A/N: Greetings readers! I haven't updated in a month and I'm sorry about leaving the fan fiction world without any notice. Things got a little hard, but now I'm back and stronger than ever! I hope each and everyone of you guys are enjoying your summer!
Dillon watched his sister jog up the driveway. He sighed with relief. She'd been gone three hours and he was worried.
Shannon stopped in front of her brother and took a long swig out of her water bottle. She took a moment to catch her breath and stretched a little. Feeling hydrated and less sore, Shannon acknowledged her brother's presence.
Shannon: Morning.
Dillon: Uh, yeah, where'd you go?
Shannon: Where does it look like I went?
Dillon: You couldn't leave a note?
Shannon: No. Well, I didn't think I needed to.
Dillon: So you leave in the wee hours of the morning, nobody knows where you are, but you don't think you needed to leave a note?
She shrugged.
Shannon: I didn't think anybody would care where I went. The Quartermaines made it abundantly clear that they wanted nothing to do with me.
Dillon: I was worried.
Shannon: Sorry.
Dillon: Mom was worried.
Shannon scoffed.
Shannon: I doubt it. Besides, she has functioning fingers. She could've picked up the phone and called my cell.
Dillon: One, I called your phone like six times. (He points to the white iPod headphones dangling from the pocket of her running shorts). You were probably in your own world. Two, you and I both know Mom wouldn't openly admit she was worried about you.
Shannon: No she wouldn't admit it. That is, if she were actually worried.
Dillon: Uh, why do you think our mother is devoid of emotion?
Shannon: Why waste time worrying about someone you hate?
Dillon: I'm not following.
Shannon: What part of 'Tracy hates me' don't you understand?
Dillon: Oh, I don't know, the reason?
Shannon: Do we have to talk about this in the driveway?
Dillon: The lake then?
Shannon: Fine.
Shannon darts in front of her brother and heads for the north fence.
Dillon: Slow down.
Shannon: What's the matter, can't keep up with your little sister?
Dillon: Feeling like a five year old?
Shannon: Sly and I used to race around the corner when I was a kid. He'd be licking my dust off his top lip by the second lap. (She puts her hand on her lip and smirked) Judging by those legs of yours, you couldn't keep up with a turtle.
Dillon: Don't under estimate these legs sister.
The next thing she knew, she was watching her brother's white tennis shoes blend in with the green grass.
Dillon: I heard dust tastes great with turmeric. Better ask Cook... Hey!
Shannon: You lose speed when you flap your jaws. (She slapped her hand on the gate. She lifted her chin and look down on her brother as he bent over to catch his breath) If you breathe slow and steady, you'll be fine.
Dillon: Oh be quiet. (He lifts himself up gives her a playful shove) Where'd you learn to run like that anyway?
She shrugged.
Shannon: Natural talent and years of honing my skills. Dad, he uh, he uh encouraged me to run. I used to get so angry. Especially after they told me about Tracy. I was so mad. I picked up her picture and hurled it at them. Little glass pieces all of the floor, in my Mom's hair, and I just stood there. My chest was heaving and my fists were clinched. I'd never been so upset. I'd never been so terrified at my own anger. I couldn't even move. Mom just stood there with her hand over her mouth. Dad didn't say a word. He picked me up, put me on the porch, and told me to run around the block. I've been running to clear my mind ever since.
He can see the tears welling in her eyes. He reaches for her hand.
Dillon: Hey...
Shannon: Never mind.
She lifts her leg and starts climbing the fence. Dillon touches her arm.
Dillon: You can cry you know.
Shannon: There's no use. Crying won't bring him back. Now, are you coming?
Dillon: You're just like Mom. You have to run an obstacle course just to get to your true feelings.
Shannon: Shut up and climb.
The two raced down to the lake, laughing and taunting each other the whole way. They kicked their shoes off and sat on the edge of one of the little boat docks.
Dillon: That was interesting.
Shannon: Sometimes you have to let your inner kid take the lead.
Dillon: Kind of gave me a clue what it would've been like if we were kids together.
Shannon: I probably would've tormented you.
Dillon: You would've been there. I would've taken a whiney, bratty sister over silence.
Shannon: Who said I was whiner or a brat? Besides, take it from someone who's actually had a little sister, silence is much better.
Dillon smiled.
Dillon: Are you gonna tell me why you think Mom hates you?
Shannon: I came home late last night.
Dillon: She hates you because you came home late last night?
Shannon: Don't shape your lips to say I told you so.
Dillon: Wasn't planning on it. Seriously, she's ignoring you because you and Lulu came home late?
Shannon: No, she's ignoring me because I went out of my way to hurt her. I told her that after Mom wins in family court, I never want to see her again. She kept calling herself my mother, but I told her she was nothing but a surrogate. I made it very clear that she'll never be a mother to me. Big problem with that scenario, I don't feel that way. I just had my panties in a bunch because she didn't respond to some childish letters, childish letters she didn't get mind you.
Dillon: You wrote her?
Shannon: Like an idiot. I was so naive, it took me four long years to realize she was never going to write me back.
Dillon: She never got those letters. I used to bring in her mail when I was kid. She'd stop reading over a file or pause her conference call and acknowledge my presence. In those few minutes, sometimes seconds, I felt important to her. I was like a puppy bringing in the newspaper, waiting for a pat on the head.
Shannon tilts her head sympathetically.
Shannon: I'm sorry.
Dillon: Meh, she was trying to support the two of us the best way she knew how. I can't knock it, but I guess that doesn't make it all right. But, what parent can say they parent based on what's all right? Anyway, the point of that emotional monologue was if I saw anything with the name Hornsby on it, I would've risked being yelled at and opened it.
Shannon: Dad never sent them. He couldn't find you guys and he didn't have the balls to tell me. Maybe if he did, Tracy would talk to me again.
Dillon: You didn't know Paul never sent those letters. All you knew was your mother rejected you for years and it hurt.
Shannon kicked the water, causing it to ripple around their bare feet.
Shannon: I hate this. Tracy was just that lady my Dad told me about. Now she's real and right in front of my face and just don't know what to do. She went from the woman that gave me away to somebody that's important to me.
Dillon: It's okay to love her.
Shannon: It may be okay, but it doesn't feel right. You know, we did bond a little when she came upstairs before Dad's funeral. She wasn't exactly sentimental, but having her there was very comforting. For some weird reason, I already feel like she's my Mom. Nobody can take Jenny Hornsby's place. She's done everything for me and has been there for me every step of the way, but in that spilt second I felt like I've known Tracy my whole life. I'm so angry at her, but I can't help but love her anyway. Is that weird?
Dillon: No, but it's funny you should say that.
Shannon: Why?
Dillon: Ned and I feel the same way. Mom has done horrible things to both of us. She's ruined most of Ned's marriages and she's pulled many stunts to ruin mine. She's abandoned Ned and I to traipse around the world in pursuit of money, power, and new tactics of gaining her Daddy's respect. She's lied to my face like it's nothing. She's done so much, but she'll always be our mother. Ned and I both know that not so deep down, Tracy Quartermaine is a loving, generous, woman that'll do any and everything to make our lives just a little bit easier. I don't know rather to kiss or kill her, but I'll never stop loving her. No matter what she does to you, you'll never be able to write her off either.
Shannon: I don't know about all that.
Dillon: You'll figure it out in no time.
Shannon: I'm sorry for the way I acted yesterday night. You were only trying to help.
Dillon: Apology accepted. I understand what you're going through. Like I told you before, I'm writing a book entitled "How to Survive My Mother". If you ever need to review a chapter, don't be shy.
Shannon: Thanks. (She pulls out her cell phone and checks the time). Crap!
Dillon: What?
Shannon: I gotta go get changed.
Dillon: Where are you going?
Shannon: To meet a friend.
Dillon: Does this friend happen to be anatomically male?
Shannon: And?
Dillon: Who is he?
Shannon: Just a guy I met when Tracy took me to the photo store. It's okay, he's cool, you know him.
Dillon: Hitler knew plenty of people.
Shannon: Oh get off it.
Dillon: What's his name?
Shannon: Elliot.
Dillon: Elliot what?
Shannon: I didn't ask for his last name.
Dillon gives her a look.
Shannon: What? I said I was going to meet him, not make babies with him.
Dillon: I'm coming with.
Shannon: Sike! I told you, I'm not a baby, I can take care of myself.
Dillon: Let me give you a ride.
Shannon: Okay, but you better behave.
Dillon: Okay, fine, I'll put away the gloves. If he tries anything...
Shannon: Race you back to the house?
Dillon: I'm not gonna let you win this time!
Shannon: Let me? You couldn't even---cheater!
Dillon: Flapping your jaws slows you down, remember?
She glares and takes off after him.
Dillon stops in front of Photogenius and gives his sister a once over.
Dillon: Well, you're fully clothed.
Shannon: Yeah, because I needed to wear my "screw me" clothes to pick up a picture.
Dillon: Yeah, uh, too much information. You and "screw me"...
Shannon: Oh get over yourself. A, how do you think you got here? B, how do you and Georgie entertain yourselves after a hard day's work?
Dillon: A, Mom loves me enough not to talk about the painful, graphic, not worth bring up so images may arise, events surrounding my conception. B, Georgie and fall into bed and sleep.
Shannon: Whatever. You and shiver and shake at the thought of a sexual act that won't be taking place if you want, but I have something to do.
Dillon: What time are you going home?
Shannon: Oh, what, you're giving me a curfew now?
Dillon: Actually I was going to invite you for lunch at Kelly's.
Shannon: I'll just walk over there after I'm finished.
Dillon: I can wait...
Shannon: I bet you can, but you won't be.
Dillon: Stay out of trouble.
Shannon: I'll be sure to get pregnant.
Dillon: I'll see you later.
Shannon shakes her head and slams the door. She waves goodbye to her brother and starts up the stairs.
Elliot: Hey you!
Shannon: Aren't you supposed be inside working?
Elliot: Lunchbreak. For a second I thought you weren't coming.
Shannon: Sorry about that. I got caught up with my brother.
Elliot: It's all good. I'm glad you came.
He smiled warmly at her. He pulled open Photogenius' glass doors and waved her inside for following behind her.
Shannon: So what did you want to show me?
Elliot: Just a sec.
He jogs ahead of her to the counter and immeadtly ducks down to rumedge through the shelves beneath it.
Shannon: Need some help?
Elliot: Uh, no, I got it. You stay where you are and don't move until I call you.
Shannon: Okay...
Elliot: Man! Where the hell is it?
Shannon: Are you sure you don't need help?
Elliot: Ha! I found it.
Shannon: Do I have you premission to look now?
Elliot: I suppose.
She arches her brow and joins him behind the counter. He opens a manila folder and pushes out a black and white 8x10 glossy of her sitting at Kelly's.
Elliot: I took this while you were at Kelly's. I didn't know you, not that I do now, but I couldn't help vut take this. I didn't know how to ask you and if I did, I was afraid I'd ruin the momment. Sorry if I violated your...
Shannon: It's beautiful.
The streetlight slipping at an oblique angle through the windows of the diner picked out what there was of her to been seen, a suggestion of the whites of her eyes between the blanket of long lashes hidden behind the curtains of her coal black hair, the beads of sweat on her arched upper lip, her hand fidling with cord of her white headphones hanging from her ear, a jigsaw puzzle of a girl, half the pieces not visible. She was turned away from the table, turned towards the door as if she were a prisoner in the place and, at any moment, might turn the door handle and tumble out.
Elliot: You like it?
Shannon: I look a little depressed, but the way you used the light is amazing. I didn't even see you take it.
Elliot: I didn't want you ruin the shot. I really should've asked...
Shannon: But you didn't and if you did, you may have ruined the shot. Don't worry about it. How about this, next time you want to take a picture of me, ask.
Elliot: Deal. Hey, uh, I could throw in a frame if you want.
Shannon: That's okay, but thanks. How much do I owe you?
Elliot: For your family potrait? I thought your mom...
Shannon: No...
Elliot: Don't even insult me.
Shannon: This picture is absolutly amazing. I can't not pay you for it.
Elliot: I took that picture without your permission. You keep it.
Shannon: I'm not leaving here without paying you.
Elliot: Tell you what, we're even. I took that picture without asking and now you get to keep a millon dollar masterpeice free of charge.
Shannon: Translation: you get what you want no matter what I decide.
Elliot: Okay, go to dinner with me?
Shannon: What?
Elliot: It's just a hot meal, good conversation, and I get a chance to get to know the girl behind that complex face in that picture.
Shannon: I still don't understand what I get out of the deal.
She was praying she didn't look as excited as she felt.
Elliot: I'll pay.
Shannon: I don't know...
Elliot: We could go to Kelly's. Your brother, your stepsister, and your sister in law work there. If that's not safe for you and a warning to me, I don't know what is. I swear it's just dinner.
Shannon: Okay.
Elliot: Seriously?
Shannon: Yeah. It's not like I have a life and I can always use more friends here.
Elliot: Great! How does Monday at eight sound? I'll pick you up from the Quartermaine's,
Shannon: Sounds like a plan.
Elliot: Great! See ya Monday
Shannon: Bye and thanks again for the picture.
Once she was clear around the block, she cluched the picture to her chest and grinned all the way to Kelly's.