Hey everyone reading this,
I have finally gotten around to revamping my previous story 'New Beginnings'. It is a fic that I am most proud of in some ways, but in others slightly embarrassed. So I have decided to give it a face lift. The main storyline is still the same, more or less. All that I have done is worked on making the writing a little more high quality, Bianca less mary-sue, and just tried to create a more solid fic as a whole.
While it is a rewrite feedback is still appreciated, and if anyone who read the original is now reading this I would really love to hear what you think of the changes. I am going to leave the original story up as well, at least for now.

"Excuse me miss, the plane has landed and all other passengers have already disembarked. Did you need help exiting the craft?" Dull brown eyes flickered up to the smiling flight attendant before her, and Bianca Witwickey gave her the best smile she could muster.

"No, I'm sorry, I guess I just wasn't paying attention. I'll be fine by myself." The young woman nodded before moving on to her other duties, and Bianca sighed glancing out the plane window to the tarmac below. Taking a deep breath and gathering what little will power she had left she stood, grabbing her carry on from above before beginning the trek down the empty aisle.

Every step she took felt like a lifetime and the blue carpet seemed to stretch further and further until all of a sudden she was standing in the bustling terminal of the Fresno Yosemite Airport. She was like a speck in the ocean, being pushed forward by the current, and she did nothing to object. She let herself be drifted through the terminal, to baggage claim where she did her best to tread water while waiting for her two suit cases, before finally coming to end on the sidewalk labeled 'Arrivals'.

She scanned the lines of cars before her, not entirely sure what or even who she was looking for. Around her joyful reunions were occurring as people found family or friends, embracing each other heartily. The longer she stood amide the happy chaos the more desolate she felt, tears began to brim at her eyes and she did her best to discretely wipe them away.

No sooner had she gained control of her emotions did she hear a horn blaring. Looking up she saw a face hanging out of the drivers side window which sparked a faint memory of recognition. The yellow and black sporty looking car pulled up to the curb and her cousin quickly hopped out, coming to stand before her.

"Hey Bia, long time no see huh?" Sam Witwickey asked, he fidgeted and looked as if he were moving to give her a hug, before thinking better of it and instead grabbed her suitcase from her. "Let me grab these for you." He hauled the two bags awkwardly to the curb before the trunk clicked open. He threw them in, huffing and puffing from the exertion. Were she not in her current state of unrest she would have cracked a comment about his obvious lack of exercise

Instead she stayed put, watching him silently while her right hand moved to hold the silver cross that hung from a leather strap around her neck. Her fingers traced the familiar engravings, like they had done countless times the past few days. Sam came to stand before her once again, and this time he did hug her. She didn't return the action, but she she didn't pull away either. After a moment he cleared his throat and stepped away, obviously unsure of what he should do or say, instead motioning to the car with his head.

"Well we best get going, Mom is super excited to see you. She went out and bought all new furniture for the room your staying in." Sam didn't miss the frown that pulled at his younger cousins lips, but he knew better to say anything about it. Stepping forward he pulled open the passenger door and Bianca stepped forward. She pulled her backpack from her back and instead hugged it to her chest, before sliding into the seat.

"Thank you," her voice was quiet and hoarse, and Sam felt his heart ache for the girl. He closed the door and walked to his side of the vehicle, sliding in before pulling out into traffic.

The tension in the car was palpable and Sam wracked his brain in an attempt to figure out how to ease it. Every so often he would peek at his passenger from the corner of his eye, and every time he was met with the same sight. Her long dark hair had been piled atop her head in a messy bun, one that looked like it hadn't been washed in a couple of days. Her face was haggard and paler than normal, with small bags beginning to become more prominent under her eyes which were rimmed with red. Her lips had been chewed to shreds and the tip of her nose rubbed raw. He could still see the remnants of a few cuts and bruises from the accident littering her face.

Even though she was years older than when he had last seen her, she looked smaller than ever before. Other than adjusting to pull her seat belt across her lap she never once stopped hugging her bag to her chest, and Sam couldn't help but imagine that if she were to let go she would float away.

Taking a breath to calm his nerves Sam decided to bite the bullet and broke the silence.

"S-so uh...it's been a while huh?" He asked, his voice cracking mid-sentence.

"It has" was all she replied, just as quiet as before. His hands began to tap at the steering wheel nervously.

"Like 5 years long right? Man it's crazy how time flies, your a junior in high school now right?" He pressed, not yet willing to resign himself to a 45 minute car ride of silence.

"Senior actually, and you are going to college now?" Bianca realized what Sam was trying to do and did her best to throw him a bone, he was just being nice after all. At least he hadn't apologized to her yet, she was tired of people apologizing to her.

"Yeah! I am heading off at the end of the month it's going to be great!" He beamed and she gave him a small smile, which ended up looking more like a grimace. His face turned more somber and his eyes became glued ahead of them as he prepared himself for what he was about to say.

"Bianca, listen I am really s-" he never got to finish, for the first time since picking her up Bianca locked her full gaze on him and spoke above a whisper.

"Please don't do that Sam, I know you mean well but please, just don't" Bianca begged and Sam gave her a small nod, and she in turn gave him another small smile before turning front again and letting her head sink down onto her bag, still clutched to her chest.

After that the two remained in silence, not bothering to try to fill it. Ten minutes out from the house however the radio kicked on and Bianca jumped as the music blared over the speakers.

"It's time to be a big girl now! And big girls don't cry-" Sam began to stammer and pound his fist against the dash of the car, and the radio whirred before turning off.

"Stupid thing I-uh- I took it in last week for a tune up and when I got it back the radio was all busted and uh- well it's just been acting up more than normal and being a pain in my neck!" With that last statement Sam gave the dash one final good 'whack' before throwing an overly large grin at his cousin.

"Uh, that's fine really. Just startled me is all. If you want you can turn the radio on, I don't mind." Almost instantly the radio flickered on and Bia quirked an eye at the song choice as Sam returned to slamming his fist down on the dashboard repeatedly.

"Please dont stop the music" Slam!

"No, the silence is nice,"

"Please dont stop" Slam!

"I will have to ask Mikaela,"

"Please don't stop the-" Slam!

"To take out the radio, if it doesn't knock it off!" The radio fizzled out and Bia looked at Sam who was doing his best to look anywhere but at her.

"Who is Mikaela?" she asked. Sam felt a wave of relief wash over him at the fact that she didn't seem fazed at all by the radio going all exorcist.

"Oh Mikaela! She is my girlfriend, really great with cars. You'll like her." Bia hummed in thought to herself before turning her gaze back out her window. Once her attention was off of him Sam gave one final small punch to the door and hissed a "Behave!" quietly. His cousin paid him no mind, instead letting her eyes take in the town around her.

Growing up she had spent many Summers in Tranquility, CA with her cousin, Aunt and Uncle. However, a few years prior her father and his brother Ron, had a falling out and Bia hadn't been back here since. Her nerves continue to build as they turned down a familiar street before pulling into a drive way that she used to look forward to hitting as a child.

She could already see her Aunt rushing for the vehicle, her Uncle trailing behind his wife. Clutching her bag tighter she prepared herself for the meeting that was about to transpire.

Sam watched as Bianca climbed out of the car and let herself get wrapped up in his mothers arms. She even gave the woman a smile and humored all of her questions about her flight and the ride home. His father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and Bia gave him a small smile.

"How are you holding up kiddo?"

"I'm fine Uncle Ron, really. Just a little tired. Would you mind if I got settled, it was a long trip."

"Oh of course sweetheart! Sammy grab your cousins bags." Judy ordered, wrapping an arm around the small girls shoulders. "Right this way Bia, I have a room all ready for you, I hope you like still like Pink!" Judy gushed over enthusiastically. Bianca mentally cringed but did her best to not let her emotions get out of check. She knew her Aunt only meant well and she was already doing so much for her. The least she could do in return was graciously accept whatever kindness her family gave her, Bia reasoned with herself.

"Yay,"she cheered, halfheartedly and let herself be led away.

"Ron help your son!" Judy called over her shoulder as the two women dissapeared into the house. The men watched them leave before Ron turned to his Son who was watching the now empty doorway with a frown.

"How is she doing, really?" he asked and Sam shrugged moving towards the trunk which had already clicked open.

"How do you think dad? Her parent's were killed in a freak accident." Ron ran a tired hand down his face and sagged against Bumblebee who whirred in comfort. The funeral had only been 3 days ago but it felt like a life time. He still remembered receiving the call. He couldn't believe his little brother was really gone, when they had said car accident Ron felt his stomach drop. His brother was pronounced dead at the scene and his sister-in-law died en route to hospital. Amazingly enough Bianca had only received minimal damage, a minor concussion and some cuts and bruises. Grief washed over him at realizing that his brother was dead, and knowing they had ended things on bad terms last they saw each other.

Him and Judy had flown to Texas for the service, where Bianca was surrounded by her mothers family. The girl had seemed calm and collected, much more put together than most would think a 16 year old who lost her parents would be. After flying down for the funeral they had been contacted by his brothers attorney and informed that his last will had placed Bianca under the care of him and Judy should their untimely passing occur.

So they hurried home in order to put together a living space for the girl, who in turn packed up her life into two suitcases and a carry on before flying out to California.

"Listen Sam, I know you are leaving at the end of the month but do me a favor, keep an eye on her? Your mother means well but you know how she can get" Ron asked and Sam nodded handing off one of the suitcases to the older man.

"Of course, dad."

"You too Bumblebee!" Ron patted the hood and the engine whirred causing Sam to roll his eyes.

They took the bags upstairs to find Judy at her Nieces door with a frown. The two stopped and listened and understand why the woman was upset. In the quiet hallway they could hear the quiet cries of the girl through the wood, even with all her attempts to keep her grief hidden.

Judy knocked on the door and Bia instantly responded.

"Just a second!" They could hear the shakiness in her voice even though she tried to hide it. The door opened a second later to reveal a red faced Bianca who stepped aside to let the boys through with her luggage. "Thank you."

"Are you hungry sweety? Any requests for dinner?" Judy asked, doing her best to dote on the distraught girl.

"Actually, I'm not really hungry Aunt Judy. I am just really exhausted from my trip. Please don't worry about me tonight; I think I am just going to head to bed." Judy gave the girl a tight lipped smile and wrapped her up in one final bear hug.

"Of course dear, you let me know if I can get you anything." With one last squeeze Judy turned and ushered the boys out of the room, gently closing the door behind her. Once they were gone Bianca let her shoulders sag again, and quickly found her way back to her new bed where her back pack lay beneath the comforter. She pulled back the blanket and crawled under letting her fingers wrap around the familiar plush form of Scraps, the stuffed puppy.

She pulled the stuffed animal to her chest and buried her face in it, letting the tears soak the worn out fabric. Scraps was a gift from her father to her mother on their very first date. They had given it to her on her 16th birthday and she was ecstatic. Now it was one of the only tangible memories she had left of her parents, besides her mothers cross which weighed heavy around her neck.

The teenager lay there for hours in a limbo of dozing and crying, while her family tip toed on eggshells down below.