Chapter 17 – Manhattan

Naya had stayed up the entire night to read Heather's script. In truth, she read it twice, staying up so late that she watched the sun rise. She didn't understand what Dianna was talking about. The characters in the script met in high school, the girl was a cheerleader, and the guy was a football player, all typical romantic comedy stuff. Inevitably the pair split ways after high school and meet years later in, of course New York. She had to admit it was an incredible script, amazingly funny but sweet and sensitive, it was obvious that Heather had put her heart into this. The female lead wasn't a corny woman who needed a man to take care of her, no she was strong and independent but wasn't a crude bitch. The character resonated with her but aside from that she didn't get how it had anything to do with her and Heather.

She didn't bother to knock as she walked into Dianna's place. Once inside she closed the door and called out for her friend.

"Living room." She heard the girl call back at her.

"Hey." She smiled as she sat down next to her friend on the couch. "How the hell do you think that script has anything to do with Heather and I?"

Dianna laughed and shook her head. "Are you seriously that dense?"

Naya shook her head and shrugged. "I don't get it, what are you looking into that you shouldn't be looking in to."

"Still so young." Dianna patted her on the lap. "I'm about to give you some words of wisdom so try and keep up." Naya replied by rolling her eyes. "You two actually met in high school, a fake one but regardless it was a high school. Before you give me the whole boy and girl thing, shut up and listen." The blonde smiled before continued as Naya closed her mouth. "If Brittany was a boy we both know she'd be some studly jock and Santana would still be a cheerleader, really not that hard to figure out. Anyways, they have a huge fight and break up and one of them moves to the big city where the other doesn't hear from them again. That is until they magically meet again when said boy moves to New York to pursue a career as a sports journalist."

"I'm still not seeing it."

Dianna pinched the bridge of her noise and took a deep breath in. "You aren't seeing it because you don't want to see it. She's trying to write now, the guy is a journalist. Mean while he got have gotten a writing job anywhere but he followed his heart to New York without even realizing it. Heather could write this script from anywhere, even home in Arizona."

"As much as I adore you Di, you're wrong, Heather didn't come here for me. We aren't some epic love story, we're friends at best and that's it. New York is an amazing city, who wouldn't want to move here and experience it even for a little while." She stood up having heard enough for one night.

"You know I'm right, read it again and you'll see it."

Once again Naya rolled her eyes as she headed towards the door. "I hate you and by the way Tyler wrote You'll Ask For Me about you."

Naya wasn't in her house for two minutes before she heard the front door open from where she stood at the back door watching Maurice run around outside. She said nothing as she listened to the foot steps pad down the hallway.

"What the hell are you talking about?" She smiled at the tone in Dianna's voice as she continued to watch her dog outside. "Naya? What was that crap you just pulled back there."

"The truth, you're not the only one who knows things around here lady Di. The boy has the biggest crush on you. He was so nervous when James and I first introduced you that I thought he was going to pass out. He talked James' ear off all night about how awesome he thought you were and how you guys liked the same music." She turned to look at the stunned look on Dianna's face.

"Why didn't he ever say anything, not like he asked me out on a date."

"You lived across the country, not a great way to have a relationship and he wasn't sure if you liked him or not. He didn't want you to think he was some cocky musician thinking he could tap whomever he wanted."

Dianna couldn't help but laugh. "You realize you can say tap and then whomever right? You rich valley girl."

Naya couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not a valley girl anymore, I'm a New York City woman." Dianna raised her eyebrow and smiled as she shook her head. "It's true, don't hate.

"Whatever I'm out of here, I need sleep. Oh and tell Tyler to give me a call." She winked at her before exiting the way she entered.

Once Dianna walked in her front door she turned and locked it to make sure that Naya couldn't just walk back in before she made a very important phone call. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine and wine glass before moving into her office.

After pouring herself a glass of wine she picked up her phone and dialed a number before dialing two more and conferencing them. "Hey guys, I just sneaked a peak at Naya's schedule for the month, I think it might be time to bring in the B team."

"Yes, I've been waiting for this." Jenna said causing Lea and Ashley to laugh.

"Wait who's the B team?" Ashley asked. "I'm not there remember, I don't know the little details."

Lea huffed. "I am emailed you them the other day."

There was a pause. "Whatever I'm not checking my email right now. Ush give me the deets."

Dianna couldn't help but laugh as she sipped on her wine. "Thanks to Dianna we got the lovely Blake Lively on board, because she gets right under Hemo's jealous skin. Then we got the dancers, Hannah, Brittany and Meg."

"You really are a little evil mastermind." Dianna joked.

"You better believe it, gotta watch out for us quiet ones."

They spent the next few minutes talking before Lea told everyone she had to get back to work. "Alright, we'll reconvene in a couple weeks at the latest."

That was a month ago and like Dianna had seen on Naya's schedule the girl had been working like a dog. It was tough convincing her to go out on her first night off in a month but thanks to her and Lea's persuasive skills, they managed to pull it off.

Three friends walked arm and arm down the street all dressed to kill while managing to stay classy not trashy. The row of trees were lined with fairy lights, the night arm was warm as the season had changed to more of a summer feel.

"Thanks for coming out tonight, I know how crazy you've been and I appreciate it but this is to the start of my first summer in the city and you definitely needed the night out, don't tell me you didn't.. Besides if we're going to be the modern day sex and the city, we might as well do it right."

Naya and Lea both laughed. "She's learning already." Lea joked.

"Speaking of where's the other member to our quartet?"

"Jenna is meeting us there, it was easier for her." Dianna said smoothly so that Naya wouldn't be suspicious.

They were crossing the street when Naya finally spoke up. "Maybe we should bring Hemo back into the fold? I mean I know she has some friends here but its still got to be tough. If it wasn't for Lea I'd still be a mess.

Both Lea and Dianna looked at her with looks that were all too familiar. "What?"

"Nothing." They both said in unison. "Let's just have fun tonight." Lea said as she turned around and shimmied her shoulders.

"I seriously worry about her." Naya laughed with a nod at Dianna's comment as they walked into the small Irish bar that Lea and Naya liked to frequent from time to time. It was well lit, had a good vibe and no one ever bothered them. As per usual the place was packed, being in Manhattan sometimes at its perks. A packed bar meant people cared less about them.

The first thing they did was make their way to the bar and order three martini's. They searched the crowd for Jenna and finally spotted her in the back at a table. Making their way through the crowd to her they saw that Blake was sitting with her. Lea and Dianna shared a questioning look that thankfully went unnoticed by Naya.

They all hugged before sitting back down and starting a casual conversation. Naya finished her drink in record time, claiming that she'd had a long month at work and she deserved to which no one said otherwise. She excused herself to go to the bar which the four other women had no problems with.

As soon as Lea was sure Naya was out of hearing range she looked at Jenna. "Where the hell is Heather?"

Jenna shrugged and was about to answer her when Blake and Dianna nudged both girls and nodded their heads towards the bar. The four women sat and stared with happy expressions as they watched Naya walk right up to the bar next to Heather.

Heather turned around at the sound of the familiar voice ordering a drink. "Make that two." Naya grinned as she looked at Heather, no longer acknowledging the bartender. "Hey."

"Hi stranger." Heather smiled and took a mental note of how amazing Naya looked.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I kept meaning to return your email but I have been crazy busy."

"Dianna told me, thanks for taking the time to read the script over though, I was glad you liked it."

Naya smiled and paid the bartender without taking her eyes off of Heather for more than a couple seconds. "I absolutely loved it, if you need any help I'm here to read and I can't wait to watch it once it makes the big screen." Her comment made Heather blush slightly, something that was not easy to do and it didn't go unnoticed by Naya.

"I may take you up on that, it's almost done but I'd love for you to take one last look at it before I pitch it."

"Consider it looked at." Looking over Heather's shoulder she saw her friends staring at them. "Take it you came with Jenna?" Heather nodded. "What are they up too?"

Heather laughed as she sipped the drink Naya had just bought her. "I was about to ask the same thing, but they're probably just being their weird selves."

"Let's hope."

A couple hours later the bar had cleared out a little bit leaving enough space for people to start a small dance floor. Which is currently where Lea, Naya and Blake were, leaving Jenna, Dianna and Heather sitting at their table.

"Whats with the look Hemo?"

Hearing Jenna ask her the a question brought her back to reality. "Hmm? Oh nothing just watching those three crazies."

"It's a New York thing." Dianna laughed as she shook her head.

Jenna nodded in agreement. "The first time Dianna came to visit and we all went out, we were dancing and being crazy and she didn't get it. Lucky for us, she catches on quick."

"Gotta dance where you can in busy places." Heather looked over at Dianna and seemed to understand. Mostly it was nice to see Naya relaxed and having a good time even.

As the song changed Naya and Blake walked back over to the table. Heather couldn't suppress the smile that formed on her lips when Naya extended her hand to her. "Come on Hemo, get your dance on like I know you want to." She pulled the blonde up and led her over to where Lea was on the dance floor.

"It's your guys song." Lea yelled over the music pointing at Naya and Heather.

"Yeah, this sex is on fire." They all sang together as Naya pulled Heather a little closer to her.

A few songs later the women were all sitting back at their table, giggling about what their mini dance party that had just taken place.

"So why is sex on fire your guys song?" Blake asked looking back and forth between Naya and Heather.

Both shrugged and acted as if they knew leaving Dianna to pipe in. "Because they used to sing it to each other constantly! They'd walk into a room and sing just that line sometimes, as loud as they could."

"Any other reasons?" She winked at Naya who, instead of responding verbally flipped her middle finger at her, in turn making everyone else laugh.

"Oh she wishes." Naya winked turning her attention from Blake to Heather.

"Damn right I do." Heather flirted back without taking a second to think about it. Jenna and Dianna shared an all knowing work and secretly low fived under the table.

Dianna, Naya and Heather ended up sharing a cab home. "We should have an unholy trinity sleep over."

Heather and Naya looked over at Dianna before breaking out into a fit of giggles. "Are we never going to live that down?" Dianna shook her head at Naya's question. "Well alright then, you in Hemo?"

"I love sleep overs."

An hour later all the girls were tucked into bed and ready to call it night when Dianna realized that Maurice had decided to sleep with Heather in the guest bedroom rather than with her. Getting up she walked down the hall to Naya's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in." She opened the door to see Naya in bed flipping through the channels on her tv. "What's up?"

"Why isn't Maurice sleeping with me, he always sleeps with me."

Naya laughed. "Wait, seriously? I don't know he likes Heather more than you."

"Who would like her more than me?"

"I heard that!" They heard the other blonde yell from down the hall. A few seconds later they heard footsteps and the sound of paws moving down the hallway. "What's your problem Agron?" She asked as she moved and sat on the edge of Naya's four poster bed. "I'm so not getting up, this mattress is so much more comfortable." She laughed as she laid down.

Naya looked over at Heather and shook her head as Maurice jumped on the bed too. "Well isn't this a party, you squeezing in here or what?" Dianna smiled and moved towards the bed. "I have a feeling I won't be sleeping tonight." Naya huffed as she passed Dianna the remote for the tv.

Maurice moved his head to lay on Dianna's lap as he looked up at her with his big puppy dog eyes. "What I thought I wasn't good enough for you anymore since I'm not your name…" She trailed off as she received and elbow in her side from Naya.

"His name what?" Heather asked clearly confused by what was going on.

"Nothing, just an inside joke." Dianna covered.

Sure enough no one got much sleep that night. Instead they stayed up watching cartoons, talking about their glee days and of course about Heather's script.

After Heather left Dianna and Naya decided to go out for lunch and have a girls afternoon.

"I'm telling you it's about you and her, why won't you just admit it."

"I'm telling you that it's not so you should just drop it, get your head out of the clouds baby girl."

Dianna shook her head as she took a sip of her drink. "Nay, I'm telling you. She took you home to meet her family."

"I'd met her family before, we're just trying to be friends. She has no feelings for me, not like that so can we give it up."

"Except she absolutely does, she always has."

Maybe it was the lack of sleep but Naya was getting a little annoyed. "No she doesn't she never really did. If she had she would have told me that Taylor was moving in before we spent an amazing night together. She would have told me when they went home and planned two months before it happened. She also wouldn't have given you my clothes to give to me, she would have done it herself but she was to caught up with lover boy to care that I was gone."

"You know she called and went over to your place, you weren't there. Wait you didn't know Taylor was moving in? You left that part of the story out when told me the first time."

Naya shook her head. "I didn't want you to have to pick sides and I knew you would. How long do you think it would have taken Lea or Jenna to give in if she had seriously asked them for my new number." Dianna sat back and nodded, she still believed that her theories were true but she saw where Naya was coming from. "I had a show in L.A. remember?"

Dianna nodded. "Of course, I was there, it was amazing."

"I invited her, I sent her and email and an invite, she never showed up. The minute he moved in she stopped caring because she had him there, I wasn't needed anymore. Doesn't exactly make a girl feel special when her best friend doesn't show up to one of the biggest events in her life."

Central Park – One Week Later

Naya was enjoying her day off despite the clouds and threat of a thunderstorm by taking Maurice for a nice stroll around the park. Even though there was no sun in sight the air was warm and she figured Maurice could use a good walk. She had her ear buds in as she power walked, Maurice walking beside her. Though it was a cloudy day there were still plenty of people walking their pets and enjoying the city.

The conversation her and Dianna had a week earlier was ringing in her ears still, no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop thinking about it. Thoughts of the conversation she had had with Lea a few months ago about fate crept back and she couldn't help but wonder if maybe they knew something she didn't.

As she was starting to feel peace, her mind finally clearing of all the things that had been on it for the past little while she felt a drop of rain land on her cheek. Looking up she sighed as the rain started to fall lightly. "You've got to be kidding me." She grumbled. She was on the other side of the park, near her old apartment and it would take her at least 20 minutes to walk home. The only thing she hoped for now was that it didn't start to pour until she was at least closer.

"Nay! Naya!" Heather ran up to her and tapped her on the arm. "Hey." She said as she moved in front of the girl as she took her headphones out.

"Hey."

"I thought it was you but I wasn't sure until I saw Maurice."

"Sorry, headphones." Heather nodded, dripping wet from running in the rain.

"What brings you over to this side of the park?"

"Just went for a walk and ended up over here, but I should probably start to head home, before it starts to pour." As if on cue they heard a loud bang and then the rain started to fall even harder. "Shit."

Heather smiled at how cute Naya was even though they were getting soaked, neither girl could move. "Why don't you just come over until the rain dies down, or at least get warm and then call a cab? It's a lot closer and we can't have you getting sick." Naya nodded with a shy smile. "Come on."

Once they got back to Heather's building the door opened for them. "Hi Heather, hey Naya. You ladies go out for a nice run in the rain?" Maurice barked, tail wagging. "Hey buddy boy, haven't seen you in awhile Momo." Naya laughed as Charlie pet the dog.

"Try and stay dry, I don't want your wife yelling at me."

"Will do, keep an eye on this one Heather, she's trouble." So I wasn't dreaming the other night. Heather thought to herself as they made their way to the elevator.

Once the elevator door opened something clued in to Naya. "What about Maurice and Zach?"

"I'm sure Zach will be fine, you know what he's like, if anything I'll just put him upstairs." They watched as Maurice ran right to Heather's door. "Damn he's smart." Heather laughed as she let him and Naya inside. "Washroom is upstairs…"

"I know where it is." Naya smiled as she headed upstairs.

"There are clean towels under the sink." She heard Heather yell up the stairs.

As Naya was changing the lights flickered before turning off completely. She tried the switch with no luck. Making her way downstairs she saw Heather open the curtains to the big window. "Power went out." Naya nodded before looking around for Maurice. She found him lying on the floor, sitting next to Zach.

"They seem to be getting along just well."

Heather laughed. "I know we knew cats and dogs could get along so well. It's funny though Maurice walks around like he's been here before, he barely even sniffed around." Naya shrugged not knowing how to respond. She watched as Heather started to look for something.

"What are you looking for?" She half laughed as she watched Heather

"A lighter or matches, I don't know where my lighter went."

Naya started to help her look around. "I'll check the kitchen." She said after a few minutes.

"I don't think I have any in there but ya never know."

Checking over her shoulder to make sure Heather hadn't followed her she bent down and open the cabinet below the sink. Reaching up she grabbed a small bag that was hidden under the drain. She had accidentally left her emergency kit when she moved out but she couldn't exactly ask Heather for it back.

Walking back out into the living room she saw that Heather had found the matches she had been looking for. "I got some extra's."

Heather looked at her questioningly. "Where'd you find those? I've never seen them before."

"Call it a New York thing, don't worry you'll get the hang of it eventually."

After all the candles in the room were lit the two women sat down on Heather's couch. "I have something I need to ask you." Heather said as she moved her legs up onto the couch so she was now sitting Indian style.

"Okay, go for it."

"Well, two things. The first thing is I was wondering if you'd help with the script, just tweak it a little all that not so fun stuff."

Naya nodded. "Absolutely, of course and…"

"You and James are the perfect couple and you fit these roles so perfectly that I was wondering if you two would star in it?" Heather asked timidly, unsure of what Naya's reaction would be.

Naya took a deep breathe, got up and stared out the window. She saw that the rain was coming down so hard that she couldn't really see in front of her and it seemed like this part of the city was blacked out. She looked back at Heather, finally releasing the breath she had been holding. "James and I broke up."

To be continued…

A/N: Thank you all so much for all the reviews, I really don't think I can say that enough. I would have responded to all of them except I'm on my way out and I didn't want to leave without getting this to you all so I hope you can forgive me, but know that they all mean so much.

The song I had playing in my head when they were all dancing at the bar before Heather joined them was Manhattan by Kings of Leon, it seemed to fit.