Disclaimer: Same as always.

Chapter 10

Petey's eyes widened at the sound of Tina's voice. He hadn't expected her to stop by. He glanced over at Crystal, who was staring intently at her feet, and then at Brooke, who simply kept playing. He took a deep breath before saying. "In here, honey. I didn't expect you back tonight."

Her voice became louder as she drew nearer. "I know, I just really… hello."

Petey cleared his throat before he introduced the two women. "Tina, this is Crystal, and my daughter, Brooke."

Crystal stood to shake the other woman's hand, trying her best to smile. Although that seemed to get harder and harder to do. After exchanging their greetings, an uncomfortable silence descended upon them. All three adults tried their best to look anywhere but at one another until Brooke, sensing the tension, started whimpering. Tina glanced down at her and smiled reassuringly.

"She's beautiful. She looks so much like you, Petey."

He smiled at her proudly before sitting in the floor to comfort the confused little girl. He hugged her close and whispered into the child's ear soothingly. Both women sat and watched without speaking for a moment. Both in awe of how fast Petey and Brooke had bonded, he was taking to fatherhood more than either had ever thought he would. Crystal couldn't imagine what he had gone through with the other woman when he had found out about Brooke, and was hesitant to say something wrong. She sat and waited for Tina to interact with the child for the first time. She couldn't help but be leery of the unfamiliar woman when it came to Brooke. Not that she felt she was doing that great of a job, but it was still up to her to make sure no harm came to the baby. Crystal watched as she made the first move, curious to see how it would be received with Brooke's current moods.

Tina sat on the floor across from father and daughter and waited for Brooke to acknowledge her. It took a moment for her to realize someone new was watching her. Brooke looked at the other woman without moving for a second. She laid her head on Petey's arm and seemed to tell Tina who he was when she said. "Da da."

Tina smiled at the baby before picking up a stuffed animal that was beside her and offering it to Brooke. She looked back at her father, who smiled encouragingly at her, then to the new woman before she slow made her way to where Tina sat. Crystal held her breath as Brooke reached for it. Her shoulders slumped in a mixture of relief and sadness as Brooke laughed when Tina shook the animal, tickling her slightly. It was almost more than she could take. Quickly she excused herself to the bathroom Petey had shown her to earlier before her tears fell.

Leaning against the door, watching her reflection as the tears she'd been fighting so long were falling she couldn't help think of what Tony had told her. He wanted her to give Brooke to Petey and never see her again. Her heart ached at the thought of doing such a thing, but now she wondered if it wouldn't be best for the year old. Crystal had dragged her all over the east coast, and with Mike set to leave in two weeks, it would only get worse as she traveled for work occasionally. A sob escaped her as she thought of her life without Brooke. She couldn't fathom not seeing her every morning, spending the day watching her grow and learn.

After what seemed an eternity, but was probably just moments, there was a knock on the door and Petey's voice called to her from the other side.

"Crystal, are you alright?"

Frantically she tried to wipe the tears away, but the harder she tried the faster they fell. Giving up she attempted to speak thru them.

"Yes, I'm alright. I'll be out in just a moment."

Petey frowned, he knew something was wrong with her, and her watery reply did nothing to reassure him. He decided to wait for her to come out and then address the issue. It took another five minutes for Crystal to stop the tears and get her face to a reasonable color. Taking a last shuddering breath, she opened the door and nearly jumped at the sight of Petey leaning against the wall. She attempted a weak smile before saying softly. "Sorry I took so long."

Petey shook his head. "Not a problem. I just want to know what's wrong. I know we haven't known each other long, but we are Brooke's parents, and we have to talk about whatever is going on in each other's lives. Everything we do affects her, and we need to both be involved. If something's wrong with Brooke I want to know about it. Neither of you have been yourself this trip."

Crystal looked at him closely, watching for signs of dishonesty. She didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed when she found none. All she seen was the concern of a father and a friend. It had been a long time since anyone but Mike had worried about her, and it brought new tears to her eyes. She blinked them back and waited till she could speak without crying before she started. Once she did, she couldn't seem to stop. Things that she had long decided to keep to herself came pouring out, as if she couldn't keep it in any more.

Her words astounded Petey; he'd never heard her talk so openly to him about something other than his daughter. But here she was, seemingly letting everything out, as if she'd held it in too long and was about to burst open. He listened to it all without saying a word. Once she had finished, she looked everywhere but at him, waiting for the inevitable, but hoping it wouldn't come. Tony had always told her she was weak for having her fears and insecurities, He had told her others would view her the same way, or that she would never be good enough. Tony would laugh and ridicule her pain and troubles. He was the only person she had to base the reaction her words would have so she was waiting for Petey to do the same.

Instead, his next action shocked her. He simply smiled and held open his arms, inviting her in for a much needed hug. It was the first adult contact she'd had since Mike had visited. A normally independent woman would later be embarrassed to admit it, but she fell into his arms at that moment, trying her hardest not to cry again. Petey held her close, knowing she needed it, and marveled at her strength once again. She had been through Hell in the past six months, and yet she had remained strong for everyone. He wondered if it was because she wanted to or if she felt she had no choice. He promised he would make her see she did have a choice, that she had someone to lean on if she wanted to.

Once she had calmed down, Petey pulled back a little, saying. "Come on, I got a spare bedroom and you need to rest. I'll take care of Brooke tonight. You just worry about you, and we'll talk tomorrow."

"But I can't ask you to do that, I can…" She was cut off when he placed his hand over her mouth.

"You didn't ask, I offered. And I know you can, the point is I want to. I promise I can handle her for a night and tomorrow too if you want to sleep all day. From what you've just told me, you haven't been doing a lot of sleeping. You have someone here that can help carry the weight now; you're not alone in this. You just have to let me."

Seeing that there was no arguing with him, Crystal merely nodded her head in submission to his words. He smiled at her before leading her back into the living room to let her tell Brooke goodnight and so he could explain what was going on to Tina. Then he showed her to the room for her use, giving her another hug and leaving her to sleep. She changed into a T-shirt and shorts Petey had told her were in the drawer. As she lay on the bed, cuddled into the covers, she thought about all she had told him. She had left nothing out, from the things that Tony had said and done, to her fears for Brooke. There was something strangely therapeutic about telling Petey her troubles that had been absent when she'd talked to Mike. Maybe it was the fact that Petey wasn't family and wasn't obligated to make her feel better but did anyway, or perhaps it was the fact that he was Brooke's father and had some of the same concerns as her. Whatever it was, Crystal found herself falling asleep easily and with a slight smile on her face.

The warmth and brightness of the sun is what woke Crystal up first. Stretching leisurely, she smiled at the new day. It had been months since she had faced a new day with such enthusiasm. Getting out of bed, she headed into the kitchen to fix breakfast for them. She looked at her sleep attire, and then at the clothes she had folded and lay on the dresser. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to change back into them. She walked out of the room quietly, not wanting to wake anyone else that might still be sleeping. Peeking into both the kitchen and living areas, she was surprised to find them empty, and to see it was already ten. Setting everything she would need out, she started working. If Petey was anything like her brother, he would wake up to the smell of food. It seemed the perfect way to say thank you to him for his consideration. She was humming softly when there was a knock at the door.

She hesitated to answer it, as this wasn't her house, but she didn't want it to disturb Petey. Looking through the window on the front door, she blushed seeing one of Petey's co workers out there. Knowing he had seen her and she had no choice but to open the door to him, she smiled at him. "Hey, Josh. Come on in."

He seemed a little surprised to see her answering the door but quickly smiled and walked in. "Hi, Crystal. I didn't know you were staying with Petey."

"Oh, I'm not. Brooke and I were visiting yesterday, and we kind of fell asleep here. I think Petey's still out. Would you like to wait, or should I wake him for you?"

"Nah, I'll just wait if it's alright with you."

"Of course it is. I was just fixing breakfast. Have you eaten? I'd love for you to join us."

Nodding his head, they walked back into the kitchen. Crystal was still somewhat embarrassed about answering Petey's door in pajamas, but Josh just smiled and chatted with her as if he hadn't noticed. He was in the middle of answering her question of how he had gotten into wrestling, when Petey's voice came from the doorway, causing both of them to turn in his direction.

"Something sure smells good." He smiled at Crystal before spotting Josh. "Hey, bro. I didn't know you were stopping by."

The two men did the normal manly hug before Josh responded. "Some of the guys thought it would be a good idea to head to Disney before the Pay Per View. I thought maybe you and Crystal and Brooke would like to join us."

Petey shrugged his shoulders before saying. "It's up to Crystal really."

She was about to comment on it, when a cry was heard from the bedroom area. She made a move to get to Brooke when Petey laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'll get her, you're busy here."

With Petey gone, Josh's attention was on Crystal once again. She tried not to blush as his gaze landed on her, obviously waiting for an answer. When she continued to remain quiet, he prompted her.

"How about you, Crystal, would you like to join us for a day of fun?"

"Wouldn't the others get upset at you for inviting a stranger?"

He shook his head adamantly. "No, the more the merrier and I'd really like it if you were there. Please?"

With her back to the door she missed Petey's reemergence with Brooke. He stood in the doorway listening and rolled his eyes in Josh's direction while shaking his head. Josh looked at him with a blank expression on his face. He shot his friend a look as if to say 'be careful' to which Josh nodded his head. Finally Crystal answered.

"Sure, we'd love to. I need to take Brooke back to the hotel first, though."

Josh smiled at her, saying. "No problem, we're meeting about four this afternoon at the usual spot. Petey can show you where that is. I have to go invite others."

Petey was sitting with Brooke in his lap, trying to feed her, so she decided to walk Josh to the door. Before he was all the way out, he turned back to her and smiled brightly. "I'm glad you're coming with us." With that he was gone.

She stood there for a moment watching where he was, a blush still on her cheeks, before shutting the door. She sat at the table still pondering Josh's visit. "Is he always…"

"Like that? Yes. Don't try to figure him out. It can't be done." He grinned at her as she laughed.

"What does that say about you then? He's your friend."

Petey opened his mouth to respond before he was force to close it again when nothing came out. He just shook his head as her laughter rang out again. This time Brooke got into the act by laughing and clapping her hands. He just smiled while the two ladies with him got a laugh at his expense, even if one didn't realize it.

A/N: Yes! Finally! The stars and moon have aligned to give me a moments peace in which to update! So sorry for the wait. Work has been killing me, plus unneeded drama from friends, and then company... So yeah. At last. LOL

For everyone wanting to see Petey and Brooke alone, don't worry you'll get it soon, and in spades so don't kill me just yet!

On a serious note. For those of you that haven't heard, I wanted to warn you all of one known writer that has been plagurizing her stories. She has two accounts,, but it is the same person. I read and reviewed the stories until I found out what she was doing. Please be careful. Said stories have been reported and removed, but I wouldn't doubt if she tried it again. Please note that stories written by others, even if it is just fanfiction, is still copywrited and belongs to the author alone! If you want more information on the stories, send me a pm or a message on myspace. All info can be found under my profile.

Thats it. Review. You know you want to:)