Been working on this for the past 2 days…it's hard to say if I like it, haha. Ah, I know I ruined the fun last chapter BUT it's Marleene, emotionally unstable Marleene. Lol. This chap, her emotions are all over but it's…just read!

By the way, all these followers and shit—I love you guys, all of you. Brightening up my dark days, thank you.

Fumbling around with my ruched dress trying to get my head through, I find myself in a funk. Finally getting succeeding in putting on the dress, I scavenge around for my long lost heels without any luck. Punk insists on blocking me off like we're in the MBA or something which doesn't do any good to my flared up temper.

"Punk! Quit that shit and let me get on my way!" I shout not even bothering to look up at him. I can't even look at him...

"Not until you calm the fuck down and listen." he shouts right back not budging the least bit.

Biting my cheek, "Calm down? Calm down?!" closing my eyes, "Okay..." he opens his trap again and I cut him off, "I AM CALM. I am but I'm not listening to your bullshit." another peep from him and I damn near crucify him, "You think I don't know this game? Have you been brainwashed of the last couple of months? Baby, I was played, I've been played, I've played..." I laugh humorlessly, "So, you honestly want me to believe that load of yours? That the half-naked pornstar-lookin' bitch is the same female Einstein, Star Wars worshipping, geek that Colt rambled to me about?" silence, "The man is attractive in his own right, but that?" Phil keeps his silence and I narrow my eyes, "I thought so."

Shaky handed, I return to looking for my shoes. Before I can even get near the ground Phil pops up with, "You could've just said that you're jealous instead of doing one of your fucking drama scenes."

My mouth drops breaking through the floor. Man has some nerve... Standing up tall with emblazoned eyes, "You really trying to poke at the fire, huh?"

Sizing up a 200-something pound, 6ft tall man is pretty ridiculous being my size but that's just how it is, "Poke? More like stabbing, honey." he bites his lip, "After all of the shit-I've tackled a lot of shit...I still got a football stadium full of problems-You!" he shouts, "You really think I've got time to woo both a main course and side salad?"

Avoiding his protruding veins, heavy breathing, and furrowed brows, I hit him with a verbal lowblow, "It worked. When Maria was around and I was the side salad."

His eyes widen with incredibility, as if I'd shot him in the balls. Talking about balls...he has no pants... That windpipe of his starts back up and I have no intention hearing any more of it. Fuck that! FUCK THAT! I've heard it all before, all.

Every flap of his tongue dissolves my self-restraint. My inner Lavagirl threatens to break free by giving me a feeling of clamminess, "Move." I command stopping the rant of this outspoken man. Nothing happens. Growling, I push past him.

Shuffling past him as he momentarily loses his balance, I try to get away. That's until l he grips onto me by the wrist. Before I know, I'm spun back into the chest that I caressed and kissed not long ago.

Too winded to rebel, I stay under Punks tightening grip, "Now. Let me get a fucking syllable in!" he barks at me...all up in my face about it not even forgetting to add the shake at every syllable.

Instinctively, I cringe and step down. My body tenses up so badly, my knees buckle and I'm at Punk's mercy. Just like that, my brain sends me a flashback full of Noah. Punk's anger only adds on to my escalating fear, "Please, don't hurt me." I whimper through super glued shut eyes. Noah's voice starts to replay through my head.

"Wha-what?"

Noah's cackle shakes up my body, "I'll listen...just, please-you're hurting me!" I shriek. Not a second later, hands are off my wrists. I cradle them close to my trembling body hoping that bruises won't form. Calm down, he's locked up...

"Marleene...Marleene?"

"Yeah?" I squeak sounding and looking like a dog with her tail between her legs.

Arms ghost over my body and I move back, "You know I'd never hurt you. I'm sorry, I-I was mad. Marleene?"

"Ye-yeah." I wince at the sound of my stutter.

"It's him, isn't it?" his voice sounding so accusing. Phil lets out a breath, "Come here." he touches my arm and I flinch.

"I'm sorry." my eyes open to take a peek at the indie wrestler and I forget my initial anger, "Are there any drinks in this...whatever this is?"

Punk's demeanor changes, "Darcy has a stash in her room."

Observing the new environment around me, I feel like I've warped and popped up from Mario's pipe and into a new world. Framed, original, movie posters: Star Wars, Batman, The Godfather, Alien, Modern Times all adorn the brick back wall where the out-of-radar bed is set. Under it is a collection of books, records, trophies, and videogames. Every wall is painted with a dark green and on one side is a very intimidating desk full with papers and a collage under a glass layer-almost Clue-like. On another wall are the girl's drawers with authentic action figures and a life-size R2D2 and Luke Skywalker.

"Her closet is in the sky." says Phil making my mouth close.

Raising a brow, "Is that key for something?"

He points up to the ceiling as he moves a rug that blankets the middle of the room; I look up to see a space mural with a space ship, I believe it's Darthvader's, and see a glass attic door. The things money can buy... A creak catches my attention and I turn to see Phil reaching into a hole in the floor. Trap door? He comes up with a bottle of wine and dusts himself off.

"Dunno what it is but it's aged, white, and will fit your needs." he says blowing the dust off the bottle.

"Is this really the Darcy that broke Scott's cheery heart?"

"Well, those trophies and shit do say 'Darcy Drake' and the collage do have pictures of them...together."

Punk passes by me handing me the uncorked bottle and I feel like shit. He's disappointed in me and it shows, "You're making me feel like shit."

Leaning against the open doorframe, he just stares at me for a good while, "That little skit ruined our morning...probably everything I've worked at. I...where's the trust?"

Wiping the cold sweat off my forehead, "She's a fucking babe! One that barged in half-naked and...what'd you want me to think?"

"I didn't want you to think so far ahead!" he shouts, "Trust. That's what I want. Trust." he runs a hand down his face, he's so agitated, "I swear, you're making a fucking dramatic bitch outta me."

Feelings equal wounded... Though I realize his point and his agitation, it hurts that I'm wrecking things, "I told you what you're dealing with." I reply in not so much a whisper.

"Is there hope?"

"Hope is all we got at the end of the day, handsome." I answer which isn't much of one but whatever. My body sways for a second and the aged bottle of wine almost falls from my grasp, "How about you batch up some breakfast?"

Punk stares at me curiously, "Are you okay?" I nod my head, "Come on then, Darcy won't like it if she finds us snooping."

Walking past him, "And I'm pretty sure she won't like to see you dick right before breakfast...that is if she's used to it." I add trying to keep a straight face.

"Ha. Ha. You're gonna drive me to insanity one of these days." he replies with a mini smile.

The aroma of French toast floats all throughout the kitchen giving my stomach a sense of queasiness. Phil is busy at work playing chef and I rest atop a polished counter sipping away at the wine which is to die for and texting Bree with vague details of last night, keeping Randy up at one of the roster meetings, giving Colt a textful, and keeping up with Micks who's in Piper's care.

"So her father does what?" I ask Phil.

"He owns a couple of Drake's, hence the last name. This is one of his lofts-birthday present for his baby." he replies.

Nodding in understanding, "That sweet. All I ever got was a 'Happy Birthday, hope you last longer.' from the old man."

"Better than nothing." Phil comes around with a plate of French toast and plants a kiss on my lips, "Oops...forgot we're still mad."

Biting back a smile, "Unless you got any more surprises of that kind...you're forgiven."

Taking a bite off my plate, "Bruce lives with us...he borrowed the car."

That's whassup..., "I could interrogate him and he'd say that you're innocent?" Phil nods, "Wow...now I really do feel like shit." I laugh.

"its fine-what's done is done."

Nodding once more, I sip from the bottle next to me and push the plate away. Phil raises a brow, "Appetite isn't there." he shoots me another look, "The drink...it's filling."

That's the truth. My clamminess, cold sweat, feeling that I'll faint any moment-everything, is gone. Maybe it's because I haven't had a drink in a couple of days or something. Whatever it is...it's gone.

"So...what's her mom?" I ask to distract Phil.

"She's a-"

"My mother is Chief of Surgery in some hospital in Philly." comes a voice and I quickly slip off the counter and dust myself off, "That bottle was her grandpop's...I don't think she'll mind BUT I do." in comes the controversial Darcy of the Drake family in sweats and hoodie still looking every bit a sex symbol. Her facial expression says that she's still bothered by me,

"Anything else you wanna know?" she inquires snappily.

"Yeah, where is the hospitality?" blurts Phil eyeing her as if he's mentally berating her.

She smiles cheekily, "They disappeared when I walked into her boobs."

Blushing deep red, I hide my face, "They call it knocking."

"They call it, telling me the day or at least hours before." she challenges.

Phil rolls his eyes and puts an arm around her shoulders, "I kinda forgot. You did say you had that lecture thing down at UIC."

"Still." she slips from under his arm and grabs my plate of food, "Gimme a couple hours of sleep and I'll be more pleasant to talk to. Goodnight." on that note, she slithers away and up the stairs.

After the doors clicks, "She's...intense..."

"Right up your alley, dollface." comments Phil with his signature smirk, "I foresee you guys being friends." Yeah...right...

Stepping off the bus, my brand new sneaker almost slips off. Apparently, Phil had "forgotten" about the gifts he got for me. Walking to the sidewalk, I crouch and tie my shoe-to my amazement the Guess jeans he also got me don't show any crack.

Topping it off, he forced me into one of his sweaters with no shirt underneath. It's all good; it's somewhat chilly out here in the Lincoln Park Zoo.

"Any more gifts and you'll give the impression that you're hiding something." I comment suspiciously.

Punk whistles and walks away making me jog after him. He laughs and puts an arm around me, "I might've forgotten to mention that Vinny gave me a bonus..."

He's on his way to the big league...Giving him a squeeze, "Use it on yourself then...you deserve it."

"I used it to pay for 2 months worth of rent, all's good."

"I'm assuming Micks's house rent?" he nods, "What about Darcy's?"

Entering the zoo, we begin our tour without a real beginning, "Her pops owns it...it's all covered."

Our feet land us in with the polar bears. One in particular tickles my funny bone as it lays on its back sleeping while two cubs step all over in a funny manner. The next animals are the lions. Like on tv the male lazes about while the lionesses gather about and socialize with each other.

"Looks like Simba's comfy...he resembles me...a king." comments Phil proudly.

I snicker, "Sure, Punk...of course."

Squeezing me, "You can be my Nala." he mumbles against my hair, "You're just a fierce."

Walking us over to the monkey enclosure, "I would but...hey, it's your brother!" I squeal pointing to a chimp with his butt all over the window, "Just like you!" I chuckle as he frowns at me.

"If that's me, then that one is you." he points to a chimp hanging from a tree...taking a shit."

Gasping, "Fuck no! I'm the lioness."

Beside me a child gasps and says, "Momma, she said a swear!" and his mother huffs and drags her kid away while Punk and me laugh.

Grabbing Punk's hand, "Look what you do? Bad, bad influence."

"Maybe I need some punishment for being so bad." he suggests wagging his brows.

Smacking him, "C'mon we have a lot of ground to cover, chango."

After roaming exhibit after exhibit, we arrive at this dark one with all types of tiny mammals. I'm eye to eye with the mole rats, naked mole rats. Feels like I'm invading their privacy, with them being naked and all. Man are they uh-gah-lee! Getting back to my feet, I search around for Phil and find him observing the bats.

"Communicating with your long lost relatives, Phil?" I question him, standing beside him.

"Using my telepathic powers to ask 'em about Auntie and Uncle." he jokes, "What about you? Who were you visiting?"

"Mole rats, the naked ones."

"Dirty."

"I think the only one I'll ever like is Rufus-bitch can at least look cute in a sombrero and is useful making nachos and shit." I joke back referencing Kim Possible.

Phil turns to raise an eyebrow at me, "And that is…?"

"The PG female version of James Bond." another questioning look, "Kids tv, old one."

He pats my head, "Figures, you could pass for a kid any time."

Gasping, "Says the one who has a whole collection of comics and can't go without his stuffed Kryptonite!" I voice loud enough to garner attention.

"And I'm proud. Leave Krypty out of this!"

Laughing we make our way of the exhibit and walk past kids and their grandparents, teens who should be in class, and vendors. The sun shines warming up my body under the oversized sweater. Taking a chance, I pull down the zipper just enough to reveal what little cleavage I got and roll up the sleeves.

Phil notices, "Trynna attract someone with the goodies?" he asks with a giant smirk.

Elbowing him, "It's getting a bit hot under this tent."

"I guess I have that effect, sorry."

Chuckling, "If you say so..."

Pouting playfully, "You know, if really does kill my self esteem when you say such things."

"Honey, you have enough for the both of us." his turn to gasp, "Yeah, yeah Miss America...let's get something to drink 'cus I am thirsty."

Sky's the limit; shoot for the moon...something I'll never do, in the literal sense. Being on this God forsakenly cramped elevator that travels to the top of the Sears Tower gives me the feeling that I'm never gonna see another patch of grass...ever. Maybe I never mentioned my fear of heights but now I am. I've never been on an airplane in my entire life-much less after what happened 5yrs ago in New York. I've never been to Six Flags, so no rollercoasters. The highest I've been above ground is like 10ft. Clear memories of being chickenshit scared about jumping off the bus during drills are definitely proof.

"You sure you ain't gonna spill your cookies, doll?" asks Phil with a hint of playfulness in his tone. I only grip his yellowed hand tighter, "Okay, okay-facing fears, Marleene. You're a big girl now."

Mean-mugging the man, "You call being 500billion light-years away from pavement 'facing my fears'? I call this insanity!" I shriek, "This shit could collapse or this bitch can stop and then we'll be stuck suffocating to our untim-" Phil covers my mouth.

"No worries people, she's just scared." says Phil trying to keep everybody else relaxed, "Nothing is going to happen. C'mon, I'm here with you."

A ding lets us know that we've arrived to the final floor and my nerves are eating me alive. I refuse to even budge. Phil pushes me out and I latch onto him like a facehugger to Kane. We stand outside the elevator as everybody else empties it, all seeming too excited for their own good. We stand there, feeling the barely noticeable sway of the tower. Sooner you get on that glass, sooner you're off...

"You test it out and I'll go if coast if clear." I suggest.

"You rather I die first?" says Phil in mock incredibility.

Shooting him a death glare he puts his hands up and proceeds to walk over and onto the glass walkway that lets one see just how far from the ground they really are. Punk motions for me to go over but then starts swaying and has this face of terror and I freak out only to find him horsing around with me.

"It's stable, find out for yourself."

Flipping him off, I cautiously approach the walkway, "Are you sure?" I ask for conformation.

Faster than the speed of light, I end of being pulled onto the glass. I nearly let out a yelp if not for Phil's hand over my mouth, "What do you think, stable or not?"

Shaky-legged, I will myself not to cry because I'm scared beyond belief. Phil notices and only keeps on holding me until I'm ready to be let go. Few minutes pass us by, slowly, and I wiggle out of his grasp and stand on my own two feet. Babystepping, I observe the glass beneath me, people and cars all seem like tiny ants. I feel like Godzilla or something.

A camera shutter catches my attention and it's Phil taking a picture with his digital cam that already has pictures of us-embarrassing ones. He hands a random civilian the camera and goes over to me and hugs me and I smile. Another picture and I kiss his cheek. The woman hands us the camera and we thank her, "This is actually pretty cool." I mention.

"You still scared, scarycat?" mocks the black-haired man.

"Oh, now you're making fun of me? Okay, okay..." I smirk, "At least I'm not scared of some itty bitty rats."

Walking back to the elevator, "I've had bad experiences with those demon animals." he mumbles.

Stretching out the limbs after sitting through two movies, I breathe in the polluted city air and wait for Phil to finish tying his shoe. It'll never really wear off, this feeling of awe, over how strangely beautiful the city looks with its' diverse sea of people. At almost each corner is a side show of it's own or a vendor. Everyone, it seems, walks around in their own skin without a fuck in the world. We've come across a couple of homeless people and I gave a dollar-yeah, I'm sympathetic that way.

We start our walk to Millennium Park as the sun starts to set painting the sky a beautiful array of orange. Bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, clothing boutiques all call out to me but I refrain from being any more materialistic. Every so often we stop though to check out scenes and shit. On one of our stops, I catch Phil's eye going back to this authentic Cubs cap. Baseball, basketball, football-all the same, I don't give a flying fuck about but Phil...he has an unhealthy love for baseball and the Cubs. The same Cubs who haven't won the series in 100yrs or something... Picking up the cap, I observe it for a minute as Phil goes deeper into the sports memorabilia boutique. When he's as far as I can get him, I go up to the register and pay a whopping 60 bucks for the bitch. Better be authentic...

"Everything here seems legit...just wish it wasn't pocket-emptying expen-what you got there?" asks Phil with his brows furrowed together.

Hurrying outside, I toss him the bag and his eyes widen, "Saw you gawking at it..." Sneaking out the camera, I snap a picture of his reaction.

Holding the cap in awe, "Ho-how much? This is ridiculously priced, c'mon return it..."

"Nope." I grin, "It is a gift, treasure it."

He chuckles taken aback, "The guy is the one who's supposed to spoil the girl...not vice versa, beautiful."

"It's a good thing that what we have going on is anything but normal. So stop that shit and enjoy-you deserve something nice for your troubles."

Strong arms embrace me, "I got you...and you're beyond being something 'nice'."

Picking up the pace, we make it to the park and enjoy a hotdog and chill for a while. All this walking is no good for unbroken-in shoes. Not to mention, I haven't walked this much in like...since highschool probably.

Focusing all my energy and attention on the bottles, I aim and shoot the ball in hand in hope of showing Punk up. Of course since I have sucky coordination, I miss. The attendee strikes me and I curse the fuck out that damn fucking ball. Punk pats me on the shoulder with a grand ol' smirk and hands the other dude a 5. He aims and shoots and to my utter embarrassment, he hits the bottles.

"Now, which one do you want milady, Grumpy Carebear or...?" he asks still wearing his victory smirk.

"I'll take the stuffed monkey; it helps with the soreness of being a loser." I reply in mock sadness.

"If it helps, Miss, the monkey kind of looks like your boyfriend."

With that we leave, me laughing towing a brooding Phil, "Told you." I sing out.

"Oh shut up."

Before this we were at the mini golf course but instead of whacking the tees, we were whacking each other. Phil's reenactment of King Kong destroying and hanging from a building in Times Square is what got us kicked out. Afterwards, I tested out the wave swinger and actually enjoyed it as much as the next person.

Navy Pier at night is really the 9th Wonder of the World, 8th being Chyna. Something about the atmosphere, placement over the water, and carnival lights on the 150ft tall Ferris wheel. Perhaps the carousel adds to the cutesy, couple-y feel...or the cruisers. Overall, it has been one splendid day; should it end now...it won't make it any less.

Punk drags me to the ferris wheel. All aboard the gondola, we're off the ground for 7mins in heaven or hell, whichever. Nearing the top, the view of the city and reflecting lake is so astoudingly beautiful. Photogenicly perfect photo that I take.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, how awesome was today?"

"Mm..." I tap my chin, "100." I lean into him and kiss his thin lips, "I'm sorry about my drama this morning. Really. I'm just paranoid, I guess."

He pulls away, "You guess?" I hide in the crook of his neck, "It's okay, I went out of line...I scared you. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I've decided to pay Betty a visit..." I mumble agaisnt his neck. Lie. You're going to visit the bastard...Noah...

Smoothing my hair, "You think she'd be of any help to Micks?"

Looking up at him, "Why now?"

"Ace is coming home in a matter of days..."

My eye widen, "What about the-"

"He knows." I open my mouth, "He knows everything. Marleene, he knows. He's okay with everything or at least that's what he wrote."

Holding on to Phil tighter, "This is going to be a difficult ride for them...isn't it?"

"That's why I was kinda hoping you'd move in...with me...and Darcy and Bruce..."

My heart thumps, "Wait, what?"

"Yeah, I mean we've been sharing the same bed for who knows how long. The kids will be in Rosa's care, she loves the sound of the rascals, Micks and Ace have their shit to handle, and I know how much it pains you to keep waking up in a place where you have so many memories...of Wesley. Plus, I'm due to go back to Kentucky in May and Colt will come back around the same time...he'll have a surprise."

As Phil rambles on, all I can feel is my heart thumping...I hope it isn't making the gondola vibrate, and this feeling in the pit of my stomach of uncertainty, and a voice inside my head encouraging me to go forth and take the offer. Start off new...with him...with Phil. On the other side, my liver aches telling me that I need liquor, something he despises, and my brain tells me it's too early for a decision to big.

"Marleene?"

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, "Huh?"

"What do you sa-"

"You kiddos enjoy your ride?" asks the worker and I smile and Phil answers.

Getting off and following the exit path, I try my best not to show my inner-conflict... it's a war in my head-one side says 'yes' the other 'no'. I'm so happy right now but things can change drastically if I base my decision off of right now's happiness.

Punk skids alongside of me and we walk in silence.

Walking alongside the shore, I let the freezing water graze my feet as Punk hold my hand looking up at the stars occasionally giving me a glimpse.

After some time, his anticipation overpowers him and he pops the question, "So, what do you say? Move in...with me?"

I look up from the lake and into the shiny dark green eyes of the man who, for so long has put up with my bullshit...a man who loves me as much as to take a blade in the shoulder for me...one who has cried for me... He's everything and much more. Tears brim around my eyes 'cus, honestly, I don't want to make a mistake-I'm all glue and tape. Why he want me out of all the other women...I can't fathom but we make each other laugh and have the capacity to be great together as well as the strength to bring each other crashing to the ground and fill each other with hate...

"Punk, I..."

Dun, dun, duuuun!