The party suddenly had a new breath of life breathed into it and was in full swing thanks to Cooper Lee. After a hearty dinner, the gang had turned up the music and the beer and liquor began to flow freely. Her guests were happy and so was Rachel as she downed a shot of Southern Comfort mixed with lime juice. She swayed seductively to the tempo of the music blaring on the stereo, standing between his legs and licking her lips as she deliberately unbuttoned each button on her shirt.

"Dance with me", she commanded.

She may have been the professional but no one would ever dispute that Mouth McFadden could hold his own on the dance floor as well.

"You wore me out", he smiled.

She shrugged.

"Then drink with me."

"Why?" he shook his head.

"Why not? It's a party, right, babe? Let's get wasted, then we'll go upstairs…"

Mouth leaned over and brushed a stray lock of red hair from his girlfriend's face.

"I love you, you know that? Rach, I love you so much. I don't have to get wasted to go upstairs with you. I don't want to. When we're together, it, it's beautiful. I love every minute of it, I want to enjoy and remember every second."

He pulled her onto his lap and she smiled.

"That's so sweet. I love you, too. It's just that…"

"What? You can tell me. You can tell me anything."

She shrugged.

"I love you and I love it when we're together like that. You're always so sweet and wonderful and tender and you always satisfy me. I really like being held and touched like that but sometimes…I don't know. I mean, don't you want to spice it up?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, get all wild and crazy. For one night leave the lovemaking behind and just go all out for hours of crazy, freaky, mind blowing sex. What did Prince say in that song? 23 positions in a one night stand?"

Mouth felt his cheeks burn.

"Babe, I don't know if I even know 23 positions."

"I do", she grinned. "And I'm a hell of a teacher."

She kissed his lips, gently nipping at the bottom one.

"I know", he sighed.

"So what do you say? Let's turn it up a notch, just this once. Come on. It'll be fun."

He couldn't hide his smile as he finally conceded with a smile. He never could quite tell her no.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. I'll try it. Just this once. I mean, anything for you."

She winked.

"You won't regret it, stud."

"I hope not. Actually, I'm kind of nervous…"

"Don't be. It's me. It's us."

He nodded.

"I know but I still think I'll reconsider on that drink. You know, to loosen up and everything."

"You got it. Stay right here and I'll be back. I've got something for you."

With that, she sauntered off towards the kitchen. To her surprise, it wasn't empty. At the table, chowing away at what was left of the Italian cuisine was none other than Cooper.

"What? Are you homeless or something?"

He turned and smiled, wiping his mouth.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"You sure eat like you are."

"It's just a very good meal. What guy wouldn't clean his plate after this? Compliments to the chef, actually and I hear the chef would be you."

"Then you hear right."

"Well, good job. No, great job. I mean it. You're a talented kid. Pretty, awesome dancer, awesome cook."

"I know but I'm no kid", she said as she leaned dangerously close to grab a bottle near him.

Cooper couldn't help but grin at the ample assets that had nearly brushed his face.

"That you're not. Um…"

"See something you like?" she cocked her head at him.

"Your, your shirt. The, uh, the buttons…"

She looked down.

"Oh that", she said, buttoning them back up. "But I was talking about this."

She motioned to the bottle in her hand.

"Yeah. Tanqueray. Good choice. I guess you're really not a kid."

"Only the big girls can handle this one", she winked.

"And who would know more about what big girls can handle", came a third voice.

Cooper and Rachel looked up. Arms folded, stood a teasing Brooke. Rachel shot her a mean look.

"Ha ha. Watch it, Brookie. You're about three twinkies away from a larger size cheering uniform. Your ass is spreading like wildfire."

"You wish you had this ass."

"Been there, lost that, thank God. Anyway, I'd love to sit here and have a cat fight slash pissing contest with you but I'm going upstairs and let my man enjoy my ass all night long. Later, kiddies", the tipsy hostess bounced off.

Brooke cringed.

"Iiiieeew. Totally gross mental picture. Mouth is like this really sweet, innocent little brother and Rachel is just…well, she's Rachel. Need I say more?"

Cooper just laughed.

"Ah, the high school days. I miss them."

Brooke shrugged.

"I bet you had a lot of fun back in your day."

"Well, I certainly appreciate the 'back in your day' part", he said with a grin. "But it was cool. I mean, it was high school, you know? You had your role players. The nerds, the jocks, the bullies, the cheerleaders. I had my rivals, too. Sort of like you and Rachel back there. Damn! The claws were really about to come out."

"She is a rival, especially when it comes to cheerleading but she isn't all bad."

"So you guys are friends?"

Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Let's not get crazy. It is what it is. I guess it's hard to explain. We definitely like to get at each other. That'll never change. And we're both competitive as hell. But she's okay, you know, sometimes in her own sick little wretched way."

"It's a thin line between love and hate."

"You got that right."

"Sort of like with you and Lucas?" Cooper asked.

Brooke visibly stiffened.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I don't want to get you all upset. I just saw how it's been with you here and him being here with his new chick."

"Yeah. We're just one big happy dysfunctional family", Brooke muttered sarcastically.

"Sorry about that."

"It's not your fault. I'm the dumb ass for coming here this weekend."

"Why would you say that? I don't think you're a dumb ass at all. In fact, I think you're pretty brave…and pretty cool."

"Why would you say something like that?" Brooke looked away and shook her head.

"Because I know how much this has got to suck for you. It takes a strong person to show your face and just between you and me, if I were in your shoes, I don't know if I could be that strong. But you have no reason to hide or hang your head. These are your friends and it's your chance to be young and party and have a good time, too. You have just as much right to be here as Lucas and Kelly. You showing up and keeping your cool shows you're the bigger and better person. That's real mature, Brooke. You're a real class act."

She finally looked up and managed a small smile.

"Thanks. I mean, it is hard sometimes but what can you do? But thank you for saying that. It's sweet…even if I do still kind of feel like a dumb ass."

"Screw that. It's the weekend. You're living it up with your friends. It's the last days of high school, Brooke. I know life seems complicated now but this will all be over soon. Then it's a whole new world. There's college then before you know it, you're an adult all your own. That's cool and all but there's nothing like this. It won't even compare. These are the best days of your life. Don't let any guy take that away from you. Enjoy it while you can. Go back out there, have a drink, dance and just live your life."

Brooke bit at her lip and nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess you're right. I can do that."

"Of course you can."

"Just one thing, Coop."

"What's that?"

She gave him a meek smile and shoved her hands in her pockets.

"Will you come with me? Have a beer."

Cooper sighed as he thought.

"Have a beer? Gee, I don't know. Having an alcoholic beverage with a minor…aren't there laws against that? Something about contributing to the delinquency of a minor…"

Brooke laughed as she playfully socked him in the arm.

"You're the one that bought most of the booze for us, jack ass!" she reminded him.

"Oh. Oh yeah. That was me. In that case, why the hell not?"

He extended his bent arm and she slipped hers in the crook of it.

"Ready?"

"I'm always ready. How about you? You feel better?"

She looked in his amazing eyes and took a deep breath.

"Yeah", she nodded with a smile. "In fact, I feel pretty damned good."