I looked up to find Chase looming over me, a grin plastered on his face. He dropped my car keys into my lap.

"Charlotte, I'm sorry to disturb you from… whatever it is you were doing." No he wasn't. "I'd like to introduce you to Jackson Rathbone. He's an old friend of mine." He paused for a second. "Jackson, I'd like you to meet Charlotte. She's the closest thing to a sister I'll ever have."

I stood up and looked behind him. Wow.

The man, Jackson, had a tall build, just taller than Chase's six foot one, and cheek length wavy brown hair. A few stray pieces fell into his bright green eyes, which had extremely dark circles surrounding them. He had a strong jaw, high cheek bones, and a straight nose. He was very good looking. All he had with him was a suitcase, his guitar, and the dark jeans and rumpled white t-shirt he wore. He was smiling slightly- though it looked forced and strained- trying to stifle his laughter.

He extended his hand towards mine. "Hi. It's nice to meet you Charlotte." His voice was deep and clear. It was soothing.

I gingerly took his hand and noted how firm his grip was. "Uh…hey," Gee, when did I become so articulate? I released his hand.

Chase looked between the two of us for a moment before shaking his head. "Alright, anyway… So, I was thinking," Why do I have a bad feeling? "That Jackson, you, and I ride back in your car…?"

Oh, God. I knew it! The way he left the sentence hanging made me believe he was hiding something. I knew him way to well, to know that he was up to something. I turned to look at him. He was fidgeting with the hem of the button up shirt and looking at the floor.

I took a deep breath before speaking. Jackson didn't need a dose of crazy after walking off an airplane.

"Okay. Do one of you want to tell me what is going on?" I tried to keep my voice steady and calm, but I really don't think it worked out that well. They shared a look and simultaneously shook there heads. I clenched my jaw together and sighed. I'm going to push my luck and see how far it'll get me.

"Jackson, are you the only one who is coming over?"

Again they shared a look. Only this time Jackson was the only one who shook his head. "No."

Calm. Anger is poison. Poison is bad. Information is good. Get information.

"Alright. So, how many people?" I asked in mock curiosity. I didn't want a whole fleet of people in my home- or my car…

Chase turned his brown eyes to me and looked slightly scared and remorseful. "Just like…six," he mumbled the last part out, I almost didn't catch it…keyword almost.

I dug through my purse, pulled out my sunglasses, popped them on, and turned on my heel towards the exit. I heard Chase grind out a muffled 'shit'.

"C'mon Char! Please wait!" Chase ran up to me and grabbed my elbow. I was half tempted to slap him.

"Look Chase, I'm not sure if you've realized this but, my car only has four seats. And apparently there are nine people- including myself- who are going to my home. So, unless you are making some of them sit in the trunk or on the roof- they can't come!" I was huffing and puffing by the end of my little tirade, when Jackson stalked over to us.

"Uh, look, Rob just called to say that the car they rented just pulled up. So, they're kinda waiting for us to leave so they can follow."

I stood there for a second. About ten different emotions were coursing through my veins; anger, shock, fatigue, anger, frustration, anger.

Chase turned and answered his question, not even sparing my reaction a second glance. "Tell him we'll be leaving in a minute." Jackson nodded his head before walking about ten feet away. "Hey! Yeah so they…"

I sighed in frustration and turned toward Chase again. I really wanted some answers! I mean wouldn't anybody who was about to let seven strangers into their home!?

Chase sighed and ran a hand through his already messy locks. Aww, he only did that when he was stressed. He claimed it 'ruins the do'. Sure it does.

"Charlotte," Damn. "Look I'll- we'll explain everything once we get back to the house! I promise! But, please don't be difficult. They really thought that you could help with their, ah, situation. So, please, please, can you act like a compassionate human being for just today? Please?" Yup. There it was, the pout that would eventual be my downfall.

I took a moment to really look at the guy I've called my best friend for four years.

He was sloughing slightly at the shoulder, making his medium frame seem fragile. His hair was lack luster and he had a worried almost frantic look in his eyes. In other words he looked like crap. Damn it.

I stared at him for a moment longer before replying. "Alright, but-," I added when he started grinning wildly. "You tell me everything once we get home." He nodded like a lost puppy.

Jackson came back over a moment later a smile tired grin on his pale face. "They're over by baggage claim E."

I wheeled around towards Chase. "Where is my baby?" A look of confusion swept across his face for a moment. He grabbed my elbow and started for the front doors. I looked back for a moment and saw Jackson following- amusement clear in his eyes.

"Who are you looking for?" He asked after a minute or two of walking toward parking garage A. Before I had time to answer him Chase cut in. "She's not." Oh, yeah. That explanation cleared things up for him.

'My car'. I mouthed silently. "Ohhh…" he murmured to himself. I smiled slightly.

Chase stopped abruptly and made this grand gesture with his hands. "And here it is!" I turned around and saw my baby. It's cheery red paint job shown- even in the dim lighting of the parking garage. I sighed in contentment as Jackson let out a low whistle.

"That's a sweet car. Do you own it?" Jackson asked curiously, directing my gaze from my car. I swelled with pride as I answered him. "Yep. It's all mine." I flashed him a quick grin as I unlocked the doors.

"You can put your guitar and bag in the back," I instructed him as I hopped in the front seat. Chase hopped in next to me and Jackson slid into the backseat.

"What kind of car are they in?" I asked as we approached baggage claim E.

He scanned the line of cars before pointing to a tan Honda Pilot with darkly tinted windows. "That one," he replied.

"Can you call them and, you know, describe the car. They have to get behind me and they need to know what I drive," I instructed.

"Sure, oh by the way, are you a fast driver?" he asked as he dialed.

Chase and I shared a look- haha, fast- then both nodded out heads. "Yes."

Jackson grimaced a little. This is going to be really fun.