A/N: Co-written with Jeaniverre; this one has been revised.

Jake didn't mind the fact that I was quiet the whole ride, but Seth could sense my frustration.

"Tell me what's wrong," he murmured, when everyone moved into the other room.

"Nothing's wrong," I insisted, and took a sip of my drink.

"Liss," he goaded, elbowing me softly. "Really."

"The whole Alex thing - I'm trying to figure it out," I sighed. Maybe he would crack. I couldn't keep this secret to myself. It was physically impossible.

"Yeah I don't know."

"Do you think Sam should hide it from me?" I asked, looking him in the eyes.

"How do you-"

"Seth," I pressed.

"No, I don't. I think it's wrong," he snapped.

"Well, I know everything," I whispered.

"You know!" His eyebrows shot up to impossible heights.

I hastily shushed him. "Yeah, he told me," I admitted, looking down.

"But how did he get around the-"

I put my finger over his mouth and looked around. "I don't know, just- please don't give him a hard time," I begged. "I don't want to stress him out."

"So are you going to go out with him?" he asked after a minute.

"I'm not sure yet."

"He seems nice." He nodded, looking down.

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" I cracked a smile.

"Absolutely not," he growled, standing up and walking out.

I chuckled and stood up to go back into the living room when the sliding door opened.

"Hey," a whisper said from behind, walking toward me.

"You made it," I replied happily.

"Of course," came Alex's hushed voice, and we stealthily picked our way back to the living room.

"I understand that you're hungry Paul, but-" Jake stopped midsentence. "Alex?"

Alex cleared his throat. "Jake."

"I thought that Sam..."

"Lissa invited me." he nodded toward me. Of all people, it had to be Jake who noticed him first…

"Oh… Liss, can I talk to you?" Jake commanded through tight lips.

Alex's grip on my waste tightened. "Why?"

Jake looked at Alex's arm and then his eyes. "You told her?"

"She guessed," He replied defensively.

"Sam's not going to be happy about this," Jake shook his head.

"Give 'em a break Jake. We'll tell them when the time comes." Paul managed to mutter while downing an entire soda in a single gulp.

"I don't like it," he mumbled on his way back into the living room, followed by Paul.

"Do we have to stay here?" Alex turned to me, his eyes pleading.

"No, we can leave," I sighed, making my way through the living room.

"Leaving so soon, Lissa?" Emily asked, walking in front of me. I felt Alex step to stand behind me and her face fell. "Alex," she acknowledged.

"How are you Emily?"

"Fine," she replied, casting her gaze downward. When she brought her head up, she looked me in the eyes, as if to give me a warning. I blew it off and pulled Alex outside.