Decisions of the candy heart

Disclaimer: I don't own anything whatsoever

Notes: Reading Darryl's Christmas challenge will be helpful in understanding this, check the winter Christmas treats thread for that, Next, a minor dedication to Deb for a belated gift of sorts….

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How of a whole could a man get himself into? If your name was Jay? A whole lot! Jay's big problem wasn't deciding what to do about the new tribe in town, no it was far worse- he had to decide who his valentine would be.

Valentine's day, the newest tribal addiction to the Holidays- and Jay had an issue who would he give his heart to- Trudy, Danni, or Amber. Danni had been a member of the Mallrats long before Jay and recently had returned- Jay had to admit he was already falling for her. But with feelings already for both Trudy and Amber… this was turning out to be a complicated holiday.

"Today's the greatest day I've ever known- can't wait for tomorrow…" a voice came from the kitchen Jay's ears perked up as he walked to the kitchen sitting there at the table making some kind of document was Danni singing a song.

"What are you singing along to?" he asked as heard the music in the background unaware of what it was.

"Smashing Pumpkins- they were big when we were kids if you don't remember…?" she asked as she watched him sit across from her.

"Not really, wrong type of music- I was a more a… oldies guy- my mother raised me on the beach boys, bay city rollers, BG's- that sort of thing," he conceded.

Danni tried to stifle a laugh but failed laughing lightly before she began in mockery, "S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y-s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y," she said in between cracking up.

"Go ahead laugh away, I'm sure you've never done or listened to anything that would make you ashamed," Jay said with a mocking stern look.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," she muttered lightly under her breath.

Taking that as a cue to the change the subject Jay motioned at the card she was working on, "So what's that?"

"Oh my Valentine's day card to Jack- you know I figure he could use after Ellie breaking up with him last night. Besides we're going to dinner- he asked me out and I couldn't say no. He's just so sweet, you know?" she said with a smile licking up the envelope now.

Jay right off felt his heart drop at her words- she was taken already by Jack! Jack hardly seemed her type. Danni was like Amber and himself. She was serious with a dream and love of the morals and laws in the world. Jack was… just not like that.

"Jack and Ellie broke up? I didn't know," he said lamely.

"Oh yea they did- Jack's heart broken and Ellie's just marching all over his heart by having her own little party upstairs- it's horrible," Danni replied seriously.

Jay couldn't help but feel disappointed but if he looked at it this way, it made his choice easier. It was either Trudy or Amber- and well he knew which one he'd turn to first. Plastering smile he moved to get up and started to get up.

"I need to go see someone- I'll talk to you tomorrow?" he inquired.

Danni smiled, "Sure," she replied as he left.

Once free, she sighed to herself and motioned for Salene to come back into the room, "I almost got caught there," she replied softly.

Salene laughed, "Don't worry the Jack story was a great cover up, I swear I could see his spirits dropping. There's no doubt he likes you- full speed ahead Danni," she reported happily.

"Of course now I have to explain to Jack that he's suddenly single," Danni said with a laugh, "What are you and May doing tonight?"

Salene turned red a bit, "I can't tell you that Danni…" she said, "It's not kid friendly".

Danni shook her head, "Always the mother Salene, I don't know what these guys would have ever done without you- come on, I need help with setting up," she said getting up.

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(Upstairs)

'Me and you do the kind of stuff that only Prince would sing about, So put your hands down...'

"Darryl, what the hell are you listening to?" Jay's voice cried on the way down the hall.

Darryl jumped and right off lowered the music, "Uh nothing," he replied.

Jay would have grilled him further until he got a good look at him.

Darryl was standing in front of a mirror with a cheesy looking blue tux with a flower in the pocket- his hair was watered and he was combing it partially and then stopped obviously when Jay spoke. And on the stand was a clear package of looked to be Swedish fish.

"What are you doing?" Jay inquired.

"Oh I'm getting ready for my date with Trudy," he announced proudly, "She asked me out around Christmas and we decided we'd do a big date on Valentine's".

"Oh…" Jay said with minor relief.

That was good, Trudy wasn't free- he was worried for a second. It's not that he didn't like Trudy he did, but for some reason he was still wishing it was Danni who was gonna be his date. He just hoped Amber wasn't taken. She was the only real replacement for Danni in truth.

Trudy just didn't stack up to them, and it was good she had a date, there was no way she could be hurt then if he went out with Amber or Danni. This was only good news.

"Well, I'm off to see Amber- and Darryl- where did you get those candies from?" he inquired.

"The technos," he replied evenly.

"The technos? How is that? And where they did they get them from?" Jay demanded.

Darryl looked over him for a second as if trying to make sure Jay wasn't yanking his chain.

"You mean to tell me… you DIDN'T know they had that kind of stuff? Wow, what were they keeping behind your back?" Darryl exclaimed.

Jay sighed, "Everything apparently, I was just too blind to see it. So, how did you get the fortune of getting it?"

"After Java picked out by the technos, Mega offered me a bribe of food and sweets, and this was just one of many things on that plate. Selfish to take it with you after you've been dumped but hey, it was too good to pass up and it's got use now," he said proudly.

"Right well, I'm gonna go and Darryl, chill on the music the kids shouldn't be hearing about animals," he reported walking off.

Putting a smile on his face he started walking towards Amber's room, "Hey Amber," he said as he pulled out the curtains.

However, he slowly stopped himself once he got in, coming to a dead halt his eyes gauging a bit when he saw on the bed kissing Mega of all people.

Amber and him quickly broke it, and her gaze shifted towards him, "Jay, didn't see you there," she replied.

Mega said nothing moving stand up and then wordlessly walking out passing Jay.

"What are you doing with him, he's the enemy," Jay said darkly feeling the anger rising within him.

Not so much because he was jealous but because she spoke of such morals and yet there she was kissing their former enemy!

"He's not the enemy anymore, and we happen to be dating- he fixed my heart you stomped on Jay- is that a crime?" she demanded with anger rising in her own voice.

"Yes when it's MEGA," he reported.

Amber rolled her eyes as she got up and then slapped him, "Don't tell me what can and can't feel and don't preach me of morals when you were right along side him. People change, you did. So what did you think you were going to do by showing up here Jay? Ask me, say "Oh Amber, I changed my mind let's date again?" Well, it- I don't work like that Jay. I've found someone- maybe it's time you go find someone for yourself that you haven't slept with," she reported, "Now get out"

Jay too angry to speak then stormed off as he headed down the hall, signing as he leaned over the edge, Why did love have to be so complicated? Had he really hurt Amber that bad? He wasn't even cruel when they broke up- besides it happened so fast… one night they were kissing and the next he was moving out. Besides, he had always secretly thought they'd make up but apparently he had been dreaming.

He held her in a higher regard then she held him now… how could that be? What did he do that was so wrong? Jay felt guilty but he realised it was time to move on but the problem was… move on to whom? Danni was after Jack, Trudy had Darryl, Amber had Mega but who did Jay have?

It seemed like there was no one for him… and that made him sad but it made it worse to picture Danni with Jack to see the expression of the geek everyday after he was kissed by the girl of Jay's dreams. Nothing stung more.

Deciding he was just going to spend Valentine's day in his room skulking he headed towards his room, heading to the curtain he pushed it open but stopped once he got in…

Inside there was candles lit, and a table set up with a candle- and a letter. Jay looked at it oddly- who could have done this… what was going on….

Jay walked over and picked up the card, he then opened it and began to read feeling the shock well up in him…

I'd die for you
I'd cry for you
I'd do anything
I'd lie for you
You know it's true
Baby I'd die for you
I'd die for you
I'd cry for you
If it came right down to me and you
You know it's true, Baby I'd die for you

Jay then looked up as the curtain raddled- clearly this was from whoever was in love with him, whoever she- or god forbid he was…. He just hoped it was someone he cared for too even if only a little. His heart started to pound as it finally opened.

Standing in there in a nice silk red dress with a smile on her face and dark hair pulled back in a bun was Danni looking better than ever. Jay could feel his heart flowing as she walked in with a rose.

"Danni… but Jack…"

"I wanted to surprise you- and he was only excuse I thought you'd buy- I hope you're hungry- Salene helped me make a lot of food," she said with a smile as Salene then came in carrying trays of food she set down in front of them- she then smiled and walked off.

Jay looked down at it- there was all kinds of things, salad, chicken, soup… candy hearts!

"How did you…"

"Mega told Amber where the technos kept their stashes of stuff and we brought it all back here and spilt it among us for the sake of the holiday," she said with a laugh, "I hope this isn't too much for you- I mean I did kind of drop a bombshell," she said slowly playing with her hands some showing her nervousness.

"No, no- it's great Danni, it's just… I didn't get the chance to do anything for you," he replied as if beating himself up.

"Oh don't worry about it- you can do it next time…" she said with a smile.

"Next time… there's going to be a next time?" he repeated.

"I hope so- I mean if you want there to be, because I do," Danni told him quickly.

Jay smiled, "Yea I do- let's eat," he said pulling out a chair for her as she sat down with a smile.

As he moved to sit down then Danni pulled out his remote control on his cd player and hit play.

'S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night S-a-t-…'

Jay and her than laughed as they began to eat, Jay unable to keep the smile from his lips, this was indeed the best day since the virus he had and hopefully it would be the start of many more good ones.

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The end.