Title: Do you see the signs?

Author: Liatli

Disclaimer: you know the drill

A/N: sorry I keep forgetting the TBC signs. But when it's the end you'll know it's the end. (

Part 2

1 year later, just before graduation

"We're here. We made it."

Amy's smile blossomed. She turned to look at Bright. She reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his, gently squeezing. Bright snapped out of the daze he was in and glanced at Amy, smiling and squeezing back. His stomach was turning in circles with nervous excitement. He looked just a little pale and his palms were sweating. Amy didn't seem to notice. Or, if she did, she ignored it. Colin was so excited, he was pacing the room, on his 9th cup of coffee, and his face was flushed. Shawn and Ephram were slouched in the corner, calm and serene, as if graduating from college was just a normal, everyday thing. Finally, after following Colin with his eyes, Shawn stood up, grabbed Colin's shoulders, and forced him to sit down. He took away Colin's coffee and said,

"You're making me dizzy, man. Just chill."

Colin tried to smile, but his lips wouldn't cooperate. He began to tap an erratic beat on his thighs until, annoyed, Shawn slapped his hands on top of Colin's, stopping him. Shawn said,

"Colin, you're gonna give yourself a heart attack of something. Just.relax, babe." He pushed on Colin's shoulders till he leaned back against the back of his chair. Shawn murmured softly, "That's it. Relax."

Shawn ran a hand through Colin's hair, soothing Colin's frayed nerves. Colin sighed deeply, practically melting into the seat. He murmured,

"That feels nice."

Shawn's lips curved and he leaned towards Colin to press a kiss to his cheek. Colin opened one eye to catch Shawn's gaze and smiled at him lovingly.

Bright frowned, having observed this exchange. An unfamiliar feeling started in the pit of his stomach, steadily growing and spreading as Shawn returned the smile.

Amy noted with a smirk that Bright's color was back. She shot a look at Ephram. A smug 'I told you so' look.

Ephram only smiled and shrugged. What did it matter to him if Amy was right? Bright was her brother. Well, soon to be his brother-in-law. Oh, well. Bright could be jealous of whom-ever he wanted to be jealous of. It was no concern of Ephram's, though he couldn't help but feel sorry for Bright. Unrequited love was a bitch.

* * *

7 months later

Colin walked in the door, dropping his duffel bag on the ground and dropping into a chair. Bright smiled, looking up from his laptop. He said,

"Want a beer?"

Colin nodded, his eyes already shut, and said,

"That would be absolute heaven."

Bright stood up, setting his computer aside, and walking into the kitchen. He grabbed 2 beers from the fridge and, walking back into the den, tossed one to Colin. He said as he took the first cold sip,

"So, how was it today?"

Colin shook his head,

"Training is one hard mother. I can't wait till I'm done with it. Damn, I don't know how I'll last."

Bright smiled knowingly, running a hand through his hair,

"You'll make it, C. if it's really, truly what you want, you'll make it."

Suddenly, the door slammed. Shawn appeared from around the corner. He grinned and said,

"So, how's my favorite Cop-in training?"

Colin grunted and took another swig from the beer bottle. Shawn walked over and took the bottle from Colin's hand, perching on the arm of his chair and taking a sip. He said to Bright,

"How's school going?"

Bright smiled,

"Great. It's good. And your job?"

Shawn grinned dumbly. His job was.

"Excellent. My office is." he sighed with pleasure, "perfect view of Manhattan."

Bright gritted his teeth as Shawn tossed his briefcase onto the couch and began to massage Colin's shoulders. Colin smiled appreciatively as Shawn's fingers dug into his shoulders. After a few minutes, Colin shook Shawn's hands off and stood up. He announced,

"I'm going to shower."

Shawn nodded,

"I'll be at home. Call me later, Kay?"

Colin nodded as Shawn leaned forwards to kiss him. Colin pulled away, then started up the stairs. Shawn waved to Bright, grabbed his briefcase, and left. Colin called from upstairs,

"He's gone?"

Bright called back, a smirk on his face,

"Yep."

Colin came back down the stairs, his shirt already off and his pants un- buttoned. He said,

"We still on for tonight?"

Bright nodded, suddenly intensely focused on turning off his laptop. Colin nodded, then said,

"Right. I'll be out in a couple of minutes."

Bright nodded again, then Colin went back upstairs. Bright sighed and set aside his computer. Slumping into the couch, he grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV.

* * *

"It's smoky in here."

Bright nodded as Colin steered them towards the bar towards the back of the jazz club. They snagged two stools and Colin signaled for the bartender. Colin leaned close to Bright and said,

"What time're they supposed to be here?"

Bright checked his watch.

"Few minutes."

Colin nodded as he ordered a beer for himself and Bright. As he sipped his beer, Colin felt a hand on his shoulder. Her turned around and smiled into Ephram and Amy's grinning faces. Amy gave Colin and Bright hugs, then Bright and Colin stood, following Amy and Ephram to a table. Ephram ordered a beer and Amy a club soda. They talked for a while, listening to the music. After about an hour, Amy slanted Ephram a look. Catching the look, Bright said,

"What?"

Amy looked at Bright innocently. Bright squinted,

"What is it?"

Amy looked at Ephram again. Ephram gave a slight nod and a smile spread over Amy's face. She leaned into the table, closer to Bright and Colin. Grabbing Ephram's hand she said,

"We have news."

Bright looked at Colin, who shrugged. Amy took a deep breath, then said, her eyes sparkling,

"I'm pregnant."

Bright's jaw dropped and Colin just stared at Amy. Bright looked at Ephram. He looked so calm, nonchalant, but his eyes.Bright watched Ephram's lips slowly curve, then Ephram brought his and Amy's joined hands to hip lips. Amy turned to Ephram, smiling radiantly. Ephram smiled back, then, without breaking eye contact with Amy, he said,

"Mind if we leave, guys?"

Colin laughed and said,

"Not at all. Later, guys."

Amy said,

"Don't tell Mom, okay, Bright? We're going down there this weekend. We want it to be a surprise."

Bright nodded, then watched as Amy and Ephram left. Colin grinned, shaking Bright's shoulder. He said,

"That's so great, man! You're gonna be an uncle!"

Bright half-smiled, huffed, then said, looking at Colin,

"Yeah. You're right."

Colin grinned,

"Let's celebrate."

He signaled for a waitress and ordered them some drinks.