Rumour Has It

Chapter: 9

Rating: PG

The remainder of their time in New York was much better than that second night. Mary and Rhoda went shopping while Lou and Joe went to the basketball game. After an exciting days adventure the four of them met up for dinner and then the theater. Despite their minor bump in the road they couldn't have had a better weekend, except for Mary and Rhoda's difficult goodbye at the airport.

It was a dreaded Monday morning. It seemed as though everyone was completely unmotivated. Even the elevator man didn't have much to say in between stops. Mary entered the newsroom to find Murray on the phone. She hung up her coat and made her way to her desk. Murray hung up the phone and looked over at her.

"How was your trip?"

"Very nice." she dropped her purse in the bottom drawer. "I really loved seeing Rhoda."

"How is she?"

"Fantastic." she sat down. "She and Joe are going to have a baby."

Murray smiled. "That's wonderful news."

"Yeah, they're really happy." she said. "We had a really great time. I left my curling iron behind at the hotel room though."

"The hotel actually just called about that." he told her. "I was wondering what Lou was doing with a curling iron."

There was complete silence. Mary didn't dare move or breathe or reply. This had to be handled a certain way. A calm and collective way. After all she and Lou had never discussed telling anyone about their relationship. "Yeah." she sighed. "We switched rooms."

"Why?" he seemed to be buying it.

"His room had a sunken tub." and that wasn't a lie either. Their room did have a sunken tub that was put to very good use on Saturday night. She started going over the paperwork on her desk. The last thing she wanted to do was give anything away.

She stepped out of the office and went down to the studio to check out the problems with the new camera. Almost as soon as she left the newsroom, Lou came out of his office. "Mary here yet?"

"Yeah, she just left to go down to the studio."

Lou nodded. "Okay." he said. "Can you tell her to come into my office when she gets back?"

"Sure thing, Lou."

Twenty minutes later Mary entered Lou's office to find him pouring a cup of coffee. "You wanted to see me, Mr. Grant?" she closed the door behind her.

He smiled. "Yeah." he sat down in his chair. "I was just propositioned by the Station Manager."

Mary sat down across from him."Really?"

"Well, it's more like an offer that I can take or leave." he took a sip of his coffee.

"Now that sounds intriguing." she said. "Promotion?"

"Yes." he sat his mug down on his desk. "I've been offered the position of Program Director."

"That's fantastic."

"Well, it gets better." he said. "That leaves my position open for you, if you want it."

"Of course." she said. "Does that mean that you're taking the new position?"

"Yes, I think so." he replied. "There are still a lot of details that need to be worked out. I think it would be a good change for me and good of us too."

Mary nodded. "I guess working together and playing together won't mix well for very long."

"Could be a lot of fun temporarily though." he said. "In fact I think we should take advantage of the situation, don't you?"

She smiled. "You're just asking to get caught."

"You focus too much on the punishment." he told her. "Doesn't the thrill of it all excite you? I mean the thought of doing something you know is wrong and getting away with it..."

"Or getting caught."

"Or getting away with it." he said, again. "You need to loosen up a little, you're awfully tense this morning."

"I woke up alone." she told him. "You know how much I hate that."

"Maybe I can make it up to you later."

"I think I'm going to hold you to that." she smiled. "Because I think you definitely owe me."

He knew that they were already taking a chance by discussing their relationship in his office. Anyone could walk in, anyone could hear them, but somehow he didn't seem to care. The only thing he was focused on at that very moment was her. "Why don't you meet me in editing in about five minutes?"

She arched an eyebrow. "For what?"

"I just need your assistance, that's all." he said. "If you're going to take my position there are a few things that I need to show you."

"In the editing room?"

"Uh, huh." he breathed out. "How about I give you a sneak preview?"

"The blinds are open." she reminded him. "Aren't you afraid someone will see us?"

"Not really. There's something about being with you that makes me just not care about what's going on around us." he said. "And besides people really don't make it a habit to stare into my office."

Mary got up from the chair and headed for the door. "You know I think I like this Lou better than the old one, he's much more fun."

Lou followed her. "Good." he said, leaning into her. "Does that mean you're going to meet me in the editing room?"

A smile played on her lips. "I suppose."

He backed her up against the door, his lips met hers in a rather promising kiss. "I'll make it worth your while." he said, pulling away. "I promise."

"You better." it was almost a warning.

Mary had done just like he had asked and made her way into the editing room just a few moments after she saw him go inside. She carefully closed the door and immediately turned the lock.

"Now where's the fun in that?" he asked. "The thrill of getting caught is half the fun."

"I think you just wounded my pride a little." she smiled. "I thought just being with me was a thrill?"

"You know it is." he closed in the space between them. "But it's always fun to turn up the heat a little."

Her back was flat against the door. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

He reached around her and unlocked the door. "Well, a little of this for starters." his lips grazed over the side of her neck. "Unless you have any objections."

She didn't answer. Instead her mouth covered his engaging him in the most delicious kiss. Languid and thorough and incredibly passionate. "We should really get back to work." she said, pulling away. "This is dangerous because now I want more."

He kissed her again. "I seem to have that effect on you." he said. "I have something for you."

"You do?"

Lou reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. "I have to work late tonight." he said, placing it in her hand. "Wait up for me?"

"Of course." she smiled. "Will I be rewarded for my patience?"

"Very much so." he kissed her soundly. "And the key is yours to keep."

Mary slipped the key in her pocket. "That's a pretty big step." she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you sure we're ready?"

"Oh, I think we're more than ready." he kissed her lips. "Besides my apartment is beginning to feel rather neglected."

"I live closer to the station." she reminded him with a smile.

"So convenience is the reason we almost always end up there." he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tighter to him. "That's why I thought it would be nice for you to be there when I got home."

"How late do you think you'll be?"

"I'm not sure." he said. "Probably after nine."

"Mmm." she sighed. "Plenty of time to take a long bubble bath."

"Now that's an idea."

Out in the newsroom Sue Ann had just burst through the doors. "Good morning everyone." she smiled, brightly. "Is Lou in?"

Murray looked up from what he was doing. "Isn't it a little early for that kind of harassment, Sue Ann?"

"Are you jealous, Murray?" she asked, sitting down on the edge of Mary's desk. "Would you like a little attention from a beautiful lady?"

"I'd love some." he smiled. "Do you know where I could find one?"

"Very funny." she smiled back. "Is Lou in his office?"

"No, I think he and Mary are in the editing room."

Ted, who was pouring a cup of coffee, suddenly became all ears. "In the editing room?"

"Yes, Ted." Murray replied. "It's that door right over there." he pointed to it. "It's where they put together all the clips that you mess up the stories to."

He glared at him. "That's not very nice, Murray."

Sue Ann slid down off the desk. "Oh, I'll just pop my head in the door then."

Murray laughed. "Are you sure it will fit?"

Ted sat down his coffee and practically raced Sue Ann for the door. "I'll tell him you're looking for him, Sue Ann. I have something very important to talk to him about. It can't wait." he opened the door and quickly shut it. He leaned up against the back of the door. "Boy that was a close one."

Mary and Lou had broken apart the moment the door opened. "What is it Ted?" she asked. "I didn't even think you knew this room existed."

"That's besides the point." he said, hurriedly. "Sue Ann was about to come in here. I thought the two of you were going to be more careful? You're lucky I was out there."

Lou took his arm and led him to the door. "Thank you, Ted."

"Hey, what are friends for?" he smiled. "Just try to keep your hands to yourself."

"We'll keep that in mind, Ted."

"How would the two of you like to come over for dinner on Friday night?" he asked. "It'll be just the four of us. You won't have to hide your relationship. It'll be fun."

Lou looked back at Mary. "Well, what do you think?"

She entertained the idea. "I don't have any plans."

He looked back at Ted. "Okay." he shrugged. "We'll come."

"Great." Ted smiled. "Around seven thirty. You bring desert."

Mary watched as Ted left the room. "Dinner, huh?" she sighed. "That'll certainly be interesting."

He crossed the room to where she was sitting on the edge of the desk. "Well if we can survive dinner we can survive anything."

tbc...