Timmy stood, almost too quickly, as he saw Tootie drawing near. He waved as she came over and walked up to greet her. What he had not expected was a giant hug.

"Oh. My. God. You are really him, aren't you?" The question took Timmy back a bit. He remembered the energy her crush had when he was younger. It seemed to be just as powerful now, which intimidated him a bit.

"Him who, miss…?"

"Sorry." She cleared her throat here, pulling back from her hug. She held out her hand and was very professional in shaking his. "Please call me Miss Jones for now. And you really are…well, Victoria said…" She trailed off, seeming to get lost in her own question. Timmy offered her a smile as he guided her to sit down.

"If you mean am I really Tiberius Tee, the answer is yes. Miss Valentine said you already knew. Is this a problem?" He did his best to play up a look of concern. He wasn't sure what or where he wanted this to go. His smile must have done the trick because instantly, the confidant, powerful Tootie was back. The one who had wowed him just by walking up.

"Not at all, Timothy. And I apologize for my outburst. You caught me off guard." She smiled, carefully placing her hand on his as they both sat at the table. "So what do you have planned for us?"

And Timmy proceeded to lay out his plans for their evening. He watched Tootie's eyes light up at the simplicity of it and he felt a happiness in him. It reminded him of something, kind of….

And they were off on the first leg of their journey.

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The night had gone incredibly well. With the exception of the first greeting, Tootie had been perfectly in control. Timmy felt she must know the kind of effect she had on men in general. The two had enjoyed the park, the zoo had been perfect, and even the dinner on the beach was amazing. It was a simple affair. He had brought out a blanket and Tootie had brought some wine and nice sandwiches. Timmy had learned that after graduation, Tootie had gotten married and moved to New York City. Well that explained the Jones last name. The marriage had quickly gone downhill and just over a year after the "I Do's" there were divorce papers on the table. Tootie had decided to make a new start and had then moved to Jacksonville to be near her sister. She had opened a catering business and was doing quite well for herself, even considering opening a brick and mortar restaurant.

After dinner, the two had proceeded back to Timmy's house. Once again, Timmy wasn't sure why everyone wanted to be at his house, but he wanted to see where things went. So the two of them had returned to his humble abode, the small size of which had made Tootie giggle, though in a positive way. And the two had settled down on the couch to talk and drink some more. It was a quiet, pleasant evening all the way around.

Around 11pm, Timmy had offered to get one more round of drinks. He knew he was starting to feel the alcohol and the look on Tootie's face said she was feeling the same. He called it the final round and she agreed. So Timmy had gone into the kitchen to prepare one final round. A final glass of Whiskey on the rocks for him and a martini for Tootie. He wasn't sure if either of them would be up for driving after these, but he already knew how it worked when the women who visited him were too drunk to leave. That said, part of him wondered if he wanted it to be different with Tootie.

As he returned to the living room, he found it empty. Noting the strangeness, he began to wander down the hall. It almost came as no shock to find the beautiful woman passed out on his bed. She was still fully clothed and on top of the covers. Timmy, being Timmy, did his due diligence. He carefully made her more comfortable and wrapped her under the covers. As he moved back, a part of him strongly debated joining her under the covers before his good sense won over and he wandered back out to the couch, passing out himself shortly thereafter.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

Timmy woke to the sound of frying bacon and the smell of coffee the next morning. As he drank in those wonderful sounds and scents, he stretched and opened his eyes. As he recalled the events of last night, a smile crept over his face. He stood up, making sure his pants were still on, and made his way into the kitchen. The door swinging as he came through seemed to be heard by Tootie who called out to him.

"Good morning sleepy-head!"

"Good morning yourself, Miss Jones. How did you sleep?"

"Like a log. Sorry for pas-" Tootie's words caught in her throat as she had turned around and caught sight of a shirtless Timmy standing there. She quickly recovered, but the blush couldn't be hidden.

"uh, passing out on you. Did you put me in bed?"

"Haha, no ma'am. You did that one yourself. I just slid you under the covers."

"And out of my clothes?" Tootie said with a smirk.

"Guilty as charged. You looked painfully uncomfortable. Sorry."

"Eh, no need to apologize. Hope you enjoyed what you saw."

"Nearly as much as you seem to be this morning."

Timmy grinned as another deep blush appeared on Tootie's cheeks.

"Well, anyway. Let's eat some breakfast? I'm starving!"

"If you made it, I can't wait!"

So the two settled down at the table and passed the morning with gentle conversation. As they both finished their meal, a silence settled over them. Tootie seemed to be deep in thought, so Timmy just watched her. After a few minutes of what appeared to be intense concentration, she opened her mouth and spoke.

"Would you play me a song?" Well, it wasn't quite what he had expected seeing her think so hard, but Timmy smiled and waved the thought from his mind.

"Gladly, what song would you like?" She looked down at her plate. Suddenly Timmy felt his own nerves start to rise. As her eyes came to meet his, there were nearly tears in them

"Please don't get mad?"

"Mad about what?"

"I…kind of wandered into your music room last night before bed. I saw a song there with some really pretty lyrics. Maybe that one?"

Timmy felt his heart try and stop. Those songs were fresh, from the night he had spent with Vicki...Tootie's own sister. Not that she had revealed that yet. On top of that, they were not polished and really ready for an audience just yet. They were raw and his playing them…it was hard to hide the emotions behind them. He considered her for a moment while he thought.

"Look, its ok. You don't have too. They just looked so beautiful." Seeing the dejected look on Tootie's face, Timmy knew he was going to cave and give in. He stalled for a second longer. Then as his eyes gave in to the sadness in hers, he relented.

"No, its fine. I need someone to try them out on anyway." He smiled and when he saw her smile back, he knew telling her she was the first to hear these was a good thing.

They made their way into his music room and Timmy pulled on his guitar. He didn't need the sheets, knowing the lyrics and chords by heart right then. He paused and looked at Tootie. When he saw her offer an encouraging smile, he took a deep breath and began.

As he powered through, trying not to let the emotions overcome him, Timmy had a realization. He was sitting in the room, singing these incredibly emotional songs to the sister of whom they were written for. Timmy was sitting here, in love with his ex-babysitter who was now his match maker. The elder Valentin had no idea of this and here Timmy was on a date with the girl who had a long time crush on him in their youth. More than that, the weird young girl had become a gorgeous woman who any man would adore being with. And Timmy just wanted her to be someone else. It all seemed a bit messed up.

As Timmy finished the song, he looked up and saw tears coming from Tootie's eyes.

"Timmy, that was beautiful."

"Thanks, it was….Timmy?" His questions seemed to shock Tootie. She caught herself quickly, but not before Timmy caught the look of realization in her eyes.

"Sorry, is that alright? I can go back to calling you Timothy if that's better." Timmy reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder.

"No, it is perfectly fine…Tootie."

As he said this, he saw the tears flow more freely and Tootie jumped up to hug him. As she cried into his shoulder, Timmy could make out a few words.

"We thought…*sniff* and then…*cough*…but you weren't…*sob*…and now…*cry*…" After a few minutes, as the crying woman seemed to calm down a bit, Timmy placed his arm around her and led her to the couch in the living room. He sat beside her, holding her trembling body to him. As the tears finally came to a stop, Tootie looked over at him.

"So it is you?"

"Is that what you really meant yesterday?" Tootie only nodded, confirming what he had just figured out.

"And how long have you known?"

"Known, just now. But I have suspected for a long time Timmy."

The two sat in another comfortable silence, arms around one another. Then Tootie ventured forth with another question.

"Who is that song about Timmy?" Timmy froze. He did not want to answer that. He tried to look away, but Tootie caught his chin and turned him to face her. "I know it isn't about me, but I need to know."

"You might hate me."

"I never could. As long as we can be friends." Timmy let out a sigh. It was now or never.

"Fine, but you can never tell her." As Tootie nodded her confirmation, Timmy started.

"It is about my match maker."

Tootie stared in confusion for a minute before it hit her.

"You mean…" Timmy just nodded as she trailed off. He couldn't even bring himself to look her in the eyes. Then he felt her smack his arm. He looked over with shock on his face to see her almost smiling.

"And you fell in love even knowing who she was?"

"I think it certainly helped. I think I already loved her, but when I found her recently, I fell in love with her."

Then she got a very serious look on her face.

"Don't you dare hurt my sister Turner." He offered her a soft smile, then it turned to a bit of a frown.

"Don't worry. I don't think I really have a chance." He felt Tootie smack his arm again.

"Timmy, all she has been able to talk about for the past two weeks is how frustrating and annoying you can be. I know this will sound weird, but it is proof she likes you too. I can't say it is love, but talk to her."

Timmy just offered a non-commital nod, which earned him another smack from the woman beside him.

"Timothy Tiberius Turner, don't let her walk out of your life again."

Before Timmy could react, Tootie was out the door.

Timmy sat in silence, thinking. Don't let her do it again? He hadn't the first time, but this time was different…or was it?