Author's note: I'm trying to finish the story as soon as possible! Thanx for being so patient!! Please continue to R&R! It really helps me know how I'm doing with the story!

Chapter 11: Bright Lights

Despite all of her turmoil, Topanga found she loved New York. The large buildings, all the people going to and from work, it was nothing short of amazing. The cab driver played classy jazz music as they pulled into mainstream traffic. It seemed fitting, the jazz, the dark night, and all the billboards lighting up. The city was radiant and alive.

Next to her, Minkus seemed to be more at ease. He even smiled from time to time. He was certainly glad to be home, or maybe it was more of a triumphant smile. If he had known about what had happened on the plane, then he would not have been as calm. Topanga knew the trip would have been ten times more difficult had Corey made a scene on the plane.

She wondered whether Corey was going to leave or not, or if he still loved her. She was putting him through hell, but her life wasn't much better. He had to understand her situation, which boarding the plane showed he didn't.

The cab pulled up at Stewart's apartment not fifteen minutes later. Topanga found that despite Stewart's apparent wealth, his apartment was small. The building was nice enough, everything seemed to be safe and sanitary, but it wasn't anything fancy. Minkus did own the flat of the apartment, which contained two bedrooms (Topanga was relieved by this).

Minkus was proud of his place, and showed it off with a flourish, while Topanga remained unimpressed. It was modestly decorated at best, with a few pictures on the wall showing Minkus graduating or with some older people she assumed were his family.

The thought that Minkus had a supportive family was startling to Topanga, she had always pictured him as a brooding loner who had no one to love him or that he cared to love. She found herself studying a certain frame with an intensity, a young Minkus embracing a girl, who looked almost identical to him, except many years older.

"That's Sarah, my sister, before she died." Minkus said, coming up unexpectedly behind her. Topanga jumped, and took in a sharp breath.

"I'm sorry," she said shortly, caught off guard. Minkus looked no older than nine in the picture, and she found herself wondering what happened.

Minkus shrugged off her comment. "She was going to medical school at Harvard at the time of the accident."

"That's a shame," Topanga murmured, thinking of the young woman she had never met being killed in her prime.

"Yes it was. She would have been a great doctor, but the drunk driver didn't seem to care about that." Minkus retorted bitterly. His voice was flat, but Topanga caught the tears welling up in his eyes. He paused before continuing, "She always knew I could do great things. I wasn't always the brain you thought I was in middle school, but after Sarah, I felt studies were the most important thing in the world. My sister never got the chance to learn everything she wanted, and I don't want that to happen to me. Who would have known when you were teasing the smart kid at school he was doing it for his dead sister?"

Topanga found she couldn't respond, and retreated in guilt to her given room to think about all of what Minkus had revealed to her.

Corey and Shawn's hotel was on a shady part of town, close to Brooklyn. Outside there were loud men yelling at cabs and whoever else walked by. They could not afford two rooms, so there was just one, on the ground floor with two squeaky queen beds. There was hardly room to move around the beds and the dresser. Unlike most rooms, there was no television, and only one single fan with a flickering light. The bathroom was a shabby closet, and neither men wanted to risk the rusted shower.

Shawn glanced over at Corey, who was laying on the bed with his eyes closed. He seemed perfectly relaxed, which was more than Shawn could say. He felt as though every minute they sat idly by was pushing Minkus closer to Topanga. "Can't we go out?" he demanded, running his hands through his hair like he used to do to win over high school girls years before.

"What good will it do? We have no idea where they are, or any money to find out. Plus Topanga wants to do this alone, and I respect that." Corey answered in an uncharacteristic monotone.

"Bullshit!" Shawn roared, kicking the dresser for emphasis. Corey opened his eyes lazily and then closed them again.

"Topanga told me it would be fine," he replied.

"If its fine then why aren't we on a plane going home? Why did Angela sneak onboard the airplane and risk serious consequences?" Shawn demanded. Corey sat up slowly and stared at him.

"I trust my wife, but I don't trust Minkus." he said, and Shawn smiled.

"That's the first honest thing you've said for an hour," he laughed.

At the airport, Angela sat in the back rooms barely used except for dangerous criminals. Across from her, a fat cop smacked his gum while his balding partner wrote down everything she said.

"Tell us again how you got on the plane?" the fat one demanded.

"I've told you three times already. I got on my costume and strolled on as if I were an actual stewardess. No one stopped me, not at the gate and not on the flight."

"Uh-huh." the skinny one commented, in a thick New York accent. He was so stereotypical that it was almost laughable. All the cop shows Angela had watched had a character just like this one. Unfortunately the shows never prepared her for this, the inquisition, the explaining the stupid act that she had done. After that, she stopped talking. Several questions were fired her, but she didn't budge. Eventually her father got the call she was allowed to make, and the orders came immediately to release her.

The policemen looked disappointed, and threatened her to never use that airlines again, but Angela wasn't stupid. She wouldn't be riding planes for awhile.

She wanted to set out in the city immediately, but she was called over the intercom to answer a phone call. It was her father, who sounded very angry. Angela wondered if he was more mad about calling so early in the morning his time, the bill that it would cost him, or the ridiculous situation she was in. Definitely the latter she decided.

"Hello Daddy." she greeted.

"Angela, would you please explain what is going on? I had to pay the airlines, the police force, and the airport a good deal of money to get you out of there." her father was undoubtedly upset.

"A friend of mine is in serious trouble, Daddy. I had to get on her flight, and there were no more seats left. If I had taken any other flight I would have lost her, and she would be in danger." Angela said slowly, she realized instantly her father would understand. His voice was much friendlier, and he almost laughed after that.

"Well I hope you can help her. Call me later," with a click her father disconnected, and Angela was left to scour the city for her friend. She did not know where Corey and Shawn were, but she did have a friend who lived on the upper west side. Quickly she dug up some change and called her up.

While Topanga rested in her room, silent and remorseful, Minkus called up the orphanage. He set up an appointment for the following morning, and then rubbed his hands together in delight. By 10:00am Topanga would be in love with two new people, her son, and her son's father.