Wow! I really love all the wonderful feedback I received for the last chapter ^_^ Despite a few of you wanting to stab Eric XD Anyway, I thought I'd change my author's comments up a bit by responding to the anonymous reviews here :D

Jet: Ok wow, thank you so so so much for such a wonderful compliment! I'm glad I have you hooked on the stories lol! Yes, this crazy authoress could be using some foreshadowing, or is she? Ah yes you do raise a good point, I should have dedicated like an entire chapter to Jack's explorations of the modern-day world. (Glad you liked the car scene!) But alas I can't fit it in now, I really regret it now. Such a wonderful idea! Why didn't I think of it! *slaps forehead* Thank you though!

Singing Vampire: XD You need to figure out a new word to describe it? Wow, I'm flattered! ^_^ Good, that makes me very happy to hear that you can relate to my characters! That's what I always aim for, for my readers to be able to relate their lives in some way to the story. Thanks!

Patchwork Angel: Eric von Evilstein XD That's a good one! I'm sorry but the answer is no, he doesn't have anything to do with him. Don't worry, he'll get his moment soon enough lol. Thanks and yes I'm doing much better ^_^

Oh and thank you everyone for your wonderful support while I've been recovering from my wisdom teeth surgery, which went rather well by the way. I'm doing fine, a little sore still, but other than that I'm pretty good.

Enough with this author's note already, on with the story!

Before Jack had a chance to explain, Claire led him inside La Petite Café and offered him some tea, which he gladly accepted. They sat down at a small table in a corner of the café so they wouldn't feel as though they were talking out in the open.

"Ok, so tell me what happened." The dark-haired young woman asked as she sat down across from him.

"Well, I found out that Amelia ran into Eric." Jack stated after taking a drink of his tea.

"Eric!" Claire's eyes widened in surprise, "Wait, you know about him?"

"Yeah," he nodded solemnly, "their friendship and her unrequited love for him, the whole story." He put his elbow on the table and propped his head up with the palm of his hand.

"Did she tell you this isn't the first time she's ran into him since then?" the waitress inquired. He raised his eyebrows with interest.

"That I did not know."

"Yeah, it'll be three years ago Christmas Eve. I was there when it happened." Claire began, "We were at a neighborhood block party and I spotted him among the crowd. I told Amelia and without a word she walked straight up to him. Shortly after, she ran home in tears. Only later did I find out that not only did Eric have a girlfriend he was completely engrossed with, but also he didn't even recognize Amelia at all." She sighed sadly and her eyes became downcast.

"The poor girl was crushed," she continued, "so much that she swore to never give her heart to anyone ever again. But the thing about Amelia is that she has trouble keeping the promises she makes to herself."

"I've noticed." He said, taking in the information given to him.

"Well anyway, so what happened between her and Eric this time? Did she tell you?"

"Sort of, she didn't give me any details. But what I do know is that he asked her out on a date for tomorrow night and she agreed."

"Ok, so what happened between her and you?"

"I…told her I didn't think agreeing to a date right off was a smart idea." He admitted, "I think the whole thing is rather suspicious and I wanted her to be careful. But she took it as me being over-protective and got angry. Plus, the fact I don't think Eric should be trusted so easily until she finds out more about him, didn't really help matters."

"I can see how that would come off as being protective, and it probably did Jack." Claire smiled softly, "You're her friend and you were looking out for her. But you've got to realize that you can't guard her from everything. She can handle herself. I haven't "defended" Amelia in some time because she's proven to me more than once that she can. Did she ever tell you about our story?"

"Yes she did and I know she can take care of herself, but I can't help but be a little wary. For all we know he could have changed for the worst." He pointed out.

"I agree with you that she needs to be careful, and for good reason." Claire turned her head to say off to the side, "Her previous dates didn't go so well."

"I'm sorry?" He blinked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," She said sharply, "nothing you need to concern yourself with. But what you do need to do is apologize."

"Apologize? But I was only looking out for her." He protested.

"And you need to let her know that, but it really wasn't your place to judge. It was her choice to say yes or no to him. This is her personal life we're talking about." She stated.

"I suppose you're right." He sighed, finishing the tea. "Thanks Claire." He smiled at her.

"No problem." She looked away as a light blush appeared on her cheeks. Then a thought occurred to her and she looked back up to him with curiosity. "What is Amelia to you?"

"Eh? W-What is she to me?" he blinked in confusion.

"You like her, don't you?" She pressed.

"W-Wha!" A blush spread across his face.

"I knew there was something between you two." Her face lit up with realization and she pointed at him, "That's why you're being so protective! You're jealous!"

"W-What! N-No, no, no, no! You've got it all wrong!" Jack hastily denied, waving his hands for emphasis.

"Oh, do I?" Claire crossed her arms and smirked.

"Yes! Amelia and I are just friends." He insisted.

"Funny, she said the same thing about you when I asked her, and had a similar reaction." Her wicked grin spread as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand.

"How is it funny when it's the truth?" he then crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow.

"Hmm, you're not as fun to pick on as Amelia is, especially since she's in denial."

"Eh?" His eyes widened in surprise. "Denial about what?"

"Oh nothing, nothing at all." Claire snickered. She leaned forward, interlaced her fingers, and propped her head up. "You know if you insist that you're friends, then why did you go on a date with her?"

"W-What!"

"You two had dinner. Alone. At your house."

"I-I was j-just being friendly!"

"Right, then why did you kiss her?"

"I didn't kiss her!"

"Hm, ok so she was telling the truth about that detail then."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know Amelia didn't let me in on everything that happened that evening, so I know there's something going on."

"There is nothing going on between us!"

"Then why did she try to avoid talking about the date?"

"First of all, it wasn't a date. Second, this is her personal life we're talking about, you said so yourself."

Claire's eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips. "Point taken." She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, but she was unwilling to admit defeat.

"You know, Amelia is one great catch. Attractive and smart, which is a well desired combination. Why don't you ask her out?"

"U-um I-I really don't think that—"

"If you don't hurry, Eric will sweep her off her feet."

"Now wait a minute—"

"It's obvious you like her."

"Huh!"

"Don't play dumb, you obviously do or else your face wouldn't be all red."

"Listen—"

"Just tell her already."

"T-tell her what?"

"That you like her."

"B-But I…S-She would…I-I don't…We can't…No!"

"You sure?"

"Yes! Amelia is my dear friend."

"I think you two could be something more."

Jack sputtered out incoherent words from being so flustered.

"Just admit it."

"A-admit what?"

"That you like her!"

"B-But I…" he slumped, lowering his head, "I don't know…"

"This is the stage when you move from friendship to feelings, and then from denial to realization." Claire stated bluntly, causing Jack to look up and glare at her.

"Oh, it seems you've hit the denial stage already." She beamed happily.

He looked off to the side and muttered something under his breath.

"There's something there that much I will admit." He sighed and looked down at his tea. "I don't know what it is, but it's there when she's there, and gone when she's gone."

'Man he's clueless.' Claire thought to herself as she rolled her eyes.

Jack suddenly snapped his head up when he realized that it was Amelia's best friend and roommate he had just said that too.

"This conversation never happened." He said firmly.

"Oh alright, you're so-called secret is safe with me," she then said under her breath, "lover-boy."

"I didn't quite catch that, what did you say?" he asked curiously.

"Hm? Nothing." The waitress replied innocently.

Later that evening, Amelia diligently cleaned off a table but stopped when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She glanced up and noticed Eric walking into the restaurant area of Moonlight Sonata. Her heart leapt and she checked to make sure there was no manager around before walking up to him.

"Hey Eric!" She greeted him happily, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug which he eagerly returned.

"Hey Amelia." He chuckled. They released each other and he couldn't help but do a double-take. "Wow, you look cute in that outfit." He grinned.

"Erm, thanks," she blushed, "but it really isn't my style. I can't stand pink."

"Really? Weren't you crazy about the color when we were kids?"

"Yes but that was a dark time in my life I don't like to think about."

He chuckled, "Too bad, it looks good on you."

"Oh quit kissing-up."

"Hey I'm not!" He protested and they both laughed.

"So can I get you anything?" She asked.

"Yeah," he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, "I'll take you to go."

"Ok that is the cheesiest pick-up line I've ever heard." She rolled her eyes and giggled. He released her and she began to show him to an empty table when someone called out to her.

"Amelia!" Jack waved his hand from where he stood at the entrance to get her attention. Quickly, he began to walk over to her.

She sighed in slight annoyance and looked up to Eric, "Sorry, give me a minute."

The waitress then met up with the skeleton man in disguise, making sure they were out of ear-shot.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with her arms folded, trying to hold back a bitter tone.

"I'm sorry." He stated. "I shouldn't have been so judgmental. You're my good friend, and I really was only looking out for you."

She had to admit she was impressed by his nobility to actually come and apologize.

"I know that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself," he added, "so I'm sorry for being over-protective."

"Well, I guess old habits do die hard." She smiled, uncrossing her arms. His whole demeanor brightened up.

"So do you forgive me?"

"I will, on one condition." She pointed her index finger for emphasis. "Promise to let me take care of myself from now on."

"Of course Amelia," he chuckled, "I guess I still can't get over the fact that you're all grown-up now."

They moved to hug each other, until Eric suddenly appeared beside Amelia and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Is this guy bothering you?" He asked eyeing the tall, slender man suspiciously.

"No, no." She smiled and removed his arm from around her, much to Jack's secret relief. She then moved to stand beside the would-be skeleton man. "Eric, this is Jack, my good friend. Jack, this is Eric, I've told you about him before."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Jack held out his hand and Eric hesitated a moment before shaking it. He simply regarded the black-haired man with mutual respect. A tense atmosphere began to settle around them, but Amelia quickly picked up on it.

"I need to show Jack to a table so I'll be right with you in a moment." The waitress said to her old crush and led her friend away.

"Don't kill him ok?" She asked jokingly once they were out of hearing distance.

"Hey your boyfriend glared at me first." He said mockingly as he sat down at a table.

"He's not my boyfriend." She laughed softly then mentally added, 'Though…he could be.'

"So is there anything I can get you?" Amelia asked taking out her notepad and pencil.

"Just a soda will be fine." He said casually.

"Alright then." She beamed and headed toward the kitchen. Her cheery demeanor quickly vanished when she felt pain strike her heart, as though it was about to be ripped in two. 'I love Jack dearly, but my old flame for Eric is quickly reigniting.' The troubled young woman thought. 'Will I have to choose?' Silently, she prayed she wouldn't have to.

A while later, Amelia came out trying to balance a tray full of beverages that she somehow managed to get stuck with. She walked over to Jack to hand him his drink when her heel slipped on a small puddle of water.

"Wah!" she yelped as she was suddenly falling backwards with the sodas flying. Before she knew what had happened an arm firmly wrapped around her waist and another around her shoulders, catching her before she met the hard ground. The cups, which thankfully were plastic, clattered to the ground sloshing their sticky contents everywhere. Still startled, the waitress looked up to meet the eyes of her savior.

"You really need to be more careful." Jack grinned from ear-to-ear.

"Th-thank you." Amelia felt her face heat up as she stuttered out her gratitude.

"I said I would always be there to catch you when you fall didn't I?" He said brightly and helped her up to stand on her own two feet again.

"Yeah, I just didn't realize you were literally speaking." She laughed a little, but then they both turned away from each other when they heard someone running up to them.

"Good gracious, what happened!" Lori asked as she brought over a mop and a waitress with wavy red hair tailed close behind her with a bucket of water.

"I sort of slipped on a slick spot, and dropped the drinks." Amelia explained, extremely embarrassed.

"Well, clean it up." The assistant manager said as she handed her the mop then turned to the other waitress beside her. "Go get another mop, Melissa, and help her with the mess." The redhead nodded curtly then briskly walked off to the utility closet.

"I'll take care of the replacement drinks. Do you have the order tickets?" She asked and the light brunette quickly whipped out several pieces of paper from her pocket and handed it to her.

"Sorry about that, Jack." Amelia apologized as Lori walked off.

"It's quite alright, accidents happen." He said with a sympathetic smile. He then sat back down at his table as Melissa returned with the other mop and the two began the clean-up process. Shortly after, the two girls left, after the mess was cleared, to put away the mops and bucket. As soon as they were out of sight, Eric strode over to where Jack sat. He slammed his hand down on the table, startling the disguised sorcerer.

"You're pretty close to Amelia aren't you?" He demanded to know.

"Uh, yeah I assume so. I'm her friend." Jack replied, confused and a little wary.

"Well don't be getting any ideas." Eric said in a threatening tone, "Amelia is mine so you better back off."

The would-be skeleton man glared angrily and abruptly stood up, towering over the brown-haired young man.

"Listen, you do not talk about her like she's some prize to be won." He glowered. "I look out for her so if you even give me the slightest reason to believe you have or will hurt her, I won't think twice about hurting you. And I'll make sure you won't recover easily."

Eric growled as if he was about to say something, but saw Amelia coming out of the kitchen out of the corner of his eye. Reluctantly, he walked away from Jack and quickly sat down at a nearby table. Amelia hadn't noticed what happened between the two because she was too busy watching her feet to make sure she didn't slip again. She looked up when she neared the disguised skeleton man and beamed.

"Here you go Jack this one is on the house." She said as she handed him his beverage.

"Thank you Amelia." He grinned at her and took the drink. He set it down on the table and looked back up to her, "Listen, there's something…" he trailed off and turned away.

"What is it?" The waitress tilted her head to the side curiously.

'I can't tell her about Eric, she would never believe me.' He thought to himself. He forced a small laugh and smiled.

"Ah, it's nothing, never mind."

"Alright…" She shrugged and was about to turn away when she felt she should say something. "Jack, I'm sorry."

"For what?" He blinked as he looked up to her with a slightly puzzled expression.

"For getting mad at you earlier. I should have realized that you were just looking out for me, like you always do, so…no harm done?"

"Of course not," he beamed and winked, "How could I ever not forgive you?"

"True." She grinned innocently. The would-be skeleton rolled his eyes and chuckled.

Amelia soon left to tend to other customers, occasionally checking in on Eric and Jack. When she did, the two men would regard each other with mutual respect, but when she was gone, they glowered hatefully at one another. However, they never spoke while their glares never faltered.

Hahaha, nothing like some good "friendly" competition neh? XD Anyway, I most certainly enjoyed Claire's conversation *cough* interrogation *cough* with Jack. That whole thing was just a little too much fun XD Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Be sure to check out the sneak peek!