Only One Person is Allowed to Call Me That

Disclaimer: I don't own "Boy Meets World" or "Girl Meets World."

Set After Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric move to New York but before Topanga is pregnant with Riley.

Topanga dove into her class on deviant behavior just like she always had all her classes, with single-minded determination. It was mildly disappointing that Cory wasn't taking the course as well, exchanging a kiss with him before the class began was one of their oldest and favorite rituals. But she was still eager to learn all that she could from this course so she would have excellent preparation for law school.

As usual, Topanga sat in the front row and answered as many questions as she could and even asked some thought-provoking ones herself. And the best part about taking upper-level college courses was that there were several other students who would ask similar thought-provoking questions.

So, when they were asked to choose partners for a project, Topanga had a few different options. She chose Billy, a serious young man with short brownish hair who also sat in the front row. They were given the topic of robbery for their presentation.

"We should probably get to the library as soon as possible," Topanga said as they left class. "I know there are plenty of books that discuss theories about why people start robbing others."

"Well, I know from what you've said before that you don't believe in the 'labeling theory,' Topie" Billy said with a grin as he walked with her towards the library.

Topanga scowled at the thought of the theory that excused people from their current actions because of something they'd done in the past. "Well, I just think if a person truly wishes to change his or her behavior, they shouldn't let what others think of them get in the way…. Wait, did you just call me 'Topie'?"

The first time Topanga remembered hearing that name was right after Cory had jumped from the monkey bars. She'd run in shock after he'd landed on the ground, bleeding. Her little legs had pushed through the crowd of people until Topanga had reached Cory cradled in his mother's arms. He was covered in scrapes and his ear bled everywhere. "Oh, Cory. I'm so sorry."

Cory had only flashed her an adorable grin and said, "It's okay, Topie. I'm glad you gave me the courage to jump."

It had been clear in the weeks afterwards that three-year-old Cory had been unable to pronounce her full name, so Topanga didn't mind that he continued to call her "Topie." Especially as he was so cute with his curly hair and nice when they played.

Billy shrugged in the present, like what he'd said was no big deal. "Well, your full name is a bit of a mouthful, so I just thought –

"Only one person is allowed to call me that, Billy," Topanga said, her voice growing low and dangerous. "My husband." The name "Topie" with Cory's voice always made Topanga feel warm, but with Billy's, it made her feel cold. Cory had taken to calling her 'Topie' again when they'd started dating officially when they were fourteen, when he was being especially sweet, and Topanga's heart had always melted when she heard it. Today, he still used occasionally when they were alone and feeling romantic.

Billy's eyes widened and he backed away, like he was afraid of her. Good. Topanga was well-aware she could scare people when she needed to, and it was a skill she wished to exercise even more as she prepared to someday stare people down in a courtroom.

"You're married?" His eyes darted around until they landed on her wedding rings. Topanga stared even harder at him, struggling to believe that he'd never noticed them before. What was this guy doing? "I'm sorry, I won't use that name anymore. Promise," Billy said, his eyes still unable to meet Topanga's.

Topanga reminded herself that it wasn't normal for most people their age to be married, so it probably didn't occur to Billy to look for wedding rings. At any rate, it was clear she'd scared Billy not only of saying a name that was only for Cory, but from him trying any other romantic gestures on her.

Topanga would never let anyone come between her and her Cory.

"Okay. Shall we still head for the library?" she managed to smile at Billy.