DARCY

I was really in a deep sleep, so I didn't hear the front door open and close. The first inkling I had that Terry was there was his voice whispering in my ear, "Darcy, what the fuck is all this? A bloody pyjama party?"

I blinked awake, and there he was, kneeling beside me.

"Hey Tio," I smiled. "You lookin' for your 'wife'?" A shadow crossed his face and I thought, "Oh, oh. Here we go..." but he gave me a slow grin.

"I see her, all curled up with your 'husband'...while you sleep with another man. And what the fuck is that shit on the table, Macushla?" I cut my eyes to the coffee table, where the latex casts sat in their naked glory. In the light of morning they looked vulgar and obscene. "What kind of hanky panky goes on here, love? This all looks a bit rough to me."

"Well sweetie, it looks worse than it is. Don't let your imagination run away with you, 'kay?"

He grinned. "So you've been playing agony aunt to my sheila, have you, love? How much you know?"

I carefully moved Doc's arm from around my neck and sat up. "Not much really." 

He gave me an inscrutable look.

"I know Uma's a bit upset. Went a little crazy," I said, unsure whether to go any further.

"Christ almighty! What's she been up to now?" 

"Oh, this and that. She'll tell you." I stretched and yawned. "I'm going to put some coffee on."

"Good idea, mate. I could use it." 

He stood and went over to where Jeff and Uma slept wrapped up under the doona. I watched his face as he stood over her, and a curious look came over it, an expression different from any I'd seen there before. It was all mixed up: happiness, frustration, amusement; and irritation. She drove Terry crazy, led him a merry chase, did our Uma. He nudged her with his toe. "Get up, woman."

Uma didn't move.

Tio nudged again, a little harder this time. Nothing. Finally he bent down and gave her a resounding slap on her doona-padded posterior. I'm sure it didn't hurt her, but it woke her, all right.

"What the hell was that?" she exclaimed, looking up with bleary eyes. She squinted, focused. "Terry!" She scrambled to her feet and stared at him, her eyes like saucers and her face white. "Terry," she whispered. "How did you know where to find me?"

"You hiding from me then?" He gave her a piercing glance. She blushed. "Finding people is my job. Remember? You leave an easy trail, mate. Littered with clues."

Uma sort of whimpered and Terry reached for her. He held her tightly, his face in her neck. 

Suddenly he bent forward and threw her over his shoulder - a fireman's carry! - straightened and made for the stairs. Uma's face bounced and jounced as he started up. As they disappeared from sight, she looked up at me and I saw her expression. She was scared. Suddenly the hysteria of the night before was making more sense. She was on the edge and it hadn't just been the baby scare that had caused it. What the hell had happened while she was away?

"Well, I reckon her vow of chastity is forgotten now," I said to nobody in particular. From the couch, Doc's voice came, hoarse and growling from under the covers. "Who cares about her? What about you?"

I went over and kissed him. "Go back to sleep, honey."

UMA

He threw me on the bed in Jeff's room with little ceremony and went to close the door. 

"This is Jeff's room." I said sullenly.

"Yeah, and guess who's been sleeping in little poofta's bed?" he retorted, pointing out that he had already noticed the clutter of my clothes and makeup everywhere.

"On my own." I insisted.

"Yeah, I noticed. You just use Jeff in place of a doona, do ya? How are you?" His voice changed from cutting to caring in seconds.

I shrugged. "OK." Actually I wasn't. My head was banging and my stomach was churned up- the fireman's lift had not helped. Suddenly: "I'm going to throw up...." I hurtled out of the room to the bathroom and vomited violently in the bowl. And groaned. Jesus, he could have waited until I had gotten over my skinful of booze before he laid all this on me.

Then I realized he had followed me and was standing at the door. "Go away," I muttered.

"You OK?" he asked, more hesitantly this time.

"Just leave me alone."

I felt him watching me for a few minutes as I splashed water on my face and gargled. My stomach was still heaving, unsurprisingly. Then he simply turned away. I heard him say. "If that's how you feel, I'll go then. I just thought...ah, what the fuck...!"

I shot round to look at him. "I didn't mean go. I just meant let me throw up in peace. It's embarrassing being watched. That's all."

He smiled a half smile and sighed. "Better get used to it, hadn't I?" I wasn't sure I understood what he meant.

"Uma, can you fill me in? Get me up to speed? I get the feeling I only know half of what is going on all the time. And I don't like it when that happens."

I finished brushing my teeth and drank some water. Going back to the bedroom, I sat on the bed and he sat on a chair and I opened my mouth to begin but he interrupted.

"Wait a sec....I need to clear my head." He opened the door and shouted down "Hey, Darcy- how's about that cup of coffee? Bring it up will you, love?" Then he sat back down again.

"Starting last night, please love - we'll work back." 

"Well, I needed cheering up. So Darcy got a bit silly and then Jeff joined in and, well, it wasn't me really, but I kind of got swept along with it..." It was only a white lie.

"No, you wouldn't ever arse about, would you? What do you mean by 'it'?"

"We were making models."

"Of dicks, yeah, I noticed. Why?"

"To make vibrators."

"Vibrators? What the fuck you need vibrators for? You girls get more action than a lone dildo in a women's prison."

"It's a long story."

"I'll bet. So Sheila flashes his little stiff one and you cast it?" 

I thought it better not to mention SID, so decided to play along with that one. "Er, sort of. Actually it was quite a big stiff one." Terry glanced across with his Queen Victoria face on. You know the "we are not amused look" he has.

I sniffed. "Iron Butt did all the work. I didn't touch him."

"Who is Iron Butt?" He asked now obviously confused.

"Darcy. That's my new name for her."

"Iron Butt? Darcy? What's wrong with her butt?"

"Ask Doc. She nearly caused him permanent damage. Next time you two play hide the wash cloth, watch it if she drops the soap and bends down suddenly. Her butt's a lethal weapon."

He chose to ignore my comment. "What about the other one? There were two casts. He had two goes at it? One for each of you?"

'"That was the cut one. Jeff's still has his coat on. So we decided to get an alternative."

"Alternative? You talked Wigand into that? Jesus, you're better than I thought."

"Terry, I was drunk. You know how I get. A bit mad. Mental. I've had a lot of pressure lately. We were just celebrating."

He rubbed his face in his hands. "Celebrating? You got pissed? Christ, Uma, you have to be the most irresponsible woman I have ever met. Don't you think of anyone but yourself? Celebrating getting pregnant by drinking yourself senseless? We better get a few things straight here, love..."

I stared at him. "What did you say? How do you know that? How can you possibly know that?"

"That you went through the portal with Il Duce? I hardly need to enlarge on what you got up to there but suffice it to say that he knocked you up and you are now cock-a-hoop over your little Roman bundle of joy and pickling the little tyke at the same time. Am I warm?"

"I...who told you?" I was aghast. How could he know?

"Maximus kindly enlightened me. In his usual public spirited way. Thought I ought to prepare myself. What a guy!" He fished around in his pocket and pulled out cigarettes and a lighter. Lighting up and dragging deeply he suddenly said "This bad for you? Should I put it out?"

I shook my head and sat in shock. Maximus told him? When? Why? "Where did you meet Maximus?"

"Long story. I've been out of commission for a while, doing a job. It involved Max, I'll tell you about it sometime. When it was over we got drunk together one night and ..." He dragged on the cigarette again..." the subject of you came up."

"Did you fight?" I asked tentatively.

"Oh, you would have liked that, wouldn't you? No, we didn't. When he told me I was so shocked that I didn't have the strength to do anything. But I was angry with him. How dare he take you there? It could have been dangerous. Do you never use your head?" Terry put his own head in his hands; he was really hurting and I just wanted to run away and hide. He didn't deserve any of this.

"It was my choice. I couldn't resist the temptation..."

"No, of course not. That's you, isn't it? Like a little kid in a toy shop. Uma, the portals are dangerous. This was not a history lesson. Anything could have happened...that was a dangerous time..."

"Don't tell me what I already know. Stop treating me like a helpless female. I'm not. I had enough of that from him. You don't own me. Nobody does. If you want to do something, you do it. So do I."

"I weigh up risks, Uma. I never act unless I'm able to exert some control over the consequences. And I try to think of how my actions will affect others. What about others, Uma? Have you any idea what this did to Bou?  Shit - you even involved Darcy, although I don't think she realized how she was being used."

I wrung my hands together and looked at the floor. "You forget to mention you."

"Pardon?"

"How this affects you. I lied to you. That was the worst thing I did."

"No, it wasn't. You lied because you knew I would say no and do everything in my power to stop you. I can understand why you did that. And I'm tough enough to cope with it...but the others..." He stopped as if he suddenly didn't know what else to say.

A tear ran down my cheek. "You're not tough enough to cope with this. I know you. Bou and Max have their own things to sort out. It's you who needs help. I have wounded you so badly; thrown away all we had. I don't blame you if you walk away and never come near me again."

It was his turn to look down, fighting for control and beginning to win the battle when he spoke, voice deep and hard to hear. "I'm not going anywhere. Neither of you expected it to happen. It isn't like you planned it that way. You just got shafted by the games you'd been playing. But now someone needs to take care of you and the baby." He cleared his throat. "I don't know how much help I will be but I'll stand by you. It isn't as if the baby won't look like me. If you want him there when it comes to the delivery, I'll back off then. He can see you both when he wants. It won't be much difference really than the way we live already..."

I honestly thought my heart would break. I felt a pain so deep inside that for a desperate moment I really did expect just to lay down and die. I tried to speak but nothing came out of my mouth. For what felt like hours I struggled to find the words to tell him and finally: "But I'm not. I mean there's no baby. It was a false alarm. I did the test. Twice. We were celebrating not being pregnant. I just didn't think you would know. And I tried to call you. But you never had your phone on. So I just came to Darcy's and cried and Jeff sorted me out and then..." I rambled on with streams of consciousness and Terry listened with his mouth open, trying to follow my illogical drivel.

"You mean...Maximus didn't?"

I stopped. "Didn't what?"

"Well, I know he did that but he didn't... I thought he was shooting live ones?"

"Guess I was the one with the problem then, I don't know. Perhaps the rules reverse in the other dimension. Must ask Nash sometime. I haven't had a period for ages. I think it stopped them or something."

"But negative. You sure?" He repeated.

"Sure."

"But you threw up."

"I drank a gallon of gin last night, ate mountains of rubbish and even tried swallowing a whole banana."

"Banana?"

I smirked shamefaced. "Jeff was teaching us a little trick."

"Don't tell me. Just promise it will pay off, love. I expect some payback after this little fiasco, you do realize that?"

I nodded. He stood up and knelt down by the bed, slipping his arms round my waist and I clung onto him speechless. 

"You need to get some sleep. Me too. Come on, let's get you to bed." I let him pull off the baggy sweats and jumper I was wearing and he rolled me into the bed like a little child.

Pulling off his clothes, he was down to his shorts about to join me when all hell seemed to break loose downstairs. I could hear Darcy pleading with someone and the sound of furniture being knocked over. Needless to say Action Man was on to it, immediately.

"Stay here. Looks like Laurel and Hardy have gone for each other. Won't be a minute."

"You can't go like that?" I exclaimed as he walked to the door in his undies.

"Why not?" He flirted me a look and a grin and loped out.

I lay there listening to the fracas. I was sure I could hear another voice. More sounds of scuffling, a few groans and Terry saying something about "Calm down." Then the front door slammed, another surge of violence and shouting, and a few minutes later the door slammed again. A car revved up and I heard Terry returning.

"What's going on?"

"Psycho cop has arrived. Shit hit the fan. Darcy has legged it, White is in pursuit. Let them sort it out. He won't lay a finger on her. Well, not in violence anyway. Not our problem. We have enough of our own. Move over. I'm fucking freezing."

"Bud? Does he know I'm here?"

"No. And keep your nose out. And any other parts of your body. I'm warning you..."

"I didn't mean that. Terry, I am not going near anyone. I've made a vow." He lay on his side, his arm around me, smirking over, hardly convinced.

"I love you, Terry. It wasn't because I stopped loving you, you do know that?" I whispered into the warm solid bulk of his chest.

"I know. And I love you too. What the fuck you think I'm here for? Who else would bloody have you except a loser like me? But I am laying down some rules. No more portals. No more lies. And you write letters of apology to everybody. I mean everybody. You have some real bridges to build, mate. Got that?"

"You're worse than me Dad," I moaned, lapsing into my northern accent, but hugging him to me all the same.

"Good. Then at least one of us has a measure of control over you. But that's as far as it goes. Being like your Dad, I mean. 'Cos what I do next, your Dad would have my balls for," he giggled and ran his hands down my body.

"Terry, I should perhaps mention that I have renounced the pleasures of the flesh and in future will only be having a platonic relationship with you...Jesus, do that again, Terry....oh my GOD, Terry, aaaah. Yes, Oh yes!"

"You say something?" he murmured from deep under the blankets.

"I'm giving up sex."

"Good idea. Just show me what you were doing with that banana will you first, love? Will this do to demonstrate on?" He indicated a distinctly appropriately shaped appendage.

"It was only a little banana. Darcy had the very big zucchini..."

"Maybe I should go get her back then?" he said, giving his cock a stroke.

"But she bit it in half." 

He winced. "Well, you have a go anyway, unless Jeff has any better ideas...." I thumped him and he laughed. "By the way- which did you go for? Cut or uncut?"

"What do you reckon, big head?" I chortled as I settled down to give my man the bloody treat of his life. Blowing isn't sex, is it, Bill?

Later, much later, lying in the haze of sleep and fulfillment, when I thought he had finally dozed off, he suddenly spoke:

"Are you disappointed? In any way?"

"Disappointed? About what?" I murmured and nuzzled up against his naked back, sliding my leg between his.

"About the baby? Surely some part of you would like to be a mother."

I thought about that and dragged on his shoulder, forcing him onto his back so that I could see his face; or maybe so he could see mine. "Yes, a part of me is sorry - but that's biology not emotion. I would love to have a baby some day. But I'd never have any man's baby but yours. You're the only one I love enough for that. I wish we could be parents one day. I think we might be unconventional but we'd give it our best shot this time.  However I have to accept that it can't be, so I make the best of things. And the best is bloody good.  Fantastic. I wouldn't change it for the world. I wouldn't change you for the world...."

I looked over at him and he looked across at me. "What about you? How would you feel if we could have a baby? Do you ever think about it, Terry?"

He knitted together his brows in that way he has when he's hurting or rather, trying to pretend that he's not. "Of course I do. I miss my son even if I wasn't much use to him. I always thought that maybe one day I would get the chance to do it again - and properly this time. And if I ever could, you'd be the girl I'd want to do it with." He shrugged; we both smiled. No primal rhythms. No heightened senses. No magnetic force bending me to his will. Just a bloke. In my bed. That I loved more than anything. Is anything better than that?

"You never know...." he murmured into my ear. "...miracles do sometimes happen..."

DARCY

It was 8:00 a.m. I sat with my coffee and stared at the wreckage around me. Dirty, lipstick smeared glasses, smashed VB cans, and half-full liquor bottles littered the table. Cardboard boxes with dry and curling slices of pizza inside, hundreds of crinkled scraps of silver foil, empty bags of chips and half-eaten jars of salsa lay all over the counter. And there on the coffee table, the piece de resistance, the two latex rectangles with a clear and sharp impression of SID's considerable tool. Without the hazy shield of alcohol to numb me, I was appalled at the sight of it. What had we done?

Jeff stirred on the floor, curled up under his doona. I watched and smiled to myself as he stretched, threw back the covers, and scratched luxuriantly at his groin. It was what he did almost every morning, before turning to me for kisses and a wake-up session. My darling Jeff. My One. He was becoming dearer every day we spent together.

I looked at the couch where Doc still slept, a faint rumbling snore coming from his partly open mouth. Doc. Dear, sweet, good Doc, who loved me like I loved another. Two men, both so important, both much loved, but I truly wished I was not in the position of having them here at the same time. It was a first for me, having two of the Boys at the house together. It was also a last. I vowed I'd never put myself in this position again. I felt uncomfortable and awkward, and my normally active libido had deserted me. I meant it when I said I was giving up sex for the duration of Doc's visit; I just didn't want to make the choice of one or the other. Doc wanted me; I knew he had been expecting a romantic weekend together, but I couldn't do it. Couldn't take him into my bed - our bed, the bed Jeff and I had been sharing - and lock Jeff out. My heart cringed at the thought of him lying alone, listening as I loved another man.

No, Doc and I would just have to get together another time, when Jeff was not at home. I hoped he'd forgive me. He'd been more than patient with all the goings on since he'd been here: this had been nothing like his Christmas visit. And I'd had such lovely plans for the two of us when I'd invited him! All for naught now, with the advent of Uma and her madness, to say nothing of my new bond with Jeff and the way it was affecting how I thought.

A faint clicking sound made me turn my head toward the living room. Was that the door? It opened, slammed. My heart leapt into my throat: only one other person has a key to that door besides Jeff and me, and I hadn't been expecting him.

I got to my feet as he came into the kitchen. "Bud!"

He swept me into his arms, crushed me into a bear hug. "Ah, Sweetheart! You feel so good," he whispered into my neck, his hands gentle in my hair, on my back. Yet in just a moment, he stiffened and pulled away.

"What the fuck is that?" He went over to the coffee table and lifted the latex mold, examined it. When he looked at me, his eyes were like ice, cold and piercing. He was in full Puritan mode. "What have you been doing, Darcy?" he asked, and bent a penetrating glare on me, all but pulsing with fury. I knew he would never lay a hand on me, but he didn't sound happy and apparently Doc and Jeff were not as sure of him as I was. They eyed him warily, and Doc rose quickly from the couch. Jeff stood up too, an irritated, belligerent look on his normally friendly face.

"What's he doing here?" Bud barked angrily, jerking his chin at Doc.

"I invited him, that's what he's doing here," I said calmly, laying a hand on his arm. "You really surprised me, Bud. I didn't think I'd see you for months."

He growled, "That's pretty fuckin' obvious. I got a couple of meetings downtown this afternoon - business stuff. Thought I'd stop in and say hello." He nodded at Jeff, his eyes narrow and hard. "Mitchell."

Jeff gave him a cool, "How's it goin' White."

Doc, like the gentleman he is, extended his hand. "Bud. Nice to see you."

To my shock, Bud ignored him. Just ignored him, until I said pointedly, "Bud, this is Dr. Jeff Wigand. We call him Doc around here."

Bud still didn't look at Doc. "We've met. Are you gonna tell me what's going on here, Sweetheart?" 

And then, from upstairs, Tio's bellow: "Darcy? How's about that cup of coffee? Bring it up, will you love?" 

A palpably seething Bud seized me roughly by the shoulder and spat, "What is this, a fuckin' orgy? Who else is here, goddammit?"

And that was all it took; he had laid hands on me in anger, albeit with no intent to harm. Jeff went for him, Doc grabbed him. At Bud's outraged bellow, my loud protests, and the unmistakable sounds of fighting, Tio came leaping down the stairs in his boxers.

"What the fuck?" he roared, just in time to see Bud manhandle Jeff off him and shove him into Doc, who promptly groaned aloud and bent over. I have no idea what happened, but poor Doc went down clutching his crotch. It was like deja vu.

"Oh, my God! Doc!" I cried, and rushed to him. 

Tio got between Bud and Jeff, pushed Jeff back and faced Bud. "For Christ's sake, White. Cool it!"

I knelt next to Doc. "Oh honey, not again?" I cooed sympathetically, my hand on his arm. He jerked away from me and rolled into a ball on the floor, barked at me through gritted teeth: "You stay away from me! Leave me the hell alone."

Now, that hurt. Broke my heart, really. He was blaming me for things getting out of hand; to him, this was obviously all my fault. I struggled to my feet and in the turmoil, slipped unnoticed into the living room. I felt like I had to get out of there, away from the houseful of maniacs who were turning my life into confusion and havoc. I snatched a coat from the closet and got out of the house unseen. Started walking towards the center of town, crying and sobbing every step of the way. My God, what a farce this weekend had turned into!

I was three blocks away when from behind, I heard a car coming up fast. Felt the adrenaline kick in and wondered if I could out run whoever it was if I hopped the picket fence bordering the yard next to me. The car stopped and the passenger window rolled down.

"Darcy... Get in the car."

Bud. I should have known he'd follow me. I wondered how many of them he'd gone through to get out of the house first. Were the rest in hot pursuit?

"You get away from me!" I threw at him, and picked up my pace.

He kept even with me, said again, a little more nicely this time. "Please, Sweetheart. Just get in the car."

"Go away, Bud! Leave me alone!" I had come to a corner and took off running across a neighbor's yard, heading for the opposite sidewalk. Behind me, I heard the engine rev and then Bud's car swerved in front of me in a blur of blue, cutting me off. He was on me and dragging me toward it before I could turn and run the other way. And even though I was almost blind with fury, I took note of the people looking at us and pointing. A man was coming over to intercept us: we were about to end up on the 6:00 news. Woman kidnapped in neighbor's front yard! I could see it now: Bud decking the guy, lawsuits, exposure. I tried to wave the man off but he kept coming.

Bud snapped open his LAPD badge and shoved it in his face. "Police business! This woman is armed and dangerous, pal. Get the hell out of here before you get hurt." The Good Samaritan backed off, hands in the air.

Outraged, I fought him like a lunatic, so mad I was ready to hit him, and he simply picked me up and carried me to the car. I couldn't help thinking, 'Oh yeah, Bud. Police business? When's the last time anyone saw a cop carry a criminal?'

Once deposited in the seat, I thought about waiting until he was halfway around the car and taking off again, but I gave up the idea as a bad one. Even with his bum knee, he is much faster than I am. He'd only run me down and we'd cause a bigger scene than we already had. So I sat fuming while he got in and pulled into traffic. Neither of us said a word until he hit the highway and really started motoring. It suddenly hit me: he was heading for the farm...the 30 acre parcel of land my family owned. Nobody lived there; it was just a deserted old place with a dilapidated barn and some outbuildings. I had taken Bud to see it on his last trip here and asked his advice about rejuvenating the place, building a house. In only 20 minutes, we were there. Bud drove slowly over the rutted access road and pulled into a pine grove near the barn. The place was deserted, isolated. I knew him, knew what was on his mind. And if he thought for one minute he was getting into my pants, he had another thought coming!

He killed the engine and turned to me. I slapped him, hard. He grabbed both of my hands in one of his and held them immobile.

"What are you hitting me for?" Bud asked, honestly bemused.

"What for?" I sneered. "What for? For acting like a fucking cave man! Like a wolf marking his territory! Why didn't you just pee on me, for Christ's sake!"

He tried to be reasonable, conciliatory. "Sweetheart, I am territorial when it comes to you. I love you. You're mine, Darcy. You're my woman, my mistress."

I swung on him, fire in my eyes. "No Bud. The truth of it is, you're MY mistress. I'm the one who calls when I want you; I'm the one who requests a visit. Not you. You come when I say so!"

He snorted derisively. "Bullshit. I'm here now, aren't I? You didn't ask - I came to see why you didn't. And I got a fuckin' eyeful."

"You misread everything! You never wait for an explanation before you get mad," I accused. "And you were disgustingly rude to Doc."

"Fuck him."

I saw red. "You bet I will, just as soon as I get home!"

Now he was livid, his eyes sparking fury. "You aren't fucking anybody but me while I'm here, got it? Not Wigand, not Thorne and not that goddamn faggot."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I gasped, struggling against him, panting like a dog on a hot day. "I love that faggot, you hear me? I love him! And I love Doc and Tio."

Suddenly he was over me, pinning me down with his body. His lips were in my hair, on my cheek, sliding over to capture my mine. I tried to get away but he held me down, held my face immobile and forced me to look at him. He murmured low, told me that none of them loved me or wanted me like he did. He said he'd do anything to keep me happy except let me go, and after a few moments, I wasn't trying to get away anymore. After a few moments, I was kissing him back, sucking on his tongue, whimpering into his mouth. He let go of my head and ran his hands over my body, forced them between my legs and stroked me. He tore down the zip on my coat, pulled at my clothing until he had my breast in his mouth. He drew hard on the tip, mouthing me, licking me, driving me wild until I gave in to him and admitted what he already knew. Like I always do.

It was over quickly; Bud's pent desire and the testosterone rush he'd gotten from the fight drove him to take me hard and fast. We drove back in near silence; I was thinking about the night before and this morning - God knew what Bud was thinking. As he pulled up in front of the house and went to park, I laid a restraining hand on his arm.

"I don't want you to come in just now."

Anger and suspicion bloomed on his face. "Why not?"

"Just let me go in alone and mend fences, okay? You can come back later for dinner, if you'd like."

"You bet your sweet ass I'm coming back. Get rid of them, Darce. I want to sleep with you tonight." He saw the obstinate thrust of my jaw and changed tactics. "Please, Sweetheart...don't say no. Christ, if you knew how I've missed you..."

The longing in his tone softened my heart. I leaned to kiss him, intended it to be no more than a quick peck, but he pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard and deep. Words often failed Bud, but I knew what he was saying when he kissed me like that. He lifted his mouth, we leaned our foreheads together for a moment of silent communion.

"Go and take care of your business," I said finally. "We'll see when you get back. But I'm warning you, Bud. No fights. No being rude to Doc or Jeff, or you'll be spending the night somewhere else. I mean it."

He stared through the windshield. "Whatever you say." His fists suddenly gripped the steering wheel. "Darcy..."

I had started to open the door, but I stopped. "Yes?"

"You know I do these things because I love you, right? I don't mean to be such a prick but I...go crazy when I see the other guys around you. I can't help it."

I sighed. And I understood, I really did. Would I feel any differently if I had to stand by and watch him with another woman? Probably not. But that didn't make it right.

"I will never purposely put you in that position, Bud. But if it happens, you need to control yourself. This morning was just plain ridiculous. Those men are your Boys. You keep this up and you'll have them all thinking you're a dick."

He laughed, a short, curt, bark of a laugh. "I am a dick. A private dick." He looked at me and grinned. "Your private dick."

"Mine when you're here, baby. And everybody else's when you're not." I got out of the car and ran up the walk. This time, he made no attempt to stop me.

From the porch, I watched him drive away. The door opened behind me: a quick glance over my shoulder showed Jeff framed in the doorway.

"Hey babe. I thought..." He looked down, I saw him swallow.

"What, honey?"

He said, "Come in first."

As I passed him and started taking off my coat, he said quietly, "Doc's gone."

I nodded sadly. "I guessed he would be."

"Said you could call him whenever."

"I will."

I threw the coat on the chair and went through to the kitchen. It had been tidied; all the mess from last night cleared away.

"Did you do all this?" I asked, disbelieving.

Jeff nodded.

What a gem he was! "Thanks, honey. I'm glad I don't have to face it. Where's Uma and Tio?"

"Still in bed. Haven't been down."

I grinned. "Knowing those two, we'll be lucky to see them before spring."

He jerked his chin toward the door. "You okay? He didn't..."

"Hurt me? Hit me?"

Jeff nodded. 

"Never. No matter what you think of him, Jeff - and I know it isn't much - he'd never do that."

"He's done it before, Darce. And for the same reason. You shouldn't be so trusting."

I gazed at him. "I am though."

His face fell; he looked - I don't know. Sad. Defeated.

I ran my hand through my disordered hair. "I think I'll go up and get a shower, okay?"

"'Kay."

"What are you going to do?"

"Nothing," he said. "I'm not going to do a thing."

I didn't miss the double meaning.

I trudged wearily up the stairs, past Jeff's room. The unmistakable sound of squeaking bedsprings, not to mention Tio's rough and whispering sex voice floated through the closed door. For a minute, I felt a twinge of resentment. Lucky Uma. Like a cat thrown into the air, she'd landed on her feet again. She'd come here and wreaked havoc from the moment of her arrival, and who was in bed right now with the man she loved? Not me!

Resentment gave way to wry amusement, though. She'd had a hell of a scare, and now that it was all over, I was glad for her. Glad we had been there for her while she needed us. And Tio would take care of her now; he'd always take care of her. He was crazy about Uma and made no secret of it. But even Tio was torn between two loves...there was still Ann. I sighed. All of us, trapped between two lovers. Except me. I had three to drive me crazy.

I went into my bedroom and stopped dead, looked with disgust at the blue-smeared sheets. I couldn't stand them another minute; I tore them off the bed with a vengeance, rolled them into a tight ball and stuffed them in the laundry chute. Got fresh sheets from the closet and made up the bed again. At last I took myself into the shower and scrubbed myself raw, washing away all traces of the previous night's debauchery, and all traces of Bud's loving. I made sure I turned the taps off tightly and got out of the shower.

When I came into the bedroom toweling my hair, Jeff was waiting for me.

"C'mere, Darce," he said, patting the bed beside him. "Tired, lovey?"

I nodded. "Exhausted. All that partying last night, no sleep, and then all that ruckus this morning. I'm rooted," I admitted, giving him a rueful wink.

"Me too. Go for a kip with me?"

"You bet, sweetie. Let me get a nightgown."

He stopped me with a hand on my arm.

"No nightie, love. Please."

His eyes were burning, soulful, needy. I touched his face. "All right, then. No nightgown."

We lay down together on the fresh bedding. Jeff had stripped to his skin and gathered me into his arms and held me. I felt myself relax, was drifting off when his lips moved to my shoulder and began kissing - soft, sucking kisses that brought me back from the edge of sleep. I lay quietly, unmoving.

"Darcy? Baby, don't go off yet. Listen, love...I'm sorry about this morning. Sorry I started with him."

I turned in his arms. "Don't fight with him Jeff, promise me. He's so strong and he gets...well, he's ruthless when he's mad. He'll hurt you."

"Fuck that - it's not what I meant, and I'm not scared of Buzz Cut. I'm sorry it upset you, gave you a hard time." He grinned at me. "And I coulda got my licks in if Thorne hadn't come down. I'm not a candy ass, y'know."

I just looked at him, because I was pretty sure that not one of the Boys could stop Bud White in a rage without a gun or, in Maximus' case, a sword. Even then, it would be touch and go.

"Jeff. About this morning..."

"You don't have to explain anything to me, Darcy. I know how it is."

A nod. "All right. But there's just one thing I want you to know, okay?"

He kissed my nose. "What is it then, Sister Madly?"

"I love you. More than you know. You have no reason to be worrying." Despite my loving words, I snaked a hand up his cheek and when he wasn't expecting it, pulled his hair. Hard. "And stop calling me Sister Madly!"

"OW!" He caught my hand in his, brought it to his face and kissed the palm. "You know why I call you that, love? It's not because I think you're mental...though you are, sometimes."

I was sulking. Everyone else gets romantic nicknames from their Number One: Amante, Beloved. I get Sister Madly! 

"Why then?" I asked, more than a little peevish.

"Because I'm mad about you," he whispered, and kissed me.

I decided I liked the name, after all.

I awoke to voices downstairs. Slipped out of bed, dressed, and left Jeff sleeping with the angelic look on his face that I loved. 

Uma and Tio were rooting in the fridge as I came into the kitchen. 

"Hey, you two."

Tio smiled. "Hey, Macushla. What's up? Where are all your lovers?" He snickered, Uma snickered. I glared.

"Doc went home. This was all too much for him," I said, scowling darkly at Uma.

"Where's Bud?" she asked sweetly. "I'm dying to see him again."

Tio threw her a nasty glare.

I said, "Control your woman, Tio, or I swear, there will be fireworks!"

"She's all talk, love. Couldn't do with another bloke now if you paid her."

Uma snorted.

He said, "Darce, I'm starved. What's to eat in this house - or should we go out?"

I moved him aside and rummaged in the freezer. "I couldn't face going out if you paid me. How about steak? I've got some lovely T-bones... We could do potatoes in their jackets and have a nice salad."

"Sounds good," agreed Tio, taking the wrapped meat. "Want me to do the honors?"

I sent him out to the deck to light the grill, and passed Uma salad makings. "Everything okay with the two of you?" I asked, giving her a quick glance.

Uma seemed subdued. "We're fine. I don't deserve him, Darce. He puts up with so much."

"Maybe he likes it that way, honey."

She brightened. "Maybe. I hope he does, cos I know I'll never change."

Terry came in for the steaks, thawing rapidly in the microwave. He looked at them and counted. "Why five? There are only four of us."

I scrubbed energetically at a potato. "Bud's coming back for dinner. He'll be here any minute."

Tio frowned. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Darcy? He doesn't take well to other blokes being around."

"We had a talk. He'll be fine; he promised."

Terry snorted in disbelief. "What a crock, love! You're asking for trouble."

I said firmly, "I am not asking for trouble. I've had all the trouble I can take in the last two days, thank you very much."

"Uh huh." He jabbed a thumb at the ceiling. "What about Sheila upstairs, love? What does he say?"

"Nothing. Drop it, okay, Tio? We'll work it out. And don't call him Sheila."

"Whatever you say, love. It's your house." He took the platter of steaks and disappeared outside. After a moment's thought, I followed him.

"Tio..."

He was forking steaks onto the grill. "What's the matter, Macushla?"

"Nothing...well, everything. Do you really think there will be trouble tonight?"

He gave me an intense look and finished placing the steaks. "C'mere, love." I went into his arms gratefully and rested there. His lips nuzzled my hair. "Had all you can do with, eh darling?"

Quick tears sprang to my eyes. I nodded instead of answering; I was afraid I'd sob.

"Baby, listen. I promise you there will be no trouble tonight. One big happy family, okie dokie?"

My Tio. My treasure. How sweet it was to lay my troubles on him and let him take care of it. "You'll watch out for it then? Clap a stopper on it if it starts?"

Big hands, so gently circling on my back. "You know I will. I'd do most anything for you, Darce. You've been so good to Uma. And to me..."

His words trailed off and I knew he was thinking of the week we'd spent together at the end of January. It was a time I would keep close to my heart forever, a time when we'd come to know each other through almost constant conversation and, truth be told, almost constant lovemaking. There was not much Tio didn't know about me now, or I of him. We were well-matched, and if it weren't for Uma and Ann, or Bud or Jeff or Doc, things might have been different between us. Instead we were the kind of friends who stick by each other through thick and thin. I tightened my arms around him and squeezed extra hard.

"Hey, I love you Tio, you know that? And I thank you."

"No thanks necessary. Graim thu, cairde mo chroi..." Suddenly he chuckled. "Bandits at four o'clock! Guess who's looking out the window at us?"

I laughed. "Don't tell me, starts with a U and ends with an MA?"

"Too right. Little wench." He lifted his head a moment and then laughed outright.

"What did you do?"

"Crossed my eyes and pulled my tongue at her. Serves her right."

I stepped away. "I'd better go in before she comes out. I gave her a pretty big knife to chop the salad veggies."

"I'll get back to my steaks, then. And Darcy? Love? Don't worry about a thing. Uncle Tio's here."

Uma had been uncharacteristically quiet since I'd come back into the kitchen. I turned to her now. "Well?"

"Well, what?" She concentrated more than was necessary on the salad.

"Aren't you going to put your two cents in? Holler at me for hugging your man?"

Exaggerated innocence. "Never!" she declared. "I know how tight you two are: don't you think he tells me? It's always Darcy this, and Darcy that. But I must say it will be quite nice to see Bud again. I wonder if he...?"

"Uma..." I said, a warning in my tone. "Not here. You want a visit, ask for it. This is my time."

"Darling, I only meant I'd be glad to see him. I'm off sex."

"You're off your nut, that's what you are," I scoffed. "I heard those bedsprings going like mad not four hours ago. Who was that in there with Tio, your clone?"

"That's different. I'm Terry's Number One. Doing it with your Number One doesn't count."

I bent over to toss the potatoes in the oven. "Just like blow jobs, huh? Christ, I wish I had your ability to rationalize!"

Jeff sauntered into the kitchen and playfully slapped my rear. "Hey wife, what's for tea? I could chase the horse and eat the jockey."

"Tio's doing steaks outside on the grill. Why don't you give him a hand?" I said. "Show him your trick for cooking them medium rare to perfection."

"Sure." He threw on a coat, took two VBs from the fridge, and went outside.

I was setting the table when Bud came in. He didn't get a chance to say hello before Uma launched herself at him. 

"Bud, darling!" 

He caught her in his arms and looked at me sheepishly over her head, a "What can I do?" look. 

"Hurricane Uma! How's tricks, hon?" He kissed her cheek and disentangled himself from her grip, came over and kissed me gently. "Hello Sweetheart." His breath chuffed in my ear as he whispered, "Missed you all day."

"Missed you too. Did your meetings go well?" 

"Yeah, good. They went good. Made a few contacts, talked to the county dicks and a few lawyers. I should be getting some business out of them."

"Good for you." I looked up at him. "Do you want a drink?"

"Sure, I'll have a shot of scotch. I'll get it, you're busy," he said, and went to the liquor cabinet, then settled on the couch and flipped on the TV, the glass held loosely in his hand. "Where's the rest of the boys?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

I gave him a reproachful glance and said, "Doc's gone."

He muttered under his breath, but I heard him, "One down."

"And Jeff's on the deck with Terry, grilling steaks."

"Fuckin' swish."

"Bud!" 

"All right, all right. Don't get your bowels in an uproar, hon."

I warned him, "Behave! Or else." I felt like a mother with a houseful of wayward kids. Seemed like all I was doing was warning people to be good.

Bud, ever incorrigible, muttered into his glass: "Yeah, right."

All I could think was, Poor Tio. He'd have his hands full tonight keeping him under control.

UMA

I knew her game. She thinks she has them all fooled, you know. But she doesn't fool me. I mean, did she really think that I was going to make a move on Bud? With Terry around? After what I've been through? I just wanted to be friendly. Actually I think she has a sense-of- humorectomy. Of course, Terry was loving it. He is such a cocky bastard, you know. He regards it as some sort of tribute to his virility if he thinks we are all panting for him. Men! So he wants to play silly buggers, does he? So Iron Butt wants to play femme fatale? They better make sure they know the rules. I invented them.

So we sat down to dinner. Everyone was on their best behaviour. You know what I mean... Terry was inaugurating safe topics of conversation and intercepting any missiles that might be launched. Bud was sullen and answered all questions with a monosyllabic grunt. I love it when he does that. Jeff was pretending to be all wide-eyed innocent but his soliloquy on his favourite hand cream was such a wind up- Bud's face was a treat. I snorted and Darcy mouthed, all schoolma'mish, "Don't encourage him!" across the table. I just raised my eyes at her and ignored the pinch Terry gave me under the table.

"Bud, can you pour me another glass of wine, please?" I asked innocently enough. He obliged and I leaned over to take it from him. So I touched his hand? What is this? A fucking convent? He looked at me and grinned. I swear I didn't say anything back. I was just licking my lips. Jeff started laughing so hard he almost choked.

So - there is Jeff sniggering, Bud smirking, Darcy glowering, Terry doing queen Victoria again - I mean, it's like a red rag to a bull to me. They are such a load of stiffs! I went on eating. Unlike Americans I am able to use both a knife and a fork at the same time, so I made that observation. Terry replied: "Yeah, it comes from your skill at emasculation with both hands."

Well, he was in for it now.

So I slipped my shoe off. Slid my bare foot up Bud's legs and found a nice little ledge to rest on. He shifted slightly but, fair's fair- he didn't object. God, he feels good under a bare foot (actually he feels good. Full Stop.) So I played footsie with his groin and he took a sip of beer and watched me and I took a sip of wine and made eyes at him and rolled the red wine on my tongue and then...

"You really are a complete slut, aren't you!" Darcy jumped up and shouted at me across the table.

I leaned back and affected ennui, my hand playing with my hair, waving my wine glass at her. "Don't get your knickers in a twist! What'm I supposed to have done?" I retorted but I think I was grinning a bit. She was really in a state.

She yanked up the tablecloth and slapped my foot off Bud's lap. "I suppose footsie isn't sex, so you're in the clear? You're such a fucking prick tease, I can't stand it. And everyone heard you mouth 'cuffs' across the table!" she barked.

Bud opened his mouth to say something and she turned on him "And you shut up right now, buster! I've had it with your shit, too!" Bud held his hands up in surrender.

"Leave him alone. We were only mucking about." I argued.

"Shut up, Uma. Mucking about! You should be locked up after what you've been up to recently." Terry had to get his bit in.

"Me? What have I done? You were all over her when my back was turned...bet Bud and Jeff don't know that! St. Terrence the Lecherous. Jeez, you are too much!"

"How dare you say that! Terry was just helping me out. Oh, this is unbelievable, after all the shit you caused." Darcy was blowing.

"Yeah and you thank him by sticking your hands down his pants." I was on a roll.

"My hands were not down his pants," she said, dead calm. "And you are a lying cow."

Well, that was that. Me? A cow? She was not getting away with that. What happened next? I just went for her. She went for me. I tripped her and pulled her down. Grabbed her hair and we rolled over on the floor. She tried to scratch my face and I stuck my fingers up her nose. She bit my hand. Then she slapped my face. It was a real catfight.

I think the guys were so surprised that they just stared for a few moments and then I heard their chairs thrown back and they must have dashed forward. Terry yanked me off her and Jeff pulled her clear. God, did I want to get my toe up her jaxy! I kicked out wildly as Terry dragged me back but, unfortunately, Bud got in the way. I think he was trying to grab my legs. I caught him full in the groin with both feet and he just went down like a lead balloon. Fell on his knees, with his hands on his crotch and moaned. It was like felling a mighty oak tree.

We all stopped dead. Darcy screamed "Bud!" I went limp in Terry's arms, completely aghast at what I had done. I had felt the thud of my blow on contact. Jeff was wincing and Terry just groaned. "Oh, man!"

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry..." What else can you say? I was sorry on a number of levels- not least contemplating what fate awaited me if I had done permanent damage to Officer White. Would public flogging be severe enough? Mind you...if conducted by Jack... Be serious, Uma!

Terry stepped in. He thrust me down on a chair and dragged it over to the sink unit. "You, sit there - and don't fucking move!"

Then he returned to Darcy who was trying her best to get out of Jeff's grasp to tend Bud. He still hadn't moved except to rock backwards and forwards with an intent look on his face. He was panting. Terry grabbed Darcy by the upper arms and sat her on a chair at the table. "I'm warning you, Darce. Do not move. You go near Nutcracker over there and I bring you down, rugby style. You won't fucking know what hit you." She nodded obediently.

Meanwhile, Jeff had turned his attentions to Bud. "Hey mate, you all right? Just take it easy. Let me help you up. You want me to put some frozen peas on that?"

Bud gave Jeff a look but allowed him to give him a hand up and eased back into a chair. Jeff poured out a Scotch and gave it to him and then knelt down and chatted to him as he began to come round. It was so cute to watch. Jeff was fussing over him so sweetly and Bud was oblivious for once to how it looked to everyone else. I looked over at Darcy and our eyes met. She was struggling not to smile. I choked back a laugh and mouthed, "Bet he offers to kiss it better!" Darcy let out a snort at that.

Terry spun round. "What did you say?"

I shook my head all wide-eyed. "Me? I didn't say anything." Then Darcy started behind Terry's back. "Want me to rub it for ya, Bud?" I burst out giggling. Terry looked back at Darcy. "Right - that is it! You two - in the lounge room, on the double." He grabbed me by one arm and her by the other and dragged us both into the other room where he threw us, rather roughly, onto the couch.

"Why have you gone all caveman on us?" I whined.

Terry started laughing. "'Cos I had to get out of there while I still had a straight face. A minute longer watching Nurse Betty giving the kiss of life to Psycho and I would have lost it. Jesus, I thought he was going to offer to fucking splint it!"

We all burst out laughing- although we did make the effort to restrain the noise. Somehow we knew Bud wouldn't appreciate it.

"Hey, Darce, I'm sorry I went for you. It's not like me to fly into a temper like that," I said. 

Terry raised an eyebrow. "No, you're just the woman who's had PMS since birth." I pulled my tongue out at him.

Darce gave me an apologetic grin. "Me too, hon. I know you were just fooling around. Don't know what got in to me. It's been an emotional ride the past few days...I guess I'm a little tense."

"You need a good seeing to, Darcy." I replied in a matter-of-fact way. The other two just groaned.

"Well, White's out of the equation for the time being. That leaves Sheila. Uma, you should offer that left foot to United. You could have scored from the halfway line with the force you put in that. I heard the crunch from across the room."

"Will he be all right? Can you do permanent damage?" I wondered out loud.

"You better bloody hope you haven't. He'll be bruised but I reckon he'll live." Terry replied.

"It's a wonder you didn't break a toe," Darcy observed. "His balls are like iron."

"But very softly covered," I added. 

"With the nicest thatch of golden brown hair...." cooed Darcy.

"For Christ's sake, girls, spare me the tour of White's tackle!" Terry complained. 

Darcy and I started to laugh. She whispered something to me - I can't even say it, it was so crude - and we both rolled on to the floor, laughing hysterically. Terry shook his head and lit a cigarette.

A short while later, Bud and Jeff joined us; thankfully he looked a little brighter and seemed to have lost the ghostly pallor of the minutes following my kick.

"Bud, I'm so sorry..." I began.

He raised a hand. "Baby, nobody does it like you! Remember?" We both laughed and the others shuffled their feet, slightly embarrassed, but no one commented.

"You OK, Bud?" Darcy asked, sidling up to pat his arm. 

"Yeah, honey." He grimaced slightly. "But...I think I need to rest up."

"Sit down here, Bud, take the weight off, you know what I mean," Jeff gaily insisted. "Do you want a cushion?"

Bud glared at him but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Maybe they were getting to like each other. Should we be relieved or worried at that thought?

"Let's play cards," Darcy suggested. Bud and Jeff agreed. They set up the table, opened a bottle of Jack, put some cool jazz on the CD player. Terry and I looked at each other. He gave me a little nod.

"Think we'll have some dessert. Ya got any of that ice cream and chocolate sauce you promised?" he asked. Darcy told us to help ourselves. We did and slipped upstairs while they were dealing a hand. Terry is so imaginative with ice cream and I hate cards. So I'm back on sex. So sue me..."

DARCY

We were playing for points, to be redeemed in sexual favors later. I dealt the first hand: five-card stud.

"Stud!" croaked Jeff. "Trust you to pick a game like that!"

"I like studs!" I smirked. "Now come on, a pair or better to open."

Bud opened for ten points. I called him. Jeff dropped. "This hand sucks," he said.

"You oughta know, honey," joked Bud, but somehow, it didn't sound as biting as it would have before. He looked at me and grinned evilly. "I bet a C note." 

"A hundred!" I stared at him. "What do you have you're so proud of?"

"Call it and see, baby. No free rides."

I looked at Jeff and winked. "I'll bet a get a ride out of it. Okay, buster. I'll see your hundred points, and raise you another fifty."

Bud called me and showed his hand. A flush, king high. Beat the pants off my trip aces. He marked down the scores and passed the cards to Jeff. "Game?"

"Follow the queens!" crowed Jeff. I spluttered, choking on my sip of Jack, and even Bud chuckled. From upstairs, Uma's voice bellowed suddenly, "Oh, bloody hell! Bugger it!" and I heard Tio roar with laughter. In another minute he came down.

"Hey Darce! You got any Panadol and Meds?"

I looked at him blankly. "Meds?"

Jeff cracked up. Bud and I just sat and looked puzzled. He said, "What the fuck are Meds?"

"Tampons, mate. Guess who's on the rag?"

Bud snorted, then laughed out loud. "Serves you right, Commando. What's the matter? Don't you like to wade the Red Sea?"

I jumped up and said, "Tio, take my hand. And watch what you're doing, I'm already in the hole!" I ran up the stairs to help my girlfriend get herself together.

"What are you playing for?" asked Terry, noting the absence of a pot.

"Darcy's body," giggled Jeff. "Buzz Cut's winning."

"Oh yeah? Interesting stakes, mate. Deal me in."

I came back down fifteen minutes later to find that I now owed over 500 points to each of them. 

"How did that happen?" I complained. "I was only gone for a little bit!" Now, that dog wouldn't hunt, y'all. I didn't believe for a minute that the score was on the up and up, but hey! My mama didn't raise no fools. No matter what my points' deficit, I was the winner in this game.

Terry smiled sardonically. "Run of bad luck, Macushla. Here, take over. I'll get another chair, I'm in this game."

"I smell a rat!" I looked at Bud. "And it's bigger than the one in your pants, you cheater."

"Hey, don't look at me. Thorne was playing your hand," he said, shrugging innocently.

Uma came in, her face drawn in a scowl, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She was dressed in the fleecy, footed jarmies that added 20 pounds to her svelte figure. I saw Bud wince and grinned wickedly. She didn't look like any sex-bomb now. Wonder if he still wanted her toes on his dick?

I said sympathetically, "Feel better, hon?" Artless, I know. 

"A little. Can I play too? Might as well play at something, since I'm out of action for the next few."

Terry scoffed. "Uma's no player. She has yet to master the rules of Snap. Don't let her near the cards." 

"Or my crotch," Bud muttered under his breath to me.

"Well at least let me watch!" sniffed Uma. "What am I to do? Play with myself?" She plopped down on Terry's lap.

"Ooof." Pained grunt from Tio.

She scowled at him. "Fuck off, Thorne. You've had heavier girls on your lap!"

"Not lately, love. You gained a few pounds?" He squirmed uncomfortably and made the mistake of not playing his cards close to the vest. 

"Jeff, what's higher, a King or a Jack?" Uma asked ingenuously. "Terry's got three of one and two of the other."

Thank you, Uma. I dropped. Actually, everybody dropped but Jeff. That had Tio looking a bit worried.

"You wanna sit on the floor?" Terry snapped. Uma shook her head. "Then shut up." She nestled down into the crook of his neck and whispered in his ear, "My tummy hurts." Absentmindedly, he ran his left hand under the waistband of her pjs and rubbed gently. She sighed and seemed to be dozing off.

"How about some snacks, mates?" I asked, glancing around the table. "I've got nachos and a killer salsa in the pantry. Anybody interested?"

"I could go for a handful of crisps...I always crave salt when I'm on," Uma admitted, brightening, "Are there any chocolate nipples left?"

"Let me see. Deal me out, boys. I already owe you all way more than you're gonna collect," I said, and tossed my cards to Jeff. 

"What you playing for?" Uma asked.

"Sexual favours." Terry replied. "Light me a ciggie, baby." Uma obliged and popped it in his mouth as he played his hand. "So if Jeff wins - which of you does he get to do first?" she asked.

Bud and Terry exchanged a glance. Jeff smiled knowingly as he shuffled. We were all settling down into a late night good humor, relaxed, quiet, friendly. Peace at last. I got up from the table; I just had one fence left to mend.

In the kitchen I made rustling noises and ran water, then sneaked over to the computer. A few clicks of the mouse and I'd reserved a seat on an early flight to Louisville, then sent off a quick note to Doc:

Meet me at Louisville International Saturday Feb 22. Arriving 9:05 a.m. on US Airways Express flight 334. This time we're alone! Surely by then you'll be healed!

Love you, Darcy