This is the prequel to this story, I promise this will make sense eventually (I think, I just kind of make it up as I go along)

I really don't have much else to say except if you like it please review! And Melissa+Joey forever!

Oh and can you guys tell me if my summary is..well horrible? I can't write a decent summary for the life of me so can you let me know what you think of it?

Fun stuff starts next chapter.

It was only 10:45 PM when Mel Burke dragged herself in to her house, disappointingly sober and now single. She collapsed face-first on to the living room couch before letting out a scream, muffled by the pillows.

"Bad night?" She heard the familiar voice a few feet away. She hadn't even realized Joe was sitting there until she heard him. She pulled herself in to a sitting position before replying.

"You could say that" She sighed "Max dumped me"

Joe honestly felt bad about her minor heartbreak, if he was being honest he would tell you he thought that relationship was going somewhere. Of course he would never be honest, but the 6 weeks that they were together seemed strong.

"I told you not to date a guy who has the same name as a dog" Joe shot an "I told you so" look. He didn't honestly believe that was a decent reason to reject someone but he didn't like when Mel would date, he didn't know why it bothered him so much but he knew he couldn't stand it.

"Would it kill you to show some sympathy once in a while?"

"Why risk it?" He joked back at her semi-serious comment. Mel hid her smile and let out an annoyed sigh.

"Well what happened to your date? You don't look any less pathetic than I do right now" Mel snapped, feeling satisfied with her comeback. Joe brought his beer to his lips, taking a swig before answering her question

"Ashley ended it" he shrugged, swiftly taking another sip of the alcohol. Mel felt a tinge of guilt for her little remark and slouched farther in to the couch. After a few seconds of silence Mel remembered what she had looked forward to during the entire drive home and sprung to her feet.

"I need a drink" She started toward the kitchen but was quickly stopped

"Hold it" Joe pulled a bottle of wine and a glass from his feet and held them up. Mel couldn't help but smile as she plopped back down on the couch

"You know me so well" She happily poured herself a glass, ready to drown her problems in alcohol. A few minutes and a full glass of wine passed before Mel talked again.

"Why is dating so hard, Joe?"

"Wish I could tell you, Burke" Joey took a gulp from his second beer "I really wish I could". Mel grabbed a pillow and shoved her face in to it before letting out a frustration filled scream.

"I can't even remember the last time I was in love" Mel finished pouring her second glass and quickly started to send it down her throat. Joe let out half of a chuckle

"I don't even remember what love feels like"

Mel pulled her eyes from her wine and looked at Joe. "Come on, you love Lennox and Ryder"

"Or course I love you guys" he pondered about what his next words should be for a minute "but it's different Mel. I've only even known them for two years, soon they'll be off at college. There's no special connection, Mel. Sometimes i'm just the nanny." Joe couldn't control his mouth, words just kept falling out and he couldn't get it closed until he had said to much.

"Wow" Mel set down the glass and stared at him "I had no idea you felt that way"

"Mel, I really didn't mean it like that" Joe realized the hurt he may of just unleashed "I love them so much, Mel, more than I thought i'd ever love kids I worked for. But I am just the nanny, there's nothing else that keeps us together" Joe felt tears string the back of his eyes but immediately pushed them away, refusing to cry in front of Mel, who was still processing everything.

"I understand" Mel got up to go in to the kitchen. Before making the last few steps through the door she turned around.

"And Joe?"

"yeah?"

"You're going to find love one day, okay? Don't get your boxers in a bunch because Ashslut called it off." Joe laughed. Melissa thought everyone dating Joe was a slut. Well, she didn't really but she wasn't going to compliment someone that only brought jealousy in to her life. Not that she would admit that.

"Thanks, Burke"