jane was digging around the bags in the backseat of daria's pathfinder looking for her camera. "boy, you've brought a lot of luggage. didn't plan on coming back?"

"huh?"

"i'm kidding, daria." they both looked toward the side of the road as they passed the 'welcome to lawndale' sign. jane snapped a blurred shot as they drove by and let the camera fall to the end of it's strap around her neck. "you know, the last time i called trent, i don't think he was technically awake. i wonder if it even registered that we're on our way there."

"i hope the surprise doesn't send him into a shock induced coma."

"well, since i didn't enroll until halfway through the semester, maybe he didn't even realize i left the state."

"yeah, he could've thought everytime he was up and about that he just happened to miss you before you went out."

"it's possible. he didn't realize you were in boston until he asked me to invite you to the zen for his birthday party/show a month after you'd already left."

"i'm flattered he wanted to invite me, but the lack of acknowledgement of my prolonged absence kind of cancels that out."

"you can't really take it personally. you know how hard it is to grasp a concept of time when you only get out of bed to use the bathroom or play the occasional gig."

"i'm not offended. i'm surprised he thought of me at all."

"don't be so naive. you know my brother thinks the world of you. you should pop in and say hi to trent before you head home, that is, if he hasn't died of loneliness without you. it'll be a beautiful reunion, the both of you running into each other's arms and kissing passionately for the first time in ages..."

"if that did happen, it would be the first time ever. seriously, while we're in lawndale, is it going to be moment after awkward moment that you force on us like before? if so, i can just turn this car right around and drop you back off at the dorms..."

"no, not at all. i was just having a bout of nostalgia and i had to tease you once more, for old times sake. it's been a long time since i could, and the opportunities are only going to dwindle as time goes on." daria pulled into the lane driveway and parked. "here we are, home again. come in for a minute?"

"nah, i'll just be on my way..."

"janey!" trent emerged from the front door."

"trent, you're up! what an unexpected surprise!"

"i really missed you, sis." he gave her a brotherly hug.

"i missed you, too" jane's face was lit with a smile, as was trent's.

"hey, daria! long time no see." he gave her a hug as well. "i missed you, too." daria froze with shock, but then loosened up enough to hug back. "it hasn't been the same around here without you two."

she was still a little stiff. "yeah, same."

jane snapped a polaroid of the two. "trent, help me bring my bags in and we'll all catch up on the past few months."

"actually, i need to get going." daria pulled away from trent. "i'll catch up later."

trent got the hint and took a step back. "well, come back over once you've spent some time with your parents. we'll all go out. to a show or something."

"yeah," jane removed the last of her belongings and laid it on top of the rest in a pile by the driveway. "call me later, k?" she handed daria the polaroid of her and trent.

"ok. i promise. once' i've gotten settled."