One Way Or Another

"I'm going to figure this out, one way or another. Whether you like it or not."

Then Ian was tackled to the ground…

… by Natalie.

What are you doing, you retarded, stupid, moronic brother?! She hissed mentally.

I can't risk it! She needs to get out of here! He replied through a hushed mental whisper.

Then get her out of here! I couldn't care less! But don't you dare tell her Ian! I am not getting in trouble again because you're always doing something stupid for this girl! She snapped, glaring at him.

Amy blinked, taken back. All she heard was a small portion of the next word, but then the rest was blocked out by the sudden tackle. Then, when they both wouldn't say anything, she started to feel suspicious.

"What's going on?" she whispered. Though it was quiet and could barely even be considered a whisper, he heard it clearly.

He cleared his throat and pushed his sister away, standing up and brushing off imaginary dirt from his expensive outfit. He opened his mouth to explain, but Natalie cut in.

"Oh, nothing. Why Amy, you must be exhausted. Why don't you go to your room now? I'm sure Ian can tell you whatever he wanted to say tomorrow, right?" Natalie said with her poison-laced sugary voice.

"I-I guess," Amy said, frowning. She slid past them quietly, and into her room, closing the door quietly behind her. Right afterwards, she pressed her ear to the door to try and hear them. She knew it was eavesdropping, but Cahills are known for their curiosity.

However, she didn't hear anything. Even though their conversation was quite loud… inside their minds.

I need to tell her, Natalie! So stop interfering! Ian ordered, glaring at his sister.

Maybe if it wasn't for the fact that I'd be the one getting in trouble for it, I'd let you. But seeing as how I will get in trouble and don't want to be cut-off from the family fortune, I won't. And I don't get it Ian: why are you risking everything for her? You're getting married soon. To someone with a much better sense of fashion than her, as well. Natalie ranted.

I couldn't care less, Ian replied, glaring at his sister.

Well I do care, so I'm not letting you. Natalie hissed.

And how are you going to do that? Ian snapped.

Watch me.

-

Dan walked lazily outside of his room, scratching his head. "I'm hungry," he thought out loud.

As he walked downstairs, he heard snoring. Loud snoring. Confused, he walked all the way down and found a closet near the stairs, slightly hidden. Raising a curious eyebrow, he opened it up.

And there laid Ian Kabra, asleep, sucking his thumb.

"What the-" Dan muttered, obviously confused on whether he should (a) close the door and pretend he saw nothing, (b) take a picture and use it as blackmail, or (c) wake him up. He wanted to go for (b) but, deciding that it would be what Amy would do and that if he did the whole picture thing she'd make him delete it for her "boyfriend", he woke him up.

"Wha-?" Ian grumbled groggily, waking up, his eyes teary from sleep.

"Is there a reason you're in a closet?" Dan asked, his eyes half open from obvious boredom.

"I don't – Natalie!" he yelled, glaring past Dan.

And there stood Natalie, who had just walked down the stairs wearing a pink sundress with gold patterns. She stared at her brother and rolled her eyes before walking off to the dining hall.

Ian let out a growl and got up, storming past Dan. Dan stood there, watching.

"Man, I need a bagel," he muttered, shaking his head. "No boy should have to put up with this at such an early time." He walked off, leaving behind the whole scenario.

Meanwhile, Amy had just woken up and began walking down the stairs.

"Morning," she said, catching up to Dan.

"Hey," he muttered with a nod of his head at her.

"Aren't you going to wait until they call us for breakfast?" Amy asked, frowning.

"Nah. I'm planning to skip out today and just shoot some hoops in the back," Dan answered, shrugging.

Amy bit her lip, debating whether or not she should join him. She thought it'd be too weird to eat breakfast with the Kabras and Liones, especially after last night with Ian and Natalie… She let out a deep breath and said, "Yeah, okay. I'll, um, come too."

Dan raised an eyebrow at her.

She glanced at him and asked, "What?"

"You never skip out on breakfasts, especially with guests, or in this case, hosts. Why are you doing it now?" he asked.

She shrugged, trying to avoid any eye contact with him in fear it might give her away. "I'm not in the mood to put up with them." She and Dan's eyes widened at her words. "I-I didn't mean to sound that rude!"

Dan smirked. "Maybe this visit is good for you. You're too soft, Amy." He walked off to the kitchen, Amy following behind, biting her lip.

"What are you doing here?" Amy heard an Italian man ask, sounding both frightened and angered.

"Grabbing a bite to eat," Dan replied, opening up the fridge.

"I cannot allow it!" he said, immediately closing the fridge.

"Listen, if the Co-er, Kabras told you that we have to eat with them and all that, then just tell them that we didn't get the food from here, 'kay? We'll take the blame, not you," Dan said, trying to push the chef aside. He didn't budge though.

"I cannot allow it!" he repeated, standing firm. Now, he looked more scared than anything.

"Why not?" Dan pouted, feeling his stomach growl once more. "I told you that we'd take the blame."

"Because –"

It was too late.

Dan had opened the fridge and gaped at what he saw.

"What?" Amy asked, frowning as she walked over to her brother.

When she saw what her brother saw, she let out a shrill scream.

Once Ian heard it and located the source, he knew what occurred. He didn't know whether to feel sick to the stomach or relieved.

But when the rest of the family heard it, they became alert, ready to take action.

The Cahills had just uncovered the mystery of the Kabras and Liones.

A/N: This is the last chapter of this story, because my story didn't make it past the next round.

Haha, did I scare you? :) Of course it's not silly! There's a lot more to go – but it's true that my story didn't make it to the next round. This isn't much of a difference, but this story may become T rated now, since the rules don't really matter as much now :) Only because nineteen-year-olds don't say "shoot"… But that's later on, when things begin to heat up ;) As in, more action! Hurrah!

Um, wow? Seriously, I got around 22 reviews on the last, suckish chapter and I'm completely blown away! So seriously, lots of thanks you guys! I DON'T DESERVE YOU GUYS! :)

Um, so yeah. Hope you enjoyed this wonderfully beta-ed chapter by pyschoticbookgirl! Thanks to her, my story is ALMOST perfect. If it wasn't for the sucky plot.

So again, hope you enjoyed :) And SO sorry it's short :( I just wanted a cliffhanger… again. Yeah, I'm sorry for the cliffies! I just love them…

Thanks for reading :)