For Us?



By kw20742



Disclaimer: While the story is mine, the characters are the copyrighted property of lots of really rich people. Good thing they created them so I could play!



Anybody ever wonder what happened when the Bower/Micelli clan returned home from Tony’s speech in the Season 5 episode “My Fair Tony”—after Tony and Angela had their moment of flirty indulgence in the empty college classroom? Since this episode will undoutedly air fairly soon after WTB? returns to Nick@Nite, I thought I'd post this little vignette…



Scene 1: The Upstairs Hallway at 3344 Oakhills Drive



It’s late. Angela opens her bedroom door quietly. She’s wearing The Pink Bathrobe and her fuzzy slippers. With a hand on the doorframe, she leans out, looking to see if anyone’s up. Satisfied that all’s quiet and everyone’s where they’re supposed to be, she hesitates only a moment before tip-toeing across the landing to Tony’s closed door.



She leans in, listening to see if he’s awake. She can’t tell. She knocks quietly.



Ang: (Barely audible.) Tony? (She knocks again, a bit more loudly.) Tony, are you awake?



She hears him throw back the covers, jump out of bed, and run across the carpet toward the closed door. He swings it open in a panic. He’s wearing his flannel pajama pants and a white muscle shirt.



Tony: What’s wrong? What’s going on? (He barges past her into the hallway.) Are the kids okay? Is Mona okay? Is the house on fire?

Ang: Tony, shhh! Jonathan and Sam are sleeping. (Taking his arm, she pulls him back toward his open door, toward her.) Nothing’s going on. Everybody’s fine.

Tony: (He relaxes a bit, leaning against the doorframe, clutching his heart with one hand and her forearm with the other.) Geez, Angela! Don’t do that to me.

Ang: (Smiles, putting her other hand over his on her arm.) Sorry.

Tony: Wait. Why aren’t you sleeping? (In a panic again, grabbing her shoulders.) Are you okay?

Ang: Yes.

Tony: Okay. Good. (A beat.) What time is it?

Ang: About 12:30.

Tony: Right. (He’s still a bit confused.) Um, Angela, what are you doing in the hallway?

Ang: I just… Well, I wanted… Never mind. It was silly. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. (She turns to head back to her room.)

Tony: Wait. (He takes her forearm to prevent her from leaving.) You didn’t. I was awake.

Ang: Oh?

Tony: Yeah, you know. Not tired, I guess.

Ang: Oh.



Their eyes lock, and, swallowing hard, she looks down at his hand on her forearm and back up at him. They quickly—and as nonchalantly as possible—stop touching.



Tony: So, uh, wha—?

Ang: You know, Tony, I’m sorry. It’s nothing. I really should get some sleep. I’ve got a meeting first thing in the morning.



She tries once again to head back to her bedroom, but he again stops her.



Tony: (Somewhat loudly.) Angela!

Ang: Shhh! You’ll wake the kids.

Tony: Well, then get in here and tell me what’s goin’ on! (He pulls her into the room with one tug and closes the door behind him.)





Scene Two: Tony’s Bedroom

Ang: Tony, I really don’t think—I mean, this is your private space. Where you keep your things. It’s your kingdom. It’s your bedroom. I shouldn’t—

Ton: Ay oh, Angela! It’s a room, you know? With a bed and some stuff in it. Yeah, it’s my bed and my stuff, but, hey… (Nudging her playfully.) If it makes you feel better, it’s in your house, which is as big as a kingdom!



They laugh.



Ton: He pulls the desk chair out for her. Have a seat. (He sits on the edge of the bed.)

Ang: (Sitting gingerly on the edge of the chair.) Thank you. (She is suddenly quite conscious of her appearance and quickly makes sure the bathrobe is still covering everything it’s supposed to cover.)



A beat.



Tony: So?

Ang: What?

Tony: You didn’t answer my question.

Ang: What was that?

Tony: Angela, it’s the middle of the night. You knocked on my door. What’s going on?

Ang: Oh. Right. Well. (Swallowing hard, she takes a deep breath and looks squarely into his eyes.) Tony, I…um… I wanted to say that you were great tonight.

Tony: Well, gee, thanks, Angela. But, I mean, it couldn’t wait till breakfast?

Ang: (Slowly.) No. (Another breath.) Because I also wanted to say I’m sorry.

Tony: For what?

Ang: I feel like all of this—you going overboard with all this public speaking stuff—was my fault. (She looks at him, smiling.) I’m just so proud of you. I’m so excited that you’re going to college. And I want to help and support you in whatever way I can. And sometimes I get, well, a little too…

Tony: Obnoxious?

Ang: (She shrugs.) Involved. (She puts her hand on his for emphasis.) You’re my best friend, Tony. And I wouldn’t want you to ever think that I think less of you because you… because you’re not…

Tony: (He gets up, walks toward the end of the bed.) Look, Angela. We’re different, you know. We’re from different worlds. When you said you wouldn’t hire me for an advertising job, it got me thinking about who the world sees when they look at me. (He turns to her, frustrated.) And I’m just not ever gonna be that suave, debonair guy who wines and dines and always knows the right things to say.

Ang: But, Tony, that’s what I’m trying to say. You already are that guy. To me.

Tony: (Doubtfully, as he turns away.) Angela.

Ang: No, Tony, I’m serious. (She gets up, walks until she’s standing just behind him.) You are the most wonderful man I know. You’ve raised a kind, beautiful daughter. And she’s terrific. You’ve been like a father to Jonathan. And you always know the right things to say and do when I—uh, when anyone in this family needs you.

Tony: Yeah?

Ang: (From behind, she takes his arm in hers, turning him to look at her.) Yeah. And that’s why I’m sorry. Because I made you doubt the best part of yourself. And that was wrong. I mean, your professor is right: you should present yourself well. But not at the expense of who you really are. And that’s why your speech tonight was great.

Tony: Yeah?

Ang: Absolutely. In fact, it was more than great. That speech was eloquent, heartfelt and poignant. (She puts her hand on his chest, over his heart.) That speech came out of the best that was in here. And, to me, that’s more important than perfect enunciation or correct grammar any day of the week.

Tony: Aw, Angela. You’re making me blush!

Ang: And I’m so proud of you.

Tony: You said that.

Ang: I know, but I don’t mean just tonight. I mean always.

Tony: Thanks, Angela.



They hug, and it lasts just a second or two longer than it should between friends—even best friends: her chin resting gently in the crook of his neck, the heat of his palms searing, like electricity, on her back, the gentle tickle of her hair on his cheek, his warm breath on her ear… But just as each begins to enjoy the reassuring comfort of the other’s gentle embrace, Tony backs away, eyes locked on Angela, who has forgotten how to breathe. Flustered and maybe even a little disappointed, she moves toward the door.



Ang: Well, um, I’ve got an early meeting, so…

Tony: (Equally unsettled.) Oh, yeah. Right. And I’ve got to make sure you eat before that early meeting, so…

Ang: Good night, Tony.

Tony: Good night, Angela.



Her hand on the doorknob, Angela turns to Tony.



Tony/Ang: (Simultaneously.) Angela?/Tony?

Tony/Ang : (Simultaneously.) Yeah?



They laugh. He gestures for her to go first.



Ang: When I knocked. You weren’t sleeping?

Tony: No.

Ang: Why?

Tony: I was thinking.

Ang: Oh? What about?

Tony: Well. Um. (He swallows hard.) You.

Ang: Me?

Ton: Well, um, actually, us.

Ang: Us?!

Tony: Yeah.

Ang: Oh. (She looks down, smiling, and whispers:) Us. (She likes the sound of it. She waits a moment in the doorway and then turns to leave.)

Tony: Hey, Angela? (She turns back to him.) Uh, well. I’m goin’ to college for me, right? But, um. (Deep breath.) You know, uh, I’m also goin’ to college for, um, us. So that, you know, maybe…



She smiles, nodding, as they look at one another. A beat.



Ang: So, about what you said earlier. (Smiling, flirty.) Do you really think I’m cute?

Tony: (Grinning broadly.) Oh, yeah.

Ang: (She smiles that big Angela smile.) Good night, Tony.

Tony: Good night, Angela.



She closes the door behind her as she exits. He puts his hand over his heart where hers was and closes his eyes.



Scene Three: The Upstairs Hallway



Angela closes Tony’s door behind her, and leans on the wall. Hands crossed over her heart, closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.



Ang: (Softly, like a prayer.) Maybe.



With one last glance at Tony’s closed door, she walks to her room, and closes the door behind her.



The End