I'm doing good aren't I. I've updated. Yay! Even though Failure to launch came out in 2006, I've kind of altered the setting and made it fit into the 2005 time frame. Just thought I'd let you guys know. Enjoy!

... Hey, I'm back from the dead! Well, I know it's been a while, but I've been sort of contemplating continuing this story. However, I'm not sure if I should. I don't want to write if no one will read. At least 5 responses will do. - Anyway, advice is still appreciated. Happy really early new year as well- that is if this gesture fails and I can't say it later. Ciao!

Antonio closed the door behind him, kicking off his shoes no where particular. The house was still dark which meant Kim wasn't home yet and that he'd have to fend for some food on his own. He went into the kitchen and grabbed an oversized bag of potato chips, flipping on the light and grabbing a IBC from the pantry. Heading back to the den, he looked at the clock on the DVD player reading that it was close to seven. Where is she? Doesn't she realize she has a person to feed… He glanced back at a back room where clothes were overflowing. And clothes to wash. He grinned. Life with his sister was so easy. He could practically get away with anything. Practically. He was a Hart so he had to be smooth in most cases because his sister was also a Hart. In fact no one in his family quite denied that they got their sly, devious ways from their father. After all their father was some high ranking government official.

He felt for the remote not bothering to get up, pulling it from out of the sofa. Ha ha! Kim hasn't found you after all. He kissed the remote and turned on the TV. At almost the same time, as if on cue, the door opened. Jumping up, he put the remote where he'd found it, an innocent look plastered on his face. Expecting Kim, a man came in instead. Antonio raised a brow.

"Who are you?" He popped another potato chip in his mouth never letting the man out of his sight.

The guy looked around and the same wary look came on his face as well. "I should be asking you the same question." He finished backing in, bringing a wheelchair along with him.

"Kim!" Antonio rushed over, shoving the guy out the way.

Kim smiled and gave him a limp wave, before going back to sleep.

"What's wrong with her? What'd you do to my sister!"

Deryck looked at the kid and everything began to register. "Oh, you're Kim's little brother. I've heard so much about you little man."

Antonio had a fierce look in his eyes, clenching his fist and grinding his teeth. "I will not ask you again. What. Did. You. Do. To. Kim?"

"Oh! Kim, she passed out. We were talking one minute and she was all linoleum floor the next. Does she usually do that? Because the doctor made it seem as though she did. I've known Kim for five years and not once did she ever-"

"She passed out? If she passed out then why does it look like she's high," Antonio cut off sharply.

Deryck and Antonio averted their gazes back to sleeping Kimberly.

"That can be explained. Apparently the doctor made a mistake and thought she was another patient who was supposed to go in for surgery and ended up giving her a mask connected to a tank of nitrous oxide."

"You mean relative analgesia -laughing gas?"

"Hey, you're pretty smart."

Antonio ignored him and looked thoughtful for a minute, before gazing at the other guy in suspicion. "Don't they normally give anesthetics while the patient is in surgery and not before. And why would the doctor be administering it?"

"You're telling me. I had to figure out what they were doing the whole time and why Kim wouldn't stop giggling. I didn't know half of what she was talking about. Then when your sister wouldn't stop babbling they gave her a sort of sedative or tranquilizer and she went to sleep."

"Which one? Did they give her a sedative or a tranquilizer?"

Deryck shrugged. "Beats me. Is her dad going to pop out as well, cause this game of 21 questions is kind of tiresome." He gave an exaggerated yawn, not bothering to conceal his annoyance with the younger guy.

Antonio continued to watch him before going to take Kim out of the wheelchair.

"And let me guess the wheelchair was a complimentary housewarming present along with the sedative and RA? Well, weren't they thoughtful," Antonio grunted, picking up his sister and carrying her off to her room.

"Wow, sis. Those protein shakes are really starting to wear off." He kidded lightly, thinking she was still sleep.

When he got up the stairs, Kim hopped out of his arms, landing gracefully and soundlessly on the carpet. He nearly yelled but she clasped her hand over his mouth, signaling for him to be quiet. Only when she had him in her room did she allow him to talk.

"Kim, what the hell! I thought you were, you know," he shouted at her in a level close to a whisper.

"I was, but it wore off. Listen, don't tell him about me. Just let him do whatever until he decides to leave, and make it quick."

"Kim, who is this guy?" Antonio whispered, sitting on her bed.

"His name is Deryck Ashcroft. We used to work together. I let him take me out on one date and now I can't get rid of him. Don't get me wrong he's really sweet and all but…" Kim trailed off, sucking on her teeth. "Just get him out. I can't take anymore awkwardness."

A mischievous grin came on Antonio's face as an idea popped into his head. "Okay. Just get your rest and let your little bro take care of it."

"Alright. Oh and here's some money for a pizza. Order it from Mike's 'kay," Kim hurried as she plopped on her bed and took off her shoes, awaiting to hear a car pull off.

Antonio came into the den with an ice cold beer for Deryck.

"Yeah, sorry man about the hostility and all. It's just I've seen worse with Kim and I'd hate to have not taken all the necessary precautions in case you were an asshole."

Deryck nodded in agreement, taking a sip of his beer. "I don't blame you. I've been there. I have a sister too."

"What's her name?" Antonio asked turning down the TV.

"Andrea." Deryck fished out his wallet to show Ant a picture. "She'll be nineteen next month."

Antonio took the picture and laughed.

"What?"

"I could have sworn I saw that same girl in Dr. Spankypant's Cyclops' Eye. Damn, she was hot. Especially when she did that-"

"Enough! Are you trying to say my sister's a porn star?" Deryck had gotten defensive.

Antonio shrugged, and pat him on the arm sympathetically. "Sorry, man. But honestly your sister's hot! I'd even show you the tape but it's at my pop's house and it'd be a little awkward calling him in the middle of the night to ship out a porno." Antonio had began eating his chips again, taking his cell phone out of his pantleg pocket.

Deryck rubbed his face looking horrified, biting on his fist. "She told me she was interning at Bill's law firm in Paraguay. How could I have been so stupid? This whole time she's been using that as a cover to make dirty movies?" He was pretty much talking to himself at this point.

Antonio placed his order and hit end, shaking his head. "Andrea's a cute name though." Antonio laughed again. "Hey, if you and my sister ever hook up, feel free to give Andrea my number."

"Shut up!" Deryck's face was red. "I need another beer." He got up to head to the fridge before getting blocked by Antonio.

"I'm sorry man but you can't spend the night. Kim needs all the rest she can get for class tomorrow. I'm afraid your whole self-bashing big brother ritual has to head out. Not to mention I have class tomorrow. You wouldn't want to leave a bad impression on Kim. I mean, with looking after her today. It'd be a shock to her to see you drunk on her couch. It may even cause her to shun you."

Deryck nodded. He was so disgruntled. "You're right," he muttered unsure, before repeating it more certain, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'll just give Andrea a call and we'll talk it over. I'll be cool about it and we'll find a way to discontinue the tapes she's appeared in." He smiled, feeling a whole lot better. "Now we're safe and dad won't take us out of the will."

Antonio raised a brow at this and went to open the door. "Well, the sooner, the better, right?"

Deryck walked over halfway before remembering Kim. "Kim. I need to say goodbye to Kim-"

"Oh no you don't." Antonio grabbed Deryck by the arms and began to shove him out the door. "Don't worry. I'll tell her everything when she wakes up. Bye." He said hastily in a falsely bright tone before slamming the door in Deryck's face.

He returned to his seat, forgetting what just happened and turning up the volume to the television.

Kim's footsteps came skipping in a giddy like manner, signaling for him to hide the remote.

"Thanks Ant." She jumped on the couch elbowing him in the stomach.

"Ah!" He called out in pain.

"That's for lying about his sister. I heard the whole thing. He must be devastated."

"Hey, you're the one who wanted me to get rid of him. So don't blame me." A devilish grin appeared on his face. "Besides, who said I was lying?"

Kim opened her mouth and then quickly closed it, turning to the flat screen.

"Wrestling, again? Antonio did you find the remote yet?"

He shook his head, munching away. "No, Kim you were the one who had it last."

She sighed, getting up when she heard the doorbell.

"Here's the money," Antonio called, eyes glued to the tube as he free threw the crumpled twenty, recently crumpled on his account

The Next Morning

Kim came down the stairs groggily. Ugh, who could be pounding like a complete ass on our door at this time in the morning. It's only 3:00. Kim opened the door to a very, very pissed Deryck Ashcroft.

She instantly woke up, her hand flying to her hair. "Deryck? Hi. What's up?"

"Your brother! That's what's up! That little- Argh! Where is he?"

Kim bit on her index finger, keeping herself from laughing as a light bulb flashed in her head as to what would have gotten him so mad. She shifted carefully between him and the door.

"He's sleeping. What is this about Deryck? It's three in the morning."

A look of embarrassment quickly came over him as he tried to avoid her gaze. "Nothing. -You should know your brother lies. He lies horrible lies."

Kim scoffed, allowing for a soft giggle. "Deryck, I know my brother lies. He's very good at it. Try playing bullshit, poker, or any other bluffing game with him. What'd he lie to you about?" She was very delicate. It was like she'd done it so much, she'd become a pro at it.

"He- He- He called my sister a porn star."

Kim burst out laughing as if it were the first time she'd heard it. "He what? And you believed him?"

Deryck was blushing heavily in the dark indigo of the morning. "He was specific. He seemed-"

"Like he knew what he was talking about. That's Ant for you. His face is just so cute that you can't think he'd ever say anything so awful, and so you end up going along with him, only to be made an utter and complete ridiculous fool in the end."

He swallowed and then answered, "Yeah. I can't believe I let him get to me. Try trying to explain to your sister in another country why you're calling her in the middle of the night asking if she'd ever starred in a porn flick. She was so furious. She hung up on me right then and there. I'll be lucky if she ever talks to me again."

He inhaled, taking in the morning dew air before chuckling sardonically. "Wow, I let a seventeen year old con me into thinking my own sister was a…" He didn't even finish the statement, he just laughed at his stupidity.

Kim gave him a friendly smile. "At least she wasn't actually a porn star. You have that much to be thankful for."

He looked at her and agreed. "Yeah, and at least I know to watch out for your brother and his fibs," he added, taking her hand.

Awkward, awkward, awkward. Kim continued smiling making it seem as though the nitrous oxide hadn't quite worn off. "Um, yeah, that's good. You know Deryck, maybe we should talk later. I kind of got to get… Yeah," she rambled, stepping back and going to close the door.

He returned her smile, though his was, of course, more genuine. "Okay then. How about lunch?"

"Sure." No!

She could tell he was excited. He was glowing even. Leaning forward he planted a kiss on her cheek. "Then lunch it is," he breathed, huskily in her ear.

"Okay," she squeaked, closing the door slowly.

She stood there for a second at a loss for what to do. Sighing, she fainted once more

Antonio came through the adjoining den, dressed and ready as he approached the kitchen table.

"You okay? You look as though you've seen a ghost," he stated, simultaneously grabbing some fruit and sticking some bread in the toaster.

"I wish," Kim said sulkily, taking a sip from her coffee. Then she turned on him, hitting him. "Why couldn't you make him angrier? Why couldn't you find something that would have devastated him without him being able to check it out?"

"Whoa! Kim, I thought you didn't want him to be devastated."

"It didn't stop you the first time!" She yelled, exasperated. "For once in your life can you be a brat when I need you to be a brat. Antonio, the guy said he loves me!"

"Is this a female thing? Cause if so I can leave-"

"Nuh-uh," she responded, grabbing onto his sleeve. "I'm having lunch with him today because of you."

"Then tell him you can't make it."

She sat back down, deflated. "I can't. I don't want to hurt his feelings. I couldn't bear it if he cried."

"Wait, the guy cries. He looks as though he could bench-press at least-"

"Yes! The one date we went out on, he took me square dancing in Okinawa and I accidentally elbowed him in the nose and he burst into tears."

Antonio stopped to think and then shrugged, taking his new jam smothered piece of toast and biting into it.

"But Kim you hit like a man."

"No, Ant. Ugh! Okay, that same night he called his mother and told him what I did and completely made it look like it was my fault I hit him and not his bad foot-eye coordination. The guy dances like a duck," Kim contended.

"He called his mom to tattle on you?" Antonio repeated in disbelief, nearly spitting his toast out. "Kim, you can't be serious."

Kim nodded wildly. "I am. You know that movie with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey? What's it name? Failure to Launch."

"Yeah, that's the one with the guy who's like thirty-something still living with his parents- Man, Kim that's the life to live."

She hit him. "No, that isn't. Not if you want to get laid. Antonio, repeat after me. 'If I'm going to get a girlfriend. I need to be self-sufficient and rich.'"

He scoffed. "No… Tripp didn't have to."

Kim rolled her eyes. "It's a movie! Tripp doesn't exist!"

"I'm telling mom," he kidded, laughing gutturally as he drank his orange juice.

"Antonio, I swear I'll-"

"Back to the story. I want to hear the rest of it."

Kim sighed, gripping the side of the table. "He told me he thought we should have sex because his mom wanted him to have grandkids."

Antonio couldn't hold his laughter in any longer, grabbing his sides.

Kim was embittered on thinking about that night.

"What'd you tell him?"

"I snatched the phone from him and told his mother that she was being a manipulative and stubborn control freak by allowing her son to think that it was perfectly normal to tattle to her and to use her as a crutch, and then I turned to him and called him an ass."

Ant tried to regain his composure, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "Kim, that's classic."

"Tell me about it. However, it did seem to work because after not talking to me and avoiding me for nearly three months, he came and apologized. He seemed to have really taken my ranting to heart."

Antonio calmed some. "Looks like it too. Was that a Ferrari spider I saw last night? That was sweet. Kim?"

"What?"

"You know what I want for my birthday?"

"Me!" Kim shouted jumping up and giving him a hug. "Aw wittle wumpkin face wants his big sister. Yes, he does. Who, wes he does." She'd started making baby noises and squeezing his cheeks.

He pushed her off of him, wary of the evil glint in her eye. "That is not fair. Marshall got an Aston Martin and Kim dad basically took you on a four thousand dollar shopping spree in Paris!"

"He did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too! Mom, nearly fainted when she saw the bill."

Kim smirked. "Maybe she nearly fainted at how little I spent with all the bargains I found."

He quieted. He wouldn't dare challenge her shopping skills. She'd found him a signature Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster fender on eBay for twenty dollars. Of course, when his father found out he took it and added it to his 'collection'.

"Ant daddy didn't give me a shopping spree… Grandpa did. But that's only because I'm his favorite."

Ant frowned. "That's not true! I am. He even put the Plymouth in my name."

Kim looked down, uneasy. "Antonio, he sold that."

"What! How come no one told me about this?"

He looked on the brink of tears. "I loved that car," he choked.

Kim tilted her head in commiseration. "I'm sorry," she told him softly, as she backed out the front door. "Not! Ha ha!"

Antonio growled, going after her. She was faster and had gotten in her car and was backing out.

Getting on his motorcycle, he revved up, sliding down his helmet. "Kim, you're going to pay."

While driving down the empty road surrounded by country, she let down her window, glancing back playfully. "He didn't even sell it you loser! It's still in the garage. That's what you get you little liar!"

He responded by racing past her, doing a little trick with his legs and then flipping her off.

"How manly," Kim commented.

Tommy sat at his computer typing in grades when the pretty blonde showed up.

"Ah, I see you're here. Half-expected you to be a bumbling mess, racing to get to your door before Randall caught you three minutes before the bell rang."

He stuck the end of his pen in his mouth as he watched her, before flicking it aside and reclining in his chair. "Hate to disappoint you."

Her smile turned into a flirty smirk as she walked to the coffee pot. "Actually you made my day- or to be politically correct, my morning. Hmm," she breathed, before taking a sip from her cup.

He picked up his pen again and began tapping at his desk as he stared at nothing in particular, reveling. "So what's your first name, Ms. Terrill?"

She looked up at the ceiling wondering if she should spoil the mystery. "Why don't you guess?"

He nodded. "Okay… Barbara?"

She made a gagging noise. "Thank god it's not. I hate the nickname Barb, it sounds too much like Bob. It just sounds… too professional. Keep going."

"Lillith?"

She laughed again, shaking her head.

"Sandy?"

She nearly choked again. "You mean like the squirrel on Spongebob Squarepants? No."

"Hmm." He stuck the end of his pen back into his mouth, thinking as he reclined.

"Deborah?"

"Please, you're making me sound like an old person."

"Tammy?"

She bobbed her head side to side, signaling he was getting better, and that she moderately liked the name.

"Susie?"

"Like Susie Q? No."

Just then Kim walked by and he remembered his reason for waking up early.

"Kim!"

"No!" She replied, imitating his vigor in expression.

He got up and then turned to her. "Um, sorry I have to go. Can we finish this some other time?"

"Okay," she accepted, the disappointment evident in her voice. "How about lunch?" She asked hopeful.

"Lunch," he agreed, his eyes glancing behind her, eager to go find his ex. With that he gently made his way past her, running down the hall in pursuit of Kimberly.

She took hold of her room's doorknob, inserting the key when she heard Tommy screaming her name. Unsure of what to do, her brain went into flight mode and she ran to the nearest bathroom.

She rushed in and gently held the door shut, not bothering to see if she'd come into the right bathroom.

Someone behind her cleared their voice and she looked around apprehensively to see one of her colleagues.

"Hi, Ms. Hart."

"Hi, Mr. Mathers," she replied, clearly mortified.

"You're in the wrong bathroom Ms. Hart." He continued in the same monotonic rhythm.

Holding her hand to her face, she blushed, turning from him and the other two guys in the restroom using the urinals. "Yeah, I think I've now figured that."

The two guys doing their business even bothered to shout out their greetings.

He finished washing his hands and went to open the door for her so she wouldn't have to let down her hand.

"There you go, Ms. Hart. Have a nice day, Ms. Hart," he finished, opening the door for her and leaving.

Horrified, she instantly ran into the bathroom across from it. Once inside she burst out into nervous laughter, blushing even harder.

Kira came from out of the bathroom stall when she saw Ms. Hart laughing.

"Ms. Hart?"

Kim looked at the girl and continued to crack up. "I- I just came from out of the Men's Room. I went into the wrong restroom."

Kira smiled, uncomfortably. Sure, it was pretty funny. I guess I had to have been there.

"So, Kira what are you doing here so early?"

"Oh, I had to take a make-up test in Mrs. Washington's class."

"Oh." Kim seemed satisfied with her answer, and began waiting, looking at the white, gray , and maroon tile wall.

Kira went to the sink to wash her hands. Looking into the mirror as she lathered some soap onto her hands, she saw Ms. Hart and thought about the day before. Grabbing some paper towels she dried her hands in a clockwise motion before discarding it, never taking her eyes off her history teacher.

Kim finally looked up and noticed this, her face inquisitive.

"Ms. Hart, how would it sound if you sponsored a Men-Haters Club here at the school?"

Approaching her room he saw that the door was still locked and the lights out. Where'd she go?

Mr. Mathers, the latin teacher, walked past him.

Thinking for a moment, Tommy backtracked and caught up with Mr. Mathers. "Hey, Tim. Did you happen to see Ms. Hart around here?"

Tim gave a signature discolored tooth smile. "In fact I have, Tom. I bumped into her in the bathroom, Tom. She seemed to be running from something, if you ask me, Tom. However, I let her out and went about my way, Tom. Have a nice day, Tom," Tim said in the same monotonic rhythm as he has with Kim. Having said all he knew he resumed going where he was going.

Tommy nearly grinned. He was deep in thought, bits of schemes coming in place and hanging in his brain. If anyone were close enough they might have seen a flare of green flash in his eyes. She's hiding from me which can only mean one thing- She can't bare to be around me. That in turn means I affect her. Therefore, she must still have feelings for me. "Oh, Kim I'll give you a reason to run."

He gave a soft, deep maniacal laugh, rubbing his hands together. "Kimberly, you're mine."