AN:Hey Guys.. sorry it took so long to update. I just got back home from Alberta, Canada. I have the next chapter ready to add, I'm just doing some final editing. It should be up in a couple days. As always, I hope you'll let me know what you think.

Aria wasn't surprised in the least that Branwen felt pulled towards Pogue. Even after her time in Ipswich she had spoken the most about Pogue. Back then Aria had pushed it aside as a crush on a forbidden boy. But since the beginning of the school year Branwen's actions had become suspicious. Aria really didn't think too much about it because even if she said anything, Branwen would just deny it. It was who she was.

But looking back Aria knew she had seen it coming. The kiss had been one thing. And it could have been a simple act before letting go of the crush. But Branwen hadn't let it go. She had taken drastic steps to avoid Pogue at all costs and using the coven as an excuse had been a dead giveaway.

Once upon a time Branwen had been completely loyal to the coven and Aria remembered thinking that she would be the perfect candidate one day for head of the coven. But as soon as Branwen had begun to question the coven, she hadn't once done something because the coven suggested it. Staying away from the Sons would have been one thing, but avoiding one in particular was another.

Aria would have loved to take advantage of the situation and tease Branwen for her confession, but as level headed and laid back as Branwen could be, when it came from her emotions, being off balance could send her into a panic. And considering what they were about to do, Branwen needed her wits.

When Aria got out of the car Caleb had come over to her and she had a little heart palpation of her own. He was tall. And attractive. And tall. Being tall herself, Aria found it hard to find guys she liked who were sufficiently taller than her. When she had run into Pogue that one night she had been impressed with his height. Caleb was taller. By at least two inches.

"You must be Branwen's cousin, Aria." He said, holding out his hand.

Aria let a friendly smile cross her face as she shook his hand. She immediately felt a shiver run up her spine and had she been any less in control of herself her knees might have given out. Taking a page from Branwen, Aria buried the sensation and tried to shake off the awkward moment. "Thanks for inviting us for Thanksgiving."

Caleb smiled at her and took her bag. "It's no problem. We have a big house and it's just my mom and I. And Pogue. He has his own place but it's just him so he usually stays at mine."

Aria followed him over to his car and watched as he fitted their bags into his trunk. He moved them around to get them in with the black leather duffle bag and the worn looking army bag. It didn't take much to guess who's was whose.

She noticed as he was closing the trunk that he used a little to keep everything in place and she was surprised at the reckless of doing so given their curse. As she looked at him she observed slight wrinkles around his eyes and knew without a doubt that he had befallen to the worst part of the curse… power addiction. She couldn't believe anyone could be so reckless.

"Is something wrong?" he asked smiling. It was clear he thought she was staring at him because she found him attractive, which wasn't untrue, but she couldn't help chastising him for his arrogance.

"No, I'm just surprised you're a sophomore. I would have guessed you're older than that. I guess we can't all stay young forever. We all get old some time."

With that she walked around and smiled at Branwen's barely concealed amusement before climbing in the back seat.

Old.

He wasn't old. He was in the prime of his life.

Caleb looked in the rear-view mirror at his face and grimaced before glancing at Aria and back at the road. So he used every now and then. He wasn't hurting anyone and he felt perfectly fine. And he wasn't old.

He glanced at his reflection again. Okay, so he looked a bit older than twenty but that could be from the powers when he fought Chase, or even just his father's powers wearing on his body. They weren't meant to have so much power. But he wasn't old.

Again he went to glance in the mirror and he locked eyes with Aria. Her eyes crinkled and a smile spread over her face. She was laughing at him. His irritation pricked, he looked back at the road and refused to look in the mirror again for the rest of the drive.

The girls visibly fidgeted when Caleb pulled onto the long driveway that led to his home. "This is a house?" Aria asked.

Caleb smiled at that. "As far as I've been told."

Branwen just smiled and when he parked the car she climbed out and moved the seat for Aria. Caleb observed her as she helped her friend out and then came back to help him with the bags. She confused him. There was something about her that reminded him of himself and yet she was different enough that he couldn't figure her out. He didn't mind that so much but it would drive Pogue crazy.

When Caleb had arrived to pick up the girls and Branwen had motioned for him to wait a moment, Caleb had been curious. Using, he listened in on their conversation in time to hear Branwen admit that she was attracted to Pogue. Of course Caleb could have guessed as much with her showing up at their dorm just to get an essay for some holiday reading. He had been mildly confused after she'd left because she hadn't shown that much interest in Pogue while she was there.

Pogue's actions had been equally as confusing. After Branwen had left, Caleb had expected Pogue to comment on inviting them to Thanksgiving. At the very least he expected an eye roll. But instead Pogue went into his room and continued packing.

"You're not going to say anything?" Caleb had asked, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms.

"About what? You inviting two strangers to your mother's Thanksgiving weekend? Why would I say anything about how ridiculous that is? I only have to show up and eat."

That comment had been a little more Pogue-like, but it still wasn't normal. "Do you have a problem with them coming?"

Pogue looked over at Caleb. "Like I said, I only have to show up and eat. Throw giving your mom a hug in there and my Thanksgiving duties really have nothing to do with your new friends."

"Someone's touchy."

Pogue continued packing, ignoring Caleb. When he was done, Pogue picked up his dad's old army bag and carried it out to the main room. Following him, Caleb watched as Pogue went around the room, making sure everything was ready to be left for the weekend. Very un-Pogue-like.

"Out with it. What's really bothering you? You're acting like a girl."

Pogue stopped and turned around. "I'm acting like a girl? That's your line?"

"You have a better one?" Caleb taunted.

Pogue walked right up to Caleb before looking him in the eyes and glared. "You're a selfish prick who has stopped being a good friend and is in complete denial about your addiction to you powers. If it wouldn't hurt your mother's feelings I wouldn't even come to Thanksgiving this year." Grabbing his bag he walked to the door. "I'll put my own bag in the trunk. I'm leaving early. There're things I need to do."

And with that he'd left. Caleb had been a little annoyed. After all, Pogue was constantly jumping down his throat about using a little power now and then. Of course Pogue didn't have a problem using to pop the trunk on Caleb's car and put his bag in, did he?

But Caleb had never figured out what it was about inviting the girls that had Pogue so irritated. In comparison, Caleb's mother had been ecstatic. He'd called her to let her know some friends were coming back from college with him and she'd practically squealed.

It was a new experience for Caleb, his mother being happy. She had been angry for so long. After his father had died and things had settled down, his mother had seemed free, somehow. She still worried about Caleb but she trusted him, which was more than Caleb could say of Pogue.

Before Caleb could walk the girls to the door his mother was coming down the front steps towards them. "I'm so excited everyone's here." She said, bypassing Caleb completely and heading for the girls. "I'm Evelyn, Caleb's mother. Which one of you is dating my son?"

Caleb began coughing, hard, having choked on his own saliva. When he finally recovered, the girls were already laughing. "Neither of us are dating your son, Mrs. Danvers." Branwen said. "We're just here as friends."

Caleb felt uncomfortable at his mother's disappointed look. It had only been a few months since Sarah had broken up with him, it wasn't unreasonable for him to not be dating yet.

About to mention they should go inside, where he could show the girls to their rooms, Caleb was caught off guard by his mother's narrowing eyes and question. She took a step closer to Branwen and looked over her face. "Do I know you? We've met somewhere before, have we not."

"Mother," Caleb said, trying not to roll his eyes. He loved her dearly but she hadn't really been in a state to remember anyone up until a year ago.

"No," Evelyn said, "I'm certain of it."

The conviction in his mother's voice had Caleb pausing to look back and forth between the girls. His eyes roamed over Aria but followed her eyes to Branwen. Instantly suspicious, Caleb stepped up behind his mother, ready to do anything to protect her.

But Branwen just smiled warmly. "I'm touched you remember." She turned to Aria. "Remember that charity event I told you about where I was awarded the honour of the Belle of Ipswich, Mrs. Danvers organized that." Branwen looked back at Evelyn. "I didn't think you'd remember me."

Unlike Caleb, who was still suspicious at Branwen not having said anything until now, Evelyn immediately clasped Branwen's gloved hand and held it in hers. "How could I forget? You were absolutely stunning. And so well mannered. You were the perfect face for the Belle campaign."

"The Belle Campaign?" Caleb echoed, trying to think of the event they were talking about. His mother usually insisted he be at all events she threw. But, as he thought back, he realized the Belle campaign was one of the few he hadn't made it to. "That was that charity for young girls who excelled in school and volunteer functions, right?"

His mother nodded. "Yes. This gorgeous young lady was the face of that year's campaign. It's Branwen, isn't it?" His mother asked. When Branwen nodded, Evelyn added, "Yes I remember being amused because of its meaning."

"Your name has a meaning?" Caleb asked, overwhelmed with the change in circumstances.

His mother laughed at him. "Oh, Caleb, all names have meaning." She turned back to Branwen. "Branwen is a Welsh name and, if I remember correctly, it means beautiful raven."

Caleb looked at Branwen's black hair and understood his mother's amusement. He, however, was still too unsettled to be amused. He knew that Branwen had been closed off and secretive but he'd just chalked it up to her being reluctant to open up to strangers. He should have known better. After all, she had told them about her parents.

Before Caleb could do anything, Evelyn took Aria by the hand as well and led them into the house. "Caleb," his mother said, "Get the bags, would you, while I get to know our guests."

Sighing and rolling his eyes, Caleb picked up everyone's bags and made his way inside, trying not to think about how now he was, apparently, an Old Mule.

Pogue left Tyler's parents house and made his way towards Caleb's. Caleb inviting Branwen and her cousin was going to make Tyler, Reid and Pogue's planned intervention harder. However, when Pogue had made it to Tyler's he'd discovered that Tyler had invited his girlfriend, Hayley, home for the holidays. Already annoyed, Pogue had thrown up his hands.

"Great, now what are we supposed to do?"

"Would you calm down?" Tyler asked. "I get that you're worried about Caleb, we all are, but this isn't the end of the world. It's not that hard to amuse girls. I'm sure they'd like time to explore the area. In case you have forgotten, Ipswich has a strong history and rich culture that tourists come from all over to see. And if that fails, send them shopping."

Okay, so maybe Pogue was over reacting but he had a lot on his mind. It wasn't like he went around talking about his thoughts and feelings, but if he ever needed to, he'd had Caleb to talk to. They were practically brothers. All four of them were. But now Caleb was going off the deep end, Reid was never in one place long enough to talk to and Tyler was busy with his schooling and girlfriend.

Sometimes he felt like he was the only one who hadn't moved on with his life. And then that thought would lead to where he thought his life would go and then he thought about Kate and then things got dark. Since the school year had started, once he got to the Kate thoughts, they had turned to the mystery girl in the bar and they threw him even more. And now, every once in a while, he caught himself thinking about Branwen.

Professor Lewis had spoken about her again the other day after class. About how as a professor it's all you can ever hope for, to find a student who can teach you as much as you teach them. "She doesn't speak about herself much but when she does, when she talks about what she and Aria, her cousin, are trying to accomplish, I feel young. She has an old soul."

Pogue had found it surprising that he didn't mind listening to his Professor talk about a girl he barely knew. It threw him. And it stressed him out every time thoughts of her came up in his mind.

And now he had to spend a weekend with her. And somehow fit and intervention in there too. He was dreading it the closer he got to Caleb's and when he pulled in the driveway and parked his bike in front of the house, Pogue was temped to turn around and leave. He had a foreboding feeling he couldn't shake. But Evelyn would kill him if he didn't spend the holidays with them.

So he got up and walked into the house. He found everyone in the main sitting room, Caleb leaning against the mantle of the fireplace and Evelyn on the couch with the two girls. And as he glanced over them the dread in his stomach began to plummet.

"Pogue! I'm so glad you're here. You'll never guess what we discovered." Evelyn smiled at him so he went over and hugged her, but as he let go and stood, he looked at Branwen and her cousin. And the dread reached the bottom of his stomach.

Branwen, clearly not understanding the situation, politely motioned to her red-headed roommate. "Pogue, this is my cousin, Aria."

Pogue ground his teeth together before stepping forward to stand over Aria and holding out his hand. She took it, hesitantly, clearly aware of everything running through his head. "Nice to meet you, again."

"Again?" Evelyn said, confused. "But I thought it was just Branwen who lived here before."

Pogue let that file away in the back of his mind because he was too upset to deal with what that implied.

"I am." Branwen said, turning to look at Aria questioningly.

Aria gave her cousin an apologetic look filled with that 'oh crap' expression. Pogue, turning to Branwen, drew her attention back to him before he spoke. He wasn't big on words but for some reason he felt betrayed and he couldn't resist popping her bubble. If she thought it would be funny to carry on the ruse all weekend without him knowing, she was going to be sorely disappointed.

"Aria and I met a couple months ago when we bumped into each other on the street. She was just heading to work." Pogue said. "At Sinsations." Pogue added, not able to stop his teeth from grinding. He had no idea why he was so mad but he was.

Branwen looked at Aria, her mouth hanging open in shock. Aria just hung her head.

Pogue walked to Branwen and pulled off her decretive lace gloves, holding her hand and confirming his suspicion before letting her hand fall. "I guess that makes you the mystery dancer. The one who took off after making out with me."

Everyone in the room was silent. And then out of the silence Evelyn said, "What's Sinsations?" She smiled. "It sounds deviously exciting."

And not one of them could help but break out in laughter.