"So where are you taking me?" Holly asked as I held the door open for her.

"A surprise," I replied laughing. I quickly shut her door and ran around to the driver's side. Getting in I asked her, "Did you tell your brother we were dating?" She nodded in response. "He doesn't mind or anything?" I ask.

"Well, he kind of did, but he's cool now." She told me.

"What changed his mind?" I question, looking at her. Half afraid he'll change his mind again and come running out of the house.

"He felt kind of hypocritical. And, he found out news of how Danny is dating Maddie and I think he got distracted," Holly laughed.

"Danny your brother and Andy's sister?" I question even though I had already found out from Matt. "Does Andy know?"

"Not yet. And, you can't tell him." She told me. I nodded, knowing it would be hard. Andy was my best friend.

"I do want your brother to live, don't worry," I replied.

"Poor thing. He got into the relationship without any older brother and now there is one."

"How is Maddie?" I asked changing the subject. Obviously I didn't change it enough, because Holly's attention was now centered on the car radio.

"Do you get any good stations?" She asked.

"Here," I handed her a CD. "Put that in, you'll like it trust me," She looked warily at the CD in her hand before placing it in. The sound of Nirvana engulfed the car.

"I approve," She nodded. "How'd you know I'd like Nirvana?"

"Well, if I recall correctly the other night before the party when you were at my house you were wearing a t-shirt supporting them," I explained. "Plus, who doesn't like them?"

"Observant. Didn't peg you being so attentive," She replied.

"Insult?" I ask looking her way.

"No, just a comment," She responded.

"Good, I'd hate to be insulted on our first date," I told her. She laughed, which made me grin. This will be alright. "Here we are," I pulled into the parking lot.

"Wow, a diner," She looked out her window.

"Hey, it has great milkshakes," I replied, getting out of the car.

"I bet," She giggled. Together we walked in and waited for a waitress. "Do you dine here often?" She asked me jokingly.

"Of course. Just you wait; soon you will be in love with it."

"This is nice," I commented, looking over at Danny.

"Yeah it is," He responded. "You sure nobody will come home for awhile?" He asked looking down at me.

"Why you scared?" I asked nudging him.

"No, just I value my life," He joked.

"I value it too," I agreed. "No, don't worry. Dad and Rory are at some socialite thingy which will go to the wee hours. And, I highly doubt either of them will come in here. And, Chris went back to his Dads. Andy and Julie are out."

"Well, this is nice," He grinned at me. I looked at him thoughtfully. "What are you thinking?"

"Do you want to spend the night?" I ask softly.

"That sounds kind of risky, but I'm up for it," He replied, kissing me.

I pulled back looking at him, "Did you park on the road?" I asked. He nodded.

"Don't worry. You parents won't know it's my car. They won't suspect anything," He told me.

"I'm just a little bit paranoid,"

"Just a little," He laughed. Then he took a serious face. "I know we got kind of carried away before. I want you to know we're not done talking about it,"

"There's nothing else to say," I protested.

"What are you keeping from me?" He asked me.

"Nothing," I exclaimed, "Just Dan, I don't want to have to tell you detail by detail,"

"I'm not asking for that, I just want to know something," He responded.

"I told you already Charlie hit me nothing more."

"He hit you? That's all?" Danny asked me looking over my face.

"Yes," I nodded.

"That's bullshit Maddie." He proclaimed, standing up. "Do you not trust me?"

"You said you'd wait till I was ready to tell you," I reasoned.

"Yeah, but I didn't expect you'd to lie. Madds, don't you get it? Our relationship can't go any further, because this is always going to be between us. How do I know if I'm pushing you too far?"

"What does this mean?" I question him.

"We can only be friends until I know everything,"

"That's fucked. Danny! That's a load of crap. Why does it matter that much? You were fine with not knowing a week ago. You were fine with not knowing fifteen minutes ago!"

"I was fine with not knowing, but then you lied to me about it!"

"Danny-"

Looking at me he shook his head and continued walking to the door. "We can't have a relationship with secrets,"

"Danny wait!" I called after him. "Don't leave please,"

"Maddie, why should I stay?" He questioned me.

"Because I love you" I exclaimed.

He looked at me torn. "You love me? But, you don't trust me?"

"It's not about trust," I tried to explain.

"Then what is it about?" He asked me, standing with one hand still on the door handle.

"It's embarrassing. The whole thing is just so humiliating. It makes me feel stupid and cheap. And, it not something I want-"

"It's not something you want me to know?" He questioned. Looking at me sadly Danny walked out. Sitting there I questioned myself. What was happening? Making a quick decision I stood up.

"Danny!" I called running into the hall. He was already at the bottom of the stairs near the front door. "Danny wait! You want to know? I'll tell you everything!" I cried after him, heading down the stairs. Danny turned silently and watched me.

Grabbing his hand I looked straight at him, "You want to know everything? How I've taken up the disgusting habit of smoking again. You want to know how I did pot with Charlie before when we were dating. You want to know that Charlie beat me along with a group of his friends? You want to know I'm afraid of him coming after me even now?"

"Madds-" He began softly.

"I'm not done. You know my Dad told me he's, 'not yet, sorry he brought me here'. Not yet? So, eventually I'll disappoint him and be unwanted. You want to know how much I miss my Mom. No more secrets Danny, this is all the truth,"

"Madds," Gathering my body in his arms he hugged me tightly.

"Danny does this- will this affect us?" I asked him quietly.

"What? The fact you've smoked up?" He laughed, knowing that wasn't what I meant. But, I loved him for making light of the situation. "No worries I have too. It's normal,"

"No, not that… Does the other stuff affect us?" I questioned him.

"Of course not, I just needed to know." Looking at me he raised his eyebrows, "Now I can be so much more sympathetic to you!"

"Yeah? Like carrying me upstairs?" I joked. I loved how Danny could take something so serious and make me feel so much better about it.

"Whatever," He laughed, walking past me upstairs.

"Danny!" I scoffed, staring at his retreating figure.

He turned around and looked at me smiling, then he spoke, "Where's your kitchen?"

I looked at him surprised, "Hungry?" I asked.

"Of course, I'm a growing guy," He exclaimed, coming down the stairs putting his arm around me.

"Whatever fat ass," I laughed, walking ahead to the kitchen.

"Madds!" He exclaimed, following me.

Julie and I had taken the bus downtown, but after being significantly bored we had turned back around. Downtown Hartford was definitely not that exciting. There were some record stores Julie wanted to show me, but besides that it was rather dull. We really had just gone there as an excuse to be together.

"Hey, fuck that's my car," I pointed to the jeep parked on the street near the DuGrey's.

"Maybe Holly came to see Maddie," Julie shrugged as we walked up her driveway.

I shook my head, "No, Holly had a date tonight."

"Ooh, would it be one of your brothers? If one of them were with Maddie that be so cute!" Julie gushed.

"Not Nick… shit, holy!" Julie looked at me confusedly raising an eyebrow. "I'll be damned, the fucker finally got with her,"

"The fucker being your brother?" She asked me.

"Fuck," I mumbled still in disbelief. "Yeah, Danny, that bastard! He and Madds used to be best friends. Shit, I thought something was going on!" I smirked. "I was right."

"Is this going to make your ego bigger?" Julie asked me looking exasperated.

"You know you love me," I joked slinging an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go see the love fucking birds," I nodded towards the house.

"Wow, Ricky you're so romantic," She laughed.

"Tell me about it darling," Julie gave me a look as she unlocked the front door. We both entered quietly, planning on sneaking up on the two. Standing in the foyer we heard taking in the kitchen. Walking closer we eavesdropped on their conversation. Julie looked at me objectively, but I sent her a look.

"And then what happened?" We heard Danny ask anxiously.

"I can't believe I'm telling you this. Then we heard sirens. So, they ran. Remember they did have a lot of drugs on them." Maddie told him.

"Yeah, they were always sketchy people,"

"They all did coke off their textbooks outside of class,"

"I remember when the school had drug testing," We heard Danny and Maddie laugh.

"I've never told anyone this, but I gave Charlie my pee for that,"

"You fucking serious?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, I was kind of stupid, but then again it gave me a reason to say no to Charlie. It was like, 'hey buddy I'm supplying you clean piss so don't push your drugs on me.' That was good."

"You okay about everything right?" We heard Danny question.

"Yeah we're good. I just hope Mom's fine in New York. Especially after Charlie broke in."

"Crazy fuck!" Danny swore. "Want to head back upstairs?" Danny asked. Both Julie and I held back laughter at his suggestive tone. Backing away we went back to the foyer and open the door loudly.

"I'm home!" Julie shouted loudly grinning. Both Danny and Maddie came out of the kitchen looking surprised.

"Whoa, Dan I wondered if it was you after seeing the jeep outside," I lied. "What are you doing here?" I asked with pretend curiosity.

"Aren't you supposed to be on a date?" Danny shot back a smirk.

"We still are," I told him, raising my eyebrows challenging him.

"Would Julie's parents like you being here with their daughter alone?" Danny asked me, sizing me up across the room.

"You are here. We're not alone. But you and Maddie were alone. What was that about?" I questioned him.

Maddie interjected this time, "We were about to go have wild animal sex. So, you might want to rethink being here." Maddie sounded so serious that Danny, Julie and I all had our mouths wide open. Danny recovered first and smirked putting his arm around Maddie.

"What was that?" A voice from the doorway called. Julie and I had left the door open, after we had reopened it. We all turned to see a very amused Scott standing in the doorway. "I like you more and more Little DuGrey," He eyed Maddie with laughter.

"What are you doing here?" Julie asked first. "Andy's not around,"

"He's coming. We were going to come hang out here. Luckily he decided to go get some food before heading back. Wouldn't want your older brother to have heard that would you?" He asked.

"Scott, please don't tell him!" Maddie finally begged, stepping forward. "I barely know you, but please don't!"

"Cool it girl," He replied, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Look you and your guy head upstairs, I'll tell Andy you let me in and went back upstairs alone. Okay? I'm a nice guy."

"Thanks," Maddie grinned. "That's really nice.

"And, you littler DuGrey you go hide upstairs too with your boy, unless you want Andy freaking," He told Julie.

Julie looked at Scott, "He won't mind that much. I'd rather stay down here. If Andy was ever to find us in my room alone, then he'd freak big time," She told him.

"You sure you won't tell him?" Maddie asked once more.

"Shit girl, I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a liar. Just remember you owe me," He told Madds winking at her.

"Thanks," She called as Danny took her arm and led her upstairs.

As soon as they left Scott turned to us, "Did you see anything?"

"Gross! No!" Julie responded.

"Shit, she's hot. Lucky guy… if I was feeling more on my game, then, then I'd do something." He told us.

"Good to know," I muttered sardonically. Julie nudged me smiling.

"Imagine DuGrey, he would've blown his top if he had heard what I heard-"

"Heard what?" Andy asked coming in with Parker.

"Oh, just this funny joke Jules was telling me," Scott lied. Shit, he was fucking useless at lying.

"Julie? This is Rick?" Andy asked looking at me, a bit nerve racking.

"Yeah, I'm Ricky Mariano," I told him.

"Cool," He responded. "Okay, well Mom and Dad are gone, because of that party thing so I'm having some friends over." He told Julie.

"Do you want me to leave?" She asked annoyed.

"No, actually I don't. I much rather you be exposed to some of my friends, then be alone with, well with a guy," Andy told her.

"Andy, I really would prefer not to be around your friends,"

"Where's Madds?" He suddenly asked, ignoring Julie.

'Sleeping upstairs," Julie replied easily.

"Sleeping? But, it's so early? Shit, is she okay?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned. "She's been a little iffy lately, I figured it was that time of month or something, but do you thing she's okay?"

"Probably just PMS," Julie replied nodding.

"Maybe I should go check on her," Andy thought aloud.

"No!" Scott and Julie said at once. Andy looked suspiciously at them.

"What's going on?" Andy questioned.

"Yeah, it sounds like something funky is going on," Parker grinned, "Sounds kind of interesting," Julie and Scott sent him silent messages to shut up, but Parker was obviously not that smart.

"I'm heading up," Andy told us. "I'd be a bad brother if I didn't warn her I was having friends over."

"Don't go up!" Scott told him, "I mean she's fine. She's probably just tired. Still getting over a hangover from Geller's party," It was too late Andy had already started up the stairs. We all followed him.

"Well, Andy why are you checking on Maddie? She's fine!" Julie shouted down the hallway, obviously trying to alert Maddie and Danny.

"Yeah, last time I saw her she was okay." I shouted in return.

Scott finally catching on called loudly, "When did you get this hallway painted?"

"It's the same as it has always been," Andy responded giving Scott a peculiar look.

Scott nodded, "Oh yeah!" Andy stopped in front of Maddie's door about to go in.

"Wait!" Julie called, putting her hand on the doorknob. "Shouldn't you knock? Maddie might be changing or something. I don't know, but she deserves her privacy," Julie quickly said, knocking on the door.

"I thought she went to sleep?" Andy replied.

"Yeah, well she was going to sleep, maybe she still had to change into her pajamas," Julie told him.

"What's going on?" Maddie asked coming to the door.

"I thought you were sleeping?" Andy looked at her intensely. Maddie took one look at all of us, before replying.

"Well, I was about to get ready for bed." She told him in ease.

"Oh, well I'm having some friends over. I thought you should know," Andy said.

"Friends? As in a party?" Maddie questioned raising her eyebrows.

"No, just a little get together." He explained. "Rory and Dad they'll be back way late,"

"Oh, well. Go ahead," Maddie told him, shutting her door.

"Wait." Andy put hand on the door. "Could you watch Ricky and Julie? Because they don't want to be around my friends and well I don't want them alone,"

"I was just planning on going to sleep now." Maddie complained.

"Are you okay?" Andy asked, obviously baffled by why she's going to sleep so early.

"I'm fine, but exhausted," Maddie replied, stifling a yawn. I think I was the only one who realized it was fake.

"Fine." Andy looked a bit annoyed. He turned around to leave.

"Andy! You can't be angry, because I want to sleep!" Maddie called after him. Scott, Parker, Julie and I looked at each other awkwardly. This probably was their first argument.

"Well, what am I supposed to do? I can't watch them every second." Andy shot back, clearly aggravated.

"And, I can?" Maddie questioned.

"Sorry, you're right. Get some sleep," Andy quickly told her, giving her a sad smile. He and Parker began to go back downstairs.

"Thanks," Maddie called after him. After he was out of view, she looked at Julie, Scott and I and mouthed Thanks.

"You really owe me," Scott smirked, hitting Maddie's ass before going downstairs. I rolled my eyes and led Julie away.

Looking back to Maddie I grinned, "Say Night to Dan for me," Maddie squatted my arm, before heading back into her room.

Blair grinned as she got off work. She quickly headed into the back and changed out of her waitressing outfit. Picking up the dress she hung it up in her locker heading out.

"Hey Linda," Blair called to her manager. "I'm leaving now,"

"Okay," She nodded, "Oh, hun, wait, I think a friend of yours was just here. You know that hunky one you dated for a long time," Blair tried to hide a grimace when she realized who Linda was talking about.

"Oh, cool," She replied trying to sound nonchalant. Conner? Hmm, going to leave she decided to take one look. Walking through the kitchen, she paused at the doors looking out the window. Scanning the diner, her eyes stopped at Conner.

He was sitting in one of the back booths with Holly. At least he did what I told him to, Blair thought. She couldn't help being jealous though as she watched them together. Whatever, she and Conner were a thing in the past. Taking one last look through the glass, she sighed and shut her eyes. Not seeing Sally coming holding a tray. When she pushed the door open, Blair fell ungraciously to the floor.

"Are you okay?" Sally questioned, holding the door opened.

"I'm fine thanks Sal," Blair muttered, seeing people look at the door, she looked at the other girl, "You can close the door!" Crawling over, she slammed the door shut so that it swung back and forth with extra forth.

"Blair are you okay?" Sally asked her friend again, crouching next to her on the ground. "Didn't your shift just end?"

"Yeah," Blair nodded, eying the ground.

"Okay, well are you going to leave?" Sally asked. Blair nodded again. "I'm off after I deliver the bill to these people; you want to go get ice cream or something?" Sally questioned looking concerned. "Blair?"

"Ok," She nodded repeatedly.

"Everything will be okay," Sally whispered, hugging her friend. Blair wiped away a tear and let out a sob. "Maybe, we'll get some cookie dough as well. Is that good?"

Blair nodded, "And, gummiworms?"

"Whatever makes you happy," Sally replied.

Summer walked around her art exhibit sizing up the men. Who cares? She was single. Mark was away with one of his other clients, so Summer was bored of things. The police had been notified about Charlie and everything had been fine. Nothing else had happened, yet. Thank heavens.

"Are these are your works?" A thick accented voice asked. Summer smirked she liked accents.

"Yes," She drawled turning around slowly. Trying not to seem shocked, she eyed the gorgeous man. He was exactly tall, dark, and handsome. And, since she was trying to forget someone fair, blonde, and handsome, this seemed perfect.

"Wow, they're amazing," He replied.

"Thanks," She smiled.

"Would you like a drink?" He asked her, signaling for one of the waiters.

"Yes please," After getting them drinks. He smirked at Summer.

"What else do you do besides painting?" He questioned her. "I mean any other secret talents?"

"Quite a few other things," Summer replied. Her tone was quite suggestive.

"I bet," The man grinned.

"What about you?" She questioned him.

"I have some talents, here and there," He responded, keeping a straight face. They both stood there smiling at each for a bit, before Summer broke the silence.

"Want to get out of here?"

"Don't you have to stay?" He asked.

"Me? No, I'm already here as an added bonus. My presence is purely an extra," Summer replied.

"Lucky me," The man grinned.

"One question, what's your name?" She asked him.

"Finn," He told her.

"Hmm, let's go Finn," She whispered dragging him off.

"I hate these things," Tristan muttered as another couple he didn't like came towards him. "Hello," He welcomed, his face adorned with a false smile. "You're right; it's been too long,"

Watching the couple leave Rory nudged him, "Come on hubby, let's go get some wine," She nodded, grabbing his arm.

"Alright, I need some more alcohol!" Tristan drawled, getting playfully smacked by Rory.

"It's not that bad. I mean it's nice. We get to dress up. That's fun." Rory responded smiling.

"When I think of fun, I think of undressing," Tristan smirked.

"You are such a bloody playboy." Rory laughed.

"What you say, you and I go home? Grab some champagne," Tristan took Rory's arm and propelled her away from the crowds.

"The children," Rory muttered.

"Fine, we'll go to a hotel." He whispered against her lips.

"Tristan I don't want to injure your male pride or anything, but are you alright? You haven't talked about getting away in awhile."

"Just because I want to be with you doesn't mean something is going on." Tristan said defensively.

"Honey, tell me what's going on. Please, just talk to me," Rory asked him. "I know something is going on. You've been acting strange since you got back. Is Summer alright? What is going on?"

"Summer is fine! Or, at least she says so! I mean she has Mark her bloody boss to make sure she's fine, not to mention fucking Mark will make sure Maddie is fine!" Tristan replied venomously.

"Tristan honey, you aren't making any sense,"

"Mark. Summer's boss has a better relationship with both of them. He knows Maddie so much better than I do."

"Are you jealous of Mark's relationship with Summer?" Rory questioned.

"Yes. No. I don't know. I mean I feel I should know the mother of my children pretty well, but this fucker knows her better. And, the fact the ass thinks Maddie is like his daughter-"

"How do you know that?" Rory asked.

"-And, Summer and I are we really that different. Are Maddie and I that different?" Tristan questioned.

"I don't know. Where is this all coming from?"

"Nevermind, nevermind it all. None of it matters." Tristan muttered. "Let's go dance," Tristan decided leading Rory away.

"But-"

"Let's not ruin tonight." Tristan looked at Rory and waited for her to nod in return.

"Well, that was actually really good!" Holly said, finishing off her milkshake.

"Told you," Conner grinned.

"Thanks," Holly smiled at him. "It's been fun."

"It's not over yet. It's still early. DuGrey's having people over if you want to stop by." Conner suggested looking at his watch. Holly nodded secretly a little intimated with being alone with Conner.

"No, that's cool." She told him in relief.

"Hey and you might even see Maddie." Holly shrugged.

"Oh, yeah." The waitress came over with the bill and Conner quickly picked it up. "No, let's go Dutch." Holly insisted reaching for the bill.

"Right. What kind of guy would I be?" Conner scoffed reaching for his wallet.

"No, come on Conner it's only fair." Holly tried again.

"I don't know what the guys were like in New York, but here a lady never pays." Conner stated taking the bill.

"Okay," Holly shrugged, leaning back in the booth.

We arrived at the DuGrey's soon after. I liked being with Conner. I mean in the diner it was fine. But, I wasn't ready for being completely alone with him. The car was different, because we obviously weren't going to start making out.

"Weird. That's my car." I nodded to the jeep. "Oh, Danny's probably still here."

"Were they telling Andy tonight?" Conner asked. I looked at him in confusion. "Are they telling him they're dating? Don't you think he'll wonder why they're together?"

"Maybe they did." I shrugged as Conner and I walked to the door. Walking in without knocking, we heard people in the basement.

"Hey," Andy grinned as he came upstairs. "I was hoping you two would come. I'm just getting myself a drink. Come, so you can get yourselves something." We followed him into the DuGrey's kitchen.

"How many people are here?" Conner asked curiously.

"Twenty? I don't know." He shrugged. "I was hoping you'd come though, because Maddie's upstairs and I'm worried about her?" He looked to me.

"Wait, where's Danny?" I questioned. Shit, shouldn't have said that. Andy looked at me perplexed. "I mean I thought he and Maddie might be doing something tonight, but I guess not." I quickly recovered.

"Danny you're brother?" Andy questioned me.

"Yeah, they're good friends. They go way back." I nodded.

"When is Tristan coming back?" Conner asked changing the subject. I squeezed his hand silently thanking him.

"Who knows?" He shrugged, filling his glass with ice. He stopped and looked at us. "You know Nick and Allie were going to come over too tonight."

"Nick and Allie?" Conner repeated.

"Yeah, I called Nick and they were together hanging out. So, they were going to stop over." Andy eyed Conner. "Buddy, they're hanging out. You were the one on the date with his little sister."

Conner chuckled, "I kind of don't even mind. Nick is a hell of a lot better then any other guy around here."

"And, they're just hanging out." I supplied.

"How did he get Allie to want to come here? I mean ever since the incident she hasn't been back." Conner said.

"Beats me, but it must have been something." Andy smirked, adding some scotch to his glass. The DuGrey men did have a thing for scotch. The door bell rang. "Weird and here they are." Andy took a sip of his drink, before heading to the foyer. "Come in!" We heard him say.

"That was close, eh?" Conner nudged me.

I grinned, "Danny would kill me if I let anything out. Well, he'd be killed first."

"Sisters and Brothers here we are." Andy laughed to himself as Nick and Allie followed him into the kitchen. "This is quitethe family affair."

"Speaking of, I saw the car, but where's Danny?" Nick asked me. I gave him a quick look. "Oh, nevermind I know." He mumbled.

"What were you guys up to?" Conner asked Allie.

Andy sensing an awkward moment broke in. "You guys grab your drinks. I'm just heading back downstairs." With that he quickly left the room.

I gave Nick a quick hit on the arm. "Are you stupid? Mentioning Danny?"

"He doesn't know does he?" He asked.

"No and I bet you Maddie and Danny would like us to keep it that way."

"That's not right." Nick replied quickly. "Don't they realize they're just making everything worse by keeping it a secret?"

"It's their secret though." I told him.

"Fine," He nodded. I could tell he was still annoyed, but he was going to have to deal with.

Hope there are not too many mistakes. You're probably quite familiar with them by now. If you haven't noticed I've gone back and edited the earlier chapters. Ooh and check out my profile because I am giving links for character pictures. Super cool:) Thanks for all the reviews!