Dwell in possibility- Emily Dickinson

They were walking back from the restaurant with friends. The crowd was loud, filled with deep laughs and giggles. Mary held onto Francis's arms, as usual, hoping he'd steady her slightly buzzed demeanor. Every once in a while, his hand would slide to her lower back, helping her over a fading puddle or high curb. "I don't get it." One of their mutual friends started. "Why is it you two aren't together?" Mary rolled her eyes and looked over at Francis who was giving her a grin. Typical, she thought.

"Luke, listen. We're just not a dateable pair." Mary replied. Francis chuckled. Luke shook his head, as did his girlfriend. "People just need to accept that we're not going to date." Mary said firmly.

"Don't say that." Francis responded softly. Mary's face showed surprise and she laughed.

"Aww Francy," She said rubbing his chest. He smiled at her. She was almost even with his height in her tall heels. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I love you." She said sloppily. He nodded it back to her and urged her to come on.

When they were alone in his car, she cuddled up to him. It wasn't unusual for the two to be physically close; they had been friends since they were five. Their summers and holidays had been spent together; they even attended the same college. Yet, their relationship had remained a tight friendship. "Francis?"

"Hmm?" He looked down at her curled up form, her legs drawn tight to her body, her arms wrapped around his. He couldn't help but cherish these moments, when she was close to him, and they could be themselves around each other.

"What did you mean when you said 'Don't say that.'"

"From when?" He asked. She pushed away from him and sat up. He watched her brush back her hair and rub an eye.

"From before, when Luke asked why we weren't together." Francis remembered with a nod.

"I don't know. I just think never say never." He offered.

"About us?" Mary asked crinkling her brow. "You and me?" Francis shrugged. She studied him as he turned away and looked out the window. Was he hurt by what she said, she wondered.

"I just think we don't know what the future holds."

"Do you want to be together?" She asked quickly, her body moving closer to his in anticipation of his answer. This was a conversation they had shared prior, perhaps after a night of drunken sex in college. She shook her head, trying to forget the night she hardly remembered, but flashes of their evening zipped through her mind: the tumble of their limbs on his small dorm bed, her head accidentally hitting his nightstand when she fell accidentally out of bed, and then him on top of her kissing her bruised ego and forehead. He turned from the window and looked at her upturned face, studying her brown eyes and red full lips. They always looked as if they needed to be kissed, pouty and begging for attention.

"I don't know Mary." He shook his head and turned away again. The car pulled to a stop. "We're at your place." He gestured and thankful the conversation to be over. His driver opened the door, but she hesitated still watching him.

"You'll text me tomorrow?" She asked softly. He broke into a smile and leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Her eyes closed in appreciation.

"Of course. Don't I always?" She smiled. "Get some sleep." She slipped out of the door and waved as she entered her building.

When she entered her apartment, she leaned back against the door as it closed. Francis was kind, gentle - she stopped her thinking. Was she going to say family? Her mind was cloudy from alcohol, and without his calming form for her to mold to she wasn't so steady in her thoughts. A sudden irritation washed over her of the entire conversation she just had. What did he mean never say never? What was that? She slammed her keys on the counter and went to make herself another drink, slamming cabinets on her way. Greer and Kenna both came out of their bedrooms looking sleepy.

"What's up, Mary?" Kenna asked sliding onto one of their barstools. Mary shrugged and didn't answer.

"Mary?" Greer asked. Mary took a swallow of her drink and set the glass down. She threw her hands out.

"Francis!" The girls looked at her expectantly. "He's so stupid. I just don't get him." Kenna and Greer eyed each other. This wasn't the first time Mary and Francis had a fight; they fought often like brother and sister. "I mean he says never say never to dating me. I mean what is that?"

"What?" Kenna probed.

"Luke asked why Francis and I don't date. I said because we're not dateable." She drank. "He says, 'Don't say that.' " She sends an irritated look toward her friends. "What the hell does that mean? 'Don't say that.' " She repeated with an eye roll. She drank again.

"Mary, maybe –" Greer started.

"No," Mary held up her index finger. "He and I have been friends forever; now he's going to go ruin it with words? Please." She dropped her glass in the sink and stomped off to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Greer sighed and Kenna rolled her eyes.

The next morning, Mary pulled her hung over frame out of bed, dressed and readied for work. Glancing at her clock, she knew Francis would be pulling up soon, and her doorman would be sending a call to her apartment. When she left her bedroom, Greer and Kenna were sitting at the kitchen table. "Ooh girl, what the heck happened to you?" Kenna said with a laugh. Mary stood before her, clutch purse under arm, briefcase in the other, and wide Jackie-O glasses already in place. "Is it bright in here?" Greer added.

"Shut up." Mary said. "I need coffee." The girls laughed. Her phone went off and she rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "That would be Francis." She huffed and started for the door. "See you later."

In the car, Francis was on his phone, but upon her entrance, he looked up and said good morning. She grumbled something as she put her seatbelt on. "Here." He handed her a coffee and a paper bag. "It's a pork roll egg and cheese bagel. I figured you'd need it." She scoffed.

"Was I that drunk?" She asked sarcastically pulling the bagel out.

"No, well, I mean now that I'm looking at you, you are wearing your sunglasses…in the car." She whipped them off dramatically rolling her eyes. "Were you that drunk last night?" He asked second guessing himself.

"I may have had another drink when I got home, and then I couldn't sleep."

"Ahh…"He said, turning back to his phone. She watched him for a moment while eating her bagel.

"You're coming with us right? To the Berkshires?" He sent a mumbled "yes" her way. "It should be fun. I love being up in the cabin during fall." He didn't respond, so she kept talking. "We can go hiking, and maybe even take the canoe out if it's a warmer day." He was so absorbed in his phone. "Are you ignoring me?" She asked.

"What?" He said quickly, glancing at her. "I'm sorry; I have to send these emails. It's work." He turned back to his phone and she observed him, nodding silently. She wondered if his preoccupation had anything to do with the previous night's discussion – or maybe he just had to work. She rolled her eyes, dropped her sunglasses back on her face, and bit into her bagel. It was going to be one hell of a day.

A/N: I was inspired by the interview between Toby and Adelaide, in which Adelaide mentioned that everyone wanted them to date. She remarked it just wasn't going to happen, and Toby's response was something like "Don't say that." It was in their exchange that I thought of the idea for this fic. Please note that I do respect them as actors, and only use the moment of the interview as inspiration for Mary and Francis. I, in no way, am a Tobelaide shipper. In this fic, Mary is perhaps more the reckless or irrational version of herself. Francis again painted as sensible, protective, and loving. I have more chapters written which need refining before being posted. I do not own any part of Reign, and reviews are always welcome. :)