"Hey Toby," Ryan said walking up to his desk. "Are you going to Poor Richards?"

"Probably not," Toby mumbled.

"I'm going and that means you two are going. We are all going," Kelly blurted popping her head over the wall. She winked at me and then sat back down again.

"Isn't there some rule that there's no dating coworkers," Ryan whispered.

"I'm not doing your dirty work for you," Toby whispered back turning to his desk.

"I can hear whispering!" Kelly shouted. Ryan turned on his heels and left.

Toby has been acting a little stranger than usual every since I notice him smile when I complemented Pam in his car, when she wasn't even there. A little distant but not so much where it's something to worry about. I guess I just brought back some feelings that night. He'll be back to his old self, hopefully. I can understand having feelings be back and you need to just have some time from your partner. That was fine. I just hope he wasn't acting on those feelings. No, he wouldn't. I trust him.

I shook my head and got ready for Poor Richards. Usually Toby would drive me to office parties outside of work but I didn't plan to go overboard so I decided to drive myself... and I didn't really want to have an awkward silence with Toby. I liked Toby a lot. I just hope this isn't going downhill. I sighed.

"Is anything wrong?" Toby asked. Guess I sighed too loud.

"No, nothing's wrong," I smiled at him getting my coat on.

He got up and kissed me on the cheek. I started to feel my face warm up. Toby put his jacket on, turned off his light, and held the annex door open for Kelly and I. As I walked past him, he put his hand on the small of my back, and we walked together. Kelly held the door open for us and let it slam shut. She eyed us but didn't say anything. The rest of the office was standing at reception waiting for everyone so that we could all go together. I noticed that Angela and Oscar weren't ready. I didn't expect them to come anyway.

"Are we ready?" Meredith asked as she started towards the elevator.

We all walked behind her and got in the elevator. It was cramped and I think exceeded the weight but nobody cared. We piled out of the elevator. Some people went to their own cars and the rest went with Meredith. I fumbled with my keys. I was one of the people going alone.

"Hey Amber!" I heard someone yell my name and honk their horn. I turned around and Meredith pulled up beside me. "Do you want to come with us? We have room for one more."

I glanced at Toby who was already starting up his car. I guess he didn't expect me to ask for a ride from him. "Sure," I answered and got into Meredith's van.

We pulled into Poor Richard's with Toby and the others behind us. As I got out of the van, I wobbled for a second since my legs were smushed in the back. I walked in next to Pam with Toby just behind me.

"Oh, look at that cute stuffed duck!" Pam exclaimed pointing to the claw game.

"Aw, yeah it is cute!" I agreed.

We walked to a table where everyone took a seat. Toby was missing since Stanley and Kelly were sitting next to me. I looked around for him and saw him by the claw game. I shrugged and ordered a beer.

We talked about what was happening with our lives, work, and other nonsense. It was amazing how much Kelly could talk. I mean, I knew she was talkative but she never really talked to me personally. She talked about how cute it was that I was with Toby, how much she loved Ryan, celebrities, anything and everything she talked about. I looked back at the claw game where Toby was still trying.

Most people parted their from the table to talk to other people around the bar. I sighed and looked around for a small, in the corner table. I actually didn't really want to be here now. I liked my coworkers but they weren't Toby. I got up and walked over to the farthest, most secluded table I could find. I sat down and kept to myself. I watched as Kelly talked Ryan's ear off, and Angela and Oscar were sitting together with Oscar eating a basket of wings. I was surprised to find them here at all actually.

Pam was doing the exact same thing as me. Sitting by herself just drinking her beer. I sighed and downed the rest of my beer. I thought Pam asked Roy to come. I guess he was just working late and on his way. I turned to Toby who was still patiently playing the claw game. I stared at him for a minute wanting him to give up and come sit with me. I looked at the table, sighed, and ordered another beer.

I don't need to be with Toby for everything, it's just nice since I was secluded in the annex and no one really came in besides to give me papers. I looked around for other people but everyone was talking to people I didn't know. I did't really want to get up from my table anyway. In one gulp I drank half the beer in my glass. So much for not going over board.

"Hey Amber," Meredith greeted walking up to me. "I was just wondering if you would do a shot with me? I asked others but they said no."

I looked over at the claw game. No Toby. I looked around to see where he was. He was sitting with Pam and had the stuffed duck in his hands.

"Sure," I agreed. "I'll have a shot with you."

We walked over towards a table closer to Toby and Pam. On the table there were two lines of shots with about 10 shots in both lines. Kevin, Creed, Kelly and Ryan were all facing Meredith and I as we got to the table.

"Uh, Meredith," I started. "I thought we were only going to do a shot."

"A shot, a line of shots. Same thing," She said going on the other side of the table to face me. "If you can down these shots faster then me, I'll give you shot gun when we getup of here."

I glanced over to Toby and Pam who were both watching us now.

"I'll do it."

Meredith grinned and we both got ready to down the first shot.

"3, 2...," Kelly and Kevin counted down. "1, go!"

I took the first shot. Tequila. My throat burned as I down the second shot. I hope I can take all this alcohol. I down the 5th shot and my throat was already numb. Downing the 6th shot I was able to glance over at Meredith who was only on her 5th shot. I smirked and downed the 7th shot. Woe, I can't believe I'm actually beating her. I downed the 8th and 9th shot with ease but then the 10th shot came and I was really feeling the effects. Can't back down now. I took the 10th shot, and put the glass on the table. I leaned with both my hands on the table and glanced up at Meredith who was clapping.

"Wow Amber," Kevin said. "You actually beat Meredith at drinking."

"I think I need to sit down," I groaned. "And I need a glass of water."

Ryan took a chair, put it under me, and I dumped my whole weight on it. I put my head in my hands and sighed. Why did I do this? The waiter cleared off the shot glasses and put the water on the table.

"Never do anything with Meredith that includes alcohol," A familiar voice rang in my ears.

I glanced up to see Toby sitting down next to me.

"Yeah," I mumbled. "I learned my lesson."

He put the duck on the table. "I won this for you."

"Weren't you giving that to Pam?" I mumbled gulping down the water. I was going to feel this tomorrow morning for sure.

Toby looked down and thought for a moment. Was he thinking of a way to get himself out of this situation? Did he not know that I saw him trying to give it to Pam? If he thinks I'm that stupid he has another thing coming.

"Yes I tried but she didn't want it," He finally blurted moving the duck towards me.

"At least your honest," I sighed my speech starting to slur just a bit.

"You shouldn't drink anymore," He stated talking away the rest of my beer.

I looked around the bar. There was an awkward silence between Toby and I. I huffed and took a sip of my water. I saw Roy walk into the bar with a bigger guy. I was assuming that it was his brother. He looked around, spotted Pam, and they both went to sit with her.

"I used to have this... crush on Pam," Toby admitted. "But that's all."

I nodded. "I figured."

"I swear it won't get in the way of our relationship," Toby said taking hold of my hand. He put the duck in my lap and kissed my cheek.

I nodded again. I think I'm going to puke. I put the duck in Toby's lap and stumbled into the bathroom where I saw Ryan getting yelled at by a very mad Stanley. I closed the door to the stall and waited for the puking to begin. Thankfully, my hair was already tied back. Ryan and Stanley walked out of the bathroom, leaving me alone with my heaving to listen to. Why the hell did I say yes to Meredith?

When I was finished, I washed my hands and face, and out of the bathroom to see an Angry Roy destroying the bar. Toby grabbed my hand and took me outside.

"I'll drive you home," He said leading me to his car.

"Are you... are you okay to, uhh, drive?" I asked

"I only had your half a beer," Toby stated. "Besides, you were in the bathroom for at least half an hour."

He helped me into the car and as we drove, I pointed out every single animal to him like I was a 6 year old. He seemed amused though because he kept laughing and asking me questions like 'What does the dog say?'. I guess I deserved it.

He parked in my driveway and helped me into the the house where we were greeted by an overly excited Hayes.

"My puppy," I cried getting down on my knees and cupping Hayes' face with my hands. "I love you so much. You are the cutest puppy ever," I played on the floor with Hayes in front of the doorway.

"I think you should get to bed," Toby smirked giving me his hand.

"I already am," I murmured getting comfy.

He laughed going into my bedroom and bringing back a pillow and blanket. He put the pillow under my head, laid the blanket over me and took off my shoes. He kissed me on the forehead and left.

"I love you Toby," I mumbled after he already closed the door.