A/N: I'm not losing interest in this story by a long shot, don't worry! Life's just been busy.

Disclaimer: CW & DC own all recognizable characters.

May 1982

" So I heard from the Millers today." Mrs Green said. It was the usual Monday night dinner, with minor alterations. Now, Moira always waved to Malcolm as they entered. He would shoot her a wink, never missing a note. Usually she went over to talk to him for a couple of minutes either shortly after they ordered or when Mr Green and the manager would start talking business. "Jeff's back in town for the summer."

"That's nice." Moira answered blandly. Jeff was her ex-boyfriend. They had split up the previous fall after he decided that he didn't want to be 'held down' by a long distance relationship. She had cried and moped at the time. Now she was a little more forgiving. That didn't mean however, that she was interested in getting back together.

"We should have them over for dinner soon." Her mother continued. "It will be good to see him again, such a nice boy. Why don't you call them and ask dear? It will give you a chance to talk to him."

"No thanks Mom, you're much better at that." She knew what was going on. Jeff was acceptable to the 'plan'. Since Moira was single, her mother made a concerted effort to point out which boys in her social circle she liked, and which she didn't. Jeff was a yes, Malcolm was a no. Malcolm was 'odd'.

The only two people who didn't seem to have an opinion on Malcolm and Moira, were Malcolm and Moira. The next day after school Moira and her friend Jennifer were on a Prom dress scouting mission. They walked downtown as Moira recounted her mother's hints about Jeff.

"What about Malcolm?" Jennifer asked.

"What does Malcolm have to do with my mom wanting me to get back together with Jeff?" Moira played dumb. She was getting a bit sick of the question.

"Well you two go out a lot."

"We hang out a lot." She corrected. "Going out implies we're dating."

"Well aren't you?"

"No! We're just friends. I don't think Malcolm does dating to be honest." They rounded the corner and heard an excited male voice behind them.

"Moira! Moira! Wait up! Wait for me!" They turned around to see Malcolm running full tilt from the other side of the street. He had an enormous grin on his face. He slowed just enough to let the one car pass in front of him before crossing.

" Malcolm what is it?" Mora asked.

"I was at home" He started as he tried to catch his breath. " The mail came and-"

"Oxford?" She gasped.

"Oxford!" He answered grinning. " I'm going to Oxford!" She squealed and without thinking leapt into his arms wrapping him in a hug. He laughed and lifted her in the air spinning her around.

"Congrats, Malcolm." Jennifer offered as he put Moira back down.

"Thanks Jen." He was still grinning, the girls wondered if he would be stuck that way permanently now. He ran his hands through his hair in an effort to ground himself. " Well, I have to get to my tutoring session. " His eyes fell on Moira. " I just knew you were shopping and I really wanted to tell you."

"I'm glad you did." She smiled. "Call me later?"

"Yep!" he promised. " Later!" He called behind him as he jogged off at a more casual pace. She watched him until he left their sight. Moira felt Jen's eyes on her and turned to face her.

"Yes?"

" Nothing, I'm just wondering why I didn't get that kind of reaction when I told you I got into Stanford. I mean, you're just friends, we're just friends." She trailed off.

"Oh shut up." Moira rolled her eyes. She changed the subject by entering one of the shops.

The following Sunday, Mrs Green invited the Millers for dinner. Moira swore she didn't care. She found herself changing three times and spending an extra twenty minutes on her hair while reminding herself she didn't care. When they arrived she gave Jeff a friendly hug. The families had been friends since Jeff and Moira were 10 and 9, there was no reason to be rude. The rhythm of dinner was easy and familiar. The youngsters shot each other looks about how lame their parents were, while the parents insisted that they were the farthest thing from lame.

When Moira began to clear the table, Jeff offered to help. He placed his armful of dishes on the counter as she loaded the dishwasher. "So, what's the plan for Prom this year?" He asked as he leaned against the fridge.

" Oh, I'm not sure yet. Jen and I went dress shopping Tuesday. That's about as far as I've gotten."

"No date yet?" He sounded surprised. Moira blushed slightly.

"Not really, no." She grabbed a few more dishes from the counter.

"Well," He paused momentarily while Mrs Green brought in the last of the dishes. Once they were alone again he continued. "Mark had this idea that a few of us might go. Kind of like a victory lap." Moira stood up and turned to face him. "So, if you're not going with anyone, I was thinking maybe we could go. " He flashed her a suave smile. "I mean we had a good time last year right?"

"We did." She admitted. There was a small part of her telling her not to say yes, at least not yet. "Can I think about it?" Jeff shrugged.

The next day as they walked back to their lockers from debate class, Moira broached the subject of prom.

"I'm probably not going to go to be honest." Malcolm admitted. " Don't really see the point. It's just a dance with fancier clothes. I mean it's different if you're someone who has a purpose to be there, like you've got all that Prom Court stuff. I'll probably just end up working that night. I got pretty good tips on Prom night last year." By the time he finished explaining they had reached her English class. She waved goodbye and sat down. She should have felt relieved. Now that she knew for sure Malcolm hadn't been planning to ask her to the Prom she was free to say yes to Jeff.

What she felt instead, was a vague feeling of disappointment.