Part Six

    While Bailey and James were picking up the broken tea cup, JC was getting his things together. His mind was distant as he picked up clothes and any other items he needed for the trip to Orlando. He zipped up his bag and sat on the bed next to it, as he tried to go over what Bailey had said. "Maggie?" he asked himself softly. "Could it be?"
    He groaned as he put his elbows on his legs and buried his face in his hands. He couldn't believe that this was happening. He was going to see her again? All these years later? She had such an effect on him and he was curious if she was still the same sweet innocent Maggie he remembered her being....

    "Bobbie," he sighed as he put his drink down. "Can't we just spend one night alone together and just sit back and enjoy it without fighting?"
    Bobbie sat back in her booth and pouted. "I just hate these clubs, sweetie, that's all."
    "What is wrong with jazz?" he mumbled as he took a sip of his drink.
    "It's boring," she said as she scooted close to him. "Can't we just...go back to the hotel?"
    He sighed. "I just wanted to go somewhere, Bobbie...I get bored being in a hotel room for so long."
    "I can think of ways to keep you entertained," she cooed as she started to rub his thigh.
    He swatted it away annoyingly. "Is that all you think about? Sex? I mean, usually that's the guys job, but you do enough thinking for the both of us."
    She groaned as she scooted away from him. "I don't get you, JC."
    "Don't get what? Bobbie, the only time we don't fight is when we are in bed together...doesn't that mean anything to you?"
    "Most guys wouldn't complain," she said angrily.
    "Well, maybe I want more than just sex," he said and then slammed the rest of his drink back. "If you want to go back to the hotel, that's fine...but I'm staying here."
    "NO, I wouldn't want to intrude," she said as she grabbed her purse. "I'm going to my sister's, I can't deal with your attitude right now."
    "Fine," he mumbled. "Maybe you should just stay there for the rest of the time you're here."
    "Fine by me," she said and scooted out of the booth. "You'll be missing me when your lying in a strange bed all by yourself."
    "Doubt it," he mumbled to himself after she walked off.
    JC motioned Mike over and he walked away from the bar over to where he was sitting. "What's up JC?"
    "Come...join me," he said as he patted the booth. "Let's drink and toast to the end of women!"
    He chuckled. "No drinking on the job, C...you know that."
    "Then I'm letting you off," he said with a wave of his hand. "Now you are just Mike the friend instead of Mike the bodyguard."
    "How bout you drink and I'll listen to your bitching," he corrected. "I'm good at that."
    "That'll work," he said and ordered another drink.

    He didn't get too drunk, but he was a little tipsy by the time they left the club. They were walking down the street towards the hotel, since it was walking distance. "I really hate her," he said for the millionth time in the past hour. "I mean...why do I stay with her?"
    Mike shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe she's just a replacement until you find someone else."
    JC nodded at that. "Yeah, that could be. I just think..."
    "HEEEELP! SOMEBODY!"
    JC and Mike stopped in their tracks when they heard a woman cry. "What the?" JC mumbled and then took off running.
    "JC, wait!" Mike yelled as he ran after him. "It could be dan...hell that kid's fast."
    Mike saw him run by an alley, but then stopped suddenly, causing him to run into him. Mike's eyes widened when he saw a man slamming a woman against the side of the building. He ran over and grabbed the mans shirt and yanked him off and slammed him against the opposite wall.
    JC ran over to the woman who was sliding down the wall. Her knees were up and her arms were wrapped around them. "Ma'am," he said softly as he knelt down beside her. He cursed when he saw her ripped blouse and reached over to try to cover her up. She flinched at his touch and his hands jumped back. "It's okay...I'm not going to hurt you."
    She looked up at him and her green eyes were watery. "Help me," she mumbled and her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she fell in her arms.
    JC caught her before she could fall on to the concrete and pulled her against him. "It's okay," he whispered as he cradled her in his arms. "I'll take care of you...."
    "We need to take her to the hospital," Mike said as he left the unconscious body that he just finished beating up and walked over to him.
    JC shook his head. "I'm taking her to the room," he said. "I'll take care of her and if I see anything unusual, I'll call you."
    "JC, man she's unconscious," Mike explained.
    "She's in shock," he said as he lifted her up higher. "Call the cops and take care of him. I'll call you if I need you."
    "JC, you need to..."
    "If I show up with her at the hospital, it will be all over the tabloids and this innocent woman's life will change forever. Journalists will be calling her over and over asking the same damn question, 'What does it feel like to be rescued by THE JC Chasez." He looked down at her sleeping form. "I don't want her to have to do that."
    "I can take her," Mike offered.
    "I'm not leaving her," he said. "I want to take care of her, Mike...please."
    He sighed. "Okay C," he said as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone over here now to take you back to the hotel."
    "I don't want anyone to know about this," he told him. "Call Lonnie, that's it...I don't even want the guys to know....they will just worry." Mike nodded and walked away as he called Lonnie and JC looked back down at her. He all of the sudden felt this urge to protect her from the world. "It's okay, sweetie, I won't let anyone hurt you."

    "Papa C?" James said softly as he knocked on his door.
    JC jumped back from the present and jumped straight up from the bed. "Yeah, sorry, I'm ready."
    James opened the door and smiled. "You had me worried, I knocked three times."
    "Oh...well, I must have been in my own little world," he said shakily with a laugh.
    "Are you okay?" he asked.
    "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said and then patted his bag. "I'm all ready."
    "Let me get that," he said as he walked over and threw it over his shoulder.
    "Thanks, James," he said as he put a hand on his back. "It's good to see a friendly face."
    "It's good to see you too," he said as they walked out of his room together.
    They walked back out to the den to see Bailey crouched down petting Gigit. She laughed when she licked her face and then ruffled her ears. "She's a cute girl," JC said softly to James.
    "What?" he asked as he tore his eyes away from Bailey. "Oh..yeah she is."
    JC just chuckled and then walked towards Bailey. "Does your grandmother mind dogs? Or should I have someone..."
    "Oh, she loves dogs," she assured him. "She misses Hero, he was a golden and passed away last year so she'll love her."
    He nodded. "Okay...would you mind doing me a favor and getting his food and bowl from the kitchen for me?"
    "Sure," she said with a smile. "Is the kitchen just down this hall."
    "Yes, sweetie right down there."
    "Thanks."

    Ten minutes later, everyone plus the dog was piled into Bailey's jeep. JC was in the passenger seat and James was stuck in the backseat with Gigit. They were quiet during the beginning of their hour and a half trip back to Orlando, but thirty minutes into the drive she finally asked. "So..um, do you remember my grandmother?"
    JC turned his attention away from the window and looked over at Bailey. "Yes, I do," he finally said and then looked back out the window.
    Bailey looked back at James for guidance and he just shrugged as if telling her he didn't know what to do. "Um...how did you two meet?"
    JC closed his eyes for a second and then turned back to Bailey. "What did Mag...." He coughed. "What did you're grandmother tell you?"
    He was about to call her Maggie, she realized. Only her friends called her that. "Well, she said you guys met one night in New York and that you saved her life."
    He cleared his throat as he nervously shifted in his chair. "What else did she say?"
    "She wouldn't tell me anything else, so I was hoping that you could tell me."
    He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bailey but if your grandmother doesn't want you to know, then I have to respect that."
    She sighed. "Okay," she said and decided to let it go for now. JC looked back out the window and his mind drifted again back to that night...

    "How is she?" JC asked when Melinda walked out of his bedroom.
    "She's sleeping," she said with a sigh. "She woke up a little while I changed her, but she was still kind of out of it."
    "Do you think she needs a doctor?"
    "No, I think she's fine...she's just in shock."
    He nodded. "Okay, well, thanks again and remember not to...."
    "I won't tell anyone, C....I promise."
    JC hugged her. "Thanks."
    "Sure...keep me posted, okay?"
    "Will do," he said and watched her walk down the hall back to her room. He then slowly opened the door to see her still sound a sleep as Melinda said.
    She was on her back and her light brown hair fanned against the white pillow her head was resting on. Her chest was slowly moving up and down as she breathed through her half open lips. He slowly walked around the bed and sat on the next her on the bed, causing her to shift towards him. Their hips were touching and he placed a hand on the other side of her and leaned against it, while he looked down at her. He lifted his other hand and pulled a strand of her hair off of her cheek and winced when he saw a purple bruise against her cheekbone. His fingers traveled over the sensitive spot and he pulled back his hand when she moaned and shifted in her sleep.
    He held his breath when he saw her try to open her eyes. "That's it," he said softly. "Open your eyes, sweetie."
    "Mmm," she moaned when she felt a touch againist her cheek. It was a gentle touch and so she turned her head to the warmth it provided.
    "Can you hear me?" he asked as his fingers dove into her hair gently.
    "Where...where am I?" she asked as she heard the soothing voice above her.     "No," she moaned as her blurriness started to go away. "Who are you?"
    "I'm JC," he said as he kept rubbing. "What's your name, darlin?"
    "Mar...Margaret," she managed to say. "Call...call me Maggie."
    He smiled at that. "Maggie....that's a pretty name."
    "What happened?" she asked as she felt herself getting stronger.
    "Do you remember someone attacking you?" he asked as he placed his hand on her forehead to see if she had a fever.
    She nodded. "Yes...then I saw a pair of blue eyes looking at me. They were so pretty I thought...I thought they belonged to an angel."
    He chuckled softly. "Well, darlin those eyes belonged to me and I can tell you right now I'm no angel."
    She smiled. "You're my angel then, okay?"
    His heart turned at her words and she smiled softly. "Okay," he said and then leaned down and kissed her forehead.
    She smiled softly at the feel of his warm lips against her forehead and studied him for the first time as he pulled back. She gasped when she realized that her angel was no other than JC Chasez from NSYNC. "Oh my god," she breathed.
    He chuckled. "I was wondering when you were going to recognize me."
    "I..." She shook her head in confusion. "You're voice sounded familiar but it never occurred to me that...."
    "That your angel is a famous popstar?" he teased with a wink.
    She laughed softly. "Yeah...so, that...that black guy I saw in the alley that was..."
    "My bodyguard," he said with a nod. "Mike...he took care of the guy that assaulted you and took him to jail."
    She sighed. "Thank you so much. You didn't need to go through all this trouble and..."
    "Hey, it was nothing," he said with a smile and then lightly began to strum his fingers in her hair. "It's not everyday I can be someone's angel."
    She closed her eyes at his touch and smiled. "Mm-hmm," she mumbled in agreement and then open her eyes to see him staring at her with those wonderful blue eyes. "Where were you going so late at night?"
    "I was coming back from a jazz club," he said as he stopped caressing her hair and cupped the side of her cheek and she winced slightly from the bruise. "Sorry."
    "That's okay," she said. "I like jazz...were you there alone?"
    His hand froze as he heard her question and then pulled his hand away and stood up. "No, not at first," he said as he walked away and looked out the balcony window.
    "Sorry, I'm being nosy," she said when he distanced himself from her. "You've done more than enough so I'll just..."
    "No, no," he said quickly before she could get out of bed. "I wouldn't get out of bed quite yet if I were you."
    "Why not?" she asked him puzzled. "I don't want to keep you and..."
    "Because you're not fully dressed," he told her.
    Her eyes widened and then she looked down to see that she had a old Redskins Jersey, and realized she had no bra, but her underwear was still intact. "Oh," she said as her face turned red and then looked up at him. "You didn't undr..."
    "No, no," he said quickly. "Melinda did... she works for me. You're...uh, you're blouse was ripped so she threw it away, but the rest of your clothes are on the chair over there."
    She nodded. "Okay, well...If you let me get dressed I can..."
    "No, I don't want you to go yet," he said as he pushed her lightly back in the bed. "You're still a little shaky and I don't like the thought of you being alone."
    "Oh, I have friends at my hotel," she told him. "I'm here for spring break and...."
    "I don't want to be alone," he blurted and then took a deep breath when she stared at him. "I was hoping that would be an excuse for you to stay, but the truth is I don't want to be alone right now."
    She reached out and grabbed his hand that was resting next to her on the bed. "What happened tonight?"
    He looked down at her joint hands and gave her hand a squeeze. "I had a fight with Bobbie... AGAIN." He pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand as he tried to let the frustration pass. "I just don't get her sometimes."
    "C'mere," she said as she tugged at his hand until he crawled over her and laid on his stomach next to her. "Talk to me."
    He propped himself up on his elbows and sighed as he lifted their joint hands and rested it against his mouth. "It's just everything," he mumbled against her hand and then propped his chin against it. "We always fight...unless we are too busy having sex to fight." He paused and waited for her to laugh at that, but she didn't even crack a smile. She continued to look at him with a concern look in her eyes, waiting for him to continue. "It's just frustrating, because whenever we fight, she tries to make it better with sex, it's like we can't even talk. And I want more than that, ya know?"
    She nodded. "Of course, who wouldn't? A relationship can't be based just on sex, it's not possible."
    "Exactly," he sighed. "Anyway, we got in a fight and she tried to seduce me I guess you could say, but it didn't work this time and we blew up in each others faces. Her sister lives here in New York, so that's where she went. I told her to just stay there for the rest of the time she's here. Plus, the new album Celebrity is coming out soon and I have that to worry about, along with other things. She's just making it all worse."
    "I'm sorry JC," she said as she shifted up in her bed. "Granted, I don't know Bobbie, but the relationship itself doesn't sound healthy."
    He let out a laugh. "Believe me it's not. I don't' know why I stay with her, but I think...I think she's just a...substitute until I find the real deal, ya know?"
    She nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's different for you, because you're life is different. You don't have the time to go through the early stages of dating and so Bobbie is...is...what's the word I'm looking for?? She's...."
    "Safe."
    "Safe."
    They both paused when they said the same word at the same time and then laughed. "You're reading my mind, Maggie."
    They both laughed until it got quiet and serious again. "Well, looks like we both had relationship problems tonight."
    "We did?"
    "Yeah," she sighed. "I broke it off with my ex last night. I got out of the car, because he tried to force himself on me when I told him I wasn't ready. That's why I was walking alone."
    JC shook his head in disbelief. "Darlin, this is not your lucky night with men, is it?"
    She smiled. She liked it when he called her that. "Started off bad, but it's ending quite nicely."
    He smiled as he shifted up until he was closer to her. "It is, huh?"
    She nodded. "Yeah," she said softly and then shyly reached up and pushed back strands of his long hair and her fingers grazed his chiseled cheek. Funny, she thought as she looked into his eyes. She was always nervous with guys. Even with Dameon she never felt comfortable, but she did with JC. She could reach out and touch him, and she wasn't embarrassed. She felt safe with him. She felt that even if it's for one night, she belonged with him. "JC?" she asked softly as her thumb boldly brushed across his lips.
    He scooted up closer to her until their faces were only inches away. He kissed the pad of her thumb. "Maggie?"
    "Will you do me a favor?" she asked breathlessly as his face moved closer.
    "Anything, darlin," he said as his eyes moved to her lips.
    She cupped her face and forced him to look into her eyes. "Make the pain go away."
    He peered into her eyes, still confused on what she wanted. "How, darlin...how can I make it go away?"
    She licked her lips nervously as she looked into his eyes. "Make love with me, JC. Touch me by making the pain go away."
    His eyes widened and his heart began to race at her plea. "Maggie," he whispered. "Are you a virgin?"
    "Does it matter?" she asked as she plunging her fingers in his long locks.
    He nodded. "Yes, it does," he said softly. "Maggie, your first should be with someone you love and...
    "JC, I've never felt this comfortable around a man before," she said as the tears started to come. "And I'm so scared that if you don't make love to me, I will never be able to stand a man's touch."
    JC tried to push all reason aside and do what's right. She was hurt and confused. She wanted something he could give her, yet he was the wrong person to do it. Or was he? Maybe he needed her just as much as she needed him. Maybe she was the one he was waiting for? Maybe God put us both here for a reason? Maybe....
    "JC," he heard her plea as he pushed his head closer. "No one has to know...I'm just asking for one night. I need you. You don't know how bad I need you."
    "Maggie," he sighed as he gave into her plea and rested his forehead against hers. "Are you sure? I don't want this night to be a night of regret for you."
    "I will only regret this night if you turn me away," she said and then slightly turned her head and their lips nuzzled each other softly. "You need me too. I can see it in your eyes."
    He nodded. "I do, darlin," he said and then kissed her for the first time. It was soft and quick, but enough to make him realize he was lost. "I need you."
    "Then let's both take what we need together," she said before lifting her head off of the pillow and capturing her lips with his.
    JC moaned softly against her lips, loving how soft and warm they felt. He kept his lips on hers, slowly increasing the pressure against them as he positioned his hands on either side of her and loomed over her. He turned his head and finally pried his tongue into her welcoming mouth as she leaned up off the bed and started to tug at his shirt.
    JC broke away from her lips, allowing his shirt to slip over his head before his mouth crashed down on hers again. He cupped the back of her neck with one hand and supported his body with the other as he slowly lowered her back down on the bed. Once he had all his weight on her, he grabbed both her wrists with his hands and linked his fingers with hers. He pinned her hands on either side of her head and she squeezed his hand as his mouth began to travel down her neck, rolling his tongue over her soft skin.
    Margaret closed her eyes and moaned at the feel of his tongue bathing her skin. She had never felt this alive before. She had never felt something so wonderful in her life and she knew it was only going to get better. She pressed up against his hands, silently telling him she wanted them free, so she could touch him. He loosened his grip right away and slid his hands under the pillow, while her own hands slid up and down his broad back.
    One hand peaked out from under the pillow, as JC found Maggie's lips again and began to travel down the side of her slim figure. "Darlin," he breathed as he left her lips again to nuzzle her neck. "You smell so good."
    "JC," she moaned when she felt his hands lingering at the hem of his jersey that she wore. "Please."
    "Lift your arms, darlin," he said as he lifted the material up her body. She did as she was told and JC removed the garment and the two rolled over together on the bed.
    He took his time, knowing that it was her first. His hands caressed her as if she was a delicate flower. Soft words and moans filled the room as he made love to her as slowly and as gently as he could. He wanted her to remember this night for the rest of her life.
    She had never felt such pleasure in her life. JC was showing her things that she only dreamed of ever happening. When he kissed her, she felt complete. When he touched her, she felt safe. She didn't know it was possible to fall in love with someone in such a short period of time. But she did. She loved this man...her angel. She loved JC Chasez.
    Afterwards, JC buried his face in the crook of her shoulder as she lazily stroked his back with her fingers. He kissed her pulse that was beating against her neck and then kissed her ear. "Are you okay, darlin?" he finally asked in her ear.
    She closed her eyes and smiled softy. "Mm-hmm," she said as she nodded her head slowly. "I'm doing just fine."
    He chuckled softly and the rolled on to his back, bringing her with him. She snuggled against him and rest her head against the his chest. "Thank you," she finally said as reached over and grasped his hand that was resting on his stomach. "Thank you for making the pain go away."
    He closed his eyes as he kissed the top of her head. "You're welcome, darlin. Thank you for keeping me company."
    She chuckled lightly as she closed her eyes. "Anytime," she said as she fell asleep to the sound of JC's heart beating against his chest and the feel of his fingers lightly stroking her hair.

    JC smiled in his sleep when he felt a pair of soft lips creeping slowly up his back. He moaned sleepily as he shifted under the sheets. With his eyes still close, he shifted on to his back and the pair of lips kissed his neck, the tip of his chin and then finally kissed him slowly on the mouth. Funny, he thought. He didn't feel that magic spark like he did last night. Maybe it had something to do with the heat of the moment. "Miss me?"
    JC froze. JC knew that voice and it sure didn't belong to Maggie. He opened his eyes. "Bobbie?"
    She chuckled. "Of course, silly, who else?" she said and then sat next to him on the bed.
    JC rubbed his eyes as he sat up. Was it a dream? No, it was too real. "What are you doing here? I thought you were staying at your sisters."
    She sighed. "Baby, I'm sorry about last night...you were right."
    "About what exactly?" he asked annoyed. Where the hell did Maggie go??
    "About...everything," she said with a shrug and then kissed him again. "I'm going to take a shower."
    He sighed. "Fine," he said annoyed and watched her bounce off. She didn't even realize I was still mad, he thought angrily as he collapsed back onto the bed. "Maggie, where did you go?" he asked as he looked out the window.
    He then noticed something sticking out of the covers. "What the?" he leaned over and grabbed the piece of paper and sighed when he saw his name on it. He sat up as he unfolded it and began to read:

    JC,
        Thank you for everything last night. I will never forget you or the night we shared. I will love you always and you will always be a part of me. You gave me something no man will ever be able to give me. You are my angel JC Chasez and you always will be.
    Love,
    Your Darlin

    "Papa C?"
    JC jumped at James' voice. "Yeah, what?"
    "You fell asleep," Bailey laughed and then smiled. "We're here."
    "Oh," he said and then looked at the two story house. "Is this your house?"
    "Yeah, mine and Gram's," she said.
    He nodded and let out a sigh. 'This was it,' he thought as he opened the door of the jeep. It took him almost a month to forget about his sweet darlin Maggie, but she never really left his mind when he was with Bobbie. She slowly began to disappear when Riley came into his life and when he first realized that he loved Riley, he never thought of her again. Until today.

    Maggie looked at the clock above the kitchen sink as she started to clean the last dish that was left in the sink. "Where is that girl?" she asked with a sigh. She was never this late and when she was she would usually call her to tell her where she had been.
    Dinner was on the table at eight and it was almost nine and still no word from Bailey. Just as she was about to put the dish away, the backdoor to the kitchen opened. "Gram?"
    She quickly spun around. "Bailey...where have you....oh..you have guests."
    "Yeah, sorry I didn't call but...."
    "That's okay, I'm just glad you're okay," she said as she stared at the older man. There was something about him that looked familiar to her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
    She was still beautiful as ever, he thought. She looked magnificent for her age. Even though her physical appearance has changed, she still had those beautiful hazel eyes. He smiled and her eyes widened as she let out a soft gasp. She remembers, he thought. "Hey, darlin."
    The plate slipped from her fingers when she heard the nickname he had given her all those years ago. The glass shattered at her feet, but she didn't even hear it. "Oh...I... I'm sorry I..."
    "We'll get it Gram," Bailey said as her and James knelt down in front of her to pick up the glass.
    "Here," JC said softly as he held out his hand. "Let me get you away from the mess."
    She didn't say anything. She just looked into his blue eyes that still had such a strong effect on her after so many years. She looked at his outstretched hand and her hands trembled as she reached across and took his warm hand in hers. He smiled at her and somehow managed to smile back as she carefully stepped between Bailey and James.
    She then turned down and looked at Bailey and James. "I'm really sorry, guys."
    James shrugged. "That's okay, Papa C did the same thing today."
    "Papa C?" she asked with a smile as she turned to him. "Cute."
    He shrugged. "My wife thought of it," he said with a smile. "It stuck."
    She smiled up at him and before she could respond James asked her where the trash was. "Oh, it's in the pantry," she told him.
    "Thanks," he said with a smile and then dumped the glass in the trash.
    "So..." Bailey finally said. "Oh, I see dinner is ready...unfortunately James asked me to have dinner at his place and..."
    "I did?" he asked. Bailey responded by elbowing him in the gut and he grunted softly. "Oh, yeah I forgot."
    "But dear, dinner is ready and..."
    "I'm sure JC is hungry," she said with a smile as she began pulling James out with him. "Oh, this is James by the way...James Gram...okay well you two have fun."
    "But...I'm confused...why is he here and..."
    "JC will fill you in," she said as they walked out the door. "Bye!"
    "Um...bye," Maggie said and then looked up at JC who couldn't stop grinning. "What? JC, I'm so lost here."
    He let out a laugh. "I'll tell you the story, darlin," he said as he put his hands on her elbows and led her to the table. "Over dinner."

    "Real smooth Winters," James said as the got into her jeep. "I'm sure they didn't suspect a thing."
    "Well, if YOU didn't act so clueless, it would have been more believable."
    "Well, I didn't what you were up to!" he exclaimed. "I mean, you took me off guard, okay?"
    "I just wanted them by themselves," she said as she sped through an intersection. "I mean, he called her darlin....they must of had some kind of fling."
    James chuckled. "Your Gram must have been something then, if she had a fling with JC Chasez."
    "She was...STILL is," she added quickly. "I just wonder what."
    "Well, let them deal with it, it's their business," he said as she pulled up to his house. "We weren't even alive then."
    "Yeah, but it happened to my Gram," she said and then got out of the car and walked up with him to his house.
    "Yeah," he said as he fished out his keys. "I understand."
    "I'll find out eventually," she said with a sigh and decided to let it go for now. "SO...what are we having?"
    James looked at her funny. "I dunno, you tell me since you invited yourself over."
    "Shut up," she said as she slapped his arm. "How bout pizza?"
    "Fine by me," he said as he opened the door. "Oh...and um, a little warning...Abby doesn't like the girls I bring over."
    "Abby?"
    Before she could answer a dog came running down the hall wagging her taile. "Hey girl," James said and laughed when she jumped up on him. "You must be dying to go outside."
    "She's cute," Bailey said with a smile. "How old?"
    "Two."     "At least she's not growling....it's a start."
    Bailey squatted slowly on her heels and held one of her hands. Abby took a step closer to her and Bailey stayed completely still. "It's okay girl, I'm the good guy." Abby sniffed the tip of her fingers and then licked her hand before walking closer for her touch. "There, ya see?" she laughed as she scratched her ears. "I'm not so bad."
    "Wow," James said as he raised his brows in shock. "I'm impressed."
    "How did she like Gina?" she asked as she looked up at her.
    "HATED HER," he said with a laugh.
    Bailey chuckled and then ruffled the top of her head. "Then we should get along just fine."

    "You haven't seen Lance in two years?" Maggie asked as she set down her fork suddenly.
    He nodded as he pushed his plate aside. "No I haven't."
    "JC," she sighed as she placed her hand over his own that was resting on the table. "Why did you stay away?"
    He squeezed her hand. "I was scared," he said and then sighed. "I had lost my wife and my sister die so close together and I didn't want to go through that again."
    "Did you really think leaving Lance would have taken the pain away?"
    "I don't know what I was thinking, Maggie," he said as he leaned on his elbow and rubbed his chin as he thought of the years he had wasted. "I just thought it was for the best....but I was wrong."
    "Are you going to see him tomorrow?"
    He nodded. "Yeah, I hope."
    "You being there will make him stronger," she said and then patted his hand before standing up to take the plates.
    "I know," he said as he stood up to take his own plate and placed it in the sink along with Maggie's. "It'll be good to see him. I..." The barking of a dog cut him off and he turned towards the backdoor. "Oh, Gigit! I forgot!"
    "Gigit?"
    "My dog," he said as he walked to the door. "Bailey said you wouldn't mind."
    "No, of course not," she said as he opened the door and smiled when the boxer strolled in. He wasn't a puppy anymore, so he never jumped up on him anymore. He was nice and slow like his master.
    "She's adorable," she said.
    "Thanks." He grabbed her hand. "Let's go to the den and talk, okay?"
    She nodded. "Sure... this way," she said and then led him down the hallway towards the den.
    They sat down on the couch and they weren't sitting for two seconds when JC spoke. "Why did you leave?"
    Her heart leapt at his question. She wasn't prepared for that one at all. She looked down at her lap and clasped her hands together tightly. "We only said one night."
    He shook her head. "You said that, yes but I never agreed with it."
    "JC, it was a long time ago and...."
    "I just want to know why you left."
    "I told you," she said with a sigh.
    "I don't believe you...why did you leave?"
    She closed her eyes. "Because I was scared. You helped me that night JC, more than you know, but I knew what we had couldn't survive out of that hotel room."
    "We'll never know now, will we?"
    She shook her head. "No, we won't."
    "I saved the note you gave me," he said shyly as he looked down at his lap.
    Her eyes softened. "Oh, JC..."
    “I kept it in my wallet," he told her as he looked up at her. "I finally threw it away when I realized I was in love with my wife. I had to say goodbye to you."
    "I know...It was hard watching you on TV after than night. You have know idea."
    "We're you scared with other men after me?"
    She smiled softly and shook her head. "No, the next man I met was my husband. He was a good man."
    He leaned over and lightly brushed her cheek with his thumb. "I'm glad."
    "How about you? Did you marry Bobbie?"
    He let out a laugh. "Oh, hell no."
    She let out a sigh of relief. "Good....what was she like?"
    He let out a chuckle. "I grew up with, Riley. We HATED each other...but then we figured that the strong hatred towards each other was really love."
    "That sounds perfect, JC," she said. "I'm sure she was wonderful."
    She smiled and then cleared her throat. "Well, it's late so...I'm going to go to bed."
    "Okay," he said as he stood up too. "I'm getting tired myself."
    "Well, go get your bag and I'll show you your room."
    He nodded, but before he left he tucked her chin lightly. "I'm glad we had this reunion, darlin."
    She grinned. "Me too."

    "Hey Bailey?" James asked as he sat down next to her on the couch after coming back from putting their plates away to the kitchen.
    "Hey, yeah?"
    "Who's that guy?"
    Bailey looked at him as he leaned back against the chair and prop his feet up on the table and rested his arm against the back of the couch. "What guy?"
    "You know, the one you said that you were seeing."
    "Ohhh," she said and then leaned back as well and the back of her neck touched his bare arm that rested behind her. The heat radiated off from him and she wanted to snuggle into that warmth. But instead she just shrugged and propped her feet up as well. "He was just this guy in one of my classes. We went on a few dates."
    James silently enjoyed the way her neck rested against his arm and the feel of her ponytail strands brushing against his arm. "Is it serious?"
    She turned her head and looked up at him and now her cheek was resting against his arm. "Not really...I mean he was a nice guy, but..."
    He raised his brows in questioning. "Buuut?"
    She sighed as she shifted up and tucked her knees beneath her as she turned toward him. "He was kind of a dork."
    He threw his head back with a laugh. "A dork, how?"
    "Weeell, first of all he's allergic to everything!"
    "Everything?" he laughed. "Oh, come on now..."
    "I'm serious? Strawberries, chocolate, nuts...ME!"
    He laughed. "YOU? How can one be allergic to you?"
    "I dunno, you tell me the reason why he sneezed every time he leaned in to to kiss me."
    "Hmm, I dunno," he said with a shrug and then leaned closer. "It could be anything."
    "Like what?" she asked as her heart skipped a beat when she realized he was moving closer.
    "Let's see," he said softly he moved his head even closer and surprised her by nuzzling her neck. He smiled when he felt her shiver. "It could be your perfume."
    She closed her eyes at the feel of his warm breath fanning her neck. "Hmm...never thought of it that way."
    He chuckled and then leaned back up to look down at her. "So what happened?"
    "What?" she asked in a daze as she looked up at his green eyes.
    He smiled as he lifted his hand and caressed the side of her face with his knuckles. "With the dork?"
    "Oh," she said breathlessly. "I've been ignoring his emails and his phone calls."
    "Why not just say it's over?" he suggested.
    "I guess I'm going to have to," she said enjoying the feel of his thumb rubbing over her cheek. "The guy can't take a hint."
    He smiled softly and then pulled a loose strand that escaped her pony tail behind her ear. "Or you can say there is someone else."
    Her breathing quickened and she licked her lips when she saw his eyes flicker on them. "There IS someone else."
    "Oh really? What does he have that the dork doesn't have?"
    She smiled. "Well for one thing, he's not allergic to my perfume."
    "That's a very good thing," he said and then he leaned in closer until their lips were only inches away.
    Bailey reached up and cupped the side of his face and waited for the kiss she had yearned for. She closed her eyes when she felt him move closer, but flung them right back open when her purse began to ring. She sighed as looked up at him. "It's my video phone, it's probably Gram."
    "Well, you better get it then," he said softly and then leaned back and watched her run over to her purse and dig out her video phone.
    Bailey clicked on the button and saw her Grandmother appear on the screen. She was tucked in her pajamas and tucked into her bed. "Hi Gram."
    "Hi dear," she said with a smile. "Are you coming home soon?"
    "Um..I was just leaving."
    "Okay...sweetie, you look flushed are you okay?"
    Bailey turned even more red and did her best not to look at James. "Yeah, I'm fine...it's just hot in here."
    "Okay, well lock the door when you come in."
    "I will...see you in the morning... love you."
    "Love you too," she said and then her face disappeared.
    Bailey sighed and then turned to James who was standing up and walking towards her. "I should go."
    He nodded. "Okay," he said as he took her hand. "I'll walk you out."

Part Seven