AN: Okay, you can shoot me...I'm sorry, I haven't updated in over a month. I could give you a million and one excuses, but I'm not going to. You guys have had such patience with me, I'm surprised I didn't lose you guys by the second chapter, so I sincerely thank you. This has been a long time coming and I'm sorry to make you guys wait to so long. I don't know whatI have planned for this fic until I actually sit down to write the chapters, but I can assure you that it's not going to be as long as Not Like This. In fact, this probably won't go past 10 chapters because I've got something else I want to start writing but I refuse to do so when I've got two other fics still in the writing process. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy and please read and review.

I Disclaim.

Trish propped herself up with the help of her arm and peered over at a sleeping Dave. She couldn't help herself as she traced the contours of his chest with her finger. He was finally back…after all that time without him, she didn't think it was possible to miss more than she did, but when she returned to see him getting out of her hotel shower just wrapped in a white towel, she realized just how much she really did miss him. Forgetting about explanations, she leapt into his arms and held on for dear life. He had smiled softly before putting her back on the ground and giving her the sweetest kiss. They hadn't really wasted any time getting physical with one another. She had missed him and it was obvious that he had felt the same about not being with her so they both figured that they would enjoy each other first and talk later.

As Trish reminisced, she was brought back to reality when she realized that a gentle grip was now holding her finger from continuing its adventures along the contours of Dave's well defined chest.

She looked up to met with an inquisitive smile and playful eyes.

"Sorry….I didn't mean to wake you" she offered him sheepishly. He let out a chuckle before leaning over and pressing his lips against hers.

"It's quite alright…" he whispered when he pulled away. Trish smiled gratefully at him before eyeing the clock to see that it was almost noon. Since Dave had left, she had become an early riser but considering how much 'catching up' they did last night, she could tell things were getting back to normal.

"Hun, it's almost twelve, we've gotta get up….I told Amy and Chris that I would meet up with them for a late lunch, I figured you should just come along…they'll be surprised to see you" she said as she hopped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready.

"Babe…" Dave trailed off softly. Trish poked her head out of the bathroom door and smiled sweetly at him.

"What is it?...We're going to be late" she said trying to hurry him up.

"Well…it's just that I've been gone a while and I know last night I didn't mention anything because we'd been away from each other for a while….but you have yet to ask me anything. You haven't asked me where I went, or why I left. I was honestly expecting a slap to the face the moment you saw me again" he answered honestly.

"If I slap you now, will your drop the subject?" she asked haughtily. She folded her arms across her chest and Dave could see the slightest quiver of her lips. He could tell that she was about to cry.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be back, and more importantly I'm happy to be back with you, but I know I owe you an explanation. I just can't figure out why you don't feel the same."

Trish broke eye contact and stared at the ground. She bit down on her bottom lip and refused to answer him. 'Was there not a single moral fiber in him that was not intact?' she thought to herself. She was basically handing him a 'get out of jail, free' card and he was throwing it back in her face.

"Trish?" Dave inquired after minutes of uncomfortable silence. When she didn't respond, he gently placed his large hands a top her cheeks and brought her head up to meet his gaze.

She tried to ignore that look in his eyes….the look that pleaded with her to be reasonable with herself. She had never met a man that treated her with so much respect and told her that she should never lower her needs for anyone, not even him.

"I'm scared" she whispered ever so softly.

If he hadn't been paying such close attention to her, he wouldn't have heard her. However, he didn't question her, he knew that she was mulling over her thoughts before she continued so he simply stood there and waited for her to speak again. Just as he predicted, several moments later, she sighed and opened her mouth once again to continue her thought.

"I'm scared of what you might say… I'm scared to find out the real reason why you left."

"I think we really need to talk and let me explain everything to you…but I will say this right now. I didn't leave because I didn't love you and I didn't leave to be with someone else. I haven't been with anyone else and I never could be with anyone else. I love you, Trish. And my reasons for leaving may not seem reasonable to you, but I think it's only because you refuse to allow yourself to contemplate the idea."

Trish scrunched her forehead in confusion.

"Now you've lost me" she said. Before he could respond, she continued.

"Look, I know you're right and we should talk. We will talk" She corrected herself.

"But couldn't we just go to lunch with Amy and Chris and then come back and talk? I'm not trying to ignore this conversation, I trust you Dave and I trust that I have nothing to worry about now. But I also trust my instincts that if we don't show up for lunch, Amy will have my behind the next time she sees me." Trish gave him a small smile before rising on her tip toes and giving him a sweet kiss.

"Alright…deal." And with that, he allowed her to drag him into the bathroom, "to get ready".

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Stacy frowned as she looked at the tall figure sitting on the couch, watching infomercials on the television. She doubted he was even paying attention. There was something else on his mind and Stacy was determined to find out. She slowly walked over to him and took a seat on the couch. He didn't move, didn't even flinch. It was as if he didn't even notice she was in the room. Stacy's frown deepened and she decided to be more obvious. She leaned over and placed her head on his shoulders. She snuck her hand underneath his light button shirt. She looked up at him as she used her hand to trace patterns along his chest.

Still nothing.

She couldn't take it anymore and she was honestly fed up. What the hell had happened last night? She wasn't stupid. Despite what he thought, she knew he had left her in the middle of the night and when he had come strolling back in, his breath wreaked of alcohol. She figured as much that he had gone down to the bar and gotten drunk…but why? It wasn't like him to get drunk…at least not for nothing. She knew something was bothering him and it irked her that he refused to confide in her. Randy wasn't that close to many people so as she mentally ran down a list of names, there wasn't anyone besides herself that he would talk to. Of course there was Trish, but from what Stacy gathered, they hadn't been speaking recently. She didn't know why but she would probably bet it had something to do with Randy's mood swings. He always seemed to get them when it came to his relationship with Trish and truth be told, Stacy thought he was worse than a woman!

It was several minutes since she had been absorbed in her thoughts before she finally shook out of it.

Enough was enough.

"Randy" she said loudly. If it weren't for being right next to his ear, she wondered if she would have even gotten a reaction out of him. He jumped and turned his head slightly to look at her. He didn't answer, but he raised an inquisitive eyebrow her way.

"What's the matter with you?...and don't tell me it's nothing" she warned him before he even had the chance to brush it off. Randy didn't feel threatened at all and he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm hungry…do you wanna get something to eat?" he asked casually. Stacy looked at him incredulously but he only held a look that she could only describe as pompous.

'He thought he could just change the subject and act like it's no big deal and I'm supposed to just go along with it?' Stacy thought to herself. She was beside herself. She felt insulted that he would even try to brush off her attempt to help him as though it was of no use. Well he had better think again because she wasn't having it. She glared at him before getting up from the couch and making her way to the bedroom where she used all her strength to slam it shut.

Not seconds later she heard the door open and Randy offering his apologies.

"Look, I'm sorry, it's just that I have a really bad hangover and it's killing me right now. I didn't mean to ignore you, I just….I just didn't want to snap at you because I was in a bad mood" Randy offered. He gave her an apologetic stare and she could feel her resolve dwindling.

"Why would you get drunk anyway?" Stacy fired back.

'Because it was the only way to tell the woman I love how much she meant to me…and it still backfired in my face' Randy thought to himself. But that's not what he told Stacy.

I couldn't sleep last night and I was bored. I didn't want to wake you so I just decided to slip downstairs to the bar and have a couple of drinks. I got into a really interesting conversation with the bartender who happened to be from my part of St. Louis. As we mindlessly talked, he continued to fill my glass for free, might I add. It was weird, because the alcohol had this rushing effect with me. One moment I was fine and then the next, I could feel the alcohol coursing through my veins and it was only then that we both realized just how much I had to drink." Randy sighed and looked at Stacy. She took a moment before smiling at him and throwing her hands around his neck.

"I'm sorry I overreacted…but it would have all been avoided if you had just said that in the first place." Randy gave her a small smile.

'When did I learn to lie so well?' his guilty conscience taunted him.

"How about that food now? Instead of ordering in, let's go out for lunch instead" she suggested. Randy silently nodded his head in approval and within minutes, they were out the door.

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Trish and Dave waved bye to Chris and Amy as they made began making their way out of the restaurant hand in hand. After a long battle between who would pay, a game of rock, paper, scissors between Chris and Dave, had Chris winning the honour of emptying his wallet to pay for the bill.

"And they say the female species is weird" Amy had leaned over and muttered. Trish giggled and gave her best friend a serious look.

"Well, at least we know we're not stuck with cheap skates" Trish said optimistically. Amy only laughed at the thought as they both continued to stare at both men through their hands in the air before battling it out with their symbolic hand gestures.

She hadn't realized she was smiling to herself until Dave bent down and kissed her on her ear. She turned to look at him before breaking out in a grin. She threw her arms around his neck.

"I told you that they would be excited to see you" she gloated. He playfully smiled before a frown marred his exoticly handsome features.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I think I left my cell in the restaurant" he said as he began re-checking his pockets for it. When he came up with nothing, he looked at her.

"Did I give it to you?" Trish shook her head negatively.

"It must be in the restaurant, just go in and check, I'll wait out here for you" Trish said.

"Okay, I'll be right back" and he was gone. Trish dallied along the streets outside as she let her eyes roam across all the building structures and the people passing by. Her eyes fell upon a familiar couple and though she felt bad for even entertaining the idea, she didn't have enough time to look away because the tall blonde had already caught sight of her.

"Trish!" she heard her name being called out. Trish put a smile on her face and opened her arms to the tall blonde that came running in her direction with her arms already outstretched.

"Hey, Stace…what's up?" Trish asked. Her eyes darted to Randy's and the moment their eyes made contact, he dropped his gaze to the floor.

"We just came by here looking to pick somewhere to eat…how is this place?" Stacy asked.

"It's great…the food's really good" Trish offered her. She stuck her hands in the back of her hip hugging jeans. The action made her pants ride a bit lower than where it already was. Such a simple action had Randy's mind running with ideas.

"Is that Dave talking to that bald man?" Stacy asked as she was peering into the restaurant. Trish quickly turned around to confirm it was Dave. A smile spread across Stacy's face.

"You must be ecstatic to have him back! I'm gonna go say hi and see if there's a table that's already available for us….babe you don't mind if we eat here do you?" she asked turning her attention to Randy. Randy smiled and shook his head.

"Ok, good. You stay here and keep Trish company while I go in and do my thing and I'll be back." Without waiting for his reply, Stacy bounded into the restaurant, making her way towards welcoming back Dave. Trish could hear her shrieks from outside of the restaurant and she couldn't help but laugh. For a fleeting moment, she had forgotten that Randy was even there. Silence passed through them that was hardly comfortable so Trish decided to take the bait and ask what she needed to ask. If anything, it could probably alleviate some of the confusion she felt.

"Randy…." She began before clearing her throat and mumbling a few incoherent words.

He didn't respond to her but she could tell that when he focused his gaze on her that he was listening.

"About last night…."

Randy pretended to be confused.

"What about it?" Randy asked. Trish gave him a quizzical stare.

"You don't remember?" she asked.

He shook his head and he saw her frown.

"You don't remember coming to my hotel room and….and…" she trailed off.

"Never mind, if you don't remember, it probably wasn't that important anyway" she sighed.

"Yeah, well I was pretty drunk…what did I say?" he asked curiously, continuing to play along.

Trish shook her head and bit her bottom lip.

"You know…actually, I kinda forget. I guess it wasn't that important after all" she said.

He was probably imagining it, but he could have sworn he heard disappointment in her voice, not to mention that she looked disappointed by his response. However, judging by her response, he gathered that she was unknowingly playing along with his game.

If he didn't remember, then neither did she.

They fell into that awkward silence and Trish prayed that Dave would be back soon. Her prayers were answered when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her tiny waist.

"Hey man" Dave acknowledged Randy. Randy greeted him with a smile and stuck out his hand to shake.

"Glad to see you back man" Randy said politely.

"Thanks…by the way, did you get what you wanted when you came by last night?" Dave inquired.

"Randy came over to your hotel room last night?" a voice came from behind Trish and Dave who were standing in front of the doorway. Trish didn't miss Randy's eye grow wide.

It finally dawned on Trish.

'Could he possibly be playing stupid about last night?' the more she thought about it, the more her theory started to make sense. She could see Randy stuttering for an explanation and though he wasn't the most consistent friend that she ever had, and they always seemed to fall in and out of their friendship, she figured she owed him for the days that he spent with her. She wasn't sure what his intentions were but he was nothing if not a gentleman during the time they spent together. Thinking about everything with Randy, Dave and even how Stacy fit into everything was giving her a headache and she decided for her sake, it would be best if she simply stopped. She broke out of her reverie to hear Stacy's voice growing louder, demanding an explanation. She didn't seem to care that they were still in the middle of the street.

"No need to get worked up Stace, I think this is all a misunderstanding" Trish began to reassure her friend. She felt bad having to lie to her, but if she was in fact wrong and Randy was drunk enough to do something as stupid as confess his love for her and kiss her for the simple fact that he was drunk, than Trish would feel like a fool if she called him on it.

Stacy turned her glare to Trish and her eyes immediately softened.

"I think Randy had a bit too much to drink and he couldn't remember his room number. It was by pure luck that he happened to knock on my door, I guess, he seemed kinda surprised to see me" Trish was lying through her teeth and Randy was surprised at how good she was at it too.

Stacy apologized once again to Randy and the two couples decided it was time to part ways. Dave grabbed Trish's hand and pulled her close against his back as he tried to guide her way back to the hotel. As she passed Randy, she didn't miss as he mouthed a 'thank you' her way and Randy didn't miss the look she sent him.

'Yeah…'she thought to herself.

'He's lying."

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Within ten minutes, Trish and Dave made it back to their room. They immediately went to change their clothes. Dave finished before Trish and took a seat on the couch waiting for her. He noticed a book lying on the table so he picked it up to occupy himself in the meantime. Trish always loved books and she could always be seen with a new one every other couple days. Dave flipped through the pages of the book until he came to a page that was book marked. It wasn't the page that caught his interest, it was the book mark. Well, it wasn't really a bookmark. It was a vertical row consisting of four pictures that were taken in a photo booth. The bottom initialed the name of an amusement park. Dave stared at the pictures of Trish and Randy. She looked happy. He looked happy. The looked happy together. Dave frowned.

'Had he come back too soon?' he asked himself.

He heard Trish opening the bathroom door and he quickly shut the book and placed it back on the side table. She came out and sat in his lap with her head resting against his chest. Dave lovingly stroked her hair with one hand while the other soothingly rubbed her thigh. After a moment of silence, he figured it was now or never.

"Trish….I think it's time we talk."