Chapter 13 Opening Up and Moving Slow

David sat at the Peach Pit alone. He kept thinking about Brenda and Dylan and the fact Brenda had been gone for hours. He didn't really think that Brenda would want to be with him over Dylan, he knew their history but it still made him a bit sad. David picked at his food and took a deep breath.

Donna walked in to the Peach Pit and went straight to the counter.

"Hey Nat, is my to go order ready?" Donna said sweetly smiling at Nat.

"Almost doll, give me 3 minutes." Nat said as he seemed rushed.

"No problem." Donna said back. She glanced around and noticed David with his head down sitting by himself. She looked at him sincerely and walked over to him.

"Hey…is this seat taken?" Donna said standing over him.

David looked over at her with sad eyes, "Unfortunately not." murmured David

Donna squinted her eyes at him, and sat down, "David…what's wrong?"

"Nothing." David pushed his fork around his plate.

"Oh come on…I know you better than that…girl troubles?" Donna tried to get him to give her the scoop on Brenda.

David took a deep breath and looked at her, he shook his head, "It's too weird."

"Why? You have always been able to talk to me about girls, I thought we were friends." Donna seemed hurt.

"It's not that, you are my friend…its just its about Brenda and she is your friend." David looked down.

"So you are interested in Brenda and she is with Dylan?" Donna smiled to show him it was okay.

"Something like that." David looked down sadly, "You know living with him and her…I really got to see another side to them. I mean all of us look at them like these two people that are crazy for each other that found their way back to each other but…"

"I understand." Donna nodded slowly getting the jist of the situation. "You think she deserves better."

David slowly smiled, "You do know me pretty well."

Donna nodded her head and set her hand on his shoulder, "Yep…but there is one thing I'm not sure about. Does Brenda feel the same about you?"

David bit his lip and looked at her seriously, "I think so. Does that bother you?"

"Me? No, not at all. I just worry about you. I mean Brenda isn't the kind of person to leave Dylan during this time and she may feel something for you but…"

"But she loves him." David finished her sentence. "I know, she went to visit him today but that was." David looked at his watch, "four hours ago."

"Ah…now it's making more sense." Donna noticed Nat set her food on the counter, "Can I give you some advice?"

David nodded his head interested, "You should talk to her, tell her how you're feeling, go from there. And if she tells you what you don't want to hear, you be her friend and move on. You respect their relationship and the years you have known Dylan and just move on. Dylan may be going through a tough time right now and he may be acting like a jerk but him and Brenda have had a tough year and even though you guys aren't that close you have known him for a really long time and no matter how much you like Brenda you have to respect him. You know what I'm saying?"

David looked down sadly and nodded, "I know…thanks Donna."

Donna leaned in and gave David a friendly hug, "Anytime."

**

Brenda walked into the pavilion where Kelly and Donna's store was and looked around. She made her way in Now Wear This and saw Gina at the counter.

"Hey Gina, is Donna and Kelly around?" Brenda looked around the store.

"They left me in the middle of a Christmas rush as usual, Donna went to pick up some food at the Peach Pit and Kelly is…who knows, maybe upstairs with Matt."

Brenda bit the inside of her cheek and nodded.

"Hey what's wrong?" Gina said as she looked at her closely.

Brenda shook her head, "Why do you think something's wrong?"

Gina gave her an odd look, "Well you look like you have been crying and you don't look like your normal chipper self. I know we don't know each other that well but I'm a good listener." Gina leaned forward and smiled.

Brenda sighed and looked at her, it may be easier actually telling her since she wasn't in the group. Brenda shrugged and sat down by the counter, "Dylan and I broke up."

Gina mouth dropped, "What? Why?" she said sadly.

"It's a long story but I think we just realized we have become really dependent on each other and maybe some space would be good. That way he can concentrate on him and his recovery and I can concentrate on me, and acting and just being myself, you know?"

Gina nodded sadly, "That's sad, I looked at you guys like some kind movie romance, high school sweethearts and then finding their way back to one another."

Brenda shrugged, "Yeah but this kind of stuff is very us…believe me. The break will bring us closer in a good way and even if we are just friends at least we arent living like this. You know in high school when we broke up and he was with Kelly, Dylan and I realized how much we loved each other and we got what we had back. It's good for us." Brenda said it like she was trying to talk herself into it.

"Woah…Kelly went out with Dylan?" Gina's eyes got wide.

"You didn't know?" Brenda seemed surprised.

"No…do tell, wasn't she your friend?"

Brenda smiled and shook her head, "Yeah, things got very serious and intense with Dylan and I and I went away to Paris for the summer. Him and Kelly hooked up behind my back while I was gone. After a pathetic triangle, he chose to date her over me and they were together like the middle of our senior year and dated off and on our freshman year at CU."

"You have got to be kidding me?" Gina shook her head.

Brenda let out a small laugh, "I think you are enjoying this a little too much."

"Well…maybe a little, its nice to know she isn't so high and mighty and perfect after all." Gina rolled her eyes.

"Kelly? Far from it." Brenda noticed Donna walk through the door.

"Hey Bren…you been here long?" Donna said carrying in her and Gina's food.

"Uh…" Brenda shook her head, "Not really, just gossiping here with Gina."

"I ran into David at the Pit and he told me you went to visit Dylan, how did it go?" Donna opened up the carton and grabbed a French fry.

Brenda stole one of Donna's fries, popping it her mouth, "We broke up."

Donna set her hand on her throat as the food slowly moved down, "You almost made me choke, why?"

"Its complicated but we need the space. I have been taking care of Dylan for three years, after he came to London, we got back together quickly and he was mourning Toni and even though it was amazing being together I knew he had lost something really special to him, then after Danielle it was a nightmare. I want to take care of myself for a while. Maybe even have someone take care of me for a change." Brenda looked down sadly, "I love Dylan more than anything but I just…think…for both of our sakes we need this time."

Donna nodded in agreement, "Some one to take care of you? Like David?" Donna looked at her intently.

Brenda looked down uncomfortably, "Donna.." Brenda shook her head.

"No Bren, its ok. David talked to me about you, I know." Donna looked over at Gina who was leaning in being nosey. "Can you help that customer?" She lifted her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah." Gina got the hint and walked over to the customer.

"Donna…I was going to tell you, its not really a big deal." Brenda felt guilty, she knew first hand how hard it is.

"No Bren, I know nothing is going on, but he seems crazy about you."

"I know, I'm just not ready to move into anything and besides it wouldn't be fair. I can't promise David anything and I value him too much to lead him on. I don't know where things will go with Dylan, you know?"

Donna nodded, "But…you won't really know unless you give it a chance." Donna wasn't sure why she was saying the things she was saying. It was a little weird talking to Brenda about David but Donna didn't like David like that and she saw how much David liked her.

"I feel weird talking to you about this Donna." Brenda uncomfortably looked in the direction of the windows and saw David buying a coffee at the coffee stand.

"Oh come on Brenda, I'm with Noah and I couldn't be happier with him and don't not try things with David because of me."

"No I know…" Brenda looked and made eye contact with David as he turned around.

Donna followed Brenda's stare and saw David outside. Gina came up behind him and looked outside also, "Go talk to him." Donna said with a smile.

Brenda turned and looked at Gina and Donna and nodded. She walked out of the store and up to David.

Gina crossed her arms and watched Brenda, "You honestly don't care if they were to start dating?" Gina said honestly.

Donna watched them and shook her head. She looked over at Gina and smiled, "No, not at all." Donna walked over going back to her lunch.

Gina looked at Donna as she walked away and looked back at Brenda and David, she shrugged and went to finish her lunch as well.

"Hey." Brenda smiled meeting David.

"Hi…you want a coffee?" David said uncomfortably pointing to the stand.

"Sure." Brenda nodded.

David ordered Brenda a coffee and looked back down at her, "How did it go?" David swallowed hard and forced a smile.

"It went good." David handed over her coffee and held out his arm to lead her to a close by table

"How is he doing?" David took a sip and didn't take his eyes off her.

"He seemed really good actually. We talked and I told him about us." Brenda took a deep breath.

"About us?" David raised his eyebrows.

"Well…I meant I told him about the kiss...both of them."

David made a face, "Great." David rubbed across his forehead.

Brenda smiled, "Yeah…but its ok. We talked and we…broke up. We decided it was time we found ourselves again." Brenda brought the coffee cup to her lips and sipped carefully.

David looked down and took a deep breath.

"David…I'm not ready to date or anything, it wouldn't be fair to you. I do like you. I just think we should be friends." Brenda nodded. "See what happens." she said softly.

David agreed, "Take it slowly, right?"

"Right." Brenda smiled. She swallowed hard looking into his eyes intently.

"Right." David repeated taking a deep breath as he looked at her.

The stare got intense until Brenda's cell phone rang, she looked down reaching in her purse. She welcomed the interruption and smiled as she saw the name on the face plate.

"Hello." Brenda said with a smile.

"Bren…how's my favorite sister?" Brandon said happily.

"Oh Brandon…its so good to hear your voice." Brenda smiled as she looked at David.

David leaned in getting closer to the phone, "Hey Brando."

"Is that Silver?" Brandon asked recognizing the voice.

Brenda laughed, "Yeah. How are you? How's DC?"

"Good…really good, How's L.A.? You and Dylan catching up with everyone?"

"Um…it has been a while since we have talked, hasn't it?" Brenda's tone changed.

Brandon heard the difference, "Everything ok?"

Brenda took a deep breath, "No…Dylan is in a rehab over in Malibu."

"What?" Brandon said shocked, "When did he fall off the wagon?"

"Six months ago, except it wasn't alcohol, he started doing heroin again."

Brandon stayed quiet on the other line, "I'm sorry bren, I had no idea, you should have called me."

"I know, I meant to tell you what was going on, but I knew you were getting used to living in a new city and a new job, I just didn't want to bother you with it." Brenda looked down.

"Wow…is he ok?" Brandon felt so out of the loop, if he had known he would have been on the first flight to L.A. to help his sister and his long time friend.

"Actually yeah, he has been in there for two weeks, I went and visited him today and he seems a lot better. I know its just the outside but he looked good." Brenda smiled thinking about him.

"I don't know what to say, I'm sorry you had to go through that alone. I know how Dylan can be when he is messed up." Brandon felt guilty.

"I wasn't alone, I have been staying with David and he has been helping me a lot." Brenda looked over at David and smiled.

"You're living with David? I need to come there I am so out of the loop." Brandon laughed.

Brenda laughed with him, "What are you doing for Christmas? Have you talked to mom and dad?" Brenda tried to change the subject.

"Yeah, they are staying in Japan and I was going to spend a sad and lonely Christmas by myself, what about you?"

"I don't know. The gang hasn't really talked about it, I'm sure we will all get together have something, you know? Steve mentioned having Christmas at…well our house." Brenda shook her head in amusement on how funny that sounded. "But nothing is set in stone."

"Well I'm glad good old Casa Walsh is still standing, I'm sure Jim and Cindy will be happy to know that."

"Yeah, I haven't been there since Thanksgiving but he is taking good care of it."

"How is everyone else?" Brandon voice changed.

"Ah, good, everyone is doing well."

Brandon sat quiet for a second then just came out and said it, "How's Kel? Is she seeing anybody?"

Brenda took a deep breath knowing this topic would come up, "Brandon." Brenda eyed David.

"Bren…is she?" Brandon asked seriously.

"Yeah…she is seeing someone."

Brenda heard Brandon sigh on the line and David looked down knowing who she was talking about.

"Well that's good, I'm happy for her. Look Bren, my lunch is almost over but please call me anytime. I miss you and you know you can tell me anything."

"I know Brandon, I'm sorry and I miss you too." Brenda played with the rim of her coffee cup.

"Ok, little sis, Merry Christmas and I will call you soon." Brandon forced a smile even though Brenda couldn't see it.

"Merry Christmas, I love you, I will talk to you soon."

"Love you too. Bye Bren." Brandon clicked his phone closed.

Brenda sighed and shut her phone looking down at it.

"He doesn't know about Danielle?" David set his hand over hers.

"No, it was hard enough telling him about Dylan being in rehab and then him asking about Kelly, it wasn't the time. One of these days I will catch him up."

David nodded, "He asked if Kelly was seeing anybody?"

Brenda exhaled, "Yeah, I couldn't lie."

"No I know." David looked as Kelly came down the stairs from Matt's office.

"Why don't you let me take you on a date, tonight?" David smiled.

Brenda shook her head, "Not tonight, but soon."

David put up his hands in defeat, "Slow, got it." David said reminding himself.

"What about food? Now…just friends?" Brenda raised her eyebrows. "The Pit?"

"Oh God its been ages since I have been there, like 30 minutes." David laughed.

"Oh sorry." Brenda shook her head.

"No…I have much more of an appetite now, that sounds good." David got up holding out his hand and helped Brenda up. He wrapped his arm around her tightly and led her out of the pavilion.

Kelly stopped on her way into the store she shook her head looking at them, "God they are so obvious but I still cant believe Brenda would do that to Dylan. Kelly said noticing Donna and Gina looking at her noticing them.

"Well…Brenda and Dylan broke up." Donna said with a smile dressing a mannequin.

"You're kidding me?" Kelly looked outside again, "Interesting." Kelly smiled.

Ok moving along, all you B/K fans I hope you enjoyed the little Brandon teaser. Christmas is coming up next. What are you thinking? Please review *grins*