Hey there, I hope that you have enjoyed the last chapter… coming up, chapter 4, A Second Chance. I'm trying not to make this story too rushed or too draggy (if that is even a word) So, I hope you guys could tolerate this particularly long chapter as I try my very best to explain every important detail. If anyone is confused at any point of the story, please don't hesitate to ask me… I can't continue this story, if my readers couldn't understand the, probably, most important chapter of this story… Anyway… I really hope you would enjoy this chapter!! BTW, m.v on chapter 3 is up on youtube… it's called, 'More than that'. So, on with the story!!!

Chapter 4: A Second Chance

Xander's eyes followed Madison as she moved around the store, helping customers wherever needed. It had been 5 hours, 36 minutes and 52, 51, 50 seconds since he started his shift. And it had been 21 hours and 55 minutes since that dispute between them. Ever since then, she had been avoiding him like a plague. He knew he was wrong. He shouldn't have gone shooting his mouth off. It was his mistake. He knows it. He admits it. But why does she have to make it so hard for him to apologize?! Every time he gets in 5 feet radius from her, she moves away. It's frustrating and it's tiring.

"You know, if you just stop getting lost in your thoughts, you might notice that Maddie just went into Toby's office," Chip's voice suddenly brought him out of his reverie.

"Chip!" Xander exclaimed. "Next time make a sound will you? Before you decide to suddenly appear from out of nowhere!"

Chip raised a questioning eyebrow to his best friend.

"Xand, I've been beside you the whole time…" He said as he walked away shaking his head.

Xander stood dumbfounded for a moment before finally registering what Chip had said. He strained his neck over the crowd to find the blue witch but to no avail. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to the office.

NMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNXNMXNMXNMX

Madison had just finished tidying up Toby's table and was just about to head out when the door to the office opened to reveal the person she had been trying hard to avoid all day.

"Xander…"

Xander looked at her for a moment, memorizing every single detail of her face, before finally deciding to speak up.

"Maddie, we really need to talk,"

Madison shook her head.

"Don't Xander, I already know what you're gonna say,"

The green wizard looked at her almost desperately.

"Maddie I ju-"

"Xander, please, don't apologize-" She started.

"But-"

"Let me finish." Madison stopped him. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Don't apologize about yesterday. You were right. I was naïve. I loved him Xander, and I thought that maybe," She choked, "Just maybe he might feel the same way. Yes I was naïve; I love someone who doesn't love me back."

"He means everything to me, and I thought that I mean enough to him, for him to at least call and let me know he's alright. But it just shows never trust what you think, huh?"

Xander took a step towards her only to have her move away from him. Madison wiped away her tears furiously, almost as if ashamed for breaking down.

"My patience is wearing out… And I'm starting to question myself, 'what's the point of holding on to an empty promise?'"

Xander stood by helplessly as he watched the one girl he truly loved pour her heart out to him. But he knew that she have to do this to finally move on. She has to let out all her emotions she had held in for so long. She has to cry to release her pain. So he stood. And he watched.

Madison inhaled sharply, regaining her composure, and looked Xander in the eye, daring him to do the same.

"Tell me Xander, if I moved on, if I gave up waiting, if I took another chance at happiness, am I betraying him?"

"Maddie, I don't think I shou-"

"Please Xander, I have repeatedly asked myself this question and yet, the answer is still a blur…" She looked at him through her tears.

"The truth?"

"Your honest truth,"

Looking her in the eye, convincing her he is answering her in all honesty, he said:

"You can't betray an empty promise,"

Madison closed her eyes. The words cut deep in her heart. But she knew she had to hear it. And some how, she was glad it came from him. She smiled sadly as she opened her eyes. This time, it was her who took a step towards the former green ranger.

"If I took a chance," she said, her voice no louder than a whisper, "another chance at happiness, a chance with you," She continued.

"Would you disappoint me?" she concluded that question.

Xander took a huge step towards her. Their bodies are now just centimeters apart.

"Never once in my life did I want to disappoint you," he replied fiercely.

"But I don't want you to rush into taking another chance because of what I said," he continued.

Madison shook her head slightly.

"It's not. And I promise it never will be…" she assured.

Madison reached out to caress his face lightly, almost lovingly.

"I know how you really feel about me. I have known for quite a while." She confessed.

Xander's eyes widened.

"And for that I'm sorry…" she choked, tears collecting once again.

Xander furrowed, looking down at her.

"For what?"

"For all those times I've hurt you, for all the pain I've put you through, for disappointing you and… And for breaking your heart again and again… I'm sorry."

"Maddie…" Xander stated.

"I'm so sorry…"She repeated as she finally broke down sobbing into his arms.

Pulling her close, he whispered comforting words to her.

Between her cries, he could hardly make out her question. But he had heard it.

"Will you hold on to me?"

The answer was as clear as crystal. The answer was what he had wanted to say since forever…

"I'm not letting you go…"

NMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMXNMX

A.N: Okay!!! That has got to be the longest chapter I have ever written!! Woohoo!! Alright, since I've done most of my talking at the top, I won't repeat those… okay, the next chappie is still in working progress… so…it'll probably be up around Jan 22 2007, if not sooner… So…I really hope you have enjoyed this chappie!! Comments would be nice… (-hint hint-)… hehe… well until next time… see ya' on the flipside!!!