"Hey guys, let me in!"

We all looked down at the trapdoor where Vern's voice came from below, followed by a rushed banging on the door.

"That's not the secret knock!" we chorused, laughing. We always gave him a hard time, since he never remembered it. Chris had definitely been right. Nonetheless, we lifted the door and let him in.

He climbed up red-faced and excited. "You'll never guess what happened!"

I rolled my eyes, grinning at the other guys. "Let me guess… You fell out of bed this morning?"

He stuck his tongue out at me. "No! My great aunt died last week."

We stared at him, wondering if he had lost his marbles. "Since when is it a good thing that someone kicked the bucket?" Teddy asked, shuffling cards.

"Oh yeah, Teddy, and you're showing some real concern," Gordie said sarcastically. I snickered, earning a scowl from Teddy.

"Hey guys, let him explain," Chris said, looking towards Vern. "So, c'mon, tell us why it's a good thing."

Vern took a deep breath before beginning. "Well first off, I've never met the lady, so I don't have to be sad, right?" We nodded in agreement. "And the best part, she was rich or somethin' and in her will she left us her colour TV! Isn't that so boss?"

Well, we had been expecting him to say something along the lines of, 'a ton of money,' but a colour TV was pretty cool. None of us had ever seen one, because only people with lots of money could afford them.

"That's it? No money?"

"Well, she also left us her spoon collection," Vern said defensively. "She gave all her money to charity."

"That blows, man."

"Anyway," Vern continued, ignoring Teddy, "My mom said I could bring all of you over to watch some shows today."

"It beats playing scat all day. Let's go!"

Chris and I hadn't told anyone about what had happened a couple days ago. We weren't 'going out' yet, and that had been our only 'romantic encounter', but I think both of us were thinking about how right it had felt. But we snuck secretive glances every once in a while.

On they way to Vern's house, we passed the ice cream parlor. "Hey Vern," I said, remembering the day at the lake. "You still owe us some ice cream!"

Vern gave me a look, and I knew he had thought (or hoped) that I had forgotten. "But I haven't found my pennies yet!"

Chris laughed. "Vern-o, we know your parents give you an allowance!"

Vern sighed, defeated. "Fine, we'll get ice cream later, ok?"

I smiled widely, saying, "Great! Ice cream, ice cream!"

Gordie looked at me strangely. "Why are you so hyper today?"

I stared at him dazedly, trying to think of a reason that I'd be so hyper. "I dunno really. Just kinda woke up this way."

I heard I snort from behind me. "Sure you didn't eat a bunch of chocolate bars or somethin'?" asked Teddy.

"Nooo," I replied, dragging it out. "Come on guys, we're probably missing all the good shows!"

That was the first time I'd been to Vern's house. It was nice, big and white with the kind of porch you hang around when there's nothing else to do, the kind that brings nostalgic memories of the days of your childhood. Does that sound weird? Yes, I realize I'm talking about a porch. It could be worse; I could be talking to the porch. Yep, that would officially classify me as insane, if I haven't been already.

His house was impeccably clean, I noticed as soon as we walked in. No random shoes lying on floor, everything put away neatly. This gave me the impression that his mother liked everything to be perfectly tidy, so I carefully tucked my shoes in the closet along with everyone else's. When we entered the living room, there was the new colour TV, in all its mahogany glory. Actually, it looked just like any other TV. The room was a nice, warn beige colour with a squishy-looking chair and a couch. Vern ran and plopped himself on the squishy-looking chair, so the rest of us jammed ourselves onto the couch. I was on the end, which wasn't so bad, because then there wasn't two people squishing me. Chris was on the other side of me, and believe me, it was VERY hard to ignore him so close to me. Every time we moved to get more comfortable, arms would brush against each other and run a pleasant shiver up my spine.

Despite that, I acted as if it wasn't turning my insides to mush. I can't recall what shows we watched, except that I made them watch I Love Lucy. What I do remember is trying to discreetly glance at Chris, seeing his beautiful eyes fixed on the screen, the corner of his mouth turning up in amusement at the antics of the characters. God, is it really possible to be this crazy about a person when you've known them for less than two weeks? Or am I just a silly girl that gets a crush on every person that gives me attention?

Well, whatever the answer turned out to be, it didn't change the fact that I had to face Chris sometime about this. At the present moment, I had no idea where we were. I was pretty sure he liked me, ACTUALLY liked me, but enough to ask me out, and reveal it to his friends? I had to talk to him. Problem was, I didn't know how to go about it. I had loosened up since I met them, but I was still shy about that kind of stuff.

We were walking down the street to the ice cream parlor, with Vern's pockets satisfyingly jingling with change. It was nice-looking, with a row of red stools by the counter and a few tables scattered around. I got a frozen hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream. So good. Chris got the same thing, and Gordie ordered a float, while Vern and Teddy had sundaes.

Vern forgot to be mad at us for making him pay for it as he dug into the sundae with vigor. I laughed, struggling to keep my mouth shut, and succeeded. I think 'Uurpgh' would describe the sound I made while fighting that battle. All the guys erupted in laughter, Teddy being the loudest with his 'Eee-eee-eeeee' laugh. The waitress looked at us strangely, and I turned red.

"What was that?" Gordie asked between gulps of air.

"Your mom," I replied, wiping my mouth.

That made them laugh more, though I don't see why it was that funny. Maybe just 'cause they were still worked up about that noise I had emitted earlier. We spent the rest of the time there flicking ice cream at each other when the waitress wasn't looking. Gordie, Teddy and Vern finished quickly and left, each of them having their reasons, leaving me and Chris to finish.

"Hey, you have a bit of ice cream in your hair," Chris told me, leaning forward to gently brush it away. I giggled softly, the giddiness returning. I decided this would be a good moment to talk to him, before I lost the nerve.

"Umm Chris?" He met my gaze, mine slightly nervous, his questioning. "What's going on between us?"

He lowered his gaze, as I did too. I REALLY didn't know how to go about this! He didn't make it any easier at the time. "What do you want it to be?" he answered, rather cryptically if you ask me.

Was that a trick question? What was I supposed to say, not knowing how he felt? I decided to take the chance, and tell him whatI felt. "Well, I know we haven't known each other very long, but I really like you. What happened in the tree-house felt right."

Chris gave me a wide smile, and I noticed relief in his eyes. "I really like you too, Callie. I don't want to rush into anything though. Maybe we should just take it slowly, not label ourselves or anything yet."

I totally agreed. Happy, happy, happy time! Yeah, I was still hyper. "What should we do about the others then? Tell them or not?"

Chris smirked, saying, "I say we let them figure it out on their own. Gordie might guess soon though. He can read me like a book; he's my best friend."

I smiled back. "Okay," I said, "Let's finish these and get outta here."

When we started walking home, Chris reached for my hand and held it gently. I smiled happily, and when we reached our houses I was reluctant to let go. I bid him goodnight, sneaking one last look at him before disappearing into my house.

The minute I fell onto my pillow and turned out the lights later that night, I had thought the day was over. I'd wake up in 10 hours, which would seem like 5 minutes, and be grumpy, because I hate having to heave myself from my warm bed. However, I was jolted out of my dreams by a loud crash outside my window. I had heard these kind of noises before, as I told you, and wondered, vaguely, what they were. This was louder than ever, though, the kind that makes you get up and look out the window. As I neared the window to push aside the curtains, I thought I heard the sound of a window creaking open and very soft moans. Curious, and somewhat worried, I shoved aside the curtains and peered out the window into the darkness between my house and Chris'. I saw a figure hunched down in the grass, hardly moving. I put two and two together and got four. No, just kidding, I figured they were injured. Sliding my window open and hopping out, I realized who the person was.

"Chris!" I hissed softy, not wishing to wake anyone up.

"Callie?" he looked up, replying weakly. I couldn't see the extent of his injuries in the bad light, but I knew it was bad. Chris was tough, Chris didn't ever sound as weak as he did now.

Kneeling at his side quickly, I asked him what happened. He didn't get a chance to answer, as he was cut off by a drunken yell from inside his house. I could make out the fear in Chris' eyes, and the way he trembled when the drunk yelled his name.

"Callie, you have to leave. If he sees you here he'll-" Chris was once again stopped. By me, this time. I had draped his arm around my shoulders and stood up, pulling him with me, taking some of his weight. He protested softly, but I continued to walk to my window and help him inside. Once I had carefully placed him on my bed, I stood back and took stock. What I saw made me gasp in shock. He looked like a rainbow. He had a nasty black eye, lesser bruises on his cheekbones, a cut below his other eye, a cut lip, and that was just his face. The rest of his body had been beaten too.

"Jesus, what did he do to you?" It was a rhetorical question, just my way of letting my shock known verbally.

"It looks worse than it feels," Chris said, but I wasn't convinced, seeing how he winced.

"Yeah, I doubt that. Just a minute, I'll be right back." I got the first aid kit, wet wash cloths, a glass of water and a bunch of Tylenol. When I opened the door to my room, I saw Chris was staring at my covered window. Putting everything on the table beside my bed, I asked him, gently, how long his dad had been doing that.

He looked at me, surprised. "But-"

I gave him a wry smile, as I started to fix up his cuts. "You aren't gonna tell me you fell, are you? Besides, I saw your bruises when we were swimming."

"Since I was six," he replied, looking away. I flinched inwardly. That was too young an age to have to deal with that. No one should have to deal with that. It made me think of my own past, which was similar, and yet vastly different. That doesn't make sense does it?

He grimaced as I poured some rubbing alcohol on his cuts. "Sorry," I murmured, carefully wiping away the excess liquid.

"It's okay," he replied, "I'm used to it."

Okay, I officially felt like crying. Not that I'm a crybaby or anything, I hardly ever cry, it's just hard to explain how I felt just then. Knowing that Chris' father abused him, seeing the proof in front of me, was just too much. It was almost like I could feel his pain, which I couldn't, of course. It made me infinitely sad.

My eyes must have gotten that teary-glossy look that people write about, because Chris noticed. "What's wrong?" he asked, taking pains to reach up and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Nothing," I lied, swallowing all my thoughts and giving him a smile. I finished cleaning him up and made him take the pills I brought.

He stood up with effort, and I placed a hand on his chest, not letting him go any further. "Where do you think you're going?"

He looked at me strangely. "What would your mom think if she saw me staying in your room?"

"First of all, she won't come in here. She likes her sleep. Second of all, I don't think she'd give a damn once she saw the kind of state you're in. You need to REST."

He chuckled, saying, "Have you ever considered a profession as a doctor or nurse?"

I recoiled, emphasizing a shudder. "Are you insane! Having to take care of grumbling sick people? And the ones that get blood absolutely everywhere!"

We both laughed quietly, and out of know where Chris kissed me tenderly. He was a REALLY good kisser. We were both standing up, and I felt my legs turn to jelly. I then realized that Chris should be lying down and resting, if he didn't want to pass out cold, and I broke away slowly, letting the kiss linger for a few more moments. "You shouldn't be standing,
I whispered, looking into his eyes, still feeling the effects of that kiss.

Chris smiled at me, meeting my gaze for a couple seconds, and settled himself back on the bed, sighing wearily. "Whatever you say, Nurse Jordans."

"Exactly," I crossed my arms triumphantly before sitting in my comfy beanbag chair with some blankets.

"G'night Callie," Chris mumbled, and judging by his voice, he was close to being asleep.

I looked at him once more, his usually tense face relaxed and his eyes lightly closed. "Goodnight, Chris."

A/N: Hello again, sorry I haven't updated in awhile. It hasn't been too long has it? My exams kept getting delayed, and I barely had time to write, with all the studying and such. I finished my last one today, math. Yay. Anyway, I got to go see Kalan Porter tonight! He came to Sarnia! I think I'm in love with him now. And to him I'm just another face in the large, screaming crowd. Depressing isn't it? Anyway, I'll answer reviewers now.

SandraSmit19: I'm glad you like my fic! Sorry for not updating sooner!

screaming666: Thanks for the review! Hope you like this chapter!

DiggingDog: I know what you mean about waiting too long 'til Chris kisses someone. I wasn't sure if I made it happen too soon, but I guess not! Thank you tons for reviewing!

Rin: Thank you very much! Like I said to DiggingDog, I hate having to wait too! I hope you keep reading, because things are going to get interesting!

StormShadow21: Wow, you give such long reviews! I love them! I'll make my reply long too,if you don't mind.I don't think you're a jerk, so don't worry! And yes, Chris will be the first to hear Callie's secret, mostly because they can relate to each other now that she knows his. And about everyone being described the same, I know what you mean! It's scandalous to imagine them any different! Haha, just kidding, but it's hard to picture them differently.Thanks for letting me know it was "Chris'". I was pretty sure, but it looked funny when I typed it, lol. Gordie's my second favourite, by the way. Followed closely by Eyeball. Yes, realistically Callie probably would have spied out her window to find out the source of the noises, but for purposes of this chapter, I had to keep her in the dark! Keifer Sutherland is also a favourite of mine! I watch him in 24 nowadays. Ace is creepy, I agree, although I think that if he didn't totally despise me and want to kill me, like we saw from the boys' point of view, I would find him rather sexy! Maybe it's just me, heh heh heh. Anyways, thanks for reviewing, and update your fic soon! I can't get enough of it! Later!