Author's note: The title is a part of lyrics, I know, lame, but whatever. The song is Flirting With Disaster (Young Beautiful In A Hurry), which some of you may recognize from Defiance's soundtrack :)

This is Bering&Wells AU story, but apparently more Bering than Wells, at least at the beginning. But hey, here, have some Pete and some Artie, and some cookies! Enjoy!

I don't own the show nor its characters.

Chapter One

Somehow, Myka is not thrilled about spending summer holidays with her family at some tourist resort by the seaside. To anyone else it might seem perfect; to lie around all day, sunbathe and swim, meet new people and party with them. Well, at least that was what Tracy said, when Myka asked if she could stay at the bookstore and take care of business. Her father for once approved of her idea, which actually is a little depressing, because it shows how much he wants her out of his way. But Myka's mom insisted on family vacation; therefore, here they are, at their holiday cabin, unpacking.

Tracy is very excited, singing happily and dancing around the room; and Myka sighs at the thought that she will have to share a room with her sister for three weeks.

"Mom!? Mooom! I think I forgot my swimming suit!"

"No, honey, I'm sure you have it somewhere. Check again."

"You can always buy a new one," Myka points out, positioning her books on a shelf. She took just a few of her favorite from home, hoping to find a local library.

Tracy is pouting. "But the pink one is my speci… Oh, ok, I got it. Thank goodness!"

Myka rolls her eyes. Perfect.

# # #

Later that day the four of them are walking down the main street. Tracy and mom chat and laugh, while Myka and her father are following them silently, both lost in thought.

"I need to do some shopping, buy food and so on," Mrs. Bering says at one point, spotting a grocery store. She turns to her husband. "Honey, would you like to come along?"

He thinks for a moment, looking around, then points in the opposite direction. "I think I'll visit that antique shop, maybe they got some old books in working order. I'll see you later." He starts to walk away.

Myka's eyes unwittingly follow.

"Myka, do you want to go with your father?" Her mom smiles in that funny way of her; a mix of sympathy and concern.

With? More like after… The girl frowns, but nods her head.

"Maybe I'll find something for myself in the shop." She adds, "Are you sure you don't want help, mom?"

"Yes, don't worry, honey. Go."

# # #

"Hi there, do you want a cookie?"

Myka looks up from an impressive clock collection and sees a guy with a wide smile and a plate of cookies. He's about her age and seems mostly harmless. She tilts her head.

"Are you supposed to eat in here?"

"Yeah, it's cool. Artie, the owner, gave me these for helping him with delivery this morning. I'm Pete," he waves a little and some crumbs fall on the floor. "My mom, sister and I are staying in Leena's B&B further along the street."

"Myka. My family dragged me here." She hesitates a little, before deciding to allow herself the sweetness. She takes a bite. "Mm, that's good."

"Right? Old man's got some skills. Hey, is this your dad talking to him? Looks… serious."

Myka shrugs. "As usual." She looks around the shop, but nothing in particular catches her eye. She's not interested in buying a knife, a mirror or an ashtray. "So, um, how long how you been here? Is there anything to do besides going to the beach? Is there a library?"

Pete lifts an eyebrow, but doesn't comment on her question.

"I don't know, man. I usually go for a swim or two, grab a snack, play beach volleyball with other guys." He sighs. "There are discos every night too, but I keep my distance. Too much temptation."

At Myka's inquiring look, he explains, "Alcohol and girls, bad combination. I have a girlfriend, you know, Kelly." He smiles broadly and Myka catches a slight change to his tone of voice. She smiles too. "Her parents didn't let her come with me, and my mom didn't let me stay home, so we're apart for summer. I don't want to screw this up, you know, my first serious relationship." He adds after a moment, "I'm not that kind of guy, who cheats on his girlfriend."

"Good, good." Myka mutters and looks away. Her father is nowhere in sight, he must have left already. He didn't even say anything. "I think I…"

"Hey, you could totally help me!" Pete interrupts, having an idea. "We could hang out, you would distract me from all the hot girls, I would entertain you with my humble self… We both could probably use a bro."

He looks at her with a friendly smile, waiting. He doesn't realize his words may be a little offending to a self-conscious seventeen years old girl. But he's a nice boy in general, and he's right about one thing – she could use a friend indeed. So, snapping out of it, she hits him (not so) lightly in the arm.

"Sure. Listen, I gotta go for now. See you around."

Passing the man at the counter, she nods her head and gives him a small smile. Artie responds in kind. When she reaches the door, she hears Pete shouting.

"Later, Mykes!"

# # #

Her parents are sitting on a bench, deep in conversation. Watching them from distance, she can see a lovely couple in their mid-forties, looking happy and content. This sight brings a smile to her face, but also a bitter thought to her mind, Why is he never like this when I'm around? To be truthful, the same goes for Tracy; although Myka can't help but feel that her sister still comes before her.

She shakes her head as she approaches them.

"Myka," her mom sounds very cheerful, "did you find something you liked in the shop?"

"Only a boy," tells her father, before she has a chance to open her mouth. He teases, his voice doesn't sound reproachful, but oddly approving.

For a moment, Myka is too surprised to respond, and of course that is the moment when Tracy shows up.

"A boy? Myka's got a boyfriend? Good for you, sis!" She laughs good-naturedly.

So this is the way to make this family include me? Getting a boyfriend? I should've known…

Myka scratches her neck, saying, "No, actually, he's taken. And not my type. But he seems ok, maybe I'll hang out with him."

"That's nice, honey," her mom says.

Tracy does a weird combination of a shrug and a nod. She then changes subject, "Are we going back? I'm hungry."

"Yeah, me too," Myka says quickly, even though she's not. She turns around and starts walking, not quite caring if they follow. Family bonding time is over.

# # #

This first night of her vacation Myka spends with a crime novel in her room. She's glad that Tracy went out with some friends she made on a beach this afternoon. Of course, mom tried to coax her into joining them, and Tracy didn't even protest – probably knowing Myka wouldn't want to go – but Mrs. Bering couldn't change her elder daughter's mind, once it was made up.

Myka wonders briefly if they went dancing, and if Pete's there too. He said he kept his distance, but what else a teenage boy might do here besides having fun with his peers? He certainly doesn't spend much time reading books. Maybe comics. She smirks. Or maybe he just eats more cookies. She puts the book away and stretches out on a bed. Silly Myka, she thinks amused, wondering about a way of life of a new-know person, who was kind enough to say hello to you. If he becomes your friend, will you become his stalker? She sighs, irritated with herself. She's been doing this for far too long – over-thinking smallest incidents; processing every little detail; observing and concluding, but never partaking. Isolating herself from others.

In that moment, Myka decides to get her shit together and let herself get to know another human being. Let herself care and attach. Not everything has to end up badly, like it did with Sam.