Disclaimer:- Okay, still not owning any of this….Damn it…

A/N:- Howdy peep's, here the next bit, I have something going on in the next chappie, but the one after that is where the plot thickens. I am sooo excited….

I would like to thank greyhaven11, mcflygurl, nomanslandvicki, purple angel, ruggedangel0426, gizzmossidekick, mj and lfjsfosdgfosngsdsf. You lot rock my socks off. Thanks for reviewing.

Now onward….

Slumping down onto her bed, springs crunching under the sudden shift in weight, Alicia let out a weary groan of contentment. Momentary bliss at last.

Ignoring the loud thumping that had just commenced on her door, threatening to shatter it into toothpicks, Ali closed her eyes and allowed her mind to take on it's four year old persona and wonder off like a kid in a toy store, images of the last week cramming her head to almost exploding point, demanding that she remember. Shit, it had been a long fucking week.

Following her 'date' - which she had become highly defensive and uncomfortable about; seriously going to dinner with four guys, what the holy fuck was she thinking ? At least no-one from Spenser had found out about it. Yet - she had found herself escorted back to her dorm by a completely rat arsed Caleb, who by that time had taken it upon himself to sing his own rendition of what was probably, to begin with at least, a fairly decent song. Very badly. At the top of his voice. The jackass had succeeded in waking half the students in residence. So much for stealth. After finally ridding herself of the piss head; who had by then proceeded to whisper loudly to inanimate objects whilst walking to where every the hell his own room was, and flipping off who every had felt brave enough to comment on her arrival back at the dorms she stumbled into her room only to find her traitorous roommate, who was not where she had said she would be, lying passed out, snoring like a whale, in pool of her own spit. The lying fucking bitch. After making the instantaneous decision that Callie had to pay, Ali had known exactly what method of revenge to use, and had made swift work of locating her weapon of choice. Her trusted sharpie. The black one. Can you feel the malicious grin reforming on her face. After graffiting Callie face to within an inch of it's life, she had passed out in a drunken stupor on the floor, still strung up like a turkey at thanksgiving. And that had only been the beginning of the week.

Waking up nine hours later to a deserted room, with what could only be described as a marching band parading in between her ears all she could do was groan and begin a chant that she would find herself repeating throughout the weekend. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.

After peeling herself off the floor and hauling her ass into the bathroom she had cut her self out of the dress. She couldn't get the fucking knots she had tied last night undone. It was that Blonde twats fault. She had promised herself she would make him replace the laces. If he hadn't undone them in the car on the way home she wouldn't have had to of turned into a boy scout tying every last knot she could think of, just to keep her modesty covered. Having pulled on a shirt that obviously wasn't hers her day had gotten slightly better. There was a note shoved under her door. Reading it she couldn't help the demented rush of glee that filled her veins. According to the provost Callie had taken a weeks absence. Apparently her grandmother had gotten ill and things weren't looking hopeful. The deceitful little tramp. Her Grandmother was beyond being ill and at deaths door. Fuck she had been having tea and biscuits with the grim reaper himself for years. Chicken shit, she had gone into hiding. If she had just come on the date with Ali, her face would have remained untouched. Oh well, at least she'd be having a weeks worth of decent sleep.

Continuing with getting dressed she pulled on her trusty low riders and the gaudiest pair of slippers know to man. Her oh so stunning Sponge Bob Square Pants ones. Walking out her door Alicia quickly decides against the stairs, too much motion definitley wasn't advisable, especially since she wanted to avoid worshiping the porcelin throne today; she pushed the illuminated green button, summoning the lift to her floor. During the thirty seconds it took for the decrepid winch to haul it to her floor she took stock of her attire and finally conceeded she might have a problem. The Sponge had to go. Tomorrow. Right now the need for a double espresso followed by a large Americano chaser was more urgent.

Now for all those who are not Ali you are probably thinking that for a hangover riddled morning things weren't so bad, and you'd be right. Up until right about now. Having brewed and poured a steaming hot double espresso she had been just about to devour it when it had been…stolen…from her grasp. And you'll never guess who by…

Tyler. Cupcake. Bastard. Opening her mouth to yell at him she quickly slammed it shut when the other three 'Sons' made their grand entrance. Oh joy of fucking joy. At least they looked like shit too.

Temporarily ignoring their arrival, she poured herself a second cup and necked it before anyone else even thought of stealing it. Feeling the scolding fluid burn it's way down her throat she et out a satisfied moan as the caffeine began to chase the tequila that was still laughing it up in her stomach away. Drinking slammers with Pogue. Not such a good idea. Apparently he had a second liver or something. Watering down the rest of the coffee into something other than the syrup it had previously been, she had helped herself to the afore mention Americano, before finally acknowledging the guy's presence by asking Reid to repeat himself. Evidently he had been saying something to her.

" I said, I had been wondering where my shirt went, I couldn't remember leaving it behind anywhere...

So the shirt was his then.

"I don't want to know why or how it ended up in my bathroom then…what Callie gets up to is h-" she starts, actually feeling quite pissed that her roomie had been screwing Reid. Why she wasn't sure… but for now… she was pissed.

"I had been wearing it… until Callie ri-" Tyler announces.

"You finish that sentence and you die" she glares, almost gagging at the mental image being produced. Tyler the ass, just grinned.

And that is how her weekend had commenced. Her with the 'Sons'. It didn't really differ much from that either. Following Caleb's suggestion they had spent the weekend overhauling the girls section of the team. Which actually pleased Alicia no end. The fucking fan girls had to go. Sure it meant dropping from an imposing fifteen down to a strong and capable six; but as she had rationalized to Caleb she could live with the bitchy glares from those she had ousted ; it's not like they were going to stand out from the hundreds she was already receiving from the entire female population already; if it meant less public humiliation for her and the team at meets. Fine.

Up until now the guys had been carrying Spenser's reputation, and she was out to change that. She was in this now, liking it or not, and she wasn't about to let anyone especially them carry her. Except for when bare foot in the rain… she added to herself.

Having listened to Alicia's reasons for dropping the girls she had, Caleb had simply grinned at her before diving off the edge of the pool, disappearing beneath the surface of the water. watching him swim away Alicia had found herslef being pulled backwards into another of Reid's embraces, his arms wrapping around her waist as his chin rested on her shoulder. Doing an about turn to face him she was about to give him an earful about the meanings of personal space when he had informed her Caleb's gloating. According to Reid Caleb had known all along that she'd take her captaincy seriously, despite her reluctance to be on the team in the begining. The know it all fucker. Sunday she got her revenge on him though. Arriving half an hour early for practice she and her six girls had surprised the guy's team, who had been in the throughs of warming up. Apparently Caleb had neglected to inform the other male members of the teams joint status. To say in the least the were rather unimpressed with the situation. Too bad. She had just stood back and enjoyed as Caleb had stuttered his way through his explanation of the combined team. So much for being unfalible.

After the physical exertion of swimming half the day and being entwinned with Blondie for the other half ; who by the end of the day Alicia had been seconds away from either chaining to a bed or beating to drowning she had welcomed the wave of darkness that had taken over her that night.

Rousing her attention slightly Alicia noticed that the pounding on her door had finally ceased, whoever it had been had finally given up and buggered off. Closing her eyes again the first memory that leapt in front of her eyes was the dream, well nightmare, she had that night…a topless Reid chasing her through the halls demanding she take off his shirt along with the rest of her clothes and...okay skipping the rest now...not really suitable for her four year old anyway.

Monday came around all too quickly. The new week officially upon her. At least she had gotten her car back. Which in itself was kind of pointless, everyday that week one, usually Reid, or more of the 'Sons' had stopped by her room and dragged her disorganised ass to school in whatever vehicle they were using. And despite herself she couldn't turn them down. You see as she had driven her car back from the garage she found herself missing the kick that Caleb's car possessed. Maybe now would be a good time to take advantage of all that money mummy and daddy were desperate for her to spend and upgrade. She could always have her paint job done on a new car, right? Maybe Reid could help her find something suitable for the newly born speed freak in her. (And before you say it, yes she had washed her mind out with soap for even thinking that). By lunchtime Monday it had become obvious that Callie really was taking a weeks absence. Either someone really was dying or that was a fucking good marker. Maybe Alicia should write who ever made it a thank you letter or something.

By Tuesday she had stopped trying to avoid the 'Sons' at Spenser. It was proving to be a futile use of her time anyway. The pre and post school swim, the fact they drove her to and fro and that they had gate crashed her table every lunch time had seen to that. Oh and to top that off Reid had become closer to her than her own shadow, he either had an arm either draped over her shoulder or wrapped around her waist, which ever wasn't occupied by Pogue, who had also developed a shadow like resemblence; though in his case she was semi - certain that his intentions weren't intentions as such. More so a way to piss of his ex who was stalking him. Seriously she had been turning up everywhere. Scary bitch.

Wednesday and Thursday had actually followed pretty much the same pattern. Wake up, swim, shower, eat, school, eat, get harassed by Reid, school, more school, eat, swim, her I hate them chant, shower, chill out in a room. Though the only variation to that was what room she chilled in. Monday it had been the common rooms, Tuesday and Wednesday had been Tyler and Reid's, which was sickeningly clean. And Thursday she had found herself and the four of them crammed into Caleb and Pogue's. Designing and ordering the new swim kit. The guys were staying the same. I mean who in their right mind would change that, but the girls. Gone was the potato sack. They had replaced it with a matt black, backless one piece, with Spenser's crest inscribed on the high cut hip.

And then the memories of Friday. Today. Pretty much the same, just without the post school swim; someone hadn't added enough chlorine or something too the water and it had couldn't be filtered so they were draining and refilling, honestly she could have kissed whoever had contaminated the pool. Muscles she didn't know she had were about ready to pack up and fuck off, insert chant here; and joint chilling session. She was working tonight. In an hour to be exact.

The door flying off it's hinges, and smashing into the wall sending the neon squares of paper flying through the air like confetti snaps Alicia out her stupor. Callie was home, and boy did she look pissed.

"Use a key much?"

"Gone deaf much? I've been hammering at the door for like ten minutes, what the fuck were you doing?"

"Not deaf. I heard you knocking, I just chose not to answer."

"You are such a bitch…so did you miss me?"

"No…did your grandmother die?"

"Yeah" Callie say's with a mournful sigh, "Three years ago…Why of all the ways to seek revenge for my abandoning you, did it have to include permanent ink?"

"Why of all nights to be a selfish bitch did you have to be one on that night?"

"Touche" Callie grins. Apparently Ali was forgiven.

"I'll give you fucking touche"

"Don't even go there..."

"Why the fuck not?"

"Because...I have spent a week at home with my mother, my mother Alicia… having my face scrubbed off by a Russian pig farmers wife. I haven't had sex of any kind in almost seven days, and I am that horny I am about ready to fuck a bar stool. Oh sorry I forgot to add that I just had to kick in my own fucking door because my room mate is a deaf trout. Am I forgetting anything?"

Letting Callie's deluge of whining sink in Ali almost pitied her. She had met her Mum and there was only one word to describe that woman. Psychotic. Letting a smirk crinkle her face Ali decides to forgive and forget… Callie had suffered enough.

"If it makes you feels better I might know someone who'd be more than willing to help with the horny" Ali proposes. The proverbial olive branch if you will.

"Who?"

"Cupcake, I think he's missed you… he has actually started to sulk"

"Aww, how cute…"

"Sickening if you ask me…."

"I think I might just go say hello…" Callie says, a smile stretching across her face, as she creeps towards the door..

"Not now you aren't…we start work in like twenty minutes so you might want to think about getting a move on."

"Spoil sport".

"Boo Hoo for you… now get changed" Ali demands as she disappears into the bathroom, arms filled with her uniform selection of the night. A bright pink leopard print skirt and a black t-shirt, stating that she used to be snow white, but she had drifted.

Ten minutes later she finds herself dragging a half dressed Callie out the main door of the dorm building. The stairs becoming instantly difficult to navigate as someone calls out her name. Crap, they couldn't have waited until she got to the bottom. Tripping down the last four steps she slams her eyes shut waiting for the pain of gravel meeting knees. Instead she is greeted by warm arms wrapping themselves around her waist, pulling her upright and against a firm chest. That had been happening a lot lately.

"I was just coming to find you…" a voice whispers against her neck.

"Hello Reid…"

"Hello to you too" he smiles, brushing his mouth against her ear, chuckling as goose bumps appear in his wake, "Where are you going" he asks looking at Callie who had finally finished buttoning up her shirt.

"Nicky's… working tonight" Callie shrugs, smiling to herself as she notices that Ali and Reid are still tangled up together.

"Us too, I'm meant to be celebrating. I was just about to come and get Ali here " he says looking down at her smiling slightly " You see it's my birthday and I was going to let you buy me a drink"

"Oh were you now" Ali grins, attempting to pull herself free of his arms, and failing miserably as he easily repositions himself behind her, shuffling them towards Caleb's car, to the patiently waiting trio.

Callie who had been in tow, advanced ahead of them the instant she saw Tyler, determined to scratch her itch and put an end to his sulking. Without even so much as a goodbye they clamoured into the truck and vanished. She was so not riding in that thing ever again.

Giving her a smile in greeting Caleb asks where she is headed, and again the explanation is given.

"Well my dear climb in and we'll escort you there".

"Only if I get to drive…" she smiles.

"Ooh No, I have missed my car, and I am still finding chop sticks under the seats".

"Fine, I'll just take my car…I'll se-"

"Fine…here…" Caleb sighs, tossing her the keys "You drive…"

Unable to help the girlie squeal she throws him an exaggerated grin " Thank you". God she loved this car.

Once they were all in, with Reid upfront next to her, she heads out. After a brief explanation as to why Callie had again abducted Tyler she turned her attention to Reid who was starting to act very…un-Reid like. It was unnerving. Shaking off the uneasy feeling she slaps his leg, pulling his attention from the trees whizzing past his window back to her.

"You should have told me it was your birthday" she tells him.

"Why?" he asks, frowning slightly. Yep. Very un-Reid like.

"I could have gotten you a gift or something… I might of even stretched as far as a birthday kiss" she smirks, goading him back to his bad boy self.

"You know… my birthday doesn't end until midnight…". That's more like it.

"Really…shame you keep your birthday a secret then huh?" she chuckles.

"Tease…" he grins "How about you save me a dance for later instead".

"Deal" she smiled back.

And she does it again. Why don't moments like these come with an alarm or something? Fives minutes of unabashed grinding on the dance floor had better be enough to wipe that look off his face. He looked so troubled, scared even. That was no way to be feeling on your birthday, right? I mean what was it about turning 18 that had him so on edge?

A/N:- There you have it… what did you think, push that cute little button down there and let me know…