Ah, Angel Camille, you read my mind exactly about Jason's reaction to the situation! Loved your review!

Thank you to xCJCausesChaosx for reviewing! I love Shane's protectiveness of Caitlyn too!

Sorry, ...Day. if the ending wasn't clear, but this chapter should clear things up for you! And yes, I mentioned that name with you in mind! ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot! ________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 28: Arguing Again

"And Jason!" the eldest brother gestured enthusiastically at himself and grinned widely. Caitlyn felt a strange tightness in her chest at the new arrivals and the fact that Shane had withdrawn his arm so quickly.

"Come on in." Caitlyn forced the words from her dry mouth, only half hearing Jason's cheerful words.

"We decided to come on and see Caitlyn too, since you were here anyways, Shane." He spoke, "They just cleared the roads this morning, and figured we might as well come visit!"

"Nice to see you, Jase." Caitlyn smiled weakly, being engulfed into a very firm hug from Jason. She hugged him back just before he released her. Uncertainly, Caitlyn turned to meet Nate's eyes.

The eyes that she used to blush under the gaze of.

Searching his gaze, Caitlyn blocked out the rest of the world to concentrate on reading Nate's look at her. An inaudible sigh of relief passed her lips when she knew that her words to Shane had been completely honest. The only love she felt for Nate was what one would feel for a brother.

Stepping toward the youngest boy, Caitlyn return his gentle hug willingly, looking behind Nate to find Shane watching them with wide eyes and an earnest and worried look.

"I've missed you, Caitlyn." Nate smiled softly as they pulled apart, and she felt warm inside. He didn't feel anything anywhere near love for her. Just as predicted, he had gotten over her and cherished her as just a friend now.

"I've missed you too, Nate." She smiled lightly, feeling very cheerful. Everything seemed to have suddenly cleared up in her life. Now nothing could go wrong and she was perfectly content.

Her thoughts were lighthearted and excited now that all the problems seemed to be erased. Nate and Jason were amazing friends and adopted brothers, and Shane and she could be together without feeling guilty.

Jason was chattering when Caitlyn came back to reality and she laughed at something funny he said, exchanging a cheerful look with Nate. After a moment of the eldest brother talking, she suggested they move to the kitchen for some coffee.

As they headed in that direction, Caitlyn looked up at Shane with a bright smile, meaning to say how happy she was with everything so perfect now.

The look of deep hurt stopped her.

Her heart clenched.

What had she done wrong?

Conversation was cheerful-except Shane was silent- and Caitlyn fully enjoyed catching up with Nate and Jason. It felt like forever since she'd seen or talked to them-which it had been awhile.

The two newer guests hung around for awhile, but after a couple hours said they had promised to take Frankie out so had to get back. Caitlyn half expected Shane to say he was leaving to, but instead, he stayed as silent as ever.

"Thanks for coming to see me, guys, I've really been missing you." Caitlyn spoke honestly, engulfing Jason in a firm hug just before they headed out the door.

"We need to get together again before too long." Jason nodded, "We'll call you and set something up."

"Okay, bye Jason, bye Nate." She smiled and waved to them, giving Nate a brief hug just before he was about to step out the door.

"Good seeing you again, Caitlyn." Nate whispered in her ear, using her full name as he never did when they had been dating.

"You too, Nate." She whispered back, waving to them until they drove out of sight. Shivering from the cold air coming through the open doorway, Caitlyn shut the front door and turned to Shane.

"What?" she raised her eyebrows at Shane's expression. He stood only a couple of feet away, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised higher than the other. He looked far from the cheerful Shane of earlier.

"Nothing." He spoke gruffly, turning and grabbing his jacket, "I should go too."

"Wait," Caitlyn blurted out, grabbing his elbow and holding tightly, "Tell me what's wrong."

"It's nothing, I'll see you later." The tone he spoke in was strange still, and Caitlyn was bewildered by his change in mood so quickly. Without another word, he slipped on his jacket and pecked her on the cheek, "Bye."

In shock, she only stood as Shane passed her and slipped outside but soon came to her senses and darted out after him. Caitlyn was completely unaware of the fact she had no shoes and no coat, but reached the car the same time Shane had gotten in.

"Hold on one minute." Caitlyn snapped, "You have to tell me what's the matter, or I'm not letting you leave."

"Letting me?" Shane almost smiled at her words, but instead only shook his head and reached the shut the door, but Caitlyn stood in the way.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked desperately, setting a hand on his shoulder but he only stared straight ahead of the car, "Shane!"

"I have to leave, Cait, you need to move." He spoke in a low tone, but she only shivered and glared at him.

"If you love me, you won't leave like this again." She whispered, hating the idea itself of him leaving in such a manner. The morning had been so perfect-why did it have to change?

These words caught his attention and Shane looked up at her with a softened gaze before sighing heavily and getting out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him, "Cait, where are your shoes and coat?" he murmured, his fingers tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Let's get inside."

Drama, drama, drama…but nearing the end.

Please, any silent readers, desist the silence now and share your thoughts with me!

Thanks for reading!