THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Once again, you've amazed me with your reviews so once again I'm updating. This will deal entirely with the Jenna/Jordan/Gage situation.

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They were way too wrapped up in one another to notice that Gage had walked back into the house to get his wallet. In fact, they never even knew he was in the room until Jenna felt Jordan being pulled off of her and Jordan felt the blood begin to trickle down his lip where Gage's fist had connected with his mouth.

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Jenna jumped up off the couch and by this time both of Gage's fists were holding substantial amounts of Jordan's t-shirt.

She grabbed hold of one of his arm and tried to pull it away. "Gage, please, if you'd just…"

Taking his eyes off Jordan for a second he looked at Jenna. "Shut up and go upstairs Jenna."

"But Gage…"

"I said go upstairs now."

By now the tears that had been welling in her eyes began to slide down her cheeks. "Please, Bubba…"

Jordan reached out to touch her and Gage jerked him away. "Don't even think about it," he growled.

Then turning once more to Jenna he commanded, "I said go upstairs right now or I'm going to get Dad."

By now she was sobbing. "Please just listen to me Gage…"

She saw compassion flash through his eyes as he looked at her but it was once again quickly replaced with anger. "Jenna, I'm not telling you again. Go upstairs to your room. If you don't do it, then we're all going upstairs to Mom and Dad's room and we can talk about it with them."

She was crying so hard now that her words were hard to decipher, but Gage understood them completely, because they cut through him like a knife when she managed to get out, "I hate you Gage," before turning and running up the stairs.

Jordan had been silent through the whole ordeal and still said nothing, waiting to see what Gage would do next. It didn't take him long to realize it wasn't going to get better when Gage roughly pushed him down onto the couch as he asked, "What the hell do you think you were doing?"

Jordan remained silent, knowing that anything he said would just make matters worse.

Gage began to pace as he waited for an answer and when one didn't come the anger began to build even larger.

"I asked you a question J. What the hell were you thinking, taking advantage of a little girl? You make me sick."

Finally Jordan knew that he had to defend himself, to make Gage see the reality of the situation. But he knew it wouldn't be easy and really he believed that there would be no talking any sense into him at all.

Choosing his words very carefully, he began, "Gage I wasn't thinking."

"Well there's a revelation."

"Shut up and let me talk. I think you've had your say."

Gage stopped to look at him and Jordan just stared back. Gage didn't intimidate him, though his bad knee would definitely put him at a disadvantage if it came to blows.

"I wasn't thinking because I can't think straight when I'm around her. I can't really explain it, that's just the affect she has on me. And no matter what you tell yourself, she's not a little girl. Maybe she was when we left for college, but not anymore. She'll be eighteen in two weeks."

Seeing that Gage was listening he went on, "And you're not going to get me to say it was a mistake or that I'm sorry for it. So if that's what you're waiting on, this conversation is over."

"How can you think like that? I was depending on you to look out for her while I wasn't here. You know how she is, she's impulsive and head strong."

"Listen, I'm not her brother, that's your department. But I can tell you that I want to look out for her and protect her, just not in the way you want me too. I can't explain the feeling that comes over me when I'm in the same room as her, because I've never felt anything else like it in my life."

Standing up he looked Gage straight in the eyes. "I know this must be hard on you and to tell you the truth it's hard on me too. You know how much your whole family means to me. And I know that I wouldn't be where I'm at today without your dad's help. But I can't help the way I feel."

Gage shook his head as he started to speak and Jordan could tell that maybe he was getting through to him a little. "You don't have any idea what it was like to walk in and see you on top of her. I know how you are, hell I know how we are. What about all our plans. We were just talking on the phone about how we were going to rule New York this summer when you get there. How can things change so quickly?"

"I can't explain it. It's like when we're together my mind doesn't work properly. Just standing or sitting by her kills me. There's just something about her that draws me to her like a magnet. I don't want to loose your friendship Gage, but I can't deny this. I've got to see where it goes."

"She hates me," Gage said as he looked away.

"She doesn't hate you. She idolizes and adores you. But I'm sure she hated the situation that just occurred and you were the easiest one to blame."

"It's just hard you know, being away from them. Mom always tells me that I'm just like Dad, trying to protect everyone and make sure they're happy. And for her to say that she hates me, when I'd do anything in the world for her, it kills me."

"If you'll do anything in the world for her, then go up and talk to her. Make her understand where you were coming from. I hate what this is doing to us, but it must be ten times worse for the two of you."

"You know you're going to have to tell Dad about this."

"I know, and I will I promise. But it's just all so new. I swear, tonight was the first time anything like that has happened. I can't even explain to myself how I feel, how am I going to make him understand."

"I won't say anything, yet. But if you don't do it soon, then I will. I'm not going to have her be your dirty little secret."

Jordan's eyes flashed and his voice immediately changed as he said, "Don't say that. I'd never think of her in that way."

"But if you don't tell Dad, that's how it'll seem."

"Okay, I'll try and figure it all out, but I really wish you'd go talk to Jenna. I know she's probably up there crying her eyes out and you're the only one that's going to make it better."

"Somehow I don't think that's right. I think she'd much rather see you walk through her door and I have to admit that it really hurts to say that."

"That's not true. Because she's never going to be completely happy until she knows that you're okay with this."

"What if I'm not okay with it?"

"Then I don't know what to tell you, because as much as I value our friendship, if I have to choose, I'm choosing her. When I said I've never felt anything like this before, I meant it."

Gage shook his head in understanding. "You know if you break her heart, I'm coming after you right?"

"I wouldn't expect anything less. And to tell you the truth, I think if anyone is going to break someone's heart, it will be her breaking mine. We both know how she is."

"And you're okay with that?"

Jordan shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah, I think I am. I've never been around someone who has this kind of affect on me and it's like a natural high. I don't know, I can't really explain it. All I know is that I don't want it to end. I've got to see where this goes."

"So I guess that means I've got to go grovel and try and get her to forgive me, huh?"

"I really don't think it'll take that much. I know how much she loves you. Just go talk to her."

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Jenna heard the knock on her door but didn't move from her bed.

Whoever was there was being very persistent and finally her curiosity got the best of her and she got up and unlocked the door. When she saw it was Gage at the door she started to shut it again, but he put his hand in the way.

"Just let me in Bitsy. I come baring gifts."

"You can't bribe me Gage."

"I'm not trying too. I just want to talk to you and I have your birthday present here. I was going to give it to you on Sunday before I left since I won't be here on your birthday. But I thought I might need to offer it up as a peace offering."

"Whatever," she said as she rolled her eyes and moved back towards her bed.

"I'm really sorry Jenna. I know I over reacted but you can't imagine what went through my mind when I saw him on top of you. It's just not something a big brother wants to see, especially when it's his best friend on top."

"Do you have any idea how long I've liked Jordan? I've had a crush on him since you two became friends in high school."

"I know Jenna, and that made you what, all of ten?"

"You're twisting my words Gage. What I'm trying to tell you is that I've been crazy about Jordan for years. He's my absolute dream guy and now you've ruined it by going all overprotective, out-of-control idiot on us."

"Who says I ruined it."

"He'll never look at me again after what you did."

"What if I told you that we came to an understanding? I'm going to be honest with you Jen; I'm not that crazy about the whole idea. I don't think it's smart and I hate the fact that Dad doesn't know. I told him that he was going to have to tell Dad soon, or I was going to do it for him."

"So, he still wants to be with me," she said with hope filling her eyes.

"Let's put it this way, he told me if he had to choose between the two of us, he was choosing you."

"You're kidding?"

"I wish I was."

"Oh my gosh," she said as she jumped off the bed and ran towards him and jumped in his arms. "Do you know what this means. He really likes me or he wouldn't have told you that."

"Yeah, I think I got that pretty loud and clear from him. But I need to tell you something else. I told him if he broke your heart I would kill him. And he told me that if anyone was going to be doing any heartbreaking it would probably be you breaking his. This isn't a game Bitsy. This is real life with real feelings and you've got to make sure that this is what you want before you just jump in feet first. I know you're an act first and think later kind of girl, but you can't do that now. If you want to be treated like a big girl, then you've got to act like a big girl."

"I know Bubba and I want to be with Jordan more than anything."

"Alright, then I'm going to stand back and see what happens. But I care about both of you too much to watch you destroy each other. I'm just begging you to think this through and make sure that it's what you want."

"I will," she said as she smiled up at him. "Now where's my present."

He grinned back at her and shook his head. "Your mind flies a million miles an hour. How in the world do you keep up with it?"

Shrugging her shoulder, she held out our hands, "Gimme, gimme!"

Gage took his hand from behind his back and placed the blue box with white ribbon in her hands. He smiled as he saw her eyes light up with realization.

"Tiffany's?" she asked.

"Open it and see."

Slowly she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid off. She gasped and brought a hand to her mouth when she saw what was inside.

For the second time in one night he watched tears slide down her cheeks, but he was very relieved to know that this time they were tears of joy.

"They're the most beautiful things I've ever seen," she said as she lifted them out of the box. Inside were diamond earrings and a matching diamond choker. "They must have cost a fortune."

"It was nothing, because I was hoping this was the reaction I'd get. I know you think you're all grown up now so you need grown up jewelry. When I saw it I knew that it was perfect for you."

She threw her arms around Gage. "I love you so much, and not just because you bought me such a wonderful gift. I'll never be too old for you to look out for me. I love being your little sister."

"Well good, because I love being your big brother."

Pulling away she put the earrings in and asked him to fasten the necklace. "How does it look?"

"Like it was made just for you, you look beautiful. But I have one more surprise for you."

"Really?"

He pulled out an envelope that he had stuck in his back pocket. "I had to go to a fundraiser fashion show the other day for PR purposes, and I met someone that you might be interested in."

"Who?"

"Barbara Ryan."

He wanted to cover his ears at the high pitched squeal that erupted from Jenna. "Barbara Ryan the fashion designer. Like my favorite in the entire world, Barbara Ryan?"

"That would be her. And I told her about you and how much you loved her stuff and that you wanted to be a fashion designer someday."

"What did she say?"

"Well," he said pausing for dramatic effect. "She said that she runs a summer internship for aspiring fashion designers. She said that usually she didn't take anyone that hadn't finished at least a year of college, but that if you'd fill out the application, she'd bring you to New York for the summer to work for her."

Jenna started jumping up and down and Gage was once again reminded of why it was so hard to see her as anything but a little girl. The joy that radiated from her was truly childlike.

"I'm going to New York this summer to work for Barbara Ryan?"

"You are if you fill that application out and send it back in. I've already talked to Mom and Dad about it to make sure it was okay with them. I didn't want to get your hopes up and then have them say you couldn't go. You'll be staying with me while your there."

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh," she kept repeating as she jumped up and down again.

"So I take it that I'm forgiven and I'm still the best big brother in the world."

She threw her arms around him again and held him tight. "You are absolutely hands down the best big brother in the world. And I love you very much."

Pulling away from her he took on a serious look, "Bitsy, I know you think you're grown up, but you've still got a lot to learn. This thing with Jordan could be dangerous. He works at the school and you're a student there. If the wrong people found out, it would be disastrous for him. You've got to be careful."

"I know and we will be, I promise."

"Okay, I just want you to know that no matter what I love the two of you and I just want what's best for you."

"Do you care if I go show Jordan my jewelry and tell him about the internship?"

Gage thought for a moment and she knew that this was really hard for him. "Go show him, but if I wake up in the morning and you're still in his room, that cut lip won't be anything compared to what I'll do to him."

"Don't worry, I promise I'll sleep in my own bed."

"Alright, go over there before I change my mind."

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Jenna knocked on Jordan's door and then opened it slightly. She saw that he was lying on his bed, fully clothed staring up at the ceiling.

"Hey," she said softly as she walked towards him.

"Hey yourself," he replied.

Sitting down beside him on the bed she ran her thumb across his lip where it was split. "You should really get some ice and put in on there," she offered up.

"Remember, I'm a hockey player, busted lips are an everyday occurrence. I'll be fine."

"Good," she said as she scooted closer to him. "Are we going to be fine?" she asked timidly, afraid to look him in the eyes.

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "I want to be. I'm absolutely crazy about you."

She looked up and smiled at him. "Good," she said as she ran the back of her hand across his cheek, just as she had done earlier that night, "because I want to be with you more than anything in the world."

So the next chapter will deal with Kendra talking to Cam about the musical and then Cameron will be spending the day at the Venturi's and he won't be too happy at all when John comes calling, because his feelings for Whitney will start to become painfully clear to him! Review and I'll update soon!