Hi! Here is a new fanfic for Carol and Therese set in present times! I hope you like any comments are welcome! :) Enjoy!

Therese was in a hurry that morning. She showered really fast, she had been editing all night and fell asleep beyond any reasonable hour. When the alarm clock rang she thought she'd sleep only 5 minutes more. The problem was that the 5 minutes converted in half an hour. And since she had to open the studio at 9,30 she was dramatically late.
On her way to the studio she called Dannie.

"Do you wanna stop by for lunch?"

"Oh that would be really cool, I miss our lunches when you were working here with us! Ok, meet you at 1 o'clock."

It was 9,40 when Therese finally reached the studio and she had two ladies complaining about the owner's delay. "It's says 9,30 here." "Yes, I had a misfortune, I'm so sorry". "If you keep getting late some of your clients will go to other places, you have to be more strict lady". Therese was starting to blush with annoyance with this conversation.

She opened the door and took care of those ladies order. They wanted their nephews photographed for Christmas. With all the proper clothes and some post production with Christmas ornaments. Christ, the things one does for money.

The studio was just in 10th avenue with the 23rd. Therese felt she was really lucky to find this tiny place to rent just a 15 minute walking distance from her apartment. She finally achieved her personal plan of having her own business in photography. She was happy with herself in that particular field of her life. 28 years old and running her own business, being her own boss. Then she'd pause and think about what was related to the heart. Therese was alone. No one showed up in the last two years. After Richard, and after some silly crushes she had with some girls. She didn't even know how to make up her mind weather to like men or women. She thought that men and women had different approaches, different ways to interact with themselves, and she could identify herself with both of them. But. No one ever challenged her to the point she'd say that she was totally in love, that kind of love that one thinks no one else in the world feels.

Running around these thoughts someone rang at the door. Therese wondered. It was Dannie.

"Hey I brought some salads, you wanna go outside? It's a beautiful day, Therese!"

"Yah let's go."

They placed some chairs outside, and with their sunglasses on they just ate and watched the New York movement outside. They were like little kids enjoying themselves, observing everything that happened around them. It was fun whenever they were together, they knew they shared a friendship which was built with large amounts of effort, attitude, empathy and dialogue. Therese relished every moment she spent with Dannie, and she knew the opposite was right.

"Hey. Do you wanna take some pictures of me? I need to get a new portfolio, and it would be so nice to have pictures taken by you".

"Of course, you don't have to ask, just demand. When do you wanna do that?"

"Now? Could it be?"

"Yeah, of course, I don't have any plans in the afternoon, I guess. Can I ask you a favor in exchange?"

"Of course, you name it"

"I'm going to photograph a family in the Hamptons this weekend. Can you come by and just open the studio saturday morning? Just book any photoshoots, or print some photos. Is that too much to ask for?"

"Wow, I'm gonna have some fun!"

Therese laughed. "Let's grab a coffee and start working on those photos."

The studio was composed by three separated rooms. The store opened to the public, where Therese had some of her works hanged in the walls, some frames to sell, a counter with a hipster touch, everything with great taste, and different from any other photography studio. Everybody who went to Therese's studio would point that, the elegant touch, the comfortable atmosphere. She always had a record playing, not very loud, so she wouldn't frighten her costumers. The services she offered had a wide range, from family portraits, to corporate ones, printing digital pictures that people brought in pen drives. And any other kind of photography related stuff. On the back of the store there was a small studio, with all the equipment required, where she would do some photo shootings. And beyond, what Therese called her backoffice, with a toilet and a kitchen.

Therese observed Dannie, and thought about the light. He had blue eyes and brown hair. She placed the reflector right above him. She set the flash and started to shoot. Dannie was not comfortable with the camera.

"So Dannie how are things at the Times?"

"Oh you know the usual...George is the head director now, and I can not stand the man. He is a prick!"

"Oh really, what would you like to do to him?"

Dannie was surprised with the question, and Therese could capture every single facial expression he did, every single emotion.

"Oh..it's not like that. I just wished we could grab a beer and he could relax. He treats people like he is meeting the Queen of England. It's uncomfortable!"

"And with whom do you feel comfortable? Total at ease?"

"With you! But not when you're taking photographs!" Dannie laughed, he was finally at ease. Therese had this virtue while she was holding a camera, she could easily take the best out of anyone, even if that someone didn't feel at ease.

They remained in the studio taking pictures for more than an hour.

"Hey Dannie I have to check the store and go to the toilet, do you mind?"

"No, of course not, go ahead, I'll check my email and have to do some calls".

Therese went to the store and saw a tall blonde woman wearing large sunglasses. She was admiring the pictures that were dressing the walls in that little studio. The moment she saw Therese she took her sunglasses off and just stared at Therese. And for a few 3 seconds, that felt like the planet earth revolving around the sun they remained intertwined in a gaze that didn't have any reason to be broken other that the ordinary thing that is time and space and people around.

"Hey Therese, everything ok?" Dannie came to front office. "Oh sorry I didn't know you had costumers."

"I am the who's sorry, I didn't want to interrupt..." Said the tall blond woman, with a raspy, buttered voice and a very polite new yorkish accent.

Finally Therese had the chance to speak. "I'm so sorry, how long have you been here?"

"Maybe 10 minutes!"

Therese felt ashamed she had a costumer waiting for 10 minutes. And didn't know how to apologise. The only thing that came to her mind was to offer her service for free. I would offer anything anyway she's so hot, god!

"Therese, I'll go. Maybe drinks tonight?"

Oh I'm interrupting something here. They are so close. She's so hot...god dammit

Dannie left the store with the promise that Therese would call later.

"So, I have to offer something to make up the time you wasted here. How can I help you? You have one free order!" Therese smiled in a very polite way.

"Oh you don't have to do anything, it was a delight actually, your store has a very cosy atmosphere... I was wondering if you might help me printing some pictures of my daughter. I want different sizes. And do you edit? I want some in black and white. Do you think that's possible?"

Therese was delighted. "Of course!"

They spend at least 20 minutes looking to the pictures in the computer, and choosing the different sizes and editing - the part Therese most enjoyed. That woman was so close, Therese could feel her perfume, and she felt a glimpse of something building in her a heart. She was pounding.

"Oh you are a professional! Where did you learned all of this?"

"I guess I read a lot!"

They smiled at each other.

The pictures were printed. Therese didn't let the woman pay, despite the woman's persistence. "Oh so I have to come back to order another service of you..." She winked.

"I hope you do!"

"Ok see you soon!"

Therese's heart was beating fast. She felt like she could collapse any minute, and disintegrate into an amount of jelly.

"Bye!" The blond woman turned to go away and all of the sudden she turned again, and said with a coy smile "Your blouse is inside out. I like it!"

Therese blushed form the earth to saturn! And the only thing she managed to do was wave a smile.

As the mysterious and gorgeous woman disappeared she finally went to the toilet and calm herself down. What was this, god.

When she returned to the store, Therese noticed a small wallet in the counter. She opened it and it had two credit cards and a small business card. It said Carol Aird, it had an address and a phone number.