(A/N) Well here's the next chappy. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. If you are waiting for me to update I suggest you read either my other story Magia Grande or one of the stories on my favourites list, I think they are good, they aren't there for nothing… Um as usual please R&R and enjoy.

When I woke up the next morning I found myself on the daybed with a blanket from my bed draped around me.

Jesse was gone.

Well I guess that was no surprise really, he's alive now and my mum might just notice if he had stayed the night.

I had managed to stay awake for the whole movie though. Yay for me but after a few moments of sitting there in Jesse's warm embrace I fell fast asleep.

My sleep was by no means pleasant though.

My dreams were haunted by Paul Slater once again; but not the cold, dark, evil, ruthless Paul that they had been before no. This time they were haunted with dreams of a kind, warm, light, gentle Paul that in my dreams I liked; more than liked even, loved.

Scary I know. How could I ever possibly love Paul? I love Jesse. I love Hector de Silva; my one true love.

Or did I?

Before I could actually delve into that stream of thought more my mother called that breakfast was ready.

I flattened my hair slightly and headed down to the kitchen but before I could even see what was for breakfast I could smell its rich aroma.

Andy had made berry pancakes from scratch. Yummmmm.

How could I know that they were from scratch you may ask? Well Andy very rarely if ever makes anything from packets or mixes; he shudders at the thought. Personally after having eaten nothing but take away and pre-prepared food after my dad died freshly made food tastes so much better.

I walked into the kitchen to find Doc and Sleepy already stuffing down pancakes. My mother was sitting at the table with a stack of them on her plate but not eating them. She was staring out the glass doors that led onto the deck, looking very concerned.

I followed her gaze onto the deck and wasn't surprised with what I saw. Andy was talking very sternly to Dopey and Dopey looked well…Dopey really; the look on his face was dumbfounded. I automatically assumed he had been found out about something.

My mum sighed, "When will Brad learn?"

"What has Dop- I mean Brad done now mum?"

"Another drink driving offence as well as disorderly conduct," she sighed again shaking her head, "What are we going to do with him? At this rate he will never make it into a decent college or university,"

"He wouldn't have been out with a guy named Tim by any chance last night would he mum?"

"How do you know that Suzie? That's the other boy he was arrested with,"

"Just a hunch. Tim was around here last night fighting with Brad in front of David after I got home, he came in quietly but then I heard the shouting so I came down and sent him packing," is what I managed to say through mouthfuls of pancakes.

"Well…um…thank you for that honey. David are you alright they didn't hurt you did they?"

David looked up from his plate and swallowed. "Nup just shocked me really. After Suze went to bed Brad snuck out again he bribed me into not telling you by letting me watch,"

Just then Andy and Brad cut off Doc as they re-entering the room, speaking in raised voices.

"Let you watch what hon?" my mother asked clearly distressed by this whole situation.

"He let me watch," at this point Sleepy had noticed what was going on and was looking at David with interest. David looked over to me I nodded my head slightly telling him to go on.

"Saved," He finished. Now I'm sure you're thinking that isn't such a bad movie, sure it has a few um …interesting bits in it but overall not as bad as say SAW? Yeah well my mum and Andy are really protective of Doc and wont let him watch anything like that without one of them being there. So you can only imagine the look on their faces when he said it. Andy looked like he was about to burst, and because he hadn't been there to actually hear who let him watch it he asked.

"Who let you watch it David?" inquired Andy through gritted teeth. Doc winced at his father's expression.

Unable to look Andy in the eye Doc stared into his plate and murmured, "Brad"

"Pardon David?"

"Brad, Brad is the one who let me watch it,"

Now Andy is usually a very calm and collected person but due to all the stress of Brad's little misdemeanours and his job offer Andy's nerves have been slowly fraying over the summer. So consequently he lost it, this was very rare for him and rather scary for me who had only seen it once before and managed to sneak out of the room. But unfortunately this time escape seemed impossible, so I sat there in my chair wincing at Andy's remarks to a now very worked up Brad who was putting up a very valiant front. But poor Brad was no match for Andy like this; he did not stand a chance.

"This is the last straw Brad, the very last straw. Do you know what you've put me, and the rest of this family through? Hell that's what. There will be no car, no going out, no computer, no TV, no phone, no friends over, no sport, no nothing. And this isn't just for a month Brad this is for the very least until you graduate; that is if you do graduate because I am seriously doubting your ability to even apply yourself to that task. Now go to your room before I really get angry!" Andy glared at Brad as he sauntered out of the kitchen and headed towards his room.

When he left the field of Andy's vision Andy crashed into his chair at the small kitchen table and put his head in his hands.

"How did it come to this?"

We all just stared at him not knowing what to say. I felt truly rotten but most of it was Brad's fault.

I always knew he was a jerk but I honestly admit I never thought that even he would stoop this low. I felt for Andy, this must have been what my mum felt like when we were still living in New York and I was constantly getting brought home by the men in blue.

But unlike Brad I had a totally viable reason for my behaviour, I was Mediating, not that my mum would ever find out that reason, nor would she understand it, but I could explain my own actions. But I could not explain Brad's. And I intended to explain his behaviour.

I stood up behind my chair and looked at mum.

"I should be getting ready for work now mum. I'll leave you and Andy to um sort this out. Jake could you give me a lift to work?"

"Um ahh…"

"Great thanks,"

And with that I raced out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into my bedroom to get ready for work.

Not that I particularly wanted to go; not after what had happened yesterday with Paul, but I still had to go because

The house rules indicate that I have to have a job and mediating obviously doesn't count.

It gives me a reason to not hang around with Andy and Mum talking through Brad's issues and

Because I seriously need the money.

So I was going to Pebble Beach Resort today against my better judgement. I couldn't wait. Not.

When I finally raced back downstairs all ready in my hideous uniform, Andy and Mum had moved from the kitchen, David was playing on the Playstation and Jake was leaning up against the door yawning.

"You ready to go yet Suze?"

"Almost, just gotta get some sustenance,"

I darted into the kitchen and grabbed an apple and a banana from the fruit bowl; on my way out of the kitchen I also grabbed about $10 worth of changer from the change bowl for lunch and stuffed that with the fruit into my bag.

"Okay I'm right to go now Jakey,"

"Don't call me that Susie,"

"Ohhhh you're in for it now pizza boy," Jake just rolled his eyes at me and went out to the car. I followed but before I closed the door behind me I yelled out goodbye to anyone who was listening.

"Bye Suze see you tonight,"

"Thanks David. See you," Well at least someone cared.

When I stepped outside Sleepy was already behind the steering wheel looking….well, sleepy. He looked like some kind of zombie. I guess I couldn't blame him, it was summer after all.

It was a very silent drive to Pebble Beach Resort. I guess I wasn't really expecting lively conversation out of Jake, but a few words wouldn't have gone astray. When he pulled up in the parking lot I just froze in my seat, not wanting to get out of the car.

"Come on Suze get out I need to go," I just blinked at him.

"Hello. Earth to Suze; you're going to be late,"

"Oh yeah sorry," I got out of the car slowly not wanting to face the someone who I knew was waiting for me.

"Am I picking you up?"

"Nah I'll get CeeCee or Adam to do it. Thanks Jake,"

As Jake sped off I was battling the fear of going into the Resort.

I really, really didn't want to see Paul again; especially after what happened yesterday on the beach.

But I took a deep breath and continued on into my check-in point where I would get hassled by my new boss Vicky.

"Where have you been Simon?"

"Save it Vick. Family crisis and don't forget I am older and stronger than you,"

"Well um…you're on the Slater kid again today. They asked for you again, don't know why,"

"Righto then see you at home time Vicky,"

"Wait…"

But I was out of there before she could say another word. Not that I particularly wanted to know what she was going to say anyway.

I walked into the main foyer and towards the elevators at the far end.

But before I could actually reach them Vicky grabbed my arm panting.

"Suze…" she inhaled deeply.

"What is it Vick?"

"Paul…" she breathed in again. Obviously she had over exerted herself by running to catch me.

"As in Slater?" if she said yes I could tell it was not going to be good.

"Mmhmm. That's the one,"

"And?" I was not in the mood for her to drag this out.

"Well…you probably don't want to hear this considering how well you aren't too friendly with him and all,"

"Well you've got my attention now so out with it Vick. I am seriously not in the mood for you to drag it out, so Paul what?"

(A/N) Ahhh the suspense. Mwahahahahaha. So I know its taken me awhile to update but please review. I'm going away to Tropical Queensland for two weeks on Friday so even though I will endeavour to write I won't be able to update until I get back. Please as always bare with me and R&R.