3: The boneyard was where the pogues spent so many summer nights. This night was just like any other, each of them off in their separate ways talking to tourons. Kiara could not help but notice the way girls gathered around JJ as he told some ridiculous story. Normally it did not bother her, but ever since spin the bottle something had changed when she looked at him, and now it made her blood boil to watch this. Getting up, she headed out to the water, further and further from the sounds of the party. Staring out into the ocean waves, she immediately noticed when there was someone approaching.

"Hi…" A voice she did not recognize spoke behind her.

"UM…hey?" She wasn't in the mood to be hit on, or even spoken to.

"You are the girl who hangs out with all those guys right?" The question seemed extremely forward and rudely personal.

"Uh, yeah I have some guy friends." Annoyance very present in her voice. Suddenly nerves prickled her skin as he inched closer. Up close she did not recognize him but noted that he was a kook. What Kiara had not realized was that in the distance her blonde best friend was intensely watching her interactions with a stranger, watching him inch closer, JJ had already started heading towards them.

"You know there's a lot of rumors about how easy you are. I mean you must be banging all those poor pogue boys, right?" Kiara moved to get up, get as far from him as possible but she did not have the chance. This strange boy was grabbing her arm and pushing her to the ground, forcing her down by her shoulders.

"I want to know what it's like with a slut like you." Kiara was pushing and kicking to get him off her, wanting to scream, but her mouth was covered by an unwelcome hand. Before she knew it, the stranger was being thrown from her. She didn't look over yet, regaining herself and composure, then came the sounds she knew to well as a fight. Turning around she saw her own protector on top of this stranger. One punch turned to five then ten. In between the punching she heard him yelling.

"You don't ever fucking touch her again, don't even look at her!" She had never heard JJ sound like this before, scared and desperate. Next thing she knew she was grabbing his shoulder telling him to stop,

"JJ stop! He is not worth it" But the punches continued coming, finally she put both hands on his shoulders.

"JJ, please stop." She sounded scared, she was scared, but not of JJ, more what would happen to him if he didn't stop. Immediately he stopped and looked up at her, worried the fear was aimed at him. Then she was jumping into his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck. Protectively he wrapped his arms around her waist, giving into the embrace, she knew she was safe.

JJ walked her back to the Chateau, not able to take his eyes off her. Once in the house, he grabbed two beers, tossing one to her. The silence sat heavy between them, until he could not take it.

"Do you want to stay in my room tonight, I'll sleep on the pull out?" JJ tried to make his voice light, but there was no change that was going to happen given the evenings dark event.

"Why… I can sleep out here?" Confusion present on her face.

"Figured you'd feel better if you could stay in a room and lock the door." JJ watched her intensely. She felt a burst in her chest and felt like she was seeing him for the first time. Closing their distance, Kiara wrapped her arms around him, instantly he held her tightly by the waist. Knowing she was safe; tears began to fall. JJ gently ran delicate fingers through her hair accompanied with soft words in her ear.

"It's okay, I got you, let it out." After a few minutes Kiara pulled back.

"Thank you JJ, for everything." A soft smile came across her lips.

"No need to thank me Kie, you know I'd do anything for you." JJ looked down, clearly saying more than he intended.

"I don't know what I would do without you." He was honest, she felt she had to be honest back. JJ pulled her back against him and then pulled back slightly, wiping the left-over tears away, and planting a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Then he was pulling fully away and retreating to the back of the house. Kiara leaned against the kitchen counter, mind overwhelmed by the evening, but her thoughts were circulating around JJ. After 15 minutes, he reappeared with a sweatshirt and shorts.

"Here is something to change into, also I kind of cleaned the bathroom and started a bath for you, I mean you don't have to take one, but I just thought maybe you wanted to relax and have some alone time." He was fumbling over his words and ended with a shrug while running his fingers through blonde locks.

Kiara couldn't stop the butterflies that filled her entire body. No one had ever done something that sweet for her. Blushing and giggling she headed towards the bathroom. JJ managed to light 5 candles from the hurricane stash.

Once she finished her bath, she slid on JJ's clothes and couldn't help but inhale him, ignoring the smile coming to her lips. She found him laying in the bed in Big Johns room, which had become his. Eyes closed and arms behind his head. Kiara knew she was about to do something stupid but couldn't help herself.

Slowly she sat on the edge of the bed, then laid down facing JJ. He tensed instantly, rolling over to face her.

"Are you okay Kie?" A smile crossed her face.

"Yes, seriously thank you JJ." He smiled back at her, eyes glancing from her eyes to her lips. Slowly she moved closer until they were just inches away from each other. She was close enough to hear the breath hitch in his throat. Moving closer Kiara was less than an inch away, about to close the distance, when she was interrupted.

"Kie…don't" JJ was sitting up, expanding the distance between them, she laid there slightly in shock at the rejection.

"I…I am sorry." She spoke softly.

"No Kie, don't apologize. There is nothing more than I want right now than to kiss you, but you have had a rough night, and you don't want this." He spoke softly, gesturing to himself.

"JJ…" Kiara started. Then he leaned over and gave her a long kiss of her forehead.

"Um… Goodnight Kie." Quickly he left the room. Leaving her alone in his bed, drowning in her thoughts.

She laid unable to sleep for hours when she decided to make some tea. Tiptoeing through the Chateau, she made her way to the kitchen, ignoring the eyes on her. A few moments later she was walking back to the bedroom. Stopping to glance at JJ sprawled out on the pullout couch, pretending to be asleep. Slowly she went and kissed his cheek softly, then headed back to the bedroom.

JJ opened his eyes when the bedroom door shut, fingers gently traces where her lips had been on his cheek, smiling as he closed his eyes.