A/N: And the second chapter arrives! So. I don't really have much to say except that I only brought her friend in as a character because she needed someone to talk to about the situation. And the Adrian that is mentioned is Jenn's younger brother, but that's not important it's just there. So Read and Review. Thanks! -Mac

Disclaimer: I don't own The Covenant...but oh boy, don't you just wish you could have one of those boys all to yourself?

Chapter Two

Warning Signals

Reid stared after Kari's retreating back long after she had disappeared up the stairs. He didn't tear his gaze away until Tyler started to nudge him incessantly in the ribs with his elbow. Finally Reid turned back around to face the room. He couldn't help himself. There was something about Kari that was intriguing. And she had been flirting with him, he was very aware of that.

He had been as surprised as Caleb when they walked in to find her there. It didn't help that he hadn't thought about the girl in the longest time. When Evelyn Danvers decided that Kari should attend a school outside of Ipswich instead of Spencer Academy, it began to feel like she hadn't existed in the first place. Now she suddenly returns home, and she was nothing like he remembered--not that he remembered much at all.

"Man," Reid blew out a breath, "has she grown up or what?"

Caleb did not look pleased with this line of conversation. Any conversation that centered around his little sister rubbed him the wrong way. The fact that it was Reid making the majority of the comments did not help.

"Yeah, she's changed a lot." Pogue agreed.

"She's a total..." Reid began, but a single look from Caleb stopped him mid-sentence.

The look clearly said 'if you touch my baby sister, so help me...' Reid got the warning loud and clear. He swallowed and remained silent. Despite the fact that he thoroughly enjoyed pissing Caleb off, there were just some buttons you just knew not to push. Although Reid had yet to incur Caleb's full wrath, he was sure pressing the subject would cause him trouble. Trouble that he didn't need out the moment.

"Fine." Reid responded to Caleb's glare, to Caleb's unspoken command.

"I mean it Reid. Stay away from her." Caleb repeated himself, vocally this time.

"I said fine." Reid exclaimed, slumping back in his seat with a huff. He was in no mood for another lecture from Caleb, especially when he had already agreed to his demands.

"This is my sister we're talking about here. She's not some random slut you picked up at Nicky's, that you'll probably never see again."

"Now that's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?" Reid replied angrily, getting aggitated at the way Caleb assaulted him and the way he chose to live his life.

Caleb continued on unphased, "She's someone you'll be connected to for the rest of your life."

"Not if you send her away for two years at a time." Reid countered.

"I'm not kidding Reid. This isn't some kind of joke." Caleb scowled, ignoring Reid's comment.

"Who's laughing?" Reid snapped back.

"This contentious act of yours needs to stop." Caleb responded firmly. "It's really starting to get dull."

Pogue and Tyler just looked on as the small fight started to progress into an all out blowout--a commonplace in the relationship between Caleb and Reid. The other two knew better than to interrupt them when they got like this. Both Caleb and Reid had unmanageable tempers and neither Pogue nor Tyler wanted said tempers turned upon them. So they just watched as their friends fueded.

"Don't make this about me!" Caleb exclaimed, jumping from his seat in reaction to Reid's latest comment. "This isn't about me."

"You said it, not me." Reid said nonchalantly. "Besides, it is all about you. You really need some help with that inflated ego of yours."

"At least I don't go around screwing anything with legs without a care to the consequences!" Caleb shouted, getting in Reid's face. "And there's no way I"m going to let you treat my sister that way."

"Who said I was even interested in your sister?" Reid raised his eyebrows. "Maybe she's not my type. Ever think of that?"

"Anything with breasts, in a skirt, is your type." Caleb retorted.

"I always considered myself an as man, actually." Reid smirked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Real mature, Reid. If you insist on acting like a child, I'll continue to treat you like one."

"Like you have that much of a say in my life." Reid replied, then smirked as something dawned on him suddenly. "Or your sister's for that matter."

"Stay away from her Reid, I mean it." Caleb nearly growled.

Reid only smirked in response. "Hey Ty, I'm ready to head out, you coming?"

"Uh, yeah." Tyler answered, sending a tentative glance back and forth at them.

"See you later Pogue, Caleb." Reid replied. "Tell Kari that it was great to see her again, really it was."

Reid left Caleb at that, walking out of the living room with Tyler on his heels. Caleb was still scowling ten minutes after Reid's departure. He was keenly aware of Reid's tendency to defy any request he made of him. The fact that Caleb had instructed Reid to stay away from Kari would probably only push the boy to pursue her stronger. And that scared Caleb out of his mind, because the last thing he wanted was usually the first thing that happened. Especially when Reid was involved.

The next morning, Kari found the house deserted yet again. She vaguely remembered times when Caleb would disappear with the other boys of Ipswich for hours at a time. Her mother had yet to see her, let alone become aware of her presence. Kari had checked in on her when she first got up that morning, but her mother was still soundly asleep. Well, it was still early.

Kari had headed for the kitchen, immediately. Her slippers making a soft padding across the floor as she fixed herself a small breakfast. She was still clad in her pajamas and only carried her cell phone with her. Her friend Jenn was supposed to call her, before her family and her headed to the airport, just to check in.

Her phone began to vibrate, flashing in sync with Jenn's personalized ringtone, just as she began to eat. She swallowed her mouthful before she picked it up.

"Jenn." Kari greeted.

"Kari-bear." Jenn laughed in response. "How's my girl doing? Have you died of boredom yet?"

"Not quite." Kari smiled. "I've only been conscious for about thirty minutes this morning."

"Is there even anything to do there? What's the situation with the male population?" Jenn inquired.

"Well, there's Nicky's." Kari shrugged even though she knew Jenn couldn't see it.

"What's Nicky's?"

"A bar." Kari answered. "I don't know. My brother goes there all the time with his friends. I've never been there before, I was too young the last time I was home."

"And how do the boys in Ipswich fair?" Jenn said mischieviously, and Kari could just imagine the grin on her face and her arched eyebrow.

"I'm not really sure. I've only seen my brother's friends so far. And while they are the finest specimens I have ever come upon, they're kinda off limits."

"What do you mean 'off limits'? There's no such thing." Jenn remarked. "You can have any guy you want, brother or no brother."

"My brother would have a fit if I tried anything with one of his friends." Kari shook her head, more for her own benefit than Jenn's. "If you knew my brother, you wouldn't chance it."

"So there is one in particular that you're thinking about..." Jenn trailed off with her accusation.

"No." Kari responded a little too quickly. "Okay, yes. Yes there is."

"Mmhmm. Who knows you best?"

"You do." Kari murmured. "But it still doesn't change anything. Caleb's already on my case about being home, I don't need any other grief."

"Are you feeling okay Karilee? This is your brother that you're talking about, when do you ever not want to cause trouble when it comes to him?"

"I'm just fine, Jennsies." Kari laughed. "I just know what boundaries not to cross. His 'boys' are under a kind of hands-off silent agreement--albeit a one-sided agreement, but an agreement nonetheless. That's just a can of worms I don't care to open."

"Not true." Jenn sing songed. "There is no line you won't cross. No can you won't open. But whatever, it's your choice. Has mother dearest made an appearence yet?"

"Nope." Kari answered. "She's still neatly tucked away in bed. She doesn't know I'm even here. Not that she'd care."

The last sentence was muttered, and close to uncomprehensible. Kari wasn't very sure that her mother would care anymore than to put in the effort to send her back. Her mother did everything she could to keep Kari out of Ipswich. Now that she was home, her mother was only going to want her gone again. It simplified things, having Kari gone. And Evelyn Danvers did not like things to be overcomplicated.

"Well, just don't let her send you back. You might end up spending the summer without having any fun." Jenn said, her voice light and slightly sarcastic.

"Now that would be a total shame." Kari couldn't help but smile.

"So, will you take some of my advice?"

"Maybe. Let's hear it..."

"Go after this guy, full force. Your brother might hate it, but it will make for an interesting summer." Jenn suggested. "If he's even mildly interested, you should go for it. You never know what could happen."

"I'll think about it, okay?" Kari responded.

"Okay." Jenn said, her tone expressing her doubt. "I hope you have fun being home sweet hom, but my dad is going a little out of his mind. Adrian got the idea that it would be funny not to pack until the night before we leave. Typical, isn't it? I should probably go see if I can help. I'll miss you Kari-bear."

"I already miss you Jennsies." Kari reciprocated.

"I'll see you when school starts."

"Bye." Kari said before hanging up.

Kari wasn't sure of what to do with her friend's advice. Jenn was always pushing her toward some kind of romance--whether it be the real thing or a spontaneous summer fling. Despite that, Kari's love life added up to one, big, old goose egg. And when she might have found the potential to change that, she found she couldn't act on it.

This guy was handsome, witty and he met her punch for punch--and that was only considering the less than twenty minutes she had spent in his company. But he was her brother's friend, on of his 'boys', and that put a halt on any kind of pursuit she might have embarked on. There were certain lines you didn't cross, and Kari knew that no matter what Jenn had said. Her relationship with her brother was rocky enough, she didn't need to add to it.

But maybe having a little fun wouldn't be too bad.