AN: So glad you like the story idea! And don't worry, Brandon will show up soon. I've got some plans for him :))

The Rush

Kelly couldn't sleep that night. Ever since she found out that James was in fact Dylan McKay's son, she couldn't stop tossing and turning in bed. Suddenly old memories began to flash before her eyes. She tried to shake them off, refusing to remember that old flame that once burned so bright. But no matter how hard she tried, some memories were forever engraved in her soul.

-17 YEARS AGO

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't absolutely sure that where you belong is with me."

"Dylan... Don't do this. We need to think clearly... and we don't do that well when we're together" She pleaded as he slumped himself over her

"I'm thinking clearer than ever" He affirmed

"Dylan, I can't just leave!" She urged

"But you want to." He assured, stroking her cheek. She closed her eyes, attempting to resist the longing she felt for his touch

"You don't want him." He whispered

"He..." She struggled to get her words out. "He cares about me. He loves me."

"He'll get over it." Dylan sighed, "He doesn't need you... I need you. I can't breathe without you."

"Dylan..." She pleaded again, sitting up from the ground, causing him to roll off of her, irritated "Don't make it harder. Just because we want it now doesn't mean it's the right thing to do."

"It is right." He warned

"We're just getting caught up." She huffed, "In this... in us." She avoided looking him in the eye. "It'll pass."

"If that's true..." He leaned in closer, "How come I can't stop thinking about you... how come you can't stop thinking about me."

His lips hovered over hers. She fought every ounce of her being to resist. She wanted to close the gap between them with every fibre of her being but she knew she would regret it tomorrow. She always gave in and then wish she hadn't. In the moment she forgot the fact that took it her ages to get over him, if she ever did, and how it took her ages to feel normal after watching him walk away.

"Dylan..." Her fingers softly stroked his lips, "Walking away from you is the hardest thing I ever had to do. Please, don't do this. I couldn't bear to do it again."

"You were right." Kelly said to Steve while preparing breakfast, rubbing her eyes. She had barely slept. "Pamela shouldn't see that kid."

"Well, maybe it would help if we directed him to find the front door next time." Steve mocked

"I'm serious." Kelly insisted

"Why? What's wrong?" Steve asked

"...He's Dylan's son." Kelly breathed out.

"You okay?" Brenda asked as she placed breakfast down on the table. Dylan was consumed by his thoughts of last night.

"Huh? Yeah..." He mumbled

"Jimmy! Breakfast!" She called as James raced through the house to the front door

"That's alright, mum. I'll get something at school!" He yelled over

"James Baudelaire McKay, get in here!" Brenda reprimanded and her son obliged

"Mum..." James pleaded

"No. No son of mine is going to go to school empty handed. Sit and eat your breakfast." She warned

"How about take out?" He smirked, holding up a paper bag.

"Ugh." Brenda rolled her eyes, "Fine."

"Thank you!" James grinned, kissing his mum on the cheek before waving his parents goodbye.

"So, listen." Brenda began once their son had gone. "I've been thinking about reaching out to everyone."

"Bren..." Dylan sighed

"Dylan... it's been a week. This recluse thing needs to end. I know we haven't heard from anyone in decades, but I think we ought to make the effort. We're the ones who left."

"Do what you gotta do." Dylan shrugged

"I'm gonna try to get Donna's number... hopefully she'll be happy to meet up with me for old time's sake."

"Of course she'll be happy to see you." Dylan assured, kissing Brenda's forehead before getting up.

"Wow." A girl greeted James as he sat on the grass reading his book. "Balzac! Great choice."

James looked up at her and smiled. "I think so." He grinned.

"I'm Hannah. Hannah Vasquez." She held out her hand and he shook it.

"Jim." He responded

"May I join you?" She asked

"Certainly." He nodded

"So.. you must not be from around here." She chuckled

"What makes you say that...?" He asked

"Balzac..." She alluded to his novel

"Oh." He laughed, "My parents bonded over french literature by Balzac and Baudelaire... In fact, that's my middle name... Baudelaire not Balzac, thankfully!" He joked and she chuckled

"Well, Baudelaire... any fan of literature is a friend of mine." She smiled

"You're carrying a lot of books yourself." He chuckled

"Yeah well.. It's my senior year and I'm doing everything I can to get into Yale. It's mine and my mum's dream"

"Ah... you're a senior." He nodded, "Got any advice for a junior like me?"

"Keep reading." She winked.

"That guy is a stud!" Delilah whispered to Pamela after she told her cousin about her date with James.

"I know but honestly, it was more than that! He was so respectful." Pamela smiled, "We just talked and talked."

"So sweet!" Delilah grinned

"What's sweet?" Joey Miller caught up with them

"Breaking up with you..." Pamela hissed

"I heard you moved on pretty quick..." Joey sighed, "Who is the James Dean caricature?"

"He's smart and kind and sensitive." Pamela hissed

"Oh well I guess we know what that means right fellas?" He turned to his fellow jocks and laughed, "Pamela will be laying spreadeagled by lunch."

"Screw you!" Pamela snapped

"You already did." He smirked and turned on his heel to find a fist almost immediately in his face.

James stood there, cupping his now injured knuckle. Joey began to hit back. Pamela screamed at him to stop and finally the school guards broke them apart.

"I can't believe it." Kelly said pacing up and down Donna's clothing store

"Me neither. I never thought we'd hear from him again." Donna's eyes widened

"And his son is going on dates with Pammy!" She shook her head in disbelief

"What is he even doing back?" Donna asked

"I can't... I'm not ready for this." Kelly said anxiously, she could barely even hear Donna at this point. "What should I do?"

"You're gonna have to face the music eventually, Kelly."

"No... Donna... it would hurt too much."

"That was the school." Brenda turned to Dylan after hanging up the phone

"What did they want?" He asked

"It appears your son has gotten into a fight over a girl." Brenda pursed her lips and Dylan laughed

"He sure knows how to make an impression." Dylan joked

"I'm so sorry that this is how we're reuniting." Mrs Teasley said sympathetically, "And I know that your son was defending the honor of his friend against another student, but given that he's only been here a week... this is protocol."

"We completely understand." Brenda smiled warmly

"Does he have any anger issues or shown any signs of aggression in the past?"

"Signs of aggression? Is he a dog?" Dylan scoffed

"-Well... " Brenda quickly interjected "This is a lot for him. There's been some big changes at home with the move and all." Brenda acknowledged

"Come on..." Dylan groaned, "This isn't a big deal."

"Dylan." Brenda warned

"What?" He looked at her, "Bren, he's a good kid."

"I know that." Brenda assured

"Dylan." Mrs Teasley intervened, "There's no need to get defensive."

"I'm sorry Mrs T... But the other kid was Tony Miller's son, so I'm not surprised that he provoked a little rough-housing. And our kid wouldn't do anything if he didn't feel it was justified. The kid probably had it coming."

"Dylan!" Brenda yelled, "Stop... I'm sorry Mrs Teasley, I'll talk to James."

"I don't want to suspend him." Mrs T confirmed "Detention will suffice."

"Totally understand." Brenda nodded.

"Hello darling!" Nat greeted Kelly once she entered the Peach Pit

"Nat." She smiled, "Just the person I need to see."

"You alright?" He asked

"Not exactly..." She exhaled, "Due to recent events... you know..."

"I know, sweetheart." Nat nodded sympathetically "I was there through all of it, remember?" Kelly shot him a faint smile.

"Did you... see him?" She asked and he nodded."I don't think I can face him after everything." Kelly said nervously

"Then don't turn to your left." Nat whispered

"What?" Kelly whispered, barely audible. She began to shiver as her breathing sped up. She finally looked over and found him.

There was Dylan sitting there with his coffee. Those dreamy eyes that were filled with so much sorrow were gazing back up at her. She felt a huge lump in her throat as she struggled to breath out. Their eyes locked for a minute before she quickly turned away and rushed out the door.

Dylan finally let out a breath that he seemed to have held in and rushed out to follow her.

She stood in front of her car and she could instantly feel him behind her. He couldn't help but stare at her. She was as beautiful as he remembered. He gazed upon her from head to toe, fighting the urge to focus on how her body used to feel when it was this close to his.

"Kel..." He said softly. She hadn't heard that raspy whisper in years. No one could ever utter her name the way he did and make it sound as good. The sound of his voice alone made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

She closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing. She reached for her car door and his hand grabbed hers to stop her.

The minute their hands touched that was it.

All the sparks in the world flew all over the place. She turned to face him and as their eyes met they both were consumed by the memories they had both blocked out for so long.

Flashbacks of every kiss, every hair grab, every time they felt each other's skin under their fingertips, every hug, every brush of the tip of his nose on hers, every neck kiss, every time their bodies touched, and every minute of passionate love making came rushing back. And boy, was it a rush. A sense of excitement, urgency, and desperation overpowered them both.

"What are you doing here?" She finally found her voice to speak.

"I... It's my home." Dylan breathed out

She shook her head, unable to comprehend exactly what she was seeing. "I can't do this." She hurriedly opened her car door and drove off.