Fast Fingers...

[willywanker]

OOC: just checking, is this where you guys were thinking the brother would go? Having fun with this but it's been your thread for long enough, don't want to step on any toes.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: I don't see anything wrong with your post. I don't quite know where this thread is going. Maybe the killer will find them or something.

The others joined them in the kitchen just as Sara was finishing putting everything on the table. Mac could only stare at her hands. She knew her eyes were all red from crying, and the last thing she needed was having more questions shot in her direction. She could feel Tom's eyes when he entered, but she couldn't look at him.

Mac didn't know why she pushed him away. He was offering to help, to listen, just as Sara had. Maybe it was time for him to know the truth. She couldn't deny that she was attracted to him, he had to know what she was before he decided she was worth his time.

 

[Isolde]

OOC: You are doing great. You make a great big brother/cop. I guess its up to me to get this dinner underway. Momma Ashford is going to take the bull by the horns. Hope no one minds but we gotta get them all working on this case somehow.

IC: Desiree moved past her mother and set the tray and dishes in the sink. She cursed the fact that Tom was involved in this but she knew that he was right. As long as family was involved he wasnt going to let up and there was no way that he was going to turn his back on this. Desiree felt like a weight had been placed square on her shoulders while she was standing in quicksand and she was slowly dragging everyone down with her.

She thought back on what her dad had whispered to her on the porch. A few simple words but they struck home,"The Ashfords stick together." They always had and always would. Wasnt that why she had come here in the first place?

Sara Ashford was getting everyone set up at the table. Dad was at the head and mom was across the table. Mac and Desiree were placed together and Tom across from them. When everyone was sitting down, her mother cleared her throat. Uh oh. Desiree knew that sound. Sara Ashford did not have a habit of speaking out too much but when she did no one-not even her husband-ignored what she had to say.

"Before we start this meal," Sara said in her practical and no nonsense voice,"I think we need to get a few things straight. Since this is a family dinner, no one is going to eat until we start acting like a family."

"Since Desiree arrived the Ashfords have been acting like enemies instead of the close knit family they are. That stops right now. Besides, I have heard some things recently that make me belive that it is going to take all of us working together to get this situation untangled."

Her eyes slide over to Mac and Desiree's mouth dropped. Leave it to her mom to figure everything out before the rest of them.

"Desiree," Her mother said sternly,"I am surprised at you. I have never known you to keep something this important from your family. I dont care how much you thought you were protecting us you need our help and you know it."

Desiree opened her mouth to say something but her mother held up her hand to silence her. "Now, I am going to take charge of this right here and now and after I am done speaking you can all have your own say but not until then. Mac needs our help and I, for one, am going to give it to her. The rest of you stubborn mules can go on fighting among yourselves and wasting time but that is not going to help the situation."

"And you," She turned to Tom,"Can stop being a cop for five minutes and listen to Mac's story with an open mind. The Ashford Ranch is out of your jurisdiction-got it?"

Desiree saw Tom nod. Like she said-no one messed with their mother when she put her foot down. "Okay, honey," Sara said to Mac,"You go ahead and tell them what you told me. And dont you worry. These men of mine know that they better tow the line or else."

 

[LittleRedDevil]

If it were any other situation, Mac would have laughed at the way Sara Ashford took control of her house. I guess the cat is out of the bag, Mac thought, right before she took a deep breath and started her story. "When I was 10 years old, my father taught his children how to pick the toughest lock on the market. My brother's just couldn't seem to get it, but I mastered in no time. Whenever there was a new security system develop, or a new lock to pick, my father and I would go over and over it. At the time, I didn't understand any of it, I was only a child and that was quality time for me and him, that and when he would watch me ride. My father's name was Darius Jameson, but his associates called him Masters. He was the best jewel theif that ever lived, and he taught me everything he knew, although at the time, I thought it was a game," she paused in her story, dreading what she was about to tell them, "One night, when I was seventeen, I had a date with the captain of the football team. We went parking, and fooled around for a very long time. I didn't realize what time it was. I was late for my curfew by three hours. When he drove me home that night, I was ready to do battle, but instead, I found my house surrounded by police. My father, mother, and two brothers had been killed. I found out later that they were lined up and executed, shot once through the back of the head." She stopped to wipe her eyes.

"You take your time honey." Sara's reassuring voice kept her together enough to finish her story.

"Not long after that, I realized what my father had taught me, and I decided it was time to make good use of them. I built a reputation for myself. I can get through any security system out there. It was the only way I could think of to find out who killed my family. They needed a theif once, and I knew one day they would need another one. I planned on being that thief. My alias is the Devil." Mac peeked at Jack and then Tom, she could tell that she had floored them. "I only came forward when the killer went after Marcus. He has come after me before, but he just couldn't seem to catch me. No one else was supposed to get involved, but Marcus got to close, so he had to be eliminated. I know he won't stop until we are both dead, so we have to catch him first."

 

[Isolde]

Desiree kept silent through Mac's story, looking up every once in awhile to see the reaction of her dad and Tom. Her dad had known part of the story-the part about Mac's dad but that was all.

After Mac finished her story there was silence and then her mom prompted her to speak. "Ray, I think it's your turn to come clean in all of this. What can we do to help you in this?"

Desiree sighed. "When Marcus got hurt I figured that I needed to get him to a safe house but whoever hit him was connected. He used cop killers. This ment that none of the regular safe houses would do."

"And then Mac came to us with her tale and I knew that if I arrested her than she was dead as soon as the doors closed. You know how it is. If the guy wanted her killed than no amount of security would help and there would be no escape."

"I figured I could take her and Marcus out here and they would be safe. I could get dad to quiz a couple of his old police buddys on the murder and maybe come up with a suspect. Get him before he could get either of them. I didnt plan on Tom being here."

Looking at Tom, Desiree added,"Look, if this blows up in my face....well, one Ashford career down the drain is enough. I didnt want you to throw yours into the toilet as well. There is so many land mines in this situation that I am surprised we havent stepped on more as it is."

"Dad is right when he says that if anyone asks about us the neighbors are sure to let us know and give us fair warning. But I dont doubt that the murderer is going to track us and pretty soon. We have to know who he is before than. Mom's right when she says I need help. All three of us do. I just hope we're in time to turn this around."

 

[willywanker]

Leave it to Momma to make everyone come clean. I did wonder how she got Mac to tell her when she wouldn't tell me, maybe cause I'm a cop. And I guess I should be upset that I'm attracted to a thief, but I'm not. Far from it, she is the "Devil"!! We have a file two inches thick on the Devil back at the station house and it doesn't even hint that the devil could be female. She's good, really good and even tho she's on the wrong side, I really admire someone who is professional.

Glansing across the table, I catch Mac sneeking a peek my way. I smile my biggest smile and say "Okay, little lady, everyones cards are on the table now. And with the three ladies and two cowboys sitting at this table, I'd say we have a full house and that a pretty good poker hand at any table. And we even got a joker in the deck here when he gets to feeling a little better" refering to Marcus. Mac met my smile and giggled. "Would you please give up that John Wayne impression. You are sooooooo bad at it." All the ladies started laughing and Dad chuckled too. "Shes right boy, never had the heart to tell you, but,,,,,she right"

I felt my neck turning a little red and my cheeks got a little warm. "Okay, I can live with that" I said, trying to smile. "But to get back to the problem at hand, If Des is right, this person or persons will soon be trying to find Mac and to make sure Marcus and Des don't get any closer. Dad, when you talk to the old gang, try to keep it to only those guys you really trust. Tomorrow, I think if Marcus is up to it we should all get together for one big session, kind of a task force thing. Mom, we still got one of those big old chalk boards out in the shed. Okay, after supper I'll bring one in and clean it up for tomorrow. And tonight, I'll camp at the spring down by the old logging road. I doubt they'd find you this fast, but thats the only way here that we wouldn't know about real fast."

"Hmmmmm, speaking of supper, have we made up enough to eat yet Mom. That ride made me hungery, how about you Mac?" Yep, leave it to Mom, the tension was gone and we were one big family again, pulling in an orphan under our care and protection, making her one of us. I caught a quick smile as she started to pass the food around and hoped again to get to know this gal a whole lot better.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Mac stood at the window of her room, staring out into the night. She felt like all the weight of her years alone had suddenly been lifted from her shoulders. None of them hated her, they were all going out of their way to help her. And even though she would never admit it, she was elated that Tom didn't hate her.

A warm breeze came in from her window, and she breathed in the wonderful scent of summer. It made everything seem better. She thought of Tom being out in the night all by himself. Maybe she would take a walk later and keep him company for a while. She smiled, wouldn't he be suprised if she decided to camp out there with him. After all, it wasn't fair for him to have to do it, especially when he was protecting her.

[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 01-24-2001 at 05:27 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Desiree walked to the stables where she knew the carriage to be. She had a promise to keep to a certian someone. She also wanted to fill him in on what had happened at the dinner table.

She smiled as she thought back on the last few hours. After dinner and dessert (some of mom's homemade pie) she and Mac had done the dishes together, shooing her mom off for some much deserved rest. Desiree couldnt believe how different a person Mac had become. She laughed and joked and kept giving Tom quick glances over her shoulder.

Desiree laughed into the night. It was about time Tom found a girl besides his sister and mother who could handle him. The only thing that stood in their way was that Mac was a theif and Tom was a cop. That could get stickier than she and Marcus. Desiree thought she had that all figured out though. Her dad used to say that there were some grey areas in police work that cops sometimes had to walk-well she figured this was one of them.

Going upstairs into her room she changed into a light summer dress with thin shoulder straps that came up above her knees and showed off her legs very well and a simple pair of white sandals. Grabbing a light jacket just in case, she had almost floated downstairs. It felt so good to be able to share her worries with someone else and the fact that her family was now in the game made her feel alot better. Mac was still in her room and Tom was in the living room cleaning up the blackboard. Mom and Dad were out taking care of one of the cows who decided that it was time to have her calf. It wasnt going to be a complicated birth so they had told both her and Tom to go ahead and stay at the house.

Desiree walked into the room and Tom looked up from his work. Raising an eyebrow, he let out a whistle and said,"Getting ready for a special night are we?" Desiree playfully smacked her brother on the back of the head and chuckled. Kneeling down by Tom, she said,"Listen. About Mac being the Devil. I was thinking. She said that she had been keeping all of the stuff she stole safe somewhere and the only money she took was from owners for insurance fraud."

She saw Tom's eyebrows raise in interest and she plunged on. "And she did do this to get to the killers of her family. You and I would have done the same, I think. It seems a shame to think that she might have to go to jail after it's all over just because she was trying to find thier killers the only way she knew how."

Tom had stopped cleaning the chalk board and said,"Go on." Desiree shrugged and said,"I was just thinking that if all those stolen items showed up in a way that couldnt be connected to Mac, well, they have never been able to pin anything on her before why would they be able to now?"

Tom had an incedulous look on his face that his little sister would even think like this but Desiree shook her head,"Oh, hell, Tom. I've already broken so many rules right now just by falling in love with my partner and hiding Mac here without the knowledge of my superiors that a few more to help a friend wouldnt hurt. What is throwing her in jail going to accomplish anyway?"

Giving him a quick sisterly kiss on the cheek Desiree said,"Anyway, think about it while your all lonely out there camping tonight and be careful, eh? Too many of the people I love have gotten shot as it is."

Shortly after that, she was in the stable and hitching the carriage to one of the milder horses. As soon as she was done, she climbed in and urged him out of the stables and over to the guest house not wanting to make Marcus wait any longer. Not to mention she didnt want to wait to be with him. Now that the weight was off her shoulders she was looking forward to some together time with him.

Halting the horse in front of the guest house, she jumped down and smoothed back her hair before knocking on the door. Getting a "come in" she entered and smiled at Marcus. "Ready to go, Handsome? This night wont last forever, you know."


[Edited by Isolde on 01-24-2001 at 05:19 PM]

 

[Angelus]

Marcus stood up and grabbed his walking stick then looked at Desiree and said, "As ready as I will ever be beautiful."

He then saw the dress that she was wearing and his eyes went wide, "Oh god, I wish that you hadn't of put that dress on because it is going to drive me nuts knowing that I can't do anything to you or I will injure myself even more."

Desiree smiled at him and said, "Should I take the dress off then?"

"No no. Keep the dress on, I know that I can't do anything but at least I can look at you as we go on this nice little ride."

With that the two of them walked out of the guest house and after Desiree helped Marcus into the carriage she got into it herself and told the horse to go. As soon as it did she turned to him and told him what had happened at the dinner table and Marcus looked at her, amazement on his face.

"What the hell are you talking about. I am incapacitated and by myself for one day and in that day your family knows who Mac is and knows why I was shot and why we are here. Okay, I am sorry for the outburst but it has come as a shock."

 

[Isolde]

Desiree shook her head. "You underestimate the Ashfords, Handsome," She said as she manuvered the lane they were on carefully, trying not to jolt or bump Marcus. "It was my mother that got the information, believe it or not. Out of all of us I think she is the best detective and she goes about it by letting the person come to her."

"I remember when Tom and I were young how we would try to get away with stuff we knew we werent supposed to and Mom would give us that look she has and everything would come tumbling out. Trust me, Dad doesnt even mess with her when she gets something stuck into her mind. She is immovable."

Desiree looked over at him and he had a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes. "Dont even say it, Handsome," She said with a chuckle,"I already know I have a good deal of my parents in me."

She stopped the carriage down at the lake where Mac and Tom had gone earlier that day but she was not aware of that. Getting off of the carriage, she helped Marcus into the Gazebo and they sat there looking out on the water and listening to the night noises.

"I love this place," She sighed and looked over at Marcus,"And I love being with you alone like this." She laughed and added,"Not that we get to experience it much."

 

[willywanker]

Tom absently kept wiping the dust and cobwebs off the old chalkboard, weighing in his mind the things that Desiree had planted there. Its was true that he wanted to find a way that he might have a chance with Mac when this was finished. But how did he get past the fact that she was a thief, a really, really good one, but still a thief. Yes, he did admire people who did their job well and Mac was a real pro. He realized with a start he was proud that she was so good. Not sure just how long he had stood wiping the same spot, he forced himself to be realistic. If she were turned over to the police, she would face charges for the jobs she had pulled and some lazy cops would probably add cases she had nothing to do with to put them in the solved case file.

Stepping back, he looked around and was satisfied that everything was ready for tomorrows "Task Force". And as he started up the stairs decided he could handle things with Mac if she could be convinced to give back the jewels she still held. He chuckled to himself when he realizied that he was even willing to be part of the cover up. Walking into his old room, he opened the closet door and started to dig around for all the camping gear. As he checked it over, he could hear Mac moving in the guest room next door. Picking up the things he needed tonight, he walked pass her door, stopping outside it, then moving down the stairs and into the night. Opening the hatch on his SUV, he pulled out his police issue sniper rifle and slung it over his shoulder and headed back thru the woods, moving quietly. He had to talk to Des in private tomorrow. If she could convince Mac to go along, well,,,,, a smile turned up the corners of his mouth, his mind replaying Mac walking out of the lake.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She tossed and turned in her bed, knowing she should go to sleep but not being able to. Mac finally just gave up and hauled herself out of bed. Maybe a nice walk would clear her head. Yes, that was the answer. She slipped into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, not bothering with a bra, after all who was she going to run into out here? A few cattle and some mosquitos? Mac pulled on her boots and headed down the stairs and out the door.

The night air surrounded her and she took a deep breath. The sounds of the night comforted her. It had been a long time since she had felt this good. She wondered around, not really paying attention to where she was, at least not until a pair of strong arms surrounded her from behind and she heard a rough whisper in her ear, "Are you crazy? I could have killed you, do you know that? What in the hell are you doing out here at this time of night?"

Tom's breath tickled her ear as he spoke sending chills down her spine, "I'm sorry. I really am. I couldn't sleep and decided to take a walk, I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize where I was. I didn't mean to scare you."
Was that really her voice? She sounded so breathless. "Tom, you can let go now. You've made you point."

 

[Angelus]

"And I love being here with you. I think that being shot was probably the best thing that happened to me."

Marcus saw the look that Desiree gave him and said, "I am joking but at least I get to spend time alone with the woman that I love. And I get to spend time here, in this perfect place where there is nothing to bother us."

Marcus sat back and ran his fingers through Desiree's hair, loving the feel of it. She look up at him with a smile before she moved up and kissed him which he responded to.
She then leaned into him but tried not to press into him too hard as he winced in pain everytime that she did.

Marcus looked down at his partner/girlfriend and grinned. He was lucky to be here and he knew then that he wouldn't do anything that would get him into trouble again.

 

[Isolde]

Desiree looked up at Marcus and smiled. "Wait here, I have a surprise," She said and then jumped up and went to the wagon. Pulling out a picnic basket, she carried it up to the Gazebo and set it down. At his look she laughed and shook her head.

"Dont worry, I am not going to try to stuff you with food like my mother does. I have something else in mind."

Taking out a tablecloth, she laid it down and on the floor and then took out two candles in thier candlesticks. Lighting them she put them in the middle. She removed a bottle of wine and two glasses next and then went over to where Marcus sat. Helping him to sit down by the tablecloth, she poured him a drink of the wine and passed him the glass.

"When I promise romance, I deliver romance," She says with a grin. She was also softening him up to approach him about her idea concerning Mac.

 

[Angelus]

Marcus took a sip of the wine and looked at Desiree with a large smile. She was right about the romance, the setting was right, in fact almost perfect and he was here with the right person. He took a look out at the lake and wished that he didn't have the bandages on or he would jump into it. He turned to Desiree and saw that she was looking straight at him and said, "I love you so much and I hope that you know that... I don't think that I can live without you anymore."

 

[Isolde]

Desiree looked at Marcus, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "I know, Handsome," She said in a soft voice,"I happen to be crazy about you too. I never felt this way about anyone before. You make me crazy...you know that? You are either frustrating the hell out of me or driving me nuts because I want to be with you."

She leaned over the table cloth and gave him a long kiss, not touching any other part of him though she wanted to. Sitting back, she took a sip of wine and decided to dive right into the topic she knew she had to bring up.

"Marcus," She said, looking out on the lake,"I know we dont get much time together and I really shouldnt be bringing business into our personal time but....I've been thinking."

Looking back at him, she continued,"About Mac....." She then gave him the exact thoughts she had given to Tom. She said,"I cant help thinking that the only thing we will be doing by putting her in jail is ruining another life."


[Edited by Isolde on 01-25-2001 at 11:58 PM]

 

[Angelus]

Oh Oh was the thought that popped into Marcus' head when she said something about Mac.

"Okay, what is the plan that you and your family have come up with. It seems that I have missed everything which is okay with me but I wish that I didn't have to find out like this, you buttering me up before dropping the bomb."

Marcus leaned forward slightly and looked at Desiree. I should have known that something was up...

 

[Isolde]

Desiree looked at Marcus and muttered,"Oh, hell. Marcus I really wasnt using this to butter you up...ok...I was a little but I really did want to be with you tonight. I just cant help but think about what is going to happen afterwards."

Taking a drink of her wine to wet her dry mouth, Desiree laid out the plan about giving the jewels Mac had back in a way that wasnt connected with her and letting it go at that.

"You know they will never find out," She said, trying to reason with him,"And why ruin a life when you dont have to? Mac didnt have to come forward and trust us. She genuinly felt sorry that you got hurt."

"So what do you think, Partner?," Desiree said finally crossing her fingers and toes.

 

[Angelus]

"Okay beautiful. I am sorry that I jumped to the conclusion that I did. I think that your plan has merit and that is why you are the brain in our team and that is why I love you. Mac should be able to get her life back but I don't think that giving back the gems will do it. We have to catch out would be killer before he or she comes after all of us. But- let us talk about that tomorrow because right now all I want to do is sit here and enjoy your company because I have missed you."

 

[willywanker]

Settled back against the base of a huge old oak tree, Tom again tried to make sense of everything. So much, so fast, he had come out to the family place just to see his little sister and less than 24 hours later was pulling sentry duty armed with his trusty automatic, a sniper rifle and a hunting knife. Tom had always loved the woods and would use most any excuse to camp, to be outdoors, so being out all night was something he was lloking forward to. And he would have time away from Mac to make sure just how he felt. How could he be so far gone so quick? This morning he hadn't known the girl and tonight he had decided he was willing to help in a cover-up of her thefts.

He was jerked back to the present when he heard a twig snap on the trail. He slowly turned his head, expecting to see one of the deer that used this trail most often, but that was a human shape, walking along, now getting closer and passing by him. An expert woodsman, Tom slipped to his feet flunge himself at the intruder. Just before his arms closed around the shape, he smelled the colonge that Mac had been wearing earlier. His arms jerked tight around her,pulling her tight against his body and asked "Are you crazy? I could have killed you just now. What are you doing out here this late?"

Mac answered him but he didn't really hear her. His mouth was right behind her ear, he couldn't get enough of the intoxicating scent of her, the feel of her body against his.
As he pulled her closer she spoke again,"Tom, you can let me go now. You've made your point." He started to let go and realized that the bear hug he had on her had him cupping her breast in his big hand, with only her sweatshirt between. He jerked his hand away and Mac giggled at his discomfort. The giggle pushed a button in him and he pulled her back against him again, his hand returning to cup her breast. "But do you really want me to let go? Maybe you'd like me to hold you, to caress you, to whisper in your ear that everything will be alright. Huhhh?" Squeezing her small body against his hs whispered again, "Its up to you, should I hold you or let you go?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She could feel the heat of his hand through her sweatshirt. And his big body just seemed to wrap itself around her. Mac was torn. She didn't want him to let go, not really. She felt safe in his arms, but she had only know him for one day. How could she feel this way already? The thought of him holding her, just like this and telling her everything would be alright was so appealing that her body made the decision for her. She pressed tighter against him, and wrapped her arms over top of his. Her whisper was soft and a little breathless, "Don't let go."

 

[willywanker]

His heart jumped when she said that. But he was scared as well. Tom had been with several women, but it had never been serious. No one had ever made him feel this way.

Slowly, he turned her around, always keeping his arms around her as she moved. Taking one hand, he grasp her chin and lifted her face and looked deep into her eyes. He felt her body tremble, not sure if she were cold or just scared like he was. He bent to meet her lips with his, a gentle, tender kiss. His fingers tangled in her hair, his breathe coming in quick pants. Pulling back, he struggled to see her well in the darkness. Struggling with his own emotions, he pulled back. "Whats wrong?" asked Mac, her eyes searching his face. "Nothing is wrong, it just feels so right that I'm scared. Does that make sense? Geeez, i just want to throw you down back there on that sleeping bag and make love to you all night long. I want,,,,,I wan,,,bbbuuuttt, I just need to see how this is all going to shake out first. Will you just sit and let me hold you for a while. I don't want to let you go. Does any of this make sense?"

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Mac smiled at him and nodded. "It makes perfect sense." Mac didn't say anything else, she didn't say how scared she was that she was going to care so much about him and then lose him. He seemed to have enough to deal with and she didn't want to compound that.

She took him by the hand and walked with him silently back to his camp. The fire he had going was burning brightly and it gave it a homey sense, at least to Mac. Tom opened his sleeping bag laying down and holding his hand out for her. For the first time since the murders, Mac didn't hesitate before doing something. His arms wrapped around her and she rested her head on his chest.

Mac couldn't explain it, but everything felt right. Just laying with him, listening to the beat of his heart seemed where she was supposed to be. She listened to the sound of the night mixing with Tom's heartbeat. It sent out a lazy cadance, conjoling her into sleep. She tried to fight it, but her lids became heavy and it wasn't long before she gave up the fight and closed them.

 

[Isolde]

Desiree smiled. "Ok, deal. We talk about nothing but the two of us for the rest of the night." Blowing out the candles, she put them away and moved over to where Marcus could lean back against her and they could both look out onto the lake.

They sat there for hours, watching the lake come alive with night life and talking in low murmurs about inconsequential things that really didnt matter-just enjoying being with each other without any strings attatched.

Somewhere in that time, Desiree wondered how she was going to be able to make herself go back to the chaos of the station where she and Marcus would once again have to pretend to be just partners and nothing else. Shrugging off the thought, she vowed to concentrate on just this moment and nothing else.

As the night grew old, she started to realize that she was doing most of the talking and she looked down to where Marcus lay against her and saw his eyes were beginning to droop. Between the alchol, his injuries and the calming effect of being here with no stress, he was falling asleep.

"Ok, Handsome," She said gently as she slid out from behind him,"Time to get you back to bed. I've kept you up too late as it is. I want you to get better."

She laughed a bit and added,"Because when you have healed you are in major trouble. It is taking all the willpower I have to keep my hands off of you."

Sliding her arms about him, she helped him into the carriage and then packed up the stuff and put that in too. Soon she was pulling the horse up to the guest house and had Marcus settled into bed. Kissing him before she left, quietly closing the door, she wished she didnt have to leave him here. Her bed was going to seem awful lonely at this point.

After putting the horse and carriage away, she headed back to the house. As she reached to porch, she looked up to where the window to her room looked out on the yard and then over to where the guest house sat in darkness and silence.

Turning from the house, she quickly made her way to the guest house and slipped inside again. Marcus was laying on the bed and she could hear his even breathing. Walking over quietly to the other side of the bed, she took off her sandals and slipped under the covers of the queen bed. Laying there, close enough to feel him but not to touch his injuries, Desiree quickly fell asleep with a smile on her face.

 

[Angelus]

When Marcus opened his eyes the next morning he was surprised to see Desiree laying beside him. He rolled onto his side and looked at her, how beautiful she was and wondered how he could go back to being just her partner at work but then he shook off the thought as he wasn't there and he had her sharing the bed with him.

Just then he heard the main door open and looked over to see Sara walk in, a smile on her face. She walked straight over the bed and stopped when she saw Desiree asleep on the other side. With a tray in her hands she walked slowly and quietly over to the bed and placed the tray on it. She leaned over to Marcus and whispered, "What did you do last night... I thought that you couldn't because of your wounds."
"I can't. I don't know what happened last night but I would remember if we did."

Without another word Sara turned and walked slowly and quietly away from the bed and then back out of the guest house, leaving Marcus and Desiree alone on the bed. Just then Desiree groaned and Marcus looked over at her and said, "Hello beautiful, do you know you look even better in the morning."
"Don't try and sweet talk me handsome... it isn't going to work," Desiree said in a sleepy voice.
"Okay."

Marcus picked up a piece of toast and took a bite out of it, making Desiree wake up instantly and look at the tray then him.
"Where did you get that from?" she asked.
"From Sara, she brought it in about a minute ago."
"And she saw me here. I think that I will have to explain this."
"There is no need. I told her what happened last night, which was absolutely nothing and she believed me then walked back out without waking you."