Just a short chapter to give a little bit of perspective on Brooke and Brandon's relationship.

Enjoy! Reviews are always appreciated.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I had just sat down to eat lunch when I heard a knock at my apartment door early Saturday afternoon.

Brandon!

I hopped up from the couch, sat my plate down on the coffee table, and ran to throw the door open. It had been several months since I had seen him and I had missed his dumb ass.

"Brandon!" I shouted, throwing myself at him. He dropped his bags and picked me up, swinging me around in the hallway like he did when we were kids.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite sister…did you miss me?" he said, dropping me back onto the floor. He followed me into my apartment and sat his bag down by the door.

I shut the door and turned to face him, "I'm your only sister moron and yes I did miss you"

I watched as he looked around my apartment, nodding his head in approval, "This is a really nice place you have here Brooke"

He walked over to the couch and plopped down hard on it, simultaneously putting his feet up on the coffee table and grabbing half my sandwich off my plate, taking a big bite before I could protest.

"Please, make yourself at home" I said sarcastically, grabbing the other half of my sandwich and taking a small bite.

He swallowed and then grinned at me, "So, fill me in…what's been going on in the life of Ms. Brooke Lynn Donovan.

I told him all about the move to D.C. and all the great people I had met since moving here. I was really enjoying working for the Smithsonian and being over the Captain America exhibit had been quite an experience for me. He munched happily on my sandwich as he listened to me go on and on.

"So have you met the infamous Captain America yet?" he asked curiously, a small smile on his face. His smile widened when he saw the blush on my cheeks, "I'll take that as a yes"

Brandon doesn't shock too easily, so I couldn't help but snicker when his mouth dropped open after I told him the date the other night had been with none other than Steve Rogers himself.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…are you telling me you went on a date with Captain America…THE Captain America?" he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

I nodded my head, a smug smile on my face.

He seemed to think about it a moment before a sly smile appeared on his face, "I'm not falling for that…I'm going to have to call bullshit on that one sis"

"What? You don't believe me? You don't think I could snag Steve Rogers?" I said, standing up and putting my hand on my hip, offended he wouldn't believe me.

"Brooke! It's fucking Captain America! I'm not saying you're not pretty…you're a decent looking girl…but damn! He's a super hero" he said, chuckling at me.

Decent looking? Wow, way to boost my confidence big brother!

A sudden idea popped into my head, "$20 bucks" I said, narrowing my eyes at him…when he looked at me with a confused expression I rolled my eyes and continued, "I bet you $20 bucks that I went on a date with Steve Rogers. I'll prove it to you tonight"

He smirked, "If you're just that desperate to give your money away then fine, I accept!"

I turned and made my way into the kitchen with the empty plate, "Asshole" I muttered under my breath.

"I heard that" Brandon called from the living room, laughing softly.

"So how's Eden been doing?" he asked casually, not looking my way.

"She's fine" I said as I made my way back into the living room to sit back on the couch with him. I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, still miffed that he had said I was just "decent looking".

"Did you ask her to come tonight?"

"Yes" I replied, flipping through the channels.

I felt him staring at me…I tried to not pay attention to him but Brandon isn't the kind of person that allows anyone to ignore him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him making funny faces at me, just like he use to do when we were kids. I tried not to smile but I eventually turned to him and a caught him with his tongue out and his eyebrows scrunched up.

"What?" I asked giggling.

"Is she coming?" he asked.

Hmm, what's this fool up to?

"Yes" I said slowly, suddenly suspicious, "Why?"

He shook his head, "Just wondering"

"Uh huh, okay" I said, not believing him at all…something was up, I knew it.

10 minutes went by in silence, just flipping through channels. I could tell he was anxious to ask more questions, but I wasn't going to offer that information unless he came out and asked.

"So, is she seeing anyone?" he finally asked, trying to be nonchalant about it.

Son of a bitch, I knew it!

"I can't fucking believe you Brandon! Really? My best friend? I'm telling you right now, NO! Eden is off limits to you. I promised her no touch feely mess from you tonight" I said, shaking my finger at him and staring him down with a serious look in my eyes.

"I'm just making casual conversation Brooke..geez, bite my head off why don't you?" he, said throwing his hands up in defense, a smirk on his face.

Just when I was about to start watching TV again, he cleared his throat, "So is she? Dating anyone I mean?"

I sighed deeply, knowing he wouldn't give up, "If you must know, Eden AND Bucky will both be coming tonight" I turned to stick my tongue out at him. If Brandon was smart, and I'm not saying he is, he would get any idea of coming on to Eden out of his head. Bucky didn't seem like the type of guy who let someone flirt with his girlfriend and get away with it.

"Bucky?" Brandon said with a sneer, "What kind of name is that?"

"Bucky is a nickname and you better watch it, he is Steve's best friend…and a lot bigger than you I might add"

He grunted and turned back to the TV, "Bucky?" he muttered under his breath.

I couldn't help but smile. My brother had always been a ladies man and I could not remember a time when he didn't get a woman that he set out to pursue. It was like a challenge to him. I knew Eden had always had a crush on my brother growing up, Jill too. I don't know what they saw in him…I loved him dearly, but he was the biggest dickhead I had ever met, but also the funniest one too. I did know that Brandon had no chance whatsoever with Eden. She was in love with Bucky and vice versa.

I heard him clear his throat again, "Is it serious?

I didn't even look away from the TV when I answered, "Yes"

"How serious?"

"They're living together." I said, hoping that would be the end of it.

That seemed to shut him up and I smiled at his silence. I started flipping channels again.

"So, it's only a little serious then" he said, smirking at me when I turned to look at him.

I picked up the pillow and threw it at him, laughing when it hit him square in the face, "You are insufferable Brandon. I'm serious though, leave Eden alone tonight…and don't try and annoy Bucky on purpose"

"Does that sound like something I would ever do?" he said in an exaggerated tone.

"Absolutely! I'm warning you Brandon; don't piss Bucky off or Eden for that matter. You know how she gets when she's angry. I'd hate to watch my big brother get his ass handed to him" I said.

He put his hand over his heart, "I'll be good, I swear"

Oh shit! Tonight is going to be very interesting.