Amber looked up from the newspaper as she sipped her morning coffee, a little surprised to see Izzy up and about early on her day off. It was an unwritten rule in Izzy's book that sleeping til noon on days off was acceptable, so seeing her up, showered and dressed ready to face the day was something of a shock to the system. Amber watched as Izzy poured herself some coffee before turning to greet Amber good morning.

"Are you feeling ok?" Amber asked. "I know I asked you if you'd mind coming into class on your day off and talking to the kids, but there's no need to be so enthusiastic," she added, a hint of a playful smile on her lips.

Izzy sipped her coffee and grinned. 

"I thought I would go and see mum this morning, and I need to get there early before she disappears off out on one of her lunch dates, or decides to allow one of her admirers to surprise her with a trip somewhere."

Amber laughed. Izzy's mother, Grace had never settled down again since divorcing Izzy's father nine years previously. However, the experience of her marriage had not detered from enjoying male company. There was no denying that Grace Hamilton was still a very beautiful woman, who took great pride in herself and her looks, thus earning her a string of men all with the same mission, to put a ring on her finger and claim her as their own. Unfortunately for them, all Grace wanted was to enjoy her middle age years and have some fun, the one thing that had lacked in her life for so long.

Whilst some daughters might be horrified at the thought of their mother jetting off to foreign climates at the drop of a hat, or being escorted to lunch or dinner virtually every day by these men, Izzy actually encouraged her mother to live her life the way she chose to, knowing just what Grace had endured from her father for so many years. The one thing that had always struck Amber as a little strange was how a woman such as Grace, who put her womanly wiles to good use, and Izzy, who purposefully tried to avoid getting too emotionally attached and therefore lacked confidence when it came to men, could even be related.

"Are you going to speak to her about your dad?" Amber enquired.

"Yes, if anyone's going to know what his motives might be it'll be Grace," Izzy stated with a smile. 

Amber stood and placed her cup in the dishwasher.

"I've got to get going, what time do you think you and Kendall will be at school?"

"Around 12.30, gives us enough time to get the critters in the classroom."

"Ok, I'll see you then."

Izzy waited til Amber was gone before picking up the phone, just to check her mother was home. 

"Mum, you aren't disappearing in the next half hour are you?" Izzy asked once her mother answered.

"No sweetie, I'm not being picked up for the airport for another couple of hours, spur of the moment trip to Bermuda with Philip."

Izzy just smiled and shook her head, with absolutely no idea who Philip was. 

"Ok, I'll be over shortly." 

Hanging up, Izzy hunted for her keys, hoping her mother would be able to help her.

Grace Hamilton listened as Izzy told her of the call she had recieved from her father. Grace knew that whatever Charles had up his sleeve, it wasn't going to be pleasant. The man she had fallen in love with and left her beloved Santa Ana for almost thirty years ago had disappeared a few short months after they were wed, only to be replaced by a man she grew to despise and fear. Her one regret in life was never taking the step to leave earlier than she did, maybe then she could have spared Izzy the pain of suffering at the hands of her father as well. Grace sat next to Izzy on the bed, a reassuring arm around her as Izzy rested her head on her mother's shoulder.

"Just how the hell am I supposed to prove to him that I want him and those two hideous vile creatures I have the misfortune of calling sisters gone from my life for good? I mean, isn't the fact that I've never done anything befitting of my status reason enough to disown me?"

Grace didn't fail to notice the way Izzy shuddered as she said 'status'. She hated the label that had been bestowed upon her from birth. Izzy liked the simple things in life. Wealth, status and all the trappings that came with it had no place in her existence, and being rid of them was something Grace knew her daughter craved more than anything.

"Honey, I may have been with that man for 20 years and I still couldn't always tell exactly what was going through that head of his. I don't know what to suggest Izzy. Aside from being with someone he would never approve of and would consider beneath the family."

"Which would make him a hypocrite in that respect," Izzy pointed out. "And besides, wouldn't having a man in my life make him believe that I can't make it on my own?"

"I'm just trying to think of ways to get him to finally grant you the one thing you've always wanted. And besides, maybe I'd like to see my little girl happy with a young handsome man by her side," Grace admitted with a smile. 

"Mum, you know how I am with all of that, I just....."

"....allow that man to put a barrier up between you and any man that shows interest in you. They like you for who you are Izzy, the person that they see, not the one you keep hidden away. And I'm pretty sure that even if they did know about that, they wouldn't care. And besides, a woman has needs you know!"

"Mother!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Tell me I'm wrong and I'll retract that statement," Grace offered, only to be met with silence. "Mmmhmm, I knew I was right. Izzy, I'm not saying that you have to marry the next guy you meet, but honey, take a leaf out of this old lady's book and have some damn fun!"

Izzy sighed. She knew her mother was right, just as Amber had been. Maybe it was time to actually take notice for a change. 

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

Brian was bored. Not just any old bored, Brian was without doubt in a state of complete mindnumbing, soul crushing boredom. In fact, he was almost convinced that if he didn't find something to distract him from the undeniable crap on the television he was subjecting himself to, that he would actually slip into some kind of coma. As much as he loved having time away from the band before hitting the studio, Brian was finding the length of time they were taking off at the moment a little tedious and unnecessary.

There was only so many waves he could surf, walks he could take Pinkly his dog on and days he could spend destroying precious brain cells by trying to idle away his time with mundane activities. Earlier that day he'd even caught himself counting the tiles on the kitchen wall. As if that wasn't sad enough, he'd actually found himself to be proud of the fact that he hadn't lost count. All in all, Brian was close to losing what little sanity he had left. 

Of course, it didn't help that he was driving himself to the point of no return when it came to his mind with thoughts of Izzy and just how he was going to try and see her again. Never before had Brian allowed someone take over his head as much as he was allowing Izzy to. He knew it was a by product of having far too much time on his hands, but he was finding it increasingly frustrating that in spite of the amount of thought he'd given the subject, he still hadn't found a solution to the problem.

As he pondered over this slight predicament once more, an annoying buzzing noise seemed to fill the room. Realising that it was actually his phone silently vibrating away on the coffee table in front of him, Brian almost fell off the couch in his haste to sit up and answer it, in the mere hope that it might be one of his friends calling to rescue him.

"Gates, you busy?"

"ZV my man, what's happening?" Brian asked, almost a little too enthusiastically. 

"I need a huge favor dude. I was meant to be collecting Gavin from school today, Zina's got Giana home sick. However, I'm at Matt's and I don't think I'm gonna be able to get away on time." 

Brian felt a slight rush of immensely pissed off flow through him at the thought of his friends getting together for fun times whilst leaving him to rot in the boredom they'd created by wanting longer out of the studio.

"Why are you at Matt's?" he questioned a little harshly.

"He just found out that Val's already dating again...and in short, he's not taking it too well."

Brian sat silent for a moment, a little shocked at the news. Matt and Val had broken up a little while after he and Michelle had, with Val claiming she wanted some space and freedom after having been with Matt since they were teenagers. Her meeting someone new already had to be a kick in the balls Matt could have done without.

"You want me to come over?" he asked.

"Actually, I was gonna ask if you'd go get Gavin for me."

"Sure, just tell me where and I'll head off."

Brian jotted down the details, with Zack adding that he'd get Zina to inform the school of the change in arrangements. Brian hung up and began a furtive search for the keys to his car, never having felt so relieved to be getting out of the house as he was right then.

The schoolyard was not a place Brian would have associated with blatant attempts at flirtation and the shameless activity of hiding and removal of wedding bands. However, it would seem that it was commonplace amongst the mothers whose children attended New Hope Elementary in Santa Ana. Brian had felt a little out of his depth when he'd first set foot in the yard as everyone's attention was immediately turned towards the stranger among them. However, as he waited to go in and fetch Gavin, standing a little away from the throng of Orange County's very own Desperate Housewives, Brian was finding himself highly amused at the silent war brewing between the women as they vied to grab his attention.

He was in no doubt that earlier that day some of them had been discussing the next bake sale over coffee at one of their homes, all friends together. Yet the moment someone new was on their territory, friendships were casually thrown aside as the metaphorical knives appeared, ready to fend off anyone who got too close to their intended prey. A collective sigh of frustration was clearly audible as the doors opened, signalling the end of their battle, smiles set firmly in place once more as they headed inside to collect their children, friendships suddenly renewed. Brian hung back a little, waiting for the majority to enter first, not wanting to get caught in the middle of the pack. 

Looking along the corridor, Brian spotted Gavin's class, and leant against the wall to wait. Soon the place appeared to roar into life as doors opened and children rushed out to tell their mothers all about their day. Brian noticed a clearing in front of him, stepping forward so Gavin would spot him. Soon enough, Zacky's nephew came charging out the room and threw himself at Brian, happy to see him. Brian laughed as he swung the young boy up into his arms.

"Hey buddy, had a good day?" he asked.

"Brian..snake lady's here!" Gavin exclaimed excitedly.

"Snake lady?" Brian questioned

"Yeah, the lady that looked after you at the museum when you got scared by the snake"

Brian felt his cheeks redden as a ripple of laughter flowed along the corridor at Gavin's words.

"Dude..not cool!" Brian hissed, only to recieve a huge grin from the boy. 

However, the knowledge that Izzy was only on the other side of the door soon caused Brian to forget his embarrasment, his mind racing at just what action he should take.

"Seriously, Izzy's in there?" he asked, just to make sure. Gavin nodded.

"Yeah. my teacher is her friend, and she came in to talk to us about snakes and frogs...she even brought some snakes with her. It was awesome!"

Brian swallowed hard at the mention of snakes also being in the vacinity, but something told him he should hide the fear and maybe actually make some attempt to actually see her. 

"Think it'd be ok if we went in there, just so I can say hi?" he enquired. Gavin snickered a little.

"Uncle Zacky said you love the snake lady," he informed Brian.

"Oh really? Well Uncle Brian thinks he'll be having words with Uncle Zacky later," Brian muttered as he carried Gavin back towards the room.

"Gavin, did you for....Hi Brian!" 

Amber's voice rang out loud and clear as she spotted him in the doorway, causing Izzy to whirl round from where she stood on the other side of the room. Brian looked over at her, smirking a little at the shy smile she wore.

"Hey Amber, Gavin said Izzy was here, so thought I'd just say hi."

"Of course! Come on in," Amber invited "Gavin, want to help me get some things ready for tomorrow?" she asked, holding out her hand for the young boy to take. 

Gavin scrambled out of Brian's arms eager to help. Amber threw Brian a quick look over her shoulder, winking to let him know she'd give him and Izzy some space. Izzy looked down at the floor nervously, almost as if she was unsure of what to do or say.

"How was the head on Sunday morning?" Brian asked, standing right in front of her by the time she looked up. 

"Unbelievabley bad," Izzy admitted with a laugh. "I believe I owe you a huge thank you for rescuing me from making an even bigger arse out of myself."

Brian tried to pass it off with a shrug.

"It was nothing, but I figured you helped me, so it was the least I could do."

Izzy nodded, the smile returning once more. Brian found himself captivated by the air of innocence she seemed to have about her, as though the situation they were in was almost alien to her. 

"Well, it was a good job you were there, and I'm very grateful for that," she told him softly, her accent having that strange affect on Brian once again. 

He needed to say something before the moment was lost, before he found an excuse not to say what was on his mind.

"I stopped by the museum on Monday to see how you were."

"Lynn told me."

Brian chuckled nervously and glanced at the ceiling briefly.

"Ok...here's the thing. I did want to see how you were, but there was another reason for me being there," he stated quietly.

"Oh," Izzy answered. It wasn't even a questioning oh, it was almost one of surprise.

"I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out one night...dinner, movie...whatever, I don't mind. I'd just really like to see you some time...aside from when one of us is either too petrified to move or so drunk we haven't got a clue where we're at!"

Izzy laughed, and nodded.

"I'd like that, thank you."

"Great! So, I don't know if maybe you wanna give me your number...." Brian trailed off briefly

"Oh right! Of course!" 

Brian grinned, handing Izzy his phone so that she could add her number to his contacts. He couldn't get over just how unfamiliar she seemed with the whole concept of him asking her out. Izzy handed back his phone with a smile. Brian looked over her shoulder at the tank behind her, watching the corn snake that occupied it with slight trepidation. 

"Huh, he looks fairly harmless compared to that brute the other day," Brian stated.

"Oh he is, want to hold him?" Izzy asked, not bothering to hide the element of teasing to her tone. 

"You know, as tempting as that sounds, I think I may just pass that oppurtunity up for now," Brian replied.

"Thought you might say that."

Brian glanced at his watch.

"Listen, I better get Gavin back home. His mom will be worrying and as I seem to recall she has a mean right hook any guy would be proud of. But I'll call you tomorrow ok."

"Sure" Izzy answered, shaking her head at the way Amber magically appeared from nowhere with Gavin in tow, an excited grin on her face.

"You ready kiddo?" Brian asked him, taking hold of Gavin's hand. "Tomorrow yeah?" he threw back at Izzy, smiling as she nodded.

Brian turned and bid goodbye to Amber, stopping in the doorway briefly to take one last look at Izzy.

"Uncle Zacky's right, you DO love her!" Gavin stated happily.

"Uncle Zacky's a dead man that much I will say," Brian answered, a new found swagger in his step as he walked down the corridor.