A/N: Wow that was a lot longer of a break that I was expecting. Very very sorry about that! the chapter is a little longer than usual so I hope that helps. Also a couple of cameos?
Disclaimer: It's all for fun. CW & DC do it for fun and money.
If Moira had been her daughter's age , things would have gone differently. She and Malcom would have been able to use any number of technologies to stay in touch. However they were thirty years too early for that.
They spent the summer trying not to think about it. Every free waking hour was spent together until Malcolm had to make his begrudging trip to visit his father. They spoke on the phone every night he was gone. He recounted the ways his father and step mother completely misunderstood him while she would try to cheer him up by discussing books and movies.
The day he came home they made plans to meet at the diner. It had become a special place to them since that first post study celebration. Moira sat nervously. Malcolm was late, but he was never late. The open door bell chimed snapping her to attention. He searched the small restaurant before his eyes fell on her. He looked equal parts relieved yet exhausted. She stood as he approached. He embraced her as if his life depended on it.
"Hi" She said into his chest.
"Hi" He whispered into her hair. " I missed you." He pulled away letting her sit back down.
"Missed you too" She looked at him. "Something's wrong, what is it?" He started to tell her but they were interrupted by the waiter's approach. After they ordered he tried again.
"My Mom came to pick me up from my Dad's place. My first thought was that my grandmother must have died. My parents haven't been in the same room since the divorce." Moira knew this was true. At their high school graduation Malcolm's mom attended the ceremony while Mr. Merlyn called during the party afterwards. " So I knew something was happening." He looked out the window and tried to stay calm. "They were coming to tell me that when I leave for Oxford, Mom is moving back to Gotham." He sighed. "They said with me going overseas and done school there was no reason for her to keep that big house or stay in town. She's going to move home and get a condo near my grandparents and do- something. So when I fly out in two weeks-"
"You're never coming back here." She finished trying to keep herself calm. He felt bad enough without her adding to it. He chuckled cynically.
"You know, all my life I wanted to get out of this town and never look back. Now it's the worst thing to ever happen to me."
"What do we do?" she asked. He reached across the table taking her by the hand.
"You could come with me." He half joked. She shook her head.
"You know I can't." Moira had been accepted to Starling University. She was supposed to leave the day after. It was her turn to try to lighten the mood. "You saw how long it took me to choose this school. Could you imagine me trying to pick a second one?" Malcolm tried to laugh, hoping Moira wouldn't notice his eyes beginning to mist over.
"So what's the plan?" He asked.
"I don't know." She said, eyes welling up as well. "But we have time to figure it out."
They had two weeks until Malcolm flew out. The night before he left they drove out to one of their favorite spots, a hill overlooking a quarry. They had gone to a few of their favorite restaurants and ordered take-out for a picnic.
"This grand tour of awesome isn't making leaving any easier." Malcolm said. He was leaning back on the blanket.
"I'm not trying to make it easier." She replied busying herself opening food containers. "I'm trying to make it memorable." He smiled and sat up. He carefully navigated the buffet and wrapped his arms around her from behind
"I will remember everything about you, and this summer, for the rest of my life." He whispered giving her a reassuring kiss on the neck.
"Me too." They sat silently for a moment before she recited their new mantra. "If it's meant to be it will all work out?"
" Exactly." Malcolm replied. They had sworn there would be no rules. They would technically be broken up but they could write each other as much, or as little, as they wanted and would stay friends. After hours of occasionally tearful discussion they had decided that this was the best way to handle the no win situation of wanting to be with someone, but knowing it was highly unlikely you would ever see them again. "Now, new topic: things you are actually looking forward to about college."
That topic got them through dinner and most of the ride home. As much as they were sad to be tackling it seperately they were both excited for the future. Malcolm walked Moira to her door, as he had every other night since the prom and kissed her goodnight. He turned to leave before stopping.
"I almost forgot." He said pulling a small box out of his pocket. "A little something to remember me by."
"You're going to England, not dying." She scolded. Moira pulled the ribbon and opened the box. A gold necklace with a small emerald pendant lay inside. " Oh Malcolm, It's beautiful."
"It's you." He said. He picked up the necklace and put it on her. " Consider it a promise, or a thank you." She turned around, kissing him again stronger and more passionately than before.
"Goodnight Malcolm."
"Goodbye Moira."
September 1988
Moira pulled the small emerald pendant from her jewelry box and contemplated it. It was still one of her favorite pieces, but it didn't suit her outfit today. She and Robert were heading to a charity auction and the gold lame and black gown would dwarf her precious stone. She picked a larger, bib style necklace that still had emeralds but they were mixed with kunzite and gold.
" Moira," Robert called slightly stressed from down the hall. " You dressed?"
"Almost, Why?" she asked.
"Incoming !" Moira knew what that meant and rushed to the on suite to grab a towel. Just as she finished arming herself a dripping, sudsy toddler ran into the room. Before he could get a grip on her skirt, she managed to wrap the small squirming child in a toweled hug. She looked up to see Robert leaning against the door way catching his breath.
"He's a fast one." Her husband wheezed.
"You play squash three times a week and yet your three year old son can out run you." She jokingly chastised.
"He's fast, and slippery." He looked at his watch "Would you rather be late or take over so I can get dressed?" Moira stood and picked up the significantly drier bundle in her arms.
"Oliver, say good night to Daddy." She stopped long enough for Robert to place a kiss on their son's forehead while the little one kept repeating "night night." They made their way down the hall to Oliver's room.
"Come on honey, Pj time." She pulled a pair of baseball pajamas out of the drawer and helped him into them .
"Pretty Mommy." Oliver replied looking at her dress.
"Why thank you. Let's hope Daddy and everyone else thinks like you do." She put him to bed with little fuss. By the time she was finished Robert was waiting in the hallway.
"All set?" Moira nodded. He held out his arm as they headed downstairs. After a few last minute instructions to the new Housekeeper/nanny Raisa, They were in the car and on their way.
"Remind me," Robert asked. "I want to introduce you to the owner of that new company I'm interested in." Moira nodded again. "Nice guy, really smart. He has some good ideas about integrating assets to make the company more well rounded. I'm actually thinking of making the investment personally."
"He must have really impressed you." Moira commented. "Use that as an escape hatch if I get trapped with the mayor's wife?" Robert took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Deal" He winked. She smiled and enjoyed the view of Starling City at night as they drove.
It didn't take long for Moira's plan to be necessary. The mayor's lovely, though overenthusiastic; wife sought her out within the first hour of the event. The young Mrs. Queen made polite conversation and tried to hide her relief when she felt her husband at her elbow.
"Please excuse us, I have a few people I need to introduce Moira too" He smiled.
"Duty calls" she shrugged before following. When they were out of ear shot "did I mention I love you."
" I Know." Robert paused. "Now where- ah there he is." He led Moira to the bar where a tall dark-haired man stood ordering. "Double fisting? It's only your first time at one of these." Robert teased the man. He turned and faced them causing Moira's heart to stop. "Now, this is my lovely wife-"
"Moira?"
"Malcolm."