Some things you never grow out of, but may learn to love more…

Hey guys thank you for the great response, I have been mighty busy but I love this story so I'm keeping at it.

Rugrat /All grown up

Chapter 16: When life gives you lemons…

Disclaimer: I do not own Rugrat/ All Grown up or any of their characters

The Restaurant

Phil stalked into the main area of the restaurant pulling off his toque. His brown eyes wandering over tonight's packed crowd. He smiled blandly attempting to feel the sense of contentment and pride that he usually felt when his restaurant was buzzing. Yet something was different. He didn't feel it, he didn't feel anything. And he was feeling this way for over two weeks since a certain blonde mother stormed out of here in a frenzy of shame and hurt. He instantly pushed that memory of that night out of his head, her infuriated face concealed by those hazel eyes that were swimming in hurt. Hurt that he had caused, he ran a hand through his long brunette locks. He found himself leaning against the bar, just staring at the entrance, people lining outside in attempts to get a last minute reservation. Only a few of them would be lucky enough, the rest of them would be forced to wander and find other dining arrangements. But it wouldn't be the same. Once you had your mind set on the best, would you ever be satisfied elsewhere?

That bought his thoughts back to the blonde. A small smile forming on his lips, thinking about the time they were forced to interact over the last two weeks. It's not like it could be helped considering they were neighbors. He still got to hang out with the little man as much as he could ring it. She never let Brian on to the strain they were feeling. That he was grateful for, he couldn't imagine his life without the three year old. He would still catch her smiling at their interaction like before. It was as if things returned to way things were before. They had met alone on only a few times catching the same lift, she had greeted him civilly and went on her way. He would simply stand there watching her move away from him as if nothing ever happened between them. You would think he would be glad in knowing things could return to normal. That they would be able to be friendly towards each other considering they had the same best friends. It was in everyone's best interest right? Right?

Then why was he feeling like it was anything but right? It was as if she hadn't changed. And maybe that was the problem because he did. She changed him without both of them aware of it.

"Philipe!"

The chef flinched at the hand that slapped him on the back. He whirled around. "What the fuck was that for?"

Max's brow drew. "Well, maybe if you answered me when I was talking to you for the past minute, I would haven't resorted to being physical."

"I …" Phil started.

"Haven't heard a word I said, have you?" The bartender studied Phil who ducked his head a little sheepish. "What's been up with you lately?"

"Nothing, why?"

"I wouldn't say that's nothing. Since when are you so distracted?" Max pointed a finger at him and slid a glass of the chef's favourite whiskey at him.

Phil caught the glass, downing the contents. "I'm not distracted."

"Phil, we're friends so I'm going to be frank with you and pray I don't get fired." Phil grinned at his friend's drama queen antics. "But for over two weeks now, you have been really well…" The bartender scrunched his face not sure how to put it. "Er well…"

"Max just spit it out, I don't have all night. Have to meet the gang tonight."

Max sighed. "Fine, you have been lovesick."

Phil's whole posture stiffened. "L-lovesick?" He stuttered his eyes widening. He blinked twice and then broke out in a hysterical chuckle.

Max rolled his eyes, this is exactly the reaction he expected from his playboy friend. He picked up the glass mug and resumed his shining. "Well, yeah." He shrugged.

Phil tried to contain his laughter. "You do know, you have to be in love to be lovesick."

"Oh, I know that…" The bartender shot him a knowing look while tending to a customer.

"That would be insinuating that I'm in love with Angelica Pickles." The chef scoffed.

"Who said anything about Angelica?" Max shrugged and smirked deviously. Phil froze, his eyes narrowing, realizing he was just baited.

"No…" He shook his head. No, it couldn't be. He wasn't. Was he? "No, no, I'm not in love with her." He murmured so low the bartender barely caught it.

"Alright pal." Max humored finding his friend's reaction, interesting. "Now, try saying that with a bit more conviction." He chuckled.

"Fuck you, you don't know what you are talking about." Phil shot him a glare storming towards the kitchen. It was something else, he had been in love before and he promised himself he wouldn't get stuck in that fucking trap again. He went into the locker room pulling out his duffle bag. He stuffed in his chef attire into it and button up his black cotton shirt. He slammed the door shut resting his forehead on the door, his eyes dropping closed. He was not in love with her! He wasn't …

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Paper

Kimi pursed her lips as her fingers raced over the keyboard. She wanted to finish this article before she was forced to leave. With her eyes darting over at the clock she realized she had only ten minutes before she had to meet the gang. She would probably cancel anyway, not feeling up to the company of her friends. Typing out the last part, she signed it before emailing it to her editor. Slowly retracting her fingers she stretched them out feeling the strain of her flaming thoughts. She glanced up towards the clock again, it was 8pm on the head. She rose in her small work station searching over the vast seas of empty cubicles. As usual for the past two weeks she had been the last one to leave and the first one to arrive. Much like before…

She packed up her laptop into her knapsack and made her way towards the elevator. Taking it down to the ground floor, she journeyed through the reception area with blank face. She tried to smile at Riley who was manning the nightshift this week. "Night, Riley."

The chubby security guard shook his head and tsked. "You're last again."

She let out a low chuckle. "Hey, at least I'm earlier than yesterday."

It was true, last night she left after nine. Riley considered the young Japanese journalist, his heart clenching at the sight. The usual fiery black eyes seemed to lack the life and passion he was used to. "Anyone ever tell you, you work too hard."

She chuckled again. "Yes. You, nearly every night."

"You know, I will never understand you young people. You are either taking life too serious like you or not serious enough like my boy. Don't you ever find a balance?"

Kimi smiled warmly. "Nah, we leave that for the over forty club." She teased. "And I take it, Jake still hasn't decided what he wants to do after he finishes senior year."

"Not a clue, that one."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he will figure it out. And as much as I would like to stay and chat, my bed has been complaining I have been ignoring it."

"It shows." He nodded openly scrutinizing her appearance.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well I have been busy. Later Riley…" She headed for the rotating glass door, the breeze of the night hitting her when she stepped into the parking lot. With her eyes on the ground she let her instinct guide her towards her car, doing a mental to-do list in her head. She still had to write the charity tribute for next month, the dining Californian selection, plus she wanted to ask Mr. Oliver if she could start on the underground drug syndicate piece.

"You're earlier tonight."

Her feet stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. She lifted her head and set her annoyed gaze on the culprit. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"What? Can't a brother visit their sister at their working place?" Chuck shifted uneasily on his feet with a sheepish smile. He leaned on her black convertible.

"Uh, not if I see you every day at home." She rolled her eyes and gave him a questioning glare.

He sighed. "Okay, fine. Suzy sent me to make sure you didn't bale on us this week."

"I wasn't going to bale." She gave a mock incredulous look. But Chuck simply rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine I was just going to go home and sleep."

"That is exactly what Suzy said you would do." He grinned smugly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." She pouted deeply. "Where is she anyway?"

"She dropped me off and headed straight to Angelica's."

"Ah, so Mr. Babysitter are we going or what?" She deposited her knapsack in the backseat and hopped into the front.

He crumpled his face as he sat in the faded passenger seat, yanking on his seatbelt forcefully. "When are you going to get rid of this death trap and buy yourself a real car?"

"You know, you could always walk." Kimi scowled as she pulled out of the drive way. She was in no mood for her brother's constant bickering about the state of her car. She loved it and that's all mattered. It wasn't like it was going to wake up one morning and leave her.

Chuckie sighed feeling a little bad for the cheap shot considering the bad mood she had been in the last two weeks. He knew the cause of it and he sort of felt like kicking Tommy's ass. But could he really condemn Tommy for having a life in LA waiting for him. It sucked when you get caught between your best friend and your sister. So he voted to stay out of it. He looked over on her side, watching the strands of her hair tousle in the wind, her eyes focused on the road. "So how are you doing?"

"Fine." She sniped. "Why do you ask?"

"Jeez, can't I just inquire of your well- being without being shot?" He asked, hurt seeping through. He turned his body towards the window. "Sorry I asked."

Kimi blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry…" She apologized softly. "I've just been a little stressed at work."

"Uh –huh, that's it." He responded, but she simply stared ahead not willing to go there.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Apartments

Angelica strutted through the lobby of her building towards the lifts. She waved at tonight's watchman before stepping into the elevator. Once inside, she selected her floor and moved towards one corner leaning against it in exhaustion. Her eyes drooped slightly when the doors began to close.

"Hey! Hold the lift." Her eyes popped open at the loud request, holding the doors open. The owner of the voice dove in, panting, clearly he was running. "Thanks…" He managed through uneven breaths.

"No problem."

Phil cringed at the sound of the silk like voice. He straightened seeing the beautiful blonde in front of him. The conversation with Max clogging his mind. Love? He forced the concept out of his head and attempted a polite smile. "Late too?"

"Meeting ran over." Angelica folded her coat over her arm, eyes on the number pad, her face sober.

"Ah."He smiled awkwardly unable to divert his eyes elsewhere. She was wearing a black skirt that caressed the just below her knee's and a white buttoned up blouse that showed just the appropriate amount of cleavage. Then there were those eyes. Those hazel eyes that watched him guardedly, almost tempting to move out of his respective corner. But he couldn't move only able to watch her waiting for to tuck that loose strand of hair behind her hair. And she did, ducking shyly. He expected her tongue to slightly wet her lips and then the tiny pink muscle made an appearance. He almost wanted to smile at the fact that he was more familiar with her habits than his own. He was brought out of his trance by the ping of the elevator, the doors slid open. "I'm just going to dump my bag in my apartment and then I'll see you guys in a bit."

"Okay." Angelica blew out a silent breath of relief, her feet already in fast stride towards her apartment. She could still feel the heat of his gaze as she disappeared into the confines of her home, causing shivers to drive through her spine. With the door closed, she leaned against it, her eyes closed painfully shut. What the hell was wrong with her? Her own body betraying her, making her feel more stupid. It wasn't as if it was more than just sex. Sure he was charming, transparent and they had become closer on a friendship level. But that didn't mean anything, right? They were still friends for their friends' sake. It wasn't as if he did anything wrong, they weren't anything to each other. Just a neighbor that she would have to interact with. That she wanted to interact with, he was a good male figure for Brian. That's all. So then, why was she still feeling this way? As much as she tried to push him out her head, he retaliated with an equal force until she felt spent.

"Mommy!" Brian ran towards his mother who caught him and lifted him up.

"Hey baby!" She placed a sloppy kiss on his nose. "How was your day?" She beamed at the little man in her life. The only man she really needed…

"It was cool! Aunt Suzie took me to the zoo!" The little blonde boy gripped her cheeks in his excitement.

Angelica chuckled at his enthusiasm. "She did, did she?" He nodded vigorously. She kissed him again and walked into the lounge. "Where is she anyway?" She asked as she settled him on the couch.

"In the kitchen." He pointed.

"Okay, baby, I'm just going to change into something a little more comfortable and then you can tell me all about the zoo."

"Kay…" He mumbled already engrossed on the TV.

Angelica began unbuttoning her shirt as she journeyed towards the kitchen and then stopped seeing the singer manning the stove. She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face at the homey scene. That was Suzie, she thought. She slowly tiptoed across the tiles, with a sly smirk on her face. Reaching the singer, she wrapped her arms around her waist and placed her chin on the singer's shoulder. "Honey, I'm home."

Suzie chuckled, closing the pot. Then turned around in the embrace and raised a brow. "You're late, baby." She played along in a chastising tone.

Angelica mocked sighed. "Well, you know that CEO of mine, works us to the bone."

"Yeah, yeah you're just lucky I'm in a good mood." Suzie rolled her eyes at the blonde CEO. She took a long look at her friend, she seemed more drained than usual. "You Okay?"

"What? Yeah, yeah, work's just been hectic." Angelica dropped her gaze hating the fact that she was so transparent in front of Suzie.

Suzie didn't believe that for a second and knew it was much more than that. For some odd reason her instincts pointed next door. "Do we need to have an intervention for you too?"

"No, I'm fine, Suzie… Really."

"Uh –huh." Suzie grinned and placed a sloppy kiss on her best friend's cheek humoring her.

Angelica crinkled her nose and wiped her cheek. "Thanks." She said dryly.

"Looked like you needed one." Suzie just smiled impishly her eyes traveling to her friends half unbuttoned shirt. "Oh, wow, do I get a strip show?" She wiggled her brows.

Angelica looked down at her onyx bra peeking out from beneath her shirt and laughed. "Looks like I think I better go change before Finster walks in and has a heart attack." She headed towards her room.

Suzie chuckled and shook her head. "Actually, I think he would be okay with it, if he could watch."

"Ewe… I really didn't need to know that." The blonde shouted over her shoulder.

Suzie watched her friend drift into her room, her smile falling a little. She couldn't understand why people liked to torture themselves denying the jovial route in their lives. She let out a heavy sigh when she heard the door open. Then two squabbling voices filling the passage.

"Would you just leave me alone, for hell sakes, Lillian!"

"Oh no Phillip, not until you tell me what the hell has got you all uptight."

"Nothing's got me uptight." He mumbled as he entered Angelica's apartment.

He was suddenly bombarded by a little blonde boy. "Phil!"

"Sam!" Phil's frown transposed into a mile long grin, he lifted the little throwing him in the air and catching him again.

Brian broke into a tiny fit of giggles as he stared down into the chef's face. "My name is Bwian." His blue eyes full of fun.

Phil's eyes grew mockingly. "No, I don't know…" He held Brian a length away from playfully scrutinizing the boy. "Does he look like a Brian to you Lil?"

"Nope, he looks more like a Sam to me." Lil kissed the adorable blonde boy and headed towards the kitchen.

Brian giggled throwing his hands in the air. "No, my name is Bwian!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" The boy nodded briskly.

"Hmmm, then where's Sam?"

"In my woom! I'll go get him." The little boy squiggled out of Phil's grasp, darting towards his room.

Phil couldn't help the grin as he walked into the kitchen, seeing the singer at the stove and his sister raiding the fridge. "Hey Suz." He kissed her cheek, his chef instincts taking over as he peaked into the pot. "Smells delicious…"

"Well of course it does, it's your recipe." She kissed him back.

He smiled sheepishly taking the beer his sister offered him. He sat at the counter whereas Lil set out to find the little boy. "So, um, where are Chuck and Kimi?"

"They are on their way, right now. Chuck called." Suzie responded absently as she stirred the soup.

"Hmmm…" He nodded, his gaze dropping to the flat surface in front of him. "Um, Angelica?" He enquired.

Suzie smiled and closed the pot, turning the stove low. She turned to face the chef. "She is just changing into something lighter." He nodded taking a deep swig of his beer. "But I don't know…"

Phil raised a brow. "Don't know what?"

"She has just seemed a little down lately. Do you happen to know why?" Suzie sighed.

He paused briefly before shaking his head. "No, why, did she say something?"

"Nope, I guess I'm just worried about her. She hasn't seemed herself, lately. Actually since Brian went to hospital. But it was like she went from sparkling one moment to dreary the next." Suzie studied the Chef's lament face. "I have no clue why."

Phil desperately avoided eye contact with the singer. "I…" Suzie arched a brow before the opening of the front door startled them both.

"Dammit Chuck! Give me back my papers." Kimi jumped in attempt to grab them but he was way too tall for her.

"Nope, the rules are the rules, no working tonight." Chuck walked into the kitchen, nodding at Phil, an instant grin formed on his face when he saw his wife to be. "Hey baby." He handed her the papers and drew her into a passionate kiss mindful of them.

Kimi strode into the kitchen rolling her eyes. "Jeez, you guys, save some for the honeymoon would you." She sulked seeing her papers in Suzie's hands knowing she would never get them back now.

"Hey, I'm all for open displays but I agree with Kimi. At this rate your honeymoon is going to be very bland." Phil sipped his beer.

Suzie broke the kiss, giggling and Chuck turned and retorted. "You should be the last one to talk Phil. Different girl every night, who was it last night? Brittany? Cassie?" He chuckled as Angelica strode into her kitchen wearing her comfortable sweats.

"Finsters." Angelica greeted as she popped two bottles of water, handing one to Kimi.

"Hey Angelica, maybe you can tell us." Chuck picked out his own beer, grinning.

"What?" The mother asked.

"Who Phil brought home? I'm sure you heard some poor woman screaming his name all through the night." He joked.

Angelica felt a lump get stuck in her throat. Her gaze slowly drifting to meet the Chef's. "I didn't hear anything…" She said, her voice low. For the brief moment he held Angelica's gaze, he felt something wash over him. Part of it was regret, part of it was guilt, the remaining part was something he couldn't comprehend. Kimi watched them both curiously, she was certain she could cut the tension with a knife.

"She must have been a quiet one." Chuck laughed as Phil glared at him.

"Fuck you, man." Phil jerked from his seat. "The reason she hasn't heard anything was because there was no one." He caught those hazel eyes staring back at him. "There hasn't been for over two weeks." He whispered storming out of the kitchen, leaving the room stunned at his outburst.

Chuck blinked twice as the silence consumed the room. Phil never got angry or touchy. "Okaaay… What just happened?"

Kimi just gave him a disapproving glare, shaking her head. "Nice going, Chuck." She left the kitchen with Angelica on her heels.

"What did I do?" Chuck stared at his fiancé, shrugging. "I was kidding."

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

After dinner, the gang settled in their usual positions in the lounge. This was the first time dinner had been so quiet, the only conversation blooming was between Lil and Suzie. The rest of them seemed to be lost to their own silent thoughts. Phil was seated on the couch with Brian on his lap, both of them playing CPR Sam, stealing glances at the blonde who was seated opposite them.

"Okay, I can't take this anymore!" Lil exasperated and everyone turned heads in her direction. "Since when is everyone so quiet!"

"I agree, it's not like us." Suzie let out a deep sigh. "Why don't we just get onto why we're here?" At everyone's nod, she looked at the confused Japanese woman.

Kimi felt all eyes on her. "There's a reason we're here?"

"You're the reason we're here, Kimi." Suzie nodded.

"Me? wha –why?"

"Think of this as an intervention." Chuck added.

"Intervention for what?" Kimi stiffened defensively.

"Tommy." Lil said simply.

"What about Tommy?" She feigned disinterest.

"You need to talk about it, sweetie." Kimi looked at Suzie's comforting hand placed on her thigh. "You have been overworking yourself and eventually you're going to run out of juice."

"How does my job relate to Tommy?"

"You use work to pretend your problems don't exist. You can't do that. You can't keep pretending Tommy doesn't exist. That when he left it didn't mean anything to you."

She felt her anger start bubbling up. "Well, then what the hell do you want me to do?" She rose from her seat almost vibrating with fury. "Honestly, please someone tell me what would be the appropriate thing to do in this situation." She looked around the room but no one seemed to have answers. She squeezed the arch of her nose feeling a headache coming on. "Yes, Tommy left. But what am I supposed to do, stop my life?"

"No, Kimi but you can't drown yourself in it." Suzie added softly.

Kimi let out a humorless chuckle. "So what? Instead I must cry?" She glared at them. "Cry as if he means something to me? Cry as if I fell in love with him again. Cry because he reminded me I never stopped!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, she felt the tear gather in her eyes. "No, I'm done crying." She sniffled wiping her eyes.

"Kimi…" They all looked at her stunned.

"I mean seriously, he is the one who comes back and then always runs away. And I need the intervention?" She stared at her friends incredulously. "Me? huh…"

"What do you mean ran away?" Angelica asked.

Kimi looked staggered, thinking about Tommy's secret. "I… I can't." She grabbed her keys and ran out the door.

Chuck was about to follow but Suzie held him firmly in place. "Let her go… She needs time to deal with it." She let out a small sad smile. "I think she is finally going to."

They all nodded. Then Phil's brow rose in question. "Has anyone seen Dil?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meanwhile in LA

In the studio, a certain director was sitting at his chaotic desk, studying the script for his next movie. Or at least trying to. "Shit!" He tossed the bundle of pages against the wall. He couldn't concentrate, he couldn't do anything! He pinched the bridge of his nose when his phone rang.

He picked it up holding it to his ear, his eyes closed. "Mr. Pickles?"

"What's up Joe?"

There was laughter coming from the other end of the line. "There's this postman here, claiming to be your brother. Says his name is Dillon Pickles. You want me to send him away, boss?"

Tommy's eyes widened as he stared at the receiver. "Uh, no, I'll be right down."

"Oki doke, boss." Tommy hung up…

Hmmm … Anyone else curious to what Dil is upto…

Lemme know…

Review!