Britney Spears checked herself into rehab yesterday, at the posh and ultra-competent Promises center in Malibu. It was her second visit of this kind in less than a week and, just like it happened the first time around, she barely lasted 24 hours. Today, Britney left the clinic unsuspected (meaning, the paparazzi watching over the compound did not see her taking off) and flew back home, where she really has some pressing matters to settle.

Although Larry Rudolph, the star's manager confirmed yesterday that she was in rehab seeking professional help (which means that it wasn't a courtesy visit or anything of the type), Britney is out and about town again. Wearing the same blonde wig she was photographed with some days ago and a brown hat, the pop tart was spotted going into an attorney's office and, later, trying to get into Kevin Federline's house (without actually succeeding).

Probably related to all this, Kevin Federline has asked a judge to hold a custody hearing as soon as possible. The wannabe rapper may be keeping a close lid on the whole affair (so far, he refused to comment on his former wife's party ways, alleged drinking and drug abuse, rehab visits and new hair style), but he is not about to stand aside and watch how Britney is ruining their children's lives. He sent his lawyer to see the judge in charge of the custody case and he was granted a hearing first thing tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, aside from preparing to go to court against K-Fed for the two sons they have together, Britney is also reportedly seeking the best line of attack against the intrusive paparazzi. She was spotted visiting the offices of Blaire Berk, an outstanding criminal defense lawyer who also helped Reese Witherspoon tone down the paps' intrusion on her private life, so there is some speculation that she, too, might want to go down the same path.

Late last night, Spears visited Federline's house but she couldn't get in. Upset and angry, she vented all of her frustrations on the paparazzi outside, by taking an umbrella, hitting their car and swearing like a truck driver. A couple of hours before, she had waived at them, smiled, talked to them and told them that she was feeling OK.

In other Britney-related news (and rumors), the nannies she used to hire for her two tots are selling their stories to the tabloids, claiming that she never looked for a competent woman for her children, but for a friend instead. The interviews they had with the pop tart did not make any reference to their children skills or prior recommendations, but questions like 'Are you comfortable with nudity?', 'Do you like to go out?' and 'Do you think this dress works for me?'.

Also, the television world is all a-buzz about where will Britney sell her tell-all story. Media analysts are underlining that the best thing for the pop tart would be to come clean now and say what it is exactly that troubles her. She can do that by means of a new music album, a series of candid interviews or both. Many important networks have already phoned in to place their offers to the star. Seeing that they say her partying made her burn through most of her $123 million fortune (as estimated in 2002), she could probably use the money they would pay for her 'confessions'...

Stay tuned here for more information on Britney.