Disclaimer: For there to be a dis-claimer wouldn't I need to be claiming
something in the first place? Okay, I claim to own nothing in the LJS
universe. How's that?
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As they got out of the car Jenny hoped that she would be able to get away without being confronted about her earlier mistake, or anything else for that matter.
"Jenny, we need to talk."
No such luck. But she decided she wasn't ready.
"I know Tom, I really do. It's just, not now, okay? We'll both get upset and this isn't the time or the place for us to get into anything. We both need to have a night of just hanging out with the gang. We'll know soon enough if anything can be normal again, all right? So let's just walk out there. I'll go find Sarah and talk to her and you can go find someone to hang with. Then in a little bit we'll hook up with the gang and later if you want to we can go and talk. How does that sound?"
She was right and he knew it. It wasn't like he was dying to get into a fight either. So with a sigh he conceded and decided to let them have this night.
"Fine."
But she didn't move, clearly not buying his answer and not liking his attitude. She was so stubborn!
"It's fine, all right? I could use some fun, you could use some fun, and we all could use a good party. So let's forget about it for now. Go find Sarah and I will catch up with you later, okay?"
She peered at him, judging his sincerity. Apparently satisfied she nodded and left, going into the back of the house and looking for the party's hostess.
Tom hung back for a moment, unsure of just whom he should be looking for. As he looked out over the throng of people he began to move towards everyone, stopping when someone caught his eye.
It was Dee, thank god. She looked terrific, not that that was something new for her, she usually looked good. He continued to look at her, trying to decide what it was that he was noticing.
Dee surveyed the scene around her with a mixture of amusement and disdain. While it wasn't an unheard of thing for her to be at a party it was unusual for her to show up with Audrey and Michael. While they meandered through the crowd she couldn't help but feel that perhaps she and Audrey were wrong to interfere. It was hard enough to try to get everything back to normal as it was; maybe this was going to do more harm than good.
She was distracted from her thoughts by the feeling of eyes watching her. Stooping in her tracks she scanned the mass of people and tried to locate the source. When she did she was surprised to find herself the object of one of Tom's intense stares. Pleased she would have someone else to talk to while they waited for the rest of the gang to show up she made her way over to him, stopping to pick up a couple of drinks.
She was surprised to notice Jenny, well actually to notice her absence from Tom's side. Dee tried to be discreet and look for her as she walked. She spotted Jenny talking to Sarah and smiled, thinking how Jenny was probably thanking her for the party already.
He didn't ease up as she approached and it left her a bit flustered. Deciding he was perhaps still a little miffed with her for her comments earlier in the week Dee tried to get him to at least crack a smile. Turning to place the drinks down at the table behind her she commented:
"Hey buddy take a picture already."
Tom was aware that he had been caught staring but something made him notice her and he had been so intent on discovering what that he didn't care what she thought of his constant gaze. Her comment finally penetrated and he reacted, belatedly.
He did manage a smile and drop his gaze, if only for a moment. He then realized what it was that he had noticed. It was her attitude, or lack thereof. Usually Dee carried herself in such a way that people were intimidated. She suddenly appeared approachable. He found himself at a loss as to what to say to her so he decided to act on instinct. As he looked back up he extended his hand to her. She looked at it dumbfounded, which caused him to laugh.
"Care to dance while we wait?"
Dance? She and Tom? It's not like she had never danced before but she and Tom had never ever danced together. Realizing he was still waiting she shook her head to clear it and looked at him, reaching her hand out to him as she did. He was smirking, clearly amused at her deer-in-the-headlights expression.
"Glad to see I pass muster," he cracked as he led her to the dance area.
"Well I had to decide if the possibility of catching cooties was worth the risk," she responded, glad her wit hadn't abandoned her.
What was wrong with her? What had just happened? The way she just blanked out there for a moment. It must be the stress of recent events she reasoned.
"So aren't you worried Jenny will be jealous when she sees us dancing together?" she teased, becoming serious when she saw his expression. "Oh no, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," was the automatic reply. When he looked at her he saw that she didn't believe him and so with a sigh he expanded upon his terse answer, "I'm not sure anything is really wrong. It's just that I'm not sure I can make things right with me and Jenny."
"You mean have things back to the way they used to be."
"Yes. But I'm starting to believe that may never be possible."
"So?"
"So what?" Tom replied, clearly confused.
"So what can you do?"
"I don't know."
Dee rolled her eyes. Why were men so dense? Seriously.
"Oh lord." She said.
"What?"
"If things can't be like they were then you have two choices: you can be friends with Jenny or you can choose to be totally absent from her life, that's what."
His eyes widened at her tone. She noticed and winced. She even blushed a little as she turned her head away.
"Sorry. It's just that I see it differently and I guess I forget about all the emotion wrapped up in it for you."
They continued to dance in silence for a little while longer, each consumed with their own thoughts.
"You don't think Jenny and I can be together anymore?"
Was this one of those trick questions? Dee wondered. Did he want her to lie to him and say that Jenny would soon put everything behind her and be willing to go back to the way things were? Or did he really want her opinion? Well he asked for it, she reasoned.
"Honestly?"
It was unlike Dee to ask before delivering her opinion but she felt this was fragile ground so she waited for his nod before she spoke. Even then she took a deep breath to steel herself against his reaction.
"No, I don't. I told you before that everything we've been through has changed us, and to be honest it's changed Jenny more than anyone."
When he failed to respond immediately she kept talking.
"I am sorry about it though. I don't understand everything but I am sorry that you guys are hurting."
After that she shut her mouth, figuring she had been on the verge of babbling and that was unacceptable, circumstances be damned. She let Tom lead her and concentrated on the music. He really was a good dancer, something she had suspected from seeing him with Jenny. She liked the way he held her. It wasn't too tight like some of the guys she had been with before. They had believed dancing was an excuse to try to feel as much of her as was possible. Tom held her close enough for her to smell his aftershave but not so close as to make her feel uncomfortable. His voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
"You're right. I guess I just need some time to adjust to it."
"We all need time."
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Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, some bad stuff happened in the past month and I have just now felt like writing again. Okay, on with the thank you portion! I will check you later!
Tracie: I'm trying not to keep you hanging! Thanks for letting me know you're there!
Zabella: Poor Tom, he does sort of sound unhealthy, doesn't he? Well I'm not a true hater so I'm trying to make him an okay guy.
angel of fire: Yes, Tom's entrance in the last chapter is a bit unfortunate. Sorry. Thanks for the compliment!
Taraeldaiel: First of all I dig your name. Very cool. Thanks for writing and I'll try to post more often!
Gabrielle: Thanks for saying you're enjoying the story! I can relate to the creative review quandary for sure!
IceAngel: Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you!
Amail: Thank you. I'm glad you like the direction the characters are going. I think you'll be pleased with the ending (whenever it appears!)
melissarxy1: You are so sweet! I felt so good after getting your review! Thanks!
cotys child: Shibby! That's a new one for me! Your review was super and very nice to receive! Thank you! Laurina: Sorry that this chapter is devoid of J&J. I'll make it up to you! Thanks for your review!
Fin: I loved your review! Your idea is a great one! I can't give away what will happen of course but I think your idea would work well! Thanks so much for the long review and for your compliments! They really helped me get this part out!
arc-en-ciel: I am with you. I adore Julian. Sorry he wasn't in this part but he will return, and soon! Thanks for writing! Anonymous: I'm not sure Jenny will tell Tom to get lost (at least not in those words) but she will definitely have some more encounters with our favorite Shadowman! Thanks for writing!
Zabella: Hello again! Sorry I had Tom show up but I'm not sure the censors would have appreciated where I was going with the story. Thanks for reviewing again!
Maroonlover: I know all the Julian lovers want Tom to meet an unfortunate end but with Julian only existing in her dreams it's hard for Jenny. Don't worry; I'm going to have Julian give her plenty of encouragement. Thanks for writing!
Ginny Weasley: Well what did you think? I'm sort of going where you thought I should. Thank you for taking the time to write! I appreciate it!
lil'ol'me: Sorry I waited to update. Yes, I could just spend hours thinking of scenes with Julian but I would never leave my house and that would be unhealthy. I love that you call Tom deadweight. That cracks me up. Anyhoo I promise Julian will make an appearance soon. Thank you for the awesome review! It was the bright spot of my day!
Killashandra: I think I can do better than the publishers of Strange Fate but we'll see. Thank you so much for taking the time to write.
cotys child: For someone who claimed to not know what to write in a review you left me a pretty cool one! Thank you for doing it. I too like Zach and Summer.
Kristen Michelle: Girl you need to get more of your story out so I can write about it! Yes I have read the Secret Circle. Maybe once this one is done I can revisit that series and come up with something. Your words are so important to me, you know that! Thank you for staying with the story!
J: I hear you on the formatting front. Someday I will figure it out! Thanks!
As they got out of the car Jenny hoped that she would be able to get away without being confronted about her earlier mistake, or anything else for that matter.
"Jenny, we need to talk."
No such luck. But she decided she wasn't ready.
"I know Tom, I really do. It's just, not now, okay? We'll both get upset and this isn't the time or the place for us to get into anything. We both need to have a night of just hanging out with the gang. We'll know soon enough if anything can be normal again, all right? So let's just walk out there. I'll go find Sarah and talk to her and you can go find someone to hang with. Then in a little bit we'll hook up with the gang and later if you want to we can go and talk. How does that sound?"
She was right and he knew it. It wasn't like he was dying to get into a fight either. So with a sigh he conceded and decided to let them have this night.
"Fine."
But she didn't move, clearly not buying his answer and not liking his attitude. She was so stubborn!
"It's fine, all right? I could use some fun, you could use some fun, and we all could use a good party. So let's forget about it for now. Go find Sarah and I will catch up with you later, okay?"
She peered at him, judging his sincerity. Apparently satisfied she nodded and left, going into the back of the house and looking for the party's hostess.
Tom hung back for a moment, unsure of just whom he should be looking for. As he looked out over the throng of people he began to move towards everyone, stopping when someone caught his eye.
It was Dee, thank god. She looked terrific, not that that was something new for her, she usually looked good. He continued to look at her, trying to decide what it was that he was noticing.
Dee surveyed the scene around her with a mixture of amusement and disdain. While it wasn't an unheard of thing for her to be at a party it was unusual for her to show up with Audrey and Michael. While they meandered through the crowd she couldn't help but feel that perhaps she and Audrey were wrong to interfere. It was hard enough to try to get everything back to normal as it was; maybe this was going to do more harm than good.
She was distracted from her thoughts by the feeling of eyes watching her. Stooping in her tracks she scanned the mass of people and tried to locate the source. When she did she was surprised to find herself the object of one of Tom's intense stares. Pleased she would have someone else to talk to while they waited for the rest of the gang to show up she made her way over to him, stopping to pick up a couple of drinks.
She was surprised to notice Jenny, well actually to notice her absence from Tom's side. Dee tried to be discreet and look for her as she walked. She spotted Jenny talking to Sarah and smiled, thinking how Jenny was probably thanking her for the party already.
He didn't ease up as she approached and it left her a bit flustered. Deciding he was perhaps still a little miffed with her for her comments earlier in the week Dee tried to get him to at least crack a smile. Turning to place the drinks down at the table behind her she commented:
"Hey buddy take a picture already."
Tom was aware that he had been caught staring but something made him notice her and he had been so intent on discovering what that he didn't care what she thought of his constant gaze. Her comment finally penetrated and he reacted, belatedly.
He did manage a smile and drop his gaze, if only for a moment. He then realized what it was that he had noticed. It was her attitude, or lack thereof. Usually Dee carried herself in such a way that people were intimidated. She suddenly appeared approachable. He found himself at a loss as to what to say to her so he decided to act on instinct. As he looked back up he extended his hand to her. She looked at it dumbfounded, which caused him to laugh.
"Care to dance while we wait?"
Dance? She and Tom? It's not like she had never danced before but she and Tom had never ever danced together. Realizing he was still waiting she shook her head to clear it and looked at him, reaching her hand out to him as she did. He was smirking, clearly amused at her deer-in-the-headlights expression.
"Glad to see I pass muster," he cracked as he led her to the dance area.
"Well I had to decide if the possibility of catching cooties was worth the risk," she responded, glad her wit hadn't abandoned her.
What was wrong with her? What had just happened? The way she just blanked out there for a moment. It must be the stress of recent events she reasoned.
"So aren't you worried Jenny will be jealous when she sees us dancing together?" she teased, becoming serious when she saw his expression. "Oh no, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," was the automatic reply. When he looked at her he saw that she didn't believe him and so with a sigh he expanded upon his terse answer, "I'm not sure anything is really wrong. It's just that I'm not sure I can make things right with me and Jenny."
"You mean have things back to the way they used to be."
"Yes. But I'm starting to believe that may never be possible."
"So?"
"So what?" Tom replied, clearly confused.
"So what can you do?"
"I don't know."
Dee rolled her eyes. Why were men so dense? Seriously.
"Oh lord." She said.
"What?"
"If things can't be like they were then you have two choices: you can be friends with Jenny or you can choose to be totally absent from her life, that's what."
His eyes widened at her tone. She noticed and winced. She even blushed a little as she turned her head away.
"Sorry. It's just that I see it differently and I guess I forget about all the emotion wrapped up in it for you."
They continued to dance in silence for a little while longer, each consumed with their own thoughts.
"You don't think Jenny and I can be together anymore?"
Was this one of those trick questions? Dee wondered. Did he want her to lie to him and say that Jenny would soon put everything behind her and be willing to go back to the way things were? Or did he really want her opinion? Well he asked for it, she reasoned.
"Honestly?"
It was unlike Dee to ask before delivering her opinion but she felt this was fragile ground so she waited for his nod before she spoke. Even then she took a deep breath to steel herself against his reaction.
"No, I don't. I told you before that everything we've been through has changed us, and to be honest it's changed Jenny more than anyone."
When he failed to respond immediately she kept talking.
"I am sorry about it though. I don't understand everything but I am sorry that you guys are hurting."
After that she shut her mouth, figuring she had been on the verge of babbling and that was unacceptable, circumstances be damned. She let Tom lead her and concentrated on the music. He really was a good dancer, something she had suspected from seeing him with Jenny. She liked the way he held her. It wasn't too tight like some of the guys she had been with before. They had believed dancing was an excuse to try to feel as much of her as was possible. Tom held her close enough for her to smell his aftershave but not so close as to make her feel uncomfortable. His voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
"You're right. I guess I just need some time to adjust to it."
"We all need time."
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ****************************************************************
Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, some bad stuff happened in the past month and I have just now felt like writing again. Okay, on with the thank you portion! I will check you later!
Tracie: I'm trying not to keep you hanging! Thanks for letting me know you're there!
Zabella: Poor Tom, he does sort of sound unhealthy, doesn't he? Well I'm not a true hater so I'm trying to make him an okay guy.
angel of fire: Yes, Tom's entrance in the last chapter is a bit unfortunate. Sorry. Thanks for the compliment!
Taraeldaiel: First of all I dig your name. Very cool. Thanks for writing and I'll try to post more often!
Gabrielle: Thanks for saying you're enjoying the story! I can relate to the creative review quandary for sure!
IceAngel: Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you!
Amail: Thank you. I'm glad you like the direction the characters are going. I think you'll be pleased with the ending (whenever it appears!)
melissarxy1: You are so sweet! I felt so good after getting your review! Thanks!
cotys child: Shibby! That's a new one for me! Your review was super and very nice to receive! Thank you! Laurina: Sorry that this chapter is devoid of J&J. I'll make it up to you! Thanks for your review!
Fin: I loved your review! Your idea is a great one! I can't give away what will happen of course but I think your idea would work well! Thanks so much for the long review and for your compliments! They really helped me get this part out!
arc-en-ciel: I am with you. I adore Julian. Sorry he wasn't in this part but he will return, and soon! Thanks for writing! Anonymous: I'm not sure Jenny will tell Tom to get lost (at least not in those words) but she will definitely have some more encounters with our favorite Shadowman! Thanks for writing!
Zabella: Hello again! Sorry I had Tom show up but I'm not sure the censors would have appreciated where I was going with the story. Thanks for reviewing again!
Maroonlover: I know all the Julian lovers want Tom to meet an unfortunate end but with Julian only existing in her dreams it's hard for Jenny. Don't worry; I'm going to have Julian give her plenty of encouragement. Thanks for writing!
Ginny Weasley: Well what did you think? I'm sort of going where you thought I should. Thank you for taking the time to write! I appreciate it!
lil'ol'me: Sorry I waited to update. Yes, I could just spend hours thinking of scenes with Julian but I would never leave my house and that would be unhealthy. I love that you call Tom deadweight. That cracks me up. Anyhoo I promise Julian will make an appearance soon. Thank you for the awesome review! It was the bright spot of my day!
Killashandra: I think I can do better than the publishers of Strange Fate but we'll see. Thank you so much for taking the time to write.
cotys child: For someone who claimed to not know what to write in a review you left me a pretty cool one! Thank you for doing it. I too like Zach and Summer.
Kristen Michelle: Girl you need to get more of your story out so I can write about it! Yes I have read the Secret Circle. Maybe once this one is done I can revisit that series and come up with something. Your words are so important to me, you know that! Thank you for staying with the story!
J: I hear you on the formatting front. Someday I will figure it out! Thanks!