The click of a door closing snaps Taeyeon out of her Blackberry-induced haze. She looks around, surprised to see almost every seat in the small room is now full. "ing hell" slips out of , and does not go unnoticed. She quickly types out the last few words of an email and presses send.

A heavy hand pats her on the shoulder, "No PG-13 ratings here" the man next to her says with an uproarious laugh. Taeyeon's eyebrows arch as she nods her head and forces a smile "Right…" She hopes her eye roll goes unseen.

"Let's get started, gang" The room quiets as a man with a thick beard, opposite her stands and motions with his hands, suggesting "Why don't we all form a circle with our chairs"

The scrapes of metal folding chairs against the cold floor fill the room as every man and woman dutifully form a tight circle. Taeyeon takes advantage of the move and swiftly finds a spot between a woman and an empty chair she places next to herself. She picks up her purse and plops it down on the empty chair. Cannot resist a peek at her Blackberry.

"That's better. Now I see we have some new faces, let's introduce ourselves" Taeyeon watches the man's eyes scan the circle. Don't make eye contact. Don't make eye contact.

"You" Jesus.

Taeyeon smiles her best fake smile. "Hello. I'm Taeyeon" There; short and sweet.

"Hello Taeyeon" It's said in disorganized unison, with far too much enthusiasm.

"Hi Taeyeon, I'm Dan. I run this little group. Why don't you tell us a little about your situation and what's brought you here"

Taeyeon clears , "Right, well, I have two girls. We've been going to a family therapist for a month or so now and our therapist recommended this group so I thought I'd come and see what it's all about" Taeyeon didn't realize she was talking with her hands until they came down to rest on her thighs with a slap.

"Uh-huh? And what made you seek family therapy?"

Taeyeon shifts in her seat, crosses her jean-clad legs in unison with her arms. "Well… my daughters were… they've been acting out at school. Their teacher recommended family therapy"

"We've all been there, sweetie" Taeyeon looks to her left at a large woman seated four people over. "I know I was embarrassed when my son's teacher told me to take him to a psychologist"

And just like that everyone starts their own mini conversations. The woman next to Taeyeon asks her a few more invasive questions before turning her attention to the conversation on the other side of her. Taeyeon takes the opportunity to check her emails. The room begins to quiet down and the click of the door catches Taeyeon's attention once more. Oh.

Taeyeon keeps her eyes on the blonde-haired woman who's just entered the room as she absentmindedly places her phone somewhere in the vicinity of her purse.

"Welcome" Dan stands and ushers the woman away from the door. "Come on in and have a seat"

"I'm so sorry to be late" the woman apologizes.

Taeyeon quirks an eyebrow at the familiar accent and watches as Dan scans the circle for an empty chair and she quickly grabs her purse off the chair next to her, letting it drop to the floor.

"Looks like there's a spot next to Taeyeon" Dan smiles.

"Thanks"

The woman walks over and sits next to Taeyeon. She glances to her right to find Taeyeon staring at her with a lazy, close-lipped smile on her face.

"Thanks… for the chair"

"No problem"

"You're Korean"

"I am…"

"Ok, ok folks. Let's meet our new, fellow parent and continue with the intros" Dan signals to the woman.

"Oh. Ok. I'm Sunny… um…"

"Hello Sunny" This time Taeyeon's voice leads the group response. Sunny can't help but laugh. "Sorry, um…"

Taeyeon is all too happy to ask Sunny the same invasive questions she was just asked.

"Ok… I have a son, his name is James… Jammie. I saw a flier about this group on the community board at his preschool, and I felt like it was something that might be good for me. For us. I'm finding it difficult" Sunny continues, "I mean, it is difficult, isn't it? Being a single parent?"

The room hummed in agreement. Taeyeon can't take her eyes off this woman. It would almost start to become embarrassing if her phone didn't cut short her sudden admiration. But it does. Taeyeon excuses herself from the group when she sees the number on the caller id. She enters the corridor and as soon as she closes the door behind her she presses the little green phone.

"Hello?... no… no you may not…. I said no, Bella… I don't care… no… where's Emma, then?... hmm… I don't… no! I'm not having this conversation right now… Bell… if you do, there will be consequences… I'm not kidding, young lady… don't you dare hang up on…" Taeyeon looks at her screen. Call ended.

"That little…" She sighs and shoves the phone into her pocket.

She doesn't bother calling back. Instead chooses to walk down the small corridor to the window at the end of it. Taeyeon stares out, sighing deeply. "I'm not cut out for this, babe. Not without you" A whisper.

...

...

When Taeyeon rejoins the group, more than several minutes later, everyone is up and walking around, idly chatting. She smells the coffee and follows the scent like a cartoon character. Once made, one sip and she's quite offended by the taste of it, being used to the tastes of finer coffees. Managing to take one more sip, she drops the full, steaming styrofoam cup into the garbage and grabs a bottle of water. Under her breath, "What the am I doing here?" Deciding she's just going to duck out, she turns to find her purse, bumping into Sunny in the process.

"Sorry"

"Sorry"

"My fault" in unison.

As the light giggles taper off, Taeyeon bites her lip. Sunny makes her nervous… or perhaps excited, she's not sure which.

"It's no Colombian Supremo, is it" Sunny gestures to the coffee on the table.

Taeyeon arches a brow. "Were you watching me, Sunny?" Why did that sound like flirtation?

"Maybe I was. Problem?"

Taeyeon flusters "I uh… need to find my purse" Almost immediately Taeyeon's purse is held up directly in front of her face.

"I grabbed it for you when everyone got up. You're welcome" Sunny smirks and shoves it to Taaeyeon's chest. "So… where you from?"

Taeyeon slides the purse straps up her arm, "I just live over…"

"No, I mean, where were you born? raised? I'm from Jeonju"

"Oh?" Taeyeon points to herself "Seoul"

"Ah" An awkward silence follows as both women look everywhere but at each other.

"So… it seems you mean to escape, then"

Taeyeon feigns shock, "What? No, I…" She can't hold a straight face as Sunny gives her a knowing look. Adorable. "Alright, you caught me. But really, can you blame me?" she asks, gesturing around the room.

Sunny follows Taeyeon's hand, looking a bit disappointed, "No. It seems everyone is here to pull and not really to help one another"

"Depends on your definition of help" Please stop talking, you idiot!

Sunny laughs. "What?"

Taeyeon's not sure but she thinks she feels herself blushing. "Oh god, no… nothing. I don't know where that came from. Sorry"

"No need. Um… can I escape with you? I mean maybe we can find a decent cup of coffee and… have a chat?"

"Sure. That sounds nice"

...

...

"You drive like a maniac" Sunny tells Taeyeon as they walk through the door of a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, "I could barely keep up"

Taeyeon shrugs "What's the point of having a fast car if you're not going to go fast?"

"I suppose"

They order, and Taeyeon offers to pay for Sunny's small coffee but Sunny doesn't let her. Finding a table in the corner that overlooks the parking lot, they settle in.

"Mmm… that's so good." Taeyeon watches wide-eyed as Sunny slowly her lips.

Clears , "So, Sunny, when did you move to L.A.?"

"Bout fivteen years ago. You?"

"same" Taeyeon blows on her coffee before taking a careful sip. "Did you come for work or…"

Sunny glances out the window before answering. "No. My…' wraps her hands around her beverage and sighs, "I just needed a change"

"I understand that. I never thought I'd leave Seoul … but life is unpredictable, isn't it?'

"That's an understatement." Sunny taps her fingernail against her cup. "So… I know your name is Taeyeon and you drive like a maniac and you appreciate a good cup of coffee. Why were you at the support group tonight? Tell me about your kids"

"I have two girls. Twins, actually"

"Really?" Sunny's eyes brighten. "I really wanted to have twins baby"

"Then it was fate that brought us together tonight, Sunny" Taeyeon's mental slapping of herself does not go unnoticed by Sunny. "I mean… I need advice… about twins… lots of advice"

Sunny smirks, "I see. And how old are they?"

Taeyeon leans back in her seat and lets out an exasperated sigh "Nearly eight… going on thirty-five"

Sunny laughs a y laugh and Taeyeon is fascinated by it. ing adorable.

"Pictures?" Sunny asks.

Taeyeon pulls her phone out and presses a few buttons. "Well, it's not very recent, but here you go" As she hands Sunny the phone their fingers brush. Taeyeon clears .

"Aww, they're beautiful, Taeyeon. Fraternal, obviously. Quite different"

"Yeah. The brownhead is Sophia, and the other is Bella'

Sunny slides the phone across the table. "You must have your hands full" A pause "Are they with their father tonight?" She takes a less than innocent sip of her coffee.

Taeyeon laughs, "Now that would be odd" She shakes her head and brings her cup to and before taking a sip simply says, "Nanny"

"Ah"

Turning the tables on Sunny, "And your boy… what's his name?"

"Jamie"

"Right. Jamie. Is he with his father tonight?"

"No, a neighbor is sitting with him. His father is back in Seoul, he comes to visit us quite often, though"

Taeyeon tries not to let on that she's disappointed by this news, she's usually never wrong about these things. And even when she is, it doesn't impede her goal any.

"And that works for you, being a single parent even though you could have more support from your ex?"

"Sorry? No, I think you've misunderstood. Jamie's father, he's my best friend from childhood. He was our donor."

Taeyeon nods as if she understands, and then it dawns on her what Sunny has just divulged. She snaps her head up and looks pointedly at Sunny "Donor… as in ?"

Sunny laughs "Well it wasn't his liver that produced my son"

"Ha ha, clever" Taeyeon's eyes narrow and she chances it "You're gay"

Sunny crosses her arms. "Is that a problem?"

"No! No…" Taeyeon chuckles, "no" She's pensive for a moment as she studies Sunny.

Sunny apologizes "I didn't mean to get so defensive, it's just… some of the mothers I've met through Jamie's school have been, well, less than tolerant"

"Small-minded es"

"Yeah, well, their loss, right?"

"Definitely"

Sunny glances at her watch. ", sorry I've got to go. I told my neighbor I'd be only an hour"

"Oh" Taeyeon bites her lip "I'll walk out with you"

...

...

As they arrive at their cars, Sunny shivers "Who knew Los Angeles could get so cold?"

"I know, though tomorrow will be ninety degrees or something equally as horrifying"

Sunny laughs, and despite the cold, Taeyeon melts.

"Oh, god, anything but the heat. I'd much rather bundle up than sweat buckets" Sunny says as she unlocks her car door. She turns around to find Taeyeon quite close. "Well… thanks, for letting me escape with you, Taeyeon. It was fun"

"Yeah, it was" Ask for her number, you idiot. "Well, goodbye Sunny"

"Goodbye, Taeyeon"

The door shuts and Taeyeon takes a step away from the car. And then another, before the cough of a sick engine halts her departure. She swiftly walks back, leans down, and knocks on Sunny's window. Watches, amused, as Sunny manually rolls it down. "Car trouble?"

"" Sunny hits the steering wheel and throws her head back against the seat. Her eyes close, "I just got it out of repair shop yesterday. They assured me it would be fine" Watery brown eyes open and look up at Taeyeon.

Ten seconds of drowning in brown pools later "Well it's lucky I'm here to help" Taeyeon opens the car door and begins to roll up the window. "Come on, then, out with you"

"Eh? I can't just leave my car here, Taeyeon. How am I to get to work in the morning?"

Taeyeon smirks "I'll have your car fixed by morning, don't worry" Sunny's look of confusion prompts Taeyeon to continue "Don't worry, Sunny. If you trust me enough to leave me your key, then I promise to have you to work on time"

"You know about repairing cars?"

Taeyeon bursts into laughter, "Jesus, Sunny. I'm wearing a blouse that costs two hundred dollars. Do you really think I'm a mechanic?"

"I don't know what the you are, Taeyeon. I don't even know your last name. And you want me to just hand over my key?"

"I'm hardly going to steal your old model Honda Civic, Sunny. I'm driving a Mercedes convertible, remember?" Points to her car a few stalls over. Sunny is not impressed. "Jesus. Let me give you a ride home and I'll take care of the rest, ok? You can trust me" Taeyeon holds out her hand for Sunny to take.

Hand taken, Taeyeon helps Sunny out of the car and winks at her. "See? That wasn't so hard"

...

...

"Turn left at the light." Sunny watches Taeyeon's hands as they guide the steering wheel. "I can't let you do this, Taeyeon. There's no way I can afford to pay for another repair right now"

"Who said anything about paying for it?"

"Most people don't fix cars for free, do they"

"Consider it paid for. After all, I'm going to be picking your wonderfully knowledgeable twin brain for advice, right?"

"Hardly" Sunny fidgets with her bag, "It's just up there, on the right, the small brown one"

Taeyeon refrains from making a face at the sight of the dilapidated building. She pulls up in front and turns off the car. Sunny looks out the tinted window at her building, then at Taeyeon. She opens her purse and pulls out her phone.

"I guess you should give me your number… you know, so I can contact you about the car"

Taeyeon is quick to pull out her Blackberry, and they exchange numbers.

Sunny opens her door and puts one foot on the curb before turning back to Sunny. "So I'll hear from you soon?"

"Count on it" Taeyeon winks.

"Thanks for the ride, Taeyeon… and everything else. Goodnight"

"You're very welcome. Night, Sunny"