Sorry if I'm a bit Brulian and Leyton centric. I'll try to incorporate Naley in it more. Oh and there's going to be quite a few twists to come. Please review if you want me to add or change anything.

Chapter 10

Sam glances over at the nine year old. Brooke dropped her off fifteen minutes ago and it's been awkward. The boys are at the sitter and it's far too quiet in Sam's opinion.

"Take this as a sign of ceasing fire" the nineteen year old smirks as she slides a bowl of fruit in Riley's direction.

Riley wants to roll her eyes, but ends up smiling instead. "Did Brooke tell you what she was gonna do?" she asked suddenly feeling apprehensive, Brooke and Julian are gonna kill her.

"Nope, guess it's not information I need to know" Sam shrugged briefly remembering moments of worry when Brooke was mad at her.

"But I need to know" Riley complained pouting, they're probably gonna send her back. But, here's the thing; Riley doesn't wanna get sent back anymore, besides the Ventura family Tree Hill isn't awful and anyway Austin got placed with a family who live on a boat.

"Is this about the apology? So, tell me, how'd the apology go?" the teen asked. "My guess would be it sucked, but from the look on your face; I don't think you apologized" Sam said trying to suppress a grin.

"I apologized" Riley answered stubbornly.

"But it didn't go well?" Sam asked hoping for more of an explanation.

"You're a mind reader" Riley replied sarcastically. Jack chuckles; she's too much like Sam for her own good. "Brooke's mad at me" she murmured into her hands.

Sam cracks a grin. "I figured that much when she told me to make sure you don't have any fun while she's at Baker Man" the older teen said causing Riley to groan.

"Do you think she's really pissed?" the child asked.

"Depends" she mused trying to sound dramatic. "What'd you do?" Sam already has an idea as to what Riley has done, but both teens want to hear what happened.

Riley shakes her head; the more people know, the worse punishment it's gonna be. "What good will telling you do?" she moaned.

"Lots" Sam and Jack share grins. "For one thing, it'll appease our boredom and maybe we can convince them to go easy on you."

Jack added, "And if they're still mad, we could always stash you in one of our suitcases." He's going to miss living here; Riley's been like a surrogate sister to him. Plus Sam's been different since they arrived here, almost happier. If Sam's happy, he's happy.

Riley sighs, realizing they could be right. The nine year old opens her mouth and tells them.

Brooke had decided that after class, Riley would apologize to Madison and hopefully they could patch things up. Growing up, Brooke got in her fair share of fights. Most of the time, they were a weak attempt at trying to get her feuding parents' attention. Her parents didn't do anything about these incidents. When she got in trouble, her mother would often send the house keeper, Esmeralda to pick her up.

Today Brooke plans on doing something different. Riley has to know there are consequences for her actions. Well, at least that's what Brooke wants her to learn. Apologizing will probably be embarrassing, but necessary.

Brooke gently pats Riley on the shoulder. "I know you don't want to do this, but we all have to face up to the things we did wrong" the foster mother said smoothing out the child's curls.

Riley looks over at Madison and Mrs. Ventura, Madison doesn't look that mad. In fact, she looks guilty. Riley wonders if Madison feels sorry for getting her in trouble.

"Even when they suck?" Riley asked cheekily, Brooke rolls her eyes knowing they have to get reel in her language.

"Especially when they suck" Brooke leads the child over to Madison and Mrs. Ventura.

Madison chews on her lower lip. Jamie and Andre talked to her during recess and now she feels bad. Riley's probably gonna be humiliated after this. Madison hadn't meant to make Riley's life a living hell, she was only worried that Riley was gonna take Jamie from her.

Mrs. Ventura on the other hand is pissed. The little delinquent crossing the street should be expelled. The child assaulted her daughter and her only repercussions is missing three days of recess and apologizing to her Madison.

"Riley, has something she'd like to say to Madison" Brooke nudges her daughter; half-warning, half-pleading. "Don't you Riley?" the mother raises her eyebrow at Riley, daring her to disagree.

"Yeah" Riley sighed glancing at Madison, who is only slightly taller than she is. "I'm sorry I pushed you and beat you up"

Madison nods forcing herself to smile, even though it hurts. "It's okay; I shouldn't have made you mad"

"Don't apologize, Madison" Mrs. Ventura scolded sternly. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Madison nods looking down, causing Riley to frown at Mrs. Ventura; she suddenly understands why Madison is the way she is. Maybe she and Madison could talk after this.

Riley clears her throat. "I'm sorry, I really am" she said taking a step into Brooke's blouse, feeling nervous.

Brooke puts her hands on Riley's shoulders and squeezes softly, letting the nine year old know she's okay. Brooke has learned whenever Riley's nervous, she looks for comfort.

"Thank you…its okay" Madison answered quietly; now that this is over she wants to talk to Riley alone. She wants to apologize and hopefully make amends for what she's done.

"Hmm" Mrs. Ventura scoffed; by her standards this apology isn't good enough.

Riley has met enough rude people to know when someone is sneering at her. "What's your problem? I apologized" she asked indignantly, forgetting for a moment she should mind her tongue.

"Riley" Brooke bends down. "Don't be rude, sweetie" she whispered gently ruffling the child's hair. Riley nods, but she honestly doesn't like Mrs. Ventura, not one little bit.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Mrs. Ventura murmured causing Brooke to glance at Mrs. Ventura; angrily.

"Is there a problem?" Brooke demanded kindly.

"Yes, Mrs. Baker there is, I always knew you were relaxed when it came to parenting, but I can't believe you're going to let your daughter speak this way" Mrs. Ventura said glaring down at Riley who tries to swallow all the bad words she knows.

"What?" Brooke asked, a tight smile appearing on her face. Almost as though, she's doing everything she can not to slap Mrs. Ventura.

"Perhaps, you should set a better example. If you did, I doubt your daughter would behave like this" Madison's eyes widen at her mother's words, she looks at Riley apologetically.

"Excuse me."

Riley twists her head towards Mrs. Ventura. "I'm just saying, I can recall days when you behaved like this and all I can say is the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Madison's mother informed Brooke who takes a deep breath, trying to control her temper.

"Hey" Riley's has had enough; nobody talks to her Brooke like this, especially not a stupid slut like her. "Stop being mean to Brooke, you stupid slut" the nine year old snapped causing Brooke's eyes to widen.

Mrs. Ventura glances over at Brooke. "Are you going to let your child talk to me like that?" she demanded frowning, disapprovingly.

Brooke opens her mouth, ready to tell this woman off, but Riley beats her to the punch. "Why don't you just shut up and suck it" Riley shouted stamping her foot.

Madison giggles, she's never heard anyone talk to her mother like that; most people fear her mother. This is awesome. Brooke glances down at Riley; stunned. She isn't sure if she should be proud or give Riley's bottom a well-deserved smack. Instead, she takes Riley hand and pulls her over to the car.

"After that Brooke got real quiet and we went back here…but it was super quiet" Riley finished as Jack smiles at her. He doesn't know whether what Riley did was stupid or amazing.

Sam wipes the tears rolling down her cheeks. "You told her Madison's mom to suck it" the teen laughed shaking her head. Riley must have some kind of guts.

"Only cause she was being mean to Brooke" Riley answered; quick to defend herself.

Jack shakes his head; women are insane. "Shorty, I don't know if you're in for it or if you made Brooke's year" Sam chuckled reaching over and ruffling the child's hair.

"Come on; let's get your mind off things" Jack encouraged offering the young girl a smile.

Riley raises an eyebrow at him. "Doing what? I'm not supposed ta have fun" she said pointedly.

"What Brooke doesn't know won't kill her" Sam winks as the trio departs out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Brooke shakes her head as she tells Haley, Quinn, and Millie the events that occurred. Quinn and Millie are trying their best not to laugh, but Haley already has tears rolling down her cheeks. This is the funniest thing they've ever heard one of their children do since Jamie tried to extort his friends. As much as they all hate to admit it their children and their insane antics keep them alive.

"She really told her to suck it?" Quinn laughed taking a sip of coffee; if Logan told someone to suck it, she has no idea what she'd do.

"Yeah" Brooke laughed somewhat proudly. "The entire ride home I wanted to laugh, but I didn't want Riley to think I was okay with this."

Millie grins at her. "That's quality parenting, right there" Millie joked earning a playful glare from Brooke.

"You should have me on your show, Brooke Baker Parenting Skills" Brooke answered shaking her head, wondering what she and Julian are going to do.

"Hales, if we had ever said something like that with Momma…" Quinn trailed off knowing full well, they'd get in a lot of trouble. Lydia James was a relaxed parent, but swearing at adults was a big no-no.

Haley nods knowing her butt would've been in huge trouble. "What are you going to do?" she asked seriously.

"I don't know; she was sticking up for me, Hales" Brooke answered sighing at the very idea of punishing Riley.

Haley smiles softly at her best friend. "Yes, but she was also really disrespectful and you know there has to be consequences" she said causing Brooke to groan.

Quinn shakes her head. "I don't know what I'd do if Logan talked to someone like that" she admitted worriedly, Logan's getting older and he's going to start misbehaving more.

"I don't want to yell at her cause Mrs. Ventura kept making jabs at my mistakes and…you have to admit it's really sweet" Brooke said looking more at Haley hoping she'll agree.

"It is sweet" Haley agreed. "But, as the mom you hafta do something about this. She's going to expect that you do something" Quinn and Millie nod in full agreement.

"I know, I know" Brooke replied rolling her eyes. "I just wish I knew what I was going to do."

Austin glances down at his shoes. They finally stopped sailing, Austin's pretty sure they're in the Bahamas or something. The family decided to go to the beach. There aren't a lot of tourists and the parents are talking while Sawyer plays with the islander children.

"Lily?" he asked as Lily look over at him; her green eyes bright with amusement. "We have a Math test tomorrow."

"Duh, Luke's been tellin' us that all week" Lily replied building a sand castle with a red cup.

"Could you maybe…lemme look at your paper?" Austin asked knowing Riley wouldn't care, but Lily is different. She probably wouldn't like the idea of cheating and stuff.

"Isn't that cheating?" Lily asked knowingly.

"No…well yeah, but I just need some help and it'll only be a few problems and…could you help me, Lil?" Austin asked pleadingly.

Lily's Momma always told her, you don't get anywhere cheating and that it's wrong. "Why?" the nine year old asked, her green eyes full of concern.

"Cause if I don't do good, Peyton and Lucas will be sad and I don't want them to be sad" Austin explained weakly. "I just don't get fractions and…please Lil."

Lily thinks about it. Austin's been doing his best to improve his grades and despite all his efforts he just doesn't understand fractions. "Okay, only a few" she agreed shrugging.

"Thanks" Austin replied gratefully, he honestly doesn't know how he would've passed if Lily had declined.

"How do we do this?" Lily asked squinting. "Luke watches us like a hawk when we're taking tests"

Austin's been thinking about that. They just need a little distraction to keep Lucas occupied for a few minutes. "We could get Sawyer to be the distraction" he answered writing his name in the sand.

"Sawyer can't keep a secret" the nine year old shakes her head, the last time she trusted Sawyer with a secret; it didn't end well. It's mostly because Sawyer talks too much.

"We don't gotta tell her why, we'll just say if she does, she'll get a bag of candy" Austin replied knowing Peyton takes their health seriously; Sawyer would do anything for candy.

Lily asked, "You have a bag of candy?"

"I can get a bag of candy" he replied confidently, here's where his thieving skills will come into great use.

"How? Do you have money stashed someplace?" Lily wondered folding her arms over her chest looking a lot like her mother.

"No, but I can get it. Trust me" Austin explained, his eyes beaming with absolute delight. "Soy, come here" the little girl quickly runs over to see what the big kids want.

Julian opens the front door. He has the boys on each hip. Jude apparently got in a bit of trouble today; biting another kid. Davis wouldn't share and kept having tantrums. Ah well, he guesses boys will be boys.

He smiles fondly as Sam, Jack, and Riley play in a fort they made of blankets. From what it looks like, they added chairs from the kitchen and moved the couches.

Sam nudges Riley who looks over at Julian, sadly. He can tell she already knows she's in trouble. "Rye, let's talk" the father said handing Davis to Sam and Jude to Jack.

Riley watches as Sam and Jack leave with her brothers. "Am I gonna taste soap?" she asked nervously, Brooke already said countless times that she would if she didn't watch her language.

"No, honey" Julian takes a seat beside her. "This is a really nice fort, you have here" he said admiring the work it must've taken for the trio to pull this off.

"I didn't do it by myself" Riley looks around; proud they constructed something like this. "Jack and Sam helped a lot" she added her tone becoming soft.

Julian nods, he doesn't doubt that. Sam has always had somewhat of an artist's eye and Jack does whatever Sam tells him. "What happened today, Rye?" he asked leaning against the couch.

"Didn't Brooke tell you?" Riley asked looking confused, she thought they talked about everything.

"She did, but I want you to tell me what happened" Julian said making a mental note at Riley's smarts.

Riley takes a deep breath, before retelling her foster father everything that happened. By the end of her story and much to Riley's surprise, Julian's laughing; shoulder shaking, even snorting.

"You aren't mad?" she asked her worry evident. The nine year old would've thought Julian would be pissed.

"Maybe a little at your word choice" Julian answered giving her a soft hearted smile. "But, your too much like Brooke for me to be really mad at you" he tickles her side causing Riley to giggle.

Riley laughs and tries to break free. "I thought I specifically told Sam you weren't supposed to have fun" Brooke appears in front of them with her hands on her hips.

"Oh, don't worry Mrs. Baker. I'm just teaching our daughter here a valuable lesson" Julian continues to tickle the nine year old.

Brooke raises an eyebrow at him. "Mind if I join you?" she asked sitting down and tickling Riley who tries to break free.

"Okay, okay" Riley laughed, coughing. Both parents stop tickling and let their daughter cough. The nine year old looks guiltily at Brooke who smiles warmly at her. "I'm sorry for telling Mrs. Ventura to suck it"

"Honestly, sweetie, I wanted to tell her to suck it too" Brooke admitted causing Riley to grin. "But, you're a kid and you can't talk to anyone like that; it's rude and disrespectful"

"She was sayin' mean stuff to you" Riley whispered resting her head on Julian's arm.

"I love that you stood up for me and I'm proud you wanted to protect me, but I'm the Mom and it's my job to protect you. Not the other way around, okay?" Brooke asked trying to get eye contact.

Riley nods and looks down, sad. "Don't be sad, Rye. We still love you all the same, just next time think before you speak" Julian encouraged seeing his daughter's disheartened look.

"I will" Riley promised. "Does this mean I'm not in trouble?" she smiles hopefully at her parents.

Julian and Brooke sigh. They glance at one another for a moment, reading their eyes, before sharing a soft smile. "I think just this once, we can let it slide" Julian said winking at Riley whose hopeful grin widens.

"Just this once" Brooke repeated as Riley nearly knocks her onto her back giving her a hug.

"Really" Riley asked excitedly, she thought for sure she'd be in humungous trouble.

"Yeah, but if you ever talk like that again, I'll wash your mouth with soap, got it?" the mother warned as Julian winces, he'd hate to wash Riley's mouth out.

"Yes ma'am" the nine year old agreed wanting to be as well-mannered as possible.

Brooke gives her a hug. "Good, I can't believe you told Mrs. Ventura to suck it. Where did you even learn that?" she asked taking her husband's hand.

Riley shrugs as Sam and the boys enter the room. "Sorry, but Jack and the boys wanted to see the fort" Sam said as Jack starts to play with Dave and Jude.

Sam and Jack help put away the dishes for dinner. Brooke, Julian, and Riley are cleaning up the mess they made today. Julian is doing the majority of the work while Riley and Brooke play with the twins.

"Riley got lucky today, hu?" Sam observed smiling softly; she's going to miss staying here. Riley's been like the little sister she always wanted.

Jack nods and smiles, he has to do this now. "Sam, I think we should talk in private" he said his serious tone worrying his girlfriend.

Sam glances at him, worried. "Yeah, let's use Brooke and Julian's room so nobody walks in" she offered climbing up the staircase and heading in the 'parents' room.

Jack paces back and forth; Sam watches worried. Shit, every time someone says they want to talk alone that can't mean anything good. What could be wrong? Everything seems fine with her.

"What's going on Jack?" Sam asked breaking the somewhat awkward silence between the two.

"I want to transfer to Tree Hill College. I've been looking into a few Sociology classes and I really like them. The Literature programs are better too" Jack informed her wiping his sweaty palms on his faded blue jeans.

"You're joking, right?" Sam asked laughing; she'd be lying to say she hasn't thought about transferring, but that's impossible. They can't just up and leave everyone behind.

"Am not" Jack answered. "I think we should stay here for at least another semester. Well, if you want to" he doesn't understand why he's so nervous.

Sam shakes her head, he can't be serious. "What about our life? What about the college we go to now?" she asked raising her eyebrows at him.

"The Dean says we can easily transfer, since it is nearing the end of the term. What do you think? You wanna transfer?"

"Where would we live?" Sam asked; she already has an idea, but the more Jack talks about it. The more the idea seems wonderful.

"Here" her boyfriend said as though the answer is obvious.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sam asked, she knows how much Jack loves the parents he got only four years ago. "We'll be leaving your family."

Jack said, "My family is wherever you are and I know you wanna be here, Sammy."

"I love you, Jack Daniels" Sam whispered wrapping her arms around him and kissing him hard on the lips.

Jack kisses her back and lets Sam take off his shirt. "I love you; forever and always" he replied as he collapses into the bed as his girlfriend continues to kiss him.

Brooke takes her husband's hand and leads him upstairs. Sam and Jack are in the kitchen and Riley and the boys are playing in the living room. All is well in the world.

"Today was nice, wasn't it?" Brooke asked kissing him tenderly on the lips as she plays with his hair.

Julian smiles fondly at her and nods, "we're probably taking the easy way out with Riley" he said with a warm smile.

"Yes, but can you blame us?" his wife laughed shaking her head at how weak they are as parents. "I know she won't do it again."

"How?" he asked studying her face in wonderment. How can anyone be so beautiful?

"Mother's Intuition" Brooke replied as she lands another kiss on his lips and opens their bedroom door to find two teenagers naked in their bed. "What the hell is this?" she demanded rage in her eyes. No wonder parents get gray hair.