Inez plopped down onto Jackie's couch, changing channels idly. Jackie hovered above her, scowling.

"Come on, tell me the surprise already!"

Inez shrugged. "Hmm…"

"INEZ!" Jackie wrestled the remote away. "TELL ME THE STUPID SURPRISE ALREADY! I'VE BEEN GOING OUT OF MY MIND! YOU PROMISED, INEZ GARCIA! NOW, TELL ME OR ELSE!"

Inez gazed up at her with wide eyes. "Fine. Sit down and then I'll tell you." Underneath her breath, she muttered, "You're so impatient".

Jackie sat warily. She wasn't sure she could trust Inez on this one.

"Now, turn around."

Jackie slowly turned around. Her eyes widened as she saw him.

Slider grinned at her, his eyes twinkling. "Hey," he said. Next to her, Inez beamed, sure that Jackie was going to jump up and passionately kiss the love of her life any minute.

Jackie promptly fainted.

Jackie groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. Little dots of light spun under her closed eyes as her eyelids fluttered open. It took a second for her to register where she was. Inez gazed at her with worry evident in her eyes. Jackie realized she was leaning on something firm, unlike the plush sofa, and looked up. Slider peered down at her, his shaggy brown hair falling into his green eyes.

"GAH!" Jackie jumped up. Had she been leaning on Slider's chest? All she remembered was Slider appearing out of nowhere, and then her whole world went totally black.

"You!" she cried, pointing an accusing finger at Slider. "What are you doing here?"

Inez pressed her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. "Jacks, Slider is here on Earth while his garage is being renovated. Motherboard told me when we were leaving Solaria. I thought you'd like a surprise…" she trailed off at the look on Jackie's face.

"Are you okay?" Slider approached her from behind, his face laced in worry. Jackie swallowed thickly at his nearness, inhaling his woodsy scent.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She grinned at him weakly. What is wrong with me? Did I really have to faint in front of him? Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, he smells SO GOOD!

"Maybe you should sit," he said, pulling Jackie down onto the couch. She smiled weakly and grimaced inwardly. He probably thinks I'm a weakling now.

"Um, where are you staying?" Inez blurted out, unable to stand the awkward tension in the room.

"Well, Motherboard told me there's some sort of boys dorm nearby. I have an alibi ready too- I'm Slider Smith, and I'm visiting my cousin."

"Slider Smith?" Inez asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your cousin?" Jackie grimaced.

"Hey, that was the best name I could come up with," he retorted defensively. "And, yeah, my cousin is Inez."

Inez smiled graciously before looking at her watch and shrieking. "Oh my god! I'm late! I was supposed to meet Roy ten minutes ago at the diner! Bye Jacks; bye Slider!" Inez ran out of the door.

Slider cleared his throat. "Um, I should probably be going now."

Jackie nodded, and stood to open the door. She leaned against the doorframe as Slider grabbed a small suitcase and stepped out of the door.

"Turn the left and then take two rights. Then you'll see the dorm right in front of you." She dictated.

"Okay. Well, see you tomorrow." He leaned toward her and for a split second she thought he was going to kiss her.

"See you," she said faintly, and then he walked away.

A/N: Hey guys. *waves sheepishly* So, I'm not dead, I haven't fallen off of the planet, and, no, I was not kidnapped by mutant elves who wanted to eat me.

We're at 91 review people! *Squeal!*When I get a hundred reviews, I will post FIVE chapters in ONE day! Of course, it probably won't be the same exact day, but I think I sense a writing frenzy appearing next weekend. ;)

So, how was this chappy? I liked it, though it could have been way better! I anted to throw in some Jackie/ Slider action.

Chocolate brownies go to…

Violet Heaslip

Number 8.0

Life Lover

(PS Life Lover: Sorry about your break-up. =( But I really LOVE your reviews! They make my day!)