Sorry that I wasn't able to make a Christmas Special for some reason this website was down for a good part of the day and my grandparents were home. But that's still not a good excuse. However, please forgive me with this new chapter in my story!

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Axel Rodriquez examines the woman with glazed eyes as she stares up at him with horror. He can't believe his luck. He is watching as her companion flocks to her side and clutches her arms while yelling profanities at him. But Axel doesn't care what the other female could be saying to him, in fact, he blocks it all out. Months ago when he saw her she was thin and puny, weakness was etched into every feature of her. Today she was glorious with long sea foam locks, soft maroon skin and she even looked lean, not as skinny as she had been before. Somehow, little Paige had become stronger despite the darkness he had carved into her mind. Everyday she had become stronger and had overcome her fear of his might.

His lovely has stunned him and left him in the dust.

He remembers the first time he saw this woman, over four months ago in that dump of a place monsters called Fear Tech. Such a little thing she was then, nervous around monsters much more terrifying than herself and shy. Axel smiles at the memory of that awe-inspiring moment in their class when his Paige introduced herself as a Jordan and sent students running from their class. How quickly she had inspired fear in the hearts of those around her. The power to bring fear, and compassion, as seen when she helped her martial arts members up after fights. Amazing indeed, and enough for the Dean to decide that Paige should stay away from the normal students and be placed in special classes alone with just one other student; him. It was Axel who became Paige's only friend and soon her guardian. It was Axel who became the only person she trusted and loved in the sea of students who couldn't bear to be near her.

What fun the eager student had with the Jordan woman.

She had no time for anything else; the martial arts team no longer wanted her and the other students refused to welcome her into any of their idiotic sorties or tight cliques. And she was all his. The only person in their world she could relate to, because he too was an outcast in a world of monsters who were all destined for greatness in their own way. It only took one week to get Paige wrapped around his finger and make her trail him like a love-sick puppy.

After the first week, Paige belonged to him; she hung on his every word and did exactly what she was told. Her studies were abandoned for him and her nuisance of a family meant nothing to her when they came to visit with their smiles and gifts. Paige would ignore them completely and when they did bother her, she would shoo them off.

Then her mother stepped in.

Axel hated the woman upon meeting her.

She asked to many questions. Wanted to know too many things. And Axel couldn't stand her.

Her mother saw her behavior around him and suggested she think about moving.

Oh, how he hated that woman.

Paige took her suggestion to heart and applied for Monsters University and Scare Academy. Even after all the smooth talking and convincing, she was set on listening to her mother and move on, away from Fear Tech and him. He tried to bring her down and tell her that she was worthless, but she was stronger than he thought she would be. So he had his ways to try. But he couldn't hold her down, especially after she was accepted at Monsters University.

And even when he tried to make her stay, she was able to move out and evade him.

However, he had his ways. They would be side by side again.

And this time, he wouldn't let her get away, ever.

After three solid minutes of staring up at the monster she hoped she would never see again, Paige was able to make another sound of realization.

"Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Yes, who are you?" Molly asked, her voice cautious and curious.

He glared at her like she was a thorn in his side. "I think the real question is: Who do you think you are?"

Molly raised an eyebrow, "I asked you first! And judging by the way Paige is acting, you-"

"What seems to be the problem here?" Johnny asked from behind them, glancing from Paige to Axel. Wrapped around him was his girlfriend, Naomi, who was too looking from Axel to Paige and shifting uncomfortably underneath Axel's gaze. "Why is he looking at you like that, Naomi?"

"Make him stop, Johnny. He's creeping me out."

Carefully maneuvering around Paige and Molly, Johnny moved to stand intimidtaingly in front of the stranger. Johnny stood only inches above the other monster and glared hatefully down at him, but Axel looked more amused than intimidated. Axel placed a thin hand on Johnny's horned head before ruffling the matted fur and side stepping around the senior. Stunned, Johnny stammered and turned to point an accusatory finger at the monster. "Did you just ignore me?!"

Axel glanced back at Johnny, scoffed and crouched down beside Paige. "Little Paige, do you need some help?" When Paige didn't respond, Axel sighed and picked her up effortlessly. Paige shivered in the arms of her holder and Axel chuckled as she curled closer to him for warmth. Johnny crossed his arms slowly over his chest and eyed Axel carefully who brushed hair from Paige's face. As Axel shoved past the senior, Johnny reached a furry hand out and jerked the male back. "Excuse me."

"What are you doing with Bones?"

The other male's eyes widened considerably at the nickname. "Bones? Who gave you permission to call her that?"

"I don't need anyone's permission to call her that. She doesn't really have a choice." Johnny answered, raising an eyebrow at his girlfriend who shrugged as well. "Besides, I dont' have to take anything from you. Your a Fear Tech dummie, we don't have to associate ourselves with you."

Even with a passed out monster in his arms, Johnny and the others were surprised to see how quickly the mystery monster delivered a strong kick to Johnny's knee, knocking him to the ground. Johnny hissed in pain and Naomi flew to his side, crying in shock. She grasped his fallen form and pushed him close to her, glaring up at his attacker. "Leave us alone."

Axel cackled. "Very well, little lady. Advise this scum that he better watch how he talks to me and Paige. I taught her everything she knows about karate and I could make him scream." He tipped his head respectfully towards Molly, stunned as she was. He turned on his heel slowly, humming softly, and waltzed down the hall as more monsters began fill the hall. He cradled Paige closer to him, rocking her slowly, and placed a light kiss to her forehead. He breathed in her scent, sandwiches and cheese, a strange combination to him. A rather comfortable smell unlike the scent of any other girl who poured sickly sweet perfumes on themselves to make them more appealing. "Ah, little Paige, it's been so long, hasn't it?"

She shifted in his hold and Axel grinned even more. "Oh, Paige, wake up." He placed another kiss to her forehead and felt her eyes lashes brush against his skin, he thanked his luck for returning little Paige to him.

"Axel..." Her voice was light and sleepy.

"Hmmm?"

"Axel!?" Suddenly wide awake, Paige squirmed in his hold and her eyes flashed open revealing the fear she felt. Her little heart fluttered in her chest and she prayed it was because she was terrified, not thinking about how Johnny had defended her earlier. Panicking, she delivered a sharp blow to the face of her carrier and sent him staggering back, screaming in pain. Quickly, she pushed away from him, slapping his grabbing hands, and taking off down the hall. Her heart rate soared and she scanned her mind for ways to escape the psycho from her past. "Need to get away, need to get away."

"Oh, Paige! Everything okay?"

Paige turned to her left and silently hoped that it was someone other than Axel. She ws met with the familiar form of Logan and all her worries flew from her instantly. She flung herself onto the male monster, already clad in his gear, and cried into his jersey. He staggered backwards, but managed to wrap his larger arms around her and whisper into her hear soothing words. As weak and pitiful she felt she was beyond glad to have Logan by her side and comforting her. "Logan, help. He's chasing me?"

"Who? Johnny?" Logan questioned, pulling away from the embrace. A roar of anger erupted from the end of the hall she ran from and Paige turned to face the oncoming monster. At the end of the stone hall, was the furious form of Axel, teeth bared in disgust and snarling viciously at her, before glaring at Logan. "Who's he?"

"Axel..." Paige whispered, low enough for her friend to hear.

immediately, Logan shifted into a defensive position. "That creep from Fear Tech?! That's Axel?"

"Who the hell are you? Some kind of bodyguard for little Paige?" Axel laughed cruelly, howling with laughter after the statement. "That's rich. Little Paige, you got yourself a bodyguard, eh? Didn't know you were so...pathetic."

"I don't need a bodyguard!" She snapped, pushing away Logan. She took her position, the one Axel had taught her, and motioned the classic 'come here' gesture with her finger. "I could beat you any time, anywhere. Like now!"

He scoffed, shaking his finger and head. "Oh, Paige, if I really wanted to break you, I could. Whenever I felt like it. I could shatter you so easily, that bull guy back there, and this punk couldn't protect you. Remember that Paige, you're mine and I could prove that anytime I wanted to. Just because you're at this stupid school, doesn't mean you're untouchable. And, trust me, if it wasn't for that stupid Dean Hardscrabble and two meddling fools, I would be at your school as well."

"Dean Hardscrabble?" Paige whispered to herself, but didn't move from her attacking pose.

"Yes," he replied, stunning the girl who thought she was speaking to low for anyone to hear, "that woman has protected you since day one. Everytime I tried to apply for this dumb school, she shot me down and warned me that if I came within two hundred feet of you, that she would have me arrested. Unfortunately for her and you, she can't tell me to leave when I'm a participating athlete for the Fear Tech Scare Pigs."

"You play football?" Logan mused, stepping in front of Paige in a protective way. A grand smirk plastered on his face, one of pride and amusement. His posture improved and his accent vanished in a moment. Paige prepared to yell at the southern monster and demand he leave her alone, but he spoke up. "I'm sure will beat your team rather easily...Axel."

Axel's gaze shifted from Paige to Logan and twisted in rage. "Oh, really? You wouldn't stand a chance against me, hill billy. I may not like my school either, but I'm willing to admit that we have a promising program. Why? You feeling lucky?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." Logan smiled, "what happens if we win today's game? Will you leave Paige alone?"

Fear settled in his black eyes and he shifted from foot to foot. "Maybe...but what if we win?"

"Nothing happens, you sick pig!" Paige interjected and moved quickly past Logan to stand inches away from Axel. He grinned wildly and she saw his fingers twitch at his side, like he was itching to touch her. It sickened her and infuriated her. He was obsessed with her, she realized sadly, he was never going to leave her alone. In a way the gap he had filled for her was left in him when she had left. But she no longer needed Axel to fill the void. She had her mother, brother, Logan, Molly, Javier, and in a weird way, she had Johnny. "You will leave me alone, no matter what happens! Can't you see that I kind of have a thing for the guy behind me?!"

He reached a hand up slowly and stroked her face with gentleness she didn't think he possessed. "That's what you think, Paige. But you'll be mine soon enough. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a game to win. Come find me afterwards, will you?" With one last kiss to her nose, he spread his large purple wings and whooshed past them in the blink of an eye. Paige poked the area of her nose where his lips had touched her and shuddered in disgust. She turned to face Logan who looked at her apologetically, but she managed a small smile.

Brushing tears from her hazel eyes, she slowly approached the football player and patted his chest with her hand. "I want you to kick his butt."

He nodded. "Understood, Paige. So did you really mean what you said?"

"Nerds. You were literally right behind me." Paige cursed, warmth trailing up her face and to her ears. "But I guess I did..."

"Just making sure. If you didn't this might be weird." Logan grinned and sauntered slowly over to her. His breath fanned her cheeks as he towered over her.

She swallowed her nervousness. "Wh-What might be weird?"

"This." Logan quickly cupped her face with his gloved hands and pressed his lips to her's. Paige released a muffled sound of shock, but realization that Logan was kissing her silenced her. She unsurely brought her own hands up to wrap around his padded neck and pulled him in closer. His hands trailed down her face to her neck and settled around her hips. She felt his heart hammer in his chest and mingle with her own. He released her, placed one last kiss on her lips and whispered a gentle goodbye in her ear. Paige's eyes fluttered closed momentarily before flashing open and finding that she was alone in the hall with no Axel and no Logan.

She brushed her lips with shaking fingers, still feeling the warmth of Logan's lips upon her own. A large grin spread across her face as she danced down the hall, singing with joy and hugging anyone walking down the hall, before leaving them confused. She danced down the hall, drunk with happiness, and continued until she found someone she knew. With great joy she danced up to a bewildered Molly and clasped her hands excitedly, squealing once more.

Molly spoke first. "Are you alright?"

"I've never been better! Logan kissed me!" Paige cried once more, jumping up and down, ignoring the amused stares of onlookers.

The other monster's face twisted in joy and her wings flapped in content. As Molly held out an arm for Paige to take the two females made their way to the seats Logan had reserved. Both girls giggled the entire way to their special seats in the large stadium of their school and Paige marveled at the number of people who had shown up. Molly explained that this would be the game of the year, everyone wanted to be at the football game between the two rival schools. 'Monsters University and Fear Tech can't stand one another. Especially since we stole their mascot.'

"Is that Mike?" Paige inquired as they passed a group of excited men with Monster University written across their chests. The green-eyed monster sat next to Randall, with a book in hand and a pile of them beside him. His one eye stared at the writing and his features were etched in concentration. Randall sat silently beside him, a confused look on his face, and occasionally glared up at the monsters above him. Paige followed his gaze and frowned upon seeing the Roar Omega Roar brothers and their president, Johnny Worthington. She sighed, of course she wouldn't be allowed to enjoy the game. She began to wave as she whispered 'sorry's to the octopus student whose feet she had stepped on. "Mike!"

immediately, the monster looked up from his book and turned to the origin of her voice, a smile breaking out. He shut his book and waved a clawed hand. "Paige! Molly! You're here too?"

"Yes, I wouldn't miss my old school getting beaten for anything." She called back and seated herself down beside Mike. She smiled brightly at Randall, who waved nervously and fidgeted under her gaze, eyes flickering to Molly. "Hey, Randy."

"Uhh, hey...Paige. Yo-You and M-Molly look-"

"HEY PAIGE!" A voice shouted and a furry hand clamped down on said girl's shoulder. Paige turned her head to see the Sulley, clad in ROR gear, and smiling down at her with a toothy smile. "You look great today. Something about you, today. Makes me want to put my feet in your mouth."

Paige raised a confused eyebrow. "Umm, thanks I guess. I didn't know you were in the Roar Omega Roar fraternity now." Paige glanced briefly at Mike who was glaring hatefully at the blue monster.

He scratched the back of his neck gleefully. "I joined after the party, they accepted me immediately. Isn't that great? I'm surprised none of the sororities asked you to join. You have so much...character and charm."

"Again, thanks I guess." Paige replied dryly. She glanced over at Johnny, refusing to meet his gaze and found him watching the field, particularly, she realized, the Fear Tech Team. Molly had filled her in on what had happened after she had her mini heart attack and how Axel had wounded Johnny's pride and ego in front of Naomi. Naomi had apparently, according to Molly, called him unmanly and refused to sit next to him for the football game. Paige glanced to her right to see a cross Naomi and her many friends patting her sympathetically on her back. A look of pure malice on her countenance and her eyes flashing from their normal loveliness to a furious red. "Hey, Johnny..."

He glared down at her, rage clear in his eyes. "I guess that was the Axel guy you passed out about, right? He is a jerk."

Javier blinked at him from his spot to his president's right. "Wow, Johnny is saying this? This guy must be the devil."

To the left of Johnny a very sad-looking Chet patted Johnny's hand with a claw. "There, there, Johnny. I'm sure if this Axel guy had known you better, he wouldn't have done something that stupid. He's a nobody, Johnny, forget about him."

Johnny slouched further into his seat and pouted childishly. "Dang it, you don't think I know that, Chet!? That guy was a nobody. A stupid nobody who had no right to talk to me, Johnny Worthington, Son of John John Worthington, Son of Johnny Worthington the First! Just thinking about him makes me want to roar!"

"Please don't, Johnny. I actually kind of want to hear the numbers of the cheerleaders when I ask for them." Javier pleaded, eyeing the thin cheerleading monsters. Both females scrunched their noses in disgust at the sound of their squeaky and preppy voices egging the crowd on. Paige never thought much about cheerleaders, especially after being one herself for her freshman year and she thought less of them now that she wasn't one. "Especially Clara McGarden. She's a cheerleader too, you know?"

"Really?" Paige questioned, peering over the heads of larger monsters to look at the women with their pom poms and unusual attire. Surprising to her, Clara McGarden was present; her green reptilian skin crashing with her blue outfit. She waved to Paige, a smile on her face, and Paige was stunned to find that she was waving to Javier. "Huh, I guess so..."

"She waved to me!" Javier whispered, his voice soft and full of awe. "She actually waved to me. This can't be happening to me, this is the best day of my life!" He turned to Chip and ensnared his friend in a hug, laughing joyfully.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the last game of the season. The game both schools have waited for...the game that will pick our league's champion. Between our first place team, introducing the Fear Tech Scare Pigs!"

Out of the smoke, the small and large members of the Fear Tech football team raced from their locker rooms and the stadium filled with both cheering and booing. Paige booed quickly as she saw the familiar shape of Axel soar from the smoke and fly over the crowd, high fiving fans as he went. He flew close to where she was and Paige groaned when he slowed his wings to flap in front of her, smug and wearing the helmet they had smashed their teacher's car with. Chet spewed curses out of his small mouth and shook a large claw at the male as Johnny stared up at the him curiously.

"Hey there, Paige. Ready to lose?"

He grasped one of her hands and held it tight, but she slapped it away instantly. "Up yours, Axel. Get lost, will you?"

"Oh, Paige, will you ever learn?" He chuckled, rubbing his slapped hand. "I'll see you after the game, little one." With two powerful beats of his large wings, he flew upwards and rejoined his team on the ground, waving his hand and blowing kisses in her direction.

"He is a creep," Chet murmured to no one, but they nodded in agreement.

"You can say that again." Molly scoffed, "can you believe the nerve on that guy? You should have smacked him, Paige!"

"And last but certainly not the least! Our hosts, the runner-ups, Monsters University!" The stadium released more cheers than the opposing team had and Paige made a point to stand as she cheered for her team. Blue smoke oozed into the arena and the football players poured out from the locker rooms. Paige's eyes enlarged as she saw the various players; especially a large blue slug with the Monsters University logo painted on his side.

She turned excitedly to her friend. "There is no way that we can lose to them! Our team looks fantastic."

"Well, the only reason we do well half the time is because of Sam Parkman, the big blue guy, Grey McGarden, our running back, and Logan Freeman, our quarterback. My brothers, Terri and Terry, tried out once...and it did not go well..." Molly whispered back.

"Im sorry, but Terri and Terry? I don't get it."

"Oh, allow me to explain. My one brother is Terri, with an i, and the other is Terry, with a y. You get it now?" Molly informed and Paige nodded. The monsters eagerly waited for the game to begin, but Paige couldn't shake the feeling that Axel's eyes were only on her. Her fear were confirmed when she saw Logan race on to the field to be in place for the start and Axel eye her carefully from under his helmet.

And with a whistle the game started.

*_:.:_*

"Ugh, " said Paige as they left the stadium with pride in their hearts. "I'm pooped."

Logan chuckled at her terminology.

"I'm glad you didn't say that at the game. I'm sure some people would have doubted that you were a sophomore."

"...Shut up..."

Johnny yawned widely, very tired himself. He was walking with Chet, since Javier ran off to find Clara, Reggie and Chip decided to prank the football players, and Sulley was checking out cheerleaders, with Paige and Logan in front of them. She hadn't been insulting while they were at the stadium, but she hadn't been necessarily kind either, which probably meant she didn't want to talk to him. She was a difficult monster to work with, his horn still hurt from when she had yanked him to the football stadium.

Logan and Paige's pace was faster than Johnny's and Chet's, so before long, they vanished from the their sight all together.

"Wow, they're super energized," yawned Chet, not using any formalities due to fatigue, "Especially Logan...y'know, sometimes I wonder...if Logan likes Bones."

Johnny stiffened, suddenly wide awake.

"You don't know that...he's probably just flirting," he said unconvincingly.

"Nah, Logan's not like you Johnny. He's more serious with any of his relationships...and I've never seen him treat any other girl like that."

"Like what"" Johnny said warily.

"I dunno..nicely, I guess. He's always been polite, but he seems really at ease around Bones, don't he?"

Johnny sped up his pace, anxious to get back to the dorm rooms. He didn't want to leave Logan and Paige alone any longer than he had to...especially after hearing Chet's speculations. Johnny himself had debated the feelings Logan might have for the green haired female, but had settled on not worrying about it. Especially since he had Naomi. Not to mention, Logan wasn't one for relationships for the past three years he had been at Monsters University, but he couldn't shake his unease.

The two students ascended the stairs to their floor. Johnny entered the lobby to the dorm and stopped dead.

Paige and Logan were still chatting in the lobby; Paige looked a great deal happier than Johnny had ever seen her, especially when he was around her...her genuine smile, something that Johnny wasn't used to seeing, lite up her face. Javier had been right about her; her scowl was really rooted in place when they were together. Logan leaned down to Paige, his face closer to her's than it needed to be...was he going to...
White hot jealousy raced through Johnny's veins instantly.

He reacted immediately, running forward and jerking Paige away from Logan. Logan looked shocked at the amount of fury in Johnny's eyes.

"Is something wrong, Johnny?" Logan asked, his voice irritated, most likely because he knew that it was Johnny who had bruised Paige.

"Shut up," Johnny snarled, gaining the attention of the other monsters in the lobby. "What the hell are you playing at, Freeman?"

"What are you talking about?" Logan demanded.

"Seriously," said Paige. "What are you worked up about, Johnny?"

"Are you guys idiots!?" He said loudly. "You're obviously flirting in public, you-"

"I can flirt with him if I want," said Paige acidly. "And first, you're not allowed to get pissed off about me flirting, thank you very much. And second, I'm going out with Logan.

Johnny froze in the middle of his rant and stared, stunned, at the green haired girl. Her eyes half-lidded in anger and her lips forming her usual scowl stopped him. He felt weak, weaker than he ever had been before, brought down by a little junior girl of inferior birth. His tongue became thick in his mouth as he struggled to speak coherent sentences. But why? He cursed himself for acting the way he did; Paige had Logan and he has Naomi. But his heart hurt and he wished it didn't because he didn't understand why he was in pain. "So that Axel guy wasn't good enough for you?! Now you want to have another boyfriend!?"

Paige gasped. "I don't have to take this from you!" With a shove of her shoulder, Paige raced by the senior and out the door before anyone could stop her. She ran, though she did not know where she was going. Lights of the lamps above flickered on and off, but she continued to run. She was confused. Confused on why Johnny was being weird. Confused on why Axel was butting back into her life. Confused on her feelings for Logan as perfect as he seemed.

When her energy was depleted, Paige opted to plopping herself down on one of the many park benches and staring up at the darkened sky. Stars bloomed in the darkness and the sounds of the campus life and it's students were almost non-existent. Her eyes fluttered shut as she took a moment to regain her breath and enjoy the moment of silence.

It was interrupted however, when a hand wrapped itself around her mouth and her eyes flashed open quickly. She thrashed in the hold of her attacker as black spots began to dance in her vision, along with more figures, snickering and howling with laughter.

"Hello, little Paige. Taking a night stroll?" Axel whispered in her ear and Paige paled. He was close to her hear and laughing along with the others in front of her. His other hand trailed up her neck, hair and then rested on her mask. The appendage clamped down on the piece, shaking it lightly and sending shudders down Paige's spine. "What a lovely little thing your mask is...you wouldn't mind parting with it would you?"

The other attackers reached out for her and Paige squirmed in their hold. She felt violated with their hands pushing her down on the stone ground and keeping her in a firm grip. An arm instinctively sent a blow to the face of one of the monsters and she was rewarded with a swift kick to the rib cage, a sickening crack filled the night air. Paige screamed in agony and fresh tears pooled in her eyes.

"That's what you get." The voice laughed.

"Now, now, boys, I promised you could rough her up. However, do not harm that precious little thing on her head." Axel said in a tone that sounded friendly, but the edge in it warned them silently of the consequences.

"That weird little mask thing, eh? Why do you want it so badly, Axel?"

He laughed. "It's my souvenir, gentlemen."

Tired of hearing them speak about her as if she was some prize to claim, Paige attempted to stand while they were distracted. Her hand steadied her and the other flew to her side, pain blossoming in her ribs. "Look, she's trying to stand. What should we do, Axel?"

"Break her bones."

She was shoved down once more and a leg crashed down into her left arm, the sound of breaking bones echoing off the buildings of the University. Paige howled in pain once more and cradled the arm to her chest, weeping in pain and fear. Paige was able to look up from her spot on the ground, out of the corner of her eye, and saw Axel kneel to the ground, his hand clutching her head. With his hand, he raised her head off the ground, smiling all the while.

"Thanks for the present. It will be a little ruined, but it is the thought that counts...right?" He cackled and Paige's terrified eyes stared down at the pavement. "See you soon, Bones..I think that was the name that the bull boy used right? He can't call you it after this, pity, it is a rather cool nickname."

Paige closed her eyes. Someone, someone, help me!

"Bye."

Before Paige could react, the hand was slamming her face into the ground and another breaking sound echoed off the walls of the buildings.

The sound of her beloved mask breaking.