A/n: Okay…. We last left off with Michael and Chase. We're going to skip now to the dance. Oh yes, I have this weird little theory that Chase's real name is Jason… I'm British… Chase is not a name I use.

Chapter 3: The man in the mask.

Chase glared at his reflection. He looked so stupid in tights! What self respecting guy wore TIGHTS? How come Romeo had been the ultimate lover (Or…was that Casanova, he could never remember) and he looked like a total prat?
"If this goes wrong." He told the mirror. "We can blame Dana," He turned to the pet dog they'dfound at the beach as he adjusted his hat"right Elvis?" Elvis yipped in acknowledgement as Chase closed the door.

Zoey adjusted her white eye mask nervously. She smoothed her white dress generically. She curled a lock of her blonde hair subconsciously.
"He's not coming." Zoey said over the music. She began to hyperventilate.
"Of course he's coming." Assured Logan, who was dressed as Tarzan with a piece of leopard skin cloth wrapped around him like a half toga. He couldn't have showed any more skin without being arrested for indecent exposure.
"He's probably struggling to get his tights on." Giggled Nicole. "He's coming as Romeo." She said "I uh… I assume." She quickly added. Dana leaned across and said something to Logan.
"Ask her to dance. Keep her busy while we go look for Chase." She pleaded.
"Okay, but I'm doing this for Zoey, not for you." He said stubbornly. "Zo? You want to dance? At least until loverboy shows up." Zoey glanced at Dana. It was thoroughly against the girl code to dance with someone's crush without permission from said someone.
"Go ahead, he's not doing me any good." Dana assured her. She grabbed Nicole and ran out of the dance hall, careful about how she walked. There had been no collaboration between she and Logan, but she'd shown up as Jane of the Jungle. With little more than a leopard skin tube top and mini skirt on. She was another one likely to be arrested.

"He's not going to show." Zoey said sadly as Logan placed his arms around her waist. She lay her head on his chest depressedly.
"If he doesn't then it's his loss then, right?" He promised her.
"I guess. I just feel really stupid." She sighed. "You can't even tell what my costume is." She complained.
"Sure you can, you're that er…Shakespearean chick… 'What light through yonder window breaks?' and all that jazz."
"Yeah, I'm that Shakespearean chick. And it looks like that Shakespearean dude stood me up." Logan looked awkward for a moment thinking about how to shut her up then, glancing over her shoulder, he smiled.
"I get a bit violent when I dance sometimes…" He warned spinning her. Zoey crashed right into someone and landed with an 'oof'.
"Logan Reese!" She screeched. A hand appeared and took hers. She stood up and then found herself face to face with a boy in a mask. He was wearing the typical Romeo suit with the pantaloons, frilly shirt and tights and so on. He also wore a floppy hat with a feather, which hid most of his hair. (The hair'd be a give away)
"Knock 'em dead champ." Teased Logan before leaving for the punch bowl.

"Wow." Romeo said breathlessly. "You're… gorgeous." He paused. "I mean, you're always gorgeous but tonight you look…" He paused again. "You know what, you talk, I'll listen." He told her.
"What happened to your voice?" She asked curiously.
"Pardon?"
"It was a lot deeper before." She said, for lack of anything else to say.
"Oh uh…" Romeo coughed and deepened his voice. "Hormones…. Want to dance?"
"Yeah." Zoey said as the song changed to a slow song. She stepped in and he placed his hands on her waist. She drew her hands up to his neck. They were dancing at arms lengths.
"Thank you… for the ring. And the rose." She said politely.
"Glad to see you're still wearing it." He said, taking her hand with a small smile. He kissed her hand ever so sfotly before looking at her. Zoey glanced into his eyes. She couldn't see most of his face because of the dark mask he wore but his eyes were amazing. He had deep green eyes that seemed as mysterious as he was. His hair was hidden under Romeo's huge hat.
"You have amazing eyes." She complimented in a gentle whisper. She couldn't concentrate.
"If mine were half as amazing as yours were beautiful… I'd be on easy street." He smiled.
"You can dance a little closer." Zoey whispered. He was holding her at arms length, evidently scared to go any closer. She stepped a little closer to him.

"Oh come off it." Said Logan. "Anyone with half a brain can see that's Chase, tights and all."
"Oh, so you're talking to me again?" Dana asked coldly. Logan sighed.
"Must you make everything about you?" He asked swirling his punch.
"I have a high self esteem." She said stubbornly. "And I said I was sorry."
"Yeah well, I'm sorry too. Yeah that's right I'm sorry. And I'm not saying it again!" He said in a tone equally as stubborn.
"Apology accepted." She said.
"Want to dance?" He asked her eventually.
"God I thought you'd never ask." She said taking his hand and leading him onto the dance floor.
"Might I just add, while we're not killing each other," He added knowing Dana could snap at any moment, and his comment was likely to push her to snapping point. "that you look REALLY hot in that bikini."
"It's so not a bikini." Dana said stubbornly. "And keep your eyes on my face, the first sign of any wandering and I swear…" he placed a finger to her lips. She hushed.

"Can you take your mask off?" Zoey pleaded with him.
"It's best I don't." He said. They were now dancing so close she could feel his breath tickle her cheek when he exhaled.
"Why?" She asked in little above a whisper.
"Because, just because… look take my word for it Zoey, you won't like it." He assured her. The song had finished but that didn't stop them dancing.
"Then if I guess right, will you tell me?" She asked.
"I'll never lie to you." He promised.
"Okay, are ya in my classes?" She asked him.
"Most of them. Infact…" He paused in thought "yeah all but one." He told her. Zoey tried several questions such as 'What's your favourite subject?' and 'Initials' but they all came up inconclusive. (Drama and JBM… Who the heck was JBM? It didn't ring any bells, but she wasn't fully focusing, she was too busy staring into his eyes)

"I give up." She said with a shrug. She lay her head on his shoulder.
"Don't." He whispered in her ear. She sighed hopelessly.
"I don't know." She sighed again. Romeo leaned in and whispered in her ear
"Never give up. You're the one who taught me that." He allowed his lips to touch her ear gently and moved on to her neck kissing her softly. Zoey tilted her head back and allowed him to continue.
"Hey look… Dana and Logan got together!" Zoey said suddenly, breaking away from him and looking over his shoulder. Romeo looked up.
"About time!" He laughed.
"So you know Logan and Dana?"
"Yeah." He mumbled. Zoey broke apart from him and headed for the punch bowl. He followed.
"I know I've said this already but… you look amazing."
"You haven't said that…" Zoey said with a blush and a small smile "you said I looked 'gorgeous' not 'amazing'"
"Okay, you're a good listener. So how about you're 'amazingly gorgeous'?" He asked. She broadened here smile.
"That'll do." She said with a blush.

"So why WERE you so awkward the other night?" Asked Logan.
"I said 'no' and I'm a woman of my word Logan." Dana said haughtily.
"Well… what's your word now?" He asked.
"We'll see how tonight goes. It's more fun to make you wait." She teased.
"Don't even start with that game again." He warned her. She shrugged and danced a little closer. She glanced at Zoey and Chase.
"Uh! If she doesn't kiss him soon I'm gonna die."
"I'm getting the same feeling…" mumbled Logan dipping her. She rolled her eyes. Again with the kissing, did he have a totally one track mind?
"You ever tell Zoey I'm the one who set her and Chase up, you're a dead man, you hear that?"
"Aww, Dana isn't allowed to do anything nice?" He cooed, bringing her back up to his level. "Loosen up, even I do a considerate thing from time to time." He twirled her out.
"I do too! I just don't like it to be open for discussion." She said haughtily. He nodded and pulled her back in, closer than she had been before.
"Whatever you say Ms Cruz." He muttered.

"Hey Romeo? You gonna kiss her or what?" Teased Nicole. She was giggling like mad and Zoey found it slightly unnerving.
"That's up to Juliet." Said Romeo calmly. "Thank you very much Nicole."
"You know Nicole too?" Zoey implored.
"Yup." Romeo kept his calm demeanour
"I've had enough!" Zoey said angrily. She didn't know why she snapped. "Take that stupid mask off or I'll never talk to you again, ya hear?"
"But if I do take it off you'll never talk to me." He complained. Zoey put on her no nonsense face and then realised it couldn't be seen behind her mask. She quickly removed it.
"Okay," He sighed. "You win… but…" He bit his lip. "Before I do, you have to know it's no joke and… and that I really REALLY fancy you." He told her, his voice breaking slightly. She crossed her arms in a Logan-esque pout. Chase decided for one daring moment he'd be brave. Maybe stand up to her for just one last kiss. He placed his lips on hers and for a moment Zoey protested but then she relaxed. She slid her hand to the nape of his neck and played with the string of his mask. He, (very) cautiously deepened the kiss opening his mouth slightly, she didn't object. Chase wouldn't have found words to describe how it felt to give Zoey one last kiss. She almost melted in his arms. But Zoey was a crafty young thing, she wouldn't let herself melt completely. With one quick movement Zoey had his mask in her hand.
"CHASE?" She exclaimed in shock.

"Aww! They're kissing." Dana cooed.
"Glad someone scored." Logan complained.
"And now she's removing his mask and…screaming oh for…can't they do anything right?" She howled. Logan grabbed her shoulders to stop her attacking her friends. He pulled her close, him standing behind her, her back to his chest.
"Shh," He told her soothingly. "let them work it out." They both watched in silence, Logan's arms wrapped around her waist. For a moment she barely noticed, until he lightly kissed her neck. She blushed.
"Down boy." She ordered, but she didn't complain when he didn't stop.

"Zoey I'm sorry I…" Chase bit his lip and waited for the explosion.
"Chase, you idiot." She whispered shaking her head gently. She stared at the mask that had kept this from her. Stupid mask… deceiver!
"No, I'm not an idiot!" He said angrily. "If lying and deception were the only ways of getting you to notice me then… then I'm not sorry either." He said stubbornly.
"Chase!" She tried to interject.
"And you know what, we kissed. Like twice. And… and that was more than I ever could've hoped for…" He continued ranting. "Because you know what? You're out of my league, and for one brief moment tonight… you weren't. You know why you're out of my league?." He paused "Because I'm a jerk that's why." His face fell. "A stupid, dumb jerk that had to lie to get a girl to notice him." He looked at his feet.
"Okay," She said simply. "Now it's my turn." She sat down on the chair. "I agree. You're stupid and dumb. You don't have to lie to me to get my attention." She said stubbornly. "And it all fits now; that's why you were so tired, because you were working extra to pay off the ring." She bit her lip. "If you wanted to ask me out, why didn't you do it to my face?"
"If you had ANY idea, how frightening it is for a guy like me to ask out a girl like you… you'd understand why I did what I did." He sighed. "That and… Dana pushed me." He added. "I better go…" He said turning to leave.
"Chase…" She whispered softly. He turned around to face her hopefully.
"Yeah?"
"You… uh… you forgot your mask." She whispered. She stood up and handed him his mask.

"Don't you dare let him leave, Zoey Brooks." Dana hissed.
"Will you quit playing matchmaker?" Logan said bossily. "Zoey knows Chase likes her, the rest is up to them."
"I know but I feel responsible. I crushed the poor guy." She said sadly.
"Chase is used to getting hurt. I mean, the guy lives with me, and the ladies all prefer me." Dana elbowed him a little below the belt so to speak. He winced.
"Ow. You so owe me one now…" He said in a falsetto voice.

Chase took the mask and turned to leave. He'd barely taken five steps when Zoey called him back.
"Yeah?" He asked disheartedly.
"C'mere." She ordered. He sighed. She was making things incredibly difficult for him.
"What?" He asked facing her. The two stood for a moment staring at each other. He gave a half shrug. She pressed against him gently and raised her hand to his neck. He realised what she was going to do a moment before she did it. He looked slightly alarmed as she kissed the corner of his mouth softly.
"What was that for?" He asked in awe. She just kissed him… willingly! With her eyes open and no masks on!
"I felt like it." Zoey said. "Now Romeo, are you going to dance or is Juliet going to have to take herself elsewhere." His face lit up and he leaned down and kissed her again. Zoey was surprised. Just because the mystery had gone, it didn't mean the magic had. It still felt right. She ran her hand through his bushy hair and he slid his arms around her waist. He gently opened his mouth silently pleading with her to do the same (Hopefully without screaming this time) she didn't hesitate. Anything he could do she could do better. It was fireworks. It was wow. It was 4th of July. It was everything.

"They're kissing again!" Dana said happily. Logan shrugged. Since Dana had unceremoniously elbowed him he'd been a little distant and hadn't tried anything. He hadn't even flirted, which was, to Logan, like breathing. She felt a little guilty.
"Logan, do you want to ask them if they'll double date with us tomorrow night?" She asked.
"Why?" He mumbled.
"Because." She whispered in his ear. "I promise tomorrow you'll score?" She said with a smile. He smirked.
"Hey, Chase! Zoey!" Chase reluctantly pulled away from Zoey and looked at Logan.
"What?" He asked with a groan.
"C'mere." He ordered. Chase led Zoey across the dance hall.
"Yeah?"
"Me and Dana wanted to know if you two wanted to double date with us tomorrow." Chase looked at Zoey. Would it be against some weird code if he asked her out? She smiled and looked hopefully at him.
"Zoey, do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?" He asked, thinking it best to go the proper way about it all, even if he had to take the scenic route.

"Yeah." She smiled. "Hey, have you two kissed yet?"
"No." Complained Logan, with a fleeting frown at Dana.
"You've really got the waiting act down Dana." Commented Chase, as a poor form of a compliment. Zoey lay her head on Chase's shoulder and he slid his left arm around her waist.
"Unlike some girls, who kiss the first guy they see." Logan said glaring at Zoey. Chase smiled and Zoey blushed.
"Says you… who'll make out with anything in a skirt…" Zoey countered.
"Anything with a pulse." Laughed Chase. Dana and Logan glared.
"Hey leave him alone! I hardly see you two restraining yourselves." Dana looked Chase and Zoey up and down. "Logan likes me enough to wait."
"And Chase likes me enough to show it." Zoey glared. Chase wasn't used to girls fighting, Logan was (Girls fought over him all the time – or so he said) and gripped Dana's shoulders to prevent any bloodshed.
"You know sometimes Zoey, you really annoy me." She said, her golden eyes flashing maliciously.
"Don't worry the feelings mutual." Zoey flounced off. Zoey was very good at flouncing. Heck, the girl could flounce for Ireland. Chase looked bewildered, he ran after Zoey.
"You try to help a girl!" Dana screamed. Logan rubbed her back.

"Relax, relax. We still on for tomorrow?" He asked.
"Quit trying to exercise your lips." She said stubbornly. "Logan, I'm not up to it. Goodnight." She left the dance hall. Logan groaned. WOMEN!

A/n: Weeeeeelll, this chapter set off to be the last one but it's a little longer coz of Zoey and Dana.
Zoey and Dana: We're sorry.
Chase: And so you should be, she's worse than Quinn when she gets going!
Cody: I've been replaced!
All of you be quiet. now uh... Please review? Please?