"She really didn't have much to say."

Shawn sat at the Matthews' kitchen table between Jon and Alan. Cory sat across from him anxiously twisting a napkin into a pretzel. Jon put his hand over his mouth and regarded Shawn with grave concern.

He folded his hands in front of him. "I told her what Feeny said, but all she said 'uh-huh', 'yeah', and 'okay'."

"Poor Audrey," Amy said walking up behind Alan. Putting her hands on his shoulders she leaned over to put her chin on the top of his head. "I'm worried about her."

Jon said nothing.

"I mean," Shawn went on watching his teacher closely. "She did say 'I love you' before we hung up but that's about it."

The paper pretzel fell apart in Cory's hands. "Did she say anything at all about Mr. Turner?"

Shawn shot Jon a sympathetic look. "No. She sounded like she was gonna cry every time I brought you up, so I sorta stopped."

Jon closed his eyes and furrowed his brow.

"I can imagine how upsetting this whole thing is to her," Alan said. "It is ridiculous that it's even an issue. But it will blow over."

Slowly Jon moved his hand away from his mouth. "I'm being investigated."

"What? Why?" came at him from four different directions as the Matthews, Shawn, and Cory stared at him.

He glanced at them all then closed his eyes again. "Inappropriate conduct with a subordinate."

"What is this the military?" Alan scoffed in irritation. "She's an adult and nothing happened. So what exactly is inappropriate?"

Jon's hand went back over his mouth.

Alan gave Amy a questioning look. She patted his shoulder and caught Cory's attention. "Boys, why don't you head to Cory's room for a while."

Cory and Shawn exchanged looks. Without protest, Shawn stood up and headed upstairs with Cory at his heels.

Once the boys were gone, Amy took the place where Shawn had been sitting. "Do you know what's going to happen?"

Jon shook his head. "George managed to keep me from bein' put on administrative leave." He sighed heavily. "I wish I had been, to be honest. I don't really feel like doin' what needs to be done in order to teach effectively."

"School year's almost over so I'm not sure it matters much," Alan remarked.

Jon gave a hollow laugh in agreement.

"What are you planning on doing?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Everythin' is on hold pendin' the outcome of the hearin'. Everythin' but Saturday. That's cancelled."

Alan shook his head in frustration with the situation.

"Have you talked to the family lawyer about this yet?" Amy asked.

"No," Jon admitted. "I'm afraid of what they'll say."

"What are you worried about?"

"That I won't get Shawn without Audrey. That the investigation won't let me have Shawn with Audrey."

Amy frowned. "But the family courts knew about your situation from the beginning, right?"

Jon nodded.

"And they knew about her age and your position over her."

He nodded again.

"And they knew about your plans with her."

Again, he nodded.

"Look, Chet named you both as guardian," Alan pointed out. "The court knew about the situation; they cleared everything. All that was left was the signatures on the papers. Even if the school board should rule against you, I still don't think it will go against you in the family courts."

"It might if I lose my job and certification."

"How?"

"I dunno. It'll limit my ability to provide for Shawn and Audrey."

"Once Audrey's healthy again, you know you'll have her help," Alan said.

"I don't want her to work." Frustration seeped through Jon's voice. He took a breath and clarified, "I don't care if she works. I do care if this is the reason she has to work."

"Why don't we take things a step at a time?" Amy interjected putting a comforting hand on his arm. "Call your lawyer and let her know about the situation. Then let's try to take a breath and regroup."

Two sets of eyes peered around the corner of the staircase watching the adults.

Two sets of ears listened intently.

"I hate not knowing what will happen next," Cory nervously whispered in Shawn's ear as they sat back on a stair. "Can't plan for nothin' that way."

A pinched expression marred Shawn's face as he nodded in agreement.

"What are we going to do?"

Silently, Shawn stood up and motioned for Cory to follow him upstairs.

"This is really bad," Cory said as soon as the door to his bedroom was closed. Anxiously his fingers went into his hair, and he didn't allow Shawn to answer his original question before barreling on. "This could change the course of our future."

Shawn arched a brow as he watched his best friend pace the room.

"I mean this could have devastating consequences for all of us."

Shawn squinted at him.

"If Mr. Turner and Miss Andrews don't get married then they can't adopt you. If they don't adopt you, we won't be brothers." Cory's expression became more distraught with every word. "If we aren't brothers, then we'll end up estranged for years and years after my daughter is born…"

"Cory!" Shawn wrestled the lapels of his leather jacket away from his best friend. "Snap out of it! That's not gonna happen."

Cory stared at him in distress. "You're right. I won't have a daughter because Topanga and I won't get married! Shawn, this is going to ruin my life! Miss Tompkins is going to ruin my life just so she can get back with Mr. Turner!"

Shawn scratched his neck while he shook his head at the wild conclusions Cory was capable of drawing when he was in a dramatic mood. "Cory, I think you and Topanga will be fine."

"You think?"

"Yeah."

Cory folded and unfolded his hands in front of him. "How come you're so sure about that?"

"Because things are going to work out just fine." Shawn dropped to the bed with a bounce, "Jon and Aud will get married. We will be brothers. And you'll have a daughter."

"With Topanga?"

"Yeah, with Topanga," he reassured him with a small smile.

"How can you be so sure?" Cory asked as took a seat next to him.

"Feeny can't go against the Constitution," Shawn responded confidently.

Unable to mentally shift fast enough to follow Shawn into civics, he could only respond with "huh"?

"Feeny grilled me after he got done with Jon," he explained, leaning back on the mattress. He propped himself up on one elbow. "Don't worry. I lied about everything."

"Okay, good. But what does that have to do with the Constitution?"

Shawn shook his hair out of his face. "I tried not to lie because it stresses Jon out but every time I pleaded the Fifth, Feeny told me it's not a criminal trial, so it doesn't apply."

"Wow," Cory breathed in amazement, "I never thought Feeny would be anti-establishment."

"Dude's gotta god complex, I'm tellin' you."

Cory stared at the carpet in dismay. "If Feeny rejects the Constitution, we are dead."

Shawn dismissed the idea. "Nah, it'll work out."

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because it's true. Everything will be fine, Cory. You'll see."

Cory found Shawn's unflappable coolness mildly frustrating. "Usually I'm telling you that. Why are you so sure?"

"Because Audrey said so."

He sat on the edge of the bed and twisted around to look back at Shawn. "I know Miss Andrews knows a lot, but she can't possibly know the future."

Unphased, Shawn lifted his chin slightly. "Are you and Topanga meant to be?"

Cory frowned slightly. "Yeah."

"Things can't be perfect because life isn't perfect," he said wisely. "But even though the roads are rough, we'll make it to where we need to be. Just gotta wear that helmet."

Eric once told Cory that life was hard and to wear a helmet, but he was unaware his brother had ever had the same conversation with Shawn. However, now was not the time to ask about it. Instead he said, "I just don't want you to be hurt if things don't work out is all."

"I know and I appreciate it. But it will work out."

"I hope so."

Shawn sat up and took on Cory's posture by putting his elbows on his knees. "Cor, why are you and Topanga gonna have a daughter someday?"

"Cause we're going to get married someday," he replied, curious as to why Shawn kept bring things back to him.

"How do you know?"

Cory gave a rueful snort. "Because Topanga's the only girl for me."

"But you're broken up and datin' other people," Shawn pointed out.

"Well, yeah, for now."

"How do you know it isn't forever?"

"Because we're…" A small smile tugged at Cory's mouth as he realized where Shawn's questions were leading. "Because we're meant to be."

Shawn gave him a knowing smirk.

"Exactly."

"Man, I knew you were a magnet for crazy women."

Eli stood in Jon's kitchen with a freshly opened soda in his hand watching his best friend pace the small living area of the apartment. "But I didn't expect one turn out to be an actual bunny-boiler."

Jon stopped pacing long enough to glare at his best friend. "I hate that movie."

Eli shrugged.

After several minutes of lapping the couch, he put the soda down and stepped in Jon's path.

"Just call her."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Feeny said not to."

Eli scrunched up his nose at the remark. "What is he your dad or something?"

Jon threw up his hands. "You sound like Shawn."

Eli shook his head slightly. "I swear teachers have had actual affairs with students and people barely blink. Why is the school board pursuing this so hard when Audrey's an adult?"

Jon's chin dropped down towards his chest.

His lack of immediate response made Eli raise his brow in concern. "She is an adult, right?"

Jon put his hand on his waist and glared at him.

"Just checkin'," Eli shook his head again. "Look, just call her. How is anyone gonna find out?"

"Feeny knows everythin'!"

He shifted uncomfortable and grimaced. "Yeah, true."

Jon resumed pacing.

Finally Eli said, "Look you've got to talk to her or else you're gonna wear a hole through the floor and you won't be able to cover the repairs if you lose your career."

Jon glared at him again but stopped and dropped onto the couch. Eli picked the phone up and handed it to him.

"I don't wanna get her in trouble."

"Isn't there someone you can call who knows her other than Richie?"

Jon frowned at the television set for a moment then lit up. "Yeah, her advisor."

"Thank God," Eli muttered under his breath. "I can't take much more of the moping!"

To distract himself and to give Jon a little bit of privacy (but not so much that he couldn't overhear), he busied himself in the kitchen preparing dinner since Shawn would be home later and Jon clearly wasn't capable of it at the moment.

Eli opened the freezer and saw that it was well stocked with meals Audrey had prepared before they left for Lancaster. He closed the door and looked over his shoulder at Jon wondering how much worse it be for him and Shawn if dinner was Audrey's food minus Audrey.

He decided neither Jon nor Shawn would notice if dinner was a can of soup, chips, a sprig of lettuce.

Oh, and a soda.

"What do you mean she won't talk?"

Eli looked up sharply and put down the can opener.

"Is she eatin'? Alex, someone has to be with her and make sure she's gettin' to her meetin's and follow her plan at home." Distressed, Jon ran his hand through his hair as he knelt on the couch. "Ah, man, she needs someone takin' care of her!"

His mouth pressed into a thin line as he listened to Alex's reply.

Eli found himself inching closer to Jon, very curious and a little worried.

"Well, look, maybe she needs a distraction, you know?" The anxiety and frustration of his situation came through in his voice. "If you could get her some flowers, get hibiscus because plumeria is hard to find. Just don't get roses; she hates them. And put 'em in my name. I'll pay you back. I know she probably doesn't want anything to eat, but she love that new cookie n' cream thing Hershey puts out. Just don't get her milk or dark chocolate. White chocolate only. You know, forget that. She'd rather have her tea. It's a specialty tea- peppermint and chocolate…"

Jon's detailed list of Audrey's likes and dislikes surprised Eli. It was a striking change from the old days when Jon couldn't remember a woman's name never mind what flavor and brand of tea she preferred.

As much as he liked Audrey this realization bothered him quite a bit.

Jon was changing.

He shifted uncomfortably but continued to listen.

"Yeah, well, could you do it just in case I can't do it myself for some reason? I've a got a bad feelin' about this, Alex. There's gonna be a hearin'." Jon put his hand over his mouth as he listened to the response. Then he sighed heavily and said, "Yeah, okay. I'll try. Thanks. Later."

Jon stood with the phone to his ear long after Audrey's advisor had hung up while Eli waited to find out about the part of the conversation he couldn't hear.

"Well?" Eli asked impatiently when no information was offered.

Jon looked at him blankly. "Alex says nothin' will happen. NYU has already completed their investigation- no misconduct."

Refraining from saying "See I told you so" Eli opted for, "See nothing to worry about."

Jon not only didn't look convinced, but he also looked even more miserable. He really didn't understand why Jon was so upset over something that was seemingly easy to resolve, but then he also didn't understand the changes in his best friend. No matter, Jon needed him so Eli offered the most comforting reassurance he could while trying to also snap him out of his melancholy.

"Look, Jonny, if the school board snuff's your license over this G-rated thing you've got with Audrey, then there is some messed up politics going on and a maybe a story that can get me outta education."

Eli anticipated an eye roll or sarcastic retort. Jon put his hand over his mouth and closed his eyes while slightly shaking his head.

He had no idea what to make of this lack of response. "Okay I'm starting to really get concerned. Why are you so worried about all this?"

As Jon recounted his fear that losing Audrey would be losing Shawn, Eli was dumbfounded by the things coming out of his best friend's mouth:

Marriage.

Kids.

Fatherhood.

Fear.

Doubt.

Eli felt like he was suddenly talking to a stranger. Pushing the uncomfortable feeling aside, he sat on the arm of the couch and regarded Jon worriedly.

"You're jumping to worst-case scenario," he pointed out.

Jon shook his head and stared at the TV set. "I can't help it, Eli. Kat could literally ruin my life, Audrey's, and Shawn's."

"But Feeny's on your side, right?"

"Yeah."

Eli frowned. "This is what I don't get; you've got the all-powerful Feeny backing you but you're sitting here convinced your life is over."

Jon glanced up at him, put his hand back over his mouth, and muttered into his palm.

Eli spent a few minutes more trying to convince him that the world wasn't ending but he couldn't budge Jon's fatalist outlook. So he sat on the couch with him flipping through the channels while they waited for Shawn to come home wondering what happened to the man he once knew as well as he knew himself.

The rest of the week was a blur.

Jon had no memory of the lead up to his "trial". During that time, Alan, Eli, and Feeny were in and out of his life, offering advice and support. Amy insisted that he and Shawn join them for dinner every night. Yet nothing done or said brought him any comfort.

Instead, a gamut of emotion engulfed him all day and all night. The uncertainty of what lay ahead of him made him restless and distant. He couldn't focus on anything, so nothing got done.

While the other adults offered plenty of practical advice, they had their own lives and did not see what he was like at home.

But Shawn did.

And it was Shawn who got him through the week.

The teen stepped up to not only take care of himself and do all of the household chores, but he also made sure that not only did he have his schoolwork done and with him when he left for school, he made sure Jon had everything he needed as well. He managed the laundry on his own and even avoided fights over the machines.

The hearing was slated for Friday after school.

With permission from Feeny, Shawn was glued to Jon's side all day as his assistant. With the end of the school year so close, no one questioned this because they had checked out weeks ago.

When the final bell rang, Jon sank into his chair and put his hand over his mouth. Shawn sat on the desk and watched him closely. A short time later, Cory poked his head into the classroom and gave a light rap on the doorframe.

Shawn looked up and waved him in.

Cory stepped into the room and made his way to his best friend. Right behind him was Alan.

Jon frowned when he saw Cory's father. "What are you doin' here?"

Alan walked over to Shawn and put a fatherly hand on his head then messed up his hair. "Your kid is my kid's best friend. According to my kid that makes us brothers."

Jon gave a snort of disbelief at the idea. He glanced at Cory who raised his palms up.

"I don't make the rules, Mr. Turner. That's life."

Alan chuckled then said, "You need a couple of character witnesses for this thing. I'm one of them."

Jon sighed. "Who's the other?"

"Your actual brother, man."

He looked up and saw Eli in the doorway.

"C'mon, you didn't think I was gonna leave you hanging did you?"

"I haven't thought about much of anything," he admitted sheepishly.

Alan and Eli carried the conversation while Shawn and Cory injected their special brand of random nonsense to take Jon's mind off of the inevitable.

It didn't work but chatter was better than silence.

Silence did fall when Mr. Feeny entered the room.

With a heavy sigh, he announced, "Gentlemen, it's time."

Jon closed his eyes as a wave of anxiety hit him making him feel nauseated.

Shawn was at his side in an instant with his hand on his shoulder. "We got your six," he told him resolutely.

He put his hand on top of his kid's hand for a moment then slowly stood up.

"You aren't alone, Jonathan," Feeny told him seriously while Alan and Eli agreed with him.

Jon nodded, not feeling even slightly better, and headed for the door to finally face the school board.

Thank you for spending time with me! And thank you for the comments!