Chapter 4: Leaving

A/N: Okay, so forever ago I said that I would write more for My Girl. And I was planning on it…eventually. But luckily, Aveline got me off my lazy bum and I updated. And I said I would update Wednesday…I was just a week later than the Wednesday I meant. This bums me out majorly, I used to be such a great updater… Oh well, I will get back to normal soon.

Disclaimer: No Way José.

xxx… And I'll Be There For You, When The World Falls Down …xxx

Atlanta sat there in actual stunned silence. She could not -would not- believe that he would be looking at another girl. But there he was, staring at the short, slender, curvy brunette that put models to shame. Atlanta gave the girl credit, she was beautiful. But still, they had only just started dating, and he was looking at another girl.

Atlanta smiled softly at Archie, who was drinking his smoothie and holding her hand under the table where no one would tease them. Atlanta didn't regret anything she had done or would do with Archie. He never looked at other girls.

But how dare Jay do this?

The red head felt her temper flare as Jay grinned at Herry and nodded his head. And now Jay was asking Herry to get involved! Herry would never be so idiotic as to let Jay cheat on Theresa. He would never hurt Theresa like…

Atlanta saw that now Herry was staring at the tiny brunette and subtly knocking Archie. She growled low in her throat, ready to smash some faces if Archie even so much as glanced at them.

And then Archie did the most stunning thing of all. He peeked at Herry and Jay who made some strange head bobbing movements, and then he looked straight at the small curly haired woman.

He grinned widely, and, still holding her hand, said "Damn…"

Atlanta yanked her hand back and scowled at all three of the men, her facial expression ready to kill. Archie's grin died, as did Jay's, but Herry just look confused.

"Excuse me? Herry, you are welcome to look at other girls whose looks you appreciated, but don't drag these boys into it. And Jay! How dare you! So help me, I will tell Theresa next time! Remember what you have to lose!" Atlanta turned straight to Archie, who still looked surprised and puzzled, "And Archie! You were right beside me! Have you no shame! You are in serious trouble. I mean, she is pretty, but if you have to stare at her and drool, could you do it when I am not around!"

The last sentence Atlanta uttered seemed to clear something up for Archie, whose puzzled frown gave way to a mocking smirk. Frustration burbled in Atlanta when she realized that even when he was wearing that jerky, self-satisfied look, she wanted to jump his bones.

"Atlanta?" Archie interrupted calmly, giving her a strange look.

"Yes?" She replied testily.

He laughed, "I wasn't checking her out for me. You should know that. I was looking at her because Herry wanted another guy's opinion before he went over there and talked to her. If one of your friends asked if a guy was hot, how would you answer?"

Archie stared straight at her as she blushed.

"I…I wouldn't look at him." Atlanta stammered. Archie grinned.

"Sure. Whatever you say."

Atlanta was feeling pretty stupid and suspicious at the moment. She knew she shouldn't feel anxious about Archie with other girl's but lately she had been. Probably because all of her dreams had to do with Medelia, and Echo, and the Sirens. All had seduced the men.

"Okay sorry." Atlanta muttered, looking once again at the brown haired girl. She was tiny, and her hair was long and untamed, curlier than anything and a golden coppery brown. She was absolutely stunning, and Atlanta knew she rivaled Theresa for beauty. She looked tough, and fierce, as though she knew her rights and would fight to the death for them. But she also looked vulnerable, and in that way, she seemed somehow more ethereal.

They were the ones supposed to be saving the world, and yet, she was the one who looked like she belonged in a place of high power.

"C'mon Lanta, let's go for a run. I promise not to look at anything but the road." Archie pleaded quietly. Atlanta knew he was apologizing for worrying her, and at the same time, he was punishing her.

He was saying that he would forgive her for not trusting him, and he would still care about her, but he was also making her feel guilty for being suspicious in the first place.

"Yeah I guess we should." Atlanta whispered back, packing her bag and saying goodbye to Jay and Herry, who sat still, watching the girl with brown hair.

xxx… Love Is Out there Waiting Somewhere …xxx

"Okay, go talk to her Herry you can do it." Jay reassured him, before he walked out the door to meet up with Theresa for a picnic or some other hopelessly in love niceties. Herry sighed.

Then he heard the song come on, low and sleek, it cast a nice beat, he looked up to see a few girls take to the small dancing area. They moved slowly, erotically, and when the beat picked up to something fast and wild, Herry had found himself dancing on the edge of the group.

He saw a shine of curls fly in the air, and then she was there, swaying her hips, and moving her arms. Her eyes were closed and it was as if the rest of the world popped out of focus as he stared at her. He moved closer.

"Hey," Her eyes opened at the sound of his greeting, "I'm Herry, and Can I dance with you?"

She smirked cheekily and moved closer. "I'm Calli, and Herry, go ahead and dance. But I am warning you now, don't attempt to touch."

"I would never think of it milady." Herry said, setting his hand to his heart and trying to sound sincere.

"Ohhh, you have personality, I might just keep you." She teased, her body barely brushing the air around him.

"I might just let you." He breathed into her ear, swaying lightly to the music.

xxx… How Can I Protect That Which Is Free …xxx

Archie ran silently, staring straight ahead, ignoring the small depressing droplets of rain that splattered his face. Atlanta couldn't understand what he was thinking about, but as he ran, she had to admire him. His face could have been chiseled out of marble for all the emotion it was showing, but it was beautiful. His eyes were dark and brooding, something only Atlanta knew Archie was famous for. He was the King of Brooding.

Atlanta sighed, knowing that he was most likely thinking about her or Cronus. Only they ever caused him to brood. And when his usually light and carefree blue eyes turned dark and foggy, something was seriously wrong. She wondered if he was really mad at her for not trusting him.

Atlanta pulled him to a stop. She kept her hand on his arm, which was radiating unusual warmth for the chill of the air.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked straightforwardly. Archie blinked, and watched her, his head cocked to the side.

"Why would I be mad at you?" He wondered.

"Because I thought you were looking at that girl." Atlanta muttered, embarrassed of herself. Archie laughed.

"You're jealous!" He teased, "But, no, I'm not mad."

"Then why are you looking so upset?" Atlanta questioned, almost laughing at the way Archie's usually spiked hair flopped over in the rain. Atlanta glanced hesitantly towards the sky, checking for signs of thunder. But the sky was free of clouds, and yet pouring rain.

It was a strange day.

"Well, Atlanta. I need to do something. But to do that, I need to leave for the weekend. So I won't be here this weekend."

It was only after Archie spoke those last few words that Atlanta realized something. She had always thought she was in charge of the relationship. She had Archie wrapped around her finger, and he did absolutely anything for her. Atlanta had always been the relationship boss. But it was only now that Atlanta realized that she was lying to herself. Archie had not asked to leave; he had stated he would be. She had no say in the matter.

Atlanta realized only then that she was in dangerously deep. Archie was in control, not her. He was leaving her for a weekend, and yet all she wanted to do was throw herself on him and beg him not to go. But Atlanta was above that, and proud.

"Why are you going? Can I come with you?" She said, trying to disguise the rough quality of her voice.

Archie's eyes narrowed, "It doesn't matter, and no you can't come."

Atlanta recoiled as though Archie had slapped her. She had thought they had no secrets, and she had trusted him with everything about her. And now, when she realizes she is vulnerable, he shuts her out of his life.

Archie couldn't breathe as he watched the trust fade slightly from her eyes. He had hurt her by not telling her, but she couldn't know about this. He felt like jumping off the nearest highest bridge. And just because he had hurt her momentarily.

"So that's it then?" Atlanta murmured, not even looking at him.

"Yes. I will be back next Tuesday, Jay already knows." Archie said softly, watching the breath leave Atlanta. She straightened her back and looked straight into his eyes, pleading him with her hazel depths.

"Please don't go." She whispered her voice barely intelligible over the slight pitter patter of the rain.

Archie felt his willpower shredding. Atlanta never pleaded, and even when she did, there was never such a deep vulnerability to her. He knew he had to leave her, there was no choice, and it wasn't like he wouldn't see her again in three days. But from now, it seemed like a lifetime. And standing in front of Atlanta as she stared into him, he knew that it was probably longer.

So he leaned down and caught her mouth, pressing gently, he pulled back. "I have to go." He stated gently, letting go of her arms.

She nodded resolutely, muttering, "Bye, have a nice trip."

And then she turned away, leaving him standing alone in the rain.

And it was only when her red hair faded into the grey drizzle that Archie realized why the rain on her lips had tasted salty… it was not rain, it was tears.

xxx…Kiss Me Make Me Cry, How Did I Wind Up Here?...xxx

Jay watched the beautiful red head run under the cover of the tree with him. She was grinning, and her hair was wet and getting curlier by the moment. He pulled her close to stare at the water with her. The rain impaired the view slightly, but it was still a picturesque sight.

"Theresa, you know that I would never think about looking at another girl right? I would never cheat on you." Jay asked, his eyes unfocussed. Theresa spun around in his grip to look up at him.

"Of course I know that, what brought this on?" Theresa asked, a small smile on her lips.

"Today I was with Archie, Herry and Atlanta, and Herry was checking out this girl, and I gave him the go ahead, because she was hot. But I wasn't looking at her for me; I was looking at her for him. And Atlanta freaked out." Jay explained in a rush, a light blush staining his cheeks.

Theresa smirked, "How hot was she? Be honest, I won't be mad."

Jay groaned, "She was pretty hot. Like supermodel." Theresa's delicately shaped eyebrow raised and Jay quickly added, "But no worries, I have my own personal goddess."

"Well, as long as you remember that, I don't care. Oh, and just for that last supermodel comment, I have to say, Orpheus was pretty good looking."

Jay winced as though she had stabbed him in the eye with an electric bug roaster. The thought of Orpheus flirting with Theresa still made him angry. (I think its Orpheus; I saw the episode forever ago.)

She giggled and kissed his shoulder, since that was the only thing she could reach. Jay had grown a lot lately, and he now towered over her five foot four. He smiled down at her actions and kissed the top of her head.

"I love being taller now. I'm taller than Neil! But not Herry or Arch yet." Jay exclaimed, his arms once more wrapped around her. Periodically, a raindrop would come through the trees foliage and drip onto one of them.

"I doubt you will ever be taller than Herry." Theresa said, her eyes rolling.

"You never know." Jay said, his voice dead serious, but his eyes giving it away. Theresa couldn't help but beam when she saw his chocolate eyes; they were so carefree, as though Cronus existed on another planet entirely.

"Did I tell you I loved you yet today?" She whispered. Jay shook his head, as if to say no. His expression was a mournful pout.

"Good."

Jay's head came up so fast with an incredulous expression that Theresa almost died laughing. He looked so lost and stunned that she couldn't help but laugh just a little bit.

"Just kidding. I love you." His eyes gentled and he nodded.

"You too Terry."

They spent the next few hours under the safety of their tree. The weather did not vary from the constant pouring that made the mood rather dreary. Eventually Jay pulled out the sandwiches they would have eaten on their picnic.

"Maybe we will have another picnic on a sunny day." Theresa suggested, biting into the peanut butter and jelly sandwich he had made.

"Definitely. But I meant to ask, has Atlanta talked about Archie leaving anytime lately?" Jay wondered, his mouth still half full.

"No, why?" Theresa exclaimed, immediately concerned.

"Well he's going away this weekend and he didn't want to tell her but I finally convinced him last night, so he was going to tell her today."

"She'll be mad." Theresa informed him.

"Not if he tells her the right way. He has to trust her with his business, he wouldn't even tell me what it was, he just told me he needed three days and he would be back." Jay disagreed.

"I hate to tell you this Jay, but compared to Atlanta, you know absolutely nothing about Archie. No one does." Theresa told him.

"I know, but usually he tells me if he has to go anywhere, and what he is doing, just so the group can find him." Jay replied anxiously.

"Is he taking his PMR?"

"Yeah, but he isn't turning it on unless it is an extreme emergency." Jay growled. Theresa could tell immediately that was a sore spot for the leader of the group.

"Well I am sure he is telling her as we speak."

"Speaking of speaking, we should be doing a lot less of it." Jay murmured into her ear, and rolled her onto her back.

"Jay! We are in a public place!"

"What happened to my 'let's have fun' goddess? Besides, no one is even around." Jay reassured her, kissing her before she could even retort.

"One day, I might make you pay for this." Theresa threatened breathlessly.

xxx…Never More To Be Alone …xxx

A/N: Okay guys, sorry to cut that one about three pages short on word, but I have a huge social essay due… tomorrow. And I haven't started. Ahaha. Alright, well I will definitely have the next one out sooner, but I can't promise anything till Tuesday, because I am working. But I will try for sooner. Also, I have the next few chapters of Is It Worth It totally planned out, and the next Reunion installment. Please review!

PS: I know, I always use Calli, but I am just so used to her, she is almost part of my own little team. And I just can't bring myself to invite another OC to love Herry!