"How long has he been like this?" Topanga asked, leaning against the couch.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him like this before," Cory admitted.

"Someone should do something about it," Topanga suggested, gesturing her head to Cory.

"You know I can hear you guys," Shawn said, peeking his head up from his laptop.

When Topanga arrived home from her internship, Cory took it upon himself to fill Topanga in on what had happened earlier that morning. Learning that Shawn had a mysterious woman, chasing Eric around the streets, going to the Nighthawk Diner, and discovering that the girl his friend liked was taken.

Shawn did not come back from work until an hour later. He was usually home around the same time as Topanga. Cory was about to call the cops right before Shawn showed up. Knowing his friend's past, his mind went to the worst place possible. For all Cory knew, Shawn may have been in prison.

When Shawn came home, he briefly explained that he decided to tie up some loose ends at the office and get some extra work in. He even continued his work on the laptop a few minutes after getting back to the apartment.

He never took his work home.

"Shawn, we just worry about you," Cory said. He had never seen Shawn so invested in his work. The guy graduated with a C average due to his lack of investment.

"What's there to be worried about?" Shawn questioned, shutting his laptop. So what if Katy had a boyfriend. They weren't together. Sure he was interested in her, but he had only known her for two weeks. Shawn had chalked his emotions up to getting over his break up with Angela. He told himself that all morning until it eventually stuck.

"You're working at home!" Cory stressed.

"So what? People bring their work home all the time. Topanga does. Why am I any different?" Shawn asked, staring at his best friend.

"Because you're you!" Cory could not understand Shawn's suddenly increased work ethic. He figured the Katy issue had to be the catalyst. "The Shawn Hunter, I know would never have stayed at work an extra hour and then continue to do work when he got home."

"Well maybe I'm not the same Shawn Hunter, Cor. Maybe I'm evolving," Shawn posed, but the truth was completely different. "Look, I found out today that there is this huge assignment coming up in the new year. It would take me all over Europe for six months. I would be writing articles, taking pictures, doing what I love, so maybe that's why I'm taking my work home."

Cory was speechless.

"That's fantastic news," Topanga smiled, walking over to the front of the couch to hug Shawn. This was a huge opportunity for him and it was something he was passionate. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"I would have, but Cory wouldn't drop the Katy thing," Shawn explained.

"How could I, Shawn? She's the first girl you seemed to have any remote interest in since Angela left," Cory defended himself. "I wanted to protect you."

"Well thank you, but I don't need it. I'm fine," Shawn said.

"So you're not upset that Katy had a boyfriend?" Cory questioned. He wasn't an idiot. He saw the smile on Shawn's face dissipate when the news broke.

Eric, who was on the floor in front of them all playing with Josh, held up Josh's Kermit the Frog stuffed animal and started roleplaying the morning with the toy. "Hi, Kermit the Frog here and I'm here to take Katy on a date," Eric impersonated causing Josh to laugh.

"Eric, what does that have anything to do with the waitress?" Topanga implored, shifting her hands to her hips, not fully understanding the joke.

"Her boyfriend's name is Kermit," Cory explained.

"Kermit?" Topanga reiterated. When all three guys nodded their heads, they cracked up into a fit of laughter. Who was actually named Kermit in real life? Topanga laughed the most out of everyone causing her to cry. The boys had got over the initial shock that morning, but it still didn't make it any less funny. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself."

Shawn pulled himself together and focused his attention back at Cory. " I am positive that this has nothing to do with Katy having a boyfriend," Shawn began. "Yes, I was attracted to her and that's why I visited her each morning. I wanted to get to know her better. So yes, while I was disappointed to find out she had a boyfriend, this had no way impacted my work ethic. I'm just glad she's happy."

"That's a very mature way to look at this," Topanga said glaring at her husband. Like always, he made a mountain out of a mole hill. She had been worked up for absolutely nothing. "So tell me more about this trip to Europe."

Shawn dug out the brochure from his bag and showed it to Topanga. He and all other the employees were given one during their meeting. Cory and Eric peeked his head over the couch. They were intrigued with the trip itself and what it all entailed.

"It's a six-month all exclusive paid trip to England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Italy. I'll spend two weeks in each country, tour the sights, write about them and take some pictures. It's a pretty simple gig. The company is only selecting five people to go on the assignment. I'll find out in December whether I'll be going or not," Shawn explained.

"You should go," Cory said. This was Shawn's dream. He knew Shawn couldn't turn it down.

"I have to get chosen first," Shawn replied. "But what are you guys going to do for cash, if I do go."

"I can get a job," Eric offered. Shawn, Cory, and Topanga shared a knowing look and laughed at the absurdity. "Hey, that's not funny."

"Eric, you've had maybe three jobs in your life and two of them were employed by our father," Cory pointed out.

"Okay, maybe in the past I haven't had much luck in the job market, but now I three years of college under my belt. I know things now," Eric said. Though he had those three years of knowledge, Eric had no intention of returning to school. When he noticed that he did not elicit the react he wanted, being dramatic as always, he grabbed his jacket, in eighty degree weather, and headed for the door. "Just you wait, Henry Higgins, just you wait. I will not return until I have secured a job."

Eric slammed the door on his wait out.

"Henry Higgins?" Shawn asked.

"He was quoting My Fair Lady," Topanga explained. Why he was quoting the musical, she did not know. She was surprised he even knew it at all, but it was like Eric to always leave people guessing. "Do you think he'll be alright out there?"

"It's Eric," Cory began. "Of course not. I give him two minutes."

"I say thirty seconds," Shawn bet.

"Want to shake on it?" Cory asked.

"You got yourself a deal," Shawn said, sticking out his hand. "Loser owes the other twenty bucks."

Not even a second later, the three of them heard strange noises coming from the other side of the door. What began first as scratching, then knocking, the three were apprehensive to open the door.

"Daddy?" Josh asked.

Cory ran over and grabbed his son off the ground. The two of them and Shawn hid behind Topanga. They pushed her in front and made her open the door. She thought about protesting, but rolled her eyes instead. Her whole life the two of men ganged up on her, but now they got their son involved in it. She could tell this was only the beginning of the behavior, especially with Cory as his father.

Opening the door, Topanga saw a homeless man dressed in a robe with long hair and a matching beard. Popping out from behind him was Eric, prompting Topanga to scream out of shock.

"Come on, Pangers. It wasn't that scary. Why don't you invite me and my friend in?" Eric suggested, wrapping his arm around his new friend.

"Eric, who is this?" Topanga franticly asked as she still tried to catch her breath.

"Oh this? This is my new pal, Esteban. I met him on the street. He was telling me how the village he is from is in need of a new Mayor. He said I would be the perfect candidate," Eric rationalized. He knew he was destined for greatness, Esteban's remark only solidified it.

"What town would this be?" Cory interjected, taking the empty side next to his wife. He had handed Josh off to Shawn and requested that he take his son upstairs. Shawn did as he was told and did not hesitate.

"St. Upid Town," Eric said, puffing out his chest.

"Stupid Town?" Topanga realized. This had to be a joke.

"No, St. Upid Town and I shall be mayor," Eric repeated. "And when I get elected as mayor, I will send a check each month to help you guys pay for whatever it is that you need."

"Eric, that's a sweet gesture, but you're getting played here," Topanga said in the nicest way possible. She did not trust this Esteban. She did not even know him. It had to be a scam, like the pyramid scheme Eric tried to get the family involved with years ago.

Eric stood firm in his decision.

"No, I am going to St. Upid Town and I shall be mayor. I relinquish all my earthly belongings. Actually mail them," Eric ordered walking off. Esteban did not move. He appeared to be in a catatonic-like state. "Come Esteban, my destiny awaits!" And like that Esteban was snapped out of it and followed Eric.

"What had just happened?" Cory asked his wife.

"Eric left us for Stupid Town."