I know take forever and for that I apologize. Nevertheless, it's here now and the next one...well I won't make any promises. Please enjoy and let me know what you think. I don't own it you know that.

Chapter 40: Not Having a Favorite Brother?

"Hey where'd you get that shirt?" Luis asked when I came out of my room.

"Why?" I asked.

"I think I've seen it before but I can't remember where."

"It's Fulton's." Guy said.

"Is it really?" Luis asked.

"Well it was on his and Dean's floor so I suppose it belongs to one of them." I said.

"Portman won't mind if it's Fulton's?" Luis asked.

"He's the one that gave it to me." I said. "But as long as it doesn't belong to Dwayne he doesn't really care what I wear."

"Someone say my name?" A voice asked as I was picked up and held in the air.

"Put me down." I squealed.

"She just squealed. I didn't think she knew how to." Averman said.

"Don't have a cow." Fulton said as I was put down. "Isn't that my shirt?" He asked moving around me. I nodded and was picked up again. This time when I was put down the person didn't move their arms or speak. I looked down but couldn't tell who was holding me.

"How 'bout you let me go?" I asked as Julie, Connie, Adam, Goldberg, Kenny, and Russ joined us in the hallway. I figured it could only be Dwayne, Dean, or Charlie. "Look, if you ain't Dean, or Charlie, you really need to let go." When the person didn't move I sighed. "Dean gets jealous easily and he rarely hesitates to knock out a guy for touching his girl."

"And if it isn't a guy?" Fulton asked.

"If it's a girl I'd be a little freaked out." I said. Just then I was thrown over a shoulder and knew it was a guy. "Just because I'm the smallest on the team doesn't mean everyone has the right to pick me up." I pouted as he carried me away. The last thing I saw before we turned the corner was Dean coming out of his room.

Fulton's PoV
"Where are they taking Lizzy?" Portman asked when he reached our group.

"Don't know, he didn't say."

"Baseball initiation. We do it every year for our new players. They have to try and beat the veterans at video games to decide how we treat him or in this case her." Bash said. He sighed. "I know it's not always fair but...It's tradition. If they beat eight or more you're accepted on the team with no hassling. Beat seven and there's a small amount of hassling. Only beat six or less and you start out as the lowest ranking member on the team."

"What happens if she beats all 15 of you?" Guy asked.

"All 15, which includes our relief players and trainers, that's never happened. The record is 13, and he's crowned video game master which gives them the same rights as the captain." Bash said.

"Well whoever it is should be ready to give up that title." I said.

"Why?"

"Because it won't take long for Lizzy to beat all of you. During break Matt held a video game competition and it only took Lizzy three hours to kick all of our butts. Matt's trained her well in video games. She's been kicking our butts since she was seven." Connie said.

"What games do you play?"

"Area 51, Point Blank, Army Men 3D, Bowling, Need for Speed, and Mortal Combat. Brick's dad bought him a Play Station when it came out."

"Well that won't take long, like Connie said. Those are all her favorite games." Charlie said.

"She not good at any game?" Bastian asked.

"No way, that'd give you an unfair advantage over her." I said.

"Come on team, breakfast." Charlie said. At lunchtime Lizzy was sitting at our table working on homework and eating at the same time.

Lizzy's PoV
This morning I was kidnapped by Jim and taken to the Varsity dorms for their traditional baseball initiation. As it turned out their initiation was my favorite type video games. Max laid down the rules and when Bastian entered the games started. All I had to do was beat eight people and I'd be completely accepted on the team. As long as they didn't pull out Cool Boarders, Monopoly, or Life I'd be fine. Halfway through my winning streak I realized they were playing all my favorite games. Turns out it only took me until lunch to beat them all. I had a little trouble beating Doug, who had been reigning champ and played Mortal Combat, because I was a little rusty on the game but he went down eventually. When I finally beat him I was crowned new video game master which according to Alex, our trainer, granted me the same privileges as our team captain who, at the moment, was Max. When I left they were setting up a game of poker which I knew was my downfall. I was also very hungry and decided I needed to finish my homework.

"Hey Lizzy," Fulton said drawing me out of my thoughts on my almost completed English Literature homework.

"Hey bud," I answered as almost all of the team sat down. "Where are the other three?" I asked noticing Adam, Connie, and Guy were gone.

"Connie and Guy went out for lunch and Adam's brother is back in town so he had to go home for a bit. So how'd the initiation go?" Charlie asked.

"I kicked butt like usual." I answered still stoked from my win.

"You kicked all their butts?"

"Yup and it only took me four hours to do it."

"Sounds like a toast is in order." Dean said lifting his carton of milk. "Here's to Lizzy, the new baseball video game master; who has yet to beat me." He added as they drank in my honor.

"Is that a challenge?" I asked.

"It sure sounds like one to me." Julie added.

"Even if it was a challenge, I'm not saying that it is, you couldn't be me." Although it sounded like a taunt, growing up with Fulton made it easy to detect a playful tone in his voice.

"You want to bet on that?" I asked.

"Sure."

"Port...you may not want to do this," Fulton warned. I smirked as Dean turned to him.

"Stay out of this Fulton." Dean answered.

"Let him bet Fulton, it's his fault when he loses." I said.

"Alright but don't say you weren't warned." Fulton said giving one last warning.

"So what's your bet?" Julie asked.

"If I win you have to do my math homework for two weeks and you can't say a word to Jeff about what we did your first night here or what we did over break." Dean said looking at me and smirking.

"Alright but if I win you have to let me borrow your Morgan Park jersey for two weeks and you have to give me back my Linkin Park CD that you borrowed four weeks ago but never returned."

"That's your CD? Fulton said it was his." I reached over and smacked Fulton on the arm.

"You know darn well that's mine. Ben bought it for me because Seth is the only one who can stand me listening to country music."

"Sorry, I really thought that one was mine." Fulton said.

"I guess you're forgiven, anyway back to this bet, what game are we playing?" I asked.

"Need for Speed." Dean answered.

"Which one?"

"Hot pursuit is the only one Dwayne has."

"Prepare to lose." I smirked.

"We have a deal?" Dean asked sticking his hand out.

"Deal, I'm gonna love sleeping in your jersey." Dean shrugged and after we finished lunch, and in my case my English Literature homework, we trooped to Dwayne's room to play. The basic challenge was the first one to cross the finish line without getting arrested by the cops wins after two laps. Ten minutes later Dean was sulking and my ego had been sufficiently stoked for the day. "Oh...should I have let you win?" I asked.

"You won fair and square, my ego will heal babe." He said slightly angry. I bit my lip and left the room standing in hallway trying to calm my temper. "I'm sorry for saying it like that."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have taunted you." He pouted a bit more and I sighed. "Did I ever tell you how bad your pouting make me want to kiss you to get you to smile?"

"No, you can try though. I'm not sure it'll work though." He answered tickling my sides.

"Dean stop, that tickles." I said giggling.

"It's supposed to baby." He answered. To try and still his hands I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his soft lips. "I think I like my consolation prize." He said kissing me back.

"I'm glad, but you still have to fulfill your end of the bet." I said.

"Alright come on." He sighed. "You know if you really just wanted to sleep in my jersey you should have just asked."

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked as he searched his room for the jersey. When he found it he tossed it at me and I caught it before it hit me in the face. "And the CD?" He ran through a mental list I'm guessing because he kept muttering half phrases until he pulled it out from under Fulton's science notebook. I took the CD and jersey and put it on top of the desk near the door. After checking to make sure the door was shut I faced him and ran my hands up his chest. I gave him a shy smile and stretched up to kiss his cheek before sinking back to my flat footed stance.

Dean smiled and dipped his head to kiss me. As his tongue slid along the seam of my lips to gain entry he maneuvered us so I was lying under him on his bed. He pulled away and kissed my cheek, then jaw, then down my throat. I smiled as he ran his hands across my stomach but went no higher than the bottom of my ribs.

"Considerate much?" I asked. He left a hickey on my collar bone and smirked.

"But still more daring than most." He answered looking into my eyes. I reached up and played with his hair biting my lip. It was then that it struck me how much I had fallen for this enforcer. "Mav, I know I don't say it often but when I do I truly mean it."

"Say what Dean?" I asked.

"I love you." I smiled hearing what I was glad to hear from him.

"I love you too." I answered.

"Wow...I think that is the first time you've ever said just those four words to me."

"That doesn't mean I love you any less."

"I know it's just a bit astonishing." Then it sank in that I still have Civics to do. That ruined my mood. "What's wrong baby?"

"I've still got to do my Civics homework."

"Do it tomorrow." He muttered kissing my jaw.

"It's due tomorrow." I answered trying to ignore the feelings and emotions he was stirring inside of me.

"Is it math homework?"

"Nope Civics."

"Then do it in math."

"I can't."

"Fine." He sighed then let me up. I smiled sheepishly and kissed him.

"I'm sorry but when I'm done I'm all yours." He rolled his eyes and shooed me away. Halfway through my homework I felt lips on my neck. "Dean, I'm not done yet."

"Come on just one little break." He pouted. I didn't turn around but I did put my pencil down. I knew if I turned around I would give in to his pouting. If I gave in I would never get my homework done.

"No, the sooner I get this done the sooner I won't have to worry about it."

"Please..."

"Dean..."

"Come on all I'm asking for is 10 minutes."

"Dean please..." He continued to try and distract me as I tried to resist. Finally I got fed up and stood. "Dean I said no, and that means you'll have to wait until I finish this homework." I gathered my books and walked down to Guy's room. "Hey can I work in here?" I asked.

"Sure." Guy and Averman said looking up. I shut and locked the door and dropped down on Guy's bed.

"Hey Lizzy-gator what's wrong?" Averman asked. It was odd that he was asking what was wrong I know normally he just cracks jokes but I think he sensed something may have definitely been different.

"I just want to finish my homework in peace without him trying to distract me." I answered.

"Portman." They both muttered. It was silent for quite a while until there was a knock on the door.

"Guy?" Connie called. "Guy why is the door locked?" I jumped off the bed and sprinted to pull the door open.

"It's my fault Connie." I said watching her narrow her gaze to a glare and cross her arms over her chest.

"What are you doing in here with the door locked?" She snapped.

I looked over at Guy and saw his eyes widen slightly. "Who are you and what have you done with Connie?" I asked in disbelief as she continued to stare at me.

"You didn't answer my question." Connie spat.

"Answer mine and I'll answer yours." I told her.

"You're locked in a bedroom with my boyfriend, that's what I did with Connie." She spat.

"Remember what I told you when Dean and I started getting serious and I found out you were finally with Guy and Julie was dating Scooter? In case you don't remember I told you that Scooter will never be anything more than a friend and Guy and I have very little in common. Not to mention he's too scared of Dean to do anything."

"But you're not." Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Um...Uh I..." Connie stuttered. I took that to mean it was Averman standing behind me.

"Obviously we wouldn't do anything with Averman in the room either so just chill out Cons." I said. "I don't want your man."

"There's always that chance you know?"

"Yeah I got it."

"So what exactly were you doing?"

"Personally I was doing Civics homework." I said.

"Why was the door locked then?" Her tone was now more curious than accusatory.

"Because my boyfriend can prove very distracting to a 4.2 GPA." I answered.

"There is no way you have a 4.2 GPA." Guy said.

"4.2371 I believe."

"Wow, no wonder you study so hard." Guy said.

"That and extra credit does wonders."

"Your GPA is higher than Julie's and I think she said she's in the top five." Connie told us.

"Was there something you wanted baby?" Guy asked.

"Well you answered my one question about why Portman is blaring his music." She paused and we could all hear the faint thumping of Metallica. "So I guess the only thing I want to know now is are you guys hungry? Dinner's in ten minutes."

"Thanks Cons."

"Sure."

After dinner I finished my homework and helped Guy and Averman with theirs before going to my room. I plopped down in my computer chair and opened my laptop seeing an email from Ben. After reading it I was slightly confused. I noticed he was on so I sent him an IM.

MDcocoa69: Hey your Email confused me.
JaminZ81fiddle: How so?
MDcocoa69: Just what I said I don't understand what you mean by Matt's not telling me the whole truth.
MDcocoa69: The whole truth about what?
JaminZ81fiddle: He asked me not to tell you baby. I've told you as much as I can.
MDcocoa69: Bean, please what's my big brother not telling me?
JaminZ81fiddle: I can't say but it's important and he will tell you, just give him time.
MDcocoa69: Please Ben
JaminZ81fiddle: I can't Baby, I really think you oughta know but he told us not to tell you just yet.
MDcocoa69: Us? What's that supposed to mean?
JaminZ81fiddle: It means that you're the only one who doesn't know right now.
MDcocoa69: So Fulton, Charlie, Aunt Cass, and the rest of my family knows but I don't? That includes you, Chris, Seth, and Dad.
JaminZ81fiddle: Yes and Nat and Gordon know too.

That's when I felt kisses along my neck and hands at my waist. "Are you done with your homework now?" Dean asked.

"Yes just give me one minute and I will make out with you." I answered.

MDcocoa69: So he doesn't trust me now is that it?
JaminZ81fiddle: He trusts you he just has to make sure the timing's right baby.
MDcocoa69: Yeah sure whatever. I love and trust you Ben. Goodnight.
JaminZ81fiddle: Love you too baby, night.

I shut the IM and my computer and then cuddled with Dean on my bed. "Hey." He whispered.

"Hey." I answered kissing him hard.

"Baby I love your passion but you're upset about something." He said laying me on my back and hovering over me.

"What was your first clue?" I asked.

"It was a little odd you told Ben you trusted him."

"That's it?"

"No there's also the fact that you've never put this much passion into it. I love it I really do but I know you're upset about something I've known you long enough to know that."

"Oh...You're too smart sometimes."

"So are you gonna tell me about it?"

"It'll kill the moment." I warned.

"So let it." Dean answered.

"It's Matt again."

"What now?"

"I got an email from Ben that said Matt's hiding something from me and that everyone in my entire family knows, including Nat, Fulton, Jim, my aunt, Charlie, and hell even Bombay knows."

"Do you have any idea what it could be?"

"No and that bugs me. What bugs me more is that he's not telling me, he's my favorite brother because he's never lied to me or talked down to me or purposely hurt me. I could always trust Matt to do what's right even when he doesn't want to but now it makes me wonder if my favorite brother should have been Ben. We never talk much but now I feel like he knows me better than anyone else."

"Maybe you should consider not having a favorite brother."

"Maybe." I answered. For the rest of the night we walked a couple of movies eventually falling asleep on my bed.

Well there you have it hit the button in the center to tell me what you think.