(Finished this last night, but it was 1 in the morning, and I was exhausted. So, here's another chapter finally. XD Hope you enjoy!)

The doorbell rang, as feet scurred to the door and the window.

"Is it them?" Kara's excitement grew as she made it to the window in time.

"Looks like it to me," John replied with a soft grin. He went up to the door, opening it wide for their guests. "Welcome you guys! Come on in!" He moved away so the three musketeers could walk on through.

Katie looked at the incoming group with interest. The first one that walked in was a young man that caught Katie's eye, "T-Thomas?"

Thomas' attention drifted over to where Katie was standing. Both were staring at each other, frozen. The room became silent, and no one knew what to do or say to break the silence. Thomas finally found his voice after some time, "Katie? Katie McCay? Is that really you, or is this all a dream?"

Katie blinked, "I-I don't know... I hope this isn't a dream," she almost whispered, forming a crack in her plain expression, "I would be disappointed if it was, or if we were actually dreaming the exact same dream."

Thomas smiled in return, "A really good dream."

Katie grinned and ran over to Thomas' direction, forming a half oval shape with her arms, and surrounding Thomas with her embrace. She shut her eyes tight, afraid that this all might not be real, "I-I missed you..."

Thomas' eyes widened in shock at her sudden reaction and comment. His arms curved, and his mind went mushy to a point where he forgot what he was doing, and what was happening. When he finally regained his composure, he returned the embrace as gently as he could muster. He sighed in content, "I missed you too, Katie."

"It's been too long... I'm so sorry I had to leave you," she then noticed Maggie and Nick. "I'm so sorry for leaving all of you those years ago. I didn't have a choice," her eyes started welling up with tears. "I just... I didn't want to go. I didn't want to abandon you all. I-I'm so sorry..."

Maggie placed a gentle hand, while giving her a reassuring smile, "Katie. It's not your fault. It wasn't your choice to leave us. We're not upset with you about it. Things like this happen to many people, and sometimes there's nothing we can do to prevent this, as much as we wish that we could."

"As much as we could go back in time to redo anything to take that time back, sadly we can't," Thomas looked down at his best friend. His smile warmed Katie's broken soul and heart that was slowly dying everyday, by her past mistakes, and by those that had caused her harm.

I never thought that I would look into those peaceful eyes again, and see that beautiful smile rain down on me. She felt her face flush into a rosy color. I hate myself for feeling fuzzy and toasty, but I love it, and I can't help myself anymore. Katie released the hug slowly, even though she didn't want to, and went to go hug Maggie and Nick, letting them know that she missed them as well, and didn't want to leave them out.

Maggie giggled softly, "I missed you, Katie. We all did. I'm just glad that you guys can come and spend time with us," Katie grinned, releasing the hugs she had given her old childhood friends.

"We are glad too," Nick grinned. "So, what do you guys want to do?"

"We were planning on playing some video games if you guys are up for it," Kara answered in reply, smiling.

"What game were you guys planning on playing?" Maggie asked out of curiosity.

Kara grinned, "Well, we were planning on playing a little bit of Halo, and hopefully playing Uno, and whatever other games you guys were wanting to play."

"Sounds like fun!" Thomas grinned excitedly.

"That sounds great! I would love to do that!" Maggie grinned. "I bet I speak for the boys when I say that we are actually excited about all of this."

They nodded and grinned.

"Maggie basically has summed it up," Nick chuckled softly.

Maggie put on a teasing expression, "Don't I always?"

Nick grinned, "Yes you do, Maggie. Your explanations are soft but sweet, like you."

Maggie blushed softly as the others started walking away to leave Nick and Maggie to be alone, "Are you flirting with me, Nick?"

Nick grinned, "No, I'm just stating a fact. You're my best friend. Is it bad to be honest to your best friend?"

"No, I just... You have a girlfriend, Nick. Don't cheat on her for me, no matter how bad she actually is."

Nick sighed, "I'm not flirting with you, I promise. I think it's fine to still give compliments, whether you're dating someone or not. It's not bad."

Maggie looked up at him seriously, but with a hint of worry, "Doesn't she get jealous easily though?"

He nods, "Sadly yes. Though I reassured her that giving compliments to friends are innocent and friendly. She doesn't always get reassured regardless, but I do my best to make sure she's happy."

Maggie's expression deepened into concern, "How often does that happen? That she's satisfied and happy, I mean?"

He sighed again, "It's not often. I'm curious if I'm not doing my best, or if should do more for her."

"Or just break up with her," Maggie commented. "I know that sounds rude, but you don't deserve someone who doesn't treat you well, Nick. You never have, and never will deserve someone that treats you like trash. You deserve someone better."

"Maybe," he thought about this for a moment.

"You're afraid of what she would say though, right?" Maggie asked as if she looked into his mind. "I would know. You love pleasing others, and not getting into fights. You just want everyone to be happy."

Nick was speechless for a brief moment, though he didn't understand why he didn't expect something like this from her. He had forgotten how well he knew her, and how well she knew him. He chuckled, glancing down at his shoes as he spoke up, "It's scary how well you actually know me, Mag."

Maggie giggled, "Well... I mean, we've known each other for a very long time. It would be sad if we didn't know each other at all, or even just a little bit. I would probably wonder what the crap I'm doing with myself at this point if I didn't or barely knew you," she looked at him straight in the eyes. "I don't know what I would have done if I didn't know you at all, Nick. If I didn't get to meet you and the others," she hugged him. "Thank you. For everything. You're the best friend that a girl could ever ask for," she grinned and giggled. "I wouldn't ask for anyone better, because you guys are the best to me, and I would never trade you for anyone else."

Nick blushed lightly, grinning softly, "Your the best friend that I could ever ask for either, Mag. Thank you for allowing me to be your best friend, and sticking with me, as well as allowing me to stick with you in our trials."

Maggie blushed lightly, clearing her throat as she slowly released the hug, "We should probably go with the gang now. They're probably waiting for us."

Nick chuckled, "Probably. We shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."

"Are you love birds coming or what? We already started without you!" Kara called out to her friends.

"We're coming! Don't worry!" Maggie echod her reply as she giggled softly. "Shall we?"

Nick grinned more, "We shall," he lead the way as Maggie followed into the game room where the others turned their attention towards them, grinning. Though they made it seem like they were up to something.

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Maggie rose a brow, "What is it? Why are you guys smiling like that?"

"Oh, nothing," Katie giggled softly. "We're just glad that you two decided to come join us."

"Hold on a second..." Nick had a sudden realization. "Did you just call us lovebirds, Kara?"

Kara grinned proud, "Yeah, why? Is that bad?"

"Yeah, because I'm currently dating a girl right now. We're not love birds, just friends."

Yeah, just friends. Maggie slumped slightly, though did her best to not show what she was feeling currently. She felt like she was being forced to agree on something that she didn't see eye to eye with, "Yeah, we're just friends. That's all. Nothing more. Nothing less," she then forced a smile upon her lips. "So, we might as well get this party started, even though it started already," she giggled. "I guess I mean to say that let's continue this friend party and have some fun!"

Katie grinned, "Don't just stand there you two! Come have a seat. We're currently playing a game of Uno. You can join in if you would like, or just wait until the round is over. It's your call."

Kara grinned as she turned to face Nick, "You ready?"

"I was born ready. Let's jump on in!"

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Maggie glanced at Nick every now and then, watching his every move. When he looked her way, she turned and focused back at her cards, as if she wasn't doing anything at all. She did her best to not let him notice what she was doing during the round of Uno.

"Hey, Maggie. It's your turn," Katie replied softly.

Maggie scrambled to grab a card out of her deck, "S-Sorry..." She placed down a blue skip on the table. She placed it face up on the already used stack, allowing everyone to see.

Katie giggled, "It's okay. I've done the same thing. In fact, I did just that today in the majority of my classes. I don't know why but... I haven't been able to focus at all today."

"Maybe you didn't sleep much last night, or maybe you didn't sleep well."

Katie rubbed her eyes, "I think it's both. I barely remember yesterday as it is."

Katie nodded as she looked back up at Katie, "You were probably exhausted," she placed down a red reverse card as she was speaking. "These things happen to us, and that's alright. Whatever happened, it's alright because now you're in the now," she smiled, "and I suggest that you enjoy it while you can."

Katie giggled as she made her move, "Thank you, Maggie. You always know what to say."

"You're welcome."

"Also, Uno."