Mirror Image

NoV: This is my first BMW fic. But, it's what—my 74th fic altogether?

Bisho: Gloat, gloat, gloat. Is that all you ever do?

NoV: I should definitely do something special for my 75th fic….maybe an all-out blow-out of everything I've ever written about!! ….but we'll talk about that later. On with the story!!!!

Takes place around the third season, when everyone is still in high school

(NoV: This only works because Eric's hair is so girly. )

Topanga and Corey were spending their Friday evening "in." Basically, this consisted of sitting on the Matthews' couch, eating popcorn and watching a rerun of Topanga's favorite soap opera, Days of Our Wives. Corey's parents, Amy and Alan were snuggled together on the other side of the couch, doing what Amy called "supervising," and what Alan affectionately referred to as "suffering through the decay of daytime television."

"I finally understand why they call it a 'soap opera'," Corey was saying. "Every time you see a girl, she's either in the bath, or getting out of the bath. Either way she's all wet and covered in soap……now, as far as the opera part…..I'm completely stumped."

Interrupting any remarks Mr. Matthews had been about to make, Eric came rushing through the front door, out of breath, but with a huge smile on his face. "Guys, I want you all to meet my soul mate!" he exclaimed, leaning over the couch. "As soon as I met her, I knew that what we had was special. We think alike, we act alike, we even look a little alike!"

"Who is it? Bozo the clown?" Corey wondered.

"Hey, don't mock what I once had with that clown…..it's not my fault that he turned out to be….well, a him," Eric said, defensively. "Besides, I was ten at the time."

"Never mind your brother, Eric," Amy said, ruffling Corey's hair. "He's had to weather five hours of soap operas and talks shows. Now, what about your new girlfriend?"

"No, no," Eric shook his head, "she's not my girlfriend; she's my significant other."

"So, does that make you her insignificant other?" Corey asked, innocently.

Ignoring Corey, Eric gestured toward the still-open front door, and shouted, "I'd like you all to meet my new soul mate, Erica!"

"Erica?" Alan whispered to Amy, raising an eyebrow.

Eric faltered for a moment when no one came through the door. A little more loudly, he said, "MY NEW SOUL MATE, ERICA!!"

"Oh, right!" a voice said from just outside the house. Erica bounced into the living room, and paused beside Eric. "Ta-da!" they exclaimed in unison.

The two couples sitting on the couch were dumfounded at the sight of Erica. She and Eric seemed to have a lot more in common than Eric had managed to mention. Erica stood at Eric's same height, their light brown hair cut in the same fashion. They wore identical gray sweaters with red stripes, although Eric's was larger, and Erica's had a more effeminate neck. Even their blue jeans and tennis shoes appeared to be the same style and color.

The first person who found their voice was Amy, who politely said, "It's nice to meet you, Erica." She elbowed her husband in the ribs.

Alan sat up straight at this sharp pain, and grunted out, "Yeah, it's a real pleasure."

Corey and Topanga flashed a frightened smile at the "twins."

"Well, Mom, Dad, kids," Eric said, putting an arm around Erica's shoulder, and turning her toward the door, "hate to leave before you can all get acquainted, but I have made dinner reservations for myself and my lovely date. You'll all have a chance to get to know each other very soon, I'm sure." He and Erica walked out the door, closing it behind them.

"This is the start of a very, very awkward relationship," Corey commented.

NoV: Oh-kay, so that was the very short prologue. If people like it, then I will make a nice, happy, lengthy chapter one. Happy New Year's!!!