Disclaimer: I don't own the KND.
Story: Abby finds herself stuck in between 30c and Nigel.
Set after the entire series.
Spoilers: None really.
Warnings: As of now, none.
Pairings: Nigel/Abby/30c, Chad/Abby (sort of), and 3/4.

Maybe It's Not Too Late
Chapter Thirteen: Chad, the Knight in Shining Armor

Abigail Lincoln had no idea what was going on. As soon as the boys got back from their talk outside, they were both eager to do nice things for her. Nigel had helped her set the table and 30c had pulled out her chair for her. More things like that happened and everyone could feel how tense everything was. Dinner had been a rather edgy event.

Don't think she didn't notice the verbal spar or the tone both were using when they were asking each other to pass something. Or the fact that they both insisted sitting next to her.

She was going to mention it when Chad came to join them.

"Hey, everyone! Whoa, someone's died…"

"Hey, Chad." Abby said dully, being the only one to say anything because Hoagie and Wally were discussing something while pointing at Nigel, 30c, and herself and then Kuki was plain concentrating on the two boys sitting on either side of Abby.

"Hey, Abby. What's going on?" he asked hesitantly.

Abby was going to talk but Chad changed his mind and gestured for her to follow him. No one noticed Chad coming and going with Abby coming with him.

"I see, 30c and Nigel are busy glaring at each and the others are focusing on those two but I don't get why?"

"I don't either but ever since they had a talk outside, they've been impossible. Nice house, by the way."

"Hmm, talk outside? I think I may know what's up. Wasn't Nigel your old boyfriend? And thanks."

"Yeah…your welcome."

"Seemingly, 30c led me to believe he liked Kuki. Kept talking about sweeping her off her feet while we were at the airport. But…I think he's in a competition with Nigel…for your heart."

Abby said nothing but stared at the wall. Chad could only see a reaction from her arms gripping her legs tighter to herself. A light bulb appeared. He had an idea.

He crept closer and wrapped an arm around Abby's shoulders. Abby started and blushed, staring up at his face as she turned to face him fully. Awkwardly, she moved backwards. "What are you doing!"

By then, Chad had her stayed put and he had his face right next to hers, a grin fixed on his face. "I'm going to help you out with those two…by pretending to be your boyfriend."

Abby squeaked and Chad laughed. He backed away from her and smiled genuinely. "So, what do you think?"

"What do I think!" Abby took a moment to calm herself down. "Why would I need a pretend boyfriend?"

"Well, for starters, even if they would compete for your heart, they won't be able to do anything drastic. Anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. And especially if it's me."

Abby couldn't deny the logic in that. Hesitantly…

…she agreed.

"Abby, where have you been!"

Abby cringed as Nigel began to yell at her. Something about scaring them all and etc. but it really wasn't just that, Abby would guess. If what Chad had said was true…

"Hey, lay off her, Nigel."

And 30c to the rescue. Maybe it was such a good thing Chad was going to pretend to be her boyfriend. And here comes Chad now. "What's going on?"

"Abby here disappeared on us! She just left without a word!"

"Well, that would be my fault. I wanted to spend time with my girlfriend." Chad stressed out. "After all, there was so much going on at the dinner table and no one notice me saying hello or anything so I decided they wouldn't notice Abby being gone for just a…little while." He had such a big smirk on his face.

30c and Nigel's mouths dropped open. 30c narrowed his eyes at his so-called friend while Nigel glared at the offending person. Chad casually placed his arm around Abby's shoulders and pulled her closer, still smirking.

"I hope we weren't too much trouble, were we?"

Kuki spoke up. "Nope! Oh, Abby! You caught a good one there."

Abby couldn't stop blushing.

The three boys competing for Abby all looked at each other. Two of them with hostile looks while the last one had a smug look. This was war…

Chad couldn't help laughing in his head.

And Chad walked away with the girl they wanted in tow…

"You know, I'm starting to think being celibate is a good idea." Chad laughed at Abby and then turned serious. "Abigail Lincoln, don't you dare give up. Besides, which one do you want to be with truly?"

"I don't know. I just broke up with Nigel and he won't tell me why and 30c comes into the picture. I don't know what to feel any more. My feelings are all mixed up and confused. I don't even feel up to seeing them." Abby seemed to be holding back some tears and Chad wrapped an arm around her.

"Nigel didn't tell you why he broke up with you? That'll change…" Chad whispered the last part. He started leading her to the kitchen. He should try to make her feel better. But he couldn't help but feel a little angry that Nigel and 30c wouldn't even consider Abby's feelings about the whole thing. Although, part of the reason he wanted to pretend to be Abby's boyfriend was so that Nigel and 30c would get more motivation to get together with Abby. Now he just wanted to knock both of their heads together so some sense would finally enter their heads.

"Yeah, he won't even act like he's my friend and now that 30c is here, Nigel's done a complete 160 on me."

"Don't worry about it, Abby. I got it all handled. Say, would you to try my cooking? I've been working on a little something. It's an Italian soup, although I won't say what."

Abby grinned.

"I could deal with that."

"Abby?"

"Yeah, 30c?"

"Is it true?"

"What's true?"

"That you're dating…Chad?"

"…Yes."

"Why…and how?"

Easy questions. Abby had talked the last one out with Chad and the first she could just draw out from her childhood worshipping of him.

"He's so nice, heroic, smart, brave, and cute. He helped me out with Nigel. I thought I was gone without Nigel to be there with me but Chad proved me wrong."

"Since when did you guys get together?" 30c was getting this sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Just a little before you got here. It was harsh because Nigel was in the tree house everyday and I was there with him. I needed Chad there badly."

"You know, Abby, Nigel still likes you…"

She said nothing.

"…And I like you too."

Again there was no answer.

There was a song going through both 30c and Nigel's heads.

"I wish I had Jessie's girl

I wish I had Jessie's girl!

I want Jessie's girl!

Where can I find a woman like that?

Like Jessie's girl!

I wish I had Jessie's girl!

I want

I want Jessie's girl!"

But to them it wasn't Jessie. The name had been unconsciously replaced by Chad's.

"I want Chad's girl…"