A huge thanks to the writers of those wonderful intros. Choosing one was very difficult.

+++

A recipe for disaster -- that’s what this was turning out to be. With a yelp of pain he dropped the pan of burnt cookies and dived for the faucet, sighing in relief as the cold cascade of water cooled the burn streak across his fingertips. Even his oven mitts weren’t cooperating, he thought, eyeing the gaping hole in one of them.

His latest baking spree had turned into a weekend long marathon, dotted with one disaster after another. In his estimation, sugar should not look exactly like salt. Accidents were bound to happen and he was sure he wasn't the first person to put a cup of salt into a batch of cookies. And who knew there were so many kinds of sugar anyway? Demerra, yellow, dark brown, fine, confectioner’s, cane…They looked different, felt different and definitely yielded different results when added to a batch of cookie dough. And since when did roll out cookies mean flattening out with a rolling pin, not rolling the dough into a ball? Or why hadn’t his mother warned him that baking soda and baking powder were not interchangeable? And that eggs came in different sizes but recipes didn’t specify which size was called for?

Head spinning, he muttered his exasperation in unflattering terms as he turned off the tap and set about cleaning the kitchen…again. He’d done little else the past two days and he was no closer to finding the perfect recipe, and the contest was this week! Cursing the collective bad luck of the ‘bullpen boys’ as Lucy had dubbed them he took out some of his frustration on the hapless charred remains of what were supposed to be his grandmother’s never-fail hermit cookies. He’d likely have to become a hermit after this fiasco was all over.

“Eleanor Rippendorf!” Her name rolled off his tongue like the vilest of oaths and he took great delight in upending the cookie tray into the garbage. If only Eleanor could be dismissed that easily.

She had cornered thier ususpecting group at a restaurant, just as she had in previous years, catching them unawares as they wolfed down a hasty lunch without the girls for protection. Sue and Lucy had gone to Charlie’s on some errand and Tara had been at an ill-timed dental appointment, which left the men of the team vulnerable to the attack.

Eleanor had swooped in, a chilling combination of coos and trills as she launched into her latest charity project. A celebrity bake off.

“That’s great, Eleanor, but we’re not celebrities,” he had pointed out with a false sense of relief.

“You are to me, fellas,” she’d said as she batted her eyelashes and pursed her lips. He’d known a moment of blind panic when he thought she was going to lean over and kiss him but D had deftly distracted her by lamenting his unavailability due to his married status.

“This time it doesn’t matter, handsome. We’re looking for the best cooks DC has to offer from all walks of life. I’ll put you in our Community Service Worker division. All we need from you is a plate of your very own home baked cookies and the recipe, written out in your own manly script. Our discerning judges…of which I am one…(twitter)…will provide the necessary tastebuds…(she rolled her tongue and poked it out the side of her mouth along with a suggestive wink)…We’ll decide who gets into the semi-finals. The finals take place on the Fourth of July when you’ll head up a hand-picked team to bake your cookies in our outdoor ovens and the public will decide who our top twelve winners will be. They win a page in our…Hunk of the Month calendar…photo and recipe included. All proceeds go to the children’s hospital…How can you say no to that?”

A hearty round of nays had echoed through the restaurant and that was that until the call came from upstairs. In the interest of improving public relations it was deemed beneficial for certain agents to volunteer their services to a charitable cause…

He’d been baking each weekend ever since and had yet to find an edible recipe and now time was running out.

He picked up the phone, leaving flour prints on the handset.

“Mom, answer the phone,” he begged, his frustration growing exponentially with each ring.

“Hello?” The voice panicked when it heard a loud sigh at the other end. “Son? Is that you? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, dad,” or at least he would be as soon as he talked to his mother. “How did you know it was me?”

“Call display,” his dad replied with annoyance. “Your mom’s idea of wasting money every month. So, what’s up?”

He chuckled, knowing his dad could not care less about missed calls. “I need to talk to mom, it’s urgent.”

“Well, son...”

His heart sank at his dad’s hesitation. “She’s there, isn’t she?” His mother had to be there, she could not not be there.

“Remember that spa retreat she and her two crazy walking friends wanted to book?”

No, this could not be happening, not this weekend. “When is she coming back?” he managed to ask somewhat calmly, after reading between the lines.

“She left this morning, son. She’s gone for three days.”

“Three day?” Who in their right mind were spending three days at a spa in June when the weather outside was gorgeous, not that he had been able to enjoy it since he spent his free time baking.

“Sorry, son. Is there something I could help you with?”

“How good are you in the kitchen, dad?” he asked in desperation, not recalling having ever seen his dad anywhere near a cooking utensil unless it was attached to the barbecue.

“I’m good at eating what your mother is cooking,” his old man quipped.

He shook his head in despair. He was doomed.

A new Marlo story! I'd do a backflip if I thought my poor body would survive!

I cannot wait to see where this leads. And with you writing, it is going to be a wonderful, absolutely intriguing journey!

Kim

A new story! Can't wait for more!

MARLO'S BACK!!!!!! As Bobby would say WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't to find out what happens next!

Faith

A new story from Marlene!! What else could a girl ask for at the beginning of summer? Can't wait to read more!

Looking good so far...

Can't wait for more...

I am so excited to get in on the beginning of your challenge story, Marlene! Will be waiting with baited breath for each post!

Lynn

Great intro, Marlene! Can't wait to see who the hapless man is that's in such dire straits!

wow, great start, looking forward to more

cath

Yay, a new story from Marlene. It's been a while, hasn't it?

Anyway, you're off to a wonderful start! He's not entirely doomed.... after all, baking is all trial and error anyway. If you think about it, some of the most delicious things were created by accident probably.

fantastic another story from marlene and a terrific start
more soon please
Lin

Yes, it's been a while, and I didn't realise until yesterday how much I was missing writing about those characters. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

+++


He paced the kitchen, or more precisely what used to be his kitchen. It had turned into a battlefield where he was fighting a losing battle. Why couldn’t he surrender and lay in peace with his latest casualty?

He couldn’t call the bullpen girls, not after bragging about his culinary exploits, but he could call Sara. Surely someone in the family had inherited mom’s cooking genes, he reckoned.

“Sara, are you still there?” He knew that was a stupid question since he could hear her laugh at his trials and tribulation. “This isn’t funny, sis.”

“Ever heard of the cookie aisle at the supermarket?” she teased in the same melodious voice. “Seriously, big brother, you need a girlfriend.”

A girlfriend? He had a girlfriend. He was simply trying to summon the courage of telling her she was his girl, which apparently was just as difficult as baking a decent batch of cookies.

“Sara, what I need is to be able to decipher grandma’s recipe.”

“And you called me?” she asked in disbelief. “I can’t even operate a microwave, less alone an oven. Why did you volunteer in the first place?”

Because Dimitrius evoked his marital status as an unfair advantage. Because Bobby offered to evaluate the latest bunch of recruits graduating from Quantico. Because Myles was working undercover as a sailing instructor at the marina. At the moment, he hated Myles’ cosy assignment, but not as much as he hated Eleanor Rippendorf.

“I didn’t,” he grumbled. “I was the only one available.”

“Do yourself a favour, big brother, and desist,” Sara advised, “before you poison anyone or your apartment catches on fire. I have to run. Bye.”

Desist? He wished he could, but this wasn’t an option. Should he swallow his pride and ask her help? Heaven knew how much he wanted to spend time with her.

Again he dialled.

He's gonna get Sue to help yay bet she's a great cook

Jack's gonna call Sue, yay!!! This could lead up to some very fuzzy moments, right? Can't wait for more!

Sue to the rescue!

I can feel his panic!!!!! Poor man. Perfect assingment for Myles...unless he has a dunderheaded student. Or a klutzy one like me.

And I'm over the moon that you're writing our fav couple again....um... this is Jack, isn't it?

kav

Ah, a clue! But, it could be either Jack or Bobby! However, given that Bobby’s sister probably would be living in Australia, he might not have called her, due to the cost. But then, I'm an accountant...Bobby wouldn't have cared about the cost...he'd be in desperate straits; but, I’ll go with it’s Jack, anyway!

It is Jack! Unless it's some other new agent that we don't know about that has joined the team! Naw, I'll go with it's Jack! Oh, this is going to be good! Maybe he’ll enlist Sue’s help? Let me read on.

Yes!!!!!!!! Oh, I’m loving this! I can see things heating up in the ole kitchen tonight!!!! And tomorrow night! And, the next, until the contest!

Wait....we don't know the date! What is the current date? Sometime in June! When in June? How much time does he have to perfect the recipe? Oh, Marlene, see all the questions you leave us with? Can I bribe you with some

to hurry and post again? Love it!

Lynn

Yeah, I have missed your stories as much as you missed writing them. Cant wait for more.

Dianna

I hope what is looking to be a culinary disaster will be a culinary delight.

Good for Jack. He has decided to swallow his pride and call his favorite bullpen girl for backup. I am sure she will be able to handle this assignment just fine.

jack sweetheart just call the love of your life for
help you know it makes sence and then while learning to cook
you can tell her all the things you need to say to sue more soon
please marlene
Lin

Guys, you're not seriously thinking that Jack would swallow his pride that easily, are you?

+++

Lost in the enticing scent emanating from the blooming rosebushes he was pruning, it took Myles a few seconds to realise his home phone was ringing.

“Leland,” he said, panting heavily after he ran inside the house.

“Myles? Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“No. I was gardening. What’s up?” he asked without preamble. He was scheduled to show up at the marina in a few hours and he wanted to enjoy his short respite. “Is my cover blown?”

“No. Your cover’s fine,” Jack grumbled, a tinge of jealousy creeping into his voice at the unfairness of this assignment.

“Then why are you making a social call on my home phone when you should be tweaking that recipe of yours?”

“This isn’t working, Myles.”

“What is not... You didn’t burn another batch, did you?” Myles asked, unmoved by Jack’s distress. “Listen, Jack. Start with reading your grandmother’s instructions, then follow them to the letter. It can’t be that complicated?”

“I swear it’s not written in English,” Jack complained.

Myles smiled at the irony of his fearless team leader, who tackled countless of criminal, defeated by a hermit cookie. “Jack, why don’t you call Sue? I’m sure she would love to translate the subtle nuances to you.”

“I can’t,” he exclaimed horrified. “She’d think I don’t know how to cook.”

Myles rolled his eyes and heaved an audible sigh of exasperation.

“Jack... why don’t you try a different recipe?” he finally suggested as an alternative to telling the man that the object of his silent affection was probably aware of his lack of culinary talent.

“I don’t have another one, unless you...”

“Hold your mitts and bowls,” Myles interjected. His personal recipes required meticulous preparation, something he doubted Jack would appreciate. “Why don’t you google...” He paused, a brilliant idea blossoming in front of his eyes. He brushed a petal of the rose whose vibrant colour rivalled the sun... and her hair.

“You want me to search the internet for a recipe?” Had he really sunk that low?

“For Pete’s sake, no,” Myles lied. “Google your way into the kitchen and clean your mess. I’m sending you an assistant.”

“Who?” Jack asked with suspicion.

“You’re in no position to be picky. You can call her, Rose.”

“Rose?” That sounded old and sweet, Jack thought.

“She’ll be there in an hour,” Myles promised, hoping she was indeed available. “Bye, Jack.”

Myles gazed in awe at the beautiful rose that caught his eyes. With meticulous attention, he slipped his hand between the leaves, twigs and thorns. He felt a twinge in his chest when he clipped the long stem.

He held the delicate rose in the sunlight. “Perfect,” he whispered.

What is Myles up to?

This is so fun!

I have a feeling I know what Myles is up to. And I also have feeling that Jack is going to be just a tad miffed at the Bostonian...but in the end, he is going to owe Myles BIG TIME!

Marlo...this story is PERFECTION.

Kim

A story by Marlo!!!! I'm so glad to see you back in the writter clan Marlene!!!!

For a new story...
Well, I enjoy cooking myself. I have burnt God knows how many things in the kitchen. I hope 'Rose' can help Jack get back on his feet...

he'll call myles for help but not sue?

cath

myles I just hope your sending in the one person to help
him the love of his life please myles send in SUE more soon please
Lin

Jack…I have a news flash…Sue probably already thinks you can’t cook, unless you have told her otherwise sometime in the past. Have you?

Oh, now you have really peaked my interest! Who is this blonde beauty that Myles is thinking of? It can't be Sue b/c he called her Rose? Guess, I’ll have to wait to find out.

Oh, Marlene, this story is starting off marvelously. Please hurry back!

Lynn

PS. But, lurking in the back of my mind is that word in the title...murder! .

This is so much fun. Are you having as much fun writing as I am reading? And Lynn...what are you doing, giving Marlene angsty hints? Perhaps the murder in question is that of the poor departed hermit cookie. Burnt to death...what a horrible way to go!

kav

Oh wow! I just caught up with your story and am so happy to see you writing another gem! I know Myles is going to call Sue -- I just know it -- although I don't know why he called her Rose.

This is going to be soooooo good! Anxiously awaiting your next post!

Donna

I'm with you on that one, Kav. I really do hope this story's only victims are Jack's grandmother's hermit cookies.

So who exactly is this Rose person?



Does she have red hair? That a wild guess on my part. I couldn't help but wonder, however, after that line. I really liked it.

I can't wait for more.

Jaynie

Wow, this is so weird, I was just thinking about you yesterday Marlo, as in I wonder why Marlo hasn't spoiled us with one of her STFBEye gems lately? And presto, here you are! Great start, can't wait to see if the murder of the cookie being burned to death is the title's meaning or something more sinister.

Jack certainly needs some help

Okay... I'll bite... what exactly is a hermit cookie?

And what is it with men and their silly pride? They can never admit when they're wrong! If I was Jack, I would swallow my pride and call Sue up. He already knows that she can cook, so if there is another meaning behind her being there, he can disguise it behind his lack of knowledge in the kitchen.

You know Jaynie, that had me puzzled too; but, b/c her hair "rivalled the sun" I guessed it is a yellow rose and that's how I came up with Sue...but, the name Rose is still puzzling? Who is it if not Sue?

Lynn

I was reading the titles before I had any idea where this story would lead (come to think of it, I still have no idea where this story is going ) Anyway, I came across the last one "Recipe for Murder", and I liked how it rolled off my tongue, so I picked it. And now, you're all telling me I need to kill someone

Linny, I need to look up hermit cookie on the Internet because I'm not sure either, but I'll try to expain it in my next post... assuming I google it right

And a huge thanks for jumping on the train with me, guys! You're great and I did miss you.

+++

At the sound of the doorbell, Jack hurried to the door.

“Ro...” He swallowed her name and gaped in wonder at the enchanting creature standing in front of him.

“Hi, Jack.” Her radiant smile caused his heart to miss a beat.

“Hi. What are you hiding?” he asked with curiosity when he noticed she kept one hand behind her back.

She innocently rocked back and forth on her heels. “Nothing.”

He laughed at her playful expression. “Hasn’t you mother taught you not to lie?” he teased.

She raised a brow. “And what makes you think I’m lying, Jack Hudson?”

“Because of the word guilty written in red letters right here,” he said as his fingers skimmed over her forehead, sending her nerve endings in overload.

He grinned when the red of the imaginary letters spread to her face. She was beautiful, and he yearned for the right to tell her.

Slightly flustered, she fluttered her eyelashes. “Are you going to invite me in, Jack?”

A glint of panic crossed his eyes. Rose would be materialising on his doorstep any moment, he realised. How would he be explaining her presence?

“Are you expecting someone else?”

“No one important,” he assured her.

“Are you sure?” she insisted, her eyes twinkling with excitement. And in a slow, graceful motion, she slipped her right hand in front of her.

He stared in astonishment at the golden rose she held over her chest.

“Rose?”

She nodded and waited. A myriad of emotion twirled in his brown eyes and her smile faltered.

“Are you mad?” she asked in a small, hesitant voice, despite Myles’ warning that Jack might react that way. “Myles meant well, you know.”

“Yes, I know,” he acknowledged. “He just showed no consideration for my wounded pride.” His anger for the obnoxious man faded at the sound of her clear laughter. “Tell me he’s not making a habit of giving you roses, and I may spare his life.”

Her smile flourished and reached her eyes. She brought the flower to her nose and inhaled the exquisite scent. “The price of my silence, Jack. I had to promise Myles I wouldn’t tell Luce or Tara about your difficulties.”

“And it cost him only one rose?” he quipped.

“So you know, Jack Hudson, I can keep a secret,” she objected with feigned indignation. “Are you going to let me in or not?”

Well this is a nice progression of your tale

that was wonderful and thanks myles for sending jack the love of
his life to help him ,maybe if killing anyone elenor could do a dissappearing act
and vanish for good,more soon please marlene
Lin

That was great! Gotta love Myles and his devious mind.

I am so loving this story!

Kim

By process of illimination, I conclude that it is Sue standing at the door! Hot dog, but this is going to be fun.

kav

I am so excited - my Marlo withdrawal is at an end!! I'm so glad you are writing this story in the challenge!!!

I have just caught up and I'm loving it already!! Myles was smart to call Sue Rose so Jack couldn't order him not to call her!! And, I'm glad Sue went along with Myles' plan!! A wonderful start to a fantastic story!!!

Joy

Oh this is great. I find that Kav has based her conclusion upon well-grounded facts, so I'm with her!

I'm with everyone else, this is going to be a delicious story...

And, Marlene, to answer your question...NO, you don't have to murder anyone, except the cookies, of course!

Lynn

How cute! It has to be Sue! I am luvvin this!

Interesting. i can't wait to see how this turns out. please update soon!

I assume Sue will not be surprised when she sees the mess Jack has made...
I'm loving this...

Oh how I hate cooking, let me count the ways

Now that was just delightful! Can't wait to see Sue teach Jack a thing or two