Peyton and Haley lazily reclined next to the pool. The sun beat down on their still taunt, lotioned bikini clad bodies as the women read magazines and chit chatted all in the name of relaxing. They watched as Amanda swam lap after lap in the water while Jenny stayed on deck kicking at a soccer ball.

"She's a really good swimmer", Haley observed. "Have you seen how many laps she has done in like the last ten minutes? I'm exhausted just watching her."

Peyton smiled.

"She is pretty good, isn't she? I wish the school had a swim team."

"How is working out? You know, Amanda living here and all."

"It's pretty good", Peyton sighed. "It was a lot smoother of a transition than I thought. But it's been nice. She's really helpful around the house and her and Jenny seem to get along…as much as Jenny can get along with anyone."

"That's good."

"I know Jake was worried about how all of this would play out but so far it's been smooth sailing."

"Did the Department of Children's Services assign a permanent worker to Amanda's case?"

Peyton rolled her eyes.

"Not yet. Dude, it is such a process. I mean, I'm trying to be patient and consider that they have thousands of needy kids all over the state to think about and they're doing the best they can but it's an overall frustrating system. I feel so bad for Amanda. I don't know how she's put up with this all her life."

Haley frowned and shook her head. It was a sad situation.

"Well, thank God for people like you and Jake. At least she has a loving, stable, safe home for a few more weeks. I just hope it all works out."

"Yeah. Me too", Peyton agreed as Teezer toddled his way over to the women.

"And how is this adorable little fellow working out for you?" Haley grinned as she picked up the puppy and petted him.

"Teezer's great. At first I was skeptical because I never had pets growing up but he's pretty cool. And now that Amanda has trained him, the less accidents on my carpet and floors, the better."

"You're a good boy, aren't you, Teezer?" Haley cooed. "Aren't you?"

"Actually he is. Remember that yappy mutt Brooke used to have?"

Haley rolled her eyes.

"The one she dressed up and carried everywhere in a purse?"

"That would be the one. That dog was seriously annoying and it had a mean streak. Teezer is pretty mellow. He hasn't chewed up any of my shoes or anything, thank goodness. But he does have this thing about tennis balls. Jake had an old one that's falling apart at the seams. I don't know what it is but every time Teezer sees it, he goes crazy."

Haley laughed as Peyton fished the ball from underneath the lawn chair and watched as sure enough the puppy began to attack it with his tiny but sharp teeth and claws.

"Wow, he really seems to love it."

"I think Jake taught him how to do this. He's been trying to teach him different commands and stuff. So far, Teezer could give a damn about 'Sit', 'Stay' or 'Roll Over' but whenever he hears 'Eat, Eat', for some reason he is all over this stupid ball."

The women played with the dog as Amanda waded in the pool. She watched them as well as the dog and how obediently Teezer responded to Peyton's commands. Smiling, she went under again, leisurely free styling in the crystal blue water until Haley was immersed in her crossword puzzle and Peyton, earphones on, seemed to be enjoying a quick nap. A few feet away, Jenny played by herself content to kick the soccer ball around. With each kick, the ball moved further and further away from the pool towards the side of the house. When Jenny was just enough out of sight, Amanda climbed out.

"Come here, Teezer", she snapped her fingers. "Here boy."

The playful puppy ran towards her and she scooped him up, kissing his head and scratching him lightly behind the ears,

"Let's see what Jenny is up to", she whispered, grinning as she picked up the old tennis ball, careful not to wake Peyton or disturb Haley.

Putting the dog down just feet before Jenny could see them, Amanda wrapped a towel around her waist and approached the younger girl.

"Hey, Jenny, what are you doing?"

"Just kicking the ball around", she shrugged.

Amanda nodded.

"You're pretty good."

Jenny rolled her eyes.

"I'm just bouncing it around. I doubt that makes me the next Mia Hamm."

"You like soccer?"

"It's okay."

"You like basketball?"

"My dad does."

"Football?"

"I don't know."

Amanda smiled.

"What about tennis? You like tennis, Jenny?"

Amanda tossed the tattered old ball to Jenny who caught it.

"This is gross. What the hell happened to this ball?"

Amanda shrugged.

"It's just a ball. Throw it back."

Jenny did and Amanda caught it.

"I like tennis. It's pretty fun."

"You would", Jenny rolled her eyes. "Pick a real sport."

Amanda looked around to make sure no one was paying attention.

"Hey, Jenny, go long."

"Why?"

"Just do it. I want to see how far I can throw…and if you can catch it."

Jenny ran down the stretch of yard and prepared for the pass, which Amanda readily fired off. She caught it but almost went down in the process. Amanda saw her shot.

"Go, Teezer", she whispered to the dog, pointing. "Eat, Eat!"

The small dog hearing the familiar command and catching sight of his favorite chew toy took off down the yard. All he wanted was his ball. He just wanted to play but Jenny wouldn't see it that way. She looked up, ball in hand and Amanda just smiled. The puppy jumped onto her in a friendly game of "let's grab the ball".

Jenny was in a panic. Tears filled her eyes as her face reddened. She couldn't breathe or even see straight. In front of her wasn't a puppy who wanted to play a mere game of catch and fetch, instead she saw the snarling, menacing Rottweiller.

"Stop it! No! Get away from me!" she yelled. "Amanda, help me!"

Amanda stood not moving a muscle, then finally she inched up to the situation, taking her sweet time until she heard the commotion of Peyton and Haley running towards them. Only when the women were in sight, did Amanda make the full on effort of a sprint to get to Jenny and Teezer.

"What happened?" Peyton panted. "Jenny, are you okay?"

The child was hysterical as Amanda grabbed Teezer.

"Did you hurt her?" Amanda pretended to reprimand him. "Bad doggie."

Jenny, still wailing, scrambled to her feet and ran into the house.

"What on earth happened?" Haley asked.

Amanda shrugged innocently.

"I don't know. We were just playing and everything was fine. I guess Teezer wanted to join in and she freaked. Poor Jenny. Oh, I feel awful. Maybe I should just go after her…"

"It's okay", Peyton said. "I'll go."

"I hope she's okay, Peyton. I am really sorry…"

"It's okay, Amanda. It's not your fault."

Peyton walked into the house calling out her stepdaughter's name. She found Jenny still shivering and sniffling in the laundry room. The washer lid was open and Jenny was stuffing her clothes into it.

"Jenny, sweetie…"

"Leave me alone!" she screamed.

Peyton tried to touch her but Jenny began to swing her arms.

"It's okay, Jen. Just calm down. What happened out there?"

"Leave me the hell alone!"

"Jenny, stop it! I cannot help you unless you tell me what's wrong."

"I hate it!"

"You hate what?"

"All of it! I hate you and I hate Amanda! I hate that stupid dog! I hate my mother! I hate my father!"

Jenny was so out of control that Peyton had to grab her arms and physically restrain her.

"Jenny, calm down. You are safe here. Just calm down and talk to me, please."

After a few minutes of struggling, Jenny went limp in Peyton's arms and she released her. She tried to give her a hug but Jenny fled and ran upstairs. Sighing, Peyton stood.

"What was that all about?" Haley asked again as she and Amanda came inside. "Are you okay?"

Peyton shrugged.

"I have no idea. She just flipped. She was frenzied", Peyton answered as she went to shut the washer cover.

Peering closer inside, she noticed Jenny's clothes. When she pulled out the rumpled shorts, they were soaking wet.

"Oh my God", Haley gasped. "Did she…did Jenny just wet her pants?"

Peyton was bewildered as tears filled Amanda's eyes.

"I hope she's okay", the teen said. "God, she's like…well, Jenny's like a little sister to me."

She broke apart sobbing and Peyton, still flabbergasted and wishing Jake was home more than ever, pulled her close.

"I know how much you care about Jenny. I've seen you with her. You're great with her. This isn't your fault. She just has some problems."

Burying her head in Peyton's shoulder Amanda just nodded, a content smile spread across her beautiful face.