Chapter 17: Truths Revealed

For the whole night Tia and Rocket had to pretend they were a couple because ever since they had kissed in front of Lori, the young gymnast and her two wannabes (who Rocket also recognised as two girls who wanted to date him but were too scared to get in front of Lori) stalked them through the crowds of people. D'jok refused to stop laughing about it since he admitted it was the worst case of surveillance he had ever seen. They didn't do anything like they did in front of Lori (even though Rocket was using all his might not to do it again) but they did cuddle and sometimes they would whisper some things into each other's ears but nothing else. But despite the weird circumstances they had a great time hanging out with each other when they went on some on the rides –except the Love Machine- and Rocket won a cute teddy bear for Tia and then Tia returned the favour by showing off some of her football skills that she hadn't used in ages and won Rocket a red giraffe. But the high light of the evening was when a clown had jump in front of Lori and she screamed her head off and in her attempt to escape tripped and fell into a pool. However, it was now time for the families to say good bye because it was getting late and the twins needed to get to bed and Rosie had fallen asleep an hour ago. Regretfully, Rocket kissed Tia on the cheek and said good bye to everyone else before directing his sleepy cousin's home; eventually ending up to piggy back both off them because they were so tired. Once he had dropped his cousin's home he set back to his place. The whole time he was haunted by the kiss he had shared with Tia and it refused to leave his head no matter how hard he tried to get rid of it but honestly; he did want to get it out of his head. The kiss had sent his nervous system into overdrive. Every inch of his skin tickled when he felt her soft lips against his and how he got an electric shock every time his hand caressed her skin. It wasn't until he was nearly home that he realised that he had something smooth in his pocket and pulled it out to find it was a purse; Tia's purse. Oh crap! Rocket mentally slapped himself, she had asked him to hold it while she taking one of the twins on to the ride and totally forgot to give it back to her. Quickly checking his watch he made a last minute decision and jogged back in the other direction.

Where is it? Where is it? Tia wondered for like the millionth time when she was checking under her pillow (random but she was desperate) letting out an angry sigh she threw the fluffy cushion across the room. Tia had looked everywhere for her purse but she couldn't find her purse anywhere, she had never felt so guilty; Sonny had brought it for her when they had gone out shopping the other day. But now she had lost it and she was never going to forgive herself. Think Tia when did you last have it, she thought to herself. The only time she remember having it last was when she had given it to Rocket so she could take Samantha on one of the... That's it! Tia cheered, Rocket must have it. Grabbing her phone she quickly dialled in Rockets number and prayed her theory was right.

"Hello." She heard Rocket stuttered, it sounded like he had been running or something because he sounded out of breath.

"Rocket it's me." She answered, nearly jumping with joy for two reasons: hearing his voice and the thing he said next.

"Hey Tia, I was just on my way around yours to give you back your purse." Tia had to cover her mouth to cover the scream of joy that was burning on the tip of her tongue. Taking a deep breath, Tia calmed herself down before answering.

"Thank you so much, I've been looking for it everywhere." She cried in gratitude, earning a small laugh from the other side; a red blush spread across Tia's face. They arranged to meet ten minutes (it would have been five but she could tell he needed a quick rest, so she ordered him to sit down and rest) this gave Tia some time to prettify herself before he got here. As soon as the door bell rang, Tia thunder down the stairs and zoomed towards the door. "I've got it." She called out when she zoomed past Sonny and Mary and slipped through the door.

"You are a lifesaver." Tia breathed, as she found a handsome (but sweaty) Rocket standing outside her door with her purse in his hands. He smiled back at her as he placed the soft leather in his hand.

"You're welcome and I also need to give you my thanks." He grinned and almost laughed out loud when he saw the confused expression that spread across Tia's face. "You saved my butt from Lori tonight." He answered, turning Tia's confused look into a laughing one.

"Yeah, well, I wasn't going to let you face her by yourself." She shrugged; like it was no big thing. But to Rocket it was like be saved from a military Technoid robot about to take of his head (Rocket knew what that was like) he had to quickly regain his composer when he started to smelt into a loving day dream with him and Tia kissing again.

"Well, I'll see you around." He smiled about to leave except before he could take one step Tia grabbed on to his arm.

"Wait Rocket there's something I need your help with." Tia cried out suddenly, making Rocket spin around; ready to help her with anything she needed. "You see there's this guy..." She began. Rockets heart stopped beating. There's a guy... Rocket thought sadly but tried not to show it; he was meant to be her friend first and if she needed help he was there to help her. "And I kissed him." If it was possible for someone's heart too full out at this moment then Rocket would have exploded on impacted. "But I don't know if he feels the same about me." She admitted with an innocent smile on her face.

"Is he someone I know?" Rocket enquired, wanting to secretly punch the guys light out. Tia looked at him with a smirked on her face, as if she knew something that he didn't but he was meant to know.

"Yes, you know each other very well; almost like your one of the same really." She smiled gleefully. The idea of what Tia was trying to tell him suddenly hit Rocket.

"Oh." Was the only response he could come up with? She liked him, she really liked him! At least that's what he was hoping for. What he didn't know was that his wish was about to come true. Tia's sweet smiles made his stomach do flip flops but he felt himself stop breathing when she inch towards him and brushed her lips against his; making his heart rate beat faster. Temptation over took him as he leaned in to close the gap between them and gently pressed his lips against hers. The wonderful feeling of happiness that burst through him was immeasurable; in fact he swore he would have passed out if he quickly didn't regain sense of what was going on and regrettably broke the kiss.

"Tia, don't you think it's too soon?" He questioned his young angel still feeling quite dizzy from the exchange of passion they just had. Rocket almost laughed when he saw her roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Honestly Rocket, I don't know but all I can think about is you." She smiled reaching out her hand and took his; these actions sent shock waves up his spine and almost made him lean in and kiss her again but was able to restrain himself in the last second.

"I just want you to be happy." He whispered, placing his head against hers and pushed the strands of loose white her out of her face. The coolness on her head helped Rocket to relax and didn't make him budge when she gently placed a warm, soft hand on his cheek.

"You make me happy Rocket." She answered quietly back. After this answer, Rocket was unable to control himself anymore and leant in to reattach his lips with hers.

The next morning Tia was still having day dreams about the kiss she had shared with Rocket last night on the front porch, which was then rudely interrupted by Sonny calling for her to come back inside (the second time that night he had interrupted them kissing) and was now looking at the phone every minute, since he had promised to call her after breakfast; breakfast had finished five minutes ago.

"You're excited over something." Mary observed, as she placed a tea down in front the young girl who was moving in her seat every two seconds.

"Probably something to do with Rocket kissing her last night and promising to call." Sonny commented while he continued to read the comics in his news paper. Tia snapped her attention away from the phone and shot him an evil glare.

"You were spying on me!" She exclaimed, tempted to throw her tea over him- once it was cooler of course. Sonny peeped over his newspaper with a sly grin on his face.

"I wasn't eavesdropping, I just happened to overhear... and see." He insisted but it didn't stop the look that Tia was giving. "Besides, I agree with Rocket, I think it's too early for you to start dating again." The older man added, creating Tia to let out a depressed groan. Not him as well, Tia thought as she slumped her head on to her hand with a frustrated frown on her face. Before she could answer Sonny's remark the bang on the letter box announced the mail had arrived. As Mary left the room Tia grabbed Sonny's hand and made him look her in eyes.

"You're probably right but to be honest I'll probably never be ready but I have to try and move forward and put the past behind me." Tia pleaded with the newest father figure in her life. Hearing the courage and hope in her voice Sonny grabbed onto Tia's hand a little bit tighter.

"I know, just know that I'm here for you when you need me." He smiled back at her before they embrace each other in a hug. Tia thought she couldn't be any happier then she was at this moment but the post Mary was about to deliver to her was about to prove her wrong. She hadn't noticed it at first because Mary seemed in no rush to hand it to her but just as she was staring at the phone again; Mary took the opportunity to dangle it in front of her face. Seeing what it was Tia snatched it from her opens and ripped it open before greedily reading through its continents. Not believing what she was reading she read it through five extra times before shouting out...

"I'm in!"