*Author's note: I don't own Beverly Hills 90210 or it's characters.

Enjoy this nice long chapter as we catch up with some other characters :)

Dylan was caught in a tumultuous sea, struggling against the relentless pull of the raging waves. Somewhere in his subconscious mind he knew it was a dream. He knew this because in reality Dylan loved the water, he was at home there, he was a great swimmer and a professional level surfer. Still, that didn't the stop the panic from rising as he fought against of the force of the dangerous waters. As he struggled to stay afloat, he noticed that Brenda was there too, her eyes filled with determination as she swam towards him, reaching out to pull him from the depths. But as she neared, he felt a new terror grip him—she was getting caught in the undertow, the current threatening to drag them both under. He reached for her, desperately trying to grab her hand to pull her in so he could cling to her. Save her. "Bren!" He swam harder, she was so close. Her eyes suddenly filled with fear, and she screamed in terror "Dylan!"

"No! Brenda!" He screamed out as the picture faded.

Dylan suddenly jolted awake, his heart pounding and his skin clammy with sweat. The remnants of the nightmare clung to him like a persistent fog. He sat up in bed, trying to shake off the haunting images. It had been years since he had one of these nightmares, and now he'd had one two nights in a row. He didn't miss how much they affected him. How shaken they'd get him. Dylan rolled out of bed feeling dizzy, his pulse was racing and his body still trembling. He headed to the kitchen to have his first cup of black coffee for the day, he needed something to try to take the edge off. He grabbed the newspaper and read while he sipped, trying to distract his mind to no avail. All he had were questions.

Why now? Dylan hasn't been plagued by these nightmares in a long time, he'd thought he'd successfully dulled them years ago. He couldn't help but be nervous. He didn't want them to come back, knowing what having them did to him last time. What was happening?

Dylan ran a hand through his hair, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. After that phone call with Val, and using logic, he convinced himself that whatever weird thing had happened two nights ago was just some weird fluke. Maybe an illusion created by his own mind for some reason. Brenda wasn't here, and he had to stop dwelling on it. Val made it perfectly clear that she wasn't here, and even if she was Dylan would be the last person she wanted to see. But it was hard to ignore to the signs. Why would he randomly sense Brenda near him, and then suddenly the nightmares are back at the same time? His subconscious was working over time to derail all the progress he has made to get his life together and leave her, and the past behind.

Maybe he wouldn't have to worry about it, maybe it was just a couple of nightmares after the weird incident the other night. He saw the back of a brunette, jumped to conclusions, and now his mind was working overtime. That's all. He would go back to pushing the memories away and everything would return to normal and he would be fine again. Right?

Dylan sighed, putting his coffee mug in the sink and walking over his office. He decided not to risk it. The last time these kind of nightmares haunted him, the only way he could get rid of them was to hide in a bottle of booze or get high enough to feel nothing. He simply placed a fog over his mind, and eventually, the nightmares dulled, and left him alone. But he couldn't do that again. He had worked too hard for his sobriety to fall back into that as a coping mechanism.

He picked up the phone and dialed his sponsor, Ben, who had previously recommended a therapist. Dylan didn't accept before because he thought the nightmares were over and done with. He knew he should have but at the time, with the nightmares gone, he just didn't want to bring anything to the surface again. He wasn't ready for that. But now, it looked like he may not have a choice. After speaking with Ben and giving him the rundown, Dylan had the number for a highly certified therapist. He made an emergency appointment, thankful she had a cancellation for today so he could get this over with.

He should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

Dylan sat on the couch awkwardly fidgeting, he was never comfortable letting anyone in on the intimate details of his life, and here he was getting ready to spill his guts to a stranger. But he knew it was necessary. He was serious about his sobriety, and like Ben told him, "you wouldn't need an emotional bandaid, if you could find and heal the internal wound." Dylan knew he meant that he had to deal with the underlying issue, otherwise he would be tempted to numb himself.

He looked at Dr. Linda and rolled out in a casual yet sarcastic tone, "Okay Doc, where should we start? Absent mother? Abusive and neglectful father? Dead wife? Substance abuse? Near death experiences? I've had several." He listed off his traumas as if he was reading a grocery list. He didn't mean to sound rude but he knew how the game went. The faster he spilled his guts the faster he could get this over with.

She looked at him with an amused but curious stare. "All seems intertwined with fear and abandonment to me, but we will get to that." She said nonchalantly, unphased by his attempt at mockery. This wasn't her first rodeo with his type. "Why don't you tell me about what it is that brought you here today? From the sound of it, you've been through a lot in your life, so why are you now deciding to take this step?"

Damn. Ok. Guess we're doing this already. Dylan thought.

Dylan's eyes darted to the side and then he looked down. He shook his head and took a deep breath, wringing his hands nervously in his lap as his elbows rested on his knees. "I used to have these nightmares. Or night terrors maybe, I don't really know. I haven't had them in a few years. But I've had one the last two nights again and I just...I need to know what they mean and how to get rid of them for good."

Dr. Linda nodded her head slowly in understanding, "I see. You say you haven't had them in years? Night terrors in adults aren't typically known to just go quiet their own. Since it usally stems from an underlying mental health condition. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or anxiety disorder, things like that. So I ask, how did you get rid of them last time?"

Dylan blew out a breath, "I drowned them out in booze and got so high that I was in too much of a stupor to even function. I guess eventually it stuck and silenced them. For a while it seems anyway."

She looked at him interested, "And is that how the substance abuse you mentioned began?"

He looked at her with an apprehensive stare, realizing to himself that this was going to take a lot longer than a few sessions. "No." His eyes darted back down as he blew out a breath, "I've been an alcoholic or abusing drugs, or both, since I was a kid." He looked down, feeling embarrassed and maybe a little bit of shame. He never liked showing his demons to anyone. This was different than an AA meeting.

She didn't look at him with anything but understanding though. She simply nodded and began speaking in a reassuring tone, "Well Dylan, it sounds like we have a lot to cover."

"Can't I just tell you about the nightmares, you tell me what they mean and how to stop them and send me on my way?" Dylan asked semi-sarcastic but also a bit hopeful.

She smirked, "Unfortunately dreams can be difficult to accurately interpret based off context alone. The reason and meaning of these dreams will be more obvious to identify when I have the background knowledge necessary to provide an accurate account of subjects and the events that play out in the nightmares. We will of course discuss them, but I need to have access to the information in your mind to build a better picture of who you are, how they're triggered, and what these nightmares are trying to tell you."

Great. Sounds complicated.

Dylan sighed loudly and looked at her, "Alright, Doc, so where do we start?"

Dr. Linda gave him a smirk, "The beginning."

Damn it. Okay, so this is going to take A LOT longer than I thought.

Reliving his rocky past was something he had always avoided as much as possible. He sat back on the couch frustrated, running a nervous hand through his hair. Then he looked at her and nodded. Here we go.

Dylan arrived home hours later after leaving her office, and grabbing a new stack of manuscripts to read over. He'd spent the hour giving Dr. Linda a quick rundown on the early years of his life. His parents fighting, their divorce, his mother leaving, his father's affairs and the constant stream of meaningless women after his mother left, the yelling and the abuse. His first drink. How his father kicked him out when he was 14. He'd made it all the way through to his freshman year in high school before the hour was up. It was decided that because of the possibility of the nightmares being back full force, and with his history of addiction, that he should attend two sessions a week, and emergency sessions in the event that the nightmares kept occurring and caused him distress.

He knew his next session would lead into sophomore year, the year he met her. He had spent so much time trying to push all those memories of her down, trying to bury her. Forget her. Sure she seeped in through the cracks sometimes. Sometimes he slipped. But overall he'd done an okay job of forcing her and the feelings she brought out of his mind all these years. And now here he was, about to blow the doors wide open, willingly. He wasn't sure how he would handle that after what he felt two nights ago, but what choice did he have? Suddenly he's possibly hallucinating her and having nightmares again, he had to know why.

Dylan sat on his couch, and for once he was going to allow himself to really remember her, if only to prepare himself for what was to come. He had to try to sit through a memory, and just get through it. It would make it easier for when he opened the flood gates at his next session. Maybe if he dipped his toe into the water slowly right now, the wave of memories to come would take pity on him and not swallow him whole. Besides, maybe it wouldn't be that bad. After years of pushing it away, surely he would be less affected now right? He decided to go for a happy memory, knowing that trying to reflect on any of the bad ones would surely send him into a tailspin. He took a deep breath, and closed his eyes as he sifted through 12 years of history with Brenda Walsh.

Flashback

"Dylan!" she giggled as he walked behind her with his arms around her waist tightly. He continued planting soft kisses on her neck as they walked back to their West End apartment in London. "We'll never make it home if you keep distracting me like this."

"Bren, I can't help it, you look good enough to eat right now, and I just sat through 2 hours of torture...sitting next to you...having to behave myself." He whispered into her neck between kisses.

Brenda laughed and turned in his arms to face him. Dylan raked his eyes over her body which was adorned in a floor length fitted red gown with a high leg slit and off the shoulder neckline. Her strappy black heels elongated her slim legs and her long dark hair was framing her face. She looked exquisite. She shook her head at him and smiled.

"I wouldn't exactly say you behaved yourself." She laughed, "but yes I know, parties aren't your thing." She said teasing.

"Bren that wasn't a party it was a stuffy alumni banquet for your RADA peers. Not exactly a rager." He joked as he used his finger to push a strand of hair behind her ear, allowing his fingers to graze her neck. "Besides, even if it was some amazing party, I would still hate having to keep myself from ravishing you. You know I've always been better one on one." He winked, knowing she remembered the reference.

She giggled as she reached to straighten his tie. "Well, now it's just you and me. So..." she leaned in closed to his face and whispered against his lips "What do you want to do?" She brushed her lips against his softly.

Dylan pulled back slowly to look into her eyes. God how he could get lost in those blue gray eyes that sparkled with love for him. He licked his lips as his eyes fell down to her exposed collar bone. He leaned down and softy brushed his lips and tongue across it, feeling her tremble slightly. He kissed up her neck, her scent swirling around, intoxicating him. He nipped lightly on her ear before whispering, "I love you, Bren."

"I love you, too." She pulled back to look at him, "Ready to go home?"

Dylan eyed her hungrily, "God, yes."

She giggled and took his hand, she began to walk but she suddenly stopped. "Dyl?"

He looked at her curiously "Yeah, baby?"

"Thanks for coming with me." She said sweetly.

His eyes turned intense as he stared at her with love and told her truth, "I'll always want to be wherever you are, Bren."

Flash

"Choose us, Dylan. Don't leave." He stared at her beautiful face, her intense eyes that usually sparkled were now rimmed red as tears spilled over.

NO! Not this one. I don't want to be here. Not this memory.

Flash

Dylan pulled himself out of the memory and got up off the couch, pacing back and forth. He ran his hand through his hair and gripped the back of his neck, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. He couldn't even make it through one memory without the flood trying to break free. How was he going to do this?

Fuck this was a bad idea.

Brenda had an easier second day in Beverly Hills. She'd stayed in her hotel room and just relaxed for a lot of the day, exhaustion from traveling finally catching up to her. She spent a lot of time after that exploring different book stores, liking that they gave her a sense of comfort. She finished the day having dinner with her parents, and then returning to her hotel room. She hadn't spoken to Chace, only because they kept missing each other, but overall it was a good day.

Brenda was hoping her third day in LA would be just as stress free, but that hope was ruined when she had woken up to an e-mail from David and Donna wondering if she would be coming to LA soon for a visit. They couldn't know could they? How would they? Ugh she was so paranoid. The e-mail did also say they could plan a trip to New York to visit her if she wouldn't be here soon, so maybe her worry was unwarranted. Maybe they were just checking in on her, and she was just overthinking it.

The paranoia was driving Brenda crazy. She knew why. She didn't want them to find out she was here and didn't even bother to reach out to them. Not that she didn't miss them or wouldn't want to see them, it just didn't seem like the right time. She knew if Donna knew, she would tell everyone. She wasn't ready for some big reunion but she knew she couldn't put it off forever either. Donna had actually been a great friend to her over the last few years. She was the first to reach out after Dylan left London and since then she and David had kept in great contact. Even after Brenda couldn't attend their wedding due to her tour schedule, or at least that's what she told them. Steve was the second to reach out and they exchanged emails often. Brenda truly felt like they had repaired their friendships and she felt bad not telling them she was here.

Shit. She decided to call Steve. Maybe he would keep her secret, for a little while anyway. She could ease herself into it without getting the entire gang involved, and maybe, with any luck at all, she could avoid Dylan all together. Steve Sanders answered the phone on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Steve hi, it's me." She said with a smile, it was really good to hear his voice.

"Bren? No way! Brenda Walsh?! Is that you?!" He asked excitedly recognizing her voice.

She couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. "Yeah, Steve it's me. How are you?"

"Well I'm great now! How are you, Bren? Man it's good to hear your voice." The feeling was mutual. They e-mailed often but phone calls were rare.

"I'm good Steve. Really good." She swallowed hard and then just blurted it out. "Listen, I'm in town. And I'd really like to see you and meet Janet and Maddie." She wondered if he could hear the anxiety in her voice.

"You're kidding! You're here? In town?" He paused briefly "Since when?" His voice trailed off a little at the end and she thought she noticed a tinge of hurt ring through in his voice. She tried to reassure him.

"I actually just got in a couple of days ago. I took a little bit to settle and visit with my parents and explore the theatre. But I'm here for a couple of weeks for a play. While I'm here I would love it if I could come hang out with you." Brenda did her best to make sure not to say hang out with the gang or just hang out so that he wouldn't assume she wanted some big gathering.

"Ummm, absolutely! God I haven't seen you in 8 years, Brenda. I would have been mad as hell if you would have come through without letting me set eyes on you. I know you've aged like fine wine." He said in the suggestive tone that Steve always had. Brenda laughed. He hadn't changed. It made it easier to say the next thing she needed to say.

"Yeah, listen though. I haven't told anyone else yet. Just you. And if you don't mind, I would really appreciate it if you could not tell anyone I'm here? I would really like to tell them all myself." She tried to keep the pleading out of her voice.

"Wait. Are you saying I'm the only one that knows you're here?" He asked curiously.

"Just you, Brandon, and my parents, and Val of course. She's my roommate, remember?" Brenda had told him that fact during one of their catch up e-mails.

"Well would you look at that" he said in a smug tone. "Of course I'll keep your secret, Bren. Count on it." He said mischievously. Brenda had to giggle a little at his willingness to go along with her plan. He seemed genuinely flattered that she was letting him in and trusting him with her secret.

"Great! Thanks a lot, Steve. What do you say we meet up this afternoon? 4 o clock okay?"

"Of course, Bren. You know where I live." He said with humor in his voice. Brenda laughed. Steve and his family lived in her old house. She was glad that Steve owned it now but he still referred to it as Casa Walsh.

"Yeah, I remember" she laughed, "I'll see you this afternoon."

"You better. Later, Bren." He said happily and then hang up the phone.

Brenda sighed. That wasn't so bad right? Now she just had to hope he would keep his word.

Brenda had breakfast with her parents and after visiting with them for a while she and Annie explored the city a little. She made sure to make a pit stop to pick up a small gift for Madeline for when she visited later. It was nice and easy going which settled her nerves over her upcoming reunion.

3 hours later, Brenda found herself nervously walking up the steps to Casa Walsh. As soon as she hit the driveway the anxiety hit her. She hadn't been to her childhood home since she was 19. She wasn't sure if she was prepared for the possible memories, good and bad, that might hit her being here again. Brenda hid the stuffed bunny she brought for Maddie behind her back. She lifted her hand ignoring the nervousness that had developed in her stomach, and knocked on the door softly three times.

The door opened and she was greeted by a very excited Steve Sanders. He didn't even invite her in before he stepped out the door himself and pulled her into a bear hug, squeezing her so tightly that he lifted her off the ground a little. Brenda shrieked in surprise and giggled at her friend. She really had missed him.

"Oh my God, Brenda" He breathed. "It's been way to long. Way, way too long." Steve gently placed her back on the ground and took a step back from her, keeping his hands on her arms. He looked her up and down, "Yep, I knew it. Fiiiine wiiiine." He said flirty, wiggling his eyebrows with a naughty smile on his face. Brenda let out a loud laugh and smacked him playfully on the chest.

"Well, it's nice to see some things never change. You know, I have to say it's really weird knocking on my own door and having you invite me in, or, not invite me in." Brenda joked. "You going to leave me out here all day or what?"

Steve chuckled and stepped aside, "Oh come in, come in!" Brenda stepped inside as Steve called for his wife Janet to come and join them in the foyer. She looked around at her childhood home. Things looked different thanks to the Sanders redecorating, but also the same.

Moments later Brenda heard the pitter patter of little feet shuffling toward her. She looked down to see a precious toddler barreling toward them with a huge smile on her face. She ran right into Steve's arms as her mother followed behind her. She noticed how beautiful his wife was, and how much their daughter resembled her.

"Janet, babe, this is Brennnndaaa Walsh" he dragged out her name to Janet as if he was introducing a celebrity. Brenda smiled at him and rolled eyes playfully. "Brandon's sister and twin." Brenda didn't miss being always referred to as Brandon's sister, but she knew Janet had only known Brandon so it didn't bother her. She gave a friendly smile and held out her hand to greet her.

"Hi Janet, it's so nice to meet you." Brenda turned to Steve, "Wow, she is so beautiful, how the hell did you pull that off?" She joked.

"Hey!" He mocked offense as Brenda and Janet giggled at his expense.

Brenda turned her attention to the shy toddler now hiding in her father's arms. She gently brushed the little girl's hair from her face so she could see her eyes.

"This gorgeous girl must be Maddie. Hi sweetie, it's so nice to finally meet you." The little girl didn't say anything but smiled shyly. "You obviously got your looks from your mother, you're very pretty." Brenda held back her chuckle at Steve's eyeroll.

"Maddie, sweetie, this is your Auntie Bren. Can you say hi?" Steve said as her bounced her up and down to make her giggle.

Auntie Bren. It almost brought tears to her eyes. Using a term that was meant for family. It felt good to be considered family, and solidified their close relationship that they'd worked to rebuild despite the past and the distance between them.

"Hi Aunt Bren! You're pretty too!"

Okay, yep that'll do it. Brenda quickly wiped the tear that escaped. The term sounded even sweeter coming from precious Madeline, and she couldn't stop the emotion from spilling over.

"Well thank you, sweetie." She said with a slight sniffle. "I brought you something." Brenda smiled and brought the stuffed rabbit out from behind her back and tickled Maddie's leg with it. The way her face lit up at the sight of it melted Brenda's heart.

"I love it i love it! Thank you Auntie Bren!" She jumped excitedly out of her dad's arms and ran to the lounge room to introduce her new Bunny, who she named Snow, to her other stuffed animal friends.

Steve and Janet smiled at the exchange as he draped his arm over Brenda's shoulder and led her to the kitchen.

"Come on, Bren. We can have tea and catch up." Said Steve.

"You? You're going to have tea Steve?" Brenda asked with a confused look.

"Hell no, the tea is for you women, I'm having beer."

Brenda laughed loudly, "That definitely makes more sense."

They sat catching up as Steve explained about the new publication magazine that he and Janet had started together, while Brenda told him about life in New York and her constantly busy tour schedules. It isn't until thirty minutes into the visit that her engagement ring is noticed. She was surprised they hadn't noticed sooner, though Maddie had a nice way of distracting their attention from lingering too long. She was intelligent and her conversation skills for a not even three year old were impressive.

As Brenda lifted her tea for the first time with her left hand, she instantly saw Janet's face change.

"Wow. Brenda, that ring is incredible." Janet gushed. "Seriously it's so beautiful, and that diamond is huge." She continued, clearly taken aback. The ring was rather large Brenda had to admit.

Steve followed Janet's eyes to Brenda's adorned left ring finger and his eyes went massive.

"Damn Bren! You're engaged? Congratulations! Who's the lucky guy?" Steve asked in shock but obviously curious.

Brenda dropped her eyes, and smiled through her blush. A mix of embarrassment and feeling like a school girl telling her friends about the boy she likes.

"Thanks guys, his name is Chace Cohen. We met about a year and a half ago in New York. He saw one of my plays and we met that night." She said happily.

Steve's jaw dropped a little.

"Wait...Cohen...as in...no way. You're marrying into one of the most prominent familes in New York and possibly the country?"

Brenda rolled her eyes, "Steve it's not that big of a deal."

"Are you kidding me? There isn't a publication out there that isn't itching to get exclusives with them about their philanthropic work and their rise to success. " Steve said in disbelief, then he gave Brenda a funny questioning look. "How are you always bagging these millionaires, Bren? What's your secret?"

"Yeah. I'd like to know that, too." Janet chimed in joking, causing the women to have another giggle fit at Steve's offended look.

As Brenda's laughter died down, she got back to the topic at hand, "No it's really not that big of a deal. Chace's parents are the ones that are big into politics and they work hand in hand with several big corporations, but Chace works with the smaller charities and does local work because he really loves the community and believes change should start in your own back yard. But there's so much more to him than those things." Brenda gushed.

"Well he sounds incredible and you definitely look happy." Janet said with a sweet smile.

"I don't know, Bren. I won't be able to give my full support until I meet the guy and know his intentions are good." Steve joked while crossing his arms and puffing his chest like a protective big brother. "When do I get the chance to meet him?"

Brenda shifted nervously in her seat. Okay so we're going all in here. Awesome.

She lets out a nervous breath. "Um, actually, Brandon hasn't gotten to meet him yet either. Maybe you can both meet him at the same time? Brandon will be here tomorrow, and Chace arrives next week before the play starts."

Steve's face went from mock masculinity to utter shock. "Wait. Brandon is coming into town?! A Walsh twin reunion?! Oh Man." He turned his attention to Janet, "Babe, you're in for a treat. The twins in the same room is going to be a trip. You'll love it."

Brenda laughed and decided to add to Steve's excitement with another little announcement. "Actually, Val is coming into town, too. So make that triplets." She said with a wicked smile on her face.

"VAL IS COMING TOO?!" Steve practically yelled as his eyes bugged out of his head. "Whoa, I've heard the stories, but to be able to witness you three together?" Steve's tongue came out and touched his teeth as he rubbed his hands together. "This is going to get very interesting." The three adults started chuckling together.

The rest of the hang out went smoothly. It was fun and light hearted and Brenda felt relieved that it was so easy. They did a great job of distracting her from the memories her childhood home held. For a while at least...

Maddie came running into the kitchen excitedly with her stuffed rabbit dragging behind her "Daddy! Is Uncle Dylan coming to play with me?"

Brenda felt her body tense up at the mention of his name. It was an involuntary response that she hoped would go unnoticed. Steve's eyes drifted to Brenda before landing on Maddie. He knelt down in front of her.

"Yes sweetie, of course he is. But not until Thursday remember? You know he always picks you up after dance class and comes to play." Steve reassured her with a smile then tickled her side. "Hey Mads, it'll be time to eat soon. Why don't you go play for 20 more minutes and then we will wash up for dinner?"

Still shaken, Brenda watched their interaction and was stuck somewhere between dread after hearing his name and delight at seeing how good of a dad Steve seemed to be. As Maddie left the room, Steve slowly got up and walked over to where Brenda sat. He gave her a sympathetic look. Okay so she didn't hide her reaction as well as she'd hoped.

"He comes here at least once a week." He explained. "But usually more often than that. He's her godfather and well, those two are attached at the hip." He looked down before meeting her eyes again knowing this was probably awkward for her. He knew most of their history, except for the events of London. She'd only said that he'd left her. But he did know how hurt she had been. "You okay, Bren?"

Brenda nodded and plastered a friendly smile on her face, automatically going into actress mode. "Yeah, of course, why shouldn't I be?" She continued smiling and effortlessly changed the subject, "So, dance class huh? I bet she is so cute." Nailed it.

Steve's face lit up as he gushed over his little girl, "Bren you should see her. At her recital this Spring she was up on stage having the time of her life. She loves attention. Maybe she will be a performer like her Aunt Bren." He joked as Brenda smacked him playfully on the arm.

From then on it was smooth sailing. All awkward moments had been dodged successfully and they chatted and laughed together while Janet cooked. They had even offered for Brenda to stay here in her old room, but she politely declined knowing there's no way she could avoid anyone here. She'd simply said that the production had already gotten her a room closer to the theater. Maddie had even warmed up to her and they were talking and laughing together.

But just as Brenda feared, eventually the memories tried to come to the surface. Countless study dates with Dylan, make out sessions on the couch, dinners, doing dishes together, a flood of moments tried to come to the forefront of her mind as she ate in the old Walsh kitchen. She didn't stay much longer after dessert, she had to get out of there. She had successfully pushed all the memories away until one hit her like a ton of bricks as she made her way through the foyer and caught sight of the lounge room.

Flash

"I've been thinking about you the whole time. I just had to go do this. Please don't think that I didn't care. I did...I do." He looked at her with pleading eyes.

She gives him an understanding smirk, a silent acceptance of his apology. Brenda looked into his eyes, "I wish you would have called." She said sincerely.

He shook his head slightly, "I just couldn't."

"I called you."

He looked at her surprised. "When? They didn't...they didn't tell me."

Brenda searched his eyes, and saw honesty in them. He was telling the truth. She sighed and turned away from him, "Now I feel terrible." She said as she moved to sit down.

He shook his head as he moved to where she sat on the armchair. He knelt down to look into her eyes and spoke in a low soothing tone."I don't want to make you feel terrible anymore."

"How do you want me to feel, Dylan? What do you want me to feel for you?" She was scared of the answer, but she was so confused. His words are saying one thing but his actions the last few days were saying another. He didn't answer her right away and suddenly she felt very exposed.

Then Dylan looked at her with a stare so intense that she almost had to look away. But there was no way she could. His warm brown eyes held hers with fire behind them. He slowly leaned in and her heart started pounding so hard she could hear the sound in her ears. His lips met hers in a soft kiss, gentle but full of the passion and the want he felt for her. It was his silent answer, a confirmation that he felt just as strongly as for her and she did for him.

"Yo! Brenda...you okay?" Steve asks waving his hand to get her attention.

Brenda shook her head a little trying to come back to reality. "Yeah, sorry, just a long day catching up with me I guess."

Brenda thanked them for dinner and told Steve she would call him when Brandon got into town. She left conflicted, the weight of that memory was heavy in her heart, yet she also felt a little lighter now that she had seen Steve, and was keeping her presence here from one less person.