Special Thanks: As always to my wonderful editor Mary for her friendship and great advice. To Stoley for her friendship and support, and to my beautiful Peruvian princess for her love and understanding.

Comments are happily accepted at Cruise1313@aol.com.

Part XII

Lark was unfazed and stayed tucked away in her dreams completely unaware of the woman gazing upon her. Rayne's hand lightly moved upon Lark's taut abdomen and rested there as she snuggled her face into Lark's neck. She placed soft kisses on her neck and snuggled closer to the small warm body next to her. She loved being so close to Lark and to feel the warmth her body exuded. Rayne loved Lark's specific scent and reveled in her closeness. Rayne delicately kissed Lark's neck and propped her head up into her hand as she lightly rubbed Lark's stomach. Lark moved…finally, and snuggled closer to Rayne, who grinned from the contact. She loved the feeling of this woman in her arms and leaned down, gently kissing her forehead.

Rayne saw Lark shiver and felt the goose bumps rise underneath her hand when the air conditioner kicked on. She looked down to reach the sheet that was balled at the end of the bed, no doubt from Lark's shoving them down there in the middle of the night…as usual, and noticed two quickly hardening nipples. Rayne smiled mischievously and felt the small butterflies fluttering throughout her stomach, from her thoughts of those same breasts she had caressed many times the previous night. Her smile grew in intensity as she remembered their night of love making and how she thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Lark. She could still smell Lark's lingering scent on her and loved it. Rayne lovingly pulled the sheet onto her slumbering beauty and covered her chilled, naked body. Rayne smelled the scent of freshly brewed coffee and determined breakfast in bed was in order.

Rayne placed a lingering kiss on Lark's cheek and whispered, "I love you," in her ear. Lark smiled through her sleep and rolled onto her side, gathering the sheet into her arms, successfully cocooning herself in them. Rayne chuckled as she slowly and quietly slipped out of bed. She slipped on a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top which covered only half of her, leaving her muscular abdomen revealed. She padded across the large carpeted bedroom and quietly opened the door before exiting. Rayne headed into the kitchen and smelled a freshly brewed pot of 'Cinnamon Hazelnut' coffee…her favorite. She smiled and grabbed a coffee mug from the cabinet in desperate need of some hot Java to wake her. She realized upon closer examination that she had on Lark's tank top. 'I was wondering why it was so damn small.' She thought chuckling, looking down at the tank top. She turned when she heard someone approach.

"Oh, please Ms. Donovan, let me do that for you. I was preparing a tray for you and Ms. Morgan." Marcia replied cheerily, as she entered the kitchen heading towards the coffee pot.

"Oh, it's okay. I can get this cup, but I'd appreciate it if you could leave the tray just outside the bedroom door once it's prepared." Rayne cordially advised her with a smile and finished pouring the coffee in her cup.

Marcia handed her the creamer for her coffee. "Do you need sugar?" She asked, holding the sugar container up.

"Oh, no thanks. Cream is fine." Rayne smiled warmly and stirred the creamer in her coffee.

"I'll bring the tray back in a few minutes, just as soon as the Quiche is finished baking." Marcia replied and opened the oven to check on the said dish.

"Great, thanks." Rayne answered, sipping her tasty coffee and disappeared down the hall. She was pleased with how well Marcia was working out for the both of them. Lark was devastated to find out her close confidant and long time housekeeper betrayed her, so it took them a long time to hire someone new. Fortunately, Elaine inherited the sole burden of hiring someone for the job. After a long and arduous search, Elaine felt confidant this woman's loyalties would not come into question. It also helped that Rayne had her partner run a thorough check of the woman through the Service and found nothing negative in her past. She hoped nothing detrimental would happen in the future and believed Elaine secured that by having Marcia sign a confidentiality clause. She hoped it would be ironclad.

Rayne ran her hand through her ruffled dark hair as she sipped her coffee on her way down the hall, trying to shake off her weariness. She quietly entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed, lovingly gazing at her partner. She felt a wonderful sensation course through her from the lovely sight before her. Lark had a way of always captivating her no matter whether she was sleeping or awake. She smiled and turned towards the window when she heard a dog barking. She padded towards the balcony and opened the French doors. Rayne stepped out on the balcony that overlooked the lush green back yard, with the beautiful Atlantic ocean as it's backdrop.

She leaned against the rail and watched as her mother's tan and white, freckled Cocker Spaniel puppy, licked her brother Jayce's face, as he was passed out in the middle of the immaculately maintained yard. She laughed inwardly and shook her head, knowing her brother was going to be hurting pretty bad from his hangover when he woke up. She gazed upon the rest of the yard and saw many of Jayce's friends scattered about, sleeping in lawn chairs along the pool deck.

Lark stretched her compact body to get the blood flowing and rolled onto her back, realizing the warmth of Rayne she ached for was not there. She sighed disappointed and looked to the side catching a glimpse of her dark beauty. Her large warm smile covered her face at the sight of Rayne and she turned onto her side for a better look. She watched as Rayne stood basking in the warm sunlight, sipping her coffee and couldn't stand the distance between them any longer. She longed to feel Rayne's sexy body against her own and pushed the sheet off of her. She climbed out of bed and quietly moved towards her lover, who caught a glimpse of her through her peripheral vision.

Rayne turned smiling and intently watched as her sexy, naked lover, sauntered so elegantly towards her. "Good morning beautiful." She warmly greeted and felt Lark's warm body against hers. She put her arm around Lark, who's arm slipped around Rayne's waist, as she stood beside her.

"Hello sexy. What are you doing?" Lark asked, smiling as she gazed into Rayne's blue eyes.

"Just checking out the scene and waiting for my sleeping beauty to wake up." She grinned and leaned down for a brief meaningful kiss.

"Hmmm…I missed you." Lark drawled, savoring the short kiss and snuggled closer to her warm lover. Lark reached up and took the coffee mug from Rayne, who smiled watching her take a sip of the Java. "Ooh, that's good thanks." Lark chuckled and confiscated Rayne's coffee.

"I guess so." Rayne laughed and realized she wasn't getting the coffee back. "I'll get some more." She replied smiling and moved away from Lark, who turned towards the sunlit, crystal blue ocean to admire it's beauty.

Rayne headed towards the door and wheeled in the food cart that Marcia delivered. She poured another cup of coffee and walked back to the balcony to join her wife. "Rayne, who is that laying in the middle of the lawn?" Lark asked, shading her eyes from the sunlight to get a better look at the person.

"It's Jayce, passed out." Rayne explained with a chuckle and draped Lark's black negligee over her lover's bare shoulders.

"Is he okay? He's not moving." Lark worriedly asked and turned to Rayne, then back to Jayce, slipping the clothing on.

"I was beginning to get worried until mom's puppy Gabby licked his face for about five minutes and he finally moved." Rayne chuckled and stood behind Lark.

"Well, that's good. Let's hope the puppy didn't urinate on him!" Lark chuckled and leaned back into Rayne, who instinctively wrapped her arms around her lover. "Should we get him out of the sun? He must be dying from the heat and all the alcohol in his system."

"Nah, let him sweat it off. Besides, we're on our honeymoon. We don't need to deal with any drunks now. Shayan will do something with him when he wakes up. Are you sure you want him to donate sperm for our child?" Rayne chuckled and grasped Lark's hand, leading her back into the room.

"Cut him some slack my dear. I seem to remember someone in particular, and I won't name names, who was far worse than him, passed out in the lawn chair while on vacation in Provincetown. You're lucky you didn't freeze to death laying out there naked!" Lark teased and poked Rayne's ribs to jog her memory of their trip to Cape Cod.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot all about that time." Rayne chuckled, embarrassed by the memory. "It's a good thing we made it out of the hot tub or we would have drowned!"

"It doesn't surprise me that you would remember anything my love, as drunk as you were." Lark smiled and entered the suite. "Ooh, breakfast!" She delightedly exclaimed, when she discovered the food cart and eagerly rubbed her hands together at the prospect of eating the sumptuous food.

"Well, I do remember someone else being very drunk that weekend as well." Rayne grinned mischievously and cuddled up behind her lover, who removed the lids to exam the offerings.

"That's because you forced me to drink all of those delicious mudslides at the 'Boat Slip.'" Lark smiled and looked over her shoulder at Rayne who grinned, kissing her on the cheek. "Don't forget, I made it into the townhouse unlike you!" Lark taunted with a snicker, placing a piece of Quiche on the plate before her.

"Barely!" Rayne protested with a laugh and sat in the chair, pulling her giggling lover into her lap who was barely able to get the Quiche on the plate.

"Oh, you're high Rayne! I made it into the townhouse just fine. Besides, how in the hell would you know? You were pretending you were an Eskimo out on the back deck in that chilly weather." Lark laughed and turned to face Rayne for her answer.

"I remember seeing you passed out on the floor with the sliding glass door open and your feet hanging out." Rayne laughed and saw the surprised look on Lark's face.

"Oh, that's right!" Lark exclaimed and laughed at the memory as did Rayne. "I forgot about that. I can't believe you remembered it Rayne." Lark chuckled surprised and kissed Rayne's chin before popping a slice of bacon in her mouth.

"How could I forget! You made me rub your feet for an hour to warm them up." Rayne laughed harder and pulled Lark closer in her arms.

"You were so sick too and we stayed in bed until the next day." Lark remembered and chuckled at the memory.

"Yes, we did." Rayne mischievously smiled and seductively wiggled her dark eyebrows. "But, not too sick to make love off and on all day and night." Rayne huskily and cockily replied, burying her face in Lark's neck, nibbling on the soft skin there.

"It was fortunate for me that you weren't too sick." Lark replied with a chuckle and wrapped her arms around Rayne's neck. She smiled fondly remembering the time they spent on Cape Cod in the predominately gay resort town of Provincetown, more famously known as P-Town, and felt a tingling sensation course throughout her from Rayne's assault on her neck. "That was such a fun vacation babe. We need to go back very soon." Lark replied and kissed Rayne on the cheek.

"I'd love to and we definitely have to go horseback riding on the beach again." Rayne chuckled and jumped when she felt Lark pinch her back. She reflexively straightened up in her chair laughing and looked at Lark, who was not as pleased.

"Very funny wise ass!" Lark exclaimed and watched Rayne laugh harder.

"Honey, can I help it if they gave you the mule? What was it's name? Oh, yeah…Sally." Rayne asked with a laugh.

"Yes, because if you wouldn't have had to of had the black horse, then I could have had that one and you would have gotten the damn mule!" Lark replied, still upset by having to ride the mule.

"Oh, but you looked so cute up on Sally honey and she sure did like you!" Rayne teasingly laughed harder at the memory of Lark attempting to ride the mule, which basically did nothing but stand still and bite Lark's legs.

"Yeah, I had so much fun kicking that stupid animal to go as you galloped like the conquering hero up and down the beach on your beautiful black horse." Lark mockingly replied, adding a dramatic reflection for emphasis.

"Didn't you have fun when your mule sat down for you?" Rayne asked, unable to contain her hysteria and saw the embarrassment and anger brewing within Lark's eyes.

"Very funny! I can't believe you made me ride that damn mule!" Lark adamantly replied and tried to pull away from Rayne, who held her tighter as she laughed harder. "Let me up!" Lark demanded.

"Okay, okay…I'm sorry. I promise, we'll go back and I'll get the black one for you." Rayne grinned and snickered, trying to contain her laughter.

"You promise that I get the black one this time?" Lark asked hopeful.

"I promise." Rayne chuckled and saw Lark's anger calm as she snuggled closer to her naked wife, burying her face in Lark's neck. "I'm sure they have a black mule you could ride." Rayne teased and laughed.

"Oh, Rayne!" Lark replied, exasperated by the incessant teasing and slapped her lover's back, who laughed harder.

Rayne sat up and looked at Lark laughing. "I'm sorry. I can't keep from teasing you about riding that damn mule, it was hysterical."

"I'm glad you had so much fun at my expense my dear." Lark sarcastically replied and snarled her lip at Rayne in displeasure.

"So, when are we going back for a visit?" Rayne asked, finally able to calm her hysteria. She shifted Lark closer to her and rested her hands comfortably on Lark's firm backside.

"Well, aah. We may have to do a long weekend because of my shooting schedule and I think we should go before the baby arrives." Lark grinned happily and Rayne saw the glimmer of pure joy in Lark's eyes.

"Yes, definitely before the baby arrives." Rayne smiled and kissed Lark. Her heart pounded at the thought of them having a child every time they talked about it.

"You aren't having second thoughts about the baby are you?" Lark hesitantly asked, her tone turning serious.

"Absolutely not my love." Rayne confidently answered with a sweet smile. "So, you can stop asking me if I'm having second thoughts."

Lark bashfully grinned as her fingers subconsciously twirled Rayne's dark hair. "I'm sorry. I just worry that you're getting nervous and you might not be as excited about the baby as I am."

"Lark, I'm just as excited about having this baby as you are and I wish you would believe me." Rayne answered hurt by Lark's insinuation.

Lark felt guilty from the hurt she saw in Rayne's blue eyes. "I'm sorry honey. I'm being foolish." Lark apologetically replied and kissed Rayne. "Are you still going to love me when I get really big and have terrible food cravings?" Lark excitedly asked.

"Oh, yeah. As long as you don't make me go all the way down to South Miami for your cravings of 'Pastelito's from your favorite Cuban bakery down there at three in the morning."

"Honey…you mean to tell me you won't go thirty miles to Miami for a craving our child might have in the middle of the night?" Lark mischievously grinned, knowing Rayne would give in and do it.

"Well…aah." Rayne stammered and relented when she saw Lark's pouty face goading her into doing it. "Yes, you know I will." Rayne smirked with a defeated look on her face. She would do anything for Lark and the problem was…Lark knew it. She's wrapped around Lark's finger, that's for sure.

"Oh, thank you honey!" Lark excitedly laughed and hugged Rayne.

"I could make a trip down there soon and bring a stock pile of them back to put in the freezer." Rayne offered and thought that was a better idea than facing the torturous traffic on the 'Palmetto Expressway,' even at that hour.

"That will work too! Say, want to practice our baby making technique for the rest of the day and night?" Lark seductively whispered in Rayne's ear and nibbled on her ear lobe to entice her.

Rayne didn't need much enticement and stood up with Lark in her arms. "Practice makes perfect." She whispered in a sultry tone through her kiss and deepened it as she lay Lark back on the bed.

"Yes, it does." Lark purred sensually and accepted her lover's body against her own as Rayne passionately kissed her. They would get around to eating the food at another time. They had a hunger for something else…each other.

Rayne and Lark got back to reality after a two day honeymoon which was pretty much spent in bed at their home. Lark's call to the set came entirely too early and she was barely able to drag herself out of bed. Actually, Rayne pretty much carried her to the car and chuckled as Lark fell back to sleep the second she sat in the car. They were both happy that they were on location near their home and she didn't have to travel out to California.

Rayne stopped at 'Starbucks' in desperate need of a 'Tazo Chi' for a quick start to the morning for herself and a double 'Latte' for Lark, who still slept peacefully in the car. She was completely oblivious to everything around her. The closing of Rayne's door managed to create a slight stir out of the slumbering woman, even if it was to shift her head from one side to the other. At least Rayne knew she was alive. 'It's a good thing she can get ready at the set or she'd never be dressed.' Rayne thought and grinned mischievously as she held the coffee under Lark's nose to stimulate her consciousness.

The strong smell of the coffee permeated Lark's senses and brought her out of her sleep. She moved around, stretching her compact body as Rayne moved the cup away from her so she wouldn't spill it. "Morning sleeping beauty." Rayne teased with a smile and handed her the coffee, which Lark gladly accepted.

Lark sipped the steamy hot beverage as Rayne slowly backed the car out of the parking space and looked around bewildered. "Where are we? Please tell me we didn't sleep in the car last night in this parking lot." Lark asked, disoriented by her whereabouts as she fought to shake off her sleepiness.

"Honey, are you sure you're awake?" Rayne asked with a chuckle and put the car in drive, pulling out of the parking lot.

"I'm getting there babe, give me some time. The coffee's helping." Lark snickered and leaned her head back against the seat. She closed her eyes and sipped the coffee hoping it would wake her. "Babe, tell me again why we work?" She asked with a grin, her eyes still closed.

"Hmmm…because we're gluttons for punishment?" Rayne sarcastically laughed as Lark refused to open her eyes joined in on the laughter. "I think it's because we enjoy it." Rayne smiled and glanced at her lover then back to the road.

"Oh, yeah…thanks for reminding me." Lark laughed and sipped her coffee, enjoying the ride considering she wasn't driving.

Rayne laughed and shook her head navigating the car down the road towards the set. She stopped the car and flashed Lark's credentials to pass through the security check. She smiled at the guard who opened the gate and proceeded through it. Rayne parked the car near the trailers and turned off the ignition. "Well, my princess. Your chariot has arrived." Rayne grinned and turned towards Lark, who peered at her with sleepy green eyes.

Lark stuck her bottom lip out and scrunched her face. "I don't want to be away from you." She whined and squeezed Rayne's hand.

Rayne kissed the back of her hand and smiled. "Me either, but we've got other obligations my sweet. Go plaster your beautiful face all over that film for the whole world to see and I'll be back before you know it." Rayne grinned and pushed the whisp of blonde hair off Lark's forehead. "I love you." She whispered and delicately kissed her blonde beauty.

"I adore you." Lark responded smiling and lightly stroked Rayne's cheek with her palm. "Hurry back and please be careful." She whispered and kissed her lover again before exiting the car. "Oh, don't forget we have an appointment with the doctor today at four." Lark reminded Rayne, leaning back into the car. She kissed Rayne one last time and smiled. "Have a great day babe." Lark closed the door and walked around the front of the car towards the set.

Rayne sat and watched her wife gracefully walk away. She couldn't help but stare and smile. She made her heart flutter with her beauty and her undeniable zest for life. Rayne's heart quickened when Lark turned back smiling and blew her a kiss. She started up the engine and winked towards her beauty with a bashful smile planted firmly on her face. Lark laughed and disappeared into the trailer as she loved making Rayne blush. Rayne shook her head with a chuckle and pulled the car out of the parking lot heading towards her office.

Rayne's morning was turning out to be uneventful. The director assigned her to their Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program. She would no longer be on the road as much as before, but this division did require her to travel for investigations of fraud where computers have been used to commit various federal crimes. Her director explained that as soon as an opening in the Forensics Services division team became available, he'd assign her to it. The Forensics division provides analysis for items used to commit a crime such as fingerprinting, false identification, credit cards and investigations of threats against public officials. It would allow her to conduct her investigations at a local level, rather than a national level like her current assignment. She sat at her desk and thumbed through her latest assignment. She closed the file disinterested and looked at the picture of Lark on her desk. Her thoughts trailed off of the sexy blonde that had recently become her wife. She missed her terribly and wanted to see her in a bad way.

'I'm whipped!' Rayne chuckled inwardly. She dreamily stared at the picture wondering if Lark was thinking about her. She smiled and checked her watch. A mischievous smile spread across her face and she was up and out of her chair in a flash. She quickly headed down the hall, struggling to get her jacket on before reaching the door. She waited as someone passed through and finally was able to don her jacket. "Marge, I'm heading out for an early lunch. Beep me if something pressing comes up." She smiled and informed the secretary.

"Have a nice lunch agent." The cheerful secretary replied and watched as the tall agent quickly disappeared out of the building.

Lark sat looking at her script as she waited for the scene to be shot and realized she had read the line five times and had no clue as to what it said. Her thoughts were focused on one thing and that was a raven-haired beauty…not her script. She chuckled and sighed inwardly, resting her cheek on her hand as she thought of Rayne and how she wished she could see her. She became quite fidgety and didn't want to be there at the moment. She wanted to be in the confines of her sexy lover's arms.

Lark was snapped out of her revere by a light touch on her shoulder and she quickly looked up. "I'm sorry if I startled you Ms. Morgan, but I need to touch up your make-up for the next shot." Laura, the make-up artist softly replied and was hesitant by the look Lark gave her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. I was lost in my thoughts on the next scene." Lark stammered through her lie and smiled as she sat up in the chair. She saw the scared look on the young woman's face and wanted to make her feel more at ease. "You can call me Lark. You don't have to be so formal." Lark cordially replied and smiled as Laura applied some foundation to Lark's cheeks.

"Oh, thank you Ms. Morg…aah, I mean Lark." She stammered and chuckled.

"No problem." Lark giggled and knew how a majority of the crew walked around on eggshells when it came to some overbearing and pampered stars. She wanted to be treated just like any other person and wasn't on a star trip, no matter how big of a box office star she is.

"Lark…we're ready for you." The director replied approaching his leading lady.

"Okay…here we go." Lark smiled, trying to psych herself up for the next scene and walked towards the set to her mark.

Rayne quietly walked onto the set and sat in Lark's chair. She smiled excitedly when she saw her blonde beauty and wished she could engulf her in a big hug. She looked down at her beeper and put it on vibrate as the announcement was made for complete silence on the set. She looked back up and watched the scene begin. Her heart quickened and a wave of jealousy instantly rolled over her when she saw Lark's co-star move in for a passionate kiss. Rayne's jaw clenched and she shifted uneasily in the seat and looked away. It was hard to see her lover kissing another person. 'Get over it Rayne. It's her job, she's an actress.' She admonished herself and looked back to see Lark break the kiss and the director shouted, "cut!"

"I'm sorry, Tim. Let's try it again." Lark replied frustrated with herself and looked down, disappointed that she didn't nail the scene on the first take. She was famous for doing just that and directors loved to work with her as she saved them a lot of time and money during their films. She looked back up at her handsome co-star and resumed her position before filming began again.

Rayne's edginess consumed her as she watched the kissing scene. It was bothering her more than it had ever done before. She thought it was best for her to look away instead, as her palms began to sweat more and her anger welled in the pit of her stomach. She wiped the sweat that formed on her brow and inhaled, then exhaled to calm her racing heart. 'What's wrong with you?' She wondered and was relieved when she heard the director yell, "print it!" She looked up and watched as Lark looked over the script and consulted with the director before walking away. Rayne knew that Lark's heart and soul belonged to her, but for some reason the scene bothered her more than it should.

Lark looked up and saw her dark-haired beauty sitting in her chair and her smile instantly consumed her face. Her pace picked up and before she knew it she was standing before Rayne. "Hi baby!" She enthusiastically replied and grasped Rayne's hand. "I'm so happy to see you!" She smiled and hugged Rayne. "Follow me." Lark pulled Rayne from the chair and led her towards her trailer.

"Are you finished with filming for now?" Rayne asked, following her excited lover into her trailer.

"Yeah, I don't have to be back on the set for another hour." Lark explained and began to brush her teeth. She desperately wanted to kiss Rayne, but wasn't about to do that until she cleaned her mouth after kissing her co-star.

Rayne placed the bag she had down on the table and looked around the trailer. "Nice digs you've got here baby." Rayne chuckled and stood in the doorway of the bathroom, watching Lark brush her teeth.

Lark put her toothbrush down and wiped her mouth off. She smiled and walked over to Rayne, "I've missed you my love." She whispered, wrapping her arms around Rayne's neck and passionately kissed her lover.

Rayne's desire to be connected to Lark was fulfilled and she wrapped her arms around her lover deepening the kiss. "Hmmm….I missed you too." Rayne whispered through her kiss, feeling better, yet stupid, for acting the way she did earlier watching the scene.

Lark broke the kiss and looked up at Rayne. She felt her forehead, noting her clammy skin and wiped the sweat off her brow. "Are you okay? Are you sick?" She worriedly asked and felt Rayne stand up straight.

She was embarrassed by her thoughts and actions. She didn't want to tell Lark, but knew she should. "Aah, I was just being stupid." Rayne explained with an embarrassed look on her face, trying to wave it off as something insignificant.

"Come on baby. Tell me what's wrong." Lark coaxed, hearing the reluctance in Rayne's voice.

"Oh, I was jealous watching that kissing scene." Rayne bashfully admitted and looked away, embarrassed by her actions.

"You were?" Lark asked with a chuckle and felt a tickle in her tummy. "Aah…that's so sweet." Lark gushed and hugged Rayne. She loved knowing Rayne was all hers and that she cared enough about her to be jealous, even though she didn't need to be.

"It was huh? I was being silly." Rayne admitted with a chuckle and hugged Lark tighter. "I'm sorry."

"If that's silly then I'm a dope because I get jealous whenever any chick even looks your way." Lark admitted with a smile, happy to be within the confines of her lover's arms.

"Oh, cut it out Lark." Rayne shyly replied with a laugh.

"Ooh, I love to see you blush." Lark teased and pinched Rayne's rosy cheek who shifted nervously.

"You're such a tease! Come get some food." Rayne chuckled and tried to change the subject. She was happy that Lark wasn't upset by her reaction and made a mental note to tone her demeanor down the next time she was in the same perdicament.

"You know me so well baby." Lark chuckled and followed Rayne to the table who opened the bag and pulled out a couple of sandwiches. They both sat down next to one another to enjoy their lunch and company together. "I'm so glad to see you. I couldn't stop thinking about you honey." Lark smiled and snuggled against Rayne's cheek, lightly kissing it.

"Me too, why do you think I came over here." Rayne sheepishly admitted with a laugh and kissed Lark.

"Well, I'm glad you did or otherwise this film will never get shot." Lark laughed and sank her teeth into her sandwich.

"And why is that?" Rayne grinned and took a bite of her sandwich, looking at Lark who finished chewing before responding to Rayne's question.

"My mind is on you and nowhere else. I sat there looking at my script and read the lines five times without comprehending a single word because all I could think of was you!" Lark admitted laughing and leaned her head against Rayne's shoulder, who joined in the laughter. She was surprised that Lark was having a hard time comprehending her lines considering she had a photographic memory and never forgot her lines. That would explain her distraction during the scene and having to shoot it twice.

"Same here! I sat at my desk staring at your picture all morning until Tom hit me with his pencil to see if I was still alive." Rayne laughed harder along with Lark. "We're whipped you know?" Rayne grinned and chuckled.

"Yep and I love it!" Lark proudly announced and kissed the lips that she loved so much.

They finished their lunch and snuggled back into the couch within one another's arms until Rayne's beeper went off. She looked down and stopped the vibration, noting the number in the screen was her partner's Tom. "Damn…work calls." She replied frustrated and grabbed her cell phone. She punched in the numbers and waited for Tom's voice on the other line. "What's up?" She asked, rubbing her hand along Lark's leg who snuggled against her. "Okay…I'll be there in ten minutes." She clicked off the phone and looked at Lark. "Sorry, baby. I've got to head back."

"Waah…" Lark whined and held her tighter.

Rayne chuckled and hugged Lark tighter. She kissed the top of her head. "I'll be back before you know it sweetheart." She whispered and tilted Lark's head up to look into her green eyes. She smiled and leaned down delicately kissing her lips. "I'll see you later." Rayne whispered and kissed her again before standing up.

Lark didn't want to loose her connection to Rayne. She grasped her hand tighter and followed Rayne to the door before they exited. Lark walked her to the car and watched as Rayne slipped in behind the wheel. She felt a catch in her heart and hated to see her lover go. She leaned down into the window and kissed Rayne. "I love you. Be careful." She whispered and kissed Rayne again.

"I promise. Love you baby." Rayne smiled and winked before slowly backing the car out of the parking space. Lark clutched her hand as long as she could and waved with a smile, watching as Rayne pulled the car out of sight. She wiped the moistness from her eyes and was sad to see Rayne leave. She worried about her with the line of work she was in and realized she had forgotten to ask her what her new job was going to be. She would have to wait until later to find out.

It seemed to Lark as if everything had changed for the better between her and Rayne. They had been too consumed in their jobs before to feel the full impact of not being together for a very long time like they were during their six month separation. Sure, they missed each other when they were apart, but they had become too accustomed to it. Lark felt like her priorities had changed and she felt like Rayne's had too. Previously in their relationship, Rayne wouldn't have visited her on the set at the spur of the moment. She might have called and left a message, but rarely would she stop by for a visit. Lark enjoyed the surprise visit and hoped they would continue. She liked seeing Rayne in the middle of the day, hell she enjoyed seeing Rayne at any part of the day!

Rayne headed back to her office lost in her thoughts of a particular green-eyed beauty and wished she didn't have to return to work. She smiled as she thought back on seeing Lark earlier in the day and felt completely happy with the way she felt. She was whipped and like Lark, she loved it! Before Rayne knew it, she was entering the parking garage back at work. She headed into the building and flashed her badge as she passed through the security check point. She nodded her head in acknowledgement towards the guard who did the same and headed down the hall towards her desk.

Rayne whistled some tune that popped into her head and plopped herself down on Tom's desk, who sat back in his chair looking at her dumbfounded. It was evident that Rayne wasn't getting much work done today. "What?" She asked, questioning her partner's look.

"Whistling?" He queried skeptically.

"Yeah, is that a federal offense nowadays?" She asked with a chuckle and looked down at the messages on her desk that faced Tom's.

"When it comes from you, yeah! Why are you so chipper?" He sarcastically asked.

"What is this, some kind of an interrogation?" She asked goading her partner on. She knew what he was up to and she wanted to tease him for awhile. She scanned the messages and tossed them back on her desk.

"What is this? Who can ask the most questions?" He asked with a laugh and leaned forward in his chair.

"Maybe. Does my chipperness bother you?" Rayne tauntingly asked and watched as her partner stood up and sat next to her on the desk.

He leaned against his attractive partner and smiled. "Chipperness huh?" He teased and continued, "no, I love it and I'm glad to see you happy again. I was tired of that old grumpy Rayne Donovan." He teasingly laughed and nudged her.

"Old and grumpy?" She queried, slightly miffed at his insinuation that she was old and looked at him. "Shall I remind you of your age and grumpiness mister?" She teasingly asked with a sly grin.

"No, please, my waistline and driver's license reminds me of just how old I am every time I look at them." He laughed as did Rayne. "I'm glad to see you happy Rayne. You really deserve it and I wish the best for you and Lark." He smiled sincerely, looking at his shocked partner and friend.

"Aah…aren't you sweet. You're not so grumpy after all." She teased and pinched his cheek. She was glad that Tom didn't have a problem with switching assignments along with her. She didn't want to have to go through getting to know a new partner and with Tom agreeing to the switch she wouldn't have to.

"Very funny." He laughed and swatted her hand away. "I'm about to get grumpier in about two minutes." He replied and looked towards the conference room.

"Why is that? What's going on?" Rayne asked bewildered and looked towards the conference room, then back to Tom.

"A team meeting and I don't think it's going to be a pleasant one. Oh, yippee…it's time." He sarcastically replied and stood up along with Rayne.

"Okay, grumpy faces partner." Rayne chuckled and looked at Tom as they mockingly donned grumpy faces. They laughed and changed their demeanor to an all businesslike one when the director waved them towards the room.

Rayne's mood quickly turned foul after five minutes in the meeting and got worse as it lingered on. Her team would be required to leave the state on assignment, something she wasn't pleased about. She knew she would have to do some traveling, but only after one day back at work? She was not humored by it at all. Rayne began to fidget in her seat as the time drew closer to when she would have to pick up Lark and she hoped her boss would hurry up and shut his mouth. If not, she was going to have to do it for him. 'Ooh, that might make me feel better.' She mischievously thought and didn't hear the last part of the conversation, but was happy to see everyone dispersing from the meeting. She jumped up and gathered her notes before heading towards the door.

"Rayne!" Tom called out and caught up to her.

"Walk with me…I'm late." She hurriedly replied and headed down the hall towards the elevators.

"I know you were lost in your thoughts of your babe and didn't hear a thing at the end of the meeting. So, here's the skinny, we leave tomorrow morning and will be gone for a week. I'll swing by and pick you up around eight…okay?" He asked with a smile and stopped at the elevators as Rayne waited for it to arrive.

"Sounds good." She replied distracted, looking off into the distance as her voice trailed off.

"Earth to Rayne!" Tom snapped his fingers to get her attention and looked at her quizzically when she acknowledged him. "Are you okay?" He asked, concerned by her demeanor.

"Aah…yeah." She stammered looking at him asking, "how do you tell your new bride, that you haven't been away from since you reunited, that you'll be gone for a week?" She wondered just how in the hell she was going to tell Lark, considering how excited Lark was going to be after seeing the doctor today regarding the conception of their child. She stepped onto the elevator and looked at Tom for his answer.

"Delicately and bring flowers…lot's of them." He chuckled with a warm smile and winked as the doors closed before him.

'I'll try, but I'm not sure that's going to smooth things over.' Rayne thought, disappointed about having to leave Lark so soon. 'She's going to freak!' She thought worriedly and stepped off the elevator clicking her cell phone on to contact the florist.

To Be Continued…

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