The Long And Winding Road
Notes: I don't own the show, the characters, etc. Thanks for all the reviews so far. To answer a question about Ch. 10 from reviewer YellyBelly – "But the beginning confused me a little bit. Was Manny just dreaming that JT was in the car with her?" Yes, it was her dream/fantasy/delusion while driving to pick JT up since Craig couldn't do it. Note that Manny says, "Enough daydreaming at the red lights. Or evening dreaming. Or whatever you call it." Also, even at his most romantic, JT isn't likely to respond to Manny's question about the noise with something as hokey as "The beating of my heart, which you've taken over?", but it would be something that Manny might imagine him saying to her in her ideal scenario. The first scene was definitely designed to make the reader wonder if JT left with Manny, until Manny snapped out of it and the reader sees that JT is still at the restaurant. Just call me a writer who enjoys confusing (torturing?) the readers. Now on to the newest chapter.
Chapter 11--Gotcha
Inside Steak & Stuff, Liberty and Patrick were eating.
"This is pretty good, Patrick," Liberty said between bites. "What do you think?"
"I think JT and Emma are really missing out," he replied.
"I'm sure they don't mind too much. They're probably in each other's arms as we speak."
"Or at each other's throats."
"They would never REALLY get mad at one another," she countered.
"You think so, do you, Liberty?" Emma interjected.
The pair looked up in surprise and found Emma suddenly standing before their table looking very angry.
Out in the parking lot, meanwhile, Manny drove up beside where JT was standing and slammed on the brakes. She then rolled down her window.
"I don't normally pick up hitchhikers, but in your case I'll make an exception," she said cheerfully.
"Manny! This is a surprise."
"A good one I hope."
"Are you meeting someone?" he asked.
"Yeah. You."
Manny then got out of the car.
"Me?"
"JT, would you believe I picked up these vibrations and sensed you were out here all alone and needing a ride?"
"You've been listening to those gossipy tea leaves again," JT joked.
"More like gossipy Craig," she corrected. "I was at his place visiting when you called. He was on his way here but since his group was coming over I convinced him to stay and let me come pick you up."
"I see."
"Hope that's okay," she added. "You and I ARE friends again and I wanted to help."
"No, that's…fine," he said hesitantly
"Craig said things didn't go so well, and since you're standing out here alone, I guess he wasn't exaggerating."
"Manny, you don't understand."
Manny reached out and touched the side of JT's face lightly with her hand.
"My poor JT. I do understand. And I'm here to help"
Inside the restaurant, newly arrived Emma watched as Liberty and Patrick grew concerned.
"Hi, Emma," Patrick nervously greeted.
"Quiet, you," Emma responded brusquely.
"Emma, you don't understand," Liberty offered.
"No," Emma stopped her. "It's you who don't understand. The two of you, sitting there with the blood of countless dead cows on your hands…and on your faces too from the looks of you, Patrick."
Patrick, embarrassed, wiped some sauce off his face with his napkin.
"Do you two know what you've done?" she asked.
Liberty and Patrick looked at her, silent and worried.
"Emma…"
"No, Patrick! Answer me! Do you know what you've done?"
Emma stared at them, then suddenly changed her frown into a big grin.
"You've helped make this one of the best nights of my life. THAT'S what you've done!"
Liberty and Patrick looked at one another.
"Oh and by the way, you two…Gotcha!"
Outside, JT and Manny were still standing near her car. Manny started to push the conversation toward what she said to JT in the fantasy she had while driving to the restaurant.
"This is the first time you'll have the chance to ride in my car," she observed. "What do you think of it?"
"It's nice. But look, Manny, I need to talk to you about…"
"I guess you pictured me in something flashier," Manny interrupted. "Like a sports car."
"It's about me and Emma," JT tried to continue.
"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."
"That's just it, Manny…"
"And I know you're not superstitious, but you're sure to think my showing up here is a sign."
"Maybe, in a way," JT said, confused as to where this conversation was going.
"You are so nice and understanding and forgiving," she remarked. "That's good. If you weren't, you might not have wanted us to be friends again. But the way Emma must have treated you tonight…You're better off without her."
"We should talk," JT suggested.
"She had her chance and let it pass by, JT. The two of you can stop talking now."
"I meant you and I should talk," he clarified.
"Oh, we will. I'm so glad you want to. 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."
Manny then wrapped her arms around JT and hugged him, much to his surprise.
Inside, Emma was now sitting at the table with Liberty and Patrick.
"JT is the only man for me," Emma said proudly.
"That's great," Liberty responded, pleased to see that things really had worked out.
"I know saying that must make me sound like just a silly schoolgirl," Emma added.
"No it doesn't," Liberty assured.
"And I know that some people who are close friends try to become couples and it doesn't work."
"But not you?" Patrick asked.
"I just have a feeling…deep down. We're not in that group. It's going to work. And it's going to last."
"I'm so happy for both of you," Liberty said, genuinely happy for the couple. "If I wasn't meant to have him, at least I know he's in good hands."
"Where IS JT anyway? Why didn't he come back in with you, Emma?"
"He…doesn't know I'm in here, Patrick" Emma revealed.
"Let me guess," Patrick offered. "You kissed him and he passed out from the intensity."
"He was afraid you and I might get into a hair pulling, food throwing catfight over him and he couldn't bear to watch?" Liberty guessed.
"Better still," Patrick began again, "he was afraid the two of you WOULDN'T get into a catfight over him so he didn't feel like coming in to be disappointed."
"Wrong, wrong and wrong," Emma said decisively.
"Then what's going on?" Liberty asked.
Outside, JT broke free from Manny.
"What's going on?" JT asked.
"I know you've cared about Emma for a long time," Manny explained, "but I'm your friend and I'm going to help you get over her. Let's get in the car and get out of here. Did you have a chance to eat anything before you left?"
"No, just drank some water."
"Then let's go get you something. I ate at Craig's, but I can keep you company while you eat."
"Manny, please, there's something I need to tell you."
"Tell me anything."
"Emma and I…we're together now. A couple."
"Except that," Manny said quickly.
JT grew concerned as Manny's happy expression turned to disappointment.
"Manny…"
"No, what I mean is…What happened to the date from hell?"
JT laughed, remembering that he gave that description to Craig when calling for help.
"That's what it was all right," he confirmed. "So I walked out and called Craig for a ride. Then Emma came out after me and we argued."
"I must be missing something," Manny said, struggling to make sense of everything JT was telling her. "You argued. She's not here now. But you're together?"
"We each figured out that the other wasn't being upfront about things. You were right. Honesty was the way to go. Better late than never, right?"
"Right," Manny answered, struggling to smile. "See, you should listen to me more often. That way everything works out…for everyone."
"Anyway, after the arguing and the hiding, we got around to telling the truth. That, plus one indescribably good kiss, convinced us to take a chance. So now we're a couple. Officially. Zooming towards that big 'Happily Ever After' sign."
'Don't you DARE cry, girl,' Manny thought to herself. 'You wanted his friendship and he's given you another chance. So be his friend and at least try to be happy for him.'
"Congratulations, JT," she said. "I know it's what you were wanting."
"Thanks. Emma went over to leave a note for Patrick and Liberty while I was standing lookout for Craig. I'm surprised she's not back yet."
"JT, this is Emma we're talking about," Manny kidded. "Even if she's just signing a birthday card she can turn a simple message into an essay."
"No argument there. Isn't it great?"
"You are definitely in love," she remarked.
"Manny, about what you were saying a few minutes ago…I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."
"Wrong idea? No, don't think that way. Craig had me expecting the worst for you, so I just wanted to cheer you up."
"Well you did say I was the only one for you."
"I…just didn't want you to think you weren't wanted even if Emma didn't want you."
"And that's all it was?" he asked.
"Of course. We've tried the 'couple' thing too many times, JT. Can you see us trying AGAIN? We do much better as friends."
Manny was saying this as much to herself as to JT.
"I think you're right, Manny. Again!"
"I know. Being right is getting to be a bad habit."
Inside, the three friends were laughing.
"I'm so glad you two aren't mad, Emma," Liberty said.
"After you and Patrick put on such a convincing act? How could we be mad? Or at least, we weren't mad once we knew it WAS an act. JT just wanted to get you two a little worked up before you knew everything worked out. But I couldn't just leave a note for you to find only after worrying about what happened to us."
"I'm sure he won't mind since you managed to give us a good scare anyway," Patrick commented.
"I couldn't resist," Emma admitted.
"If JT's smart, he'll never do anything to make you mad," he teased.
"I think we've both figured out we can't stand being even a little mad at each other, so no worries there," Emma explained. "We did say a few things to each other during the argument, though."
"What about?" Liberty asked.
"Just little things," she replied. "No one can scratch at an old wound quite like someone who knows you best, you know? It's easy to say something stupid when you're hurt. Trying to protect your heart at the same time you're concerned about one another's behavior. We both know it didn't mean anything and we got all that stuff settled. It's just part of being in love. And I can't tell you how GREAT it feels that I can finally say that out loud. I'm in love with JT Yorke! And even better, he's in love with me.
"Liberty, I think I owe you an apology. Telling you that you didn't have a clue what JT wants. As it turned out, you seemed to know better than I did."
"You knew," Liberty assured her. "You said as much last night outside JT's, and it was obvious long before that. You just weren't sure about taking the big step until you were nudged. There's no need for you to apologize."
"Thanks Liberty. Thanks to both of you for everything. And now that everything's settled, the rest of this night is for celebrating. And eating, which JT and I STILL need to do."
"Then you'd better get back outside," Patrick told her. "Craig's probably here by now."
"Are you trying to give me orders again?" Emma joked.
"I wouldn't dare," Patrick replied, laughing.
"Tell JT I can get the items for the newspaper from him at school Monday morning," Liberty mentioned as Emma stood up to leave. "And that I really haven't lost my mind."
"Yeah, Liberty, like he'll ever believe that, even from me. Kidding. I'll tell him. Good night, you guys."
"You two go and have fun," Patrick said.
"But not too much fun!" Liberty added.
"Okay, Mom and Dad," Emma said sarcastically.
Emma then left the table.
"She's practically bouncing out of here," Patrick observed. "That is one happy woman."
"As well she should be."
"Liberty, do I detect a hint of jealousy?"
"Maybe just a teensy tiny little bit," she had to admit. "The whole 'what might have been' / 'roads not taken' angle. But overall I'm happy it worked out…and that we can forever remind them that they owe it all to us."
"Here, here!"
"Roger will be sorry he missed getting to watch all the fun we had, Patrick. But maybe he can help out with the next mission."
"Next mission?" he asked, growing curious.
"Finding YOU a girlfriend, of course," she answered.
Patrick laughed.
"Of course."
Outside, JT was still concerned about Manny.
"So you're really okay?" he asked. "I don't want you to be upset."
"I know you like to fix everything and keep everyone happy, JT, but believe me, I'm fine. I'm happy that you're happy."
"Good," he said, satisfied that she was okay. "Now that we're close again, I don't want things getting messed up or complicated."
"Never," she promised…and meant it. "But I hope Emma won't have a problem with you and I being friends."
"She won't. And I'm sure the two of you will become friends again real quick."
"You're always the optimist, JT. Not always the realist."
"It'll happen," JT said confidently. "Trust me."
"Okay. But maybe not tonight. I doubt she wants to spend her first night of romantic involvement with you by riding in a car with me. Would it be terrible if I asked you to go ahead and ride back with Pat and Liberty now that everything's been worked out?"
"You're probably right, Manny. Right about tonight, that is. You two WILL get along again someday."
"Call me tomorrow and let me know how the rest of the evening went?"
"Sure. Thanks for coming out here and planning to cheer me up. If I'd still been upset, I'm sure you'd have been just the friend to help out."
"Yeah. I think so, too," Manny said.
She wasn't quite over her disappointment but was determined to work on it.
"Say 'Hi' to Craig for me if you see him again this weekend," JT requested. "You'll probably talk to him again before I will."
"I'll do that," Manny said as she got back into her car. "Goodbye, JT. And…be happy."
"Good night, Manny."
As Manny was driving away, Emma came into view and walked toward JT.
"Miss me?" she asked.
"It's been torture," JT replied, taking her hand. "Don't stay away so long like that again."
"Deal."
She then kissed him.
"I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of doing that," Emma remarked afterward.
"Just imagine how it will be when we both have more energy," JT suggested. "We need to get some food."
"JT, was that Manny's car I saw pulling out of the lot just now?" she questioned.
"Yeah, it was."
"What was SHE doing here?"
"Don't be mad. Craig couldn't leave so she volunteered to rescue me."
"That doesn't surprise me," Emma said sarcastically.
"Come on, it was nice of her. She thought I was stranded. But I told her everything worked out after all."
"So she knows about us?"
"And couldn't be happier."
"That's funny, JT."
"Hey, I believe she meant it."
"Okay," Emma said, looking doubtful.
"After all, she's the one who said I should tell you exactly how I feel about you," JT reminded her. "She wanted you and I to work everything out, and I know she's glad to learn that we have. But we both felt that until the two of you can – How do I put this delicately? – Until the two of you can be in the same place without the risk of someone ending up in the hospital – probably me – we decided it would be best if she not give us a ride home."
"Okay, maybe she IS looking out for us."
JT smiled.
"MAYBE," Emma repeated with greater emphasis. "Don't get too excited, JT."
"I'm standing next to you. How can I not get excited?"
"I can tell I'm going to have to watch my step around you, JT."
Both laughed.
"I'll try harder to get along with her," Emma then offered. "No promises, but I'll try."
"I'll take what I can get, my guardian angel."
"I'm glad you're happy, because I have a confession."
"Oh?"
"I didn't leave a note," she confessed.
"I see."
"I just couldn't torture them like that."
They started walking back toward the restaurant.
"Don't worry, though. I still got to scare them. But face to face instead."
"Evil Eye?" JT asked.
"Not full blast. But they DID get the angry look, too."
"Ouch! Not that."
"Don't worry, we sorted everything out and had a few laughs."
"That's good, Emma, because we still need a ride. Once they drop us off, do you want to go to Ryan's and grab a late non-steak meal, just the two of us?"
"Sounds great. I'll even let you order for me. I'm in one of my…What did you call it?…'old-fashioned romantic moods.'"
"I don't know," JT said, smiling. "You kinda scared me back in there. Maybe you should order for me."
"Okay, JT, but if I do, it will involve something with sprouts and all sorts of healthy green things that I KNOW you like so much."
"How nice. In that case, what would you like me to order for you when we get there?
"Now you're talking."
Reaching the building, they started to walk through the entrance door.
"Emma?"
"Yes, JT?"
"You're not…expecting to get me wrapped around your little finger, are you?"
Emma laughed.
"Who? Me?"
Next Chapter – Manny's having twins? JT finds religion? Emma eats a doughnut?