Amazed – Of course theres a lot of drama to comehaha well be seeing more of Diane soon, but not so much in this chapter.

Lily – More you say? Okay, well, a sort of long Shane/Carmen scene at the end of this chapter.

CFone – Im so sorry it took long for this fixah was sooo busy.

ShAiN – Why did Carmen fall for Diane, you ask? Well, just keep reading

california – hey glad to see your wonderful comments again always an honor to know that someone loves my fic ~smiles~ as for giving Shane and Carmen a chanceyoull see.



Protection, A Form of Jealousy

-San Francisco: Pier 39-

In the midst of the afternoon activity, Tab strolled along, and stopped to view the clan of seals who attract many tourists. She watched the seals snooze out on the docks; an odd sight to see so many in one area, showing themselves off to a random passersby, barking like ferocious dogs fighting for a spot on the boards. Despite the noise, it was peaceful for Tab, having the ocean breeze blow her hair around. She nodded and retreated from the sight, to allow other tourists gather in her spot. She sighed and walked with her hands in her pocket.

Miss.

She stopped and turned around to see a young man standing tall, Yeah?

Are youare you Tabitha Johnson?

No, her smiled faded, she turned back around to continue her stroll.

Are you sure? he said, pacing his steps to catch up with her.

Her eyes rolled as she stopped and placed a hand on her forehead, What the ***** do you want?

Im a fan He wavered when her green eyes focused on him in a death stare. of your band. I just saw an ad of your band posted up recently”

What, do you want me to sign somethingwhat.

I was thinkinga little lunch, maybe?

Tab scoffed and looked him over, You got to be kidding me.

Ill pay, his eyes pleaded.

***

Alice smiled at the cashier girl and gave her a little wink once she handed her the photos, Thank you.

She walked out and stood out in front for a while to flip through the photos. Most of them were of Dana, Tonya, and herself: Dana giving sweet smiles, Tonya with her over exuberant smiles, and Alice occasionally looking bored, and nauseous with Tonyas arm around her. She stopped when she sees the picture of Diane, and separates it from the rest; she puts it in her purse while she contemplates on throwing out the rest. She sighs and walks away from the trashcan with the other photos still in her hand”it might be fun to cut out Tonya out of all the pictures, who knows.

***

Carmen rang the bell a few times, and then started banging on the door,

SHANE! she bellowed. It has been yet another week since the last theyve spoke. It seems as if every experience they have together ends on a bad note. In the middle of her knock, the door opens, causing her to jump back. A look of disappointment was on her face when she realized it was Jenny answering the door.

Sorry, I know Im not Shane. Jenny stepped back, and folded her arms, allowing room for Carmen to enter the house. Carmen held her knuckles, which began to ache. Jenny notices, Should I get some ice for that?

Nothats okay Carmen walked in and examined for signs of Shane.

If youre looking for her, shes not here, she said, with a gentle soft voice. She walked over to the table, But, she wanted me to give this to you

She looked at Jenny with a note in her hand, and nodded, taking it from her. She sat herself down to read the note. Her delicate fingers ran through her hair as she began to read the first few lines:



Carmen,

What can I sayyou know I I [scratched out words] care about you. But you know, it ***** sucks to know that you dont trust me. I just want to let you know that Im going to be up in the bay area for a few weeks with Tab. And think what you will, but Im there to do her hair because shes got a few concerts to do. Well. Believe me or dont believe me. I have never lied to you. ***** well, I got a flight to catch. I hope things go well for you and Diane Good luck with Diane [scratched out words] Bye.

Shane



Why didnt she just call me she muttered, as she finished the note.

Jenny sat on the table in front of her, She knew youd stop her.

So she writes me a ***** note? Carmen held her head in her hands.

I think you should be glad that she even bothered to leave you somethingunder the circumstances between you two at the moment, she stood up while Carmen kept her focus on the Shane issue. She sighed, She also left you something else

***

An uninterested Tab bobbed her head up when she realize that closing her eyes for a few seconds resulted in actually dozing off. She blinked her eyes open and groaned at the sight of her teen fan. He sat there parallel to her, ecstatic with his words, talking about nonsense, talking about he cant believe hes having lunch with Tabitha Johnson, talking about his lifestory”like Tab would give a *****. She put up her right hand to make him stop, she shook her head, Whoa, kid, seriously. Thanks for lunch, but there is no need for all this *****. And definitely no time.

He scoffed, I am not a kid. Im 18.

Oh wow, oh my ***** goodness are you serious?! she exaggerated and rolled her eyes, Youre young”

But old enough to ***** you.

Im *****, her confidence threw him off.

Whatyou cant be. I – I can change you back, just one ***** with me”

What the *****? Seriously, do you just strive on your third leg thinking its *****? Get a ***** life, she shook her head and removed herself from the table.

***

Carmen boarded the plane as she looked for an empty seat. Every single seat full, except next to a man with a comb over, glasses, and in a business suit. She sat herself next to him once she packed her stuff on the compartment above and forced a smile as he said a daunting hello to her. Hi she managed to say.

A woman walked down the aisle and placed her hand on Carmens shoulder, Hello maam.

Hello, Carmen smiled at the lady, eyed her, and began to laugh. Dianewhat are you doing here.

Well, I have some business to tend to up in San Franciscoand I didnt know youd be here. I was thinking maybe I could switch seats withhim, she looked at the man, gave him a pleading look. He sighed and agreed.

Carmen held her breath, pushing herself back in her seat as far as possible, as the man had to walk over to get to the aisle. She then smiled as Diane took his place, I must sayMens asses just cant beat a womans.

Oh yesmost men work their asses off, literally, she laughed and sighed, And whats your reason to be on this flight

Shane left me a plane ticket.

Diane looked at her, Shanethe name sounds familiar.

Yeah, you wouldnt believe what ***** shes told me about you she sighed and rested her head on the palm of her hand, Its unbelievable what stuff shed say just to ***** protect me.

What did she tell you, if you dont mind me asking?

She said, Dianes a crazy *****! She killed her boyfriend when she found out Tab was sleeping with him. Crazy huh? she shook her head and sighed. I guess the words beneath it are, I want you to myself, dont ***** with others why cant she just tell me that!

Diane shifted in her seat, a bit uncomfortable, Tab she sighed, You know. Its reallyIts amazing how the past can just ***** up the calm of the present.

What do you mean Carmen looked at Diane, her eyes searching for the truth. Tell me, what is it, I hate it when people just leave me out of everything”Im human, I like to know things sometimes too.

Okay, okay. Your friend, Shane, she is telling the truth. She looked at Carmen, who was speechless. I was a crazy bitchbut Ive changed. Ive calmed downyou can see that right?

Did you really kill your boyfriend

No. Diane groaned and leaned in close to whisper to Carmen, she smiled eerily, It – it didnt happen. How can I say thisit was – we faked it. A hoax. I wouldnt kill anybody. Do I look like a murderer to you?

Carmen looked around, not sure what to say, but forced to speak to fill in the awkward silence, Noyou dont. But anybody has the power to kill someone with enough motive”

I didnt kill himhes alive, Carmen.

***

Shane sat at a table, drinking a cup of coffee, watching all the arriving flights come in, seeing people reunite, hug, kiss, jump into each others arms. She sat there, coffee in hand, observing all these activities happen before her eyes. Her eyes switched from groups to couples, to lonely drifters. Her lips pressed together and she thought to herself why she is here, waiting, and watching Waiting for a certain Latin lover, with her dazzling eyes that can capture ones soul and break all the standards that you are known to live for. She watches to see how she should greet her. A wave? Nothat looks awkward. A kiss? No, not the time for that, just too weird. How about a hug? Thats safe. Hugs are nice. Sweet. Caring. Careful.

Her phone buzzes on the table; she flips it open and puts it to her ear, Yeah?

Shane, where the ***** are you?

Shane rolled her eyes the second she hear Tabs voice, Im at the airport”

Still?

Im waiting on somebody.

Oh so you finally decided to give that extra ticket to Carmen eh?

Actually, I didnt give it to herI left it there with a note. Told Jenny to give it to her if she comes by.

Wait wait wait. Solet me get this straight. You didnt even hand it to her. You just left it theresitting on some table”Shane, if she doesnt ***** show up, you owe me for that ticket”

Calm down, she should show up Shane tapped the table lightly and took a sip from her coffee, I hope.

Youre always playing chances with this girl”you cant do that with her, manI cant believe you havent fucked it up between her yet either.

She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed, Tab, its me, you know how I am. ItsI cantno.

Anybody can tell youve got it bad for her”

I like her. ButTab, she kissed Diane! She looked down and pinched the bridge of her nose. Im overreacting about this I knowbut, I hated the sight of it. I mean, when I saw her kiss Jenny that was enough.

I think shes testing you. If she shows up, that means she doesnt feel for Diane, she just wanted to see how youd react. Make you hurt. After all, you are Shane, the one that goes with anybody just about anytime”

You dont need to shove my life in my face. I know what I do”

No, Shane, youre the one ***** shoving your life into Carmens face. You are not a committed person, yet she is. But have you noticed how shes willing to compromiseIm sure youve noticed, right?

So thats why she kissed Diane”

Dianes a seductive *****; she can get anybody to kiss her. But thats not the point, thats just her just being singleshes single Shane. Do you not see how gorgeous that woman is? *****, a ***** temptress!

Im not blind, I know shes ***** beautiful.

Well, anyway, Tab sighed, Ill keep you company.

Oh great, Shane rolled her eyes and smiled before taking a big gulp of her coffee.

***

Carmen rubbed her temple and furrowed her brow, You didnt kill him. What exactly did you do?

Um Diane rubbed her chin and forced a smile, The whole Ryan bringing Tab to Mammoth was my idea she bit her lip as she waited for Carmens reaction. Nothing. Ryan and I were in loveI needed revenge. Ryan was sorry for cheating on me, I was dense to believe himhe wanted me back, so I told him what exactly to do

I dont know what to say, she shook her head and made herself laugh. Diane made a face, and Carmen looked at her, Haha, what? Oh, rightsorry. Just um, self therapy. But yeahI must say, thats pretty fucked up, Diane. Where is Ryan

Thats the umthe business I have to tend to today actually.

What?! Carmen rolled her eyes, Wait, are you still in love with him?

No no no! Diane shook her head, Were just friends now. He has a serious relationship going on with him. Hes married, Carmen. We just need to catch up on some things. Carmen eyed her, and Diane put up her hands, No more crazy stuff, Im a grown woman.

***

Its an hour later, and Shane still had the phone at her ear. She nodded to whatever Tab was saying, and occasionally, said, Oh since she was busy keeping an eye on the people coming in.

This kid, Tab started, was seriously a guy version of Jamie. He took me out to lunch. I dozed off an accident, but I gotta admit, I sort of hoped hed be gone when I woke up. But then I remembered that I didnt even order yeah, and I was like ***** He wanted to ***** me. Ah, terribly horrid, dont you think? I didnt even stay for lunch, I was too pissed off, Shane! *****, couldve had free lunch

Oh, I love how frank you can be in such an odd situation, Tab, Shane laughed for a moment before scamming her eye over the perimeter of the airport for a sign of Carmen.

Haha, I know, Tab sighed, she clicked her tongue a few times. Watch, I bet the ***** guy is gonna show up at the concert tonight and either wreak havoc, or love me even more. Or *****, maybe a combo of both – He seems like one that can pull that offHate me one minute, love me the next. SoooSee your love”I mean, haha, Carmen, yet?

Tab Shane rolled her eyes and heaved a silent sigh, You seem way too hyper to be you.

I guess I forgot to tell you, Tab burped, I downed eight Red Bulls in the last hour

Great one more and you should start to sound like Speedy Gonzales.

Haha! Look at you referring to cartoons! Awyou love Carmen, dont you.

Shane raised her eyebrow, Tabyou frighten me at times. You sure that was Red Bull?

I know, Tab laughed and exhaled noisily. ***** Red Bullall sugar and salt, she said with a serious voice, but quickly retired back to the odd giddiness.

Hey, I think I see Carmen, Shane smiled genuinely, standing up to get a better view; she was ready to go over and give her a welcoming hug. She stalled herself, Ohfuck.

What? What?! she said, the second one more powerful and stern. Shane, Im not watching you on a television set, you cant just say Oh ***** as a reaction to something Im not ***** seeing myselfhello? Whats happening?

Hold on, her mouth hung low, as well as her eyes while she put down her phone, watching Carmen hug Diane. She blinked, her upper lip snarled at the sight, I cant ***** believe my eyes Slowly she brought the phone back to her ear, TabCarmen just got off the planeshesshes ***** with Diane!

Shes ***** right in front of your eyes? Shane its an airport, what the ***** are you drinking.

Tab, please, shut the ***** up youre buzzed on Red Bull for gods sakes! Look, Ill call you back when youre in your energy drink withdrawal. Shane shoved her phone into her pocket and consumed the rest of her coffee in one big gulp. She walked herself over to the sight of the conversing Carmen and Diane. Hey, she said with her low seductive voice.

Shane! she looks over her shoulder, and turns away from Diane.

Shane looks past Carmen, towards Diane, and leans into her, forcing herself to smile, to seem okay, Hahauh, what the ***** is this. Whats she doing here?

No need to whisper, I know youre talking about me, Shane, Diane piped out of nowhere.

Im sorry, do I know you? She glared at her.

Diane smiled and folded her arms across her chest, Well, you did tell Carmen I was a, and I quote you, a crazy ***** right?

Carmen grabs Shanes arm and pulls her to the side, Shane why are you acting this way?

Shane breaks her glare from Diane and looks down at Carmen, Are you testing me?

Testing you? she raised her eyebrow, confused.

I know Im not a relationship person”

I know that Shane she moved her head from side to side, Whats the meaning of thistesting you? Shanedo you have something you want to tell me?

Diane walks over and taps Carmens shoulder, I have a cab to catch, Ill see you tonight.

Shane scoffed, and threw her hands up in the air, Youre seeing her tonight? The concert is tonight!!

I invited her to the concert, Shane

Why?

Why the ***** not? she shrugged, She wants to settle things with Tab. Shane stood there and Carmen sighed. She looked her in the eye, and placed her hands at her shoulders, Look, Im here because I trust you

Whatever Shane shrugged, scratched her head and turned, lets go, I gotta meet up with Tab.

Shane, why are you acting like this. Carmen bit her lip and ran her fingers through her hair while trailing after her. You seemjealous of Diane. Shane stops walking, and Carmens jaw drops. Oh my god, are you jealous?

Imno! She leans her head back and licks her lips, Im just protecting you. Carmen smiles and walks herself to stand right in front of Shane. Her hand reaches up and places itself on Shanes neck, causing her to drop her head back down, to look into her eyes and see that twinkle she missed the last time. Shane couldnt help but grin, Youre staring.

And you her hand moves up her neck and runs her finger lightly over Shanes delicate lips, are so jealous.

Oh really? Shane opened her mouth to catch Carmens finger, but she moved it just in time. Her agility caused her to chuckle sweetly and softly, Well what if I amwhat would you do about it?

Hmgood question. Carmen folds one arm across her chest, while the other rests on it, so she could lightly tap her own chin, and eventually bite the tip of her finger. She walked around the grinning beauty and once she was back in front of her, she pulled her down to her face, almost into a kiss, only a few centimeters away to a lock of lips She smiles and speaks, I would um She bites her own lips while Shane observed the action.

You would She softly pried at her, trying to lean in the rest of the way, only to see that the tease kept the distance fairly”or unfairly in Shanes case”consistent. She sighed, You ***** tease

Feeling Shanes breath on her lips, and not sealing the deal with that kiss, drove Carmen wild beyond imagination, but she endured this torture, and giggled seductively. She cleared her throat, Id make you carry my luggage

Youre horrible she joked, closing her eyes and leaning her head back again.

Oh am I? She slung her baggage off her shoulder and put the strap around Shanes neck. Shane looks back down at her, and Carmen smiles, cupping Shanes cheek and smoothing her thumb over it, I dont think so.

We should Shane gulped, losing her self-discipline at her warm touch, she scratched the back of her ear, We should really get going you know? she smirked, but kept her distance. Trying not to give in to a kiss was overwhelming.

When do you have to see Tab Carmens brown eyes pierced into Shanes, I just got off a planeI think I might need to loosen my body a bit

My her breath hitched as Carmen ran a finger right down the middle of her chest, with an evil yet ***** smirk. Shane laughed tensely, My phone is vibrating”

Shane, Carmen said a demanding tone.

What? Shane said, raising her eyebrow and smoothing her takes of breaths. Her air caught in her throat as Carmen pulled her down again, to finally kiss her. They moaned into each others mouths, and Shane pulled back, A little feisty this afternoon?

Carmen giggled, Youre the jealous one.

I never admitted that.

Mmhmm, yeah sure, she stepped back and smiled, Lets just see how itll play out tonightbut for now, youre carrying my bag. Carmen chuckled as she began to walk off, making Shane shadow her every way she went. Oddly enough, Carmen made her way into the bathroom.