All right, all right! I know! Everyone's OOC and everyone's playing one another! But it was the only way I could get Cassie and Marco out of the picture, but not… you know. I don't! Gaaahh!
Okay, it's a hormonal thing again…
I sat up, stretched, and yawned loudly. Managed to get out of bed and slip on my black nightshirt. I staggered out into the kitchen, starting the kettle. Then I saw the mess my family had made in the small loungeroom, staggering around and practically falling over the couch as I picked up Phoebe's toys, then some kind of comic book Ryan had conveniently left around… Tina's hair things… no, wait, those were mums…
I picked that up, then did a quick tidy up of Tina and Ryan's room. I left my parents room, not wanting to know what kind of secrets they were hiding from me.
The kettle clicked, and I went and made myself a tea, fighting back more yawns. I put the kettle down, stretching my arms up as far as they could go…
Then I felt the tips of fingers touch mine, and as I brought my arms down, they encircled my waist. I felt a bare chest press against my back, and a peck on the cheek.
"Morning early bird" Jake yawned out.
"Morning. Want some tea?"
"Hmm… I'll try some"
"All right… wait! Oh god no!" I turned around to look up at him. I pressed my hands against his chest and he looked down at me strangely.
"What?"
"You've been gone the whole night! Tom… god your parents!" I panicked, ready to run and grab his other clothes for him, since he had his jeans on, and get him out of…
He grabbed my wrist gently, pulling me towards him. His face tightened for a second, but then relaxed into an unusual smile.
"It's ok. I made sure… that was taken care of"
"Huh?"
"Marco owes me. I got him to contact the Chee"
"But… but I…"
"I never said anything about where I was last night. Just… that I needed a night away" he pulled me in for a hug. I was glad, feeling him so close… so warm…
"I feel bad"
"I don't. They played us both Jade. We did nothing wrong"
"Um, was that before, or after we came back from the hellish future?"
He sighed "You're right. This just sucks though"
"Uh-huh. Now…" I tried not to let him see the tears that threatened to fall "I'll get you that tea I promised you"
"All right" he followed me as I went back to make him tea, barely letting go of me as I did.
Oh, and if you're wondering about what happened the night before? USE YOUR IMAGINATION. I'm not telling you outright.
But let's just say it was a needy, spur of the moment thing that ended beautifully.
"So, when do your parents come back?" he asked as we sat on the couch to sip our tea. I rested my legs on his lap, and took a quick drink before I answered.
"Two days from now. It's a three day camp"
"Ah. Well, if you don't mind… I'm bunking with you until they get back"
"Uh… what about your family?"
"It's only a couple of days" he said, playing with my foot.
"All right. If you insist" I muttered, sipping my tea again. Jake took a sip, but then put it down and started to massage my foot. It was heaven.
"Um… clothes?" I managed to say as I drifted into bliss.
"I'll get more later"
"Class?"
"Hey, the Chee can fill in for us"
"Jee Jake, sounds like… you're really dropping the… Animorph duties…" I put my tea down, and relaxed as he continued to massage my leg.
"You know what? I deserve it" he said, finally hitting a place under my knee that made me gasp, probably a nerve, and smiled at me.
"Yeah, ya do. Me too…" I got up, grabbing his hand and heading for the bathroom.
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I pulled my sunglasses up over my head to looking at the now open parking garage. Beside me, Jake sighed.
"We need to still do something about this" he said as we stood across the street.
"Like?"
"I have no idea"
"You don't have to. With me, you're aloud to do anything"
He smirked down at me "I think I'll hold you to that"
I rolled my eyes, taking his hand and leading him away from the past… failed missions…
We went across the street, then I led him to the mall.
"What are we doing here?" he asked a little edgily.
"Arcade. I think we both need to blow off some steam"
"Ah-huh" he mused, then gave me a funny lopsided grin. I resisted the urge to lean up and kiss him. After all, I didn't know he'd react if I showed him affection in public…
We played a few different arcade games. One was a driving game. I liked that one… totally beat him too…
"Oh man" he muttered as we were standing at a shooting game. I looked at him, then turned to see what he was looking at…
Across from us, in front of another store, were Cassie and Marco. They were holding both of each others hands, talking. Before I could react, Jake had dropped his controller, and was heading outside towards them, fists clenched.
"Jake, no!" I hissed, running after him. I grabbed his arm as he went through the door to the arcade, and his head snapped around to look at me. The look he gave me was intense.
"They're doing this on purpose! They're trying to rip us to shreds!" He said in a voice filled with barely contained rage.
"No, they're not. Jake, we're not exactly innocent either" I said, staring him down. He looked away first.
"Uh… hey Jake. Hi Jade" Suddenly Marco was there, cringing as he spoke, like we were both going to turn around and hit him.
"What do you want Marco?" Jake asked, clenching his teeth. I kept a firm hold on his arm, knowing he probably would hit Marco if he got the chance.
"Look, we just wanted to apologise. We didn't mean to hurt either of you" Cassie said softly, looking sorrowfully at me. I couldn't take her stare, and looked away.
"You could have told us about it all before" I whispered, feeling my own rage begin to boil.
"We didn't think you'd understand…"
"Look, I understand all right! You played me and Jake, and now you get to live a fairytale romance!" I snapped, and Jake looked strangely down at me. I couldn't stop my outburst…
"No, that's not it. Look, we're sorry" Marco was looking at me. I glared at him.
"My advice? Don't come near us for a very long time"
"Jade, I don't think-"
"She's right" Jake broke in "We just need to get some time to get used to this. I'll call you if there's a mission"
Then he took my hand, and led me away from them, and out of the mall.
"Jake, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"No Jade. You were right. We can't get mad, and we both need some time to cool off. I guess… I guess we'll get used to it eventually" he finally sighed, slowing his pace. Which was a good thing, because when he did I think I was about ready to drop.
Hey, wasn't my fault he had long legs, while I was a little shorty!
"Yeah. Well…" I shrugged, out of words I could say to him. He smiled, then leaned down and kissed me gently.
"Thanks Jade. Without you, I think I'd be a mess"
"You are"
"Whoa-" before he could say anymore, I leaned up and ruffled his hair. He laughed, fixing his hair by running a hand quickly back through it.
He had an amazing laugh… and he smelled so good…
How the heck could Cassie have let him go?
"Let's go get some lunch. I'm hungry" I said, taking his hand and moving along down the pathway.
"Sure. As long as we're away from all of the others"
"Don't worry, I know the perfect place"
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When I woke up, I felt something was wrong. For one thing, I was cold. And another thing… I could see the stars.
Hang on…
I bolted upright, feeling an arm drop off and land at my waist. I looked around…
I saw a fire, two camping bags… and I mean the big, packed with many things bags… and felt the thin blanket that was under me. Then I saw what I was wearing. My usual clothes… a jacket… sneakers…
But that's not what I went to sleep wearing.
I twisted my body around to see Jake. Only… he was in his own clothes too! I shook my head, covering my eyes for a second, thinking maybe this was all a dream… but… it was too cold to be a dream…
"Uh… Jake…" I shook his shoulder, and he opened his eyes to look up at me.
"Jake, bub, we uh… we have a problem"
"Whoa-huh!" he bolted up as well, looking around just like I'd done. Then he looked at me.
"Jade…"
"Hey, don't blame me"
"I'm not, but I think you're right"
"Ellimist or Crayak?"
"Maybe. Or… that thing that put us through all this hell in the first place…"
"Yeah, I think you're right about that one"
We got up, and I cuddled close to him because it really was freezing, and he managed to wrap the blanket around both of us.
"Hey!" my head jerked, and suddenly I saw my friends coming through the thick underbrush… and the Animorphs. All carrying camping bags. And with blankets wrapped around themselves.
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore totto" Rachel said.
"You got that damn right" Robert breathed.
Then we heard a shrill noise, making me realise we also weren't in our own time anymore.
Well, isn't this getting… twisted. Karone-sakura, I just want to say that you inspired what comes next, k?
All righty, reviews please!
