"M..my bedroom?" Dec stuttered surprised.

"Yeah,of course" Ant grinned.

"Wow...I don't know what to say" Dec replied with a tear in his eye "I thought you and Lisa wanted your privacy?I didn't think you wanted me to move in with you as well?but this is so brilliant,thank you Ant"

'Oh shit' Ant thought to himself.It never crossed his mind that Dec would misunderstand what he meant,now he'd just gone and made things a whole lot worse.

"Um...Dec" Ant sighed "I'm sorry kidda,that's not actually what I meant.I just meant it's your room whenever you need it,ya know?if you come over for a bit of a drinking session and want to crash here for the night,then you're welcome to.I'm so sorry I gave you false hope,I should have thought this through more carefully"

"Er...no,it's alright Ant" Dec whispered while forcing out a false smile "I don't know why I just assumed,shouldn't jump to conclusions should I?"

"You sure?" Ant enquired concerned "you are ok with all of this now aren't you?"

"Yeah of course I am" Dec smiled,but inside he was cringing with embarrassment at his faux pas.For a brief moment he had been excited at the prospect of living with Ant and Lisa,but now,he felt incredibly stupid and did his best to hide his disappointment from Ant.

"Good" Ant smiled,still unaware of Decs inner turmoil "we're gonna have some fun here,you,me,Lisa and Clare,you're both welcome any time"

"Yeah I know that" Dec smiled,keen to get rid of the awkwardness that was lingering in the air "it's a nice place Ant,I hope you and Lisa will be very happy here"

"We will" Ant smiled with a contented sigh "what about you?have you decided what you are going to do?will you stay on at the flat?"

"Nah,I don't think so" Dec replied "that was our place wasn't it?yours and mine?we had a great time,but it won't be the same without you there,so I think I might start looking for a new pad too,a house this time,something bigger"

"Sounds great" Ant smiled,happy that Dec was now thinking about his own independence "I'll help you look if you like?"

"Yeah thanks" Dec replied "I'd really appreciate that"

So a few weeks later,both boys were moving into their new homes.Dec had found somewhere three streets away from Ant and Lisas new place,but he had decided to buy outright instead of renting.There was no sign of him wanting to move in with Clare yet,so he didn't have to worry about being compatible with anyone like Ant was,this house would be his.

Dec had by now,almost come to terms with the fact that he and Ant would be living separately and was no longer freaked out by the thought of it,but he still had the occasional,niggling doubt.

The boys had managed to book a week off work before they left the flat for good.Two other presenters had stood in for them on their Saturday morning show.

Ant had chosen to spend the week decorating his new home to his and Lisas tastes,but Dec had grabbed the moment as Clare also had some rare time off work,so he whisked her away to New York for a four day city break.

Neither he nor Clare had been to New York before and they both loved it.They were amazed by the sights they'd only ever seen on the telly,like The Empire State Building,The Statue of Liberty and Central Park amongst many other things.Dec also lapped up the compliments from the Americans about how polite he was and how much they loved his accent.He vowed he would definitely return sooner rather than later and for a longer period next time.

After they'd moved into their new homes,both Ant and Dec decided to have a house warming party.They were only small gatherings as they didn't have much time to organise anything else and to be honest,neither of them relished the thought of loads of people trashing their places,not that their friends were likely to do that,but they knew what young party animals like themselves could be like once they'd had a few drinks and weren't willing to risk it.

So the small get togethers had gone off without a hitch.Dec had his first where Ant had gleefully handed him the housewarming present of a large cookbook titled 'Easy cooking for beginners'.Everyone enjoyed the joke,knowing Decs lack of culinary skills in the kitchen.

Ant had his housewarming party the following weekend.Dec seemed particularly excited when it was his turn to hand his present over.

As Ant turned the small package over in his hands curiously,he couldn't fathom what it might be.

"Open it" Dec grinned excitedly "be careful though,it's breakable"

Ant shook his head affectionately at his friend as he gently ripped open the silver wrapping paper.

"What the hell...?" Ant couldn't contain his laughter.

"Do you like it?" Dec grinned.

"Er...I think so" Ant replied as he examined the small black,ceramic objects "what is it exactly?"

"It's a salt and pepper set obviously" Dec rolled his eyes playfully "in the shape of ants,I saw them and thought of you and they're sitting on a leaf, how cute is that?"

"Ha,that's brilliant" Ant laughed as he passed the set around for everyone to take a look at "where on earth did you find them?"

"Saw them when I was in New York" Dec grinned

"Ah international ants" Ant laughed "thanks Decs,it's the perfect housewarming present"

"Glad you like it" Dec replied happily,extremely pleased at Ants amusement at his gift,that had been the outcome he had desired,but he knew Ant would love them,he knew Ant better than anyone else after all.

It didn't take Ant and Dec long to settle into their new homes and they both loved them even more than they had expected.Dec soon realised having his own independence was a very good thing and as Ant had promised,they still saw just as much of each other as they had before,if not more,Ant also had his own bedroom at Decs place,the same as Dec had at his.

They were by now totally comfortable and happy with how their lives were progressing as the year went on.They had their own places to live,work was going brilliantly,they were earning a decent wage and they were both in love.

Sometimes they would just sit and chat about how amazing things were and how they couldn't believe their luck,although Ant was often keen to point out that it wasn't actually down to luck,but the fact they'd worked their backsides off since they were kids and still do,they deserved the rewards they reaped.

"I still can't believe how many celebrities we've got to meet on SMTV" Dec mused one Saturday after the show had wrapped up.

"Um Declan?" Ant grinned.

"What?" Dec replied.

"You do realise that you are one of those celebrities now don't you?" Ant grinned.

"Am I?" Dec mused "not sure I am,I don't feel like a celebrity"

"Declan" Ant laughed "of course you are.You're on telly,people recognise you in the street,kids ask for your autograph and you're earning a hell of alot more than most people our age,I think that makes you a celebrity"

"Guess I am then" Dec grinned sheepishly "and so are you"

"Yep" Ant smiled "we're a pair of celebrities,but yeah we have met some big names on this show haven't we?"

"Yeah" Dec nodded in agreement "not sure about that magician though"

"What magician?" Ant asked curiously.

"You know" Dec replied "that funny looking kid,can't remember his name,Stephen something or other"

"Oh yeah,I know who you mean" Ant laughed "Stephen Mullers?Multown?something like that?"

"Doesn't matter now anyway" Dec shrugged "it's not like we ever have to see him again and he'll definitely never be a celebrity"

"Ooh bitchy Declan is surfacing" Ant grinned.

"Yeah sorry" Dec frowned "you're right,that wasn't very nice of me,I just meant I don't really see much star quality in this guy,I could be wrong though"

"Only time will tell" Ant stated.

Before they knew it,1998 was coming to an end and the boys were looking forward to what 1999 might have in store for them,which in fact wasn't alot of change in the beginning as they just carried on with their Saturday morning job and still loving every minute of it.

Further on in the year,Mike summoned them to a meeting,telling them he was bringing someone with him.

As the boys sat down in the restaurant of Mikes choosing,Ant and Dec looked at the smartly dressed stranger accompanying their manager curiously.

"This is Paul Worsley" Mike introduced the smiling man,they all shook hands politely and took their seats "your new manager"

"What?" Ant and Dec stated together,shocked at this announcement.

"I'm your new manager" Paul smiled "and I'm really looking forward to working with you both"

"Er...yeah" Ant frowned "I don't mean to sound rude,but why haven't we been told anything about this?"

"Sorry guys" Mike smiled "I know this is unexpected,but I'm starting my own business and I'm afraid I won't have time to manage you as well,I wish I could have given you more notice"

"Yeah so do we" Dec snapped sarcastically.

"Alright Declan" Mike sighed "please don't get upset over this,I know what you're like"

"I'm not upset" Dec retorted defensively,but the truth was,he was upset,he liked Mike alot,he'd been a huge part of his and Ants lives for the last few years,kind of like a big brother who was always looking out for them.

"Declan,Anthony" Paul smiled "I promise I'll do my very best to take good care of you both just as well as Mike has"

"He's one of the best in the business" Mike smiled "and Declan,you're going to have a hell of alot of people come in and out of your life with this career path you've chosen,it's just something you are going to have to get used to"

"It was just a shock that's all" Ant sighed "we'll be fine won't we Decs?and we're really grateful for everything you've done for us both,so we thank you for that Mike"

"Yeah thanks" Dec mumbled.

"Well,I've got some news that will cheer you boys up" Mike announced.

"What?" Ant enquired,not convinced that anything could cheer them up at that precise moment.

"I'll let Paul tell you" Mike grinned "as your new manager,I believe he should do the honours"

"Right,yeah" Paul nodded,slightly nervously "well BBC ONE have got an idea for a new show and they have you two in mind to present it"

"Really?" Dec asked excitedly,suddenly forgetting about the fact their manager was leaving them "tell us more?"

"Well it's Saturday night..."

"Prime time?" Ant cut in disbelievingly.

"Well,early evening" Paul confirmed "it's called 'Friends Like These' and it's where two groups of friends go up against each other to win a holiday"

"Ooh that sounds fun" Dec smiled "what do they have to do?"

"Just answer questions basically and do some challenges" Paul confirmed "but there is a catch"

"What's that?" Ant asked curiously.

"It's possible that only some of the friends will win the holiday" Paul informed them "if one of them gets their question wrong,they either stay behind and their friends go on holiday without them or the whole group can gamble on one question,but if they get it wrong,they all lose out on the holiday"

"That sounds cruel" Dec frowned.

"Yeah it is a bit" Paul shrugged "but that's how these kind of programmes work,that's what makes them popular with the audience,you win or you lose"

"You do realise boys" Mike interrupted "that this could be your big break into prime time television?Saturday night no less,who knows where this could lead to if the adult audience take to you like the kids have,what do you think?"

Ant and Dec looked at each other with cheeky grins plastered all over their faces.

"We'll do it" Ant laughed excitedly.

"Yeah,we'll do it" Dec agreed.

The pilot episode was broadcast in November of that year and was received well by both fans and critics and a complete series was given the go ahead soon afterwards.The boys transition into adult television was a smooth one and gave them a taste of things to come.As much as they loved presenting SMTV and CD:UK and enjoyed the fun they had with Cat and the kids,they had now found their forte,they were pretty sure of that and were determined to work hard towards it.

Soon the millennium was approaching and Ant decided to have a new year party to see it in.His parties had already become legendary and this one was no different.

"Great party Ant" Dec smiled as he and Clare,as well as multiple celebrities who the boys now considered to be friends,watched the firework display that Ant had laid on at midnight.

"Thanks" Ant smiled as he stood arm in arm with Lisa,watching as the sky lit up in an array of beautiful,bright bursts of colour "here's to the year 2000"

"I can't believe it's a new millennium" Dec stated as he,Ant,Lisa and Clare clinked glasses "it's gonna be a good year"

And Dec was right,it was a good year,well the start of it was at least.It got off to a fabulous start as Ant and Dec continued to present their much loved childrens show,followed by the 'Friends Like These' programme which went on air in February.

Everything was going along swimmingly,nothing could burst their bubble.That was until Dec had one silly idea too many.

And that idea was played out live to the nation on April fools day!