Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this fic, except the ones that you don't recognize. Disney and Alliance Atlantis and so forth own them all.

Author's Note: I'm sorry it took long for this chapter. Thanks for still reading : )

Realization of Fate

A Taste of Your Own Medicine

Tyler took in the familiar feeling that overcame him as he walked through the halls of the EMS station. A few EMTs greeted him while others only stared. Some of these youngsters obviously knew who he is, whether it was because of the news or of his past work in the place. A young girl approached him.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked as she tapped his back.

"Hey Angela!" Tyler greeted the girl. "How have you been?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Connell," she smiled. "I haven't seen you around here for a while now."

"I've been busy. Is Brooke available right now?"

"Yea, but she's kind of pissed off right now."

"I noticed. I was in my car, and I got the impression that she was angry. What happened?"

"It's a long story. She's in her office right now. Maybe you can calm her down."

"I'll try. Thanks Angela."

"You're welcome."

Tyler watched her leave before headed to Brooke's office, formerly occupied by the infamous Alex Freeman. He knocked three times.

"What's wrong now?" Brooke said as she continued to go through the papers on her table. "This better be important."

"Hey Shorty! Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"You did, but you can stay for a while. What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to pay you a visit."

"Well, you're timing couldn't be more perfect," Brooke said. "How are you anyway? I just found out that you returned yesterday."

"I'm feeling better," Tyler replied. "I had a talk with Val last night. It really helped."

"Really? Val talked some sense into you?"

"As hard as it is for you to believe, yes she did," Tyler said. "Why do you sound so surprised? Your sister is great."

"Well, I have no doubt of my sister's abilities," she said while going through her pile again.

"Then what are you surprised about?"

"How she got through a dreadfully stubborn guy like you," Brooke smiled as she looked up at him. "Even I couldn't do it for the last three years, and I'm the persistent one."

"You sure are," Tyler laughed, "So, may I ask what you're upset about?"

"It's a guy thing."

"What's new?" Tyler asked. "It seems like everyone nowadays is having trouble with the opposite sex. Who's this guy anyway?"

"No one special," Brooke said. "He just gets on my nerves a lot. I don't know why, but he's very good at pushing my buttons. I bet he does it on purpose, too. He finds it so entertaining to see me squirm."

"It looks like somebody has a crush on little Miss Brooke," Tyler laughed. "Why else would he do what he does?"

"Why would guys do what they do in general?" Brooke fired back. "Men! What a bunch of rotten jerks and stupid idiots."

"You can't live with them, and you can't live without them," Tyler said in triumph. "It's the whole truth."

"Then why am I not dead already?"

"Brooke, you're still the same sarcastic teenager that you were back in the days. And to answer your question, it's because you still have your guy."

"Thanks," Brooke said. "And for your information, he is not my guy."

"Whatever you say," Tyler said as he helped himself with the newspaper on the desk.

Brooke started at him before an idea popped into her head.

"Hey Tyler, are you busy Friday night?"

Tyler put down the paper and looked at Brooke suspiciously.

"It depends," Tyler said. "What's going on in that scheming mind of yours?"

"I have this friend," Brooke started. "She's really nice and cute. She's single. She just broke things off with her boyfriend a couple of weeks ago."

"This better not be another one of your blind dates," Tyler stood up. "I'm not going there again."

"Come on, Tyler, she's not a bad person. She's terrific."

"That's what you said the last time and the last two times before that."

"Oh, they weren't that bad," Brooke said. "You're just too picky."

"Oh, really, well, why don't we have a recap? First, there was Energizer Bonnie. All she did was talk talk talk talk talk until I was literally bored to death. I was ready to crash the car, and we didn't even get to the restaurant yet. It was a monologue even Shakespeare couldn't begin to follow. Second, there was Nina the Elder-lover. I think she was the one that I took to a company party. At some point during that evening, she ended up arguing with William of all people. They were at it for two hours about who knows what. Later, I found out that she likes my stepfather and thought that he was, "sexy as hell." He happened to be more than twice her age. Last but not least, Terri the third-person freak. How can I forget what was probably the most maddening and irritating date of my life? When we got to the movies she asked, "Does Tyler want popcorn? Terri wants some popcorn. Can Tyler buy Terri some? Terri can't start the movies without her popcorn. Can Tyler get Terri some soda as well?" I mean, come on, can you be anymore of a freak? It's not cute, and it's just not right."

"Okay, so there were bad dates," Brooke said.

"Bad dates?" Tyler asked.

"Okay, they were terrible dates. I'm sorry for putting you through all of that."

"How can you be so sure if this new girl won't be exactly like the last three that you set me up with?"

"I'm sure because I know her pretty well. Definitely better than I knew those other weirdoes."

"Brooke, I don't think that this would be such a good idea."

"Why not?"

"You just told me that she broke up with her boyfriend not too long ago. What are we supposed to do? Rebound off each other?"

"Tyler, this isn't a commitment or anything. I just want you to get out of that big house of yours once and a while instead of mope around doing nothing. And don't use my niece as an excuse."

"Why are you pushing this so much?"

"I just want you to have fun. I know you were with Andrea for some time, but it certainly wasn't a thrill ride."

"I don't want to play the field and go out with every other woman that I see."

"That's not what I meant. I'm just saying that you try this one step at a time and see how it works out."

"I don't think so," Tyler said.

"At least think about it. I'm not accepting no for an answer."

"I'll think about it," Tyler smiled.

"Great! Give me a call by Wednesday."

"What's her name?"

"Dana Collins. By the way, her brother is the jerk that I've been talking about. It amazes me how two people from the same womb can be so different."

"Dana Collins… Have I met her before?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"It's nothing. I better go. I'll give you a call later."

"I'm counting on it."

"One more question. How old is she?"

"She's about my age, but I think you two will do just fine."

"I'll be the judge of that," he smiled. "Goodbye Brooke."

"See you, Tyler."

Tyler walked once again through the familiar hallways as he stepped outside the building. He was still contemplating about the name of the girl.

"Dana Collins? Where have I heard that name before?"

"Did you say something, Mr. Connell?" asked Angela, who was heading towards the opposite direction.

"Do you know anybody by the name of Dana Collins?"

"She's Ms. Lanier's best friend."

"Does she work here?"

"No, but she's in charge of the station duties at the main office."

"Is that all?"

"That's about it, although her brother David is the assistant director of the place."

"I see, well, thanks for your help Angela."

"Anytime," she smiled.

Tyler went inside his car and gave a lighthearted laugh.

"I can't believe he was talking about her, and she was talking about him. This made my day."

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Tyler drove around the town to pass some time before he had to pick up Alyssa. Besides stopping for lunch at a local diner, he literally spent the day sitting down. He probably stopped at a gas station twice to get his tank refilled. While driving, he started contemplating on how to set up the two lovebirds for one unforgettable night. At least one night he won't forget. Tyler arrived at Alyssa's school thirty minutes early to catch David before he left. To his luck, David just left his office.

"It's you again," David said. "We have to stop meeting like this."

"How was work?"

"Nothing interesting, although one teacher came in with a broken nose."

"What happened?"

"He went over this kid, asked him to close his eyes, instructed him to think of something that he always wanted to do, and told him to do it. The next thing he knew, the kid punched him in the face."

"That had to hurt. It happened to a friend of mine once. He was overseeing this little girl in the playground, and she gave him a black eye."

"That story sounds familiar. I had a friend who had the same thing happen to him."

"Really? Who?"

"Jamie Waite."

"He's the one I'm talking about. He's still a close friend of mine. How did you know him?"

"I'm a member of the ACEP organization. We have different committees, and Jamie and I were both in the committee for Virginia. Small world, huh?"

"Very," Tyler said. "Hey, David, you're single, right?"

"The last time I checked. Why?"

"Are you free Friday night?"

"Are you asking me out or something?" he looked at him skeptically but with humor.

"Far from," Tyler laughed. "You see, I have a friend that I think would likely be interested in you."

"You're setting me up on a blind date?"

"If you're interested, then yes I am. She's setting me up on one as well. I wanted to return the favor."

"I don't know why, but I trust you. I guess I'm in."

"Great! And thanks for trusting me."

"Actually, it's not really that. I'm desperate. I haven't been out for too long."

"How long?"

"A week or so."

"That's it? I thought it was like a month or something. Maybe a year."

"That would be the day," he laughed. "Women can't resist my charm."

"Except one," Tyler said quietly.

"Did you say something?"

"No, nothing. Can I have your number in case there's a change of plans?"

"Here," he said as he took out a business card from his wallet. "My phone, fax, office, and cell numbers are on there."

Tyler took it and gave David one of his own.

"It has everything that you just said," Tyler told him. "I guess I'll see you around."

"See you, Connell."

Tyler smiled and headed for Alyssa's classroom.

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When Val arrived around seven, the table was already set for dinner. It wasn't even fancy at all. Tyler just bought two boxes of pizza and some soda. Before long, it was already nine o'clock. Val put Alyssa into bed, finished some packing, and later put herself to sleep. Tyler, on the hand, went into his office and proceeded to dial Brooke's number.

"Brooke here," she answered. "This better be important."

"It's Tyler."

"Oh, I wasn't expecting a call this soon. Are you on for the date?"

"Not yet."

"Then why did you call?"

"I have a proposition to make. If you set me up on this date, then I get to set you up on one."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Well, if you don't want to, then I guess I won't be meeting Dana after all."

"Wait, if I say yes, then you would you go?"

"Are you saying yes then?"

"Is he decent?" asked and rather annoyed that he never answered her question.

"He seems like a nice guy. He's polite. He's funny."

"What's his name?"

"How about if I keep it a secret? You know, surprise you. It would be fun."

"How come I can't know?"

"It's the least you could do for all those blind dates that almost blinded me from the past."

"Fine, you win. I guess were set for Friday night."

"I guess we are. I'll see you then Brooke. Good night."

"You too," Brooke said. "He better not be a jerk."

"Trust me, Shorty. It will be a night you'll never forget.

"I'm sure," she said sarcastically as she hung up the phone.

Tyler leaned on his chair and put his hands behind his head. He later flashed a triumphant smile.

"Well well well, I think it's about time that you get a taste of your own medicine."

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I hope you liked it! I had fun writing it! I'm sorry for the really long delay. Please review. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182