"I think you should take my advice and call this place. They'll be able to help you when you need it." TC Buckner handed the tall brunette a off white card. "Just tell them I sent you."

"You sure I really need this kind of help?" Cash Dunn asked starting to get scared of what her Father will do when he finds what she has done.

The DA nodded his head. "Yes, your Father won't know you're the star witness until just before the trial. So I would use the disguise they have as a car service and driver until you're ready to leave."

"I wish I had never over heard that conversation." Cash closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the chair she was sitting in.

TC stood up and put a hand on the woman's shoulder. "I know, but what you over heard will save so many people from going bankrupt or even worse. Death."

"I know." Cash took in a deep breath and stood up. She offered the DA her hand. "I'll stop by this place this afternoon and get what I need to set up."

"Great idea. If you have any trouble just have one of the girls give me a call and I'll vouch for you." The DA walked over and opened his office door. "Be careful and see you soon."

*****************************************

THE NEXT MORNING....

"Hey dyke, why don't you come over here so I can show you what you're missing," an overweight man yelled out from his truck window.
"Why don't you shut your fat face," Houston yelled back with a flip of her middle finger. "Asshole."
"You know you want some of this." He wiggled his tongue around and wiggled his eyebrows.
"No I don't, and neither does your girlfriend. At least that's what she told me last night after I showed her what it's like to be with someone who lasts longer than 2.3 seconds," the small blonde responded as she pulled on her helmet.
The man opened his door and took one step out. "You fucking bitch. I last a lot longer than that."
"You're right and I'm sorry." Houston started her motorcycle. "It's 2.5 seconds. I forgot you had to unzip your zipper and drop your pants." She gunned the engine and laughed as she caught sight of the man tripping over his feet. "Nothing like pissing someone off at the butt crack of dawn."
***************************************
"Where the hell is she?" Karen asked for the seventh time in two minutes. "She was supposed to be here an hour ago."
"You know as well as I do how she feels about mornings," Carol Manning stated as she sipped her coffee. "Why don't you give her a call and wake her ass up? again."
"Hell, like I've not already tried that. Three times." The sandy blonde haired woman shook her head. "I'm getting no answer." Before Karen could say anything else they heard a loud rumble coming from down the street. "Finally." Karen sighed.
After a few minutes the front door of the office opened and in stepped a whistling Houston. "Morning ladies, how are you this morning?"
"Well it could be better and it could be worse." Carol smiled after her usual reply to her favorite employee. "Got a job for you."
"Great, what is it?" Houston dropped into a black leather chair and rested her helmet on her knee.
Karen walked over and handed Houston a brown folder. "All the details are in here. It should be a cushy assignment."
The two women watched their favorite employee read over the contents of the file. With a nod here and a grunt there they waited for the explosion that was sure to come. They didn't have to wait long.
"Oh I don't fucking think so." The leather-clad blonde tossed the file on top of Carol's desk. "No way am I going to drive for her."
"You have no choice," Karen replied as she sat on the corner of the desk. "She wants the best, and we all know you are the best."
"I don't care. No way, no how am I stepping within three feet of the arrogant bitch." Houston slammed her palm down on top of her helmet. "I can't believe you two would even consider this."
"It was a hard decision to make. We considered it for a long while until we got some information that changed our minds." Karen ran her hands through her hair.
"What could be so damn important that it changed your minds?" the upset blonde asked.
Carol grabbed another folder and held it out to Houston. "This."
Houston hesitated a second before reaching for the folder and opening it slowly. Staring up at her were two sets of azure blue eyes that reminded her of a love that still made her heart skip a beat, and her soul shatter at the memories. "Her children."
"Yes, and yours," Carol softly answered.
Houston stood up and threw her helmet against the wall. "No, they are not my children. As soon as she walked out on me and took them I lost all rights to them." She looked over at her friends with raging green eyes. "Find someone else. I don't give a rat's ass what happens to her or her family."
***************************************
Houston starred at the golden liquid before bringing it up to her lips and downing it in one gulp. She hissed slightly as the alcohol burned down her throat. "Oh, yeah that feels good."
"Another?" the bartender asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Just leave the bottle," Houston mumbled as she grabbed the bottle from the man's hand. "And when this one is empty get me another."
"You know he can't do that H," an older man in his late seventies said.
Houston blinked several times to clear her vision. "Hello, Erwin."
"What brings you here Houston?" Erwin reached under the bar and grabbed himself a shot glass. "Share?"
Without thinking Houston poured herself and her friend a shot. "To the past. May it forever stay that way."
Erwin watched his blonde haired friend swallow her drink and pour herself another one and do the same. He slowly lifted his own drink and sipped it until it was gone.
"So you going to tell me or not?" Erwin scratched his scruffy bearded face and waited.
Houston played with the clear shot glass for a long minute before she looked up at herself in the mirror behind Erwin. "She's back."
"Who's back?" the old man asked.
Houston closed her eyes and fought back the tears that she thought had dried up long ago. "Cash."
"Oh shit," Erwin said before he could stop himself.
Houston nodded in agreement and poured herself another drink. "She came into the company and asked to hire someone as her driver for herself and her kids."
Erwin knew the history between the two women. So he knew that the kids she spoke of were hers just as well as Cash's. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Not a damn thing," Houston answered coldly. "I don't give a rat's ass about them."
"Yes you do, whether you want to admit it or not," the balding man stated honestly. "Cash hurt you beyond belief by walking out with those babies, but I know you and you still love those kids." He rested a hand on her forearm. "What would you do if something happened to them and you might have been able to stop it?"
Houston's thoughts went back in time to the moment she first saw the ultrasound and watched the two hearts beat and the instant love she felt. Then the day they were born and how they looked all wet and red and the sound of their cries that filled the hospital room. "I would die."
"I know, so maybe you should get out of here and go get some sleep and call Carol in the morning and tell her you'll take the job." Erwin waved a hand towards the door. "A cab should be out there already."
Houston stood up and headed to the door, but stopped and turned to her friend. "Thanks Erwin."
"Anytime short-stuff." Erwin winked and smiled.
***************************************
"Have you hired a new driver yet?" Joseph Dunn asked his daughter when he sat down for dinner.
"Yes, Father I called an agency yesterday and they had someone," Cash replied casually as she cut up her son's steak for dinner.
"Who is it?" Joseph questioned as he sipped his drink of ice tea.
"I don't have a name yet, but the woman on the phone said it would be their best." Cash smiled over to her son and then placed his plate in front of him. "Here you go, Trent. Tara, if you want me to cut yours, hand me your plate please."
"Thanks Mom." Trent grabbed his fork and quickly started eating his potatoes.
Tara shook her head. "No thanks Mom, I can do it myself."
"Just be careful." Cash nodded with a wink towards her daughter.
"You really should do that for her." She'll just make a big mess," Joseph remarked without looking up from his own plate.
"Grandpa, I am a big girl and can do it myself," Tara stated as she tried to cut off a piece of steak.
Joseph coldly glanced at the light hair child. "Don't talk to your elders like that."
Tara laid her knife down on the table. "Sorry Grandpa."
Cash closed her eyes and counted to ten. She knew she should say something to her father, but years of being pressed under his thumb brought out the small child in her. Silently she promised to make it up to her daughter by reading an extra story and, if she could, let her have seconds on dessert.
***************************************
Houston growled as she turned on her side to hide from the stream of light that snuck its way through her blinds. "Damn."
Before she could fall back asleep she heard a loud knock at her front door. "Probably some religious group wanting to show me the light," she mumbled as she tried to fall back into a dreamless sleep.
Carol and Karen looked at the door and then at each other knowing that Houston was home.
"Still got the key?" Karen asked annoyed.
Carol shook her head. "She snatched it from me the last time we woke her up this early."
"Shit, guess we have to do this the hard way." Karen stepped down off the porch and around the house with Carol on her heels. She stopped at the back side of the house where a small trellis with small red roses grew. "Now we have to decide who is doing the climbing."
"Well Spider-woman, I say you go for it." Carol moved back a few feet. "I promise I won't look up your dress."
"No we have to do this diplomatically." Karen looked back to her friend then up the side of the house. "How about? rock, paper, scissors."
***************************************
Carol glared at Karen as she pulled a stick out of her hair. "The game is called rock, paper, scissors for a reason. You aren't supposed to say bulldozer and smash my rock you bitch."
"Hey, we didn't have any rules." Karen grinned back. "And I never promised not to look up your dress." She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Dawg." Houston smacked Karen on the back of the head. "Now why the hell are you here so damn early in the morning?"
"Early, hell H it's a little after one." Carol tossed the last twig at the short haired blonde.
"Whatever," Houston mumbled as she took a sip of her coffee.
Karen leaned on the table holding her cup of coffee in between her hands. "We're here to see if you changed your mind about the job?"
Houston sighed and closed her eyes. "I have been rethinking it, and though I can't see anything good coming out of it I'll do it."
"Great," the two other women in the room yelled.
"You start tonight." Carol dug in her purse and pushed a piece of paper across the table. "Here is the address where you are supposed to pick up your passengers."
Houston looked down and bit her bottom lip. "It's her father's address. Guess I should've known."
"Honey listen. That's not where she has been these past few years. She has been living in New York," Karen informed her friend.
Houston stood up suddenly and leaned against the counter. "Please don't tell me any more. I don't want to know."
Carol and Karen nodded their heads and stood up. "We need to get going. If you change your mind again let us know so we can get someone else on it."
"I won't change my mind. I said I'd do it and I'll do it, but I won't be my normal adorable self." Houston smirked.
***************************************
Houston pulled the black stretched limo up to the front door. She adjusted her black cap and straightened her silk black tie. She was just about ready to get out and knock on the front door when it was opened and two light haired children ran out chasing each other.
"I'll get you for that," Trent yelled at his sister.
Tara turned her head and stuck her tongue out. "Have to catch me first."
Houston watched as the children ran around and in front of her car. She felt her heart tighten with each beat. After so many years of wondering what they looked like, and hiding the fact that she even cared, it brought tears to her eyes.
"Okay you two, knock it off and get back in the house," Cash ordered as she stood in the doorway. "Mrs. Baker said she has some milk and cookies for you before bath time, and she also said if you are extra good she'll read you a nice long story."
"Cool." Trent ran over to his mom and gave her a hug. "Will you come in and check on us when you get home?"
"You know I will. I can't even dream of sleeping unless I kiss you two goodnight." Cash smiled down at her son. "Now promise me you'll be good."
"We will Mom," Tara replied as she stepped up for her own hug.
Houston silently sat in the limo watching the family say their good-byes. She could feel anger and resentment boiling deep within her soul because this used to be her family.
Cash looked into the limo, but with the tinted glass she was unable to see the driver. She hoped that whoever it was, they knew what was really going on and would be able to help her.
"Now remember, I told you that Grandpa and I will be out late and I'll see you first thing in the morning." Cash kissed the top of each head and shuffled them inside.
Houston took in a deep breath and went to open her door when the man she hated most in the world stepped up behind his daughter.
"You ready?" Joseph asked Cash. "If not we'll be late and you know I hate to be late."
"No, I'm ready." Cash followed the older man after he passed her towards the back of the car.
Houston watched as Joseph opened the back door and got in without holding the door open for his daughter. The blonde's eyes watched as the casually dressed woman stopped for a second to look towards her. When the tall brunette's eyes met hers she thought her heart would melt. But she knew that without rolling the window down her identity was safe.
After waiting for several minutes Houston put the limo in drive and drove down the driveway towards the Hotel Majestic.
The drive to the downtown area was quiet and uneventful. Houston was hoping that the hotel would have someone to open the doors, because she didn't want her two passengers to know she was the driver.
As luck would have it a doorman was right there waiting and let Joseph and Cash out of the limo. Houston smiled to herself and pulled the vehicle around the back where several other limousines and their drivers waited until their services were needed again.
***************************************
The small blonde leaned against the side of the building watching several servers smoke. She was getting bored, and before she knew it she was walking through the kitchen looking for the doors that would open up and give her a glimpse of the big party.
When she found it, Houston stepped through the double swinging doors and instantly felt out of place. Everyone was dressed to the tee and talking about things that would either make them richer or prettier. Shaking her head she slipped past two older women talking about the latter, and hid behind a big assortment of flowers and plants.
It didn't take long for her to find what in her heart she was really looking for. Cash stood in a circle with several good looking men. They all talked and laughed, but Houston could tell Cash was putting on a show and was truly bored out of her mind.
"Why in the world did you chose this life over one with me?" Houston mumbled quietly.
After several long minutes the small driver left with her head hung and her heart broken even more then it already was. As she walked through the doors to the kitchen she never saw the two blue eyes following her.
***************************************
Joseph could feel the anger rise as he walked up to a group of gray haired men. He pointed to one and said, "You and me need to talk." Then turned and headed towards a bare corner.
The other man gave him a curious look but followed.
"What can I do for you?" Douglas Sullivan asked with a raised eyebrow.
Do you remember the project I gave to you a few years back?" Joseph questioned.
Douglas thought for a second. "Which one?"
"The special project I had you do concerning my daughter?" the older man reminded his younger employee.
"Oh yes," Douglas answered. "Why do you ask?"
"It seems the problem might be back in the picture, and I want information on her and I don't want her to try and get back into my daughter's life, or even my grandchildren's." Joseph glared before walking away towards his daughter.
***************************************
Cash stood outside the front of the hotel waiting for her father to stop talking with several of his associates. She was hoping the limo would hurry up and pull up because her feet were killing her, and all she wanted to do was kiss her children good-night and go to bed.
Spotting her ride home she sighed. "Thank God." She didn't even bother to wait for the driver or the doorman to open the door. She just grabbed the handle and slid on to the soft black leather.
Houston watched in the review mirror as the exhausted woman leaned back and closed her eyes. Not knowing what to do, and before she could think to stop herself, she pushed the button for the intercom. "Is there anything you need while we wait?"
Cash's eyes snapped open. "Pardon?" she asked, unsure if the voice she heard was the one she dreamt about every night.
Before Houston could ask again Joseph opened the door and slid in next to his daughter. He looked over at her and then towards the front of the car. "Anything I should know about?"
"No, Father," Cash quickly answered and looked out the window closest to her.
Joseph nodded his head but kept his eyes on Cash.
Cash felt her father's eyes on her back but didn't turn around. She was still trying to calm her heart down. She prayed that the voice she had heard belonged to the only person who held her heart.
Before she knew it the limo had stopped and her father stood outside with the door open for her. She slowly dragged her tired body out and up the steps. Before she reached for the door handle she turned and looked towards the driver's side door.
Joseph slammed the door and quickly moved in front of his daughter. "Come on Cash. You don't want to catch a cold out in this chilly weather."
Cash closed her eyes and sighed. "Yes, Father."
Houston watched the two enter the house and close the door. She sat there staring for several minutes before she put the car in drive and headed down the long driveway. Once again missing a set of watching blue eyes.
***************************************
Cash waited until her Father had left for work before she picked up the phone.
"L's Limo Service. This is Carol. What can I do for you?" Carol answered in a cheerful voice.
"Hi, this is Cash Dunn and I was wondering if you could give me some information on the driver I hired," the dark haired woman asked as she sipped her coffee.
"Morning Ms. Dunn, and I am sorry but we cannot give out that kind of information." Carol tossed a crumpled up piece of paper at Karen. When the other woman looked over at her she motioned her over.
"You know I think that is unfair. I have this person in my employment and in some cases in direct contact with my children. So I think I should be able to get some personal information," Cash shot back.
Karen raised her eyebrows and with a grin nodded her head.
Carol winked and then asked. "Can you come in sometime this afternoon?"
"Yes, is two okay?" Cash nearly jumped out of her chair.
"Two is good. See you then." Carol then hung up the phone and looked over at her partner. "So you have a plan in that head of yours?"
"Don't I always have a plan?" Karen replied casually.
***************************************
Cash sat in her car with the window rolled down watching the people pass by. She still had a few minutes before her appointment with Carol and Karen, and she was trying to calm her nerves before she totally lost it. She knew that if the voice she had heard last night was the love from her past, things could get even more complicated then they were already. "Especially if Father finds out," Cash mumbled under her breath.
The loud nose of a motorcycle zoomed past Cash only to slow down and do a U-turn, then park a couple of cars behind her on the other side of the street. The woman in the car watched in her side mirror as the driver of the motorcycle kicked down the kickstand and sat there with the helmet blocking all view of the driver's face.
She continued to watch as the leather clad driver walked across the street and entered the coffee shop next door. Unable to find any other excuse to stay in the car, Cash climbed out of her car and slammed the door shut. "Time to face the music."
Carol and Karen both looked up when the door opened. They each gave Cash a small smile and Carol gestured towards a chair. "Please have a seat."
"Thanks," Cash replied before she sat down.
Karen moved to sit next to Cash as Carol grabbed a folder that was filled with papers.
"Before we start I wanted you to know that your driver will be here at any moment," Karen informed Cash. "We thought it would be in both of your best interest to meet."
"We've already met," Houston replied from behind the three women as she set her helmet down on a chair along with her coffee.
Cash couldn't move. Her heart was beating so fast that her head started to spin and spots appeared before her eyes.
Houston moved before her brain registered what she was doing and grabbed a hold of Cash so she wouldn't fall to the floor. She carefully held Cash's upper body in her arms and stared at the face that still filled her dreams. Slowly without thought she traced the tip of her finger over the dark eyebrows and down a soft cheek.
Carol and Karen stood watching the scene with both heartache and smiles. They both knew the story of Cash and Houston, and knew that the next few weeks would either bring them back together for good, or tear through them like lightning would a tree.
Cash felt the soft touch against her skin as she came back into consciousness but she didn't dare open her eyes.
"I know you are awake," Houston softly said.
"I don't want to," Cash whispered, but blinked her eyes so she could focus on the concerned face above her. "You look just the same."
"So do you." Houston played with a strand of long dark hair. "Can you stand?"
Cash nodded her head, "Yeah."
Carol grabbed a cup of water and handed it to Cash when she was back sitting in the chair. "You okay?"
"I'm good." the slightly dazed woman sipped at the cold water.
Houston watched as Cash got herself together and tried to keep her heart on a normal beat, but she had so many questions. "Why are you here?"
Cash sighed deeply and sat the cup of water on Carol's desk. "I need help getting me and my children away from my father."
Houston blinked several times before her brain actually registered what she was just told. "What the hell do you mean get away from? Did you not leave me to go back to him?"
"Yes," Cash answered softly.
The now irritated blonde started to pace as she ran her fingers through her short hair. "Then why in the hell did you even leave in the first place? Why did you leave me? Why did you take my family away from me?" Houston stopped and looked directly into watery blue eyes. "And explain to me why I should help you now?"
Carol and Karen looked from Cash to Houston wondering if maybe this conversation shouldn't have happened in a more appropriate place.
"I can't tell you," Cash replied breaking eye contact with the upset woman.
"Bullshit," Houston yelled out. "You can't just walk into my life and expect me to help you get away from a life that you sure in the hell ran to pretty fast." She knelt down so she was within Cash's personal space and glared. "Do you have any idea what your actions did to me? I barely survived. My heart shattered into hundred if not thousands of pieces."
Tears started to fall down Cash's cheeks. In the past that alone would have made Houston stop in her tracks and console the woman until she felt better, but that was a long time ago and it didn't matter any more.
"Houston why don't you back up for a minute." Karen patted the kneeling woman on the back.
"No, not until I find out why she is here and back in my life," Houston snapped back without looking.
Cash lowered her chin against her chest so her hair would cover her face. She was ashamed of her past actions, but she knew that she would do the exact same thing if it meant the same outcome.
"So you're going to remain silent?" Houston asked coldly and uncaring.
The silent brunette nodded her head.
"Fine, I won't help you until I get the answers I want." Houston stood up, grabbed her helmet and walked out of the building without another word.
No one paid any attention to the spilt coffee as it dripped down off the chair onto the carpet.
***************************************
Houston didn't pay any attention to the direction she rode in. All she knew was that her past had come back, and it didn't have any of the answers she was seeking.
"Why now? Why did she have to pop back into my life when everything was going so good?" she tossed out to herself as cars and trucks sped by without notice. "I have a good job that I love, and friends that tell me when I'm getting too annoying or when I'm a big ass."
Noticing a turn around spot that showed a view of the Pacific ocean she slowed down. She gazed at the water without taking her helmet off and watched as a yacht slowly made its way out of her sight. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"
With a big sigh Houston pushed her helmet off her head and looked up into the sky. "Give me a sign of some sort will ya big guy?" She waited and waited, and nothing happened. "Guess I'm on my own for this one." She shook her head and pulled her helmet back on her head. Just as she was about to start up her motorcycle, a small SUV pulled in and two kids, one boy and one girl, jumped out of the back seat and stood in awe of the scenic picture before them.
Houston smiled at them and turned the key. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement and watched as the children's parents climbed out of the car. The driver held out her right hand so the passenger could take a hold of it. Slowly they made their way to stand behind the kids. Each woman rested a hand on a smaller shoulder as they got lost in a nature's portrait.
Pushing up the kick-stand Houston nodded her head and headed back the way she had come. "I hope I can handle these next few weeks," she mumbled to herself before she gunned the engine to full throttle.
**************************************
Carol and Karen looked up at each other when they heard the last sound of Houston's motorcycle. Cash still sat in the chair, and cried for the choices she had made, and the consequences they produced.
"Well, that was fun," Karen mumbled as she headed back to her desk. "Guess we better find you a new driver." She went to grab the folder with their list, but was stopped by Carol.
"No, she will be back once she calms down," Carol said as she rubbed Cash's shoulders. "She just needs to get everything in perspective."
"I don't blame her." Cash looked up with tears running down her face. "What I did was so wrong."
"Can you tell us why you did it?" Karen leaned her elbows on her desk and waited to see if they might get the answers for Houston. "Why did you leave her?"
Cash wiped the palm of her hand across her face as she took in a deep breath. "I had no choice. It was either leave, or watch as my father destroyed her."
"How could your father destroy her?" Carol asked "Why didn't you just talk to Houston?"
"You have to understand, my father is a very powerful man. Hell, one of his best friends is the President of the United States. He could gather information on someone and have them lost and buried in the desert with the snap of his fingers." The tall brunette leaned back in her chair and looked up to the ceiling. "He has never liked my lifestyle. He had scared off every single woman I ever had a relationship with. I couldn't handle it any more, so I took off. I knew at some point he would find me, but I had to try."
"Is that when you met Houston?" Karen questioned softly.
Cash grinned. "Yes. Never in my life had I felt such freedom. I gave her everything, told her my deepest fears and most sacred secrets." She slapped her hands on her thighs. "Then it was over. He contacted me."
"What did he want?" Carol asked.
"He wanted me and the children to come move in with him. He didn't want everyone to find out that his one daughter was living in sin." Cash rubbed her hands up and down her thighs. "Especially his grandchildren. He wants to rase them to be the spitting image of himself." She started to laugh softly.
Karen glanced over to Carol, then back to Cash with raised eyebrows. "Why are you laughing?"
"Trent and Tara are so not going to go for that. I think they have too much of Houston in them." Cash smiled with that statement. "I always hoped that would be the case. She has no fear of anything."
"You're wrong about that," Carol whispered.
Cash tilted her head to look the woman in the eyes. "What is she afraid of?"
"Right now she is scared that she still loves you."
"I think she has made it perfectly clear that she doesn't," Cash replied quietly.
Karen shook her head. "No, I think that she showed all of us that you still affect her, and that she is just fighting it until she gets the answers to the question she has." She glanced out the office window. "Are you going to tell her?"
Cash didn't answer right away. She knew that she should, but the fear of her father was winning the internal battle. "I'm not sure."
"Well, I think you need to in order to get everything straightened out. Houston isn't our only driver, but she is the best," Carol stated.
"How did she come to work for you? She was a successful business woman who was about to become one of the first woman presidents of a well known corporation," Cash inquired out of the blue.
Carol and Karen nodded to each other in a silent agreement.
"Who says she works for us?" Karen crossed her arms over her chest.
"What? I thought..." Cash watched as both woman shook their heads.
"We work for her, but no one knows that. She is the silent owner, and no one knows about it but Carol and I and the lawyers," Karen informed Cash, "So please don't say anything to anyone."
"Why did you tell me?" Cash wondered.
Carol stood up and walked around her desk to stand next to Cash. "Because we have seen what Houston is like without you in her life, and we know it's not who she really is."
"Who is she?" Cash blinked her eyes trying to stop the fresh tears.
Karen stood up and knelt down next to Cash. "Half of a person."
***********************************
When Houston walked into the office and stood in the doorway with the door open, Carol and Karen both looked up from their paperwork.
"Well?" Carol stood up to get Houston a glass of water. "Do you feel better?"
Houston nodded and went to sit in the chair Cash had sat in earlier. "Sorry for acting like a jerk."
"No need to apologize. Your reaction is totally understandable." Karen smiled letting their friend know all was okay.
Carol handed Houston the cup before she wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What are you going to do?"
Houston lowered her head and took a very deep breath. "I'm going to do the only thing I can do. There is no way I could live with myself if something happened to them. So I will do my job and try not to get too involved."
Carol looked into the seated woman's eyes. "Do you think you will be able to do that? Keep everything at arm's length?"
Houston shrugged her shoulders.
******************************
Cash pulled her car into the garage and just sat there trying to get her emotions in order before she walked into the house. She knew that if her father saw her now he would know something had happened and try to get it out of her. Her kids would get all concerned and worried, and that was the very last thing she ever wanted.
The knock on her window scared her so much she jumped and hit her head on the top of the car. "Ouch."
"Oh, I am so sorry Ms," Maxwell said after opening the door. "I did not mean to scare you. I was just concerned something might be the matter."
Cash waved her hands in front of her. "It's alright Max. I didn't know anyone saw me pull in."
Max nodded his head in understanding. He had always had a soft spot for this young woman, and hated his employer for the way he treated her. "Why don't you go in through the front Ms. Mrs. Baker has the children in the kitchen making cookies for dessert."
Cash smiled over to one of the only persons in her life that treated her like a person and not a thing. "Thanks Max, you are the best."
"Only do what I get paid to do Ms." Maxwell held out his hand to assist Cash out of the car.
Cash stood and didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the tall skinny man dressed in a black suit. "You do so much, more than anyone else has."
Maxwell fought the tears that threatened to fall. He had wished all his life that he could have had a daughter like the woman hugging him now. "Thank you Ms."
"I'll see you inside." Cash gave him one last squeeze before she headed into the house.
******************************
Joseph watched his daughter from the window of his bedroom with coldness. He knew in his gut that she was up to something, but what it was he had no clue. "I think it's time my daughter found the perfect man to marry and settle her down some."
With strong fingers he picked up his phone. "This is Joseph, I was wondering if you were busy tomorrow night?"
He listened to the answer and smiled. "Good, you'll be taking my daughter out, and need to make a good impression. Who knows, this may be your way to get into my good graces again." He hung up and continued to watch his tall daughter until she was in the house. "Time to make you see who you really should be."
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The next night Cash stood in front of her mirror brushing her hair. "I can't believe that man would order me to go out with Patrick." She thought of the last time she was in the same room with the man, and it made her skin crawl. "I'll just go out and try my best to be polite so I won't piss off Father, but the first chance I get to leave, I'm taking it." She sighed when she heard a loud knock and her father's voice. "I should have stayed in New York."
She set her brush on the sink and opened her door. "I'm ready Father."
"Good, and you best make sure you have a good time. This young man could be the successor to my business."
"Then why do I have to go out with him?" Cash asked.
Joseph glared at his daughter. "Because I said so." He started to walk to the stairs, but stopped and turned around to look Cash in the eyes. "He would also make a great father figure for your children."
"Bullshit," Cash thought to herself.
"Now hurry up. You don't want to keep him waiting," the arrogant man stated.
"Yes, Father," Cash replied, and followed the man down the steps to what was sure to be a very boring evening.
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Houston walked along the beach front, listening to the water crash against the sandy beach. This was always her favorite time to come out here and just watch and try not to think. It was proving to be hard not thinking of a tall brunette with eyes the same shade as the ocean waters. "I need to set my feelings aside and do my job. I need to get her to safety and make sure her father does not find her."
She slouched down to sit in the sand. Her toes wiggled around until they were covered. "Have to get my heart to listen to my head, and not get emotional about it." The sounds of laughter from behind made her look at a couple holding hands and running towards the water.
Unable to stop staring Houston felt tears form in her eyes. She remembered what it was like to be that in love, and not have a care in the world. Her only thoughts were of holding and loving Cash. "And to make her smile," Houston mumbled as she wiped a fallen tear off her cheek.
Unable to stand being that close to the couple, Houston stood up and walked back to the parking lot where her car was parked. "I need to finish this and take a long vacation." She unlocked her door and grabbed her shoes and put them back on before she climbed in. She rolled her window down and she started the engine.
The smell of a restaurant floated on the breeze, and as soon as Houston nose caught the aroma her stomach growled. "Guess I better go eat."
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Cash sat in the dimly lit restaurant and listened as Patrick droned on and on about himself, and what he wanted out of his future. She closed her eyes and cringed when he started in on what family life would be like for them.
"Excuse me, but this is only our first date," Cash stated calmly. "I suggest you slow things down a little bit."
"Oh come on babe, I know you feel the spark just as much as I do. We're going to be the best looking couple around," Patrick replied arrogantly.
Unable to listen to him talk any more, Cash tossed her napkin on the table and stood. "Excuse me, I need to visit the ladies room."
Patrick stood up. "No problem. I'll order dessert for us while you're gone."
"You do that." Cash turned and made her way through the sea of tables to where the restrooms were located.
Houston entered the Enchanted Sea and looked around. She had never been here, but thought she'd give it a try since it was the first place she had come upon after leaving the beach.
"Hello, my name is Sandy, can I help you?" a perky looking teenager asked as she pulled out a menu.
Houston smiled. "Yes, do you have a table for one?"
"Sure do, follow me." Sandy practically skipped as she made her way towards a small table with two empty chairs. "Here you go. Marcus will be your server."
"Thank you, Sandy." Houston sat down and started to look over the extensive menu. "What do I feel like?"
Cash studied Houston as she decided what she was going to eat. Unable to stop watching a battle was going on with her emotions on whether she should walk over and talk with her ex-lover. Deciding that she really needed to see a sort of friendly face, she headed towards the table.
"Hi," Cash said softly, standing behind the seated woman.
Houston laid the menu down and turned. "Hi."
Neither woman said a thing for several long seconds until the silence was broken by Sandy rushing over with an extra menu. "Are you going to join her?"
"I wish I could, but I have to get back to my table. I just wanted to say hello." Cash smiled.
"You can sit for a few minutes. Can't you?" Houston stood up and gestured towards the empty chair across from her. "Please."
Cash nodded her head and made her way to take a seat. "You know I could never say no when you say please." She smiled up at Sandy who had left and was back with a glass of ice water. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." The waitress grinned and then looked to Houston. "Marcus will be right here in just a second to take your order."
Houston nodded her head without taking her eyes off of Cash. Her heartbeat increased as she watched the tall woman sip her drink. The blue cotton dress she had on brought out the color of her eyes, and the contrast of her long dark hair surrounding her face made her look like a goddess.
"So what are you doing here?" Cash asked.
Houston swallowed the lump in her throat. "Eating dinner."
"Funny," Cash laughed.
"What about you?" Houston leaned against the top of the table with her elbows. "What brings you out tonight?"
Cash looked over the smaller woman's shoulder to the man seated quietly looking out the window. Houston followed her gaze and sighed. "You're on a date." It was not a question, it was a statement.
"Unfortunately, yes." Cash slouched in her seat. "My father set it up."
"Lovely," Houston mumbled. "You think you should get back to him?"
Cash gave her a disgusted look. "Not really." Just as she said that, Patrick looked over and saw her. He gave her a look of confusion before he stood up and started to make his way over. "Great, here he comes."
Houston rolled her eyes. "So much for a quiet evening."
"Friend of yours?" Patrick asked sarcastically.
Cash stood up. "Yes, Houston Mckinney, this is Patrick Ross."
"Hi." Houston gave him a small wave. "Well it looks like you two are having a nice evening, so you should go sit back down and enjoy it."
"Please Houston," Cash pleaded.
Patrick reached for his date's arm and tugged her towards their table. "Let's go."
Cash tried to tug her arm free, but he was too strong. "I'll head back to the table when I'm ready."
"No, you will go when I say," Patrick ordered in a cool tone.
Houston stood up and grabbed the big man's shirt collar. "I suggest you take your hands off her now."
The irate man let go of Cash's arm so he could get a hold of the small blonde who had dared touch him. "Get your hands off me before you regret it."
"No, you will be the one who will regret it. I may be small, but I could kick your ass." Houston made her point by flipping the man over her shoulder so he came crashing down on the small table she had just been sitting at. "Stay down before I really embarrass you."
Cash stood with her mouth wide open. She had never seen anything like it, and as she noticed the shocked expression on Patrick's face she couldn't help but laugh. "I wish I could have done that."
Houston grabbed her hand and led her towards the front door. "Who knows, maybe I'll teach you how."
"I like that idea," Cash replied as she followed the smaller woman without question or thought about the consequences.
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Continued in part two..

Now the hard part.. How about letting me know what you thought? It's not like it will take a minute or two.. So come on.. I dare ya! Tinstrttn@aol.com

© August 2005 All Rights Reserved T. Stratton