A/N: Sorry it's been so long. Been busy and lazy. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything…. Like literally nothing… I think I need help…

Chapter 10

Bobby could tell that Bambi was trying her hardest not to smile.

On the car ride back to the theater, her face would break into a smile. It'd stay like that for a little bit until she'd catch herself, clearing her face and shaking her head. But sure enough, not more than 5 minutes later she'd be grinning again and the process would repeat.

It was kind of adorable really. Or at least that's what he would have thought if it hadn't been driving him crazy. Every smile of hers made him wildly curious as to the cause. He would have liked to flatter himself by believing that he was the cause. Maybe she was glad that he was jealous. Maybe she saw their connection too.

This time it was his turn to shake his head. Connection? Where the hell was that idea coming from? Why was he convinced that they shared some magical connection and that they had awesome chemistry all of a sudden?

He needed to clear his head because he was swimming in confusion.

He loved Georgia.

But if that was true, then why did he have feelings for Bambi?

Love was supposed to be this all-consuming feeling that left no room for feelings for other girls. So if he was in love, then why wasn't it? Was he really in love with Georgia?

He ran his hand down his face, letting out a frustrated sigh that he hoped the rest of the car chalked up to the horrific traffic.

Like he thought, Nikki encouraged, "We'll be back soon, Bobby. The traffic will surely let up soon."

"How nice of you to say, Nikki," Bambi began, giving Bobby a look that prepared him for the sassy remark that was sure to ensue.

Not one for disappointing him, Bambi continued, "With that said, maybe you'd like to share the real reason for your frustration."

Rolling his eyes, Bobby quipped, "Only if you're willing to share the reason for your lovely and recurring smile."

Bambi's face heated up and she lied poorly, "Maybe I'm just happy to be in such lovely company."

Nikki and Cioffi both smiled, shooting each other knowing glances about the couple in the backseat.

Bobby's eyes widened at her blush and he smirked mischievously, before pushing, "Oh really? Why so embarrassed, Bambs?"

She cringed and exclaimed, "I'm not embarrassed!"

"Then why the blush?" he teased.

Her eyes were as round as saucers as she stammered, "I'm n-not blushing. I-it's j-just hot in h-here or something."

He pursed his lips, faking a look of deep thought before addressing Cioffi, "Hey Frank. Did you turn up the heat or something? I mean I don't feel any warmer, but if Bambi is hot then you must have cranked up the heat."

Frank smiled knowingly and played along, "Nope. I sure didn't turn up the heat. Although, sometimes when people get embarrassed it feels warmer than it is."

Nikki giggled, smacking her fiancée on the arm and shaking her head lightly at his antics.

Bambi scoffed, crossing her arms and angling her body so that she was facing the window, and murmured, "Whatever."

"Aww, Bambs. There's no need to be like that. If you're embarrassed you can admit it," Bobby teased, enjoying the game they were playing.

She shot him a withering glare, but otherwise refused to acknowledge that he'd said anything.

"Oh, so you're not talking to me now?" Bobby teased, attempting to hide how bothered he was by the prospect.

Before she could answer, Cioffi yelled, "Finally!"

Bobby tore his eyes away from Bambi to find that they were in front of the theater, finally.

Nikki leaned across her seat to give Frank a sweet kiss, before bouncing out of the car and into the theater in a very Nikki-like manner. She was followed by a still slightly sullen Bambi. Bobby hesitated a moment, before offering Cioffi a small salute and following the ladies.

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Belling was none too happy at their leave of absence.

Although the break was well deserved and not exactly long, Belling was stressed out enough as it is and the departure of two of his leads and a chorus member was the last thing he needed. Also, he hated Bambi.

Even Carmen was irritated at their lunch break. Although again, no surprise. Carmen was unusually hard on her daughter.

"It's ok, Elaine. You don't need the practice or anything," Carmen remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm that was accompanied with a patronizing look.

"The name is Bambi," she murmured under her breath, her feet focused on the floor.

The three, Nikki, Bobby, and Bambi, stood at the base of stage, waiting to be chided like children with matching guilty looks.

"What's that, Elaine?" Carmen exclaimed, louder than necessary.

"Nothing, mother," she replied, clearly exasperated.

"You were gone for two hours. Two hours. We go on in a week. Did you really think a two-hour long chitchat was necessary?" Belling chided, his irritation as clear as day.

Bambi opened her mouth to respond, but Belling raised his hand silencing her while using the other to squeeze the bridge of his nose as if he were fighting a losing battle with a migraine.

"Not. You. Bambi," he silenced, emphasizing each word and pausing for emphasis between them.

Bambi didn't fail to notice that he said her name almost as if it were a bad word. She rolled her eyes at his dramatics.

This time Bobby opened his mouth and defended, "It's not her fault. We went out for an hour lunch break with Frank. We were stuck in traffic for over an hour, though."

Belling resumed his pacing behind the table at which Carmen sat, reading the script as if it were a magazine, lazily flipping each page.

He froze before waving a hand at them dismissively, allowing them to leave, but not before one final admonition of, "I expect this from Bambi, but not you or Nikki."

Bobby stopped in his tracks abruptly, causing a fleeing Bambi to ram into his chest. He reached out his hand and grabbed her wrist, steadying her against his chest almost absentmindedly.

With a voice that was deadly serious and quiet, he stated, "Would you lay off of Bambi? She works harder than anyone here and you refuse to admit it. Stop being so hard on one of the most talented members of this entire cast just because you like to yell."

Belling's eyes widened at the sudden defense of his cast mate. Even Carmen looked up from the script to eye him warily, with a hint of respect.

Bobby looked down at Bambi, still held against his chest. He held her eyes, which were wide with shocked, for a few moments before releasing his hold on her wrist and stepping past a frozen-in-place Nikki on his way to the stage.

Everyone remained in their places speechless for a few seconds, taking in the angry rebuke of their usually calm and un-confrontational friend.

Bambi's cheeks reddened for the second time. Her mysterious smile returned and remained in place, despite her efforts to hide it.

A/n: Hope this is good. Review.