Once again, I thank those that messaged me with ideas, or helpful hints for me. It's still new to me to write on here, or write all together. A lot of stories are locked up in my noggin that need to get out!

Aria's POV

This was going to be a bad situation all around, she mumbled to herself as the girl stood in front of the mirror assessing the wardrobe for this farce of an evening. Fury still abated deep within the recesses of her mind at the thought of what occurred last night and how it could have been dealt with better but deep down there wasn't another way out. Either the whole story of her and Ezra came out, or his dirty little secret and his would win either way, because it wasn't illegal as much as dangerous for his health. Damn Him! Damn the way he turned this into an advantage, and he knew it too! She supposed that if she quit thinking of him as the children they had been before returning to the states that messes such as this could be prevented, but deep in her psyche she knew that this wasn't that at all.

"Fuck... Fuck... Fuck..". She mumbled into the mirror staring at her own visage glumly for the millionth time. Tonight was going to end badly, she knew, one way or another.

"What's got your ties in a knot?". Came a voice from the doorway causing her to squeak and spin around dropping the long forgotten dress she'd been holding to the floor in a flutter.

"ugh... could you at least knock to announce your presence?". She snapped cattily, frowning as her eyes focused on her brother.

"I doubt you would have even heard it, if I had. So, again I'll ask what has you in knots?". He said casually as he leaned against the doorway.

Quickly picking up the dress from it's crumpled state at her feet, she began to sigh softly with an annoyed air. Sometimes siblings came with their own drama filled questions that don't always have the best answers, she thought.

"If you really want to know...". She trailed off quickly, not sure just how to phrase what she wanted to really tell her brother. He knew more than he let on and that made him dangerous with the right information she thought. "I've got a date with Holden tonight.".

Mike quickly smirked at the words coming from her mouth. Sometimes he could be a little prick when he wanted to be, mostly these days he was different but this bit of information had him crowing with delight.

"With Ezra, You mean?". He said quickly, tilting his head with speculation deep in the blue eyes so like hers.

"No, Holden you little creep.". Aria mimicked his tone.

"This isn't one of your fake dates then? Wow, two men now. Wait, when did this start?". He said softly, beginning to notice her distress.

Glancing towards the clock against the desk in the corner of the room with a soft sigh upon her lips at seeing the time. Six O'clock, she thought with despair beginning to fill the girl's stomach quickly almost ignoring the question set by Mike. One hand waves dismissively towards him with the intention of pushing him out of the bedroom.

"Last night, It started last night when I was far too busy wanting to be nosy. He caught me following him when I should have been waiting for Ezra, even after him assuring me that what he was doing wasn't illegal or immoral. It wasn't just for the record, but I can't say more than that to you. However, since I followed him and he caught me.. I... I.. I have to pay the piper... So to speak.". She laughed softly only to herself it seemed because Mike stared like she'd grown two heads. He didn't say anything after her little speech for several minutes just staring.

"Interesting. It's Holden we're speaking of, so I doubt anything is going to happen. I trust Him, and you do too. Perhaps next time you'll not be so nosy?". He said smugly before disappearing into his room.

Aria stared at the door for several heartbeats before turning back towards the closet with a soft groan. This really didn't bode well when someone like Mike knew what happened, even if it was an overtly edited version. She wasn't about to let loose the full truth of Holden's subterfuge and her bodies reaction to him touching her. She may want to lie to her mind just how much it inflamed the nerves along her body, but her mind knew it was wrong. She loved Ezra desperately but something deep down liked the encounter in the alley. Wait, What? No, No, No. Her mind shouted out quickly that she didn't like it. Why was her body fighting with her mind. No, this didn't bode well at all.

Holden's POV

The distant ring of the house phone broke the silence that echoed throughout the house breaking him of the reverie that plagued him for a while now. Whom would be calling that phone he thought moving through the large house silently. Noting the name upon the called id he grimaced quickly pulling the phone close to his ear.

"Please don't tell me your calling to cancel aria. That would be very disappointing to both you and me.". He calmly spoke before pleasantries could be exchanged.

"Then I won't disappoint you Holden. Oh, I'm sure you were expecting her to call you. Sadly, she's on her way towards your house.". Came the reply from the phone.

"I am most elated to know she's not trying to break the date like I thought she may. What do I owe this most unexpected pleasure of your phone call Michael?". He asked almost purring knowing that she was going to be here within minutes.

"We won't waste time with pleasantries, she told me about last night. Are you planning on taking advantage of her? I'd hate to think you were, being such a good friend and all.".

Holden prided himself on being somewhat self assured about what he did in his day to day priorities but sometimes, things such as Aria tended to leave few things undone. He'd hoped that she didn't tell her younger brother just what occurred in the alley, but he wasn't sure just what was told.

"It's reassuring you're trying to be a good brother and all, but I think that Aria's a big girl and can take care of her own business don't you? I'd hardly take advantage of her. I think that's what Ezra's doing, don't you? As for what occurred last night, if she told you what happened then you would know she was the one following me. I just happened to notice she was trying to scope out what I was doing. Which wasn't anything bad, just something my parents frown upon. They know I do it, or at least they believe I still am. However, they won't deny me outright. As for what it is, well ask your sister. I believe I hear the doorbell. Must go, it's probably Your dear sister. I doubt she would be happy to know You've been trying to dig into her life.". Holden said softly, lying through his teeth to Mike.

"You never answered my question.". Came the reply.

"I don't suppose I did, but I must go. Bye". Smirking as the phone slid back into it's receiver as the doorbell did begin to peal it's soft melody. "Guess I wasn't really lying then was I?". He asked himself as he walked towards the door.

ARIA'S POV

She stood before the large house trembling silently for several minutes trying to quell the butterflies that attempted to break though the stomach of the girl. This was just one night, she thought quickly, where she would have to spend it with someone whom was one of her best friends. Sure, she had the girls but Holden was one she counted as close for as long as she knew the others. Why was she nervous about coming here? Because he was sadistic and nerve-wracking, that's why!

"It's just one evening Aria. One evening. You'll be okay.". She said to herself, if only her body would calm down, her mind would follow. This queasy feeling deep in her body was something unexpected, she thought it should be more annoyed but this sensation was confusing. She should be off with Ezra, but things stood unfinished with them. He left her a voice mail about going to New Orleans for some sort of meeting with a branch of the college. If that didn't fill her with some sort of unease then nothing did. However, this was far different than anything like that right now. Holden was unpredictable these days, not like the boy she had been friends with as a child.

Aria stopped fighting within herself quickly as she pushed the bell upon the door waiting several seconds before a voice drifted from behind the strong oak barrier. Footsteps fell upon the floor behind it as it opened quickly to show Holden standing before her with a smirk so sure of himself unlike her own thoughts.

"I was unsure you would bother to show.". He said loftily before standing aside to usher her into the foyer. She frowned quickly at his quip before stepping into the small vestibule shaking herself from the cool air of the night.

"Hardly do you think I would go back on my word. I may be many things, but someone who gives their word and then goes back won't ever be one of them.". She mumbled softly turning to stare up at him.

"Hardly accused you of that m'dear. I had meant that You're early, which you are. Most women like to make the late "appearance" as it is,". He quickly made the air-quotes with another smirk upon his face.

Aria tilted her head to watch her old friend speak to her before swatting at him coquettishly not allowing him to see that he's always gotten under her skin.

"So, let us get this evening underway shall we? A debt is a debt, and I'm here to pay mine.". She said with a sigh, trying to hide the grin that threatened to form against her lips.

Holden stilled with each word on her lips causing her to take a step back away from his darkening eyes. Something akin to danger screamed in her mind as his lips curved into the most dangerous smile she'd ever encountered. Wrapping his fingers along her wrist pulling her closer to his body with a chuckle.

"Eager, I like that. However dear Aria sometimes it's not best to be too eager because You may learn that eagerness gets you in trouble. Oh.. wait, You did learn that last night didn't you. Very well let's go towards your doom.. I mean dinner.". He chortled low in his throat as he pulled her closer to him, brushing his lips against hers in a soft teasing manner.

"Hold up there cowboy.". She muttered darkly, pulling away slightly. Holden laughed again shaking his head.

"You promised to not deny me anything tonight. I intend to make you live up to that promise.".

Aria wasn't sure what he had in mind, but something told her that it was going to be her undoing. She nodded slowly remembering her promise as he began to lead her into the interior of the house.