Alright guys, I know I say this every time, but I really mean it. I am so sorry for the late update! My hours at work have been cut though, so until I find another job, I'm going to try and update more often!

Oh, if you guys didn't see, I did a one-shot with Tiffany and Chad, taking place after Sonny with a Choice (horrible episode…. I refuse to watch it). You should check it out if you get a chance.

Also, I just want you guys to know that you are welcome to use Tiffany and Chey in a one-shot or whatever, so long as I get credit for them. :) I'd love to see what you guys could do with them, and if it's really good, I might let you guys make up a character to be included in a chapter!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and please review! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own SWAC, or any of the songs and other stuff I mentioned in this chapter. I do own Tiffany and Chey though.

The next morning Grady was the first one up, and Chey followed him into the kitchen to watch him prepare the turkey. He found that she was good company and talked to her for a long while – satisfied with the few meows as a reply.

Upstairs Sonny jolted awake breathing heavily. She had just had one of those horrible nightmares that seem all-too real. Worried, she quickly jumped out of bed and let her bunny slippers carry her to Chad's room. The door creaked softly as she slid it open, peeking in to see her boyfriend's sleeping form.

"Chad?" She called in a whisper. When there was no answer, she crept forward a bit apprehensively and tried again a little louder. "Chad?"

"Hmm?" The response came after a few moments, when the blonde boy raised his head slowly.

"Hey." Sonny smiled a bit, her arms folded nervously as she stepped forward. "Just… checking on you." Her voice raised an octave. Even half-asleep, he knew something was up.

"Really, Sonny, really? He asked, sitting up groggily.

"I…" She gave in after a moment. "Alright, truth is, I… had a bad dream…" She said meekly. "C-Can I stay in here with you?"

"Sure." He smiled a bit.

"Great!" She grinned as she turned and headed for the couch that matched the rest of the room.

"What are you doing?" He asked, seeing her get settled on the couch.

"Going to sleep."

"Really Sonny, really? You can come over here with me you know."

"Chad, I wouldn't want to steal your bed-"

"Sonny, if you don't come over here, I'm coming over there."

"Fine." She gave in as she stood up.

"Fine." He shot back as she made her way over.

"Good." She told him as she climbed into his bed.

"Good night." He told her as he kissed her on the nose and shut his eyes.

"'Night." She grinned.

A few hours later Tiffany was up. The absence of the little black furball at the foot of her bed had finally caught up to her. She poked her head out the door, and wandered down the hall until she reached the top of the staircase. From there she could hear Grady talking to the cat (and the cat talking back), and a small smile crept onto her face before she walked back to her room to shower and change.

Once that was done, she headed down to the kitchen to prepare her parts of the meal.

"Hey guys." She greeted as she waltzed in, stroking the cat on the head.

"You're chipper this morning." Chad commented with a grin from Sonny's side. Empty bowls of cereal sat in front of the two as they held hands on the counter and grinned at each other.

"I could say the same for you." The girl noticed the exchange with a crooked grin. "Just you though… she's always insanely happy." She meant Sonny.

To be honest, Sonny and Chad were too caught-up in each other to not be happy this morning. Chad awoke with his girlfriend in his arms, and Sonny slept great after she joined him. She awoke with her head resting on his chest, nestled under his chin in a perfect fit. What could be more perfect than waking up next to the one you love?

Tiffany grabbed her own bowl of cereal, and sat across from the cute couple, next to Grady. While Chey stole some of her cereal, Tiffany noticed Grady picking at his now soggy cereal.

"You alright?" She asked him.

"Hmm? Oh, ye-yeah, I'm fine." He told her, not looking her in the eye.

"I don't believe you." She concluded after studying him for a moment.

By this time, Chad and Sonny had left to go watch a movie… so Grady and Tiffany thought. They actually had their ears glued to the back of the door, listening in… Sonny's idea.

"Seriously, what's wrong?" She asked him, her caramel eyes boring into his blue ones.

"I…" He fumbled for his words… what should he say? "There's this girl…"

"Oh?" Her eyebrow rose curiously. "What's she like?"

"She's… she's really funny. And we get along really well. She's into a lot of the things I am, and when we're together it's like… I don't know, it's just us and nothing else matters."

"Sound's like you really like her."

"Yeah…"

"You know, you should tell her."

"What?"

"Yeah, I mean, she probably likes you back if she's as great as she sounds."

Cheyanne sat opposite of them, unable to believe her tall dark ears. Was her Human being serious? Or was she really blind as to who 'this girl' really was? Outside the door, Sonny loved the drama and Chad waited to see what happened as well.

"Really?" Grady's face turned hopeful and nervous, all at the same time.

"Yeah, I mean… what's the worse that could happen?" Tiffany said nonchalantly, shoving a large spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

"Alright." Grady took a deep breath. Shakily, he placed his hand on hers, but kept his eyes nervously on his empty bowl.

Tiffany paused in chewing, her cheeks slightly bulged as she furrowed her brow and looked at his hand like 'what is he doing?'.

"Tiffany, I like you…"

The cat's jaw dropped.

The girl's eyes grew wide and she nearly spit out her cereal, but instead forced it down her throat.

"What?" She squeaked.

It wasn't helping Grady's nerves.

"I-I like you. You're the girl I was talking about, and I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how."

"I-I don't know what to say…" Tiffany told him.

"W-well, how about that you'll go out with me?" Nervously his eyes rose to meet her shocked gaze.

Chad rolled his eyes from outside the door. 'Remind me to give him some tips in the romance department.' He thought.

"I-I…" Tiffany paused, her eyes briefly reflecting the pain and insecurity she felt, before they seemed to freeze up into emotionless orbs. "I can't." She said, her voice quiet as she stood up and rushed out of the room.

The eavesdroppers jaw-dropped, before they tumbled backwards due to the door being thrown open by Tiffany rushing upstairs - she seemed not to notice them, or at least, she didn't really care.

"Ah love ye!" They heard Grady say from the kitchen in a bad Scottish accent.

Chey ran after her best friend, her tail high in alarm.

Chad stood up just in time to help Sonny up, and together they walked into the kitchen. Grady was nowhere to be found, and it was concluded that he had headed out the other side of the kitchen.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe that happened!" Sonny exclaimed, turning to face her perplexed looking boyfriend.

"Well I have to say, he has a bit to learn about the ladies." Chad commented.

She smacked him on the arm.

"Ow!"

"I just... could've sworn she liked him back." Sonny pondered.

"I still think she does." Chad offered. "I think she's just scared."

"What makes you say that?" A boy with signs of a brain, what?

"I don't know." Chad shoved his hands in his pockets, and took a few steps. "You saw what that Jake guy did to her. Plus the fact that everyone has supposedly 'turned their backs on her'. She said it herself, she has trust issues."

"We should try and talk to her." Sonny thought aloud. "I'll give her some time though."

Tiffany shut and locked her door quickly, just after Chey raced in, and flopped down on the bed. The black cat leaped up next to her purring softly, in a comforting way.

"Talk to me." Chey meowed. She held a look of disappointment on her face. The cat was a romantic at heart, and was saddened by the turn of events for the supposed 'couple'.

"Ugh, Chey, I don't know what to do!" The girl started, staring into space. "How could he… why would he even say that? I'm destined to wander the Earth alone like the Incredible Hulk, with that sad music playing in the background - I thought I explained that before!"

"C'mon now, you know that isn't true." Chey crept forward, lying down on Tiffany's stomach, facing the girl.

"I just… I can't get hurt again. People… People die… they change… they ditch you… they get sent away on cruises so you can watch over some stars… they leave. And I'm done with it. Just you and me, Chey… us against the world."

She stroked the cat, before a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"If you're never, ever gonna get hurt again, are you ever gonna feel another thing, my friend?" Chad asked as he sat on the bed next to her. She sat up and eyed him skeptically.

"That's kind of the point. If I don't feel, I don't get hurt. Do you know what it's like, Chad, to watch your family fall apart in front of your eyes? To be completely helpless and unable to do anything about it? Do you know what its like to have everyone that you were ever close to turn their backs on you? Do you know what it's like to be alone? No. You've had your life handed to you on a silver platter. But speaking of 'alone' how'd you get in here? I locked the door."

Cheyanne innocently mewed, before Tiffany remembered that the genius kitty knew how to unlock doors.

Chad thought for a moment, not quite sure what to say. "My life may not have been particularly easy… but I do know that CDC would never abandon family."

"Good for your family." Tiffany grumbled.

"What I mean is that I think of you as a sister, and like it or not –"

"-we'll always be here for you." Sonny interrupted.

Chad smiled up at her, and Tiffany glanced over, considering.

"You say that now. In a month you'll go back to Hollywood and I'll seize to exist in your lives."

"We've wanted to talk to you about that, Tiffany." Sonny sat next to her, on the opposite side from Chad. "We want you to come back with us."

Tiffany looked at her incredulously. "What?"

"Yeah." Chad chimed in. "We'll even talk to Mr. Condor and get you job on one of our shows."

"And you could stay with one of us, until you can afford your own place." Sonny added.

"Me too!" Chey meowed.

"Yes, of course, Chey, you too." Sonny giggled, as though she understood what the cat had been trying to say.

"I couldn't do that." Tiffany said, as she took it all in. "I couldn't leave my dad. He may be on a cruise right now, but he's the only person that's ever stuck around."

"He can come with you." Chad said. "Even the great Chad Dylan Cooper lives with his parents still."

"And for a moment I thought you had gone soft…" Tiffany smirked.

"So? What do you say?"

"I'd hate to impose…"

"Hey," Sonny interrupted. "Just think about it… you don't have to give us an answer right away. It's a big decision."

Sonny hugged her, and followed Chad out, only to pause in the doorway.

"Plus, nothing would stop you from being with Grady then…"

"Woah, woah, woah… You know why I can't be with him… that's not gonna change just by moving to Cali."

With that Sonny walked back into the room, a stern look on her face as she smacked Tiffany on the arm.

"Hey!"

"Tiffany, do you honestly think Grady is going to hurt you? He is one of the sweetest guys I know! I can assure you that he is NOT going to leave or disappear or change like Jake and everyone else."

Tiffany wouldn't look her in the eye, and stayed silent before mumbling. "I just can't…"

Sonny stalked out.

Grady sat in the game room, near the pool table, with his chin resting on his fist, looking downcast. Nico made his shot, before sitting down next to his buddy who was currently unresponsive to "it's your turn".

"I really thought she liked me too – we get along so well!" Grady frowned, looking helplessly at his friends.

"Yeah, and you're both nerds." Tawni didn't look up from filing her nails, leaning against a pinball machine.

Basically everyone but Tiffany was down there discussing the turn of events.

Sonny walked over and sat next to the blonde Random, placing her hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

"Listen, Grady, she does like you. She's just afraid, that's all."

"Afraid of what?" He wasn't that scary… he wasn't scary at all, in fact. He was the complete opposite of scary... or so he thought.

"She's been hurt so much in the past, she is afraid of getting close to someone again." Sonny explained.

"Besides, you live in California, and she's all the way in Nebraska… long distance relationships never work." Nico said, tilting his hat.

"Oh and you've been in one?" Chad asked incredulously.

"Well… no, but I've heard…" Nico mumbled, averting his gaze.

"We're trying to get her to come back with us." Sonny told them. "We could always use another cast member, or help around the studio." The girl grinned brightly.

"Wait, what?" This had gotten Tawni's attention. "Great, just what we need - another farm girl to steal my spotlight!"

"I don't think it's such a bad idea." Zora commented from the vent.

"Yeah, and she is really funny." Grady blushed.

"If she doesn't work out over there, then she can always come over to The Falls." Chad looked off into the distance dramatically at the mention of his show.

They instantly all started arguing about which show she would be on. Tawni said to send her to Chad's while Grady argued that she should stay with So Random so he didn't have to like someone from the Falls, which got Sonny and Chad fired up. Even Chey sat on the pool table yowling her opinion on the matter.

A bit later they were interrupted by the sound of a guitar strumming from upstairs. Curiously they filed up to see what was up. Tiffany was in the kitchen waiting for water to boil, and playing the guitar.

"Cause you take me to hea-" She glanced up quickly and stopped singing when she heard the door open.

"Oh. He-hey guys."

"What are you playing?" Sonny asked.

"A song." Tiffany told her, leaning back in her chair to check the pots.

Sonny rolled her eyes at the 'duh' answer.

"You know…" Chad reached for the guitar clearing his throat. "I do a little guitarplaying myself." He put it into position and began singing. "Chad, Chad, Chaddy-Chad, Chad"

The Randoms instantly covered their ears and kicked in on group grumbling. Except Sonny who was laughing. Tiffany gave him a look like he was crazy, though she did manage a smile before her eyes met Grady's and they both went back to looking at their feet.

Sonny snatched the guitar and began playing. She looked at Chad with a playfulness in her eyes. "Tell me what to do-oo, about you."

He took it back. "You got to believe, that I'll be your hero…" He sang before she was quick to take it back.

"Hes got you there Sonny, that's two songs in one." Tiffany commented while Nico interrupted the so-called 'gag-fest' by pulling the guitar out of Sonny's hand and shoving it into Grady's.

Sonny gave Chad an 'aww' and a quick kiss.

"My man G can play too, show 'em, G." He said, while Grady's face went white.

"I, uh…."

"Supper's ready." Tiffany called out, jumping off her chair and pulling the potatoes off the stove.

Supper was quiet, and awkward. The only words really said were compliment's on the food.

After all the food was gone, and the teenagers were stuffed, they retired to the living room and put on a movie –The Chad Dylan Cooper Story, on the big screen. Surprised? Well, he had to win rock-paper-scissors to put it on.

The tryptophan in the turkey was starting to wear on them. Grady was sleeping against the arm of the couch, and Sonny and Chad were cuddled up on the other couch half-asleep. Tiffany was sleeping on a recliner across the room. Nico was the one who noticed and after conferring with Tawni, got up and poked Chad, who was still slightly awake.

"Hmm?" The blonde boy inquired drowsily. Nico whispered his plan, and Sonny urged her boyfriend to help, as she herself sat up.

They were lucky that Tiffany was a heavy sleeper, as they lifted her up, and set her down by Grady. Sonny stood near and told them what to do – even Tawni got in on the act. Zora would've but Chey was lying on her lap asleep.

The end result – Grady was sitting on the couch, leaning against the arm, and Tiffany was next to him, leaning over with her head and arm resting on his chest.

Suddenly Grady stirred, and Chad, Sonny, Tawni and Nico all scattered – Zora went back to faking sleep even. When they peered back out, they saw that Grady was now resting his head on Tiffany's, and had his arms wrapped around her. Sonny and Tawni – both being natural romantics, couldn't help but let out an "aww!"

They all silently hi-5ed and whatnot, before going back to where they had been originally laying. Sonny and Chad snuggled up again before they fell asleep soon after. Zora was out like a light.

Looking around, Nico chuckled. "Can you feel the love tonight?"

"I can feel the air conditioning anyway." Tawni shivered a bit.

Nico glanced at the blanket around his shoulders, before offering half of it to her. She awkwardly scooted closer so they could share. It wasn't long before she fell asleep with her head on his shoulders, and he with his head on hers.

The group snoozed away, while the menu screen of the DVD replayed for the duration of the night.

Nico was the first to wake up, and while Tawni snoozed on his chest, he took to stroking her blonde hair.

"Man…" He commented to know one in particular. "She's even perfect when she's sleeping."

"Please." Chad's answer startled him a bit – he thought everyone was asleep still. "Sonny has her picture in the dictionary next to the definition of 'perfect'."

"Geez, someone's turned into a sap since they left Hollywood."

"Are you listening to yourself?"

"Watch it Pooper."

Sonny stirred a bit, and Chad sent Nico a death-glare to shut up before he woke the girl. He wrapped his arms around the girl and stroked her hair as she smiled and snuggled a bit closer – if that was possible.

A few moments later, Nico glanced over at Grady, to see him staring down, astonished, at the girl lying across his chest.

"Grady's losing it…" He seemed to be mumbling repeatedly, as the oblivious Tiffany snoozed away.

"G?" Nico caught his attention. "You a'ight?"

The blonde boy slowly turned his head towards his best friend, his eyes wide.

"I-I'm awake?"

"Duh." Chad rolled his eyes.

"Did I fall into some kind of mirror universe?"

"No, G. This is as real as could be." Nico chuckled.

"But… she said… why's she over here?" He asked. Nico quickly looked to Chad.

"Don't worry about it dude, just live in the moment." There was a reason CDC was the greatest.

Grady smiled and chuckled nervously. He had his arm around the girl, but was still unsure what to do now.

"Will someone hit play on the movie? I knew I should've made this menu more exciting…" Chad told them, after watching the DVD menu from the night before for the three thousandth time in a row.

"As if we want to sit here and watch your movie again." Nico retorted.

"None of us even made it through the movie last night." Chad shot back.

"Wow." Grady interrupted their arguing. "She has really soft hair."

The other two guys looked over to see him shakily stroking Tiffany's dark brown hair, as he had seen Chad doing to Sonny, and Nico to Tawni not long before.

"No where near as soft as m'lady's…" Chad scoffed.

"Please. Do you know how much work Tawni puts into her hair?"

"Nico, you two aren't even dating." Chad told him.

He was just about to fire off another retort, when suddenly Chey rolled off the couch. The cat landed with a thud, before she jumped up and let out one of her loudest meows yet.

Zora, who had been sleeping next to the cat, all but leaped up, pulling a rubber chicken out from the couch cushion.

"I'm not afraid to use this thing!" She shouted, wielding the rubber poultry like a gun.

Tawni's eyes flew open, and when she realized where she was, she sat up quickly, and turned to hide the blush on her face.

Sonny popped awake as well, looking around to see what had happened, before she settled back on Chad.

"Good morning." She smiled up at him sweetly.

Tiffany awoke, seeing instantly that it was just Chey; she chuckled a bit, before putting her head back down on her pillow. Well, she thought it was a pillow anyway, until she realized that pillows don't breathe. Slowly, she lifted her head to stare Grady straight in the eyes, their faces only inches apart. She froze, and the room went silent.

She seriously didn't know what to do. Not only was she not awake yet, but she had also never been in this situation before. Did she Dracula-stand up, and run out of the room screaming? Did she jump up and demand to know how she got over here, and promptly shred the culprit into little pieces? Did she slowly get up and stumble out in a daze? Did she sit up, scoot away, and continue sitting there awkwardly? And furthermore, why did she have that strange, fluttering feeling that coincided with being hesitant to move? And what on Earth was telling her to close the gap between their lips? That's gross, right?

'Kiss him already, stupid!' Chey leaped up on her Human, meowing crazily.

"Chey!" Tiffany whipped around, shaking herself from the daze she was in. "You're hungry, aren't you? I'll get you food…" The girl got up, grabbed the cat and hurried out.

The others were left staring after her.

"What just happened?" Sonny asked.

The past few hours had been spent with the Randoms packing. Their plane left in a couple hours, and after an awkward breakfast, they were loading up the SUV with their luggage.

When they all piled in, Tiffany turned the radio up loud, though no matter what channel she changed it to, some sappy love song was on. "It's Your Love", "Somebody Like You", "If I Run", "Mine" (to which a certain verse hit a little too close to home), "Just By Being You", and finally "Please Don't Leave Me" were all some of the songs that tortured her.

When they arrived at the airport, everyone grabbed their luggage, and Chad, Sonny and Tiffany helped. Chey rode on her owners shoulder. They checked in, and walked up to the gate, making small talk as they did so, until they called for the plane to board.

"Well, I guess this is it." Sonny was misty eyed, as she stepped forward and gave Tawni a giant bear hug. Tawni grunted, unable to breathe, as she gave the girl a few awkward pats on the back.

Nico and Grady walked over to Chad.

"Hey man, you take care of Sonny - Hollywood aint the same without her." Nico told him, as they fist bumped a goodbye.

"And Tiffany too…" Grady said meekly.

"No worries." Chad smirked. "And while you guys are there, you might want to look into classes on romance."

Zora was telling Chey goodbye mainly. She was talking to Tiffany, but was focused more on the cat.

Sonny interrupted, giving Zora a big hug goodbye.

"Tawni." Tiffany nodded a goodbye to the blonde.

"Tiffany." Tawni stated. They still weren't exactly on a friend basis.

Sonny went over and claimed Grady as her next bear hug victim, while Tiffany fist-bumped Nico and said goodbye. Chad watched Zora and Tawni stalk past him.

"Pooper." They glared.

"Randoms." He rolled his eyes.

Sonny went and hugged Nico next, as Grady nervously approached Tiffany.

"Hey." He greeted.

"H-hey." She replied.

"I guess this is goodbye." He stated.

"Yeah…"

After a few quiet moments of neither looking at each other in the eyes, Grady finally took the initiative and stuck his hand out to shake. Tiffany glanced up, before taking a step and gripping his hand in her own.

Tiffany caught the pained look in his eyes, and forced herself to stare at the tip of his nose. She couldn't allow herself to breakdown now.

The final boarding call came over the loud speaker.

Chad and Sonny, standing close by, watched as the two backed up, neither of them releasing their grip until the very last possible moment before they would've ripped each others arms out of their sockets. Grady joined the other Randoms as they disappeared into the plane, and Tiffany turned, glancing up. She swallowed and for the briefest second in time, her eyes let loose the most pained, sorrowful look anyone could imagine, before they locked back up, and she led the way back to the car.

The ride home was quiet, as was lunch, until Tiffany's phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered solemnly.

Suddenly she froze, her eyes widening.

"Tiffany, what's wrong?" Sonny asked her, concerned.

"What?" Tiffany yelped. "No they did." She paused. "You got it."

She hung up the phone abruptly, her breath shaking as she looked up at the two.

"What is it?" Chad asked.

"The plane crashed."