"Surprise!" Brittany said as Tori came down to the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" Tori said as she and Brittany hugged.

Brittany was a very cute redhead. When they both had made the varsity squad their Freshman year, their friendship began. Brittany had dark strawberry red hair with deep red lowlights that was riddled with long gorgeous natural curls, that she always wore in classic forties pin up styles. But it was her big bright robin egg blue eyes were that everyone notice about her first. They held so much emotion that you knew what she thinking, at all times. Even through her eyes showed her emotions, she could still be that spoiled rick chick bitch and Brittany loved it! But, then she looked as wholesome as white bread, with her freckles that dotted her nose and cheekbones. Her steampunk look followed her forties style, unlike Tori's Victorian seampunk. And that was another opposite that they had, Tori added about ten percent steampunk to her outfits, while Brittany was ready for a convention any time of the day.

"Well, my mom had a conference and my dad went with her, so they bought me a ticket here, for the week. I think that they believe that I won't cause trouble here."

"Did you know about this?" Tori asked Piper. A smile from Piper was all Tori needed to understand that it was planned.

"Sean and I are going to be out of town till next Thursday night," Piper explain as she put a coffee mug in the dishwasher. "Sean has a few new clients to meet with out of town. And we really didn't want you to be here alone."

"So, when are you leaving?" Tori asked, trying not to laugh at the faces that Brittany was making.

"We have to be at the airport in about an hour," Piper answered as she put an envelope with cash in a drawer. "Here is some cash, so you can get food or what not, till we come back."

"Ok, thanks," Tori replied as she and Britt ran up the stairs to Tori room with three suitcases and a large bag.

"OMG! This is a kick ass room, Tori!"

"I know, AND I have my own way in and out. On the other side of the bathroom is my soon to be walk-in closet. And lucky you, you are so in time to help me finish it!"

Brittany flopped on Tori's bed and said, "Cool beans! So, what up with Scott? Do I get to meet this bad boy that is such a bad influence on you? And can you please explain why you are NOT cheering"

"Talking to Piper, are you?"

"Totes!" Britt said as she was opening up one of the three suitcases. "But let's go for a run. I have been copped up on a plane for the last eight hours."

****************************************************************

After the girls got back from their quick, four mile, run, they cleaned up and went to relax by the pool. With Piper and Sean safely tucked away on the plane, they turned up the music and opened a bottle of Fireball.

"So, what is the good news from the land of the city people?" Tori asked as she laid back in a chair and let Brittany tell her all the happenings of what was going on since she left.

"Well, the best is that the football star and the bitch hag are going to be parents around Christmas," Brittany finished up.

"OMG, really?" Tori asked not trying to laugh.

"Totes, and by the way, she's not even a cute preggo hag," she said rolling her eyes. "Now what is this shit about you not cheering?"

"I don't know. Piper is pushing the issue, Sean is just agreeing with her, because that's what they do. Scott just says it will give him a reason to go to the games."

"Ok, so if you do go to try outs, what are you planning?"

"I would just use one that I created for us. It would have to be one that we didn't do at nationals or make it on YouTube though. Don't want them thinking that I have to steal a routine to make the team."

"The one that goes with Goody Two Shoes, is a good one. Not totally show-offy, but gets the point across that you know your shit. Go change and we will work on it."

"So, I'm trying out for the cheer squad?" Tori asked as she got up to change. Up in the room they both changed in to a pair of jean shorts and hoodies. And Brittany grabbed another bottle from one of her bags.

"You are so totally going to get busted with that stuff." Tori said as she grab the cups that they had brought up.

"Been there, done that, got the shirt. My dad just buys it and leaves it out now. He knows that I take it either way," Brittany simply said. It was true, thanks to her mother the mayor, it all got brushed under the rug. After a few more shots, they started working on the routine that Tori was going to do for try-outs. After a while they called it quits and sat down on the pool chair and just passed the bottle back and forth.

"Ok, I have been here all day, when are you going to tell me about this bad boy that has you all tied up?"

"Really Britt, all tied up? I wish," Tori laughed.

"Princess, I am shocked that you are into that," said a mocking voice behind the two girls.

"Cain, don't start," Scott warned him.

"I thought that you said you would call before you came over," Tori said, ignoring Cain.

"I wanted to surprise you," he answered as he gave her a quick kiss.

"Hi, I'm Britt, you must be Scott," Brittany interrupted.

"Yep, and these guys are Cain, Chase, Lance, and Justin," Scott said as he pointed to each of the guys as he said their names.

"Let's go inside. We can shoot some pool," Brittany said as she started to walk to the house, but stopped and looked at Cain with his beer in hand and asked, "Did you bring enough to share?"

"Are you a Princess, like our little Tori?" Cain asked.

"OMG. Like totes," she answered giving Cain her best stuck up rich valley girl look. "But I rank way higher on the royal scale then Tori does."

Cain's look of total shock made Tori stifled a laugh; it was funny seeing Cain uncomfortable with someone. Scott just rolled his eyes and pulled Tori closer to him.

"So, when do they come home?" Scott whispered in Tori's ear.

"Next Thursday," Tori said just a quietly. Not too keen on the idea of the other guys knowing that she and Brittany were going to be alone for that long.

"So, Wendy, you are going to try out? You looked good out there," Chase asked as they all walked into the house.

"She is tote trying out!" Brittany answered for her as she rolled her eyes. "I mean, she was the Cheer Captain, so she's better than good."

"We playing teams?" Justin asked as he handed out the beers. "Teams of two?"

"Sounds good, who on what team?" Brittany asked.

They played for hours before Britt and Cain picked out a movie to watch. The teens got blankets and pillow and made themselves comfortable in the family room. Justin, Lance, Chase, and Brittany made a small fort on the floor, Tori and Scott snuggled on the oversized recliner, which left Cain the couch. After a few movies later, they were all asleep.

This time when Tori woke up Scott's arms. She felt so safe and oh so warm that she didn't want to get up. But the really had to go to the bathroom, so, she gently and quietly got up. After she showered and changed into a clean pair of blue jeans and a light gray sweater, Tori started a pot coffee. While the coffee was brewing she looked in the fridge for something to eat, only to realize that she would have to go to the store.

"Thought I smelled coffee," Cain said, startling her.

"Cups are in the cabinet, sugar on the counter, and cream in the fridge," Tori told him as she poured herself a cup.

"Thanks."

"What is your issue with me, really? I would like to get along with you, as me and Scott are together. But you are not making it easy," she blurted out. The only reply was him looking at her as if she lost her mind.

So Tori calmly grabbed her cup and headed out to the back porch. She loved the mornings, it was a passion that she shared with her father. They would both come out with a cup a coffee; and sit in silence as the sun would rise above the mountain tops. That was a special time, and if either had something to say to the other, it was then. Tori had great memories of her father, and the sunrise always reminded of that. There was something in the way the sun would rise, as if it were saying 'it's a new day filled a new beginnings and promises', as it would change the sky into a water color painting with different shades of pinks, reds, oranges, and purples. The air even smelled crisp and cool. Tori sat in one of the Adirondack chair with her feet curled up under her and closed her eyes. This morning was different, instead of thinking about her parents' deaths and the man that changed her life; she thought about what they would say about Scott. Would they be more opened minded and more understanding than Piper and Sean? Tori thought they would, but then if they had stayed in Colorado, she would have never known that Scott was alive. When she opened her eyes, to sip her coffee, she saw that Cain had sat down in the chair next to her.

"So, why do you dislike me so much?" Tori asked as she took a sip of her coffee, not looking at him.

"It's not you, really. It's just I know your type, I've seen them around."

"O-kaay, and what is my type?"

"Spoiled rich girl, that gets everything she wants, and if daddy is not paying attention she'll make sure that he notices," Cain answered flatly with a shrug of his shoulders. "And when she finally gets what she wants from daddy, she happily finds someone more 'suitable' for her rich, classy lifestyle."

"And do I fit how in to that?" Tori asked as she sipped her coffee. "I have no 'daddy' to run to."

"Princess, you are left alone in this huge house alone, so you have people over and lots to drink. And as soon as you Aunt comes home, they will do anything you want. Just so you don't make a mistake with the bad boy from the wrong part of town."

"I don't think that Scott is a mistake that I'm making. Or is he 'leverage' to get my way. Hell, I'm a bit of a romantic and think that it was fate that night. As far as Piper and Sean, whatever. And you have no idea who or what I am."

"Oh I do. Just wait till school starts. You will find the football star and start a love affair that everyone will be envious of."

"Let's just agree to disagree. But I will prove you wrong. I'm not looking for a bad boy to bring home to bribe Piper with," Tori said with a sigh. "If that was the case, I would be with you, and not Scott."

"Can you even explain why Scott?" Cain asked as he got closer to Tori.

"I can't really explain it, I don't really understand it myself. That night, when I looked into his eyes, it was like a shock of electricity went through me and it left butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Then, when he held my hand that first night in his truck, that feeling, I-I can't even explain that feeling. It's something that I just don't have the words for."

"I'll give you a chance, Princess, don't blow it." He said as he stood up. Tori felt that maybe, just maybe, she had gained a little bit of Cain's trust. She just sat there taking in the morning, listening to the birds sing and drinking her coffee. After she finished her coffee, she headed back inside where everyone was slowly waking up.

"Morning." She said to Scott, who gave her a quick hug.

"Me and the guys are going to head out. I'll call you later."

"Ok, see you later." She answered back, giving him a confused look with a touch of hurt in her eyes.

****************************************************************

For the rest of the day, Tori and Brittany went and got food for the house and then headed to the salvage yard. They wanted to get started on the walk-in closet sitting room area, the idea was to have it done before Brittany left.