First, thank you for all the feedback. I'm very happy people are enjoying the story. :-) This chapter isn't as long as the previous one, but I'm going to try to make the next one longer.

"I just checked with the person at the ticket counter and someone will come to put you on the plane in a few minutes, okay, Angel Face?" Joyce looked through her daughter's backpack and made sure everything was in its place.

"I don't need a baby-sitter, mom," Angela pouted, crossing her arms. "I'm ten. Why am I going back to live with dad right now? I thought I was staying here with you until it was time for school to start."

"Yes, well, your father and I talked and we decided it would be best for you to go back to him in Colorado now. He misses you too much."

"Aren't you going to miss me?"

"Of course, baby."

"When am I going to see you again," Angela asked, playing with the end of one of her braids. She didn't like the way her mother had been acting the last few days. She spent most of the time locked in her room yelling at someone on the phone where she thought her daughter couldn't hear her. Angela did hear, however. She couldn't understand everything that was being said, but she knew it was about her. Then yesterday her mom announces that she was going back home to her dad. "Mom," she repeated the question, "when am I going to see you again?"

"I don't know," Joyce replied, distracted. "Where is that person from the airline, hmmm?"

"Why don't you know? You always know. You always have my next visit planned."

"This time is different." She rubbed her forehead. "You have all of your things?"

"Yes," Angela nodded. "Mom?"

"What?"

"Why were we packing all my stuff, even the things that stay with you all the time?"

"Because I'm going to ship them to Aunt Trish and Uncle Roger's, this way you don't have to worry about moving everything again when daddy gets told it's time to go someplace else."

"Did you get told it's time to go someplace else?"

"No, I'm staying in Berlin, why?"

"Because you started taking apart my bed today. Where am I going to sleep when I come to visit you?"

"Angel Face," she sighed, "it might be a long time before we see each other again."

"Why?"

"I can't take care of you anymore, not the way that you deserve."

"Are you mad at me," Angela asked in a small voice. "I'm sorry I tried on your make-up and broke your music box." She wiped away a tear that escaped from her eye. "I'll tell dad to send me my allowance so I can get it fixed or buy you a new one. And I can buy you all new make-up."

"No, no...I'm not mad at you. It's my fault. It's not the music box or the make-up. You didn't do anything wrong, I promise."

"Then why are you making me go away?"

"Because it is the best thing I can do for you."

"No, it's not." Angela stared at the ground and tried not to cry, even at ten she hated crying in front of other people. "You promised to take me to the zoo. You didn't take me to the zoo." Her mom was supposed to take her zoo for her birthday, but plans kept changing and it kept being put off. She had promised once again that today would be the day. Instead they were at the airport.

"The zoo?!" Joyce looked at her like she had lost her mind. Or maybe she had gone into some form of shock. "No, Angel Face, we won't be going to the zoo."

"Miss Lambert," a tall brunette asked, approaching mother and daughter.

"Yes?"

"My name is Elsa and I'll be escorting your daughter to Denver," she said with a grin.

"Oh, thank god you're here. This is Angela, she just turned ten."

"Hi, Angela," she smiled. "My name is Elsa. I'm going to make sure you have a wonderful airplane ride."

Angela was still for a moment before she burst into tears and flung herself at her mother, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist. "Mommy, please don't make me go! Please," she sobbed.

"You have to. You don't have a choice." She ran her hand over her daughter's head. "It's time to go, Angela." She tried to pry the small arms from around her. People were starting to stare.

"No! I'll be good. Please, mommy!"

Joyce crouched down so she was eye level with her daughter. "I know this isn't easy, but it is what has to be done. When you are older you will see that I'm doing this for your own good because I love you. Now let's be a good little soldier. It's time to stop crying and put our brave faces on."

Angela silently pulled away from her mother. Wiping her eyes, she walked over to the chairs and grabbed her backpack before going to stand next to Elsa. "I want to go home," she sniffled to the stranger. "I want my daddy."

"Is your father is Denver," she asked, concerned about the scene she had just witnessed.

"Yes, he'll be picking her up at the airport."

"Okay. It's time to board the plane, Angela. Would you like me to carry your backpack for you?"

"No, thank you," she mumbled.

Joyce took a few steps closer. "I know you don't understand, but it will be better this way. Daddy will take very good care of you. I'm doing this because I love you." She gave a slight wave. "Have fun on the plane, listen to Elsa, and remember, don't talk to strangers. I love you."

Angela awoke with a start. It took her a few moments to realize where she was. It was only when she reached for Eric that she remembered she was alone in her hotel room. She sat up against the headboard and hugged a pillow to her chest. It had been quite a while since she dreamed of the last time she saw Joyce, all these years later and it still stung. Why was she dreaming of her now, when things were going so well? Before she could give it anymore thought, her cell phone rang, she leaned across the bed to grab it.

"Hello?"

"Is this Angela?"

"Yes." The voice sounded familiar. "Who is this?"

"This is Mr. Seidel, your new landlord. At least I believe I am. I saw that you brought in some painting supplies."

"Is that okay? You said I was allowed to paint the walls."

"Well, yes, but you haven't returned the signed lease to me."

"Oh, I haven't?"

"No," he smiled into the phone.

"I'm so sorry. I've been running around doing a million and one things the past couple days and I guess it just slipped my mind. I'll drop it off today."

"That's fine. Let's just hope you'll be more on time with the rent," he chuckled.

"That you don't have to worry about, I promise. I will see you later today."

After she got off the phone Angela took the lease and went into the main area of her suite, picking up her glasses as she went. She had removed her contacts last night after her vision went blurry again while trying to read. So far she'd had no issues while wearing her glasses, so she figured perhaps she just needed new contacts. It had been awhile since she had seen an eye doctor. After getting off the phone with room service she turned her attention back to the lease.

She had spent the last two days trying to sign the damn paper but she just couldn't do it. It was almost as if there was something physically stopping her hand from selecting an option and signing her name. Angela didn't know why. She loved the apartment. She had already purchased paint and furnishings for every room except the bedroom. So why couldn't she sign the lease?

Angela grabbed her phone and called the only person she could think of to help her in this situation. "Hey, it's me. Are you busy? Can you come over for a little bit? Thanks. You remember where I'm staying right? Yeah, room 717. You can walk right on up. Thanks. See you soon."

/

"You can return to work as planned, but I will be keeping you off camera for two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Eric asked as he stared at Tim from across the desk.

"I could've fired you," he pointed out.

"Two weeks sounds fair."

"Kids love you, they look up to you. We have to send a message that fighting accomplishes nothing."

That was one aspect Eric hadn't considered. He knew footage of the fight had gotten out, but it hadn't occurred to him that kids could possibly have seen it. "Do you need me to do anything, talk to kids or something?"

"No. If you're asked, just say you lost your temper and were wrong to get into a fight. Although..." he trailed of.

"What?"

"How you waited until just a few days ago to beat up my nephew I will never know," Tim laughed. "Don't get me wrong, he's my nephew and I love him, but let's just say...off the record, of course, that I've admired your restraint. I personally would've smacked him a long time ago."

Eric couldn't help but laugh and was relieved to find that his ribs didn't hurt nearly as much as before- there was still pain, but it was better. Maybe Angela did know what she was talking about with the constant ice. "I was tempted, you have no idea, but I figured if I hit him sooner I would've lost my job."

"You're probably right," he agreed. "Just do me a favor, though I'm sure you will have no problems doing it."

"Sure, what?"

"Don't feed the little gossip mill out there," he gestured toward his office door. "Everyone who's worked here for any amount of time knew this was coming, but try to change the subject. And if you see Vince, just be professional."

"Okay," Eric nodded.

"I already told Vince the same thing and I told everyone out there to mind their own business, but since you'll be passing through today I'm sure one or two people will try to get your side of the story."

"Don't worry, I won't say a word," he promised.

"Good, because I'd like this to go away very quickly. The station does a lot of good for the community and so do you. I'd hate to see all that undone because of bad publicity from this one incident."

"I suppose part of that depends on Hollie, maintaining the good publicity, I mean."

"Don't worry about Hollie," was all Vince said. "You won't have to deal with her anymore."

"What do you mean? You didn't fire her, did you? If I could manage to work with her before I can definitely deal with it now." As much as he didn't want to be near her, Eric didn't want Hollie to be fired because of him, especially as a result of something she wasn't even directly a part of. That wasn't fair to her.

"No, I didn't fire her. I've simply redirected her talents slightly."

"I don't understand."

"She won't be hanging around the TV station anymore. Instead she'll be focusing her attentions on the radio station and especially our website, which we are looking to expand. The only time she will be here is during sweeps and even then, you shouldn't have to deal with her at all because any suggestions we can run by you via someone else."

Eric sighed. Where was this a year ago when he really needed it? Now seeing Hollie was an annoyance at best, at worst she was a reminder of how stupid and blinded he was. Still, seeing her, having to work with her was no longer an issue, he got used to it when he'd had no other choice. "If you think that's best."

"I think we're done here. See you in a few days. Happy New Year," Tim smiled.

"You, too."

As Eric was leaving, he was stopped by almost everyone he saw, some were simply wishing him well for the holidays and others were trying to get the inside scoop of the fight. He did what Tim asked and evaded their questions, though most of his coworkers only seemed sorry they weren't there to see it in person. Eric had almost made it to the elevator when he ran into his friend Max.

"Hey, Eric, I haven't seen you around in a while."

"You know, family and friends in town for Christmas. I'll be back in a few days. How was your Christmas?"

Max stared at him in disbelief. "Don't pull that crap with me. I saw the tapes of the fight. Everyone did. What happened? How did it feel?"

"I can't discuss it. I just came from a meeting with Tim. He wants it all to go away."

"Yeah, I got that speech, too," he waved his hand. "Come on, how did it feel?"

"I'm serious, Max. I'm already being kept off TV for two weeks."

"Seriously? Wow, and your segments get the highest ratings...well, after mine," he smirked.

"Keep dreaming."

"Okay, so you can't talk here, but let's go out. I'm about to grab some lunch."

Eric looked at his watch. "It's nine."

"I've been here since four. Let's go."

"Fine, but you can't say anything."

"Have I ever repeated anything you've told me about the Hollie/Vince situation?"

"No."

"See. Come on, I've got to know how it felt to punch that ass hole."

/

"Shawn, thanks for coming over." Angela gave him a small smile and stepped aside to let him in.

"Wow," he exclaimed as he looked around her suite. He had waited in his van outside the night of the fight when they picked up Rachel and dropped off Cory to stay with Topanga. "This is nice."

"I've done all right. It also helps to have friends who can get you discounts at hotels," she replied. "Do you want anything from room service? I just ate breakfast, but I can get you something."

"No, thanks," he shook his head, "I'm fine. Hey, you're wearing glasses." Shawn knew how much she hated wearing glasses. He remembered one day he showed up at her grandmother's to pick her up for a date and she was freaking out because she lost a contact lens. They must've spent an hour on the floor looking for the damn thing. It didn't matter how beautiful he said she looked in her glasses, she didn't believe him and wouldn't leave the house in them. He didn't understand it. It was probably the most insecure he had ever seen her.

"Yeah," she looked away. "I need to get new contacts."

"You look great," he said sincerely.

"Really?"

"Of course." Shawn watched as she fidgeted around nervously, it was very unlike her. "Are you okay? You didn't call me over here just to ask me how you looked in your glasses, did you?"

"No." She took a seat at the table.

"Is something wrong?" She pushed a piece of paper across the table towards him. Shawn picked it up and looked it over. "It's a lease agreement."

"I know."

"Maybe I'm missing something," he frowned, "but what is wrong with a lease agreement?" Shawn studied the fine print to be sure he wasn't missing anything. "It looks fair, doesn't seem like they're trying to screw you over or anything. What's wrong?"

Angela stared down at the table. "I've never actually signed a lease before."

"How is that possible?"

"All my life I've either lived with relatives, with friends, in dorms, in hotels, or in apartments where there was no lease required-it was on a month to month basis. They were even furnished apartments so I didn't have to buy my own furniture. When I lived with Remy it was his home I moved into. He already owned it."

"So you've never had to truly make that commitment yourself? Once you sign this lease, whether you choose the six month or one year option, you can't just pick up and leave if you decide it's not working." He took a seat in the chair beside her. "There will be consequences."

She knew Shawn would understand. They were still so much alike. "Exactly. Even though I've lived in places long term, I was never tied to them. If something wasn't working out, I was free to pick up and leave. What would I do without that freedom?"

"You'd stick around, have a home."

"I do want those things."

He slid the lease back over to her. "The first step is signing this paper."

"This is so backwards," she laughed.

"What is?"

"You talking me into staying put."

"Life is crazy sometimes. Besides, you know even if you didn't sign the lease, there would still be consequences if you picked up and left. You have your jobs that you'll be starting and Eric. Do you really want to run out on him?"

Angela thought about how happy Eric has made her since they got together. It was honestly the happiest she had been in a very long time. "No," she picked up the pen, "I don't."

"So sign."

"What do I pick?"

"That's up to you. Go with your gut."

She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them she checked the 6 month option, truly not knowing what she was going to choose until she checked the box. "It's renewable," she explained to Shawn. "If it all goes well, I'll just renew the lease."

"Good," he nodded, "baby steps."

She added her signature to the bottom. "All done."

Shawn noticed she still seemed distracted, unhappy even. "Angela, are you sure nothing else is wrong?"

"I had that dream about Joyce last night," she blurted out.

"The one where you relive the last time you saw her?" He remembered her telling him about the dream. She had it all the time during the summer between high school and college.

"That's the one."

He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "No wonder you're depressed. Are you okay?"

"I don't know. I feel like this shouldn't get to me anymore. I shouldn't still dream about her. I'm in a good place in my life. I'm happy. She quit being my mother in that airport. What right does she have to invade my dreams," Angela asked, her voice rising.

"I'm not defending her in any way, but it's not like that is her call. It's your dream."

She rolled her eyes. "Thank you, genius. If you're so smart, why am I dreaming about her?"

"You're stressed about something? About the lease," he suggested. "For as long as I've known you, you dream about her when you're under stress or have a big decision coming up. When's the last time you had the dream?"

"When I was trying to decide whether or not to accept Remy's proposal. This is great," she sighed, "I feel stress and my subconscious decides to feed me more stress with her? This sucks. I don't want to think about her ever again."

"Well, maybe...," he was cut off by Angela's phone.

"Sorry." She checked the Caller ID and smiled.

"Eric," Shawn asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah. Do you mind?"

"Go ahead." He took the time to observe Angela. She had gotten up and walked over to the window, but from the table he could hear the change in her voice, see the change in her body language. It wasn't fake either. She wasn't putting on a facade for Eric. Being in his presence- in any way- simply seemed to make her happy. And despite the fact that Shawn still couldn't believe that it was Eric that made her smile like that, he was happy to see her smile. She deserved it.

"Okay, I'll see you soon. Bye." She walked back over to Shawn. "Sorry about that."

"It's all right." He checked the time. "I should get going."

"You don't have to leave just because Eric is on his way."

"I'm not. Cory somehow roped me into going with him and Josh to see that new animated alien karate ninja whatever new kiddie movie is out."

"You have my pity," she chuckled.

"Yeah." He stood.

"And thanks for talking me through the lease."

"No problem. It's nothing I didn't go through."

"Still, I appreciate it." Angela hesitated for a moment before giving Shawn a hug, unsure how he would receive it. She was relieved to feel his arms wrap around her. "I'm glad we're still friends, Shawn."

"Me, too."

"There are some things that the others just wouldn't understand no matter what."

He knew it was true. That was one thing that always connected them, that sometimes made Shawn feel like Angela knew him better than Cory did. It was unfortunate that it was crappy parents and less than stellar childhoods that linked them, but at least they didn't have to suffer alone. "If you need to talk about that dream some more, you have my number."