Letting the evening air fill her lungs, Tina held it in, her chest trembling with raw emotion before she exhaled with a heavy sigh and focused her eyes on the dark clouds slowly gathering above the Nest. A warm breeze from the west blew around the outer walls of the English garden, rustling through the bushes below her, and the strong scent of roses floated up to her balcony.
She sighed deeply again, remembering the night Maximus and John escorted her to this room. It had been magically created for her, to suit her own personal tastes. It was also the beginning of her own existence at the CrowesNest, and her eventual realization that she and John Biebe were soul mates. In her own writings, she had used the term so often it had sometimes lost meaning. Now that she knew what it honestly meant, she understood why her soul suddenly felt as if its hunger had been sated after a lifelong search. She felt as complete emotionally as she did when she and John coupled physically -- their minds, their bodies becoming one. Until now. A sob caught in her throat.
Since her arrival on this trip, she had never felt more at a loss than now. Her entire relationship with the Alaskan was at such a confused juncture, she could no longer think straight. She wanted it back as it had been before Hando and Sid sent the CrowesNest into this tailspin. She wanted John back: to hold him, love him, and yes, forgive him. Tina quickly wiped away her tears, then took another deep whiff. The heady fragrance of the roses combined with the obvious fresh scent suggesting rain in the air. Well, a little rain would be a pleasant change. She enjoyed sleeping to the sound of it, so perhaps she'd be able to rest tonight. Tugging the afghan back on her shoulder after it slipped at an angle, her eyes focused on the ever darkening skies. Looked as though they might be in for quite a storm. And the day had started so beautifully, Tina thought, recalling the stunning sunrise, and how happy she and John had been. It appeared as though it was all going to end on a less than wonderful note.
A movement at the garden gate drew her attention away from the horizon and Tina watched as Michelle fumbled at the lock with trembling hands before the wrought iron gate swung open, allowing her entry. Leaving the gate ajar, Michelle stumbled across the grass, falling to her knees beside one of the white marble benches. She buried her face in her arms and cried against the hard stone, her shoulders shaking as sobs escaped her.
"Michelle?" Tina called out, her voice nothing more than a whisper on the night breeze. Michelle's sobs fell quiet, but her head still lay against the cool stone. Tina backed up slowly, remembering what her girlfriend had been through the night before. Best to leave her alone, Tina advised herself, today's a day for being alone it seems. She turned away, giving one final glance down the hill towards the Tavern, certain that rumors were spreading through that building like wildfire. Her eyes focused on the front of the large structure, noticing immediately the crumpled vehicle behind Johnny's blue truck. She stared at it, her heart pounding in her chest as she thought of who the hunk of twisted metal could belong to. It didn't take her long to recognize the red paint under the spray of mud... that couldn't... no... Colin?!
She turned towards the garden, looking over the balcony again. "Michelle?" Tina called out, a bit louder this time. Michelle lifted her head slowly, wiping her wet cheeks as she searched for the source of the voice. "Is everything alright down at the Tavern? That's not... that's not Colin's car out front, is it?" She watched as Michelle stood slowly, visibly shaking with emotion as she walked the few steps to the fence and gazed down the hill towards the Tavern.
Oh God, no... Tina's eyes widened as she imagined the worst. "Oh Chelle... Dear God. I'm sorry... I'll leave you alone." She turned to go, her heart in her throat.
"No Tina...." Michelle looked up and Tina caught a glimpse of her tear streaked face in the shadows. "It's not what you think. Colin's all right. You don't have to go..." She lowered her eyes, clenching her fingers as though she were trying to control the emotions whirling inside her. Tina watched her friend, unsure of what to do or say, but knowing that she couldn't leave Michelle out in the cooling night air.
"Chelle..." Tina spoke after a moment. "Why not come up here? We'll have some tea.. and we can keep each other company for a while." Without glancing up, Michelle nodded and started up the few short steps towards the Hotel.
Michelle let herself into the Hotel through the two large French doors that opened out onto the English rose gardens. She wanted to go back to her room, curl up into a ball under the covers, and cry until her lungs were too tired to breathe, until her eyes became too blood-shot to shed any more tears, until her body hurt so much that she passed out from the pain. She longed for the darkness of unconsciousness, to be completely void of feeling, numb against the ache that constantly tugged at her heart. But the thought of a friendly female shoulder to cry on seemed to be the next best thing.
A couple of minutes later, Michelle stood outside Tina's suite. The door opened without her knocking and Tina welcomed her in. They stood in awkward silence as Tina closed the door behind her.
"How are you feeling, Chelle? After the accident last night, I mean." Tina hesitated, struggling to initiate some form of conversation. "I'm so glad you're alright, that was quite the scare... for all of us." Michelle stared past the balcony, gazing at the clear view it provided of the Tavern. Her hands were stuffed inside her pockets and she swallowed several times as she blinked back tears. Glancing out the window too, Tina sensed that something more had happened between Colin and Michelle since the brawl last night. But would could have possibly happened? And what's with the car? She reached out a hand and touched Michelle's arm gently. "Chelle? What happened... with Colin's car? What the hell happened?"
Michelle let her gaze drop to where Tina's hand rested on her arm, as if the touch of another human hand was the only thing stopping her from falling into some dark abyss. When she spoke, her voice sounded distant, almost lost. "He took on a train...."
"He took on a... Excuse me?" Tina stammered as sudden images of train accidents filled her thoughts. She had seen what trains could do to people. "Colin took on a train?!" She squeezed Michelle's arm, the pressure forcing Michelle out of her trance and she nodded.
"I don't know how... why he was so stupid..." her voice cracked as she tried to control the emotions that were welling up within her as the numbness and darkness faded away.
"I don't believe this." Tina shook her head. "I thought Colin had better sense...."
"He was out driving after this morning's fight with Bud and..." Michelle tried to continue.
Tina gasped, her eyes widening. "Wait a minute? What? Are you telling me Colin still hadn't gotten over that fight with Bud last night? After John and I talked to him... Hell, we talked to him and Bud about hurting you! But after all those hours, Colin's still not over it...."
Michelle closed her eyes, remembering the second fight between Colin and Bud. She spoke slowly, the words catching in her throat. "They were going to strangle each other, and... and I told Colin that it was over."
"Right. They were fighting and you fell off the balcony. And after that the two of them were acting like they'd finally come to their senses. John and I told them to leave you alone for the night...."
"No..." Michelle gave an exasperated sigh, "This was this morning...."
"What? Wait... I'm confused." She pulled gently on Michelle's arm, directing her towards one of the large overstuffed chairs in the sitting room. "When did you tell Colin it was over? He didn't go and bother you after promising me and John...."
Michelle sat back in the chair with a heavy sigh, wincing as her stiff body came in contact with the cushions, and began to retell how Colin had entered the bedroom to find her unconscious on the floor, how he had tried to apologize, holding her tightly against him until she had yelled at him to leave her alone. "I was so mad at him, for everything, and I said such horrible things.... I told him he'd have found someone else within weeks if I'd died, what did it matter? And... he looked so crushed. I just wanted to call him back. But...." The words caught in her throat again as she recalled the look of anguish and rejection on Colin's face as he had left her in the dimly lit bedroom.
"But you couldn't." Tina finished for her, remembering the fight with John in the parking lot and how she had longed to run back to him, even after he had hurt her so.
"I couldn't. And then later..." Michelle let out an even heavier sigh. "I heard them downstairs."
"Heard them? Colin and Bud? They were at it again?!" Tina exclaimed as Michelle began to cry. "I don't believe this! After everything we went through last night, the two of them are playing gladiators! I didn't know they were so freaking stupid!"
"It was just awful...." Michelle continued between tears. "I came out of the room and saw them... trying to kill each other. That's when I told Colin it was over."
They sat in silence, until Tina leaned forward in her seat, "Michelle, I had no idea about any... Colin swore to John, and so did Bud... John threatened to kick them both into the real world if they did this again. I don't get it. What the hell were they thinking?!'
"I don't know..." Michelle's voice came out in a whisper. "And then, Colin and the train..." She buried her face in her hands. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have...."
"No!" Tina reached across and gripped Michelle's knee. "No! Don't you start that with me! This is not your fault! Why would it be your fault because the two of them are acting like six-year-olds!? And I know even six-year-olds have better sense than that!! That's like a rape victim blaming herself for being attacked. I am not going to sit here and listen to you say another word like that!"
Michelle shook her head, only able to see the look on Colin's face as they had argued. "But if I hadn't been so mad at him...."
"If you hadn't been so mad at him, what? He and Bud just would have killed each other later in the day."
"But the train... he risked everything, Tina." She tried to explain, "If I hadn't been so mad, maybe he wouldn't have taken on the train and risked everything. The Nest... everything. He could have been killed."
"No Chelle... don't start blaming yourself. Colin took on the train, you didn't tell him to." Tina sighed as her mind was suddenly overwhelmed with images of cops and the media swirling around the CrowesNest. She shook the horrible pictures from her head and turned back to Michelle. "I'm spouting cliches here, but Chelle... he's an adult and he should have known better. Nothing you did should have pushed him that far...."
"He looked so awful," Michelle interrupted, "And he was so angry!"
"He ought to be angry!" Tina interrupted. "That's one of the stupidest... What the hell's his problem!? He ought to keep kicking himself until he ends up in the real world!"
"No...." Michelle gave a frustrated sigh. "He's angry with me... me and Bud. If he sees Bud again, I'm sure he's going to kill him."
"He's angry with you?!" Tina threw up her hands. "Of course he's angry with you. It makes perfect sense! 'Colin... go play games with the train.' What an asshole." She closed her eyes when she saw Michelle flinch, and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Chelle, but I can't help it. He's being a complete ass... and why does he keep bringing up Bud?"
"I don't know." Michelle leaned back in her chair, ignoring the pain that spasmed through her as curling her legs underneath, folding herself into a ball. "There's nothing between us anymore, certainly nothing for Colin to worry about. But he couldn't even look at me. I don't know... I don't know what to do." The two of them sat in silence for a moment, until Tina rose from her seat and crossed to the balcony, gazing out at the dark clouds. Leaving the window open, she pulled the sheer white curtains closed and turned back to the room.
"I'm sorry, Michelle." She sniffed quietly, trying to smile. "I'm sorry... I'm not very good at this, trying to figure out the best things to say in a situation. I'm always so awkward at times like these." She shivered and tugged her afghan tighter around her. "But if you want to stay and talk, I'd be more than happy... well, at least to listen." Tina glanced away as she fought to control the tears that were welling up behind her eyes.
"I'd like that." Michelle smiled weakly. "I could use some female company. I think I've had enough of these males to last me until next Christmas."
"Yeah, me too." Tina laughed quietly, but her eyes continued to fill with moisture. She crossed the room back to the chairs and began to fidget with the throw rug that lay on the back of the sofa. "Sorry... I'm sorry I didn't know about all this other... I was sort of, well... out of the loop last night after they took you upstairs." She paused, catching her breath. "John and I, we... uh, were out all night together."
Michelle heard the hesitation in Tina's voice and immediately remembered the state she had seen John in when she had been down at the Tavern; the look on his face as he had told her that he had 'screwed up' royally. She chided herself for not thinking of it earlier.
"Something happened, didn't it?" she asked and Tina nodded.
"Something..." she started, trying desperately to keep things under control as a sob began to build in her chest. "Did you... did you know that John and I had a falling out after I got there? To the Tavern, I mean." Michelle shook her head. "No, no... I didn't think you did. I think you were upstairs with Colin."
"John looked a little out of sorts... just now, when I was down at the Tavern." Michelle remembered the look of sadness on John's face and began to slowly put the pieces together.
"He..." Tina swallowed hard, "John did? Well, that was from... Oh God." She gave a heavy sigh. "It's a long story. I don't even know where to start and you've got problems of your own to deal with."
Michelle smiled softly, making a point of glancing at her watch. "I haven't got anywhere to go...." Tina tried to laugh at Michelle's small joke, but it came out almost as a sob.
"You were upstairs with Colin, I think." She finally began again, "It was after I got there... John and I, we... we had our first disagreement. It wasn't like that little spat when they acted so silly the day Trish arrived. No..." She shook her head. "This was... Oh God." Tina's face paled and hands shaking, she sat down on the edge of the sofa.
".... much worse?" Michelle completed the sentence, reaching across the coffee table to take Tina's hand in hers.
"Oh yeah, much worse. I mean, this... this...." She paused, closing her eyes as she tried desperately to focus her thoughts. Michelle waited patiently, until with a deep breath, Tina began. She told Michelle about the disagreement over Hando, explaining how John had tried to empathize with her, admitting that he could never fully understand what she was feeling, but that it did not change the way he felt towards her. He had managed to convince her to see for herself the fragile condition that Hando was now in, and the change that he had undergone in only a few hours time, and Tina had reluctantly agreed. She admitted to Michelle that she had been quite stunned by the sympathy that had surfaced within her when she had seen Hando lying almost lifeless on the tiny cot.
Tina continued, noticing Michelle shift in her chair, and she thought of what discomfort her girlfriend must be in after her tumble from the balcony. "And then your fall, Chelle.... I can't believe those two fools. John and I talked with both of them after that. We told them to leave well enough alone...." Tina knit her fingers together on her lap, "Well, John and I decided to call it a night. I think everyone'd had enough for one evening, so we had Liz fix us up a basket. Just something light, and...." Tina's expression lightened for a moment, "John had me drive to this beautiful spot on the beach so we could watch the sunrise and have our picnic." She found herself squeezing back tears, "It was just like normal, you know. He was so sorry for hurting me, Chelle. And all I had to do was look into those eyes." Tina's gaze met Michelle's and the two of them laughed quietly. "We had... we had a wonderful time at the beach. He... he's so patient with me and all."
Tina lowered her eyes, her cheeks flushing slightly and Michelle smiled at her, "John's a good man, Tina."
"I..." Tina's face blushed a deep shade of red as she continued, 'I wish I was more experienced in... well, that sort of thing. But he says that's one of the things he likes in me." Michelle found herself blushing as she thought of Colin and the times they had spent making love to each other.
"Colin says the same thing, you know." She fingered the seam of her khakis, "He was my first...."
Tina continued on her line of thought, "I've never met anyone that special... I mean, Max was...." She stopped and stared at Michelle. "He was? Colin was your first? What about..." She paused, leaving the question open ended, but Michelle knew what she was wondering.
"Bud?" Tina nodded and Michelle smiled, her cheeks reddening even more. "Bud was the perfect gentleman when we met. He was willing to wait until I was ready... and then when I found out it was Colin that I was connected to..." She lowered her head, hiding her smile behind her hand. "Colin was my first... and only."
"Oh wow... I had no idea. Max was actually my first. But sometimes," Tina glanced over at the picture she had been holding earlier that afternoon, of her and John down in the English rose gardens. "Sometimes, I feel like the only one I've ever known was John." She let out a slow breath before turning back to Michelle. "Does that makes sense to you?" Michelle nodded, understanding completely.
They're both innocents! How utterly charming... How -- delicious. And one gets stuck with a bank robbing idiot who almost does a 'Thelma and Louise' in the end, and the other with some disgusting whale blubber from Alaska. It's quite shameful. They both deserve so much better.... They both deserve... someone like me. Sid tried not to moan too loudly at the thought, especially since neither woman was supposed to know he was there. He was quite proud of himself. Being upset, Michelle had not noticed she was being followed, but the cyber-psycho was very quiet on his feet anyway. Once Tina had gone into the suite to let Michelle in, it was quite simple for him to maneuver his way up to her balcony. He was becoming quite experienced at this little aspect, thanks to finding his way into some of the other ladies' rooms in the same manner. He just prayed he didn't make another exit as he unfortunately had out of Stef's room -- through a window. That was why he had to remain as still as the proverbial church mouse. He couldn't afford to get caught. Besides, this conversation was too wonderful for words.
Michelle and Tina -- Tina and Michelle. I never would have guessed. So much more innocent than they let any of us believe. These two are simply boiling over with passion. Too bad it's with the wrong men.... Sid tugged the collar of his suit jacket up around his neck, giving a sideways glare to the dark clouds that had gathered over the CrowesNest. He peered through the sheer curtains at the two women, a smirk crossing his face as he thought of the fortune that had literally been dropped in his lap. He hunched himself closer to the open window and waited to see what further juicy bits of information these two delicious females would unwittingly reveal.
Syrena came to a few minutes later, rising to consciousness with a moan, feeling first the stab of pain in her shoulder then the solid form of Hando behind her. He had his head bowed, and he was breathing haltingly with his cheek pressed against hers. She could hear him murmuring rhythmically, but she couldn't make out the words.The storm had arrived with its fury, and though the rock they had climbed offered a small shelter, the shelter was not sufficient to protect them from the raging wind and rain. Waves crept up the beach nearly to where they were sitting, and the air was biting cold. She took a deep breath, and the movement triggered a muscle spasm in her shoulder. The sound she emitted was something between a moan and a growl, and Hando raised his head.
"Sy?"
"Hmm?" She tried to lean forward slightly, preparing to stand up for the long walk back to the truck, but the strain on the muscles in her shoulder prevented the movement. "Help," she hissed. "Gotta get back to the truck." She felt a gentle pressure on her lower back as Hando pushed her forward, and she was grateful that he did not touch her shoulder. In spite of his careful assistance, her shoulder continued to throb, stabbing pains racing through every fibre of her body. She held her tongue and breathed heavily. With Hando's gentle support, she was soon standing shakily in the sand beside the blanket. "Can you get all the stuff?"
"Yeah, love. Are you okay standing?"
"Fine, but I've gotta get outta here."
He stuffed everything except the blanket into the garbage bag, hastily rolled the blanket and slung the leather strap over his shoulder, and returned to her side. Their passage along the storm-ridden shore was slow, and Hando often reached out to steady her as she stumbled. He remained silent whilst they walked, barely taking his eyes off her. The pain had transformed her posture from a confident stance to a slightly hunched and staggering figure, and the pallor of her skin was apparent even in the dim light of the waning day. Rain beat down upon them, thunder pealed and lightening flashed around them, and the wind pushed them in gusts making the path more difficult. After an age, it seemed, they finally reached the truck, and Hando turned to her, "Car keys?"
"Right front pocket," her voice was strained and wavering.
Hando retrieved the key gingerly, taking care not to bump her elbow, and opened the passenger door. When she was settled in the seat, she leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. He ran his fingertips along the ridge of her cheekbone, and her skin felt clammy to the touch. "I'm so sorry, Sy," he whispered before closing the door against the storm. He opened the driver-side door and unceremoniously stuffed the sandy blanket roll and garbage bag into the back seat and slid behind the wheel. His fingers were trembling, either from cold or from worry, and the seconds seemed to take hours as he fumbled to put the key in the ignition. Where do we go now? he asked himself. She should be in a hospital, but there's no hospital around here. What the hell do I do now? He took a deep breath, glanced over at Syrena who appeared to be sleeping in the passenger seat, and slowly pulled out of the parking lot to head back to the hotel.
The drive was uneventful, and Syrena roused as Hando eased the truck into a parking space in front of the hotel. "Where are we?" her voice was barely a whisper.
"The hotel, Sy. I... I didn't know where to go."
"Hosp... hospital, I need a hospital," her tongue stumbled over the words, muddled by pain. "I... I need... to see my... doctor." Her face seemed to be paler now, illuminated by the halogen lights of the parking lot. The rain pounded relentlessly, and the shadows cast by the rivulets making their way down the windows shivered eerily. "North."
North, then what? "Hang on, Sy. I'll get you there." One way or another. Hando drove slowly out of the parking lot and headed north on the road out of town. The road was straight compared to the mountain road to the western coast, and they left the storm behind them. The headlamps cut brilliant swaths through the deepening night, and Hando tried to concentrate on the road but found himself sneaking glances at Syrena's inert form. Sooner than he expected, lights of a small city pierced the darkness, and Syrena stirred. She guided him through the streets of town with single words of direction, and he followed her directions: straight, left, up the hill, right, left, emergency room. "Wait here, I'll get someone," and he was out of the truck and inside the hospital in record time.
Two nurses clad in white and pushing a wheelchair accompanied Hando to the waiting truck to retrieve Syrena. Once she was situated in the chair, they turned to take her into the hospital, and Hando moved to go along with them. "Hold on there, hon," one of them said, turning toward Hando with her hand outstretched. Her name tag identified her as Marnie. "Go park the truck, and we'll take care of her, ok?" He looked longingly toward the figure with bowed head resting in the wheelchair and took a step forward before acknowledging Marnie's gentle admonishment with a nod. He turned silently and hurried to move the truck to the parking lot. The nurses watched him go with looks of wonderment, hesitating there a moment before returning to the task at hand.
Hando parked the truck, memories of the day roiling through his mind, and tears welled up in his eyes. Never before had he encountered someone like her, so caring, so unconditional in her actions; never before had he told the story of his mother to anyone, and it was as if a weight had been lifted from his soul, laid to rest on Syrena's firm shoulders. Shaking his head, he banished his thoughts and blinked back the tears, and, reaching across to lock the passenger door, he pulled the key from the ignition and stepped out into the fair night. Stars shone far above, battling the light of the city below him, and he took a deep breath. The air was brisk and cool against his shorn head, and he walked quickly over a slight rise to the entrance of the emergency room.
The bright lights inside the hospital blinded him momentarily, and he stood blinking in the doorway until his eyes adjusted. When the brilliant spots had ceased to dance before his eyes, he saw to his left a room sparsely decorated in muted hues of blue and green with comfortable chairs along the walls. Between some of the chairs were low tables covered with magazines, and in the far corner there was a box of toys. In the opposite corner a television sat on a rack hanging from the ceiling. A young man sat near the toy box watching a small child make stacks of blocks then knock them down with a crash. He looked up and smiled sadly at Hando, his eyes wet with emotion, before turning back to the playing child. Hando turned away from the scene and gazed down a line of admitting cubicles, each with a well padded chair before it and a couple with nurses behind the desk typing notes into the computers. He approached one of the cubicles and lowered himself into the waiting chair with a sigh, leaning forward with his arms resting on the desk.
"One moment," the nurse behind the desk said, barely acknowledging his presence. He bit his tongue, wanting to leap up and make her tell him where Syrena was, and bowed his head nearly to his arms to wait. The typing ceased, there was a rustling of paper, and a voice dragged him from his reverie, "What can I do for you?"
"My... friend, I brought her here. Where is she?"
"Oh yes, the lady with the dislocated shoulder, right? We have some paperwork to fill out for her. Are you her husband?"
Hando blinked, surprised at the question, at the amiable manner in which it was asked. "No, no, we're--" What are we? "--just friends." He looked at the form the nurse had laid in front of him, glancing over the questions, and he felt at a loss. He raised his eyes and placed his right hand on the paper. "I... I don't know how to fill this out. She... well, we're new friends," he tried to explain.
The nurse nodded sagely, looking at the hand splayed before her on the white paper. The fingernails were torn and bloody, and she moved to touch his hand. "Are you okay, sir?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he pulled his hand back abruptly
She sighed and continued, "Do you know if she has an insurance card?"
"I don't know...," his voice trailed off as he tried to recall the journey that brought them here. "She gave me directions to get here. She said her doctor was here. You should have records of her."
The nurse sighed. "Records, yes. What's her last name?"
He bowed his head, trying to remember if she'd told him her last name and finding nothing. "I don't know."
"Her first name?"
"Syrena," he answered, thankful that he finally knew the correct response but once again at a loss when she asked him to spell it. He sighed heavily and pressed his forehead against his arms on the desk.
"Well, sir, we'll just wait until she can help us fill these forms out."
Hando raised his head, casting a bleary gaze upon the woman before him. "Can... can I see her? Is she okay?"
"You just wait here. I'll go check on her." She pushed her chair back and walked quickly to the end of the cubicle row to pass through a large swinging door into the emergency ward. Hando watched her leave, his heart thudding against his ribs and the tears rising once again to threaten. I hope she's okay. I hope it's not as bad as it looked. Damn, look what I've done to her. What have I done? When the nurse came back, she found him bent forward on the desk with his face buried in his hands, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself. She laid a hand on his shoulder, "She's resting now, if you'd like to see her."
Hando sprang to his feet, his eyes alight, and he followed the nurse as she led him through the large swinging door. Ahead of him lay a hallway with darkened rooms on the left and curtained cubicles on the right. Rows of flourescent lights lined the ceiling, and the floor glared brightly in the white light--a fair contrast after the muted colours of the waiting room. The nurse walked before him, striding purposefully toward the end of the hallway, coming to a stop at a closed door near. "She's resting, but you can sit with her if you like," she explained, leaning to open the door and allow him passage.
"Thank you," he whispered, standing in the doorway, peering into the dim room at the still form on the bed. He didn't hear the footsteps of the nurse as she left him there. Syrena lay reclined on the bed, her eyes closed in repose, thinly covered by a cotton sheet. Her left hand lay atop the sheet, and an intravenous drip was taped to its back, the white tape barely contrasting against her pale skin. Her fingers were curled under her hand, clawlike but for the index finger extended and encased in a black device with a wire looping back toward a machine near the head of the bed. Red numbers shimmered on the machine's readout, but Hando wasn't sure what they meant--I hope 85 is a good number, he thought. He drew his eyes back to her, to her face, calm in sleep, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw the oxygen tube draped across her face. The slow hiss of an oxygen tank countered the deep thrum of her breathing. He entered the room, and the door swung shut slowly without a sound. A chair rested against the wall, and he lifted it silently to set it beside the bed. He settled heavily in the seat as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders and reached out to gently brush her hair back from her forehead. "Oh, Sy, I'm so sorry," he whispered then bowed his head to rest his forehead on the bed near her left arm.
Tina sat with her back to the window, her shoulders shielded beneath the white afghan she clutched around her and Sid rolled his eyes as she continued her description of the night she and John had spent together on the beach. The image of the tubby Sheriff and the delectable Etienne going at it was less than sexy in his mind and he wished he had something strong to wash out the distaste that was forming in his mouth.
"We... we had a wonderful time. And I ended up falling asleep in his arms, but..." Tina's breath faltered and she rubbed her hand over the arm of the sofa, as if unsure as to whether or not she should continue.
Don't stop now, cherie.... you've told her everything already. Sid couldn't help but smile as he saw Michelle reach across and squeeze her friend's hand, encouraging her to carry on.
"But what?"
With a heavy sigh, Tina spoke again. "I had this dream... but it wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare. I was...." She paused, obviously trying to find the words to begin. "This is so damn weird, I don't even know where it came from." Sid listened intently as Tina began to divulge the intimate details of her nightmare; Master Hando's intent to have the slave Tina for his very own, and John's foiled attempt at escaping with her. He casually watched the tears stream down Tina's face as she told a mortified Michelle how Hando had lynched John right in front of her.
"That's the last thing I saw in my dream... the noose tightening around his neck and the horse being hit. And then Hando kissed me and I woke up." Michelle moved to sit beside her, and Tina turned towards her girlfriend, falling into her embrace. "I thought John was dead... I thought John was..." She repeated the phrase over and over as she cried on Michelle's shoulder.
To think, ma cherie, that you would cry over something as trivial at that... Come now... come cry on my shoulder. Sid cocked his head to the side and watched as Michelle rocked Tina back and forth.
After a few minutes, Tina managed to calm herself, wiping away the tears as she lifted her head off Michelle's shoulder . "And he... John just listened to me tell him, and he..." Tina smiled at the memory, "he sang our song to me. And I tried to forget.... he tried to make me forget."
Sid chuckled at the thought of a beached John Biebe making love to his beloved Etienne, singing to her with his off tune voice as he tried to comfort her. If only she would let me... I would make her forget ALL her troubles. A drop of rain hit his cheek and Sid cursed under his breath. Brushing away the offending molecules of moisture, he pressed himself further into the inside corner of the balcony, pulling his suit tightly around him.
"But you don't forget dreams like that," Tina added. "All I kept thinking was if I really had been in that time frame, I knew how hopeless my life would likely have been. And it just all hit home for me. As much as I tried to think about what John had said, that maybe we could save Hando..." she paused, taking a deep breath. "All I could think about was my dream, and that Romper Stomper should never have happened." She stumbled over her words, clearly trying to place her muddled thoughts in some coherent order. "I mean, after all... we're living on the edge of the 21st century. We're supposed to be better than that now. It's like all we've done is come full circle... back to where we started." Michelle nodded as Tina kept talking. "So no matter what John and I did this morning, when he was trying to make me forget... in the back of my mind was my dream. It never really left me."
But with me, cherie... it would have been different. If it had been me... I would have made you forget.... your thoughts would only be of me....
Tina's face broke out into a soft smile, "But we watched the sunrise and I fell asleep in his arms again after we made love." Sid scowled as she added this after thought.
"So it was alright then, for a while....?" Michelle asked.
"Yeah, things seemed fine. Then we got back to the Hotel; cleaned up; had breakfast. And you're not going to believe this, Chelle. When we were in the restaurant eating, Rick and Jeff were in there talking... guess who walked in to place an order?"
"Oh God, Tina... not Hando!?"
"Can you believe it? I mean, in he walks. And there's poor Jeff and Rick waiting for him to jump in on them. And of course, nobody knows why he's there. All I can do is sit there and hold my breath and watch. We were... we were at a corner table, he never saw us."
"Thank God!" Michelle gave a sigh of relief.
"Well... he doesn't do anything but place this order. He even talks to... well, we see him talking to Jeff like nothing's wrong with this picture, and Rick comes out with the order and he leaves."
"That's it!?"
"That's it." Tina shrugged. "No screaming, no yelling, no threats! Talk about surreal." After a moment of thought, she added. "Rick said he placed a lunch order for himself and Sy. I guess they were going on a picnic or something. I don't know.
"Wow..." Michelle seemed stunned by the turn of events. "After all that trouble he and Sid caused yesterday too."
Tina shook her head. "Yeah, John told me what happened before I got there. It just doesn't make any sense...." The two women sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again. "We left the restaurant after he'd gone. John and I were going to go riding up near the mountains. He wants to take me camping there sometime, so he wanted me to see the terrain...."
Another rain drop assaulted Sid's skin, quickly followed by several others. He gave an annoyed glance at the droplets of water that were quickly gathering on his right shoulder, sleeve and pant leg. Another suit ruined, his eyes narrowed as the thought crossed his mind. But he pushed it aside, intent on focusing on the conversation happening only a few feet from him. It's not everyday that you get this lucky, Sid.
Dear sweet Etienne was elaborating on the joy she had felt as she had walked out to the parking lot with Sheriff Tubby, excited about the prospect of spending the afternoon together and reminiscing about the times John had lavished her with white roses, her favorite, she said. Sid shook his head at this simplistic gesture of romance. Give a woman a dying flower and suddenly she's wrapped up in the sheets with you. He raised his eyebrow at the thought and smiled, I'll have to keep that bit of information... white roses for Etienne. It could prove very useful later on.
"And then he commented on Hando..." Tina continued, "how it was a whole new Hando we had seen... like he was some escaped good twin. And I said... I couldn't believe that he still didn't understand where I was coming from in all this. I... Chelle, I saw this look in his eyes. It was like he was staring head long into a tr...." Tina paused, shaking her head.
Head long into a train. Sid chuckled at Tina's slip-up. Poor lovely Michelle, she'll never be able to look at a train again.
"Like he suddenly realized what he'd said, but it was too late." Tina carried on, telling in detail how John had tried to explain his way out of the hole he had suddenly fallen into.
The fool... the wise-all-knowing sheriff is obviously not so smart.
Michelle held back tears as Tina finished, giving a heavy sigh. "I had a feeling..." the young woman rested a hand on Tina's arm. "I had a feeling something had happened. But I had no idea it would be something like this, Tina. In the Tavern, a bit ago... John..." Michelle hesitated, glancing towards the window. Sid stared at her through the curtains and he froze expecting her to see his shadow through the sheer material. But she blinked, shaking her head and returned to the conversation.
"John what, Chelle?"
"John looked so lost, Tina... I..."
"Oh God." Tina stood up suddenly, covering her mouth as she started to pace back and forth. "Oh God... don't tell me that. He kept saying he was sorry... he kept holding out his hand to me. I just couldn't... I told him I needed to think things over." Michelle's eyes welled up with tears as she rose to comfort her friend.
Probably remembering that idiot O'Brien and his whining. You ladies are worth so much more... you have no idea what you have been missing.
"John admitted to me that he'd screwed up, Tina. But I didn't realize... I didn't understand what he was talking about... Cort and East showed up before I had a chance to find out anything."
Tina stared at her, her hands shaking as she clutched them against her stomach. "He admitted... he said, he screwed up?"
"Yes." Michelle nodded, "he wanted to make it up to you, Tina. You should have seen him...."
"Oh John...." Tina moaned, clutching her arms as if in pain. "And then..." She started sobbing. "And now, I find out... Jeff told me, everyone knows what happened in the parking lot. Everyone knows that John and I fell out. He said something about Andy."
Sid smiled at the mention of the gullible Andy, always a fountain of information.
"I don't get this about Andy though," Tina frowned, "Jeff said he was listening, or something. Did you know that everyone knew? I mean, before you went down to the Tavern."
"I had no idea. But it seems that everyone does know, about you and John... about Colin and me. They were all talking when I walked in. I couldn't hear it all, but... I just knew. But I couldn't not go down there.... I just had to see him." Michelle let out a sigh of regret. "But now...."
But now... Sid licked his lips as he thought of all that he had overhead outside the fireside room. But now, ma belle Michelle, it is too late... Colin, the local village idiot has lost his chance at redemption....
"I'm not going down there, Michelle. I'm not. I don't know how you did it." Tina clenched her teeth and a series of shivers ran through her body. She let out a quiet sigh after a moment, "Listen... I've got the fireplace already going in the bedroom, why don't we head in there. I... I need to warm up a bit. This change in the weather must be playing with my system. Either that or I'm coming down with something." Michelle nodded and followed her friend into the other room.
Sid blinked as he suddenly realized what was happening. "Fuck me...." He hissed under his breath and leaped up from his position at the window. He bolted around the corner of the balcony, hurdling himself over a deck chair as he raced to the bedroom window. Gasping for breath he skidded to a stop next to the window, pressing his back against the wall. Once he had his breathing under control, he stuck his head out, glancing quickly into the room. Another set of sheer curtains provided him the protection he needed and he smiled proudly as he moved to get a better view. His eyes caught the canopied, four-poster, king-sized bed, complete with numerous pillows and silk sheets. This is just too good to be true.
Tina was readjusting the dial on the gas fireplace and she gave a contented sigh as she held out her hands to feel its warmth. Michelle was glancing casually around the room, noting each of the pictures on the wall... many of which were of Etienne and, for Sid, the increasingly annoying Alaskan.
Why does she feel it necessary to ruin the look of her beautifully appointed chamber with photos of Sheriff Pudgy? Now it if was me instead....
Tina finally stood again and turned to Michelle, her voice filled with hesitation. "John was there, at the Tavern... with everyone? Talking about us?"
Oh yes, cherie... you should have heard him... telling everyone the most intimate details....He was already rehearsing his future lies.
"Oh God no... no, Tina!" Michelle's eyes widened as she realized what Tina was asking. "No... John was by himself at the bar."
"He was?... He wasn't drinking, was he, Chelle?"
"No, Tina... he was just sitting at the bar, alone... when I went to see Colin a bit ago."
Tina closed her eyes and gave a deep sigh of relief, her shoulder relaxing visibly beneath her afghan. "You went to see Colin? Because of the accident?"
"No... I mean, I didn't know about the accident when I headed down there. I had no idea. I just had to see him, to make sure that he was okay after last night. I just had to see him...."
"Oh Chelle... who told you about the accident?" Tina's eyes widened, "Andy?! I swear that boy!"
Dear dear sweet Andy... getting such the reputation... tsk tsk...
Michelle swallowed slowly, "No, it wasn't Andy. It was East and Cort... They showed up with Colin's car."
"Oh no... Oh no Chelle...."
"His car was crushed, Tina... I don't know how he survived it. And everyone saw it.... they all saw it when East and Cort pulled up. I was so humiliated!" Michelle wiped at her eyes in frustration.
"Oh Michelle... I'm so sorry you saw that. I could see his car from the balcony...."
"I was so mad!" Michelle interrupted, crying steadily again. "John and Max tried to stop me from seeing him, but I couldn't...."
"And that's when you and Colin fell out again... right before I saw you?"
Michelle nodded as she slumped down on the edge of the bed, laying her stiff body across the silk sheets. "And I was so cruel... so angry. He's not going to want me back after all this...."
How could you want him back, ma belle? After all he has done to you.... You don't need him anymore. Sid closed his eyes for a moment, the image of her laying on the bed imprinting itself in his mind. He licked his lips and when he opened his eyes again, they were flashing with lust. You need me, Michelle... only me. I can and will satisfy your every desire.
"What did you say to him?" Tina sat down on the edge of the bed and looked over at Michelle.
"He kept talking about Bud, and I called him selfish... saying that he could have screwed up everything with this accident. The Nest... everything. And then...." Michelle paused, resting her arms over her face as she let out a quiet sob. "And then, I told him that I didn't care what he did anymore... because I didn't give a damn."
"Oh my God, Chelle... but you didn't mean it. You didn't mean that about not caring about him. He has to know you were angry and upset about just hearing about the accident. And he'll understand... I've told you before... it's not your fault it happened."
Michelle threw her arms aside and stared up at the canopy. "I know... I know. But I just keep seeing... Colin rejecting me... he was so angry and he couldn't even look at me, Tina. I can't help but feel awful. You should have seen how he looked when he was going on about Bud... I...."
"What is it with Bud?!" Tina gave an frustrated sigh as she flopped down beside her friend on the bed.
Oh Sid... he let out a soft groan, his eyes narrowing as he saw the two women laying on the bed together. A twisted smile crossed his face, the possibilities are endless... we must do something about this.
"I don't know... he knows there is nothing between Bud and I any more. Bud was even the one that introduced the two of us. And last night... it was all so innocent. But now, it's turned into this!"
"I'm sure he'll come to his senses, Chelle, and realize it was all a misunderstanding." Tina sighed again and the two females lay in silence for a brief moment.
You don't sound so convinced, my succulent Etienne.... Why don't we just tell her the truth.
"You know though, Chelle... that's what I don't get..." Tina spoke again, finally. "When I first came here, well... the Boyz for the most part seemed so... understanding about, well... if we girls had an attraction for one of the others. No one ever seemed to be stepping on anyone's toes. I mean, once I was here, even with all the possibilities.... Honestly, there were only two men I wanted to be with. And now there is only one. I don't understand though, how Colin could mistake a harmless little flirtation...."
"But I've never been with anyone but Colin." Michelle groaned, "Bud... nothing happened with Bud, and I knew as soon as I saw Colin, that he was... the one."
Such nonsense, my dear ladies... when you see what I can do for you... do to you... your inhibitions will vanish. And I will be the one....
Tina reached over, brushing a stray hair from Michelle's tear-stained face, "Why is he being so stupid about that?" Then she let out a soft chuckle, resting her head on the cool sheets. "I guess that was kind of rhetorical, wasn't it?"
Michelle laughed with her, "If I knew, I probably wouldn't be in this situation."
"Yeah, same here," Tina agreed. "I know John didn't mean to hurt me, but...."
"But he did." Michelle sighed as she rolled over onto her stomach.
"Yeah, yeah he did. I just don't understand why." Tina wiped at her cheeks. "I kept backing away from him, like I was afraid of him. Yet I know John would never hurt me."
"He would never hurt you. Just like Colin would never...." the words died in Michelle's throat.
As if a sudden cloud had filled her mind, Tina closed her eyes and shook her head. "Oh God. Look at the two of us, we're a mess! We're supposed to be two of the strongest women in the ol' CrowesNest, and look at us!" She glanced over at Michelle, a sad smile on her face.
"And we did have it perfect... with Colin and John."
"I know. I know. That's why all this is so hard. We just never had problems like... Max and Laura did. But now...." Tina lowered her gaze, fingering the soft silk fabric beneath her. "I don't see a hint of light at the end. You know... I never realized that before...." Tina spoke thoughtfully, "that everyone thought we were perfect. I never saw us that way."
Perfection... A smug laugh erupted in Sid's throat and he covered his mouth with his hand as he stared at the two women through the window. They haven't known perfection.... And as for Max and... my sweet Laura... well, that was nothing, not compared to this... this is going to be beautiful. Sid's eyes rolled back in his head as he thought of treasure that had been so innocently laid out before him.
"No wonder everyone's talking about us," Michelle sighed. "We've become the talk of the town."
Tina groaned, "That's what floored me when Jeff told me. He said we were the object of discussion. I couldn't believe him."
"And when Cort and East came into the Tavern and everyone was there... it was like that last nail, you know. It was awful! And now all I can see is the way Colin looked at me when I left him there... so empty... so angry."
"Oh Lord." Tina gasped, "I can't imagine... it must have been awful! And John... when he said he'd protect me, and I told him he couldn't protect me from Hando in my dreams. It was like.... he looked so, so defeated. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I just meant, oh Chelle...." Tina clutched a pillow, burying her face against it's softness. "I don't know what I meant. I was so upset... with John, with myself, with Hando. I don't even know this bastard and he's driving this... this wedge between us!"
Michelle sat back up on the mattress, curling her legs up underneath her. "Compared to yours, my situation with Colin just seems so... so ridiculous. It's petty jealousy. I just don't understand it."
"It's not ridiculous!" Tina boosted herself up on her elbows. "Not for you, and not for Colin either when he comes to his senses. But I know what you mean...." A smile crossed Tina's face and she shook her head hard again, "Hey, I was just thinking. I've been an awful host. Have you eaten today? Would you like something to drink?"
Michelle licked her lips, nodding. "I haven't had much of an appetite today, I'm afraid, but I'd love a cup of tea."
Tina pushed herself up and sat down on the mattress. "I got so used to afternoon teas when I was in England... They didn't have to be anything fancy. It was just the idea of taking an hour or so to just relax." She patted Michelle on the knee and rolled off the bed. "Why don't I be a perfect hostess and have the kitchen send us up something for a late afternoon tea. Maybe it will help me get rid of this chill I've been feeling. And I'm not very hungry myself, so something light might hit the spot with both of us."
"Sounds wonderful..." Michelle nodded, "And taking the time to relax after today, well... you know... I'm not going to argue with that!"
"Great!" Tina smiled, obviously happy to take on the role of hostess. "Okay... let me think. Well, tea of course. Do you like bergamot, chamomile... Oh I bet you like Earl Grey." Michelle grinned. "So do I." Tina turned and headed for the phone. "Let's see, we have to do this right now.... let me know if there's something you don't like. Finger sandwiches.... Scones... we have to have scones with clotted cream and jams."
Michelle lay back on the bed again, giving a long sigh. "It sounds lovely... and have them bring up some chocolate... I need chocolate."
Tina gave her a scolding look, "Oh you would bring up chocolate after me losing all this weight. I'll pile it back on again if they bring chocolate up here!" After a soft chuckle, she conceded, "Okay! Chocolate!" The women both laughed and Tina continued to list off the items for order. "And some tarts, fruit tarts, pecan tarts... whatever. Okay sounds great." She glanced back at the bed, "Does that sound okay, Chelle?"
"Perfect..."
Afternoon tea. It has such a hint of culture: so civilized...so very proper and British, with society written all over it. I like that. And the two of them - such ladies with all that passion bubbling underneath. Put them in the appropriate clothing, it could be a scene from 'Titanic' or 'A Room with a View'...the gracious young women who are so well-bred, but want nothing more than escape from their high society lives. Of course, neither of them have that type background...but it seems so fitting.
Yes, it was all so romantic, and what could be more appropriate for two romantics like Michelle and Tina. Sid sighed. It was getting to where each time he mentioned their names it was not only in the same breath, but also in the same context. The ladies with passion awaiting the right awakening. I can see either of them in one of those beautiful Edwardian gowns. Or in nothing at all... Sid sighed as he looked down at the ever growing bulge in his pants, then smirked. Although he and his brothers shared this one enhancement, he figured his was still the best. He knew how to use his to an advantage, while the others for the most part could only be sentimental fools. He was surprised any of them could please these passionate women. Well they might try, he snickered to himself.
This was too much. He watched and listened as the minutes passed, imagining them not in their casual clothing, but in something sexier. What a beautiful threesome they could make with their diverse personalities. Seeing the two once more relaxing on the bed -- so innocent, so precious... He had to show them how much he cared, and he reached for the handle on the left door, just barely twisting it when....
The distinctive tone from the doorbell to Tina's suite played its' brief music, and Sid's pulled away from the handle as he caught his breath. Not yet he told himself, stepping back a little more in order to observe. Likely that was room service with the tea setting. He heard the gracious hostess excuse herself to go answer the door, then disappear into the sitting room area, while Michelle stretched as best she could, her muscles still obviously bothering her.
Sid grinned lasciviously, allowing his tongue to slowly caress his lips. If given the opportunity ma belle, I would make you forget all your aches and soreness. I can give you more exquisite pleasure than you have ever known - pleasures combined with pain. I just know there is more to both you and Tina than you let on.
Once more a hand eased into position on the handle. Just one little twist, a slight click to indicate the latch was thrown, and he would ease inside, hoping to make an elegant appearance despite his ruined suit. Hell Sid...you make everything look good, he considered, about to turn the gold fixture when he saw Tina reappear in the doorway between her bedroom and the sitting room. She was giving one of those smiles Sid thought so lovely but somehow sad, just like her eyes. It's Biebe's fault! She no longer had that distant sadness -- but it has returned. Ah Sid...it will be for you to rid her of it once and for all.
"Chelle?" The other woman raised up on the bed while Sid watched, waiting for the proper moment to make his entrance without frightening them to death. "Guess who decided to come up with the tea?" The cyber-maniac cocked his head to one side. Now this was unexpected. Who was the mystery guest: Biebe...Colin? Both of them?!
His answer came up right behind Tina, and Sid felt his mouth drop so quickly, he nearly gagged. There was Laura, calling out a "Hi!" upon seeing her friend on the bed. Michelle slowly moved, turning in position so as to put her feet on the floor, a large smile spreading across her face. The smile increased however when others appeared behind her: lovely Trisha from England carried a silver tray containing all the proper implements for making tea, while the ever-interesting Kel carried another tray loaded with various desserts. The Welsh Kath bore a third which was loaded with sandwiches, and Stef bounded inside with a fourth tray containing items Sid could not make out, but were obviously related to what had come before. Laura's tray was filled with a series of plates, cups, saucers and utensils.
I'll be.... Ah shit, Sid complained.
"Well, look at the sickie over here," Stef proclaimed, placing her tray on an empty table before she rushed towards the bed. "We wondered where you'd disappeared to, girlfriend."
"Hey Chelle," Laura added. Soon the ladies surrounded the bed on nearly all sides, as they put down their loads, and approached Michelle. Soon the bedroom was filled with more feminine voices and laugher.
Sid's mouth dropped open as he stared in disbelief. I don't fucking believe this. Where the.... He scanned it all, his eyes narrowing. There's that bitch Stef. I still intend to get her back one day for throwing me out that window! She's another one who doesn't know the best when she finds it. Oh no, she'd rather make merry with tubby Tio and Boo-Boo, or Poo-Poo, or whatever the hell it is she calls Wendell.
Trisha was talking now: "So when Annabella said you had called down with an order for afternoon tea, I couldn't resist. So I got all this lot together...."
What is it about an English accent that drives me so wild. I really must get to know her better someday.
"And here we are," Kath added. "Hope you don't mind, Tina."
And there's that bitch Kath! Kath! She's another one who showed such promise. So I arranged to get us stuck in a Ferris wheel. You would think she'd been trapped there with Ted Bundy or Jack the Ripper the way she reacted...All right, that's not too far from the truth, but....
"When it comes to afternoon tea, having lots of company is what makes it so special," Tina said, smiling back at the trays filled with all the things which would make the custom what she adored.
"I just don't know that much about afternoon teas," Laura admitted, sitting near the foot of the bed. "And I was looking at all those different teas - I'm afraid the only thing I know is 'Lipton'. Tina tried to get me to go to a couple when we were in London, but all I could think of was dressing up and having some butler serve you while everyone sat around with stiff backs and crooked little fingers." She laughed, along with the others.
Tina shook her head, shivering slightly and pulling the afghan tightly around her. "I tried to tell her it was so much more than that. See what the movies do to ruin stuff."
Ah Laura...I could have taught you so much about afternoon teas...and more afternoon delights as well. But I suppose that will be for me to teach delightful Etienne. What will you think when both she and Michelle claim what could have been yours if you hadn't been so foolish. Sid licked his lips again. Such a perfect hostess - look at her.
"It's just a wonderful way to relax, whether you're alone or with friends," Trisha piped up.
"I'm just sorry we don't have customs like this here in the States," Kel admitted. "The South has tried to adopt a few things, but there's something about teas...no matter the time of day, isn't it?"
"It just gives you an hour to relax without all the pressures we get even at lunch. Tina you just went for a regular tea, right?" Kath asked, looking over the trays. "Didn't go the elaborate route I see."
"Nope...just the small menu this time. And Laura, wait until you try the Earl Grey. It's one of my favorites."
"It's my personal favorite," Michelle admitted as Stef and Laura helped her to her feet when she seemed too stiff. "Did Annabella send up bags or loose leaf?"
Tina grinned. "Loose leaf of course. Only the best for my friends." She removed the silver lid from one container. "Chelle, here's your chocolate. Oh God...truffles, wafers, rum balls, miniature bars."
"That'll hit the spot," Michelle laughed, and with the others, encircled the table nearest the fireplace.
Sid smiled again, enjoying the view of all these luscious Crowe ladies gathered about as Tina performed her role, despite all that was unsettling her. Such a little trooper. Her poor heart is breaking because of that idiot Biebe and yet she goes on. The same with Michelle... he considered, as he watched her show Laura how to use the strainer for the leaves. Ah...when the three of us are one, we shall partake of the greatest delicacies, both for the body and the soul. Afternoon teas, breakfasts in bed, wine tastings, dinners the like neither has seen. He tried not to laugh out loud, as he recalled a passage from a fictional book he once read on Henry VIII. Sweetbreads and other fancy tidbits had been inserted in areas of the body to enhance the sexual experience, before the partner removed them by some sensual method. He must teach Michelle and Tina how to go about that....
Another few drops of rain blew against his cheek, and he looked up, exasperated. He had waited this long to make an entrance to his two chosen loves. This rain was not going to run him away. Besides, surely these others wouldn't stay long; they would notice both women were tired and not remain.If he was lucky, Michelle might linger a while longer to finish her conversation with Tina and that would leave an opening for him to enter and comfort them. Sighing and smiling at the expectation, Sid settled back as best he could, and continued to enjoy the sights.
