Double Life

Disclaimer: Don't own Wendell and Vinnie, don't own iCarly

A/N:

Chapter 26 (Heating Up)

The rest of the week had been a busy week for everyone, Taryn was overworked at the clinic and hadn't been able to spend much time with Spencer or the kids due to one of the other techs being sick. Spencer had spent almost every day clearing out his shop to move things into the larger building, Carly was hard at work with Wilma at the office, and Wendell was knee deep in homework.

Due to their busy schedules, Taryn and Spencer both missed the AA meeting. The next meeting was on the 5th, they finally got some time to themselves and were able to meet up and go. On the car ride over, Taryn had been going on about all the stuff she had to deal with at the clinic, and Spencer would give his thoughts here and there. When she was done, she asked him to tell her about his confrontation with Chuck at the zoo, since he'd mentioned it briefly in the week prior and they hadn't been able to go into much detail.

"There's not much to go on. I wanted to punch the guy like I usually want to, but didn't. So I figured I'd play nice, but honestly I couldn't. I told the guy to stay the hell away from us and threatened to go to Wilma if he didn't." Taryn put her hand to her forehead and exhaled slowly. He could see lines of distress forming on her forehead, he knew she didn't like Chuck being around, but even more so she didn't care for him getting into fights with the man. "I'm sorry, I should probably hold my tongue when dealing with the guy. It's difficult because more than just his following you around, he's the same guy-"

"I know, it's not that." She lowered her hand and looked to him with a frown. "What was he even doing there? I mean-he wasn't following you was he? Wendell's safe, right? I wouldn't trust that guy around him."

"I don't think he's intending malice. He was working a concession stand there, he said it was temp work." He turned into the parking lot and looked to the building. "Stranger thing though. You know that new kid that's been coming to the meetings?"

"Yeah?"

"He was following Chuck around."

"Seriously? You thinking about bringing it up or leaving it alone? Probably would be better to say something, give him a heads up. I know we're not on the best of terms with the guy, but still…"

"Yeah I'll say something." He chuckled and parked the car. He was amazed by her willingness to help, even someone who she may not like. "I'm trying to figure out why the kid sounds so damn familiar." A thought was that it was Freddie, but that made little sense to him. Freddie never knew who his father was, and even if he did, Marissa likely wasn't aware Chuck was even in LA. "Can't think of anyone that would stalk the guy."

"Well, I'd rather not think about it right now. I'm getting to the point I think I'd rather tell Grant to kick Chuck out of the group. It wouldn't help much, though."

"I still think you should go talk to Wilma about this. She'll be able to draft a restraining order."

"We'll see."

Once in the building they weren't surprised to see Chuck there, glaring as he always seemed to be. It was a strange transition from the calm person at the zoo to this angry looking demonic man. As per usual, he had a drunken look glazed over his eyes. "It's a wonder Grant doesn't realize that he is drunk. If he'd actually cut the alcohol, he might be near normal."

"Maybe he's just good at hiding it," Taryn muttered. Chuck's glare disturbed Spencer more than usual. When the man's eyes narrowed and grew darker, Taryn tensed her body around Spencer's arm. "I'm really not feeling like being here right now, I'm getting a real bad vibe. When you confronted Chuck, he didn't…you didn't piss him off did you?"

"He didn't act upset, he didn't like that I was talking to him in that way though." He glanced to the side and saw the kid in the hood sitting alone in one of the chairs. He was watching Chuck closely. "There's that kid again, Taryn. Want me to go tell Chuck?"

"If it matters. I'm going to talk to Grant, to let him know we were busy last week."

"Okay."

"Love you." She kissed the corner of his lips, catching him off guard for a moment before she rushed over to Grant. His cheeks flared up and he quickly shook his head, clearing his throat. Spencer looked to Chuck, raising an eyebrow as the man started to growl.

"Okay, settle down Fido…" Spencer walked casually towards Chuck, ignoring the kid nearby. He studied the man's hand and watched it flex and tense. "Chuck, I need to warn you."

"What do you want, Basset? Showing your face here, then flaunting your girlfriend in my face? What's your issue? I saw her first, you know."

"Okay?" He wasn't going to let this man's comments regarding Taryn budge him. As much as he didn't like the guy, he didn't like feeling as though another person's life might be at risk. "Look, this new kid here? I saw him following you at the zoo. I think you need to be careful, I don't trust him worth a damn."

"I know, I've seen him around, he's just a twat is all. There's no fuckin' risk here. Maybe you should keep an eye on yourself, huh?"

"Another threat? Seriously?"

"You took Taryn from me, asshole."

"She was never dating you…"

"That doesn't mean I didn't have my eye on her!" Chuck started poking him in the chest and leaned in dangerously close. "Man code, if another man is eyeing a woman, you don't swoop!" Spencer clenched his eyes, groaning at the bitter stench of alcohol. His stomach roared and his throat clenched shut as he held back a violent gag.

"Well I'm with her now, so I'm sorry but she's not into you."

"Fuck you, Bassett." His muscles tightened and his forehead creased over as his calm demeanor began to erode like a mighty rock in a river bed. "I'll teach you to swoop in on another man's prize."

"She's no one's prize, she's a woman, Chuck." His eyes flew open and his fists clenched. The veins in his hands popped out and his jaw locked in place.

"Whatever Bassett, I bet you don't even know her the way I know her!" Spencer rolled his eyes and glared angrily at Chuck. He was seething with rage, using up all of his energy to not lash out.

"All I was trying to do was warn you about that strange kid. That's it."

"Another thing! You've got kids from another relationship? Who's to say you don't do Taryn the same way!'

"Excuse me?!" Taryn looked over, covering her mouth as Spencer took a dangerous step towards Chuck. "You don't know shit about the last woman I was with. You know nothing about me, and I would never, never do anything to hurt Taryn. So quit running your mouth you sorry excuse for a man." Chuck laughed deep and held his gut.

"Look at you calling me pathetic." He started to lift his fist, but jerked it back down at his side. He locked his thumbs around his belt and closed his eyes as he sucked in a deep breath. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

"No. I've said my piece. I'm not getting in a fight with you over Taryn. I know she wouldn't appreciate that." He turned away, ignoring the loud scoff from behind.

"Coward. Chickenshit. How'd a man like you land a woman like that? You don't even deserve her!" Spencer's eyes shot open and he spun around, grabbing Chuck's shirt and glaring into his eyes. Silence filled the air as Taryn called out to him and Grant watched carefully. Chuck laughed in his face and curled his lips into a smirk. "What're you going to do, Bassett? Hit me?"

"No. I just want you to shut up. You're right, I don't deserve her. She's a great woman, more woman than you'll ever know." He released Chuck's shirt and he took a small step back. Chuck scowled as Spencer crossed his arms. "She's smart, caring, a damned good cook, loves children and helps me to take care of my kids. I've never met another woman like her. I understand you see something in her, and that is the heart she's got. She's nice, and her being nice is the only reason she hasn't asked Grant to throw your ass out or gone to Wilma to get a restraining order. I, however, am not that nice. She was the one that wanted to tell you about the kid that's been following you around, I could honestly not care any less if I tried."

"Still pathetic."

"Oh yeah? Well you know something? Hitting someone like you? A drunk, worthless, good for nothing predator…" He pressed his lips together and clicked his tongue. "Not worth it. Not worth the trouble."

Grant started to come over, but was stopped by the kid in the jacket. The kid moved in between Spencer and Chuck and extended his arms out to each. "Both of you need to be in separate corners or something, you're making a scene." Chuck rolled his eyes and Spencer looked to the kid with a subtle smile.

"Thanks, but I got it here. Why do you sound so damn familiar, I've been trying to figure that out?"

"I don't know. You have kids, right? How are they? You have a daughter, how is she?"

"She is fine, has a job with her aunt right now."

"Cool." The kid turned to Chuck and smirked at him for a second before patting him on the shoulder. "You need to calm down and sober up. You never know if that alcohol is going to be the death of you."

"He is correct," Grant stormed over and put his hand to Chuck's shoulder. "You need to leave now, Chuck. There is no reason for you to be here." Chuck looked bewildered and immediately protested, but Grant continued to push him out the door. "I'm really sorry about that, Vincent."

"It's fine." Spencer moved to a chair and Taryn sat beside him, reaching over to take his hand. He couldn't look at her, too ashamed that he had been starting to lose his temper. Instead of saying anything, Taryn moved her head to his shoulder.

"It's okay Vinnie," She whispered, "He pushed. Don't let him get the best of you."

"I hate alcohol. Indirectly or directly, it never means anything good when it's involved in anything. I want to finish this session, go home, and get some rest."

"All right. We'll even leave early if you want."

"It'll be all right, I just need a minute to calm down…"

"Thanks for sticking up for me though." She moved closer to him and nested her head in the curve of his neck. He started to smile and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I love you, Vinnie. I have, for a while. I know it's hard for you to let yourself open up to that, but, I promise it's not something I'm throwing around. I mean it, whether or not those women before, like Sasha, ever did."

"Thanks…" He winced the second the word left his mouth. He wanted to return her gesture, not just say 'thanks'. He did love her, with all his heart. "Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's okay. I know. Just relax, we'll get through this day soon enough. Then you can get home and rest. You've earned it."

That Nate is somebody, just to let you know, he is not an OC and Nate is an alias, I wonder if you've picked up on any clues or have any suspicions regarding him. This was part of a single chapter, there is a big chapter coming up next, tell me your thoughts on this one.