Chris looked at Lena as saw that smile. He smiled back but then he saw her looking uncomfortable at her own thoughts or something? What was she up toooo? He was thinking this now as he heard her questions. Yet when he was about to answer them she had taken his hand. Hehe! It was like she could read his mind...

But again ones he tried to answer her questions Blake started talking to him again. Chris turned to him. "Well actually I'm trying to become a musician." He told Blake and he bit his lip. Was this kid trying to annoy Chris? Because honestly he didn't have to try. Blake just being in the same room with Helena and himself annoyed him enough as it was.

Yet wait! Did Blake just say he was going to take a nap??? As much as that didn't make an sense considering it was only sixish or soooo. But hey Chris soooo wasn't going to complain at this one. "See ya Blake." He said as he fought to keep a smile off his face.

Chris smiled back at Helena as she gave him a smile and kissed his palm. Then both her and Blake were out of sight. Chris leaned his head back and sighed. Grahhhh! Soooo this is what you get for not calling eh???

Helena was a bit surprised, almost startled as Blake took his bags from her, but she couldn't help from smiling a little and rolling her eyes at his words. As he plopped down on the bed, Lena leaned lightly on the door frame. She sighed at his words and the underlying jealousy she knew was there. I hope you have something to worry about, she muttered under her breath, still a bit worried about what Chris might say. Werll, there's towels in the cupboard in the bathroom if you want to take a shower - and obviously you're welcome for as long as you'd like. I'll be across the hall later on if you need me. She flashed him a nery brief smile that took a lot of effort and closed the door.

Taking a deep breath, Helena glided back down the stairs and headed for the living room once more. Seeing Chris right where she'd left him, Lena slid into the seat that was previously Blake's and leaned head against Chris's arm, her light brown eyes looking into the fire. Hey, she said quietly.

Chris sat there for the few moments Helena was out of the room doubting himself. This was stupid! Why on Earth did Blake have to come now??? Why not last Christmas orrrrr over the summer??? Plus he got to see Lena a lot! This was the first time in months....He shut his eyes thinking of this mistake and how it would just be best to leave....Maybe.

He soon heard Helena come down the steps. His eyes opened. And in the next second she was right there next to him her head against his arm. "Hey." He said just as quietly. He gently moved his arm out from under her head to place it around her as he gave the top of her head a kiss. "Is this a bad time to be here? Should I just go and come back later?" He asked Lena still speaking softly.

Helena let a very small smile grace her lips as Chris put her arm around her and kissed the top of her head, but at his words, se frowned and pulled back to look up at him.Christopher Kaplan, I haven't seen you in six months and you already want to go? Wat makes you think for a second I would choose him over you? she whispered, her now-light-gray eyes looking him over as she swallowed softly. True, she loved Blake, but she loved Chris more and Cris didn't know that anyway - and as much as Chris deserved the truth, she wasn't about to tell him.

Chris grimced slightly as he heard Helena call him Christopher. As a kid he was his full name if he was in trouble or something. "No no no. Lena it's not like that. I don't want to leave." He told honestly. "I just thought he was here and in your letters you sounded like you were getting closer to him. I didn't know if you wanted me to stay or if you just want to be with Blake for a little bit." He said as he looked down slightly embrassed. Helena was his girlfriend why should he be worrying about Blake????

Helena sighed. She knew Chris didn't want to leave - that had been low of her. We have been, she muttered before shaking her head, But I didn't know he was going to be here either... and besides, not even my best friend could make me want to stay away from my boyfriend. She leaned up and kissed him very briefly, very lightly before pulling back feeling sick with herself.

Soooo they have been close. Crap....Yet Chris knew this already he just didn't want to believe it. A small smile appeared on his face and he nodded to Lena as he looked back up at her. "Not even being a millon miles away could keep me from you." He told Helena as he felt her kiss him. As she pulled back he grinned to her. But he soon saw she looked mad or angry or something. Whatever it was something wasn't right. Chris took her cheek into his hand and studied her. "Lena are you okay?" He asked quietly.

The corner of Helena's mouth pulled up in a smile at his words buuuut... crap, he noticed something was wrong - no, she couldn't do this no no no! I'm perfect, she said with another small smile as she leaned into I'm once more, absentmindedly tracing patterns on his sweater with her finger, swallowing hard again. She wouldn't do that to Chris the day e came home.

Chris raised his eyebrow slightly. Was she really okay? Well he wasn't in the mood to protest nor did he want to at least not today. "Okay." He said smiling back to her. He felt Helena lean back into him and starting to trace patterns onto his sweater. He smiled again slightly as he wrapped his arms back around her tight. "Sooo besides the whole 'Blake thing" how have you been?" He asked as he started to run one of his hands gently through her hair.

The fact that Chris accepted the lie without question made it even worse for Helena to go through with it. But at his question, she shook her head and pulled herself out of his grasp. No... no, Chris, I can't do this. I can't... it's not a--a Blake-thing! He's not some homework assignment or... or a small stepping stone he's a part of my life, and you have to accept that! She was shaking her head again, not even thinking about what this might do to him. She tried to calm herself down, even though the damage was probably done. When... when I'm with Blake, you aren't the Chris-thing - you're still my boyfriend, and he's accepted you as such despite... Lena couldn't finish. She still couldn't tell him.

Wait what did he do wrong! Chris let go of Lena as she pulled away from him. Ohhh wow she was getting way to mad at this. He hadn't meant it anyway for her to get mad about it or anything. "Okay I'm sorry. I did thinking you were going to flip out about it. I just didn't know how to put it." He gulped. God why was she almost yelling at him over this? But then she said how Blake was a big part of her life. What the hell was she getting at with this huh??? He bit his lip hard. "I know his,alright!" That was all he could say before turning his head away from her. This wasn't how Chris wanted this night to go at all! Everything was screwed up. At her next comment Chris become confused. "Despite what Helena?! Tell me." He said forcefully as he looked back at her.

Oh, great. She had flipped out over nothing, Helena could see that now, but the damage was done. She was about to apologize when Chris turned back to her, asking her 'despite what?' Oh, God. She couldn't tell him. She couldn't - she wouldn't. Bu-bb-bbut she couldn't lie to him again. Not now. Not ever again.

Lena swallowed, her eyes slowly moving to Chris's and Blake's favorite shade of lilac before she closed them, unable to look at Chris anymore; Chris, whom she loved so much. Blake told me that he loved me, she whispered, one hand on the small silver key at her neck, gripping it as if it were her lifeline.

Chris saw Helena had calmed down and thank God she did! He saw those purple eyes looking at him. Shooot! This wasn't going to be good. That whispered crushed him. Blake loved her? Like he loved her? He bit his lips hard. Chris saw her hand move up to the key he had given her a year before. He gulped and took her other hand. "Whh-ww-hat did you say to this?" He asked looking into Lena's eyes. Maybe he didn't want to know the answer but he had to. He couldn't go with out knowing....

He was crying all over me, Helena whispered, finally reopening her eyes, though there were a few silent tears coming out of them now. He said he just wasn't able to stop himself from saying it any longer.... she swallowed. She would answer his question soon, but he had to know the whole story. The whole whole story.

Lena's eyes closed again for a moment as angry tears started to come instead at the memories. He told me to hate him, but I knew I couldn't. He kept apologizing, but I knew what it was like to be in his shoes and I told him so, but he took it wrong. She stopped and looked at Chris once more, her eyes still sad and purple; she didn't have the strength to make them change to ease his pain. That was when he asked me if I loved him, too, she whispered.

Only just taking note of Chris's hand on he free one, she turned it over and held it tightly for the moment, while the other still held her necklace. And I do - I do, but both he and I know that it's not enough. Because it's you I love more. And you I want to be with, and I can't imagine it any other way. She was still being quiet about it, but she was speaking forcefully; she meant what she said and she needed Chris to understand.... he'd understand.... wouldn't he?

Soooo this story was more than just a quick one huh? It had a couple of parts. Chris listened as Helena started with Blake crying and not being able to not say it anylonger. But then she started to let tears come. Out of a reaction Chris moved his hand up to her cheek and wipped away her tears on one side with his thumb.

Whhhhat!? Blake asked Lena if she loved him??? Chris felt like his heart skipped a beat. And not in that good way when he sees Lena. Then no no no NO! She loved him. Grahhhhhhhh! Anger ripped through Chris threating him to yell at Helena. To scream and ask why. To have tears come down. But none of this happened he just shut down.

Helena loves Blake??? But she loves Chris more. He took his eyes off of her processing this. Ummmm wellllll what was he suppose to do? This wasn't Helena breaking up with him right??? He finally looked back at Lena and gulped. But no words came out instead he just hugged her tight. Not knowing how to handle this.....

Helena was watching Chris carefully, waiting for a towering rage - she deserved it, and she was definitely expecting it; so when Chris hugged her, she was completely shocked. She didn't know what to make of it, but she hugged him back, wondering if it was a goodbye hug. Lena wouldn't blame him for leaving her for good after that. I'm sorry, she whispered, a few more tears leaking out of her eyes, I do love you... but after this, I can understand if you don't. It broke her heart to say it, but Chris deserved better than her. Much better. She wasn't even comprehending the fact that Chris had been in nearly the same situation just a little more than a year prior.

Chris felt Lena hug him back. But then she said she was sorry. He couldn't say it was okay or anything because it wasn't to him. But at her next comment she was thinking the wrong way. "I can't say I'm not mad. And that I'm not angry or anything those emotions right now because honestly I am. But I can't just stop loving you like that." He told Helena softly and slowing. He was still ready to yell. Which in a moment might happen but he couldn't leave her at least not like this....

Helena listened as he spoke and pulled back from him slightly to look at him. Yeah, Chris sure did look mad, but her words did manage to comfort her just a little, even though he should have been able to stop loving her. Please yell at me - I deserve it, she said at his words, bracing herself for whatever he said. She'd take it. She wasn't going to hide behind anything anymore.

Yell at Helena??? Maybe she did deserve it. At this though Chris let go of Lena all together and stood up. He turned his back to her not knowing what to do. Before a sense of right and wrong hit him he blew. "What do you mean you love Blake!? How the hell did this happen? I was only gone for six months!" He did infact yell this. He did feel sort of better but how would Helena react? Though all thoughts were pushed out of his mind as he turned back to her. "What have you always loved Blake? What else happened between you two? Did you two kiss again or what? What would make this come up now?!" Chris asked Lena okay yeah he was still yelling at her....

Helena watched as Chris stood up, one hand still clenched at her neck and the other just... clenched. She flinched as he yelled, knowing it would no longer be a private conversation, even if Blake was asleep. Yep, no mushiness here. She shook her head slowly as he started asking questions - especially when he asked if they kissed again.

There were silent tears coming out of her eyes once more.

No, i--if I did, I didn't know it... and nothing happened, I promise you that. Not a kiss, not... Lena swallowed softly and stopped shaking her head as she looked up at him. Not anything, she finished. W-we were out at the playground - like I told you - and I was getting upset, just thinking about you and sitting there together... She shook her head once more. I'm so sorry, she repeated.

Blake had just taken a quick shower and was on his way for a nap when he heard Chris yell. For one sick moment, he didn't care to go down and see what had been going on between the two but with a blink of his eyes, he realized that Helena might need him right now. He owed Chris an explanation too and should be the one to hear whatever Helena was being yelled at. Flinging the towel on the bed next to his Ipod, he slowly opened the door and peered outside.

Oh God...NO! What had she done? Chris sounded extremely angry. But angry about what exactly? That his girlfriend was the most honest girl in the world or the fact that she loved him more than Blake? Can't he accept and move on like Blake did? Frowning, he drifted downstairs and watched them as he stood in a dark corner, cursing every time he shouted. When the drama didn't end, he swiftly walked towards him and shook his head, "Chris...." He said softly but he didn't hear him over the noise. Frowning, Blake blurted out, "CHRIS! IT'S NOT HELENA'S FAULT!" Talk about being the center of attention at the wrong moment. Le sigh.

Chris watched as Helena let more tears out. No! What was he doing here? Why was he screaming at her? He shut his eyes when she said it wasn't a kiss it was just how she felt....So she loved Blake but she loved him more that's what counts right? He swallowed hard. "Lena." He started softly.

Until he heard the yell. Blake! Chris turn quickly to him. All his anger came back in the second. "You're right it's not her fault! It's yours." He said walked over to him with clenched teeth. When he reached Blake he had picked him up by his shirt collar. Looking up at him so much Chris wanted to hurt him.

But as he looked back at Lena and then back up at Blake all those feelings were gone. He placed Blake back on the ground carefully. What was he doing? This guy cared for Helena and she cared about him. If he hurt him Lena would hate Chris. Anyways this wasn't Chris. He wouldn't hurt somebody because of this. He wasn't that guy or at least he didn't this he was.... "I-I'm sorry." He said softly to both of them. Standing there dazed at himself feeling like a really big jerk that didn't diserve to be with Helena. He had let jealousy win over nothing......

Lena looked back up at him as he said her name softly, still feeling like she deserved more than she'd already been given. But then --- noooo! Grah, Blake, no! Her eyes widened as he shouted and Helena attempted to go over to him, push him back from the mess he didn't need to be involved with, but then Chris yelled right back at him and beat her to Blake.

No, stop! she yelled as Chris picked Blake up by his shirt collar, but he was already placing her best friend back on the ground. Even at his apology, the angry tears in Helena's stormy gray eyes remained. She let them pass only to Chris before she stalked past them both and went out the front door, slamming it behind her.


....Darkness had nearly swallowed the surroundings of the house and more snow had begun to fall from the sky. Lena shivered without realizing it; she was too busy making her way around the house to a small bench under the cover of a large tree. She brushed some snow off and sat down, putting her head in her hands and letting her tears come freely.

Blake had happily taken the blame from the start but that didn't mean he'd allow her boyfriend to grab his collar and lift him off the floor - which is pretty hard..gosh, Blake's like heavy. What's Chris? A he-man? "Chris!" He muttered his name through clenched teeth, trying to overrule the urge to punch Chris.

Giving him a dark look when he finally released him, Blake crossed his arms stubbornly and disgust took over his face. "Get this through your head, I love Helena and there's nothing anyone can do about it. It's in our best interest to forget and move on. I'm never going to come between you two but DON'T..just don't expect me to abandon her completely." He said a bit heatedly and was about to dash back to the room when Chris muttered an apology and he simply nodded.

However, when Helena left the house, he gave Chris a helpless look and rushed outside without waiting for the older boy's approval.

As Blake stepped on the street, he shuddered a bit. Oof, it was painfully cold. Slipping his hands in his pockets, he ran up and down the street, eyes darting on even a slight ruffle of the leaves. Swallowing a lump as he approached an empty bench and sat down on, oblivious to the fact that Helena was sitting right next to him. "Oh..God...where are you, Helena?" He muttered and covered his face with his hands. Absentminded, much?

Helena was running her fingers through her dark curls, still silently crying into one hand when she heard a voice from quite near her - almost right next to her actually. She looked over and saw to her astonishment... Blake? she whispered as her eyes, now back to light purple, swept over him; she didn't expect anyone to come after her. After what she'd just seen she hadn't wanted anyone to come after her, but now... now she realized that she needed someone to just that. And Blake had.