Howdy! Sorry for the long delay in this chapter, but not only was I having tons of drama in reality, I was also plagued with horrible drama with the computer and was scurrying to save everything I could just in case of a crash. In fact, things still aren't going my way computer wise. I just had this chapter all fixed up and whatnot and just when I went to upload to here, my computer yet again decided it was a good idea to freak on me and ate this chapter! Fortunately from my mishap over a year ago with my computer eating almost the entire story, I became all the wiser to save multiple copies of chapters as I worked on them. The only misfortune I had this time was I didn't even have that chance to save anything from the newly modified and updated version of the chapter. That took me to redo the saved, rough chapter all over again. I know that this isn't my fave chapter and with all this nonsense going on with it I am just happy it's completed now and I can get on with the ending and I promise you it won't take as long to get out. Enjoy.

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Sunlight softly filtered in through the cracks in the barn's wall causing the dust particles to sparkle and dance like little living things and bringing the much needed warmth to the world just waking from the cool night. Somewhere outside a lone rooster was crowing and in the distance horses were neighing no doubt anxious to be fed their breakfast. Morning was doing its best to arrive and all the living things were more than happy to welcome it.

Roger stirred slightly, lingering between the waking and sleeping world. His thin body shuddered with a slight chill causing him to curl up in hopes to keep warm. However, his body still trembled and he groped out blindly, anxious to find his blanket. Furrowing his brow, Roger grabbed hold of something, but it definitely was not his blanket, but something strange, something that should not have been on his bed.

Cracking open an eye to look at what his fist was clutching, Roger suddenly found himself sitting bolt upright, his fist full of hay. "What the hell?" He stared down in disbelief at the hay, his mind trying to sort out where it came from and why he was surrounded by it and devoid of clothes no less! Panicked he looked about seeing he was in a hayloft, his clothes strewn around him.

Then his look fell on Judy who was lying close to his side also absent of clothing. Roger stared at her for a moment, his heart hammering wildly in his chest. Slowly, his mind started to shake the cobwebs caused by sleep from it and he began to remember what happened last night, a sly smirk tugging at his lips.

His night couldn't have been more spectacular than it was last night and what he had originally planned was actually brought out into play by Judy, not himself. He looked down at her again, her eyes were gently closed, her chest rising and falling in peaceful sleep. Roger reached out and tenderly touched the side of her face. How he yearned to wake her up in a repeat of last night's activities and his desires began to make themselves known, but suddenly he pulled his hand back from her as if she were on fire. It was morning! They had actually spent the night here in Mrs. Kean's barn and the party was well over.

Roger pressed his palms hard against his eyes hoping that their being here at this time of day was just a dream, but when he removed his hands the sun was still shining brightly through the cracks of the barn walls. He was in trouble deep this time and he doubted there was any way out of it. Not only was he going to be in trouble with his mother, but Judy's family as well. Mrs. Kean would probably understand and not worry about it, but his limo driver had been waiting all this time for the couple to return and they never did so he would be furious without a doubt.

Judy would almost certainly be the worst and this could definitely cause another fight between them and what a sad way to continue something that was so wonderful just a few hours ago. Roger scratched the side of his nose and sighed very frustrated then blinked in mild surprise. He smelled her. Just about every inch of his body smelled like Judy not to mention the hay they had tussled in. So not only did he smell like his girlfriend, but he smelled like horse fodder. Anyone that he'd come across would no doubt know exactly where he was all night and exactly what it was he had done.

With a groan, Roger stood up and nervously began to pace. He needed time to think about this, he needed to figure out what to do before Judy woke up and began to rant about where they were and what time of day it was. He didn't mind the punishments he himself would get, but he didn't want Judy to suffer as well. He made up his mind then and there that he would take full blame, but full blame for what? He couldn't exactly tell her parents, "Gee, Mr. and Mrs. Funnie, your daughter's late coming home from the party because I thought I'd help her lose the chance of ever seeing a unicorn."

With a groan that sounded more out of frustration than disappointment, Roger reached down and grabbed his dollar sign embroidered boxers out of the hay, shook them off and pulled them on with a grunt. He then turned to look at his beloved still snoozing peacefully in the hay. He didn't mean for any of this to happen and for the first time he regretted acting like such a jerk about last night's outing. "Joeycookamonga! Klotz, you really messed things up now," he moaned and sank back down onto the hay leaning his head against his hands.

Not knowing what else to do, Roger gathered up the remainder of his clothes and got dressed as quietly as he could so he wouldn't wake Judy up. Confusion was eating at him and the only way he knew how to deal with it was just to be alone for a little while and hope that he could figure out what to do before Judy realizes he's gone. Deep down he knew she would play off that this over-nighter wasn't a big deal, but he knew it would upset her more than she would let on and he had to find a way to remedy all of this so neither of them would be in too serious of trouble.

Putting on his hat, Roger then leaned over and softly kissed Judy upon her cheek. She was so beautiful and last night was something he'd treasure more than all of his money and luxuries put together. Reluctantly Roger pulled away and stood up, brushing the hay from his jeans. He couldn't allow himself to get too excited right now all though that was proving easier said than done.

"Dammit," he grumbled and walked away from the scene of their passionate evening and headed towards a few high piled bales of hay to ponder and collect his thoughts. Finding a suitable place to sit and hide, Roger kicked a bale out of his frustration before sitting heavily upon it resting his elbows on his knees while his head and shoulders drooped as sudden thoughts flooded into his mind about his performance last night replacing the fear he had about them being in the barn all night.

He knew how much of a critic Judy could be with just about everything and he almost dreaded her evaluation for their rendezvous. "Let's try that again and this time be more emotional!" he could almost hear her saying or worse yet, "That was it? My god what a nightmare! That's definitely NOT impressive one bit!" He winced and pushed his palms against his eyes and pressed trying to block out everything around him and prayed he could resolve any problems this was also going to bring. He suddenly felt ashamed and embarrassed and only hoped he wouldn't become humiliated to boot.

Judy on the other hand was oblivious to all of Roger's turmoil. She was still dozing, but slowly beginning to come out of her dream state. However, unlike Roger, she knew exactly where she was and fully remembered what happened last night. With a blissful and happy sigh, she turned and reached out to find her beau, but just like Roger's efforts to find a blanket, her hands came up empty. She frowned and opened her eyes, blinking from the sudden brightness that made her frown more. "Roger?" she asked, rubbing her eyes to rid them from the sleep that seemed to want to linger there.

"Who?" was her reply, but as she looked up she saw it was only a beet- tailed owl overhead peering down at her with its great yellow eyes. "Who indeed," she muttered, annoyed, still looking around for Roger.

A strange tight feeling began to clench her stomach and this time it wasn't caused by her eagerness for intimacy. This time it was due to solid fear and betrayal. Roger was not only gone, but his clothes were as well so she knew he just didn't get up and stretch his legs or take a gander at their surroundings. Judy bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling, but it was no use. He left her and it was painfully obvious what his true intentions were for last night. Doug was right about Roger and his plans and she wasn't sure what upset her more, the plans or the fact that Doug was right for a change.

Gathering up her clothes and trying not to think about it just yet, Judy slowly got dressed, her mind turning over any possible event or reason that made Roger leave. She finally noticed that it was morning and the dread of her getting in serious trouble with her parents flooded over the Roger drama she was having. "Great," she muttered angrily while pulling up her skirt. This was quickly turning into a fiasco and she was starting to regret last night the more time went on.

Her parents she could actually handle. All she had to do was think of something terribly dramatic and they'd buy it. Her parents were so out of it anyway she could tell them aliens abducted her and they would probably just say, "That's nice, dear." Still, the matter with Roger was going to be something way more difficult to work with. In her eyes he took advantage of a situation to get what he wanted and now that it was over and done with he wanted nothing more to do with Judy now that she became damaged goods.

Quickly standing up to brush the hay and dust from her clothes, Judy looked around for some sign that Roger was still about, but the loft was very quiet and quite empty. She felt tears start to burn her eyes from her thoughts and frustrations, but she squeezed them tightly while shoving her sunglasses on in order not to give Roger the satisfaction that he finally broke her down into rarely shed tears. How could he do this to her? After all this time she truly believed that his feelings for her were sincere.

Taking a step forward she winced slightly from a pain in her back and tightness in her legs. She felt very stiff and sore and for the moment a smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as she recalled last night. He was so gentle with her and it was doubtful that anyone would believe her if she were to gossip about it. He was quite nervous as well, but so was she so it worked out wonderful for they at least were in the same frame of mind and wouldn't pressure the other. Everything about it was perfect, that is, everything up until the point of awakening.

Though angry with his absence, her thoughts continued drifting back to his electrifying kisses, his firm, but gentle way of gripping her to him, his long fingers caressing over her body..."Oh, god," she shuddered and closed her eyes as if feeling all those sensations yet again. Taking a deep breath to clear her mind, Judy tried to focus on the situation at hand. She's been abandoned and she had to find Roger and demand why.

Thinking back she knew she had to give him the benefit of the doubt, after all, he could have just gone to find a restroom or something like that, but she couldn't understand why he would have taken every last stitch of clothing to do something small and mundane. She shook her head and took a careful step forward to allow her stiffness to exit on its own without much pain to herself. Her feelings about this now became jumbled and started to confuse her.

On one hand she was delighted beyond belief that they were now bonded closer than ever, but on the other hand she felt used and betrayed by his absence. How she hoped to wake up in his arms and have him tenderly kiss her and perhaps relive the moment without the nervousness they shared last night. It wasn't going to happen now, however. No matter what his excuse will be for leaving her, the mood could not be the same.

Carefully stepping over a few broken hay bales, Judy made her way towards the trap door they climbed through in what seemed only moments ago. Before heading down she knelt to the floor and cautiously poked her head through the door to take a look around to make sure all was safe. It would be her luck to get caught coming out of here and without Roger to help bail her out she would be in bigger trouble than she was no doubt in now.

Seeing the coast was clear, Judy put a foot on the first rung and was about to start heading to the floor when she heard a soft sneeze followed by a sniffle somewhere up in the loft. She paused, straining her ears to find the source of the sneeze or any sort of movement that would betray the maker's presence. The barn was silent and try as she might she couldn't pick up on any more sounds of movement, but she was not to be swayed by the lack of such things. She knew she definitely heard something and she was determined to find out what.

Walking slowly away from the trap door, Judy studied her surroundings and noticed that bales of hay were stacked in tall columns and some were just strewn about, no doubt just from falling over from neglect. She followed around some of the standing ones like a maze and much to her surprise came upon a very dejected looking Roger sitting on a lone bale. She gasped softly both happy and relieved to have found that he truly did not leave her, but that still didn't stop her from being a bit cross none-the-less.

"Roger, what in god's name are you doing? Do you know what you just put me through now when I awoke to find you gone?" she asked trying to not sound too nice or too angry.

He just glanced at her and shrugged, but she spotted a small grin appearing behind his frown. "Eh, just had to think, girly."

Arching an eyebrow, Judy lowered her sunglasses and peered at him over the rims. "Think about what? What could possibly be more important than my feelings? I mean, gee Roger!" She closed her eyes tightly to try and calm her temper and frustrations she felt rising. "Do you know how afraid and upset I got waking up to find you gone? I didn't know what to think!"

Roger cocked his head to the side and slowly stood. "What did you think, girly?"

Now she was embarrassed and felt her cheeks redden in a blush. She knew he'd be upset hearing she thought he abandoned her, but at the same time he knew he'd be more upset if she didn't confess. Taking a deep breath, Judy explained to him about hoping to find him at her side and to snuggle a bit and possibly re-enact that special scene they engaged in last night, but when she found herself alone and his clothes were completely gone she only dreaded that he took advantage of her and left her now that he got his wish.

The rich punk stared at her in disbelief. He was totally speechless on what to say in response to that statement. "You honestly thought that? Judy." but he trailed off and shoved his hands deeply into his jeans pockets and walked away from her. He then stopped and turned, still with the look of hurt and disbelief registering on his face.

Her heart fell. She knew she should have been more trusting to him than she was. He never forced anything on her and all though her stupid brother mentioned that she needed to be careful because Roger was unquestionably up to something, she didn't mind in the least bit now. She knew if Roger did brag about anything it was mainly to shut up her nosey little brother and not do anything to intentionally hurt her.

Taking a deep breath, Judy pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers and sighed. "Look, it was a spur of the moment thing. I just panicked not seeing you with me. Couple that and the fact that it's no longer evening.well.I just lost my head. Will you forgive me? I know you wouldn't have used me for your own passionate whims. I know your feelings for me are must stronger than that."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, pushing his black hat back off his brow while striding towards her. "Did the earth move for ya or something last night?" he snickered.

Judy smirked at him and put a hand on her hip, pretending to think about it for a moment. "Hmmm...actually more like the sinking of Atlantis if you ask me," was her playfully sarcastic remark, but instead of getting a snotty comment back let alone a laugh she was stunned to see Roger's expression fall.

He stared at her for a moment before dropping his shoulders and sinking back down on the hay bale she found him sitting on. Judy was taken aback honestly never thinking that Roger would be downed by a playful insult, especially one given to him by her. Taking a few steps closer she saw that he was hurt more than she thought. His gaze was on the ground and he looked literally like he was completely defeated.

"Roger?" she asked softly, kneeling down in the hay in front of him. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer, but instead closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. Roger then cracked open an eye when he felt Judy's hand on his knee. He looked at her and felt that wonderful warmth spreading through him that only comes about from her touch. With a sad heavy sigh Roger said quietly, "I disappointed ya, girly."

Judy blinked. "You...disappointed me? How? You've done nothing wrong."

"Sure I did, gir---uhhh...Judy. Look at the outside! It ain't exactly midnight ya know! We're late! We're in trouble, and it's my fault!" Judy was about to protest that they were in this together when he waved her into silence. "It's always the guy's fault, girly. No matter what, I'll be getting the blame more than you and that's ok."

She lowered her sunglasses and peered at him over the rims. "Roger, don't get all noble about this. I sort of brought this on so if anyone's to blame, it would be me."

"No." he replied shortly and pushed her hand off his knee while quickly standing. Giving her a shrug, Roger started to walk towards a small ventilation window and looked out through the slats. "I messed up, girly, just face it. I messed a perfect evening up in more ways than one."

"Messed things up? Roger, you did nothing of the sort!" Judy joined him by the window, gently grabbing his shoulder to turn him to face her. "The party was delightful and I am so glad you invited me."

"It ain't that," he muttered and turned his attentions back out the window. It was hard for him to admit what was truly wrong, but he had no problem in saying what was not. However, he knew that Judy wasn't going to let up until he told her what was really bothering him, but he just wasn't quite sure how to put it.

Taking in a deep and calming breath, Roger softly said, "I messed up what was probably a one time deal last night. I know I was no good and all that and you ain't gotta pretend that it was any good. You probably woulda rather have had someone that knew more on what he was doing instead of a loser like me."

Judy wanted to laugh out loud, but knew that would hurt his feelings and pride more than they all ready were even though they had no reason to be. "O, my Sir Roger of Klotz! Is that what is bothering you?" she exclaimed lightly, trying to be supportive without humiliating him. "Roger, it was new for the both of us. Do you honestly think I had any more clue than you did?"

He quirked an orange brow and looked up at her. "Get off it, girly, you read a lot so if anything that probably helped you have more brains on that subject over me. I just sucked, admit it and carry on with your life. I sucked at that and I got us both in huge trouble to boot and I wasn't exactly a perfect gentleman with you last night either. So, I wouldn't blame you if you left. After I get ya home, you're welcome to say good-bye to me for good."

Moving her hand under his chin, Judy gently pushed him up to look at her. "I don't think I can leave you now even if I wanted to. The first time is bonding of hearts, second time is bonding of souls and I would like very much to share a second time with you."

She then leaned up and tenderly kissed the tip of his pointed nose making him blush. "I have no intentions on leaving you for as I stated last night I do believe I finally found my soul mate. Just don't get sappy on me or anything like that. I don't know what I'd do if I were to lose my smart- assed punk."

Judy hugged him close for a moment then pulled back and touched the side of his face. "I don't regret anything that happened last night either and I do look forward to an encore performance very soon," she said softly, winking behind her sunglasses.

Roger smiled crookedly at her and said with a smirk, his confidence slowly returning. "We could now ya know. We're late anyway so there's no time limit." He snaked his arms around her while giving her a light kiss on the lips making her close her eyes and sigh.

"All though that is extremely tempting dear Roger, we cannot. We still have the dilemma of being here all night. I'm sure your mom might be worried even though you say she is not and I know that my folks are probably going crazy looking for me and Doug isn't going to be making matters any easier. However, I think a big concern we should have, though, is Mrs. Keane."

Roger winced. "Oh man! I forgot about her." Quickly, he pulled back and took Judy by the hand, leading her towards the trap door. "Maybe we can sneak out of here without anyone even noticing." He hoped as he helped Judy climb down the ladder then followed after she was a ways below.

"No, I'm sure she knows we're on the estates someplace," she called up to him after she reached the ground. "After all, your chauffeur would have had to have been left behind and he no doubt would have knocked on the mansion door looking for us."

Roger winced again at those thoughts and jumped down off the last few rungs of the ladder making a soft thud on the barn floor. He then noticed that the farm equipment that normally gets stored in here wasn't about. It wasn't like Mrs. Keane not to put her wagons away. Dread crept over him as he wondered if she knew he and Judy were up in the loft last night and didn't want to bring the wagons inside and disturb them.

Brushing off his vest, he took Judy by the hand and pulled her out of the barn and into the brightness of the morning sunlight outside. They then made their way quickly and quietly around the lake and back towards the barn where the dance was held. "Dammit, the horses are gone," he groaned, shaking his head as he looked towards the corral where they put Zeus and Hera during the party. "It's a super long walk back to the mansion and we're going to be even later getting back home if we do that."

Judy sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. She wouldn't admit that she was afraid of getting into trouble over this, but deep down she was very concerned. No one would know the real reason behind them sleeping in the barn, but she knew that this was probably going to be worth a grounding on her part even though she was technically too old for such things. Her parents would use the 'while you're living under my roof you will obey my rules' on her and that's what worried her the most.

Roger suddenly squeezed her hand nervously as he heard the faint sound of wagon wheels in the distance coming their way. His first instinct was to run off and hide someplace, but he knew they had to get back to the mansion and it was quite a long walking distance so he calmed himself and waited for the approaching wagon hoping that it would take them back and with some luck they wouldn't have been too missed and he could slip his way out of their severe tardiness without much drama or pain.

To be continued...