head onto his shoulder. "It's okay..."

They sat there for a while in the comfort of each other's arms not daring to talk or even move. In his arms she felt as if nothing could ever hurt her again... she was protected.

She pulled away from him suddenly, looking into his dark blue eyes,"Grayson?"

"Mm?"

She leaned in slightly letting her lips brush against his and entwining her hand with his. Richard's eyes widened at first, but he welcomed the warm feeling rushing through his veins. The action, as innocent as it was caused his body to respond completely pulling her body closer to his own.

She broke away from him and smiled, laying her head in the crook of his neck, "Thanks."

GA

A/N: Sorry for the LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG wait but school had been so difficult for me. Have mercy on my soul and don't come after me worth pitchforks or anything like that... .. So what do you think? Love? Hate? Want to kill me for writing such a piece of crap? So you in your review... just don't flame me, please? I'll update much faster this time I promise. Luv ya!

Andi-chan