A/N: short chapter i know, but hey it's the weekend. i'll make it up in the next chapter, i promise. I think there'll be 15 chapters to this story so the end is in sight!

Chapter 12:

The clock read a quarter to six when Chuck walked through the door. Almost immediately, Carmen's voice assaulted his ears.

"Where have you been?" she cried, storming up to him. "I told you not to leave the house!"

Chuck kept quiet. The velvet box hidden deep within his jacket pocket felt like a lead weight.

"Where did you go? Do you have any idea how scared I was?" When Chuck raised his eyes, she looked more angry than frightened. Her brown eyes glowed dark with fury.

"Carmen. Be honest with me for a second." Whether it was the quietness of his voice or the hollow look in his eyes, something got her attention. She took a step back and held her barrage of questions.

"Are we really dating?"

Carmen stood like she was prepared to engage in a fight, her fists clenched tight and every muscle in her body taunt.

She took a deep breath. "Yes." Her lips trembled as she uttered the single word. "Of course we are."

Chuck nodded slowly. Her admission was as good as a confession.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

She tensed again. "No."

Another lie.

"I know about the gun. I found it under the fridge."

Carmen's eyes fluttered and she sighed. "Okay," she said, allowing defeat to enter her voice for the first time.

Chuck balked. "Okay?" he asked. "I found a gun under the fridge and all you can say is okay?"

"Yes. It's my gun," she said matter-of-factly. "I needed it to protect you."

Of all the things he expected her to say, he never saw this coming. "Who do I need protection from? I'm just a guy who fixes computers and plays video games on the side."

Carmen's eyes darkened. "You know I can't tell you."

Chuck couldn't hold his frustration in any longer. "No, actually I don't because I don't remember anything, Carmen. Have you forgotten that?"

"No, I remember it very clearly," she said, stressing every syllable. Chuck never realized how dangerous Carmen could appear when she wanted to. The way she bared her teeth reminded him of a carnivore staking out its prey. "All you need to know is that you are safe and I have everything under control."

It wasn't good enough. "Tell me about Sarah."

Recognition and surprise flickered across Carmen's features. If Chuck hadn't watched closely, he would have missed it. "I don't know who that is."

"You're lying again," Chuck said, trying not to tremble in his shoes. Carmen's eyes glowered dangerously at the accusation. "Was Sarah the friend that introduced us?"

Carmen bristled at his words. "Back off, Chuck," she warned.

"I don't like lies and I don't like secrets, Carmen," he warned, allowing his voice to rise. "So tell me. Tell me everything—the truth this time. What happened to me, was that an accident?"

Carmen stood her ground. "Lying is what your life is all about. It's what you're good at," she spat. "That and keeping secrets. Lots and lots of secrets."

Hot blood coursed through Chuck's veins. His heart pumped so hard and fast he could hear each pulsation like a drum against his ear.

"No."

No, it couldn't be. He wasn't like that.

Recalling Ellie's tears, he knew that Carmen wasn't saying it to be vindictive. It was true; it was why he was so evasive and distant with those closest to him. "Not anymore."

Carmen sighed loudly and for a long time it was the only sound in the entire apartment. "You're right, not anymore." Her dark eyes suddenly melted into chocolate brown. "It's not my job to make you believe, Chuck, it's my job to protect you."

Carmen excused herself, retreating to the sanctuary of her bedroom. When he heard the door click shut, Chuck realized she wasn't going to tell him anything—ever.

Disappointment crashed over him like a tidal wave, sweeping him far away from his ideations. Chuck's hand reached for the still concealed velvet box, but he couldn't bring himself to take it out.

They'd talked downstairs, Morgan and him, but his best friend couldn't help him. Chuck had been too evasive with the people in his life, and now no one could help him fill in the blanks.

"Don't worry, you'll know," Morgan had said.

Chuck had wanted to scream but he knew it wasn't Morgan's fault. "How? I don't know anything anymore."

"Because it's you. You'll know when it's right."

Right…Chuck rolled his eyes. Things were looking real good here.

Chuck was fully prepared to burst into Carmen's room and demand an explanation. He'd even conjured a little speech to help himself, but just as he was about to knock on her door, he stopped.

No. This wasn't going to work. He knew before he even tried that Carmen wasn't going to tell him anything; she'd made that very clear. If he wanted answers, he would have to look elsewhere.

Only one person came to mind. Pulling out his cell phone, Chuck scrolled through the contacts. A flood of relief filled him when he found the number listed. As Chuck dialed and waited on the ring tone, he realized Morgan was right. He did know. He'd known all along. He only prayed it was not too late.