Running From You

James sighed and mumbled under his breath, "Ugh don't start shit, Chad." Only Elsie heard.

Heather sighed. She already knew it was going to get heated.

"Why don't you take Christian to watch a movie in the theater, Els." She suggested. Her face looked tense and stressed.

"Come on baby..." She led him away.

Jeremy glared at Chad, "I asked you WHY I don't deserve MY girlfriend?"

Chad scoffed, "Because you are an obsessive bully."

"No. It's because YOU want her. Well she's mine!" Jeremy sat down his empty scotch glass and stood up. Chad hurriedly did the following. Pretty quick they were shouting in each other's face and then Jeremy swung and hit Chad in the face.

"QUIT IT!" Heather shouted. She was beyond annoyed. Both guys stopped wrestling on the ground, "Both of you get the fuck out of my house. I am DONE with you both."

James finally got involved and pulled them apart. "Alright mates, Heather said OUT!"

Jeremy looked at his girlfriend, "Really?"

'"We're over." She said softly. He left, slamming the door angrily. Chad stood up, brushing off his clothes.

"Me too?" He asked with a frown. Heather looked at him calculatingly.

"Why did you have to act like that? I don't care what you do. I'm going to bed. I'll go give Els and Christian my love. I'll see you tomorrow James."

"Mommy! Can we play with James tomorrow?" Christian asked as they were walking out.

"He probably has work." She smiled.

"Actually I'm not shooting tomorrow. I'll be around." James said.

"Oh." Elsie said, "Well, we didn't get a chance to eat thanks to Jeremy, would you like to come by now? I'll make us some dinner. Chad should stay and speak to Heather."

James smiled, "Let's go out and get something. My treat."

&^&

Chad made his way upstairs to Heather's room.

Elsie smiled, "It's a getting a little late for Christian..."

"We could uhh have the babysitter swing by and you and I could get dinner..." James said shyly.

*&*

"Heather..." He said softly as he opened the door.

Elsie smiled, "It's not going to be easy or cheap to get a babysitter at such short notice."

*&*

Heather was sitting on her bed, pretending to watch a movie. Chad sighed. he walked over and sat down on the bed.

"I'm really sorry. Please forgive me." He said softly.

James sighed, "You're right."

"Why don't we pick up take out? When Christian goes to sleep, you and I can have a little time together." Elsie said boldly.

***

She glared at him, "You're a pain in the ass."

James grinned, "That sounds like a plan."

&^&

Chad chuckled, "Yes. I really am. But it seriously kills me to watch such an amazing woman be with such a douche."

They stopped to pick up italian on the way, which James insisted on paying for. After about an hour it was Christian's bedtime.

"I want James to put me to bed!" Christian exclaimed.

"Oh really." Elsie laughed, "Okay."

"Give your mommy a kiss lad!" James smiled.

Christian ran to his mother and kissed her.

*&*

She said nothing. Chad sighed, "I'm going to lay by you. So there." He stuck his tongue out childishly.

James back down stairs a little while later.

"Did he give you any trouble?" She asked.

*&*

Heather tapped him playfully, "Just don't mess with my movie!"

James shook his head, "No. I've gotta tell you, I love him! I want kids of my own someday."

*&8

:I wouldn't dare." Chad grinned, "But there is something I have to do. Feel free to slap me afterward." He pulled her into a short but passionate kiss.

"Wow...." She muttered.

"I've been wanting to do that for weeks."

"You're great with him, you'll be a wonderful father one day." Elsie smiled.

James joined her on the couch, "His dad isn't around?"

She shook her head, "Greg isn't involved in his life at all..he made that decision six months after Christian was born."

*&*

Heather just looked at him closely, "I just didn't expect that..."

James shook his head, "I can't understand that. I'm so sorry, Elsie."

&^7

Chad shrugged, "I won't do it again."

Heather laughed, "I just broke up with Jeremy. Might be good to wait a bit. But I'd like to do that again eventually."

She shrugged, "It's alright. I just feel bad for Christian, ya know? And it's embarrassing having to ask my big brother for help all the time."

"Having people who love you and want to help is nothing to be ashamed about." James smiled weakly.

*&*

"Oh." Chad grinned, "You're probably right."

Elsie shrugged, "But he does too much."

*&*

Heather giggled, "Shhh. You're interrupting my movie."

"What the fuck are you even watching?" Chad asked.

"House of Wax." She replied. Chad groaned.

"He does as much as he wants to." He smiled.

"It's been really nice working with you, James." Elsie sipped her wine.

"You too, Els."

*&*

"SHH!" She laughed.

"Can I tell you something? I love to watch you act."

*&*

Chad smiled and took his shoes off. If he was going to watch one of his movies, he was definitely going to be comfortable.

"Really?" He blushed.

"You transform so much." She smiled, "It's so interesting."

(*(

Heather giggled slightly as she noticed he made faces whenever he was on the screen.

James smiled, "Thank you. I've never taken a compliment as highly as this one.

*&*

"Shut up," Chad muttered before he hit her with a pillow.

Elsie blushed.

"Can I take you out sometime?" James asked, "On a real date."

(*(

"Mean!" Heather laughed and hit him back.