Hello everyone! I am back with a new story because I can't seem to help myself. This one was just supposed to be a one-shot but I think it will end up being three or four chapters. Also, for anyone who followed the Protective Power of the F4, I am planning on doing a one-shot of their wedding just to wrap those stories up completely. I am considering doing a playful kiss story at some point featuring Oh Ha Ni and Baek Seung Jo because I noticed they only have a few stories out there and I think they deserve a little more.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the Hotel Lock In so let me know! As always, I own nothing of my own:

As Ji Hoo walked into the lounge late in the afternoon he was taken aback by the heavy atmosphere. His friends were quiet and for once there were no strange girls draped over the two playboy members of F4. Noticing the dark cloud hanging over one of them in particular he immediately understood why Woo Bin had called him earlier with such urgency.

"Yo," Woo Bin called out with fake cheer, "You're late. What kept you?"

Ji Hoo nodded in greeting, getting ready to explain his tardiness but paused debating with himself. Yi Jeong had not even bothered to look up and was just sitting quietly in the corner. He was poking around in his phone and had the look of a man who didn't really care about anything anymore.

Ji Hoo knew his hand was not back to normal yet and the depression attached to the temporary loss of his art had seemed to suck all the life out of him. Woo Bin had begged Ji Hoo to stop by and see if together they might be able to pull him out of his funk. However, looking at Yi Jeong now, Ji Hoo didn't think their presence was going to be enough.

He gave a glance over to Woo Bin who just shrugged discreetly and Ji Hoo realized the time for gentle intervention had passed. He had a feeling that a certain common girl was behind the increased pain on Yi Jeong's face and he made his decision, "I stopped by the porridge shop and checked on Chu Ga Eul on my way here."

"Really, why?" Woo Bin asked concerned, "I haven't talked to her recently but I know she has been working a lot."

They both noticed Yi Jeong stiffening at the mention of Ga Eul and Ji Hoo inwardly smirked at being right, she had gotten underneath the potters skin. "She has been working two other jobs and covering all of Jan Di's shifts right now. I wanted to make sure she was not getting too tired."

"Why is she covering Jan Di," Yi Jeong finally spoke up bitterly, "and what do you mean two more jobs?"

"Her father is still out of work," Ji Hoo told him, "since Jun Pyo's mother has made it difficult for him to get another job. The only reason they are not homeless is because of Ga Eul. Her mother refuses to work."

Woo Bin frowned, "How is she fitting all that in? I drove by the shop last night after the club closed and noticed her mopping the floor."

Ji Hoo nodded, "She then goes to a cheap hotel and runs the night desk until morning. From there she goes to a diner and serves breakfast. I found out a few days ago when I saw her sleeping at a bus stop."

"What?" Woo Bin exclaimed, "that is not safe."

"I know. I gave her a ride home but her mother would not let her in because she said Ga Eul had not brought home enough money for groceries. So, she called Jan Di and picked up another shift at the porridge shop. I refused to let her go though and she crashed for about two hours at my place before heading in…I am getting worried about her."

"I thought Ga Eul was close to her family," Woo Bin sat on the edge of the pool table, "Why is her mother putting so much pressure on her?"

Ji Hoo shrugged confused, "I'm not sure. I asked Jan Di about it but she just said it was complicated. She wants to help Ga Eul but with everything going on from Jun Pyo's memory loss, his father being alive, and the stress of the last few months, they needed a break too. They are on their way to Caledonia for a few days before he leaves Seoul."

Yi Jeong stood up suddenly and stormed out the room, not bothering to explain where he was going. Ji Hoo watched him a little amused, "I take it Ga Eul has not told him any of this?"

"No," Woo Bin answered, "But I get the impression he has been avoiding her. I think something happened a few weeks ago. Yi Jeong has been weird and acting guilty. He refuses to drink too."

Ji Hoo raised an eyebrow since alcohol had always been a weakness for Yi Jeong… He pondered the situation for a minute before an idea came to him and he smiled at Woo Bin who immediately became alarmed. "No."

"I haven't told you my idea yet."

"The answer is still no. Every time you grin like that, I end up getting punched by someone."

"You are a mafia prince, you should be used to it." Ji Hoo replied getting out his phone to put his plan into action while Woo Bin groaned into his cue stick, "I am going to get punched… Or arrested…probably both. And I have a date tomorrow!"

"Then make sure when Yi Jeong takes a swing, you duck. Unless she likes men with purple eyes."

"Yah!"

Ga Eul blew a piece of hair out her face tiredly. Her back ached and she felt about a hundred years old, even her teeth hurt. She was barely able to stand but she only had another hour on her shift and then she could go take a nap before she was due back for the evening shift at the hotel. The master yelled the next order and she dragged her feet to pick up the tray. Ga Eul had been severely tempted when Ji Hoo had stopped by earlier to accept his invitation to go with him to Woo Bins. It would be nice to sit down for a few minutes without someone harping in her ear that the rent was due or how did Ga Eul expect to eat if they couldn't go to the market. But in the end, it would not be worth the dread of losing the extra hours of pay and she had sent the artist off alone.

All in all, she was exhausted but prayed it wouldn't be much longer. At least at the hotel, she could sit and read in between checking in guests. At the tingle of a bell she called out a quick greeting, her hands full with the tray to really notice the new customer.

"Hurry up," the man complained as Ga Eul moved slowly to his booth. She started to put his food down with a low apology but was taken aback to feel the tray ripped from her arms. Ga Eul looked up and gasped at the sight of Yi Jeong glaring down at her. His eyes were smoking with fury and his mouth had flattened to an angry flat line, there was no trace of his usual humor or suave charisma. "I need to talk to you."

She opened her mouth but the gentlemen at the table beat her to it, "Yes well, I need her to give me my food."

Yi Jeong slammed the tray aside and leaned down into the guy's space but Ga Eul hastily intercepted him before he could cause a scene. "Excuse me, sir." As she yanked him away, she could feel her head pounding, "Yi Jeong, I am a little busy right now. Can we please talk later?"

Yi Jeong could only gaze at her in shock, "what the hell Ga Eul?" He noticed her shaky wobble and he quickly steadied her, "You can barely stand up… Come on, I am taking you home."

As he went to grab her wrist, Ga Eul managed to evade his hold. "I have to finish my shift."

He continued to stare at her trying to hold onto his anger so his worry would not show through. Ga Eul was deathly pale and had deep purple circles under her eyes. He could tell she had lost weight and even her hair seemed lifeless and flat. "And how do you intend to finish it when you are on the floor dead from exhaustion?" Yi Jeong growled, "and what are you doing working three jobs?"

Ga Eul flushed, "How did you know?"

"Ji Hoo told me he saw you asleep on the bus stop. Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"No but I have grown accustomed to eating and having a roof over my head."

"Listen can you two finish this lovers quarrel somewhere else?" The customer called out, "I would like to get my lunch before tomorrow."

Yi Jeong turned to him and the expression on his face made the guy shrink back in his seat a little, "Nevermind. Take your time."

"I don't have to explain anything to you," Ga Eul said firmly, "now if you will excuse me, I have to get back to work."

Yi Jeong muttered an obscenity under his breath and feeling his patience give away, he moved his body in front of her path and lifted her up over his shoulder. Ga Eul shrieked as she felt the world tilt upside down. She tried to pound his back but Yi Jeong just ignored it.

"This is kidnapping you know," Ga Eul said hotly as he walked out of the restaurant.

"Arrest me then," Yi Jeong snapped shifting her weight when she struggled against him. Not even caring about the curious stares from everyone watching the spectacle.

"So Yi Jeong, you put me down right now!" He pretended not to hear and continued on to his car but Ga Eul could feel her already stretched nerves cracking, "please."

He stopped at the hitch in her voice and closed his eyes fighting with himself. He exhaled and gently lowered her back to the ground. There were tears in her eyes and he could tell from the way she hugged her body, she was trying not to fall. "I have to finish my shift."

"Why?" Yi Jeong asked, his voice no longer sounding angry but more exasperated, "if it is about the money I can just give it to you."

"No."

"Aish," He rubbed the back of his neck frustrated, "You and your damn pride. I am trying to help you here."

I don't want your help." Ga Eul said, "Why would I accept anything from someone who doesn't even care about me. After all, you are the one who tried to sell me to your father a few weeks ago."

At the reminder of his behavior the last time they saw each other, Yi Jeong felt himself deflate in shame. She was right of course. Why should she accept help from him after the despicable way he treated her? He had no excuse for it except for the fact he had been drinking too much. It was the reason he had not touched a bottle since. Yi Jeong didn't even know how he got home that night but worse he didn't know if Ga Eul had made it home safely. The guilt and fear of what could have happened had caused him more than a few sleepless nights. "Ga Eul- "

"Forget it," Ga Eul bit out harshly, "I have to get back."

He grabbed her arm, "you are making yourself sick."

She softened a little at the concern in his voice, "I am all-right Sunbae."

Yi Jeong took in her haggard appearance and desperately wanted to say something but Ga Eul had put up a wall between them and he didn't know how to break it.

He let go slowly and Ga Eul took a deep breath, her gaze on the ground, "How is your hand?"

Yi Jeong blinked at the question, feeling his heart beat a little faster at the tender way she worried about him but he forced himself to push it away. There was no point in going down this road again. He wasn't capable of caring for her the way she deserved, his father had made sure of that.

He strengthed his resolve to stay away from now on, refusing to hurt her further. "Don't worry about it," he moved to his car, his voice cold again, "take care Ga Eul."

Ga Eul blinked back tears at his dismissal while he got into his Lotus without another look. She took a steadying breath but it didn't help. The tears kept rolling down her cheeks and the unmistakable feeling that he had finally pushed her away for good this time. He wouldn't let Ga Eul come any closer and she felt her heart completely shatter as he faded from her sight.

"Have you lost your mind?" Woo Bin called out to Ji Hoo as he strode across the hotel lobby. "You are going to lock them in a room together?"

"Yep."

At the firm answer from the artist who was signing the papers at the desk, Woo Bin could only gape at the devious mind of Ji Hoo. "How?"

"I made a call and Joon Eun Jo here is going to warp the door so it can't open."

Woo Bin looked over surprised at the clerk who was smirking. "You can do that?"

Eun Jo nodded, "I am studying to be an architect. It just took a little playing with the hinges." He held out his hand expectantly, "You didn't forget our deal though, right?" Ji Hoo reached into his pocket and pulled out some sort of concert tickets which the young man snatched eagerly. "My girlfriend's favorite singer," he explained to Woo Bin, "it's for her birthday. I might even get lucky."

Woo Bin rolled his eyes at the kid before turning his attention to Ji Hoo, "You are a sick individual."

"Why?" Ji Hoo said calmly, "If nothing else, Ga Eul will at least get a decent night's sleep since she can't dash out of the room."

Woo Bin seriously doubted that locking them into a room together with the bed was going to lead to Ga Eul getting any rest especially with Yi Jeong taking up the other side. Those two had so much sexual tension bottled up he was surprised they had not exploded yet.

"You think they are going to sleep," Woo Bin said skeptically.

"I think the honeymoon suite is very conducive for whatever they need."

"The honeymoon suite!" Woo Bin shouted. As the other guests turned at the loud cry, he flushed with an awkward wave. Ji Hoo passed a tip over to the kid feeling accomplished, "Well I figured if we were going to do this, we should do it right."

"Sick," Woo Bin repeated darkly following him outside, "you are a sick man."

"You will thank me for this later. Now call Yi Jeong, Ga Eul is already on her way."

"I am definitely getting punched."

Yi Jeong laid his head on the steering wheel of his car, trying not to scream. "Augh. Please tell me you are kidding. Why does he need this done right now?"

"Well, you see…" Woo Bin trailed off over the phone and he waited impatiently wondering why his friends were asking him to come to the Shinhwa hotel. "Apparently Jun Pyo booked the room before Jan Di decided she would rather go to the island. So, they are headed for the airport but he realized he left his wallet behind. Can you swing by and take it to him?"

"Why me?" Yi Jeong grumbled tiredly. He just wanted to go home and try to forget today ever existed. Especially his earlier confrontation with Ga Eul which kept replaying in his mind. Not to mention the fear that she had collapsed on some sidewalk half-dead somewhere.

"You are the closest," Woo Bin reminded him and Yi Jeong could have sworn he heard Ji Hoo's muffled laughter in the background. "Fine," Yi Jeong agreed reluctantly, "but he owes me one."

"Thanks, bro." Woo Bin hesitated, "and if you happen to find a present, maybe try to have a little fun with it- Ouch!"

Yi Jeong raised his eyebrow, "What was that?"

"Ji Hoo threw a tennis ball at my head."

"What?"

"Nothing man. Thanks again." At the abrupt hang-up, Yi Jeong stared at his phone confused before he rolled his eyes. Woo Bin must have started drinking at the club a little earlier than usual tonight.

As he walked into the lobby he noticed a heavy crowd and a young man hurried over, "So Yi Jeong?"

He nodded in confirmation and the worker grimaced, "Your friend called about his wallet and said you would be picking it up. Unfortunately, we have been swamped and have not made it up to the room yet. Would you mind grabbing it yourself? It's on the top floor." Without waiting for a reply, he thrust a key into Yi Jeong's hand before taking off to answer a question from someone at the desk.

He gave a low curse heading towards the elevator. Jun Pyo better be donating some major art pieces to the museum for all this trouble.

Once he stepped off and walked through the hall, he could hear a muffled feminine voice floating out from the open door of the room. Yi Jeong paused momentarily appreciating the view of a pretty little backside arched up in the air while the person attached crawled underneath the bed.

"Ga Eul?" He finally called in bewilderment recognizing those slim legs in the short pink skirt. She jumped and let out a wail as her head clunked up against the frame.

"Are you all right?" Yi Jeong bent down pulling her body out, trying not to pay attention to the slow wiggle of her hips. Once she was able to stand up, Ga Eul rubbed her head, "Yeah. You just scared me. What are you doing here?"

"Me? Why are you here?" He demanded suspiciously, his friend's earlier behavior coming back to mind.

"Ji Hoo Sunbae called me. He said that Jan Di had dropped her necklace and wanted me to grab it before it got lost."

"Those pabos." Yi Jeong snarled but before he could elaborate, the door slammed shut behind them causing them both to turn. "What the- "He moved to the door and was alarmed to feel it completely sealed. "Oh, they wouldn't dare."

"Yi Jeong?" Ga Eul asked nervously as he rattled the door violently. "It's stuck."

"Huh." She moved closer to his side, "did you try to turn the knob?"

He shot her an annoyed glare, "I know how to open a door, Ga Eul. Look, just call the front desk."

She hurried over to the phone but her eyes widened at the lack of dial tone, "It is not working."

Yi Jeong gritted his teeth, "then use your cellphone."

"I don't have one anymore."

"What?" Yi Jeong all but shouted, "Why not?"

"I am poor," Ga Eul snapped back frustrated, "In case you forgot."

"You have been working all night in a sleazy hotel without a phone?" Yi Jeong said and Ga Eul bristled at his tone, "I have been perfectly safe."

"Oh, I am sure," Yi Jeong shook his head, "Did you take stupid pills recently Ga Eul Yang?"

Ga Eul folded her arms, "insult me later. Just use yours and get us out of here."

He gave her a look that told her this conversation was not over but when he reached into his pocket, his face grew panicked. "It's not here."

"What?"

"My phone. It's missing."

"You can't be serious!"

Joon Eun Jo smiled to himself as he flipped the phone in his hand. Those years on the street had given him a very specific skill set which he had not used in a while. He had been slightly worried he might have lost his touch after going straight but it been like riding a bike. The removal of So Yi Jeong's phone in the lobby had been almost too easy. Eun Jo nodded with pride for a job well done and laughed softly as he heard the bickering coming from the locked room.

He had removed the other guests from the floor before cutting the suite's phone line officially trapping the two guests overnight. He patted his pocket where a heavy tip rested for his trouble. Eun Jo calculated he could even afford to take Min Sa Rae to the concert in style. He was definitely going to get lucky tomorrow.

Ga Eul stood anxiously by the window as Yi Jeong tried to open the door but from the lack of response from the other side, he realized his friends had planned this well. He groaned thumping his fist into the wood, "I am going to kill them."

Ga Eul buried her fingers into her hair, "Are we really stuck?"

He sighed, "Looks like it."

"I can't believe Ji Hoo Sunbae tricked me," she said in shock, "What are we going to do now?"

"Wait," Yi Jeong told her bitterly, "but the minute we are released I am going to break Ji Hoo's violin."

"Good… I am going to put a worm in Woo Bin's porridge the next time he comes to the shop." Ga Eul mumbled threateningly and Yi Jeong gave a reluctant chuckle.

Yi Jeong glanced around the room and really noticed it for the first time. It was a big bedroom suite and the room was practically screaming romance with its soft lighting casting over them. The bed had silk sheets and plush blankets, not exactly giving off the impression of basic sleeping purposes. Thick carpet lay under his feet and he saw the bathroom connected housing a jacuzzi tub for two and a big fireplace blazing. Not to mention a bottle of champagne chilling on the corner of the tub with two long stem glasses.

The images of what he could do to Ga Eul in that bathtub rushed through his brain and Yi Jeong shifted uncomfortably. If he survived this, he was going to rip his friends apart for this kind of torture. Ga Eul flopped on the bed with a sigh and her skirt went up higher on her thighs. He ogled her creamy skin for a minute before forcing his eyes up to the ceiling with an inward moan. It was going to be a long night.