Author's Note: Thanks so much to all my reviewers! I absolutely love getting reviews. It's nice to see that someone likes what they're reading (unless it's constructive criticism which I don't mind). Anyways, enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think in a review.

That Thing You Do

Summary: Martin's picked up the bad habit of smoking. Ruthie tries to stop him, but he drifts further and further away from her with every cigarette he smokes. It's breaking Ruthie's heart to see Martin in this state. R & R. : )

Ch. 2

Crashing the Party

"Ruthie, I'm glad to help, but why did you call me?" asked Jack as he was driving down the neighborhood looking for a party.

"Well, Martin is the one I usually go to, but since he's been smoking… I mean you were the only one I could think of. Thanks for helping me," answered Ruthie.

"Oh, it's no problem. I mean I just want to make sure this isn't because you still want to go out with me."

"Oh, no. We decided together that you were too old. Don't worry. I just needed someone to help me with Martin. I don't know much about parties. I'm hoping you do."

"Okay then, let's go crash a party. Do you know where it is?"

"No clue," answered Ruthie.

"I guess we'll just have to look around for one. It's usually pretty obvious where a party is being thrown.

After driving around for about ten minutes, Jack and Ruthie found a house that looked like a party place. Toilet paper covered most of the trees. Beer bottles were spread, and people were hanging out of windows and doors.

"That looks like your average college party," said Jack, "You ready?"

"I think so," said Ruthie as they both got out of the car and headed for the front door.

What am I doing?

Jack had to pry a couple who were kissing out of the doorway while Ruthie stood back disgusted. She walked in gingerly, and practically threw up as the stench traveled past her.

"It smells terrible in here," yelled Ruthie over the loud music and talking.

"I don't think we should split up. A lot is going on in here. Do you see Martin?" asked Jack, yelling over the noise.

"No," Ruthie yelled as they migrated past some people.

Jack had been to a college party before, but not one as wild as this.

"Hey, pretty lady," said one of the guys who came up to Martin at the promenade. It was the one who had winked at Ruthie, "I didn't think you'd show up," his words were slurred. His breath smelled of beer and smoke, "Do ya wanna go upstairs?"

Ruthie stood back, partly afraid.

"Jack," Ruthie called. He had disappeared. The next thing she knew she was being pulled on by the drunken guy, "Get away from me!"

Ruthie ran frantically. She tripped over a beer bottle that lied on the ground, and fell. As she got up she saw Martin lying on a couch.

"Martin!" she yelled running to him. He was asleep, and he stunk like beer.

Oh Martin, you didn't drink did you?

Ruthie's heart felt sore at seeing him in this state. She had to find Jack.

"Jack! Jack!" she yelled.

"Ruthie!" he yelled back at her.

As soon as they found each other, Jack followed Ruthie to Martin.

"Can you help me lift him up? I think he's knocked out. He wouldn't let us take him home if he were awake anyways," yelled Ruthie.

"Let's get him out of here," Jack said putting Martin over his shoulder. After glancing at her watch, Ruthie realized she had only thirty minutes left. She followed Jack out to his car and put him in the back, buckling him up.

"Thanks so much Jack. I seriously owe you one," Ruthie said getting in the car. They drove off leaving the horrid party behind.

Jack dropped Ruthie and Martin off at Martin's house. Ruthie tried to drag Martin in, but couldn't.

"Wake up Martin. Martin, wake up," Ruthie said slapping his face. His eyes fluttered and he sat up.

"Ruthie? What are you doing here?" said Martin. He looked around.

"Oh, why…" Martin began.

"Let's go inside," Ruthie said pulling him in, "Is your dad home?"

"I don't know," Martin said looking around.

"Oh, Martin, why did you have to get drunk?"

"I am not drunk!" he said getting angry.

"Let's go around back. I'll leave you in your room. Once your there, take a shower and change your clothes. Okay?"

"Whatever. You dragged me out of the party didn't you? Ruthie…" he said beginning to curse.

"Martin, don't curse! Now, just go," Ruthie said leaving him on the porch, not knowing what else to do. She couldn't stand to be around him any longer.

Ruthie walked inside her house after checking her watch. She was ten minutes early.

"How was ice cream?" asked a voice from the living room.

"Good, I had rocky road," Ruthie lied through her teeth.

Another lie. I'm lying for Martin.

"Simon called, he said he wanted to talk to you," said Ruthie's mom.

"Thanks."

Ruthie ran upstairs and dialed Simon's number.

"Hello?"

"It's Ruthie," she said quickly.

"Oh, hi. Did you get him?"

"Yah."

"Who did you tell?"

"You know Jack right?" asked Ruthie.

"Jack! Ruthie, I meant an adult," Simon said frustrated.

"Well, Simon, an adult would've meddled too much," said Ruthie. Simon had never met Jack before, but he had heard about him from their parents.

"Never do that again. I'm glad you and Martin are safe though. Now I want you to tell Mom and Dad," Simon said.

"No, I won't. I couldn't do that to Martin," said Ruthie, although she knew it was the right thing to do.

"They can help him, Ruthie. Who knows what he'll do next?" Simon said.

"I know you're right, but— I just couldn't do that to Martin."

"If you care about him, you would. Bye, Ruthie."

"Bye."

After hanging up, Ruthie hopped on her bed frustrated. She wondered how Martin was doing. He would obviously be hung-over tomorrow. She'd help him through it though. They were friends, and that's what friends did. Telling her parents would be wise, but she just couldn't. Martin would quit; she would make sure of it.

Ruthie knew she smelled like that horrid party. After she had taken a shower and changed into her pajamas she went to sleep.

The next day would be difficult for her and Martin. Maybe Jack would help her again. Before leaving for school she stopped by Martin's. She knew his father was at work.

After knocking lightly on the door and receiving no answer, she went around the back. She peeked in his room to find him sleeping peacefully on his bed. He hadn't changed his clothes, and he probably stunk. A couple loud knocks on the window woke him up. Ruthie climbed through the window as soon as Martin let her in.

"How are you feeling? Did you take a shower last night like I told you to? Are you hung-over? Are you throwing up?" Ruthie asked worriedly.

"Chill out, Ruthie. Why are you here? How did you know I was drinking? And what do you mean last night when I told you?" asked Martin.

"Well, a monkey could tell you were drunk last night by the way you smell. And anybody else can tell because you're hung-over, aren't you? Plus, I was the one who brought you home last night. You were knocked out on a couch. I called Jack—"

"Ruthie! I told you not to pry into my life. Why are you being like this? You're not normally like this?"

"NO! You're not normally like this? You just started smoking. You're hanging around with college guys who drink and party all night. Now you're starting to drink! Martin, you're the one who's changing. Martin, please. I called Jack last night and he took me to the party and helped me get you out. I lied to my parents for you," she yelled, tears coming to her eyes.

Martin didn't want to look at her. He knew she was right. He just didn't want to look and see the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly an urge came over him and he sprinted to the bathroom and threw-up. Ruthie wiped her eyes.

As Martin walked out of the bathroom Ruthie said, "So are you skipping school today?"

"How can I go like this? I'm throwing up. I'm hung-over."

"Fine," she said and then left.

Martin wanted to call her back and tell her he was sorry, but he just couldn't. Instead he watched her crawl out of his window and leave.

At school Ruthie couldn't focus. All she could think about was Martin. How could she help him if he wouldn't let her?

"Hey Ruthie," said Jack coming up behind her.

"Hey Jack. Thank you again. I don't know what would've happened if we hadn't gotten out of there," Ruthie smiled, but it wasn't natural. She had to fake it.

"So how is he?" asked Jack.

"Horrible and hung-over. I went to see him this morning. He—I need to help him get over this smoking thing. He just needs to get rid of those college guys," said Ruthie.

"Good luck," Jack said heading for his next class.

"Thanks. I'll need it."

I wonder why Martin felt he needed new friends.

A/N: What ever happened to Mac? It seems like Ruthie and Martin don't have any school friends on the show, don't you think? I guess you just have to make them up. Another thing, I don't know if that's really how a college party is, I've never been to one. I was just guessing, so remember that it's just fiction. Anyways, what do you think of this chapter? It would be much appreciated if you told me in a review. : )

- Jambaa