Amber pondered over the array of nail polishes in an attempt to find the perfect one ready for Tuesday evening. She glanced over at Izzy as they sat side by side in the Broadmoor Spa, indulging in a much needed mani pedi. However, Izzy had been somewhat muted throughout what was supposed to be their day together.

"How about this one?" Amber asked, holding up a silver polish for her to give an opinion on.

"Yeah, looks fine to me," Izzy replied, not even looking at Amber.

"Izzy!"

The raise in Amber's tone caused Izzy to turn her head swiftly in her friend's direction.

"Oh Ambs, I'm sorry. Yes, definitely that one," she answered more honestly, inspecting the bottle more carefully.

"So, are you going to tell me what's been eating away at you all day, or are we going to have to participate in a game of twenty questions?" Amber coaxed.

Izzy gave a weak smile, knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer.

"Victoria called last night."

Amber listened intently as Izzy went over the finer details of the conversation that had taken place with her sister, sensing Izzy's concern that she was setting herself up for a fall, in spite of Victoria's reassurances to the contrary. From all that Amber knew of Izzy's past, Victoria had never treated Izzy like an outcast the way Lydia had, but she could understand her sceptiscism.

"And she didn't go into much detail?" Amber questioned.

"No, all she said was that it was something to do with Charles and she thought it might be of use to me. Her flight arrives around noon tomorrow, she got herself booked on some ridiculously early flight. And apparently she wants to stay with me rather than at a hotel, which is odd in itself," Izzy murmured.

"Maybe you should give her the benefit of the doubt Iz," Amber suggested.

A hint of a smile graced Izzy's lips.

"Funnily enough, that's what Brian said."

"Speaking of which, how did Victoria get his number?" Amber asked.

"Mum. Victoria called her first, after apparently speaking to Grandma."

"Would you rather that I stayed at Matt's whilst she's here, give the two of you some room?"

Izzy shook her head.

"It's your home too Ambs, you shouldn't have to do that. Unless of course Mr.Sanders would prefer you stay there," Izzy stated with a wink.

Amber flashed a grin.

"Oh I think he'll be okay with that!"

**********

The following morning, the sound of water running somewhere in the distance caused Brian to stir slightly. Brow furrowed as he attempted to continue with sleeping, Brian rolled onto his side, reaching for Izzy, wanting to feel her close to him. The realization that he was in fact alone was enough to rouse him completely from his slumber. Sitting up, the sheet settling around his hips, Brian ran a hand through his messy black hair, yawning deeply. Realising that the noise that had originally disturbed him was coming from the adjoining bathroom, he glanced at the clock, sighing at how early it was.

Pushing the sheet to one side, Brian climbed out of bed and wandered through into the bathroom, smiling sadly at the distorted image of Izzy behind the shower screen. He was very aware that the imminent arrival of her sister had been playing on Izzy's mind all night. Her sleep had been fretful, and it worried Brian that the mere thought of one person arriving could have such an affect on Izzy.

Carefully sliding the shower screen across, Brian stepped in behind Izzy, who simply stood under the showerhead, the water cascading down her body. Sliding one arm around her waist. his hand flat on her stomach as he pulled her into his chest, Brian gently pushed her wet hair to one side, his lips dancing across her bare shoulder.

"I didn't mean to wake you," Izzy murmured, sinking further back into Brian.

"I don't mind," Brian answered softly, taking Izzy's hand in his free one, lacing their fingers together.

"You do know that everything will be ok right? That I'm going to be with you, that if she says one thing that upsets you, I'll promptly throw her out on her ass," Brian joked, his fingertips tracing light circles on Izzy's stomach.

Turning her in his arms so she could face him, Brian smiled down at Izzy.

"I don't think Victoria's coming over to cause trouble, but if I'm wrong, then you just have to be strong Iz, you can't let her get to you like this."

Izzy nodded and finally returned the smile.

"That's better," Brian stated, kissing her nose. "Now, let's get ready and I'll take us out for breakfast," he added, reaching for the shampoo, squeezing a little into his hand and gently massaging it into Izzy's hair.

"You spoil me," Izzy moaned, the feel of his fingers in her hair relaxing her.

"Well, apparently it comes with this whole relationship deal. I'll happily let you return the favor later though."

"And just what did you have in mind?" Izzy asked, her eyes closing.

"Oh I've got all day to think about that...make sure it's worth it!"

**********

Over breakfast, Izzy had appeared to relax more about her sister's impending arrival. However, as she sat next to Brian at the airport, waiting for Victoria's flight to land, a cloud of apprehension appeared to have wafted back over her. Brian glanced down to where Izzy's head rested on his shoulder as she nervously chewed on her thumbnail. Taking her hand in his, Brian brushed his lips briefly over her knuckles, wanting to do anything that he could to make Izzy realise that all would be fine.

"We'd better go see if it's landed I guess," Izzy suggested quietly, pulling away from Brian and out of her seat.

Grabbing her hand once more, they walked side by side in silence, ignoring the glances of passers by who wondered if it was Brian they were actually seeing. Standing behind Izzy, his arms around her waist, Brian looked up at the arrivals board, scanning for the flight from London Heathrow that Victoria was on.

"It landed about fifteen minutes ago," he murmured.

Izzy could do no more than reply with a brief nod. Brian's hold on her tightened.

"Hey...now c'mon...what did I say earlier?" he coaxed, his ear brushing against her ear.

"I know," Izzy sighed. "I just want to know why she's here, and then maybe I can relax a little more."

Another five minutes passed, when Brian felt Izzy straighten up a little. Following her gaze, Brian took in the tall blond walking towards them. The smart grey suit and large amount of Louis Vuitton luggage she had with her told Brian that this was Victoria. As she approached, he couldn't miss the timid smile she wore. Coming to a halt in front of them, Victoria's smile widened a little.

"I was worried you wouldn't be here," she admitted.

Brian smirked as Izzy laughed gently.

"I won't say it didn't cross my mind," Izzy told her sister.

Victoria nodded, placing her bag down on the floor.

"Can I at least get a hug?" she asked.

Izzy stepped forward, allowing Victoria to embrace her, somewhat uneasy at first, before relaxing a little.

"It's so good to finally see you Izzy....I've really missed you," she whispered.

Izzy remained in her sister's embrace for a moment, before pullling away and turning to Brian.

"Vicky, this is Brian, Brian Vicky."

Brian stepped forward, placing a gentle kiss on Victoria's cheek.

"Nice to finally meet you, " he told her.

"And you Brian, Grace told me all about how happy you and Izzy are....it's about time she finally found some happiness."

Brian reddened slightly, taking hold of Victoria's bags.

"Shall we ladies?" he offered, leading the way out of the airport.



Standing in the doorway of the lounge, a tray of drinks in her hands, Izzy watched for a while as Victoria took in her surroundings, looking at the photographs that adorned the walls and shelves, chatting to Brian, who sat on the couch as she did so. Izzy had to admit that the atmosphere hadn't been as strained as she had feared it would be, easing her fears that Victoria's visit was one full of ulterior motives. Brian looked over and jumped from where he sat.

"Hey baby, let me get that," he stated with a grin, taking the tray from her and setting it on the coffee table.

Thanking him, Izzy settled herself down on the couch next to where Brian had been seated, taking her tea, holding it in both hands. She studied Victoria as her sister took a seat in the chair opposite them, glancing and smiling briefly at Brian, who had sat back next to her, his hand resting lightly on her thigh. Victoria looked between them, her gaze finally resting on Izzy.

"Izzy, I can't even begin to imagine how apprehensive you must be feeling about my visit, but please let me assure you, I'm here to help."

Victoria knitted her hands together, resting them in her lap.

"I had lunch with Mim last Monday, and she explained to me about the phone call she had recieved from Grace, and all that was going on when it came to Charles."

Brian glanced over at Izzy, a little confused. Izzy smiled softly.

"Mim is our name for our Grandmother," she explained, before returning her attention to her sister. "Continue."

"I was never aware of the codicil Grandpa had added to the will, neither Lydia or I were present when it was read. However, to discover what Charles had done came as no surprise to me, the man is without doubt a bastard."

Izzy's eyes widened at the contempt in her sister's voice. Never would she have believed she would hear Victoria speak about their father that way. He had always favoured her and Lydia over Izzy, and she had always thought that both of her older siblings had worshipped the ground Charles walked on.

"I haven't spoken to him in five years Izzy, I apparently disappointed him when I called off my engagement to the man he had basically betrothed me to, and decided that I wanted to live life the way I wished. However, I digress. After speaking to Mim, I decided to do a little digging into just what Charles had been up to ever since Grandpa passed away, and I discovered just how dispicable that man can be."

Picking up her purse from where it sat on the floor next to her, Victoria opened it, taking out an envelope which she handed to Izzy.

"Mim realised I was up to something and offered to help me. She's never been overly happy with Charles since you and Grace left, and once she discovered that he hadn't complied with Grandpa's wishes and informed you of your denouncement, she too began to wonder if there was anything else that might have slipped passed her."

Opening the envelope, Izzy took out it's contents and began to read. Brian moved in closer to her so he too could see for himself just what Victoria had supposedly discovered. Izzy's brow furrowed slightly as she took in what she was reading.

"It says here that each charity and foundation is to receive no less than three million....well I know for a fact that the museum is only receiving two, Wilbur showed me," Izzy stated clearly, looking back over at her sister.

"Look at the next couple of pages Izzy," Victoria encouraged.

Returning her attention to what she held in her hands, Izzy turned the page and continued to read, her eyes widening once more.

"Woah....he bribed his lawyers?" Brian asked incredulously, glancing over at Victoria.

"Yes. Charles knew that he was done for, that because he hadn't been able to produce a male heir as Grandpa stated, he was going to be left with nothing. He bribed the firm of solicitors in charge of the fund money, promising them a cut of the money if they kept quiet that he intended to give each recipient of donations only two thirds of what they were rightfully entitled to, therefore enabling him to claim what he believed was rightfully his."

Taking one final envelope from her purse, Victoria walked over to Izzy, and took a seat next to her on the couch.

"This is a check for the other million the museum are entitled to. Mim has taken control of the fund, is in the process of freezing any accounts Charles has and has infomed the police of everything. Two detectives from Scotland Yard flew in ahead of me, and they're currently working alongside the LAPD to have Charles arrested for fraud and deception on Tuesday night....after we've exposed him to everyone of course," she informed Izzy with a wink.

Izzy looked from Brian to Victoria, the smile on her face widening by the second.

"You're really willing to do this?" she questioned, the need to ensure she wasn't being toyed with still niggling away at her.

"Absolutely!" Victoria replied enthusiastically. "I know I wasn't always the best sister to you Izzy, but not once over the last ten years has a day gone by when I haven't thought about you or Grace. It took you both leaving to make me understand how much love and laughter you both brought to a home that was devoid of all that before and after you."

Victoria did nothing to hide the tears that made her eyes glisten.

"I'd also like to stay a while, and take the oppurtunity to get to know you all over again, if you'd allow me that pleasure," she added a little more quietly.

Reaching over, Izzy took Victoria's hand in her own, squeezing it gently.

"I think I'd like that," she assured her with a smile.