This chapter mainly deals with brewing discontent between Kelly and Brenda. In the show, Kelly never faced repercussions for betraying her friendship with Brenda by being with Dylan. I think if Dylan had ultimately chosen Brenda, that would have been different. In this alternate storyline, it's Kelly that has to deal with Dylan's choice and she also has to deal with the fact that she betrayed her best friend - that makes for some conflict for Kelly.

Thanks for reading and please review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beverly Hills, 90210 or any of its characters.

They had made their way to Beverly Hills and Casa Walsh in the incredible darkness of midnight in suburban L.A. There was something very magical about riding in that desolate night illuminated only by the moon, select stars, and the headlights of Dylan's car upon the black asphalt in front of them.

"Tomorrow night I'm all yours," Dylan had remarked after a time span of warm and comfortable silence. "Before you even think about declining, please imagine me, alone, watching a movie in my living room on a Friday night."

"Not your style," Brenda had scoffed, grinning, her eyes on the road.

"Also consider I'm allowing you, Brenda Walsh, one of California's most notoriously bad drivers, to drive my precious, precious car," Dylan was laughing more genuinely than he had in a while. The mood in that car was both contagious and intoxicating.

"You would do well to not forget that I am still driving, Dylan," Brenda was normally very nervous while driving, but tonight she was incredibly mellow. Again, the mood in the car was mostly what did the trick.

"You would do well to remember that I will be compensated for anything you do to this car," Dylan leaned over and kissed her shoulder, and then her neck. "I don't mean monetarily either."

Brenda glanced at Dylan, her eyebrow cocked. "You sick cretin."

"Hey, don't pretend like you won't enjoy it," Dylan grinned in that famously mischievous way of his. Brenda could have melted. "Turn signal." Dylan had said, breathless from laughing.

"What are you, my driving instructor?" Brenda had checked oncoming traffic before turning onto her street. She drove slowly down the street, coming to a complete stop at a shady curb.

"I'm whatever you want me to be, Bren," He unfastened her seat belt and leaned across the dash. He kissed her, sliding his palm slyly over her thigh to reach the ignition. He pulled out the keys, sliding his hand against her leg. The keys faintly jingled as he reached to lift her up. He pulled her into his arms, opened the door, and hesitated, holding her closely for awhile.

He finally set her down and gazed into her eyes. He was somber for the first time in the duration of the evening. "I'm sorry for running away for so long, Bren," He still held her, even as she stood speechless.

"Are you back, Dylan? Is this you?" Brenda searched his eyes for the truth.

"It is me—I'm back," Dylan kissed her on the forehead. "God, I must sound insane."

"You're making perfect sense to me," Brenda whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I missed you like crazy."

"I missed you too," He embraced her, wanting to absorb every inch of her. "We have a lot of things to talk about, Brenda. I don't expect you to take me back with no questions. I want to beg and plead and grovel. I want you to tell me how you feel about all of this. I want to work it out."

"Dylan," Brenda said weakly.

"No objections," He put his hands on both of her shoulders firmly. "I owe you this. Do you accept my invitation?"

"Of course," Brenda replied without a second's hesitation. "Of course I do."

"I'll ask B to drop you off." He began to walk away, her hand still in his. "Night, Bren."

Dylan opened the door whilst Brenda stood with her hips in her hands. "Dylan?" She said coyly.

He looked up, motioning to his pierced ear to signify that he was listening.

"You dare ask Brandon to drive me to your house when I am such a fabulous driver myself?" Brenda dramatically placed her hand on her chest. "Why, I'm insulted."

"Bren?" Dylan walked back to her smoothly. "Part of dating you means wanting you alive." He pecked her on the lips and waited for a moment. "I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled, though as he walked away she pretended to pout.

Dylan watched as Brenda turned on her heel, walking quietly into her lawn, where the ladder awaited her presence. She didn't look back until she reached her brother, who had been good-naturedly grinning as she stepped back into the room. Dylan's Porsche was still parked, and he idled there for another minute. When he finally started the car, Brenda dared to exhale.

"So, it really did happen," She watched the car disappear beyond the bend. Brandon looked out the window too, throwing his arm around Brenda's shoulder.

"Tonight?" Brandon was almost afraid to ask.

"Yes," Brenda couldn't refrain from smiling. It was almost a physical impossibility. She threw off her stilettos, entirely joyous. That bliss had, however, ended immediately when she had seen the note in Brandon's hand. She was suddenly feeling completely off balance. "Yes, tonight."

Brandon took a seat on Brenda's bed. As her face fell, Brandon glanced to the note apprehensively. "Bren, I'm happy for you and Dylan. I really am. Please don't get me wrong. I just wish she was—as understanding."

"Kelly?" Brenda had inquired sourly. The color was draining from her face. "Why in the hell would Kelly ever be understanding of anything that involves me being happy with Dylan?" She reminded herself to be quiet. Still, she felt like screaming.

"She was drunk when she came here tonight," Brandon was lying down on Brenda's bed now, staring at the ceiling. "Her friend was practically groping her in front of me."

"Why do you sound surprised, Brandon?" Brenda was removing her earrings and examining her reflection in the mirror, trying to comprehend what Dylan saw in her that he didn't see in Kelly. She felt petty and small.

"Because it isn't Kelly," Brandon sighed. "This isn't the girl who came over all the time sophomore year just to get a home-cooked meal, our loveable Kelly, the girl who asked me out to the Spring Fling. This is a different Kelly."

Brenda had obviously realized Brandon's point. She was suddenly very sad that the old Dylan had returned, but the old Kelly seemed permanently lost.

"I'm afraid of what she has the potential to do. She could hurt someone—she could hurt you and Dylan. Maybe even herself. Who knows what she has in mind?" Brandon's eyes were wide as he rose up in bed, facing Brenda once again.

"What did she say, Bran?" Brenda asked softly.

"Sure you want to know?" Once he received a nod from Brenda, he held it up, bracing himself for her reaction. "Brenda—Didn't think you'd show up tonight, but, just in case, I had a back-up plan set up. I don't think you understand this situation. Everything that's happened this year has happened for a reason - everything this summer happened for a reason. I think it's time we had a chat, Bren. Don't you? You know the number." Brandon looked up. Tears were welling in his sister's eyes.

"I don't understand this." She said in the midst of her sobs.

She sat at the foot of the bed. They sat there for a while, silently, Brandon's hand on her shoulder.

"Bren, I think there's something you should know - about Dylan and Kelly," Brandon had kept it in for months, never daring to tell his sister.

"Brandon, to be perfectly honest, I don't think I can handle more bad news," Brenda groaned. The truth that she hadn't been able to admit to herself for all these months was gnawing in her gut.

"I know," Brandon said, softly.

Brenda, weighed down by recent events, laid down on her bed. Brandon quietly got up and headed towards the door, turning the light off on his way out. "Goodnight, Bren."

"Goodnight," Her voice quaked. For the time being, she would have to forget Brandon's words altogether.