...

An Artie/Tina fic

Chapter Tow.

...

Disclaimer:I am completely Glee-less. I own nothing, much to my dismay.

...

A/N: Okay, I just want to say WOW! You guys are fantastic! Seven reviews, two favorites and NINE alerts!! You really made me VERY happy! And since I'm a nerd, I want to reply to the seven of you who did review!!

"Tina": Thank you so much. I do intend to continue this! I really like where this is going (in my head) and, as long as at least one person reads and reviews it, I will continue!

"cm21": Again, thank you for the great compliment. I hope this chapter is not disappointing.

Char-chan: I love that you let yourself feel enough to have your heart wrenched by this! It's definitely flattering. And I was listening to 'True Colors' as well when I wrote it! This is what I picture when I see her singing it. So I wrote it!

xnerdark: As do I! I think it's a shame Artie and Tina are down-played so much! I think the auditorium scene would have een beautiful if acted out!

Clydae: Thank you for the favorite! And I know, Artie needs to stop being a baby. Unfortunately, while he has a bit of a 'big boy' moment in this chapter, He still can't swallow his pride just yet.

DailyChocolateMilk: Thank you for the favorite as well! And gorgeous? You made my month! I agree though. It's so unfair of them to tease us with such a terrific cliff-hanger and then COMPLETELY ignore the story line for the next two episodes!! And I'm glad that, while the darkness was a bit expected, it was still effective!!

saxa246: As you can see... There is more!!! And I totally agree, like I said before. I think that scene would have been BEEYOOTIFUL!

NOW! Without any further ado.... The next chapter!

PLEASE REVIEW! And enjoy!

Tina threw the heavy front door open, her breath coming rapidly, and as she made a bee line towards the hall leading to her bedroom. Her step-mother, Lynn popped her head out of the kitchen, her mouth open, ready to begin the strand of questions she lays on her step-daughter every afternoon. Knowing the drill, Tina beat her to it, answering each question before they'd even been voiced. "Fine, nope and no thanks, I'm good."

Incredulously, Lynn watched Tina's back. "How did you know?"

You always ask me how school was, if anything interesting happened and if I want anything to eat, she thought, retreating down the hall to her room. Instead, she simply shrugged. "I guessed." The words wafted over her shoulder as she walked into her darkened room, sighing in relief and shutting the door behind her. Finally, true silence. Surrounded by the comfort of her room, the tears began streaming down her cheeks anew, like torrents bathing the soft skin and soaking her shirt and arm warmers. It was as if an internal dam had broken, and all that was left was for her to pour it all out. She pulled the damp fabric from her forearms, tossing them to the side and throwing herself onto the bed, burrowing her face into her pillow. Her sobs shook her violently, and she whimpered into the plump pillow, simply letting everything flow out. She didn't know what she was crying anymore, but she made not movements to stop. It felt good.

Nearly fifteen minutes passed, and her breathing had since slowed to a relatively steady pace, an occasional hitch here and there and whenever she swallowed, it felt as if she were hiccuping. But for the most part, her tears had run dry and she was simply letting her mind wander. She was curled onto her side, her arms wrapped tightly around her torso, her back turned to the door. When the doorbell rang, she thought nothing of it, listening half-heartedly as Lynn greeted her company with her normal, cheery gusto. The other voice was muffled, the owner choosing to speak quieter than her step mother, but the visitor was definitely masculine. When she realized she couldn't make out anything being said, Tina stopped attempting to listen, instead moving her focus back to the wall before her.

The soft creek of the door opening sent ice through her veins and she sat up, quickly turning to see who was in her doorway. She should have expected to see Artie there, his chair filling the doorway almost perfectly, his face blank. Her gaze fell from her friend's face to his lap, where her tattered black messenger bag lay. She sighed. It was as if everything hadn't happened, and she'd had her old Artie back. For the briefest of moments, she actually felt a smile creep across her face.

The moment was short lived, though, as the recollection of today's revelations came flooding back to her when he looked her over. She easily saw the concern in his eyes, and for a moment, she considered what he may be seeing. She slowly realized how awful she must look, tear-stained cheeks and frenzied hair. But what could she do?

Shifting to the edge of the bed, Tina planted her converse clad feet firmly against the ground. "Um, you can come in if you want." She said, dropping her gaze to the ground in a fit of self consciousness. She looked to the blue arm warmers in the corner of her room and instantly, her right hand moved to her left forearm where the cuts marred the pale, vulnerable flesh. She begged to whatever greater powers that existed to let Artie somehow have a severe and specific lapse of memory and forget what he'd seen in the auditorium. But she knew that was way too much to ask.

As he wheeled himself awkwardly into the room, Artie watched her fingertips graze the skin of her under arm tentatively. He had to tear his eyes from the touch, suddenly rapt with fascination. It was just like seeing someone fight in public; you knew you should look away, but you couldn't help the urge to just watch as it unfolded. Wordlessly, he clutched the strap of the bag, extending it towards her. She watched the bag, dangling there for a moment, before reaching out towards it, her fingers brushing his. Electricity coursed through her from the contact, and she quickly pulled the bag into her lap, her cheeks turning pink.

While Tina reached for her bag, Artie's eyes were fixed on her forearm. He had to fight the urge to reach out to the torn skin, to caress it. But at the burning contact of their fingers, he was snapped from any thoughts of her arm and was focused on the feeling in his stomach. He suddenly realized he was sitting in her bedroom for the first time. And they were very much alone. His eyes snapped up to her face, noticing the blush that was seeping through her cheeks. At least he wasn't the only one feeling something.

"Thank you." Artie almost missed the words; Tina's voice was so soft. He nodded, not able to muster his voice just yet. The pause that followed caused both of them to shift uncomfortably where they sat. Tina was far from eager to initiate the conversation she was sure would come. Which left only the awkward search for Artie's voice.

"Tina… About earlier… When we were… I know… I…" Artie sighed in frustration, leaning forward and resting his forehead in his hand. Tina followed his example. Shifting forward, she reached out to place her hand on his knee lightly. She saw his gaze shift upwards, looking at him, waiting.

"Please…" She said softly, a hint of a whimper in her voice. "Just… please don't make me talk about it. Not tonight. The words just…" Her chin began to quiver, and whether it be habit or something more, Artie didn't know, but he quickly rolled himself closer to her, enveloping her in his arms. She turned her head, resting it on his thigh. There were no thoughts of implication or innuendo in either of their minds. As the silent sobs overcame her, shaking her entire body, he only held her tighter. He dropped his head to hers, whispering softly whatever comforting words that floated into his mind.

Neither of them knew how long they sat like that, but when Tina finally retracted from Artie, the world outside her shaded window was dark, and the smell of dinner wafted through the house. Brushing the dampened strands of black hair that clung to her cheeks, Tina looked up at her best friend.

"Want to stay for dinner?" she asked softly.

Yes! Of course I do! He thought to himself. But he couldn't. Hearing the flow of her voice, no stutter, no spasm, reminded him of the pain he'd forgotten momentarily in his desire to ascertain the safety of his closest friend. Now that he remembered, it all flooded back to him, and he felt something overcome him again. He suddenly felt the need to get out of the house, to go home. To have a moment to think about what the hell was going on.

"I… I can't. I need to get home." He said to his knees. Tina understood. She realized, with a sad sigh, that all was not yet forgiven, and it was far from forgotten. She nodded softly, standing to lead him out.

"Do you need a ride or anything?" She asked, but he simply shook it off.

"I live all of three blocks down, Tee." A grin, wide and true to the happy Artie, before her confession, spread across his face and she couldn't help the small smile that curled her own lips. She nodded, turning on her porch to face the front door, ready to walk back inside. Before she could, though, he slipped his hand into hers, halting her for a second time that day. "If you need me…" his voice trailed off, and the statement was left open. She knew what was left unsaid.

As she watched Artie roll down the driveway and slowly fade into the darkness, Tina leaned against the door frame. She understood why she had not been forgiven, but she couldn't help but wish he would just get over himself. The smallest flicker of anger bubbled up in her for a moment, and she gritted her teeth, assuring herself that he was in the right. She had lied to him for as long as they'd known one another, and he was feeling (rightfully) betrayed. Right? Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that he of all people should accept the fact that she was different then what everyone else thought she was. And that he should be able to accept her, stutter or no.

Artie was home and in his bedroom only fifteen minutes later, his mind whirring with what had happened that afternoon. He tried to focus on the gut-wrenching feeling of betrayal and the thought that he really didn't know who Tina was. But all that came to mind was the feeling of her in his arms, crying, being as vulnerable as he'd ever seen her. He realized that she was still Tina… His Tina. His very best friend.

No, he thought to himself. She lied to me. She tricked me. I thought we had something in common, but we don't. At all.

As he squared his shoulders, it was as if he was ending the silent discussion in his mind. He lifted himself into his bed, grabbing a book from beside his pillow. As he read, he felt his lids growing heavier, but he persisted. Of course, there's no fighting the body's primal defenses, and nearly two hours later, he woke with a start, slumped over onto his pillows, his room darkened. The remnants of a dream clung to his mind, pictures of a smiling, popular Tina strolling through the halls, laughing, talking with ease and a pack of girls swarming around her. And, in the background, he sat, tethered to his chair and rolling quietly down the halls, slushie dripping from his face. Alone.

End of chapter two.

I love this pairing *sigh*

Anyways… I hope it meets all of your expectations!!

On a different note, I'm thinking I could use what I think is called a Beta. I want someone who would be willing to read through what I've written and make sure it flows correctly and it flows well, because if I am anything, it's a bit of a choppy writer. Um, I guess if you are interested, send me a message or say so in a review and I will try to find someone!

Also, if I do find a Beta, then the chapters may come a bit slower, but I'll try to post them one every one or two days. Please don't get angry if it takes longer!!

Okay, that's all I have to say.

Hope it's tolerable! If not enjoyable!!

Like I said before, reviews are appreciated, positive or negative.

Until next time ...!