I don't think Daphne's parent's names are mentioned at all in the show (and if they were I completely missed it) so I made a couple up. If anyone happens to know the names, go ahead and tell me so I can change that. I also thought it would be funny if Brian had someone to blame for all of his problems (I personally blame dubya for all of mine) so Brian blames Melanie for all of his XD. Thanks to my beta, Sheila, for she keeps my writing nice and neat :)

Brian groaned as he sat up from his warm bed. It was Monday, and after a weekend of late night partying getting up was the last thing on his mind; however he had promised Mikey breakfast in order to ditch him last night. He sighed dramatically and pulled himself from the covers and made his way to the bathroom he shared with Lindsey. He closed the door and looked in the mirror. He looked like hell.

"Shit..." he whispered before turning on the faucet and splashing his face with water. He did his best to rub the sleep out of his eyes and looked back up the mirror. He didn't find much difference.

He felt his stomach growl and remembered his dinner last night consisted of beer and tricks. He thought about the last piece of pizza left in the box of their fridge, and hoped that cow Melanie hadn't got her hands on it. Thinking of the pizza only made him think of the blonde brat, Justin, which was never good. He did his best not to feel bad for the boy; after all, 'pity makes my dick soft.' he thought, but stopped himself. 'I'm not looking to fuck Justin; I can pity the kid all I want.'

Brian dropped his head and gazed into the sink, eyes focused on a small blue piece of dried toothpaste stuck to the side. He didn't know what to think of Justin, other than the fact that he reminded him of... well, him when he was younger. Of course there were a few big differences. Justin's family was rich; Brian's family was far from it. Justin was an only child, and Brian had perfect Claire to compete with.

Then of course the big one, Brian's Dad punished him by hitting him... Justin's Dad punished him by ignoring him, and, although it didn't sound too bad... he imagined the sting was just as bad. He didn't know too much about Justin at all, personality wise, only that he wanted Brian gone. Brian knew that THAT wasn't going to happen. So maybe when the boy figured that out, he wouldn’t be such a pain.

Brian nodded as if agreeing with himself, pulled off his boxers, and stepped into the shower stall. He turned the water on and winced at the cold. He quickly turned it off. His eyes were drawn to a small note on the far wall of the shower, now slightly wet from spray.

'Sorry Bri, Mel and I used all the hot water. You'll have to wait awhile, Lindsey.'

Brian growled. "Fucking Melanie..." he hissed, and stepped out of the stall.

~~~~~

Brian wasn't having a good day. Although he was grateful he had late classes today that meant he had no excuse to drop Michael off early. He loved Michael dearly. However it was a brotherly love, and as any brothers will tell you, there is only so much you can take of each other. He was currently babbling on about some guy in his class having a first addition of "Captain Astro" and this, apparently, was the coolest thing ever.

"Michael!" he interrupted him. "When I'm a rich and famous advertising guru, I'll BUY you the first addition and all the other additions of Captain Astro, but you have to shut up before I drive into on coming traffic!" he finished, a small vain popping out from his forehead.

Michael pouted, but shut up none the less. The silence in the car surprised Brian but he welcomed it.

A good minute passed before Michael opened his mouth again. Brian sighed.

"Brian... I really didn't want to bring this up but... your car, it kinda..." He began, but Brian cut him off.

"Smells I know I don't know what it is." He stated simply, obviously not wanting to continue with the conversation. Michael didn't seem to catch that.

"It's really gross, do you think a small animal died in here or something?" He asked and Brian glared.

"I've searched the car top to bottom, Mikey, there is no animal."

He sniffed again, and recoiled, "Well obviously not Brian, that smell is pretty rank... it has to be something." Michael pushed.

"Maybe it you..." Brian shot back and Michael rolled his eyes.

Michael began to look around the car while sniffing as if he were a dog. Brian did his best to ignore his best friend and keep driving, however it became difficult as he undid his seat-belt and ducked his head down between Brian's legs.

"Michael!" he shouted, surprised "I've told you already, it would be like incest!" He yelled again and Michael popped back up, glaring at him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Brian asked.

"The smell, it’s coming from there!" Michael yelled and pointed at the seat below Brian.

"My crotch!?" he demanded, annoyed.

"No!" Michael denied, blushing. "The seat, it’s coming from the seat." he stated, and the irritated brunette snorted.

"I've already looked!"

"Well look again!"

Brian growled and pulled over, parking.

"Fine!" he yelled and reached under the seat, "See? Noth..." he stopped, his hand pausing at a rip in the upholstery. He slowly pushed his hand inside and felt something wet and squishy.

"What is it?" Michael asked curiously.

Brian grabbed the small object and pulled it out. His eyes widened.

Squished between his fingers was a piece of raw shrimp; wet, smelly, raw shrimp. Michael gasped.

Brian vaguely wondered how many shrimp were hidden in his car. He looked over at Michael, who was looking at the shrimp in Brian's hands.

"Michael...." he started.

"Yeah?"

"Get out of the car." He said simply.

Michael complied not needing to be told twice recognizing the tone of voice Brian was using. He stood beside the small car on the side of the road. Pretty soon he heard almost every cuss word in existence (and some new ones) being yelled from the Gremlin. Michael even thought he heard his friend curse Melanie of all people. He shuddered not wanting to be the one who had done this.

~~~~~

Justin sat in his desk, bored out of his mind, and eagerly awaiting recess. He looked over at Daphne who was doing the same thing. Daphne was his best friend, even though she was a disgusting girl, she didn't act like it so it was okay. She met his gaze and stuck her tongue out at him. He narrowed his eyes and did the same while crossing his eyes. She giggled, and covered her mouth trying not to catch the attention of the teacher.

He looked back up at the clock, quickly feeling bored again. Justin wondered what Brian was doing, and if he had found the shrimp yet.

Justin couldn't figure Brian out. Any other sitter would be gone by now, but Brian was stubborn. He sighed. Maybe Daphne could help him with his problem. If Justin was a hellion, Daphne was a whole new ball game, after-all she was the one who taught him how to cry on cue. He was sure she would be happy to help.

He smiled, feeling better about the situation.

~~~~~

Brian was fuming. That little shit hid shrimp in his car! SHRIMP! Who the fuck does THAT!?

He tapped his foot impatiently while sitting in his last class for the day. The professor was going on about something but Brian wasn't really hearing him. All he could think about was Justin, and how he was going to hide that fucker's body...

"Well!" the professor called out grabbing his attention, "That’s it for today, class dismissed!"

Rows of students stood up and made their way out of the large classroom. Brian took his time, knowing his next stop would be... the monster's house.

He walked slowly out of the building and towards his now shrimp free car. He opened the door and threw his books on the passenger seat and sat down. Buckling his seat belt, he started the car and took off out of the parking lot. Turning on to a busy road he rolled down his window.

"Still smells like shrimp... Fucking Melanie!"

~~~~~

Brian was already feeling tired when he pulled up to the Taylor's residence, he wasn't up to watching Justin tonight or any night for that matter, but the thinking of the money helped. He pulled up to the already open gate and frowned, seeing an extra car in the driveway. They had company.

"Hmm..." Brian parked his car, "maybe they don't need me tonight" he thought aloud with a hint of hope in his voice. He stepped out of the car and made his way to the open doors cautiously peeking inside. His eyes met a woman he had never seen before.

She was tall, had dark skin, broad shoulders and a very friendly smile.

"Hello." she greeted, "You must be Brian, Jennifer has told me a lot about you..." she stated, placing her right hand in front of him. He took it slowly.

"Hello..." he began unsure, "Uh... I'm I not supposed to be here tonight?" He asked and she laughed lightly.

"Of course you are!" she said cheerily, "Justin must really like you to keep you around, huh?" she asked obviously amused.

"Oh yes, he just adores me." He answered his voice heavy with sarcasm. The woman laughed.

"Oh Brian!" he heard Jennifer call, "I'm glad you're here, this is Virginia Chanders." she introduced the woman and Brian nodded.

"Brian. There had been a change of plan. Craig and I are going to dinner with Virginia and her husband, would you mind greatly if we left you to care for their daughter Daphne, as well? She'll be sleeping the night..."

Brian paused, 'two of them?' he though, horrified.

"We'll be back earlier than usual!" she rushed in, seeing the look on his face.

"...and Harold and I will pay you for watching her as well, of course." Virginia added.

Brian nodded, 'maybe they'll just keep each other company' he thought, though he doubted it.

"Ah! You're here..." Craig said, entering the room with another man on his trial. "I'm sure you're aware of the situation?"

"Yes sir, it's no problem." Brian answered and Craig nodded.

The man beside Craig smiled and held his hand out, "Hello, I'm Harold, but please call me Harry." he said, and Brian shook his hand.

"Hey, I'm Brian."

"We appreciate you watching our Daffy tonight; you understand that we will pay you accordingly?" he asked, dropping his hand back to his side.

"Yeah, It’s no problem." Brian said again, trying not to let the doubt slip into his voice.

"Good. Oh, Brian, Just curious, do you watch football?" Harry asked, and Brian was a bit confused.

"Oh Jesus, Harold, stop trying to pawn those tickets off!" Virginia demanded, obviously annoyed.

"I am not pawning..." Harry defended, "I just know that we can’t go, and Craig here doesn't want them. I hate to see perfectly good seats go to waste." he finished, and Craig snorted.

"I would go if it were any other team..." the blonde aristocrat stated, "but I cannot stand that Drew Boyd."

"Why not?" Harry asked, "He's an excellent player!" Craig snorted again.

"I've heard he's a flamer." he stated simply, as if it explained everything.

"Please, spare me Craig. A mans sexuality has nothing to do with how he plays the game, am I right Brian?" Harry turned the conversation to Brian.

"You wouldn't want to see a game if you knew one of the players were... like that, would you Brian?" Craig asked him and Brian looked between the two men nervously.

Jennifer cleared her throat, "We should get going, boys." she stated, and Virginia nodded. Brian sighed, relived that he didn't have to answer the men's questions.

The four made their way out of the house, leaving Brian alone in the large room. He wondered where the two monsters were, and two heads popped over the top of the stairs as if on cue. They rushed down the stairs.

He saw Justin smirk at him, but Brian ignored him. Instead he looked at the young girl before him, who looked just like her mother.

"Hello." she said politely, while curtsying. Brian was surprised, 'maybe she's different...' he thought.

"Hello..." he replied and she smiled again.

"Can I ask you a question Mr. Kinney?" she asked sweetly and he nodded.

"Do you like shrimp?" She asked with a small trace of amusement in her voice and a wicked gleam in her eye. Justin cracked up beside her.

Brian's stomach dropped, 'Fuck! She's just like him!' he thought frustrated. The two kids giggled again and took off up stairs leaving Brian alone.

He growled, "Fucking Melanie!"