"Hey Spikes, were you thinking about trying college this year?" Kitty asked, relaxing in her inflatable raft.
"I wouldn't even know what to major in." Spikes responded before jumping into the pool, splashing Kitty on her way down.
"What about you?"
Kitty glared at her, reaching her hand into the water, and splashing Spikes.
"I don't know, and I honestly don't want to bother since I don't have an idea."
Kitty yawned, stretching before rolling over to face Spikes.
"Besides it's not like I don't have enough money to support us without college educations."
"Haven't classes already started anyways?" Spikes added in, raising an eyebrow at Kitty.
"I mean it is the middle of September."
"I guess they have..." Kitty pretended to sigh with defeat before smiling at Spikes.
"Looks like we have to wait until next year!"
Spikes and Kitty both laughed until their ribs began to hurt.
"Are you two really that lazy?" Takado's voice interrupted their moment of happiness.
Kitty lifted herself up slightly, glaring at Takado.
"It's not lazy. It's called there's no point in going if neither of us have a goal for it."
"You're not even one to talk, Brother." Spikes laughed, swimming over to where he stood outside the pool.
"You were such a slacker in school."
"Spikes told me you even dropped out." Kitty retorted.
"So back off."
Takado glared at her, opening his mouth to speak but was quickly distracted by Spikes splashing water at him.
Takado jumped in the water, almost on top of Spikes. She laughed as she dodged him, splashing him again as he chased after her.
"I should open a bar." Spikes said quietly, once Takado had stopped chasing her around the pool.
"We should totally open a bar!" Kitty cheered, turning over so quickly she nearly fell off of her raft.
"I said I Should open a bar, Kitty." Spikes frowned at her best friend.
"You could be the investor."
"Yeah like that wasn't obvious." Kitty glared at Spikes, turning back over.
"Where else could you get the money from?"
"Why don't you open an art gallery?" Spikes suggested.
"That sounds really stuck up and boring."
"Isn't that why it's perfect for you, Princess?" Takado retorted.
"Maybe I'll get into couples counseling." Kitty joked, splashing at Spikes.
"I feel like you and Xander have given me more than enough experience."
Spikes glare at Kitty, splashing her in return. Kitty hissed loudly, splashing Spikes in return.
"Get out of the pool if you don't want to get wet." Spikes laughed as she swam away. Hoping her brother hadn't noticed what Kitty had said.
"It's my pool and I can do what I want." Kitty hissed, her eyes briefly meeting Takado's. She quickly stuck her hand in the water and moved away from him.
"Maybe you should try something with singing?" Spikes suggested. She swam up to Kitty, resting her arms on the raft.
"You have a beautiful voice."
Takado's ear perked, glancing at the girls as Kitty's face flushed red.
"No I don't." Kitty denied it, keeping her eyes off of her best friend.
"Besides considering I technically own a record company. It'd basically be cheating."
"Why not just leave it at that then?" Takado commented, annoyed by the girls' conversation.
"That's so boring though." Kitty whined loudly. Spikes rolled her eyes and swam away.
"You can't have everything Kitty. You have to grow up and make a decision eventually."
Kitty felt her blood turn ice cold as she lay quietly on the raft, unable to move, barely able to think.
Her heart raced as she thought back to when Takado had said it to her.
To when anyone had really.
"I have to go." Kitty muttered quietly. She slipped off the the raft quietly and swam to the pool's edge.
"Kitty what's wrong?" Spikes called out, trailing after her until she climbed out.
"Did I say something wrong?" Spikes wondered out loud, surprised when she didn't receive an obnoxious response from her brother.
Takado's eyes were on Kitty as she dried off and stepped inside. He wondered what had set her off, and more importantly why should he care.
"Tako are you even listening to me?" Spikes barked.
"Don't call me that, Carissa. It's bad enough the cat does." Takado groaned, finally taking his eyes off of Kitty's retreating figure.
...
"Hey so I've been thinking-"
"Well that's dangerous." Xander cut off Spikes as he sat down on her bed.
It had been a few days since Spikes had jokingly brought up the idea of starting a bar, but the more she thought about it the more she wanted to do it.
"Can you not be an ass, Xander? Spikes sighed, debating on not talking to him after all.
"I was thinking about seriously opening a bar."
"Really?" Xander scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"That might just be the stupidest idea you've ever had."
"How so?" Spikes attempted to keep herself from growling at her so-called boyfriend.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to run a business? How much it would cost?"
"Money isn't exactly a problem. Kitty has more than enough." Spikes retorted, a smirk forming on her lips.
"I know it'll be difficult, especially give my age, but I think I'm up for the challenge."
"Don't you understand that's part of the problem? No one is going to take you seriously at eighteen." Xander continued to ramble on despite Spikes's discontentment.
"All of Kitty's money is useless if no one is willing to listen to you."
"Maybe not at first, but if I work hard and prove what this means to me I think people will take me seriously."
"You don't have any sort of plan, Spikes." Xander growled, pinching at the bridge of his nose.
"I know you can do this, but you need classes and training. You can't act like a child and just expect your best friend to fund your nonsense."
"Why is it that even your compliments are offensive? Can't you be a real boyfriend for once and just support me?" Spikes snapped at him. She sighed heavily, she could feel tears form in her eyes but she wasn't going to let them fall.
Not in front of him.
"Just because I'm your boyfriend does not mean I'm going to support your stupid decisions." Xander stood from the bed, walking over to her.
"At least think this through before you cost your best friend thousands of dollars for nothing."
"Why do you even care what it costs her?" Spikes barked, stepping back from him.
"You've just using it as an excuse to put me down. You've never cared about what's she spent money on until now."
"I'm just being realistic. You need to stop over reacting." Xander groaned, taking a step back.
"I've supported your decision that aren't stupid."
"What about when I wanted to try to graduate high school early? You didn't support that."
"Your life has been fucking weird enough. Excuse me for thinking one normal experience would help you." Xander barked back at her.
"And if I'd supported that, you never would have met the cat and look around at the life she's given you. Do you think you could have done this on your own?"
"That isn't fair Xander..."
"No, you're right. I should have encouraged you. Maybe if you hadn't met that damn cat we wouldn't be having all these issues."
"Are you seriously trying to blame our problems on my best friend right now?" Spikes snarled at Xander.
"You spend every goddamn second with her. It's like you're in love with her, not me.
And that was before she brought your zombie brother back from the dead." Xander glared at her, a scowl etched onto his face as he moved to walk past her.
"Now your hero worship of her has only gotten ten times worse."
"Did you ever think I like spending time with her because she actually enjoys my company?" Spikes screamed at him, silently preying her brother wasn't home.
"You only ever want to be around me if we're having sex lately!"
"Goddamnit Carissa you're impossible." Xander groaned, turning away from her.
"We're supposed to be in a fucking mature, responsible and honest relationship but you don't want any of that unless it's convenient for you."
"You can be mature without always putting me down and being a jackass.
Don't you dare start on that 'honesty' crap either because I don't believe that you're honest with me for a single second."
"I'm not dealing with this." Xander sighed. He didn't acknowledge Spikes as he walked past her, making his way for the door.
"What's wrong Xander? Don't have anything to say?" Spikes barked, hoping to egg him on. Hoping some honesty would slip through the cracks while he was angry.
"Whatever." He grumbled as he slipped out of her room.
"Are you even listening to me?" Spikes screamed. She chased after him, grabbing the sleeve of his jacket only to have him violently yank his arm from her grasp.
"I'm listening."
"It sure doesn't seem like it." Spikes barked, taking a step back from him.
"Okay."
"Will you actually fucking say something?"
"Maybe."
"Why the hell am I even with you?" Spikes muttered under her breath. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at her boyfriend.
"Fuck if I know." Xander growled before taking the stairs two at a time.
"Fine. Just fucking leave when things get rough. You always pull this shit." Spikes shouted as she ran to the stair case.
"I'm just stepping out for a smoke. Calm the fuck down." Xander rolled his eyes at her from the top of the staircase.
"Whatever, just fucking leave." Spikes kicked at the bottom step.
"Why don't you call up one of your whores? I'm not stupid Xander. I know the signs."
Spikes continued screaming for another minute but Xander had been long gone. Whether he actually left the house or not she didn't know.
She did know she couldn't hold in her feelings anymore.
Spikes turned on her heel and marched straight for Kitty's bedroom.
"I'll have you know you are interrupting a very important episode of Doctor Who." Kitty announced as her bedroom door swung open. She stood up, walking to her best friend.
Spikes threw her arms around the cat and began openly weeping on her shoulder.
"Another bad one?"
Spikes nodded briskly, her hold on the cat tightening. Her body shook as tears fell from her eyes, Kitty stood patiently running her hand through Spikes's hair. She waited patiently for the dog to calm enough to talk.
"Takado isn't home, is he?" Spikes sniffed, pulling away from the cat. She stepped around Kitty, falling onto the sofa.
"I don't want to deal with him on top of this right now."
Kitty smiled softly and shook her head before sitting down in her bean bag.
"No, I think he went out for groceries."
"How much of it did you hear this time?" Spikes asked, leaning over and resting her forehead against her knees.
"Not much actually." Kitty smiled. She picked up the remote and turned off the T.V.
"I turned up the volume when the yelling started."
"How long were you arguing for this time?"
"Not long." Spikes muttered.
"This one just escalated quickly."
Kitty reached over, resting a hand on Spikes's knee as the canine was his by a fresh wave of tears.
More than anything Kitty wanted Spikes to let go of Xander. Let go of the ghost of what was, and realize she deserved so much better.
"I'm just so sick of the constant fighting." Spikes whimpered, wiping the tears from her eyed.
"I want a real relationship. I want to know I'm loved. I want to know my partner is faithful. I hate feeling so paranoid all the time."
"It'll get better Spikes." Kitty offered encouragingly.
"It takes time, but it will get better."
"You don't know that though Kitty." Spikes looked helplessly into her best friend's eyes.
"What if we break up?"
"Then that's what was meant to happen." Kitty sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"And just because it's meant to happen, doesn't mean it will be easy. But I really believe that if you were meant to be together, you will be."
"It's so easy for you to say." Spikes muttered almost bitterly.
"You're not in love with anyone. From the way you've talked about David it sounds like you've never been in love."
Kitty hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"That doesn't mean I can't sympathize though." Kitty forced herself to speak though her voice cracked.
"What I'm trying to say is eventually either your relationship will get better.
Or it will end and you'll be better."
Spikes stood from the couch, pulling her best friend into a hug. Kitty smiled and squeezed Spikes tightly.
"Hey why don't you distract yourself with some research on how to get your bar started?" Kitty grinned as a small smile formed on Spikes's lips.
"I saved a couple of tabs on my computer about it. You remember the password right?"
"Yeah. Thanks for looking in to it by the way. Your support means so much to me." Spikes smiled briefly before releasing the cat and trotting to the desk where Kitty's laptop sat.
"It's pretty luck Takado wasn't home right?" Kitty chuckled, hoping to make light of the situation.
"He'd probably freak out right? He seems like the protective type."
"Yeah. Actually speaking of which please don't mention this to Takado." Spikes looked up at Kitty, frowning slightly.
"If Takado knew he'd probably kill Xander."
"Spikes people say that all the time." Kitty laughed, rolling her eyes as she let herself fall back onto the couch.
"You shouldn't take that so seriously."
"No, Kitty. Takado means it." The serious tone of Spikes's voice catching the cat's attention.
"My brother has killed people before, Kitty. And I don't doubt that he'd do it again."
...
"Alright Spikes, you are not the proud owner of a name, and a building! How does it feel?" Kitty cheered latching onto her best friend's arm.
"It feels like we still have a long way to go. I still have to take care of licensing, furnishing, hiring people, prepping everything. I feel so overwhelemed and-"
"Do you ever just shut up and enjoy the little moments?" Kitty glared at Spikes, swatting her arm gently.
"We did enough for today. Give it a rest Spikes."
"I guess you're right." Spikes smiled softly at Kitty, still running through a list of what she needed to do in her head.
Spikes reached out, pulling Kitty into a brief but warm hug.
"Thank you, for this. For everything. Your support means the world to me."
"You're my best friend Spikes. I'll always do whatever I can for you."
"Katherine?"
Kitty's eyes widened with surprise as she turned to face the man who'd spoken.
Spikes threw a confused glance at Kitty before she took off running towards the green haired man.
"Uncle Nick!" Kitty squealed as she leapt into his arms.
"Hey Kitty-Kat." He laughed as he spun her around before setting her back on the ground.
"What are you doing in Bridgeport?" Kitty squeaked, bouncing on her heels.
"You didn't call me to let me know."
"Just had some business to deal with for your father's company. I was planning on calling you later tonight."
"Kitty who is this?" Spikes asked as she stepped closer to the two.
"Oh this is my dad's best friend, Nicolas Ashton. Also known as the person who's name sake I used to cover mine and my non-biological uncle." Kitty explained so quickly Spikes wasn't sure she caught it all.
"Uncle Nick this is my best friend Spikes that moved in with me a while back."
"It's an honor to finally meet you." Nicolas smiled, reaching out for her hand.
Spikes's shoulders relaxed as she stepped forward to shake his hand.
"I'd say to you as well, but this is the first I've ever heard of you." Spikes chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Kitty.
"I'm not supposed to let people know of our connection just in case." Kitty shrugged casually. Spikes caught the glimmer of pain in her eyes before Kitty forced out a smile up at her uncle.
"So how long are you going to be in town for?"
"About two more days. I gotta get home to the wife and kids soon."
"Can we meet for dinner tomorrow maybe?" Kitty asked sweetly.
"I kinda want to get home and out of these stupid heels."
"Of course." Nicolas smiled at Kitty, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Text me the details, Kid. Love you."
"Love you too Uncle Nick." Kitty hugged him back before returning to Spikes's side.
"It was nice meeting you." Spikes waved over her shoulder as she began to walk away.
"You too." Nicolas grinned at her.
"Feel free to join us at dinner if you'd like, Spikes. Your brother is welcome as well."
Spikes smiled and nodded, but sighed as she turned around.
"I highly doubt Takado would want to join us."
"Good, cause I don't want him with us." Kitty spat, her pace quickening.
"You know sometimes I wish you two would learn to get along." Spikes frowned.
"Yeah, Like that'll ever happen."
...
Kitty left the two siblings in her dust as she raced up the steps to the restaurant, once again leaping into Nicolas's arms.
Nicolas sighed softly, spinning her once again as he'd done before.
Kitty bounced backwards gesturing towards Takado.
"Uncle Nick this is Tako, Spikes's stupid brother." Kitty smiled sweetly, masking the venom in her words.
"Tako, this is Nicolas."
"It's nice to meet you Takado." Nicolas reached out his hand to Takado as he hand with spikes.
He chuckled lightly as Takado hesitated, watching his hand for a moment before returning the gesture.
"You too."
"It's good to see you again Nicolas." Spikes smiled and him.
"You too Spikes." Nicolas grinned before Kitty pulled at his attention.
"I don't trust him, Carissa." Takado whispered harshly as Kitty and Nicolas stepped away.
"He smells like a snake."
"Takado you're being paranoid." Spikes sighed heavily.
"He's known Kitty her entire life. I'm sure he's trust worthy."
"You say that as if I care about anything involving the cat."
"I don't care if you don't, Takado. I trust her judgement." Spikes barked at her brother before smiling at a very confused Kitty.
"Leave if you're so unhappy Takado. I'm going inside."
Takado growled as Spikes pushed past him, excitedly joining in on the conversation Kitty and Nicolas had been having.
He glanced back at his sister's jeep, and at the door. His shoulders slumped slightly as he trailed after his sister.
Kitty, Spikes and Nicolas actively engaged in conversation while Takado mostly sat silently.
He would occasionally speak, and even more rarely crack a smile for a second.
Kitty's mood began to sour as the night wore on, and she grew steadily more quiet. By the time Nicolas has decided to end the night Kitty felt bitter and ready to be home.
Kitty sighed with relied as everyone stood from the table, slowly beginning to make their way towards the door.
She eagerly pushed past Takado, raising a low growl from him but paid it no mind. All she cared about was getting to the door. Getting home.
So much so that she didn't notice a small man in front of her and ran straight into him.
"Get the fuck out of my way!" Kitty hissed, her eyes shifting as pushed the man aside.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"Just shut up and get away from me!" Kitty spat.
Kitty turned on her heel, once again aiming for the door. Nicolas grabbed her by the arm, pulling her the rest of the way out."
"What the hell was that Katherine?" Nicolas hissed at Kitty.
She glared at the ground, refusing to meet his golden eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't fucking play stupid with me Katherine." Nicolas grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to face him.
"There was no reason for you to snap like that. What is going on?"
"Nothing!" Kitty snarled with frustration. She could feel tears burning at her eyes. She curled her hands into fists.
"Nothing is wrong, I just want to go home."
"Okay but you don't need to act like Ashlee in order to accomplish that."
Kitty felt her blood run ice cold as she looked up to glare at Nicolas, her eyes still slits.
"I am nothing like that woman."
"You could have fooled me Katherine." Nicolas lowered his voice.
"Your father raised you to be better than that."
"I..." Kitty's body went numb and her eyes fell to the ground.
Spikes's cast a worried glance at her best friend as she stepped outside her brother beside her.
"Go to the car Katherine." Nicolas sighed, turning his attention towards Spikes and Takado.
"I'd like to have a word with your friends in private."
"But I-"
"Now Katherine."
Kitty inhaled sharply before she spun around and ran towards the car. Spikes watched her go, resisting the urge to run after her.
"How long as she been like that?" Nicolas's voice startled Spikes slightly as she turned to look at him.
"I don't know." Spikes admitted.
"I've never seen her snap at someone completely unprovoked before."
Nicolas nodded briefly. He let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"I know this is a lot to ask, but could you two keep an eye on her." Nicolas glanced to where Kitty had run from them.
"It's difficult to try to take care of my best friend's daughter in another city while I have my own kids to raise."
"Why doesn't he just raise his own damn kid?"
Takado's voice startled Spikes as they turned to stare at him.
"You don't... know?" Nicolas's voice was just above a whisper before he turned to Spikes.
"No one told him?"
Spikes shook her head briefly.
"Kitty never did, and even though she's my best friend I didn't think it was my place."
"Tell me what?" Takado's back straightened, his gaze turning on his sister.
"Why do you think Katherine lives in her own house at such a young age?" Nicolas asked him.
"I don't know." Takado glared at him, annoyed he was being questioned.
"I assumed she threw a temper tantrum and her parents just let her get away with what she wanted."
"I wish." Nicolas sighed.
"Takado... Kitty's parents are gone." Spikes glanced up at her brother.
"Her mother vanished, no one has been able to find her in over two years."
Takado's eyes widened, his chest feeling heavy.
"What about her father?"
"Murdered by hunters." Nicolas leaned back against the railing.
"That kid is completely alone in the world. Her father was murdered and was abandoned by her mother soon after."
Takado glaced between the two before his sight fell on Kitty leaning against his sister's jeep. His eyes softened as she watched her rub her own arms, and what seemed to be fighting back tears.
His chest heavy with something he wasn't sure he'd ever felt before.
Guilt.
