:shakes head: Typical male. That ego always wins out.

I think Marlo has a good idea!! Quantico classes on how to evade Eleanor!! I know the classes would be full every day!! Guarding cookies can be one of the lessons!!!

Trece, you have my mouth watering with Cinnamon-Cherry Snickerdoodles!! How yummy!!!

Joy

Trece are you still looking for recipes? Because I really don't have to have them if its holding up the rest of the story. Perhaps now it is the sunshine that is interfering with the Wi-Fi on the Ark or maybe the Ark has run ashore (this might make a great AU story for you). I'm waiting...

With the amount of time it's taking Bobby to make this delivery, he'd better keep his day job - he'd never make it as a FedEx delivery guy!

Trece, will we get to read more soon??

Yep, janet, you're right. Bobby's probably on the lam by now, because he ate all the cookies before he could deliver them. It wasn't his fault though and no jury in the country would convict him --- not with those dimples and when he explained that Trece left him frozen in time holding the cookies. It was a survival tactic, see? Otherwise this would turn into a murder mystery -- not an where oh where did our author go mystery.



kav

It was very kind of you to give me the chance to catch up. This is to inform you that I have and I've loved every minute, so feel free to add more now. I love Mrs. Abernathy and her plans. "Einstein with a spatula" really tickled me, too. This is just great!

My deepest apologies that this isn't an addition to the story. I've been slammed with real life stuff lately. HOWEVER!! I intend to unfreeze Bobb-o and get on with the cookie fun tonight. I appreciate you guys keeping me reminded that this story is here and wants to be done. I have the endgame in sight and plan to bring it all to a peanut-buttery goodness end. I thank you, Mrs. Abernathy thanks you and would bake you all cookies if she could.

Trece, I appreciate your checking in with us and letting us know that you haven't forgotten all our adorable selves!! Alas, now not only am I worrying about Bobby in limbo, but I'm hungry with your "......peanut buttery goodness end"!!!

Joy

Were you just waiting for me to get back to my story before you got back to yours???
The deadline's in sight, girl. Ifn I can do it (notice that I'm speaking waaaayyyy prematurely on this), so can you!!!

I found that 3 am was a convenient uninterrupted time to write last night....no kiddies wanting anything. Although, had the kiddie that's afraid of thunderstorms not been sharing my bed with me, I think I prolly would've slept through the night. But since her one swift kick had me wide awake, I figured I might as well do something productive. Now being productive the rest of today...that's another story.

Jill

I have the end in sight, but finding the actual time to sit and spill it out? HA! Will do my best to get it in tonight and tomorrow!! Honest!

I'm still hungry, so I will definitely be here waiting!!!

Joy

We last left Bobb-o holding a plate of cookies. He stood there a LONG TIME. On with the show.

***

“I tell you, Myles, I’d rather wrestle killer crocs than face her again.” Bobby perched on the corner of his friend’s desk.

A blond brow rose in response to the plaintive statement. “I believe you said you’ve done that before...”

“Well, not killer crocs, but that’s beside the point.” Long fingers picked up a box of rubberbands only to have them taken away.

“I do know the feeling, if you remember. I had to deliver mine as well.” Myles shuddered, a pained look crossing his aristocratic features. “I have to heartily concur with your assessment, on second thought. Crocodiles would seem tamer by comparison.”

“Are you two gossiping again? What would Lucy say if she saw you now?” Sue approached, both men turning so they faced her.

“You know better than that, Thomas. Manning and I were merely discussing the merits of crocodile wrestling over cookie baking.”

“I see,” she replied. “And you were disparaging Eleanor again, weren’t you?”

Both had the grace to look chagrined. “But Sue, you know how she can be...”

“I do. I also know, that words can still hurt people, even when not spoken directly to them.”

Bobby threw a glance at his former desk partner. “She’s right.”

“Oh, I know. I’m used to it.”

“You should be.” He stood and shook the Bostonian’s hand. “I’d love to stay and yammer on, but I’d better get downstairs. I have a lecture for the bomb squad on how to identify and diffuse IEDs.”

Sue followed him into the hallway. “Bobby?”

He turned back, his face a question.

“Good luck.”

***

A/N: Working like mad to get this in under the CMT wire, ya'll!!!!

Killer crocs vs. Eleanor!! I have to agree with Myles - I've got to go with the crocs (sorry, Sue)!!!

Joy

I wonder if Sue would be just as understanding if she had to face an Eleanor male equivalent under similiar circumstances! Nice male bonding moment between Myles and Bobby.

kav

***

Eleanor watched from the edge of the corridor. So many men, so little time. She watched as the last plate of cookie was delivered by Det. Corizon of DC Metro. The little band of gold in his left hand was an efficient deterrent and she sighed to herself. I thought for sure...

With grim determination, she pushed away from the wall, not looking where she was going. Her forward momentum was stopped by a solid wall of muscle, but not before she bumped heads with said wall. She went down, seeing a few stars and a shiny pair of shoes. “Owwww.”

“Lance, did you have to run the lady down?” A second pair of shoes joined the first.

Eleanor blinked, trying to clear her head. She rolled as gracefully as she could in her skirt, regaining her footing. Strong hands reached out to assist her.

“Let me help...wow, you’re a tall drink of water.”

She raised a slender brow and snapped back, “Want a drink?”

A pair of chocolate, OMG, DARK Chocolate! eyes stared back at her. When one closed in a wink, Eleanor stopped breathing. “Maybe. You offering?”

She stared at him openly. At tall as she was, he had what she deemed perpetual five o’clock shadow and jet black hair. A leer bordering on predatory twisted his mouth in a most satisfying manner.

Smoothing her skirt, Eleanor tossed her head back, assuming a model pose. “Yes.”

“LANCE! Come on, we got to get these out of here, ASAP,” called an annoying disembodied voice.

“Wait, I got a pen here somewhere.” The aforementioned Lance patted his shirt pockets and searched his slacks. Muttering under his breath, he sputtered several invectives before hollering back, “Coming, coming, keep your shirt on!”

“Here,” she offered, extending a card. “It has my...home number on it.”

His eyes lit up. “Home number, eh? Well,” he looked at the card, “Eleanor Rippendorf, I might just have to call you, take you up on that drink.”

“You do that–“

“Lance. Lance Steinberg–“

“Lance.” She licked her lips, inhaling slowly, hoping this wasn’t a dream. “Lance.”

He nibbled the edge of the card before sliding it into his shirt pocket. “I”ll see you later, Dollface.” He tossed off a hasty salute as he dashed toward the disgruntled sounds of his friend.

Eleanor turned to watch his bu–retreat. She touched her forehead, wondering if she’d smacked it a little too hard. A growl rumbled down the hall, grabbing her attention. He was walking backwards with boxes of cookies, waggling his eyebrows at her. Her hand rose unbidden, giving a tiny wave as the stranger disappeared. Oh, my.

****

Brilliant -- deflect Eleanor's lusty looks from Jack with a tall Jackish lookalike. Very brilliant!

kav

I think you actually managed to fluster Eleanor, Trece.......well, maybe just a little!!!

Joy

****

Bobby was perched on the edge of a desk, looking over his notes from the lecture when someone cleared their throat. “Whatcha doin’, Crash?”

The Aussie glanced over, seeing two men paused in the doorway. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

Wayne growled. “I got stuck on cookie duty with the Leech here.”

“Hey, I resemble that remark. And I’ll have you know, I got her number.” He patted his pocket. “Right here and everything.”

The Ranger shuddered. “Lance, if I had a dollar for every number you supposedly had, I’d be rich by now.”

Bobby grinned at the harsh banter. “You hittin’ on the sheilas here at the Fed, Clutch? I’m surprised anyone bit.”

“Oh, man, this one is a looker. Tall and sassy, the way I like ‘em.”

A sudden dread filled the Aussie. He stepped over and pulled the card out. “You better not be...” He looked up to find both men staring.

“Give that back, I got that from her fair and square, Crash.” Lance shifted the boxes he held, trying to reach for the tiny rectangle.

“Ah, ah, mate. I’m going to give you one warning: you hurt her and I’ll be the least of your worries.” His steel blues glinted merrily.

Groaning at the thought of Clutch and any woman, Wayne snarled, “Can we get moving? I don’t want to keep Mrs. A waiting. The judges will be clamoring for these.”

Bobby slid the card back into Lance’s pocket. He stared the grease monkey in the eye. “I mean it, Clutch. Rippy may not be my cuppa, but she’s got powerful friends that you know. Treat her nice.”

Snorting at the both of them, Lance stood taller. “You’ll see. I know how to treat a woman.” He stormed down the hallway, leaving Wayne to follow in his wake.

“What has Mrs. A done?” murmured the Aussie. “What has she done?”

***

Oh, dear, Lance will never know what hit him!! Trece, I had to laugh at Bobby's new nickname for Eleanor - Rippy!!!

Joy

Go Trecebo, Go!!!!

Lovin' it! Myles...Bobby...Sue's chat....Lance and The Eleanor ....And now the cookies are on the way. You've got something up your sleeve. Can't wait to see what it is

Jill

***

Mildred Abernathy smiled at the children gathered in the room. She’d done some wrangling and had the judging expanded to include the patients from the Children’s Hospital. When Wayne and Lance came through the door, they were greeted with true heroes’ welcome.

“Thank you, boys. Set the boxes over there and let’s divvy out the goods, shall we?” She clapped her hands for quiet, garnering the children’s attention. “As soon as Sgts. Sneeden and Steinberg unload these for us, we’ll get started with our important judging."

Screams and shouts drowned out anything else she might have said.

***

Bobby saw Eleanor walking toward the Dogpound (he couldn’t believe Myles worked in a place called the Dogpound) and jogged to catch up with her.

“Eleanor.”

She didn’t miss a step. “Yes, Robert? I’m quite busy today.” A load of files was carefully balanced in her arms.

“Can I help you with that?”

Her sudden stop had him striding past and whipping around to face her. “Why?”

“‘Cause that looks like it could fall.”

“You never have offered to help before.” She looked at him, accusation in her gray-green eyes.

He ducked his head and grimaced, admitting, “I know.”

When she moved to step around him, he blocked her path. “Just...be careful, okay?”

He saw her eyes widen at his words, before she gave a slight nod. She went on her way and he watched her go, hoping Mrs. A knew what she was doing.

***

and does she? Mrs. A...know what she's doing? Why of course she does. It's the rest of us that have no clue.

Continue, SVP.

Jill

***

Eleanor knew she was foolish, waiting by the phone, but she couldn’t help it. When Bobby had admonished her to be careful, she knew he would call. But it was getting late. Nearly ten o’clock. Maybe I was imagining things... But her very vivid photographic memory told her otherwise. That twisted smile, his wink...those eyes. Hudson has dreamy eyes, but Lance...

She couldn’t contain a giggle as she thought of him by name. Maybe I ought to call him The Wall. He felt like one when I ran into him. That thought led her to recall his tall stature, a build more solid than her own, perfectly capable of... She giggled again, glad no one could hear.

So lost in thought, Eleanor didn’t realize her phone had sounded until the third ring. “Oh...oh...” She fumbled with the receiver, dropping it in her haste. “He-hello?”

“Hey, Dollface? Remember me?”

For the first time in a long time, Eleanor Rippendorf truly smiled.

***

Bobby sat at his kitchen table, staring at the recipe card Mrs. A had copied for him. Her handwriting was long and flowery, very old school like his own Gram. He fingered the edge, reading her words, the wisdom she added to her instructions.

“I wish I knew what you had in mind, Mi’lady,” he said to the air. His cell phone buzzed in response.

“Manning.”

“Robert, I’ve been meaning to call you. How did your last batch turn out?” Mildred’s voice sounded so close.

“It came out great, Mi’lady. Thank you again for your help.” He flicked the edge of the card.

“Robert.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He knew she knew something was bothering him.

“Are you alright?”

His silence answered her question.

“Okay, then. Ask me what you will. You know I won’t be angry.”

“Lance, Mi’lady? You set her up with Lance?” His incredulousness echoed through his empty apartment.

“Robert, what are you talking about?” Her confusion brought him back down.

“Eleanor...Eleanor Rippendorf?”

“Oh.” That small sound from her scared him. “I didn’t know. What happened?”

“You...really don’t know?” He laid the recipe card flat, drumming long fingers on the table.

“No, dear.”

“Apparently, Eleanor and Lance met. He has her number.”

Her gentle laugh caught him off guard.

“Mi’lady?”

“Oh, Robert. He’s harmless. I’ve known Lance for years. He’s like all you boys, full of bluster and machismo and just as nervous as the next one. Honestly, I picked the two most likely to scare away anyone to go fetch the cookies for me. I didn’t expect anything like this.”

“Sue’d kill me if anything happened to her.”

“I’m glad that Eleanor has friends like your Sue to look out for her, even when she isn’t looking out for herself as much.” He waited, listening for the continuation after the pause. “Elly isn’t a bad person, Robert. Her mother...is a bit...”

“I get the point, Mi’lady. We can’t all choose our parents, nor our upbringing.”

“I’m glad you can see that. I’d think you’d be able to look past facades and see more of the real person.” Her tone held a tad of rebuke.

He grinned suddenly. “I did, today.”

“That’s my boy.”

He blushed, her praise reminding him of his Gram. In an effort to change the subject, he grabbed a cookie. “How’d the judging go?”

“Now, dear, you know I can’t tell you. Let’s just say, the calendar will be a great success.”

“Mrs. Abernathy, you are brilliant.” He picked up the recipe card and held it close. “You turned my recipe for disaster in to a recipe for fun.”

“Love will work wonders every time, dear boy. It’s the ingredient that goes with everything.”

THE END

Yea! I did it! I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll have the recipe up for Mrs. A's cookies Thursday. I sent my best copy to Kav and didn't keep one for myself. Mrs. A would skin me alive if she knew. Shhhhh! Don't tell...

And now... Hasta manana!

That was worth staying up late for!!! Wonderful job. What a twist of fate. I just love the characters you've created here, especially Mrs. A. She rocks!

Now I'm off to bed, too. Sweet dreams.

Jill

Well, at least the Eleanor's focus was taken off of Jack. Lance sounds like a more... I guess immature is the word I'm looking for... version of Bobby when it comes to the ladies. So I suppose that Bobby knew from experience how Lance could be when it came to women. I just hope that he doesn't screw it up. Even Eleanor needs someone to love.

No, Trece, you're the brilliant one. Who would have thought to give Eleanor her own brown eyed hunk? Your heart must be expanding with goodness! We all know it must have been fate that stepped in if the Lance and Elly angle actually blindsided Mrs. A as well! Congrats on finishing your entry in time!

kav

Lance did indeed call Eleanor - and so it begins!!!

Wonderful story, Trece - I'm glad you were able to finish on time!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

Mrs. A's Peanut Butter Cookies

2/3 cup real butter, softened (you can use the other stuff if you have to)
1/2 cup Peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, make it a heaping 1/2 cup)
1 cup white sugar (generous with this, too!)
2 TBSP of Molasses (yes, molasses. Taste makes the difference.)
1 egg (large would be best, but medium will work)
2 TBSP of milk (cow, goat, sheep......powdered? )
1 1/2 cup flour (you don't have to sift)
1 tsp baking soda (cola soda doens't work)
1/2 tsp salt

375* Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar and molasses. Beat in egg and milk. In separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and soda. Blend in by the cup to wet mixture until well mixed. Line pan with non-stick foil or parchment (or use plain ungreased pan). Drop by 1 inch rounds onto pan. Use fork dipped in sugar to make criss-cross pattern. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Sample early and often. Make more as needed. Share. No, don't eat them all yourself--Alvin, put that back! SHARE! Don't make me come over and lecture.

Mrs. Mildred Abernathy

Hi Trecebo....Sorry, I didn't get to read your story while you were posting. Am catching up now and wanted to make a few comments.

So, Bobby was on assignment to one of the armed services and Mrs. A is a grandmotherly type that gives the boys some TLC while away from their loved ones? I'm liking Mrs. A a lot!

Oh, so Mrs. A, as well as the others mentioned in that first post, are characters from a previous challenge story, involving cherubs? Well, I can tell right now I'm gonna have to go read that story when I get a spare minute.

No, after reading all the comments, I want to go read that story first. What was the name of it?

[I can't help it if I like to do things in order. So, I'm gonna go read another challenge story and wait for you to respond so I can pile more pressure on me to read yet another story before the voting deadline ends!]

Lynn

Okay, am back again...anxious to continue reading this story from all the opening comments. Have to agree with everyone else...that so aptly describes Eleanor!

Oh, I love Mrs. A...she knows all about Eleanor and going to Dexie to finagle her way into being a supervisor at the bake-off is marvelous! I love your characters, Trecebo! Poor Bobby...he can't win in this situation, can he? He doesn't want to give Eleanor fodder to fawn all over him; yet, his competitive nature can't stand the thought of losing! What do you mean 'former'? Did I miss something here? Loved these lines. Dogpound?

Now, what an ingenious idea to have the children judge the contest too! And Mrs. A is right…Eleanor deserves to be happy and if that can be with Lance, the better for the guys on our team! That was an amazing story Trecebo. I can't wait to go back and read your first story and read about all these adorable characters.

Lynn

That was sweet.




Hope ~