Tristan's POV

I had made it to New York in record time, but that was not enough. It wouldn't be enough till I saw that Summer was safe. I headed straight to the Art Gallery that she and Maddie had showed us just a few days ago. Parking the car hastily I ran up the stairs and inside.

"Summer!" I called, seeing her. She was standing by the door welcoming each patron.

"Hi," She grinned grimly, coming over. Not sure what to do she looked at me awkwardly. Before she could object I had enwrapped her in a hug. "How are you?" I asked as she stepped back.

"Okay, considering," She laughed trying to make light of the situation.

"How's the show?" I questioned, looking around curiously. When we were together Summer loved to paint landscapes and nature. It was simply her passion. She didn't mind doing portraits, but she was never fond of abstract. She just never understood how people could grade one abstract higher than the other. How do you judge something like that? It's too personal an opinion; you can never tell whether more people will like one painting over another. With landscape and portraits there was is expectations that are more easily known.

"Good," She grinned looking around at the vast amount of people gathered in the small place. Looking at a few of her paintings I was surprised as how realistic they were. Summer seemed to be born gifted.

"Summer," A voice came over the crowd of people. Looking I saw a tall brown haired man, making his way through the people. "Wonderful crowd," He grinned at Summer. Not noticing me right away. "Hi, you're Maddie's Dad right?" He asked me, putting out his hand. Who is this guy? I wondered.

Shaking his hand I nodded, "Tristan DuGrey," Quirking an eyebrow as if to ask and you.

"Mark Davis," He replied smiling widely.

"Mark is my agent, so to speak," Summer told me.

"Maddie mentioned him when I was here," I replied, remembering now the discussion. Then I had expected him to be an old man, never did I think he'd be an attractive man our age.

"How is she doing?" He questioned me politely. The inquiry made me wonder if he had been more than just Summer's agent.

"Good, adjusting well," I responded with ease. Not sure whether Summer had mentioned to him her near rape experience. Wondering whether he was the kind of man she would tell things like that to.

"We sure miss her around here," The man added, making me despise him more. Instead of saying anything like I wanted to, I just looked at him questioning. "Well, she was always around the Gallery in the summer and she still came after school started it's strange without her."

"I see," I replied, trying to keep my voice above an icy tone.

"Anyway, Mark is it alright if I leave here for a bit, I'd like to show Tristan the house?" She asked, was she asking him because he was her boss? Or because...

"I understand," Looking to me, he went on, "You think you're living in a safe place until something likes this happens," Shrugging as if he was in pain, he turned his attention back to Summer. "Okay, don't worry I'll take over here. There's only about an hour left," The next move he made shocked me. He hugged her. And, she didn't seem to refusing it either.

"Alright, thanks so much," She grinned at him.

"Nice to meet you Tristan," He nodded to me.

Out of a sense of duty, I replied, "You too," Then taking hold of Summer's forearm I propelled her out of there. "My cars over here, we can come back for yours," I told her heading to mine.

"No need, I bused it here," She replied. Taking her arm out of my grip and walking off to her side of the car.

"Is that safe?" I asked her, concerned again.

"Of course, just because one of Maddie ex-boyfriend went crazy doesn't mean I can't take the bus," She muttered. Then turning to me she looked angry, "Why were you so rude to Mark?"

"Rude, I wasn't rude!" I exclaimed, I wanted to be, but I hadn't been.

"You kept glaring at him!" She shouted obviously unhappy.

"Well, it's not my fault he's such an ass!" I shouted back, defending myself.

"An ass?" She questioned. "What did he ever do that was assy?"

"That bit, when he acted like he knew Maddie so well," That wasn't what had initially upset me, but I wasn't going to mention seeing Summer with another man wasn't pleasant.

"He does know her well! She has been around him for a good ten years!" She exclaimed. Ten years? When did this guy come into their lives? "He's been like a father," The minute she said that I could see she wanted to take it back.

"A father? What? Why in the hell would you say that, when he's not her father?"

"Well, wasn't your wife like a mother to Andy?" She questioned me.

"Perhaps, but that's... that's different!" I muttered. It was. "Rory and I are married, she's not some random..."

"Whereas Mark is?"

"Yes, yes he is!"

"Maddie has known him since she was six!" That thought made me sick. Some guy had known my daughter when I hadn't. Some other guy had been there instead.

"That doesn't make him any more her father!"

"But, if I married him it would?" She questioned me.

"Married him?" I repeated shocked. Where did this come from?

"Mark has been nothing but there for Maddie and I ever since you left."

"That's no reason to marry the guy,"

"You got married about one year after we spilt, it's been another fifteen. Now, aren't I entitled to?" She asked. I could here a little sadness in her tone.

"I-" I began to speak not knowing what to say.

"Yes, you were able to leave your newborn daughter and whatever you considered me then and just leave. And, then just a year later you're married again and had another daughter! How do you think I felt?"

"But, we both had said it wasn't working out..." I mumbled bewildered.

"That didn't mean I expected you to skip off and get married! I thought it was just a separation period!" She exclaimed. I sat there shocked not sure what to say. Realizing I wasn't concentrating on driving I pulled over to the side of the road. Turning towards Summer I looked at her carefully.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I finally asked.

"Well, I figured you felt the same way. I mean we had two kids together. I didn't think we'd separate them forever, I thought it was just going to be a little time apart..."

"It's been fifteen years," I whispered. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"By the time I found out you were married, you had already had your daughter. Then I realized what a fool I'd been thinking you'd come home."

"Summer-"

"No, don't say it, don't say anything. Just please take me home,"

"I-"

"Tristan," She frowned. Knowing I should argue with her, I just pulled back on the road and headed straight to her house.

Maddie's POV

I was sitting in my room, trying to not cry to hard. I never wanted to cry over a boy. I used to tell myself I never would, but now I had cried over both Charlie and Danny in one week. Sighing I got up headed for the bathroom, to try and repair the damage. I had told Danny I loved him! For what good, so he could go make dates with another girl.

"Maddie?" I heard Andy call through my closed door. I had held my crying all the way home; I didn't want to let on to either Andy or Julie that I was upset.

"Come in," I called back, quickly splashing water on my face.

"So, both Rory and Dad are gone. Knowing both of them I don't think they're just out doing errands, so... this means we can go out, because dear old dad is not here to talk with us about our so called punishment."

"Oh, I gotcha," I grinned, trying to seem happy, sitting down on the edge of my bed.

"Are you alright?" He asked me, looking at me carefully.

"Of course," I replied, nodding repeatedly.

"Then you going to come to Geller's party?" He questioned me.

"Actually, I don't really feel-"

"C'mon!" He interrupted. "You can come home anytime you want!"

"I don't know,"

"It's your first Hartford party c'mon!" He grinned at me. "And, there must be a boy your interested in, not that I really should condone that..."

"I guess I'll come," I told him, hoping he would just leave. That last sentence had really gotten to me and if I wasn't careful I'd burst.

"Alright, we'll leave around seven," He said, I nodded. Smiling at my agreement he finally left. Throwing my head into a pillow, I bit back a sob. Why? I wish I was a less emotion person. Why do I get so stupidly attached? Grabbing the phone I dialed my old number. After several rings I got the message machine, where was Mom? Not wanting to leave a message I hung up. As much as I wanted to call Holly I was afraid Danny might answer and than what would I do.

Messenger! Running over to my computer I quickly signed on, moments later signing off dejectedly when Holly wasn't on. I wanted to scream in frustration. There was no one to talk to!

Grabbing my jacket and wallet, I left my room. It was four I still had a few hours till we were leaving.

"Hey Andy," I called down the hall.

"Yeah?" He shouted back, sticking his head out of his room, with the phone next to his ear.

"I'm heading out, I'll be back before seven," I told him, he nodded, looking at me concerned.

"By yourself?" He asked. He then laughed and said into the phone, "I'm not talking to you!" Then looking back to me he added, "Be careful! Oh, I forgot to tell you Holly and Danny both called you when I was on the phone. You're lucky I take get call waiting," Then he was gone into his room.

Holly called, Danny called... They probably just got home. It takes them like a half hour. Well, I can't exactly call her, because knowing him he'll answer. Shrugging off his call more than hers I kept walking.

Allie's POV

Cheers! I smiled drinking my coffee, at the outdoor cafe. It was now four o'clock. I had managed to leave the whole school day without anyone finding me. Not that they would. Conner and Matt probably figured I went home. But, still it has been a whole day. Although, it wasn't that hard since we had arrived late so we had to go sign in at the office, from there we all spilt up to get to our various classes. I had simply just headed down the hall and out the front doors.

I had planned not to go to school, and just because Conner, the ass, made be get my uniform on and get in the car it doesn't mean I had to stay at school. He can't tell me what to do. Enjoying my defiance I took a long sip from my cup.

"Allie?" Shit, I first thought looking up, sighing with relief when it was just Maddie.

"Hey," I grinned, nodding her towards the seat across from me. We sat there in comfortable silence for awhile.

Pulling out a pack of cigarettes she looked at me, "You don't mind?"

"Nope, although I didn't pin you as a smoker," I admitted. Lighting her cigarette, she looked at me amused.

"What was I the good girl?" She asked. I laughed, that was my first image of her.

"Yes, top of your class, parents love you, perfect," I said them all, while Maddie tried to hold back a laugh.

"Top of my class, well considering my old school was full of shit heads and druggies I probably was. Up to now I hadn't seen my Father in sixteen years. And, I'm far from perfect," She answered, laughing. Although, this time I noticed it was far from happy, leaning more towards bitter.

"My first impressions are always off," I grinned. We were silence for a minute, before I asked, "Do you miss New York?"

"Yes and no. I desperately miss my Mom. It was just her and I when I grew up so it's weird without her. I miss my job, even if I always thought it sucked. I miss my friends. Although, Holly is here-"

"And, Danny," I added interrupting. Her face seemed to tense when I said his name.

Shrugging it off she continued, "But, I don't miss the fighting. Here it's like a safety blanket,"

"What happened Maddie?" I asked, hoping I wasn't going to upset her.

"I had a bad experience, after Holly moved..." She gulped, taking in the fresh air. "Damn, why am I smoking this crap," Stubbing out her cigarette she looked at me shamefully. "I usually don't smoke, only when I'm really upset. Although, recently I wanted to quit completely,"

"I see," I nodded; knowing out past conversation was over. "I did smoke for a bit, but instead now when I'm really upset I just drink,"

"Does that work as well?" She questioned me.

"Better, it seems at times. Just get completely plastered, next day you don't remember anything. Given, then you have a hang over and feel worse, but hey it works for the moment,"

"I need a new bad habit, perhaps I'll take it up" She grinned across from me.

"Well, there this party supposedly happening at my house, perfect opportunity," Although I wasn't planning on going perhaps now I would.

"Andy, already persuaded me to go, but now I actually want to," She smiled widely.

"I'm kind of forced into going, but now," I shrugged, now I was excited. "I say we girls drink first and arrive late. Only cause Conner is probably pissed at me, because I skipped out on school today,"

"I wondered if you'd bring that up," She laughed. "Alright, but let me call Andy, cause he wanted to go together."

"Okay, here use my cell phone. Oooh, and lets call Kristina and Holly too! Make it a real girls party," I handed her my cell phone. Sipping my coffee as she called, I listened to her side of the conversation.

"Hey Andy... There're not there yet?... Worried, no I'm not... About the party, I bumped into Allie and she I, Holly, and Kristina are going to drive together... mind your own business... I'm not telling you... okay... yes...yes...alright, I'll see you there... yeah, bye."

"He doesn't mind does he?" I asked, wondering what the conversation had been about.

"Nope, he's actually going to go ahead. But, he just wanted to know where you had been all day. It turns out Mr. Sampson had asked both Conner and Matt about it," Oh, shit they are going to be pissed.

"Ha, they're probably boiling over," I laughed. "No worries, pissing them off it just an added plus!"

"Aren't you a bit scared?" She asked me. "I mean when Holly ever pissed off Nick, he always ends up lecturing us." I shrugged. I wasn't scared was I? Conner wasn't that bad.

"Speaking of Holly we should call her and Kris," Maddie immediately handed me my cell phone.

"Don't you want to call Holly?" I asked her confused.

"I want to talk to her, but you better call..." She answered. I gave her a strange look, still not understanding, but nonetheless I punched in the number Maddie told me. Anxiously she was playing with her hands. "It's ringing," I told her.

Finally hearing a male voice answer, "Hi, is Holly there please?" I asked politely.

"One sec," I heard him shouting in the background for Holly. "Who is this?" He asked a second later.

"Allie and Maddie," I added. Confused when Maddie seemed to shake her head as if saying I'm not here.

"Oh, can I talk to Maddie for a second?" He questioned.

"Well, who is this?" I countered. I heard Holly in the background, obvious beside him now, asking for the phone.

"Danny," He replied, shushing Holly a second later, telling her to hold her horses,

"One second," Holding my hand over the phone, I looked to Maddie, "Hey Maddie, Danny wants to talk to you," I said, handing over the phone.

"No!" She said firmly, leaning away from the table as if the phone had the plague.

"Why not?" I asked now even more curious. She didn't reply, just sent me a glare that meant no. Putting the phone back to my ear, I gave her a quizzical look, "Danny, she just headed to the bathroom," I lied.

"Oh," He mumbled, "Well, here's Holly," Sounding flustered he handed the phone over to his sister.

Another ten minutes later and we had plans to meet both Kristina and Holly at the DuGrey's. But first we had to make a pit stop.

Holly's POV

Hanging up with Allie, I looked at Danny sympathetically. "Well, you tried. She can just be really stubborn sometimes,"

"Ugh!" Hitting his head on the table, he snapped in frustration. I just sat there quietly, until he said, "I love her, Holl. I honest to God love her," He looked over at me with sad eyes.

"She'll come around," I told him gently.

"I can only hope..." He sighed. "Why did we even have to lie about our relationship to begin with?"

"If you hadn't something else would of come up, this is just one of those lover's quarrels," I said, hoping to reassure him. "It will blow over in due time. And here's a positive side to come from, at least Maddie got upset. That must mean she feels something,"

Danny grinned at me, "Of course, she loves me," He joked trying to sound arrogantly.

I laughed, "She does though," He sat there contemplating that for a minute, "You think you'd be okay?" I asked him.

"Yeah," He replied, nodding.

"Good, cause I'm off!" I exclaimed, walking away.

"Wait!" Danny called, running after me. "Where are you going?"

"Yeah, where are you going?" Nick asked me coming out of the kitchen.

"Can you boys be anymore annoying?" I questioned mainly myself, than either of them. "I'm going to the DuGrey's and then we're going to head over later to the Geller's,"

"The DuGrey's?" Danny repeated, with a hopeful glint in his eye.

"No you cannot come," I laughed, "This is strictly a girls only pre-party. We plan to drink away the bad, before we go over to Allie's,"

"Is that such a good idea?" Nick questioned in his usual big brotherness.

"Yes, that way we can all be relaxed by the time we good,"

"Relaxed as in plastered," Danny put in.

"The last time you guys drank Maddie ended up stripping and you ended up miserable are you sure this is such a good idea?" Nick asked. He had failed to mention my near harassment moment on the back porch, but then nobody knew about that.

"That makes it even better idea; we all need a good time!" I laughed. I sure did, I been so absorbed in work and family since I came to Hartford, I just need a night of fun.

"Would Dad approve?" Nick countered, looking at me square on.

"Where is Dad?" I said, looking around. Again Dad had failed to come home at his usual time. And, even forgot a note. If we were in New York I'd be worried, here he must of just gotten caught up in something. "And, anyway Dad knows I drink,"

"Does he know you drink to get plastered?" Danny asked.

"Who cares?" I shrugged as I ran upstairs to get changed, careful to add a big sweater until I left the house. Guys liked girls in tight fitting, low cut, belly showing clothes, but they didn't like seeing their sisters in it.

When I got downstairs I learned our conversation wasn't finished, Nick had begun talking about not taking drinks from strangers, "Nick you used to be so cool," I told him.

For a spare second I saw hurt in his eyes and almost regretted saying it, but then Nick said, "In New York, the guys my age knew you were off limits, here it seems as if it's a game, the younger they can get."

"Well, why would they want me, when there are still babies out there?" I joked.

"Holly, just remember that. They not exactly nice guys, they're spoiled little rich kids..." Nick warned.

"I hear you," I told him. "Now I hate to do this, but can I have a drive?" Nick laughed.

"Alright," He grinned, grabbing the keys and leading me out. Thank goodness Danny had left the room, otherwise he'd have a crazy idea to come and try and make up with Maddie.

Conner's POV

I had been so relieved when Andy called and said that Maddie had bumped into Allie and she was alright. But now my relief is going back to angry. Why the hell would she just skip all day? For what reason? Was she alone? Or, worse was there some guy she was sneaking off with? My mind had been racing early with all sort of worried explanations of where she was. Although, underneath that I knew she was just looking to piss me off. And, it worked, because look at me now. I was downright pissed.

"Angry?" Andy said, as he walked into the house carrying a box of beer.

"How could you tell?" I questioned him as I open the fridge for the box.

"You practically have steam coming out of your ears," He laughed, setting the box down. "She's safe and that all that matters,"

"What would you do if it was Maddie?" I asked him, curious for his input. He looked taken back for a second.

"You mean if Maddie skipped out all day without even a word of where she was going?" I nodded in response.

"If there was a possibly she was out seeing a guy..." I added.

"You think Allie was out with a guy?" He questioned me.

"Well, lets say she was and it was Maddie, how would you- what would you do?" I asked him curiously.

"What kind of guy- Are you trying to tell me something?" He looked at me quizzically.

Getting frustrated I replied, "I'm just really pissed, and she knows that this pisses me off, but is it supposed to piss me off? Am I overreacting?"

"I got'cha, you want to know whether I'd react the same way. I definitely would. Especially since I've missed like all those times when I was supposed to be there for her. All those jerks have gotten to her without a big brother in her way. So, yeah, I'd be pissed too," He answered finally.

"Hey, we're here!" Scott called walking into the house, with Parker not far behind him. Both boys had bottles of alcohol in their arms.

"The cavalry has arrived," Parker grinned.

"What's up?" Scott asked, looking at both Andy and my serious faces.

"Just talking, Allie turned up," Andy replied for me.

"Where had she been?" Parker asked, sounding genuinely concerned. "Shit, does she know Mr. Sampson was freaking?"

"Maddie bumped into her and Andy talked to Maddie. Although, Maddie wouldn't tell him where she was," I answered.

"Oh, Andy Maddie's coming?" Parker questioned.

"Yeah, and hands off, she's sixteen." He stated. Making me laugh, because Andy was the guy that all big brothers hated, he was smooth with the ladies and moved fast never lasting with one for too long. Now he played the role of big brother, what a turn around.

"Why didn't you ever try her on her cell phone?" Scott asked me.

"I didn't know she had skipped until after school, when Mr. Sampson came. Her phone would have been off too, she only puts it on when she makes a call," I explained.

"Let's mellow you down before she comes back," Parker decided. "There's more stuff in the car I'll be back," Heading out of the room, he turned around at the front door, "Help, would be nice!" He shouted back sarcastically. Instantly Andy, Scott and I all ran out.