The Long And Winding Road
Disclaimer: I don't own the show, the characters, etc.
Chapter 10 -- Dessert
"This has to be the longest red light in town," Manny said as she sat waiting inside her automobile. "That's all right; I'm in no hurry. Say, this is the first time you've been inside my car. What do you think, JT?"
"It's nice, Manny," JT replied, sitting in the front passenger seat. "Comfortable. Not as sporty a car as I pictured you owning, though."
"Hey, my family couldn't afford sporty when they got me this. I'll take what I can get."
"Well, what you've got is pretty fantastic," he remarked. "And I don't just mean the car."
"So, you've pictured me in a flashy sports car?"
"Of course, Manny. I've pictured you many times in many different ways. That never stopped."
"JT, I am so sorry things didn't work out with you and Emma. I know you were hoping you'd be closer, and after tonight you're more apart than ever."
"I was feeling down about the whole thing," JT shared. "But then you showed up. I'm not superstitious, but that's gotta be a sign, right?"
"I hope so," she replied.
"This may sound crazy, but I think the main reason I wanted to be close to Emma is because I figured I'd never have another chance with you. You were never really interested in me all those other times. Emma seemed like a good second choice."
"I WAS interested," Manny assured. "But I was so young and dumb those times we went out in the past. Listen JT, I promise you I'm different now and you are the only man for me."
"So, you and me, we can give it one more try?"
"If you want to, JT."
"I thought you'd never ask," he said excitedly.
JT then leaned over and kissed her. After several moments, Manny broke away.
"JT, what's that noise?"
"The beating of my heart, which you've taken over? Ignore it and let's go home and celebrate our reunion."
"No, it sounds like a horn. A loud one."
Manny heard the horn a second time.
"Huh?"
Manny looked beside her and found the passenger seat empty. JT hadn't been sitting next to her. Their reunion was all in her mind as she sat waiting on the traffic light. Looking forward, she saw that the light had finally turned green. Cars behind her were honking for her to go.
'Oops, better get moving,' Manny thought. 'Enough daydreaming at the red lights. Or evening dreaming. Or whatever you call it. The last thing I need is to get in an accident before I even get to the restaurant to pick him up. Still, it was kinda nice to think about him here. With me. Together again.'
At Steak & Stuff, Emma walked out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. She looked around and eventually saw JT standing under the restaurant sign near the street. She walked quickly and determinedly toward him.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked after reaching JT.
JT looked down at his feet, then back up at her.
"I believe it's called 'standing,' Emma. And look – you're doing it, too."
"So you just decided to tell everyone off, walk out on us and come out here to stand underneath this hideous burning-cow sign?"
"Mmm…Yeah, pretty much," he said calmly. "Any other questions before my ride shows up?"
"Your ride?"
"Craig's on his way," JT explained. "What? You didn't think I was going to ride back with Peculiar Patrick, Lunatic Liberty and Emma the Enabler, did you?"
"Enabler?" she repeated. "You aren't making any sense."
"Oh really?"
"But maybe a person whose idea of an intellectual debate is 'Who's a better Stooge – Curly or Shemp?' shouldn't try to use such big words."
"I'm talking about your behavior in there, Emma."
"Oh, MY behavior?"
"Yes. For whatever reason, Patrick was awful to you. And you just sat there taking it."
"JT, you weren't exactly doing much to stop Liberty's crazed ramblings."
"You know I never took Liberty's flirtations with me, however strange, too seriously when we were kids. I don't know why she's decided to start all that up again now, but I still don't take it serious. But you? The way you just sat there when Pat was treating you like a helpless child? I didn't think you were the kind of person who'd want to go through life getting stepped on."
"Stepped on? Trying to remain civil and not disrupt the dining of a roomful of people counts as getting stepped on?"
"But maybe it fits," JT suggested. "After all it didn't ever stop you from going back to Sean so many times I lost count."
"That's real funny coming from the guy who never fails to jump through hoops for Manny," Emma countered. "No matter how many times she proves she doesn't want you if there's a chance that ANYONE better will come along."
"I do not do that," he responded.
"Okay, you DID surprise me by asking Liberty out as your date for tonight. But I just assumed it's because you know Manny doesn't do well on dates unless there's a bed nearby."
"You're way out of line, Emma."
"Make up your mind, JT. First you complain because I won't speak my mind with Patrick. Now you want me to be careful about what I say. But that's okay. Go right ahead and keep on defending Manny. It's nothing you haven't said before. She always hurts you, and you always forgive and forget. But when it comes to someone who would never dream of hurting you, who always has your best interests at heart, SHE'S out of line for daring to speak ill of St. Manny. I don't even want to think about what happened between the two of you after the rest of us left your house last night."
"I'll tell you what happened. Manny told me I should be honest with you about what I really want."
"Spare me the lurid details," Emma requested in a sarcastic tone.
"I know honesty has become a foreign concept for you, Emma, which is why I hesitated following her advice."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You mean to say that you really truly made several phone calls and then walked over to my house late last night JUST to tell me – after a lot of hesitation – that you were going to start dating Patrick?"
Emma wasn't quite sure how to answer this charge.
"Yes…I mean, no!…I mean…Quit changing the subject!"
"The subject is this, Emma – What did you REALLY want to tell me last night?"
"Never mind," she replied, planning to change the subject. "What was all that a few minutes ago about me not wanting you in the same way you want me? What way do you mean?"
"Emma…"
"No, you started something in there, so finish it. How do you want me? As your best friend? A sister? What?"
"What more is there to say?" JT shot back. "Do I have to spell it out in bright neon letters? I'm in love with you, Emma! Hopelessly, undeniably, CERTIFIABLY…in love with you."
For a moment neither said anything.
"Wow," Emma finally replied softly, somewhat flustered.
"And you don't have to say anything," he continued. "Like I said inside, I know you don't feel the same way, so I haven't said it until now. But it's true. It's been true for awhile now, even before I knew what was happening."
JT then looked at his watch.
"Where is Craig?" he wondered out loud.
"How dare you!" Emma said, frowning.
"Don't be mad," JT urged.
"Don't tell me not to get mad, JT Yorke. I should be furious! You carry this secret around for I don't know how long. Then when you finally tell me, you add the part about knowing what I would think or say or do once I found out. You're supposed to know me. I thought you knew me better than anyone else. Isn't it obvious how I would react?"
"I don't get it," he said, looking confused.
Emma's frown then turned into a smile.
"I showed up last night to tell you…to tell you the same thing. I'm in love you, JT, and I think we should become more than friends."
JT had the same look of surprise on his face as Emma did upon hearing his declaration moments earlier.
"But then I got there and saw Manny at your front door," Emma continued.
"I explained about Manny," he reminded her.
"I know, and then when we were in the kitchen you started to give me what I thought sure was a friendly kiss on the cheek to cheer me up. Then it was back into a now crowded room full of tension. I wasn't going to take a chance at confessing something in front of everyone when I didn't think anything good could come from this truth. Patrick was a good last-minute excuse. Well, apparently not a GOOD excuse."
"Wait, Emma. Let's back up. You did say that you're in love. With me. I mean, it's not something I imagined or misunderstood. Right?"
"Can't you tell by now?" she asked gently. "There's nobody else in this world I'd spend Saturday night arguing with under such a repulsive sign."
"But I mean, you don't love me just as a friend?"
"As a best friend…and as someone I want as more than that. Much more. But what do YOU want?"
"Well, that almost-kiss in the kitchen was NOT going to be a friendly peck," JT admitted, grinning. "I was just hoping you wouldn't slap me after it was over."
"Never," she guaranteed.
"It's supposed to work both ways, you know," he commented.
"What is?"
"You're supposed to know me better than anyone else, too," JT explained.
"You're right. Okay then, in the competition to see who's the bigger coward, it's a tie."
"I know we're best friends, Emma, but I didn't think I was someone you'd ever think about like THAT. So how long have you been thinking about this?"
"Like you, for months. Maybe longer. But can we really do this? We've known each other…"
"Practically our whole lives," he said, finishing her sentence.
"That's right," she continued. "And we've seen each other through messy relationships."
"Hysterically bad relationships," he suggested.
"Intense relationships," she added.
"Remaining friends when others left and new friends came along," he offered.
"And when some friends changed and hurt us."
"You've been so good for me, Emma, especially this year."
"Every year has been good, JT."
"So how can we NOT do this?" he questioned.
"No reason I can think of."
"It IS a big risk, Emma."
"But even if we wanted to back out now, it's too late," she explained. "We couldn't just turn off these feelings and forget about it."
"I don't want to."
"Neither do I."
"Listen, Emma, I'm sorry I pulled 'the Sean card.' I just couldn't watch another guy – even Pat – treat you any less than you deserve. I never thought you weren't a strong person. I was just mad and protective tonight and confused about why you weren't calling Pat on all that garbage."
"I know," Emma responded. "I've always said I was lucky to have a good enough friend to criticize me if it looks like I'm doing something crazy. But in the middle of a ton of emotions and fears I reacted badly and then pulled what I guess you'd call 'the Manny card.' You know that I've never liked how she would brush you off. You never deserved that. But I also know you have this huge heart and are always willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I shouldn't have criticized you for that. Oh, and sorry about the 'Stooges fan equals unintelligent' comment, too. After a lifetime around you, I know better."
JT laughed.
"Hey, I didn't take offense," he told her. "If we can't have a good argument every now and then, that doesn't say much about how strong our friendship is. We both know what's real and what's just crazy talk. Nothing you say can ever change what I think about you."
"And just so I'm absolutely clear," Emma began her question, smiling because she was now sure she knew the answer, "what DO you think about me?"
"I love you, Emma. I love you and I want us to do it."
Emma raised an eyebrow and JT suddenly realized he had misspoken.
"Oh God! Emma, I mean 'it' as in 'becoming a couple.' Not the other 'it.' Which is not to say that doing the other 'it' with you wouldn't be great someday, too. That is, if you'd want to do that someday. Not that I'd ever pressure you. About anything. Ever. And…you see, this is why I should never have serious conversations."
Emma laughed.
"It's okay, JT. I knew what you meant."
"You mean…?"
"I love you, too, Jamie. As my best friend, and now as so much more."
"It's obvious we're destined to be together," JT remarked, now sounding more confident. "Like cake and ice cream. Like peanut butter and ketchup. Like…"
"Yes, JT. And I think it's also obvious you're getting hungry. See what happens when you leave me behind in a restaurant before the food arrives?"
"Never again," he promised.
"I won't let you, so no worries there."
"You know, even my mother could tell. Not that I'm hungry. But that we're supposed to be together."
"I had a feeling she did," Emma responded.
"It's true," JT said. "Every once in awhile, she'd make these comments. She thought she was being subtle."
"But not really?"
"Subtle like a foghorn," he joked. "She'd say things like, 'For two smart kids, you think you'd know who you're supposed to be dating.' Or, 'Oh, you have a date tonight? You should ask Emma to go along too so you won't be bored.'"
"That DOES sound like something your mom would say," Emma said as she started to laugh.
"And my favorite of all her attempts to be subtle – 'When is Young Miss Nelson going to come by and schedule her fittings. It takes time to make a wedding dress and I want to get it right. Not that I'm pushing, son.'"
Both of them were now laughing.
"And I'm guessing Patrick also had us figured out?" Emma then asked.
"Yeah, he's been bugging me to go ahead and tell you…if only so I'll stop bugging him. He seems to think I'm easier to be around when you're nearby. I can't imagine how he could get an idea like that just because it's probably true."
"Courtney and the folks have been trying to convince me to talk to you, too," Emma revealed.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, well…they've been under the impression that I'm insane for worrying that you'd turn me away."
"I guess the insanity hit both of us, Emma. Anyway, it's about time that the Two Musketeers took some chances. Stop ignoring or denying what we obviously both want."
"You're sure, JT?" she asked, reluctantly offering him one final opportunity to get out of this situation. "No kidding around? This is your last chance to back out."
"Sorry," he said without hesitation. "Looks like you're stuck with me for good."
"Wait," Emma spoke up suddenly. "I just thought of something."
"Emma, we've only been a couple for 5 seconds and you're already breaking up with me? Record books, here I come."
"No, silly. About Patrick and Liberty."
"Let's not spoil the moment by thinking about them," he remarked.
"No, wait, JT. We agree that we're the last ones who weren't completely sure we should change things, right?"
"Right."
They looked at each other for a moment in silence.
"Oh…" JT was beginning to catch on to what Emma was getting at. "You're saying that if we both know Patrick knew the truth about what we really wanted, what's with everything tonight?"
"When I walked home last night, Patrick and Liberty were still outside your house talking. JT, you don't think…They wouldn't…"
"They would," he confirmed.
"And all the strange behavior…just a put-on."
"So, Emma, this means you weren't really happy with Patrick's bossiness?"
"Does wanting to rip out his intestines and serve them as the Special of the Day count as not being happy? I put up with it so you wouldn't get the idea I was miserable and wanted to be with you instead."
"Good to know."
"And you and Liberty…you weren't about to become the surprise couple of the senior class?"
"Not on your life. I agreed to this goofy double date because I knew you had to be hiding something, and I figured I could play your game of secrets as good as you could."
"Good," Emma was relieved. "You had me worried for awhile, 'popcorn kernel.'"
"Never call me that again," JT warned with a smile. "Unless you want me to start calling you my 'old lady.'"
The laughter they then shared was the result of their joking and the relief that everything was finally out in the open.
"So what now?" JT soon asked.
"You mean, where do we go from here?" Emma questioned.
"Well, if you want to pull out the phrase clichés…"
"Funny. I do think we should go back inside."
JT groaned at Emma's suggestion.
"We should, JT. We can let them know that we're on to their game and maybe we'll forgive them for being so sneaky and meddling…someday."
"Better yet, since they went to all this trouble…let's give them a little scare."
"I can hear the wheels turning in your head, JT. Always a dangerous sign."
"You've got your purse with you. Did you happen to leave anything behind in the restaurant?"
"No," Emma answered. "Why?"
"Then we don't need to go back inside."
"That's mean."
"No it's not, Emma. Leave them alone to wonder what happened – with us, and with their plan. It's not like they won't figure things out eventually."
"But meanwhile they'll be worried about where we are."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," JT joked.
"How about we compromise," Emma offered. "We won't go back inside, but we WILL leave a note on Patrick's windshield. When they eventually come outside, before they have a chance to get too concerned about where we are, they'll see the message telling them of their success and that we've left."
"I guess that will be okay," JT accepted.
"Craig will be here any minute to pick you up and we can ride back with him, but we don't want to be too mean to the people who helped bring us together…even if they drove us nuts in the process."
"That sounds good, Emma."
"Our first compromise as a couple. We're going to make a great team, JT."
"Hey, we always have before."
"True. Okay, you wait for Craig and I'll go write a note and stick it on Patrick's car."
Emma started to walk away but JT grabbed her hand.
"Wait, Emma. Just one more thing before you go."
JT then pulled Emma close to him and at long last kissed her. Though this would be their first kiss, there was no hesitation for either of them. The kiss was neither too long nor extremely intense, but enough to serve as a good beginning for the new chapter in their relationship.
After it was over, they looked at one another.
"Wow," Emma responded, for once at a loss for any other words.
"Wow indeed," JT replied.
"JT, I've wanted that to happen for a long time."
"Me too."
"Was it…?"
"Even better than I imagined, Emma."
"I agree," Emma said, again getting flustered. "Now, there was something I was going to do. Wasn't there? I think I was supposed to go…somewhere."
"Pat's car." JT smiled at Emma's confused state.
"Pat's car? Oh, right. The car. The note. Being nice but not too nice. Okay. But don't you dare disappear on me, JT."
"Not a chance."
Emma started walking backwards, waving to JT, until she backed into another parked car. Then she smiled and reluctantly turned around and walked away. JT eventually lost sight of her amidst all the parked cars.
'If I'm only dreaming,' JT thought, 'I'm going to be very ticked off.'
At that time, Manny reached the restaurant and pulled into the parking lot.
'There's JT,' Manny thought upon spotting him. 'Standing all alone waiting under that sign. Emma is either dumb or heartless. Or both. Don't worry, JT. I'm here now. All your troubles are over.'