G'day, fellow readers! Here's another chapter to whet your appetites! Plus, it's a songfic! ;)

First off, my thanks go to my buddy Perry, for pointing out some faults in this chapter and encouraging me to make some changes which I hope you'll enjoy.

Also, with uni life starting again tomorrow, I probably won't be able to update as frequently as I did over the past few months - but there is plenty of reasons why I'm not giving up on this story ever.

I was hoping I'd get to post this up on Valentine's Day - you'll find out why soon enough. But I suppose now's better than never. Enjoy! :D

Chapter 12: Love You Like a Love Song

Phelan awoke, groggy eyed and light headed, but the first wave of relief that greeted him was the sunlight and the sight of being back in his own bed.

Then the memories of the fight came back, and the wolf-like chipmunk immediately put a paw to his throat, as though hoping it was just another of his bad dreams. He couldn't feel anything, because he realized his neck had been heavily bandaged. It took a lot of effort for Phelan to sit up, but he did it anyway, wincing at the cuts and bruises that now adorned him from chest to bottom.

He felt naked, save for a gentle breeze that only a pair of boxer shorts could provide, and the blanket that wrapped comfortably around his body.

At least his tail was still bushy and in top waving form.

He wasn't aware that his brothers were sitting by his bedside until he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.

"You're alright!" beamed Alvin. "Man, we thought you were a goner! You've been out like a light for two whole days!"

"How are you feeling?" asked Dave, who had just came in. Like the others, Phelan could see rings under his guardian's eyes, and the look of worry upon his face.

"Sore," Phelan managed a weary smile. "But I think I'll live."

"You're one lucky chipmunk, I'll give you that," said Simon, slowly unravelling the bandages around Phelan's neck. "By the time we got here after Soron came running over to the Chipettes', you were losing so much blood we thought we were going to lose you for good. There were some punctures in your arteries, though nothing major, but I managed to patch you up pretty well."

By the time the bandages came undone, Phelan braced himself, preparing for the worst.

"You're recovering pretty fast," said Simon, giving Phelan the thumbs-up. "At most, I think you'll be up and about in a couple of days."

"It still feels like I've broken some ribs," Phelan muttered, running his fingers repeatedly over his neck.

"You did," said Simon matter-of-factly. "That explains the bruises on your chest. But even without Maia's healing, you've got one heck of a metabolism rate."

At the mention of her name, Phelan's eyes went wild with concern. "Maia? How is she? Was she hurt?"

He would've hopped out of bed if it hadn't been for the combined efforts of the Chipmunks holding him down.

"Relax, Phelan. She's fine. Actually, she was the one who calmed me down so that I could work on your neck, even though I said you were losing a lot of blood," reassured Simon.

"Trust a sucker like Scar to pull a sucker punch," said Phelan, chuckling weakly at his own little pun.

"That's the name of the jerk who did this to you?" Alvin said, his face growing redder than his cap. He rolled up his sleeves. "When I get my paws on him, I'm gonna make him really live up to his name!"

"Where is she? Maia?" asked Phelan, ignoring Alvin's tirades.

"Back home with the Chipettes. I guess she'd be sleeping by now," said Simon.

"What do you mean, back home?"

It was Dave's turn to answer. "She's been by your bedside for the last two days. I couldn't bear to tell her, so I asked the boys to take over her place instead. She wouldn't leave until you woke up, that's what Simon told me."

"She really said that?" said Phelan, amazed at what the creamy-white chipette could accomplish.

"You're very lucky, you know," Alvin smiled.

"Yeah, you're the next munk to tell me that apart from Simon."

Alvin threw up his hands in exaggerated annoyance.

"No, not like that, silly! Haven't you noticed the way Maia behaves every time she hangs out with you?"

Phelan nodded. "I might have; once or twice, but isn't that just her nature? I mean, there's no harm in her to be a little shy around newcomers like us."

"Seriously, you've got a lot to learn about being with a lady," said Alvin, and even Theodore's sweet innocent face nodded in agreement.

"Alright, boys, that's enough," said Dave. "I think we ought to let Phelan have his rest. Come on, you can talk to him later after dinner. "

As Dave led the Chipmunks out of the room, Phelan could hear Alvin's voice growing softer downstairs. "Geez, some guys just don't know a good thing when they see it right in front of them..."

"Thanks, Dave," said Phelan, lying back on his pillow.

"I'll bring you something to eat. Oh, and by the way, you've got another visitor."

"Who's that?"

But Dave had already closed the door behind him, leaving Soron to carry a bowl of piping hot soup balanced on a tray. He grinned as he placed the bowl next to Phelan's bedside.

"Not my best effort, but at least I got Theo to teach me how to cook."

"Aw, Soron, you shouldn't have." As the aroma of tomatoes and broth wafted through his nostrils, Phelan realized just how hungry he was.

"But I wanted to. For my stubborn big brother who wouldn't stop looking out for me," Soron added, dipping a spoon into the creamy red stuff. "Now sit up and open that big mouth of yours."

"Hey! I'm not stu-"

Phelan had already propped himself back up, but as he was about to make another protest, Soron seized the opportunity to dip the spoon into the wolf-like chipmunk's mouth and he tipped it down, letting the warm, delicious soup course through Phelan's stomach. Though Phelan wanted to tell Soron that he didn't fancy the idea of being treated like a baby, he actually found the experience quite enjoyable, so he sat there in silence, letting his brother spoon feed him for the next half hour or so.

"What happened after that? Back there, after I lost consciousness?" asked Phelan, licking his lips.

Soron put away the empty bowl as he spoke.

"You should've seen the 'munk in charge. Aaron, if I'm not mistaken. He blew his top so badly I thought that Scar was going to lose his nuts for sure. But he shouted at Scar, and he shouted back. Then Aaron raised his arms up – to the moon, I think – because his paws were glowing with this strange pale light. And when he pointed his paws at Scar, it was like he couldn't move a single inch. No strings, no tendrils like you, but it just happened. Then he dragged Scar back like some puppet master while the others followed behind."

"Just like that?" Perhaps the Arch made the right choice when they decided to appoint Aaron as their leader, thought Phelan.

"I'm surprised they left him in charge," said Soron, sharing Phelan's opinions. "Personally, I thought a vampire like Scar would be the most likely candidate, but even you could make minced meat out of him."

"Still, he was one of the best fighters I've encountered, I'll give you that."

Phelan paused for a moment to let Soron inspect his neck. "You don't suppose I've been turned, do you?"

"Only one way to find out."

Instantly, Soron whipped out a clove of garlic and dangled it in front of Phelan's face.

The wolf-like chipmunk just rolled his eyes. "Haha. Very funny, Soron. You know I still don't like garlic."

Soron gave an innocent shrug as he pocketed the garlic away. "I rest my case."

Phelan must have dozed off again, because the room seemed to be darker than usual.

But the strange and fuzzy shape that appeared before him didn't look round enough to be the moon. Phelan blinked, and slowly, the glimmer of dancing lights materialized into two separate shades of blue and green.

They turned out to be the most beautiful pair of eyes staring back at him – the eyes which made the nightmares go away.

When Phelan saw the warm, glowing smile, the cute heart-shaped nose and the familiar creamy-white fur, his face lit up like the morning sun.

"M-Maia?"

The silence that followed was brief, but not in the slightest bit awkward as Phelan let her caress the tuft on his forehead before speaking again. "Are you alright?"

"I thought I should be the one asking you that," said Maia. Her meek, yet blissful voice gave Phelan the impression that she was almost whispering.

Or trying to hide something from him.

"I just couldn't resist being the first to wake you. Every time I look into those eyes of yours, it reminds me of the forest back home," she went on. "You've made me feel more comfortable than ever before."

"Well, if that's how you feel, than you're welcome," Phelan smiled. "Say, you didn't happen to treat many patients back home, did you?

"I'll let you in on a secret. You're my first. But you're turning out to be my best patient so far," said Maia, and they both broke out into laughter.

Then all of a sudden, Phelan's expression shifted into a look of serious concern as Maia winced in pain, drawing her paw back as though she was stung.

"Maia, you're hurt! What happened?"

"I - I'm fine. Really, it's nothing-"

But Phelan had already reached out to touch Maia's delicate paw. And as if under his spell, she brought it closer for the wolf-like chipmunk to see.

There were tiny strands of creamy-white fur growing back on a patch of bare skin, a sign of a progressive recovery. But the hellfire from Scar's whip had cut deep into Maia's arm, and Phelan could see a tiny, yet angry welt sprouting up near the chipette's wrist.

"I've tried rubbing ointments and putting it under the tap, but nothing seems to be working." Each passing second brought Maia closer to tears. "It hurts so bad."

Even Phelan felt as though his heart would break from sharing the pain.

"Here, give me your arm, Maia."

"But-"

"Trust me," said Phelan, and Maia could sense his warm, reassuring spirit coursing through the soft grip that held her paw.

Maia was still staring longingly into his eyes as she brought her arm closer to Phelan. To her surprise, the wolf-like chipmunk started sniffing the wound – he looked it over meticulously – before lapping it clean with his tongue, like a cat grooms its own fur.

While she did her best to control herself, Maia's first instinct was to recoil back; she wasn't sure of such feral and unsanitary habits. But the pain – even the swelling seemed to subside with every lick, and as a thin coat of Phelan's saliva left a cooling sensation on her arm, she let him wash over her burns with his gentle, repetitive strokes.

"How does that feel?" Phelan asked. He even kissed the burn on Maia's arm, which made her blush.

"Much better. But... how did you do that?"

Phelan shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me. I got my fair share of burns playing with hellfire over the years. Turns out all you need is some good old chipmunk spit!"

He chuckled at his own little theory, but stopped as he realized Maia had her head bent, and she fell silent once more.

"Maia, what's wrong?"

The creamy-white chipette looked up at him, her face a mixture of sadness and confusion. "Why do you do this, Phelan?"

"I'm not sure I understand you, Maia."

"You stood up for me; defended me when Soron was coping with his grandmother's passing. And you accepted Scar's challenge. You fought for me, even though you weren't sure you'd make it out alive."

"I would've done the same for anyone, you know that. Even for my family."

But Maia was still convinced that Phelan was turning every sentence into riddles.

"I heard what you said. 'You leave my Maia alone, or it'll be the end of your sorry hide.'"

Phelan took her paws and rested them between his.

"I can understand if all the other 'munks in the world only want to chase your tail. But what I want – more than anything else in the world... is to chase after your heart."

"What do you mean?"

"I really like you, Maia."

The words tumbled out before he could stop himself, and Phelan's ears flattened in embarrassment, his cheeks blushing a deep red. "Um, d-did I say that out loud?"

"Yes, Phelan. You sure did."

"Well..." Phelan ruffled the back of his head. "I... I still wanted to say thank you... for b-bringing me back into the light. You know, when I was being taken over and stuff-"

This time, his words got stuck in his throat as Maia nuzzled her nose into Phelan's cheeks, planting a kiss on both sides.

"And that's my way of saying thank you. For saving my life. Now we're even."

"Not quite," Phelan said. "I've told you how I've felt about you from the day we first met." He brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen across Maia's forehead. "Mo chuisle, remember?"

"You still haven't told me what it means."

Phelan brought Maia closer until he could see his own smiling reflection in those eyes that sparkled blue and green.

"It's Irish for 'My pulse, my heartbeat'. But most of all, it means this."

And before Maia could realize what was happening, Phelan pressed his mouth lovingly onto hers.

Their first kiss. Lip to lip, breath to breath.

"I love you, my sweetheart."

At first, Maia's eyes widened in surprise, but as she closed them; her senses dulled with passion, her mind was racing – screaming with thoughts of her fantasy.

Except this time, she wasn't dreaming it.

He loves me? I can't believe it! All this while, he's been keeping it a secret! But he really loves me!

So why did she find herself breaking down in Phelan's arms, sobbing in wretched desolation as though her heart had been shattered into pieces?

"Maia?" said Phelan. It wasn't a question, but she didn't know how to answer him.

Why didn't he tell me this earlier?

As if he could read her mind, Phelan stared calmly into her face. "Do you remember when you probed into my mind and saw the things I did in the past?"

"Y-you knew?"

Now she felt two of herself in the same body; one wanted to resent Phelan and strike out against him, while the other longed to cuddle up in his arms and forget about everything – the Order, the mission, Serenity, everything.

But somehow, she couldn't recognize either one of those selves anymore.

"I made a terrible mistake when I loved once," said Phelan, looking off into the distance. "I didn't just hurt the girl I had a crush on, I almost tore a family into pieces."

Was that regret she detected hidden somewhere in his voice?

"And because of that, when Alvin ran away from home, he nearly got killed because of my actions. How could I forgive myself if I took away a brother, a friend, and a son from the people who put their faith in me?"

Realization dawned upon the creamy-white chipette. "Y-you were afraid you would make those same mistakes again?"

Phelan nodded. "I just couldn't bear the thought of hurting you, Maia."

"But you're the kindest and bravest chipmunk I've ever known! You're not afraid of anything."

"I was. When I lay there, thinking that I was going to die, I thought to myself, 'I've survived countless battles before, and I was hoping – praying – that I would cheat death once more. And when I did, I asked myself, why? Why give me all of those second chances?"

His paw, rubbing gently against Maia's chin, travelled softly down to rest above her heart.

"Perhaps Fate decided to cross our paths together, because I realized the answer was staring at me right in my face."

As Phelan's words washed over Maia, she couldn't think of anything else to say, except for the thought of what a fool she must look right now, crying over a silly and worthless business.

"I should probably leave you to your rest, Phelan. Besides, you don't want to see me like this."

The wolf-like chipmunk, however, held on tighter to Maia's paws, as though strengthening his desire to be in her company. Maia's eyes were fixed on the sheets; she was afraid to look up, until Phelan leaned forward and gently licked the tears flowing down her cheeks.

A wolf's kiss for his beloved mate.

Maia giggled as she felt his soft tongue caress her fur.

"If this is your way of cheering me up, then you're a silly puppy."

"Maybe I like being a silly puppy," Phelan grinned, giving a playful bark. "Maybe I like being your puppy."

He lay down on his back, allowing Maia to scratch his belly. Offering up the most vulnerable part of his body must have been the biggest amount of trust he'd ever given to someone. But Phelan had his eyes closed and his tail wagging with delight, so Maia saw no harm in savouring the moment with him as she stroked those luscious strands of mahogany fur she found so adorable.

"I've loved you for a very long time, Phelan. But I was afraid you wouldn't love me in return. You were always so shifty, so full of mystery – like the night."

Phelan shook his head.

"You're wrong, Maia. That part of me died along with my allegiance to the Darkness a long time ago. Whatever's left of me, what I am now – I want to be forever yours."

They lay there in silence, fully aware of the warmth from their bodies merging together; their tails wrapped around each other. But the look in his eyes drew her like a bee to a flower, and she could see how much they were filled with longing and beckoning.

She relaxed into his embrace, parting her lips to feel his tongue, warm and sweet as it tasted every inch of her mouth. And from the way he held her, Maia knew that he too had been dreaming of this moment.

She thought of herself as a child once more, safe in his arms and basking in the touch of his paws running gently through her silken hair.

This was the place she wanted to be, where dreams and reality merged together like their hearts.

And nothing would pull them apart except for –

"Gotcha!"

The lights came on, giving off a bright glare that took a while for both Phelan and Maia to adjust to, but there was no mistaking the seven chipmunks that came into the room.

"Guess who got caught on Candid Camera?" Alvin chuckled, then turned to face Simon, his hand outstretched. "Pay up, Simon!"

"Alvin!" exclaimed Phelan. "W-wait, why is Simon paying you?"

"We had a bet," Simon said nonchalantly, pressing a dollar into his brother's eager hand. "He wagered a dollar that you and Maia would be making out tonight, and I said you're not the kind of guy who ends up kissing the girl he only got to know four days ago." He polished his glasses on his sleeve, rolling his eyes. "Guess I was wrong about that."

Maia was about to say something, when she was gently tackled by Brittany and her sisters; now the four of them were pulled into a group hug.

"Congratulations, Maia!" said Brittany. "I think you just set the fastest record ever for sealing your relationship with a kiss!"

"Yeah, we heard everything you said from behind the door!" said Jeanette. "We know Phelan's a true gentleman, but we had no idea he loves you so much!"

"All thanks to the love doctor!" Alvin beamed, puffing out his chest.

Phelan wasn't the only one who laughed at Alvin's words.

"So, let me get this straight?" said Eleanor. "You didn't tell Maia you loved her, because you were afraid you'd make the same mistakes like you did with Britt?"

"That's right," Phelan said. "As a matter of fact..." He signalled the boys with a gesture of his paw, then huddled together while they whispered what seemed to be a secret plan.

Finally, when they had finished, Alvin looked up, beaming at Maia.

"Our dear Phelan would like to tell you how much he's in love with you. But because he's not good with words, he'd like to serenade you with a song instead."

"Really?" The creamy-white chipette's eyes lit up. "Nobody's ever sang to me before."

"Well, I suppose there'll always be a first," Phelan smiled. As he guided Maia slowly to the centre of the room, the boys brought out their instruments.

"Seriously, bro, you want to play a love song on that thing?" asked Phelan, pointing at the electronic keyboard that Soron had just set up.

Perhaps he'd always had that serious look on his face, but then the hazel-brown chipmunk raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding? You're looking at one of the best synthesizing chipmunks ever!"

Soron started playing on the keyboard, striking a clear, rich chord that sounded as though it came straight out of an authentic piano. As Simon drew a bowstring across his cello, adding a deep, reverberating accompaniment to the music, Phelan offered a paw to Maia.

"May I have this dance?"

The creamy-white chipette smiled as he kissed her hand, taking her first few steps on the floor. "Of course you may, my love."

Soron's fingers were like magic, playing a beautiful melody straight from his keyboard. The chipettes just stood next to their counterparts as the music played on, watching as the love-struck pair began to waltz in a slow, delicate rhythm.

Phelan opened his heart out to Maia, and started to sing.

Heartbeats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Theodore drummed a little to the beat, which helped the waltzing duo to keep up with their steps.

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

During the musical interlude, Phelan looked hesitantly at Maia, her mind probably thinking the same thought as his. Would she still reciprocate his feelings for her? He steeled his nerves as he waited for her response.

"I love you, Maia."

"I love you too, Phelan."

He smiled, never letting go of their embrace while he rocked her gently to the music.

One step closer
One step closer

Phelan drew himself closer to Maia, and as he sang the last verse, he almost whispered it into her ear.

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

There wasn't a single dry eye in the room, even after the music stopped playing.

"Wow," said Alvin, who was still applauding. "That's the most I've heard you sing, Phelan, apart from last year's Halloween party."

"Shut up," grinned Phelan, though he didn't say anything more as he locked lips with Maia again, earning a few more wolf whistles from the watching crowd.

"Alright, break it up, people. Show's over. Let's leave these two lovebirds alone to some privacy," said Alvin, ushering the chipmunks, including Soron, and their counterparts out.

"Since when did you care about privacy?" asked Phelan.

"I'm not," said Alvin, and there was no mistaking that mischievous glimmer in his amber eyes. "I want to hear all about it tomorrow! Full story, you got that, bro?"

"Just leave already," the wolf-like chipmunk smiled, waving a paw impatiently.

Once the door swung closed, Phelan and Maia were left staring into each other's eyes; neither of them knowing what to say.

Instead, Phelan's jaws parted in a huge yawn.

"Boy, I'm bushed! If only I were feeling better, then I'd dance with you the whole night long, Maia."

Maia suppressed a giggle. "Come on, sleepyhead. I'll tuck you in."

He spoke with no signs of desperation, but held onto every word, as though each one was fragile.

"Stay with me. Please? Just until I'm fast asleep."

"Aw, does the brave warrior need to sleep with his night light on?"

"He sure does. Because he loves his night light very much."

How could she say no to those puppy dog eyes?

"Alright. But you'd better not try anything funny or you're not going to laugh at the word 'nut squash."

Phelan laughed, his tone betraying nothing except his genuine kindness.

"Maia, I would never do anything to hurt you. I swear it."

The creamy-white chipette helped Phelan back into bed, but got under the covers with him, ruffling his chest fur. He felt warm and cuddly, like her own giant teddy bear.

"Good night, Phelan," Maia cooed, kissing his forehead. "Pleasant dreams, my sweetheart."

She had to strain her ears to hear Phelan's murmurs before he drifted off into his dreams.

"Thank you, Maia... for everything..."

Maia bounced down the stairs two at a time, her heart fluttering in rhythm with each step.

"It's official..." she thought. "I'm in love with Phelan Seville..."

"So, you thought you could land the big catch, didn't you?" came an angry voice behind her, a voice she knew all too well.

Maia swallowed the sudden lump in her throat as she felt her cheeks warm up with embarrassment.

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about..." she quietly replied, trying to keep her composure.

Suddenly, Soron grabbed her by the shoulders, and slammed her back to the nearby wall; his paw was quick to cover her mouth before she could let out a scream.

The last thing he needed was another pain in the tail to be up tonight.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about, princess," he growled, his eyes glowing a dangerous silver.

Maia gulped, her whole body freezing at the sight of the Rouge pinning her, leaving her helpless.

"I know this is all Serenity's little gig for you to get me back to the Order. I can bet on my life that she tasked you with falling in love with Phelan to get close to him, as well as me. Then you could work your stupid little charms on me and I'll be persuaded to come crawling back to Serenity!"

Maia's eyes widened in shock as she suddenly felt tears touch her cheeks.

"Save your breath, little princess. Did you think I was going to believe that story where you came down to earth as a shooting star? Oops, sorry. I guess Serenity forgot to mention I read thoughts, and I saw everything in that cute little head of yours!"

He leaned in close to her.

"I'll warn you this once, princess, and I won't tell you a second time," he whispered, a dark growl emitting from his throat.

"Break my brother's heart, and I'll see to it you return to her in pieces. She may not forgive me for it, but he's the only family I have left."

No matter how much she turned, she couldn't tear herself away from the stare that bore deep into her face.

"And I'd kill for family."

In a flash, Soron vanished into the night.

All alone in the hallway, Maia sank to her knees with her tail wrapped around her legs, curling up in a miserable ball as she let herself be consoled by the racking of her sobs.

Why? Why is he so keen on destroying the only thing that makes me happy?

Then a sudden thought occurred to her. And why not? He could've told Phelan from the moment he came back.

It's because of the Order's code! He won't turn me in because it compromises my situation! And the code is all he has left which binds him to the Order – no, his only link left to Serenity.

She blinked the last of her tears away, nodding to herself with a firm resolution.

Phelan loves me and Soron's threats are only as large as his mouth.

But how will I know of both for sure?

To Be Continued...

The song that Phelan serenades Maia with is Christina Perri's A Thousand Years. I'm not sure if I'm the first one to use this song for a Chipmunks fic, but it is a beautiful song none the less, and I thought it fitted with Phelan's situation as well.

Will it be all smooth sailing for the new couple? Or will the Darkness and the Arch stand in the way? And what about Serenity and the Order of Light?

Until then, I'll see you in the next chapter (worry not; it will come), and don't forget to review! :D

P.S: Any ideas or requests that you'd like to share, big or small, are very much welcome for this story. That's how I got to expand on The Darkness Comes - because it all branched out from the little suggestions made by you readers.

"Always trust your stories,"

~ Wind