A/N) Hey dudes'. thanks so much for reading and reviewing my story, sorry I couldn't update on the weekend...something came up. Anyway here's this next chapter, it's pretty long, it kinda just rolled out on its own and I really like it for some reason. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You all know that already.


"Uhm...Ok we'll collect your statements..your parents are here, thank you for your time kids, hopefully you don't have another such event in your lives." The auburn haired desk woman said, as Kuki finished her side of the story.

Rachel nodded politely and walked out of the station, her dad was waiting outside, along with Kuki's mother and both of Chad's parents.

They all looked terrified, but who could blame them. If you had a phone call that your children were at a police station after an assault in the middle of the night you'd be terrified too.

"Rachel Honey! Are you ok!" Her dad immediately fawned over her, grabbing her in a protective hug.

Kuki's mother was doing the same, Chad's mother was weeping while clinging to her dear baby boy.

"Yeah I'm fine dad." She assured him, and she was. Aside from being slightly scared and extremely tired...she was perfectly fine.

Her half awake mind informed her that, that was because of Chad...

"Chad was there...he...if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be here." Her father looked at her serious expression.

"Young Mr. Dixon!" He called suddenly.

Chad broke away from his weeping mother and looked over towards Mr. McKenzie.

"Yes sir." His eyes locked with Mr. McKenzie's.

"You my boy...are one extraordinary young man." He slapped Chad fondly on the back, "I thank you a thousand time's over for protecting my greatest treasure, you deserve a reward."

Chad shrugged, "No, sir it's ok..." His eyes locked with Rachel's, "It was my job." He finished earnestly.

Rachel felt a slight blush at the way he said it.

Mr. McKenzie didn't acknowledge that he saw their momentary connection, "Yes...But I will reward you anyway, now I thank you for a job well done...we are in your dept sir."

Chad shook his head, "No sir, I am in yours."

They shook hands heartily.

Rachel bit back a smile.

After talking to Chad's parents and Kuki's, Mr. McKenzie beckoned for Rachel to get in their limo.

Rachel said good-bye and hugged Kuki, Then awkwardly thanked Chad.

After that they headed home. It was 2:00 in the morning, and the soft murmur of the street and light rocking was slowly making her nod off.

"Well honey I see I made a good choice with Mr. Dixon."

"Hummm, yeah, sure dad." She said sleepily.

"Yes, yes I did." Mr. McKenzie said to himself, as Rachel nodded off and fell asleep.

"My beautiful angle...Yes I did make a good choice...a very good choice." He smiled to himself.

"A very good choice..."


"Rachel wake up! You on the news!" Harvey's loud voice cracked through her actually nice dream.

She opened her eyes groggily, "W..what?"

"Look." He shoved a newspaper under her nose.

"SEE, SEE,SEE!"

Rachel grabbed the paper, her eyes skimmed the page, "Wow, the criminals are sentenced to 10 years in prison...phew that's a relief."

Harvey rolled his eyes at his sister, "Who cares?! Look under that."

Rachel read on, "...Young Ms. McKenzie, Mr. Dixon, and Ms. Sanban, were three very courageous children. They saved hundred of people last night by their brave actions..." she skipped a few lines, "...are to be rewarded by the mayor this afternoon..." Rachel's head snapped up.

"What?!"

"Yep, your going to be rewarded, I personally think it's not fair but..." Rachel didn't stay to hear more, she had to get ready!

This was a huge deal and something she'd normally wear would never do.


"Dad...I'm nervous. Why would the mayor care about what a few kids did anyway?" Rachel confided in her father as they made their way through the bunches of people.

"Why honey, don't be nervous. The mayor just want's to make it a big deal so more people will appreciate it and there will be less of your experience...plus it's good publicity." He winked at her.

Rachel smiled lightly, "Do you think this was ok to wear?" She asked unsure.

Her father looked at her, she had on a plain knee length black dress. It had cut off sleeves and one solitary bright blue sash around her waist. Her hair was up in a short pony tail...it was a simple look, but the simplicity of it somehow made her beauty stand out more.

"Oh it's fine dear."

The walked up the stairs of the city hall building.

Her father went to greet the mayor immediately, Rachel saw Kuki and waved her over.

"Hey Kuki...how are you feeling?"

Kuki looked tired, "Um, fine I guess, a little nervous...I've never been rewarded in front of a whole city before."

Rachel laughed lightly, "just remember to stand up straight and smile big." She joked.

Kuki nodded smoothing her green skirt out.

Rachel smiled at her sweet friend, suddenly she felt a tall presents behind her. She turned around knowing who it was before she saw.

"Dixon."

"McKenzie."

There they were, the same as always, Rachel began to wonder it they had even become anything close to friends.

Rachel summed up the nerve to ask when the mayor stepped forward.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?! We are all here to day to honor three young people for there amazing bravery in the awful assault of last night at Rain and Crystals..."

The mayor went on and on in this speech, Rachel began to feel fidgety. This was taking too long.

"..and now without further ado, the key to the city will be presented to these amazing young individuals. As a symbol of great courage and honor."

A tall woman in a formal office attire came forward, with a huge key in her hands. The mayor reached forward and presented it to the tired teenagers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the honor has been bestowed!"

A great roar of applause went up.

Rachel and Kuki bowed, Chad straightened his back, he looked somewhat bored...Rachel couldn't help but feel the same way.


Finally after the honor had been bestowed, the gathering slowly broke up. But that didn't mean Rachel didn't have to deal with the many compliments from most of the passers.

By the end of the day her face was flushed from fatigue and her dress didn't look nearly as crisp as it did in the beginning.

So it was no wonder she felt awful when she got home. She flopped on her bed without changing, and kicked her shoes off.

She rubbed her sore feet, "Ugh this is the last time I wear heels." She groaned and flopped back down.

Before she could think any more thoughts, sleep poured itself heavily over her eyes...


"A whole award, in front of the entire city! Wow that's something." Hank exclaimed as he walked to his Algebra class with Rachel and Abigail.

Abby chuckled, "Heh, y'all should have seen Cree's face when she heard, the girl looked like she'd swallowed a bushel of lemons."

Rachel shook her head, "Well there goes any hope of peace between us."

"What are you talking about? The peace died way back on your first day!" Hank said shaking his head.

"I guess it did." Rachel sighed as she pushed open their class room door.

"Come on y'all we'll be late."

They all entered the dreaded Math class...


"I can't believe you aced it and you didn't even study!" Rachel looked at her friend in awe.

Hank shrugged, as Abby shook her head.

"I don't know I just sort of know it all already."

"Lucky gift."

"Uh oh, heads up y'all we got trouble."

Trouble was putting it mildly.

Cree and Lizzie were walking down the hall with malicious looks on their faces.

"Abby."

"Cree."

"What are you guys staring at." Lizzie barked nastily.

Rachel rolled her eyes, Lizzie gave her such a hateful look it actually surprised her. The look was laced with...jealousy?

What could this girl have to be jealous about, Rachel thought for a moment, hate she understood, but why jealous?

"Hey guys!" Wally called from behind. He instantly stopped when he saw the heavy tension between the two parties.

"You and your friends are asking for it Abigail...don't think after your little revolution that I'll settle down, hate is building up, and pretty soon it will hit... Watch your backs." Cree hissed threateningly.

She stalked off with Lizzie at her heels.

Rachel sighed, this was getting ridicules. Hank patted her back comfortingly. Abigail shook her head in distaste wondering how she was related to someone so spiteful.

"Well, I guess I came in a bad tiym then?" Wally shrugged.

"Why?" Came a chirpy voice.

"Oh hey Kuki, how's it going?" Abby said half smiling at the happy girl. Kuki had on a dark purple shirt today that made her eyes stand out dazzlingly.

"Nice threads." Hank smiled, Rachel nodded in agreement.

"Thanks..." Her eyes shifted towards the short Australian boy who refused to acknowledge her presence at the moment, as he found a stray piece of thread on his hoodie more interesting.

"Um did you hear about Nigel...He's in the hospital, he should be coming out today. Wanna go visit him?"

"Sure!" Hank said excitedly, "I want to hear what he did to get knocked out!"

Rachel shook her head slightly, "Um yeah of course."

"Abby wishes she could but...Dad's ordered to get home early today."

"OK, Wally?" She looked at Wally who had found the white tiled floor suddenly even more interesting.

"Huh, oh um no...I got ta do...samethin'." He walked off hurriedly.

Kuki sighed, "I don't get it, we used to be close and now...he avoids me."

Hank cleared his throat and looked else where.

Abby chuckled, and Rachel raised an eyebrow.

But none of them said anything...


"You may see him now." A lady with a white dress said to the three teenagers that were waiting.

"Ok thanks," Rachel said standing up.

A sudden attack of fear came over her. What if Nigel wasn't ok...? What if...

They entered the white room, greeted by a strong hospital disinfectant scent and by a smiling Nigel.

"Guys! Glad to see you." He greeted happily.

"Nigel, Your ok!" Kuki smiled and hugged their bald friend.

"Hey dude, so how did it happen?" Hank smiled patting Nigel's back.

"How did what happen?" The bald boy asked confused.

"You know, what sort of heroic feat did you try to accomplish that got you knocked out."

"Oh," Nigel's face turned red as he remembered not actually doing anything.

Before he could answer Rachel stepped forward, "He tried to protect me."

Kuki and Hank smiled at each other knowingly.

Pretty soon the small group were chattering happily away about past events, the award ceremony, the school's events, things like that.

After a half an hour Hank decided he was hungry.

"I'm going to go get some chow from the deli across the street, anyone want to come?"

Kuki jumped up, "Sure, you guys want anything?"

"Nigel shook his head.

"Um, a small BLT, if you please." Rachel said quietly.

Kuki nodded and followed Hank out.

It was quiet in the small hospital room.

Neither seemed able to handle the silence, Rachel decided to break it.

"So um, how are you feeling Nigel?" She said sitting in a chair next to his bed.

Nigel shrugged, "Been better, I'm sorry about our...date." He looked down at the covers.

"It couldn't be helped...Nigel..does this turn you off?"

Nigel looked at her startled, "What! No of course not, I still like you Rachel, and I want to make it up to you...how about this Sunday?"

Rachel looked at him with shining eyes, "Really?"

"Yes, and I promise...it won't be a fancy rich place again." He laughed slightly

Rachel laughed with him. It felt good, he was such a nice boy, and she believed her crush just kept growing for this interesting boy.

"Sure, I'd love to go out with you...again."

They laughed again...it was the perfect bonding moment...


Rachel was so excited to say the least. She couldn't wait for their next...or redo of their first date. The week seemed to pass by agonizingly slow. Until finally Friday came.

Rachel was walking down the school hall way on her way to the last lunch at school for this week. She was thinking nice thoughts about the up coming Sunday...She couldn't wait.

Just then her path was crossed by two girls. One was tall and the other was a little on the short side. That wasn't what startled Rachel for a moment. It was the way they looked that frightened her momentarily.

The tall girl was pale, so pale it looked like she was almost white, her eyes were surrounded by thick black makeup, she was wearing a dark purple shirt with ripped sleeves. Her skirt was black and she had fringed stockings underneath. her hair was cut into a pixy with long bangs in front, it had a dark purple streak through it...she looked... interesting.

The other girl was dressed exactly the same only in red. She had longer hair cut right under her ears, and she had a red streak going through it.

Both girls had several piercings on their noses and ears, they had one skull in their colors on the side of their noses too. Rachel leaned against her locker as they come forward.

Chad's voice rang in her head, Stay away from anyone with nose piercings, she wondered now, why?

The girls passed by and threw her a smile, it wasn't a mean smile it was actually nice, which was strange seeing it came from such...um colorless girls.

Rachel didn't have time to think about it, she quickly shook it off and headed for lunch.


"Again? I don't believe this. Didn't he learn his lesson from last time." Chad's bored voice came from the corner of Rachel's room. He was seated in one of her heavy wood reading chairs.

"Oh blow it in someone else's face. He like's me and besides...it's not going to be a place people would find interest to rob." Rachel's voice came muffled through her closet door.

She was inside getting ready for her date tonight with Nigel, and since he'd promised it would be casual. Rachel decided she could handle her attire this time.

"What, The BBQ shack?" Chad's sarcasm was evident.

He could hear Rachel huff at him indignantly behind her closet door.

Rachel was happy he wouldn't tag along this time even if he wanted to. Her father had left specific instructions for him to leave her alone tonight.

She'd received this permission through great labor, he almost hadn't agreed, but when she promised she'd call Chad the instant something was wrong.

He seemed to relax a bit. Chad on the other hand, surprisingly, didn't seem to care at all. She didn't understand this ridiculous boy, once he's insistent on coming now...he's sitting comfortably in the corner of her room reading gardening magazines?

Chad had his own reasons for not caring this time, one: he wasn't assigned to actually go by...them, and two: he didn't have a bad feeling in his gut that usually, as superstitious as it seems, warned him about bad things, and was right. So right now he really could have cared less...unless his instincts told him otherwise. He was just interesting like that.

"Ok," Rachel stepped out of her large closet, "What do you think?" She asked absently.

Chad raised his eyebrow, She had on a black bandage skirt, with silver ballet flats. She was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with a black vest over it. It looked childish and mature at the same time, how she managed to pull that off...was beyond him.

"You look...horrible. With any luck Uno'll take one look and run so far he'll reach Kentucky." Chad smirked as her face fell slightly.

Then she tried to hide it and lifted it bravely, "Thanks." She growled sarcastically.

With that she headed for her door, "You know the way, let your self out."

She took her purse and left her annoying Chaperone alone to chuckle at his own stupidity.


The date had gone on better than Rachel had dared to hope, the only let down was that she still hadn't gotten her first kiss. She wondered if it was really that hard for him. Oh well in due time he'd ask her to be his girlfriend...at least that's what she hoped.

After that things were pretty much normal...except two new additions to the equation. The two goth girls, they were certainly strange. Nobody talked about them and they never did anything. They only seemed to notice Rachel on occasions. Like they'd smile at her or wave at her, sometimes they'd say a brief 'Hi' or 'how are you'. Over all they didn't seem bad.

So Rachel, being used to only short encounters with them, was surprised when they actually stopped her on her way to lunch.

"Hi, your Rachel, right." The short one said polity.

Rachel nodded unsure.

"Oh yeah the cool girl who liberated this school before we even got here, lucky us. Um, my name is Lisa and this is Dorice." The taller one said excitedly.

It seemed a little odd for someone who looked goth.

"Say, your on your way to lunch yeah? Why don't you come eat with us." Dorice said earnestly.

"Yeah, we'd totally love to get to know you." Lisa said with a smile.

Rachel examined them for a moment. She didn't understand, why didn't Chad want her to hang around with these girls? They seemed nice enough...She didn't want to judge a book by its cover just because Chad thought he could put them in the stay away category.

A small nagging voice in the back of her mind was yelling at her to decline the invitation, Chad's voice rang in there...Rachel had a small mental battle with herself. Just because Chad says their keep away material doesn't mean they are. But they do seem pretty...strange. So what, you know lots of strange people...and are you really going to let Chad tell you who you should stay away from?

Slowly Rachel's logical side was buried by her prideful side, she nodded her head.

The girls smiled, "Come on then." They said pulling her towards the doors.

Rachel slowly followed.

Once they were outside, Rachel saw a pretty nice lunch set out in the back of the school. It was were the juniors ate..she'd wondered what eating outside was like. And now here was her chance to find out...Stay away from them indeed. Rachel mentally scoffed Chad's words.

"Here, take some of this chocolate pie." Dorice handed Rachel a rich looking pie with whipped cream on top.

Rachel hesitated for a moment, that nagging voice raising itself from the back of her mind again...Don't do it, listen to Chad, you promised...Rachel looked at the two girls they had already begun to dig into their pie's.

They smiled at her sweetly.

Rachel kicked the voice back into the dark and picked up a fork...


In an unknown location a door flew open and slammed shut as a boy stomped in.

The sudden moment, mad another tall, dark boy jump from behind his desk.

"Whoa man, where's the fire?"

The boy flicked his blonde bangs and fell into another office chair.

"Aren't you supposed to be with McKenzie?"

"Yeah...but, you think they'll let me resign and give this job to someone else...I don't think I can deal with it any more."

"No way, you, Chad Dixon, the best of the best, wants to quit a mission...because he can't handle one little girl? Come on man, the Chad Dixon I know never quits a job until it's done." The dark boy's face quivered into a grin.

"No...I mean yes...It's complicated OK." Chad propped his chin on his fist.

"Besides... somethings not right...That attack in that new restaurant, it's to damn suspicious to be a coincidence."

"Yeah but...maybe they just sent them to scare her...or us."

"No Maurice... they sent people dumb enough to shoot anyone, and I doubt the idiots knew why they were really there in the first place. If they wanted her why would they sent people that could potentially kill her?"

Maurice thought a moment his handsome dark face puckered in thought.

"You got a point there...maybe the big guys know...but aren't saying."

Chad ran a hand through his blonde hair frustrated, "I hate it when they do this...something else has it's claws clamped in this case...I got to figure out who's claws they are." Chad stood up abruptly and headed for the door.

"So...file a resignation form then?" Maurice called.

Chad stopped half way out the door, "No , your right I never quit a job without finishing it first...do my report on this week though will you, no trouble...yet."

"Will do, later man."

"Whatever." Chad was gone.

Maurice smiled to himself..."Heh get's him every time."


"Wow, this pie is so good." Rachel hiccuped and smiled waveringly.

"Thanks, here have some more." Lisa said handing Rachel the whole pie.

Rachel smiled and reached over unsteadily, she grabbed the pie and slammed her whole face into it. The girl smiled at each other, though Rachel felt to fuzzy to interpret their smile.

She tried to stand but everything seemed to move, her head began to ache and her body wobbled.

"Ugh...I don't feel so good.."Rachel groaned clutching her stomach.

"Oh no...must have been the richness of the pie." Lisa said her voice filled with concern.

"We'd better get you home, come on." Dorice stood up.

Both girls grabbed either of Rachel's hands. Rachel had no idea what they were doing. She couldn't think straight enough to try.

The whole world was moving out of place...like she was under water. Her stomach churned and twisted, her head felt hot and imploded. She gulped but her throat was dry, she couldn't grasp enough thought to figure out what was wrong.

Through her blurry vision, she thought she saw a golden-colored mini van, It was coming closer...or wait they were going closer to it.

Then suddenly she gasped and fell backwards her legs like pudding. She landed on the...no, not the ground...it was hard yet soft and warm. She heard a harsh voice, her vision was blurring. Her mind was skittering around in her head, she couldn't register who it was. All she heard were sounds.

The two girls in front of her...or in back...she couldn't tell, their mouths were moving but all Rachel heard was loud hisses. The first voice broke through her mind, and for a second she grasped the words.

"I'm in charge of taking her home, so back off!"

Rachel tried to figure out who it was, her stomach lurched, she couldn't keep her eyes focused, the van seemed to be diminishing...it was gone.

Rachel opened her eyes for a second, then her stomach heaved and she fell on her knees. She threw up, coughing barely able to breathe or keep from falling face first into her mess.

Something was rubbing her back soothingly, soft sound were heard...though she couldn't understand them, she flipped over trying to catch her breath, she caught sight of a blurry streak of blonde hair. Before she fell out not remembering anything else for a long time...


He was waiting in the white waiting room, leaning against the wall, with a scowl on his face.

Stupid girl, hadn't he told her not to hang around them. Of course she didn't listen, why would she if she didn't actually know what danger she was in. He mentally whacked himself for not resigning when he had the chance.

A door clicked opened and he turned to see a tall nice looking woman in a green nurses outfit. She smiled at him with a friendly face.

"She's awake, can you sign here please, we'll contact her parents soon...are you a family member?"

Chad shook his head. While scribbling some information on the clipboard irritably. Rachel's birth date...Her age...eye color, height, name...there. The only way he knew all this was because he'd studied her file that had been given to him before.

"Thank you, she's conscience, would you like to see her?" The nurse said looking at Chad's forlorn face.

"What...was wrong?" He asked slowly.

The nurse smiled again, a knowing smile, "She's all right, no need to worry. It was just something she ate...we'll get the story when she's up for it...do you know what happened?"

Chad's face remained neutral, "No...I found her sick in the front of the school."

"Oh, all right...you may see her now."

Chad thanked her and walked in. He hadn't thought about this...Rachel must have known what happened, those girls... and she'd know he knew something and wasn't saying.

Then she'd tell her father...he had to tell her not to tell anyone. But how was he going to tell her not to tell, without telling her why she couldn't tell? He felt a migraine coming on. This was harder than it should be.

He entered the small white room just as a tall African doctor was leaving. He saw Rachel sitting upright in the cushy bed, She looked a little pale but otherwise fine. She didn't turn her head when he came in.

He walked up to her bedside, her face remained emotionless...her eyes cold, staring straight ahead. Chad wanted to yell at her for being so stupid and not listening to him. But for some reason...her face...something was wrong here.

"McKenzie? Your OK?" She said nothing, neither her face or eyes changed.

Chad felt odd...he looked at her, light from the window was reflection off of her face, it seemed to make it glow. Suddenly Chad's mouth wouldn't listen to him anymore.

"Listen Rachel...I'm glad your OK, But... I told you not to go with those girls. They aren't safe." His voice was coming out gentler then he meant it to, and saying her name...that had stunned his mind momentarily.

But he went on,"I wasn't there, I should have been...But I wasn't, how do you expect to live to grow up if you keep putting yourself in these stupid but dangerous situations? When I said stay away from them I had a good reason. I don't want to rule over you Rachel, I just want to keep you safe..." He stopped for a moment, "Because it's my job...and I don't think I could live with myself if anything happened to you."

His mind reeled, what the heck was he saying? His mouth wasn't in his control anymore...neither was his body. His hand reached over and took Rachel's. This got a reaction out of her. She stared at his hand wrapped around her's. Chad tried to ignore how perfectly it fit into his.

"You have to understand...I've never failed at something before...and though it would do me some good, I don't think failing at protecting your life will help."

Rachel didn't speak, she was still looking at their hands.

"Rachel?" His voice came out the way he'd never heard it before.

She must have heard it too because she looked up startled. Her soft brown eyes met his electric blue.

His eyes held something she'd never seen before, genuine concern.

"Thanks Chad...I should have listened to you...When dad finds out though..."

Chad averted his eyes, how was he going to tell her to keep this from her father, her father would get suspicious and leave immediately...and that could end very badly.

"I don't want dad to freak...so I'll just tell him I got food poisoning from the cafeteria."

Chad mentally sighed with relief, this girl really was smart.

"Thanks Rachel..." Their eyes met again.

"Chad...what's wrong with those girls? What did they want me for?"

Chad panicked on the inside, but outside neither his face or eyes betrayed anything, "Your rich McKenzie, do the math."

Rachel contemplated this, Chad gaining control of himself again, let go of her hand and reached for the hospitals T.V. remote.

Rachel watched him as he flipped through the channels. The room was empty for a while, then Rachel's voice, small and unlike her, broke it.

"Chad?"

"Hum." He answered not moving his eyes from the screen.

"Say my name again."

Chad gave a small start, "What?" He asked confused.

"Say my name again, you rarely say it...and I like to hear you say it...it's like we're friends instead of worker and client." Her eyes held a glimmer of hope for him to agree.

Chad's mind flickered for a second, this was bad...they couldn't be friends...he never was friends with anyone...well, except Maurice, but that was different. His mind screamed at him to shut the door in her face, his very being urged him to burst this bubble..

"Friends?...Sure, Rachel, I'll say your name..."

The heart warming smile she gave him literally felt like it reached out and spread a smile on his own face.

She held out her hand, "Friends."

His mind denied it very strongly, he smiled, "Friends."

Boy, was he going to pay for this...


Comments, complaints, concerns, criticisms? All is welcomed. Mir se erthe!