Sorry for the huge hiatus. I simply lost inspiration. Thanks to everyone who poked and prodded to keep me writing. Sometimes it takes a nudge. I hope you enjoy, and I hope the next update won't take as long. Furthermore, I will soon be upping the rating to "M," so add this to your alerts or remember to change the rating filter to check for updates.

Jay panted slightly as he fumbled with the key to the storage space above the Dot, hearing the distinct click of Holly J's shoes right behind him. He swung open the door and tried to shut it behind him as quickly as possible, but the fiery ginger was too fast for him.

"Mother fucking OW!" Holly J screamed, as the door slammed against the shiny red shoe she had shoved in the way.

In a momentary panic, Jay opened the door back up, biting his lip nervously as he watched Holly J's face redden in anger. She took his moment of hesitation to force herself through the door, slamming it behind her. She clutched his t-shirt with an impressive grip for hands so dainty.

"I can't believe you're making me work this hard," Holly J growled. "It's downright embarrassing. I thought you were the ultimate man-slut. Do you seriously not want to have sex with me?"

Slowly, Jay was taking steps backward, trying (and failing) to ease himself out of Holly J's ferocious grip. But at those words, he found himself distracted, and stopping resisting. It was a ridiculous question, really, and it wasn't until she asked it so bluntly that Jay realized how obvious the answer really was. Of course he wanted to have sex with her. She was a sexy little fireball with pretty eyes and nice tits. He allowed his imagination to run wild for only a split second, titillated by the possibilities of where a nice romp with Holly J could go… Selfish, scandalous desire coursed through him as a string of inappropriate images fluttered through his mind…

But quickly, decisively, he shook his head. There was a reason he hadn't slept with her, in all these months of their budding friendship. There was a reason he'd been alone with her, been drunk with her even, for countless hours, and still had never even tried to make a move. Jay knew exactly how things went when he hooked up with girls… he treated them like dirt, and then they would leave.

All at once, Jay realized he didn't want to treat Holly J like dirt, and most of all, he didn't want her to leave.

Jay sighed and dropped his eyes. He couldn't stand to look at her face, or any other body parts that might tempt him. "Holly J, you know you're cute as hell," he said in a defeated voice. "Your 100% fuckable and a skeeze like me is lucky to ever get a proposition from you."

Holly J tapped her foot impatiently, still gripping Jay's t-shirt. "So then what's the hold up? This is the second time I've thrown myself at someone and been turned down, and it's so not helping my ego."

Jay shrugged. "Trust me, I'm doing you a favor. Let's be honest… I am the ultimate man-slut. I've had sex with a lot of virgins and I've watched them all walk away disappointed and a little ashamed. I've never felt guilty about that, of course; dumb bitches should know better than to give it up to someone like me. But I couldn't do that to you. With you I would feel guilty."

Holly J's nostrils flared as she exhaled in frustration. "Oh don't baby me. You're not going to tell me that you of all people is going to say that my first time should be special or something…"

In spite of himself, a smirk cracked across Jay's face. "Not at all, Ho-J. Quite the opposite. Your first time is going to suck. It's going to be terrible. Seriously. Awkward as hell and over in the blink of an eye. I just can't stand to be the one who disappoints you like that."

Slowly, Holly J released Jay's t-shirt from her clutches. She sighed deeply and stared across the dim storage unit, sauntering away from him as she collected her thoughts. At last, she plopped down on the faded brown couch in the corner with a drawn-out exhalation.

"So you're really turning me down then, eh?" she asked Jay, smirking slightly.

Jay smiled in return and sat down next to her on the couch. "Fraid so, muffin. You are not nearly skanky enough to hook up with me. I have standards, after all."

Holly J raised an eyebrow. "Standards of skankdom?"

"Um shyeah. I didn't get to be the king of skeeves by taking the easy road, I can tell you that much."

They shared a mild chuckle and then fell into silence. Hesitantly, Jay reached out and took Holly J's hand. "Look, Holly J… I've never really been friends with a girl successfully. Hell, I've pretty much always treated even my guy friends like shit. I'm an all-around terrible friend. But I think you're cool and I really want to try with this one. If I hook up with a girl, it only goes one of two ways… either I immediately blow her off and treat her like crap, or I wind up getting roped into a relationship where everyone gets hurt. I don't want to do either of those things with you. Do yourself a favor and stay away from my penis. It's the only way for a girl to stay safe."

Holly J couldn't help but giggle. She gave Jay's hand a squeeze and nodded. "Alright then. I guess we can get this friendship back on track without sex."

Jay shrugged. "It's just crazy enough to work."

"And that means you'll stop sulking and ignoring me?"

Jay nodded. "I'm done ignoring you. Although I still plan on finishing my Xena marathon. And… I'm sorry I was a dick to your boyfriend, I guess."

Holly J smiled. "Yeah, well… He kind of sucks anyway, it turns out. So I'm back on the prowl."

"Uh-oh. Looks like it's back to the drawing board then. The journey of ditching Holly J's virginity continues."

"Think we have time for a poker game first?"

Jay smiled and nodded. Terrified as he was that he would have to face Manny again now that it was winter break, his burden suddenly didn't seem so heavy any more now that he and Holly J were talking again.