Into Your Icy Blues

The next three months passed slowly. Jade could only throw herself into her work for so long, and she found herself checking for e-mails from the guys more than once a day. They took turns sending her pictures and stories of their antics. As many times as she sat back and wondered how she had let herself become so attached to the group, she couldn’t help but wonder what they were up to - how Frank had managed to hurt himself that day, the trouble that seemed to follow Ray and his ridiculous (in a good way, she reminded herself) hair, what Frank had done to piss her brother off recently, what the Way brothers what up to, how the girls were doing, Frank. Sometimes she wished she could just shut her brain off for a day or two.

The first person she spotted was Bob. He hadn't even noticed her hurrying over to him until she was jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. Only she could get away with doing things like this, she thought happily as she slid to the ground. He placed a kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her again.

"Missed you," he whispered. She returned the sentiment before the two turned to the people that had gathered around them. The first familiar face she spotted was that of a certain lead singer's. He smiled his cute, small toothed smile at her before wrapping her in a hug.

"Not sick of me yet?" she murmured. He justified that with a bop to the head before nudging her towards his brother. She was passed around the group and even managed to give Frank, Jamia, and Alicia quick, awkward hugs before leading the large group out of the airport before they were noticed by anyone. All in all, Jade was quite proud of herself.

When they arrived back at the apartment, roughly half of the group headed for the kitchen.

"Don't even bother," the Bryar siblings droned as they dropped down onto one of the couches in the den.

"You two are creepy," Eliza noted as she and her other half made themselves comfortable in the love seat.

"Somebody order pizza!"

Pizza was ordered and eaten. Stories about tour were told and laughs were shared. Jade was happy. Though, she couldn't help but notice that both Jamia and Frank were being unusually quiet. When everybody seemed to be occupied by either whatever was playing on TV or another person, she got Gerard's attention and gestured toward the hallway leading back to the bedrooms. He nodded, whispered something to Eliza, and made his way down the hallway with Jade right behind him.

"What's up?" he questioned as he made himself comfortable on her bed.

"What's up with Frank and company?"

"Oh, well, you know."

"What?"

To Gerard, she just seemed like the normal curious, snarky Jade. Her thoughts were in turmoil - what if he had told someone?!

"He sort of lied to her. About something."

"And so she's mad."

"Yes."

"Well, what did he lie about?"

"Well, uh, you?"

A sharp intake of breath. "What about me?"

"Just visiting you last time. It was stupid. He said he was going back to Jersey when he was coming here and she found and well, flipped a shit, frankly."

"So it's my fault, again."

"No!" Gerard looked a bit panicked now. "No, he doesn't blame you, and it isn't your fault. He knows he shouldn't have lied. She's just been acting really weird. They both have, actually. I was kind of hoping you knew what was up with him, actually. I just never got around to asking."

"Why would I know?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. By the time she realized her mistake, though, Gerard was glaring at her.

"What the fuck is going on?"

"Wha-what?" She cursed the stutter in her voice.

He was standing now. "Both of you have been acting... I don't know. But I don't like it at all. And if there's something you need to tell me, I'd suggest that you do it now."

"Don't pull the whole name bit on me, Way," she snapped, rising from her perch on the desk chair.

"Don't pull the innocent act with me," he retorted.

"What would I not be innocent of?!"

"Well I don't know, Frank was over here a few nights, wasn't he?"

"Excuse me?!"

"Oh god - Jade, I'm sorry. That was out of line, come here." Before he reached her, the first tear made its way down her cheek. "Hey- hey, I'm sorry babe. I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's not- god," she choked.

"Hey, you can talk to me," he cooed. "C'mere. It's okay"

"It's really not," she whispered, glancing up at him.

"Please don't tell me-"

"I'm sorry," she muttered. "It was a mistake."

"Does anyone know?"

"Just us. And you, I guess."

The sound of someone stomping down the hallway broke the two out of the eye-lock they were engaged in. The stomping was headed toward the front of the apartment.

"Iero!" an angry voice bellowed. "I'm going to fucking kill you!"