Disclaimer ~I don't own Zoey 101 :'( The situation(s) in the story(ies) are my own... Blah blah blahhhhh...

Summary ~ Dana "Danger" Cruz doesn't get scared. Or so she says. What happens when her hidden fear is revealed to someone? Will they help her or use it against her?

Pairing ~ Chase/Dana - You don't like this pairing, turn back now or read at your own risk!

Note ~ Memories/Flashbacks are in italics with quotes. Thoughts are in italics. This is just a little randomness that's been tumbling around plus I have writer's block for my other story -.- Anyhoo... Enjoy!

~ MoonChild xoxo

Her Secret

It was a windy November day in Southern California as Dana Cruz made her way across campus. She was wrapped up in her thoughts. She failed to notice the students move out of her way as she stormed towards the girl's lounge. The sky above turned a dark grey. Wrenching the door open, she hissed plopping down on the couch. The reason for her anger - one Logan Reese. She honestly didn't see why everyone thinks they belong together, they argue. That's it. There's no repressed romantic feelings. Clenching her fists she focused on the memory that had her in such a mood...

*Flashback*

"Zoey, Quinn, Nicole, Chase, her, Michael, and Logan were in the boy's dorm room, 148 Maxwell Hall playing "Confess or Stress." Chase rolled an even, so he had to answer a truth. He was asked if he had a crush on anyone in their group and he admitted yes. Typical, everyone knows he's in love with Zoey. What a waste of a question. Then her turn came up as she rolled an even number. Logan smirked as she smirked back. She looked at her nails idly as someone thought of something to ask her.

"What are you scared of?" Chase asked from the other side of Nicole. She raised her eyebrows and scoffed.

"I don't get scared, Matthews." She smirked.

'"Come on Cruz-" Logan broke off at her glare then resumed, "Everyone's scared of something. I am."

She raised her eyebrows further almost skeptically.

"It's true, I fear becoming ugly." She snorted rolling her eyes as everyone shook their heads at him. She heard a mumbled "idiot". Her lips twitched as she fought a rare smile.

"So?"

"So what Reese?"

"What are you scared of?"

"I don't get scared." She said stubbornly.

"Everyone does."

"Does not."

"Does too."

Does not."

"Does too."

"ALRIGHT! Logan she answered the question, leave her alone." Chase missed a silent look of thanks aimed his way as he cautioned Logan.

The game went on until it was her turn again as she rolled an even and groaned.

"Spiders?"

*Snorts*

"Snakes?"

*Pointed look*

"Darkness?"

*Rolls eyes*

*Heights?"

*Dramatic sigh*

She stared at the window noticing it getting even darker than it should be for 4:30 in the evening.

"LOGAN!" Two voices pulled her attention from the window.

Logan ignored them, "Liar."

She stood up. "Excuse me?" she hissed.

"Li-li-liar!" He goated.

She lunged towards him knocking him down, "Say that again Reese." Her brown eyes sparked in warning.

He looked up helplessly at her as she loomed over him then turned around walking out."

*End flashback*

She was brought out of her musings as she felt the couch dip beside her.

"You okay Dana?"

"Peachy keen jelly bean." She smirked as Zoey rolled her eyes at her friend. She's fine.

She watched her walk and turn down the hallway leading to their dorm room before turning to look out the window. The sky was now a really dark grey or were those clouds? She really hoped it was just the sky. She got up following Zoey to her dorm. She was one foot into room 101 before she realized she forgot something. Her notebook.

"Be right back." She saw Zoey nod before turning around. She made it outside. She sped up her pace as she heard a rumbling from above.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips the second she made it inside Maxwell Hall. She headed to 148 passing Logan and Michael playing pool. Logan smirked at her as she glared back carrying on her way. She knocked hearing a "come in" from inside. She didn't hesitate as a boom shook the building.

"Forgot my notebook." Chase nodded at her explanation from where he sat by the window. He went back to strumming his guitar.

She looked passed him, out the window. Her notebook was completely forgotten as a flash lit outside. Panic rose within her as she stood frozen in place.

*Flashback*

"Five year old Dana Cruz sat in the playroom. The little girl tried to ignore what was happening on the other side of the wall. She clutched the bear her dad had given her for her Birthday as she stared out the window. It was dark and there were big fluffy things in the sky. She sat hypnotized as the sky lit up with flashes of light, giggling. For a while, the yelling seemed to fade. A boom frightened her as she hid under a table. The thundering noise outside symphonized with the yells from the other room. Running out of the room at the sound of another boom, she watched her father walk out the front door. She chased after him calling "Daddy!" but he never turned around or came back. She went to go in but discovered the front door locked as she cried for her mother. Unfortunately her mom couldn't hear her over the thunder and lightning as she curled up in a ball. Alone."

*End flashback*

Booms brought her back to the present. She stood, paralyzed to her spot as she stared out the window.

Another crash of thunder. Another flash of lightning. The lights flickered briefly, before the room was plunged into darkness. She slowly felt around as a knock caused her to jump. Thank heavens it was dark so Chase couldn't see her.

"You okay?" A voice spoke from the hallway.

"Yeah." Chase sounded closer to her than she remembered him being.

CRASH! That last burst of thunder pushed her over the edge. She tumbled to her knees.

"Where is it?" Chase's mumbled voice calmed her for a slight second.

"AHA!" A beam of light shone through the room.

"Dana?" He moved the flashlight in search of her. He finally found her. She had her hands over her ears and her eyes were closed. She closed in on herself in the corner.

"Dana?" He walked towards her stopping a few inches away and knelt down to her eye level. He blinked the light a bit away from her so she could see the brightness from behind her closed eyes. Brown eyes slowly blinked open. She uncovered her ears realizing she wasn't alone.

"You okay?" Chase watched in worry for his friend. A loud boom followed by a crack of thunder made her jump. A whimper escaped her lips as his concern grew. He may not know much about Dana, she's not the most open person. But he does know fear when he sees it.

"Dana, you're okay." He slowly inched his way closer. She jumped again trying to get closer to the wall. "Dana, you're alright. It's okay to be scared." He soothed. He finally reached to where he was an arm's length away from her.

"Chase?" It seemed he broke through to her. Green eyes watched her in silence. One thought danced in his mind. She called him "Chase".

"It's me Dana." Thunder shook the window. Dana's shriek had him on alert. Lightning flashed behind her. He saw it. A glimmer escaped her eyes. Risking being thrown on the ground, he pulled her close. She tensed and shrieked. His concern skyrocketed.

"It's okay. You're safe." His words seemed to finally reach her. Arms timidly went around his neck. Chase lost track of time. Every time thunder boomed, she jumped. He had an idea and took the risk turning off the flashlight.

He helped her up and turned her towards the window. An un-Dana-like squeak reached his ears. Her back was to him as he wrapped her in his arms. "Open your eyes Dana." He waited patiently. She moved back further into his embrace as lightning lit up the evening sky. It was breathtaking.

The lights flickered on as voices were heard coming from the hallway. Dana mentally cursed them. She rather liked being in Chase's arms, not that she'd ever admit it out loud to him.

"Tell anyone and you're dead Matthews." She felt his laughing response behind her.

"Tell them what?" A tingling sensation raced through her at his voice. He released her just in time. The door slammed open. Logan and Michael came in wrestling. Chase went back to his guitar as Dana turned to leave.

"Dana." Chase held something out. He tossed it. She smirked, catching it walking out the door.

"Nice throw Matthews." Her back turned, she missed his eyes roll at her statement.

Students stared at the girl walking down the halls and into the rain with a smile that lit up her eyes. She didn't care, her thoughts only on Chase. Her secret was out. And yet, she knew her secret was safe.