A/N: Hope you guys are enjoying so far, here is another chapter!

Chapter Seven

The music pulsed around them, the lights were amazing, it was like being in a music video. It was exhilarating and Victoria was so thankful they had come. She couldn't imagine sitting in Reid's dorm while she felt like every one of her nerves was awake for the first time.

Reid was talking to Tyler about the State Championship Swim Meet that was coming up. Since minimizing his use of his own power, Reid had definitely refocused on working out, swimming and running. It was good for him, helped him work through his pent up emotion and energy. Victoria let her eyes wander over the banquet hall and they settled on her brother. Victoria took a deep breath, her half brother.

Before she could delve into her newly realized identity she got caught up watching him. Caleb was talking to Pogue, who seemed agitated. Caleb shook his head shrugging his big shoulders. Pogue glared before turning and walking out onto one of the balconies.

Victoria put a hand on Reid's arm, "I'll be right back, ok?"

Reid looked at her, "Want company?" He asked smiling coyly.

Victoria smiled back, "I'll be fine. Be right back," she kissed him on the cheek and walked across the room.

Caleb looked up and saw her, he gave her a gentle smile. Victoria stopped in front of him, crossing her arms, "What's going on with Pogue?"

Caleb shrugged, "I dunno, he's going through some stuff, I guess..."

Victoria narrowed her eyes at her brother, "That is a pathetic answer." She looked at her big brother, "Is it about Kate?" Pogue had been with Kate since before Victoria left and their icy break up a few months back had shocked everyone, including Kate.

Caleb shrugged, "Yes and no," he glanced at the doorway that led his friend outside, "Look, Tori, in all honesty I don't really know what's gotten into him. I've asked him about it, he tells me it's nothing, not getting enough sleep. I ask him if it's about Kate, he says it had nothing to do with her. Something has got him wound up tighter than a spring, maybe it's exams? I dunno."

"Well, he just about bit Reid's head off outside the Simms', because of a totally normal Reid thing to say."

"Yeah, he got all moody when Reid was joking around when we were getting ready at Tyler's, didn't seem to warrant his reaction." Caleb looked over Victoria's shoulder at Reid, "Wouldn't be the first time they got into it over something,"

Victoria shook her head, "Reid would have told me if something happened between them."

Caleb looked at her raising an eyebrow, "Would he?" He sounded doubtful.

Victoria looked at her brother, "Yes, he would." She turned to walk past Caleb.

"Where are you going?" Caleb asked taking a deep breath.

Victoria looked at Caleb over her shoulder, "Well, if he won't tell you, maybe he will tell me." With that she walked onto the balcony.

Pogue was leaning with his back against the railing, head in his hands, eyes tight shut, his fingers messing up his chin length hair.

"Oh my god," Victoria crossed the balcony in a second to stand in front of him, "Pogue, are you ok?" She put a hand on his arm but quickly pulled it back, as soon as she touched his jacket it was like an electric current shot through her arm.

Pogue looked at where her hand had been but didn't seem to react as if he had felt the same thing she had. He looked at her, that's when she saw it, his eyes went from electric to calm in a few breaths, "Peachy, why?"

Unsure of what to do with her hands now Victoria wrapped them around herself, "You seemed...upset,"

Pogue shook his head, turning to look over the balcony, "I'm fine Victoria. Besides I should be asking you that." He looked at her, his eyes going very serious. "You ok?"

Victoria took a deep breath relaxing again, letting her arms drop and reached for the railing to stand beside him, "I'm amazing, I feel…. exhilarated in a way I've never been before. And I know that sounds like lyrics from a Disney song but I can't help it," She said giggling. Pogue chuckled looking down at his shoes. Victoria narrowed her eyes, something was bothering him. And she couldn't let it go. Pogue had been her brother's closest friend since... forever. And Victoria couldn't help but feel the same way. He was her friend not just her brother's friend. Besides, normally he treated her like the little sister, well maybe not a sister. VIctoria looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was around them or on the balcony, she turned back to Pogue, "Don't you remember what it felt like? Or did it feel different for you?"

Pogue straightened up, his brow heavy, he looked out over the lights of Ipswich, "No, sounds about right," He smiled at Victoria and the strangest thing happened. It felt like someone had 'walked over her grave'. Victoria straightened up looking at Pogue it was like the most intense feeling of déjà vu she had ever had in her life. "It's only after that, thatthings get complicated again."

Victoria furrowed her brow looking at him, "What do you mean?"

Pogue shook his head, looking away, "Nothing, didn't mean anything. Just talking."

She put a hand on her hips, "Doesn't sound like nothing." Victoria blinked but he didn't say anything, "Pogue!" Victoria took his arm and made him turn and face her, "What is up with you? Tell me!" She snapped crossing her arms and staring up at him.

His eyes glazed over before blinking and looking at her dully, shrugging his shoulder, "I said it was nothing, it's nothing. I'm bored at Prom, pretty sure not the first person to be guilty of that."

He was keeping something from her. Victoria felt irritated at his nonchalant answer, and had to swallow back her rising anger, "Well, then maybe I can peak your interest, and ask about why you practically lost it on Reid back at Tyler's?"

Pogue shook his head, looking away from her smiling in an insufferable kind of way, "No, no, I don't want to talk about him." He looked away and mumbled something that Victoria would have bet her trust fund on, sounded like, 'especially not with you'.

"Excuse me?!" Victoria snapped crossing her arms again. Pogue looked up at her, from his position leaning down on the railing.

"I don't want to talk about Reid. I just don't." He looked back over town.

"Why? Did you guys get into it or something?" Victoria kept her eyes trained on Pogue, "Because he didn't mention anything but-"

"Look!" Pogue suddenly stood up straight and turned back to face Victoria, "I said it was nothing, don't worry about it. Go, find Reid, have prom! I'll be fine Victoria!" With that he turned on his heel and marched off the balcony.

Victoria was left standing on the balcony with her mouth open too stunned to move. She couldn't believe that just happened! What was his issue!? Victoria shook her head taking a deep breath, trying to calm her rage, shaking out her hands, she exhaled through her mouth. She gave her head a shake and then turned to walk back in to prom.

She made a mental note to talk to Caleb tomorrow at brunch at the Fairmont. Something was up with Pogue. She also made a mental note to talk to Reid about it as well. Something must have gone on between them and Victoria would have to find out what it was. Pogue Perry may not want her help but he damn sure was gonna get it.