AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I expected would happen, Darren and Rhi won't leave me alone. Although I have some ideas for a third trilogy (the prospect of a trilogy of trilogies satisfies my OCD tendencies somehow), I haven't worked up the courage to plunge into it - yet. In the interim I've fleshed out some scenes from the first two trilogies.

I would recommend reading the original trilogies to give you some context, but (as my mom used to say), this isn't rocket science, so even if you haven't read them, I'm sure you could figure out what's going on here. While some of the scenes they are based in are rated M, these expanded scenes are T or less. And, even though they aren't technically stand-alone chapters, I gave each expanded scene its own title, mostly because it amuses me. ;) As usual, I'm planning to post one chapter/scene per day.

Naturally, I am pleased when anyone enjoys what I write, but these snippets are especially for my super readers: OnoraMellark, TheVinah, Starkids-Super-Friends, noaelizabethlovestowrite, actresswithoutastage, IronAngel365, DearDiary10, 4eva, and cmitc41, and of course, for my first supporters, MK and OL. Sorry for the long wait...hopefully, my muse will stick around awhile this time.

WeMeow2 :)

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Lower Case Me (From Nothing Ever Happens, Chapter 4 - Twin Kiss )

We dug into our food, Darren raving over how good everything tasted. Trying to be funny, I assured him that I was an expert on the local cuisine and wouldn't have steered him wrong, to which he replied, like he meant it, "I can't wait to try some of your other favorites."

I scowled at the unlikelihood of that, but didn't say anything in response. Darren drowned a fry in ketchup, and after popping it into his mouth in one bite, he grinned at me like he knew a secret I didn't.

"So, what do you do when you're not learning how to teach cats to read or saving clueless customers?"

I stared at him for a minute. Could he really be interested in the way some random girl in Wisconsin spent her free time? It seemed like he was reading my thoughts, because he softened his smile and reached over to squeeze my hand reassuringly.

"Remember, Rhi, I'm only a guy who wants to get to know a girl he just met."

I nodded, returning his smile, and plunged in. "School and the bookstore take up a lot of my time, but, no surprise, I love to read. And, of course, I adore musicals. Oh, and I watch way too much TV! I'm obsessed with The Weather Channel almost as much as Glee."

"I'm glad to hear that we squeak by TWC. Although...Local on the 8s IS the bomb. But, Jim Cantore. He's just..."

"NUTS!" we exclaimed together, and then burst out laughing.

We spontaneously started playing 20 Questions Plus, alternately asking and answering, usually followed by some explanation until one of Darren's answers brought me up short.

Darren: "Seafood and crab is my favorite at Subway too! Why'd they stop making it? Who's your favorite author?"

Rhi: "Madeleine L'Engle. When I was in sixth grade I asked for EVERY book she ever wrote for Christmas. My mom took me seriously and ended up going to about four bookstores to get them all - this was pre-Amazon and B&N dot com. I didn't read anything else except school stuff for about six months."

Darren: "A Wrinkle in Time was one of the few assigned books I read when I was a kid that I actually liked."

Rhi: "What's your favorite movie?"

Darren: "I'm a freak for the classic Disney animated stuff..."

Rhi (wincing): "Oh, yeah, I think I read that somewhere..."

Darren (patting Rhi's hand): "It's okay...that's going to happen from time to time...unless you stop googling me." (winking)

Rhi (indignantly): "I don't goog...well, I do, but I won't now..."

Our exchange came to a screeching halt as I realized the implications of what Darren had said. His chuckling at my admission stopped abruptly when I asked, "What do you mean by 'keep happening?'"

"You don't think I'm going to wave good-bye and leave you standing on the sidewalk in front of the diner, do you?"

When I didn't answer, Darren looked me in the eye and said seriously, "Rhi, I'm going to keep saying this until you believe me. I want to get to know you. I want to spend time with you. I want to see your house and meet your cat. I want..."

"But, but...you're DARREN CRISS! And I'm...me..."

Darren now held my hand firmly in both of his. "Yes, you're you and I like YOU. Just like I hope YOU like ME, lower case Darren Criss, the guy sitting across from you, not capitalized DARREN CRISS, from Glee."

I nodded and answered quietly, "I do, Darren. I just have to get used to the fact that I know lower case you."

Darren chuckled. "Lower case me understands." He slurped up the dregs of his milkshake and asked, "Ready to go? Think Megan has plans she can't break?"

"She usually goes to her book discussion group on Sunday evenings, but I think we'll catch her before she leaves."

Darren laughed out loud as he stood up, continuing to hold my hand as I slid out of the booth.

Despite our agreement, Darren insisted on paying the whole bill and the tip, and I finally stopped arguing so we could leave. After Vince wished us a good night, we headed out into the noticeably cooler evening air.