Jamie and Zach

       

        Jamie slams the file into the rack before leaving the nurses station and heading down the elevator then through the lobby. He'd finished his morning rounds and was stopping by Krystal and Carmen's to meet Zach for lunch then it was back to the clinic to interview pediatricians for the rest of the afternoon. He was glad to be busy it had kept him from thinking about seeing Francessca in Rego's arms last night.
         He'd walked into the foyer on his way up the steps to check on Francessca and Logan. She'd gone up to check on him some time ago and hadn't come back when he'd spotted Rego kissing his wife! She'd said it was just a spontaneous action on his part after a close moment! Way too close if he had anything to say about it but he hadn't. He'd remained cool and nonchalant he'd just nodded at their explanation and made the momentary small talk until he'd left. Maintaining his composure had been his close moment his fist had itched to punch the polite grin right off his smug face!
            "Oh hello Jamie. What's going on is your absolutely wonderful wife just sold me a house." He says looking at Francessca and winking making the later laugh. Jamie looks from one to the other confused and mildly uncomfortable with their closeness.
           "What?" Jamie says the look on his face making both Francessca and Rego laugh.
           "Francessca will explain it to you I have to get going. Good to see you Jamie. Thanks again Cess I'll be in touch." Francessca smiles back as Jamie looks on.
           " Bye, try to have a good night" Rego laughs turning back as he get to the door.
           "From your lips to God's ears love." He says making them both laugh as he opens the door.
           "See ya Rego, talk to you soon." She says watching him walk toward the door as Jamie watches her. He waits a moment for the door to close behind him before turning back to his wife.
             "Do you mind explaining what the hell that was that all about?" He grumbles his eyes burning into hers. Francessca glares back him annoyed by his tone yet amused by his jealousy.
             " What's with the attitude?" She asks her eyes and tone challenging him back. Jamie steps away from her rolling his eyes as he runs his hands through his hair.
             "Come on you know what the attitude is about. I don't like him hanging around."
             "He wasn't hanging around he was moving out. If you remember your step father threw them out this afternoon.  I went upstairs to check on Logan and Rego was putting our son to sleep. All I did was give him Miriam's phone number so he could find a place to live. You have a problem with me not wanting your stepbrother and his pregnant wife to be homeless? I didn't know you thought I was the world's biggest shrew!" She glares back at him aggravating him more.
              "You know that's not it and you know darn well why I don't want him around and neither should you!"
               "What is wrong with you Jamie? What do you want me to do? How unnatural would it be if I didn't want the man that delivered my son around? The same person who is also his Uncle a member of his family. Oh, and acted like an overprotective idiot every time I saw him?" She finishes her voice dripping with sarcasm as Jamie stares back at her shamed into silence.
                "You know if I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous." She says walking past him and back into the living room smiling to herself.
             She was wrong about the other thing she'd said he wasn't jealous he was worried. Of course he didn't want Rego around for the obvious reason and neither should she. But, she was also right when she pointed out how ridiculous it was to hide Logan from him. That would only be more suspicious. Still he didn't trust Rego or the strange bond that had developed between them. He especially didn't like the way he still looked at her. There was that longing in his eye. It had been there since the delivery and he didn't like it. Then again who could blame him with the albatross he'd rung around his neck. But it wasn't envy or a longing for what should have been he still wanted her. He could tell! Why else would he constantly be in their orbit? Everything about Rego was too close lately for his liking and today was proof!
            The image was burnt into his brain and as hard as he tried he couldn't fight the overwhelming feelings of jealousy he'd felt at that moment as irrational as it was. He knew his wife loved him he didn't doubt that and he trusted her. What he didn't trust was Rego and his wife's ability to not tell him the truth about their son. What telling him about Logan would do to the family they had built together and what having Rego back in their lives as a constant would do to it as well. He was happy with the status quo. He loved his wife and his son he loved their life and he didn't want any of that to change not if he could help it and keeping their secret was the best way to keep it that way. He thought as he walked through the entrance of the restaurant. He looks around quickly spotting Zach at one of the tables and heads towards it.
          "Hey Zach! Thanks for meeting me." He says quickly shaking his hand then sliding into the booth across from him.
          "Nice to see you Jamie. I umm have to admit I was a little surprised by the invitation. Everything okay with my niece and great nephew?" He says leaning back in the seat his eyebrows raised questioning smirk on his lips. Jamie shakes his head as he leans forward lowering his voice as he speaks.
          "No, they're perfect. I ahh just had a couple of questions I wanted to ask you?" He says nervously then waiting as the waitress sets glasses of water in front of each of them then handing them menus before leaving. Zach smiles and nods his head at the waitress as he opens the menu speaking to Jamie as he reads it.
          "What's on your mind Jamie?"  Jamie looks back at him sheepishly. Now that the moment had come he wasn't sure exactly how to phrase his question. The moment made even more difficult as Zach sat staring back at him expectantly.
          "If you could do it all over again would you have ever let Ryan know he was Spike's father?" He blurts out. Zach raises one brow as he sits back in the seat and contemplates Jamie's question. What would he have done? He thinks back to everything that had happened in his mind since he'd switched the sample vials all those years ago. Telling the truth back then may have saved them all a lot of pain but would he have the life he had now?
           "Jaime things happen the way they do for a reason. What's going on with you? Are you worried about Rego and Francessca?" Jamie grimaces pushing the menu to the side.
            " I'm not worried about Francessca." He grumbles.
            " So you're worried about Rego why? What's he done?" Jamie stares back at him feeling silly and ashamed. He couldn't think of anything Rego had actually done all of it was within the lines of brother or uncle would do the exception kissing his wife.
            "Honestly nothing other than being his normal irritating self." Zach looks at him feeling slightly irritated.
             "Then I don't understand the problem Jamie?" He says as he raises his hand signaling the waitress they were ready to order. Jamie groans in frustration.
              "Honestly Zach I don't know I just feel something. Somethings not right Zach I can feel it." Zach sighs heavily.
               "Jaime, and trust me on this. You can't spend your life worrying about what might happen. You can't prepare for it and you can't avoid it. And from my experience no matter what you do to try and stop it, it's going to happen anyway.  Whatever is coming is going to come and there's not a dam thing you can do about that. Look you have a a beautiful wife who loves you and a beautiful son. Don't go looking for trouble okay? Just enjoy what you have now. The future will take care of itself." Jamie nods his head in agreement knowing Zach was right. He was just buying trouble.
          "I know, you're right, you're right" Jamie mutters. Zach sits back in the booth stretching his arm along the back of the seat and takes a good look at Jamie. He looked pensive and mildly annoyed but he wasn't sure at whom and there was something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.  
       "You want to tell me what's going on with you Jamie? Are you really that worried about Rego from what I hear he's got his hands full."
           "I don't know he just seems to always be around more and more lately and he and Cess..." He starts his voice trailing off for a moment as he swallows hard. He and Cess what? Stopped hating each other and you liked it better when they did? Whispered the small voice that had been haunting him.
           "I'm just afraid that she's going to...." His voice trails off again as he stops and looks around them. Zach smiles and nods in agreement.
           "When and if she ever does you'll deal with it but I know my niece well enough to know she wouldn't do anything without discussing it with you first. Jamie nods his head.
            "I know." He grumbles. Zach smiles remembering his Ryan years and the complete albatross he'd been.
             "I empathize with you Jamie I really do. Perhaps now that he's no longer living at your mother's and this "Founders Day" thing is over they'll have a lot less chance running into each other." He smiles reassuringly hoping his words would somehow help and his next ones not hurt.
          "But, even if she does it's her choice remember that. " He warns then looks down at his ringing phone.
            "Hold on a second I have to take this.... What's going on?" Dax breathes a sigh of relief in the other end.
            " Zach I have a bit of a situation here. I've managed to contain it but I think you should get back here." He says as Zach's brow creases.
             "What are we talking about?" Dax chuckles into the phone.
              "We're talking trashed ex sister in-law of district attorney, wild party trashed room a sundry of alcohol and catering bills and the icing on the cake gambling debts to certain members of our professional gambling community as well as to us. Entire suites of rooms shut down. Oh and did I mention Cops everywhere."
               "I'll be right there and I'll call you back from the car." Zach's says ending the call and turning back to Jamie as he pulls his clip from his pocket pulling off a couple of bills and laying them on the table.
              "Sorry Jamie I have to go I have an emergency at the casino but I'll make it up to you. Lunch is on me and why don't you stop by the house later and watch a per game with me we can talk some more if you want." He says rising from his seat as Jamie stands to meet him.
             "I have late shift at the clinic I'll give you call. Thanks." Jamie smiles shaking his hand.        
     "Good and one more thing Jamie don't let your jealousy get the best of you and do something stupid. I'll see you later" He says reaching for his ringing phone as he walks toward the exit.


*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2018

Rego and Francessca
Cassandra and Rego
         

Krystal and David

     

       David leans back against the tree trunk and wraps his arms around Krystal who leans back against his chest and smiles. 

      "This is nice isn't it?" She says wistfully watching Jenny, Darius and Endre play. David smiles down at her holding her a little closer.

       "Yeah it is." Krystal looks up at him out of the corner of her eye making sure the picnic lunch and wine had, had the proper effect. He looked contented and relaxed. The kids were off playing and they were finally alone now was the time to broach the topic of Michael without him knowing it was about Michael. 

         "I was a little worried about Darius at the beginning of the school year but he's coming along just fine." She says with just enough lilt in her voice to peak his interest. 

         "What about Darius?" He asked sounding mildly concerned. Good she had him now if she could just keep him. 

          "His teacher and I were kind of worried about him. He didn't seem to want to socialize with anyone other than Jenny and AJ. But since Endre's been here he's just blossomed! Now he's Mr. Popular every day there's a gang of kids tearing my house apart!" She laughs as three other children run over and join her three and then two more.

        "See what did I tell you!" She laughs again making David chuckle. 

        "Takes after his old man." David chuckles as Krystal sit's up then turns to face him. 

         "Not anymore and I couldn't be happier." David' brow furrows his words tight.

         "What's that supposed to mean? Oh I get it this whole conversation is about me and Michael isn't it?" Krystal shrugs then kneels and begins to place the containers back in the basket as she speaks. 

          "I'm not going to get into what happened between you two I don't know and I don't want to know. All I'm going to say watching you mope around the house the last couple of days. You didn't just lose your business partner you've lost your best friend. That little bounce in your step you've had in your step the last few months isn't there anymore. I have to be honest I've been kind of missing it. So whatever happened between you two don't let it ruin your friendship." David looks at her then down at the blanket and begins to gather the empty plates not speaking until Krystal hands him a trash bag to place them in.        "I think we're already past that." Krystal sighs leaning back on her heels and looks at him and shakes her head.

        "So you're not going to even try? You're going to turn your back and walk away? If this were your son and AJ what would you tell him?" David looks at her unable to reply knowing exactly what he say to both his son and grandson and feeling disappointed in himself. Krystal smiles to herself knowing she had him exactly where she wanted him. 

        "Whatever you did to make Michael so angry." She says looking up at him and silencing whatever retort he had with the expression on her face.

         " Michael the best friend you've ever had and he's really good for you. Whatever you did to make Michael angry I think you should march right over there this second and make it right." She finishes her lips becoming one thin line as she crosses her arms across her chest. 

           "Well go on! The kids can help me back up the car you go on and get!" She says with a wave of her hand. David chuckles as he stands then reaches down and pulls Krystal to her feet. 

           "You know Mrs. Hayward you can be a real nag sometimes." Krystal laughs then kisses him.

           "That's only because you mister are a big pain in my you know where! Now get goin and do like I said! I'll see you at home. I love you." 

           " I love you too." He says kissing her deeply before sprinting across the grass to the parking lot. Krystal watches him go then reaches into her purse for her phone. 

            "Hey Sophia it's me........Yep he's on his way now........well you just make sure you get Michael into the same mindset and I think we can get these two babies back to work!..... No it was pretty easy actually I know he's been wanting to all day....... Well thank hon give me a call when he leaves okay?........Oh and Sophia thank you so much for your help. If I had to look at that sour puss another day I don't know what I do........You too and thanks again bye!" She says hanging up the phone and smiling to herself then crosses her fingers and says a quick prayer.   

             David stand in the living room waiting impatiently for Michael what had seemed like a great idea on the way over luster dulled the longer he stood waiting. Krystal was right he'd missed his friend and he was sure exactly how to approach him when he'd stepped out the car. He just hoped Michael wasn't as angry as he was when he'd left yesterday. He'd tried calling him several times and was half glad each time he hadn't answered. What exactly would he had said if he had? He would have been still too angry to listen let alone understand. Hopefully he was more qualm today and he could try to reason with him and make him understand that what he'd done he done for the good of the project nothing else. And he'd only don't it the way he had for expedience not because he thought of him as inferior. But what really mattered now was getting the rest of Michael's notes to complete the project. The deadline was creeping upon them and he still didn't know if Michael had solved the stability problem and without his notes he couldn't continue. One thing was for sure he wasn't leaving without them and if he couldn't regain Michael's friendship he was going to get those notes. If he didn't then what he'd done was for nothing.      

             "Good afternoon David how can I help you?" David glares at him his mouth twisted in annoyance.

              "Good afternoon David? Is that all you have to say to me Michael after stealing all my research!" Michael glares back at him his face and voice betraying nothing of the rage he felt.

               "I didn't "steal" anything. I took All my research when I left yesterday. I took nothing of your work. Sit down David would you like a drink" He continues walking toward the small rolling bar in the corner and pouring scotch into a tumbler for himself.

               "No, I don't want a drink I want the research you stole!" David growls his lips curled in disgust. Michael glares back at him a half smile playing on his lips.

               "I didn't take any of your work I only took what belongs to me."

               "Don't be flip with me Michael! You know dam well I can't complete the work without it! You quit yesterday remember? I still have a formula to complete or have you forgotten that I have a deadline to meet." David spits back his anger increasing with every moment.

               "I'm well aware of  the deadline David. It's the deadline what brought us here in the first place?" Michael shoots back one brow raised and challenging. David stare back at him his anger and frustration mounting.

   "I have just as much right to it as you do!" Michael laughs as he swirls the drink in his hand.

     "I don't think so David. If you recall, at your insistence I might add we both agreed to keep possession of our intellectual property. So if you want to complete your project on time, with my work you and I are going to have to rethink the terms of this business partnership." David looks back at him weighing Michael's words and expression. This wasn't the Michael he'd come to know he was somehow different. He was stronger more confident and less trusting and there was something else in his eye. A little fire just behind them that hadn't been there before. Otherwise his expression gave nothing away. He had been confident on the drive over he'd known exactly how to approach him, exactly what to say. But the man before wasn't one he recognized and the previous approach now seemed in adequate at best. He had to admit he'd missed his company around the lab not just his work. Krystal was right Michael was more than just his partner he was his friend. Probably the only real friend he had in this entire town. He had never needed one or cared about actually having one since he'd moved to Pine Valley. The only person who even came close was Bianca but even that was different. No he hadn't realized how much he'd liked having a friend since Michael had walked out the lab.

          " I want you to come back to work with me and I'm really sorry if I hurt you and betrayed your trust. I really am. I want to make it up to you. Is there anything I can say to make this right between us." David concedes. Michael looks back at him his expression unchanged.

           "No David I'm to blame really. I came into this looking at it all all wrong. I forgot there are two David's." David's brow drawn into a "V" across his forehead his face filled with shock and anger at what he'd just heard.

             "So what are you saying Michael? Are you just like everyone else in this town? One mistake and "poof" no more friendship? Now you can join the ranks of the We Hate David Hayward Fan Club." He shouts then laugh's bitterly as he turns and walks toward the door. Then turns back his face filled with rage his voice stinging with venom.

             "Oh I forgot! Your daughters married to Jamie Martin! He's on the board of directors! What have they all been hissing in your ear?" Michael looks back at him his expression unchanged his voice even and firm.

            "If you're finished I looked at our relationship wrong there's David Hayward my business partner and David Hayward my friend. Just like there's David Hayward my friend and Dr. David Hayward Scientist and businessman." He pauses as David looks at him puzzled, angry yet curious as he nods silently.

              "From now on I'm separating business from personal." David expression relaxes but Micheal could tell his guard was still up.

               "I'm listening" Was David's only reply before Michael continues.

               " I'm going to give you access to my data and you are going to give me access to yours and that includes our business transactions along with all the notes from the investors meeting you went to yesterday and all the previous meetings hand delivered from the chairs office with his signature. I'm going to come back to work because I think what we are doing is important and someday will save lives." David stares back at him surprised and relieved but still a little hesitant knowing instinctively there was more.

              "I still hear a but in there." Michael smiles for the first time during their entire meeting but it wasn't one David recognized it was cold and in direct contrast with his eyes that burned.

               "If you ever treat me like some naive fool again and excluded me from the business of running this research again I will crush you." He finishes leaving no doubt in David's mind he meant every word. "As far as our friendship goes eventually that will work itself out most friendships do. Anyway my lawyers will be dropping off our knew agreement this afternoon and I'll see bright and early in the morning." He says as the maid appears at the doorway.

              " The maid will see you out and I will see you in the morning." Michael says then drains his glass before setting it back down on the cart and leaving the room.

*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2018 

Molly and Justin

       

        Molly rolls over and picks up her phone from the nightstand and checks the time ignoring the message symbol flashing. Right now she didn't want anyone or anything to interrupt her beautiful evening which rolled into an even better morning. It was still early and Justin was still sleeping peacefully she thought laying back against the pillows and smiling to herself.
        He was probably exhausted from the hours he'd been putting in at the hospital beside the hours they had spent making love last night. And it was love they had been making he'd told her so both before and after. She'd felt it in every touch, every whisper and with every kiss. She'd felt truly loved by a man for the first time in her life and it was glorious and she wasn't going to let anything or anyone spoil the moment. She just wanted to lay there quietly and watch him sleep. He looked peaceful and happy. A little smile tickled his lip as he slept lending his features a boyish charm the way his hair fell back from his face. So different from the sexy, aloof tough guy image he exuded in his waking hours and a far cry from the thoughtful and gentle man he was last night with her.
         Justin was special more special than she'd like to admit to anyone especially to herself. That was until last night. Last night had changed everything for the two of them. They'd sat in their secluded booth in the "Speak Easy" he'd found. They'd laughed and talked for hours about nothing and everything all at the same time. All of it reminding her just how much Justin had always been there for her. Through all her wild child antics and drunken debauchery he'd always been there. Holding her hand holding her sometimes her hair while she tossed her cookies over the side of his family's boat. He'd stayed in the lobby with her and missed an entire concert when she'd become falling down drunk before it had even started. The guy she'd gone with had just left her there. Justin had kept her from wandering off with some rando from a bar so many times she couldn't count He'd always answered his phone when she'd called or called her right back if he couldn't. He'd always been a friend she could count on when there was no one else. When he told her he loved her last night she'd realized just how much she loved him. 
        She hadn't know it at the time but he'd planned the entire magical day for her. He'd started by taking her to lunch earlier. Later he'd met her at the station and taken her out for the evening. He hadn't allowed her to go home and had instead had Danny pack her a bag and had told her if she hadn't liked the outfit Dani had chosen for her they could stop at any shop she wanted and pick one his treat. Of course Dani had chosen the perfect dress and shoes for her so that hadn't been necessary. Then he'd taken her to the "Chateau" for dinner then to a Club for a little dancing. The dancing she was sure he'd done just for her since Justin never danced. Throw down in a Pit maybe but dance nah. she thought almost laughing aloud at the memory of his attempt. Although, he had been unmatched when a slow song came on he had twirled her around the floor like a professional. Surprise had been an understatement.
         "Where in the world did you learn to do that?" She'd asked as he'd led them to a couple of spots at the bar. He'd smiled shyly waiting until the bartender had departed before speaking.
         "Can you keep a secret?" He'd asked as she nodded excitedly.
         "I'm serious you can't tell anyone." He'd whispered before looking around them again his voice lowering.
         " When I was about twelve my Dad moved us down to to Georgia and we lived with my Grandmother in her ridiculous house with all her stupid rules and social nonsense. She and my Mother forced me to go to charm school so I could be the proper little southern gentleman." He finished with a groan as the bartender placed their drinks in front of them. She'd stood there a moment unable to utter a word then had broken into peels of laughter it was a few moments before she could control herself.
          " I knew I shouldn't have told you!" He muttered turning his back to the room and staring into his drink trying not to laugh himself.
           "That is hilarious! You poor kid!" She manages before bursting into another fit of laughter.
           " Just keep yucking it up." He says then finally gives into his laughter.
           "Come on you know it's funny." She says giving him a quick kiss and hugging him to her." 
           "Yeah it is, come on you want to get out of her go someplace else?" He asks smiling down at her and swaying to the music as he talks.
           "Like where? It's that weird time of night." She asks smiling up feeling closer to him in this moment than she had to any man.
            "I know just the place. Come on." He'd said leading her out of the club and to the car. They'd laughed and chatted the entire way. Ending their ride in a small "Speak Easy" just before crossing into "Center City" then back to his place where they'd made love for the rest of the night she thought closing her eyes and sighing contentedly.
           "Happy?" Came the strong deep voice beside her. She opened her eyes smiling back at him.
           "I've never been happier." He smiles his eyes dancing with delight at the expression on her face.
       "Me too." He sighs as he wraps his arm around her and pulls her close.
       "You know if I wasn't starving I could stay here all day." He says snuggling with her further into the covers.
        "I was just thinking the same thing." She purrs running her fingers along the corded muscles of the arm he had wrapped around her.
         "Man, I am starving." He laughs as his stomach growls.
          "Why don't you stay here and I am going to make us some breakfast." He says kissing her forehead before rolling away from here and standing then grabbing his jeans from the chair as he walks. Molly sits up and watches him smiling at the sight of his nakedness then blushing at the naughty thoughts running through her mind.
         "Do you need any help?" Justin walks back to the bed and leans down kissing her upturned lips.
         'I got everything under control. You just sit here and stay beautiful." He says turning from her and walking to the closet. He opens it pulling out fresh towels and a new toothbrush and laying them on the bed.
        "Here's clean towels and a toothbrush incase you you want to take a shower while I'm in the kitchen." He says with a wink then walks toward the door.
         "Oh and I almost forgot to tell you," He say turning back towards her just as he reaches the door frame.
         "I love you Molly Montgomery." His smile lighting his face lending a sparkle to his eyes then leaves whistling merrily down the hall before she can respond.
          " I love you too. " Shout after him then murmurs it again with a giggle surprising herself at how deeply she felt it. She glances at her ringing phone hesitating for a moment deciding whether to answer it or not instinctively knowing who ever was on the other end had nothing good to say.
          "You concentrate on you." Came Vicky's comforting voice bringing the smile back to her lips and heart as she ignores it instead she grabs up the towel and toothbrush and heads into the bathroom. 
          "Damit Molly answer your phone!" Barbara growls as she slams the phone receiver back into it's cradle.
          " I see you're as popular at home as you are here." The Matron says with snort making the other's in line laugh.
          "Come on Montgomery back to your cell."
          "Please just let me call one more person please?" Barbara begs her fear at having to go back to the jail cell mounting.
         "You've had your turn! Other people are waiting! Now come on!" She says pulling at Barbara's arm and pushing her in front of her. Barbara jerks from her grasp wishing she could slap the bitch hard.
         "I'd check the attitude if I were you Princess cause it looks like you're going to be with us for a good long while." She says with a laugh making the other guards and the prisoners they were attending laugh Just  as the call comes over the radio.
       "Becker? You have Montgomery?" The voice crackles over the radio the later grimaces as she reaches for the receiver on her shoulder.
        "Becker, transferring the prisoner back to her cell."
        "Orders are to bring the prisoner to the front." The voice from the radio making Barbara gleam with glee.
        "Looks like someone cares after all. Come on princess." The matron says pointing her down the hall toward the doors she had come through hours before.
        "I knew Molly wouldn't let me down!" She murmurs as they walk her smile getting broader the closer they got to the release desk and the daylight beyond. She mumbled in agreement glancing quickly at her belongings spread on the counter before being scooped up and placed back in the envelope and handed to her. She peered anxiously out the small hole in the portal hoping to see Molly's face on the other side to see if she could gage her temperament and seeing no one.
        "Montgomery!" The voice of the matron booms in her ears causing her head to spin towards it at full attention.
         " I walk this way!" She said pulling her arm and leading toward another door.
          "Where are we going?" She asks stopping mid stride and pulling from her grasp.
          "Well Princess who ever paid your bail made arrangement for you to be released out the back entrances so you could avoid all the "Hawks!" She snarled referring to the gang of reporters who normally rubber necked by the desk Sargent. She lead her to a fenced in area nodding to the man sitting guard at the gate.
           "One release Montgomery, Barbara...." She continued as Barbara ignored her. She tried to see past the double door frustrated there was nothing she could see other than the inside of a solid steel door. Frustrated she answered mechanically to the guards questions confirming the information the matron had given.
         "Step inside the cage please  then place your hands in the opening." He said as the door buzzed opened then slammed closed behind her. She placed the envelope in her teeth then placed her hands through the opening wincing slightly as the guard pushes down on her handcuffs and unlocks them.
        "Thank you. When the alarm buzzes please step through the double door. When it buzzes again please step quickly through the outer door. Thank you." He says sounding more like a drone than a human to her then forgetting him complete as the door buzzed and she took her first steps to freedom. She practical ran through to the outer door in her rush to see her daughter. Even happier as the door to the the limousine opened from the inside. Her girl knew how to treat her old  Mom after all. She'd probably used her uncles clout to make all the arrangements or perhaps Jack himself. Yes, more likely Jack. Who else would be able to have her released out the back away from the prying eyes of reporters. She walks quickly to the car stopping abruptly as a man steps from it and another from behind her trapping her between them and the open limousine leaving her no place to run. 
        "I'm sure you remember me Mrs. Montgomery." Comes Lenka's smooth voice chilling her to her core.
         "Get in! You and I have things to discuss." He say sliding in ahead of her as Sergei pushes her in sliding in behind her trapping her between them fear gripping her chest like a vice. As the limousine speed out of the alley she longed for the safety of her tiny cell.

*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2018

   Molly, Justin and Barbara              

Michael and Sophia

       

         Michael sits in his home office working on the formula on his computer trying to ignore his ringing phone. He knew who it was without even looking at it. David had called him non stop since he'd walked out on him yesterday. He didn't have any more patients to deal with him today than he did yesterday. David needed to know that he wasn't a child or some dupe he could cuckold. He was supposed to be his partner! Instead he treated him like a child! Worse a pet! Just pat ol' Mike on the head every now and then and send him back to work like a good little dog! David need him and they both knew it. Without his work David would have nothing and as of today's stability trials he would definitely be needing him.
        The formula had held up David was going to need that data and he was the only one who had access to it now. That's why all the calling. If David wanted to talk to him he could damm well come see him! He thought as he stood and began pacing the room muttering to himself. Why was it when it came to business everyone treated him like a child. As if he was some freshed face kid straight out of college all doe eyed and hopeful. Did they think that all the years he'd spent locked in that hell    somehow sheltered him from the evils of men. It was quite the opposite it had made him an expert and now David would finally see that. He'd make him see it! Was his last thought as he threw the glass across the room the shattered pieces scattering across the floor.
           'Hey! What's going on in here?" Sophia shouts coming through the door looking down at the pieces then back to Michael.
            "Let me make sure I understand this. You're mad at David so you break your stuff?" Her voice chastising as she folds her arms across her chest. Michael looks up at her surprised and ashamed.
             "I'm sorry Sophia." Michael sighs. Sophia smiles back at him then moves to the sofa and sit down. She slides her hand over patting the place next to her.
            "Come sit next to me. Let's you and I have a little talk." Michael smiles back at her weakly before sitting down next to her. Sophia reaches out and takes his hand in hers and pats it gently.
             " You and I have to stick together you know." Micheal looks back at her one eyebrow raised in confussion.
              "Why that Sophia?" Sophia chuckles a little as she pats his hand.
               "You and I we're really the newcomers here. I mean sure we both have family here but our roots aren't here. You and I we're transplants. We just picked up and planted ourselves well, in your case you were never able to really put down your roots anywhere. You and I were just getting started. We don't really know any one here all we have to go on are what people tell us and our own instincts. So honey don't kick yourself if you make a few mistakes along the way." Micheal looks back at her and shakes his head.
              "So you think I made a mistake with David too?" Sophia shakes head.
              "I've seen you around here lately you were happy. With your work and your life so no I don't think you made a mistake in trusting David as much as you did."
               "I don't know why I did! You don't like him and no one else does either. I should have listened." He grumbles.
              "I didn't say I didn't like David. He's a very charming man. He can be very kind and he is absolutely marvelous with his patients. I remember how he was with you." She smiles patting his hand again. "All I'm saying is you were so excited about what you were doing you kind of blinded yourself to David's nature. When it comes to medicine he's fearless and single minded he going to get want he wants. If that means he has to lie or use a little trickery he will. In his mind the good of his patients outweighs everything else that includes friendships. You on the other hand have a very exact moral compass. You are a compassionate and caring man you really only want to see the good in people and you deal honestly with them. When you're a person's friend you think about how your actions will affect the other person. Those are very admirable qualities but not necessarily in business. You just have to remember who you're dealing with this work you're doing isn't friendship. Just because you're honest doesn't mean everyone is being honest with you."  Michael grimaces the words hitting him like a slap.
             "So you think I'm a fool too?" Sophia looks back at her him her expression shocked and angry her words sharp cutting him deep.
              "You just hold on there mister! I said no such thing! I have never since the day you were born have I thought of you as anyone's fool! Neither does anyone else. Stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself! Do you think you're the first person to ever been hurt by a friend? Listen I've been walking this earth a lot longer than you. I've been betrayed by my friends and people much closer than that! Now stop whining and put your big boy pants on! You go march yourself over there! You tell David exactly how it's going to be from now on and you continue the work of saving lives! I didn't raise a coward! " Sophia finishes her face flushed from the force of her anger. She glares at Michael who stares back at her his face beaming from ear to ear surprising and confusing her.
              "Sophia sweetheart you didn't raise me at all." He says with a laugh as he reaches over and wraps his arms around her hugging her close before letting her go. Sophia blushes deeply as she looks up at him tears glistening the corners of her eyes.
            "I'm so sorry it's just for a moment you reminded me so much of Mikey I forgot who I was talking to." Michael smiles back  he takes a clean handkerchief from his pocket and dabs the corners of her eyes before handing it to her.            
            "Don't be sorry that is probably the nicest thing you could have said to me. It's been a really long time since I've had a Mom it's nice to know there's someone out there that thinks of me that way. Thank you." He say hugging her quickly.
             "I'm going to do exactly what you said." He says as he walks to his desk and begins to gather his paperwork. Sophia smiles back watching him as he gathers his things.
             "Good! Let me know what happens. And, when you get back I'll have a nice Panna Cotta waiting for you." Michael comes around the desk his arms full.
              " I look forward to it." Sophia pats him on the back walking beside him toward the door.
              "That's my boy." She says with pride making Michael smile.
              "Mr. Slater," The maid yelps coming towards them.
              "There's a Dr. Hayward in the living room asking to speak with you" She said looking from Michael to Sophia the two grinning back at her then at each other.
              "Well kid looks like the mountain came to Muhammad." She winks and nudges him in the ribs.  "I'll be in the kitchen." Her chuckle trailing behind her as she walks the opposite direction to the kitchen. Michael laughs as he watches her go then steels his expression as he walks down the hall to the living room. He didn't want David to know his feelings one way or the other a trick he'd learned after years in that hell his father had thrown him in. He realized now he'd have to employ a few more of them if he and David were going to keep working together.


*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2017

David and Michael
Opal and Sophia