A/N: The recent string of super fast updates has to stop here. For a good reason. I still have the rest of the story to write. LOL. The reason why the latest updates have been so fast is because I've been uploading chapters that's been sitting in my hard drive for a little while. It was just a matter of proof reading and editing. Which still takes time – time I didn't have until this weekend – but certainly less time than it would take to write the chapters. But this chapter should give you a very good idea of where I'm going to take the rest of the story. I think.

Thank you for the reviews! They really mean a lot to me.

Oh and just a warning – this chapter and the next is going to take the focus a little bit off of the Ant Farm characters. Actually, the next chapter is going to be a lot. But I promise that I'm doing everything for a reason and it should probably all make sense by the end of Always. Hopefully.

Chapter 9

Operation: Win Sonny Monroe Back had barely started when already, Chyna had thoughts of abandoning ship.

The bouncer was a whale of a man. His shoulders were like oversized bowling balls. His hands were like baseball mitts. He was hefty, almost like Santa Clause, except Santa Clause didn't look like he wanted to eat you for lunch.

The glare that the bouncer had fixed at Chyna, from the moment she walked in through the door, with Chad and Fletcher in tow, made her want to run away fast and cry for her dad.

But all that changed the moment the guard said her name, or more accurately, the name of her evil doppelganger (which was how Joe had always described her anyway) -

"Kiara! What are you doing here?"

Suddenly, the game had changed. Chyna was thinking furiously about how she wanted to play this, when Fletcher had almost ruined the whole thing -

"Who's Kiara – oof!" Chyna elbowed Fletcher in the stomach.

Back off, Fletcher, Chyna tried to say with her eyes.

But Fletcher wasn't catching on fast enough. "Chyna, wha – "

Chad quickly shoved Fletcher behind him –

"Did he just call you Chyna?" The bouncer asked.

"My little brother," Chad flashed his 100 Watt smile. Chad's fake moustache twitched like a cat's whiskers, "He has – what do you call it?" He looked to Chyna for help.

"Tourette's?" Chyna suggested helpfully.

"Yea, that's it, Kiara! The poor boy, he's always blurting out silly little things. Isn't that right, Fletcher?" Chad asked, with clenched teeth, as he shook Fletcher by the shoulders.

Fletcher seemed to be catching on –

"Oh yea, that's right! It's a condition I have to live with." Fletcher said mournfully.

Extreme confusion set on the bouncer's bulldog – ish face. The bouncer took a step back as he eyed the two boys, with wariness. "Kiara, you have really weird friends."

"Tell me something I don't know." Chyna said with a smile.

"Anyway," the big man came back to the topic at hand," what are you doing here, Kiara? Aren't you supposed to be back in LA?"

"Right. LA…because that's where I live …" Chyna trailed off.

"Joe isn't going to like this. He specifically booked you a flight for tonight so you wouldn't be around when the concert starts. And your mom! She's going to kill me!" Horror began to dawn on the bouncer's face.

Fletcher tried to help out, "Don't worry … uhh … big man. Kiara's mom doesn't know a thing. Yet." He said assuredly.

"Not yet," relief set in the man, but only for a moment. He seemed to realize something, "but she will!"

He whirled frantically to Chyna. He took hold of her shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "Kiara, please, for the love of god, if you love your Uncle Rob, you're getting on the next plane out to LA. You can't stay. You want me to live, don't you?"

"P-p-p-please stop shaking me!" Her teeth rattled.

"Oh sorry, Kiara. I'm just nervous. Teresa wanted to hang me the last time I failed to get you home on time! If I didn't push Kevin in the way, I might not be here right now! You need to get another plane ticket."

"I'm sorry, I can't – "

"No sorrys! You're going to march upstairs now, and beg Joe for another ticket. In fact, tell him I said that he has to be the one to personally take you to the airport. He owes me."

"Joe Lucas is upstairs?"

"Yea. And the rest of the guys. And a few friends."

The way forward had just gotten easier now. It'd be a cinch to get Joe to play along, in case "Uncle Rob" makes any trouble.

"Ok," Chyna faked reluctance, "I'll go up and get Joe."

"Good." Suddenly Uncle Rob looked a million times happier.

The big man lifted his arm up to let them through.

As they passed through, Fletcher tried patting Rob on the shoulder. "Thanks, big man - "

"Don't call me that. Only my peoples can do that." Rob scowled.

The lounge had a very serene effect to it. It was a dimly lit place with hanging, spiral paper light fixtures that extended almost the height of the room. Flowing, red drapes hung on black walls. People were seated on white, illuminated round tables hugged by plush banquettes and armchairs. A lone, polished wood bar stood in the side in front of purple waterfall glass. A black stage nestled in the back, with a microphone stand and a piano off to the side.

Chyna spotted Joe "And Friends," fast enough. She shook her head as she caught Fletcher's eyes bug out at the sight of the people seated around Joe's table.

The people at Joe's table would've read like a Who's Who of people to know in the tween entertainment Industry. There was Joe - of course, his girlfriend Stella, who Chyna had met - and then starting from his left, were Joe's brothers Kevin and Nick Lucas, two girls who Chyna assumed were their girlfriends, the ever popular Justin Starr, his brother and bourgeoning mega star Nicki Starr, former So Random star Sonny Munroe, and the popular Shake It Up dancers Rocky Blue and Cee Cee Jones.

Most of the people on the table were just people Chyna knew from TV, magazines, and the internet. However, she did get the chance to meet Rocky and Cee Cee at dress rehearsals earlier tonight. She didn't get to talk to them much, but her first impression of the two girls were good.

They seemed like down to earth girls, and very approachable. Which was surprising considering the two girls were on TV all the time.

"Wow, look at all those celebri – "

"Yea, yea, we can leave the stargazing for some other time." Chad cut off Fletcher irritably. "We got business at hand here. Chyna, do you think you can distract everybody so I can talk to Sonny alone?"

Chyna looked at the table. That looked like a really tall order. "I dunno. I barely know any of the people on the table – "

"Please!" There was that desperation in Chad's voice again. "This is probably the only chance I'm going to get before Sonny makes the biggest mistake of her life. You have no idea how hard it's been to get to Sonny - that Nicki dude clings to Sonny like glue." Chad said venomously.

"Chad isn't lying," Fletcher said as he eyed the table. "Look at those two!"

Chyna turned back to the table, to catch Nicki Starr with his arms draped around Sonny, using a single finger to play with her hair. Sonny in turn, was leaning in - her head rested against the billionaire hip hop artist's chest.

"That's just sickening!" Chad said with disgust.

Chyna thought different. She gazed at the display of affection between star and starlet. She formed a similar scene in her head, this time with her instead of Sonny and Fletcher instead of Nicki. "I dunno. I think it's sorta sweet."

"Chyna! Whose side are you on?" Chad whined.

"Oh c'mon Chad, all I was saying is that – "

All at once, several voices clamored, completely stopping Chyna's train of thought:

"Oh my god, is that Kiara?" A high, female voice exclaimed.

"No, it can't be!" Another voice – male – cried out.

More voices filtered in, muddling excitedly into the next.

"Oh, drats! That's my cue to hide. Sonny can't see me!" Chad dove behind a table.

One of the girls at the table – a small girl - spotted Chad. "Chad Dylan Coop - "

"Quiet! Quiet please!" Chad waved at the girl to shush desperately, while curled into a fetal position.

Chyna rolled her eyes. She turned to Fletcher, "You ready to wing this?"

Fletcher shrugged and smiled. "Like we always do, right?"

Chyna laughed.

They headed to the table together.

Cee Cee Jones was the first to speak up when Chyna and Fletcher approached the table: "All right! Welcome to the party!" She exclaimed. She scooched over to make room for Chyna and Fletcher, bumping into a visibly annoyed Rocky Blue – who was suddenly wedged, with no breathing room, between Sonny Monroe and Cee Cee…

Nick Lucas said, to Cee Cee: "Hold up, you know this girl?" He pointed to Chyna. There was a flustered hint to his tone, as if the very presence of Chyna ruffled the notoriously mellow star, "That explains so much."

"Explains what?" Cee Cee was genuinely curious.

Joe laughed. "It's nothing, Cee, and Nick, that girl is not who you think she is."

Kevin Lucas interjected, "Joe, what are you talking about, it's obviously Kiara. Duh." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'm Chyna - " Chyna tried to introduce herself, hoping to cut through the slight tension at the table -

"She's going to be performing with us at the 25 Starrs Under 25 concert at MSG." Cee Cee cut in.

Chyna tried to smile politely at the red head, who seemed oblivious to the fact that she rudely interrupted someone.

"Thanks for that wonderful introduction." Chyna said to Cee Cee.

Cee Cee completely missed the sarcasm. "Thanks! It's not a problem." She beamed, pleased with herself. She flipped her red hair over her shoulder.

"Wow, Joe. You really weren't kidding about Kiara having a look – alike out there." Nick marveled.

"Wait, so there's two Kiaras running around?" Kevin looked sick. "Where's the other one?"

Joe said, reassuringly, "Don't worry, Kevin. Kiara's on her way back to LA. I promise."

"Good," Kevin said. "The last time Kiara stow away-ed and we failed to get her back to her mom in time … well, let's just say I still have nightmares."

"Big Man shouldn't have pushed you in the way," Stella said, as if recalling a tragic memory.

"Let's not talk about it." Kevin sniffed.

Justin Starr spoke up, for the first time tonight, "Anyway, not to be the responsible adult mood killer here, but how old are you two?" He addressed Chyna and Fletcher.

"We're uhm, 18!" Fletcher said.

Cee Cee tsk-ed, "Lying about your age. Kids today have no morals."

Justin pointed at Rocky and Cee Cee, "I wouldn't be talking if I was the two of you. You guys shouldn't be in a 21 and over club either!"

"For the last time, it was her idea!" Rocky exclaimed. She gestured to all of Cee Cee.

Cee Cee gasped. "Not true! You were the one who wanted to see for yourself if Nicki really had a fian-!"

Rocky clapped a hand over her friend's mouth. "Don't listen to her. Crazy talk!" She sang.

"Well, it's true." Sonny smiled widely, with a blush. She looked adoringly into Nicki's eyes. "Are there any other things you'd like to know?" Sonny said with exaggerated politeness, as she leaned towards Rocky.

"No. Thanks though." Rocky sank back in her seat, embarrassed.

"Say, how long have you two been going out?" Chyna took the opportunity to re-insert herself back into the conversation.

Nicki Starr said, "I don't think that's any of your bus – "

"It's okay," Sonny cut in. "Nick, they're just kids. And to answer your question – we've been going out for two and a half…two and a half years, now?" She looked to Nicki who nodded.

"Oh wow. So that must mean, that you two are getting pretty serious."

"Oh, very!" Sonny was now smiling so hard that Chyna wondered if it was humanly possible to make a smile any wider.

"So does that mean that a certain Chad Dylan Cooper doesn't come to mind anymore – OW!"

Chyna jammed her foot on Fletcher's.

Way to make it subtle Fletcher, Chyna thought with a gritted smile.

Sonny looked very troubled. "N-no, not at all," she said.

The wheels spun in Chyna's head. That wasn't a very convincing answer…

Nicki Starr looked like he had about enough with the questions at this point. "Justin, I think it's about time we call security. These kids shouldn't be at Chi's."

"Call security? Why?" Joe spoke up. "They're friends. Friends don't call security on each other."

"So would you like to be the one to escort them out, then?" Nicki leaned across the table.

"Are you really – ok fine, whatever. I will." Joe sounded fed up. He stood up. He looked apologetically to Chyna and Fletcher. "Sorry, guys."

The way Joe said it, Chyna knew that kicking her and Fletcher out was the last thing he wanted to do.

Cee Cee was munching on sushi now, "Yea, sowee 'at you habta 'eabe," she said to Chyna and Fletcher.

Rocky translated, "Cee Cee says we'll see you at dress rehearsals, Chyna!"

Nicki said to Rocky and Cee Cee, "Oh, you two aren't staying. You're leaving too."

Cee Cee gaped. "Wait, what? We didn't do anything. It's not like we were asking personal, invading questions like them!" Cee Cee gestured to Chyna and Fletcher. Chyna and Fletcher could only gape at the red head with incredulity.

Rocky snapped at Cee Cee to shush, and then looked imploringly at Justin: "Justin please, let us stay?"

Justin Starr looked deep in thought. "Sorry," he finally said. "I think Nick's right. You guys are underage, after all."

"What? How can you say that? After all we've been through?" Rocky gasped.

"Ah yes. The good ol' times when you out-ed me to my tween fan base and made me lose all my fans." Justin smiled.

"But. But – "

Sonny Monroe cut in, with a sympathetic look on her face –

"We'll make it up to you guys," she said. She was silent for a few seconds, "How about tomorrow night? All four of you are invited to The Cave." Sonny nodded her head at Chyna, Fletcher, Cee Cee and then Rocky. "And even better - you guys can bring anyone you want, as long as they won't cause any trouble."

Nicki looked aghast. "The Cave?"

"Well, why not? They're all friends of our friends, which makes them family." Sonny said with a bright smile.

"Family? I wouldn't go that far." Nicki said, distaste in his voice.

"What's The Cave?" Chyna asked.

"It's a great place." Stella said. "We'll fill you guys on it later."

"Ok guys, I think we better get going." Joe was escorting everyone out now –

"But that's not fair! The sushi just got heeeeere!" Cee Cee whined. She stretched her arms out for the food. All the while Joe was pulling her along. Her heels dragged the floor.

Rocky snapped, "Cee Cee, stop! You're making a scene!" Rocky smiled apologetically at anybody who was looking, and then dashed hurriedly out of sight.

On the way out, Chyna caught the eyes of a disappointed looking Chad, who sat on a table on the corner. He'd watched the whole scene.

Sorry Chad, she thought. I tried.

Chad's disappointed face never left Chyna's mind the whole walk downstairs. Joe was taking her, along with Fletcher, Rocky and Cee Cee down an empty stairwell.

Halfway through, Chyna stopped.

"Wait." Chyna whirled to face everyone. All eyed her curiously –

"What's the matter, Chyna?" Joe asked.

"We can't go yet, Joe." Chyna said.

Joe laughed. "Oh yes, we do. The Starrs are the owners of this building, and unfortunately, what they say goes."

"No, we can't." Chyna insisted. "It's Chad – "

"Chad Dylan Cooper?" Joe interrupted.

"Yea. He put us up to this – " Chyna was starting to come clean -

"Aha! So that explains the sneaky questions about Nicki and Sonny's personal lives." Rocky surmised.

"We're trying to get Sonny and Chad alone." Fletcher confessed.

"He really wants to talk to Sonny alone," Chyna added, "Apparently he hadn't had the chance to talk to her alone in a long time. A really long time. "

Joe scoffed. "How could he? Sonny and Nicki go everywhere together, and Sonny blocked all his numbers, his facebook, his Twitter – "

"Wow! What the heck did Chad do?" Fletcher exclaimed.

Joe laughed. "It's actually a pretty funny story – oof!"

Rocky hit Joe.

"-But it's not my story to tell." Joe finished.

"It doesn't matter what Chad did. If you guys saw the look on his face tonight – I think he deserves at least one face to face talk with her." Chyna said.

"Well," Joe began. He seemed to be giving it a great deal of thought-

"I suppose one talk with Sonny wouldn't hurt. But how can we get them alone?" He asked.

Chyna smiled mischievously, "I think I got an idea. What do you guys think about this?"

The five of them huddled and brought their heads together.

"Ok. So does everyone know what to do here?" Chyna called for everyone's attention.

"It sounds simple enough." Rocky answered.

"And what do I have to do?" Chad asked.

Joe looked straight at Chad. "You just wait until the coast is clear. You'll know when."

"Right. I can do that." Chad smiled, looking self-assured –

But then his face turned sour as he upheld the dinner scenery.

"Sonny's laughing. With Nicki," he said the pop star mogul's name scornfully. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"Just long enough until we can get you and Sonny alone." Chyna said.

"Ok. So what are we waiting for?"

The second portion of Operation: Win Sonny Back was underway.