A/N: Hey there kids. Man, it feels like it's been awhile, doesn't it? It has. Minority just had to step back for a little bit because inspiration was being a bitch. But now, I think she's back, sort of, and hopefully I'll get back into the groove of a writing schedule. Sorry for the wait!

Thank you to all of the wonderful reviews. They really perked me up. Please keep reviewing. It fuels the story.

Charlie slithered out of Wonka's grasp cautiously. He got up from the bed and patted down his shirt. Perhaps I just won't worry about changing. He glanced at the circular clock on the nightstand. Doesn't look like I have time anyway.

Wonka shifted to rest on his stomach with his head facing Charlie. Charlie kneeled next to the bed in front of Wonka. He traced his fingertips along the older man's cheekbone and then brushed the chestnut hair that covered the candy maker's face away gently. The boy smiled as he moved forward and pressed his lips to Wonka's and then to the chocolatier's cheek.

"Bye Willy," Charlie whispered.

"Bye Charlie," Wonka mumbled, apparently not entirely asleep, but not quite awake either.

Charlie stood and left silently for school.

As soon as Charlie entered the school, he wanted the time to go by quickly. He eagerly awaited going to Jamie's.

Maybe I should have told Willy. But I usually don't see him after school anymore anyway; I usually find him after a few hours.

"Hi Charlie!" Jamie greeted warmly as she came to walk next to him.

"Hey. What's your first class?"

"History. You?"

"English."

"How about I walk you then? It's on the way to mine."

"Ok. Sure. I'd like that."

"You know, Ryan was quite interested in knowing more about you after I introduced you."

"Really?"

"He asked me if you had a girlfriend. He said he sensed it or something. Weird, huh?"

Charlie smiled nervously. "Yeah, weird."

"You don't, do you?"

"No, no. I don't."

"That's good. Not that I mean it's like you couldn't, because you could, but-"

He cut her off by starting to laugh.

Jamie looked a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I was babbling, wasn't I?"

"It's fine. No problem." He stopped her in front of a classroom. "This is mine."

"Alright. I'll see you later then, right?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"Good! Good. Bye Charlie."

He watched her walk off before entering the room.

Willy Wonka sat on the bank of the chocolate river, opposite the Bucket household. His elbow rested atop one knee and his head was cradled against his hand. The fingers of his other hand fiddled with a piece of black cloth. His expression was of thoughtful happiness. A lengthy sigh escaped him and his lips turned upward into a genuine smile.

He closed his eyes, recalling the memory the fabric represented. He was thankful that he had saved a single piece of the blanket, instead of burning it like the rest.

"Willy?"

He opened his eyes quickly and looked over his shoulder to find Mrs. Bucket. He shoved the cloth in his coat pocket as he replied, "Mrs. Bucket! How nice! Can I help you with something?" in an upbeat tone. It was not forced, and she could see he was exceptionally cheerful because he really was.

"May I join you for a moment?"

"Certainly!"

She moved beside him and sat down. For a few minutes, neither spoke. They each gazed onto the rich, flowing river. At last she turned to face him.

"Willy, I want to apologize. I have been hard on you with this situation of Charlie, and then having terrible suspicions of you and……I'm sorry, Willy. You have never given us reason not to trust you, so I'm sure you've not done anything more inappropriate with him and will not." She let out a small sigh; things were said better than she had expected. She was apologetic about it, but she also used it as a way to get back on somewhat good speaking terms with Wonka and observe him with Charlie.

Wonka had remained staring before him, not particularly wanting to look at her. He merely nodded.

"I want you to start feeling welcome in our home again," she continued. "You could come to dinner if you like."

"I appreciate the offer, Mrs. Bucket."

A quiet moment passed before she spoke again. "Should we expect you tonight then?" She received a shrug from Wonka as an answer. "Alright then. Thank you for your time, Willy."

"Always a pleasure!"

He waited until she was gone before he brought out the piece of black cloth again; smiling and humming a sweet melody as he ran his fingers over it once more.

Charlie awaited eagerly by his locker with Krista. The end bell had rung; it was time for the weekend and time to spend the rest of the afternoon at Jamie's.

"Are you two ready to leave?" Jamie asked as she approached them with Ryan following.

"Sure. Let's go," Krista replied.

"We have to walk, just to let you know."

"No problem."

Charlie and Krista followed Jamie and Ryan out of the school. They treaded by stores now busy with the students free for the weekend. Charlie had increasing nervousness as they went along. He did not know why. When she held his hand in hers, he felt his stomach flip-flop. The gesture caused an eyebrow raise from Ryan.

They arrived at her house and before anyone entered, Ryan casually asked Charlie. "Can we have a discussion?"

"What for?"

"Oh, just to get to know you, clarify some things. You two mind if I borrow Charlie for a little bit? We're going to go walk around for awhile."

Jamie and Krista shrugged. "Sure, go ahead."

Ryan tossed his bag on the porch and Charlie imitated. Both began walking off, as Krista and Jamie picked up the abandoned items and went into the house. Charlie turned around when he heard Jamie yell, "No smoking, Ryan!" He looked back at Ryan and quickened his pace to keep up with him. Ryan had already removed a cigarette from a pack and held it between his lips. He lit it, stuffed the lighter into his pocket, and mumbled, "No smoking, mmmhmm."

Charlie stared at Ryan in wonderment. He had never really been around someone smoking before. He curiously smelled the scent that came from the cigarette and Ryan's mouth. Ryan fixed his eyes on Charlie in return, apparently having something click in his thoughts.

"Do you want one?"

Charlie was extremely curious. It was as if he was being offered a tool of authority; something no doubt forbidden. It would be quite simple; say "Yes" and find a new discovery.

"No thanks," he answered after a brief passing of time. For now, he was too afraid to reach out and take what was being offered, more than what he saw as a mere drug.

"So tell me what you think of my cousin," Ryan proposed smoothly.

Charlie did not know how to respond. He continued to look at Ryan, who appeared incredibly smug. "What do you mean? She's very kind, a nice friend-"

"She likes you. A lot. She has nothing but good things to say about you. And she told me that she turned down some guy that asked her out for a date because she is so caught up with you, it seems." He paused and focused on his cigarette.

Charlie was somewhat blushing, and he had no idea what Ryan was trying to get at.

They stopped near a large tree, which Ryan leaned against. He surveyed Charlie in front of him and a knowing grin came to his face.

"But you," he proceeded, "You're with someone else, and it's not Jamie." His eyes were laughing at Charlie's surprised reaction. "When she first introduced us, I saw it. A subtle day-after glow; you're mind had been elsewhere. You had been fucked, and it wasn't with Jamie."

Charlie was speechless. His mouth was slightly open and eyes wide. One, he had rarely heard such vulgarity and used in such context; and two, he was astonished and horrified that Ryan somehow knew.

Ryan blew out a stream of smoke and said, "I knew it. So who is the girl?"

Charlie did not answer, but Ryan noticed something shift behind his flabbergasted expression.

"It's not a girl, is it?"

Charlie mechanically shook his head in response.

Ryan nodded, threw his cigarette on the ground, and smashed it with the bottom of his black boot. "I wouldn't be surprised if not only are you living in Willy Wonka's factory, but you're also fucking the world's most renowned chocolate maker."

Charlie felt extremely embarrassed. He did not reply.

Ryan crossed his arms, calm and comfortable. "And so I'm not surprised. So you're the one who gets the opportunities to screw Willy Wonka."

"How can you know this?" Charlie finally was able to voice.

Ryan shrugged. "What I'm interested in hearing is: why are you stringing Jamie along? Are you and him a couple?"

"I…….I……"

"You like her. And the plot thickens."

"I don't know. I'm not sure of anything."

"That's why I don't get attached. Relationships are nothing. I see someone I find attractive, be male or female, I go after them for one night of playing around. Afterwards, there's no bull shit. So you like her? And you've got Willy in your bed? Interesting indeed. The way I see it, you should just be involved with both of them."

"Excuse me?" Charlie was shocked at this way of thinking.

"Why have only one when you can have both? Think about it, Charlie. Jamie doesn't know you're fooling around with him. And I'm guessing he doesn't quite know you're attracted to her. They can't get hurt if they never know."

"You're saying I cheat on them; lie?" Charlie whispered, as if it was a statement of evil.

"You're expanding your relations. This way you can see who you like better. And I wouldn't tell of your secret, dirty little affair," Ryan joked, though in a rather serious tone. He drew another cigarette from the pack and lit it, while Charlie remained silent. "You sure you don't want one?"

Charlie shook his head. "I don't smoke."

Ryan snickered. "That's what they all say."

Review Corner!

Basketcase14 – Glad you enjoyed the way it ended. Though you probably didn't like the way this one ended, did you?

Mrs. Granger-Weasley – You were crying again? Aw! Review as much as you can:D

Stacy-comedy – Thank you! Get rid of Jamie?...

Princesskatt – I love Hot Pockets! Ok, you're not all talk. :D

Sapphire Artemis – Our beautiful wedding:) I loved that squish of words all together. They so totally did have sex off screen. LOL. I kill you? You know it:D

The-Serious-Padfoot – I love you mucho too! So, after our chat, was this what you kind of saw coming? ;)

Darth Granger – Hmmmmm…will he break it to her, who "raped" whom? LOL. Excruciating detail, I'll see what happens. :D

Korde – Haha! Kick the Buckets! Nice. That's cool to hear about your family. It's awesome to see who's reading this story; reaching people from all over! Happy ending? Maybe. ;)

Devil Child Vorn – Yes, stop reading in the library. :D Finally someone is getting onto Charlie about it! You refrained from Jamie! Leashes are great. ;) When and if they find out. :)

GreenEyedBastard – Dirty dirty thoughts:D Heh, join the club. Wonka in the coat, heck yes! You're a Slytherin? Hmmmm……I wonder what I would be!

Mystery Reviewer – You're mad at me? I love to be a first! ;) You flatter me! That's so kind. Thank you!

Username-740 – Aw, thank you. "Willy jumped Charlie" – it has a nice ring to it. :)

Clytemnon – Wonka's pregnant! Hee hee. That's great. I want to do a fic where Wonka gets pregnant!

Crimson Passion – Hostile! LOL.

Chocolate14 – Just a few days away till DVD! Fluff fluff fluff. :D

Amber Eyes23 – I've had you hooked from chapter 10? Interesting. At least I know my summary's doing something good! LOL. Glad it caught your attention.

A hat in a tat - :D Hope this satisfies you!

GothicIcePixie – Aw, you are too kind. I'll see what I can do for updates. :)

Omnipresent Doormat – Thank you! I'm feeling the love. :D

Please take the time and review. Thanks!