Weeks had flown by, Emma had finally moved on. She had not heard a word from Will, not even a phone call or goodbye before he left for New York. This had helped her to realise the reality of their relationship, the closure of it all being nothing but a dream. Her actual relationship with Carl had blossomed; they were spending a lot more time with each other and making small plans for the future, tiny steps towards something that was real. She was still heartbroken but as the weeks had passed; her heart had slowly begun to mend itself, giving her no more silly day dreams or false hopes.

It was a warm summers evening and Emma sat in her apartment, gazing out the window while Carl prepared a meal for them. Her OCD had improved slightly, she was able to accept his offer to cook and without needing too much guidance. "It's almost ready" he called out from the kitchen, the sweet aromas wafting in around her "it smells delicious" she smiled to him and quickly set the table.

They sat down together and enjoyed their meal, sharing a casual conversation but mostly sitting in silence, comfortable enough to do so. "I meant to tell you, I have a conference this weekend. It's pretty boring but only lasts a few hours so I was wondering if you would like to come with me, make a weekend of it". Emma glanced up from her plate and smiled "that would be nice…" she was a little hesitant about spending a weekend away together, they still hadn't partaken in any intimate relations but she wondered if it was perhaps time. "I still don't expect you to do anything, Emma" he smiled, seeing she was a little cautious "you can have your own room….if you would prefer". Emma shook her head "no, I would….like to stay with you". Her cheek warmed with a slight blush as he smiled "that's…great, we can leave Friday afternoon and come back on Sunday". Emma simply nodded, accepting. "Oh and it's in New York so we can go see a show or something, if you like". Emmas heart skipped a beat; did he just say New York? "Oh…New York.." Her thoughts fell upon Will, wondering about him for a moment before she shook them away "I think that sounds lovely" "Then I will book it once I get home" he sipped his wine and smiled, well grinned with the thought. Emma nodded once more, glancing back to her plate, this would be a good thing.

New York, New York…

After a fairly quiet week and a short flight, Emma arrived in New York with Carl. It was just as busy as she had always assumed it would be, this did play on her OCD but she tried to hide those fears. They took a taxi to their hotel, it was pretty late so they simply retired to bed, not doing anything intimate.

Emma awoke the following morning to find a note, just a simple note saying for her to go enjoy some of the sights and that he would find her later. The thought of wandering around New York by herself did concern Emma but she couldn't just sit in the hotel all morning. She packed a small bottle of sanitizer and gloves, wanting to be prepared as she stepped out into the busy streets.

Busy didn't describe it enough, people barged passed all in a rush, forcing the petite red head to stand aside, avoiding too much contact as she made her way along time square. She stopped every so often, taking pictures of the landmarks, completely lost in her own thoughts as someone placed their hand on her shoulder. Emma pulled back and gasped, ready to scream before she realised who it was. "Will?" he was stood there, a complete look of shock playing on his face "It is you, I was over the road and thought I saw you. I was calling you but you didn't hear me…so I wasn't sure…and….what are you doing here?" He took a deep breath, he had been rambling on but Emma was in New York.

Emma stood there, staring at him for a moment before she finally spoke "it's really noisy here" was all she could say, she couldn't believe that Will was stood there, talking to her. "I am here with Carl, he has a …. Uh….conference, something for dentists". Her heart was racing again, she could feel the butterflies swarming within the pit of her stomach. "Oh….I see" Will nodded, seemingly disappointed with what she had said. "How, how are you?" Emma smiled, even though it was very hard to do "good, been busy with work but…good". "That's….good" she sighed, this was awkward, he probably didn't want to see her. "Yeah…I should go actually, maybe we can get together before you go back" Will glanced at his watch and smiled "yeah, maybe". If this was a glimpse of how it would be in September, Emma was already wishing she didn't have to return to McKinley High. "Okay then, call me…" Will turned to leave "oh and I hope you are feeling better, after the accident" "thank…" Emma was unable to finish before Will vanished into the crowds of busy shoppers.

After the accident…

The rest of the day was spent with Carl, they took small tours around the city and ate in a beautiful restaurant which Emma had researched before hand. It was the perfect day, he was a perfect boyfriend but she couldn't help but think about Will. They made their way back to the hotel, Carl holding Emma close to him, his arm firmly around her. "Emma, you know that I love you" he slowed down their pace, almost stopping as he let go of her and turned to face her. "I know, I love you too" Emma was able to say this, she didn't know if it was love but she felt it was possible. "I have always been sure about things, everything in my life. And now I am sure about you, about us" he pulled her to one side "Emma, I want to ask you, Will you…." "Will" Emma bit her lip as she interrupted him. "Will?" Carl arched his eyebrow, sighing slightly "sorry, I saw Will today. He …uhm, he was just around Time Square" Emma didn't know why she mentioned him now, there was no need for it. "I see, how was he?" Carl hardly seemed interested "he was fine….seemed happy, I guess"

Emma sighed once more "well that's good….but anyway, I was saying" "he mentioned my accident, said he hoped that I was better". This had been playing on her mind the most, if he cared then why hadn't he visited or called. "Emma, please. I am trying to ask you something" Carl placed his hands on her shoulders, almost shaking her to pay attention "sorry, I just thought he would have visited back then" "I'm sure he was just too emotional, but now, Emma will you marry…" "What do you mean? Why would he have been emotional?" She offered him a confused look, barely hearing the words he was trying to say. "I….well, I don't know but listen to me" Emma pulled back from Carl "no, tell me what you mean". Carl sighed "it's always him, you are always so caught up in him. He was no good for you, he isn't stable enough, emotionally to be there for you".

Her heart had started to race again as she listened to Carl tell her how bad Will was for her, he finally stopped his rambling on with "…..I did it for us, so we could move on". Emmas eyes widened "did what?" she was pretty much holding her breath now, her heart stopping "only finished what you started, you told him to leave and I reiterated that".

He had been there, she had spoken to him and she had broken his heart.

Emma pulled further away from Carl, shaking her head as she felt the tears running down her cheeks again. "How could you lie to me? I asked you and you told me he hadn't been there!" she was angry, sad…all sorts of emotions ran through her mind, she wasn't sure what to do but she knew that it had to be away from Carl. Stepping into the crowds, Emma turned and ran. Not caring who she ran into as she hurried away from Carl, leaving him stood outside Tiffany & Co, with a disappointed gaze.

He lied to me, he hid this from me. How could he?...Will…I broke his heart, I need to see him but why? What good would it do? No, I have to see him.

Emma hailed a cab and took her phone out, dialling Wills number before she waited, waited to find out where he was…..waited to see where she needed to go, to tell him she loved him.