Author's Note: Yay, a new chapter. Keep the reviews coming.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 3: Looking For Butterflies

The next night the doorbell rang. Caroline sat on her bed excitedly. She'd been ready for an hour, but she needed to make him wait. He had to really want her if this was going to work.

"Caroline," Scooter called up, "Your ride is here."

"Daddy, can you get it please?" She called.

"What?" He said, Julie looked at him, "I don't get it."

"She has to cultivate mystique," Julie explained, he sighed. "It works, you married me."

"Mm," He nodded. Julie stood up and walked to the door.

"Hey Mrs. Vanderbilt," Jeremy said. Julie smiled.

"Hi Jeremy," She said, "Caroline'll be right down. Do you want to come in?"

"Sure," He said striding in confidently. He'd met Julie casually, but never really looked at her. If this was Caroline's future he would be happy to be a part of it. The woman was still gorgeous. He looked over and saw a dog sitting in the corner growling at him. "This must be Ducky!" He leaned down to pet her and she snapped at him with her jaw. "Whoa."

"Yeah," Julie grimaced, "She's a sweet little thing when she knows you, but she doesn't like strangers to pet her." A little like her owner actually.

"Hey Jeremy," Caroline smiled walking downstairs.

"Hi," He smiled. "You look amazing."

"Oh thanks," She laughed in her most casual easy way. "We should go."

"Sure," He said, "Bye Mrs. Vanderbilt."

"Bye," Julie waved, "Cara, in by 1?"

"Of course Mom," Caroline nodded. They walked outside.

"So can I really say hello now?" Jeremy whispered. Caroline giggled as he put his hands on her waist and kissed her gently.

"Hello," She smiled. That was quick.

"Hello," He laughed.

"Um hi," Caroline looked over, at the third voice.

"Jack?" She gaped, "What are you doing here?"

"Coming over to hang out with Richie. It's Halo night." He shrugged, "Have a good night." He winked at Caroline, who glared at him as he walked past.

"Is he like always around?" Jeremy asked.

"Pretty much," Caroline sighed, "He's harmless." She couldn't help but think about the twinkle in Jack's eyes as he walked into the house. What was he up to?

Jack walked into the house and Ducky barked happily and ran up and started nuzzling him.

"Hey," He leaned down and rubbed her ears. "You love me right Ducky?"

"Jack?" Julie walked into the foyer. "Hey."

"Hi Julie," He nodded, "Um,"

"Richie's downstairs," She said, "You just missed Cara."

"No, I saw her," Jack nodded, "Is she OK? She's been weird."

"She's fine," Julie nodded. Jack nodded understanding. "Fine" was Vanderbilt code talk for "It's private Germaine, butt the hell out."

"I'll just head downstairs," Jack said. "Good to see you."

"Dude you're late!" Richie said as Jack settled in on the basement couch next to him.

"What's with your sister lately?" Jack asked.

"Um," Richie shrugged, "She's a colossal bitch, and she always has been?"

"I don't like this guy she's going out with," Jack shook his head.

"Duh, he's probably a total tool," Richie snorted, "I mean, he's going out with Caroline. She doesn't like normal people. Plus didn't you tell me that he like beat the snot out of you at hazing last week?"

"Yeah," Jack nodded, "But it's more than that. I can't explain it."

"Whatever," Richie shrugged. He'd been listening to Jack whine about how Caroline ignored him for his entire life. He was used to it by now, he normally just tuned him out.

At the party Caroline found herself as usual surrounded by a crowd of people. Everyone was totally all over the being dressed up thing. Somehow Pam had gotten the word out and they weren't the only girls wearing their recycled semi formal clothing from last years' rash of Sweet 16 parties. She and Pam finally got away and they sat on a couch.

"So?" Pam asked, "How's it going with Jeremy?"

"It's going," She shrugged, she smiled and waved across the room to him. "He kissed me, it was amazing." She stopped, it had been nice. But well, that's just it. It had been nice. No butterflies or anything.

"Hey Pam," Jeremy came over and squeezed Caroline's shoulders, "Can I steal her for a sec?"

"Of course," Pam winked and walked away.

"I'm really glad you came tonight," He sat down next to her and kissed her again. "Do you want a beer or something?"

"No," She shook her head, "I don't drink."

"Oh," He said quietly. That would make his plan for the night harder, and why hadn't Germaine warned him of that. "So do you want anything?"

"I can think of something," She kissed him.

"Rick Riley," Chloe St. Clair looked up at him. Rick was standing staring at her, he'd luckily or unluckily depending on perspective, seen her sitting in a cafe, "It's been a while, but I didn't think you frequented here, have a seat."

"What are you up to Chloe?" He glared at her.

"What?" She said, he glared her down, "Rick, we aren't in high school." He shook his head. "Ohhh, right, the intern thing."

"Ah, so you do know," He nodded.

"Of course I know," Chloe sighed, "You know how I run my company, you set it up for me. I have a hand in everything."

"Why?" He said.

"Caroline is a remarkable talent," Chloe said, "I couldn't pass her up Riley."

"Do you think it's a good idea?" He looked at her.

"It was twelve years ago," She sighed, "And nothing happened. We went out for a while, we didn't even sleep together,"

"He was and is married," Rick looked at her.

"It was a mistake," She agreed with him. "I've put it behind me." She stopped. "One of her sample pieces was about her younger brother. When did they have another baby? He said he didn't want one."

"Richie is twelve." Rick said. She swallowed. "They've been very happy."

"So why are you so concerned?" She asked. He looked down. "This wouldn't have anything to do with your soft spot for Julie Vanderbilt, would it?" He sighed and looked at her. "Are you still in love with your best friend's wife?"

"If I hear that you upset Caroline," He stood up, not dignifying her comment with a response, "I will crush you. You'll have nothing."

Caroline lay on a bed upstairs at the party making out heavily with Jeremy. She did have to keep moving his hand off of her upper and lower halves. Especially the lower, he'd been trying to take her panties off for about an hour. He kissed her neck and then up to her ear and she moaned. He reached again and she slapped his hand away.

"It's OK baby," He whispered to her, "I've got protection, we're good to go." Yeah, she could feel how good to go he was. But did he really think that having a condom meant they were ready?

"Jer," She whispered, weaving her fingers into his, "Can't we just slow down a little?" He sighed and rolled off of her.

"Yeah sure," He said putting his hands on his forehead. He'd heard the Caroline wasn't afraid to put out, it was one of the reasons he'd brought her tonight. She sighed, he looked so disappointed, she kissed him and as his hand slid up and started tugging at her back zipper she didn't stop him.

"Let me help," She whispered, sliding around so that her back was to him. He smiled and kissed the back of her neck as he slid the zipper down. She shuddered, this was the feeling she'd been looking for before. She turned around and moaned lightly as he rubbed her breast and kissed her.

"You're sure babe?" He whispered, he had to try one last time.

"I'm sure," She whispered, "Maybe some other time." They kissed for a few more minutes. "What time is it?" She gasped, hearing her phone vibrate. "Oh shit!"

"What?" He asked.

"It's 1:15," She sighed, "My dad's going to freak out!"

"Relax," He whispered and kissed her neck, "You're already late. A few more minutes won't kill you."

"You're a bad influence," She mumbled, kissing him again.

"Oh you have no idea." He laughed.

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