Authors Note: I own nothing. No ownership rights to Beverly Hills 90210.


Chapter Three:

She apologised the whole way to The Pit for not going the night before and it almost made me feel bad for keeping her in the dark about our breakfast companion- almost. Jim didn't want her around Jack, and I knew after the disruption the turmoil that going out on a limb last year had caused with her sneaking down to Baja, I didn't want to make her lie to him again. She obviously didn't want to do that otherwise she'd have been there last night, pretending to be going out with Kelly instead of meeting my dad. She had lied once and it had sent shock waves through our life, I appreciated that she didn't want to do that again. I'd take the burden of the lie this time, it's not like I hadn't grown use to them.

When we arrived through the door of The Pit Jack immediately stands to greet us.

"Brenda."

Seeing my father in real life I knew was a shock as her back immediately tensed. I leaned down to her ear and whisper, "he wanted to meet you. I wanted you to meet him but I didn't want you to have to lie to Jim to do it. Is this okay?"

She looks over her shoulder at me, "yeah but Dylan you know how I feel about surprises."

I lean down and kiss her forehead, "you've loved all of my other one's. Come on."

She walks over and says hello to my Dad, he's in fine form when he dismisses her offered hand and instead gives her a hug. "Now it's Jack okay. No Mr McKay as it makes me feel like I'm back in a court room." I snort into my coffee that Nadine has just given me and look over at Bren, she's got a twinkle in her eye she knows he is teasing her.

"Okay so Dylan definitely doesn't take after you in the morning, it usually takes him till period two to crack a joke."

"Is he still like that? I used to have to pay people to ensure he was dragged out of bed in the morning in time for school."

"I could have been getting paid?" At her quick comeback he barks out a laugh.

"Absolutely Sweetheart, some mornings when he is really grumpy I gave hazard pay." Oh she was Sweetheart now. He likes her, he likes her a lot.

Bren immediately looks over at me, "Dyl you owe me a lot of back pay. You can start by buying Jack and I breakfast."

She's the only one who is capable of pulling an indulgent smile from me and she knows it, "yes ma'am."

Looking at me she notes the reference and gives me a wink before looking back at my Dad, "so since Oscar the Grouch is paying I'm thinking we go big. Eggs, bacon and want to split a side of pancakes with me Jack-"

"Hey what about me?"

She turns back to me at my complaining, "you drink two black coffees for breakfast and maybe post nine am you have scrambled eggs and dry toast. You don't do sweet for breakfast but maybe Jack does?" She turns to my Dad who is now sporting my indulgent smile.

"Honey you order away I'll gladly split pancakes with you."

While we wait for breakfast the two of them get along famously. Dad tells her stories of me as a kid, about Christine and what he plans on doing now; though he is vague on that. Bren makes sure I'm included but the majority of the conversation is between Jack and her.

When the food is delivered my Dad turns the tables a little on her, "so senior year. Have you decided which College's you are going to apply to?"

She gives him a hesitant look, "yeah I've got a list and the application forms. I need to sit down and do it this weekend make the final decision."

"What one's have made the short list?"

"CU is a definite, a couple of others in California, and-"

"Wait I thought that you were going to stay in the State and not go away to school?"

"Yeah CU has a great drama program so that's something I'm hoping to get into but Mrs T thinks with my grades, SAT, co-curricula's, and letters of recommendation that I could get a partial scholarship in a few out of State program's, and well some of the girls at my old school asked if I was going back there to Mum and Dad's Alma Mater."

"Minnesota! You didn't think to tell me about this first?"

"No not after last time I didn't, not when I was told to not 'plan your life around me.'" Her mocking of my tone from back then rings through.

"Bren, I still would have thought you would let me know such a impo-"

She interrupts with a fake apology, "I'm sorry how could I have left you in the dark about the fact that I was making such an important decision. Maybe I should have told you so you too could be left to sit around and wonder what I'll decide." Fuck! She gives me one final look of anger that she can't believe what she is hearing, and then drops the expression before looking back at my father. "Sorry Jack. College hasn't been a great topic between Dylan and I this year."

"Us either, I'd like for him to go-"

"Jack that's up to Dylan." She looks at me so I can see she is being honest, "he's brilliant, he reads everything and is passionate about the environment and other social issues, and he feels college may not be for him. Dylan wants to figure out his own path, and it took me a while to understand that because I've be raised with these clear milestones designated for me. Dylan though from the start has made his own course, and it's who he is. If he goes next year or in five years or never, it's going to be his choice and he'll make sure that choice never holds him back." She smiles at my dad, "now I'm eating one more pancake and the rest are for you."

I sit quietly throughout the remainder of breakfast and think about not having her here, not having her close. Bren excuses herself to go wash up and tells Jack unfortunately then we will need to leave for school when she gets back so we aren't late. When she's gone he looks at me, "I can already tell she keeps you on your toes."

"Yeah Bren's never boring, and never exactly what you expect."

"Minnesota-"

"And what other outer state colleges she's applying to."

"I won't ask you how you feel about that it's obvious."

"Is it weird I can't picture a life without her in it?"

"No, but Dylan friends move away from each other, even best friends. They lose contact-"

"Dad she's my family not just my best friend."

"Son believe me I can see that but even family moves away from each other. You might have to accept that."

"No I'm not okay with that."

"Dylan you might not have a choice, and son I don't think you ever really did. Well not the one you thought you did."

Before he can say more she's back.