Esteem Roller

Got an idea for an AU and decided to take it out for a walk and see how it goes.
Changes are two key points.

Point 1. Quinn's first crush was a skater.
Point 2. Taking from Boxing Daria, the revenge fantasies were dealt with in the current modern fashion.


Chapter One. Quinn.

Quinn Morgendorffer bailed out of the car as soon as it came to a stop and with a quick bye to her father she was heading away from the pep talk her sister was being put through for the second time that morning.
:Maybe if he wasn’t saying the same things over and over again it might work.: Quinn thought as she caught a brief glance that picked up her mood.

She had to control herself to keep from breaking into a run at the sight and the quick paced walk seemed longer than the ride to the school.

:YES!: Quinn thought as she caught sight of another Ripper popping over the top of a double half pike.

She watched for a few before vaulting over the three foot railing that separated her from the skaters and made her way around the ramp.
She felt concern for a few seconds and checked her outfit.
She was wearing black long shorts that ended right below her knees and a wife beater t-shirt cover by an unbuttoned flannel shirt. Her ankle bitters were ripped a bit she doubted anyone here would care but her vans were still holding up. She pushed her hair back and tied it back as she moved next to a group of Riders avoiding a larger group of Posers that were standing and watching.

She leaned against the rail and watched various guys take the ramp while others tried to show off for the Posers by grinding.

“Haven’t seen you before.” A long haired Ripper said after finishing his run on the ramp.

“Just moved here, I didn’t know there would be a ramp or I would have carried in my board.” Quinn sighed.

“You claiming you can walk the walk then.” The long hair said loudly.
Quinn heard everyone around them quiet down and she sensed the blood in the water.

“I don’t know about walking but I can Rip that ramp.’ Quinn said looking him straight in the eyes.

A lower murmur went through the various Riders and Posers standing within earshot.

“We expect people to put up if they try to throw down that kind of talk.” The long hair said with a tight smile.

“Hand me your board and plate and I got no problem. Question is do you?” Quinn said with a smile.

He pulled off his helmet and pushed it at her and dropped his board gently at her feet and stepped back as he called for the ramp to be cleared.

“Don’t expect anyone to cry if you wreck out and muss your hair.” He challenged.

Quinn strapped on the helmet and pulled off her flannel and smiled at the sudden change in the number of boys that where watching her. She saw something sticking out of the top pocket of a nearby Rider who was looking like he was settling in for a show.
She reached down and grabbed the black marker and quickly marked the back of both hands with the large X before popping the board into her hands and tossing the marker back and paddled out away from the group and turned back and started toward the ramp.

She heard the groans at the Xs on her hands and smiled as she hit the ramp and shot straight up, spinning at the top catching and handstanding before rocketing back down toward the rail that she popped up and grinded across before pushing off back up the ramp. A few quick timed paddles and she was back up the ramp grinding across the top. A hand spin had her back down on the ground in a flash heading back toward the ramp. When she hit the top a quick and easy back flip had them floored and she was heading back down.

She blew past the Posers with a wave and was letting the momentum carry her back to the Rider when a hand reached out and grabbed her and pulled her backwards.

“What are you spoiled brats doing out here?” A loud female voice scream at her as Quinn fell to the pavement sending the board flying into the rail with a sickening crack.

Quinn hopped to her feet ready to pound who ever grabbed her and saw a frumpy teacher in blouse and skirt who seemed as shocked as Quinn was.

“What are these no good males making you do?” She screamed turning to look at the guys that were gathered around frozen in place.

“They were letting me use their board until you came and Pearl Harbored me.” Quinn spat out as she pulled her arm free from the teacher and shook off the blood from her other hand that had skinned against the ground.

Quinn grabbed her flannel put it back on before taking off the helmet and tossing it over to the long hair who like the others was still frozen in place.

“You shouldn’t be out here around these men without someone watching out, their all trouble.” The teacher ranted.

“Funny, the only trouble I had was when you knocked me off the board so back off.” Quinn said as she accepted some napkins from the boy she got the marker from and held them to her new rash.

The teacher stomped off and slammed the door heading into the school as Quinn picked up the board and started inspecting it.

“That was incredible, first you ride elite then you tell Barch off.” One of the boys said looking awed.

“I stand corrected.” The long hair said and Quinn felt guilt hit her as she handed the board back.

“I trashed your truck. I got spares at the house, I can bring one in tomorrow or just let me know how much it cost to get a new one.” Quinn said as she checked her rash to make sure it wasn’t bleeding anymore.

“Tomorrow is cool.” Long hair said before extending his hand. “Sam, most call me Slammer.”

“Name’s Quinn but I answer to Q.” Quinn said with a grin.

“You straight edge.” The marker boy sighed.

“Totally.” Quinn answered.

“Damn, I really hate my life at the moment, everybody calls me Misfit.” The boy said.

“That over there is Float and the blond with the jacket doesn’t ride but she hangs with us a lot. Mostly because she’s my sister.” Slammer said with a nod to two others that hadn’t drifted away yet.

“She got a name.” Quinn laughed.

“Burnout.” Misfit answered.

“That’s a story I really want to hear.” Quinn replied.

“It’s nowhere near as good as he makes it.” Burnout said waving at Misfit and started to say something else before the bell rang.

“Damn I need to get to the office.” Quinn swore.

“I can show you the way.” Misfit said as he scooped up his bag and started into the school.

Quinn gathered with the other new students and poked her sister in the ribs as they were taken into see some shrink.

:Oh my god, she’s serious ok girl think fast.: Quinn thought as the woman request she make up a conversion.

“Ok, He’s saying that they should go to the keg party this weekend and let nature take it’s course and she’s saying that hey I’m straight edge, it’s my choice and if you can’t respect that choice then you don’t respect me, so grind off cause there are lots of guys that would love to come hit the ramp with her and hey maybe she won’t have to do the eight arm tango after every date when she tries to get out of the car.” Quinn said with an evil smirk.

“That’s very good Quinn.” The shrink said looking at her surprised before turning to Daria. “Let’s see if you can come up with something as interesting as your sister.”

“Do we have to do this?” Daria said and Quinn heard her voice shaking.

“It’s just a little exercise.” The woman said calmly.

“Look, I’ve already been through this for the last six months. I know I'm a lousy person why can’t you people just leave me alone.” Daria said and dashed out of the room.

Quinn grabbed her bag and Daria’s and started out the door before pausing and turning back to the shrink. “Remember my mother is a lawyer and she will be asking me about how well Daria was treated today, just something to keep in mind when you are filling out any reports.”

Quinn headed toward the nearest bathroom that Misfit had pointed out to her on the way to the office and ducked in side to find Daria hiding in a stall.

“Daria, it’s ok, I don’t think she was going there. Please come out because I feel really silly talking to a door.” Quinn sighed.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Daria said before Quinn heard the lock slide back.

“I know and the judge knew and that’s why we got that big settlement check and a bunch of people got fired.” Quinn said putting her arm around Daria’s should and pulling her toward the mirror.

“I see you found your people.” Daria nodded toward Quinn’s hand.

“Yep, a whole tribe, if you wanted to hang with us, I think it would be Ok. Maybe until you get into the swing of things.” Quinn offered.

“Sorry but hanging with my kid sister and her skater friends is not my idea of fun but thanks.” Daria sighed.

“Let’s get to class before that Li woman sends the dogs looking for us.” Quinn laughed.
Quinn got Daria to her first class and made her way to her own class and smiled as she saw Slammer sitting in the class and she handed her pass to the teacher and took a seat behind him across from a group of girls that were dressed up and staring at her.

As the class continued Quinn started felling somewhat nervous as the three girls stared at her the entire time talking in low voices between them selves.

“Slammer, these girls are tripping me out, what’s their deal?” Quinn said pushing against his back.

“That’s the fashion club, stay away from them.” Slammer said in a whisper.

“What, the tropical fish bite or what?” Quinn demanded.

“Their sharks or at least Griffin is.” Slammer warned.

“Thanks for the 411.” Quinn sighed.

“No problem, got to look out for Elites.” Slammer said throwing her the shakey over his shoulder.



Quinn waited for Daria to come out and walked next to her as they headed home.

“How was your day?” Daria asked, coming more alive once she got away from the school.

“Pretty rad, some fishes were rocking my boat but I’m not going to sweat them yet.” Quinn dismissed.

“I take it you will be ridding your board to school seeing as they got that ramp.” Daria mused.

“Yep, think you can help me throw up my ramp this weekend.” Quinn said walking backwards in front of her sister.

“I think I might be convinced for a slight fee.” Daria said raised eyebrow.

“What?” Quinn sighed.

“No more Avril after midnight, unless it’s things I’ll never say or Hold on or anything besides Skaterboy.” Daria said ruthlessly.

“Oh cruel fate, 1 week.” Quinn offered looking shocked..

“2.” Daria countered.

“Deal, that’s so wrong.” Quinn laughed.

“I know but you keep listening to it.” Daria smirked as she turned up their walkway.

“I see the folks aren’t home yet.” Quinn sighed.

“Did you really expect them to change, common Q let’s start dinner before they decide on lasagna again.” Daria said unlocking the front door.

"Fine." Quinn said and walked in behind her sister.

Chapter Two. Daria.


Daria sat at the table listening to her sister talk to her parents while they tried to enjoy the slightly overcooked fried chicken.
:It’s still better than a frozen dinner.: Daria thought rudely as she bit into another piece of extra, extra crispy chicken.

“Well the skateboarder club is meeting on Fridays after school and they even enter tournaments so I won’t need to get a new sponsor again unless I decide to hit some father away ones.” Quinn was informing their parents.

Daria heard the phone ring at the same time crying started coming through the baby monitor sitting on the edge of the table.

“I’ll check on Bud.” Daria smirked and headed upstairs.

“Bud, that would have been a great name.” Jake Morgendorffer said thoughtfully.

“Daria what did I tell you, use his name or you’ll confuse him.” Helen shouted after her as she answered the phone.

“Yes this is Helen Morgendorffer. Yes, a test you say, oh really. Well let me tell you how it’s going to be, Mrs. Li wasn’t it. First I’ll talk to both my daughters and then my husband and if we decide it’s something we want to do then our daughter can attend the class. I don’t believe I was asking for your opinion in the matter. I’ll let you know tomorrow.” Helen said coldly into the phone before hanging up.

“Damn self righteous …” Helen started before calming herself.

“Quinn, did you and Daria take a psychological test today with a counselor of any kind.” Helen asked her.

“Ya, Daria kind of wigged out and said something about being worthless or something and ran out of the room.” Quinn answered careful thinking out her answer before speaking.

“That explains the call then.” Helen sighed.

“What are they trying now?” Jake asked.

“They want Daria to attend a self esteem class to try to build up her self-image.” Helen answered.

“Of course she has esteem issues, the damn people spent six months trying to make her feel like a worthless piece of trash.” Jake said pounding his fist on the table.

“I know Jake but at this school they want to help fix the problem, what do you think Quinn?” Helen said locking onto her youngest daughter.

“I’d be worried they might mess things up and make it worse.” Quinn admitted softly making sure her voice couldn’t carry.

“I’ll ask Daria when she gets back from … Oh there you are.” Helen said as she heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Mike’s hungry.” Daria said carrying the infant into the kitchen before spotting her father’s flushed face.

“I didn’t do anything I swear.” Daria said quickly.

“Your school is concerned about you, they think you might have issues with self-esteem. They have a class AFTER school where they try to help students work on this problem.” Helen said stress a certain word.

“You don’t have to do it, if you don’t want to.” Her father said forcefully.

“That’s right, but if you want to try it might help.” Helen said peacefully.

“I guess it wouldn’t be too bad. I’ll still go to class, right.” Daria said still holding the baby.

“Of course and it’s only an hour after school so you will still have plenty of time to do other things as well.” Helen assured her.

“Ok, but if it’s weird I’m going to quit.” Daria stated as she moved toward her mother with baby.

“Of course, you said Michael’s hungry sweetie.” Helen commented.

“Ya he keeps biting me there.” Daria said as she handed the baby over to her mother showing off the wet spot over her breast on the t-shirt she was wearing.

“I’ll take him upstairs and feed him.” Helen smiled and started out of the room.

“I don’t call him anything but Mike or Michael when he can hear me.” Daria said to her mother’s back.

“I know, you’re a good big sister to Michael and Quinn.” Helen chuckled as she started up the stairs.

“The best.” Quinn piped in from the table.

“Well he certainly is a guy.” Quinn smirked at the stain as Daria put her finished plate in the dishwasher.

Daria grabbed her bookbag and went to her room sighing at the bare walls. She had liked the padding but she couldn’t sleep in the room after the three days she spent in the hospital. Out came the bars and padding and in came the new fangled everything. Quinn had picked out most of it but Daria had to admit it suited her well. The separate desks for writing and the computer came in handy and the poster bed let her escape from everything with it’s black heavy duck canvas curtains that could even block out the sounds of her parents when they were making up for the 5 months or so of not being able to be intimate with Michael entering their lives.

:At least they don’t have to work anymore thanks to the settlement.: Daria thought as she pulled out her books.

She quickly did away with her homework and sighed at the ease of the workload.
:This is what started my problem, I did the work to fast and everyone started picking on me.: Daria sighed before clenching her jaw.

“Screw them.” She spoke to the empty room.

The next morning she walked with Quinn to the school, or rather walked as Quinn skated around her on her board.

“You sure about this whole self-esteem thing.” Quinn said as soon as they got out of sight of their house.

“Do you think I have esteem issues?” Daria asked pointedly with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes but you didn’t before they screwed you over in Highland.” Quinn answered honestly.

“Then maybe this class can help, let’s be honest, I don’t think I could feel worse about myself.” Daria stated weakly.

“Well, I say your great and one of these days you will start listening to your little sis.” Quinn said hopping over a fire hydrant with ease.

“As long as I don’t have to wear shorts and a flannel shirt everyday then we’ll leave that as a maybe.” Daria smirked.

“Hey whatever spins the wheels is good with me.” Quinn laughed.

Quinn looked over at her sister with the long dark flowing skirt that almost passed her knees and the dark green baggy peasant blouse that drew the eyes even if it did cover up almost every inch of skin it could.

They reached the school and Daria saw Quinn hesitate.

“Go on and hang 10 or whatever you do.” Daria said pushing her sister toward the skating ramp.

“We rip.” Quinn said rolling her eyes before punching Daria lightly on the shoulder and taking off.

Daria headed into the school and with a quick stop at her locker was on her way to her first class.


After school she entered her English classroom and took a seat near the front in time and listened to the instructor going on and tried to take notes but quickly ran into a problem.

She raised her hand and politely waved it until the teacher looked at her confused and spoke.

“Sorry, question and answer time is later.” Mr. O’Neil said nicely.

“Please I want to know what "realizing your actuality" means.” Daria asked confused.

“It means... look, just let me get through this part, okay? Then there'll be a video! Before we unlock your potential...” O’Neil pleaded with her.

“He doesn’t know what it means. He’s got the speech memorized. Just enjoy the nice man’s soothing voice.” A girl’s voice came quietly from the desk behind her.
“But how am I supposed to get anything out of this class if I don’t know what he’s talking about.” Daria groaned.

“I can fill you in later. I’ve taken this course six times.” Jane said confidently.

“Great, an expert.” Daria said and heard the chuckle from behind her.

“Jane Lane at your service.” She said with a smirk that could be heard.

Jane walked with her home and they exchanged the normal pleasantries before Daria started pumping her with questions.

“Easy there tiger, that just exceeded your question quote for at least a block.” Jane joked after answering dozens of questions concerning the class.

“I don’t get it, Jane. You’ve got the entire course memorized. How come you can’t pass the test to get out?” Daria asked intrigued.

“I could pass the test, but I like having low self-esteem. It makes me feel special.” Jane answered.

“You don’t have low self-esteem.” Daria said and sighed.

“Nope but since I don’t fit into their cookie cutter world, I must have something wrong with me and this gets me off easy.” Jane shrugged.

“Oh.” Daria said and she felt herself withdraw away from the new girl.

Jane saw the response and quickly figured out what it meant.

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize … Look there’s nothing wrong with having self-esteem problems. You really want some help, damn. I hate to break it to you but this class isn’t going to do much for you.” Jane said nicely.

“I just wanted, I was hoping that maybe it might help.” Daria said and rubbed at her eyes as they watered.

“What did they do to you kid?” Jane said as she took out a handkerchief and passed it to Daria.

“I got in trouble last year.” Daria answered.

“For what?” Jane pushed.

“I like to write and everyone was picking on me for being a brain and I started writing these stories where they got crushed by a crashing plane or terrorists broke into the school and shot them all and I dropped my notebook on the way home one day and someone found it and read it. All of a sudden I was public enemy number one. Everyone was scared I was going to go Columbine and kill a bunch of people. They raided our house and searched everywhere and while they searched I was stuck in a nuthouse for three days and then special-ed, I went to school everyday, an hour earlier than everyone else and spent the entire day in one room guarded by two people at all times. I had to see the school shrinks 3 times a week for two hours at a time with them telling me I was a bad person for thinking those kind of thoughts, at the same time my folks were sending me to a real one.
To make a long story short or shorter, the real shrink decided I was just expressing myself as an artist and it was a good thing to let out my frustrations on paper but the school wouldn’t back down so my mom sued and kept suing until we got a judge who looked at the reports and my writing and laughed. He said it wasn’t fair to pick 6 stories out of 600 and decide they identified me more than the others and we won. We got a huge check from the state and the school board so me and my sister and little brother don’t have to worry about college and my parents retired.” Daria explained in detail.

“How long did you have to go through that?” Jane asked her mouth standing up.

“6 months.” Daria answered.

“So they broke you and now you want to get fixed.” Jane mused.

“Ya, look I didn’t mean to dump all this on you.” Daria said frowning.

“That’s cool.” Jane shrugged.

“I’ll let you go, it was nice meeting you Jane.” Daria said and she started away and was surprised when Jane caught up to her and started talking.

“You see, it’s like this. I don’t have any friends and I really would like one. I hear their really cool to hang out with and stuff and all, so no one else seems up for the job, so you’re my last chance to save me from a life of complete boredom.” Jane fired away.

“I got a lot of baggage.” Daria said stunned.

“So you’re not boring so what do you say, are we Amigas?” Jane pushed.

“I’d like that.” Daria said and had to fight the urge to hug the taller girl.

“Your thinking about hugging me aren’t you.” Jane laughed.

“No.” Daria protested with a blush.

“Well all hugs have to go through my brother.” Jane said and watched Daria blush even deeper red.

Chapter Three. Jane.

Her feet pounded the pavement in a satisfying way as she started her loop back toward her house. The rhythm was like music to her ears and it drove her faster, harder.
Running was her escape, the only thing that let her blow out the cobwebs and clear out her mind. Painting was great but it tended to make her think and this shut everything down.

She didn’t notice the skaters around the park, they had become background to her, being there almost as often as she was. If she had been paying attention she would have seen the flame haired girl moving up behind her after she passed. She would have realized something was happening before the girl full body checked her to the ground onto the grass and spun to a stop on the board.

“What the hell!” Jane exclaimed as she started up.

“I’m Q, you need to stay the hell away from my sister, Daria.” Quinn said shoving Jane backward making her stumble.

“What’s your problem?” Jane said allowing the confusion at the sudden attack come out.

“You are, I heard about you, some kind of druggie artist and now you want to drag my sister into that. Mess with her head even more.” Quinn growled shoving Jane with each statement.

“We’re friends, I didn’t do anything to her.” Jane said pushing back on the shorter redhead.

“Sure you are, I think you just want to screw with the messed up little freak and th….” Quinn started and found herself on the ground.

Jane stood over her shaking her left hand but looking ready to throw it again if needed.
“Don’t call her that!” Jane demanded.

Quinn rubbed her jaw while sitting on the ground and Jane couldn’t figure out while she was smiling.

“You get what you need?” A blonde with a deathhead jacket asked from a short distance behind them.

“Yep, she’s cool.” Quinn said from the ground and stood up, still smiling.

“Told ya.” The blonde said and moved closer.

“What?” Jane said backing up as Quinn stood, keeping her hands ready for an attack.

“Daria doesn’t need a Poser friend, I had to test you.” Quinn shrugged as she retrieved her board.

“Test me, are you nuts?” Jane sputtered.

“Maybe, but I didn’t figure a painter would have a good left cross.” Quinn laughed.

“So you did this just to get me mad.” Jane said thoughtfully.

“Figured it would either chase you away or let me get a feel for what kind of person you are.” Quinn dismissed.

“I don’t use drugs.” Jane said strongly.

“Good for you. That was a really good hit.” Quinn smirked.

“Two older brothers and two older sisters, not my first punch.” Jane shrugged feeling the tension drift away with the wind.

“You were willing to throw down over her, that makes you all right in my book. I’ll tell Daria what I did so she doesn’t think you started the fight.” Quinn said before starting to walk back toward her skater friends.

“Wait.” Jane said and crossed the space between them and reached into her pocket and brought out a blue pouch and smacked it against her leg twice before tossing it over to the redhead.

“Fast ice, sweet. I owe you.” Quinn said and held the pouch to her jaw.

“Maybe we don’t have to tell Daria about this.” Jane said as she turned around and started running toward her house again.

“Whatever makes your wheels spin.” Quinn called back to her as she moved away with the skaters.


The next afternoon Jane and Daria were sitting in Jane’s bedroom after self-esteem class and talking.

“Oh, no, I’d much rather stay home and listen to my brother practice the opening to Come as You Are. I bet I could get some great sketches there.” Jane was pressing.

“Well, I'm sure there'll be plenty of people posing. If you want to go, just make believe you're me. When you're popular, all unpopular people look alike anyway.” Daria shrugged.

Jane grabbed Daria’s glasses and spoke. “Hi, I'm Daria. Go to hell.” In a closed monotone voice.
“It won’t work. My face is too expressive.” Jane smirked sarcastically.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea.” Daria said and pointed at the alarm clock as she started to gather up her school books.

“Just think about.” Jane called after her.

“Fine, see you tomorrow.” Daria answered her.

Jane watched her friend start down the sidewalk and an idea occurred to her and brought an evil grin. She moved to her phone and quickly dialed.

“Hello Mrs. Morgendorffer, this is Jane Lane. No Daria just left on her way home, is Quinn there?” Jane asked.

“Hey Quinn, I think I know a way for you to pay back that debt. I have a plan.” Jane said and laid out the details.

That night at dinner Daria was sitting trying to stomach down the frozen lasagna so she didn’t pick up on what Quinn was telling her parents until.

“Well I was going to go but I won’t know that many people and since Daria’s not going to go, maybe I’ll just stay home.” Quinn said sounding disappointed.

“Daria was invited.” Jake said surprised.

“Yes, I only got invited because I’m on a school team but she got invited by the most popular girl in school.” Quinn answered.

“That’s great sweetie.” Helen said beaming at Daria who swallowed a mouthful of food and gulped.

“I don’t know if it’s my kind of thing.” Daria tried.

“It will be a great chance for you to get to know some of your classmates and that way Quinn will go to and your father and I can have the house to ourselves … for some personal time.” Helen said firmly.

“Moooom.” Quinn said covering her ears.

“Fine but I don’t want any more sisters or brothers.” Daria groaned.

“Deal.” Jake replied.

That weekend came quickly and found them standing in Brittney’s house watching as their classmates proved themselves to truly be children of a lesser god or pile of moss, Daria couldn’t decide.
Jane had disappeared and she had a pretty good idea it had something to do with a certain big headed fellow but she figured her friend would be back before long.
Daria was sighing as she watched Quinn and her skater friends perform a few low motion tricks when she felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned to find a brunette dressed in all her fashionable glory with several girls standing close behind.

“What are yoou doing here?” The girl asked.

Daria racked her brain and the girls name clicked into place. Sandi Griffin, leader of the fashion police or club as they called themselves.

“Brittney invited me.” Daria said in a weak voice.

“Trust a cheerleader to feel sorry for every loser they see, isn’t it bad enough that so called team got in.” Sandi said pointing at the skaters.

“I don’t caare how many trophies they win. An unfashionable geek is still just a geek.” Sandi insulted.

“Yaaaaa.” Said an Asian girl standing back a little behind Sandi.

“They’re a school team.” Daria started and felt Sandi’s glare return to her.

“I’m tired of walking around at school and seeing worthless people who shouldn’t be allowed to dress themselves allowed to walk the same hallways. I shouldn’t have to put up with it on my weekend. You need to leave.” Sandi demanded.

“I’m with my friend and my …” Daria started feeling her throat tighten up.

“I don’t caare.” Sandi said poking Daria in the chest. “I saaid you need to leave.”

“I …” Daria started but her chest was hurting now and she could feel her eyes burning and knew the tears and worse were coming.

“Shut up and leave.” Sandi said loudly.

“Sandi, maybe we better ..” Started another brunette in pigtails.

She didn’t get a chance to finish as Jane pushed several of the girls aside and spun Sandi around and glared into her face.

“What is your problem? Is it revenge of the nerds week?” Sandi sneered.

Daria felt the first tear roll down her face and took off toward the door.

Jane saw her friend start away and spoke quickly. “One day Griffin someone is going to put you in your place but I’m not going to see it, because I have a real friend to look after and that’s more important.
With that Jane darted through the open door after Daria.

“Well at least their gone.” Sandi said looking proud of herself.

She felt the tap on her shoulder and she turned to stare at the redheaded skater girl.

“Hi, my name’s Quinn Morgendorffer.” The redhead said with a grin.

“And why do I care?” Sandi sneered again.

“I just thought you might want it for the police report.” Quinn said before swinging.

Sandi saw the fist fly at her face and felt it crash into her nose knocking her on her back.
She sat up and her hands flew to her face and she saw the blood pouring out on to the floor.

“Yiu bruke mi nase!” Sandi cried from the floor and Quinn leaned over her and poked her in the chest.

“Mess with my sis again and I’ll run my wheels down your skinny ass back, so hard people will think you got a tattoo.” Quinn said before tossing her hair over her shoulder and nodding to the skaters indicating toward the door.

“Thanks for the invite, we won’t hold it against you just because she’s a tool.” Quinn said nicely to Brittany as they left. Quinn quickly called out orders to search for Daria and the skaters spread out in pairs.

Jane smiled as she started her search for Daria, she had seen Quinn moving up behind Griffin and hopefully she would get a detail description come Monday in school.

As she cut through a small park she caught a cry and turned toward it. Underneath a street lamp she saw Daria balled up with some girl knelling next to her covering her in a jacket. The girl turned and saw Jane running toward them and took off. Jane was curious but her only concern was the crying girl on the ground.

She slide to a stop and scoped up the small girl into her lap and held her tightly while she heard her chest in pain.
:Oh god this is just like on T.V, she’s having a heart attack.: Jane thought.

Jane looked around for someone to call out to but no one was in sight and the unknown girl was gone.
She tried to pick Daria up put with her balled up it was impossible. She was starting to panic when Quinn and one of her skater friends moved into sight on the street.

“QUINN!” Jane screamed out and saw the redhead jump off her board and run full speed across the park to her.

“Ok, calm down.” Quinn said as she pulled Daria onto her own lap.

“We need to call 911, I think she’s having a heart attack.” Jane cried.

“It’s not a heart attack. She has panic attacks, C’mon sis, calm down and listen to my voice. Your safe and I’m here and Jane’s here and no one’s going to yell at you or be mean or anything anymore.” Quinn started repeating over and over again while messaging Daria’s temples.

“What?” Jane said confused.

She watched Quinn rock her sister gently repeating the same phrases over and over again until Daria seemed to relax. It was like watching a balloon come untied and everything just seemed to leave her all at once.

“Easy, you can do it.” Quinn said as Daria started to move.

“You ok?” Jane asked and Quinn started to say something but Daria’s voice stopped her.

“No.” Daria said weakly.

“Ok, so maybe the party was a bad idea.” Jane sighed and rubbed her friend’s back.

“What did I do wrong?” Daria’s pleading voice came from within her sister’s embrace.

“Not a damn thing, Sandi’s just a royal bitch.” Jane said voicing some of her anger.

“Bitch with a broke face at the moment.” Slammer laughed and Daria leaned away from her sister with a frown on her wet and dirty face.

“Yes I slugged the skank, and I think she got off easy.” Quinn said defiantly.

“At least it wasn’t at school.” Daria sighed as she started trying to brush off her face.

Jane stripped off her long sleeve red shirt and handed it to Daria to be used as a rag.
“I’m sorry to ditch you.” Jane said looking guilty.

Daria pulled a sock out of the arm of the shirt and raised an eyebrow at Jane.

“Bonus sock, you want it?” Jane said blushing.

“Your forgiven.” Daria said and she leaned over and hugged Jane briefly before pulling away and looking at the shirt and noticing the jacket covering her back.

“Who’s …” Daria started.

“Beats me, she saw me coming and ran off. I didn’t get a good look at her.” Jane replied.

“Hey Q, I walkie’d everyone and their coming, you want me to call for a ride?”

“I think that’s a good idea.” Quinn said as she watched Jane help Daria to her shaky feet.

“We could call my brother, he was supposed to pick us up later.” Jane offered.

“I’m thinking call both and whoever gets here first, get’s the glory.” Slammer said as he handed the phone over to Jane.

Trent won the lottery and they loaded everyone up with Jane and Daria riding up front and Quinn and three of her skater buddies in the back. When they got to the Morgendorffer home Jane helped Quinn put Daria to bed and waited until her friend fell asleep.

“So this is what happens when she loses it.” Jane mused.

“If some tool pushes the right buttons.” Quinn sighed.

“This is why you wanted to make sure I really was her friend.” Jane said putting together the pieces.

“If she lost a so called friend it would crush her, if she lost what she thought was her first real friend, I’m scared to think about what might happen. Better to cut your losses now if you don’t plan on sticking.” Quinn said quietly.

“Do I need to smack you again? I don’t run out on my friends.” Jane said with strength and clarity.

“Good.” Quinn smiled.

Jane looked back at the bed and the sleeping figure before they closed the door and Quinn walked her to the front door and they made their quick and tired goodbyes.

:I can do this.: Jane thought as she got into Trent’s car and woke him up. She thought about the rough times that would most surely come in the next few months and smiled.
:We can do this.:

Chapter Four. Café Non-Disaster.

“Daria, you’re a visionary.” Jane joked.

Daria sat and listened as Mr. O’Neil went off on a wild tangent about trying to recapture the 70s with an old style coffee house.
:Great somehow this is going to end badly.: Daria thought emotionlessly.

She thought she had escaped the fallout for three days until Mr. O’Neil caught her after self esteem class and popped the question.

“Daria, everything is coming together nicely but we haven’t talked about what you want to do opening night. I was thinking you could read one of your essays.” O’Neil said.

“I’m not really a performer.” Daria said softly.

“But your work is so touching and I think your classmates will love it.” O’Neil pushed.

“I tend to get stage fright in front of other people.” Daria tried.

“We can work on that in self-esteem class, you just focus on picking the perfect story.” O’Neil said smiling.

Daria tried to think of a way out but she drew a complete blank and sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“Great, a chance to freak out in front of my classmates again, maybe there was one or two that haven’t heard what a nutcase I am.” Daria muttered to herself as O’Neil walked away.

It turned out she wasn’t the only person to get drafted.

“So Mr. O’Neil says that the skater’s need someone to represent our point of view and I got the short straw.” Quinn was complaining at dinner that night.

“I thought the fund raising you guys did would get you out of anything else?” Daria said puzzled.

“You’d think, I mean we raised half the money all by ourselves with the T-shirts but no, we need to show our feelings or something.” Quinn sighed poking at her plate trying to guess what her father had come up with.

“You mean you standing out there in a t-shirt three sizes to small sold the shirts, I noticed that none of the guys got stuck with selling duty.” Daria pointed out.

“It was Burnout’s idea and we sold out in one day with me and her tossing away our self respect for the afternoon. Still it beats having to do it over and over again taking away from my ramp time.” Quinn said defensively.

“Is Burnout your boyfriend?” Helen asked trying not to frown at the name.

“Burnout is a girl.” Quinn answered.

“What Quinn has a girlfriend, when did this happen? I thought you weren’t going to tell them about your commune days.” Jake said in shock suddenly focused.

Daria and Quinn both stared directly at their mother who was holding Michael on her lap looking like deer caught in headlights.

“Jake, honey, maybe this isn’t the right time.” Helen said sweetly, recovering quickly.

“Ummm, Burnout’s just a friend, I kinda like this guy called Misfit.” Quinn said looking like she really wanted to erase about 10 minutes of her life.

“You should invite him over or got to the beach; does he want to spend the night?” Jake said still looking panicked.

“Dadddy.” Quinn said slamming her head into the table and covering her ears.

“Ok, we already have to admit you two have sex. Can we please not be forced to know any of the details.” Daria said looking grossed out pointing to Michael.

“I think that might be for the best.” Helen agreed.


Sitting in Daria’s room each at one of the desks with Jane stretched out on the bed, Quinn and Daria were each working something to do for opening night.

“Why can’t I do some tricks, but no it has to come from the depths of my soul. What does that mean?” Quinn was continuing an ongoing rant about O’Neil.

“I think O’Neil is still stuck in his touchy feely college days, at least he doesn’t preach flower power or opening the doors to your true self.” Jane shuddered.

“What?” Quinn said not catching the reference.

“Her parents are hippies but unlike ours, their still hippies.” Daria sighed.

“Just tell her everything, why don’t ya. Next you’ll be telling her about how they leave me alone for with my slacker brother for months on end and how the rest of my family disappeared as soon as they hit 18.” Jane smirked.
“I wasn’t going to go there but since you brought it up, I need my update on The Days of Lane.” Daria smiled.

“Wind’s wife took him back, his second wife not his third and Penny is in Mexico scamming tourists into buying dream catchers for car windows to ward off road rage. Summer has all four kids home at the moment but two of them are thinking about seeing Yellowstone in the fall so I expect them to disappear any day now. Mom is in France taking rubbings from that big graveyard in Paris, I think she’s staying in a tomb. Dad was last seen in Africa doing a shoot for the Big Cats that kill cable show.” Jane said looking a little depressed.

“Are you two kidding me?” Quinn said looking between the two other girls.

“No.” Jane and Daria both answered.

“Wow, remind me to never complain about my home life around you.” Quinn said shaking her head.

“I tend to win the screwed up family contest.” Jane laughed.

“Um what about your other brother?” Quinn asked gently.

“Sleepy, he’s great and even comes in handy every once in a while.” Jane shrugged.

Quinn wadded up the paper she had been writing on and sent it sailing across the room in to Daria’s trash can.

“Problems.” Daria said as the paper ball rolled down over flowing can.

“Ya, you need to take out your trash.” Quinn answered.

“I meant with your writing.” Daria smirked.

“I’m not a writer, I don’t know what to do and everything comes off sounding textbook.” Quinn sighed.

“Then quit trying to make something people will like and think of something you would like.” Daria said and Quinn noticed that glint in her eyes.

“Like what?” Quinn pushed knowing that her sister had the ability to inspire anyone if you just listened.

“Whatever makes YOUR wheels spin?” Daria answered and it came to her.

Quinn turned back to the desk and started writing with a smile on her face the whole time.
“What about you?” Jane said with a poke from her pencil into Daria’s arm.

“I know what I want to do, but it would cause problems.” Daria said and handed over her notebook to Jane.

“This looks good. Melody harbored no illusions about unilaterally stemming the resurging red tide. "But," she reflected with a grim smile, "what special agent could resist the opportunity to fill a few Bolshevik cemeteries”? Oh I like it.” Jane said reading the starting paragraphs.

“Keep going.” Daria said.

“Ouch, can you really do that with a corkscrew?” Jane winced.

“I saw a picture from an ER so I guess so.” Daria shrugged.

“So not something you want to associate with school again.” Jane said understanding as she got to a part describing Melody Powers opening up in a room of Russians with an automatic.

“Pretty much.” Daria sighed and started to look depressed.

“Can’t Melody do something besides kill commies? Doesn’t she ever get a day off?” Quinn said and gasped as Daria looked at her strangely before snatching her notebook back from Jane and started writing in a flurry.

“Thanks Quinn.” Daria said as she wrote.

“I rather be in jail than doing this.” Quinn said turning back to her paper.

“So I take it your folks aren’t going to ground you from doing this?” Jane said to Quinn.

“No, the police aren’t going to press charges, something about injury by miss-adventure and we’re paying the medical bills so since it’s a school event I’m stuck.” Quinn groaned.

“Lucky you, I think that’s the first time I heard someone complain about not being grounded.” Jane laughed.

“How did you manage to get out of performing?” Daria asked.

“I said no.” Jane smirked.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Daria said smacking her forehead.


The night came and Jane and Daria sat with Trent while Quinn sat with her friends a table over and their parents filmed everything from the roped off Adult’s Only area that was setup for opening night only.
Quinn and two of her friends moved to the side of the stage speaking with Mr. O’Neil as Andrea did a poem that made some of her darkest writings seem almost cheerful.

Mr. O’Neil addressed the crowd.
“Our next performer is Quinn Morgendorffer who will be assisted by Misfat and Burnin.” O’Neil said.

“That’s Misfit and Burnout.” Quinn said quickly into the mic.

“And without further ado, Quinn and her friends.” Mr. O’Neil said before ducking off the stage.

Misfit sat down and started laying out a beat on the deck of his board while Burnout started spinning the wheels of another skateboard creating a musical effect.

“Whatever makes your wheels spin.
As the world turns
C’mon that deserves a grin.
It doesn’t matter who you are
Jock or geek
Cool or nerd
Strong or meek
I got to be me
You got to be you
Doesn’t matter what I say
Just what you do
Some love to run
Or live to win
I love to fly
The kiss of air
The caress of wind
But it’s all in fun
School, work, home
Stress after stress
Let it all go
I got the moment after I leave the ramp
One split second when I stop going up
Just before I start to drop
Hang still and it all goes away
I got mine
Do you have yours
Don’t be afraid to say
Keep hitting the ground
Cause the wheels slow down
And everything ends.” Quinn said to the rhythm her friends were providing.

Jane raised a lit lighter and hooted toward the stage as Trent pounded on their table joined by the cheers from the skaters who showed up in force for the spoken word reading.

“All right Thank you Quinn and … others. Our next performer will be reading an original short story. Daria Morgendorffer.” O’Neil said and Daria started up to the stage.


“The name of this story is Everyone Needs a Day Off.
Melody slammed her fists down on her sector chief’s desk and yelled. “I don’t want a day off. I want to kill some commies!” The chief rubbed his bald head and rose to his feet and looked her in the eye. “There’s nobody for you to kill today so I’m ordering you to relax. We don’t need our secret agents burning out on us.” Daria started to read judging the crowd’s reaction and adlibbed certain changes as she did.
15 minutes later.
“Melody stepped out of the flaming wreckage carrying the tiny unhurt baby that was trying to suckle her bare and heaving breasts. She handed the child to its weeping mother and grabbed an offered t-shirt from one of the fire rescue personal and pulled it slowly over her sweaty and amble bosom not caring that it was several sizes too small, paper thin and pulled her breasts up even higher than a wonderbra and once soaked in her sweat was transparent. Melody walked through the gathered crowd and thought back on the day, lunch with her friends from college and the foiled bank robbery followed by the attempted kidnapping. “This wasn’t so bad, maybe I should take more days off.” Melody said with a smile as she climbed into her corvette and sped away.

The crowd went into a standing ovation lead by the hormone driven football team and cheered as she walked down from the stage and retook her seat.

“Ok, I need a cold shower now.” Trent started to laugh before coughing.

At home later that evening Helen and Jake stared across the table at their daughters after putting Michael in his crib.

“Their not having sex, Jake.” Helen said trying to calm her husband.

“But did you hear what they said, caresses and kisses and heaving breasts in clingy skintight t-shirts.” Jake said drinking down a martini.

“And that’s just the reaction they were trying for.” Helen sighed. “Men.”

“Dad, remember, I’m straight edge. I don’t do that.” Quinn said looking annoyed at her father.

“I’m just an unpopular brain so nobody wants to do THAT with me.” Daria added.

“I think it was sweet the way Daria added Michael into the story and for Quinn to tell such a positive message.” Helen smiled down at her girls.

“So we’re not mad at them.” Jake asked her.

“No, we’re proud of them.” Helen sighed.

“Oh. Good work girls.” Jake said giving them thumbs up.


Daria relaxed stretched out on the floor of her room watching TV when she saw Quinn standing by the door.

“What’s up?” Daria said turning off the TV.

“I was wondering.” Quinn started then paused.

“Yes.” Daria said getting curious.

“What spins your wheels, I mean you like writing and hanging out with Jane but what does it for you?” Quinn asked.

“What takes away my stress and makes me feel like you do after riding.” Daria mused.

“Ya.” Quinn replied.

“I don’t know and I think that’s part of the problem.” Daria admitted.

“Why?” Quinn pushed.

“Because it just keeps building, the stress I mean and we both know what happens then.” Daria said sadly.

“Is there anything I can do?” Quinn said letting her feelings of helplessness over her sister show.

“Just what you always do. It helps to know someone will be there to pick me up when I fall.” Daria shrugged.

“Always.” Quinn said before knelling and giving her sister a hug.

“So tell me about this Misfit fellow you got your eye on.” Daria trying to turn the conversion and Quinn relented and started talking.

Chapter. Five. The Comp.

Quinn skidded to a stop at the bottom of her vert ramp and walked off her board as it rolled to a rest and bowed to the clapping coming from Misfit who was sitting off to the side of the ramp.

“Thank you, thank you.” Quinn said hamming it up a little with a few more bows.

“You are going to rule the comp next week.” Misfit declared.

“I hope.” Quinn said sitting down next to him on the grass.

“It’s getting late, I should bail.” Misfit said after a few moments.

Quinn watched him stand and sighed, she let him get about three steps before saying.
“Am I ugly or something?” Quinn said to his back.

“What, are you nuts?” Misfit said as he turned looking shocked.

“Well, then what’s your deal?” Quinn said pointing at herself then at him and back to herself.

“I thought you didn’t do that kind of thing.” Misfit said.

“I date, IF someone asks me. I just don’t put out.” Quinn said standing up and brushing off her legs.

“So if I asked you out, we could go out for dinner or something.” Misfit said looking at the ground.

“YES.” Quinn answered before realizing he had been asking something else causing her to blush.

“So what are the rules?” Misfit said taking a few steps to stand directly in front of her.

“Rules? As in what we can’t do. Lots of stuff just not THAT.” Quinn said blushing.

“No, I mean … Can I kiss you, those kind of rules.” Misfit sighed.

“Oh ya, we can kiss and do lots of things.” Quinn said moving closer and kissing Misfit.

“Boundaries.” Misfit pressed.

“Anywhere that’s covered up in my comp outfit is off limits.” Quinn answered.

‘So you want to go out this weekend?” Misfit asked.

“Can’t, I may not be grounded buut.” Quinn replied and he got the message.

“Can I come over?” Misfit laughed.

“Ok but no matter what my Dad says you can’t spend the night.” Quinn smirked at his confused look.

Daria watched her little sister kiss with her skater friend and waited for him to leave before catching him at the front door.

“Hey Daria.” Misfit said to her as he went to walk by her.

“Break her heart and I’ll break your legs, try anything else and I’ll cut it off.” Daria said in the calmest tone he’d ever heard a threat issued in. He also noticed where she was looking at the time.

“Ohhhhhhhh.” Misfit said taking a quick step backwards moving his board if front of his groin.

“Vagueness is no one’s friend. Have a good night, Misfit.” Daria said sounding pleasant as she opened the door.

“Ooook.” Misfit said as he made a fast exit.

Daria returned to her room and sat down on the edge of her bed. She reached under and pulled out the jacket and held it in her hands, lifting it to her face and inhaling. She still hadn’t found out who the owner was but she had clues.

The jacket was for a girl who clearly was thin and the material seemed expensive. In the pockets had only been a small stuffed animal and a hair scrunchie.

No one had come to claim the jacket even after she put an ad in the school paper and without reenacting the slipper scenes from Cinderella that wasn’t much chance she would find out who it belonged to.

Quinn ran into the room and dove onto the bed bouncing as she stretched out and informed her on the outcome of the conversion she had with Misfit outside.

Daria listened without comment but she smiled, happy for her sister.


Jane crawled out of bed the next morning and started destroying her room looking for some item of clothing that wasn’t trying to escape under its own power.

She heard the loud music making its way through the house coming from the basement. She grabbed an outfit and headed into the shower and screamed as the cold water hit her.

She stomped downstairs after finishing her shower, sans hot water of any kind and entered the kitchen and started opening cabinets and felt panic started to set in.
She ran downstairs into the basement where her brother and his band were practicing and grabbed Trent by his T-shirt and pulled him down to her height.
“WHERE IS THE COFFEE?” Jane screamed at him.

“It’s not upstairs?” Trent said sounding helpless.

“WOULD I BE DOWN HERE IF IT WAS?” Jane snarled.

“Hey, ya, I forgot, me and Max finished off the coffee. You guys are out.” Nick added to the conversion. “Aghhhhhhhhhh.”

“Bad move.” Jessie said weakly but his band mates couldn’t hear him.

Trent scoped up Jane, trying to avoid being hit by her swinging arms and feet and pulled her off the two men then carried her on his shoulder up the stairs. Max and Nick were cowering on the ground still when he left the basement.

“MUST KILL BAND.” Jane was screaming down the stairs.

“Janey, calm down. I have a jar of instant in my room, in the drawer next to my bed. That should get you going enough to stop and get some real coffee of the way to school.” Trent said and handed her a ten dollar bill and pushed her toward the stairs to his room.

“Fine but we are going to discuss some new rules concerning those morons.” Jane sighed as she moved to go upstairs.

“I’ll talk to them.” Trent promised.

“She’s gonna kill us.’ Max was sobbing in the basement as he returned to the basement.



Jane met up with Daria and Quinn at the school still looking ready to kill the first thing that crossed her path.

“Is it to much to expect people not to wipe me out of life blood.” Jane was complaining.

“You should try to get off the CAF before it turns you into my Dad.” Quinn said pushing.

“Look Quinn, I like you, but if you push that no caffeine agenda on me today I will be forced to kill you.” Jane said forcefully.

“You don’t have to give it up completely but dependency on anything is wreckage just waiting to happen.” Quinn shrugged.

“Not today.” Jane growled.
“Cool but tomorrow …” Quinn trailed off as they made their way into the school.



The following week passed and the weekend arrived and Daria found herself standing at the Tri county Board Bash wearing a pair of khakis and a pro skating T-shirt snickering at Jane who looked ready to cry at her near matching outfit.

“This wasn’t part of the deal.” Jane said as Daria showed her how they would move between the roof of the shop to watch the skaters and inside to sell.

“I altered the deal, prey I don’t alter it further.” Daria said in a passable Darth Vader voice.
“So why did we take this area instead of the tables they wanted to give us?” Jane asked.

“First we can watch as well as sell and two these are the shops that get hit first so people tend to have more money left when they go by here.” Daria answered.

“How do you know that?” Jane demanded.

“I’ve been going to these for more than two years and family tends to work the booths, a lot of teams use it as their main source of income but Quinn’s last team had a sponsor and now it’s Lawndale High so we get school credit for doing it.” Daria answered as she started laying out T-shirts away from the edge.

“So her last team was the Highland Gorillas?” Jane asked pointing to their T-shirts.

“Yep, yours is the team shirt and mine’s Quinn solo shirt.” Daria replied turning so Jane could see Quinn’s picture.

They spent the first hour selling a few shirts and Jane found she had plenty of time to sketch the various people that milled around until the events started.

The closed the booth and moved to the roof and watched the skaters and Jane started taking pictures, in awe at the feats the skaters preformed.

“Your sister doesn’t wear much does she?” Jane asked as Quinn won the girls division easily.

“She patterned it after Keeani Lei’s riding outfit. I think so she can have the excuse to hit people who ask if she’s going to follow her in the other career.” Daria shrugged.

“Who?” Jane said puzzled.

“Skater and pornstar.” Daria answered.

“Your parents must love that.” Jane laughed.

“It’s not that much less than what the other girls tend to wear and it gives her a big advantage in her main event.” Daria said.

“What’s that?” Jane asked.

“The Allcome, boys and girls, all age groups. It’s the best of the best type event.” Daria said as Jane continued to take pictures of the male members of the Lawndale team take the top three slots of the men’s event.

They sold a good number of T-shirts during the break and even Mrs. Li who showed up wearing an outfit matching theirs was pleased with the sales.

They were back on the roof to watch the last event and were amazed as Quinn moved up through the ranks until only she and another skater were left.

Jane watched the male skater do his routine almost wishing he would fall and had to chide herself about caring about a school team.

Quinn hit the ramp and stunned the crowd through out her entire routine until the end.
Jane didn’t know what happened but she heard Daria’s do a sharp inhale of air and start climbing down from the roof.

“What just happened?” Jane asked.

“She lost.” Daria said and started digging through a box and Jane saw the team making a path for Quinn to come through and Jane noticed the strange way Quinn was carrying her board.

Daria left the booth and met Quinn right outside of the front and opened up a pair of linesman pliers and reached down and seemed to stab them into the top of the skateboard and started spreading the wood until the board dropped off Quinn’s hand.

“Damn.” Jane swore.

“It wasn’t your fault Q.” Slammer said sounding sincere.

“I lost by .2 and the penalty for this was .5. That means I had him until I sprung my board.” Quinn said miserable.

“What happened?” Mrs. Li asked and Jane was thankful.

“I let the tip of my board hit the top of the ramp as I exited the pipe and when I popped it up to finish my run, it pinched my hand and I lost half a point for board control.” Quinn explained as she accepted an ice pack from Misfit.

“Still second place is nothing to be ashamed of and they are going to announce the team scores and I’ve been told to not late any of you go home.” Mrs. Li said looking pleased with the entire team.

“That’s our best ranking ever in the Allcome. And you took first in the woman’s.” Misfit said.

“I don’t mind losing… Ok I hate losing but for something this stupid it sucks. It just drives me crazy.” Quinn said as everyone stared at her.

“C’mon, second place puts you guys a solid point over the next team so cheer up.” Burnout said.

“A team win is good.” Quinn admitted.

Quinn sulked on the car ride home and Daria didn’t try to cheer her up until they entered the Lawndale city limits and a thought occurred to her.

“Now Mom and Dad have to let you get a new competing board and since it’s for school maybe they’ll let you get a better one and Jane could give you a custom paint job.” Daria said to give her sister food for thought.

“You think you could do that?” Quinn said to Jane.

“I don’t know why not.” Jane laughed.

“Cool.” Quinn said looking at the blood blister that ran across her palm.

“And that gets you out of dishes for a while.” Daria added.

“Even better.” Quinn smiled.

“I have never seen Mrs. Li so happy with a school team except the football players.” Jane mused from the front seat.

“Wait till we start getting sponsor offers for the school. Daria before I forget, could you please tell Misfit your not going to turn him into a eunuch if he kisses me.” Quinn sighed.

“I’ll talk to him but it might be hard as he starts in the opposite direction whenever he sees me.” Daria agreed.

“Wow, sisterly love.” Jane said shaking her head.



Daria made her way through the next few days of school without issue and even the announcement that she and Jane were on the skate team as support personal didn’t bother her too much. The part where the team was now lettered was an easy one to swallow but the next part had her ready to hide. The next line on the memo chilled her to her very core when she read it for the tenth time followed by Jane reading it, just to be sure.

“All non-active teams and clubs will function as support personal for other teams and clubs during events.”
The club assigned to assist Daria and Jane at the team’s events, the fashion club.

Three days later Daria stood in her living room and stared at the skater’s and the fashion club that had invaded her house.

Quinn and Jane were glaring at Sandi who was trying hard not to look worried about her still bandaged nose.

“All right, this meeting is to introduce every one so we know who we will be working with.” Slammer said as Daria took a place behind the couch trying not to look at any of the fashion clubbers. He quickly introduced the skaters and then Daria, Jane and Burnout.

“I’m Sandi Griffin, President of the fashion club and this is Stacy and Tiffany and Brooke and Mrs. Li tells us that are funding is now linked to yours and the money you raise at your events so we will be helping out. Can anyone tell us what is done at these tournaments.”Sandi said trying to keep the nasally sound from her voice.

“We skate and you guys will be support.” Misfit said smugly.

“Whaat dooeees thaaat meeaaan?” Tiffany said in her slow fashion.

“Ok, Burnout tends to be our ice and hot water bottle girl.” Slammer started.

“I’m the towel girl.” Burnout interrupted.

“Jane and Daria worked the T-shirt booth and we could use some crowd walkers selling.” Slammer continued.

“Daria is a pretty good medic, she knows first aid and I can vouch for how good she is.” Quinn added.

“Good.” Slammer said.

Daria noticed one of the girls was writing down in a notebook as everyone spoke.

“Mrs. Li said something about sponsors and that we needed to be prepared to deal with them. Can someone tell me, what were they called again, Stacy?” Sandi asked.

“Sticker, main, name and exclusive.” Stacy responded after reading it from a few pages back in her notebook.
Everyone looked at Quinn who sighed and answered.
“Sticker means we put a sign on our t-shirts and boards and fly a banner on our booths. Main means if we have more than one, theirs would be the largest or on top.
Exclusive means they are our only sponsor and name is the biggest and what it means is we become that name. My last team was a member of the Paul Mitchell sport teams so we were Paul Mitchell’s Highland Gorillas.” Quinn explained.

“You were sponsored by Paul Mitchell as in the hair care products.” Sandi said looking shocked.

“Yes, but I’m not doing another commercial, even if it is just a local spot.” Quinn replied.

“How much should we charge for these?” Sandi said and Daria had to admit it was impressive how well Sandi maintained her business like behavior.

“Well I think we got 10 thousand from Paul Mitchell a year for the name sponsor but you might want to talk to my Mom to get some of the details.” Quinn shrugged.

Sandi and the other fashion clubbers were sitting in shock but even the skaters seemed stunned.
Daria excused herself and headed upstairs and not even Jane noticed, she didn’t bother to close her bedroom door.

She stretched out on her bed and pulled out the little stuff animal from the jacket and stared at it. She turned the animal over in her hand and caught herself making it walk across her bed.
“His name is Frappy.” A voice from her doorway said.

Daria looked up and saw the pigtailed girl; Stacy was standing just inside her room.

“It was you.” Daria said and pulled out the jacket and tossed it across the room to the other girl.

“I’m sorry, I was scared that your friend would think I was like Sandi.” Stacy said moving close to the bed and lowering her voice, speaking just above a whisper.

“I remember you trying to get me to breathe.” Daria said.

“I tend to … I have. Sometimes I get upset to.” Stacy finally managed to get out.

“Thank you.” Daria said and offered the stuff animal over to Stacy.

“Maybe I could just come visit him here.” Stacy said and turned and hurried out of the room.

Chapter. Six. Model Citizen


“I need this to go well. That girl’s parents have already won lawsuits for millions against her last school and she scores in the top 1 percent of every standardized test ever made. Lawndale High needs scores like that.” Mrs. Li said looking concerned.

“I’ve never been involved with the self-esteem class before.” Mrs. DeFoe said unsure.

“Mr. O’Neil will handle most everything with DeMartino there to keep him on track. Your job is to provide a support system for the girl. If she seems to be uneasy or if the questions are causing her too much discomfort, you are there as her advocate, to protect her interests. I expect you to help the girl get through the meeting without having a complete breakdown.” Mrs. Li explained.

“So if there is a problem what should I do?” Mrs. DeFoe asked.

“Call for a break and let her relax some.” Mrs. Li said calmly.

“Ok, that sounds easy enough.” Mrs. DeFoe replied.

“It won’t be.”Mrs. Li said as she opened her office door.



“Now Daria, you have been doing great in my class and this is what we call the personal base. Just a chat session for me to get a feel for what might have caused your low self esteem.” Mr. O’Neil said smiling.

“You know what caused it.” Daria said looking shaky as she sat in front of one teacher with another right next to her. Mr. DeMartino at least gave her some space.

“Tell us about it.” O’Neil said.

“After they found my stories and I got out of the mental hospital, I had to see the school’s shrinks. They spent six months telling me I was a bad person and I deserved to be mistreated.” Daria said looking at a spot on the floor as one hand crept into her pocket and closed around Frappy.

“What did they do?” O’Neil asked.

“Do you really want to know?” Daria said looking up briefly before returning her eyes to the floor.

“Yes.” O’Neil pushed.

“You should know I had to take these pills, they said to keep me calm. The second session was when it really started. She came in and declared I was a snobby troublemaker who looked down on everyone. I tried to tell her I didn’t; I just wanted them to stop picking on me. I didn’t even want them to be nice anymore; I just wanted to be left alone. She said I looked down on everyone who wasn’t as smart as me. She said I picked on them and made fun of them. I tried to explain that I only did that when they were picking on me but she wouldn’t listen.

She said that their lower intelligence was like my bad eyesight and they couldn’t go get something to make them smarter. She told me to give her my glasses, when I refused, she had the guard take them.

She had me read out loud for the next hour from the newspaper.” Daria stopped when O’Neil cleared his throat.

“I thought she took your glasses, how could you read?” He asked.

“I had to hold the paper up really close, my head hurt but she didn’t care and she spent the entire time making fun of me. She kept saying that maybe I wasn’t so smart if I couldn’t read the front page of a newspaper. That went on for a few classes. She wanted me to admit that I attacked people who weren’t as smart as me, but I couldn’t because it wasn’t true. I made fun of them sometimes but only if they were picking on me.

Next came the numbing. She had me drink this liquid that made my mouth feel like it was numb and I couldn’t talk right. She would have the guards take me around the school and talk to different people each time; they’d let them laugh at me. If I refused she would tell me that the judge would just send me back to the nut house. All the time telling me it was my fault, I caused it. They would parade me down the halls in handcuffs letting people point and laugh. She said that was ok because the other students didn’t mean any harm by picking on me.
If I tried to defend myself with the truth, she would have the guards restrain me with these straps on the wall until I was ready to admit that I was wrong or the session was over.

Then she made me write stories, without my glasses. At first it was happy stories all the time. Toward the end, she wanted me to kill my family or myself. Not like the stories I wrote before, where an airplane crashed or terrorists attacked. I had to kill them in a story and then read each one aloud. They even tried to use the stories in court but I had dated them and told my parents each day what she made me write. The judge really wasn’t happy about that.

Every session she would tell me how only a bad person would think the way I did. That I should be locked away from decent people. I didn’t want to hurt anyone; I just want them to leave me alone. I would never kill anyone.” Daria spoke and her voice started to break.

“I think we need a few minutes of break.” DeFoe declared.

Daria nodded and saw Mr. O’Neil shaking in his chair. It was clear he was struggling against his natural urges at the moment. She calmed herself with the small toy in her pocket and felt some of the tension start to loosen.

“I think THAT’S enough of a break. Tell me DARIA, when did you start believing her?” DeMartino said from behind her.

“After 4 months.” Daria said with her head lowered.

“WHY?” DeMartino demanded.

“Because I do look down on people who aren’t as smart as me, those that don’t even try.” Daria answered.

“SO do I. Four months, that’s impressive. I saw grown men crack in a few hours and I think THEY had it easier than YOU did.” DeMartino stated.

“Where?” Daria asked confused.

“Vietnam. I was a POW for a month. Those men were soldiers and they were trained and they gave in almost at once. You fought for 4 months before you gave an inch and your still fighting.” DeMartino said with respect in his voice.

“How did I have it worse than them?” Daria said in disbelief.

“Because they were in the place every second of every day, you would be amazed at what you can get used to. You on the other hand had to wake up each morning and go back into your hell, knowing what was going to happen.”

“Why?” O’Neil asked, his own voice was cracking and tears rolled from his eyes.

“Because I deserved it, that’s the only answer I ever got.” Daria answered.

He ran from the room sobbing about destroying the children and left her with DeFoe and DeMartino.

“WELL he lasted longer than I thought HE would.” DeMartino laughed.

“I don’t understand, what was the point of all of it?” DeFoe asked looking between Daria and DeMartino.

“Simple, destroy the person’s self image then rebuild it however you like. Step one in any brainwashing program.” DeMartino answered and Daria noticed he didn’t shout.

“That’s inhuman.” DeFoe said looking disgusted.

“That’s what the judge said. That’s one of the reason we won.” Daria said.

“It’s very HUMAN though.” DeMartino said before taking a seat on O’Neil’s desk.

“And they said I had issues.” Daria gave a tiny grin.

“I think THAT’s enough bonding for today. REMEMBER there’s a difference between thinking something and doing it. Get out of here.” DeMartino ordered jerking his thumb toward the door.

When Daria had been gone for several minutes DeFoe turned back to DeMartino and asked.
“How long did it take you to get over what happened to you?” She inquired.

“When I do, I’ll let you know.” He answered honestly.

DeFoe left for the day and decided that she really didn’t want to do art in her current mood and spent most of the night trying to find out how drunk she could be, before passing out.




Jane caught up with her as she headed toward the doors and dragged her to the gym.

“You have to see this.” Jane laughed.

Daria looked and saw the fashion club and several other students prancing around on stage under the direction of the representatives of a modeling agency that were visiting the school.

Quinn and the rest of the skating team were trying not to laugh outright at the people on the stage as Jane directed her to a seat next to Jane’s brother Trent.
She sat down just in time for Mrs. Li to walk in, freak out over the bare chested boys, then chase everyone off.

“That was funny.” Quinn was saying as she rolled along next to Daria.

“You might not want to say that around the fashion club, it might cause problems.” Daria stated.

“No Prop. It was funny though. What’s going on here?” Quinn replied quoting Mrs. Li.

“We have another comp in two weeks. Mrs. Li found out five other schools have skateboarding teams so she arranged for us to stomp on Oakwood.” Slammer said with a smirk.

“Cool.” Quinn said already looking forward to making up for what she considered a lack luster performance.

“Did anyone see Kevin’s face when he saw our first place team trophy towering over his little bitty 5 foot one?” Floater asked as he passed them as he circled the walkers.

“I saw real tears.” Jane said looking happy.

“Just so you know, the fashion freaks are going to be over tomorrow to discuss T-shirts and Comp outfits.” Misfit announced.

“Another meeting, Jesus if I wanted meetings I would ..be … I don’t know. What club does a lot of meetings?” Floater asked.

“Deal with it.” Slammer said seriously.




Everyone gathered at the Morgendorffer residence for the meetings, for the skaters it was for the ramp, for the fashion club it was the lesser of five evils.

Daria sat on the floor of her living room playing with Michael as the meeting went into hour two. Burnout tried to interest the baby in a skateboard but he preferred pulling her hair.

“Ok, the T-shirts are done and everyone knows what they will be wearing at the meet. Is there anything else?” Slammer said looking shellshocked.

“Since Daria is going to be the medic, I thought that we might need backups. Stacy has volunteered to be the assistant medic and you had something you wanted to cover.” Sandi said looking at Jane.

Jane had drifted to sleep and Misfit poked her in the back of the head to wake her.

“Umm what?” Jane said as she woke up.

“You wanted to discuss something.” Sandi sighed.

“Oh ya, I think the skaters need to show us how to ride the boards, just for transportation.” Jane shrugged.

“Makes sense doesn’t look right to have a bunch of people who can’t ride representing us.” Slammer said thoughtfully.

“You don’t expect us to learn tricks or anything do you?” Sandi said, her eyes narrowing.

“No, I have no desire to crack open my head.” Jane replied.

“Ok, so we can start skateboard 101 tomorrow. Anything else?” Slammer asked.

“I think that’s everything. Just to recap. No denim because it gets to hot and skirts or shorts cannot be tight, but should be dark or tan to avoid stains. T-shirts that say crew in addition to everything else will be worn at all events. In addition, you all understand that we are required to wear our team jackets every Friday at school. I think that’s everything.” Sandi went over quickly.

“Then do the honor, PLEASE.” Slammer sighed and dropped onto the couch.

“This meeting is adjourned.” Sandi declared.




Daria and Jane spent the next week letting Quinn teach some basics to Jane, who managed to pick them up quickly. Daria already knew how to ride the board as far traveling down the sidewalk or road, but a real shock came on Friday.

“Daria show Jane how to do a kickflip.” Quinn said when Misfit showed up in their backyard. Daria smirked as her sister pulled her boyfriend into the house.

“What’s a kickflip?” Jane sighed.

“You just spin the board like this.” Daria said and preformed the trick.

She jumped and made the board spin under her feet before landing neatly on the deck.

“What?” Jane said surprised.

“Living with a skater for years.” Daria shrugged. “Don’t ask me to try it when I’m moving.”

“Ok, show me that again.” Jane said moving closer.

“You just jump and tap the side to make it spin and let your other foot catch it from spinning too much and land.” Daria said doing the trick several times.

“Cool.” Jane said and tried. “Owwwww.” Jane cried out when the board smacked her in the thigh.

“Forgot to mention, you have to do it in the center of the board or you knock it end over end.” Daria said sheepishly.

“I consider that mission critical information.” Jane said looking annoyed.

“Poor baby.” Daria said offering her hand to help Jane up.

“Don’t your parents freak out about Quinn having a boyfriend alone in the house with her?” Jane said nodding to the back door.

“They trust her, now if she ever gets caught doing something she shouldn’t then I imagine that would change.” Daria laughed.

“So you know how to do this skateboarding stuff already.” Jane mused.

“Whatever your thinking forget it. I can’t do the stuff Quinn does on the ramp. My glasses fall off and I get motion sickness.” Daria admitted. “Unless you want me to be puking on you as I go flying through the air, blind as a bat.”

“Oh, so no chance of the fabulous Morgendorffer girls doing a show together.” Jane said.

“C’mon, let’s go check on them and get some sodas.” Daria said pushing Jane toward the door.




“So then I get stuck with Kevin Thompson as a lap partner. My science grade is going to take a real hit.” Daria groaned at the dinner table Monday evening.

“Is he still mad about our trophies being bigger than his?” Quinn laughed.

“Well, you know girls for some men it’s all about size.” Helen added sounding distracted as she bounced Michael trying to calm him.

“Mom!” Daria said looking shocked.

Quinn just covered her face to hide the blush.

“What, oh dear, forget I said that.” Helen laughed slightly.

“I’m already trying to.” Quinn groaned.

“Give me him and you go take a nap.” Daria said as she picked up her brother and head up stairs to her room.

She laid out on her bed and started playing with the baby who calmed quickly as she allowed him to nibble on her fingers while she tickled him. She didn’t feel herself drifting to asleep until.


“That’s so cute.” A voice rang out waking her up.

She started to sit up but realized Michael was sleeping on her chest so she moved her arms around and supported him so she could sit up enough to look around.

Stacy was standing in her room holding several bags, grinning at her.

“Hi, Stacy.” Daria said as she shifted Michael around until he wasn’t trying to suckle her anymore. :Damn even in his sleep.: Daria thought as she felt feel the soreness.

“Hi, Sandi wants me to learn the first aid stuff so I came over, I didn’t mean to wake you up.” Stacy said painfully cheerful.

“It’s ok.” Daria said as she stood up. “Let me put Big Mike here down in his crib.”

Daria quickly walked to his room and set him down gently before heading back to her room.

“You might want to change.” Stacy said with a smile, pointing at Daria’s chest, her shirt was soaked through from her brother’s attempts to have a snack.

“Thanks.” Daria said as she grabbed another shirt and ducked across the hall to the bathroom.
She returned to find Stacy laying out several rows of medical supplies and sighed at the choices the girl had made.

“That’s a lot of stuff.” Daria said trying to think what to say.

“Did I do ok?” Stacy asked sounding nervous.

“Well, I don’t intend to do any surgery or give shots but the rest is perfect.” Daria said pointing to a scalpel and several syringes. Daria answered carefully not wanting to hurt her feelings.

“Too much then.” Stacy almost giggled.

“Well the way they skate we’ll be going through a lot of supplies.” Daria shrugged.





Daria walked through the halls the Monday morning after the Oakwood tournament and tried not to look up from the floor. The team had won, completely destroying the other school’s skateboard team but at a cost.

During his last run, Misfit had been heading back up the ramp when one of the on deck skateboarders dropped his board onto the ramp. It rolled into Misfit’s board and caused him to flip over and crash down to the hardwood ramp, breaking his arm.
She had been there before the paramedics and they claimed she did everything right but it didn’t feel right to call herself the team’s medic when she couldn’t fix anything worse than scratches.

Misfit laughed off her concerns but she knew he hated being sidelined for 3 to 6 weeks. Not even Sandi had implied it was her fault or that she had done anything wrong but still the event replayed in her mind.

She was empting several books from her locker into her backpack when she felt a heavy hand clap down on her back.

“Hey there. Daria.” Kevin said looking amused.

“Hi Kevin. I think this breaks the rules of the trade I made with Brittany for the mouse. Don’t you have a class to avoid or something?” Daria said and regretted it almost at once.

“I see your skater sister won another trophy, shame that one of her boyfriends had to break his little arm.” Kevin mocked.

“So.” Daria said not understanding his point.

“Thought you were there to help out and keep people from getting hurt. Guess you’re not good for anything.” Kevin said not noticing the look that crossed Daria’s face.

It hit her like a gunshot to the chest, his words parroting the nagging voice in her head.

“Hey don’t feel bad, maybe the next one will break a leg.” Kevin continued ending in a pause. “I thought our towel boy was the most worthless person on a team.” He finished.

“Leave me alone.” Daria said turning back to her locker.

“Or what, you’ll write about me.” Kevin laughed as several people gathered to spy on the exchange.

“What’s wrong with you?” He said backing away as Daria fell to the ground curling into a ball crying.

Several people nearby turned and looked at the scene unfolding and started turning to look at Kevin.

“Hey, I didn’t touch her.” Kevin said backing away before running down the hall.



Quinn was hurrying to class with Sandi arguing about her lack of what she called acceptable dress at the tournament.

“I’m just saying that some people might think you look like a …” Sandi started but stopped, flinching slightly.

“Relax, I’m not going to hit you for that. Just so you know, I want them to think that. They won’t take me serious and while their drooling, I’m walking away with a first place stack.” Quinn shrugged.

They turned and saw Stacy running down the hall toward them before stopping and tried to catch her breath and talk at the same time. “Quinn…. Sister… help.” Stacy managed to get out.

Quinn grabbed the girl and shook her. “Where?” She demanded.

“Main … hall.” Stacy gasped.

Quinn took off at full speed down the hall, pushing anyone out of the way that didn’t have the good sense to move. Stacy ran after her and Sandi followed behind at a brisk walk.

Quinn pushed her way through the encircled crowd and knelt next to Jane who was holding Daria trying to repeat the steps she had seen Quinn do the night of the party.

Slammer and Float were both there looking helpless and Quinn turned to look at the other students with distain. Stacy arrived through the crowd, still gasping for breath and started whispering to Daria and passed something into her hand.
Nothing seemed to be working.
Sandi arrived moments later, taking the scene in and grabbed Quinn and pulled her away from Daria.

“It’s the crowd, it’s making her worse.” Sandi whispered into Quinn’s ear.

“What?” Quinn said as her mind started replaying every time Daria had a meltdown.

“Like at the party, people staring at her.” Sandi waved at the crowd.

“Clear the hall.” Quinn said turning to Slammer.
Both Float and Slammer started pushing the other students back, not even the bell seemed to thin the crowd.

Another voice picked up and spoke up. “You heard the lady. Go to class.”

Mack pushed his way through the crowd with Jodie next to him, both telling people to leave. The crowd started drifting away.

Quinn knelt down next to Jane and Stacy who were both talking to Daria who seemed to be recovering quickly and she cursed herself for missing the connection before.

She heard one word in the conversion that boiled her blood.

“Kevin.” Daria answered something Jane asked.

Quinn stood up, fire burning in her eyes and sent everyone around her back a step excepting Sandi who jerked but held her ground.

“What did he say?” Stacy asked gently.

“That it was my fault that Misfit got hurt. That I was worthless.” Daria answered looking slightly embarrassed as she wiped at her face.

Quinn waved away the looks of disbelief that showed on everyone’s faces but Sandi spoke anyway.
“Ok, that’s just stupid.”

“Sandi, leave her alone.” Stacy said turning her head.

“No, she needs to thicken up her skin a bit, you don’t fall apart anymore, much.” Sandi said firmly.

“Yes I do, I just make it home first.” Stacy answered.

Sandi looked shocked and she took several steps forward laying a hand on Stacy’s shoulder. “I thought it was better.” Sandi said almost gently. Neither girl bothered to fill anyone else in on their conversion.

“No, I can just push it back till I get home or someplace safe, that’s good but it’s not better.” Stacy answered.

“I’m …” Sandi said looking terrified for some reason.

“It’s ok, you’re just being you. I still like you.” Stacy said reaching up and squeezing Sandi’s hand.

“What’s going on out here?” Mrs. Li said moving up the hall with a security guard.

“Don’t mention Kevin.” Jane whispered while Li was still a good distance away.

“My sister had a … problem.” Quinn said pointing at Daria who was being helped to her feet by Stacy and Jane.

“Oh, that’s fine then. Not fine but it’s ok. Never mind, take her to the study hall or one of the empty classrooms. Do you need to take her home?” Mrs. Li said worried.

“Yes.” Quinn, Jane and Stacy answered at once.

“Then be on your way, the rest of you, go to class.” Mrs. Li decided.

Mack started toward them dragging a struggling Kevin who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.

Sandi walked over, met them half way, and suddenly pointed at the wall.
“Kevin, what’s that?” She asked nicely, smiling perfectly.

Kevin turned and looked at the row of lockers trying to figure out what she meant.
“That’s a locker. Agghhhh.” Kevin shouted and started hopping holding onto his shin.

“What happened to your leg?” Sandi asked evilly before walking off toward her class this period.

“Mack Daddy, I think she kicked me.” Kevin whined.

“I didn’t see her kick you.” Mack said as he smirked at Kevin. “But if she did, I’m sure she had a really good reason.” Mack continued as he head off to his own class.

“Mrs. Li, that girl kicked me.” Kevin continued.

“Did you see what happened?” Mrs. Li said to the security guard.

“Uh, no ma’am.” The guard answered.

“Oh well, without a witness, there’s nothing to be done.” Mrs. Li said before turning away and heading back the way she came.

“I’m really starting to like her.” Quinn mused.

“Can I go home now?” Daria said weakly.

“Let’s go, I’ll call Mom and Dad and have one of them pick us up.” Quinn said using Slammer’s cell phone before he head off to class.

“You mind if I tag along.” Stacy said.

“C’mon, but if you try to paint my toenails or anything weird like that, it’s going to get ugly.” Jane laughed as she let Daria lean on her as they waited for Jake Morgendorffer to come get them.

“I can’t believe I fell apart in the middle of the school.” Daria sighed sounding exhausted.

“Well, I’m happy about it; we get out of gym today.” Jane said cheerfully and was rewarded with glares from the other three girls.

“What?” Jane defended as the blue Lexus pulled into the school’s driveway.

Chapter Seven. Fist and Foot.

“Jake , lower your voice, their in the next room.” Helen said sounding more and more tired.

“I won’t lower my damn voice.” Jake almost screamed.

“I just don’t think encouraging violence is the best thing right now.” Helen pushed.

“I’m tired of my daughter coming home looking like someone had to mop her off the floor after some damn brat decided to go after her.” Jake responded at a more reasonable volume.

“Jake she doesn’t need classes in self defense, she needs to …” Helen started.

“No. No more shrinks or tree hugging freaks. This is our fault, we let this happen to our little girl and it ends here. The next call I get from that school is going to be to tell me she’s suspended for shoving some jocks face into a locker without opening the door first.” Jake said almost calmly.

“JAKE!” Helen exclaimed.

“We were supposed to protect her, I was supposed to protect her. We let her down; we failed but not this time. You choose, self defense class or … a gun, maybe one of those taser things the police have.” Jake said firmly.
“We’re not giving her a gun.” Helen answered back.

“Then self defense it is.” Jake replied.

Daria sat on the couch listening to her parents fight with Jane, Quinn and Stacy all nearby looking almost as shocked as she felt.

:I never realized how much this effected them.: She thought as her parents returned to the living room.

Her parents moved in front the television and waited several seconds before starting to talk.

“Daria your MOTHER and I feel that you need something to help build your confidence and increase your ability to defend yourself against these …people who keep causing problems.” Jake said.

“I’m not taking the class at the school, Mrs. Barch is a manic and there’s no way I’m exposing myself to her for any extra amount of time.” Daria said quickly.

“Maybe a class in town, I’m willing to bet there’s a few… what are they called, Helen?” Jake said.

“I don’t know.” Helen said bitterly.

“Dojos.” Stacy answered.

“Right, we can find one and you can start classes this week.” Jake said with a smile.

“Is beating up football players mandatory?” Daria sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing.

“Maybe it’s a perk.” Jane butted in.

“I won’t know anyone.” Daria said looking concerned.

Stacy shifted in her seat slightly and only Daria and Helen noticed.

“Something to add.” Helen said sweetly.

“Nooo.” Stacy said shrinking into her seat.

“Spill or she’ll start in with the 50 questions.” Quinn warned.

“Hush Quinn.” Helen said and turned her best lawyer stare onto the pigtailed girl.

Stacy wilted under the glare and tried to find help by looking her friends.

“What?” Stacy trembled.

“You have some information on this topic perhaps.” Helen asked.

“No.” Stacy tried.

“No?” Helen repeated.

“Um, nothing, it’s just I heard about a class.” Stacy said weakly.

“Heard?” Helen pressed sensing an opening.

“Ok, I take a Karate class, the Dojo’s on Dega Street. Quit looking at me like that.” Stacy broke and covered her face.

“It’s ok, that’s 10 seconds longer than Quinn’s ever lasted.” Daria said in a comforting tone while Jane patted the girl gently on the back.

“Hey.” Quinn said and then looked sheepishly at her sister. “Ok, but it’s really hard to think when she’s digging into your brain with her eyes.”

“I am so glad my Mom is not a lawyer.” Jane bragged.

“Oh really, what have you been up to that she might want to know about, little lady.” Helen said turning the stare onto Jane.

Jane covered her eyes and curled into the tiniest ball she could and lost control of her mouth.

“I tried pot once and it made me sick for 2 hours, I swear I thought that mixed drink was my soda and I puked after I drank it anyway, I don’t care what he says I’m still a virgin all we did was kiss.” Jane heard spilling from her mouth.

Daria couldn’t hide the smile and both Quinn and Stacy burst out laughing.

“No fair, my parents aren’t around enough for me to build up immunity.” Jane whined.

“She must have got some bad stuff.” Jake mused.

“JAKE!” Helen yelled.

“Oh, ya. Girls, drugs are bad for you.” Jake corrected himself.

“Enough, before they start reliving their hippie days or try to bond with us, let’s go upstairs.” Quinn said looking worried.

“Seconded.” Stacy added.

“Motioned carried.” Daria finished and the four girls dashed up the stairs.




Daria stayed home until Thursday with the claim she needed to prepare to deal with the now public knowledge of her problem. Neither parent argued after she advised them that Kevin had known about her stories so by then everyone had to.

Thursday went by quickly and in a few blinks she found herself sitting at lunch with Jane and Misfit both watching for anyone who might be planning on doing something beyond staring.

“Heads up.” Misfit said and nodded toward the door.

“Crap, he’s coming this way.” Jane cursed under her breath.

Kevin was making his way directly toward their table. He stopped several feet away and started shuffling his feet looking confused.

“Um, Mack says I owe you an apology and Brittany says if I don’t then her headache is going to last until summer. They explained what it was for but I forgot. I mean I always tease the guys and girls on the other teams, the ones that aren’t football.” Kevin said.

“So you’re here to apologize.” Jane sighed.

“They said something about telling people about your stories from the last school you were in.” Kevin continued.

“How did you find out?” Daria spoke suddenly.

“I was skipping Math in the office and Mrs. Manson was reviewing your file and I read it when she went to the bathroom.” Kevin shrugged.

“Did anyone else see it?” Daria asked.

“No.” Kevin answered.

“Good.” Daria said looking relieved.

“Well I’m sorry.” Kevin said and he started to turn away before turning back and asking.
“What happened on Monday?” Kevin asked.

Daria sighed and saw that he truly didn’t understand.

“You hurt me; you took what they did to me because of those stories and hurt me again.” Daria said trying to look him in the eye.

Something clicked in his brain and his face widened in surprise.
“You’re the mouse.” Kevin exclaimed.

“What?” Jane said looking confused.

“You know the thing we learned in that class one time.” Kevin said.

“Ouch.” Misfit said grabbing his head.

“Translate that into brain speak for me Kevin.” Daria said amused.

“The mouse from our project. Negative reinforcement, shocks to make the mouse find the food. You got shocked and when I talked to you on Monday, shock.” Kevin said clearly surprised at his own understanding.

Daria was amazed that he understood and she wasn’t the only one.

“Damn, now I have to raise his grade.” Mrs. Barch said from the teacher’s table several feet behind her.

Kevin turned away and started walking away, leaving behind a speechless group before stopping and turning back again and returning to the table.

“Umm.” Kevin started before pausing.

“Yes.” Daria said.

“I was wondering, can the mouse ever forget the shocks and be a regular mouse again?” Kevin asked stumbling over the words.

Daria heard Jane’s breath catch next to her.
“I don’t know.” Daria said honestly trying to control the full body shiver that wanted to start.

“I hope it can.” Kevin replied looking sincere.

Daria stood up from her chair and walked around the table and hugged Kevin tightly before whispering in his ear then returning to her seat.
“Me too.”

Jane sat beside her after she took her seat and stared at the retreating form of what she had previous thought of as the stupidest person on earth.

“Am I tripping or did Kevin just do something smart and nice at the same time.” Jane said shaking her head.

The lunch bell drowned out Daria’s answer and they headed to class.




Friday night arrived and Daria waited in the living room already wearing the gi her parents had picked up when signing her up for the class.

A car horn beeped outside and ended her brooding.
“So it begins.” Daria muttered as she headed out the front door ignoring her smiling parents.

Stacy’s mother was sitting in the driveway in a minivan that screamed soccer mom.

“It won’t be that bad.” Stacy promised as Daria climbed in the back.

“What could be a better way to spend a Friday night?” Daria replied.

“It’s not like you were going to be doing anything anyway. Jane told me all you two do on Fridays is complain that it’s not Saturday for bad movie night.” Stacy laughed.

“So the double agent has been discovered. I must remember to feed her misinformation from now on.” Daria joked.

“So why doesn’t anyone know that you take this class?” Daria asked as they got under way.

“It wouldn’t be fashionable.” Stacy shrugged.

“So I hear you’ll be testing the strength of the locker vents with football player’s heads.” Stacy’s mom said smiling.

“If I don’t decide to hug them first.” Daria groaned.

“He was being nice from what I hear. He deserved a hug.” Stacy laughed.

“Well since you’ll be joining us on these class nights, my name’s Judy and I’m afraid I have to tell you something. We get kinda crazy after class.” Judy said.

“Like what kind of crazy. Are we talking about chocolate syrup on a hot dog crazy or picking up stray dogs to appease the elder gods type of crazy.” Daria decided to counter fire with fire.

“We only kill small animals on Sundays. Mostly we go out and hit the mini golf course or the comic book shops. Just a little bit crazy.” Judy laughed.

“Oh my god, you’re a closet nerd aren’t you?” Daria turned to Stacy who was blushing.

“Tell her your GPA.” Judy teased.

“Mooooom. Look I’m not a nerd. I just like … to look at the outfits the superheroes wear.” Stacy said and glared at her mother.

“So you’re not a nerd or geek. Ok I believe you, oh no I’m going to miss Dr. Who tonight.” Daria said sounding disappointed.

“Don’t worry I having it Tivo’d and I have it on my computer already. I can … Damn.” Stacy said trapped.

“So what happens to the Master in the last episode this season?” Daria teased.

“Shut up or I’ll tell you.” Stacy said harshly, her face beet red.

“Ouch that’s hitting below the belt.” Daria smirked.

“She’s a little sensitive ever since Sandi said Rose was fat when they saw a commercial one afternoon.” Judy said patting her daughter’s arm.

“Sandi can be a real bitch.” Daria sighed.

“You’ve met her then. I swear I almost pushed her out of the van the first time I gave her a ride home. She kept telling me that my hair didn’t go with the interior.” Judy said shaking her head.

“Well it doesn’t.” Stacy piped in.

“Daria do you know how much ungrateful daughters go for on the black market?” Judy said poking Stacy in the arm.

“Don’t hold your breath, I’ve been trying to unload my sister for years and no one will take her.” Daria retorted.

“Well then I guess it’s off to the salt mines for you then.” Judy said to Stacy as she pulled into a parking spot.




Stacy waved bye to her mom as she pulled out of the Morgendorffer driveway and turned back to the leaning Daria.

“Maybe I need to go to the hospital.” Daria groaned as Stacy opened the front door and helped Daria in and leaned her against the wall.

“You don’t need to see a doctor. You just over did it on the kick bag.” Stacy smirked as she positioned herself to aid the sore and stumbling girl up the stairs.

“He said to see it as the people who picked on me and hit everyone of them twice.” Daria said owwing in pain with each step.

“So did you finish the list or is there still more to go.” Stacy giggled.

“Just a few more nights like tonight and I think I’ll be done.” Daria replied.

The managed to make it to Daria’s room and found Jane and Quinn watching a guy jump off a train into lake below seconds before it exploded.

“Hey it’s the karate kids.” Jane joked until she saw Stacy helping Daria to the bed.

“What happened?” Quinn said concerned.

“I broke both my legs.” Daria answered gruffly.

“What happened?” Quinn repeated turning to Stacy.

“She over did it just a little.” Stacy answered.

“A little, she looks like she’s dying.” Jane said with a smile.

“Just help me get her pants off.” Stacy sighed and started digging through her gear bag.

“Ummm. Look I’m really open minded but why?” Jane said looking confused.

Quinn had already undone the strings that held the gi pants up before turning to Stacy for the answer.

“Dit Da Jow.” Stacy replied.

“Excuse me.” Jane looked confused.

“Just take her pants off and someone get some old towels.” Stacy replied.


“Ok but if I wake up pregnant there will be questions.” Daria answered.

Stacy sat on the bed next to Daria and opened a small plastic bottle and poured some of it’s contents into her palm.

“Oh my god, what’s that?” Jane said recoiling from the smell.

“Dit Da Jow.” Stacy responded as she started to rub the top of Daria’s thighs.

“Owwww.” Daria said as Stacy worked the muscle roughly.

“What in hell smells in here?” Quinn said returning with the towels.

“It’s a lotion that helps sore muscles.” Stacy answered shaking her head as she continued to work the muscles on Daria’s legs.

Quinn helped Stacy slide the towels under Daria’s legs and then turn her over.

“Nice butt.” Jane joked.

“I have a big backyard Lane and two shovels.” Daria growled.

“At least she’s not wearing a thong.” Quinn quipped.

Stacy started pouring the Dit Jow on Daria’s legs and went to work on them causing a number of curses to pour out of Daria’s mouth.

“SO how was class?” Jane asked as Daria went through the torture.

“Ok, I guess.” Daria answered.

“She did great. Shihan said she’s never seen someone throw a perfect round house kick on their first day before and she picked up the first kata in 15 minutes. She still has to work on it to smooth it out but she’s a natural.” Stacy gushed.

“Ohhhh.” Daria groaned as Stacy moved down to her calf’s.

“See it works.” Stacy grinned.

Jane was trying not to laugh but Quinn looked thoughtfully at the plain plastic bottle.
“Where do you get that stuff?” Quinn asked.

“I buy the ingredients in Chinatown and I found the recipe online.” Stacy answered.

“So you make it.” Quinn said looking at the much more relaxed face of her sister.

“I can show you how. I guess it might come in handy for a skateboarder.” Stacy laughed.

“Dit Jow good.” Daria said sleepily from underneath Stacy’s practiced hands.

“I missed two classes after my first night. I wished I knew about it then.” Stacy agreed.

“Well I’m heading to bed; Misfit and the guys are coming over tomorrow morning for a skate fest on the ramp.” Quinn said before kissing the top of Daria’s head and leaving the room.

“So are you joining us these evening?” Jane asked as Stacy covered up the sleeping Daria with a towel before pulling the blanket over her.

“Yep, I figured she would need some help tonight.” Stacy said nodding her head.

“Well she should be ready to die in the morning when the cramping starts.” Jane answered knowingly.

“That’s right, I forgot you run. You must know all about sore legs.” Stacy replied.

“Yep so I figure she will want to drop the class first thing in the morning.” Jane said as she stretched out on the floor.

“Well a soak in a tub of hot water with some special mineral salts and she’ll be human again.” Stacy giggled as she pulled out a pillow and stuffed animal and stretched out next to the bed.

“A stuffed penguin.” Jane said in disbelief.

“Don’t be dissing on Opus, Paint girl.” Stacy challenged.

“Ok, ok.” Jane laughed as she settled in and tossed a plastic bone at the light switch and dropped them into darkness.

Chapter Eight Everyone.



Quinn watched as Misfit pounded his board into his head as the sixth tryout ended with the wannabe skater sent his board flying over the fence that boarded the backyard for the fourth time.

“Have you ever ridden a skateboard on a ramp before?” She asked the Shaggy lookalike.

“Um, no.” Shaggy admitted.

“Have a good day.” Quinn smiled at him and turned to the line.

“Anyone else who doesn’t have at least some ramp experience please step out of line.” Quinn said and shook her head when almost half the line stepped off.

Burnout pulled Shaggy off the ramp and kissed his forehead before patting his butt and pushing him over to the area everyone was sitting in.

“Where is Float?” Slammer said looking around.

“He went to help Tiffany bring some sodas out.” Sandi said from behind a Waif magazine, she was reclining on a lawn chair after refusing to sit on the ground.

“That was 30 minutes ago.” Slammer groaned and started toward the house only to see the two wayward teens exit the sliding glass door carrying a cooler between them.

“Get lost?” Slammer said as they started handing out the drinks.

“Nah just talking.” Float answered.

“That would explain what took so long.” Slammer sighed.

“Hey.” Float frowned.

“Well so far we haven’t had one person who managed to even top the ramp without falling on their ass. Do we know anyone else?” Slammer groaned.

“Nobody that can handle a board. Hey what about Quinn’s sister, she can do some tricks.” Float suggested.

“Already asked and she 86’ed it. Something about puking her guts out. Jane offered but she’s as bad as my sis. Maybe one of these guys will do ok.” Slammer sighed.

He watched as the next tryout ended with the kid falling off the side of the ramp into the waiting group screaming for his mommy.

“It’s going to be a long day.” Misfit complained as Quinn sat next to him covering her eyes at the horror.



Jane was sitting in the garage with Daria and Stacy sketching as they stretched to help ease some of the aches that plagued Daria even after an hour long soak.

“How’s Slammer?” Stacy teased Jane who blushed slightly.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Jane denied weakly.

“You might want to invest in sealer or kiss proof lipstick if you want to hide kissing someone.” Stacy laughed.

“At least I’m not hanging out with Float.” Jane defended herself.

“Well C’mon it’s not like either of them could handle a conversion with anyone else.” Daria sighed.

“So that leaves you two and Sandi who doesn’t need any help in getting a date.” Jane mused.

“I’m fine.” Daria warned gently.

“I date.” Stacy blushed. “Sometimes.”

“Burnout is seeing another one of the freaks and hasn’t been around much.” Jane added.

“At least Sandi isn’t trying to set me up with anyone at the moment.” Stacy sighed.

“Mrs. Queen Bitch of Lawndale isn’t sharing her cast offs, what a shame.” Jane smirked.

“She’s not that bad.” Stacy defended.

“Well she certainly has all the trains running on time for the team.” Jane shrugged.

“Well she likes things to be orderly.” Stacy replied.

“I feel kinda of bad for her.” Daria said as she tried to touch her forehead to her flat knees.

“Why?” Stacy and Jane both asked surprised.

“She’s always trying to be in control. I can’t help but think that she feels helpless about something and she’s trying to lock everything else under her thumb to make up for it. She’s smart, focused and determined, what more does someone want from her.” Daria answered.

“She was nice to me when I really needed it.” Stacy admitted.

“Well, I have to admit she’s more likeable the last few months than any other time.” Jane said honestly.

“I think she and Quinn have been hanging out, Sandi’s picking up Quinn’s whole whatever makes the wheels spin and Quinn’s picking up Sandi’s seriousness.” Stacy said grinning.

“I wonder which one of her parents is pushing her so hard.” Daria said thoughtfully.

“Her Mom is scary and her Dad spends all his time playing with her brothers.” Stacy explained.

“So either one of them.” Jane said shaking her head.

“It’s my Mom.” A voice said from behind them, the door leading into the kitchen.

“Damn.” Jane swore.

“My mother thinks that friends are a waste of time and only people that can be controlled are worth being around. Anyone that won’t follow you is an opponent. Everyone else must be kept in their place or you risk them trying to over throw you.” Sandi said looking tired beyond words.

“There are times I’m really glad my folks are hippies even if it means they are never around.” Jane said shaking her head.

“I’ll trade you a power hungry Mom and a Dad that treats me like a mistake for your hippies any day.” Sandi offered.

“No.” Jane said quickly.

“Well you screwed up.” Daria said looking at Sandi.

“How’s that.” Sandi said with a small smile.

“You made a whole bunch of friends and none of us can be controlled.” Daria smiled as she spoke forcing a twin to form on the other girl’s face.

“Well I guess no one can be perfect all the time.” Sandi smirked as she turned to leave the garage. “Oh, Quinn would like you three to join us in the backyard to look at the finalists for the team.”

“Be right behind you.” Stacy called after her.

Daria struggled to her feet using Jane as a climbing rail, complaining the entire time.

“You are the biggest baby I’ve ever seen.” Jane laughed as they made their way to the backyard.

“At least I remembered to get dressed this morning.” Daria tossed as they went through the sliding glass doors.

“Once, ok. I forgot to put on my shorts. It’s not like I was naked.” Jane complained loudly.

“Why do I miss all the really good conversions?” Slammer said as they joined the others.

“How’s the tryouts going?” Stacy asked.

“We got a few maybes and Tiffany is wanting to try but she needs a lot of practice and this guy showed up with a note from Mrs. Li. Apparently he’s our photographer.” Slammer said pointing to a nerdy redhead boy who was trying not to stare at the various girls and drool at the same time.

“Mrs. Li has decided that since your team is doing so well the school needs to document everything on film.” Upchuck said with a leer.

“Great.” Daria groaned.

“I can take more than enough pictures and if she wants video I can do that to.” Jane said prepared to send the leech packing.

“I’m sure you can my sweet but while your medium of choice is the canvas, mine is film. I would never claim to be able to create works of art with a brush as thrilling as you can, so I insist the same be said with the camera of me.” Upchuck said looking almost offended.

“Jane.” Daria looked at her friend, clearly wanting confirmation.

“Fine, he’s better than me with a camera but I’d take the film when he’s done so you don’t have to worry about him drooling over it.” Jane responded harshly.

“And it’s not like I will be taking pictures of you full time, just during events and for the year book and school paper.” Upchuck said with a grin.

“Alright let’s call it a day and pick up tomorrow.” Quinn said rubbing her temples.

“Good idea.” Sandi stated quickly.





Daria headed to self-esteem class Monday afternoon several minutes ahead of Jane who was being subjected to intense pressure to enter artwork into one of Mrs. DeFoe’s many projects.

She was surprised to see Mr. DeMartino waiting for her outside the class room.

“Walk with ME, Morgendorffer.” DeMartino said pointing toward the main exit.

“Jane is supposed to meet me for class.” Daria started unsure what was occurring.

“She should BE out front by NOW with DeFoe.” DeMartino said sharply.

“Something I might want to know about.” Daria said trying to fight back panic.

“Just a little field TRIP. Your friend Jane is going as MORAL support and to keep you from freaking out on the WAY there.” DeMartino answered as they pushed through the exit and she saw Jane waiting next to a VW microbus.

“Maybe I should call my parents.” Daria said, her voice breaking.

“SURE.” DeMartino said offering out his cell phone. “They’ve already BEEN informed and gave approval of this outing.”

“Please don’t take me back.” Daria whispered, her voice choked with fear.

“We’re not. Just an educational trip that MIGHT be good for you. I promise it’s nothing that’s running through your mind at the moment. Please get in this INTERESTING contraption.” DeMartino said holding up the door.

Daria climbed in and Jane moved next to her and grabbed her hand, holding it tightly.

“Buckle up, safety first.” DeFoe said from the driver’s seat as DeMartino got in.

Daria closed her eyes and found herself trying not to picture what would be waiting when she opened them again.
:Please, don’t make me go back to the hospital or to see the counselors again.: She though repeatedly during the trip.

When the van slowed, turned into somewhere and came to a stop and she heard the doors open she started to beg.
“No, no please no, I’ll be good, I’ll do what ever they want. Don’t let them hurt me anymore.” Daria said grabbing and holding on to Jane. She heard Mrs. DeFoe’s gasp of breath and muffled cry of alarm.

“Open your eyes.” Jane said holding her tightly and protectively.

Daria crack opened her eyes and saw open Jane’s red shirt before she turned her head enough to take in the surroundings.

It seemed to be a strip mall with several businesses and nothing that appeared to be any kind of Doctor’s office.

“It’s ok.” Jane said gently and pulled her toward the door and help her down to the ground.

“Where?” Was all that she could manage.

Mr. DeMartino pointed toward one of the storefronts that bore a sign for Lawndale VFW.
“We have meetings here and I think the one tonight might help you.” DeMartino explained.

“Your not taking me back.” Daria said as Jane started to rub the cowering girl’s temple and promise nothing was going to happen.

“After the meeting, your parents will be picking you up.” DeMartino promised.

They went inside with Daria almost hiding behind Jane as they went in and moved toward the back where there seemed to be several conference rooms.

DeMartino opened one of the doors and lead them inside stopping DeFoe and Jane before they could enter.

“Jane can wait out HERE, Mrs. DeFoe has her own meeting to attend.” DeMartino said before closing the door.

Daria turned and saw several men sitting in folding chairs while a few milled around a coffee pot. At least two of the men stared at her as if they knew her.
:Maybe they do, I see that same burned out look every time I look in the mirror.: Daria thought.

She took a chair next to Mr. DeMartino and they waited for a few more men to arrive and the coffee crowd to take their seats before DeMartino stood up and started talking.

“We meet here every week and try to help each other through the problems that we face even now sticking with normal life. My young student is most likely wondering why all of us are here. Warrant Officer Anthony DeMartino, 12th Air Cavalry, 1 month POW Vietnam.”

In order each man stood and identified himself, his unit and how long he had been a POW and the nation that had held them.

When the man to her right finished his statement Daria felt a poke on her shoulder and saw DeMartino looking at her and knew what he wanted.

“Daria Morgendorffer, Highland High School 6 months, USA.” Daria said blushing slightly.

A whistle went through the group, while 6 months was not the longest time listed it was large enough to instill surprise.

“Now I have told some of you what Daria went through. So I was hoping that talking with us might help her deal and recover a little better.” DeMartino said.

“Bad enough we have to worry about this kind of thing happening to soldiers but to children.” One of the men cursed loud enough for everyone to hear.

“She looks a bit like her granddad.” An older man said suddenly.

“What?” Daria said surprised.

“Mad Dog Morgendorffer. His platoon cleared the camp I was in. I’m making a assumption here but same name and you look like him so I’ll take the risk.” The soldier that she remember calling himself Mark Weinstein.

“He’s my Dad’s Dad.” Daria answered.

“A good Marine but a complete pain in the ass.” Weinstein said with a grin.

“What got you through?” A younger man who was held in Iraq.

“A scene from an old Star Trek that a friend told me about once.” Daria answered.

Daria saw that they were waiting for her to explain so she did.

“In the show the Captain is being held and their trying to break him and they keep showing him four lights and asking him how many there are. When he tells the truth they torture him. They keep telling him there are five lights. Of course he gets rescued but at the end he tells someone that he almost could see the 5th light.” Daria said and pause for a breath.
“I just kept thinking about that even when they made me see the fifth light, when I gave in.” Daria ended in a whisper.

“What broke you?” A middle aged man asked.

“When they made me write the stories killing my brother and sister. I had to murder them in the story, to write about using my own hands to kill them and they made me keep writing them and reading them over and over again. He was just a baby and they made me think about killing him.” Daria said and she felt DeMartino place a firm hand on her shoulder and she struggled to keep control.

The group continued for another hour with various people sharing and offering ideas to help and not surprising they all approved of her father’s locker idea for anyone who picked on her. She left the room after the meeting and DeMartino gave her a small smile as she closed the door honestly feeling better.
:I don’t feel so alone, someone else knows what it’s like.: Daria thought as she looked around for Jane and walked into a girl from her school, almost knocking them both down.

“Sorry.” Daria muttered as she tried to place the girl’s name. She had shoulder length red hair with a tress that hung down the center of her face, an Ankh hung from her neck, hanging against her gray t-shirt. A black jacket hung loosely on her shoulders.

“Not a problem, I’m Scarlett. Are you late for the meeting?” The girl asked pointing her thumb back down the hall to the last door.

“No, I was … in another meeting.” Daria said pointing to the door she just came from.

“Oh, well I need to get back then.” Scarlett said with a nod of her head.

“I’m Daria, have you seen a black hair artist with a red shirt.” Daria asked.

“Jane Lane, she’s down the hall in the meeting.” Scarlett and waved her hand toward the door.

Daria followed the girl down the hall but stopped when she read the small printed sign on the door.

“It’s ok, Jane is giving support to Mrs. DeFoe and you can to. Most of us don’t mind people coming in.” Scarlett said gently.

“Um, you.” Daria stuttered.

“My dad, he’s in jail now, I live with my Aunt.” Scarlett said and she took a breath and opened the door.

“C’mon.” Scarlett said and Daria followed.
She saw Jane sitting with Mrs. DeFoe who was dabbing at her eyes with tissue. She looked around the room and froze when she saw Stacy sitting across the room from Jane, staring at the floor. Her mother next to her whispering to her daughter as a woman talked about her ordeal.

Stacy looked up at the sound of the door closing and her face brightened when she saw Daria before something clouded within her eyes and she looked to the floor.

Daria looked around and saw that the only empty seats were where Scarlett was heading so she followed.

Jane saw her when she went by and reached back and brushed her hand against Daria’s and gave a weak smile.

Daria took a seat and she returned a wave from Judy with a smile before she heard a call for someone else to stand and speak about anything.

No one moved for 30 seconds then she saw Jane stand up and look at her feet before speaking.

“It wasn’t bad like what happened to most of you but here it is. I was 13 and he was a friend of my brother Wind. They were partying and drinking and who knows what else before they got to the house. I had to go to the bathroom and on my way back to my room he grabbed me and just started kissing me and .. touching me through my nightshirt. I was crying for him to stop and he wouldn’t. My brother Trent heard me, came and got him off me, and pushed me into my room and I heard him yelling at the guy. The next morning I opened my door and Trent was sleeping against it, so that if anyone opened it, he would wake up. I never saw the guy again but it still scares me sometimes at night when there are people in my house to go to the bathroom.” Jane said before sitting down looking anxious.

A few people nearby Jane hugged her and said encouraging words and hugged her. Mrs. DeFoe hugged her and whispered to her causing Jane to nod and hug back.
“Is there anyone else who would like to say anything?” Some asked.

Stacy stood up and held on to her mother’s hand.

“Last year in middle school I met a nice guy and I talked my Mom into letting him take me out even though he was older and in High School. He took me out to dinner and to a play over in Middleton. On our way home we stopped out on Lover’s Lane and started kissing and making out. It got to the point where I wanted to stop and told him so. He didn’t want to stop and told me that I owed him for the date. I told him I’d walk home and I got out and started walking. He ran after me and beat me up and afterwards he raped me. I didn’t get pregnant or catch anything and he disappeared while he was out on bail. His family says I made it all up and that they sent him away to prevent a good boy from having to suffer. My Mom has helped me get through it and I can get through most days without having a problem. I have a lot of new friends and I’m learning about myself more than ever. I ‘m still getting better and maybe I’ll be able to sleep with out a stuff animal to protect me one of these nights.” Stacy said before sitting down without looking over toward Jane or Daria.

Daria sat speechless in the chair until the meeting was ended and she followed Jane out and stood in the night air as Jane said good night to the art teacher and moved to stand next to her.

“You never told me.” Daria said looking ashamed.

“Never seem important.” Jane replied both girls letting the cool air blow against them.

“I couldn’t have said what I said if you hadn’t been there.” Jane told her leaning against her.

“Why?” Daria asked confused.

“You make me want to brave like you. You didn’t go through one bad night, you went through a half year and you’re still trying to make, that’s tough.” Jane replied.

Scarlett joined them and stood next to the curb clearly waiting for someone and trying not to butt into the conversion.

“No one tried to force me to …” Daria tried but wasn’t able to finish.

“No, they just raped your mind, over and over again. The body heals but the soul suffers. My Dad thought it was ok because I was his. I was property to be used just like they used you to make a point about zero tolerance because to them we don’t matter as much as they do.” Scarlett said without looking back at them.

“It’s not the same.” Daria said unable to make the comparison.

“No it’s not. At least the men and woman who hurt everyone at the meeting never tried to destroy the identity of the people they attacked. They used them but they didn’t try to erase what made them unique or special. I wouldn’t trade positions with you for anything. Each to their own hell.” Scarlett shrugged.

“How?” Daria said looking at the girl.

“I listened at the door to the other meeting.” Scarlett shrugged.

A car pulled into the driveway and Scarlett sighed.

“It’s my cousin, please don’t tease me about him. He’s a goof but he’s mostly harmless.” Scarlett said with a joke.

The old caddy pulled up to the curb and Upchuck parked and hopped out of the car and went over to the passenger side and opened the door bowing slightly as he did so.

“I thought my Aunt was going to pick me up today.” Scarlett said sounding amused.

“The fair lady was called into work and requested I fill in. It is my pleasure to serve.” Upchuck said with a grin.

“Ok but try not to break down this time. I feel bad watching you trying to push this whale.” Scarlett said amused.

“I had it serviced just last week so hopefully we will make it to your living quarters without problem.” Upchuck said as he climbed in and started the car.

“See you at school.” Scarlett said as Upchuck pulled away from the curb.

Daria and Jane watched them drive away without speaking before a fake cough turned them around and Stacy stood with her mother.

“I offered to give you two a ride home in exchange for a favor at a later time.” Judy said pleasantly and pointed to her van in the parking lot.

“Cool.” Jane said and she started toward the van ahead of them.

Daria fell in next to Stacy as Judy moved ahead.

"That’s what started your troubles like mine.” Daria said as they walked.

“Ya. Only Sandi and Tiffany know, and I guess Scarlett. Now you and Jane.” Stacy said avoiding looking over at her.

“I won’t tell anyone. I’m sorry I didn’t know and I keep talking about my problems and never gave you a chance to talk about yours.” Daria said sadly.

“I talk every week at the meetings and with my Mom and even Sandi has helped. Listening to someone else who’s been through the wringer and back again is nice, makes me feel like I’m not the only one.” Stacy risked a look over at her.

“Your so together and I’m a wreak, why are you bothering with a loser like me?” Daria asked.

“You didn’t see when I spent the entire summer in my closet with a baseball bat and an army of stuff animals to keep me safe or the times Sandi had to shake me like a rag doll to get me to calm down long enough to get home.” Stacy laughed.

“Frappy has really helped me.” Daria said with a smile for the now well worn toy she pulled out of her pocket.

“See, their a fierce and brave group, ready to defend us from any who would seek to harm us.” Stacy smiled as they arrived at the van and started climbing into the back as Jane had claimed the shotgun seat.

Stacy leaned against the side of the seat and fell asleep almost at once and one sharp turn later knocked her into Daria’s lap.

“She didn’t know you two would be there. I called your parents earlier to confirm for the next class and they told me about you attending the POW meeting so I offered to bring you girls to your respective houses. Look I like my daughter having friends but honestly it’s a nice change from the fashion club and hearing her go on about clothes and models to hearing her talk about … well anything else. Sandi was there for here so I can’t say to much bad about the girl but now she talks about all the things you lot do, she hasn’t stopped since she started hanging out with the skateboarding team and she’s been happier in the last few weeks than she’s been since … well for a long time.” Judy said sounding tearful as she drove.

“Well we like her.” Jane replied.

“Good, now if anyone wants to stop somewhere now would be the time to let me know because it’s the burbs after my next turn.” Judy smiled looking in the rear view as Daria rested one hand on Stacy’s head that was propped on her leg.

“I’m good.” Jane said and looked back into the back seat. “Hey earth to Morgendorffer, you need anything.”

“No.” Daria said looking up from the sleeping girl. “I think this is the part in the movie when someone says I need a drink.”

“Amen.” Judy said quietly.

Jane got out at her house and ran inside letting the blaring music flow through the door for a few seconds as she waved to them before heading inside and closing the door behind her.

“So how did your meeting go?” Judy asked as she backed down the driveway.

“It helped, I don’t feel so alone now. There are people who understand what I’m going through. I thought everyone else had it all together but now I can see that everybody is screwed up just a little.” Daria said with a wry smile.

“Welcome to the real world.” Judy agreed.

“She’s never mentioned her dad, can I ask?” Daria said suddenly.

“I was never married. He didn’t want a child but he signs the support checks every month. He comes and sees her, a couple of times a year.” Judy answered more honest than Daria expected.

They arrived at Howard Drive and dropped her off and Judy waved as she pulled away with Stacy still asleep in the back and Daria went inside.

Quinn and her parents were sitting eating ice cream at the table, waiting for her.

“How did it go?” Jake asked after taking in her appearance.

“Well I went from begging to not be taken back to the hospital to listening to some POWs talk about what happened to them then I sat through the last part of a survivors of sexual abuse meeting. Pretty much I feel like a dish cloth that’s been wrung out.” Daria said as she slide into a seat and accepted a bowl of rocky road from Quinn.

“Sexual abuse.” Helen said looking worried.

“Not me, ever. Mrs. DeFoe apparently and Jane and Stacy and another girl from school, Scarlett but not me.” Daria said as she dug into the ice cream.

“What happened to Jane and Stacy?” Quinn said suddenly focused on the conversion.

“I’d rather not talk about it, it’s not my secret to tell.” Daria answered.

“Cool.” Quinn said understanding.

“Did it help any?” Jake asked gently.

“Ya and the karate class I think is going to help and having friends is going to help and maybe I can help them to.” Daria answered.

Michael started crying and Daria started up and waved her mother down. “I’ll bring him to you if he’s hungry.” Daria said as she headed upstairs.

Daria sat on the floor in the nursery and held her little brother who went back to sleep as soon as she picked him up, she dozed in and out of sleep until Helen returned the baby to his crib and directed her to bed.

Chapter Nine Girl's Night out


Quinn rode down the sidewalk next to Burnout and Tiffany, who was trying to turn herself into a decent skater while remaining a fashion princess and doing a passable job at it.

They turned in Sandi’s driveway and shouldered their boards as they approached the expensive cars parked there and walked to the door.

“Her …Dad … is … home.” Tiffany said pointing to the second car, a Mercedes.

“Cool, I haven’t met him yet.” Quinn shrugged as she knocked.

The door swung open and Sandi’s two brothers smiled up at Quinn.

“Hey Sam, Chris you two been behaving?” Quinn said with a grin.

Both boys let the smile drop off their faces and looked bashful.

“We just had to be nice to Sandi, right.” Sam said blushing.

“That was the deal.” Quinn laughed as the boys closed the door after the three girls were in.

“I think we did ok but there was a small problem with her cat and some bubble gum.” Chris said.

“Poor … Fluffy.” Tiffany said shaking her head.

“Well I don’t think being mean to her cat, counts as being nice, so I guess we’ll have to wait one more week.” Quinn said sadly.

“We’re still trying, ya and you’ll see.” Sam said and both brothers ran upstairs.

“Their monsters.” Burnout said sighing.

“Their ok, just being little brothers, I think it’s their job to try to drive Sandi crazy.” Quinn smiled.

“Then they’re doing a good job.” Sandi said coming down the stairs with a half shaved cat.

Burnout and Tiffany rushed to give attention to the depressed looking cat.

“Your looking as sharp as ever.” Quinn nodded to Sandi.

“You look as dumpy as ever, a little more makeup and you might pass as something close to a girl.” Sandi teased back.

“At least my boyfriend doesn’t look confused when I talk to him.” Quinn countered.

“Ok, you got me there.” Sandi laughed.

Quinn heard a stomping of feet moving toward them from the small hallway that lead to her parents personal office and Linda Griffin came around the corner and almost stopped when she saw the three extra girls in her living room put a happy face on.

“Sandi you didn’t mention that you had friends coming over.” Linda said sound as sincere as plastic rose.

“We’re going out to the movies and then the mall, Stacy and Daria have class tonight and we’re having a girl’s night out. Remember I told you at dinner.” Sandi sighed.

“So instead of going out with your boyfriend, you plan on hanging out with the girl that broke your nose.” Linda said coldly.

“Pretty much.” Sandi answered.

“And what is with this cat, it looks mangy. Do we need to put it down?” Linda said turning to stare at Fluffy.

“He just got some gum stuck in his hair and I had to cut it out.” Sandi said grabbing the cat from Tiffany and holding it tightly.

“So how’s the fashion club?” Linda said staring at Burnout now.

“Stacy is doing great with double duty since we’ve taken over the administrative duties for the skateboarding team.” Sandi said taking a step toward the stairs.

“Since you are doing the work, why aren’t you president of the team yet.” Linda said returning her gaze to Quinn.

“Their a school team, they don’t have a president. They have a captain and that’s Slammer, Sam.” Sandi answered.

“Why aren’t you the captain?” Linda demanded.

“Because I can’t skateboard good enough to be the captain.” Sandi looked at her mother nervously.

“I think I need to speak with the principal at the school and see why she doesn’t seem to know how to do anything right.” Linda said coldly.

“Mom, how am I ever going to be able to do things if you do them for me.” Sandi said and Quinn noticed she was pale.

“I think maybe your spending to much time with a bunch of losers who have gotten lucky.” Linda snorted and walked back the way she came.

Sandi ran upstairs and Quinn heard her close a door before running back down the stairs.

“Let’s go.” Sandi said as she hurried out the door with Tiffany right behind her. Quinn and Burnout looked at each other but quickened their pace to keep up.

They arrived at the movie theater and Jane was waiting in the ticket line looking bored with the company of Brooke and a sparkle of relief covered her face when the other girls arrived.

“Thank god I was going to strangle her in 5 minutes.” Jane whispered leaning over to Quinn who had to cover her mouth to cover the quick shot of laughter that escaped.

Sandi rolled her eyes at the remark and listened to Brooke going over a fashion report she had found on the internet earlier.

Jane wanted to pound her head into a wall as the animated movie won out over the grisly slasher flic.
“Eu tu Quinn.” Jane frowned.

“It has Avril in it and she plays a possum. How can I not pick it?” Quinn said defending her choice.

“I can’t believe I gave up a date with Shaggy to see a bunch of critters run around breaking into trashcans.” Burnout sighed as they went in.

“It’s not that bad, Jennifer and it will make your boyfriend miss you all the more.” Sandi said grinning.

“I hate you.” Burnout snarled.

“I know, but it’s so much fun to tease you with your name.” Sandi laughed.

“Just remember that when I dump popcorn on your head.” Burnout laughed back.

“5 large tubs, two unsalted and no butter and 1 with no salt and extra grease and 2 dripping with salty butter like substance.” Jane said to the cashier at the snack counter.

“Anything else?” He asked.

“6 sodas. 3 normal and 3 diet.” Jane responded.

“4 normal, 2 diet.” Sandi said quickly.

“I want a hot dog and nachos.” Quinn added.

“Nachos and gummi worms.” Burnout said.

“How … can … you … eat … like … that … and … not … get … fat?” Tiffany asked.

“It’s the ridding, it burns so many calories so I can eat anything I want and still stay skinny.” Quinn answered.

“Reaaally.” Tiffany said.

“Ya.” Quinn said.

“I … want … nachos.” Tiffany said to the cashier. “With… extra … cheese.”

Tiffany looked at the other girls and blushed. “I … will … practice … an … extra … hour … tomorrow.” She offered.

“Burnout, are you wearing makeup?” Quinn asked as they started handing out the items.

“Shut up.” Burnout blushed.

“I think the skater girls are a bad influence and vise versa on the fashion club.” Jane smirked. “Soon Tiffany will be verting while Burnout is shopping for a prom dress.

“Jane.” The remaining girls all said at once as they walked into the theater.



Daria and Judy sat at a booth waiting for Stacy to return from the bathroom.

“How was class?” Judy smirked.

“Just kill me.” Daria said rubbing her legs.

“A solution might be to stop after 30 minutes or so on the bag.” Judy said tossing a napkin at Daria.

“I know that until I start hitting the bag and then the next thing I know Stacy’s telling me it’s time to go.” Daria admitted as she dipped a french fry into some ketchup.

“Well I’m sure you have a lot of stress that needs to come out.” Judy said casually.

“Ya and it’s nice to get some out without people worrying that I’m going to walk into the school with a shotgun.” Daria replied.

“A shotgun, no way. I can tell your more of a grenade launcher type of gal.” Judy laughed lightly.

“I prefer to gain my kills on the computer.” Daria coughed up a sip of her drink smiling.

“Real life slaughter just can’t compare to the wonder and gore of a video game.” Judy grinned.

“Stacy’s really good, the instructor keeps putting all the guys in with her and they always lose.” Daria said suddenly.

“The sensei wants to make sure Stacy won’t back down if anything ever happens again. Now if I can get her to stand up to Sandi.” Judy sighed.

“She really likes Sandi and as much as Sandi picks on her I think she’s really protective of Stacy.” Daria said.

“I hear I’m going to be watching your brother over the weekend, something about getting in touch with nature.” Judy said and she looked like she had a question.

“Mom and Dad want to relax me and Quinn by taking us out into the woods and feeding us to the bears.” Daria groaned.

“I think the panthers might be more likely to eat you than the bears.” Judy replied still looking like she had something to ask.

“What?” Daria sighed.

“I understand Michael is YOUR bother.” Judy stressed.

“Ok, I half expected this at some point. Mike isn’t mine or Quinn’s. He really is our bother.” Daria said picking up her burger.

“I’m just asking because I heard you and Stacy talking about him nursing on you.” Judy said tenderly.

Daria blushed and struggled to swallow her mouthful of hamburger and wash it down with a drink.
“Ok, it looks bad I admit, but it happened like this. My Mom had him during the court battles and she didn’t try to get him used to a bottle or pacifier and now he won’t take one. So he started poking around there on me and Quinn when we were watching him and it was easier to just let him chew on us through our shirts than try to get him to take a pacifier or listen to him cry for hours. Now he’s just spoiled and tries to latch on to anything with breasts that gets near him.” Daria said the blush fading slightly.

“Ok, look I don’t care if he’s your brother or son. I just wanted to know for knowledge sake.” Judy said patting Daria on the hand.

“I swear he’s my brother. You really don’t mind that I might have had a baby.” Daria said surprised.

“It happens. Not something I could approve of but not something to disapprove of either. It happens.” Judy shrugged repeating herself.

“Well I promise you that I haven’t ever had a baby or been pregnant and neither has Quinn.” Daria smiled.

“Ok, ok I guess I owe you ice cream for being so nosey. Where is that daughter of mine?” Judy said turning in her seat.

“She ducked into the booth behind you while we were talking.” Daria said and took another bite out of her burger.

“Hi Mom.” Stacy said leaning around the divider.

“A spy in our midst.” Judy said and pulled her daughter over and quickly tickled her ribs until Stacy danced out of reach.

“I guess we’ll have to erase her mind now.” Daria deadpanned.

“Torture is so much more fun.” Judy sighed.

“You two are weird.” Stacy laughed and retook her seat wearily, looking read to dart away if her mother made another grab for her.




Jane and her group minus Brooke whose mother picked her up at the movie were riding their skateboards down the sidewalk talking and laughing.
:In retrospect.: Jane thought later. :I should have known there would be trouble.:

They were almost to Sandi’s neighborhood when a convertible pulled up and Linda Griffin got out, walked directly in Sandi’s path then backhanded the girl off the skateboard.

Everyone came to a crashing stop and froze until Quinn moved over and started to help Sandi to her feet.

Linda pushed Quinn backward and Jane had to bear lock to keep the redhead from proving a stereotype.

“Chill.” Jane said as Quinn struggled to get to Linda who turned back to Sandi.

“I didn’t raise my daughter to be out playing like a child with a bunch of losers.” Linda Griffin growled at Sandi.

“We just went to a movie.” Sandi said, the only one of the girls that didn’t look confused or shocked.

“Shut up.” Linda said and her hand slapped across Sandi’s face.

Jane released Quinn and snarled. “That’s enough of that.”

Both Jane and Quinn approached Linda who laughed at the approaching girls as Burnout and Tiffany both grabbed Sandi and pulled her away from the scene.

“I owe you a broken nose for my daughter.” Linda said politely at Quinn and swung only to make contact with a raised skateboard.

Linda screamed in pain and backed away trying to open her hand and gasping with each failed attempt.

“Something you should know about us straight edge losers.” Quinn said as she dropped her board and tackled Linda.

Quinn pushed the grown woman to the ground and held her there looking enraged.
“We spend our lives frustrated from everything we deny ourselves so nothing makes us happier than the chance to beat the hell out of someone.” Quinn said as she moved to swing downward into Linda’s face only to have Jane pull her off and hold her back with Quinn’s own skateboard.

“What’s wrong with you?” Quinn demanded as she tried to push past Jane.

“Daria would never forgive me if I let you get yourself thrown in jail.” Jane said as she stayed between Quinn and Linda.

The sounds of sirens sounded as flashing lights turned onto the street and a police car pulled to the curb and two officers jumped out.

“Officer please, these girls attacked my daughter and then me.” Linda said from the ground.

“Where are Jennifer Grey and Sandi Griffin?” One of the officers demanded, his hand resting on his gun.

“Right here.” Burnout called from the corner, still holding her cell phone.

Another police car arrived and two more officers got out and quickly removed the skateboard from Jane and sat her and Quinn against the curb under watch while another stood watching Linda and the other two took statements from Tiffany, Sandi and Burnout.

Jane was starting to worry when the officers moved to Linda and took her statement next, looking over at Quinn the entire time.

“She’s lying her ass off and we’re going to jail.” Jane whispered over to Quinn.

“I’ll tell them it was just me and that you tried to stop me.” Quinn whispered back.

“What?” Jane said louder than she meant to.

“I’m going down no matter what but maybe I can keep you out of it so you can take care of Daria.” Quinn whispered.

Both of the officers moved over and stood above them without speaking, writing something on the pad.

“Do you have anything to add to this?” The officer said handing down a clipboard with a statement on it to Quinn.

“Just a bit.” Quinn said and took the offered pen and wrote a few lines and offered both back to the officer.

“Sign it please.” The officer said and Jane wanted to scream at her not to.

“Give it to her, add anything you feel a need to add.” The officer said pointing at Jane.

Jane took the board and read the account of the attack and fight, and found it was accurate; she was tempted to add something to hurt anything Linda might say.

“Please don’t try to get creative.” The officer sighed reading her face perfectly.

Jane sighed then signed the paper and handed the clipboard and pen back.

“Do you think jail will be fun?” Jane groaned to Quinn.

“Sure but you’re my bitch.” Quinn said.

Jane tightened as another officer joined the two already around them and one turned to the others and spoke.

“We ready to do this.”

“As ready as I’m going to be.” Another answered and pulled a set of cuffs from his belt.

Jane closed her eyes and reached over and grabbed Quinn’s hand and waited.

She counted to 300 before she was pulled to her feet by a leaping Quinn who screamed. “YES!”

Jane opened her eyes and looked around and saw the officers pushing a kicking Linda Griffin into a squad car as Tiffany and Sandi looked on and Burnout spoke with someone on the phone.

“QUINN!” Daria’s voice came from street as she climbed out of the Rowe’s minivan and ran toward her sister.


Quinn let her sister grab her and hug her tightly as Judy Rowe quickly gathered up the other girls and pushed them toward the minivan and quickly got them loaded up as the officers continued to struggle with Linda kicking at the windows.

The police officers held them there until the car with Linda in it pulled away heading to the station. Judy drove the girls to the closest house that wasn’t home to a garage band and pulled into the Morgendorffer driveway.

Chapter Ten Girls night out wrap up.


Tom Griffin arrived with his sons and Fluffy shortly after the police arrived to take more statements from Sandi and the other girls.

“I want to get Sandi and my boys out of here, out of town before the media circus has a chance to start.” Tom was telling one of the officers who seemed distracted.

“Just calm down Tom and we’ll figure everything out.” Helen said calmly as she handed out coffee to everyone as the girls crammed themselves on and around the couch.

Sandi, Quinn, Jane and Stacy were sitting on the couch with Tiffany and Burnout sitting on the floor and Daria holding Michael as he, perhaps sensing the tension in the air latched on to her breast and refused to let go without a crying fit so she gave up trying.

Judy smirked at her and shook her head with amusement as she helped to keep Chris and Sam amused.

A detective arrived and informed Tom that no one would be leaving town until an investigation was completed.

“My wife lost her ever loving mind and hit my daughter. What is there to investigate?” Tom argued loudly.

“The fact that you allowed your daughter to be abused and neglected for an unknown amount of time by her mother and apparently did nothing about it.” The detective said coldly.

“What?” Tom said and he turned and looked at Sandi who ducked against Quinn under his gaze.

“Sandi, how long has your mother been hurting you?” He asked his daughter.

There was a moment of silence before Sandi sat up and looked at her father with tears and answered.
“With her hands or her words.” Sandi replied and without warning she quickly removed her blouse and leaned against Quinn to cover herself.

The marks across her back were painfully raw and bruised. Some seemed almost healed while others looked brand new.

“The new ones are for not taking charge of the Skateboarding team and the oldest are what happened when the police decided not to pursue what happened to my nose.” Sandi said and then whispered something to Quinn that no one else heard but it seemed to pull some of the guilt from Quinn’s eyes.

“Mr. Griffin, I think we’re going to need to make arrangements for alternative living quarters for Sandi and your sons until this matter is cleared up.” The detective said quietly.
“Please put your shirt back on.” He finished.

“The boys can stay with my mother in Middleton but she doesn’t have enough space for all three of the kids or me. I can get a hotel and I’ll get Sandi one to, at another hotel of course.” Tom said looking like he figured out just how bad he screwed up.

“She can stay with us, we were planning a trip this weekend but it might do her some good to get away, a camping trip.” Jake said firmly.

“I have a guest room as well and Sandi would be more than welcome to use it.” Judy offered.

“Thank you.” Tom said sitting down in one of the dining room chairs and burying his head in his hands.

“That sounds good, either of those two options would be acceptable.” The detective agreed.

“What’s going to happen to my Mom?” Sandi asked.

“Lock her up and lose the key.” Sam spoke up and Chris nodded.

“She’ll have a bail hearing in the morning and after that I don’t know. There’s almost no chance that they will decide to not prosecute. If it helps I doubt we’ll need you to be in court. Your mother has already given us more than enough to ensure jail time.” The detective said trying to cushion the blow.

“Can I retract my statement?” Sandi asked weakly.

“NO.” Tom Griffin said rising to his feet.

“Even if you did it wouldn’t make a difference. In a moment I’m going to have one of the female officers escort you into a private area of the house and take pictures of your back and hopefully your mother will be smart enough to take whatever deal the DA offers.” The detective sighed before waving a female officer over.

Sandi followed the officer into the guest room that Helen directed them to and remained there for almost 15 minutes before returning with the officer looking more shaken than Sandi.

The detective stepped outside for several minutes before returning.

“Alright I’m having a child protection representative bring over the temporary custody papers. What we would prefer is both the Morgendorffers and the Mrs. Rowe sign and Sandi won’t be able to go on the camping trip you mentioned so I’m thinking that primary residence will be here with Sandi spending the weekend with Mrs. Rowe. If no one objects.” The detective said after returning to the living room.

“Is there anything else we might need to know?” He asked looking around the room.

“On her desk. She has a flower pot with 2 foot Bamboo rods. She puts the ones she uses back, if they don’t break.” Sandi said from the couch where Daria and Stacy were cleaning her back and disinfecting anything that was open.

Tom Griffin started gagging and ran to the sink and started losing his dinner.
“That was a question we forgot to ask.” The female officer replied looking shaken.

“Maybe we should get you to the emergency room.” Helen said looking at the girl’s back.

“Nothing’s broken and it doesn’t hurt to much now.” Sandi said.

“She doesn’t have any broken bones and the newest injuries are a few days old, I’m a paramedic on the weekends so I checked her out when I took the pictures.” The female officer informed her.

“Still.” Helen pressed.

“I’m fine, Stacy and Daria are hurting me quite enough with whatever they are putting on my back.” Sandi said flinching slightly.

“Do you want us to take care of Fluffy?” Sam and Chris asked.

“Will I get him back with fur still attached.” Sandi sighed.

“Yeeeeeessssss.” Both brothers agreed.

“Then you two take him to grandma’s until after the weekend and then we can see, ok.” Sandi said hugging both brothers after Daria informed her they were done with her back.

The police left after the various paperwork was signed and shortly thereafter Judy and Stacy took their leave promising to return the next day.

Tom hugged his daughter before arranging to drop off the boys with his parents and booking himself a hotel room, he didn’t feel up to going back to the house.

Burnout and Tiffany went home and Jane opted to spend the night and Jake sent them upstairs to get ready for bed.


Daria heard the light tapping at her door and slid open the curtains on her bed, stepped over the crashed out forms of Jane and Quinn, and moved to answer it quietly.

Sandi looked shaken in one of Quinn’s sleeping outfits.
“Umm, I…” Sandi said blushing and shifting her weight from foot to foot nervously.

“C’mon.” Daria said and reached out and pulled the embarrassed girl into the room and let her climb onto her bed.

“Just for tonight.” Sandi said looking better as Daria covered them both with a blanket and laid down behind the younger girl.

“Maybe tomorrow too.” Sandi said as she dropped to sleep.

:God, talk about putting things into perspective. I am laying here comforting someone who made my life hell just a short time ago. I can feel her cracks starting to widen, maybe I can help her not shatter.: Daria thought as she wrapped an arm around Sandi protectively.

Sandi tensed for a moment when she felt Daria’s arm then let herself enjoy the warm safe feelings the gesture released within her.
:Now I have to be nice to her too.: Was the last thought that ran through her mind.




Thursday and Friday went by without incident and as Daria made her goodbyes to Judy and Stacy after class for the weekend, Sandi was making hers as well to Quinn and Jane before loading an overnight bag into the van.

“Now remember red and yellow bad, but red and black makes a fun joke for the whole family.” Judy joked.

“Don’t let them redecorate your house.” Daria countered.

“I saw a documentary on what to do if a bear attacks.” Judy offered.

“Really what?” Daria smiled.

“Curl into a tight ball, that way they can swallow you without chewing.” Judy laughed lightly.

“I’ll bring you back some forest apples.” Daria smirked as Sandi slide her door closed.

“Are they always like this?” Sandi asked Stacy.

“Don’t get involved it just makes them worse.” Stacy sighed.

Daria stepped back from the van as Judy backed it down the driveway and returned the wave from both Sandi and Stacy before Judy beeped her horn and drove off.

“I’m going to miss those two this weekend.” Daria admitted as she joined Quinn and Jane in walking up to the house.

“I don’t know, they look like they can run faster than you and it’s not how fast you can run but how fast the person with you can run that matters when the bear’s chasing you.” Jane joked before heading off for her own personal trip into family hell.

“Don’t let the sleeping bag snakes get you.” Jane called back to them before jogging down the sidewalk.

“She does know I have a 3.5 average right.” Quinn snorted.

“Yep but she figures your a bit gullible.” Daria shrugged.

“I didn’t know that there couldn’t be a pool on the roof of the school.” Quinn sighed.

“At least you didn’t wear floaties.” Daria laughed as they went inside.

“Um, there aren’t really going to be snakes are there?” Quinn asked nervously.

Chapter 11 Of beasts and berries.


Daria watched her parents continue their sickly sweet love fest as they revisited the 60s. They had been talking and laughing about all the times they had gone camping, letting enough details slip to put her off physical contact for a good long while.

“Someone kill me, my IPOD battery is dead.” Quinn groaned as she looked at the trees and more trees.

“I brought mine, you can borrow it later.” Daria offered.

“Why are we walking into the middle of nowhere, no camp grounds had cable and plumping.” Quinn moaned.

“That’s not camping, it’s faking.” Daria said making quotation marks in the air. Jake had been very insistent that they get away from it all.

“I’m starting to get tired lugging this backpack around.” Quinn complained.

“My legs hurt, I’m in the middle of no where and I’m pretty sure I can hear something stomping around in the bushes ready to eat us.” Daria deadpanned as she stopped and sat down on a log to catch her breath.

“Here.” Quinn tossed over a power bar and bottle of water to her sister and joined her on the log.

“Let’s make camp here.” Jake declared as he pointed out the nearby stream as a source of food and drinking water.

Both girls shrugged out of the packs and continued resting.

“Look girls it’s a bunny.” Jake said pointing to the edge of the clearing.

Daria looked over and sighed as she consumed her bar. “Dad, that’s a skunk.”

“Ewwww.” Jake said as he retreated from the animal.

Quinn kept a wary eye on the critter as it crossed the clearing without approaching them as she munched on a chewy chocolate flavored bar herself.

“I can’t believe we agreed to this.” Quinn sighed.

“We didn’t.” Daria replied.

“Oh ya.” Quinn agreed and stared at her parents having a discussion while trying to put up their tent.

“Just wait until he tries to catch us dinner, in the dark.” Daria snorted.

“Maybe being orphans won’t be too bad.” Quinn groaned.

“Look girls I caught a frog.” Jake said from the nearby stream.

“Jake, they aren’t Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. They’re girls.” Helen stressed.

“GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME.” Helen yelled.

They watched their father come running through the clearing ducking pinecones being tossed by their mother.

“Let’s put up our tent and try to wake up from this nightmare of family bonding.” Daria said.

“Fine but I’m not sleeping next to the door.” Quinn laughed as she stood up.



Quinn sat letting the fire melt down another power bar to spare her teeth as she waited for her mother to end her painfully edited vampire sex romp horror story.

“It’s your turn Quinn.” Jake said cheerfully.

“It’s called The revenge of the rain soaked girl, who had to spend two hours in the rain after being locked on a roof by her sister’s not so funny art friend.” Quinn started.

“Quinn, I don’t want to hear this one AGAIN.” Helen groaned.

“You didn’t have to take an hour to bring me some dry clothes.” Quinn complained.

“Quinn.” Helen pressed.

“Fine, how about a story of the parents who don’t believe in sound proofing rooms so their daughters can hear every sound that comes from the bedroom, that the parents sleep in, …ya right.” Quinn started.

“Quinn!” Helen exclaimed.

“I don’t know, it is pretty scary.” Daria agreed.

“Daria, why don’t you tell us a story.” Helen said.

“Sure.” Daria said with a twinkle in her eye.




Later in their tent as they tried to get ready to sleep, Quinn tossed a pillow at Daria and laughed.
“That was good, really gross but it was still good.”

“Stephen King said if you can’t scare them, gross them out.” Daria smirked.

“I thought Dad was going to puke.” Quinn laughed.

“Well maybe it will keep them from being in the mood.” Daria said making quotes in the air.

“I made sure Mom remembered to pack protection just in case.” Quinn assured her sister.

“I like Mike and all but I don’t want another sibling.” Daria sighed.

“Amen to that.” Quinn said as she lay down.

“Keep your cold feet on your side of the tent.” Daria warned her.

“No making scary noises in the middle of the night to freak me out like when we shared a room.” Quinn countered.

“Deal.” Daria agreed.

“Good night Daria.” She said turning off the lantern.

“Good night John boy.” Daria smirked.




In the morning the girls accepted their bowls of berries and looked at each before Daria pulled out two sealed pop-tarts packages and offered one to Quinn.

“God I can’t believe they’re eating them.” Quinn shuddered, ripping open the package.

“Dad says they used to eat them all the time but I don’t want to find out.” Daria agreed looking at the brightly colored berries.

After breakfast came the hike, something Daria was somewhat surprised to be enjoying until Quinn poked her in the ribs and pointed at their parents and whispered.

“They’re being awful touchy feely at the moment.” Quinn whispered.

“Well I don’t think they’re going to strip down and start going at it while we’re here so we just have to keep our eyes peeled.” Daria sighed at the sickening display of affection in front of them.

Both parents suddenly giggled and dashed into the bushes.

“Uh oh.” Daria and Quinn said together and broke into a run to intercept their parents.
:I had to say it didn’t I.: Daria thought.

“I think they turned back toward camp.” Quinn said as she picked up a shoe.

“I’m not sure I want to find them now.” Daria said holding up their mother’s blouse.

“Ewwww. You mean our parents are running around the woods stripping.” Quinn said with a shudder.

“I have empathy with that feeling but something is going on here.” Daria mused as they made their way back to camp through the bushes picking up the various items of clothing that had been discarded along the path.

They found their parents back at camp locked in their tent and Quinn called into the tent loudly.
“You better be using protection in there.” Before moving away from the shaking tent.

Quickly moving their tent out of sound and sight range the two sisters shook sat stunned at the parent’s behavior.

“I can’t believe they just ran off to … do that and left us in the woods.” Quinn complained for the 30th time in the last three hours.

“They were acting funny.” Daria said and turned her head as a quick rustling of bushes got her attention.

Her mother and father were running past, completely nude and laughing like lunatics.

“Oh god no.” Daria groaned.

“That’s it, I hiding in our tent for the rest of this trip.” Quinn said looking disgusted as Jake and Helen made another pass by the clearing.

Daria sighed and stood up in preparation to catch her parents but a scream from the tent surprised her.

“Ahggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!” Quinn screamed and a sudden trashing around inside collapsed the tent on top of her.

Daria watched as the tent rolled over wrapping around her sister as she struggled with something inside. She tried to catch the tent but it’s violent jerking prevent her grip until it came to rest against a tree. She started moving and shifting the outside of the tent trying to find the opening as her sister continued to scream trapped within.

Daria unzipped the door and grabbed her sister’s hand and started pulling her out.

“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaria!” Quinn screamed again and Daria saw what was causing the panic.

A five foot rat snake was lying on top of Quinn stomach looking annoyed.

“Oh god, it’s going to bite me.” Quinn sobbed, shaking in terror.

“It won’t hurt you.” Daria said gently as she reached for a stick.

“I don’t want to die a virgin.” Quinn said gasping for breath.

“You won’t.” Daria said as she tried to lift the snake off of her sister.

Unfortunately the snake had other plans and it continued to wiggle of the stick every time she managed to catch it.

“You’re making it mad.” Quinn cried.

“It’s a rat snake, they’re not venomous.” Daria said, putting a screeching halt on Quinn tantrum.

“They’re not?” Quinn said as the snake rearranged itself on her chest.

“No, not in the least dangerous, except to rats.” Daria informed her.

“Get off of me you slimy freak.” Quinn swatted the snake off her chest and chased it into the bushes.

“I want to go home.” Quinn said causing Daria to laugh.

“It’s not funny, I can’t skate or listen to music and there are things crawling on me and my parents are running around the woods like naked fruit cups.” Quinn ranted.

“Ok let’s look at this calmly and objectively. Agreed?” Daria said.

“Okaaay.” Quinn relented.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere, nobody knows where we are exactly and we have no way to contact anyone, oh and our parents have gone insane.” Daria summed up.

“Sounds right.” Quinn agreed.

“This is kinda of scary, Quinn.” Daria said timidly.

“But why did they go nuts?” Quinn asked.

“Well we’re fine so I have to say that Dad’s woodland skills and memory of his camping days has failed him and it was the berries.” Daria decided.

“So they’re tripping on crazy fruit.” Quinn sighed.

“Yes, remain calm. Parent’s gone mad. Must get help, but no way to do that because Mother made big deal about cutting off all communications. Any ideas.” Daria said calmly.

“Wait, Mom cut off all contact, what about if something happened to Michael?” Quinn asked looking doubtful.

“Good point, let’s search their bags and tent.” Daria agreed.

Quinn was searching their parent’s tent and gave off a shout of joy making Daria look up from her inspection of her Mother’s backpack.

“You found a phone?” Daria asked.

“No, um a used condom wrapper.” Quinn blushed.

Daria felt her hand close around the smooth plastic of her mother’s cell phone.

“Got it.” Daria said and quickly started dialing.

“Hello 911?” Daria said into the phone.



Judy laughed as she drove them from the hospital back to the Morgendorffer home.

“So they weren’t wearing anything when the rangers found them?” She asked.

“Well Dad was wearing one thing, but please don’t ask me to describe it.” Daria shuddered.

“Didn’t do any good though.” Quinn complained from the back seat next to Sandi and Stacy.

“We don’t know that, the ranger said that it could have broken at anytime not necessarily while they were … um … .” Daria tried to cheer Quinn up.

“Busy.” Judy laughed.

“Ya.” Daria blushed.

“So let me get this straight, your parents lost their minds, Quinn got attacked by a giant snake and you look like you had the time of your life.” Stacy asked.

“It was a nightmare but the helicopter ride was pretty nice and watching my parents wake up after having their stomach pumped was amusing and now I get to go home and sleep for the rest of the weekend and try to forget this happened.” Daria laughed.

“Jane’s back, her and her brother Trent, apparently stole a car and took off from the family reunion.” Sandi informed her.

“They borrowed the car and called to let the person who rented it know they had returned it to the rental lot.” Judy smirked looking amused.

“Stacy, can I BORROW your science homework?” Sandi asked with a grin.

“Sure but as we don’t take the same class, I think you might get a bad grade.” Stacy laughed.

“OK so maybe borrow is the wrong word but they didn’t steal it so much as returned it without permission.” Judy admitted.

“Mom and Dad won’t be getting out of the hospital until the morning so do you want us to take Michael off your hands tonight.” Daria asked.

“That’s up to you two but I don’t mind keeping him. He’s a little sweety.” Judy sighed.

“Thinking about having another one.” Daria mused out loud.

“Maybe, Stacy could help me take care of it and maybe I’ll get a little boy.” Judy said with a wink at Daria.

“WHAAAAT?” Stacy yelled shocked.

“Would you prefer a little sister?” Judy asked before breaking into laughter.

“Ok, Michael’s going home with you two tonight.” Stacy said firmly glaring at her mother.

“Can I go ahead and stay the night too?” Sandi asked.

“I think you live with us now so you don’t need to ask.” Daria said nicely.

“Can I redecorate?” Sandi asked with an evil grin.

“Your room, sure but you have to ask Mom if you want to do anything anywhere else.” Quinn laughed.

“How about your rooms?” Sandi teased.

“I like my room but it was cool before too but I couldn’t deal with it.” Daria sighed.

“Ya there was padding on the walls and bars on the windows. It was complete nut house but I think I did pretty well on it.” Quinn agreed.

“I like it, if skateboarding ever let’s you down you could always do decorating as a career.” Daria offered.

“That’s just wrong.” Quinn sulked.

“Can I come over too?” Stacy asked.

“Yes.” Daria answered quickly.

“So you’re taking Michael back and stealing my daughter away from me, how will I ever get my revenge.” Judy smirked.

“Cookies work or cash.” Daria responded.

“We’ll see but I do have to insist on no boys. At least until the Morgendorffer’s get back tomorrow.” Judy laughed.

“Deal.” Daria laughed.



Later that evening after everyone else had gone to bed, Daria sat relaxing on the couch and she watched as Quinn snuck down the stairs and moved into the kitchen carrying an open pop tart container. The sound of the garbage disposal and running water started as soon as Quinn made it to the sink.

Daria waited until Quinn was about to head up the stairs before speaking.

“I don’t think they would have had the same effect on you and Misfit.” She said softly, just loud enough for her sister to hear.

“What?” Quinn said looking busted.

“The berries. They made Mom and Dad act all frisky because well they are, when they’re not dealing with us or Michael. The berries wouldn’t have made you two act like that.” Daria explained.

“Oh.” Quinn said blushing.

“You two seem pretty into each other so why the extra temptation?” Daria asked.

“Don’t tease me.” Quinn said sadly.

“I’m not.” Daria promised.

“I like him and I thought maybe I was ready and the berries would help me be not so scared.” Quinn said taking a seat on the couch next to her sister.

“I think if you need drugs to give you the guts then you’re not ready.” Daria said.

“That’s what I figured out, so I dumped them.” Quinn sighed.

“Misfit, Tim is a nice guy, he doesn’t seem to mind.” Daria offered.

“I know but sometimes I want more.” Quinn sighed and leaned into her sister.

“Then do more, just because you do A doesn’t mean you do B and so on. If you want to change the rules then do it. I’m pretty sure he won’t mind.” Daria said rubbed Quinn’s head.

“You’re pretty smart sometimes.” Quinn said and yawned.

“Go to bed.” Daria said pushing her sister off the couch and together they walked up the stairs.

“Now I just have to get you a fellow.” Quinn teased as she went into her room.

Daria headed into her own room and found Stacy and Sandi laying in the bed and Stacy looked up sleepily and patted the bed behind her before closing her eyes again.

:I need a bigger bed.: Daria thought as she crawled behind Stacy and pushed a pigtail out of her way.

Chapter 12 Linda says goodbye.


Her foot flew toward its target but was easily defected turning her sideways. She spun with a backhand but her opponent neatly ducked under and sent her stumbling backward with two quick stomach shots. Daria circled to the left looking for any kind of opening and surged forward at the thinnest hint of one.

Stacy blocked the flurry of punches and danced backward only to run into a padded foot that spun her into the wall.

“Oh no, are you alright?” Daria rushed forward and grabbed up her friend.

“I’m fine, that’s why we wear the padding. I take it I’m getting a bit to predictable with my retreat.” Stacy grinned.

“I never managed to hit you before.” Daria continued to worry.

“It’s fine, that’s why we practice.” Stacy laughed and pulled of the red foam helmet and rubbed her sweaty head.

“I never hit someone before, except for Quinn and these two freaks back in Texas.” Daria said grabbing a water bottle and sipping from it.

“You’re getting better. A lot better, pretty soon Sensei will have to put you against the higher ranks in class.” Stacy said still smiling.

“You two done beating the hell out of each other.” Jane said from the garage doorway.

“What’s up?” Daria sighed.

“Mrs. Li called your folks about the whole Tommy Sherman thing and issued a formal apology.” Jane shrugged.

“Great, it’s not like someone died or anything.” Daria groaned.

“Well you know your folks, now they want all the gory details about how bad of an attack you had.” Jane said with an evil grin.

“I don’t see why he was so mad at you, it’s not like it was your idea to refocus the school’s funds away from a new goal post.” Stacy fumed.

“So he got a plaque instead. I would love a plaque to honor my days at Lawndale high.” Jane said grudgingly.

“Where would they put it, on the roof?” Daria joked as she stripped on the foot and hand pads and unstrapped the shin guards and tossed them along with her helmet into her class gear bag.

“Touché.” Jane laughed.

Daria stripped off her gi top, exposing the sports bra that was soaked in sweat and the slight muscle improvements that had been occurring since starting the karate class showed.

Stacy’s did likewise and tossed a towel over to her sparring partner before drying some of the sweat that covered her as well. Her body while remaining very feminine was cut with muscles and a taunt stomach.

“You know if I didn’t like guys this would be turning me on right now.” Jane whistled.

Daria sloshed her water bottle toward Jane who ducked through the doorway to avoid being soaked.

“I’m gonna hit the showers while you bond with your parents.” Stacy laughed and carrying her clothes headed into the house ahead of Daria.

Daria sighed and followed her, but just to the kitchen where her mother and father waited.

“Hey Mom, Dad.” Daria said taking a seat.

“Um hi Daria.” Her father said looking embarrassed.

“Daria, why didn’t you tell us you had another panic attack at your school this week?” Helen said gently.

“It wasn’t a bad one and Jane managed to get me into the girl’s bathroom before it got bad and fixed me right up.” Daria explained.

“When did she get those?” Jake said turning to his wife.

“Somewhere around puberty, Focus Jake.” Helen sighed.

“But she didn’t have them when we came to Lawndale.” Jake said pointing at her chest.

“Oh god, just kill me now.” Daria groaned and banged her head into the table.

“She’s growing now stop it.” Helen said and turned her stare on him.

“Sorry kiddo, you surprised me is all.” Jake said honestly.

Daria heard muffled laughter and know that other’s were enjoying her pain.

“Quinn if you and Sandi don’t have something better to do, I’m sure I can find something.” Helen said with a fierce tone.

“Bye Mom.” Quinn said and Daria heard footsteps pounding up the stairs.

“Look, the Tommy thing didn’t rate on the radar of breakdowns so I didn’t mention it. I should have, I’ll concede the point but unless you want to discuss my bust size any further, I’m hitting the showers.” Daria said getting up from the table.

“What size are you now?” Helen said countering perfectly.

“Mom.” Daria gasped.

“La La La La.” Jake said covering his ears and running from the table.

“I think we might need to take you shopping, that top looks like it’s more your size than the other ones I keep washing and it will give us some time to do some motherly bonding.” Helen said nicely.

“Fine but if a copy of Zombie Island ends up in the cart I don’t want to hear it.” Daria sighed and headed upstairs and walked into the bathroom.

Right into Stacy talking a shower.

“Eep.” Stacy said and pulled the curtain around herself as Daria backed out the door and slammed it shut.
“Sorry.” She called through the door and headed to her room blushing.

Daria dumped her towel and clothes on her bed and opened her closet door.
:Well if I can’t shower yet, might as well work up another sweat.: She thought and grabbed hold of her newly installed chin bar and started doing pull-ups until a knock on the wall behind her grabbed her attention.

“I’m out.” Stacy said.

“I am so sorry about that.” Daria said blushing again as she grabbed her clothes and hurried to the shower.

“Damn it, you people need to learn to lock doors.” Daria swore from the hallway.

“I’m done, it’s all yours.” Jane called and Stacy heard the bathroom door slam shut and Jane joined her in the bedroom.

“She has the worst luck with bathrooms.” Jane smirked.

“You did that on purpose didn’t you?” Stacy said as she finished packing her gear bag.

“Of course.” Jane laughed.

“So what are you two doing tonight?” Stacy asked as she sat to put her shoes back on.

“Bad movie night just like every Saturday.” Jane shrugged.

“Oh.” Stacy replied.

“You could stay, Sandi hangs with us and Quinn drops in if she’s not with Misfit and Burnout and that Shaggy guy have spent an evening or two with us.” Jane offered.

“I don’t want to butt in on you two’s private rag on the world time.” Stacy laughed.

“I think we could stand it.” Jane smiled.

“Nah. Me and my mom can go out and do some stuff. … Jane can I ask you something kind of silly?” Stacy asked.

“Sure why should you be any different.” Jane said jokingly.

“Is it weird to be jealous of how well Daria and my Mom get along. I mean I love my mom and I l… like Daria but sometimes I’m jealous when they start joking. They sound like you and her sound when you’re on a roll.” Stacy sighed.

“If you talked to Daria she’d chill.” Jane said looking worried.

“NO. I don’t want that. I like watching them, I just wish I could join in but they talk about things I don’t understand.” Stacy quickly answered.

“Ok first is this.” Jane said and grabbed a CD out of Daria’s computer desk. “Second is Sick Sad World, channel 214. I think it will help you join into their conversations.”

“Thanks.” Stacy said and put the CD into her bag.

“No problem.” Jane said and nodded toward the door as they heard the bathroom door open and then close.

Seconds later Daria entered the room drying her hair with a large towel.

“What?” She said looking at Jane and Stacy who were staring at her.

“Nothing.” Jane smirked.

“Just talking about you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Stacy said with a smile as she grabbed her bag and headed home.

“Ok, she’s been hanging around us too much.” Daria chuckled.



Later that evening after Quinn had left for her date, Jane along with Sandi and Daria crashed out on the couch with some popcorn and a stack of the worst horror and sci-fi movies ever made.

“Oh I missed you butter.” Sandi moaned through a mouthful of popcorn.

Daria wanted to burst into laughter at the sight of the fashion queen of Lawndale high sitting in a pair of baggy shorts and t-shirt feasting on salted and buttered popcorn like a starving man.

“I’ll have to do sit-ups for half the morning to make up for this but it’s worth it.” Sandi said catching Daria’s look.

“You could come running with me in the morning.” Jane offered.

“Really.” Sandi said looking surprised.

“Ummm ya.” Jane said looking a little confused.

“Thank you.” Sandi said shyly.

“No problem.” Jane shrugged.

“Quiet you two, it’s the scene with the tentacles.” Daria shushed them.



Quinn arrived home from her date and fell onto the couch with a huge grin and grabbed a handful of popcorn just in time to see Australia fall to the undead.

“You seem chipper tonight.” Daria smirked.

“Just taking my big sister’s advice. Misfit doesn’t mind stopping at C instead of B and he still isn’t pushing for anything else.” Quinn continued her grinning.

“And what exactly is C?” Jane asked.

“Less than what I want but one step from anything that would require clothes to come off.” Quinn sighed looking contented.

“Don’t ask her any more questions, I’m afraid she’ll answer them.” Daria said as her faced switched between amusement and concern.

“Relax, it’s just a little more than what I was willing to do before and a lot less than a lot of girls do. I promise my clothes stayed on and I’m planning on keeping them on.” Quinn said with a peck on Daria’s check before heading upstairs.

“God, I want a boyfriend like that.” Sandi sighed and Jane nodded in agreement.

“Are you expressing disappointment with Slammer or Brett?” Daria mused.

“Sam is great but we’re still at the early stages.” Jane shrugged.

“Brett broke up with me after everyone found out about my mom.” Sandi said looking ashamed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Daria said feeling the shaking start but she pushed it back.

“It’s ok. I mean if he didn’t want to go out with me then why should I be upset.” Sandi said trying to put on a brave face.

“Yep it’s his loss.” Jane tried.

“At least I don’t have to get my next one approved by Linda.” Sandi agreed.

“Well now that I stuck my foot firmly in my mouth I’m going to bed. Besides I’m tired of getting stuck against the wall.” Daria said and started upstairs.

“I’m going to try to sleep in my room tonight but don’t be surprised if I come sneaking in later.” Sandi said.

“Ok, I’ll leave the door open.” Daria said and continued up the stairs.

“I’m coming right up.” Jane called after her.

“I’ll clean off your chunk of floor.” Daria called down the stairway.

“I think that’s the least you could do since I’m cleaning up down here.” Jane replied smugly.

“It’s one bowl and three glasses, I’ll help.” Sandi laughed.

“You see it your way, I’ll see it mine.” Jane smirked.




Daria was suddenly awake in bed and she tried to sit up but Sandi’s head was nestled gently on her shoulder forcing her to slide it off, listening for whatever woke her.

She had decided it was nothing when the sounds of breaking glass came from downstairs. Sandi having been disturbed by Daria’s movement stirred awake and looked around.

“Wh….” She started and stopped when Daria covered her mouth with a free hand while the other was reaching for her cell phone.

“What’s all the noise?” Jane said looking grumpy as she sat up and looked toward the bed.

“Quiet.” Daria said and grabbed her glasses as she got out of the bed and moved toward the door.

The sound of breaking glass came from downstairs again and then another sound.

“Some one’s breaking in.” Jane said. “Lock the door.”

“Michael!” Daria said and pulled open her door and ran down the hall to the nursery and quickly scooped up the baby before running back to her room. Quinn was in the hallway looking tired but alert and Daria grabbed her and pushed her into the bedroom before locking the door.

Jane was on the phone hopefully calling the police and Sandi got off the bed as Daria laid out her baby brother and turned back toward the door just as something hit it.

“What’s happening?” Quinn said as she grabbed Daria’s skateboard and held it like a club.

“Someone’s breaking in.” Sandi answered coldly.

The door suddenly crashed inward and Linda Griffin strolled into the room.

“I made bail.” She said looking amused.

Daria moved between the bed and the former business woman with Jane and Quinn moving along side her, Jane had grabbed the wooden desk chair and was holding it slightly to one side ready to swing it.

“I’ve come for my daughter.” Linda said clearly insane.

“Ya right. You need to take a reality check because we’ve already called the cops.” Quinn said.

“Shut up.” Linda said and raised her hand.

Daria saw the pistol in Linda’s hand and moved to push her sister out off the way only to feel the hits on her shoulder and then the explosion as every muscle in her body crushed itself. She fell to the ground unable to do anything except suffer as her body clenched itself tighter and tighter.

Quinn saw her sister go down, taking the hit for her and she knew where the expression boiling blood came from.
One step and a sideways swing from the board sent Linda crashing into the door frame. A downward swing to the skull snapped the board in half but Linda managed to stay on her feet and glared at Quinn murderously. She stepped forward only to feel a hand grab her and pull her into the hallway.

“I don’t hit ladies but you don’t fit the bill.” Jake said before throwing a left that knocked her to the carpet, Helen stood over Linda with a vase looking hopeful but when Linda didn’t moved sighed and replaced the vase on the hallway table.

Daria felt the two darts pull out of her shoulder and tried to talk as Sandi and Jane checked her over.

“Don’t try to move, take a minute.” Sandi said firmly as she started rubbing different muscle groups and directed Jane to do the same.

“DARIA.” Jake said coming into the room.

“That nut shot her with a taser, the police are on the way.” Quinn said and sat down next to her sister and followed Sandi’s instructions.

“The shock locks up the muscles, massaging them will help them loosen up again. She needs to get checked out by a doctor.” Sandi said to the looks she was getting from Jake and Helen.

“I’ll keep an eye on our guest.” Jake almost growled.

“Is there anything I can do?” Helen asked as she picked up Michael.

“Not until the paramedics get here.” Sandi said as tears came from her eyes.

“She’s going to be ok.” Quinn said softly.

Sandi nodded her head then spoke. “It’s just I just like it here, I wanted to stay.”

“S s s st stay.” Daria managed and reached out with an unsteady hand and grabbed Sandi’s hand and pulled it into her chest.

Helen nodded and knelt down holding Michael and rubbing Daria’s head.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Helen said looking at Sandi.

The sirens filled the air.

Chapter 13 Problems.

The judge looked out over the court room and sighed as he pretended to look over notes concerning the cases he would be presiding over in a matter of seconds.

A mother and father about to lose their daughter and sons and a decision concerning where the daughter was going.

“All rise.” His bailiff ordered and he quickly waved them down.

“Be seated.” The bailiff stated.

“All right, this is a mess but we’re going to sort through it right now. First on the agenda is custody of two minor male children. I understand that a custody arraignment has been reached giving their paternal grandmother custody, is that correct?” The judge asked.

“That’s correct, your honor.” Helen Morgendorffer said.

“I am also to understand that we have two possible options concerning the eldest girl, it that correct?” He continued.

“Yes your honor. Both the Morgendorffer family and the Rowe family have served as joint custody holders and are willing to continue.” Helen responded.

“I don’t much go for joint custody in cases like this so I’m going to change the deal here a bit. The Morgendorffer family will obtain full custody with one Judy Rowe acting as the minor’s guardian ad litem. I am severing all parental rights of one Linda Griffin and limiting Tomas Griffin’s rights to visitation only.” The judge stated and waited for the uproar to die down.

“Your honor, Mr. Griffin loves his children and is not facing any charges concerning his daughter’s abuse. Why is he being punished?” Sandi’s dad’s attorney asked.

“Because he allowed her to be abuse for years and didn’t bother to notice. And let’s not forget the matter of telling his wife where their daughter was staying, leading up to an assault on a room full of teenage girls and an infant. Also I am ordering unfettered access between the children be allowed and maintained. If I find out that the sister and brothers are not getting together at least once every two weeks for a considerable amount of time, I’ll be upset and we can go through this again.” The judge smirked at the grandmother’s face.

“So I can stay with the Morgendorffer’s?” The girl, Sandi asked.

“They are now your legal guardians, which means, they can’t get rid of you if they wanted to.” The judge smiled as several of the audience reached past the barrier pulled the girl into a hug.

“Now I also have a request for dismissing charges against Linda Griffin owing to mental instability and drug abuse problems that pushed her over the edge. Are you joking?” The judge managed to catch the laugh that he wanted to spit in the lawyer’s face.

“No your honor, I have well documented and confirmed proof that my client is suffering from intense physiological problems that are better suited for treatment in a hospital than a prison.” The lawyer stated.

“Motioned denied.” The judge gaveled quickly.

And that ended their day in court. Daria found Sandi waiting for her in her bedroom after they arrived back at the Morgendorffer home.

“Hey Sandi, you can’t take my pillow to your room.” Daria said as she plopped down on her bed.

“I’m just thinking about maybe we could share, the room is big enough for another bed and to be honest you don’t really use your closet.” Sandi asked sheepishly.

“I don’t mind if it’s ok with the parents but don’t you want your own space.” Daria said wondering where this was coming from.

“I sleep here half the nights anyway and that’s only because I crash with Quinn some too, I maybe sleep in my bed, once a week.” Sandi shrugged.

“Still, I think you’d like having your own personal space and I don’t have a problem with you crawling into bed here at night or just coming straight here when you’re ready for bed. I’ll deny it but I don’t have bad nights when there is someone here.” Daria admitted.

“Ok, but no experimenting or anything else.” Sandi laughed.

“And no eating in my bed little Miss. Snack cracker.” Daria laughed.

“I was hungry; jeez you’d think I burned the house down.” Sandi pouted.

“And I don’t want a makeover.” Daria said sternly.

“Fine but a little blush never hurt anyone.” Sandi sighed.

“Brittany.” Daria replied.

“I don’t think makeup can be blamed for her.” Sandi defended.




Daria and Stacy stood in the middle of arcade shaking their heads as Judy continued her one quarter rampage through city of monsters.

“I told you this was a bad idea.” Stacy grinned.

“You didn’t mention she was a video game addict.” Daria smirked.

“This could take hours.” Stacy sighed.

“Chili cheese fries. I won’t tell anyone, my treat.” Daria said holding up her right hand.

“Mom, we’re going to get some snacks, meet us in the snack bar when you’re done.” Stacy called over to her mother.

“Grab me some chicken wings sweetie.” Judy called over her shoulder.

“What does your mom do, when she isn’t saving the world from alien creatures out to devour everyone?” Daria asked as they got into line to order.

“She goes into businesses and shows them how they’re wasting money.” Stacy replied.

“Cool, oh look for an extra buck they put bacon on top of the chili.” Daria said pointing at the menu.

“How do you eat like this and not weigh 300 pounds. I mean Jane runs, Quinn does the skateboarding but you eat like three of them and don’t do anything but the class two nights a week.” Stacy said shaking her head.

“I practice during the week but the answer you’re looking for is nervous tension, it keeps my muscles tightening and releasing all day.” Daria shrugged.

Daria placed the order and Stacy stared at the mountain of fries that came covered in chili and melted cheese and sprinkled with bacon.

“Do you want to get your mom’s wings now?” Daria asked.

“No, maybe in 30 minutes so they won’t be completely cold when she eats them.” Stacy answered and the two walked to a empty table and sat down.

“Have some.” Daria insisted as she dug in.

“You eve’s with your apples.” Stacy sighed and started eating.

Daria raised an eyebrow but let the comment pass.



On the ride home Daria drove through the almost empty streets with Judy directing her as she ate her wings.

“Relax, you act like you’ve never driven before.” Judy chuckled.

“Does Cruise the world on my PC count.” Daria said weakly.

“Ouch, I figured Helen or Jake would be giving you lessons already. Well you’re doing fine.” Judy said as she carefully wiped the surprised look off her face.

“Thank you.” Daria said and as she checked her rearview mirror saw Stacy asleep on the back seat.

“She does that a lot, it’s my fault really. I used to take her for rides to get her to go to sleep when she was a baby. Now it’s like giving her knock out gas unless she has someone to talk to the whole time.” Judy laughed.

“It’s cute, um sweet um … or something.” Daria stumbled.

“So how do you like having a new sister?” Judy asked.

“We decided to share a bedroom, I don’t think it will last but it’s kind of nice. Sandi isn’t so bad when she isn’t trying to give me a makeover or being a complete bitch.” Daria sighed.

“Now you sound like Stacy.” Judy laughed again.

Daria was glad the darkness hid her blush.



They arrived at the house in time for a Skateboard team meeting that was in full swing.
Quinn was arguing with Float and Tiffany while Jane tried to bury her head in the couch cushions and Sandi was trying to convince Sam and Misfit to not shave their heads. The new guy who was still trying to get them to call him Spike was looking like he was ready to crawl under the couch.

“I don’t care what Tony Hawk did. Jane please tell Sam you’ll dump him if he shaves his head.” Sandi was trying.

“I like long hair.” Jane said from the couch and Quinn turned toward Misfit and shivered.

“You don’t have a head for baldness, I would hate to have to find some other guy to get into my bikini for and hop into the shower with.” Quinn said rudely.

“… …” A collective silence filled the room as Misfit shrunk down into a chair.

“We have clothes on, swimsuits, the whole time.” Quinn said and stared down everyone gathered.

“Ok the head shaving problem seems resolved. Now let’s talk about you two.” Sandi said turning to Tiffany and Float.

“I don’t see where it’s anyone’s business.” Float said looking pissed.

“It’s … not … a … big … deal.” Tiffany said.

“You were worried you might be pregnant, that’s a problem.” Sandi said frowning.

“Look I’m not trying to stress over the whole teenage sex thing but if you’re going to be stupid then at least be safe.” Quinn added.

“I don’t li…” Float started only to be grabbed by Daria by the shoulder.

“If you knock her up, we’ll make you marry her and that would mean dropping out of school and getting a JOB.” Daria stressed.

“Whoa.” Float and Tiffany both replied.

“Ok problem two seems to be settled. No one is shaving their heads and no one is getting knocked up.” Daria said.

“I’m hitting the upstairs shower.” Stacy said and headed upstairs.

“I’ll take the downstairs.” Daria said and followed Stacy upstairs to grab a change of clothes.

“So … we … can … keep …” Tiffany started and Sandi glared her down.

“A baby would be unfashionable and you wouldn’t be able to ride your board and you would get fat. I suggest you stop at the drug store on your way home tonight.” Sandi said sternly.

“Ok, enough we get it.” Float growled before flopping onto the couch.

“Now I don’t suppose anyone besides Jane has any painting skills, there is a poster contest at school and Jane is being reluctant to produce anything besides negative messages that she and Daria came up with. I was thinking that the fashion club and skateboard team could come up with a our view of student life.” Sandi said forcefully.

“Hey they didn’t say it had to be a positive message.” Jane said sitting up.

“That doesn’t mean eat pizza until you and Daria are ready to die from grease poisoning then coming up with the most depressing message you could come up with.” Sandi sighed.

“So what do you want to do?” Jane sighed.

“A group project that show cases some, just some of the good with the bad and enter it as a group effort.” Sandi offered.

“Ummmm, look Daria is the idea person so you might want to talk to her. Let’s be honest here, we aren’t the smartest peas in the pod and she is.” Jane groaned.

“Hey.” Burnout said from the floor where she was sitting with her boyfriend.

“Sorry but it’s the truth, no one here is a Kevin of course, but Daria is well Daria.” Jane shrugged.

“I’m not going to take offense this time but I haven’t crushed my brain yet.” Quinn replied as she squished herself into the chair with Misfit.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow; she’s always in a better mode on Saturdays after the class.” Sandi agreed.

“Ok but so everyone knows, we have a tournament in Leeville in two weeks. This is going to be big so I need everyone focused and ready to go. Tiffany and Spike this will be your first tournaments so we’re not expecting you to wipe out the competition but it will also be Misfit’s first one back. After this match we will be deciding wither or not the temporary positions you two are in become permanent.” Sam said before pulling Jane off the couch and ducking into the entrance way by the door.

“Meeting adjourned.” Sandi smirked as she headed into the kitchen.

“Sandi.” Tiffany said following her.

“Yes, Tiffany.” Sandi replied as she poured herself a diet soda.

“Can …I …still …be …in …the …fashion …club …if …I’m …on …the …skateboard …team …fulltime.” Tiffany finished after a while.

“Are you going to keep dressing the way you do now, when you’re not at practice?” Sandi asked.

“Yeess.” Tiffany looked at her funny.

“Then of course you can stay in the fashion club. Do you know why Brooke didn’t come to the club meeting earlier or to the team meeting?” Sandi asked.

“She …said …that …the …team …is …changing …us.” Tiffany replied.

“So did she say she was quitting?” Sandi sighed.

"No." Tiffany said and looked lost for a minute.

“She kinda of implied that she thought you three should quit.” Quinn said from the route to the living room.

“Oh really.” Sandi laughed.

“Something about you letting Stacy’s extra circular activities slide for too long and now Tiffany riding and dating a LOSER like Float, that’s what she called him.” Quinn answered nodding toward Tiffany who glared at the words.

“And?” Sandi said knowing that there was at least one more bomb.

“I …have …to …go …get …condoms.” Tiffany said before hurrying out of the room.

“That bad.” Sandi paled.

“It was pretty terrible.” Quinn nodded looking pale herself.

“Don’t tell me, you have your big date with Misfit so go, but tomorrow you can tell me when I can scream or cry or whatever.” Sandi waved Quinn’s mouth shut.

“Ok.” Quinn said and retreated out of the room.

Jane finished kissing Sam goodbye and shoved him and the rest of the team out the door before joining Sandi in the kitchen.

“Uh oh, I guess they told you about Brooke.” Jane said seeing the cross between anger, tension and outright depression on Sandi’s face.

“Not what she said about me yet so please don’t. It’s going to be hard enough to get to sleep tonight as upset as I am now.” Sandi said and together they walked through the living room and up the stairs.

Jane pushed open the door to Daria’s room and froze as Sandi followed her into the room.

“Well Damn.” Jane said at the sight before her.

“…” Sandi was unable to get words to form.

Daria turned and Stacy looked back, both shocked. Stacy pulled a blanket over her almost completely nude body and Daria pulled her T-shirt back on over her bra.

“Eep.” Stacy uttered.

Daria looked down at the scene, then stepped back in her mind to get a better look.

“Would you believe this isn’t what it looks like?” Daria blushed.

Chapter 14 What?

Daria struggled to get her arms through the sleeves of the oversized t-shirt as Stacy pulled the blanket over herself gasping in embarrassment. Jane and Sandi were standing transfixed in the doorway looking stunned.

“I owe Sam 5 bucks.” Jane deadpanned.

“Don’t jump to any conclusions here.” Daria said unsurely.

“It looks like you two are …, is there a name for it?” Jane said turning to Sandi.

“Why are you asking me?” Sandi countered shooting an annoyed look at Jane.

“Is that a scented candle?” Jane said pointing at the desk. A large candle flickered, throwing off a semi-pleasant citrus odor.

“Oh god.” Stacy said covering up her face with a pillow.

“Everyone shut up for a minute.” Daria said raising her voice.

Jane and Sandi walked over to the latter’s bed and sat down, both staring over at Daria and the mound formerly known as Stacy.

“Look, Stacy pulled her back in class and I was rubbing Dit Jow on it. That’s why she’s undressed but she is wearing underwear and I took off my shirt to not get Dit Jow all over it but now I have to change my sheets and blanket. She was laying on her stomach and I was sitting on her butt so I could work the ointment in, nothing of a sexual nature was happening.” Daria said calmly.

“The candle was to counter the smell.” Stacy said from under the blanket.

“I might believe that if both your chests weren’t flushed.” Sandi said grinning at Daria. Daria pulled the neck of her t-shirt up in a futile effort to hide the bright red skin.

“It’s not what you’re thinking.” Daria responded, the blush spreading to her face.

“So you’re saying you two aren’t into each other and after a little treatment for an injury decided to get touchy in a non medical way.” Jane smirked.

Stacy poked her head out from under the blanket and stared at Daria who had decided to get quite.

“That’s a lot of questions rolled into one.” Jane said frowning at the silence. “How about we make it easier.”

“That sounds fair.” Sandi said covering a grin with her hand.

“What was happening when we came in?” Jane asked sweetly.

“I told you the truth.” Daria said.

“Ok that was an easy one, what about the whole liking girls thing?” Sandi countered.

“Um.” Daria said.

“Sandi, that’s not fair. You’re using something you know about me already.” Stacy said as she reached for her clothes.

“What?” Jane said looking between Sandi and Stacy.

“If someone needed to define my sexuality, I guess it would be fair to say I like girls.” Stacy explained without blushing.

“Oh.” Jane responded as she checked out Daria’s reaction to the news. She didn’t seem surprised, instead she was almost smiling.

“Someone still hasn’t answered.” Sandi said looking at Daria who had sat silently through the exchange.

Jane and Stacy both joined Sandi in looking at Daria who seemed to be deep in thought.

“I was leaning over her, I didn’t care that my hair was getting the Dit Jow all over it.” Daria said to herself out loud. “I liked the way it looked as my hair dragged across her back.”

Stacy moved closer, keeping the blanket over herself. “I liked the way it felt; I didn’t really hurt my back, I wanted you to touch me.” She said softly.

“Damn.” Jane whispered as a blush darkened her face.

“I think it’s time for bed.” Sandi said and pushed Jane toward the wall.

“But there seems to be so much to talk about.” Jane said as Sandi turned off the light.

“Tomorrow.” Sandi said firmly.

Daria sat on her bed until Stacy pulled her down and snuggled against her and even in the dark, Daria could see her smile.

“Oh god, I have the hots for a fashion nerd.” Daria said shocked.

“And I have the hots for an unfashionable brain.” Stacy smirked.

“Ohhh Jane.” Sandi called out from the other bed in a clearly faked sexy voice.

“Baby, baby. You make me feel like a woman Sandi.” Jane adlibbed.

“Oh Daria, not with them in the room.” Stacy moaned, effectively silencing the faked moans from the other side of the room.

“Just kill me now.” Daria groaned.

“Not till I’ve had my way with you.” Stacy said laying her head gently on Daria’s shoulder.

“You’ve been studying.” Jane called over to Stacy.

“Level four and I haven’t missed an episode yet, and I downloaded three seasons worth from the internet.” Stacy giggled.

“Tomorrow we can work out a door signal to prevent any further accidents like tonight.” Sandi said calmly.

Daria felt Stacy pressing against her and felt a surge when she realized that Stacy was still almost completely naked. Stacy seemed to be ignoring the fact or enjoying its effect on her.

“Goodnight.” Stacy said as she moved her head so her breath danced across Daria’s throat.

“Night.” Daria managed.

:Oh Damn.: Daria thought as she fought the urges she was feeling.

After several minutes of silence, Sandi’s voice rang out.
“Am I the only one that noticed that Stacy still doesn’t have any clothes on?”

“Mind your own business Sandi.” Stacy called back across the room.

A fury of giggles and outright laughter erupted from the other bed.




Quinn floated down the stairs in the morning, whistling tunelessly.
:I could get used to having a guy like this around.: She thought as she grabbed a coffee pot and several cups as well as a pitcher of orange juice.
She almost danced up the stairs and barged directly into her sister’s room.

“Time to get up.” She called loudly as she turned on the light. She set the various items down on the desks and spread open the curtains wide.

“Why?” Jane said shielding her face from the light.

“Because the morning is wasting away.” Quinn laughed.

“Translation, she had a great date last night and wants to tell someone about it.” Daria groaned.

Quinn plopped across the two bodies lying under the blanket of Daria’s bed and squealed loudly.
“Yes it was. He was a perfect gentleman.” Quinn said in a happy voice. “We went dancing and saw a movie and had dinner and got to hear that band that comes on after Jane’s brother’s band. The all girl one.”

Quinn shifted around as she was talking and came to an abrupt end and bounced off the bed.
“Why isn’t Stacy wearing any clothes?” She asked surprised and shocked.

“Uh oh.” Stacy said and ducked her head under the blanket.

Daria looked at the floor and saw Stacy’s shorts and t-shirt, still laying there. She reached down, letting her sister see that she was dressed and grabbed the clothing and passed it to Stacy under the blanket.

“Umm, she was hot.” Daria said and blushed brightly.

Jane and Sandi were busy showing off their current state of dress and pouring themselves glasses of coffee and orange juice.

“I’m waiting.” Quinn said tapping her foot before she noticed she was standing just like her mother did when she used her glare.

“Ewww, I’m turning into mom.” Quinn shuddered.

Stacy poked her upper half, now clothed out from under the blanket.
“I have a way to answer the question.” Stacy said evilly.

“Well.” Quinn said annoyed.

Stacy leaned over and kissed Daria gently on the lips.

Quinn didn’t so much as make a thud as a bonk when she dropped to her butt on the floor.

Daria didn’t notice as she was too busy trying to return the kiss amid giggles from Stacy.

Quinn looked at her sister and then turned to look at Sandi and Jane who were showing off their amusement but controlling it carefully.

“When?” Quinn managed.

“Last night.” Daria answered as Stacy leaned against her, rest her head on Daria’s shoulder.

“What?” Quinn said still trying to get her head around the information.

“I like your sister.” Stacy said. “Like, like.”

“I like Stacy and thanks to these two walking in on something last night. We were forced to face said facts last night. We didn’t have sex.” Daria explained.

“Oh.” Quinn said. “Damn it, I owe Misfit AND Mom ten bucks each.” Quinn groaned.

“Does everyone bet on my sex life?” Daria said in disbelief.

“Yes but I won some money. I bet on you two hooking up.” Sandi laughed.

“Dad’s going to freak.” Quinn chuckled.

“Something to look forward to.” Daria said falling back onto her pillow.




Quinn caught the wind as she topped the ramp and waited for the brief still moment and sighed as it came and passed. She crested the opposite side and flipped before retaking her board and rocketing toward to top again. It was all about the air, nothing else mattered, not Misfit, not Daria not anything. It was her moment of nothing and she rode it until her legs burned.

She let gravity slow her and she came to a running stop before scoping up her board. Walking off the smooth surface she noticed her sister watching.

“Hey Daria.” She smiled.

“Hey, I was worried, three straight hours. You didn’t take that long when you were deciding on Matt or Greg back in Highland.” Daria said sadly, her eyes giving away the worry.

“Nah just clearing my head, it’s been a busy year.” Quinn laughed.

“We moved to a new town, new baby, new boyfriend, new team, new school, new sister, a lot of drama and now this.” Daria nodded.

“Sandi is kinda like our sister now isn’t she.” Quinn mused.

“Seems that way.” Daria said.

“Look, I’m sorry I weird out this morning but it honestly took me by surprise. I like Stacy, not like, like but you know.” Quinn tried.

“So are we ok.” Daria said sounding nervous.

“Of course. Look if Stacy was a guy I might still have freaked a little but it’s not a big deal. Remember what Dad said about Mom when we were doing the coffee house.” Quinn pointed out.

“Yes and please don’t make that connection again.” Daria shuddered.

“God I know, I tried to use the glare on you this morning.” Quinn laughed.

“Thank you.” Daria said rushing in and hugging her sister.

“Umpf I don’t need ribs anyway.” Quinn joked as she returned the hug.

“I don’t know why but it really matters that you’re ok with this.” Daria said weakly against her shoulder.

“I am, so what is everyone doing?” Quinn said patting her sister on the back.

“We’re working on a group poster project for school, Sandi wanted to do one that showcases good and bad.” Daria sighed as she stepped away from her personal rock.

“Like what?” Quinn asked as they headed back into the house.

“You’ll see.” Daria answered.




“I can’t believe we won.” Burnout was exclaiming for the sixth time in fifteen minutes.

“I thought for sure Li would pull it like she wanted to do to me and Daria’s.” Jane smirked.

“It’s … powerful.” Tiffany drawled looking proud standing next to the poster.

Quinn looked at the poster and smiled.

Control, Respect, Victory, one of the mottos of the straight edge graced the top and pictures filled every square inch. Tiffany’s pregnancy test results, the team holding up a trophy. Quinn’s spoken word poem and one of Sam’s college application letters. A picture of the scars on Sandi’s back was an attention grabber. Daria had described it as the lowest and highest moments each could think of. Dozens of memories of the school year were displayed.

It was an honest picture of student life.

The line, “If you don’t have the time to be part of the solution then you are the problem”, ran across the bottom.

A small painting graced the bottom corner of a phoenix rising above a fire.

“So what do we get for winning?” Upchuck said only to receive a punch from Scarlett.

“You helped so you might have a chance to do something besides that stupid one you made of yourself on a car with two bimbos.” Sandi teased.

“But DO we win anything?” Misfit asked.

“Umm… …” Jane thought out loud.




When they arrived home to enjoy a taco feast Sandi pulled the girls aside and gave them an announcement.

“Brooke stopped by at the school tonight and asked me to call an emergency meeting of the fashion club. I think she wants to demand I step aside and she take over, which will most likely mean she’ll kick Stacy and Tiffany out. I thought about a few things and despite the changes in my life, I still love fashion so I’m sticking with the fashion club and I won’t lie and say that I am not really upset that she would try to kick me out of my own club.” Sandi said and blushed as her voice hardened.

“So are we confronting her or setting her up.” Burnout laughed.

“I think a frontal assault.” Sandi said with a smile.

“Need help?” Quinn asked.

“A lot and some assistance with this Brooke thing will be nice too.” Sandi fired off.

Daria caught the statement first and start chuckling. “We don’t have to wear Capri pants do we?”

“No but they would look so cute on you.” Sandi responded.

“Why are you checking out her legs?” Stacy said, eyes narrowing.

“Anyway.” Sandi rolled her eyes.

“So what’s the plan?” Jane asked.

“First I need to know, what did Brooke say about me?” Sandi sighed.

The room got quite.

“I know I didn’t want to know before but now I do.” Sandi said starting to wonder what could be that bad.

“It was the worst thing I ever heard someone say.” Quinn said softly.

“Brooke … is … evil.” Tiffany responded.

“Just tell me.” Sandi pleaded.

Chapter 15 Brooke hunters.

Sandi leaned against the desk and pretended to inspect her nails as Tiffany read a magazine and Stacy played with a stuffed mouse. Burnout had dressed up for this event and was wearing a tasteful dress and Daria in her typical skirt and peasant blouse were sitting in various desks waiting. Sandi remembered the night before.

Sandi struggled in the bed trying to sleep but nothing worked and after four hours, she was exhausted and sleep still evaded her. She heard Daria get up and come over to her bed and climb over her.

“I won’t hit on you or anything.” Daria whispered in her ear as she wrapped an arm around Sandi and held her tightly.

“I didn’t stay over here because of that.” Sandi replied sadly.

“I don’t want to be weak.” Sandi almost cried.

“You aren’t.” Daria assured her.

“I don’t want to be my Mom either.” Sandi continued.

“You won’t be.” Daria promised.

“I thought she was my friend.” Sandi pushed back against Daria as she felt sleep moving toward her like a train.

Brooke showed up fifteen minutes late and smiled widely at the group of girls waiting for her.

“Now that everyone has decided to make it, we can get started, Stacy could you read us the minutes of the last meeting?” Sandi said trying to channel her mother.

“Let’s not waste our time with that kind of thing.” Brooke sneered.

“Is there a problem, would you like to discuss something?” Sandi said sweetly.

“Yes I’m afraid there is.” Brooke smiled, letting her teeth show.

“I’ll turn the floor over to you.” Sandi offered graciously.

“I have decided that the entire lot of you are no longer worthy of being members of the Fashion club, Tiffany is dating some grungy loser and Stacy is more at home in a comic book store than a real restaurant and in absence of strong leadership, I am forced to take over. You will have the choice of stopping your unfashionable activities or being kicked out.” Brooke declared.

No one spoke and Burnout was clearly trying not to burst into laughter.

“Well as President of the Fashion club I don’t plan on stepping down so it would seem that unless you have the support of a majority of the members you can’t kick me out.” Sandi replied.

“As vice president I kicked Tiffany and Stacy out yesterday.” Brooke countered.

“You don’t like this club or the people in it then go make your own club.” Sandi said felling anger growing.

“I want this one.” Brooke said and she moved toward Sandi.

Daria heard Stacy’s knuckles crack as she made a fist.

“I don’t think so; I have no choice but to remove you from the club, all those in favor.” Sandi said and three hands were quickly raised.

“According to Fashion club by-laws any current or former member can challenge the President for control with a fashion off.” Brooke said almost as if she expected this response.

“Anytime.” Sandi laughed.

“Next Monday afternoon.” Brooke demanded.

“See you then.” Sandi answered with a smile and Brooke stomped off.

“I don’t know why you’re even going to try, even your own mother knew you were a worthless piece of trash, that’s why she hit you, you don’t damage something of value. I can’t figure out if you’re a spineless fool or some kind of sick freak who liked it.” Brooke said as she walked out the door.

Stacy got to her feet and started after the Brooke with murder in her eyes, only to be blocked by Jane and Quinn and pulled back into the room by Daria.

“She fell for it.” Burnout said with a grin.

“I can’t believe she said it to your face.” Daria said with a tense face.

“It will make revenge even more sweeter.” Sandi said not feeling the shock she had when Quinn had told her what Brooke was saying, somehow it was funny.

“The field trip is on Friday, I should have everything ready by then.” Daria smiled.

“I don’t want to hurt, hurt her just enough to get the job done.” Sandi warned.

“I got it covered.” Daria smirked.




“Tell me about this paint ball field trip I heard you girls talking about.” Helen said over dinner.

“You don’t want to be there.” Quinn said smugly.

“Oh god, their gang is going to take over the school.” Jake said looking concerned.

“We’re not a gang and we don’t want the school.” Daria deadpanned.

“Do your father and I need to chaperone this trip?” Helen said with narrow eyes.

“No, we’re just going to kick Brooke out of the fashion club.” Sandi said not bothering to hide the gleam in her eyes.

“Do I need to call Quinn’s lawyer again?” Helen sighed.

“No.” Daria answered quickly.






“Pass the word, Brooke is on blue team.” Quinn whispered to Burnout who quickly moved to Jane and whispered it to her.

The teams separated and Quinn marked Brooke and stuck as close as she could without letting the girl know what was happening.

As soon as the match had started she moved to the prearranged meeting spot and waited as first Sandi then Daria and Jane and finally Stacy and Burnout followed by Tiffany showed up.

“Ok, I froze these overnight and I’ve been letting them thaw since this morning, when you load them if they don’t squeeze don’t shoot them.” Daria said as she handed out bags of paint balls, all jet black in color.

“Also don’t get caught with any after this is over.” Jane said as she loaded her hopper.

“And use the cleaner before you turn in your gun.” Stacy said handing out small bottles.

“What … happens … if … they … won’t … squeeze?” Tiffany asked.

“They could break the skin or even a bone, it would be bad.” Daria warned sternly.

“Can I suggest a secondary target after we get Brooke?” Quinn asked.

“Who?” Sandi asked.

“Barch, she gave Misfit detention just because she heard me telling someone about how hot I thought he looked on our last date.” Quinn said looking pissed.

“Ok.” Stacy nodded.

“I’m so sick of the whole a strong woman has to hate men thing.” Sandi nodded.




Brooke moved behind the sand bags plotting her takeover of the Fashion club.

:Once I show up that loser Sandi and get rid of squeak and slow, I can bring in anyone who shows some promise and the club will become the most popular group at Lawndale high.:

Brooke spotted someone moving toward her and quickly sighted them and prepared to shoot only to see the matching blue arm band.

She lowered her paintball gun and turned to get a drink from her bottle of water when the first paintball hit.

She didn’t know what was happening but the impacts rained down on her from every direction and within seconds she was running for a safe zone.



“I expected more crying.” Jane sounded disappointed.

“Freezing the balls and letting them thaw weakened them so they broke easier. It hurt less than normal.” Daria smirked.

“So what exactly was the point?” Burnout asked.

“Well there aren’t any showers out here so that paint is going to have plenty of time to soak to her skin and sit there.” Quinn replied.

“So.” Burnout said.

“I removed the paint and put Henna ink in.” Daria answered.

“The ink will dye her skin brown and it should last for a while.” Sandi said with a grin.

“How long?” Stacy smiled.

“It was pretty thin so maybe a few weeks at the most. But poor Brooke is going to have brown splotches all over come Monday.” Jane chuckled.

“I guess she won’t be to fashionable looking like that.” Daria smiled.

“No I don’t think she will be.” Sandi grinned evilly.

“I can’t wait.” Stacy giggled.

"War ... is ... hell." Tiffany said frowning at a broken nail.





“Brooke, you were right about us changing, but it’s for the better.” Sandi said as Brooke tried to hide her skin when she stood again in the school club room on Monday.

“Go to hell Griffin. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll destroy you and the Fashion club and the skateboarding team.” Brooke said and she moved toward where Sandi and the others stood.

“Do your worse.” Sandi said. “Trust me, you can’t do a thing to me that will equal what my own mother did.” She said calmly.

Brooke started forward again.

Stacy and Daria both moved forward, Stacy in a calm loose stance that screamed danger and Daria in an obvious martial stance.

“I’ll tell Barch.” Brooke said.

“I think she figured it out when I walked up and shot her.” Quinn laughed.

Brooke stomped out of the room looking ready to eat nails.

“What … a … bitch.” Tiffany stated, looking smug.

“Oh, the guys are pissed we left them out of the fun.” Jane joked.

“This wasn’t for guys, it was women’s work.” Sandi smirked.

“So what’s next?” Stacy asked.

“Maybe we can relax some.” Daria sighed.

“Ya right.” Quinn groaned.



Jake and Helen were standing in the kitchen and they seemed to be on the verge on dancing when Sandi walked into the room.

“Oh, hello Sandi, how was school?” Helen asked blushing from whatever her husband asked right before she came in.

“Good …” Sandi started but then turned to leave the kitchen.

“Something you want kiddo?” Jake said in his always trying to sound cool way.

“Sandi.” Helen pushed.

She turned back to them and sighed.
“I was wondering if I could join the karate class Daria is taking, and maybe if I could talk to someone … about my mom.” Sandi said flushing red.

“Sure kiddo, I’ll setup the class so you can start Wednesday and we’ll be more than happy to talk with you…” Jake said only to be stopped by Helen.

“I’ll speak with Judy Rowe; I understand that Stacy saw someone for a while. Would that be ok?” Helen said gently.

Sandi nodded and quickly left the kitchen.

Chapter 16 All in the Family.


Daria grumbled her way through the store as her mother continued to pick out various clothing items and asking if she would like them.

“Daria, it’s not unthinkable for you to wear something different.” Helen sighed.

“Look I came and I don’t see why we can’t just get what we came here for.” Daria grumbled.

“Fine let’s pick out some underwear sets and then maybe your mood will improve.” Helen relented.

Daria watched as her mother started pulling different lingerie sets off the rack.

“Mom, I’m not wearing that kind of silly things.” Daria said as she grabbed a handful of her normal underwear, offering a settlement of different colors to appease her mother.

“Daria I’m not suggesting anything but you’re getting to the age where someone might see you and you might want something special.” Helen countered.

Daria turned around to face her mother speechless.

“Don’t look at me like that, you’re a growing girl and I’m sure someone will be seeing you in underwear long before I’m ready to accept that fact.” Helen sighed.

“Now, green is a given as is black but what do you think, red or blue for one more set and then we can go pick up Sandi from her therapy.” Helen pressed.

“Stacy likes blue.” Daria said and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

Helen froze but recovered quickly and dropped the two colors she had picked out with the blue into her buggy and grasped the handle and started pushing it toward the registers.

Daria followed behind her mother, bright red and her hands still covering her mouth.

When they got out to the car Daria climbed into the back without speaking. Helen smiled warily as she climbed in and pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the therapist’s office.

“Daria it’s ok.” Helen said as she drove.

Daria groaned and tried to cover her head with bags.

“Daria you do know that I haven’t always dated men, right.” Helen tried.

“Oh god, please don’t go there.” Daria groaned.

“I’m just saying that if you need to talk, I'm here and don’t tell your father yet. He’s still holding a grudge about having to compete with a woman for my affections.” Helen sighed.

“…” Daria tried uncovering her head slightly.

“I like Stacy and I guess I owe Judy 50 dollars, I was so sure it would be Jane.” Helen teased.

“You know betting on your kid’s sex life is really weird.” Daria finally said as she sat up.

“I know but I have to find new ways to embarrass you as you get older.” Helen said as she pulled into the doctor’s office and Daria shrunk against the seat.

“You’re not going in; I’m just going in to get Sandi.” Helen assured her.

“Ok.” Daria said and Helen could see her struggle to keep control.

Sandi came out the door and was half way to the car by the time Helen found a parking spot and opened her door.

Sandi jumped in the front seat and glanced back at Daria before frowning.

“I guess you wouldn’t be joining me for any joint therapy.” Sandi said as she buckled her seatbelt and reached an arm back and squeezed Daria’s knee.

“Not on your life.” Daria said as her mother pulled out of the parking lot.

“Are you ok?” Sandi asked.

“I told her by accident.” Daria said sadly and nodded toward Helen.

“Oh.” Sandi said and worry crossed her face, she had no doubt what secret had come out.

“And I’m ok with it.” Helen said.

Sandi still looked slightly nervous. Daria sighed and leaned forward.

“Mom was into girls at one point.” Daria said, knowing that Sandi was terrified that a parental tantrum was coming.

“I’m not going to freak out or yell but I’ll warn you now that Jake will, but I promise it won’t be bad and he won’t get out of hand.” Helen said reaching over and patting Sandi gently.

“You won’t mind if I hide in our room when you tell him.” Sandi responded.

“With the door locked.” Daria added.

“With loud music playing.” Sandi countered.

“And a lot of sodas.” Daria followed.

“And maybe Jane and Stacy could come over.” Sandi suggested.

“Don’t forget Burnout and Tiffany and Quinn of course.” Daria said smiling.

“And the guys.” Sandi laughed.

“And a pizza or two.” Daria said.

“Enough, if you want to throw a party, why don’t you just ask.” Helen laughed.

“Can we throw a party?” Sandi asked.

“I don’t think that will be a problem within reason.” Helen answered.

“She always did like you best.” Daria joked to Sandi.







“Hello Rita.” Helen said causing Quinn and Daria to jump up from the couch.

“Uh oh.” Quinn said and grabbed Misfit’s hand.

“This is not a drill.” Daria joked as she grabbed Jane and Stacy and pulled them to their feet.

“What are you two doing?” Sandi said confused.

“Mom is talking to Aunt Rita, it’s time to hide.” Quinn answered.

“Rita, that’s so wonderful. I’m so happy for you! You and Erin both.” Helen was saying.

“Upstairs!” Quinn said and started pushing people toward the stairs.

Jake hurried out of the kitchen with Michael.

“Your cousin Erin is getting married.” He said as he followed the herd of teenagers upstairs.

“This isn’t going to be pretty.” Daria said shaking her head.






Helen came up the stairs and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Daria called through the door.

Helen came in and saw 11 teenagers lounging about the room some on the two beds and others at the desks, Daria and Stacy were letting Michael play between them on the floor.

“Good news girls, Erin is getting married.” Helen said.

“I’ll send her a card.” Daria replied.

“Daria, for a wedding, you send a gift.” Quinn scolded her.

“We will be attending.” Helen dropped the bomb.

“No!” Quinn said.

“Yes and I talked with Rita and Quinn, Daria and Sandi will be bridesmaids.” Helen said nicely.

“Bridesmaids.” Daria groaned.

“I don’t want to wear some ugly dress.” Quinn groaned.

“Me too.” Sandi asked surprised.

“Yes and no trying to get out of it. Everyone is going AND participating.” Helen said firmly.





“Why am I required to go with you on this trip?” Jane complained.

“Because you want to get pictures of Quinn in a dress.” Daria smirked.

“Screw both of you.” Quinn said looking pissed as the five girls walked into the bridal shop.

“How can I help you girls?” An elderly sales clerk asked.

“Killing me would be good.” Quinn whined.

“Death would be a comfort far beyond this.” Daria said sadly.

“We’re bridesmaids for the Chambers-Danielson wedding.” Sandi said smirking at the sister’s.

“Here it is, how many?” The sales woman asks.

“3, them and me.” Sandi responds pointing at Quinn and Daria.

“They’re such lovely dresses.” The clerk says as she looked disapprovingly at Quinn and Daria.

Sandi’s eyes narrowed.






“Is there a reason that you called the owner of the store ranting and screaming?” Helen said as she walked behind the gaggle of girls.

“The woman wouldn’t fit the dresses correctly. She had no problem doing mine but then all of a sudden she forgot how to sew.” Sandi said carrying a garment bag.

“I was about to slap her, she kept making these comments about my body.” Quinn growled.

“At least you have hips.” Daria groaned.

“Yes but apparently my boobs are too high.” Quinn said shaking her head.

“We can finish the dresses.” Stacy offered.

“I hope you’re speaking of someone besides me because I can’t sew a button back on.” Jane said as she climbed into the SUV.

“Me and Sandi and Tiffany should be able to finish the alterations.” Stacy offered.

“You just want to check out Daria in that dress.” Jane laughed and froze.

“How many times do I have to tell you I know Jane?” Helen said getting into the driver seat.

“It’s ok.” Daria smiled as she squished next to Jane only to have Stacy push in against her tightly and Sandi followed as Quinn took the passenger seat.







“Helen.” Rita Morgendorffer said from the steps of the hall.

“Rita.” Helen said and hugged her sister.

“Jake how are you enjoying the good life.” Rita smiled.

“Boring.” Jake replied.

“Oh the girls look so lovely, you must be Sandi.” Rita said looking at the three teenagers in perfectly fitted dresses.

“Hi.” Sandi said with a smile.

The girls turned as a classic red sports car pulls and screeches to a stop.

The woman that got out was dressed nicely in dark clothes and her long brown hair moved around her as she made her way up the steps.

Sandi looked at her and then did a double take and looked at Daria closely.

Quinn heard the compelling sound of tiny wheels on pavement and started to move toward it when Daria’s hand landed on her shoulder.

“I don’t think so Q, if I have to suffer so do you.” Daria smirked.

“But I just want to watch.” Quinn tried.

“Ya right.” Sandi laughed.

“You watch and then the next thing we know, you’ve ripped the dress and look like you just got mugged with this huge smile on your face.” Daria deadpanned.

“Fine.” Quinn complained.

“I see that I’m not the only one who could come up with a something better to do today.” Amy said as she came up behind them.

“I’ll pay 20 bucks if you can distract Mom and give us a chance to escape.” Daria offered.

“I’ll double it.” Quinn said.

“Oh please, it’s just one day and tomorrow we are going to be at the skateboarding meet. Just smile and deal.” Sandi chuckled.

“I don’t remember you so you must be Sandi. I’m Aunt Amy or Amy.” She said holding out her hand.

“That’s me.” Sandi responded and again compared the woman to Daria and had to bite her tongue.

As they headed inside Quinn walked next to Sandi and whispered over.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Every generation of Barksdale woman has an Amy, Rita and Helen. Daria is Amy, I’m hoping I’m my mother and Erin is Rita to a t.” Quinn said.

“So she’s not her mother.” Sandi pressed.

“Daria has had a blood test done before so we know that Jake is both of our father and we have the same mother. So don’t feel bad, we had those thoughts too.” Quinn whispered.

“Ok, it’s just they look so much like each other.” Sandi sighed.

“I know, it’s like Daria is her clone.” Quinn giggled.

“Tell that to Stacy, she’ll love dating a clone.” Sandi whispered back.






After the wedding the entire event quickly fell apart.

“Relax you two, we’re getting out of here.” Quinn said as she pulled the two zombie like girls after Amy, following her out through the doors.

After they loaded into the car and were well away from the area Amy asked.
“Ok, what just happened to them?”

“They don’t handle stressful situations very well at the moment.” Quinn said as she leaned into the back, holding both girls’ hands.

“Are they going to be alright?” Amy asked sounding really worried.

“I think so, it was Sandi’s first encounter with the family dynamic and well I’m sure Mom has told you about Daria.” Quinn said calmly.

“Cheese fries.” Amy sighed and pulled into what appeared to be an open roadside dinner within walking distance of the hotel.

“With chili and bacon.” Daria said weakly from the back seat.

“Put mine on a salad.” Sandi added.

“Ok that’s just gross.” Quinn joked and got a smile from Sandi.

“Hell I’m thinking of putting mine on top of ice cream.” Amy answered.

“I’m so glad Stacy and her mom agreed to watch Michael.” Daria said sadly.

“Hey, they’ll be here tomorrow for the tournament.” Quinn assured her.

“I miss her.” Daria said and blushed before opening her door and getting out.

“Who?” Amy said softly to Quinn as they walked in.

“Her girlfriend.” Quinn whispered back.

Amy’s eyes went wide and she nodded her understanding.






“Ok, Helen has made sure I have the dirt on Miss. Tomboy skater and Miss. Genus but I don’t have any on you yet.” Amy said to Sandi after they got their orders and began eating.

“It’s a difficult story, not for the meek.” Sandi said as she forked up a mouthful of French fries dripping in chili, cheese and bacon all on top of a lettuce salad.

“Hit me with your best shot.” Amy said.

“My mother decided to correct all the mistakes in her life through controlling mine, which meant turning me into a control freak and forget about putting effort into school as well. She did everything possible to talk me into a super bitch and when that didn’t work she would beat me with everything from bamboo rods to shocking me with a stun gun. I’m so screwed up that I traded my virginity for a few nights with a guy that didn’t care a thing about me except for my looks. By accident, … really by accident I made a few friends, a fact she couldn’t stand.
Now I’m with the Morgendorffers who treat me like one of their own kids and I realize just how screwed up my entire life has been. So currently I have serious abandonment and anger issues and I’m working on them in therapy and a karate class with Daria and hopefully I can get past a C average in school so I don’t end up sweeping hair clippings at the mall and as much as I like sharing a room, Daria hogs the covers so maybe I can get to a point where I can sleep in my bed.” Sandi said calmly.

“Damn.” Amy said frozen.

“Your turn Daria.” Sandi said.

“Wow, let’s see I was mind tortured for 6 months which has left me without any ability to deal with certain insults or angry crowds. I just discovered I’m gay and half the town thinks my little brother is my son oh and I got tasered. Quinn.”

“I ..whoa, I guess I’m the well adjusted one. All I have is a fear that I’m going to lose my boyfriend because of too much or too little intimacy. And I’m worried about my sisters but wow.” Quinn said looking back and forth between Sandi and Daria.

“Damn, just so you three know I’m going to be getting really drunk tonight and I might call my mother and tell her thank you.” Amy shuddered.

“I think we won the screwed up childhood award.” Daria said flatly to Quinn and Sandi.

“Ok this is all the advice I can give you three, sex is pointless unless it means something and you are all pretty young for it to mean anything yet. Stick with each other instead of trying to rip each other apart. Never be afraid to ask for help and for god’s sake don’t start smoking.” Amy said.

Amy dropped them into their hotel room after promising to go check on their parents and they quickly changed into sleeping clothes and spread out on the two beds. Quinn pestered her until she agreed to attend the skateboarding tournament the next day. “Ok but I’ll be the one with the ice pack on her head and groaning with a hangover.” Amy finally agreed as she left.

“Thank you.” Sandi said looking at Quinn as they watched TV and relaxed.

“For what?” Quinn asked.

“For calling me your sister.” Sandi cried.

“You are now.” Quinn answered and moved over to the bed with Daria and Sandi and hugged the latter.

“You’re stuck with us now.” Daria said warmly.






The tournament was the largest the Lawndale team had attended but the competition fell before them like dominoes.

Quinn out preformed herself and walked away with the first place in the woman’s and Allcome and was grinning as every member of the team walked away with at least one trophy. Tiffany cradled her third place like it was her child looking pleased as any mother could be. Spike was less pleased with his twin 5th places in the men’s and Allcome. Misfit and Slammer were glaring at each other after trading first and second in the men’s and second and third in the Allcome.
Float was contented with his third in men’s, having refused to enter the Allcome.
“My pride can’t stand to get beat by her again.” He laughed when ever asked.

Mrs. Li puffed up hugely as the team was awarded the best of day and team trophy. Daria knew that rough times might be up ahead when she heard Li talking on her cell phone to someone.
“A team that brings honor to Laaawndaaale High and doesn’t need bys to pass their classes. I think some changes might be in order.”





Daria rode back to Lawndale with Stacy and Judy and spent the entire trip waiting for a lecture or some other statement from Judy but it didn’t come until she dropped the two off at the Morgendorffer house.

“Ok you two let’s get something straight, trusting you is not the same as giving you permission to do anything. I trust both of you and well honestly I think you are really good for each other. I would hate to have to start acting like a concerned parent and start restricting sleepovers and such.” Judy said firmly.

Daria nodded her understanding and smiled back when Judy hugged each of them.

“So you’re a clone of your aunt, that’s really sexy.” Stacy said when her mother drove away.

“What?” Daria said and smiled at the gleam in Stacy’s eyes.

“I think we’re going to have some fun.” Stacy said pulling Daria into the house and up the stairs.

After getting to her bedroom Daria held Stacy at arms length and sighed.
“I don’t know how far I’m willing to go but I’m willing to find out but when we reach that point we have to stop.” Daria said carefully and Stacy nodded with a smirk.

“Trust me I understand that completely and I have to ask the same.” Stacy whispered as she moved closer.

“Quinn’s gonna be upset if we break the straight edge.” Daria chuckled.

“She’ll get over it.” Stacy promised with a kiss.


Ten minutes later.

“You look really good in blue.” Stacy purred.

Chapter 17. You did what in the 60s?


The three girls sat on the couch looking chastised as Helen and Jake both stood in front of them in shock.

“You know the Yeagers are coming this weekend and you three start plotting to stay at Jane’s.” Helen said shaking her head.

“Well we just thought you might enjoy the time to get to re-know your old friends.” Daria offered as an excuse.

“And we thought they might not like the negative vibes we throw off currently.” Sandi added.

“And since we’re all going to be busy all weekend, we figured it would be nice if they had rooms to stay in.” Quinn expanded.

“Really what are you doing this weekend?” Jake asked.

“Team practice.” Quinn answered.

“Art project, I’m helping Jane.” Daria said quickly.

“Um, … something.” Sandi said and sighed.

“I see you forgot to work out the details of your plan.” Helen smirked.

“Well at least one of you will be here this weekend, but I expect regular check ins and Quinn I don’t think you’ll need to stay at Jane’s for a team practice. What kind of project Daria?” Helen said moving her pieces into check.

“Fine.” Quinn mumbled.

“I don’t know, you know Jane and her crazy art ideas, something about a singing statue.” Daria pretended to be thinking.

“Will Stacy be helping?” Helen asked sweetly.

“No, her and Judy are taking a trip to Middleton to see her grandparents.” Daria answered truthfully.

“I see, very well you escaped but don’t think for a minute that I don’t suspect you of creating this whole project out of thin air.” Helen sighed.

“I understand.” Daria nodded, hiding the smile.

“When are they do?” Jake asked.

“Any minute now, damn I wanted to make some bread, oh well, Michael was teething.” Helen sighed, looking disappointed.

“No kidding.” Quinn chuckled and all four women rubbed one of their breasts absentmindedly.

A car horn sounds outside and the adult Morgendorffers rushed to the door.

“It begins.” Daria sighed.

“It can’t be that bad.” Sandi said hopefully.

“No, it’ll be worse.” Quinn replied.




“Oh my god, he’s cute.” Sandi sighed as Ethan introduced himself to Helen and Jake.

“Me and my old soul are getting packed and getting to Jane’s, Are you going to be ok for the weekend?” Daria asked looking concerned.

“She can bunk with me if she needs to.” Quinn smiled and gave Sandi a one arm hug.

“I’ll be ok.” Sandi promised looking slightly relieved at Quinn’s offer.

“Ok but if you need me to come home I will, we aren’t doing anything but sitting around and insulting the masses this weekend.” Daria informed her.

“Gotcha.” Quinn nodded as she checked her watch, the team was not due to arrive for another hour.

“How about we check in for dinner tomorrow and compare notes.” Sandi suggested.

“Pizza King.” Daria and Quinn said at once.

“Ok but I want the carnage with extra chicken.” Sandi sighed.

“Girls, the Yeagers want to tell us about how they make hammocks, let’s go inside.” Helen called over to them.

“I’m out of here.” Daria said and spun away heading to the door.

“Damn, she moves quick when she wants to.” Quinn groaned.

“He is really cute isn’t he.” Sandi said as they followed the rest inside.

“If you like that I don’t give a damn mixed with I’m too cool to care type.” Quinn chuckled.

“I do, I really do.” Sandi replied.







Quinn and Sandi were sitting on Quinn’s bed watching horror flicks when the knock on the door made them both jump.

“Who is it?” Quinn asked nervously.

“Ethan, can I come in?” A voice answered.

“Sure.” Sandi answered quickly.

The teenager walked in and sniffed at the air.

“Ok I smell meat, I don’t know where to get a hamburger in this town and I can’t listen to Ash pummel the living dead without meat. Of course you could invite me to watch with you so I don’t have to listen through a wall and share the snacks with me.” Ethan said in a laid back fashion.

“Oh thank god, you’re normal.” Sandi said and pulled the blanket away from the pile of power bars, beef jerky and slim jims that sat next to a mountainous bowl of popcorn that was dripping with butter and salt.

“C’mon.” Quinn offered and tossed an unopened package of jerky to Ethan as he took a seat on the bed next to Sandi.

“What’s your poison?” Sandi asked and pulled the small cooler out from under Quinn’s bed.

“I’m in heaven, meat, soda, rated R movies and two cute girls.” Ethan smiled as he grabbed a root beer and scooted back against the head board.

“Don’t get any ideas, I have a boyfriend.” Quinn warned nicely.

“I don’t so go ahead and get ideas.” Sandi flirted.








“They spent the night in jail.” Daria smirked over her pizza slice.

“A couple of times and then there was the big blowout between Helen and Starshine and Jake wanted to get her as far away from the temptation as he could. That was after they all almost got busted coming back from Mexico with a van loaded with illegales and pot.” Ethan said groaning as he tore into a meat loaded slice.

“This information will come in handy.” Daria smirked.

“Ask them where they buried the draft records for Smithburg, Mississippi.” Ethan smirked.

“Oh I think we just got a free ride the next several times we get in trouble.” Quinn smiled.

“All thanks to Ethan.” Sandi said from next to him.

“I wish we lived closer.” Ethan sighed looking at her.

“How bad is it?” Jane asked grinning.

“15 miles to the nearest town and 8 to the nearest neighbor. That’s how Mom and Dad are able to hide their personal use crops among the hemp and vegetables. At least I talked them into letting me go to school this year.” Ethan sighed again.

“Hippy parents myself, don’t you hate it.” Jane laughed.

“Well I’m really starting to hate butterflies.” Ethan smirked.

“Don’t you just want to rip their wings off?” Jane countered.

“I was thinking glue them to the wall.” Ethan responded.

“So how was your day?” Quinn asked looking over at Daria and Jane.

“Flea Market.” Daria groaned.

“It was a good chance to get to see how insane people will get over items from the past.” Jane laughed.

“Better than listening to Mom and Dad trying to justify raising Michael in a city surrounded by corporate devils” Quinn said.

“I thought Helen was going to snap when Willow told her it would make him gay if she kept using disposable diapers.” Sandi giggled.

“Or Dad when Coyote suggested they give all the money from the settlement to starving children in South America.” Quinn laughed.

“God, maybe Jake is my father.” Ethan groaned as he shook his head.

“WHAT?” Quinn and Daria both yelled.

“It’s apparently a possibility.” Ethan replied weakly looking at the shocked faces.

“I’m so glad I’m just a foster kid who needs love.” Sandi said evilly as she smiled at Ethan.

“Damn, she’s good.” Jane said impressed.

Daria nodded in agreement.

“Look I shouldn’t have said that, it just slipped out. Honestly I don’ t think he is my dad but it is kinda of nice to fantasize that maybe my real dad grew up eventually.” Ethan said with a half hearted smile.

“So you know Coyote isn’t your dad?” Quinn asked.

“Blood test at school. We had to draw a blood drop with one of those finger sample things and check the blood type. Mom’s B positive, Dad’s B negative and I’m O positive. Apparently the chances of that are slim to none.” Ethan smirked.

“That’s got to suck.” Jane said and it was clear she was thinking.

“It was the 60s and the 70s what can you do.” Ethan replied honestly amused as he tore into another slice of pizza.







“Oh my god they’re all acting crazy again!” Quinn said as she saw her parents and the Yeagers flitting between depressive remembrance to rejecting everything about their lives.

Ethan picked up the empty bottle and sniffed it carefully.

“It’s the berry juice, it fermented,… again.” He said shaking his head.

“Berries again and Michael is crying. You two keep them from doing anything stupid and I’ll take care of him and let’s call Daria.” Quinn sighed.

“Got it.” Sandi said and pulled out her cell phone as Ethan moved to start rounding up the adults.

Quinn hurried upstairs and lifted her brother out of his crib and started changing his diaper as she listened to Sandi and Ethan try to control the four drunken adults.

She had everything shorted out and was starting down the stairs when she heard the front door slam open. Looking down she saw her sister stomp toward the kitchen where most of the noise from the adults was coming from.

“YOU’RE DRUNK AND WITH NOBODY TO WATCH THE BABY!” Daria screamed loud enough that Quinn felt it through the floor and silence filled the house until Sandi and Ethan came around the stairs and started up them looking mixed between amusement and terror.

“I DON’T CARE WHAT WAS OK BACK THEN JUST SHUT UP AND DRINK THE COFFEE.” Daria screamed again.

Jane came strolling in the house and headed straight up the stairs just in time for another scream from Daria.

“ONE MORE IN THE SEVENTIES COMMENT FROM ANYBODY AND I’LL PUT YOU OUT IN THE YARD WITH A HOSE.”

“I take it Daria is not pleased.” Jane smirked.

“It’s not all their fault, the juice doesn’t taste that different when it ferments but I’m not telling her that yet.” Ethan said quietly.

“I’ll protect you.” Sandi assured him.

“What are we going to do, Michael is hungry and we can’t let Mom feed him until she gets sober and he wouldn’t take a bottle.” Quinn said nervously as the baby showed his hungry with a cry.

“I’ll get Daria.” Jane said and started down the stairs.

“Well she’s brave.” Sandi commented.

A few moments later Daria and Jane started up the stairs and Daria was carrying a bottle.

“Give him here, I’ll be in my room so knock before entering and Ethan you might not want to come in.” Daria sighed.

“He won’t take a bottle Daria, what are you going to do?” Quinn asked as Daria took the little boy.

“Breast feed him.” Daria answered and walked into her room with a curious Jane behind her.

“What?” Quinn and Sandi both followed a few seconds later.

Daria lifted her shirt and freed one of her breasts and offered it to baby who willing latched on. She then started to work the bottle against her breast until its nipple was in his mouth as well. When she saw the contents of the bottle start going down she looked up with a grin.

“I knew it would work.” She said.

“That’s brilliant.” Jane laughed.

“So he’s breast feeding and hitting the bottle.” Quinn joined in the laughter.

“Can I come in?” Ethan said from behind the partially open door.

“Just a second.” Daria said and created a tent with a towel over the left side of her chest.

“Ok.” She said and he walked in.

“You weren’t kidding.” He said stunned.

“Just a bit of misdirection to get him to use a bottle.” Daria shrugged and flinched as Michael bit a little hard.

“She’s got a bottle in there.” Sandi explained.

“Oh, wow, I guess you guys pretty much just got free passes for the rest of high school didn’t you.” Ethan laughed.

“I can’t believe they would do this.” Daria said looking disappointed.

“The juice isn’t supposed to get you drunk but if they let it sit with the lid loose to long then it ferments. I’m willing to bet they didn’t even know what was happening.” Ethan said keeping his distance.

“Ok that makes sense. Quinn, Sandi from now on they don’t eat or drink anything that one of us three haven’t approved.” Daria groaned.





It was a somber group that gathered around the VW bug and watched as the adults exchange gifts. Sandi hugged Ethan tightly and accepted a kiss as he climbed into the back looking sad.

“Ok, we screwed up, what’s it going to take to make this go away.” Helen sighed as the Yeagers drove away.

“Oh I think we have lots to talk about, so I hear you really liked Mexico.” Quinn smirked.

“Uh-oh.” Jake said.

Daria bounced Michael on her hip lightly as she started toward the house.
“I just hope you get all that berry juice out of your system soon so I can stop breast feeding Michael.” She said over her shoulder.

“Uh-oh.” Helen said slapping her forehead.



The next day the entire team and club walked through the halls of Lawndale high laughing.

“So you had to mock breast feed him all Sunday.” Stacy laughed.

“Yep, Mom is walking around talking to herself and Dad is offering us cars they both feel so guilty.” Quinn snickered.

“I almost took the car.” Sandi sighed.

“I think there will be quite a few guilt gifts at the house when we get home.” Daria mused.

“So this Ethan guy didn’t try anything did he?” Misfit said looking jealous.

“A little … but with Sandi.” Quinn teased.

“Wow so if it ever gets out you breast fed him then everyone will think he’s yours.” Burnout laughed only to be cut short by the loud speaker.

“Effective immediately all teams and clubs are on probation for possible grade fixing and failure to provide either matching funding or a positive community experience. The following clubs and teams have met the needed requirements.
Student Counsel
Chess, Fencing, Skateboarding, and Gymnastics teams. Math, Bug, French, Science and the Fashion clubs have all met the minimum requirements for grades, fund raising and community betterment. All other teams and clubs will be met with to discuss how to improve their performance. Failure of clubs and teams to do so will result in the suspension of said team or clubs activities. All sports teams are INCLUDED.” Mrs. Li’s voice said from overhead.

The group froze and while the first reaction was pleasure at not being under the gun it was quickly replaced.

“I think my popularity is about to get even lower.” Jane smirked.

“This … isn’t … good.” Tiffany said looking around at the all ready grumbling students that passed them in the hall.

“What have we done for community betterment?” Slammer asked, looking confused.

“The poster contest.” Sandi said snapping her fingers.




At lunch the largest group met and compared notes.

“Ok the football team is pissed and starting fights all over the school, the track team spray painted our ramp and the basket ball team is considering a hunger strike.” Slammer groaned.

“The art club is only behind in the fundraising so I offered to help out this week in a mad dash of doing portraits and such to try to make up the difference. Mrs. DeFoe looked so sad and I think I agreed to join but she was hugging me so tightly that I’m not sure.” Jane said chuckling as she did.

“The cheerleaders are safe as they’re all meeting the new requirements but if the teams get canned well I guess they could cheer for us.” Misfit laughed.

“Jodie is working on saving as many clubs as she can with some fundraisers but it’s going to be rough and she’s asking for help.” Daria said with a sigh.

“Doing what?” Jane asked seeing Daria’s face.

“Well remember how Burnout and Quinn raised all that money selling T-shirts?” Daria said and took a breath. “And a car wash, a bikini car wash.”

“She wants us to toss away our dignity for other teams and clubs.” Jane said looking surprised.

“Well her argument is we have some of the most attractive girls in the school and well she’s giving us something else too.” Daria answered.

“What?” Slammer asked clearly liking the idea of Jane in a bikini.

“We get to pick which clubs and teams we’re helping out.” Daria said. “We control where the money goes.”

“Nice.” Misfit whistled.

“Umm hem.” Sounded from the end of the table. Upchuck and his cousin was standing nearby there.

“Hi Scarlett, Charles.” Daria said, having learned that she didn’t like the nickname given to her cousin.

“I have come to request aid. I have given assistance but now it seems the knife hangs above.” Charles said dramatically.

“Stop it, just tell them and then ask.” Scarlett said poking him in the back.

“I’m in the photography club and we are about to get cut and anything you might be able to do would help.” Charles said without a breath.

“What can we do?” Daria asked curiously.

“Emm, I don’t know.” Charles said after a pause.

“You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have some ideas.” Jane said knowingly.

“Scarlett has suggested that my ideas might offend and be better left unsaid.” Charles said gulping.

“Now I’m curious, we won’t hold them against you.” Daria said strongly.

“Well one idea was a girls of Lawndale swimsuit calendar or perhaps a date auction.” Charles said carefully.

“Well the date auction is out, at least for us, all the girls on the team are pretty much taken and I’ll put out the calendar idea to the other girls, anything else?” Daria said looking amused.

“No.” Charles said looking disappointed.

“Well so you know we are already discussing with Jodie some different ideas and I will make sure that the photography club is included in the discussions.” Daria said nicely.

“Thank you, thank you.” Charles said gratefully.

“Thanks and if you can do anything for the horror movie club we would appreciate it too.” Scarlett said as she dragged Charles away from the table.

The loud speaker overhead went off and Mrs. Li’s voice came out clearly.

“Miss. Quinn and Daria Morgendorffer, Miss. Stacy Rowe and Miss. Jane Lane please report to the principle’s office at once.”






The four girls sat in front of the desk and waited.

“I’m sure you are all wanting to know what I called you hear for, well you’re not going to like it.” Mrs. Li started causing all the girls to get nervous.

“My entire sports department is under review and I need to get their grades up. So that’s where you come in.” Li stated.

“You want us to take their tests for them.” Daria hoped out loud.

“No, I want and expect each of you to start tutoring for an hour after school and during your free period. This is mandatory.” Li replied firmly.

“Have you seen my math grade?” Jane tried.

“Yes and I’ve seen the rest of your grades to, so don’t even try, you just won’t tutor in math.” Li chuckled.

“I knew I should have stopped turning in my homework.” Jane groaned.

“When does it start?” Daria said deciding this wasn’t worth the fight.

“One week from today.” Li answered.

“My life just keeps getting better.” Daria said frowning.

Stacy patted her on the shoulder and grinned.

Chapter 18 Not my club.


Daria felt the sweat running down her chest and back but she didn’t stop. Her hands flying out, each landing on the standing punch and kick bag with responding force.

“You’re a sick little girl.”

“You aren’t fit to be among other people.”

“You liked thinking about hurting your classmates.”

“You wanted them to pay because they weren’t smart enough for you.”

“You need to be locked away from people to keep them safe.”

“It’s all your fault.”

The voice continued in her head and not even the din she was creating could drown it out.

:I thought I was getting better.: She thought as she continued to work out, trying to burn through her feelings.

“Hey karate girl, it’s dinner time so get your butt in here.” Sandi said from the doorway to the garage. Her hair was still damp from the shower she took after she had left the workout that had started hours before.

“I’ll be there in a sec.” Daria said and grabbed the ever present towel and started to wipe the sweat off her torso before grabbing a t-shirt and pulling it on over her workout sports bra.

Daria grabbed a bottle of water and started into the dining room.

Her parents were there with Michael and Quinn and Sandi were talking about the massive tutoring project being undertaken at the school.

:Chili, damn, you’d think we came from Texas.: She smirked in her head and grabbed a few pieces of corn bread and heaped some of the steaming mix of meat and beans into a bowl.

She smiled as Sandi covered hers with chopped onions and then shredded cheese and started eating.

“So how is your tutoring going?” Helen asked as she grabbed a spoon and prepared to take a bit.

“Um pretty good, I have a few guys on the track team and Kevin Thompson. I thought it would be difficult but if I can just get him to remember to put his name in the right place on the papers I’ll be half way home, they only need 2.0 averages.” Daria groaned.

“I have the entire starter group minus Kevin of course and Mack and I’m thinking of driving them out to the tallest bridge and offering grades for anyone brave enough to jump off.” Quinn complained.

“At least neither of you have to go through what Jane is.” Sandi said chuckling.

“The basketball team, oh god they’re dumber than the football team.” Daria shuddered.

“So I hear you three, among others will be doing a car wash this weekend to help raise money for other teams.” Jake said smiling.

“Don’t remind me.” Daria shook her head.

“Well it’s better than the calendar idea.” Helen advised her.

“We’ll be doing that at the car wash too, Charles will be taking the pictures before we start washing the cars.” Sandi laughed.

“I thought you girls had decided against it.” Helen said looking confused.

“Charles went around with some pictures of the skateboarding team and fashion club and presold 500 copies at ten bucks a piece so we decide that between the two things we could wrap up this whole fundraising nightmare all at once.” Daria admitted.

“What month are you?” Helen asked still looking concerned.

“Everyone is doing their birth month, so I’m November and no there will be no costumes involved. Sandi helped us pick out some tasteful and modest bikinis.” Daria sighed.

“So Quinn’s February and Sandi is June, and Jane would be October, what month is Stacy and Burnout?” Helen asked.

“Burnout, Jennifer is January and Tiffany is May and Stacy is… December, unless I can talk her out of it.” Daria said ending quietly.

“Fat chance, she told you, if you’re doing it then so is she and Judy even offered to make sure that the pictures are respectful.” Sandi said patting Daria on the arm.

“Ya right, it’s not your girlfriend that’s going … …” Daria started smacking the table before noticing that the room had gotten deathly quiet.

“Damn it.” Quinn said staring at their father who had gotten still.

Helen looked like a trapped mouse, her face echoing the turmoil that was building inside Daria.

“So Quinn what does Tim think about you posing?” Sandi said loudly.

“Well he doesn’t like it but he respects me so he’s going to not throw to big of a tantrum.” Quinn answered, her voice shaking as she continued to stare at her father.

“Jakey honey, are you alright?” Helen said carefully.

“Daria, garage now!” He said when he looked up.

“I don’t think that now is a good time.” Helen started but Daria had already followed her father into the garage and closed the door.




Daria stood looking at her father trying to figure out what was going through his mind.

“Are you gay now?” Jake said after a few minutes.

“I’m not sure what I am but it fits.” Daria answered and noticed that she had move to stand at a 45 degree angle from him, a classic martial arts defense technique.

“Is this because of what they did to you?” Jake asked, she noticed he wasn’t raising his voice.

“I don’t know, I don’t think so, I’ve been attracted to a few guys but nothing like what I feel for her.” Daria said carefully omitting Stacy’s name to prevent her from being drawn into the conflict.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jake demanded.

“Well I thought that you might not take it too well, I know about Starshine.” Daria answered.

“She knew your mother and I were together but she wouldn’t back off even after we got engaged and Helen asked her too.” Jake ranted before taking a deep breath.

“I was scared.” Daria said suddenly.

“Don’t be, I’m not going to disown you or ship you off to some god forsaken place just because I’m not happy about something. You’re still my kiddo, right.” Jake said and she answered with a hug.

“So you aren’t going to freak out if she comes over?” Daria pressed.

“I’ll try not to; I think Stacy is very nice.” Jake offered.

“Thank you.” Daria said tearing up.

“Ok but promise me you won’t rule out guys all together. Your mom didn’t and look she’s doing pretty well.” Jake said with a half hearted grin.

“That’s fair.” Daria agreed.



Daria took a minute to catch her breath before following her father back into the house and was instantly set upon by Sandi who started checking her for anything that would confirm the fear that was clear in her eyes.

“Relax, we just talked and I think it’s going to be ok.” Daria said hugging Sandi.





Daria sighed as she turned the hose onto another car as Quinn and Burnout continued to scrub it to the clear delight of the male occupant. She still wasn't comfortable moving in the bikini so hose person was the only job that allowed her to stand somewhat still.

Even Quinn seemed to take pleasure in teasing the guys that brought their cars in with an abundance of exposed flesh and she was pretty sure that she had seen one girl flash a guy for a 100 dollar donation to the cause.

She noticed Scarlett several parking spaces over desperately trying to keep the cheerleaders from turning their area into a soft core porn show and became more than a little distracted, accidently spraying Tiffany directly with the hose.

“Look … out.” Tiffany flung water off her scrubber at her.

“Quit staring at the cheerleaders or I’m going to get nervous and kick their scrawny asses.” Stacy said from behind her then wrung out a sponge over her head.

“Hey!” Daria countered and sprayed her down with the hose. She had gotten over the urge to cover Stacy up whenever she came by and was enjoying the view and made a mental note to talk to Quinn about her shower activities with Misfit.

“I see that you’re enjoying your selves.” Jodie Landon said as she came up to them and Daria had to make a concentrated effort not to stare.

:I think I can lay to rest the whole gay thing now.: Daria thought as she struggled internally not to check out the student body president. She was wearing a very reveling suit that showed off her assets.

:Student body, that’s for sure.: She smirked and blushed.

“Well we made our goal and then doubled it so once we finish up the cars in line we can call it a day.” Jodie said happily.

“Does that mean no calendar?” Daria asked hopefully.

“It’s already being printed at the Kinko’s down the block. I think the first few hundred or so are already being delivered.” Jodie answered.

“Tomorrow is the funding meeting right.” Daria pressed and Jodie nodded with a smirk.

“Yes and you all did your parts, so I will keep up our end. If any clubs or teams have to take a hit then you have veto power.” Jodie sighed.







Daria and Stacy sat in the grass in the Morgendorffer backyard staring at the moon that hung high in the sky. Neither talked, they just enjoyed the close company of each other.
Only Daria knew that they weren’t alone.

“You think you’re better than everyone else.”

“I guess if you had your way then we would round up all the stupid people and toss them into camps.”

“I think you hate everyone that doesn’t live up to your standard.”

“Why don’t you just let us lock you into a room somewhere until you die?”

“You’re a ticking bomb.”

“How many people are going to suffer because you felt picked on.”

Daria pushed Stacy off her lap and started gasping for breath.

“Daria, what’s wrong?” Stacy said, surprised by the sudden attack.

Stacy grabbed her and held her tightly to her chest and rubbed both, Daria’s chest and back, comforting her.

“Don’t leave me, I’m not bad.” Daria cried against her as the voices quieted.

“I’m not going anywhere. You aren’t bad, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Stacy said trying to keep herself calm.

“Yes I did.” Daria whispered and struggled to pull away from Stacy.

“I have to show you.” Daria said as she managed to escape her lover’s arms.

She stood up and unbuttoned her skirt, letting it fall to the ground and grabbed Stacy’s hand and guided it up her thigh.

“Can you feel it?” Daria whispered as she traced a thin line on her upper left thigh.

“What is it?” Stacy asked.

“A scar.” Daria answered. “You can barely see it but it’s there. We haven’t gone there yet so it’s ok that you hadn’t noticed it.” She continued her voice shaking.

“What are you trying to tell me?” Stacy said as she pulled Daria back down and wrapped her arms around Daria.

“I just wanted it to stop; I didn’t want to hurt anyone. They said I would, sooner or later.” Daria cried.

“So you tried to hurt yourself.” Stacy said and felt her hold on the other girl tighten protectively.

“Femerol Artery, if I had cut deeper, it would have been unstoppable. I didn’t realize how thick the muscle was so I barely caused any damage and I passed out. Quinn found me and she knew that if we told anyone it would prove their case. She kept it secret all this time to protect me, that’s why she’s so aggressive when someone picks on me. She’s scared I’ll try again.” Daria explained.

Stacy stayed silent but she felt herself wanting to squeeze even tighter.

“I understand if this changes things.” Daria said weakly.

“I love you, this doesn’t change a thing except if you ever try anything like that again, I’ll kick your ass and even if you succeed I’ll follow you and do it on the other side.” Stacy said calmly.

“Why?” Daria said surprised.

“What?” Stacy said confused.

“Why do you want me?” Daria said as she reached out and caressed Stacy’s cheek.

“Damned if I know, you’re a mess. But I do and I love you.” Stacy said followed by a kiss.

“No one and I mean no one besides family has ever said that to me before. I love you too.” Daria sighed against her and listened for the voices but thankfully they were gone.

“Now I want to stay here tonight so before someone comes out and catches you in nothing but underwear put your skirt back on and let’s head to your room.” Stacy said looking hungry.

“I think you’re just using me for my body.” Daria said with a tiny smile as she pulled her skirt back on.

“Am I ever.” Stacy responded evilly as she stood and pulled Daria tight against her.






Daria sat between Quinn and Stacy and tried to fight down the urge to be mad at either girl. Quinn had taken the knowledge of Stacy knowing about her suicide attempt with relief. The weight of knowing alone had been crushing her and within minutes Jane and Sandi had both been informed as well. The four girls had taken a pledge to ensure that no matter what else happened they would continue to stick together and watch out for each other’s and her backs.

:Basically stop me from overloading, I thought Jane was going to slug me for not telling her. She understood in the end why we kept it a secret, I guess I do owe her a few pizzas but 30 that’s blackmail.: Daria thought as the meeting concerning the funds for clubs droned on around her.

:Great they all know now but I’m exhausted after all the bonding and we were too tired to do anything afterward but pass out at 5 am.: Daria thought rudely as she listened to a request for extra funds from a member of the year book committee.

“I just thought it would be nice if we took some of the money to showcase some of the volunteerism that some of the students have shown.” The short boy was saying.

“C’mon, this is supposed to be about keeping what we already have.” Jane interrupted him.

“Ya, let’s worry about taking care of our clubs then worry about new stuff.” One of the photography members said strongly.

“Well maybe some of the clubs could take a small cut in their funding.” The boy continued.

:Ted, that was what Jodie said his name was.: Daria thought.

“I didn’t spend the day in a bikini letting a bunch of perverts leer at me so the teams and clubs could take a cut.” Quinn said looking annoyed. Her opinion was echoed by many of the girls that had joined in the car wash.

“That’s a very good point, do the cheerleaders agree that any new funding should wait until after the existing clubs are taken care of.” Jodie said turning to Brittany and the other cheerleaders.

Brittany looked down at her cards and nodded.
“Yes we do.” She answered.

Daria almost broke into laughter, but then she had seen Jodie give the cards to Brittany before the meeting started.

“But…” Ted tried.

“I’m sorry Ted but the two groups who raised most of the money have veto power.” Jodie tried to look sad and understanding at the news.

“Just give them some pages in the yearbook, after almost getting shut down; I don’t think anyone is going to complain if a few of the teams lose some of their pages. I mean the football team has 25 pages alone, pull five off.” Daria spoke up.

“That’s a great idea.” Ted said and smiled at her.

:Oh god, what did I just do?: Daria groaned in her head.

“I can take him.” Stacy leaned over and whispered to her jealously. Quinn next to her and Jane directly behind her were the only ones close enough to hear and both fell out laughing.

After the meeting Jane and Daria walked together after Stacy headed to her house after a passionate kiss that left Daria so spellbound that she didn’t hear what Jane had said until she felt a smack on the back of her head.

“Hey listen up, I need advice.” Jane said laughing.

“Ok, ok.” Daria responded, rubbing her head.

“I was telling you about the fact that half the track team isn’t going to make the grade cutoff so their looking for new blood and I was thinking of signing up. I checked the schedule and it shouldn’t infer with the skateboarding events and to be honest I really want to do it.” Jane said and Daria could tell she was looking for encouragement.

“Well you do love to run and I guess it might free up some more of my time for Stacy, you know how clingy she is.” Daria joked.

“So it wouldn’t bother you that I Jane Lane, outcast and misunderstood artist, joined a sports team.” Jane pushed.

“Not really as long as you still make time for the little people.” Daria chuckled.

“At least the art club only makes art and I do that anyway. Besides the grade reviews are next week and I’ll have a whole extra hour after school I won’t know what to do with.” Jane shrugged.

“Studying never occurred to you did it, what does Slammer think?” Daria asked.

“He’s cool with it.” Jane said with a jerk of her shoulder.

“I guess I can let it slide but if you join the cheerleading squad then we got problems.” Daria teased.

“Just put me down, call it a mercy killing.” Jane said and she suddenly looked uncomfortable.

“It’s ok.” Daria said with a sigh.

“I just don’t want to lose my first and best friend.” Jane said.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Daria promised.

Chapter 19 The Year End.


Stacy sat at the Morgendorffer dinner table and groaned at the awful mess in front of her, Sandi sitting across from her looked ready to cry.

“It isn’t right, it’s cruel and inhuman.” Quinn said looking shaken.

“Please … don’t … make … me … go … on.” Tiffany replied.

The girls were gathered around the Morgendorffer table with the exception of Jane who was curled up in a corner babbling and Daria.

The missing Daria entered the kitchen and looked around.

“Hey how’s my little bookworms?” Daria teased as she came into the kitchen.

A collective groan rose from the table.

Daria moved behind Stacy and wrapped her arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

Stacy struggled away and shot a dirty look at her girlfriend.
“I love you but if you don’t leave me alone I’m going to tie you down to a bed, … and not in a good way.” Stacy said sounding annoyed.

Daria sighed and looked over Tiffany’s shoulder.
“No convert them before trying to average them.” Daria said correcting the work.

“Ohhhh.” Tiffany said and started reworking the math.

“I think you mean chlorophyll and the second phase is the CALVIN-Benson cycle not Kevin.” Daria said over Sandi’s shoulder pointing at the paper in front of her.

“So the Einstein-Rosenberg bridge is the name for theoretical wormholes but are they real or not.” Quinn said slapping the advanced science book to the floor.

“Good question, no one really knows.” Daria answered.

“Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” Quinn said smacking her head onto the table.

“No more, I understand it all now. There is no spoon.” Jane said from the floor.

“That was the movie last night; there are plenty of spoons in this world.” Daria smirked.

“I can’t stand anymore.” Stacy said frustrated.

“Finally let’s go blow off some steam.” Daria sighed with a happy grin.

“Quit smiling, you have finals too.” Quinn said harshly.

“Ya but with her current scores even if she blows them off she’ll pass with good marks.” Jane said as she pulled herself off the floor.

“Well Trent is playing at the Zon at the survive finals bash so let’s go and be really naughty.” Daria smirked. “I’ve already called the guys and even Burnout is coming with her boytoy.”

“Are we planning on going as a couple?” Stacy said nervously.

It was the last real hurdle they hadn’t faced, the club would be crawling with fellow students.

“Well I don’t want to wear I’m with her t-shirts but I really could use a night of dancing with my girl.” Daria shrugged. “Really close dancing.” She added as Stacy smiled.

“If you two are gonna be making out on the dance floor all night I’m selling tickets to the football team.” Jane laughed.

“We get 50 percent of the take.” Stacy replied.



The Zon was loud and the music was anything from slow but no one noticed the group slow dancing.


“I’m going to miss you.” Jane said against Slammer’s chest.

“I don’t suppose you want to reconsider a long distance relationship.” Slammer whispered down at her.

“They never work out and you know it.” Jane sighed.


“Tim, I hope you know how much it means that you’re willing to wait till I’m ready.” Quinn said as she danced tightly against him.

“Just being able to hold you is more than I could ever want. You’re worth it.” He spoke truthfully.


Sandi danced with Trent who behaved himself and didn’t bother to ask who she was really dancing with.


Tiffany’s feet never touched the dance floor as she rested her head on Float’s shoulder and he simple swayed his torso to the music.


Burnout and Shaggy danced to a different song than the ones that were playing but seemed to be enjoying themselves.


But the world belonged to Daria and Stacy as they moved untouchable throughout the night.



Daria was awakened the next morning when Fluffy jumped onto her bed and stretched out on her chest and started kneading her stomach roughly.

She heard Sandi and Quinn talking on the bed next to her and she listened.

“My brothers are doing ok, I’m really liking them a whole lot more now that I don’t have to live with them. My dad hasn’t been to see them in a few weeks. Don’t tell your dad but I heard him talking with my grandma. My dad is trying to get your parents to adopt me so he won’t have to pay child support anymore.” Sandi was whispering.

“Ohhh.” Quinn gasped.

“He doesn’t want to tell me, he’s afraid I’ll feel abandoned by the only parent I have left. I wanted to see how you and Daria felt about it before I talk to them.” Sandi said softly.

“I’m fine with it; I can have two little sisters to pick on.” Daria said shoving the cat gently off her chest onto the bed.

“So that’s the peanut gallery heard from.” Quinn smirk, quickly recovering from Daria’s sudden entrance into the conversation.

“What about you?” Sandi said looking Quinn nervously.

“Can you stop listening to the boybands when you’re in the shower.” Quinn laughed.

“No.” Sandi replied.

“Ok, fine can you quit using my toothbrush?” Quinn sighed.

“That’s Jane.” Sandi responded hitting Quinn with a pillow.

“Ok but you have to do everything I tell you too.” Quinn said evilly.

“Ohhh no.” Sandi said

“Can you at least pretend too?” Quinn pushed.

“No.” Sandi laughed.

“Fine but I’m not sharing my stuff.” Quinn laughed and hugged her.

“So you want your shorts back.” Sandi said tugging at the bottom of the shorts she was wearing.

“No.” Quinn said and fell back onto the bed.

“When are you going to bring it up?” Daria asked as she stretched, exposing the navel ring she and Stacy had both acquired when helping Trent shop for Jane’s birthday gift.

“I’m thinking the weekend after finals. School will be out and if my dad really doesn’t want to work on getting me back and Jake and Helen will have me it would be nice. I wouldn’t mind having two sisters to help keep Chris and Sam from outnumbering me.” Sandi smiled.

“Sounds good.” Quinn said and Fluffy jumped onto the bed and walked over her to get to Sandi.




Daria waited on the green grass for her friends after taking her last final and tried to reread a Brief history of time.

Tiffany was the first to join her and Daria felt sympathy for the girl, and hoped that the massive amount of cramming had paid off.

“I … passed.” Tiffany said and looked sad. “Barely.”

“Well maybe next year we can work on keeping you caught up.” Daria said, putting the book down.

“I’d … like … that.” Tiffany said before adding. “I … don’t … want … to … be … stupid.”

“You’re not. Any idea how Float did?” Daria asked.

“He … said … ok.” Tiffany responded smiling.

“Good.” Daria said.

She saw Sandi and Stacy coming out, Sandi was shaking her head and Stacy was comforting her. Daria felt a brief twinge of concern but hoped for the best.

“She passed but she scraped by with a 68 in English.” Stacy said as Sandi fell to the ground looking worn out.

“Thank you Miss. AB honor roll.” Sandi grumbled.

“I think someone deserves a special treat tonight for that.” Daria said with a grin.

“Do I get a puppy?” Stacy laughed as she laid her head on Daria’s legs.

“If you two continue this conversation in the direction I fear it might go I swear I’ll go mad.” Sandi groaned.

“No summer school for Jane Lane in Math.” Jane screamed as she ran out the doors of the school, almost knocking several students over in the process.

“I take it she passed.” Sandi chuckled.

“I’ll ask her when she gets over here.” Daria deadpanned.

Jane was in the process of telling every single person she passed about her good fortune when Quinn followed by Burnout and Scarlett strolled up and took a seat in the grass next to the others.

“Well I have once again failed to get within two tenths of your GPA.” Quinn stated looking almost angry.

“You still have three more years but only two that I will be forced witness it.” Daria offered.

“You studied less than a quarter that the rest of us did and blew through the exams like they were a joke.” Quinn groaned.

Daria didn’t answer, she patted her sister’s arm.

“Is it time to go home yet?” Sandi said looking tired.

“Dad’s on the way to pick us up.” Daria replied. “Of course he’ll be late.”






Sandi came up to the bedroom and closed the door behind her and found Daria and Stacy talking.
:Thank god, if I walk in on them one more time I going to throw a bucket of water on them.: She thought evilly.

“How did it go?” Daria asked looking excited.

“Well they said that it was a big decision and asked if I might want some more time.” Sandi sighed.

“AND?” Stacy bounced.

“We talked and they said that Helen would look into it but since my dad is willing, then it shouldn’t be any real problem but I can’t change my name.” Sandi squealed.

“So they’re going to do it.” Daria said rushing over and hugging her.

“Yes, I’ll start school next year as their kid.” Sandi smiled and hugged Daria back, sticking her tongue out at Stacy who laughed.

“Sandi Morgendorffer does have a ring to it.” Stacy said with a grin.

“Stacy Morgendorffer, Daria Rowe, they sound pretty good too.” Sandi teased.

“I wish.” Stacy giggled and stretched out on the bed.

“So I’m going to have another sister, I think this will come in handy whenever anything gets broken.” Daria said letting go of Sandi.

“I am not the scapegoat.” Sandi insisted.

“You’re no fun.” Daria laughed.




“Oh my god I’m going to miss going to school.” Quinn said sitting upright as Daria and Sandi broke into hysterics.

“Are you crazy?” Jane said in disbelief.

“Well I guess we’ll all see each other but I’m going to miss all the people and hanging out.” Quinn admitted.

“Aren’t you heading to that skateboarding camp?” Jane asked.

“Ya,the whole team is going except for you slackers.” Quinn said with a smirk.

“They don’t need medics and t-shirt salesman at a riding camp.” Sandi groaned.

“So it’s going to be you three and Stacy all summer, please leave the house standing.” Quinn teased.

“No promises.” Daria answered.


Quinn stretched out on her ramp and let the warm sun ease her aching leg muscles. She heard her sister approaching and smiled as Daria sat next to her.

“Hard thoughts.” Daria mused.

“You going to be ok over the summer?” Quinn asked, not bothering to dance around the issue that plagued her thoughts.

“Sandi will be here and her brothers are going to spend a week and Stacy and Jane are going to be around all summer so I think I’ll make it.” Daria shrugged.

“Still hearing the voices?” Quinn asked.

“Sometimes, but they don’t scream anymore and I argue with them now.” Daria admitted.

“Give em hell.” Quinn chuckled.

“You took care of me when no one else did, I’m going to miss you.” Daria said her voice thickening.

“That’s what sisters do.” Quinn answered.

“I’ll be here when you get back, I promise.” Daria said softly.

“Thank you.” Quinn said and pulled her sister into a hug.

They hugged for a long time before Quinn pulled back and smirked.

“Now lets talk about you and Stacy getting on the straight edge path.” Quinn grinned.


THE END

Chapter 20 A little bit of everything.



“So if Mr. O’Neil convinced Sandi and Quinn to volunteer exactly why are you doing all the decorating and how did I end up as brute labor.” Daria complained as she helped Jane tack up the shadecloth to the walls of the gym.

“They couldn’t come up with anything as a theme and I really was looking for a large scale project and they offered me cash.” Jane chuckled.

“At least they’re taking care of the streamers.” Daria sighed.

“And the food and drinks and I think they’re going to use Charles as the DJ since he’s been pretty decent lately.” Jane shrugged.

“Scarlett is keeping him on a short lease and it works, now if he will stop mooning after me and Stacy like a lovesick puppy he would be ok to hang out with.” Daria admitted.

“That’s a good point. Are you and Stacy coming to the dance?” Jane asked casually.

“Yes.” Daria groaned.

“It’s not like anyone doesn’t know already and no one is giving you two a hard time, except for Brooke and she is a pain in everyone’s butt lately.” Jane pressed.

“But it means I have to wear a dress.” Daria complained.

“God Daria at least you have someone to dance with, I would kill for a decent night with anyone. Male or female.” Jane said harshly.

“Well Sandi doesn’t have a date yet.” Daria offered.

“Will you stop trying to push me off on your sister, I swear it’s like you can’t stop this whole yenta thing can you.” Jane countered with a smile.

“You two would be so cute together.” Daria offered.

“Unless there is a really big secret that she has been keeping from me, nope. Sorry I like guys.” Jane answered.

“Fine be that way.” Daria sighed.
Jane tacked up her side of the shadecloth for a minute before asking. “So Sandi …?”

“No, she thinks she’s straight too. I just keep hoping you two will stop deluding yourselves and hook up.” Daria sighed.

“Not everyone is gay.” Jane whined.

“Seems that way sometimes though.” Daria chuckled.




“Maximum of three questions. No betrayals. Immunity from prosecution.” Jane sighed as Helen looked at her hopefully.

“Agreed. Stacy?” Helen started.

“They’re doing great in a sickening happy sort of way.” Jane shuddered.

“Attacks?” Helen continued.

“Not any bad ones. She seems to be getting better.” Jane smiled.

“Sex either of my daughters, wait I don’t want to know that one.” Helen sighed. “Can I have another one?”



“Maximum of three questions. No betrayals. Immunity from prosecution. And, uh, talk to your wife into finding a new speed-walking route.” Jane sighed.

“Boys.” Jake said hopefully.

“Her and Stacy are pretty serious but I did see them checking out a guy at the movie theater.” She tossed him a bone.

“School.” Jake said looking disappointed.

“4.0 if you don’t count the extra credit.” Jane yawned.

“Beat any football players up?” Jake perked up.
Jane starred at him and shook her head.

“Oh ya, we got the call from the school about that. Gimme another one.” Jake pleaded.




“I am not an alien, I’m gay, remember Kevin we had this talk before.” Daria sighed.

“Oh ya, you’re dating Stacy and she’s gay too.” Kevin said thoughtfully.

“So if Daria isn’t an alien because she’s gay does that mean Jane isn’t an alien either?” Brittany mused.

“Wait a damn minute here. I am not gay.” Jane said loudly.

“So you are an alien.” Brittany said as her eyes widened.

Jane sighed defeated. “Yes I’m an alien, a BOY loving alien.”

“Wow, that’s kinda cool.” Kevin said with a grin.

“So you aren’t here to suck out our brains?” Brittany asked nervously.

“No, I just want your boyfriends.” Jane said evilly.

“Keep your slimy hands off my man …you …you …alien temptress.” Brittany said as she started pulling Kevin away from them.

“So it’s better to be a three headed alien from Mars than gay.” Stacy said tapping her foot.

“Yes it is.” Jane answered.

“Just for that I think you need to spend some time helping us train.” Stacy said coldly.

“Can I bring a camera for when you two start making out? I’m low on cash and there’s a 500 dollar standing offer for anything that shows you two going at it.” Jane chuckled.
Her feet saved her from whatever evil Stacy attempted to do as they ran through the quad.


Daria and Stacy danced around the deck as there class mates jumped into the water.

“Um guys the boat’s sinking.” Jane said nervously.

“Then it’s good we’re on a cloud.” Stacy giggled sweetly.
Daria just sighed with pleasure.

“Just push them in and come give us a hand.” Quinn yelled from the water where she was keeping Misfit from drowning and Sandi was trying to help but he outweighed either of them and was in the process of panicking.

“Fine.” Jane sighed and shoved the two lovers into the water.

The girl resurfaced and their dress clung to their bodies as they continued their dance in the water, arms locked around each other as they kissed.

“Somebody has to have a camera … please.” A male voice cried out in despair.




“Look, I’d like to talk to you, okay?” Tom said.

Daria sighed then waved Stacy and Quinn to go on ahead.

“So, talk.” Daria said.

“Listen, you don’t like me and that’s fine. There’s no reason you should.” Tom replied.

“I agree.” Daria smirked.

“But it would be nice if you could try and get along with me a little. At least around Jane.” Tom sighed.

“Why should I?” Daria responded.

“Because I’m trying here, look if I’m stepping on your toes but don’t you have a girlfriend already.” Tom said and winced as the words escaped his mouth.

Daria looked amused.
“I guess I am acting kinda of possessive aren’t I.” Daria chuckled.

“Just a bit and I’m sorry that was out of line.” Tom apologized.

“You aren’t trying to take away my friend are you?” Daria sighed.

“Like she’d let me.” Tom laughed.

“Ok I’ll try but I’m not ever getting in that car.” Daria pointed.

“Well that’s just common sense.” He grinned.



“Let’s take stock. We’re trapped on a mountain in a blizzard with half the school and most of the teachers have left.” Jane mused.

“That’s correct.” Daria chuckled.

“How do you spell orgy, I want to put out a sign.” Jane laughed.

“Just don’t let anyone come over into the gay section.” Daria said as Stacy dragged her toward a bunkbed.

“Somebody brought a camera right …. Right.” A male voice called out as the two girls climbed onto the top bunk.

“Shut up and stay over there.” Jane laughed as she noticed Sandi and a front linesman sneaking into a corner.

“Great and Misfit couldn’t make it.” Quinn sighed, coming up next to her.

“Well make sure Tiffany and Float don’t sneak outside.” Jane chuckled.

“I already told them it would be a good thing if they froze certain parts. Then I described what it would look like as parts started rotting off from frost bite.” Quinn grinned evilly.


“And just what did a herd of high school students do alone in a cabin all night.” Helen asked on the drive home.

“I believe that falls under the, you don’t want to know category.” Daria replied flatly.

“I hope people used protection.” Helen sighed.

“You can thank Quinn for that. She turned into the condom police and suggested alternative activities for couples when they ran out.” Daria smirked.

“Hey I just grabbed Kevin’s stash since he was missing and handed them out.” Quinn complained.

“Well that was very responsible of you.” Helen said proudly.

“Well, Misfit wasn’t there so there wasn’t anything else to distract me but we need to talk about precautions. I think it’s time.” Quinn said firmly.

Helen was quiet for a few minutes.
“I’ll make an appointment.” Helen sighed.

“Good I want to be prepared if it happens.” Quinn said calmly.

Daria noticed her father seemed to be taking this news very well.
:Of course it means Quinn isn’t gay so he really likes it. I have to gave him a lot of respect that he’s handling me and Stacy better than I thought he would.: Daria thought and reminded herself to give him a big hug when they got out of the car.





“Look Tom if you and Jane are having problems just talk to her.” Daria sighed as she searched for a way out of this parade.

“I’m just saying …” Tom started.

“Stop, I don’t want to hear it. Just talk to her.” Daria said forcefully.

“I’ll try.” Tom promised.





“Hey what are you doing here?” Daria sighed as she saw Tom sitting on his car.
It had been a rough week as Jane had gone slightly insane concerning anyone and Tom.

“I wanted to talk to you. Your sister said you weren’t home so I figured I’d wait out here.” Tom said casually.

“Do you want to come in?” Daria offered.

“No! There is a pack of skaters in your living room; you know I hear raid works on clearing out infestations.” Tom joked.

“It’s the skateboard team’s weekly meeting.” Daria sighed, she had been excused to try to calm Jane down and it looked like it might have worked.

“I do think I saw someone with a clipboard. Why don’t you get in the car?” Tom said as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Take the key out and I will.” Daria joked before she got in the car.

“Did you want to talk about Jane?” Daria asked.

“Nope.” Tom said.

“Oh, Then … what?” Daria said confused.

“About our situation.” Tom replied.

“Have you been drinking, we have no situation. I’m going inside.” Daria reached for the door handle.

“Wait. Why is everyone so mad at me?” Tom sighed.

“Why? Why? Are you joking? Jane helped save me, if it wasn’t for her I don’t know where I would be right now.” Daria said angrily.

“Look me and Jane aren’t working out and that’s not a bad thing. It happens all the time. It’s nobody’s fault.” Tom said calmly.

“So why are you here?” Daria demanded.

“You.” Tom admitted.

Daria started laughing.
“Maybe you didn’t pay attention but I’m involved with someone that I love and oh ya I’m gay.” Daria continued to laugh.

Tom leaned over and kissed her.
“Ouch!” He cried out as she punched him in the chest and then head.

“yogh bruce mg nffe.” Tom cried out.

“Lucky that’s all I breaking now get your two timing ass over to Jane’s and talk to her. I’m calling her as soon as I get out of the car so she is going to know everything.” Daria said as she got out of the car.

“Wdft.” Tom tried.

“Drop dead.” Daria said and she kicked his front fender making it drop off.



“Um Thank you. I’m not much for public speaking , or much for speaking, or come to think of it the public. I came to Lawndale high broken and honestly I had no real hope that I would ever be ok again. But to give credit where credit is due, this school played a part in rebuilding me. Everything from giving me someplace to feel safe to turning a blind eye to certain problems and not just because of my test scores and dragging me to people who could help just a bit.” Daria said smiling at DeMartino.

“Everyone always talks about how bad school is and I would have agreed, until I got here. Here I found friends that held me up and one that’s a lot more. Here I found myself and they let me, even when they didn’t like me that much.” Daria smiled at Barch who glared at her.

“The only advice I feel qualified to give anyone is to find some friends and hold onto them like they were family and don’t rule anyone out just because they annoy you because they might become your sister.” Daria smiled and waited for the hooting from the skater area where Sandi sat with Quinn and the rest of the girls and guys of the team.
“Hope is the only thing I can suggest because without it everything is gray, with it everything is possible. Thank you.” Daria smiled deeply as the applause erupted from the stands.

Thanks to NightGoblin for the name.