Recounts & Recollections - a series of short snapshots in which I rework the canon to fit my own agenda, which is blatantly and unapologetically M/A focused. Clearly, I am a glutton for punishment. Shoutout to Sarah (ifwednesdaywasaflowerchild) for being my sounding board, cheerleader, and friend.

The first 3 of these are expansions to scenes from "I Will Walk With You, Pt. 2" because we like to break our own hearts in this house. ;)

1 - More Time

"Were you there, Andrew?" Monica questions faintly, looking up at the ruins of the schoolhouse in the tiny, brokenhearted town of Ascension.

"No. I don't know who handled this. It must have been hard," he says, the weight of what happened there hanging heavily in the air. She looks at him, then closes her eyes, drawing a shaky breath.

"I wish Tess were here," she says wistfully, the distress of the last few days evident across her delicate features.

"Monica, you're going through an evaluation. How do you expect to get a promotion if you still need Tess for the answers?"

It's a low, condescending blow and he instantly regrets his words. He reaches out and touches her face lightly, offering her a small, apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, I'm just … this is a lot."

She knows he isn't just talking about the school, but of a greater and ever looming point on the horizon, one that neither can bear to think of for too long or in too much detail.

"I haven't needed Tess for the answers for quite some time now," she replies quietly, slipping her gloved hand into his and squeezing gently, implying with her touch that it is, in fact, him that she needs, sometimes for answers, and sometimes just for the peace that being near him brought her.

They stand in silence for a small stretch of eternity, eyes locked.

"I need you, too," he says finally, taking her into his arms and dropping a gentle kiss to the side of her face, letting his lips linger there for just a breath longer than he means to.

"Why are you here?" She asks, leaning into him for the strength she so desperately needs, "Tess said you'd be speaking for me, with the others … "

"They wanted me there," he counters with a slight shrug, "but I asked to be excused."

"Why?" She whispers back, not entirely sure that she wants the answer, fearing that her heart will splinter even further.

He considers her question for a moment, green eyes filling rapidly, voice breaking with enormous and palpable agony.

"Because I just needed a little more time."