[Eddie's POV]

A sudden noise cuts through the air. We both to jump back instinctively like we've been caught stealing from the cookie jar. Disappointment and tension from the lingering electricity buzzing around settle in. I fight back the inward groan. Extreme irritation threatens to break out at whoever is responsible for the loud knock.

"Who is it?" A drizzling of annoyance is smoothed out over my voice.

"Who do you think it is, mate?" Despite my current sour mood, I break out in a grin. Loren looks at me questioningly. I give a wait-just-one-second look before opening the door.

"Yo, Ian, buddy! Long time no see, welcome back!" We pull each other in for a quick hug adorned with a few slaps on the back.

"You're right about that. But your place is as awesome as ever," Ian's gaze travels over to Loren and settles there for a few seconds. A spike of energy shoots through me. "With a terrific view," he adds, nodding his head toward the huge window but obviously not talking about that.

The power surging through me is unbelievable. It's not anger at Ian, because I know I've told him before about Loren and how we're just friends and all that. I laugh at myself in my head, remembering that I've probably described her in enough detail for Ian to have a photograph of Loren without even having met her. It's a twisted emotion, something like possessiveness or jealousy. I laugh bitterly once again and shake my head at how much I've been in denial. If Loren and I were really just friends for so long, there would be absolutely no reason for me to get upset over what I know Ian just considers normal conversation. His brain must be packed with pick-up lines and flirting techniques, considering that's basically his side job.

Loren and Ian are both looking at me strangely now. I figure that it's because I've kinda just been staring into space for the past few moments.

"Ah, so you're the famous Loren Tate. Eddie's told me so much about you." My face turns a deep red. Ian notices and doesn't bother to hide his amused smirk before continuing, "All good, of course."

Loren's expression goes from confused to somewhat disapproving to oddly amused understanding. "And you are?" She asks, stifling a grin at Ian's eccentric way of slipping himself into our conversation.

He scoffs, pretending to be offended that she doesn't know who he is. "Ian, Ed's best mate," he replies while slinging an arm around my shoulders.

I step away from him and raise my eyebrows. "Right now that's just a little unsteady." We all laugh.

A thought that's been badgering my brain finally breaks through. "Wait, Ian, why are you here? I mean, I'm glad that you are, but weren't you supposed to be on like a completely different continent right now?"

Ian laughs lightly. "Yes, and that job ended about a week ago, which I clearly remember telling you. What's been going on that head of yours?" His gaze travels over to Loren, lingering for just enough time to make a point. "Oh, never mind," he says, smirking.

I can feel my face turning red, which causes me to be even more embarrassed. I never blush. Or at least not unless there's a girl I like… I flick my glance over to Loren. She's staring at the ground, a soft pink color creeping up her cheeks. Her hair is slightly ruffled, making me want to run my fingers through it. She looks up and catches my gaze before I quickly turn my eyes back to Ian, who was watching the entire exchange with a satisfied grin on his face.

"Umm, Eddie." Loren's voice snaps me out of the haze surrounding my brain.

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Uh, I was just wondering where the bathroom was." I do my best to pretend I don't notice how cute it is when she thinks she's imposing or something.

"Oh, just around the corner." I point in the right direction and she gives me a small nod before heading off.

When Loren is out of the room, I turn to Ian knowing that whatever's coming is going to be embarrassing for me and rather entertaining for him.

"Damn, mate. You've got it bad." Ian shakes his head from side to side, like he disapproves.

I instantly get defensive. "What are you talking about?" His half-smile and raised eyebrows get to me right away. "Okay, so maybe just a little. But don't you dare get on my case about how it's no fun being tied down or anything like that. She's different."

"That's what you said about Chloe." His words hit me straight in the gut. He immediately backtracks. "Sorry, just trying to make a point." I nod reluctantly as a way of saying that it's alright. "But, yeah, she's definitely different. Where'd you pick her up anyway, a little café in the middle of the valley?"

I chuckle. "Uh, no. But she does work at one." Now it's his turn to laugh.

Ian gets serious again. "I do get what you mean, though. She seems quieter, more understanding than most Hollywood girls. It's like she's been through so much yet she's still got that spark of innocence." I look up, surprised that he's being so analytical, unlike his usual sarcastic self. A sudden thought strikes me.

Apparently I really am too easy to read, because Ian just laughs at my stricken expression. "Don't worry, mate. She's not exactly my type." I know he finds my instinctive fear and possessiveness extremely humorous. It still reassures me that I'm not going to have to fight for a girl with my best friend, who has probably always been and always will be undefeated in that category.

Loren walks around the corner with a strange expression on her face. I rush over, concern spilling out. "Is everything all right?"

She looks surprised that I'm worrying about her. "Huh? Oh, yeah everything's okay. My mom just wants me to get home soon."

I feel a surge of relief, but it's topped by regret. "Oh, okay. Sorry we didn't get as much time as I thought we might." I shoot a glare at Ian, who responds by putting his hands up in surrender.

"It's okay." Loren seems fidgety and distant.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I'm getting a little nervous now.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She forces a laugh that Ian doesn't seem the least bit fazed by, but to my ears it sounds hollow and fake. I let it go.

"Bye, Eddie." She gives me a small wave and slips out the door.

"Bye, Lo- wait, how are you getting home?" I call after her. Loren pauses and turns.

I sense a slight hesitation from her before she says, "Mel was around here somewhere; she's coming."

I nod in response and give a last wave and smile as the metal doors of the elevator slide shut.

I turn around to find Ian leaning out the door with a small smile on his face. "You've fallen in so deep, mate."

I'm going to start trying to keep the POV switches down to a minimum because I know it can get kind of annoying, especially in the middle of a chapter.

And yes, I will probably get a few upset reviews that they still didn't kiss. I won't make you guys wait too much longer… but at least Ian's here, right? :) (Who, by the way, is actually kind of difficult to write because on the show, he's usually serious in 'reality' but all the stories about his 'wild times' are the exact opposite.. – I'm not sure if I've got him quite right, so you wanna review?)

Also, I'm getting just a little stuck. Should I try for Eddie's birthday, maybe? Or add a little Chloe and Tyler? Some drama or more 'heartfelt' scenes between Eddie/Loren/Nora/Max?

(Sorry for the long A/N), but thanks for reading! - shimmeruponwishes

Merry Christmas! :)