Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I am still working on getting back to my rhythm; it's a lot harder than I anticipated. Thank you for being patient.

Moving Forward

"Angelina, it's so nice to see you again. How are things?"

Angelina was surprised that Jake seemed happy to see her. The last time they had seen each other was when they had eaten at the restaurant. She had been very distant then and she wasn't the best date. She knew that even though he was quite nice about the whole thing, it just didn't go well. "Fine. And you?"

"They've been going." He looked around and then back at Angelina, "Can I buy you a drink?"

Not sure what to say or what would be the best thing to say she looked around too and changed the subject slightly, "Are you avoiding someone?"

A smile crossed his face, "No, not really."

"Really? Because you seem very…guilty."

"I just…please, can we go in her and I'll buy you a drink?"

Signing Angelina nodded and went inside followed by Jake.

They walked into a café that was just to the right of them. He held out the chair for her and she sat down. "Are you hungry?"

"Not really."

"Okay." Jake pulled open his menu and then closed it and set it down. He looked out the window again.

"Jake, come on…" Angelina paused and then decided a different strategy, "So is this a date?"

He turned to her startled, "A what?"

"A date?"

"No…I…oh no…you thought…I just…" He stopped and looked down, "I'm really sorry Angelina, I just needed…I just wanted to see how you were."

Angelina nodded, "I'm sure. Which is why you haven't contacted me before?" She forgot that one nice thing about being with Jake was that he didn't really know everything, it made it easy.

"Right. Sorry." He looked out the window again and this time he grabbed his menu and buried his head in it.

Angelina looked up and saw a girl walking by the window, once she was out of sight she looked at Jake, "You're not hiding from anyone?"

"Alright, fine, maybe I am. But you would be too if you were in my shoes."

She raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"She won't leave me alone."

"Did you tell her you're not interested, or did you leave it hanging?"

"I told her I have a girlfriend."

"Oh, and she still won't leave you alone?"

He sighed, "No, not at all."

"What can I get you?"

Angelina and Jake both looked up at the waiter standing by their table with a pad of paper, Jake looked out the window again, "I'll have water."

Angelina shook her head, "I'll have the same."

Once the waiter left Angelina looked at Jake, "You shouldn't lie to her, just tell her the truth."

Jake startled out of his thoughts looked at Angelina, "What?"

"Don't tell her you have a girlfriend, just say you don't like her like that."

He smiled, "Ange, I do have a girlfriend. It was shortly after you and I…well that last date we had. I knew it wasn't working. You were in your own world and me…well it's not that I don't find you attractive, or enjoy your company, but I didn't have any feelings for you like that. Then I ran into someone and…she's great. We only just started going out, and…she's a bit insecure. I hate for her to think that she has competition when she has none."

Angelina smiled, "Jake, I'm really happy for you…and sorry about how I was."

"Look, I know you said it was hard and complicated, and that's fine and understandable alright. We weren't compatible like that, and it's fine. Don't worry about it alright?"

"Thanks. That's one thing I like about you, you're very understanding for someone who doesn't know the whole thing."

"Well, that's how it goes sometimes you know?"

Angelina nodded, "So, she won't think I'm competition?"

"No, not you…you're a friend, and she knows that."

She smiled, "Thanks. Not quite sure the logic behind that."

"It's more or less that…well I've told her everything about you. And…after this water I can leave safely."

Shrugging Angelina drank some water, "Sounds good to me."

George and Lee had just finished lunch. Lee looked up at the sky, "It's a nice day don't you think?"

George looked up and stared at the sun for a moment, "It's fine."

Sighing his friend shrugged, "So…what do you want to do?"

"I think I'm going to walk for a bit alright."

"Want company?"

"No. Thanks though."

Nodding the two parted ways, "See you later George."

"Bye."

George walked in silence for a while which was nice. The constant thoughts and arguments he was in about Angelina were so noisy at times that he just wasn't sure anymore.

He wondered how she was. He hadn't seen her for a bit. Then he felt guilt. He shouldn't be that interested in seeing her, especially since it was more than for his brother. Fred. What was left of his heart still pierced when he thought about him. And even worse when he thought about Angelina.

He wasn't supposed to think of her that way. Although it appeared, at times, that she maybe felt the same way too.

He should talk to her about it.

Should, but he probably wouldn't.

Some things shouldn't be messed with.

He looked up and realized that he was on a street he didn't quite recognize. Looking around to get a better bearing he froze. There was Angelina and Jake…on a date? He could feel the sadness, the pain, the guilt all rip at his heart. But there it was, some happiness, Fred would surely be happy that she was happy. She was smiling.

George shook his head, he shouldn't be spying on Angelina, it was her own life. He nodded then and decided to let her be at that moment. Quickly he left before she could see him.