Daria: College Pains The Sophomore Year

Episode 9: Ever More

Daria sits in her Women's Lib class bored. The professor seemed to have good intentions but was reminding Daria more and more of Ms. Barch every day. With out the one or two good characteristics Ms. Barch would rarely show.

Unfortunately for her though it was one of the classes she chose to fill up her curriculum. One day, in a year or two, she'd be down to only two or three classes a week. But for now she had filled up as many classes as possible to get them done and out of the way.

Quinn is in the main campus eatery. Normally she wouldn't eat there but she was supposed to meet up with Coral who wanted to eat there.

Quinn looks around and doesn't see her. "I guess I beat her here." Quinn finds an empty table and starts poking at the sandwich she had gotten. "I guess this is bologna."

Quinn cautiously takes a nibble at the sandwich when a girl, not Coral, sits down next to her. "Hey Princess."

Quinn's head snaps towards the girl. She was wearing a black shirt with two skeletons dancing over the name of a band she didn't know. It was as black as the skinny jeans the girl wore with her boots. "I'm not a princess."

"Probably not." The girl holds up a different sandwich. "You wouldn't be eating this garbage." The girl opens the sandwich. "Mayonnaise. Who the heck wants mayo? That stuff is so disgusting."

"I know what you mean. So fattening. We have to watch out for the Freshman Fifteen."

In the light of the building's florescent bulbs, Quinn is able to look the girl over better.

She was a size or two bigger than Quinn and maybe an inch taller. Her nose, pierced with the chain going to her right ear, was, in Quinn's opinion, cute. But not too cute.

Her green eyes were about the only color not black or white the girl had. They were as green as a St. Patrick's Day t shirt and shone brightly.

"I'm Quinn, Quinn Morgendorffer. Not Princess."

"Quinn Morgen what?"

"Morgendorffer."

"Huh, ok. I'm Samantha Decker. Most people call me Sammie." She notices Quinn staring at her nose ring. She taps the ring. "I got this done as soon as I turned eighteen. Birthday present to myself. Break the family mold."

"I saw a few at the piercing parlor I worked at. One had both nostrils done and criss crossed the chains to the opposite ear." Sammie gives her a weird look. "What?"

"I'm just trying to imagine you with piercings. Except for the ones in your ears I don't see any." The girls eyes look elsewhere...

Quinn crosses her arms across her chest. "I don't! My sister got me the job after I got fired from a restaurant."

"So she has a bunch of piercings?"

"No. She once did her belly button but it itched so badly she had it taken out. The guy who owned the place was her best friend brother's friend."

"Oh, ok." Sammie starts playing with the chain running a finger over it. "Did you ever think about getting a few?"

"Maybe an eye brow or my belly button but I didn't trust Axl's. Part of my job was to distract the health inspector."

The girl smirks and motions to Quinn. "Easy to distract with those." She looks down at her smaller chest. "But guys can be distracted by any thing female."

Quinn thinks of all the boys she had dated. How she could get any thing she wanted from any of them. All because of the way she looked. "Yes they can. But I don't like to think about that." That was the old me. I want to be different here. I want to be more like Daria. As long as she doesn't know I want to be more like her.

"Me neither. Men are pigs." She looks around the main area. "Only a pig could eat this crap like they do."

Quinn looks around and sees that most of the men had no problem eating what the school considered food while most of the girls were like her and Sammie. Barely able to consider the sandwich and half a cup of fruit as lunch.

Coral sits down on the other side of Quinn. "Sorry, ran late, had to ask a professor about an upcoming project." Coral spears the peach slice, direct from a can, with her spork. "The amount of money we pay for school and we don't even get real forks." She takes a bite out of the peach. "Or real peaches."

Quinn pokes at her peach slice. "You're the one who eats here regularly."

"Meal plan was easier than trying to learn how to cook." She takes a bite out of the sandwich. "It beats ramen three meals a day."

Quinn is more appreciative of her parents as she tries to eat the sandwich. With out their sacrifice and hard work she might have had to choose between the meal plan and ramen like so many others.

On the other side of Quinn, Sammie tries to scrape the mayonnaise off of her sandwich with her spork. "If I didn't hate ramen so much I might think about switching to that next year."

Coral leans over the table so she can see past Quinn. "Hey, you look familiar. Do we have a class together?"

Sammie leans over the table as well to get a better look at Coral. "Calc 101?"

It takes Coral a second for it to click. "Yes! You sit a couple rows behind me." Coral looks at Quinn and then back at Sammie. Quinn doesn't notice the look Coral gives Sammie. "How do you know Quinn?"

"We go way back. Like, two, three weeks ago? Met over a book. Been inseparable since."

Coral and Sammie both smile as they look at Quinn. "Uh, not exactly. I didn't even know her name until like, five minutes ago."

The three continue to talk and attempt to eat their lunch before their next class started.

Stacy prepares for her second to last race in NARCA. She was nine points behind second. She wanted to do well and leave NARCA on a high note. She also wanted to beat Tyler.

After numerous confrontations over the season she'd gladly finish second to last if it meant he finished last. If she could win the race, or the title, it would make her life complete.

Conner relaxes in his dorm room after class with his roommate. "See the new set they came out with for third edition?"

His roommate, a slightly overweight man with glasses and a head of greasy black hair holds up what looks like a green figurine. "I hate the changes they made to Orks."

"Don't worry John, the Guard got nerfed too."

John sets down the figurine. "Ever going to tell Daria how much of a nerd you are?"

"She knows. I just won't expose her to this or D&D." He looks over at several books for the series he had. "What do you think the dungeon master has planned for tonight?"

"Better be good. Last month sucked."

Conner nods in agreement. "At least this time Daria is busy so I won't feel bad about not hanging out with her when we had a chance."

John holds up his hands making quotation marks. "Hang out." He laughs at Conner's look. "All night and not leaving until the next morning."

"Shut up! I fell asleep studying."Conner had been true to his word of not telling any one about his night at Daria's.

John holds up his hands making quotation marks again. "Studying."

Conner grabs a soft cover book and throws it at John. "What about you and the sultry Adrianna?"

"She sings, I play the bass, nothing more."

"Even though you tried." Conner sees the look on John's face. "Crashed and burnt worse than the Hindenburg."

"Shut up. She needed a bass player and I can play it." John picks up the book Conner threw. "You should come hear us play some time."

"I'm not dragging Daria to your practices."

"Hey, we have a show coming up at a party."

"Halloween?"

"Halloweenish. October 28th. It's a throwback party. 1920's styles. Bring your Zoot Suit."

"Like I own a Zoot Suit. But could be interesting. I'll see if Daria is up for it."

Daria is with Jane at a small strip mall. "Why did I agree to come? Why are we here?"

Jane looks at a zebra styled two piece bikini. "Because Andy wants me to come down to New York and check out his city after checking out mine."

"But why here?" Daria looks around at the various swimsuits.

"He said there will be a Halloween pool party at the school. The school regulates what can be brought so not as much underage drinking and the students get an excuse to swim in October." Jane reaches up and touches the fabric of a bright pink swimsuit. "Your sister would love this one."

Daria looks it over. "No way. Too revealing."

Jane looks it over again. "She always had that way of hiding. Not like you but in her own way. She'd go out and party and have fun but she never really let loose."

Daria thinks of her Freshman year when she had let loose a little too much. "She was more responsible than I'd given her credit for."

Jane picks up a two piece thong style bikini that was a dark azure color. "This, this is it."

Daria feels her cheeks warm just looking at the suit. "Are you sure? Um, there are more, uh, regular ones."

Jane holds it up to herself. "Nope. I want to let loose. NYU may not be Raft but it is a bit more scholarly than BFAC."

"So?"

"So, I want to show them what an artist looks like. And I'm sure Andy will like it." Jane turns to Daria. "Now we need one for you."

"I'm not going!" She looks around. "And if I did I'd wear a one piece."

Jane smiles before laughing. "I swear a deer caught in the headlights would be more composed than you were just now." She sees the look on Daria's face. "Um, sorry. I didn't mean to make fun of you."

Daria takes a second before looking at Jane. "I know you were just kidding." She sighs heavily. "I have a problem. I should see some one but who? My mom would pay for it but who could I trust enough to tell? I hid myself for years but when I came to Boston I wanted to be different. I pushed myself to try new things. I messed up a couple times but like my mom said it is part of growing up." She looks at a tasteful one piece that was a dark emerald green color. "I don't think I could go swimming in that. Unless it was just friends that I trusted."

Jane picks up the one piece. "You don't care what others think about you."

"I don't care what negative things they think. Those, things, in Highland or UpChuck mentioning my looks in a, well, not positive manner but in a sexual way always made me feel uncomfortable."

Jane smiles as she throws the one piece over her shoulder with the two piece. "My treat. Even if you and Conner don't come down with me. You could always wear it some other time. With just friends."

Daria looks out the window. The season was changing and the weather was getting colder. The party Jane mentioned was on the 28th since Halloween was on a Wednesday.

She wasn't worried about that. She was more worried about November 6th. Election day. Thirteen days away. "I have plans with Conner. His dad is having a cookout for one of Conner's siblings birthday."

"Which one?"

"Um, not sure. He has so many."

"Irish Catholics will have that." Jane sees Daria blush slightly. "Thinking about what a Irish Catholic family can lead to?"

"Shut up."

Lindy is down in the kitchen with Trent. She had been almost skipping ever since he came home. She was waiting for him to ask her a question.

She hadn't told him she got the bank statement. But she was waiting and waiting and he hadn't...

She sees him going through mail. When she sees his eyes go wide she gets curious. "Trent? Any thing good?"

"They came in." He opens a letter and pulls out some pieces of paper.

Lindy walks over to him. "What is it?"

"Tickets to Hawaii."

"What?!"

"A friend of Jesse's heard our CD. He wants us to play in his bar and stuff. A little island tour of some grunge places there."

Lindy starts doing the math in her head. "How much did it cost?"

"About twelve hundred. I used the band account. We'll get paid too. His friend owns like, half the bars and stuff, and is tired of hearing island music. He said we'll make it back and stuff. Get to sell t shirts and probably sell more CDs."

Lindy feels like she was socked in the stomach. "But, um," She takes a few seconds to collect herself. "You should have told me. That is a lot of money and as the manager I should be consulted on purchases like this."

"Oh, right. Jesse told us over practice and you were sleeping so we didn't want to bother you."

"You guys called and got it all set up in a couple of hours?"

"They didn't seem that busy at two o'clock in the morning."

Lindy smiles as she hugs Trent. "A trip to Hawaii? Very romantic."

"Yeah, I guess. I made sure to get tickets for some tours. Like, the volcanoes and stuff. I hope you like it."

"If it is with you I'll love it." She kisses him slowly a little disappointed finding out there was no ring but a trip to Hawaii would make up for it.

Daria is just getting home from work dealing with a headache. Conner tried to make her feel better but the headache just made her annoyed.

"Staring at a screen all day isn't the best thing for my eyes." She grabs a bottle of advil off the kitchen counter and pops two as the phone rings. "What?!"

She storms over to the phone and picks it up. "Hello?!"

"Daria?"

"Tom?" Daria is now more confused than annoyed. "Uh, hey."

"Bad timing?"

Daria rubs her temples as her head throbs. "Yes. But I can handle it. Why are you calling?"

"Jane called me."

"Really?"

"Yes. She said you've been having some, trouble, about your body."

Daria can only imagine what Jane told him. She clenches her free hand in to a fist. "I can't believe she told you about that!"

"Hey, I noticed it too. I just didn't know it was that big of a deal."

"Noticed?" Now she is even more confused.

"About your self image issues."

"Oh, so, she didn't tell you about the thing with Conner..."

"I don't know what about the thing with Conner is so I'm guessing she didn't. You two were swimsuit shopping and you were even hard pressed to get a one piece let alone what ever it was Jane got."

Daria remembers two days before being at the shop. "Yes. I would never wear what she got. Ever."

"Not even in private? From what she told me it was little more than underwear made for swimming."

Daria, being a woman and Tom being a man, knows what his is thinking. "Stop thinking about that. That is what makes me uncomfortable."

"It makes you uncomfortable that guys think about you because of your looks? Most women like that."

"I don't."

"I'm sure others don't too but not like you. You go above being uncomfortable." Tom pauses waiting for a response but gets none. "I noticed your looks but knew not to focus on them. You take pride in your intelligence and the films or books you watched and read. So I focused on that instead."

"It isn't pride."

"Then what is it? You would comment on those going to the newest shoot em up film while we waited for the black and white poetic fear film festival. You took pride in not watching the same garbage others did."

"Maybe."

"Daria, it is ok for some one to notice your looks. If that's all they notice then you have a problem. But if they like the way you look with your intelligence then you shouldn't feel uncomfortable."

Daria sighs before responding. "Thanks Tom. For once you didn't put your foot in your mouth."

He laughs in response. "So I better get off the phone before I do."

"Yes, yes you should. Bye Tom."

"Bye Daria."

After hanging up Daria sits down on the couch as her mind ignores the headache she had and does what it always does, thinks.

It was Friday night and Quinn was glad she was celebrating Halloween the next night. Tonight was Stacy's last race in NARCA. Seven points behind first she had to win and beat Tyler by at least four places.

She was stuck in eighth after a bad pit stop. As she had tried to pull out of her pit area Tyler had pulled in blocking her.

Her father was just as frustrated. "Stay calm sweety. You can do this. We have over a hundred laps to go." He looks over at Tyler's spotter. He had a few things he wanted to say to him but would wait until after the race.

Quinn, at a bar, ignores every thing going on around her. A couple guys tried to hit on her but she blew them off.

Stacy gets behind the seventh place driver and picks up the draft.

After another caution, Stacy's father waits for Tyler to pit first so he couldn't pull the same move again.

In the executive suite of the track, the owner, his son, and several company men watch. "If Tyler pulls any more crap on her I say we hit him with a one lap penalty."

One of the men looks down at the stands nearest the suite. There were more women than he had ever seen before. Seats that would have been empty. Tickets unsold. Merchandise left sitting in boxes. "If she wins because of that people might riot. If she wins I want her to win because she won it and not because we handed her the win."

Another man yells at the window. "Look at that!"

Stacy had slowed down to pit when Tyler came around and hit her from behind.

"Damn it! He did that on purpose. She was clearly slowing down to pit and out of the way. He intentionally tried to injure another driver."

Boos and cheers mixed in the stands.

As Stacy pulls in to her pit box she grips the wheel tightly. "Any serious damage daddy?"

"He may have bent a sway bar but you're better than that. Just find a partner and stick close to them." He looks down and follows Tyler's car. "If we near the end of the race and we can't beat him, screw it, wreck him. Teach that bastard a lesson. The guy third in points would make a better champ than this ass clown."

"Daddy, language!"

"Sorry honey."

As the race nears closer and closer, Quinn gets closer to the edge of her seat. "Come on Stacy!"

Stacy had found a good drafting partner and stuck close moving up several spots. Now in fourth, just two cars between her and Tyler.

As they near, Tyler brake checks the car behind him. That car slams on its brakes and the third place car hits him.

Stacy veers left scraping the side of her car on both cars. "Daddy!"

"You're fine, you're fine. No damage to the tires." So he hoped. "Jackass was trying to wreck all three of you."

The caution flag comes out for debris. "Honey, come in, two right sides and fuel then gun it."

"Got it."

Stacy sees Tyler ahead of her and lets him move down to pit before she moves. She was giving him zero chances for any more shenanigans.

Stacy's father sees Tylers pit crew put on right sides and then move to put on lefts. "Stacy, go, go go!"

As soon as the jack drops she hits the gas and gets out of pit road leaving Tyler behind her.

Quinn shouts drawing attention. "Sorry, my friend is winning!" Finishing first would be great, another win for her record, but if Tyler finished second he'd still win the championship.

Stacy's father whispers to another spotter who nods. Tyler's spotter sees this and starts talking with other spotters.

As Stacy nears the starting line she receives instructions from her father. "Got it Daddy." She smiles as she sees the green flag wave and...

Doesn't hit the gas. Tyler passes her before the starting line. A major breaking of the rules. "Oh my! Tyler gets the go before Stacy but did it before the starting line! One drive through penalty. Amazing the cars behind her also seemed to not hit the gas. If they had hit it and she didn't we could have seen a major wreck with all the cars bunched up like this!" The announcer continues as the crowd erupts with cheers and boos.

Tyler's spotter storms over to Stacy's father. "You tricked us!"

"What ever do you mean?" He tries to smile innocently, failing miserably. "Your driver simply jumped the gun."

"I'll get you for this!"

"For what? Your driver has to serves a one lap drive through penalty. Putting him at the back of the field. Too bad. He could have won the championship."

The other spotter turns to the spotters of the cars behind Stacy. "You were all in on this! I'll have your heads for this!"

None of them react. Tyler moving back meant all of their drivers would get to finish a spot better. Last race, last chance to impress potential sponsors and donors.

Quinn isn't sure what is happening until the television announcer explains the situation. "Since he jumped the gun and passed the first place car before the starting line he will serve a drive through penalty. With the other cars going full speed this will put him at the back and kill any chance of winning this race or the championship."

Stacy is ecstatic as she now only has the third and fourth in points cars to worry about. Fifth on back were too far out to win the championship.

Quinn is on the edge of her seat as she watches. It was going to be her friend Stacy winning the championship! She couldn't believe it. Her friend would be a champion!

Or so she thought.

Tyler goes even slower than he had to. No one really notices until she shoots up the track on pit exit right in front of the lead drivers.

"Oh no! Tyler moves up the track too soon and causes the biggest wreck I've ever seen! Why was he so far back? He should have exited pit road while the other cars were on the back stretch." He continues talking not realizing he left the microphone on. "You don't think he did it on purpose do you? He could have killed some one, including himself!"

Stacy's father rips the headset off and rushes down the ladder from spotter box.

Stacy blinks a couple of times before realizing she was upside down. "Ow."

She undoes her restraints and falls to the roof of the car. "Ow."

As she drags herself out of the car she slowly stands up using the car for support. Around her were over a dozen wrecked cars.

Other drivers were climbing out but some weren't.

Medical crews and tow trucks pull up to the wreckage.

Tyler pulls himself out of the mangled mess that had been his car. "I got you! I got you now!" He tries to go after Stacy when he falls. The adrenaline coursing through his veins made his mind ignore his broken leg. Gravity however did not care for adrenaline.

Stacy's boyfriend reaches her first and hugs her. "Are you ok?"

"I think so." She looks down at her hands. "Ten fingers. Right?" He nods. "I'm ok then." She looks down at the rest of herself. "All the safety equipment worked."

Her father finally reaches her. "Stacy, are you, ok?" He was winded from his long run.

"I'm fine Daddy." She looks at the car. The front end was gone, the back end was hanging on by a single piece of metal, but the roll cage remained solid. "The car, not so much."

"Screw the car. This is our last NARCA race. We can sell it for scrap." He hugs her grateful that his daughter was ok.

Quinn finally takes a breath after holding it for what seemed like forever. The camera zoomed in on Stacy. "She appears fine. One of her crew members and her father are there but the medic team will have to check her out. What a wreck. We'll have to see if we have enough cars left for a race after this red flag."

Quinn sits and starts to tap her foot waiting for any more news on Stacy.

The series owners and other business men watch as cars are towed off the track. "He nearly killed fifteen, sixteen people. He ruined the last race. We'll have eight, maybe nine cars left."

"And for what? He was done for. Depending on what cars are left we might know who our championship winner is."

They, like many of the fans, watch with waited breath wondering which cars would be left to finish the race.

Quinn watches and sees a camera zoom in on Stacy as she leaves the medical pavilion. "She's walking, that's good."

Stacy finds her father as soon as she could. "I'm fine. How's the race?"

He looks towards the sound of thunder coming from the track. "The driver fourth in points had minimal damage and got back on the track. He wins the title even if he finishes last out of the remaining cars."

"At least Tyler won't win it."

"And he'll never race again if any of us car owners have a say in it. He could have killed you and a dozen others."

"He'll deserve it." Stacy pulls a picture out of her suit. It was the one she kept in the car. She made sure to grab it before climbing out.

She wasn't sure if she'd make it. She focused on the picture as her car spun and flipped. Thankfully she only had a few abrasions and cuts.

"You'll finish second in points. Not bad. Better than I ever did." He hugs her again to make sure she was really ok.

The day before the cook out, Daria is with Conner feeling nervous. Standing in his dorm room she looks at a picture of him with his family on a desk. "You have a large family. How many will be there?"

"Besides parents and siblings? Probably some of his friends, his fiance, maybe a cousin or two, aunt and uncles galore. It is for his birthday but my family also uses it as an excuse to get one last use out of the grill."

Daria mentions a story of her father blowing up a grill and nearly setting the neighborhood on fire. "Fire Department didn't want to use water to put it out. The Uranium would have made them all mutants."

Conner raises an eye brow. "Uranium?"

"The water was more poison than liquid. If you got bit by a fish from the lake you'd gain powers."

"Breathe underwater and control other fish?"

She shakes her head. "Flop around on land until you suffocate."

"Well, don't worry. My dad is actually pretty good with a grill. Ribs, burgers, sausages, and even vegetables for the weirdos who don't like meat."

Daria looks down at herself. "I could probably use more vegetables."

Conner puts a hand on her side and leans down to kiss her. "You look great to me."

Daria feels herself blush.

She had tried looking in to whom she could talk with about her image issues but one of her other issues was talking about her issues.

"Thanks. I, Freshman Fifteen became Freshman Twenty Five. I lost some of it during the finals but not all of it."

"You look good to me." A hand lowers past the small of her back...

"Hey!"

He laughs and pulls away when she pushes him back. "Love watching your reaction. Red face, parted lips," She glares at him. "Eyes narrowed."

"And as much as it annoys me, I, like it, when you do, that. It shows you, um, like me."

"Of course I like you." He gets close again hugging her. "And I'd show you more if I could but John will be back from practice soon." Daria starts blushing more. "Are you ok?"

"I, um, tonight. I mean, you said it was early and, uh, if you wanted, if you staid at my place we could leave together, early. For the cookout."

"Are you asking me to spend the night?" He rubs his chin. "Could you be asking me to help you study?"

She wants to glare some more but instead smiles. "Yes, study."

He smiles back. "And if we needed a break I'm sure we could find some thing to do."

She gets up on her toes and kisses him. "You know me."

"Very well."

She sees the look in his eyes. "Not just in that way."

He can't stop smiling as he kisses her again.

Quinn is with Coral, Ashtin, and Sammie at a party. "College town, college ID, they don't care how old you really are." Sammie downs a beer.

Quinn sips at hers. She liked the taste better than any thing from a keg and she ordered a light beer to watch the calories. Still, she couldn't see herself drinking like her friends. So she promised to be the driver. "I can't believe how many people are here."

Many were dressed in costumes but she wasn't. She had skipped dealing with costumes and went with a very cute, fashionable, outfit.

Quinn continues working on her beer enjoying the party.

She was asked by several men to dance and she said yes to a couple but wouldn't do any thing more.

"Woo!" Some one jumps up on a table and whips his shirt off. "Party!" He spreads his arms and falls backwards being caught by several others.

Quinn snickers as she watches. She was having a good time, relaxed, and not worried about being liked or liking others.

The next day, in Boston, Daria wakes up with Conner next to her. Her radio still on playing what ever was on the radio for backround noise the night before.

She had been nervous but not as nervous. There had been a little pain but not as much. She had feared what her roommates would think or say but not as much. The experience had been much better than her first time.

After grabbing her glasses and putting them on; she rolls on to her side and sees Conner sleeping. Mouth open, a little drool dripping out. "I'm sure I don't look any better when I sleep." She shakes him lightly and his eyes open. "Good morning."

"Hey, good morning to you too beautiful."

"We should get up and start getting ready."

"If you insist." He kisses her gently. "Separate showers or together?"

Daria's heart skips a beat before she replies. "Um, separate, for now."

"Tease me please." He smiles and she smiles back glad he was giving her the space and time she needed.

Daria gets out of bed and grabs clean clothes before rushing out of the room. She knew Conner would watch her every move and even, again, she was a little weirded out by it.

A manager for Jake's opponent is reviewing video. "Perfect. We get video of her during Halloween and show her off as wild and crazy. How did a Hippie get nominated for the ticket?"

Another member of the campaign staff smiles as he works on editing footage for a commercial. "It won't win us votes but it will lose him some of the right winger nutters."

"It isn't about getting votes it is about keeping voters from voting for the other guy."

Quinn wakes up in her bed and sees Ashtin is passed out on the floor. "Hey," She shakes Ashtin.

"No." Ashtin turns over and ignores Quinn.

"You're alive. That's good." Quinn sits up in bed.

She had two beers and then stopped. As much of a lightweight as she was it was more than enough.

Ashtin and her other friends had drank far more. Thankfully Quinn had been good enough to drive.

Quinn shakes her head. She had a good time, danced, had her two drinks, and relaxed.

She had been worried when she left Lawndale for Miami. She had been a bit of a monster. After tutoring from David, watching Stacy grow in to her own, and taking time to look inwards, Quinn had been scared. She didn't like the person she saw.

Her senior year she tried changing but felt restricted by the life she had already created there. Now in Miami she could finally grow in to a new person. Some one she could look at and like.

Change was hard work but had been worth it so far. Going to a party and not trying to be the old Quinn was a struggle. She had to learn to walk the fine line between old Quinn and new Quinn. Be a people person but make sure you like the person and not just have them like you.

"I'm taking a shower. If you want some thing to eat I can grab it from a vending machine for you."

"No." Ashtin shifts a little trying to get more comfortable.

"Ok, I'll be back." Quinn grabs some clean clothes and leaves.

At the cookout, Daria is surrounded by redheads. She tried to remember all of their names. She failed once but had gotten it right the other times.

"Hey Daria." She turns and sees Conner's father walking up to her with two beers. "You look like you could use a beer."

"Um, I'm not twenty one."

"So?" He hands her the beer. "At eighteen you can die for your country. Hell, you can get sent over to Afganistan, get your legs blown off by a landmine, come home, drag your stumpy ass in to a bar, and not get served because you aren't old enough. Back in my days if you were old enough to die you were old enough to drink." He twists the top off of his beer. "Also, I'm sure being thrown to the wolves is nerve wracking. This will help sooth some of them."

She takes a closer look at him and sees a tattoo on his arm. "You were in Vietnam?"

"Damn straight. I didn't need college so I skipped it. Worst decision of my life. Worked my ass off after to make sure none of my kids would have to worry about it. College or kids means no getting drafted."

Daria thinks about recent news stories of the invasion of Afganistan. "Do you think they'd start the draft again?"

"Probably not. A volunteer army fights better. Sending us out to the rice patties to get shot at was worse because we sure as hell didn't choose to go. Of course, Vietnam never attacked us. I just hope Bubba gets the troops in, kills the sonofabitch Osama, and gets them the hell out."

Conner sees Daria and sees the distress on her face and hurries over. "Hey, what are you two talking about?"

His father turns to him. "Telling this sweet girl about how I hope things don't drag on forever in Afganistan like it did in Vietnam."

Daria sees the reaction of Conner. It was subtle but she was sure she had the same reaction when her father would go off about his father.

"Dad, we might need more burgers. Do we have any more?"

"Got plenty in the fridge thawing out. I'll be right back."

As he walks away Conner steps next to her. "Sorry about that. I'm trying to help keep the littler relatives busy so the bigger relatives can have a good time."

She stands a little closer to him. "Your father seems ok. No worse than my dad." She looks around at the many many many members of the MacManus family. "There are a lot of little kids. You always get stuck with babysitting them?"

"I don't see it as getting stuck. They're usually more fun than the adults. My Uncle Chuck is always an ass and my Aunt Becky is always going on about her new project."

"Which is?"

"Depending on the day it is different. Collecting oysters for the homeless and then have them trade the shells in for money was the newest one. Before that it was tagging rats with GPS so you could shut down any restaurant the instant they entered. The millions I'm sure would be better spent on that than food for the homeless."

Daria can't help but think of her parents and when their friends visited. "She sounds like she still believes."

"Believes?" He gives her a look. "You look like you might still believe."

"In some things." She sips at her beer. "You have a nice family. When my family comes together it always ends in fighting."

"I remember you telling me about a wedding brawl."

"Did I tell you about the time my cousin was thinking about getting divorced and my mom was picked to be the lawyer for her?"

"No. Didn't she get divorced?"

"Later. This time my aunt showed up and my dad fled the house."

The two continue talking about family horror stories but sadly for Conner he had nothing that could top Daria's stories.

As the Sun starts to set Daria and Conner are standing in the driveway talking when his mother comes out of the house. "Conner, Daria, before you leave." She walks over to them.

Daria feels nervous as Conner's mother looks her over. "Daria, it was nice meeting you." She turns to Conner. "Maybe you can keep this one around."

"Mom," He puts an arm around her shoulders. "I'm trying."

Daria can't help but blush. "Um, he hasn't messed up, yet."

"Good. I'll warn you now if he hasn't, he tends to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Not to mention the other thing..." She gives him a stern look.

Daria looks at her, and then Conner, and then back at her wondering if she should be nervous or scared.

Conner and his mother share a look. "Are you done trying to scare her off?"

She cracks a smile. "Just messing with her. If she doesn't have a sense of humor it isn't my fault." She laughs and Daria feels a weight lifted.

Conner squeezes Daria closer to him. "Can I add this story to my collection to try and up yours?"

Daria says a quiet yes under her breath as Conner's mother continue to laugh. "You kids have fun tonight. I'm sure there will be plenty of parties for you to enjoy."

Conner hugs his mother before he and Daria walk to his car and get in.

Conner turns to her as they put their seatbelts on. "Please tell me mom didn't freak you out too much. She is a bit, twisted, when it comes to her humor."

"She did until she laughed. I can't believe she did that."

"My mom is the funniest person around and if you don't believe me, ask her. I'm just glad she didn't try any of her jokes on you."

"That bad?" Daria relaxes in her seat as Conner drives away.

"Bad would be better than most of her jokes. Some of them are so cheesy you can taste the cheddar."

Daria can't help but have a slight smile appear. "If that is any indication of her jokes then I'm glad I'm not there to hear any more."

"Hey, that one was mine!" Daria laughs a little as Conner protests against her criticism of his joke.

Amalia is at work when she notices two men in black suits that matched their hair and skin sitting at the bar. "They look like they have money to blow."

She walks over to them. "Hello, where are you two from?"

One stern looking man takes his shades off. "Maryland. You?"

"Illinois. What are you doing all the way up here?"

The other man leaves his shades on. "Talking to people. You are?"

"Sky." Amalia leans forward showing off cleavage. "Either one of you up for a dance?"

"No. Just talk. You live with a Daria Morgendorffer, correct?"

Amalia steps back. "Ok, that's weird. Bob!"

Big Bob walks over. "Yes little lady?"

"These two," Amalia points at the men in suits. "Are asking me way too personal questions and know about my home life. I'm sensing stalkers." Right then it clicks with Amalia where they said they were from. "Maryland, that's where she's from." Now she really starts to get worried.

The man who took his glasses off responds. "We're not breaking any laws."

The other continues. "Just asking some questions about her roommate."

Big Bob cracks his knuckles. "This is a business. And her roommates are none of your business. Now, I'm good at my business which is protecting the ladies."

"Sir, I'm sure throwing out drunks makes you feel like a big man but we are," The man with no shades puts a finger on Big Bob's chest.

"Assault." Big Bob has both men thrown over the bar behind them before they could blink.

Mary comes out from the back. "What the hell is going on..." She sees the two men in suits on the floor. "Uh, they aren't allowed back here."

Big Bob opens a hatch in the bar and lets himself behind it. "No they aren't." He picks them up easily. "Ah, good to put special forces training to good use."

Amalia and Mary watch him leave the club to throw the two suited men out. "If only he weren't gay." Both realize they said it at the same time.

Amalia looks at Mary. "They wouldn't have kicked him out if he wasn't."

A minute later Big Bob comes back in. "You said they were asking about your home life?"

"Yes. Said they were from Maryland."

Mary speaks out. "That's where Daria and Jane are from!"

Amalia nods. "They mentioned Daria by name. Any idea why they would be asking about her?" Mary shakes her head. "They looked serious. You don't think she's in trouble do you?"

"Daria? Of course not. She's too nice."

Daria drinks from a shot glass and enjoys the pumpkin pie flavored liquid.

Conner sees her doing this and walks over. "How many of those have you had?"

Daria looks at the shot glass. "Three, maybe four, why?"

"You do know there is alcohol in those, right?"

"Oh." She looks at the shot glass again. "Maybe five or six."

"I'm driving so you can have as many as you want."

Some one clears their throat in to a microphone. Both turn and sees a lovely large bursty woman in a dress straight from Morticia Adams' closet. "Thank you for coming out, after a short break we're back and ready to bring the noise."

Behind her was Conner's roommate on a large bass. He strums a few strings. Next to him was a light skinned lanky man on keyboard. His long, thin, fingers flew over the keys easily.

Behind them was a drummer, a trumpet player, and a sax player.

The lady turns and nods at the rest of the band and holds up three fingers.

After a few seconds of instrumental play she starts singing. It takes Daria a few seconds to recognize the song. "A big jazz swing version of Brass Monkey?"

"You weren't surprised enough by the bluesy Gangsta Paradise?"

"I actually liked their version of Do Me. The saxophone really adds to the melody."

The two stand and watch the band as Daria starts feeling the three, or six, pumpkin pie flavored drinks she had.

Jane is at her car with Andy. After partying at the pool the night before she spent the day with Andy in Manhattan, and Long Island. They avoided Ground Zero not wanting to remember what they had seen there.

She was exhausted after walking all day. "I had a great time."

"I'm glad you found some thing to like down here." He hugs her close to himself.

"Besides you?" She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him.

After a long kiss they pull apart. "How an amazing girl like you staid single long enough to meet me I'll never understand."

Jane looks away for a second. "Yeah, amazing." She leans back against her car. "But I have to get back. Classes tomorrow."

"Same here Beautiful." He leans down and kisses her again. The two holding each other and kissing for several minutes.

Things are quiet at the house the four ladies were renting as Daria stumbles in with help from Conner. "Thanks." She feels a little dizzy and light headed as she walks over to the couch.

"No problem Daria. You had a few too many."

"Pumpkin Patch Shooters are delicious. If they made them with out alcohol they could still, still," She hiccups. "Sell them."

"You seemed to enjoy them well enough." He helps her down on the couch. "Now, we both have classes tomorrow. You need to sleep. I'd take you up to your room but I'm not risking the stairs with you."

"It's ok. You are pretty you don't need to be strong." He simply smiles as she leans back on the couch.

"Saying some thing with out over thinking it. So rare for you." He kisses her on the forehead before taking her glasses off and setting them on the end table. "You have a good night Daria."

"I will." She turns on to her side using the arm of the couch as a pillow.

After Halloween parties, things seemed quiet. Too quiet.

Daria had no idea who the two men were. They had not made any other appearances that she knew of.

Jane hadn't seen or heard about them either.

Unfortunately, Lejla and Steve from her other group of friends had seen and spoken with them. When Jane found out she only had one question. "What did you tell them?"

"Nothing. Geesh, they looked like suits. We told them nothing but to mind their own business. What you do or I do has nothing to do with Daria."

"Thanks Lejla. It is still weird. They just show up and start asking about Daria."

When Daria hears about this she iseven more confused. "Who the hell were they and what did they want with me?"

Unfortunately, the Sunday before the election, her parents as well as the rest of the Marylanders found out what the two men wanted.

As the Baltimore Ravens play, during commercial break, a political ad starts.

"Jake Morgendorffer wants to portray himself as a Family Man. What kind of family?"

Video appears of Quinn at a party with Sammie, Ashtin, and Coral. She has a beer in her hand.

"Not even twenty and already throwing down the alcohol with lesbians?

Video appears of Daria leaving the house with Conner.

"Not married but having her boyfriend stay the night? I'm sure they weren't studying."

Pictures appear of Mary and Amalia outside the strip club.

"When she isn't doing God knows what with her stripper roommates, or...

Video plays of Lejla.

"What Jane and I do is none of your business!"

"Her lesbian roommate."

A picture appears of Jake from the 70's.

"What else would you expect from a hippie who lived on a commune? What kind of morals did he teach them? A man who spent time in prison. Is this the kind of man you want representing Maryland?"

The commercial cuts to black before in big bold letters of Jake's opponent's name appears.

The voice over comes up again. "A better man for Maryland."

Jake and Helen are mortified. "It was one night in a drunk tank! During the 70's!"

Helen glares at the television. "We lived on a commune with friends. Like it is such a crime?"

"The 70's!"

"This can't be legal. Hidden cameras and recording with out their knowledge?"

"The 70's!"

"I need to make a call." Helen gets off the couch and walks to the phone in the kitchen.

Jake continues staring at the screen. "The 70's!"

Daria is thoroughly embarrassed by what her mother told her. "Not exactly how I wanted you to find out. Um, about, that."

"It's fine Honey. You're in college and I'm sure if you felt he was worthy of staying the night then he must be a good man. Hopefully far better than some of the boyfriends I had before I met your father."

"Mom, I, and the rest, I, how much is this going to hurt dad?"

Helen taps a pen on a legal pad. "I don't know. Your friends, I know Jane and her family but I don't know about these other two. Strippers? And one was one you had to bail out last year wasn't it?"

"They aren't both strippers. Mary is just the bartender. Not that it should matter. Amalia makes more than any of us and pays her rent, bills, and other stuff."

"And what is this about Jane being a lesbian?"

"She's not. I don't know if she even knows what she is. She's dating a guy from New York but her other friends from BFAC... I don't like thinking about what she does with them. Or did, I don't know if she's stopped since she started dating Andy."

Helen is silent as she tries to process what Daria just told her. "I... See that it may be more complicated than I want to know."

"I don't want to know and I live with her. Mom, they hit my life hard, what about Quinn?"

"She was shown as well drinking with her friends. The ad claims they were all lesbians as well. The people who typically vote for the politicians in the party your father is running with hate any thing like that. It may not be true and just being said to try and hurt your father."

"Would it be a problem if they were? Or she was?"

"Not for us but for the people your father is relying on for votes, yes. They did this two days before the election to give your father no time to respond."

"Monday?"

"Daria, it takes time to set up the commercial, then you have to buy a time slot to air it on certain channels, and we don't have time for that."

"Have you talked to Quinn yet?"

"No, I called you first. They spent more time on you and..."

"And you were worried about my stripper lesbian friends?" Helen's long pause answers Daria's question. "It is just a job for Amalia, Mary is just a bartender." Daria realizes she is defending Amalia. Ever since Amalia had gotten drunk and attacked her verbally she barely said two words to her. But Amalia was still a friend. Just one she couldn't stand to talk to. "And Jane... I don't think about it and don't ask her about it. Her life, her choice."

"Daria, I knew you'd meet the world you were meant for when you went to college. I hoped you'd make more friends. But Amalia and Mary..."

Daria cuts her off. "Mom, Amalia is an artist who dances at the club to pay for school and rent and every thing else. Just because clothes come off when she dances doesn't make her any thing you or that commercial implied. Mary is a bartender, just that, at the club to pay her bills and is in a steady relationship with a doctor. Jane... Is Jane."

"If only we had time to tell the people of Maryland that." Helen had written down some of the things Daria had told her. "I need to call your sister."

"I'm sure she'll only be mad they didn't get her good side."

Helen doesn't want to smile but does. "You're taking this a lot better than I thought you would."

"So the whole state knows I..." Daria's face turns bright red. "I'm hanging up now."

"I'm sorry they dragged you in to this Daria. I hope the young man, Conner, won't be too upset by this."

"I wasn't even thinking about that." Daria knows she should call him. "I have to call him."

"I will call your sister." The two say their goodbyes and hang up.

Jake is in the bedroom on his cellphone. "So what?! I want to make a commercial now! That bastard went after my family! I'll kill him!" Jake grasps at his heart. "Uh, I might need to sit down for a minute." He sits down on the bed and tries to calm down. "Just set up a camera and get me in front of it. I already know what I want to tell that bastard."

Helen listens to the phone ring a few times before Quinn answers. "Hello?"

"Quinn? Do you have time to talk?"

"Sure! What's up mom?"

"Quinn, dear, a commercial aired here and parts of it featured you."

"Me?"

"Yes. It showed you at a party with friends. Drinking. There were people wearing costumes so I'm guessing it was a Halloween party."

"Oh my god!" Quinn fans herself with her free hand. "Mom, like it was only two! Not even three. I was driving I swear I only had one or two."

"Quinn, I'm not going to ground you or any thing. You're in college and like with Daria, I expected it. I'm glad to hear you are limiting yourself on your own."

"Well of course! Too much and it dries your skin and of course the way it builds up a beer belly and," Quinn blinks. "Why was I in a commercial?"

"The man your father is running against is trying to paint him and his family as wild. Your sister and her friends, you and yours. Not that it matters to us if your friends are lesbians but the people who normally vote for,"

"What?! Lesbians? Who? I've only been hanging out with Coral, Ashtin, and Sammie!"

Helen pulls the phone away from her ear. "Honey, the commercial said they were. Again, to try and paint your father and his family as the opposite of what the base normally votes for. I don't know them and I wouldn't care if they were."

"Mo-om! Sammie and Coral and Ashtin aren't gay or what ever. Ashtin and I have this whole system set up to make sure she can use the room when she has her boyfriend over."

"Honey, please be careful when you drink. Be responsible. It is college and partying is expected but be smart about it."

"I'm sure Daria has been perfect and all but I've been super careful! I make sure to do all my homework and stuff before I do any thing else. Like, last I checked I had a 3.1 GPA! I've been trying really hard."

"Wow, that, that is very good Quinn."

Helen had been worried more about Quinn than she wanted to admit. Yet from the sound of it Daria had been more wild and crazy than Quinn had. Maybe because Quinn had been more wild and crazy in high school.

"I know, right? Some of it is stupid and I don't get why we have to learn it. I mean, why do I care about gladiators in way back when? I'm here for advertising and stuff. So, like, the commercial, what angle did they get? My right shoulder is so much better than my left shoulder."

Helen simply sighs in response before hearing Jake call for her. "Quinn, your father needs some thing. Call me any time if you need to."

"Ok mom. I can't believe they made a commercial about me. I hope my makeup was ok."

"I have to go, goodbye Quinn."

"Bye mom."

The two hang up.

Daria calls Conner worried about his reaction. After telling him she hears him laugh. "It isn't that funny."

"I'm not laughing about that. Just that I was featured on a commercial. What if my makeup wasn't right?"

Daria takes a couple deep breaths, relaxing at his reaction. "You don't care?"

"As long as my me-maw doesn't see it I'm good."

"Me-maw?"

"Grandmother on my mom's side. She's still very conservative. She'd smack me with a ruler like she used to when she was a teacher at a Catholic School."

"She was a nun?"

"What, no. You don't have to be a nun to work as a teacher. Other than that, I mean, it won't air around here. As far as my roommate knows we fell asleep studying the first time and I staid at my parent's so I could help set up in the morning before the cook out the second time. So outside of us or your roommates..."

"The State of Maryland, including my parents, know I'm sexually active." Her cheeks flush with color. "Kill me, please."

"I don't think so. I'd rather hug you."

"You can, with your hands, around my throat, until I stop struggling."

"Kinky, but no."

Daria shakes her head. "I can't believe this happened. Only me."

"What about your sister?"

"Oh, she's apparently leading the LGBT community and doing keg stands, or some thing."

"So they just threw the L word around and hoped it stuck to some thing. Sounds like typical political BS." He laughs again. "So, uh, any thoughts about um, well, what did your parents say about me?"

"My mom said she trusts me and my decisions."

"Your dad?"

"He wasn't on the phone. I don't know what he thought."

"How do I face him? When I meet him. Should I bring body guards?"

"No. My father isn't the violent type. He might make things awkward but don't all parents do that?"

"Any more awkward than my mother?"

"Maybe." She smiles as she feels a little better about the situation. "I'm glad you're not freaking out about this like I was."

"Was?"

"Hearing you be calm about it made me feel better about it. And knowing my mom didn't freak out about us helped too."

Quinn goes to Coral's room and knocks on the door. "Hey, who ever it is, as long as you promise not to rape and murder me you can come in."

Quinn opens the door and comes in. "Uh, wow. Dark."

"Quinn! What's up?"

"I just got a weird call from my mom."

"Oh, every thing ok at home?"

"I guess. My dad is running for office and stuff and his opponent ran a commercial that attacked me."

"You?"

"Well, and my sister. Showing us off as wild and crazy. Hanging out at parties with lesbians and stuff."

Coral raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Really! Like, why? Why me? It was just like, rude. I hope they got my good shoulder."

Coral laughs in response. "Both of your shoulders look great."

"If only! The way my hair parts makes this one so much better." She reaches up and touches her right shoulder. "What are you working on?"

"I procrastinated on some homework and have to get it done now."

"Oh, uh, I can leave you alone."

Coral shakes her head. "I procrastinated all weekend I can procrastinate a little more for my buddy."

"Ok, cool. Thanks."

"No problem." Coral smiles. "So, who are all these lesbos you're hanging out with?"

"I'm guessing you, Ashtin, and Sammie."

"Ew! Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with that, but ew! Bitches be crazy. Although, guys can be gross pigs. But not enough to go to the other side." Both laugh. "If I did it wouldn't be you. Would be too weird doing that with a friend. I don't need to see your O face."

Quinn blushes and can't think of a response. "Uh, yeah, same here."

Monday night comes and during the Monday Night Football game a new commercial airs. It is simple as the camera frames Jake in front of a desk. "My opponent doesn't go after my views. He doesn't go after my stance on policies. He went after my family! What kind of man attacks another man's little girls? What kind of monster sends people to secretly tape young college coeds? Who knows what else he filmed! I wouldn't vote for a monster like that and neither should you! He didn't attack me he attacked my two innocent girls. Oh boy they were drinking at parties in college. I went to college in the 70's and let me tell you drinking was the least of it! But that was the times. I'm sure plenty of you watching this commercial went through the 70's just like I did! I lived through them and became my own man! A man with his own business and family! Then this monster who never worked a real day in his life attacks my family! Tomorrow, when you go to vote, you don't have to vote for me, just don't vote for this slimeball monster!"

The screen cuts to black with bright white Jake Morgendorffer before going to another commercial.

A/N Daria and Quinn come under attack. Daria freaks out a little about it but Quinn is calm as a cucumber once she realizes she won't be in trouble. How I feel it would go in the show. Re re re watching it again. Why? Because it is a good show. But notice Quinn deflects or makes excuses to get out of trouble but once she isn't she's just all "Oh, ok, what ever". Love Daria defending her friends. Even Amalia with the bad blood between the two going on still. And then Jake calling whomever he needed to get the commercial made and sending out a scathing attack ad. Protecting his daughters as best he can. Showing some of Conner and his family, showing they have crazy parents as much as Daria or any one else. Just trying to build the world in my series. Conner is a nerd, his roommate plays in a jazz/swing/blues band that does covers of modern songs, so forth. And love Amalia and Mary checking out Big Bob and being annoyed he was gay. Just creating more personality, more life, more everything. Anyways, hope you all like and if you have the time, review!