Chapter 7

Don pulled into the parking lot about a minute before David and Megan arrived. He adjusted the collar of his jacket before approaching them. It was too late for sunglasses, but he really felt they would have been a nice touch. He hit the button on the remote to lock the vehicle and walked over to where David was holding the door open for Megan. The female agent stepped out of the car and onto the asphalt. Don whistled as she stepped into the light of the streetlamp overhead. Her hair was pulled up into a wavy chignon with haphazardly crimped tendrils framing her face. She had on more makeup than Don had ever imagined she even owned, but it was tastefully done, highlighting her features perfectly. Her bronze satin ruffled blouse was belted over dark denim trousers with strappy bronze sandals peeping out beneath the hem. She carried a designer clutch. Don wasn't sure which designer, but he knew he had seen Shayne carry a similar one about a week before. She took David's arm and the three of them strolled toward the door.

Right inside, the hostess directed them to their party. About 15 people had gathered at one corner of the back room where several tables had been set up together. A group had gathered around Colby who undoubtedly was telling them some kind of crazy story. He caught a glimpse of Don and waved them all over to join the crowd. Don directed David and Megan toward the group but hung back to wait for Liz to arrive. He checked his watch and his phone when he saw that she was a few minutes later than he expected. As he opened the phone to dial her number, Shayne emerged from the bathroom and came up behind him placing her hand on his arm. He turned toward the touch, and when he saw her, he closed the phone, his call forgotten.

Her blonde hair was beginning to grow in darker at the roots, he noticed. She wore it in long loose waves, making her look like she'd just come back from the beach. Instead of the severe makeup she'd been forced to wear on the set, her face had a rosy glow to it. Don thought she must have some of that shiny, candy-flavored moisturizer stuff that he'd always wished Robin would wear instead of the long-wear foundation that tasted like chalky soap. She was barely wearing any makeup, just a tiny bit of color and shine in all the right places, but she still took away his breath. As he struggled to regain it, he took in her scent. Even in the short time that they'd known each other, he'd already learned it. It was vanilla and herbal shampoo. Although she sometimes covered it with some sort of spicy perfume, tonight she was all natural. He looked down at her hands, noticing that her nails had been newly manicured. He took his hand to remove hers but instead he ran his finger across the small, smooth ones touching his sleeve.

"It was the first thing I did when we finished this afternoon. The ragged edges were killing me!" she said as she took her hand back from his arm and held it out in front, admiring the work. He couldn't help but smile. She'd been complaining about her jagged nails and torn cuticles the entire time that he'd known her. Bobby had forbidden manicures, saying that her unkempt nails made her seem more like a real person, specifically one who had been stuck in a safe house with a witness for a number of weeks.

She straightened the skirt of her Black Watch Modern Tartan mini dress and ran her the fingers of her left hand through her hair, smoothing it out over her left shoulder as he stood there watching her.

"Stop fidgeting. You look fine," he said, not really smiling anymore.

"Why didn't you come today? We were all expecting you, and then Colby showed up."

Don shrugged. "It didn't seem fair that the whole thing was planned for him and he wasn't going to have any part of it."

"I hope that's the truth. Why don't you come in and join everyone?"

"I'll be in soon. I'm waiting for someone. She's…"

"Running late but finally here," Liz Warner stated as she came up beside the pair. She turned to Don. "I hope you didn't miss anything waiting on me. My errands took longer than I thought they would." She smiled at Don. Then, she turned to Shayne and stuck out her hand. "Hi, I'm Liz Warner, Don's date."

Don quickly jumped in and finished the introduction. "Sorry. Don't mind my bad manners. This is Shayne Carrigan. She was one of the film's leads." He watched Shayne's face carefully as she shook Liz's hand. Don had to hand it to her. Her face betrayed no discernible emotion. He placed his arm around Liz's waist and suggested that they join the rest of the group. Shayne led the way and then dissolved into the crowd. Liz found a seat with Megan, David and Colby as Don walked over to talk to Bobby Devlin.

Devlin shook his head when Don approached him. "How did everything go today?" Don asked the younger man. "Did Colby do ok?"

Bobby rolled his eyes. "He was fine. It all ended up just fine."

"I should have called you. I'm sorry."

Devlin waved off his apology. "As soon as she said that Vince was back I knew why you didn't show."

"I,I,I wanted Colby to have a chance to do the movie, and I had to get back to work," sputtered Don.

"Right. Don't worry, though, no one else thought anything of it. Who's the girl?"

"She's an agent."

"And I thought I was in the right profession to meet women," sighed Bobby. "She sure is stunning. How long have you been seeing her?"

"She just got back from an extended assignment while I was working with you. Today was the first day in over two months that we've seen each other. It isn't anything serious."

Bobby nodded his head. "Whatever, man. I'm not here to judge. You all just have a good time here tonight, ok?" He and Don shook hands.

"Thanks. I'll see you around," Don said as he returned to his FBI colleagues.

Colby had taken charge of the scene and was regaling them all with the tales of his acting experience. David and Megan were collapsing in laughter even before Don made it back to the table. He slid into the seat beside Liz and put his head close to her ear.

"You look great. I'm glad you could make it," he breathed into the dark brown tresses.

She shook out her long curls and smiled at him. "I thought we were going to keep missing one another forever. But I'm glad things have settled down now."

Don nodded. "Did you all catch a good case?" he asked.

"Actually, yeah, I think we did, but I don't want to talk about it tonight. Why don't you tell me a little about the movie, though? These people seem like they'd be a lot of fun to work with."

Don agreed that they had been as he began pointing out various crew members and explaining who they were and what they had done on the set. After he had given her an overview of the crowd, he and David took the ladies' drink orders and headed to the bar. They ordered beers for themselves, a whiskey sour for Megan and a club soda for Liz. As they were waiting for the bartender to return, Shayne walked up with an empty highball glass. She placed it on the bar and Don took the chance to introduce her to David. They shook hands as the bartender returned with their drinks. He'd also brought a vodka and tonic for Shayne. Don suggested that she come over to the table to meet Megan, as well. Shayne agreed and followed them to the other side of the lounge.

David handed Megan her drink, placed his on the table and pulled up an extra seat beside Megan for Shayne. Don introduced the two women who greeted one another warmly. Shayne sat down beside Megan and the two of them quickly fell into conversation. After a few seconds, Liz joined in as well. They were content discussing shoes, bags, hairstylists and shopping. Don, David and Colby, who had rejoined the group in the meantime, quickly excused themselves from the discussion and set out to mingle with the other guests.

"So you really enjoy Pilates? I agree that it's a good workout, but I get so bored while I'm doing it," Don heard Liz ask Shayne as the guys returned a few minutes later. He didn't hear her answer, though, as he handed each of the ladies a fresh drink. Shayne thanked him for the refill but told the girls that she needed to head around the room again. They said goodbye and David, Don and Colby sat back down.

"Are you all finished with the girl talk?" Colby asked before taking a long pull from his beer.

"Zip it Granger. If I had a dollar for every time you guys bored me to death with your analysis of the Chargers run defense, I'd be able to afford my own personal Pilates instructor," snarked Megan. "Liz and I never get to dress up and act like the beautiful women that we obviously are."

Liz laughed and nodded her head in agreement. "I bet she has time to shave her legs every day if she wants to. Can you imagine it, Megan?" All three of the men cringed as Megan admitted that she couldn't.

They ate, drank and had a remarkably good time, and it was close to midnight when David and Megan decided they were going to head out. Colby followed right behind them. Liz stood to leave with the rest of the group. Don walked her to her car but wanted to say goodbye to Joe and Bobby before he left. He kissed her goodnight and told her he'd see her tomorrow. She expressed what a nice time she'd had and let him know that he was looking forward to seeing her in the morning. He waved as she pulled away and walked back inside.

He found Bobby and Joe sitting in a corner of the lounge. Don walked up to them and they offered him a seat. He took it. The two men modified their conversation from technical detail of finishing the movie to something different as to include Don. The topic was Liz. Don assured them that there was really nothing to tell on that front. The three men passed the next hour or so discussing various subjects until Don felt his eyes growing heavy.

"I hate to break up the fun, but I'm a regular working stiff again. I'd better get out of here."

The other two men thanked him for all of his help over the course of the filming and wished him a safe day at work. Don said goodbye and headed toward the door where a more than slightly disheveled and more than slightly drunk Shayne Carrigan was waiting.

"Do you have a ride?" he asked her, realizing that she must have been pounding drinks since the last time he saw her more than three hours earlier.

"I don't remember," she told him as she fiddled with her phone. "I don't know how to work it." She frowned as she handed the device to him. "I think I need to call someone."

"The bartender will call you a cab," revealed Don, placing the phone back in her purse. He picked up her Jimmy Choo sandals from off the floor and hooked them together on the strap of the purse so she wouldn't lose them. "Or Vince. Can't he or one of his people come get you?"

"I don't want to go back to his place tonight. He's mad at me. That's why he didn't come," she explained. "Can't I go to your house?" she pleaded, pulling on his arm to help her stay upright.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Where are the girls you were with earlier?" She shrugged and dropped her purse on the ground in front of him. He bent to pick it up and she nearly fell over him. He shook his head with disgust as he put his arm around her waist and half supported and half carried her to the passenger seat of the SUV, praying that she could hold the contents of her stomach at least until they got to his apartment.

When he pulled into his lot, he helped her out of the car and up the stairs to his place. He unlocked the door, carefully directed her to the couch, and placed an empty wastebasket beside her. He went into his bathroom and closed the door as he changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, brushed his teeth and got ready for bed. When he came out of the room, she had collapsed across the couch with her left leg hanging over one arm of the sofa and her hair sprawled out on the far cushion. He thought she must have passed out, but as he approached, he saw that her eyes were still open.

"Are you ok?" he quietly asked.

"The room spins when I close my eyes. I think I'll be sick if I try to sleep now."

"Are you going to be ok, or should I stay out here for a while?" There wasn't really anything but time and sleep that could help her current condition, but he thought she might feel safer with him in the same room.

"I'll be fine. Go to bed. You have to work in the morning."

"Ok, but I'll be right in there if you need anything." He handed her a blanket from out of the closet as well as one of his t-shirts. "Do you want to go to the bathroom or wash up or anything? There's probably an extra toothbrush in the drawer beside the sink in the guest bathroom. I'm sorry I don't have another bed, just the couch."

"It's ok, Don. Go to bed. I'm just going to wash my face and get a drink of water." She seemed a little more lucid now, so he felt better about leaving her alone. He walked back down the hall to his bedroom, closed the door and went to bed.

Shayne raised herself tentatively from her seat and slid her hand along the wall until she reached the bathroom door. She opened the door and switched on the incandescent track lights above the sink. The harsh yellow beams accented the dark circles that were already forming under Shayne's eyes. Searching through the drawers under the sink, she found the toothbrush Don had mentioned as well as a tube of toothpaste. She also found a small container of face soap and a hair band in the medicine cabinet above the sink. She shimmied out of her dress, folded it carefully, and placed it on the edge of the sink. She pulled Don's t-shirt over her head and let the fabric fall around her, finding that it was just long enough to skim the curve her bottom.

With no hairbrush to be found, she vainly attempted to untangle the haphazard mess of hair using her fingers but eventually gave up and tied it back using the hair band from the cabinet. She wondered who had left it. Had it been the dark-complected girl with the pinched face in desperate need of rhinoplasty? What was her name? Liz. That was it. Shayne assumed that was short for Elizabeth, and why in the world you shorten such an elegant name to Liz? There were so many other variations on the moniker that were prettier, more ladylike. But this chick had chosen a career in the FBI, so maybe ladylike wasn't at the top of her to do list. Still, Shayne found it impossible to miss how well she carried herself in heels. Her legs were amazing, sensual and powerful at the same time. She had perfectly formed, well-developed calves, and Shayne guessed that the quadriceps hidden beneath her knee-length skirt were equally impressive. Don had seemed to like her a lot, too. The two of them were so dissimilar, Liz and herself. If he truly liked Liz, what was the chance that he could ever be interested in her? Shayne didn't think it was a very promising one.

She decided not to think about that any longer. Instead, she wet her face and rubbed on the cleanser. She rinsed carefully and dried herself with the towel on the rack to her right. Then, she quickly scrubbed her teeth clean with the new brush and cinnamon toothpaste. After she finished, she collected her clothing, extinguished the light and closed the door behind her. When she arrived back in the living room, she saw that he had left a bottle of water on the coffee table.

No longer feeling intoxicated, she picked up her purse from the floor and fished out her phone. She thought about shooting off a text to Vince, telling him that she wasn't coming home. But then again, why should she? He would have never thought to do the same for her during one of his Extra conquests. Besides, he'd made it fairly clear earlier in the evening that he didn't care where she spent the night, nor with whom. She was back to square one. Never mind. She'd been here before and she wasn't about to let another man in her life tell her who or what or where she needed to be. She began tapping out a message for her agent instead. She'd need something steady and profitable, even if it sucked. Like she said, square one. Talk about a buzz kill. She decided that the only thing left to do was sleep, but this had to be singularly the least uncomfortable couch in the history of the world. She wasn't really tired anyway.

Her phone vibrated beside her. She retrieved it and quickly read over the message. Not ideal, but it was the best her agent could come up with in five minutes at 1:30 am. It would have to do. Now, she just had to figure out what to do until Vince and E were out of the house for their meeting at 9. Babs had done that much for her. Sometimes having a female agent did have its advantages. She heard a noise from inside the bedroom and wondered if Don was having as much trouble falling asleep as she was. She tiptoed down the hall and tapped on the door with her fingertips, more brushing than knocking. Not wanting to overstep her bounds, she waited until her opened it. She hadn't woken him.

"Are you ok?" he asked, squinting at her from the darkness of his room, even though the only burning light was on the end table beside the couch.

"I'm fine, Don. This isn't the first time I've ever been drunk. You won't need to hold my hair back or anything."

"Oh. Right. Then what?" he asked, no longer so concerned, now he was back to just basic annoyance.

"I couldn't sleep, and obviously you can't either," she started.

"Oh, hell no," he interrupted. "What part of 'I'm not letting you cheat on your boyfriend with me' do you not understand? Besides, that girl at the party and me, we're seeing each other."

Since when! She thought as she shrugged her shoulders. "I just came to see if you wanted to watch a movie or TV or something. That's all," she lied. Luckily she was pretty good at that, too.

"I have to be at work by 7:45, so I really have to try to get some sleep, ok?"

"You want a Valium?" she asked him, a little too complacently.

"No, I do not want a Valium, and if you have any with you, you'd better have a valid prescription for them. You can watch a movie or whatever, just keep it low. I'll see you in the morning." He pushed the door shut. She stood there a moment, her hand on the smooth wood finish. This guy was a mystery to her. It seemed like he wanted her when they were together, but when he had the chances to close the deal, he'd blown her off every time, no pun intended. Maybe he really just wasn't into her. She wasn't sure that had ever happened before. When she offered herself to men, they always obliged. This was completely uncharted territory.

Finally, she turned and walked back down the hall to the couch. After she found the remote, she flipped on the TV and watch reruns until she heard Don getting in the shower. Her phone told her it was just after 5:30. She called for a car to take her to the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Babs had arranged for her to check in early, until she could get to Vince's to pick up her car and the rest of her stuff. She found a piece of paper and a pen to leave Don a note thanking him for letting her crash. Such an appropriate word for what had happened here. She folded his shirt and placed it on the coffee table with the note. Then, she smoothed her dress as best she could, slid her feet into her sandals, collected her purse and slipped out of the apartment and down the steps into the street. A few moments later, the car arrived. As she collapsed into the backseat of the Town Car, a little mirthless laugh escaped her lips. She'd always assumed that if she ever did the walk of shame from Los Feliz it would be from north of the Boulevard in the Hills above Griffith Park, not from some smug FBI agent's two bedroom walk-up on Avocado. Even as she though this, she was ashamed of herself. He'd shown her more respect than anyone had in year, definitely more than she had shown him. As she caught her own dingy reflection in the rearview mirror, she realized that she didn't like who she had become. She wondered if the real Shayne was somewhere inside, struggling to emerge from the filth. She wasn't sure, but she knew for certain that she'd never find out in L.A.