Sorry for the late update, readers! I´ve been terribly busy but I intend to continue with this, so keep on reading and reviewing!

Thanks again to Taylor, my Wemma buddy, for being my beta!

Aggie

IV

Days after dinner at the Grace´s, Will wondered what had gone through his head when he asked Emma why she had moved to Lima. Clearly she had felt uncomfortable with his question, but hadn´t outright rejected it which, in a way, told him he could have good prospects with Emma. Not that he thought about her in another way than as a friend, but sometimes he had questions about her. There was something about her that absorbed his attention strongly; her past startled him and, from time to time, when nobody was watching her and she could relax, he couldn´t help noticing her eyes were more than kindness and gentleness. He didn´t know if he could describe her expression as sorrowful or lonely, but it was like her story had been written all over her features; and that caused him the anxious desire to alleviate her, to hear her put into words what she had silenced for so long. He didn´t even know her, but he wanted to be her friend.

Sometimes, in the solitude of his apartment he tried to assimilate the fact that Steve would leave Lima. He had been his companion, his friend, his emotional support during the past months and although he knew he was being selfish, he didn´t want to be alone. He didn´t think he was strong enough to prevent the sea of thoughts he had been trying to avoid, re-invade his mind. In July, while staying with his parents he was better than he had imagined; but now back at home with Steve leaving in less than 10 days, and without Shannon around, his temple wavered. Will didn´t need to talk about what happened, in fact, he didn´t even want to think about it, he just wanted someone to share time with.

That afternoon, a couple of hours before dinner, Will looked at his watch. The game was about to start, so he went quickly to his friend´s, stopping first to buy a 6 pack, as he typically did.
Excitedly, Will rang the bell, hoping that their team had better luck that night. His eyes softened spontaneously when Emma opened the door.

"Will, hello!" She seemed surprised to see him, but still smiled kindly.

"Hi Emma, how are you?"

"I'm fine," she said, still looking surprised to see him, "Uhm, come on in", she stepped aside to let him in, "You're looking for Steve?" she asked when she saw Will was carrying beer and a bag with a suit.

"Erm, yeah ... He´s not at home?" Will frowned, wondering where the hell his friend was.

"He went out with Grace" she informed him pleased. She was glad to see her brother happy, "did he know you were coming?"

"Yes. Game night tonight" He sounded excited, but then it gave way to disappointment, "Damn, he must have forgotten...", he looked around, feeling uncomfortable for his intrusion, "I was abandoned for woman!" he joked to break the ice, "I… better go ..."

Emma looked at him deeply, something in his tone of voice caught her attention, maybe it was the joke about the abandonment or the way he looked both ways before speaking again, but she decided she didn´t bother ask him to wait for Steve, though she doubted that he´d be back soon. "If you want, you can stay and watch the game ... I don´t know if he´ll come back immediately, but you can wait for him to kick his butt for leaving you hanging." she joked, Will seemed hesitant.

"I don´t wanna bother ..."

"It's no trouble ..." Emma assured him taking the bag he was carrying and the 6 pack from his hands, "Have a seat. Find the game while I take this to the fridge"; Will grinned, her hospitality was comforting.

"You´ll watch the game too?" He asked when she returned carrying some snacks and a can of beer.

"Uhm… I'm not very fond of sports", she said with an apologetic look, remembering that neither was Bob; that was why she never felt inclined to follow the game seasons.

"How come?" He opened his eyes in surprise and then added taking her hand to bring her to sit on the couch next to him, "Well, if you´re gonna be Will Schuester's friend, you better watch the games with me." Where did that come from?

She laughed sheepishly at his statement and agreed to his proposal, "Okay, but then you have to do stuff with me." She also didn´t know where those words came from and that made her uneasy.

In the interim, Will laughed happily, "I can´t believe we're winning" he sentenced incredulous, "I think you are about to become our official luck charm" he declared as she stood up to go to the kitchen.

"I don´t think so. I´ve got terrible luck, Will" she said before disappearing behind the door, carrying the tray that had brought minutes earlier. He chuckled, but almost immediately he jumped from his seat when a loud crash came from the kitchen.

"Emma, you okay?" he asked walking in with caution.

"Crap" she cursed when her eyes flew to see her skirt in cheese sauce left over and the floor spread with broken glass. Cheese... Her breath faltered when the sauce all over her, "Crap" she repeated almost in a sob. Get a grip, Emma. What's wrong with you? She couldn´t tell what was worse: scattered food stains all over her and the floor, or the shame caused by over reacting in front of Will.

"Hey, easy ..." he tried to calm her when her trembling hands tried to pick everything up off the floor, "Hey, Emma ... let me do it. Go get changed", he ordered gently by lifting her by the forearms.
She nodded without looking at him, feeling totally ridiculed and returned changed a few minutes later to find the perfectly clean kitchen. Will was waiting for her in the living room, sitting on the couch, with two cans of beer. "You okay?" He asked gently. She nodded again and sat by his side before taking the can that he handed her. Will watched her; she didn´t seem ok; she seemed ashamed.

"I'm sorry I scared you", she apologized softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "Thanks for cleaning the kitchen"

"Don´t mention it ... you sure you're okay?" He knew he had no right to push her, but there it was again, his stupid necessity to know what had happened.

"Yes, yes ... just ... those kinda things make me a little nervous", Emma replied quietly feeling her cheeks colored.

"Those kinds of things like… Dust drooling all over your skirt ..." he added.

"A-ha" She bit her lower lip, unsure, and locked eyes with him. His reassuring expression was all she needed to continue, "I have, uhm, some problems with the messy things ..." he straightened in his seat, listening to her words, ignoring the game that had started minutes earlier, "what you saw, Will ... is nothing compared to how I would have reacted years ago", Why am I saying this?, "I was diagnosed with OCD as a child and, uhm, I've been in therapy since then because, well ... it's hard to live with that. I know my reaction in the kitchen wasn´t a normal reac-"

"Emma, we all have fears... Of course it's normal to react that way when we see something that makes you nervous or scared", she looked apprehensive, "I'm afraid of heights ..." she smiled, "seriously ... I think the last time I hopped up on a plane I was in tears", Emma giggled softly, feeling comforted by his words, "And I think it's great that you're working with that ... speaks very highly of you. Facing your fears ... that´s just great"

She said nothing. Her chest swelled with proud and her muscles relaxed through his words. A slight smile crossed her lips, grateful her path crossed with his.

-xx-

"Steve! Steve…" Emma called her brother while coming in the apartment, "Steve!"

"What, what…?" he replied almost running to where she was; his expression showed concern.

"I got the job! I got the job!" she announced almost bounding. She had been terribly worried because of the lack of replies and now, a couple of days before classes begin, she had received a call from McKinley High School Principal, "the, uhm, previous Guidance Counselor had a health problem… and… Oh I'm so happy!"

Steve laughed, "The poor woman must be agonizing and you´re happy?"

She punched him hard, "don´t be like that!"

He chuckled, "Ok, ok… then we have to celebrate!"

"But you´re leaving early tom-"

"I can sleep on the plane, Emma. Whoa, hold on" his phone rang, "Hello? Will! Wait. Before you start asking what time does my plane leave, bring Grace and come over… Emma got a job. We´re having dinner"

"Steve, are you-"

"Shush, Emma" he gently pushed her away, "Bring wine or whatever you like. We´ll see you guys in an hour" he hang up, "Seems like we´re having company tonight"

-xx-

"So, this is a double celebration" Grace sentenced lifting her glass to propose a toast, "Congratulations, Emma. And Steve, we´re gonna miss you. So much"

Emma´s emotions were mixed up. Her old brother was leaving; she got a job, her life was beginning to be on track and she wished he would be next to her.

"C´mon, let´s not make a drama out of this" he joked, "These are good news! We both got decent jobs!"

"Yeah, we know…" Will´s words came out sweetly and when Steve and Grace disappeared behind the kitchen door again, he asked kindly, "so which´s the lucky school to have you?"

"McKinley high school" Emma replied feeling proud, not seeing his eyes widening in shock followed by a delighted smile crossing his features.

He would work with her? Will didn´t say anything. "It´s a good School" he sentenced sounding natural.

"Where do you work?"

"Quite close to your work place" he responded vaguely, trying to hold a chuckle.

-xx-

Eventually the next day arrived, taking Steve with it. Tears felt from Emma´s cheeks. There were happy and nostalgic tears, which Will and Grace tried to comfort her with kind words.

"This is for you, Freckles" Steve had told her seconds ago from taking the plane, "read it when you get home. I love you"

"I love you too, Steve" she told him squeezing him tightly into her arms, "Call me when you get there"

And then, in the loneliness of her apartment, Emma unfolded the small paper her brother had given her: "My dearest sister, I can´t tell you how sorry I am for leaving in the moment you need me. I can´t even tell you how much more I regret not being there when you needed me the most. I wish I could go back in time and declined the job offer in Peru to spend the last 2 years with you. Sometimes I think about what a courageous and strength woman you are; sometimes I wish I could be more like you. And I'm so proud of you, so proud you could say 'enough of the self-pity', so proud you could say 'I deserve to be happy again'. You had a great life with Bob, and now he´s gone and you´ve learned how to be on your own, I´m sure you´ll be happy again. I´ve left you with one of the best persons I´ve ever met; He´s gonna be good to you and as I told you, you both need a friend. So I really hope you could find in him someone to trust and have fun. I love you, Freckles. Can´t wait to see you again. Love, Steve"

-xx-

Monday arrived faster than Will thought and he wished he could have called Emma, but his delayed paper work kept him busy until then.

It's only the first school day and you´re already going to be late, William. Great. He pulled the car in the parking lot and rushed inside the building. By the corner of his eye, he could make out Emma´s car near the main entrance. He couldn´t wait to see her reaction when she sees him.

"I´m glad you find everything in place, Mrs. Pillsbury" Principal Figgins said with excitement as he walked her out of his office, "let me know if you need anything, but I'm sure you´ll find what you need there".

Emma thanked him kindly and walked to her office through the empty corridors, when she turned the corner, she wasn´t expecting someone to run into her, recklessly.

A loud gasp escaped from her mouth when her balance was lost and she went back to stand besides the lockers.

"Oh, shoot I´m-" the man tried to apologize with rush, looking down to his fallen belongings. He was bewildered, caught by surprise due to the sudden crash.

"Will!" Emma´s voice came out sharp but yet lively. Her eyes were widened.

Their eyes met. He hadn't expected to see her until lunch. "Emma… Hi."

"What-what are you doing here?"

"I told you I worked quite close to you" he winked looking at her puzzled expression

"I- Why didn´t you tell me?" she giggled, kneeling down to help him pick his stuff.

"Surprise!"

"You´re such a dork" She thought he was adorable when he smiled. "And you´re late" she teased him

"So are you" he teased back causing her to giggled more.

"Oh, no… I arrived early" Emma defended herself, proudly.

"Listen I'd love to stay messing with you, but I´m really running late". You´d love to stay messing up with her? Really, William?, "See you at lunch?"

"Sure" he watched him walked away backwards smiling at her.

"Hey, Emma? Good luck"