She was sitting where she always went to be alone for a moment, the area behind her building that looked more like a school portable than a home was the quietest spot she could find. She saw a shadow coming closer, she didn't look up she just kept her arms around her knees. She knew it was one of two people, her new best friend or his little sister. She said he was her best friend but really she was in love with him. But he was engaged, she had met his fiance when his sister had dragged her home for Christmas with them. The fiance Beth, wasn't a match for Owen, she was a teacher, not that there was anything wrong with teaching, her mom had been a teacher, but Beth was teaching as a for now, to fill her time before Owen came home and they got married and had babies. She didn't get it, how could any woman want to give up her independence and self respect to just have babies. She wanted kids, she knew exactly whose kids she wanted but she wasn't holding her breath. She would finish this tour, go back and find a job and a decent boyfriend and settle down.

"Hey," he said, "done for the day?"

"On call overnight," she replied, "I just needed a few minutes."

"Are you hungry," he asked, "dinner starts soon."

"I should eat," she agreed.

"Come on Altman," he smiled.

"How's Beth," she asked, trying to make conversation, it was Tuesday his phone home day, he would have talked to his fiance before she went to school.

"She didn't answer," Owen replied.

"Everything okay," she asked.

"I guess," he replied, "she's angry about the leave next month."

"Why can't she just meet you in England," Teddy asked, they only had five days so we're going to London with Megan and Riggs. Teddy and Megan planned to do some shopping for things they couldn't get where they were and wanted, nail polish, good underwear and bras, makeup and hair stuff.

"She won't fly alone," Owen replied, "someone would have to go get her."

"Why are you with her," Teddy asked.

"I don't know," he admitted, "I guess we've been together since college, she followed me to med school and residency now she's back in Seattle."

"Why though," she asked, "do you really love her?"

"I guess," he replied, "I think sometimes she doesn't get what we do."

"I didn't until I was here," she agreed, "but other than that?"

"You don't like her," he pointed out.

"Beth isn't my first choice for a friend," she said trying to be diplomatic.

"You can't stand her," he replied.

"I just don't think you're happy," she replied, "I don't think that big life we keep daydreaming about is something you can have with her."

"I guess not," he agreed.

"So what would make you happy," she asked.

He looked away, "you."

"You what," she asked.

"Being with you," he said, "I love you."

"You're engaged," she argued, "you're with Beth. Owen I won't be the other woman. I love you, I'm in love with you but we can't start like this with you cheating on your fiancé."

"Teddy," he sighed.

She took his hands, "we're okay Owen. Just let me be your best friend for now and you'll be mine and if it's meant to be more it will work out but not when your engaged."

"I'll break up with her," he said.

"Don't make rash decisions," she cautioned.

"I'm not," he assured.

"I will not go forward with anything until you've taken time to think about what you really want," she said, "I love you and I want more but we can't start like this. We can't start with you cheating."

"We won't," he said, "but I want to try. I want to see if we can work."

"I want that two," she agreed, "but we have to do it the right way. I can wait and I will wait. I don't date much as it is so I'm fine."

"I want to kiss you," he said.

"Not yet," she replied, "I want you to but not yet. Wait. Just wait Owen."

"I don't want to,' he argued.

"I will compromise with a hug then it's dinner," she replied giving him a hug. He pulled her close and inhaled the scent of her hair, sun, hair spray, a little bit of antiseptic. She could smell an intoxicating scent as well, sun, shaving cream, and something that was just him.