I know it seems like I have forgotten stories that aren't this, but trust me, I haven't, and am working on updates. I also know that Cory and Shawn haven't been coming off in a flattering light (but seriously, watch BMW reruns and see how relentless they were), but I hope you'll trust that I have a plan.

Thank you so much for all of your feedback. I'm continually amazed that so many enjoy the combining of these two unlikely characters. :-)

"We're going to see each other this summer, right," Angela asked, clinging to her father. "It's not going to be another year?"

"I promise you, baby, we will be together again soon."

"That's a promise you've made before."

"I've already been approved for the time off. The last couple weeks of June belong to you."

She smiled at him, still afraid to get her hopes up too much. "You mean I'll actually get to celebrate Father's day and my birthday with you?"

"We were together for both occasions last year."

"So that will make how many out of the past almost nineteen years?"

"Would you like a blood oath?"

"You got a piece of paper and a knife handy?"

There was an edge to her voice that left him wondering whether or not she was being sarcastic. He didn't have a chance to question her because Eric chose then to come back to the apartment from taking things out to the car. "All packed up," he questioned.

"Just about. Angela, did you have anything else to go down?"

"There's a bag on my bed, but I can-"

"I got it."

Alvin frowned as he took in the stilted interaction between them. It had been like this for the past couple of days. They weren't avoiding each other - just last night they watched a movie before Angela retired to her room, same as they had practically every night- but there was still a distance that hadn't been there before. He suspected something happened the day he was at his conference, but what he didn't know. Well, he wasn't sure he wanted to know exactly what occurred given the evidence, but still, something was amiss. "Sweetheart, did you and Eric have a fight?"

"No, we're fine."

He raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes, dad." She stepped away and wandered around the living room under the guise of a last minute check for items she knew were already in the car. "We're just dreading the thirteen plus hour car ride back home. It's a long trip with not a whole lot of scenery."

"Is that why you've been acting strange since the day of my conference?" She didn't answer. "Look, I'm quite sure I don't want to know the details, but do I need to have a talk with Eric? Lay down the law and scare him half to death?"

"Only half to death?"

"He still needs to get the car back to his father."

Angela cracked a smile at his overprotectiveness. "No, you don't need to lay down any laws to Eric. It's…" She sighed, trying to find the right words. "It's going to be awkward going back home. We didn't tell our friends we were leaving. They're not going to be happy when we get back."

"Why would your friendship upset them?"

"Because we…it's…it just will."

"Is it just the friendship, or because there may be something more there?"

"What makes you say that?"

"The boy gave up his entire vacation to drive you 850 miles to see me. He pulled you out of the way of a semi in that storm. And he hasn't complained once about sleeping on the couch. I've seen the way he looks at you and the way you look at him. I've been watching you interact for almost two weeks. I'm not blind. I even noticed the hickey that, for the record, you did a much better job covering up yesterday."

Her hand flew to her neck and she turned beet red. "Dad-"

He shook his head. "Like I said, I don't need or want details. I do not like that something may have happened under my roof-"

"Nothing happened."

"-but I'm not naïve. You're an adult and are going to have adult relationships. But whatever happened, it doesn't sound like the kind of thing that happens between people who claim to be strictly friends."

"It's complicated."

"Because of people back in Philadelphia?"

"Because of a lot of things, including them….especially them."

"Angela-"

"Plus what if Eric and I got together and it didn't work out? I don't know if I want to take that chance. It would kill me if we weren't friends anymore."

"If you and Eric decide to keep things as they are and not risk your friendship on something more, that's one thing, but…will you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Put your own happiness first. Whatever happens, make sure you're doing it because it's right for you, not what's right for Shawn or Cory or anyone else…to hell with them." They played a part in hurting his daughter. As far as Alvin was concerned, their names were mud- at least that's how his mother would've put it. "I want you to be happy, baby, but you have to prioritize you. It's not your job to live your life in a way that will be less awkward for certain people. I'm not saying to go around acting like a jerk and make them miserable, but if you marginalize what you want just because it's easier than fighting for it…well, that's a wasted life."

She nodded. There was a lot to think about. "I guess I have some stuff to figure out. I need to talk to Eric, find out his feelings on things. Hell, I don't even know how I feel." They hadn't talked much since their make out session. "God, when did this get so complicated? I feel like I should've seen this coming, not be blindsided by it."

"You know I'm just a phone call away if you ever need me."

"I know. Thanks, dad."

/

/

"What do you think?"

"At least let me give you some money for-"

Sgt. Moore held up his hand and cut Eric off. "I told you I would take care of the tires and I am a man of my word."

He was crouched down examining the new wheels, which had been a surprise. "Yeah, but I only needed one, not-."

"The treads on the spare you put on look like they're wearing down a bit. You've got a long trip ahead of you and you're not driving in a car with my daughter on subpar tires. Besides, you got the flat because you were bringing Angela to see me. And since I can never thank you enough for your help there..."

"Tires," he asked, standing and clapping his hands together.

"Tires."

"You know, a fruit basket says it so much better."

"Matthews..."

"Aw, I'm just kidding, big guy. Come here!" He threw his arms around Angela's dad. "You're welcome."

Outwardly displaying emotion was not one of Alvin Moore's stronger attributes. He was many things, but a hugger was not one of them. He hugged Angela, hugged his sister, his mother when she was still alive, and when he was married he hugged his wife. That was about it. Needless to say he was positively flabbergasted when he found himself on the receiving end of a hug from his daughter's…friend. "What are you doing?"

"Thanking you for the tires."

"A fruit basket says it so much better," he deadpanned, using the young man's words against him.

"Sorry about that." Eric released the hug. "Thanks for the couch these past couple weeks."

"Thank you for helping me to spend time with my daughter."

"It was nothing."

"It was everything." He looked around to make sure Angela hadn't come outside yet. "You're a fine young man."

"And you're a…nifty older dude."

"I'm very glad my daughter has someone like you in her life."

"She's a good friend."

"Just don't hurt her."

"What does that mean?"

"It means if you hurt my daughter I will hurt you."

Eric frowned, unsure where all this was coming from. "Sir, I'm not-"

"I'm ready," Angela announced as she approached the car. "I think we got all our stuff."

"If I find anything I'll mail it to you." He almost laughed when he realized she had applied more cover-up to hide her hickey. He didn't see much point to it now. "I'll miss you," he said, hugging her again.

"I hate saying good-bye. It's always forever until we see each other again."

"It's just a couple months this time."

"We'll see."

"Angela, I mean it."

"Okay."

"And I am up for another transfer next year."

"To where? Alaska? Hawaii? Australia? Japan? The North Pole? Someplace even farther?"

"I'm using all the pull I have to try and get to a base in Pennsylvania. This way we wouldn't be more than two hours from each other."

"You mean it?"

He pulled some papers out of his back pocket and showed them to her. "See, my official request."

Angela quickly skimmed the paperwork. "You really did it. You asked the army for something and didn't just do what they wanted without question."

"I won't know for sure until next spring. And just in case you thought I was lying about June…" He handed over another paper. "…my approved request for the days off."

She was so happy she could cry. "I'm sorry, dad. It's just…"

"I have a bad track record, I know. But I'm trying."

"Thank you."

"You should probably get going. This way you won't be getting home too late."

"Right." She reluctantly moved away. "Bye, daddy."

"Oh, I almost forgot. I have a little going away present."

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"Good, because it's not for you, it's for him."

"For Eric?"

"Me?" Eric closed the trunk. He'd been hanging back, trying to give Angela and her dad a chance to say good-bye without him right there. "You have a present for me?" He was very confused when Sgt. Moore handing him a large, wrapped box complete with a shiny, red bow. "What is it?"

"Open it."

He held it up to his ear. "It's not ticking. That's always a good sign."

"Why would it be ticking?"

'Because I made out with your daughter in her room right under your nose,' he thought to himself. What he said out loud, however, was, "You know, reasons."

"Matthews, open the damn box!"

"Yes, sir." He made quick work of the wrapping paper and was even more confused when he saw the picture on the box. "You got me a tank?"

"Not just any tank. That's a replica M1A2 Abrams battle tank- the very tank you stood on when you trespassed in the field."

"Again, it was an accident." He read over the box. "Ooh, it's a remote controlled. Cool! Makes me wish I still had all my old GI Joe toys. You put batteries in the box, right?"

Alvin shook his head. He had intended the toy to be a joke. "Yes, batteries included."

"Score!"

"Now you can leave the real tanks to the pros."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"I guess we should get going," Angela said reluctantly.

"Right. Bye, sir."

He held out his hand for a handshake. "Good-bye. Thank you again for getting Angela here."

"You're welcome."

"Drive safe, son, and I'm not talking about the tank. Though don't break that either."

"You don't have to worry."

Angela gave her dad one last hug. "I guess I'll see you this summer."

Alvin hated that she still sounded skeptical. "Definitely. You just be sure to call me when you make it home safe."

"I will."

/

/

"But what time did Angela say they would be back?"

Topanga rolled her eyes and suppressed a scream. Cory overheard her telling Rachel about her conversation with Angela and had been relentless ever since. She never planned on saying a word to him about it. "Before classes start up on Monday." She only got the call because Angela didn't want to scare her if they got back late and she was already in bed.

"Knock it off. I heard you tell Rachel they'd be back tonight."

"I said should be, not definitely would."

"Okay, so it might be late. Good, I'll tell Shawn and this gives him time to get flowers and candy and…hmm, I wonder if…"

"Cory, stop it. I know you still feel guilty for the stuff you said to Shawn, but-"

"I crushed his hope, Topanga. For a few days, because of me, he worried things with Angela were hopeless."

"You have to accept that maybe you told him the truth. Maybe it is over."

"Don't say that!"

"Wow," she muttered.

"What?"

"There's being optimistic and then there's complete delusion. You and Shawn are skyrocketing into delusional."

"What are you-"

"You need to stop it. I don't want to lose Angela as a friend and-"

"Why would you lose her as a friend?"

"I'd lose her because of my insufferable fiancé and his mopey sidekick."

He leaned back in his chair and stared at Topanga in shock. "What is the matter with you? Ever since you came back from Pittsburgh you've been on edge."

"I told you. It's my parents. Something's not right. I can feel it."

"I'm sure you're just overreacting. Your parents are the happiest, perkiest, most in love couple I know. Aside from us, that is."

"What about your parents?"

"They are not perky people."

"My parents definitely weren't perky this week."

He got up from the chair and took a seat beside her on the couch. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Maybe you're so used to seeing the perky, happy side that when they act like regular people it comes across as depressing."

"You think?"

"Yes, trust me, Topanga. It's all going to be okay."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Go right ahead, but you'll see, everything will work itself out. Me and you, your parents, my parents, Shawn and Angela: we'll be one big happy, coupley, family."

Topanga sighed and pulled away from him. "I'm going to proofread my philosophy paper again."

He watched her go, confused. "What did I say?"

/

/

Eric glanced at Angela out of the corner of his eye. They hadn't spoken since leaving her dad. A few tears were shed as the gates opened and they pulled off of the property, but she didn't say anything. She seemed to want quiet right now. However, he hated how awkward and heavy the silence felt. They haven't really talked since the thing in her room the other day. They hung around each other so her dad wouldn't think something was wrong, but words were kept to a minimum. After another twenty minutes passed silently, he knew he had to say something. "I'm sorry."

Angela turned to look at him, surprise evident on her face. "What on earth do you have to be sorry about?"

"I can see my parents every day if I wanted. You won't get to see your dad until the summer." He wouldn't even mention the decade it had been since she saw her mother. That went without saying.

"It's only a couple months. At least I know it won't be a year. I'll survive."

"Still, it's not fair."

"Who's the liar that told you that life was going to be fair?"

"It's not nice to call my mommy and daddy liars." He was relieved to get a smile out of her. "That's the scam they tried to sell me when I was a kid."

"I think when you're a kid you need to believe those lies for a while. Who would ever want to grow up otherwise?"

"Ha, growing up, there's another scam. When you're a kid you think it's all fun, late nights partying, and ice cream for dinner. They don't tell you about the bills and jobs and hard work involved. I remember getting my very first job when I was fifteen. I was a box boy at the grocery store where my dad was a manager. By the end of my first month I yelled at him."

"Why?"

"Because he and mom never showed us that having a job was hard. They always had something good to say about their day at work. I watched him almost every shift, never getting to sit down, having to sneak a lunch between problems, it was a lot. I whined over a four hour shift. He worked twice that every day and said nothing."

"They probably saved the complaining for when you kids weren't around."

"Probably." It was quiet again. He knew they had to talk about it. He couldn't imagine the entire trip home passing in torturous silence. "Angela-"

She said simultaneously, "Eric-" They laughed. "You go."

"No, it's okay. You."

"We really should talk about what happened in my room."

"I know. It was…some kiss."

"Yes, it was, but come on, Eric, that was way more than just a kiss. We were making out. You got farther with me than most of the guys I've dated."

He wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "I guess I got caught up in the moment. I never should've let things go that far."

"Hey, it's not all on you. I was a very willing and extremely active participant."

"Yeah, but you were upset and talking about your mom and I-"

"You didn't take advantage of me. I knew exactly what was happening."

"And you didn't stop me." He wasn't sure if he was asking a question or stating the truth.

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Probably for the same reasons you didn't stop me."

"What reasons?"

"I asked you first."

"No you didn't."

"Uh…pretty sure I did."

"You said there were reasons, but you never asked what my reasons were."

"So I'm asking now."

"Then it's my turn to say I asked you first."

Though annoyed, Angela couldn't help but smirk at him. "I was curious."

"That's it? That's the only reason?"

"Does there need to be another?"

He returned his full focus to the road. "I guess not."

She realized that he seemed almost disappointed. "Your turn."

"My turn for what?"

"Why did you…why?"

"Same as you; I was curious."

There. They had each given the reasonable, if slightly unbelievable answer. Walk away now and no one got hurt, nothing became complicated. Things could stay exactly as they were. "Is that all?"

"Yep- curiosity; good thing we got it sorted out before it killed the cat, huh," he fired back with sarcasm.

Eric only became sarcastic with her when his feelings were hurt. Without over the top craziness it was the defense mechanism he fell back on. But why would his feelings be hurt? She gave the same answer he did. She sighed and leaned back in her seat. They hadn't gotten this far in their friendship by keeping things from each other. She didn't want to start now…no matter how uncomfortable it could get. "I have, occasionally, wondered what it would be like to kiss you."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're so sweet, kind, and funny. You have such a big heart and care a lot about people. Once I got to know the real you I wondered what it would be like."

"Oh."

"What about you?"

"I like you, Angela. You're a lot of fun. You're also beautiful and smart and you cared enough to see past my stupid behavior and insecurities. You remind me of who I can be beyond the craziness and fear and are always challenging me to do better."

"You think I'm beautiful?" Part of her cringed inside for choosing to focus on that particular compliment.

"Of course," he scoffed. "Why do you sound surprised? I've said it a bunch of times."

"No, you've called me hot, but that seems to be your go-to compliment for women. I listened to you call Rachel hot about a million times. There were others, too. It seems like a reflex for you."

"I didn't realize I did that."

"You do."

"I'm sorry. And you are beautiful."

She stared out the window, slightly embarrassed. "Thank you. Any other reasons?"

"It's your turn."

"If we're being completely honest here-"

"We are."

"Then we'd both admit that it's been a while since either one of us has been out on a real date." Angela hadn't dated anyone since Ron, and they only went out a couple times. He was a nice guy, but it had been too soon after Shawn for something serious. "So we were probably hard up for…we were ready to kiss somebody."

"It has been a while. To be honest, I've been having so much fun hanging out with you that I haven't even thought about dating."

"Me, too. We have been spending a lot of time together and it has been a lot of fun, the most fun I've had in a while." She laughed quietly to herself.

"What is it?"

"Most people would think we have been dating all this time. My dad did."

"It sort of feels that way sometimes," he answered.

"It does."

"What do we do now?"

"I'm not sure when it happened, but you've become one of my closest friends."

"You, too."

"What if things didn't work out and our friendship was ruined? I don't know how I'd handle that."

"Me either," he said quietly. That was what prevented him from trying anything before. He was terrified of screwing up the good thing they had going. "Plus it would be really strange at home. Imagine all the crap we'd get from Shawn and Cory. They'd never leave us alone. Shawn's kinda my friend, too. He used to be my roommate. Would us dating be wrong or break some sort of friend code?"

"I don't know."

"In a perfect world, where we didn't have to worry about our friendship or other people giving us shit…I'd date you in heartbeat."

Angela was stunned by his bluntness. "You would?"

"I really like you and we have a lot of fun together." He'd be able to deal with Cory and Shawn, but didn't want them to give her an even more difficult time than they already were. She already had to work at avoiding their attempts to reunite her with Shawn. Why paint an even bigger target on her back? "So, yes, I would."

"I would, too."

Eric laughed nervously. Never in a million years did he imagine they'd be having this conversation. It didn't occur to him that they'd be on the same page. Whenever he imagined this in his head it ended with anything from her laughing in his face to doing her best to let him down easy but promising to still be his friend. He never dreamed she'd feel the same way.

"So, what would you do in an imperfect world- this world- where there are complications and people who will likely be pains in the ass?"

"I'd still want to date you, but-"

"So our friendship is ruined anyway? We'd both be wondering what if?"

"I don't think anything has to be ruined."

"It would be different. We'll look at each other differently."

"That happened the minute I came up to you in the museum."

She smiled. It was hard to believe that was just a few months ago. "I suppose so."

"You know, we might be overthinking this."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing needs to be decided now. Nothing has to change. We can keep hanging out and if we decide to…you know…then we do. If not, then no harm done."

"Yeah, except for the trauma from this conversation," she joked.

He chuckled. "Well, yeah, I'm afraid this trauma is irreversible."

"Is that what you really want?" She remembered her father's advice to put her own happiness first. "Just wait and see?"

"It makes the most sense." What he wanted was to say screw it and date her, but Shawn and Cory would never let up. He couldn't do that to her. "At least until the initial shit storm passes after we get home."

"That would be easiest."

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

/

/

Philadelphia: 100 miles. Angela sighed when she saw the sign. They were almost home. She'd gotten a call from Topanga earlier this afternoon telling her that Cory found out they were on their way. If Cory knew that meant Shawn knew. She could only imagine the scheme being cooked up. She was tempted to keep driving, go onto New York, Rhode Island, hell she's never been to Maine. Even going beyond into Canada didn't seem crazy to her at the moment. Her musings were halted when Eric started talking from the passenger seat. She smiled and wondered if he had any idea he talked in his sleep. Most of it was mumbled gibberish, but she was able to make out a few things. "Eric," she gently called out, rubbing the top of his leg. "Eric?"

"I'm telling mom and dad!" He sat up and looked around, momentarily forgetting where he was. Angela was staring at him, an amused look on her face. "What? I didn't drool, did I?"

"No, no drool, plenty of talking though."

"Huh?"

"You talk in your sleep."

"Still?"

"No one has ever said anything to you?"

"Not since I shared a room with Cory."

"Really?"

"It's not like I've had a lot of overnight company to tell me." He rubbed his eyes with one hand and reached for his travel mug of coffee with the other. "I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?"

"Well…"

"What?"

"You, said, 'ow, my butt.'"

Why did he have to say that part out loud? "Oh. Anything else?"

"Who's Cornelius?"

He smirked and hesitated momentarily before answering. "Cory."

"No!"

"Cory's real name was Cornelius."

She had to pull over she was laughing so hard. "Why would your parents do that? Even to Cory?"

"I was just a little kid, but from what I remember, it was after a relative who was offering money to whoever named a baby after him. He never got married or had kids, but wanted a namesake."

"They sold Cory out for money?"

"Uncle Corny was a nice guy. He always had five dollars for me whenever we saw him. Mom and dad used the money to help buy the house."

"I can't believe Shawn or Topanga never told me."

"That's because they don't know. Cory changed his name when he was seven after me and all my friends teased him until he cried."

"Mean."

"I was a kid. Plus, I didn't know he'd cry. I'm not sure how Shawn and Topanga never found out, but they do not know."

Angela started to drive again. "So, why were you yelling at our dear Cornelius in your sleep? And why would you need to tell on him to your parents? And what the hell was going on with your butt?"

Eric closed his eyes and tried to remember his dream. "You were there."

"I was?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"I don't know. We were at the museum and Cory jumped out of a painting."

"What do you mean he jumped out of a painting?"

"He jumped out of a painting. I can't get any clearer than that."

"But that doesn't make any sense."

"It's a dream! Those aren't supposed to make sense. You know that picture of the old couple with the rake?"

"American Gothic?"

"Yeah, that one! He was dressed as the old guy with the rake- bald cap, glasses, and everything. We were walking past it and he jumped out and tried to tackle me."

"And who was the old woman, Topanga?"

"No. Shawn was. He stabbed me with the rake."

"I guess that explains how you hurt your butt." She was quiet for a few seconds before continuing. "Are you up for a little dream interpretation?"

He shrugged. "Go for it."

"We were on a date and Cory and Shawn followed along and attacked us."

"They left you alone. I was the one they were after."

"Still, we were on a date."

"I guess." For the first time since he woke up he looked around to see where they were. "Almost home," he remarked, recognizing some of the landmarks.

"Almost home."

"Go to my parents' house, not school."

"Why?"

"I'll switch cars and get mine back from dad now. This way I don't have to worry about doing it this weekend. I think the car wash on Washington St. should still be open. We'll get it washed, too."

"That's very considerate of you."

He grinned at her. "I'm a considerate guy."

"Plus it's that's much longer until we have to face everyone else."

"That, too."

/

/

"Shawnie! There you are," Cory exclaimed as he ran into the Student Union. "What are you doing? Angela should be here any time now. I told you to get candy and flowers, maybe a potted plant. But you know what I see as I look around?"

"What?"

"Nothin'! Didn't you listen to me at all?"

"Of course I listened, Cor. It's a little hard to tune you out. But I don't think your advice would work. Angela's not really a candy and flowers type of girl."

"Did you try balloons?"

"I think I've got something even better."

"Oh, yeah? What? Let me see this."

Shawn held up his notebook. "It's a poem."

"You wrote her another poem?"

"Yes, I did."

"But Angela slapped you the last time you wrote a poem for her."

"That was because I wasn't being honest and was hiding my feelings. She knows how I feel now," he said confidently. "This time no slapping, only kissing."

"I don't know, Shawn. It's a risky move."

"I can't afford to play it safe."

"Can I read it?"

"No."

"Fine, but please tell me this one at least rhymes."

/

/

"You wandered onto a field of tanks?! How does that happen?"

Eric sighed. "I told you, it was an accident. I took a wrong turn."

"He thought the lieutenant leading cadence calls was giving him directions."

"You're lucky they weren't doing practice drills." Alan shook his head. "Only you, son."

"I'm just glad you made it there and back safely," Amy said. "Especially dealing with the storms and nearly getting hit by that semi?" She covered her face momentarily. "I don't even want to think of what could've happened to you two."

"Thanks to Eric nothing did," Angela stated, smiling at him.

"I think you're overselling it a little."

She squeezed his hand. "Not at all. Thank you for letting us use your car, Mr. Matthews. I'm sorry about the tire."

"It's not your fault. Flats can happen to anyone. Just let me know how much I owe your dad."

"He won't take your money. Eric tried before we left."

"That's true, I tried. He refused. I didn't even know he was going to give us tires. It was a surprise."

There was a knock at the back door. Moments later, Mr. Feeny let himself into the kitchen. "I see our intrepid travelers have returned. How was the trip?"

Eric shrugged. "Good. It was nice getting away from here. It had been too long since my last road trip."

"Which base did you visit?"

"Fort…Fort…I can't remember the name but it makes me hungry for soup."

Angela laughed and ran her hand along his arm. "Fort Campbell."

"That's it."

"Do you want soup? I have soup I can make you."

"No, mom, we're good." He leaned back and stretched, leaving his arm to rest across the back of Angela's chair. "We ate not too long ago."

"Did either one of you do your homework or do I need to start preparing for epic excuses?"

"All done, Feeny."

"Now, Eric, I'm sure Mr. Feeny doesn't mean that you simply wrote down the assignments, but actually completed them."

"I know that, dad. My homework's done, all of it."

He narrowed his eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Angela intervened, feeling frustrated on his behalf. "He did it last week."

"Oh, well…good."

"Who knows, there might even be another B in there," Eric added.

"You got a B+ on that last English paper and I bet your history paper could be an A. You worked hard on it. It's good."

"Don't go getting too excited. I don't know about an A this time. Eventually, maybe."

She frowned. When she was listening to him go over the assignment and helping him with the flow and final touches he seemed pretty confident. Why was he selling himself short now? She was going to say something else in his defense, but he spoke before she got the chance.

"We should probably take off. It was a long drive."

"Of course, you must be tired and anxious to get to sleep in your own beds."

"I suppose." Angela stood slowly. She wasn't exactly in a rush to get back to campus, but exhaustion was catching up with her. "Thank you again for the car."

"Don't mention it."

"And I hope the t-shirts are okay." She and Eric had purchased souvenirs from the base for family and friends. "I know you're former navy."

"No, they're great, thanks. The only time the rivalry is real is during the big football game."

"Yeah, my dad gets insane around that time, too."

"So then the last thing we'd want to do is get our dads together during the game," Eric joked. "Because, no offense, dad, but I think Sgt. Moore could take you. He's like a giant or something."

"He is not," Angela said with a chuckle. "He's 6'5". That hardly breaks any records."

"Maybe not in the NBA, but in the real world…your dad's a giant."

She shook her head and smiled at him. "I'll tell him you said that. Then what are you going to do?"

"Warn the villagers he's coming and then run like hell?" He ducked the glove she tossed his way. "Hey."

"Yeah, you look real tough running from a glove."

"It could've hit me in the eye." Eric looked around, suddenly remembering his parents and Mr. Feeny were in the room. "Oh, yeah, Feeny, we got a shirt for you, too, but I can't remember where I packed it. I'll give it to you later."

"You didn't have to get me anything, but thank you."

"We were going to get a shirt for the dean, but Angela said a gift for a higher up person at school could be looked at as a bribe."

"Yes, that might be a gray area."

"Eh, I still got her a key chain. I think it's pretty much impossible to bribe with a key chain."

"Perhaps."

"Did you invite her over for spaghetti night," he quizzed his mentor with a wink and an elbow nudge to the ribs.

"Eric, for the last time, spaghetti night doesn't exist."

"So, no lunch, no dinner?"

"There were a few coffee breaks."

"That doesn't count. You've had coffee with that economics professor you can't stand. What is the dean supposed to think?" He shook his head, bewildered. "Do you want to be alone for the rest of your life? Well, alone aside from me."

"Angela, I don't suppose your father would take him back, would he?"

"Hey! I'm standing right here, Feeny."

"After the tank incident, it's doubtful," she replied.

Eric rolled his eyes. "That was an accident."

"We should be going. Let your parents get some sleep before the baby gets up again." She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him towards the door. "Maybe we'll luck out and every one will be asleep."

"I doubt it, but yeah, we should get that over with."

"Get what over with," Amy asked.

"Nothing, just twenty questions with Cory and the rest of the Scooby Doo gang."

"Good luck," Alan said, not quite understanding why they needed it.

"So long as it doesn't end with us needing bail money and an alibi I think we'll be good. Good night."

"Good night," the elder Matthews and Mr. Feeny responded in union. They were surprised when, moments later, Eric rushed back into the kitchen. He said nothing before enveloping his mother in a big hug.

"What was that for," she asked a few moments later.

"Just for being you…for being around. Oh, I told Angela she could borrow you for mom stuff. So keep your calendar open. Good night." He quickly disappeared into the yard.

"Well, that was sweet, if a little confusing."

"I didn't get a hug," Alan grumbled.

She ignored him. "Is it just me, or were they acting odd?"

"How do you mean?"

"The looks, the little touches, and I don't think their chairs could've been any closer. She was wearing Eric's sweatshirt."

"Maybe he let her borrow it."

"Eric doesn't lend out his clothes without practically writing up a contract for their safe return. And did you see the hickey?"

"What hickey?"

"The poorly covered one on Angela's neck. It wasn't noticeable when her hair was over her shoulder, but it was there." Alan and George admitted ignorance. She shook her head and mumbled under her breath, "men."

"But since when are they dating?"

"I have no idea. All I know is that things are about to get very messy."

"Why?"

"Please tell me you aren't this clueless."

"Apparently I am."

"Alan, who did Angela used to date."

"Shawn," he answered, her meaning suddenly becoming clear. "Oh."

"What are you whining about? You two are getting off easy. I'm going to be the one dealing with this soap opera while trying to teach."

"Right, you've got it much worse than we do."

/

/

"Home, sweet home," Eric declared as he pulled into a parking spot.

She sighed heavily. "Maybe we should've asked your parents to set aside bail money just in case."

He took her hand. "It's going to be okay."

"You think?"

"Eventually. I mean, tonight's going to suck, but-"

"So reassuring." Angela noticed him staring at her, one of those stares that felt like he could see into her soul. "What is it?"

He gave up on finding the right words and instead leaned in for a kiss. When she kissed him back he reached out and held her cheek in his hand, deepening it. It wasn't intense and hurried like a few days ago. It was slow, gentle. "Sorry," he whispered when they pulled apart a minute later.

She was puzzled, but not upset. "Don't be."

"If talking with everyone is as messy as we think it's going to be, we might as well have a nice memory from tonight."

"Is that all?" He wouldn't look her in the eye. "Eric?"

"I wanted to kiss you again. I know we're waiting to figure things out and see how it goes- and I'm fine with that. It's the smart thing to do. But I just…I wanted to do it before reality and the rest of the world smacked us in the face."

"I kind of wanted to, too. You were a little gutsier than me and made the first move." Angela exhaled, knowing in her heart that things just became complicated. Even if she and Eric remained strictly friends, the dynamics in their group were shifting. Nothing was going to be the same.

/

It wasn't a surprise to find their friends waiting around in the student union. Even Jack and Rachel were there. No one even bothered to bring books under the guise of studying or last minute homework. They were just sitting there, large cups of coffee in hand.

"Hi, guys." Angela wanted to run when the wall of noise assaulted her senses. They were all speaking at once, anxious for answers to their questions. It was giving her a headache and she realized she couldn't do this right now. "I know you have questions about our trip, but it was a long drive and we're too tired to discuss it tonight." She glanced at Eric instead of their audience and was relieved when he nodded in agreement. "We'll talk later."

"Later?!"

Cory jumped up. "You take off for almost two weeks and expect us to wait? We deserve answers now. And why are you wearing Eric's hoodie?"

"Cory, shut up," he fired back. "Tonight you get t-shirts, you get answers later."

"T-shirts? What the hell are you talking about?"

"We got souvenirs." Not wanting to give people a chance to respond, he opened a duffle bag and started flinging the shirts around the room. "You're welcome."

"But-"

"Come on," he said to Angela, "I'll help you get your stuff to your room."

She flashed him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

They were dumbfounded as they watched the pair go. This wasn't what they were expecting. Somehow, no one was surprised when Cory waited all of a few seconds before going after them.

"What are you doing," Topanga questioned.

"It's later now," was all he said. He caught up just as they reached Angela's and Topanga's dorm. "Seriously, you're just going to not say anything and walk away?"

"Yes." Angela opened the door so Eric could place the bags inside.

"But I want to know-"

"Look, Cornelius," she began, enjoying the shocked expression on her friend's face at the use of his old name, "we just spent more than half a day traveling. We're tired."

"How did you know that my name was Cornelius?"

Angela realized there were two ways to handle this. She could be mature or she could have fun. "Your brother talks in his sleep." She grinned when his jaw dropped.

"I…what…but you…"

Eric came back out into the hall. He'd heard the entire exchange and was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. "Good night, Angela."

"Good night."

Once she disappeared into her dorm and shut the door he turned to face his brother. He punched him hard in the shoulder before walking away. "'Night, Cor!"