A/N: Lisa Jane Smith owns the Forbidden Game Trilogy. I do not. I created only this fanfic story.

I've revised and revised this chapter so many times my head could spin. I've never been fully satisfied and I tried to keep this as canon as possible. Rather than hate show some love please by popping a review. It would surely soothe my addled brain.

This chapter could only solely be created by this song:

Artist: Andrew Belle

Song: In My Veins

Chapter Seven: Confronted

Jenny kept her focus on Tom.

For the longest time, she simply stared almost in a daze the two figures colliding, sharpening into one. Her eyes fell to Summer whose blue orbs remained frozen upon Thomas's sudden presence.

"Summer, I thiiink Tom and I need to be alone." Jenny tried to focus on the steadiness in her voice before she stood—and fell back almost instantly. "Ah, damn my head."

"Summer... please." came Tom's voice.

"Summer!" Jenny added a bit firmer as she rubbed her eyes. The onslaught of a headache was forming.

"What—yeah. R-Right, leave." Life suddenly returned to the sun bunny. Scrambling off the couch her balance was off kilter as she ducked out.

Tom strode over to the couch then. His green-and-gold flecked eyes were no longer trained on Jenny. Rather, they were transfixed at the Nikes on his feet as he sat down.

The frustration was palpable.

Jenny watched him through her splayed fingers for a moment. She swayed before righting herself as the sound of Summer's door closed. Jenny was thankful her friend was giving them the courtesy.

"Hooow much did you hear of that?" Jenny grit out, trying but failing to hide her slur. Carefully she propped her head up with one hand, elbow pressed into the cushions.

Trying but failing to remain soberly attentive.

"Enough," Tom answered in a stiff tone.

"Hooow much, Tomm?" she persisted.

"All of it," Tom answered, still keeping his eyes averted.

Jenny sighed, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, would ya please at leeeast look at meee." Hesitantly, but touching his skin nonetheless, Jenny gently pressed her fingers along his jawline bringing his attention. "I am heeere... not there." Her eyes flicked to the floor and back at him.

Tom sighed and the silence grew.

Jenny really didn't like how this was going. It wasn't the alcohol making her paranoid. "Tommm?"

"Jenny it's pretty clear you are not up to having a conversation right now. So, I am going to talk to you when you sober up a bit. For now, I guess I'll just..." Tom's words trailed off in a huff as he got up and took her and Summer's glasses from the coffee table. "I am going to clean the chocolate mess you guys left in the kitchen."

She forgot; Summer was not known for her tidiness.

Jenny just shook her head muttering sarcastically, "Peeachy keen..." With her eyes falling closed she waited for the sound of Toms's return...

As Jenny came to, she noticed light had shifted to the opposite wall. Had she passed out? If so, what time was it now? A throbbing pulsated behind her eyes, now.

Wonderful.

She winced, straightening her jaw. Which only seemed to make it worse. "Uugh..."

"And sleeping beauty awakes." Tom reappeared from the kitchen with a cup of iced water.

Jenny took it with a muttered, "Thanks". The cold temporarily dulled the ache and she stretched her legs as Tom sat down. "How long have I been out?"

Tom shrugged. "Two hours or so."

"And Summer?"

"Out like a light."

"Please tell me you took the bottle from her."

"Yes, whats left of it. Zach is well aware too and will be calling later to check on her."

"Which means I am probably going to be getting a lecture."

"Possibly."

"And I am about to get one from you."

"No."

"No?"

"No. I mean, I can't say I'm not a little irritated." He squeezed her foot and sighed. "I was told you were sick. And then when I come to check on you, I hear you talking about those godforsaken creatures promised a long time ago would never be brought up again. Least of all in front of Summer."

"All right," Jenny held her hand up to silence him. "I get it."

"Do you?" Toms shifted a little closer. Reaching out he grasped her hand, his thumb rubbing over the engagement ring that now rested there. He sighed. "And then there's last night. I didn't sleep well because I couldn't shake this feeling that I did something wrong, Jenny." Those warm flecked eyes settled on her. "And then hearing how you truly feel..."

He sighed heavily before continuing, "It took me a little bit. But I realized there was no verbalization on your part at the restaurant. Did I jump the gun? I know now I might've been too hasty. But I was just so happy. Everything was finally falling into place. Then today I get Summer's call and I had this gut feeling to come check on you. Well, I was right."

"Well, I wasn't exactly faking it." Jenny snapped back irked Tom would even entertain the idea of her faking sick. He knew her better than that. "If that is what you're implying. Yes, I do need to talk to you, I even tried to while we were still at Romonas."

Those hazel eyes sought hers then mirroring the uncertainty there. "Oh." He scratched the back of his neck, a small flush of embarrassment creeping up along the skin.

Did he really not notice?

"Well, I uh, I'm not trying to rile you up or pick a fight with you." He stuttered. "L-Look, Jen, it has taken us so long to get where we are now and..." He ran a frustrated hand through the cropped locks finding this difficult. "And then I find you here talking about..."

His voice trailed off as he shook his head, resigned.

Jenny exhaled. "I'm not trying to get angry or pick fights, Tom. Last night did I choke? Yes. But what I've wanted to say since last night—"

"About Julian, about the dreams you still have, but didn't think to tell me, your fiancé. But you could tell Summer." he interjected.

Great, she told him.

Jenny pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. Her irritation was evident. "Okay, are you going to let me talk?"

Tom looked down pursing his lips.

He nodded.

"Okay," she sighed exasperatedly. "Tom, the last thing I wanted to do was bring this up. You flat-out told me you didn't want to know. Especially because of what you of all people went through."

Tom threw up his hands irked by the mention. "What I went through, watching that sadistic... person torment you game after game."

"And he redeemed himself when he saved us. From stuff you don't want to speak of."

"And I will be forever grateful. But what you just told Summer about your last dream—"

"Which means in my dream I'm still very loyal to you, as always."

"C'mon Jen, look I get that. But things are different now; we're not kids anymore. In fact, I think it's time... you cut the ties with... Him."

"Huh? I thought you understood; you know our history. If this is some jealous—"

"I know of the strange connection between you two, Jenny." Tom removed his hand and bowed his head his elbows resting atop his knees. "I saw it the day he passed and even tried to understand it for a time. But... we're growing up and it doesn't feel right, anymore."

Jenny stared at his hunched-over form, his bronze, muscular forearms lined with tension. She could see this was really affecting him. The guilt grew. "Look" she began softly, "you have always had my word because it's you I loved not Julian." Jenny pushed herself over to him. Gently she placed her hand atop his arm, a healing balm that calmed him in the past. "I admit I wasn't prepared for the proposal. I truthfully wasn't."

Tom tensed up more beneath her touch. Unusually, so. In a hushed voice, he murmured, "Do you realize what you just said?"

Jenny looked at him, genuinely puzzled. "I believe so."

Tom lifted his head, unveiling a pain in those depths. "If I recall in our English class the term loved is used in the past tense. The past."

Jenny's breath caught at a loss for a moment, "Wait, what...?"

"Forget it." Tom shrugged off her hand and stood, his voice suddenly firm. "Do you want to marry me, ever, Jenny?"

Jenny looked up at him as the anger surged from the way he regarded her. "Well, I did."

Tom's brow rose unsatisfied, "Did or do?"

"What difference does it make?"

"It makes a huge difference!" His voice carried fervently frustrated now. His hands flew to his head as he squeezed his eyes shut and drew in a breath.

Seemingly trying to calm down.

Which only flared Jenny's defensive guards. "What did you expect, Thomas?! You," she pointed sharply, "sprung this on me at the most inconvenient time!"

"For whom, Jenny? You?" Tom dragged a hand down his face, exasperated. "We've been dating since grade school! How long do we need?!"

"And things have happened since then! Or don't you recall?"

"That's all ended! They're gone, Jenny, okay? Julian's not coming back. Neither are the other Shadow Men. Yet I find you talking about them, again. Literally after one of the most important moments for us—least to me—of our lives!"

And there it was.

Jenny fingered the ring strung around her neck. She looked down unable to bridge the thoughts racing through her mind. "I, I don't believe this." She smoothed a hand across her forehead before her eyes raised, narrowing. "You once understood this." Her lips trembled, the betrayal was palpable in her voice as she gritted out, "You know I have supported you on everything, everything Thomas! If you had even a doubt about the Shadow Men I would stand by you!"

Tom threw his hands up fingers splayed against his head tilting it to the ceiling, "And we're back to this again."

"You're right we are back to this again. It's what started this fight in the first place." With the tears springing to her eyes she stood, "Going to call off the engagement now?! Huh? Is this the make-or-break high school sweethearts have? Because I'm not remotely ready for a lifetime commitment? I don't even know what I want to do with the rest of my life!"

He eyed her, chin tilted away with uncertainty. "Listen to yourself, Jenny. I mean this can't be good for your health."

Jenny bristled as if she'd been slapped across the face. "Are you saying... I'm crazy?"

Tom's tone switched to reasoning as he took a step forward. "Jenny I am just saying—"

But Jenny cut him off with a sharp, "No. You don't believe it, none of it." Jenny backed away, shaking her head in disbelief. "None of this is registering with you."

Tom made to reach out to her. As if thinking better of it he retracted his hands. "As far as the Shadow Men go. Unless Julian is resurrected or we were to mess with the runes again, I don't believe it's possible. No."

"And what if that's what happening?" Jenny persisted. "You always believed me before why not now?"

"Because, Jenny, Julian is dead."

"Unless he is resurrected." She enunciated. "Which doesn't leave out others that could be feeling vengeful after what we did."

"Have you taken your medication today?"

"What? Yes!"

"Do you honestly hear yourself?" Tom's voice raised, incredulous. "For all, I know this could be an excuse to push us aside and focus on the past."

"What?!" That accusation raised Jenny's hackles like none other and she could feel her anger boiling as she shouted, "You take that back right now, THOMAS JAY LOCKE!"

Although it was evident Tom was hurting, he nevertheless backed down. Holding his hands out in front of him, the sincerity was clear in his voice. "You're right I'm sorry that was out of line. Look," He exhaled a long, shaky breath, "the truth is, I've been holding on for dear life, Jenny. I've been working and saving so that we can build our lives together. I know we're young but I don't care. I know what I want." He pleaded. "And I want us to be close again."

"Tom... I... you think I don't want to feel some semblance of normality?" Jenny took a step forward her lip trembling as the anger receded. "How about not having to deal with the horrific nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD? That everything I have been through hasn't, somehow, left me damaged goods?"

Tom shook his head his jaw set as he took a step towards her. "You are not crazy, Jen. In the past I was so undeserving of you, I know that. Just as I can admit seeing that trinket around your neck—bothers me. It's like you're holding on to someone who tried to take you away... several times."

"Oh, Tom." Jenny sighed as the guilt niggled at her. "It's not like that. I had my chance and I locked him in a closet, remember?"

"Jenny." Tom blew out a long, tired breath. "I didn't mean to create an echo chamber here. Let me just ask this then, hmm?" Tom swallowed; the seriousness of his gaze locked on Jenny. "If, if you could right now, if you were sure, would you marry me?"

"Once I was, Tom."

"No, I'm talking about, right here, right now. Committed for life, forever."

"Tom it's not that simple anymore it's—"

"It's a simple answer, Jenny, yes or n—"

"It's what I used to want, okay?! But I don't see that picture-perfect life anymore!" Jenny's voice carried for a moment, her face scrunched in frustration and anxiety. Until the silence grew and became so thick it could've been sliced with a knife.

Slowly, swallowing hard, Jenny met Tom's gaze.

His was now a solid guard she wouldn't soon be able to penetrate. However, his words remained soft-spoken. "From the moment we walked out of your grandfather's basement, I knew it changed us. But I fought to get back what we had. Once the earthquake hit you went away again and you didn't even try. I guess... my effort alone wasn't enough to pull you back... not this time. Hell, all I wanted to hear was three simple words."

I love you.

I... I stopped saying it.

Jenny inhaled a breath sharply into her lungs as she clutched at her chest. The tears spilled from her forest-green eyes at his raw confession. It cut through her like a serrated switchblade.

Because he was right.

"T-Then why," she sniffled. "Why stay with me if we're so different now?" She added a tinge of snark. "Why live with that pain when you could've ended this?"

The muscle in Tom's jaw twitched, brows furrowed before he said, "Because that's what you do when you love someone. And never, do you give up on them..."

Jenny sucked in a deep breath and her gut twisted, painfully. "Thomas just tell me..." Pushing all doubts aside Jenny grasped his hands in desperation. "There's g-got to be a way to fix this. We were meant for each other!" she cried, "And now to only end up what, apart?!"

"I don't know." Tom's voice was so quiet Jenny had barely heard him. He seemed to stare through her. The resolve she found, scared her. "But this isn't what I want. Not like this."

Jenny sniffled again, wiping the excess on the back of her hand. Fighting to regain her composure she cleared her throat and bowed her head. Long ago Jenny had learned it was far better, to be honest rather than lie. "I think... you should take the NFL offer."

Tom nodded seemingly more so to himself.

Without a word he suddenly pulled Jenny so fiercely to himself she hardly had time to breathe. But she could feel him trembling beneath her, holding back. It felt as if a needle had punctured her heart.

Fresh tears cascaded down her face.

Always had Tom been her rock. Yet here he was leaning on her. As she breathed in the familiar cologne, many childhood memories flashed behind her eyes.

Only digging the needle in further.

Slowly, leisurely, Tom pulled away eyes rimmed in red. With a raise of his hand, he took ahold of Jenny's. Brushing a soft, forlorn kiss on the back of her knuckles, he slipped the ring off her finger.

Jenny knew it was best not to fight it. Nor did she have the strength to after this. Her eyes fluttered closed as he pressed his lips gently to her forehead, seeming to linger there as silent, unspoken words passed between each other.

"I love you," Those would be the last words she heard before her eyes opened.

Tom closed the door behind him without once looking back. In that moment Jenny felt the chapter of their Tom-Jenny book unlacing at the seams. Through blinding tears Jenny scrambled to the house phone, fumbling on the first and second try, as she struggled to punch in the numbers to Dee's hotel. Only after speaking with the front desk person through withheld sobs, was she finally transferred.

The phone started to ring.

And ring.

And ring.

Jenny collapsed to the floor, the cord left dangling off to the side. It was after the sixth ring, Jenny gave up and trudged to her room. Soon as the door clicked Jenny wilted to the floor. A strangled sob broke through her lips and she cradled her head in her shaking hands, over all she'd lost in the last hour. All the unanswered questions. Her life. Her past.

For all she'd accomplished never had she felt more incredibly lost. Tears slipped between the cracks of her fingers, accumulating a small puddle on the hardwood floors. How long she remained there, she didn't know. When her whole body felt spent it was dark in her room.

Puffy-eyed and red-faced, she retired to her bed, exhausted. Moonlight filtered through the curtains of her bedroom window, catching the glimmer of her necklace in the shallow light. Without second thought Jenny yanked it off and thrust it atop her nightstand. She curled into a ball and faced the wall, wishing this was all but a dream.

But the reality wasn't that kind to her.

"Jenny..." a voice whispered.

Summer must've heard her.

Jenny wasn't in the mood to divulge with Summer about the events just yet. "Summer," she responded groggily, "g-go away, please." As she felt a lick of cold brush up against her leg, however, Jenny rolled over. "Summer wha...?"

Except her words tapered off as she realized no one was there. Jenny swallowed, shaking her head with a sigh. "Maybe I am going... crazy."

"Jenny..." There it was again.

Where was it coming from?

"Is someone there?" Jenny pulled herself out of bed, looking around as the darkness in her room seemed to thicken. The moonlight had disappeared. Was she still somewhat hung over? Maybe the medication had mixed with the alcohol?

But she'd taken it hours before.

"Jenny..." The voice was soft, melodious.

Now she knew she'd heard it.

Quickly Jenny snatched up the umbrella propped against her nightstand. Suddenly she felt wide awake as she held it out in front of her.

"Show yourself!"

"Jenny..."

The whisper tickled the hairs on the nape of her neck.

Jenny spun around.

She could practically feel breath against her skin. No, something was caressing her skin. "I'm not afraid," she whispered as if to assuage herself. "I'm not afraid."

With sickening horror shadows detached from their surrounding shapes and stretched towards her. A masculine-like figure was molded from out of the darkness, hooded with smoky tendrils of darkness curling towards her.

Jenny backed away.

Trembling fingers searched for the doorknob to end this nightmare as her breathing began to accelerate, heartbeat becoming erratic. "No... n-no... n-n-"

"Jenny."

"B-breathe... o-one... t-t—"

The air had thickened making it harder to breathe. Jenny gasped as ice-cold fingers wrapped around her neck and it was as if the oxygen were suctioned out of her lungs. Her legs buckled as her eyes rolled upward and she saw no more.

"My, what soft skin you have," he said quietly to himself. His lip curled in an attempt at mockery from an ancient tale of folklore spun by those who had met the Shadow Men. Hence how folklore had flourished throughout the ages such as the 'parable' of the "Big Bad Wolf" the villain in "The Three Little Pigs".

A bright blue shield only shown to his eye and held the Shadow Men back from touching Julian's precious Jenny Thornton, dissipated. Without the impact of Julian's protection, his hand was able to touch her flesh. Smooth and sun-kissed by the sun. A foolish girl to take off such a gifting one could easily meddle with.

His eyes snapped to the gold ring thrown in her fit of torment. "Julian, you fool."

At this, she made a sigh in her sleep.

He glanced back down at her and a smile crooked, mildly amused. "Yes, dream, Jenny." he cooed. "The Shield of Protection could only hold for so long." He pressed the ring to his lips as his breath ignited the rune embellished on the inside.

Unbeknownst to a mortal's naked eye.

It glowed like a bright, fiery ember.

He smirked.

Slipping the ring onto her finger he bowed with a sneer, "The pleasantries won't last long my dear." With a swish of his cloak, he was swallowed into the shadows once more...