Chapter 10

"The Talk"

A/N: So clearly, I'm bringing this story back. It'll only go on for a few chapters, but once I remembered that I'd left it and you guys hanging hanging, I couldn't bear to do that anymore. So it'll only be two more chapters or so,but I hope you enjoy! Also, this chapter takes place during the episode "Necrophilia Americana".

Penelope stared at the colorful artwork on the wall and noticed the extravagant chandelier above her as the waiter placed french fries and a cup of frozen hot chocolate in front of her.

Adam pretended to be busy adjusting a button on his shirt when his hamburger and diet Coke arrived, not even noticing the waitress that smiled at him as she delivered his lunch.

It was perfectly clear that neither one of them wanted to bring up the reason why they were meeting at Serendipity's that Wednesday afternoon.

Adam was terrified she would reject him. After all, they were best friends, and to tell your best friend "I love you" can leave some awkward and confusing feelings.

But they had to talk. They had been avoiding each other as much as they could for the past few weeks , but for professional reasons that wasn't working out so well.

"So..." Penelope started. She wanted to say something, but only then did she realize that she had no idea what to say. More than anything, she didn't know how to respond to the topic they were supposed to be discussing.

"So..." Adam continued. He let go of his shirt button and grasped his knees tightly. "I guess we should talk."

Penelope pushed a clump of hair behind her ear as the large group sitting next to them all stood up at the same time. The chairs screeched across the floor, temporarily impairing their hearing. Once the crowd cleared out, Penelope took a deep breath and spoke. "Yeah, I guess we should."

The main reason behind why Adam hadn't touched his lunch yet was because his hands were shaking so much he was afraid he would do something ridiculous and embarrassing. He couldn't afford to make this situation worse than it already was, so he just left his hands on his knees, caressing them as he spoke.

"Look, I overheard you and Don recounting your history to everyone else, and I figured that you guys would get back together soon, but then I thought, ya know, 'carpe diem', seize the day, and while you probably wouldn't go for a guy like me, we are really good friends and I just had to tell you that I really care about you and..."

Penelope was taken aback by how fast Adam was talking, never mind what he was saying. "Slow down! You don't need to set a land speed record for talking." She giggled. Clearly, he was nervous.

Adam gulped and scratched the back of his neck. He was not good at talking about his feelings, and girls generally made him nervous. Together, they were a deadly combination.

"Okay, why don't I start?" Penelope decided. Adam just nodded and looked his plate. "I..." She trailed off, her confidence wavering. "Well first off, I'm not getting back together with Don."

Adam's ears immediately perked up at this. "Really?"

"Really. Yes, we used to have a thing, but it was an amicable split. We're just friends now."

Adam breathed a deep sigh of relief at this. Not only would her ex-fiance leave them alone, but she didn't have lingering feelings for him, making it much easier on Adam.

"Second, while we are extremely close, that was kind of a sudden thing to say." Penelope commented.

"I know, I know, but when I heard you telling everyone about Don and you, I just got so nervous, and I didn't want to lose you."

"Lose me?" Penelope laughed a little at this. "Adam," she said as she grasped the top of his hand, both of which laid on the table in front of him, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay, good." Even Adam started to laugh at the ridiculous notion. Soon they were both laughing, not because it was funny, but because it was so uncomfortable that only laughter could solve it in that moment. Once they both settled down, they scarfed down the food ordered long ago, now bordering between lukewarm and stone cold, and started to leave Serendipity's.

However, the minute they stepped out the door, who came walking down the street but Don Flack himself. He waved to the two and sped up his step.

Once he appeared in front of them, Don had a big grin on his face, mostly out of confusion. "Hey guys," he started, "what's up?"

"Oh not much, just grabbing some lunch," Penelope brushed off. "What's up with you? Are you out on a case?"

"Nah, just taking a walk, getting some fresh air." Don looked from Penelope to Adam and back. "Say Penny," he started, knowing this would end bad for Adam, "I was just heading home for a bit. My mom's making some pot roast. Care to join me?"

"Uh..." Penelope started. She didn't want to abandon Adam, having just avoiding a huge talk. But she knew Don's mom made a mean pot roast, and she hadn't gotten much of a chance to talk about what had happened in the office.

"It's totally okay, go ahead." Adam jumped in. He could tell she wanted to go, and the last thing he wanted was to force her to hang out all day when it was both uncomfortable and not what they wanted to do. Penelope looked at Adam, surprised. "Honestly, it's cool. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Thanks, Adam. I'll see you later." With that, Penelope and Don left in one direction, and Adam in the other.