A/N: I had to post this up as soon as possible. I don't know if this chapter is short or long enough to appease. At least now I have finally introduced one of the first BFT moments.


"So tell me, what makes this situation an emergency? I was enjoying a date with this really pretty lady when Antonio called." Francis murmured as nonchalantly as possible as he reclined on the sofa. Sitting on the armchair across him was Gillian with a bowl of fresh tomatoes on her lap.

"This situation is an emergency because the awesome me cannot stand my unawesome husband anymore!" Gillian wailed, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes as she viciously bit into a tomato. Francis resisted the urge to flinch at her violent way of eating. He felt glad to be sitting a bit far from her at the moment. Whatever Roderich had said or done must have affected his friend so badly that she was adamant to sleep over at a friend's house.

"What did Roderich do to make you so mad? Come, come, tell big brother here so he can give you a hug," Francis crooned as he tried to distract Gillian from her messy destruction of tomatoes. He shrunk back into the sofa as the woman shot him a dark glare, tomato juice dripping down the sides of her mouth. Was she trying to scare him to death in this manner? He truly was concerned over her, but what did he say to deserve such a reaction?

"You're not my big brother, and I'm not accepting hugs, especially from you!" she spat. Francis was on guard now, ready to bolt if she would assault him either with a tomato or with a fist.

"Francis, you're a man. A pervy man, but still a good one. You're single, and I don't know if that should be a good or a bad thing, but as a man, you know there are some things you should never say to a woman."

'You're hardly the typical kind of woman,' Francis thought grimly as she continued her tirade. If he spoke his thoughts aloud to her, he might as well get emasculated. No way was he risking himself in such a manner. One wrong word from his lips and he would die.

It was rare for her to be this angry but he had been her friend long enough to know she had a violent streak within her. So he could only entertain her and lend a sympathetic ear to whatever was troubling her. He prided himself an expert in relationships and in all the ways of love, but to comfort someone like Gillian would be pushing the limit. "What did Roderich tell you?" he asked, forcing a smile on his face to mask the fact that he was more frightened than ever.

Gillian shrugged and pouted childishly. She looked at the now empty bowl and sighed. "I don't understand Roderich anymore," she mumbled sulkily, her glare softening into a wistful look. "I understand that he's happy to finally be a father soon, but," she paused and swiped at her tears before continuing, "but sometimes I wonder if all he cared about is the growing child within me, and not me. It's not like I have actually gone and taken all those risks! I'm suffering here, and he seems to disregard that fact! And I hate that he's too overprotective and caring because he's just trying to make me forget myself."

Francis processed her words and frowned. She wasn't making sense, in his opinion. Any other woman would be happy to know that their husband loved and cared for her, but Gillian was resisting. It was confusing and yet intriguing. "What do you mean that he's trying to make you forget yourself?"

The sulking woman glared once more and tensed. "Who and what was I before I got married? I was the awesome Gillian Beilschmidt! I enjoyed autonomy, I got what I wanted when I wanted and no one limited my needs or took control of my possessions. Now Roderich wants me to stay at home and do…womanly things! You know I'm not like that, I was never like that and never will! How would you feel, Francis, if someone did everything to stop you from being the perverted bastard that you are? If someone caged you inside a house under the guise of knowing what's best for you?"

"I'm not a pervert, I just wish to spread the power of amour! Now you have a point, but aren't you merely overreacting because you've never experienced being showered with so much love and affection? I mean, you've always detached yourself, you're always self-sufficient. Don't you think maybe it's you who should try to accept the fact that you're no longer alone and someone loves you enough to look out for your well-being? I'm not taking any sides here, Gil, I'm merely saying that maybe you haven't thought much about his true intentions."

There was a heavy pause, Gillian mulling over his words with an unreadable expression. Francis sighed and got up from his seat to go over her side. "Mon ami, maybe I you're not overreacting to things, you're over-thinking them. Come, I think Antonio's paella is waiting for you, and I need some wine too."

"That's just it, Franny. Every time I mention beer he goes hysterical and berates me. I haven't tasted even a drop of the awesomeness that is beer, and he thinks I've committed a heinous crime by the mere mention of it. The way he told me that I can't drink beer after delivery was like handing me over to an executioner. Beer is to me as sex is to you, so I hope you'll understand how much it hurts to hear him berate me." she muttered despondently, hanging her head in defeat and tracing circles on the bowl with her fingers. "Would I want to punch someone so hard in the face right now…" Francis cringed and backed away slowly in the direction of the kitchen.

"Come now, Gil. I think it's best that you drown your hate away with Antonio's paella. We can think of punching someone's lights out tomorrow, okay?" he pleaded, tentatively touching her arm as he cautiously led her away. "I believe we have neglected poor Antonio so let's have dinner and catch up on what we have missed."


"Amigos, how do you like the paella?" Antonio asked, a big smile on his face as he watched his best friends devour the meal he had prepared.

With his mouth full of food, Francis could only raise both hands in a thumbs-up of approval, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. Antonio caught the look and beamed happily. Turning to Gillian he noticed how she shoved big chunks into her mouth in a rather displeased way. The Spaniard wondered at her behavior but decided not to comment on it yet. He was happy that their trio was complete once more, and he wanted to bask in the moment.

"Your food isn't all that bad, Tonio," Gillian grumbled between bites. "I think it lacks flavor though." At the Spaniard's confused look, Francis decided to graciously intervene and clear the matter up in case Antonio's mind processed too slowly.

"She compliments your paella, mon ami, but bemoans the fact that due to her pregnancy, her senses aren't working properly at all. There are a lot of changes happening to a pregnant woman, and our dear friend is a prime example." Francis explained, a smirk on his lips as he glanced at Gillian. Antonio blinked for a few minutes before suddenly lighting up. "Oh! So you mean Gillian can't taste the food as much as before!" Both of his friends could only sigh in resignation as they continued eating. Some things never change.

"It's not like the food is bland, but it was you who chose a vegetarian kind of paella. Why? Paella isn't supposed to be like that, you know?"

"Shut up, Franny. I know that. I guess Roderich rubbed off on me, trying to be health conscious and all."

"And it took me a good while to look for substitutes, amigos. You gave me a challenge, but I'm happy you still liked it."

"Oh we would never dislike any food you cook for us, Tonio! Bring it on!"

"My, my, you've got a big appetite tonight, mon ami."

"As if I'm the only one. You've refilled your plate twice!"

The night was still young; the trio still had a lot to catch up on after all.


Somewhere else, a bespectacled pianist had resigned himself to enter a nearby bookstore and buy a map. Maybe he should eat dinner at a restaurant tonight as well.

Roderich sighed for the fifth time that night. He really shouldn't have gone and aggravated Gillian. Her curse worked effectively, and he just about had enough. He didn't want to keep driving in endless circles trying miserably to return home. She was probably back home right now, playing some ridiculous video games like some sort of child or munching away on snacks or watching a movie and whining about how unawesome the world was. He only hoped that when he returned she would get over her sulky state and forgive him once again.


Back in Antonio's house, the trio were passing the time lazily in the living room. Gillian lay on the sofa as she tossed a tomato in the air. Antonio was sitting on the armchair with a guitar in hand. Francis was sprawled out on the carpet with a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

"You know, we should do things we haven't done in a long while. Why did you have to go off and leave us, Gillian? You're being unfair!" the Frenchman whined teasingly, glancing at his friend in amusement. Gillian shot him a curious look, wondering what he was implying. Antonio chuckled at Francis' words and made puppy dog eyes at Gillian. "He's right, you had to leave the bad friends trio to become a good wife! Has he played you a siren song, mi amiga?" "Now you're both being ridiculous! Who said I ever left this group? Be thankful I'm back to shower you with my awesome glory. I have not betrayed you, nor have I been unfair," came the sarcastic retort.

Gillian chucked the tomato at Francis, hitting him in the face at the exact moment he had turned his head to acknowledge her. Antonio grinned and strummed a lively tune on his guitar. "Francis, you're flushed as red as the tomato on your face. Should I take a picture?" he asked excitedly, a grin on his face as Gillian winked at him. "Oh why are you suddenly ganging up on poor big brother here? What have I done to deserve such betrayal?" Francis wailed comically, wiping off the last bits of tomato on his face before scrambling up to look for a fresh batch of tomatoes to hurl at his enemies.

"I don't hit ladies, mon ami, but I believe you're not just any kind of woman!"

"Thanks for the compliment, I'm flattered but this is just the beginning. Let's show your girlfriends your choice of natural makeup."

"Mi amigos, I sure hope you clean up afterward," Antonio crooned as he continued to strum Spanish melodies on his guitar. He ducked behind the armchair just as a tomato sailed over where his head used o be mere seconds ago. "Stop being a spoilsport, Toni! If you want to remain neutral, be that way, but don't go harping about cleaning up early just yet. We're warming up!" Gillian yelled in reply as she used an old newspaper as a shield to block one of the tomatoes Francis threw at her. The Frenchman was chuckling as he dodged another tomato.

Damn, Antonio's spanish instrumental was proving to be undeniably fitting background music to their little tomato war.

Half an hour later and three empty tomato bowls, the trio were lying side by side on the stained carpet, the entire living room a terrible mess.

Francis looked like he had been bathing in tomatoes while Gillian looked like she had paint splashed over her clothes and face. Antonio was as clean as a washed plate. "Guys, I want you to do me a favor," Gillian sighed as she stared up at the ceiling. "If ever Roddy calls, don't tell him I'm here. If he arrives home to find that I still haven't returned he'd freak out. I'm still mad at him." Francis and Antonio exchanged glances and smiled conspiratorially.

"Worry not, we would never betray a bad friend."

"We're on your side, amiga. Besides, my house is probably the last Roderich will suspect. He won't be calling anytime soon!"

And like a bad case of déjà vu they heard the phone ring. Gillian glared at the Spaniard as Francis put a hand over his mouth to stop his chuckles from turning into full-blown laughs. "I think you had better answer that call; wouldn't want the caller to think you've got visitors. Oh, and we're not here, Toni."

Antonio got up and walked over to the ringing phone, but not before flashing his two friends a reassuring smile. The other two sat up and watched him intently, now deathly still and quiet.

Antonio could tell that the overly worried voice resisting the urge to wail on the other side of the phone belonged to Roderich. Yes, he probably must have called other people before calling him as the last resort. Antonio glanced at the wall clock. It read nine o' clock in the evening; still an early hour in the bad friends trio's opinion. But it was obvious that Gillian's husband thought otherwise.

He cheerily answered the phone, quickly drawing it away from his ear as he heard Roderich very nearly scream. "I know my wife is there with you and Francis. Let me talk to her! She must come home, it's already quite late." Antonio's cheery smile didn't melt just yet. He had to prove his friends that he could do better.

"Eh? You mean Gillian? But she's not here!" he mock whined, smile still in place that Gillian buried her face into Francis shoulder as she giggled.

"I know she's there. I called her brother and he said she's probably with you and Francis. I called Francis' house and no one answered, so he must be there."

"I'm sorry, but I think you got it all wrong. All that's here is me and my tomatoes. Would you like some? I haven't seen either Francis or Gillian in weeks. You really shouldn't be so hard on Gillian, you know! Francis might probably be out chasing skirts; it's a beautiful night for a sexual conquest, that's what he's always told me. As for Gillian, maybe she's hiding from you? Ah, we haven't spoken to each other in so long, Roderich! I'm still not retracting my offer; care for tomatoes?"

By now both Francis and Gillian were doing everything in their power not to burst out laughing. Antonio could ramble endlessly and change the topics so quickly. He was making it seem so easy! And what was that eerily dreamy look on his face? Was he purposely being oblivious? Well, they couldn't ask for more, it was just to entertaining to see how the Spaniard could rile up the pianist even more with just a permanent smile and a clueless tone in his voice.

They finally burst out laughing when he hung up the phone with a confused look on his face. Turning to them he asked, "What did I say to make him hung up so fast? I haven't told him about the concert I saw…"

"Don't feel bad, that was awesome, Antonio! If I want to get rid of Roderich on the phone, I really should let you answer his calls! You're a lifesaver."

"But he was worried about you."

"Tch, he worries too much. I'd worry if he suddenly stopped worrying."

"Ah, I'm glad you remembered big brother's words about nights like this! I feel so honoured that you quote me!"

"I thought it was funny."

"Quoi? Am I just comic relief to you, Tonio?"


Roderich collapsed onto the nearest chair as he stared bewildered at the phone. He had forgotten how chatty that Spaniard could be. He sounded so excited, so happy, like a small child waiting for the parent to come home. He didn't sound worried about his friend being missing at all! Oh well, Antonio never worried much about anything. Maybe he should start being like the Spaniard more; to be a tad carefree and light-hearted. No, that was probably impossible. Who could not worry? With Gillian as his wife, his pregnant wife, it was something to be dreadfully worried about, and right now he knew not of her whereabouts!

"Hey Gil, if you're sleepy, you can take the guestroom. You know where it is. I'll clean up first."

"I want to sleep with Gil!"

"Sure you can. On the floor. I'm not sharing any pillows either."

"That is mean, Gillian! I'm volunteering to be your bodyguard for tonight!"

"And the only person my body needs guarding from is you. You're the perverted molester who rapes people in their sleep. I'm not taking chances."

"But you can still have sex even when pregnant, didn't you know that? Oh come on, probably the reason why you're so moody is because your prissy husband is too inhibited to try these things! Let big brother make you feel good."

"Let me make you feel pain, Francis. I don't care about sex right now. You can sleep on the floor of my room or on the tomato-stained sofa or with Antonio."

Gillian smirked triumphantly as Antonio handed her an extra pillow before wishing her goodnight. She winked at a whining Francis before disappearing into the guestroom.

"Antonio, let me sleep with you tonight! Because of you two, I haven't been able to show that girl earlier today some of my amour! You ruined my date!"

Antonio smiled sympathetically, patting him on the shoulder as he made his way to his own room.

"You know where the light switch of the living room is, right? Goodnight Francis! Don't worry, I cleaned the sofa!" the Spaniard said before heading for his own room as well, leaving Francis staring at him in mock horror.

"Why are you picking on me? You really are such bad friends!" he cried dramatically, turning off the lights before throwing himself upon the sofa.

Yes, it felt good to be a bad friend as well. And just this once, he had to admit that Gillian was right. The three of them together were awesome.


A/N: Okay, that tomato scene was inspired by listening to Romano's Delicious Tomato Song on repeat (it's way too addicting!) And now this is the part wherein I sincerely apologize to everyone because updates will be slower than ever. I'm going to be extremely busy in the next several weeks. If ever I do get a chance at internet (hopefully), I won't hesitate to update.

So thank you to each and everyone of you for kind and patient consideration. I really appreciate all the reviews and support I get.