Stormy Says: I'm not going to bore you with endless – although well deserved – apologies. For any of my old readers who might stumble upon this, I hope you enjoy this the most. But I wish newbies a good time too~ Love you all!

Chapter 5: Burn

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It was a wonderful plan, if I had to say so myself. And it had to go just right. There was no room for mistakes this time around – because if there was, I'd probably never get the chance again.

It was pretty crisply Fall by now. Summer heat had left the lunch time hours, and a breeze had taken its place. The sun was low on the mountains and the sky above was a dull orange color – I gave a smile as it reminded me of counting leaf colors with Lumi all those weeks ago. But the smile faded when I remembered the fact she probably still hated my guts from our conversation. …And I tried to distract myself with the swishing noise my jeans made as I walked down Main Street. I wrapped my arms tightly around me. Damn wind… Tucking my hands into my armpits, I was more than happy to finally come to the entrance of the Blue Bar. The faint sounds of a guitar being plucked melted though the wooden door, and the noise hit me full on as I turned the handle and went inside.

"Evenin'," Griffin mumbled, sitting on one of his own bar stools. The instrument I had heard was in his large hands. The older man's dark blue eyes looked me over from underneath his bushy eyebrows, but it wasn't long until his gaze fell back to the guitar. A little scuffling met my ears, and I saw that Muffy was on the other side of the counter, scrubbing the surface down with a rough sponge. She gave a quick smile in my direction before focusing back on her work. It was odd to see her in something other than her signature red dress. A casual gray sundress hung on her body, although her blond curls were still as bouncy as ever. The only light in the bar came from a dim lamp in the corner. And seeing how un-expectant the two of them appeared to be, I guessed that business must be slow.

"Not get many customers tonight?" I asked with a yawn, setting myself down on the stool beside Griffin's. His gentle notes reminded me of a lullaby, but I had to stay awake. I had a reason for coming here, after all.

"I guess you could say that." I turned to see that Griffin still had his eyes glued to his guitar while he strummed, but now a little smile played on his lips.

A few feet away, Muffy giggled. "We're closing down the bar a little early tonight." Muffy winked at me over her shoulder while putting a few last bottles away on the shelves. "Me and Griffin are having ourselves some stay-at-home time. A candlelit dinner…kind-of-sort-of thing." While she laughed again, I blinked a couple times. Did that mean her and Griffin were…dating?

…I suddenly felt guilty for all those times I had checked Muffy out while having myself a drink. Good thing Griffin was a chill sort of guy. How had I never noticed all this going on, right under my nose?

"I guess you'll be wanting to get rid of me then, huh?" I chuckled, getting ready to rise from my seat. I knew it was the polite thing to do, but I really didn't feel like standing. Going back outside so soon didn't sound inviting.

"Oh, eventually," the barmaid teased. "But you're free to warm up a bit before heading out into that cold again. The weather man on TV said that it will be dropping another ten degrees lower than usual tonight. …Oh! Hun!" She turned to Griffin suddenly, face bright. I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Did you know that the weather man is dating the news anchor? The brunette, not the blond. I always knew that their handoffs between segments were a little more than friendly!"

Griffin took the time to glance up from his guitar and look at Muffy proper. "Really?" his voice rumbled. A softness hit his features, his tone gently polite. "How did you hear?" While Muffy began to ramble on the about the odd workings of weather man love triangles, the bar opened up once more. I was in the seat closest to the door, so the icy wind hit me first. And dang! While my arms erupted in goosebumps, I saw the face of the person who'd just come in.

Jack's suspenders hung loose at his sides, swinging with each step he took. I noticed that his shirt was covered in grimy smears in the shapes of handprints, and some gravel fell off his boots as he walked. The farmer took a seat only two stools off from me. His head was bent, hanging low as his eyes seemed to stare down the counter. Guy looked beat. He still hadn't seemed to have spotted me yet. It felt wrong not saying anything to a man who was so close. Muffy and Griffin were still occupied for the time being, so I took it upon myself to play host.

"Hey Jack! Long day out in those dusty fields of yours?" I grinned as he jumped a bit and turned to see who was talking to him. As soon as his eyes hooked mine, though, his expression flashed from confusion to panic.

"Oh… Hello, Rock." He blinked quickly, suddenly very interested in the counter again. I got the hint. I often had that kinda effect on people who were a little more quiet. Well…except Nami, I guess. She never seemed to shy away when I was up to my usual antics.

Speaking of Nami…she was pissed at Jack, wasn't she? I thought of the times she had complained to me about the way he always followed her around like a lost puppy. It felt weird to hear her harsh sighs in my head and to see his face only a few feet away. Even if it was only in my mind, it felt like talking bad about someone while they were still in the room. You just didn't do that. I looked away, suddenly feeling awkward.

"By the way, hun, what did you come for again?" I glanced up to see Muffy looking back at me. Griffin was once again strumming his guitar. The sound calmed me down a bit, and for a second I could pretend that Jack wasn't sitting three feet away from me.

"Oh, yeah." I paused a second to gather my thoughts. Just thinking about my plans made a smile flood my face. "I'm throwing a surprise party at the Inn. You and Griffin are invited, of course. I came to tell you." I felt giddy, like a five-year-old with a secret. Of course, I was being rather brilliant, if I did say so myself…

Muffy's eyebrows raised. The Inn usually didn't host parties – if anyone in the Valley ever did, it was at the Villa. "Oh really? What's the occasion?"

My grin grew all the wider. "A birthday party for the lovely Miss Nami." By this point, I couldn't help but watch Jack out of the corner of my eye. Yet his only response to my words was a shuffle in his seat. I felt oddly disappointed.

"I win again!" Muffy bounced and clapped her hands together, curls flying. I laughed, although I had no idea what the hell she was talking about. She flung herself around to face her man. "Didn't I call it, Griffin? Like a week ago? You know I did!"

"I think I remember something of the sort," he chuckled, looking up to her face between chords.

The confusion on my face must have been obvious, because Muffy suddenly looked apologetic. "Oh, sorry. I just get so excited sometimes!" A new silence hung in the hair. The only thing interrupting it was a few giggles from Muffy, but it was obvious what had just happened was not going to be given any explanation.

"But…yeah," I continued hesitantly. Curiosity still burned, but I soon found my voice. "I just wanted to throw a birthday party for her since only the Goddess knows the last time she had a proper one. It was just the right thing to do." I leaned back in my stool, feeling quite satisfied.

Muffy positively beamed at my words.

It was then that I heard a little cough from beside me. I almost jumped. Jack lowered his arm, after covering his mouth with the crook of his elbow. I wasn't sure if his distraction had been accidental or on purpose. I stared for a moment. Eh… It was probably really rude of me to talk about all these party plans without inviting Jack, right? I just hoped Nami wouldn't be too pissed if he showed. But then again, it'd be even weirder if he wasn't even given the chance to attend. The whole Valley would be talking about it…

"So, Jack…" I tried to keep a pleasant voice. But Goddess knows I hated talking to the man. "Like I was saying, the party is next week. Would you like to come?" I gave a strained smile.

Jack scratched the counter with a fingernail. No words came. He turned to Muffy with a nod. "I'd appreciate a Cherry Pink, please."

Muffy looked about as confused as I did, but went over to Griffin all the same. He stopped playing for a few seconds to point out the proper bottles on the shelves for her to mix.

I didn't really know what to say. Did I just get shot down? Completely ignored? Or was he still going to talk? I opened and closed my mouth a few times, trying to find words. Jack didn't even so much as look my way. But soon enough, his drink came. Muffy seemed to sense the odd vibe between us, for as soon as she set down the glass she scurried over to Griffin once more.

Jack took a shallow sip, closing his eyes. He looked completely exhausted. I felt like I wasn't supposed to ruin this relaxing moment for him, but I still felt awkward as hell. "Mmm… Takes away a bit of the ache, eh?" He chuckled, turning my way.

I blinked. Maybe the guy just hadn't heard me the first time. Because this was weird. I tried to speak up over the sounds of the guitar strumming. "Umm… Like I said, you're invited to the party if you'd li-"

"Nami doesn't like parties. I thought you'd already know that." Jack said it so matter-of-factly, not even blinking as he spoke. He stared me down with blank eyes and a subtle smile. It reminded me way too much of the look he had given me, all those seasons ago, when I had told him about my dreams of being an author. Yeah. And suddenly, I didn't feel so nice anymore.

"I was being polite. You don't have to come if you don't want to." I realized that my voice was no longer having to compete with Griffin's guitar – I was easily winning. "Besides, what do you know about Nami's likes and dislikes anyway?"

The smile on his lips twisted into a crooked line. "I could ask the same thing about yourself."

My fists clenched on the table, a strange sweat now under my collar.

I felt myself rise to my feet.

The music quickly stopped, Griffin's chord breaking with a twang. I suddenly felt a warm patch on my arm. It was sticky and tight. Looking down, I noticed Muffy squeezing my wrist and giving me hard eyes. "Sit, hun. Sit." Her voice was light and cheery enough, but her vice grip sure wasn't. "I have your drink for you. Here." She scooted a foaming glass over my way, although I knew I hadn't ordered anything. I hesitated. "Drink up. We're closing soon." Her dark eyes darted over Jack's way, and I felt my own do the same.

It irked me to no end to see he hadn't even moved a muscle. He just sat there, sipping his drink like some little granny with a cup of tea. Bastard.

That's obviously not how alcohol's dealt with.

"I think I'll be leaving now." The farmer slowly got up, his knees creaking almost as much as his stool. He popped his fingers and gave a sigh. "Thank you, Muffy. Griffin." With a little nod to each, he proceeded to leave a few coins on the counter. The exact amount owed – no more, no less. His eyes caught mine, and he took a step closer. I quickly became very aware of the fact I was a good few inches taller than him. Yet…none of that seemed to matter to Jack. "Take it easy, Rock." With an all too easy smile, he held out his hand. His nails were caked with dirt.

I didn't move. I just stared him down, daring him to smile any wider. It only took a few seconds for him to get the idea. With a soft sigh, he lowered his hand. "Just don't ever say I didn't try," he whispered under his breath, raising an eyebrow. I could sense Muffy leaning in, trying to catch his words. But it was obvious that this was a message for me - and me alone.

I resisted the urge to all but bare my teeth. "I'm not sure why you're trying in the first place, farmer boy."

Jack didn't respond. The man just turned away from me and went back the way he came. The chilly wind howled as he opened the door, the silence returning as it closed. But it didn't last for long.

"What the hell was that for?" Muffy wailed, hands knotted up in her own hair. Griffin chucked softly beside her, but she quickly smacked his shoulder. "This isn't a time to be laughing! Rock just managed to make a fool of himself and try to take on Jack in under five minutes!" She groaned in defeat. "Why do you have to be so sensitive to everything Jack says? And you seemed to be doing so well on your little date with Nami back during summer. But after this…!"

"Oh," said Griffin, a look in his eye. "You're worried about the boy's love life? And here I was, thinking you were going to yell at him for scaring away one of our best customers." Muffy smacked him again, making him only laugh harder.

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Nami's name had snapped out of my anti-Jack thoughts.

"Nothing, hun," Muffy dismissed with a wave of her hand. But I just rolled my eyes. "I think we'll close up now, anyway. Especially after that little shot of excitement." She sighed, giving me a tired look.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but it was no use.

"Maybe some other time, kiddo." Griffin's body language was relaxed, but his voice obviously wanted to wrap up this conversation. I suddenly became worried. I looked back and forth between the two, but both had gone back to their own business. They weren't mad at me, were they? Gah, stupid Jack, having to always go and mess shit up. If he hadn't come to the bar in the first place… I glanced at the drink Muffy had given me, white foam untouched. For some reason, looking at it made me blush.

"I…" My eyes bounced between the floor and the walls. "…I'll, uh, catch you later. …Goodnight, I guess."

The door felt extra heavy as I shut it behind me.