Chapter 14:

The Circus Comes to Town

"You have to be there!" Donna shook her head at her cousin's stubbornness.

"No, I don't." Gina rolled her eyes and sat on the couch in her hotel room.

"You're a part of the group. You belong there." Donna sat down next to her cousin. Gina and she didn't always see eye to eye on everything, but Dona still cared for her; she was family after all. She couldn't back down, they had been fighting for days, but Donna was not going to give up. Blood is thicker than water.

"Since when am I a part of this group? The minute Kelly doesn't like me everyone doesn't like me. Even you have a problem with me now. You didn't stick up for me once when Dylan cheated on me with Kelly. In fact you're over at the beach apartment now wiping his mouth when he drools, because he's too weak to do it herself." Gina looked down on the ground. She didn't mean what she was saying. She loved Dylan and she wanted to be the one taking care of him right now.

"I don't condone what Kelly and Dylan, but the fact is Gina you have caused problems. You made me believe that Noah cheated on me with you at one point!"

"I didn't say that I was perfect, but maybe I'm so sick and tired of seeing everyone get everything they dream of out here, while I always get the shaft!" Gina was starting to yell.

"We work for what we get Gina. We don't try to take it from other people. We don't manipulate it out of each other's hands," it was Donna's turn to look down at the ground now, "this isn't getting us anywhere."

"No, it's not. So go!" Gina was looking flustered. She wasn't going to have the same argument with Donna over and over again.

"Just come to the party!"

"Give me one good reason why I should?" Gina looked as though rays were about to shoot out of her eyes and hit Donna right on the forehead. She was not about to back down.

"Because I want you there! I don't care what everyone else wants, I want you there," Donna stated firmly, "now please tell me you'll come."

The room wouldn't stop spinning. Whether his eyes were open or closed he knew he was spinning. Why can't he stop spinning? Why can't he touch the ground? It was making him sick. He needed to settle his stomach, but the only way to do that would be if he could stand still. He couldn't stand still. He was on a ride that wouldn't end. It was a ride that people would say little kids shouldn't be on, and right now Dylan was that little kid. Somehow he had broken his way on this ride, and now he just wanted to get off.

"Dylan, you don't look so good." Kelly observed looking over at him on their bed.

Dylan didn't respond, he was too busy trying to figure out how to stop spinning.

"Dylan!" Kelly put a hand on his shoulder.

He turned and looked at her, but he still didn't speak. He felt too sick to talk right now.

"What's the matter with you?" Kelly didn't take her eyes off of his face. She noticed the sweat rolling down it. His face was always a little more pale than normal, but right now it was to pale. There was something wrong.

"I want to get off the ride." Dylan buried his face in Kelly's arm.

She rubbed his hair with her hand from her other arm. She had no idea what he was talking about, but it made her more concerned, "David!"

David and Steve were trying to set up the apartment for the reunion they were having that afternoon. They couldn't have it anywhere else, because Kelly was on bed rest, and shouldn't go far. Plus, with Dylan being sick, it was safest to have it somewhere where it is easy for him to crash if he needs to. David and Steve looked at each other panicked. The party was still a surprise for Dylan and Kelly. They couldn't have them catching them now. Steve quickly nodded his head at David, and David slowly made his way to the bedroom. He walked inside, and quickly shut the door behind him.

"What is it?" He looked at Kelly and then at Dylan. He noticed Dylan buried in Kelly's side, but he figured that he was just sleeping.

"Something is wrong with him." Kelly declared panicked.

"What do you mean? He's asleep." David shrugged his shoulders.

"No, he isn't." Kelly gently pushed Dylan over.

Dylan looked up at David while beads of sweat slid down face and soaked his shirt.

David quickly walked over to the bed and put his hand on Dylan's forehead, "God he's burning up."

"You should take him to the hospital."

David sighed; he couldn't ignore taking Dylan to the hospital, because it would ruin the surprise. His friend's health is more important than a party. He quickly scooped Dylan up, quickly changed his clothes as Dylan stared up at him helplessly, and carried him out of the room.

Steve looked over at David wide eyed and quickly spread his arms out real wide as if that would block the whole room from Dylan's vision.

"Yeah…it's invisible now." David rolled his eyes and walked towards the door.

Steve quickly rushed after him, "What's going on? Is he okay?"

"I got to take him to the hospital, he's burning up, and…well not doing much of anything. I'm sure they can lower his fever," David heaved a sigh, "hopefully it won't be all night."

"If it is we'll just bring the party there. I'm sure Kelly will be fine at a hospital. It's probably the best place for her anyway."

David nodded his head and headed towards the car. He buckled Dylan in, and got in the driver's seat. He was off to the hospital afraid of what they would find.

Steve walked into Kelly's bedroom and saw her sitting on her bed nervously. He took the chair from her desk and sat down in it by her. Kelly looked over at him surprised.

"When did you get here?"

"Ah, I've been here for a little while. I was hanging with David." It wasn't a total lie Steve thought. David and he were sharing quality time together setting everything up.

"So, you saw David take Dylan out?" Kelly was playing with the blankets a little.

"I did. It was weird."

"Why?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not use to Dylan letting us help him, he always pushes us away. It was weird seeing him so helpless like that."

"Steve, I don't think Dylan even knew where he was. It wasn't a question of Dylan not being himself; it was just him being that sick. He's getting worse and worse."

"I think he's sicker then he's telling us." Steve hadn't given it much thought before, but after seeing Dylan that out of it, he knew it was the truth.

Kelly didn't respond. She knew more than Steve knew. She knew more than any of them knew. It wasn't safe for her to respond. Dylan would tell them all when is ready.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't be making this anymore stressful on you." He stood up and walked out of the room.



Kelly stood up and walked over to her dresser to find her diary, she looked down and noticed Dylan's suitcase had been flipped over. She flipped it back around when a few items fell out. She leaned down slowly and noticed a box. Curiosity got the best of her and she opened it. There inside was the ring that he had bought with Steve. He had never given it to her, because he was planning something. Kelly smiled to herself and closed it. She sat on the ground holding the box as a tear slid down her face. Dylan was serious about her. She knew it before, because they were engaged. Holding the ring box was seeing Dylan's feelings. It was rare that anyone got the chance to see them let alone feel them with your own two hands. "I can't lose you now."

Pandora was a very nosy person, and because of this she's the reason why all the bad happens in the world. If she could have kept her hands to herself, the world would be butterflies and rainbows. Unfortunately for the world there are curious people all about, so that box keeps getting opened. Though it's not a box anymore, it's a can; a can of worms. Like people, ideas evolve. They change to fit the current time period. Whether it's on fashion, or a saying, or a love interest, things change. As long as time moves forward and society as a whole changes, ideas will too.

Knock knock.

It was five o'clock. Everyone was at the apartment. Kelly still was in bed clueless of the guests about to show up. The only people currently living in Beverly Hills that were missing were David and Dylan, who still weren't back from the hospital. Steve quickly rushed to the door to answer it. He smiled when he saw Andrea and Brandon standing in front of him. He gave them each a hug.

"Did you two come together?" Steve gave his you-dirty-dog expression.

Andrea laughed, "No, we didn't. We just ran into each other outside. It's crazy."

They both walked inside and greeted everyone.

"Where are the guests of honor?"Brandon inquired.

"We're waiting for everyone to get here before we bring Kelly out." Donna commented.

"What about Dylan? Is he so special he gets to come out before her?" Brandon joked.

"David took Dylan to the hospital or so I heard." Gina took a shot of whiskey.

"Gina!" Donna scolded.

"What? It's a party right?"

"It's also five o'clock in the afternoon." Brandon announced.

"And you are?" Gina looked at him annoyed.

"Brandon Walsh." He put out his hand.

"Oh right. God," Gina walked over to Matt, "Why are we here again?"

"We're part of the group." Matt stated under his breath.

"Donna gave you that speech too?" Gina asked

"Yup." Was all Matt answered.

Knock Knock

Steve rushed over to the door answering it. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he liked the power of being the host, and the responsibilities of the job. He felt like someone important. He smiled when he saw Brenda standing there.

"Hey you!" He gave her a hug.

"Hey you back!" Brenda smiled. She couldn't believe how different Steve looked since she last saw him. She went in and greeted everyone.

"I never thought I would see you again!" Donna gave Brenda another hug. "The last time you saw me I was a total wreck!"



"Oh! That's right, you were heartbroken because…"She went to point to David, but she didn't see him, "Where's David?"

"Hospital Dylan." Steve quickly answered. He figured with everyone that would be coming he would have to speed up the explanation or it was going to become a burden.

"Okay then…" Brenda looked around confused.

"Let me guess, you're another Dylan McKay girl?" Gina stared at Brenda crossly.

"Ah, I'm no one's girl, but I did date him." Brenda stated in her usual strong confident voice.

As time went on people started talking, drinking, eating, and having a great time with each other. Valerie arrived and people seemed to be happy to see her. She had left on good terms with everyone, so people were trying to keep it that way. Jim and Cindy showed up, which Steve and everyone else had not suspected. Brandon had called them and figured that since Dylan was like a son to them, they might want to be here to give their support.

"I think it's time we bring Kelly out." Donna recommended.

"Why? The princess can't be here without her Prince." Gina drunkenly laughed.

"Okay, I think you've had enough." Brandon cautioned.

"Who are you to tell me when I've had enough God?" Gina laughed. Everyone spoke so highly of Brandon Walsh. It was like he could do no wrong in anyone's eyes. She figured he was just like Kelly.

"Come on, let's go for a walk." Brandon took her arm, trying to remove her from the party. He didn't want her to be causing anymore trouble for his friends. Plus, he didn't really want to be see Dylan and Kelly together. He wasn't sure how great that would feel.

"Don't touch me; I can walk on my own." Gina stumbled out on the deck of the beach apartment, and then fell on the stairs into a sitting position.

Brandon sat down by her and looked at her worried, "Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah I'm fine. I'm really great! You know what the best part of all of this is. Most people in there, they don't even like me." Gina started to laugh.

"I can't imagine why, you seem like a lovely person." Brandon responded with a hint of sarcasm.

She stopped laughing and looked at him, "No seriously, they don't like me. Besides Dylan, he liked me. He liked me a whole lot. Well, most of the time. He didn't care that Kelly didn't like me. He once got me a seashell." Gina giggled and looked up at Brandon innocently.

"Dylan has given lots of girls seashells." Brandon stated bitterly.

"Why do you sound so mad about it? Let me guess Princess Kelly in there is one of the girls who you didn't want to get a seashell? Am I close?" Gina looked blankly at him.

"Yes, you're right. If it weren't for her he could give all the seashells out in the world, and I wouldn't have cared." Brandon looked out at the ocean.

"Let me ask you a question." Gina sat up a little.

Brandon turned to her, "Okay."

"Why is she so special?"
"What do you mean?" Brandon looked perplexed.

"I mean, what makes men lash on to her. Everyone she gets with seems to fall for her. Is there any guy who she dated who was turned off from her? You loved her, Dylan loved her, Steve loved her, and Matt loved her. Why do you all love her so much? I mean, it's okay to fall in love. It's okay to get hurt, and to be hung up on that person for awhile. We all have been there my friend, but why can't any of you seem to move past Kelly Taylor? She's a Barbie Brandon! It's really not healthy for any of you to be so stuck on this one girl. There are plenty of girls out there, why is it that you are all hung up on the same one? Let me put it to you this way. I've heard about your and Kelly's relationship. I heard about the on again off again situation. If you two decided not to marry, don't you think there was a reason for it? It wasn't even just that one of you decided it wasn't right, and the other one got hurt. Now you're realizing you made a mistake. You both felt that way! Why can't you move on from her? Why can't 

Dylan move on from her? Why can't Matt move on from her? Maybe Dylan and Kelly are meant for each other. They never have both almost walked down the aisle. You and Kelly have, you've been that serious, and you both turned away. She isn't that different, or unique, or more special than anyone. Why can't you move on from her?" Gina had been rambling on and on. She suddenly stopped, she now wanted an answer.

Brandon didn't answer right away. He knew that it was a good question, and he wasn't sure that he had the answer to it. "I fell in love with her, that's why. I know a lot of people seem to say that. Perhaps Dylan is a better fit for Kelly then I am, but I still love her. I know that she and I can't work out. I have every reason in my head on why we can't work out. I cheated on her more than once when we were together; I don't see why I have a hard time moving on from her."

"Let me as you something, again. Is it really Kelly that is holding you back from moving on right now? Or is it the fact that you lost her to Dylan? Is it the fact that when Steve called you, which was when you found out Dylan is back with Kelly; is it really that you feel like Dylan won?" Gina asked knowing that she had tapped into something.

"Dylan is my best friend, he's always been there for me when I've needed him, but I do hate the thought that after all these years, and all the times Kelly and I were together, that Dylan is the one that got her in the end. I do love Kelly, but I know it's not the right kind of love to make a marriage work. I hate to admit it, but I think they do have the right kind of love to make a marriage work. I'm not stupid; I saw the way they use to look at each other when Kelly and I were together. I wasn't just with her then, because I thought Dylan would win. I wouldn't do that; I wouldn't use Kelly like that. I wouldn't try to get back together with her now, because I feel like Dylan shouldn't win this ridiculous competition. I know they have true love. I had been doing okay, but when Steve called me, I sunk back into jealously." Brandon couldn't believe he was opening up to a total stranger like this.

"I hate Kelly, I don't think that she deserves Dylan, but I think that they may just end up together. I think that they may just grow old together, because Brandon, I hate to burst your bubble," Gina paused, "but Dylan can't move on from Kelly, because he loves her, not because he doesn't want you to win."

"Back in college Dylan wasn't in town and I still loved Kelly. It had nothing to do with him then. It wasn't a competition to me. Now it is. Now I decided not to marry her, and it's a possessive thing. I don't want her to have Dylan. It's weird, he's my friend."

"And you want to be better than him. It's okay," Gina pointed drunkenly, "you can admit it. We all want to be better than the person we're sitting next to. The fact is you've moved past the idea of marrying Kelly. You know it won't work. Now you have to move past the idea of Dylan being with Kelly. You have no other choice. It's not going to change. I hate it, you hate it, but they don't hate it." Gina glumly pointed out.

Brandon laughed, "Here I thought I would be helping you, and you wound up helping me."

"I can take care of myself."

"I see that." Brandon smiled.

Gina leaned forward and kissed him.

Brandon looked at her shocked, and he knew that he wanted to kiss her back. His heart was opening up again, but he couldn't kiss her. Not now, because she was vulnerable right now. He didn't want to take advantage of her any way, "Come on. Let's get you home," He helped her up, and walked to his car.

After Janet dragged Kelly out of her room, she looked up and saw everyone horrified. She quickly ran back into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her. Steve looked around, he didn't want to be the host anymore.



Inside her room Kelly went to her closet and started throwing clothes around trying to find something decent to wear. Her pajamas and bathrobe were not going to cut it. She couldn't believe she had been given no heads up on this, or at least a false excuse that would have caused her to get ready and look decent beforehand. Janet walked into her room and found her searching through her closet.

"Kelly, it's some friends that you have known for years. You don't have to get yourself so dressed up for this. You don't have to get dressed up at all." Janet dragged her away from the closet and sat her on the bed.
"I can't look like a slob either, and this isn't exactly attractive." Kelly was flustered.

"So what? Everyone knows what's going on."

"They know! Oh my God!"

"What?" Janet feared what she would say next.

"Well, no offense, but it was my news." Kelly answered annoyed.

"Steve and everyone just wanted to do something nice for you, that's all. You could see some friends; it would be fun for you."

"Well, I will be having more fun if I can get into some clothes and have my hair looking a little decent. Would you want to feel like grim in front of everyone?" Kelly looked cynically at her.

Janet pondered this, and could see where Kelly was coming from. "I'll help you get ready." She turned and headed towards the closet.

Kelly walked out and smiled at everyone looking better. She sat down on the couch quickly, not wanting to put the baby in any harm. After saying hell to everyone, Brenda came over and sat down next to her.

"It's been forever since we've really been able to talk." Brenda smiled.

"God I know, years. We can actually have a meaningful conversation right now." Kelly laughed a little.

"So you and Dylan." Brenda forced a smile, trying to pretend that it didn't bother her, but she was pretty transparent.

Kelly could see the discomfort, so she wondered why Brenda had brought it up, "What about us?"

"I just never thought that you two would get back together. I really thought you'd make it work with my brother."

"So did I, but you know what, some things aren't how they seem." Kelly tried to not get agitated.

"I know, I'm just saying, well you two almost got married for a reason. What did make you realize it wasn't right?" Brenda was trying not to smile.

"It just didn't feel right. Brenda, what is with all these questions?" Brenda was starting to remind her of Valerie.

"Oh, well, I'm just wondering why you're such a bimbo." Brenda stood up expecting Kelly to attack her.

Kelly sat back a little, she was furious, "Oh, so the truth comes out. This is why you really came here, to settle a score."

"Look, I'm over high school; that was child's play. You got with my brother and now you're with his best friend! That doesn't sit right with me!" Brenda shouted.

Everyone looked up and stared when she said that. Right when the words flew out of her mouth Brandon came in and heard Brenda's statement.

"Brenda!" He ran over to her.

"I'm sorry Brandon, but it's true! I'm not going to see her play you guys!" Brenda yelled angrily.

"That's not how it happened." Steve stepped in.

"This has nothing to do with you Steve! This is between me and Kelly!" Brenda glared at Kelly.

"No! This is between Kelly and I," Brandon stated sternly, "This isn't your battle Brenda."

"Like hell it isn't! Dylan was my boyfriend! It affects me to!" Brenda sneered.

"I thought that was just child's play." Kelly threw Brenda's words back in her face.

"That's enough! Brenda, Kelly and I loved each other, but it's not meant to be! That was something that we both decided. Kelly is human; you have more than one boyfriend in your life!" Brandon shouted.

"Unless you're Brenda, then you just have Dylan." Valerie laughed not being able to keep quiet.

"That is not true!" Brenda turned her head at her.

"Oh yes, there was Reeeck!" Kelly laughed imitating Brenda's French accent.

"Okay, making fun of people isn't the way to go about this." Donna stated quietly.

"Donna's right," Brandon confirmed, "This is ridiculous. This is all ancient history. Brenda I'm sorry you have a problem with Kelly, because you're trying to be a good sister and stand by me. I appreciate it, but the fact is I don't need it. I don't see how Kelly did anything wrong here. We both decided not to get married, and then Dylan came back to town, and one thing led to another. That's life. You don't need to protect me." Brandon was completely calm now.

"Thank you." Kelly was grateful to Brandon.

"Fine, I'll just go back to London then." Brenda headed towards the door. It wasn't the first time she had made a scene at a party over a foolish reason.

"No one wants you to leave Brenda." Kelly spoke gently.

Brenda turned around and faced her not trusting herself to speak.

Just then the phone rang. Kelly leaned over and picked it up, "Hello," She paused listening. Her eyes widened, "I'll be right there David!"

People open up the forbidden can, the forbidden box, the forbidden truth all the time, because they have to know what's inside. Everyone has to know the reality of what they're holding. Sometimes what they open is good, and sometimes what they open is tragic. What people never stop and think to ask themselves is; do I really want to know the truth? Do I want to risk spoiling my good day? Should I live in peace without a wonder, without fighting for a better peace? In the end you're going to wind up opening the one box that you can't shut. The worst evil will escape into the world; your world.