Hello everyone! I'm so sorry for the long wait but with school, work, and interning, I could hardly find the time to write. That's still not an excuse for all of you who have stuck with me since day 1. Thank you my lovelies!

Danny's POV

"So Jo, did my cooking pass the test?"

We've been at this table for about 15 minutes and I still haven't come up with a way to tell her about my relationship with Lacey. Lace has been nudging me under the table, ready for me to get it over with. What am I supposed to say, 'Hey Jo, Lacey and I have been hooking up? No big deal. I just wanted you to know that we're in love, probably since we were kids.'

I didn't think it would be this hard.

"Surprisingly, it did. It tastes better than my mom's pasta," she smiled.

"How long have you two known each other," Lace asked Jo and Rico. She made the question sound not so 'innocent.' They looked uncomfortable.

I looked at Lace. "Can I see you in the kitchen for a sec?"

We left the room and she stared at me. I smiled.

"What?"

"I know what you're trying to do in there. Trying to couple them off into a relationship already."

"I'm trying to show Jo that he likes her. You're not doing anything but talking about pasta and—"

"I'm trying to work up to it Lace. This is not going to be an easy conversation—"

"I know that, I just…can we get this over with?" She sighed.

I held her hand. "I know this is hard for you too. Let's just go back in there and do it."

"Okay."

We took our seats.

"Is everything okay?" Jo asked.

Lace held my hand under the table. "We have to tell you something," she said.

Jo's eyebrows scrunched together. "O…kay."

I stepped in. "Because your friendship means the world to us, there has to be communication. So, we have something we want to share."

We looked at each other before looking back at Jo. Rico was still looking uncomfortable.

I rested our interlaced hands on the table and cleared my throat. "Were-together."

"More pasta anyone?" Rico said. No one said anything.

Jo was staring at our hands. Not moving, blinking, or even breathing.

When she finally looked at us, her eyes were glistening. "Excuse me," she said and ran upstairs to the bathroom.

"Jo wait!" I got up but Lacey stopped me.

"Let me talk to her."

"You sure about this?"

She nodded. "Yes…I have to do this."

I squeezed her hand before she walked away. "I'm here if you need me."

"I know." Then, she went upstairs.

I hope she forgives us. Maybe after the shock wears off, she'll see that we didn't keep this a secret for long. Lace and I are still very new.

I just want us to be like we were at eleven. Friends who had unconditional love for one another. I know she wants that too.

Rico was eating, staring at the wall. He glanced at me and back over to the wall again.

"You should tell her," I said.

His mouth was full to capacity. "Tell 'er wha?"

"Tell Jo that you have feelings for her."

He choked on his food and I handed him water. He drank the whole glass.

"You okay?"

"Yeah…you know…about Jo?"

"Actually Jo is the only one who doesn't know."

He nodded. "Wow and I thought that no one noticed anything about me…I don't know if I should tell her though. She probably sees me as a brother like you see her as a sister."

"You never know unless you try."

Lacey's POV

I inhaled and slowly exhaled before knocking on the door.

"Jo, it's me."

"Lacey…just give me a minute."

"Okay." I sat on the floor, outside the bathroom. "But I'm not leaving you alone."

"I'm used to being alone. I'm use to you and Danny not being here with me."

I can hear her sniffles.

"Jo…believe it or not, I felt the same way. For the past five years, I didn't have you or Danny in my life and it killed me. That destroyed who I was and created this faux popular girl who seemed tough and happy on the outside but in reality, I was completely crushed on the inside. I…felt like I died, so I created a new me. Someone new I thought I had to be. Someone that didn't want to get hurt anymore and shielded the past."

Jo was silent.

"I thought about you and Danny every single day."

"I was there at school. Every single day Lacey."

"I know but I wasn't there." I choked, I couldn't say anymore. This was harder to talk about than expected.

The door opened and there stood Jo, face completely red, with a single tear streaming down her face.

"Jo," I sobbed. "I'm sorry for everything."

She hugged me, which surprised the heck out of me. Then again, Jo was always one to easily forgive. She's very sweet, has a kind heart, and a beautiful soul. This is why I love her.

"I'm sorry too Lace."

We sunk to the floor and created one huge puddle of tears together.

XXX

Moments later, after talking up a storm, we heard footsteps approaching.

We looked up and saw Rico's shocked face. Danny's face showed nothing but pure euphoria.

"What are you girls laughing about" he asked.

"YOUR FACE!" We said together, giggling and remembering the past.

"Ouch! I see you two have returned to the days of your purely evil, yet amusing insults. Though, I kind of hoped that you would've come up with something new after all these years."

Jo pulled on Danny's hand and he fell to the floor beside us. "Shut up Desai and get in here."

We pulled him into our hug. Just like the old days.

"So Jo, are you and me good?"

"Well…it's going to take some time for me to get use to the idea but I think I've always had a feeling about you two." She shrugged. "Just as long as you don't suck off each other's faces in front of me, we'll be okay."

Danny and I laughed. Awkwardly.

"Um…uh…" Rico was scratching the back of his neck, not knowing what to do.

"Get down here Rico." I pulled him down and he fell into our circle of love.

XXX

When Jo and Rico left, I stayed behind to help Danny clean.

"So how about that? Piece of cake right?" He grinned, placing the last dish in the dish rack.

I giggled. "Uh I don't know about a piece of cake but I'm glad she didn't kick us out of her life."

"Ditto." He held my hand and led me to the couch. "More than anything I'm glad you two are friends again. I knew that if anyone could get Jo to forgive us tonight, it would be you. Not even Rico could've pulled that off. You two have something special. A special girl bond."

"A special girl bond? Wow Danny boy, you really said something there."

"I know you like to insult me but in actuality, I love it when you're mean to me."

I scooted closer to him and whispered in his ear. "Oh really? You like mean girls?"

"I like you."

"But do you love me?" I asked, climbing onto his lap.

"You know I do," he whispered against my lips, his hands slowly sliding up my legs.

"Then say it." I ran my fingers through his hair before yanking it a bit.

He softly kissed my lips. " .You." He said in between kisses. "Always. . Will."

I pulled back and stared straight into those beautiful brown orbs of his. "I love you too Danny Desai."

Before I continued, I kissed him again. "I'm ready."

His eyes bugged out of his sockets. "R-ready? Ready to go home or…?"

I lightly tapped his cheek and kissed him. "I'll let you figure that out big boy." Then, I ran upstairs.

He must've caught on quick because as soon as I sat on his bed, he was at the door, grinning.

I laid down as he climbed on top of me. "What have I done to deserve you?"

"You came into my life." I shrugged. "All I'll ever ask is that you continue to stay in it."

He stared at me and smiled, tracing my lips with his fingers. "Wherever you are Lace, I'm there."

Then, his lips found mine.

Dacey POV

As we made love, this twisted universe ceased to exist.

So, there you go guys. I may add things to this chapter later but I'm sure when the show airs again, I'll be feeling the itch to write about our Dacey again! And yes there is still a Dacey in our future! I just know it from his little speech to Jo. Love you guys! Thank you for giving me a chance!