DISCLAIMER: I do not own Beverly Hills 90210 or any of the characters involved in this story.
A/N: I got a real hectic 4 days coming up, starting tomorrow. And I don't know how much writing I'll get done this weekend. I wanted to get this posted before the craziness in my life started, so it's a little rushed. I apologize about that.
Brandon shakes his hand and curses underneath his breath. In an instant, he regrets what he had just done. Lying on the pavement, Dylan touches his lip to see if he is bleeding as he slowly rises to his feet. Lucinda rushes over to him to try to help him up, but he yells out in anger.
"Don't touch me, all right. You've done enough." Dylan shouts.
Brandon takes a deep breath, with a horrendous look of regret on his face. This was a rare moment where Brandon let his emotions overcloud his better judgment. Whatever Dylan was doing with Lucinda, he wasn't doing anything wrong. After all Dylan didn't know about him and Lucinda. Nobody did except for Brenda and Kelly, and Kelly just found out about it a few hours earlier. "Look Dylan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you. It's not your fault." Brandon apologizes.
"Hey, no worries." Dylan says getting up, and acting all cool. "I see what's going on now. You two have been seeing each other haven't you?" Dylan asks.
Brandon and Lucinda both nod their heads. "Yep." they respond almost simultaneously.
"That certainly explains your little retreat with Kelly, using her to cover up this whole little dirty mess up you two have created. That way you look good for the school and everyone goes on believing you're Captain Boy Scout." Dylan says as he slowly walks toward Brandon. "I can't say I blame you, Brandon. I mean it's a pretty good plan. If I were in your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing." Dylan says as he inches closer towards Brandon
"So you're not mad?" Brandon asks.
"Ehh, well…" Dylan mumbles as he inches closer, then without warning balls up his fists and slugs Brandon really hard right in the stomach. Brandon grabs his mid-section and kneels over in pain. As he does so, Dylan swings again and connects with a hard uppercut right to Brandon's jaw, knocking him down. "Not anymore." Dylan replies slickly and assertively with a raised eyebrow.
"Stop it, please!" Lucinda shouts as she runs over to Brandon. Dylan goes back inside and grabs his jacket and comes back out as Brandon struggles to get up off the front walk of Suzanne's house. Dylan kneels over to talk to Brandon.
"Spread the word to the rest of your family, slim. I'm through with all you Walsh people, your sister, your father, you. Every one of you is so damn judgmental it makes me sick. You all always like to assume the worst of me, and my whole family. Jim thought my father was worse than Satan. Brenda rags on Suzanne every chance she can get. And you, you just automatically assume that I bought the Peach Pit and am here talking to Lucinda all because I want to one up you on everything. Well, I'm sick of it, and I'm sick of you and your entire family. From here on out, you guys stick to your own lives and stay the hell out of mine!" Dylan says with a snarl as he points a finger in Brandon's face and then stands up. "Lucinda, I've seen all I need to see here." Dylan says as he walks toward his car.
"Well, when can I…..?" Lucinda yells out to Dylan.
"Don't call me, I'll call you." Dylan cuts her off gruffly as he gets in his Porsche. He starts the car, backs out of the driveway recklessly, and then slams on the gas as the tires screech and he takes off down the road. Brandon eventually makes it to his feet, still holding his gut as he watches Dylan's car disappear into the distance. Lucinda comes rushing over to him.
"Well, are you happy now?" Lucinda rants.
"Me?" Brandon shouts.
"I was this close. I had him just where I wanted him. He was all but ready to commit to financing my film, and you just had to show up and look through the window like some sort of peeping tom." Lucinda says.
"Listen to yourself, Lucinda. You had him right where you wanted him? And where was that, 2 seconds from hopping into bed with you?" Brandon asks. Lucinda looks at him in disgust.
"God Brandon, you think so highly of me, don't you?" Lucinda mutters.
"Don't try to play all innocent on me, Lucinda. I saw you two in there. You were seconds away from the throes of passion before Dylan saw me out the window. Tell me, what you would be doing with him right now at this very second if I hadn't come back early?" lectures Brandon.
"Brandon, it's called flirting. I need him to back this project, it's my dream. And like when waitresses at a bar flirt and be friendly with guys to make extra tips, that's all I was doing here. Sex is the strongest weapon we women have sometime, and I was just using what I had to make this happen. Everyone does, it, Brandon." Lucinda cries.
Brandon shakes his head. "It's not flirting, Lucinda, it's seduction. And you're wrong. Everyone doesn't do it. It's sick. This whole this is just….." Brandon says as he pauses, looking at Lucinda with total contempt on his face. "I'm out of here." Brandon says as he walks out to his white mustang, still holding his stomach as the pain of Dylan's punch still lingers there. He gets in his car and takes off, leaving Lucinda there pondering the disastrous storm that came right through her front door.
Brenda is lying in her room in her pajamas, trying to figure out how she's going to break the news to Donna about Rocky, when she hears the door on the other side of the bathroom leading to Brandon's room open. Her door is open and Brandon doesn't bother closing it. Instead, he turns on the sink and starts running the water. She wasn't expecting him back till tomorrow, so she figures she'll go see what the deal is. Brenda gets up and walks to the bathroom to find Brandon there standing over the sink.
"What are you doing here? I thought you had one more night at the retreat." Brenda says. Brandon turns to look at his sister. He is holding a cold wash cloth on the side of his face where Dylan hit him. His cheek is clearly swollen.
"I did. But there was a gas leak, so we came home early." Brandon explains as Brenda looks closely at Brandon's face.
"What happened to your face?" Brenda asks.
"Don't ask. You're better off not knowing." Brandon says as he grabs his stomach with his other free hand.
"Did somebody hit you?" Brenda asks. Brandon ignores the question, hoping Brenda will take a hint. He walks back into his room and lies on his bed slowly, clearly still feeling the effects of Dylan's punches. "Brandon, come on, tell me what happened." persists Brenda.
Brandon takes a deep breath and clutches his side. "All right. All right. We came home a day early cause there was a gas leak at the camp where they were holding the retreat. So I thought I'd surprise Lucinda. After I dropped Kelly off, I went over to Lucinda's house and found her there with Dylan having a spicy little Guatemalan feast by candle light." Brandon says. Brenda's face looks sad, though not surprised at the news.
"And he hit you?" Brenda asks.
"Yes, but not until after I hit him." Brandon answers.
"You did what?" Brenda asks with shock in his voice.
"It was temporary insanity, Bren. I wasn't thinking at all. I just saw him and her together, and I lost it. It was like Dylan was outdoing me again, just like with the Peach Pit. So before I even gave him a chance to say explain, I popped him in the mouth. And he retaliated by hitting me about five times harder." Brandon says.
"My god. I can't believe this." Brenda says. "So do you think him and Lucinda were about to….. you know?"
"About to what?" Brandon asks. "Go at it? Pft. Who knows? You want to know something strange, Bren. The truth is that part about it really doesn't upset me at all. I mean the idea of seeing Lucinda with another guy, really doesn't bother me. It was the fact that it was Dylan that got to me. But then again, how was he supposed to know? God, I really screwed up tonight." Brandon says in a depressed tone.
"So you were never in love with Lucinda?" Brenda asks.
Brandon makes a face as he thinks for a moment. "I thought I was. Perhaps I even tricked myself into believing I felt something. But there was never any emotion behind it. I just got tired of always being the good boy scout and always working my butt off and never reaping the rewards for my good deeds. I figured I owed it to myself to have some fun while I'm still young. But I got to tell you, Bren. I really wish I hadn't. Because this may have cost me one of my best friends." Brandon says mournfully.
"Brandon, just give it some time. I'm sure after a few days, you and Dylan will be friends again." Brenda says, trying to cheer her brother up. With a dubious look, Brandon shakes his head.
"Somehow I don't think so. Not this time." Brandon replies. "Look Bren, I don't know where you stand with Dylan. But if you had any plans to try to reconcile with him, you might want to toss those plans out the window."
"He's that angry?" Brenda asks.
"The last thing he told me before he stormed off was that he wanted nothing more to do with our family. I may have just put the final nail in the coffin tonight, as far as Dylan's relationship with us. I mean he hates me, he's on the outs with you." Brandon says.
Brenda scoffs as she looks sadly down at Brandon. "How ironic is it that the one of us he's on the best terms with right now is Dad?" Brenda says.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't look for that to last much longer either." Brandon says.
"What happened, Brandon?" Brenda asks in a melancholy tone. "I mean just a month or two ago we were planning on having Dylan spend Christmas with us in Aspen. Now we don't know if he'll ever walk through the front door of our house again. And I can barely stomach going into the Peach Pit anymore knowing that either him or Suzanne is almost always likely to be there."
Brandon nods. "I know what you mean. Lately I hardly go into the Pit myself. And when I do, I'm always reminded about how Dylan bought it." he says. Brandon looks down for a minute then up at Brenda, trying to think of something else to say, but can't, so decides to call it a night. "Goodnight Brenda." Brandon says.
"Goodnight Brandon." Brenda replies as she exits through the adjoining the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
"Come on, Rocky. You got to eat so you can be big and strong." Encourages Donna as she puts food near him, but Rocky continues to lie there. Kelly and David look on. Donna frowns as she can clearly tell that something is wrong with him.
"Donna, we've been trying to get him to eat for twenty minutes. It's no use." David says.
"Didn't Brenda and Scott take him to the vet yesterday?" Kelly asks.
"Yeah, they took some blood tests. But so far nobody's called us with the results." David replies. At that point, there is a knock on the door as Kelly goes over and answers the door. Brenda and Scott walk into the beach apartment.
"Hey. How's Rocky?" Brenda asks.
Kelly frowns. "Not good." she replies.
"Hey, we got some medicine for him." Scott says as he hands a bag with some prescribed antibiotics in it for Rocky to Kelly, who in turns hands it over to David.
"Yeah, he needs to take that twice a day right after he's eaten." Brenda says. "It should help to ease the pain."
Donna frowns. "Well lately, getting him to eat twice a day is a challenge in of itself." she says.
"What else did the vet say?" David asks. At that point Brenda and Scott look at each other. Brenda has already told Scott what the vet told her on the phone and they try to decide how to break it to them.
"Look, I'll tell them, okay." Brenda says to Scott, and then they both turn back to look at Donna and David with grim looks on their faces.
"Tell them what? What's wrong?" Donna asks.
Brenda takes a deep breath. "Donna, there's no easy way for me to put this. So I'm just going to come out and say it." Brenda says as she pauses. "Rocky has cancer." Brenda says. Her words hit Donna like a knife through the gut. David and Kelly both stand there looking glum, instantly they turn to Donna as they both know she'd be the most hurt by this.
"Cancer? What? How?" Donna asks, her lips trembling.
"They're not sure. But it may have had something to do with the experiments they were doing on him." Brenda says in a soft and mournful voice. "Anyways, she said…" Brenda pauses to breath. "She said that her recommendation at this point is to have him put to sleep."
Donna shakes her head. "No. No, I won't do it." Donna cries.
"Listen Donna, maybe they're right. I mean I know how much you love Rocky, but all he's doing right now is suffering." Kelly says.
"Yeah, I tend to agree." David replies in a melancholy tone.
"I don't believe this. I mean how can you guys say this? He's going to get well." Donna cries. Everyone looks around at each other, unsure of what to say.
"Listen, there's an animal rights rally on campus tomorrow. You remember those guys we met on campus?" Brenda asks to Donna.
"Um Brenda, maybe now is not the best time to….." Scott whispers to her.
"They're voting tomorrow on whether to continue testing on animals in laboratories. I'm going to be there to offer my support." Brenda says. "I'd love for you to be there with me, Donna. Infact, I'd love for you all to be there."
"Hey, I may be a little late. But as soon as classes at West Beverly let out, I promise I'll come right there." Scott says.
Great, what about you guys?" Brenda asks.
"Pft, forget it. Animal rights protest? Please. I have better things to do with my time." Kelly scoffs.
"Kelly, how can you look at Rocky lying there and not want to do something?" Brenda scolds.
"Brenda." Kelly retorts. "I'm sorry about Rocky, okay? I really am. But I didn't do anything to cause this to him. And I really don't appreciate you trying to lay a guilt trip on me about it." argues Kelly.
"Alright fine. David, Donna, how about you two?" Brenda asks.
"Um, sorry Brenda, but I got classes all day tomorrow." David says, not fully telling the truth that he just doesn't want to get involved in this.
"Donna?" Brenda asks.
"Look, I'll think about it. Okay Bren?" Donna says.
Brenda nods her head. "All right." she says as everyone continues to look at Rocky sadly.
"Hello Dylan." Jim greets in his office with a handshake as he goes to sit down behind his desk.
"Hello Jim. Thanks for agreeing to see me on such short notice." Dylan replies, as he sits across the desk from Jim, wearing a white t-shirt, jean jacket, and blue jeans. His eye is a little black and puffy from where Brandon had hit him.
"So, what can I do for you, son?" Jim asks.
"Listen Jim, I'm going to cut right to the chase here." Dylan says in a friendly, yet serious tone. "This has nothing to do with you, so I don't want you to take it personally. But I think it would be in everyone's best interest if I were to get another business manager."
Sitting in his chair in a white shirt and tie, Jim takes a deep breath. "I figured you might say something like that." Jim says.
"Listen Jim, this is no reflection on you. You've done your job. But let's face the facts here, these last few months, there haven't exactly been a whole lot of tender bonding moments in the whole Walsh McKay family relationship." Dylan says. "Now I'll admit, some of it's just as much my fault as it is anyone else's. But I think the time has come to cut the cord and sever all ties." Dylan explains.
"I agree that it's been a rocky road for everyone. But…." Jim starts getting cut off by Dylan in mid-sentence.
"Rocky road?" Dylan says with a raised eyebrow. "Jim, I think we passed the rocky road stage a long time ago, and have pretty much descended into the third circle of hell. I mean let's see, I almost shot Brenda. I ruined her moment at the un-naked play by ripping off her director's shirt. I canceled not one, but two ski trips. Brandon's still holding a grudge against me for the whole thing with me buying the Peach Pit. I embarrassed and humiliated Brenda at a restaurant, causing her to break up with me and we haven't spoken since. And to top it all off, Brandon and I threw punches at each other over something that all started because of a simple misunderstanding."
"Okay, I see where you're going with this." Jim says.
"Listen, your daughter isn't talking to me, and your son gave me this black eye." Dylan says.
"Well, you gave him a swollen jaw and some hurting ribs if it makes you feel any better." Jim says with a chuckle, trying to make a joke.
Dylan shakes his head. "That's not funny."
"I know." Jim says. "I apologize. I was simply trying to add a little humor. It was kind of out of place."
"Listen Jim, you shouldn't be caught up in the middle of this. Let's do both ourselves a favor and cut our losses here once and for all." Dylan says in a mellow tone.
"Dylan, I can understand how you feel. And I appreciate you looking out for my feelings in this matter. But first of all, all our meetings are totally confidential. Neither Brandon nor Brenda know what we talk about. And I'm sure this is just a phase. I mean in every friendship there are going to be disagreements, even fights. But I know that both Brandon and Brenda think very highly of you." Jim says. Dylan scoffs.
"No offense, Jim, but both of them have let it be known what they think of me lately, and I have to tell you, it is not highly." Dylan says.
"All right. I see nothing I say here today is going to make you change your mind." Jim says. "Okay, then I just ask one thing as a personal favor to me."
"What's that?" Dylan asks.
"Just wait a week. If in a week you still feel the same way you do now, then I will personally recommend a new financial manager for you. But you got to let things cool down before you make any rash decisions." Jim says.
Dylan takes a deep breath. "There is something else." he says.
"What's that?" Jim asks.
"The last few days, I've been looking into something pretty big. Well, it's not big now, but it may turn out to be big. It's a film that a professor at school is putting together." says Dylan.
"This wouldn't happen to be Lucinda Nicholson and her comparison on feminine roles in different cultures, would it?" Jim asks.
Dylan nods. "I see word travels fast in the Walsh house hold." Dylan says.
"Brandon told me all about it, and that you may be looking into financially backing it." Jim says.
"And let me guess, you won't support it?" Dylan asks.
Jim shakes his head. "You're right, Dylan, I won't." Jim answers as Dylan sighs. "Look, I don't know what the deal is between you and Lucinda, or how Brandon figures into all this for that matter. But from everything I've heard, you're talking about putting a significant amount of money you'd have to put down on this to get it off the ground, am I right?"
Dylan nods. "I'll put it to you this way. It's a lot more than buying the Peach Pit." says Dylan.
"Look, buying the Peach Pit was one thing. I didn't agree with it, but I went along with it because that was only 75 grand and you were helping out a friend in need. But this, this is something totally different. You don't know anything about this woman, or the industry. And this is over half your total worth that you're looking to drop on this. I just can't support this, Dylan."
"Hey, I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to do it or not. But if there's one thing I learned from Jack is that you can never be satisfied with what you got. You can't be scared to take chances. That's how my father made most of his money too." Dylan says.
"Have you ever stopped to think that was how he got into trouble and wound up going to prison too?" Jim warns, prompting a blank look from Dylan as he knows Jim has him there. "Listen Dylan, if funding this documentary is what you really want to do with all your money, then I can't stop you. But I will not take part in it because it goes against everything I believe in taking care of money, which is being smart, and playing it safe." Jim says.
"So what you're saying is….?" Dylan asks.
"If you decide to finance Lucinda's film, you won't have to fire me as your business manager, I'll resign." Jim says. Dylan nods his head and just looks at him without saying a word. "Anyways, think about it, and let me know what you decide."
Brenda and Donna are standing in the front row of the animal rights rally and cheering on Alan as he speaks to the large mass of students who have gathered at the foot of the stairs outside the CU government building where they are having the vote.
Scott weaves his way through the crowd of protesters with their signs as he had just gotten out of classes at West Beverly and came right to this rally from there. He finally spots Brenda and Donna and makes his way over to them.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't miss much." Scott whispers to Brenda.
"No problem. They're voting right now. We're waiting for the results. That's Alan up there speaking." Brenda whispers back.
"The board of trustees meeting will be letting out at any minute. And victory is only seconds away, an important victory. Because for once, this campus is going on record as saying 'life, in all its forms, is more important than profit'" Alan speaks through the microphone as Brenda, Donna, and Scott applaud and the entire crowd cheers. "You can all be proud of yourselves, because it was you who helped make this happen."
At that point an individual comes running out of the government building and goes over to Alan to whisper in his ear. The enthusiasm on his face quickly turns to a look of fear and concern as he hears what the man says to him. He then turns back to the crowd and begins to speak. "I've just been informed, that despite their assurances to the contrary, that the board has decided to table the issue." Alan announces.
"What does that mean?" shouts one protestor.
"It means they have postponed the vote. They are avoiding taking a position at this time. Therefore, funding for animal research continues." Alan announces prompting a lot of screams and jeers from the crowd of protestors who have gathered there. Janet gets on the microphone and tries to encourage everyone not to lose hope. At that point, Brenda, with a scorned look on her face, begins to chant.
"Animal rights now!" Brenda chants, prompting Janet to chant it on the microphone, which prompts the entire crowd gathered to chant it as well. Just then, a main in a suit and tie appears from the building.
"Hey! Here comes Callahan. He's one of the trustees." Janet announces over the microphone. At that point, the crowd begins to boo and heckle him as well as throw trash and garbage in his direction as he covers up to avoid being hit and rushes through the crowd.
An angry Brenda starts to make her way over to where the man is walking. But Donna holds up Brenda by grabbing her shoulder.
"Brenda, don't." Donna says.
"Yeah Brenda, don't do what everyone else is doing. It won't change anything." Scott says. At that point, Brenda turns around and walks up to Alan.
"Alan, it's me Brenda. We talked last week." Brenda says as Scott and Donna follow behind.
"Hi Brenda. Listen I don't mean to be rude, but I'm a little busy at the moment." Alan says as he tries to make his way past her.
"I know. Listen, I just want you to know that I am angry. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help you out in your cause." Brenda says.
"Uhm, thanks Brenda. I appreciate that." Alan says. "Listen, I don't have time to talk right now, but get my card from Janet. It has the address of our headquarters. Come by it sometime, and we'll talk."
"You got it." Brenda says with a determined look on her face as she goes up to Janet to get the card. Scott watches Brenda with a worried look on his face. He understands her passion, but doesn't want to see her get into trouble.
Dylan is back in the back of the Peach Pit counting boxes. Lucinda walks into the diner, and a scowl grows on Suzanne's face as soon as she sees Lucinda. Lucinda sits down at the counter as Suzanne walks over to her.
"Can I help you?" Suzanne asks in a very unwelcoming tone.
"Yes, I'd like to see Dylan, please." Lucinda says.
"And what do you want with Dylan?" Suzanne asks, as Lucinda shoots her a nasty look back.
"Well, I don't see how that's any of your business." Lucinda replies. "But I'll tell you what. I'll make you a deal. You go get Dylan, and I won't tell your manager about your rude behavior."
With a scowl, Suzanne turns around and goes to the back to get Dylan.
"You have company." Suzanne says.
"Who is it?" Dylan replies.
"Lucinda." Suzanne replies in a soft and bothered tone.
Dylan grunts and shakes his head in a very negative reaction upon hearing Lucinda's name. He turns around and walks out into the diner to meet her. Dylan walks up to Lucinda who is sitting at the counter. He shrugs his shoulders
"You wanted to see me?" Dylan asks.
"Yeah, I just thought I'd drop in and say hi and see how you're doing." Lucinda says.
"I'm doing fine. And I'd be doing a lot better if you told me just what you wanted so I can get back to doing something more useful with my time." Dylan says.
"Come on, Dylan, you know why I'm here." Lucinda says. From back in the kitchen, Suzanne makes her way over to the kitchen window, staying out of sight but remaining in a place where she can hear them talking. "I want to know where you and I stand on both a professional and personal level."
"Didn't I tell you not to call me, that I'd call you?" Dylan asks.
"Yes, you did. But you never called me." Lucinda says.
"Exactly. And what do you think that means?" Dylan asks.
Lucinda frowns. "So you're not going to fund my film?" she asks.
Dylan takes a deep breath. "No, I'm not." he says. Suzanne smiles and pumps her fist in excitement when she hears this. "For several reasons, actually. First for all, my business manager thinks it's a bad idea. Secondly, you're asking for way too much money. I'm not prepared to mortgage my future to help you make a documentary about the banana fanna village people. Thirdly, and most importantly, I don't trust you. You conveniently waited until Brandon was out of town, or so you thought, to get me over to your house and try to get me into bed so I would finance your film."
"Is that what you think I was doing?" Lucinda asks sounding offended. "Dylan, I wasn't trying to sleep with you because I want you to finance my film. I'm genuinely attracted to you."
Dylan nods. "Yeah, I'm sure you are. I mean with all this money I have, how could you not be? See money has a way of making somebody look a lot more attractive. But the fact is that you were willing to sleep around on Brandon, who was one of my best friends, but now thanks to you, he and I are on the outs." Dylan says.
Lucinda nods as she looks mournfully at the ground. "Okay, all right. If that's how it's going to be, then so be it." she says.
"So I believe I've stated my position on where you and I stand on a professional level. Do I need to do the same for the personal level as well?" Dylan asks sternly.
Lucinda shakes her head. "No, I think I can pretty much guess it." Lucinda says.
"Good, then I believe our conversation here is finished. But you're welcome to stay and have something to eat. Let me get you a waitress." Dylan says. "Suzanne…" he calls out and walks off. After Dylan walks off, Suzanne appears in front of Lucinda just a few seconds later with a much more happy and cheerful demeanor than when Lucinda first walked in the door.
"Good afternoon, maam. Welcome to the Peach Pit. May I take your order?" Suzanne asks in an almost annoyingly cheerful tone.
"Yeah, how about a nice tall glass of kiss my ass." Lucinda grunts as she grabs her purse off the counter and puts it over her shoulder. Suzanne just looks at her with a devilish Cheshire Cat grin as Lucinda storms out of the Peach Pit.
"I'm not sure if we have that on the menu, I'll have to check." Suzanne says to herself as she begins to giggle devilishly, almost giddy with excitement. The Lucinda Nicholson threat is no more, and she could proceed with her plan.
Rocky lies on the sofa as Donna, David, Brenda, and Scott all stand around looking at him. Donna is petting Rocky really close and speaking to him softly, while Brenda, Scott, and David all stand around with grim looks on their faces. They all know what's happening, but nobody wants to really admit it.
"Come on, Rocky. You have to take your medicine." Donna says softly to the dog as she kneels down at the end of the sofa. Rocky lets out a small wimper, but doesn't lift his head.
"Donna, maybe we should just let him rest." says a glum David. Finally giving up, Donna walks over to where Brenda is standing as Scott walks over to David who is sitting besides Rocky. Scott begins to pet Rocky.
"He's really warm, David." Scott says to David who frowns.
"He's been like that all day, Scott." David replies.
"Listen Donna, maybe it's time you let him go." Brenda suggests softly to her.
"Bren, don't say that. He's going to get better. He just is." Donna replies emotionally, clearly in denial of what is really going on.
"Donna, I want him to get better to. But the fact is that he just isn't. I mean this is no way for an animal to live." Brenda says. At that point Scott begins to pet Rocky's face, but then notices something. Suddenly there is no air coming out of Rocky's nose. Scott motions for David to come here. David leans in as Scott whispers to him. David then puts his hand in front of Rocky's face and then puts his hear right next to his mouth to listen to him. Both David and Scott then look up towards Brenda and Donna who are still engaged in a very mournful conversation and haven't realized what's happened yet. After silently looking at Scott for a few seconds and wondering which one of them should break the news, David finally speaks up.
"Um guys." David says gently as both Brenda and Donna turn to him. "I think he stopped breathing."
In an instant tears begin to well up in Donna's eyes. "No." she cries out. David goes over to comfort her, but she pushes him away and begins to sob uncontrollably into her hand.
Brenda sheds a few tears for Donna, while both David and Scott stand there looking very grim. An emotional Donna finally turns to Brenda.
"Oh Brenda, they killed him." Donna cries. "Those monsters, they killed him. How could they? It's just not fair." Donna says while sobbing as Brenda hugs her in comfort. Brenda feels sad for Donna, but also feels angry as well. She is mad at the animal lab that did this to Rocky and wonders how many other poor innocent animals have died in much the same fashion.
"Don't worry, Donna. They won't get away with it. I promise." Brenda says as she continues to hug Donna. David and Scott both stand there feeling sad as well as totally helpless. After several minutes Scott looks over at David.
"Maybe we should find a box or something to put him in." Scott whispers to David, making sure that neither of the girls hear him.
David nods. "Yeah. Okay. I think we got some extra blankets out in the closet." he says as the two of them walk off to do the very grim duty of putting Rocky away.
Donna looks over at Rocky's now lifeless body lying on the sofa and begins to sob. "Donna, come on, lets go outside and get some fresh air." Brenda says as she escorts Donna outside, figuring it's best that she be away from what just happened. As Brenda comforts Donna, she reaches into her green jacket pocket and pulls out the card that has Alan's home address on it and the headquarters of the animal rights group. She knows instantly what she's going to do.
Brandon takes a deep breath as he walks up Dylan's driveway. He has spent all day feeling bad about the way he had over reacted and hit Dylan. Of course, Dylan's punches back have made him regret it even more. He's not there to make things better with Dylan and Brenda, or to convince Dylan to keep his father as his financial advisory. He's only there to make things right between himself and Dylan.
Brandon goes up and rings Dylan's doorbell. He starts to get a little nervous as he hears Dylan from inside get off the couch and make his way to the front door and open up. Brandon chuckles slightly when he sees the black eye Dylan has. Dylan looks back at him as if to say 'what the hell do you want'. Brandon holds his chuckling long enough to greet Dylan.
"Hey bro, listen can we talk?" Brandon asks.
Dylan shakes his head. "I don't think you and I have very much to talk about, man. But I just ask one thing. If you're going to hit me again, at least have the decency to stand up and do it like a man this time instead of sucker punching me." Dylan says.
"Look, Dylan, I didn't' come here to hit you again or to fight with you. I simply came over to apologize." Brandon says.
"Apologize?" Dylan asks with a funny look on his face. "Why?"
"Because I was wrong. And what I did to you was wrong." Brandon replies.
"Which part, Brandon?" Dylan asks. "The part where you hit me, or the part where you expected me to be a mind reader and know that you had a thing going with Lucinda?"
"Both." Brandon says as makes a facial expression as if to say 'just hear me out.' "Look, you mind if I come in?"
Annoyed at Brandon's willingness to invite himself in, Dylan decides to be overly sarcastic to let him know that he's pushing his luck. "Oh no, please. Come on in. Take your shoes off and sit a spell." Dylan says in a clearly agitated tone. "Can I get you anything? A soda maybe?" Dylan asks sarcastically.
"No thanks." Brandon replies with a chuckle.
"You sure? A glass of milk, maybe? How about some cookies?" Dylan says, continuing his sarcastic rant.
Brandon scoffs playing it off. "Look Dylan, just let me say what I came over here to say, all right." Brandon says.
Dylan stands there with his arms folded. "Hey, it's your quarter." Dylan replies slickly.
"Listen, it was very wrong of me to think what I did about you. I realized how stupid I was for doing it. The fact is that after you bought the Peach Pit, it left me feeling unappreciated. Between that and the task force, I was burning the candles at both ends, and in the end, it was like you were the big hero and I felt like I was the forgotten wrong. It was wrong, I know. But I started seeing Lucinda, and eventually sleeping with her more out of self-indulgence." Brandon explains.
"So, the Minnesota boy scout is human after all?" Dylan says.
"Yeah, he is." Brandon replies with a sigh. "So I began this crazy relationship with Lucinda where we agreed to keep everything a secret for both of our sakes. She started talking about how bad she wanted to get her film made, but couldn't find a publisher. Then you showed up and once again it looked like you were going to ride to the rescue, and I just didn't know how to deal with it."
"Brandon, I never approached Lucinda about funding her film. Kelly introduced us with an ulterior motive." Dylan says.
"I know. I talked to Kelly today. She told me the whole story." Brandon says as he takes a deep breath. "Listen D, I am so sorry, man. You're like a brother to me. And this whole thing has made me realize one thing. The little bit of fun I was having on the side with Lucinda is not worth losing my friendship with you, or getting kicked off the task force. If I could do it all over again, man, and relive the last month over, I'd do it all different. But all I can do now is try to do the right thing. If you want to finance Lucinda's film, that's fine. I have no problem with it. In fact, now that you're a free man, if you want to start dating her, be my guest. I won't say anything. Cause I'm out. I'm finished with her." Brandon says as he looks at Dylan who is still standing in the same spot with his arms folded, his expression hasn't changed. "Anyways, I'm sorry to have disturbed you." Brandon says as he starts to head for the front door.
Dylan looks up at the ceiling and then down at the ground. When Brandon reaches the front door, he finally speaks up. "I'm not going to be funding Lucinda's film, Brandon. And quite frankly, if I ever see that gold digger again it will be too soon." Dylan says.
Brandon turns and walks back inside towards Dylan, looking at him with a funny look. "Did I miss something here? What happened between the time you punched me in the jaw till now to make you come to this?"
"It's simple. I toyed with the idea of financing Lucinda's film. And I have to admit, at one point I came very close to agreeing to it. But then I remember something my dad told me before he died. He said if you have a business opportunity, it could make you a rich man. But if you have a true friend, you don't need to worry about being rich, because you already are." Dylan says. "The truth is, when I saw just how far she was willing to go to get me to back her film, it sort of killed my enthusiasm. Then when I realized what you had going on with her, I didn't want it to drive a wedge in between our friendship. Plus your dad told me that if I was going to fund her film, I'd have to find another business manager and well, I kind of like having ole Jimbo looking after my moolah." Dylan says.
"Ahhh, so the truth comes out." Brandon says with a smile.
"Look B, I don't want Lucinda, I don't want anything to do with her. And if I had known she was your girl, I would have bailed at first sight." Dylan says.
Brandon takes a deep breath. "Well, I'm glad to hear that, bro." Brandon says jokingly. "By the way how's that eye?"
"Pft. It looks worse than it actually is." Dylan says.
"Well if you'd like, I could hit you on the other side to make them match." Brandon says jokingly.
"Only if you let me expand the other side of your jaw." Dylan says as he and Brandon both start to laugh.
"So what do you say? Can you hug me and we both put this all behind us?" Brandon asks.
"Okay, I suppose." Dylan says as he and Brandon embrace in a hug. "So, have you seen any good movies lately?" Dylan asks. "I know this great documentary about life in Guatemala." Dylan jokes.
"Don't even think about it." Brandon replies with a smile.
Brenda walks up to the address that is on the card. She's not sure what she's going to do once she gets there. She just knows that whatever the group is planning, she wants to be a part of it. But unbeknownst to her, just minutes before she got there, Janet backed out and quit the group as she feels the people who are involved that are planning the next operation are terrorists.
Brenda knocks on the door and Alan opens it up a crack, just to see who it is.
"Brenda?" Alan greets with surprise.
"Hi Alan, can I come in?" Brenda says.
Brenda, look, this really isn't the best time right now. Can you come back tomorrow?" Alan says.
"Alan, look, Rocky died today." Brenda says.
Alan sighs. "Oh man, I'm so sorry." he replies and opens up the door wider. Brenda marches in.
"Look, I want to know what you're going to do about it." Brenda says. "I mean who knows how many more innocent animals are in there. And how many more are going to die unless we do something about it." Brenda says with extreme assertiveness.
"Well, actually we've been talking about that." Alan says.
"You really think talking is going to do anything to stop it?" Brenda asks.
"No, but action will" says an unrecognizeable female as a small group of people comes walking towards her. The only one she recognizes is Jonathan.
"Brenda, what are you doing here?" Jonathan asks.
"Welcome." says the female.
"Oh no." Jonathan says. "The fewer people who are involved in this the better."
"We have to build for the future, Jon." says the woman. "I look at Brenda, and I see myself ten years ago."
Jonathan begins to look at Brenda with extreme skepticism. "Wait, are you a member of any law enforcement agency? FBI, LAPD, ATF? Because if you are, you are required by law right now to tell us." Jonathan says.
"No of course not." Brenda says.
"Look, I don't think this is a good idea." Jonathan cries out. "We don't know anything about this girl." Jonathan says, as Brenda becomes increasingly annoyed at Jonathan's determination to make sure Brenda is left out of it.
"Look, I am as committed to this cause as any one here." Brenda says.
"Jonathan, she's okay." Alan says, stepping in. Jonathan tries once again to keep her out, but an older gray haired man steps in.
"I say she's in." the gray haired man says. "Okay, so let's go over our strategy. Alan you make sure you have an alibi. Brenda will fill in as the perfect look out."
"Just another student roaming the halls." The woman replies. "Isn't that right, Brenda?"
Brenda begins to have doubts about what she's doing, but after what happened with Rocky tonight, she's determined to help out with the cause. "I'll do whatever it takes." Brenda says.
About an hour later, the group is sneaking into the animal lab as the girl is giving some last minute instructions to Brenda. As Brenda agrees, she notices that the lab they are breaking into is lab 33, the same lab where Andrea is working.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Brenda cries out?
"What does it look like we're doing? We're freeing the prisoners." The woman says.
"No, you can't do that. This is lab 33, there doing research for infant death syndrome, they aren't hurting any of the animals." Brenda cries.
"Shhhh, keep quiet." The gray haired man says as he walks inside.
"Look, you got to go to one of the other labs." Brenda cries
"We will. All in due time. This lab connects to the others." The woman says. The rest of them go into the lab and shut the door as Brenda nervously waits in the hall way. Part of her tells her to make a run for it. But she's too involved in this now. Torn on what to do, Brenda paces back and forth until finally, the lights in the hall way come on and a group of FBI agents come rushing to the lab. The one in front runs right for Brenda.
"FBI, get your hands up now." The man yells.
"What's going on?" Brenda cries out. The agents puts Brenda's hands behind her back and begins to handcuff her.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak with an attorney and have the attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be provided for you without cost by the court. Do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?" the FBI man says.
Brenda stands there, with a shell shocked look on her face, realizing that she is in it deep. As the horrors of being arrested comes full front, she begins to stare blankly off in the distance, knowing that now she her freedom to do what she wants to do is gone, and won't be back again until she faces the music, something she was not prepared to do at all.
After having been booked and taken down town, Brenda has her mug shot taken by the local police as well as fingerprinted. She sits there at a total loss. She hasn't said a word since being taken in, remaining totally silent, wondering how she was going to break this news to her parents, to her brother, and to all her friends.
As the police guards lead her to a telephone, her first instinct is to call her parents.
"All right, you get one phone call." A female guard says as Brenda is led to a phone and uncuffed so she can make her phone call. But as she pictures it in her mind, she knows her parents would flip out upon hearing the news. And that was just something she wasn't prepared to deal with at that moment.
"Come on, hurry up. We haven't got all night." The guard says. In an instant, Brenda has to decide who to call. It's after midnight, so she knows most everyone will be home and in bed. After deciding not to call her parents, she quickly goes through in her head who she can call. Kelly probably wouldn't wake up to answer the phone, and even if she did, it's doubtful she would do that much to help. She knows Scott would help in a second, but she doesn't want to involve him in this as his mother would no doubt freak out over the idea that he has a friend who's in jail. Finally, having to decide on the spot, she comes to only one person who she can call at a time like this.
Brenda picks up the phone, and after three rings, a groggily voice on the other end of the line answers.
"Hello." answers Dylan.
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Okay, I just want to say something. I have received a fair bit of criticism from several readers about this story during the last 4 chapters. And I appreciate everyone's honesty with expressing the way that they felt. But I pretty much figured when I started this story that when I came to this part, that not everyone was going to like it. As a matter of fact, I remember thinking back then when I outlined this story and my season 5 story, that I may even lose some readers when I got to this part. This is why I tried my best to warn everyone what was coming.
I knew breaking Brenda & Dylan up would be unpopular. I also knew that putting them in separate story lines wouldn't be liked. And I figured not everyone would go for the Lucinda storyline. But like I've said, there is a reason for everything that happens in my story, even the stuff that isn't popular. I had to keep Brenda & Dylan separated for a while, to make her having to call him from the police station be that much more dramatic. And I needed to insert the Lucinda storyline, because Dylan makes a very important decision when he decides that hanging onto his friendship with Brandon and the Walshes is more important than making a financial deal. It is something that becomes important down the road in the future.
And I do have a reason for breaking up Brenda & Dylan as well, which I can't reveal at this time. Everything that happens leads to something else. It's all part of an entire storyline that has been carefully outlined and mapped out to make, which I hope everyone who sticks with this story to the end will find, a very dynamic, complex, and intriguing plot that involves everyone.
I want to thank everyone who has stuck me with me to this point as this chapter slowly starts to bring us out of the dark forest and into the light so to speak. If you have a moment, please review.