Parental Advisory Rating: AC & L

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

XWPFanatic, TNovan and Tonya Muir

It’s morning.

I know this because the sun is streaming through the blinds and hitting me right in the eye. I burrow my face deeper into Kelsey’s hair and tighten my hold around her waist. This is nice.

She reaches down to take my hand and drags it up between her breasts, kissing my knuckles. "Go back to sleep," she whispers.

"Good morning," I whisper, kissing the base of her neck. She shivers. I caused that and I am inordinately pleased.

"You going for a run?"

I tickle the base of her throat with my fingers. "I think not. I’m gonna go downstairs and fix us breakfast before Mama and Papa come home."

She groans and blushes. I watch it travel all over her body. Damn, that’s cute. "I have to face your Mama now."

I kiss her shoulder. "Chér, it’s going to be fine. I mean, it’s not like we have to wear signs telling everyone what we did last night." I didn’t think she’d already regret it. So much for a morning after.

Kelsey rolls over in my arms and inspects me carefully. "And how will you explain this?" She gently fingers the hickey she gave me last night.

"I let the bed bugs bite?"

She laughs at my unexpected joke. "I don’t think she’ll fall for that."

"Is it really that bad, Kels?" I ask before I can censure myself. God, I don’t want another Omaha fiasco on my hands.

"Is what so bad?" she echoes. Then her eyes register understanding of what I’m asking. "No, not at all, Harper. Not at all." She kisses my chin and snuggles closer. "Last night was wonderful. You were wonderful. This is wonderful."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. In fact, I say to hell with breakfast. We can always eat on the plane. But there are certain things we can’t do in the air."

Her hands cover my breasts and I let out a little sigh. "Darlin’, haven’t you ever heard of the Mile High Club?"

Kelsey blinks innocently. "Isn’t that when you fly over Denver?"

God, I love waking up with this woman. "Uh, no. But I’ll help you complete a membership application later."

* * *

We stand awkwardly by the rental car. Kelsey and I are deliberately trying to not touch each other, which is so damn hard. All I want is to touch her, hold her, caress her.

Snap out of it, Harper! Or you’ll never make it onto the plane. Flying over Denver. That’s some sense of humor you got there, Kels.

Papa catches me thinking lascivious thoughts and winks at me.

We gotta get going. I can barely make out what my mother is saying.

"You two be sure to call us when you get back to Los Angeles so we don’t worry about you."

Kelsey manages to answer since I seem to have lost my voice. "We will, Cécile."

"You call me Mama, ma petite." I watch as Mama hugs Kelsey tightly to her and kisses both cheeks. "And you come back here soon. At least for Christmas, if not before."

I don’t hear Kelsey’s reply since my Papa chooses that moment to grab me in a headlock. His knuckles brush through my hair just like they have since I barely had hair. "Don’t you be hardheaded, Harper Lee," he whispers in my ear. "And don’t you be scared. I didn’t raise you to back down from anything."

"Yes, sir."

"Thanks for coming home for Thanksgiving, sweetheart." He lets me stand up and regain some sense of dignity. "We’re always so happy when you’re here."

"Me too, Papa." I kiss his cheek. Then turn to face Mama.

She is holding her arms open to me, a wide smile on her face. I go to her, feeling very much like the little girl who once sought shelter in those same arms, knowing they could protect me from anything and everything. "Je t'aime, mon coeur. Je suis bien fier de toi."

"I love you too, mama." For some reason, my mother being proud of me is a better achievement than any other I can imagine.

"Tu prends bien soin d'elle. And go, before I start crying."

"Yes, ma’am." I will take good care of Kelsey. And I don’t want to start crying either. I kiss her cheeks then climb into the Explorer before my heart can decide to stay here at home.

* * *

As I settle into my seat I wonder why such a wonderful trip has to be ruined by flying home. I, for one, would welcome high-speed, cross-country trains.

Harper settles in next to me and I have to wonder how she copes so damn well. I feel like a sardine in one of these things, even in first class. Thank God we’re not sitting in coach.

"You okay, Little Roo?"

"Eh, you know me and planes."

"Yeah, but I have the cure this time around." She quirks a brow at me. "You just leave everything to me."

"No problem." I try to smile, but can only flinch when I hear that door close and I know I'm now officially trapped.

* * *

"You know," I laugh a little as she grabs me around the waist from behind, "this would me a little easier if I could actually get to the answering machine."

"You," she pulls me back and begins kissing the back of my neck, "don’t need to check the machine right now."

"I have messages." I turn around in her arms.

Her answer to this statement is to kiss me soundly.

What messages?

To hell with the messages. I don’t like most of the people who leave them anyway.

Her arms tighten around me and the kiss continues. We start to lose our balance and fall back to the couch. I have to talk to her about shirts with snaps, or better yet Velcro, because the buttons are starting to piss me off.

"Oh yeah, that’s good," I moan. She finds a very sensitive spot on my neck. I don’t think anyone has ever found that spot before.

I feel her tug my shirt from my jeans. I manage to get the last button undone on her shirt and begin pushing it from her shoulders. God, I love these shoulders, I really do.

"Kels… please…" she whispers, then unsnaps my jeans.

I know what her problem is. She did a really nice job of distracting me on the plane (it’s amazing what she can do with a blanket, an ice cube and a swizzle stick), but now she’s all wound up and in desperate need of relief.

"Something I can do for you, Tabloid?"

"Oh yes." She nods, lifting up long enough to let me get her shirt off completely. "Teasing, however, really," she somehow manages to kick off her boots and I hear them thump to the floor, "isn’t on the menu."

"No?"

"No." She kisses me again. This isn’t a slow lingering kiss. This is a deep and demanding kiss.

As my hands travel over her torso, I feel and hear her moan into my mouth. Her hands work to rid me of my shirt and my bra, then begin caressing my skin. Oh, I like that.

That’s good.

Was that the elevator? Nah, couldn’t be.

I unsnap her jeans and work my hands into the waistband. I feel her shift so I can work them over her hips.

"Oh, that’s good," she moans. We continue to rid ourselves of the clothing.

"Oh boy!" a deep, decidedly male voice says from the entryway.

Erik’s voice is a major distraction. Oooh shit!

I manage to glance around Harper in time to watch my best friend make a hasty exit in the general direction of the kitchen, his face bright red. Harper groans when I pull away from her and reach for my shirt.

"I’m sorry," I offer with a little kiss on the throat. "I wasn’t expecting him back until next week."

"No," she swallows hard and reaches for her own shirt, "problem."

"I left a message on the machine!" Erik calls from the kitchen.

She grins ruefully. "Who knew?" she whispers, buttoning up her shirt.

"Un-huh." I smile, getting up from the couch and trying to rearrange my clothes to look at least somewhat presentable. "I’ll be right in, Erik."

"Oh, please. Take your time. I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything." I hear him laugh and the fridge door is pulled open.

"Too late, you little shit!" I call again.

He laughs again and I hear Harper mumble something about strangling him. I lean over and give her a kiss. "Oh, I’ll make him pay. I promise. I know where all his weak spots are."

"You have a mean streak, don’t you?" She pulls on her boots, then stands, wrapping her arms around me. "Don’t you?"

"You’d better believe it. Come on." I take her hand, tugging her with me into the kitchen.

Erik is leaning against the counter drinking a glass of milk. He looks like one of those ‘Got milk?’ ads. I shake my head as I let go of Harper’s hand and go to him for a hug. "Welcome back. Your timing sucks, but welcome home." I pull back and wipe his upper lip with a cloth retrieved from the counter.

He smiles first at me then at Harper. "I’m sorry, guys. I really did leave a message. We wrapped early so here I am."

"Don’t worry about it." I step back and extend my hand to Harper, not liking the sensation of being out of contact with her for to long. "Erik, you remember Harper."

He takes a deep breath, nodding. "I sure do. How are you, Ms. Kingsley?"

I can feel the tension building in the room. Oh shit. Please, Erik, be nice; please, be nice.

"I’m fine. Please, call me Harper." She extends her right hand to him.

He looks at it for a moment. Take it, Erik. Damn it, take it. He smiles and doesn’t disappoint me.

"Nice to see you again." He doesn’t hold her hand any longer than needed. "Kels, where in the hell have you been? I’ve been worried sick."

"I’m sorry. I left a message for you with a production assistant. I was in New Orleans."

"New Orleans? Doing what?"

"Harper took me there for Thanksgiving. I went home with her, spent the holiday with her and her family."

His brow arches and looks to her. "Really? I’m guessing you had a good time."

"I had a great time."

"We," Harper pipes up, gripping my hand just a little tighter, "had a great time."

I’m really glad to hear that she had a good time too.

"Glad to hear it," he offers.

Jesus, Erik, lighten up a little. If it gets any chillier in here, I’ll need a jacket.

"Kels, why don’t I grab a cab, go home, get unpacked?"

"I can run you home."

"No. You two have things to catch up on and talk about. I’ll head out and when you’re ready, give me a call. We’ll do dinner, okay?" She leans in and gives me a kiss. It almost feels like a good-bye kiss and my stomach drops a little. I tighten my hold on her and try to communicate that I will call her.

"Don’t go to far from your phone, Tabloid. I intend to take you out to a very expensive dinner tonight." Leaning up, I manage to whisper in her ear. "Then bring you back here for dessert."

"You’ve got all my numbers, Little Roo." She offers with a wink. "I’ll talk to you later."

I stay in the kitchen, resisting the urge to follow her. I listen as the elevator opens and closes. I turn back to Erik. "Why didn’t you just tell her to get out?"

"What? What did I do?"

"You could have tried to be a little friendlier."

"Kels, come on. That was Harper Kingsley. The ‘bane of your existence’, remember? What in the hell is going on anyway?"

"I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure it has some to do with the fact that I’m thirty-two years old and tired of living my life by everyone else’s rules."

"So you decided to be the flavor of the week in Harper’s bed? Jesus Christ, Kels."

"No, it’s not like that," I defend her, hoping to God I’m right. "It’s different."

"Did she tell you that?"

"No." I admit quietly. I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water. Leaning against the counter next to Erik, I twist off the cap. "She hasn’t said anything to me about where this is going. I don’t think we know."

"Kels, honey." He moves closer and wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I’m your best friend and I love you. I want you to be happy and I don’t want to see you get hurt. You have to admit her track record isn’t a very good one."

"I know, but isn’t it possible that things are changing? I mean, isn’t it possible that we could build a long and wonderful relationship together?"

"Sure it is. But it’s also possible that by the time you call her to make dinner arrangements she will already be on the move. Don’t you remember what you told me after dinner that night? She left the library with one woman in the afternoon and had another with her at dinner."

"She wouldn’t do that to me."

Would she?

"I hope not, Kels, but please don’t delude yourself, and, please, please, be careful."

I nod, as I sip my water. "I will."

****

I drop Trouble to the floor. He meows in protest and ambles off to find his food bowl, always thinking with his stomach.

I toss my garment bag on the couch and go through my apartment. I manage to slam every door I can find. I even open up the linen closet door just so I can slam it shut.

Who the hell does he think he is? Mr. Erik "I'm a big movie star wannabe, but I'm so far in the closet it ain't funny" Collins. Locked his big, gay self in the closet and trapped Kelsey in there with him too.

Fuckin' hypocrite.

Thinks I'm not good enough for Kelsey.

What if I'm not?

Fortunately, the phone rings sparing me any self-analysis. It can't be Kelsey, it's too soon. If she even calls me at all. Somehow, I think Erik is doing his best to talk her out of whatever it is we are doing.

"Hello?"

"Bonjour, mon coeur."

"Hi, Mama. Ah, shit, I forgot to call you when we landed."

"Qui t'a dit, Harper Lee."

I groan. Gotta watch my language around Mama. Think I'd know that by now. "I'm sorry, Mama."

"What's wrong?"

How is it that mothers always know when their children are stressed? And with my mother there's no good in denying it. If I do, I'll find her on my doorstep in the morning. "When we got home, Erik came back."

"Erik? Who is this Erik?"

I sigh. I hadn't wanted to get into this but, now that the Pandora's box has been opened, I have no choice. I tell her everything I know about Erik and Kelsey's relationship.

"So you think this man he says bad things about you?"

"I'm pretty sure about it."

"And you think Kelsey will believe him?"

Do I? I don't know anymore. I tell Mama that. "Maybe I should call her and tell her it doesn't matter."

"Espèsce de tête dure!"

Great. Now I'm being called hard-headed again. A little compassion here wouldn't hurt, Mama.

"You need to give Kelsey a bit more credit, Harper. She's a grown woman and very capable of making her own choices. Let her choose you. Don't you go and do something so stupid. And don't you dare hurt that lovely girl."

"I think you like her more than you like me," I grouse.

"Mais, non. I love you so much I will not let you hurt yourself by hurting her."

I sigh. "Okay, Mama, okay. You win."

"What will I do with you? I don't win. You win. I only win when you give me a grandbaby."

I bang the receiver against my forehead several times. "Mama!"

"I'm sorry, but it is true, Harper."

"Well, we have a slight problem here. One I hardly need educate you about."

She laughs and I smile for the first time since I left Kelsey's apartment. "I have great faith in your problem-solving capabilities, Harper. Now, I must go so your very beautiful girlfriend can call you."

I don't bother telling Mama that I have call waiting.

***

When the phone rings for the fourth time, my hopes for a nice dinner are beginning to fade. Maybe she’s gone out with her friends at The Rio. I certainly wouldn’t blame her if she did after the way Erik acted today.

Maybe he’ll reconsider his attitude when he finds the presents I left for him in the pockets of his favorite jacket. It’ll take him forever to get the smell out and it’ll cost him a small fortune to get it cleaned. It was very satisfying.

"Hello?"

Ah, there’s the voice I wanted to hear. "Hey you." I feel like a teenager, not quite knowing what to say.

"So," I hear her pause and wonder if she’s feeling the same way, "what’s up?" she asks, sounding like a teenager. Oh yeah, she’s feeling it too. I smile at the thought. I prefer a level playing field.

"You still up for dinner?" I ask.

"You know it. Where?"

"Actually, I thought maybe I’d stop, pick up something and come over to your place. We could have a nice quiet evening in."

"That sounds nice. Especially after the plane food for lunch. Why don’t you come straight here and then we go out together to get the food? I’d rather you not be running around by yourself."

"Oh yeah, almost forgot about all that." But she didn’t. That has to be a good sign, right? At least, she cares.

Hopefully my little admirer has forgotten about me over the holiday. There wasn't anything new waiting for me at my apartment today.

"So, does that work for you?"

I can hear a noise in the background that sounds like something rapping on wood. "Works for me, Tabloid. What are you doing?" My curiosity gets the better of me.

"I’m stretched out on the couch watching a video. Trouble’s fat ass is on my stomach and his big head keeps blocking my view. Why?"

That’s a fun image, but not what I was wondering about. I do like the mental picture of her sprawled out on the couch waiting for my call. The cat will have to move though when I get there. "What’s that tapping noise?"

"Un, oh that, I um was tapping my knuckles on the coffee table."

What are you nervous about, Harper? "So when should I come over?"

She laughs. "You’re a half hour late as it is."

****

There’s something about eating Chinese food straight out of the carton that I’ve always found fun. I can’t explain it, but it is. The fact that I’m giving Harper chopstick lessons is fun too.

Truth be told, it’s a good reason to put my arms around her in an effort to help. Like I need a good reason. I’ll take a poor one or none at all, actually. She’s sitting on the floor, between my legs, and I’m leaning down from my spot on the couch. From my vantage point, I can smell the perfume she put on recently. And I like the feel of her skin against mine as I guide her fingers around the wooden sticks.

She leans her head against my knee and groans pathetically. "I’m gonna starve before I get it to my mouth, Little Roo. This is why we invented forks. Was that really such a bad thing?"

"There were chopsticks before there were forks."

"Yeah, but have you ever noticed how skinny the Chinese are?"

Laughing, I reach around and pick a piece of beef out of the carton with my fingers and feed it to her. She takes not only the food but the tips of my fingers too. I groan a little when she runs her tongue over them.

"Now, that beats even a fork." She tilts her head back, smiling up at me. "I could eat Chinese every night if you’d feed it to me like that. Then again," she twists around and kneels between my legs, her eyes now level with mine, "they say you are what you eat. I could be you in the morning."

God, that’s old, but it still so works. "Oh, you are bad." I shove against her shoulders, trying not to laugh.

"That’s not what you said this morning or when we got off the plane. Do I need to remind you I very nearly had to carry you off?"

"I know, I know. You’re so smug."

This feels so good. Just being here. Being with her. I want a kiss, which I lean in and take. When I pull back our eyes meet and I bring my hand to her cheek. She turns her head slightly, placing a kiss on my palm.

"So what are you thinking?" I know I shouldn’t ask, but I need to.

"How do you mean?"

"About us?"

She draws a deep breath, her eyes growing guarded. She joins me on the couch, pulling me into her arms. Resting my head on her shoulder, I wait for her answer.

"Don’t take this the wrong way," she begins.

Oh, that doesn’t sound good. I resist the urge to pull away from her.

"I’m kinda trying not to." she continues, placing a kiss on the top of my head. She must have felt the shiver that ran through my body. Her large hands rub my back gently. "Kels, when I start thinking about these things, I tend to panic. So, this time I’ve decided not to think and just enjoy it."

"Hey, I kinda like that idea." I feel the relief washing over my body. I really like not having to think about this. I’d freak myself, I’m afraid.

"Good. I think that’s what we should do."

"Another Harper Kingsley plan comes together. I like it."

"Of course, you do. You’d be nuts not to. I mean, what’s not to like?"

I hear the smirk before I can turn around to see it. Yup, there it is. She should get that thing trademarked.

"Now, you wanna hear my plan?" I tug at the football jersey she is wearing over a white tank top.

"Oh, absolutely."

"My plan is to get you completely naked and take advantage of you." I have become a nymphomaniac since the first touch of her skin against mine. But, if I gotta have an addiction, this is the best one I can come up with.

"I must admit your plan is even better than mine." Her eyebrows rise playfully. She can really get some silly looks on her face when she wants to.

"Would you like to be ravished here or in the bedroom?"

"Decisions, decisions…."

* * *

We end up deciding on both the couch and the bedroom. This morning, we decide on the shower. We then share muffins and juice while reading the LA Times and NY Times Sunday editions. We’re news junkies. It’s scary.

When I find the entertainment section, I realize I haven’t seen a first-run movie since the summer and ‘Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace.’ I’m still pissed off about that movie and all its wasted opportunity. Of course, the racist crap struck way too close to home. Mama and Papa walked out after the faux-Asian bad guys were introduced five minutes into the movie. I should have left with them.

"Hey, Tabloid!" Kels calls out, interrupting my thoughts. I turn to see her toss the keys of the Mercedes at me.

I catch them in my left hand and toss them in the air. "What are these for?" I ask. "You’re not giving me your baby, are you?"

She laughs. "Hardly. But the way you’re staring at the movie listings, I figured you want to go see one. So, let’s go."

"And I get to drive? That’s an awful lot of trust there, Little Roo."

"I trust you." Her reply is soft and I definitely get the feeling that we’re talking about more than just her car. "So what movie are we going to see?"

"I dunno." I shrug, turning the paper around for her to read what’s playing nearby. "We’ll figure it out when we get there. Nothing animated or touchy-feely though."

She laughs. "No chick flicks, eh? So I guess ‘Anna and the King’ is out?"

I start herding Kelsey out of the apartment, barely blocking Trouble when he tries to make a break for it. We take the elevator to the parking garage and head to her little red Mercedes. I open the passenger door for her and get her settled in before going around to my side. I wish the top were down and I hop over the door and into my seat. The stalker stopped that fun.

"Nothing bloody or creepy," she says, as if she read my thoughts. She peers at me from over the top of her sunglasses. I love it when she does that. So damn cute.

"’Scream 3’ doesn’t come out until January. It got pushed back from a December release, ruining my Christmas Eve plans."

"Somehow I doubt Mama would let you get away with that."

She called my Mama … Mama. "How about ‘The Insider’ ?" I suggest.

She grimaces. "How about we just go back to work? Jesus, Harper, I have no desire to see a damn movie about a news room."

"Good point." I pull out of the parking garage, running through movies the sounded good when I was reading the paper. "Hey, Tim Robbins has a new movie out. It’s a thirties period piece. A comedy."

"I like Robbins, I could live with that."

"I don’t think he’s in it, though. It stars John Cusack and Susan Sarandon, I think. The review looked good."

"Sounds like a winner to me. And I love Sarandon. She’s wonderful."

I nod vigorously. "She’s a class act all the way. Mama and Papa have worked with her on a lot of causes, especially after ‘Dead Man Walking’."

"Very cool." She settles down in her seat. Then she reaches over and lays her hand on top on mine, which is resting on the gearshift. I could get used to this. If I were thinking about us, that is.

***

It’s a good thing Kels and I both make good money because the cost of going out to a movie is ridiculous. Of course, I pay for both of us. I’m a good date.

We’re standing in line at the concession stand, waiting with all the other lemmings for our chance to buy severely overpriced popcorn and soda, having a very pleasant conversation about what is most likely going to happen when we get back to my place, when a woman in the line next to us recognizes Kels. I just groan when she interjects herself into our life.

"Oh, wow, aren’t you Kelsey Stanton? The NBC news reporter?"

Suddenly, my relaxed, happy, Little Roo is all business. She seems to have forgotten that we were having a good time. She’s steps away from me and is now barely making eye contact with me.

"Yes, I am."

"I knew it!" the woman squeals. "I knew I would meet some stars while I was visiting out here!"

Of course she’s not from Los Angeles. A resident here would never bother us. Not when they can go over to the Scientology Celebrity Center and see all the big stars.

"Where are you from?" Kelsey asks politely.

"Kansas. I’m from the town that’s the exact geographic center of the United States."

Well, there’s something to be proud of. Of course, I’m assuming she means in the forty-eight states. If Alaska and Hawaii were included, I bet the exact center would be somewhere in the fucking Pacific Ocean. Which is where I wish this Kansan … Kansian … Kansaser … whatever … was right now.

"That’s terrific!" Kelsey says with a bit too much enthusiasm. "Let me introduce you to Harper Kingsley. She’s my field director."

Wow, Kels, actually acknowledging my presence. How thoughtful of you. Nothing like being ashamed of being seen with me.

The woman continues to distract her with more exciting tales of Kansas, until we finally reach the counter. "Uh," I clear my throat, "Ms. Stanton, what would you like?" I can do professional too.

She gives me a puzzled look, wondering why the formality all of the sudden. Gee, you figure it out, Kels. And go away, lady. You are ruining a perfectly good day.

Kels finally manages to break away and tries to get back in the swing of things. "I’m sorry."

"S’okay," I grumble, tossing a twenty on the counter and gathering up a pile of food and a little change.

***

It wasn’t a bad movie. It definitely had it’s moments. And might have been funny if I wasn’t so tied up in knots inside. All the way through it, I wanted to find a way to apologize to Harper. I know I froze up when that woman recognized me. It was a gut reaction. I’ve been doing it all my life. The best I could do was sit there in that dark theater and hold her hand to try to convey how sorry I was.

Her mood has definitely soured and I can’t blame her. Let’s see, yesterday Erik pulls his crap. And today I pull mine.

Shit.

As we are headed out of the theater toward the car, a woman calls her name. When she turns around, she finds her arms full of a very slender, very attractive brunette. She removes the woman’s arms from around her, but not before receiving a kiss on the neck. Right where I left a mark two nights ago.

Oh God. What a day. We should have just stayed inside.

In New Orleans.

What am I doing? She’s never going to be happy with me. I’m way too uptight for her and she’s going to get tired of that fast. Not when she is so open about her lifestyle. Somehow, I don’t think sneaking around is in Harper’s bag of tricks.

I feel the tears coming and force them back.

I hear my mother’s voice ringing in my ears, ‘Don’t you dare cry, Kelsey Diane Stanton.’

"God, you look amazing, Harper!" the slut exclaims.

"Thanks." I note she doesn’t say the woman’s name. I bet she doesn’t even know it. I wonder if she’ll remember mine in another month.

Snap out of it, Kels!

"How have you been?" The tramp tugs at Harper’s jacket.

Harper shrugs, glances my way. "Good, thanks. But, we need to get going."

The hussy looks acknowledges my presence for the first time. She examines me from head to toe and seems to find me lacking. Bitch.

"Well, when you’re through, give me a call. I’d love to go out with you again, take another ride on your Harley." She leans her whole body forward, pressing it against Harper. "We had so much fun that one time. We could do that again."

I watch the scene with a huge lump in my throat. Will we ever be able to go anyplace and not run into a woman she’s fucked?

"Nah, I don’t think so," Harper replies. "See ya around." She turns to me and takes hold ofmy arm lightly. "Come on, Kels."

We take a few steps away, heading toward my Mercedes. I swallow hard and will myself to speak. "Look, Harper, if you want to go … it’s okay." God, that hurt to say. But I have to offer her to choice.

Choose me, Harper. Please.

She stops and stares at me intently. The afternoon sunlight makes her eyes appear even bluer than normal. "Do you really mean that, Kels?"

Oh, God. I lost. Just hold it together until she leaves, Kels. I nod stiffly. "Sure."

"Oh."

The sound of disappointment in her voice clues me in. "You don’t want to go?"

She shakes her head vigorously. "No. Not with her. Certainly not in front of you. Jesus, Kels, I think better of you than that. I would have hoped you had a little higher estimation of me by now."

"It’s not that, Harper," I quickly protest. "It’s just …" I struggle to find the words to express what I feel. "I … I’ve never won against women like that."

"Well, then, Kelsey, the people you’ve dated in the past have been damn fools."

The afternoon just improved. "You think so?"

"Dammit, I know so. I liked her idea, Kels, but I want to do that with you. Not her." Her tone is low and she sounds embarrassed. "I’m so sorry you had to see that, Kels. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"Not a stellar day for us, huh?"

"Major understatement."

"So now what?"

She chuckles, gesturing to the vast parking lot. "We find the car."

***

I pull into the parking garage. Finding a spot, I park and shut down the engine. As I pull the keys from the ignition,, I offer them back to Kels draped over the end of my finger. "Do you want to come up? Or do you need to get going? I hate that we have to go back to work tomorrow."

Of course, if you don’t, I’d understand. Nothing like being reminded what a dog I’ve been, eh? Who was that woman anyhow? Christ, I don’t even remember her name. I doubt if I even asked.

Kelsey takes her keys slowly. Shit, she’s going to leave. So this is what it feels like to have your past bite you in the ass?

"I’d like to. Do you really want me to?"

Oh, wow. Got lucky. "Very much."

She leans over and gives me a soft kiss since we appear to be alone in the garage. "I’d like that, Harper. And I’d like to spend the night too. Would that all right?"

"That is so all right, Little Roo. I’m sorry about thatthing in the parking lot."

She shrugs. "How could you know she’d be there, Harper? It’s not like you’ve been a nun or said you were one. And you certainly know about a couple of my relationships."

Ah, yes, the Twice-A-Year Boink Beth. And my lookalike, Susan. Is it reasonable to demand she give them up even though we’re not talking about us? At my own request.

Smart move, Harper.

She didn’t even call them ‘past relationships’. You’re one of three, Harper Lee. That you know about. Don’t think about it. It’ll make you crazy.

"I’m sorry though if she upset you," I say. "I really just wanted us to have a nice time at the movies together. Seemed like a simple enough plan earlier today."

"Well, how about we do this? Go upstairs, kick Trouble off the couch, snuggle up on it and watch a video together? Later we can order in dinner and get to bed early."

"To bed early, right, but not to sleep early?" I want to make sure we’re real clear on this.

She smiles. "A good reporter always says exactly what she means. Especially about important things. Now, come on, good-looking. Take me upstairs."

Okay, maybe today isn’t a total loss.

<fade in>

Kels’ phone rings. Out of habit I pick it up. "Kelsey Stanton's office."

"This is Dr. Susan Hamilton. Is Ms. Stanton available?"

Speak of the fucking devil. "Hi, Doc. It's Harper Kingsley. I'm sorry, Kels isn't available."

To you ever again, if I can help it.

<cut to>

"What time is it?"

"It’s only three. Go back to sleep," she says softly.

"Come to bed," I growl, extending an arm her way. "And we can do more than sleep."

She chuckles. "You’re insatiable."

<cut to>

Now we’re in Texas looking into anthrax sales to possible terrorists. To make this little side trip even worse for Kels, it’s like a trip home that is tearing her heart out. She was nearly in tears when she got back to me tonight. I think a little too much reminiscing about grandpa went on at dinner.

<fade out>

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