Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or its characters, but I do own my plot and characters.

I have noticed that Mercedes has been ... cough misplaced in my mind, so lets just say she was staying with Tally for a while, Kay?

Also, I'm not sure what age I told you before, but for the sake of my story, she's 16 and so are most of the others at the exception of Tyson and Kenny. (15)

The dinner that Elisabeth had made for the Bladebreakers was sufficient. Even enough for Tyson's appetite and the rest of the Bladebreakers as well. They had liked it so much she offered to cook for them while her beyblade was in repair.

The weeks went by slowly. She couldn't handle not being able to practice as usual. But with the cooking, She was doing her cleaning and laundry as well. She had proclaimed to earn her keep and wouldn't settle until she did. If she was going to live there, She was going to deserve to be there.

Of course, her Beatrix was furious. The actual fact that Elisabeth was there wasn't a problem. She was glad to be rid of the nuisance, but she missed the girl who cooked, cleaned, did laundry, bought her cigarettes and gave her darling son someone else to pester for once. She wanted her back, damnit!

That was too bad of course. Now that Elisabeth was 16, there was nothing she could do. She could go live in a brothel for all she cared. She didn't care too though. She liked it at Tyson's place. It was the Tyson part she wasn't as fond of.

As far as her beyblade went, the finishing touches were being added. They were hanging out in Max's bedroom, having a day off from training. Elisabeth was daydreaming and Max, Tyson and Rei played on his N64. Kenny tapped away at his laptop and Kai stood, leaning against a wall. Figures.

"So when's Hilary getting here? I'm getting really anxious to meet her!" Elisabeth whined.

"What's there to be anxious about?" Tyson responded, "Hilary isn't that great."

"No way! Hilary is cool, and you only say that cause she doesn't like the way you eat." Max retorted.

"Hey man! That's not funny. And it's not that! She thinks I'm stupid!"

Kai snickered; Tyson sent him a death glare. Kai immediately glared back and Tyson was scared shitless. Tyson Resumed his game quietly and Max laughed at him.

Rei laughed victoriously. They were playing 007 and he had just won their first to 20 kills battle. Max sulked playfully and Tyson just sulked.

"Hey guys!" This was an unfamiliar voice to Elisabeth.

She looked around. The look on everyone's face said that this was Hilary. She stood, ready to greet happily and be greeted. As soon as Hilary walked in the door with a smile, she stopped. Her smile vanished.

"Who's this?" she demanded.

Tyson rose to the occasion, opening his mouth, but Elisabeth cut him off for the better.

"I'm Elisabeth!" She responded.

"I wasn't talking to you!" Hilary snapped in response.

Elisabeth put her head down. This wasn't what she had expected.

Kai stood straight. "She's our new team member."

Hilary looked hurt. Elisabeth understood her mean reaction to another girl there. She felt as if she had lost her place.

As if Kenny sensed this, of all people, he reassured her, "She's going to need to be pushed extra hard. We'll need you Hilary."

This seemed to calm her nerves and she gladly shook Elisabeth's hand. They smiled.

"Wow! This is gonna be so fun! I finally have a girl to talk to!" They giggled.

"Yeah," Elisabeth interjected, "It must be weird not being able to talk about a lot of stuff."

"Hey!" Tyson was angry with her for suggesting Hilary would hide stuff from them. "Hilary tell us –"

Elisabeth interrupted "Everything you don't wanna hear about huh?" She made a move to gross him out, "Yeah, I suppose you wouldn't mind talking about cute boys and tampons, would you Tyson?"

Tyson Held up a finger and opened his mouth to respond a little too quickly. Hilary and Elisabeth started giggling and Tyson shut his mouth. He turned about twenty shades of red.

Max's dad came on cue and Elisabeth stopped laughing. She turned to him attentively.

He put on a grave face. She was worried immediately. He bowed his head, shaking it and her face fell. He laughed. "Just joking!"

He pulled a beautiful pure white beyblade from behind his back. The tips glowed a beautiful cobalt and the edges shined, sharp and clean as new. It was beautifully carved and reconstructed as if it was the original design. Elisabeth could hardly tell it had been broken. Now only one thing was missing.

She pulled her bit chip from her pocket and snapped in place. click. It was perfect. She smiled endlessly and she hugged Mr. Tate.

"Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!" She released him.

While rubbing his ribs, he managed to say, "Oh, I may have a pretty good idea."

She blushed furiously.

Kai smiled at her happiness. Her smile was infectious to him, though he'd like to deny it.

=How can I be falling for her? I don't fall for girls! Or at least ... not ordinary girls=

He admired her. Even though he would admit it to no one. Would he admit it to her? Would his pride let him?

Not now. Not with the competition so close around the corner. When tomorrow rolled around, his thoughts would be left alone until they had practiced sufficiently. That came when the tournament did.

He sighed. At least she'll be coming to school with us. Or will she?

"Guys?" Elisabeth started. She had something to ask. "What would you say about my cousin staying with us here for a while?"

She saw their faces.

"Not that cousin! My real cousin. Remy. Her dad just kicked her out. She called me this morning and I've been trying to tell you all day."

Kai glanced at her. "She'd earn her keep, just like I do! I swear, you'll hardly notice her if you don't want to! She's quiet as a mouse. She has nowhere to go." She pleaded.

Kai considered it. He actually considered it.

=she looks so desperate. Her cousin must mean a lot to her. I wonder if she'd do the same for me? What'll she do if I refuse? She can't hate me. I don't know if there's room though... =

"Never mind. I was stupid. What am I thinking? Geez I'm selfish sometimes."

"No," Kai said, "you aren't being selfish."

She looked at him. She was curious.

"She has nowhere to go and you're trying to help her. Its Okay with me if it's okay with Tyson's Grandfather."

"Of course I'm down, yo! And call me grandpa, dude." Grandpa winked.

Kai almost visibly shuddered. Almost. He was used to this, remember?

Elisabeth stifled a giggle and thanked them a lot.

"So when's she gettin' here, dudette?"

Elisabeth fumbled. "To-tomorrow?"

Grandpa smiled. "Okay! We'd better get another sleeping bag ready then! Don't wanna be stumblin' when she gets here, ya dig?"

Elisabeth could stifle no more. She giggled and agreed. Grandpa took no offence, but laughed with her. Together, they went off in search of a sleeping bag.

Tyson looked at Kai. "Wow!" He stretched the word. "You must really like her cousin!"

Everyone in the room sweatdropped, excluding Tyson of course.

Kai got up and left the room. Tyson popped his head out the door after him. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"Walk," Kai responded coldly.

Tyson went back inside and sought out snacks.

Elisabeth had surprisingly slept nightmare free, despite years of intense nightmares about her father's death.

She actually woke and smiled. She looked at her watch.

=Oh no!= She thought, =I need to shower before practice! I have five minutes!!!=

She got up, brought clothes and ran to the washroom. She hopped into the shower before anyone could say anything about the oversized tee shirt she wore to sleep in. However, living with so many boys, she had started wearing shorts as well.

She finished in three minutes, leaving herself time to dry, get dressed and pick up something to eat.

She knew as soon as she got out of the shower that her hair wouldn't be co-operating with her this morning. She brushed it back into a wet ponytail and even though it was soaked, it was wavy.

She put on her cargos, long sleeve shirt and her tee shirt. She got her Adidas and grabbed and apple for breakfast. Drydzia was in her pocket and she was ready.

She went out to find Kai and Rei, patiently waiting for everyone. Kenny and Hilary had yet to arrive, Max had stayed the night and was now dousing Tyson with a bucket of half-ice, half-water. ("Hey! Whaddya do that for?") They certainly weren't punctual.

Rei smiled as Elisabeth walked out.

"Have a nice sleep?"

"Actually, yes!" She said pleasantly, "But I do believe you were just waking up when I was correct?"

He nodded.

"And if so, shouldn't extra point be awarded to the one who showered, dressed and ate on time?"

He blushed. She smiled. Kai smirked. Simple as that.

"Kenny! I can't believe we're so incredibly late!" Hilary was definitely upset.

"So we're five second late! Its not like they started without us!"

"Well what if they had, hmm? They don't have your laptop to analyze their Bit-Thingys! What would you have don't then, hmm?"

Max walked out of the dojo, apparently hearing all the commotion and figuring they were almost ready to start.

"Hilary, I don't think its that important that I be here five minutes early, like you suggested because really, Tyson's going to delay us for fifteen minutes anyway! I have plenty of time to set up!"

"Well fine!" there were tears close to Hilary's eyes already. "Maybe you don't need me after all! You guys are so demanding anyway! I don't know why I bother!"

"Please Hilary!" Kenny begged. "I'm sorry I said that! I just think you might have been over-reacting! ...We'll show up five minutes early tomorrow, okay?"

She sniffed and put on a grin. She was quite happy to have it her way, since it was obviously the best. ( Yeah, right. Sigh. Women can be so cruel, can we not?)

"Okay chief, have it your way. We'll show up five minutes early tomorrow."

She played it as if it had been he whom has suggested it in the first place. He was content enough.

Elisabeth smiled. A real smile. These guys were so on tune with each other, even though they fought with each other so much. They were like a clock that sometimes missed seconds.

Max had been dumbfounded as soon as we walked out, having practically bumped right into Hilary.

"So Tyson is almost ready. He was dreaming about food again. He's just getting dressed. He's soaked to the bone!" He laughed.

Elisabeth loved Max's laugh for one reason or another. It was so neat. So happy. Every Bladebreaker had something she loved about them though. It was Max's laugh, Rei's neko-jin teeth, Kenny's adaptability, Hilary's ... personality, Tyson's stupidity was sometimes almost cute, and Kai's .. Everything about Kai. She couldn't explain. But she wouldn't admit it to anyone. Except maybe Remy.

Remy! She was getting here today. What was Elisabeth going to do? Hi Rembrandt! This is my team! Go amuse yourself!

...Suddenly it dawned on her! Remy had a beyblade. They only had 5 bladers. She could be a component! It was perfect! She couldn't wait to see her.

Tyson stumbled out the door, closing it behind him.

"Mommy, is it eggs yet?"

Everyone burst out laughing. Even Kai. It was basically hilarious.

"Whats so funny?"

A girl came out of the shadows.

"Remy!" Elisabeth ran to her.

She had black hair, streaked pink. She was dressed in head-to-toe black.

R&R!