A/N: Thank you soooo much too RANDOM COOKIE NINJA, TempusSimia, 3DWishes, kiki and brightglo for their fabulous reviews! It means so much :) Please let me know what you thought at the end, guys!

Chapter 9: Lessons

Tasha convinced me to come back downstairs an hour or so after our heart-to-heart. I couldn't remember the last time I'd really talked to my sister. It made me feel guilty for keeping things from her all over again. I mean, she came close to being an Aunty and I hadn't told her. Even after I'd found out I was pregnant I couldn't find it in me to tell her or Mum about it. I don't know what I was afraid of, but I was.

And I still hadn't told her. What was the point in telling anyone now? That was gone. Impossible, now. I would never tell Tasha, or Mum, or anyone else about my son, about my broken shit-excuse of a life. It was my burden to carry, mine alone.

The house had quietened down, some of the boys had disappeared and Kim, Emily, Georgia and Rachel were all busy running around the kitchen preparing insanely large dishes of food. Tash and I split there, I being in no mood to adopt the womanly job of cooking at that moment, and instead wandered out on the veranda where the men had been banished to.

"There she is." Max called, turning every set of eyes to me and the ruff and tumble footy game paused. "Pay up, man." He nudged Brady in the ribs with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you might have a gambling problem?" I slumped down next to Leah on the step. She shot me a rare genuine smile and squeezed my hand discreetly.

They, being Brady, Max, Embry, Paul, Jared, Seth and Sam, gave me mock hurt looks. "Us? Gambling problem? Never!" Max exclaimed. It hadn't taken me long to figure out that he was one for the dramatics.

"Well…guess I can add delusional to my growing list of all the things wrong with you then." I said, looking thoughtful.

The younger ones all spluttered and protested indignantly while Sam just looked amused by the whole thing. He approached me cautiously, as if afraid I would run back inside and barricade myself in my room and he'd have to put up with Tasha on his own. He stopped before Leah and me and opened his mouth, then closed it again, stumped about what to say.

"Wow, Sam, your usually never a loss for words, oh mighty boss man." I teased and gave him a reassuring smile. "If you're going to apologise then don't worry about it. It's not your fault…though I will say 'I told you so'. I'm not mad at you."

He smiled and reached down to snatch me up into a hug, my feet dangling above the ground. We must be a hugging family. "Good, I talked to him. He'll behave now, I promise. Don't be too harsh on him though, it isn't really his fault."

I rolled my eyes but wrapped my arms around his large form anyway. "I don't like him."

"I didn't say you had to." He set me back on the ground and affectionately kissed my forehead. "Just…don't hate him, please? It'd kill him."

I looked skywards and muttered quietly under my breath in Chinese. "You're all so weird."

He laughed. "But we love you. So, who was the guy you were talking to?"

"Not you too!" I whined and chuckles erupted from our ever present audience.

"I'm your cousin, older cousin at that, I'm aloud to be protective of you." He reasoned.

"His name is Jay, and he's just a friend. Always has been, always will be. I think he's a cross between my older brother and my father. Satisfied?"

He nodded, pleased. "I am, actually."

I groaned. "I don't know whether to call myself lucky…or very unlucky."

Sam let out his booming laugh and ruffled my hair. "Well, whatever you are, you're not getting rid of us."

"Great." I think the sarcasm was noticed. They deemed it fit to leave me in peace and resume their game, all seeming pleased that the message had gotten across. I wasn't going to say that the only messages I'd gotten was that I shouldn't hate Black, and that Sam was protective.

Leah rolled her eyes at my confused face but didn't bother enlightening me. She muttered something about getting me to understand them being too much effort. I couldn't blame her. We watched the guys in silence, wincing when particular hits looked like they would have hurt. I seriously didn't know how they weren't black and blue and bleeding, but each thump just rolled off them like a wave rolling over a rock.

I was impressed. And that surprised me. Hand to hand was my forte, that and firearms, were my strongest points. Bomb deactivation made me jittery. I always worried that I wouldn't get it done in time. I could do it, I just didn't like it.

But other fighters hardly impressed me; my teachers did, of course. But as far as watching boxers and marshal art fighters rarely stirred any overall interest in me. Possibly because those people had only learned it for the sport of it, they saw it as a past time hobby or possibly as a career. To me, and my comrades, it was survival. Being that little bit smarter, bit faster, meant the difference between life and death to us.

But watching these guys, how they moved so fluently, so naturally, made my insides light up proudly, which also confused me. They were just having fun; like there wasn't any other reason to do it. Not as a hobby or career or survival, just fun. I honestly hadn't seen that without some other motive with it.

"What are you looking like that for?" Leah asked me curiously, poking my side. "Surely this isn't anything new to you."

I smiled. "It is, actually. I've never seen a group of people play like this simply for fun, and only fun. It's intriguing."

"What else is wrestling for?" Brady asked innocently, darting around Embry and managing to look at me at the same time.

I managed not to comment on how he'd heard me or how, even though his attention was on me, he managed to avoid getting bowled over. My senses were enhanced by practice and training, but I'd never take my eyes off the other people in a situation like this.

"Professional work, bored hobby, social status booster…" I trailed off, half gobs smacked as Sam leapt up and clean out of the way as Paul and Seth ganged up on him. He then turned around quickly to lock Seth in a head lock and trip Paul up at the same time.

Cousin was good.

"I've never seen anyone fight quite like you guys do, though. The style is different from anything I've seen, but it works, almost better." I watched as Seth tried in vain to get away from Sam, and Paul picked himself up only to launch himself at Max and Jared who were rolling around laughing. Despite what they were doing, I knew that they were all ears. They were very rough, rough enough to look like they should be black and blue.

Jared looked up smugly. "Well, we are the best. And, of course, I'm the best of the best." This, of course, started another argument.

"Alright!" I bellowed over the onslaught of shouting. "Enough!" Sam looked rather impressed himself as they stopped and listened to me. He released Seth from his choke hold. "Really, how old are you? God, I've also never seen such childishness from men your alleged ages." Men never grown up, but this is just ridicules.

"Behave, guys." Sam said amusedly. "I don't think she'll worry too much about putting you in line."

"You'd better believe it." I added with a wolfish grin. "I've kicked bigger arses then yours, laddies."

"You think you can take us on?" Paul asked, clearly trying not to laugh out loud.

I smiled lazily, stretching back and relaxing in the tiny amount of sunshine. "I know I can."

That did it for the laughing, and all seven-even Sam chuckled-burst into fits of laughter. "I'd like to see that." Max grinned teasingly. "I don't think it's possible for someone your size to be any threat to one of us. You'd even be hard pressed to beat Collin, and he's the youngest!"

I stood up, made a show of stretching, and replied mystically. "Looks can be deceiving, my dear." I smiled innocently, in the way that made me look much younger and sweeter, and kissed his cheek on the way past to stand in the open. "Who's first then?"

"Dude," Embry said worriedly, gesturing towards me. "I can't fight her, my mother raised me better then that. Not to mention Jake will kill us."

I glared at them irritably. "I'd better not be hearing that name, Em. Don't be such a sook, I won't tell your Mummy." I finished with a teasing grin. "Unless, of course, you're scared I'll beat you."

This had the desired affect as the others immediately stuck into him, teasing and carrying on like I knew they would and Embry gave a huff and marched towards me. "I'll take it easy on you." He winked.

I smiled. "No need." I launched forwards and his lightening fast reflexes had him blocked from a front attack. This was a natural response and I'd been anticipating it. I slipped sideways at the last second and jammed my fingers lightly into the pressure point on his right side. Not hard enough to do much more then make his side tingle, like pins and needles.

With a surprised yelp, Embry wavered to the right but didn't topple over. He blinked at me in surprise and rubbed his side to get the feeling back. "What was that?"

I laughed, bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet and winked. "I can take care of myself, Mr Call. Show me what you've got."

He still looked unsure and his eyes flicked wearily back to the group and around us. I jumped and turned mid-air and delivered a round house kick to his lower stomach. He 'oofed' with the blow but it didn't affect him much more then that.

"Lesson one: Never take your attention off your opponent." I emphasised this point strongly, relaying the lectures that had been given to me time and time again. I gestured for him to come at me and set myself into a defence position.

He did, still slightly hesitant, he swung a punch aimed for my jaw but he obviously wasn't giving it his all. I ducked under the blow and danced around behind him. "Lesson two: Don't hesitate. Every second you wait is a second more for your opponent to react faster then you."

Em swung at me again, more seriously this time. I saw the muscles in his right shoulder tense and prepare itself to put force behind his hit and ready his body for the jar it would give him. I leaned back, laying below the punch, at the last second and grabbed his forearm.

"Lesson three: Watch your opponent's body language to anticipate their next move." I gave Embry a quick grin and twisted his wrist inwards, immobilising his arm. In a flash I turned around and used his efforts to escape to flip him over my shoulder. He landed in a stunned heap on his back at me feet.

"Lesson four: Even strengths can be used against people. Use their momentum to gain the upper hand. It's not about being the strongest; it's about being the smartest. Boys, I hope you're listening and not off with the fairies." Giving the silent faces a stern look, trying to imitate my teachers. I'd never instructed others this way. I had no idea if I was doing it right. But it was proving amusing at the least.

I wasn't meant to be a teacher, and in truth I was surprised I was handling Seth so well. Otherwise my teaching abilities only extended to Benny and the basics of his learning.

"How do you know about this?" Paul asked, snickering at Embry as he sat up. "Dude, you just got your arse kicked by a girl."

I extended a hand down to help him up, throwing Paul a glare over my shoulder. "Be quiet you, or you'll be next. There are no shortage of martial arts teachers and other instructors where I live."

"So why'd you learn, then?" Brady asked. "Professional, hobby...whatever else you said before."

I rolled my eyes. "You'll never learn if you don't start listening. Look, listen, learn. Three L's, remember it. I was interested and had free time, so hobby I guess." I shrugged, trying to make the matter indifferent in case they suspected otherwise.

Max stepped up, grinning cockily. "I'm next."

I nodded, not concerned. Max had a weakness in his defence, his offence was very good. He was quick and precise but when it came to defending he was more sluggish and unsure of his movements. So long as he didn't get the upper hand I'd be fine.

We circled each other slowly, gauging each other's reactions.

I struck first, leaping straight into a one eighty turn and a kick to his stomach. At the last second he fit a hot hand between his stomach and my foot and grabbed it, swinging me around then let me go.

I hit the ground rolling, and then back flipped onto my feet just in time to drop as he took up the offence. Each of his blows only missed me by milliseconds; I could feel the wind rolling of each one.

Finally, as I dodged one way he changed his direction at the last moment and tripped me up. I landed flat on my back and he was instantly on top of me, trapping me underneath his bulky form.

I was panting lightly, having almost had the air knocked out of me. Max was grinning down at me smartly. "Does this mean I win?"

Behind us, the boys whooped and cheered loudly. "Kick him, Evie!" Leah was shouting. "Kick the cocky little barsted!"

I wriggled but his weight rendered my legs immobile, he was holding my hands above my head, I was effectively pinned. Embry was doing the count down for boxers in a ring when one was down. "Four. Three."

I smirked at Max's twinkling brown eyes. This wasn't the first time I'd been in this position. "Two." I stretched up, arching my body into his and slammed my mouth over his, kissing him roughly. His eyes bugged out and his grip loosened enough for me to get free. I hooked a leg over his hips and with all my strength swung sideways so I flipped up onto his back.

Grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back, he fell the rest of the way to the ground until his was lying flat. "No, sorry honey, but I win this one." I whispered in his ear, kissing his cheek before releasing him and leaping to my feet.

The faces were the funniest thing I had ever seen. The only noise as they stared at me was the wind through the trees, rustling leaves against each other. I smiled. "Now, what did I say about distraction?"

"D-did you j-just…" Brady spluttered, wide eyed.

I raised an eyebrow. "Please don't tell me you've never seen a kiss, either."

"B-but…." He looked very confused.

I sighed. "Oh dear, please don't tell me you don't know about couples and where babies come from. I don't do the birds and the bees talk. That's just not my area of teaching." That was something I wouldn't approach, I knew it'd come out all wrong. I participated, but didn't explain it. A couple of the girls I worked with could quiet comfortably sit down and describe their male encounters in nitty gritty detail, but I wasn't one of them.

My love life, or what there was of it these days, was strictly confidential. Seeing a guy anymore then once was simply out of the question. I had rules. There weren't any shortage of guys, but…that's beside the point.

I cleared my throat and looked to Sam, silently asking for help. Luckily cousin came to the rescue. "No, no its fine, Evie," He assured me. "We just weren't expecting that…tactic."

I smiled, somewhat nervously. "Do you have any better ideas on how to distract a guy when he's got you pinned down and you can't escape?"

"Get food?" Jared suggested, laughing.

I snickered and rolled my eyes. "While I don't doubt that that would work with you guys, how exactly would I get food when I'm trapped?"

He opened his mouth, then shut it again, shaking his head unknowingly.

I giggled. "Exactly, thank you. Seth, you better have been paying attention."

My apprentice nodded quickly. "I was, I swear."

Paul snorted. "He'll be taking notes soon!"

"Paul, don't make me get Rachel." I threatened, waving a finger at him menacingly and smiling brightly at Max as he picked himself up and slung an arm around my shoulders.

"We should do this more often." He grinned, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "I haven't perfected that move yet, and I'd really like to."

"I only say and do things once." I replied smoothly. "So if you weren't paying attention the first time, to bad."

"But I wasn't ready the first time!"

"Lesson five: Be ready for anything. Expect the unexpected." I smiled sweetly.

"EVA HANSON!"

I cringed at my sister's high pitched shriek and ducked being Max's towering form for cover. Only peaking around him to watch Tashie as she stood on the veranda, hands on hips, scowling at me. The rest of the guys had all retreated to a safer distance to mine and Max's side.

"Yes?" I squeaked, rather nervously, I swear she is the only one that makes me like this.

"You're filthy! You haven't been wrestling around in the dirt have you?" She waved her pastel pink painted finger at me.

"Um…" She didn't approve of my unladylike characteristics. And it was an unwritten rule that I don't act like a spy as much as possible in her presence.

"Inside and shower, now, and if I catch you fighting again, so help me, Eva! And the rest of you, wash up! The bonfire area needs to be set up and all the food transferred out there before dark. You have three hours!" She spun on her heels and marched inside.

"Your sister scares me." Max muttered, looking down at me.

"Scares you?" I asked. "How do you think I feel? I lived with her on my own for three years!"

"Then I applaud you for surviving," He laughed.

Straitening up and regaining my composure, I dusted myself off. "I'm tough, I survive most things. Thanks for making my day more interesting, I'd do what she says, before she comes back."

I snagged Leah's arm as I went up the stairs. "Your coming with me, if she's dressing me up, then you're going to suffer to."

My best friend glared at me but aloud me to pull her in along after me. "I hate you."

"Sure you do," I giggled, towing her up the stairs after waving dramatically at the girls in the kitchen. "It's impossible to hate me, remember?"

She groaned in mock annoyance. "I've found it to be like that, yeah. Though, I have tried really hard…"

I snorted. Teasing Leah was just so much fun. It was kind of like playing with explosives. "Suure you have. That's why every time I get home there's message after message from you on my home phone."

She hit my shoulder, sending me into the hallway wall as I laughed. "Shut up. I only call twice…"

I snorted again. "More like twenty times."

"Shut up! It's not my fault you never answer your mobile, or tell me when you've gone away." She huffed moodily. Even me reminding her that she did in fact have human feelings was getting under her skin today. "Don't start whining about people caring about you, Eva."

I held out my hands in a peace gesture. "Alright, I'm sorry. I was only toying with you. What's with you, you okay?"

She sighed and rubbed a hand over her face as she flopped onto my bed while I rummaged around in my bag for clothes. "Yes…no, I don't know. I'm sorry I snapped at you. Black pissed me off to, and when you said you survive most things…it just, struck a nerve or something."

I gave her a tired smile. "I won't say it again. Tasha hates being reminded about the way I think to. Everyone does."

"But I wish you wouldn't!" She declared, a little loudly. I 'ssshhh'd' at her and she continued in a hushed tone. "You're not the only one, you don't have to face each day alone!"

I threw a pair of undies, a bra, dark skinny jeans, a white long sleeved shirt and a blue hoddie with 'Sunshine Smiles =]' written on the back of it on the bed. "I know. I just rather it would be that way, why are we having this conversation? Haven't we been through this before?"

"Plenty of times," Leah snorted, fixing me with a hard look. "And I'm still trying to get it through your thick skull!"

"Then you should know to give up then, shouldn't you?" I snapped, grabbed my clothes and fled the room, taking up safety in the bathroom and even locked the door.

How had it gone from a bad day, to a good day, to a horrendous day, to a bright day, to fighting with my best friend? I groaned and banged my head lightly against the tiled wall of the shower as water cascaded down upon my body. I was going to run myself ragged at this rate. This many mood swings can't be healthy in such a small space of time, and the day wasn't even over yet.

The only things left to do today to make it any stranger was forgive Black, let Tasha do my hair and make up, dissolve into a blubbering mess and run to Sam for comfort.

Yeah, like any of that was going to happen. More then reluctantly I dragged myself out of the shower and dried myself off as slowly as possible. Tasha would be yelling at me in a few minutes about using all the hot water, and the bonfire was starting way too soon.

I sighed, wiping the steam off the mirror to stare at the scares and tattoos covering my young body. There were far too many for my age, but this was my life, and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

A/N: Hello my lovely, lovely readers! I'm sorry this one took me a little longer to get up, I've been really engrossed in my photography of late. There's so much to learn with that it's insane :S. Anywho, chapter 9 is up and complete and I'm reasonably happy with it :). What do you think?

I'm INSANELY overwhelmed with all the hits this story has had! 1860! It's…wow. Lol. Maybe we could try for reviews? *smiles innocently* :)

Hope you all have a lovely day/night, thank you so much for reading,

Meg xx