Season 3: Episode 7

What if Stella hadn't walked in on them? What if she had walked in 5 minutes later?

By: SnowWhite

Lexie placed her mug on the floor next to her chair and leaned forward

" What is important to you?" She probed

" Scrambled eggs mainly" Archie answered jokingly

" Be serious" She prompted

Archie thought about it for a minute before replying

" My family, the Estate, friends...."

" Is that enough?"

He glanced at her " For what?"

She shrugged " To, you know.... Make you happy."

" Not really no" Archie answered gazing into her eyes. His brown eyes were too intense and she had to look away

" What about you?"

" Same" she answered immediately, then glanced back up at him

" I guess I want a family- kids."

Archie smiled " Well that normally requires some kind of male input"

Lexie snickered and throwing a pillow at him replied

" You males think way too much about your input"

Archie looked at her indignantly " What me?"

He threw the pillow back.

" Yes you" She confirmed continuing the pillow fight

He raised the pillow above his head and she squealed as it once again came flying at her.

They both lent down to make a grab for the weapon and ended up centimetres from each other's face. Archie stared at her long brown hair, her bright playful blue eyes, her pink lips and the little black dress that hugged her figure. Gosh, she really did look fantastic.

Lexie stared back, unable to look away from his gaze now. She felt like an animal caught in the headlights of a car. His stare went right through her, at that moment she was sure that he was the only person who had ever truly known her.

" Do I fit onto any of your lists of what's important to you?" she asked softly

" You're at the top of all of them" he whispered back

He tilted her chin up toward him and before she knew it he was kissing her lips.

[If Stella walks in just that 5minutes later]

[If she didn't walk in at all]

" Arch" Lexie whispered

" Yeah" he replied lips still pressed to hers

" Not very comfortable"

" What?" He pulled back from her thinking that she meant with the situation, only to find that it was actually because they had stopped in the middle of reaching for the pillow and she was half on the chair still while he was on the lounge.

He chuckled and waited for her to stand up and seat herself next to him on the lounge.

He ran his hands up the fabric of the black dress till he was cupping her face in his hands

" You're very beautiful" he remarked softly, staring into her eyes

Lexie rose her eyebrows " You're not bad yourself"

" Hmm" He murmured, making for her lips again

" Did you really come down here for my scrambled eggs?"

" I came to spend time with you" she replied into his mouth

" I'm glad. Who's cooking dinner at home?"

" Dunno."

" You're leaving my family to fend for themselves?" he asked in amazement

" Yep"

He manoeuvred closer to her and placing a hand on the small of her back moved

her into him.

She readily accepted his advances. It wasn't the first time they'd kissed. But it was one of the first times that they hadn't been interrupted. That it had been able to go this far.

" Is this going anywhere?" she whispered into his ear

" I hope so. But only if you want it to" he whispered back

" What do you think" she smiled into his neck

Next Day

Stella looked at Lexie the next day and knew that the night before had gone well.

The girl had a distinct glow about her, and she hadn't even seen Archie yet that morning.

Stella now wondered whether it was wise to lend her the dress, and give her the instruction to go after Archie if she wanted him.

She was thinking about going down and interrupting last night, but had resisted.

What if she had?

Lexie laid out Stella's breakfast before her with a smile. And then did the same for the others before heading back to the kitchen.

Not long after Archie walked in still in his head ranger's gear until Marie- Ellen went home.

" Morning" he announced

" Ready for the inspection?" Stella asked, her gaze taking him in and comparing his demeanor to Lexie's.

" Yeah ready as I'll ever be" he replied with a hint of a smile

" Not staying for breakfast dear?" Molly asked

" No, Moth...Molly...Mrs. Macdonald- I've got things to do"

Molly smiled as he tried to stay in the part of Duncan.

Upon finishing breakfast Stella went to find Lexie and find out what had really happened down in Duncan's croft.

Lexie was in her room tidying up her things. It was one of the first times Stella had been in there. Now looking around she realised how different it was to every other room in the castle.

It reflected the housekeeper's personality perfectly. From the net of fairy lights above the bed, to the picture frames and nick-knacks scattered around on the furniture.

" Lexie"

" Oh hello." She replied glancing around " I have your dress somewhere here...."

Stella sat down on the bed and asked, " How did it go?"

" Good" Lexie replied coyly

" Good....?" Stella prompted

" Very good" Lexie smiled " Thankyou for the dress"

" Did he like it?" She asked

Lexie couldn't hide a small laugh that escaped her lips " I think so."

Stella took in her body language and facial expression and raised her eyebrows

" That good hey?"

Lexie blushed " Mind your mouth Miss. Moon"

Just then the door opened to reveal Archie

" Lex..oh" he stopped as he saw Stella " Sorry."

" It's ok, what's up Arch?" Lexie asked

" Golly said something about telling you that 'Project Marie-Ellen is under way.'"

" Oh right. I'll be down in a minute"

" Okay" Archie looked from Lexie to Stella and then back again.

He always felt uneasy seeing women talking together in case he was part of their gossip. It was especially unsettling seeing these two together, seeing as ever since Stella had moved in Lexie had hated the sight of her.

But he was also wise enough not to say anything. Weirder things happened in this house everyday and he had learnt just to smile and nod.

Now he did the same thing, turning from the door with a puzzled look and walking back down the hallway.

" Sorry" Lexie explained "Duty calls."

" So that's all I get?" Stella asked " That it went very well"

Lexie flashed her trademark smile and asked innocently

" What more do you want? We had a really nice night."

" Did you....."

Lexie smiled again as she waltzed to the door " That's for me to know and you to find out."

Stella sighed as the door shut behind Lexie and she was left alone in the room. She walked over to the chair that her black dress had been slung over and lifted it up to her nose. It smelt of Archie.

How did she know what Archie's smell was?

Why did a weird feeling suddenly rise up in her chest?

Could it be?

She was falling for Archie, and she had just given Lexie an open door to his heart......

What was she going to do now?

She opened the door and peered out. Lexie had just caught up with Archie at the end of the hall.

He put his arm around her and smiled. This was nothing out of the usual; they often behaved on this way. She could see their mouths moving but couldn't quite catch what they were saying.

Lexie laughed and Archie moved her toward him with the arm that still rested over her shoulders. Leaning into each other he covered her mouth with his and kissed her deeply. Then they rounded the corner and were out of sight.

Stella came out of Lexie's room and shut the door.

Many thoughts ran through her mind but the overriding one seemed to be simply 'She had created a monster.'