"

How the heck did he get roped into babysitting -yes babysitting- his teenage cousin who was likely to talk his ear off? Between him and Noel who pulled the short straw? Bobby wondered as the man drove towards his uncle's house. In few short weeks he was going to be leaving for Coast Guards assignments if they gave him one. Enjoying the breeze of the summer evening that was being offered, he knew it was going few tough weeks of settling in and getting training he had been given and placing that into the works.

He would enjoy the freedom while he could, and hopefully it didn't mean many hours of babysitting either. As much as he loved Ver, she could be a pain in the butt at times. Yet that talking mouth of hers needed a zip. And finding one was going to be wonderful. He rolled his eyes as he parked the car. Picked up the bag that contained cookies and ice cream. His aim was to have her crashing after a sugar hype. If she ever got to that point of crashing. Last time they had done this was before he left for the Academy. Ringing the bell, he scowled at Noel who opened it, "I know you send me the short straw again," he told Navy Midshipman, "I know, it is your sneaky hand at it."

Laughing Noel gestured Bobby in, "Bobs," Noel began as he pulled his cousin inside, "She wants you this time to babysit her or rather teen-sit her." Facing the house, "VERONICA! Bobby's here. I'm off to a hot date, have fun getting your ear talked off." His parents were gone for the night or rather the weekend.

As the door slammed, Bobby could only watch it closing, "Moron," he grumbled and made his way to the kitchen, placing the ice cream in the freezer.

<<Tag: Veronica Anderson >>

She had been inner room when she heard the doorbell ring and already knew who it was. Why her parents thought she needed someone to watch her, she did not know. She was fifteen and knew how to take care of herself. But no. Her parents were always worrying. She hated being the youngest.

"I'm not deaf Noel!" She yelled back as she came down the stairs, "Go enjoy your date with your flavor of the week." She said with a roll of her eyes. Her brother had interesting taste in women, some of which Ver did not like.

Veronica walked into the kitchen and pushed herself up to sit on the counter, she studied her older cousin for a moment, her head tilted to the side as she looked him over. "You do realize the Coast guard won't let you keep that stupid haircut you have." She told him, "And bribing me with food will not make me like you being here any better." She added, "Who the hell needs a babysitter at fifteen anyway?"

He gave her a long look as he turned to see her sitting up. His hair had grown out since he had been on the break. Hey, it was summer after all. Sitting at the barber's chair every few weeks was not his ideal way of spending the day. However well the rules were. He was going to enjoy his longer than allowed hairstyle while he could. "No, Einstein," he told her sarcastically, as tipped his head and pushed the hair back, "I missed that memo." Of course he knew what the Guards expected him to do with that long hair.  He had been support the required hair style during his Cadet years. Did she fail to notice that?

Sighing at her words, "Apparently you do," he replied to her question, "You are what, fifteen? Everyone knows you don't leave a fifteen year old home alone and not come back to a trashed house." He spoke in a matter of fact tone. When he had been fifteen, he was busy snogging girls.

Opening the bag he had in his hand, "Have a cookie," he offered holding on out, "You want me to put on Cinderella?" he teased. Where was the fun if he didn't have her pouting at least once during his visits.

<<Tag: Veronica Anderson >>

She rolled her eyes again, "Once again everyone gets me confused with Noel. Why would I have a bunch of people over and make a mess that I have to later clean up? Where is the fun in that?" Now going to someone else's house for a party was another story, she liked that idea. "Besides alcohol is overrated anyway."

Veronica looked at the cookie he was offering her and for a moment she thought about taking it and throwing it at his stupid haircut, but he had gotten her favorite type...and she was craving something sweet. "I think I am okay with not seeing an anorexic blonde sing her way to a happy ending with a man who doesn't say a word the entire movie."

Confused?

He made face as she spoke, lifting a finger he wagged it, "I don't think I am," threw a smile, "you know, mixing the two of you up. I know you and I know him, but between the two of you, I'll be more worried about you and the house." He gaped at her when she said it was not fun, "Not a risk taker? My heart is breaking," he placed a hand over the location for effect.

"Alcohol is not overrated," he defended, "it's more awesome than you realise. When you come to legal drinking age, then we will talk. Before and after you have had your first drink." Little did he know that a lot would change by then. "Then come and tell me if it is overrated and by how much." He mused about raiding his uncle's collection, but the old man might kill him. He was here to keep an eye on his cousin, not to drink.

He laughed at the way she shot down the movie offer, "Is that what she was? I never paid attention that her Prince Charming never spoke a word. Since Cinderella is out of question, as I assume is every Disney cartoon. So Miss Anderson, what would like to do kill time?" At least till Noel came back home, if he ever did. If he didn't Bobby was going to hunt the man down.

<<Tag: Veronica Anderson >>

Veronica rolled her eyes again and took a bite out of the cookie she had in her hand, "I am a risk taker, I am just picky about what I decide to take risks on, somethings are worth it more than others." of course her parents thought her brother was the saint of the family and she was the one who needed help. "I'll be sure to let you know, though I will say that I like wine." she did not add that she thought the drink was a little bit on the weak side, but when it was all you could get, it did the job. "What I really want to do is get out of this house, but I have a feeling that for once you are going to abide by my parents rules and make sure I do not leave." the idea of sneaking out later on crossed her mind, but it would be tricky because her cousin wasn't exactly stupid.

She was breaking his heart and all he could do was not whimper internally, leaning on the bench, he eyed her carefully, "Risk takers aren't meant to be picky about the risks they take. Just dive head first." He took a cookie and bit into it. But rose an eyebrow at her when she mentioned wine, "Ever drank it?" he asked carefully. If she was smart she did better spill. It wasn't like he hadn't raided his father's whiskey for a drink or two in his younger years.

He mused at her request, "It's tempting to disobey Uncle Steve and take out for movie or something, but I love my head on my body so I'm going to abide the request and stay here. We could," he did a whoope do motion with his finger, "do some mischief here. Whatcha say?"

<<Tag: Veronica Anderson >>

Veronica studied her cousin. She slightly raised a brow as his asked had she ever actually ever tried wine, if it was anyone else she would say no, simply because they were liable to go and tell her parents but she trusted Bobby, they both had dirt on each other, so one tattles the other is taking the other down with them. She tilted her head slightly to the side, "I can never confirm nor deny." She replied with a sly smile, "But some taste better than others..." She added, as she reached for another cookie.

He had few cookies in his hand, the damn thing was addictive, and leaned on the island in the kitchen, watching her in amusement, when she neither outright admitted to nor denied tasting wine. A slow smile spread in his lips when she had a sly smile, "After a while they pretty much taste the same," he nodded, "Was it reds or white?" He was not a fan of dry wines.

He could buy one and get them in trouble, but he didn't want to be thrown out of the USCG Academy for stupidity. There was a career that awaited him the Coast Guards. He knew his dad was disappointed when he didn't pick Navy like Matt did. Having three Naval Officers in the house was more than enough, plus Simon was another in making. Navy wasn't the only armed forces. "And no, we aren't going to drink any. We can call Miss Betty's place and order some nice food." The place did offer some mouthwatering items.

Tag: Veronica Anderson

"Red, and if you say a word of this to anyone I won't talk to you ever again." It was a somewhat empty threat, Veronics couldn't imagine life without him around. The idea of ordering food was enticing, especially since that would mean they'd have to go get the food, which would mean she'd be able to leave the house for the first time in days. "They have a really good chicken salad, and their chicken nuggets are amazing..." Her cousin knew how to get her attention, and food was a good start.

He chuckled and threw a amused reaction towards her, apparently he was a bad influence on his only female cousin in the pool of males. If anyone figured that out, he was done for. even without try he could not have given her bad ideas. How could he do that? Shame on him, "Yea well," he walked around the island and came face to face with her, "if anyone one thinks I influenced you, a noose will be around my neck, my pretty Ver." He was a natural born charmer after all.

Leaning back, "Is that right?" he asked, "well then by all means we will try that." As long as she didn't order the whole menu he was going to be fine, "Come on lets go." He tugged her leg playfully, left a note for his aunt and uncle; and Noel - in case they returned early- then walked towards the door.

Tag: Veronica Anderson