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For those of you who have been curious, here's a peek into where Eric's head's at...


Chapter 7: Eyes

The sound of fingers dancing across the keyboard echoed in the empty breakfast while Eric's eyes scanned every word he typed. It was early, but he wanted to take advantage of the relatively quiet apartment to actually get some work done. He had been trying to finish this report for a couple of days now, a difficult task when you had a impatient, not to mention loud cousin who complained about there being nothing to do in this place every chance she got.

A lot of people questioned his decision to establish the Silver Guardians in Turtle Cove, especially as a non-profit. But that was what he wanted the Guardians to be right from the start. He wanted to help protect people but his board wouldn't allow it. He had run the numbers very carefully and the Myers Foundation had more than enough money to sustain it. But there was way too much profit to be gained in a big city like Silver Hills for business minds to forgo it. This was his chance to prove it could work and work harmoniously with existing systems.

Turtle Cove was also strategically located between Blue Bay Harbour and Mariner Bay, larger cities, both easily accessible for the Guardians to operate if things in, provided he got the necessary permissions. Mayor Cruger seemed confident that he would though.

For the moment everything was in place to officially launch the Guardians, pending a few formalities. His main focus now was the assist copters he wanted to acquire for the team back home. He had driven down to the facility in Mariner Bay the other day to meet with Drs Angela and Clark Fairweather who had shown him the prototype. If he found the blueprints intriguing, the real thing almost had him sold.

His fingers slowed as he came to the section on the copters, the words in his head suddenly morphed into expressive blue eyes taking in the blueprints with wonder. He shook the image out of his head and continued typing, but he barely finished a line before he saw those eyes again, this time barely inches from his own glaring daggers.

He took a deep breath and leaned back in his seat, looking out the window. The last week had definitely been interesting, but his mind kept flashing back to that pair of striking blue eyes. In a short span of time, he had seen such a fleet of emotions pass through them, that they definitely had his attention. When they first met, after seeing her mother and sisters he thought she was just another dumb blonde waiting to latch onto the first deep pocket. But that assessment quickly turned to a stuck-up feminist, determined to prove a point. This was cemented by their little run in the parking lot. He definitely didn't need her, or her little boyfriend coming to his rescue.

Eric had to admit he was more than a little surprised to see her at the Guardians' headquarters a few days later. There was no hesitance or awkwardness in her eyes. Only confidence, with a hint of defiance. Her declaration stunned him but not more that her decision to walk away. The revelation that she was a fighter pilot took them all by surprise but definitely put things into perspective. What really surprised him was that apart from the victorious smirk she had thrown his way she said nothing apart from providing valuable insight on the designs in front of her. Or maybe it was her calmly telling Wes that he didn't need to apologise - after he'd done so many times - for not knowing she was a pilot, how could he? She just didn't appreciate the fact that he'd jumped to the conclusion that an Air Force Pilot need be a man and said not a word more on the subject. Eric was intrigued, more so after learning from Sky that her mother didn't approve of her occupation. She was proud of who she was and remained true to that despite other's opinions which completely turned his original assessment of her on its head.

Eric had gotten used to be being able to read people, it was a requirement in his world, and while he wasn't always right, he had never been shoved off foot quite like he had with her. He didn't know why exactly, but she intrigued him. Which was why, he found himself watching her at dinner with the Trumans. She sat next to Katie, her posture perfectly straight like the other soldiers in the room. And while she spoke to everyone, not shying away from sharing her opinions, she cast frequent glances at her sister who sat between Wes and Kim with Leelee just across from them. But he learned nothing that satisfied his curiosity other than what he already knew - her eyes couldn't hide anything. He saw a mixture of happiness, fear and concern every time she looked at her sister and couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind.

Perhaps she was thinking of the same thing he was - Wes and Jen. He didn't know about Jen but Wes was no wallflower. He almost always had a girl on his arm, but that didn't mean he took his relationships for granted. That boy was all heart in every aspect of his life and it'd come back to bite him a few times, one of the reasons he was surprised to see him so taken with Jen. He'd seen him fall fast before but never quite like this. His concern though was whether Jen reciprocated those feelings. Her sister definitely thought there was reason for concern.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled himself back to the present and turned his attention back to his laptop and continued outlining his meeting with the Drs Fairweather. As he began listing the features the copters offered he was again interrupted by the image of blue eyes, this time filled with vindictive defiance.

He was saying goodnight to Colonel Truman when she walked into the entryway to get her jacket. "Taylor," the Colonel called out getting her attention. "Eric was just telling me that we was taking a trip to Mariner Bay tomorrow to see the first prototype for the assist copters. Why don't you join him? I'm sure you're opinion would be helpful."

She didn't reply right way but turned a curious glance at him as he agreed that it was a good suggestion and that he would appreciate her thoughts on it. She studied him for a moment as if she were considering her answer.

"So now you want my help? Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I have to decline, I have plans. Besides, I'm sure you have better things to do than babysit me all day."

And she was gone, leaving the Colonel staring at him curiously. He hated to admit it but her rebuff got to him, more so than he thought at the time because it showed on his face and Leelee of all people picked up on it. "What's eating you?" she asked on the drive home.

"Nothing," he grumbled as he chanced a look in the rear view mirror to catch a glimpse of Wes dosing in the back.

"Yeah right. Do you really expect me to believe that? You have that 'I don't have all the answers and I don't like it' look going on. It's not becoming."

"Hmm"

"That's not an answer," she stated. "You know I'm going to keep badgering till you tell me. So you might as well spill."

"Badgering is unbecoming," he grunted, hoping to end the conversation.

"I'll risk it, especially if it has anything to do with Taylor Earhardt."

Eric blinked, but otherwise showed no signs of hearing what she said. He was aware of his cousin watching him with disapproving eyes and realised that she must have caught him watching her. "It's not what you think," he offered.

"It better not be. It's bad enough that Wes has it bad."

"You disapprove."

"You don't?"

"It's his life, we don't really get a say, do we?"

"I… Stop trying to change the subject. Taylor Earhardt huh? Why on earth would you want anything to do with one of the least amiable people in this sideshow?"

"I told you it's not what you think. She has me curious about something, which is neither any of your business nor of any consequence." The rest of the drive was far more peaceful allowing him to focus on the road while Wes dozed and Leelee sulked.

"There you are!"

Startled, Eric looked up to see Wes standing in the kitchen, not just awake but already dressed for the day and sporting a mug of coffee. He checked his watch and realised it was much later than he thought and turned back to his laptop with a frown, noting that he hadn't made much progress on his report. He shifted in surprise when the screen in front of him snapped shut.

"You're lucky I saved that," he growled at the grinning offender, now sitting across the table.

"Have I ever told you, you're a horrible grouch when you haven't had your daily dose of coffee?"

Eric glowered at him but went unnoticed as Wes reminded him that this was a 'No Work Weekend' and he had agreed to it. He confidently stated that they were going to Blue Bay Harbour and they - and by 'they' he meant Eric - would have fun.

"Why are you so chipper this morning?" he growled.

"Jen's coming with us," Leelee revealed as she entered the kitchen.

Eric turned to Wes with a questioning gaze but he just shrugged and said that Kim had invited her and it was just for the day. But Leelee quickly shot him a mischievous grin asking if he was disappointed that someone else was not tagging along. Wes looked from his sister to him, confused and asked Eric if there was someone he wanted to invite.

"No", he growled, sending a glare to his laughing cousin before stalking away.


That's it for now. Please review and let me know what you think.

Till next time...