Okay, this will probably be the last pairing chapter, then I will get on to the…um, "requested" ones, starting with Perry, because DasSchnabeltier is still threatening to set D-Ferb on me (as awesome as he is). Then I'll do one for Vanessa, and then it may just be the end, sadly. But I'll write some more stories, don't you worry. But enough waffling. I present…
Chapter Seven: Canderemy
1. Moment
The first time she saw him, she knew she loved him. But she never thought he would feel the same way. So she always did whatever it took to please him, just to see him smile for her.
And just waiting for the moment when he would love her back.
2. Crystal
The music flowed around and through the shimmering surface, barely heard beneath the unbroken sheet of false crystal. As they sung together, Jeremy on the guitar, they knew that they would remember this moment forever.
Indeed, years later, either could recall it, clear as day.
3. Missing
When Candace told Stacy that she had lost her favourite necklace, Stacy passed the message on to Jeremy. He arrived at the Flynn-Fletcher house later that same day, with a surprise for Candace; an exact duplicate of the necklace she had lost.
4. Victory
Before they realized that they both felt the same way, every successful outing felt like a huge victory. That fateful night, under the clear night sky, sound flowing around them after their unfortunate farewell in Paris, a feeling of pure ecstasy rushed through the both of them as their lips met.
They both knew, at that moment, that it was meant to be.
5. Shy
Thirteen year old Candace walked purposefully through the gardens, seeking the source of the rhythmic and joyful music brightening the area. She pushed her way between two hedges to find a small, enclosed area, where Jeremy sat alone with his guitar. She watched him for the next five minutes, until he strummed the final chord, and silence rang out.
"You're really good." Candace said quietly. He must have known she was there, because he didn't miss a beat as he replied.
"Thanks. You're a good singer; I've heard you at school."
Candace blushed. "Thank you."
6. Understanding
"I can't take it anymore." Candace said. "My own mother thinks I'm crazy; so do half of my friends!" She sighed. "Please tell me you don't think the same thing, Jeremy."
He shook his head. "Of course not, Candace." He said soothingly. "Remember; I've seen what your brothers can do. It's not your fault or theirs that it vanishes. And it's only natural that you want your mother to know; they're your brothers, you don't want them to get hurt."
Candace smiled, in spite of herself. "Thanks. At least one person understands."
7. Searching
Candace scanned the audience, fear rising inside her. She didn't think she could overcome her stage fright if Jeremy wasn't there. Then she saw him; he was near the front, and as her eyes met his, he gave an encouraging smile. She smiled back, and relaxed. She took a deep breath, and her haunting song swirled around the auditorium, seemingly with a life of its own.
8. Breakdown
She was in floods after hearing what had happened to her brother. Shining streaks marked her face as Jeremy tried to comfort her, as only he could.
"Candace," He said softly, "tearing yourself up over this won't help. It's not your fault. What do you think he'd say, if he was here?"
Candace sniffed. "K-keep moving forward…" She said, her voice cracking.
"That's right." Jeremy said. "And the others will find him. So…" He said, catching a tear on the end of his finger, "please, stop crying."
9. Please
As he pulled her limp form out from under the wreckage, he cradled her in his arms. She was slipping away; "Please…please, don't do this to me." He pleaded. He was interrupted by a yell from across the stage.
"Cut!" Said Stacy. "That was great, you guys! We're totally going to ace this film assignment!"
10. Spirit
Candace had always put her heart into her music; it was her one form of release, where she didn't have to worry about anything.
Combine her with Jeremy, and their music took on life; racing through the minds and memories of all who heard it.
11. Meteor
As the sky sparkled with the meteor shower, Candace made a wish. Jeremy, sitting next to her, did the same. Two people, one wish.
I wish we could spend more time together.
12. Obscurity
On the night of their formal, Candace made sure she looked perfect. But she still had her doubts. When Jeremy arrived to pick her up, she panicked.
"Do I look okay? Does this clash with my hair?"
Jeremy sighed, then laughed. "You look beautiful, Candace. You always do. Whatever you're wearing, it fades into obscurity, simply because you're so beautiful already."
Candace flushed, and took his hand as they left for the dance.
13. Caring
Candace always had trouble with swimming. Something about the graceful motions stumped her, and she couldn't pull it off. When she tried, she would end up in a clumsy dog-paddle.
So when Jeremy offered to teach her, she jumped at the chance. He said it was because he cared about her, and didn't want her to risk her life teaching herself.
14. Reminisce
Candace leaned back against the broad oak. She was eighteen now, and much more mature. As the wind tugged at her hair, cascading around her face, she remembered all those days when she would try to impress her boyfriend. Now she knew that he didn't need it.
And as he moved closer beside her, she relaxed, and let all her worries blow away with the winds.
15. Innocence
He didn't quite know what the feeling was yet. At fourteen, he had never truly experienced it before. All he knew was that the sight of her sent shivers down his spine, and her beauty took his breath away.
The first feeling of love is always unrecognizable.
16. Daydream
She was lost in thought, staring out over the churning ocean tides. How many years would it be before she could bring him here, as more than just a friend? How long would it take for them to get that far?
She gazed into the horizon, swept away in the flood of thoughts rushing through her.
17. Flow
All things flow. Seed to flower, cub to bear, egg to eagle. Feelings flow; dislike to fear, irritation to anger, like to love. With these two, 'like' was never an issue.
Love to dependence, dependence to eternity.
18. Lifeless
She touched the cold fur of Bucky, the now deceased family pet. He had been with them for as long as Candace had – longer, even – and losing him was an incredible shock for her. She turned away, tears flowing as she ran straight into her crush. He put his arms around her, in a caring hug which helped her regain composure, and lifted her out of her sorrowful world.
19. Flare
The candles flared and waned as Candace prepared to extinguish them. It was her sixteenth birthday, and she and Jeremy had been dating for almost a year. The thought of his made her smile even more, and she held him close to her as she blew out the candles in one swift breath.
20. Synchronize
They were similar in so many ways. Both teens, unsure of their place in the world. Both shared a love of music, and of each other. Both had younger siblings, who they protected in their own way.
And both had thoughts and minds prone to wandering, reflecting on every aspect of their relationship.
21. Phobia
Candace kept close to Jeremy as they walked through the haunted house. True, she was fifteen, and shouldn't have been scared, but she had always been a bit of a chicken. Some people might have laughed at her. Jeremy simply put his arm around her, and whispered to her.
"Don't be scared. I'm here."
22. Fortune
Neither truly realized how lucky they were to find such a perfect match. Almost reflections, in a way. Each emotion had a counterbalance in the other, each thought could be shared by both of them.
They only knew of their fortune in how much they cared for each other.
23. Rush
As they skimmed together through the water, Jeremy called out, "Remember when I had to teach you this?"
"Of course," Candace replied, "and I couldn't have had a better teacher."
And so they cut a path through the foam and waves, each movement mirrored by the other.
24. Glisten
Candace watched the colourful fish dart around the bottom of the pond. The light shone from their scales, and from the pond's silver surface. In the calm water, she saw Jeremy's reflection above her, casting a shadow over the pure water. She looked up with a smile.
"Fancy seeing you here." She said flirtatiously.
"I heard you were around." He said. "It's as good a place as any to spend the afternoon, especially with company."
Together, they whiled away the hours, talking, laughing, and watching the fish.
25. Rumour
When Candace heard the rumour from Stacy, she could hardly believe it. She asked around; many others knew, too. She didn't know how she hadn't noticed; had she not been observant enough? But that didn't matter now.
If the rumour was true, Jeremy returned her feelings, and her dreams were fulfilled in a moment.
26. Dawn
As the red light flooded through the windows, Candace opened one eye. Jeremy was still asleep next to her. She sighed and smiled. He wouldn't wake for hours. It had been ten years since they began dating; even though they were living together now, almost nothing had changed. Each still knew the best ways to comfort and calm the other, they still shared in music, they still cared for their younger siblings. They were still reflections of each other.
And they were still truly in love, and would be for as long as they lived.
Ha, two updates in one day, despite that big, nasty assignment that I had to do over the weekend. Anyway, 4 is my little take on the kiss scene in SBTY, and 7 is the obligatory mention of the kidnap story that's popped up in the last two pairing chapters. Except this time, it's even more ambiguous! :D But yeah, next chapter will be Perry, so be waiting up for that! Mirror-chan is out. Peace!
