Chapter 3

Games We Play

Shane looked over and asked, "Oliver, would you like to play a game of scrabble?"

Oliver - "I really would like to finish my book."

Shane - "I saw some games over by the kitchen."

Oliver - "What kind of game is it?"

Shane - "You'll like the game, it's all about words. Besides, I'm not sleepy and I need something to help the time pass."

Oliver - "I really just want to finish." She interrupts him before he finishes.

Shane- "Oliver, You can finish the book any time. You have me here and lets do something together." A smile creeps across her face. "Think of it as a competition."

Oliver - "Okay, one game won't take too much time."

Shane - "Are you saying that you don't think I will be much of a challenge?"

Oliver - "No, that's not what I mean. It doesn't seem to be too hard. Lets just play."

Shane sets the board up on the floor in front of the fireplace and they sit facing each other on the floor. After a few turns, the game starts to get heated.

On Shane's turn, she pronounced "Oliver" as Oliveer.

Oliver - "Honestly, do you have to pronounce it that way?"

Shane smiles and chuckles - "That's what Ramon calls you and you have to roll your tongue when you say it. Oh come on, try it!"

Oliver rolls his eyes and sighs. His word. Hacker - "A person who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to data." He ends the statement with his eyebrow raised with a half smile.

Shane replies, "Oh two can play at this game." She spells the word decipher. "To convert into normal language, understanding, and interpreting. What I have learned to do when you are speaking in metaphors."

Oliver - "I mean what I say when I say it."

Shane - "Exactly!" (with eyebrows raised)

Oliver spells out manipulative.

Shane - "Mr. O'Toole are you implying that I'm manipulative?"

Oliver - "If the shoe fits! Brazeningly!"

Oliver - Oliver spells the word insatiable. "Impossible to satisfy. In a word, curious."

Shane - "Hey, that curiosity has solved some pretty important cases. My word, Shakespeare. What one uses to speak when nothing else that comes to mind."

Oliver - "I do like the classics. He has something to say in every situation. His words are my words or is it my words are his words? I promise Miss McInerney, you vex me sometimes."

"Vexing you. Would I do that to you?" (questions with a mischievous smile)

He does a double take and rolls his eyes and states, "I believe you enjoy it."

By this time, Shane finds more letters from another game to continue this one. Shane smiling at him spells "Yoohoo. Your favorite drink."

Oliver - "Well, it does have a great aroma and taste. Wish I had one now. Next word, faith, because all it takes is a little."

Shane - "I've learned a lot by watching you and how our cases are solved. My word is swing. Oh, how I love that swing."

Oliver - "My word is deliver. That is our job. We deliver."

Shane - "Yes, we do. We do that well." (remembering Donatello's smiling with fondness) "My next word is Shane."

Oliver- "Does that pertain to your name or the movie?"

Shane - "Does it really matter? I just like to hear you say my name." Oliver shakes his head and chuckles.

Oliver - "My word is poker. What game I learned to play while you were at a undisclosed location."

Shane - "Maybe we can play a game tomorrow. My word is Steamboat. What I called you on the day we first met."

Oliver - "What did you mean by that?"

Shane replies, "Steam_ boat. Get it?"

Oliver squints his eyes and gives her a pondering look "I think I have an idea."

Shane - "I'll tell you later." (she winks at him)

Oliver - "My turn, timing. It's everything." He returns the look and smiles.

Shane - "My last word is beautiful. What you called me on our official first date." Shane blushes as she finishes the statement.

Oliver looks into her eyes and states, "I meant what I said on your front porch. You are beautiful, Shane." Oliver looked to see if anyone was around and leaned forward over the board game and softly kissed Shane. He moves back exhales and states as he looks down at the board, "I believe I won. What do I win? Dinner? Italian? "

Shane - "Really Oliver? So, you say you won?"

Oliver - "Yes, I believe I did."

Shane - "Are you sure?" With those words she leaned forward and gave him another kiss. "How about now?"

Oliver - "Yes, I….."

Shane reached over and grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer and gave him a short kiss followed by a longer lingering kiss that almost made him forget about the game.

When she finished she asked, "So,have you changed your mind yet?"

He said with a smile, "Not yet, I'm thinking about it but, I need more persuasion."

Shane punched him in shoulder and stated, "Now, who's being manipulative?"

Oliver replies as he chuckles, "I learn from the best."

At that time, Sam woke up from a bad dream crying. Shane hurried to the room and consoled him til he went back to sleep. He missed his parents. Oliver watched as she cuddled with him. Listening to her assure the boy his parents would see him soon. He was touched deeply with emotion.

He left to wait for her on the sofa but, fell asleep. Shane came back in the room and gathered the mugs and put the game away. When she was finished cleaning, she added another log and stoked the fire. She decided to read so she sat on the sofa and propped her feet up on the table. When she leaned back to get comfortable, she accidently woke Oliver.

Shane said, "I'm sorry, Oliver. I didn't mean to wake you. Why don't you go to bed? I can take care of things."

Oliver responded, "I didn't want to leave without saying goodnight. Are you going to bed?"

Shane said, "No, I'm going to read awhile. Sam is afraid and I want to be here when he wakes up again. I can't imagine being without both parents. He feels so alone."

Oliver looked over at Shane and said, "Come here." He motioned for her to come over. He gathered her in his arms and held her. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. And before he knew it, she was resting with a rhythmic breathing pattern. He prayed over Sam and was grateful for Shane. He wanted to hold her longer, and in doing so, he fell asleep. He woke up later with her head on his chest. He caressed her cheek and kissed the top of her head. Then he moved off the sofa and covered her with a blanket.

The next morning, Oliver gave Sam a flower to tickle Shane's nose to wake her up. She started to giggle and tried to swat the flower. She was mumbling and Sam ever so lightly placed the flower on her face slowly dragging it across her cheek. Sam started to giggle. Shane swatted so hard that she fell on the floor and laughter erupted.

Shane sat up a stated while yawning, "I'm glad I'm amusing someone this morning. I'll get you back, Oliver O'Toole."

"We shall see, Ms McInerney. Oliver smiled like he knew something she didn't. Breakfast is ready."