*mild language

Coming Home

by SJaye

Dan Mangan took in the familiar sites of Sleepyside as he drove his truck through the center of town. Nothing ever seems to change here, he thought to himself as he turned down Maple Street to the apartment he had just rented.

Dan was surprised to find himself back in Sleepyside. After attending NYU and graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice, he had taken a job with the New York City police department. It had always been his dream to be a cop. But after a year of responding to reports of gunshots, car accidents and handling drunks of all descriptions (including a memorable cross dresser who insisted at the top of his lungs that he really was Britney Spears before passing out in his cell), Dan found himself longing for home. When he found out about the opening in the Sleepyside police department, Dan jumped at it. He wasn't really sure how Molinson felt about having a former BWG working for him, but Dan knew he was good at his job, and he felt that he was finally doing what he was meant to do.

Arriving at the apartment building parking lot, Dan spotted a petite blond leaning against a black Saturn, sipping from a bottle of strawberry pop. What is she doing here? Dan wondered. Uncle Bill was the only one who knew I was coming back today.

Dan pulled into the parking spot next to her and jumped out of the truck, trying to convince himself that the way his heart was pounding was due to the excitement of the move. "Still drinking that strawberry pop I see. I can't believe they still make that stuff!" Dan grimaced as he imagined the sickly sweet red liquid.

Trixie grinned as she threw her arms around Dan's neck. "It's so good to see you, Dan! And you know Mr. Lytell stocks this just for me, ever since I stopped that horrible Laura Ramsey from swindling him. I have to drink it occasionally - I feel obligated."

Dan chuckled as he inhaled the fragrance of her hair. "I can understand that. We wouldn't want to hurt Mr. Lytell's feelings." He paused. "It's good to see you too, Trix. How about I get the key from the landlord, and you can fill me in on what everyone else is doing?"

After retrieving the key, Dan led the way to his new apartment on the third floor. "How did you know I'd be in today?" Dan asked Trixie over his shoulder, as he searched for Apartment 313. "Only Uncle Bill knew I was coming home today, and he won't be back until Wednesday. Oh, here it is," Dan exclaimed, finally locating the apartment.

"I hope you don't mind, but I was so excited when I heard you took the job and were coming home that I badgered Regan into giving me the details of your arrival," Trixie answered, draining the last of the strawberry pop and tossing the bottle into the trash can near the stairs. "Of course, he didn't last long under my expert interrogation."

"I'll be he didn't," Dan replied, as he finally got the door open. He wondered how Trixie could think any man could deny her anything. "I was going to call..." His voice trailed off as he stared into the apartment.

Surprised that Dan has stopped talking in the middle of his sentence, Trixie stood next to him and looked into the apartment also. As far as the eye could see stretched a bright orange shag carpet.

"Wow!" Trixie giggled. "You did look at the apartment before you rented it, didn't you Dan?"

Sneaking a look at Dan's shocked face, Trixie answered her own question. "I guess not." Trying hard not to laugh, Trixie continued. "Well, you'll probably save on electricity anyway. Even a small amount of light is bound to reflect off that carpeting and light up the entire room." Unable to control her laughter any longer, Trixie erupted into a fit of giggles.

"Sure, go ahead, laugh, Trix," Dan muttered. "You're not the one who may go blind living here. And no, I didn't look at it. The price was right and I took it. This is Sleepyside! How bad could it be?"

Trixie held her stomach, still unable to control her laughter. "That bad!" she exclaimed, gesturing into the room.

"Okay, smart ass," Dan grinned. "Let's go get the rest of my stuff out of the truck. My furniture won't be here until Monday."

*     *     *

Two hours later, Trixie and Dan sat companionably on the hideous carpeting, munching on pizza and drinking Pepsi straight from the can.

"So, what is everyone else up to?" Dan asked as he swallowed the last of the pizza. "I haven't really kept in touch with everyone since I've been gone."

"Well, let's see." Trixie laid back and stared at the ceiling. "You know Mart and Diana finally got engaged, right?"

Dan nodded as he lay on the floor next to Trixie. "Yeah. I do talk to Mart pretty frequently. He told me they were engaged."

Did he tell you how he proposed?" Trixie questioned. Dan shook his head. "Of course not. Men never talk about the important things. God forbid, someone might think you're romantic."

"Okay, now I'm curious." Dan sat up and looked at her. "So, what happened?"

"Well," Trixie started. "Di was feeling kind of down, because she didn't think Mart would ever commit and she was wondering if she should just end it. She was on the computer at work one day, and she got one of those instant messages, saying that she needed to go to the clubhouse right away. I went with her because she didn't have her key. When we got there, there was a note addressed to Diana in the middle of the table. It wasn't signed, but it told her there was something for her in her bedroom."

"I found out what happened from Di later. At the time she just ran towards home, thanking me for coming with her, but she had to check out something at home, and she'd call me later."

"Ah hah," Dan said, lying back down. "A secret note and mysterious behavior. How did you contain yourself?"

"Very funny, smart guy." Trixie poked Dan in the ribs. "Do you want to hear the end of the story, or not?"

"Oh yeah, I do," Dan replied, smirking. "I'm on pins and needles."

"Anyway," Trixie glared at Dan as she continued her story. "Di raced home and up to her bedroom, and on the wall was written in purple magic marker 'Will you marry me, Diana Lynch?' Of course she started screaming 'Yes, yes,' and Mart popped out of the closet and gave her the ring."

"Purple magic marker?" Dan asked, horrified. "On the wall?"

Trixie laughed. "I can't believe that's all you have to say. It wasn't permanent. Mart used those washable Crayola markers. Jim uses them all the time at the school."

Dan's heart lurched at the mention of Jim's name, but he didn't ask about him. "And Honey and Brian?"

"Well, Brian's almost finished with medical school and he'll start his residency after that. Honey and Brian are still dating, but they've decided not to get too serious until Brian finishes his residency. They're both free to date other people, but neither of them do. I think they'll end up together after all."

"Honey is working with Jim at the school for now - until we're ready to start the detective agency. Hopefully, that will be soon - I'm only working at the bank to earn some start up money."

Dan had to ask. "And Jim?"

Trixie got up and walked across the room. "I can't believe you got a hamster. That's a far cry from the horse I always imagined you with."

"It's hard to keep a horse in the city," Dan said dryly, coming up behind her. "With a hamster, you give him some food and water and he's fine alone if necessary. When I've been gone for a while, I give Sherlock a dog biscuit as a treat. He seems to like them."

Trixie's eyes widened. "You named your hamster 'Sherlock'?" she asked.

"Yeah," Dan answered, going back to sit on the floor. "I have a thing for detectives." He paused. "So, how's Jim?" he asked again.

Trixie sat down next to him and looked into the corner of the room. "I just thought of the perfect housewarming gift!" she exclaimed. "I'm going to go to the florist and buy the biggest potted fern I can find. You can put it right there." Trixie pointed to the corner of the room. "It'll cover some of the carpeting."

Dan grabbed her hand and lowered her pointing finger. "The carpet's growing on me." He stared at Trixie. "Why do I get the feeling that you're avoiding the subject of Jim?"

Trixie sighed. "Probably because I am. I guess I just don't know what to say."

Dan's heart lurched again. Oh no, he thought. Please don't tell me you're engaged too!

"Just say it," he prodded, a little curtly.

Stop it Mangan, he chided himself. Trixie has no idea how you feel about her. You're supposed to be her friend, so listen to her.

"Well, he's started his school you know." Dan nodded. "It's really coming along and he's doing wonderful work. It's always been his dream, to have a school for orphaned boys." Dan nodded again. When Trixie didn't continue right away, he looked at her.

"It sounds like there's a 'but' in there." he smiled.

"Yeah, there is." Trixie sighed. "He has his dream and it's coming true and I'm happy for him, but now it seems like he wants me to give up my dream. He's started talking about marriage and children, and I'm not ready for that."

Dan looked into Trixie's eyes. Oh, Mangan, he thought, you are in big trouble now.

"Trixie," he began, "No one should ask you to give up your dream. You've wanted to be a detective ever since I've known you. You and Honey have been planning this agency forever. That dream has helped make you the person you are today. I know Jim hasn't always been happy about some of the situations you've gotten into, but I can't believe he really wants you to give it up. And if he does, maybe he's not the one for you."

"That's it!" Trixie exclaimed. "I'm afraid Jim's not the one for me - not anymore. It's not just the detective agency thing. It's more like a lot of little things adding up to the fact that maybe I don't belong with Jim anymore."

Dan sat still for a moment, unable to think clearly. He didn't ask what the little things were. He didn't think he wanted to know.

Had Trixie just said she didn't think she was in love with Jim Frayne? And if she had, what was he supposed to do now?

"Trixie," Dan started carefully. "Have you talked to Jim about this?"

"I've tried, but he doesn't seem to listen to me," Trixie answered. "I haven't really pushed it, but we need to get this settled and soon."

Dan stood up again and walked to the window. He looked out over downtown Sleepyside, where his closest friends and only family lived. Did he want to jeopardize that?

He felt, rather than saw, Trixie come up behind him. She put her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. "I'm really glad you came home, Dan. I've missed talking to you. And, I have a confession to make."

Dan was uncomfortably aware of Trixie's small form pressed against his back. Was it getting warm in here or was it just his imagination? "What is it, Trix?" he managed to ask.

"I didn't tell the others you were coming back today." Dan had to strain to catch her words. "I told them you were coming home tomorrow. I wanted to spend some time alone with you, before everyone else knew you were back."

Is this the right time? Dan wondered. Should I tell her how I feel? How I've always felt? It doesn't sound like she's resolved things with Jim. Do I care? I don't want to get hurt, and I don't want to hurt Trixie either. Or Jim. Oh God, Dan closed his eyes. What do I do now?'

Dan turned around and grasped Trixie by her arms. His dark eyes looked into her blue ones. "I have a confession too Trix, but I'm not sure if now's the time...."

"Tell me, Dan. We're friends. Nothing will change that, I promise."

Dan took a deep breath. "Okay, here goes. Do you know why I stayed in New York after I graduated?" he asked.

Trixie looked at him. "That was your dream," she answered. "It has been for a long as I've known you."

"My dream was to be a cop," Dan corrected. "I could do that anywhere. I stayed in New York because I had convinced myself that I didn't belong in Sleepyside. That I was here only because of the kindness of my uncle, and that the Bob Whites only befriended me out of the respect you all had for Regan."

Trixie started to protest, but Dan covered her lips with his finger so he could continue. "But you know what I discovered? It wasn't true - any of it. This is the only home I have. I missed Sleepyside, and Uncle Bill and all the Bob Whites. I realized it's natural for friendships to change as you grow older, but that doesn't mean they are any less important. I don't have to see you guys every day for us to still be friends. I know the people I can always count on are here and I wanted to be with them ...especially with you Trixie Belden."

Dan looked into Trixie's eyes to she if she understood what he was trying to tell her. Her wide blue eyes stared back at him, then closed. Dan gasped at what he thought he saw reflected there.

Trixie reached up and freed his hair from the ponytail he habitually wore. She ran her fingers through Dan's long dark hair.

"I've always loved your hair," she murmured. Pulling Dan towards her, Trixie brushed his lips with hers.

Dan closed his eyes. I've waited nine years for this, he thought, returning her kiss, tentatively at first, then with more passion. He pulled Trixie to him, then abruptly stepped back, brushing his hair off his face.

"Dan?" Trixie looked confused. "What's wrong? I thought this was what you wanted. I know it's what I want. What's the matter?"

"Oh Trix." Dan groaned, burying his face in her hair. "You can't believe how much I want this. But it's not right - not like this. You need to work things out with Jim first. We can't sneak around behind his back, and I want you to be sure of what you want."

"You're right." This time, Trixie stepped away. "I just wanted...."

"I know, believe me, I know," Dan laughed "And I want the same thing, just as badly. But not like this."

"Talk to Jim. Get it settled. If you decide he's really the one for you, I'll be the first one to dance at your wedding. But if he's not, well, you know where to find me."

"Okay." Trixie gathered up her things and headed toward the door.

"Dan?" Trixie questioned tentatively. When he looked up, she continued. "I just want to know...regardless of what happens, we'll still be friends, won't we?"

Dan smiled. "Of course we will, Trixie. You'll always be my best friend."

*     *     *

Dan lay in his sleeping bag in the living room, staring up at the ceiling. As Trixie had predicted, the meager light from the window reflected off the carpeting, casting an orange glow on the wall. Trying not to think about what had happened between he and Trixie that night was doing nothing to encourage sleep.

Dan turned over and his eyes were drawn to the hideous carpeting. I wish I had bought one of those voodoo dolls from that little shop I saw in New York, he thought, realizing that he was finally beginning to feel drowsy. I'd make one of the landlord.

With visions of his landlord, smothering while wrapped in orange shag carpeting, in his head, Dan finally fell asleep.

 The End

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