So where is this leading? Let me know what you think!

Thanks to Molly for editing this!

The new Mrs. Robertson – Eight

When Ellen 'Raven' Robertson met Glen in the hallway on Monday morning she noticed that he looked quite tired and uneasy. At first he didn't notice her, but then their eyes met and her face brightened up.

"You look like someone who has spent a night on the couch," she greeted him with a smirk as he stopped to talk to her.

"Guest room," he answered unhappily. "But why are you here?"

"Huh?"

"No honeymoon?"

She shook her head and laughed. "Maybe later in the summer."

"You should enjoy your young marriage as long as you can… sooner or later, you'll have to fight for every moment that's free from restrictions and problems."

Raven gave him a long, concerned glance. Although she didn't know him very well, the following offer escaped easily her lips. The man definitely needed someone to talk to. "Do you want to talk?"

"Actually, no… it's talking that brought me into this. If you'll excuse me now, I have an appointment."

"Alright. I'll see you later."

Glen vanished into his office and, as Raven went to the elevator, Laura stepped out. She wore her most expensive fur coat and had applied dark eye make up. All in all she looked dangerously beautiful - and furious.

"Good morning," Raven said as she passed her.

"Good morning," Laura said without really looking at her. Then she turned and put her high heeled foot between the frame and the already closing elevator door. The door reopened and suddenly Laura smiled at her: "Have you read the newspaper this morning?"

Raven looked puzzled. "So far I've had no time."

"But you made it on the front page, dear! The new super star of Robertson and Son becomes an official member of the family. Congratulations. Have you seen Glen?"

There was nothing in Laura's voice that sounded unfriendly or cold, but there was something in her eyes that worried the younger woman. Nervously Raven licked her lips and cleared her throat. "He has an appointment. Maybe you should ask Audrey."

"I will. See you for lunch?"

Lunch? Laura had never invited her before. Why now? As Raven felt how her eyes narrowed in suspicion, she did her best to correct her facial expression and said quickly: "Why not?" Raven returned the smile of her mother-in-law with the same cold attitude she was paying her.

She told herself that there was no reason to fear a fallen queen. Not even if her name was Laura Robertson.


Perry and Della enjoyed a late breakfast in Perry's suite.

"I should have known you wouldn't want to stay for breakfast in my room," Della remarked with a mystic smile on her face, as she refilled her cup with coffee.

"Just because we've more space here," he answered, still hiding behind the morning paper.

"Of course. Have you read the headline? Glen's party was a big hit, it seems."

"Let's say the young woman and Glen's son were the big hit," Perry remarked slightly annoyed. William Robertson and his bride graced the cover and the headline left no doubt about the role they played in Denver's highest circles.

"Glen is quite proud of him," Della shrugged and earned a grumpy noise in response.

"If he has reason for it. He seems to have a good taste in women, though."

"I forgot you prefer the dark-haired type."

"The intelligent type."

Perry folded the paper and placed it next to his empty plate. He gave Della long look. He knew she had no idea who Ellen Crane might be and he had no idea how to tell her, if she was who he believed her to be.

Right now he had a completely different reason to talk about why the party had been no big hit in his eyes. His eyes lay pensively on Della. As always, she looked perfect to him, beautiful and unique, but he had never thought Glen could see her in a similar way.

He had never noticed any stolen glances or flirtations indicating he was attracted to her. He wondered what else had happened that he hadn't noticed.

Remembering the previous night in her room, he knew she still loved him. Her feelings for him hadn't changed in the least, but what if her feelings toward Laura's husband were slowly changing? What if something happened that he couldn't control or influence? Falling in love usually just happened to people. No one asked for it and yet people fell and some fell hard. Della and Glen falling for each other… The idea produced a cold and heavy stone in his stomach.

"Cross examine, Counsellor?" she asked mischievously.

"I was just wondering what Glen Robertson wants from you…" he said, avoiding her eyes.

"I told you, he just wanted to talk…"

"About Laura… because the two of you are so close…"

Della paid him an ironic look. "Don't ask me why he chose me. Maybe because the two of us have a few grey hairs."

"Very funny. So?"

Now he recognized the wit in her eyes that foreshadowed a sharp answer: "He wants to retire… if Laura allows it. It seems he's afraid she'll leave him, if he does something she doesn't approve of."

Perry, a little taken aback by her openness, leaned back. Della moved uncomfortably on her chair and added: "Look, I said last night I didn't feel right about the situation, but that was more because of the way it made feel you. I couldn't care less about what Laura thinks or feels, because I know she wasn't interested in the truth about what was going on."

"I understand." Actually he didn't. Della and Laura had never been close friends, not even well-acquainted, but so far the two had managed to be civillized with one another. Could that change right now, too?

"Good. And now I have a question…"

"Go ahead."

"When can we finally go home? I doubt my neighbour will water my flowers for the rest of my life…. And your knee could use some warmer temperatures!"

She was right, but not because of his knee. They should go home as soon as possible. Away from Glen and Laura and all the problems, but he couldn't. Not now. First he had to know if the new Mrs. Robertson was who he thought she was.

~tbc~