Chapter 35 Too Damn Talented

Brenda could not stop thinking about New York, a week from Friday Brenda would officially be a New Yorker, would Dylan come with her? L.A. had been nothing but craziness since they got there. Brenda thought Dylan would embrace the change, she would tell him how she felt and beg him to come with her. She walked to the after party with a huge grin across her face as she saw her friends. They all smiled back at her clapping supportively.

"Aww thanks guys…you guys are so sweet."

"You were great Brenda." Donna said giving her a hug.

"Thanks Don."

"Yeah…really fantastic…great...totally awesome" Everyone said at different times.

"I hope it was at least entertaining, spending your Valentines Day here." Brenda smiled shyly.

"Are you crazy? What do you think Steve actually had planned for me anyway?" Janet joked.

"Excuse me, we do have reservations." Steve tried to act like he would have planned something just as fun.

The gang laughed at their playfulness, "We better go." Steve rested his hand on the small of Janet's back.

"Bye Bren, honestly you were great." Steve leaned in kissing Brenda on the cheek.

Brenda tilted her head and smiled, "Thank you…you guys have fun and thanks so much for being here."

Steve and Janet nodded.

"Where's Dylan?" Brenda asked looking around.

Kelly shrugged and looked at Donna, "I don't know…I am sure he is around here somewhere."

"So…what about you Donna…you and Noah have any plans?" Brenda said wiggling her eyebrows.

"Well…I am going to head over to the club now, you guys should come, celebrate, Noah and I will probably just celebrate our Valentines later tonight." Donna lifted her eyebrows and blushed slightly.

Brenda giggled, "How times have changed." Brenda joked.

Donna gave her a playful look and laughed.

"Oh…Kel…how is the baby, did Matt call you and tell you the details?"

As Kelly started to smile and tell Brenda the baby details, Brandon took a deep breath. The girls proceeded to talk about the normal girly things girls talk about when it came to babies as Brandon walked out the back door to get some air. He couldn't stand keeping the Matt information from her. Kelly didn't deserve it and she was too good for Matt. Brandon took a deep breath as he noticed Dylan sitting in his Porsche. He walked over curiously.

"Hey…what are you doing man? Brenda came out finally. She asked about you."

"I am going home, tell her I said she was fantastic as usual." Dylan stared at his steering wheel.

"Why don't you just come in and tell her yourself?" Brandon was confused.

Dylan didn't say anything he just sighed.

"What's up D? Why don't you want to see her?"

Dylan finally looked over at Brandon and shook his head, "It's not that I don't want to see her…" Dylan didn't want to tell Brandon what he had heard and what his plan originally was. He hadn't originally planned to propose to Brenda in her dressing room, he had planned on a surprise dinner back at the hotel. He had arranged them to set everything up and decorate the room with candles and flowers. The first thing Dylan did when returning to his car was call and cancel everything. Dylan couldn't tell Brenda how he felt and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He had saw how happy she was about New York and he couldn't take that away from her. Going with her wasn't even a option even though Dylan didn't want to live in New York...he would have. The thing was he was still on probation and still had 60 hours of community service to complete. He couldn't leave the state if he wanted to.

"Well then why are you bailing?" Brandon was trying to get whatever he could from him.

"I am not bailing…I saw the damn play…just tell her I didn't feel good." Dylan started his car.

"Dylan…come on…Brenda will be bummed, plus I think we are going to the After Dark to celebrate, spend Valentines day together." Brandon looked at him seriously.

Dylan sighed and thought about it, after a few seconds Brandon set his hand on his shoulder, "Come on D.

"Okay." Dylan felt bad leaving, Brandon was right, Brenda would be upset. He turned off his car and followed Brandon inside.

The gang met at the After Dark, as they approached the entrance Brenda looked at Dylan, "You ok?"

Dylan bit his lower lip and nodded. "We aren't going to be here long right?" he said distant.

Brenda shook her head, "No…I have a matinee tomorrow, we don't have to stay long…I would rather be alone with you anyway." Brenda smiled.

Dylan didn't even look at her as he passed her and went into the club. Brenda looked down sadly, she didn't understand what had gotten into him. First he is filling her dressing room with flowers and presents and then he is not only being distant, he is being mean. Brenda watched Dylan through the night, he wasn't talking to anyone, he only made eyes at her if he had too.

Brenda finally got the courage to approach Dylan, she wasn't sure what was on his mind and honestly she was afraid to ask. She did know that it was Valentines Day and she wanted to be alone with him. She wanted to tell him about New York and ask him to come with her. She was nervous though, the last three weeks had been weird, Dylan being distant and quiet, not trying to be with her. She honestly thought maybe he was trying to move on until all the flowers and sweet gestures were given.

"Dylan?" Brenda looked down at him. He was sitting alone staring into his coke. He slowly raised his head looking at her. "Want to get out of here?"

Brenda saw Dylan swallow hard as he gave her a nod. They said their goodbyes and headed back to the hotel.

**

Kelly and Brandon had been hanging out together the entire night. Since Gina's last minute trip and Matt being gone, they really didn't have to worry about their significant others getting jealous or getting the wrong idea.

"So…what are you doing after this?" Brandon said nonchalantly, it was still fairly early and Brandon didn't want to go home seeing as the gang was dwindling.

Kelly shrugged with a smile, "No plans, what about you?" Kelly kept her stare, she felt his eyes on her and it was like old times. His blue eyes staring into hers. Brandon was the only guy that made her heart flutter when he looked at her and even after time had past, it still was the same.

"Well…I don't really want to go home, I was thinking…Why don't we head on down to the pier, we can get something to eat, ride the Farris wheel…I haven't been down there since I have been back."

Kelly smiled at him but didn't answer right away. She was enjoying being around Brandon again and even though the idea sounded amazing, she couldn't help but feel like maybe it wasn't the best idea.

Brandon moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her. He leaned in and whispered, "I'll win you a stuffed animal." Brandon's hot breath caused Kelly to close her eyes briefly and take a big breath. It was the closest they had been to one another since Brandon came home and Kelly couldn't resist him.

"You promise?" Kelly raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Of course." Brandon kept his arm around her and motioned his head toward the door.

Kelly laughed and motioned towards the door as well. They did it back and forth until Kelly laughed. Brandon keeping his grip tight led Kelly out of the After Dark.

**

Dylan opened the hotel door and let Brenda go in first.

"Uhhh, I am exhausted." Brenda said as she set her purse down and kicked off her heels.

Dylan who had been pretty quiet on the way home finally spoke, "Yeah…I am pretty beat too."

Brenda turned to look at him, she gave him a small smile, "Thanks again for finding my metal and for the flowers. I have to admit you…really made my Valentines day…considering I am without a Valentine." Brenda walked closer to him.

Dylan kept his eyes on her and shrugged shyly, "No problem, you deserve it. You were great tonight." he took a deep breath. He was going to miss her so much. She had looked so amazing tonight as well. Dylan wasn't sure if it was because he was a little mad at her or because he had been trying so hard to keep his distance but she looked good…irresistibly good.

Brenda kept walking toward him, until finally she was standing right in front of him. She reached up and took his jacket in her hands pulling him close to her, "I was thinking…a hot bath sounds more than inviting right now and why should it be wasted on one person?" Brenda was in high flirt mode. She was in the mood, incredibly excited about how the night had gone and having sex with Dylan would be the topping of an already amazing night.

Dylan just stared down at her, "Why don't you just go ahead." Dylan brought his hands to hers and gently lowered them off his jacket.

"You really don't want to join me?" Brenda tried to keep her flirt mode going but she knew Dylan could see and hear the hurt in her eyes and voice.

Dylan shook his head, "You go ahead." he said softly.

Brenda gently bit the inside of her lip and nodded sadly. She watched Dylan move around her and go into the bar area grabbing a bottle of water.

Dylan didn't even look at her as she made her way into the bathroom to take a bath.

Dylan shook his head and sighed, this was not working, he took out the velvet box and opened it. He debated back and forth, should he? Would she say yes and forget about New York all together? Dylan tried to make himself feel better…She could still live out her dream here; she didn't have to be with Roy to be an actress. She had landed herself an agent here and got the lead in the play. Even if it was Roy's play she still got it. She auditioned right? Would she resent him for making her choose if he gave her the choice? Dylan knew he didn't want that. Dylan looked down at the ring one last time and closed the box. He went into the bedroom and found a bag in the back of the closet, it was an old carry on that Dylan hadn't used in years and he just so happened to find it in storage. He opened it up and put the velvet box all the way at the bottom hiding it. He set the bag back in the closet and shut the closet door. He refused to be the reason Brenda didn't go to New York. He was going to have to pretend he was happy for her and stop the silent treatment. Brenda would see right through him and he already knew Brenda knew something was up. If Dylan continued to be distant and cold she would know he was mad or sad at her leaving. He had to act normal and the normal Dylan wouldn't be letting Brenda take a bath alone. It was Valentines Day and even though Dylan wasn't going to ask Brenda to marry him, didn't mean they couldn't be together on this day or the week before she left. Dylan called down to Henry, the manager in which Dylan had known practically his whole life. He asked if Henry still had the flowers and candles, Dylan decided to make the Valentines Day memorable even if his original plans had gotten spoiled.

**

Kelly held three stuffed animals in her arms as she walked closely with Brandon. The Santa Monica Pier has games, restaurants and rides and it was time for the Ferris Wheel, it was a big Ferris wheel, the kind with big bucket seat and that moved slowly.

Brandon smiled as he held the little latched door open for her. Kelly climbed in setting her stuffed animals on the seat and sitting down. Brandon joined her and watched as the attendant latched the door closed. The Ferris Wheel started to move slowly.

"Can I tell you something?" Kelly said shyly, giving him a small smile and eyeing him.

"You can tell me anything." Brandon said back meeting her stare.

"This has been the most incredible night. An amazing play, hanging out with you, you keeping your promise." Kelly smiled bigger and looked down at the stuffed animals.

"Well you know." Brandon acted modest.

"Thank you Brandon for an amazing Valentines Day." Kelly looked down feeling the intense stare, "Is it bad that…never mind." Kelly changed her mind.

Brandon scooted closer to her and lifted her chin. He leaned in and softly kissed Kelly's lips. Both of them closed their eyes and lingered there for a moment before Kelly pulled away touching her finger tips to her mouth.

"It's not bad." Brandon said staring into her eyes.

"I care about Matt but every since I saw you and you have been back, I can't …get you out of my head. You being here scares me because I can't move on when you are here." Kelly said honestly.

"I know…me too." Brandon said softly.

Brandon and Kelly stared at each other for several moments but this time is was Kelly to move in first. She set both hands on each side of Brandon's face and kissed him. This time it was intense and passionate. They both released the tension between them and kissed each other hard. Kelly moved away quickly, "I am sorry." She whispered. "We can't do this."

Brandon still in a fog from the intense kiss nodded.

"Matt is so good to me…why do I always do this?" Kelly said mad at herself, "I don't know what's going to happen with us but I don't want to start it like this, cheating on people that care about us for our own benefit. Dylan and I did the same thing back in the day and I don't want to do that with you. We are better than that and…"

Brandon grazed her cheek with his fingers, "I know."

Brandon looked toward his feet as the ride was coming to an end. They got out and walked down the pier, "Want to take a walk down the boardwalk…I have to tell you something." Brandon said swallowing hard after the words came out. There was no going back now with an introduction like that.

Kelly saw the look on his face, the seriousness and nervousness and it terrified her. She nodded as they began to walk down the beach.

They walked a little in silence until Brandon moved in front of her and stopped. "Remember the guy's night we did a few weeks back?" Kelly nodded, "Well we wanted to cheer Dylan up, it seemed something was happening with him and Brenda and instead of leaving him home alone to dwell on it by himself we decided the best way to cheer him up was to take him to a strip club."

Kelly smiled slightly finding it amusing, "Ok." She said slowly not really sure where this was going.

"We had a good time and some of the guys decided to go to a nearby bar and have drinks." Brandon hesitated.

Kelly reached up and set her hand on Brandon's arm, "What is it?"

"It's about Matt." Brandon looked into her eyes and Kelly knew it was something bad.

Kelly dropped her hand from Brandon, "What about Matt?" her voice more stern less understanding and sweet.

"He went home with one of the strippers Kel." Brandon blurted out.

Kelly's first reaction was an uncomfortable smile, "No." she shook her head, "Matt wouldn't do that, he is a straight arrow, he wouldn't…" her smile faded as she saw Brandon was dead serious. "How do you know?" she said sadly.

"I saw him. He was spending a lot of time at the club with her and I saw him get in a car and leave with her."

Kelly looked down and didn't say anything, "I am sorry Kelly, I should have told you sooner…its just I wasn't sure how too and I thought if you heard it from me I would be getting involved and you might think I was just telling you because I was jealous." Brandon stopped talking, he was rambling and caught himself. He was nervous and didn't want to turn into a mumbling idiot. "Are you ok?"

Kelly looked up with tears in her eyes, "Thanks for telling me Brandon. I am going to get home." Kelly turned around quickly.

"I am not letting you walk home alone Kel, Brenda was just attacked a few weeks back around here."

Kelly stopped and nodded knowing what had happened to Brenda, she looked at Brandon now the tears were flowing freely. "Will you just bring me home then?" Kelly said as she cried.

Brandon nodded and led her back to the car. He kept looking over at her on the short drive back to the beach apartment. She didn't say anything she just cried quietly, trying to hide it but Brandon saw her wipe her tears and sniffle. Brandon pulled into the alley way by the house and turned to face her.

"Kel? Are you mad at me for telling you?" Brandon said softly.

Kelly shook her head, "No…its karma I guess, for what I did to Brenda, you and Dylan…payback is a bitch huh." Kelly forced a smile and wiped under her nose. She reached for the door but stopped feeling Brandon's hand on her arm.

"Want me to come in with you? I can stay the night…I'll sleep on the couch I promise."

Kelly shook her head, "No thanks." Kelly smiled slightly, "I am so mad at Matt I don't trust myself to not try and get even with him and…It's time I break the cycle."

Brandon smiled and nodded, "Call me ok?"

"I will." Kelly nodded slowly giving him a small smile back. "Thank you Brandon."

"Happy Valentines Day Kel."

"Happy Valentines Day Brandon." Kelly set her hand gently on his cheek and leaned and gently pecked his lips. She kept her eyes closed resting her forehead on his, "Bye." She whispered.

"Bye Kel." Brandon whispered back as she got out of the car, carrying her stuffed animals and moving through the gate to her house.

**

Brenda walked out into the bedroom drying her hair with the towel, her eyes closed, wearing her bath robe. She slowly opened them up looking around. The room was decorated with candles and flowers; Brenda has utterly confused but touched. She smiled taking a deep breath looking around. Dylan quietly leaned against the door frame with his hands in his pockets.

"I'll be your Valentine." He said softly.

He startled Brenda as she turned around and saw him. "What is all this? You are freaking me out with your split personalities."

Dylan let out a small laugh and walked over to her. He gently took her hand and led her over to the bed and sat her down.

"I have to talk to you." Dylan said as he took his hand and moved it down the back of her head stopping at her neck and gently massaging it. "I know about New York…and I think it's great." Dylan lied.

"How did you find out?" Brenda said nervously.

"After the show, I went to meet you in your dressing room and…I heard you and Roy talking." Dylan looked down, he hated lying to her, he was about to and he was having so much trouble doing it. Dylan hadn't lied to Brenda in a log time and he had promised himself he would never again.

"I was going to tell you, I am so excited Dylan. I want you to come with me…will you come with me please?" Brenda said, pleading with her eyes. "A fresh start."

Dylan tilted his head, "I can't." He shook his head.

Brenda smiled faded slowly, "Why not? You don't want to be with me?" Brenda said sadly.

Dylan took a deep breath, "Bren…its not that…I love you more than anything, I can't leave, I am on probation and I am doing my community service."

Brenda began to tear up, "Well how long are you on probation for? Can't you come and meet me after?"

"2 years." Dylan looked at her sadly; her tears were breaking his heart.

"Then I am not going, I want to be with you."

Dylan shook his head, here came the lies, "I can't make you happy Bren…lie…I can't commit to you like you want or deserve…lie… I don't want to get married again…lie…I don't think I want kids…lie…I think its time for us to move on…lie again."

"No." Brenda said crying. "If this is because of what I said before, I didn't mean it. I don't want to hate you, I don't want you to leave me alone."

"Bren." Dylan felt like crying himself. "It's not that."

"What do you want me to do Dylan?" Brenda raised her voice, "I love you."

Dylan swallowed hard, "I want you to go to New York…I want you to live out your dream and be an actress…I want you to meet someone who will take care of you and love you like you deserve to be loved. Someone that is caring and thoughtful, someone who wants to marry you…" Dylan got choked up and stopped as he described himself. "And be happy with someone who isn't damaged like me."

Brenda cried harder, "I can't believe you're saying this…you're dumping me and we aren't even together." Brenda said angrily.

Dylan set his hands on the sides of her face forcing her to look at him, "Hey…I am not dumping you. I want you to go New York, you are incredible actress; I don't want you to stay here for me, ok?" Dylan said it sternly, which was the truth. "You are too damn talented to waste your life on me."

Brenda shook her head slowly and closed her eyes as Dylan's lips touched hers. They barely moved their mouths as they kissed, it was so emotional. "I am going to miss you so much." She said in a whisper, eyes still closed lips still touching slightly.

"I am going to miss you too." Dylan whispered back fighting back from telling her the truth. He wanted her, he couldn't imagine his life without her, he would never love anyone like he loved her and how much he really truly did want her to be his wife, he only wanted kids with her, how much he would miss her and how much his heart ached for her already.

Brenda wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, and began to sob quietly. Dylan held her, stroking her hair trying to comfort her, Dylan looked up at the ceiling and blinked away his tears. He lied to her, it was for her own good, he was telling her the truth when he said he didn't want to be the reason she stayed. Brenda had a dream and wanted to be an actress. She was too damn talented to give it up. If Dylan had to sacrifice his true feelings for her to succeed, he would.

*sniff sniff* Soooo, what did you think? Things coming out, people coming together, people breaking apart. Let me know. This story is almost done. I am sad.