Shane was sitting in his rented room of Marnie's house when he heard the knock to the front door. He was pretty sure it was most definitely not for him. No one came to see him anymore. His deep blue eyes scanned the room he resided in during the time when he wasn't working. Beer cans littered the floor and filled the trash can by the door to the brim. He supposed he should take that out. His eyes landed on the clock and he sighed as he pulled his work shirt over his head and tossed it onto the hamper in the corner of the room. Shane plucked a black sleeveless shirt from his drawer and pulled it over his head.

"Hey, Shane... Sam needs to talk to you." Marnie said softly, he could tell from her tone it was important. He sighed and made his way to the front door. When Marnie stepped away from the door, a shock of blonde hair was revealed to him. Those usually friendly blue eyes were saddened, and enraged all at the same time. This alone made Shane want to sigh and close the door. "What do you think I've done this time?" Shane snapped and Sam looked at him funny. "I know you haven't done anything... it's just..." Sam began, but sighed and tried to gather his thoughts. "Shane, I need your help."

Shane quirked a brow and stared at the younger man. "What do you need my help for, if I do remember so clearly... you hate my guts. Or was that another rumor?" Shane asked and Sam frowned up at the taller man. "Honestly, I don't like your attitude... but this isn't for me..." Sam began and Shane saw the sadness flutter through the blonde's eyes. The look alone wrought anger up from the deepest depths of Shane's form. He barely managed to contain said anger when he spoke. "What did he do to her?"

"She doesn't know yet and... I don't know how to tell her... I don't know if I should or someone else should... but... I went to hang out with Sebastian like we usually do... and..." Sam started but paused, like he didn't know how to finish his sentence. "Spit it out." Shane snapped and Sam nodded. "I found him with Abigail. He says it wasn't what I thought it was, but I know he'd been in love with her for years... so... when it comes down to that little fact, I wasn't going to take any chances with it." Sam said and Shane fisted his hands at his side.

"Then why come to me? Why come to the miserable drunk of Pelican town? I'm not any use here." Shane snapped, but Sam folded his arms over his chest and frowned deeply. "Because the day you met her, I saw how your face lit up when she introduced herself to you. Now, I may not be the brightest mind in Stardew Valley, but it doesn't take a genius to see that at that moment it was the happiest anyone had ever seen you." Sam said and Shane repressed an annoyed look.

"So what. She chose him, so I guess this means she is getting what she asked for. She never even gave me a chance so why should I help her?" Shane snapped and Sam's eyes softened as he watched Shane carefully. Sam paused to shake his head before he spoke once more. "Shane... you never tried... You were always such a dick to her, so what was she supposed to think? I'm actually willing to bet she thought you hated her. What was it? Were you scared? Scared she would reject you for who you really are? Cause if that's it, you're definitely dumber than you look." Sam snapped softly, eliciting a confused glance from the older man.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shane asked and Sam sighed softly. "Let's just say it like this... she's the sun, and you're the moon. The differences between you are figuratively and literally night and day. She's bright, shiny, and brilliant, like the sun. She shares her light with everyone she meets, and that's because she is a beautiful and friendly person. While, you, are the moon. You're rude, broody, and just the overall opposite of her, but yet she still saw something in you." Sam said, but Shane's lip curled up in agitation. It was clear he wasn't getting through to the older man.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter. Go find someone else to help her." Shane snapped and tried to close the door on Sam, but the younger man smacked his hand to the door and stopped it from closing. "It has to be you." Sam said simply and Shane sighed and released his pressure from the door. "And why, pray tell, is that?" Shane asked, crossing his arms over his chest in agitation. "Why don't you go talk to Emily tomorrow. Or, don't... but I don't think Emily will like it if you let her best friend suffer." Sam said and began to turn away from the door, but Shane's voice stopped him. "I'll talk to Emily, but I doubt anything she says will make me feel any different about the situation."

Sam turned back towards the older male and watched him with sad eyes for a moment before he decided to speak. "Please, Shane... please help her." Shane sighed and closed the door as soon as Sam finished speaking. "Shane?" Marnie called from the kitchen and he trudged his way into the room, where she was still preparing their dinner. "Yeah, auntie?" he asked and she looked at him with such worried eyes, it made him feel even worse than before. "Is everything alright?" she asked and he shook his head. "Nah... Sebastian hurt Rosalyn... I knew it was going to happen..." Shane sighed as he sat at the table and buried his face in his hands.

"Oh, dear..." Marnie mumbled softly as she set food on the table. "If you knew it was going to happen, how come you never warned her?" Marnie asked and he pulled his face from his hands to look at her. "Someone spread a rumor saying that if I tried to get with her it was because I wanted her for her looks and then I would leave her. Someone said that it was because I am a bitter old drunk who cant keep a real relationship... and I guess they thought I wanted to dim their sun." Shane bit out and Marnie sat beside him at the table. "Oh, Shane... I know that's not true in the slightest..." she said as she patted his hand softly as she watched him poke at his food with the fork grasped limply in his other hand.

"What should I do then, auntie?" he asked and she watched him carefully, gauging him for any sign he was going to react badly to what she was going to say. "Shane, I think what you need to do is get some help. Get you some help, so you can help her, alright?" she asked softly and he put his silverware down gently. He stared down at his hands, seemingly deep in thought. She could practically see the gears turning in his mind. When his eyes met hers once more, she could see the physical and emotional exhaustion in his eyes. "Marnie..." he began and she listened closely because she felt the emotion in his tone. "What if she doesn't want my help? What if... she wants it from anyone but me...? What if she pushes me away?" he asked, his eyes showing a deep sadness she didn't even think he would ever admit to.

"Dear... you'll never know if she wants your help, if you never try. Maybe you should try, for your sake and hers." She said this softly, to once more watch for his reaction. "Ok, auntie... but... how do I do that?" he whispered, the palms of his hands brushing over his stubble and making a soft scratching noise as he rubbed his face. "Go talk to Emily... she can help you too."

:-:-:_The next day_:-:-:

Rosalyn looked around, her chickens were clucking happily, her two cows chomping on hay contently, and her goats braying in enjoyment as they rummaged through the pasture. She smiled as she watched all of her beloved animals enjoying their lives, it was... simplistic and joyous. Somehow, despite all their happiness, she was still upset by something. It was this gut feeling and she didn't know how to describe it... it was like she knew something ominous was headed her way. She looked up to the sky, but there were no dark clouds headed her way, so it couldn't be a storm. She bit her lip and pondered what it could be for a moment and then she shrugged and made her way to the chicken coop to check for eggs.

When she stepped back out, her small tabby cat, Thor, mewled at her happily. She rolled her eyes and blocked his entrance to the chicken coop. "No Thor, the birdies are friends. You don't eat them, sir." She giggled at the cat who seemed to huff his displeasure at being thwarted his chicken dinner once more. Rosalyn tapped her chin lightly and thought over what she should do. All her animals were now fed, watered, and groomed if needed. The lawn was mowed, fences were holding up nicely, the new poultry coop was finally finished, and the garden had been watered for the day. She looked back at the new poultry coop and smiled. "Alrighty, Thor, how do you feel about a trip to Marnie's?" she asked the little tabby, who blinked up at her expectantly.

"Maybe she'll have another treat for you today." She whispered to the cat excitedly and Thor cocked his head to the side and released a loud noise... it was something in between a meow and a purr except more purr, as if highly content with the idea. "Alright then, buddy, let's get going." She said as she lifted the cat into her arms. He buried his face into her neck and rubbed the top of his head against her cheek and shoulders, which caused her to giggle. The small cat then proceeded to perch himself around her shoulders as she walked, as if on lookout for any oncoming danger to his beloved human.

As she walked along the wooded path out of her farm, Rosalyn listened to the sounds of nature all around her. It was beautiful and calming. She just wished it could be this way all the time, with or without the chirping of the birds and the skitters of the squirrels running and jumping from tree to tree. She saw the end of the path and took off at a slow jog, jostling the cat from his comfortable position on her shoulders and making him meow in discontent. He hopped from her shoulder and trailed off after her as she rushed around the corner of Marnie's silo and up to her front door. She opened the door for the cat, but his eyes seemed to have been caught on movement outside the house. "Excuse me, Thor. Earth to Thor. In here buddy." She laughed as she clapped her hands to wake him from his bird induced stupor.

He blinked up at her and followed her into the store. "Rosalyn! What a wonderful surprise! How are you dear?" Marnie asked as soon as the older woman had seen her. "I'm doing wonderful. How are you and little Jas doing today?" she asked and Marnie smiled at her. "Great actually, what can I do for you?" Marnie asked and Rosalyn looked around in wonder. "I would actually like to see if I could get a few chickens from you today." Rosalyn said and Marnie smiled. "Of course! Just head on out to the coop and pick a few." Marnie said and she nodded. She started off that direction, but the soft pitter patter of cat feet followed behind her. "Uh uh. No sir. Not happening. You stay here with Marnie and little Jas, no baby chickie snacks for you, Thor." Rosalyn scolded and Marnie couldn't help but laugh at the way the cat flopped in the floor. There wasn't an actual word for it, being as it seemed like a combination of a belly flop and a semi-splat, so she figured the word sploot, would fit well enough. Marnie looked up to see where Rosalyn had gone, only to see she'd already made it out of the back door.

"I'm thrilled I left you with her, Little Thor... she takes such good care of you and all of her other animals... maybe she can help him too." She whispered to herself softly.

-_-_-_-

Shane heard the door open and he looked up to see her walking towards him, that brilliant smile still intact. He had to force a swallow, because in his eyes, this woman was the world. Even if she didn't know it, he thought everything of her. His eyes followed the sway of her hair as it fell around her shoulders. It was a brilliant red, the color of blood, but it shined so brilliantly you'd think it were like stained glass. And her eyes... they were exotic and brilliant all their own. Shining silver is what they were, like the werewolves' eyes from Emily's horror movies. He managed a swallow before he tried to speak, but no words came out. He supposed this was how even Sam could tell he was in love with her, he became breathless at just a glance.

"Are you alright Shane?" she asked and he nodded swiftly, turning back to his chicken, Charlie. "Y-yeah... I'm fine." He managed and she smiled as she crouched beside him and offered a hand to his beloved Charlie. "She doesn't usually take well to new people, so don't be upset if she doesn't like you at first." He said softly and she smiled, that bright smile is what actually drew him to her in the first place... it just felt... inviting and warm. Almost like it was meant especially for him, but he knew it was just how she smiled at everyone. He knew he wasn't special.

"So, she's kind of like you, am I right?" she asked softly as she used the back of her middle and pointer fingers to softly pet Charlie on the fluff of her chest. "Uhh... I suppose..." he said softly, watching her interaction with his favorite chicken. He couldn't understand it... Charlie was the queen of rude... but... the very first time she met Rosalyn... she let her touch her... 'If I were a believing man... I'd think someone was trying to give me a sign... but I'm not...' Shane sighed softly as the thought made it's way through his mind. He wasn't a believing man in the slightest. Fairy tales were just that... tales... and fate? Fate wasn't real either.

"Shane...?" her voice pulled him from his thoughts and he glanced over at her. "Hm?" he made a noise of recognition, but said nothing more, which caused her to frown. "I had asked if you could help me pick out some chickens... my most recent poultry coop is finally finished and I decided that rather than ducks, I wanted some more chickens." She said, her smile returning once more as she saw him pluck a tiny blue chicken from the fence it had trapped itself in. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be of assistance?" he asked and smiled at her, which seemed to catch her off guard.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" he asked and she giggled softly. "Well, other than that mess of stubble you might think of as a beard, no. it's just... I don't think I've ever actually seen you smile." She said as she took the tiny bird from his gentle grasp. "Oh... well... I do suppose I don't do that often enough..." he sighed and turned back to the small chicken pen he was separating chicken from wire, in. "I mean... I wasn't trying to be rude... I just... uh... I think you have a nice smile..." she said softly and if he wouldn't have been so close to her, he may not have heard it. He glanced over at her and she was cradling the tiny blue chick in her hands, occasionally rubbing her thumb under it's chin to elicit excited peeps from the tiny bird.

"You show so much love for every little creature you touch, why?" he asked as he focused on his task at hand, dealing with the rebellious little chicks who thought squeezing through the chicken wire was a good idea. Case in point the little peepers were stuck throughout the fence. He released a chuckle at the thought of the little birds. "Well, Shane... even if an animal does me harm, I will still love it. And that is because, I understand. I understand it's scared. Not all of them are used to humans, and when you think of the size comparison between humans and smaller animals... wouldn't you be scared too? Say an elephant were to come running up to you out of nowhere, wouldn't you be scared?" she asked as she watched the little chicken curl up in her hand and go to sleep.

He looked up at her and contemplated her words. "I guess so, yeah." He chuckled and she smiled at him once more. "Everything seems to love you as well." He said and she giggled. "I don't know what it is... I mean a snake poked it's head up from the water and I thought it was going to bite me, but I gave it a small fish I had caught and it just sunk back into the water." She said with a small shudder. "Oh what, are you scared of snakes?" he asked and a deep blush covered her face. "Of course not." She pouted and he grinned at her. "You are!" he laughed and her blush deepened. "Please don't make fun of me for it." She pleaded softly and his smile vanished.

"Of course not... I would never do that to you." He said softly, looking away to pluck another baby bird from the fence. She smiled at him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you Shane." She said with a smile and he offered one back, but plopped another tiny chicken in her grasp. She was confused for a moment, but then she look down out the two tiny blue birds. "Shane?" "Hm?" "Are these for me?" she asked and he looked over at her once more. "Of course." Her eyes lit up in excitement and she placed the two tiny birds in the chick carrier Marnie had set by the back door. She lunged and hugged Shane tightly from behind, catching him off guard. "Thank you so much!" she squealed and he smiled to himself as his shoulders began to relax in her embrace.

The peaceful feeling felt as if it were ripped away far too soon as she pulled herself away from him. Repressing a saddened sigh, he turned to look at her with a small smile. Her face was covered in a deep red blush and her hands were slapped over her mouth, those brilliant silver eyes wide. "Oh my... umm... Shane I am so sorry! I know how you are about physical contact... I'm sorry if I invaded your space... it's just... you never give anyone your blue hens... I was just excited..." she managed softly and he stood from where he had plucked the last of the little blue hens from the fence.

"I understand. Trust me." He chuckled as he dusted himself off. "Then why give them to me?" she asked, her silver eyes shining in confusion. He stepped closer to her, now towering an entire foot over her. "Because..." he began as he grasped her hand gently and placed another blue hen in her grasp. "I trust you." He said and turned away from her. He heard her run and put the baby in the carrier as well and a small smile tugged at his lips. There was no doubt in this world, he loved this woman. As selfish as it was, he planned on making his move after Sebastian was out of the picture.

A pang of guilt tugged at his heart and he looked at the younger woman as she talked gibberish to the baby hens. He would never want her to hurt the way she was going to be hurting... everything in his being wanted him to be the one to tell her, but he knew she might get angry and deny it if he were to tell her that ugly truth. He sighed and plucked a baby duck and a white baby hen from the coops. He brushed the downy feathers of both the babies chests with his thumbs as he carried them over to her. "Tell Marnie I said I've got you for these." He said and she looked at him in shock.

"Shane. I couldn't." she managed and he shrugged. "I don't see why you cant, we are friends, aren't we?" he asked and her mouth fell open the slightest bit. "I didn't think you wanted to be my friend... until recently that is..." she whispered and he chuckled. "I guess Sam was right when he called me a miserable old drunk." He sighed and she reached out to him. "Shane..." she began but he shook his head. "We are friends then, right?" he asked and she nodded. "So then go on. Those babies need to get on home." He said with a small smile and she smiled back.

"You should come over for dinner sometime then, let me repay you for this." She offered and he smiled. "Sure thing, what about Jas and Marnie? Can they come too?" he asked and she grinned at him. "Of course! You all have treated me the best in the year I've been here!" she chirped and he shook his head. "Them, maybe, but I'm trying to make up for how rude I've been lately." He said and she watched him carefully. "It was Emily wasn't it?" she asked with a small laugh and he rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Of course it was. Who else spews that much positive energy every second of every day?" he asked with a chuckle. It wasn't completely a false statement, Emily had been hassling him to get help and get some therapy. She said he owed it to his liver to do it. And he agreed.

"Well, me?" she asked with a smile and he shook his head. "Nah... someone recently said you were the sun, and I believe that. Because even the sun knows when too much light is too much." He chuckled and her cheeks burned red once more. "I'm the sun?" she asked, it was mostly to herself, but she was genuinely curious. "Would you like me to carry them for you?" he asked, breaking her train of thought. "I couldn't ask you to..." she began but he carefully swiped the carrier from her grasp as she opened the door leading into the store part of the house. Marnie watched the two of them with a soft smile.

"I'm going to help Rose with her new babies and then I'll be back." Shane said and Marnie smiled and nodded. "Be safe you too, don't be out too late Shane, I've got dinner cooking." She called after them and he nodded as he followed Rosalyn. "Rose?" she asked with a sneaky tone. "Oh... um. If you don't want me to call you that, I wont." He said and she smiled. "How about I let you be the only one who calls me that?" she asked with a smile and he blushed lightly. "Um..." "No one else calls me anything other than Rosalyn. It's nice hearing something different every now and then. Sebastian lets me call him Sebby, so I figure I should have a nickname too, but no one ever wants to call me anything else." She sighed and he chuckled.

"I think it's cause you have a beautiful name. Everyone loves it the way it is." He said and she nodded lightly. "I see. I still like that you called me Rose. It makes me feel like we can actually be really good friends, like how you and Emmy are, and how Emmy and I are." She said and he blinked at her. "Emily?" he asked and she nodded. "She says I'm the only one who can call her that." She said and he nodded.

"She never even told me she had a nickname. So now I'm gonna have to use it against her." He chuckled and Rosalyn laughed. "She might hurt you." She said and he smirked. "She's my best friend, and your best friend, right? So it's only fair that I get to call her that too." He said and Rosalyn nodded as they broke through the upper path towards her home. He glanced around her farm and made an approving grunt that she barely heard. "What?" she asked and he blinked in confusion. "Oh... nothing. Just admiring your setup is all." He said and she smiled. "Thank you... it was hard work trying to figure out where to put everything, but I did the best with what I was given." She said and he nodded.

"You did very well with it. I promise you that much." He said and she smiled up at him. "You really are trying to be better." She said, it sounded mostly to herself, but he heard it. "Yes... I've wasted my life away. I sat and watched the people I care about vanish around me... I... I watched a woman I fell in love with, fall for someone else. I figure, if I can turn myself around, maybe I can be a better Godfather for Jas..." he said and she listened to him intently.

"I just... want to be better, not just for me... but for everyone else." He said and she linked her arm with his, a smile adorning her lips. "Well, bud, you've come to the right lady!" she chirped happily. "Help me out around here and I will help you with your social skills, and maybe I can help you with your alcohol problem." She said and he rolled his eyes. "Of course. You just want some man power on your farm and that's it." He sighed and she gave him a wicked smirk.

"Well, of course. Sebby doesn't come over that much and when he does he wants to play games with Sam and Abigail." She said and another twinge struck his heart. He had almost forgotten she had no idea what was going on. "Shane?" she asked and he looked down at her. "Hm?" "Are you alright?" she asked and he nodded. "Of course." He said and she furrowed her brow but shrugged and drug him to the newest chicken coop. she looked behind her at the expectant tabby that had followed them back home in silence. His ears were flat against his head and his eyes narrowed, his tail flicking behind him in a poof of fur.

Rosalyn released a loud laugh and Shane cocked a brow at her, only to see the ball of agitated cat she was laughing at. "Jeez what happened to him?" Shane asked and Rosalyn wiped her eyes and pulled her hands from her knees, as she had been hunched over in her laughter. "I promised him a treat if he were good when we went to see Marnie and we got everything but a treat for him. Shane watched the small cat huff his displeasure and release an angry yowl. An amused smile cracked over his lips and he crouched in front of the angry kitten. "Give me a second little man, and I'll get you something better than a treat." Shane said and reached to touch Thor, who swiftly swatted him.

Rosalyn gasped as she saw the blood trickle from Shane's hand, but he didn't pull it away from the cat, or pause his attempt to scoop the little angry ball up into his arms. After a few seconds of being pet by Shane, soft purrs erupted from the tiny cat. "It's ok buddy." He said as the cat licked his hand apologetically. "Shane, are you ok?" Rosalyn asked and he nodded. "Of course..." Shane said as he set Thor back on the ground. Shane looked at the small scratch on his hand and shrugged. "I'll be fine, I promise. I've been kicked, bit, and rammed by sheep, goats, and cattle. I'm pretty sure mighty little Thor was just scared, I mean, I've never really been around when you bring him in." Shane said as he opened the door to the chicken coop and walked in.

Rosalyn followed him in, but closed the door just in time to keep her curious George of a cat out. Shane chuckled when the cat jumped up into the window of the coop to stare in at them. One by one they pulled the baby birds from the carrier. Three blue hens, a duck, and two little white hens eyed their surroundings then scattered about the coop to explore their new home. Rosalyn watched them with such a simplistic joy that Shane thought it was unreal. He never thought anyone could be so pure and happy because of a group of baby birds. He wanted nothing more than to show her how he felt, to tell her... but... that feeling that all he would do was corrupt her seeped in and sadness flooded his eyes.

He could help her, but he knew he shouldn't try and get with her... he would only hurt her more... it was who he was... it was his nature. The past hour and a half was proof that she was the sun. she made even him feel like there was nothing evil in the world, but he damn sure knew that was a lie... he looked over to see her clucking happily at the little baby birds that had pooled around her feet. A smile cracked his lips as they all chirped back.

She glanced up at him and blushed deeply. "You're so quiet I almost forgot you were here Shane..." she murmured and he laughed lightly. "Yeah, don't worry. I talk to Charlie." He said and she blinked up at him. "She does this little buh... buhbuh... and I cant help but do it back. So if you can keep my chicken secret I can keep yours." He said and she smiled up at him. "Of course." He looked out the little coop window and sighed. "I should get going, but here. Have this recipe. Thor will enjoy it." He said and plucked a small hand written recipe from his pocket. She took it and thanked him. He made his way out of the coop and looked once more to the little cat. "She's gonna have a great treat for you little man." He said and the cat rubbed his side against the window happily, just as he would have done if he were near Shane's leg.

"Good night Rose." He called and she pushed the door of the coop open. "Good night Shane. If you would like something to do tomorrow, you can help me with some stuff around here." She said and he nodded at her. "Sure. I doubt I have anything to really do, seeing as I'm off tomorrow too." He said and she smiled at him and waved as he vanished out of sight and into the woods. "Come on little Thor, Shane said to make this for you, so I guess we should hop on that." She said and blinked in confusion as the little tabby ran towards the front door of their home faster than she had ever seen him run before.

"Something tells me you are definitely going to like this." She giggled as she slipped into her home.

:-:_:-:

Shane knocked on the door and waited for a response. He knocked a little harder this time, and actually got a response. A disheveled Emily opened the door and he smirked at her. "Shit." She cursed and straightened her appearance. Shane repressed his laughter as a sheepish Clint shuffled out of the house. "Good night Emily." Clint called and Shane laughed once the older man was out of sight. "Sorry to interrupt your... extracurricular activities dearest Emmy, but I have a situation." He said and Emily scowled at him slightly before shoving him inside her home. "Stop laughing." She whined and he chuckled once more.

"So what do you need Shane?" she asked and he offered a small smile. The moment Emily caught that smile, her lips broke out in an exuberant grin. "You hung out with her!" she squealed and he nodded. "Then what is the issue. Blockhead?" she asked. He frowned and her eyes narrowed. "She's still with Sebastian." He began and she pursed her lips. "And he's with Abigail too." She finished and he nodded, his hands fisting in his lap.

"Well, that's going to be irrelevant." Emily said and Shane looked at her in confusion. "I'm going to talk to Sam." She said and he furrowed his brows as she moved around the room, looking for something it seemed. "Um... Emily. How did you know he was with Abigail." It wasn't a question, his tone was demanding. "Sam came to me." She said as she pilfered through drawers. "Did he come to you before or after he came to me?" he asked and she closed the drawer she was fumbling through. "After. He told me he went to you, but he didn't know if you were actually going to be there to support her when this came to pass." She said and Shane pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ebb the oncoming headache.

"Shane, it isn't just me who knows you hold some sort of feeling for her. There are very few others who see it, but we can see it. We just want you to see it too." Emily said and he frowned. "Emily, I am going to tell you something I haven't told anyone else, and I want you to listen closely." He said and she furrowed her brows and sat, leaving the open drawers unattended. "Alright go ahead and say it." She prompted him and he rolled his eyes.

"I cannot be anything more than a friend to her." He said and she sent him a look that clearly read, 'what kind of dumb excuse is that?' "And why, pray tell, can you not?" she asked, the disbelief heavy in her tone. "All I would do is corrupt her. You remember the rumor someone spread saying I used women and then left? It made me feel like all I could have was a temporary thing with people. I don't think I can actually hold a legitimate relationship with anyone anymore... all I do is hurt everyone I care for." He said and Emily stood to move to sit beside him. She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly.

He stared down at her questioningly and she blinked up at him. "Hm... seven years of friendship and counting... nope. Still perky and uncorrupted." She said and he rolled his eyes. "Listen... Shane... how do you feel about her? And I want you to tell me when and where you started feeling that way." She demanded and he sighed heavily. "Emily-" "Tell me Shane." She demanded, her tone no longer perky and amused.

"The very first time she spoke to me. I just... I looked into her eyes and there was just something there that stole my breath." He said and she smiled. "Go on." "I swear to everything if you ever tell anyone I said this I will destroy you Emmy." He quipped and she rolled her eyes. "ok, now keep talking you overgrown brat." "I couldn't really figure out what I felt for her... not until I found her that day." He sighed and Emily nodded. "The day where she had gone in too deep in the mines?" she asked and he nodded. That pang of guilt grabbed his chest once more. "She still doesn't know who took her to the hospital that day, does she?" Emily asked and he shook his head. "I'm more so ashamed of how I was going to explain to her why I was down there." He said and she grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly.

"Shane, you should never be ashamed of that night because you found her before it was too late." Emily said and he nodded as he placed his other hand over hers. "I went down there to attempt to drink myself outta reality once more, but when I found her... I dropped everything." He sighed and rubbed his face with both hands, leaving Emily to pat his knee. "Shane..." "That's one hell of a way to realize you love someone. When you're panicked out of your mind because you find them unconscious in a mine because they're really stubborn and bothersome." He groaned and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back into Emily's couch.

"Shane. At least you figured out how you felt for her. I didn't realize Clint felt that way for me until Rosalyn told me. I have to admit at first I thought she was coming onto me with the gifts and whatnot." Emily laughed and Shane snorted. "I was like um... whoa there. Hold your ponies dear." Emily laughed and Shane watched her, amusement swimming in his eyes. "However, I am glad she cleared it up that Clint was the one who was sending the gifts through her." Emily laughed and Shane nodded with a smile. "Emily... I want you to be completely honest with me..." Shane said and his tone was filled with such a concerned sadness that it alone felt like it was going to break her heart. "Ok Shane. I will..."

"Emily... do I even have a chance with her? Do you think she could ever love me the way I love her?" he asked and she squeezed his hand tightly. "Shane... I don't know. I honestly don't know..." she whispered and he looked down at his hands. "I would like to think you do... I mean... she said it today that she wanted to be friends with you, right?" she asked and he nodded. "Yeah... she did. And she even invited me to come over for dinner one day, and tomorrow she wanted me to come help her with some farm work..." Shane said and Emily smiled. "Then work with what you can get. And I will help you in any and every way I can, but all in all it is going to be down to how you treat her when this mess comes out. If you need anything else, though. You know where to find me big bro." she said and he hugged her lightly before he stretched and turned towards the door.

"Thanks, Emmy." He said and she smiled at him. "Hey Shane..." she called and he turned back to face her. "If there comes a time where she doesn't seem to be able to get it through her head that you're in love with her. Find a mermaid pendant. I have told her all about them and the struggle to actually get one, seeing as the ghost only appears at certain times and only if you are ready for it. She thought it was especially romantic and got all sappy. She started talking about how she cant wait until she gets the chance to get one." She said and hugged him once more.

"I suppose if it comes down to it, I will. I mean, I'm hoping I'm not too emotionally stunted to be able to tell her how I feel without it." Emily rolled her eyes at his snarky response. "Yep, you're definitely going to need it, Shane." She laughed as she tried to force the door shut before he could get back in, but he was twice her weight and the door caved easily. He grabbed her and hugged her tightly. "You think you're just so funny." He chuckled and she grinned up at him. "But that is definitely what makes you the best sibling anyone could ever ask for." He said and she laughed as she tried to shove him off of her.

"Self-proclaimed, which is better because we actually chose to be siblings." She laughed and he shook his head lightly. "Now, get home. You've got an early morning tomorrow. She wakes up at six in the morning." Emily said and all amusement left his body. "Oh damn it all." He groaned and he heard her laughter from behind the door. He smiled as he made his way back home to Marnie, who was overly happy to see him when he got home. "So, how'd it go?" she asked as he made his way to his room.

"Auntie... she invited me to help out on her farm, so that's where I'm going in the morning." He said and offered a small smile. "Shane... I have a question." She started and he smiled at her. "Yes, auntie. I really do love her." He said and she smiled at him. "Good, then be better for both you and her. I saw how happy you were with her today, and I think she is good for you. Jas was happy because she hadn't seen you actually smile in a while." Marnie said and Shane nodded.

"Ok... I'm going to try my best..." he said and she hugged him. "I'm going to be better for all of you, because I know you depend on me. And the fact that I don't ever want her to see me like she did the day she found me in the woods. I guess she was unknowingly returning the favor." He sighed and Marnie swatted him on the shoulder lightly. "I heard you took her to the hospital, but I never knew she took you to the hospital. I just thought maybe you were hanging out at someone's house that week, cause I know you go to Emily's to stay the night sometimes." She scolded and he nodded. "Yeah, I'll never know how she managed it, but she got me there on her own..." he sighed and shook his head.

"Shane... have fun tomorrow and be careful. Goodnight." Marnie said softly and he smiled at her as he pushed open the door to his room. The cans were still littered about his floor and he sighed. He was going to have to clean this up before he went to her house.