Amelia grinned. "I came because your daughter said you'd like to reconcile."
Selina shook her head. "Actually, she's mistaken. I never said that!"
Amelia blinked. "Well, don't you think it's about time? I believe it's been almost forty years."
Selina grimaced. "Yeah, forty years since you threw me out and told me never to come back just because i wanted to explore my werewolf side. That's a bit shallow, don't you think, Mother?"
Amelia shivered. "It's cold out here, dear. Why don't we discuss this more inside?"
Selina looked at Roxie. "Have a good day at school."
Roxie grinned. "Oh, I will."
Amelia headed inside, but Selina didn't follow her. She got in her car and headed for Damon's instead.
"What's the matter?" He asked when she burst through the door. "Who died?"
Selina collapsed on the sofa. "Nobody died. But Roxie got mad at me for making her get a job, and you know what she did? She called my mother."
Damon looked at her in surprise. "Really? Did your dad come too?"
Selina shook her head. "I didn't see him. How am I going to get through this? Please, you have to help me!"
"Distract her," Damon said after a moment. "Tell her that your uncle Jake is around too. Maybe she'll be so busy seeing him that she won't take time to pester you."
Selina nodded. "Good idea! Thank you!" She gave Damon a hug and then darted back to her car.
"Could I stop by to say hi to her for old times' sake?" He called.
"Sure," she called back. "If you want to."
She drove back to her house and headed inside. She heard Klaus and her mother talking.
"You know, that really is a nice dress on you. It really fits you well in all the right places. And I like what you did with your hair. You almost look better as a blonde..."
Amelia giggled. "Oh, stop. Go on..."
Selina decided to go in. "Nice to see you two have met. Nicky, this is my mother."
"Oh," Klaus smiled and took her hand. "How wonderful to see you again, Amelia."
Selina nodded. "I don't know where my father is, but..."
"He's in Charleston, dear," Amelia said. "Paying his respects to your Uncle Andrew on his death anniversary."
Selina groaned. "So he won't be coming then?"
Amelia shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not." Then she turned back to Klaus and began smiling and fluttering again. Selina pulled him away and dragged him off to their bedroom. "What were you thinking, flirting with my mother?"
He smiled easily. "Can you blame me for thinking it was you? You're both so beautiful. What can I do to make it up to you?"

Selina rolled her eyes. "You know what? Never mind. I have to think of a way to get her out of here!"

"Why?" He asked.

Selina sighed. "Because my father didn't come with her and he's our buffer. If we stay in the same house without him for an extended period of time, one of us will be dead."

"All right," Klaus followed her out of their bedroom. "But I really think you're overreacting."

Selina didn't look at him. "You would," she said quietly. They went into the living room and found Amelia clutching suitcases and looking hopeful. "Just tell me where my room is, and I'll unload my things."

"You won't be staying here," Selina said. "I'm sorry, Mother. But you know how things are with us and I really can't risk any unpleasantness."

Amelia sighed and put her bags down. "You're right, I suppose. But where am I supposed to stay?"

"I could take you to Uncle Jacob's," Selina said. "His apartment's not that far away, and it's been awhile since the two of you have talked, hasn't it?"

"An apartment?" Amelia's eyebrow raised. "Aren't apartments small?"

Selina shook her head. "Jacob's is very roomy, I promise. I go there a lot."

Amelia stared at her for a minute or so and then nodded. "I suppose that's what we'll have to do if you can't find it in your heart to forgive me," she said. "Things were hard for me when you were growing up. I did my best..." She paused and sniffled.

Selina rolled her eyes. "It's no good, Mother. You can come visit, but you're not spending the night under our roof, no matter how much you guilt me."

Amelia nodded. "If you're certain of your feelings, dear. Then I guess I'll be going." She paused and gave Klaus a look. "Would you help me carry my bags to the car?"

Klaus nodded and as he followed Amelia out of the house, he said, "Don't worry too much about your daughter. She treats my mother the exact same way. It's just the way she is."

They went outside and put Amelia's bags in the car, then Klaus came back. "We have to take her to your uncle's. She doesn't know where it is."

"Why don't you take her?" Selina asked bitingly. "Since the two of you are so close and all."

"I don't really know where it is either," he said. "The only ones who know are you and Roxie and Roxie's already off at school, I hope."

Selina sighed. "Yeah, I saw her drive off that way...on her bike." She shuddered.

Klaus smirked. "Wow. Aren't we feeling judgmental today?"

Selina frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, let's see," Klaus said. "First, you make a big deal about the fact that she has a tiny tattoo on her shoulder, even though it's a flower and nothing obscene, when you yourself have a tattoo, don't you?"

Selina blushed a little. "There's a difference between mine and hers. Hers is where everyone can see it. Mine is..."

Klaus gently pulled her to himself, caressing the inside of her thigh. "I know exactly where it is," he whispered against her ear. "Am I going to see it again tonight?"

Selina pulled out of his grip. "I don't know, I might be too tired."

"And what's your problem with Roxie's bike?" Klaus continued.

"It's not safe, is it?" Selina asked. "Do you know how easily she could get hit by a car and hurt?"

"You're overreacting," Klaus said. "If something like that happened, she would just come right back."

Selina said, "Yeah, but I really don't want to have to find out."

Just then, they heard a loud honk from the garage. "I think your mother would like to be on her way," Klaus said.

"Yeah, yeah," Selina said as she went down the stairs. "If I could get her there by kicking her butt from here, I would, but unfortunately, I have to drive her."

"I'll be waiting for you when you get back," He called.

She looked up. "Oh, lucky me."

The ride to Jake's was awkward, but every time Amelia started talking, Selina just turned the radio up really loud and sang along to the songs off-key. Finally, her mother stopped trying to talk and the car was silent until they reached Jake's and Selina parked her car in front of the building. "Do you need me to carry your bags?" She asked quietly.

"Thank you," Amelia replied. They split the bags, each taking two and then carried them up to Jake's apartment. When he opened the door and saw Amelia, his eyes widened. "Rosie, is that you?" He asked her, referring to her childhood nickname that he'd come up with to tell the difference between her and her mother, who had also been named Amelia.

Amelia hugged him and nodded. "Yes, it's me."

"But what are you doing here?"

Selina put a finger up. "That's kind of my doing. See, I gave Roxie a lecture about this tattoo that she had, and then she decided to take vengeance by calling my mother to come and spy one me!"

Jake sighed. "Do we need to have a damage control meeting for you and your mother as well?" He asked.

"No," Selina shook her head. "It won't do any good. We've been like this for too long."

Amelia looked at Jake. "I'll do it if she will."

Selina groaned. "Oh, come on! Now you're just trying to make me look bad!"

Jake smirked a little. Selina could tell he was trying not to laugh. "I reall think it would be beneficial for the two of you to talk things out. But what do I know?"

"A lot more than the rest of us," Amelia said. "So will you take me in since my own daughter isn't willing to?"

Jake nodded. "Of course, Rosie. Come on in." He looked at Selina. And I'll see you here at nine tomorrow morning, no arguments."

Amelia went inside, Jake shut the door, and Selina rolled her eyes, turned, and went back to her car.

As she drove away, she wondered who she was mad enough to go see now. Possibly Stefan and Anna. Stefan had been close to her mother once, so he might be glad to know she was back. On the other hand, he might not care anymore, since he'd...changed. Finally, she decided to go see Adrian. She hadn't paid him a visit in awhile.

Adrian came into the house with a grocery bag under his arm and looked at Hanz, who was staring out the window. "What are you looking at?" He wanted to know. "It must be something interesting because you were sitting there when I left, too."

Hanz turned. "We just have a new neighbor," he said.

Adrian headed toward the window. "Oh, is she pretty?"

Hanz grinned. "Take a look." He stepped away from the window and Adrian peered out at the woman who had dark eyes and light brown hair. "She's okay, I guess," he said. "But not as good as Helene."

"Oh, of course not," Hanz shook his head. "I was thinking that it might be good for you to go down and tell her hello. Maybe the two of you will hit it off or something."

Adrian looked away. "I could go down and say hello, but it's not going to change anything." Just then, Helene came in. "Adrian, your mom is downstairs. She doesn't look happy."

Adrian rolled his eyes. "All right, I'll go see what she wants." He left and Helene put her purse down next to the sofa and went behind Hanz, putting her arms around his shoulders. "So, what are we looking at?"

Hanz turned his head. "We have a new neighbor, a pretty girl. I was thinking that Adrian should go and welcome her. They might hit it off."

Helene sighed. "Look, I know it's awkward with the three of us living together, but we can't just throw him out. This is his house after all."

"Why can't we move out then? I'm perfectly adjusted now." He eyed her pointedly.

Helene shrugged. "I don't know. I suppose we could, but..."

"But what?"

"I don't know what my dad would say about me moving somewhere far away. I mean, it was already tough enough for him when I died. I don't want to put him through anymore."

Hanz stood up. "You still have feelings for him, don't you? Adrian, I mean?"

Helene smirked. "What? No, of course, I don't. The only person I like is you." She kissed him. "I swear."

After they pulled apart, Selina and Adrian entered the apartment. Selina collapsed on the sofa and crossed her arms.

"Are you all right?" Helene asked her. "You never come here."

"Well," Adrian said, "Apparently Roxie called Grandma to come and visit as some retaliation for a fight she and Mom had."

Helene looked up. "When you say 'Grandma,' you mean...?"

"That's right," Selina nodded. "My mother. The only person on the planet that annoys me more than Klaus' mother. Cause at least Elissavetta wants to spend time with me."

"But that's why you hate her," Adrian said. "You say all the time that you wish she would just leave you alone."

Selina nodded. "Do none of the women in my life get that message? I'm happy the way I am! I don't need to be picked apart and molded into their skewed idea of the perfect woman!"

"Have you ever told your mother that?" Helene asked.

"No," Selina shook her head. "I don't want to seem unkind. The woman gave birth to me for crying out loud!"

"So either don't be afraid to be tough, or suck it up and be miserable for all eternity. Take your pick," Adrian said.

"Excuse me," Hanz said, looking at Selina. "But who are you?"

"Oh," Selina held out her hand and he took it. "I'm sorry. I'm Adrian's mother, Selina."

"Oh," he said in surprise, "I never would have guessed. You look wonderful."

Selina smiled. "Thank you."

Adrian growled under his breath.

Selina eyed him for a moment, slapped her knees and then stood up. "Speaking of men giving flattering comments to women they shouldn't, I should probably get home to your father."

"Wait, what...?" Adrian asked. He saw that Selina was about to tell him and held up his hand. "Actually, I don't want to know. I'll show you out."

He left the room with Selina and then Helene turned to Hanz. "Please tell me you weren't putting the moves on Adrian's mom."

"Of course not!" Hanz said. "I'm surprised you would even suggest such a thing."

"But you told her she looked pretty," Helene said.

"I was just being nice!" Hanz said. "She looked like she'd had a bad day!"

"Oh," Helene deflated. "Honey, I'm sorry."

Hanz nodded. "It's all right."

Helene nodded and looked out the window. "So, is that our new neighbor out there?"

"Yeah," Hanz nodded. He looked out again just as the woman turned toward their window and he gasped. "Oh, my god. I don't know why I didn't see it before!"

"What?" Helene said quickly as she watched him suddenly go pale. "Hanz, what's the matter?"

"That girl," he said softly. "She's my sister."

Helene held him up. "But both your sisters are dead!"

Hanz shook his head. "Apparently not."

After lunch, Roxie grabbed her copy of A Tale of Two Cities and headed for the bathroom before English Lit. She opened the bathroom door and shrieked as cold water surrounded her and soaked into the carpeted hallway. The bathroom had flooded. It was full of water, but she really had to go, and wading through it just made everything worse. Wading to one of the stalls, she went in it and shut the door, then as she made her way out, she slipped and her book fell into the water and got soaked. "Oh, damn!" She picked it up and got out of the bathroom. Vince was standing just outside. He looked her over and saw her shaking lip. "What the hell happened to you?" He asked.

Her lip trembled. "The girls' bathroom is flooded, but I really had to go and now I'm covered with toilet water!" She started to cry.

Vince stepped away a little. "Well, you understand if I don't touch you, but I'd be more than happy to share my book with you for class so you don't get in trouble."

Roxie sniffled. "Thank you."

Just then, two janitors went into the bathroom and began drying it out. "Some of the other bathrooms are like this too," one of them said. "Principal Martin is going to let school out for the rest of the day probably."

They were right. A few minutes later, she came over the loudspeaker, announcing that due to a broken water pipe, school would be let out for the rest of the day after the next period, but they should be fixed up enough for the sports practices tonight.

"That means I still have tennis," Roxie said.

"And I'll have football," Vince said. He looked up at the clock. "We should probably go. We don't want to be late." They found their English classroom and she squeezed in the door ahead of him, her hand brushing against his arm. He started, staring down at the space she'd been standing in a moment before until his teacher snapped in front of his eyes. "If you come in and join us, Vince, we can get started."

He looked up. "Oh, right. Sorry." He went into the room and took the seat ahead of Roxie so he wouldn't have to look at her, but even so, he found himself being very aware of her, even the annoying giggles because she'd seen him looking like an idiot. The teacher began talking about A Tale of Two Cities, but Vince drifted off. He found himself on a beach on a sunny day, saw Roxie in a skimpy light blue string bikini walking along the shore, slowly licking an ice cream cone. She saw him and ran at him, playfully pushing him face first into the water. He got up, soaking wet. She was looking at him, smiling and giggling her giggle, all the while slowly licking that ice cream cone. A strange feeling came over him. He wanted her to lick him too, as thoroughly as she was licking the ice cream, every inch of his body.

She strode toward him, running her fingers through his hair. "Hi," she said.

"Hi," he replied.

"Nice day, isn't it?" Her voice was breathy.

"Very nice," he replied. "A little hot, though."

She then threw the ice cream cone into the water, kissed him hard, and began running her hands down his body, sneaking her fingers gently under his trunks. He groaned, his hands making their way down her back and pushing down her swimsuit bottoms as he threw her into the water...She was whispering his name...

"Vince! Vince!" He opened his eyes and found her staring at him. "Class is over. Are you going to leave with us or not?"

He blinked and then nodded. "Yeah...yeah, I'm coming." She proceeded him out the door and once she was gone, he shook himself out. He had to focus. He could do that. It would be fine.

The rest of the day was uneventful. They found Charlie and Tony and had an awkward snack at the diner near school, and when it was time to go back for sports, he was glad that he didn't see Roxie.

He was on top of his game that night. He went into the showers feeling pretty good. Then, he stopped dead. Someone was already in the shower. A female someone. Her silhouette was projecting against the curtain. She was just coming out from washing her hair, her naked form clearly defined as she shook out her hair and toweled herself off.

He felt himself begin to flush. He shouldn't be watching. He should just shower off, dress, and leave. But he couldn't move. She was so pretty...

Just then, the curtain opened and the girl screamed. "Oh, my god, what are you doing in here?"

"It's the boy's locker room," he said, after giving her body a sweep with his eyes. "What are you doing in here?"

"Oh, Coach told us to use these since ours are still messed up from the broken pipes." She made as if to strike him. "Stop staring at me, or..."

He grabbed her wrist. "Or you'll what? If I recall, there's a lot of room in that shower. I could join you if you wanted."

She scoffed. "In your dreams, you pig!" She tried to walk away from him, but he held her fast, pulling her towel off her. "Now, about last night..."

She relaxed and stared him down. "What about it? Do you want an encore?"

He nodded and pushed her against the wall of the shower, kissing her neck and pushing into her. She was moaning and reaching down to rub him, which made him kiss her all the more furiously. Eventually, they toppled onto the floor of the shower, still fighting another, the tiles scratching them.

He sucked on her breasts and as the little bursts of pain shot through her body, she threaded her fingers through his hair. They finally broke apart when a fire alarm went off. They left the shower, dressed, and headed out of the locker room with their hands over their ears. "Would you like a ride home?" Vince yelled over the alarm, undoubtedly an ill-conceived prank by one of his football buddies.

"What?" Roxie yelled back.

"I said, 'Would you like a ride home?"

Finally, she nodded and they left hand in hand, the sprinklers soaking their clothes.