Back by popular demand......

I'm soooo sorry!! If I had known that all of you were so interested in this story...I guess...I guess I just never really took this story seriously myself. I apologize.

Anyway. Here's the next chapter.


Nate's entire body tightened and he slowly turned around to face Caitlyn; seething. Caitlyn stared down at Jason's limp, lifeless body for a few moments and then glanced back over at Nate; a smile fixed on her face that seemed to be a strange mix of pity and satisfaction. Then, she laughed.

"Well, that's what he gets for trying to be heroic...." she snickered. "As for you, Nate, what's it going to be?"

Nate stared up at her for a moment, studying her; a hard scowl on his face. Then, all of a sudden, it changed into a sly grin.

"You know what, Caitlyn," he said, rising from the floor, "I want you back. Clearly I was mistaken in thinking that you were just a regular girl who was just into me because I was famous. Throughout all of this, you've not only proven how cunning and genius you are, but you've demonstrated extreme devotion to me."

Caitlyn's eyes grew wide and her mouth opened wide in disbelief.

"But--but, Nate," Linda squeaked from the hay pile behind him.

"Shut up!" Nate cried, kicking straw back at her. "I don't want you anymore! Whatever you thought we had was not real."

Then, he turned back to Caitlyn and held his arms up.

"Come here, baby," he said. His voice was so alluring and smooth and his awaiting figure was so sexy and appealing that no girl in the world could have resisted him. Caitlyn smiled and let out a squeal of rapture; rushing to him. Nate enveloped her in his arms, bent his head down to hers and kissed her passionately on the lips.

"Oh, Nate," Caitlyn whispered in between breaths.

"Shh," Nate said. "No words, my sweet. Not now."

***

Linda looked on in horror at the intimate scene that was developing before her. This couldn't be the same Nate. Something was wrong. Something had to be wrong. But even she didn't really believe what she was saying. Nate had never used that voice with her before. He'd never held her and kissed her like that. Tears started to seep out of her eyes and she was about to cry out to Nate a second time when she heard a far off sound in the distance. She strained her ears and listened hard. No. It couldn't be.... Yes! It was! The Police had come! She glanced back up at Nate and Caitlyn and saw that they too had heard.

***

Caitlyn turned her gaze from Nate to the small window and listened as hard as she could. Suddenly, here eyes went wide and her gaze flew back to Nate; fury apparent in her now hard features.

For a moment, Nate seemed always confused at hearing the distant siren and howling call of hounds. However, a large grin spread over his face as he slowly realized what it meant.

"You!" Caitlyn cried suddenly; enraged. She ripped herself out of his grip and tried to make a grab for the bloody knife that still lay amid the scattered straw on the floor. Nate caught her before she could, though, and tried to pin her hands behind her back. However, his attempt failed and Caitlyn wrenched out of his grip. She twirled quickly around to face him and grinned.

"Lights out, Nate," she said, laughing. Then she punched Nate hard in the face. Nate staggered backwards and fell into the straw pile next to Linda and Jason. Seemingly from far away, he heard Linda scream and the harsh cry of a man, then his world turned to black.

***

Nate awoke to something cold and wet being dragged multiple times across his face. His eyes fluttered open and he realized that a huge, old looking hound-dog was licking him.

"Riley!" a man cried sharply. "Down! Bad boy!"

Nate groaned and sat up; glancing around at his surroundings. He was in a comfortable, warm cabin that looked oddly familiar.

"Had a good sleep, castle boy?" said an equally familiar voice from the corner of the room. Nate's head flung around and his eyes lit up.

"Collin!"

The middle-aged man smiled and he rose from his rocker and walked over to where Nate was lying.

"Where am I?" Nate asked, looking around him.

"You're in my cabin," Collin answered, helping Nate up off of the bed. "The police are outside and would like to speak with you when you're ready. Don't worry, Nate, those thugs and that girl with the knife are in custody."

Nate sighed in relief. However, a moment later, a thought rushed into his head.

"What about Linda?" he cried, frantically.

"The other girl? The one who was tied up in the corner?"

Nate nodded impatiently.

"She's in the other room. She wanted to talk to you, but I wouldn't let her wake you. She's in the room through there." Collin motioned behind him to a large, wooden doorframe and Nate hurried through it.

"Nate?" Linda's voice asked as he rushed in. Nate twirled around to face her and let out a joyful cry.

"Linda, you're alright!" He swooped her up into his arms and touched his lips firmly to hers; holding her tightly. When he was done, he set her back down gently on the wooden floorboards and stared deeply into her eyes; his own eyes full of pain.

"Linda, I'm so sorry. About what happened with Caitlyn-,"

Linda put a finger to his lips.

"I understand now, Nate. It's ok. You were doing it to save us."

Nate smiled for a moment, but then his face turned dark.

"I just wish I could have saved Jason," he muttered, painfully.

At that moment, both of them heard footsteps behind them and turned around to see Collin coming up to them; a grin on his face.

"Should we tell him now, Linda?" he asked. Linda returned his grin with a delighted smile of her own.

"Yes," she stated.

"Show me what?" Nate inquired, his face scrunching up confusedly. Linda and Collin laughed.

"Come on in!" they cried in unison. Once again, the floorboards creaked with the footsteps of yet another person and then a voice was heard from the other side of the room.

"Hello, Nate," it called. Nate twirled once again to see Jason standing behind him.

"JASON!!!" Nate cried out, running over to him and enclosing his brother in a bear hug.

"Easy there, tiger," Jason called out, laughing. "Or should I say, bear. I may not have died from that wound, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt!"

"Oh, right," Nate said, withdrawing his arms from their clinging grip on Jason. Jason smiled and leaned his head over to Nate's.

"Nate," he whispered. "Forget about me for now. There is an incredibly beautiful lady here who is incredibly glad you're alive right now and I would take this chance."

Nate looked up at him, confused.

Jason smiled and started to walk out of the room, whistling "Here Comes the Bride" and dragging Collin behind him.

"Oh," Nate said softly. He breathed in slowly and walked back over to Linda.

"Linda," he inquired softly. "Do--do you love me?"

"Of course I do, Nate. I thought you knew that."

"Well, I do, but...I mean...do you really love me?"

Linda stared up into his luscious brown eyes for a second, and then smiled.

"Yes, Nate. I really do love you."

"Then, Linda," Nate said, bending down onto one knee. "Will you marry me?"

Linda let out a squeal of delight and threw herself into his arms; tears rolling down her face in torrents.

"Yes, Nate! Of course I'll marry you! I love you!"

"And I love you!" Nate cried, kissing her.

***

Nate's eyes flew open and he sat up; the soft sunlight of the morning falling on him. He looked around him. He was in his own bedroom, in his own bed. Linda, Collin and Jason were no-where to be seen.

Had it all been a dream?

There!! YOU HAPPY!?!? And it was really long too!! Lucky...and I slaved over it for an hour!! (well, maybe not THAT long....)

Please review if you can! Last chapter is next!!