May 3rd 1997

Weeks went by as we toured through eastern Europe. We spent several days in each country so we'd have a little time to see everything. Though I can't say I remember too much of Poland. Or Hungary. But in Croatia a bunch of untamable shrews picked on Malcolm for his sandwich.

That was fun.

The weather was also getting warmer and that meant we spent most of our time outdoors. All the stadiums were outside, and afterwards we'd go to the town or out to eat. And when we weren't outside painting the town, we'd be inside sleeping.

Ever since that night in Thailand, Angus and I started sharing a room again. It was easier to keep track of everyone (mostly me, Angus said) and, to be honest, we missed each other. We both thought it'd be weird sharing a bed, so we took the couch. Nothing abnormal about two good friends sharing a couch. Right? I told Angus and he only gave me a funny smile in return.

Angus also reported that he had been sleeping a lot better. He wasn't lying awake anymore and slept straight through the night. "I think it's your company that's helping," he said one night. I had ditched my footie pajamas for the season and went back to my tank top.

"You think so?" He didn't answer. He only smiled and stared at me. I stared back, eventually snuggling into him. He laughed a little and fell asleep soon enough.

June 20th 1997

Angus sat at the breakfast table that morning drinking his tea. He hadn't seen me get up so I snuck behind him and gave him a hug. "Hey what's the occasion?"

"What, can't I hug you because I love you?" I asked.

"Course you can. Love ya' too," he said turning to hug me. I let go and sat across from him.

"Actually, there is an occasion."

"Does it have to do with us?" he asked.

"Yes..."

"Uh oh."

"What?"

"I don't remember what it is." He set his cup down to think. "Let's see...we're not married so it's not our anniversary...it's not your birthday yet..." He bit his lip, eyeing me. "I'm not sure..."

"It's-"

"Wait! I can do this! No hints, I can do this." His fingers tapped to the rhythm of the clock which ticked away his thinking moments. "I can't do this," he shook his head. "What is it?" I sat up straighter.

"Well, on June 20th 2016, you know, when I was sixteen? That was the day, or night rather, that I went back in time for the first time. It was the day I met you." His eyes widened.

"Oh good God, you're right!" He smiled at me. "I do remember that! God that was twenty two years ago."

"Only nine for me."

"Damn lucky. We oughta do somethin', ya' know?"

"Like what?"

"Well first," he said standing up from the table. "I need to give you a proper hug." He picked me up from the chair and spun me around. When he stopped he smiled down at me. "I'm glad we met," he said softly. "Don't regret a single day."

"What if I hadn't come here?" I wondered aloud. "Or what if it had been someone else or I never came back? What if-" Angus kissed my nose.

"Then I wouldn't be standing here in my boxer shorts and tee shirt with you in my arms now, would I?"

"No," I chuckled. "I guess not." A thought suddenly came to me and I smirked. "What if someone else ended up liking me?" His smile disappeared.

"What-what do you mean?"

"What if I ended up with your brother?" I laughed as his frown turned to a smirk.

"You'd be asking for your money back two minutes in. Guaranteed." He sat down in his chair again and sat me up in his lap. "So. Whatcha wanna do?"

"Dunno."

"Go out, spend the whole day here, do something a different day...what?"

"I don't know, didn't think about it."

"We're celebrating meeting for the first time and you didn't think about how?"

"You didn't even remember."

"Oh yeah? Well...oh yeah?" he asked. "Well, we could always..." His eyes lightened up.

"What?"

"I know. You're free June 25th right?"

"Yeah."

"We'll be in Italy by then you know."

"Really? What'll we do there?"

"You'll see."