A/N: So, here we are. The third and final chappy! ::tears up:: I'm gonna miss this fic a whole bunch. I can't wait to write the Epilogue, even if it is going to be our very favorite smutty romance kinda stuff. I also hope you would like to read the one I was planning with Chester and....well, someone. I thought it would be kind of sweet, that Chester didn't have a chance with Tootie, but it turns out it was for the best, cause then he would never have found....dun dun dun! Random True Love! Hooray! lol. Anyway, I'm taking votes on whether or not I should do my Chester/OC. I hope that it turns out y'all want it! ::grins:: Anyway: More reviews! I likey the reviews a whole lot!

Disclaimer: Piss off. How's that for a disclaimer? (hope none of y'all mind my foul language any. heh heh)

Chapter Three/Part One

The Long Way Home...

TOOTIE'S P.O.V.

I looked and looked but I just couldn't find the right costume. "Damn!" I whispered, looking through a third store and finding nothing. I sighed and went to my next stop. There were only two stores left on my list, so I closed my eyes and picked at random. "A Change For All Seasons?" I mused aloud.

"I told you we should have gone there first. That place always has nice picks and it's open year round since they do such great business." Vicky snapped, her feet probably aching a lot more than mine were. It was nine o'clock and the stores were getting ready to close so we hurried as fast as we could down to it.

"I'll just cruise around and if I don't find anything, I'll just use the one I wore last year." I told Vicky with a sigh. She glared at me.

"This is the last store we're going to. You're gonna find something and you're gonna like it!" she growled, stalking through the aisles. I smiled. That was just one of Vicky's ways of saying that she wants me to be happy. It was actually rather sweet once you got used to it. I wondered if she'd feel the same if she knew I was picking the costume with Timmy in mind.

I moseyed on over to the women's section, seeing as how I was much too developed for the other sections. Not that I have huge breasts and hips, mind you, just a little more developed than the petites. 'I suppose I could wear the petite sizes.' I mused thoughtfully. 'They'd definitely make my breasts look bigger because of how tight they would be.' I chuckled to myself at my ridiculous thoughts and gasped when I came upon it. The perfect costume. It was mine. I snatched it up greedily and ran my eyes over it again and again. It was beautiful. And it went with Timmy's costume perfectly! ...At least it did, in my opinion. An angel costume of gossamer and beautiful feathered wings. An angel for The Angel of Music. I spun in a circle giggling and holding it to my chest. Perfect.

I panicked when I saw the price tag. Yikes. It was perfect alright. Perfectly expensive. I sighed and went to put it back when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

"I'll help pay for it, sweetie. I saw how you looked at it." Vicky said, smiling at me. I tackled her in the biggest hug ever.

"I love you! You're the best sister ever!" I exclaimed giggling.

She smirked at me. "I know." Was all she said. I gave her my money and she paid the last little bit. Man, if I had only saved for another week, I'd have had enough to have bought it on my own. I shrugged thoughts like that away and started humming The Phantom of the Opera. "Early Christmas, Tootie. Early Christmas." Vicky said and grinned at me when I paused and pouted. "Don't worry, kiddo. This isn't all you're getting. I only spent twenty. You'll still have things to unwrap." I pouted as long as I could until she bopped me on the head and I burst into giggles. I just couldn't help but feel giddy since Timmy had confessed to me his feelings and asked me out.

"Vicky?" I ventured as we walked through the closing mall. She turned to me with a raised eyebrow signifying she acknowledged me. "Um, there's something I want to tell you but you have to promise you won't freak out." I looked behind me and could have sworn I saw someone familiar. I shook my head and turned back to my big sister. "Timmy... he... he asked me out today and he told me he's been in love with me for a while. He was just too stupid to realize it. He left the most popular girl in school for me." I said all of it in a rush and waited with bated breath for Vicky's reaction. But I could have sworn I heard someone gasp during my confession.

I was not expecting her to burst out laughing and slap me on the back. "It's about freakin' time!" I must have been standing there slack- jawed for some time when she finally slapped my back again to jerk me out of my shock. "Come on, it was only obvious he'd fall for you. Where do you think you got your good looks from?" she asked fluffing her hair jokingly. I grinned and started walking again.

"Mama." I answered. I started running, shopping bag in tow, when Vicky shrieked and reached for me. We ran and laughed all the way to the car. I only wished I had waited until we were in the car when I told her about Timmy. When we drove off, I turned and looked back at the mall and at the entrance was a livid Trixie Tang. "Oh, no." I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. 'Now she's going to ruin Timmy's life. If he had only left her because he didn't care for her, she'd get over it...but now...oh, God, please let her get over this quickly. Don't let her ruin Timmy's social status. I know he enjoys it even if he said he only needed Chester and I.' I silently prayed.

TIMMY'S P.O.V.

I woke up early after probably the best night's rest I've ever had. And then I remembered the previous day and got out of bed quickly, brushing my teeth and hair. I got dressed in a hurry and grabbed my backpack along with my keys. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! See you after school!" I hollered and ran out the door. After hopping into my car, I raced to Tootie's house and knocked on the front door, looking at my watch. It was only six-thirty. She wouldn't even have to wake up for another half hour unless she planned on walking to school today.

'Wednesday. I can't believe it's only been two days since I broke up with Trixie.' I thought. I grinned at the sight that greeted me when the door opened. 'But it sure was worth it.' Here stood Tootie in tiny pajama shorts, a matching flimsy top, and a toothbrush in her mouth. Her hair was slightly mussed but secure in a thick braid.

She blearily blinked her beautiful eyes up at me and froze. Just then, I knew that I would love to wake up to this sight every morning. I was surprised when she slammed the door and I tried not to laugh as I heard her running footsteps. About two seconds later, the door opened again and Tootie stood, smiling up at me a bit sheepishly.

"Sorry about that, Timmy." she said softly, blushing. I leaned down and kissed her soundly on the mouth.

"No worries. Colgate?" I asked referring to the toothpaste she had to of used. She laughed and nodded.

"Come on in. You come here to take me to school?" she asked, closing the door behind me.

"Yeah. I thought you might like to ride with me instead of dealing with Vicky's morning death threats or walking." I suggested. She chuckled and nodded.

"I'll go get dressed." she said and began to head up to her room.

"Need any help?" I called out cheekily.

She turned and looked at me incredulously. "I think I can manage." she said, heading upstairs with her shoulders shaking from suppressed laughter.

"I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave," I said quietly to myself, watching her backside as she jogged up the stairs. She came back downstairs a few minutes later, her hair now flowing freely, singing a cute song.

"-Well, I stumbled in the darkness. I'm lost and alone. Though I said I'd go before us and show the way back home. Cause there's a light up ahead. I can't hold on very long. Forgive me, pretty baby, but I always take the long way home.-" I smiled at her and opened the door for her, in hopes that she'd keep singing. She had a very soft and pretty voice. Rather soothing. I smiled at her and listened intently as she continued singing. "Money's just somethin' ya throw off the back of a train. I've got a head full of lightning; a hat full of rain. And I know that I said I'd never do it again. Oh, and I love you, sweet baby, but I always take the long way home. I put food on the table and a roof overhead. But I'd trade it all tomorrow for the highway instead. Watch your back if I should tell: Your love's the only thing I'd ever known. One thing's for sure, sweet baby, I always take the long way home." She paused and started humming, and I started the car. "-Though, I love you, baby. More than the whole wide world. I'm your woman. You know you are my pearl. So, let's go out past the party lights, where we can finally be alone. Come with me, and we can take the long way home. Mmmm. Come with me, together, we can take the long way home. Mmmm. Come with me, together, we can take the long way home.- "

"I never knew you could sing." I commented, turning to flash a smile at her.

She grinned. "Surprise." she said jokingly. "I just happened to have been listening to that CD, and I figure if I didn't sing that song, it'd be stuck in my head all day.

"Which CD?" I asked, pulling up to a stoplight.

"Nora Jones, Feels Like Home. She's one of the few country singers I like. I'm mostly into Linkin Park, Smile Empty Soul, Opeth, stuff like that." she said. I nearly choked on my own saliva.

"You like Opeth?" I asked, nearly disbelieving. She smiled and nodded.

"Sometimes, it can be really depressing, but their music's awesome. I swear they use like a million guitars. They must go through strings like mad." she practically gushed. I knew then that she had had HAD to be my soulmate. I just smiled at her brightly and drove the rest of the way to school listening to her talk excitedly about music. I answered just as enthusiastically whenever she'd ask a question. When we finally reached the school, I noticed Tootie's face pale...and then I saw why.

There stood Trixie Tang and half of the popular posse. And they were all glaring at us. "What the fuck?" I muttered, frowning. Tootie tugged on my sleeve and looked at me sadly.

"I'm sorry, Timmy. It's all my fault. Vicky took me shopping last night and I told her that you asked me out finally and she was happy for me, but Trixie had been eavesdropping. I didn't know she was there, I swear." I hushed her with my hand.

"It's not your fault. We would have had to of dealt with this sooner or later. Best to just get it over with, eh?" I asked with a smile. She smiled back tremulously and nodded. I grabbed her hand. "It'll be fine, love. I still have a bunch of people who would back me rather than her. They know she's just doing it for attention and gossip. I don't care about that. So, let's just get this over with." I added and moved to open my door.

"I love you, Timmy." she said with quiet conviction. I turned back to her and pulled her roughly to me in a kiss so explosive, I'm surprised we didn't disintegrate.

"I love you, too, Tootie. Always." I whispered.

"Always." she repeated breathlessly. We both got out of the car, I carried both our back-packs over one shoulder, and put my free arm around her much smaller shoulders. We walked and, as expected, Trixie began her little speech. No doubt, she rehearsed it before coming to school. I was actually rather surprised she got up so early.

"Well, well, if it isn't Tim Turner whose choices went from riches to rags." Trixie said all-too-sweetly.

"I'm so sorry, Trixie. You must have worked all night to come up with that and it still turned out to be a pitiful insult." Tootie said, just as sweetly, much to my surprise. I bit back a laugh and kept walking with Tootie tucked safely beneath my arm.

Pausing, I looked at everyone backing Trixie. Some with shocked expressions, the rest with frowns and glares. "By the way, just so you all know, I broke up with Trixie for Tootie. That much is true. I don't know what she told you, nor do I give a flying fuck. All I know is that I would rather be with a woman who's always loved me than with a girl who's never grown out choosing boyfriends according to their family's income and social status. So, if that's too much for some of your tiny brains to comprehend, I don't need you as a friend and you can just fuck yourselves, savvy?" with a parting nod and a smile at the few who walked away from Trixie, I walked with them to where the rest of my clique had gathered.

I explained what had happened to those who wanted to hear my story from my group that stayed to hear both sides of the tale before they made their decisions. Only a few went off to Trixie and the rest stayed and applauded both Tootie and I. For the first time in her life, Tootie was accepted into the popular clique and she practically glowed... or was it because I wouldn't let her out of my arms?

TOOTIE'S P.O.V.

This was some kind of sick cosmic joke and I was going to be the butt of it... or it could be a really great dream. If it was a dream, I hoped I never woke up. Timmy hardly let me out of his sight that whole day, worried that Trixie Tang and gang might try something. I loved him all the more for that. I never knew loving someone the way I've always loved Timmy would pay off. I was content just to make sure that he never forgot that I would always be there for him. And now I always can be.

The next couple of days went by relatively calmly, with Trixie and her entourage spreading rumors that no respectable human being would take seriously. I mean, she has seriously lost her touch... thank God. And I have now tasted popularity. It's not as horrible as I thought it would be but I still would rather hang out with my old friends. Timmy doesn't mind, as long as he can find me easy enough. On Friday he nearly had a heart attack because I wasn't where I said I'd be. I had to go to the restroom.

When I came out of the bathroom he saw me a smiled. "Sorry, love, but when ya gotta go..." I left it at that and he laughed.

"I should probably calm down a bit, but I don't want Trixie to try anything." he hugged me and cradled me in his lap underneath one of the school's many trees. "Wanna hear the latest rumor?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

"What this time? Am I an alien from planet X?" he chuckled appreciatively then sighed irritably.

"Unfortunately, she made this one believable and now the nurse wants call our parents to check." I blinked at him uncomprehendingly. He sighed heavier this time and continued. "She's telling everyone that I cheated on her with you and got you pregnant and that's why I broke up with her."

"What?!" I yelled. "But I'm still a virgin!" I shouted and slapped my hands over my mouth embarrassedly.

My friends turned to look at us and Cassie yelled back: "We know! Don't worry, we don't believe the demon-bitch!"

I sighed with a smile and turned my attention back to Timmy. "How about I go and talk to the nurse?" I suggested, playing with the collar of his white button up shirt. He had the sleeves rolled up and it looked really sexy. He kissed my cheek.

"Let's both go and explain the concept of intelligence to the nurse. You know, just to let her know that we both have some." he said. I smiled and scrambled to my feet, helping him up while I was at it. We made our way to the office chatting and smiling like nothing was wrong, when, in fact, I was afraid the nurse would call my mother anyway and get me in trouble for no reason.

"Mrs. Livingston?" I asked as Timmy and I entered the nurse's office.

"Ah, just the two I wanted to see." she began. Timmy and I didn't give her a chance to elaborate on that. I pounced into a seat cheerfully and Timmy sat down on the cushioned bench that students who were ill usually slept on.

"We've just come across a nasty little rumor started by my ex-girlfriend." Timmy began. I nodded and folded my arms over my chest.

"It's rather ridiculous, however romantic some might think it." I added. Timmy nodded and took his cue from there.

"Miss Tang has been telling everyone rumors increasing in audacity as well as stupidity. Now she's concocted some fabrication that Tootie and I have slept together, getting Tootie impregnated, when, in fact, we are both very much virgins. Even if we had made love, we're not stupid enough to go without precautions. Birth control of some sort." I nodded in agreement and fought a blush.

'How can he talk so openly with her like this?' I thought uncomfortably. 'Well... I guess it's alright since she's a nurse. She is a professional, after all.' That only helped me feel a little better. I was still incredibly embarrassed.

After that little fiasco, the day got increasingly worse.

I was insulted constantly, which didn't bother me until some guy punctuated one of his insults by throwing gum in my hair. Thankfully, it was only the bottom of my hair that got tangle in it, but it ended up have to be cut out. I found the guy who did it and decked him.

"Asshole!" I snapped, grabbing my bag and going to look for Timmy. I ended up crying. I hadn't had gum in my hair since the beginning of grade school and that was just as malicious an act as ever. We ditched our last period and he drove me to a hair salon. My hair was now waist length rather than right below my bottom. I sighed and mournfully fingered my new hair cut, which Timmy refused to let me pay for.

"You're still just as beautiful as ever." he murmured, kissing the tip of my nose. "I'll always think you're beautiful." I smiled. He always seemed to know just what to say to make me feel better.

That night, I got a phone call from, -insert sarcastically sharp gasp here-, Trixie Tang.
"Tootie! Phone!" My mom called up the stairs. I picked up the line in my room.

"Got it, Mom." I said into the receiver and waited for the tell-tale click, letting me know that she hung up. "Hello?"

"Tootie? This is Trixie Tang." I rolled my eyes at the snobby tone she used. I almost expected her to say "peasant" or something.

"Congratulations. What do you want, a biscuit?" I snapped, irritated already.

"Now, now, no need for unpleasantries." she said, as though trying to soothe me.

"You've got ten seconds." I muttered. "Now, what do you want?" I demanded.

"My, such a tone. One would think-"

"Cut to the chase, princess. I've got better things to do than talk to you. Like staring at my wall."

"That's it! Who do you think you-" Click. I hung up on her. If she was gonna just beat around the bush before making whatever threat it was she wanted to make, like I had said, I had better things to do. I called Timmy, but his phone was busy. I sighed and tried his home phone instead of his cell.

"Hello?" It was Mrs. Turner.

"Hi, Mrs. Turner? This is Tootie. May I speak with Timmy?" I asked pleasantly.

"Oh, of course, dear." she said kindly.

I waited a moment before Timmy finally came on the line. "Tootie?" he asked. He sounded worried.

"Hi, Timmy. What's wrong? You sound upset." I prodded gently.

I heard him heave a sigh. "Nothing's wrong, except Trixie keeps calling me saying all this crap and making her usual threats. I just don't think she'll ever understand that I don't care about what she'll have done to my social status if I don't give in to her demands. Can you believe she actually expects me to go back out with her?" he asked, sounding repulsed by the very idea... which pleased me immensely.

"She just called my house and was attempting to be pleasant, but I wouldn't have any of it. I kept cutting her off and telling her to get to the point and that I had better things to do. Like stare at my wall." I grinned as I heard him laugh.

"Did you really?" he asked, a smile evident in his voice.

"Absolutely." I confirmed. "And when she finally snapped, I hung up on her." Timmy made a choking noise and I felt my eyes widen. "Are you okay?"

He finally burst out laughing. "Y-you actually hung up on her?! I applaud you, my love. I don't even know if I ever would have had the guts to do that, just on principle." I giggled.

"Why, thank you, kind sir." I chirped gaily. "Soooo... where are we going tomorrow for lunch?" I asked, knowing he wouldn't tell me.

"It's a surprise. Dress formally, though." he said

When I finally woke up at ten o'clock, I set out my costume for that night and rummaged through my wardrobe for something special to wear. I settled on something classy as well as comfortable. It was a black silk-ish spaghetti-strapped dress that went down right above my knee-caps. The neck dipped to show just the right amount of cleavage. Not too much and not a too little. Just enough to spark a healthy teenager's imagination. There was an actual silver silk tie right below my breasts to give it a slight baby doll look. I put my hair up in a French twist and put on my favorite silver hoop earrings. I grabbed a pair of formal black strappy sandals with reasonable one inch heels. Then I brushed my teeth.

I carefully applied make-up. Only grey eye shadow, a little bit of mascara, and red lipstick to match my nails(fingers and toes). I looked myself over and nodded my own approval. Thankfully, Vicky had work and had left already, so I only had to show my mother and then wait for Timmy. I had so many butterflies in my stomach I thought I'd get sick. My first date with Timmy!!!

He arrived five minutes early looking extremely handsome. He was wearing black slacks, black dress shoes, a long-sleeved, white button-up dress-shirt, and a blue silk tie that matched his gorgeous eyes. He probably had a suit jacket in the car. 'My God, is there any doubt why I love him?' I asked myself.

He stopped and actually gaped at me. I rubbed my cheek, wondering if there was something on my face.

"What?" I asked, feeling my mother come up behind me.

"I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you." he said coming up to me and kissing my forehead.

"Good answer." my mom said, smiling at the two of us.

Timmy smiled up at her and handed her a red rose I hadn't even seen. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Reilly(A/N: I don't know her last name!!!). How are you?" he asked.

"I'm doing quite well. How are your mother and father doing?" she asked, blushing slightly. I guess he surprised her with that rose, too.

"They're well. They asked me to send their regards along with an invitation to a barbeque we're throwing next weekend. And," he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "don't worry, I'm cooking." he finished with a wink and my mother and I laughed.

"I'll be there. Now you two kids run along and make sure you bring her back with enough time so I can get her squared away in that costume." Timmy nodded and paused again, slapping his forehead.

"Tootie, grab your bathing suit and a change of clothes. I have everything else we'll need in the trunk. I've already talked with your mom about it." he said with a grin. When I came back downstairs, he was holding an entire bouquet of white and light purple carnations. I nearly started bawling. He remembered my favorite flowers.

Five and a half hours later, Timmy and I returned to my house with slightly darker tans. That was the best time I'd ever spent with him. We never lost our friendship throughout our new relationship and I think that it only makes us stronger. We went to a lovely fancy Italian restaurant called Antone's, and then to the beach. At one point, we started kissing and almost couldn't control ourselves. Let's just say that he made it to second base. I guess emotions that have built up for so long tend to cause a bit of explosive chemistry. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he had brought a camera to remember the event with. He said he wanted to make a scrapbook of us. That was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard... next to him confessing his love.

"Did you and the twerp have fun?" Vicky asked pleasantly. Timmy just grinned at her and pulled something out of his pocket, tossing it to her. "What's this?" she asked curiously. I blinked.

"Just open it. I know your birthday was last Sunday, but your mother and I had to find just the right one. It was your mom's idea but she was kinda short on cash so I offered to buy it. So, Happy Late Birthday, Vicky." She tore open the tissue paper and her eyes watered. "Did I do something wrong? Did I get the wrong one?"

Vicky shook her head and clutched the gift to her chest. I asked her if I could see it and she wordlessly handed it to me. I gaped. It was a sterling silver oval locket, which aren't too expensive... but it was what was inside that was priceless. It was a picture of Daddy and Vicky when he had fallen asleep rocking baby Vicky. The picture in the opposite side was one of both me and Vicky with him at a picnic. I was a baby and Vicky was a child.

"Thank you." she whispered then surprised everyone and hugged Timmy. My mom was standing behind Vicky and smiled warmly at Timmy.

'Damn, he sure is getting in good with my family.' I thought, hiding my grin to myself.
"You're very welcome." he said, smiling and rubbing the back of his neck in what had to be embarrassment.

Mother began shooing him out the door with a wink. "We need to get her ready, now. So you best be on your way. We'll have her ready by seven, okay?" she asked him quietly, as if I weren't supposed to hear. I walked with him outside, closing the door behind us, and leaned against the door. Thinking better of it, I went and leaned against Timmy.

"I have a very bad feeling we'll fall flat on our asses again if I leaned against the door this time." I muttered, nuzzling the side of his face, my arms around his neck. He chuckled and squeezed me tightly.

"Aw, it wasn't so bad. My mother thought it was hilarious." he murmured into my hair. I grumbled and he just hid his face in my neck... probably to hide a grin. I shivered slightly in my shorts and tank top as a breeze blew happily past.

"You should go. I want to sit under my showerhead for an hour... or until the hot water runs out... whichever happens first." I added thoughtfully.

"Tease." he muttered. I bit back a laugh and leaned up to kiss him.

"Oh, I'm not teasing," I blatantly lied, "I just want to take a scalding hot shower that will make my whole body rosy and warm." he swallowed thickly and looked heavenward pleadingly.
"It's just not fair." he whimpered. I giggled and kissed him again.

"Shoo. I have to go or my mom won't do my hair." I said, pushing at him. He smiled down at me, leaned down to kiss me, and then started to walk to his car.

He paused and turned around. "Whatever it is that your mother does, just ask her to leave it down. It's a shame to bind up such beautiful hair." With that, he turned and left. I felt myself flush with pleasure and practically dance into the house.

WELL THEN....

A/N:My bad. I made this chappy way too long. I guess there's gonna be another chapter which is the dance itself (Chappy 3 part two, ki doki?) and then the Prologue which will be chappy Four. Thank y'all for readin'. I'm actually writing it as we speak, so I might even update it today along with this chappy! Hooray! Hope that y'all enjoy!!!

Love and Peace,
Doves and Geese,
Lady Crysania/Blood Everlasting