Teenage voices and chuckles are heard from outside the front door of the Holmes' residence before Molly and Sherlock's eldest daughter and her best friend walk in, toting their backpacks on one shoulder, and their skateboards tucked under their other arms. Molly grins and looks up from behind the counter, dinner having been in the oven for quite some time now.

"Oh good, you're home. Dinner will be ready soon."

Cassie smiles and puts her stuff down in the hallway. "Good I'm starving! Can Jake stay for dinner?", her teeth trouble her lower lip as she walks over to Molly and lowers her voice. "I think his mum is on an alcohol bender again, and you know how hard it is to get him to ask for help. Maybe he can stay again for a while?"

Molly hugs her ad nods. "Jake is always welcome. He's been nothing but polite and sweet since you two were kids. Hell, he's practically like family at this point. If you ever feel like he needs to be here, just let me know. It's always alright. Okay?"

Nodding, Cas hugs her a bit tighter. "Thanks, Mum. I feel better knowing that he's eating and sleeping and just...safe. I didn't talk to him about putting her back in rehab, because I know it's a touchy subject for him. He wants her to be okay and to try for him...and I hate that she's more concerned with the bottle. Always has been..."

"I'll see what Dad can do to find her a good place again, and in the meantime, Jake can stay here. As I said, he's always welcome. I'm proud of you for always being such an amazing friend to him, Cassie."

A worried sigh escapes Cassie's lips and she nods. "Thanks. He's an amazing friend too. The only one I have. I really hate knowing that he's upset and not knowing when to confront him about it. I don't want to make him feel worse."

"I know. But you know him best, I'm glad you come to me with advice, and that's what it is. He's your best friend. Has been for what...twelve years? Yeah, you're seventeen now. So you know him better than anyone. So listen to your heart and when you feel like it's the right time to ask him, you'll know. He trusts you. I'm sure he'll talk about it to you in his own time as well. It's a rough thing to go through."

"You're right. I'll go up and get the cot out with him."

"Alright", Molly smiles and kisses her cheek, her own face lighting up when Sherlock walks in the door next and strides right over, planting a soft kiss on her lips.

"Hello, beautiful wife."

"Mmm, hello handsome husband. What do you think about chicken parmesan tonight?"

"I think that sounds delicious."

"Jake is having some trouble with his mother again. It's no problem if he stays for a bit, right?"

"No, no problem. He's a really good kid."

"I agree. You'll have to figure out how to get her into rehab again, pull some strings, for Jake's sake?"

Sherlock sighs heavily. "I'll work on it."

"Thank you. From me and Cassie. She's really concerned about him."

"She loves him."

"Love? They're best friends, Sherlock."

"Okay, sure", he snorts and puts some mozzarella cheese in his mouth. "You'll see. I may be getting old, but I'm not losing my touch, yet."

Molly grins and pulls him close by his belt loops. "I know you're not. If anything, you're only getting better with age, my dear."

Sherlock smirks and raises an eyebrow, flattered, leaning down to kiss her soundly.

.

.

Cassie goes over to Jake, who is watching telly in the sitting room, and she nudges his arm. "Hey, you can stay over tonight if you need to."

"Really? Thanks", he says, smiling sweetly.

"No problem. C'mon, let's go set up your cot?"

"Okay", he replies, getting up and following her upstairs.

"You've been pretty quiet today, y'know."

"Yeah...I'm sorry, it's just...stuff."

Cas gives him a side-eye and raises an eyebrow. "Stuff. Right. Jake...you know you can talk to me. I might not be the easiest person to talk to or the most emotional person in the world, and I know you deserve a better friend than the only one you have, but you know I care about you. I always have. You're my best friend. If something is bothering you, you can tell me and I won't judge you. I promise. We've been through this before, haven't we?"

Jake helps her unfold the cot on the other side of the room. He sighs heavily, looking a bit irritated. "Well, it looks like you already know what's up, so I don't need to talk about it, do I? You always know."

Cas bites her lip and puts the extra blankets and pillows on the cot. "I didn't mean to say it like that..."

"But it's true. You already know what's going on, so what's the point in me getting all emotional, huh? Guys aren't supposed to do that, right? I mean hell, you're a girl and you're hardly ever emotional."

"Jake, I like you for who you are. You're my best friend for who you are. Who I am shouldn't dictate how you act. As a matter of fact, I like that you feel deeply. I envy that about you, actually. You're a really good best friend to me, and the fact that you carry your heart on your sleeve is one of the things I like most about you. It's refreshing because I know I can be difficult and seem distant or cold. I know I'm not the best friend. I'm trying. I've been trying since we were five. You're the only one that took a chance on the weird girl who knew everything and got teased, and I'm the only girl who took a chance on the boy who was always crying because he was also teased. We balance each other, that's always been who we are. Please don't be mad at me..."

Jake tears up a bit and sits on the cot, sighing. "You already know what's wrong."

"Your Mum?", she whispers, treading lightly.

He nods softly and looks at his folded hands in his lap. "Yeah...I-I don't...I don't know how to get her to stop drinking and it's not like she even cares. She's never cared about me. Since my dad died, she's completely discarded me. I remember being five and moving to the UK thinking maybe it was a good idea that she decided to because we could both get a fresh start. But the sadness, the wallowing...it only continued here, and she acted like I wasn't hurting too. I was just a kid. Since then it's been like I barely exist. Every time she leaves rehab, she swears we will have a better relationship and that she'll be better and stay sober. She never does. Not even for me", he chokes up.

Cassie sits next to him and wraps an arm around his shoulder. "I'm sorry...I know it's not the same, but when my parents and baby sister were killed back in Italy and they put me in that orphanage, I never thought I'd have a good life again. Ever. Then Sherlock and Molly adopted me, and… it didn't stop the sadness, but I was in a much better state of mind because I had people who cared about me again. When we met in school, it felt crazy that we became such fast friends because we're opposites. But in a way, I think we needed each other, and we met each other at the perfect time. As my dad says, the universe is rarely so lazy. Let me be your support system. Hell, I've been doing it long enough, and you've been mine when I've needed it. You don't have to keep secrets from me."

He nods and hugs her side. "Thanks, Cas. I'm glad we have each other too. I just feel so guilty when your parents have to help with me too. They have their own family; they don't need me hanging around all the time."

"Jake, you're practically family at this point. You know my parents adore you. You're like the most polite teenager in the world", she laughs softly. "Do you think we would have gotten a cot for you if we hated having you here?"

He cracks a boyish smile and shrugs. "I guess not."

"Plus, I think my dad was shocked when you were the example of having a boy around the house as a kid, and then my brothers were born and turned out to be nightmares and nothing like you", she giggles.

A laugh escapes him softly and he smiles genuinely. "Glad to be of service, I think?"

Cassie nudges him playfully and snorts. "Sometimes you're too perfect, y'know that?"

Jake blushes deeply and shrugs. "I don't think so, but thanks. And thanks for making me feel better. I like being around your family as chaotic as it can get. It...it feels more like home than my own house."

"Well, you can always come here. My Mum said so too. You're always welcome."

Covering his face he chuckles. "You're making my face red. Stoppp."

She laughs and moves his hands, smacking him with a pillow.

"Heyyy!"

"Hey yourself! You're being a downer, and that's usually my job."

Looking up at her, he can't help but feel his heart leap when her big brown eyes sparkle with happiness, looking down at him with the offending pillow. "Okay, okay, I'm better!", he protests, grabbing the other pillow, and giving her a whack with it.

Soon they're in a full-blown pillow fight, each friend taking their stance with pillows flying and smacking each other, laughing harder than either of them have in a long time. Multiple pillows are strewn about her room, and they both fall to the floor, exhausted, faces red with laughter.

Cassie squeals and covers her face as he bonks her over the head with a pillow, and she lies on the ground and laughs. "Alright! Alright! You win!

"Ha! Finally! I never win at anything, Miss Genius."

"Well, you're biologically stronger in muscle than me, so technically it's an unfair advantage."

"Oh, is that so? Because I recall you being able to do more push-ups than me in PE!"

Cassie smirks and shrugs. "Hmm, true. Maybe I'm just better at general things."

"I think you are", he smiles, rolling onto his side on the floor to look at her. God, he could have sworn she blushed a bit.

"But you're definitely better at emotions. I'm more like Sherlock in that way, I guess. I do feel, I feel deeply. It's just very intimidating for me to express it, I guess would be the word. I don't like to feel judged, despite knowing that people close to me won't. It's still a bit uncomfortable. It's funny though because I'm pretty sure you've seen me in nearly every state except full-blown crying."

"I think that's true. But you've seen me in every state, including full-blown crying."

She chuckles lightly and nods. "I have."

Jake lies, back, staring at the ceiling. "Sometimes I wish I were like you, instead. You're sooo smart, both book smart and street smart. And you react appropriately for like, everything. It feels like you hardly ever have any troubles in life. Meanwhile, I'm in my last year until Uni, and I still struggle with my dyslexia and my grades are just average, and I feel really stupid compared to you. I know you help me a lot, and I appreciate it, but it just sucks...feeling so far below everyone else in every way."

Cas sits up on her elbow and furrows her brow. "Jake, you can't help having dyslexia. That's not something you just get over, and you've gotten so so much better with it since we were kids. Also, you are /not/ far below everyone at all. In fact, I think you're winning. Maybe I'm smart, and maybe some things come easy for me. But you have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and that's the best thing about you. It's admirable to be like you. Not a lot of people are. I still have trouble expressing how I feel, and that comes easy to you. That's why our friendship is so complimentary."

He blushes looks at her, biting his lower lip. "When you feel everything, you feel the good and the bad. Since my life isn't a huge abundance of good right now...it feels low. I know it'll get better eventually; I do. But feeling a lot isn't always a good thing."

"Neither is keeping everything inside, but every day you help me to be better about expressing myself", she says softly and hugs him.

He hugs her back tightly before pulling away. "We are complementary, you're right about that. Thank you for caring about me. That's one thing you've always expressed, and something I've always needed, and I don't think I ever told you how much that means. You've gotten me through the worst parts of my life, and our friendship is the best of my life. So thank you", he says softly, his eyes brimming with tears again.

Cas squeezes his hand and nods. "Of course, you're always there for me too."

"Promise me something?"

"Anything, Jake."

"If you get into the University of your dreams, and I only get into a smaller one, because let's be honest, your grades are way better, promise me we won't lose touch. I don't think I could handle losing you too."

"We'll /never/ lose touch. You're my best friend in the whole world. You have been for twelve years. Regardless of what school we go to, we'll hang out as much as possible. I promise."

"Good", he smiles, a hint of sadness on his face

Her heart hurts, seeing the sad and slightly worried look behind his smile. There is no part of her that would ever want to lose him either.

"Hey, Jake...?"

"Yeah?", he replies, looking directly at her as they get up from the floor.

Cassie collects herself and looks at him. "There's no part of me that would ever want to lose you either. Normally I would keep that to myself and let you assume that that is true, but...I need you to know that", she says slowly, looking a bit embarrassed.

He hugs her tightly and she hugs him close. "Thank you for telling me that", he murmurs into her hair. "I needed to hear it. It means a lot."

Her embarrassment melts away and she smiles, feeling good about herself. Jake's stomach growls loudly and she chuckles.

"Good. Now come on, I'm sure dinner is ready by now."

Jake grins. "Ooh good, I'm starving, and your Mum's cooking is the best!"

.

.

That night, Cassie and Jake have reign over the telly. They have made popcorn, grabbed a bag of Doritos, and put some M&Ms into a bowl for movie night.

Jake smirks and grabs the remote. "Hmmm what should we watch?"

"Gee, I wonder", Cassie laughs, knowing very well what will be chosen.

"Our favorite movie?"

"You know it."

'Y'know, Cas, you could easily be an Avenger. You pretty much are Black Widow."

She lets out and sarcastic chuckle and raises an eyebrow and she curls up on the sofa and he presses play. "She's my favorite, but how do you figure?"

"Oh please, you've been assisting your dad on cases for years now. You're telling me you've never had to chase after a criminal with him?"

Cassie smirks. "Welllll...yes, I have. To Mum's dismay."

"And you're freakishly great at gymnastics even though you've had no training."

"I taught myself when I was like, eight. I was bored", she giggles.

"Well there! Exactly! You /are/ her."

"Okay then, Captain America."

He gapes and crosses his arms over his chest, faux annoyed. "I-I am not a...well...hm..."

"Uh, yeah. Ya /are/ a goody two shoes. But it suits you", she laughs. "You are also the exact personality type to go back in time and relive your life /just/ so you could be with a "soulmate", like Peggy. I still can't believe you cried."

Jake turns red but lets his guard down. "It was so romantic and cute! C'mon, I know you have a heart somewhere in there, tough guy. Ugh, you're such a Natasha. Tough as nails, but at the end of the day, you'd still die for-...", he trails off.

Cas nudges him and chuckles. "For my best friend? I think I probably would."

"What makes you think I'd let you? I'd fight harder than Hawkeye to save you."

"Says the guy who can do fewer push-ups than me", she smirks teasingly.

He huffs in annoyance and his face turns to a pout as he focuses on the screen.

"Oh come on, you're not gonna pout all night now, are you?"

"No."

"Jakeee."

"I don't like thinking of that, okay? So let's just not." His eyes stay fixed to the screen, and she blushes, leaning on his arm.

"Me neither."

"I don't want you to be like her really, anyway. She spent her whole time trying to get her life together and figure herself and saving everyone else, claiming she didn't need anyone, and she ended up just dying. She kept herself emotionally solitary. Until the end, for the most part."

Cassie chews her lip again and looks at her hands. "Seems accurate though. I see my Mum and Dad and I hear all the stories about when he was just all work. That doesn't seem terrible to me. I don't think I'd really want to be attached, y'know. It seems draining having to be constantly present for someone other than yourself, twenty-four-seven without stop."

"So you don't see yourself growing up and having a family with someone or anything like that?"

"No...I never really have. I'm not foolish enough to say I'd never change my mind, I'm only seventeen. But it just seems like too much extra work."

"Oh", he says quietly, feeling like he was punched in the gut, and his heart ripped out and stomped on.

Cassie looks over and immediately sees how hurt he looks and a large wave of realization and panic wash over her at the same time. She turns back to the screen and their conversation falls silent as they both try desperately to focus on the movie.

After a while, Cassie can't take the tension between them anymore, and neither can Jake as they both turn toward each other at the same time.

"Cas I-"

"Jake-"

"You go."

"No, you go first."

"No really...you should go first, Cas."

"I didn't mean to hurt you...if-if that hurt you somehow. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, it didn't. I was just a little er...shocked", he replies.

She can tell he's lying through his teeth, but she lets it settle, a nagging in her head telling her he wanted to say something else.

They watch a bit more of the movie in silence when Cas nudges him lightly. "Remember when we were upstairs today and we swore we wouldn't carry around emotional secrets anymore, and we wouldn't judge? Please...trust me. Tell me what you didn't say", she says softly, looking up at him.

"Damn her", he thinks as her big, concerned eyes make his heart jump again. "I know we said that, but we also said that we didn't want to lose each other, so..."

"We won't."

He scoffs a little and shrugs.

"Jake..."

He takes a big breath of air and then gulps it down. "I was going to ask you to prom...", he barely whispers, but then recovers. "But um, cause y'know, I don't have a date or anything. Nobody is interested in me so...I know you hate dances, but I figured maybe we could just hang around or-or something. Never mind, it's a stupid idea."

Cassie feels awful as she listens to him ramble on, deducing that he has feelings for her, and knowing she has some feelings for him too, but that she can't be what he needs as anything more than a friend. That, and intimacy terrifies her. Considering her age and the expectations society has set for girls who are soon to be official women. Before she even knows words have dropped from her lips, she can hear herself saying "I'd love to go with you."

Jake blinks and looks at her. "What?"

"Yeah...I mean, hey, if it's you and me I'm sure we could have some fun, even if we sit and attack the snack table."

"You're serious?"

"I'm serious", she chuckles. "I'll go to prom with you. Geez, you looked terrified. It's just a dance, Jake."

He smiles slightly and forces a chuckle. "I know, I just thought you'd despise the idea of getting all fancy and, God forbid, wearing a dress."

Her face twists into a look of disgust. "Ugh, I forgot about the dress part, but I'm sure I can find an adequate one that doesn't make me look like a slut or a cupcake."

"A cupcake?", he questions, confused.

"Yeah, those huge poofy rounded cupcake dresses."

Jake laughs and snorts. "I've never heard anyone refer to those as that."

"Well now you have", she giggles softly. "But you get what I mean."

"I do, but firstly, you'd never look like a slut because you're not one. And secondly, nobody will force you to look like a pastry, okay?"

She nods and smiles beautifully. Jake smiles back and realizes all he wants to do is hold her face in his hands and marvel at how gorgeous she is. Perfect olive skin, big brown eyes, silky brunette hair, lush pink lips...

He shakes himself out of it and rolls his eyes, nudging her. "Plus, you could wear a garbage bag and still be the most beautiful girl there, Cas. Easily. No competition. If you don't want to wear a dress, I won't make you."

Cassie turns red and hugs his arm shyly. "Thank you, that's...really sweet. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you or draw attention to us, I know you hate being the center of attention. I'll find a dress I can handle. Promise."

Nodding, he wraps his arm around her and watches the movie. "As I said, you'll look great regardless."

"I'm sure you'll be looking pretty dapper yourself, in a suit. I bet you'll turn heads, and all those girls will be overcome with dread for what they missed out on."

He blushes and shrugs. "Why would I care about them, when I'll be accompanied by the best?"

"Jake..."

"I mean it, Cas. You're the best one there. I'm...I'm glad you accepted my invite", he says, looking into her eyes with his clear blue ones.

Cassie mentally curses as his pretty eyes look into her soul. He could always do that, make her feel seen. In the best way. "You'll be the best guy there too. No matter what you say or think. I know so. And you said I'm smart, so I don't want any argument coming out of your mouth, got it?"

"Got it", his face flushes as he very quickly glances down at her lips. If she wasn't more observant than the average teen, she would have missed it. Unfortunately, she didn't, and it makes her feel all sorts of ways that she doesn't want to divulge at the moment. But the staring at each other is getting a bit long so she tears her eyes away and fakes a yawn, returning her gaze to the movie.

"Glad that's settled, and you asked me."

"Me too", he says flatly, clearly thinking and distracted. For the first time, Cassie can't help herself from wanting his thoughts to be about her.

God, what has she turned herself into? She's not the dating or loving or commitment type...or is she? Maybe it's just Jake. But at least she can take comfort in the fact that their friendship is so strong, neither of them will chance messing it up.

At least not just yet.