The twins do a little soul searching... :)

Chapter Nine: Just the Two of Us

Liz jogged up the last few feet of the trail until she came to the old pavilion, where Charlie stood, waiting. When she slowed to catch her breath, he grinned and said, "Took you long enough, Lizzie."

"Hey," she replied defensively, "I'm not in the greatest shape right now, thanks to all the hours I have to spend in front of the computer at school."

Charlie shrugged carelessly and tsked lightly. "Should've stayed home and gotten a job with me at the garage."

Liz slugged him as she climbed into the pavilion and settled down on the floor, leaning back against the railing. "Not on your life, bro, I wouldn't know what I was doing. At least at Harvard I can prove that I know something about pharmaceutical chemistry."

Charlie sat down beside her and sighed as he leaned back. "It's nice to be away from Dad and his 'training camp', isn't it?"

"Mmm," Liz mumbled. She closed her eyes and rested her head on Charlie's shoulder, feeling more relaxed than she had all week. "I really don't want to compete in this Labor Day Cup thing again," she murmured as Charlie leaned his head against hers. "Why can't Dad see that we don't want to compete against the Murtaughs? We all get along so well, except for Jimmy and Dad, and they're both making us all suffer for it." She paused for a moment and opened her eyes to take in the beauty of their surroundings. "I love this place, but I wish we could enjoy it for what it is instead of getting caught up in the constant Jimmy vs. Dad war."

She could feel Charlie nod in agreement. "Liz?"

"Yeah?"

"What if I told you that I want to move up here and open up a garage?"

She lifted her head to meet her brother's eyes. "When did you decide this?"

"About a week ago, I was up here with Anne and we sat and talked for a long time. Turns out she's totally not into the whole plan her dad has worked out for her. She wants to be an artist. And, while we talked, I realized how much I really wanted to move up here and open my own garage. I'd forgotten how much I wanted to, until we came back." He stopped. "So? Do you think Dad'll flip? I know it would be farther for you to come if you wanted to visit, but I could always go down to Chicago while you're there."

"No," Liz said, shaking her head, "I'd much rather come here on my breaks than spend it in crowded, polluted Chicago. This place is actually a lot like the Harvard Campus – rustic and beautiful. And Dad won't flip if you tell him at the right time. Besides, it's not like he can do a whole lot about it. You're twenty now, and old enough to make your own choices."

"So are you, sis," Charlie reminded her, "What are your plans for your future?" When she gave him a confused look, he continued, "Come on, I know you're getting your degree in pharmacy or whatever, but what about after that? Are you going to be some career woman, or marry some handsome guy and settle down to raise a family like Mom did?"

Liz dropped her eyes. "You know what? I don't really know. I haven't thought a lot about life after college. I spent all my energy just trying to get there and now to get through it." She laughed wryly. "I haven't even seriously dated a guy at all. Boys just aren't a priority when I'm at school."

Staring pointedly at her, Charlie asked, "What about when you're here? Calvin still seems to catch your eye often enough."

Unwillingly, Liz felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She nudged against her twin. "Yeah, we've hung out a few times, but there's not really anything else to the relationship. We're just friends now."

"Even after that kiss last time we were here?" The only person Liz had ever told about her first kiss with Calvin was Charlie, and he'd never mentioned it before now.

Liz sighed. "Charlie, that's the past. This is now. You and Anne have a good thing going on, but it can't be all perfect for everybody, you know. Calvin has other things to worry about, and I'm sure that, as good-looking as he is, he's probably got a girlfriend waiting for him back at Yale. The only interaction we've had has been as friends."

Charlie scoffed and shifted until he was sitting facing Liz. "No, Liz, there's been a lot more to it than that. You're just so afraid that he'll reject you that you won't give him a chance. I think he's interested in more than friendship, Liz. And you can't fool me, there's no way that you've gotten over him. Not even close."

Liz stared at him for a moment before allowing a smile to cross her face, then a small laugh escaped her mouth. Shaking her head in resignation, she said, "You know me too well."

Charlie was about to respond when a rustle of leaves and branches caught their attention. Through the foliage, a jogging figure could be spotted, drawing closer.

Dun dun dun... who could it be? >:) Well, you won't have long to wait, because my internet's been down and I wrote like, four chapters during that time, so they're all going up in the next few minutes. Don't forget to review!