Aria admitted to herself that hoping Pogue wouldn't recognize her had been naïve. Though she could hardly apologize to Branwen now.

When the laughing had died down and the awkward silence returned, Caleb had politely asked his mother to give them some space so they could clear up some things. Now it was just the two Sons facing down Aria and Branwen. Aria just hoped it didn't come down to a witch fight, because despite the curse's aging side effect, the Sons were packing more power than your average witch.

They sat in silence for what seemed like ages. Aria was sitting on the couch, barely resisting the urge to fidget, Branwen sitting beside her proudly silent, Pogue fuming as he glared at them from across the room and Caleb still in his spot by the fireplace, watching them all.

The silence obviously grew to be too much for Pogue because all of a sudden he spoke, his deep voice rattling with the anger that was so clear on his face. "Are you going to explain yourself?"

Aria was surprised at the flash of anger that appeared in Branwen's eyes. Despite it, her voice was strong and steady. "What, exactly, would you like me to explain?"

Pogue stomped forward a couple feet. "What would I like you to explain? Are you going to continue to try and pretend that nothing is going on?"

Branwen stood suddenly, her hands in fists but held at her sides. Aria prayed she calmed down. The last thing they needed was for her temper to erupt and to out them as witches on top of everything else. But despite the sudden movement, Branwen remained in control, her voice maybe a little condescending. "I wasn't trying to ignore your rude outburst earlier, I was simply asking what point of issue you would like me to clear up first."

They glared at each other from across the room and despite the trouble they were in, Aria had to hide her amusement; clearly they would make one hell of a couple. She had the distinct impression that, were she and Caleb not there, this throw-down could lead to a bedroom. Aria glanced and Caleb and was almost certain that he was thinking the same thing, a slight smirk playing on his face.

Sadly, Caleb ruined Aria's amusement by stepping up and stopping the warring glares. "Okay, why don't we all sit down and we can hear everything from the beginning." When Branwen sat back down and Pogue claimed a chair in the corner, Caleb pulled up a chair of his own, so that they were sitting in somewhat of a circle. Aria didn't know whether to be amused or nervous that were there one more of them they would be sitting in the same formation and the coven's head council.

"Okay, if everyone is ready, Branwen, why don't we start with you living in Ipswich."

Pogue flinched and Aria kind of felt sorry for him, the poor bastard obviously felt something for Branwen or he wouldn't be so upset. Branwen always said she didn't date because she had a tendency to drive men crazy. Aria had figured if Branwen concentrated on the relationship as much as she did her education, maybe things would go better, but this was a problem of another sort. This was secrecy and trust. One thing Branwen was very good at and the other she didn't have much practice with, considering most people in Branwen's life had cast her aside.

"I moved here at the beginning of high school." Branwen started, looking at Caleb and not acknowledging Pogue. "I went to Spencer. You and Pogue were a year ahead of me, so we didn't really interact. I knew you because of everyone whispering about you and a friend of mine was on the swim team with you, but we were never introduced. My mother was involved in a few charities and I volunteered a lot, so I met your mother. She spoke of you once, and she was going to introduce us at the Belle event, but you never showed up, she said she would arrange an introduction another time, but she was worried about you and I imagine it slipped her mind."

"So when you came to the dorm, why didn't you say anything?" Caleb asked.

Branwen smiled. "Caleb, and here I thought you knew women."

Caleb frowned. "What do you mean?"

"What self-respecting girl is going to bring up knowing someone if they don't remember her? Don't you think that could get a little awkward and embarrassing. It's a little bit of a blow to the pride. You don't rub it in; you sweep it under the carpet and forget about it."

Caleb smiled at that and nodded so Branwen continued. "At the end of the year my mother got a job offer so we moved again, leaving behind Ipswich and everything in it."

"Until you decided to randomly make-out with me at Sinsations."

Pogue's voice was bitter and Branwen refused to look at him so Aria glared at him. "You really need to get over that. I did tell you that."

"You failed to mention that we went to school together and that she knew who I was." He looked at Branwen. "I'm assuming now that's what you meant about the kiss?"

"What she meant?" Caleb asked.

Pogue opened his mouth to speak but Branwen beat him to it. "When I kissed him in the club I said I'd always wondered what that felt like."

Both Caleb and Aria raised their brows. Aria had known Branwen's excuse had been that he was Pogue Parry and he was a ladies man, but she hadn't known Branwen had said anything to him, or that her words had been so telling of her desire for him. Looking at Pogue, he clearly was just processing that as well.

"You had a crush on him in school?" Caleb asked.

Branwen rolled her eyes. "I was fourteen and he was already known for his womanizing. Forgive me for being a girl and being curious."

Aria pushed aside her own thoughts about Branwen's actions and words as she noticed the anger on Pogue's face changing to a whole new expression. It was one she knew well. She saw it often enough on Branwen's face. Wariness. Aria would guarantee Pogue was feeling overwhelmed and would bolt soon. At least if he was anything like Branwen. Maybe it wasn't a good idea for them to be together. It's hard to have a relationship when both parties bolt at the appearance of overwhelming revelations.

Taking pity on him and wanting him to have the whole story before his departure, Aria pushed Branwen along. "We had been at Sinsations a few months before you came to the club." Aria said, drawing Pogue's attention to her. "We started there back in March so we could save up money for college and rent. We didn't even know you guys were here until after Branwen… well, after that night."

For some reason the anger returned on Pogue's face and he leaned forward in his chair. "And the reason you didn't explain who you were?"

"Because I was at work in a crowded club and I didn't think it mattered. I didn't think we'd meet again." Branwen said.

Aria knew Branwen's words were a lie. It was there in her eyes, clear as day. Fear. Aria wished she could ask her best friend what had scared her but she couldn't do it in front of the Sons.

Pogue stood and began pacing. "And when we met again? Why didn't you say anything then?"

Branwen stood and glared at him. "Because I was on my way to a very important meeting and the last thing I wanted to do was bring up my making out with you in front of a professor. Believe it or not but I don't favour the honours board learning I work at a club where I dance in barely any clothing and serve alcohol. Not to mention they would understand me making out with someone randomly even less than you seem to be."

Pogue turned to glare back at her, and Aria could see the flight risk rising. "Wouldn't want to show your true colours before achieving your doctorate, would you?"

Aria stood, ready to rip him a new one, but Branwen stepped towards him and spoke in a deceptively calm voice. "You can be upset for whatever you want, but despite this mess that perhaps I was the cause of, you don't know me. If that hasn't been perfectly clear thus far, let me make it clear now. I made an impulsive decision to kiss you in the club and I'm pretty sure we both enjoyed it. So stop acting like you were slighted. It might have been immature to just disappear and not explain myself but I'm not the one acting like a child now. You want to be angry, I can't help that, but you don't get to make assumptions about me because of your anger."

And with that, Branwen fled, turning and making her way up the stairs. Caleb went after her but she just continued walking when he called her name so he stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked back at Pogue.

Branwen's pain fueled Aria's anger and she walked up to Pogue and slapped him, as hard as she could. "Did I not tell you she had a lot to deal with right now? Did I not ask you to leave her alone? So you're angry, get over it. Life's too short. Just ask Branwen."

And with that Aria turned to follow her friend.

Aria had knocked on Branwen's door but Branwen wasn't in the mood to talk. She laid on her bed, worrying about the hole she had dug herself. Everything would have been fine had she just ignore Pogue's existence at the club. If she hadn't allowed herself to get caught up in the moment.

And from there it had only snowballed. The logical thing would have been to tell Pogue who she was after that or approach him and confess but there were so many other things involved. He wasn't just any boy, he was a Son of Ipswich. And here she was, at their Thanksgiving festivities, right in the middle of what her mother would consider the enemy camp.

At some point, all Branwen's worrying tired her out and she woke up a few hours later to a dark room and dry throat. Getting up and looking over her appearance in the bedroom mirror, Branwen looked at her one gloved hand. She must have forgotten the other one in the sitting room. She slowly pulled the other one off; there was no use for it now. When he had pulled that glove off, the deliciously sensual feeling of it had been overshadowed by fear and she'd held her breath hoping nothing would happen, but the moment his skin had touched hers that damning tingling had given her away like nothing else could have. His focus on it meant that she was the only person with whom it happened when he touched them. Branwen wondered if it was a sign of her betrayal. Maybe the coven was trying to curse her too now.

Looking at her rumpled clothing, Branwen went over to her bag and pulled out some of the few things she had. Sadly, she had packed everything she still owned and she didn't know if anything in her bag would suit for Thanksgiving dinner. Her jeans and white tank top would suit for a trip to the kitchen, though. She finished her outfit with her black sweater and her favourite pair of boots and headed for the main floor.

The house was huge and finding the kitchen was a bigger task than she had thought. Branwen constantly had her mother's voice in her head. "Look at all this splendor. They have misused their gifts to bring themselves fortune." "A coven isn't supposed to draw attention to itself." And the obvious… "You're betraying everything we stand for to be in that house with those demons."

The first two were things she'd heard her mother say before but the last was her guilt. She might not be with her coven anymore, but they were still a part of who she was and she couldn't help feeling like she was putting the coven in danger by being so close to the families of the ones who had caused so much pain. And yet this family seemed so much happier and loving than the coven ever had.

Even when they argued it was polite, she thought as she head Caleb and Evelyn's raised voices coming from a room up the hall. She was just going to continue looking for the kitchen when she heard her own name and couldn't resist listening. She told herself that she couldn't trust them until she knew they had no idea who she really was and had no intention of hurting her, Aria or the coven.

"What do you mean you used?" Evelyn said.

"It was just a little bit so I could listen in on what Branwen said."

"Don't you lie to my face! Have you seen your own? You look more like you should be teaching at Harvard instead of attending it."

"I am fine mother. It is nothing more than the effects of fighting Chase and father's powers."

"You are in such denial, you can't even see it. You're just like your father."

"I am NOTHING like him!" Caleb yelled.

It was quiet for a while and Branwen was about to leave in case someone came out when Caleb spoke and Branwen had to strain to hear it. "You opinion of my appearance aside, I agree that these girls are polite and kind and you're right, I had an ulterior motive when I invited Branwen here for Thanksgiving. But I know Pogue better than anyone and I know he hasn't been himself since this summer when Kate came to visit. He's never done well where Kate is concerned. She drove him into the ground. She was high maintenance and selfish. Now I admit I didn't know Branwen was the girl from the club but she seemed to be interested in Pogue and Pogue seemed disturbed by her presence. And that's a lot more than any other girl has done for him lately. She gets under his skin and I honestly think that after everything Pogue has gone through, he's avoided being around people who make him face his feelings. I don't know what it is about Branwen, but Pogue's definitely been showing a lot of emotions lately."

Branwen rolled her eyes. The only emotion she'd seen from Pogue had been anger.

"So you're going to try and set them up because you think Pogue needs her influence in his life, but have you stopped to consider what Branwen needs?" Branwen was touched Evelyn was concerned about her. "From what Aria said, I get the feeling Branwen has a lot going on in her life." Aria really needed to stop telling people things, at least about Branwen. "You said she has a lot she's trying to accomplish in her academic career and that she isn't in contact with her family anymore. That can put a lot of pressure on a girl. I love Pogue as if he were my own son, but he's not exactly easy to talk to. He's always been there for you and the boys but he hasn't always been a tentative boyfriend."

"Pogue is a great guy as long as you don't take advantage of him. Kate always expected him to be there when she wanted him and disappear when she didn't. Any guy would get annoyed at that."

Branwen would get annoyed with that. After all, it's how her mother had treated her for the entirety of her life.

"And this has nothing to do with you liking Aria?"

Branwen almost choked on her concealed gasp. Caleb liked Aria?

"What are you talking about, mother?" Caleb's voice was definitely different when he said that.

"I'm your mother, Caleb, I always have an eye on you. And I didn't miss the way you kept glancing at Aria all night. She is beautiful. Her fiery hair and those flashing green eyes. She's gorgeous. But if things get any more difficult with Branwen and Pogue a relationship between you and Aria could be strained."

"Mother, There's nothing between Aria and I. She thinks I'm old."

Branwen almost laughed when Evelyn did. "Well she might have a point there. I think you have more wrinkles than I do."

Caleb snorted. "Well that's not hard, mother, with skin as perfect as yours."

Evelyn chuckled and then sighed. "Life's too short, Caleb. You don't want to rush it."