Hey Guys, it's been a busy week. I am so behind on all of the other stories I follow. I'm hoping to get caught up this weekend. So, this chapter has a lot of dialogue. I want to follow the book and give background info that we don't get in the book but I also want to be creative with the story line. That being said, I think it's time for Elliot to have a run in with Elena. Hopefully, I can work on that this weekend and get that out to you. Well, I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Laters or Goodbye

Six nights. Only six more nights until I help Kate move to Seattle and we will be living in the same city. I start to imagine going out to dinner with her, seeing a movie, hanging out at my place…wait! What am I doing? I've never sat around and daydreamed like a teenage girl. I need to get my head out of this space. I text Christian to see if he wants to have a beer.

Beer?- E

In Portland, remember? – C

Crap, I forgot. I've really had my head in the clouds but I guess Christian has too. I've never known him to be into a girl. This is so new for him. I'm really curious about Ana and how he met her. I think I'll probe just a little bit.

Are you seeing Ana tonight? – E

That's really none of your business, Elliot. – C

Just want to keep up with my little bro. –E

Your younger brother is just fine. I have work to do. – C

Laters –E

Well, I guess that's all I'm going to get from Christian. Maybe Kate is a good source for info. I've been waiting to call her. I don't want to overwhelm her but I'd really like to hear her voice before I go to bed. I decide to get a shower and get ready for bed before calling her. I grab my stuff out of my duffle bag and head for the shower. As I strip down and turn the water on, I notice the scratch marks that are still on my back. Kate is amazing. I would love to have those marks on me permanently. She's voracious. My wandering thoughts are waking up my dick. I guess it's a cold shower tonight.

After my shower, I throw on my boxer shorts and crawl into bed. I need to call Kate to keep my mind off of my empty bed.

"Hey, Kate," she picked up after the first ring. I'm paying attention to these things. Was she waiting for my call?

"Elliot, what's up?" I hear her tell Ana that she's taking the phone into her room.

"So how is Miss Ana Banana?" She giggles a little.

"That's a cute nickname, Elliot, do you have anything cute for me?"

"I'm working on it," I say with a smile.

"So, what are you doing tonight?"

"I was just getting things ready for tomorrow. It's a big day at work for me. I have a big proposal for funding for my greywater system. What are you doing?"

"We just had dinner and were watching TV." The image of us sitting in front of the TV jumps into my mind. What I wouldn't give to be sitting next to Kate and feel the warmth of her body next to mine.

"What show were you watching?"

"Oh just an old Big Bang Theory episode. It was the one where Sheldon gets sick and Penny sings Soft Kitty. It's my favorite episode."

"Yeah, I've seen that one. You know, I would sing to you if you ever got sick." I can't believe the words that keep coming out of my mouth.

"You would? Aw, Elliot, that's sweet. Well, as much as I'd like that, I just got over something so let's hold off on that for now."

"You were sick?" Why does this bother me? I really don't want her to ever get sick. The thought sickens me.

"It was just a cold. I missed my interview with your brother. Ana had to go instead of me."

"So that's how they met. I've been wondering, but I can't get anything out of my brother."

"Yeah, your brother, he's a bit odd isn't he?"

"Watch it, Kate, he's my brother." She better not go there. I've defended him my whole life, I'm not going to stop now.

"I'm just saying, he doesn't really act like any other 27 year olds I know."

"He's a genius, Kate. He doesn't waste time socializing. He's overcome a lot to get to where he is now."

"I know, Elliot, I'm just protective of Ana." I can understand that. I think we have more in common than we think.

"Hey, Kate, how about we change the subject? I really don't want to talk about my brother and his abnormalities right now.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" Kate says in her sexy voice.

"What do you think?" I lower my voice.

"Hey, Elliot, I'll be right back. I'm going to say goodnight to Ana." She puts down the phone and I hear her door open and shut. I can't believe how lucky I am right now. I have Kate all to myself. She gets back on the phone a little out of breath,

"I'm back." She sighs and I can hear what sounds like her flopping down on her bed. She quietly yawns into the phone.

"So, are you tired?"

"A little, I've been kind of tired and I'm sore tonight. It seems that my body is a little worn out from my weekend's activities." She can bet I'll make her sore every weekend from now on.

"Well, you better be glad that I'm in Seattle because I'd make you sore all over again."

"Mmm, I would probably go for that." She sounds so sweet. I can't believe I'm having this long conversation with her. I never talk this long on the phone. The only time I have a long phone conversation is when I'm just listening to Mia go on and on. Now I'm talking to Kate and loving every minute of it. I really love hearing her voice.

"Hey, Elliot, I'm kind of tired right now. I think I'm going to have to hang up before I fall asleep mid-sentence." Kate is yawning and I can tell she's got to get some rest.

"Okay, Kate, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Laters."

"Laters, Elliot." Oh man, I love how that sounds coming from her. It's the only time it's every nice to say goodbye. I hope she has sweet dreams, because I know I will.

Today was a challenging day. I didn't get to spend time out at the site until late afternoon. My entire morning was spent in a boardroom going over the funding for the greywater system. This system is going to save water usage by fifty percent but it costs quite a bit upfront. I have to figure out a way to ensure that we can work it into the budget that I've been given. At times, I feel like I want to give in and just use the standard system but then my passion for the earth and the need to conserve takes over. I didn't manage to get the go ahead because they want to see a final budget plan. I decide to give Christian a call and see if he can work some of his magic.

"Elliot." He always answers the phone the same way. It drives me nuts at times but other times the consistency is calming.

"Hey, hotshot! How's it hangin?"

"Elliot, I don't have time for a casual phone call. What do you need?"

"Well, I was just wondering if you could give me a little help with my greywater proposal."

"Elliot, I don't have much time but I'll see if I can take a look at it."

"Thanks, Christian. The stuffed suits are giving me trouble. They are having a hard time seeing the payoff in the end, and just want to save a dime now. They need to understand how much they'll be saving in water usage when everything is completed."

"I'll see if I can make the numbers work for you. I can't make things up but I'll see if I can get it to spin your way."

"Thanks, bro. I owe you one. So are you staying in Portland until graduation?"

"Yes, Elliot, I have meetings up here and I have to prepare my speech for graduation." Graduation- I can't wait to see Kate graduate and hear her speech. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I just have to get this greywater thing rolling and then I can head out to see her on Thursday.

"See you then. Laters, Christian!" He gives an affirmative grunt and then hangs up the phone.

After I've sent all of the papers to Christian, I step out of the office and head to the site. I need to check into how things are going and then get home and talk to Kate.

I walk into my apartment and close the door. Things seem to be going as planned at the site and so I plan to relax and have a beer. I grab one and then plop down on the couch. Switching on the TV, I notice that The Big Bang Theory is on again. I guess I'll never be able to watch the show without thinking about Kate. I decide to send her a text.

Watching BBT and thinking about U. – E

I wish I had time to watch it with you but I need to work on my speech. –K

OK Good luck with the speech! –E

Laters –K

It's so hot that she says that. Just as I put my phone down, it lights up and shows Mia's name.

"Hey, sis, how's Paris?" I can't wait until Mia gets home.

"It's nice. I got this really awesome jacket and I'm so glad the weather has cooperated enough for me to wear it. Yesterday, I wore matching boots and then went for a walk around the city. Hey, Elliot, I really miss you."

"I miss you too, Mia. When are you coming home?"

"Next week! Mom didn't tell you?" Did she?

"Oh, I don't know, maybe she did. I've been busy with a new project and all."

"Are you behaving yourself?" Oh man, she sounds like mom.

"Define behaving."

"Elliot, spill." Mia isn't going to let it drop so I decide to tell her.

"Her name is Kate." I briefly tell her how we met. I don't mention Ana and Christian because I really just want to hear what Mia says about my someone. I've really gone off the deep end with Kate but it feels good.

"I can't wait to see you, Mia. I know mom really misses you. She's dying to have a family dinner with all of us."

"Ooo and you can bring Kate! You know what's perfect, Elliot? You are dating someone my age. We'll have so much in common!" Mia sounds really excited. She's going to die when she hears about Christian.

"Hey, Mia, I gotta go. It's been a busy day."

"You're tired! Has my brother turned into an old fart!"

"Mia, if you must know, I didn't sleep at all the last two nights."

"Elliot! TMI! TMI! Okay, I'll get off the phone. I can't wait to see you next weekend!"

"Laters, Mia."

I hang up the phone and head into my bathroom to take a shower. It's been a long day. I turn the water all the way to hot and let the bathroom fill up with steam. I strip down and take some deep breaths. I can't believe that just four days ago I was running away from Sabina and now I feel like I'm the crazy one chasing Kate. I'm so lucky that she has let me catch her. Kate, Kate, Kate.

After my shower, I send Kate a text.

Hey, sexy. How's the speech? – E

Not right now, Elliot, your brother just barged in here and is in Ana's room. – K

Well, do you hear any moans? – E

Not funny! – K

Oh my! He just came out here and is half-naked. – K

What the hell is going on there! – E

My phone rings and it's Kate, "Elliot! They're having sex in Ana's room!"

"Well, I'd kill him if he had sex in your room."

"That's not funny, Elliot. I can hear them in there. There's moaning and…I think I heard her headboard hitting the wall!"

"Fuck, yeah! Christian!" Way to go little bro!

"Elliot! That's my best friend in there!"

"Kate, she's just having sex. Are you feeling left out?"

"Shut up, Elliot!"

"Oh, I just heard the door close. I think he just left. I gotta go!" She hangs up before I get to say something. This is something so out of character for Christian. Or is it? Up until the day out on the boat, I thought that Christian was a virgin. Now I know that he's apparently not opposed to a "fuck-n-duck". Here I thought that was my specialty. I go out into my kitchen to grab some grub and take my phone with me. I don't want to miss Kate's phone call.

After a bit, my phone lights up. "Elliot! I am so pissed!" It's been 30 minutes and these are the first words out of Kate's mouth. This isn't good. "Your brother just came over and used my roommate! Hasn't he ever heard about romance?"

"Kate, they're adults. They know what they're doing."

"Elliot! I just had to wipe Ana's tears from her eyes and you're taking his side!"

"Kate, relax."

"Relax! Relax! What is that some kind of code for shut up! This is Ana we're talking about! She doesn't have experience with relationships! She's going to think that it's okay for your brother to just come over and have Ana service him. It's horrible! And to make matters worse, her mother just called and gave some lame excuse for not being able to make it to graduation on Saturday! Ana doesn't need this and I don't need you taking your brother's side."

"Kate, I really don't think it's as bad as you think."

"What! Are you kidding me?" Oh crap. I need to shut up now. She's irrational and I'm not going to be able to survive this battle.

"Kate, it's going to be okay."

"Yes it is, but not because of anything you say. I know how to take care of Ana and that's what I've got to do. Goodbye, Elliot." She hangs up and I have no idea what just happened. Kate just went off the deep end and I'm not sure I like the word goodbye.

Please review! Have a great weekend!