...With You

Chapter 5


"Thank you for tonight, JC" Madison said.
"You're welcome." JC answered.
He kept having to stop himself from asking questions about her ex-boyfriend. If she wanted to tell him, she would. They were walking back from dinner where they had just spent hours eating and talking among the six of them.
"It was too bad Carson couldn't join us" he said.
"Yeah, I know. He probably had a good excuse though." Madison said smiling.
They stopped in front of her apartment, both of them not wanting the night to end. "I had a good time tonight" JC said.
Madison smiled. "So did I, JC. I had a really nice time. Thank you once again." She said.
"Anytime." He smiled back at her.
There was an awkward moment of silence where either of them knew what to do or say.
"Well, goodnight Madison." JC smiled.
"Goodnight." She said. She turned around and started to walk up to the door as JC stood watching to see that she got in ok. As she reached the doors she turned around slowly.
"JC?" she said.
"Yeah?" He said.
"Do you wanna come up?" she asked without thinking.
JC smiled. "I'd love to."
JC made his way up the steps to join Madison by the doors. Madison wasn't sure what she was doing. All she did know is that she didn't want this night to end yet. They made their way up to her door laughing and joking with each other all the way. They stopped at her door as she got out her key and unlocked the door. They both walked into the apartment quietly, for frankly neither of them knew what to say at the moment. Madison flipped on the light switch by the door and as she turned around, let out a blood curdling scream.

**~*~*~*~**

"CHASE! What the hell are you doing here?" she yelled.
There he sat, on her couch, making himself at home. Suddenly, JC felt quite out of place. What was he doing here? He quickly pushed away any doubts where Madison was concerned. Why would she invite him up here if she knew Chase was up here. Which then raised another question. How did he get in here?
"How did you get in here?" Madison said, demanding answers.
"It helps to keep things that you think you'll never use again" he said slyly, holding his copy of the key to her apartment.
"Chase, you have waived all rights to have a key to anything of mine." She declared.
JC just looked on. He wasn't getting involved in this unless he was asked or Madison was in any danger. From what Carson had told him, he didn't think this guy was dangerous, but love could make you do some crazy things.
"I told you we weren't done," Chase warned.
"And I told you, we are." She replied.
Finally Chase noticed JC standing quietly in the corner. What the hell was he doing up her with Madison. Had his suspicions been right about this guy? Was he interested in Madison? How did these two even meet? Forget that. He knew who he had to thank for this one. Carson.
"We need to talk, Baby" he said softly, but loud enough for JC to hear.
"Chase, I have told you repeatedly not to call me that." She said angrily.
Chase turned to JC, "Do you think you can leave so I can talk to my girl?" Chase asked.
"Whoa! First of all, I am NOT your girl. And second, you --" she turned around to face JC "you, are NOT leaving!" she said.
JC held his hands up. "I'm not going anywhere, Madd." He said.
Chase looked at him angrily. Who the hell did this guy think he was?
"JC, is it?" Chase glared on "Why don't you take my hint and leave so I can talk to Madison here, ok?"
"With all do respect, I don't need to listen to a word you say. I do what she wants me to do. She calls the shots, not you." JC said to him pointing to Madison.
Chase looked on as JC continued to make an ass out of him. At this point Chase had had enough.
"You think because you're sleeping with her that you have a say in this?" Chase shot back at JC.
"Chase!" Madison screamed.
JC just stood there stunned. He didn't know quite how to react to that one.
"Chase, ya know what? You break in here, start telling my friend what to do, and more over, start telling me what I should do. Stop making requests of me, stop making accusations and most of all stop trying to get me back." Madison yelled.
"Madison, come on. I screwed up, I know I did. I want you back!" Chase yelled.
Madison looked over at JC who had covered his mouth to conceal his laughter. In spite of herself a slight smile came to her lips. The smile quickly disappeared when she knew that she had to deal with Chase.
"Chase, for the last time. We are over, we're never going to be together again. I loved you for three years. For three years I never looked at another guy. You couldn't do that. You waited till we were together for three years and then slept with someone else. I don't care if you were drunk, I don't care if you didn't love her. That makes it worse, because it means you definitely weren't thinking about me."
"So that's it, huh?" Chase said. "We're over and you're with him?" he said, motioning over to JC.
Madison just looked at him.
"Not that it's any of your business, but JC and I are just friends." She said.
"So what about us? Do we get to be friends?" Chase asked.
Madison shook her head. "You don't deserve my friendship, Chase."
"Yeah, I guess I don't" Chase responded.
As Chase turned to leave he knew that this was it. That this was they end, and that unless a pure coincidence, he would never see Madison again. He was half way out the door…
"Chase!" Madison yelled to him.
"Yeah, " Chase turned around holding a glimmer of hope.
"I want my key…" Madison said.
"Oh…." Chase said. He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out the last piece that held him and Madison together. As he handed her back the key, he felt as if he handed her a piece of his heart. He would never love another woman like he did Madison. He loved her, and he lost her. It was the most common tragedy told by man. He turned back around and walked out the door to Madison's apartment and her life.

**~*~*~*~**

JC and Madison sat on the couch, still in disbelief over the events that had just taken place.
"I have to apologize for the things he said to you." She said "He had no right -- "
"Madison, you don't have to apologize." JC interrupted her.
Madison smiled. "You're probably so confused…" she said.
"Not really." JC confessed.
"Huh?" Madison said.
"I saw you talking to Chase at the studio and Carson told me, rather us, the whole story. Don't be mad at Carson, Madd." JC said.
"Well, I'll deal with Carson then. But, I'm glad you know. I'd hate for you to get the wrong idea about me and him." She said.
"So, he really cheated huh?" he said, not wanting to push her into talking about anything she didn't want to talk about.
She sighed. "Yeah. I happened to pick up his cell phone one morning and there she was."
"Ouch." JC said.
"Yeah, it wasn't one of my better days." She laughed. "But Carson was there through everything. I don't know what I would've done without him these past six months."
"Can I ask you something?" JC said.
"Yeah, sure." Madison said.
"Why didn't you and Carson ever get together? I mean, like, as a couple?" he asked. The greatest mystery of all. There were circumstances, but even she didn't know the real answers.
"I don't know. I guess it's cause we just know each other too well. Or maybe we just don't wanna mess up a good thing." Madison said.
Her excuse sounded good enough. The truth was, she didn't know herself. JC sat on the couch, a little uncomfortable. He'd never fallen for a girl as quickly as he had for Madison. He almost didn't blame Chase for trying to get her back. If that were him, JC would've tried his damnedest to get her back too. Of course, he would've never cheated on her in the first place. Not on anyone, but for sure not on Madison. She was special, he could see that already, and he'd known her only a little over a day.
"So where's Jacey," he asked, breaking the awkward silence between them.
"I don't know" she answered. "Probably hiding. She hates fighting."
"Smart dog." JC observed.
"Yeah, I got a real brainiac." She said with sarcasm. "She thinks she rules the place."
"Doesn't she?" JC asked, laughing.
"Well, yeah. I guess she does, now that you mention it. She has a spot in the kitchen, her own bed. She sits on the couch more than I do…. You're right, it's her apartment. I just live here!" Madison laughed.
"Well, look at that. I got you to smile." JC said.
"Yeah, I guess you did." She said
"You should do that more." He said "Smile, I mean."
Madison felt the chemistry between them, and she knew JC felt it too.
"JC, I…." She started.
"Shh…" JC said, putting a finger to her lips.
He brought his finger down off her lips and lifted her chin. As their lips touched he felt the electricity between them. The kiss lasted only a second, two at the most, but it was enough to let them both know that there was something more between them. Something more than the friendship Madison had told Chase about.
"Just friends?" JC asked quietly.
"Of course." Madison said softly. "Friends kiss."
JC leaned in once more. A gentle kiss like the one before, only it grew. His hands first were on her waist then making their way up her back. Her hands clasped around his neck, bringing him in closer to her. They parted for only a second.
"Friends, do not kiss like that." JC said simply.
"No. No they don't, " she smiled. "Do you wanna go back to being just friends?" she asked.
"Ah, let me think about that one…no." He laughed. "No, I don't. What about you?"
"Definitely not." Madison answered, shaking her head. "Definitely not."

**~*~*~*~**

Madison opened her eyes early the next morning. She smiled as she rolled to face out the beautiful bay window that was across from her bed. She loved New York, even in the winter. The skyline was too gorgeous to not see the sunrise from time to time. The sun was just coming up into the horizon. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. 6:25. She had another hour before she even had to think about getting ready for work. She looked across the way to see Jacey still sleeping on her own bed. She smiled. Everything was so peaceful in the morning. Too bad she wasn’t a morning person that could get out and enjoy it. Madison liked her sleep too much to interrupt it. Which really didn’t explain why she was up already. Interrupting her thoughts were two strong arms pulling her from behind. She smiled as his face buried into her neck kissing her softly.
“Good Morning” he said sleepily.
“Good Morning” she whispered.
She turned around and faced JC. Being happy was something Madison had forgotten about. It’d been so long since she’d been truly happy. Sure, she had Carson. But this, JC, he was different.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked him.
“Like a baby,” he answered. “You’d be surprised how great a real bed feels when you’ve slept in hotel beds for the last few weeks.” He laughed
“I’m glad you’re comfortable.” Madison said.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“Only 6:30.” She answered.
“What time do you have to leave?” he asked.
“I only work at 9, so I should leave around 8:30 or so.” Madison said.
“You said you were a senior, right?” JC asked.
“Technically. I should have graduated this past December, but I stayed on an extra semester for an extra degree..” She explained.
“So, basically…” he started.
“Basically, it means I go into a job I love for eight hours a day, get paid for it and still obtain the extra degree when I graduate this May.” She finished.
“Well, sounds like you’ve got it made.” JC said.
She had it made all right, professionally and now personally. She didn’t know exactly what JC and her were yet, and right now she didn’t care. Here she was, in the arms of a man that could have been a million other places the night before. Instead he was there, holding her. Sleeping beside him and having him hold her in his arms meant more than sex ever could.
“Are you ok?” he asked. “You’ve been quiet for awhile.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking about last night….” She said.
“Yeah, that wasn’t pretty.” He said, thinking back to the previous nights events with Chase.
“Actually, the part I was thinking about was pretty wonderful.” She said smiling.
“Oh, that….” He said smiling back to her. “Yeah, that was…was wonderful.”
“Instant replay?” JC said. He pulled her in close to him and kissed her lips softly.
“Mmm. I don’t think I got the full play that time. You should probably show me again?” Madison said smiling.
“I don’t mind if I do, Miss. Wilkes.” JC said.
With that, he wrapped his arms around her thin body, completely surrounding her. His lips met hers with a passion that neither of them could control. His lips made their way down her neck and onto her shoulders, then back up to her lips. She loved the feel of his hands on her waist and working their way up and down her back. They broke from their embrace only as Jacey jumped on the bed and landed on JC.
“Jacey!” Madison yelled. “That wasn’t nice!”
“You’re dog has impeccable timing.” JC said.
“Tell me about it.” Madison said dryly.
“We’ll continue that later?” JC questioned.
“You can count on that.” Madison replied, trying to talk over the dog who had lodged herself between Madison and JC. JC sat up where he was and started to play with the dog. Madison got up and grabbed her robe. It was still too cold for her. She preferred spring and summer to winter any day.
“You want coffee?” she asked.
“Yeah, that would be great” he said.
Madison went into the kitchen and started the pot. There was nothing like a hot cup of coffee in the morning. How did she survive life without it before? Anyway, there were a lot of things that she didn’t know would be so wonderful. Madison walked into the living room and started to approach her bedroom door. She stopped outside for a moment, peering inside. There lay JC and Jacey on the bed. Jacey was resting comfortably in JC’s lap. That dog was such a baby, but especially to males. It was amazing how fast she adapted to JC though. It’s was amazing how fast Madison adapted to JC though too. Madison walked into the room.
“Hey” she said softly.
JC looked down to the resting dog. “I think she likes it here” he said to Madison.
Madison smiled as she climbed onto the bed next to JC. “I like it here too.” She said.
JC smiled and kissed Madison lightly on the lips.
“Thank you for letting me stay. I had a good time.” He said.
“So did I” she answered him “except for the whole ‘Chase’ thing.”
JC nodded. “Do you think he’d come back?” he asked.
Madison shook her head. “No. He usually does what I ask him to do. Maybe he’ll stay away this time.” She said.
“Do you still love him?” JC asked.
Madison looked at JC in amazement of his direct question.
“I’m sorry” he said. “I don’t have a right to ask that.”
“Sure you do. And, no, I don’t. I did love him, there’s no denying that, but I could never love somebody that would do something like he did. Cheating is unforgivable.” She said.
JC half-smiled. “Well, I guess that’s good……for me, anyway.” he said.
“Oh yeah, Mr. Chasez? And what do you plan to do with me?” she asked slyly.
“Ha!” he said. “Just this…”
At that he swooped her up into his arms and kissed her gently on the mouth, laying her down back onto the bed and continuing the journey of his lips.
::Knock, Knock::
JC jumped up, startled. “What’s that?” he asked.
“Someone's at the door” Madison groaned. “I’ll be right back” she said.
Madison walked to the door, knowing full well that only one person could be at her door this early. Madison opened the door and she was not disappointed.
“Hey Madd!” he said. “You’re up already? I thought I would have to pry you outta bed. Did you have a late night last night? How’d it go?” Carson’s questions came out at once. Madison couldn’t fill him in on everything right now, not with JC in the next room. She knew JC wouldn’t stay in the next room for long. It was only a matter of time until……
“Hey Carson, good morning” JC said, walking into the kitchen where Carson had taken a seat.
Carson looked shocked to see JC, to say the least. ‘This guy moves fast’ he thought to himself.
“Morning, JC” Carson said questionably. All at once Carson felt there were one too many people in the room, and he knew that it was him that didn’t belong.
“Madd, I’m gonna get going. Give me a call when you get a chance, you know where to reach me, ok?” he said.
“Carson, don’t leave, you just got here!” she pleaded. She didn’t want Carson to leave. Somehow she knew that JC being there made Carson feel uncomfortable.
“No. I really must go. I…um…I have a dentist appointment in an hour, so I should get going. Well…..JC…. it was nice to see you again. I’ll see you around.” He said. “Madd. Have a good day, alright?” he said walking over and kissing her on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Madison walked Carson to the door and he quickly exited without looking back.
Madison walked back into the kitchen where JC was standing pouring them coffee.
“He was a little surprised, don’t ya think?” JC asked her when the sat down at the table.
“A little? His eyes almost popped out of his head when you walked out of the bedroom!” she said.
“Madd, nothing happened last night. We both know that, I think he does too.” He said.
“I know. And Carson doesn’t need to know everything. There is some stuff I don’t tell him.” She said.
“Yeah. Like what?” he challenged, jokingly.
“I don’t know, I’m sure I’ll think of something though!” she laughed.
JC’s face fell straight, and she could tell he was getting serious now.
“What exactly did happen last night? I mean, what are we? Are we anything?” he asked.
“I don’t know JC, you tell me. What do you want this to be?” she asked.
“I want this to be what it is, special. I want to take it one day at a time and not rush into anything that one or both of us will get hurt. I want every day and every night to be like the last couple of days and last night. I like how I feel when I’m with you.” JC said.
“And, how do you feel when you’re with me?” she asked, smiling.
“I feel like I’m walking on clouds and that even if I fall I’ll bounce right back up. I’m happy, and I haven’t been in a long time. I just don’t want to rush anything.” He said.
Madison smiled. Was it possible to tell this man, in words, what she was feeling? She had been a fan for such a long time, and in the past couple of days, since their little run-in, she hadn’t thought about him once, as the superstar he was.
“JC, when I find the words to tell you how happy I am, I will. Until then, know that these past few days have been wonderful. And last night….last night was, well, just a great night.” She smiled. “You make me happy, that’s all I know right now. I don’t want to rush into anything either, but I want to be here for you.” She said.
JC smiled back at her and slowly leaned in for a kiss. A kiss that sealed an understanding that no one else could understand.

<< Chapter 4 :: Chapter 6 >>