"To Princeton!" everyone chorused, raising their glasses of cheap champagne in toast to their friend's new job, new purpose and future success. Rod raised his glass with the rest of them, but he knew that his smile was fake, so fake.

Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied

He didn't mean to be so detached from it all. Actually he'd been looking forward to it ever since he'd been invited; a chance to be back on Avenue Q, a chance to see everyone again – Rod had gratefully accepted it. But now that he was actually here amongst everyone he couldn't help but feel different. Maybe it was all in his head, he couldn't tell, but things seemed to have moved on and he was no longer part of it all.

Everyone goes round a little empty inside

Quietly Rod put down his untouched champagne glass and, picking up his coat, slipped away from the crowd of people. He didn't want to impose or to spoil the day for anyone else. Deep down he knew as well as they did that the job wouldn't last any longer than any of Princeton's previous occupations. Lucy would never stick to her new religion, and Gary...well nothing good would ever come for Gary. But that wasn't the sort of talk for a party.

Rod paused to pull on his coat, turning to look back at the happy laughing people. Though there were many he did not know, those that he did could easily be picked out of the crowd: Gary chatting up Princeton's cousin, Brian and Christmas Eve dancing amongst the other couples on the makeshift dance floor, and Princeton himself feeding Kate forkfuls of his chocolate desert. All of them in seemingly impenetrable bubbles of happiness.

For now we're happy, if not overjoyed.

Rod smiled sadly to himself. Everyone else's lives were beginning to turn out right, with new jobs, new apartments, new love interests, new LIVES. It occurred to him that maybe there was really no such thing as happiness, and that maybe all it was were those brief moments like this, where something good touches our lives and we just call it happiness to keep us going until the next time. And so we keep striving, keep trying to get a new apartment, bigger promotion or a better boyfriend, never realising that it won't last, that it's only for now.

And then he saw Nicky.

His friend was sitting on a tree swing with a pretty blonde girl from a couple of blocks away. His arm was around her and they looked so...happy together. If the scene had been a painting they wouldn't have looked out of place. He'd never met Caitlin, but Nicky had facebooked him excited snippets about their meeting, and them moving in together, and Rod had always promised he'd catch up properly with him sometime and never had. But now that he was here watching his friend he realised just how much he had missed out on.

Nicky looked up and caught sight of Rod. He smiled and waved with his free hand.

We'll accept what we cannot avoid.

Wanting desperately to wave back, Rod kept his hands in his jacket pockets. Managing a small half smile, he nodded towards his old friend. He turned around again and walked slowly down the grey streets, further and further until all sounds of the party had disappeared behind him. His life belonged elsewhere now, and he was no longer a part of what he had left behind. He wouldn't forget the years spent there, or the people he had met, but now his future was ahead of him. A time to change and a time to start again.

It almost didn't register that he was standing in front of his new apartment, his new BIGGER apartment – one that had actually been designed for two people, and one where two people now lived. Rod would go in, store his coat and shoes in their proper places, and tell all about the party over a latte. But for the first time in years it would be to Ricky, and not to his friend. Not Nicky. Not any more.

That was done.

For now.

AN: And so we reach the end...I think (unless you want me to redo this chapter; I'm always fine to do that). I'm sorry it took so long to get this last chapter up! I had exams and all that...

I'm not a particular fan of featuring actual song lyrics in stories (I've tried it before and it's never worked) but hey, I'll give it a go. I hope that this has been alright and that you'll continue to read my other writings in the future :)

Special thanks to Fran who reviewed every chapter, and yes I think I'll take your idea as a separate thing – it's not really song after all and I've already done Rod's confession. I've always avoided getting a deviantart for the 'art' part of the word but I think I've seen your stuff in the past, if you're who I think you are. So maybe...

But also massive thank-yous to everyone who else who has reviewed this story – I really appreciate it. Reviews are always gladly received, and they do make me smile :) Have a nice (although belated) New Year x