AN: I keep apologizing here and I mean it. Sorrysorrysorrysorry. If there are any of you still reading, I was really busy with schoolwork and I was so stressed that writing really wasn't fun anymore. But I'm back now! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Lots of juicy stuff ;) Happy fourth for all of you in the US

Last time:

When I got back to the truck, the girls were looking at me with...pity? "I'm so sorry Cammie," Bex whispered. Macey came up and hugged me. "You needed to see him eventually, but it shouldn't have happened like this,"

"What do you mean?"

"Cammie, you were on Comns," Bex whispered. Oh my god. And I thought it couldn't get any worse. I glanced at my CoveOps teacher for confirmation and he just nodded sadly. For once, Joe Solomon looked like he had nothing to say. I walked up to him slowly and gave him a hug, which I hadn't done since I was six.

Mr. Solomon patted my back. When I let go, he turned to Zach. "Thank you, Zach," he said.

Zach just nodded, "It was the least I could do,"

"And nice brush pass," Mr. Solomon added. For the first time, I felt the weight of the forgotten quarter in my hand.

Chapter 16: Lovesick is a kind of sick

Zach POV

I stood in front of Cammie's door and sighed. There was no way the girls didn't know I was here; I had been knocking for five minutes.

"It's Zach. Open up,"

"Cammie's unavailable right now," came McHenry's smooth reply.

"You mean she's moping over Josh,"

"..." I cussed at him under my breath.

"Come on, I'm her best friend! I'm supposed to be with her in sickness and in health. And lovesick is a kind of sick,"

"That's marriage, idiot," Like I didn't know that. "Not that you two aren't going to get there eventually, " Bex not-so-quietly mumbled. "No, Cammie, I didn't say anything," Right, like that would fool her.

"All right," I sighed, "let me try this again. Bex, Macey, Liz, please let me in. I brought hot chocolate chip cookies. Actually, the longer I stand her, the more they're cooling..."

The door opened. "Hey, Zach! Welcome," Bex rushed forward and took the huge plate of cookies off my hands.

"Traitors! Both of you!" Cammie yelled, though her voice was muffled from having her head her pillow.

"Hey beautiful," I sat down on the bed next to her. I patted her head like I used to do when we were little kids.

"Hey," Cammie raised her head and I had to admit she looked like a mess. Her eyes were all puffy and her nose was read. Her normally straight and glossy hair was limp and tangled. Worst of all was the pain in her eyes. I had never wanted to hit Josh more than I did right now.

"You look awful," I joked and she glared at me. "Hey, I'm sorry. I know he was really special to you,"

"That's not even it," Cammie sighed, "I just hate that I'm being so weak! Look at me! What kind of spy lays in bed all depressed after simply seeing her ex again?"

Even though her pain really cut me, I had to ask, "Sooo he wasn't special to you?"

Cammie punched my arm. "I mean, your first is always going to be special," she saw my expression and quickly added, "not like that! Geez, the things you think of," I shrugged ruefully. "Anyways, I thought he was special, but breaking up didn't hurt as much as it could've,"

"Then what's wrong?"

"Weren't you watching, Zach?" Of course, I had been looking at her the whole time. "I froze out there. What kind of spy goes blank just because she saw her ex? We're not allowed to get emotional about those tiny things,"

"Cammie, what are you talking about? You're a great spy,"

"You don't see many spies going through a whole box of Kleenex,"

"That's true. But don't forget, under the spy, you're also a hormon..." she raised her eyebrows, "...emotional teenage girl,"

"I guess. I'm just so scared my emotions are going to get in the way when it really matters."

"I know," I had always had nightmares that my feelings for Cammie would get in the way of my work or that I would be so emotional if she got kidnapped that I would fail to save her.

"Yeah right. I read your file. You've never had a forbidden relationship with a civillian before,"

"First of all, kudos for being able to hack into my file. Second, just because I've never had a relationship, doesn't mean I've never fallen in love with a civillian,"

Cammie POV

I'm sure my eyes were bugging out. Zach laughed. "Don't let your jaw hit the ground Cammie. You're not the only one,"

"B..how..wha?"

"Well, I met her a long long time ago, but I had to leave her to go to Blackthorne,"

"What's her name?"

"Right, like I'm going to tell you. You're just going to hack into her files," he went on before I could protest,"She was gorgeous. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Stubborn as a mule,"

"Flattering description." I commented drily. "She must loove it when you compliment you,"

"Actually, I don't compliment her. She doesn't know that I love her." Zach looked incredibly sad for a moment and I felt a twinge in my heart.

"Well, she's an idiot who doesn't deserve you" I said, patting his head back. Zach had a strange look in his eyes...amusement? I was about to ask him what was wrong when the door burst open revealing Grant, Jonas, and Nick.

"Stop the self-deprication because the party has arrived!" Grant hollered. He even pulled out a noise-maker and one of those party whistles.

Bex crossed her arms over her chest. "Did you bring food?"

"No?"

"Then it's not a party." Oh Bex. Ever so sweet."

"Oh please, who do you think helped Zach make the cookies?" The boy in question suddenly found the floor very interesting. We all looked at him expectantly.

"Well..." He mumbled. "Hey! You didn't help at all! You just kept stealing the spoon when I wasn't looking and eating the batter!" I suddenly realized something.

"Wait a sec, did you use Grandma's family recipe?" He smirked and I instantly dove for the plate of cookies.

"Oh those were delicious," Grant groaned. He was rolling on the ground rubbing his stomach like a satisfied cat. I giggled as I conjured the image of him with ears, whiskers and a tail. I was unbelievably lucky to have friends who, even though we had just met, were working so hard to cheer me up. And of course, I was blessed to have Zach in my life (agian).

"So, boys" Macey began after wiping her mouth daintily, "Zach mentioned something very interesting a few minutes ago. Zach looked at her pleadingly but she ignored him. "He said he was once in love with a civillian girl. Know anything about that?" Nick quickly said, "We didn't know her. But Zach talked about her all the time" Zach looked relieved, while Macey seemed peeved. "What's wrong, Macey?"

"I thought I heard a fly. Bex, could you swat it for me?" Macey inclined her head in Nick's direction without actually looking at him. Nick huffed.

"For god's sake, Macey, stop being so immature and let me explain. " She whirled around and gave him the signature glare that had everyone wincing, except Nick.

"Oh, so now you want to talk? A year ago, I wanted you to explain after you just left me without any warning! Where were you then?!" I was shocked to see the normally unflappable and impeccable Macey McHenry with tears running down her face. "I'm sorry guys. I just can't.." she inhaled sharply, "Cammie I hope you feel better soon," she whispered before running out of the room and slamming the door behind her.

"Macey, wait!" Nick started to follow, but Bex held him back. "Let go! I have to talk to her,"

"It won't do any good. Macey hates being seen when she's emotional. Let her have some time to calm down." Bex replied.

"I know that, I know her. I just..." Nick groaned, running a hand through his hair. At this momment, Liz, who had been sitting quietly doing homework, closed her laptop, walked up to Nick, and calmy sucker-punched him in the chest. "What was that for?!" He cried.

"For whatever you did to hurt her," Liz replied calmy.

"Yeah, I guess I deserve it." I stood up to take my turn, but he motioned for me to stop. "I know I was wrong and that you guys are supposed to take Macey's word first, but just hear my side of the story,"

"Fine," we said in unison.

AN: And there you have it! Didya like it? Well, if you don't shoot me a review, I'll never know. And as always, please tell me if you see any errors. Until next time,

Anh