A/N: Not mine. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Back In Touch

Rick was in A.J.'s kitchen, gathering up chips and drink when A.J. came in. Andrew was buttoning his cuffs as he looked over the items Rick had collected. "Don't fill up on that junk, we're taking the girls out tonight."

Rick stopped, glaring at him, dropping his assortment of goodies back on the counter. "Since when?"

A.J. pulled a beer from the fridge, offering Rick a bottle. "Liz called earlier. You were such a hit with Abbey. Liz feels we need to strike while the iron is hot."

The elder brother growled as he took a beer from A.J. "Jeesh, I was just being nice. I am not interested in striking that iron."

"Rick." A.J. paused. "You need to get out of this slump"

He set the bottle of beer down on the counter. "A.J., you are absolutely right." He sat down on the stool and pulled the phone close to him. Flipping open his brother's Rolodex. he found what he was looking for. Picking up the handset, he began dialing, listening to the ringing on the other side.

Hearing a click, he heard her voice. "Hello?"

Rick smiled. "Maggie?"

The woman furrowed her brow for a moment, running her free hand through her hair. She grinned. "Rick?"

After 30 minutes, Rick was hanging up the handset. He glanced over at A.J., who had been quietly listening. "You can stop worrying about me little brother, I am going to Los Angeles."

"Maggie's married, Rick." A.J. felt disbelief wash over him, that his brother would even think about getting involved with a married woman.

Rick laughed. "A.J…."

"Rick you can't. She and her husband are nice people. Besides, what would Mom say?"

"A.J., I called Maggie to find out about Emily. Emily is having a show in Los Angeles this coming weekend." Rick watched as his little brother absorbed this information.

Andrew furrowed his brow as his thoughts drifted back to the conversation on the front porch with Maggie. Taking another sip of beer, he wondered how much time was remaining for the artist.

As if reading his mind, Rick tried in his most cavalier voice to reassure him that this was something he wanted, that he could handle 'it'.

"Handle it? Just what are you handling, Rick?" A.J.'s voice adopted a deeper tone, giving him a much more mature sound.

Rick sighed. "You know what I mean."

"No, no I don't." A.J. crossed his arms in front of him. "Please explain."

"Look, A.J." Rick stopped, trying to choose his words carefully.

"No, you look, Rick. She has less time than she had when you were with her. She doesn't need to be treated like…."

"Just how the hell do you think I am going to treat her?" He glared at A.J. Snatching his bottle off the counter, he moved towards the door. A.J. stepped in front of Rick. "Rick, it isn't about you."

Brushing past him, Rick left A.J.'s house. Climbing into his boat, he sat down on the deck, wondering if his brother is right.

Later that week...

Throwing her oversized portfolio on the bed, Emily unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. What a day! Maybe Maggie was right; this might be too much for me. She shook her head. No, I am just tired.

Upon her request, Maggie and Tim had gone out to eat, leaving Emily on her own. Reading the room service menu, she chose several items. Thirty to forty-five minutes will give me plenty of time to cleanup. She bit her lip, what if they are early? Leaving her room door slightly ajar, she went to her restroom.

"Hey!" Rick called out to the hotel staff person as he picked up his pace. He had just missed Emily at the gallery. The young man stopped, and turned towards Rick.

"Yes sir?" The teen – something youth responded. "How may I help you?"

Catching up to him, Rick eyed the tray. "Who is that for?"

"Well, it's for room 4202." He picked up the card. "An E. Taylor." He gave the older man a questionable look. "Is something wrong, sir?"

Thinking quickly, Rick smiled. "How would you like to earn a $20 tip?"

The boy beamed. "Yes sir!"

Finding her door slightly open, he tapped lightly. "Room service." He called into the room as he pushed the door open. Pushing the cart into the room, he glanced around. Hearing water running, he lifted the covers off of the dishes. He wrinkled his nose. Hearing the water stop, he quickly moved back to the door and called out. "Room service!"

Her muffled voice came from around the corner. "Just leave it in the room."

Rick cleared his throat. "I need you to sign for it, ma'am."

"Oh." The sound of a shower door closing. "I'll be right out."

He turned towards the cart, just as she came into the room. "I'm sorry to make you wait. Ah, do you have a pen?"

Pulling one out of his pocket, he turned towards Emily. "Will this do?"

Not long after, Emily found herself sitting across from Rick in a Mom and Pop restaurant. Rick reached for her hand. "How was your first show in San Francisco?" His eyes held intense interest, and just a touch of humor.

"You're making fun of me." She pulled her hand back.

Rick laughed. "No, I think it's kind of interesting that you chose to be active, against your doctor's advice."

Emily looked squarely at him, locking her eyes on his. "You argued with me, before you left, that I didn't need to stay, how did you say it? 'Locked up in the hills.'"

The waitress brought over their drinks. Hers was Oolong tea and Rick was drinking a beer. Each took a sip of their drinks. Emily leaned back in her booth. His voice was quiet this time. "How have you been handling being out of the hills?"

"Tired. But, I try to keep an eye on things. The tea helps." She tapped the cup with her index finger. "Making up my mind not to do too many things in a day." She smiled at him. "I am glad that you made the trip up."

"Purely selfish reasons."

"Really? How so?"

"I was getting tired of my brother's girlfriend of setting me up with dates." Rick rolled his eyes.

Emily laughed. Rick growled. "I'm glad someone thinks it's funny."

Finishing her cup tea, she pushed the cup towards the center of the table. Rick studied her face. "I should get you back to the room."

She nodded, standing up; Rick wrapped his arm around her waist. She leaned against him as they made the walk to her hotel. Pulling her room key from her pocket, she opened her door. She pushed the door open and turned towards him. "Where are you staying?"

To Continue.