There was a message light waiting for Kelly when she returned to her office. It was her 1:30 appointment canceling and asking to be rescheduled next week. This was the second time Nina had cancelled at the last moment, which was a bit concerning. Kelly called her back and left a message on the answering machine with an alternate time.

Normally she would use the extra time to study but it was already a lost cause. Her thoughts were still hung up on her friends' news and the past. Ten years, two long term relationships and a few short ones later and it still hurt to think of him. Obviously, Donna and Steve were aware of that as well given their kid gloves treatment of any mention of Brandon.

Why didn't he want her to know he was moving back? Was it because he wasn't coming back alone?

The light on her wall turned on, diverting her. Kelly frowned and wondered if Nina had changed her mind again.

Pushing back her desk chair, she rose to her feet and opened her door to walk out to the hallway door. It separated the group of offices from the reception area. Since there were only five of them that practiced here, the clinic was set up to have a receptionist only there in the morning. A push button panel with each of their names was utilized for their clients to notify them when they arrived.

Opening the outer door, she saw that it wasn't Nina waiting for her. It was Brandon. He still looked the same but his experience and what he had seen as an investigative journalist showed in his eyes and his general demeanor. The idealistic and trusting young man was gone, replaced by a worldly wise and somewhat wary adult. His eyes seemed a bit shuttered when they met hers. "Hi Kelly."

"Hi Brandon."

"Sorry for just dropping by unannounced."

"That's all right."

"How have you been?"

"Good. And you?"

"Tired. I just drove into town yesterday."

"From DC?"

He nodded. "Me, my mustang and a U-haul trailer."

"No wonder you're tired."

They stared at each other until Kelly broke the building silence. "Would you like to come back to my office?"

"Do you have time?"

"Yes. My next appointment isn't until 3:00."

"Ok."

Motioning for him to precede her, she followed him and pointed out her office, letting the hallway door close after them. Inside her office, he sat down on the couch. Kelly closed her door, crossing over to take the low slung arm chair facing him.

"I also wanted to apologize for asking Steve not to tell you I was coming back," he began.

"How come you didn't want me know?"

Brandon glanced down at his hands and shrugged his shoulders. "It never seemed the right time to call and I think part of it, I wasn't sure what I'd be coming back to."

"Oh." It was her turn to look down.

"You know what, let's not get into that." He changed the subject and gestured to her office. "How long have you been here?"

"A couple of years. I finally went back and got my Masters and worked as a school counselor for little over a year before ending here."

"You like it?"

"Yes, I do. I'm actually putting my degree to good use," she finished with a grin.

He smiled, easing some of his overall wariness. "Glad to hear it."

"How have you been?"

"Ready for a desk job. If this job hadn't come through when it did, I might have had to hit up Steve for a job."

"Yeah?"
"Don't tell him I said that."

"I won't. Are you, um, moving back to your old house?"

"I'm only crashing there until I get my own place. It's Steve and Janet's home now. Doesn't even seem like my place anymore. I assume you're not at the Beach house anymore."

"You assume correctly. I have a condo not too far from my Mom and sister."

"How are they?"

"They're good. You know, if you would like some help finding a place, I could help you."

"That would be nice. Thanks."

"My mom has a friend who is a realtor who helped me find my home."

"I might have to treat you to dinner for that," he teased.

Kelly met his eyes, answering in a soft voice, "I'd like that."

"Me too."

She could feel something almost tangible lingering in the air between him before he suddenly shut it down and pulled back. "I'd better get going. I need to run by the Chronicle to get a few things taken care of."

He rose to his feet giving her no choice to do the same. Keeping her feelings neutral, Kelly thanked him for stopping by.

"It was the least I could do."

The two looked at each other uncertainly. She took a step toward him and he closed the gap, hugging her. She wrapped her arms around him and admitted, "I'm glad you're back."

"I am too. I kind of missed it here." He squeezed her before withdrawing. "So to get out of here, I go out the way I came in?"

"Yes."

Opening the door, he told her good bye and walked out. Kelly gently closed the door behind him and sat down on the spot he had vacated. She hadn't realized it until seeing him now how much she had missed him in her life and was even more uncertain of where she stood with him.