Author's Note: Sorry about the wait! Hope you like the chapter.

Dislcaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 4: Isn't it Obvious?

Caroline slipped in the front door quietly, holding her shoes in her hands. Maybe they'd already be asleep and they wouldn't notice how late she was.

"Caroline," She froze, her father's voice was like ice, "Come in here please," She walked slowly into the living room.

"Hey Daddy," She squeaked in a small voice with her best, "Remember, I'm your adorable little girl" smile on, "What are you doing up?"

"Well," He sighed, trying to remain tough, although he'd always had trouble disciplining her, "You're an hour and a half late so," She sighed, "I'm not going to go through what we went through last year again, angel."

"Dad," She groaned, "It's not going to happen again! I promise."

"Fine," He said, not having the energy to argue with her, and knowing that she was in fact worse than her mother in a fight. "I'm going to bed, and you're grounded."

"But," She dropped her jaw, "Daddy, I was just late,"

"Caroline," Scooter groaned, "I don't want to fight right now, it's two thirty in the morning and I'm going to bed," He kissed her forehead, "See you in the morning." She landed on the couch. She knew there was a good chance she'd be able to talk her way out of the grounding tomorrow, especially since she'd have Rick to back her up. She could deal with that. What she was having trouble with was how borderline creepy Jeremy had been while they were making out. She knew what he expected, what he wanted, she wasn't stupid. She sighed, there was only one way to get these feelings out. She had to go downstairs to play guitar hero.

"Jesus!" She sighed, seeing Jack sleeping on the couch.

"What?" He popped up, "Oh, hey Cara,"

"What are you doing here?" She sighed.

"Mm," He grunted, rubbing his face, "Guy didn't feel like picking me up so Julie said I could crash on the couch." Caroline nodded. Why did he always have to be around? Although, they had always been able to talk, Jack was so incredibly infuriating lately! And it didn't help matters that over the summer he'd gotten sort of hot, for a freshman at least. His golden blond hair was always out of control, and he was tall now, and he had these soulful brown eyes, it all added up to something kind of irresistible. He could definitely be popular if he gave a shit. But that was the infuriating thing. He didn't want to be popular, it seemed like all he wanted was to be around her, which she couldn't really do much about, since he was always around! "So are you like in trouble or something? It sounded like Scooter was using his 'Serious dad voice.'" He started gently playing with her hair. She laughed, she did like being around him, as long as, you know, there weren't like actual people there. They'd known each other for so long, that sometimes they were still sort of little kids together, so there was something inherently innocent and therefore OK about playing around with him on a couch in a dark basement.

"I'm grounded," She sighed, "Whatever, it's not a big deal, I'll get out of it tomorrow."

"Ah the supreme power that is Rick," Jack nodded, she pointed right at him. He got it. "Since when do they like ground you and shit? I thought your dad thought the sun shone out your ass?" As if he didn't?

"There was an incident last year," She squirmed, "I sort of got caught, in my dorm room with this guy,"

"Like after?" He asked. She rolled her eyes, leave it to Jack Germaine to ask her for details.

"Like during," She sighed, he stared at her, "It was totally humiliating and they were super pissed, so now I have to come home on weekends and they keep a pretty close watch on me." Jack nodded and looked at her, he wanted to lean across the couch and kiss her but he got the feeling that she'd probably pummel him and them tell Jeremy Paulis about it and Jeremy would pummel him harder. So he did the next best thing, pushed her hair out of her face and planted a protective, almost brotherly kiss on her forehead, lingering just a little bit longer than necessary. Caroline flushed and stood up.

"I should get to bed," She said quickly, and weirdly and ran immediately upstairs.

"Good night Caroline," He smiled, fairly pleased with himself. She wouldn't have run off like that if she hadn't felt something too.

"So why does Caroline know about Chloe?" Julie asked the next night her arms crossed. Rick groaned, Scooter had already fallen asleep on an armchair after dinner.

"She asked me Julie," He said, "You know I can't say no to her."

"How much did you tell her?" Julie raised her eyebrows. He sighed and looked away, "Oh Rick! You didn't?"

"It's an important part of the story," He said softly, "And it's not something I've ever really gotten off my chest." She stood up and shook her head. "You should have talked to her about it as soon as she was old enough to understand, and you know it! That's why you feel so bad, I know you Jules."

"I worry about her," She shook her head, "Especially after last year."

"She's fine," He said, "She's a kid, she made a mistake. We made a few."

"I made no mistakes," Julie looked at him, "Nor did any of my friends, you varsity people made all the mistakes."

"Like trying to get rid of you," He whispered. He realized the way it sounded.

"Careful," She looked at him. He nodded. He'd always had to watch himself, for years now. He knew she knew, there was no point in pretending she didn't. Why hadn't he ever gotten married? Or ever had a serious relationship for that matter? Why did he dote on her daughter as if she was his own? Anyone could figure it out. "I just can't believe that after twelve years she's back, and I still feel exactly the same." She laughed shaking her head, "Like she's going to take my daughter the way she,"

"Now it's your turn to be careful," He laughed. She nodded, "He doesn't want anything, Julie, he never has, just you." Julie smiled. Ever her reassurance. "Where were Connie and Guy tonight?"

"Couldn't make it," Julie shrugged, knowing why he was asking. If they didn't have to be alone together, things were less awkward. "My daughter is becoming everything I hated about high school and there is nothing I can do to stop it."

"What exactly is she becoming?" Rick looked at her. Julie smiled.

"You," She kicked him playfully. He smiled and laughed.

"So Cara," Emmy Thomas, one of the hangers on who'd latched on to Caroline and Pam over the past few years said excitedly, the next Monday, "Who was that hottie you were talking to this morning?"

"Hottie?" Caroline said, she hadn't been talking to anyone that morning. Except Jack, and Emmy couldn't possibly mean him, "I don't know who you're talking about."

"You know that new kid," Emmy said, "Tall, blond, those big puppy eyes that just make you want to cry."

"Jack Germaine?" Pam laughed, "He's not a new kid, he's a freshman! And Cara only talks to him cause he's like her cousin or something."

"He's not my cousin," Caroline said defensively, "He's a family friend. And I guess he is sort of hot now, I wouldn't notice."

"Hey ladies," Jeremy walked up, "And one very special lady," He kissed her softly and then whispered in her ear. "Meet me in the V-gym at lunch?"

"You're on," She smiled. The V-gym was sort of legendary for makeouts, since it was kind of old and was only used for girls basketball practice anymore. But Caroline had never gone with any guys there, well, except once, because most guys were intimidated to bring her there, since V-gym was short for Vanderbilt Gymnasium. She sort of kept it quiet that she'd never and probably would never see a cent of the money that had built the place. She kind of liked that Jeremy wasn't intimidated, it vouched well for him.

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