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A/N: this chapter is kind of cheesy at first

As I was digging through my locker, Shawn came up. "Betty." I look to him. "Do you remember that goldfish I used to have?"

"You mean, the turtle?" I ask.

"Yeah. Well, I finally replaced him." He looked down the hall. "Here, boy." a cute little pig, came squealing down the hall, coming by Shawn's leg. "What do you think?"

I look down at the pig, sniffing my pants. "I think he's cute." I sat down on the floor, petting the pig. "Very cute."

"See that, buddy?" Shawn whispered to the pig. "That's your mom that I've been telling you about. Isn't she already great?"

I sent Shawn a look. "Mom?" I ask.

"See, I'm the dad and you're the mom," Shawn explained.

"I'm not the mom," I say with a small laugh.

"Yet."

I sent Shawn another look as Cory walked by. "Huh."

"It's a pig," Shawn told him.

"Do you know something? It is a pig." Cory pet the pig. "Aw. He's cute."

"Last night I was at my old trailer park, digging around the sludge where our house used to be, and I found this little guy gnawing on my uncle Sal's old peg leg."

"Poor Uncle Sal. How does he get around without it?" Cory asked.

"Who said anything about without it? Sal was there, he just never noticed the pig," Shawn replied.

Cory nodded. "Shawn, I see what's going on. I'm spending way too much time with Topanga, and this is your oh-so-subtle way of showing me that I can be replaced by a common pig."

"Come on, Cory. As flattered as you are, this piglet is nothing to do with you." The bell rang causing Shawn to pick up the squealing pig. "Well, come on, Little Cory. Time for class."

"Shawn," I call.

"Hey, it's the first name that popped in my head."

Topy saw the pig. "Oh, he's so adorable. What's your name, cute feller?"

"His name's Little Cory," I answer.

Topy looked at Cory then the pig. "I can see that. Where'd you get him?"

"I found him," Shawn said.

"Well, we have to find a nice home for Little Cory."

"He has one. With me," Shawn answered.

"Apparently, he's my son," I say.

"He is our son," Shawn corrected.

"No, I mean a proper home," Topy ignored us. "Where he can run around."

"He can run around with me."

"Come on, Shawn. Do you really know how to raise a pig?" Topy asked.

"Topanga, it sounds like you're trying to tell me what to do," Shawn replied.

"Well, it sounds like someone should."

"Guys, guys, lighten up. I mean, any way you slice it, it's only a pig, right?" Cory cut in.

I cover Little Cory's tiny ears. "Cory Matthews!"

"What?" he questioned.

"Look at that, you're already in mom-mode," Shawn told me.

I uncover Little Cory's ears. "Oh, stop."

***

Later-

"You know, Cory, having a pig is sure making school fun," Shawn told him.

"But the fun is over," Cory began. "Look who's coming."

"Uh-oh. Feeny," Shawn said, seeing him.

"Little Cory, go to the locker," I tell him.

The pig ran over to Shawn's doggy door in the locker, climbing in.

"You taught him that?" Cory asked.

"No. He just knows," I shrug.

"To listen to his mom," Shawn teased.

"Oh, let it go, Shawn."

"Hello, Principal Feeny," Shawn greeted as we all stood in front of the locker.

"No farm animals here," Cory added before they bothed nervously laughed.

"Yes, well. The day is young," Mr. Feeny replied before walking away.

***

After school, I visited Shawn at Mr. Turner's.

"Admit it, you love Little Cory," Shawn told me.

"He's adorable, okay?" I tell him. "But love..."

"You love me."

"But you're not a pig-" I pause. "I take that back. I mean, you just dropped on me that I'm Little Cory's mom."

"Oh, come on, Betts. You love our son..."

"Stop saying that," I scold.

"See mom-mode."

I roll my eyes and stood in the kitchen, watching Little Cory lick Mr. Turner's sleeping face, trying to suppress my many giggles.

"Oh, Catherine. Oh, Catherine, you wild woman," Mr. Turner said in his sleep causing me to cover my hand with my mouth to contain my laughs. "Oh. Oh, Catherine-" Little Cory began to start squealing, waking Mr. Turner who began to spit and wipe the pig slobber off him. I let out my many laughs and giggles so hard to the point I was wheezing. "Betty, how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to wonder who the wild woman you call Catherine is," I giggle.

Mr. Turner stood up. "Hunter, we had an agreement. He can't kiss me any more. Look, Hunter, we went over the ground rules. You can keep the pig-"

"Little Cory," Shawn corrected.

Mr. Turner looked at the pig before to Shawn. "Little Cory. But he's all yours. I don't want to raise him. I don't want to hear from him. Do we understand each other?"

"Yeah," Shawn responded. As Mr. Turner was walking to his room, Shawn muttered, "Pig-hater."

"I heard that," Mr. Turner spoke before going in his room.

I turn to Shawn. "Is the bottle done?"

Shawn picked it up. "Yeah."

I grab it. "Well, if it's warm or not cold enough..." I drip it a bit on my wrist.

Shawn laughed. "And you say you're not Little Cory's mom."

I ignore him, sitting on the couch. "Is there a thirsty pig here?" I ask. Immediately, Little Cory crawles over into my lap, taking the bottle into his mouth. "There you go, bud."

Shawn next to me, placing his hand on my leg. "Look at that, our son's a mama's boy already."

I look at him with a slight smile. "If I say to being Little Cory's mom, no teasing?"

"No teasing," Shawn agreed.

"Fine. Yes, my son's a mama's boy," I reply before focusing on feeding the pig.

Cory came in. "Hey, guys. How's Little Cory doing?"

Little Cory backed away from his bottle before burping. "Whoa," I say with a laugh.

"Better now," Shawn answered.

"Well, I brought him a present," Cory sat down.

"That's nice, but it's not his birthday till..." Shawn trailed off. "Ah, heck, it's his birthday today." 

Cory pulled out the gift. "A squirrel bank? What? They didn't have any piggy banks?" I ask.

"Well, I didn't think something where you shove metal into a pig's back would be that appealing to him."

"Smart," Shawn told him. "Hey, listen. I think we'll be able to hook up with you and Topanga at Chubby's later. Cool?"

"What? You're gonna leave Little Cory alone? You think that's a good idea?" Cory asked.

"Oh, yeah. It's all here in What to Expect When You're Raising a Pig," Shawn gave him the book.

"'When to Tell Your Pig About Bacon'," Cory read off.

Shawn covered Little Cory's ears. "Cory, Cory. Little ears."

Cory changed the subject. "Listen, about tonight, hanging out with us at Chubby's. Topanga's still a little upset about you keeping a pig in the apartment."

"Right," Shawn said as I place Little Cory on the floor.

"Little Cory. Would you go to daddy's room please?" I ask. Little Cory snorted before going back into Shawn's room.

Shawn stood up. "Cory, this is none of Topanga's business."

"You're right. You know, you're absolutely right. And I told her that," Cory stated.

"Good. Thanks."

"Then I told her you'd probably find a good home for it in a couple of days, right?"

"Wait, Cory. Why would you do that?" I ask.

"Come on, guys, face it. I mean, who keeps a pig in an apartment?" Cory asked.

"I do. And you seemed to be okay with it this morning before you talked to your girlfriend," Shawn said, sitting back beside me.

"He's got a point, Cor. You seemed fine with it earlier," I added.

"Gimme a break, all right? I'm not here to take anyone's side," Cory told him.

"Sure doesn't sound like it," Shawn said.

"Hey, I love the little sow. Didn't his uncle Cory show up with a gift?"

"I don't know why Topanga has a problem with this. I mean, nobody else does," Shawn sighed.

Mr. Turner came out of his room.  "Hunter, I got a problem with your pig. Left me a little gift on my pillow."

"Was there a card?" Shawn asked nervously.

I huff. "Little Cory, I told you to go to dad's room, not grandpa's. Uh-I mean, Mr. Turner's."

***

At Chubby's-

As a bunch of girls, crowded around Shawn. "So I walk in and Chubby says, 'Hey, who's the pig you're with?' The pig points to me."

The girls laughed. I exaggerated my laugh. "So funny, my boyfriend, love of my life. Shawn is my boyfriend and so hilarious."

The blonde approached. "Shawn, if you're not busy tomorrow-"

She clearly doesn't know another girl's possessions when she sees them. 

I grab a fistful of Shawn's shirt, smashing my lips to his.

I finally pull back, looking to see only a few girls there, but looking in disgust. Shawn wrapped his arm around my waist. "Okay, if you're ordering. Three number threes and three sodas." He looked to Little Cory. "Make his a diet."

The rest of the girl's left. Shawn looked to me in surprise. "Wow, I should make you jealous more often."

"Go ahead, I'll do the same thing," I smirk.

Topy and Cory approached. "Look, Shawn. I'm not trying to be mean. I just don't think it's fair for him to be living in an apartment. He's a farm animal."

"Yeah, well, according to my new book, Farm Animals Make Great Pets, farm animals make great pets," Shawn stated.

"You love him now, but what happens when he's 500 pounds, sitting on a couch, not moving?"

"Hey, I never stopped loving Aunt Gloria," Shawn defended.

"I'm not the only one who feels this way. Right, Cory? Betty?" Topy asked us.

"You look great, Topanga. Did I mention that?" Cory replied.

"As always," I add, sensing a fight then, tapping Topy's ahoulder.

"Hey, babe, Cory, would you tell Topanga to back off?" Shawn asked.

"Shawn, you don't look so bad yourself," Cory added.

"Amazing as always," I say.

"You guys, you didn't answer me. Am I right or wrong?" Topy asked us both.

"You're both right," Cory answered.

"Right, I second that," I reply.

"We can't both be right," Shawn said.

"You can't?" Cory asked.

"No. Now, whose side are you on?" Topy asked.

"Cory?" I ask nervously.

"Well..." Cory trailed then looked to Topy. "Yours, I guess."

Topy looked to me. "Betty?"

My gaze shifted to Topy then Shawn. They both had great points, but... My boyfriend or my best friend?

I walk over to Shawn. "I'm sorry, Topanga." I wrap my arms around his waist. "But I'm on Shawn's side."

Topy nodded. "Then let's grab a bite somewhere else."

Cory looked to Shawn as Topy walked away. "Shawn, I-You know, I-"

"Hey, you'd better go. You don't want to keep your girlfriend waiting," Shawn told him, wrapping an arm around me.

***

At school, Shawn, Little Cory and I were sitting at a table.

"Hey, you gonna finish that?" Shawn asked Little Cory who just kept eating my left over cookie. "Just asking."

I pass over my last cookie. "You can have mine."

Shawn smiled. "You're the best."

"I know," I giggle.

Cory came up to the table. "Shawn, we gotta talk."

"Excuse me. I believe I'm with someone," Shawn replied.

"Hi, Cory," I wave.

"Hi," Cory did the same. "Yeah, of course you are." He looked to Little Cory. "Hey, there. How you doing? Enjoying our little school? Meet any other pigs?"

All Little Cory did was just snort. "We don't get it," Shawn replied.

"Look, Shawn. This whole thing, I know it's kind of my fault, and I'm sorry for taking Topanga's side last night. But what's more important is we shouldn't let a little thing like this get in the way of our friendship, right? I mean, it's only a pig."

"Yeah, it's only a pig to you, Topanga, and whoever abandoned him at the trailer park," Shawn fired back.

"How do you know he was abandoned?" Cory asked.

'That trailer-park manager told me. His owners just drove off and left him. He's all alone, man. No home, no family, nothing."

I place my hand over Shawn's as Cory spoke my thoughts, "Poor guy."

"Yeah, I know what he's going through. I've been there. Don't you see?"

"Yeah, I think I do," Cory replied.

"I'm not mad at you. You took your girlfriend's side. I'd have done the same thing," Shawn gently squeezed my hand.

Cory sighed. "Pigs and women, man."

"Yeah. Like my dad always said, they'll both break your heart."

I sigh. "I'm right here."

Cory stood up. "So, uh...see you guys later."

Shawn nodded. "Yeah, see you." Once Cory walked away, Shawn turned to me. "You don't looked surprised."

I barely smiled. "By what you said? I kind of had a feeling you felt that way."

"How?"

"Despite what you named him, Little Cory kind of reminded me of you." I look to the pig who was still digging at his trash. "Adorable, a bit of a slob and both of you know to run away from Mr. Feeny."

Shawn smiled. "Sounds like me."

"Probably why I get attached to him so easily," I tell him, pecking his cheek.

"See, Little Cory? You go and get yourself a pig as good as Betty," Shawn told the pig.

***

At Shawn's apartment, I was helping give Little Cory a bath. "Come on. I mean, this is killing me. My best friends and my girlfriend not speaking, it's just not right," Cory ranted.

"Look, Topanga had some points, but this means a lot to Shawn," I say.

"Hey, it's her problem," Shawn replied. "The way I see it, I'm just trying to live my life like any normal teenager. Could you pass the pig shampoo?" he asked me.

I hand the bottle to him as Cory stated, "Look, I, uh-I invited Topanga over."

Shawn looked at Cory. "Why would you do that?"

"So she can see how much the pig means to you, and see what a great home this is."

The buzzer went off causing Shawn to dismiss, "No. Forget it."

"Come on. I'm your friend."

"Yeah, well, Topanga's not."

"Shawn," I call.

"Just do it for me, then. Please?" Cory asked.

"Okay. For you. But one dig at me or Little Cory and she's gone," Shawn agreed.

"Fine," Cory replied before opening the door.

Topy stepped in. "Hi, Cory. Shawn, the light bulb was out in the hallway. You may want to tell the superintendent."

"That's it. Out," Shawn demanded.

I place a hand on Shawn's shoulder. "Shawny, clearly no dig there."

"I'm a little oversensitive," he told me.

"So, Cory says you're going to tell me why this is such a good home for the pig," Topy began.

"Topanga, I don't think I have anything to prove-"

Cory cut in. "Shawn. If I may. Please." He turned to Topy. "Topanga. Shawn is one heck of a parent. As a matter of fact, just before you got here, he was bathing Little Cory in that-" he stopped as he looked on the counter.

"Oh my, Shawn!" I gasp.

"Tub. Where is he?" Cory asked.

"Oh, no, he's gone," Shawn said, running over and looking in the tub. "I left him in there so long he turned into broth."

"Well, there's your answer. He walked out," Cory pointed out.

"Topanga, you left the door open," Shawn stated.

"Well, that's the kind of thing that happens when a pig lives in the city," Topy replied.

"Topanga, not the time to prove yourself right," I say.

"I'm going out to look for him," Shawn said.

"Okay. I'm going with you," I add.

"All right. I'll stay by the phone in case he calls," Cory said, earning a look from me. "Just go."

Just then, Mr. Turner came around the corner, holding the pig. "Oh, Little Cory," I gasp, petting him.

"Why would you run away?" Shawn asked, petting him as well.

"Hunter, I found him outside, heading toward the Rib Shack," Mr. Turner stated.

"Suicide," Shawn said.

"You know, this pig has been nothing but trouble," Mr. Turner said, handing the pig to Shawn.

"Now I know I did the right thing," Topy stated.

"What thing?" I ask.

"I called Animal Control." My eyes widened. "Told them there was a pig that needed a good home."

"You did what?" Cory and I ask.

"Topanga, he has a good home," Shawn replied sadly. "Little Cory, let's get you out of here."

"I think I know a couple of places," I tell Shawn.

He looked to Cory. "You coming with us?" Cory hesitated. "Cory?"

"Let's go," Cory stated.

"Cory?" Topy asked.

"Look, Topanga. You put me in the middle of something, and I-I-I just gotta say, as much as I love you, that just...That wasn't right. And now to call the Animal Control. I can't believe you would do that. Come on, guys. We got some serious pig-hiding to do."

***

At Cory's house-

"We're home free now," Cory told us.

"I don't know, Cory. Hiding the pig at your house, isn't that a little obvious?" Shawn asked.

"No, hiding the pig at Old MacDonald's house, that would be obvious."

"And very ironic," I chuckle.

"And besides, if I know Topanga, I'll bet she didn't even call the Animal Control people."

The doorbell rang. "Animal Control," a man on the other side said.

"Oh what do you know, Cory?" I ask.

"I am just a big fat stupidhead," Cory said, getting the door.

It was answered, showing a man standing there. "Sir. My name's Victor Lasalle. By law, I'm required to show you my badge." He showed us his-

"Wait a minute. That's your driver's license," Shawn told him.

"I'm Animal Control. They don't give us badges." He walked in the house. "All right. So You must be...Shawn Hunter."

"Yeah, how'd you know?" Shawn asked.

"Brown hair, 5'5", been dating Betty Cooper for almost a year. Answers to the name 'Shawn Hunter'."

"He's good," Shawn muttered.

"All right, okay. Let's save ourselves a lot of time, a lot of unpleasantries. You got a pig, I want him."

"This pig you speak of. Could you describe him?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah, all right, okay. Let's see. He looks like a great big lion," the man sassed.

"Oh. That's not our pig."

"No. Cause, uh, cause we don't have one," I cover up.

"So, Mr. Animal Control man, kindly vacate my home at once. Or else I will be forced to call the Animal-Control control people. Yes, sir. Isn't that right, my dear Shawn and Betty?" Cory asked.

"It sure is, my little Cory," Shawn stated while I nodded. Just then, Little Cory came downstairs. "Okay. Who shaved the dog?" Shawn asked.

The man went over to Little Cory. "Control? We got pig," he said over the radio.

"Good, good. You have pig. You must be real proud."

"You know, son, I'm not in this business to break hearts. The problem is, this neighborhood is not zoned for pigs. But hey, you look like a nice enough kid. Tell you what. Keep it on the Q.T., I got a 20-foot boa in my truck I could slip you," the man replied.

I took Shawn's hand, interlocking my fingers with his. "Look, is it okay if we just say goodbye to Little Cory?"

"Yeah, all right. Sure," the man answered. "Why not? But don't try to run. I got a guy out by the back door."

"Do you really?" Cory asked.

"I don't know. Do you feel lucky?"

Me and Shawn both sat om the floor. "Hey, it's not goodbye," Shawn began. "I'm gonna find out where you end up and I'm gonna come visit you."

"Yeah," I kiss Little Cory's head. "We're both going to visit you and spoil you until you can't stand us."

"'Cause I know what it's like to be passed around from home to home. Here's looking at you, pig."

Topy came in the house. "You can't take this pig."

The man looked at his piece of paper. "Topanga Lawrence? Been going out with Cory Matthews for two months? I'm way overqualified for this job."

"I'll say," I agreed.

"After I spoke to you, I saw this ad in the paper for a lost pig. So I called its owners. Now you don't have to take him away. Isn't that great, Shawn?" Topy asked.

"Why is it great?" Cory asked.

"Yeah, I still lose Little Cory," Shawn stated. "Doesn't matter who the owner is. It's not me."

"Here's the owner," Topy motioned to the door.

Mr. Turner stepped in. "Hi. Name's Turner." I began to grin so big that my face hurt. "I got a place outside the city, and this little guy ran off. Belongs to my boy, Zed."

"Zed?" We all question.

"Is this really your pig?" the man asked.

"No, no," Mr. Turner answered. "My ark is outside, and I'm one pig short."

"All right, that's it. Hands over your head, we're going downtown."

"You kidding me?" Mr. Turner asked.

"Yes, I am. You know, two can play this sarcasm game. All right, here's your pig. Give my best to Zed." He handed the leash to Mr. Turner before turning to Shawn. "You know, that offer for the 20-foot boa? It's still good."

"I'll think about it. You got a card?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah, right. I don't even have a badge."

Once the man had left, Mr. Turner handed over the leash. "Hunter, I must really like you."

"Thanks, man," Shawn told him. Once Mr. Turner was also gone, Shawn turned to Topy. "Topanga, you thought we couldn't give Little Cory a good home. Why'd you change your mind?"

"A couple of things. First, it's not my pig. It's yours," Topy answered.

"There's a start."

"And then I've known you as long as I've known Cory. So you're not just my boyfriend's friend. You're my friend too." They hugged before Topy turned to me. "And I'm also sorry for being rude to you, Betty."

"It's okay," I wrap an arm around her. "We're friends, friends fight all the time."

"You know, I think the pig's tearing up," Cory spoke, petting Little Cory.

***