A/N I usually try to keep stories light, fun and slight romantic / sexy. I do want to give a TW on this chapter. This chapter contains miscarriage. I hope I write it respectful enough to not hurt anyone's feelings or trigger anything. It was written with and in respect towards women who have suffered the loss and have had these thoughts.

After Kayleigh walks away, Angela turns to Tony. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Tony innocently replies, knowing he stepped over a boundary he wasn't supposed to step over just yet.

"What do you mean what was what? That.. what just happened with that young woman." She narrows her eyes at him. "What are you doing? You don't have to comfort me." The irritation in her voice is clear.
"I'm not trying to comfort you Angela." ~Shit this isn't going the way I thought it would.~ He feels panic rising.

"Then what is it that you're trying to do Tony?" She keeps her eyes on him, waiting for his response. When none comes, she continues. "Just 10 minutes ago, you were giving her that stupid grin you give all women you flirt with." He has a look of surprise. "Yeah, don't think I don't know. I do. I have seen it given to women the last couple of years. I am not a fool Tony. Nor am I a JoJo where you can just pull a string for it to come back to you." Her words sting, but he knows they come from a place of hurt and fear, not anger.

"Okay maybe I was trying to comfort you. I just want you to know that, I am not interested in her." ~Or any other woman for that matter.~ He closes his eyes and licks his lips.

~STOP DOING THAT!~ She internally screams.

"This used to be a lot easier between us." He honestly admits. "I want us to go back to that place and I am willing to do and try anything to get us back there again." He bites his lower lip, making her close her eyes as she is about to burst. "Do you think we can get back to that old spot again?" He openly asks.
Angela sits back and sighs. "I want us to go back to that old spot again Tony. I want it more than anything in the world. And we have been getting to that point again these last couple of weeks, don't you think?" Tony softly nods. "But to be honest, it's still pretty hard." She now smiles, leans in and cups his face with one hand. "I am willing to keep fighting, for our friendship, I've told you, I love you too much to let anything ruin our friendship. I know we can get it all back, I feel like we've already gotten a lot of it back. Again like I said, we need to let it run its course. We will get there." She brushes her thumb over his lower lip. She desperately wants to take his lips to hers, but she knows it will ruin the frail foundation they've just started to build up again. "Do you trust me?"

"More than I trust myself." He honestly replies as her dark pools pierce through his.

Angela releases his face and asks the waiter for their check. She quickly pays in cash and as always leaving a nice tip.

They have to walk back to Tony's Jeep to go to Jack's place. They've parked close, but Angela still slides her hand into his. Never looking at each other, but both smiling at the new level of comfort that has just reached their friendship.

Tony unlocks the car and opens her door, she is still holding his hand when she gets in. Both looking at his left hand in her right then looking at each other, smiling and releasing their hands. ~There it is.~ They both think. The reboot of their friendship has officially started. He quickly got in and listened to her directions towards Jack's place.

"Do you want me to tag along?" He asks.

"I think Jack would like to see you again. I do think Carol would like that as well." She giggles again. He just shakes his head and smiles.

"Okay then."

Angela presses the doorbell. The door buzzes and Tony pushes it open, allowing her to enter first.

"Thank you." She walks passed him. He just gives her a smile as he takes her scent in. ~No thank you.~ he thinks to himself.

Jack is already waiting for them when they get to his floor.

"Angela!" he says with a smile. "Hey Tony, good to see you." Jack extends his hand and Tony takes it.

"Hi Jack! How have Carol and you been?" Tony nods towards his apartment.

"Please come in, you can ask for yourself." Jack steps aside. "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

Carol walks up to them both Angela and Tony stare at her and then back to Jack. Angela smiles and opens her mouth then closes it and shakes her head. "You never said anything."

"No.. no I didn't." Jack puts his arm over her shoulder and places his hand over her growing belly. "Carol and I agreed to wait until the 20 weeks ultrasound. I don't think I've ever told you, but Carol was pregnant before.." He looks from her to his shoes unable to finish the sentence.

"I lost the baby." Carol's voice cracks. "I must have.."

"No!" Angela interjects. "You didn't do anything wrong." She places her hand on Carol's shoulder. Carol looks her in the eye. "Please don't ever blame yourself. There is nothing you could have or couldn't have done. How awful this may sound to you.. and I mean this in the utmost respect and hopefully without hurting you.. but these things unfortunately happen." Angela puts her hand on Carol's shoulder, remembering the conversation her mother and she had when she had her gallbladder removed. She remembers the pain in her mother's face when she told her she had wanted more kids. She remembers when she first held Jonathan, she secretly hoped for more kids but between her career and her failing marriage, it was not in the cards. She loves Jonathan more than anything, but she would have loved to have given him a brother or a sister. When Michael and she tried for a second child and didn't succeed directly, she thought it was her punishment for choosing her career over her marriage.

The fact that Tony and Samantha came into their lives, was perfect timing, although the feeling of guilt never really went away. I just faded to the background.

Carol smiles at Angela. "Thank you Mrs. Bower."

"Please call me Angela, Carol. And you're welcome." Angela slowly slides her hand down Carol's arm and squeezes her hand.

Carol looks up and smiles warmly. "Jack always says his boss is amazing. To be honest in the beginning I was quite jealous of the time Jack and you spent together." Carol looks at her feet and then looks Angela in her eyes again. "You don't know how much these words mean to me." Tears start to form in her eyes. "It's nice to hear another woman tell me it's not my fault." The smile widened. Angela bit the inside of her lip not to start crying. "Would you like some coffee or tea?" Angela slowly nods.

"Tea please." Her voice a mere whisper.

"Would you like coffee or tea?" Carol turns to Tony.

"Tea is fine." He softly says, impressed by all that had just played out in front of him.

"Come! Sit down." Jack walks out in front of them.

Tony quickly grabs Angela's shoulder. "That was.." He swallows. "Really sweet."

Angela gives him a smile. "I meant every word I said."

"I know, that's why.." he softly squeezes her shoulder. "You are so wonderful." Her cheeks start glowing.

The remainder of the afternoon is spend talking and laughing. Angela and Jack sit at the dinner table, go over the file and start discussing the account.

Carol sits back on the couch and watches them work and discus. Tony sits on the armchair next to Carol and follows her eyes to Angela and Jack. "It's amazing to see them work, isn't it?" He loosely asks. Carol softly laughs.

"It is quite something, isn't it?" Tony nods in confirmation. "And us partners sitting her on the couch watching them." She gave a louder laugh. Tony's head snaps back to Carol, the fierceness shocks her.
"Angela and I.. you know… we're.. uh.." He mumbles. "We're not together. She's my best friend."

"Oh.. sorry. I just assumed." Carol could have kicked herself. She remembered when Jack told her that Tony is also working for Angela. "I mean you two do seem to fit well together." Somehow feeling he needs to hear that.

"Yeah?" His eyebrows go up when he asks her. "You mean that?" He asks as her narrows his eyes. Carol nods in agreement. "Why?" He looks at her, his usual casual demeanour turned very serious in just a split second. Carol gives him a warm smile as she settles back in her seat.

"I remember when I first met you.. remember that?" The tips of Tony's ear turn red as he looks at his feet and nods. "The relief I saw on your face when you found me in the room with Jack." Carol gives a slight giggle. "I felt the same relief seeing you." Tony gives her a confused look. She puts up her hands. "I know, I know. But you see Angela and Jack were spending so much time together, when I first saw her.. I mean.." she blushes. "I'm not blind. Not only is Angela a big shot in the advertising world, she is absolutely stunning." She looks at Tony. "Don't you agree?"

Tony stares at her for a moment and slowly nods. "But so are you." He says earnestly. Carol smiles.

"I know I'm not bad looking, but neither am I what 5'7 and weigh about nothing nor am I a big shot or own my own company. And the fact that she is an amazing boss and has such a kind heart. I mean giving all employees off for New Year's Eve. She is the package deal." Tony side-eyes Angela and Jack, Angela is scribbling all the while nodding as Jack speaks.

Tony sighs. "Wait you still didn't tell my why you felt relieved seeing me." Carol laughs again.

"It was a mixture of mainly 2 things. The relief on your face and the way Angela's face lit up when she saw you. I knew you had it bad for each other. And somehow.. you never found your way to each other. Never understood why.." She says sadly. "I'm so sorry!" She says as a horrified look takes over her face. "I shouldn't have stepped over that boundary." Tony gives a scoff.

"It's because I am slooooowww and stupid." He looks at her again. ~God I'm such a fool.~ He thinks. Angela notices Carol and Tony looking at them and gives a radiant smile.

"I am so sorry Carol, here we are, in your free weekend and I am hogging your man for work." Angela chuckles. Carol laughs.

"He would have worked a couple of hours with our without you here. I'm just glad I have Tony to talk to." She grins.

"He is a great conversationalist." Angela says it before thinking. ~foot.. mouth.. arrgghh.~ she sighs to herself.
"Agreed." Carol concludes, lifting the weight on the air.

"Do I need to start getting worried?" Jack jokes. Carol looks at Tony and cheekily looks back at him.

"Maybe.." she teasingly says as all four burst into laughter.

Carol is about to get up to clear the coffee table.

"I'll get that." Jack quickly gets up and starts collecting dishes.

"Let me help." Tony immediately starts helping.

After cleaning, goodbyes are quickly said. Angela hugs Carol. "Again congratulations. I am so excited for you two." She says before leaving.

Angela checks her watch before getting into the car. ~4:pm. Plenty of time.~ She buckles in.

"Ready to go home?" Tony sits beside her with his usual, affectious grin. She happily nods at him as he starts the car.

Tony turns on the radio, the lovely voice of Karen Carpenter fills the car.

% We've only just begun, to live % Angela starts listening to the song intently, she knows the song by heart. She remembers listening to it in her early 20s. Never really paying attention to the lyrics. Today is different, as she listens word for word.. today she is different. As her mind starts racing after every line that is sung on the radio.

% White lace and promises % ~Yes there were plenty of promises.~
A kiss for luck and we're on our way ~And that kiss in Jamaica was .. everything.~
(We've only begun) ~That's what I thought.~

Before the risin' sun, we fly ~Yeah right~
So many roads to choose ~You chose the road to her~
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run ~You ran to her, while I walked behind.~
(And yes, we've just begun) ~stop it Angela!~

Sharing horizons that are new to us ~Yeah they were new to us.~ Her heart heavy.
Watchin the signs along the way ~I saw them, you ignored them.~
Talkin' it over, just the two of us ~IT WASN'T JUST THE 2 OF US.~
Workin' together day to day ~That's what made it even more painful.~
Together ~And yet I wouldn't change it.~

And when the evening comes, we smile ~I guess we always smile.~
So much of life ahead ~Oh Karen I hope so.~
We'll find a place where there's room to grow ~Yes.. we will!~
(And yes, we've just begun) ~Maybe.. maybe there is hope.~ side-eyeing Tony.

Sharing horizons that are new to us ~Will we share them again?~
Watchin' the signs along the way ~Will you notice the signs?~
Talkin' it over, just the two of us ~At least we've started talking again.~
Workin' together day to day ~Hopefully keep working at it day to day.~
Together ~Together.~

Together She smiles and looks at her hands.

And when the evening comes, we smile ~Or more than smiling.~
So much of life ahead ~So much of life is ahead.~
We'll find a place where there's room to grow ~We will find our place!~
And yes, we've just begun ~So yes, we've only just begun.~

Tony has noticed her reverie, staring outside the window, then looking at her hands. He wishes he could put his hand over hers. But he knows the timing is way off.

The next song starts, Angela is still lost in her thoughts. Tony desperately wants to talk to her but doesn't want to disturb the peace she seems to be in.

About 15 min into the drive, he clears his throat. Bringing her back inside the car.

"Oh I'm sorry Tony.. I was miles away." She immediately apologises.

"Don't worry about it, you looked very peaceful. Nice thoughts?" He tries to make some casual conversation.

Angela thinks before answering him. "Yes. Sometimes we all need to have that internal dialogue with ourselves. Sometimes to come to conclusions, other times to find peace and sometimes just to escape the real world." Still looking straight ahead.

"Oh?" Tony's voice betrays his nervousness. "And which one were you having?"

Angela breaths heave before smiling. "All of the above I guess." She turns to him. "Don't you do that?" He quickly glances at her.

"I guess we all have internal dialogue with ourselves. We all have that little voice in the back of our heads." Now he keeps his eyes straight on the road.

"No." She says. "That's not true."

"It's not?" Tony is intrigued.

"No, I've read somewhere that not everyone has that internal voice. It is said that roughly 30-50% of people have internal dialogue." She says nodding.

"Only 30-50%? That seems like such a low percentage.. doesn't it?" He quickly looks over at her again. Angela shrugs at his surprise.

"To be honest I was as surprised as you are right now. I thought it must be around 70-80%. Guess we are both wrong. But I love my inner voice." She smiles at him. "She is actually pretty smart." She laughs at her silly joke.

"I bet." He laughs too.

"What about yours?" She is curious. He chuckles.

"Well I guess he is smarter than I am, because he can definitely berate me from time to time. He's told me I'm an asshole from time to time." He awaits her reply, which isn't coming. "Well it seems you agree with him." He says with a smile in his voice.

"I cannot argue with your inner voice." She smirks.

Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys come on. Tony starts singing along and Angela can't help but join in. After the song finishes, the atmosphere in the car is light and filled with their laughter.

"So Chinese?" Tony asks.

"Yes.. I think Jonathan and Samantha would like that. What time would they come over?"

"Jonathan would be home when he finishes his work and Sam told me she'd be over between 5 and 6.. so who knows?" They both laugh.

"Let's go to the Moon Garden." Angela starts. "I went there with Isabel and Wendy.. it was amazing." "Sure!" Tony says. "Always good to try something new."

They arrive at the Moon Garden, quickly ordering their take-out and wait with a complementary cup of tea.

"This place looks great." Tony is looking around, it isn't very big, but has great atmosphere. Angela nods and then giggles at the memories she has made with Isabel and Wendy and they weren't even drinking! It was just shits and giggles. She looks towards the table they were seated and remembers Wendy's speech about men.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Tony nods her shoulder with his.

Angela turns to face him and smiles. "I was thinking about when I had dinner here with Isabel and Wendy." Tony's eyes tell her to press on. "Wendy gave one of her speeches." Tony puts up a hand.

"Enough said!" As they both laugh.

"Bower!" One of the servers held up 2 brown bags.

"Yes!" She gets up and makes her way to the server, handing him a tip. Tony quickly grabs the 2 brown bags. Angela felt giddy as she turns to Tony.

"Can I drive?" She happily asks. She has never asked him to borrow his car or even drive his car. So he has a surprised look on his face.

"You want to drive my Jeep?" He asks.

Angela's head goes up and down as she hums and then giggles. "Can I?" She gives him an endearing and pleading look. "Please?"

He grabs the keys from his pocket and throws them towards them. ~I can never resist you anything, especially when you look at me like that.~ "Go ahead." He smiles. Angela catches the keys and opens the doors, still giggling. Tony places the bags of food on the booster seat in the back, securing it with the belt. Angela notices him doing that and starts giggling louder.

"Are you that afraid of me driving? That you have to secure the food!" Her giggle turns into a full on belly laugh.

Tony looks at her over his shoulder. ~You are such a mystery to me..~ He smiles, happy that she is laughing and that he could still make her belly laugh. He takes his seat.

"Let's go Angela!" He smiles, watching Angela wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes. Angela breaths deeply before starting the car.

"Oh this is such a smooth ride!" She says driving the first couple of miles. "So did you name her?"

"What? Name her? Who?" He asks in confusion.

"Who? Ha! The car.. did you name your car?" She quickly glances over.

"The Jeep?" He is still confused.

"No my Jag." She sarcastically jokes.

"Why would I name your Jag?" ~Two can play this game Angela!~ he jokes back.

Angela looks forward. ~Oh we are playing this game.. bring it on Tony!~ She clears her throat. "Well why wouldn't you? Like golden Flash or something like that."

"Did you name your Jag?" Tony isn't done playing.

"Of course." She calmly says.

"You did? What do you call it?" Tony is curious.

"Her." She calmly replies.

"Her?" He is confused.

"My Jag, her name is Goldie. Like Goldie Hawn." Angela still has her eyes on the road. "So does your Jeep have a name?"

"No.. I guess not." He says flabbergasted.

"Well then it's about time." Knowing damn well she had just made the whole thing up. "What do you think would be a suitable name for your car?"

"Angela.. I don't know and honestly I don't really care. You pick a name."

"Well Knight Rider is a black car.. but this one looks nothing like it. What about Shadow?" She stops at a stop sign and looks at him.

Tony shrugs. "Sure why not."

~Oh my God did he just let me name his car?~ Internally she is giggling but a big smile plastered over her face.

~If naming my car makes you this happy, I would have let you name the van too.~

Angela parks the car at the back of the house. "Samantha is already here." She nods towards Sam's car. "Big Bird is here." Tony looks at her with wide-eyes, making Angela laugh. "I promise I won't call it that when Samantha is near."

Tony can't help but also laugh. "Good, thank you!"

They walk in through the kitchen door. Tony puts the bags down on the kitchen table when they hear, what they think, is a fight between Jonathan and Samantha. They share a quick look and then both sprint towards the swinging door.

"Whoa.. whoa.. What's going on?" Tony starts.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?" Jonathan spits at Samantha. "That is the dumbest thing you've ever said and you've said enough dumb things." He gives her an angry look.

"Dude.. it's just facts. How can you be so naïve? You are such a child. A. Literal. Child." Samantha rolls her eyes at him.

"Kids.. What's going on?" Angela pipes.

"Oh come on Sam.. everyone knows that you're wrong!"

"Oh hell no little man.." Sam squares up to him, as he has become taller than she is.

Jonathan looks her down his nose. "Guns 'n Roses is a better band than Bon Jovi!"

"No they're not!" The tips of their noses almost touching.

"They're both crap." Tony blurts. Both Jonathan and Samantha snap their heads towards him. "What? Oh yeah.. like Sinatra is the only great singer out there." Samantha spits.

"Don't forget Tony also likes Jerry Vale." Jonathan adds.

"Yeah and both cannot tip to either Guns 'n Roses or Bon Jovi!" Samantha laughs.

"That's right!" They both turn and walk into the kitchen.

Tony just stands there, mouth open not knowing what to say. He turns to face a snickering Angela. "They're wrong Tony.. Their bands both suck. But not a Jerry Vale fan either." She is full on laughing right now.

"Yeah rub it in Angela!" he laughs. "Come on let's eat." He walks back to the swinging door. ~Today was a sad, yet good day.~ He sighs with a smile.