Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Red Band Society or any of the characters mentioned. If I did of course the show would not have been canceled and would have many more seasons.

AN: Thanks for all the amazing feedback I've been getting for this story. It's my first one ever so I'm glad to see so many people have followed it. Even some of you silent readers who don't review but at least I know you are interested in the story and what's to come. Also if anyone has any ideas as to what they want to happen or any specific storyline for one of the characters let me know! On with the chapter...


"Oh you're here!" Cindy Roth squealed as she wrapped an arm around Leo before moving to hug Emma, a grin lighting up her face at the sight of her son and soon-to-be daughter in law.

"Hi mom." Security took longer than anticipated seeing as Leo was wearing his prosthetic leg which caused the metal detector to go off more than a few times. But at last they had finally made it to the Roth house, which hardly changed since the last time they had came to visit over the previous summer.

"Hi Mrs. Roth." Even after all these years Emma still acted polite and proper-even when she didn't need to be.

"Oh please dear, call me Cindy by now. Mrs. Roth is Steve's mother."

Emma simply nodded in understanding, not sure of what else to say.

"So how was the flight?"

"Not too bumpy." Leo shrugged with a smile.

"Oh good, good. So can we be expecting any grand-babies in the near future?" She asked, changing the subject rather suddenly.

They laughed whole heartedly at how blunt Cindy was. She never failed to amuse them.

"Mom-we haven't even sat down yet." Leo groaned as he finally peeled off his coat.

"A mother can dream can't she?" A giggle was followed after her reply as the woman sent a wink in Emma's direction.

"I don't think it'd be a good idea to have to alter the wedding dress in any way." Emma explained with a laugh as she hung up her coat.

It felt awkward having a conversation about such a topic with your fiancé's mother. Truth be told Emma and Leo were trying to start a family, have been for a good while now, luck just hadn't been in their corner yet.

"Well I have the guest bedroom all set up if you want to head on over and get settled in." The blonde older woman smiled at the couple before retreating into the kitchen. "I'm going to make you two some welcome snacks. You could probably use it in place of the bad airplane food."

The guest bedroom upstairs was rather tiny, yet had everything that they seemingly needed: a connecting bathroom, more than enough closet space for the both of them and a king sized bed in the middle of the room.

"Your mom seems a bit overly excited that we have come down to visit for the holidays." Emma commented as she sat down on the bed besides Leo.

"Well it is the first time we've actually seen her in person since I proposed to you." They made sure to call everyone but hadn't gotten the chance to see any of their families in person-Emma's included. So no doubt was Cindy thrilled to see that the two of them had finally began to officially settle down together-even though they had been living together for the past three years.

"You know my mom did have a good point though."

"And what is that?"

"She should be expecting grandchildren sometime soon."

Emma raised an eyebrow in response as she set down the magazine article she was focusing on.

"Maybe we should start trying right now." Leo smirked, his voice dropping to a husky tone as he started trailing kisses down her neck.

"Leo Roth are you seriously trying to seduce me under your parents' roof?" She suppressed a laugh but a soft giggle escaped from under her breath.

"That depends Emma Chota -is it working?"

"Possibly." Taping a finger to her chin she rolled her eyes slightly before pressing her lips to his.

"And it's going to be Emma Roth soon enough." He whispered with a growing grin plastered onto his face.

"I like the sound of that." She breathed out with a beaming smile to match the one he was currently sporting.

"Me too." He sighed in content before leaning back in to capture her lips once more.


"Hi." Kara paused as she knelt besides him, unsure of what to say. It's not like it was her first time doing this. Usually she would go on and tell him about her day, her job, her parents. The ups and downs of her oh-so-fabulous life. But now she was stuck for conversation.

"I know it's been a couple of days since I came to see you-that's on me. Work kind of got busy. But now my schedule has seemingly opened up. Did I tell you about what Leo is planning on doing? I already did probably. Well what do you think? I should probably go and see them again right?" A chuckle escaped under her breath as she twisted a flower around her fingers.

"I hate the holidays. You know that though. They are always so stressful and it's more hectic than enjoyable. Especially when you don't have people to spend it with-well I do I mean I have my moms and my dad. But someone really special you know? Like how Leo has Emma. That sort of way. I guess I just miss you. I always miss you but I mean especially now." The last few words came out as a whisper as she tried to collect her thoughts. Talking aloud became easy, even when there was nobody answering her. It probably made it way more easier then.

"I just came to drop off these-I thought your place could use some fresh decorative pieces." The blonde leaned forward as she laid flowers down in front of her.

"I'll be back in a couple of days. I'll be sure to tell you all about Ocean Park and then we can make fun of all the lame things Leo says, the corny comments Emma makes and the bad humored jokes Jordi tries to make." She attempted to smile for him as she reached out and traced a hand over the headstone. She never told anyone this, everyone sort of assumed it naturally, but one of the main reasons she stayed resigning in LA was to be close to him. To be able to visit and make jokes, try and act normal and keep him close by. And there was no further question, that was the only explanation she needed to give people.

"I love you Hunter."


Dash fiddled with the keypad on his phone. It was two days before he was set to travel back down to Los Angeles and he was a tad bit nervous if he was being honest with himself. He had securely planned out his route of travel and the approximate time he would be back with his old friends. But there was still so much to work out.

And the one finally detail he couldn't figure out was Mae. They weren't together anymore-back and fourth in college didn't suit them and they broke up for good a few years back. But Dash had no clue if she was gonna be there-anywhere in California or if she was planning on staying with her folks in North Dakota. He let out a deep breath before his hands dialed one number that he practically knew by heart.

"Hey it's me. I don't know if the last few messages got through to you but I just wanted to-I guess see how you are doing." Oh yeah and I miss you he mentally added with a shake of his head. "Well it's cool or whatever if you did or didn't. Just wanted to wish you a happy holidays. Maybe we'll see each other sometime? Be able to catch up?"

He sighed into the phone. Now he was sounding pretty pathetic and desperate. Which was the las thing he wanted to come off as.

Dash didn't admit it to anyone-even himself before it was too late, but Mae was the one who "got away" and he regretted letting her go every damn day since then.


"Boys put down the video games!" Mandy's voice rang through the living room like a inter-com. Charlie and Nick were currently engaged in an intense round of Grand Theft Auto. And all Mandy wanted was a nice lunch where there was no talk of video games or car chases. But being the only woman in the house she knew she would be easily outnumbered.

"We're almost done mom." Charlie called out in a complainant voice.

"Now." Both guys knew they had three warnings before she would come in and turn the TV off herself if they didn't do what they asked and joined her at the table. If it was up to Charlie they would be eating lunch in front of the TV, but it was the holidays and who was he to disobey his mother?

Reluctantly they got up from the couch and made their way into the kitchen.

"So are you excited to see all your friends again?" Nick asked as he bit into his sandwich.

"Yeah I can't wait. To see the gang all together again. Man it's gonna be great. And to surprise Nurse Jackson." Charlie was thrilled to be able to see Nurse Jackson again after all these years. The last time they spoke was over the phone for Dena's birthday, yes Charlie had it marked on his calendar, October 15th, as he did with every red bander's birthday as well. And he would go to visit with Kara every couple of weeks before. But in the few years that had passed they stopped visiting. So he couldn't wait to get to see her again.

"I'm suppose to get lunch together with Kara tomorrow so I'm sure we'll talk all about the up-coming reunion then." Charlie explained with a nod.

"That's great."


Jordi groaned as he heard the buzz of his computer. It snapped him out of the nap he was currently taking on the couch of his one bedroom apartment. He sat up, rubbing his eyes gently before opening up the laptop. He knew what the email would be about before he even opened it. The reunion and the question of whether or not he would attempt to see his old friends again, his pending presence to show up at all.

He thought correct as he opened up the email. Seeing as he was the last one they were waiting on an answer from it made sense that everyone was taking a stab at trying to convince him. After Leo's initial message he got word from Dash and Charlie asking if he was gonna be there or not. It seemed Leo got Emma to try her hand at getting Jordi to appear since it was her name at the top of the screen that popped up.

His eyes scanned the last line of her plea.

It'd mean a lot if you were to come.

He knew it owed it to them to come. He had been distant, he himself created a wall between him and his friends. Some of the only solid friends he's ever had might he add. Hell even Kara was coming and she was the person least social to all of them. He could set aside his shame and closed off attitude just for a couple of days-for his friends.

With a long sigh he began typing out his reply to her.

I'll be there. Don't worry.