Yes, Kav, Jack left waiting and then catching up is a beautiful sight!!!

I now have to go build strength to read your next posts!!!

Joy

Since I've all I can say is DITTO!

I think I'll just camp out here...no need to go anywhere, and just wait for my happy fixes!

WOW!

PS...Thanks to my good friend Flip, I was able to print this story until this post and started reading it to my hubby last night...He was quite impressed, said you were very descriptive, and could picture every scene vividly as if it was playing out on the big screen before him...It will probably take us to the Summer challenge to finish reading it together, but this story is so worth it

Ooops, I forgot to add that while I was printing my latest, favorite novel, my hubby got a look at Flip's avatar and said, "Wow, I didn't realize Jack was so ripped." I thought it was worth mentioning....

Nestled in for the day!

*gulp*

buh bye

and I don't think it's the drug ...

But...but...but...

I am supposed to be sleeping- the sun will be up in a couple hours (at least it would be if it wasn't raining) Now my heart is racing and that was only post one for the day.

How am I supposed to sleep now huh? I'll just have to go back and read it again I guess.

Oh and since it is Sunday here already- Happy Easter!!!

I'll say more later....

He kissed her over and over again, long, drugging kisses that robbed her of her ability to think…or breathe. They fit together perfectly just as she knew they would. She had dreamed of him long before Callaghan and Merced, but since that one single kiss her dreams had exploded with unfulfilled passion and promise and now here she was living her private fantasy.

She was surprisingly bold and sure, her lips responding to his caresses with a spiraling desire that showed no sign of abating. Her hands roamed beneath his shirt, wantonly exploring what had up until now been out of her reach. She felt him shudder as her fingers traced circles across his chest. His arms tightened around her, squeezing the breath out of her as he bent her back over his arm, his lips leaving hers to begin an exploration along the tender flesh of her neck.

Desire was a hot heat spiraling through his body scorching every nerve ending in its path. The feel of her…the taste of her…the thrill of her wanton response was more than he had bargained for and the world had simply dropped away leaving them alone to explore the pleasure of demonstrating their love – a release that quickly built in intensity to an all consuming passion that was fast burning out of control. The trouble was – after that first touch he was finding it impossible to keep his hands off of her. His lips dipped lower, skimmed over the soft contours of her blouse and he realized he had to reign himself in before he simply lowered her to the wet grass and took her there under the hazy glow of the street light.

Sue felt the second he retreated and murmured a breathless protest. He pulled her into a standing position, steadied her at arms length when he moved his body away from hers. The cold air assaulted her heated flesh, sending her into a paroxysm of shivers and he was powerless to do anything for fear of fueling the fire all over again.

“You are an amazing woman Sue Thomas, and I love you.” The words were a faded echo of what his body had already told her.

I love you, she signed, and he found himself mesmerized by the graceful beauty of her actions. She kept her hand clenched close to her heart as she stared at him, hiding none of the love or desire that was evident in her eyes. His pulse quickened afresh as he reached out and captured that hand, cradling it in both of his, lifting it to his lips where his tongue swirled along each crevice, his teeth nibbling on the gentle swell of every knuckle. He heard her breath catch in her throat, the cry she couldn’t quite muffle and he smiled, immensely satisfied. She belonged to him.

“I think I need to get you home,” his breathing was ragged, his fingers trembling where they linked loosely around her wrist.

“Jack,” her voice faltered, as overcome by emotion, she could only helplessly look at him. The force of her gaze penetrated straight through to his heart. She was as overcome as he was, but with less experience and some uncertainty beginning to surface.

“Shhh,” his finger kissed her lips as he silenced her fears. “Thank you for making this perfect. You’ve stood by me, waited – maybe not patiently –” a teasing glint gleamed in his eye, “but you waited for me to figure this – us – out and when I finally did, you embraced it all. I am humbled by the depths that I sense are in you and terrified that you’ll wake up tomorrow, finding me undeserving of your love…”

I love my puddle state ...


How do you do that ???

Wow Kav......that was....... ehm......it was......well, ya know.........

Another post guaranteed to keep me floating around my house.....(to match the dazed grin I have from a certain video of a bare-chested, dark eyed cowboy...)

Thank you, Kav, for everything!

Whatever strength I managed to regain from the first post, I have now lost from the last post!!! I'm just going to lay here for a while!!!

Joy

Soft lazy languid movements…skin supple and firm…hot lips blazing trails across her taut skin…Sue stirred restlessly in her sleep, clinging to her dreams as the sun’s morning rays danced patterns of light behind her closed eyelids. She woke with a smile on her lips -- lips that felt slightly tender and bruised. She sat bolt upright in bed. It hadn’t been a dream!

She through back the covers and raced to the bathroom mirror. Her reflection beamed back at her as she traced a faint red smudge on her lower lip. She shivered, remembering how that had gotten there, her cheeks turning a bright pink as she noted similar marks trailing down her neck and towards her left breast. She’d definitely need a wardrobe strategy this morning, she thought, grabbing a soft pink jogging suit from the laundry hamper and lacing up her sneakers.

“Come on, Levi, early run this morning.” Sue called softly to the dog who had spent the night cuddled up with Cassie. He staggered out of Sue's bedroom and down the hall, pausing to stretch each leg in turn. “Isn’t it a glorious day?” Levi looked at her dubiously. His mistress seemed oblivious to the fact that it was pouring outside and he had left a warm nest of bedclothes. Still never one to say no to the w-a-l-k word, he obediently trotted out the door at her side.

* * *

Wet dog smell dragged her into a semi-conscious state. She fought against it and turned over onto her other side, trying to drift back into sleep in spite of the fact that she was sharing her bed with a wriggling six-year-old and a frenzied golden retriever. She simply was not going to get up. The bed was so comfortable and the blankets so cocooning and she felt so terribly, terribly wretched that she just couldn’t stand the thought of poking one toe out of bed never mind her entire body. She grabbed the blanket as it was lifted off her shoulder and tugged it back impatiently.

“Don’t Cassie, Mummy wants to sleep,” she mumbled, only half-awake.

“It’th not me, Mummy,” Cassie’s excited giggle accompanied another attempt at removing the blanket.

Carolyn rescued it again. “Cassandra Marie Stevenson, you will not touch this blanket again!” Just fifteen more minutes, she thought wistfully as the blanket was yanked back yet again. Groaning, Carolyn bolted upright, shivering at the change in temperature.

“Cassie,” she began only to stop short when she found herself nose to nose with a bedraggled Levi, his mouth full of blanket while his bottom end conveyied how delighted he was to see her awake. Carolyn flopped back down against the pillows with an exaggerated sigh and immediately collapsed into a coughing fit. “It wasn’t a dream – you were snuggled up against me all night!” she accused the laughing brown eyes.

“And me! I was thnuggled on hith other thide,” Cassie’s voice was shrill with excitement.

“Shh, Cassie, it’s too early for so much noise,” Carolyn warned, looking at the alarm clock beside the bed. 6:30. She yawned and stretched, patting the bed beside her. “Come on up here…umph!” Levi launched himself into the middle of the bed and sat down looking at her expectantly. “I wasn’t talking to you,” Carolyn complained, “I was talking to little missy there.”

“Mummy why doth your voice thound tho funny?” Cassie asked as she climbed back onto the bed.

Carolyn cleared her throat several times, wincing at the razor sharp pain that cut all the way down every time she swallowed. I seem to remember specifically begging you not to let me get sicker. And Cassie’s slept in the same bed with me all night with me breathing my germs all over her. And Sue and Lucy! What if they get sick too! Oh, Father, please, make it go away. I have to go to work and pick up my check and…She wasn’t sure what else the day would involve, but she knew she couldn’t impose upon Sue and Lucy for much longer. They were wonderful last night, so selfless and giving, but they would soon tire of having a child in the house, especially if she got up at this ungodly hour. At least Levi seemed to enjoy having a playmate this early in the morning.

Carolyn tried to ignore the swimmy sensation she got when she moved her head to look at her daughter, now lying obediently beside her. “Cassie, honey, you have to be quiet until Sue and Lucy are up,” she admonished quietly.

“Thue’th in the shower,” Cassie announced importantly, “I peeked. But Luthy’th thtill asthleep.”

“Then we will both stay in bed until she’s up,” Carolyn said firmly, secretly thrilled to have a few more stolen minutes in this wonderful bed, dog and all.

“But I don’t feel like thleeping, tho what am I thupposed to do?” the child said piteously.

Carolyn admitted defeat with a heavy sigh, knowing that her energetic child was not about to settle down quietly after a full night's sleep. She slid off the bed and down onto her knees, beckoning for Cassie to join her. “You can start by saying your prayers…and remember, today we make a special effort to pray for people who haven’t necessarily always been nice to us.”

Cassie wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I’m not gonna like thith one,” she vowed stubbornly.

“You don’t have to like it, sweetheart, you just need to try it, okay?” Carolyn cajoled wearily. Her face felt flushed but her body felt like it was made up of ice cubes and her throat was raw. “Let’s start with Carter Reynolds.”

“No thank you, I really don’t want to,” Cassie said politely, and, smiling sweetly, she gave her mother a kiss and skipped out the door with Levi bounding after her.

Carolyn remained on her knees a little longer, not because she was particularily pious, but because she simply didn’t have the energy to rise from her bedside. Cassie’s excited chatter propelled her up and out the door, cornering her in the kitchen where she was talking so fast that Sue couldn’t possible keep up with her.

“Sorry!” Carolyn apologized embarrassed that she had let her daughter disturb Sue at such an early hour.

“No problem,” Sue assured her hastily. “Levi and I have been out all ready. I’ll just go and change since you’re up. Help yourself to whatever you want for breakfast and you – ” Sue tweaked Cassie’s nose, “ – you save some room for the breakfast club.”

Cassie jumped up and down excitedly. “You mean I can have two breakfasts this morning?” she crowed and commenced to do a happy dance around the kitchen with Levi in tow.

The racket woke Lucy and apparently the neighbour below judging by the angry thumping on the pipes. Carolyn apologized again, her voice barely making a sound, but Sue just laughed it off. “It’s fine, I tell you, I didn’t hear a thing.”

The neighbour is not happy with Cassie around, but I bet Sue and Lucy will be thrilled to have her and her mother as guests a few more days. Obviously Sue couldn't hear Carolyn's voice, but once Lucy will hear it, I bet all plans of going out are off for today for Carolyn, right? If it's only about the check...Myles will take care of it in his own special way!!!

Someone needs to hear her voice ... or lack of voice ...

Did I send my germs into your story, Kav? Carolyn sounds a lot like me at the moment

Poor Carolyn and poor Marlo sorry you are not too grand....

and Kav did you spell W.A.L.K just incase simba or elsie was reading it over your shoudler.....
funny enough Jura understands that word as well

I love Cassie's enthusiasm - a testament to the great mother Carolyn is!

And Sue's dreams... I'm sure Jack is having a few of the same!

And Carolyn really has no idea of the friends she's found in Lucy and Sue does she? Something tells me she's about to find out!

Myles woke from refreshing sleep, feeling rested and invigorated – eager to start the day. He started coffee brewing and stepped into the shower, singing ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ raucously as he shaved, gleaning himself three nicks on the chin. His mood was so buoyant, he didn’t mind.

He studied the Prayer challenge from Reverend Brambles, now, with its creases ironed flat, prominently displayed on the refrigerator door. “Pray for your enemies,” he read over coffee and a croissant. Well, this is going to be an easy day. I don’t really have any enemies – none that I know of. Well, there is Webber, but he’s more of an annoying neighbour and I see you have neighbours down for later in the week. He thought long and hard. Randy Pitts perhaps? No – he was an annoying twit, but they weren’t on enemy terms. Now you see here, this is the problem. I’ve taken You in and now there’s no room for any more of my petty grudges. I believe You’ll be quite pleased with me today! He whistled as he tided up and gave an astonished Webber a jaunty salute as he walked down the driveway to his car. Ah yes, life was indeed good.

* * *

Lucy stumbled from her bed into the shower and by the time she was wide awake enough to make it into the kitchen Carolyn had left for the day.

“I’m driving to thchool with you,” Cassie told her importantly.

“That’s wonderful, sweetie, we’ll enjoy the company, won’t we Sue?” Lucy looked in amazement at the cluttered countertops and table. “What on earth are you doing? We have to leave in less than fifteen minutes to get to the school on time!”

“I made the mistake of asking Cassie what she would like in her lunch,” Sue admitted sheepishly. “And then I just couldn’t say no.”

“Here it is,” Cassie said proudly, grunting as she heaved the cloth bag off the counter and dragged it across the floor to the front door.

“Sue!” Lucy looked at her friend as if she had lost her mind. “Cassie, honey, what are you going to do with all that food?”

“Thare it.”

Lucy felt a sudden prickling behind her eyes and turned to Sue.

“I told you she’s a hard one to say no to,” Sue reminded her.

“We might as well have a picnic in the supermarket – less chance of developing a hernia,” Lucy muttered as she made herself peanut butter and jelly toast. “Cassie, why don’t you play with Levi in the living room until we have to leave? I want to talk to Sue for a minute.”

The minute the little girl was out of earshot, Sue turned on her best friend. “I’m not submitting myself to a third degree. What ever happens between Jack and I is strictly our business…” she stopped, her eyes narrowing at Lucy’s perplexed look. “You weren’t going to grill me about my walk with Jack last night?”

Lucy shook her head. “I don’t need to. That street lamp is pretty bright and from what I could see you weren’t doing a lot of walking…not a lot of talking either,” she grinned as colour suffused Sue’s cheeks. “I wasn’t spying or anything – I just happened to be closing my curtains. I saw an interesting phenomenon though – steaming rising up from the grass all around you. What do you think could have caused that?”

Sue made a face and flicked Lucy with a tea towel. “Enough! If you don’t want to talk about Jack, what did you want to talk about?”

“Grams had a wonderful idea last night and that led me to thinking and I do believe I’ve come up with a fool proof plan to get Carolyn and Cassie into their own apartment by Easter!”

I just got all caught up again... Wow!



That'll teach me to stay away from the board.

in EVERY possible way!

gracie

I was just on early this afternoon and came back to about three posts.
What a journey, beginning with Jack deciding it is "time" (and boy did he ever decide) to Lucy preparing to share her Gram's plan to get an apartment for Carolyn. What a ride. Whew whee. One thing about that street light, at least it saved Sue from getting interrogated.

Those lines were classsics.

I am at a total loss for what to say about Jack and Sue's kiss. It was puddlewonderful. It was phenominal. (Sorry, I just can't spell tonight.) But I loved what Jack said at the end the most. It brought tears to my eyes.

Now, I have to stop checking for your new posts every ten minutes or I won't get my Easter Challenge story done. If I don't finish, can I blame it on you? I think everyone would understand a Kav Coma.

By the time Myles parked in front of the school he had come up with a plan to house Carolyn and Cassie. Regardless of what Sue thought, there was no way around getting them into a safe housing environment without a little bit of money exchanging hands and since he was willing to part with the cash, it was a done deal as far as he was concerned. He practically bounded up the stairs and into the lunchroom calling out cheerfully to Bobby and D who were also just arriving. The place was empty.

“Looks like the girls are late,” D commented.

“I’m not sure I want to face that lot without Tara as lead agent,” Bobby announced with a shudder.

“They’ll be along. Let’s impress them by getting things organized,” Myles suggested and eagerly set to work.

* * *

The skies opened at the exact same moment her umbrella didn’t. She was drenched in seconds, still struggling with the stiff catch. When she finally wrestled it open a gust of wind blew it inside out and another one pulled it out of her hand and carried it into the street where it was run over by the bus that she should have been boarding.

Pray for your enemy…right now I’m feeling like you might be it. What is happening to me? Things are finally coming together only to unravel. Father, thank you for what You’ve done for me so far. For touching Myles’ heart – and Sue’s and Jack’s and Lucy’s and giving me the strength to ask them for help – but I don’t like feeling helpless. Cassie’s my daughter and I’m the one who should be providing the home and the food and the bed and everything else a little girl needs. And love. She felt a comforting warmth try to lighten the darkness that had crept into her heart. Love isn’t enough, she retorted angrily. She can’t eat love and it can’t keep her dry or safe or happy in the long run with out the necessities of life. I know, I know, you hand me a blessing and I come right back at you with complaints. I just – please help me provide for Cassie. Help me find an apartment – just a little place where we can be a family. And soon – because as nice as Lucy and Sue are, they’re going to start feeling the crunch of having a child underfoot pretty darn soon.

* * *

Cassie appointed herself kitchen supervisor and danced among the grownups' feet quite happily. She tripped Lucy who went went flying while carrying a plate of toast. Bobby managed to keep her from hitting the ground, but the toast wasn’t as lucky. Levi helped clean up while D dashed across the street to the convenience store for more bread.

“Do you have chicken poxth?” Cassie asked Sue curiously as they placed wedges of slicked apples and cheese on a tray. “Becauth if you do it’th catching and I haven’t had it yet.”

“You feeling sick, Sue?” D asked solicitously as he and Bobby raided the cupboards for more juice boxes.

“I feel fine,” Sue assured everyone, including the very concerned Jack Hudson. She smiled. “More than fine.”

He grinned back at her and winked.

Cassie studied Sue thoughtfully. “What’th that then? And that? And that?” her little finger pointed to the red marks marring Sue’s pale skin along her neck. “That thure lookth like chicken poxth to me.”

Sue’s face flamed as she covered her neck with her hands meeting the amused glances of all the team.

“Jack – you had chicken pox?” Bobby called.

“Yeah – in second grade, why?” he replied cluelessly.

“Good – then maybe you might want to check Sue out here. Seems like she might have a bad case of…something,” Bobby snickered and D pushed Jack at Sue and then both men tussled the two into the large storage cupboard at the back of the kitchen.

“Make sure you do a thorough examination – wouldn’t want you to miss a spot,” D chortled through the door.

Jack groaned, shaking his head as he turned on the overhead light. Sue blinked at him in bewilderment.

“They think they’re funny,” he sighed, “but now that I have you all to myself for a bit, maybe I should check those chicken poxth out.” His fingers traced the marred surface at her throat.

Sue gulped and tried to lift the collar of her burgundy blouse up higher to hide the mark. Jack merely pushed it away again.

“Does it hurt?” He asked, his thumb caressing the reddish welt. He grinned as Sue’s blush deepened, but she made no effort to reply. “Hmmm. Maybe I should kiss it better,” he suggested huskily, lowering his head to skim the spot lightly with his lips. He felt her shivered response and smiled against her throat.

“I think that’s where the trouble started in the first place, Jack,” she reminded him a little breathlessly.

This is just too funny.

Wow.......I'm gone for a little more than 24 hours and man was there a lot to catch up on!!! But I'm all caught up and it is WONDERFUL STUFF!!!!!


So all I'll say is MORE MORE MORE!!!!!


Jill

Since I wasn't home to hit the refresh button, it was wonderful being able to catch up on the new posts since I've been gone!! Wonderful as usual---hoping that Carolyn's prayers are answered, and especially interested in finding out more about Lucy's plan...

That last part, had me Doesn't take much sometimes!

Absolutely hilarious!

I love the way you combine fuzzies and "funnies."

MORE please...


gracie

I think chicken pox will be spreading


Looking forward to hear the idea

Hmmm, now this kind of chicken pox doesn't sound too bad...

Cassie is precious. My heart breaks for Carolyn. And I love this story. Enough said.

chicken pox...poor, Sue....Jack will fix that in a jiffy...perhaps if her entire neck was red maybe it wouldn't be as noticeable...

Now why didn't our team of super agents notice that Carolyn is sick????

Can't wait to hear the plan for an apartment by Easter....


for an amazing tale....

Hmmmmm...chicken pox? Isn't it itchy and looks something like.....

You are definitely on a roll - and doing splendidly......I'm amazed!

Kav, Kav, Kav, you're doing it again!! You have me crying for Carolyn, sick already and having problems in the rain, to laughing at the team teasing Jack and Sue about Sue's "chicken pox"!! And, leave it up to Cassie to point out Sue's problem!!!

I am loving every word of this!!!

Joy

She walked three blocks up and four blocks across in the driving rain. There was no help for it. She needed to stop at the offices for her check first and then get to her cleaning appointment before ten. She arrived at the office soaked to the skin.

“Mercy! What happened to you?” the secretary asked pointlessly.

Carolyn sneezed twice and croaked, “I just came by to pick up my check before I head over to the Anderson’s.”

“Oh my gosh, you sound awful!” Rummaging through the checks on top of her outbox, the secretary slipped one out and handed it to her. “You know it would reach you by mail tomorrow,” she told her, “no need to come all the way out in weather like this. Why didn’t you park closer?”

“I…my car broke down again. That’s why I need the check today,” Carolyn improvised weakly. “I’d better hurry or I’ll be late. Thanks.” Her voice sighed and squeaked and gave out altogether.

“Wait a minute – did you say Anderson’s? That’s the family with the little girl who has leukemia. She’s in the middle of her chemo treatments. You can’t go there. You’re probably contagious.”

“Can I trade with somebody?” Carolyn whispered.

“For goodness sakes, girl you sound as awful as you look. You can’t possibly work like this. I’m booking you off through the end of the week,” the secretary declared. “No, don’t thank me, I know what a slave driver Edna is, but honestly, you can’t be expected to work in that condition. Go home and get some rest.”

But I don’t have a home!

* * *

It was a busy morning in the bullpen, agents rushing to meet deadlines – their whole floor buzzing with activity. It seemed to Sue that no matter how hard she tried to catch up, she kept sliding behind again so she skipped Myles offer to take her for coffee mid-morning since Jack was out of the office. Knowing he was aiming to drill her she declined, using her backlog as an excuse. He didn’t seem overly put out and took half an hour longer than his designated 15 minutes.

“Nice to see some people can still keep banker’s hours,” Lucy scoffed as Myles drifted in around 11:00.

It wasn’t until noon that the entire team was finally together and with an encouraging nod from Sue, Lucy launched into her plan.

“Grams and I were talking about Carolyn’s situation last night and we came up with a plan that might just get her off the streets for good,” she told the team enthusiastically.

“You don’t need a plan, mine is already being implemented as we speak,” Myles announced loftily. “The early bird gets the worm, Luce.”

“And in this case the worm is Carolyn?” Sue asked with raised brows.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Myles said a bit uncomfortably, realizing his competitive nature was coming to the forefront. He had a nagging feeling he had forgotten one important detail, but he couldn’t quite put his finger what that was.

“Let’s listen to both plans and see which ones seems more plausible,” D said diplomatically.

“That would be mine, since it’s well under way,” Myles spoke with conviction. “I have arranged to hire Carolyn as my live in maid. I’m converting two rooms upstairs for her use. I have decorators over there now fixing up Cassie’s bedroom.”

“But Myles you don’t need a full time maid,” Lucy protested, completely flabbergasted by his uncharacteristically generous offer.

“Well we all know that, but Carolyn doesn’t,” Myles shrugged. “She won’t get the biggest salary in the world, but she’ll have a decent home and Cassie can live in a good neighbourhood. What more can a mother want?”

“To be consulted for one thing,” Lucy exploded. “Have you even considered the fact that Carolyn might not want to work for you full time? Or that she might just see through your plan and realize it’s all for her benefit? Why do you think she would do it?”

“She’d do anything for Cassie and since it’s in her daughter’s best interest I don’t see why she wouldn’t consent to a plum job like I’m offering.”

“And what happens when you get bored?” Lucy asked with narrowed eyes. “You can’t just toss them out because Cassie is suddenly getting on your nerves.”

“And I’m sure Carolyn would want a home of her own, paying her own way. She just needs a little help getting started and I think that if we handle it right, Lucy’s idea might just work,” Sue added.

Lucy beamed. “It’s Grams idea, really. You know that Sue and I manage our building for the landlord since he’s in Europe? Well when he left he wanted us to try to get an apartment in the basement rented only it wasn’t up to building code standards so Charlie and Troy have been slowly fixing things over time. Sue and I have been using it as an extra storage area, but we’re willing to sacrifice the space. With a little bit of paint some muscle power we should be able to get it ready for the weekend. That’s where you all come in.”

“And Reverend Brambles is arranging for some furniture waivers at St. Vincent de Paul’s. Carolyn can go there and pick out what she likes…”

Myles frowned. “That’s a junk shop.”

“A used furniture and clothing store. But it’s carefully run with donations and there are a lot of generous people who donate items instead of selling them privately. Antique collectors go there all the time,” Sue argued.

“And our building’s in the right neighbourhood. Cassie will be able to stay in the same school…” Lucy pointed out.

“Not exactly a selling point,” Myles muttered darkly.

“Myles – we talked about this yesterday. You can’t just go railroading over somebody’s life like she doesn’t even have an opinion,” Sue said gently.

“Oh and you two intend to tell Carolyn about the apartment before you spruce it up?” he asked sarcastically.

“Well, no…but we intend to find out what kind of things she likes and go from there,” Lucy replied.

“Maybe it’s time we voted,” D suggested as Myles was about to launch into a heated retort.

"I'm all for giving the lady her privacy. I wouldn't want to wish 24 hours a day with Leland on my worst enemy," Bobby teased earning a glowering stare from Myles.

Jack, of course, sided with Sue. What else could he expect? Myles fumed. And Tara agreed with the girls -- all sticking together. D folded and that left Myles out in the cold...again.

"Myles -- it's an incredibly generous offer," Sue began.

"Don't patronize me, Thomas!"

"But Myles..."

He stormed out of the bullpen. Sue grabbed her coat, intending to go after him, but Jack pulled her back.

"Let him go and walk off some steam. It'll just escalate into a full blown arguement if you try anything now," he suggested wisely.

"But Jack, he's hurting..."

"Ah, Myles has a thick hide and he'll come around in no time. He's probably realizing right now how crazy his scheme is. I mean, think about it, Cassie would drive him around the bend in under a week. He'd be dying for them to move out within the month."

"That's just it, Bobby, I don't think he would," Sue murmured sadly.

Well, I'll give Myles credit for trying, even though he lapsed into the his old "I'll railroad them with money" routine. How nice that the whole team is trying to help Carolyn and Cassie. Now, if they could just find her and give her a place for her and Cassie to stay while she's recovering from whatever she's got....

I've got to agree with Sue...this isn't the same Myles they're all used to working with---he really wants to help and it's not all about winning or having the best plan. I know you're going to have this all work out for the best in the end, and I'm looking forward to finding out how.

that! Any chance you plan to stay up all night posting more and more and more for us, Kav? No? It was worth asking!

There are just too many compliments/comments to share over those past few posts! And Jack and Sue's scene....one of the hottest I've ever read. Now THAT's a kiss!! I'm know that you are runnin' yourself ragged trying to get this all posted before tomorrow night, but just know that WE are loving it! You are such an amazing writer and I can't wait to see how this story ends. To be honest with you....I kinda hope that the rooms in Myles' house end up being Carolyn and Cassie's for ANOTHER reason. Well, you know....love is in the air! Keep up the fantastic work Kav!

Loved Grams idea

I really like that Sue sees past facades of people, especially Myles... Easy steps now, eeeeeeasy....

Meanwhile - what is Carolyn doing? I sure hope she went back to Sue and Lucy's apartment.......

Double or would that be ?

Anyway, this Easter Bunny is headed to bed, but Kav thank you for the good night post.

all i can say is to everything everone else has already said since i've just played catch up and am eagerly looking forward to the rest

cath

She could barely put one foot in front of the other now as she staggered out of the bank. She knew they were watching her – the security escort wasn’t enough. You need proper ID to open an account ma’am. Well that was kind of hard when your wallet had been stolen the first night on the street. Perhaps you can come back later with your husband. Now that would be rather hard too considering he was the one who pushed her into this spot in the first place. She’d always had a joint account with a Mrs. in front of her name and no ID to say otherwise. For months she’d been paid in cash as she cleaned house independently, squirreling the money away rather than facing the humiliation of changing her bank account at her home branch…and now it was too late.

She looked down at the piece of paper in her hand, watched the raindrops stain the pristine surface of the check, covering her name until it was nearly completely blotted out. She’d only been working for the agency for one month and they had held back two week’s pay. Now she finally had her first pay check only it wasn’t even worth the paper it had been printed on. She crumpled it up in disgust as a wracking, painful sob barely penetrated the damp air. She didn't have the energy to do this anymore -- she’d used the last of it up arguing with the teller and then the bank manager.

Thrusting the crumpled wad back into her coat pocket she fished around for the key that Sue had given her. She only hoped she would be able to make her way back to their apartment. She checked both pockets twice, but all she felt was the crumpled check…and a hole.

* * *

Myles knew he was being infantile. A small part of his mind berated himself caustically, but once propelled into action he couldn’t seem to stop his discent along this path bent for destruction. I only want what’s best for Carolyn and Cassie he justified. The knot of fury in his stomach grew a size larger. If Lucy and Sue didn’t have that empty apartment in their building they would have jumped at my solution. The gnawing thing inside him was the size of his fist now, wrenching his innards into seething disarray. His litany of defense grew as did his discomfort as he drove aimlessly around the streets.

As he slowed to a stop at a drab intersection, he noticed a pathetic scrap of humanity standing on the side of the road, frantically searching through a bag in the middle of the rain. He snorted derisively as he waited impatiently for the light to change. “Doesn’t even know enough to come in out of the rain.” Go and help. He hadn’t heard that voice all day, the strident call making him even more uncomfortable than he already was. Luckily the light changed and he flowed with the traffic leaving the temptation to follow behind in the rain.

MYLES open those peepers will you- you silly man....

I am almost thinking that Myles hasn't learned a bit in the last few days... But I hope I'm wrong, and that he is just too overwhelmed with the lack of support from his team members. In his world, his solution was indeed fool-proof. But he needs to see that that world isn't the every day world of Cassie and Carolyn.

Myles, look back, go help, listen to the voice! I'm trusting that the voice will be stronger than Myles, Kav!!!

Now that was one clever idea and fit so perfectly. I had about forgotten that Sue and Lucy were managing their building. Setting that fact into the story was brilliant.

I think Sue is right. Myles Leland is falling in love.

Mirjam, you've brought up some very good points, especially the one about how Myles and Carolyn are living in two very different worlds right now. And Kav, I'm also trusting that the voice Myles is hearing will be stronger than his temptation to just drive by. *hint, hint*

You know that never even occured to me. I just thought he was enjoying really being a part the world, instead of safely cocooned in his own private one.

Clearly these things take time though, I mean, he is still Myles (I hate to resort to quoting a shampoo commercial here, but) it won't happen overnight.