Picture Perfect

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Genre: General/Romance

Rated: PG/PG13

Characters: Primary: Jamie, JR, Lucy(original character) Others: Tad, Brooke, Adam, Liza etc.

Author's Note: I don't not own the AMC characters. I wish I did, but alas, I don't. I do however own the original characters in this fic. My work is copywrited, so please do not reproduce this story without written consent. Thanks :)

Summary: Jamie finds himself smitten with a Pine Valley newcomer and comes to learn a lesson in trust, love and family.


Jamie Martin rolled over in bed, cringing a bit as the light shone in his window and hit him in the face. He promptly pulled the sheets over his head, letting out a low pitched groan. "Way to go, James," he said to himself. "Party... definitely not a good idea." He eased his eyes shut, attempting to rid himself of the splitting headache that pulsed his eyes and temples, to no avail. It was then that the alarm clock began blaring. Jamie moaned, holding his head and swatting at the clock with his pillow.

"Ohhh," Jamie said. "Shut up, shut up." He remained still for a moment before slowly rolling over and standing. He supported himself against the wall. "Spinning. Stop spinning." He slowly made his way out of the bedroom, the bottom of his plaid pajama pants slipped under the soles of his feet. He lifted his hand and scratched his bare chest, walking into the kitchen. He searched aimlessly for a bottle of aspirin, finding it and swallowing two.

Jamie walked back out to the living room, looking around at the mess left over from the night before. "OK," he said. "Let's get rid of the evidence." He began to pick up paper plates and plastic cups, pausing a moment to look around. "This is going to take all day." Jamie paused, checking the time on the wall clock. "I don't have all day." He reached over and grabbed the phone and phonebook, flipping through the yellow pages and dialing.

"Yeah, hi..." he said after a moment. "I need some major house cleaning... How soon can you get here?.. 646 Holland Avenue... I need this done really fast... Perfect. I'll just leave the door open." Jamie hung the phone up. "Touchdown," he said. He turned and headed back to the bedroom to change, maybe some fresh air would do him some good.



Jamie was right. It felt good to get out for a while. The aspirin had done well to get rid of his headache and now the fresh air was helping to clear his mind. He jogged through Memorial Park, just imagining where the world would be without the Spiffy in a Jiffy' housecleaning service as he rounded the corner of the boathouse and collided with someone.

Jamie rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry," he said. "I didn't see you. Are you alright?" He extended his hand help the young woman to her feet.

She stood, brushing herself off, pushing the blonde hair that had come loose from her ponytail back behind her ears. "I'll survive," she laughed. "I'm Lucy Carter," she said. "I'm kind of new around these parts. My family just bought the house for sale on Holland Avenue. 649."

Jamie smiled. "Hey, we're practically neighbors. Technically." he said. "My Dad is at 646. I'm... Jamie Martin."

"Oh... so you're Jamie Martin," she said.

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing," Jamie said.

"Oh no," Lucy laughed. "No. I just... well I heard your party last night."

"We did get kind of loud didn't we?"

"Unruly," she giggled. "Don't worry about it. Nothing I can't handle."

Jamie smiled. "I'll remember that." He paused. "Hey, listen.... Since you're new around here. How about I show you around. Introduce you to all the Pine Valley hot spots."

"Sure," she said. "That sounds great."

"Tomorrow?" he said.

"Perfect."

Jamie smiled. "Tomorrow then." he said. "I'll see you tomorrow."



Tad pushed his way into the house, dropping his suitcase as he entered. The house was immaculate, not a think out of place. "James!" Tad called. "Jamie!" He looked around the house. "James!"

Jamie came out of the kitchen. "Dad, hey," he said. "How was beautiful, sunny Maui?"

"Beautiful and sunny," Tad said. "James," he pointed around the room. "What happened here?"

"Here? Nothing happened here. What makes you think something happened here? This place is spotless."

"That's exactly it." Tad said. "The dust bunnies aren't even in their proper spots. This place is... it's clean."

Jamie's mouth hung open slightly and he ran his tongue over his bottom lip. "I cleaned it?"

Tad laughed. "Without reason?" he said. "Who are you and what have you done with my son?"

See, Dad," Jamie said, relieved. "I told you that me staying her this weekend was a good idea." Tad continued into the house. "Not a thing out of place. You've got a clean house and..."

"An empty liquor cabinet." Tad said, looking back at him.

Jamie's eyes widened. "Yeah... about that... you wouldn't happen to believe we were robbed, would you?" Tad silently raised his eyebrows. "No, huh?.." Jamie took a deep breath. "I'm in big trouble, aren't I?" Tad smirked and nodded. "Ah, that's what I thought. I'll just uh... I'll... be in my room?" Tad nodded.

"Good idea." he said.

Jamie bit his bottom lip. "Are you gonna tell Mom about this?"

"I don't know, James," Tad said.

"Right," Jamie said. "I'll just be.." he pointed towards his room.

Tad nodded as Jamie walked off. "What on Earth am I going to do with you, James?" Tad said under his breath.