A/N: Hey again, everyone. Once again, sorry for the delay, I know it's been quite a while. I don't want to get into what kept me from writing too much, I'll just say that I had a lot of personal stuff to deal with. However, I finally found the time and energy to write again and I'm really happy about that. I know that you have been waiting long and patiently for an update and I want to thank you for that. The reason I took so long was that I couldn't devote as much time and energy to writing as I would have liked and I didn't just want to provide you with some half-assed chapter, I hope you guys understand that. Anyway, thanks for waiting and I am very excited to hear your thoughts on this chapter. Somehow the focus of this chapter has shifted quite a bit from Maya and her friends to mainly Cory and Shawn. But since we are dealing with the aftermath of last chapter – them seeing each other after years apart – I thought it was very fitting. From your reviews I gathered that you are looking forward to finding up what happened to split up our two best friends, so I hope you will like this more BMW-centric chapter. I'm a bit nervous. After all, it's been a while since I updated, so go easy on me. I really hope this chapter holds up to your expectations. As always, feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Girl Meets World characters.

Mine

Girl Meets Fallout

"The moment, I can see it

Yes, yes, I can see it now"

While our four friends were gathered in Maya's room, trying to get a grip on all the goings-on of the day, the four grown-ups were in the kitchen, attempting to do the exact same thing. Only they weren't just figuring out this particular day. In the case of Katy Hunter, she was still trying to wrap her head around the entire situation. She had been provided with some information concerning the Matthews over all the years she had known her husband; however, she was still a bit fuzzy on the details. Topanga Matthews, while having known both Cory and Shawn since they were young children and having been there at that pivotal day where things had started to go downhill between them, had never fully understand what exactly had made Cory and Shawn stop talking altogether. Well, and as for Shawn Hunter and Cory Matthews themselves, they were both torn between excitement at finally being reunited and slight panic for not knowing how to even start talking about what kept them apart for so long.

That's how the four of them had ended up in the kitchen: Katy and Topanga were working on getting dinner ready and Cory and Shawn were sitting at the kitchen table, peeling potatoes in deep thought. Nobody wanted to disturb the tentative peace that had spread over the room with the men working side by side and the women talking quietly amongst themselves. Their continuous work let both Shawn and Cory to let their thoughts drift off. Unbeknownst to the respective other party, they were both remembering one pivotal day about five years ago.

Christmas 2014

It was the first year the Matthews family Christmas would not be hosted by Amy and Alan Matthews. It was the first year that this tradition would be taken over by the next generation. Which of course led to the Matthews household – New York location – being in a complete frenzy. Riley and Auggie had been tasked with making sure that the Christmas tree looked picture perfect while Topanga was busy preparing food that could probably feed a whole army in the kitchen. Cory, of course, was trying – and failing – to comfort his stressed-out wife, who was worried that her mother-in-law would not like the way they did Christmas here. But let's not be too hard on the poor guy, this was a very special Christmas for him. After all, his favorite person in the whole world would be attending. Oh yes people, you heard right. "Shawn's coming!" was Cory's mantra of the day and, believe it or not, it actually helped distract Topanga from her worries a bit.

After the rest of the Matthews clan, namely Alan, Amy and Josh, had all arrived at the apartment and made themselves comfortable on the couch – Alan, Cory, Josh and Auggie – or in the kitchen – Amy, an exasperated Topanga and a very amused Riley – the guest of honor finally arrived. And after an excited greeting between the two best friends and a warm welcome from the rest of the adults, Shawn turned to the kids. He greeted both Riley and Auggie, but it was clear that he was somehow less enthusiastic than with the rest of the family. This was something that Riley had started noticing more and more over the years and it worried her quite a bit. She didn't know what she had done wrong and had come to the conclusion that maybe Shawn just did not like her that much.

But as always, she didn't make a big deal about it – she didn't really have anyone to talk about her thoughts to, her parents always told her that Shawn did like her. And so, after the greetings had commenced, Shawn and Cory fell into their old pattern: they talked about the good old days, how work was going and how they were doing in general.

That's how, a little while later, the two men found themselves sitting at the window in the Matthews' living room. They had just finished talking about Shawn's latest trip when an idea struck Cory. "Hey Shawn, come on," Cory suddenly said. "Why don't you just move back to the city? The apartment above us is for rent!"

"Cor," Shawn said, feeling rather uncomfortable all of the sudden. "This is real life, not a TV show. I'm not your wacky neighbor."

"But you could be," Cory pointed out good naturedly. "It's the Cory and Shawn show." The man jumped up and immediately started improvising a song. "Cory and Shawn in the big city. And nobody talks but them."

Shawn shook his head at his best friend's antics. But really, they wouldn't be Cory and Shawn if he didn't immediately jump in with his own verse. "I'll be a cop and you run the deli. And nobody talks …"

"But them!" they finished together, both deliriously happy to finally be able to goof around together again. And for a little while, things were perfect.

Later that evening, Shawn, Cory and Alan were taking a nap on the couch, to the great amusement of Josh and Auggie who immediately started decorating Alan with Christmas ornaments. Unbeknownst to either of the men still asleep, they were being watched by a very torn Riley Matthews sitting at the kitchen table. She was thinking about confronting her Uncle Shawn about why he seemed to not like her. Well so far, she was lacking a severe amount of courage to do just that. Sometimes she wondered what it would be like to have a very brave and outspoken best friend who could help her out in such situations, but all her friends from school were with their own families for Christmas, so she was on her own. And before Riley might have been able to scrape up whatever courage she had, her mother announced that dinner was ready, effectively ending her opportunity.

"Five minutes?" Topanga exclaimed incredulously after dinner was finished. Everybody was sitting around the table with full bellies and content smiles on their faces. Well, everybody except the chef herself. "That dinner took two days to cook! You animals ate it in five minutes!"

Everybody chuckled at her outburst, too sated and happy to feel even an ounce of guilt. "What's for dessert, Mom?" Riley asked innocently, causing her father to sit up straight on his chair with a hopeful expression.

"Nothin'! I want you to sit there for two days and think about the dinner you just devoured! And then maybe, I'll give you a cupcake." Topanga growled and Cory shrunk back down dejectedly.

"Well, I thought it was great, Topanga. Thank you," Shawn quickly jumped, trying to ease the tension that was about to build up at the table. "I don't get a lot of home-cooked meals."

Riley perked up in her seat. "How's the job going, Uncle Shawn?" Maybe this was her chance to finally get Shawn to talk to her for a bit.

Shawn turned towards the little brunette, a startled expression on his face at being addressed by her. "It's going fine, Riley. Thanks for asking." He gave the girl a timid smile.

"You're about to go on a big trip soon, right?" Riley inquired more, an equally shy smile on her face.

"I am at that," Shawn answered, but trailed off. He got a far-away look on his face, like he was in deep thought.

"Special trip, I take it?" Topanga asked, a curious look on her face.

Shawn cleared his throat, tearing himself away from his thoughts. "Yeah, I guess you could call it that." Shawn chuckled nervously. "I … um … I'm planning to stop by an old friend of ours actually."

"Yeah? Who?" Cory immediately jumped in, looking excited.

"It's Angela, isn't it?" Topanga suspected.

Shawn's eyes got wide. "Why would you think that?"

"That look you just had in your eyes," Topanga elaborated. "Seemed like you were remembering something."

"Who's Angela?" Josh wanted to know, looking between the three adults with a curious gaze. Riley was also all ears.

Shawn once again cleared his throat. "Angela's my ex-girlfriend," he explained. "And um, … no. I'm not planning on visiting her."

"Then who are you planning on seeing?" Riley quickly asked, deciding to help the guy out a bit.

Shawn gave her a grateful smile. "Our old teacher. Mr. Turner."

"No way!" both Cory and Topanga explained.

"Oh, that's nice," Amy added.

"I wonder how he's doing" Alan inquired. "I haven't seen Jonathan in forever. Ever since the accident."

"Me neither. That's why I thought it would be nice to catch up," Shawn assured. "Apparently he's a Middle School teacher in a town called Possum Trot in Arkansas."

Cory chuckled at that. "How did you find out?"

"How do you think?" Shawn smirked.

Cory laughed. "Oh, Mr. Feeny. Still looking out for his students, I see."

"That he is." Shawn nodded. "Depending on how it goes, I was actually thinking of stopping by there every once in a while. You know, see how he's doing. Make sure everything's okay."

"I'm sure, he'd love that," Amy assured and patted Shawn's arm. "I remember how close you two were."

"Yeah, I'd like that too. I miss the guy," Shawn said. "I'll just have to see how things go."

"I think it's a very nice idea, Shawn." Alan smiled. "Good guy, that Mr. Turner."

Everyone else nodded in agreement and gave Shawn warm smiles. Well, everyone except Cory who suddenly looked even more dejected than when Topanga had denied them desserts. "So, you really don't have any plans to come back to the city? To live here again?"

Shawn took a deep breath. He'd had a feeling that something like this might happen one of these days. "Cor, it's not that easy."

"But it is," Cory argued. "I told you, the apartment upstairs is available. The Cory and Shawn show, remember?"

"The what now?" Topanga asked incredulously, but the two men were too immersed in their discussion to even notice that.

Shawn shook his head. "It's not."

"Why not?" Cory wanted to know.

"How long have I been away, Cory?" Shawn asked.

"Three weeks," Cory said confidently.

"Thirteen years," Shawn corrected without thinking. "I left December 8th 2001."

Riley did a double take. "But that's …"

Shawn smiled, turning to look at the girl once again. "The day you were born."

Riley's eyes went even wider at that. "You remember that?"

"Of course, I do." Shawn looked appalled at the suggestion that he wouldn't, but a teasing glint could be seen in his eyes. "You were born at six in the morning, weighed seven pounds, four ounces, were 21 inches tall. I was there all night. I was the first person to hold you after your parents."

"Wow," was all Riley could say. In a matter of not even two minutes, Shawn had managed to completely change her view on him. Because why would someone who did not like her very much remember all those things about her. But then what caused him to act so strangely around her? Was it possibly the same thing that caused his and Cory's argument about where he should live? God, things were really starting to get complicated. Riley glanced towards her Uncle Josh curiously, silently asking if he had any clue as to what was going on. But the older boy could just shrug and shake his head, he too was completely clueless.

Shawn grinned at her and it was like for the first time this evening – or maybe for the first time in thirteen years – he really saw her. "Hey," he said softly. "You're Cory with Topanga's hair." This simple statement caused the entire table to burst out laughing. "You got lucky." Riley's whole face brightened at that. Maybe whatever had been bothering him had finally stopped. Maybe things would get better from now on.

"She sure did." Topanga looked at her daughter fondly.

"So, um … why did you leave immediately after Riley was born?" Josh inquired carefully, looking between Shawn and his niece curiously. "City not big enough for the both of you?" he joked.

Shawn chuckled uncomfortably. "When people get married, have kids, sometimes their old friends who didn't keep up feel a little out of place," he admitted somberly, trying to avoid meeting anybody's gaze. "And then it's easier to just … stay away … keep yourself busy. That's why I started travelling so much."

Out of the corner of his eye, Shawn noticed Amy gathering their youngest son and grandchildren up and heading towards the door. Alan stopped besides the three adults and gave them a nod. "We're gonna take the kids out. Get some hot chocolate or something."

"Mr. Matthews, you don't have to …" "Dad, it's alright …" Shawn and Cory immediately intervened.

"Nonsense, boys," Alan interrupted. "This is an important conversation. But it's between the three of you. We just want to give you kids some privacy. Don't you worry about a thing, we got the kids. Take all the time you need." And with that, Alan grabbed his jacket and joined his wife who was already standing in the door with the three kids.

"Thank you," Topanga called to them and Alan and Amy gave them reassuring smiles before disappearing out of the apartment. "Shawn, you were never in the way, you know that!" Topanga immediately exclaimed after the door fell shut.

"It's true, we loved having you around!" Cory assured.

"I know you did," Shawn immediately said. "But I'm telling you how I felt. Guys, life changed when you had the kids. And I don't know how to be the cool uncle. Cool uncle's already taken, Josh had that part down from three years old on."

"You never gave it a shot," Cory pointed out. "Remember how great you were, still are, with Josh? He idolized you from the start and I think he even liked you more than me," he teased good-naturedly, trying to lighten the mood again.

"Josh is different, he's like a cool little kid-brother," Shawn argued. "But seeing your kid. Seeing you guys as parents …" The man trailed off, suddenly realizing what exactly the problem was. Seeing his best friends starting their own little family, it had simply reminded him of what he didn't have … what he wasn't sure if he would ever be fortunate enough to have.

However, before he had a chance to come to terms with that or start to explain what was troubling him, Cory and Topanga seemed to have come to another conclusion. "Shawn, why don't you move back to the city. Take the apartment, maybe find a nice woman, settle down, have your own family. Don't you think it's time?"

Shawn groaned. "Cor, I already said, that's not what I want to do."

"Why not?" Topanga jumped in. "Shawn, don't you think you'll ever want to settle down? I mean, I know you love your job, but don't you ever get tired of not having a real home?"

And that was when it hit Shawn. Topanga was right, he didn't have a real home. But that was not the problem. Shawn had always thought that home wasn't a place, home were the people you loved. And for most of his life, these people had been the Matthews – they were his home. And while he still loved them very much, things somehow felt different now – had felt differently for years now. Because the Matthews' home back in Philadelphia now was not the same as it used to be during his childhood; and the Matthews' home here in New York was the home Cory and Topanga had built for themselves and for their new family. And while Shawn knew that he would always be welcome there, be apart of the Matthews clan, he didn't feel like he belonged there – not really.

And that was when something else his Shawn. The fact that he hadn't really felt at home … anywhere … in what felt like forever. And that he really wanted to have that again. Now Shawn didn't know where he'd find that place, but he knew something else: he desperately wanted to try. And he had an inkling of where to start his search.

"I do want that," Shawn said firmly, finally answering Topanga's question.

Topanga smiled happily and Cory grinned while jumping up from his chair. "Perfect, I'll get the phone. We'll call the landlord right now."

"Hold it, Cor," Shawn interjected. "I don't want that."

Topanga frowned and Cory slowly sat back down. "I don't understand. You just said …"

"That I wanted a home," Shawn said. "But …" he took a deep breath; he knew Cory and Topanga might not take this too well. "I don't think what I'm looking for is here in New York City."

There was a moment of complete silence as Cory and Topanga absorbed this newest piece of information. "So, you're leaving … again?" Topanga asked slowly.

Shawn nodded firmly. "I am," he confirmed. "Guys, I'm sorry. But I feel like this is what I need to do. Can't you understand that?"

"I don't understand why you can't try it our way." Cory said. "I mean, you've been on the road for the last thirteen years and haven't found what you're looking for. Maybe it's time you tried something else."

"I don't think it is," Shawn argued. He tried to keep calm because he knew if he said what was going through his mind right now, things might change completely for all three of them. And he wasn't sure how it would affect their friendship.

"It might be worth a try," Cory tried again.

"No, it isn't."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not my life!" Shawn exclaimed exhausted, desperately trying to make them understand. "It's your life. And I am so happy for you guys, you know that. You have your traditional, stable jobs, two amazing children and a nice apartment. It's the perfect life." Shawn paused. "For you guys." And he didn't want to just copy the life of his two best friends. He'd tried that once, back when he was dating Angela. He'd tried to make them be like Cory and Topanga. And it hadn't worked back then, it had only ended with him getting his heart broken. "But it's not the life I have and I'm not sure it's what I want. At least not right now. Maybe ever." And Shawn knew that if he gave in, if he moved into the apartment above, that's what he would always aspire to have. He would end up trying to copy Cory and Topanga's life and he didn't want to do that.

Cory and Topanga looked at each other. They were at a loss of words, didn't know what to say. They were starting to feel like they were about to lose their best friend and didn't know how to prevent that. "So, that's it?" Cory finally asked. "You're gonna leave and God knows when we'll see each other again?"

Shawn got a hurt look on his face. "This isn't it. We're best friends, of course we'll see each other again." But as he said it, he couldn't even really convince himself of his own words. Something had shifted in their relationship today and he didn't know if it could be easily repaired.

"Of course, we're best friends." Cory nodded, trying to reassure all three of them. "We'll see each other again."

"Just like always," Topanga added, desperately hoping that she wasn't lying to herself and the two men sitting next to her.

And of course, they saw each other again. They also talked on the phone to catch up when Shawn wasn't able to make it back to New York. But something between Cory and Shawn had shifted that day. They didn't talk like they used to. They kept their conversation topics casual, light and happy. Cory asked about Shawn's work, Shawn asked about the family. They joked about the mischief they would get into when they were younger and sometimes that was when Topanga would chime in. They never really talked about Shawn's search for a new home; Cory was too afraid to ask and Shawn didn't know how to insert the topic into casual conversation. And then, slowly, the visits became fewer and fewer. And gradually, even the phone calls got shorter and eventually faded altogether. Neither Cory nor Shawn were happy about that, but they had their work and families to keep themselves busy and eventually their friendship became something they remembered fondly. At times, they thought about calling the other up, but neither had the guts to go through with it, both feeling that there was something standing between them, keeping them apart. In reality, they were waiting for something, a cause to somehow throw them back together again.

And well, apparently it took five years and two daughters coincidentally becoming roommates in college. But here they were now.

Present day

"You think we can do anything?" Katy whispered to Topanga. "You know, help them break the ice or something?"

"I'm wrecking my brains here, but I can't seem to think of Appropriate Things to Say When Your Husband and Best Friend are Reconnecting After Five Years of Estrangement." Topanga shrugged.

"Same here." Katy sighed. "I just wish I could do something."

"I do too." Topanga laid a comforting hand on Katy's arm. "But trust me, knowing those two we could provide them with the perfect ice breaker and they'd find a way to screw it up."

Katy giggled at that. "From the stories I've heard, yeah probably."

"You guys know that we can hear you, right?" Cory suddenly joined in from where he was sitting at the kitchen table, peeling potatoes with Shawn.

"He's got a point there. Kitchen's not that big," Shawn chimed in before turning to Cory. "What happened to girls going to the bathroom together to talk about such things."

"I know, right," Cory agreed. "Oh, the good old days." The two men chuckled and continued working in a comfortable silence. It took them a while to realize that their respective wives had stopped their plotting and were now looking at them with pleased expressions on their faces. "What?"

Topanga grinned at Katy. "Best ice breaker ever." The women high-fived and started giggling.

"Unbelievable." Shawn shook his head. "Those two know each other for half a day and already they're conspiring against us."

"Imagine what they will be up to once they really get to know each other." Cory looked positive scared.

"God help us. We're doomed, Cor," Shawn agreed and patted his old best friend's arm in a comforting manner.

"I think that's our cue," Katy said softly. She walked over towards her husband, placed a kiss on his cheek and headed towards the door leading into the living room. "We'll give you guys some privacy."

Topanga imitated her new friend's gesture, kissing her husband's cheek tenderly before joining the blonde in the doorway. "We'll be right in there if you need us. Take all the time you need."

Shawn watched the two women disappear through the door before turning back to Cory. "Topanga sure hasn't changed," he said with a fond smile. "You married a good woman there, Cor."

"I did at that." Cory smiled softly. "And I know I've only known Katy for a few hours, but she seems like a very special woman too."

A loving grin spread across Shawn's features. "That she is."

Cory was both delighted and stunned to see his best friend like that, happily in love. For a moment, before he started to remember why they were here and all the sadness and regret once again hit him. "What happened to us, Shawnie?"

Shawn took a deep breath. "I don't know, Cor," he admitted. "I guess we just … grew apart."

Cory shook his head. "Never thought that'd happen to us."

"Me neither, believe me."

Cory paused for a moment. "I'm sorry, Shawnie. For not being more supportive about your decision to not go back to living New York. I thought I knew what was best for you, but I can see you were right to follow your heart and search for a home somewhere else." A small smile appeared on Cory's face. "Seems like you found it."

"I did," Shawn confirmed. "And I'm sorry as well. I didn't handle things very well back then. I had only just realized myself that I needed to leave and I went about telling you all wrong. I shouldn't have hit you with it but try to explain it more."

"You tried," Cory assured. "We just didn't hear you. Or didn't understand yet." Cory took a deep breath. "But there's something I still don't understand."

"Shoot," Shawn said. He had an inkling of what was coming.

"Why didn't you tell us when you finally found your home?" Cory inquired, thoroughly confused as to why Shawn would keep something like this from him. "I mean, you told us about reconnecting with Mr. Turner. But what about Katy and Maya? Did you not think we'd be happy for you?"

"Of course not, Cory!" Shawn looked almost hurt that his friend would even suggest such a thing. "I knew you'd be happy. But Cor … even after reconnecting with Jon and meeting Katy and Maya, it took us a long time before there was something to tell."

Cory was confused. "What do you mean, Shawnie?"

Shawn took a deep breath. "Cor, for the first year after my first visit to Arkansas, my life was pretty much almost the same as before. I alternated between the places I visited for work, your place and Possum Trot. And like you said, you guys knew that I'd reconnected with Jon and visited him occasionally. And it took Katy and me almost a year to even get comfortable in our friendship with each other and just as long for her to start trusting me with Maya."

Cory's eyes went wide. "But why?"

Shawn knew that for Cory to understand exactly what had happened to bring them to where they now where, he'd have to tell him his story – the whole story. "Maya's like me, Cor," he started. "She grew up with parents who did nothing but fight for most of her childhood. When she was seven years old, her father took off and neither her nor Katy have heard from him since. And for the next years, it was just the two of them. They were inseparable, still are actually. They're not only mother and daughter, but best friends." A fond smile spread across Shawn's features as he talked about his wife and daughter. "Katy didn't even go on a date for the next six or seven years after her first husband left. They had a lot of friends helping them out back in Possum Trot, but really it was the two of them against the world. They were a well-oiled machine and didn't do good with change or letting other people get too close to them. Well, with one exception." Shawn chuckled. "They met Jon when Maya was in Middle School, he was her English teacher. And just like he had done with me ages ago, he took Maya under his wing and did what he could to help out her and Katy."

"And that was how you met them?" Cory concluded, things suddenly dawning on him.

Shawn nodded. "I walked into a diner the day I arrived in Possum Trot, just wanting to grab a bite to eat before finding Jon. The place was packed, the only free seat being beside a short blonde teenager, who was having lunch while also doing her homework."

"Maya?" Cory inquired.

"Maya," Shawn confirmed with a warm smile. "I took a seat and the girl was nice enough to hand me a menu. I was still busy figuring out what I wanted to eat, when the completely stressed-out waitress noticed me – a new customer needing to be served. She dashed over and started apologizing for making me wait, saying she'd be right with me. I looked up from my menu and was met with the sight of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen."

Cory smiled knowingly. "Katy." That wasn't even a question.

Shawn got a wistful look in his eyes as he nodded. "Her hair was a mess, her uniform a bit crooked and there were quite a few stains on her apron. She was stressed and though she tried her best to cover it up, her smile was polite, but didn't reach her eyes. But you could immediately see that she was a very pretty lady. I assured her that I wasn't in any rush, still deciding anyway and that she could take her time. And the smile she gave me, a real, genuine smile that made her eyes sparkle … well, you know I'm no sappy romantic and I won't say anything about love at first sight … but I definitely knew I was a goner."

Cory chuckled, seeing the scene his best friend had just described so clearly in his head. "Then what happened?"

"Apparently my behavior had also had quite an effect on Maya – I had had no idea that Katy was her Mom at that point – and the two of us quickly struck up a conversation. There was something about that girl that seemed … familiar to me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. Anyway, I took to her immediately and we had a lot of fun just talking while we waited for Katy to finish up with the other customers to take my order. I got my lunch, joked around a bit more with Maya and eventually Katy could take a moment to join us and the three of us got to talking. They asked about what brought me to their little corner of the world and I told them. That's when Jon also showed up in the diner and the four of us started connecting all the dots. I took off not long after with Jon, but not without promising the girls to stick around town for a while."

Cory smiled, this sounded like the beginning of one of those very cheesy Rom-Coms. However, there was something he still didn't quite understand. "But Shawn, from what you just said, I don't understand why you didn't ask her out right then and there. It sounds like you two pretty much hit it off."

Shawn chuckled nervously. "I had thought about it. But I hadn't known back then what I know now. I would never have imagined finding my home in the small town that was Possum Trot. And it wouldn't have been fair on any of us, especially knowing that she had a kid, for me to start something up with her only to leave a few days later and never come back." Shawn gulped at the thought alone. "And then Jon told me about what both of my girls had already had to go through, which only strengthened my resolve."

Cory nodded slowly. "I get that." He paused. "You're a good man, Shawn."

"Thanks, Cor." Shawn smiled shyly. "Anyway, I stayed in Possum Trot for two weeks before I had to leave again. Jon I had had reconnected by then and Katy, Maya and I had started to form a tentative friendship. And when I left, I quickly knew that I couldn't just never come back. So I didn't and for about a year, that was our routine. I went on a trip for work and afterwards I'd either go and see you guys here in New York or I'd go back to Possum Trot."

"And you did tell us that," Cory suddenly realized. "We knew you kept in touch and went to see Jon every once in a while and that you had some friends in Possum Trot. Those friends were Katy and Maya."

"Which was the truth at the time." Shawn nodded. "Like I said, it took Katy and me almost a year to get comfortable in our friendship with each other and just as long for her to start trusting me with Maya. We only started dating about three years ago and by that time … well …"

"The two of us had already stopped talking almost altogether …" Cory concluded. He took an exasperated breath and buried his head in his hands. "Boy, this is so screwed up."

Shawn reached out and laid his hand on Cory's back in a comforting manner. "I guess we really did screw up this time, huh?" He asked somberly. "Even though we didn't actually do anything."

"Which was the problem." Cory nodded. "There was not one thing in particular either of us did … it just happened slowly and over time."

"We just … grew apart." Shawn looked down at his lap sadly. The two old best friends sat together, sad about the situation they were in, desperately trying to come up with something to fix it, but without knowing if the other felt the same way.

Finally, Cory had had enough, he needed to know. "Hey Shawnie?" The other man slowly raised his head and looked at the man sitting opposite him with the same hopeful, hurt and vulnerable expression that Cory was now sporting. "You think we can ever … ungrow apart?"

Shawn gulped, his eyes going a bit misty. "I hope so, I really do. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come back to New York for. To try and fix things."

Hearing those words, Cory's own eyes started to well up with tears. "I missed you Shawn."

"I missed you more," the other man admitted.

"I missed you something fierce." And with that, it was like a dam had been broken. Both men jumped up and hugged each other tightly, not planning on letting go any time soon now that they were finally starting to reconcile. They both knew that it would take a lot of time and patience to rebuild the relationship that had faded out over the last couple of years. But both of them were determined to try their best. And, as we all know, once Cory and Shawn had a plan, there was no stopping them.

In the adjoining living room, the two concerned wives had since been joined by four equally as concerned college students. Katy and Topanga had made themselves comfortable on the couch while the kids took turns joining them, pacing around the room and trying – and failing – to hear some of Cory and Shawn's conversation by pressing their ears up against the door.

After having paced for five minutes straight, Riley let herself fall down on the couch right beside her mother, who placed a comforting arm around her daughter. "You think they can fix things, Mom?"

Topanga was quiet for a moment. "I don't know, sweety," she admitted. "A lot has … or rather hasn't happened between your Dad and your Uncle Shawn over the last years, I don't know if they can come back from that." Topanga herself had missed her close friend a lot and wanted nothing more than to fix what was broken, but she didn't know how.

Riley sighed, but nodded at her mother before turning towards Josh. "What about you, Uncle Josh?" she asked. "You think they can fix this?"

Josh winced, he'd had a feeling this question might come up. And suddenly he could not only feel his niece's hopeful gaze directed at him, but also Maya's doubtful one. And he knew he had to be very careful when formulating his answer. "I don't know either, Riles. I'm sorry," he started slowly and both Riley and Maya started to let their heads sink down in defeat. "But I do know that if any two people can come back from this, it's Cory and Shawn. You know them, they don't just give up when things get rough."

A tentative smile spread across Riley's face as she stood up and went over to give her uncle a hug. "Yeah, you're right, Josh. Thank you."

"Anytime." Josh smiled and his heart warmed upon seeing the hopeful expression that was now etched on his little niece's features. Riley patted his arm gratefully before joining Farkle, who was on door-guarding-duty right now. Josh let his gaze wander through the rest of the room. Topanga and Katy were sitting on the couch, talking quietly amongst themselves. And Maya, after having heard his answer, was now standing a bit away from everybody, looking intently at some pictures displayed on the sideboard. Josh wasn't really sure how to proceed; whether Maya would rather be left alone or if she could use some company. He finally decided to carefully approach the blonde, ready to retreat and leave her alone if she wanted it. "Hey there."

Maya slowly raised her head to look at the older boy. "Hi." She tried a small smile but didn't really succeed.

"Is it okay if I join you here for a little while?" Josh inquired carefully. "Or would you rather like some alone time."

Maya took a moment to decide, grateful that he left it up to her. "I wouldn't mind some company. Thanks, Josh." She paused. "But … would you mind just standing here with me. I'm not really up for talking right now."

"Anything you need." He smiled softly at the girl, which she reciprocated gratefully.

As if on cue, both of them turned towards the pictures Maya had been looking at just now. There were a few of Katy and Maya during the Maya's childhood: an exhausted but deliriously happy looking Katy in a hospital gown with baby Maya gathered in her arms; Katy pushing a toddler Maya on a swing set; the same toddler Maya cuddling with a big furry Golden Retriever; Katy and little Maya sitting on a bed at nighttime, holding a book in between them; Maya and a little boy (Zay, Josh assumed) on their first day of school, sporting big toothy grins and huge schoolbags; Katy and little Maya dressed up as Disney princesses (Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty respectively) for Halloween.

Then there were some of Katy and Maya when Maya was a teenager, only now they had occasionally been joined by Jon and Shawn: there were Katy, dressed in a waitress uniform, Jon and some other people (probably Katy's co-workers) standing behind the counter inside a diner with Maya sitting on the counter right in the middle; Katy and Maya horseback riding; Katy and Maya sitting underneath a Christmas tree, surrounded by presents and wearing matching festive Christmas sweaters; Katy and Shawn sitting on a park bench together; Maya and Shawn dressed up in formal clothes, dancing amongst a sea of other father-daughter-pairs; Katy walking down the red carpet at some kind of movie premiere; a wedding picture of Shawn and Katy and one of all three of them at the wedding, throwing cake at each other; Katy, Shawn and Jon wearing formal clothes and immensely proud expressions with Maya standing in their midst, dressed in a graduation gown.

"Beautiful pictures," Josh said after carefully studying them.

Maya nodded. "They are. A lot of these …" She pointed to the ones where she was a teenager. "… were taken by Shawn. You can really tell the difference. That man has a gift." Maya chuckled.

"That he does," Josh agreed. They fell back into a comfortable silence, neither quite knowing what to say. Things were all too confusing at the moment.

"Hey guys, hold up!" Farkle suddenly called from where he was still standing at the door. "Something's happening! They stopped talking!"

Maya and Josh took one look at each other and dashed over towards their two friends. Now all four of them were plastered against the wall, trying to hear something. Katy and Topanga were still sitting on the couch, trying their hardest not to burst out laughing at how funny the kids looked.

"Hey, you know that one Friends episode?" Katy asked, not quite able to keep herself from giggling.

"Oh yeah, that one where Ross and Rachel break up and the other four are in Monica's bedroom, plastered against the door." Topanga laughed and looked back at the four college students in a rather similar position. "There are certain similarities there, yes."

"Is silence a good thing or a bad thing?" Riley asked, worry clearly evident on her face.

"I'd say definitely better than furniture crashing," Maya pointed out.

"But not quite as good as laughing," Farkle added.

"Oh boy." Riley sighed.

But before anyone could say anything else, the door opened, causing Farkle and Josh (who had been leaning against it) to stumble through and crash right into Cory and Shawn.

"Woah!" Shawn exclaimed, instinctively grabbing a hold of Josh to keep the young man from falling to the ground. "What's going on?"

"Oh, I see what's been happening here!" Cory exclaimed while still trying to keep Farkle upright. "Someone's been watching too many Friends episodes!"

"Oh, you mean that episode where Ross and Rachel break up and the other four are in Monica's bedroom, plastered against the door?" Shawn asked. He had to chuckle upon seeing all four kids standing there with sheepish expressions on their faces.

"Hey!" Topanga exclaimed.

"That's what we said!" Katy added with a grin.

"Sorry," Riley relented. "We were just worried about you guys."

"I know, sweety." Cory made sure that Farkle had regained his footing before heading over to his daughter, pulling her in a tight embrace and kissing the top of her head.

"So?" Maya had never been a patient person. "How are things with you guys? Could you talk some things out?"

Shawn quickly patted Josh on the back before heading over to his daughter and pulling her into his side. "We could, kiddo. And what do you say, Cor?" He looked at his old best friend. "I'd say things are not back to where they used to be, but we're doing our best to change that."

"I'd say that you said that very well, Shawnie." Cory smiled. "It's gonna take us a while, guys. But we're working on it."

"Yay!" Riley exclaimed happily as she left her father's embrace and bounded over towards her Uncle Shawn. "It's good to have you back, Uncle Shawn."

"Right back at ya, Cory with Topanga's hair," Shawn teased and gave the little brunette a quick hug as well. Katy and Topanga stood up to hug their respective husbands, glad that things were starting to look up for the two best friends. Josh was next to hug first Cory and then Shawn, happy to have his two brothers reunited again. Shawn was also looking forward to getting to know the youngest Matthews boy once more. And without further ado, everyone quickly fell into conversation as Shawn and Cory took turns filling in the blanks of their estrangement for the others.

Eventually Katy clapped her hands together. "Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get hungry." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Alright, then I'll leave you guys out here to continue catching up and I'll get back into the kitchen to get dinner started."

"I'll give you a hand, Katy," Topanga immediately offered and the two women left the room.

The two men and the four college students eventually spread out across the two couches, all of them exhausted from the occurrences of the day. "Big day, huh?" Shawn finally said to no one in particular.

"I'll say," Cory agreed and the kids nodded their agreement.

"Long day," Maya added.

"Exhausting day." That was Riley.

"Weird day," Josh suggested.

"Special day," Farkle said.

Cory seemed like he had something to add but wasn't quite sure if he should. Eventually, he just took a shot. "Good day?"

Shawn looked up towards his best friend with a soft smile. "You bet." The kids shared a sheepish look, but mutually decided that nothing else needed to be added.

A comfortable silence spread across the room and everybody was simply happy to be together like this. However, their peace was soon interrupted by someone knocking on the door. All six of them shared a confused look before Shawn got up to answer it. He opened the door to find the last guest missing from their originally planned dinner party standing there, holding some flowers and a bottle of wine. "Hey Shawn."

Recognition as well as a big smile spread across Shawn's face. "Hey Jon." The two men hugged each other tightly. "Come on in."

"Thanks." Jonathan Turner stepped into the apartment. "So, where are …?" He trailed off upon seeing all the unfamiliar faces inside the living room … well three unfamiliar faces and two very familiar ones. "Matthews?" he asked. And of course, Katy and Topanga chose exactly that moment to leave the kitchen and walk into the room as well. "What the … Shawn?" He looked at his son with wide eyes.

"Have a seat, Jon." Shawn gestured towards the couch with a tired but content smile.

Jon sat down slowly, right beside Maya. He quickly gave his former student a side-hug. "Hey there, kid."

"Hi Jon." Maya gave her former teacher a crooked smile.

"Do you know what's going on here?" he asked.

"Bit and pieces," Maya said and shrugged. "Make yourself comfortable, Jon."

Shawn nodded at that. "It's a long story."