AN: Thanks so much for all the reviews! I am SO glad to be back :) Just so y'all know, I had a hard time writing this chapter, so if it comes out wrong, sorry.

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(2 days later)

As Erika sat on the cold ground, she looked around to make sure she was alone, which she was. Taking a deep breath, reached out and lightly touched the stone in front of her. The one that she hadn't seen in three years, the one that cemented the fact that her best friend was really gone. She looked around again, and tried to find the words to start her confession. "OK, Nic, I'm here. I guess I should say that you finally got me to listen. I read your journal, which I'm sure you already know. And I still feel funny sitting here, talking like this, but I know you can hear me, so I will. You wrote that you thought I was hiding something from you, and that Brock was, and you were right. I met him on our first day of school, in my communications class, and he was the hot guy I talked about later. Sparks flew, but when I found out he was your guy, there was no way I was going to make a move. But, over the years, through our bickering, I fell for him. Totally, completely, head-over-heels in love. You know the last entry you made, the one about not really being in love with him? I'm sorry, but I don't believe that. I know it was a way of protecting yourself, but damn Nic. He was your universe. And...and I ruined it." Tears started running freely down her face. "I didn't mean to. I never wanted you to find out how I really felt, and I never thought you would. But now I'm almost glad you did because it's forcing me to grow up, and to face so many things I should have a long time ago." She paused to look at her watch and realized it was time to pick Mya up from a friend's house. "I've got to go pick up Mya, Nic- you'd be happy at the way she's turning out-, but I will be back this time. No more running. I love you." She gently touched the stone again before getting up and leaving. She picked up Mya and got back to Brock's, only to find him gone, and a note on the table. She quickly read it and laughed. "He is such a dork."

"What's a dork?"

"Your daddy is, Mya." Brock had forgotten to pick up some important stuff from his mom's, and would be back later.

"Oh," she nodded as if she understood. "Can we play dolls?"

"Sure thing." They spent the next hour playing with Mya's toys, but the second she heard the door open Mya was off like a shot.

"Daddy!" she shouted, and launched herself into his arms.

"Hi to you too Princess." He set down the bag that was in his other arm and went looking for Erika. "Erika?"

"In the playroom," she shouted back. Brock rounded the corner to the room and set Mya down.

"You know there is no point in trying to put that stuff away, right?"

Erika grinned. "I figured I'd give it a whirl anyways."

"Whatever floats your boat. Did you get any work done on your article?"

"Actually, I finished it on the plane yesterday." He looked shocked.

"That's great, why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, I was just thrilled to be done."

"Can I read it?" An uncomfortable look came across Erika's face.

"Um, not now. When it comes out, I'll get you a copy."

Brock peered at her closely. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," she answered, a little too quickly. "Did you want me to start supper?"

"No, I will. Are you dropping Mya off at Chad's?" Mya was spending the night at her Uncle Chad's, something Erika had arranged earlier that day.

"Sure, I'll do that while you're cooking."

"Great." Brock took Mya to pack, and Erika quickly finished putting Mya's toys away. She used the time that Brock was with Mya to quickly pack a bag, stuff it in the car, and leave Brock a note on his dresser. Brock and Mya were waiting for her when she came back in.

"That was fast. You ready Mya?"

"Yeah, I wanna go play with Uncle Chad." She reached for Erika who took both her and her bag from Brock. "Bye Daddy."

"Bye Princess, you have fun."

"I will." He kissed her forehead and looked at Erika.

"I'll have this ready when you get back." For some reason, this caused her to giggle nervously, which earned her an odd look. "You ok?"

"Peachy. Be back soon." Erika got Mya settled in the backseat and made the short drive to Chad's, and he met her outside.

"Hey Erika," he said, giving her a quick hug. "And the little princess." Mya giggled as he picked her up.

"Hi Uncle Chad." He took Mya's bag from Erika and they walked into the house.

"Erika, are you sure you want to do it this way?"

"Chad-"

"I just don't think you should," he interrupted. "Brock is going to be pissed."

"Then he's going to have to be. Will you take me or not?"

Chad sighed, but agreed. "Yeah, let's go."

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Brock was pacing nervously when his cell phone rang two hours later. "Erika?"

"No man, check your ID." He did, and saw that it was his brother.

"Chad, is Erika there?"

"No, but-"

"Oh God, I bet they got in an accident. I need to call hospitals or something."

"Brock, calm down. She's fine. She dropped Mya off about an hour and a half ago."

"Then she isn't fine, she should be back by now."

"Actually, she should be half way to Pittsburgh by now."

"WHAT?" His shout nearly deafened Chad. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Just go read the note on your dresser." He hung up before Brock could respond.

"Chad? Damn it!" He threw the phone on the counter and ran upstairs. He quickly spotted the note and grabbed it.

'Brock- While this probably isn't the best way to go about it, there are some things I need to do. Chad drove me to the airport, and he will keep Mya until tomorrow night. I will be back on Thursday, and I've got a few things to tell you. -Rika.' Brock threw the note down in disgust and fell back on his bed. "She better not be running again." He laid there for awhile, before deciding to call the only person he could tink of that would really know what she was up to.

"Hello?"

"Kurt, where is she?"

"Nice to talk to you too," he said, hoping to diffuse Brock's anger. It didn't work.

"Cut the crap Kurt, what is she pulling?"

Kurt sighed. "Honestly Brock, all I know is that she called me and asked me to pick her up at the airport because she has a couple things she needs to take care of here."

"She's running."

"No, she's not."

"Yes she is. She doesn't need to bother coming back." He hung up the phone and Kurt sighed again.

"Great, just great."

"What's great?" Kurt turned when he heard Erika's voice behind him.

"Nothing at all." He gave her a hug and they walked out to the car.

"Nothing?" she gave him a skeptical look.

"Brock was pissed."

"I didn't expect any less. The note I left didn't help, it doesn't make much sense."

"Do you care to fill me in on everything?" Erika gave him a small smile.

"You'll find out when the Gazette hits your door Thursday morning."

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The next morning, Erika sat nervously as Mr. Jacobs reviewed her article. He read, and reread, before finally setting it down and smiling. "Erika, while it is not what I was originally expecting, I think it's great. I'll run it tomorrow morning."

Erika let go of the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you so much, Mr. Jacobs."

"Though I don't relish the thought of losing one of my most promising new writers, I realize that you need to do what you need to do."

"Are you trying to make me cry?" The older man just chuckled. Erika stood and stuck out her hand. "Thank you, for everything." He took her hand, and gently shook it.

"You're very welcome."

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"Brock, are you here?" It was now Thursday morning, and Erika had flown back to Minneapolis as promised. "Brock?" She rounded the corner into the kitchen and found him sitting at the island. "Hey, there you are. I brought the paper as promised." She went to set it down in front of him, but the angry glare her way stopped her. "OK, I know that you're pissed, and you have every right to be-"

Brock slammed his fist down on the counter and stood up. "Damn straight I'm pissed! Why are you here Erika?"

She looked confused, and a bit frightened. "I told you I would be back on Thursday."

Brock moved right in front of her, and leaned down until they were eye to eye. "And I told Kurt to tell you not to come back. So I'll repeat my question. Why are you here?"

Erika quickly backed away and headed for the door. "He didn't tell me that. And I'm here because I said I would come back, I wanted to come back."

"Well, we don't want you here. So you can leave now." He sat back down and picked up the papers he was going through earlier. Tears started to well up in Erika's eyes, but anger quickly replaced them.

"Fine, I'll go. Someone will be by later to get my things."

"Don't bother, they're already at Steven and Heidi's."

"Fine," she repeated, and walked back up beside him. "You should know something though."

"And what would that be?" She slammed the paper down in front of him.

"Everything in this article. But for starters? I'm in love with you." She turned and practically ran through the house and out the door, leaving Brock speechless.

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