WJM NEWSROOM

"Hello, everyone!" Sue Ann Nivens said cheerily entering the newsroom

"Hello Sue Ann." Murray mumbled typing away

"Is Lou in?" She asked walking toward his door

"Yes, but Mary's in there going over the budget. " Murray informed her

Even Sue Ann knew that put in a bad mood, "I'll just wait."

"I bet you've never said that to a guy before." Murray quipped

Sue Ann smiled walking over to him, "Dear, sweet follicle challenged Murray." She said rubbing his head, "You would think with your quick wit, you would be more successful."

"Oh, that's a good one Sue Ann," Murray paused putting a fresh piece of paper in the typewriter, "Do you want me to tell Lou that you wanna see him. Those budget meetings can go all day."

"Yes, be a dear and tell him I have suggestions for paint for his apartment." She said, "I really should run, I've got a soufflé that needs my attention." She said exiting the newsroom

Murray looked over at Lou's door. They sure had been in there a long time. He hoped nothing was wrong. There were all kinds of rumors about budget cuts but in Lou's office that wasn't the topic of conversation

Their lips met in a long deep kiss, "I've been waiting to do that all morning." Lou admitted when their lips parted

Mary smiled, "I've been waiting since last night," she joked, "I was wondering what took you so long."

He kissed her neck, "hmmm, I can be a very patient man."

"Uh, sweetheart, as much as I am enjoying this, don't you think we should, uh, get back to the budget." She said her voice quivering as he continued to kiss her neck, "We do have to meet with Schroeder this afternoon."

Lou stopped snapping back to reality, "Yeah, you're right," he sighed, "Damn budget."

"Alright, I think we can cut some expenses here and here." She said looking over at him but he was staring into space, "Lou? Are you alright?"

He looked at her, "Huh?" he said rubbing his eyes, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just, oh I don't know."

Mary put her papers down, "What is it?"

"Well, it's just that we've been seeing each other for about a month and it seems we never get much time alone, I mean really alone." He explained

"What are you talking about? We see each other almost every night at your place or mine." She said

"I know, I know but we are always worried someone will stop by and find out. I think we should go somewhere this weekend, out of town, where we don't have to worry about anyone who knows us finding out just yet."

Mary hadn't thought about it but he was right. Their relationship was still so new even though they had begun being intimate, they needed to get away for a couple of days, "I think that's a great idea. I'll pick up some brochures at lunch and you can come over tonight and we'll look at them. "

"Alright, I'll bring a pizza and my jammies." He said smiling then kissing her neck again

"Uh, Lou, darling, the budget." She reminded him reluctantly

"Damn." He muttered

MARY'S APARTMENT

Lou was stretched out on Mary's bed in a bathrobe looking through brochures. He planned to spend the night and they would leave for work separately in the morning

"What do you think about this cabin in the mountains? It looks really nice." He suggested

"What was that?" Mary called from the bathroom

"I said the cabin in the mountains looks nice." He repeated

Mary came out of the bathroom wearing one of Lou's t shirts and rubbing lotion on her hands and arms, "That does sound nice but what about somewhere warm?"

Lou picked up a brochure for South Carolina, "Hilton Head is warm but that's too far. We only have a weekend."

Mary pouted playfully as she joined him on the bed. She sat next to him with her legs tucked underneath her, "Oh well, maybe next time." She said looking over some of them herself

"Here's another place that looks nice, it's just a couple of hours away." He pointed out handing it to her

She looked over it for a minute, "That does look beautiful, and the rooms have fireplaces."

He smiled, "Well then let's call tomorrow and see if we can get a reservation."

"Alright, let's do it." Mary said looking at him, "I'm really glad you suggested we do this."

"Me too." He said turning out the lights

"Ohhh, Lou." She said her voice quivering again