A/N: Thanks for reviewing you guys! I'm really sorry about the lack of updates, I've had a really crazy couple of weeks, including starting a brand new job, that's taken up a lot of my time and energy. (As well as my writing inspiration!) So that's the story there! Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 3

Here's the big night! It's so nice that for once I can be out in the open. After all, tonight no one is what they seem…it works perfectly to my advantage.

Kitty Cat's last minute costume is just so cute. Leave it to her to stand out even when she wants to blend in.

And our fearless leaders, Captain and Queen Bee aren't just dressed as opposite sides, they seem to be on them! They've been separated by the sea of people all night. Might we have a little cessation of their union happening?

Charlie stood quietly at the refreshments table while Carlyle mingled. She looked beautiful, her dark hair combed intro submission and pressed into thick curls at the bottom and silky smooth at her scalp. In her green satin off the shoulder gown she looked every bit like Scarlett O'Hara, which was exactly the point. Her pale face was covered by a black velvet half mask, adorned with peacock feathers. She was stunning, and he realized, despite knowing that, he didn't want her. He knew there had been a time, when seeing Carlyle, or barely seeing her, just a hint of her cleavage, and the excited flush of her cheeks in the dimly lit ballroom would have driven him so out of his mind that he'd be at her side now whispering all the naughty things he'd rather be doing than staying here. He had no desire to do that. Sure, he was still intellectually aware of Carlyle's charms, but he had no animal desire for her anymore. He wasn't sure what that meant.

"Hey there," he stopped and turned at the voice. Tammy was standing before him in a shell bikini top and a sparkly green skirt. Her mask was a slight blue sequined one, subtle, barely covering her deceptively angelic features.

"You're a mermaid?" He laughed. She nodded. Her, he wanted, he realized. He wanted Tammy and her silliness and lightness. He wanted to please her now that he knew how to in ways he didn't when they'd clumsily made love over a year ago. But that was absolutely out of the question. Even their awkward friendship was upsetting to Fulton and Carlyle. If he confessed how he was feeling it that moment, or had been feeling lately, he'd even lose that. He wouldn't be able to take it, losing Tammy completely. He glanced across the room. "Fult's a pirate."

"Even that was hard," she rolled her eyes. "You look absolutely dashing."

"I feel like a tool," he shook his head. "You look," he stopped there was no way to tip toe around it, "incredibly sexy."

"You know I try," she winked. He was teasing her. He just had to be. He couldn't be serious. "You'll save a dance for me won't you?"

"Absolutely," he nodded. She smiled.

"Great," she said, "I'll see you later." She walked away.

Julie sat quietly at a table with Pierce with her cheek against her hand. He was looking around distractedly. She was trying to ignore Connie and Guy and Adam and Annie's snuggling.

"Do you want to dance or something?" He asked. She looked at him.

"Um, no," she shook her head. "That's OK." He nodded. She started to wonder if she shouldn't just make the first move, but as her mind wandered she glanced at the door and all wondering stopped. Dean had just come in, dressed in head to toe black velvet embroidered with gold. He was a bullfighter, and a perfect one, with his dark skin and his face covered by a black mask. He had his arm carelessly around Monique, dressed as a gypsy, in a long peasant style skirt and a low cut peasant top and tight corset around it, her mask was also black and she had a red rose behind her ear. They looked absolutely perfect together. "I have to go to the bathroom." She stood up and ran out of the room. Dean saw her and stopped.

"I'll be right back," he said softly to Monique and followed after her. "Julie!" He said. She was leaning against a pillar crying.

"Dean, please just go," she mumbled and wiped her eyes. He looked at her. "I'm sure Monique is going to miss you." She gulped.

"So what did that guy you're here with do?" He said. She looked at him.

"Nothing," she mumbled. "He didn't do anything."

"So, is it me?" He asked. She swallowed and then let out a sob. "It is me," he whispered. "Look, if it's about how I wore a costume, fighting with Monique isn't fun like it was with you, she mostly just yells at me in French and then we don't have sex,"

"God, Dean, I don't want to," she inhaled and sobbed again, "hear about you having sex with her!" He nodded. "This is so not about you at all! Pierce hasn't done anything and that's the whole point!"

"Wait," he said. "You're this upset because he didn't make a move on you?" She nodded. "Is he gay?"

"No!" She said. "I can name like four sophomores that he's slept with. I guess he just doesn't want me."

"Well then he's a moron," he shrugged. "You're amazing." She looked at him. She looked adorable, wearing a pair of black and red leggings, and matching top. She also had a jester's hat on and was holding a matching stick mask. Leave it to Julie to find away around "What are you supposed to be?"

"I'm Harlequin," she said.

"Seriously," he groaned, "does DC Comics like pay you?"

"Not Harley Quinn," she giggled through her tears, "Harlequin, stock character of Italian Drama."

"Oh right," he nodded. "That." She nodded. "It's cute. Anyway, this guy's clearly flawed in some way, if he doesn't want you."

"You didn't want me," she said. He looked at her.

"It was never about that," he assured her. "I always wanted you. I loved you, still do, but we wouldn't have cheated on each other if something wasn't wrong somewhere." She nodded. "You really like this guy, huh?" She nodded. "So do something about it. You're Julie The Cat, you can do whatever you want." She hugged him.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you," she whispered. "I love you so much Dean."

"I love you too," he said. "I miss you." She nodded feeling safe and comfortable in his arms. She wanted so badly to kiss him, to escape to that happy place that they had, even before they were a couple. She felt like she was on the border of it now. She could feel it's sunshine against her skin, even if she couldn't see it. Was that all that was left of it? Had they frozen out every other remnant of it? And how long before it thawed?

"I miss you too," she whispered, looking up at him, her face flushed with desire. Dean swallowed, maybe it was that easy, an apology, and then a declaration. He could take her little face in his hands and kiss the pain and emptiness he'd felt for the past few months away. He could be whole again, have her again. There was absolutely no way to resist that. He cupped his hands around her face and kissed her softly.

Dwayne walked into the room and couldn't help smile seeing Carlyle. She was gorgeous, when they made eye contact she smiled and ran over as fast as she could in her huge dress.

"You came," she squealed and hugged him wrapping her arms around his neck. "I thought you weren't!"

"I'm not staying," he said. "I just didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"Leave?" She said.

"I'm flying out tonight," he said. "I thought I told you." She frowned. "It's just a few weeks. I'll be back."

"But I thought you'd at least stay tonight," she said, "after the official school party ends we're all staying in here for the night and really partying."

"Won't you be with Charlie?" He puzzled. She swallowed. She'd honestly forgotten all about Charlie. She'd barely seen him all night. "I really should go."

"At least let me give you your Christmas present," she said and pulled him outside. She took a small envelope out of the black satin gathered purse she'd been carrying. He opened it.

"It's a picture of a horse," he said.

"His name is Fairfax," Carlyle said. "He'll be waiting in the stable when we get back."

"You got me a horse for Christmas?" He stared at her.

"Well, you wouldn't own him," she said. "But I'll be boarding him yeah. You can still ride Juno whenever you want, but he's bigger and stronger, more suited to you." He dropped the picture and pulled her close and kissed her, hard. She was taken by surprise at first but then she realized how much she liked it and melted against him, her arms weaving around his neck. "Oh Dwayne," she whispered.

"I love you," he said. "I'm in love with you Carlyle." She blinked up at him. "I have to go," he let go of her and walked away. She stared as he walked away.

Spotted: Stolen kisses just outside of the ballroom. Personally I can't wait for the after hours part of the evening, I think that might be when the real trouble starts.

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