Sorry it took so long for an update, but the rest of the story will come fairly slow, because I am currently in the process of moving, so I need to pack.

Also this story is set in March 2008 so, Todd's like 19.

Lust and Love

Chapter 4

Thoughts and Indecision

Todd lay in bed listening to everyone settle down, well mostly, for the evening. He was thinking back over the evening and what he was doing tomorrow. He chastised himself for blowing up at Pietro earlier, he couldn't believe he'd done that, what was wrong with him? It was Pietro's normal thing, he always liked a challenge, Todd knew that... but he'd physically kicked him off the couch. Maybe he'd still been tense after having to sneak around all day and night. He thought he'd calmed down since he left the car and got in the house... he liked her... he groaned and attempted to suffocate himself with his pillow. What was wrong with him? He actually liked a human? That was his only explanation... no, no... nope, he was just stressed, that's all. He nodded to himself, confident that was the only reason he'd freaked on Pietro. Then there was Fred, who would want an explanation tomorrow. He didn't mind telling Fred about stuff like this. Fred was the only member of the Brotherhood he'd never had a problem telling stuff too... it was Fred who even knew about his actual life before the Brotherhood had even existed... but the real problem was... what was he gonna tell him? That he had a job? Was flirting with a human? That she had been the one who drove him home tonight, which might get a laugh or two with the lawn part... and that she'd sped off moments before they'd got... Todd froze, not for the first time in the last few days.

"Ah, crap!" yelled Todd sitting up, he looked at the clock... nearly one in the morning, "Was I that stupid..."

It was obvious now that she'd been waiting for him to say something or ask her what she was doing later or something. Lance and Kitty had done that multiple times, Pietro had called it coy flirting or something. Then he glared, and whacked himself upside the head. It was flirting, he shouldn't care if he'd made her upset or ignored her. It was only supposed to be fun to see what it was like to have a girl actually have an interest in him... he wasn't supposed to be interested in her.

Sleep didn't come easy that night, so the next morning, Todd hadn't woken till noon, and the house was nearly empty. Pietro had left that morning, Lance was outside working on the jeep, and Wanda was meditating or something out back. Fred was the only one in the house, sitting comfortably in his chair, he smiled when Todd hopped in and then returned to his Spanish soaps... which Fred didn't even know what they were saying... just speculated.

"So?" asked Fred, casually.

"I was at work..." shrugged Todd.

"... when you get a job?" asked Fred, raising a brow.

"It was my first day yesterday... China Den..." said Todd.

"... reason you kicked Pietro off the couch was because he insulted your co-worker?" Fred's other brow rose.

"... I think... I think she's nice.." said Todd with a grumble, Fred looked at him.

"Really?" asked Fred, curiosity on his face, "Is that all?"

"Yeah... I dunno... maybe..." Todd sunk into the couch, "She's pretty cool, yo."

"Then you should know, Pietro went to scam on her at the mall," shrugged Fred.

"So.." shrugged Todd as he began to watch the television.

He noticed Fred glance at him and then back towards the screen. Todd watched Scrubs calmly for a few minutes. Then his mind ran towards the mall, a mental image of Pietro harassing Candy at the China Den played in his mind. He glared as his mind version Candy laughed at Pietro's joke and she flirted with him. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, going back to watching JD and Turq slow motion running towards each other. Another image entered his head of the same scenario, in which Candy got upset. Fred looked at the young amphibious mutant, watching as his calm demeanor changed to leg shaking and hand tapping. Fred smiled as Todd jumped up and headed for the door.

"I'm goin..." Todd was cut off.

"To the mall..." finished Fred as he flipped the channel.

Todd hopped off the mid-town bus and headed towards the mall. He had slowed himself a little, chastising his haste. At one point he thought of just going home. So what if Pietro managed to get Candy to go out with him, why should he be concerned? Todd sighed, this emotional roller-coaster was giving him a migraine... he wanted off. Todd looked up to find himself already outside the China Den to his shock... he didn't even remember walking into the mall. He looked through the window to see the back of Candy's head from behind the counter, and when she moved to her left, he could see the Speedster's reflection in one of the golden plates on the wall, attempting to place his hand on Candy's. A strange knot formed in Todd's gut and suddenly he found himself with a dry throat and intense urge to break Pietro's hand with the heaviest item he could find. He watched Candy's hand retreat from the counter and she seemed to excuse herself, as she went to the kitchen in a few short moments. Pietro walked out shortly after, a look of utter annoyance on his face.

"What are you doing here, Toad?" asked Pietro, his brow raised at Todd.

"It's a mall, anyone can be here, Quicksilver," snapped Todd, only to blink in shock at his own outburst.

"Geesh, sorry for asking, frog breath!" grumbled Pietro as he disappeared in the blink of any eye, only knocking Todd into a potted plant next to them as he left.

Todd stood up and dusted himself off. He looked at the China Den, and had a brief thought of leaving before deciding to head in. There wasn't many customers and he didn't have anything to do, so why not. When he walked in, he listened to the small bell chime and leaned against the counter... then after a moment, decided to go into the kitchen.

"Hey!" called Todd, leaning in.

"Oh, hello Todd," replied Sinclair, leaning around the counter, with a smile.

"Slow day?" asked Todd, slightly nervous... he wasn't too sure he should be back here, but his boss didn't seem to mind.

"Yeah, we had a couple small lunches... nothing big. But this weekend is Easter, and we have a few parties... speaking of which I was going to call you," said Sinclair, "But I realized I didn't have your number... Can you work this Sunday?"

"Oh, yeah... phone... Oh, yeah I can work Easter, I ain't doin' anythin' that I know of.." shrugged Todd.

"Good, I didn't wan't to intrude on any family plans you might have," said Sinclair, as he wrote down Todd on the schedule.

"I live with the Brotherhood... only thing interesin' on Easter is if we decide to have an egg fight," shrugged Todd.

"Brotherhood... you mean the boarding house?" asked Sinclair.

"Uh yeah... do you watch TV?" asked Todd, it was strange for someone around this area not to know who the Brotherhood of Mutants were.

"Afraid not, we're not television people... well Candy kind of is, but my wife and I aren't," shrugged Sinclair.

"...okay," shrugged Todd, "Is it okay for me to be back here?"

"Why not, you work here don't you, don't act so tense," laughed Sinclair as he boiled some rice.

"Hey, I asked Candy why a Chinese restaurant, and she said somethin' about themes?" asked Todd, he didn't just want to sit her, but he didn't want to leave just yet.

"Oh, yes. Themes do better... for the most part. I own and Italian restaurant as well. But that's near Illinois more. My Sister-in-law runs it for me," responded Sinclair, "Themes allow people to know what the possibilities are before entering. People don't like surprises.."

"Makes sense," shrugged Todd, thinking about themes, he chuckled, "Maybe you should do a medieval one?"

"... actually... that would be great at the fair this year," beamed Sinclair, as he headed towards the office quickly, "Great idea Todd!"

"... what was a great idea," Todd tensed as Candy's voice came from behind him.

"Uh... nothin'... I guess I suggested something," he shrugged, looking at Candy, he blinked, there was something different about her today.

"What for?" asked Candy, her skin seemed pale.

"Hey, are you sick, yo?" asked Todd, looking at her.

"No... just... no," said Candy, her face going red as she looked down, apparently embarrassed about him noticing a difference, "I've just been thinking too much today... so what did you suggest."

"Uh, medieval theme..." Todd wanted to ask her more about what was wrong, but he would feel like an idiot if he did, so he remained silent about it, then, "Is this 'cause Pietro was botherin' you?"

"Huh... what?" asked Candy, suddenly alert, "No, it's not that... how'd you know he was here?"

"I saw him before I got here," shrugged Todd.

"Oh... no, its nothing to do with him," smiled Candy, "So... are you working this weekend?"

"Uh, yeah I guess. I forgot to ask when though..." said Todd.

"Think you can handle the rush so soon?" asked Candy, with a playful smirk

"I hope so, yo," said Todd, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"... you hungry?" asked Candy as she grabbed a couple rolls from the counter, "I haven't eaten lunch yet, you?"

"Uh... can I?" asked Todd, looking around for Sinclair.

"... yes..." she said slowly, looking confused.

"I ain't workin... never mind, sure I'm starved, yo," said Todd, as Candy made some sandwiches, he wasn't about to turn down free food.

"Good, because I was going to make you one anyways," she chuckled as she slid a sandwich towards him.

"Slurpt!" in one quick motion, Todd had swallowed the sandwich, he froze as Candy looked at him, "Uh.."

"..W... w-was that your t-tongue?" asked Candy, her eyes wide and face red.

"Uh... yeah, yo... so what?" asked Todd, slightly defensive.

"...wow... freaky," she shrugged and went back to making her sandwich, though her face still held the same shocked look, and her voice was much quieter than before.

"I'm... gonna head out... thanks for lunch, yo," said Todd, opening the door.

"What? Why?" asked Candy, standing straight, "I mean... okay... see you Sunday?"

"Uh.. yeah... bye," said Todd, exiting even quicker.

Todd walked out of the China Den and cussed as he quickly headed home. A part of him was angry at her reaction to his power and another part was angry at himself for doing it. He couldn't blame her for being shocked, maybe even repulsed... again, she was human. A factor he kept reminding himself of, but for some reason kept slipping. He slouched on the park bench looking at the glass cover around it. He glanced at his reflection and glared, as he turned and watched down the street for the bus. He let his head hit the side of the glass as he sighed, maybe he'd misread everything completely... maybe she didn't have a crush on him... maybe he did have on on her... perhaps.. he was doomed to be lonely and repulsive towards others. He shook his head as he heard the bus, he couldn't come to that decision based on one girl's shocked behavior. As he slouched in the bus seat, he grimaced... it wasn't one girl's behavior... it was a common behavior from everyone he'd met... some weren't so good at hiding it with shock however. He pulled the cord, deciding to walk home instead of ride.

He hopped along the sidewalk a few feet before stopping. He stood and started walking normal, trying not to slouch... which fell back into it as he walked. Whenever he stood, his legs and back hurt... not to mention his knees would hyper extend to almost Ostrich proportions... though he might have been exaggeration a bit on that. In the end, he hopped home and up towards his room, hoping maybe tomorrow would be a better day.

TBC