Chapter 3



Sunday was hell for Len because she learned some disturbing news. That's why on Monday, she is storming into the hospital looking for Dr. Eve Russell. It took her half an hour but she finally located her coming from seeing a patient. She grabbed Eve's arm and drags her into an empty room, slamming the door behind her.



"What the hell do you think…" Eve says indignant.



"Don't play yourself. You threaten my aunt and me through her," Len said through her teeth.



Eve raises her head high, "I have no idea what you're talking about…"



"Look I know you did because my aunt came shouting at me about it yesterday. Well, let me tell you something bitch. Unlike Ivy Crane, I will not play with you, I will hurt you."



Eve's hatred hit the surface and she storms over to Len, "Look little girl. You shouldn't play adult games, especially when you don't know the rules. If you know what's best for you, you will get out of town."



Len glares at her and then she pulls, making Eve yipe in pain. Then she pushes Eve out her way and opens the door. Holding up a few strains of her hair she said, "Hopefully this over process hair will tell me something that your tired ass is too weak to find out. And with Ivy's help, I will make you regret the day you decided to threaten my aunt with homeless and me with jail time." She turns to walk away.



Eve's heart is pounding her chest. She knows that if Ivy is involved then the situation is serious. She starts to panic and then she blurts out, "Okay. We'll do the test in a week," she rushes over to Len and spins her around, "But when you find out the result and if they indicate that I…" she falters for a moment, "That I am your mother then you will keep it quiet."



"Look we both know I am your daughter. All we have to do is go to the mirror. I want to know who my father is?"



Eve looks around afraid, "I can't tell you that…"



"Well I'll find out eventually and thanks for the blood test. I'll just ask Ivy…"



"Why are you helping that vicious woman. She done nothing but try to destroy lives…"



"From what I heard so have you," she walks closer to Eve, "It was the fear that your family would find out that you screwed a Crane…"



Eve's eyes bulge and Len then knows that the chance that Julian Crane is her father is almost 100%.

"will ruin you and that's why you discourage Chad. But unlike him, I do understand the rules of this game. Ivy Crane is not my problem. She is yours. And she wouldn't have been if you had helped me when I asked. See you in a week," she turns away but stops and looks over her shoulders holding up the hair, "Oh and this is my insurance. Don't try and screw me." She leaves.



Ivy meets Len at the door and escorts her to the limo. From the top floor, Eve watches from a window, feeling like her world is about to come crashing down.





Kay is in the hallway wishing Simone would stop raining on her parade.



"Simone I had nothing to do with Miguel and Charity's problems. I didn't make her choke him. I didn't try to poison him. I am not talking about flying devils all the damn time. Miguel is finally realizing that Charity is a lunatic."



"Well you didn't help the situation…"



"I don't have to. Why would I help someone I don't even like? Please, Charity's days are numbered and if I knew all I had to do was wait for her to take a dive, I wouldn't wasted so much of my time."



Simone rolls her eyes and smiles. It is true. Charity now is the main problem in her own relationship. She has gotten stranger by the day and finally it all reached a head.



Simone and Kay go to Kay's locker and Kay begins to open it when a guy comes up behind her. Simone is in shock, her mouth hanging open. Kay frowns at Simone and turns thinking Miguel is behind her only to find…



"Reese?" she is stunned beyond belief.



Reese is wearing his contacts today. He has on shirts that he wore to the frat party and the same baggy jeans and black boots. The gold chain around his neck glints in the light and he has the biggest smile on his face, which cause his eyes to twinkle.



"Hi Kay. How was your weekend," his voice is the same but it doesn't sound so dorky.



"Um…" Kay is at a loss for words. Simone elbows her to speak. "Um, fine I guess. Reese what happen to you?"



He shrugs, "Nothing. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and give you this." He leans over and kisses her lightly on the cheek. He smiles at her, "Have a good day Kay. Later Simone." He walks away fighting not to look back to see her reaction.



Simone's mouth is hanging open but it slowly forms into a smile.



"Oh my God, he is a cute!" she screeches, "Did you see him?"



Kay nods slowly watching Reese's form, "Yes. But why? How? When?" she faces Simone, "Simone where have we been that we didn't see this before?"



"I don't know Kay but he sure gives Miguel a run for his money…"



Kay's mind instantly gets an idea, a wrong idea for Reese but a good one for herself. "You're right he does. My God, I never thought that he could looks so good."



"Me either. Maybe it isn't so bad that you date Reese."



"My sentiments exactly," Kay said grinning evilly.



Simone notices it and says, "Kaaay. What are you up to?"



"Well, I just found a way to give Miguel the extra incentive to break up with Charity."



"Kay," Simone said tired. They walk down the hall to class.



Miguel walks around the school wondering what all the chatter is about Reese. He just saw him yesterday and he looked normal. Finally he made it a point to find out what the hell is happening with his friend when Reese or at least he thinks its Reese comes up to him.



"Hey Miguel. How are you? You seem pretty down yesterday," said Reese with genuine concern.



Miguel couldn't believe his eyes. He has never seen his friend look like this. "Reese. You look different. What happen? You didn't look this way yesterday."



Reese shrugs, "Come on Miguel. Do really think I need to dress like this at home?"



"No. I guess not but when did you get contacts and that get-up?"



Reese and Miguel walk down the hall, with Miguel looking over at Reese wary.



"I got them Thursday. It wasn't a big deal, I just felt like it was time. And as far as the clothes are concern, I like the way they look so I decided to try something different."



"So your Mom took you shopping?"



Reese begins to feel uncomfortable. He didn't really want to reveal Len to Miguel but he didn't want to lie. So he blows it over saying, "Something like that but I want to know if you are okay. I mean you seemed pretty upset yesterday."



"I was but I'm feeling better. I did a lot of thinking and I came to a conclusion. Tonight Charity and I are going to have a long talk about us."



"What's that Miguel? Oh my God Reese! You look very nice," said Charity coming up to them from behind.



"Hi Charity," Miguel said irked. He really didn't want to see Charity at the moment. He leans over and kisses her cheek, "How has your day been?"



Miguel's question sounds forced and Charity notices it but she ignores it, "It's been fine. I really enjoyed English today. We read a good myth. Maybe you read it, Grendal?"



Reese smiles brightly nodding his head excited, "Yes, I love that story. It's way cool. This group I'm in…"



"Hey guys, ready for lunch," says Kay slipping her arm through Reese's. She smiles brightly up at him and he smiles back more happy than she could ever know. "Reese, thanks for this morning. It made my day." Kay says in a sugary sweet voice.



"My pleasure Kay," said Reese feeling his heart pounds in his chest. Len's plan worked so far and he is exhilarated.



"What did you do Reese?" asks Charity as they all walked down the hall.



Kay describes Reese's greeting and Charity comments that it was a very sweet jester smiling brightly. Miguel on the other hand is slightly jealous and irked. He hated feeling that way but he wanted to be the one kissing Kay and by the looks of things Kay seems to like Reese now.



Miguel has for the past couple of weeks started thinking that Kay is more interested in developing their friendship to something more. He tried to pretend that he was imaging things. Yet his mind couldn't help but wondering over those weeks what it would be like to be with Kay intimately. Now that he is willing to find out, Reese decides to come back new and improve and give Kay a reason to look away. Miguel quit being a bastard! You know your friend has the biggest thing for her and you have a girlfriend. Reese deserves to be happy so drop it. Things will work out between Charity and you.



What he didn't realize is that while he is thinking he has a slight scowl on his face and a couple of people notice it.



Len relaxes in the limo waiting for Ivy Crane to tell her what they are going to do next. Ivy is sitting next to her with a glass of wine in her hand.



"So tell me what happen?" she said completely relaxed.



Len related the story back to Ivy, telling her every detail. Ivy laughed loudly at certain parts.



Catching her breath, "Oh, I wish I could have been there. I would have paid good money to see her put her place like that," she sips her wine again and then says, "Oh she got what she deserves I hope you don't feel bad about saying those things to her."



"No I don't. She was foul and she needed to be told," she studies Ivy for a moment and then says, "What did she do to you?"



Ivy glances at Len and wonders how far she will trust the young woman. But the look in Len's face for some reason gave Ivy some reassurance, "Well, I tried to blackmail her to help me get back a man I love."



"Blackmail? What the hell did you have on her?"



"My dear that woman had an affair with my husband and he is most likely candidate to be your real father."



"Yeah, I heard that was a possibility…," Len said contemplating the problems that could arise from that being the case.



Ivy sneers, "I'm surprised that she hasn't ran to Julian yet and told her all about you. I'm sure she will be making the call soon but if not he will be."



Len looks at her, "Look I don't need any trouble. I just want to satisfy my curiosity not become part of the family."



Ivy places her hand over Len's, "Don't worry honey. I'm not that helpless. I have already made arrangements to protect us both if the Cranes try and pull anything."



Len nods and then asks, "So if you were blackmailing her, how did she get the upper hand."



Ivy's face turns sour, "Well, I let some vital information about my son get out. You see…this is not to go anywhere, at least not yet. You understand? I can't afford others to know until we have the results back."



"Fine, whatever. I'm not big on gossip."



"Good. I have a son name Ethan who just got married and has a wonderful job. The problem is that he is not a Crane. His father is the man I loved before I was forced to marry Julian. Eve found out and told Julian and thus you have me in a position of helplessness." She tosses back the rest of the wine.



Len thinks for a moment and then says, "I hate to sound harsh but um was this guy worth all the trouble you got yourself into?"



"Yes. I love that man and still do. And I think deep down he loves me but he has too many…excuses in his life right now to stay away from me. However, I promise myself and for the sake of my son that I will get even," she turns toward Len who is frowning at her, "What?"



"Well, it's just that half the reason you are in this mess is by your own doing. You played your hand and loss. Why are you mad because the tables turned?"



Ivy becomes angry, "Because I will not let anyone threaten my child. Do what you want with me but my son…," she catches her breath and looks at the driver, a trusted friend and then back at Len, "Lenora, why should Julian get away with having all these affairs and I must suffer because before my marriage, I was with the man I loved. And as far as Eve is concern, you don't know half the things she did to Chad Harris to keep him from knowing who he is and then she treats him like garbage. No dear, these people need to come down a peg or two and I plan on making sure that it happens," she looks out the window saying, "and your DNA will help me."



Len stays quiet and enjoys the ride back to her house. When they get there, Ivy turns to her and says, "Stay sharp. I decided to turn it up a few degrees. I know that you have ah…," Ivy smiles, "an interesting occupation. I think you need to lay off it for a while. We don't want them to have leverage against you."



Len frowns at her but instinctive knows that she better shut up and listen. Something in Ivy's face reminds Len of a person blinded by irrational thoughts and Len knows she will be caught in the crossfire.



"Okay, Mrs. Crane…"



"Ivy. Have a good day. Oh," Ivy reaches in her purse and hands Len an envelope.



"What's this?"



"Money and my private phone number if you have any problems."



Len opens it, takes out the card, and hands back the envelope, "I don't need your money…"



"I wanted to give you something to tide you over."



"Well I don't need it. I'm not doing this for money, okay. I just want to know that's all."



Ivy rolls her eyes and shakes her head, "Listen, in the near future people are going to try you more than you'll know. The money in that envelope will not even make up for the grief that you will suffer for knowing me. Take that as my way of saying that I appreciate everything you're doing for me and also as compensation for the money you will lose not doing your little job."



Len gives her a blain look and then opens the envelope again. She notes that there are several hundreds in it. She ponders for a moment and then takes the envelope with her saying on the way out, "You're probably right. Later"



"Bye now. Contact me in two days because I know I will have some news."



Len gets out, closes the door and watches the limo drive off. She faces her house after a second and notices that her aunt isn't home. Thankful, she goes in to eat and rest. On her way in she opens the mailbox, grabs the mail. She then tosses it on a table by the stairs on her way up, dropping the envelope of money there also.





Lunch is almost over and Kay is in a great mood. She noticed Miguel's jealous look and she just knew it developed because she treated Reese like he mattered more. During lunch, she caught Miguel looking at Reese and her like he was trying to figure something out. She hopes that he figures out that he better make a move or else. And for the first time, Kay has to admit that the or else really isn't a bad alternative.



Looking at Reese now, it is hard to imagine that he ever looked bad. His clothes emphasized his nice shape, he smells wonderful and without the bulky glasses, she can really see his face now and it is a great looking face. She also noticed that he walks taller and isn't always gawking and fawning over her. He actually is giving her space and isn't throwing out a bunch of useless nonsense to get her attention. It is refreshing for her and she plans to find out who did this to him.



Reese sits relaxed. He has never liked lunch as much as he does today. It has been great fun for him. Kay is talking to him like he is the coolest guy on the earth. He knows that she probably still has a crush on Miguel but he thinks that he has been able to penetrate her Miguel crush a bit and plant a possibility. Hopefully in the next few weeks he will be able to get her to a point where she will have no other guy on her mind but him.



During lunch, everyone at the table kept trying to get Reese to tell them why he changed and why he bought contacts. It really got on his nerves but he endured by saying that he just thought change was in order. He wanted to try something different his last year and he did. Miguel pressed further and Reese finally admitted that he had a little help.



"Who?" asks Kay, dying to know the person who cared enough to want to help him.



"The salesperson. She told me that she thought I might look good in this and I tried it on and liked it."



"And your parents agreed to buy it?" Miguel said skeptical.



"Yes, why wouldn't they?" Reese said annoyed. Why the hell would he think I couldn't get this? Reese thought.



"I just think it is kind of mature or at least that's what Mama tells me when I want something like that," Miguel said shrugging.



"Well, I'm glad his mother let him buy it. He looks great in it," said Kay kissing Reese lightly on the cheek. Reese almost blushed. When Kay kissed him she made sure her eyes were open enough to watch Miguel's reaction and he did react.



Miguel flinches when Kay kisses Reese. But he still manages to keep a smile on his face. A second later he feels Charity grab his arm saying they look so cute. He thinks to jerk his arm away but he doesn't. He just nods and makes no comment.



As lunch is coming to a close, Jessica comes up and practically screams when she spots Reese.



"Oh my God! Reese, you look Great!!!" She comes over to him quickly and throws an arm around him. "When did you change like this?"



"Apparently over the weekend," said Miguel dryly, tired of everyone flipping over the new Reese.



"You look good Reese. Really you do," said Jessica smiling brightly. "I heard about you all day and now I can see why."



What the hell is the big deal? So he changed his clothes and got contacts, it is not a major issue thinks Miguel. "Well we have to get to class," he announces as the bell rings.



"Shoot. I had to do research or I would have been here sooner…" said Jess.



"No one missed you," said Kay sneering. Then she grabs Reese's arm, "Mind walking me to class?"



Reese smiles, "Not at all," they leave with Simone, a jealous Miguel, and a worried Charity following. Charity has noticed how weird Miguel is now that things might improve between Kay and Reese.





Eve never thought that she would never have to dial his numbers again. She never dreamed that she would have to privately meet with this monster in dark alley once again. But she is and pacing almost frantically, her nervousness is about to make her scream in immense anger. A second later, she is kept from doing such a thing when Julian steps into the hidden area.



"My, my Eve. What do I owe for such a pleasure?" Julian says with a wicked smile on his face, reaching for her arm.



"Don't touch me! I didn't ask you here to play games Julian. We have a serious problem."



"Really?" Julian says with his eyebrow raised, "And what, pray tell, is the problem Eve that you would have us sneaking in back alleys like the days of the wooden bird fiasco." He almost rolled his eyes but instead he smiled because he would in the end.



Eve takes a deep breath and tries to speak but her voice catches in her throat. She is about to cry and she struggles to contain herself. Julian notices how upset Eve is and he becomes concerned. If Eve is that upset then what she has to tell him is very serious.



"Eve, what is it? Why are you so upset when at this point you should have nothing to worry about? My wife is no longer a threat to you…"



"That's just it! She is a threat Julian, she is," Eve says with a burst of emotion, "She has something on us that I didn't think would ever be possible."



Julian's interest in the matter became enhanced by the idea that Ivy thought that she could hold something over him let alone try to do anything that would jeopardize Ethan and her place in the Crane house.



"Eve, whatever are you talking about?"



Eve composes herself and says in a tired voice, "Julian, after our…stupid mistake, I was pregnant with our child."



Julian's face fell for a second and then he gets angry, "You're kidding me!" he hisses.



"No I'm not kidding…"



"Why am I just hearing about it then?"



"Because I thought the baby died and at that time you weren't exactly beating a path to my door."



Julian shakes his head and says, "And my wife knows about it."



Eve nods.



"Well, it is not a problem since the baby died…"



"Julian the baby didn't died, there was a mistake at the hospital. Our baby is alive and well and living in Harmony."



"Who…not that Chad Harris…" he looks at her astonished.



"No. It is a girl. A young woman name Lenora. She came to me at my job and demanded a blood test. Ivy overheard and she helping the girl. I don't know what the girl wants aside form the test and but I know Ivy is going to want to get even." Eve sighs and throws back her head, "Just when my life is getting put back into place, this happens."



Julian stands there quiet, thinking hard. If his father finds out that he has a bastard child, half-black no less, running around, Julian will be in serious trouble. He glances at Eve and watches her nervous wring her hands. He has no idea what to do but he definitely needs more information before he can formulate a plan.



"Are you sure that she is your child?"



"No, not really. I mean there is a resemblance and she definitely has your arrogance." Eve says in a disgusted voice. "But I am doing a blood test in a week for find out…"



"Why the hell would you do that!?" he couldn't believe her.



"Because Julian she agreed to it. Besides, the little bitch snatched hair from my head and that can be used to determine my genetic connection to her. Legally she can go to court and have it determined also, I already checked on it. And with Ivy's help, she will probably find out about you. So I advise you to help her and then maybe we can get rid of her…"



"I want to get rid of her now!" he is angry. Now he knows what has made his wife so happy and he plans on insuring that her scheme doesn't work.



"Well how do you plan to do that?"



"Tell me everything you know about this girl."



"Well she is here on probation for selling drugs…"



"Really?" Julian says with a smile.





Ivy sent off both hair samples and then got to work on the rest of her plan. She knows that by now, Eve probably has told Julian and she knows he will come after Len and her like a pit bull. Her friend in the medical profession swore that he would have the results way before the blood test on Friday.



She walks into her room and thinks. She knows Julian is going to attack Len through the police but she plans on making sure he doesn't. She gave Len that warning on purpose and has already hired her a good lawyer anonymously. It is a friend of her son. She used money that she has hidden for real emergencies, like if she did get kicked out on the streets because of Ethan parentage. It wouldn't last them long but it would have helped. However, the money is going on insuring that Julian feels the pinch of Alistair's wrath.



She goes into her room and thinks about the moment. Then she counts the bail money she will have to pay for Len. Then she makes a few calls, smiling brightly the entire time.





Len is reading a chapter in her textbook when her door bursts open. Her aunt barges into her room and stands over her smoking in anger.



"Where did you get this?" her aunt is waving the envelope that Ivy gave Len.



Len sighs and closes her book, "I got it from a friend. They owed me money."



"What kind of job do you have that you could lend a friend $2000?" Mae put hand on her hip and waited.



Len sighs and sits up, tired already with the argument about to come. "You know where I got the money. I still have some saved for us but remember you wouldn't take it. Somebody at school had an emergency and I helped them out."



Her aunt gave Len the famous give me a break look but Len refused to change her story. She just stands up and sticks out her hand. "Can I have it please?"



"You obviously didn't want it or else you wouldn't have left it on the mail table," her aunt stuffs the money in her shirt and starts the turn away.

Len puts her hand on her aunt's arm, "Hey! Where are you going with my money?"



"I told you that if I find any of it I will keep it and donate it to charity. Somebody has to make up for you helping destroy our community."



Len rolls her eyes, "I am not destroying anything. I don't go around blowing people away for a block of space. I am not selling to little kids. I sold to grown people who chose to get high."



"What difference does that make. Those people have families and those families suffer because of that persons addiction…"



"You know whatever. Keep the damn money. I don't need it anyway." Len turns back around and flops on her bed. She picks up her books and begins reading again.



Mae sighs warily and comes further into the room to sit on the bed. Len moves out her way and waits for the next lecture.



"You're too smart for this, you know that don't you?"



Len shrugs and keeps reading.



Mae twists her lips a bit and then takes out the envelope. She looks in it again and notices something that she didn't see before. She pulls out the card and reads it before Len could snatch it away from her.



"What the hell are you doing talking to Ivy Crane?!" Mae's eyes are bugged.



Len puts the card in her book, closing it and tossing it to the floor. She grabs her jacket and heads out her room. Her aunt is hot on her heels.



"I told you not to mess with those people and here you are doing it anyway. What is wrong with you?" Mae shouts at Len as she climbs down the stairs.



Len stops at the bottom of the steps pissed and fighting fury, "Leave me alone. It is not a problem. I just met the woman…"



"Why the hell would you have met the woman…" Mae's heart starts pounding faster, "You didn't?"



Len diverts her eyes to the ground.



"My God you did. Len are you crazy! These people will not allow you to ruin their name. They will not allow some black girl on probation to ruin what they believe they are entitled too. Why the hell did you go to that Crane woman?"

Len takes a deep breath and says, "Why not?" she looks at her aunt now, "Why the hell can't I find out who the hell my mother and father are…"



"You know who they are. They died in a plane crash. Why do you want to disrespect their name but causing all this trouble for people that don't even want you."



"Because I want to know!" Len throws up her hand in disgust and then walks out the door slamming it shut.



Mae shakes her head weary and sick. She looks heavenward and prays that the Lord look out for niece. A moment later the phone rings and she answers it, "Yes?"



"Ms. Adams, this is Reese. Is Len there? I tried her line but she didn't answer it."



"She isn't here. She just left. You can leave her message and she'll get back to you."



"Thanks I'll do that. Bye Ms. Adams."



Mae hangs up the phone and rolls her eyes. Not only is her niece playing a dangerous game with a bunch of crazy rich people but she also has a seventeen years old as a playmate. "Lord what am I gonna do with this girl…young woman." She goes to the kitchen and makes something to eat.





Reese quickly hung up the phone and hurried back over to the table where Kay, Miguel Charity, Simone and Jessica waited. They all decided to go the coffeeshop after class to relax. Kay made it a point to personally invite Reese. Reese is no fool, he is suspicious of her behavior. However, he didn't let it bother him now because Kay seems to be coming around a little, he just has to keep increasing the pressure.



He called Len to tell her how it was going. He is so excited that he couldn't wait until later to call her but alas. She isn't there. He hopes to catch her later but who knows what will happen after they leave the coffee shop. He also wanted to ask if she was okay. When he talked to her on Sunday, Len sounded distant, sort of angry. She refused to tell him why. He didn't know how to approach the issue over the phone. He just met her and got to know her. But he wants to help, if he can. Again he hopes that he gets in contact with her later.



He retakes his seat by Kay and places his arm around her chair. She leans against it smiling brightly. Reese winks at her much to Miguel's annoyance and gets back into the conversation. Reese notices the frown on Miguel's face but decides not to ask him about his feelings until they are in private. So he relaxed and listened until Kay asked him a question.



"So tell me about what you have been doing for the last four days." Kay didn't really what everyone to hear the answer but she was too curious to wait until she had a private moment with Reese.



Reese shrugs his shoulders and says, "Nothing much. I just did some work at home, went shopping, walk around, read…you know things I do all the time." Big lie but they wouldn't know that because none of them really cared what I did on my private time anyway. Reese shrinks from his thought. The bitterness of it bothered him because he never felt it before.



"That must have been some shopping spree," said Simone smiling in approval.



"Yeah, some spree," Miguel mumbles fed up with all the hoopla over the transformed Reese and all the attention Kay is giving him. He feels Charity on his arm and he gives her a nasty smile as he moves his arm to lean on the table to speak to Kay.



"So what did you do this weekend?" He smiles sweetly for her.



Dreaming of you "Nothing. Just some homework, work around the house and hung out with Simone. We went to a movie," Loving the attention Miguel is giving her.



"Yeah and we saw this girl buying popcorn at the stand. She looked high but I did like her outfit. Remember Kay?" piped in Simone.



Reese felt a sense of foreboding pass over him.



"Oh yeah," Kay said eyes wide with excitement, "I think she is the new girl in town that my dad has been talking about. I think she is suppose to be on probation or something. Anyway, she had on this white shirt that fit tightly on her and around her chest, the shirt is open exposing her bra. She had this scarf on her head and big hoops in her ears. Her pants were like straight cool in that they were tight and flare at the bottom and she had on these nice black biker boots. I mean on anyone else, I think that look would be cheap but on her, she looked like she stepped right out of Vibe magazine."



Reese's smile changes from nervous to inward pride. Of course they are talking about Len and when he listens to how Kay describes her he again appreciates how good Len looked that night. She wore what she thought was cool and she carried off because she didn't give a damn if anyone else liked it.



"I wish I could carry that off because I would wear that get up in a hot sec," said Kay. Reese images her in it and likes the image.



"I sure you would look damn sexy," he said in a low husky voice that gets a response from Kay.



"Oh do you think," she flirts leaning closer to him.



"I know," he said with confidence and winks at her. Kay leans over and gives Reese a peck on the lips. It is a quick kiss but sweet and actually genuine. She really appreciates the compliment.



Reese fights his urge to blush, Miguel snaps the wooden stirrers in his hand and Chad came up interrupting the party. Simone's face went from pleasant to stank sour and the table became decidedly cool. Reese is the only one not playing it cool towards Chad.



Chad notices the change but he didn't give a damn. So what if some high school kids are pissed that he wanted to date someone closer to his own age. He loves Whitney and that's just the way it is. He hates the fact that Simone can't get past his choice but he thinks she is a hypocrite. She forgave Kay for lying to her about his feelings, why can't she forgive him for telling her the truth.



He came up to get a closer look at Len's handy work and he is truly impressed. He barely recognized Reese when he came into the shop. The boy is without glasses and dressed like somebody who keeps up with the decade and the latest trends.



"Reese man, you looking nice," he smiled at him.



"Thanks," Reese said worried that Chad would spill the beans.



"She really hooked you up."



"Yeah the sales woman was helpful. Thanks for recommending her," Reese pleaded with his eyes, hoping Chad would drop it.



Chad knows a cover when he hears it, "Yeah no prob. I just came by to see if she was helpful and like I thought, she was. I'll check ya later and if you see her again tell her to call me, alright?"



"No problem," Reese said waving him off. Chad walks away trying not to laugh. So he wants Len's existence to be a secret. Fine by me.



All eyes are on Reese. They can't believe that he talks to Chad let alone gets fashion advice from him. Kay didn't have a real issue with it, thankful that Chad didn't have a grudge against her for all the lies she told about him. She only pretends for Simone because it keeps her friend in her corner to help Miguel. She didn't like it but whatever. If Simone wants to hate Chad so be it. Kay hates Charity so everything is right as rain.



"I didn't know you spoke to Chad. Are you two good friends?" asked Kay.



All eyes are still on him and Reese felt like shrinking into nothing. However, he does his natural move of shrugging, "I see him in the shop a lot. I told him my interest in new clothes and he told me about somebody that could help me."



"Maybe you can give me her name because I want to thank her," Kay says under her breath.



"What?" queries Reese.



"Nothing, just that I wouldn't mind knowing who she is because she has good taste."



Don't I know it, "I forgot, Lani or something like that. Anyway, …" He changes the subject and they all talk about something else.



Later that afternoon, he walks Kay home. When they get to her door, he almost walks away but he decided to take a chance. So he leans down and kisses her. Kay allows it because she wants to give Miguel, whose nearby in view of it, something to think about. But she is also curious. It is a nice kiss and she has to admit that she likes it a lot.



"See ya tomorrow Kay?" he whispers softly in her ear.



"Oh yeah," she said smiling evilly as she observes Miguel and Charity arguing and noticing the evil look Miguel is giving Reese.



Miguel and Reese walk towards their homes together. Reese notices the thick cloud of annoyance around Miguel and asks him about it.



"Am I bothering you?"



Hell yes. Why did you decide now to transform? "It's not you, it's me. Charity and I are having problems. I'm sorry I'm acting like an asshole."



"Well, I only ask because you seem to dislike the attention I'm getting from people…"



"No, no, no. Really no. I just…I'm just not pleased with the way things are going in my relationship, that's all. You look good buddy. I wouldn't mind using your shirt once in a while." Miguel says trying to play off his true feelings. He feels guilty for his jealousy towards his friend. He knows that Reese has loved Kay for a long time almost as long as he…Miguel pauses a second when he discovers that he is about to mentally admit that he loves Kay too. But why am I with Charity if I love Kay?



Reese accepts his friend's statement because he has no reason to think otherwise. Miguel has never done anything to hurt or offend him in the past. Reese has no reason to think that he would now. Besides the problems with Charity started long before Reese appeared in his new gear.

They reach their respective homes and once Reese gets inside, he rushes up the stairs to change and call Len. The phone rings off the hook but he doesn't get a response. I wonder where she is? He thinks about going to house but then he remembers that she has class so he decides to wait to hear from her.



He gets a call two days later. He is surprised to find out that Len has been in jail and just got out.





Len came home late after taking a long walk. She needed some air because she was too close to cursing out her aunt and she refused to disrespect the woman in her own house. So she took a walk and went to the pool hall. She played a couple of games and then went back home, grabbed her books and went to class. After class she took another walk.



Len heads hurts with the knowledge that her aunt is right in so far as fooling with the Cranes. They are not going to take kindly to some stranger from out of town trying to ruin their reputation and standing in this town or elsewhere. Based on Eve's reaction towards her, she knows that that the Cranes reaction will be twice as bad. Then considering what happen to Ivy and she was married in the clan and they still gaffled her, Len just didn't know what to think.



A part of her wants to forget the whole thing. She has lived this long without knowing and she did have a loving family until they were killed. But another part of her wants to know just so she can make Eve' feel like crap. Eve had the nerve to threaten her aunt's job and then insult her in the process. Len knows that her aunt probably didn't take it lying down but the fact that she had to say anything pisses Len off. It wasn't like Len was asking Eve to turn water into wine. Len has no desire to join Eve's family. She just wanted to know who she could come to if she has a rare illness or something. She was just curious about her real parents, end of story.



Len takes out one of her special cigarettes and lights it up. After a few drags, she begins to relax. You really need to stop smoking this stuff, she thinks and for good reason. Since her parents died she has become one of the biggest potheads on earth. And now she is getting Reese involved in it and that ain't cool. She can screw up her brain but she didn't need to mess with his.



She heard his message and she couldn't help but smile. She is happy for him. Len knew that the change would have an impact. Kay would have to be a fool not to see how good he looks. Maybe now she can appreciate what she has right in front of her instead of chasing something illusive like Miguel. No what, he isn't that illusive anymore. She remembers the sly looks she saw Miguel giving Kay when she was spying on them. Things are changing in Miguel and if Len spotted it, she is sure a girl like Kay will notice it too.



She went home and straight to bed. Her aunt didn't say a word to her and for that Len is grateful. She didn't want to talk about it anyway. Before she closed the lights, she spots her envelope on the table. Len picks it up and tosses it into a dresser drawer. She climbs into the bed and crashes for the night.



The next day, she did her regular routine. She woke up, took a shower, read the paper while eating breakfast, listen to any messages, studied for a couple of hours and finally goes to class. However, that would be the end of her normal day. She was sitting on a bench drinking a coffee when she noticed this guy trying to put something in her backpack.



"Hey, what are you doing?" she jumps up and grabs the guy who tries to push her away. The result is the bag flying open and several small sandwich bags of coke fall to the ground.



Len give the guy a menacing glare and he returns it. She takes notice of the gloves on his hands and she grew more pissed. The man was shocked when he felt her knee in his groin.



"Owf," he grunts and falls down a bit, "You bitch!" He says after he recovers slightly and lunges for her. Len and the guy fight. Although he got in a few good hits, Len's self-defense class and anger worked to her advantage. She managed to keep him from knocking her out and she even landed a few hits. Their fight didn't go unnoticed and pretty soon the campus police arrive and break them up.



"What's going on here?" the first cop says.



Another cop holding the guy spots the dope on the ground, "Hey, look what we got there."



A third cop bends down and examines the bags, "Looks like coke to me. Think a junkie is having problems with paying her supplier."



Len snarls, "I'm no junkie and that's not mine. That asshole tried to plant that shit on me!"



"Lying bitch. You know you were selling it to me…"



Len swings her long leg and caught the guy again in the crouch. The guy buckles, another cop grabs her, and drags her away.



Forty minutes later she is in a cell with Lopez-Fitzgerald staring at her with a nasty grin on his face.



"They finally got you and I'm gonna make sure that they keep you here."

"Really? Look, Officer, why don't you take your diabolical bullshit somewhere else." She turns away and faces the wall.



"Yeah whatever tough girl. I'm just here to give you a phone call because it looks like you violated your probation and that means you won't be getting out until we appear before a judge."



Len turns slowly towards him, "Finally, service." She stands up and waits. Luis opens the cell and directs her out. Len steps out and he closes the door. She glares at the guy in the other cell across from her for a second and then follows Luis. They get into the room and she makes her call. Ten minutes later, she is back in her cell pissed off thinking, The fun has begun.





Ivy was at home thinking about how to plan this god awful party for Julian when she gets the call.



"Ivy, the phone for you." said Pilar.



"Thanks," she reaches over and picks it up, "Yes, are you the caters?"



"No. I'm Mae Adams, Lenora's aunt."



Ivy is slightly stunned that she is calling her, "Well, hello. How can I help you?"



"You can help my niece. She's in jail. She tells me that somebody tried to plant drugs on her. You know anything about it?" Mae's voice is hostile and angry.



"Well of course not," Ivy says indignant. Inwardly she thinks So he has made his move, "But I have some idea who might have," she mumbles.



"Look, lady. I have no idea what you want with my niece but I do know that if she is telling the truth then the reason she is in jail is because of you and I want to know what you can do about it?" Mae snaps.



"Please calm down. I will assist you. Give me a couple of hours. Thank you"



"Hey…"



But Ivy has already hung up the phone. She grows angry for a second and then she reaches for the phone. Just then Ethan walks in the room.



"Mother, Julian is looking for you," he says drily.



"Really?" she says with an arched eyebrow, "Tell him, I'm in here and Ethan," she walks over and touches his arm, "Call that friend of yours. Tell him I need him for the project now."



Ethan frowns at her, "What are you talking…"



"Just do it please," she smiles and nods. Ethan agrees and walks out.



Ivy knows that living in the mansion is hard for Ethan with the truth known. They treat him as bad as her. He only stays to protect her and to salvage his marriage with Gwen but it's still falling apart and so is Ethan. Ivy hopes her little plan will keep Ethan from any additional heartache.



A minute later Julian came in with a smug look on his face. Ivy wore her poker face as he enters closing the door. When he turns to face her again, she smiles a bit.



"What do I owe the pleasure?" she began.



Julian smiled up to the time he hit her, when his face then switched to anger. Ivy cried out a bit and held her face.



"What's the matter with you?" she cried.



"How dare you think you can try and embarrass me?" he growled.



Ivy stands tall, and says, "It doesn't take much does it? You always leave a mess. First the pictures now a child. But you can't hide from that, not like with the photos. Not like with T.C. She is living proof that you are the sorry bastard I always said you were. Aww" her head swings again from a slap.



"You listen here, Ivy," his hisses at her, "You will drop your little plan or so help me God…"



"What Julian," Ivy grits her teeth a second and then said, "What? You'll toss me out. Well go ahead but this time you won't be able to cover this one up. She will make you feel the pinch and I'll enjoy every bit of it."



"Placing all you money and fate on that little girl I've gotten locked up? Forget it. Where she's going, she'll be gone for a long time. So drop it Ivy before that dear son of yours gets hurt." He storms out the room.



"We shall see. We shall see," she says evilly. She snatches up a napkin and begins putting ice in it for her face.