Subtext Alert: Here it is Maintext. This is an alternative story and if that isn't to your liking, there are many other things on the Internet for you to peruse. This won't be an overly graphic story, but will depict some intimate situations.

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PART 1

"And that was 'Who Will Save Your Soul' by Jewel, who by the way will be appearing live in concert this Friday night. For all you fans out there, KSAS will be giving away tickets and backstage passes. Keep listening for your chance to win. It's 8:10 on this beautiful Tuesday morning. It's summer, and I suggest you all get out there and enjoy it. Now here's Smashmouth with 'All Star'," announced the vibrant voice of the petite woman, as she flipped the music on. The red On Air sign went out.

"That's good, Jaime," said the producer in the control room. He smiled at her through the window. "You got about fifteen minutes before you're on again. Go get yourself some coffee."

Jaime nodded. She took off her earphones and ran her fingers through her strawberry blond hair. Walking down the hall, she smiled at everyone she passed, her blue eyes sparkling. In the coffee room, she filled her mug, humming softly to herself. "You look to be in an especially good mood this morning," said a tall curly blonde reaching for a mug with a KSAS logo.

"Hey, Donna, how's the station's new ad going?," Jaime asked, pouring cream into her coffee. She continued to hum and moved to the table to sit.

"Pretty good, though sometimes I wish I had never taken the executive position," Donna replied as she poured some coffee for herself. Sitting next to her friend, Donna looked expectantly. "I take it that your date went well last night."

Jaime shrugged her shoulders and stirred her drink. She commented, "It was okay. Nothing special happened."

"Okay? Just okay? The guy was gorgeous and rich, and you say nothing special happened?" Donna asked incredulously.

"That's all well and good, but I didn't feel anything for him." Jaime's eyes betrayed her disappointment.

Donna looked sympathetically at her friend. "Hon, you've been through ten guys in the last two months. What do you want that these guys don't have?"

"I want?Donna, I want fireworks. I want to feel warm and fuzzy and safe. I want to be swept off my feet. Is that too much to ask for?," Jaime asked discontentedly.

Shaking her curly head, she replied, "No, it isn't too much to ask for. There's someone out there who will meet and surpass everything you desire. Trust me. One little question for you, if the date wasn't a success, how come you're in such a good mood?"

Jaime's delightful smile popped back onto her face. She replied brightly, "When I woke up this morning, I felt on top of the world. I don't know why, but I feel this is my lucky day." She looked directly at Donna, determination in her eyes. "No matter what, something special is going to happen today." Jaime glanced down at her watch. "I better get to the sound booth. I'm due back on in a couple of minutes." Donna chuckled at her friend.

"See ya," Donna said. Jaime grabbed a couple of doughnuts and her mug before she left.

Back in the studio, Jaime handed one of the pastries to her producer, "Here you go, Jack." He smiled like a little boy as he greedily took the doughnut. She finished hers quickly and gulped some coffee as the music wound down. Putting on her earphones, she flipped the switch.

A '98 electric blue Mustang convertible flew down the freeway. The black top was down, and the driver's matching hair rippled in the wind. Her CD player blasted Madonna's greatest hits. She wore a pair of sleek sunglasses to shade her crystal blue eyes. Her button down sleeveless khaki blouse and faded blue jeans fit snugly on her long athletic body. A trucker, both trying to pass her and make a pass at her, honked his horn. She just rolled her eyes and sped ahead of him.

Exiting the freeway, she pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant. Her restaurant, it was empty right now, but she knew that by the time she opened for lunch, it would be overflowing. She grabbed the garment bag out of the trunk. Unlocking the door to Celine's, she went into her office and hung up her bag. She picked a clipboard of papers off her desk. Going into the kitchen to check inventory, she flipped on the radio the kitchen crew set up. "Hi, this is Jaime 'in the morning' and that was 'Fly Away' by Lenny Kravitz. Now for Jewel fans, this is your chance to win backstage passes and tickets. All you have to do to win is be the hundredth caller and say 'KSAS is the best, and now I get to rock with Jewel this Friday.' Call now." The DJ was quickly replaced with some music.

The owner counted the food supplies not paying much attention to the radio until a young boy's voice announced, "?and now I get to rock with Jewel this Friday." The DJ congratulated the boy and asked his name. "It's Erik Redfern." The woman's mouth dropped open. "Well, Erik, you get to see Jewel this Friday night. Pick up your prize here at the station and have fun. Here's a little taste for you." Jewel's "Foolish Games" started playing, but the owner didn't listen. She rushed to the phone in the break room, and dialed her home.

The phone rang and rang. Finally someone picked up. "Hello." She could hear hollering in the background.

"Mom, it's Alex. Put Erik on the phone," she asked in a restrained manner. He greeted his mother excitedly and told her about the concert. "Erik, I know, I heard you on the radio. I'm happy for you, but you are only thirteen years old. You have to be eighteen to collect ticket like that." Now it was Erik's turn to drop his mouth. He grew upset as he told her about his plan take Wendy something or other, and that he had already asked her. She tried to clam her son down and told him, "Don't worry, son. I'll figure out a way to get them."

It was about 3 p.m., and Jaime was walking down the stairs to the front entrance. After finishing her show, she had to stay to help Jack figure out the line up for the next morning. She passed the doorman's desk and saw him arguing with a tall, dark haired woman. A little boy stood behind her with a worried look on his face. "Look ma'am, I can't give you the tickets. It says here that a Erik Redfern is supposed to pick them. Judging by the your looks, you ain't him."

Alex stood her ground as she stated, "They must have written it down wrong, bud. I am Erica Redfern, and I want my tickets." Balling up her fists, she glared lightening bolts at the man.

"I have to call up to one of the managers and have them sort this out," he said as he picked up the receiver of his desk phone.

A new voice piped in, "That won't be necessary, Frank." Alexia turned to see the small blonde woman addressing the security guard. "Jack must have written the name down wrong. It's supposed to be Erica."

Frank seemed pacified, as he handed over the prize package to the dark hair woman. "Here you go, Ms. Redfern. Thank you for clearing that up, Miss Collier." Alex smiled and nodded her thanks to Jaime as she left quickly with the boy following her.

Jaime pursued the pair out the front door and saw them heading for a blue Mustang. "Hey, you mind telling me your real name?" She asked as she caught up with them. The woman turned to her, and Jaime became mesmerized by her ocean blue eyes.

Not noticing the dazed look, Alex asked, "Excuse me?"

Jaime snapped out of her trance. "Um? Your real name? I know it's not Erica." She looked at the boy. "I assume you're Erik." He looked everywhere, but at her.

Knowing that the jig was up, Alex confessed, "Look, miss. It means a lot to my son to go to that concert, and I was just trying to help him out."

"I understand that. I just wanted to know your real name." She smiled at the woman.

"Alexia Redfern." Alex held out her hand.

Jaime shook the proffered hand and was amazed by the strength in the slender fingers. "Nice to meet you. I'm Jaime Collier."

PART 2

Alex admired the way the sun highlighted Jaime's hair. "Uh? It's nice to meet you, Jaime. I want to thank you for helping my son and me." She held onto the Jaime's hand a little longer than necessary. Reluctantly, she pulled away.

Jaime was hesitant, but she let go. "It was nothing. I'm glad I could help." Jaime looked around, trying to avoid becoming entranced once again in Alexia's eyes. "I'd better be going. I don't want to keep you from anything." She turned to leave.

"Wait," Alex called after her, "Is your car close by?"

Jaime turned back and shook her head. "I live a few miles from here, so I walk to and from work."

"Then the least I can do is give you a ride home. That is, if you want a ride," Alex asked unsure. Strangely, Jaime found she did not want to part company, so she acquiesced. "Okay then, let's go." Alex smiled.

After giving Alex directions to her house, Jaime sat back and enjoyed herself. She turned her head and asked, "So, Erik, I take it that you're a big Jewel fan?"

"Well, she's cool and all, but , um," he paused, "there's a girl I wanted to take. She's loves Jewel, and I couldn't afford to buy tickets myself."

Jaime grinned at his sheepish look. "That's very sweet of you." Erik blushed at the compliment. Alex couldn't help but laugh quietly as she looked at her son in the rear view mirror.

Taking the attention away from himself, "Do you like working on the radio, Miss Collier?"

"Erik, call me Jaime, and yes, I do very much.," Jaime said and began to name off all the benefits of working there. "?we host parties at different clubs and restaurants, and the best thing of all is that I get to meet the famous acts that come through here, like Jewel. It's very cool." As Jaime spoke, Alex kept glancing over at her, noticing how her face lit up when she talked.

Alex pulled into the apartment complex lot. "Here we are," she said.

Jaime got out of the vehicle and asked, "Do you want to come up and have a cup of coffee, or something? As childish as this may sound, I have a Playstation that Erik could play."

"I would love to, but I own a restaurant that's going to fill up with the dinner crowd soon, and I have to drop off Erik. Thank you anyway."

Jaime nodded slowly, trying not to show her disappointment. She smiled as she said, "That's okay. It was nice meeting you both. Bye, Erik." She walked into the complex as Alex drove away.

Alex dropped off Erik at her mother's house and headed back to work. She changed into the black dress the garment bag contained and readied herself dinner. During the course of the evening, she greeted customers, helped in the kitchen, and cashiered. Several times, she caught herself thinking about sunlit hair and sapphire eyes.

Later that night, after everything was cleaned up and employees had gone home, she sat at her desk going over the books. Taking a small break, she leaned back in her chair and rubbed her tired eyes. "Hi there," a voice whispered softly in her ear. She turned her head to stare into azure eyes. Breaking her gaze, Alex's eyes trailed down the curves and dips, admiring the beautiful naked body in front of her.

"Wha?," Jaime put a finger to her lips silencing Alex.

Jaime straddled Alex and trailed a finger along her chin. "I wanted you the moment I saw you," She said sensually. Alex's gaze centered on the full red lips descending towards hers. Jaime stopped about an inch away. Their breath mingled, and Alex sought to close the distance.

RINGGG!!! Alex awoke with a jerk. RINGGG!!! She glanced around the office and realized she was alone. Running her fingers through her hair, she reached for the cordless phone. "Hello," she said with some irritation.

"You feel asleep again, Alexia."

Rolling her eyes, she asked, "Is everything okay, Mother?" She stood up and fixed her desk, closing the record books. She took them and the sales money to the safe in the closet.

"Yes, dear. Your son and I were wondering when you coming home. It's 2:30 am."

Grabbing her garment bag and purse, she headed out the door, "I'm on my way. Love ya, Mom." Alex hung up and locked the door to both her office and Celine's. She drove for ten minutes to a Victorian style house and let herself in quietly. She walked through the plush living room and the elegant dining room. Finding her mother sitting alone in the kitchen, Alex joined her at the small table. Wordlessly her mother got up, went to the refrigerator, and poured her daughter a cup of milk.

Taking a seat across from her daughter, she chided slightly, "You work longer hours than your father did."

Alex sipped her drink and shrugged, "We've got a lot of business. Is Erik asleep?"

"Yes, he's in your brother's old room," Alex's mother replied. Noting her daughter's weariness, "Sleep here tonight." It was not a question. Not wanting to argue, Alex relented. Her mother went upstairs to prepare her old room.

Alex sat and pondered what occurred earlier. She started to feel very warm just thinking about it. Quickly finishing her drink, she went to check on Erik. She opened the door to her brother's old room quietly. She smiled at the sleeping innocent. Alexia knelt by his bedside and brushed back his hair from his face with a gentle caress. She tucked the comforter tighter around him, and gently kissed his forehead. She slowly got up and shut the door behind with a last look at her son. Her mother had already retired when Alexia walked into her room next door. Without delay, she fell wearily onto the bed. There would be no more thinking that night.

Jay Leno give his opening monologue as Jaime munched on some chips. She knew she should be asleep, but every time she closed her eyes, there was the face of Alexia Redfern. Ever since she unlocked the door to her second floor apartment, her mind kept wondering back to the dark haired woman. Confusion enveloped her thoughts.

She stared at the small Chihuahua curled up in her lap. Rubbing his neck, she said aloud, "I'm not naïve, Toby." He sleepily opened one eye at his mistress. "This is the 90's and I know women can be with each other. I just never thought of myself like that." She paused and took a deep breath. "Yet when I looked into her eyes and felt her touch? there was a connection. Like I knew her from somewhere before? in some other lifetime." Toby just sighed and resettled his tan fur color body in her lap.

She looked at the television, not really paying any attention to it. Knowing she had to be at work by six a.m., she picked up Toby and went into her room. While he laid out on her bed, she changed into a white T-shirt and blue boxers. Getting into bed, she allowed Toby to rest in the crook of her arm. Settled under the covers, she cleared her mind of all thought, breathing in and out slowly in a meditative state. Finally she began to drift off the cliff of consciousness into the chasm of dreams.

RINGGG!!! Irritated, she picked up the receiver, "Hello."

"Hey, Jaime, it's Nicholas," a male voice said. "It's not too late, is it?"

"Hey, Nick," she said, knowing he hated it. Sarcastically, she replied, "It's only midnight, I don't mind being woken up."

Not taking the hint, he continued, "Great. I was wondering if you were busy tomorrow night?"

Jaime wanted to say she was busy, but hated lying, no matter the reason. "No, I'm free."

"Cool, I got tickets to this club called the Night Owl. They're supposed to have this great jazz musician there." Jaime rolled her eyes. Looking at the LCD numbers on her clock radio, she realized she wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. "I figured we could go to dinner first at a restaurant nearby. I heard it's very good. You ever heard of Celine's ??"

PART 3

Wednesday progressed smoothly, and the lunch rush began to quiet down. Finding a few moments of respite, Alex dozed in her office. Images of gold hair and blue eyes invaded her small nap. Unfortunately a knock at her door roused her from her siesta. Sitting up straight, she opened her eyes and ordered bitterly, "Come in."

The door swung open, and a man with brown hair and brown eyes stood. His height and muscles took up most of the doorway. "Long time, no see," he announced in a strong, but gentle voice.

Her ill humor fell away as Alex jumped out of her seat and exclaimed, "Derrick!" Hugging the man to near death, she asked, "How was your vacation? And don't tell me it was no big deal. Three weeks in Cancun, something had to happen." She made him sit and leaned against her desk. Derrick had worked for years for her father before his death, though he's not that much older than her, and stayed on to help her when she took over. He usually handles the dinner crowd so she could go home and spend some time with her son.

He smiled and casually said, "Not much happened." Alex slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Just the usual: laying out, sight seeing, falling in love, dancing. Nothing out of the ordinary." He shrugged his massive shoulders.

Alex's eyes nearly popped out of her head, "You, the self confirmed bachelor? In love? I have got to meet the girl who could tame you."

"You'll get a chance, she's coming here for a couple of weeks on Monday. I thought we could have a little dinner party in the reserved room. I wanted her to meet the people I consider my family."

"Great. I'll have our best chef, Luis, fix up a feast," Alex exclaimed. Another knock at the door disturbed them. "Yes?"

"Ms. Redfern, the meat delivery is here, and the guy needs your signature," said the young waiter who entered. Noticing Derrick, he greeted, "Hello Mr. Green. Glad to have you back, sir." Without further adieu, the young man exited.

"Well, details will have to come later," Derrick told Alex. Getting up, he gestured towards the door, "Work awaits."

Donna sat in her office working on sketches for the next ad campaign. Her door was open, but she heard a soft knock. Looking up, she found Jaime standing in her doorway. "You busy?" the small blonde asked.

"No, not doing anything consequential at the moment." Donna motioned for Jaime to take a seat. As she sat, Jaime looked tired. "What's wrong?" Donna asked concerned.

"A couple of things actually," Jaime replied. She picked up the small name plaque that read "Donna Matthews" and fiddled with it. Staring down, she continued, "Nick called me last night and asked me out again. Unfortunately I said yes."

Donna winced. She advised, "Hon, You need to tell him to back off." She felt sorry for Jaime having to be plagued by him.

"Well, I have numerous times, but him working for my father doesn't help. My dad keeps trying to marry me off to him though. Both of them can't seem to get it through their thick skulls that I don't want to get married right now, especially to Nick."

Donna leaned back in her chair. "That's the problem. Maybe we could find a way to get him fired." She smiled evilly.

Jaime laughed, "I wish, but that would be wrong. They just need to realize it is not going to happen." Replacing the plaque, she stood up and began to pace.

Donna thought a moment and speculatively said, "Maybe we could have someone pretend to be your boyfriend, like Jack or somebody. Then both Nick and your dad will lay off." Jaime started to shake her head at the idea. Donna, not noticing, continued enthusiastically, "Or we could really throw them for a loop and find you a girlfriend." She burst out laughing at the idea.

Jaime laughed nervously, "I? I don't think so, Don. Try to come up with another plan." She looked at her watch. "I better get going. It's about three, and I still need to get home and get ready."

Startled by the abrupt departure, Donna asked as Jaime walked towards the door, "I thought you said there were a couple of things bothering you. What's the other?"

Jaime evaded, "I'll talk to you later, okay?" She left the office quickly.

"Okay," Donna said to the empty chair. Somewhat confused, she returned to the sketches on her desk.

"Why do I put myself through this?" Jaime wondered aloud as she blow dried her shoulder length hair. "I really need to talk to my father about Nick." It's not that she hated Nick, quite the opposite. She just wanted their relationship to be nothing more than friends. Putting down the dryer, she brushed her golden hair one more time. Jaime proceeded to put some mascara and blush on. She looked at the small clock on the sink. It was almost 4:30 p.m. Nick had told her to be ready so they could make five o'clock reservations. "I should have lied," she said in retrospect.

She rushed into the other room. Looking for something suitable to wear, she rummaged through her closet. She pulled out a black satin dress. Grabbing some heels, she zipped herself into the dress and regarded herself in the mirror. The dress was plain, but it fit in all the right places, and was flattering on her. The heels gave her an extra two inches in height. She went back into the bathroom to put on her lipstick as the door bell rang.

Checking herself once more mirror, she proceeded to the door and opened it. He stood there, wearing a black Brooks Brother's suit, holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Hey there, beautiful," greeted Nick.

With a touch of annoyance, she said, "Hi, Nick." Toby, who had been asleep on the couch, came to the door and growled at him. Jaime glanced down at her lovable Chihuahua and tried to hide her smile.

Nick grimaced, "Jaime, it's Nicholas." Warily looking at the small canine, he commented, "I don't think your dog likes me very much."

Jaime just shrugged. "I'm ready when you are." As she moved to exit her apartment, Nick leaned in for a kiss. Maneuvering out of the line of fire, she exclaimed, "Oops, almost forgot my purse. Why don't you go get the car started, and I'll meet you down there." She smiled saccharinely as she hurried back inside.

TO BE CONTINUED?