“Okay, let me get this straight,” Rose began. “Seth and Mac are in jail, drunk, and we’re going to bail them out,” she said, a pointed gaze sent towards the box of donuts Keely was holding carefully. “And this police station takes Visa, Mastercard and Krispy and Kreme?”

Giving a slight shrug, Keely hopped gracelessly over a mound of snow that had piled on the sidewalk. “As well as, you want one?” she asked, propping open the lid awkwardly for the other girl to look in on the assortment of doughnuts they had bought at their stop. “Because, if The Simpsons is any indication, they won’t last long in there.”

“I think I’ll pass,” answered Rose with a chuckle. “So what’s with the donuts anyways? Are we bribing the cops or something because I’m not entirely sure I’m okay with that.”

Good naturedly shutting the box, Keely set her gazes ahead, watching as the police station loomed closer in front of them. She wasn’t in the mood to eat them either, she couldn’t tell if she was nervous to be back in the station – last time she’d been in a holding cell, after all – or just to see Seth after the blow up she’d had at him the night before. “Not bribing, last time I bailed Seth out from this place, they told me Colton and Marco usually bring donuts and I promised I would next time. I didn’t think I’d actually be doing it. But at least now I have money from the tour, before bailing him out pretty much bankrupted me.”

As they pulled to a stop in front of the imposing looking building, she sent a glance to the side, noticing Rose was looking on the queasy side, her eyes slightly panicked. “Last time?” she questioned, “Seth’s done this before?”

Crinkling her nose slightly, she started forward to the front doors, wondering if she should talk about it. Yet, after a moment, Keely decided it was safe territory, after all this was mostly common knowledge for whoever read a magazine. “I’ve only bailed him out once, and then the other two times I was kind of with him. But I’m pretty sure, from what Colton and Marco say, he was getting arrested for stupid little things a lot before I moved here.”

“Oh,” replied Rose simply.

Deciding to not question her, Keely focused frontwards through the threadbare tiny entrance way to the front desk. Making a strong wave of déjà vu as she stared forwards to where the officer with the bushy eyebrows sat, just as he had all those months ago. She wasn’t sure she’d ever learnt his name.

“Keely?” he asked in wonderment, sending them a surprised glance. “Did Seth actually call you or did you just pick up the wrong phone again?”

Wincing slightly when she was assured he remembered not only her but her name as well, she forced a smile onto her face, walking hurriedly up to the counter. “This time it wasn’t a mistake,” she assured him. Watching as he sent a curious look over her shoulder, Keely glanced back to see Rose lagging behind. “Oh, she’s here for Mac…” she trailed off, not remembering his last name.

“Parker,” Rose put in, the two syllables coming out in a snap and making Keely send her a confused glance as the other girl stepped forward to stand beside her. “What did he do?” she asked, her voice coming out in the regular smooth tone again.

Digging through a few papers, the man squinted down at a sheet. “Ah, Ryan and Parker were picked up for drunk and disorderly as well as disturbing the peace. They got in a bar fight, but no one has pressed charges so far.”

Ignoring the twisting feeling in her stomach, Keely nodded, starting to feel sick as well. “Can we pay the bail now?” she asked, dropping the box on the desk. “I brought donuts.”

After paying the bail, Rose and Keely were sent down the familiar hall that made Keely wonder if she should be running away as they followed a cop who was happily eating one of the donuts. Who willingly went back towards a cell that they had been held in and given a bucket in case they puked?

Passing a few cells with some… interesting inhabitants, how someone could keep up a perfect conversation with a toilet was so far beyond her.

When they finally found their way to the third cell, Keely crossed her arms in front of her chest, a confused frown working its way between her brows as she took a step forward towards the bar. The confusion came from the two boys sitting on the metal bench at the back of the cell, side by side, angled towards each other looking as if they were sharing secrets.

“… get it across the border without being caught,” finished Seth, a slight grin flitting onto his mouth at his words.

Wordlessly, Mac nodded, intent on the words.

Why on earth would they be talking about that in a police station? As if to enforce her thoughts, a sharp smack made her jump, looking wide eyed to wear the familiar cop had just whacked his baton on the bars.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” John informed them, his lips twitching with a good natured smile.

“Hear what?” piped up Seth, causing Keely’s eyes to flash to him.

There was a broad smirk on his mouth as he leaned casually against the wall, seeping the unintentional charm. Unconsciously she felt a return smile pushing itself onto her mouth as she looked across the bars at him, his bright gold eyes mischievous with his hair sticking messily up in the front, a blue hoodie and dark jeans.

Yet when his eyes flickered in her direction, Keely felt the beginnings of the smile flee from her mouth, her stomach tightening in nerves. Suddenly he smiled, the dimple flashing in his cheek, pushing himself off the bench.

Unable to stop herself, she began to return the smile, but it froze when her eyes took more notice of his cheek. There was a dark bruise starting to present itself across his cheekbone. Hastily her eyes dropped down, taking in the torn up knuckles on his hands and the tattered jeans.

Sending a panicked look in Mac’s direction, she ignored the enormous smile on his handsome face. Instead she zoned straight onto his split lip and the cut on his eyebrow.

Turning her head back to Seth, Keely just raised an eyebrow silently. The smile on his face broadened as he stepped forward towards the bars, leaning one hand on the metal and the other tucking into the pocket of his jeans. Refusing to be the one to back away, she just tipped her head up, sending him a questioning look. However he didn’t respond, just continued smiling, leaning against the bars.

Letting out a sigh, she was the first one to speak. “Tell me you didn’t punch him.”

Not even bothering to ask who she was speaking of; Seth just gave a snort, his eyes never leaving hers. “If I’d have punched him, he’d at least have a black eye.”

The sound of a throat clearing has Keely jolting slightly; having been so focused on Seth she’d forgotten about everyone else. Gripping the bars absentmindedly in front of her, she looked back towards John just as he began to speak again. “Do you guys want me to let you out now, or what?”

Shaking her head faintly she forced herself to take the step back, letting her hands fall away from the bars.

“Aw,” put in Seth sarcastically, “You love us so much you don’t want us to leave?”

With a grin, Mac threw in, “Are you going to miss us John?”

Getting more confused with every passing second, Keely just watched blankly as John wordlessly began to unlock the cell door. She had no idea what was going on now, feeling quite literally lost.

“Did they fight or not?” came Rose’s whispered voice, dragging her from where she was staring while Seth rumpled his hair absentmindedly.

Biting her lip for a moment, she just watched while Seth and Mac stepped from behind the bars. “I don’t think so…” she answered slowly.

Her eyes had focused onto Seth who was checking his pockets with a slight frown on his face, but they were dragged away when someone stepped in front of her. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” Mac began brightly with an enormous smile on his face as he held out a hand for her to shake. “I’m Mac Parker, Rosemary’s boyfriend.”

Pressing her lips together to keep herself from laughing aloud, Keely took his hand, shaking it easily while he sent a wink in Rose’s direction. “Hi Mac Parker,” she returned, her voice trembling with laughter.

Before they could drop the contact, Seth took a step forward, smacking Mac across the back of the head with a loud thump.

Dropping her hand quickly, Mac rubbed the back of his head, growling, “Damn it, Seth.” Turning around to face the other boy, he swung out with his free hand to return the favor, but Seth quickly ducked out of the way. Taking a step closer, Mac caught him in the stomach with his elbow, making Seth swear ripely as he leaned over slightly.

“Okay children, that’s enough. If I have to fill out the paperwork to put you two back in jail, I won’t be happy,” John cut in, sticking his baton between them to halt any retaliation that Seth might have thrown back.

“Sorry John,” the said in unison, their voices clearly lacking sincerity. There was no doubt, especially on Seth’s side, since he had his hand on his stomach, holding it lightly as he glared at Mac.

Mumbling something, John turned away, walking up the desk. As she followed with the rest, her hands anchored in her jean pockets, Keely caught a few words that she was sure were donuts and idiots. To hide the grin that came onto her mouth, she dipped her head, hoping her bangs would suffice.

But she was quickly dragged out of her thoughts as an arm slipped around her waist.

Her eyes widening in surprise, Keely looked up at Seth, ignoring the couple following John in front of them.

Instead of responding immediately, he just brought himself half a step behind her, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I think I might owe you,” Seth whispered, his husky voice enough to send a shiver up her spine even as goosebumps rose on the skin of her neck where his warm breath touched the sensitive skin.

Unable to keep herself aloof Keely grinned, twisting her head around to meet his sparkling golden eyes. “And what are you going to pay me with?” she returned, trying to resist the urge to sink against the strong chest with the arm pulling her towards him.

Returning the grin, he started, “I can think of a few–”

Cutting him off, John broke through their short conversation. “Do you even want to leave the station?”

Hurriedly she pushed herself away from Seth, knocking his arm off her waist as she used his firm chest to propel herself away. “We’re definitely leaving,” she announced, taking a large step away to put space between them.

Shaking his head at them, the police officer held up a familiar set of keys. “I think your girlfriend wants to get out of here.”

Seeing Seth reach up to take the car keys, Keely hastily slapped his hand away, snatching the keys from John possession as she sent them a shared glare. “I’m not his “girlfriend”. And I’m driving,” she finished, sending Seth the full force of her glare.

“Shotgun!” exclaimed Rose hastily, causing all eyes to flash towards her.

Sending her a quizzical look since Keely didn’t miss the slightly panicked look in her eyes; she sent her a small smile, decidedly not bringing up the look in front of the boys. “Sounds good,” she announced, hooking her arm through Rose’s and pulling her back towards the door that they’d come through, not waiting even though Seth was collecting his belongings still.

When they’d finally made it down the hall, the boys having caught up – their footsteps behind them clear – they pushed outside, the chilly air hitting them with a surprise blast. Even though it made her shrink back in to her jacket, Keely couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. As nice as the cops were to them, the past arrest had made her somewhat wary around the police and it was getting stuffy in there.

“I told you she wouldn’t talk to me,” grumbled Mac from behind them.

Surprised she sent a look behind them, finding the two boys walking side by side. Seth was giving the other a sympathetic shrug, running his hand through his hair. Even at that moment she couldn’t help but find the movement sexy, she was becoming hopeless, wasn’t she?

“It could be worse,” Seth informed him optimistically, “She could have kicked you in the balls.”

Stifling a laugh by pressing her lips together, Keely shook her head, coming to a halt in front of the familiar blue sports car.

Beside her, Rose choked on a laugh. “That’s not really my style,” she pointed out even as Keely fiddled with the keys, finally finding the button to press that unlocked the car doors.

“Don’t give her any ideas,” Mac mumbled from behind them.

Feeling Seth’s gaze on her, she looked up from the keys, brushing the hair that had fallen out of her braid away from her face. The pointed look on his face brought a grin to her face. “I’ve never kicked you,” she said pragmatically, “Just words.”

Arching an eyebrow Seth crossed his arms in front of his chest, making the sweater move appealingly over his shoulders. “Who needs action when you got words,” he retorted.

Rolling her eyes, Keely just reached down, dragging the door open. “Very nice, Ryan. Now just get in the car, I’m not driving all the way to your apartment tonight, we’re just going to the warehouse.”

“What if I don’t want to?” he responded, sending her his crooked grin.

Sighing she leaned against the hood of the car easily. “Then I’d say that you’re a four year old.”

“Not quite what I was going for, rebel,” he murmured.

“Will you just get in the car?”

Stepping forward, he planted his palms on the hood behind her body making a gasp escape her lips at the sudden proximity. Their noses almost brushing as he bent his knees, Seth kept his eyes trained on hers, the gaze piercing even though his voice stayed light. “I’ll get in if you come with me.”

Dragging in a shaky breath, she closed her eyes for a moment. It was hard to stay even a little bit angry with him when he was looking at like that, not to mention was his body was pressed against hers, trapping her against the car. “I kind of have to, Seth, I’m driving,” she responded, hating herself when her voice came out breathless.

Opening her eyes, she watched as Seth’s lips twitched, a look flitting into his eyes that she didn’t understand, but it was gone before she could comment.

Casually he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his thumb running gently over the soft skin of her pale cheekbone, raising a shiver down her spine. “Once again, not quite what I was going for, rebel,” Seth whispered, his eyes moving up and down her face.

“What does that mean?” Keely asked instantly, even though she was finding herself a little too focused on the fact that his chest was pressing against her.

“You never get that either, do you?”

Frowning, she lifted her once immobile hands, planting them on his chest and shoved him away hastily as she came back to herself. “You just like speaking in riddles, don’t you? Now just get in the bloody car,” she ordered sternly, pointing at it.

Holding up his hands in defeat, he stepped around the open door, about to step in when he paused. Swearing loudly, he exclaimed, “Do you see that? Mother–”

“Huh?” she replied quickly, stepping in close behind him.

“There’s a scratch,” he proclaimed, pointing at the light mark that Keely had to squint to see. “That tow truck driver is a–”

Shaking her head at his actions, Keely shoved him in the back, pushing him towards the car. She had to chastise herself about what being angry meant when she couldn’t help but think of the lean muscles that had tensed beneath her hands as she did so. “I swear to Grohl, get in your damn car.”

Stumbling forward from her push, Seth clambered awkwardly over the folded over front seat, balancing awkward with his foot on the seat as he pulled up the black guitar case he had on the ground. There wasn’t much leg room in the first place for two tall grown guys in the back seat, and the guitar was taking up too much room for the second to even be able to sit.

“Move over,” he grumbled, shoving Mac with a careless hand on the side of his face as he tried to maneuver into the seat.

Pressing her lips together to keep herself from laughing, Keely pushed the seat back, giving them even less room than before. The seat hit Seth, throwing him back awkwardly into the seat against Mac.

She had just climbed into the car herself, shutting the door behind her when Mac piped up. “Piss off,” he growled, causing her to glance around. “What the hell are you doing? The guitar doesn’t need a seatbelt, just hold onto it.”

“This guitar is worth more than you, Parker,” Seth retorted.

Mac narrowed his eyes at the other boy. “I don’t care what it’s worth, if you don’t stop shoving me, I’ll throw it out the window.”

“Firstly,” he began, balancing it on his lap carefully, “I’d throw you out the damn window right after it. And would you really do that to Chuck Berry’s guitar?”

“If it kept jabbing me in the ribs, than yeah,” he answered without giving an inch, crossing his arms across his chest. But as she watched the interaction in the rear view mirror Keely didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on the guitar case Seth was holding. Even though he tried to make his voice careless during his next words, he failed miserably. “Was that really Chuck Berry’s?”

“Yeah,” replied Seth smugly, leaning back in the leather seats comfortably. “And just because the way you spoke about her, you never get to touch her.”

The other boy gave a loud snort. “You wouldn’t have let me anyways.”

Leaning across the seat slightly, Keely whispered to Rose, “Does this conversation seem a bit weird now?”

“Now?” questioned Rose, sending a disbelieving look behind them where the two boys continued to bicker over who got to touch the guitar. “I think we entered the twilight zone the moment we walked into the police station.”

Laughing lightly in the back of her throat, Keely shook her head, turning the keys in the ignition of the car. When the squabbling didn’t even hesitate for half a moment as the engine roared to life beneath them, she gave a loud sigh. “Hey,” she said sharply, causing both pairs of eyes to snap towards her. “If you’re going to do this the whole time, I’m kicking you out now and taking the car.”

“And I’ll take that,” Rose announced, twisting around in the seat, reaching for the guitar.

A person would have been blind to not see the excited look on her face.

“No, not happening,” responded Seth, narrowing his eyes at her for a moment. He shoved himself back into the seat, huddling his guitar away from her. “I’d rather walk. She can have my car; I know where she lives for the next couple months.”

Instantly Keely’s eyes flashed to his, the thought of being in the tour bus with him for the next months seemed like an impossible task.

“Just play nice and you can keep your guitar and get a ride,” Rose put in, causing Keely to force her eyes away, coming out of her reverie. “And would either of you feel like explaining how the hell you ended up hanging out together long enough to get drunk, get in a bar fight, and get thrown into jail without killing each other?”

There was a moment of silence where Mac and Seth looked at each other, seemingly having a silent conversation. Then, in unison, they looked back to the front, answering with a simple, “No.”