Chapter 11:

A/N: So Kristi and I were just talking about old fanfictions and what not, and I cringed at the mention of mine, aha. Therefore, I am continuing this.
I started this over THREE YEARS ago. Good gosh!

Warning: This may be crazy!

Sierra sat at the table quietly observing her surroundings, something she could not remember doing for a long time. It was almost funny how she was realizing all of this in a karaoke bar, of all places. She went to karaoke bars all the time, to get drunk, get attention and get a guy and now here she was, in a karaoke bar, having an epiphany. Something was off.

"Now what's a pretty girl like you doing sulking in the corner?" Nigel smiled, sliding into the booth beside Sierra.

"I'm not sulking. I'm simply thinking." Sierra retorted, avoiding his gaze.

"I get the impression that maybe you do a bit more of that than your two companions over there." He nodded towards the other end of the long table where Jessica was animatedly telling a story and Lara was falling out of the booth giggling.

"They're not usually that... airheaded all the time... well, sometimes they're not." Sierra defended her friends.

"Whatever you say." Nigel winked, downing the rest of his drink.

"They're not!" Sierra protested, not sure why she was bothering. She didn't care what other people though, especially not this morgue guy who worked with Jodi. He wasn't even hot. Though he was kind of cute in a weird way. And smart, and funny and... "It doesn't matter anyways, whatever."

"Beauty and attitude, I like that in a woman." Nigel chuckled as Sierra half heartedly grimaced.

"And now we welcome to the stage, again, Jordan who will actually be singing a song this time around. Here's Jordan with I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

"She would." Sierra laughed. "Jodi was always a Beatles fan."

"I still can't believe she used to be like you." Nigel laughed.

"What do you mean she used to be like me?" Sierra narrowed her eyes.

"Ditzy and made up and the like." Nigel shrugged.

"As opposed to?"

"Intelligent and successful." Nigel didn't realize how potentially insulting his words were until it was too late.

"I'll have you know that it was in University that we met Jodi and that I have two degrees, thank you very much! Don't underestimate what I'm capable of."

"Believe me, love I'm not." They fell into a comfortable silence, listening to Jordan sing.

And please, say to me, you'll let me hold your hand.

Now let me hold your hand,

I wanna hold your hand.

And when I touch you, I feel happy inside,

It's such a feeling that my heart, I can't hide

"She's got a fantastic voice." Nigel remarked.

"And we're not the only ones who hear it," Sierra smirked. "Look at him."

"Poor Woodrow." Nigel shook his head.

"How long has that been going on?" Sierra wondered.

"Forever, since they met." Nigel answered. "Two years, I guess."

"Boy, has Jodi changed."

"Jordan." Nigel corrected. "I think she's Jordan now."

"I think you're right." Sierra agreed.

"You thought she'd be the same." He observed.

"It's just that Jess and Lara and I are. We haven't changed, progressed, we still value the same things, love the same things, but Jodi... we hadn't seen her in so long, we hadn't talked to her in so long and now we're here and I don't know her anymore. It was also Jess and Lara and me and Jodi. We don't have that anymore."

"Have you ever thought of moving on?" Nigel asked, and Sierra didn't reply. A karaoke bar was certainly an odd place for revelations.

"Matt," Lily sighed. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up." She shook her head and splashed some water on her face. She hadn't planned on messing this up. It was a plan, it had been a good plan, but as often happens when there is a good plan, something goes wrong. "I am so not planning out how to tell him this." Lily, upon realizing she was talking with herself in a public washroom quickly grabbed her purse and headed back towards the bar where she had left Matt.

"Lily," He smiled brightly. She couldn't do this. He trusted her, he confided in her; she was a part of his charade and she didn't know how to back out now. It was all fine and dandy, she and Matt had mutually decided to be "in love" for the benefit of both of them, but of Lily had Bug's attention now, she knew she did, and he was too intimidated by Matt to make his move.

"Matt," Her smile faltered. "I can't do this anymore, I'm sorry."

"Lily," He whispered, taking her hand. "I... well, I can't ask you to do something that's going to hurt you. It's fine. Consider us broken up."

"Are you sure?" She met his eyes. She had tried, relentlessly, to convince him that there was nothing to be afraid of to no avail. She was one of three people who knew and that's as big as the number was going to get.

"I can't let hiding my sexuality get in the way of you having love, Lil." He chuckled, though Lily didn't find it funny.

"I feel like I'm letting you down."

"You're not. You're an awesome friend, and you deserve to be happy. Look at how miserable he looks, brooding over there sending me jealous glares. Go make him happy."

"Thank you, Matt." Lily smiled. "I'm lucky to have you!" Giving him a peck on the cheek, he squeezed her hand as she made her way towards Bug. "Bug!"

"Lily," He answered dully. Her utterly adorable parting with the perfect Matt made his stomach turn. He didn't need her pity, yet he couldn't resist her presence. "Where's Matt?"

"Right there," She giggled. "You just saw me leave him to come over here."

"Right." Bug answered dumbly. "Why isn't he with you?"

"Because he's not. With me, I mean. We're not together." Lily shrugged.

"You and I? I know. We're not together, I know that." Bug stumbled over his words and Lily stifled a laugh.

"No I mean Matt and I, we're not together, Bug." She clarified.

"But... I thought you were... everyone thought you were in love with him..." Bug didn't know it was possible to be this ecstatic and embarrassed at the same time.

"I love him," Lily nodded, "Like a brother. There's nothing there." She motioned for Matt to join them, and he did.

"So you two aren't... you're not..." Bug was boggled.

"We could try sharing her, if you want." Matt winked. "If you're into that sort of thing." Bug's eyes grew as wide as saucers and Lily couldn't contain her laughter any longer. "I'm just kidding man, relax. Lily and I are just friends. Now, if you'll excuse me..." He was gone before Bug could process what had just happened. Lily, on the other hand, was marvelling at the fact that had Bug not been so dense when it came to matters of a personal nature, he may have been the fourth person to know Matt Seely's secret.

"So you're not with Matt. Does that mean you're available?" Bug asked shyly. Lily's heart melted.

"That depends," She smirked.

"On?" Bug wondered anxiously.

"You."

"Wow! What? I thought she was with the hottie?" Lara gasped, glancing down the table to see Bug tentatively kiss Lily.

"Aw, it's kind of cute." Jessica cooed.

"You just want that babe!" Lara smirked as Lara elbowed her. "Well that's okay, because I've got my eye on someone else."

"Details!" Jessica squealed. Lara winked and Jessica followed her eyes to Woody who was sitting awkwardly with Renee and Garrett who were in the midst of a heated discussion, all the while his eyes glued on Jordan.

"Did you not notice how totally into Jodi he is?" Jessica furrowed her eyebrows.

"But she doesn't want him, or she would have had him already, duh!" Lara rolled her eyes. "Besides, she won't mind. You and I used to share guys all the time." Jessica couldn't help think that maybe this situation with Jodi and Woody was different as she watched her friend adjust her top before making her way down the table to where Woody sat.

"Oops!" Lara shrieked as she slipped and conveniently landed on Woody's lap. "I'm so sorry, I am totally clumsy."

"It's fine, really." Woody smiled, helping her up and off of him. Lara resisted the urge to pout, he didn't even blink or look flustered! Meanwhile, Nigel and Sierra, in the midst of their own conversation, alerted by Lara's fall, were watching the situation play out.

"She is incorrigible!" Sierra groaned. "I should stop her."

"She won't get anywhere." Nigel laughed. "Woody's a one woman man, even if that woman hasn't realized how much she needs him yet."

"I should still intervene." Sierra moved to get up but found her foot entangled in her purse causing her to fall, just as Lara had done to Woody, into Nigel's lap. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She apologized profusely, scrambling to get up.

"Don't go breaking my heart," Nigel joked as she quickly pulled herself away from him.

"Seriously? I love that song." Sierra smiled.

"Maybe we have more in common than we thought. I also love karaoke."

"Yet you haven't been up there tonight," Sierra noted.

"And neither have you." Nigel shot back. "Shall we, then?"

"I have something to take care of first." Sierra told him. "You sign us up, and I'll meet you there." With that, she upped and went to Lara's side. "Lara, would you mind getting me a drink from the bar? I think I'm sobering up."

"Alright," Lara sighed dejectedly, appreciative of the escape route. Woody was not picking up on any of her advances. Sierra watched her retreat before turning on Woody.

"Correct me if I'm wrong," She addressed this more to Garrett and Renee than Woody, "But I'm sure I'm being redundant when I say this. You need to get on with it, tell her how you feel. The both of you need to figure this out. Your glances, your songs, the smiles, it's so sweet, even I can hardly handle it."

"Redundant." Garrett and Renee smirked.

"But, you know Jordan, how she is..." Woody protested.

"I know Jodi. The girl who loved to get what she wanted. The stubborn, intense, dedicated girl who everyone loved." Sierra smiled. "She may not be Jodi anymore, but she's Jordan now, and I'm discovering that she's all that and more. I can see why you love her, and anyone can tell that you love her, so get your act together!" Woody nodded meekly, feeling quite intimidated by a woman who he had, until two minutes ago, written off as a ditzy pushover. "And you two," Sierra now turned on Jessica and Lara who had been drawn to the little scene she was making. "We're not sixteen. We may act like we're sixteen, and even sometimes dress like we're sixteen, but we're not. Jodi... Jordan, realized it, and I think it's time we thought about doing the same."

"Sierra, are you alright?" Jessica was concerned.

"She said she was losing her buzz," Lara told her, "But I think she's had a little too much to drink tonight. She's gone all serious." Jessica nodded in agreement. "You can't have this, you've had too much." Lara gestured to the shot she had gotten at Sierra's request before drinking it herself.

"I am not too drunk," Sierra protested, "In fact, I'm feeling quite sober. We just can't keep throwing our lives away. I mean, Jodi's got a job, she's got these friends, Woody, this life... what do we have? Reckless nights and fun, but what will that give us in ten years?" Jessica and Lara were silenced by this. "Now if you'll all excuse me, there is a man waiting for me to join him on stage in a moment." Nigel was waiting patiently with a smile from the foot of the stage. As Sierra turned to make her way towards him, Renee stopped her.

"Speaking of the future, if you had the inclination, you'd make a fantastic lawyer." She complimented her.

"My professors thought so too." Sierra smirked.

"You have a law degree?" Garrett asked, flabbergasted.

"I did meet Jodi in University, you know." She shrugged.

"If you are as interested in growing up and moving on with your life as you claim," Renee began, "There's a position for a junior attorney in the DA's office, you should send your resume over to me in the morning."

"I will," Sierra smiled, "Thank you."

"And speaking of the morning, I have to work tomorrow. I'd better be going." She got up from the table, and Garrett followed her.

"Let me walk you out." He offered as Sierra, giving them a knowing smile, made her way towards Nigel who was waiting. "That was a nice thing you did back there."

"Offering the job to Sierra?" Renee clarified.

"Yes." Garrett nodded.

"She seems smart. And she's manipulative, perceptive and a good speaker. I like her." Renee shrugged.

"Sounds a lot like someone I know." Garrett smiled as they exited the bar.

"I can't do this again." She sighed, leaning against the wall.

"What?" He wondered, confused.

"This. Us. The subtly, the hints, the mystique. It was thrilling the first time around but I need more now, Garrett. I need something substantial."

"I'm willing to give that to you, if you let me." He offered, and she smiled, extending her hand to him as they made their way towards her vehicle.

I wanna hold your hand.

Jordan made her way off the stage as she finished her song. From her position onstage, despite the lighting and the crowded room, she was not oblivious to the fact that some drama had taken place within her group of friends. If the knowing smile Sierra shot her as she and Nigel, of all people (she'd be explaining that one later) made their way onstage was any indication, interesting stories awaited her at their table.

"Hey, gorgeous." She heard from behind her as an arm encircled her waist. She tensed, then turned out of the grasp.

"Can I help you?" She was not in the mood for this.

"I want to hold your hand," The man laughed heartily as if he'd made some sort of great joke.

"I'm good, thanks." Jordan answered politely before attempting to move around the man.

"You look good," He smiled appraisingly, and she regretted, for the first time that evening, her choice of apparel.

"I'm going to go back to my table now, and you should do the same." She took a deep breath, willing herself not to snap.

"But I'd rather you come with me..."

"Jordan, is everything okay here?" Woody, her hero.

"Everything is fine, baby." She winked at him and he grabbed her hand, pulling her against him.

"Tease." The man muttered under his breath as he moved to go past them.

"What was that?" Woody took a step in the man's direction.

"Nothing, nothing. Sorry." The man apologized as he stumbled back to where he came from.

"You okay?" Woody asked.

"I'm fine," Jordan answered with a smile, "I could have totally taken him."

"I don't doubt it," Woody laughed, "I was just trying to avoid any possible lawsuits."

Don't go breaking my heart,

I couldn't if I tried,

Oh honey if I get restless,

Baby, you're not that kind.

"Nigel and Sierra?" Jordan raised an eyebrow.

"It's appearing that way. Which seems weird at first, but Sierra seems to be realizing she can't keep living like well, like Lara and Jessica." The pair looked over to the bar where the girls were relentlessly failing to get Matt Seely's attention.

"It'll be a fun night with them, anyhow." Jordan laughed.

"But seriously, Jordan, I need to talk to you about something. Can we go outside?"

"You're scaring me Woody. Is someone dying?" Jordan joked.

"Jo, I'm serious!" He protested as they made their way towards the entrance, hands entwined. "I like this." He began, nodding to their joined hands.

"Woody..." Jordan began, but he cut her off.

"Jo, don't. I need to say this, okay? I think you know how I feel. Well, I hope you know how I feel. You're my best friend, but it's more than that. And I think you feel it too."

"I do, Woods, it's just..."

"Just what, Jordan? What? I love you. And I think you feel the same way. I think we're both scared out of our minds. You've been hurt in the past, a lot. And I get that, I have too. But if there is one thing in this world I can promise you it's that I will do my best to never hurt you. Scout's honour. And Jordan..."

"Woody," She cut him off this time, putting a finger over his lips, effectively silencing him. "I believe you. Stop talking." He opened his mouth to reply, so she kissed him.

"So you do feel the same then?" He asked with a smile as they pulled apart.

"Oh, Woody." She smiled, their lips meeting once again. Jordan didn't know how she ever lived without this.

I RELENT. There will be a short epilogue, which I will not write now as it is three am and I've been exhausted since well, three pm. I need to sleep so I have shopping energy tomorrow! I have not updated in like, two years. Or craziness. Kristi, you better have enjoyed this!