Chapter 1 Dakota tapped her pencil on the table as she waited for the meeting to start.  "Will you stop, already.", Mia whispered through gritted teeth.  "Sorry.", Dakota replied with a smile, "I’m just nervous.  I really want this story."  "I know, I do too.  But I hate when you do that.", Mia stated.  "I know.  Did you ever think that maybe that’s why I do it?", Dakota asked sarcastically.  Mia started to respond but was cut off as their editor, Jack, entered the room, "Sorry I’m late.  I’ll make this short and simple so everyone can get out of here."  Dakota and Mia gave each other a hopeful glance and then turned their attention to their boss.  "Okay, here’s the run down.  Kevin and Dylan, you’re covering the Triple H / Austin feud…", Jack stated.  Dakota felt a rush of disappointment as she heard him give away "her" story.  "We could do that story so much better than those jerks.", she thought to herself.  Kevin looked at her with that ‘I told you I’d win’ look.  She began to daydream about stringing him up and beat the living….. "Koty….did you hear me?", Jack asked retrieving her from her fantasy.  "Oh, I’m sorry, what?", she said as she noticed that everyone was staring at her.  "You and Mia get the story on the Hardy Boys.", he repeated.  "Okay.", she replied still angry that they didn’t get the story that she wanted.  "Well, that’s it.  I’ll get with each of you before you leave.  Now let’s get out there and bring me back some good stuff you guys.", Jack said dismissing the group.  Dakota turned to Mia, "The Hardy Boys?  What kind of crap is that?"  "What are you doing?", Mia asked as she watched her storming towards Jack’s office.  "I’m going to tell him that I don’t appreciate him giving my story to those creeps.", Dakota firmly said.  "Well, don’t expect me to come in and clean up when he tears your head off.", Mia said with a chuckle.  Dakota shot Mia a look as she threw the door to Jack’s office open and then slammed it behind her.  "What are you looking at?", Mia snapped at Kevin who seemed to be enjoying her partner’s rage.  He turned and walked off.  Once inside the office Dakota laid into Jack, "What the hell was that?!  You know how much we wanted that story and you turn around and give it to that jerk.  You know we can do a much better job then those idiots.  Mia writes circles around Kevin."  "Calm down, Koty!", Jack demanded, "You’re right."  "Huh?", she asked puzzled.  "Sit down.", he told her.  She took a seat as Jack began to explain his decision, "I know how much you wanted that story, but I chose you for this one because it’s a better story.  That Triple H story is only going to be one page long and have only two or three pictures.  This Hardy Boys story is the main feature of next month’s issue.  It’s an in depth look at their lives with four pages of pictures.  I need my best team to take it.  So, I chose the two of you.  Are you going to make me regret it?"  "Of course not.", she said feeling better about his decision.  "Good.  Go home and get packed.  You’re plane leaves tonight.", he demanded, "You’re to meet them at their favorite restaurant in North Carolina tomorrow morning.  Your tickets and itinerary are all in the envelope as usual."  Dakota grabbed the envelope off of his desk and headed through the door.  She stopped and turned to him saying, "I’m sorry, Jack."  "It’s okay.  Just have a little faith in me next time will ya?", he replied with a smile.  "Sure thing.  Oh, and Jack, you won’t regret this, I promise.", she insisted.  "I better not.", he said as the door closed.  Dakota grabbed Mia’s arm causing her to spin around.  "So, you mean you made him change his mind?", Mia asked as she observed the smile that was now on her partners face, "We got the Austin story?"  "Even better,", Dakota answered as she gathered her things.  "Really?  What?", Mia asked wondering what could be better.  "We’re going to North Carolina to do the story on the Hardy brothers.", Dakota answered as she grabbed her equipment bag and headed towards the elevator, "Come on!"  "Wait a minute!  Did I miss something?", Mia asked as she ran to catch up with her.  "I’ll explain it on the way.  We have to get home and pack.", Dakota stated.  As the elevator doors closed, Mia looked over at her and said, "Koty, did I ever tell you how very weird you are?"  "Only everyday since we could talk.", Dakota responded with a sly smile.  "Yeah.  That’s what I thought.  Hasn’t sunk in yet, huh?", Mia returned.                            Next Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home