"Shit, shit, shit!" Rebel swore as she pulled up infront of the Rue's resident. She jumped from the car, beeping the alarm as she ran up to the door. She rapped rapidly at the door until she heard someone calmly answer.

"I'm coming."

Mr. Rue opened the door and to his surprise he saw Rebel standing there, looking impatient. "Re—."

"Is Dakota home?" She asked cutting him off. He nodded and moved aside to let her through, she immediately ran for the stairs sending a thanks over her shoulder as she jogged upstairs and found Dakota's room, pushing the door in once she got to his door. "Dakota!" She called, running into his room. All the lights were off, and Dakota lied asleep on his back, his arm above his head, the other on his stomach. His shirt had ridden up and his feet were hanging off the end of his bed as he slept soundly. Rebel's panic subsided and she smiled at her best friend, he looked so peaceful lying there.

Rebel kicked off her shoes and sat down next to him. She rested her hand on his chest and tried to shake him. The giant didn't budge so she got up from the bed and jumped ontop of him. The bed bounced and Dakota awoke—startled out of his sleep.

"What the fuck!"

"Dakota!" She yelled, moving to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Bell? Bell!" He exclaimed and sat up and hugging her around her waist.

"Oh my God, are you okay Dakota?"

He pulled back. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" He asked.

She stuck her tongue out and winked. "Yeah, but I'm alright now. My parents and I finally spoke about what happened, and my uncle R.J is back home. So, that's good news."

He smiled. "Really, R.J's back?" She nodded. "That's great. So, you're not mad at him anymore?" She thought for a second and nodded her head.

"I really missed him Dakota."

He cupped her face in his palm. "I know you did. Well, he's back now, so at least, there won't be any more surprises."

"Yeah." She whispered, as she threaded her fingers with his. He sighed and kissed her forehead.

》》》》》

Rebel and Dakota lied next to each other in silence, until Dakota decided to break that silence. "I told my dad that your father was back, and Damon knows too, but I didn't tell him. He had his suspicions." Rebel chuckled lightly and played with the collar of his shirt. "So, do you wanna come over?"

"Bell, I've already met him—since we were kids, but yeah, I'll come over." Rebel smiled and jumped up from his bed. "Alright well, let's go, get the hell up already!" He sat up on his elbows and grinned at her. "That's the Rebel I know."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, hurry up bitch—quit wasting my time." She laughed as she ran out of the door. He shook his head and grabbed his shoes and jacket as he raced after Rebel.

"Hey kids, going somewhere?" They stopped when Duncan came from the kitchen to see them leaving. "What's it to you?" Rebel asked, looking up at him. "Nothing, just remind Ryder that we're supposed to go out tonight."

"Okay, will do. Bye Duncan."

"Yeah bye bro." Dakota said as he went out after her.

》》》》》

Rebel pulled up in her driveway and got out of the car as she walked up the stairs. "Hurry up Dakota!" She fussed. "I'm coming, I'm coming."

R.J and Ray were sitting in the living room when Rebel came through the door. "Hey guys, Dakota's here." She announced. He smiled as he stepped into the house. "Hey." Dakota said with a small wave. Rebel smiled and rolled her eyes as she went over to the kitchen.

"So, R.J are you back to stay?" He nodded as Dakota joined them.

"Yeah, I missed my family too much, and apparently Ray missed me too." He said indicating his brother.

Dakota snickered and continued to talk with the Mills.

"Hey big bro." Ryder turned to see Rebel standing by the entryway.

"Hey little sis." He mocked.

"You still mad?" She asked.

"In a way. You?"

She shrugged. "Eh, I did miss him. I mean all these years... I  just don't wanna stay mad at him. I can't—I mean, you have to admit Ryder, as much as he hurt us. It was only for our protection." He nodded and turned to face her.

"Yeah, but I still wish he had at least contacted us."

"Think about it, if you were undercover trying to protect your kids would you call them to chat?" He pondered on this and sighed.

"No."

"Okay then. So, what you making?" She changed the topic when she saw his jaw tense.

"Cheesecake... and dinner."

She glanced up at the clock. "It's only 7:05."

"Yeah, but I'm restless from not getting enough sleep and cooking keeps me awake." He said folding his arms.

"No word from mom yet, huh?" Rebel bit her bottom lip, fidgeting then sighed. "I'm sorry. It's my fault you're so restless. I shouldn't hav—."

"Bell. It's not your fault. You had every right to react the way you did. I'm restless because I was scared that he'd disappear again, and now mom is off to who knows where..." He broke off on a sob. Rebel's eyes shot up to her brother's. "Ry." She whispered, crossing the table to come and hug him. "Ry... it's okay. I'm scared too." He shook his head as he draped an arm over her shoulder.

Rebel sighed and soothed her hand down her brother's  arm as he fought off his tears. He wrapped his arms around her then as the tears began to flow out uncontrollably. She quickly wiped her tears away as she continued to hug her brother.

Never had she ever seen her brother cry like this. He was always the one to cradle her and tell her that everything would be alright, but not the other way around. Not like this.