Through the Oaf's Eyes
By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own, so please don't sue.


Chapter 3: A Silent Gallows

"WHAT?!"

I swear I must've looked like the stupidest guy in the world right then. But hey, it was just unexpected! You can't blame me for being surprised!

The nerd stood in front of me, shaking his head while his arms crossed in front of him like he was the king of the world or something. Grr, he could've just told me! Instead he had to make me think! And you know how I hate thinking! Could I help it if I thought Virginia and Jet were...you know?

I almost laughed out loud despite my shock. I had actually thought that Jet would do something like that! He wouldn't have the guts!

But wait, time to focus now, Gallows. I tend to lose my train of thought a lot lately. So Jet and Virginia...were in love?! That couldn't be! They hated each other! And Virginia wouldn't lose her mind and choose someone like that punk! I almost laughed aloud again. This has to be a joke. I mean, Virginia and Jet?! Jet barely did or thought anything! Why would he be in love? Yeah, this was a joke.

I started laughing hysterically. "Very funny, Clive! That's really funny! Almost got me there too!" I said totally forgetting about the dishes I had to clean as I laughed my head off at the very notion of Jet liking someone.

The nerd slapped his forehead again. Gee, he does that anymore and he's gonna have a concussion. "I'm not lying! It's true!" he insisted.

The laugh faded from my throat and my eyes were probably as huge as the plates I had to clean. "Are you...serious?"

He sighed, obviously irritated. "Yes!"

I could tell that he was obviously telling the truth at that point. Besides, who would joke about something like this? I was so shocked that I had to take a seat to clear my head. Jet and Virginia, in love?! That couldn't be. Maybe they don't love each other. After all, that's a small word with pretty big meanings behind it. Maybe it was puppy love? You know, a crush of some sort?

"Wait," I said still not entirely believing it. "They're in love? Are you sure? What if it's just a kid crush or something? Or maybe Jet's a little out of it? You know, only seeing one woman everyday will probably do that to you."

Eep...don't tell Virginia I said that.

"I'm afraid that they are in love," he answered. "This is definitely not just a crush. Believe me, I know."

Leave it up to Clive to know everything. I pondered on this a couple more minutes so that it would sink in my head. Wow, this was unexpected. Just think, two of the people I've been hanging out with, talking to, fighting beside, and just basically seeing everyday of this yet unfinished journey were in love. Ironically, one of them was my favorite of the group and the other was my least favorite. Why hadn't I noticed it earlier?

But wait, this can be used to my advantage! YES! FINALLY! REVENGE! Time for blackmailing! Now that punk will finally get what he deserves! One more sound of 'oaf' coming from him and I'll totally humiliate him! Fate must really love me for telling me this juicy bit of info. Next time I see the punk, I'll–

"No," Clive said sternly.

I groaned. Dammit. He must have seen through my plan or something. Or maybe I was being too obvious with that evil grin on my face. "What are you talking about?"

"You will not use this information to blackmail Jet," he stated simply, his eyes firm and serious.

I immediately jumped up from my seat. It figures that Clive would see straight through my 'innocent' act. "Why not? He deserves it! Just think Clive, I'll have him at the tip of my finger with this info!"

Clive shook his head as he looked at me disapprovingly. Does he have to be such a father all the time? "Gallows, that's wrong and you know it. I forbid you from blackmailing Jet."

I slumped back in my chair again angrily. Dammit. Why does he always have to be right all the time? "Fine. You win. I'll find another way to get my revenge. But why bother telling me this if I can't use it against him?" I said.

He glared down at me. "You're the one who wanted to know. Now you know why we keep secrets from you."

"Hey! You guys have other secr–"

But he cut me off again. "And besides, maybe you can help," he said.

I could've sworn that he said "But I highly doubt that" under his breath, but I think I'll just pretend that I didn't hear it for now.

I leaned back in the chair carelessly, my mind already starting to float away somewhere else. Now that I couldn't carry out my plan, the romance between the two kids didn't really interest me anymore. I mean, it was still shocking to me, but it was their business. But I was willing to help out the nerd if it was something interesting. After all, I am quite a helpful person. Haha. "What do you mean, Clive? Help with what?"

Circling around the table, he started explaining with a thoughtful and amused tone in his voice. "Well actually, they don't know that the other loves them back," Clive started.

"Huh? Don't they give signs or anything?" Isn't that what teenagers usually do? Flirt and sweet talk and stuff?

A sudden image of Jet flirting suddenly made me want to gag but I tried my best to ignore it.

"Yeah, but I think they're probably thinking something like 'she/he doesn't love me back so why bother' because they haven't done anything yet. You know, the usual teen pessimistic thoughts. Or maybe they just don't know they're in love. In fact, I don't think Jet has a clue why he starts staring at Virginia all of a sudden."

"Why don't you just tell them? Just go up to Virginia and Jet and tell them straight out?"

Clive shook his head. "That wouldn't work. Besides, I'll humiliate the poor kids. No, I can't do that even though I'm itching to do so. I know these kinds of relationships. They're the ones who have to do everything."

I nodded. Count on Clive to be one to fill you in with details and explain everything. Jeez, what a nerd. He even knows stuff about romance! Wait, aren't nerds supposed to be really smart but geeky? You know, the usual high pants, suspenders, and plaid shirt? Then braces and an inhaler? But here comes Clive still as smart as a genius, yet he is pretty skillful with his ARMs, and has a wife and kid. Damn. Some people get all the luck. "But what does that have to do with my helping?"

He gave a sly smirk and I immediately knew that he was up to something. "Well, I've done as much as I can to try to help them out, but I think I need some help..."

I sat up in the chair. So that was it. He was asking me to do the dirty work. "No."

The nerd sighed. "Why not? It's been going on for quite some time now and–"

I shook my head as I cut him off. "It's not my business, now is it?" I may be a pain sometimes but I didn't usually go and butt into other people's lives. "This is their situation. Let them handle it. I don't want to be troubled by anything."

Clive frowned and then sighed after a few seconds of thought. "Well if you really feel that way, then it's okay. I'm sorry for asking."

I grinned. Yay! No arguing back? Must be a miracle of some sort. "No prob. The info was juicy. But don't worry, I promise I won't use it against the punk."

"I'm sorry I told you about this whole thing though."

I saw his sly, scheming eyes and was curious. "Why? It doesn't matter. I bet I'll forget it anyway in a second." I often did that a lot. Once someone tells me something, I forget about it all of a sudden. Like when Granny tells me to do something, it just slips from my mind sometimes.

An evil smirk formed on Clive's face. "I don't know, Gallows. I'm almost positive that you'll end up begging to help me hook the teens up."

Ha! That's ridiculous! I would never beg Clive for anything! Laughing I said, "What makes you think that?"

Clive just smiled and shrugged. "Once you know what's going on between them and you know that you can't really do anything, it starts getting pretty irritating."

Standing up, I gave a snort. "Yeah right. Whatever. I still don't think I'll be helping though. Well if you excuse me, I have some dishes to clean."

Wow. I've never said that before.

-

Shane and Granny came home an hour later and Granny started laying out some few ingredients on the counter. When I asked her what she was doing she said that she was going to try to whip out any other desserts she can think of with the leftover ingredients. My mouth grew dry and my eyes were wide.

"Really? Can I help, Gran?" I asked. Maybe if I was lucky I would get to lick off some dough or something from a spoon.

She shook her head as she reached up to grab a bowl. "I know what you're thinking. You're not getting any desserts. At least, not until tomorrow because I know you'll probably zoom past all the stands eating all their food. And you'll probably win the pie eating contest, too."

I grinned. "But aren't you at least proud of me for winning those contests?" There must be something out there about me that she's at least somewhat proud of.

My face fell when she made a disgusted face. "Are you kidding? Me being proud that you eat like a pig? I don't think so."

Frowning, I took a seat at the table where Shane was seated, who was painting something on a flat, long piece of wood. I think it was a sign for Granny's stand. Meanwhile, Clive was taking a nap on one of the beds. How could Gran be so cruel to me? Doesn't she feel bad at all for saying all those mean things about me? "Aww Gran. You're so cruel."

"Well, it's my cruelty that will discipline you like you're supposed to be," she said tossing something in a bowl. "By the way, where's Virginia? I thought she'd like to help me out. You know, like a woman to woman baking lesson."

Maybe that was a good idea. Then while we're traveling, Virginia will let me test out the food she makes. But I doubt that she'd ever get past baking without an oven and all. Besides, she made pretty good stew already. I shrugged at Granny's response, watching in a daze as Shane carefully write in perfect, big letters on the sign. He was always the talented one of the family. Me? I was the loud, annoying one.

And may I add loud, annoying, handsome one?

"I haven't seen Jet, either," Shane added.

I shrugged again. "Oh yeah. The two kids went off around town earlier. Virginia wanted to check out some stands and decorations and stuff. Jet went with her." I almost added a snicker to that since I thought that I was the only one in the room who knew about the little 'love conflict' between the two teens.

But oh how I was wrong.

Gran smiled. "Really? So they're finally dating?"

I jumped from my seat. "Whhaat?! You know about it?"

"No, I didn't know they were dating but I always kind of figured that they liked each other," she said.

I shook my head, still shocked. Even Gran knew about this before I did! How unfair! "They aren't dating. But I think they do like each other." I laughed. "Clive even said that they loved each other! Ain't that funny? It's still hard for me to believe that he said that."

Why isn't no one laughing?

"I think Clive has a point, now that I think of it," Shane said, his eyes still down on the sign.

I turned to him with my jaw dropped in shock. "You know about it, too?"

Even Shane knew it! ...I should really pay attention more often.

"Of course, brother. It's quite obvious," he turned to me. "Didn't you know?"

I laughed sheepishly. "Err...of course! I was just wondering if you knew."

He nodded, continuing with his writing. "Well since you've mentioned that they're in love, it kind of makes sense now."

Gran nodded in agreement. "I agree. Jet's been acting pretty odd lately. Love can change you in lots of ways. And now that you tell me that he went with Virginia to look at the festival stands, it's pretty weird how he went. He usually isn't the type to be going out places to have fun voluntarily."

I nodded. "And lately he's been blushing a lot whenever he stares at Virginia." I finally knew that it wasn't sunburn I kept on seeing. It was the blood rushing to his head. Haha. How stupid can I be?

"How can you stand seeing them like that everyday, Gallows?" Granny asked, still working on desserts.

"What do you mean?"

"I'd be pretty annoyed, to tell you the truth. It gets pretty irritating for me to watch them go about like nothing's wrong when all of you visit us, brother," Shane added.

"Why?"

"Because since you know about it, you're dying to tell them. It's annoying how they like each other but won't admit it. Yet you can't tell them. This is the kind of thing they have to handle themselves," Granny said. "But still, watching them trying so hard to ignore the fact that they like the other one is pretty funny."

I nodded in agreement. Watching especially Jet was hilarious! "That's what Clive said, too. But I don't see why it annoys you guys. It's their business so let them take care of it. I'll just be at the sidelines hoping everything goes okay," I said.

Hey it was the truth. It's wrong to butt into other people's business. I'm not the nosy type of person even though sometimes I may seem like it. Well actually, I'm not nosy at all...just curious.

Granny tsked as she shook her head. "Gallows, you should really help out your friends more often."

I frowned and was about to retort when good ole' Shane backed me up. "Don't say that. Just because we feel one way doesn't mean he should feel that way too. And he does have a point there. Invading peoples' business is not very polite."

Ah! That's why I love my lil bro!

"By the way, I'm finished with the sign!" Shane added as he held it up for Gran to see. The words were perfectly centered and were written in beautiful script.

Granny nodded her approval. Aww...when will she do that with me? "Good job, Shane! Now that you're done, you can leave it outside to dry." She looked down at her recipe. "Oh and on the way, can you bring your brother outside too?"

My eyes widened. I had at least wanted to smell the sweet aroma of the desserts! "WHAT?! WHY?!"

Gran frowned as she turned to me. "Because I know you'll try to sneak a taste. Besides, everyone's rushing to set up last minute decorations and stands. You should help out. After all, you are part of the Baskar Colony." Trust Granny to be caring for the colony while totally disregarding my feelings. "Now get."

Sighing, I followed Shane out the door with his cardboard in his hands. Boy, women sure do like to help other people. First Virginia, now Gran.

-

After Shane rested the sign on a rock right outside our little hut, he turned to me with a grin. "Don't worry, brother. Granny likes you."

I groaned. For some reason Shane would always know what I'm thinking about. "Riiight. She likes me as much as I dislike veggies," I muttered. "How can you always be on her good side?"

He just shrugged. Eh. I didn't think he'd know. Maybe he was just born a goody-goody.

We walked slowly around town, watching the town people put up decorations and yelling orders to others. The stands were set in a circle and everyone seemed to be doing some last minute preparations. Everyone seemed to be outside today, running around in frenzy or working on something. As for the visitors from other towns, they walked along slowly watching the different decorations and stuff. They seemed to come a day earlier. Guess everyone in Filgaia needed a break.

The sun was high in the sky and time passed rather quickly as Shane and I caught up in things and laughed at silly childhood memories. While walking through the small colony, we met up with other Basker Colony residents who were clearly happy to see me...well most of them anyway. Some people are just plain rude, ya know? Then we spotted a familiar girl wearing a pinkish purplish dress carrying some wood.

Looking up at us, her eyes brightened as she waved. "Gallows! Shane! Hiya!" Unfortunately, she had forgotten that something was in her arms and when she waved, all the wood fell to the ground. "Woops."

Haha. Virginia may be an excellent leader and friend, but sometimes her cheeriness makes her clumsy all of a sudden. Oh well. That was Virginia for you.

Laughing, I picked up the wood that lay at her feet before she could even bend down to get them. "A girl shouldn't be carrying this much wood," I said. "Whew...it's pretty heavy."

Virginia frowned. "That's what Jet said too," she mumbled. "Girls can do anything they want!"

Shane laughed. "By the way, where is Jet?"

Virginia's eyes lit up again. "Oh he's over there. C'mon. He'll probably want some company. Oh and Gallows, bring the wood."

I nodded stiffly as I followed Virginia and Shane with the bunch in my arms. Damn! This was so heavy! And Virginia was carrying this?! No way! Well, it's not like I can't handle it.

Finally we reached the spot and I dropped the wood in a heap, panting. Whew! Thank the Guardians!

I heard a grunt. "Too heavy for you?"

I growled at the person who was hammering away at some piece of wood. Looks like he was making a stand or booth for someone. Argh, it was the damn punk. I stood there glaring at him while he glared back, the hammer in his hand.

"Jet, Gallows," Virginia said with a sigh to break us up. "Don't start."

Jet gave a mumble and started hammering away again, taking a new board from the pile that I dropped on the floor. Since when did he listen to her so much?

"What are you guys doing here?" Shane asked.

"We're helping!" Virginia said happily.

"Helping who?"

Virginia giggled nervously. "Actually...I don't know her name."

Jet sighed. "Virginia saw this lady struggling with a lot of kids and just went up to help. Then next thing I know it, the lady went inside the house and I'm stuck here hammering."

"Well at least you're helping," Virginia said. "Doesn't it feel good?"

"Working out in the hot sun for a stranger? I don't think so," he mumbled, still hammering away. "We don't even get paid."

Hey, I had to agree with him there. Why help someone and tire yourself out when you don't get anything in return? Hmm...he has a point.

Virginia sighed. "You and Gella. You'll never change."

Jet stopped hammering all of a sudden. "Well I'd feel a lot better if you'd let me carry the wood instead of working on this stand! You'll get hurt or something, you know? Besides, I bet you're really tired. You've been going back and forth to get the wood and dropping it off here for awhile."

Virginia put her hands on her hips. "No, no. I'm fine! Besides, I've never hammered anything before. I'd mess up the stand."

Gee...she's persuasive too.

Jet sighed in frustration. "But–"

Virginia shook her head and placed her hands on top of her ears. "I'm not listening! Lalala..."

Jet sighed again, this time louder. "Virginia!!"

Meanwhile me and Shane were just watching the scene silently. What did you expect us to do? It was then that Shane nudged me and said, "See? Jet cares about her. He doesn't even want her to carry some wood."

I shrugged. "I guess."

Shane grinned. "Ain't that cute?"

I made a disgusted face. Cute?! This is cute?! They're just bickering! "Aww Shane. That's so girly." He rolled his eyes and turned to the two teens again.

"Okay, I'm going back for more wood," Virginia said as she was about to slip away.

Jet grabbed her arm before she could. "Oh no you don't. We don't need anymore. I'm sure the pile Gallows brought back will be enough."

"Then I'll go and help other pe–"

"No," Jet said firmly, still holding her arm. "You stay right here where you won't hurt yourself."

Virginia pouted. "Aww Jet. Lighten up! Nothing will happen to me! Why are you worrying so much about me?"

I guess that hit the punk because he stared at her thoughtfully and dropped his hold on her arm. Then he just stood there silently, just staring at her as if he had done something wrong or something.

Virginia raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Jet? What's wrong?"

I must admit. I was confused too. Why did Jet just freeze up like that? Suddenly Shane nudged me again and explained. Good ole' Shane. He might actually compete with Clive's cleverness you know?

"Jet's confused with himself," he whispered. "When Virginia asked him why he was so worried, he stopped because he didn't know why he was so worried about her. He doesn't know about his feelings yet! This will be going on for a long time. It's so irritating!"

I nodded slowly. It was getting kinda irritating. A little. I mean, Jet was wondering why the hell he was caring so much for the girl and I knew why! Err. I could just go right up and tell him but...I don't know. Something's just holding me back. It's like, I know I can't interfere. Dammit. Can't you realize it already, punk?!

Virginia waved her hand in front of Jet's face. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately, hasn't she? "Jet? Jet? Are you there?"

Jet jumped out of his daze and just nodded slowly. "Yeah sorry." Then he turned quickly, a blush – not a sunburn – spreading on his cheeks. "Uhh...I-I'll go and...wood...hammer..." He picked up the hammer and started hammering again stiffly.

This may be kinda irritating, but it was definitely funny as hell! Boy, when the punk stutters, it's hilarious! I was about to crack up! Shane probably realized that because he jabbed my side with his elbow to shut me up. I grimaced and held my side.

Shane's pretty violent.

Suddenly a yelp of pain caught my attention and I looked up, ignoring the aching in my side. Jet was holding his finger and scowling. He must've hit his finger with the hammer! I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it. I burst out in laughter, which made both Jet and Shane glare at me. I was laughing so hard that I almost didn't notice Virginia go up to Jet in a hurry.

She grabbed his arm and looked at his throbbing red finger and looked up at him with a frown. "Jet! You're so careless! Hah! And you said that something would happen to me?"

I saw Jet's cheeks flush again as he stood there stiffly and somehow I got even more irritated. Argh! Stupid lovey dovey stuff...

All of a sudden, Virginia started blowing his finger.

"Gah! What are you doing?" Jet asked, the blush obviously there. But somehow Virginia didn't see it. Was she blind or something?!

Virginia shrugged. "It's what my dad always did when I got a boo-boo. I don't think it actually helps but it makes you feel better. Ain't it working?" she grinned.

"N-No! This is stupid!" He pulled his hand away quickly. Must've been the manly pride. Having a girl blow away your 'boo-boos' wasn't really manly if you know what I mean. I know that I probably would've done the same thing.

But still, now it was definitely annoying! It was like you know a secret and you're just dying to tell it! But this was much worse! This was a big thing! Huge! And now that I think about it, at the rate that these two turtles are going, we all would be old! Hurry up already!!

Suddenly, two chattering, little boys came up out of no where and jumped on Jet, knocking him down. "What the–"

Meanwhile Virginia and I were laughing our heads off. Hey, I bet you'd be laughing too! While Jet lay there on the ground rubbing the back of his head, the two kids yelled at each other and climbed all over the punk. Oh wow...Jet's really unlucky today, isn't he?

But now I knew who those two teens were working for. It was Mrs. Igans and her four little squirts. Why didn't I think of her earlier? I mean, the Igans are the only ones who have four kids in their family. And sure enough, Mrs. Igan wearing traditional Baskar clothes came up to us and pulled her two boys off of Jet, a little baby in one arm, and another kid, a girl, hiding behind her.

"I'm so sorry!" Mrs. Igan said as her two boys forgot about Jet and started brawling with each other instead. "We were coming to see how you guys were doing when my two boys ran ahead of me in a hurry. I'm so sorry!"

Jet got up and dusted himself off. "Wh-Whatever." I guess he was still knocked out of it a bit.

Meanwhile me and Shane decided to say hello. "Hey Ma'am!" I said with a big grin. I've always loved her kids. "How's everything?"

She smiled brightly as she saw me, holding her two boys back. "Gallows! You're here! For the festival I bet? Are you going to win the pie eating contest again?"

"Of course!! Nothing can get between me and my pies!"

"Maybe his grandmother..." muttered Jet.

...Damn that punk...

"Anyway," started Shane. "I see you hired our two friends to build your stand."

The woman nodded, trying to stop the baby in her arms from squirming. "They're your friends? They're really helpful! You see my husband went out of town yesterday and won't be back until tomorrow. Unfortunately that left me to build the stand and everything else. But of course, the children were squabbling again and everything." She sighed and giggled a bit. "They may be cute but they can be quite a hand full." She turned to Jet and Virginia. "Thank you so much again! You really saved me!"

Virginia beamed. "No problem. We were glad to help!" She nudged Jet who seemed to forget about his throbbing finger. "Right, Jet?"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered and then he went to finish the stand. He was just about done.

"But your kids are so cute!" Virginia squealed. She waved hi to the little girl hiding behind her mother and she shied away.

The proud mother smiled. "They are pretty cute, aren't they?" she said cuddling the baby in her arms.

"Hey, I'm done!" Jet said as he stepped back and put the hammer down. The wooden stand stood before us, all finished.

"That's wonderful!" Mrs. Igan said. "Thanks again!"

Suddenly the two squabbling squirts ran up Jet again and jumped up and down.

"Play with us!"

"Please!!!"

Jet's eyes widened. "Wh-What?!"

Mrs. Igan's smile grew. "Looks like they like you."

"Why me?!"

She shrugged. "With their father gone, they haven't had much fun in awhile." She sighed. "I think I have another favor to ask of you. Would you mind taking care of the children for awhile? I have to help the elderly lady that lives next to us and I'm afraid she hates my kids."

Jet groaned but Virginia's smile seemed to get bigger. And sure enough she was the one to agree. "Of course! I love kids!!"

Mrs. Igan smiled and handed her the baby. Then she turned to the little girl behind her and patted her head. "I'll be back okay?" The girl nodded a bit and walked towards Virginia. Then with a quick wave, the busy woman left towards a hut.

As Jet struggled with the two boys, Virginia turned to me and Shane. "You guys help too!"

Shane nodded. "Sure, why not?"

"How about you, Gallows?"

I nodded. I loved kids! "Of course! I'm great with little, squabbling rascals!!"

-

After a couple of hours later, I was dead tired but Mrs. Igan still hadn't come back yet. I lay against the wooden fence in the shade while Shane sat next to me, leading the little girl who seemed to be getting a bit sleepy. "You tired, brother?"

I nodded. I had been playing with the little girl for awhile. But if you thought I was tired, Jet must've been doubly tired! All day he had been trying to entertain the two boys, giving them piggy back rides and playing Drifters with them. Virginia was taking care of the baby who had erupted in cries a couple of times while she desperately tried to quiet it down. But now it seemed to be getting quite sleepy too. I guess it was just about time for their bedtime. The sun was starting to set in the west, and the sky began darkening little by little.

Jet plopped down on the ground after just giving one boy a piggy back ride. Then the other one jumped on his back. "My turn, my turn!"

Jet groaned. "I'm tired! Oh my aching back..."

The two boys whined and complained when one of them found something underneath Jet's poncho thing.

Why does he wear that anyway?

The boy picked up the metal ARMs curiously. "What is this? Are you a Drifter?! That's SO cool!"

Jet's eyes widened as he tried to reach for his precious ARMs. "H-Hey! Give that back! Th-That's dangerous!" But before he could grab the boy, he began running around.

"Bang! Bang! You're dead!" he laughed. Soon his brother joined in too. Jet desperately tried to get his gun back, scrambling after the two boys.

That was when Virginia sighed and handed me the now sleeping baby, "Hold him for me, Gallows?" I nodded and watched her run up to Jet and the boys.

"Jet! How could you let them get such a dangerous weapon?!" she scolded as she too started chasing after the boys.

"They just took it! Blame them, not me!"

I laughed out loud at the scene and I even heard Shane chuckling a bit! They looked so funny, chasing after two little boys!

Then Virginia stopped. "I've got an idea!" Then without any warning she grabbed Jet's white and red scarf. "Don't you boys want to play with this?" she called.

The boys looked and dropped the ARMs on the ground to run towards the weird scarf. Boy, they were really amused by anything. Jet picked up his gun and sighed in relief, sitting down on the ground again. Soon Virginia came to sit next to him and they watched the kids playing with the scarf. The punk was touching his neck, probably feeling naked without his ugly, torn scarf.

He really doesn't have a sense of fashion does he?

"Sorry," Virginia said. "I know how much you like that scarf."

Jet shrugged. "All good. I got my ARMs back."

"You tired?" she said with a giggle.

"Yeah...kids really tire you out..." he said.

I smirked to myself, rocking the small baby in my arms. Looks like there's about to be some mushy-mushy stuff.

I nudged Shane and saw him nod with a smile on his face as he patted the small girl who was falling asleep on his lap.

"Should we leave them?" he whispered.

I shook my head. "Hell no! Besides, we gotta take care of these kids!" I grinned. "Maybe this will be it!"

Shane sighed. "I doubt it."

Then we turned our attention to the teens again, straining to hear what they were saying since they were a couple of feet away. Luckily we heard everything.

Virginia grinned. "So you don't want to have kids?" she asked with a giggle.

Jet's face became red. "Wh-What?! W-With who?"

Virginia shook her head quickly, realizing what Jet was saying. A blush was obvious on her cheeks. "I-I didn't mean with me! I-I was saying...in general..." she stuttered.

"Oh..." Jet said. "I-I knew that..."

Virginia smiled again. "But you know, kids really like you!"

Jet groaned. "I wonder why..." he growled.

"Well, you're funny, sweet at times, caring, and a good friend," Virginia replied slowly, a blush covering her face again.

Jet's blush turned a shade brighter. "...Th-Thanks? But I thought I needed to take 'How to be caring' lessons."

Virginia shrugged. "You care. You just try not to show it."

"Hmph. If that's what you think..."

"I do." Virginia said.

Then there was a complete silence over them as they just watched the two boys playing with the scarf. I turned to Shane. "Do you think one of them will tell now?! I mean the moment is perfect!!" I whispered.

And it was! The mood was set after their mushy love talk, the sun was about to set casting a purplish romantic shade across the sky, the two little boys were playing peacefully with Jet's scarf, and it was all quiet! If one doesn't 'fess up right now, I'll go up to them and make them!

Shane sighed. "I doubt it," he said again.

What was with Shane and doubting? Have some hope, dude! I mean, if those kids had enough guts to fight all those monsters and stuff, they'd have enough guts to spill their feelings, right? They better tell each other how they feel right now!!

Virginia seemed to bring up her courage for a second. "Uhh...Jet?"

"Hm?"

She turned to him slowly. "Uhh...I..."

Jet just looked at her carefully. "Yeah?"

This is it! She's gonna confess!!! Finally!! Go Virginia! I knew you'd be the one with the guts!!

But much to my surprise, she just sighed and stood up.

"Never mind," she said, the blush invading her cheeks again. "It's nothing."

ARGH!! DAMMIT!!!

-

As soon as we got to the hut, the sun was already more than halfway gone. I smelled a wonderful aroma and saw that Gran was done. She had made some chocolate chip cookies. As soon as she saw me, she stood in front of the cookies protectively. "Oh no Gallows. No cookies for y–"

But I wasn't in the mood for this right now. I was so damn irritated! I didn't even feel the urge for the pies that were still sitting on the counter. DAMMIT! Virginia could've told! She could've told him and then this would be all over!! Argh!

"Okay Gran. Well I think I'll just go to sleep now," I said grumpily, stomping up the small flight of stairs to the beds as I ignored their shocked faces.

"Don't you want dinner, Gallows?" Virginia asked.

I shook my head. "Don't feel like it."

"Is he sick?" I heard Granny ask.

But Shane chuckled. He was probably the only one who knew what was wrong with my unusually behavior. "He's feeling a bit irritated."

"That oaf never fails to amaze me."

I plopped down on a bed. I didn't even have the urge to strangle the punk when he called me an oaf! What was wrong with me?! I sighed. I knew what was wrong with me. Virginia and Jet had been so close to telling each other. But then Virginia got all scared! Dammit! I punched the wall hard. It was so annoying!! I had to do something. I had to bring them together or else I'll be irritated for the rest of my life.

Then I heard someone stir and saw Clive sit up in his bed. I forgot he was in here.

"Gallows?" Clive said grumpily as he reached for his glasses on the table next to his bed. "What are you doing?"

I immediately went over to him. "Clive! Please! We gotta do something!!" I pleaded. I know I sounded like a fool but who cares!

Clive looked at me in confusion. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"We gotta hook Virginia and Jet up!!"