A big thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing these. I know they're really different, but I'm enjoying the experiment.

This chapter is for Elsa Jay ;)

6 – The Break-Up

"I can't believe this!" Scott shouted, coming into the lounge and falling dramatically onto the couch. Tin-Tin, who had already been sitting on the couch, let out a yelp of surprise when Scott's head fell into her lap. Penny, who was standing over by the door to the balcony, shot the oldest Tracy brother a warning glare, but, in his angst, he completely missed it.

Virgil, who was seated at the piano, stood and moved closer to the couch to see what was going on.

"What has happened?" Tin-Tin asked when no one else did.

Scott covered his eyes with his hands, replying,

"Ned broke up with me!"

"Really?" Virgil asked, trying to sound supportive but sounding hopeful instead.

"Yes, really!" Scott answered defensively.

Penny kept her distance, staying in her place by the doors, but said gently,

"Scott, dear, why don't you calmly explain what happened?"

"Calmly?" Scott asked, sitting up slightly and looking over at Penny incredulously. "Calmly? How can I be calm about this?"

"Scott," Tin-Tin said gently, brushing his hair off his forehead, "it's going to be alright."

"How can you know that?" he shot back before burying his face in Tin-Tin's lap. Penny took a step in their direction, but Tin-Tin stopped her approach with an apologetic look.

"I know that," Tin-Tin started, "because you're a handsome, kind, and successful man. You'll be fine."

"What reason did Ned give?" Virgil asked, genuinely curious now.

Scott sat up suddenly, much to Penny's relief, and he let out a long sigh before answering,

"He said that he found someone hotter."

"Well, he's an idiot," Virgil said, relieved to finally be able to say it aloud.

"Indeed," Penny agreed.

"We'll find you someone better. Someone who appreciates you," Tin-Tin added. "Don't you worry about it."

"But how?" Scott asked.

"By walking into literally any establishment," Penny muttered to herself.

"What was that?" Scott inquired, scooting over on the couch so he was closer to her.

"I was saying that I think it will be quite simple," Penny said. "Why don't you go wash up? Then we can take you out."

"Yes," Tin-Tin agreed. "That will help you feel better."

"Just forget about Ned," Virgil suggested. "He wasn't worth it anyway."

The women kept their mouths shut, not wanting to tip Scott's delicate condition back into hysteria.

"Okay," Scott said reluctantly. "I'll go change my shirt."

He slumped out of the lounge slowly, leaving the other three alone in the lounge.

Once they were sure he was gone, Virgil, Tin-Tin, and Penny smiled at each other in victory. Penny was the first one to break the silence.

"Thank goodness for that."

"I thought Ned was never going to do it," Tin-TIn said, relief obvious in her tone.

"Let's just hope that the next one isn't quite so annoying," Virgil commented.

"I intend to be sure of it," Penny said with a mischievous expression on her face. "I think it's time the three of us take more interest in Scott's love life."

Tin-Tin and Virgil nodded their agreement.