Happy Valentine's Day everyone! We've officially passed 1000 views, and past 20 reviews! You guys are great! This week's story is in spirit of Valentine's Day. Please read, rate, and enjoy!

Summary: AU All-Human Thirteen year old Ruby in taken to the carnival with boy-next-door Liam for Valentine Day. Fears are discovered, and ice cream is eaten.

Ruby spent Valentine's Day no differently than any other day.

Sitting on the window seat of her room with book and a mug of English Breakfast tea.

But this Valentine's day was going to be different.

Taking a sip from her tea, Ruby looked out the window next to her as her gaze wandered to the house next door. The cream and blue house was the home of the Stewarts. Specifically, Liam Stewart.

Three years ago, the Stewarts moved into the house next to Ruby's. Three years ago, Ruby fell hopelessly in love with Liam Stewart.

Three years later, at thirteen, Ruby still loves Liam.

Sighing, Ruby mushed her forehead up against the glass, as if she could somehow pry into his thoughts from yards away. He was always courteous and gentlemanly but was also somehow adorkable and clumsical at the same.

Inwardly giggling, Ruby recalled the first time she interacted with Liam. Well, it was more of an accidental interaction. In the spring of her fifth grade, when they still had recess, a group of sixth grade boys challenged the girls on the field to a game of volleyball. Extremely competitive, Ruby and her friends accepted, determined to win. On the last volley that would decide the winners of the match, Liam went full fledged try-hard and spiked the ball with as his boyish body could muster.

He spiked it directly onto Ruby's face.

The game had halted, while the players had clustered around a momentarily disorientated green-eyed girl with a panicking Liam above her. Liam had half-walked half-steered Ruby to he nurse's office. When Liam and Ruby walked home, one sporting a black eye, Liam apologized profusely to Ruby and her parents. Ruby's parents couldn't be angry at Liam really- his charming, polite personality had won them over in their book.

Taking another sip of tea, Ruby secretly wished that something else would happen.

Downstairs, the doorbell rang.

Adjusting the grip on the flowers in his hands, Liam shuffled in his spot in front of Ruby's door. He reached forward and tapped the doorbell once.

Footsteps and movement could be heard on the other side of the door, and the tumblers of the lock moved into place with an audible click.

Mrs. Daly opened the door, eyes first surprised, then warmly delighted.

"Hello, Liam. Here for Ruby, I'm guessing?" She greeted warmly. He had been over their house multiple times (after the volleyball incident, they had become great friends) and had become very close family friends.

"Yup. Is she home?"

"Yeah, let me just call her down." Stepping into the house, Ruby's mother stood at the bottom of the staircase that led into Ruby's room. "Ruby! You have someone here for you."

"I'm coming!"

Ruby's head popped out from he edge of the staircase, green eyes illuminating when blue met green.

"Hi."

"Hey." Extending his bouquet out to Ruby, Liam gave her the small arrangement of bluebells and baby's breath. Ruby's two favorite flowers, delicate and meaningful flowers.

Cracking a smile, Ruby delicately held the flowers wrapped in white gift paper.

Clapping her hands behind them, Ruby's mother exclaimed, "Oh those flowers are beautiful! Here, let me get them in water."

Disappearing for a moment, Ruby and Liam giggled, the awkward tension in the air dissipating with their childish giggles. As Ruby's mom re-entered, the pair managed to compose themselves as she entered.

"Mrs. Daly, if you wouldn't mind me taking Ruby carnival, I think the Ferris Wheel's open again- I hope to take her there with me." Liam asked respectively.

"Let me ask Ruby's father first-" calling down the stairs, she called, "honey!" Heavy footfalls clambered up the stairs to join the three in the living room.

"Hello, young man. How may we help you?"

"Dad, can I go with Liam to the carnival?"

Thinking about it for a moment, Ruby's father answered, "Liam, you're a nice boy. I trust that that you'll take care of Ruby right? Just take care of her, and then you're free to go."

Giving one of his show-stopping smiles, Liam replied solemnly, "Of course Mr. Daly."

Handing Ruby a twenty-dollar bill, Jacob Daly patted Ruby's head. "You be good Little Bee."

"Dad." Ruby groaned. Her father replied with a hearty laugh and pushed the two towards the door.

Walking out the door, Jacob called, "Bring her back by 6!" Glancing down at his watch, the screen read 3:15. It would take them 15 minutes to walk over, and 15 minutes to walk back. That gave them approximately 2 hours.

Holding out an arm to Ruby, Liam smiled a crooked grin before asking, "Ready darlin'?"

Grinning back, Ruby took his arm and walked down the sidewalk.

"We're finally here!" Ruby exclaimed. On the way to the carnival, Ruby and Liam talked about the efficiency of siblings. Ruby had always wanted another sibling, (preferably a sister) but Liam wished he could do anything to give Cole, his older sibling away. The two never got along,

Entering the arch of the large sign saying, "CARNIVAL!" Liam and Ruby paid 5$ admission fee. Nearly dragging her inside, Liam exploded with a puppy-like excitement that was classic Lee.

Looking at her with a slightly devilish smile, Liam asked, "What should we do first?"

With half an hour left, Liam and Ruby saved the best for last-the Ferris wheel. Climbing into a brightly decorated yellow cart, Liam gingerly sat in the rickety cart with underlying panic in his eyes.

"You okay?" Ruby inquired.

"Uh yea. I'm fine."

The Ferris wheel started with a loud creak, and the cart ascended backward quickly. Laughing, Ruby peered over to the cart under them. Young couples had their hands up and were hollering in glee, making Ruby smile.

When their cart was at the zenith of the Ferris wheel, the machinery gave a loud groan and stopped. Frowning, but not especially concerned, Ruby took a chance to look at Liam's face. He had gone dead pale, arms gripping the sides of the cart tightly.

"What's wrong with you?" Ruby asked, partly concerned party amused.

"N-nothing. I'm fine." Liam said, trying valiantly to hide the fact he was terrified.

"Ohhh," Ruby said clapping her hands together. Chuckling, she added, "you're afraid of heights aren't you?"

"What? Nothing of the sort." Liam lied poorly. Ruby laughed again, cart slightly swaying with her giggles. "Don't do that!" Liam hissed, knuckles turning white.

"Sorry, sorry." Ruby gasped, reining in laughter. Tightening her scarf around her neck as the chill wind blew slightly, Ruby looked to see that many of the other riders were irritable and complaining.

"Are you cold?" Liam asked. Always a gentleman, Ruby thought. Shaking her head Liam's grip lessened minusculely.

"So, do you think we should get ice cream after this?" Ruby asked in an effort to distract Liam from his fear of heights.

"Um," Liam started momentarily blindsided by the sudden change of subject. "Sure."

"What kind?"

"How 'bout-"

"Chocolate with caramel?" Ruby interrupted.

"God, it's like you can read my mind."

The Ferris wheel gave another groan, and the cart descended down. When their cart reached the bottom, Liam sprung out of the cart and stumbled onto the concrete.

"Thank god were out." Liam panted. Checking his watch, he found they had 25 minutes before Ruby was supposed to be home. Considering it would take them about 15 minutes to walk back, Liam told Ruby, "we should probably start heading home."

"Yeah." Ruby said. "But before we do, we have to get that ice cream, right?" Taking Liam by the hand, Ruby winded him to get the treat,

Standing on Ruby's doorstep for the second time that day, Liam and Ruby said their goodbyes.

"Thanks for taking me out."

"No problem…Little Bee." Liam said smugly as Ruby scowled. There was a sudden awkward silence, and neither was quite sure what to say.

"Well, goodnight Liam."

" 'Night Ruby." Leaning forward suddenly, Liam placed a quick kiss on Ruby's cheek before darting down the porch and next door.

Leaving Ruby stranded on the doorstep with pink quickly flushing her cheeks.

Truly, this Valentine's Day was like no other before.