Being in the business, you don't know when, where, and if, you are going to see your friends again. So it the opportunity arises and you get to spend a couple of hours with them, you take advantage of it.

Don't forget you can't just jump in with both feet, you need to keep one foot on dry land and have a lifeline in order to get back out, sometimes in a hurry. An open window will work just fine.

It's just another chapter in your life.

Until you cross paths again.

The Past

August 2004

He had finished packing his overnight bag, then walks toward the front door, putting the bag down next to a bulky, well worn, backpack.

Stopping into the hotel kitchen setup, he puts two pieces of bread in the toaster, pushes the lever down, then heads back to the bedroom and knocks on the bathroom door "hurry up in there or you're gonna be late."

He heads back into the kitchen just as the bread pops up out of the toaster. He takes a slice and smears on a layer of orange marmalade and begins to eat.

Moments later she emerges from the bathroom. Dressed, well dressed down to say the least, in black cargo pants, camo shirt, with her dark red wrapped in a pony tail, and pulled out the back of a non descript ball cap, and old tennis shoes. She strikes a suggestive pose "Well Michael, how do I look?"

He has to smile as he wraps his arms around her, takes the ball cap off and kisses her lightly on her forehead "you look great"

Her face falls "but I can't look great, I have to look average" as she turns to head back to the bedroom.

"Ok" he concedes with a sigh, as he grabs her arm and turns her back around "Rachael, you are a very average looking person" he reinforces his reply with a kiss on her lips. She giggles happily and seems to accept that answer.

She heads into the kitchen, and opens the fridge in search of breakfast "want to share the last yogurt?"

"You know, I'm really not into yogurt"

She dips a finger into the container and proceeds to lace his lips with it. "You don't know what you're missing."

Rolling his eyes "get this off my lips, now!"

"As you wish" she complies using her tongue and a giggle.

-------

"I don't think you should be going back to work so soon." There -- he said it.

A short pause is followed by "The doctor said I could go back if I felt like it, and if I don't feel better to let them know. And this is an easy assignment, a simple demonstration." She argues.

"And besides you didn't say anything last night when we…"

"I know, I know, I just don't want…"

"And I really feel like having this discussion again." came her sarcastic retort "We haven't argued for the past two days, so let's not start now."

Michael takes a bite of his jam-laden toast to keep from saying anything else. He wraps his arms around her again and holds her as she snuggles into him. "Rachael, I'm sorry."

She turns to face him, keeping him close to her. "I didn't mean to snap."

His hands move to caress her face; they look longingly into each other's eyes and begin to share a warm, passionate kiss.

When they finally relax from their embrace. She starts to move "I-I really have to get going. Things to do, people to see."

She grabs the bulky backpack on her way to the door, and on her way out.

He leans against the wall watching, just watching, wanting to savor the moment, "aren't you forgetting something?"

She pauses, turns, and flashes a quick smile "ok, how do you keep your best friend in suspense?"

With a puzzled look and a shake of his head "I don't know."

"I'll tell you next time I see you," and with that she is gone.