Red Road 9:

Disclaimer: I really think everyone's got the message by now.

When she opens her apartment door, he flings himself into her arms.

"Patrick, are you okay?"

"She took away case closed pizza today. And then she threatened me and called you weak. So I yelled at her. And I might have threatened her back. And I missed you so much… And… I love you."

She held him and let him calm down. It's been a hard day, she could tell. He wouldn't let himself cry or break down over this woman, but he was upset.

When his breathing finally stilled, he stayed there, wrapped in her embrace.

"…So… she took away case closed pizza? Seriously?"

"Really, woman? Out of everything, that's what you got?"

She chuckled, trailing her fingers across his back.

"You'll be okay, Patrick. Even if things don't work out, even if you're stuck with this pizza-hating new boss… you'll be okay."

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"What?"

"Keep bringing up that she might stay. I've told you, it's not an option. I'm not gonna let her stay there abusing you job. I can't keep going back to a job like that without you there every day, Teresa. I need you."

"I just want you to face the possibility that your plan won't work. It's happened before. I just don't want you to be so set on its success. We'll survive whichever way it goes."

"But don't you get it? You might survive on seeing me every blue moon. But I won't survive without you there. What happened… it broke me. It broke me to pieces and the only thing that kept me going was revenge. But revenge can only keep you going so long before it breaks you. And then something amazing happened – I just kept on going. And it was because of you. Your face, your smile, the fire in your eyes, everything about you… that's what's been keeping me going for so long. And when you left, when you got fired… I realized that I wouldn't make it without you. So you see, I can't live with you away… I need you Teresa. In the absolute essence of the word…"

He was afraid his speech might freak her out. He wouldn't be able to blame her. It would scare many woman away, especially one as emotionally vulnerable as her. But when she looked up in his eyes, tears glistening in her emerald orbs, he knew she felt the same way. He knew she wouldn't leave him.

"And also, Grace knows."

"Grace knows?"

"She followed me to lunch yesterday. Saw us eating together."

"Well then, maybe…"

"She also heard me talking over the phone to you. Put two and two together…"

She sighed.

"On the bright side, now I've got help…"

Her head shot up. "Please don't tell me you've dragged Grace into this! You can't put her career at risk as well!"

"She offered. She wants you back as much as I do. Everyone does, in fact. Which kinda brings me to another point…"

She raises an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"I think I know how we can make Whitman quit and not put anyone at major risk…"

I know it's short, but I need more ideas for pranks – something BIG… and please don't be shy to mention anything, my best ideas come from reviewers… which reminds me… PLEASE REVIEW.

Zanny