Chad looked over to Nico as he ate his lunch the next day. He'd promised Portlyn he'd do it, and he would. He just didn't know how. Portlyn was a very good actress because she was down at the opposite end of Chad's table laughing with Kim and Greg about something. But Chad could see the effects of last night- the paler than usual face, the extra coating of liner to off-set the dark shades under her eyes, the deflated ego.

He finally got his opportunity after lunch when Nico stayed after to finish his food, also appearing a little lost. Chad approached his table wearily, knowing that every set of eyes were on him when he neared his target. But, Chad could really care less about what all these chumps thought of him- he was helping out a friend after all.

"Hey Nico!", he asked cheerily, hoping to start the conversation off on a positive note. It seemed that this was a good idea because Nico beamed at him, obviously elated that Chad was even talking to him, let alone knew his name.

"Hey Chad!", he said, pulling out the chair beside him. "Sit down buddy", and although he sounded enthusiastic, there was a dull pang in it that reminded Chad of Portlyn's tone last night on the phone. "Did you need anything?", Nico added, looking at Chad through blank eyes.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about Portlyn", Chad blurted. No need to beat around the bush, may as well get to it. "She called me upset last night. Now, I don't blame you or anything", he added hastily, seeing the defensive look on Nico's face. "I myself have had a few issues with the women", he puffed out his chest and chuckled at his own joke. Nico attempted a smile but didn't say anything. So Chad continued, "She was really hurt about the break up. I think you may have misunderstood her intentions with keeping things quiet between you two. She knows that the press will have a field day when they hear about you two, but you will also get in trouble from taking any attention Sonny and I might get if we choose to come out with our relationship", Chad gritted. When the other guy looked at him curiously, he thought he'd elaborate. "We're not going out, or planning on doing so, but Portlyn seems to think we will. But, she really really likes you, if keeping me up half the night complaining about you breaking up with her is any indication. Listen", he added, because he knew this was really getting him nowhere. Nico looked positively bored. "-Portlyn needs this job. She has to support her family because her dad is out of work and her mom is pregnant and can't work right now. She just doesn't want to put her job in jeopardy, regardless of how much she likes you". Chad raised his eyebrows at him and pushed away his chair, ready to get up. As he was about to turn to walk away, he heard Nico clear his voice.

"Thanks Chad. I didn't know any of that stuff about Portlyn supporting her parents. But, now that I do, I can see it from her perspective. Thanks", and, smiling again, the other boy rose too, and headed in Chad's intended direction. That is, until he saw who was standing there.

"Chad", Sonny mumbled, fidgeting with her hair and tapping her foot. She looked guarded and much more vulnerable than last night.

"Sonny", he mirrored her pose, shrugging and fighting the urge to panic. How much had she heard? Would she blab? Who was he kidding, this was Sonny, of course she wouldn't!

"That was really nice of you Chad", she said, and he got the weird impression that she blurted it out all in one go. "I didn't know what was going on between them, but I'm glad someone has the decency to step in and let them know it's alright to continue on", she looked up at him then and that same feeling he had from yesterday just before the first shoot arose within him again. Squelching it down, he moved past her and out across the lot. What was going on here?

He was only halfway across the lot however when a hand grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around. She blocked his way, desperation in her eyes. "You can't just walk away when something gets emotional Chad", she muttered. Although her voice was shaky, her gaze was strong and she held it for a while until he could no longer and dropped it.

--

Standing there in the parking lot, she knew what he wanted and knew what he needed and knew that they were two completely different things. The question was, which one would she give him? Tearing her gaze from his face, she looked down to the dark tee shirt he was wearing and pulled on the bottom hem of it, lightly grazing her fingers over his bare stomach. She could feel his muscles tighten under her feather light touch and did it again, writing her name across his skin and tugging at his shirt. She wanted him, knew she did for a while, but she wouldn't give herself up unless he was willing to give up some of himself in return.

Suddenly, so suddenly it briefly frightened her, he grabbed her and pulled her up to him in a breath taking kiss, one filled with such passion and need that she almost sobbed right there on the spot with the aching feeling it left her. He roughly bit down on her lip, drawing blood and tangled his tongue with hers, entwining his fingers in hers and letting both pairs of hands rest on her lower back.

He moaned and then leaned back, allowing them both air, but coming back to rest his forehead against hers and look into her eyes. She had to remind herself to breath, to not pass out with the pleasure of it all, with the intensity of what had just happened.

"You know Munroe, I'm not always bad", he teased, cocking a brow at her and chuckling softly. She smirked back.

"Sometimes I like it when you are though", she said and was surprised to find that her voice was husky from their kiss. His scent was overwhelming her, keeping her from thinking straight when it was so vital for her to do so.

"Oh really?! Well then... meet me here tonight, just before midnight and I'll show you just how bad I can be", Chad said, desire and competitiveness lacing his every word. As he walked off, enraveling his hands from hers, a huge gust of wind came to sit in the exact spot he had previously inhabited mere seconds before.

She already missed him. That's a bad sign...

a/n: Okay, sorry for the cliffy, but I will post the next three on Thursday. I just got confirmation that's when she'll be back. Please review. In the meantime, I will personally look into getting my internet fixed.