CHAPTER TWO

That afternoon, Carly arrived back to her apartment. The conference had run for three hours and after that, she stopped at the Lone Gunmen's warehouse on the way home. The three guys had talked about her staying with them and all agreed it was a good idea. Carly would be safe staying with them because of their high-tech security and no one can get in without them knowing about it.

Also, Madeline had no idea who the Lone Gunmen where or were they lived. After a lengthy discussion, Carly finally agreed to stay with them indefinitely.

She had come back to her apartment to pack up some clothes, lap-top, toiletries and a few other things. While she was packing, there was a knock on the door. She peeked through the spy hole before letting Mulder inside.

" I thought I'd let you know Madeline was here earlier," he told her as she stuffed a pair of pyjamas into a backpack.

" I'm not surprised that she came straight here," Carly replied, " I'll be staying with the Lone Gunmen for awhile, they assured me I'll be safe with them."

" I'll keep an eye on this place if you want," Mulder offered.

Carly nodded and there was another knock on the door. Mulder went to answer it, in case the visitor was Madeline, it wasn't.

" Hey guys," he greeted Byers and Langly, letting them in, " Picking up your new roommate?"

" I was going to drive over myself but Madeline knows my car. She could follow me there." Carly explained to him as Langly picked up one of her duffle bags.

" Are you ready?" Byers asked her as she picked up her carry case and backpack.

" Yup, let's go."

" Have fun." Mulder grinned and followed the three out. He disappeared inside his own apartment. Carly donned on a pair of sunnies and a fedora hat. They had suggested she'd disguise herself just in case Madeline was watching her apartment.

They climbed into the van and Byers drove off. Carly glanced at her apartment building and saw a solitary figure walking up the street. The figure was a woman and she was staring at their van. Carly squinted-the woman wasn't Madeline and she relaxed.

Great, now the guys have gotten ME paranoid. Carly thought.

That night, Carly and the three guys had Chinese takeaway for dinner and had a few drinks too. Carly was on her third glass of vodka with lemon and lime and felt blissfully numb…it was helping her take her mind of everything.

Byers and Frohike were teasing Langly about his hair.

" Leave him alone, he suits long hair," Carly defended Langly, " but you could brush it once and awhile Ringo."

" For you, he'd do it in a flash," Byers said, giving away Langly's secret.

" Byers!" Langly glared at him, " Shut up."

" What does he mean by that?" Carly asked Langly.

" Nothing, it doesn't matter." Langly insisted, getting embarrassed. He stood up and went into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Carly joined him, " I'd like to know what Byers meant," she told him.

" Byers has had too many beers, just ignore him," Langly advised and grabbed another one for himself.

" He's only had two," Carly reminded him, " Something's up with you Langly, I'd like to know what it is."

" If I tell you, it might change things."

" Change things?"

" Between us," things had suddenly gotten quiet and Langly glanced over at the others. They were listening to them intently.

" Do you mind? This is a private conversation."

" Let's go outside, I need some air." Carly decided taking his arm. The two disappeared outside and Frohike sighed. He wished Byers had kept his mouth shut. If Langly confessed to Carly, then he'd never get a chance now.

How did this happen? Carly wondered as she tightened her arms around Langly's waist, one minute we were talking and the next…Langly's mouth was on hers, kissing her hungrily. When Carly had asked what was wrong, Langly didn't reply, instead he had pulled her against him and started kissing her.

Carly started to feel dizzy, the vodka was effecting her, " Langly-I need to sit down," she told him breaking of the kiss, " I feel dizzy."

Langly looked disappointed but nodded, " Ok." He agreed and went back inside. She sat down on the couch and after awhile, fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Carly woke up and the memories of last night came flooding back…along with a headache.

She was regretting kissing Langly, she was afraid it might change things between them. He was he best friend and nothing more than that.

You have to tell him, she told herself as she made her way upstairs and into the bathroom, or he might start thinking otherwise. After taking a long, hot shower she went into the bedroom to change and went back downstairs. Langly was sitting in front of his computer and there were no signs of Byers or Frohike.

" Where are Byers and Frohike?" she asked Langly.

" Gone to get some breakfast from the bakery," Langly replied, " I hope you like doughnuts and bagels because that's what they are getting."

" That's fine," Carly rubbed her tired eyes and peered over his shoulder, " Working on an article for the newspaper?" he looked up at her and nodded. He looked slightly hung-over himself.

" Uh, while they aren't here, I have to tell you something." Carly began hesitatingly.

" It's about last night right?" Langly replied, pushing his glasses up his nose.

Carly told him how she felt, " the kiss was nice and everything, but it didn't really mean much. I'm so sorry Ringo."

" I guess it's my fault," Langly admitted, " I was the one who kissed you first. I shouldn't have done that."

" We're still friends then?"

Langly nodded, " Of course." He said tucking a strand of blond hair behind an ear, the hurt expression on his face clearly obvious.

" I'll be upstairs, tell Frohike I'll take my breakfast up in my room, I'll be working on my laptop." Carly smiled at him before hurrying upstairs-she couldn't get away fast enough.