"I just know that look. I've seen it on my sister's face plenty of times."

[Cross-posted to stays_together]

One of the first things one learns as a child is that there are two sides to every story. What one doesn't learn until later is that the side of the story you're on can change everything.

---

"I don't get why she does this every night. It's not like he'll magically hear it from wherever the hell he is."

Whack!

"Oww! What the hell, Eva?!"

"Stop being insensitive. You know music is her way of coping."

"Well, it'd be nice if she would cope somewhere other than the balcony. You know the neighbors are gonna be complainin'." Ryan uttered sarcastically, sighing as he glanced over at the open balcony doors.

Whack!

"Damnit! Would you stop hittin' me?!"

Glaring at her brother through narrowed eyes, Eva folded her arms in a defiant manner, pausing for added effect. "Quit being a jerk. She's havin' a really hard time with this."

"You've been sayin' that for months now."

"Guess what, jackass? Dean was 'the one'. At least, Anna thought he was. And the only reason he's pushed her away is because he's off fightin' to stop the freakin' apocalypse and save our sorry asses." She spat back angrily, resisting the urge to hit him upside the head once more.

Ryan's eyes widened for a moment as he leaned back in his chair. Letting out an exasperated groan, he swept a hand across his growing stubble. "Not you too... am I the only sane person in this family anymore? Christ, it was bad enough that Dean brainwashed Anna, but now he got you too?"

Pausing to make sure his sister wasn't going to interrupt, Ryan waited a minute before continuing. "Ever since Dean came into the picture, it's been one disaster after another. Beretti dies in some freak accident, and he convinces Anna – who was extremely vulnerable – that some demon did it. She up and quits the force after working her ass off for years to get to where she was... just to play Buffy with the freak brothers. Dean runs off because he can't stop being a womanizing S.O.B. with commitment issues. The man tries to pin it on the 'Apocalypse' and now all our sister does is mope around muttering about demons and claiming that her new 'friend' is a freakin' archangel. This 'Zi' chick is not an angel. She's British, damnit! A Brit does not an archangel make!"

Completely unphased by the rant, Eva remains silent for a minute before responding – completely deadpan, "Dude. Your ass is smote."

Ryan huffed arrogantly, "No, my ass is safe. I'm not the one blasphemin' all over the damn place." Eva's eyeroll prompted him to continue his rant. "All I'm sayin' is that she's lost it, Eva. The straw that broke the camel's back? Well, we found it."

As her brother sunk lower in his chair with a melancholy sigh, all Eva could do was stare out at the moonlit balcony.

---

This story had two sides, alright. But there was only one side that mattered in the end.

Spring time in New York was generally a welcome time of year - the snow melted, the sun shone bright, and everyone got to say goodbye to scarves and mittens. But unfortunately it came at a price - Stephen's law firm was throwing its annual charity fundraiser.

The ballroom was elegantly decorated, and a large number of Manhattan's elite and wealthy - from the Governor to the Police Commissioner were there in swanky ballgowns and expensive tuxedos. Eva's nose wrinkled as she looked around the room. She was the youngest one here, and the rest of the twenty-somethings around were the scantily dressed bimbo escorts for the lonely pricks her dad worked with.

"Remind me why I'm doing this again?"

"Because dad's paying to put you through grad school." Ryan chuckled, leaning in to kiss his little sister's forehead. "It's only one night. You'll live."

Pouting, Eva watched him saunter off to kiss corporate ass for their father. Running a hand over her updo, she glanced around and settled for fidgeting with her gown.

Ta-da! It's Eva!

Ten people who have hurt you
1. Dad
2. Ryan
3. Anna
4. Flack
5. Leah
6. Michelle
7. Brad Stanton
8. [locked to those who know]The guy who raped Anna[/locked]
9. Ford
10. Johnathon Phelps

Taken from iheartscience.

1. What curse word do you use the most?
Shit. And not that often, unless someone really pisses me off.
2. Do you own an iPod?
What kinda New Yorker would I be if I didn't?
3. What person on your flist do you talk to the most?
Devon. Cause he's like my BFF.
4. What time is your alarm clock set to?
7AM during school. 10AM otherwise. You try clubbin' til 2 AM and getting up before ten.
5. Do you still remember the first person you kissed?
Yeah.

( The Rest )

This was probably one of the craziest things Eva Brooks had ever done. She decided that hey - she deserved a vacation from her thesis on problems in the foster care system and what better way to escape the hectic mess that was her life than by flying out to Smallville, Kansas? Into the farmland and the company of a tall, dark, handsome and amazingly sweet guy. Yeah, this was totally worth the flight.

As the car rolled up on the Kent farm, Eva took a moment to let out a "wow" before paying the driver and getting out, suitcase in hand. She'd drop that at her motel later, right now she was way too excited to go anywhere else. Shifting her suitcase she let it set on the lawn a few feet from the house and went up to knock on the door. Eva knew nothing about horseback riding, so she didn't know how to dress either and as a result ended up in jeans, a pink tank top, and brown sweater over it, feet in brown hightops.

Taking a deep breath she lifted a hand and knocked on the door.