Disclaimer: I don't own 7th Heaven.

Ruined Plans

Walking into the Camden home, Ruthie and Peter heard nothing but Kylie's continuous crying.

"Hi, when did you guys get in?" Ruthie asked brightly, seeing her brothers and sisters in the living room.

"About two minutes ago," Simon answered. "We were going to surprise Mom, for Christmas, but Lucy, being herself, didn't know that Mom was leaving for the holidays until it was too late to reach us." Obviously, Simon had regained his courage, also.

When Lucy stuck her tongue out at Simon, he shouted, "Oh grow up!" causing everyone to stare at him. "What?" he demanded.

"Why are you so grumpy?" Ruthie asked, being the bravest of the Camden clan and coincidentally also being the closest to her blonde older brother.

"I am NOT grumpy," snapped Simon.

Cecilia patted his arm, "Baby, yes you are; go take a nap."

"I'm going to say hi to Dad. Or did he leave, too?" Simon stood up, looking at Lucy.

"No, he's still here," Lucy said, ignoring the sarcasm in Simon's voice.

Simon left the room, Happy at his heels. Everyone else just sat around staring at each other.

"So..." Sarah tried to start a conversation, "Where's Kevin? Wasn't he just here?"

"OK, I'm gonna leave, now," Ruthie dragged Peter into the kitchen.

"Working," Lucy answered Sarah. "He was leaving when you saw him."

"Oh."

In the kitchen, Ruthie and Peter discussed the other Camdens.

"Geez, are they boring! I would've called last week and told them all to stay home if I'd known they'd be like this!" Ruthie complained.

Coming the rest of the way down the stairs, Simon started, "You knew we were coming..."

Ruthie spun around, facing the stairs. She'd been caught.

"And you knew Mom was leaving," Simon continued, "but, you let us come all the way out here anyway! We all have jobs and school and, and lives. We can't waste our time here!"

Ruthie apologized with a puppy dog face. She'd win this battle, no doubt. "I'm so sorry."

Peter glanced at Ruthie, "I think I'll leave, now. Unless you want me to stay."

"I'll call you later," Ruthie never took her eyes off of Simon. The first step in sibling wars was to intimidate your opponent. And Ruthie was great at this. She had Simon right where she wanted him. Now all she had to do was draw him in and what better than with pity. Ruthie started to cry.

"Don't cry," Simon begged.

"I can't help it," Ruthie sobbed, "You're so mean." Now, having known Ruthie for the whole fifteen, almost sixteen, years of her life, Simon should've seen right through this trick. It was so classic. First she'd apologize, to lower his anger. Then, she'd stare at him, as if her eyes could see straight through to the wall behind. Once he was no longer mad, just scared, she'd have to cry or do something similar, to make him feel sorry for her. After that, the battle was a sure win.

Unfortunately for him, living away from Ruthie for the last two and a half years had made Simon careless to details of her little games. He fell for the bait.

"I'm sorry. I'm just really tired. Kylie won't sleep, so me and Cecilia can't sleep. And..." he paused, "It's no excuse; I'm sorry. I'll stay, I promise, and I'm sure everyone else will, too. OK?"

"Thanks," Ruthie went to hug Simon, but pulled away at the last moment. "Psych!" she hollered, running up the stairs, laughing.

Ruthie had won the first battle. Simon had promised to stay. Now, all she had to do was think of some more tricks to pull. Maybe her older siblings' stay wouldn't be so boring, after all. Simon chased Ruthie upstairs, while she closed herself in her room, to think of new ideas.