Sorry for the delay. Life and work are insane right now. Though I know that's not exclusive to me. I hope everyone in doing okay. (Shout out to my fellow essential workers.)

This chapter is mostly laying the groundwork for what's to come. It might seem a little scattered and disjointed, but I hope it will all make sense in the end.

Thank you for your patience and support. :-)

"You set your alarm, right," Angela asked between kisses.

"Huh?"

"The alarm…your class tomorrow and…" She leaned her head back against the pillow as Eric trailed his lips down her neck. "…and want…wanna say bye t-to Topanga and-and your classes are…and-"

"It's set," he mumbled against her skin. "Relax."

And for a while she did, completely lost in the sensations as Eric explored her body. "What's..ow. Eric, wait a minute. Stop."

"What?" He raised his head. "What's wrong?"

"Something's-ouch…digging into my back." She tried to sit up, but almost felt like she was being pulled down.

"I don't believe this," he said under his breath. "Come on."

"Ow." His hand was beneath her and Angela felt something tug at her bra. "What is it?"

"I swear. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before."

"Wait…what are you talking about?"

"My watch."

She felt the tugging on her bra again and realized what had happened. "Hey, don't rip it. Bras are expensive. So unless you plan on buying me a new one-"

"Sorry, but it's really caught in there." He didn't know what to do when she started to laugh. "Is that helping right now?"

"I'm sorry, but you were trying to unhook my bra and your watch got stuck." She laughed again, even harder than before.

"I knew someday there would be an embarrassing sex story."

"Why is it embarrassing?"

"Hello! We're conjoined, but not in the fun way!" Eric lay on his back beside her and covered his eyes with his free hand. "Sorry."

Angela rolled to her side and pried his hand away from his face and held it in hers'. "There's nothing to be sorry for."

"Really?"

"Look at it this way: we can either laugh at ourselves and move on or dwell on it and you never get past this stage with me again because you're too nervous."

"Well that would suck, and again, not in the fun way." She playfully hit his arm. "Hey. You have your way to laugh at it and I have inappropriate jokes."

"Whatever."

"Now what?"

"How about you untangle us and then we go from there?" She sat up and carefully leaned over to turn on the other lamp.

"Deal." A minute or two later Eric chuckled at the thought that popped into his head. "What happens if I can't get this to work? What would we tell people?"

"Foreplay disaster?"

"And here I was thinking something sweet like we're so insane about each other we couldn't stand to be apart for a moment. I mean…you know…pretend for a minute we're on that level of sickening mushiness."

She decided to play along with his little game. "It would make classes difficult."

"Right? And what about work? Oh, and clothes? What would we do for shirts? We could go to one of those big and tall shops, buy two of every one, and I'd get my mom to sew them together for us so they wouldn't look weird."

"And how would you explain the whole your watch and my bra situation to Amy?"

"I'd hide behind you and make you tell her."

"Very mature."

"When have I ever claimed to be mature?"

/

/

"What did your parents say when you told them you were going to see your sister?"

Topanga folded the last of her clothes and placed them in her suitcase. Nebula was supposed to be here soon to pick her up. "I didn't tell them."

"You didn't….Topanga, they should know. They're going to worry. I know you're angry and things really suck right now, but they need to know you're okay and that you're safe."

"Aunt Prue is going to tell them tonight." She sat on the bed beside Angela. "If they knew ahead of time I'm not sure what would happen." Her parents had spent the past five years acting as though Nebula never existed and she didn't want today to be the day they remembered. She was surprised by how accommodating her aunt was about everything, at least until she discovered her sister had never lost contact with Prudence. It was strange to think that just a couple years ago she thought her aunt was an old witch who didn't understand her. "I just want to get through today with as little drama as possible."

"Speaking of drama…how's Cory handling this?"

"In classic Cory fashion: complete denial and certainty it's a phase and it will all work out."

She wrapped Topanga in a tight hug. "You're going to be okay."

"Don't say that. You don't know. My parents are falling apart. This whole thing sucks."

"Hey, I didn't say everything was going to be okay. I said you would be. However this turns out, you'll work through it and come out stronger."

She shook her head and fought back tears she felt forming. "I hate this. I hate myself for wanting to cry every twenty seconds. I hate my parents for wrecking my life and making me cry. I hate Cory for wanting to continue on with our lives as normal and plan our wedding and act like my life wasn't just wrecked."

"What about me? Do you hate me?"

"A little, yeah. Stop telling me I'm going to be fine. It doesn't feel that way right now. I can't see a day when any of this is going to be fine. My family has been ripped apart and if I want to be sad and cry about it then people should let me."

Angela was quiet. She tried to remember how she felt at nine when this happened to her and she realized her mom was never coming back. There were a lot of nights spent crying herself to sleep. Her dad tried, but he had more of a, 'this sucks, but we can't stop living our lives,' approach to the divorce. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to force you to be okay. Be sad and cry for as long as you need to."

"I don't want to be sad and cry anymore."

"What do you want?"

She got up and looked out the window. "I want to go back to when my parents were happy and life was perfect."

"Is there anything else? Because that's beyond my powers at the moment."

"I'd kill for a reason to laugh. Cory's lame jokes just aren't cutting it anymore. Has anything funny happened lately?"

Angela hesitated for about half a second before she hurried over to the door and, after making sure no one was in the hall, closed it. "Okay, but first you have to promise not to tell Cory."

"I swear."

"And you can't let on to Eric that I told you either."

"Ooh, you've definitely got my attention." She sat on the bed and patted the spot beside her. "Spill."

"Okay, so we got back to the apartment after our date last night and we're starting…you know."

"Yeah?"

"Things are good, clothes are coming off, and then…"

/

"They've got the door closed," Cory whined as he glanced down the hall. "How can I say good-bye to my fiancée if they're gabbing in there with the door closed?"

"Relax. I'm sure they're just having one final girl talk to last them the summer."

"The summer?! You think Topanga will be gone the whole summer? What do you know? Did Angela say anything? I was hoping it would just be a week or two?"

Eric held up his hands in mock surrender. It was too early to deal with his brother. "I was just guessing. We brought down a lot of luggage."

"Topanga is a chronic over packer." He glanced at up the stairs again, confused by the laughter that echoed down the hall. At least Topanga was laughing. That was a good sign. "You really think it's just girl talk?"

"Yeah, lighten up."

/

"Cory, honey, let go," Topanga grunted out. "I can't breathe."

"Who needs air when you're in love?"

Shawn tapped his best friend on the shoulder. He'd shown up just in time to see Topanga off. "Unless you want that to be what the defense attorney opens with for your insanity plea at the murder trial, let go so she can breathe."

He reluctantly released his fiancée so she could say the rest of her good-byes. "Dibs on the last hug before you get in the car." He went over to the car and leaned against the passenger door as if to ensure he didn't miss the hug.

She shook her head before walking over to Shawn. "Keep an eye on him for me? Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble?"

"Are you sure I'm the right guy for that assignment?"

"Shawn?"

"Yeah, I'll do my best."

"Thank you," she said as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Just don't keep the guy waiting too long. We both know how calm and patient he is." They shared a laugh. "It's what he's known for."

Topanga hugged him once more before walking over to Angela, who was talking to Eric, Aunt Prudence, and Nebula. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you, too. Call me anytime you need to talk. Even if it's the middle of the night."

"It won't wake up Eric?"

"Please," she scoffed. "A tornado could go by and he wouldn't move."

"What are you saying about me," he asked.

"I told Topanga you'd sleep through a tornado."

"I probably already have. I'm a very talented sleeper."

"Right, so if she needs to call me in the middle of the night to talk it's fine because we won't disturb you."

"Sure, call away."

"Okay." She hugged her best friend one more time before going over to Eric. "Gee, Eric that's a nice watch. Where'd you get it?"

"It's not new. Grandma Bernice gave it to me after I graduated-" He stopped talking when he heard the barely suppressed giggles. "Are you kidding me," he asked Angela.

"What? She's my best friend. Come on, you can't be mad."

"Bye, Topanga. Say hi to Boo Boo when you're in Yogi-ville."

"It's Yogaville, Eric."

"I said say hi to Boo Boo!"

/

/

Jack glanced at the clock and sighed when he saw it was only eleven. He had an interview in a couple days for a summer job at a bank and he hoped he got it. The Student Union was fine during the regular school year, but was a ghost town in the summer, with only the occasional student or faculty member coming by for coffee or pastries. He had an open invitation from his stepdad to come work with him, but that felt like taking the easy way out. Did he want to be the guy who ran home to mommy and daddy whenever life got boring or uncomfortable? Worst case, Mr. Matthews said he could always use some extra help at the wilderness store since Eric was taking summer classes.

"Hello, earth to Jack."

He startled and his head snapped up. Jason was standing in front of the counter, looking concerned. "Oh, hi. What's up?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. It's been a really slow day. I spaced out."

"I understand that."

"You want any coffee? On the house," he added.

"Sure. Thanks. So, is Eric around? He said he was working today."

"He won't be here for another hour."

"Crap, I've got my interview. I'll call him later. I just didn't want to leave you guys hanging with your roommate situation."

"Roommate situation?"

"Yeah, he said you needed a new roommate to make the rent and asked if I was interested."

This was news to Jack. How could Eric have offered without even discussing it with him first? "Oh…yeah."

"Don't get me wrong, it's been great hanging out with Eric again and I've enjoyed getting to know you, too, but it wouldn't be fair to move in for a month or so and then take off if I get a job someplace else. And I have a couple promising interviews lined up. So…fingers crossed."

"Really? That's great."

"Thanks. My mom wants me to interview closer to home, but my most promising offer is in Fresno and I've got a phone interview today for a job in Atlanta. It's scary as hell but you gotta take the plunge and live for yourself at some point, right?"

He nodded, more than a little weirded out by how he'd just been having the same internal debate, albeit on a smaller scale. "I get that."

"Great, you want to swing by my house and explain it to my mom?"

Jack laughed. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass."

"I figured it couldn't be that easy. You'll tell Eric about me not moving in?"

"I'll let him know."

"Cool. Tell him I'll call him later." Jason checked the time. "Crap, I better get home before my mom answers the interview call. God knows the stories the woman would tell. Thanks for the coffee."

A little while later, Eric rushed in. "Sorry, I know I'm a few minutes late. Who's the moron that decided the English department should be in another building on the opposite side of the campus." He opened the door to the supply closet and dropped his backpack inside.

"It's okay. It's been slow."

"Who would've thought we'd miss the Sunday hangover crowd, huh?"

"I know. So…Jason came by a little while ago. He was looking for you."

"Yeah?

"He said he doesn't think he can move in with us. His most promising leads on jobs are out of state."

"That sucks, would've been cool to have him as our roommate. Oh, well, guess we better put an ad in the paper." He opened the dishwasher and unloaded the clean dishes from the morning.

"Why didn't you tell me you asked him to move in?"

"What?"

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't know. It didn't seem like a big deal."

"Not a big deal? I'd like to know who I share a bathroom with."

"I figured you'd be fine with it. We need someone else to make up the rent money. Jason's a cool guy. I've known him since kindergarten. I thought I would be a good enough reference."

"Next time just check with me before you invite anyone else to move in with us, okay?"

"All right."

/

/

"Shawn, hey."

He spun around and found Angela standing behind him. Of course she'd be in the same store as him at the same time. "Hi. What are you doing?"

She held up her basket. "Oh, you know, just a little shopping: instant oatmeal, bananas, chips…simple stuff I don't have to cook."

"Right."

"How have you been? You're staying in the trailer again, right?"

"Yeah, it's been fine. Uncle Mike bought the plot next to his so I'm parked there and hooked up to his generator."

"That's nice." Curiosity getting the better of her, Angela spied the contents of his basket. "Are you going on a trip?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Ear plugs, gum, discman, a bunch of travel sized toiletries…come on, doesn't take a genius."

"I've got a work thing. My boss is finally sending me on a location shoot. I leave tomorrow."

"Nice. When are you coming back? Because- and I know things are still really awkward and I'm sorry about that- but I thought it might be nice if we hung out with Cory or took him out to dinner." He was no longer looking at her and was shifting his weight back and forth on his feet. "What? What is it?"

"Nothing. That sounds nice. Dinner for Cory whenever I get back. But you know, I can't come back if I don't leave, so-"

Angela reached out and grabbed his arm. "Hold on a minute, Hunter. What aren't you telling me?" She studied him for a few seconds. "You're not coming back are you?"

"No….no." He yanked himself free from her grasp. "See, we're not together anymore. So this…you reading my mind and knowing me better than anyone…this stops. Now. You no longer have the right."

She took a few steps closer. "Have you told Cory yet? Or Jack?"

"No."

"Shawn-"

"Nothing's official so there's nothing to tell."

"Are you doing this because of me?"

"I'd love to say yes and blame you and Eric, but it's not. It's me. I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I don't know what makes me happy. The only thing clear to me is that I'm not finding it hanging around here. Don't I deserve to find that?"

"Of course you do. But the people who love you also deserve to know that you're okay. They deserve to not be run out on."

"Look, if the move ends up being permanent I'll tell them."

"Promise?"

"Yeah."

"Say the words, Shawn."

He looked her in the eye. "I promise."

She nodded, not entirely sure she believed him. "Good. Have a safe trip."

"Thanks."

/

/

"…and all I want is a little sympathy. But do you think my parents can offer it up?"

Jack glanced around the Student Union, almost hoping there was someone else behind him. It was yet another slow day and no other customers to be found. "No?"

"You're darn right no! Topanga's been gone for four days! She called yesterday but we only talked for a few minutes. She didn't even want to discuss our engagement or the wedding at all. It's like she wants to pretend it never happened."

"I'm sorry," he said, genuinely meaning it. "That sucks."

"Thank you. That's all I wanted, acknowledgement for my pain."

"I know it's nothing like what you're going through, but things have been weird since Rachel left. I wasn't in love with her, but she's been a big part of my life for about a year. It's strange with her just gone all of a sudden."

"It's not right when the people you count on are gone. And Shawn's away working so I can't even talk to him."

"When's he coming back?"

Cory shrugged. "My parents just try to throw projects at me to keep me busy." They didn't push for the first couple days, but by day three they grew tired of him lying on the couch, staring at the TV. And his dad was pushing him to get back to work helping at the store. "I don't want to keep busy. I want to mope and whine."

"You've got a sister. Have you tried talking to her?"

His eyebrows shot up. "Morgan, the sarcasm queen? Have you met my sister? I'll go to her when I need to come up with ways to tell off Topanga's parents for wrecking my life." Cory sighed and leaned back against the chair. "I wish I had somewhere else to go. I thought being home would help, but it's not. My parents don't get it."

Jack thought it over for a minute. Surely Eric wouldn't disagree? "I might have a solution for you."

"Really?"

"You've got a job, right?"

/

/

"So I forgot to mention that Jason bought the Phillies tickets off me that I got for us when we were supposed to go next Wednesday but can't because of my classes. Cheapskate negotiated down $25 less than what I paid, but I was able to score us some tickets for next Friday. The seats aren't as great, but the weather is supposed to be nicer."

Angela nodded and continued to stare out the window as Eric drove. "That's fine."

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Things seemed okay when he picked her up for the movie, even when they got to the theater, but ever since then it's been a cold shoulder. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why do you ask?"

Answering a question with a question is never a good sign. "I don't know. You seem pissed off about something. Did I hog the armrest again? I'm sorry. You should've shoved me off."

"It's not the armrest."

"Then what is it? It can't be over candy. I got a box of Milk Duds so I wouldn't eat all your Sno Caps when I wanted a little sweet after the salty popcorn. I learned my lesson after the first time."

"Why did you come see the movie with me?"

"You're my girlfriend." Was this a trick question? "I wanted to spend time with you."

"What was your favorite part?"

Crap. "I-uh…you know…the beginning, when the story starts coming together with those guys…that was really great." He pulled into his parking spot. "And the end I mean…wow, who saw that coming?"

"What did you think of the zombie aliens that showed up half way through and started a laser gun war over earth's water supply?"

"Where the hell was I when that happened?"

"The same place you were for the rest of the movie, passed out and drooling on my shoulder."

"Hey, I don't drool!

"Eric-"

"And the laser gun war didn't really happen, did it? Because that sounded cool."

Angela unbuckled her seatbelt and shifted around to face him. "I don't get it. If you were too tired to go out, just say so."

"I wasn't too tired when I thought we were just going to relax and see a movie."

"That's what we did."

"No, you picked a foreign movie."

"So?"

"I can't get into foreign movies. There's too much going on. I'm too busy trying to read the subtitles to pay attention to anything else. It's frustrating as hell because I'm trying not to miss a word. You might as well hand me a book. It's like homework with snacks and a more comfortable chair."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't know what the movie was until it started. By then you already paid for the tickets."

"Next time speak up. I would've been fine if you decided you wanted to see The Mummy again while I was watching my movie. Or you didn't have to come at all. Where is it written a couple has to do everything together?"

"My parents definitely don't."

"I don't think most people in healthy relationships do. It's good not to be joined at the hip 24/7. I know I need at least a little bit of me time every day to function."

"Is that your way of saying you want me to drive you home instead?"

"No." She slid over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm still spending the night, if you still want me to, anyway."

"Is that a trick question? I always want you to." He dipped his head down and kissed her. "Although, not gonna lie, can't wait until your new bed gets delivered."

"Me either. It will be nice to have some real privacy. Not to mention you can spend the night without one of us accidentally ending up on the floor." The few times they'd tried to squeeze into her twin bed for the night had been less than successful. She wasn't sure what prompted Aunt Lois to suggest upgrading some of her bedroom furniture, but it felt ungrateful to turn down the offer.

Eric leaned in for another kiss. "Uh-huh."

"At least for a couple weeks before my dad visits."

He sat back against the seat. "See, we have to work on your communication skills. No mentioning the parents when we're making out. Is it that hard to remember?"

"No, it's just that easy to throw you off your game." She kissed him once more before sliding back to the passenger side and opening the door. "I'll make up the movie to you in the next week or two. The new Austin Powers movie is coming out. I loved the first one and the commercials for the second one look hilarious. We can see that. My treat."

"Cool." He tried to make quick work of closing the windows in his car, but he could only crank so fast. Power windows were definitely a must have whenever he scraped together enough cash for another vehicle. "I hope Jack's over the whole asking Jason to be our roommate thing. I didn't think it would be such a big deal. He told me it wasn't a big deal, but I could tell he was pissed. Jason's a cool person who could've helped us make the rent." He grabbed Angela's overnight bag from the backseat before taking her hand and heading for the elevators. "What's the problem?"

"You didn't ask him first. Plus ever since Rachel left he's been sort of the third wheel. Having your lifelong friend back in town can't be helping the situation."

"I didn't mean to make him feel left out."

"I know. When's the last time you guys did something, just the two of you?"

"Besides going on morning runs?"

"You mean the ones that don't happen the nights I sleep over," she asked with a smile and pressed the elevator button for the third floor.

"But come on, look at my options. Dragging my ass out of bed at stupid o'clock in the morning to run however many miles or staying in bed with you?" He pretended to think it over. "Hmm…tough call. I get a work out either way. "Angela laughed and slapped his shoulder. "Am I lying?"

"All I'm saying is if you did want to go running with him or plan a guys' night it's fine with me. It fits with the whole not being joined at the hip thing we just talked about."

"All right. I'll talk to him when-" Eric opened the door to his apartment and froze in the doorway, confused to see his brother- and seemingly all his belongings - in the living room.

"What do you mean why do I have a poster of celery," Cory questioned Jack as he held up the picture. "I like celery. In fact, I think it kind of looks like me. Don't you agree?"

"Um…hello? Anyone want to tell me what the hell is going on here? Cor, why are your things all over my couch?"

"Actually I bought the couch," Jack spoke up.

"Whatever. Why are they here?"

"I'm you're new roomie."

"What?" He let go of Angela's hand and walked further into the apartment. "Why? How? Why? When? Why?"

"Mom and dad aren't being helpful at all over things with Topanga. They're so busy with Josh they can barely talk to me. Morgan is even worse. And Feeny, oh, Feeny tops them all. The man has the nerve to leave on his honeymoon when I'm going through the biggest crisis of my life. Can you believe that? So I decided to come here, to a place where people love and understand me," he said, throwing his arms around his brother and Jack.

"Oh, Jackie, a word." He pushed his roommate up the stairs and into the hallway. "What the hell, man!"

"He was at the Student Union moping and miserable. We got to talking. We're going through some of the same stuff right now. Our girlfriends are gone, Shawn's gone, and-"

"And you didn't think to run this by me? What happened to roommates needing approval from both of us?"

"Cory's your brother. He's going through a rough time. He needs friends. I'm sure having his big brother around wouldn't hurt either."

"You've never lived with him. I have. I shared a room. I did my time. I earned my freedom."

"It won't be that bad."

He shook his head. "Fine, think whatever you want, but don't come crying to me to help you hide his body when you finally snap and take him out."

I always try to keep things as real as possible and if there's anyone that thought the watch/bra scene was a little out there...no, lol. I may (or may not) have been involved in a similar situation with similar back and forth dialogue. And no, we have no idea how exactly it happened either. Embrace the awkward humor that can come in ALL aspects of life. :-)