Ahh....yea sorry guys, I put in Michelle instead of Alicia...my bad. But, I'ma just gonna leave it...unless it severely bugs anyone?

Aaaaand in my original story line I'm looking at now, I had them meeting Lawrence later on. Cuz don't' worry dolls, I like Lawrence too...his cape is kick butt.

Anyway. Onto the story.
Their show had been amazing. The crows had gone wild after they played their title song. Now Freddy was driving them all home in Zack's van.

"I still can't get used to this rush!" Michelle exclaimed leaning her head back. "Hey Katie, what're you doing tonight? My sister just got the new Coldplay CD...I could sneak it and we could listen to it."

Katie yawned, leaning her head on Zack's shoulder. "Going to Freddy's," she mumbled. Zack shifted so that his arm was around her shoulder, and her head was resting on his chest. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep, to the sound of his heartbeat.

"Ah, having another sleepover, I see?" Eleni teased flipping her silky blonde locks over her shoulder.

"Aw, El, leave the lovebirds alone." Summer added, tightening her brown ponytail and grinning.

Freddy scowled at them in the review mirror as he stopped short at a red light. "Hey, Zack gonna be there too!" he exclaimed in his defense.

"Aw, they're just teasing you." Tomika said, eager to stop any bloodshed.

"Whatever." Freddy muttered, as the light turned green. After quickly dropping off the others, he swung back around towards his house.

When he pulled into the driveway, he turned off the car. "Brace yourselves," was all he said before getting out. Zack and Katie hopped out of the other side. Together, the three of them walked up the steps to the front door.

"Dad?" Freddy called, his face hopeful.

"Freddy, izzat you?" Mr. Jones replied coming into view. He was most definitely drunk. "Oh, and you've got friends too. Pretty ones at that," he said, eyeing Katie. "Miss Kathryn. It has been awhile."

"I saw you the day before yesterday, sir, remember?"

The grin dropped from the mans face. "Are you getting smart with me girl?" he asked menacingly. Katie felt Freddy tense up next to her, and Zack took a step forward protectively.
"No sir." She replied.

"Good cuz I'll make you regret it."

"I'm sure you would sir."

His eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. "You'd better watch your mouth." She didn't respond. "Answer me girl!" She cast her eyes on the ground.

It all happened so fast. One minute, Freddy was trying to come up with an excuse so they could leave without angering his father. The next minute Mr Jones was slapping Katie hard across the face.

She reeled back. She felt Zack catch her before she hit the ground. She heard Kevin yell to Zack to get her upstairs and she saw him trying to restrain his father who was flailing his fists about wildly. As soon as Zack and Katie were in the safety of Freddy's room, she flung herself at him and began to sob.

"Kat are you ok? Does anything hurt?" Zack asked holding her at arms length. She shook her tearstained face and he gathered her in his arms again. His mind was racing. She and Freddy were his best friends, and he'd die for them. He and Freddy always tried to protect her, despite her protests that she didn't need babysitters. Tonight they'd failed.

"Where is he?" Katie asked, looking up at him, tears running down her face. "Is he ok? What if his dad hits him again?"

Katie was stupid. Even in her hysterical state, she could tell Zack was worried for his best friend. And if Zack was worried, then she didn't want to even think about what was going on. She felt her knees buckle and Zack caught her, leading her over to the bed.

"Stay here." He said, sitting her down. She nodded, laying her head on Freddy's pillow. "I'll be right back." He crept down the stairs, ready to help Freddy. When he reached the living room, though, he was pulling a blanket over his father, hardly needing help. When he turned, Zack saw that he had a black eye and a bruise on his cheek.

"Is she ok?" Freddy asked as he and Zack quietly left the room.

"She's fin. A little freaked out, but relatively fine." Zack replied. Neither of them spoke until they reached the bedroom. They opened the door and found Katie sleeping on Freddy's bed.

"Katie...hey Katie wake up!" Freddy said shaking her gently. She opened her eyes and saw him.

"Oh Freddy, thank god!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I was so scared, I didn't know if you were ok!"

"I know Hatzel, I'm so sorry. I shoulda let Zack take you home." Freddy said, holding onto her just as tightly. Then he gently disentangled himself and took her hands. "Katie, let Zack take you home. Ok? Go home."

She knew he was serious, but she shook her head anyway. "No way. I'm not leaving you here along."

He rolled his eyes. "Hatzel, I can take of myself." Her gaze flicked to her battered. "It's worse than it looks, really." He flinched as he blinked.

"Freddy, we're not leaving you hear by yourself. So get that through your skull." Zack said from the chair by the desk Freddy never used.

"Oh yes you are." He replied, standing. Katie stood as well.

"Come on," She said pulling him into the adjoining bathroom. "We're going to get you cleaned up." A few minutes later they emerged again. Zack noted that Freddy look slightly better. Freddy nodded towards Katie, and Zack grasped her shoulders.

"Let's go Kat, I'm taking you home." He said.

"Uh-uh, no way!" She exclaimed. "I'm staying here." But Zack kept pulling her. "Let me go or else I'll bite you!"

Zack smirked. "Can I choose where?" Freddy found this extraordinarily funny, while Katie did not.

"Freddy, come on, let me stay! My parents aren't home anyway so what if I get robbed at gunpoint? I could die and you'll have it hanging over your head because you made me go home!" She finished dramatically.

Zack glanced at Kevin and they had a silent conversation. Sure Katie ahd gotten hurt, but this time they'd be prepared.

"Alright, fine. You can stay." Freddy relented. They spent the rest of the night playing the bands songs.

Wow. Significantly longer, if I may say so myself. Thanks to all the people who reviewed to the first chapter, I hope you like this one as well.

Well, you know what to do! Review, and I shall give you some starburst jelly beans...and an Aida soundtrack!! Cuz Aida rocks the world.