Disclaimer: I don't own the Ducks, songs, brands, etc. I only own the things/characters that you don't recognize from the movies or life.

Warning: Swearing and light sexual content (no visual just mention of it).

Note to Reviewers:

Lanichair: I do take it as constructive criticism thank you keep it up. And as for Paige easily being able to beat her up, there was some back to story to her old school and getting into fights and also she's a hockey player compared to the other girl who isn't. And I know that the story seemed to morph into a Charlie/Paige story but some of these chapters are going to have two stories going at once. I thought that the Luis story was the A story and Paige/Charlie the B, at least that's what I tried to make it. Also that was sort of a build up for this chapter. And I hope that you bare with me through this chapter because it's all Charlie and Paige and there is going to be more stuff following this plot in future chapters...but don't worry there will be more other Duck stuff as well and the rival team will soon take a role in the plot. Thanks for your review and keep up the constructive criticism!

Katie: I know I didn't really go into his psyche...I dangled my feet if you will there will probably be some follow up on him though. And I can't wait for that better review that you promised! Lol. Thanks for reviewing though; it's good to know that you're reading.

AntiIRONY: Thanks for correction and liking this story on top of Fulton's Girl...which I am going to continue at some point...anyway Thank you.

ColeSR2005: Thank you for your review and reading my first story. This chapter has a little more of an 'All is fair in love of war' vibe to it...so hopefully you'll enjoy it! Thanks again for reviewing!

Author's Note: I know that this took a long time to update. I'm sorry! But it also took a while to write. I hope you like it. I don't think that it's the best chapter in this story so far but it's choc-full of drama, which I enjoy. Anyway I won't keep you any longer, enjoy. Oh also sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes I really wanted to post this quick.

Night Shadows and Morning Light

She lay naked under the sheet; a white piece of paper crumbled up then spread out, wrinkles and creases everywhere. She smoothed out the soft fabric on her bare stomach. She looked beside her at Charlie lying on his stomach, the edge of the sheet lining the base of his back. Her eyes slid along his smooth skin that still had the tan from the summer. The bed smelt fresh with sex.

Their first time had happened at the beginning of the summer. School was out, exams finished and the warm air infectious. Paige shifted to her side careful not to disturb him. She studied his sleeping face; mouth slightly open, brow relaxed, eyes moving faintly under their lids. She had taken his innocence that summer night, with the parents out, house to themselves. She knew them sleeping together would happen eventually, their relationship was always physical, it had stared with a kiss, no first date, then running around behind the teams back, sneaking off to get another taste of each other. She wasn't a virgin when it happened and she felt like she never truly was. There was no grand act that had taken her innocence away; just doses of pain and sin that made her grow up with scares. Her introduction to life and love was a slap in the face, an abandoning drunk of a mother, cheating father who married his mistress and a boyfriend who cared more about drugs then her and a guitarist who still haunted her.

But she took comfort in knowing that was her past and Charlie was her present and maybe even...future.

After that hot night they had been lying down together every week or so becoming more comfortable and aware of their bodies. She gave one last look at Charlie before truing onto her back and closing her eyes letting sleep sweep over.

Night shadows leering in the room Charlie awoke alone, he groggily sat up, whipped the sleep from his eyes and looked around the vacant space. He shook his head trying to free the last of sleep that hung to him and he bent to the floor grabbed his boxers, pulling them on he got out of bed. Finally he sauntered over to his pants that were crumpled on his desk chair. As he put them on he saw Paige come into the room.

"Hey, you're up" she greeted fully dressed she was drying her hair with a towel.

"Hi" standing he zipped up his pants

"Ok it's six thirty, your parents will be home in half an hour," she said draping the towel over his door and then moved to his dresser. Opening a drawer she continued "So, I figure we'd better think of something to say to them when they ask the inevitable question" she turned and threw him a clean shirt "'What have you two being doing?' Because watching TV has gotten a little old"

Charlie put on his shirt lazily only half listening.

"I know that they probably think that most of the time when we say that we've been making out which is fine but I think that it's a little conspicuous. Making out for an afternoon is kind of ...impossible. I don't want your parents getting too curious and find out about our actual activities, especially because it's taking place in their house. Not the mention that your mom would probably ban you from seeing me. And it's never pretty when parents find out that their child has had sex. So we could-"

Before she could finish her thought Charlie caught her lips in a soft kiss.

"Hi" he said again.

"Hi"

He smiled lightly and walked out of the room. She paused before following his footsteps. Meeting him in the kitchen Paige tried to continue on her point "Why don't we say that we went out with the Ducks and went roller blading?"

Charlie nodded his approval while staring into the fridge. He began unpacking food building a small heap on the counter. Lastly he took out two cans of coke and passed on the Paige.

"Charlie I've been meaning to tell you something" she opened up the can with a snap and sipped it nervously eyeing Charlie who was distracted with piling on the contents of what looked like a massive sandwich with two parts separated by a third piece of bread. He looked at her to continue before squirting on a second type of mustard.

"I got suspended on Thursday" He froze mid-bite then finished the movement. He thoughtfully chewed. "Say something" Paige requested quietly fiddling with the tab of the coke can.

"Why?"

"Because I want to know what you are thinking" she responded impatiently as he ate his sandwich

"No, why did you get suspended?"

"Well, it's been a while since I got into trouble and I wanted to shake things up a bit"

"I mean, what did you do?"

"I" she lowered her voice, picking up her can, uttered, "punched a girl" She took a swift swig of coke. Charlie raised his eyebrows in bemusement; Paige's violent tendencies didn't really shock him anymore.

"She started it"

He nodded with obvious fierce and fake agreement.

"She did" she put down her coke a little harder then necessary and it spilt on the white marble. Snatching the cloth she started to plea her case to what seemed to be an amused mute juror. "She was bad mouthing Luis, calling him an asshole and shit in front of the whole class just because her friend got stood up. Then when I told her off she claimed that I was cheating on you with Luis"

His sandwich gone his voice came back. "Was it around there your fist got involved?" He drank his coke unsuccessfully hiding a grin.

"It's not funny Charlie" she said seriously as she chucked the cloth into the sink and was about to drink her coke when she realized she wasn't even thirsty to begin with and poured it down the sink then rinsed the can. "She was a real bitch. She's lucky that Julie and the teacher got involved when they did or she'd have more then a bruise on her face" she throw open a cupboard, shot the can into the blue box with a smash and slammed the door. "What right does she have saying that?"

Charlie was chugging back his coke as Paige huffed around him busying herself with cleaning the kitchen with the efficacy of a spider opening and slamming the fridge and whipping the counter all the while weaving a web of complaints about the girl with the bruise on her face. He put his empty coke can down and before Paige could take it he picked her up at the waist and heaved her onto the island and boxed her in putting his hands on the marble at each of her sides.

"Charlie what are you doing?"

"Making sure you don't scrub the counter away"

Despite herself she smiled "If I promise not to 'scrub the counter away' can I get down?"

"No. You have to calm down. It's not like you to get so worked up about what a random person said about you"

She wouldn't say it but they both knew he was right, stubbornly she said "But this wasn't some random girl. She was the bitchest Ice Queen I've met at this school. That being said," she tried moving to the left and hoping down but he put her back.

She sighed and slouched on the island with the sulkiness of a child. "I don't want to get violent with you" she said, it sounded more like a whine then a threat.

"That's ok I like it rough"

She let out a laugh, the one he could identify as her true laugh.

"So why did what she say get you so upset?" he asked relaxing his arms.

"It's just that..." the rest of her sentence seemed to fly out the bay window she was gazing out of. Letting out a whisper of a sigh she turned her attention back to him and looked into his eyes taking in the familiar blue "You know I would never cheat on you right?"

He nodded "Just like I wouldn't cheat on you"

She was tempted to make him say it again just to hear the sincerity in his voice but instead gave a stern nod and said "Good. Now can I get down?" Even thought she was teasing her pout looked delicious. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her along the marble so she was sitting on the edge, and he kissed her. Running her hand through his inch long hair; starting to grow out from the summer cut, she held onto the counter with her free hand. Deepening the kiss she parted his lips gently with her own.

The piercing ring of the phone sliced the quiet of the well-lit kitchen.

Letting out a groan Charlie tore himself away and picked up the phone. A demanding voice boomed from the phone. He grimaced and passed the voice to Paige who held it to her ear already knowing who it belonged to.

"Paige!"

"Who is this?" she asked her step mom rearranging herself on the marble.

"Paige!" Charity hissed, venom seeping through the phone line burning Paige.

"Charity? Is that you?"

"Paige, I am not in the mood"

"Ok, ok"

"I got an interesting call from Eden Hall" Paige tensed as Charity continued, "You got suspended?"

"Can't pull anything past you can I?"

"Paige!" Charity exclaimed exasperated.

She then heard her father's voice and a loud smash which Paige assumed was Charity slamming the phone down on the table.

"Paige I would like it if you would stop irritating your mother" her dad droned.

"She is not my mother" she replied simply

"I don't want to argue"

"That's a first"

"Enough. Hold on" even with her father putting the phone on the table she could still hear how his voice was suddenly filled with love. "No Lily I can't play Barbies. Can't you see Daddy's on the phone?" Paige rolled her eyes as her father spoke to her little sister. "How about I play with you after I get off the phone? Ok Sweetie. Paige where were we?" his tone back to the mix of tedium and anger he began to lecture her. "Now I heard you got suspended for fighting..."

Here we go, Paige thought dryly. She took the phone away from her ear and pushed the 'mute' button. Lightly placing the phone onto the counter she looked over at Charlie.

"Uh, Page what are you doing?"

"Don't worry my dad will be done in four and a half minutes. He'll ask if 'I got that' and then hang up" she shrugged and slipped off the island and took his arm. As she pulled him to her he asked, "How do you know it'll take that long?"

"Besides being psychic, I've timed him" she answered, a small grin tugged at the side of her mouth. She took the final step so their bodies met.

"Why don't you talk to him instead of ignoring his speeches?" he frowned down at her.

"Because I don't want to" she started to close the space between their lips but he turned his face away.

"Don't you think it would be easier to just explain yourself?"

Sighing she hoped back onto the counter put her elbow on her knee and propped her head on her hand.

"He might understand or at least try to. I know I've never had a father but isn't that what they're supposed to do?" He didn't' understand Paige's relationship with her father, it seemed as if she didn't want him in her life let alone get along with him. He could understand parents and children fighting, he sure as hell had his share of it, but Paige was just trying to block him out.

"You have John"

"He spends more time trying to be my friend then a father. And don't change the subject" he accused pointing at her. "You waist so much time on trying to extract him from your life when you could be putting all of the energy" he put out his hands as if to hold a shaky basketball "into trying to get along with him"

"Charlie," she lifted her self with her arms so her torso and legs were in mid-air then landed on the floor with a thud "You don't get it"

"Then explain it to me" he demanded anger rising "Why would someone not want to have a relationship with their father if they're lucky enough to have one? Because I've spent most of my life wanting one" he thrusted his hand at himself then at her "and you have one but don't' want him. So you're right I don't' get it. It's beyond me" he leaned against a wall of cabinets and crossed his arms glaring at her, his eyes flickering with a fiery rage.

Taking a deep breath trying to simmer her own temper she said, "You won't be able to get it because there's too much involved. There are too many things to count and try to explain"

"Bullshit. You probably just don't want to explain. There might not even be a good reason why" he spat out his burning words like they were too hot for his mouth.

They caused Paige's anger to bubble over "Charlie you know jackshit about me and my fucking father" she stood in front of him as she continued "Look I'm sorry that you don't have a father, I really am, but the reason why you don't is because your mother left him so you could have a better life. You say I'm lucky to have a dad but what about you and what you have? You've got a step-dad who's a good man and is trying to get your respect, a mother who would do anything in the world for you, Bombay, who might not have the 'father' title but loves you like a son. You've got Yans, better then any grandfather anyone can ask for, and you had Hans. So don't tell me what I'm lucky to have just take a Goddamn look at what you've got!"

Cooling, Charlie countered "You have Bombay and have known him longer then me"

"Give me a fucking break. Do you even remember Bombay before you preformed the miracle of changing his life? He hated kids. When I got shipped here every summer he would barely even look at me. Just send me to camp and for the days in between leave me with Yans or Hans. So don't give me any of that shit. And don't dare say that I had Hans because I only spent two weeks out of the year with him"

His angry expression cracked slightly "Paige-"

"Charlie" she interrupted through clenched teeth, anger still bubbling, "I didn't say this to get your sympathy 'cause I don't want it" she stared at him "I don't want it". Turing away from him she bolted out of the room and by passing Charlie's entering parents ran out of the house.

"Lover's quarrel?" John asked teasingly.

"Something like that" Charlie sighed slouching against the cabinets.

"You shouldn't let her go home alone at the time of day, it isn't even light out yet' Casey scolded.

"Don't worry Mom she can take care of herself," he mumbled rubbing his forehead, trying to massage an answer to how to fit the fight into his head.

"Charlie Conaway if you aren't outside in-"

"Fine" he jogged out of his house; there was a hope that was burning down where his rage was dimming, a hope that they could just make up.

Arriving at her dorm just to find her roommate half awake bent over her homework, empty coffee cups scattered around her. He then went to Julie and Connie's dorm. Knocking twice, he waited for Julie to open the door. He looked into the dorm and saw no one.

"Hey Charlie" Julie greeted with badly masked surprise, dressed in her pajamas.

"You seen Paige?"

"Not since this morning" he left her standing at her door. She would wake up etched with curiosity about whether or not it had been a dream.

He entered the Ducks common room and scanned the area. A television with 'Gone in 60 seconds' playing unwatched stood by the wall across from the door, a few hardwood tables were placed around the room out lined with cushy chairs, at one table Portman, Luis and Russ were playing cards. The only other furniture in the room was brown leather sofas. One sat Ken working on a laptop, the adjacent, Dwayne lay, his snoring muffled by his cowboy hat. They must have been up because of one of their all night poker games.

Charlie's entrance was recognized by a few distracted greetings.

"Has anyone seen Paige?"

"In my dorm with Fult" Portman answered not turning from the game. In the end Charlie, Banks and Guy got stuck in the 3-way room by Guy's uncharacteristically unlucky pull of the short straw. Thus Russ took the opportunity to move out and bunk with Dwayne who was forced out by Luis because of his loud snoring, which didn't bother Russ, he was used to loud noises at night whether it be police or car alarms.

Charlie turned and through the open doorway saw Fulton and Paige, backs to him, sitting on Fulton's bed talking quietly. Knocking on the doorframe Charlie stood by the entrance, the seclusion of the room blocking his way in. They both turned, he couldn't catch Paige's expression she had turned back before he could snatch it but he could plainly see Fulton's furrowed brow and set jaw.

"Can I come in?"

Fulton looked to Paige how nodded in such a way that it hardly even seemed like one.

"Sure" Fulton answered still eyeing Paige.

"Uh, Fult could we have some privacy?" Charlie asked uncomfortably.

Again he looked at Paige who did the same non-nod. The enforcer stepped out of the room as quietly as possible. When he was gone Paige stood and looked at Charlie.

"I'm sorry" he said, "It's true that I don't know what has happened with your dad"

"You also don't know how to be grateful for what you have" she added, her anger not yet subsided.

"Are you saying all of this because your jealous of what I have?" he asked, it was like the rage in her words filling his ears passed it onto him.

"No Charlie I'm not jealous. I've learned to accept my circumstances," she countered heading for the door.

"It's not all circumstance"

At the doorway she turned "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you were brought up in a pretty crappy situation but your choices didn't really help"

She gasped for breath, it was like he had punched her in the chest, but she quickly regained herself "Screw this. I don't' want to hear you judge my life or me" she went out into the hall but stopped when Charlie followed her out. All of the Ducks were now looking at the quarreling couple.

"No, I had to listen to you so you get to listen to me. You could have made your life better but instead made it worse. Your decisions contributed to it all"

"Right" she scoffed, as his critical words sucked out her breath "Oh fearless leader please tell me how I fucked up my life"

"Ok. How about taking up drinking or doing drugs or...not working in school or...losing your virginity at the ripe age of 13" Each example was a carefully aimed dart that hit the weakest parts of her. But she took them and chucked them back at him with vigor.

"Oh yeah Charlie if I hadn't lost my virginity then you'd still be a virgin and probably would have been ripening until the second year of collage when some drunk who didn't even know what she was doing fucked you out of pity. So maybe instead of pointing out the wrong in my decisions you should be thanking me, you fucking bastard!"

With the last slash thrown she ran out of the building, fueled by her pain, leaving Charlie with the scraps of his hopes held loosely in his chest, and the Ducks looking on with dumbstruck eyes. The morning light was streaming in through the windows.

End of Chapter

Author's Note: I hope you all liked it. Thanks for waiting!