Disclaimer: Same as Before

A/N: Sorry Guys. I was trying to participate in NaNoWriMo, so my attentions were elsewhere. I was going to give this to y'all a few days ago, but I was having trouble getting it up on the page. I dunno... Anyways, Sorry about the wait. The next chapter is almost done too. But I want to work a little on the chapter after that before I load the next one. Enjoy!

And Thank you so much for the reviews. They do encourage me to continue. For a while there, I just wanted to trash this story. But I'm glad I didn't. Like I said, Thanks and Enjoy!

Chapter 18- The Truth Can Hurt

That night, everyone fended for themselves. Jay had returned shortly after Re-Nee had come downstairs. Instead of facing her, he quickly escaped to his room. Re-Nee watched him flee, forcing her tears back.

Trudy had pulled herself away from Amber about dinner time. Picking Bray Jr. up, she walked downstairs with him. Not really hungry, she grabbed a couple of pieces of fruit to share with her charge.

Within a few minutes the two had eaten and were seated in the playroom. Bray Jr. was lost in his own child-like universe as he banged wooden blocks together. Trudy leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes. Her moment of peace was ruined when Lex entered the room.

"Go away," she called, not needing to open her eyes. Somehow, her body had become attuned to his. The air seemed to sizzle whenever they were in the same room. Even now, Trudy felt the tingling that courses through her body whenever Lex was near and it was starting to make her worry.

"See?" Lex said as he leaned against the doorframe. "That's the problem with caring for someone. You have to listen to them complain about how loverboy doesn't love them anymore."

Trudy gave a hollow laugh and shook her head. When she didn't stop Lex started to turn away. One of his biggest pet-peeves was to be laughed at, and he could only stand so much of it. "You know," Trudy finally said, "I think I finally understand you."

"Oh really?" Lex asked intrigued. Wanting her to continue, Lex sat down. He realized it was probably a mistake. Her scent surrounded him and her lips pulled all of his attention. When she started to speak again, he looked into her eyes.

"Yes, really. You bully and belittle people who show qualities that you hate within yourself. You're not as tough as you think you are. You did your own complaining and whining when Zandra died, when Tai-San was the Supreme Mother and then when Tai-San disappeared. You care about people just as much as I do. You're just too scared to admit it."

This time, Lex started to laugh. Trudy shifted uncomfortably on the couch. This definitely wasn't the reaction she expected. Anger, yes, even some yelling, but definitely not laughter. Trudy turned and actually saw a true smile to his face.

"I'm too scared to admit things? I guess that saying 'It takes one to know one' is true." Lex stood up and started to walk towards the doorway.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Trudy yelled as she jumped up. Lex turned and saw her standing with her arms crossed across her chest. Her eyes flashed anger as his eyes traveled over her body. Copying her, Lex crossed his arms over his chest.

"It means that you won't let a man get close to you because you're afraid of you'll enjoy any pleasure he could give you."

"That's not true!"

"Oh really?" Lex asked as he uncrossed his arms. "Prove it!" Before Trudy could respond, Lex walked out of the room. Trudy bent down and picked up a stuff animal. Standing back up, she threw the toy after Lex. It harmlessly bounced off the wall and onto the floor.

Still fuming, Trudy slumped against the couch and crossed her arms. How dare him! Who does he think he is?

While Trudy and Lex were downstairs, Bray made his way upstairs. Instinctively, he crossed the hallway to his room. Inside, Amber sat on his bed with her hand nervously resting in her lap. Bray closed the door before either spoke.

"I'm sorry," Amber whispered. "I just found out. I didn't want you to find out this way."

"Why?" Bray yelled as he paced the room. "Why him? He's a Techno, for crying out loud! He probably lied about me being dead. He has the power to make you believe that. I'm sure about it…"

"BRAY!" Amber said as she stood up and walked to him. Grabbing his hands, she forced him to stop pacing and look at her. "I told you what happened after you were taken. I had given up all hope and had Trudy not come along when she did, I probably wouldn't be here with you now. Bray Jr. might not be here! I was devastated when I couldn't find you, and I LOOKED everywhere for you.

"Jay was… is different from the other Technos. Without his help, we never would have stopped Ram. He helped me look for you. It was only after we found out that it was highly probable that I would never see you again that any romantic relationship happened. You can't blame me for moving on. You moved on. Danni and Moon and Re-Nee… Also, Bray Jr. needed a father."

"But I'm here! I'm his father!"

"I didn't say you weren't. If our roles had been reversed and you were raising Bray Jr., I'd want you to find him someone who could be a mother to him. You know how important family is to me!"

Bray walked over to the bed and sat down. His head slumped as he said, "I know. It just…I alone should be the father of any children you give birth to! You are my soul mate! We should be a family!"

"And we will be," Amber said as she sat down next to Bray, "if you still want to be one. You just have to accept that I'm pregnant with Jay's child. I love you and want to be with you, but I'm not going to give this child away."

Bray stayed silent for a moment. "I know," he finally said, "but I want Jay to have nothing to do with this child."

Slowly, a month passed by and tensions were high. Jack, Guy and Ved worked night and day on the boat. Nothing they did worked. That news didn't bode well with Danni or Ebony. They were constantly at each other throats. The tribes tried to keep them separated, but the two girls found their way to each other. Re-Nee was ready to throw them off a cliff and watch them drown.

The only people that seemed to get along were Salene and Tina. After spending hours together talking about what to do with Michael, they reached an understanding. Slowly they would integrate Salene into his life and when he was old enough to understand, they would tell him the truth about his birth. It was still unknown if they would stay on the island or not. Luke steadily stood by their decision and let them run things the way they felt it should be.

Trudy avoided Lex. Everything he had said had been true. Even Amber had touched on it. She was afraid to get close. That's why she went after people she knew she could never have. The problem was that she didn't want to admit that the person she loved was all wrong for her. Things could never work out between them. They fought like cats and dogs. Brady didn't need to be placed in that kind of situation.

Bray and Amber had begun to start their relationship again. Bray steadily stood by her as she spent the morning over the toilet. Every morning Amber tried to work up the courage to tell Bray that Jay deserved to have something to do with the child, but the words never came out. She let Bray control that issue and she felt weak about it. She wasn't one to let a man control her. Blaming it on hormones, she went along with Bray's decision.

Jay spent a lot of time out of the house, walking the island. No matter what he told Ved, Jay knew it wasn't true. His experience with Re-Nee was different from anything he'd ever felt. He left that morning for fear of what others would think. He didn't know what to do. What if others had found out about Amber? His reputation was steadily becoming that of a playboy. What would the others say if they saw him come out of Re-Nee's room? They'd sum it up like Ved had. They'd say he has no control over himself. And what about Re-Nee? They'd ask if she knew about Amber. Would they look down at her cause she slept with him knowing he was about to become a father? Amber and he had recently broken up. Maybe people would think that they needed to get together because of the baby. All these doubt had driven him from her room and away from the only comfort he'd truly felt in a long time.

Re-Nee spent her days keeping busy. Only Ebony would approach her snarling self. Danni, Cloe and Tina kept an eye on her, but knew she needed the space. Every time Danni saw Re-Nee stop to talk to Ebony, her jealously flared. Danni was Re-Nee's cousin and she hadn't gotten a single word from her, but Ebony could get Re-Nee to at least show a half-smile. On top of that, Danni was still angry that Tina didn't push the issue about Re-Nee's night with Jay. Everyone knew if effected Re-Nee, but no one would admit it. Re-Nee was a hard worker, but she was working herself to the bone. She was starting the look sickly and pale, even though she was spending hours out in the sun.

The children knew something was going on, but whenever they asked, the adults would smile and say nothing was wrong. The kids started to get fidgety. Fight broke out between Johnny and Mouse. Salene was at her wits ends. She knew that something had to give and at this point it would be her sanity. Tina tried to control the Surfer children, but the more time passed, the more the children acted up.

For a month the tribes thought it couldn't get any worse. They were so far down that the only way to go was up. They were wrong and were soon to find out.

Re-Nee collapsed onto the bed, slightly heaving. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't eat and the things she did eat ended up coming back up. She felt bone-tired. Sitting up, she leaned over to the point that her head bobbed between her legs. She steadily tried to take in deep breaths, but was only capable of short pants.

"Sis?" a small voice called. Re-Nee jolted up and looked towards the door. Johnny stood there, unsure if he should come in. Re-Nee stood up and walked over to her brother. "What is it?" she asked as she bent down to his height.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her into her eyes. "You need to stop," he said matter-of-factly. Re-Nee laughed at the seriousness in his voice, but Johnny continued to at her down. Re-Nee sobered and asked, "What do you mean?"

"You're working yourself too hard," he said. In an instance, Re-Nee realized how much Johnny was growing up. He was no longer the three years old she was stuck with. Now he was an intelligent boy who was worried about his sister. Re-Nee stood up and took his hand. Leading him over to the bed, the two of them sat down. Johnny instantly started talking again. "Everyone is worried. Tina says that you're going to kill yourself if you keep this up."

Re-Nee shook her head. "It's that time of year. I have to make sure that the island is ready for the storms. We got hit already by a huge one, so I'm doing what's necessary."

"But you've never worked this hard!" he cried. "You're not eating lunch. You're out before morning and don't come back until after it's dark. You're sick. I heard you."

Re-Nee wrapped her arms around Johnny. "I know you're worried, but I'm okay. It's just a small cold. It'll pass before you know it." Johnny didn't seem pleased by the excuse. Thinking, Re-Nee finally sighed, "Okay! You win. I only have one more day worth of work and then I'm done. Agreed?"

Johnny thought it over and finally nodded his head. "Ok." When her brother didn't leave her room she asked if there was anything else. Nodding his head, he said, "I know what happened. Talk to him. He's a nice guy. If not him, then talk to Tina. She's really worried about you."

Re-Nee laughed. "Without me noticing it, you've grown up into an adult." Turning serious, she concluded, "I won't ask how you found out, but I want you to stay out of it. I'll handle it. Ok?"

Johnny nodded, smiling at his sister's seemingly good humor. "Now go. Let me get some rest."

Re-Nee didn't realize how badly she needed the sleep until she woke up at noon the next day. Grumbling, she rolled over and screamed. She hadn't expected anyone to be in her room and waking up with Tina watching over her had startled her. "What's wrong?" Re-Nee asked. Tina looked pissed and Re-Nee wasn't sure why. "Did something happen to the kids? Luke? One of the Mall Rats?" Re-Nee waited for her friend to say something and when she didn't she screamed her name.

Tina still didn't speak, but did reach over to the nightstand. Walking over to her friend, she angrily pushed a bowl of soup into her hands. "Eat this!" Her voice was commanding, and Re-Nee knew not to argue.

"I can't believe you!" Tina yelled as she paced her anger increasing as she took a step. "I thought you'd calm down, that all you need was space. Damn you, Re-Nee! You scared the crap out of us. All this nonstop working has made you so weak that you wouldn't be able to stand if you're life depended on it.

"Not to mention that Johnny won't step away from your door because he's convinced that you're killing yourself. What were you thinking?"

Re-Nee placed the spoon back into the bowl and looking at the fuming brunette. She knew she should be careful with what she said, but she couldn't help but be defensive when being attack. "I was doing what needed to be done."

"That's bull," Tina shouted, "and you know it! You're trying to kill yourself and I'm not going to stand by and watch you do it. I want answers. What is wrong with you?" Re-Nee shook her head, ready to deny everything. Tina cut her off. "Don't lie to me. I've known you for too long now. How could you let a guy effect you this much? I thought you were made of stronger stuff than that."

Re-Nee started to say something, but immediately shut her mouth. Deep inside, her stomach clenched up and she was regretting those few bites of the soup. Jumping out of bed, Re-Nee raced for the bathroom, while Tina closely followed.

Holding the blonde's hair back, Tina waited until Re-Nee moved away from the toilet before she started lecturing again. "Do you now see why we're worried? You've worked yourself sick." Re-Nee took the wet rag Tina offered and shook her head. That slight movement had her cringing. "I'm not sick," she finally whispered.

Tina rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "Ok then…" she muttered, "if you're not sick, what's wrong?" Tina waited as patiently as an angry friend could. She felt like reaching out and shaking the still sitting blonde when Re-Nee finally answered.

The Surfer's leader threw her hands up and covered her face. Mumbling the answer, she prayed that she wouldn't have to repeat herself. Peeking from between her fingers, she knew Tina hadn't heard. Taking a deep breath, she removed her hands and placed them in her lap. Tears glistened her eyes as she said, "I'm not sick. At least not the way you think I am. I'm pregnant."

A few minutes later, Tina walked out of the bathroom in complete shock. Her friend was pregnant from a one-night stand. This was the friend that always thought before speaking, that never did anything rash. Shaking her head, Tina walked into the kitchen where Danni and Cloe were waiting for her. She had barely sat down before Danni attacked.

"What did she say?" Danni stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Tina accusingly. The former Mall Rat thought it should have been her that had talked to Re-Nee. After all they were cousins. Cloe hadn't agreed, so Tina had walked up those stairs and hopefully got the answers to the questions.

"She's not feeling too good…" Tina began. Cloe sank to her knees in front of the sitting brunette. "How bad?" Cloe asked.

Danni paced away from the girls. "Dammit!" she yelled. "This is the Mall Rats' fault and that… that asshole brother of Ved."

Tina shook her head. "It's nothing serious. It'll pass in a few months… hopefully," she whispered that last part to her self. Taking a deep breath, she shared the news.

"Re-Nee? Pregnant?" Cloe whispered, shaking her head. "Is she sure?"

"Yes, I am," Re-Nee said, coming into the kitchen. After Tina had left, the blonde had washed up and gotten dressed. Now that her stomach was settled, she was hungry. Grabbing some saltines, she turned towards her friends. "And I don't want anyone else to know. We don't need the trouble that will come with this news. Hopefully, the boat will be fixed and they will be gone."

Turning, she looked out the window. "It looks like another storm is coming. I'm going to go check on the boat." Grabbing a few extra saltines, she turned around and walked outside.

The three remaining girls silently stared at one another. No one was sure what to say. Re-Nee was stubborn. When she got an idea stuck in her head, there was no way of talking her out of it. Finally, Tina shrugged and walked over to the sink to wash the dishes. Cloe walked away as she heard Josh begin to stir. Danni started to say something, but shook her head instead. Sparing one last glance at the door Re-Nee had walked out of, the brunette went to go check on the kids.

No one had noticed that another person had heard the entire conversation. His fist clenched as his body shook with rage. Fighting to keep from hitting something, he marched off to his room.

Bray slammed his door shut, rattling the pictures that hung on the walls. It wasn't good enough that Jay had impregnated Amber; he had to go pass his seed off to Re-Nee too. Bray paced his room, debating if he should tell the other Surfers. The fellow male members loved Re-Nee like a sister and would risk their lives to protect her. Didn't they deserve the right to know? Didn't they have the right to gain justice for her being wronged?

But she said she didn't want anyone else to know, and if she found out the guys had fought her battle, she'd never forgive them. She didn't want them to know until it was too late for them to do anything.

This former Mall Rat leader couldn't and wouldn't let her do that. He was tired of Jay pretending to be the alpha male. What right did he have to treat women this way? Fueled by anger, Bray left the house. Like Ved, he knew exactly where to find Jay. He didn't bother to silently creep up on his prey.

Jay instantly jumped to his feet when he heard someone approaching. Everyone had kept their distance from him, except Cloe and Ved. Occasionally, Ebony would insert her two pieces, but other than that, it had gotten lonely on the island. Seeing the look in Bray's eyes, he knew there would be trouble. Although he kept his arms at his sides, Jay spread his legs into a fighting stance.

"I'm going to kill you!" Bray yelled as he lunged at his opponent. Jay never had the chance to protect himself as Bray tackled him to the ground. The two fought, releasing anger they'd both had since the beginning. Arms flew as each tried to hit the other. Bruises began to form as they took every chance presented to kick. After about an hour's worth of fighting, the two pulled away.

"What the hell is your problem?" Jay yelled, placing his hand against a black eye that was forming.

"You're my problem." Jay wasn't the only person hurting, as Bray was holding his side. "Not only did you screw up Amber's life, you had to go and ruined Re-Nee's too." Jay shook his head, trying to make sense. He hadn't talked or spent anytime with the two blonde girls since the party. He was going to say so, but Bray spoke first.

"She's pregnant." Jay started at him confused. "I know Amber is…" he began to say, but Bray shook his head.

"Re-Nee."