Ryan came back to her dorm room, her new home. She was beginning to get used to it and to the kids that she had for roommates.

They were becoming a small family. She hadn't intended on becoming close with anyone. She normally hung out with the people that she was investigating and got involved with their personal lives.

But she wasn't investigating Larry, Joe or Rob. They were as clean as a whistle. And they were her friends.

Especially Rob. They were like two peas in a pod. It seemed like they could read each other's minds. They would automatically hand each other something without the other asking.

They would complete the other's sentence, when they couldn't think of the words. They were comfortable with each other's silence. And sometimes, there was no need for words. They enjoyed each other's presence.

The roommates were sprawled out on the couch playing a video game.

"Hey," Ryan said, stepping over the wires as she crossed the room.

"Hey," they answered, not looking up from their game.

"You got something. It's on your desk," Rob informed her, as he shot some enemy soldier on the big screen, and Larry and Joe both let out a holler of approval.

"Okay, thanks," Ryan replied with a shrug and went to their room, wondering what it was that had arrived for her.

She opened the door to their bedroom, and a pile of confetti hit her on the head. Inside their bedroom was decorated with balloons and streamers. She laughed.

"You guys!" Ryan exclaimed, brushing off the confetti from her hair.

"Happy Birthday!" they yelled, coming over and giving her a hug.

"How'd you guys know?! I never told you," Ryan laughed.

"Ah, something did come for you. It sort of gave it away," Rob said, gesturing to the desk.

Ryan saw a vase of red roses and frowned. She went over to it. A white envelope sat in front that read Happy Birthday!

She opened the card curious as to who would have sent her flowers. It read: Make it great. Wish we were there to celebrate with you. All Our Love, The Boys. She wiped at her eyes, brushing away some escaped moisture, and quickly slipped the card into her desk drawer.

"Who are they from?" Joe asked her curiously.

Ryan shrugged, "Just some old friends. You don't know them."

Rob was going to press for more, but she gave him a look to drop it. He nodded understanding. Ryan would tell him when she was ready.

****

They gorged themselves on a huge dinner at their favorite local restaurant, paid by the guys.

Ryan had a great time with them, but "The Boys" were on her mind. Doug, Gus, Kyle, and Lawson. Her squad. Her boys. The greatest friends she ever had. They were like her brothers. Closer even. She loved her blood brother, Kevin, but "The Boys" understood things that Kevin never could. He never saw action. He worked in a lab. Until you had someone take a bullet for you, willing to die for you no matter what, you couldn't understand.

Oh sure, Kevin loved her, but he didn't get her deep down to her core like "The Boys" did. She looked at Rob. He was now in that category. But he was different than "The Boys".

"The Boys" she sweated for, cried for, and even bled for. And they had done the same for her. They pulled each other up when the other was down. And they pushed the other down when they needed that as well. Always there for each other in life and in death, they had vowed.

Rob was safe. She wouldn't have to worry about him getting shot, of him being killed, of him pursuing the ultimate dream of justice, only for it to take him down with it. Like it did to Doug, and her father.

"Hey," Rob said, slipping an arm around Ryan as they sat in a booth.

"Hey," Ryan answered, her eyes blinking rapidly as she came back out of her thoughts to reality.

"You're far away," he said quietly. He rubbed her shoulder. "Everything okay?"

She looked around the table. Joe and Larry were arguing over the strategy of their next round of their current X-box game.

"Sorry," she said, shaking her head.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Hey! That's your name," she chuckled, elbowing him. "Nothing. Everything's great. Thank you for this," she said, putting her head on his shoulder.

"You're welcome. Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, squeezing her shoulder.

"Missing an old friend is all," she said, wiping at her eyes.

"Oh. I'm sorry," he said in understanding, kissing the top of her head.

"It's just... Doug would usually do stuff like this for me. It's the first time that he hasn't," she said, wiping her eyes again.

"It's okay to have a good time, you know. Your friend wouldn't want you to be just grieving for him all the time. He'd want you to live your life. To enjoy it while you can."

"I know. I know," she said, taking a drink.

****

They came back to the dorm, and Larry headed for his computer to hit the chat lines, as always, and Joe pulled out the X-box again.

"You guys in?" Joe asked, looking back over his shoulder, as he started to set up a game.

"Sure," Rob agreed, moving towards the living room to join him.

"Nah, I'm good, you guys go ahead," Ryan answered, and went into her and Rob's room.

The light on the machine was blinking. She pressed play, sat on the bed, and pulled off her shoes.

"Hey, Ryan. Angel girl, I've been trying to reach you all night, darlin'. Your cell phone not working? Or you ignoring me? Anyways, give me a call. If you can that is. If not, Happy Birthday, angel face, I love you."

Miranda smiled and looked at her watch. She still had time to meet Lawson. It was a risk. A risk she desperately wanted to take. She missed him. She needed him.

She picked up her cell phone and pressed the speed dial button for Law. Miranda pushed the door to an almost close as she didn't want her roommates to hear, yet she didn't want them to think she was shutting them out either. Lawson answered his phone gruffly.

"Hey, sweetheart, it's me."

"Happy Birthday," Lawson answered.

"Thanks."

"So... can you meet me?"

"I don't know," Miranda sighed, and then chewed her lip in thought. She really shouldn't be hanging out with her real life friends, but she missed them so much.

She'd been alone on birthdays before, that wasn't a big deal for her. But she was missing Doug and she really wanted to see her Boys.

"Don't feel obligated or anything, angel. I know you're...busy." Law said sulkily.

"You know I want to see you," she protested.

"I want to see you too. I miss you, angel-face. And I want to celebrate your birthday with you. But, if it's going to jeopardize things for you, don't worry about it. We'll get together some other time."

Miranda sighed, and ran a hand over her face. "Were you able to go to the funeral?"

"Yeah," he said with an answering sigh.

"I'm sorry that they wouldn't let you go. I argued like crazy with Marcus, but he wouldn't have it. And in the end...frankly,  I had to agree with him. I'm sorry, angel, there was too much of a risk for you..."

"How was it?" Miranda interrupted.

"It was nice. Dougie would have liked it," he said curtly.

"I wish I could have gone," her voice cracked, thinking of Dougie's coffin being lowered into the ground.

It probably was good that she hadn't been able to attend the funeral. She was losing it just thinking about it. She didn't know what she would have done if she had seen it happen in person.

"He would have understood, angel. Dougie understood the job, and all the sacrifices that come with it. Don't beat yourself up over it. Marcus was right to keep you away to keep your head in the game."

"I know," she said, fighting back tears.

"Uh, how are Corinne and the boys?" she asked, taking a deep breath, and wiped the spilling tears.

"They're okay. They're strong ...like Doug. He prepared them for it. They always knew it could happen. Though it sucks like hell when it actually does."

"Yeah," she said, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

"You doing alright, angel?"

"I'll be fine."

"You're not fine. I know you. I can hear it your voice."

"What do expect me to do, huh?" she asked, her voice cracking, and her eyes filling with tears again.

"Come out and get plastered with me. I'm halfway there, so you got some serious catching up to do." Law hiccuped to prove his point.

"Or you can just come and watch me get shit-faced. Should be entertainment in itself."

Miranda sighed, "Don't go overboard, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," he answered.

She imagined the salute that she knew he was doing. She stared at the door trying to decide what to do. If anything, she should go to make sure that Lawson didn't fall on his ass and hurt himself.

"So you coming or what, angel?"

****

"Hey, there's my birthday girl!" Lawson said, getting up from the end of the bar, and wrapped his strong arms around her in a big bear hug.

"Oh, I missed you!" Miranda exclaimed, hugging him back, and she stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

"Missed you too, angel," Law pulled her closer and hugged her tighter.

"So, how's Gus?" she asked when he released her, and slid onto a stool.

He looked at his watch. "Thirty seconds. A new record!" he exclaimed with a laugh.

"What?" Miranda asked confused.

"Asking about Gus," Law replied, picking up his mug of beer and saluted her with it.

Miranda rolled her eyes. "I was merely asking how he's doing," she said defensively. 

"About Dougie?" Law asked taking a gulp of beer. "Or just in general?"

She shrugged. "Both."

"About Doug? Same as the rest of us," Law answered with a sigh. "And in general... not bad," he answered, looking away.

"Spit it out, Greves," Miranda growled.

"What?" Law asked innocently.

"Whatever the three of you have been hiding from me, that's what!"

"We haven't been hiding anything," he protested, looking into his beer, and then took another drink.

"Law, you're a bad drunk and an even worse liar!" she said exasperated.

"Okay, okay. But don't freak," he said, rubbing his sleepy, partially drunk, emerald green eyes. "And don't tell him that I told you."

"What?"

He sighed, "Doug wasn't the only one shot," he admitted, looking into his beer.

"Gus too?" Miranda asked, sucking in a breath, her heart stopping. Lawson nodded.

"Is he alright?!" she demanded.

"Yeah, he is. He took one in the leg, one in the shoulder. He was laid up for a little bit. But he's okay," Lawson said, and then slowly drank from his glass.

She breathed out slowly to calm herself before speaking, "Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because it would have just made things worse. And you've got a job to do. We didn't want you worrying about him," Law explained.

He pushed his shoulder against hers. "Not like you wouldn't any way," he added accusingly, toasting her with his glass.

"I worry about you too, sweetheart," she said, patting his arm.

"I know you do. And I worry about you, angel." Lawson put an arm around her, and then kissed her soundly on the cheek, leaving a wet spot.

Miranda wiped it with her hand and then wiped it on his shirt. "You're disgusting."

He looked down at his shirt, "Ditto."

****

"You sure about this?" Rob heard a guy's voice say in the living room.

"Shh!!!" a noise responded.

Rob closed his eyes, praying what he thought was going to happen wouldn't happen. The door creaked open.

"To the left," Rob heard Ryan whisper.

He heard shoes fall off. He heard zippers unzip. He heard clothes fall to the floor. He heard blankets turn down, and the creaking of the bed as they climbed on, cloth and got under the covers.

"You actually sleep on this piece of crap?" he heard the male voice whisper.

"Would you prefer your car?" Ryan asked sarcastically.

"I said I would go home," he muttered.

"You know you're in no condition to drive," she whispered back.

"Could have gone to a hotel."

"The dorm was closer, and I'm not leaving you alone in your condition. Now be quiet."

"My condition? I'm drunk. That's not a condition."

"Go to sleep," she whispered back as she turned over.

"You know, you have a really nice ass," the voice said with a laugh.

"You're really wasted, aren't you?"

He laughed again. "I'm serious. You've got a really, really, great bod, angel."

"Thank you. Sleep now."

They were quiet for a minute. Rob thought that they were actually going to sleep.

Until the guy's voice cut through the silence,"What the hell's with you and Gus anyways? I mean, are you done? Or is this the same old off again-on again thing you guys got going on?"

Ryan groaned. "I don't want to talk about that now. Especially when you're drunk."

"Why not when I'm drunk? You don't talk about it while I'm sober, so why the hell not while I'm drunk?! And why do you have to keep pointing out that I'm drunk."

"Because you never get drunk. It's not like you, and I don't like it. What happened to the one drink rule?"

He sighed, "You know what my dad always said?"

"What?"

"He said to truly understand my uncle, I'd have to get blind, stupid, drunk. Then I'd realize why my uncle drinks so much."

"Did you figure out why?"

"Oh, yeah."

"You going to share?"

"It's because it doesn't help. It doesn't make you forget, so you drink more hoping that the next one is going to be the one to make you forget. But it doesn't. So you keep drinking, and keep drinking, until you pass out. At least, being totally unconscious, you forget...until you wake up again."

"But you didn't pass out."

"Nah. I guess, I'm smarter than my uncle to figure out that drinking more is not going to help."

"You shouldn't have been dumb enough to even try it. You can't erase what happened, Law. And you'll never forget it happened. It's impossible to forget that he's ..."

"I know. I'm an idiot. And speaking of idiots, you didn't answer my question. Gus?"

"I was hoping you'd forget." She sighed, "Gus and I are done. I mean for good this time. He moved to California, didn't he? The farthest he could get from me!

"Ah, it's not like that, darlin'. He loves you. We all do. Everybody loves you. I love you, angel," he added.

"I love you, too, sweetheart. Now, go to sleep before I kick your ass."

"Can't I get a kiss goodnight?"

"Are you going to behave?"

"I'll behave."

Rob heard kissing. Not just a peck, but kissing.

"That is not behaving!" she hissed. Rob heard skin swat skin.

"Ow!" he heard the guy chuckle and then there was silence.

****

Rob woke at dawn as he always did. He glanced over to her bed. Ryan was sound asleep. There was a good looking blond guy sound asleep behind her.

The guy was definitely older than Ryan, late twenties, maybe even thirty years old. A muscular arm was slung possessively around her. His chest was bare, and even Rob was impressed with the muscle tone.

It was hard to miss the gold chain around the guy's neck that had a small medal hanging from it. Ryan wore one that was similar, and Rob wondered if they'd bought the necklaces together, and if the medals held some significance to the both of them. They probably did, as Ryan never took hers off.  

Rob was jealous, he knew, but he couldn't stand the fact that another guy was in her bed and looking so mighty comfortable in it. He knew that nothing "happened" last night, but he'd heard them kiss. He'd heard them exchange "I love you".

Question was, who the hell was this guy? Why hadn't he heard of him? He'd known Ryan for nearly three months and she'd never mentioned dating anyone seriously except some ex named Gus. And she had said that he was in California.

Rob had seen Ryan out with a bunch of his frat brothers, but this guy wasn't one of them.

Rob sighed and reluctantly got up to go take a shower. When Ryan was up, and the guy was gone, he'd try and get some answers.

****

"Law," Miranda whispered, shaking him.

He groaned,"Go away!"

"Law, wake up!" she shook again harder. Lawson bolted up in bed. He looked at her, his eyes going wide, and then quickly looked under the covers. He blew out a breath, seeing his boxer briefs on his person.

Miranda laughed. "You weren't that messed up. Neither was I," she said, kissing his bare shoulder. "Good morning. How's your head?"

He groaned again. "God! Why did I do that?" he asked, holding his head in agony.

"Because of Dougie."

"Yeah, Dougie," Lawson murmured, rubbing his face.

"I didn't ruin it for you, did I?" he asked, looking around the small college dorm room. He noticed the empty, unmade bed next to them.

"No. We're good," she replied, looking around the room herself.

"Guess I had better take off before your roommate comes out."

Miranda gestured to the empty bed, "I'm sure he already knows you're here." 

"He?" he asked, looking at her in surprise.

"Don't ask," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"I think I better!" Law snapped protectively.

"I live with you and Kyle!" Miranda protested, noticing his reaction.

"That's different!" He answered firmly.

"How's it different?"

"Because I'm not some eighteen year old guy bursting with hormones!"

"No, you're a thirty year old guy bursting with hormones," she teased, pushing him.

"Did I kiss you?" Law's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered the previous night.

"Yes."

"Ah, shit." he said, putting his face to his hands.

"Sorry, angel," he muttered rubbing his face.

"Wasn't bad, there, amigo," Miranda grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulders, hugging him sideways.

"God! What other humiliating things did I do?" he demanded.

"Oh, no! Ut uh! I'm saving those for later! I've got to have something to blackmail you with. It's not easy to get any dirt on you."

He groaned again. He lay back down and closed his eyes rubbing them.

"I'd worry about it, but my head's killing me. Do I have work today?"

"How should I know?" she  lifted an eyebrow. "Am I your secretary?"

Law ignored her as he muttered to himself, "No, I'm off... I'm pretty sure," he said, holding his head.

"Good answer! I'll have to remember that one! Hey, Marcus, I was pretty sure I was off. Oh, the bad guys got away? So sorry..." Miranda laughed.

Lawson glared at her, "What time is it?"

"Early. You want to stay and sleep some more?"

"Can I?" he asked with a yawn.

"Sure. I guess I can say that you're my brother or my cousin," she said, cuddling up to him.

"What if your roomie heard us last night?"

"I am not saying you're my lover. I'll laugh too hard." Miranda laughed at the thought of laughing about it.

"Hey!" Lawson exclaimed, offended.

"Okay how about a some time boyfriend?"

"Better," he agreed, and kissed her cheek.

Miranda looked to the bathroom door, thinking about Rob and what he'd think of her friend spending the night. She bit her lip thinking that he might not be happy about it.

"I can leave," Lawson offered, watching her as she thought.

"I'll have to explain you any way, so you might as well stay and get some rest, sweetie," she said, stroking his short blond hair.

"Roomie won't mind?"

"Why would he?" Miranda asked raising an eyebrow.

"I dunno. If I had a hot girl for a roommate in college, I would be awfully jealous if she came home with some guy."

"You're not just some guy."

"You know that, and I know that, but he doesn't know that. And, of course, you can't tell him that."

"What's a girl to do?" she asked with a smile, batting her eyelashes.

"Of course, it might help your reputation with the "in crowd" sleeping with an older guy. Can we say I'm married? Spice it up a bit?" Lawson asked grinning.

"You're bad!" Miranda shoved his shoulder lightly.

"You sure you're not J.T?" She asked, referring to his twin brother.

"Learned from the best," he said, pulling her close.

He laid his head on her chest. "Man, we should have bunked like this in training. It would have made things so much nicer." he whispered.

"I'm glad you're comfortable," Miranda told him sarcastically. She stroked his hair in affection.

"I can understand now why Gus keeps coming back. Damn nice pillows you got, angel," he said sleepily.

She laughed. But then went quiet for a minute. "Hey, Law?"

"Hmm?" he murmured sleepily.

"Can we stop bringing up Gus, please? I mean about our relationship. We can talk about him in general, but..."

"Yeah. Sorry. Habit," he answered, rubbing his eyes.

"One that I'm trying to break."

"That's good. I mean, I love you both. But separately. Together you're trouble," he said, tightening his arm around her in a hug.

She laughed. "Thanks," she said, but she knew what he meant. Oh, they were fine for the most part. Happy. But then they would start fighting.

Gus would want to control the situation and so would she. They both didn't like to give up control and they both were stubborn as hell.

And then, with Gus and her talking about marriage, and kids...and not agreeing on anything... it was hard for them to work together, to stay objective. They both had something to prove and work wasn't the place to do it.

Miranda snuggled into Lawson, resting her head against his. It was nice to be in familiar arms, safe arms.

Miranda gave in to the heavy sleep that her body was craving. Lawson would watch her back. He always did.

****

"Hey," Lawson said, coming out of Rob and Ryan's room. He stretched his six foot two muscular frame as he entered the living room.

"Morning," he yawned, covering his mouth with his elbow.

Joe and Larry looked up from their cereal bowls and stared at the guy. They weren't used to anyone else spending the night. Ryan never had guests. Never girls, and never guys.

"Hey," Rob answered from the kitchen. "Would you like some cereal?" 

The guy glanced back into Ryan's room and nodded. "Yeah. Sure. Thanks," he said, and walked like a panther over to the kitchen. 

Joe and Larry exchanged glances with Rob. He shrugged. 

"I'm Rob," Rob told Ryan's visitor. He gestured to their suite-mates, "That's Joe and Larry."

"Lawson," he said, figuring that Rob had probably overheard something the night before, so might as well use his real name.

"Is Ryan still asleep?" Rob asked with a frown.

"Yeah," Lawson answered, scratching his golden blond head, and looked at Rob with intense curiosity.

"What?" Rob asked taken aback at the perusal. 

"Oh, um, you just look familiar," Lawson said, his emerald green eyes unnerving Rob. "Do I know you?" Lawson asked frowning.

"No. I don't think so," Rob answered, frowning back.

"Hmm," Lawson murmured in thought and looked back at Ryan and Rob's room.

"Uh, what would you like?" Rob asked, reaching for the cabinet. "We got all kinds of cereal." 

"I'll just take some of Ryan's Fruity Pebbles," Lawson said, before Rob opened the cabinet door.

"How'd the hell did you know they are Ryan's Fruity Pebbles?" Rob asked, opening the cabinet, and pulling them off the shelf. "Or that we even had any?"

Lawson shrugged as he took the box from Rob. "She always eats Fruity Pebbles," he replied matter-of-factly, and then looked around the kitchen as if looking for something.

Rob opened another cabinet, and then a drawer, grabbing him a bowl and spoon.

"Thanks," Lawson said, taking them from him. Lawson poured himself a large amount of cereal into the bowl.

Rob got some milk from the fridge and handed that to Ryan's visitor as well.

"So, you've known Ryan for a while then?"Rob asked trying to sound casual. 

Given Lawson's familiarity with Ryan's breakfast eating habits, and how comfortable they were in bed together, this guy must have known Ryan for quite some time.

While she dated a lot, Rob knew that Ryan wasn't sleeping around nor having breakfast with anyone but Rob, Joe, and Larry every morning. So, the guy must know her from before school started.

"Yeah," Lawson responded with no elaboration, pouring the milk over his cereal.

"You know her from high school?" Rob asked curiously.

"Nope," Lawson answered, returning the gallon of milk to the fridge.

"From where then?" Rob asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

He didn't like that the guy was purposely being evasive. What was he hiding?

"What's it to you?" Lawson demanded, picking up his full bowl from the counter.

"Just asking," Rob shrugged, trying to sound as if he really didn't care though it was killing him inside not knowing what this guy was to Ryan.

Lawson raised an eyebrow at him, and then went into the living room to join Joe and Larry on the couches.

"Hey," Lawson said to them, sitting down.

"Hi," they said, studying him curiously.

"I suppose you're all wondering who I am, and what I'm doing here?" Lawson asked, trying to make himself comfortable on the lumpy couch.

He squirmed in his seat, moving back and forth, until giving up and just sat at the edge of the seat, where he could feel the solidity of the wooden frame.

"Sort of," Larry murmured shyly.

"Sort of," Lawson repeated, looking into his bowl, and then took a large bite out of the Fruity Pebbles thinking about it.

"Care to explain?" Rob asked, joining them.

Law chewed slowly, taking his time thinking about what to say. "I'm a friend of Ryan's. I had a bit too much to drink last night and I needed a place to crash. Ryan said I could stay the night here with her. End of story."

"Okay," Joe said with a nod, accepting the explanation easily.

"What'd Ryan drink?" Rob asked, "I've never seen her sleep so much before," he looked across the room, through the open door to their bedroom.

Rob couldn't see her from where he was sitting, but he'd seen her before and after his shower, wrapped up and Lawson's arms and sleeping like the dead.

Ryan had always been a light sleeper. The slightest sound or movement would wake her, except this morning, she hadn't moved a muscle at any sound that Rob had made.

Lawson shrugged. "She sleeps," he told Rob simply. When she wants to, when she knows she doesn't have to be expecting someone to slit her throat in the middle of the night, he added in his mind.

"She's slept with you before?" Rob asked surprised.

"Sure," Lawson said, taking another bite, amused. Rob was clearly jealous. "Lots of times," he added to rub it in.

"You've been seeing her long?"

"What are you? Her dad?" Lawson demanded with his mouth full of cereal and milk.

Larry handed him a paper napkin. Lawson took it from him and wiped the milk that was dribbling down his stubbled chin.

"Rob's got a thing for her," Larry blurted out.

"I do not!" Rob snapped.

"Oh, come on!" Joe laughed. "Who doesn't? She smokin' hot!"

Lawson laughed as well. "I like a guy who tells it how it is."

He sat back amused. "So, Rob, you got a thing for her, or what?" 

"What's it to you?" Rob demanded.

Who the hell was this guy?! The guy invades their room, is all over Ryan, and then interrogates him?! Like, he's the bad guy in this? 

"Touché," Lawson answered, lifting his spoon in a toast.

"So, you go to school here too?" Joe asked, trying to break the tension.

"Nope."

"Do you go to school?" Rob asked sarcastically.

Lawson nearly laughed. He had gone to law school and had practiced law before joining the FBI, where he had to go through rigorous training both physically and mentally before being accepted as a rookie agent.

Obviously, by Rob's scowl, he was thought to be a high school dropout. And probably unemployed.

"No," Lawson said between bites, trying to keep a straight face.

"What do you do then?" Joe asked turning intelligent eyes onto Law.

"Lawson?" Ryan's voice came from the bedroom.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," Lawson said with a relieved smile and got up. He went into the bedroom and shut the door.

"Thank you for saving me from the interrogation," He said gratefully, sitting on the bed.

"Figured. Hey, those are mine," Miranda complained, looking at his bowl, and reached out to take it from him.

He held it away from her. "Not anymore," he teased, taking a bite.

"So, what did you tell them?" she asked, taking the bowl from him as he offered it to her.

He handed her the spoon, and she scooped up some cereal.

"Been dodging. I just said that we were friends and I needed a place to crash. Rob's been asking a lot of questions though," he said, taking the spoon back.

"I think he's got a crush on you."

"He's eighteen," Miranda rolled her eyes.

"So?" Lawson said with his mouth full.

"Ew, I'm so not going out with an eighteen year old," she answered, taking the spoon back.

"Ah, so you do like him," Lawson said with a grin.

"Yeah, I like him. Okay? I can like people," Miranda argued.

"Are you being nice to him or being a jerk?"

He shrugged. "I'm not being nothing," he protested, tugging the spoon back out of her fingers with some force. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm just trying not to answer questions," he mumbled, taking another bite.

"I appreciate your discretion."

"No prob. " He shrugged, and took another big bite.

"It's a job, right?" he asked with his mouth full.

As Lawson chewed, he scrunched up his face, as he did when he was considering something, but wasn't quite sure he should say anything about it.

"You know, I can't shake the feeling that I think I know him somehow."

"Who?"

"Rob. I can't place him though. I have to think on it."

"Why would you know him?"

"That's what I'm worried about."

"Don't be worried. He's a good kid. He's not involved with anything."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"I'll probably find him in the mug book," Lawson muttered.

Miranda shot him a glare. "Alright, you getting up today or what?" he asked with a smile and patted her leg.

"What."

"College has made you soft."

"Sweetheart, I've always been soft," she said, batting her eyes.

"Damn girl!" he exclaimed.

"What?"

"Let's just say Rob's in deep trouble if you give him eyes like those."

"Now who's gone soft?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him.

"Just be careful with those things. And the rest of what you got," he said and kissed her cheek.

"Always am, sweetheart."

"I guess I better get going, angel," he said, putting an arm around her.

"Are you sure you don't want to go to college again?"

"You kidding me? They couldn't pay me enough. I paid my dues. I am done," he said, getting up.

"It's not so bad. I don't mind doing it a second time."

"Just don't get too comfortable here. We miss you at home," he told her, bringing her into a big hug.

****

"What do you think they're doing in there?" Larry asked in a worried tone, looking at the door, and then to Rob.

"What do you think they're doing, stupid?" Joe answered with a chuckle.

"Come on, they're not going to do anything when we're right out here," Rob said, annoyed.

"Why not?" Joe asked.

"Because Ryan's not that kind of person," Rob said.

"How do you know? She might be. We don't know her that well," Joe said.

"I do," Rob said firmly.

The door opened and they both came out. "I'm taking off, fellas," Lawson announced, "Thanks for breakfast," he said as he headed into the kitchen, and put his dirty dish in the sink.

"I'll take care of it," Ryan said as Lawson had lifted the handle of the faucet to turn it on. Law nodded in thanks.

"Thanks, angel," he said, kissing her cheek, and hugged her.

"Take care, sweetheart." She kissed him back on his cheek."No more drinking," she told him firmly, touching his cheek. She wiped her lip gloss off, feeling it under her fingertips.

"For this week anyway."

"Lawson."

"Joking. Joking," he said kissing her on the lips, lingering purposely.

She swatted him, "Behave."

"Oh hey," Lawson said, putting an arm around her, "mom asked me to ask you if you're coming down for Thanksgiving?" 

"Oh, I miss your mom! And the family. But no, I need to go to my mom's this year. See Kevin, my niece."

"Christmas?"

"I'm not sure."

"Come on, you've gotta get some time off from... school. Everyone misses you."

"And I miss them. I'm just not sure."

He sighed, "Okay. Oh, I'm thinking of going out to California for a while. See Corrinne and the kids. See if I can drag them to the ranch. I think it'll be good for them to get away for a while. The kids love the horses..." he trailed off, looking down at his sneakers.

"They'll love that," she said, squeezing his arm. "And I promise that I'll come for a few days as soon as I can."

"Okay." He pulled her into a hug. "Love ya, angel face." He kissed her soundly on the top of her head. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Love you too, sweetheart," she said coming out from under his arm. "Now get."

"Yeah, yeah," Lawson looked over towards the living room where Rob, Joe and Larry were pretending they weren't paying attention."Bye," he said glancing over at Rob's jealous face.

"Bye." She poked him in the ribs, opened the door, and he finally walked out. She watched him walk down the hall, and then waved when he got into the elevator. She shut the door with a sigh, feeling glad she had gotten the chance to spend some time with him, but also sad to see him go.