Two hours. Two complete hours, we spent getting Rusty ready for his date with 'the' girl. But when we finished, I was not entirely displeased with the results. Casey had managed to tame his curly, light brown hair into something resembling presentable. He borrowed a shirt from me after almost an hour spent going through his wardrobe and finding nothing suitable. It was a white, short sleeved, button down number with a dragon on the back of it. He added a black long sleeved t-shirt under that and a pair of black jeans. I was almost impressed. He looked, for the very first time like a Kappa Tau. Not that we really gave a damn about how he usually looked, we would have accepted him if he looked like an alien. That was the way of the Kappa Tau fraternity and I was very proud of that fact. But still, I couldn't help feeling a little brotherly pride as I looked at the new and improved Rusty with a critical eye. And the most important thing about the entire transformation was that Rusty seemed happy about the way he looked.

I could see it several subtle ways. He held his shoulders a little more square, his back a little straighter. The beginnings of a small played at his mouth instead of the usual almost frown. He seemed happier and more confident than I had ever seen him.

Right up until the moment the doorbell rang. Then it was over. His palms were instantly sweaty, the frown was furrowing his brow, and he was chattering at a speed not normally seen in human speech patterns.

It was almost funny, if I wasn't so worry about him screwing up his chances, I would have laughed.

As Casey went downstairs to answer the door, I pulled him aside.

" Okay, what are you doing ? " I asked, in a calm quiet voice.

" I don't know. " he was pacing. " I was okay, then the doorbell and now she's down there. She's in my house and I don't know. " He was rambling so fast I barely understood him.

I stopped him in front of me and forced him to look in my eyes.

" You have got to calm down. " I told him firmly. " Take a deep breath. " I paused while he did as I instructed " Now, I need you to focus on breathing. "

" Rusty, " Casey said quietly as she joined us at the top of the stairs.

" One sec, " I said, " We're focusing. "

" No, It can't wait. " Her voice was strained and glanced over my shoulder at her. The worry was evident on her face and Rusty saw it too.

" She's not coming. " he muttered numbly.

" No, " Casey stopped him. " I mean I'm sure she is. It isn't' about Hannah. You have company. "

" Company ? Who would be here to see me ? " He asked, stepping around me.

" Um, Jenn. " she finally said, " She's in the living room. "

" What ? " He asked, quickly. " My Jenn ? "

Casey nodded. " Yep and I think Dad is in there with her. So you might want to hurry and rescue her. "

" I don't know what to say to her. " I mumbled.

" Well, obviously she has something to say to you. How did she even find out where you live ? " Casey asked.

" I sent her a letter. " he answered quietly.

" Oh, " she replied. " So, it's a good thing, her being here ? "

" I didn't expect her to show up here. She said she was visiting her Aunt and Uncle here. I mentioned that I was going to be home for the holidays. What am I going to say to her ? "

" What do you want to say to her ? " I asked, intruding on there conversation.

" I miss her. " he answered, looking at his feet.

" That sounds like a good start to me. " I told him with a pat on the back and a nudge towards the stairs.

" So, you're encouraging this ? " Casey demanded once he was out of sight.

" Are you not ? " I was a little stunned but her tone.

" I don't know. " She turned away and went to her bedroom, I followed along after her.

" Do we really want her hanging around with us again ? " she said, after I shut the door.

" Is that really our choice to make ? "

" I guess it really isn't. I'm just not sure I'm ready to forgive her. "

I pulled her into my arms and she rested her back against my chest. We sat there on the bed, wrapped around each other for a long silent moment.

" I'm not sure I'm ready to be okay with her either, actually. " I said finally. " I don't like that most of that article was about you. I know she didn't use your name, but I seriously doubt there is anyone on campus that doesn't know who she was writing about. That bothers me. "

She leaned her head towards me so she could see my face. " Really ? That's a little surprising. Nothing ever bothers you. "

" It bothers me when people do things that hurt you. " I answered, nuzzling my nose into her hair.

" That's really nice. Would you beat someone up for being mean to me ? " She teased.

" I might. " I laughed, " Did you have someone in mind ? " I honestly thought she was thinking about Evan. I expected her to say that she wanted me to beat him up for her.

" Well, there is this Senator's daughter that has been driving me crazy. " she mused.

I tensed instantly and she felt it. I tried to keep myself calm and relaxed, to not let on that Rebbecca was even someone I knew. But like I said, I could never keep anything from her for long.

" What ? " She turned in my arms. " What is it ? I really was just joking. I don't expect you to go beat Rebbecca up for me. "

I forced a smile and tried to laugh it off. " Are you sure ? I know how much you don't like each other. "

She settled back against me and felt the tension leave me with a barely disguised sigh of relief.

" You know I thought at first that I had read her wrong. That maybe she was just an innocent victim in everything. " She thought out loud. " But then the thing with my room happened and all the snide little comments. I really hate that girl. And she has definitely got it out for me. It's like she looks for ways to get to me. I'm really surprised she hasn't gone after you yet. "

" After me ? Why would she go after me ? " I could hear the near panic in my voice and I prayed that she was too into her own thoughts to notice it.

She turned again. She was staring at me so intently, I suddenly had trouble breathing. " She did, didn't she ? "

I swallowed hard and forced myself not to look away from her. " Did what ? "

" She came on to you. " Her tone said she was certain she was right.

" Let's just say, we've met. " I faked a smile and shrugged. God, this was torture.

" I should have known. I bet she went for you the second she found out about us. That's just like her. "

She drew in against me and kissed me. " I'm glad you saw through her. "

" Casey, " I pushed her away and took a deep breath. " I should tell you - "

The door burst open at that exact moment and Casey's Mom came through it with a huge smile.

" Who is that sweet girl downstairs ? " she asked, brightly.

Casey sat up away from me and smiled sweetly at her mother. " That is Rusty's girlfriend, or she was at least. I'm not exactly sure what's going on now. "

Her mother's eyes darted between us. " Did I interrupt something ? I guess I should have knocked. I'm just not used to having to. I forget. "

" No, " Casey waved her off. " It's fine, Mom. Did you overhear anything down there ? What's going on ? "

" Now, Casey, you know I wouldn't eavesdrop on your brother's private conversation. "

" Right, right. Now what did you hear ? " she insisted.

" Well, I was just going to ask Rusty to help me with a few package in the car, and I saw him and the young lady sitting on the sofa, very close to each other, talking. " She said, casting a glance over her shoulder.

" What were they saying ? "

" She said she was happy to get his letter and that she missed him. And he said I know, you call me every Wednesday and say ' It's Wednesday and I still miss you'. Isn't that the sweetest thing ? " Mrs. Cartwright was practically giggling.

I looked at Casey and she looked at me and we both knew right then that we would have to make our peace with Jenn.

" Maybe I can fix Hannah up with one of the guys at the house. " I laughed.

" Cappie, would you be a dear and help with those packages, I hate to ask. But I don't want to disturb Rusty right now ? " She gave me that sweet, warm smile that always seemed to be just a breath away from her face.

I was loading myself down with several bags of groceries when Derek and his little sister arrived. I knew immediately why Rusty had been so nervous as soon as my eyes landed on the small, petite red head with a pair of hypnotic, penetrating green eyes. Yeah, she wouldn't have any trouble at all finding people to help her out around campus. I knew for certain if I did hook her up with one of the guys from the house, they were going to owe me, big time.

I was helping put the groceries away when a pair of warm hands slid around my waist and I felt Casey lay her head against my back. I stopped instantly and turned in her arms, though I did feel a little awkward with her mother inches from us, taking a can of soup out of the bag behind me.

Mrs. Cartwright glanced over her shoulder at Derek and looked back at us knowingly. Apparently she wasn't quite as astute as her husband. I don't think she had caught on yet that we weren't just hamming it up for the crowd.

" I was thinking about trying that snowman again, if your up for it. " she smiled up at me. " Maybe Derek and Hannah can help. "

We all agreed and started towards the front door to begin the bundling up process.

" Damn ! " Casey muttered as she searched through the pockets of her jacket. " I think I left my gloves upstairs. I'll be back. "

" I'll get them. " I volunteered. " I need to grab mine, too. "

I took off up the stairs and went immediately to her room. As my eyes scanned the area looking for the gloves, a trill from her desk told me she had just gotten an e-mail message. I don't know what possessed me to look to see who was sending the message. But I did and as Evan's screen name that he had used since freshman year appeared. I couldn't keep myself from clicking the mouse and opening the message.

Casey,

I've been trying to call, but you aren't answering your phone. I know you're still mad at me. I know I shouldn't have yelled and stormed out like I did. But yesterday after we talked, I thought you may have forgiven me. Please call me when you get this. I need to know that I may still be a chance with you.

Evan

I don't know how long I stared at the words sitting in front of me. She talked to him yesterday and didn't tell me. How could she not tell me ? How could she not say something about this ? I suddenly felt very stupid. Something in the back of my mind had been nagging me all along not trust her again. Something told me she was using me as a nice holiday distraction. But I hadn't wanted to believe it. I didn't let myself believe it until now. Now it was staring me right in the face.

I could see it as clearly as if it had already happened. She would use me until we got back to school, then she would dump me like yesterday's trash and go running back to him. Now I understood why she wouldn't say she loved me yet. Because she didn't. And she never would again. It really was over and I was just kidding myself, pretending that it wasn't.

" Cap, did you find my gloves ? " her voice poured over me like ice water.

I didn't move. Couldn't will my body to respond to my commands.

Her hand fell to my shoulder and I wanted to shrug it off, but still I was helpless to move.

" What is it ? " she asked as her eyes fell to the computer. Then she stepped in front of me, a look of panic on her face. " I can explain. "

I finally won enough control to raise my hand. " Don't. " I told her.

Then I turned around and left her room as quickly as I could manage. I heard her calling my name as I closed the door behind me.