A/N;; …I'm trying to get a majority of this done before tomorrow. School is starting way too soon.

When school starts, updates are going to be very scarce and random.

Oh, and Carlos = Cuba. Just for future references.

Dizzy Up the Girl

Track X
Before It's Too Late

The home phone ringing is what woke him up. He realized he had slept it, partially because he didn't have to be at work so early to deal with shit. He smiled, grabbing the cordless phone, yawning. "Hello?"

"Please tell me this is Lukas Thomassen?" a very Danish voice asked, sounding like she had spent hours trying to find his number.

"It is," he sat up, stretching. "And this is?"

"Mathilde!" she shouted, laughing like a maniac. "Thank God! I called around and got like, five, different numbers and-!"

He sighed, distancing the phone from his ear as the female continued on and on about her story. He was positive she started speaking in Danish for about a full four minutes, then finished in English. "Why don't I just give you my cell number? It'll be easier to reach."

"That'd be great! Look, can yoo meet me at ta Maple Book Store at like, two?" she asked, her peppy voice holding a secretive tone. "My friend said it'd be the only time ta meet ya."

He hummed, replying quickly. "Sure." He heard her squeal and hurry through a goodbye as she hung up. He forced himself out of bed, sighing dramatically. He wasn't thrilled that he had still lost the best paying job ever, but it was nice of her to go out of her way and see to it he had something stable until he could find something better.

Slowly walking into the bathroom, he turned on the hot water and let the idea of a less stressing job take over his thoughts.

He liked that idea.

"Mathilde," a curly, multi-blond haired Canadian pushed his glasses up, crossing his arms. "I hope this isn't another slacker Abel…"

"Oh, come on, Michael!"

"Matthew!" shouted the Canadian, his glare becoming more threatening. "Honestly, we went to school together for years- since we were in seventh grade. You and I played hockey together since we were five! How can you not remember my name?"

"It's a lot better than being called your sister's name." The silence following that statement was almost as violent as the glares Matthew was giving Mathilde. Violet eyes lowered, and Mathilde mumbled, "I'm sorry. I know that Alyssa is all-."

"No," Matthew smiled, looking up. "It's fine. I need to get over the fact she's a bit of an attention whore." They laughed, sipping from their drinks- Mathilde's usual water bottle and Matthew with a coffee in hand. "So who is this guy, eh?"

"Lukas Thomassen," she said with a slight grin. Matthew quirked an eyebrow as people scurried around them. "He's shorter than me but I think it's cute. He's quieter and all, but it's all good."

"And you met him how long ago?"

"At least a week ago," she sighed, twirling a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her pony tail. "He's different. I like him." Matthew rolled his eyes, slurping the beverage in his hands. "Matthew, that's gross!" she hissed.

"It sounds like he's someone you like a lot, Miss Densen," the Canadian hummed thoughtfully, watching the door. She blushed and looked down, his eyebrows quirking at her reaction. "What? Mathilde Densen- the bravest girl in the entire city- shies about this subject?"

"I was the bravest girl," she whispered, wiping her eyes. "I don't have time for love." Matthew frowned, knowing that this wasn't a matter of her being busy, but something else. "Besides, I don't fall in love- at least not fast."

"How would you know?" the Canadian chided. "Mathilde, you spent most of your dating- if one could call it that- life going from one drunken keg party to the next. You never gave the guys a chance to fall in love with you and you never allowed yourself a chance to fall as well. Your 'relationships'," to this he added air quotes, "Never happened when you were sober."

She stayed quiet, so he continued, "And you are still the bravest girl. No one can still try to be like you with what you have going on with you- no one. You're dy- is that him?" his thoughts were interrupted when he saw a short Norwegian approaching. She looked up, her eyes sparkling slightly.

"Uhm, hi?" the man took a seat, dark blue eyes on the two at the table. Mathilde giggled and took a sip of her water.

"Lukas, this is Matthew," she chirped. "He and I go back a long ways. We played hockey together since we were tots and went to school together since seventh grade and-."

"Pleased to meet you," Matthew held up his hand, silencing the Dane, and reaching over to shake the Norwegian's hand. "Mathilde says you used to do big business work?"

"Yeah," Lukas shot her a dirty look, causing Matthew to laugh.

"So you're the responsible type, good." Nodding, Matthew released his grip on Lukas' hand and sighed. "I'm going to be honest- my boyfriend, Carlos, and I started this as a way to get his works published- but now it's the biggest book store this city has to offer. Now, your pay won't be great…"

"I can live."

"And each payment also allows you to take two free books home with you," Matthew gave a small smile and Lukas somewhat returned it. "Now, I normally have concerns over people Thilde brings in, but you seem very well rounded. I'd hire you even if this wasn't because I owe Thilde."

"Thank you."

"Can you start today?" asked Matthew. "You'd worked Mondays through Fridays- sometimes you'd work Saturdays and Sundays too, but we attempt to rotate our employees out for weekends off." Lukas nodded, clearing his throat.

"Yes, I can," he agreed. Matthew whistled loudly, causing the Dane and Norwegian to jump. Mathilde rubbed her head and Lukas sighed. Finally, an employee came over to the table…

…and Lukas had a heart attack. "Kiet Sripuy is also fairly new- working here under counselor's orders. He's got a good grip on things, so would you mind-."

"No, I wouldn't," Lukas sighed bitterly, standing up and saying, "Show me what to do." Mathilde watched as the two walked away, Matthew's eyes narrowed in thought, before he turned to his friend, a slight look of concern on his face.

"You sure this is going to be a good idea?"

"When am I never?"The Dane replied. Matthew resisted the urge to dump the coffee on his head.

"And that's pretty much it…" Lukas nodded, arms crossed, he examining the Thai as he finished putting a book back into place. "Carlos and Matthew both have OCD, so it's pretty much best to keep everything in order or-." Kiet was cut off.

"Kiet," Lukas spoke, having the male's attention get turned back to him. "Can I ask you something? Not work related?" Nodding, he turned, book in hand, smiling at the Norwegian. "Can I trust you?"

"With?" the Asian's breath hitched. Lukas gave him a look that just said that he was an idiot and shouldn't play dumb. "Emil? I don't know. I can't tell you what you should trust and not trust. But just know I'm trying. I'm only human. I'm trying." He bit his lip and Lukas looked semi-pleased with the answer. "I'm glad you know."

"Why?"

"Because I hate secrets and lies," he said, turning around and placing the book away. The blond reached over and grabbed a stack, walking down a ways to put the book on top where it belonged. "It's not my thing. It's a little bit weird with everything I do- er- did, but it's just…"

"Well, I guess I can believe that," Lukas frowned, turning to Kiet as he handed him a book. "It is just like Emil to keep things to himself. He was always the secretive guy…" Lukas caught a glimpse of Kiet's face, and something told him that there was a problem. "Something wrong?"

"Did he tell you anything else?" asked the Thai, his voice very… unhappy. "Like… about himself?"

Lukas' heart stopped. "No, he told me he was clean though. Did you get-?"

"I don't do that around him." Kiet frowned and slammed the books into the shelf. "Never mind, I guess he's still not going to tell."

"Tell what?"

"It's not really my place…" Lukas rolled his eyes and gently picked up the books. "Look, Emil sent me a text about Thursday- I can be there. Is he actually going to eat or is he going to-?"

"So you've noticed it too?" Lukas had noticed his brother wasn't eating much- more so at all. He was glad it wasn't just him being paranoid. But now it was Kiet's turn to send him the look that made Lukas feel stupid. "What?"

"You haven't completely caught on." Kiet grabbed the empty box and walked away, shaking his head. Lukas stood there, dumbfounded and in shock. What did he mean by that?

"So let me get this straight," Mathilde sat cross-legged on the floor, her fingers working as fast as they could to press the buttons on the controller as she and Peter engaged in a Smash Brother's battle to the death. "He's going ta get yoo a lawyer- free of cost- and expect nothing in return?"

"Can you just stop thinking?" Birgitta asked, checking herself in the hallway mirror as she walked out into the living room. "It's not like that. Not every guy who's nice to me wants sex."

"No," Mathilde said, cursing as the twelve year old attempted to get the Smash Ball. "But most of them do. Birgie, as the big sister, it's my job to make su- UP B! UP B!" she shouted, and shook her head as the video game cackled the end of the game. "Next time I'm gonna be Samus."

"You were saying?"

"I owe you my protection from dicks. After all," the Dane began, again clicking various buttons with vigor as the boy cackled evilly. "I did introduce ya ta Arthur and-."

"If I didn't meet Arthur," Birgitta walked over and brushed her son's bangs from his face, kissing his forehead, "Peter wouldn't be here. And if Peter wasn't here, you sure as hell wouldn't be playing video games tonight."

"You sure as hell wouldn't have moved in," Mathilde tackled Peter, hugging him. Birgitta smiled. "And I love my nephew so it all works out for the better." Peter laughed pulling his mother down for a hug, and Mathilde whispered. "I love you guys. Okay?" Peter replied cheerfully and Birgitta nodded, sighing in return. She knew that it was going to suck when- no, let's think positive- if it just so happened… Mathilde left.

"When I come home," Birgitta stood up, grabbing her hat and coat, "Let's watch a movie or play a game of something. Okay? Love you," she waved and the two waved back, returning their attention to the game.

"She can't afford it?" a yellow haired man glared at Tino, adjusting his glasses. "Then why the hell did you call me up here?"

"Because I'm paying for it," the Finn replied, causing his friend to give him the evil eye. "Look, this woman… is kind of down on her luck. It's not going to be easy for her, okay?" The man sighed, teal eyes looking down at the table. Tino sighed, looking toward the doors. Suddenly, entering the restaurant was Birgitta- his heart stopped. She looked nice. She looked… like Birgitta would look like, even if he hardly knew her.

"Sorry I'm late," she apologized, sliding next to Tino in the booth. "I'm Birgitta Oxenstierna," she held out her hand, a serious look on her face. Nodding, the lawyer returned the hand shake.

"Eduard von Bock," replied the Estonian, and they all began to talk. Within in a hour, most of the details were figured out- who would be there, who would testify in her defense, who else would be involved, the cost- most of it was done. Now most of the conversation was about life- Eduard's pregnant wife, Birgitta's home life, and Tino just stayed quiet, sipping his soda, and staring at the Swede.

"So how did you meet your ex?" Eduard asked, immediately adding, "If it's not, you know-."

"I met him through my stepsister," she sighed. "She was big into partying and she would go up to his campus. She was dating a friend of his at the time. Anyway, I went one day and well… he said he liked mature women. So we started dating, we slept together- then I got pregnant."

"And he left you?" Tino asked, shaking his head.

"Pretty much," she looked down at the table, a deep frown outlining her Swedish featured. "But I don't regret it. Not anymore. At the time, I did, but he's the best thing that happened to me."

"Now, in case your stepmother and your father testify against you, what is the story behind that?" Eduard asked, propping his head up in his hand. Birgitta sighed.

"I was eighteen when they told me to get out. Mathilde was almost done with college and let me move in. I've been with her since then." A quiet ring was heard, and she pulled out her phone. She frowned, turning to the two males, "Excuse me," she said and stood up, walking away from the table to take the call.

Eduard turned to Tino, who let out the millionth sigh. "Okay, may I remind you who you're dating? My sister-in-law."

"Why does everybody I know have to be dating someone related to Anya?" Tino asked, rolling his eyes. "And don't worry, I'm not going to cheat on her. She knows I'm not that kind of guy.

Eduard gave him a questioning look when Birgitta reappeared, smiling her as she took her seat. "Sorry, that was the principal for the local middle school." She sighed happily, muttering, "Things are going to start working out now."

"Did you get a job?" Tino asked. She nodded, and then clicked her tongue.

"A lady outside in this black car asked about you. I told her you were inside and she got mad and drove off." Shrugging, Birgitta watched as Tino jumped up. "I take it it's your wife?"

"Girlfriend," he emphasized this point. "And now she's pissed. And I'm stuck without a ride because she drove me." He shot Eduard a dirty, but pleading look, but the Estonian with teal eyes shook his head. "What?"

"Irunya is going to kill me if I'm not home soon," Eduard stood up, bowing slightly in apology. "Hormones and all. I will contact you both soon. Bye, guys." Birgitta gave a quiet farewell and turned to Tino. He was currently staring out the window in thought.

"Okay, where do you live?" Finishing up her drink, she grabbed her keys from her purse, causing the Finnish man to turn in shock.

"I mean, if you want," Tino began. "It may be a bit out of your way…" Birgitta stood up, rolling her eyes.

"I don't care," she added, watching as he stood up, sheepishly grinning. She gave a small grin and the two left the facility, walking to her car in silence. Tino glanced up at Birgitta, trying to find the words to say. Sadly, nothing came to mind and he stayed very quiet, something he wasn't used to either.

By the time they got into the car and began to drive, neither had spoken. Tino grew sick of this, and was about to say something completely off the wall before the Swede said, "Thank you so much."

"For?"

"This," she bit her lip, sighing. "I mean, paying for the attorney and all. It really means a lot to me." Tino smiled and waved it off, tying to explain how it was no big deal. She shook her head, interrupting, saying, "No, it is a big deal."

"I was raised to always help someone in need," he replied. He slapped his hand over his mouth. "Not like you're completely needy or anything but-."

"I get it," she mumbled, looking straight ahead. "And it means a lot. If I lost Peter, that would be horrible. He would be heartbroken because he really wants to be there for me and Mathilde." Tino glanced out the window.

"He loves you both, huh?" he asked, and she made a humming noise. "Lukas- my friend- he's… gotten to know Mathilde better. She's special… isn't she?"

"She's normal." Birgitta frowned, her voice now cold and disengaged. "She was born normal, and lived normal up until she was twenty-six. Now… she's trying to be normal." Tino could tell the topic was off-limits. Instead of being a dick and pressing for more information he'd just drop it. If Lukas found out, chances are (though very slim) he'd tell him.

"Well," Tino smiled, looking over at her as she pulled into the parking lot. "You're still an incredible person. You deserve the best." She gave a small smile herself, watching as he slid out of the car and closed the door. "Goodnight, Birgitta."

"Goodnight, Tino." Watching as she drove away, he walked up to his apartment entrance and sighed. He was trying to process so many things- Anya's little scene earlier and how he was going to cope with that, Eduard's concern that he'd cheat on Anya, Birgitta in general…

Sighing, he opened the door and leaned against the wall. He had always been so sure on what he wanted in life. Now he wasn't exactly sure what he needed in life.

"Hold on, before it's too late.
We'll run 'til we leave this behind.
Don't fall, just be who you are.
It's all that we need in our lives."

OH MY GOD SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW. AND THIS CHAPTER IS MAKING ME SCRATCH MY PLAN FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.

Awesome.

Adios~!
Darlene :)