When the Last Petal Falls - Part Three: Crossroads

~*~*~*~

Lindsay takes a deep breath as her hand curls around the doorknob of her apartment. She stays there for a moment, hand poised in position to enter...preparing herself for what she is about to do. It was a long ride up...beginning with tears she refused to let fall...numb in reaction to those three words she dreamed of hearing from him since the day she first laid eyes on him...ending with the resolution that the voice in her head was right - that it was over for them...knowing that she had to move on to another...open herself up to the other man that was knocking at the doors of her heart and soul.

Pushing the door open, Lindsay's smile falls as the room is absent of both Helen and Carter. Perusing her surroundings, she soon catches sight of them standing out on the balcony. The cool breeze sketches goosebumps over her skin as she stands at the threshold, clearing her throat in effort to be noticed. Their heads turn and she is greeted by two smiles - one less enthusiastic than the other. For the brief instant that their eyes connect, all is revealed - she knows that he knows.

Saddened and a bit scared, her eyes close upon the image of Carter leaning over the stone railing, staring out into the city with a devastating theme of nail-biting silence. It isn't until Helen touches her shoulder that she opens them, only to be further rattled by the gift of a beer and a mouthed prayer of luck.

Lindsay doesn't move at first - she can't, for frozen by fear...the fear of losing him again. Somewhere in the quiet minutes that pass, she moves to the opposite end of the wall, her mind inventing a thousand different things to say but her mouth keeping them harbored within. Sensing him looking at her, her eyes dart in his direction.

"I don't bite you know," he says in typical Carter style, always finding a way to break the tension in even the toughest situations.

They share a smile, but as he steps closer, she feels more secure with the idea of focussing on anything but him. She swallows the lump in her throat as he pries her hand from her side, grasping it in his reassuringly.

"I'm sorry," she finally manages to utter. Turning towards him, she sighs. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise...please...you don't owe me anything, Lindsay."

"Carter, what you saw -"

"But I will say this," he interrupts softly. "something you and I have always had is honesty. The truth. No matter how much it hurt sometimes...we had the truth. And that's all I want from you right now. Whatever it may be...that's all I need to know."

"Okay," Lindsay whispers.

Carter keeps hold of her hand, leading them to the two chairs beside the french doors. Lindsay sits in one, while he pulls the other to rest in front of hers, taking his seat soon after.

"I never lied to you, Carter," Lindsay begins insistently. "Tonight wasn't a date. It -" she pauses, shaking her head. "It was a disaster..." His confusion is obvious and she rushes to explain. "Bobby and I used to sleep together...it started not long after I began working there and no one knew about it...and it didn't last long..." She stops, giving him a moment to digest it all. "We ended it when he and Helen started dating."

"Helen?!" Carter asks in an excited tone, clearly taken aback.

Lindsay smiles. "Yeah...she didn't know about anything until later...but that's a whole 'nother story."

"One would think," he chuckles.

"Well, that didn't last long, either. My friendship with Helen never changed...but with Bobby...it did. Things were unbearable for a long time for different reasons..."

Carter looks down before voicing his question. "Did you love him?"

Lindsay hesitates a moment, then answers. "Yes...that was part of the problem..."

"How so?"

"Because he didn't love me," she states simply.

"Lindsay," he caresses her cheek. "That's not possible."

Tears fill her eyes as his gesture moves her. "He never said it. Well...not until tonight."

"Tonight?" Carter looks shocked.

"When I went after him..." Growling, she stands. "And that's not even like him! He doesn't just do stuff like that! We'd just won the case - we were celebrating. We talked about our plans for tonight and the next thing I know he's asking me to go to some reunion. And I was going to say 'no' but then he insisted it was just a 'friend' thing. And it was - it was until I kissed him on the cheek to say 'thank you' and suddenly he's kissing me and then you showed up and AHH - I don't get it! WHY? WHY does everything ALWAYS have to be so damned COMPLICATED?!"

"Because life wouldn't be interesting without all the chaos, sweetie," he jokes.

"I guess so," she laughs. "I just - I just thought that things were finally coming together you know? I thought that Bobby and I were becoming friends again. Everything's been so good with you and work and then THIS happens!"

"So...he wants you back?"

"His exact words," she nods.

"Do you still love him?"

Lindsay thinks a minute, unsure herself of what her feelings are. "Bobby will always be in my heart...but...as soon as I knew I loved him I had to learn not to...and I...I think I've gotten pretty good at it." Grinning, she offers him more. "Carter, there are a lot of things that I'm uncertain of. But - there is one thing that I do know..."

"What's that?"

Draping her arms around his neck, she coos. "I know that I'm happier now than I have been in a very long time...and it's because of you."

"Same here," Carter promises, pressing his hands against her lower back, drawing her closer.

"Good," Lindsay giggles as they kiss. "Good..."

They exchange more intense kisses, the passionate series ending with a kiss to her cheek and forehead, his arms keeping her to his chest. As he holds her, he is content in the fact that she is still his. He finds it somewhat hysterical that this whole time he'd been in a fight with another man for her. Well, if it was a fight Bobby wanted, he was going to have one. He'd been fortunate enough to get Lindsay back - he wasn't about to give her up that easily. Tomorrow was a new day - and if needed, the gloves would come off.

~*~*~*~

The next day, Lindsay spends most of the partners meeting in a haze. Being in the same room with Bobby was more than a little awkward , and it didn't help that he hadn't spoken a word to her all morning. Not that she expected him to, but it still bothered her. They were going to have to figure something out before long. This was no way to live.

"Lindsay?"

"Hmm?" She perks up, Ellenor's cross glare grabbing her attention.

"Are you planning on voting?"

Lindsay looks perplexed. "Voting? On what?"

Throwing her hands up in the air, Ellenor sighs. "The Callahan case?"

"Oh," she mumbles. "OH - uh, yeah. I think we should take it. Definitely yes."

"Fine," Bobby drones, telling Lindsay that he must have been outvoted. "Do you need a second chair, Ellenor?"

"Well, I was going to ask Lindsay, but since she seems to have slept through most of the details -"

"HEY!"

"But I'll fill you in if you're interested," she says emphatically.

"I'll do it."

"Fine, then. That's settled. Anything else?" Everyone remains silent. "Fine. Meeting's over."

With that, Bobby rolls his chair back and leaves the room, Eugene soon following behind. Bec gestures toward the door and raises her eyebrow.

"Is it just me or has Bobby suddenly grown fond of the word 'fine'?"

"Tell me about it," Ellenor shakes her head. "You know how Bobby gets about losing, though."

"True," Bec chuckles, rising from her chair. "Well, I hate to do this, but you two are going to have to scram. I've got clients coming in twenty."

"In that case - your desk or mine, Lindsay?"

Lindsay shrugs. "Oh, I don't know, Elle. Why don't we flip for it?"

The girls laugh as they exit the conference room. Lucy runs up to them flashing a grin. "Hey, what's funny?"

"LUCY!!!"

"Humph," she huffs, turning on her heel. "Probably wasn't even that good, anyway."

Lindsay sits in the chair Ellenor set out for her beside her desk. She takes notes as Ellenor tells her the facts, offering opinions when the case becomes less estranged to her.

Suddenly, Ellenor stops. "Oh, you know what? I think I left the file in Bobby's office. Would you mind?"

"Uh...sure."

Knocking before entering, she is met with a bothered expression from Bobby. "Um, Ellenor says you have the Callahan file?"

Wordlessly, he searches his desk for the file, soon coming across it. "Here," he holds it up, turning his gaze away as she takes it.

"Thanks...Bobby?" He looks up at her. "I'm sorry if you're hurting. You know because of what I said -" she pauses. "Maybe that sounds lame, but I swear, it's the truth."

"Okay, Lindsay," Bobby whispers, still looking away.

"Bobby, please! Can't we just start over? I miss us!"

"Not the way I miss us I'm guessing," he responds.

"Let's not go down that road, again, Bobby, alright? I just want my friend back!"

Astonished, Bobby drops his pen and stands. "You honestly think we can be friends?"

"Why not? Give me one good reason!"

"You know why," he mutters, dropping back into his chair.

"Carter." Lindsay chuckles. "You're acting like a child, Bobby. All or nothing, right?"

"Right."

"If it were me -"

"Well, I'm not you. Excuse me for not being strong enough to happily watch the woman I love with another man. We started out as two people that worked together - not friends that worked together - and that's the way I want it now. If we can't be more, then I refuse to look at this relationship as anything but professional. Law partner to Law partner."

Dejected, she frowns. "Is that really how you feel?"

"Yes."

"Have it your way, then," Lindsay concedes, slamming the door on her way out.

~*~*~*~

"Okay, so, the deposition is at two. That'll give us time for lunch, and then we'll meet you back here."

"Thank you, Ms. Frutt."

"Sure."

"It was nice meeting you, Ms. Dole," Mr. Callahan chimes, shaking Lindsay's hand.

"Likewise. We'll see you soon."

"I'll walk you out," Ellenor offers, leaving Lindsay behind to gather their materials.

"Lindsay?" Lucy pops her head in. "You have a visitor."

"Who is it?"

"Cute. Charming. Eyes like chocolate."

Lindsay rolls her eyes, grinning. "Thank you, Lucy."

"Hey there," Carter husks, appearing in the doorway with a red rose captured between his teeth, striking a seductive pose.

"Hey," she giggles, giving him a kiss as he hands her the rose. "Thank you. This is a nice surprise."

"Well, I thought we could do lunch. You free?"

"Yeah. Just give me a minute to get this stuff together." Lindsay moves away, leaning over the table. Carter sneaks up behind her, planting his hands on the table, feathering kisses on her neck. "Carter," she breathes out, attempting to elbow him in the ribs. He uses her action to his advantage, though, seizing her elbow, then spinning her to face him. Laughing, their mouths come close to touching, but miss as Lindsay catches sight of something out of the corner of her eye.

Bobby stands there like a statue, a mix of emotions streaking his face. Lindsay's eyes shift from his to Carter's, the air instantly becoming thick with the steam boiling off both men. Sighing, she picks up her briefcase and grabs Carter's hand, all but running past Bobby and out of the room.

~*~*~*~

A few weeks later, Bobby is working late in his office. Thinking he was alone, he nearly jumps out of his skin as the door opens, revealing Rebecca.

"Bec?! I thought you'd gone home."

"I did - but I came back."

"Why?"

"Because I forgot to do something."

Bobby's eyebrows narrow. "What?"

Rebecca strides over to him and says, "This," swatting him hard on the shoulder.

"OW! What was that for?!"

"For being an ass!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You've been walking around this office like you don't give a damn, and I don't think I'd be alone in saying that you need a major attitude adjustment."

"Don't you start, too, Bec..." Bobby groans, rubbing his temple.

"I WILL start, Bobby! For God sakes, we know you love her, but just because she won't say the same about you doesn't give you the right to act like this! Stop being so miserable and DO something about it! You of all people should know that things aren't always that simple. You want her - fight for her. It might take some time, but if you REALLY love her - and I KNOW you do - nothing should get in your way."

"Bec..." Bobby sighs. "There's no point. It's obvious she's happy with -"

"But who's to say you couldn't make her happier?"

"She doesn't WANT me to fight for her! She asked me to be her friend again, Bec! Her FRIEND!"

"Then DO IT!"

"I can't."

"Bobby, closing her off like this is not the answer. Showing Lindsay what she's missing IS - being the man that she loved once before...the man I happen to think she STILL loves."

"You think...you think she still -"

"Yes," she nods. "I do, Bobby. And whether or not that's a comfort I just wish that it would give you some hope. Because a little of that goes a long way."

"I wouldn't even know where to start, Bec."

"You can start by growing up!" Bobby throws her a look. "You know that Lindsay's birthday is coming up, right?" He nods. "Well...Carter's throwing her a surprise party...he asked us to be there..."

Bobby rolls his eyes. "Yeah. Sounds right up his alley."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the guy is smooth. A little too smooth if you ask me."

"Bobby," she shakes her head. "Forget about him. Just think about it...you're a smart guy. If you do things right, you just might out-smooth Dr. Carter."

"I told her that I love her. What else is there? What's more important?"

"Show her."

~*~*~*~

Bobby tosses around the bed, sleep seeming to be a lost cause as the clock reads '2:46AM'. Frustrated, he flops onto his back, eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling in hopes of it having the 'watching paint dry' effect on him. Ignoring the aches riding his muscules, he keeps still, each blink producing a different image of Lindsay. Usually what he saw was beautiful - moments they shared that he'll never forget...moments he dreams of sharing with her...but tonight, they're sickening. For it is NOT he who he sees her wrapped around...laughing with or loving...it's HIM. The awful questions haunt him in this cold, dark, lonely place he lives imprisoned: were they together now? Was he in her bed? Was she in his? Did she love him?

No, no, no, no, no..."NO!" he screams, shooting up with twitters of agony. Bec is right, he concludes, as that is the only thing he feels he has left to hold onto - his lucidity depending on mere acts of selflessness. Lindsay was worth it.

What to do? What to do? There had to be SOMETHING he could do to show her what she means to him. Everything that comes to mind seems immeasurable until an epiphany strikes. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he switches on the lamp, digging in the top drawer of his nightstand for the key to his plan.

Finding the picture, he cheers at his success, grinning as he examines it, remembering every detail she'd bestowed upon the sight of it.

"This was at my thirteenth birthday party. That's my grandmother..."

"You have her eyes..."

"Yeah...everyone used to say that...I have her name, too. Suzanne."

Bobby nods slowly, then studies the gift with amazement. "Wow...that's a beautiful necklace..."

"It is. I wish I still had it..."

"What happened to it?

"I lost it..." she sighs. "You see...my grammy had this thing about the stars. I'd go over there and we'd sit on the porch swing and watch them..." she laughs in thought. "It was like we were waiting for something spectacular to happen...I guess I didn't appreciate them like she did. But I did love those nights...the nights when all you could see was light...drinking hot chocolate no matter what the temperature," she laughs again. "feeling warm and safe as the eyes of the angels look down on you...the holes in the floor of heaven...that's what she called them. When I look up at them now...I like to believe she's one of them...looking down on me..." Smiling through her tears, she wipes them away. "Uh...anyway...she died that winter and the next summer it got away from me...I must have looked for hours...every place twice...but it was gone. I never forgave myself...it was all I had left of her."

Bobby can still see the desolation in her eyes in that moment. He recalls how quickly she changed the subject, showing him another photo with a chipper story. Eventually, though, they came across another copy, which soon became his. With plans of using it someday, he slipped it into his overnight bag as she slept. Those ideas had gotten away from him somewhere along the way, but he was prepared to make them reality now. He had two weeks...no time to lose.

~*~*~*~

"Sailing, Helen?" Lindsay asks, intrigued by her friend's suggestion.

"Yes, sailing. I mean, it's your birthday. That calls for something different - something special. No movies. No shopping."

"Sailing..."

"Sailing," Helen nods. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"Okay," she chuckles. "Sailing it is."

"Great!"

"But if this turns out to be some kind of disaster, I swear - you'll be paying my half of the rent this month."

"Yeah, keep dreaming, babe," Helen laughs. "Get dressed. We've got an hour."

"Why an hour?"

"Uh..." she bites her tongue, silently cursing herself for the mistake. "That's when the place opens. I want to get a good boat."

Sighing loudly, Lindsay shakes her head, turning towards her room. "You're not dying are you?" She says half-joking, half-serious, facing her once again.

"WHAT?!"

"Some people - they do stuff they'd never do otherwise...like bungy jump or sky dive -"

"Are you kidding me? It it THAT out of character for me to want to go sailing?"

"Well, I just thought with the wind blowing your hair and all -"

"OH, but it really gives the perfect edge to my whole 'queen-bitch-killer-bee' image," Helen drips sarcastically, batting her eyelashes.

"Funny."

"You know what? Just stop thinking so much and get dressed, please. Otherwise I might have to work for Carter and get him to take my place."

"Speaking of - there's this really cute doctor -"

"Dressed-now, Lindsay!"

"Now THAT's out of character," she comments, walking to her room.

"Funny," she calls after her as the door shuts. Then, a bit louder adds, "But HEY - remind me about that guy later on!!!"

~*~*~*~

Lindsay and Helen walk along the dock, heading for the nonexistent sail boat rental place. Looking around, Lindsay stops.

"Helen! There's nothing out here but a bunch of boats! If we walk much further, we'll be fish bait!"

"I know that, it's - OOOOHHHH, Lindsay! Check out that yacht!"

Watching Helen carelessly stroll up the bridge, she gasps. "Helen! You can't go on that!"

"Why not?"

"It's someone's private yacht! Take a few steps and I'll probably be representing you in a good 'ole fashioned lawsuit!"

"OH, give me a break. Besides...you can't represent me if you're doing it, too."

"Well, I'm not."

"YES - you are. Now come on!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

"Helen, NO!"

"Get your ass up here before I come down there and drag you!"

"Oh, uh...ugh - FINE! Fine."

Scanning the area for witnesses first, she runs, climbing on after her.

"Lighten up. Just act like you belong."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Oooooooh a HOT tub!!!"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Helen gives her the eye, then continues the venture. Lindsay feels her stomach turn. "Oh, God - this is just like college."

"Yeah, isn't it?"

"Helennnnnnnnnn let's just go, please? I don't feel like being arrested on my birthday. Turning twenty nine is hard enough without adding handcuffs and a mug shot to it."

"It WOULD make for a lasting memory, though."

"Yeah, well, when something involves you it usually does."

"I'll take that as a compliment..."

They laugh, Lindsay feeling more loose until she smells something in the air. "Do you smell that?"

"Smell what?"

"I don't know, what, but -"

"OH, wait a second," Helen sniffs. "Yeah...I'm picking something up....I think...I think it's smoke."

"SMOKE?!"

"Yeah. Now, they'll be able to add arson to the charges," Helen roars.

"Shut up, Helen. Let's just go."

"No wait...now I'm hearing something..." she moves closer. "Yeah...I think it's a voice..."

"It's probably your conscience!"

"No, no...its more than one..."

Lindsay reluctantly follows as Helen gets closer and closer. "Are you out of your mind? Do you WANT to get caught?!"

"I just wanna see if there's any eye candy..." Lindsay stands against the wall behind Helen as she has a clear shot. "Well, Lindsay - it looks like you were right."

"You mean there's nobody there?"

"Nope. Looks like a FALSE ALARM!!!"

"Why are you screaming?"

"I'm not."

Walking beside her, she sighs. "Ugh. Look, we came, we saw and there's no one -"

"SURPRISE!" Everyone screams completely out of sync, jumping from behind various things.

"GOD - how pathetic! We PRACTICED!!!"

"LUCY!!!"

"I don't believe this," Lindsay giggles, totally shocked. "HELEN?!" She swats her playfully.

"Hey, don't abuse me. This was all Carter's idea!"

"Carter?" Lindsay looks from Helen to Carter as he moves in front of her. "You did this?"

"Well, I had help," Carter shakes his thumb toward the others. "Happy birthday, honey," he winks, giving her a kiss.

Speechless, she is only able to hug him, along with everyone else. When she gets to Eugene, she notices a couple of people are missing.

"Bec's on her way," he assures her. "Bobby's -"

"Not coming, I'm sure..." she predicts, knowingly.

"He didn't say," he shrugs.

"OKAY - we've got burgers and hot dogs on the grill," Carter announces. "Who wants to take care of the music?"

"I will!" Lucy shouts, running over to the stereo. "I brought CDs."

The crowd is less than thrilled, grunting as she cheerfully begins searching through her case. Eugene and Lindsay share a look, and he smiles, passing her a beer from the ice chest in his reach.

"Thanks."

"Happy birthday," he says as the clink their bottles together.

~*~*~*~

Later, everyone is sitting around visiting, eating and drinking. Lindsay has just opened her presents: a spa day certificate from Helen, a pair of diamond earrings from the firm and theater tickets to a play in New York from Carter. Thinking a minute, Lindsay realizes that Rebecca has yet to arrive.

"Eugene, I thought you said Bec was on her way. That was an hour ago."

"Oh - I forgot to tell you - she called. Something else came up that's keeping her, but she said she'll be her as soon as she can."

"Okay - oh, hey Bec!" Lindsay laughs, moving over to greet her as she appears quite ironically. "We were just talking about you."

"Sorry I'm late. I had a...problem." Lowering her voice, she continues. "Could I see you in private for just a minute?"

"Uh, yeah...sure. Anything the matter?"

"No. Just -"

Lindsay nods and follows her to the front of the yacht. Once they stop, she asks, "What's going on?" Rebecca gestures for her to turn around. "Bobby!"

"Hi," he smiles, nervously.

They stare at each other in silence, Bec finally breaking it as she dismisses herself. "I'll leave you two alone."

There is another lingering moment of silence before either one attempts speaking.

"Um, I...I didn't think you'd come..." Lindsay confesses needlessly. "After all we're just law partners."

"Lindsay..." Bobby begins in a whisper. "I'm sorry. I was a jerk." Lindsay doesn't say anything. "But Bec talked some sense into me."

"That sounds like Bec," Lindsay smiles a little.

"I'd be lost without her."

"True," she nods.

"I'd be lost without YOU..."

"Would you?"

"Yes - and I wanna take back what I said." Bobby pauses. "One of the things I said anyway...about not wanting to be your friend anymore. Because if that's the only way I can have you right now, I'll take it. I'll take whatever you're willing to give. I won't be that stupid any longer. I need you in my life...however you will be."

"Really?"

"Really. That is - if you'll still have me."

"Of course," she whispers, touching his arm.

"Thank you," Bobby grins.

A more comfortable silence sneaks up on them, and soon they are laughing.

"So..."

"So...uh...that being said...I uh - got you something," he says, pulling a rectangular shaped box out of his black sports jacket pocket.

"Bobby, you didn't have to -"

"Maybe not, but I wanted to - so shush," he teases, holding it out for her.

Taking it, Lindsay lifts the velvet jewelry box, raising a hand to her chest as the item is revealed to her: a near-exact replica of the locket that her grandmother had once given her - a rare, blue diamond star embedded in white gold. Breathless, she stares at it in utter incredulity. "Oh...my God...Bobby..." she looks at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "I can't believe you remembered..."

"I know it's not the same one, but -"

"It's perfect," she promises, cutting him off. Admiring it, she is in awe. "How did you - it couldn't have been from memory..."

"Look inside," Bobby suggests.

Removing it from the box, she lets the wrapping fall to the ground as both hands hold onto the chain. Shaking fingers pry the locket open, where a smaller version of the picture she'd shared with him not so long ago is placed. "How?" She asks, happy and confused all at once.

"You had two, so, I took it that night while you were sleeping..." Removing the original copy from his jacket, he hands it to her. "Here...I'm sorry it took me so long to return it...to do this..."

Prostrated, the words remain frozen within her throat, and all she can do is hold her hand up to stop him, snapping the locket shut. "You're incredible..thank you..."

Taken by his most thoughtful gift, Lindsay is lost in his eyes. She knows...it had been there all along. The great lengths he must have went through for her make it so obvious...the picture...the fact that he even comprehended it makes her see that he does love her...that he always has. It was enough to make her fall all over again...

Bobby fixates on her...enchanted by her beauty as the wind disturbs her silken hair so elegantly...the blush of her cheeks...precious tears of happiness...overjoyed to know he has made her feel this way. He longs to kiss her...so close...closer...

Stopping himself from making a mistake, he clears his throat. "Happy birthday, Lindsay."

"Could you put it on for me?" She hands it to him, turning around.

Goosepimples rash the back of her neck as his hot breath pants against it. For a second, they would swear they stopped breathing altogether. "There you go," he mutters into her ear as he claps it around her neck.

Once they are face to face again, distance isn't there much longer - Lindsay throwing her arms around his neck, Bobby closes his eyes, stroking her back, reveling in the feel of holding her again - if only for a moment. Smelling her hair, he is intoxicated...never wanting to let go. But as life's perfect moments always seem to do, it ends all too soon, when Lindsay pulls away from him.

"Hey birthday girl," they hear, turning from each other's gaze to that of Carter's.

"Hey," Lindsay grins, walking over to him.

"Time for the cake," Carter says, wrapping an arm about her.

"Good...come on, Bobby. You came just in time."

"I can't stay."

"Oh...why?"

"Family thing at my dad's...sorry."

"Okay...well, thanks again...for everything."

"Sure. Have a great time."

Lindsay waves and starts back to the party, Carter close behind.

"Uh - Carter?"

Carter stops, meeting Bobby in the middle. "Yeah?"

Bobby extends his hand to him and he accepts. "Take care of her."

"I will."

Nodding, he smiles. "You're a very lucky man."

"Oh, you don't have to tell me that," he chuckles. "She's amazing..."

"Yeah...she sure is..."

Both men look after her, Carter patting Bobby on the back. "Thanks for stopping by...I'm sure it meant a lot to her."

"Thanks for the invitation. I'm sure it couldn't have been easy considering..." he drifts off, not sure of what all he does know.

"Bobby, I can't hate you for loving Lindsay. It's easy for her to take over your heart...you can't help it. And I wouldn't wish the loss of that feeling on anyone."

"OH, I'm sure you wouldn't," Bobby sneers, catching the menacing tone that beat at his words. "You know what? I think I'm gonna stay awhile after all. I've got some time."

The two men approach the party just in time to see the girls crowded around Lindsay, gawking at her necklace.

"WOW! MAJOR kudos to Bobby on that one!" Lucy exclaims, shoving herself in front of Helen.

Bobby and Lindsay blush as all eyes land on them. Carter grits his teeth, adjusting his collar as the temperature seems to rise a hundred degrees in the space of seconds.

~*~*~*~

"Okay guys - be nice. This isn't funny!"

"Ooooh what about that time she tried to use her high school field hockey record in the tobacco case?"

Eugene high fives Jimmy on that one, Lindsay getting more embarassed with every story as her friends tell all. "HEY!"

"Yeah, well, she did kick ass when she got up there," Ellenor throws back.

"Point taken," Eugene chuckles. "Who's next?"

"Bobby."

"Thank you, Lucy," Bobby grumbles.

"What?! It can't get any worse than Helen and the butterscotch schnapps incident!"

Everyone laughs. Lindsay buries her head in Carter's chest, Carter patting her head as he can't help but laugh along with them. He admits, he feels a bit out-of-the-loop, though - dejected to have missed those adorable moments in her new life. But he was learning.

"Fiiiiiinnnne," Bobby finally agrees, leaning forward on his elbows in thought. "Okay...um...there was this one time when Lindsay was really upset over a case - she uh - she must have went out drinking..."

"OH GOOOOOD - NOOOOOOOOOO!" Lindsay wails.

"I woke up cuz I heard this noise. I looked at the clock - it was like two in the morning," he chuckles. "I go into the livingroom and I can hear this screaming outside the door - two women. So, I unlock the door and peek out to see what all the fuss is about - it was LINDSAY and my neighbor Mrs. Cassidy! Lindsay was ranting about the constitution and why it should grant the right to protect at all times!"

"Drunk and you can still hold down an arguement, huh, Lindsay?" Ellenor quips. "See Bobby, I told you she was a keeper."

"What happened next?" Lucy asks giddily.

"Well, Mrs. Cassidy kept telling her to go away before she called the cops. So, I stepped up...."

"Lindsay! What are you doing?!"

"Who is she?!"

"You've been drinking," he shakes his head.

"Answer me! Who the hell is she?!"

Swinging her fist at him, the action proves too much and she takes a drunken stumble, taking the old lady down with her. Tangled on the floor, they fret about - struggling to part ways."Oh, Jesus Christ!" Bobby scrambles to help them up, Lindsay throwing a grand hissy fit in reaction. Kicking at him, her left heel just misses him as it flies passed his head. "I'm so sorry about this, Mrs. Cassidy," he swears, holding Lindsay tightly in his grasp as the none-too-pleased tenant straightens her clothing and hair. "She's just a little emotional."

"What do you go for this kind of thing? A 'Golden Girl'?! You secretly find foam rollers attractive?!"

"Calm down, Lindsay! She's my neighbor, okay?"

"I have half a mind to report this to the manager! I suggest you restrain your *friend* Mr. Donnell."

"Yes, ma'am...Lindsay - let's go! Now!"

"I'm not going anywhere with you - you LIAR!"

"LINDSAY!!" Bobby shakes her by the shoulders and turns her, pointing to the number on the door. "This is 2C."

"But you're in 2B," Lindsay mumbles, the room spinning as she thinks she sees two of everything.

"UH -HUH!" Bobby nods.

"Oh..." Glassy-eyed, she smiles at the woman. " 'M sorry..."

"Come on," Bobby urges gently, walking them to his apartment, holding Lindsay upright with an arm braced on her back.

" 'M sleepy..." she moans, running a hand through her hair, immediately grazing a mysterious object. Pulling it out, she winces. "Ouch!"

"What is it?"

Giggling, she shows him the pink roller, turning back to the woman's door once again.

Bobby slaps his forehead. "Lindsay!"

"Here you go," she hands it to her. "You look upset .... you know what always makes me feel better when I'm upset? ... Cookies." Nudging her shoulder, she winks. "I'm gonna make you some."

Both Bobby and Mrs. Cassidy seem too baffled to speak or feel it is useless to do so. Lindsay stares at her, waiting for some kind of response; it comes - about an inch from her nose as the door is slammed in her face. With a heavy, dreadful sigh, Bobby takes her arm in hand, guiding her in the opposite direction as Lindsay mutters something about not being nice.

The story ends at a place in which both feel is right. No matter what they were now - friends or lovers - some things they'd rather have for themselves alone. Memories last forever and that is one they hold close to heart. Reliving it all through the connection of their eyes, they seem to travel back in time as one. Lindsay recalls the affectionate way he'd handled her in the wake of her misdeeds: providing medication and a soothing bath...warm food and cool beverages that met her needs...offering a magic touch that only he could give...curing her to the point of desire - the desire to make him understand her appreciation. Teasing had been his only torture, Bobby grins in thought...remembering the docile manner he'd taken in bringing her back to normality. A reward wasn't expected, but he graciously accepted her bid to lock all the doors and spend the remainder of the weekend in each other's arms. Looks say everything as they are both swept in waves of wonder...what they realized in their own, seperate time, seemed to be obvious all along. They'd both been so incredibly blind.

"Ladies and gentlemen -" Eugene stands, laughing hysterically as the others, "I think we have a WINNER!!!"

"Hold on!" Helen objects. "Mine was better than that!"

"It was NOT!" Ellenor argues.

"HEY!" Lucy shouts, silencing them. "Carter hasn't gone yet!"

"Be careful," Lindsay warns, poking him in the chest.

Carter kisses her quickly, then starts rubbing his hands together. "Um...ah - 1987 - junior year."

"AH - right - Eugene you can go ahead and give me the crown - Lindsay never did anything fun in school...not until I came along anyway," Helen interjects, holding up her hand.

"Not if this is what I think it is, Helen," Lindsay laments.

"Uh, anyway - Lindsay was always getting involved in these bets -"

"CHA-CHING!!" Eugene squeaks out of nowhere, startling everyone - those who understood giggling immediately afterwords, while the others looked on in bewilderment. "Sorry, man...go ahead."

"Let's just say Lindsay never quite got out of that habit," Rebecca explains.

"Really now?" Carter looks amused. "And I'm guessing her luck runs about the same as well?" Hearing his share of affirmative responses, he continues the story. "Well, considering the fact that I've been threatened, I'll leave out the details and just say that it involved yet ANOTHER loss - a talent show and little Miss Dole singing the Copacabana."

"Oh, he definately gets the gold," Helen surrenders as everyone erupts into laughter once again.

~*~*~*~

Night has fallen and the guests have gone home. Lindsay and Carter remain on his yacht with plans of staying overnight. Carter is lying in the hammock just outside the cabin, awaiting Lindsay's return. Deciding to use his time wisely, he begins to think of countless things - some of which he wished he didn't have to...like the marvel of her reaction to Bobby's perfect present...the way she'd thrown herself into his arms like he'd returned a missing piece of her heart...how her fingers never seemed to stop twirling that necklace...or how he caught a glimmer of something more than friendship in Lindsay as Bobby brought out the past in a most uncomfortable fashion. Maybe it was foolish to think she'd be unattatched in every way, shape and form to another man upon his reentry into her life, but it was the only way he could keep his sanity. There was no question as to whether he loved her - he was crazy about her. When they're together he knows she has feelings, too...but he had a miserable conviction that Bobby was on the receiving end of her calls of love as well.

~*~*~*~

Today had been rough, no doubt. Watching her kiss him and touch him and cuddle with him like some love sick teenager was enough to make him want to jump into the water and befriend the fish. But staying had its strong points, too. Not only had she made her joy at his gift obvious, but he felt the electricity between them as they reminisced on the wacky night that inspired a lascivious weekend full of unforgettables. That look and the pictures in his mind acted as shields - curtains over the window revealing her unsubtle infatuation with the charming doctor. Bobby tries not to think of what Lindsay might be doing as he lies in bed alone...what they might be doing...instead clinging onto the spark of hope she'd breathed into him.

~*~*~*~

"Look what I found," Lindsay teases, approaching Carter with his guitar in hand. "It's the same one, isn't it?"

"Yeah," he simpers, first taking the instrument, then her hand, helping her onto the hammock. "Same one."
Giving her a quick peck on the lips, he smiles. "Comfy?"

"Yeah. This is much better than those jeans...I can't believe Helen actually packed me something decent to wear. I gotta say, I was really expecting leather and sequins."

"Now, that doesn't sound bad at all," he kisses her again.

"Really?" She mumbles amidst their kisses. Caressing his chest slightly with her hands, she asks, "Play something for me?"

"I'm a little rusty..."

"You'll do great," she insists. "I have no doubt." Pouting, she sticks her bottom lip out. "Pleeeeease...it's my birthday."

"Okay," he chuckles. "What do you want to hear?"

"Anything..."

Watching Carter close his eyes in thought, she smiles, stretching out along his side. Before he begins, he wraps his arm around her, and she places her head on his shoulder. As he strums the guitar with ease, the music engulfs her.

"Whenever I'm weary, from the battles that rage in my head...you make sense of madness, when my sanity hangs by a thread...I lose my way, but still you seem to understand...now and forever...I will be your man......sometimes I just hold you...too caught up in me to see...I'm holding a fortune that heaven has given to me...I'll try to show you each and every way I can...now and forever...I will be your man......now I can rest my worries and always be sure...that I won't be alone anymore...if I'd only known you were there all the time...all this time......until the day the ocean doesn't touch the sand...now and forever...I will be your man...now and forever...I will be your man..."

Finishing the song, Carter looks down at a sleeping Lindsay. Smiling, he carefully sets the guitar on the ground and snuggles closer. Kissing the tips of her fingers, he uses his free hand to brush the hair away from her face. "All this time..." he whispers, "I never stopped loving you..."

The light weight of his words are loud enough for her ears, though, as Lindsay's eyes flutter open to Carter's now closed ones. Amazed, she realizes how lucky she is to have him again - have this chance; knowing she has missed that point all along, she is ashamed. It had to stop here and now. Her days of sticking her feet in were over - it was high time for her to dive...to know the feeling of love again...to experience a freefall of emotion and dance in the light of true promise.

Inching her way in, Lindsay grazes his lips with her own. Their eyes meet and she kisses him again, with more fervor. Carter responds without hesitation, and soon they are lost in a sequence of hot kisses, lips and tongues moving together hungrily...sighing and moaning in satisfaction. Separating, they gasp for air, Carter holding her face in his hands.

Need and wants are mirrored...all they can hear or see is each other. Hearts pounding...past emotions resurfacing as their one and only night of lovemaking was saturated with the melancholy of goodbye. Tears stain her cheeks...trembling at the memory of desperation...giving and taking...holding on...too weak to let go...dreading the sunrise...begging him to stay...losing...dark...empty...alone...so alone.

The feelings sting as if new...as if it was happening all over again. Flames of longing blow to that of rage, and Lindsay sinks from his embrace, jumping onto the floor. Hugging her arms to her chest, she gasps. Instantly, Carter is there - folding his arms around her. With mild force, she tries to push him away, but he doesn't budge.

"No...no..." Lindsay cries, slapping at his chest, furiously. "How could you...do that...to me..." sobbing violently, she crumbles against him. "Why did you leave me? Why?" She sniffles, letting it all out - perhaps for the first real instance.

"I never left you..." Carter whispers, kissing her tears away.Weaving their fingers, he presses one pair of hands against the space above his heart and the other to hers. "I was here...you were here..."

"Yes..." she nods as he nuzzles her nose. "Please...can you stay...stay with me this time..."

"I'm here, Lindsay...I'm not going anywhere...there's no place I'd rather be..."

"Oh...God, Carter...me either..." kissing him, she smiles shakily, "You're really here..."

"I'm here..." kiss "you're here..." kiss "we're together..."

"Together..." Lindsay repeats, moaning as his lips find her neck.

"It's gonna be forever this time..."

Their kisses soon demand more and Lindsay can feel the burning skin of his fingers sliding down her thighs..moving to cup the backs of them...hoisting her up...urging her legs around his waist. Carter walks them over to the cabin door, unintentionally slamming Lindsay's body against it. He breaks away to see if she's okay, but he barely gets a glance in before she fuses their mouths together again. They never stop kissing, but Carter must open his eyes in order to get them safely down the steps. Rounding a few corners, Carter moves into the bedroom...kneeling onto the bed...guiding Lindsay down...moving to lie above her...drinking in her grace...her beauty...

"I had this all planned out...candles and roses...I mean, not for tonight...but - you're sure?"

"Yes," Lindsay smiles, grabbing him by the shirt - forcing him down. "I think its perfect like this..."

"Well, I have candles -"

"Just -" she kisses him. "Make love to me..."

Not needing to be told twice, Carter does as she asks - taking it slow...lovingly and sweetly undressing her...touching her...as if trying to memorize every inch of her...making her feel everything she hoped he would and more. Every look...every caress...she knows he loves her...knows he wants her to love him, too. Under his spell...alive and zealous...she feels as though she does. When he joins them...as they move...the marvelous moments that they are one...she is overtaken by the bliss he brings...the bliss of a man that is mad with love...connecting them in every way possible...tears brinking her eyes for reasons she does not know until after...when the chagrin of her body threatens to end her brief taste of felicity.

Sweat glosses their bodies...they breathe heavily...Lindsay panicing inside as the serenity she covets dangles tantalizingly before her...plighting possession if only she can resolve the questions foraying her mind. First in foremost - was this a twinge of regret? No...she didn't regret it. That wasn't it...

And then she sees him - Bobby. Rolling off of Carter's chest and onto her side, her back faces him as her eyes cannot...fingers playing with her necklace absentmindedly. Bobby with those damn blue eyes...that cheeky grin...why? Why? It was gone...they were over - so, why was he here - in bed with them? ... Was it the sex? How they were different? Was she some how comparing them? What was WRONG with her? ... Bobby had once said that they were perfect together, and no matter how brief their recreational relationship was, she had felt the same ... Was it that he was her last lover? That the last time she was with a man was that night on his couch? Was the absense of her chin tilting up at the brink of ecstacy triggering these thoughts? The feel of Bobby's mouth suctioning against it as he always found a way to keep them connected - be it eyes or lips? Or the one spot on her back that seemed to be cold without the touch of his lips? The loss of his final taste that branded her his for the night? Bittersweet it was - loving any touch he was willing to give...yet torturous as she knew it was going to end...it always had to end for her.

Lindsay feels the urge to cry...wishing she had the strength to hate him...she wants to hate them all. But what was life without experiencing anguish? ... What was a life without love? Without taking a gamble? ... Sighing, she plops onto her back, studying Carter's sleeping form. Her heart skips a beat as even in sleep he is able to make her feel darling...his hand reaching out for hers. Clutching it, she flitters with relief...its just them again. That was his 'signature' she recalls...not a kiss, but still conveying the same message...though, his is a little more becoming - there was no deal between them. This could quite possibly be forever; the thought is a bit frightening...but thrilling as well. Nestling into him, she feels at home. "I'm ready..." she soughs, feeling at peace at last.

to be continued...

THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING!! HOPE YOU ENJOYED!! FEEDBACK ALWAYS APPRECIATED!!

PART FOUR