I know it is a little confusing to go between Ace's and Baby's POV but it just seemed right to give Ace's reaction to what baby sees and how things happened. so please forgive and i hope you enjoy.

First Fight

I didn't see him at all on Sunday; I didn't think I would, but every time I heard a car drive passed my house I kept hoping it would be him. Every one in my house could tell and they would just shake their heads at me.

"You're acting like you miss him or something," Vern said bitterly as I helped him with his homework.

"I guess when you spend, so much time with someone. Look Vern there's more to him then just, its hard to explain." I said looking out the window.

"Baby, this is Ace we are talking about! If it was any other guy, I would understand but look at you, its like you're a love sick puppy." He said looking at me.

"Vern!! That is absolutely ridiculous," I said standing up from the table.

"Then why are you dating him?"

How could I tell him, how could I tell my little brother was the reason why I was dating Ace.

"I don't know," I said unable to look at him.

"Baby, for as smart as you are you sure make some dumb choices" Vern said going back to his homework.

I walked out of the kitchen; I was so sick and tired of everyone telling me that I was out of my mind for dating Ace. I wanted to scream, tell all of Castel Rock that I was only Ace's girlfriend so that he would leave my little brother alone. But I couldn't and the worse part of all was somehow Ace was starting to worm his way into my heart, even after his awful behavior on our date. I went to bed that night looking forward Monday.

I woke up early and got ready for school; I wore my green skirt, with a white blouse and did my best to look, well cute. So you could imagine my disappointment when Billy told me that he was going to be taking me to school.

MY head was down as I walked into school.

"Baby, how was it…" Mary started to say but one look at my face, told her not to press the subject.

That morning was awful, it was like one bad thing after another just kept happening. I forgot my homework, something spilled on my Skirt and then Jonny, made an appearance.

"Baby, about my tutoring sessions," he started to say but I didn't want to listen to him and started to walk away. He grabbed my wrist hard "Don't walk away from me while I'm talking to you," he said through gritted teeth, squeezing my wrist to emphases his words.

" I'm not tutoring you anymore," I said trying to get free of him, the halls was starting to empty and I started to panic.

"I'm not done with you, Baby." He said throwing me against the lockers.

"Jonny that hurt," I whimpered as he twisted my wrist.

"What are you going to do, tell that JD boyfriend of yours? Look Baby, I am not a bad guy once you get to know me, what do you say?" he purred into my ear.

"I…I have a boyfriend," I stammered and he backed off.

"How long do you really think its going to last with Ace, Baby? Wise up make the right choice" he said then walked off down the hall.

It was the end of the day and I couldn't wait to get away from school, my arm hurt and the day had just been awful. I just wanted to see Ace I wasn't sure if I was going to tell him what happened with Jonny, I figured I would gage his mood and go from there. I was also very nervous, I hadn't seen him since our date and the way we parted that night wasn't exactly the best. I just hopped that he was in a good mood.

He pulled up and right away I could tell he wasn't happy just by the look on his face. I glanced back at the school trying to decide if I wanted to risk getting In that car or try and make a run for the building. I knew that Ace would probably out run me and that he would defiantly be unhappy that I tried to run.

"Are you getting in or what?" he said not bothering to even take the cigarette out of his mouth.

I didn't say anything just got into the car and sat quietly fidgeting. The scowl that crossed his face frightened me, I wished so much that he would reach over and take my hand and let me know that I wasn't the cause of this anger.

He pulled over quickly causing me to fly forward in the seat. I hit my head on the dash and let out a yelp, the pain in my head adding to the wonderful day I was having.

"Shit Baby, I… are you alright," he asked as he helped me back onto the seat.

"I'm fine," I answered still not looking at him.

"Let me see your head," he said tossing his cigarette out the window before cupping my face forcing me to look at him, "you banged it pretty good," he said rubbing his thumb over the red mark on my forehead.

" Its fine, really" I said rubbing my forehead.

He nodded and released my face, sighing he leaned back against the seat rubbing his face with his hands. I hadn't noticed it when I first got in the car, but now just sitting here with him i saw how tired he looked. It looked like he hadn't slept In days.

"Ace, is everything alright?" I asked

"I'm fine Baby, why do you ask?" he said looking at me that smirk In place.

" N…No reason," I said then looked shyly at my lap.

He didn't push for an answer, he just put the car In drive and started down main street. I momentarily thought of asking why he had stopped but thought better of it when he took my hand. I felt him place a kiss on the back of it and a small smile crossed my face.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were starting to enjoy spending time with me," he said offering me a real smile, not his trademark smirk but a real honest and true smile.

I didn't answer, just blushed slightly and looked a t my lap, as Neil Sedaka's Stairway to heaven played on the radio. Ace was singing softly caressing my knuckles with his thumb and something about the moment felt so right that I knew it must be wrong. We drove to the pool hall, and Ace parked, getting out quickly and helping me out of the car, and pulling me into the pool hall.

"Bout time you got here Ace," I heard Billy's voice, as Ace stood in front of me.

"Can it you cock sucker, I had to pick up my girl," Ace said pulling me to him and wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Baby! Ace why'd you bring her here… Shit Baby, you better not tell mom or pop anything you see or I swear to God…"

"She's here with me Fucker, and I don't care if she is your sister your not going to do anything to her, you got it?" Ace said stepping between Billy and myself.

"Yeah, Ace I got it…" Billy answered nervously

"Good. now rack em…" Ace commanded and pulled me over to the side. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap like I was some prized poodle, the whole time his arms wrapped around me preventing me from going anywhere until it was his turn.

Ace, was a totally different person around his friends. His voice was hard and commanded authority, and whatever he said was law. No one messed with him, no one questioned him and most people feared him. His grip on me was tight almost painful at times, as if he were afraid that if he let me go I would runaway, the truth is I probably should. After several games of pool Ace checked the clock and then pulled my ponytail playfully,

"Come on Baby, I gotta get you to work," he whispered in my ear before placing a kiss on my temple.

I nodded; I wasn't used to all the open affection and I found it very intimidating. Its not that i never saw my mom and dad kiss or hold hands, its just that they never did it in public and with Ace, hugging me and placing soft kisses on my head or hand, it made me uncomfortable.

Once he was in the car he turned and smiled that same sweet smile as earlier, and my heart fluttered. IT was funny but he seemed to be making me do that a lot more.

"You gotta tutor the Jock strap tonight?" he asked as he started to drive.

"I'm not tutoring him anymore," I answered with a small smile

"Really, well what caused that to happened," Ace asked eyeing me.

"My own reasons" I answered and for once I took his hand.

Work was good, I brushed off any of the comments that Miss Andrews felt she had to make and went straight to shelving the books. It wasn't till 10 minutes before I was supposed to leave when Jonny came in a smug smile on his face that things changed.

"So Baby, I saw you and your JD boyfriend driving downtown today, you two look mighty happy together." He said leaning against the shelf.

"So, you Jealous," I asked taking the book out of his hands to restack it.

"Baby come on, the only thing I would be jealous of Ace Merrill for is the fact that he has you," Jonny blocking my way to the ladder.

"Please move," I asked trying to step around him.

"you know, I would hate to see you unhappy, Baby… he's cheating on you, right now out in the parking lot with Cassie Smith…I guess you just weren't coming around fast enough for him" Jonny said and I felt my heart break.

"he wouldn't," I said looking into his dark eyes

"don't believe me go and look," he said gesturing to the door.

Ace's POV

I was waiting for her, like I did every night she had to work. I saw that jock strap go inside but I didn't move. Baby, would be out soon and if something happened between them I knew she would tell me.

"Hey Ace," I heard Cassie Smith's sultry voice.

"Cass, what are you doing here?" I asked tossing the Butt of my cigarette. Thunder rolled in the sky, and any second you could tell even at this time of nigh that the rain was well on its way.

"Looking for you" she answered and walked closer, her tight jeans exposing ever single one of her curves, "I know you wait here every night for that little girl you're dating," She said running her hand up my arm.

"She's a little childish, but you know Cass she is just enough woman for me." I looked into Cass's dark eyes.

" Really, how Far has she let you get?" I stayed silent, I wouldn't let this girl get to me. "Come on Ace I know you, how long you gonna wait around for her. And I already know what you like." She purred in my ear.

It was true, Cass and I had dated around New years, she was probably one of the best lays I ever had. Damn the way she moved and would moan my name, and any other occasion I would jump at the chance for a quick fuck. But, I was with Baby now, and things were different. So why did I allow Cass to run her hands up my chest. She was offering me a challenge, to prove that I would have no reaction to her touch.

"Come on Ace, how long you gonna wait around for a virgin? Better yet why wait when you can have everything you want right here right now" She said right before kissing me.

"Ace!" I heard Baby's voice tremble.

"Baby, it's not what you think" I tried to say, but she took off running without her coat, just as the sky opened up and the rain started to fall.

"Let her go Ace, you've got me…" Cass whispered in my ear.

"I don't want you!" I said pushing her away from me, and jumping into my car.

I saw her running in the freezing rain as fast as she could, mud was splattered on her blue dress, and her hair was soaking wet as I pulled up along side of her and got out of the car. She was shaking and the hurt look on her face broke my heart.

Back to Baby's POV.

"Leave me alone, Ace, you just leave me alone," I yelled over the storm.

"Damn it Baby, listen to me, it's not what you think," he said trying to grab my hand.

"No Ace you listen to me! How could you? How could you do that, your forcing me to be your girlfriend the least you could do is be faithful." I was crying, my tears mixing with the rain, and my face I know was red with anger.

"Baby, just let me explain," he tried to say, as he pulled me to him.

"Don't touch me!" I shouted my hand flying and I heard the slap and felt the stinging in my hand. "I was starting to trust you, I was starting to believe that you really wanted this, that you really wanted ME," I couldn't stop the tears no matter how hard I tried.

"I do want you, I swear to god you are the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night!"

"No, Ace you want one thing, well go and get it, she's waiting for you." I said fighting teas as I walked away.

"Baby, please, let me give you a ride home at least" HE asked

"I'm fine," I shouted.

"What do you want me to do Baby, what to I have to do to get you to believe me?" he begged and I turned sharply.

"you want to know, well here it is Ace, leave me alone, Leave Vern alone, leave Vern's friends alone. That's what I want you to do,"

"Alright, but please, let me give you a ride home." He looked so defeated, as I walked passed him and got In the car.

HE got in a few moments later, we didn't talk and I was fighting off tears the whole time, but I wouldn't let him see me shed anymore tears over him. As we pulled into my drive way he looked like he was about to say something but I cut him off.

"Your going to leave Vern and his friends alone, and your going to leave me alone, I don't ever want to see you again." I said and got out of the car, a cold feeling washed over me as I made it to my porch, but I refused to turn around, and I walked inside.