Hello gentle readers… This is a re-write of the first fic I wrote over a year ago, in September of 2009. The original encompassed a few things that hadn't been done before, at least so I was told. Multiple endings were the biggest change I think. But it was horribly written. Lousy grammar was the worst offender. I took the fic down a while ago, and I'm re-writing it and re-publishing it. So, my first fic 'Ten Years On' turns into:

Didn't you hear my heart break?

So please settle in, have a wonderful warm beverage (Unless you're in the Southern Hemisphere, like Em-ith) and let me know what you think.

Also, should I do multiple endings again? Thoughts please.

:pig~


Didn't you hear my heart break?

Chapter 1: Oh My Lord…

Thursday afternoon February 10th

Corporate Offices

World Wide Investigations, Inc.

Seattle, Washington

Telephone Call

"Hi! Yeah, this is Gibby Gibson from school… Oh yes, I'm great, thanks. And you? Wonderful… Glad you're back in the area. The reason I called is you've filled out the reunion questioner, and checked the box saying you would be willing to help out with our ten year class reunion next year… Oh, well thank you very much. I'd love to have a home cooked meal! No, I'm afraid there is no 'Mrs. Gibby', no, I've never married. Yes, next Tuesday evening would be fantastic. Thanks so much. I'm really looking forward to seeing you and meeting your husband. Yes, it's Anderson now, right? Mrs. Marlene Anderson. Your husbands name is Ted. OK then, very kind of you. I'll see you folks at 7:00 next Tuesday evening… Yes, thanks again, goodbye."

Tuesday Evening February 15th

The Anderson home

Bellevue, Washington

"…Marlene, that was wonderful! Ted, you certainly married the best cook in our High School class! So, you two started an accounting firm in Los Angeles and have now moved the home office's back up here to Seattle. Well, that's great. I might even have you folks do some work for me. I'll have to check though. Even though I own the firm, I do have a partner and… Well, yes Marlene. You would know my partner. It's Sam, you know, Samantha Pucket. Yep, that's her, from the old web show… OK, sure. It's kind of a long story, but it's early yet, and you'll know all the folks. But, while we're yakking, I insist on helping with the dishes. Nonsense, just because I've done well doesn't mean I can't still dry a dish or glass. Silverware is a Gibby specialty! In fact, I'll wash and you guys dry. You know where the dishes go… Now, where to start… well, I guess at the beginning!"

"Now then, let's see… The summer after our Graduation things were really different. You know, people you've known for ever suddenly moving away for college, finding work, starting that new chapter in life. I remember, after Graduation, you immediately moved to Southern California with the rest of your family. Well, I just didn't feel like continuing school full time. My Uncle Herb had a small Private Investigation firm, and wanted to sell it, and retire. There were no other employees, just Herb. I'd worked for him a few times, doing process serving and such. He didn't want much for the business and I thought I could make that work and make a couple bucks while I figured out what I wanted to do in the future. He offered great terms, so I bought it."

"I called it World Wide Investigations. Heck, the office was my cell phone, a laptop and the trunk of my car. I still lived at home with my Mom! I did most of my business meetings in restaurants. That's how I ran into Sam, again. The old iCarly group had pretty much splintered after graduation. Carly had gone to Denver for school. Freddie had pretty much disappeared within a few days of school ending. Sam was going to North Seattle Community College and waiting tables at a BBQ and chili place near the campus. Since that area of town was where most of my work was coming from, I used that restaurant to meet most of my clients. Sam always got me a table in the back of the place, and I tipped her a bit more for her trouble. That goes on for about a year, when suddenly I need a gal to help me snag an embezzler. This guy was chasing skirts big time, and using company money to finance his fun. When I asked Sam for help, I thought she was going to take my head off, but I offered her a quarter of the deal to help me catch this bozo. Sam is a natural. We had him behind bars in just a few days. Word got around, and soon I was buried in work. I knew Sam is smart as a whip and street smart too. I gave her a call and asked if she would like to work for me. She declined, then called back and asked if she could have a percentage of the company. I agreed, and that was the best business decision I ever made. I would have done alright, but Sam prodded me, and we built that into the real global business it is."

"Let's see, Carly, as I mentioned earlier, moved to Denver for school. While she was gone, her brother Spencer got insanely popular with the artsy set. He was doing shows all up and down the West coast, then the East coast. While in New York, he met Eve Winton, of Winton Galleries, and married her. Now, this gets crazy, at the wedding Carly meets Eve's little brother, Bill. After a while, they get married. The Winton's have art galleries in Paris, London, and New York, but nothing on the left coast. Carly suggests Seattle, Bill and family love the idea, so here it is. Bill and Carly manage the local gallery and the entire Winton Gallery Corporation is one of my best clients."

"Freddie is a puzzle. He just fell off the face of the earth. A few days after graduation he was gone. Everyone knew his mother was moving. She had taken a job in Chicago. Everyone assumed that Freddie had moved with her. He didn't. Sam and Carly were upset when he didn't say goodbye. He just left. His Mother wouldn't say a thing."

"Carly and I have talked about his disappearance, but we can't figure out anything. Sam seems the most upset about it. To this day, if you want to really tick that woman off, just bring up Freddie. And yes, I am very aware that I could put a few operatives on it and probably find him in no time. But I won't, he was a good friend all through school, so if he wants to stay lost, that's his business."

"Now then, that was the last dish! Clean as a whistle. Can we take a little time to look at the reunion plans? I'm thinking a dinner dance thing. Nothing too fancy, meet and greets the day of or evening before. Maybe host a Brunch on Sunday. What do you think?"

Wednesday Morning February 16th

San Francisco, California

Pear Computer Executive Offices

Office of J. L. Hilliard; Senior Manager, Operations

"Hello Benson, please come in, have a seat… Benson, you've worked here at Pear Computers what, five, six years? Ever since leaving college? It says here in your file that you did some intern work here while still in school. You attended Stanford University and graduated with top honors, near the top of your class. Hmmm… Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration. Your work is very impressive Benson, very, very impressive. You were our lead systems programmer, and now you're our most successful project manager. You have filled in for every Department Manager on this floor while they have been on vacation or temporarily while the position was vacant. Yet, you have turned down promotion twice. Why?" Mr. Hilliard asked.

"Yes sir, I… I really don't have a good reason for not taking those positions. I just didn't like the location, I guess." Freddie stammered in reply.

"Seattle? Benson, you're from Seattle aren't you? Look, don't answer, just listen. I know you're aware that the normal progression for managers in this company is two to five years at the Seattle offices. Some folks get up there and don't want to leave. Once they've achieved those positions, they don't have to. But your not there Benson, not yet, and at this rate you wont get there. If it was up to me, you could sit in your cubicle and work for me from now on, but it's not up to me. Our Department Head, Ms. Miller, told me that you either take the Operations Manager position at the Seattle Office, or clean out your desk. Choose now."

Wednesday Afternoon February 16th

Ham-n-aters Pulled Pork Palace

Seattle, Washington

"Carly, Bill, over here!" Sam Pucket stood.

Carly and Bill waved back and joined her at the table.

Bill looked around the restaurant. "Wow, I'm Impressed! How do you find these places, Sam?"

"Just a knack I guess" she said while hugging Carly. "Can you and Bill do me a favor? Our business won't take more than a moment or two, and then we can relax and enjoy lunch. Do you mind if we get it out of the way?"

Carly and Bill agreed. Carly said: "…you know, we won't have much business to discuss until we hear from the Pear People. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 28th…"

Saturday Evening February 26th

Private Party

Bainbridge Island, Washington

"Thanks for coming with me Sam. I always feel like I stand out at these things if I don't bring someone."

"No prob Gibbers, Besides, I have a little surprise for you." Sam said.

Gibby looked at Sam, raising his eyebrows.

"See that woman over talking to Chet Halmstrom?" Sam asked.

Gibby looked over at Chet, who was the President of the local chapter of the Corvette Collectors Association. He was chatting with a lovely raven haired woman.

Gibby whispered "Damn Sam that gals built like a brick…"

"Yes Gibby, I know." Sam interrupted "and, the reason she's speaking with Chet is that she is a huge fan and collector of Corvettes, and, she's kind of wealthy, not like you, but close, AND… She's single, very single in fact. Not even a boy friend."

Gibby stared at the woman Sam was discussing for a moment, and then looked back to Sam.

"Her name is Juanita Riojas, she's 26 years old and knows who you are since you own an insane amount of 'Vettes." Sam said.

Gibby continued staring at Juanita, so Sam continued: "She can't wait to meet you, and Chet wishes you would hurry up since his ankle is bothering him and he would like to sit down."

"Sam, did you set this up?" Gibby asked.

Sam chuckled "No Gibby, I didn't. But when I found out who would be here, I thought this might be someone that my boss would like. Just trying to be a good junior partner."

Gibby nodded and said "Thanks Sam, I owe ya one. How do I look?"

Sam looked him up and down, straightened his collar, and said: "Fine, nearly handsome in fact. I've got a cab picking me up in about half an hour so you won't have to worry about getting me home. Now go over there and chat with her before someone else beats you to her. And Gibby, keep your shirt on, please…"

Gibby looked at Sam and nodded as he walked away.

Monday Morning February 28th

Seattle Washington

Winton Art Galleries

8:30 AM

Carly Winton's cell phone began to chime. She answered: "Sam, good morning! How are you today?" "Oh, ok, sure, no problem Sam. I don't think it would make any difference for this meeting anyway. Thanks, we'll talk soon… bye."

Carly hung up, and turned to her husband: "Bill, Gibby may not make it this morning. It seems Sam kind of set Gibby up with a young lady last Saturday, and no one has seen him since!"

Bill grinned and said "Yes, that's our Gibby…"

Monday Morning February 28th

Seattle Washington

Winton Art Galleries

11:00 AM

Bill and Carly were sitting in a conference room, waiting for the people from Pear Computers to arrive. They were to make their pitch for the new security system for all the galleries. So far on paper, it looked like Pear had the job sewn up, but the folks at Pear wanted to meet with the Winton's to make sure everything was understood. Carly got up, and went to the side table and began making a cup of tea for herself.

The desk telephone buzzed, Bill answered. The receptionist said over the phone that the folks from Pear were in the building and would be in the conference room in just a few seconds. Bill turned to tell his wife, just as the door opened. Carly turned around, toward the opening door to see Heather, the Gallery Manager enter, followed by the people from Pear.

Bill stood and began to greet everyone. Heather began to make introductions. Carly gasped and dropped her teacup and saucer. They shattered on the floor.

"Oh My Lord." Carly exclaimed.


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