“Here try this,” Dean Carlisle suggested holding out a cup of coffee
for Deidra despite her awkward silence that surrounded them.
“Thank you,” Deidra offered up weakly feeling a cold fire burning deep
inside of her with the memory of Bruce Mathis still fresh in your mind.
“It might help if you try drinking it a bit,” Dean urged again sensing
Deidra’s hesitance. He watched her hold the cup while refraining
from any movement whatsoever. A frown touched over his lips in
that moment when she seemed so lost inside herself, “Deidra.”
“I’m sorry,” she began to apologize, her voice cracked up with obvious
emotion. Forcing herself to focus on the mug before her, she
lifted it to her lips wondering if the warm liquid would be able to
settle the raw, chilling fear that cut her down to the core.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Dean explained watching her shaky hands
guiding the cup to her lips.
“I know,” Deidra nodded in confession thinking to the tears she’d shed
in Dean’s arms despite the fact that he was no more than a perfect
stranger. Now that she felt a strong sense of foolishness
overtaking her at the memory as he looked down at her. His eyes
were full of concern.
“I’d really like to take another look at your throat again if you don’t
mind,” Dean confessed in a worried voice, “I know you said that it
doesn’t hurt but…”
“But I’m fine,” Deidra lied realizing that what Bruce had done to her
tonight was small potatoes compared to the number he’d worked over on
her psyche.
“How about I be the judge of that,” he suggested reaching out to take
another long look at the tiny, thin line the blade had carved into her
throat.
Saying nothing Deidra just eyed him intently. Judging by the way
he was helping clean up her wound, she could see that he was clearly a
man of honor. She’d tried to avoid him in the parking lot when
fear had consumed her, but ultimately he’d coaxed her back into the
hospital where they now sat with one another in an examination room
awaiting the arrival of the police.
“I think this should heal pretty well. You won‘t need my expert
services after all,” Dean offered up with a slight smile, his dark eyes
sending a distinct rush of something over her.
“Expert services,” Deidra replied taking note of the hint of mystery
burning behind his eyes. She knew that look well and judging by
the tone in his voice, she could almost guess what kind of man she’d
encountered, “You’re a plastic surgeon, aren’t you?”
“Not just yet, but I had been thinking on going in that general
direction eventually,” Dean added with a goofy grin, “Am I that
obvious?”
“No, I just know the story,” Deidra sighed heavily with obvious
exhaustion behind her voice, “My soon to be ex-husband is a plastic
surgeon.”
“Ah, so then I take it I’m on shaky ground here,” Dean half questioned
wearily.
“No, not at all,” Deidra shook her head in response, “I’m just saying
that I know how the plastic surgeon’s life goes and I also know what a
shame it would be to waste your talents on something so superficial in
the medical world.”
“Ouch,” Dean raised his hand to his chest, “I don’t know whether to be
offended or to be thanking you for trying to talk me out of it.”
“Maybe you should be a little bit of both,” Deidra shrugged her
shoulders.
“So what about you?” Dean questioned curiously, “What brings you to the
hospital so very late?”
“I work here,” Deidra stated plainly, “and before you start asking what
it is I do that keeps me here at such hours, well let’s just say that
in my line of work, my patients make up my schedule as they go…”
“Hmm, well considering that I haven’t seen you around much lately, I’m
going to take a stab in the dark there and assume that you’re new at
the hospital,” Dean began making conversation with her.
“Somewhat,” she replied simply.
“And given what you’re in, well I’m going to have to say that you’re
not a nurse,” Dean continued with his observation, “So that must mean
one thing.”
“And what might that one thing be,” Deidra questioned with a raised
brow.
“You’re the new OB/GYN that all the single men on staff have been
talking about,” Dean grinned slightly.
“Oh my, is it that bad already,” Deidra groaned inwardly.
“I wouldn’t quite call it bad,” Dean confessed with a tiny laugh,
“considering that most of the married staff has noticed you as
well. Something about the new beauty working here.”
“You must have me mistaken for someone else,” Deidra shrugged again.
“No, I don’t think so,” he shook his head in response, “I’ve heard
nothing but good things about you, so you should feel flattered
considering how this town can get at times.”
“Flattery is the least of what I’m feeling right now,” Deidra sighed
heavily slumping down a bit.
“I’m sorry about that,” he frowned thinking about what he’d walked in
on in the parking lot.
She nodded silently unsure of what to say with him before her.
Sure, Dean was trying to help, but still she couldn’t help feeling
foolish about her breaking down in his arms earlier. Shifting
uneasily on the examination table top, she dropped her gaze to the
floor once again.
“I’m sure I’ll be alright,” she nodded once again refusing to allow her
emotions to get the best of her all over again.
“I’d really like to think so,” Dean replied in a soothing tone,
“because I would’ve hated to have come out five minutes later and not
found you.”
“You probably wouldn’t have ever found me considering,” Deidra paused
thinking about the menace in Bruce’s voice when he’d grabbed her.
He was dark and dangerous and ready to make her pay for getting
away. That much she was very certain of.
“Hey, let’s not think about that,” Dean suggested reaching out to touch
her shoulder gently, “You’re safe now.”
“You don’t understand,” Deidra spoke up weakly, “the man you rescued me
from--he’s…well he’s a serial killer and he…”
“It’s okay,” Dean reached out to embrace her protectively, “You’re safe
now.”
“And I owe that all to you,” Deidra hugged him in response unable to
contain her tears, “I could’ve lost my life tonight if you hadn’t
walked out there when you did.”
“In that case, I must say I’m glad I worked a double shift,” Dean
replied with a soft smile while drawing back enough to gaze into her
dark eyes, but before he could say another word, the sound of voices
rose up from behind him.
“Oh thank God,” Dave called out rushing over to the two of them,
“Deidra, when I heard the call over the radio, I was so afraid…”
“I’m okay Dave,” Deidra began taking a step away from Dean while wiping
at her face, “Really…”
“The hell you are,” Dave reached out to her pulling her into his arms
as his own fears consumed him, “I should’ve been there Dee. I
should’ve been around to protect you.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Deidra sobbed against him unable to mask her
emotions, “None of us could.”
“That still doesn’t change the fact that I wish I had been able to
prevent this,” Dave spoke soothingly hugging her against him with the
realization that the worst was far from over now that Bruce Mathis had
made yet another bold move in Deidra’s direction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Brant walked up to the door to Blake’s bedroom not really sure what to
do with himself after Avery’s abrupt departure, but since he’d found
himself rather wired, he couldn’t help but wonder if his sister would
be interested in keeping him company. While knocking the second
time, he heard Blake call for him to enter. Stepping inside he
found her seated on her bed in front of her television set staring
blankly at the home shopping channel before her.
“Hey Squirt,” Brant greeted her with a soft smile, “What’s going on?”
“Not a whole lot,” she glanced up at him, her eyes filled with sadness
as he slid in beside her, “you?”
“I was just thinking about how long it’s been since we’ve spent any
time together just the two of us,” Brant admitted bringing his arm
around her gently, “Why is that?”
“Because you’re far too busy chasing the latest flavor of the month to
be bored with me,” Blake threw out a pointed look.
“Now sweetheart, that’s where you’re totally wrong,” Brant shook his
head at her, “The time I’ve spent with you has never been boring nor
have I been off chasing any kind of flavors.”
“Well that’s because you’re stuck in a rut, but I’m sure in time you’ll
get back in your swinging lifestyle there,” Blake couldn’t help but
roll her eyes at the thought, “Tell me something. Is that what
men really want Brant?”
“What do you mean,” he gave her a strange look.
“Do men want a woman who is willing to give them sex with no strings
attached? I mean is that really what the world is all about,”
Blake questioned thinking about her own failures in her relationships.
“No, of course it isn’t,” he replied catching her look of skepticism,
“It really isn’t Blake. I mean sure guys might like the idea of
cheap thrills and a fling, but when it gets down to it, we want someone
who is going to make us want to break free of that habit. We want
a woman who challenges us and gives us more than a quickie every now
and then. We want someone kind of like you…”
“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes again, “now I know you’re just trying
to butter me up.”
“No it’s true. You’re a good person with a great heart and I
can’t imagine any man not wanting that,” Brant offered up a supportive
squeeze.
“Brant, you know nothing about the woman that I am when it comes to
relationships,” she added with an air of mystery, “I mean at one time I
was with Seth and with Zack and…”
“Whoa, just back up a minute here,” Brant interrupted hastily, “If
you’re about to tell me about your sex life, I may as well just get my
gun and go take out those two right now for even thinking about doing
that with my sister.”
“Brant, I’m not a child anymore,” Blake curled her lip in a pout.
“Even so, you’re always going to be my baby sister and I’d hate to
think about that,” he shuddered at the thought, “In fact, let’s just
forget that this ever came up. I came in here to try and see if I
could tempt you into going to a late night flick out and about around
town.”
“Why is it that the thought of my having a sex life makes you uneasy,”
Blake couldn’t help but push the issue, “I mean it’s not like I don’t
know all about your adventures with the way you used to carry on.
When you and Heather were together…”
“We’re so not going to go there,” Brant half pleaded with her, “In
fact, what do you say we get a jump start on that movie night?”
“Wow, I think I’m stunned,” Blake couldn’t help but laugh, “We’ve
finally found something that makes you nervous. That has to be a
first.”
“I’m not nervous--just a tad bit uncomfortable,” Brant added with a
frown, “I just don’t like thinking about my little sister being all
grown up. Is that a crime?”
“No, it isn’t,” Blake shook her head, “It just shows me that you still
think of me as a little girl that’s all.”
“Hey, you’ll always be my little princess Blake,” Brant offered up a
quick hug, “because that’s what you are. You’re my cute little
sister. Even now I think about the first time you put makeup
on. I just about died on the spot because here was my cute little
tomboy sister all decked out in lipstick looking like a little lady and
then I knew I was in trouble.”
“You did not,” she swatted at him.
“Yes, I really did. I knew that we’d be in a whole world of
trouble since Ken and I would have to worry about the boys around you,”
Brant continued to tease her, “In fact if you look close enough you’ll
see that my hair is growing gray in some spots because of all the times
I spent worrying about you.”
“You are such a liar,” Blake couldn’t help but laugh.
“But you love me anyways,” Brant poked at her once again.
“You’re right I do. It must be one of my faults in life,” she
answered wickedly.
“In that case, maybe I should call up my flavor of the moment and
invite her to go out to the Cineplex and catch Grease night,” Brant
pretended to be getting up to leave.
“Oh no you don’t,” Blake tugged on his arm, “Don’t you even think about
taking one of your bimbos with you after you’ve promised your sister
you would show her a good time.”
“Fine, then get dressed and let’s get going,” Brant winked down at her,
“because you know the sooner we get there…”
“The better seats we’ll get,” Blake finished with a bright smile, “but
this time you’re buying popcorn since this was your idea.”
“Fair enough,” Brant nodded in agreement unable to contain the smile
that swept over him in seeing his sister enthusiastic about something
for a change. Perhaps tonight would be better than he’d imagined
after all.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Avery glanced in her rearview mirror watching the way in which Russell
followed her home from the Ashford mansion. While she’d insisted
they make a quick exit, there was nothing simple or easy about the
thoughts going through her mind. Sure, she’d told herself that
she wouldn’t allow herself to be frazzled by Brant or his overbearing
proclamations of feeling for her, but now, well now she couldn’t help
but dwell on the moment he’d claimed her lips in a kiss. Of
course what made matters worse was that Russell had almost walked into
the moment. He already distrusted Brant, but she was certain that
his having witnessed a moment like that would send him over the edge.
“Which is why you aren’t going to tell him about it,” Avery mouthed to
herself unable to quell the nervous feeling that settled in over the
pit of her stomach. She felt a shift in her abdomen while forcing
her eyes to the road in front of her, “I know what you’re saying
sweetheart. You’re saying that mommy shouldn’t lie to daddy, but
daddy hates Brant and he’d do just about anything to make sure that
Brant didn’t bother us again. Don’t get me wrong here because I
think your father does have a right to know, but Brant isn’t such a bad
guy. He’s confused and pushy at that, but he really means
well. Okay, maybe he doesn’t where I’m concerned, but still he’s
not such a horrible person like your father believes.”
Glancing into the mirror once again, Avery noticed how carefully Russ
was following her home. He’d been such a great husband and a
wonderful support to her and for her to keep her silence, well it
almost felt like a betrayal. Yet, she wasn’t about to welcome an
invitation for Russ to go lash out at Brant. That wasn’t going to
help anything where she was concerned. Brant had learned his
lesson and he would back off and Russ would never have to know.
“But what if Brant makes a point to tell him,” a voice in the back of
her head threw back at her, “What if you decide to keep it to yourself
and then Russ thinks that you’re betraying him just like Bruce did?”
“That’s not going to happen,” Avery spoke aloud, “Russ wouldn’t think
like that and besides it’s nothing near a betrayal. I love Russ.”
“Yet it didn’t stop you from allowing Brant to kiss you there, did it,”
the voice threw back at her as she pulled into the driveway.
“I didn’t ask him to kiss me,” Avery insisted firmly, “I didn’t and I’m
not about to make myself feel horrible for what happened.
Still…maybe I should tell him.”
Putting the car into park, she sat motionless for a long moment
contemplating her options. Placing her hand on her abdomen, she
turned her attention to the child within, “What would you have mommy
do?”
As if an answer was meant to fall upon her, Avery heard a tapping sound
on her driver’s side window causing her to gasp. Turning to take
a look at the man before her she half expected to find her husband, but
instead she noticed another pair of dark eyes before her. Letting
out a scream, she reached for the lock on the door trying to register
the sight before her. However before she could figure out who was
before her, she watched the man get shoved aside before Russell knelt
down beside her door.
“Avery, honey it’s okay,” Russell began to urge her out of the
car. Despite the pounding of her heart from the surprise she‘d
been given, she reached for the door handle opening it up
wearily. She stepped out into the night feeling Russell’s arms
immediately wrap around her.
“What is going on,” Avery questioned suddenly struck with an uncanny
feeling as her eyes drifted to the oversized shadowy figure just beyond
where she’d exited the car.
“Avery, there’s something we need to talk about,” Russell began
hesitantly before motioning to the man beside him, “You remember Kyle
Houston, don’t you?”
“Kyle Houston,” she repeated with a strange look, “Grady’s friend?”
“That’s right,” Kyle nodded stepping in towards her, “It’s good to see
you again Avery.”
“What the hell are you doing here,” Avery gave him a strange look
feeling her skin prickling with the surprise he’d elicited from her,
“Were you trying to kill me tonight?”
“No, not at all. I just saw the car come up and I assumed that
Russ,” Kyle started apologetically before taking a quick look
around. “Maybe we should take this inside.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Russ nodded in agreement, “Come on
Avery.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what he’s doing lurking
around our house,” Avery stomped her foot decidedly, “because the last
time I saw his ugly mug we almost wound up in jail.”
“That was not my fault,” Kyle objected heavily, “I had nothing to do
with that wrong turn we took to that bar.”
“Oh right,” Avery glared at him, “if it wasn’t for you, then we never
would’ve thought to take that stupid trip to begin with.”
“Hey, you got home safely, didn’t you?” Kyle arched a speculative brow,
“For that you should be thanking me instead of reminding me of what
went wrong.”
“Things always go wrong when you’re around,” Avery huffed up at him,
“You’re a magnet for trouble Kyle.”
Kyle grew silent, his face growing suddenly somber while he offered up
a quick shrug, “I wish I could argue that point, but after the night
I’ve had here, I don’t think I can.”
“What is that supposed to mean,” Russell questioned with worry evident
in his tone.
“Let’s just say that things took a turn for the worse in some ways,”
Kyle admitted with a heavy sigh, “Russ, buddy I don’t know what you’re
into, but something tells me that this isn’t going to be as simple as
you thought it would be.”
“Russ, what is he talking about,” Avery questioned spinning around to
look at her husband.
“It’s a long story Avery,” Russell offered up cryptically feeling her
step in towards him, her eyes determined to seek out the truth from him.
“One that you’re not about to keep quiet about, so it would be
advisable to start talking immediately,” Avery warned him sharply while
Russell realized that there was no more hiding the truth from his wife
especially not now that Kyle had made it his mission to bring it back
home to them all over again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Susan knocked on the door to Cameron’s office hoping to catch him
inside. She’d noticed that the light was still on earlier when
she’d made her way into her office to catch up on some of her work
she’d been neglecting and now she was hoping that he was still around
to discuss a few things with her. Hearing the soft sounds of
rustling from the other side of the door Susan took the initiative to
walk inside finding Cameron hunched over his desk skimming away at
various papers.
“Cameron, do you have a minute,” Susan questioned in a low, smooth
voice while closing the door behind her.
“Susan, just the person I was thinking about,” Cameron popped his head
up from his desk to catch a first look at her. He wiggled his
finger at her in the hopes of getting her to join him, “I was just
looking over these things that Doug had sent over to Heather and for
the life of me, I can’t make sense of half of them.”
“That’s because legalities are my area of expertise, not yours,”
Susan’s lips curled into a half smile. She moved forward stepping
around alongside of his desk to reach out for the papers, “Let me have
a look.”
“By all means,” Cameron nodded in acceptance handing the papers over to
her, “I’m sure you’ll enjoy running the show on this one.”
“Douglas doesn’t have a case,” Susan shrugged her shoulders simply
before even looking to the papers, “although that doesn’t stop him from
digging his heels into the cement does it?”
“As far as I’m concerned, we can bury him in that cement so that he
never resurfaces again,” Cameron added icily.
“You really can’t stand him, can you,” Susan noted catching a hint of
the menace erupting behind Cameron’s dark eyes.
“Not at all,” he divulged with a wicked smirk, “That man is going to
burn in hell for the things he’s done to me.”
“I’m sure he will,” Susan nodded in response before another thought
occurred to her. Setting the papers aside, she focused on him
once again, “Cameron, can I ask you a question?”
“Susan, given all that you’ve done for me, you could ask me about
anything right about now as long as you continue to be on this winning
streak you’ve had in New York,” Cameron teased with a wink before
sliding out his chair to pat his lap for her to join him. “In
fact, have a seat.”
“Maybe I should stand for this one,” Susan paused biting on her lower
lip nervously.
“Something tells me I’m not going to like this, am I?” Cameron
questioned with a frown.
“I don’t mean to be a pest, but I was hoping we could discuss Grady,”
Susan blurted out with a hesitance.
“Grady huh,” Cameron repeated with a simple nod, “Alright Susan, what’s
on your mind?”
“I need to know something,” Susan paused straining to find a way to
word what had been weighing on her mind since she’d heard of Grady’s
untimely demise.
“What’s that?”
“Did you have something to do with what happened to him,” Susan
questioned blatantly, “I know it’s not my place to ask, but I need to
know…”
“Susan,” Cameron shook his head feeling a sardonic smile tickle over
his features, “do you really think that little of me?”
“Cameron, I just want to know the truth. You know that anything
you say to me will be in the strictest of confidence considering that
I’m your lawyer,” Susan reminded him again in the hopes of hearing the
truth from him.
“Now Susan,” Cameron reached out to her drawing her into his lap, “I
thought that we knew one another better than that.”
“I know how you wanted to prevent him from being a problem,” she added
feeling his fingers slip into her blonde hair.
“I know what you’re thinking right now,” Cameron’s gaze traveled lazily
over her features, “but the truth to the matter is that Jade was my
intended target--not Grady.”
“Even so with him standing in the way of that,” Susan piped in with
obvious doubts.
“Susan, Susan, Susan,” he shook his head at her, “Don’t you know by now
that nothing prevents me from acquiring what it is I truly
desire? Grady was small potatoes and I didn’t anticipate him
being more of a bother after his time spent in jail.”
“Yes, I know that’s what you told me, but with the stabbing…” Susan
continued to remind him as he pressed his finger to her lips to silence
her.
“Susan, if I’d wanted Grady dead, I would’ve done it in such a fashion
that would’ve served as a more poetic reminder for those who intended
upon getting in my way,” Cameron stated plainly, his voice devoid of
all emotion. He slid his arm around her waist pulling her in
closer to him, “Now I should hope that you of all people would see
that.”
“I want to, but Cameron…” Susan started again only to feel him silence
her with an unexpected kiss. His mouth silenced hers with a firm,
direct approach while his fingers slid further into her hair to tug her
head into position. Slowly he eased his lips away from hers just
enough for their eyes to meet.
“Susan, there’s no need in worrying your pretty little head about
things that go well beyond the realm of our control,” Cameron whispered
in a thick, raspy tone. His fingers tugged at her hair once again
before he delved in for another forceful kiss. However this time,
the phone began to ring interrupting the direction he was taking with
her. Releasing her, he reached for the phone answering in a
professional, business as usual tone.
“Talk to me,” Cameron mouthed into the phone clearly effected by the
voice on the other end of the line as his eyes widened in response,
“Really? Well that is interesting. Yes, of course,” he
paused giving Susan a brief look, “Hold that thought.”
“Something important,” Susan questioned curiously.
“Not really, but I figured we should probably finish this before I get
into the phone call again,” Cameron admitted setting the phone down on
his desk top. Reaching out to touch her face gingerly, he urged
her eyes to his again, “Susan, I know that losing your ex-husband
must be difficult for you, but right now I need you on the top of your
game. You’re here because I desperately need you to make things
right for me. You’ve always been my legal viper and I would hate
to think that this time it would change for us.”
“It’s not going to change. I just…” she started.
“Are experiencing a grief and a mixture of emotions associated with
your loss,” he nodded quickly, “Yes, I’m well aware of that, but for
the moment I should think you would go home and try to unwind.
Take some time to deal with this string of emotions you’re
experiencing. In fact, take a day to yourself and then when you
come back, just promise me that we’ll be able to pick up where we left
off.”
“Of course,” Susan nodded quickly realizing that Cameron was
right. There was no sense in focusing on the past--not when the
future had far too many things in store for her. “You’re
right. This is ridiculous.”
“Of course it is,” he couldn’t help but smile back at her, “Now I would
strong suggest you go home and just take it easy. If you need
anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”
“I won’t,” Susan nodded sliding off of his lap as her thoughts for the
future began to consume her.
“Good, see to it that you remember I’m always here for you Susan,”
Cameron waved at her once again watching Susan’s hesitance before she
finally turned to leave his office. Letting out a breath of
relief he picked up the phone again thinking about the caller on the
other end of the line. By far the past few weeks had been beyond
frustrating, but he was going to work on changing that.
“What do you have for me? I‘m warning you now that you‘d better
have something good or else,” Cameron roared into the phone ready to
see if any progress had been made in his quest to locate Angela and
Jade. Sooner or later something had to give and Cameron was
hoping for sooner rather than later in finding the women who had
shifted his world upside down.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“So lover,” Thea purred running her fingers leisurely across Patrick’s
chest, “how are things at the station?”
“Things are as you’d hoped they would be,” Patrick reached for her hand
lifting it to his lips with a tentative kiss. “Simon is dead and
the case is closed.”
“And your meddlesome Chief won’t be a problem any longer?” Thea arched
a curious brow.
“Dave’s an idiot,” Patrick frowned at the mention of his police chief,
“He thinks he knows the score, but he has no idea that his days are
numbered.”
“The poor bastard really has underestimated you, hasn’t he,” Thea
couldn’t help but offer up a tiny giggle. Teasing her hand over
his chest, she dipped her fingers down underneath the thin blanket that
covered her and Patrick now that they lay naked with one another in her
bed.
“He has no idea just how far down I’m going to take him before this is
over,” Patrick’s jaw tightened with anticipation. He closed his
eyes feeling Thea’s magical fingers over his body.
“Oh I’m sure when everything is said and done he’ll know all about how
you were the better man,” Thea encouraged him watching the tiny groan
that spilled over Patrick’s lips while she touched him, “Of course, you
do realize that this is far from over.”
“Oh,” he questioned feeling her stop from her seduction.
“Of course,” she nodded sitting up straighter with a smile teasing over
the corners of her mouth, “You have only started to work through phase
one of our plans for Coral Valley.”
“I thought that in doing away with Simon, Cameron would be pleased,”
Patrick frowned feeling her move in over him.
“Oh Cameron’s happy about ridding the world of that idiot before things
took a turn that none of us wanted to have to experience,” she
continued straddling his abdomen, “but there is still something left
undone--something that only you could do for us…”
“And just what might that be,” Patrick questioned reaching out to pull
her down against him only to have her plant her palms into his
chest. Firmly she kept her arms stretched out refusing to allow
him any kind of connection between them before she said her piece.
“Cameron has yet another situation that needs to be dealt with,” Thea
explained with a cryptic expression.
“Which would be?” he arched a curious brow feeling her slide over his
body before her lips claimed his once again.
“Something you’ll rather enjoy,” Thea murmured against his lips, “as it
would seem Cameron would like to heat things up where Douglas is
concerned.”
“And how do I come into this exactly,” Patrick questioned half
listening while his hands teased over the lines of Thea’s body.
“By your doing exactly what I tell you,” Thea reached for his arms
urging his hands up over his head to restrain him while her dark eyes
commanded his full attention, “You’re going to find your way back into
Douglas Mahoney’s daughter’s life.”
“Huh?” Patrick gave her a strange look.
“You’re going to find a way to get close to Jenna again,” Thea half
rolled her eyes at his ignorance.
“Oh really,” Patrick’s face seemed to light up at the possibility, “And
how do you propose I go about doing that?”
“You’ll find a way and when you do,” Thea leaned down to nip at his
lower lip, “make sure that you do your worst.”
“My worst huh,” Patrick repeated his mind running with possibilities at
that very thought.
“That’s right,” Thea nodded, “She made your life hell and I think it’s
time you reciprocated the favor, don’t you?”
“Long past time,” Patrick agreed readily offering himself up to Thea’s
seductions along with the possibility of putting Jenna in her place
again once and for all.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shannon stepped up onto the floor Dave, Deidra and Dean were on after
she’d done some investigating of her own on what had happened in the
lot. Sure, she might have her own reasons for being double
concerned about what had taken place, but even now things just didn’t
feel right. She tried to think of what purpose Bruce Mathis would
have in waiting around a hospital parking lot for Deidra to emerge and
she was coming up empty. Sure, the man might very well want to
finish what he started with Deidra, but to sit in the lot and wait
hours for Deidra’s exit seemed a bit beneath him. Him being in
the lot at the exact time that Deidra was in it almost made it feel as
if he’d had some kind of inside help and that’s where Shannon’s doubts
began to come into play.
Stepping up along Deidra’s handsome rescuer, she couldn’t help but
watch the way in which Dean’s gaze kept wandering over to Deidra and
Dave. There was certainly coming going on, but Shannon wasn’t
quite sure what. However, since she was never one to beat around
the bush, she opted to take the direct approach with Deidra’s hero for
the night.
“That was sure something you did out there,” Shannon noted stepping up
to speak with Dean, “Chasing a serial killer and all must be quite an
accomplishment for you.”
“I’d hardly look at it that way,” Dean frowned turning his eyes away
from Deidra and Dave to face Shannon at last, “All I was concerned
about was seeing to it that Deidra was safe.”
“Even so I’m sure it’s not everyday that you chase off after random
strangers in a parking lot,” Shannon remarked with a simple shrug of
her shoulders, “I mean to think that you were the only one out in the
lot when things went down…”
“And just what are you trying to imply,” Dean frowned giving her a
second look, “What are you trying to get at here?”
“I’m just merely a concerned friend. Tonight was enough to give
quite a lot of people a scare in town with Bruce Mathis being so close
to home and all,” Shannon stated simply giving him a once over.
“Did you know him?”
“No,” Dean shook his head briefly, “I’d heard of him by reputation, but
we hadn’t crossed paths with one another.”
“That’s interesting considering that it’s such a small hospital,”
Shannon remarked quickly.
“Not really considering that we have a very large staff,” Dean
explained matter of fact, “Often a great many people get lost in the
shuffle when you’re doing your job.”
“So unlike some of the people around here, you weren’t one to have
bonded with Bruce Mathis,” Shannon nodded taking his words in, “I
suppose that would be considered a blessing from those who had crossed
paths with him.”
“I can imagine,” Dean nodded casting another look in Deidra’s general
direction.
“I’m sure you can,” Shannon added taking note of the expression on his
face once again, “though I do have one question.”
“And what might that be,” Dean replied with a skeptical look.
“You mentioned in your statement that you’d been working a double shift
here, yet you signed out a few hours ago,” Shannon arched a speculative
brow, “That seems a bit strange considering doesn’t it?”
“Not at all,” Dean shrugged his shoulders simply, “I’d signed out when
my shift was over, but then, well there were two teens brought into
emergency. We’ve been understaffed lately and I offered to stay
around and help out.”
“That’s awfully noble of you,” Shannon remarked with her trademark
biting sarcasm. “Playing hero twice in one night must make you
feel good.”
“I don’t look at it as being a hero especially considering that one of
my patients flat lined in the OR,” Dean’s features twisted to a
rage. He stood taller to face her down, “so if you are trying to
imply something about the kind of man I am, you’re wasting your time
Agent Pryce. Tonight I watched one woman die a horrible death at
the age of seventeen and when I left to go home for the night, I
couldn’t help but step in and prevent another tragedy from
happening. I wasn’t thinking about being a hero or about anything
more than helping Deidra, so if you’re finished now, I’d like to be on
my way.”
“Don’t let me stop you,” Shannon stepped aside watching Dean stomp off
in the opposite direction clearly irritated with her. Still in
watching his exit, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of the doctor as
she vowed to herself that she’d check out his story just to make sure
that things did in fact add up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“What happened out there Dee,” Dave questioned his voice full of
concern for the woman he cared so very much about.
“I was just going to my car and there he was,” Deidra felt a shiver
race over her, “I tried to pretend that he wouldn’t come back, but he
was there and he…”
“He what,” Dave continued unable to keep from allowing guilt to eat
away at him.
“He came back to finish what he’d started on the island,” Deidra
blurted out shamefully, “That’s why he was here tonight and if Dean
hadn’t stepped out there when he did, well there’s no telling where I
would be right now.”
“Don’t think like that,” Dave pleaded with her, “Deidra, I know this is
hard, but you need to tell me everything that happened from the moment
he encountered you. I need to know what he said--what he did that
might be able to help us find him.”
“Dave, you’re not going to be able to do that,” she remarked sourly,
“We both know he’s smarter than that.”
“Deidra, he made a move on you in the middle of a hospital parking
lot. I don’t think the guy is all that smart seeing as he’s
getting very sloppy,” Dave frowned taking note of the wounded
expression on her face, “Please Dee you have to help me help you.”
“Right now I just want to go home and put it all behind me. I
want to forget all about this night and crawl up in my bed,” Deidra
blurted out choking back her emotions, “That’s all I need.”
“I wish it could be that easy, but I need to take a formal statement
from you about what happened and…” he stopped himself hating to be the
bearer of bad news after Deidra had already been through so very much.
“And what?” she questioned catching note of his hesitance, “Dave, what
aren’t you telling me?”
“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this now, but I think it’s best you
know the truth,” he paused once again contemplating his words before
finally finding the courage to be honest with her, “Earlier in the day
we discovered who was behind Grady Denton’s stabbing. The CSI
contacted me with the lab results and well… You see there was a
surprise when we all discovered that it was Simon Dubois. He
works for the Ashfords and…”
“I know who he is,” Deidra nodded in confusion, “but what does that
have to do with me? Don‘t tell me he has ties to Bruce as well.”
“No, it’s not that at all. You’re not involved with what happened
with Simon directly, but indirectly,” he hesitated once again.
“It’s Diane. She was caught in the shuffle and she wound up
taking a bullet when Simon used her as a human shield,” Dave confessed
bracing himself for her reaction.
“What,” Deidra gasped in horror, “Oh God, please don’t tell me that
she’s been hurt. Is she…”
“She’s stable from what I’ve been told, but other than that…” Dave
offered up in response.
“I have to go see her,” Deidra decided firmly, “I need to make sure
that she’s alright.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine, but…” Dave began again reaching for her arm.
“But nothing. She’s my sister and she needs me,” Deidra blurted
out unwilling to dwell on what had taken place with her when her sister
clearly needed support now more than ever.
“I realize that Dee, but…” Dave started once again watching as Deidra
spun around to face him once again.
“Dave, I will give you whatever it is you need from me later, but
please just let me go and see Diane,” Deidra pleaded with him
desperately.
“Of course,” he nodded in agreement following her to where Diane was
while he spent his time wondering if things would ever become easy for
either one of them again in Coral Valley.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Leave it to Brant to make a mess of things,” Blake groaned making her
way out to the ladies room after Brant’s overzealous singing and
dancing in his chair lead up to him spilling her drink in her
lap. Sure she’d been having a good time until that point, but now
she had to duck out during the big car racing scene in Grease. It
almost didn’t seem fair, she couldn’t help but think while letting out
an ironic laugh. Okay, so maybe it was a little funny, but the
fact that Brant was still enjoying his time in the movie was more than
enough to vow revenge upon him.
“Oh yeah, he’s going to pay for this one,” Blake decided with a hint of
laughter entering the ladies room to take a long look at her
appearance. She noticed the dark stain that now made itself at
home on the front of her jeans and a groan overtook her, “Okay it’s
worse than you thought, but it can be fixed.”
Reaching out for some paper towels Blake began to blot at the stain
using a mix of water and even more blotting to try to clean things
up. Of course the result only made matters worse with the damp
spot growing over her jeans almost making it look like she’d had an
accident in making her way to the toilet.
“How much worse could this get,” Blake groaned inwardly catching note
of the hand dryers behind her. Suddenly an idea sparked in her
head as she scanned the ladies room. Seeing that it was pretty
much empty, Blake stepped over to the hand dryers on the wall before
her. Taking one more look around, she reached out for the button
before arching her body in such a fashion that the flow of the air
would hit right over where she’d been soaked.
“Just hope no one walks in,” she muttered to herself arching her hips
in a ridiculous fashion only to feel the warm air strike upon her with
a far greater temperature than she’d anticipated. Taking a leap
back away from the satanic dryer, she glared over at it realizing she’d
only made more of a mess of things. Swatting at her damp crotch,
she started to pray for a way to make the spill disappear, but with no
avail it remained.
“Are you alright,” a voice questioned breaking Blake from her fuming as
it hit her she was no longer alone. Standing upright, Blake could
feel a warmth spread out over her body with the first hints of
humiliation setting in. Lowering her hand away from the front of
her pants, Blake looked up into the mirror seeing that she was now beet
red.
“I’m fine,” Blake mustered up the courage to speak before slowly
spinning around to face the woman beside her. She tried to think
up some quick and witty remark to make up for what things must’ve
looked like to the new arrival, but when her eyes fell upon the face
before her, her jaw dropped in surprise, “Sarah?”
“Blake?” the woman questioned with the beginnings of a smile, “What are
you doing here?”
“Making a complete ass of myself,” Blake admitted with a tiny
chuckle. Rushing over to embrace the woman before her, Blake
couldn’t help but let go of her embarrassment, “How about you?”
“Wondering if I’d stepped into the wrong room,” Sarah couldn’t help but
tease hugging her in response, “How have you been girl?”
“I’ve had better days,” Blake confessed taking a step back to motion at
the spot that still soaked through her jeans, “My brother has
butterfingers there when it comes to being able to hold his Pepsi.”
“Apparently,” Sarah couldn’t help but laugh only to reveal the grease
stains that covered her beige colored slacks, “though I have to admit
I’m not much better. I was holding the bag of popcorn and
wouldn‘t you know it? Extra butter came back to haunt me.”
“Oh believe me, I’ve been there more time than I care to admit to,”
Blake couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement, “I swear, who would have
thought that we’d meet up again under such silly circumstances?”
“Certainly not me, but I’m glad that we did,” Sarah admitted with a
soft sigh, “because it’s been far too long.”
“That it has,” Blake nodded in agreement, “So tell me, are you still
out in Sacramento, or did you decide to finally make the leap out this
way?”
“I was in Sacramento for a long time, but after well after the way
things went down with my mother, I thought it was probably a better
idea to try to start over again someplace new,” Sarah replied
poignantly with a long silence before she offered up a quick smile, “So
here I am.”
“And what better time than the present so that you can see me like
this,” Blake laughed lightly.
“Oh girl, trust me I know where you’re coming from, though judging by
what I saw when I walked in the dryer is not an option,” Sarah motioned
to the machine on the wall before her.
“Oh God no,” Blake groaned inwardly, “So tell me, are you seeing
Grease?”
“I was supposed to be here with a friend, but apparently he was tied up
in other things,” Sarah nodded in confession, “though that seems to be
the story of my life lately.”
“Well in that case, it’s a good thing we encountered one another,”
Blake decided in a chipper tone, “You can join my brother and I.”
“Oh no Blake, I couldn’t intrude,” Sarah shook her head, “I was just
going to call it a night and…”
“Nonsense,” Blake reached out for her friend, “If I have to go out
there looking like a complete and utter fool, then the very least you
can do is do it with me.”
“Well since you put it that way,” Sarah offered up a quick smile,
“Sure, why not?”
“There’s the spirit,” Blake encouraged her now ready to face the rest
of the theater now that she didn’t have to go it alone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cameron entered his estate thinking about the uneventful word he’d
gotten on Angela and Jade. Why Angela had seemingly slipped off
the planet again was beyond him and then Jade. Well, that was a
subject that had left him far more curious than he should’ve
been. Here the man she’d loved had died and yet she was no where
to be found. Something about that just wasn’t making sense and
when things weren’t in a position to make sense, Cameron found himself
less than thrilled. Sure, he understood Jade might want to make
herself a bit scarce when Grady died, but the fact that she’d been
absent from any signs of life in Coral Valley had him wondering if
perhaps there was something he’d been missing about the whole
story. Surely Jade would have to pop up sooner or later.
“And when she does, she’s going to be all mine,” he smirked feeling a
sense of empowerment rush over him. Setting his keys down on the
table top, he felt his grin expand with that very thought. Of
course right now he’d have to put Jade aside for the moment, but
perhaps tomorrow he’d work up the mood to pay her a visit. It
couldn’t hurt after all as he was certain she’d be wanting someone to
comfort her.
“Yes, I’ll certainly make that my mission,” Cameron decided walking
through his home and opting to focus on the first problem at
hand--Heather.
With a whistle falling from his lips, Cameron started to shed his
jacket wondering if his wife would be ready to be much more
appreciative of his time this evening after their little ‘talk’.
As promised he’d made a point to return home despite his mounting
frustrations about those things which he was unable to control.
That being said however, Cameron was about to find some time to indulge
in the things that he could get a grasp upon.
“Good evening sir,” Franklin greeted him with a quick nod, “How was
your day?”
“Worse than anticipated, but I’m sure that I’ll easily be over that
once you go collect my wife for me,” Cameron shrugged his shoulders
making his way over to the bar to retrieve a drink for himself.
“I would sir, but she isn’t here,” Franklin explained simple.
“What do you mean she isn’t here?” Cameron spun around with a scowl, “I
specifically had her sent over here earlier. She was to rest up
and relax for a while.”
“Perhaps that was what you’d intended for her, but she never arrived
home after she’d gone to see you,” Franklin shrugged his shoulders, “I
could question the driver on where he’s taken her if that would please
you.”
“See to it that you do. No, on second thought,” Cameron waved his
hand dismissively, “I’ll go do it myself.”
“As you wish,” Franklin nodded stepping aside as Cameron vowed to find
out exactly where his wife was and why she’d taken to defying his
orders for the night.
