Author's Notes:

Well, how about that! Two chapters in two days. I must love you guys an awful lot! And, after the way this chapter ends, I have a feeling I'm going to be writing two more chapters in the very near future. Anyway… I don't have time for long author's notes this time, so I'm just going to leave it like this. So read and review! Pretty please with BK and DB on top?

Cheers,

Jianna

Chapter Twenty-Six

~*~*~*~

Something Against You

The Mexican-United States Border

Dylan frowned as he studied the three individuals seated in the interrogation room of the Border Patrol station, the one-way glass blocking their view of him entirely. His thoughts had been troubled since Jonesy had informed him Kelly and Brandon had been found but they were being held in custody at the border. Now, seeing the eerie similarities between the man Brenda had identified as Cameron Bailey and his late wife, Toni Marchette, Dylan knew his anxiety was justified.

"I don't understand. We gave you their IDs. Why can't you release them?" Dylan overheard Brenda protesting with one of the uniformed guards. He could tell even without looking that her words were being wasted.

"Your friends were trying to pass into the country illegal, Ms. Walsh." The woman told her, her tone cool. "Do you understand what the word illegal means?"

"Yes, but they really had no choice. They were being pursued by their kidnappers." Brenda went on to explain. "I'm sure if they had the opportunity they would have stopped by the hotel and picked up their licenses, but they didn't have that chance."

"I'm sorry. The law is the law. Until I receive authorization to release them, they will remain here."

"It's bad enough that they were being held against their will by a bunch of criminals. Now they're being held by their own government!" Brenda exclaimed in exasperation. She strode away from the woman, joining Dylan at the glass, worry etched on her face.

"Hey." Dylan greeted her, wrapping his arm protectively around her slim waist. He was thankful she didn't immediately shrug him off. "It's going to be okay. They can't hold them. They haven't done anything wrong."

"I know. It's just frustrating." Brenda spoke, her voice low so that Dylan could barely make it out. "I thought Jonesy was going to be talking with the FBI, see if he could get them released."

"He is."

"Yes, but it's been nearly four hours now." Brenda complained, leaning against him for support. "How long does it take to make one phone call?"

"We don't know what's going on behind the scenes, Bren. We just need to be patient." Dylan told her a bit absently. He could not tear his eyes off from Cameron's face. Even his mannerisms were similar to Toni's. The resemblance between them was eerie.

"What's wrong, Dylan?" Brenda asked him suddenly, stepping away from him so she could stare him directly in the eye. "You've been acting very peculiarly since you spoke with Jonesy earlier. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No." He lied, then quickly amended it. "Yes, actually. Tell me. Does that guy with Kelly and Brandon look familiar to you?"

Brenda furrowed her brow as she turned to stare through the glass. She studied Cameron for several minutes before turning her attention back to Dylan. "Just from the other night at the Peach Pit. Why?"

Dylan said nothing as he reached for his wallet in his back pocket. He flipped it open and pulled up a worn photograph, passing it to Brenda. "Here." He whispered, his throat constricting as he caught a glimpse of the beautiful woman who had been his bride for less than twenty-four hours.

"Toni?" Brenda stared at the photograph, her expression puzzled. She had seen the photo before, Dylan knew. He had shown it to her a couple of times while they were in London together, but she had never held the photo in her hands, never been able to really read the pure bliss so evident in both he and Toni's eyes.

"Yeah." Dylan answered her. "On our wedding day. Your brother took that picture. I thought I was going to be spending the rest of my life with her."

"You really loved her, didn't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

Dylan could only nod. The few times they had discussed his relationship with Toni, Dylan had ended up storming out of the apartment, unwilling to admit how much he really had cared for the tragic young woman. "I did." He whispered the words. "I loved her so much, Bren. When she died – my whole world fell apart."

"I know." Brenda wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. "I was there. Remember?"

"How can I forget?" Dylan wiped at his tears with the back of his hand. "You were so amazing, Brenda. I don't know if I ever really told you thank you for what you did. You pulled me out of a very dark place that I know I wouldn't have managed to do if it weren't for you."

"You would have managed. Somehow." Brenda told him softly while squeezing him tight. "You have been through so much for someone so young and yet you've survived. You are a fighter, Dylan. I've always known that about you."

"I love you, Brenda Walsh." Dylan whispered softly, his emotions taking control of his tongue. "I know that you have something going on with that Hamilton guy, but I don't like him. I've never liked him. Nor trusted him, for that matter. He has some sort of hidden agenda, Brenda, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Brenda took a step back so she could look into his eyes. "Dylan, I know you think you're just looking out for me, but I don't need you to. I do love you. I will always love you, but you're right. I do have 'something going on with that Hamilton guy.' When you left London, he was there for me. I was a mess. Not physically, luckily. But how do you think I felt when you just abandoned me there without a word of explanation?"

"I didn't have a choice, Bren." Dylan attempted to explain. "Ashton… He threatened to call the police if I didn't disappear."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me that if I didn't leave and get out of your life for forever he would call the police and tell them I shot you."

"But you didn't really shoot me, Dylan. The bullets were blanks."

"I realize that now. But I was terrified and honestly, Bren, I don't think the police would have seen the distinction. I fired the gun with the intention of blowing Ashton's head off. I was completely out of control. When I saw you laying there on the ground, not knowing if you were dying or not, I knew I couldn't be around you any longer. I couldn't keep putting you in danger. I lost Toni, I wasn't about to loose you too."

"It would have been nice if you had given me a choice."

Dylan stared down at her in anguish, realizing that if he had only stuck around and stood up to Ashton at the time, he would not have wasted nearly three years of his life away from this wonderful woman. He didn't want to spend another day away from her, and yet… He shot a backwards glance through the glass, seeing Cameron seemingly stare directly at him, though Dylan knew he could not actually see him.

"I'm responsible for Kelly being kidnapped, Brenda."

"I thought we talked about this. Yes, you should not have 'run away,' but you had no way of knowing that Kelly and I were going to come to Baja after you, much less that she would become a victim of some random kidnapping."

"It wasn't so random." Dylan told her, his voice tight. "I didn't want to believe Jonesy when he talked to me earlier, but now that I see the guy, there's no mistaking it."

"What are you talking about, Dylan? You're confusing me."

"See that guy in there with Kelly and Brandon? I really don't think his name is Cameron Bailey."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at Toni and then look at him. Tell me what you think."

Brenda did as she was told, looking down at the picture of his late wife in her hands then glancing back up at Cameron. She looked back and forth several times before realization dawn on her, her entire face paling. "Oh my god, Dylan! He's a Marchette, isn't he?"

Dylan nodded slowly. "That's what Jonesy told me. He isn't certain how connected he is with the family, but there are definitely some connections and I really don't think Kelly is safe being around him."

"Well, right now we don't really have much of a choice in the matter, now do we?" Brenda's lips twisted together in clear irritation. "We've got to get them out of there. The longer he's with them…"

"Don't worry, Brenda. I know how to solve all of this." Dylan attempted to reassure her, though he really hadn't a clue what to do. He didn't want to run again, but he knew that if he remained in California both Kelly and Brenda would no doubt be put in danger. He could not be responsible for loved one's death. Not again.

"I wish they would let us talk to them, at least." Brenda whispered regretfully. "I know they told us they were all physically fine, but look at Kelly. She's a mess and something major is eating at Brandon."

"I can tell." Dylan studied his friend with a frown. The expression he wore was one familiar to Dylan, though he was having a difficult time placing it. Then suddenly it hit him as he announced, "He looks like he's feeling guilty."

"Guilty?"

Dylan nodded, trying to suppress the smile that beginning to break across his face. "Something happened between them."

"Between Kelly and Brandon?" Brenda rushed up to the glass as if standing six inches closer would reveal something that she had not seen before.

"Just look at them. He's acting the same way he did when he and Kelly fooled around on that task force retreat or whatever it was. And the way he's positioned himself right next to Kelly… Not really touching her but making it clear to Cameron that she's off limits…"

Brenda glanced back at Dylan skeptically. "I think you may be reading a bit too much into it, Dylan. He's my twin brother and all I can tell is that he's upset about something. It might have to do with Kelly, it might not."

"It has to do with Kelly. Trust me." Dylan gave Brenda a confidant glance. A part of him knew he should be upset that once again they seemed to have hooked up before the ashes on his and Kelly's relationship had a chance to cool, but the majority of him could not be happier. He had always known that Kelly was still in love with Brandon and obviously, the male Walsh twin felt the same.

"This isn't good." Brenda's words cut off Dylan's happy thoughts. "This isn't good at all."

"What do you mean?" Dylan looked at her, thinking she must have seen a border agent or something, but they were alone in the room save for the single guard who Brenda had been pleading with earlier.

"Kelly and Brandon." Brenda shook her head in dismay. "If they did something… This is not going to end well."

"How so?" Dylan folded his arms against his chest. "I know Kelly is still in love with Brandon and from your expression, I have a hunch you know that as well. And knowing Brandon, I don't think he's completely let go of Kelly yet either. Maybe this had to happen to get them back together."

"Yes. Brandon is still in love with Kelly." Brenda confirmed. "Or at least I suspect it. He won't actually admit it to me, but whenever he asks me about her, I can tell. He always loved her but was too hung up on doing the 'right thing' to do something about it."

"Go on." Dylan prompted her, willing her to explain.

"In high school at the Spring Dance Kelly made a pass at Brandon but he shot her down completely."

"Yeah, she's told me about it. He used the same line back then as he did when they didn't get married. Said he loved her like a sister."

"Yes, well, that really wasn't the problem. The problem was, he loved Steve like a brother." Brenda let out a weary sigh. "He felt like he would be betraying Steve if he went for Kelly even though they had broken up nearly a year before. Steve was still hung up on her."

"Well, I was still hung up on Kelly when they actually got together. In fact, she and I were still together the first time he made a successful move on her." Dylan pointed out. "Where was doing the right thing back then?"

Brenda's lips quirked up in a bemused smile. "You weren't exactly the greatest boyfriend to her, Dylan. At that point, I think Brandon felt a bit justified. He was tired of seeing you dump all over Kelly and use her for sex. Actually, I know that's how he felt. He told me as much right before I left for London and after you had disappeared."

"He told you that?"

Brenda nodded.

"So how was leaving her at the alter doing the right thing? And please explain how not choosing to be with her right now won't be doing the right thing either?"

"Their wedding I can't explain. He always clams up whenever I ask him about that. But as far as right now…" She trailed off, gnawing on her lower lip anxiously. "Well, he's sort of with someone right now."

"He's with someone?" Dylan felt like an idiot echoing Brenda's statement. "Is it serious?"

Brenda bobbed her head up and down. "It's Emily Valentine."

"What the fu-"

"Dylan!" Brenda cut him off, shooting a glance at the guard at the doorway. "Watch yourself."

"Sorry. I just can't believe that guy! Why would he go running back to that psycho after all these years?"

"He didn't exactly go running back to her. They bumped into each other at the mall. It was coincidence."

"Oh, I believe that like I believe Kevin and Suzanne were looking out for my best interests when they stole all my money." Dylan rolled his eyes. "That girl is crazy, Brenda. She probably stalked Brandon for months before she just 'happened' to bump into him."

"She got help, Dylan. She was in the mental institution for quite some time and Brandon assured me that when he visited her in Frisco, she was doing fine."

"She's a nut, Brenda. I don't want you ever going near her." Dylan shook his head, well recalling some of the letters that had shown up in his mailbox while she was supposedly getting 'help.' "I never told you this before, but she used to write me."

"She wrote you?"

Dylan nodded. "Yeah. Quite a few times. For a couple of months I was getting about a letter every other day. They were disturbing, to say the least. At first they were pretty typical, trying to stay in touch sort of letters, but when I didn't write her back… Well, lets just say I wouldn't feel very safe being in the same room as her."

"That was years ago, Dylan. I'm sure she's fine now."

"I still don't like it, Brenda. Brandon should not be with her. It's dangerous for his health."

"Well, don't go telling him that. He thinks it some twisted form of kismet or fate or whatever. While Kelly was always the one who got away, Emily was the one who never really was." Brenda stared at her brother, her expression sad. "And now that she finally is, he's not going to do something to mess that up."

"If he hurts Kelly…" Dylan trailed off, the threat evident in his tone.

"Dylan, please. This isn't our business. It's Brandon and Kelly's. Let's leave it between them, okay?" Brenda inquired.

Dylan was about to answer her, telling her a flat out no, but suddenly three border guards arrived, Jonesy trailing behind.

"Good news, guys!" Jonesy announced, a wide grin breaking out across his face. "I got your friends released."

"You did, or Christine pulling some strings at the FBI did?" Dylan queried with a forced smile. As thankful that Brandon and Kelly were to be released, he wished he had more time to talk to Brenda without listening ears.

"Same difference." Jonesy chuckled. "Now come on, let's go greet your friends. They look like they're a little overripe in there."

Brenda beamed at Jonesy, "Thank you so much, Mr. Jones. We really appreciate all your help."

"It was no trouble, little lady. Your Dylan knows I can't resist a beautiful woman."

"Whatever." Brenda brushed off the compliment. "So when can we see them?"

"Right now." One of the guards informed her, pulling out a ring of keys and unlocking the door to the interrogation room.

He held it open and Brenda quickly rushed in, Dylan following closely behind her. Brenda immediately rushed to her brother, giving him a tremendous hug, then a playful punch in the arm.

"Don't you ever do that to me again!" She threatened, her eyes glistening with tears. "I was so scared for you, Brandon." She then turned her attention to her friend. "You either, Kelly. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you. Again."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of, Bren." Kelly's voice sounded dry. "Thanks for coming and getting us, guys. Cameron had run out of ideas when the border patrol arrested us."

"Cameron." Dylan turned an even gaze towards the man he was positive was a Marchette. "So, you're the one responsible for all of this?"

"For rescuing us." Kelly interjected quickly. "He found Brandon and I and helped us escape."

"That's convenient." Dylan eyed his suspiciously.

"You must be Dylan McKay." Cameron had risen to his feet and stuck out his hand for Dylan to shake. "Cameron Bailey. Reporter for the Los Angeles Tribune."

"Reporter, huh?" Dylan's eyebrows shot up and he glanced over at Kelly who seemed extremely nervous about something. "You sure your last name is Bailey?"

"That's what it says on my birth certificate." Cameron told him plainly as he dropped his hand.

"Not Marchette?" Dylan dropped the name like a bomb, though neither Kelly nor Brandon seemed to react to it. Obviously they already knew something and he tried to ignore the sense of betrayal he felt from that.

"No." Cameron stated through clenched teeth. "Not Marchette. Though you obviously know something so I'm not going to bother denying anything. I am Cristano Marchette's bastard son. I didn't even know him until I was a teenager. My half-brother, Gabriel, is the one who kidnapped your girlfriend and her other boyfriend, in a desperate attempt to get to you. I was not going to let that happen."

"Is that so?" Dylan folded his arms against his chest, knowing that his story rang true but he was not about to believe it. The Marchettes were a sneaky bunch and he was not about to trust them.

"It's the truth, Dylan." Kelly came up beside him and placed a calming hand on his forearm. "But now is not the time nor the place to be discussing this. I don't think I'm going to feel safe until I'm back home in my own bed."

"Then let's go home." Brenda announced. "Kelly, I drove your car up, so why don't you drive Brandon, I'll ride with Dylan and Jonesy," She turned towards the private investigator, "You can take Cameron."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Jonesy nodded, "I'm parked out back. Come on, Mr. Bailey. I have a feeling we're going to have a very interesting drive back to California."

"Alright." Cameron shrugged, not even glancing back at Dylan. He began walking towards the exit, pausing in front of Kelly. "Can I call you?" He asked softly, though Dylan could hear every word.

"I don't think so." Kelly replied, causing Dylan to smirk.

"Maybe I will anyway." He returned, completely unfazed by her rejection. Without giving her a chance to stop him, Cameron leaned forward and planted a swift kiss on her cheek. "Don't change your number."

Dylan watched as Kelly's cheeks flushed with pleasure, which she quickly tried to hide, and couldn't help but be reminded of a similar silver-tongued devil who had once upon a time swept her off her feet. John Sears had proven himself to be untrustworthy, and if Dylan's guess was correct, Cameron Bailey would too.

Author's Notes:

Well there you go. My next two chapters are going to be focusing on the drives back to California – Kelly & Brandon's and Brenda & Dylan's, and I'm going to let you guys vote for which one you want to read first. *grin* So, let me know. One of them will be happy while the other is sad, but I'm not going to let you know which is which because I'm just evil like that.

So who is it going to be? Brenda & Dylan or Kelly & Brandon? You have the power! ;)

Cheers,

Jianna