"Janet!" Hannah called out from her booth at Izzy's, the Ridge's best and only Chinese restaurant. Janet froze at the sound of her name, relaxing only when she realized that it was Hannah, only to panic again when she saw that Nick was with her. Hannah waved Janet and Rob over, hearing so much about him but never seeing him in the flesh. Thrilled that Janet had finally moved on from Eddie. After the disaster that was her wedding to Ray, Janet was the light for Hannah. Keeping her grounded, moving forward. It was Janet that told her she was doing the right thing. It was Janet who made he come clean about Sam's shady paternity and the relief that finally came when the results came back in Nick's favor. Janet was the reason that she and Nick were sitting together, holding hands, drinking Chinese tea, happy together.

"Hey Hannah. Hi Nick." Janet said unable to look him in the eye.

"Hi Janet." Nick stood up, shaking Rob's hand. "How have you been Rob?"

"Its good to see you again Nick." Rob smiled broadly, warmly. Despite how much he wanted to Nick couldn't hate him.

"Why don't you guys join us, we haven't even ordered yet?" Nick asked sincerely. Hannah was so relived that he was the one who asked, he got how important Janet was to her.

"That would be nice." Rob answered after he and Janet shared a look, she gave him the ok. The slid into the booth opposite Nick and Hannah. Rob put his arm around Janet's shoulder and she leaned into him. This was something she had always wanted. To sit across from her best friend on an even playing field, instead of the third wheel. It was something that was never possible when Hannah was with Ray and Janet was with Eddie.

"So Rob tell me about your self, as Janet's nosy best friend I have a million questions."

"Really Hannah a million questions. You can ask him five over the course of this meal… I would chose them wisely." Rob and Nick laughed and Hannah pouted.

"Nicely done Janet, you rendered her speechless." Nick joked, holding Hannah tighter, Maybe this would be so bad after all. They ordered their food and drinks. There was a moment where Janet felt like the was out of her body hovering over the room, just watching. The conversation was easy, light. Nick talked about New York and writing the book, Rob talked about work and Annie, Hannah about Sam and the crazy pets at the vets office, Janet talked about the bar and some of the best drunk patron stories she had. It was so simple, the dynamic and it was something so foreign to Janet. The check came and Rob insisted on paying, Nick finally agreed, but only if he could get the check next time.

"We were going to head over to Sully's for a drink. Emily is working tonight so Owen and Allison were going to meet us. Do you guys want to come with?" Hannah asked not thinking that Eddie might be there too.

"Uh, I don't know. I mean is Eddie going to be there?" Rob internally cringed at the sound of his name.

"He might be, I mean it's Sully's Janet." Silence fell over the table, as Janet tried to decide what to do.

"Hannah is night, Janet." Nick finally said "I mean, he is always going to be around. You cant really avoid Sully's. Rob you planning on sticking around?" Nick asked sizing him up.

"That I do Nick. I think Nick is right Janet, but I will leave it up to you." Janet looked at her watch it was a little after eight, chances are Eddie and Phil were back at Gelson watching TV.

"Ok, lets go."

Eddie was perched at the bar, four empty shot glassed lined up in front of him. Three beers that were sent his way from various women were turned away. He hadn't gotten any sleep, just lying it bed looking off into nowhere. Running Janet's bracelet through his calloused fingers. All night unable to shake that feeling that still lingered from his dream. The loss , the dread, the fear. Eddie was the kind of guy who liked to be in control of all situations at all times and for the first time in a very long time he didn't. There was nothing he could do, but wait and hope and fight to get Janet back. He had spent he day with Phil, in front of the TV but the Sunday felt so long and Eddie unable to take the confinement a second longer. Wondering how Phil was able to stand the four walls at Gelson, day after day, year after year. He made his way to Sully's the only place he really had left. He could count on Sully's to boost his ego, he knew drinks would be sent his way, that he could manage his way through some idle chatter, while he waited for Ikey or Owen to pop in like they always did. He settled in for the night, but somehow he didn't get the boost that he was craving, the place was mostly empty. As he looked around he realized that Sully's had two kinds of people there on a Sunday night. The kids from the Duf that lived that life of the never ending weekend and the sad old timers like Sneaky Pete trying to drink their past mistakes away. Eddie because acutely aware which way he was headed and it was not towards the twenty two year old co-eds. It was only after his fourth shot that he was able to numb the reality of that fact.

"Hey there Buddy!" Owen called out patting Eddie on the should a little harder then necessary.

"Hey Big O! Allison" Eddie nodded in her direction. Eddie gave Owen credit, being able to forgive her after her affair with Ikey. What Allison had done was far and away worse then Janet's drunk one night stand with Rooster and here they were stronger then they were before. And Eddie knew the reason why. It was because Owen was the better man, the bigger man. He didn't allow his pride and ego, his fear of what people thought of him cloud his love for Allison. He made her the priority, their relationship the most important thing. It was not easy but who said loving someone was suppose to be. "What brings you guys into Sully's tonight?"

"We are meeting Nicky and Hannah for a drink." Eddie nodded as he took a sip from his long neck. "they should be here in a few, you should come and knock a few back with us." Eddie watched as the doors to the bar opened and Nick and Hannah walked in. He couldn't help but notice the look on Nick's face when he saw him and then it all became clear when Janet and Rob came walking in after them.

"Awkward…" Eddie said as he turned back around on his bar stool and flagged down Sully for another shot.

"Eddie, I didn't…"

"It's cool Owen, go Join your friends. I am fine right where I am." Allison placed her hand on his shoulder giving it a light squeeze.

"Come on Owen, See you later Eddie."

Eddie's body tightened as he drank his shot, Sully's watchful eye on him.

"Eddie…"

"I know, Sully I know…"

"Hey Eddie."

"Hey Nick."

"What can I get you Garrett?"

" Three Paul Revere's, a pinot, a Amstel and a Stella." Eddie knew the Stella was for Janet, it was her favorite. Sully nodded and got busy making the drinks.

"So…"

"It's fine Nick, really. Janet has a new boyfriend, you are dating Hannah. I get it. I don't like it but I get it."

Eddie glanced back, and saw Janet talking to Emily and Hannah. He could see the nervous look on her face, everyone looked uncomfortable. He knew he should just leave an make it easier on everyone one but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Hey Nick could you give Eddie and me a minute. I will bring the drinks over." Eddie glanced nervously at Eddie who just nodded his head giving Nick the ok to leave. "How you doing Eddie?" Rob asked, with out a trace of arrogance.

"I have been better Rob, I am not gonna lie." Rob was taken aback by his candor. "I mean you are dating my girl, so…"

"Eddie, with all due respect she is not your girl anymore."

"Rob with all due respect, Janet is always going to be my girl. Just like Angela is always going to be yours." Eddie added for good measure hoping to end the tense conversation.

"Eddie if you loved Janet half as much as I loved Angela none of us would be here right now." His words hit Eddie right where it hurt and he had no response. Sully placed the tray of drinks down on the bar, Rob leaned in to grab them. "I get this sucks Eddie, I like you. I think you are a good guy, who made a huge mistake. But my concern is Janet, I want her to be happy. So let me."

"Rob, you're a good guy too. But Janet is the love of my life, and I am hers. You are just the guy that she needs right now. I am the guy she needs forever. So I will let you make her happy for now… But not forever." Eddie stood up from the bar, patter Rob on the shoulder and walked away. Nodding to Janet as he made it out the doors.