On Sunday evening the wedding party arrived back in Summer Bay, all feeling somewhat changed. Kane was determined to stand up to Scott and tell him where he could stick his demands, Kirsty felt over the moon after the previous night's events and wore her wedding ring with pride (under her shirt) and Brooke was going to talk to Kit about their situation.
"It was good of your friend to drop you home, " said Beth to Kirsty while washing the never-ending pile of dirty dishes.
"And slightly convenient, " retorted Jade. "You seeing Brooke on the way and giving her a ride."
"I know, " said a smiling Kirsty. "Isn't it funny how life works out?"
"Is Kit upstairs?" asked Brooke.
"She was last time I checked, "answered Beth. "Her room is the first on the left." Kit had been a bit vacant this past weekend, staying in her room for most of it. She hoped that her daughter wasn't drinking again.
"Thanks." Brooke went upstairs. She knew that Kit shared with Dani, and hoped that she wasn't there. They needed to talk alone. She knocked on the door.
"Come in, " said Kit, finishing off her English essay. "Oh."
"I take it you're not tired of avoiding me, " she shut the door and confidently sat next to her. "We need to talk Kit."
"What about?" She was in denial.
"You know what about."
Kit arranged her essay on top of her desk. She hated having to share with the Perfect Princess. Hopefully she'd be moving out soon. "Are you gay then?"
"I don't really know yet, " answered Brooke. "It's a bit complicated for me."
"How so?"
"I've always been attracted to girls, but in a different way to guys. I don't want to label myself, just in case I change my mind again. You don't even have to label yourself."
"Why did you kiss me?"
"I don't know. Why do people normally kiss each other?"
"Because they're in love." Kit glanced at her quickly. Brooke looked indifferent.
"I don't want to ruin our friendship and I'm sorry it happened. It will never happen again."
"Sure about that?" Kit moved closer, and realised that she was sending slightly confusing signals. What did she want to do? Wait around for Noah, to see if he ever changed his mind or try something a little different. She wouldn't have to label herself and she liked Brooke. A lot.
"Well how do you feel about it Kit?" asked a hopeful Brooke.
"I liked it, " she smiled. "It was a little different but I could get used to it. What about you?"
"I like you, I'm not going to deny that, but if we do this we can never go back. That's if you want to?"
"I think I do."
The girls were close now, and Kit decided to make the first move. Their lips met and they were kissing, at first nervously but then as the confidence grew, Brooke felt hands on her back. Subtly, she ran her fingers through Kit's hair and they felt themselves falling down, down onto the duvet. Instinctively they broke apart, Kit's heart beating fast. "I'm new to all of this, and Dani's going to be back soon."
"Yeah cool. I'd better go; I've got to get ready for school and stuff. Meet you tomorrow before school?"
"Yep sure." Kit smiled. She wasn't sure about this unfamiliar world, but it felt good.
While all of this was happening, Kane opened the door of his apartment a married man. Little did he know that Scott was waiting for him downstairs. After waiting for his payment, and finding out that his wimpy little brother had cleared off with his women for the weekend, he'd grown angry.
"Back from your dirty weekend then?" he said, catching the door before it shut. For a drunk guy, he was swift.
Kane was in shock. "How the hell did you get in?"
"You let me in. Seems like you should be more careful with who's behind you. You may not have realised, but you're late with this weeks payment and I'm here to get it."
He took a deep breath. "I'm not giving you money anymore Scott. Aunty Rose gave it to me and wanted me to spend it on my future, not giving it to you so you can waste it on drink and all that crap."
"Drink? You think I wanna waste it on drink?" Scott dumped his rucksack, his rucksack with all his worldly possessions, on the table. "I've got plans Kane."
"What kind of plans? Illegal plans? It'd be different if you were trying to straighten yourself out but I know you don't intend to. You just keep ruining your life."
"Woohoo. The perfect son speaks again, the son who never makes any mistakes, who's never been arrested. I forgot I should be bowing down to you, just like that aunt did."
"I know I've made mistakes, " said a slightly uneasy Kane. He could smell the alcohol on his breath and could tell that his brother wasn't entirely in his right mind. "But I don't intend to make any more."
"Yeah right, the first mistake you made was grassing me up to the police."
"You kidnapped a girl! You've gotta admit that's wrong."
"She deserved it." Scott felt inside his pocket, looking for the gun. He'd bought it off some guy in a pub, wasn't sure if he was going to use it. "Just like how you deserve this for being so selfish. We should all get what we deserve."
Now Kane was scared. "Put that down Scott, what you gonna do, you gonna kill me? Brooke will find out, she'll get back and…you wouldn't hurt her."
"It's not like she means anything to me. And that other girl of yours; where does she live? I could kidnap her as well."
Kane made a grab for the gun, but it was too late; Scott dropped it onto the floor and it travelled halfway across the room. He then began to punch his smaller brother, winding him. The violence was intense; he was taking out years worth of anger out on him. How dare he grass him up, and get him sent to prison. How dare he get acquitted for a crime, then get the perfect girlfriend and job falling into his lap. How dare he get everything.
A cheery Brooke pushed her key into the lock, and couldn't believe her eyes when she opened the door. Her mood changed to the opposite. "Kane! What's going on? Stop!" She knew better than to go over to him. She needed a weapon. It was like the gun was calling her, it was fate. She picked it up from the floor and held it behind her back.
"Nice of you to join us. The mistress of my brother, you really have got it all Kane." Scott left his brother in pain, and stood up straight, overpowering. Brooke's hand started to shake.
"I am not his mistress. Just stop attacking him. Leave him alone."
"Leave him alone!" Scott mimicked his unknown sister. "Yeah right. He needs me."
"He doesn't need you, he never did. All you ever did was wreck his life. He hates you Scott, that's why he doesn't want to give you the money. You don't deserve it."
"Ah, so now you're letting your girlfriends fight your battles Kane." He tutted. "We can't have that."
"Get your hands off her, " Kane could just about get the words out.
"They're not on her yet, but they could be." He approached her. Brooke's fingers tightened around the gun. "So what's your name?"
She was silent. Perhaps if she told him she was his sister, he'd stop leering at her. Perhaps. Perhaps she didn't want to; she wanted to get revenge on him, and knew that Kane wouldn't. Was she that type of person who could do that? Was she?
Kane could hear some sort of commotion; he was feeling a little fuzzy. He tried to get up, but his head was killing him. Perhaps he'd be okay on the ground. It was nice there. Then he heard the gunshot.
Brooke started to cry.