The house and my life seemed empty after Diana and Joe left. They stayed an extra day at my house then they both disappeared. Pike back to his solitary lifestyle and Diana off to end one life and begin another. The cat stayed with me for the next week, but then he abandoned me, too. I couldn't bring myself to call Lucy. I had nothing to say. I called over and over looking for something I could never get from her-acceptance; of who I was and what I did. Maybe it was time I let that part of my life go, too. I missed Diana. I could be myself with her, I didn't have to keep my guard up, afraid what I had done in my life would scare her away.

I hadn't felt that way since Dolan died. Sure, I could be around Starkey, but the connection just wasn't there and some things you just shouldn't force.

I drank too much beer and moped around the house when I wasn't working. Business had picked up, and I wondered if Diana had anything to do with it. I put the five grand she gave me in an envelope and toyed with the idea of calling Joe for her number, but I wasn't sure he had it, and I didn't want to look like the love-struck fool that I felt like. I didn't feel I had earned the money or helped her with her problem, Joe had done that.

Joe and I had shared something; we were the lone-wolf bachelors with no ties or families. A few weeks ago that had all changed. He was a father, he had a daughter. I had a part-time cat. I wasn't jealous or envious of Joe. I felt incomplete for the first time in my life.

I was out on the deck nursing a beer and staring at the hawks gliding on an updraft, perfectly in tune with one another. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I knew I wasn't alone. My only weapons were my half empty bottle of beer and a spatula for flipping burgers, so I was screwed.

I saw a reflection in the sliding door and realized it was Diana, yes she is Pikes daughter. I put my beer down and hurried to her. I stopped short realizing I was acting like a fool but she closed the distance and threw herself into my arms. I picked her up and spun her around the kitchen. I was so happy I didn't know what to say, so I kissed her. The sweet, shy kiss turned into something wild and intense. We both took a step back. I was breathing heavy and so was she. We stared at each other like two starving people staring at a steak. It was too soon and we both knew it.

"I've got something for you." I ran up to my room for the money. I was afraid of what I'd do or say if I stayed with for much longer.

Diana was on the couch when I came back down. I sat down next to her and handed her the envelope.

She looked confused. "What's this?"

"The money for the job I didn't do. You and Joe took care of things without me."

She pressed it back into my hand. "The money is already accounted for, keep it."

I nodded and tossed it next to me on the couch. "About what I did, I'm sorry."

"You mean the kiss? I'm not?" She smiled and squeezed my hand and I got a rush.

I exhaled so loudly she laughed. "It's just been a very, very long time since I felt like I could rust someone or be myself."

"I know what you mean. My lifestyle cost me a woman I loved. She wanted me to make choices I couldn't make and be someone I wasn't." Had I just made a huge mistake by telling her that?

"I'm sorry Elvis. I know how much that hurts. It's best to find those things out before the marriage and the kids, though. It's easier on everyone."

"We have Joe to think about."

"We?" She looked at me like I was crazy then started laughing. I couldn't help but hug her.

"The long distance thing doesn't seem to work." I said, the voice of experience.

Diana nodded; she'd been through that to. She moved closer to me on the couch. I reached out and offered her me for comfort and she crawled into my arms and we just held each other for a long while. No words or explanations needed, it felt right.

"I was thinking about moving to California, now that I'm homeless and unemployed."

"There's always room for you here if you need a place to stay." I was doing my best at casual.

"I don't know how Joe would feel about me moving here."

"You can live where you want to live." Joe walked in from the deck. Why do I even bother with a front door or locks it doesn't seem to stop them. I don't think that was the response Diana was hoping for.

Diana nodded and pulled out of my arms. "I should get going back to the hotel. Thanks Elvis." She looked away and blushed I did, too. "It was good to see you again, Joe." She walked away to the front door before he could respond. I came up behind her. "Call me tonight. I know some great spots here." She had suddenly turned sad. Having a father like Joe was going to be tough on someone looking for a normal relationship.

"Sure, Elvis."

I got the feeling that wasn't going to happen, though. I followed her out the front door. "Joe's just Joe, he's quiet. Please call me later."

"I'm glad I got to meet you two." She got into her car and drove away, but hopefully not out of my life. I was feeling a bit angry at pike at the moment.

I grabbed a beer and said. "You can live where you want to live?"

Pike shrugged. "What?"

"I think she needed more from you than that. She's in pain. I'll just shut up because this is none of my business. I do like her Joe."

"I've seen that a couple of times now. I've got nothing to give her."

"All she needs is you Joe. To know you are happy to be her father and that you at least care about her. Love acceptance all that crap we and her didn't get as kids." I went out to the deck pissed at myself for butting in, and for caring about her enough to butt in. I didn't want to alienate Joe, but Diana was hurting, and I'm afraid Pike wasn't the kind of father she needed.