A/N: Hello once again, Audience. Guess what I'm typing on! C'mon! Guess! ... Did you say my laptop? If you said my laptop, then you're correct! My dad replaced the keyboard in it so it's all shiny and the keys are all stiff. I plan on remedying that by typing on this story. A lot. Tee hee. TWANSITION. So, I've been typing in ff's doc manager, and I might continue to do so because my laptop is still a little jumpy and I'm concerned about using Microsoft Word and losing all my work. Plus if I type things on I can type on it from ANYWHERE. Because, you know, I get out of the house a lot. *coughs* Anyway.

When we last left off, Jane fell asleep with a slight fever at Toby's house, Toby went and got he and Janey breakfast, then he took her back to her apartment...

The sun shone brightly and the cool breeze gently washed over Jane's face.

The shade from the awning next to Caffe Luxxe kept the sun from beating down on her, but even from her table she could feel it already starting to warm up L.A. like it always did.

Jane's Testa Rossa sat on the table next to a book that she hadn't even bothered to open yet that morning.

Some habits were hard to kick, she smiled ruefully at her coffee as she leaned forward for another sip.

She hadn't had a Testa Rossa in a long time, not since Toby started making her try different things, but she felt nostalgic this morning and and ordered the cup on a whim.

Sitting back again in her chair, she heaved a contented sigh and surveyed the world as it drove or walked by her, her mind whirling with thoughts of Toby.

It started this morning when she saw the shirt he'd bestowed upon her last week the morning after their...date.

On another whim, she'd worn the shirt in public to Luxxe today, feeling slightly out of place with the bright color and almost unintelligible word plastered across the chest of it.

The shirt fit just fine, but she squirmed uncomfortably in her chair, wishing she had a jacket to cover up her odd clothing decision.

Toby.

She sighed again.

She hadn't heard from him since he dropped her off at her apartment last week, not a text or a call. She still didn't feel quite right contacting him, afraid that she would seem a bother, and knowing that he usually had a fairly harried schedule, if not always a strict one.

The biggest thing she kept coming back to was the wish to have someone to talk to about this...this person that swept into her life. The changes he had brought, the eye-opening self-evaluation she had done as a result, and even simply the new friends she had, likely influenced by this man's presence as well. She certainly would not have even dreamed of spending her evenings doing anything with others, and here she was regularly visiting with or being visited by Stan and his friends. Her friends now, too.

And all these things in a little over a month's time.

Jane shifted around in her chair, getting into a more comfortable recline.

But she didn't have anyone to talk to about it.

Who knew what Hayley was up to anymore. Jane hadn't heard anything from Hayley probably since their last encounter at Hayley's party, which was fine by Jane considering Hayley's apparent leadership of the mob.

And she couldn't exactly talk to 'Peter and the Seven Nerds,' the name she'd privately christened them with when thinking about them as a unit. Most of the things she wanted to express were girly, and she didn't exactly want to gush at one of them about another male. Not that she'd ever wanted to gush at anyone about anything ever before.

Jane reached into her purse for her phone and started going through her contacts until she landed on the contact simply entitled, 'Mom.'

Jane paused, hovering over the contact with indecision.

She hadn't talked with her mother, not an actual down-to-earth conversation, in years, if not probably an entire decade.

She wasn't even sure what she would say to the woman.

'Hey, Mom. It's your daughter. So, I really like this one guy...'

Yeah, that was a conversation that would go over well, Jane thought dryly.

If her mother even expressed any interest in the topic to begin with, everything would probably be blown out of proportion and she would want to know when to expect the marriage, quickly followed by how she had been wanting grandchildren for a long time, and they'd better start making them post-haste before she got too old to dote on them.

The thought of the act of trying to have children with Toby 'Tobuscus' Turner made Jane's insides churn in an anticipated excitement and she quickly glazed over those thoughts, rationalizing to herself why that was an unlikely situation.

They hadn't known each other long. He was always busy. It would never work. She wasn't pretty enough.

Jane absently reached for her coffee, paying absolutely no attention to the world around her until she heard the attention-grabbing cough.

Jane looked up.

"Ah. There you are. I didn't think you had heard me the first time."

Jane blinked at the stranger standing a respectful distance from her table.

The stranger chuckled, "And it appears I was right."

"I'm terribly sorry. Did you say something?"

"I did." The stranger nodded his head at her coffee, "I wanted to know if the coffee they served here was palatable."

Jane took the moment to really get a look at the stranger.

A man probably in his fifties or early sixties, dressed in a chic, obviously tailored suit, with a nice smile and the beginnings of graying around his temples. The presence of a walking cane in his hand indicated to Jane that he was well-off, though she could not see the details of the cane, as it appeared to be quite expensive.

He reminded Jane in some capacity of Charles, the barista inside Caffe Luxxe.

"I have been coming here for roughly two years now," Jane began, "And not only is the coffee here palatable, but I would deem it pleasurable to the senses."

The man nodded, "Well-said. How much of their selection can you speak for?"

Jane mentally laughed at herself, thinking of Toby and how she had nearly tried everything on the menu at that point.

"I can confidently speak for over half of their menu, and have tried at least one of every type of drink that they serve."

He nodded again, pleased with her answer.

"Their frozen drinks?" He asked, his eyes wandering over to the store front as the door swung out to release a handful of patrons who had received their beverages.

"I think the populous speaks for itself in this case." Jane quipped, seeing that the people coming out were all sipping on some form of frozen drink.

"Indeed!" The man let out a rich laugh, "Well, thank you for your time, Miss."

"You're quite welcome."

He walked over to the door and went inside, Jane watching, but trying not to stare, as he waited in line, sticking out of some of the crowd in jeans and a t-shirt, and almost blending in with the other half of the patrons who were dressed sharply for work of some sort. He talked with Charles in what appeared to be an amiable manner, and as he exited the shop with his frozen drink, he walked back by Jane just as she reached her mug up for another sip and lifted his drink to her.

"It is quite delectable. Thank you again!"

"You aren't from around here?" Jane blurted out.

The man stopped, "No, I'm rather new to the area."

He gestured with his hand to the table next to Jane's, "Do you mind?"

Jane smiled and shook her head, "Be my guest."

He nodded his thanks again and took a seat, letting his cane rest against the chair between his legs, one hand lazily resting on the top of it and the other hand lifting the drink to his lips once more.

"And what are you drinking this morning, if I may ask?"

"This is a Testa Rossa. Probably the star of the Caffe Luxxe board."

"Hot coffee in L.A.?" The man clucked his tongue, "You're a braver soul than I."

Jane laughed and lifted the cup to her lips, "It's just an old habit."

Seeing her movement, the man also took a draw of his cold drink, and there was a moment of silence between them.

Jane swished the drink around in her mouth, the coffee a tad cooler and easier to drink than five minutes ago, and looked up across the street, nearly spitting her coffee out over the table.

Instead, she just coughed, invoking the concern of the man next to her.

She waved a hand to indicate she was fine, then took another sip of coffee to try and get her throat clear.

A group of girls had gathered across the street, not large enough to be of a concern, but with a look about them that gave them away to Jane as members of the Toby-chasing mob, most noticeably the expressions they kept tossing unashamedly in Jane's direction.

Unsure of how to react-Surely they wouldn't chase her would they?-Jane slowly set her coffee down on the table, trying not to be obvious about her stare, but trying to keep an eye on them just the same.

As her coffee met with the saucer, two or three more girls joined the group. Then, seconds later, four walked around the corner and headed towards the others.

"Something the matter?" The man next to her asked with concern, noting her sudden change in behavior.

"You know, I just remembered that I left the stove-top on." Jane couldn't look away from the slowly growing female group across the street.

"Oh my, well that is a cause for concern, certainly."

Jane absently nodded, starting to gather her things.

Following her gaze across the way, the man noted the strange gathering occurring.

Seated where he was, he could see farther down the side of the block Caffe Luxxe sat on, though not much farther than Jane.

"I hope you parked farther West." He commented off-hand, slowly starting to rise out of his seat.

Jane looked over at him.

The man stood tall and adjusted his shoulders, waiting a moment before stepping out into the sun on the sidewalk and turning to the East to pass in front of Caffe Luxxe's storefront.

Jane got up and scooped her book into her arms, purse over her shoulder and keys in hand, intending to take her mug and saucer back into the store.

"Ladies! You're all looking so fine this morning!"

Jane froze at the charismatic opening the man made, whipping her head to see him sweep his hands to the side and make a slight bow at a group of approaching girls.

"Might I trouble you all with a question?"

At the attention of the older, obviously well-off, and dapper man, the girls all smiled and stopped, nodding or voicing their consent to assist him.

Jane forgot all about her mug and saucer, leaving them sitting on the table, and dashed off down the sidewalk in the other direction, head ducked, but eyes up and wary of the group across the street.

"Nice shirt."

Jane stopped dead in her tracks, her car five feet away.

Hayley leaned up against the side of the building across from Jane's car.

"Thanks." Jane murmured, taking a step towards her car.

"I'm just here to warn you, by the way."

"Sure." Jane kept her voice at the same low point as her previous sentence, continuing to move towards her car.

Hayley moved to stand in between Jane and her car, arms crossed below her chest, so that Jane couldn't help but look at her.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from him."

There was no feigning innocence for Jane. They both knew exactly who Hayley was talking about when she said him.

"We're friends, right?" Hayley smiled a dazzling smile.

Jane didn't say anything, holding her ground almost toe-to-toe with Hayley.

"And friends let friends know when they're getting in over their heads, right?" Hayley's voice sweetly dripped over Jane's ears, her expression and tone not reaching her cold eyes.

No response.

"Well then," Hayley leaned forward, lowering her voice, "This is the part where I tell you, you're in over your head."

"Why are you telling me this?" Jane couldn't believe Hayley to truly just be 'helping.'

"Because we're friends." Hayley raised an eyebrow, "And friends don't let friends ruined their future."

"Friends also don't threaten friends." Jane pointed out.

"Oh, this isn't a threat." Hayley backed off, grinning, "I wouldn't ever threaten you, I would just do what I was told. And for the moment, I've been told that you're off-limits."

"Then why say anything in the first place?"

"Because I've also been told that if you keep associating with him, you won't be off-limits for long." Hayley nodded towards the group of girls on the other side of the street, "And I know of some very jealous females who would love the chance to ruin you."

Jane glanced over her shoulder, seeing the looks she was getting.

"And what's to stop me from going to the police." Jane turned back to Hayley.

Hayley shrugged, "Nothing, I suppose. But what exactly are you going to tell them?"

Jane stayed quiet. Certainly her current situation was rather unbelievable.

"Not that it would help much anyway. This isn't in their jurisdiction." Hayley provided.

"I appreciate your vagueness and all, but I'm leaving now." Jane side-stepped Hayley and headed for the driver's side door of her car.

"Suit yourself. But this is the only warning you're going to get." Hayley called after her, "I won't be so nice the next time we meet if you haven't mended your ways."

Jane unlocked and climbed into her car, mind whirling with unanswered questions.

She pulled out of the parking spot as quickly as she could, Hayley waving goodbye from the sidewalk behind her.

. . .

The doorbell rang and Toby ran up to it, smoothing his palms over the thighs of his jeans and running a hand through his hair before pulling the door open with a smile.

Jane stood in the doorway, her face breaking into a smile that made Toby's heart race a little. A smile just for him.

"Come on in, gurl!" Toby stepped out of the way and held the door open and Jane came inside, "I bought Thai food. I hope that's okay."

"That sounds spectacular! I'm starving!"

Toby closed the door and made his way over with Jane to the couch. She put her purse down and Gryphon came up and sniffed it, putting his front paws between her legs on the cushion of the couch when she sat down. Jane obliged the dog by giving him a good scratch behind the ears.

Toby walked around the coffee table and sat down on the other side of her, shoving the notebook he had been writing script ideas into, along with the various other pieces of paper and writing implements to the far side of the couch before he did so.

Toby started opening up the food he had set out on the table, "Help yo'self to whatever!"

"Will do!" Jane grabbed for a plate and started filling it with various things from the selection Toby made.

Toby had snacked a little before she pulled up, and so waited while Jane served herself.

"I'm sorry this is the best I've been able to do." Toby commented apologetically.

Jane didn't look at him, food still being dished onto her plate, but her brow came together, "Don't be sorry. This smells amazing."

"No, no, I mean-" Toby paused to gather the thoughts in his head for a second. "I mean, it's been like two weeks since I saw you. Since I even texted you or anything."

Jane's expression softened and she reached for a pair of chopsticks, scooting back into the couch as she slipped her shoes off so that she could more comfortably sit criss-cross, balancing her plate on her lap. Gryphon instantly went about smelling the inside of her shoes with great interest.

"You mean a lot to me, Janey. I wish our schedules lined up more often."

"Me too." Jane said quietly, breaking the chopsticks apart and diving into her food.

"You should just quit your job and come work for me." Toby laughed, finally reaching for a plate himself and starting to heap piles of food onto his own plate.

Jane started to cough and Toby whipped his head over to her.

"Drinks!" He exclaimed, realizing Jane had nothing to clear her throat with.

She nodded, waving off his concern, "Drink..." She managed inbetween bouts of coughing.

"I don't need to do the heimlich or anything?" He put down his plate and made to reach over to her, grinning.

Jane fended him off with her chopsticks, laughing and coughing.

Toby got up and went to the kitchen, grabbing them both something to drink, hurrying back so that he could hand Jane hers before sitting back down.

Nodding her thanks, Jane took a sip, then a deep breath, and another sip.

"You okay, now?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Jane cleared her throat, then carefully leaned forward to put the cup down on the coffee table, making sure she didn't dump her plate in the process.

"Good." Toby reached for his plate and took a couple of bites of his food before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone, getting it ready for a vlog. He turned to camera towards his face and opened his mouth before pausing for a second, closing his mouth and turning to Janey, his face a little sheepish. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Hm?" Jane looked over at him.

Toby laughed, "You weren't even paying attention, were you?"

Jane shook her head, mouth still full of food, but trying not to smile too wide.

"I'm just used to being around people who vlog all the time about everything, and I forget that not everyone does it."

Jane swallowed her food and smiled back at him, "It really doesn't bother me. Though I'm not sure why you choose now of all times to ask. I distinctly remember you simply launching into a monologue at your phone several times prior without my consent."

Toby's expression still retained his previous chagrin, "Sorry. I-"

"Tobes." Jane lowered her chopsticks a moment and looked him straight in the eyes, "It's part of who you are and what you do. A wise man once said, 'Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.' If it's something you enjoy doing, don't ever feel like you have to apologize for it."

Toby blinked at Jane as she turned back to her food, his mind taking in her quote. He was certain he had heard it before, but-

"I just don't want anyone to feel terribly uncomfortable." He looked down at his food and took another bite.

Jane shrugged, "I don't really think I've ever felt 'uncomfortable' around you."

Toby smiled at the food on his plate, and glanced over at Jane without moving his head. There was a blush around her neck, but he stayed quiet for a moment.

"Thank you."

"It's true." Jane quickly took another bite to distract herself.

Toby turned back to his phone, grabbing a piece of chicken from one of the Thai boxes and calling Gryphon over.

The dog obediently trotted to him, sitting down and staring intently at the chicken Toby held.

Toby fixed the chicken in one hand so that it looked like his phone was trying to give Gryphon the chicken.

He pressed record.

"Audience?" He said after a second, turning the phone towards himself, "Wha- What are you doing trying to give Gryphon a piece of chicken, Audience? Awww, lookit his widdle face. You were teasing him, weren't you Audience? He doesn't need people food. 'But I want the people food, Toby. Don't discourage them when I just had them where I wanted them.' But people food isn't for you, Gryphon, you silly little nugget. 'I don't care. I want it. Let them give it to me.'" Toby made a face at the phone, "Should I let you give it to him, Audience? Look at him. He's so pitiful. 'Yes, I'm so pitiful. Please give me the chicken.'" Gryphon was play-bowing at Toby, his tail wagging wildly. "Okay, okay, fine. Here you go, Audience. Give him the chicken."

Toby leaned over and acted like his phone was handing Gryphon the chicken. The dog snatched the food out of Toby's fingers and ran off with it.

"Thai food is so yummy. Look at all of it. Look." He turned the camera at all the food on the table. "Look! Janey loves the Thai food!"

Toby turned the camera towards her and she laughed, her mouth closed and full of food, waving a hand to obscure his vision of her.

Toby laughed, "I don't think she likes you watching her eating, Audience."

Getting up, Toby started walking around the house, speaking into the phone while Janey sat and ate the food, enjoying the flavors and chuckling as Toby made his distracted-way through the vlog.

Yeah, soooo, there was just NOT a good place to stop this chapter, so you got an extra-long one instead of a short one. You're welcome. Thanks for reading. Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off. Ba-da-do-do-do-do-do-do-do REVIEW! OUTRO OF DARKNESS THEN REDNESS THEEEN WHITENESS. THEN...BOOP!