Disclaimer: I don't own anything here (except for Al) and am just doing this for fun and to pass the long months until Season 4.

When Tim returned a few minutes later with George and another round of beers, Al stood up and gave him a hug.

"I've had a pretty big day and am exhausted, so I'll leave you two to catch up."

"I should probably leave," said Jason.

"Nonsense," replied Al as she leaned in and kissed Jason on the cheek, her riot of blonde curls tickling his face.

"Oh, and before I forget, this is for Noah, from Uncle Timmy," she said, showing Jason a brightly wrapped box before tucking it into the bag on the back of his chair.

"Thanks. You know, I've noticed that Uncle Timmy has gotten a lot better at remembering birthdays and holidays the last couple years."

"That's because I've got a little elf to help me," said Tim, catching Al in a bear hug. He kissed her good night and watched her walk up the stairs before he settled back down on the couch with a fresh beer.

"Tim, man, it's awesome to see you so happy. You deserve this."

"Thanks." He looked up and held Jason's gaze for a second, his mouth closed but one corner angled up.

"So, is Erin at home with your mother then?"

"Oh yeah, I didn't get a chance to tell you, since I didn't want to mention it in front of Noah. Timmy, we're having problems. She stayed home. She waited until the damn cab had showed up before she told me. And she didn't even volunteer the information. I asked her where her suitcase was and she just shook her head." Jason's voice was equal parts hurt and angry. He picked up his second beer and took a long drink from the bottle.

"All your problems have to do with Texas or is there something more going on here?" Tim picked George up off the floor to give himself something else to do beside stare at his best friend.

"I don't know. I guess she's having like a quarter-life crisis or something. I suggested to her that, you know, maybe now, since Noah's going to start school soon, we might think about trying for another kid. I don't think it's great to be an only child, it's too damn lonely, you know?"

Tim nodded. He suspected that was a big part of the reason he and Jay had become such good friends.

"She said no, that she loved Noah but he was enough for her. Every time I bring up marriage, she dodges the issue. I don't think she wants to be with me anymore, but I don't think she knows how to leave either."

"God, Six, that sucks." Tim didn't know what else to say and part of him was starting to feel guilty for his own happiness.

"Yeah, but it won't always. You know things always change, good or bad, nothing stays the same," Jason sighed and took another pull from the bottle. He wiped his mouth on his arm. "So, you and Al, plans for kids at all?"

"If it were up to me....maybe, probably." Tim shrugged. "I don't know that I'm really ready, but Billy keeps telling me that if everybody waited until they were ready, that the human race would die out."

"You're going to be a great father, Timmy. I hope that's not what's holding you back." Jason's eyes were cut glass. He'd always hated what Tim's parents had done to him and was so proud of how far his friend had come. Jason just worried that no matter how happy Tim was, a tiny part of him would always be that neglected little kid.

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

Jason kept quiet, figuring that dealing with Tim was sometimes like approaching a wild animal. All you could do was be silent and hope the animal trusted you enough to get close.

Tim looked at his beer bottle for a long time, then took a long sip. The minutes seemed to stretch out as he argued with himself in his head.

"Jay, if I tell you something, will you swear to never, ever tell anyone? I've known this for two years and have never told anyone, not even you."

Jay nodded and waited.

Tim took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Al's been married before. She had a daughter, on Christmas Eve three years ago, actually....the baby died when she was five months old."

Whatever Jason had been expecting, it certainly wasn't that. It almost felt like a physical thing, like he was reacting to a punch in the gut. "What, was it SIDS or something."

Tim shook his head and whispered. "No. It was...um, like heat stroke or something from getting left in a car, it was just a....there's not even a word for it. A horrible, undo-able mistake."

Jason thought of his own son, thought of how easy it was to look away for a second and have something horrible happen. He thought about how fast things can change, how you can go from having the world in your pocket to being like Humpty Dumpty surrounded by useless king's men. He didn't know what to say, so he said the only word echoing in his head.

"Shit."

"Yeah."

The two friends were silent, Tim focused on George and Jason looked at his hands.

"I guess she's scared of it happening again. I told her I'm damn certain that's a mistake she'd only make once in her life, but she doesn't trust herself," Tim said softly.

Jason nodded.

"Just don't tell anyone. She came here to get away from all the whispering and judgement and bullshit. I don't want it following her."

"Of course not. I wouldn't."

"And I mean everyone, Six. Even Lyla. Especially Lyla."

"Understood," said Jason. "You guys don't talk anymore, ever, huh?"

"Nah, today was the first time I'd seen her in two years. I know you two have always kept in touch."

"Yeah, we probably talk on the phone once a week and email and IM a lot more than that. You know, we're both always on the computer, pretty much."

Tim nodded and picked at the edge of the bottle's label.

"Timmy, she hasn't gone out with anybody since you two broke up."

"What are you saying here, Six? I put her off men forever?"

"No. I just...I don't think she's ever gotten over you."

Tim shook his head and looked across at Jason. "If she's still hung up on anybody, it's you, Six. She spent most of our time together trying to turn me into some version of you, I think. That whole college bullshit. Other things too. She was subtle about it and maybe she doesn't even realize herself what she was doing, but I know."

"You really think so?"

Tim smiled and nodded. You'd have to be deaf to miss the hopefulness in Jay's voice.

"Well, that's something to think about. Not that it's very practical, with distance and my situation and everything."

"Shit, forget practical. I hear it's totally overrated."

Jason returned Tim's grin. "I should really get going. I stay here any longer and I'll be in no fit state to drive home and my mom will have an aneurysm or something."

Tim stood up and walked Jason out, helping him without even being aware he was doing it, an instinct as automatic as breathing.

After Tim shut the door of the truck, Jason started the engine and then rolled down the window. It was one of the rare occasions when he got to be eye-level with his best friend. He leaned out and gave him a friendly thump on the arm.

"Congratulations again."

"Thanks, Six. Drive safe." He stepped back and raised a hand in a wave before turning to go back in the house.