Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Note: This takes place at the end of Down and Dirty. This happens before Hunter and Blake race at the end.

Apology

Tori looked closely at the label; it wasn't the one that her Mom had asked for. Setting it on the shelf she reached up and picked up the next one that looked practically identical. The difference between the two was just a couple of small things, but her Mom had specified. Sighing she set it in the basket; she only had to get one more item on her list before she could leave. The last item here was only a roll of paper towels, just a few last minute things her Mother had asked her to get before she got home.

Of course that meant a couple of different stops, but she didn't really mind. It gave her time to process today's events. Blake and Hunter at odds with each other. That was something that didn't ever seem likely. After all the only time she had seen them against each other was when Hunter had been under the spell. But this time it was different. There was no spell, no quick fix. They had gotten into a fight and neither wanted to even see the other person.

In fact Hunter sought out Shane to talk to and Blake had come to her. She hadn't minded at first, after all he had listened to her at different times when she was upset or sad or embarrassed. Then he had come to her needing to talk.

And she was happy to listen.

Though in truth at first she hadn't really thought it was as big of a deal was Blake was making it out to be. That was before she really thought about it and how it would make her feel if Stacy had said she was cheating in her surfing. So as he continued talking she just put herself in his shoes which helped her in realizing how he must have felt.

Then she looked at the big picture, something she was sure neither of the brothers was looking at. The real reason Hunter had said that Blake was cheating. Blake was his little brother. Older siblings had a hard time with their younger siblings passing them up.

She shook herself from those thoughts as she picked up the paper towels and then went to check out.

As she was leaving she paused as she noticed a figure leaning against her van. The dark figure stood straight and moved over to her meeting her about halfway to her car.

"Hey Tori."

She nodded towards him, "Blake."

She hadn't expected to see him the rest of the day considering the day that they had. She knew that Blake and Hunter were still on shaky ground considering the fight from earlier.

He reached towards her, "Let me."

"It's fine, I can carry it."

Blake nodded, "I know; I want to."

Tori looked at his smile and found herself smiling back, "Sure."

As he took the bag from her and their fingers brushed together, she felt her heart race a bit more. The two walked to her van and he put the groceries in. Looking around quickly she realized that there was no other transportation for him to have used, save his feet or someone dropping him off. She got in and then gestured to the other seat, "Come on I'll give you a ride."

He smiled again as he got in, "Thanks."

As she started driving she asked, "So, where can I bring you?"

"I…uh…I actually wanted to talk to you."

"Oh?"

She hoped it wasn't because he hadn't made up with Hunter and he just wanted to talk about how upset he was at his brother. She knew that it hurt Blake since Hunter had accused him of cheating, but at the same time, he was an older sibling and Tori knew what it was like to have an older sibling. Then again it wasn't fair for Blake because she was sure that he would not cheat. And then he snapped at her…it was all quite tiring.

"Look, I wanted to apologize."

She looked over at him and saw him staring intently at her. Nodding she turned back to the road, "For what?"

"What I said."

Tori pulled into the parking lot at the next store that she needed to get something at, "About what?"

"You're not going to make this easy are you?"

He wasn't angry and his teasing tone caused her to smile a bit before she put her features back in a neutral expression and shrugged, "I don't see how this is hard."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him smile before he replied, "You're right. I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier."

After she finished parking she looked at Blake, "Thanks. Have you talked to Hunter yet?"

He frowned and looked out the window, "Running errands for your Mom?"

Blake and Hunter's relationship was so solid that having him trying to keep the subject from their relationship didn't sit well with her, or either of them she was sure. She and Shane had both been put through it when Blake and Hunter were confiding in them about the race. He was still looking out the window expecting an answer from her.

"Yes I am, and you're running from Hunter?"

"I'm not running, I just…"

She reached over and touched his arm, "Blake, I'm sure Hunter would want to talk with you too. Things can get complicated between siblings, especially with an older protective sibling."

Blake was quiet for a couple of minutes before he looked over at Tori, "I know." He sighed, I should go and talk with him."

"So why don't you? Why are you running from Hunter? Is there something more? Is there another reason you came?" Her thoughts moved quickly back to a time when he and Hunter had just up and left, his goodbye the only thing that helped her know he was gone. But as soon as that thought bubbled up into her consciousness she quickly banished it, it was ridiculous to think about that. This was about Hunter. That was it.

Shaking his head he moved his arm and quickly took her hand that had been resting on his arm into his. He smiled at her. Though this was not the first time she still loved it when he did things like this. It was simple and perfect. "I wasn't just running from Hunter you know."

"Oh? You're running from someone else?"

He laughed, "No, alright I suppose there is another reason I am here, but it has nothing to do with Hunter and the race. I did want to apologize to you. I mean, you were just listening to me."

She shrugged, "I know you didn't mean it."

"Still I didn't mean to snap at you."

"Blake, I didn't take it personally."

"Good I'm glad you didn't. The apology still stands because snapping at you was wrong."

"I did accept it remember?"

"I do remember; I just want to make sure you know that I know that it was wrong."

She gave a small smile, "Thank you."

Squeezing her hand he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips, "You're welcome."

Smiling she leaned back in and they kissed again. He pulled her closer to him and her heart sped up even more when his tongue touched her lips. After deepening the kiss for a few minutes the two pulled away. He smiled at her. They sat in her van for a few minutes in silence still holding hands. After a few minutes Tori could almost feel the sense of longing from him. She looked back at Blake, "You're worried about Hunter."

"It's fine." He looked at her shrugging, "It can wait."

She sighed, "Blake, I know that you really want to talk to him, it's what you've been wanting to do," He started speaking and she held her hand up, "I know you wanted to talk with me too, but you were still trying to avoid Hunter otherwise you would have talked already. So go; talk to him, make everything better between both of you, it'll be hard for you to concentrate on anything else because you'll be hurting and you know how he is." When he still didn't move she shook her head, "Blake, I know you're not running out on me, this is important. Besides I'll see you later."

He grinned, "Thanks Tor."

She smiled as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before exiting her van to find his brother. Tori had realized early on that the relationship between Hunter and Blake was very strong and that nothing could really disrupt that. They were brothers and it really affected them when they were at odds, which wasn't often.

She knew that she would see Blake again soon, either later tonight or tomorrow. And though she loved spending time with him she didn't want to take away or come between his relationship with his brother; it was important, and him holding it in high regard was just one of the many reasons she had fallen for him. She let her mind wonder back to the kiss as she finished shopping for her Mom.