A/N - It's been so long since I've written a chapter, I'm so afraid that nobody will have remembered this fic. It's been almost a YEAR. I've just been soooo busy lately, but I'm hoping to start updating again on a fairly regular basis. Just finished my first exams, so I'll have time in the next few days to write . . .

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Chapter Nine: Feelings Run Deeper Than Blood

Her mouth was sweet, and tasted like the strawberry vodka I love so much. I couldn't help but pull her closer, slipping an arm around her waist and twisting my other hand in her dark hair. She wrapped her arms around my neck and moved ever so lightly so that her body seemed to meld and join with mine. The kiss wasn't long, but it felt like forever. Then we pulled away.

"Are you drunk?" I asked her, stroking her hair gently. She gazed right into my eyes, and I found myself almost dizzy, mesmerized, by the look she was giving me.

"I don't know," she whispered, her fingers making tiny circles on the back of my neck. Then she smiled and kissed me again.

It was just as sweet this time, just as short. We didn't use our tongues; it didn't seem necessary. It was almost as if we didn't need to go any farther . . . As though we were both content, both comfortable just to be with each other, holding each other.

In love.

That's when I realized it. This anger and hatred I felt when I saw Jimmy, the pain I felt when I saw her eyes, pleadingwith me to help her, these stupid feelings that had been dominating my life for the past three weeks weren't just some stupid adolescent hormones. It was real. Real and pure and strong.

It was love.

When we pulled apart again, her eyes remained closed and she sighed happily, but she didn't pull away.

"Do you know how long I'vewanted to do that?" I said, staring at her. Her eyes fluttered open and she grinned.

"About as long as I have," she responded. I stood in paralyzed shock for a few moments. She'd wanted me. She'd wanted me. And then . . .

We moved together at the same moment, and this time we definitely passed first base. In a few moments we were kissing with an almost incredible passion. Her hands twined into my hair, and I pulled her even closer, or at least, I tried to, though I'm not sure it worked very well. Everything seemed to disappear, my mind went blank, except for one thought. It swirled around amidst the pleasure and happiness, a single, all-consuming thought: I love you, Summer Hathaway. I wanted to tell her so, but I couldn't bring myself to break away from her. The kiss lasted for what could have been only moments, or maybe minutes, but most likely a few glorious hours. But, like they say, all good things must come to an end, and soon we had broken apart, still clinging to the other but gasping for breath.

"Summer, I -" She looked up at me, her eyes interested, and suddenly, I couldn't say it. She just looked so happy, so relieved, I didn't want to tell her how I felt, in case it messed it up.

"What?" She asked, stepping back slightly and fixing her hair. When I didn't answer, she grabbed my shoulders and said it again, alarmed. "Freddy, WHAT?"

"It's nothing, I forgot," I said, looking away.

"Oh." From the sound of her voice, I could tell she was disappointed. "Well, good night, then." She turned to go back into her bedroom but I grabbed her by the arm. She smiled at me and kissed me again, very gently. "Good night, Spazzy."

"Good night, Tinkerbell." I left her standing in her doorway, smiling, and I couldn't help grinning myself. The drink had made this night so much better, and the best part was I'd still remember it in the morning.

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The next morning, when I woke up, I was feeling incredibly happy, though I couldn't figure out why. Then, it all came back in a rush. Going to the bar. Meeting Summer. Bringing her home. Making out with her . . .

I sat up quickly and grinned to myself. The memories of Summer chased themselves around in my head. I glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that I still had time to get to school. I was whistling to myself as I got dressed and collected my books.

"Well, you're awfully cheery this morning," my mother said as I kissed her on the cheek on my way out the door. "Did you actually pass a test, or something?" I merely smiled and walked to school.

I noticed right away that Summer wasn't there. I shouldn't have been surprised. She had been hungover, after all, and she had probably slept in very late. You may be wondering how I noticed so quickly. Easy: her locker is actually only a few down from mine. She wasn't standing there when I got to my locker. Neither, which was surprising, was Jimmy.

"There! He's right there!" It was Jimmy's voice. I looked up and saw him pointing at me, indicating my presence to a few tall men in blue suits . . . .

Shit!

I didn't want to run, because then they'd think I was guilty of something, which I was pretty sure I wasn't. Besides, if I ran, I wouldn't be able to clear this up so that I could kill Jimmy.

"Are you Frederick Jones?" I grimaced at the use of my full name but I nodded. "You're going to have to put your hands behind your back, Mr. Jones." I did as I was told, my head spinning. They were handcuffing me. Why in God's name were they handcuffing me?

"Frederick Jones," the second cop said in an almost bored tone. "You are under arrest for the rape and attempted murder of Summer Hathaway. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attourney. If you cannot afford an attourney one will be provided for you . . ."

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A/N - Aren't I so completely evil? First I make you wait almost an entire year for the next chapter, and then I leave a cliffy like this . . . . ahh, I love it. Hope you all liked! I would love to leave shouts, but I'm tired . . So:

THANKS A BUNCH TO:

rockstarhobbit, elementBLUE, SpikesDreamer, Sally looking for my Jack, wyverna, Vampirehelsing, Zeppelin Girl, Coolkid, i am not a chipmunk, A Sinner Has a Prayer, sweetcaroline, cxianet, HeartbrokenDeathAngel, YoUrMyOnLyOnE, sod.off.bitch.you're.killin..., violetiiez, Rock Drummer Chick, Talon05, Golden Angel71, xxxxDrummer-Chickxxxx

You guys all rock my orange, yellow, peach and white striped socks!