Summary:

"He hopes that she never breaks her promise, because if she does…it will completely break him."

Campbell will do anything to make sure Maya never leaves him...After all, she's his anchor: the one thing keeping him tied to sanity….

Caya & Maybell! A bit of a darker take, depending on how you look at it! Rating subject to change based on chapter!

Disclaimer:

I do not own anything, except for my plot twists. I do not own Campbell Saunders or Maya Matlin. Those are all property of Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood and Nickelodeon and the creators and executive producers and etc etc etc.

Starcrossed Stargazers

Chapter 4: Drown with Me

A/N: I just wanted to get another chapter out before my exams started! Enjoy!

Just how many times

Can I break you

I remain unsure

But I can't wait to find out

Because every time you break

I get to put you back together

And you continue to become

More and more dependant on me

The breaker

The fixer

The hurter

The healer

Everything

I am everything to you

I will always be everything to you

You'll never leave me…

EVER.

"Uhh…" Katie hesitates, and the assertive sister's reluctance garners the cellist's attention. The beautiful sounds that were filling the home stop in consequence. "A bouquet with legs got delivered for you."

Cam hears the slight cynicism embedded in Katie's tone, but chooses ignore it.

Or maybe it isn't him choosing to ignore it… maybe he has just gotten too used to the older Matlin's disapproval and, at this point, he is too angry to care anymore.

Yeah, that is probably a more apt description.

Anger: anger, anger, anger.

Anger at himself and anger at one Zigmund Novak.

Why, why, why is he always messing things up? Why can't he just be normal? Why can't he just be the person that Maya deserves? Why, can't Zig just leave her alone…

'Can't Zig see that Maya is mine.'

"Huh?"

He hears her soft voice from behind the wall, and it is laced with confusion.

He returns from his irate thoughts, and puts on his best kicked puppy expression. He isn't nervous, but he knows he has to act as if he is. His heart knows that Maya will forgive him… because Cam sees it-Cam saw the hold he has on her that day he waited at her doorstep and persuaded her to forgive his actions at the Battle of the Bands after party.

He takes her voice as his queue to enter their the Matlin room.

"Uh… it's me."

He makes sure to insert just the right amount of uncertainty into his greeting. Maya glances at Cam's eyes momentarily, but that is just enough time for Cam to see that he already has her.

"You okay?" He hears Katie ask.

'Of course she is. I'm hear and I'll make sure she is.'

"Yah." Maya is quick to look away from the duo at the threshold.

Katie glares at Cam. Cam is smart enough to know that Katie sees the situation for what it is as well…she sees that Maya has already forgiven the boy with the pink petals.

Cam knows that Katie is the only one who understands just how dangerous they are too one another… he makes a mental note to get rid of that variable later.

Despite her (poorly concealed) concerns, Katie leaves the room.

Maya faces away from Cam, in some mock show of resistance. Maya wants to reassure herself that she isn't like those other girls… the ones that sway at every gallant action and forgive every misgiving when graced with a gift.

Cam wants to smile, because he's just getting so good at reading her, knowing what she's thinking, and predicting what she is going to do. In his life, he doesn't really have control over much. But… being able to control Maya is refreshing, empowering… and addictive.

'Now, she is going to try and make a snarky comment – so I know that I have to fight for her.'

"Well that must've cost a small fortune…" She huffs.

He hides his smile behind worried eyes. He moves to give her the flowers, sees that her delicate hands haven't stopped clinging to her cello, and decides to leave the flowers in front of her. He knows this dance… he has to make some awkward attempt at a compliment. He has to make her think that she makes him nervous.

He has to make her think that forgiving him is a choice and not inevitable.

"Yah, uh you're worth it." He makes an endearing show of inelegance, before pretending to leave. He waits for her next step… something which will hint to him that he still has a chance. She's quick to give it.

"Those are really pretty, thanks."

'Next step: give her the choice.'

"Uhm," he tries (unsuccessfully) to hold in his breath of anticipation "do you think we could uh… hang out."

'Change pace of voice here. Make her think you are super nervous and that she has to save you. Speed up.'

"Now that I'm suspended I won't see you for like a whole week."

'Good. Make her see how much you long for her attention. She'll give in once she sees your desperation for her.'

"I'm in the middle of practicing my cello... I got an audition for the National Young Musician's Orcehstra."

Cam is momentarily thrown off balance. That wasn't exactly the reaction he expected to his question… but it wasn't a refusal. 'Smile, remind her that she is special and wonderful.' "Woah, isn't that like really hard?!"

Her eyes sparkle in response to his praise. Her soft lips give way to a smile. She shrugs in an attempt at modesty. "Well they don't usually audition anyone who's less than sixteen."

'Give her a look of adoration'. "Maya that's awesome"

"Thank you." 'Wait, what? Why the formality?'

It's almost as if she thinks she's made a mistake by smiling around him…

'Get her back on track.' "I – I could stay and watch you practice" 'She's going to say yes. And you're going to be together again.'

Her face turns solemn. Internally, Cam frowns. 'She's being extra stubborn today. Katie must have talked to her… urgh. It's okay, keep calm, you'll get her back. Just play the pity card.'

"Or, uhm" 'Stumble, clear your throat, give her a soft smile as a farewell' "…Sorry… rough day." 'Turn to walk away, make her think that she has won and that she's the one who is controlling you.'

"Well hey…"

'Do not smirk'

"…I mean I can't practice all night, right? My parents are still in PEI and Katie's in charge… but if she says its okay, I'd like if you stayed."

'Sigh in relief, let out a small smile, and act as if you didn't expect her response at all.'

He feels her pressed against him and he welcomes the familiar warmth. She fits perfectly into his side, almost as if she was made for him.

' That's because she is; she is made for you. Only you. She's yours and only yours. Not Zig's.'

He feels her laugh and it takes every form of self control he has to ignore the way her subtle curves brush against his torso.

'Soon you'll have all of her. But for now, you wait. You have to go slowly this time. Be careful… be cautious… make certain.'

He laughs alongside her as they watch an innocent video of a dog chasing its own tail. She smiles blissfully, unaware of the poisonous thoughts running through her boyfriend's mind.

This moment is perfect: Just him and Maya…

"Alright kiddies, it's getting late."

…and Katie.

He holds back a glare at the interruption. After all, he needs Katie to think that he's harmless.

"Goodbye Cam."

Katie turns to leave. He is thankful that at the very least she has the decency to let them say goodbye in private.

"No…" Maya groans as she presses herself tighter against his body.

'Maya groaning…tight against your body…'

"Urgh," 'Make up an excuse.' "…I don't wanna go home…"

'Really? That's the best you could think of?'

"…It's not even mine."

'There you go!'

Her hold on him tightens further as his hand softly makes circles on her clothed shoulder blade.

Her voice teasingly drifts into his ear. "Can I show you something?"

'Anything.'

He raises a brow to signal he's interested.

"Promise you won't laugh?" Cam just chuckles at his Maya's innocent request. His cute, silly, naive little Maya.

She leaves his hold and he is about to protest against the loss of contact… but then he sees her crawling across the couch in front of him and all he can do is stare and grin stupidly.

She turns (much to quickly for Cam's taste) and brings with her a small gray blob. At closer inspection, he sees that it is a stuffed owl.

"This is Hoot!" She announces with pride. "When I was 8 years old, I went to my first overnight camp and I was terrified. So my parents got me Hoot and they said that as long as he's there I won't feel lonely."

He feels the stuffed animal being placed in his hands. He glances down to examine it further.

'She sleeps next to this thing?'

He has never been so jealous of an inanimate object in his life.

"And you need to get your own stuffed animal!"

His envy is interrupted by incredulity and he laughs at her suggestion.

"Hmm, I don't know… can't it just be you?" 'Too much implication! Take a step back, make it innocent again. "You're… owl-like"

She hits his shoulder in retaliation and replies, indignant: "Shut up!"

A blush slowly crawls up her slender neck and Cam is powerless to stop his… inappropriate… thoughts.

But, of course, Katie is kind enough to interrupt them.

"Hellooo? Cam, out."

'No.'

Maya's voice calms his inner irritation at her pestering sibling.

"Katie come on, it's so late" To emphasize her point, she signals to the darkness behind the sheer curtain. Her voice gets a little higher as she asks, "Can't he just, sleep over?"

Katie scoffs. "Good one."

Maya whines. "Well… come on, he can crash on the couch in full view."

She does this puppy dog-eye thing, and Cam can't help but think that his ways are rubbing off on her.

"No." Katie shakes her head resolutely as she sees Maya stalk up to her. "No, no, no, no, no!'

All the while, Cam just silently prays that he gets to spend the night with his perfect girlfriend.

'Come on Maya, convince her!'

"Katie, do you know how many times I've covered for you when you stayed over at Jake's"

"Well that's not exactly a problem anymore is it."

"Point is: you owe me."

Katie glances over in Cam's direction. She looks…scared… for a moment. Then worry turns to resignation.

"Okay, fine." Maya jumps, excited. Cam grins in equal excitement. "But no funny business and this is a one time thing Campbell. When mom and dad get home from their trip, this will be over."

'No it won't.'

Cam and Maya just nod in understanding.

Before their friend Awkward Silence rears her ugly head, Cam smacks Maya in the face with a pillow.

He blames Hoot.

Katie Matlin is grade A worried.

Scratch that. Worried is definitely not the right word.

'Scared.'

Katie Matlin in legitimately scared for the well-being of her baby sister.

Katie sees the hold that Cam has on Maya, and it frightens her. It terrifies her.

It frightens her because she sees how sickly obsessed the jock is with her baby sister. It frightens her because she can see past the façade—she sees how he's manipulating Maya's emotions. It frightens her because Maya refuses to open her eyes and see exactly how this boy has the potential to destroy her.

Katie looks at Maya's pleading blue eyes, and all she can picture is a six-year old begging for her older sister to give her the last Oreo. At this point, Katie doesn't know what to do. Maya has had a tough first year, and all Katie wants is for Maya to be happy…

'She is. She is happy when she's with him. You have to accept that she is not six years old anymore.'

Katie doesn't think she's ready to accept it yet. She isn't ready to relinquish her role as Maya's protector, especially to the very person she thinks Maya needs to be protected from.

Maya continues to assault Katie with her big blue eyes.

Katie finally accepts that she loves her sister too much to not give her this… to not let her be happy while she has the chance. After all, maybe Maya is right? Maybe she is being a little overly cautious towards Campbell. After all, he hasn't done anything to hurt Maya too badly yet… right?

Katie doesn't want to be the reason Maya's brilliant smile fades… so she gives in.

Just like she did with every single last Oreo.

Katie walks away from the living room slowly, with one thought ringing in the paradigms of her mind:

'Please Cam… don't hurt her. I'll never forgive myself if you do.'

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A/N: I apologize if I'm a bit rusty. I just wanted to get something out before my exams started. I'll probably come back and rewrite this chapter later, but I figured that after last episodes sickeningly heavy Zaya (EWW… GROSS… WRONG ON SO MANY LEVELS) that some of you would need some CAMAYA (OTP).

Sneak Peek... Just a little teaser for you all ;)

Title of Next Chapter: A garden, a cabin, and a mistake.