Raj was holding Janie's unbandaged hands in his as he examined the fading stitches and half-healed cuts.

"So what do you think?

"I think you'll live."

"No, not the cuts, about Jackson coming back." Raj shrugged and started rewrapping her hands. It had been over a week since the incident at school and since Jackson had made his surprising reappearance. Neither of them had spoken to her since she ran out of Jared's apartment. Her uniform had been returned stain free with a supply of gauze for her hands that night. At school they avoided her and she avoided them. No one came to the roof top anymore except her.

The stitches were starting to dissolve and she had used it as an excuse to bother Raj since he was already studying to be a surgeon but she really wanted his opinion on why Jackson had come back.

"Do you think something happened between him and Celeste?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Janie shook her head.

"No way, I can't look at either of them." Raj was staring at her.

"Is it because you're happy about seeing him or because you're not?" Janie was going to speak but then stopped. Honestly, she wasn't sure how she felt. Did she want to see Jackson? Yeah, maybe. But she wasn't sure if it was because they were friends or because she wanted to be something more. Either way, it was Thursday so she only had to get through one more day of class before she reached the long weekend and could put them both out of her mind for a few days.

"Did you lie to me?" Jared and Jackson were facing each other in the F4 club room. After Janie ran from the room Jackson had simply left as well. During the following days he had been too angry to confront his friend and it was only at Ian and Benny insistence that he had agreed. It had taken until Thursday to finally pin him down at school, thanks to the helpful deception of Benny and Ian. Now that he had said what he had wanted to for days, all Jackson did was shrug.

"Don't play with me man!" Jackson didn't react immediately, just scratched his head thoughtfully before making eye contact with Jared.

"Not at the time."

"And now?" Jackson shrugged again.

"We'll see."

"You can't just change your mind!" Jackson still didn't react to Jared's outburst. It wasn't until Jared had reached a small level of control and sat down that Jackson reached out to pat his shoulder. "So are we fighting? Over Janie?"

"I don't think that's fair to her." Jared was thinking hard and after a few moments he started nodding his head furiously, shaking his brown curls.

"No, it is fair." He stood up to face Jackson. "We'll let her choose. No interfering, no sabotaging. That's the only way to decide. And we can't let her know what we're doing."

Jackson didn't answer, he was watching Jared nod and smile at his idea. He reached out a hand for Jackson to shake. He took it and after a quick handshake Jared left the room.

Jackson was still pondering the agreement. No interfering or sabotaging. But still, he could talk to Janie, there was no harm in talking after all. Besides, Jared had spent more time with her. It was Jackson's turn to get a better understanding of where they stood.

Janie was so glad it was Friday she felt she thought she could cry. Her stitches had started coming out and her cuts were better. For the first day in over a week her hands were free from the bandages. Not only that, but midterms were officially over and there was no class on Monday. She had work that night and on Saturday but the other two days she was going to spend with her family and picking up extra hours.

After taking her last midterm in her final class of the day she burst onto the roof in celebration. Running to the corner she threw her arms over her head in triumph.

"I did it!" She was so relieved, she had worried that finals at JAA would be much harder but after her first rounds of tests it hadn't turned out to be the case. They were no harder than her advanced classes but she was glad they were over.

"I think I may have missed your strange outbursts." Janie's hands were still in the air as she spun towards the entrance and Jackson's emerging figure from his usual hiding spot.

"Oh," Janie stood frozen, hands still raised. Jackson had his hands resting casually in his pockets but as he moved towards her he pulled them out. Stopping in front of her he lifted his hands and gently took her wrists as he lowered her arms. He smiled at her.

"Hey."

"Hey." Janie had to look away from Jackson's gaze. She anxiously wiped her hands over her face before she continued to speak. "So what brings you back?"

"My French was terrible." Janie let out a short laugh as Jackson managed a frugal smile.

"Come on Jackson. What happened with Celeste?" The smile vanished as he took his turn staring towards the city.

"I didn't like it. Celeste was living her life and I wasn't doing anything. I was sitting in her apartment waiting for her to come home. It didn't feel like I thought it would." Janie nodded.

"I'm sorry." He looked at her and shrugged.

"Maybe it's for the best. Although it's a shame you're dating Jared."

"Ha, well we're not really dating, like officially. But why is it a shame?" Janie was noticeably frazzled which made Jackson smile.

"Because I was going to ask you out. See you later." He turned and walked towards the exit quickly disappearing from the roof and leaving Janie in shock. Her mind was racing to conjure all the reasonable explanations and jokes that could have been the reason behind his words besides the obvious. Did Jackson like her?

Janie quickly shook out her arms and body as she jumped from foot to foot. Get it together, get it together. Nothing made sense. She needed to get home and fast so she could confer with the women in her life. Talk to Umma, talk to May, talk to Gail. God, she needed to talk to everyone. Moving fast Janie ran off the as fast she could.

Jared was staring at the computer, pulse racing and anger hurtling from Jackson then back to Janie. He was glad he had installed the camera otherwise he wouldn't have known that Jackson wasn't playing by the rules.

Janie had only just left, he didn't have much time to think so he decided to go with his first plan. He pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial for Anderson.

"Yes sir."

"Anderson, I need you to prepare the jet."

Janie burst into her apartment prepared for the worst. She had exited the subway and on approaching the Laundromat she saw a familiar black car parked in front. It had only taken a second for her to recognize it as Jared's car. She ran to the store front and saw that it was closed with the plastic clock face stating that they would return by 6.

She entered the staircase and once she was in the apartment sure enough Jared was sitting at the far end of the coffee table. Su-wan and May were sitting across from the boys as Jimmy toddled to the door reaching for Janie.

Bending down she scooped him up after dropping her bag. Walking into the room she moved around the table to stand over a bemused Jared.

"Ya, Pullman. Why are you in my apartment?" Jared didn't answer, he only smiled. Instead May spoke up.

"He wanted to introduce himself to Ma." Janie looked around at her siblings. They were all smiling but looked on edge. Handing a reluctant Jimmy to Su-wan Janie grabbed Jared's arm and pulled him to his feet.

"What?"

"Come with me." Janie pulled Jared into the stairwell and shut the door behind him before facing him. "I'm really not in the mood for your antics today."

"That's too bad cause I've got a whole weekend of antics planned." He was smiling at her. She just stared at him.

"What does that mean?" Somehow he smiled even wider before griping her upper arm and pulling her down the stairs.

"Seriously Pullman? What are you up to?!" Jared took her outside to the car as the door was opened by Anderson. "I'm not going anywhere with you!" He didn't answer simply started pushing her into the door.

"Ya! What's wrong with you?!" Janie braced her arms against the doorframe to keep her out of the car. Jared moved closer to pull at her arms and when he did she threw back her elbow into his stomach. He grunted and let go for a moment and she started dodging to the side to get out of his reach. Janie didn't get far before she felt his hands grab her waist firmly turn her around. Before she could protest he had pressed her against the side of the car. She was stunned but he didn't hesitate in getting uncomfortably close to her face.

"Can't you just get in the damn car?" Her heart was pounding but she found her voice fast enough.

"Can't you ask me to go somewhere instead of just dragging me?" By the look on Jared's face the thought had clearly not occurred to him.

"I didn't think that would work."

"Well you could have tried." He didn't back off, he was staring at her. Taking in her ruffled hair and flushed cheeks. It occurred to him that Jackson probably wouldn't be so forceful.

"Sir, we'll be late." At Anderson's voice Jared looked away from Janie and stepped back. Janie ran her hands over her flushed face trying to will her heart to return to normal.

"Um, late for what?"

"If you get in the car you'll find out. Would you please get in the car?"

When Ian got the phone call from Jared he didn't hesitate to call Benny for reinforcements. Soon, Ian had picked up Benny and they parked outside of Angel Cakes. He could see Gail behind the counter talking with another woman who moved through a door into the back of the bakery. Once she was gone they got out of the car. Benny waited by the door outside while Ian went in.

He rushed towards the counter as Gail looked up in shock not only at Ian's appearance but at the worried look on his face. He circled the counter and gently took her hand. She looked down at it before facing Ian.

"What's wrong? Is it Janie?" Ian nodded as Gail covered her mouth with her other hand.

"Where is she?" Ian didn't answer he kept his grip on Gail's hand as they exited the bakery. He ignored the back door swinging open and someone calling for Gail angrily. Once Ian had Gail out of the store Benny entered.

He walked in with his usual casualness taking in the angry baker behind the counter. She had a long sleeved black shirt splattered with flour which matched her black apron equally flour coated. He knew that she, Eve Thomas, had inherited the bakery from a Constance Phillips who was currently in a nursing home. But Eve wasn't what he had expected.

The scowl on her face was enough to send a lesser man running, but Benny wasn't one to run. He approached the counter and took her in. She was short, shorter than Janie and with her caramel skin and tight black curls it was clear she was some part Latina.

"Where did you take my employee?" He could tell she wouldn't be sweet talked so he pulled his check book out of his back pocket.

"My friend invited her and Janie on a trip. I'm here to compensate you for time lost." He pulled a pen from his breast pocket but by the look on Eve's face she wasn't going to play along.

"You think I want money? I want you out of my damn shop." Eve pointed to the exit but Benny didn't move, just started filling out the check.

"Then why don't I let you fill in the amount. Don't go over 2,000 and you won't see me again." He had looked down as he signed his name and when he tore the check and glanced up to hand it to her he knew he was in trouble.

"I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I am not like Janie. I am not all bark and no bite. My bite is worse." As Eve spoke she took the check from Benny and slammed it on the counter. Then she circled the shaking glass structure as she came face to face with Benny. "So when I say I don't want your money and you better get out of my shop before I break your arm, I mean it. Now go."

Benny didn't nod, he didn't even blink. He turned on his heel and walked towards the door. It was only when his hand was on the knob that she spoke again.

"He better not hurt that girl." Benny glanced over his shoulder, not making eye contact but letting her see his smirk.

"We're more worried about him." He stepped outside as Eve cursed under her breath in the quiet of the bakery. Once she saw him climb in the car and drive away she turned and picked up the check. True to his word it was blank, signed in flowing cursive. Benicio Oscar Rodriguez Salvador. The "For" simply said reimbursement.

Eve pinched the check firmly in the middle and tore it in half, then put the two halves together and tore it again. She walked to the trashcan in the corner, but hesitated. It occurred to her that someone's bank account would be excellent blackmail. Holding the check pieces firmly she returned to the back of the bakery and slipped the pieces into the nearest drawer.

Despite her initial impression he didn't seem evil. He didn't seem any worse than any other man but that old voice still rang in her head. Don't trust, don't get close, and don't let your guard down. She slammed the drawer and turned up the radio before returning to work. She threw the ingredients for the cake together as the music echoed in the small space and she tried to distract herself from the thoughts and word that wouldn't quiet.

Janie wasn't happy, Jared had been prepared for this which is why he had asked Ian to retrieve Gail but it didn't seem to have made her any less angry. Still, he had gotten her on the jet without a fit but now that they were sitting across from each other all she was doing was glaring at him. Gail was sitting across the row and kept glancing towards them but she seemed at a loss.

Ian, Benny and Jackson were in the back compartment of the small luxury plane playing a videogame on the x-box. They were already an hour into the flight and Janie was still staring in silence. She shifted and crossed her legs but remained focused. Finally, Jared broke and pulled out his phone.

Janie didn't flinch, not even when she heard a phone buzz behind her followed by Ian appearing out of the corner of her eye to persuade Gail into joining them for a game. Once she left, Jared put away his phone.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Janie didn't speak for a second but when she did it was loud and angry and not in English.

"Ya, you think you can tell me when to speak. Tell me where to go and what to do? This bastard, thinks he owns the world. How can someone be so stupid?!" Jared flinched at her words before speaking himself.

"What's that mean?"

"None of your business. Where are you taking me?" Jared looked out of the window.

"California." Janie practically jumped out of her chair as she sat forward.

"Are you serious? California?" Jared was smiling, clearly pleased with her reaction which she tried to reel in.

"Yeah, I wanted to go to my house in the Bahamas but neither you or Gail have a passport."

"Why would we? But why are we going to California?" Jared swept his arms to the side.

"To relax. Seriously, you act like you don't know how." Janie crossed her arms defensively.

"Poor people don't have time to relax. We're trying too hard to survive." Jared opened his mouth to respond but a cheer rose from behind them and Janie turned away from him and towards noise. She recognized that it was Gail cheering so she climbed from her seat and walked to the back of the plane.

Sure enough, Gail was bouncing in her seat shaking her controller over her head in excitement. Benny was in the seat next to her but he was bent so far over he was practically touching the floor. Ian and Jackson were hovering behind them, and Ian had his hand casually covering a smile that Janie spied in the corner of his mouth.

When they heard Janie enter Gail turned smiling broadly. It was only when she moved that Janie saw that the game on the screen was the latest Street Fighter installment. Janie couldn't help but laugh.

"Didn't you warn them Gail?" She nodded and placed the controller on her lap.

"I did! They didn't believe me." At Gail's words Benny shot up in his seat making her jump. He turned rapidly from Janie back to Gail as he spoke.

"It doesn't make any sense! How can a sweet girl like you be so brutal?!" Gail and Janie both laughed at that.

"She has two older brothers who are huge videogame nerds. The first time we met she called me Chun-li."

"You had your hair styled just like her!" Janie smiled at the memory as Benny declared that they wouldn't get off the plane until she was defeated. Ian joined in, placing his bet on Gail which made her blush as she picked up her controller. As they prepared to resume the game Janie looked towards Jackson.

He was staring at her. Janie felt her heartbeat race and also felt a keen awareness of Jared in the other part of the plane. She backed away, the others were distracted as Jackson watched her backpedal and then turn and return to her seat across from Jared. Fortunately he was looking out the window, although he didn't seem engaged in the view. It was only when she sat that she saw the small e-reader on the arm of her chair.

"What's this?" He didn't turn towards her but he held up one finger.

"Rule 1 of relaxing. Do what you like. That's my sister's old Nook and it still has all her books on it. Enjoy." Janie didn't know how to respond so she picked up the e-reader and turned it on. Sure enough, it was loaded with novels. Classics, fiction, fantasy, romance. She knew she was smiling but it was a treat to have so many books at her disposal.

Once she figured out how to navigate the device and what book she wanted to read she dove in, oblivious to Jared watching her with his own smile on his face. But his was one of triumph. At least he had gotten something right. The rest of the plane ride was uneventful. The tournament in the back of the plane continued uninterrupted with Gail as the reigning champion. Janie read with a steadfastness and focus that impressed Jared as he pulled out a small I-pad to play games himself.

By the end of the 5 hour flight everyone was jetlagged. They quickly got off the plane and loaded into the waiting limo that drove them for another hour to the beach house owned by Benny's family. By the time they arrived everyone was exhausted and Benny showed them all to their rooms. Janie collapsed onto the king sized bed in her designated room and dove beneath the cover. She hadn't taken her shoes off but by the time she thought of it she was already drifting to sleep.

The sun woke her as Janie stirred beneath its bright glare and stretched her limbs before curling up again. She heard commotion coming from the hallway which forced her to acknowledge that laying in bed wasn't fair to Gail who had also been forced on this adventure.

When she finally stood up she remembered that she had slept in her clothes. She was getting ready to throw a fit and confront Jared when she realized she hadn't packed a bag. Janie was up and walking towards the door until she spotted the small purple suitcase sitting next to the entrance.

Dragging it away from the door she threw it on the bed and opened it. Inside was an array of clothes and shoes, presumably all her size, as well as a few swim suits and lingerie. The latter made her blush but despite her reservations she pulled out a pair of shorts and a blue scoop neck and changed. Once she was dressed she exited the room and followed the noise which led her to the spacious living room.

On a large flat screen dominating one of the walls another game of Street Fighter had commenced, this time with Gail against Ian. Across the room Benny was in the adjoining kitchen making a batch of pancakes. There was already a spread of pastries and fruit on the island but he seemed content with his task. In the back corner by the windows Jackson was sitting in a recliner reading the morning paper. He looked up when Janie entered.

"Where's Pullman?" Jackson looked like he wasn't going to answer but after laying down the paper he nodded back towards the hall.

"Jared's still sleeping." Janie didn't acknowledge his answer. Instead she moved towards the windows Jackson was sitting next to. The large windows took up the entire wall and Janie marveled at the view. Laid out beneath the house was a long stretch of beach and shining ocean.

"Oh wow." Janie tugged on the sliding door and was getting ready to seek out the path down when Benny spoke up.

"We can't go down yet." Janie paused reluctantly and turned towards Benny who was laying a fresh stack of pancakes on the island.

"Why? Is it closed?"

"No, the beach is part of our property so it's never closed. But Jared wanted us to go down together."

"Then let's wake him up." Benny smiled teasingly at her.

"Not a good idea. Jared is not a morning person. He probably won't be up until way after noon."

"Well I'm not waiting for him." Benny didn't respond. Janie realized that Ian and Gail had finished their game and they were watching her. She made sure to not look in Jackson's direction as she spoke. "Fine, I'll wake him myself."

Janie turned and walked down the hallway. She didn't know what room he was in so she opened each door and checked for a body on the bed. All the rooms were decorated differently but each one had a large bed and sprawling windows. When she reached the last room she knew it was Jared's by the drawn curtains that were keeping the room pitch black. Without hesitating she flicked on the overhead light and darted to the windows as she threw back the curtains. Jared made some kind of unintelligent cry as light flooded the room and he burrowed further under the covers.

Janie pounced on the corner of the bed and shook Jared's cocooned body.

"Pullman! Wake up!" He didn't answer just grunted and turned away from her. "Ya! I'm not asking, I'm telling. Get up!" Janie started pulling at the covers which revealed Jared's disheveled hair. It was only when she started tugging at the covers that his eyes shot open. His hands flew up so suddenly to clutch the covers that Janie was thrown off the bed.

"What are you doing?!" Janie climbed back to her feet, equally annoyed.

"Benny says you don't want us to go to the beach without you so you need to wake up." Janie stood angrily with her hands on her hips and Jared looked sheepish.

"You don't just pull someone's covers off!"

"Why?"

"Because I'm not, decent, as some would say." Jared didn't need to finish speaking. Janie had already thrown her hands over her eyes and was moving towards the exit.

"Oh my God! Put some pants on!" She practically ran down the hallway and when she re-entered the living room everyone was gathered around the glass table. When Benny and Ian saw her they both burst out laughing at the expression on her face.

"Oh God, don't tell me you knew?" Benny was laughing too hard to respond but Ian found a moment between guffaws to answer her.

"Jared always sleeps in only his boxers, even in winter. I would have loved to see his face." Gail looked aghast as Ian and Benny burst into new fits of laughter. Only Jackson seemed unamused which Janie tried to ignore as she grabbed a plate of food from the island. Once she was seated and the boys had calmed down they ate in silence. After a few moments they heard shuffling from the hallway and Jackson wandered in wearing gym shorts and a white t-shirt.

"Woah, up before noon. I'm impressed." Jared glared at Ian as he sluggishly moved to grab a plate for himself. Janie stared down at her food until Benny, who was sitting next to her, touched her arm.

"You must be a miracle worker. He won't wake up on days off for anyone else." Benny was smiling and Jared didn't saying anything as he took the free seat between Ian and Jackson across from her. Once they finished eating Jared declared that they should get dressed for the beach and Gail grabbed Janie's arm excitedly as they ran to her room. Gail told Janie that she had gotten a suitcase packed for her as well and said they should meet in her room to try on their suits.

Janie obediently returned to her room with Gail's instructions that she was in the next room down. She closed her case and picked it up by the side handle moving quickly to the door. Once she stepped through the doorway she felt a hand touch her shoulder and she came face to face with Jackson.

"Oh," He was staring down at her and she prayed that no one else was nearby. "What is it?" He didn't say anything for a moment but after a long gaze he released her arm slowly.

"Never mind." Without another word he turned and walked down the hallway to his room. Janie stood flustered for another moment before walking to Gail's room and shutting the door behind her. Gail was holding up two suits and was ready to ask for Janie's opinion before she saw her face.

"Janie? What's wrong?" Janie shook her head and put down her own bag.

"I don't know. I think Jackson wanted to tell me something but then he just walked away." Gail bit her lip and step towards Janie who had walked across the room and sat down on the bed.

"Janie, I know you don't think so but I think you need to think of the possibility that Jackson likes you."

"What?" Janie looked at Gail sharply. "No, that's crazy."

"But what about what you said in the car. About what he said on the roof? I don't think it's as crazy as you think."

"No, he was just joking or something." Gail sat down and took Janie's hands firmly looking at her seriously.

"I think it's time you realized that it's possible for boys to be seriously interested in you. Just be careful, okay? I know you don't want to hurt Jared." Janie took her hands back and stood up.

"Okay now I know you're crazy. Why would I care about Jared being hurt. That's not my problem." Janie quickly busied herself with her suitcase and asking Gail which suit she should wear but Gail wasn't fooled. Maybe Janie didn't know it yet, but Gail knew that very soon she was going to have to choose one of them and Gail wasn't sure which one it would be.

Once they were all dressed they headed down a winding path to the beach below. Jared hung back whispering to Ian for a few moments before running ahead. They reached the warm sand and quickly set up umbrellas and laid out towels. Gail and Janie sat next to each other under the umbrella as they each started applying sunscreen. Janie finished first and walked towards the water.

Gail was still applying carefully, she burned too easily so she always made sure to put on a lot and give it plenty of time to dry.

"Need any help?" She looked up at Ian's lopsided grin as he sat next to her.

"No thanks, I'm almost done." She wasn't but she applied as quickly as she could without looking conspicuous. It didn't matter though, Ian didn't leave and once she finished he spoke up again.

"How about a walk?" Gail felt herself blushing as she looked away and held her hands in front of her.

"No thanks, I just want to relax." Ian gripped her hands and pulled her to her feet. He smiled down at her before beginning to walk away from the towels.

"Then it'll be a relaxing walk." Gail didn't protest, she looked towards the water and Janie was staring out over the ocean unaware of her departure or Jared walking towards her. Once she saw that, Gail stopped resisting.

They walked down the long stretch of beach and Ian glanced back at the others every few minutes.

"How far?" Ian turned looked at Gail who was still strolling leisurely along the water's edge.

"Hm?"

"How far away did Jared want me?" Ian smiled, she had figured it out fast.

"Just far enough to not be distracting." Gail spun around to face Ian and walked backwards slowly.

"Is he serious then? Jared?"

"More serious than Janie." Instead of looking angry like Ian would have thought Gail looked concerned.

"No, it's not like that. Janie's just not use to the attention."

"Is that right?" Gail nodded and then spun around so she was walking the right way. Ian moved to stand next to her.

"Janie didn't get a lot of attention from boys at school so she's never really seen herself as someone that a boy would seriously be interested in. I think it's confusing her." Ian thought about her words for a moment. That would make sense, she was definitely innocent enough.

"And how about you miss sweet disposition with a wicked combo breaker? Are you any better?" Gail paused mid-step and faced Ian.

"Yes." Ian paused with her and chuckled.

"Oh yeah?" She nodded confidently.

"I see more then she does. More than most I suppose." She looked down as she spoke the last sentence but Ian was intrigued.

"Is that right? What do you see?" Gail looked up and let their eyes connect. She saw it distinctly, what type of person Ian was.

"I see you clear enough. You act aloof but that's only because you're afraid of getting hurt." Ian's eyes widened for a second before he smirked harshly.

"That's pretty close."

"You're afraid of getting hurt by someone you love, right?"

"Isn't everyone?" Gail smiled warmly.

"Not me." Ian turned away from her and started moving again, she followed along.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I think loving someone is worth the risk. When I fall in love, really fall for someone, I think no matter what it'll be worth it." Ian reached out a hand and grabbed Gail's shoulder. He wasn't looking towards her but she could see his face and it wasn't kind.

"When someone breaks your heart for the first time, I'd like to hear if you still feel the same way after." She nodded slightly and he released her as he walked ahead of her. She didn't try to catch up this time. He clearly didn't want her too so she followed quietly after him and waited for him to let her know when they could return to the others.

It was only then that she thought to check on Janie. She looked towards the beach behind them but she was nowhere in sight. For a second she was afraid that something had happened to her but then she caught sight of her dark hair out in the water floating next to Jared's tall figure.

"Well how about that."

Despite everything that had happened, bad and good, Janie was glad she had made it this far. She had never seen the ocean before, the New York Harbor hardly counted. Once in Middle School the teacher of the students in advanced classes had arranged a spring break trip to North Carolina. Janie had done extra work around Amir's shop for months to raise the money and then a week before the trip Darren broke his arm. All the money had gone to the ER bill and Janie never really wanted to try for another trip. It felt like a wasted gamble.

But now, finally, she got a glimpse of the blue water and tan beaches that she'd only seen in movies and books. The world seemed a completely different place. Even the air smelled strange. She was soaking it in when she heard tentative steps behind her. She knew it must be Jared but she was so happy that she didn't even mind.

"So you're a fan of beaches?" He wasn't fully in her view but he could see the content look on Janie's face.

"It's hard to say since this is my first time at one." Jared waited for her to say more, maybe make a quip about her poverty status again but she didn't. Janie just stared at the water.

"You going in?" She shook her head. "Why not? Need a buddy?" Janie smiled and turned to face him.

"Hardly, I'm not the best swimmer."

"Seriously? You did pretty well the other day?" Janie felt a blush spread across her cheeks as she turned back towards the water.

"I just don't think it's safe for someone with mediocre swimming abilities to frolick in the ocean with sharks and octopi." Janie felt Jared take her hand in his. He smiled down at her and started stepping towards the water.

"And that is why you take a buddy. Come on." A part of Janie wanted to resist for the simple fact that Jared was dragging her again but another part really wanted to go in the water so she followed him.

The water was surprisingly chilly but not altogether unpleasant. They waded in deeper and deeper and the farther they went the tighter Janie held Jared's hand. Once the water hit her waist she grabbed his arm and stopped.

"I think this is deep enough." He was smiling but didn't stop.

"No way, we can go farther." She followed reluctantly until they were farther out and the water line was around her chest and the waves were picking her feet off the ocean bed.

"Okay this is far enough." At this point her grip on Jared was keeping her buoyant but he was still firmly planted on the ground.

"Are you scared?"

"Maybe! Anything could happen out here!" Jared turned towards her and gently took her arms so she was safely bobbing in front of him.

"Nothing will happen to you. You're safe with me." Janie cursed the pounding in her heart and the fact that she couldn't go anywhere quickly.

"Okay but you-" Her words were cut off by a particularly large wave that washed towards them. It completely overpowered Janie until Jared pulled her against him and jumped in the water to pass over rolling wave. When they landed, they were deeper in the water and Jared's arms around her were the only thing keeping her head above water.

They were close. She felt a pounding heartbeat and it took her a second to realize it wasn't hers. In the confusion of the wave and being pulled into Jared her hand had come to rest on his chest directly over his heart. Janie picked up her hand to pull it back when Jared's hand closed over it and held it in place.

"Wait." He was gazing down at her, eyes focused and bright. She could feel his heart pounding under their hands and felt her own matching it. "Can you feel it? My heart?"

Author's note: I know this chapter was my longest but i honestly wanted to have more happen in this chapter but I feel I've kept you guys waiting long enough for a new one. I'll try to update soon! Hope you enjoyed it!

Please review! Your kind words make my days better. :)