Hello again. This story will be relatively short, told in 5 parts, and set in the movie universe. It's got a lot of moments that are canon, but a few that aren't as well. I hope you like it!

"I knew you'd be out here," a voice calls from behind Carol as she leans across the balcony. Silas and Jeanette Harrison's party has gotten crowded fast, and Carol just stepped out for some air.

She turns behind her to find Jeanette, pleased to see the kind face of her friend. The party she's hosting is in full swing, Carol can see through the large French doors as the guests inside dance and chat around tables of food and drink.

"You know how I am at parties," Carol sighs, "Being around too many people makes my head swim."

"I hear that," Jeanette agrees as they clink martini glasses. Jeanette can be social of course, but she always appreciates singular company of a good friend.

When Carol offers up her cigarette Jeanette takes a drag gratefully. "Thank God, I needed one of these." Carol laughs at her friend's flare for dramatics, "My in-laws will be the death of me."

"I wouldn't say that standing so close to me," Carol says with a smirk, "You know, divorce is catching."

Jeanette laughs heartily at that, and Carol is thankful for a friend who understands both her sense of humor and delicate situation. News of her divorce is widely known in their social circle, not that Carol kept it a secret for long. She will miss the security of marriage, but sometimes people are better off going their separate ways.

"Barney brought over a few records they're going to put on soon, if the mood strikes for a dance."

She says this neutrally, understanding the difficult position Carol is in while her divorce is pending. Carol takes a moment to wonder who she would dance with, or rather, who would want to dance with her.

"Mmm," she replies noncommittally, "Perhaps."

Jeanette catches the downturn in her friend's demeanor and changes the subject. "How is Rindy these days, Carol? She must be excited for school." Jeanette has always loved hearing about the antics of Carol's little girl, she was only blessed with sons.

Happy for the diversion, Carol replies, "Oh she's doing very fine. She's so excited she barely speaks of anything else."

"I remember when my boys were that age. They loved school," Jeanette sighs a little wistfully, "Now I have to drag them out of bed by their ankles."

Carol chuckles at the mental picture this paints. "Hopefully I still have a few years yet before all of that."

The patio door behind them swings open spilling the party sounds out onto the balcony, before someone steps out and it is closed again. Carol glances over her shoulder and watches as a young woman takes a deep breath, then notices that she's not alone.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," she says quickly. "I just needed a moment."

For that, Carol feels an immediate kinship with this pretty stranger. She notices at once the woman's smooth skin and kind eyes.

"Nonsense, Therese," Jeannette says swatting a hand, "I'm sure Richard and Sy Are boring you to death with their shop talk."

Therese laughs a little at that, "Let's just say I was in search of better company."

"Well let me introduce you to Carol, then" Jeanette says easily. She gestures to the statuesque blonde standing by the railing. "Carol, this is Therese Belivet. Her fiancé Richard and my Silas share an Uncle Sal."

Carol reaches out to shake the hand of the brunette, taking in her smart plaid dress and heels. "Carol Aird," she says gently.

Therese is pleasantly surprised by the softness and warmth of the hand in hers. She lets it drop after a moment.

"Therese Belivet, that is a unique name," Carol says conversationally.

Therese has no idea why she is blushing. "Oh, well thank you. It's Czech."

"I see. And what brings you and your fiancé here?" Carol asks.

"Richard and I just moved here from New Jersey. We are due to be married the end of next summer," Therese explains.

"My, that's certainly a long engagement!" Jeanette replies.

"Well we thought we would take some time to get settled and save up. Richard's family is quite large." Therese sips from the drink in her hand, "I suppose things would move a little more quickly if I were to get a job. Richard isn't too keen on me working."

"Why not?" asks Carol.

"He's the youngest of 4 brothers. He wants to do them proud," Therese smiles a little, thinking of the rowdy bunch of brothers she's spent time with on a few occasions. His family is one of the things she likes most about Richard Simco.

"I hate to leave you both, but I really should check in on the party," Jeanette says to the pair. They both nod in understanding but make no move towards joining the party themselves. Carol looks right into the hazel eyes of Therese Belivet. She turns her full attention towards the brunette.

"Well," she says after a moment of consideration, "What is it that you want?"

Therese lets herself be sized up by this attractive but formidable woman. She stands up a little taller under the scrutiny. For some reason she wants to prove herself worthy of Carol Aird's company.

"Well I suppose if I could be anything, I'd like to be a photographer."

Carol looks shocked but delighted. "A photographer! You do seem very perceptive."

The low timbre of her voice hits Therese warmly in the chest. "What do you like to take pictures of?"

"Anything new to me I suppose. Although, someone told me recently that I should try and be more interested in people."

Carol chuckles, "Hmm," she says thinking the words over. She stokes a finger along her own string of pearls. Therese thinks that Carol herself would certainly be an interesting photo subject. Already she's unlike anyone else Therese has ever met.

"Well you certainly are very interesting yourself," Carol says.

"I am?" Therese gapes, a little shocked.

"Very much so," Carol smirks, "And I'm sure your photos are lovely."

"I mean, sure. Maybe." Therese stumbles a bit over her words, shocked that someone like Carol Aird could find her interesting.

"I've got a camera now, but it's not very good. The film crank sticks sometimes and it's ages old. I don't know if I've got the talent for photography but I certainly enjoy it."

"Something tells me you are not giving yourself enough credit." Carol takes the speared olive out of her drink and bites into it.

Therese just shrugs humbly, "I suppose I do alright. I haven't sold any, or even shown them to anyone who could buy one."

"Perhaps you could show them to me sometime," Carol suggests. She says this openly, not wanting to scare away a possible new friend.

Therese's eyes go a little wide, "You'd really want to see them?"

"Of course. Invite me 'round sometime."

"I will," Therese says, vowing to do just that. She smiles up into blue grey eyes, and Carol smiles back as if they share some sort of secret.

After a few more minutes, Carol's last cigarette has burned down and the pair walks back inside. Richard spots Therese pretty quickly, and Carol notices how he shows his fiancé off to the room.

Therese catches her eye with a small smile and a bit of an eye roll, being a good sport about introductions.

Harge finds Carol as the party winds down just a bit. Most guests have had a few drinks, and the records on the player are playing soft music on low. Harge seems to be in good spirits so Carol does not mind being pulled into a dance. She loves to move to the music, and no one has asked her all night.

She accepts a ride home in Harge's cab, and he walks her to the front door under his umbrella. As an afterthought, she kisses him on the cheek, still floating on the warmth of a good night in the company of her friends. Before she can close the door, Harge grabs her by the wrist looking deeply into her eyes.

For a moment she sees the kind face of her once dearest companion, the one she married when she was so sure that the union would last. At one point in time, Harge was her safe place, an unwavering picture of home. But she also remembers his jealousy, and his rage, and his temper that turned their marriage sour after a while.

Before he can say what Carol knows he is bound to say, she cuts him off.

"It was one night, Harge."


A few days later Carol finds herself at dinner with Abby. They sit facing each other in the high-backed booths, sharing a martini shaker.

As Carol peruses her menu Abby asks, "How are things on your end, Carol?" She sets her own menu down, settling on a dinner option and waiting for the waiter to make his way back to the table.

"Just fine," she sighs, picking up her drink to take a sip of it, "Although I wish I could see more of my closest friend," she says in jest.

"You're the one who canceled on us, you nitwit!" Abby cries, outraged, "All for Jeanette's fancy party."

"I know, I know," Carol laughs, swatting the indignity away. "At least I got the chance for one dance," Carol sighs.

At Abby's questioning look she explains, "With Harge." Abby gives her an eye roll a picture star would be envious of.

"I also met Silas' cousin and his fiancé," Carol mentions.

The waiter comes and takes their order and menus and the two women are left to catch up while they wait for their entrees.

"Sy Harrison has family in town?" Abby asks once the man is gone and their conversation can resume.

"Apparently they share an Uncle Sal," Carol replies with a shrug, "Richard and Therese just moved here from New Jersey."

"What are they like?" Abby asks, always curious about the parties that she has never been invited to. She's not sure she would last more than an hour in such stiff company anyway.

"I didn't speak much with Richard, but Therese is…" she takes a moment to contemplate the brunette she met at the Harrison's dinner party, "Unique."

Abby immediately sees the look on her dearest friend's face. "Oh no."

"What?" Carol says as she jumps a little, pulled out of her reverie.

"Carol. Don't tell me."

"There's nothing to tell!" Carol says indignantly.

"Sure there isn't," the sarcasm is Abby's voice drips through clear as day. "I've known you two decades. Long enough to know what that look means."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean. Besides, even if I were interested, and I have not said that I am, Abigail Gerhard," she warns sternly, "She's engaged."

"Mmmhmm." Abby draws the word out in a way that somehow manages to convey support while also letting Carol know that she does not believe a single thing she is saying.

The waiter comes back with the meals they have ordered, and once the plates hit the table Carol realizes how hungry she actually is. It's just soup and salad but perhaps she will treat herself to dessert today, she rarely does, and she's feeling indulgent.

As they eat, Carol contemplates their earlier conversation. She wants it to be over with but cannot let it go without telling Abby one last thing.

"There's nothing that says I can't be her friend. Therese seems to be a good listener."

Abby's face softens. "I'm sure she is. I didn't mean to imply otherwise."

The rest of the meal is passed in small chatter about Rindy starting school, proceedings with her lawyer, and discussing plans for the rest of the day.

"Well enough about me, what have you been up to?" Carol says to her friend. The meal has been lovely and the sky outside is turning darker.

"As a matter of fact I happen to have my eye on someone." Abby actually giggles, the combined effect of the alcohol and her own giddiness taking full effect.

"Oh Abby, for the love of-"

"Hey! She came onto me." Carol looks shocked at that. Her friend is known to be quite brazen. Abby's not one to usually be courted, but to do the courting herself. "She owns a steakhouse downtown."

Carol laughs at the antics of her friend, listening intently to the stories she tells of herself and this mystery red headed woman. The rest of the meal passes quickly, as it always does in the company of good friends. Soon, it is time for Carol to make her way home and relieve the housekeeper.

Before they part ways, Abby takes Carol's hand gently. "Carol please tell me you know what you're doing." She doesn't need to clarify. Both women know they are speaking about Therese.

"I don't," she says gently, but her voice is full of hope. "I never did."