A/N: Youtube addresses have been placed at the bottom of the chapters with the songs. : )

Pam stood at Roy's locker, books in hand, waiting for him to come and walk to class with her. Soon, he arrived.

"Hey, Pam." He said, pulling his books out of his locker.

"Hey, Roy." She answered shyly, leaning back against the metal. He looked over at her and smiled. She smiled back before asking, "How was History?"

Roy groaned and stuck his head back into his locker. "Oh, you know, Mr. James was hassling the rest of the guys for not finishing the assignment and, when they told him they were stuck in basketball practice until ten, he-"

At that moment, Packer walked by. He made eye contact with Pam and smiled cruelly. Her eyes widened and she stood up straight, stiffening.

"-But, they figured out a way to get out of it, anyway, so it didn't really-" Roy pulled his head out of his locker and looked up at Pam. "Hey, are you alright?"

"Huh? . . . Oh, yeah, I'm fine." She answered, not taking her eyes off Packer. Roy followed her line of vision, catching a glimpse of Packer before he disappeared down the hallway. That-That . . . scum! That lowlife! His heart rate quickened and he clenched his jaw, thinking of all the horrible things he would do if he got his hands on him. He tried to calm his anger, though, for Pam. It scared her sometimes.

"That guy bothering you again?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Pam nodded and he could see the fear in her eyes. "You know, all you have to do is ask and I'd get rid of him for you."

Pam smiled slightly. "Oh, I wouldn't ask you to do anything like that."

Roy closed his locker before looking deeply into her eyes. "You know I'd do it if you asked me to, though, right?" She looked up at him, confused. He smiled. "I'd do anything for you, Pam."

She grinned. "Oh, Roy." She laughed, playfully swatting his arm before turning towards her next class. His eyes widened as he tried to keep up the pace with her.

"I'm serious!" She nodded, obviously humoring him. He sighed before stopping her. "Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around." He gestured in the direction that Packer had gone. "Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays." He smiled brightly, standing up a bit straighter. "I'll send 'em howlin', I don't care." He winked. "I got ways."

She laughed before she continued moving again. "Roy, that's a lovely gesture, but I'm sure it won't be necessary."

He ran after her, still thinking she didn't believe him. He stopped her again, standing in front of her. "Not to worry! Not to worry! I may not be smart, but I ain't dumb." She tried to walk around him, but he moved back in front of her. "I can do it! Put me to it! Show me something I can overcome!" He took her hand, lovingly. "Not to worry, ma'am."

She kept her grasp on his hand as she pulled him down the hallway. Holding her hand extinguished his flame of rage a little, but he still had to make one thing clear. Turning to her, he said, "Being close and being clever ain't like being true. I don't need to, I won't never hide a thing from you - Like some . . ." He looked back in the direction of Packer as she patted his hand.

"I won't hide things from you, I promise." She swore, seeming to realize that he needed to hear this.

They had reached the front of the choir room, Pam's next class. She let go of his hand and was about to leave. She stopped, though, when she heard his voice coming from behind her.

"No one's gonna hurt you. No one's gonna dare. Others can desert you, not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!" Slowly, she turned to face him. His face was so honest and truthful that she couldn't help the warm feeling blossoming in her chest. "Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while, but in time," he took a step towards her. "Nothing's gonna harm you . . . not while I'm around."

Pam smiled, her eyes full of a mixture of attraction and pity. She stood on her tip-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Pulling back, she whispered, "You are so sweet." She stepped back. "But, you really don't have to worry about me."

She waved goodbye before walking into class. After a moment, Roy turned and started to walk away. Soon, he felt the usual tug in his chest and turned back. Walking up to the now-closed door of the classroom, he peered through the window. He scanned the room full of students for Pam and soon he saw her. His spirits brightened seeing her full, beautiful smile that she so rarely wore. Then, he saw who was putting that smile on her face, who was sitting next to her, talking to her. They were laughing and joking like old friends. Roy's heart rate quickened and he clenched his jaw again. Jim.

As Roy watched the scene unfolding before him, he swore to himself that he would find a way to get Jim out of the picture. . . . And she was beautiful, and she was virtuous, and he was . . . naïve.

Songs used: 'Not While I'm Around' (www . youtube . com / watch?v=yNL20003W9M) and 'The Barber and His Wife' (www. youtube. com / watch?v=EYxRIYGQE-o) from Sweeney Todd