A/N: Thank you guys for the love. And to you anons, who I can't reply to personally. One of you left the sweetest, most wonderful review on this and on my one shot 'I've never truly loved til you put your arms around me' and I cried because that was just the nicest thing ever. Are you my mom? Hahaha. Thank youuu. 3 Also, I tweaked a few on show Spoby scenes in this chapter. PLUS, the outfit Spencer is wearing after her shower is the dress she wore in 4x06, when Toby & she went to Ravenswood. :) Happy reading folks. Do review.

I was praying that you and me might end up together
It's like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my heaven

Chapter 9: A Drop in the Ocean

Toby felt unnaturaly warm when he opened his eyes, and realized it was because Spencer had her arms looped around his waist. Suddenly conscious, his heart started racing as he did his best to slip away from her without waking her up. His body immediately reacted to the loss of contact, and he felt a pang in his chest. He wasn't supposed to feel this way. He wasn't supposed to feel the dull ache in his chest because he moved away from her touch.

She looked like an angel in her sleep, so peaceful and unguarded, and it practically killed him to wake her up. A part of him desired to just watch her sleep, but he knew that they had school to attend to. He cautiously touched her shoulder, giving her a gentle shake. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked them a few times, taking in her surroundings. On seeing him looking down at her, she smiled goofily at him, warming his heart.

"Hey," she murmured, pushing some hair out of her face.

"Hey back at ya," he replied, smiling back at her.

"Did you just wake up?" she asked, slowing propping herself against the bed rest.

He nodded. "Sometimes my body has an internal clock. Sometimes."

Spencer laughed, clearly remembering the time he had overslept after staying up all night reading. "How long do we have to get ready and leave?"

"About an hour," he replied, looking at the clock he had made for himself. "Is that enough?"

"Plenty," Spencer said, rubbing her eyes. "Is your dad back home?"

Toby's face darkened at the mention of his father. "I don't think so. He usually doesn't come home so soon when he leaves like that. I prefer it that way."

Spencer nodded in understanding, knowing exactly how he felt. Her parents didn't drink and cause public outrages, but sometimes they got far too intense for her to handle. They were hardly around for her, and after years of feeling emotionally isolated, Spencer had come to prefer it to forced company. It felt more natural and calming.

"Why don't you take a shower? I'll fix us some breakfast." She nodded, grabbing her change of clothes, and heading into the bathroom.

Toby's bathroom wasn't nearly as big as her sauna cum bathtub. A thin veil seperated the shower cabinet from the toilet, and she closed it behind her, as she turned the water on. She had always liked her water extra hot, looking at it as some sort of rejuvenation process. A small bar of white soap lay in the corner, and she lathered herself with it. It smelled mild and homely, somewhat reminding her of Toby.

After her shower, she changed into a blue and white polka dot shirt, and put on a pair of skinny jeans. She wore her hair down in a sophisticated side braid, and applied a light layer of make up. Satisfied with how she looked, she stepped out in the hall and saw Toby setting the table ready.

He looked up on seeing her, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Hi...you look – wow, sit down," he said awkwardly, feeling a little ashamed.

Heat flushed up Spencer's cheeks, and she sat down quickly, trying to ignore it. The two plates in front of her were full of heavenly smelling pancakes, maple syrup, and blueberries.

"I've also made us some coffee," Toby said, just needing a reason to excuse himself from the room. He mentally slapped himself at his awestruck reaction on seeing her. What would she think? His behaviour was totally inappropriate! She was his friend, for Pete's sake! She would probably think he was a total weirdo.

His mind slipped back to a few years ago, when his mother had entered the dining room and his father had stared at her in complete surprise, proclaiming that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was just a year before his mother had gotten depressed, and it had been one of the best years of his life.

A faint smile appeared on his lips at the memory, and he picked up the coffee mugs and went back into the dining room. Spencer hadn't started eating yet, and her face lit up on seeing him. Actually, he wasn't really sure whether it lit up on seeing him, or the mugs of coffee in his hand.

"I know you're quite picky about your caffeine, but I hope this is okay," he said, setting a mug down next to her plate.

Spencer took a small sip and smiled politely.

"You don't like it," Toby said, his heart sinking a little.

"No, no, it's good, it really is. It's just your coffee is quite sweet," she explained. "Kinda like you. I usually take my coffee intense."

"Kinda like you?" Toby prompted. "Do you want me to make you something a little stronger?"

"Oh no, no, it's alright," she said quickly. "I told you, this coffee is good. I don't mind having something a little less intense for today. It might do me some good."

"Are you sure? Because –"

"Oh Toby, I am sure!" Spencer took another sip of coffee, just to prove her point. "I like this coffee, okay? I promise."

Feeling a little more assured, he sat down, taking a bite of his pancake. He usually cooked for himself, and pancakes were definitely his speciality.

"This is delicious," Spencer said, her mouth full, echoing his thoughts.

"It's my mother's recipe," Toby explained modestly. "A few months before she...before she fell ill, she started teaching me how to cook. It was almost as if she knew..."

His voice trailed off, and Spencer noted the longing and sadness in his voice. She reached over and squeezed his hand gently, showing him that she was there for him. He flinched slightly before he smiled at her in response, glad for her company and friendship.

Toby tried to ignore the electric warmth that passed through him at her touch, and hoped that he hadn't somehow offended her. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her as he tried to make sense of the emotions brewing inside of him.

Thought she felt a little hurt at his initial response, Spencer tried to let it slide, hoping that she hadn't brought up any ill memories to do with his mother's demise.

The strong vibration against her thigh pulled her out of her reverie, and she slipped her cell phone out of her pant pocket. It was a text from one of her classmates.

Homecoming committee meeting in room # 405. From 8-4. Be there.

Spencer groaned loudly. Toby, who had been concentrating hard on his pancakes, looked at her quizically.

"I'll have to skip English class. In fact, all of my classes today. The homecoming dance is in two weeks, and we still have loads of work to do."

Even though the prospect of a Spencer-less English period sounding dull and depressing, Toby smiled. "All the best with that!"

"Thanks," Spencer said, having a piece of pancake. "I really want everything to go well. It has to be the perfect homecoming, there isn't going to be another chance."

"It's going to be beyond perfect. You are the one setting it up."

A wide grin lit up Spencer's face, and she felt a gush of affection for Toby. The way he said those words without blinking, without thinking wasn't something she was used to. Well of course, people complimented her all the time – with her top notch work and all – but the clear confidence in Toby's words, as if she would be the reason the dance was going to work, was something entirely different.

"You are the best, you know that right?" she asked.

Toby grinned, and pointed to her food. "Eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

"Yes, sir," Spencer said, chuckling. "You know, I never knew breakfasts were this much fun. I've dreaded them all my life, and it's so strange to be actually thoroughly enjoy one."

Toby just smiled. "You are welcome here anytime. My dad is either out, or knocked out in his bedroom, so we can actually enjoy this time of the day."

His tone was hopeful, almost desperate, and it didn't go unnoticed by Spencer. "I wish. There's no way the Hastings are going to break tradition. You know, it wasn't this bad, when I was really little. Back then, Melissa had her protective older sister phase going onthey, and there was a time when we would talk amongst ourselves and tune our parents out."

A longing look appeared on Spencer's face, and she was taken to the most decent phase of her life. "But it lasted for so little time, that I barely even take it to account."

Both of them laughed weakly, not really finding any humour in the situation. Spencer looked down at her plate and saw that she was all done. Despite Toby's protests, she cleaned up her vessels on her own, and placed them neatly in the utensils rack next to the sink.

"I can do things on my own, Toby. I'm not a little child."

"I know, but...you're a guest here, and you shouldn't really have to do all of this."

"I don't care. It's the least I could do after this brilliant breakfast you made for me. Anyway, we better get going. I can't be late for the committee meeting."

xxx

They didn't talk much on the walk to school, enjoying the peace and quiet. Toby had never felt so light headed and well...light the day after his mother's birthday. It usually took him a few days to almost feel even remotely close to normal. It seemed hard for him to believe that he hadn't even known Spencer a month ago, and now she was able to make even his worst demons go away.

Who was she?

Thinking about her overwhelmed him in a way he both loved and hated. Spencer was something that now represented the good in his life, hope that the sun did shine even after the worst of storms, but he hated it, because it was probably the scariest feeling in the world. After the realization that he'd developed feelings for her hit him last night, he really couldn't stop thinking about it all, and the effect she had on him was downright frightening.

"This is where we say goodbye for today," Spencer said, bringing him out of his thoughts. Rosewood High stood high in front of them, in all of it's magnificent glory. "The meeting room is on the other end of the building, so I'll see you tomorrow."

"Have fun," Toby said, watching her retreating figure make her way to wherever she had to be.

Xxx

When she arrived home later that day, she found Andrew deep in conversation with her mother. They hadn't spent much time together since they had made up, and she wasn't sure how to approach either of them.

"Hey babe!" Andrew exclaimed excitedly, getting up to greet her with a kiss.

Taken by surprise, she kissed him back, and smiled politely. "What's going on?"

"Cavanaugh told me that you were busy with committee work all day, so I decided to come by and surprise you here."

"You spoke to Toby?" Spencer asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I realized that I don't know your friends all that well, so I thought it was time to change that." His tone and expression were jovial, and there was nothing to indicate that he was lying. Well, except all his previous distaste towards her friend. Spencer studied him curiously, wondering what kind of game he was playing now. Granted, that he'd finally agreed not to make a big deal about her talking to Toby, but this sudden friendliness sort of unnerved her.

"Can we go upstairs and talk?" Spencer asked, heading for the stairs. "I have a bit of designing work for the homecoming posters, and we can talk while I work."

Andrew nodded, and followed her. As soon as they were in her room, she dropped her bag and shut the door, and stared at him hard. "What is really going on? Andrew, I don't know if I can really put up with all of this bullshit anymore."

"What do you-"

"The last time you saw Toby, you treated him like he was the dirt on your shoe. And now the two of you are friends?"

"We're not friends, I was just politely asking him about your whereabouts. Figured he'd know, since you two are so pally-pally."

"Don't get started on that," Spencer warned. "I'm really tired, Andrew. I don't have the energy for this."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

"Of course you did. If it's not you trying to control my life, it's you making jabs at who I associate with. You know what, get over yourself, Andrew!"

"I swear, I was just wondering where you were," Andrew insisted. "I'm your boyfriend after all, I have the right to be concerned about you."

"Right," Spencer scoffed.

"You know, I wanted to make things better, but all we do is fight these days."

"And who do you have to blame for that, but yourself? Andrew, we weren't the most lovey-dovey couples, but we never used to try and control each other, or yell at each other. You weren't there all the time for me, but I could deal with that. We had fun, you and I. We respected each other. But right now, it's just crap. It's crap."

"I thought it would work. We were friends all our lives, we liked each other, and it seemed like the right thing to do."

"Maybe we were better off as friends."

"Maybe. But can we try again?"

"What's the point?" Spencer asked, sitting down on the foot of her bed. "We hardly talk. We hardly care about what's going on in each other's lives anymore. In fact we talked more when we used to just hang out studying, or practicing for decathlon meets, or just being around our families. It's all just not there. I'm not a romantic, but there should be some level of care in this thing, right? I don't want to end up as my parents."

It was the first time she'd spoken about her parents farce of a wedding, and was surprised that he didn't ask her anything about it.

"I know I've been a jerk to you, but I want to try and make up for it." There was no malice or sarcasm in his voice.

"Did you get a personality transplant over the weekend?" Spencer scoffed.

"Let us try again. I'll be at all your games, and you can come to all my stuff. And we'll talk. We'll try. Please. I don't want to lose you. I know it seems like I don't care. But I do. I really care about you."

It was perhaps the most genuine thing that she'd heard from him in a while. Ever since they had started fighting a month ago, things were always chaotic between them. Everything they said was sarcastic or plain horrible. Even though she'd forgiven him at the dinner, hoping it might go back to how...decent it was, a part of her knew that decent wasn't enough.

All of a sudden, she began to feel the impact of the relationship – or lack of one – hit her like a ton of bricks. Spencer hadn't even realized how deeply upset it made her, and how much of stress it gave her. She'd always believed her own nonchalance towards it, and was surprised at just how much it had affected her. Seeing her best friend so happy in love was a part of it, and the other was having a friend like Toby in her life, who repeatedly showered her with affection, and was genuinely concerned about what happened in her life.

Experiencing care like that, knowing affection like that made it incredibly hard to step back to the indifferent and dysfunctional relationship she was a part of.

"You know, I was just telling your mom how hard you've been working for the homecoming dance. She's so proud of you."

Could it be? Was it possible that he was genuinely making an effort with her now? Was him praising her to her mother a part of her? He ole cynical heart was screaming against it, but underneath everything, she was just a girl, who wanted to be loved wholly, and couldn't help but cave into his words. If things did change, this could possibly make her happy.

Spencer gave him a smile, and for the first time, it was a genuine one. The thought of her parents being proud of her was something she'd always strived for, and it was probably the biggest yearning in her heart.

"Fine."

"Fine?"

"Yeah. We'll give it another go. Maybe we'll do it right this time."

Andrew just smiled, and leaned in and stole a kiss from her. It didn't send sparks down her body, but it didn't put her off either. Maybe this was a good start.

Xxx

Present day

"That's not how it's supposed to be!" Scott exclaimed. "Mom is supposed to realize that she loves you and leave that Andrew guy for you!"

Toby laughed at his indignation. "Life doesn't really work out that way, champ. You don't love someone because you should or you're supposed to. It just happens."

"Whatever, I still don't like that after that wonderful part with the two of you, she decides to go and make up with him." He pouted, and looked away from his father.

Toby ruffled he's son's hair and pulled him into a hug. "Wait for it. Sometimes in stories, we've to get through the bad parts to reach the ones that are truly worth listening for. Didn't I tell you that the story was the best?"

Scott nodded into his chest.

"Then wait for it. It'll be worth it, I promise."

I know that guys might be pissed about the ending, but I always felt like Spencer as a character gives people second chances. And whether we like it or not, she does like Andrew, she's known him all her life, and she can't help but give him that chance, even though she's so tired of all of it. But don't be too pessimistic about it. Just because she gives him that chance, doesn't mean it's gonna last. And I'll give you all Andrew hating hearts something good in sometime lol. ;)

Please review,

N.