My muse decided to leave me for a while.  I was sad.  But after a while, she decided that she missed me, and came back.  I guess after spring break she didn't want to come back.  Heck, I was off for the week after my spring break because of three feet of really heavy snow.  Maybe she got snowed in someplace.  Either way, she's back!  Which makes me all happy.  Because now I can update again!  But sadly, after this one, I won't be able to update again until, um… mid May because of school work.  There may be a chapter around late April, but it might be for one of my other fics. 

People who have reviewed my fic, thanks!  Your words mean so much to me; you have no idea how much motivation you give me.  So please keep that up!

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            Gretchen couldn't believe how happy Mary looked when she strolled into school the next day.  She noticed a certain bounce to her step, a certain sparkle in her blue eyes.  While sitting in their offices, grading their student's papers, Gretchen looked up and saw a smile on Mary's face.  "How was the city?"  She ventured.

"Good.  We went to a spa, and shopped."

Mary gave a polite smile, and went back to her grading.  "The spa did you good huh?"  Gretchen ventured.

            "What?"  Mary looked up.  "Yeah, sure."  She looked back at the papers she was grading.

            "You never called me about that guy I found for you.  We were going to double with you, remember?" 

            "I didn't?"

            "No."

            "Sorry."

            "So, what do you think?  This guy, Kevin, is dying to meet you."

            "Gretchen, I don't really know." Mary reluctantly said.  She wasn't sure how to tell Gretchen that while in New York, she had met someone.  True, they had met before, but this time it was different.  They were different people.  But their hearts were the same.  In New York she found her heart again.  She found Sydney's heart again.  Mary found Travis.  And in finding Travis, she found Sydney again, and Vaughn.  Mary put down her pen. "I kinda met someone."

            "You did?"  Gretchen said, intrigued.

            "Yeah.  I mean we just met, so I mean it's not like its anything serious yet, but it feels right.  You know?"

            "Oh my God, yes.  When I first met Trevor, I was like, this just feels right, and look at us now, and we've been dating since."

Mary gave a smug look.  Gretchen had failed to mention that she and Trevor had been going out for three weeks.  But for flighty Gretchen, that is a long time.  Sometimes, Gretchen would remind Mary of how much like the students some of the teachers can be.  Her relationships were like any high school relationship, her attitude, like her students, but she was one of the more popular teachers because of it.  Mary on the other hand, was more popular than Gretchen, because, well, there was no other way to put it, her class was cool. 

"We are going to have to double sometime." Gretchen exclaimed.

"We've been on one date.  Besides, he lives in the city."

            Gretchen opened her mouth to say something, but the sound of the bell quickly shut her mouth.  "My planning time is up."  Mary gathered her papers, and quickly rushed to her classroom.  She put the finished papers on her overhead and the rest on her desk.  As students began to file in, Mary greeted them, and answered their questions on the homework and to take complaints about the recently assigned essay.  As the final students came in, after the final bell rang.  "Take your seats." She began.

"How was your weekend?" She asked.

"I spent the entire weekend working for this class." One girl complained.

 "I know so many of you are complaining about the constant papers due in this class."  There was a sea of nodding heads.  "Then why did you sign up for creative writing?"

            "Because we heard you were cool!"  One of the boys from the back shouted out.

            Mary laughed.  "Thank you.  But I am going to need your next story in by Friday.  And pass forward your poetry collection."  There was a rustle of papers as the students got ready.  There was a knock at the door.  Mary left her students to continue their quest for their poetry collections, as she went to answer it.  There stood Gus, the office aide for that period, holding a large box.

            "This came for you Ms. Waters."  He said, handing her the heavy box.  "The guy who dropped it by said that you needed it now."

            Confused, Mary took the box.  "Thanks Gus."  She said.  Gus smiled, and turned and left.  Mary carried the box to an empty desk. 

            "What's that Ms. Waters?" 

            "I don't know." Mary opened the box, and saw an assortment of different books packed carefully in it.  On top of the books was a note.  Mary unfolded it.  She recognized the handwriting, and didn't need to see the stationary.  In fancy, exotic lettering, it clearly read "Cryptology Bookshop" with its address, phone number, and other business stuff.

            Mary~

                        You said that you were teaching a creative writing class.  I found these in the back of the store.  I thought that maybe you could show them some of the great authors that they may not have heard about.  Keep these books.  You can pay me back by going to dinner with me.

            ~Travis.

            Mary smiled, folded the note in half and stuck it in her pocket.  She picked up the first book.   "Change of plans for today."  She said, as she began to distribute the various books around the class.  "I was going to give you guys some writing time, but these books finally arrived."  Mary lied.  "These are collections of short stories of authors you have probably never heard of.  I want you to read at least two, and write down all the examples of where you see these elements in them, and what you think about them."  There was a mass groan from the class, as Mary put the elements onto the board. "But in exchange, I am willing to push back the due date for your next assignment."  There were mixed feelings from the class.  But they opened up the books, and began to do the assignment.

            Mary sat down at her computer.  She opened her email.  Her heart fluttered when she saw Travis' email address.  But she acted cool, as she opened up announcements from her fellow teachers, and emails from the office.

            "Aren't you supposed to do that during your planning period?"  The boy from the back said.

            "I couldn't, I was grading your papers instead."  Mary said, she quickly closed the window.  "Oh!  That reminds me!"  Mary stood up, and began to hand out the short stories that the class had written.  "Over all, these were good.  Some of you still need work on character development in these short stories." She said.

            "How are we supposed to do that?" 

            "Do less telling, and more showing.  The balance will come." 

            Mary collected the books back before the students left.  She put the box underneath her desk, and got ready to teach her next class.  The letter, was gently placed on top.  Mary carried the box up to her apartment.  "Hello Joe." She said to her elderly neighbor, taking the same elevator.  "Charlie." She said, greeting Joe's little terrier.

            "Those stories you assign are getting longer and longer.  You're now carrying them in a box."

            Mary chuckled at the old man's joke.  "These aren't my student's.  They're from a New York bookstore.  My students used them today."

            "Oh. Well, I guess that is one less box you have to pack."  Mary smiled.  The apartment she had wanted opened, and was planning on moving.  The apartment was at a better location, and was bigger.  Mary also felt it was time.  After four years, she needed to get an apartment of her own.  A CIA owned place didn't feel right.  It wasn't one she would have ever picked for herself. 

"But one more to move."

Joe held the elevator door open for Mary.  He stopped one door down, and got out his keys.  Mary put down the box, before she went rooting through her purse.   "When are you moving?"  He asked.

            "Two weeks." Mary said.

            "Well, Charlie and I will diffidently miss you."

            "I will miss you guys too."

            Joe took Charlie inside his apartment, and Mary opened her door.  She used her foot to push the box into the apartment.  She shut the door and picked up the box.  Creating a hallway, were boxes that Mary had already packed for her move.  She looked up, and realized that there was no way she could add one more box to the stacks. Walking around the corner, she had expected to put the box on the table.  But there was something already put on the table.  Curious, Mary put the box on the couch, never taking her eyes off of the table.  She walked over cautiously.  There were two candles lit, and a romantic table set for two.  On one of the plates, sat a note.  Mary picked it up, noticing the note was addressed to her.  She smiled and opened it.  As the words danced in front of her eyes, her smile grew.

            "Travis?"  Mary called.

            Shyly, Travis slinked out of the bedroom.  "Hey there beautiful."  He said, walking over to Mary and kissing her.

            "What are you doing here?"  She asked, putting her arms around his neck.

            "I came to see you." 

            "How did you get in?"

            "I have my ways."  He said.  "I watch a lot of spy movies.  I know how to get in."

            Mary giggled.  "Did you now?" 

            "Yes." Travis pulled out a key from his pocket.  He got really close to Mary's ear.  "Weiss got me a key to this place." He said.

            "I am going to have to talk to him."  Mary leaned over and kissed Travis.  The stove's buzzer went off.

            "Dinner's done." He said.  Mary took a whiff of her apartment.

            "Smells really good, what did you make?"

            "Chicken."

"Thanks, better than the soup I was planning on having."  Mary kissed him again.  And then began laughing. 

"What is so funny?"

"I was just thinking what Kelsey would say if she saw this.  She thinks we just met."

"We did just meet." Travis' voice got really serous.  The masks melted away, leaving Vaughn and Sydney behind.  "As far as the world is concerned we did just meet."

"But we didn't.  I mean I've been in love with you for years."

"Syd, keep this deception up for another year."

"I have been deceiving people all my life.  I am sick and tired of it.  I used to think my life was a lie back, back, back there, but that was nothing.  There people were able to scratch the surface of who I really was.  I want to just hang out again with Francie and Will, go clubbing, have Francie try to talk me out of my job, Will stopping by at all hours just for a beer.  I want that life again."

"Just a year.  And then, everything can go back to the way things were."

"You don't get it, do you Vaughn?  Things will never be the way they were."

"I'm still here."

"And don't you ever leave again." Sydney crumbled in Vaughn's arms. 

"I promise.  I will never leave you."  He kissed the top of Sydney's head.  "Come on now; let's not start dinner off like this.  I drove all the way here, so I could be with you Mary." Travis, gently pushed Mary back, as he looked into her eyes.  He lifted her chin, and tenderly kissed her on her rosy lips.  "Cheer up."

"K."  Mary put the mask back on, as did Travis.  "Have I thanked you for all you did for me today yet?"

"No."

"Remind me to do so after dinner." Mary said with a sly grin.

"You can bet your life on it I will."

"Those books were so sweet of you to send."

"They had been sitting on the shelf for two years now. Got some newer, old stuff, and needed the room.  It was no problem.  Did your student's enjoy them?"

"They didn't like the assignment I attached, but I think they liked the story.  That was really sweet of you.  This whole day had earned you major boyfriend points."

"How many is major?"

"I'll show you after dinner."  Mary said.

            "I will have to eat fast then."  Travis put two plates of chicken on the table.  Before sitting down, Mary passionately kissed him.  She sat down, and took a bite of her chicken. "What was that for?"

            "For being you."

            "I'll have to be me more."

            "Oh my god, this is amazing." She said.  "Way better than soup."  The two continued to eat their dinner, talking about mundane things.  Mary stood up to clear the dishes, when Travis insisted that he do the dishes.  Mary thanked him, and watched him as he filled the sink with soapy water.  She walked over to her stereo, where most of her CD's were already packed.  She looked at the limited selection not packed and smiled.  She found what she was looking for, and pulled the case off of the shelf, and put it into her stereo.  She cued the CD to the right song, as the melodic song came through her speakers.  Travis looked over to where Mary stood smiling by her couch.  he quickly dried his hands on a towel, and walked over to her.

            "You seem to be begging for a dance." he said.  Mary leaned into Travis, as the two began to sway with the music.

            "I thought you would never get the hint."

 "When are you moving?"  Travis asked as they swayed with the beat.

            "Two weeks."

            "Not far, right?"

            "Yeah.  I just wanted a place that wasn't given to me."

            "I moved a year afterwards, same reasons."

        They danced content as Robert Plant sang "Thank You."

And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness....I'm glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

"And all is right with the world, now that you are in my arms."  Vaughn whispered as the song ended.

            Mary melted right there in his arms.  She took him by the hand, and led him to the bedroom.  "I think its time to show you just how great you are."