One for Love

A/N: The following takes place after the first couple episodes of season seven. For all intents and purposes, however, I've kept Topanga and Angela in the dorm, rather than moving in with Rachel. Also, the general disclaimer, I do not own BMW and am not affiliated with it in anyway.

Chapter One

"Undone"

Topanga woke up in a sweat. The room was still dark, Angela still asleep in the bed across the room. Kicking the blankets off of her body, she pulled herself out of her bed and opened the door. Crossing the hallway, she softly tapped on the door to room 368.

"Cory," she whispered. "Cory, are you awake."

She continued to tap softly. The door swung open and a grumpy Shawn stood in front of her. He opened the door to let her in, and motioned to the sleeping body. Topanga shot him a look of apology for plucking him from his slumber, crossed the room and sat on the edge of Cory's bed. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she whispered softly, "Cory, Cor- wake up." Rolling over, Cory sleepily sat up and rubbed his face.

"Topanga… what's wrong… it's two am…" he started incoherently.

"I know, I know," she said. "I couldn't sleep. I just… I don't know what to think anymore… everything is just…" She rambled on. Cory shushed her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down beside him. She nestled in beside him and found comfort in the rhythmic breathing as he fell back asleep. Closing her eyes, she pushed all of her thoughts aside and tried to find comfort in Cory's arms. Laying there for what seemed an eternity, Topanga grew restless and tried to move out of Cory's embrace. Nearly out from under his arm, he too awoke.

"What are you doing," he whispered loudly. Topanga shook her head as a tear slipped down her cheek. Cory grasped her arm tightly, urging her to lie back down with him. Pushing him away, she crossed the room, wretched the door open and disappeared. Though he was tired, Cory disentangled himself from the bedding and followed her out the door.

"Topanga," he called out. She was halfway down the hall. Upon hearing his voice, she stopped briefly, choked back a sob, and continued away from him. Breaking into a slight jog to catch up with the distraught girl, Cory reached out and pulled Topanga into his arms. He said nothing. She cried against his chest. Cory bent a kissed the top of her head. Sniffing, Topanga looked up into Cory's face.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." Neither spoke. They stood there for a minute, frozen in time. "Cory," she said, finally breaking the silence. "What's wrong with me?" A witty retort popped into Cory's head, but he brushed it aside. This was serious. As much drama Topanga created in his world, it had never escaladed to this level. Rarely had this side of the girl he loved so dearly surfaced.

"Topanga, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You hear me?" He didn't wait for an answer. Moving to the wall, he slid down, pulling her to the floor with him. "You are the most amazing person I've ever met. Don't you ever for a second think that there could ever be something wrong with you."

"Cory," Topanga started slowly. She looked at Cory's hand covering her. "Cory, I just feel so empty." As soon as the words left her mouth, Cory felt his heart break. He, too, gazed at their entwined hand. An uncomfortable silence settled over the pair. In all of his life, he never felt so ill at ease beside this girl. Things had been difficult at times, yes. The breakups and fights weren't pleasant, but Cory had always held steadfast to his hope. Now, looking into the eyes of the only girl he had ever loved, he could plainly see what he had been overlooking for the past couple months. The pain, the hurting, it was all very evident to him now. Cory knew that Topanga's world was crashing down around her. He had naturally assumed that he could be her pillar of strength, but sitting now with her in the middle of the dorm hallway, middle of the night, he realized for the first time that maybe things wouldn't be so okay anymore. Resolving to ease the hurt she felt, Cory quickly tried to think of something, anything to help her realize that no matter how alone she felt, no matter how much emptiness she felt, that he would never be far from her side.

"Topanga, look at me." She shook her head. "Please," he pleaded softly. Another tear escaped down her cheek. Releasing her hands, Cory brushed the tear away and cupped her chin. Bringing his forehead to hers, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I love you, Topanga Lawrence." He pulled away from her and sighed again. "I know you don't believe in love right now, but you'll see. Maybe I'm still young and stupid, but I know that we're meant to be together for the rest of our lives." Topanga forced back tears and her urge to hold onto Cory and never let go. "Topanga, you know better than everyone else that I can't be like everyone else. I can't give up on love. It has yet to let me down. I'm not going to tell you what everyone else will tell you, either. Topanga, we love each other." Cory grasped her shoulders. "We love each other, and that's the only reason I need to know that you and I belong together, that we're not too young to be married." Cory fell silent. I don't know if I can make it better. Please, God, please let me make it better. An eternity passed. Cory inched close to his love. He wrapped his arms around her. She resisted at first, but whether it was the weariness of being up for the entirety of the night or something else, a something she didn't dare try and think about, she caved and allowed Cory to pull her body to his. They rested, both worn out emotionally and physically. Cory felt Topanga's breath deepen. Believing that she was asleep, he found himself kissing the top of her head yet again. With her back to his chest, Cory couldn't see the tear trickle down her red cheek.

"If you don't love me," Cory whispered, "then why would you run to me?" Cory closed his eyes and laid his head against the wall. Slowly tracing circles on her forearm with his thumb, Cory sighed, his heart heavy. "You said," He again whispered, "that the only relationship you believed in ours was dead. You have no idea how much that breaks my heart, do you? I never truly realized just how much you've never believed in us. It's times like these when I wonder if all I am is fooling myself into thinking that you love me. Maybe I was your excuse. I was safe. Safe meant that you never had to get hurt, that you never had to take chances. You didn't give up Yale for me, did you?"