Chapter 21 has arrived!

Once again, thanks to ...Day. and xCJCausesChaosx for such lengthy, wonderful reviews. You guys are so encouraging!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot! ________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 21: Surprises and Drama

The sun shined in Caitlyn's eyes as she walked through the crowd. It probably wasn't the wisest decision to come, but after what all Mitchie said Caitlyn had to attend one of their concerts and see for herself if Shane really sounded differently.

Screaming and squealing seemed to press on all sides of her, but Caitlyn was lost in her worry. Thankfully, it was a very disorganized concert, being outside with anyone who could fit allowed to listen. People had definitely paid enough to get into the event.

It was almost like a giant beach party, taking place on a large space of the beach. There was supposed to be concerts, food, games and all sorts of things. Caitlyn wasn't surprised to see other performers walking around casually, as if there weren't a dozen giggling or crying fans mere feet away from them.

"Good afternoon!" Shane shouted cheerfully through the mic, and Caitlyn felt a slight disappointment that he looked so happy. Mitchie had been wrong then. Or maybe the past week since that telephone conversation, he had gotten over her.

Shane's greeting was met with deafening screams and cheers, and Caitlyn couldn't help but reach to cover her ears and squint. Her eyes never left those of Shane's though, something inside of her begging him to meet her gaze. But she knew it wouldn't happen.

The concert went well, and Caitlyn found herself leaving shortly after. Despite the large price to even get in, it was impossible for her to be able to stick around. Her thoughts needed to be studied over-and that disappointment at Shane sounded just as great as ever needed to be killed.

The house was dimly lit when she parked a half hour later. Caitlyn half smiled, remembering her parents' excitement when they spoke of going to visit some friends for the weekend. Walking up to the house slowly, Caitlyn had just pushed the key in and heard the click of the door unlocking when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she got an eerie feeling.

Her skin tingled at the now unfamiliar but easily recognizable feel of his hand on her shoulder. Without a moments notice, Caitlyn turned and her eyes met his. So. Maybe he had seen her at the show after all. But hadn't he gotten over her?

No words could be found in either of their mind, and Caitlyn felt herself swallowing slowly at the look in Shane's warm eyes. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a homey, placid feeling on the neighborhood.

She watched as his lips parted slightly and Shane plainly was struggling for words, but Caitlyn didn't wait long. Soon one of her hands was behind his head to hold his lips against hers, and Caitlyn kissed him.

The thought that maybe neighbors would look out their window and see, made her blush slightly and begin to pull away but Shane silently refused, clinging desperately to her. Somehow, they made it inside, the front door shutting securely behind them and Caitlyn's fingers were tangled in his dark locks.

"I've missed you." He murmured against her neck, trailing kisses across her skin and making her smile. It had been far too many weeks since hearing him speak in that tone to her. Far too many weeks and that one kiss would not make up for it all.

"Missed you too." Caitlyn whispered honestly, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him fully on the mouth again. A small voice in her mind told her to make up for last time, but there was a nagging feeling that she'd regret this later.

Their happy, content sighs mixed as they kissed passionately, holding each other tightly as if they never should have let the other go-and never would again. After all, look how desperately they missed each other.

"Are you're parents home?" Shane pulled back a moment to look down at her, a fiercely possessive look in his eyes that gave Caitlyn butterflies and the chills. Did he love her?

"Why?" she breathed uncertainly, pushing back a surprised gasp at his warm hand on the small of her back.

"Just curious." He stated lightly, brushing a kiss against her jaw and sighing heavily, giving her goose bumps.

"N-no…" Caitlyn managed, feeling quite vulnerable even though she knew she could trust Shane. He would never intentionally make her uncomfortable. The affect he had on her was amazing, and Caitlyn had trouble remembering if he had always been this intoxicating to her.

"Where's you're room?" Shane whispered against her ear, and Caitlyn felt her heart skip a beat at the suggestive words. There was no way he could really mean…Could he?

"Upstairs." She immediately replied, though her tone sounded more then just a little timid and soft. Hot lips pressed against hers a moment before Shane's arms around her tugged her in the direction of the stairs.

Caitlyn followed without hesitation, her heart racing and skin feeling on fire. What were they doing, exactly? How wise were they being, really? She was nearly drowning in his kisses, though and the worry soon slipped away.

"Wait." Caitlyn took a sharp breath, pulling away to meet Shane's eyes when they had reached the second story. His eyebrows rose in question and she smiled slightly at the familiar gesture, "I love you." She managed to utter the words before pressing closely against him again.

"I love you too, Caity…" Shane replied softly, but his expression faltered despite the honest words. Caitlyn felt a small nagging worry at the uncertainty in his eyes, but tried to make it go away.

"Do you?" she whispered, "Really?" Caitlyn traced her fingers along his lips, not knowing the affect she had on him. There wasn't much she could say at the moment, but hoped he really meant the words.

"With all of my heart." Shane breathed, leaning down to kiss her intensely again and she felt his small nudge to lead the way to her room. Keeping her eyes closed in pure happiness, she obliged eagerly.

Her mind was working quickly, doubts filling up her head until she felt herself ready to explode. They weren't being very smart, Caitlyn knew in the back of her mind. Emotions shouldn't have such a strong hold on them, but she didn't resist Shane's touch at all.

It wasn't until Caitlyn felt the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed and she fell backward, pulling Shane with her that her heart started pounding in her ears. There was no one home to interrupt them, and the thought scared and excited her.

He loved her? Her mind was still processing those simple words, but Shane murmured something incoherent as she twisted her fingers in his hair. Did he love her? After all, he hadn't gotten over her. Mitchie had said herself that Nate had improved much better than Shane had.

As if with a sudden realization, Caitlyn pulled her lips away from Shane's briskly and laid panting and staring up into his questioning eyes. She had never loved someone this much before. So much, she felt like her heart would explode.

"What're we doing?" she spoke in barely a whisper, watching as Shane's eyes widened and he jumped up quickly, sitting back on the bed to see if she'd say anything else. Caitlyn pulled herself into a sitting position, tucking her legs beneath her, their knees barely touching.

Hands shaking considerably, Caitlyn couldn't meet Shane's gaze as she attempted to rebutton his shirt, wondering when it had come undone. Had she done that? That mistake wouldn't happen again.

"I should go." Shane muttered briskly, seriousness coming over his whole demeanor as he gently brushed her hands away before she could finish, but Caitlyn shoved the disappointment away. A stupid shirt shouldn't be so important.

"But Shane-"

"Bye." He breathed before standing and leaving briskly, and it took her a moment to calm her spinning thoughts. He loved her?

"Shane, wait!" Caitlyn darted from the room, rushing down the stairs, "Shane!" He stopped at the bottom of the steps, facing the front door and not turning to look at her. Her quick steps came to a halt halfway down the staircase, one hand gripping the banister for support.

"Why're you leaving me?" the soft words passed her lips without even a thought, but Caitlyn couldn't see the words softening Shane's will inside. Her hurt words stabbed him like a sword.

"Look at what we just almost did." He snapped, still not bothering to turn to her, "I think I should go."

"But Shane-"

"I should go." He stated emphatically, reaching the door with the angry sounding words before turning to meet her eyes. His eyes looked dark and stormy, and Caitlyn almost gasped at the look of disgust on his face.

"Why…" but she couldn't get anymore words out. Why was he looking at her like that? Is that the look Mitchie was talking about? But he loved her. He had said so. He wouldn't lie about something like that.

"I'd suggest fixing your hair and shirt." Shane snapped before slipping out the front door, the hollow click of the door closing seemed to echo through the nearly empty house.

For a moment, Caitlyn remained standing where she was, listening until his car could no longer be heard driving off. Slowly and thoughtfully, she did as he had suggested and straightened her shirt, but ignored her hair for the time being.

"He loves me…?" she whispered to herself, but the words didn't bring much comfort after seeing they way he had left. Sliding to sit on the steps, Caitlyn crossed her arms and rested them on her knees before burying her face in her sleeves.

Reviews are LOVED so much! :)

(Two knew oneshots up- "Cold Feet" and "When I Look At You", so check them out, please!)