Emily woke the next morning to find an angry Briar. She listened to her sister rail on about Paul and how he was such an ass. She didn't dare bring up the concept of breaking up with him, though. Briar got very angry whenever she did, which wasn't often.

"Let's just hang out here today," Briar said. "Is that okay? Tomorrow we can go for a drive to that place I was telling you about."

"Sure," Emily agreed. Her days off were passing quicker than she liked, and she was dreading having to go back to work, but a day of binge watching some sitcom was very welcome.

...

Lee spent the day trying to keep occupied. He was thinking about Emily more than he should, and he didn't know what to do about it. When Lacy texted him, he decided to see her just to get a feel for whatever was going on between them. It felt like there was something missing with her, but he didn't know if he was reading too much into it or just not giving it a chance.

"Hey," she smiled when she saw him. He sat down across from her. "I got you a coffee."

"Thanks," he smiled back.

"I feel bad for leaving so abruptly the other night," Lacy started. "So, I want to apologize for that."

"A crisis is a crisis," Lee shrugged. "It happens. I understand."

"Well, I'm glad you are a very understanding guy," Lacy smiled again.

Lee watched her, and Briar's text came to mind.

She's a liar.

Why would she not tell him Briar had come looking for him? Was it jealousy? Need for control? He wasn't sure.

"You okay?" Lacy asked, breaking into his thoughts.

"Yea, I'm just tired."

"That sucks."

"It's life," he chuckled.

"Tell me about yourself," Lacy urged. "I feel like I don't know anything about you."

Lee knew he couldn't tell her about his work. She wouldn't understand. He offered a few stories about growing up but not in depth ones. He was holding back and he knew it. Why he was holding back, he wasn't sure.

It was very easy to turn the conversation back to being about her, though. Lacy liked to talk about herself. Lee preferred it this way. It did not stop his mind from wandering to Emily, though.

...

"Does Dad talk to you much?" Briar asked Emily out of the blue. They were sitting on the floor finishing their toe nails. Family Feud was playing in the background. The two of them got their love for game shows from their grandmother. Emily missed her a lot whenever she watched one.

"No," Emily answered. "But it's probably because I stopped answering him a long time ago. He gave up."

"He did kind of drop us when he got his new family," Briar agreed. "I do miss him sometimes, though."

"Do you remember when he would pretend he'd gone blind and feel around the room to grab and tickle us?" Emily asked.

"Vividly," Briar laughed. "He'd feel up Mum, and she'd smack him but blush all the same."

"He was crazy about her," Emily agreed. They were quiet for a moment.

"He was devastated when she died," Briar commented. "I caught him lying in bed a few times just staring at the wall, crying."

"Do you ever feel like you're forgetting her?" Emily asked softly. She felt it all the time. Picturing her mother's face got harder with each passing day, and it scared her. The same with her grandmother.

"Sometimes," Briar murmured. "I can still hear her voice, though. She'd sing those folk songs, you know?"

"Yea."

Briar felt her heart twist, knowing she was keeping a huge secret from Emily, but she didn't want to tell her yet. She couldn't. They were having too much fun. Maybe she wouldn't tell her after all. She'd go it alone and spare Emily from the pain of it all.

"I think Toll likes you," Emily said suddenly, and Briar's thoughts shifted.

"What? No..."

"His face lights up every time you come into the room," Emily teased.

"No. He knows I'm engaged."

"For now," Emily dared to say. Briar reached for a pillow and swung it at Emily's face. After the shock of the attack wore off, Emily grabbed a pillow herself and fought back. They were shrieking and laughing in no time, all the seriousness from earlier melting away.

They were just being sisters without a care in the world.

The Next Day

Emily woke to find Paul in their kitchen. She could hear Briar laughing at something he had said. She dreaded seeing him for some reason.

"Good morning," he said as she padded into view.

"Hey," she said back.

"Sleep well?" Briar asked.

"Yes," Emily answered. She pulled out a yogurt from the fridge and found a spoon. She ate quietly as Briar chatted with Paul about his work.

"What are you girls up to today?" he asked once he stopped talking about himself. Emily didn't like the way he was looking at her.

"Going for a drive," Briar replied. "But you'll be able to reach me if you need me."

"Well, have fun," Paul said, kissing her. "Duty calls."

"See you later," Briar smiled. He walked out the door without looking back. Emily was glad he was gone. She went to sit on the couch.

"So," Briar said, "you ready for a drive?"

"I'm going to go for a run first," Emily said.

"Go for it. I'll shower and get ready for our day."

Emily excused herself and went to change into her running clothes. The t-shirt was a bit baggy, revealing the straps of her sports bra underneath, but it wasn't too revealing. Her shorts almost reached her knees. She laced up her shoes and headed out the door.

...

Lee caught the elevator door before it shut all the way, and it opened again. He stepped in to find Emily putting her ear buds in.

"Oh," she said. "Hi."

"Hi," he smiled. He was happy to see her. He'd been thinking about her all night despite his efforts to keep his thoughts on Lacy.

"Briar hates running," Emily gestured. "But it helps me keep my sanity."

"I'm with you on that," Lee chuckled. She had a smile on her lips as she ducked her head. When they reached the main floor, they exited together.

"See you," she said.

"Do you like running alone or with someone?" he asked, not sure why he was asking, but he just suddenly wanted to be around her.

"I've never had a running buddy, so I don't know if I'd like it," she admitted.

"Same here. Not to push myself into your space, but I'm willing to try if you are," he offered. She seemed surprised but not offended or annoyed.

"There's a first time for everything," she agreed. "Why not?"

"Lead the way," he gestured. She started, and he quickly realized he had not been running as fast as he should be. He could barely keep up to her. They went on her route, and he realized he liked it better than his.

"You good back there?" she called over her shoulder.

"I'm fine," he called back. He noticed her smirk, though. It made him decide to just go flat out. He passed her, giving her a look back as he did so, and she made a noise of exclamation and picked up her pace. She caught up to him easily enough, and she started laughing when he tried to push her over.

"Don't be a sore loser!" she cried, shoving him back. He laughed as he caught himself before falling. They reached her turn around point and slowed down. His lungs were on fire, but he didn't care.

"This is fun," she commented, barely panting. "I like being a better runner."

"Better runner?" he said, outraged. "We'll see about that. First one back gets fifty bucks."

"You might as well just give it to me now," she teased.

"You're awfully good at talking smack, aren't you?" he asked, laughing.

"I am also very good at putting my money where my mouth is," she smirked. "Remember Jeopardy? Come on, tough guy. Let's go."

Lee had no idea how he was going to make it, but he managed. He was, of course, in last place, and she did not hide her gloating as they walked to the elevator.

"Hand it over," she said.

"I have a different idea," he offered, breathing raggedly.

"What's that?"

"You let me off easy since I'm about to have a heart attack," he wheezed. "I'll need that money for the ambulance ride...or part of it at least."

"You are not getting out of it," she said. "A bet is a bet."

"Okay, well...what if I made you dinner instead?" he asked. She gave him a surprised look, and he wondered if he pushed it too far.

"And how will I know it's fifty bucks worth?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. He guffawed.

"I'll show you the grocery bill," he promised.

"I guess I can accept then," she said. They were on their floor now, and they stopped outside of their apartment doors.

"You free tonight?" he asked.

"I am."

"Come by around six?"

"I suppose," she smiled. He couldn't help but grin at her.

"See you then," he said, opening his door. She made a face at him before disappearing inside hers, and he wondered to himself what he'd just done and if it was a good idea.

...

"He what?" Briar asked, surprised. Emily was brushing her hair out after her shower and had just explained Lee had asked her over that night.

"Invited me for dinner. As friends," Emily assured her.

"Hmm," was all Briar said in return. Emily didn't like the way she was looking at her.

"It's really just because he lost a bet with me today on our run," Emily said nonchalantly. She put her brush down and gave her sister a "whatever" look. "You know me. I always win a bet."

"Uh huh," Briar said, narrowing her eyes and examining her. "Well, it works out anyway since Paul wants to take me out tonight."

"He's not mad anymore?"

"No. He just reacts so strongly and is jealous, but he always calms down," Briar explained.

"I see," Emily said.

"Be careful with Lee," Briar said then.

"What do you mean?"

"He doesn't look it, but he is fragile. He puts his heart on his sleeve, and he gets hurt."

"I thought you wanted me to like him!"

"I do, but not if you're not serious about it."

"For crying out loud," Emily huffed. "Do you know me at all?"

"I do, but I just worry you're doing this for a different reason."

"We are just friends," Emily argued. "I won't be stomping on his heart. Trust me."

Emily went to make herself something to eat, ignoring her sister's stare. She didn't want to make it a big deal. It really wasn't. Or was it? She honestly wasn't sure. Lee was seeing Lacy, so he couldn't be thinking this was a date. He didn't strike her as the kind of guy who went out with two women at the same time. She forced herself to think about something else before her brain exploded. She put her focus on the drive they were going on. She was, however, feeling excited to see him later, and she had to question herself as to why.

She didn't really have an answer for that either.

...

"What are you doing?" Barney asked when Lee declined his invite to the bar, stating he was seeing Emily.

"What do you mean?" Lee countered.

"You're dating Lacy."

"I know."

"You're dating Emily now?"

"It's not a date," Lee shook his head.

"Oh, so you're just friends then?"

"Yea."

Barney gave him a skeptical look as he puffed his cigar. Lee knew it looked bad, but it really wasn't a date. Then he wondered if Emily thought it was. He hadn't thought of her thinking that.

"Just realized what you did, didn't you?" Barney asked. Lee pressed his lips together tightly. Barney seemed to have this knack for knowing what Lee was thinking, and it annoyed the hell out of him.

"I will ensure she knows it isn't a date," Lee promised. He was not the kind of guy to hurt someone intentionally, not emotionally anyway. Don't ask the people he'd killed over the years. They'd have a difference of opinion.

"Briar will kill you if you hurt her sister," Barney reminded him.

"I know."

"And you don't need to get shattered again either."

"I know!"

"So long as you do."

Barney went off then, leaving Lee alone. He looked at his watch and decided to get a move on with getting prepared. He suddenly felt nervous, and he didn't know why. This was just a friend thing. There was no reason to be nervous.

If only his brain would listen to him.

...

Briar was enjoying the drive. She headed for her favorite spot, looking over at Emily every so often to make sure her sister was having a good time. She tried not to worry that Emily was going to hurt Lee or vice versa. She wanted them to be together, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to worry about it. She liked Lee. She knew his character very well. She knew he'd treat Emily like a princess. It was Emily she was more worried about. Her sister had a way of sabotaging things in order to protect herself.

She parked the car and got out with Emily following. The view was always breathtaking.

"Wow," Emily said. "This is gorgeous."

"It makes me feel closer to Mum," Briar offered. She sensed Emily beginning to shut down at the mention of their mother. She knew it was hard for Emily to talk about her, but it didn't mean she would stop trying. There were times Emily would talk about her; they were just far and few between.

"I'd rather not," Emily said on cue.

"You can't not talk about her," Briar insisted.

"And I do talk about her. We talked about her yesterday," Emily pointed out. "But there are times I don't want to talk about her, which you know, and now is one of them."

"Okay," Briar caved. "I'll stop."

"It just hurts too much sometimes, Bri," Emily said. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Briar said, putting her hand over Emily's. "I get it." She felt guilty all over again for not telling Emily about what was coming. Briar just couldn't bear making Emily hurt, and she knew her sister would hurt when she found out.

"Is that a trail?" Emily asked, gesturing.

"Sure is."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Briar smiled at her sister and got out of the car. They started to hike the trail together, and Emily started talking about a memory of one of their famous family hikes. It was her way of indirectly talking about their mother without the focus being solely on her. Briar would take it. She'd take whatever she could get.

She just wished the squirming guilt inside of her would go away so she could enjoy it.

Evening

Emily knocked on Lee's door and waited. She had tried on six different things and landed on casual. Briar didn't comment, but Emily could tell her sister was amused. Contrary to what others would think, Emily did wear jeans. They were black and more of a "skinny" leg type jean, but they were still jeans. She also had put on a black tank top with a navy, off the shoulder type sweater. She had done her best not to second guess this attire.

When Lee answered the door, she was glad she went with casual, but he still managed to look good in just navy cargo pants and a grey t-shirt.

"You didn't bail," he joked.

"Why would I? Free food is free food," she smiled. He shook his head with a smile on his lips as he moved to let her in. She hovered while he went to pull something out of the oven. It definitely smelled good.

"I know Briar thinks any pizza is good, but nothing beats homemade," Lee said.

"Wow," Emily said, looking around his apartment. "I'm impressed."

"It's really not that hard," he shrugged. He cut it into pieces and plated it. Emily went to sit at his table, which was a small one with only two chairs.

"I take it you don't host big dinners," she commented.

"Nope," he shook his head, setting her plate down in front of her. "Just me. Maybe Barney. That's it."

"I guess you're not really home that much," she noted.

"It depends," he said. "I usually am over with the boys anyway, so no need to be here."

"Right."

He offered her a glass of wine, which she accepted. Then he finally sat down across from her.

"This is very good," Emily said after trying some.

"Told you," he winked.

"You're not conceited at all," she laughed.

"Sometimes," he smirked. "I like to call it humble bragging."

Emily felt some of her nervousness leave as they continued talking. He was easy to be around. She felt comfortable in her own skin.

"Do you ever wish you had a different job?" she asked when they were just sitting and talking. He had waved off her offer to help clean up, stating he'd do it later, so they were on his couch visiting.

"I did like fixing old cars," Lee said. "But as a job...probably wouldn't like it."

"I could see you teaching shop class at a high school," she told him.

"I can't stand teenagers," he winced, making her laugh.

"And yet we were teenagers at one point too," she reminded him.

"I don't think I was such an asshole like some of them are today," Lee argued.

"I'm sure we were but just don't remember it that way," Emily countered. "Ask your parents. They'll tell you what a nightmare you were."

A slight shadow went across his face, and she realized she said something wrong.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have assumed..."

"It's all right. You didn't know. I left home at 16 and never looked back," Lee explained.

"Oh..."

"My father liked to drink," Lee said quietly. "And that never ended well for me or my mother."

"I'm sorry," Emily said again.

"I don't really think about it anymore," he shrugged. "I stayed with a friend and finished school. Then I signed up for the SAS when I was about 19, and that was that."

"You never talk to them?"

"Nope. I moved here once I was done with the SAS and did my best to move on."

"Well, you've done a good job of that," she pointed out.

"Thanks," he smiled.

"So how is it that you're still unmarried?" she asked. It was out there now, and she realized she had probably made a mistake in asking.

"Just busy," he shrugged.

"I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me," she said, nudging him.

"All right," he caved. "There was someone, but it didn't end well, and I spent a long time in a dark place. It's why Barney is overprotective of me when I start dating someone."

"I'm sorry," she said.

"She just didn't show me her true self until later," he replied. "Nothing I could have known. She was good. Professional liar."

"Well, she didn't deserve you," Emily said before she could stop herself.

"I appreciate that," he smiled. She felt almost a little shy as he looked at her. It was time to change the subject.

"I'm sure Briar told you our mother died," Emily said after a moment.

"Just that she was deceased. She didn't tell me specifics."

"I was 11 when she died," Emily said quietly. "Breast cancer."

"Ah, shit," Lee said.

"It was shit," Emily agreed. "Dad did his best, but he didn't know how to handle two girls. Briar kind of became my mother in a way, which sounds weird, but I looked to her for everything. Then she left for school, and I was alone trying to figure life out."

"But you did figure it out," he said. "Cos you're here."

"Yea," she nodded. "Briar, she...she always wants to talk about Mum, and sometimes I can and sometimes I just...can't. Like today, she tried to talk about how road trips make her feel close to Mum, and I just shut down on her, but yesterday we were able to talk a little bit about her."

"It's hard for you," Lee noted.

"It is. I don't know why. I was 11, so it's not like I had this whole lifetime with her to mourn. Half of it I don't even remember because I was little. I was a kid, and then I had to grow up."

"You mourned what you didn't have: more time," he pointed out. It was so spot on that she felt taken off guard.

"I...you're right," she nodded. "Briar was older, so she got more time with her and a chance to talk to her about things. I didn't. I had a lot of questions about things, and I didn't want to bother Briar, and I certainly didn't want to ask my father." She felt embarrassed now.

"I couldn't imagine raising two daughters alone," Lee commented.

"But he did it, and then he met Charlene, and he moved on. He left us behind for a newer, younger family," Emily said, picking at her sweater and looking down.

"I'm sure he didn't leave you behind," Lee said.

"We barely talk, and I maybe see him once a year," she sighed. "Trust me. He moved on." She felt emotional. She didn't like talking about her father either. She cleared her throat and changed the subject again. "So, was that really a 50 dollar meal?"

He burst out laughing, which made her giggle in return.

"I knew you were gonna ask," he said.

"Well of course," she replied.

"Okay," he said, going to get the receipt to show her. "See? 28 bucks."

"That's not 50," she started, but he held up his hand.

"Wine was 30," he said. "So I'm 8 over."

"Hmm, yes, but since it was for both of us, that technically makes it only a 29 dollar meal individually," she pointed out. He chewed on his cheek, trying not to start laughing again.

"Well, then I guess I need to make you a 21 dollar meal to end this bet, don't I?" he asked.

"You'll have to make it another time," she said. "I'm going back home day in three days." For a moment, she caught his surprise and disappointment, but he covered it well.

"Right," he said. "Vacations only last so long."

"Exactly," she nodded. "I'll be back for Christmas, though."

"Okay."

Emily suddenly wished she lived here. Having him for a neighbor and friend was really nice.

"How are things with Lacy?" she asked.

"Still figuring out date number three," he answered.

"So there's a date number three?" she confirmed.

"I think so," he said. "We text a bit. She mentioned another movie, but if it's gonna be like the damn Notebook then I'm not doing it."

"Ugh! I couldn't stand that movie," Emily said, wrinkling her nose.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed, gesturing with his hand. "I think you're the first woman to tell me that."

"Briar bawled like a baby and thinks it's the world's greatest film, but I didn't like the way they were so aggressive with each other at times, Allie especially."

"I knew I liked you for a reason," Lee said. She blushed a little.

"I'm sure others feel the same way I do. You just have to find them," she commented. She noticed that they had somehow gotten closer together on the couch. He was resting his arm on the back with his hand propping up his head, and she was cross legged facing him. She wondered what he was thinking and if it was along the lines of what she was thinking.

...

Lee was thinking that he was in very dangerous waters here. He greatly enjoyed her company, and he felt she understood him in a way no one else had. It was easy to get lost in her. She made him want to tell her things about his life. Then he remembered Lacy. What was he doing?

She looked at her phone when it vibrated.

"Briar's going to be out all night," she sighed. "With Paul."

"They sorted out their stuff then?"

"Seems that way. He gives me the creeps," Emily answered honestly. "The way he looks at me. Maybe I'm imagining it, but it always feels like he's undressing me with his eyes. I hate it."

"I noticed," Lee nodded. He hated it too.

"I wish she'd dump his ass," Emily sighed. "Find someone better."

"He is not my first pick for Briar," Lee admitted.

"Oh? Who is?" she asked, curious.

"Not him," Lee laughed.

"So you don't know," she said.

"No," he shook his head.

"I thought you told her he was decent?" she asked, remembering.

"He was all right. He's changed since I first met him, but people can be deceiving with first impressions," Lee answered.

"Hmm, maybe she'll figure it out one day," Emily sighed again. "But since I don't have a curfew, I'm game for a movie if you are."

"What kind of movie?"

"You pick," she answered.

"Seriously?"

"I'm not strictly into girly films," she said. "Go for it."

"Have you ever seen Die Hard?" he asked, getting a twinkle in his eye.

"No, but something tells me I'm about to," she laughed. He turned the TV on and the DVD player, where it was already prepped to go.

"I think you'll like it," he said, getting comfortable again on the couch beside her.

"If I have nightmares, it's on you," she replied.

"Fair enough."

Lee had to give her credit. She got through the movie with only a few moments where she jumped in fright or hid her face behind his shoulder. By the end, she had her head on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his left arm. Again, Lee wondered what he was doing. This was wandering out of Just Friends territory, but he didn't want to stop it.

"Is there a second Die Hard?" she asked when he turned the volume down.

"There is," he nodded.

She looked at her watch and then lowered her arm.

"Put it on," she said.

"Really?"

"Yes. You've got me hooked now," she sighed, looking up at him. He had the greatest urge to kiss her, and he caught himself before he did just that.

"I'll need my arm back," he said, noticing his voice sounded a bit funny.

"Right," she said back, letting him go and sitting up. She was looking at him, and he wondered if she wanted him to kiss her. He went with his better judgment and got up to switch out the movie for the second one. He felt her eyes on him the entire time. When he sat back down, she didn't move back into him. It was like she had become guarded suddenly, and he wondered what he did wrong. He tried not to think about it as the movie went on, and she did eventually revert back to hiding behind him at the scary scenes, making him laugh. It seemed things were okay, and when it was over, it was very late. She was resting her head on his shoulder, and he didn't move because he didn't want her to leave.

"I should probably go," she said after a moment, her voice sleepy sounding, but she made no effort to get up. Lee didn't say anything, and she eventually fell asleep. He listened to her breathe, and he knew he was a goner. He was formulating a plan in his mind on how to tell Lacy it was over when he fell asleep himself.

...

Lee opened his eyes to see it was morning. He turned his head to see Emily still sleeping on him. In the night, he had moved so that he was leaning farther back, and she had moved in her sleep to rest half on his chest. He had his arm around her, and one of her hands was on his stomach. He watched her, wondering what she was dreaming, if she was dreaming. He caught himself thinking about what it would be like to wake up next to her every day when he wasn't working. The feeling he was having right now was one he couldn't explain. It felt like a perfect moment.

Then she woke up.

"Have I been here all night?" she asked, shocked. She pushed herself up and looked towards the window. "Oh shit. I was!"

"It's okay," he said. She looked down at him. She was very cute with her hair "sleepified" and bunched around her face.

"I have never done this before," she said.

"Me either," he admitted. Not with a friend. She reached to move her hair and looked at the clock.

"I have to go before Briar gets home and misreads this entire situation," she said, getting up. Lee got up and followed her to the door. He still really wanted to kiss her, and the self-restraint was almost impossible. She paused at the closed door, looking as though she was unsure about something.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yea. Um, thank you," she said. "This was really nice."

"Anytime," he replied.

"Is there a third Die Hard movie?" she asked. He felt slightly relieved. So that's why she was hesitating. She didn't want it to end.

"There are four," he answered.

"Four?" she gasped dramatically.

"It's a good franchise," he grinned.

"Hmm, well perhaps I need to see the other two."

"You are welcome to come back anytime," he told her.

"I only have two days left," she sighed.

"So come back tonight," he suggested. She looked at him, contemplating.

"You make a good case," she said after a moment. "I'll come a little later, though. I don't want Briar to think I'm abandoning her or something."

"Okay," he agreed.

"Bye." She waved, opening the door.

"Bye." He smiled.

He was such a goner.