Sorry it took me so long to gets these up but when the site fell for 2 days it set me back. Any-hew hope everyone likes the story so far.

Ch. 4 Sudden Surprise Cont.

"You coming?"

Eric asked when he noticed that Austin wasn't next to him when he got out of the elevator at his building

"Yeah.."

Austin said joining him. Eric opened the door to the apartment yelling,

"Visitor!"

"Geez Eric!"

Rachel stood from behind the island in the kitchen with the fork that she had dropped,

"I'm right here."

"Sorry."

He answered allowing Austin in and closing the door behind her. Rachel studied Austin's expression and blinked when she averted her eyes from her own. Rachel

"Umm..let's go out on the balcony Austin."

Rachel motioned for her to follow as she led her over to the balcony. Eric looked at her and she shook her head with a frown.Confused, Eric sighed sitting on the couch.

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked once she had closed the window to the balcony.

"Everything."

Austin handed Rachel the card. Reading it Rachel's stomach twisted and turned and her hands trembled as Austin's did. She looked up at her once she was through.

"I'm so sorry..I-..where is he?"

"In Houston I hope."

Austin replied looking out into the city.

"Why would he send you this?"

Austin turned her eyes back to Rachel.

"What would you guess.."

It wasn't question and Rachel knew it.

******

" K now think Shawnie, what could possibly slow big boy over there down?"

Cory nodded toward the overweight student who they had seen eat a muffin in 7 seconds flat, Cory's best was 9.3 .

"Well we could put a toothpick in his next muffin, he'd eat it so fast he wouldn't realize that there was a toothpick in it."

" What would that achieve?"

"I don't really know I just thought it would be cool if someone swallowed a whole toothpick."

Shawn laughed.

"They're still at it aren't they?"

Angela asked noticing that Topanga's eyes were past Angela and over her shoulder at the two.

"Yeah, they won't quit."

"They never do."

"When you think about it that could be a very scary thing."

Topanga pointed out with a laugh.

"Yeah, but at least it keeps them busy for a while."

Angela said with a smile.

"I've got it!"

Cory said loudly.

"What?"

Shawn asked.

"Topanga!"

"Huh?"

Shawn asked even though he knew the answer.

" Topanga, she likes muffins, I bet she can scarf on down fast."

Cory said standing.

"Oh no."

Shawn muttered as Cory shouted for her.

"Yes Cory?"

She answered as he came over followed by Shawn.

"Honey, dear, muffin,"

Cory started out, Topanga leaned back in her chair for this one.

"you like muffins right?"

"Well, yeah."

"And you could eat one fairly fast correct?"

"I guess...Ooohh!"

she said now understanding what he was talking about.

"Cory you're insane."

Angela said.

"No, no cause when you think about it I could eat a muffin fast if I wanted to."

Topanga said before Cory could say anything.

"Yes!"

Cory jumped up,

"So will you?"

"Sure, I can take him.

" Topnaga said looking at the guy who was 'practicing' again.

"Oh here we go."

Angela muttered rolling her eyes.

*******

"What should we do?"

Rachel asked they were now in the empty kitchen and living room. Austin was sitting on the bar stool leaning forward on the counter.

"...Nothing..for now."

she sighed in her own disappointment,

"He hasn't done anything."

"Yet.."

Rachel muttered dispite herself, she quickly regretted it seeing as Austin looked at the floor.

"I'm -"

she started but didn't finish because Jack entered the apartment.

"Hey!"

he said happily. Austin looked up at Rachel giving the slightest shake of the head, but her attempt to hide the request failed for Jack noticed it, not to mention how Rachel's shoulders slumped and her eyes grew even darker then what they were at the present moment.

"Bad time?"

he asked figuring the answer would be a huge 'yes' but instead he got a

" No, in fact I was just on my way out."

from Austin who finally met his eyes and he could see how she was straining not to let how she was feeling out.

"Why don't you stay here tonight."

Rachel said,

"I mean it's late and we'd have to pick you up in the morning anyway, save us a trip and give you another 10 minutes of sleep."

she quickly made an excuse for the suggestion. Austin hesitated.

"Yeah, I really don't mind and I'm sure Eric couldn't care less."

Jack added. After another second or two Austin nodded,

"Ok, just as long as it's alright with everyone."

"Trust me, your very welcome here."

Rachel said, Jack looked at her, he had never seen such a grim look on her face and he questioned the reason for it.