Well, this is only a two chapter story – initially the idea was for it to be a simple Shawn/Angela story around a concept (which will be in chapter 2). Then I was watching episode 701 and 702 (thanks to seashellpoet wink) and my lack of patience with Cory and Topanga also kind of worked its way in here, making this a two-parter. I like C and T just as much as anyone else but I am completely honest when I say that there were many times I thought they were the most ridiculous couple of all – well suited for each other, but with not much to go on other than apparently being engaged since two freaking years old.

Shawn Hunter smiled lazily, propping his chin up with one hand as he listened absently to the banter going back and forth between Cory and Topanga. As usual, they were arguing about something or the other with Topanga typically inching her way to victory and Cory just as typically gravitating towards sheepish acceptance.

'The two deserve each other' he wryly mused even as he felt a stab of sympathetic amusement for his best friend who looked thoroughly brow-beaten and defeated. Topanga had sat back to sip at her cappuccino with a suitably satisfied grin on her face.

Cory sighed, looking over mutinously at Shawn, 'She does this to me all the time, buddy. All the time! It's a wonder I'm not completely bald yet.'

Shawn restrained himself manfully from giggling and was about to extend his empathetic commiseration when an indignant Topanga responded with, 'What do you mean by that, Cory? All I was suggesting was a dinner on Friday with some of my old colleagues from the firm and you immediately blew it out of proportion!'

Cory grimaced, 'Topanga, don't you think that…'

And they were off, in their own world again but this time Shawn was not amused. If anything, he detected a steely undercurrent of trouble and his breath escaped him in a rush as he realized that this was not the daily argument of a married couple that could be solved with a romantic dinner and love by candlelight.

Cory was actually looking miserable and Topanga, thoroughly frustrated. And both looked liked they would be anywhere but near each other at the moment.

Shawn suddenly became aware of the fact that couples at the nearby tables were staring at them. And in fact, had been for a while. He wished he could sink underneath the table and find a convenient crack of the earth to bury himself into.

He hated drawing attention to himself like this. And at that moment he was undeniably furious with Cory and Topanga for airing their grievances in such a public display.

'Guys', he leaned forward and gritted his teeth 'people are staring at us. Can you please keep it down?'

Topanga and Cory looked at him, as if just remembering that he was there and that they were in fact in public and attempted to sort themselves into a semblance of normalcy. Shawn wondered for the millionth time as to why they were so loud in everything they did. It seemed to be something going back to their school days – neither Cory nor Topanga had ever had any problem making themselves heard. Shawn on the other hand was a person of restraint and solitude. In particular, he abhorred the loss of his privacy and made it a point to always air personal issues only within the confines of his own personal space.

And he sighed in appreciation for having found a person of similar habit. Angela's poise and self control would not let her blow up or lose control in public and her dignity of bearing had been one of the first things that attracted Shawn to her. There was a certain tilt of elegance to her demeanor – in the way she walked, in the way she conversed and even in the physical aspects of their relationship. Over the years, Shawn's respect for her had only increased and her poise and rationality had rubbed itself on him. He was calmer now, less prone to loss of emotional control and his perspective was more clearer than ever.

This was more than could be said for the couple now sitting ridiculously upright in front of him. They straightened their clothes, brushed off imaginary specks of dirt and sat back to gaze at Shawn, with the most artificial expression of sweetness on their faces.

Shawn rolled his eyes, 'Ok, enough of this. What's wrong with you two?'

Cory immediately replied, an inscrutable expression on his face, 'Nothing's going on, ok? We just had a bad morning but its nothing that a good night out can't resolve…right, honey?'

He turned to Topanga and Shawn was shocked to see that the amiability on his friend's face was entirely fabricated. Topanga however shot her husband a distinctly frosty look and answered curtly, 'Shawn, when is Angela getting here?'

Shawn raised an eyebrow at such an abrupt turn in conversation but glanced at his watch. He couldn't help the smile that crept across his face as he thought about her and how glad he was that she was finally back today. Their time apart had yet again been hard on both of them, but luckily it had only been two weeks, and she had gone to Washington, after all. Close enough to New York to make him feel just a little better about it.

A little girl came up to their table, pigtails flying about wildly. 'Sorry' she panted, 'but my ball rolled under your table.' She smiled at Shawn and he grinned back, bending down.

'No problem, hang on a moment.'

Shawn spotted the article in question right away – it was a medium sized ball, colored a bright red. He brought it up and held it out to the girl. 'There you go.'

'Thanks, mister.' And the girl scampered away to her anxious mother whose relief on finally seeing her in the crowd was palpably visible.

'There, Topanga' Cory's frustrated voice broke into Shawn's quiet moment of peace as he had enjoyed the reunion between mother and child, 'What's wrong with a precious child like that? Do you think that wouldn't bring any joy to our marriage?'

Shawn took a large gulp of his latte in an attempt to prevent himself from exclaiming in utter surprise. Were children under serious discussion with his friends? And what had that last comment been about? Was anything wrong in their marriage?

Topanga simply sighed and rubbed her temples, 'Shawn, Angela's going to be here soon, right?'

Shawn gazed at her carefully and replied, 'Well, she messaged me a while back to say her flight had landed, so she should be here anytime now.'

Cory threw his hands up in the air, 'Why do you want to talk to Angela so much?! What about me? You're married to me, not her! It's our marriage that we need to discuss, Topanga!'

'Really? If you're admitting that we need to discuss our marriage Cory, then why don't you admit that we're also in need of counseling?' Topanga's tone was dismissive and laden with anger; Shawn winced as he saw Cory stiffen and swallow hard.

'Alright then, since you're so keen to talk to Angela, ask her how she does it then!'

At Topanga's questioning frown, Shawn closed his eyes. He could feel the back of his neck prickle and goosebumps rose on his arms. This was not going to be good. Suddenly, he knew that he didn't want to stick around. He didn't want to hear the words that were said next. Shawn had an uneasy premonition that he wasn't going to like what he heard, and that if Cory said something incredibly stupid as he was wont to say at times about him and Angela, he'd reach around the table and seriously consider pounding his best friend.

His original idea had been to meet Angela alone. It seemed laudably sensible now. Why on earth had he given in when Topanga had requested him to let them come? Come to think of it, she'd been a bit too insistent for the sake of pure friendship.

'Ask me what?'

Angela's inquiring tone made all the three look up and Shawn was thanking all the powers-that-be for her timely arrival. A rush of warmth flooded him as she came to stand beside his chair and he stood up to greet her.

'Hi' he grinned warmly. His fingers found hers and he brought their joined hands to his lips. Peering around her, he laughed, 'That all the luggage, you have?'

Angela rolled her eyes, 'Just because of that one time, when I went to Milan…'

Topanga had also stood up and she made her way around the table. 'Hi Angela' she whispered and opened her arms to hug her best friend. Angela returned the hug as tightly as she could with one arm, keeping her other linked with Shawn and he felt slightly resentful at Topanga. She was intruding on a reunion between him and his wife. He hadn't even kissed her hello yet!

Shawn's irritability was somewhat mellowed as he noticed the way Topanga was clinging on to his wife. She seemed unable to let go and he shook his head at Angela's inquiring and worried gaze. She looked at Cory next only to find him twirling a plastic spoon between his fingers with a mutinous expression on his face.

Angela pulled back to observe her friend and saw with a little alarm that Topanga was trying her best not to cry. She looked over at Shawn in silent resignation and he rolled his eyes, knowing what was going to happen. He struggled to rein in his temper, but he was thoroughly put off. Visions of a nice evening, alone with his wife, in their home after three grueling weeks of traveling crumbled to the ground, even as Angela kissed his hand again and mouthed 'I love you' with a loving smile.

He repeated the same to her softly, almost inaudibly and then she pulled away from Topanga and sat down. Topanga went back to her earlier seat, gripping her purse tightly and Angela turned to Cory who was still staring at the plastic spoons with the greatest fascination one could muster.

'Cory?' she ventured softly. 'Not going to say hi to me?'

Cory looked up at the warmth in her tone and sighed. Angela smiled openheartedly at him and Cory smirked dryly. He reached out and gave Angela a warm hug.

Shawn looked on and felt his love for Angela strengthen all over again. It was one of the things he admired a lot about her – she had a gift for empathy. No matter how ticked off someone was, or upset, Angela found a way to bring the cheer back on one's face and after talking to her, you didn't quite feel that things were that hopeless anymore.

She sat back down, next to him, and he rested a hand on her knee. Of their own accord and as usual, his fingers moved to gently, repeatedly stroke her kneecap. She leaned over and kissed him briefly – too briefly, he inwardly groaned – and then turned her attention to the couple sitting opposite, watching them uncomfortably.

'So' she began 'what's up, you guys? Why the look of World War III on your faces?'

'Because it is something like that, I think' supplied Shawn helpfully when neither Cory nor Topanga would say a word. 'They've been like this since they arrived here, they wanted to see you too.'

'Yes' interrupted Cory, a harsh and sarcastic sneer to his voice. 'Topanga was so eager to see you and discuss our marriage with you that she didn't even bother to think of talking to me – her husband first!'

Angela stared back in shock. Shawn clenched his fingers in a fist and growled, 'Stop it, Cory. Whatever it is, there's no reason to take it out on Angela. She's just arrived here, for God's sakes!'

Angela squeezed his arm reassuringly and sent Shawn a pleading look. He subsided but not without directing another steely glare at Cory who had the grace to look suitably chastised.

Topanga spoke up softly, 'I'm sorry, Angela. You've come back to a rather horrible welcome, and I guess we're responsible for that.' She took a deep breath and smiled at her best friend who had reached across to take her hand. 'I really need to talk to you. Any idea when we could meet up?'

Angela was about to respond when Cory interjected, 'Maybe we should both go. Shawn and Angela can talk to both of us and…'

'…we still need to see a counselor, Cory' finished Topanga firmly and rolled her eyes as her husband sat back and defensively crossed his arms.

Angela's face was neutral but inwardly she was bursting with questions. Marriage counseling for Cory and Topanga? She'd not seen that one coming before she left.

Her thoughts were drawn away from her espresso which Shawn had ordered once she'd arrived and she looked up to see Cory and Topanga arguing again. Shawn was simply resting a hand on his forehead, eyes closed but she registered the increased pressure of his fingers around hers.

Suddenly, she was irritable with the Matthews. She loved them a lot – they were all best friends, after all – but sometimes, she'd wondered why Cory and Topanga, for all their love had not gained the maturity that would naturally come with marriage. They argued childishly, far beyond the point of appearing adorable and still had tendency to air their linen in public. It was as if they hadn't made the complete transition from teenagers to full fledged adults with real lives. Cory insisted on the most ridiculous things, tended to still be insecure about the 'provider' in their marriage and attempted to emulate people rather than try to figure out their marriage for its own merit. Topanga was still as could be expected, she continued to be rather blunt and vocal in her expressions and although she had changed since her parents' divorce, Angela wished her best friend could have developed a little more developed in areas of marital sensitivity.

Quite astonishing, considering that she and Cory at least had parents to turn to for advice. Neither Angela nor Shawn had that luxury. They each had exactly one family member from either side – Angela had a father, Shawn had a brother. Their wedding had been quite funny too in that regard. There couldn't have been more than twenty people present. Angela had danced with Jack assuming the mantle of the groom's father after opening the dance with Shawn and she'd laughed until her sides ached at seeing Shawn resignedly dancing a few steps with her Dad.

'Angela?' Shawn was calling her name softly. She jolted a bit and then sent him a reassuring smile. His concern morphed into relief and he asked, 'Well? When can you meet with Topanga?'

'Us! And contrary to what Topanga says, we do not need counseling.' Cory protested instantly. He quelled under a withering look Shawn sent him. Topanga exclaimed loudly, 'Stop it Cory, you're nuts!' and Angela suddenly wanted nothing more than to slam her friends' heads together.

'Look guys, I do think some talking is in order, but it may not be possible today.' She paused to take a sip of her espresso again and noted the frown on Cory's face and the resignation on Topanga's. While Angela felt bad about pushing her friend's problems for the next day, she also resented the intrusion into her life, especially as she had just landed from a grueling assignment an hour or two back. After all, she and Shawn had never barged into the Matthews life.

She squeezed Topanga's hand and asked gently, 'Honey, would first thing tomorrow morning be alright with you? I have the entire morning free and we can do whatever you like.'

Topanga looked up and smiled back but Angela didn't miss the slight sheen in her eyes. She inhaled and replied, 'Sure, Ange that sounds great. Can we go to Battery Park then – I'll make brunch.'

Angela nodded in assent, pleased a see a little spark return. 'Let's make it a potluck – I'll bring something too. Hopefully there'll be no weirdoes around this time.'

They shared a laugh remembering the last time they had picnicked in Battery Park – a man with a python around his torso was drunkenly wandering around. He'd ambled near where they'd been sitting and Angela had nearly fainted on the spot on seeing a thick, sinewy, snake not three inches from her.

Topanga sighed but then decisively stood up. 'I'm glad you're back, Ange. I'll see you tomorrow then, yeah?'

Cory had stood up to. He turned to her 'So where are you going now?'

Topanga was quiet for a minute. 'I told you this morning, first thing when we awoke that I had to work this afternoon, Cory. You even agreed and said you'd try to get some work done as well.'

Cory held his hands up in mock-surrender. 'Fine, fine. I wouldn't dream of tearing you away from your job. Go ahead.'

He turned to Shawn, 'Sorry about earlier. We'll see you soon, right?'

Shawn nodded, not completely appeased. 'Yeah, guess so. You take care alright?' And you too Topanga.' He squeezed her hand and she smiled back in thanks.

Cory tipped a salute to Angela who saluted back in reply, 'See you soon, Hunter!' She lifted her espresso in acknowledgement, 'You take care too, Matthews!'

The couple walked away and as soon as they'd turned around the corner, Shawn wrapped an arm around Angela and pulled her close. He gazed down at her lips with need and was about to lean in when she pressed a hand against his mouth.

'Wait, why not we go home first, please? We can really be alone then.' Her eyes twinkled suggestively and he hugged her to him, cherishing the aroma of her skin and the light in her eyes.

He reached down to sling her bag over his shoulder leaving her to carry her handbag. Wrapping an arm around each other, they set off, weaving their way though the New York streets and towards their apartment.

Towards home.