Disclaimer - Янеимеюэто.In plain English - I don't own it. Thank you for the reviews and the love. I hope you're enjoying it and I do accept suggestions. ON with the show!

--Covenant--

Halo from Hell

The short drive to Tyler's house was the longest drive Tori had ever taken. They spent the 15 minute drive in silence, drowning themselves with the loud music that poured from the speakers. The moment she saw the elegant Neo-Classical style house down the street she knew it was Tyler's. It was like the house was screaming Tyler's name out to her. Her worry's forgotten - her excitement doubled over and her infamous hundred watt smile bloomed on her face. The front gate opened before they even got too close. They were expected.

As Reid slowed the car down a few feet away from the front steps, Tori caught sight of the charming brunette opening the door. As soon as the car completely stopped, she launched herself from the car - bolting up the front steps and right into the boys' waiting arms.

Tyler braced himself for the impact and hell was he thankful. She had, all in one swoop, wrapped her legs around his waist and balanced herself by clutching his neck in her arms. He was definitely enjoying it - spending the day with her, seeing her smile, having Reid look at them like they were complete psychopaths. He really liked that.

Reid made his way over to them and caught them whispering to each other like two school girls on a hot day. He couldn't (wouldn't) miss his chance at making Tyler squirm with embarrassment if he could.

"You two ladies need a moment to finish up on gossip talk or are we going to stand here for eternity?"

Tyler scoffed at Reid's quip. He had changed a lot during the time he'd known Tori; she had partially broken him out of his mold. Tori shifted her weight a bit in Tyler's arms and turned to look over her shoulder at the offensive (brooding) blonde.

"See?"

"Hmm."

"What? 'See' what?"

"You were fine this morning, now you're all mean to me. I didn't do anything" Tori said faking an innocent pout.

'For Tyler's sake she better rephrase her definition of anything'.

"Reid, cut the crap and be civil."

"Hey! I was civil Tyler and then she started rushing me and threatening my ride."

"I only offered to drive myself if he was running a little behind."

Tyler doubted it, but just to get a rise out of Reid, he nodded and faked full understanding. It snapped Reid's restraint in two.

"You better tell the truth or the goddess help you …"

Tori's face melted from pure innocence to her normal detached persona. She knew she was pushing her luck with the blonde but she figured he deserved it for giving her the 'silent treatment'.

"Can you really blame me? You were taking way too long for my liking."

"Reid's always the last one to finish getting ready. But beside that - has he been nice?"

"Uh huh."

"Good, then I won't feed him to the sharks."

"Sharks? Tyler, what?"

"You have got two brothers that, and I quote - 'Need their little sister … blah blah … break in and rescue her' You're lucky they've waited to let you come out of hiding."

"Well how considerate", Tori said as she looked behind Tyler at the closed front door. She frowned slightly at the thought that neither Caleb nor Pogue had come out to greet her. Tyler saw her frown and worried.

"What is it?"

"If they care so much, where are they?"

Just as he was going to explain, Tori sensed something shift in the air around her. She felt as though 'something' had soothed her. Goosebumps rose on her skin. She felt something - warm and wispy. 'Where did the wind come from?'

"Put her down."

Tyler eased her out of his embrace. He fidgeted a bit once he realized he had been holding on to her through all those minutes. Tori turned slowly - an anticipating glint shining in her eyes. Her breathing slowed to an even pace and her body stilled for what was to come.

In two strides Pogue reached Tori's small body. Without slowing down he wrapped his arms around her waist - forcing her to clutch at his neck - and swung her around in a circle.

Tori laughed at the feeling the twirling made her feel. Once she was standing and had calmed herself she looked up at the dark rider. 'Of course he's wearing his leather jacket - my brother is awesome!' They stared at each other for a few seconds, until their smiles were as big as any of them had ever been.

"Hey little sister."

"Hey big brother."

"Haven't seen you in a while. You ok?"

"I'm ok. A little bored but I survived."

Tyler just had to ask the one question he knew might make her back away from them. He was just had to get it out of the way. "You're not going to hide again, are you?"

Tori turned to face Tyler and with a weak smile answered him. "No. no more hiding."

"Good." Came out of both Tyler's and Pogue's mouth.

With a scowl, Pogue growled out the next few words, which only made Tori's heart swell more. "Besides next time Reid keeps you from us, I'll hurt him."

"Nah, he's ok. You don't have to hurt him."

"Thanks a lot."

"No problem Blondie."

They all walked inside and set out to gather stuff to take to the game room. Tori went for the food - Pogue and Reid went for drinks while Tyler poked at her sides every time she passed him. They were in the middle of a level of Halo when a voice drew the groups attention to the door.

Caleb stood at the door taking in the picture before him. Pogue and Tyler were barely sitting on their Lazy Boyz while Reid and Tori laid on their stomachs in front of them. They were yelling at each other - not bad yelling - just bickering over the game. He saw Tori reach over and shove Reid's shoulder, distracting him from his 'perfect' strategy. Caleb didn't miss the disbelieving look on Reid's face, 'That'll teach'em.' Tori noticed the look, she turned toward him and blew a kiss at him. Once she turned back to the screen, Reid smirked and turned back to the game. That's when Caleb decided to speak up.

"Well. Well. Well. Isn't this a pretty picture?"

All eyes turned to him and he immediately regretted speaking up at all. The guys gruffly answered with slurred 'heys' and 'what's up' but Tori's greeting was definitely one of the guys' favorites.

Tori raised herself up from the floor and slowly sauntered up to him. She slowly circled around him and once she was behind his left shoulder, she stopped and leaned over to put her mouth as close to his ear as she could. She threw an amused look toward the boys who had stopped to watch the encounter. Tori took a hold of Caleb's bicep, just for balance, but he stilled at the oddness of it. With a mischievous smirk, Tori finally spoke.

"Hey handsome … you wanna come be on my team? I can't promise I'll play fair, but I do assure you … you'll definitely have fun. What do you say?"

"I … you … play…"

"Caleb?"

"Hmm?" Tori's demeanor changed along with her voice.

"Snap out of it! Let's play!"

Tori sauntered off toward the other boys. She spared Caleb a glance before he snapped out of his daze and launched himself toward her. With a screech, Tori sprinted around the boys with Caleb close on her heels. After a few rounds around the game room, Tori launched herself into Reid's arms and as Caleb grew nearer, she coward behind him with her arms tightly wound around Reid's waist. As Caleb stopped in front of Reid, he noticed how Reid's arms instinctively reached for Tori's and drew her closer to him. Caleb refrained from commenting on the actions of the two and turned his eyes toward the cowering girl that was now his sister.

"Alright. Truce. Now come out from behind Reid and give me a hug sis."

Tori peeked from behind Reid and smiled weakly at Caleb. He, in turn, spread his arms and offered her a heart melting smile. She weakly agreed and as Reid, reluctantly, let go of her, she felt herself go stiff. She stepped up to Caleb and was immediately reminded why she was there. It was the natural bond she had with them - the way she knew them more each day.

"We missed you sis."

"I know. I know."

"Was Reid good to you? If he did something …"

Reid was fed up with up them all. They thought he couldn't do anything good, well he wasn't going to correct them. To Hell with them. Until a snappy comeback came from a sparky brunette.

"Will you all lay off?! He was wonderful. He gave me space, a room, food, hell he even let me fuck with his head for a while. Now. Shut up about that and lets go play Halo Dammit."

Tori waited for him to answer without realizing that she had stunned him, and the rest of the guys, into silence. She gave a huff before returning to her spot on the floor beside Reid.

"Caleb?" she asked softly "Now."

--Covenant--

So a second chapter for you all, or should I say few? Whatever, I hope you enjoyed it and forgive all the waiting. I'll work on typing more but I won't promise anything. Until a later date. R&R J

Laterz ……………