"... I haven't decided yet." When Angel spoke those words, her voice dropped off, with a hint of sadness. Almost as if she couldn't speak them. Why? It was true she hadn't made a choice, but in her heart, she knew what she wanted.

She didn't want to have to choose between Roger and Dorothy. She loved them both too much. Oddly, she had found herself in the same position as Roger was in. She didn't know who to choose. Angel had worked on building a friendly, and loving, relationship with Dorothy. It had taken a long time, but the effort paid off in that both of them could now be in a room together without starting a fight. Whereas with Roger, she had only needed to work on gaining the misanthropic man's trust, and that hadn't taken nearly as long. Despite being a misanthrope, Roger tended to give people the benefit of the doubt when possible, and even second chances if one was willing to try and behave on so called "gentlemanly terms".

It probably didn't hurt that Angel was also well endowed, and had no problems with showing off a bit of her curves to boot.

"So you aren't sure who to pick either?" He took his chance when he felt he had an opening. Don't screw this up again! At the back of his mind he had nagging doubts it wouldn't work, but he had to try dammit. "Maybe we should both lay our cards on the table, and discuss this a little more openly?"

"Ha! I'm not one of your clients Roger."

"Perhaps not, but hiding how we feel isn't helping us now is it?"

"Trying to negotiate love contracts now are we?"

"It's certainly starting to look that way." He could only shrug at Angel's playful jest. She wasn't entirely wrong however. This was beginning to feel like one of Rogers more 'delicate' negotiations. Now that she's a little more relaxed, maybe we can finally get down to business.

"So what exactly should we be laying out? We both already know that neither of us can, or we aren't willing to, make the necessary call." Exasperated, she continued, "It might honestly be better to say what we aren't willing to do first. That might give us some foundation."

"You mean in the bedroom or…?"

"No you louse, I meant in a relationship!" Angel snapped. She knew the man to be cocky, but really? Trying to start with bedroom talk before they even decided if they were in a relationship? I'm starting to see why Dorothy is always so testy about Roger's behavior. She probably has to be witty with him to keep him on his toes and out of trouble. Gentleman my ass!

From beyond the doorway a silent silhouette stood waiting. She hadn't opened the door, for she had no need to. Being able to hear even the most minute of sounds allowed her to eavesdrop on the two humans her heart was divided between. Even the movements they made she could pick up on. For now there was no reason to intrude, and yet…

Well, she would wait a bit longer.

"Well, then what exactly do you mean 'what we are comfortable with'?"

"Are we going to be monogamous, open, polyamorous or allow for a third partner occasionally if we both agree on them? That sort of thing." Really, Angel already had an idea where both of them were heading, but it was better to have it out in open. Also, while she hadn't been brought up, Dorothy was probably leaning the same way they where, but that would have to be discussed later.

"..." Roger didn't really know how to respond. Open, polyamorous, occasional third member? He wasn't going to admit it, but he never thought about those as possibilities. Well, maybe it was better to say he hadn't thought either woman would be open to such as situation. Roger certainly didn't think Dorothy would be willing to enter in as a third party. So that option wasn't viable. Honestly I had only thought to be in a relationship with one of them. Are Angel and Dorothy willing to be in a three way relationship if they already are trying to start one of their own? A thought came to him then. One that had been hiding in the dark recesses of his imagination, and not one he wanted to acknowledge. What if I am the third wheel? I had assumed Angel meant Dorothy, but maybe… He felt it best to stop then, or else he might find himself wondering down a dark path mentally. He wasn't sure he could deal with being a third wheel though.

Coughing into his hand Roger finally spoke, "Perhaps it would be better if we had time to think about this, and next time we could let Dorothy in on the conversation?"

"Yes, that's probably for the best." She's probably listening anyway. Maybe he knows that and doesn't care. Angel got up and stretched. The whole conversation, what little they had actually been able to discuss, was tiring. She was also still recovering from a lack of sleep and being on the run for a week.

"I'm going to lie down for a bit." And with that she headed for the study door.

She had expected to find Dorothy outside the study, but instead the hallway was empty. That suited Angel fine. As much as she wanted to talk to her, Angel needed more rest and time to think about the negotiations that Roger had attempted with her.

Really, I'm not sure what he was thinking. But it was just as awkward as Dorothy had said it would be. I'm going to take a nap. Her feet started moving on their own and before Angel knew it she was back in bed.

Dorothy had left as soon as she had known the conversation was over. What was that all about? Angel doesn't know what she wants, Roger doesn't know what he wants. Do I know what I want either for that matter? She had thought she knew exactly what she wanted, but after last night and hearing Roger and Angel trying to figure things out, Dorothy couldn't be sure anymore.

Without thinking Dorothy had gone back to her room and was sitting curled up on the bed with her knees in front of her face, and her arms wrapped around her legs. It wasn't a typical position for her to sit in, but right now she felt like she could just disappear if she made herself smaller. She didn't know what she wanted, the humans she cared about didn't know either, and they might just choose to date each other and ignore Dorothy.

She suddenly understood why Norman said he missed being young but never wanted to go through his teenage years again. Dorothy didn't like having the feelings of a teenager either, but sadly she was a perpetual eighteen year old girl and unless she turned off her processes that handled emotion and turned permanently deadpan, she would have to learn to handle them.

Maybe I should just run off for a bit without saying anything and come back later? No… I don't want to make Norman worry. I'll tell him I am going for a walk for a while so he won't panic when he doesn't find me.

She left her room and headed for the kitchen. Norman would probably be starting dinner preparations about now, and she could tell him she was going for a walk, and maybe offer to do some errands for him while she was out.

Norman was indeed in the kitchen, preparing for dinner and measuring out the additional portion requirements needed for an extra person.

"Norman…" She called gently from the doorway.

"Ah, Ms. Dorothy there you are. Is there something you need?" The butler glanced over at Dorothy with his one good eye.

She would have offered to help cook, but the last few times Dorothy had tried had been rather disastrous. Tasteless but not burned meat, spicy soup and a crispy outside and raw on the inside chicken had been the results of her last three solo cooking attempts. After that Norman was hesitant to leave her alone to try, and instead stood over her shoulders (not hard to do when she was so small and he was practically a giant) and hounded her at every step to let him double check, taste and flavor her cooking.

"I'm going to go for a walk. I'm not sure if I will be back for dinner, so you do not need to set a place for me. Do you need me to do anything while I am out?"

"I see. I don't believe we currently need anything, and the orders for Big O's parts will take a few more days before they are ready." The elderly butler said, while picking up a rather large cleaver. Had she not known his intentions it might have been threatening. But this was Norman, and he was just going to chop some of the pork bought at the market that morning. "Well do be careful Ms. Dorothy, and try to be home before midnight. I might not be your father, but I do still worry about you."

"I know Norman, thank you. I will try to be back by midnight." With that she turned and left, electing to take the long flights of stairs down.

Dorothy didn't know where she would go, but she liked the idea of visiting Instro. It had been a while since her last piano lesson.

Roger has needed a stiff drink after his chat with Angel. It had been even more disastrous than his confession to Dorothy. You sure know how to bungle love confessions don't you Roger?

He felt like he was losing his edge, like he couldn't negotiate his way out of a wet paper bag. When was the last time he had even attempted to tell a woman how he felt and meant it? Most of his paramours were just the results of sweet talking, charm and a dash of luck. But he wasn't trying to have a one night stand with either woman, Roger wanted an honest to goodness relationship.

And that was the problem. He couldn't recall ever having a healthy relationship with any woman other than his foster mother. But that wasn't the same thing, not even close. So what was Roger to do? What could he do? He wasn't sure, but he knew one thing: not to do what he had just done again.

Think it out next time. Well, think of other possibilities than what only you want, obviously. He sighed, and took another swig of his drink. How was I to know that Dorothy would confess before me? Only two months ago they seemed to dislike each other, and couldn't be in the same room. What happened between them anyway? Something sexual I figured that much out, but to what extent?

He drained his glass, slammed it down, and filled it up with another brandy. I am going to need a lot of alcohol to be able to even stand thinking about this.

This is becoming a slow burn, a very slow burn. Anyway, enjoy the ride and let me know what you think.