A/N: Yipee! I can't believe I reached Chapter 10! Thank you for your continuous support! It means a lot to me!

Disclaimer: Yep, you guessed it right. I don't own the Step Up Franchise.

Chapter 10: Discoveries

"Okay. What's the question?", Camille asked as she sat between the crew as they finished rehearsing in the speaker room. It had been almost three weeks since she became part of the Pirates and a week since winning World Jam. Since then, she and Moose have spent most of their free time in the Vault.

It was a Saturday which was supposed to mean that they were free that day, but Moose was kept busy because of his double major which left Camille with the crew for a few hours until he could catch up in the afternoon.

"Wait a second..", Martin, one of the Santiago twins, said. "Somebody get a camera please!", he exclaimed. Marcos, his twin handed him one. "Here. Luke left this one for us."

"Nice.", Jason commented. "So, the question is...", he looked at Anala. "Anala, do the honors.", he said as he pushed the record button.

"Why do you dance?", Anala finally asked.

"Oh. Well..", Camille trailed off. "Wait, is the camera really necessary?", she laughed.

"Luke used to do this all the time.", the Ticks answered.

She chuckled. "Okay. Uhmm.. I guess I dance because.. Because dance has been my escape..", she trailed off. "I mean, when everything just goes off and becomes complicated, I find comfort in dance.."

Without anyone really noticing his presence, Moose had arrived and stood at the door, his arms crossed at his chest and his head leant at the side of the doorway, with a smile on his face as he listened to his girlfriend talk about dance.

"It all started when I was young.", Camille continued. "My parents, they were also dancers. As far as I know, they met back when they were in college in Ohio and they loved each other but then..", she trailed off. "But then, they accidentally had me, and I guess..", she mumbled as she looked down. "I guess that changed everything between them.", she said. The crew was silent, even Moose, who was caught off guard by what she said. She never really talked about her parents, and he never really asked knowing it was quite a sensitive subject.

Camille sighed. "Let's just say that things ended up roughly between them. My mom died when I was five and my dad was sent to jail for...some reasons. Then I was moved here to Baltimore and I grew up in foster care with Tyler and my younger foster brother, Malcolm.", she said. Now, those he knew of.

Jason closed the camera. "We're sorry to hear that.", he said. Camille gave them a small smile and shook her head.

"It's okay. I mean, it doesn't really bother me now. It's been years, and sometimes, it feels like the whole thing happened to a completely different person. And besides, after all those was when I found dance in my life."

"Wait, so you mean you and Tyler are not blood-related?", Stix asked.

"No!", she chuckled. "Most of you would think that he got me into dancing but that's not the whole story. He's just the one who made me start dancing when I was fourteen but he isn't exactly the one who inspired me. I only danced because I found out he could dance."

Moose's presence was still left unnoticed and at that point he realized how much he didn't know about her.

"Then who inspired you?", Jacob asked.

"It was actually a boy.", Camille mumbled.

"Oooh", the crew teased. Moose was surprised. A boy?

"Cut it out, guys. I was just in third grade!", she exclaimed defensively. "This boy was actually a schoolmate of mine and he always danced, like all the time with everyone.", she said. "I was kinda a loner back then because..well, I was new at that school and I wasn't exactly emotionally and socially stable after what happened, but then when I saw him dancing... I don't know, but I felt happy like there's some sort of energy radiating from him and I just began to admire him because he was just so happy and care free."

"So did you ever get his name?", Anala asked.

"Well, yeah.. I actually met the guy again.", she trailed off. "Just don't tell Moose about this, okay? I'll tell him soon, I promise.."

"We won't tell him, we promise!", The Ticks exclaimed. Moose, on the other hand was in shock. So Camille was keeping secrets on him about another boy? It was a third grade crush, but..

"I met him again.", she said. "When I was in freshman year at MSA."

Moose lifted his head from its position in realization and shock.

"And.. We became the best of friends.. Up to now.", she continued.

"Wait, does that mean that..", Jason trailed off looking at her and Camille just gave them a smile.

"Can somebody slap me into reality because you two are like destined or something!", One of the Ticks exclaimed making everyone laugh. Camille blushed.

"Yeah, we're kinda meant to be.", Moose commented, finally finding his voice, smiling. The whole crew looked at him. "Hi.", he said.

"Moose..", Camille mumbled. "How long have you been.."

"Long enough to discover a lot of stuff I didn't know.", he remarked. "Yo guys. Can I borrow Camille for a while?"

The crew snickered and erupted in laughter and cat calls and with that, Camille shook her head with a small smile and stood up from her seat and followed Moose as he went out.

"Moose..", she said as they found their privacy.

"I inspired you to dance?", he started. "Really Cam? You never told me about that.", he said with a slight grin on his face. "Not even when I forced you to when we were just on our way here to New York. You know you should give the guy credit at some point.", he teased.

"And what? You want me to boost your huge ego?", she scoffed playfully.

"No..", he chuckled, holding her hand. He suddenly became silent after a while and Camille knew he was serious. "But seriously, you know, after what I've heard, not just about us but also about you and your past, I felt like I've missed out on so many things about you, and I've been your bestfriend.", he remarked. "I mean, what kind of friend would that make me?"

She smiled. "Sometimes, you gotta understand that you've got to ask me questions to get your answers, and to be honest, too, I didn't really feel obligated to tell you until.."

"Until I became your awesome boyfriend.", he finished for her.

"Yeah, right. Whatever you say.", she grinned, rolling her eyes.

"But I'm serious, Cam. I feel like I know little about you."

"What are you talking about?", she giggled, rolling her eyes. "You know a lot about me, Moose. More than anyone else in the world, really. Just not everything, but a lot."

"Well, I'd like to know everything. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. From head to toe.", he remarked.

Camille stared at him with a slight blush on her face. "There's a time and place for that, Moose."

Moose felt his face warm up. "I didn't mean it that way.", he laughed shyly. "Not the physical and...uh...sexual kind of thing, I mean.", he said in disdain for his words.

It was her turn to laugh now seeing how cute he was when embarrassed. "I know. I didn't mean it that way either.", she remarked, and suddenly she became quiet. She sighed. "And...I have to tell you that you can't possibly know everything about me, Moose..", she said softly, looking at him and receiving a gaze that somehow told her he was asking why. "Because..", she continued. "I don't know everything about myself either."

At that point, Moose noticed Camille's vulnerable side unravel before him. It was a rare occurrence, something he had only seen twice when they were in highschool. First, when she once mentioned her parents (which gave him the reason not to ask about them anymore), and second, when she cried to him after he was beaten up at junior prom night.

And it was also the same side of her a few weeks ago. On the Halloween Party.

And today, the fourth and fifth, he thought. Twice in one day, and he didn't know if it was good or bad.

"There are still a lot of things for me to discover about myself.", she continued, sounding utterly wise. Something very Camille, he thought. "And if I do find out and discover these things, I'll be happy to share them with you. That, I promise.", she muttered.

"Camille..", he mumbled as he pulled her into his arms planting a chaste kiss on her head. He suddenly had the urge to kiss her- something that happened frequently for the past few days since their first one. Yet, he didn't do so since he told her he wanted to take things slow after realizing they've shared plenty of kisses already- a little too much for bestfriends starting a relationship. He didn't wanna rush her into anything.

"I know for a fact that you are the smartest person I know.", he mumbled, keeping her head against his chest. He smiled as he heard her soft giggle. "No bias, Camille.", he remarked. "And seriously, I know you'd figure all this out, and if you ever need someone, you know, to discover things with you, I'll be here. And I want you to tell me not because you feel you're obligated to, but because you want to."

Camille looked up at him, not breaking the embrace. "You're awesome. You know that?"

"I've been told, and I do say so myself.", he grinned. Then, he couldn't resist the urge anymore and he finally leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.

Yeah, he did say he was taking it slow. Fewer kisses if possible, but it was the first kiss they shared that day, and from how she responded, he could tell they both needed it. Camille broke off the kiss, worried someone might walk into them, and Moose stared into her lively hazel eyes.

"Cam, I have to tell you something.", he suddenly said.

"What?"

"I've been thinking and..", he trailed off. "Well, I know things went kinda fast for us and we went past the dating and 'getting-to-know' stage easily because we've been friends for years and now we're together, but I was thinking that maybe.. Maybe we should, I don't know, hang out somewhere, you know, just the two of us.. I mean, we never really got the chance to-"

"So..", she cut off his rambling as she broke free of his arms. "What you're trying to say now is that..", she trailed off and he looked at her, urging her to continue it for him. "..you're asking me...", she trailed off again and he just nodded so she continued. "..on a date? Our first date?", she muttered. "Am I getting this right?"

"Is it working?", he asked with a sheepish smile.

She giggled. "Yeah, I guess. But it wouldn't hurt to say things straight, sometimes."

"Sorry.", he muttered. "You know me, Cam. I don't work my way very smooth when it comes to beautiful girls. Unless I'm dancing, of course.", he said cockily.

"Yeah, because when you dance, girls go gaga over you.", she muttered with a hint of sarcasm as she crossed her arms.

"We both know it's true.", he remarked.

"Not for me though."

"Oh really?", he teased. "Whoever watched me dance since third grade? I've known you since fifth grade, but I never thought you'd been spying me and my awesomeness since third grade!"

She rolled her eyes, playfully punching his arm. "See? That's why I don't like telling you those kind of stuff."

"I just like healing my ego because you keep on bruising it.", he muttered. "Besides, at least your boyfriend knows how to give compliments."

"It still feels odd to call you my boyfriend.", she mumbled. "Or you calling me your girlfriend."

"Well, we better accept this awesome reality."

"Yeah."

"And.. If you don't like calling me your boyfriend, then we could think of petnames", he said with a wide smile on his face. "I think I should call you Munchkin.. Or Fluffy Muffin..

Camille gasped. "Oh no, you will not call me Munchkin, and definitely not Fluffy Muffin either.", she warned.

"Then, I should call you.. Hmmm.. Shorty! Yeah, that fits!", he exclaimed, clearly making fun out of her.

"Oh no. You did not just insult my height, Moose", she grinned. Moose noticed the look on her face- the 'I-will-tickle-you-to-death' look- and he quickly made a run for the speaker room.

"Come back here, you dork!", she yelled. Moose suddenly broke into a sprint into the room, startling the crew who were currently rehearsing.

"Hide me.", Moose muttered breathlessly.

"What?", One of the Ticks asked.

"Hide me.", he repeated. "Please. Camille's going to kill me."

Seconds later, Camille found her way in the room.

"Where's Moose?", she asked. The whole crew was silent with smiles on their faces.

"You're hiding him, aren't you?", she muttered. "Where is he?"

Jason pointed to the bunch of chairs in the farthest corner of the room. She smiled as she walked to the place. Of course, they'd give his location away.

Or not.

All of a sudden, a pair of arms from behind her locked around her waist making her squeal.

"Got ya!", she heard Moose exclaim. Apparently, he was hiding somewhere else. He, then, carried her over his shoulder.

"Oh my gosh! Moose! Put me down!"

The crew laughed at the scene. Moose and Camille were a breath of fresh air to them. Though it was all cheesy, they liked seeing the couple. They were just too cute.

"That's not gonna happen Chameleon.", he remarked. "My life's at stake here, so no.. I'm not putting you down, even if you're heavy.", he chuckled. "Guys, I'm just gonna take this deadly weapon downstairs and lock her, okay?", he said to the crew who just laughed at them.

"Moose!", she squealed as she carried her across the room to the door. "I'm getting dizzy here! Put me down!"

"You'll kill me.", he said as they went out.

"I won't! I promise!", she giggled.

"Camille, you do know I could die if you tickle me.", he warned.

"I won't tickle you, I promise!", she chuckled. "Just put me down because my blood's rushing to my head! I'm having a headache here. Please!"

"Okay then.", he said and she finally settled her down.

Camille gasped. "Oh my gosh. My head.", she mumbled breathlessly. "You know you'll get me killed. Literally.", she remarked, laughing.

"I'm sorry. I had to take desparate measures to live.", he said, laughing too. Still in hysterical laughter, they both sat down on the floor, their backs against the wall. Suddenly, the laughter stopped and they looked at each other and started laughing again.

See, this was one of the moments when Camille thought she's losing her sanity.

"I can't believe we did that. In front of everyone.", she muttered finally calming herself.

"Yeah. We're just crazy.", he chuckled. "So, uh.. The date?"

"Yeah, right. When's that?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yeah.", she answered with a smile.

"Great.", he answered back with a smile, feeling a sudden surge of happiness and warmth somewhere deep inside him. "I'll pick you up at eleven, then I'll take you out for lunch, and..", he trailed off. "I've got a bunch of activities to follow but I wouldn't want to spoil the surprises."

She giggled. "Okay. Tomorrow morning. Eleven. What should I wear?", she asked. "I mean, I wouldn't want to show up in a dress if we'll go paintballing or something."

"Just anything you're comfortable wearing, really.", he said. "I'm sure you'll look beautiful whatever you wear."

She blushed. "Thanks."

After that conversation, the two joined the crew for some dancing. Hours later, they both went back to their dorm. It was a silent trip back, but really, her mind was just too occupied with thoughts about what was about to happen the next day.

"Hey Cam.", he mumbled. "You okay?"

"Yeah.", she answered. "Just a little tired from dancing."

"You became silent all of a sudden.", he remarked.

"I was just thinking."

"About what?", he asked.

"About us.", she mumbled. "Tomorrow.. And the rest of the days we'll spend together."

He smiled. "We'll have fun."

"I know.", she smiled. "I'm just kind of.. Uhmm.."

"Excited?", he teased.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but yeah.", she admitted.

He chuckled. "I'm also excited."

They finally stopped walking as she reached her dorm. He turned to face her.

"I'll see you tomorrow?", he said.

She nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow.", she assured and held out her fist for him to blow up. He smiled.

"Poosh!", he made sounds and she giggled. It was one of the greatest parts of her relationship with Moose. Their friendship. It will always be there no matter what.

"Okay then. Eleven, Chameleon. It's a Sunday but don't wake up late, 'kay?.", he said as he let her come in.

"Okay."

She closed the door and leaned against it closing her eyes and smiling to herself, too consumed in her thoughts to even notice Kristin sitting on the extra bed in her dorm.

"Looks like everything's going well with you and Moose.", she remarked, making Camille have a mini heart attack.

"Kristin! You scared me!", she exclaimed. "How did you get in here?"

"Well, guess who's your new room mate?", Kristin muttered. Camille's eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh! You're moving here?!"

"Actually, I already did!", Kristin exclaimed. Both girls giggled.

"So, what's up with the new couple?", Kristin teased, making Camille roll her eyes. "Come on! What's the latest? Lay it on me."

She shook her head with a smile. "Well..", she trailed off.

"Well?"

"Well, he kinda asked me on a date for tomorrow.."

" .Gosh.", Kristin muttered. "So, what did you say?"

"Of course I said yes. I mean, I'm free tomorrow and it's going to be our first date. I can't turn him down."

Kristin smiled. "So, have you figured out what to wear?"

"Hmmm... I might need your help on that.", she said.

"Oh, I've got you girl. Trust me on this!", Kristin squealed.

A/N: Ooooh! They're going on a date? How do you think would it go? What will Camille wear? And why am I asking you this questions? XD

This chapter was supposed to be the date itself, but then I got too carried away writing the cutesy and cheesy scenes xD (Sorry, I really tend to do that a lot so bear with me)

Review this cheesefic please xD
-Sof :3