Ok, I had a need to write, just I couldn't write for HMT. But whatever. Anywho, just a random one shot. It's deifnately different from anything I've written.

Title: The Haunting
Pairings: None
Genre: General/Friendship
Rating: T

Story time.

Disclaimer: Do not own anything.


Archie's POV

I really, really hate her sometimes. I don't know what it was. Maybe it's the fact that she's just so perfect. Or maybe it's the fact that she has to dramatize everything.And it's true, she does. I don't even know what happend. First I simply didn't like her. But in time she got annoying, and not the Neil type of annoying. This was a different type of annoying. She found this simple way to get deep under my skin. Then things got worse. I couldn't even stand the sound of her voice.

But things got better. We started to treat eachother like team mates; we could actually have a small conversation. But then it totally and completely fell apart. And for some reason, though, it bothers me.

And what also bothers me is that it bothers me. Why should I care? I'm completely fine with not talking to her. I think.

-)(0)(- Later -)(0)(-

I've been in my bedroom for 2 hours now, rarely changing positions. No wonder my legs are numb. I decide it's too dark in my room, so I stand up and turn the light on. I open my window and allow the summer's night air to flow into my room. I notice a gentle flame-like color walking down the street. Theresa, no doubt. Wonder where she's going.

I look over at my alarm clock that, on most days, I hate with a passion. 10:38. Guess Jay isn't aware of this. He'd never allow her to leave at 20 to 11. Especially not alone. I felt a spark of curiosity. I open my door and go down to the main level. Where is everyone?

I suppose, after a large argument, you don't stay in the same small room, but this is ridiculous. Usually Odie and Herry team up or something, but no one is here. Odd.

Never-the-less, I open the door and walk out onto the street.

I jog lightly to the main street, which she most likely went down. I see her turning a corner a distance ahead. I jog more in hopes of not losing her. Hope she doesn't know I'm following her.

At that thought I pause. Why am I following Theresa anyways?

Well, I can think of multiple excuses, that are beyond my average use, such as: "Well, I'm just making sure some sadistic rapist doesn't get her", or something along those lines. Not trying to say I'm heartless, obviously, but come on, that's more of Jay's job.

I look up at the light shining down on me. Hmm, full moon. That's night creepy. Me following Theresa on a full moon in the dark.

I see her cut through the park of an old public school, with the crappiest playground, ever. Her quiet, low, yet somehow agonized mutters float through the night. Where is she going? There's nothing else behind there except for an empty field and a dinky stream. I'm not in the best mood, but who can blame me, really? Basically the whole team is in an argument about nothing. Theresa won't shut up about these dreams. And we all know what that means - Jay goes into obsessive mode. Theresa gets pissed because Jay goes into said obsessive mode. I think Theresa's making the biggest deal out of it. Atlanta thinks I'm being a, quote, dickhead, end quote. Neil was being Neil. Meaning he was the commentary that you truly wish you could shut up but you can't. Odie was the only one who didn't argue. No shocker there; he's the only one who can actually keep calm.

And I can't say this hasn't happened before, but never to this extent. Maybe it's because of recent events, aka, Theresa going crazy. Crazy as in losing complete control of herself, stealing the God's powers, nearly killing the Gods, us and herself, in the process. Not that she meant to. I don't doubt that. And I mean, I guess if the same thing happened to Atlanta I'd be acting the same way as Jay.

I shake myself from my inner rant and notice Theresa completely gone. I walk further until I notice her shaking form sitting on the end of the river bank. It's a small river, not very wide or deep, but it is a serene place, I'll admit.

I notice her eyes shift to the side. Busted.

Strangely though, she doesn't turn around. Maybe she knows its me. I walk up beside her and sit down. She looks over at me only for a split second while I, on the other hand, simply stare at her. I can almost feel the sadness, anger, worry and fear flowing off of her. I look out at part of the moon's reflection on the water.

This isn't getting us anywhere. She merely thinks you're a stalker. "I-...uh. I think we need to talk." I said slowly with uncertainty.

"So let's talk." She replied. I lean to get a better look at her face. I notice the moons reflection bouncing off the wet streaks running down her face. I sit back. God I'm horrible.

"So, how did you find this place?" I ask stupidly. Wow, why didn't I just ask if she liked orange shoes?! Nice one Archie. You're an imbecile!

"Archie, if this is what you want to talk about, could we save it for another day? A better one, perhaps?" She asks.

"Ok, Ok. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask that. It's just that.." I trail off. Her eyes still peering over her arms rested against her knees. You can simply tell by the way she's sitting, something is wrong. "I'm sorry."

My eyes fly wide open. "You're sorry? Theresa what are you apologizing to me for? I should be apologizing to you! None of this is your fault. Atlanta was right, I was being a- a dickhead." Not going to say that word outloud again.

She unfolds from her small form and sits crosslegged like a child, and stares forward, her face empty and emotionless.

"But, if it weren't for me, none of us would be at eachothers necks. I mean it's because of these-" She stops. And I know why.

"Dreams." I finish. She sighs. "If I were stronger it wouldn't be an issue." I frown at her, "What are you implying? That you're weak? That you're the weaklink of the team? That you're the one we always need to look after. Come on, Theresa, you know that's not true. And don't deny that, I know it's what you're thinking."

"It doesn't matter what I'm thinking." She mumbled.

"What?" I ask. She's not making any sense.

"I'm always the one causing problems. Like the time I would have died, had you not captured Thantos. Or what about the time when I could wake up from that dream?"

"Theresa. In case you forgot, you were the one strong enough to break out of that dream. Doesn't that mean anything to you? Or do you pass it along as a coincidence?" I ask while shaking my head. The wind picks up, I notice, sending her hair flying gently.

"Will you stop trying to make this sound like it's your fault? Let's go back, okay? We'll get everyone together and we'll patch everything up, okay?" I ask softly. She looks around at the dark water and plants surrounding her. With a sigh, she picks herself up off the ground; I follow.

We start walking back through the field and cut through the school yard once again. I look at the abandoned swings moving back and forth, Yes, quite creepy indeed.

"What on earth were you thinking?"

She stops and looks at me, clearly confused. "Why would you go for a walk through a deserted old school by yourself at night? Jay's probably freaking out right now." I say with a light tone. I was most likely right about Jay. No matter the type of argument they get it, he can't stay away from her for too long.

She lets out a short laugh. I take note of how strangley musical it was. And innocent. Haunting.

I brake out of my trance by the beeping of my PMR. Low and behold, it's Jay himself...shocker. "Archie. Where are you? Do you know where Theresa is?" He asks in a slur. "Calm down, man. Have you even tried her PMR?" I ask and look over at Theresa and see that we're both lost in confusion.

"Well, I would, but I don't want her to be mad at me because I'm worrying." Theresa laughs again. It sends chills up my spin; it was so familiar. Like my sister's before she died. That's why it's so haunting.

She rips the small device out of my hand. "I'm not mad, Jay."

I hear the faint sigh he let's out. "Theresa. You're there. Where are you guys?" She opens her mouth to reply when I rip it from her hand and smile at her. "We're heading home. We'll be there in a few minutes."

We take a few steps. "Told ya so." She laughs again and hits me playfully. "Hey, don't need to abuse me just cuz I'm right." I say.

"Shut up already." She says while she rolls her eyes. I look down at her and she catches me watching her. She looks back and smiles.

I'm never wiping that off her face again.


I tried making this romance, but uh, it turned out more of an infatuation/friendship type of story, but then it really became just a friendship type of story. Oh well, it's still beyond my usual(J/T). And as you can probably tell(Well I doubt it,) this was partly inspired by The Haunting by Kamelot featuring Simone Simons.

I've always loved they idea of Archie and Theresa being really good friends. I just think it would be adorable in a friend way. Really good friends or brother and sister...somehow. That'd be cute. Anyways. Please

RxR

Signed, MichaellaLoe