Chapter Nine: Getting Cozy

A/N: Okay, before you start throwing knives at me, I have a perfect- :ducks a mean-looking almanac instead: explanation. Yes, I know it's been ages since I've last updated this fic and I'm really sorry 'bout that… I guess I could say I've bitten off more than I could chew. It's really hard juggling six major subjects, a research paper AND this fic, not to mention exams every other day... that's why I've decided to put this on hold for a while, until I have a free time to do it. And I'm not really regretting doing that, because all my hard work paid off. I got accepted to this medical school I've been dreaming of, and I'm starting my first term in a couple of months. Woo hoo, go me! Lol:P Frighteningly enlarged ego aside, I'm glad to say that I've finally found the time to update this story. Although for how long, I'm not sure. So I'll just try to finish this story before school starts, then I'll just post them one by one… Remember, the keyword being "try".

Finally, I just would like to say a million thanks to all those who gave their reviews, even though I haven't updated in a while. I admit, I was kinda losing hope with this story, but then your reviews made it all worthwhile... :-) thanks!

Disclaimer: Really, there's no point writing this story if I owned them, wouldn't it? I mean, I'd rather be off somewhere with these guys rather than spend hours on my computer writing stories about them. ;P

"Oh. My. God." Connie exclaimed breathlessly as Adam pushed open the doors to his new apartment and let themselves in.

"You could say that again," he replied in the same awestruck voice as Connie, letting their bags slid down on the floor.

She inched her way towards the couch as Adam closed the door behind him. "Nice place your parents gave you. Very, uh, spacious."

"Yeah," he answered absentmindedly, surveying the place. "I think it's compensation for not being around much anymore."

"So, do any of the Ducks know about this place?"

"No, I haven't got the chance to tell them yet."

Adam made his way through towards the end of the hallway, where he found three doorways. He peeked inside each one of them. No doubt the large room on his left was supposed to be his room, with a king-sized bed right in the middle. The small room on the right had some books and a desktop computer, and it was all set up to look like a small office, or study room. The door directly on the end of the hallway revealed a spacious bathroom, complete with all the toiletries one would need.

"Hey, I found the bedroom," he called out from the hallway. "You could set your things there now, if you want." He emerged from the hallway and made a motion to towards the rooms. "It's at the end of the hallway to the left. Bathroom's just straight ahead."

"Wait, this is your apartment. Shouldn't you be the one taking the b-"

Adam cut her off with a dismissive wave. "What? I'm not letting you sleep on the couch. Besides, I find couches much more comfy than beds." To prove his point, he strode over and plopped down comfortably next to her, grinning.

"But-"

He held up his hands. "No buts."

Connie saw that there was no way she was going to win this argument with him. "Fine, you win. I'll take the bed." She finally conceded with a smile. "Um, thanks again for letting me stay here. This really means a lot to me."

"Well, what are friends for?" Liar. Adam swallowed hard, smile slightly faltering. He really wished that small nagging voice in his head would just shut up. "So, uh, what's the plan? What about the others? I mean, Charlie and the team… the trip tomorrow…"

"I'm not sure, really," she admitted with a sigh.

"Oh." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "As in you're not sure you want to take that trip tomorrow with the rest of the team?" His heart was hammering at his chest, hoping that she wouldn't notice the slight sound of anticipation in his voice.

"Well yeah, actually. I just… don't know." She admitted, casting him a sideway glance, hoping to see his reaction.

Adam, keeping a straight face, took time to consider his response. "Well," He slowly answered, "you don't have to, you know, if you really don't want to. We could just stay here, if you want." This is not right. Nope, not right at all. His insides screamed at him and alarm bells were ringing all over.

"No, I don't think so," Connie quickly answered, rebuking his suggestion.

For a split second, a look of disappointment crossed his face, which quickly disappeared just as fast. Adam stole a quick glance to see if she noticed.

Fortunately, she was oblivious, and continued. "I mean, I'm not making you miss that trip just because of me. I've caused enough trouble already."

"To tell you the truth, I was actually thinking of skipping that trip anyway. I thought maybe this was the chance to spend more time on the ice. You know, work on my moves."

While that wasn't exactly the truth, it wasn't exactly a lie, either. Yes, he did think about skipping that trip, but not for the reason he just stated. It was more of avoiding those tortuous feelings he felt every time he sees Connie and Guy together. Not to mention, the romantic setting of Hawaii was like rubbing rock salt to his already wide open wounds.

Connie flashed him a hesitant look, before finally saying, "Well, let me think about it."

"It's just ringing. No one's answering," Charlie finally said, setting down the phone. The rest of the Ducks had already crammed inside his house. It was late afternoon, and they had been trying to contact Adam in his house.

"Must be the butler's day off," Julie suggested.

"Are you sure it was Adam you saw leaving with Connie?" Fulton, who was sitting on the floor, asked.

Guy nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was him."

"I don't really see what's there to worry about." Russ spoke up from across the room. "I mean, you said it yourself, you saw her with Adam. How safe could she get? Cake-eater's like the poster boy for that."

The rest of the team mumbled in agreement.

"Yeah, but it's not like her to just take off like that."

"Don't sweat it, Guy. Maybe she just needs to cool off." Ken assured him.

"No doubt about that." Luis chirped in from the other side of the room. "Anyway, there's no way those two won't show up tomorrow."

Dwayne piped up. "That's for sure. There'd be no better person to calm her down - " Julie shot him a withering glance, which certainly did not go unnoticed.

"-Except for Julie, of course." He continued, quickly correcting his sentence. "But I'm just saying, you know, because well, he does that pretty often."

Guy knew the silence that followed was unintentional and meaningless, but it still unnerved him. Finally, he who broke the silence. "I guess you guys are right," he said with a sigh. He stood up, "I'm just gonna… I'll just.. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Without further saying a word, Guy Germaine left, feeling no less better than he felt hours ago.

Alright, time to be honest. Just tell me if I should continue on with this or not... I'll stop if I'm not making any sense to you guys... That's okay since I still haven't made up my mind about who ends up with who on this...