Jack paced around the living room, his face red with anger, and a fury Clu had never seen in his best friends eyes.

"Jack? I think we should talk..."

Jack laughed. "You think we should talk? Talk about what, Clu? How you betrayed me? How your trying to steal Annie away from me?"

"Jack, You know I wouldn't do that."

"Yes, you would. You've been trying to since we first met. You wanted her from day one. Admit it, Clu. You think you love her."

"I don't think, I know, Jack." Clu whispered. But Jack still heard him.

"I knew it! I knew you had a thing for her!" Jack exploded.

"Excuse me!" Annie shouted. Both boys spun around. "You two are acting as if I have no choice in all this! This is so stupid! As if I have no choice in who I want or don't! Guess what, I do have a choice. And right now, I choose to forget you both!" She said, storming away angrily.

"LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!" Jack screamed, running after Annie.

" Annie, let me explain! You see, Clu said...."

"SHUT UP!" She yelled, spinning around and pushing him to the floor. "I heard every word. EVERY WORD!" Jack looked away in dismay. "So don't you try to lie to me, Jack. Don't you dare! "

Clu looked at Annie, and even though she didn't want to admit it, she could never be angry with him. She saw the sadness in his eyes, and realized he thought that she blamed him for all of this.

"Come on, Clu. We're going back to bed." She said, taking his hand and gently guided him up the stairs, tossing an evil, angry glare at Jack.

* * *

"So does this mean you don't hate me?"

"Yes, it does. I could never hate you!"

"Really?" Clu asked hopefully

"Yes." Annie replied, not yet wanting to admit she loved him.

"That's great!"

"It is? Why?"

"Because I love you, and I'm glad you could never hate me! That means you'll always love me!" Clu smiled. "Unless, of course, you never loved me to begin with..."

Instead of replying with words, Annie cut off Clu's train of thought by kissing him.

* * *

The shadow watched bitterly. 'My plans have failed again! Oh, but this will work just as well....'