This is an attempt at stories about our heroes sharing the letters that Shane wrote Oliver. I am using the fanfic, Letters to Oliver, as the basis for what they share. I have rewritten this fic to include the letters from the previous fanfic as well as added a chapter that I just noticed was missing. I think the great Martha Williamson would have all the letters read between them at the DLO – as in a great play that takes place in a single room. I have not accomplished that. I also think the "real" letters would have been far deeper, yet brighter and probably less confessional than what I wrote. Nevertheless, I hope that you enjoy reading these as we await the next great installment of the real Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Our story thus begins.

With a cascade of letters, a few bitter tears, and a kiss that was filled with longing and acceptance, three months of separation began to melt away. The two who fate seemed to keep apart were brought together at just the right time.

Oliver didn't want her out of his arms' reach and certainly not out of his sight. It was a reunion that was paid for with a price. Sitting side by side on the DLO counter, they shared her first *two letters, an odd Yoo-hoo Kombucha smoothie, a few laughs, and the need for Oliver's missing handkerchief.

"Are you ready for the second one?"

"Certainly," replied Oliver, squeezing her hand.

March 5

Dear Oliver,

Our plane just landed and I've been shown to my quarters. I have 30 minutes before I have to report. I have already surrendered my laptop and cell. I need my phone. I need to call you. I need to tell you that I wish I had never left.

I wish our date had never been interrupted. I wish we had finished our walk. Do you know how wonderful it was when I took your arm and you reached across and held my hand? I wish we sat in our squeaky porch swing – laughing and talking. I wish you had kissed me again.

I must confess. I bought your favorite coffee and had it ready to brew when we returned from dinner - if you came in – if you wanted a cup of coffee. There are two Yoo-hoo's in the refrigerator. Let me be clear, I didn't buy them for me. They were there just in case you wanted one. As many ways that I thought our evening might end, it certainly wasn't with me flying off to an undisclosed location.

As the long hours passed inflight, all I could think of was that with each passing hour76 I was being taken further and further away from Denver, from the DLO, from you. I once told you that I have no plans on leaving. I certainly didn't plan on this. I hope you know that I will come home as soon as I can. Home, my dear gentleman, my very best date – home has become wherever you are.

They are calling for me.

With my heart full of regret for leaving,

Shane

When she read the words "very best date" Oliver sat a little taller and smiled a little brighter. The image of her sitting across from him at E Phlat flashed before him. Her blond hair, her smile, and her blue eyes, that striking red dress, the feel of her hand in his – all were before him. It started as an almost magical evening. But the salutation "full of regret" brought his shoulders down and he sighed.

Oliver spoke quietly.

"I had my own regrets. I regretted not asking Steve more questions. I regretted not waiting while you packed so I could see you once more. I too regretted not kissing you again before you left."

"You did? I mean you regretted not kissing me again?"

"Oh yes, I regretted that. I kept telling myself that you would be back soon. That our one brief moment on the stairs said enough but…"

"But after three months you began to wonder?" Shane said.

Oliver nodded.

"Well, you might have to make amends for that regret for months and months to come," Shane said with a mischievous grin.

"On that I would gladly oblige."

"Oliver O'Toole, are you flirting with me?"

"Yes, I am," he responded.

They both chuckled.

"Oliver, would it be terrible to look on Norman's desk for some tissues? I'm not sure if I'm laughing or crying."

"Certainly. I think under the circumstances, Norman wouldn't view this as too much of an encroachment."

Oliver slipped off the counter and returned with the Kleenex box. Cupping her face in his hands, he began to draw her face to his.

"I believe I have some regrets for which I need to make amends," he began.

But par for the course for these two….

"Oliver, son? Are you here?" called Joe, coming through the doors of the DLO.

Oliver quickly clasped his hands behind his back, spun on his heals, and turned to face the door. Even a grown man will halt a kiss when hearing the sound of his dad's voice. Shane could not help but chuckle at the immediate hands-off response.

"There you are. I tried calling your house. I was worried about….."

Before Joe could finish his sentence his eye caught the smiling blond whose own eyes betrayed previous tears.

"Shane? Hi, you're here." he said somewhat bewildered.

Joe immediately looked to Oliver to judge his son's demeanor in the situation. However, Oliver's gaze was fixed on Shane. The look on his face told Joe all that he needed to know in that moment.

"Hi Joe." Shane said with a smile, as she jumped off the counter to stand beside Oliver.

"I am here and I have no plans on leaving – ever, not ever."

"Well, that's good news, good news. I'm glad to hear it. I think there is more than one person that is glad to hear that," he said looking at his son with a smile.

Addressing Shane, Joe continued.

"I was just passing by…"

"Dad."

"And I thought I would…"

"DAD."

"Yes," Joe said, turning to Oliver.

"Thank you."

"Sure. You two have a lot of catching up to do. I'm going to just go. I'll see you later." he said, backing out of the room.

Joe turned to leave before Shane could say anything else. Oliver nodded to Shane and followed his dad out the door.

"Well, son, are things…ok?" Joe asked.

"Yes, dad. Things are very much… ok."

"Don't forget my advice."

Looking around the Post Office as if he might be overheard, Oliver replied, "I've already taken your advice. After all, a son should always listen to his father."

Clueless to the context, Shane could hear the two men laughing in the hallway. She took delight in the sound. Oliver's joy was her joy.

Shane knew that Joe wasn't just passing by. He was worried. Whatever had transpired the previous night had Joe looking for Oliver the next morning. Now that she thought about it, Oliver looked a little worse for wear – suit a little rumpled, and he was not clean-shaven. He was even missing his pocket-handkerchief. Joe's awkward response to seeing her spoke volumes to Shane about how badly things must have been while she was away. It verified that her absence had resulted in the hurt and anger that she saw in Oliver when he came to D.C.

Back in the hallway, the relieved dad had wrapped both arms around his son and hugged him tightly. He had become increasingly worried about him the past three months. His son was down and possibly defeated. But now, the slumped shoulders had been replaced with squared ones and a definite light had come back in his eyes. Those things alone could bring laughter to a father's heart.

"If you need me, you have my number. But something tells me, you have everything you need inside that office," said Joe.

"Dad, thank you."

"Thank you?"

"For coming to find me."

"Remember, I'm not leaving you either. See you soon."

"Yes sir."

Oliver walked back into the DLO and stood in front of Shane.

"Now, where were we?" Oliver asked raising one eyebrow.

"We were right here," she said as she stepped closer, putting her hands on his shoulders.

Just as his face was about to meet hers, the unmistakable sound of the squeaking double doors of the DLO were heard once again.

"I know I had it Friday," said Rita.

"Did you leave it on my desk?" asked Norman.

Shane stood silently by Oliver, waiting on the newly engaged couple to realize that she and Oliver were there.

"I don't think I so. I don't remember…..SHANE!" said Rita.

"IT'S SHANE!" said Norman, looking to Oliver.

Shane threw open her arms to hug her sweet, faithful friend. Unexpected tears began to flow from Shane's eyes. Both women were in need of tissues before their embrace released.

The four friends were finally together again.

Oliver could do nothing but smile at this genuinely joyful reunion.

"You're really here. We missed you!" Rita said.

"I hear that you two have big news," said Shane.

"Yes, look," Rita responded sheepishly.

Holding out her left hand, Rita revealed an engagement ring – complete with owl and tiny diamond eyes.

"Oh Norman, it's perfect. Just like you two are for each other," said Shane.

"Norman and I were going to have brunch at the Grille and I couldn't find my driver's license. So we were going to check the office. Now we found you instead."

"Hey, found it," said Norman as he lifted the card from underneath a letter on his desk.

"You and Oliver come to brunch with us. We will celebrate. Ramone has started serving a fabulous brunch. I can recite the entire menu for you if you like. Then you could decide what you want to order before we even get there."

"Rita, that is a, a very cordial invitation, but Shane and I have plans," said Oliver politely declining the invitation.

"Oh? OH," said Rita.

"We'll see you tomorrow, or Tuesday, or maybe Wednesday. Well, probably tomorrow, or maybe not, but soon," said Norman.

"I really missed you guys. I couldn't have come home to better news than your engagement," said Shane.

"Aw," uttered Rita, embracing Shane once more.

The two friends parted and Norman took his fiancé by the hand and led her out the door.

Norman realized exactly what his friend wanted right now – to be alone with Shane, to share her with no one. The moment Norman realized that Shane had returned, his attention went to Oliver. The hurt and the disappointment of the past weeks seemed to be lifting.

Oliver had not admitted to anyone that what began as disappointment had become despair for him – except Norman. Late one night in a conversation on the patio at Ramone's apartment, Oliver's guard fell – if only briefly. Norman unveiled the pain and Oliver owned it. He, more than anyone, realized the depths of Oliver's loneliness. Now, he, more than anyone, understood the depths of Oliver's fulfillment.

Oliver and Shane smiled as the two made their exit.

"What do we do now?" asked Shane.

"We find a better place to share these letters," said Oliver.

"I know where we can find a porch swing."