DISCLAIMER: I do not own BH 90210. But after watching it over and over again on SOAP Net, I decided to make it end correctly...

Please R/R.

Chapter 4

"Brandon slow down. We're on a mountain."
He ignored her and kept his speed steady. She had barely closed the car door when he sped off and she was trying her best to strap her seat belt on. She felt like she was going to go through the car windshield any minute. She had to admit, she was starting to get scared.
"Please Brandon. Slow down." she said with fear in her voice, touching his arm. It was then that he finally reduced his speed and came to a stop.
Andrea's heart beat a mile a minute, and she was thankful she was still alive.
"He's a lying bastard." Brandon said, staring out the windshield.
"What happened?"
"Turns out after all these years of going back and forth with him, he realizes that he picked the wrong girl." Brandon shook his head, "We could've been married." He sighed.
"You and Kelly?"
"Yeah. And I feel so guilty for feeling this way. Lily has been gone only a year and she was supposed to be the love of my life, and here I am getting so angry over another women."
"Lily would want you to move on."
"I can't say that I wish things would have worked out between Kelly because I wouldn't have Caitlin, but-"
"You wouldn't have met Lily." Andrea said finishing his sentence, "When Jesse and I divorced, I laid in bed nights asking myself, why didn't I wait for the right one to come along? Why didn't I wait to see what happened with he and I? The only answer I have is that had I not met him, I wouldn't have my little girl." She leaned her head on her hand.
A small smile trickled on his face, "Caitlin is an amazing distraction. She's so smart."
"She's got good genes." Andrea nudged his shoulder, and he finally looked at his oldest friend, "Why did you have to leave when you did? I could have used your advice back then."
"Brandon, whether you want to believe it or not, it's not completely Dylan's fault that this all happened." She pointed at him, "And don't say another word until you listen. You did get past the soul mates issue with her and Dylan. In fact, you both were engaged. In the end you both called it off. Because there was some underlying issue that festered."
"He told her the soul mate thing and it really..."
"Brandon, when you asked her to marry you back then, was it because you just wanted to keep her here? Because you thought that the trip around the world would make her leave with Dylan?"
Brandon shook his head and gave a nervous laugh. Andrea may have had a baby and a husband, left town, but she didn't miss a beat. Andrea may not have been around at the time but she knew him like no one else did.

"I'm sorry we lost touch."
"I think that we've made up for it, between play dates and emails. And you owe me an answer to my question."
"I don't know. I can't explain what happened back then. All I know is that I loved her and I didn't want to lose her." Brandon sighed, "Maybe that's why Lily's gone. Because I didn't give her all of my heart, a small part still belongs to Kelly. And now I'm paying for it."
"Brandon, don't say that, he had a reason for taking Lily. Some special mission and it's the same thing with your Dad. They watch over you and Caitlin every single day." her voice crackled at that moment.
"You will get through this Ace. It's just going to take sometime." she touched his hand gently and he leaned into give her a hug.
"Don't you leave me again Andrea. You see what happens when you leave? My life gets all crazy."
"We live in the same city!" Andrea said, pulling away and looking at him, "So how about we head back up to the house and finish this therapeutic weekend?"
"It's more like a root canal." he mumbled as he turned on the ignition.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes. But first we have to make a stop."
"Stop where?"

***
Brenda was outside on a beach chair reading a script when Donna walked up. Brenda looked up and Donna shook her head.
"He's not back yet." she huffed and sat beside Brenda, "He can't be gone for good, right?"
"I'm sure Andrea will bring him back." Brenda squinted, "He's just going through a lot."
"Maybe it's a sign that this wasn't the right thing to do. Maybe we should just call it and leave." Donna said.
"And when would be a good time? Don, we all have busy lives and it's the only week we really all have together before we have to go back to reality. Brandon and Andrea are in NY, I'm floating from Broadway to the West End. Dylan's in Wyoming writing, Steve and Janet have Maddie, Kelly has Sammy and you and David don't even live here, you live in Japan and have a beautiful little girl. There is no other time."
"How are you feeling Bren, really?"
"I've had better days. But I know I'll get through it."
"Can I ask you something?" Donna asked quietly, "I don't want you to take it the wrong way..."
"You know you can ask me anything."
"Are you and Dylan...?"
Brenda smiled. "Can't you ask me something else? He and I are good friends and we were each other's first loves. That doesn't go away. I wish that Kelly could just accept it. She has a son from him. Something I can't ever possibly give him."

Kelly opened the door to see Dylan standing there. She didn't move from the doorway to let him into the room; she knew her room had a view of the pool and a view of Brenda and Donna talking. She couldn't hear what they were saying and had been tempted to join them. Before she could make up her mind, Dylan had knocked.
"What do you want Dylan?"
"Can I come in? We have to talk."
"We can talk right here."
"Its private Kel. We need to talk about Sammy. May I come in?"
After hesitating, she moved away, giving him the okay. He entered the room and noticed the view of the pool. "Great view."
"I know you didn't come in here for the view. What about Sammy?"
"I was wondering if it would be ok if we could possibly discuss joint custody."
"Why now? You've been in and out for 4 years. Why do you want to confuse him further?"
"That's what I'm trying not to do. I want him to know his father. Unlike what happened with our fathers."
Kelly softened at that remark. They both had fathers who were embezzlers and wound up in prison. It was the one thing she didn't want Sammy to have to undergo. "What kind of joint custody?"
"I'll take him for the summers. He can stay at the ranch with me. And if it's alright, I'd like to take him to Hawaii to finally meet Iris."
"That's a big step, seeing Iris."
"It is, but she deserves to know her grandson." Dylan continued, "Just because things happened the way they did, doesn't mean he has to get the brunt of it."
Kelly nodded in agreement. It was the first civilized moment they had in a while.
The two were interrupted by the entrance of Andrea, who looked shocked to see him in the room.
"He-Oh Dylan. I didn't know you were in here. Do you want me to leave?"
"No." Dylan remarked, "Is Brandon with you?"
"Yes he is. We bought some stuff."
"Stuff? What kind of stuff?"
Andrea grinned, "Well you two will just have to see."
Dylan eyed Kelly, "We'll talk more tomorrow or something." He exited, leaving Andrea and Kelly.
"Is Brandon alright now?" asked Kelly quietly.
"He's got a lot going on. But I think he'll be alright." Andrea said carefully, "Everything okay between you and Dylan?"
"We were talking about Sammy, that's all." Kelly pressed, "Brandon seems to always listen to you."
"Kelly, I think I know where you're going with this. And let's not even go there."
Before she could go any further, there were sounds coming from the dining room. The two shrugged and headed in the direction of the sounds. They found everyone surrounding the table and in the middle, Brandon and Steve doing shots.
"What did you do to my brother Andrea?" asked Brenda in shock, laughing.
"Well whatever she did, it worked." Val commented with a grin nodding at Andrea, then chiming in, "Hey why don't you let us ladies get in on some of this?"
Steve scoffed, "You can handle this?" showing a bottle of Tequila.
"I'm surprised you could Sanders." Val said grabbing a shot glass, "Filler up."
Val took the shot and slammed the glass down.
"Ooh, I love a woman who can handle her tequila!" shouted Steve.
Brenda then spoke up, "Did you only get tequila?" she asked Brandon.
"No little sister, I got something for everyone. Pick your poison," Brandon said, showing her all that he'd bought.
"How about some vodka shots?" she looked at the girls, "Ladies?"
Dylan put his hands up and said, "Wait a minute. How about this, girls vs. guys?" Before anyone could say a thing, he shook his head, "No not me. I think that Val deserves to be on the guys team because anyone who can drink tequila straight up...and besides, the guys need all the help they can get."

Janet grabbed Steve's arm, "Steve, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure honey." he said, moving to the far end, away from everyone, "What's up?"
"I'm gonna head home."
"Is Maddie ok?" asked Steve worriedly, he loved his little girl more than life itself, and he didn't want anything happening to her, "Whats wrong?"
"Nothing. Everything is just fine. You guys need this time together."
"But they're your friends too Janet."
"They are, but your history together is far greater than anything. Who knows when you'll be together like this again? I'll see you Sunday."
"Alright." Steve answered, putting on a sad face.
"Stop that. It's not going to work."
"It works for Maddie."
"And only Maddie. You are a grown man. I'll talk to you later." she kissed him, "And try to behave yourself."
"Alright." he said still sounding down.
"Steve?"
"Yes?"
"I trust you." Janet said seriously, grabbing his face.
After a quick goodbye and exit, Steve re entered the house and grinned, "Now where were we?" he asked.
"Who's versus who?" asked Dylan from the seat he was sitting in, "Pick who you're going against."
Val piped up and looked at Kelly, "What do you say Kelly?"
Kelly hesitated then nodded, "Fine Val. But you're not going to win."
Steve looked at the girls, "Hmm, how about it Donna?"
"I can't do shots of tequila Steve. I'll hurl."
"How about shots of champagne?" asked Brandon
"How'd you know?" blushed Donna.
"We have something for everyone Donna." Andrea said.
Steve noogied David, "Silver is gonna get some tonight!"
"STEVE!" chided Donna.
David stepped up to the table and pointed at Brenda, "What do you say Bren?"
Brenda shrugged, "You may be good at dancing David, but I assure you I'll win at vodka shots."
Brandon and Andrea looked at each other, "I guess that leaves us Chief. I promise to be gentle." Brandon said putting his arm around Andrea.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let the games begin!" shouted Dylan. "The rules are, when your head begins to spin or you feel like your gonna hurl, you lose."
It took about 3 hours and a few bottles of tequila, vodka, and champagne before Steve made the final call.
"If I do one more shot, I'm gonna hurl." he shouted, then covered his mouth.
Donna cheered, running up to David and hugging him "I win!"
"So do I" he said with a grin.
"How about we clean up before we hit the hay?" said Donna to the others.
The others groaned as they followed her into the kitchen...
Which was a mess.
"Ok, if we all help, we'll finish in no time."
Steve took out a CD and put it in the radio and pressed play, "We need some help, music wise." He coughed just as David's voice filled the room. David groaned as everyone laughed. "Oh come on Silver, I'm sure you can still move."
David started to do his moves while washing the dishes and passing it to be dried by Donna and put away by Andrea. Kelly and Brenda wrapped the leftovers without any animosity, and Brandon put all the items back in the fridge.
By the time, "Precious" came on, the group was done and just listened to it. Once it was done, David shut it off, "I've heard enough of myself for the night."
"So have we." Val chimed, "I'm gonna have that song in my head all night."
"I'm just glad your voice dropped." Kelly noted with a grin.
"Thanks sis."
Dylan put his arm around David, "So do you woo Donna with that song?"
"C'mon, I wrote it when I was 15!" David said.
"Does anyone want coffee?" asked Donna
"That would mean we'd all sober up Don." Brandon said, "I'd like to stay like this tonight."
"Actually tea sounds good. " Kelly said, "I'll have if someone has with me..." she looked at Brenda, "Bren?"
"Sure I'll have some too."

The group dispersed from the kitchen leaving only Donna, Brenda and Kelly. Steve headed off with Dylan, David and Brandon to the pool. Andrea and Val headed to their rooms.

As Donna poured the tea, Kelly looked at them, "It's been a long time since we were like this."
Brenda nodded "It most certainly has."
"How are you feeling Bren?"
"I feel a little empty. Like there is a piece of my heart missing." she sipped her tea, "I argued and fought my father tooth and nail. About everything. And just when things got really good...this happened."
"Your mom must feel like she lost her best friend." Donna said sitting down. "My mother felt the same way. But it gets better…and at least she has Caitlin to keep her occupied."
"Children are a great distraction. Sammy helped me a lot after Jackie died. He kept me so busy."
Brenda was quiet listening to the two mothers, it was unfortunate but she could never share that joy of parenthood. But despite the fact she couldn't bear children, she treated Caitlin as her own, especially since the loss of Lily.
"I'm sorry Bren," Kelly gently reached out for her hand.
"It's alright. I'm still looking into adoption."
Although she longed for a child that was her own. Adoption was the only alternative she had. It was also the last conversation she had with her father. A tear formed in her eye which she quickly dried away. The girls did not see.

"Can you believe it guys? We're all..."
"Men?" said Brandon stumbling a little.
"No. We're...dads. Even you Silver." Steve said, "Here we are after all these years."
"Don't go all sentimental on me Steve." Dylan muttered.
Brandon turned to Dylan, "I love you man."
"How much did you have man?"
"I don't remember."

"I think you had a little bit of everything." David countered
"Well thank you young Silver for watching me drink." Brandon pointed, "Now if you gents will excuse me." Brandon walked off towards the sliding door, when he couldn't get it open, he headed to the sliding door with the light coming out of it. He squinted, "Anybody home?"
Andrea walked to the door and slid it open, "Brandon what are you doing out here?"
"Aren't you gonna invite me in?"
"Of course." she slid the door open and he stumbled in. He looked around the room.
Knowing exactly who he was looking for, Andrea said, "Kelly's in the kitchen."
"Actually, I wasn't looking for her."
"Well who were you looking for?"
"You." he said with a stupid grin on his face. The alcohol had done what it intended to do. It numbed his pain. He knew it wouldn't be forever, but just for tonight. He'd have a hell of a hangover in the morning, but for one night, he'd actually sleep. When he stopped in front of the liquor store earlier, he expected Andrea to begin preaching how bad of an idea it was to buy any more booze for the weekend. But it was the opposite. "I wanted to thank you for buying the booze and to thank you for keep me company."
"You're welcome. Everyone seems to be having a good time." she had just gotten out of the shower and slipped into some sweats and tshirt. The shower had done her some good. She felt a little more sober than she did before getting in. She was about to join the girls in the kitchen after towel drying her hair.
"Yeah. Seems like old times actually." he sat down on her bed, "Are you heading to bed?" He looked at her. He looked drunk, but still sad.
"No, actually I was going to join the girls in the kitchen, but I can always stay here with you if you want company." Her heart fluttered and it seemed familiar. Old, but familiar. She carefully sat on the bed beside him.
"I don't want to keep you from hanging out with the girls. I'll just go out the way I came." he got up and pointed towards the glass doors, "OW!" he said holding his forehead.
Andrea turned around, "What happened?"
"I Thought you left the door open. I just banged my head." he landed back on the bed.
She looked down at him and took his hand away, "You need to always check if the door is open Bran." she started to laugh.
"Andrea, its not funny." he tried to say seriously, but then began laughing. She examined his head. "Ow, that hurt. So Doc, how's my head?"
"You'll probably have a bruise in the morning. I'll go and get some ice." she moved to get up, but he grabbed her hand. She looked down at him and her heart fluttered familiar again. "Brandon, you are going to have a welt, if I don't get something."
His face turned serious, "If you do, then everyone will want to know what happened and they'll come in."
"I know it's embarrassing, but, I'm sure we've all bumped our heads on clear glass doors once or twice. And everyone probably won't remember in the morning."
"No it's not that. If you go out there, everyone will come in and...that'll be it." His voice trailed as he stared at her. "Can't it just be us right now?"
She hesitated suddenly feeling her cheeks redden. She wanted to peer in a mirror and see if she was still Andrea now, and not Andrea in HS, but there wasn't a mirror nearby and it was just them two. "You're drunk."
"I know." he paused, "Thank you for being there for Caitlin and I when Lily died. And thank you for being there for me this week, especially for today." he touched her hand.
"It was nothing. That's what friends do. Uh, are you sure that you don't-"
"Remember the last time we were in a room together alone?"
"How could I forget? Senior Prom."
"It was a beautiful room wasn't it?"
"What are you trying to say Brandon?" asked Andrea quizzically.
"I'm saying that I'm not going to make the same mistake twice." He reached up and leaned her head in towards him and kissed her on the lips.
"I don't think this is a good idea. You're drunk, you're gonna have a welt. I'm sharing a room with Kelly. You're going to wake up and realize it's the dumbest thing we've ever done..."
Brandon put his finger to her lips, "Now that's the Chief I remember. Yes, I'm drunk, yes I'm going to have a welt, and there is a lock on the door. There are curtains on the doors. And I know exactly what I'm doing."
"And what is it that your doing?"
"I'm waking up next to you in the morning." he kissed her again and this time, she didn't pull away.