Fire & Ice By: Demonheart (JJ)

"What's that smirk for?" Karen asked Carlos after they'd made their way into her home.

"I am just thinking what Urs and Franky are up to right now after what we saw through the window." Carlos shrugged and raised his eyebrows with a suggestive smile.

"Oh! You mean make up sex? I don't think so." Karen shook her head and watched Carlos's features turn to one of surprise. "It's not Franky's way or mine whenever I have an argument with the man with."

"Oh." He nodded while his features became serious and he caught the questioning look on Karen's face as he took a seat on her couch. "I was just wondering about your last boyfriend. How could you not know he was married?"

"His wife wasn't around that much. She worked miles away, came home once every few months. He didn't wear a ring. He didn't even have so much as a photograph of her on his desk. He did of the boat though." Karen shook her head and huffed a quick laugh. "Then someone came to work at the clinic who knew Paige, he followed me home one day, told me Ronny was married, even showed me their wedding photograph and I recognised Paige from a couple of charity events I'd attended. He called Paige, told her what Ronny had been up to and she insisted on speaking to me. She didn't blame me at all and it was her that came up with the idea to confront him on the boat. She filed for a divorce the next day and I decided to come home to England. I don't cheat and won't accept my man cheating either. I'm just glad I didn't come off the pill when he asked me to and I got myself checked out when it ended. I loved it out there but I was very homesick and more than a little worried about Chris, that's what swayed my decision. I really needed to find out what happened to him and I'm so glad I have." She finished with a slightly worried look.

"I do not to the cheating either." Carlos smiled and shook his head. "Not anymore anyway. I only did so once when I was muy younger. The girls they were very angry with me, but my Papa......Aye! He went loco and warned me what he would do if I ever did it again. I think I prefer to sing baritone, no the castrati, gracias." He informed with a quick grimmace as he wrapped his arms around a giggling Karen, pulled her close and kissed her firmly.

"Tell me." Karen asked breathlessly while Carlos tracked delicate little kisses down her throat.

"Tell you what?" He asked without stopping to pull back and look at her.

"Tell me about these plans we have for the weekend." She asked while she ran her fingers through his hair and breathed in the very essence of him.

"I have none......yet." Carlos shook his head and huffed a laugh as his kisses moved to Karen's shoulders.

Karen arched her neck and moaned slightly while Carlos's hands moved slowly over her. Their lips met in soft, slow kisses that gradually became a little firmer. Karen sighed quietly as he gently parted her lips with his tongue and slowly discovered every detail of her. She sat feeling weak and breathless in his arms as he pulled back.

They looked into each others eyes while Carlos's hands moved to the hooks and eyes that held her into the black bustier top she was wearing. Slowly, teasingly he kissed her softly after unhooking each one.

Karen moved her hands to the buttons of his shirt and slowly teased them open. Carlos sighed and hesitated as Karen's top slipped to the floor, revealing that she wore nothing underneath. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and slipped his left hand up her naked back to cradle the back of her head as he bent and kissed her firmly again. He closed his eyes and shuddered while her hands moved slowly over his chest and abdomen, taking her time to run the tips of her fingers through the substantial covering of hair before she slipped her hands around to his back and allowed them to move ardently over him.

They moved quickly up the hallway to Karen's bedroom removing pieces of each other's clothing as they went. Kissing each other passionately as they crashed through the door. Carlos gently urged Karen backwards until they reached the bed and they both fell onto it.

Karen moaned quietly while he kissed her gently and deeply, his hands taking their time to discover her body. Seeming to take an eternity to find her womanhood and watching her face while he teased her with his fingers. Hearing him gasp as she arched high and came for the first time.

Allowing a quick squeal to escape as he buried himself as deep as he could go. Kissing her again and making love to her mouth while he unhurriedly slipped in and out of her. Arching her back high and emitting a long, low pitched moan as he thrusted a little faster, drove her to another orgasm and followed her over.

Continuing to kiss each other while he softened, then snuggling up against each other and slowly falling asleep after Carlos had remarked that he had an idea how he would like the two of them to spend the weekend and Karen had given him a playful slap on seeing the flirty glint in his eyes.

_______


Emma hid at the side of the fridge listening to Erin shouting her name while she ran through the house. She giggled on hearing the tone of playfulness in her voice. She thought quickly, opened the freezer door and pulled out the tub of ice-cream she'd been saving for when she and Erin had one of their girly nights in. She closed the door again and hid the tub behind her back as Erin crashed into the room.

"There you are." Erin huffed playfully once she'd found her sister. "You sneaky, secretive, little..... Ooooh! Why didn't you tell me? When did you meet him? How did you meet him? Why is he on crutches?"

"Grab a spoon and I'll spill as much as I can." Emma smiled while she held up the tub of Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra ice-cream.

Erin smiled and nodded, grabbed two spoons from the kitchen drawer and sat herself down opposite her sister. She opened the ice-cream and savoured the first spoonful as Emma began to speak.

"I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure how he felt about me. I met him a few days ago at the hospital. I won't tell you under what circumstances because that's private. You understand?"

Erin nodded and took another spoonful of ice-cream.

"I can't tell you why he's on crutches either, because that's privileged patient information."

Erin nodded again. "So how did the date go?"

"Great." Emma smiled. "He cooked a wonderful meal for the two of us."

"Have you met the others?" Erin questioned.

Emma nodded and smiled.

"Are they really as nice as they're made out to be?"

Emma nodded. "They're great."

"Are you seeing him again?"

"Yes."

"What about his girlfriend? I know he has one Em and I'm sure I've seen her face somewhere before but I can't remember where at the minute. I don't want you wasting your time with him if he's still with her.

Emma took a deep breath then closed her eyes before she spoke. "He was dating Jamie Strawson."

"The girl Chris was seeing a few years ago?" Erin's eyes flew wide as she swallowed a mouthful of ice cream and shuddered. "How the hell did she get her claws into him?"

"That I don't know and I didn't ask. All I do know is that he ended their relationship the other night and he's been through a tough time with her, just like Chris did."

"And you're sure he's not seeing you on the re-bound?"

"I'm sure. We've agreed to take things slowly." Emma smiled. "I don't know how long this going to last or how far it's going to go Erin. I just want to enjoy the ride for however long that may be. Be happy for me."

"I am Em. I really, really am" Erin nodded. "I just don't want to see you hurt again."

"I know."

"So when are you seeing him again."

"This afternoon." Emma sighed as she looked at the kitchen clock. "Oh lord. I'd better get to bed I've got to be at work for nine. You know what a grouch I am if I don't get at least six hours sleep."

"I know." Erin rolled her eyes backwards into her head as she watched Emma wash her spoon and return the ice-cream to the freezer. "Em? How did it feel when he kissed you goodnight?"

"Same as it feels for you when Glenn kisses you I should imagine." Emma laughed. "Like every firework in the world is exploding inside your head and there's an earthquake in your stomach."

"Exactly." Erin nodded and smiled broadly. "I have to keep this quiet don't I?"

Emma turned to face her, closed her eyes and nodded. "'Fraid so sis."

"Do you have any idea how hard that's going to be?" Erin groaned then laughed as she watched her sister head for the door that lead to the lounge.

Erin sniffed as she stood and washed her spoon. She smiled and sighed happily for the first time in months. Glad to see that the sparkle had returned to her sister's eyes. She made her way upstairs and laughed slightly when she pressed her ear against Emma's door to hear the sound of their first album being played at a very low volume. She opened the door quietly to see Emma already snuggled under the covers with a gentle smile on her face.

"Goodnight Em." Erin whispered as she pressed the switch on Emma's stereo that would make the CD repeat all night. She quietly closed the door and made her way to her own room.

She looked at the ring on the third finger of her left hand and smiled. It didn't bother her that Emma hadn't noticed it, she was just happy that her sister was happy. She changed quickly, snuggled deep under the bedcovers and smiled when her thoughts turned the gorgeous man whose proposal she'd accepted in front of all her friends.

"Night Seb." David shouted as he watched his friend make his way happily upstairs. "Now lets see if there's anything left of that lemon meringue tart." He smiled at Lauren, eagerly rubbing his hands together.

He made his way to his kitchen and opened the fridge door in anticipation. He huffed loudly and threw the door shut .

"What a hog?"

"Something wrong honey?" Laureen shouted from the lounge.

"There's none left. The whole damned thing's gone." David pouted, making his way to the couch to sit down next to her. He humphed loudly as he sat with his elbows on his knees and his face cupped in his hands.

"Never mind." Lauren shook her head and just managed to conceal the giggles that had been threatening to make their escape while he was in the kitchen.

David slumped back in his seat and sulked playfully as he turned to look at her. "I suppose I'd better take you home."

"Later. Much later." Lauren nodded, stood up and removed the black silk scarf she was wearing around her neck.

She smiled as she moved herself to stand in front of him. She placed her legs either side of his knees and sat down slowly on his lap. David looked at her, wondering what was happening.

"Come here and kiss me." She instructed with her right index finger.

He straightened himself up a so that he was a little more comfortable, wrapped his arms around Lauren's waist, pulled her close and kissed her gently.

"Now close your eyes." Lauren commanded as he pulled back.

"Why?"

"Just close your eyes" She commanded again.

"Ok." David shrugged and closed his eyes.

He startled slightly when he felt something go around his eyes to be tied at the back of his head.

"Can you see anything?" Lauren asked.

"No." David shook his head then felt her climb off his knee for a moment.

"Good. Open you mouth."

"What?!" David spluttered.

"Open your mouth." Lauren commanded again, straddling him once more.

David did as she asked and opened his mouth slightly.

"Just a little wider." Lauren giggled.

He did as she requested and startled slightly when he felt cold metal touch his tongue. His eyes flew wide behind the silk when he tasted lemon meringue tart. His lips sealed around the spoon, slowly pulled the dessert off and he allowed it to melt in his mouth rather than chewing. He heard Lauren giggling again while he swallowed and opened his mouth once more. He sighed as the spoon was pushed slowly into his mouth five more times and he repeated the process. He opened his mouth again and moaned quietly when he felt Lauren's soft, sweet lips touch his firmly. He reached up to his face and pushed the black silk upwards to see Lauren biting her lower lip lightly. His breathed out slowly while her eyes looked lovingly into his. Feeling her fingers beginning to undo the buttons of his shirt, he suddenly he grabbed Lauren's wrists, flipped her back onto the couch, stood and moved away from her.

"Don't play games with me Lauren." He requested with a sigh and a closed eyed headshake.

"I'm not."

"Yes you are." David snapped. "You've kissed me tonight like you want me to make love to you and what you've just done reinforces that. The other night you said you weren't ready to go that far and I can wait. I don't mind being teased but I'm getting mixed messages here. I don't like it, it's confusing me."

"I'm sorry." Lauren sighed then moved to stand in front of him. "I lied the other night. I did want to make love with you, I was just........scared."

"Why? I won't hurt you."

"I know. It didn't have anything to with that anyway." Lauren shook her head and began tugging her top out of her skirt. "I was afraid that if you saw these....." She paused to indicate several silvery blue coloured lines on her abdomen. "......that you would realise I'd had a child and you wouldn't want to know me. It took all the courage I possessed to tell you about Stephanie that day in my office and I needed to be sure that it didn't bother you. I know it doesn't because I don't think you would've said what you did if it bothered you. I haven't been with a man since Nick and I......"

"Five years without........" David shook his head then huffed a quick laugh when he saw the shy look and shoulder shrug Lauren gave him. "Ok. I do want to make love to you Lauren, but I don't want you to end up pregnant this early in our relationship and I don't have any cond.........Catholic."

"Yes I am Catholic, but not a practising one. When I came back to town after having Stephanie, I confessed to my priest. He was very, very old-fashioned, even implied that I was what Urs implied Franky was tonight for having her out of wedlock. I haven't been to confession or mass from that day to this, even though the new priest is a lot less judgemental. I've been on the pill since I had Stephanie any......."

"On the pill." David's features flashed a look of confusion, knowing that Lauren's religion forbad the use of any form of contraception.

"It's not only used as birth control David." Lauren laughed. "I get really bad PMS and severe cramps. I only really take it to balance my hormone levels out so things aren't as bad."

"Oh yeah. One of my exes used to get really nasty at that time of the month. Thew an iron at me once 'cos I didn't do something when I said I would. Her doctor did the same thing."

He pulled Lauren close and kissed her again. Her eyes brightened even more when she tasted lemon and he started a gentle, slow exploration of her shoulders, her back, the shape of her waist and thighs while he kissed her long and deep.

"It doesn't bother you that Seb is here?" He asked slightly breathlessly as he pulled back.

"No." Lauren smiled and shook her head. "Don't those painkillers he's on knock him out pretty quick?"

"In about twenty minutes." David nodded before taking a look at the clock hanging on his fireplace, quickly calculating that Sebastien had gone upstairs over half an hour ago and remembering he'd taken the pills as soon as they'd walked through his front door. "He'll be well away by now." He smiled, took hold of Lauren's hand and gently guided her upstairs, pausing outside the spare room to hear Sebastien breathing quietly and pulling the door shut.

After leading Lauren to his bedroom, David sat on his side of the bed, placed his hands on her waist and gently lifted onto his lap so that she straddled him just like she had downstairs.

He placed his slightly parted lips gently on hers, running his hands up underneath her blouse while they kissed. Hearing her moan into his mouth while he opened the buttons and pushed the blouse to the floor. Gently turning her so that they both on their sides and disposing of the skirt she wore.

Rolling Lauren a little further over and allowing her to remove his shirt before she turned her attention to the fastenings of his trousers. Watching her face redden a little and hearing her gasp when she saw that he wore nothing underneath while she pushed them off.


Moving his hands over her body whilst kissing her throat. Placing soft kisses on the mounds of her breasts while he searched for the fastenings of her bra, both of them huffing a quick laugh when he found the clasp at the front. Hearing Lauren call his name quietly while sucked gently on her nipples and slipped one hand between her skin and the fabric of her knickers. Feeling her tense for a second and hearing her gasp as he ran a finger slowly through her folds.

Using a second finger to excite her more than she already was while kissing her abdomen and using his free hand to remove what little clothing that remained. Sliding his hand under her back and taking her with him as he rolled onto his own. Watching her face and hearing another gasp escape as he eased himself inside. Holding her hips and guiding her to a rythmn that matched his own. Feeling her shudder and clench tight around him several times while they kissed hard and deep. Hearing her scream his name as he thrusted upwards and she came once more, following her over the edge a few seconds later, giving her everything he had.

Holding her and gently caressing her back with his eyes closed once she'd collapsed on top of him. Running his hands over her stomach again and telling her that he loved her once they'd settled down to sleep, laying spooned together.

Thursday evening

Franky scratched the top of her forehead while she looked at the figures in front of her.

"There's something wrong somewhere." She said to herself shaking her head, added the numbers up for the fifth time and double-checked the figures again.

"No, still almost a thousand pounds difference."

She sighed, lifted the laptop from her knee and set it down on the couch. She yawned and stretched herself out as she stood and made her way into the kitchen. She looked behind the door and smiled when she saw the still boxed tempered-glass computer table and cream leather office chair she had ordered before she'd even met Urs. Doing the accounts on her laptop was ok but the screen was small and tired her eyes quickly. It also meant that she had to frequently adjust her position or stop completely to stand herself up and stretch herself out, so she'd ordered the table which meant she would be able to spread herself out and that she would be able to work quicker.

She returned to the lounge and smiled when the huge display of red and yellow roses on the side table came into view. They had arrived at the garage that afternoon with a card from Urs apologising once more for the way he had been the night before.

She closed her eyes as she remembered how he had carried her upstairs, laid her gently on the bed and slowly removed her clothes and his own before they'd snuggled down under the covers together. They hadn't made love, preferring instead to kiss, gently caress and cuddle each other. Telling each other about their previous relationships. Telling Urs about her hopes and dreams for the future until they had fallen asleep wrapped tightly in each other's arms.

She had woken to the sound of someone knocking at the front door. The same someone who had delivered the computer table and chair. Once that had been put in the kitchen she had made coffee for the two of them and made her way back upstairs to see Urs with his head buried into her pillow and his torso shaking slightly while he breathed. She had put the mugs down quickly on her nightstand, sat down on the bed and had spoken softly to him as she asked him what was wrong, wondering why was he crying while she ran her fingers through his hair.

He had refused to believe she was real at first, saying that he was really at home in his own bed. That their making up was just a figment of his imagination, an alcohol-induced one, despite the fact that he hadn't drunk that much. That he had been dreaming that he had let her further into his heart, that he'd held her in his arms all night, that his heart was broken into a million pieces and his world was in tatters again.

She had huffed a quiet laugh and laid herself back down beside him, lifted his head from the pillow and smiled at him while she gently wiped the tears from his face. He had opened his mouth to apologise again only to feel her fingers on his lips, to raise his eyes to see her shaking her head at him and telling him to stop it, that he'd done enough apologising.

He had raised his hands to cup her face and had looked into her eyes while he slowly felt every detail of her face, making sure that she was really there beside him. Then he had moved his face close to hers and had given her a long, deep kiss before telling her that he loved her. He finished by pulling himself close to her left side and had laid there with the right side of his face pressed against her chest, the fingers of his left hand skimming slowly up and down her right thigh while she gently stroked the back of his head. He had stayed that way until she informed him that she had to get up and open the garage.

She felt herself redden a little as she remembered how passionately they had made love before showering together again, dressed and made their way downstairs to eat breakfast then made their way across to the garage hand-in-hand to find Gabriel already there, shaking his head and smiling wryly while he tapped at his watch.

She licked her lips as she relived the kiss Urs had given her before he left her outside the garage again and asked her to call him if she finished the accounts early.

She sat back down and quickly looked at the clock. It was almost half past eight in the evening and she would normally be finished by now. She added the figures up again and laughed when it suddenly hit her what she had done wrong.

"Ten you idiot." She grunted a laugh and flicked her head before she shook it. "That figure is ten pounds not a thousand. A thousand pound for brake fluid! Honestly!"

She corrected her mistake, completed her accounts, logged off and closed her laptop.

She reached for her mobile and made a call when an idea popped into her head.

__________


"Lauren did you hear me?" She heard a male voice questioning.

"Sorry, drifted off." She shrugged. "What were you saying Shawn?"

"I was asking if you could get Franky to do something fun for the Christmas show again this year."

"I'll ask her, see what she says and let you know." Lauren nodded.

"Take a quick break while I'll deal with this." Shawn smiled as his office phone began to ring.

She nodded, pushed herself away from the desk, stood and stretched herself out. She walked over to the coffee maker and poured herself and Shawn a cup. After handing Shawn his cup, without spilling it in his lap like she usually did, she moved over to the window that looked down over the rink.

Her left hand flew to her mouth and she was sure she was blushing when she relived what she had done to David the night before. How she had blindfolded him, sat on his lap and slowly fed him what remained of the lemon meringue tart Sébastien had made. How she had watched his face and felt him enjoy every second of her doing it. How gentle he had been while he made love to her for the very first time.

She felt herself redden even more as she remembered how she had tried to avoid seeing Sébastien when she had woken up and made her way to the bathroom dressed in her underwear and the shirt David had been wearing the night before. She had been keeping an eye on his bedroom door, hadn't seen him coming out of the bathroom and they had collided with each other.

A little giggle escaped as she recalled how he had blushed slightly once he'd remembered that he was naked and tried to cover it with a beaming smile and a knowing nod as he made his way back to his bedroom. She had done what she needed to do in the bathroom, ran back to David's bedroom, dove under the covers and buried her head under them before she told him what had just happened with Sébastien. David had laughed, had pulled her close to him, slipped his hands between her back and the fabric of the shirt and gently carressed her as he kissed her good morning.

"Right, what's next?" Shawn questioned as he closed his mobile.

Lauren looked at the clock and saw that it was almost half past eight.

"I think we're finished once you sign this." Lauren replied, handing Shawn a letter that his secretary had informed her needed signing as soon as possible.

Lauren folded the letter, inserted it into the envelope and tucked it in with the others that she needed to post. She startled when her mobile rang, she answered and listened to what the caller had to say.

"Yes I have her number I'll give her a ring. See you in a little while." She smiled secretively as she hung up, collected her belongs and made her way out of the ice stadium.

"What is this Miss Clarke?" Mr Duncan-Stewart asked as he took the long narrow white envelope from her insistant hand.

"My resignation." Karen smiled.

"And you are resigning because?" He asked, looking at her quizically.

Karen brought herself face-to-face with the Cardio Thorasic consultant and jabbed her right index finger as his chest as she spoke to him.

"I am resigning because you are the most obnoxious, the most demanding, the most oppressive, the most boarish man I have ever had the displeasure to work for sir. You, Mr Duncan-Stewart, are a bully and you need to wake up and step into the twenty-first century. Women will no longer accept being treated the way you treat them. I will work my contracted hours, and only my contracted hours mind you, next week then you shall see no more of me. I bid you goodnight and I pity the poor soul who takes my place." Karen nodded as she fastened her briefcase and headed out of the meeting.

She stepped through the door that was being held open for her by one of the male doctors and smiled when he whispered 'Bravo' in her ear. She turned to her right and glanced back to see her boss standing at the head of the long narrow table with his mouth gaping and his eyes wide. She walked confidently down the corridor to the lift, pushed the call button and punched the air as she shouted 'Yes' while waiting for the lift to arrive.

She stepped in, pushed the button for the ground floor, held her briefcase in both hands and swung it from left to right while she allowed memories ofwhat had happened the evening before to resurface. She bit her lip lightly as she recalled how lightly Carlos had touched her while they made love to each other. She licked her lips lightly as she recalled how energetically he had kissed, softly at first becoming firmer and more probing. She sighed slowly as remembered how they laid wrapped in each other’s arms in a sweet but totally exhausted stupor in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

She laughed as she remembered the comment he'd made this morning about how nice it was to be able to sleep in a bed again. She furrowed her brow as she remembered that he had yet to tell her that he loved her, she was positive she had said it to him. She knew what he would say if he decided to tell her in Spanish, but she hadn't heard it in either of their native tongues.

She shuddered at the chill that ran down her spine when she recalled how she had woken to find her right cheek resting on him and how she had felt his chest rise and fall while she listened to his slow, rythmical breathing.

The lift pinged its arrival at the ground floor and she sighed once more. She stepped from the lift, made her way out of the hospital, switched her mobile on and startled slightly as it started to ring. She answered and listened to what the caller had to say before she replied.

"Ok. We'll meet at my place in about fifteen minutes. We can catch a taxi from there." She hung up, checked her watch and smiled when she saw that it was just coming up to half past eight.

____________


"All right. Enough with the fussing. I'm fine." Cedric Harper insisted as shooed his grand-daughter's hands away from the bedcovers. "Where is your head today Emma? You're all over the place."

"She has a new man in her life." Erin nodded at her grandfather.

"About time. What's his name?" Cedric Harper queried.

"I can't tell you." Emma shook her head. "Not with all these people around." She continued as she looked all the people gathered in the small area of the ward where her grandfather had been put.

"What do you mean you can't tell me? Don't talk such rubbish girl and tell me."

"I can't Gramps." Emma whispered and shook her head again.

"Why?" Cedric Harper questioned with an enquiring shrug.

Erin leaned into his right ear and whispered 'Because he's quite famous Gramps and he likes to keep his private life private.'

"I see. Don't blame him. Too many celebs flaunting their private lives around if you ask me." He nodded as he smiled at Emma. "How long have you been seeing him?"

"Not long. We had our first date last night and I was with him when we got the call about you. We had arranged to see each other again tonight." Emma smiled in reply.

"Oh. So my little accident sort of threw a spanner in the works?"

"Kind of." Emma blushed as she looked at her grandfather to see him shaking his head.

"Go." He insisted, flicking his hands at her.

"But Gramps you're......"

"Don't 'but Gramps' me. You can see for yourself I'm fine and I have company. Go." Cedric Harper flicked his right hand again and nodding sideways to Erin and her fiancé, Glen.

"Aww Gramps, you're the best. Love you." Emma laughed as she flung her arms round his neck and kissed him gently on the cheek.

She gave Erin and her future brother-in-law a hug and a kiss on the cheek to say goodbye, then raised her sister's left hand to look at the ring again. She smiled happily at Erin as she left the ward.

Emma smiled broadly, virtually ran out of the hospital and touched the fingers of her right hand to her lips as she remembered the kiss goodnight Sébastien had given her. How she had felt like she was floating somewhere near the ceiling when she stepped over the threshold to her mother's house. She had felt exactly the same way after he had kissed her again when they met at the agreed time.

She smiled as she remembered the smile Sébastien had given her as they picked out the details of six houses he wanted to take a look at and how they laughed at the size of the kitchen at the first one they had visited. Tiny was not the word for it, microscopic was much nearer to the mark, barely room to turn around. That property had been crossed off the list pretty quickly.

She sighed then smiled, recalling the second property they had looked at. They had just finished looking at the downstairs and were about to make their way up to the second floor when she'd received the call about her grandfather. Sébastien had shaken his head at her and said that he completely understood when she told him that she had to leave, her grandfather came before helping him search for a house. He had insisted on paying for the taxi to take her to the hospital now that he had access to his money again. She had only given in to him in that regard because she didn't have the time to argue about it.

She turned her mobile on and checked the time as she started to walk across the car park to the bus stop. It was almost eight thirty and her bus would arrive in five minutes. She felt the vibration of her mobile in her hand, then jumped slightly as it rang. She answered and listened to what the caller had to say.

"Yes I know where that is. Ok. I'll make my way over to her. See you in a few minutes."

"I'm bored already and it’s not even nine o'clock yet." Urs complained as they all sat together in David's lounge.

"Not seeing Franky tonight?" David questioned, grabbing a handful of peanuts from the large dish full that sat on his coffee table and pushing most of them into his mouth.

"Not sure. She's doing the accounts and the payroll for the garage, depends how long it takes" Urs huffed.

"Oh." David nodded. "Why doesn't she use an accountant?"

"Do you have any idea how much they charge?" Urs questioned David. "I'm disappointed that she's doing them tonight, but I can see her point. Why waste money paying someone to do the job when she's perfectly capable of doing them herself? It makes sense. You not seeing Lauren tonight?"

"Dunno." David shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "She's at a meeting to discuss Christmas plans for the rink."

"Already?" Sébastien exclaimed.

David nodded. "She says it takes ages to plan. Who they're going to invite to skate the finale, though Franky usually does that. What day they're going to hold it? Designs for decorating the rink, advertising, all sorts of stuff. Where's Emma tonight? I thought you were going to take her out for a drink?"

"Visiting her grandfather." Sébastien sighed. "She got a call while we were looking around one of the houses. He fell outside and broke his ankle. She's gone to make sure he's being looked after properly and doesn't know what time she's going to get back.

"Did she arrange a different therapist for you?" Carlos questioned.

Sébastien nodded then sighed heavily.

"What's wrong?" David questioned before filling his mouth with more nuts.

"Emma thinks I should see some sort of counsellor." Sébastien humphed loudly and rolled his eyes into his head. He groaned even louder when he heard the three of them say it might be a good idea. "Not seeing Karen tonight Carlos?"

"Not sure either." Carlos shook his head and huffed. "She was in the middle of a meeting when she called and doesn't know what time it’s going to finish."

"I think I'm going to hate Thursdays." Urs huffed while he quickly flicked through the tv channels.

"I hate this one." Sébastien moaned.

"Me too." David complained.

"And me." Carlos grumbled.

"What did we do at night before we met these women?" Sébastien laughed.

"Can't remember." David sniggered in reply. "You know whose fault it is though?" He questioned.

"His." Sébastien and Carlos laughed as they pointed to Urs.

"Mine!" Urs exclaimed. "What did I do?" He asked, looking from man to man to man.

"I think he should be punished." Sébastien giggled as he looked at David and Carlos.

"Oh absolutely." David grinned flexing his fingers so that they cracked loudly.

Urs looked at his three friends wide-eyed and tried to formulate a plan to get away from them. He knew something was going to happen to him when David did the finger thing. The last time he'd done that was when he been miserable about his last relationship.

Sebastien and Carlos had wrestled him to the ground, sat on him to keep him there while David had whipped his shoes and socks off so that he could tickle his feet. He'd been angry at first, wanting to spend more time wallowing in his misery, kicking furiously to get Carlos and Sebastien off him. For once they hadn't given in to his demands to be left alone and had refused to let him up until he was laughing so hard he was almost crying. He huffed a laugh at the memory, spotted a gap and went for it.

"Got to catch me first." He yelled as he leapt over the back of David's couch and headed for the front door.

He gasped when he felt an arm fly around his waist pulling him back into the main room of the house. He groaned loudly while he tried to extracate himself from David's tight grip.

"You got them Carlos?" David shouted up his stairs.

"Got what?" Urs questioned while David kept a firm hold of him.

Carlos soon appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a pair of scissors and a tube David's hair gel in his hands.

"No!" Urs yelled with a laugh as his eye flew wide. "Not the hair. Anything but the hair."

He watched Carlos grinning evilly as he squeezed the tube and rubbed a large amount of the sticky gel around in his hands.

"No! Carlos don't you dare." Urs yelled again and wriggled furiously in David's grip while Carlos approached with his hands about shoulder width apart. His eyebrows waggling wildly.

"He's gonna." David laughed.

"No. That crap takes ages to get out." Urs laughed as he tried to kick out of David's hold.

He cursed in every language that he knew while David kept a firm hold of him. Urs's eyes flew from side to side as Carlos placed his hands on either side of his head but didn't touch him.

"Only joking." Carlos laughed then patted Urs's face with gel-covered hands.

"Your face." Sébastien snorted as he pointed at Urs.

"Time to order a pizza I think." David exclaimed, dropped Urs to the floor and headed for the phone.

"I hate all of you." Urs informed with a laugh once he'd stood and wiped gel from his face.

David placed an order quickly and blew out a long breath as he hung up.

"Something wrong David?" Urs questioned when he saw the slightly worried look on David's face.

"Erm...No. There's nothing wrong. It's just that......." He closed his eyes and huffed a breath. "It's just that there is something I think you all should know."

"You've not split with Lauren?" Sébastien questioned.

"No. Far from it." David laughed and shook his head.

"You're not ill are you?" Carlos asked.

"Does being seriously in love count?" David countered. "No, it's nothing like that." He laughed as Carlos smiled and shook his head at him. "It’s that....It’s that Lauren has a kid, a little girl."

"What? Why isn't she with Lauren? Where is she?" Urs shook his head.

David told them the story, instructed Carlos not to tell Karen because Lauren wanted to do it and waited for their responses.

"Well as long as you are happy mon ami that is all that counts." Sébastien shrugged.

"I am. I'm very happy." David nodded and smiled.

"That's all right then." Carlos nodded as he slapped him on the back.

"So Lauren's going to have two kids to take care of." Urs teased.

"Carlos, Have you still got those scissors?" David laughed while Urs wrapped his arms around his head to protect his hair.

They all stopped joking about when they heard a loud knock at the front door.

"Can't be the pizza." David shook his head. "They said half-an-hour at the least and that was only ten minutes ago." He informed with a look up at the clock hanging over his fireplace.

David approached his front door and opened it very slowly.

_____________

"Something wrong Brandie?"

"I'm not sure yet Honey." Brandie Ramone shook her head as she replied to her personal assistant while she paced up and down the living room of her New York apartment, looking at the piece of paper in her hand.

"Want to talk about it?"

Brandie shook her head again as she moved over to her paperstrewn desk. She placed the paper into her briefcase, sat back down at her desk and returned to looking at the plans for the new branch of 'Ramone's' that was due to open in a few days time.

She smiled as she turned around in her chair to look at the building. She had come a long, long way in five years. The first 'Ramone's' had been opened in a small ex-butchers shop and had been very popular from its opening day, winning rave reviews in the local newspaper first then earning even more popularity as word of how good the food and the service was spread. Across the county, then the country followed by Europe and now the States. She had moved that restaurant and opened another within a year. Branches in Paris, Madrid and Rome quickly followed and her personal fortune sky-rocketed. Even she didn't have a clue exactly how much she was worth. She had an idea though and it was lot, much more than she ever thought possible.

She scowled slightly and shook her head. She had married Marius Ramone after a whirlwind romance just before she opened the first restaurant but he had quickly tired of her and the business. He had been a top class chef, but quickly gave that up when the money started to roll in. She hadn't asked him for penny to start the business. All the funding had come from the inheritance her father had left her, she owned it outright, no partners or anything like that.

She sat back and tapped the index finger of her right hand against her pursed lips while she wondered what Marius was up to. He had promised faithfully he would not cheat again. She turned back to her desk and looked at her diary. She had to stay for the opening of the New York restaurant. A lot of celebrities and very important people had been invited and it would not look good if she was not in attendance. She decided, with reluctance, that she would stay until after the opening then take the private jet back to England that night to find out what was going on.

"Lauren!" David yelled as he swept her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. "I thought you were going to call me if you finished your meeting early." He scolded, keeping his arms wrapped around her thighs and looking up at her.

"We thought we would surprise you all." Lauren giggled whilst nodding over his head towards the still open front door.

David turned round and smiled when he saw Emma, Karen and Franky standing in the doorway. He loosened the grip he had on Lauren and allowed her to slowly slide to the ground.

"Come in, come in." David instructed as he moved to greet each woman with a kiss on the cheek.

"What's going......Emma!" Sébastien yelled as he came into the hallway on one crutch and saw her standing there.

"Karen!" Carlos shouted and smiled broadly when he saw her.

"No! David don't!!" Urs yelled, quickly pushed his way passed Sébastien and Carlos to shove David hard away from Franky as she moved her hands to hold David off.

"Urs, for God's sake. I was only saying hello." David hissed while he staggered backwards slightly. "There was no need to do that."

"Yes there was." Urs informed, nodding his head quickly. "You can't touch Franky or even kiss her."

"The green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head again huh?" David snapped in reply.

"He doesn't mean like that." Franky shook her head. "You can't touch me or kiss me, not if you've been eating peanuts like I think you have." She smiled up at Urs as he wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders.

David nodded. "I've had a few, but what's that got to do with the way he reacted."

"I'm allergic to nuts and nut oils. You would have set my allergy off if you had touched or kissed me." Franky shrugged.

"Why didn't you tell me? Surely you knew." David questioned as he turned to face Lauren.

"Oops! It’s been that long since she had a reaction, I sort of forgot." Lauren grimmaced and cowered away from him slightly. "Sorry."

"It's ok David." Franky shook her head. "Urs just over-reacted. I always carry my medication with me anyway." She shook her head again and elbowed Urs lightly in the stomach.

"Sorry David." Urs shrugged.

"It's ok. I understand." David shook his head.

"Sorry." Urs whispered in Franky's ear as he gently kissed her cheek. "I thought you were going to call if you finished early."

"I changed my mind. Thought I'd surprise you." Franky smiled while she watched the other three couples head for the lounge.

Urs turned Franky round to face him, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his hands on her behind.

"I love my surprise." He smiled as he touched his forehead to hers, rocked her gently from side to side and looked at her for moment. He pulled her close to him, smiled softly at her and held her tight while he kissed her gently.

"You got the flowers?" He questioned as he released the kiss.

"Yes. They're beautiful. There was no need, but thank you anyway." Franky sniffed. "What were you all up to before we arrived?" She asked while looking at him quizically and wiping hair gel off his left earlobe.

"Nothing much. Just going over a few ideas for the next album." Urs laughed when she showed him her finger. "We're waiting for a pizza order to arrive."

"Guess me and the girls had better order our own then." Franky smiled.

Urs shook his head. "David always orders way too much. There'll be plenty to go around."

Urs took Franky by the hand and lead her into David's lounge where they saw David and Lauren sitting snuggled close together on one end of the large three-seater sofa, Carlos and Karen were curled up on the other end. Emma and Sébastien sat together on the two-seater. The only two places left for them to sit comfortably were on the large sofa between the other two couples or on the large recliner chair.

Urs looked at Franky and they both quickly made themselves comfortable on the recliner. They snuggled close together and secretly listened to the conversations that were taking place between the other couples, each of them talking as though they were the only two in the world.

"What time are we leaving on Saturday?" David questioned Lauren quietly.

"We're going to have to leave quite early, I was thinking somewhere around seven thirty, eightish." Lauren laughed when she saw him wrinkle the right side of his nose. "I know, you were hoping for a nice long lie-in......" She paused as he gave her a suggestive smile. ".....but it’s a long drive there and back. We'll be gone most of the day."

"How long?" David queried.

"At least eight and a half hours. That's if you can maintain a steady sixty miles per hour. And that's not including breaks for refreshment or to use the bathroom." Lauren sighed.

"That means we're going to have to get up really early, doesn't it?" David huffed.

"'Fraid so." Lauren smiled.

"Oh well." David shrugged as he heard the knock at the door. He stood quickly, made his way to the front door and returned with three large pizza boxes balanced perfectly on one hand.

"I see what you mean." Franky whispered to Urs as David set the boxes down on the coffee table and opened them up.

Her eyes widened and she laughed slightly when she saw three twelve inch deep-pan pizzas. One was topped with seafood, another with spicy sausages and the final one chicken and sweetcorn. Everyone made their selections quickly and returned to their previous positions.

"You resigned from your job?" Carlos queried in surprise as he swallowed.

Karen nodded. "Like you said, my boss is an asshole. I've had enough of the obnoxious pig."

"Will you find another one easily? Carlos choked then laughed slightly.

"Already got one." Karen smiled "I'll only be working at the hospital for another week, then I get to set my own hours."

"No more staying late?" Carlos looked at her questioningly.

"No." Karen shook her head. "I told my boss I would only work my contracted hours next week."

"And he did not have a problem with that?"

"Don't know, don't care." Karen shrugged and laughed. "What's with the frown?" She asked while she watched him knit his brows together.

"I forgot to say something to you last night." Carlos looked at her slantwise.

"What?" Karen questioned.

She smiled as he whispered 'I love you' in her right ear. She nodded, gave him a quick kiss on his left cheek and returned the smile he gave her. They looked at each other and laughed as they reached for the same slice of pizza. Carlos moved his hand away slowly, allowed Karen to take it while he took the next slice.

"You're sure he's ok?" Sébastien questioned as he inched Emma a little closer to him.

"He's fine. He's made of sturdy stuff is Gramps." Emma blushed then laughed a little.

"What's so funny?"

"The look on Erin's face last night when you said goodnight to her." Emma giggled.

Sébastien nodded as he laughed with her. "She didn't hurt you, did she?"

"No." Emma smiled and shook her head. "I managed to placate her with a tub of Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra ice-cream. It's her favourite, and mine."

Sébastien shook his head. "I've never tried that one."

"Really?!" Emma smiled suggestively. "Remind me to introduce the two of you some time."

Sébastien's eyes flew wide and he almost choked as he swallowed. He laughed when he saw how red Emma had gone following her comment.

"What are we doing tomorrow night?" Urs asked as he settled back in the recliner with his right arm wrapped around Franky's waist holding her close.

"Two choices." Franky smiled. "You can either help me put the computer desk and chair together orrrrrrrrrrrrrr......"

"Or what?" Urs questioned as he looked at her suspiciously.

"Wecangoforarideonmymotorbike." Franky replied quickly.

"But you said the part you needed wouldn't arrive until next week." Urs smiled broadly.

"It came this afternoon, just before I closed up. A couple of hours work and my bike will be good to go again." Franky shrugged then smiled. "So I guess it won't be the desk and chair then?"

Urs looked down at her, shook his head then smiled.

Having finished eating all four couples finally came to an agreement on which film they should watch. Not one couple managed to stay awake until the end of the film. Urs was the last to begin dozing and he curled his lips into a gentle smile while he looked at the three couples and Franky already sleeping soundly. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before resting the side of his face against it and finally falling asleep himself.

__________


"Damn him!" Marius Ramone hissed loudly after having picked up the small card from the floor of Jamie's hotel room and reading the message.

"Marius, is there something wrong?" Jamie asked in the softest voice she could manage as she turned around to face him.

"This, this is what's wrong!" He yelled, storming towards her and holding the card between the first and middle finger of his right hand.

Jamie swallowed hard and thought quickly on seeing the look of fury in his eyes and hearing the venom in his voice.

"Oh! I..I..I thought I'd got rid of that." She sniffed.

She really wanted to tell him to mind his own businees and throw one of her hissy fits but stopped short while she quickly ran through a couple of 'What if' questions in her mind. What if he tells me to get lost? That would probably mean I'll have to leave the hotel and go back to England on the ferry or through that disgusting tunnel. What if he cancels the order of that gorgeous ring? That would mean she would only be going home with a bunch of new clothes. She drew in a deep breath and calmed herself down, but only a little.

"Did he send the flowers?" Marius questioned with a quick nod over Jamie's shoulder.

"Uh-huh." Jamie nodded. "I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to accept them." Jamie pouted and shook her head.

"It's ok. I'll sort something out." He smiled and shook his head. "They'll be gone by the time we get back." He informed while ripping the card into tiny pieces and dropping them in a nearby waste paper bin.

Jamie seethed inside, but smiled gratefully at Marius as he did it.

"Where are we going tonight?" She asked as she smoothed sky blue silk across her stomach.

"Your favourite restaurant." Marius beamed.

"There's a 'Ramone's' in Paris?"

Marius laughed. "And one in Madrid and Rome. I'm opening another in New York very soon."

Jamie gasped and shook her head. "I've never been to any of those places."

"How would you like to spend a couple of days in Rome?"

"Oh Marius! Could we? Really?" Jamie jumped up and down gleefully while clapping her hands.

He laughed and nodded. "I have to go there on business on Monday anyway. I'm sure I could find someone to accompany you."

Jamie smiled at him as he moved towards the bathroom. Having made sure he was locked in there and couldn't see anything she took a look in the bin. She huffed and glared hard when she saw that the bin was wet at the bottom, causing the ink on the card to run thus making the phone number unreadable.

She heard Marius coming out of the bathroom, stood herself upright and straightened the silk once more. She smiled sweetly as she took his arm. Inside, her fury exploded.

Friday morning

"Ok." Franky nodded as she swallowed a mouthful of coffee. "What sort of thing was Shawn thinking of?" She questioned Lauren.

"Something like last year." Lauren smiled and snorted a laugh when Franky's eyes widened.

"Oh no!" She wagged a finger and shook her head. "I refuse to have a bruised butt for Christmas this year." She laughed. "I couldn't sit down for almost a week after last year's show."

"Bruised butt?" Urs questioned Franky with a slight laugh.

Franky nodded and snorted a laugh.

"How did that happen?" David shook his head.

"Franky did a comedy routine for last year's Christmas show." Lauren nodded while she laughed. "It involved her coming onto the ice with cushions tied all over her body. She pretended she couldn't skate at all and did this routine where she performed all sorts of pratfalls, wobbles and slides across the ice. It was absolutely hysterical." Lauren informed whilst continuing to giggle. "I'll have to show you the DVD I made."

"What?!" Franky snapped her face up from behind the fingers of her right hand where she'd hidden it when Lauren started telling the story. "You didn't?"

"Did." Lauren nodded.

"Where is it?" Franky scowled and pursed her lips together.

"Not telling." Lauren teased.

"Hate you." Franky pouted playfully and folded her arms across her chest whilst trying to stop herself from laughing.

"Hate you more." Lauren informed with quick kiss on Franky's cheek.

"Sounds like you had fun." Sébastien laughed at Emma's side.

"That was just in the first half, she had most of the audience in tears by then." Lauren nodded. "She had them crying a different sort of tears by the end of the night. Do you remember the finale?"

"I do." Emma smiled as she nodded. "I was at that event with my grandfather. I've never seen him laugh so hard or cry so much. You were amazing."

Franky blushed as she said thank you. Her eyes flew wide and her jaw almost hit the floor as Urs whispered 'On the ice is not the only place where you're amazing' in her ear.

"You're so bad." Franky giggled.

"What? I meant the dancefloor." Urs replied with a suggestive smile.

"Sure you did." Franky returned and watched him blush as she slapped him playfully on the arm. She took a few deep breaths, clapped her hands together and composed herself. "Right, time for me to go to work."

Franky said goodbye to everyone and started to make her way back to the hallway. She opened the front door and looked at Urs questioningly when he started to follow after her.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Franky questioned with her hands on her hips.

"With you. You said you're repairing your bike today." Urs smiled and nodded enthusiastically, hoping that she would let him help.

"And the last thing I need is you hanging around distracting me." Franky shook her head and laughed.

"But....but...." Urs stuttered.

"Never mind but, but. I'll call you when I've finished." Franky smiled softly at him while she pushed a stray lock of hair off his face. She laughed when he looked at her dolefully and pouted. "That'll be my taxi." She informed when they heard a car pull up outside and listened to the driver honking the horn.

Urs continued to pout playfully as they walked together hand-in-hand down to the car. He kissed Franky goodbye, held the door open for her as she stepped in then popped his head into the taxi to speak to her.

"Is that as soon as you've finished the bike or finished work for the day?" He questioned with a smile.

Franky laughed whilst she pushed him back out. She pulled the door shut then wound the window down.

"See you later." She smiled as she dropped a quick kiss on Urs's lips. She turned in the seat to look out of the back window and waved back at him as the taxi drove away from David's house.

___________


"You were the one who wanted to look around it. You picked the details out." Emma giggled as she and Sébastien stepped out of the first house he had arranged to view.

"I know." Sébastien was almost in tears as he spoke.

"I know the details said it was usual but honestly..." Emma laughed again. "I've heard of the Gothic look but that looked like something out of a horror movie."

"I know." Sébastien shook his head. "Your face when you walked into the master bedroom."

"Don't you mean the master torture chamber?" Emma snorted a laugh.

Sébastien shuddered. "I wonder how they use all those cha.......?" He began but stopped when Emma looked at him with a shocked expression on her face.

The couple sat on a nearby bench. They rocked backwards and forwards and continued to laugh about the house they had just visited. Eventually the couple managed to compose themselves, wiped their eyes and took some deep breaths to slow their breathing down.

Emma glanced sideways at Sébastien as she spoke. "Have you thought anymore about seeing a counsellor?"

Sébastien lowered his head and nodded. "I've made an appointment to see someone on Tuesday."

Emma stood and moved to stand in front of him. She lifted his face so that he was looking at hers and smiled.

"Good." She nodded at him.

Sébastien stood with the aid of the walking stick he'd been given that morning. He looked at Emma as he slipped his right arm around her waist, gently drew her close to him and kissed her a lot firmer than he had the day before. He sniggered slightly when he released her and saw the same stunned expression on her face.

"The next one?" Sébastien questioned as he took hold of her hand and hailed a taxi.

"The next one what?" Emma grinned vacantly.

_____________


"Miss Clarke!" Mr Duncan-Stewart bellowed after her while she walked down the corridor away from her office.

Karen pursed her lips together and spun on her heels to face him. "Yes." She replied sarcastically.

"Where are you going? You have work to do and I have an urgent email that needs sending."

Karen marched up to her boss and smiled. It had been very obvious from the moment she arrived at work that morning that her little insurrection the previous evening had had little or no effect on the man. She showed him her watch and informed him that she would be back after her lunch break and if the email was that bloody urgent he could send the damned thing himself. She nodded sharply at him, smiled once more and turned away from him. She walked to the lift and quickly made her way to the ground floor. She smiled when she spotted Carlos waiting just outside the entrance doors ready for their lunch date.

Her eyes flew wide when she heard the accent on her right hand side.

"G'day Karen."

She turned her face and looked at the man who had spoken in disbelief.

"Ronny! What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed at him whilst turning her attention back to the hospital entrance.

"I came looking for you."

"What for? We're over." Karen reminded her former lover.

"I know that." He laughed as he started to back away from her. "I plan on getting a measure of revenge for what you and Paige did to me at the marina."

Karen snapped her head round to question him again but couldn't see him. She scanned the area quickly and realised he had disappeared into the warren of hospital's corridors. She hissed a few choice curse words then yelped when someone grabbed her arm.

"Oh! Carlos you made me jump." She gasped as she turned to face him with her right hand held at her heart.

"Is there something wrong, querida?" Carlos questioned with a slightly worried look.

"No. I erm.....I thought I saw an old friend of mine. I was wrong." Karen smiled nervously as she linked arms with him and allowed him to lead her out of the hospital.

From behind a barely open door Ronald Pearson watched the couple and smiled contemptuously.

"Right Kev that's the workers out of the way, you go and make the call and I'll keep watch. She'll be leaving for the bank soon." Kie grinned as he filled his mouth with a handful of peanuts.

Kevin nodded and walked a few yards down the road before flipping his mobile open. Kie leaned against a brick wall and kept an eye on the garage. He forced more peanuts into his mouth and smiled when he heard the tow truck start up. He smiled and gave the driver a friendly nod as he pulled out of the garage.

"How far away did you send him?" Kie asked as Kevin returned to his side.

"Twenty miles the other side of town." Kevin laughed while they walked across the road to Franky's Garage together.

They stood side-by-side, groaning a little while they watched Franky remove her overalls.

"Very nice." Kie sneered as he stepped over the threshold.

Franky turned round to face him and swallowed hard when she saw the lustful look on his face.

"What do you want?" She asked as he approached her.

"The money first then I'm going show you the best time you've ever had." Kie sneered again, filling his mouth with peanuts as he did so. "Nice rack." He continued whilst focusing his attention at Franky's chest for a few moments. A small growl escaping when he saw how much cleavage she had on show.

"I don't have any cash on the premises." Franky shook her head and swallowed hard whilst trying to move away from him.

"Don't lie to me. I ain't that stupid." Kie snapped and seized her bear arm.

"Oh no!" Franky yelled on seeing that her held her with the hand he had been using to shove the nuts into his mouth.

"Give me the money and you won't get hurt." Kie insisted while he pushed her towards the safe.

Franky started coughing. Kie kept a tight hold of her arm whilst lighting a cigarette with his free hand.

"Ok. Ok. Just let go of my arm and I'll open the safe." She asked between each cough.

"No can do lady." Kie shook his head and blew a cloud of smoke into her face. "You open the safe first."

Franky's coughing continued to get worse until she coughed continuously while she punched the code into the safe. She opened the safe, pulled out the bag of money and handed it over to Kevin. She reached into the pocket of her work jeans for her adrenaline pen as Kie released her arm.

"Whassat?" He asked grabbing at the pen and snatching it from Franky's grasp.

"Please. I need that." Franky informed trying to snatch it back from him.

"Junkies! I hate junkies." Kie sneered as he dropped the pen to the floor and stamped on it.

"No!" Franky coughed and scratched at her arm.

Kie pulled her away from the safe and held her tight to him. She snatched her head away from Kie's face as he moved to kiss her lips. He grabbed hold of her wrists when she tried to push him away from her, quickly moved them behind her back and held them tightly with his left hand while his right hand started to pull Franky's t-shirt out of her jeans. Franky screwed her eyes tight shut, swallowed hard and tried to wriggle out of his grip when she felt his hand moving up her back.

"C'mon, we ain't got time for the that." Kevin hissed at Kie's side.

"Please don't." Franky coughed again.

Kie ran his nose up the side of Franky's neck and breathed deep. He stopped and laughed before speaking.

"Nah! I wasn't gonna. You're too old for me anyways." He sniffed as he pushed her harshly to the floor.

Franky moved to stand but found herself fighting for every breath. She concentrated hard on her breathing and watched as the two youths ran from the garage. She started to make for the door but stumbled into her own motorbike. She fell hard against it, knocking it off its stand. She fell to the floor and quickly tried to stand again only to find that something had pinned her right ankle to the ground. She turned over and her eyes flew wide when she saw her own Harley holding her down. She gasped for every breath as she reached into her pocket for her mobile. She found her number on speedial and waited for her to answer. Her eyes flew wide when she smelled something burning in the garage.

_____________


David smiled as he flipped his phone open and saw who was calling.

"Lauren, Have you.......?" He paused when he heard the galloping speech coming from the other end. "Urs? Why do you need to talk to him so urgently?"

"What's up David?" Urs asked when he noticed the confused look on his face.

"Lauren said she needs to speak to you urgently." David shrugged as he handed his mobile to Urs and listened to the one-sided conversation.

"What's wrong Lauren?......About seven minutes if I take the side roads......Oh God!......Ok, I'm on my way." Urs nodded as he tossed the mobile back at David.

"Urs? Are you ok? You've gone very pale." Carlos questioned from the lounge doorway.

"Something's wrong with Franky?" Urs informed as he snatched up his crash helmet from David's couch and sprinted for the front door.

"What?" David questioned as he followed him out of the door and down to his bike..

"I don't know. It could be her allergy. I'm not sure. Lauren said she's breathing like she does when she has a reaction, sounds like she's in a bad way and needs help. Lauren's called an ambulance but someone really needs to be with Franky if she's as bad as Lauren thinks. It'll take her too long to get there."

"Oh Ok. You go, but ride carefully. We won't be far behind." David instructed with a nod.

Urs nodded his head as he kicked his bike to life and roared away.

______________


"Oh mein Gott! Franky!" Urs yelled, dropping his bike to the ground on seeing black smoke pouring from every available orrifice at the front of Franky's Garage. He flipped his phone open and called for the other emergency services while he searched for a way in.

"Franky!" He yelled again as he hung up.

He drew in a deep breath and held it as he ran through the small doorway that gave access to the reception area. He coughed when smoke began to irritate his lungs.

"Franky!!!" He yelled again, trying to remain calm, looking around to see if he could locate her.

He heard a faint shout of his name, blinked rapidly and saw an inert form lying near where he'd seen Franky's Harley parked on his last visit there. He made his way over and knelt down by the body.

"Franky!!" He shouted as he rolled her over. "What happened?"

"Rob...bed." Franky just managed to gasp, her voice acquiring a masculine tone, rough and sharp.

Urs stood and tried to lift her into his arms. Then he saw the overturned Harley pinning her leg by the front wheel.

"Oh my God." He exclaimed when something cracked over to his left.

He lifted the bike off Franky's ankle, set it back onto its stand and scooped her into his arms. He spun around with her, looking for the way out. The flames had reached the small doorway so there was no way he could get out through that. He wasn't sure what would happen if he opened the big door and wasn't prepared to risk it unless there was no other way out.

"Hold on Franky. Please hold on." He asked as he pulled her closer to him.

He swallowed hard when he heard her breathing becoming more ragged. Then he noticed the rash on her arm and wrists and knew that her allergy had been triggered.

He spun round in a circle one more time and finally spotted the fire exit at the back corner of the building. He moved quickly and pushed against the door. He stumbled up the narrow alleyway that ran between the garage and the building nextdoor with Franky's seemingly lifeless body draped in his arms. He made it across the road to the driveway of her home and listened to her fighting for every breath. He laid her on the ground gently and cradled her in his arms while he patted her down.

"Franky, Where is it? What do I do?"

"Broke." Franky gasped and reached for his hand. She held it tight while she spoke and fought to keep her eyes open. "Stay......calm." She gasped for breath again. "Call.......ambu...... lance. I.....I....."

"Franky! No! Stay with me. Stay with me." Urs commanded, swallowing hard when he saw how blue her lips were and giving her a quick shake when her breathing became weaker, her head lolled forwards and she passed-out.

"Franky!! Nein. Bitte Gott. Nein."

She lay limp in his arms, unconscious and her breathing becoming increasingly worse with every second that passed. Quick, short, shallow, rasping sounds eminating from the back of her throat each time she tried to take a breath. Her lips continuing to turn blue, her skin so very pale she already looked like she was dead. Her eyes closed and dark circles beginning to form around them.

"Nein." Urs shook his head and allowed his tears to run down his face while he held her close, trying not to restrict her breathing.

He could hear sirens in the distance but he wasn't sure they were headed his way. They sounded like they were miles away and not getting any closer.

"Hold on Franky. Please hold on, don't you dare die on me. Don't you dare." Urs pleaded as he closed his eyes, kissed her forehead and rocked her gently. "I love you."

Urs snapped his head up when he heard the wailing of a siren coming down the road. The ambulance pulled up just outside Franky's house and a female paramedic and a kindly looking ambulance technician stepped out, whilst firemen busied themselves with extinguishing the flames.

"Help her first. She's dying." Urs insisted as they approached. "She has an allergy and it’s been triggered somehow."

"What's she allergic to?" The paramedic calmly asked whilst examining an unconscious Franky.

"Nuts." Urs coughed. "Peanuts mainly. Check her necklace."

"Do you know if she's taken anything for it?" The paramedic asked once she'd looked at the jewellery and had started to tend to Franky.

"No. I don't think so" Urs shook his head and coughed loudly. "She has one of those epi-pen things, but I couldn't find it on her. She said it was broken and I don't know how..........Please, just help her."

"Ok. We'll take good care of her now." The paramedic nodded as she spoke and gave Franky a dose of adrenaline. She watched her carefully for any improvement and smiled at Urs when she took a deep breath and her breathing started to ease.

"Looks like she didn't." She informed as she placed an oxygen mask over Franky's mouth and nose.

Urs nodded and wiped his face roughly, took the oxygen mask from the technician and relaxed a little when he breathed clean fresh air.

"Is she ok?" He asked as he watched the paramedic examine Franky. "Why isn't she waking up?"

"She's inhaled a lot of smoke too, but it looks like the allergic reaction is under control. Was she hurt anywhere else?"

"Her right ankle. A motorcycle fell on it." Urs nodded.

"I don't think it's broken, just bruised by the look of it." The paramedic informed with a smile after examining the offending limb.

"Urs. What the hell happened? Is Franky ok?" David asked as he and Carlos came running down the road.

"Don't know for sure." Urs shook his head and watched the paramedics lift a still lifeless looking Franky onto a stretcher. "Oh mein Gott!" He yelled as he clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Come on. Let's be having you as well." The paramedic insisted as she helped Urs to his feet. "It's all right. She's just unconscious from the reaction and having to breathe smoke filled air." She smiled once she had him settled in the ambulance. "Hold her hand and talk to her."

Urs sat as close as he could get to her, reached out, held Franky's right hand tightly and whispered what words of comfort he could think of. He gasped and smiled slightly when he felt the smallest of squeezes on his own hand. He nodded and glanced backwards out of the ambulance when he heard Carlos say that they would call the Sébastien and Karen and get to the emergency department as quickly as they could.

_____________


Emma watched Sébastien while he took another look around the kitchen of the fifth property they had viewed at that day. He looked out of the window again and smiled when he saw that it was already landscaped and had an area set aside ready and waiting to entertain people. The house itself was tastefully decorated, completely empty and just waiting for its new owner to move in. She had watched his smile grow bigger and bigger as they looked around the place.

"You really like this place, don't you?" Emma asked when he turned to face her with a huge smile on his face.

"Oui. You made a good choice. I'm going to make an offer right......." Sébastien nodded enthusiastically. He groaned and rolled his head on his neck when his mobile started to ring.

"Whoa! Carlos slow down......." He asked once he'd answered. "What?...... What happened?.....Ok. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"What's wrong?" Emma asked on seeing the concerned look on his face.

"There's been a robbery at Franky's garage. Whoever did it set fire to the place and Franky's allergy has been triggered somehow. She and Urs have been rushed to hospital."

"What happened to Urs?"

"Carlos said something about him rescuing Franky from the fire." Sébastien shook his head while he phoned for a taxi.

"Did he say how bad Franky was?" Emma questioned.

"He just said she didn't look good." Sébastien shook his head again and sniffed. "Unconscious and very limp. He said her lips looked very blue."

Emma listened to Sébastien order the taxi then walked out of the house with him. She made sure everything was secure and stood by his side while they waited for the car to arrive. She smiled at him softly as he grabbed hold of her left hand and held it tight. He turned his face to hers and returned the smile when he felt Emma gently rubbing the back of his hand.

"Mon Dieu I hope she's all right. It'll kill Urs if she dies."

"Don't think like that." Emma shook her head. "They'll have had what she needs on the ambulance. I'm sure she'll be fine."

__________


"They're both ok." Lauren informed as she and David stepped into the waiting room hand-in-hand.

"What the hell happened?" Gabriel fumed though he continued to pace quickly up and down the room as he had been doing since he'd found his way in there after returning to the garage, being told what had happened to Franky and immediately heading for the hospital.

"From the brief statement the police got out of Franky it looks like she was robbed by a couple of young men. One of them set her allergy off and she collapsed." David informed with a headshake and a heavy sigh.

"That's it. In future I'm not going anywhere on a Friday until she's been to the bank. That, or she arranges some sort of pick-up." Gabriel nodded as he dropped himself down hard onto a chair and buried his face into his hands.

"How much did they take? Could she give a description" Carlos questioned angrilly.

"The whole week's takings. Franky said around £3,500." Lauren nodded her head. "Both of them tall and lean, one dark haired with dark brown eyes. The other fair with very bright blue eyes."

Carlos snapped his head up on hearing the last three words.

"What's wrong?" David questioned on seeing the furious look on Carlos's face.

"Could be the same two who burgled my home. I can't be sure, because I only saw one of them and I only saw his eyes. Bright blue eyes."

"What?! You know who did this?" Gabriel sprang out of his chair and flew across the room to stand over Carlos.

"Gabe! Come on now. Stop it. Franky wouldn't want this." Lauren soothed him by grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him away. "He doesn't know who it was. When he was attacked this is all he saw." Lauren covered her face with her hands so that only her eyes could be seen.

Gabriel drew in a deep breath and nodded as he quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. He shrugged and apologised to Carlos for his reaction. Carlos shook his head and gave the mechanic a soft smile.

"Why didn't Franky treat herself for the allergic reaction?" Karen queried while she gave Carlos's hand a comforting squeeze. "She always has an epi-pen with her."

"I know." Lauren nodded. "She did have one with her, but the robbers thought she was some sort of drug addict and broke the damn thing when they saw it."

"What about Urs?" Sébastien asked whilst looking at David.

"He's ok. They're just treating him for smoke inhalation. He hasn't left Franky's side since they were brought in. He flat out refuses to leave her." David smiled.

"His voice is ok isn't it?" Karen asked.

"He'll be fine." David nodded. "What about the garage? Was there much damage?"

"No." Carlos shook his head. "The fireman said the fire was confined to the reception area. It looks like the fire was caused by some oily rags and a large pile of papers the robbers had set fire to with a lit cigarette."

"Can we go in and see them?" Karen questioned.

"For a short while." Lauren nodded. "They're both very tired. They need their rest and the doctor says only two at a time."

Lauren watched as Gabriel left the room to pay his visit at the insistance of the others.

"She'll be all right." David smiled as he wrapped his arms around Lauren's shoulders and held her tight. "I know you don't want to leave, but we need to go and get some sleep. We have an early start in the morning remember."

Lauren nodded and took a few deep breaths. She managed a small smile while she said goodbye to Carlos, Sébastien, Karen and Emma then allowed David to take her hand again and lead her out of the hospital.

Franky woke in a blind panic. Disorientated and not immediately recognising where she was. She coughed loudly and breathed rapidly through the oxygen mask as she pushed herself up in the bed, quickly realised she was in hospital and soon remembered the events of a few hours before. She smiled when she saw Urs asleep by her bedside holding her hand tightly, his head resting against her hip. She reached over with her left hand and laid it gently on the back of his head.

"Franky." He whispered as he raised his face to meet hers.

"I'm ok." She whispered huskily while she smiled at him. "Are you all right?"

"Fine. I just breathed in a lot of smoke." Urs coughed loudly behind his own mask.

"You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have come in while the garage was on fire." Franky shook her head. "You should have waited for the fire service to arrive."

"But you could have......." Urs began and shook his head violently.

"I know." Franky nodded and gently stroked his concerned face. "The smoke hasn't affected your singing voice has it?"

"Don't think so." Urs shook his head and coughed again. "What happened?" He asked as he kissed the back of her hand gently.

"Later." Franky sniffed while she moved over on the bed, knowing that she would be kept in overnight at the very least.

She patted the space beside her and smiled as Urs moved to lay himself beside her, wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

"I thought I was too late, that you were dead when you passed-out. You were so pale, cold and your lips were almost purple by the time the ambulance arrived. I tried to find your pen thing, but....... I didn't know what to do." Urs coughed then sniffed as he looked at her.

"I know." Franky nodded. "It scared you seeing me like that, didn't it?"

Urs nodded and swallowed hard as he held her tightly. "You will have to tell me what to do and show me how that thing works. Just in case anything like this ever happens again."

"I will." Franky smiled as she laid a finger on his lips to stop him talking. "Shhh. Sleep now, talk later." She said as she snuggled her head against his chest and he rested his chin against her forehead.

Knowing how close she'd come to dying and how frightened Urs must have been seeing her like that, Franky stroked his arm gently and listened to him crying quietly while he rocked her gently. She closed her eyes and allowed her own tears to fall as they fell asleep together.

_____________


"You did what?" Owen bellowed at his nephew.

"Me and Kie robbed Franky's Garage." Kevin laughed while he waved his share of the takings in his uncle's face. "Almost two grand each we made." He nodded whilst thumbing the notes.

"You stupid little idiot!!" Owen screamed, back-handing Kevin sending him crashing to the floor on his backside and the money flying everywhere. "Ant is going to go nuts at me when he hears about this."

"Why? What've I done wrong?" Kevin asked whilst scrambling around collecting the stolen cash into a pile.

"Me and Ant were supposed to be taking care of that place when Jamie returns next week. Now we're going to have to change our plans."

"I'm sorry Uncle Owen." Kevin apologised as he stood up and wiped his mouth, hissing loudly when he caught the split on his lip. "What are you planning on doing anyway?"

Owen looked at his nephew for a few seconds before realising that he could be of some help and quickly told him what he and Anthony were going to do.

Kevin smiled broadly as he looked at his mother's brother.

"What's that stupid little smirk for?"

"I just thought of something." Kevin beamed. "You might not need to change your plans much if Anthony likes my idea."

"I'll talk to him, see what he says." Owen nodded after listening to what Kevin had come up with. "Did she get a good look at you?"

"Yeah, didn't leave any prints though 'cos Kie only touched her and I wore gloves. If the pigs catch up to us, I'm sure Kie's uncle will give as an alibi. He did leave us to our own devices when it came to tidying the warehouse and, as far as he knows we never left. No-one could have seen us leave."

"Maybe." Owen nodded. "But to be on the safe side, you and Kie can go and stay with a friend of mine. I'll take you. Go and call him."

"What if mum and dad ask where I am?"

"Tell 'em you've gone fishing with me. You used to enjoy that."

"When I was seven." Kevin shook his head and rolled his eyes backwards as he headed towards his bedroom while Owen called Anthony.

Half an hour later, he and Kie were at Owen's friend's home with orders to lay low and not to get into any trouble until they were needed.

_______________


"How stupid does he think I am?" Brandie hissed while she paced up and down the living room of her apartment again. "Jet hire, two rooms at a top Paris hotel, a deposit on jewellery from Cartier, women's clothes, not my size, cash withdrawals and lots of them. Did he really think I wouldn't find out? The idiot. Oooh. That's it! That's the final straw." She growled as she slapped the papers she held in her right hand hard onto her desk.

She searched through her diary and found the number she wanted. She twirled one end of the belt that secured her black silk robe in her fingers while she waited to speak to a human being. Leaning back in her office chair she started to smile while she ran through the details of the credit card she wanted to put a stop on.

"When will that take effect?" She asked before she hung up.

"Immediately Mrs Ramone. That card is now unusable." The pleasant voice at the other end of the line informed.

"Oh. Right. Thank you very much for your help." Brandie smiled as she returned the phone to its cradle.

She threw her head back and laughed heartily as she spun around in her chair.

"Someone sounds happy this morning."

Brandie stopped her spinning and turned to face Honey. "I am. Marius is going to get one hell of a shock when he wakes up and tries to use his credit card."

She looked at her PA, explained what had been happening and what she'd done to put a stop to it. Both of them laughed hysterically then settled down to eat a light supper.

Saturday

"Franky." Urs whispered as he woke.

She wasn't in his arms but the part of the bed where she had spent the night was still warm. He startled when he heard noises coming from the bathroom. He lowered himself to the floor, walked over to the bathroom door and slowly pushed it open to be greeted with a face full of steam.

"Franky, Are you ok?" He asked as he made his way over to the shower.

"Fine." Urs heard her sob from behind the curtain.

He pulled the curtain back expecting to see Franky standing there but could only gasp when he saw her sitting on the floor, naked with her back to him, her legs curled up against her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around them while she rocked herself back and forth and hot water pounded her skin.

"Franky?" Urs approached her slowly and laid a hand lightly on her shoulder.

He gasped when she pulled away from his touch. He reached up, turned the shower off, grabbed the towel and laid it gently over Franky's shoulders as he squatted beside her.

He swallowed hard and closed his eyes before speaking. "Franky, something more than a robbery happened yesterday didn't it?"

"No." Franky shook her head quickly then turned it sharply away from him and continued to cry quietly.

"Please talk to me." Urs asked whilst gently patting her dry.

Franky turned her head to quickly glance at him then turned it back so that she was looking at the floor in front of her feet. She closed her eyes when she felt Urs's forehead rest against the left side of her head. Tears began to stream down her face when he asked her to talk to him again. She grabbed his left hand with hers and dug her nails hard into the flesh on the back of his hand when she squeezed hard. She turned to face him and tried to control her tears while she told him what Kie had almost done to her and how she tried to fight him off.

Urs shook his head slightly, closed his eyes and swallowed hard as tears flooded them. He stood, gently pulled Franky upright. Biting his bottom lip hard, he moved away from her slightly to let her finish drying herself and to re-dress.

Franky looked at Urs as she finished dressing and swallowed hard when she saw tears rolling slowly down his cheeks. He stepped forward, slowly wrapped his arms around her upper arms and shoulders, cupped the back of her head in his right hand, gently pressed her forehead against his shoulder and rested his cheek against her head. He cried quietly with his jaw clenched tightly and his lips pursed hard together while he listened to her sobbing and rocked her gently from side-to-side.

____________


"Well, this is it." Lauren smiled as she turned her face towards David.

"Nice place." David commented whilst they walked towards the entrance to Nick's home.

A modest sized double-fronted house met his eyes. A large solid oak door with a sunray window above it stood between two large bay windows. Above the door was a small balcony with two more large windows on either side. The walls of the house had been rendered and painted a soft yellow.

Lauren drew in deep breath as she raised her hand to grab the highly polished brass knocker. She raised it and knocked twice. She giggled when she heard the commotion coming from within. The door flew open and there stood Stephanie beaming at her mother. Stephanie jumped into her mother's arms, flung her arms around her neck and squeezed as hard as she could. Lauren whispered something in Stephanie's ear and she turned round to face David.

"Whoa! Christmas! There's a giant in the house." Stephanie's eyes flew wide while she looked him up and down.

"What's with the Christmas?" Lauren questioned Stephanie with a laugh.

"Grandma doesn't like me saying Christ. She threatens to wash my mouth out with cardabolic soap every time I say it. So I say Christmas instead." Stephanie shrugged.

Lauren giggled and lowered Stephanie to the ground to stand in front of her. "Stephanie this is David. David this is my daughter, Stephanie." She smiled as she introduced them to each other.

"Hi Stephanie." David beamed his usual smile.

"Hi." Stephanie smiled back. "You talk funny."

"Stephanie!" Lauren exclaimed while David laughed.

"Well he does."

"Do you remember what I told you on the phone about David being American and that he speaks with an accent?" Lauren questioned as she knelt down in front of her daughter.

Stephanie bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. "Oh yeah. Sorry." She smiled and held her arms up.

"It's ok." David laughed and shook his head as he looked at down at her with a puzzled expression spreading across his smiling face. He turned to face Lauren with the same expression on his face not understanding what the little girl wanted.

"Get down here and give me hug then. I don't got elastickdated arms you know." Stephanie flicked her head while she tutted at him.

Lauren laughed as she watched David kneel in front of Stephanie to give her a hug. "Ok Missy that's enough. Where's your father?" She asked once David stood back up.

"In the office with you know who." Stephanie huffed. "She tried to put my hair in ribbons again this morning. Pink ones." She informed as she heaved.

"She's going to hate her bedroom then." David joked with Lauren.

"You better didn't." Stephanie glared at David. "Not pink. Urgh!" She heaved again.

"Yeah we did." David nodded seriously. "Bright pink, frilly and flowery. Just like you told your mother you wanted it."

He laughed loudly as Stephanie stuck her tongue out and heaved once more.

"Stop teasing her." Lauren laughed and batted his arm gently. "Of course we didn't honey." She shook her head. "I know better than to do that." She smiled. "Ok. Stephanie I have a few things to sort out with Daddy. Are you going to help David carry your cases to the car?"

Stephanie nodded, grabbed David by the ring and index finger of his right hand and pulled him over to where her luggage stood waiting. Lauren folded her arms across her chest and watched them as they picked up the baggage and moved towards the front door. She grunted a laugh when Stephanie grabbed hold of a case that was much too big for her to lift then shook her head as she tried to move it. She smiled when Stephanie allowed David to take it and picked up something else to carry instead.

"What you got there?" David questioned when he saw what she held in her tiny hands.

"A PSP." Stephanie shrugged.

"Cool. What game are you playing?" David asked whilst smiling down at her.

"Ice Age." Stephanie informed with a shrug and a glance upwards while her thumbs twiddled the buttons.

Lauren smiled and nodded as she turned towards Nick's office. She knocked on the door and entered to see Nick waiting with his solicitor and one of his clerks. She read through the papers Nick handed to her carefully making sure they stated what they had agreed to. She signed with a confident flourish, then watched as Nick did the same.

"Are you coming to say goodbye to her?" Lauren questioned as she stood at the open office door.

Nick nodded his head, pushed himself away from his desk and made his way over to her. "This new man of yours, he's ok about Stephanie?" He questioned while they walked side-by-side towards the front door.

Lauren nodded. "And I think they're going to get along just fine." She smiled when she saw Stephanie sitting on the stairs by David's side watching him play her game.

Nick smiled and nodded in reply. "His face looks familiar. I'm sure I've seen him somewhere." He whispered as he leaned into Lauren's right side. He continued to look at David for a moment or two then his eyes flew wide. "That's THE David Miller. The one from Il Divo."

Lauren nodded. "Please don't say anything to anyone about us seeing each other Nick. Especially now Stephanie's involved."

"My lips are sealed Lauren." Nick nodded.

Lauren thanked him, introduced him to David and smiled while he said goodbye to Stephanie. She picked Stephanie up, carried her to the car, strapped her into the car seat then made herself comfortable in the front passenger seat while David climbed into the driver's side. She turned in her seat to watch Stephanie wave goodbye to her father and sighed quietly when she saw Nick quickly knock a tear from his eye as David drove away from the house.

"Can we have some music on?" Stephanie asked without taking her eyes off her game.

"Sure. What would you like to hear?" David asked as he glanced in his rearview mirror.

"Anything but Il Divo, I hear enough of them when I visit Grandma." Stephanie groaned still concentrating on her game. "She never stops talking about the French one."

David looked at Lauren and both of them cracked up.

"What's so funny?" Stephanie questioned as David pulled the car over at Lauren's insistance both of them still laughing.

"Stephanie, take a good look at David." Lauren giggled while David turned in his seat to face the child.

Stephanie dropped her PSP into her lap and did as Lauren asked. Her eyes slowly widened and she swallowed hard when she finally recognised who she was looking at.

"Ohhhh Chriiiiiistmaaaaaas!"

"Pack?!" Jamie screeched as Marius pushed her roughly back into her hotel room. "What do you mean pack? Where are we going?"

"Home." Marius hissed whilst he pulled her suitcases from the wardrobe and flung them on the bed.

"Home! What do you mean home? We were supposed to be here for another two days then you said you were taking me to Rome for a while before we go home." Jamie yelled and stamped both feet hard . "And what about the ring you promised me from Cartier?"

Marius stood erect, drew in a deep breath and turned to face her. His fury built while he stormed over to her.

"Listen to me you stupid little ta..........." He snarled as he bought his face within millimetres of hers. "I have to go home, there is.....there is a problem at the restaurant that I cannot sort out from here. We are leaving this place within the hour. There will be no trip to Rome and no ring from Cartier. I suggest you start packing and be quick about it."

"I want to go to Rome. You promised!" Jamie yelled with another stamp. “Why can’t we go?”

Marius closed his eyes and pursed his lips tight together as his hand flew up to the side of Jamie's face. "Because.... because... Argh!! You are trying my patience Jamie and that is a big mistake to make at the moment. Now start packing. We have a train to catch."

"Train!" Jamie hissed. "We're going home by train? Why not the jet?"

"One more word!" Marius growled and clenched his fists tight together. "One more word Jamie and I will....." He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "Please just pack. I will make it up to you once I have everything sorted."

Jamie glared at him through narrowed eyes and pursed lips as she watched him leave. She didn't know what had happened and she didn't really care, but it was obvious from the look she'd seen in Marius Ramone's eyes that something had happened overnight and he was pissed. She grumbled and cursed under her breath as she started throwing clothes both old and new into her suitcases.

___________


Urs watched her while she moved around the fire-damaged reception area, seeming to look surprised that only the desk, the chair and a few papers had been almost totally consumed. She sighed heavily when she looked at the open safe door and saw the fingerprints that had been revealed by the forensics technician, then shook her head at the cracked frames surrounding her own and her employees's achievement. She shook her head as she looked at what remained of the pile of soggy papers she'd stacked at the side of the desk nearest the door. He nodded after figuring that they had probably been the reason the flames had reached the door so quickly. That and he'd left the door open after finding his way in.

"Were they important?" Urs asked from the doorway.

"No." Franky shook her head. "Just old motorbike magazines and the like. I've been meaning to move them, just never got around to it." She shrugged.

Urs nodded and watched her move over to her motorbike. He smiled when he saw her smiling after she'd looked it over.

"You're not going to open today are you?" Urs questioned, knowing that fire investigators had told Franky that, as the structure of the building hadn't been damaged, it was perfectly safe for her to do so.

"No. Franky shook her head. "Not much point now." She smiled whilst looking at her watch. "Lauren will be on her way back soon and I really want to get that table and chair sorted out before she arrives with Stephanie."

Urs nodded. "You want some help?"

Franky nodded as she walked over to him. "I want you to promise me something."

"What?" Urs shook his head and furrowed his brow.

"That you won't do what I think you want to do. That you won't go looking for the young men that did this. Please, let the police handle it." Franky requested with tears welling in her eyes.

"Franky, I...." Urs shook his head. "I'm not the only one that wants to......."

"I know." Franky interupted him and nodded.

"Ok. I won't go looking for them." Urs nodded while he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. 'But God help them if I ever see them.' He thought to himself as he recalled the photofits Franky had put together of her attackers. "Come on let’s go and see what a hash job I can make of this table and chair." He laughed once he'd kissed her gently.

Franky nodded and smiled as she allowed him to lead her across the road.

_____________


Sébastien paced slowly up and down in David's lounge. He looked at the clock above the fireplace then at the phone.

"Ring!" He yelled at the inanimate object.

Emma giggled from her position in the dining-room doorway.

"What's so funny?" Sébastien questioned when he heard her.

"You are. I've never seen anyone so desparate to hear the phone ring." Emma giggled again. "Calm down. I'm sure they'll accept. You've offered well above what they're asking."

Sébastien smiled at her and continued to pace. He stopped abruptly and snatched his head round as the phone started ringing. He moved as quickly as he could, picked up the handset and closed his eyes as he answered. His eyes opened slowly and huge smile spread across his face while he listened carefully to what he was being told. He thanked the caller, hung up and punched the air as he shouted a loud 'OUI!'

He turned to face Emma. "I got it. It’s mine. They've agreed not to consider any more offers and to take it off the market immediately."

"Told you didn't I." Emma laughed as she watched him do a little jig.

"This calls for a celebration. Ouch!" He hissed when he twisted his back a little too far.

"Seb! Are you ok? What happened?" Emma yelled as she as ran over to him and started to check him over.

"Nothing. I'm fine." Sébastien shook his head and laughed. "I've found a fantastic new home with the help of the most beautiful woman in the world. Apart from an introduction to Karamel Sutra ice-cream, what more could I ask for?"

Emma laughed and blushed bright red as he took her into his arms, kissed her gently and held her close while he waltzed her slowly around David's lounge.

___________


Carlos whistled 'Passera' quietly as he made his way from his car to the entrance of the hospital to meet Karen from work. He stepped over the threshold and quickly scanned the area to see if she was there. He started to smile, but stopped short when he saw her in the arms of another man.

A blond-haired, muscular looking man was holding her around the waist with his left arm and cupping the back of her head with his right. The man was kissing her. Kissing her long and deep and moving his left hand over her back while she held her hands against his chest, the same way she did whenever he kissed her.

He screwed his eyes tight together and kept them that way for a few seconds while he shook his head. He opened them to see the man and Karen still kissing and quickly walked over to the couple.

"Karen!" He shouted as he stood behind her. "What are you doing with this man? Why are you kissing him?"

"What the hell has it got to do with you why my fiancee is kissing with me?" Ronald Pearson sneered as he released Karen from the kiss.

"Fiancee?!" Carlos questioned angrilly staring open-mouthed at Karen. "Karen is this true?!"

"No! He's not....He's nothing to me, not anymore." Karen shook her head.

"Karen. How can you say that when you've just agreed to marry me?" Ronald oozed as he wrapped an arm around Karen's shoulders, pulled her close and held her tight to him.

"What? You've just......No wonder you were kissing him like that just now." Carlos fumed as he glared at Karen.

"Carlos, please..... It’s not what...... I wasn't....... He......." Karen pleaded with tears welling in her eyes as she reached out to touch his forearm.

"Do not touch me!" Carlos yelled, whipped his arm from her reach, turned sharply away from her, walked quickly from the hospital and ran all the way back to his car.

He flung the car door open as he looked back to the entrance to see Karen standing there with the man coming up just behind her. He entered the vehicle, slammed the door shut and reversed out of the parking space with a long high-pitched screech. He drove like a man possessed out of the car park, passed the main entrance and down to the road. Glancing up into his rearview mirror he saw the man leaning into Karen's ear. He barely checked the road, pulled out quickly and was lucky he didn't have a major road traffic accident as he drove home.

Shaking with anger he left his car, entered his home and finally allowed his rage to possess him as he launched a large ornament through the French windows sending shards of glass flying in all directions. He snatched his head round when the house phone started to ring. He pulled that from the wall and threw it across the room. He heard his mobile ring and, without even checking who was calling, threw it so that it smashed it hard against the fireplace wall.

He dropped down hard onto his sofa, threw himself backwards, tilted his head skyward, swallowed noisily and clenched his jaw hard trying to prevent his tears from falling.

"Pensé que había encontrado finalmente su"

He sat that way for quite a while before he remembered. He stood and made his way into the kitchen. Slamming cupboard doors as he went, he searched almost every one until he found it. The bottle of Scotch that he'd bought the previous Christmas but had never opened. He sniffed as he looked at the label then cracked it open. Throwing the cap into the kitchen sink he pressed the bottle to his lips, closed his eyes as he tipped his head backwards and took a large swallow. He blew out a long breath when the first taste of the warm liquid hit his empty stomach.

He made his way back to his lounge, shut out the world by closing the blind and the curtains. He dropped back down onto his couch and continued to drink, taking increasingly bigger swallows trying to kill the pain that ripped at his chest. He was halfway down the bottle before he looked at it again, this time in a drunken stupor. Why wasn't it working? Why was he still in agony?

He looked at the bottle one more time, took one more long pull on the warm golden liquid then threw what remained with all the force he could muster at his television. Huffing a laugh through his tears he slumped to the floor, closed his eyes and waited for the anaesthetic to have its desired effect. He didn't have to wait long and was soon fast asleep on the wooden floor of his lounge.

"Yes I have a passport. Why do you ask?" Franky replied while they cleared up the last of the rubbish from assembling the desk and chair.

Urs wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and dropped delicate little kisses on her left shoulder as he spoke. "Because I want to take you away from here for a couple of days."

"Oh! Where to?" Franky asked once she'd turned around in his arms and smiled as she looked into his eyes.

The eyes that always told her exactly what he was feeling, whether it be pain, anger, despair, joy, happiness, contentment, love, desire, fulfillment. She saw everything, he didn't need to speak the words for her to know how he felt.

She closed her eyes as she remembered what she had seen within his eyes after she had told him about Kie. Fury had burned and flamed for a long, long time while she cried in his arms and there was still a hint of it there.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh I was thinking of Paris......or Rome." Urs replied whilst kissing her softly and rocking her gently again.

"Sounds good. When were you thinking of leaving?"

"Monday." Urs shrugged.

"No. I can't, not on Monday." Franky closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Why not for God's sake?! Gabriel can manage the garage for a couple of days can't he?" Urs snapped as he dropped his arms from her waist and shook his head angrilly.

"It's got nothing to do with the garage!" Franky hissed in reply.

"What then? What's so important you can't.......?" Urs stopped when he saw the tears rolling slowly down Franky's face. "Oh Gott. I forgot. Your father!" He sighed heavily and rubbed his face hard with his hands. "Monday is the first anniversary of your father's death isn't it?"

Franky sniffed and nodded her response.

"Argh Franky, I'm sorry." Urs apologised as he flung his arms back around her waist, pulled her close and held her tight. "I just thought you could do with a break after everything that's happened recently."

"It's a lovely thought...." She nodded as she kissed Urs's lips gently. "....and you're right, I could do with some time away from here. I just can't go on Monday. I wouldn't feel comfortable." Franky shook her head and sniffed.

"It's ok. I understand." Urs nodded and started rocking her again. "Tuesday then?"

"Ok. Tuesday." Franky nodded and kissed him quickly on the lips. "Right, come with me and I'll show you how this damned thing works." She smiled as she held up a dummy epi-pen.

Franky pulled Urs into the lounge and proceed to demonstrate what he would have to do in case anything like what happened the day before ever happened again. She handed the dummy over and asked him to repeat what she had just shown him while she stood facing him. He did as Franky requested and she smiled softly as she looked down on him.

"How did I do?" He questioned as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

"Perfect. Absolutely perfect." Franky smiled while she straddled his thighs and looked at him.

She raised her hands to his face and watched his facial expressions change while she moved slowly them over his features. Her thumbs tracing his jawline while her fingers trailed lightly over his eyes, his nose and his cheekbones. She smiled when his eyes closed while her fingers slowly touched his lips and he gently kissed each one of them.

Urs opened his eyes slowly to see Franky smiling at him. He blinked slowly and swallowed noisily while he eased her t-shirt from the waistband of her jeans. Taking his time and caressing her gently, he slipped his hands underneath and smiled softly when he heard her moan. Cautiously watching every movement her face made and listening to every murmur and gentle moan that came from her throat just in case she wanted him to stop.

He watched her face as an obvious feeling of pure ecstacy ran across it and she closed her eyes and licked her lips lightly. Finding no bra to encumber him, his hands continued to move over her, gently cupping her breasts, grazing the already hard buds, slowly stimulating her. Biting his bottom lip hard when he felt his own excitement strengthening while she moved against him.

"I love you Franky." Urs murmured into her ear as Franky linked her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Pushing himself forward so that he sat on the edge of the couch, he lowered his hands to skim Franky's posterior before moving them to guide her legs so that they wrapped around his waist. Keeping her held tight to him he pushed himself upright and rested his lips on hers in soft, gentle, pressing kisses that made her tremble as he carried her up her bedroom.

Their kisses became deeper as he lowered her onto the bed and immediately joined her. Working gently he inched her t-shirt upwards until it was off and thrown to the floor. Commandeering her mouth again he gently forced her mouth open with his tongue and kissed her intensely, tasting and flirting with her inquiring tongue. He raised himself from her slightly and looked into her eyes soulfully while she quickly removed his t-shirt and dropped it to the floor.

They took their time removing the rest of each others clothing, slowly, gently kissing each other as fingers moved to buttons and zips. Hands moving industriously over each other. Both of them trembled as Urs sank himself slowly into her and when he did she nipped gently at his right earlobe and murmured his name while they pleasured each other. Urs buried his face into her neck and groaned Franky's name against her throat as their lovemaking reached its zenith.

They lay still locked together in the meeting of male and female, their breathing ragged but slowing gradually to a serenity that lay warmly over them. His left cheek rested against Franky's right shoulder while he gently stroked her left thigh and she curled her fingers in the hair at the back of his head.

Urs slowly eased himself from her to lay on his right side. He rolled Franky onto her right and inched himself closer so that they lay spooned together. He slipped his right arm under her neck and pushed gently until his arm wrapped around her shoulders and he held her with his chest pressed tight against her back. His left arm encircled her waist and held her lower half close to him. Their legs entwined with each other's again. He dropped delicate kisses on Franky's left shoulder while she moved both of her hands over the top of his and eased her fingers between his. He smiled softly when he felt her squeeze his left hand lightly. With his face nuzzled into the side of her neck they quickly fell asleep.
___________


Karen wiped her eyes roughly and shook her head as she reached for her mobile. She tried both of his numbers and received no reply.

She raised her hand to cover her mouth, sobbed quietly as she picked up her briefcase and made her way slowly and sadly back over to her home. After setting her briefcase down at the side of the small table she kept in the hallway, she looked at herself in the mirror and gasped for air.

Ronald Pearson had grabbed hold of her as she made her way out of the hospital to meet Carlos and she could see the image of his fingers on her arm. The fingers that had once touched her so tenderly had now gripped her so hard that she knew she would have some dramatic bruising there by the morning.

She looked at her face and raised her fingers to her bottom lip. Ronald had forced his lips against hers with such ferocity that her lip was starting to swell and even had a tiny cut on it.

She entered the kitchen and cried a little harder as she looked in the fridge and saw the ingredients she'd bought at lunchtime for the meal she was going to cook for Carlos that night. She had managed to get everything prepared, all she needed to do was cook it. She sighed heavily as she removed the shrimp and threw them into the bin, knowing that they would be no good by morning.

Looking in the freezer, she found a couple of ice-cubes, quickly wrapped them in a towel and pressed it gently against her swollen lip. She made herself a cup of coffee, made her way to her lounge and looked through her CD collection. She ran her finger across them, paused when she reach 'Ancora' and sniffed as she shook her head. She moved a little further along and selected a Shania Twain album. After inserting it into the player, she turned the volume down low and made herself comfortable on the couch.

Her breath caught in her chest when she inhaled the aroma that lingered on the fabric. She closed her eyes and allowed her tears to fall while she thought of the man that wore that particular cologne. Her hand flew to her mouth as she recalled the anger she had seen in his eyes.

The anger that hadn't been directed at the man it should have been directed at. The man that had grabbed her arm so tight and forced his lips hard against hers while she fought to push him away from her. It had been directed at her and she had watched any love Carlos had for her disintegrate in that one look.

She shook her head as she remembered what had happened after she'd watched Carlos roar away from the hospital. How Ronald had whispered in her ear and asked her how it felt to be humiliated in public? How she had turned round and slapped him so hard the palm of her hand and her fingers had stung from the force of it. How he had backed away from her laughing heartily and feeling no compunction whatsoever.

She snatched her head round when she heard a knock at her front door. She stood and quickly made her to the hallway. She sighed as she saw the shadowy form through the glass. She drew in a deep breath, made her way to the door, sniffed and pulled it slowly open.

David yawned and shook his head while they sat at the traffic lights waiting for them to change to green. A few more miles and they would be home. He reached over and gave Lauren a quick but gentle shake to wake her.

"Hey sleepyhead, we're almost home." He said quietly, smiling at her.

"What time is it?" Lauren asked as she lifted her forehead from the window and turned to look at the child sleeping in the back of the car.

"Almost seven." David informed with another smile.

The lights turned green and he pulled away.

"What's that noise?" He heard from the back of the car as Stephanie yawned.

David listened and almost swore out loud when he heard a thrump, thrump, thrump as he drove. He pulled over to the side of the road, switched on his hazzard lights and left the vehicle.

"Damn it! Man, why now?" He yelled loudly as he raised his eyes to the heavens.

"What's wrong?" Lauren questioned after she'd came to his side.

"We've got a puncture." David huffed while he moved to the rear of his car.

He grumbled quietly to himself and started removing Stephanie's luggage so that he could get to the spare tyre.

"Just great! What next? Snow, hail, volcanic fireballs." He shouted when it started to rain heavily. "Stupid car, stupid tyres, stupid harumph..."

He really wasn't in the mood for this. It had been a very long day with hardly any time to rest and all he wanted to do was to get home, have a nice long soak in the tub, flop into bed and sleep.

"Mummy, I need the bathroom." Stephanie suddenly yelled from the back seat.

David shrugged as Lauren looked at him.

"It's ok. Karen's place is just across the road. I'll go see if she's in." Lauren smiled as she nodded towards her friend's home.

Lauren giggled while she watched David heaving the wheel from its position in the well of the boot, his white t-shirt getting wetter with every second that passed, clinging to his broad shoulders. Muscles visible as they flexed and contracted while he lifted then relaxed.

"Mummy!" Stephanie yelled desperately and drew her attention away.

"Come on honey. Let's see about getting you sorted." Lauren smiled gently as scooped Stephanie into her arms and made her way quickly across the road.

She knocked on Karen's door and waited just a little impatiently for her to answer. The door open slowly and Karen looked at her through downcast eyes.

"Lauren, I'm not really in the mood for company right now." She sniffed.

"I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your evening's entertainment Karen, but I'm in a bit of a fix." Lauren apologised whilst keeping her eyes fixed on Stephanie. "David's car has a puncture and my daughter needs the bathroom. I was just wondering if she could use yours?"

"Fine." Karen replied as she indicated for them to come in. She smiled slightly as they whizzed by her. "It's at the end of the hallway. The black door." She shouted after them.

She closed the door then snatched her head up. She stood open-mouthed as she waited for Lauren to re-appear. She didn't have to wait long and Lauren soon emerged from the bathroom holding Stephanie's hand while she looked lovingly down at her.

"Thanks Karen." Lauren smiled as she glanced upwards.

Lauren suddenly stopped walking and her eyes flew wide when she faced Karen.

"What the hell happened here?" Lauren requested while she lifted Karen's chin and saw the swollen lip.

"I might ask you a similar question." Karen sniffed with a nod towards the child who stood smiling gently at Lauren's side. "Oh, Lauren it's all gone horribly wrong." Karen sobbed.

"What has?" Lauren shook her head at her.

Karen sniffed and shook her head then nodded towards Stephanie. Lauren took Stephanie into Karen's lounge and sat her in front of the television and told her to find something to watch for a little while she and Karen went into the kitchen to have a little talk. Stephanie shrugged as she said ok and quickly settled down to watch her favourite cartoon film.

"So?" Lauren questioned.

Karen drew in a deep breath and told her what had happened. Lauren closed her eyes and shook her head.

"So?" Karen sniffed, dried her eyes and nodded back into the lounge.

Lauren smiled and told her everything. "I was going to tell you last night, but in all the excitement......."

"It's ok. It must have been hard enough just telling your parents, Dale and Franky." Karen nodded once she'd finished.

"Where's Carlos now?" Lauren questioned while she nodded and wiped a couple of tears from her eyes.

"I don't know." Karen shook her head sadly. "I tried calling him but he's not answering. I'm worried in case he's had an accident. He was so angry and upset. He drove out of the car park like maniac."

Karen startled when she heard a loud knock at the door. Lauren moved quickly and answered the door to David.

"All do......What's wrong?" He asked while wiping his hands down his wet jeans and looking at Karen's teary eyes.

Lauren ran through what Karen had told her.

"The idiot!" David yelled at the top of his voice. "He didn't even give you chance to explain?"

Karen closed her eyes and shook her head sadly while Lauren gave her a comforting hug.

David tapped his thumb against his pursed lips and thought for a minute.

"Ok. Here's what I think we should do." He quickly ran through his idea while he washed his hands at Karen's kitchen sink.

Both women nodded that it was a good plan. David collected Stephanie from the lounge, tweaked her nose as she jumped to into his arms and carried her back to his car with Lauren and Karen following close behind.

____________


"Answer it." Franky commanded as she gave Urs a light dig in the stomach.

"You answer it. It's your phone." Urs yawned behind her.

"But I'm comfy." Franky sulked playfully as she snuggled her back closer to his chest.

"I don't think they're going to hang up. That's the tenth ring. No-one I know waits that long for someone to pick up." He informed while he nipped at the left side of her neck and shoulder.

"Hate you." Franky informed with a shudder as she rolled towards him, stretched out her arm and picked up the phone.

"Lauren, What's up?" Franky questioned while Urs dropped delicate little kisses on her chest and gently stroked her back. "Yes he's here. I'll put him on." Franky smiled as she rolled back and handed Urs the phone. "It's Lauren she wants to talk to you."

Urs looked at Franky suspiciously as he took the handset from her.

"Lauren? What's up?" He asked whilst keeping his left arm around Franky and holding her close.

"Hi Urs. Have you seen Carlos this evening?"

"No. Isn't he supposed to be having dinner with Karen?"

"Yes he is but something happened at the hospital, he drove off very angry and now he's not answering either of his phones."

"What happened?" He sat upright and listened while Lauren told the story again.

"Karen's really worried he's had an accident in the car."

"Hmmn. Possible. Where are you?"

"On our way to Carlos's place. David wants to check to see if he's there first before we start panicking."

"Ok. I'll be there as soon as I can." Urs nodded just before he returned the phone to its cradle.

He told Franky what had happened while he dressed, watching as she got dressed herself.

"Crap! How are we going to get there? My bike is at my home." Urs grimmaced.

"Top cupboard." Franky nodded as she pointed.

Urs opened the cupboard she indicated and pulled out the full-face crash helmet she nodded at. A metallic black flip front model with a black inner visor and clear outer one.

Franky watched the small smile creep across Urs's face as he put it on.

"You like it?" Franky asked while putting her own helmet on.

Urs nodded enthusiastically. "Whose is it?"

"It was my father's, but I'd like you to have it." Franky smiled.

"I couldn't." Urs shook his head.

Franky moved to stand in front of him. "I want you to have it. It fits you perfectly. It’s too big for me and a little too small for Gabe. It's been sitting there for almost a year doing nothing. I was only going to sell it eventually anyway. I'd rather you have it than it go to a stranger." Franky shrugged.

"Ok. Thank you." Urs closed his eyes and nodded.

"One more thing." Franky shouted as they ran from her bedroom down the stairs, out of the front door and down her driveway. "You'll be needing these." She informed whilst pressing the keys to her Harley into his hand.

Urs looked at her quizically.

"You know where he lives. I don't." She smiled as she shrugged.

Working quickly she soon had the large garage door open and watched as Urs wheeled her motorcyle out onto the street. She secured the garage again while Urs kicked the bike to life. She quickly jumped on behind him and felt him shudder when her arms went around him before he roared away.

___________


Brandie looked at the French newspaper article her friends who worked at Cartier, Paris had emailed to her while she sucked lightly on the tip of her left thumb. She had seen the woman shown snuggled up against her husband fleetingly somewhere before but couldn't think where. She huffed loudly as she pressed the intercom button and called her PA in.

"What's wrong Bran?" Honey asked when she saw the perturbed look on her friend's face.

"This." Brandie shook her head and turned her laptop around. "I've seen her somewhere before, but I can't remember where."

Honey lowered her glasses to her eyes and took a good look at the woman Brandie had indicated. She hummed for a moment then wagged her finger at Brandie as she spoke.

"Just before we left England. She was walking into the restaurant, tarted up to the nines with....." She clicked her fingers again. ".....with Monsieur Izambard." Honey finished as she pointed at Brandie.

"That's right and Nicolo recognised her. What was it he said about her as we passed him?"

Honey laughed. "He said she was one of the best looking girls in town with the worst reputation."

"That's right. He knew her name too didn't he?"

"Yes he did. But you'll have to think about that while you're being tarted up. Antonio and Marette are waiting."

Brandie smiled. "Has my dress arrived?"

"Yes. You're going to knock them dead. It’s a gorgeous colour. I've hung it in your room."

"I'd better not knock them dead." Brandie laughed as she stood and made her way to her bedroom.

"Why?" Honey looked at her quizically.

"Dead people don't eat darling." Brandie shook her head and shrugged.

Honey dropped her chin to her chest, pursed her lips together and shook her head with a smile.

Brandie giggled to herself. She smiled when she saw the full-length lilac organza dress with its delicate beaded detail across the bust. She knew Honey was right, she would knock them dead. It wasn't a really expensive dress, but it wasn't cheap either. She wrinkled her nose at the organza wrap and decided she wouldn't wear that. Then something seemed to hit her right between the eyes.

"Jamie Strawson!!" Brandie yelled to Honey from the doorway of her bedroom.

"That's it! That's her." Honey clicked her fingers and pointed again.

Brandie paced up and down just inside the bedroom. "See if you can find out where she lives Honey." She instructed.

"Brandie Ramone what are you planning?" Honey asked with a smile on seeing the smirk on Brandie's face.

Brandie crooked a finger at Honey, calling her forward and whispered in her ear what she had planned.

"You wouldn't?!!" Honey asked her eyes flew wide.

"I wouldn't?!" Brandie shrugged and smiled as she walked back into her bedroom and closed the door.

"Note to self: Don't ever piss Brandie Ramone off." Honey said to her reflection while she looked in the mirror that hung above the fireplace of Brandie's office.

"That was great." Sébastien smiled as he pushed his plate away. "The best cheese omelette I've had in a long time. The salad was wonderful too."

"Thank you." Emma blushed, stacked their plates and stood to take them away. "I love to cook but I don't get chance very often what with my mother, Erin and me all working different hours. Cooking for one is such a waste of time."

Sébastien stood to open the door that lead to the kitchen for her then cursed out loud when David's house phone rang again.

"Did you call your mother to tell her whether or not you'd got the house?" Emma questioned from the kitchen.

"Merde! No I didn't. She's going to kill me." Sébastien grimmaced as he answered.

"Maman, I'm.....Lauren?"

"Hi Seb. Carlos isn't with you is he?"

"No. He's with Karen isn't he?" Sébastien asked, looking at the handset quizically.

"Erm...No he isn't."

"You're sure?"

"Positive. Karen is with us."

"Why is Karen with you?"

Sébastien listened carefully as Lauren told him what had happened and about the plan David had come up with.

"Good idea. I'll be there as soon as I can." Sébastien nodded before he said goodbye and hung up.

"Something wrong?" Emma asked as she came to his side and saw the concerned look on his face.

Sébastien sighed heavily then repeated what Lauren had told him.

"You want to go too, don't you?" She smiled as she picked up the phone and started calling for a taxi.

Sébastien nodded and sighed heavily once more. The pair of them secured David's house then made their way to the pavement. Their taxi arrived quickly and they were soon on their way across town to Carlos's home.

___________


"The restaurant is open tomorrow?" Jamie asked while she watched Marius Ramone struggle with the lock on her front door.

"Until eleven o'clock. I will pick you up at seven and we can have dinner together." He nodded. "I know that dinner barely begins to make up for what happened this morning and I do not know why this has happened, but please Jamie, have dinner with me tomorrow night. Let me try to make it up to you even if it is just a little bit." Marius pleaded as he finally opened the door and held his thumb and index finger a few millimetres apart.

Jamie looked at him with her lips tightly pursed together. She sighed heavily while she pondered her options. A luxurious dinner with Marius or a night spent on her own in front of the television with a microwave meal.

"Ok. Dinner tomorrow it is." Jamie nodded while the taxi driver placed her suitcases in the hallway. "The Bentley will be sent to pick me up. I do so hate taxis." She smiled.

"I will make sure of it." Marius nodded then smiled as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Jamie entered her home and gave Marius one of her little waves while she watched him walk away. She turned and dragged the heavy cases up to her bedroom. After opening the largest case her smile broadened considerably while she removed contents. The latest designs from Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabana amongst many others soon lay scattered on her bed. She pulled them all into a pile, dumped them back into the suitcase then moved the suitcase to the floor. She started to hum to herself as she made her way to the bathroom where she took a very long, very relaxing bath in her favourite bubble bath.

__________


"Ah la cabeza duele." Carlos groaned to himself as he eased his eyes open.

He blinked a few times then strained his eyes trying to focus. Everything was doubled and ninety degrees from its normal angle. Suddenly realising he was lying on his side on his lounge room floor, he pushed himself up slowly into a seated position. He grabbed his head and tried to steady himself while the room spun quickly. He heard another loud bang at his front door and groaned quietly. Moving slowly and carefully he finally managed bring himself to a standing position. He straightened his clothes and walked in what he thought was his normal fashion towards the front door. Someone hit it hard again and he cursed loudly once more. He fumbled with the lock and slowly swung it all the way open.

"Qué hace todo usted quiere?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe to stop himself falling forward.

"He wants to know what you all want." Came a female voice off to one side.

"Whoa man! How much have you had?" David asked as he turned his face away from him.

"Qué lo tiene obtuvo para hacer con usted?"

"What has it got to do with you?" Franky translated again.

"We heard about what happened with Karen." Urs stated, waving his hand in front of his own face and enterting Carlos's home.

"It is over." Carlos flicked a hand back and forth in front of his face then turned and staggered back into his home. He dropped down hard onto his couch and sat with his right elbow on his knee, his hand cupping his face. "She is to marry someone else. I think he is the real reason she has worked so late." He slurred with a loud hiccup.

"Then you would be wrong." Sébastien shook his head while he started picking up glass from the floor.

"You did not see." Carlos nodded drunkenly. "You did not seed what I sawed."

"What you thought you saw." Urs informed while Franky whispered in his ear. He turned to face her, nodded then smiled as she walked away from him.

"I know exatic....exatat....I know...." Carlos insisted while he wobbled in his seat. "She kissed him."

"He kissed her." David informed with a sideways nod.

"Pfft! It does not matter who kissed who. They kissed with the passion. That is all that matters." Carlos nodded in reply.

Franky returned from the kitchen with a large glass of water, handed it to him and told him to drink it slowly before she disappeared out of the front door. Carlos huffed loudly but did as she asked.

"So it would not matter to you if this man had forced the kiss on her, that he'd hurt her when he did it? You could care less that she's been worried that you've had an accident because of the way you drove off?" Urs questioned as Carlos swallowed a mouthful of water.

"You lie." Carlos huffed angrilly and glared at Urs. "She do........."

"No he doesn't." Karen shook her lowered head as she entered the room at Franky's side.

Carlos glanced at her then closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

"Show him." David insisted as he gently pulled Karen away from Franky and moved her to stand in front of his Spanish friend. "Show him what that bastard did to you."

Karen drew in a deep breath and lowered herself to her knees. She took Carlos face in her hands and spoke to him.

"Look at me." She requested. "He did force the kiss on me. He had hold of me so tight. The more I tried to push him off, the tighter he held me. That's what you saw. Not me kissing him. Hospital security threw him out after you'd gone. I haven't reported him to the police this time, but I will if he ever comes near me again."

She sniffed when she felt Carlos swallow hard still with his eyes tightly closed. He sniffed loudly and bit his top lip hard as he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked back his tears then took a good look at her. He raised his hands to gently cup her face and gasped when he saw her still slightly swollen bottom lip. He moved his gaze to her arm and pursed his lips tight together when he saw the fingermarks.

"Who is this bastardo? Why would he do this?" Carlos questioned her angrilly.

Karen closed her eyes and ran through the same story she had told Franky and Lauren at the hospital.

"He did this to humiliate me in public especially in front of you, like I did to him at the marina and he succeeded. " Karen sniffed as she wiped her eyes roughly. "Didn't he?"

"Si." Carlos nodded while his brain started making plans for some measure of payback.

He suddenly snatched Karen into his arms and held her tight to him while he buried his face into her neck and apologised profusely. He sniffed loudly again as Karen's arms flew around his shoulders and she cupped the back of his head while she told him it was all right, she completely understood why he'd reacted that way but she was more than a little upset that he hadn't given her chance to explain and that she'd been very worried that he'd had an accident. He spent a few moments in that position then slowly pulled away and apologised once more. He quickly wiped his eyes, kissed Karen gently on her right cheek then tried to stand only to wobble and drop back down onto the couch.

"Come on, let’s get you up to bed." Karen smiled as she stood up.

"I don't think I can make it on my own. Legs won't play the ball." Carlos giggled.

Urs and David laughed then stepped forward to pull Carlos to his feet. Each hooked one of his arms over their shoulders and helped him up to his bedroom closely followed by Karen.

Karen thanked the pair as they left the bedroom while she started removing Carlos's clothing until she felt his hands on her wrists and looked at him.

"I am sorry for thinking the bad of you and scaring you by driving off the way I did. I should have let you explain. Urs told me how worried you were."

"Yeah. I was very worried." Karen sniffed as she nodded. "You shouldn't have driven off like that. The way you were driving, you could have killed yourself or someone."

"I know. Lo siento. I will not do it again." Carlos nodded, kissed the back of both of her hands, then released them and did his best to help her get him out of his clothes.

She laughed at the joke he made about her not getting any ideas as he was in no condition to perform right now. She shook her head as she laid him down then covered him over. He was almost asleep by the time she stripped down to her underwear and slipped under the covers beside him. She closed her eyes and smiled as Carlos rolled over towards her, rested his head on her shoulder and draped his left arm over her stomach before he sank into a deep sleep. Karen shook her head and smiled once more when she heard him snoring gently.

Downstairs Urs and Franky had decided they would stay at Carlos's house just in case someone was needed. Franky found the number of a twenty-four hour boarding up service and gave them a call to sort out the French window. David said he would take the others home.

"You've what?!" Emma stopped in her tracks and gulped loudly while she watched Sébastien continue to walk up the pathway to David's front door.

"I've booked a table for two at 'Ramone's' for tomorrow night as my way of thanking you for helping me find the house." Sébastien shrugged nonchalantly while he unlocked the door and held it open for Emma to enter. "Why? Is it a problem?"

"Oh! No. No." Emma shook her head quickly.

"Good." Sébastien nodded as he pushed the door closed.

He grabbed hold of Emma's hand and gently pulled her back into his arms. He smiled gently while he looked at her and huffed a small laugh when he felt her tremble slightly while he held her close. Remembering that they had both agreed to take things slowly, he bent slightly and kissed her just as firmly as he had that morning.

"Now, are you going to introduce me to your favourite ice-cream tonight or not?" He asked as he released the kiss and lead Emma into the lounge.

"I haven't bought any?" Emma shrugged as she sat down close beside him.

"Fibber." Sébastien whispered in her left ear, making her shudder. "I sneaked a look in the freezer while you were in the bathroom."

"Oh did you now?" Emma nodded at him.

She laughed as she stood and made her way to the kitchen. She quickly returned with the tub of ice-cream and two spoons. She laughed once more when she handed him a spoon and he looked at her quizically while he asked where the bowls were.

"The best way to eat this one is straight from the tub." Emma smiled as she removed the lid.

Holding the tub between them she watched carefully to see what Sébastien would do. She giggled as she watched him delve into the sweet core of caramel to taste that first. Then watched him once more as he scooped chocolate and caramel ice-cream loaded with fudge chips into his mouth. The exact same way she liked to eat it.

"Well? What do you think?" Emma asked while she took her first spoonful.

Sébastien smiled broadly and moved to snatch the tub from Emma's hand. Emma moved a little quicker and manouvered herself to the opposite end of the sofa where she sat with the tub held protectively against her chest. She glared playfully at Sébastien as he moved close to her and made several attempts to get his spoon into the tub only for Emma to playfully knock his hand away. She giggled when he sniffed and pouted. She took another scoop with her own spoon and held it out to him. Biting her bottom lip lightly she watched his face as he looked at her while he took the frozen confection slowly into his mouth and allowed it to liquify before he swallowed. She swallowed hard and whined quietly while she watched him slowly lick his lips. 'You'll pay for teasing me like that.' She thought to herself while he smiled seductively at her. She continued to feed herself and Sébastien this way until the tub was spent.

Having eaten their fill of ice-cream, the couple found something to watch on television, snuggled up together and slowly drifted off to sleep.

___________


David yawned loudly while he watched Lauren getting a very sleepy Stephanie ready for bed. He shivered slightly when Lauren turned to face him after settling the child in her new bed. Stephanie hadn't really been able to take in everything about her new room, but had told her mother she loved the colour before she'd given David a quick kiss on the cheek to say goodnight.

"Urgh!" Lauren groaned as she pulled away from the hug she had given David. "You're all cold and wet."

"I know. I'm....." David yawned loudly. "I'm going to have a nice hot bath when I get home." He yawned again.

"You're in no condition to drive anywhere." Lauren shook her head. "I told you, you should have taken a few more breaks didn't I?"

David yawned again and shrugged before he nodded.

Lauren shook her head at him as she grabbed him by the hand and lead him to the bathroom where she ran a hot bath for him. She left him to his bath while she took his damp clothes and put them through a quick wash before checking it was ok to put them all in the dryer.

She returned upstairs to see David asleep in the bathtub with his arms hanging over the sides and his head turned towards the door. She woke him gently while she pulled the plug and watched the water drain away. She blushed slightly as he climbed out of the bath and gently patted himself dry.

David smiled at her while he wrapped the towel around his hips and allowed her to lead him to her bedroom. He yawned loudly once more as the towel slipped to the floor and Lauren indicated for him to get into her bed. He fought to keep his eyes open while Lauren removed her clothes and huddled close to him once she'd slipped between the covers.

Lauren sighed happily and the corners of her mouth turned up into a gentle smile when she felt David's left arm wrap around her shoulders and heard him snoring gently. She raised her head from his shoulder, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and wished him goodnight.

___________


"Do you think he'll do anything about what's happened to Karen?" Franky asked while she finished locking Carlos's front door after seeing out the man who had boarded up the French window.

"More than likely." Urs nodded as he took her into his arms and held her tight. "What are we doing tomorrow?"

"What do you want to do?" Franky questioned with a yawn.

Urs looked at her flirtatiously.

"Besides that." Franky grunted a laugh and batted his arm softly.

"Well you did promise me a ride on your bike once you had it fixed." Urs beamed a smile.

"And you've had one." Franky nodded.

Urs cocked his head to the right, pursed his lips and huffed loudly at her. "I would hardly call that a ride. We barely got above thirty miles per hour the whole way here."

Franky laughed. "Oh so what you're telling me is that you want to go for a good long ride at speed."

Urs smiled and nodded.

"On your own?" Franky questioned.

"No." Urs shook his head and kissed her gently.

Franky smiled as she nodded then yawned again. She looked at Urs quizically when he started to lead her towards the stairs.

"Spare room." Urs nodded. "Carlos won't mind and we'll be able to hear better if they need us for anything."

Franky nodded and yawned again as she followed after him. She laughed quietly when he stopped at the bottom of the stairs, scooped her into his arms and kissed her gently before he carried her up. She laughed a little louder and shook her head at Urs when she flicked the lightswitch on and saw that the bed was only a single one.

Urs smiled at her and shrugged as they removed their clothes down to their underwear. They scrambled under the covers, lay face-to-face and gently kissed each other before falling into a deep and restful sleep wrapped in each other's arms.

Sunday

Urs and Franky looked at each other quizically as they stepped over the threshold of her front door. They could hear hysterical laughter coming from the lounge and it sounded like there were more people than just David, Lauren and Stephanie in there. Franky slowly and quietly pushed the lounge room door open and stuck her head around it to see what was going on.

She furrowed her brow when she saw all of her friends and all of Urs's friends holding their ribs while pointing towards the television. She folded her arms across her chest and coughed loudly.

"Oh! There you are. Urs come have a look at this. It's hysterical." David laughed while he pulled Urs unceremoniously across the room and pushed him down onto one of the couches to sit next to Carlos.

"What are you watching?" Urs questioned as Lauren pointed the remote control at the DVD player.

"I'll show you in a minute." Lauren giggled while pulling Franky across the room, manouvering her so that she sat on one of the couch arms. "First I would like you both to finally say hello to my daughter Stephanie."

Lauren smiled as Stephanie scrambled down from her position on Sébastien's lap and ran across to her mother.

"Stephanie, this is my best friend Francesca and this is Urs."

Stephanie looked at Urs and whispered a very quiet 'Oh Christmas' before she gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"My middle name is Francesca." She informed while looking up at a smiling Franky. "Mummy says she named me after you." Stephanie heaved.

"Awful name, isn't it?" Franky asked as she copied Stephanie.

Stephanie nodded and beamed a big smile. She raised her arms and allowed Franky to lift her then adjusted her position so that she sat on the couch arm between Franky's legs.

"You’re a very funny lady." Stephanie informed as she glanced up at Franky's smiling face.

"Am I?"

Stephanie nodded. "Play it again mummy."

Lauren nodded and pointed the remote towards the DVD player again.

"What are we watching?" Urs questioned again.

"That DVD Lauren said she made of Franky's performance last Christmas." Karen grunted through her laughter.

Urs nodded then turned to look at Franky who sat with her hands over her face shaking her head. He glanced at Carlos's right hand as he turned back to the television.

"You found him then?" He questioned quietly, knowing how angry Carlos was at Ronald Pearson's treatment of Karen.

"Si. In the park. He was walking around with the smug look on his face. He recognised me, said something crude about Karen and grabbed my arm when I ignored him. I punched him to make him let go, then walked away."

"That looks sore." Urs whispered while they waited for the DVD to start. "How hard did you hit him?"

"Hard enough for him not to be causing any more trouble I think." Carlos replied with a raised right eyebrow and a small smile. "Now watch." He nodded as he pointed towards the television.

Urs watched intently as Franky made her way onto the ice with cushions tied to every part of her body except for her backside while the kind of music usually heard when clowns performed at a circus started to play. He huffed a laugh as she stood against the side of the rink with her arms behind her back and her hands seemingly gripping the side as if her very life depended on it. He laughed a little harder as she looked around the rink with her eyes wide and her mouth wide open before pulling her face into a confident looking grin.

Everyone watched as Franky drew in a deep breath and let go of the side of the rink. She skated two steps before she started to stumble, her legs all awry while her arms flayed around wildly trying to keep her balance. Her eyes and mouth flew wide as her bottom hit the ice hard. She huffed as she sat there for a few seconds with her legs spread slightly apart. Drawing her legs together she placed her hands on the ice and immediately removed them. She shook them then blew on them before rubbing them hard together. She pulled the arms of her over-sized sweater over her hands and laid them on the ice while she moved her legs into a position to be able to push herself up.

Franky moved her hand from her face and shook her head when she saw everyone in various states of hysterics. Sébastien, Emma, David, Lauren and Stephanie were almost in tears they were laughing so hard. Karen, Carlos and Urs were giggling quietly.

"Watch this bit." David instructed from his position in front of the fire.

They all continued to watch as Franky pushed with her hands and legs in an attempt to stand. Her hands spread shoulder width apart, her legs spread a little wider than hip-width, her backside pointing skyward and her tongue sticking out between her teeth while she tried to figure out how to stand from that position.

They listened as the stadium audience laughed loudly as her legs slowly slipped apart and she ended up in a split position on the ice. Everyone laughed a little louder as she pulled her face into a pained expression before finally bringing herself back into an upright position. Franky stood in the middle of the ice, dusted herself down, adjusted her clothes and pulled her face into a determined look. She started to skate very wobbily to one side of the rink, her eyes widening and her head flicking from side to side as she approached the audience. She smiled as she turned suddenly and stumbled towards one end of the rink.

Franky skated down the ice whilst blowing out a long breath then grimmaced as she approached the end. She tried to turn again but ended up smacking into the side, the upper half of her body bending over the edge. Her hands had landed on the knees of a good looking young dark haired young man. He continued to laugh and blushed slightly as Franky raised her face to meet his and shrugged as she pushed herself away from him.

She stood back up and set off once more, continuing to perform in a very inelegant fashion with several hard-looking pratfalls thrown in. The audience on the DVD and the one in the lounge laughing harder and harder with each one. She ended the routine with what was supposed to be a traditional ice-skater's sit spin, but actually ended up performing one rotation on her backside. She kept up the act as she tried to stand again then smiled broadly at the two male skaters who came to her side to assist her. She gave her usual courtsey then skated toward the exit between the two men. Just before leaving the ice she turned and gave the crowd a cheeky wink.

Franky blushed bright red while everyone in the lounge struggled to regain their composure.

"Can we watch the other bit now?" Stephanie requested. "The bit where Franky looks like a fairy princess."

She smiled as Lauren nodded and pointed the control at the player again.

"That was absolutely hysterical." Urs whispered as leaned towards Franky. "I haven't laughed this hard in ages." He informed while he knocked laughter-induced tears from his eyes and watched his friends do the same.

"Here we go. Watch this." Lauren sighed.

Everyone watched once more as Franky made her way on to the ice dressed in a pure white jewelled ice-dance dress that had white fur stitched across the bust and around the hem of the short skirt. She wore a delicate silver tiara in her hair. The jewellery in her ears, around her neck and on her wrists matched that.

Everyone listened as a choir started to sing 'Silent Night' and Franky started to skate. They watched every move she made across the ice, performing twists, jumps, without putting a foot wrong. They watched with smiles on their faces and their heads shaking when she launched herself into a long, graceful layback spin then assumed a graceful pose as the song ended and the lights slowly went out. They listened as the audience clapped long and loud. They heard whistles and yells for more. The lights went up again and Franky stood in front of all the skaters that had performed that night, all of them bowing or curtseying gracefully.

The crowd grew silent and watched as everyone slowly left the ice to leave Franky on her own with a young boy aged about twelve. He tapped Franky on the shoulder and held his arms in a dance position while he smiled up at her. Franky nodded, stepped into his arms and smiled broadly while they slowly waltzed around one circuit of the rink before leaving the ice.

Franky slowly turned her head to look at every face. Urs quickly knocked a tear from his right, Carlos sniffed and coughed, tears ran slowly down Karen's cheek as they did down Emma's. Sébastien swallowed hard then sniffed. David sat with his mouth slightly open in stunned silence, while Lauren cried next to him. Franky lowered her head to look at Stephanie and hugged her a little when she saw the tears welling in her eyes.

"Wow!" Stephanie whispered quietly against Franky's left cheek.

Franky blushed as Sébastien, Emma, Carlos and Karen congratulated her on the performance as they stood to leave.

"What are you doing tonight?" Franky asked as Lauren lifted Stephanie into her arms.

"We're going bowling. What about you?" Lauren smiled gently. "A quiet night in I suppose considering what day it is tomorrow."

Franky bit her lip, swallowed hard and blinked back her tears while she nodded. She smiled when Stephanie looked at her with sad eyes and gave her a little wave.

She sighed as Urs came to her side and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"You're sure you still want to be on your own tonight?" He questioned while he held her tight and buried his face into her hair.

"Yeah. I know you want to stay and I do appreciate your concern." Franky nodded as tears threatened to make their escape. "I just really want to be by myself, to remember the good times. It's my way of coping."

Urs kissed her gently before making his way to the kitchen to make coffee. They sat together in silence while they drank and listened to the commotion coming from upstairs. Once David, Lauren and Stephanie had left for the evening, Urs called a taxi to take him home. He huffed quietly when it arrived quicker than he thought it would. He kissed Franky gently before making his way out of the front door and down the driveway. He turned to look back at her and sighed heavily when he saw the tears rolling down her face even though she smiled at him. He closed his eyes and stopped himself from making his way back to her as he remembered that she had told him she wanted to be alone with her memories and thoughts tonight and most of tomorrow. He entered the car and slumped down heavily once he'd told the driver where to take him. He smiled as he remembered that he would only be apart from her for just under twenty-four hours. He didn't pay any attention to the large white van parked a little way up the road as they pulled away.

Jamie frowned slightly while she made her way through the restaurant on Marius's arm. She was a little disappointed that the Bentley hadn't been sent to pick her up, but that Marius had turned up in the Astin Martin instead. Still it was better than having to take a taxi like she had had to when she had dropped in unexpectedly on her brother.

She scowled slightly as she remembered what Anthony had told her of what had happened while she had been in Paris. She had almost thrown quite a tantrum and only the fact that her brother had told her the garage was still standing and that he'd come up with a new plan had brought a smile of approval to her face.

"When do you want to hit her?" Anthony had asked as she stood to leave.

"How long will it take to get things ready?"

"Most of it’s done." Owen had shrugged. "We've got the place set up and the stuff we need. All we really need now is her."

A smile had spread across Jamie's face while she looked at the calendar that hung in her brother's lounge. "Tomorrow will be a good day I think." She had informed as she tapped her finger at the date.

"Why tomorrow in particular?" Anthony questioned.

"Because tomorrow, dear brother, is the first anniversary of her father's death and, if her mind works like I think it does, she will be spending the day on her own and if she's not at home I know the one place on earth she will be."

"Where?" Owen had laughed.

"The cemetery darling. The cemetery. Sentimental fool that she is." She had laughed as she turned back to face the big, ugly ox. "Keep an eye on her place and follow her wherever she goes tomorrow. I can guarantee that she'll go to the cemetery at some point and she'll probably spend quite a while there. Just make sure you grab her before she leaves."

"Why can't we just break-in and take her tonight?"

"Because I don't want that bitch she lives with knowing anything about this until I've exacted my revenge. That's why not."

"Erm....Jamie." Anthony began as he looked at her through his eyelashes.

"What now?!" Jamie hissed.

"What if she's with her fella, the one with long hair? What do you want us to do about him?"

"Oh you mean Urs." Jamie had smiled maliciously. "She's still seeing him?"

"He's been around her like a fly round shit while you've been away." Anthony huffed. "She's spent at least one night at his place."

"I might have known she'd sleep with him quickly. Slut that she is. I swear one of these days she'll catch something nasty. Like I care."

"Don't think they did much sleeping." Anthony had growled and shook his head. "Not from the shadows I saw on the blind anyway."

"Have you been following her Anthony?"

"No. Just seen her around, always with him. If she's not with him, she's with that Gabriel you tried to hook up with a few years ago."

"Hmmmm. Of course you haven't." Jamie laughed and shook her head at her brother, knowing what her brother had always wanted to do to Franky, recalling that he'd come very close a few years ago and how disappointed he'd been that she'd managed to fight him off. "Mark my words brother dear, the next thing you know she will be saying she's pregnant, trying to pass it off as Urs's and that schmuck will probably fall for it hook, line and sinker."

"So what do you want us to do if he's with her?"

"Bring him along for the ride. I owe him too and it would be kind fun to see how he'll react. I think Owen will be able to handle him, won't you Owen?" She had replied while she teased Owen in her usual manner.

"Uh-huh. Sure." Owen had nodded with a big, goofy grin on his face and his eyes wide.

Anthony and Owen had nodded and left the house with Jamie.

She sat automatically when Marius held the chair for her.

"You look happier tonight." Marius oozed while he looked her up and down.

"I am." Jamie smiled as she nodded and took the menu she'd been handed, this time choosing all the most expensive dishes on the list.

"Tonight Marius, I'm very, very happy and there's nothing....absolutely nothing that can spoil it."

________________


"Mummy, Does Daddy think you is stupid?" Stephanie asked as she plonked herself down next to Lauren.

"Why would you think that honey?"

"'Cos I hearded what him told you about why he wanted me to come live with you."

"Oh, you mean the thing about you and his girlfriend not getting along?" Lauren questioned.

"Uh-huh." Stephanie nodded. "He fibbled."

Lauren looked at her daughter quizically.

"I like Trudy, 'cept when she tries to put dresses on me or puts ribbons in my hair." Stephanie nodded and wiped her eyes roughly.

"Stephanie, why are you crying? Are you missing Daddy that much?" Lauren asked as she lifted her daughter onto her knee and made her look at her.

"A little bit." Stephanie nodded her head. "But I is going to miss him lots more when he goes to live with Jesus."

Lauren smiled and held her daughter close. "Oh honey that's not going to happen for a long, long time yet. Not until you're a very big girl."

Stephanie pulled away from Lauren and sniffed loudly before she spoke. "'Tis." She nodded. "I hearded Daddy talking to his doctor in his office one day. Doctor Mike said he was sorry but Daddy only has six months to live and that was just before he called you."

"Did Daddy know you were in the office while he was talking?"

Stephanie shook her head. "I was hidening behind the curtain with my hand over my mouth. Like this." She informed as she clamped both hands over her mouth.

Lauren pulled Stephanie back to her and closed her eyes when her own tears started to fall. She gasped on hearing David's voice behind her.

"Here we go. Burgers, fries and........Lauren! What's wrong?" David asked as he dropped the tray to the table spilling French fries and drinks in the process.

Lauren opened her eyes to see him squatting at her side, his face one of deep concern. Tears continued to roll down her face while she told him what Stephanie had just told her.

"Poor kid." David sighed heavily, slowly closed his eyes and shook his head. "You want to take her home?"

Lauren nodded and stood with Stephanie crying in her arms. She ignored the looks she and David received while they walked towards the exit. She held the little girl tight as they walked back to David's car then gently strapped her into the car seat. She sat next to her and wiped her tears away while David drove them home. By the time they arrived Stephanie had fallen asleep and Lauren found it difficult to lift her from the car. She allowed David to take her out and let him carry her to the front door. After she'd unlocked the it, she took Stephanie from him, gave him a quick kiss. She thanked him, told him she would see him tomorrow and that Stephanie needed her at the moment.

"I know." David nodded as he closed his eyes.

He gently stroked the back of Stephanie's head and smiled as Lauren closed the door then turned away and made his way back to his car trying not to feel disappointed while he drove home.

_____________


"You're sure that's the one Gavin?" Brandie questioned from the back seat of her Bentley.

"Yes Mrs Ramone." Gavin nodded. "I have picked her up and dropped her here a couple of time."

"Did Mr Ramone question you about the car?"

Gavin nodded. "He wanted to the use of it tonight, but I told him it was in the garage to have a small repair carried out. He was not happy."

Brandie smiled. "Annette has done what I asked with his clothes?"

Gavin nodded and gave his employer a wry smile. He didn't like the asshole she was married to and thought that what he was finally about to get exactly what he deserved.

Brandie nodded and laughed while she looked at the small two-storey house. The same sort of house she had been born in. The tiny front garden just a patch of grass in need of mowing. The property itself, seemingly perfectly well maintained.

"Where are you going?" Honey asked as she grabbed Brandie's arm to stop her leaving the car.

"To have a look through her window to see if I can get a sense of what I'm dealing with." Brandie smiled in reply.

Honey huffed and left the vehicle with her. Making sure they weren't seen they made their way up to the front window and looked through. Brandie shook her head when she saw the clothes hanging from the picture rail. Some of the brandnames she recognised immediately, others were a little more obscure. Others still hung in their protective bags and their designers couldn't be seen.

Brandie smiled as she turned and made her way back to the car.

"You're not still going to do it?" Honey queried as she sat down next to her.

"Absolutely." Brandie nodded. "As soon as I've dealt with that soon to be ex-husband of mine." She continued while fastening her seatbelt. "Gavin, the restaurant if you please."

Gavin touched the peak of his cap and had a little giggle to himself while he pulled away from Jamie's home.

"Will you please stop the fussings." Carlos asked as he pulled his right hand from Karen's grip again. "I told you it's fine."

"It is not fine. Look at it. Your right hand is almost twice the size of your left and you can barely move your fingers without screwing your face up. It's obvious you're in pain." Karen informed with her hands on her hips. "Now let me have a closer look."

Carlos grumbled in Spanish but allowed her to examine his hand. He winced slightly when she touched the back of it.

"Told you there's something wrong." Karen informed while she handed him his jacket and picked up her own coat.

"Where are we going?"

"To the hospital. I think you've broken something."

"It's fine." Carlos groaned as Karen pulled him towards the door by his left hand.

Karen shook her head at him while she continued to pull him across the road to the accident and emergency department of the hospital.

"This is a waste of time." Carlos informed quietly while they sat in a cubicle waiting for a doctor to examine his injury.

A middle-aged bald-headed doctor soon arrived, examined the hand and ordered x-rays. Karen laughed while she listened to Carlos continually grumble about them wasting their time. In his opinion, there was nothing wrong with his hand except a little bruising. Nothing that the ice-pack Karen had placed on it wouldn't take care of. He continued to grumble and complain while they waited for the doctor to re-appear.

The doctor ummed loudly while he looked at the pictures then turned round to look at Carlos with a dour look on his face. He informed Carlos that he had been lucky. Although he hadn't completely broken any bones in two, he had cracked two of the metatarsals. Namely the ones to the middle and ring finger and that he would need to wear a splint for a few days until he was healed.

"Told you so." Karen teased while they waited to have the splint fitted.

"Argh!" Carlos shook his head quickly then shrugged nonchalantly.

By the time he was finished it was pushing midnight. Both he and Karen were tired from the combination of all the laughing they had done at Franky's house and the heat inside the hospital. They walked back across the road hand-in-hand with Karen shaking her head at Carlos while he simply smiled and shrugged. Having entered her home, Karen made her way into the kitchen and threw another bowl of shrimp into the bin before making her way up to bed with Carlos following somewhat sheepishly behind her.

____________


Sébastien fixed his tie and pulled David's front door shut firmly behind him. He climbed into his car and quickly roared away, thankful that the engine was no longer knocking now he'd got it back from the garage. Not understanding anything about pistons but reminding himself to check the oil a little more frequently than once every six months. He was soon standing outside Emma's home. He smiled once more when she opened the door to see her wearing a gold asymmetrically layered cocktail dress.

"You look fantastic again." He informed as he dropped a quick kiss on her cheek. Emma smiled and blushed slightly as she pulled her front door shut. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Emma breathed deep.

"It's only dinner." Sébastien laughed.

"I know, but 'Ramone's'." Emma shook her head and took the arm he offered. "Did your mother call you back about the house?" She asked as she stepped into his car.

"Oui. She's very happy I have found somewhere new to live and that I don't have to go back to my old home." Sébastien nodded. "Thanks for helping me find somewhere so quickly." He smiled as he kissed the back of her hand gently.

Emma blushed then watched him walk quickly around the front of the car. She noticed he still limped a little and quickly calculated. Just over a week had past since he had been injured. If he was still limping in a couple of days she would get him back in for a further examination.

"Something wrong?" He asked as he sat beside her.

"I noticed you were still limping." Emma nodded.

"Oh! That's nothing to worry about. I bumped into the island in David's kitchen earlier." Sébastien laughed. "I forgot where I was and wasn't watching where I was walking. I have a doozy of a bruise just there." He laughed again and prodded his left thigh.

Emma laughed, clamped her hand over her eyes and shook her head.

___________


Franky sniffed while she opened the doors that allowed her access to the television and video player that she kept in her bedroom. She inserted the old video cassette then moved over to her bed where she made herself comfortable by sitting in the middle of the mattress with her legs curled up against her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them while she watched the images on the screen.

She laughed when she saw her father pulling a funny face at the camera while she could be heard collapsing into a fit of the giggles. Tears began to roll slowly down her face while she watched how lovingly her parents looked at each other after over twenty-five years of marriage and she wondered what they would both think of Urs.

"You would probably be telling him to get his hair cut wouldn't you?" She questioned as her father's smiling face filled the screen again. "And I would be telling you to leave him alone."

She smiled as the image changed to one of her climbing. She studied every movement of her body as younger muscles flexed and relaxed. She ooed as she remembered how sore she had been after that first climb up 'Devil's Drop'.

The image switched again to one of her mother skating for the last time. She sniffed and quickly wiped her eyes, but tears continued to make their escape while remembered what her mother had told her about her birth. How she'd spent hours pushing only to be told that no progress had been made and forceps needed to be used. How the doctor had forgotten to empty her bladder before inserting the forceps. How he'd been rough as he pushed them in, that he'd torn a small hole in her vaginal wall that went through to her bladder. How that hadn't been discovered until a few days later after her mother had developed a severe infection, leaving doctors little recourse but to perform a complete hysterectomy.

Images continued to change flicking between her father, her mother and herself. She smiled when she saw the images of her father teaching her to ride her first motorcycle and laughed as she remembered how quickly she had picked that up. The images of her learning to ice skate were a little out of focus and she laughed as she watched herself fall three times in quick succession. She swallowed hard when she heard her father's booming voice ask her mother if she was ok then laughed, hearing her own childhood voice reply that she was fine and that he had to stop fussing. She smiled when she heard him speak again.

"That's my girl."

She wiped her eyes as she closed them and settled herself back into the pillows. She reached for the remotes, turned both items off, pulled the covers over her and turned her attention to her photograph albums. Smiling when she looked at her parents's wedding photographs and her baptism. Rolling her eyes backwards when she saw the pictures her father had taken during her dance lessons and remembering how they both used to laugh a little whenever Michael's mother used to tell her off about her poor posture and wondering what she would say now after spending many hours walking around with books balanced on her head to improve it. Shaking her head at pictures showing her sitting astride her father's bike from the age of two up until a week before he'd died. Others showing her climbing Devils Drop, her father right behind her, and rare family holidays. She huffed a quick laugh when she remembered that her parents always used make sure that every day was filled with fun. The final picture, a family portrait showing herself, her parents, her uncle, aunt and their two children and all her grandparents.

She set the album down, snuggled under the covers, breathed deep and smiled softly when she smelled Urs's now familiar aroma on the pillow. She buried her face deep into it and quietly cried herself to sleep.

Brandie Ramone looked out of the window and smiled as the car pulled up at the front of 'Ramone's' restaurant. The restaurant was already full and there was a long queue of people waiting outside on the off-chance that someone would cancel or hadn't shown up and they would be able to get in. She nodded as Gavin opened the door and offered a hand to help her out. She smiled and nodded at her staff while she made her way into the dining area and started to make her way back to the private dining room. She stopped at one table and spoke to the diners.

"Good evening Monsieur Izambard. Nice to see you again."

"Brandie! How many times must I tell you? Please, It's Seb or Sébastien at the very least." Sébastien laughed as he stood and greeted Brandie with a kiss on each cheek before introducing her to Emma.

"You are a very lucky lady." Brandie whispered in her ear as she kissed each of Emma's cheeks.

"I know." Emma whispered in reply.

"I trust everything is all right." She smiled while Sébastien sat back down.

"Wonderful as always." He nodded. "I have not seen you around in a long time."

"No." Brandie shook her head and continued to smile. "I've been in the States, New York as a matter of fact. I opened a new branch of the restaurant in Times Square yesterday."

"Oh great." Sébastien nodded. "The food will be the same as here?"

"Almost. I have yet to find the chef that can match or even top Antonio. Though I'm sure there is someone out there who can." Brandie nodded and closed her eyes. "Now if you'll please excuse me I have something rather urgent I need to attend to."

Brandie nodded and smiled again then continued her journey to the back of the restaurant. She paused as she laid a hand on the door handle and heard loud laughter coming from within.

"Mr Ramone you are so naughty." She heard a woman's voice teasing.

Brandie flung the door open violently and glared at the couple sitting at the table.

"Bran!" Marius Ramone yelled as he stood up quickly sending his chair crashing to the floor. "You're home early."

"And it's a good job I am isn't it?!" Brandie yelled in reply. "Up to your old tricks again Marius?" She questioned while she glared at Jamie. "What's the little slut’s name this time?"

"Who are you calling a slut?" Jamie yelled as she brought herself face-to-face with Brandie. "Marius who is this bitch?"

Jamie yelped when Brandie slapped her quickly but very hard across the face.

"My wife." Marius whispered without making eye contact with Jamie.

"Your what?!" Jamie yelled again while she rubbed her face.

"I'm his wife, that's who I am." Brandie replied calmly while reaching for Jamie's right hand. "Now what a pretty bauble?" She exclaimed on seeing bracelet on Jamie's wrist. Brandie held Jamie's wrist tight as she quickly unclipped the fastener that held the bracelet in place.

"Hey! Give that back. It's mine." Jamie screeched lunging for the bracelet as she did so.

"Actually it isn't." Brandie shook her head and held the item tight in her hand as she glared hard at Jamie. "My husband, idiot that he is, used the business account to purchase this. Therefore, it belongs to the business."

"So. He can spend the business's money on what he likes. It's his money after all." Jamie yelled again.

Brandie threw her head back and laughed until tears filled her eyes. "Is that what he told you?"

Jamie nodded and continued to glare at the woman who stood before her.

"Well I've got news for you. He doesn't own any part of this business. It's mine. All mine. My husband's only responsibility with this place is managing it." Brandie informed whilst ringing a bell. She laughed again as a member of the security staff stepped through the door.

"Escort this....." Brandie held her hand out and turned it in small circles. "Escort my husband's latest trollop out of the building Elliott." Brandie instructed indicating Jamie. "And make sure everyone knows not to let her back in no matter who she is with." She yelled out of the door. Keeping the door open Brandie launched into a verbal tirade at her husband.

Jamie fumed as she followed Elliott through the packed restaurant. She paused at the table where Sébastien was sitting with Emma and paying her such close attention that he hadn't noticed her approach nor had he heard the commotion coming from the private dining room. She breathed deep and spoke to him.

"Well now Seb, aren't we scraping the bottom of the barrel? Fancy seeing you with this." She laughed as she stood with her hands on her hips glaring at Emma.

"Jamie! How......." Sébastien began.

"Now that's funny Jamie, I thought he'd already scraped the bottom of the barrel when he dated you." Emma retorted with a smile, making Sébastien almost choke and spray red wine over the table.

"Why you....." Jamie sneered as she raised her hand ready to strike Emma's face.

Emma moved quickly, grasped Jamie's wrist and held her off. She continued to hold her wrist as she stood upright and brought herself to stand face-to-face with Jamie. Moving quickly again, Emma spun herself under Jamie's arm and immediately wrenched the arm as far up her back as she could get it.

"Excuse me for one moment would you." Emma smiled at Sébastien. "I just need to take out the rubbish." Emma giggled as she pushed Jamie towards the exit of the restaurant.

"Let go of me. You're hurting my arm. Leave me alone." Jamie screeched loudly in protest at the rough treatment she was receiving.

Emma pushed a little harder as they reached the door and sent Jamie sprawling to the ground.

"You'll pay for this." Jamie hissed as she turned herself round and glared at Emma again.

Emma looked down at Jamie and wagged her finger. "Tut, tut, tut. I don't think so Jamie. You remember my brother Brett don't you and what happened when Anthony tangled with him?"

Jamie's eyes flew wide and she gulped audibly while she nodded. "He broke Anthony's ankle with one twist."

Emma nodded. "Wouldn't want to be in that much pain yourself would you?"

Jamie widened her eyes and gulped once more. "You wouldn't dare. You don't know how." She hissed.

"Would you really like to find out if I do or I don't?" Emma threatened as she lunged for Jamie's right ankle.

"No, no. I'll believe you." Jamie screamed as she scooted backwards away from Emma.

"Good." Emma nodded while she watched Jamie scramble to her feet. "Now get in the taxi and get your ass out of here before I kick it into the middle of next week."

Jamie did as she was told for once in her life and snapped at the driver to take her home.

Emma turned to make her way back into the restaurant to see that most of the diners including Sébastien had come out to see what was happening between the two women.

"Are you ok?" Sébastien asked as he stepped forward and took hold of Emma's hand.

"I'm fine." Emma giggled.

"What was all that stuff about her brother and yours?" Sébastien questioned while they made their way back to their table to some rather loud clapping from the restaurant's patrons.

"Oh, Brett was the county Judo champion. Anthony and him got into a fight one day over something Anthony tried to do to me. Brett ended up breaking Anthony's ankle like that." Emma informed with a quick snap of her fingers. "He tought me a few moves so that I can defend myself."

"Could you really have done what you said to Jamie?" Sébastien asked.

His eyes flew wide and he gulped audibly when he noticed the look on Emma's face. The raised eyebrows, the confident smile and the slow nod.

Emma startled slightly as the head waiter spoke at her side. "With the compliments of Mrs Ramone." He informed while he held out a very expensive bottle of champagne to her. Emma turned her head to the direction the waiter indicated and saw Brandie Ramone raising a glass of champagne to her with a gracious nod. "Mrs Ramone says you are to choose whatever you wish from the menu. Your meal tonight is on the house and the Bentley is at your disposal when you wish leave."

"That's ok. I have my car." Sébastien smiled and shook his head.

"And one has been drinking sir." The waiter nodded discreetly towards the wine glass.

"Ah. Good point."

Emma raised her own glass of champagne and smiled at Brandie Ramone before turning her attention to the menu.

Lauren sighed heavily as she closed the door to Stephanie's room. She quickly made her way downstairs and dialled Nick's home phone number. She paced impatiently while she waited for him to answer.

"Hello."

"Nick." She snapped.

"Lauren! What's wrong? Is Stephanie ok?" He asked with a note of panic in his voice.

"No, Stephanie is not ok Nick." Lauren shook her head. "She's spent most of this evening crying in my arms."

"Missing me I suppose. Well tell her I'll ........"

"No Nick!" Lauren cut him off. "She wasn't crying because she's missing you. She was crying because you lied to me and because she knows what's going to happen to you. She knows you're dying."

"I don't know what you......."

"Don't!" Lauren cut him off again. "For once in your life tell me the honest truth Nick, no skirting around the issue or trying to distract me. Tell me the truth. Is it true?"

She paused as she heard a heavy sigh and a loud sniff at the other end of the line.

"Erm......I'm sorry Lauren. Yes it's true. It's MND."

"MND?"

"Sorry. Motor Neurone Disease. A particularly aggressive form from what I've been told."

"Nick." Lauren sighed and closed her eyes. "You should have told me."

"I know. I'm sorry Lauren. I should have told you the truth. I don't know how Stephanie found out though. I tried to keep it from her."

"She was hiding in your office when your doctor told you how long you had left. That's how she knew."

"Oh God No!" Lauren heard Nick gasp then sniff. "I erm.......I don't know what to......"

"I'll tell you what you're going to do Nick." Lauren huffed. "You're going to call Stephanie in the morning and you're going to apologise to her for not talking to her sooner. We agreed not to hide anything from her, no matter how bad. You know how forward she is for her age."

"I know, but I can't." Nick sniffed. "I can't."

"Oh! You can and you will." Lauren raised her voice slightly as she spoke. "I am not going to allow her to carry a burden like that."

"Ok. I'll......I'll call around ten." Nick sniffed again. "I'm really sorry Lauren."

"Ok. She'll be waiting. Don't you dare let her down." Lauren huffed again as she hung up. "Stupid, stupid man." She said to herself while she made her way back upstairs where she checked on a now sleeping Stephanie and Franky, then made her way to bed.

She sighed heavily, cried silent tears, covered herself over and quickly fell asleep with the pillow David had laid his head on the night before clutched tightly against her chest.

_____________


Jamie fumed as she paced furiously up and down the lounge room of her home. Three times. Three times in one night she had been humiliated. Firstly, by discovering that Marius was married. She might not have many morals, but married men had always been strictly off limits, besides her moral objection, married men always complicated matters. Secondly by receiving a slap from his wife and thirdly by the way Emma Harper had man-handled her while she pushed her from the restaurant in front of all those people. She continued to grumble and complain to herself while she tried to think of some way of getting her own back. She snatched her head around sharply when she heard a loud knock at her front door. She growled loudly as she threw the door open.

"You! What do you want?" Jamie asked the woman who stood smiling in front of her.

"I brought you a little gift." Brandie beamed as she threw a suitcase into Jamie's lounge then pushed Marius harshly in after it. "You want him so badly, I've decided to give him to you."

"But...I...I...I." Jamie spluttered.

"Oh no need to thank me dear. I'm done with him." Brandie smiled and flicked her hand towards her husband as she stepped over the threshold. "Now where are all those lovely clothes he bought you with my money?"

"I don't know what you mean." Jamie shook her head as she stood at the bottom of her stairway and spread herself across them. Her head quickly snapped to the right when Brandie slapped her hard again.

"Do not make the mistake of messing with me madam. You will find me quite a formidable opponent." Brandie hissed in Jamie's ear. "Now tell me what I want to know."

Jamie sneered at her and shook her head. "Never! I'm not scared of you."

"I have some friends you really wouldn't want to tangle with."

"Like who?" Jamie huffed a laugh.

"Does the Kendrick family mean anything to you?"

"Can't say that it does." Jamie shook her head at the mention of the name.

She knew nothing of the family and she didn't care that Brandie Ramone seemed to be implying they had a bad reputation. She stood her ground raised her head high and shook it defiantly.

"Oh well never mind. It's going to be much more fun this way." Brandie laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "But why must they always make it so difficult?" She huffed as she shoved Jamie roughly to the floor and ran up the stairs. She soon returned carrying the suitcase Jamie hadn't bothered to unpack yet.

"Where are you taking them?" Jamie screeched, lunging for the case while Brandie made her way back outside.

"Why don't you follow me and find out?" Brandie asked as she wrinkled her nose and crooked the index finger of her right hand at Jamie. "Now, normally I would take these to a charity shop, but as I have never seen another woman of your size around the town and I don't want to give you the opportunity of buying them back by donating them to a charity shop, I think this is the best way to deal with them." She continued as she dumped the clothes to the ground and quickly soaked them in a foul smelling liquid.

Jamie's eyes and mouth flew wide as she watched Brandie reach into her coat pocket to remove a box of matches. She gulped audibly when one was struck then thrown into the middle of the pile. She screamed loudly when everything caught fire and watched the flames reach high into the sky while Brandie sashayed her way back to the Bentley.

"Don't worry darling you've still got me." Marius tried to soothe her as he came to her side and took her into his arms.

"You!" Jamie yelled. "You! Whatever gave you the impression I wanted you?" Jamie hissed as she pushed him hard away from her. "You idiot. I was only ever interested in you for the money." She laughed as she watched Marius's bottom jaw drop. "You really think you stood a chance of getting with this? Get real." She hissed as she bought herself face-to-face with him.

Marius stood on the pavement staring after Jamie still open-mouthed while she stormed her way back inside her home. He moved to step forward only to collide with his own very large suitcase. He looked down at the object as it clattered to the floor and huffed a breath. Squatting, he opened the case and groaned loudly when he saw his clothes slashed to ribbons. He brought himself upright, picked up the suitcase and tipped everything onto the still burning pile Brandie had created. He dropped the case to the floor then rammed his hands into the pockets of his trousers. He pulled out his wallet and frowned when he saw how little cash he had in it.

"Just enough to get me the cheapest room at The Station Hotel for a couple of nights." He huffed as he started to make his way slowly down the road.

Monday

"Oww!" Owen complained loudly when Anthony gave him a sharp dig in the ribs.

"Movement." Anthony hissed while nodding towards Franky's garage. "Looks like she's off."

Anthony continued to watch Franky as he started the white van and dropped it into gear. She soon appeared from the garage dressed head-to-toe in black and pushing a black Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle down to the road. He watched as she made her way back to the door and secured it before she mounted the bike and kicked it into life. He smiled wryly and groaned while he watched her wriggle her bottom against the leather of the single seat.

"Fit bit of skirt ain't she?" Owen sneered as he leaned into Anthony's left.

"Is she? I haven't paid that much attention." Anthony sniffed.

"Bloody liar." Owen laughed as he glanced down at Anthony's lap. "You don't get a like that for no reason."

Anthony spat something foul-mouthed at Owen then coughed to regain his composure. He spoke to the two young men who sat in the back of the van without taking his eyes off Franky.

"Right, off you go you two. You know what to do?" He questioned as Kevin opened the van's side door and stepped down on to the pavement.

"Yeah, we know. Once we've got in round the back, we open the valve on the bottle marked with an O and small 2 not the other one then set fire to the place. Then we run like 'the pigs' is after us." Kie rolled his eyes into the back of his head while he replied and pushed the door shut.

Anthony nodded at the hooded young men while he checked the road and pulled out to follow Franky. Keeping the van at a inconspicuous distance, he followed her into the town and watched as she quickly entered a florists then emerged with a large bunch of flowers in her arms.

"How she's going to ride with them in her hand?" Owen questioned as he watched her.

"She isn't." Anthony shook his head. "Look she's hailing a taxi."

Both men watched as Franky lay the flowers on the back seat of the car she had stopped, then spoke to the driver. They shrugged as they looked at each other then watched Franky kick the Triumph to life again and rode off in front of the taxi. They followed at a discreet distance once more.

"Ant?" Owen said with a puzzled look.

"What?" Anthony asked while they were stopped at traffic lights.

"That bike she's riding, I've seen one like it before but can't remember where." Owen knitted his brows together while he thought.

Anthony shook his head. "It's the same model Marlon Brando rode in 'The Wild One'."

"Oh yeah! So it's really old then?" Owen nodded.

"At least fifty years I should imagine." Anthony nodded. "I would have sold it for scrap by now and got something a bit more up-to-date. Like that BMW R1200s we saw the other day." Anthony smiled and raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah! That was nice, that one." Owen smiled.

Anthony returned his attention back to the road and continued to follow Franky and the taxi along the road that lead to the cemetery. He watched as she pulled into the car park and quickly found a parking space. She didn't pay any attention to the white van that pulled in three spaces away while she ran to the taxi and paid him off.

"Right, you stay here and keep an ear out for this." Anthony instructed as he pushed a mobile into Owen's hand. "I'll go keep an eye on her."

"Ok Ant." Owen nodded.

"Oh! Don't bother trying to make any calls there's no credit on it." Anthony continued just before he left the van and quietly shut the door.

Owen huffed loudly and placed the phone on the dashboard. He made himself as comfortable as he could and looked down at the bag that sat at his feet. He glanced at the wing mirror and smiled when he realised that Franky hadn't noticed she was being followed.

___________


"What's so funny?" David asked, listening to Sébastien laughing as quietly as he could while he shaved.

"Last night." Sébastien grunted through his laughter. "It was so funny to watch."

"Explain." David asked as he looked at the Frenchman with a confused expression.

Sébastien struggled to control himself then recounted the story of what had happened between Emma and Jamie at the restaurant.

"She didn't?" David laughed.

"That's not all. You should have seen what Brandie Ramone did on the way home."

"What?" David shook his head and Sébastien told him of how she had set fire to a large pile of designer clothing right outside Jamie's house.

David laughed again. "I would have paid to see Jamie's face as she did that." He informed while he wiped laughter-induced tears from his eyes. "Just one question."

"What?"

"How do you know what Brandie did?"

"She gave Emma and myself a lift home after our meal. She made sure we had a good view of what she did but ensured that Jamie couldn't see us. We were both roaring with laughter by the time Brandie came back to the car." Sébastien shook his head as he finished. "How did your night go?"

David sighed heavily and shook his head sadly. "Not good."

"You and Lauren haven't.....?" Sébastien began as he snapped his head round to face him.

"No." David shook his head again and smiled. "No. Stephanie got upset last night and we had to take her home."

"What happened?"

David breathed deep before he told Sébastien what happened.

"Poor kid. Is it true?"

"Yeah. I called Lauren just before I got up. She phoned Nick last night and he confirmed everything." David sighed again.

Sébastien shook his head and sighed heavily as he returned to shaving. He smiled to himself after a while and ran through the plans he and Emma had made for today. She was back at work so he wouldn't be able to see her until lunchtime, which would give him plenty of time to collect his car from the car park at the back of 'Ramone's'. They had agreed to go for pizza once she had finished work then they would be off to a small cinema Emma had told him about. They were in the middle of an Alfred Hitchcock season and tonight they were showing his favourite film. He smiled and started to whistle as he rinsed his face and gently patted himself dry.

_____________


Lauren smiled while she listened to Stephanie talking to her father on the phone. For once he had called on time and had apologised profusely to his daughter for the way she had found out about his illness. She laughed a little when Stephanie told her father how silly all of mummy's friends were, especially David and Franky and how all the men spoke funny. She looked at Stephanie questioningly as she hung up.

"You ok honey?"

Stephanie nodded. "Daddy says he's coming down to see me soon." She smiled as she made her way over to the lounge window and looked across the road. "Mummy, I thoughted you said Franky wasn't at work today."

"She isn't sweetheart. It's a sad day for her today." Lauren shook her head and started to head for the kitchen.

"Then why are those two big boys hanging around the garage?"

Lauren quickly moved over to the window and looked towards Franky's garage. She watched the two young men Stephanie had pointed out running down the alleyway to the road before they turned left and headed for the town. She turned her head back to look at the garage once more and her eyes flew wide when she saw smoke billowing through every available orrifice again. She picked up the phone, pulled her daughter away from the windows and into the kitchen while she dialled the emergency services. Having called them she made another call.

"Right I'm off to surprise Laur......." David began as his house phone started to ring. He smiled as he answered.

"Yep!"

"David, Is Urs with you?" He heard Lauren's voice questioning with a hint of fear.

"Err......No Lauren. Why?"

"I need to get hold of him. I need him to get a message to Franky."

"Lauren what's wrong?"

"Franky's garage is on fire again. It looks......" David pulled the handset away from his ear as he heard a very loud bang from the other end.

"Lauren!" David yelled. His eyes flicked from side-to-side while he waited for a reply. "Lauren!!" He yelled a little louder.

"What's all the shouting about?" Sébastien queried while he answered the front door and let Carlos in.

"What's all the shouting about? I could hear you at the end of the path." Carlos asked as he stepped into David's lounge.

"Sshhhhh!" David hissed quickly. "LAUREN!! Oh God!" He yelled while he continued to listen.

He knew the call was still connected when he heard sirens in the background and what sounded like a child crying.

"LAUREN!!" He yelled once more.

"David. I'm ok. We're both ok."

"What was that bang?" David questioned as he sighed with relief.

"Probably one of the bottles Franky uses for welding exploding."

"You're sure you're both ok?"

"Fine. Stephanie was just a little scared at how loud it was. She's ok now." He heard Lauren breathe deeply. "Now can you please give me Urs's number."

David fumbled with his mobile, eventually found the number he needed and passed it on.

"I'll try and call you back when I've finished talking to Urs."

"On my mobile. I'm on my way over to you." David nodded just before hanging up.

"What the hell's going on?" Carlos demanded whilst grabbing hold of David's arm with his left hand and spinning round to face him.

"Franky's garage is on fire again. There's been an explosion of some kind." David informed.

"Mon Dieu! She's not in there is she?" Sébastien questioned.

David shook his head quickly. "No. She's closed it today. She's up at the cemetery, but her mobile is switched off and Lauren wants to let her know what's going on. She's sending Urs up there to find her."

"Where are you going?" Carlos queried.

"To make sure Lauren and Stephanie are really ok." David smiled as he headed out of the front door.

Carlos and Sébastien looked at each other. "We're coming too." Sébastien shouted as he pulled the front door shut. "What have you done to your hand?" He questioned while he and Carlos ran down the path towards David's car.

"Cracked a couple of bones. It's nothing." Carlos huffed as he waved the offending limb at the Frenchman. "We have more to worry about than my hand I think."

All three men scrambled into the car and started to make their way over to Franky and Lauren's home.

_____________


"Ok. Now I'm bored." Urs complained as he set the small suitcase down in his hallway ready for the following day's journey. "I could always.....No. I've checked twice already." He shook his head and moved his hand away from the suitcase.

He turned back into his lounge thinking that he could tidy it up but huffed loudly when he saw that it was already neat and tidy. Which wasn't surprising really as he'd hardly been there in the past week. He yawned and stretched himself out. He smiled as he remembered the events of the day before.

He and Franky had woken up at almost the same time still wrapped in each other’s arms. They had forgotten where they were for a moment and had almost lost themselves in each other while they kissed. Only the fact that Carlos had knocked on the door whilst offering coffee had reminded them they were in his spare room. Urs felt himself redden slightly as he recalled the flirtatious look Carlos had given him once he'd opened the door slightly and quickly took the coffee from his hands.

He sighed happily as he recalled the motorcycle ride they had taken to one of Franky's favourite spots. Known locally as 'Devil's Drop', he hadn't been able to begin to imagine why they called it that until Franky had lead him down a long narrow pathway and told him to look up. Then he'd gulped audibly as he looked at the red cliff walls. A vertical wall had met his gaze as he slowly raised his eyes. His eyes had widened as they met the virtually horizontal outcrop that gave the place its name. Franky had told him that this place was one of the most difficult places in the world to climb and that no-one had ever even attempted to freeclimb it. That it would be a mistake to even try. Then she had taken him up another path to the top and had shown him the drop that gave the place its name. This was very deceptive. Because of the outcrop, you thought you were only a few feet up when you were really almost five hundred feet above normal ground level.

Then she had turned him around and pulled him over towards another edge to look at the view on the horizon. He had shaken his head at how beautiful the town and the surrounding villages looked from that position. He had turned her round to face him and was just about to pull her into his arms and kiss her when the heavens opened with a vengeance. Both his and Franky's hair were soaking wet within seconds and they had sought shelter in darkest recesses of a nearby cave that Franky knew about.

He reddened once more as he recalled what had happened between the two of them in there while the rain continued to pour outside and how their cries of passion had sent a multitude of birds scrambling into the air. He coughed as he remembered the knowing looks and the winks they had received from a middle-aged couple once they had emerged from the cave and how red Franky had gone. He laughed as he recalled her teasing him about the colour of his own face.

He had just started remembering watching the DVD when his phone rang.

"Hi Fire. Have you....."

"Urs. It's Lauren." Urs snapped his head up as he heard the worried tone in Lauren's voice.

"Is there something wrong Lauren? I can hear sirens in the background."

"Yes, Franky's garage is on fire again. There's been an explosion. I need you to go to the cemetery to find Franky."

"Crap!" Urs spat. "Ok. But it's a huge area to search for her."

"Don't worry. I'll give you directions from the car park right to the grave."

Urs listened intently to the directions Lauren gave him, quickly repeated them to make sure he had them written down right before he retrieved his crash helmet and headed out of his door towards the stairs. He jumped down the last five steps and cursed out loud when he twisted his left ankle slightly on landing. He limped a little as he ran out of the entrance and over to his motorcycle. He cursed when it refused to start at the first attempt then shook his head when it started the second time. With a quick glance to his right once he'd reached the road, he roared away towards the cemetery.

______________

Franky brought herself upright and took a couple of steps backwards to admire her handiwork with the flower display. After making one final adjustment to one of the white roses, she smiled. She picked up the bag of dead flowers and weeds in her left hand, hooked her helmet onto her right arm and grabbed the backpack she'd brought with her in her right hand. She dried her eyes with the back of her right hand, sniffed back her remaining tears and turned away from her parents's grave. She took several deep cleansing breaths as she made her way back to the car park.

She saw the large form leaning into the back of the white van while she made her way over to her motorcycle but paid it no attention. Those sort of vans were always at the cemetery and it wasn't out of place. After disposing of the rubbish in a nearby bin, she threw the backpack over her shoulders and raised her helmet over her head. She yelped loudly while a large arm flew around her waist, pulled her back to hold her tight against its owner and her eyes flew wide when a piece of cloth was forced over her nose and mouth. Her head started to swim and her eyes grew heavy as she breathed. The last thing she heard before darkness took over was the crash of metal hitting the ground and a now familiar voice shouting her name.

David slammed the brakes on hard as they reached the farthest end of the road where Franky and Lauren lived. Fire engines, ambulances and police cars were all over the road, blocking any sort of access. Police officers were busy directing traffic away from the area and escorting people to safety. David jumped slightly when a tall, dark-haired policeman knocked on his window and indicated for him to wind it down.

"I'm sorry sir, I can't let you go any further. There's a dangerous situation ahead. We're evacuating the street."

"But my girlfriend lives down there. I have to make sure she and her daughter are ok." David stated.

"I'm sorry sir. There's just no way I can let you go down there. It's far too dangerous." The officer shook his head after giving David a quizical look. "Please pull your car over to kerb and follow this officer. Anyone who lives or works down here has been taken to the sports centre just up the road."

David moved his car quickly then all three men exited and took a quick look down to where they knew Franky's garage stood.

Thick acrid black smoke was filling the air and several fire officers were engaged in trying to put the fire out. Flames of red, orange and bright yellow leapt high into the air. Loud bangs and pops could be heard as cans of oil and other flammable materials overheated and exploded. All three men shook their heads and took a few steps backwards. Even though they were a good distance away they could feel the heat that was being generated by the burning building.

"Looks like it's gone this time." David shook his head.

Sébastien and Carlos could only nod in agreement as they continued to watch. Suddenly there was a loud crash and a lot of shouting from outside the building.

"The roof's collapsed!" They heard someone shout.

Another loud bang went up near the back of the building and pieces of metal were sent flying through the air. Carlos jumped backwards when something metal clattered to the ground near his feet. He gulped audibly, gave Sébastien and David a quick nudge and pointed downwards.

"Oh Non!" Sébastien gasped when he saw the familiar Harley Davidson symbol.

"Whose though?" David shook his head. "Urs has his, Franky has gone to the cemetery on......"

"No. She took her father's Triumph. It'll be her bike and perhaps some of her customers's that have gone up." Lauren informed as she came to David's side with Stephanie clinging tightly to her.

"Lauren! Thank God! Are you both ok?" David asked as he pulled her into a hug.

"Fine." Lauren nodded with tear-filled her eyes. "A hundred years. Almost one hundred years there's been a Franky's garage here and it’s gone just like that." Lauren shook her head and snapped her fingers.

She sighed heavily as David wrapped his left arm around her shoulders then smiled when Stephanie wriggled herself into his free arm and buried her face into his neck.

"Did you get hold of Urs?" David asked.

Lauren nodded. "I gave him directions to the grave, he should be here with Franky soon."

The group gave each other a quick look then turned away from the scene and started the short walk to the sports centre.

___________


Karen hummed quietly to herself as she made her way over to the bench that ran around an aged Cedar that had been planted outside the hospital's main entrance. It was turning out to be quite a warm day and the shade the tree provided would be most welcome. She sat down with her favourite cup of coffee in her hand. After swallowing a mouthful, she pulled her mobile from her handbag and was just about to turn it on when she heard a voice in front of her.

"Mind if I join you?" Emma asked whilst holding her own paper cup.

"No." Karen shook her head and smiled. "Please sit down."

"I heard about what happened with Carlos. Is he ok?" Emma asked while taking her seat.

"He's fine. Though I don't think he'll be punching anything for a while." Karen laughed. "How are things with you and Seb?"

"Great." Emma nodded then started giggling.

Karen looked at her and asked her why she was laughing. Emma continued to giggle as she explained the previous evening's events.

"Oh my God! That's priceless." Karen laughed loudly as she rocked back and forth. "What I wouldn't have given to see Jamie's face."

Emma smiled and continued to giggle as her mobile started to ring. She shook her head and smiled when she saw who was calling.

"Hi Seb. Whoa! Slow down." She asked as her brow furrowed deeply.

"Emma, are you anywhere near Karen's office?" She heard Sébastien questioning.

"No. I'm sitting outside the hospital and Karen is with me. Why?"

"Good. Tell her to turn her mobile on. Carlos has been trying to get hold of her for the last fifteen minutes."

Emma did as Sébastien requested then stood and walked a few steps away from the bench leaving Karen to talk to Carlos in private.

"Seb, what's wrong?" She asked having sensed the tone of concern in his voice.

She listened carefully while Sébastien explained what was happening then turned to face Karen. Both of them looked at each other with wide-eyes and open mouths.

"I'm on my way." Both women said at the same time and snapped their mobiles closed.

"I don't suppose you drive?" Karen questioned as she heaved her bag onto her shoulder.

"No." Emma shook her head whilst breaking into a run as they headed towards the hospital's main entrance.

Karen seized hold of the arm of the man who was just about to climb into a waiting taxi and quickly yanked him out of the way. She looked at Emma sheepishly and they both bit their bottom lips hard when they looked out of the back window to see Mr Duncan-Stewart staring after them in disbelief.

____________


Jamie growled and grumbled while she slammed her hand over her nightstand trying to locate her mobile. Eventually she found it, raised herself onto her elbows and pushed the button that would allow her to read the message. Her eyes widened, a broad smile spread across her lips and she yelped with delight as she read.

'J

Have what you wanted, plus the bonus prize.

Ant.'

After dancing round the room for a moment or two, she headed for the bathroom where she took her usual leisurely shower. Once dressed, she called a taxi from the best firm in town and hummed happily to herself while she waited for it to arrive.

"Mein Gott!" Urs groaned while he shook his head and tried to bring his eyes focus.

They suddenly snapped open as he remembered the events that had brought him to this position. He looked around the room to see if he could see Franky. There was no sign of her. He patted himself down and cursed out loud when he couldn't feel his mobile in any of his pockets.

Tears stung his eyes as he recalled what had happened in the cemetery car park. He had seen a huge man with Franky held tight in his right arm while he forced a cloth over her face with his left hand. Franky had struggled furiously in an attempt to escape, but the man was much too strong and held her securely. The same man had laughed at him as he dropped his motorbike to the ground and shouted Franky's name while he tried with all the strength he possessed to get the brute to release her. He hadn't seen the person who'd come up behind him and knocked him out.

He touched the left side of the back of his head and winced when he felt the rather large lump that had formed there. Gathering his feet underneath him, he stood slowly and startled when he heard metal clanking against metal. He looked down to see that his left ankle had a long strong-looking chain wrapped tightly around it and that the chain had been secured by a large padlock. The other end of the chain had been similarly secured around an old pipe that seemed to run floor to ceiling in the corner of the room. He looked at his feet again and gasped when he saw that his boots had been removed and that he was in his stocking feet. A quick scan around the room told him that they'd been tossed into one corner of the room.

He snapped his head back up and turned to face the door as it flew open. Everything seemed to move in slow motion while he watched another man walk across the room with an unconscious Franky draped in his arms. He watched the man's lips move but didn't understand what he said, he seemed to speak so slowly.

"Huh?" Urs questioned as he watched the man drop Franky roughly to the ground before he chained her up in a similar fashion to himself to the room's radiator.

She lay on her back with her arms stretched above her head. He quickly calculated that she was about twelve feet away from him and that with a little stretching he just might be able to touch her if he was laying flat on the ground too. He sighed with relief when he realised she was still breathing.

"I said you weren't out very long." The man huffed. "Perhaps I should have hit you a bit harder."

"What do you want with us?" Urs questioned while looking over at Franky and understanding that this was the man who'd knocked him out.

"Me? Nothing with you." The man shook his head and moved himself so that he sat beside Franky. "She's what I want, someone I know wants to have a little fun with her first though. I've been wanting her for years, but that big lug who works for her has always been around. Just like you have lately. Though I did come very close once."

Urs watched the man stroke Franky's face with his right hand and began to shake with rage, thinking that this man was talking about the man that had held Franky when he'd said that someone wanted to have some fun with her and knowing that she would not be able to fight him off.

"Tell me something." The man smirked as he turned to face Urs. "Is she as good between the sheets as I imagine she is? I bet she's a real goer, likes it hard and rough huh?" He asked with a quick laugh while he slowly unzipped Franky's jacket, ran his hands all over her upper body and groaned loudly when his hands found her breasts.

"You sonofabitch!! Take your hands off her." Urs yelled as he stormed towards the man.

The chain at his ankle suddenly yanked hard and gave him a quick, painful reminder that he was being held captive.

Urs took a quick look at the chain then turned his face back to the man who now stood laughing just out of his reach. Urs felt his head snap backwards as the man's fist connected with the left side of his face. He raised his hand to his face and touched it lightly while he watched his laughing assailant leave the room and heard him lock the door behind him.

He listened carefully to the noises coming from the other side of the door before he sat back down as close to Franky as he could get. He assumed that they were on the second floor of whatever building they being held in because he was sure he'd heard the man run down at least one flight of stairs.

He gave the chain a few hard pulls and cursed out loud when it nothing moved. A closer inspection of the links informed that every one had been welded closed, there was no way in Hell he would be able to pull it apart . He angrilly threw what he held to the floor then turned to look at Franky again but could only swallow hard and blink back his tears as she continued to sleep. He sighed heavily, laid himself down on his stomach and stretched his left arm out towards her. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard when the tips of the fingers of his left hand just managed to overlap the fingers of her left hand.

"I'm sorry. I should have tried harder." He whispered while he breathed deep and clenched his hand to link their fingers together.

He tucked his right arm his under his head and allowed a few tears to escape before he slowly drifted off to sleep.