Sorry it's been so long again. I'm sure you're probably sick of me saying work delays, but well...gotta pay the bills, lol. This is longer than previous chapters have been, so hopefully that makes up for it a little. There are quite a few callbacks to scenes/episodes of BMW in this chapter which made it fun to write. I hope it is as fun to read. :-)

As usual thank you for your feedback and endless patience. :-)

"Ugh, I think my brain is going to explode," Angela muttered before laying her head to rest on her text book.

Eric looked at her from his spot in a bean bag chair on the floor. "You're the dumb-dumb who decided to take both chemistry and physics her freshman year. Why would you make a bonehead choice like that? You want to be a writer, not a scientist."

"I did it to help your brother."

"What does Cory have to do with your class schedule?"

"When we first picked our classes he was Mr. Over-Confident and chose the hardest ones he could find in the catalogue- honors this and advanced that. Then reality hit and he came crashing back to earth in epic Cory fashion and Topanga, Shawn, and I rearranged our schedules and gave up a class so he could have one."

"I don't understand."

"I have scholarships that require me to carry a full course load. So I had to scramble to find another class to fill the void. I wanted to get an extra English class or creative writing, but those were gone. I had no choice but to take an extra science."

"Next time let Cory deal with his own idiot decisions instead of making things harder on yourself."

"I was trying to be a good friend."

"And look at you now: beating your head against a book. Take it from someone who knows, the book always wins." He looked at the time before tossing his own text book aside. "We're long overdue for a break anyway."

"No, just a little more reading. I want to make sure I have the laws of thermodynamics straight."

"You've been studying nonstop for almost three hours. Why are you obsessing so much? It's not like the test next week is the final."

She sat up and spun the chair around so she was facing him. "Maybe not, but the professor said whoever has a 90% in the class going into the final can opt out and if I do well on this test it will bring my 88 up so I wouldn't have to worry about a stupid chemistry final."

"So the test on Monday could be your final if you play your thermodynamics right."

"Exactly, at least assuming I don't bomb any assignments or lab work in the next couple weeks. Unfortunately I don't think my brain can hold any more information." She tapped her head with the pencil eraser. "I've reached maximum capacity. If I try to learn anymore I may spontaneously combust."

"Do you think you'd get extra credit points for spontaneous combustion? That would be cool."

She glared at him. "No offense, but if you're not going to help, shut up."

"Relax. Lucky for you I have a cure for your stress. It's very top secret information, but I'm willing to share."

"That is lucky for me. What is it?"

"I call it The Eric Matthews Foolproof Study System."

"Foolproof?"

"Foolproof. Many people have passed tests listening to me. Lesson number one is…" Eric tried, and failed, to get up. He tried two more times before rolling to the side and landing on his hands and knees on the floor. "Okay, new lesson number one is no one looks cool getting out of a bean bag chair, not even me."

She didn't bother to hide her laughter. "I don't know, you pull out those moves on the dance floor tomorrow night and you'll attract all sorts of attention."

"Do you want my help or not?"

"Yes, please." Angela was skeptical when he took her hand and led her over to his bed. "What exactly is this plan?" Instead of answering, he sat beside her and pressed his ear against her head. That was different. "Um…"

"Shhh, shhh. "

"But what are you-"

"I'm listening to your poor brain scream its little heart out from chemistry overload." He stroked her hair. "I hear you, brain. It's okay. Don't worry, we can fix it."

"Eric, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Give me your left shoe."

She pulled away from him. "What?"

"Give me your left shoe."

"How is that going to help my overloaded brain?"

"Do you want to hear the magic behind The Eric Matthews Foolproof Study System or not?"

"Yes…I think." She took off her shoe and placed it in his hand. "Now what?" Moments later she watched him throw her shoe on the floor before taking off his own left shoe and tossing it next to hers'. "Okay, Vanna, I need to buy a vowel because I can't solve this puzzle."

"This works better with a larger group, but the idea is you grab a shoe that doesn't belong to you, find the owner, then take them to a movie. And by the way, you ask Pat to buy the vowel. Vanna just flips the letters and looks pretty in her dresses."

"And none of this explains how going to a movie will help me study."

"It doesn't. But it helps you relax. And relaxing helps your brain remember all the studying you already did."

"I don't know."

"You already said you can't study anymore or else you will break your brain. And I'm guessing a broken brain would suck for your scholarships, too, right?"

"Yes, but I just don't feel like going to a movie right now. It's getting late."

"It's only eight-thirty, grandma."

"I'm not up for a movie. Sorry." She laid her head against his shoulder. "Do you need any help with your homework?"

"No, I think I'm good. My brain is done for the night, too. I took one of the practice tests and checked my answers in the back of the book. I only missed three questions. If it was a real test I would have an 82%. That's three points better than the quiz I took Tuesday."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "See, you keep working hard and it's paying off."

"You give me some excellent motivation."

"Please, I don't do anything."

"Yes, you do. You do a lot. You help me break down all the big numbers and words in a way that actually makes sense to me. You make me flash cards so I can study even when I'm working. And hey, who is the one who discovered that I had a desk in here?"

"Isn't it amazing what you can find when you actually clear away the laundry, magazines, and dishes instead of piling them to the ceiling?"

"Totally. You…I like how happy you get when I get a good grade. I work harder because I don't want to let you down."

"The only person you need to worry about is you. These are your grades. They're not mine, your parents, or even Mr. Feeny's. Ultimately our feelings don't matter. I just want you to try your best. You have to want it and do it for you."

"I know, but sometimes it doesn't seem like enough to just do it for me. I need the extra inspiration when I start to panic and the words jumble together. And knowing if I pass I get to show off the grade to you is that inspiration sometimes." Eric lay back on the bed and covered his face. "Okay, I didn't realize how lame and cheesy that was until I said it out loud."

"I think it's sweet."

"Please."

"No, really." She lay beside him and propped her head in her hand. "Don't get me wrong, it's approaching Cory levels of sap-"

"Ouch."

"-but I may have to face the fact that the sappiness just might be a genetic trait in you guys."

"What do you expect from people whose parents address bad love notes to Pooh Bear and Boom-Boom but terrible sap?"

"Pooh Bear and Boom-Boom?"

"Apparently those are mom and dad's secret pet names for each other."

"I'm not sure I needed to know that."

"We're not thrilled about it either. Let's just agree right now- no cutesy, schmoopy nicknames."

"You'll get no argument from me," Angela agreed, resting her head on his chest.

"Great, because the minute one of us says Pookie-"

"Oh, if I ever call you Pookie feel free to run. I will not blame you. Just make sure you drop me off at the hospital before you go so I can be checked for brain damage."

"Ditto." They laid together in amiable silence for several minutes. Eric noted how weird it wasn't hanging out with her in his room, in his bed. It wasn't that he'd had a lot of girls in his room before, though there had been a few. But he had always felt a certain amount of pressure with them. Maybe that was a benefit of being friends first. They were comfortable with each other and weren't rushing things. "If you don't want to go out we could always watch a movie in here."

"Huh? Sorry, I think I dozed off for a minute or two," she admitted, snuggling closer to him. "Did you say something?"

"Uh-oh, bad sign if I'm boring you already."

"Not boring…you're comfortable. Safe. Secure." She tilted her head up and kissed the side of his neck. "Trust me, not boring."

"Sounds like a lie, but I'll take it. Do you want me to drive you back to campus?"

"No, not yet. What were you saying before?"

"I asked if you wanted to watch a movie here. We could make popcorn and raid Rachel's candy stash."

"We're not taking her candy."

"It's clearance stuff she bought after Easter. She has bags of it."

"No."

"I'll swipe you some peanut butter cups."

"Well…."

"That's the spirit!"

"Oh," Angela exclaimed, sitting up, "I know what we can do."

He followed her lead and sat up as well. "What?"

"You've been promising me a performance of your one man show: Eric Matthews: Look at Me, Look at Me! Do it tonight."

"You really want to see that?"

"Yes."

"It was panned by critics that included Mr. Feeny and my parents. Hell, my parents fell asleep...my parents. You know, those people who are supposed to love, honor, and lie to me shamelessly and tell me I'm brilliant 'til death do they part?"

"What do they know," she scoffed. "Please?"

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"Will you tell me I'm brilliant after even if it's a lie?

"We haven't lied to each other yet. Not that I think I will have to lie. I'm sure I won't, but would you really want me to start now?"

"In that case will you at least be nice?"

"That I can do."

"Okay, just let me get set up. We'll do this is the living room. There's more space for me to act out the windmill of emotional turmoil I felt when Cory was born."

"Windmill of emotional turmoil…but weren't you like three?"

"You have met my brother, right? Imagine how needy and whiny he was as an actual crybaby."

"Fair enough. I'm making popcorn. Something tells me this show calls for popcorn."

"Don't throw it at me."

She rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't waste popcorn like that. Oh, one thing. Can I take off my other shoe or is the one shoe thing part of the whole experience?"

"No, that's over. But you're more relaxed now, right?"

"I am no longer stressed," Angela stated as she added her right shoe to their discarded footwear.

He wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the room. "That's another success story for the Eric Matthews Foolproof Study System in the books. And to think you thought I was nuts when I told you to take off your shoe."

"I did, but you were right. It made all the difference."

/

Angela was adding butter to the popcorn when Jack and Rachel came in. "Hey, guys. How was the library?"

Rachel groaned and tossed her backpack on the chair. "I wish I thought like you and Eric and didn't schedule Friday classes. I don't want to take my Linear Algebra test tomorrow."

"What are you whining about? You have it easy. I have to give a presentation in economics."

Angela almost smiled when she saw Jack lugging a large poster board into the apartment. It brought back memories of grade school and science fairs. "I thought you loved money and economics."

"Yes, when it's logical and makes sense. But this semester the professor is focusing on game theory and creative applications in business. It's too abstract for me. I'm not the creative ideas guy. I'm the numbers guy. I like the bottom line."

"Wouldn't you need to learn to be creative to stay one step ahead of other businesses?"

"Sure, take the teacher's side," he grumbled. Just then he noticed the large bowl of popcorn. "You and Eric watching a movie?"

"Not exactly. He's been promising me a performance of his one man show and tonight is the night." She frowned when she saw the look on his face. "What?"

"Good luck."

"What does that mean?"

"I've never heard this play, but I have seen the script. It rivals the phone book in size. And considering Eric wrote it-"

"Before you say anything else- don't. You might not be creative, but Eric is. I think it's very brave of him to be willing to open himself up like this and bare his soul. Is it going to be perfect? Probably not, but I'm still going to be supportive. If you can't do the same…no one is forcing you to stay and watch."

Before he could even be annoyed about practically being ordered out of the room in his own apartment he felt Rachel come up behind him.

"Of course we can be supportive, right, Jack?"

Two against one. There was no winning here. "Sure thing."

"Besides, even if it's not perfect it's Eric," she reassured her boyfriend. "At least it's guaranteed to be entertaining." They all looked around when the lights flickered off and on. "What the-"

"Show starts in two minutes," Eric announced.

Almost exactly two minutes later they were sitting in the dark living room. Suddenly, a lantern switched on and the sounds of a baby crying filled the room.

"June 24th, 1978," Eric began as he slowly emerged from a black turtleneck, "I…am…born! Sadat and Begin win the Nobel Prize. John Paul I I is declared the new pope."

"Um, Eric," Jack interrupted.

"Shh, it's not the audience participation part yet, Jackie."

"But your birthday is February 9th."

"I took a little creative license when I wrote it. I was feeling more like a Cancer than an Aquarius that day."

"But-but it's your birthday. How do you take creative license with a factual event like your birthday?"

Angela picked up a handful on popcorn and threw it at him. "You're done talking." She gave Eric an encouraging smile. "What happens after the new pope?"

He stood up and moved the stool aside before striking a pose. "A new dance craze sweeps the nation…"

/

"At least they made it longer than my parents before they fell asleep," Eric said, gesturing to Jack and Rachel on the couch.

"They were working at the library all night. They were tired."

"I saw you yawn a few times."

"We studied all evening," she argued half-heartedly.

"It's okay. You can tell me it sucked."

Angela shook her head. "No, it didn't. Don't get me wrong, it needs a lot of editing and condensing, but I think it was a very solid first effort. Not many people would be willing to lay themselves bare like that- embarrassing moments and all. I think the main issue is that your life is still in Act One yet you tried to drag that out into a whole play…a really, really long play- five acts. I mean, do you need a ten minute song and dance routine for the first time you met Mr. Feeny?"

It was humorous how she was doing verbal somersaults to spare his feelings. "It was a life changing event." He sighed and went to grab a drink from the fridge. "The problem is that it's boring. My life was boring. I was at a crossroads and I still feel that way now even though I'm in college and sort of have direction. I'm still trying to make sense of things."

She followed him to the kitchen. "I think college is supposed to be about crossroads. This is when you try and determine your path."

"Does that mean in twenty or thirty years when I find my way and do things worth writing about you'll watch the play?"

"I'll be there opening night, front row center."

Eric took her hands. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"You're one thing in my life that makes sense. Sometimes it's still weird to me because I didn't see this coming-"

"-that makes two of us."

"-but it's still true." He wanted to say more, about how she made him want to be not just a better student, but a better person in general. But it felt too big, too heavy an admission to make right now. "And…and I'm very happy about that. It's nice having something that makes sense for once."

"I feel the same."

"Good. It would suck to be on different pages." Eric was babbling and he knew it. "I should probably drive you back to campus now," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Angela's arms immediately went around his neck. "Probably. No matter how quiet I try to be I always seem to wake Topanga and I know she has a class in the morning." She stood on her toes and kissed him. "I had a lot of fun tonight, after the studying anyway. Thanks for saving my brain from spontaneous combustion."

"No problem. If you're going to be combusting it definitely shouldn't be over homework. Wait a minute," he started when she began to giggle. "That came out dirtier than how I meant it. I didn't mean it like that."

"Eric, it's okay. I'm not offended. Anyway, you're right. There are much more fun ways to…combust…than over chemistry homework." Her hand went below the collar of his shirt and ran across his back. She'd be lying if she said she didn't get a thrill when goosebumps appeared on this skin almost immediately at her touch. There was something empowering about knowing someone wanted you, especially when the feeling was mutual. "Although when we do experiment with other ways to combust something tells me there will be some form of chemistry involved."

"Is that so?"

"Yep: chemistry, biology, physics…all the best parts of science."

"And earlier tonight you thought science was evil," he pointed out.

She closed the distance between them. "Clearly I was mistaken."

"Just kiss already!"

"Jack!" Rachel hit his arm. "Ignore him," she said to Eric and Angela when she saw them take a few steps away from each other.

"What? It's really late and I have to go to bed." He fell asleep during Eric's little skit, but woke up to him and Angela talking in the kitchen. He had been waiting for them to be distracted enough so he could sneak out of the room, but they kept talking. "Sorry, didn't know you guys were into weird science flirty talk. What is that, man, the Albert Einstein school of foreplay?"

Angela shook her head and laughed. "I'm going to get my books from your room."

"All right." Eric waited until she was out of sight before he whipped a roll of paper towels at his roommate.

"Ow! Watch it!"

"You didn't have to be a jerk."

"I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I was being what I am- a guy who can barely keep his eyes open trying to get to bed."

"Next time shut up and go to bed."

"Next time shut up and kiss her."

/

/

"Good morning, Mr. Matthews."

Cory looked up from his late breakfast and saw Mr. Feeny standing across the table. "Oh, morning. Sorry I was late for class today. And I promise I'll have that homework to you by the end of the weekend, Monday at the latest. Actually, you know what, I have a paper due Tuesday so could we make it Wednesday?"

"And what about the homework I assigned today that is due Wednesday?"

He sighed and looked at the stack of books beside his plate. "I guess I am a little behind."

"May I join you?"

"Sure."

The educator pulled up a chair and sat down. "Is there something on your mind?"

"No, it's not something. It's a lot of things."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Topanga's freaking out about her parents coming to town at the end of next month to do wedding planning. She's convinced something is wrong and nothing I say makes her feel better. I try to get her to talk about other things besides her parents, but she doesn't want to pick a date, a hall, or even her dress until they get here."

"I can see how that can make it hard to focus on what should be a happy occasion."

"You can say that again."

"Anything else?"

"I'm trying to keep Shawn from crumbling to pieces with this whole mess with Angela and Eric." He slammed his mug onto the table.

"Ah, so I'm guessing you're preoccupied about eighty-five to ninety percent of the time on Shawn's problems, the other ten to fifteen on Topanga, and maybe you're leaving about half a percent for you…for your school work?"

His eyes were wide. "Don't tell Topanga it's that uneven."

"I trust she already knows."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I don't know what to do, Mr. Feeny."

"I do have a suggestion, though you may not like it."

"What is it?"

"Focus on yourself and what will directly affect your future at the moment. That means from now on until the end of the term school needs to be where your attention lies. College is not like high school. You can't play catch up and hand everything in right before the final exam and expect to pass. You're not a child anymore.

"Whenever you have a stern grasp on your education, talk to Topanga about the wedding. Listen to her concerns and acknowledge them. I suspect that is all she wants."

"What about Shawn?"

"Cory, just as you need to focus on yourself, Shawn needs to learn how to handle things himself. And, perhaps more importantly, you need to learn to let him."

"I'm just supposed to abandon my best friend after he's been stabbed in the back by my brother and the only girl he ever loved?! Are you out of your mind?"

"You're acting as though they got together specifically to spite him."

"How do we know they didn't," Cory challenged. "Eric's too dumb to think up something like that, but it's cunning enough for Angela. Shawn hurt her bad. What better way for her to screw him over than rebound with someone he thought was his friend?"

"Hmm."

"What?"

He held up his hands. "All I said was hmm."

"That was a pretty loaded hmm."

"Think about what you just said. You admitted that Shawn hurt Angela badly."

"So?"

"You consider Angela a friend, yes?"

"Of course."

"Do you typically wish for friends to return to relationships where they were treated poorly?"

"Well, no, but…come on, Mr. Feeny, this is Shawn we're talking about here."

"Yes, and it is also Angela and your brother. I admit this is a complex situation and a very gray area, but perhaps it's time you stopped thinking of them as enemies out to get Shawn. As far as I can tell that is not what happened. They were friends for a long while and developed stronger feelings for one another. It's not right and it's not wrong. It just is."

"But Shawn-"

"Eric came to speak to me before he and Angela became official, for lack of a better term. He was concerned about whether or not it was right to pursue it. Part of that was because he was worried about Shawn, because they had been friends and roommates."

Cory mindlessly added more sugar packets to his coffee. "It just doesn't match the picture in my head. It's supposed to be me and Topanga and Shawn and Angela- two couples in love surviving college together. When we graduate we're supposed to by homes next door to each other, have kids together, raise them together- you'll teach them by the way, take vacations, retire, and then when we turn one hundred we'll count to three and die at the same time so we're never apart."

"That's…remarkably codependent."

"Oh, and I was going to get it in writing for the four of us to be cremated and all stuffed into one big jar. The kids can trade off custody of course."

Mr. Feeny's eyes widened. "Of course. That would be the only sensible thing."

He sank down in his chair. "I sound like a lunatic, don't I?"

"To put it mildly, yes."

"I like when things are predictable and make sense. Shawn and Angela make sense. Angela and my brother…they don't."

"You don't get to be the judge of that. Only Angela and Eric can make that call."

"What do I do?"

"It is possible to be a friend to Shawn, a friend to Angela, and a brother to Eric all at the same time."

"I don't think so."

"Have you tried?"

"Not really."

"Try."

"But if I turn my back on Shawn he'll have no one."

"No one is asking you to turn your back on him. Just as I hope no one is asking you to turn your back on Eric or Angela."

"Good. As I said, there is no enemy here. Perhaps it's time you stop acting like there is." He checked the time. "If you'll excuse me, I need to get to my next class."

"Right. Thanks, Mr. Feeny."

"You're quite welcome. And remember-"

"I know. You're always here to talk."

"No…well, yes, but do your homework. I want that late assignment by the end of the weekend."

/

/

"Oh, good, Topanga, you're here," Angela said when she opened the door to their dorm and saw her friend parked at her desk. "What are you doing?"

"Plotting the demise of my philosophy professor, that's all."

"What's wrong?"

"He handed out topics for our finals today."

"This far in advance? Ooh, it's gotta be bad, huh?"

"I have to write fifteen pages on whether or not there will ever be World Peace."

"Couldn't you just type no in really big font?"

"You don't think it's possible?"

"Have you seen this world," she scoffed. "Please."

"I'd like to think it's possible. My parents always told me it was."

"Yeah, but your parents are hippies, girl. I'm an army brat whose dad was always being shipped off to a war zone. Trust me, World Peace? Not happening. It's a nice dream though."

Topanga frowned. She knew Angela had a more cynical view of the world, but she hadn't realized how much they differed. "Why were you glad to see me when you came in?"

"I'm going shopping and wanted to know if you wanted to come. I'm going out with Eric tonight to that new club- you know, the one that's eighteen and up until midnight, one on weekends?"

"Yeah, I heard it's supposed to be a lot of fun."

It went against her better judgement, but Angela heard herself saying, "You and Cory could join us if you want."

"I'm not sure. I have to check with him. When I saw him a little while ago he told me Mr. Feeny read him the riot act for a late assignment he wants in his hands by the end of the weekend.

"Oh…okay. Well, I wanted to get something new to wear for tonight if you're interested in coming along."

She momentarily eyed the work on her desk. Normally she was the type to get started brainstorming right away, but what harm would it be having a little fun before getting to work. Besides, she and Angela haven had a ton of time to hang out just them lately. "Sure, sounds great."

"Good. Let me just call Breanne and tell her we will meet her outside in a few minutes."

"Breanne is coming?"

"Yeah, she's driving. You don't mind, do you?"

She shook her head and plastered a smile on her face. "No, not at all. It will be nice to get to know her."

/

Despite her initial annoyance and trepidation, Topanga did find herself starting to like Breanne. She was smart and had a good sense of humor. She also came from a military family and spent much of her childhood moving around, so she and Angela bonded over that. It was readily apparent, however, that Breanne knew far more details about Angela's relationship with Eric than she did. That stung. It made her feel like an outsider.

"Man, stupid big mouth Jack! What would've happened if he didn't interrupt?"

"Probably nothing," Angela admitted as she held up a shimmery gold blouse and looked in the mirror. "Nothing beyond what Eric and I have already done anyway."

"So you're stalled out at second base?"

"We're not stalled out. And trust me, there is a whole lot of fun to be had on second if you know what you're doing."

"And does Eric?"

"Let's just say I'm not complaining and leave it at that." They laughed. After a minute or two Angela realized Topanga was standing a good distance away, absently looking through some shirts. "Topanga, you okay?"

"Great, just checking out the sales' table. You never know when you'll find a good deal." She walked over with a plum colored halter in her hands. "What do you think about this?"

"That's pretty," Breanne began, "but I don't know. I still like the gold one."

Angela held them up side by side. "Purple- it would work best with my dark jeans, the ones with the subtle glitter you can only see from certain angles. Let me try it on to make sure it fits." She quickly disappeared behind a curtain.

"So, are you and your fiancé going to the club tonight?"

Topanga jumped. She had been having a petty vindication party in her head that her fashion choice was selected over Breanne's. "What's that?"

"Are you going out with Angela and Eric tonight?"

"I'm not sure. Cory's behind on some assignments. It will depend how behind I suppose."

"That sucks. My boyfriend and I were supposed to double with them again, but Todd got called into work because another waiter got sick and tonight is my little sister's birthday and she insists I be there for dinner even though I'm going to her party Sunday."

She and Cory were last minute, second choice invites? "That's too bad. It's not like the club is going anywhere though."

"That's true. You're engaged to Eric's brother, right? He's the really overdramatic guy with the curly hair?"

"Yes."

"You guys should definitely come with us the next time we go to karaoke. It was so much fun."

"Y-yeah, we'll have to work something out with our schedules."

"It fits perfectly," Angela declared as she stepped out of the dressing area. "Let's pay and get back to school. I still have no idea what I'm doing with my hair and makeup." She looked around and saw that Topanga was already heading towards the register. "Is she okay?"

Breanne shrugged. "I don't think I said anything wrong."

/

/

Later that night Topanga was in bed thumbing through a bridal magazine. She was hoping to get ideas for centerpieces, but in reality she was reading the same paragraph over and over. It was one thing to know you were drifting apart from your best friend but it was something else entirely to see them bonding with someone else. A knock at the door removed her from her lonely musings. She got out of bed and was surprised to see Cory on the other side all dressed up. "Cory? Did we have a date tonight that I forgot about?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what is all this?" She eyed him cautiously and reached out and touched his hair. "Did you gel your curls?"

"Mousse."

"Why?"

"I like the way it smells."

"Why are you dressed up and smelling good?"

"Because I've been a jerk and I figured you probably really wanted to go out with Eric and Angela tonight but assumed I'd say no so didn't even bother to ask me. So…" He twirled around. "Surprise. All dressed and ready to go."

"Cory, I don't know if they want us there. Angela asked but I think it was a pity invite. I don't know if they meant it."

"Then it's because of me, not you. I haven't been willing to give them a chance."

"But you're willing now?"

"I'm willing to try."

"Why?"

"I can see that you're upset and you miss Angela and I don't like to see you upset."

"I'm not sure."

"Will you at least give me a chance to prove I can see them and not freak out?"

She took a deep breath and nodded. Cory was willing to try. This was big. "What about Shawn?"

"He's working at the photography studio, busy all weekend." He hated that Shawn was working for that photographer again, the same guy he wanted to work with instead of going to college. Ever since he started there again he had been taking his classes less seriously. But at the same time Cory was glad his friend had something to occupy his mind. "I'll tell him later."

"Okay. Let me make myself pretty and presentable."

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "You could go like this and be the most beautiful woman there."

"That's very sweet, honey, but I have zit cream on my face. So I know there's a good chance you're lying."

"Never."

/

"I thought it would be packed," Angela said as she observed the crowd. There was a good number of people, but there was still some room to dance and walk without being sandwiched between strangers. It was the exact opposite of any other club she's been to, especially on a Friday night.

"It probably will be once all the under 21s are gone."

"Oh, so it's my fault," she teased.

"Completely." Eric held her hand and led her to a quiet corner of the dance floor. "Have I mentioned yet how beautiful you look?" Ever since she pointed out that he called any woman he found attractive "hot", he tried not to use that word for her- even when it was the only way to describe her. For her it was a term he used interchangeably that held no meaning. He never wanted Angela to think she was interchangeable in his eyes.

"You have, but I won't stop you from saying it again." The chill that went up her spine was involuntary as his fingers traced patterns along her bare back as the swayed to the music.

He stared into her eyes. Her heels had put them on a more even level and the lights from the club almost gave her the effect of a halo. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you. You look good, too," she whispered in his ear. "I love the green. It really brings out your eyes." She wrapped her arms around him and held him close- there was no space between them. Her head was on his chest and she found herself moving more to the beat of his heart than to the music. For the moment it was as if they were the only two people in the club.

After a few dances they decided to take a break and get something to drink. They were nearing the bar when someone called out.

"Oh, my, Angela! I thought that was you! See, I told you it was her."

"No, I told you it was her. Of this I am sure."

Eric was confused as the two bickering men approached and held Angela closer. "Who are they?"

"I'm not…oh, my, god. No way! Sergio? Nunzio? What are you doing here?"

"This is our club, silly," they answered in unison.

"Really?"

"Yes, our grandfather died and left us money, so-"

"-so we decided to forego college and focus on what we love most- money and dancing."

"Wow, it looks great."

"Yes, well so do you." Sergio looked at Eric. "This was not your boyfriend before, no?"

"Oh, no, Shawn and I broke up last fall. This is my boyfriend Eric."

"Well you certainly traded up- in looks and dancing ability."

She pointed at Nunzio. "Be nice. We didn't work out romantically but Shawn is still a friend."

"You're right. Where are my manners?" He slapped his own hand. "Bad, Nunzio!"

"So sorry to chat and run but we must mingle with other customers, make them feel like friends so they come back."

"Of course."

"Nice meeting you, Eric."

"Yeah."

"Save us a dance, Angela."

"Sure."

"And don't worry, you can stay beyond one if you like. Of this I am sure…because I am the owner."

"We are the owners. And whatever you order from the bar, on us."

"Thanks." She could feel Eric's eyes on her as Sergio and Nunzio walked away. "I know, they're a little eccentric, but they're very nice."

"How do you know them?"

"Topanga and I worked with them last year at that Mexican restaurant. We all used to go out dancing after work sometimes."

"Oh."

"You're not jealous, are you?"

"No, they're just…I'm not sure. They have strong personalities. But I guess it works to run a club."

"They're Sergio and Nunzio. I don't think they'll ever change." The song playing morphed from a fast, upbeat one to something slow you could sway to. "You want to dance again?"

"I'd love to. Something tells me once they get you out there I won't see you for the rest of the night."

She chuckled and leaned forward for a kiss. "They've got nothing on you…of this I am sure."

/

"Wow, this is nice," Topanga exclaimed.

"Yeah, it is, a little crowded though."

"I know, but it's a nightclub. What did you expect?"

He craned his head and looked out over the sea of people. "Do you see them?"

"Not yet." She held onto Cory's arm for leverage as she stood on her toes in her heels. "Oh, there they are."

He followed where Topanga was pointing and saw his brother and Angela wrapped in each other's arms and swaying to the music. Every once in a while one of them would say something- whisper in the other's ear to make them laugh or smile. In one instance he'd even swear he saw Eric blush after one of Angela's comments. He couldn't deny that they looked happy though, happier than he had seen either one of them in a long time. If only seeing them together didn't feel so wrong. It still felt like a betrayal to Shawn.

"Cory?"

"Huh? Sorry, what did you say? I didn't hear you over the music."

"Shouldn't we go say hi?"

"I don't know. I just realized maybe the surprise factor of my plan wasn't such a good idea. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you, but me? I might require advanced warning. They seem to be enjoying themselves right now. I could ruin that."

She looked away. "Oh. So, did you want to leave?"

"No, no there's no need to waste this look. How about we have a dance or two and then go to that all night diner on Melrose and share a banana split?"

"I'd love to. It's been so long since we've done that."

"Yeah, sorry. I guess I've a little preoccupied with stuff lately."

"That's okay. So have I."

Cory held out his hand. "So, we dance?"

"We dance."

/

/

"No way! Sergio and Nunzio run the club," Topanga exclaimed. She had decided to try and get past her little funk over Angela and Breanne from yesterday. Maybe if Cory's offer to try to accept Angela and Eric's relationship was legitimate, her friend would be more forthcoming about details of her life again.

"Yes. They still love to dance and they asked all sorts of questions about you. They insist I bring you with next time."

"Definitely I will be there, right, Cory?"

He made a face. "Sergio and Nunzio?" He never did like those guys. They were always a little too chummy with Topanga and Angela.

"Cory…."

"Whatever you want, dear."

Shawn entered the Student Union and froze up when he saw Eric behind the counter and Angela on the couch talking to Cory and Topanga. He was tempted to turn around and leave, but Jack called and asked to meet him here.

"Hey, Shawnie," Cory called out. "Join us for coffee."

"Um, no thanks. I'm meeting Jack outside." He was about to head for the doors when his brother came in with Rachel through another entrance.

"Goody, you're all here," the redhead cheered. "I have something very exciting to announce."

"What is it?"

"Next weekend Jack and I are hosting out first dinner party and you are all invited."

"A dinner party?"

"Yes, it's going to be great. We'll get dressed up and eat good food. It's very sophisticated and fun. I promise. Anyway, here are the invitations." She went around the room and handed them out.

"Rach, I know where you live," Eric remarked with a smirk.

"It's a grown up dinner party and for grown up dinner parties you have invitations!"

He patted her head. "Okay, settle down Big Red. Should I RSVP with the fridge magnets or leave a message on the bathroom mirror?"

"The magnets will be fine."

"Cool."

Jack took Shawn aside and gave him an envelope. "I know it's lame, but Rachel really wants to do this and she wants you there, too."

"You do realize you're asking me to spend the night with…with them."

"I know it's not going to be easy, but-"

"Oh, it's going to be really easy because I'm not going."

"You can't even try? Look, Shawn, I don't ask you for any favors, but I'm asking for this. Do I think this dinner party is lame? Yes. But it's important to Rachel. And Rachel is important to me. I'd like to think after all this time I've become a little important to you."

"I'll think about it."

"Fine."

"If I show up it will be for the free food."

"Great."

"I might even eat on the fire escape."

"I'm sure you'll have great weather for it."

"I sure as hell am not talking to anybody."

"You say that like people will be surprised."

"Can I go to work now?"

Jack stepped aside. "Be my guest."

"Is he coming," Rachel asked, walking over as soon as Shawn was gone.

"I have no idea."

*I say Eric took "creative license" with his birth date because the show gave him two. In season 3 his birthday was celebrated in the episode Stormy Weather, which originally aired February 9th. (I looked it up, don't know it off the top of my head, lol.) In the season 4 episode And Affair to Forget he says June 24th. I always go with the February date because it came first.

*And I don't know why Sergio and Nunzio, lol. They just popped into my head while writing.