Chapter 24

Blurred Lines

"While there is tea, there is hope."

~ Arthur Wing Pinero

While waiting for entrance into Kim's room, Shane placed a few timely calls to operatives in the field. By the time he had returned, a nurse had arrived to help dress the patient with clothes that he had Peachy send from home. Though dressed casually in a pair of black woolen pants, and a buttoned down pale pink shirt with black riding boots, Kimberly appeared to have put some effort in her appearance for the occasion. Her hair pinned loosely back and a touch of make-up masked Kim's still pale features due to the pneumonia.

"It's rather chilly outside." Shane remarked with a compassionate smile as he stepped closer. Although she hadn't pressed him for more information, the episode from the night before hung over the two waiting for the opportunity to present itself. Shane simply hoped he could smooth the path with small talk beforehand.

When he slipped on her black, woolen Peacoat, Kimberly accepted the kindness and leaned in bracing herself for the innumerable round of coughing that followed. Reaching for his hand, Kimberly squeezed tightly as Shane steadied her until the episode passed.

"Edward said to expect this for the next few weeks, remember?" He assured her as Kimberly's still weary eyes reached for his. Slowly nodding in the affirmative, she allowed him to help her into the wheelchair and escort her to the car.

The ride back to Donovan Manor was bathed in serene stillness as the driver weaved the Bentley effortlessly around the winding snow-covered hills of the English countryside. Shane sat in the back with Kim allowing her to use him as a prop. Attempts to engage in light conversation were thwarted by reoccurring bouts of coughing each time Kimberly tried to speak. After the third try, Shane raised his forefinger and 'shhhed' her with a sympathetic smile.

"Rest. We'll talk later." He assured the sick woman.

Drifting in and out of a light slumber as Kimberly coughed intermittently during the ride home, Shane slid his right arm around her woolen shrouded frame. Her head dropped confortably into his protective chest. Kim's eyes gazed passively out the window and onto the light sheet of snow blanketing the rolling landscape. The sun had made its first appearance since Christmas; yet, the barren trees—heavy with snow weighing their limbs down towards the earth, and the pale blue sky stripped the sun's rays of their warmth. Thus, Shane's pensive eyes rested on the same scenery that captured Kim's attention.

For Kimberly, the wintry image illustrated her relationship with her fiancé beautifully: attractive to view from the outside, but strangely artificial and lacking in warmth to experience.

"And when you get back, we'll start planning our spring wedding…"He gushed. Philip's flowery words from their phone conversation droned on like a revolving movie reel inside her head.

"Oh Philip, let's not overdo it." She had objected softly trying to reason a way out of such a grandiose affair. "I really don't want to feel on display."

"Well babe. I can't help it." He cooed. "Never been married before, ya know." And with a light chuckle, he added: "Lots of people said it would never happen…"

Although Kimberly couldn't detect hidden meaning behind the sentiment, she felt the sting just the same. Despite her best efforts, comparisons between the two events surfaced. While she hadn't actually planned her first wedding, Kimberly vividly recalled the joy surging through her soul when he had proposed in Vermont. The whirlwind engagement fraught with drama and sorrow never diminished the burning desire to be joined as one under God and surrounded by all they loved.

"I understand." She acknowledged. "But see, I have…"

"I know." He interrupted pointedly while ignoring her request. "Which is why I want this to be different—special." Philip corrected hastily and repeated emphatically. "Special, I want our wedding to the happiest day of our lives!" He revealed enthusiastically.

Philip had acutely played his hand indicting his fiancé without ever directly accusing her of not being completely devoted to him. It mattered not that he was just as guilty.

With her ear pressed against Shane's chest, Kimberly could hear the steady rhythm of his beating heart. The longer she remained in her ex-husband's arms as the car traveled closer to Donovan Manor, the faster the curtain of truth began to rise.

She couldn't do it.

In the not so recent past, Kimberly would have been able to convince herself of anything to continue the charade with Philip.

But not anymore.

She desperately searched for a way out...

The atmosphere morphed into a hazy, dream-like state until the grey sedan slipped past the protective wrought-iron gates of Donovan Manor where the Leyland Cyprus dotted the newly snow-shoveled dirt drive. The car pulling closer to the manor, Shane motioned for the driver to park near the front entrance. Kimberly stirred and protesting in earnest:

"I want to walk in." She whispered firmly as Shane helped her out of the car and into the bright but bitter air. Kimberly winced slightly at the maneuver as he nodded sympathetically. Naturally, she wanted to appear less fragile than she was in front of the children. Extending his arm,

"Here, take this." Shane offered compassionately.

Kimberly gratefully wrapped her arm around his—her blacken gloved hand tightly gripping the smooth fabric of Shane's grey trench.

"Ah, Master Shane," Simmons greeted the couple affectionately as he rushed around to gather Kim's things from the trunk. "There's a pot of tea ready for the Missus just as you requested." His hazel eyes twinkled with joy directed at Kimberly who returned the gesture with a soft, bright smile back at the kindly butler. "So good to have you back home, Madame." Simmons added with a cheerful smile. Then, he breezed past them as Shane slowly escorted Kimberly through the front doors.

Passing through the entrance and into the spacious foyer, the smell of cinnamon and evergreen faintly wafted in from the family room. Lifting her head abruptly off Shane's right shoulder, the eager mother searched for her children. The manor remained eerily silent.

"Lavi…." Simmons corrected himself. " Ms. Peach is with the children next door playing with the Wellington children." He revealed carefully.

Shane smiled knowingly nodding his head as Kimberly's weary body slumped back into him. True to form, Peachy had meticulously maneuvered the children such that Kimberly's absence hadn't even been noticed. For them, their mother simply slept in and was showing signs of being on the mend. Thus, Andrew and Jeannie accompanied Ms. Peach and happily strolled over to the property bordering Donovan Manor a half a mile away to play with their new friends.

The spy gave his ex a friendly squeeze signaling an escort upstairs to her bedroom. Kimberly's attention remained on the lights glimmering against the branches of the old Douglas Fir which was beginning to show signs of a dwindling holiday season. A few of Andrew and Jeannie's new toys rested beneath it.

"Oh, Shane." Kimberly sighed forlornly. Her right hand, still hidden inside her black leather glove, pressed lightly against Shane's chest in protest. "No offense, but I'll be positively depressed if I have to spend my last full day here in that bedroom."

"What?" You're not happy with your accommodations!" He feigned insult, but Kimberly wasn't well enough to banter back with him just yet. Her head heavy with fatigue, she smiled faintly and leaned closer into him without responding.

Gazing down at her and then towards the object of her attention, Shane smiled gently and braced her for support as a haggard cough bitterly escaped from within. Kimberly's illness had done little to dampen his holiday spirit. Having his family together under the protective roof of Donovan Manor gave the beleaguered spy a much-needed reprieve from the isolating world of International Intrigue. Despite his best efforts, the loneliness slyly crept quickly back into his life as the hours ticked away towards their departure. It mocked him discreetly behind the shadows created by the lights on the tree and flickering flames within the fireplace.

"Well, I doubt you could climb the stairs anyway." He quipped generously pushing matters concerning the case back into the recesses of his mind for just a little while longer.

Guiding her towards the leather couch, Shane prepared for Kimberly to flinch as he helped her recline onto the plush furniture. Shifting her legs onto the couch, he reached for the blanket. His sudden movement snapped Kimberly out of the haze.

"I wish…"

Her words drifted off as she stared back at him still a bit disoriented.

"Wish what, my lady?" Shane asked simply— his focus obviously on making her comfortable and not the substance of her apparent ramblings. His light-hearted smile was infectious and made her heart ache. Despite an inherent ability to be especially cold at times, Shane Donovan was the one person who always treated her with the same care and respect as he always had without placating her when she lashed out at him in kind. They were kindred spirits and being such, she recognized a pure, yet recovering soul when she saw it.

Kimberly shook her head negatively. Shane smiled back brightly and stroked her hand encouragingly attributing the behavior to her illness. Propping her with a few pillows and securing her cozily beneath the same brown and grayish-blue chenille blanket, Shane briefly stoked the crackling fire and retreated to fetch the pot of tea for them. Kimberly propped her right arm against the back of the sofa allowing her chin to rest upon it. With eyes heavy with fatigue, she let the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and the flicker of the rhythmic fire play with her drifting thoughts.

A few minutes later…

The click of Shane's loafers hitting against the hardwoods of the foyer broke the spell caste over her. Kimberly's eyes lifted to her left following his movements as he set the tray of freshly brewed tea on top of the banquet table behind the sofa. This ritual commenced in tranquil silence as they had done for many years now. Pouring two cups, Shane's eyes keenly darted towards Kimberly who watched him wistfully. Smiling at her compassionately, he struggled to reconcile the image of her wide, terrified eyes, and anguished cry as she fought against him the night before in their bedroom against the soft, placid features of the lady gazing at him now. Shane had no intention of upsetting the moment. He strolled around the sofa with the two cups and saucers gingerly handing one to her as he spoke.

"So, my lady." He began amicably. " Any preferences for the New Year?"

Kimberly took the cup and bringing it to her lips, she peered demurely at him from behind its porcelain barrier.

"I'd be thrilled not to sleep through it."

This elicited a hearty chuckle from the normally measured spy, who reached affectionately out for Kim's right hand.

"I'll wake you for the celebration, if need be." He assured her. In a flash, a hazy but jolting memory zipped through Kim's psyche as it had in the hospital—a frantic and horrified Shane struggling with her.

She froze.

"Kim?" Shane inquired soothingly attempting to distract her. She blinked twice but her mind remained blank leaving her to question the credibility of what she "saw." A grave expression plastered all over her face, Shane attempted to pull her out of the threatening trance by quickly bringing up her family. The last thing he wanted was to trigger a relapse.

"I spoke with Roman earlier." He began hastily and proceeded to mention Belle and any other cheerful news from home. Kim's eyes flickered towards his fingers, which delicately rested on hers. Shane continued to relay the information knowing exactly how to frame it to produce the desired effect. Kimberly began to smile and after a few shaky minutes, the proficient spy had his subject engaging in light conversation.

All appeared well until the fragmented discourse—interrupted frequently by a relentless cough that seemed to deplete Kimberly of what little energy she had, veered into departure plans to LA.

"When does Philip arrive?" He inquired pleasantly masking any of his true feelings regarding the man. Kim's eyes lifted in surprise.

"He's not."

Kimberly's hands embraced the warmth of the creamy white porcelain cup and pressed it to her lips. A flash of skepticism escaped Shane's otherwise neutral countenance prompting an explanation.

"Well it wouldn't be practical given his new production schedule." She replied plainly and attempting to maneuver the conversation back to safer waters, "Mmmm, cinnamon." She cooed pleasingly with a gentle smile. "I love it."

Shane smiled knowingly at her while slowly sipping on his own cup.

"Practicality doesn't pair well with matters of the heart, does it?" He observed poignantly. His indictment lay squarely against himself, but Kimberly didn't view it that way. Her body stiffened slightly. She failed to conceal her offense.

"You're suggesting Philip should fly all the way back here from New York, then back to LA with me, then to Berlin all under a week's time?" Kimberly reasoned with an all too polite smile.

"Well, did you give him the option?" He replied innocently sipping the tea. The rest of his inquiry remained unspoken but hovered above the two as they reclined on the leather sofa: "Of demonstrating his devotion."

"Umm, but see …" Kimberly stammered as her eyes searched for something safe to focus on. Shane's steady gaze guided her back to him. Lifting her chin slightly, to address him:

"True…"

Her heart caught in her chest at the sight. With his slightly tussled black hair and a commanding presence, Shane reclined leisurely on the couch with one arm propped against the back of the leather, his steady gaze almost hypnotized her.

Carefully choosing her words as his eyes prompted her to continue, "But sometimes one must put their lover's…"

She stopped short as the words dripped off her tongue realizing how far she had waded into his mesmerizing eyes. Dropping her eyes to avoid his gaze, she failed to register his response…

Shane flinched.

He'd endured interrogation techniques forbidden by the Geneva Convention that were less painful. Failing to catch Kimberly's blunder, a jealous rage rose steadily beneath his stoic countenance as a distant memory of the two in the garden surfaced. His empty teacup clanked against the saucer in protest.

Hastily correcting herself, Kimberly bowed her head coughing. And then continued fumbling over her words, "Their loved one's needs before theirs, I mean."

She couldn't very well correct herself by admitting the obvious!

He stood abruptly and retreated towards the fire as the chorus of Peachy and the children's voices wafted through the manor a short distance away... growing louder.

"Mummy! Mother!" Jeannie and Andrew sang happily as they trampled through the foyer and into the living room. Peachy approached from behind and maternally planted her arms around Kim's shoulders leaning in for a warm hug.

"So glad you're back, Lassie." She whispered into Kim's right ear as the children stumbled over each other to share with their parents about their day.

"Thank you, Peach." Kimberly patted the old woman's hand lovingly. The strain in her voice was quite evident as she observed him saunter over towards the banquet table to her left in order to fetch himself some more tea. The children chattered away seeking their mother's attention while Shane remained at his perch behind the couch. From his stern demeanor, Peachy concluded that they had barged in on something between the two.

"Children!" She chirped authoritatively after a reasonable amount of time. "Run along and have Simmons serve your dinner. You can eat at the bar in the kitchen."

The suggestion went over extremely well as the Donovan children were quite accustomed to getting away with a lot more when Simmons supervised dinner: less dinner and more dessert was usually the result. Peachy nodded politely and excused herself to the study to get some work done. Left alone again, the two stood at a draw.

"May I have some more?" Kimberly requested meekly seeking some sort of truce. Shane poured her another cup of tea and handed it back. She took it—appearing positively contrite without saying a word. Staring into the faint steam emanating from the cup and after several minutes of silence, she sighed in defeat. "I'll need to pack tomorrow."

Straightening his posture, Shane remained at his station gulping his second cup of tea in disgust. Ironically, the hot liquid dissipated his temper as it trickled down his throat allowing the spy to observe her in a pure light. A few hours before, he had resolved to stand by her through this turmoil and at the first test of will, Shane found himself ready to bail. Setting the cup and saucer gently down on the silver tray, he announced calmly,

"I thought I might accompany you and the children back to LA."

Puzzled, Kimberly whirled her head around to face him. She eyed him carefully looking for an ulterior motive. Shane had already procured a private ISA jet to take them back, so why the change in plans? Still cradling her empty tea cup,

"Is that really necessary? I'm sure you have a vigilant staff who can help me."

She reluctantly handed him her cup to discard.

"It's a long trip, Kim—even for someone who is healthy." He answered evenly.

"You fear a relapse?"

"Well yes, that too…" Shane emphasized before recoiling at his slip up. Kimberly tilted her head acutely to the side signaling that she had caught his gaffe.

" Alright, Shane. What else is concerning you?" She quizzed in weak but professional tone.

"Look Kim, I just don't think you should be alone…"

"You don't trust me alone with the children?" She objected offensively—her voice raising a haggard octave. A fear worse than death began to take hold. Then a rumbling cough took form right under her breath.

"No, Kim." He assured her compassionately. Abandoning both his perch safely behind the couch and his emotional wall, he strolled around towards her to assuage Kim's misconception. Shane was determined to not allow Kim to pull him into another trap. When the time was right, they'd address that torrid moment not quite twenty-four hours earlier. But not now…

A rustling noise from the study alerted the two that Peachy was about to interrupt as well. Kimberly pulled back attempting to wipe away any evidence of the intensity of what had transpired. The door opened.

"Oooh, I'm terribly sorry, Laddie, but might I have a quick word?" His partner requested politely wringing her hands in embarrassment for interrupting what was clearly a major altercation between the two.

"Not now, Peach." He objected irritably never taking his eyes off hers. The observant spy searched for any signs of hope as Kimberly's eyes flitted around.

"Go." She whispered meekly waving him off. Her frayed emotions were unable to absorb anymore.

"But…"

"I understand, 'go!'" This time her tone was more insistent and conveyed a sense that the discussion was over.

"We're not done here." Shane replied resolutely before taking her hand and delicately squeezing it as he begrudgingly stood. Kimberly pulled her hand protectively back to her and slid it underneath the blanket. Still refusing to meet his eyes head on, she could still peer at him from the corner of them as she stared straight ahead towards the soothing flames of the fire. Once she was sure his back had turned away from her, Kim's eyes rested on him walking slowly towards the shadows of the corner of the room and disappear into the study.

Location: Shane's Study

Pushing the heavy door shut, Shane paused to listen. After a few seconds, he pulled himself away by walking towards Peachy who had parked herself at the edge of his imposing desk. The last traces of daylight had long disappeared creating a wall of black against the halo of light illuminating from the old Tiffany lamp positioned on the mahogany desk. The older woman shrouded in a hazy silhouette against the backdrop heightened the gravity of the recent turn of events regarding the case. With her arms folded firmly across her chest, she handed Shane the case file explaining in the most stern of voices that he hadn't heard in a long while,

"Our latest shipment of arms was detained at the Port of Naples."

The spy's eyes widened.

"Did Walker contact Tarrington to get around customs?"

But even as he spoke, Peachy was waving him off shaking her head rigorously.

"Didn't have to." She explained pointedly before adding, "Someone helped us out…"

"But for a price." He smirked completing her sentence.

Shane nodded pensively as Peach filled him in on the details of the conversation. Her old "friend" in the Italian Parliament was requesting that they divert the arms for a pet project of his own. The break out and continued upheaval of the former Yugoslavia made some officials nervous. Seemed fair enough to Shane given the man's willingness to aide in their cover. Then, Peachy dropped the latest development. Their mutual former asset turned liability, Arlo Perez, had reached out to the "Doyle Organization" during the early morning hours after the shipment had been deployed seeking to intercept it for their own purposes. The correspondence was way too convenient and implied surveillance of Shane's organization.

"Make sure anyone connected with us knows that we're being tailed. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage." The clever spy advised. Peachy smiled slyly and then described the terms of Perez's deal. Shane chuckled in amusement. "Hmmm, Perez isn't that bright. Whomever he works for is doing their damnedest to snuff us out."

"Yes," Peachy agreed. "The question is who is setting the trap?" Getting involved in the squabbling among former Soviet holdings was something the ISA liked to steer clear of. Sorting out alliances was deemed best once the dust had cleared. Shane merely crossed his arms in brooding contemplation, so she added: "Perhaps we're bumping into another organization's operation?"

"No, I spoke with Tarrington at the hospital while they were prepping Kimberly for discharge." He revealed evenly. "Perez doesn't link up with any of the known agencies or informants the ISA does business with."

Peachy narrowed her eyes disapprovingly. It was her job to cover while he attended the Lassie's needs. She did not like it one bit that Shane was allowing the two affairs to overlap so closely. Her protégé abruptly turned his back on her and retreated to the liquor cabinet in the corner to get away from her silent admonishment. "It was a phone call. Not exactly throwing Kimberly right in the middle of the damn case!" The spy reasoned silently to himself.

However, the intel did limit the source to only a handful of possibilities. A little alarm bell signaled at the back of Shane's psyche.

"Since you were detained with Kimberly, I ran it by Walker, who came up with this."

Peachy stepped forward and handed him a hastily drawn report from Shane's best operative on the case. They had worked together for over a decade and the rugged blonde from Texas was one of two partners who accompanied the spy when he first arrived in Salem.

Shane flipped through the files as Peachy attempted to gauge his reaction to the plan.

"What do you think, Laddie?" Peachy quizzed hesitantly. She didn't like the angle one bloody bit and felt sure that Shane would squash this type of shortcut tactic as he had in the past. This had quickly devolved into a case that tested a man's convictions. Not immediately, but slowly, insidiously as the lines blurred between right and wrong to the point that ultimately a spy found themselves justifying the sacrificing of innocents as simply collateral damage in a case. After a few minutes of tense stillness,

"It'll work." He replied evenly.

Peachy tilted her head to the side waiting for her partner to say something revealing his often-dry wit. Instead, his neutral gaze exposed Shane's willingness to consider the option.

"You're bloody serious?" She repeated.

Shane casually cradled the brandy sifter in his right hand as he justified the course of action.

"The Russians have an operative whose been selling intel to the highest bidder since the Fall. He's a dead man walking, so if we get Arlo to execute this directive then it would serve two purposes for us: he'd prove his loyalty…"

"If he survives…" Peachy interjected sarcastically.

"We're hardly dealing with innocent bystanders."

"Oh, I see. So now we're in the business of sanctioning hits to facilitate what we arbitrarily determine to be right." Peachy responded icily.

"Not exactly." Shane stared back coldly resenting her accusation. "But that's not my concern. Also, they'd owe us one down the road."

Peachy's steely eyes beamed back at him. Placing her balled up fists on her hips,

"What in heaven's name kind of muddle-headed thinking has gotten into you?" She scolded in disbelief.

Slapping his free hand against his black trousers,

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Not at the moment, but you're better than this. I trained you: NO SHORTCUTS!" Her voluminous voice bellowed throughout the room.

"I'm fully aware, Peach!" He exclaimed in exasperation and averting his eyes which were filled with unbridled fury. "And if you recall, I am the one who is in charge now, not you!"

Suddenly, Peachy grew quiet. Her posture relaxed, yet she stood with an air of moral authority over her boss.

"I see." She replied curtly.

Shane had never lorded over his position against his former mentor. The title meant very little given the sage advice and innumerable times Peachy had pulled him out of the prickliest of jams in the past. Lavinia Peach never took credit for this role in many assignments where the accolades landed on his shoulders. Shane dropped his head apologetically,

"That was wholly uncalled for." He admitted quietly.

But the act of contrition did little to fan the flame of the spy's ire. Shaking his head in frustration,

"But I'm running out of time to resolve this damn case, Peach!" Shane slammed the untouched brandy down on the glass tray. Moving away from the cabinet, he paced the length of the room towards the grandiose window. Pulling back the blue velvet drapery and peering into the night, the spy sighed laboriously. The angle was extremely risky and could— no would have profound consequences in the future. He knew she was right, but the longer it took to wrap up this case, the faster he felt his opening slip…

Shane couldn't even allow himself to finish the thought. However, he didn't have to. Peachy recognized that look: the pained and panicked look of a desperate lover.

"Aaah, Kimberly." She observed affectionately and all was forgiven in her old eyes.

"Yes," Shane admitted slowly as he heaved a longing sigh. "Kimberly." Her name dripped off his tongue despondently. Walking over to him, the elder woman lovingly reached for his arm and assuring that he heard every word, she locked eyes with him.

"Oh Laddie, you can't see this now," She began soothingly. " But you do this and you will ensure that fate you so dreadfully fear." When he appeared to not believe her, the older spy wisely continued: "Even if it all works perfectly, the process means you lose her because you are no longer the man she fell in love with all those years ago…" Peachy dropped her chin to add softly, "The man she still loves."

Shane's demeanor instantly softened at her revelation. Even if he could sense Kim's true feelings, the one-sidedness of it all had long worn on his heart. Adding insult to injury was that he recognized that Kim had resided in this same agonizing abyss for far too long. Shunning her heartfelt declarations made his punishing behavior during that horrible year more tolerable to execute. Shane raised his solemn eyes to Peachy's glassy blue ones, which enveloped him with empathy regarding the problem. If there was any hope in rekindling his relationship with Kim, the spy wanted to pursue it. Letting out a wretched sigh, "How long do I have to consider this?"

Location: Family Room

When the spy wearily emerged from the confines of his study, he found his two children cheerfully playing at the foot of the sofa while their mother slept soundly.

"Daddy!" Jeannie squealed abandoning her dolls and scurrying over to him.

"Shhhhh," Shane reprimanded lovingly as he scooped her up into his arms, "We mustn't wake mummy."

The doting father quietly ushered his children out of the family room and up the stairs to settle in for the night.

"Tell me a story." His little girl demanded impishly as her father carried her on his right hip. Jeannie's arms remained snuggly around Shane's neck as she giggled into his ear.

"There once was a girl named Jeannie…" he boasted teasingly.

Andrew, who trotted only a few paces ahead, flung his head back in amusement as their father improvised a quick limerick before bedtime.

"Who lived in a house full of…candy?

One day she ate it all, and then began to bawl,

Before her daddy bought it all…"

Andrew cut his eyes at him disapprovingly as they reached the door to his room. Shane gazed down at his son and rubbed the top of his head affectionately.

"Hey, cut me some slack Sport. Sleep has evaded your ole' pop for awhile now."

Andrew shrugged his shoulders and then quickly changed into his pajamas as his father assisted his sister. The little boy blew past him as Shane ushered them into their Jack N' Jill bathroom. Supervising Andrew and helping Jeannie with tooth brushing all the while the two chattered away.

"And then what?" His daughter implored—her voice sounded like a tinkling bell.

Shane threw his attention back at her but looked perplexed. With her mouth filled with toothpaste, she garbled out, "You bought me the candy. Then what?"

He had no idea how to finish the painfully bad limerick and simply joked,

"Leaving him with nothing but pennies." He replied tickling her tummy.

Jeannie burrowed her brow clearly not impressed as Shane bent over so she could spit out the watery mixture. As her father wiped her mouth off with a hand towel,

"I like mommy's poems better." She admitted sheepishly.

Andrew nodded in agreement as Shane again tickled his daughter's tummy feigning insult.

"Mummy makes lots of things special, huh?" He admitted. Andrew hopped into his bed as the trio commenced with the bedtime routine. They shook their heads vehemently in agreement. "But I don't know mummy's poems." Shane protested lightheartedly.

"Yes, you do father." The little miniature of himself assured him cheerfully as Shane tucked Andrew in and sat next to him with Jeannie in his lap. "It's in that book you gave her."

"Book?"

"Yeah, the one with your handwriting in it." Andrew was tugging on his shirt for him to remember. "Mum says that's where you got Jeannie's middle name from."

"Really?" The cunning spy inquired innocently. A hazy memory began to surface in Shane's mind and to validate the accuracy, he suggested that they all recite it together. Giving the signal, they all took a deep breath but only Andrew and Jeannie began.

"What's the best thing in the world?" They almost sang in happy, dramatic unison.

June-rose, by May-dew impearled;

Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;

The little girl took great gulps of air at the end of each line as her brother helped her with the more problematic words…

Truth, not cruel to a friend;

Shane was struck by the seriousness of Andrew's tone as the words flowed freely from his tongue. It was evident that the poem was engrained into BOTH children's psyches from the bored expression that crept into Andrew's face. Yet, Jeannie reveled in the recitation and it was clear to him why…

Pleasure, not in haste to end;

Beauty, not self-decked and curled

Till its pride is over-plain;

His heart ached at the childlike innocence of his daughter who had no clue as to the angst her existence had once caused; yet as she uttered the last lines, the candlelit memory of holding her mother in his arms as they reveled in the afterglow of their lovemaking overtook him.

Love, when, so, you're loved again.

What's the best thing in the world? —Something out of it, I think."

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"Is that true father?" Andrew inquired snapping Shane out of his trance.

"What, son?"

"That last part about 'something out of love', or something like that?" He questioned plainly. Shane stared down at the big brown eyes of a boy who still viewed things so simply and pulling his children tightly to him, assured them both:

"Most definitely, and you're living proof."

Location: Donovan Manor, Family Room

By the time he tucked the children into their beds and returned to the family room, the clock in the foyer chimed nine. Shane stepped forward placing his hands into his black trouser pockets and sighing, meticulously documented the image before him. Happy shadows danced around the room from the mingling of the Christmas tree lights against the smoldering embers. The crackling fire acted as a lullaby to anyone who resided in the room. Stepping towards the edge of the leather couch, Shane gazed lovingly at the object of his desire. Soft ringlets of her strawberry blonde hair overlapped the side of the leather sofa as Kimberly slept peacefully beneath the cozy blanket. Soon, the tree with all its glorious trimmings would be gone along with his family.

Kneeling beside her, Shane couldn't resist delicately stroking her hair. When his fingers graced her lips, the yearning in his soul almost drowned him with regret.

"But what about…"he wondered.

"What about what we said," She interrupted rhetorically placing her hands on his shoulders. "What I said." Her voice was husky in that sumptuous manner leaving no doubt what she was seeking. She stepped closer. "We were so busy trying to do the right thing. Why don't we do what we feel, Shane?"

She had pressed herself so close to his body that he felt the warmth of her breath against his face drawing him further in. "Why don't we do what we wanted the moment we laid eyes on each other?" She asked seductively. ~ February 1990

He sighed as wayward ember from the fireplace cracked loudly,

Kimberly didn't stir.

His gaze moved towards the edge of the coffee table where the case file lay. Rising reluctantly, he meandered over to retrieve it. Shane settled into the plush claw-footed chair flanking the right side of the fireplace. The heavy folder resting in his lap, the spy flipped it open to dig through its contents one more time. The words scrambled illegibly across the page as the effects of the past twenty-four hours caught up with him.

Leaning into the heat emanating from the fireplace to his right, its calming warmth lulled the spy into a hazy trance. His eyes rested on Kim's soft, delicate features as she slept serenely on the couch in front of him. Tracing her lips with his eyes, the weight of his fatigue overtook him. Shane's eyes slowly closed. An ember popped mischievously in the fireplace.

His eyes lifted.

She had disappeared from the leather sofa—the blanket hanging limply off the side. He blinked twice making sure he was awake and scanned the room for her location. Suddenly, the spy's senses piqued as a pair of hands landed on his shoulders from behind. Her red, manicured nails glided down his chest as she bent over and cooed suggestively into his left ear, "All work and no play, makes Captain Donovan a very dull boy."

When she began nibbling provocatively at his ear, a low primal moan escaped his lips. Shane discarded all pretenses whipping his arm around and pulling her into his lap. The move elicited an appreciative laugh from this vexing woman, who straddled him and pinned him into the chair. Much to his heightened pleasure, she wore only his white silk dress shirt. Shane smiled knowingly—the familiar routine tattooed into his mind from their past. Always occurring when he was brooding over a case, she would saunter into his study, the living room, wherever… eager to provide a little diversion. Tonight, she met him once again in the family room of Donovan Manor.

Abandoning all discretion, he swallowed hard as his eyes bathed in the pleasing view. The cool blue hue of her cautious eyes, which she wore like a guard protecting her heart, had vanished. The fire illuminated their true, BRILLIANT GREEN—an alluring shade that taunted him to touch her, so they could give in to their desires. Slowly he began to unfasten each button. Kimberly responded with a queer little smile daring him to proceed. Slipping her hands around his neck, her nails grazed up the back of it and glided through his thick black hair. Intoxicating to his system, Shane wrapped her in a tight embrace and pressed his face into her breasts soaking her all in.

But in that moment, her eyes fell upon the file cast slightly to the side. Before he could thwart her efforts, Kimberly retrieved it. Her eyes bright with passion, dimmed at the discovery.

"Is this who you are now?" Her voice was laced with disappointment that wounded his soul.

"No, no my love…" He fervently assured her— snatching the folder away and tossing it to the side. He could feel her slipping away from his grasp as Peach had warned him.

"Make a choice: love me or let me go." She whispered in a hush.

Clasping her face into his hand, his fingers mingled into her flowing tresses cascading around her shoulders. The other slid under the shirt and possessively around her petite waist...

"Never!"

Thrusting her body against his, Kimberly gasped at the intensity of Shane's desire. Solidifying his decision, he seized the opportunity to sample those succulent, kissable lips that had evaded him for some time now. As proficient as the spy had become at chronicling the minutest details concerning her, there was no mimicking the delicious taste of them, which possessed a hint of sweetness rather reminiscent of cantaloupe…

Ever the prankster, he was delighted to discover that nothing stood between them and her body after slipping his hands beneath the shirt. Her head fell back happily succumbing to his will. His smooth caresses and the methodical manipulation of his gifted hands released a long buried energy within. The clever art of seduction squelched any further questioning. Kimberly tossed her head forward to seal her acceptance with an erotic kiss as her hips moved in tandem to the flames of the crackling fire.

With Shane's hands occupied, her moist, luscious lips dripped towards his neck in that familiar rhythmic massage that always sent his pulse through the roof. Nibbling his neck with the faint grazing of her teeth against the skin created an explosion of his senses. Still straddling him provocatively, she towered over him as her nails traced their way to his bare chest outlining each curvature of his finely formed frame. Taunting him with her twinkling eyes and a sly little smile, Kimberly traced an imaginary line down his abdomen until she reached her intended target. Sucking in a controlled breath, he braced himself as her lips continued their naughty journey. Her hands meticulously unthreaded his belt before tossing it to the side…

Not wanting to let go of the moment, he abruptly brought her to his lips. The taste of her invoked a simmering need to drink her in as Kimberly manipulated his delectable mouth with her tongue. Untangling her from the white silky shield exposed her skin to the radiant glow of the fire to his right and created a halo around Kimberly's slender frame as they came up for air. Pressing her against his body, Shane relished the feeling of every curve and movement as they moved in sync, the boundaries between fantasy and reality fading away in the background.

"Love me, now!" She exclaimed with a voice full of rapture. Then, working him into frenzy, she coaxed him to yield to the moment. Lunging forward from the intensity of their merger, he enveloped her body close as she wrapped her legs around him. Stumbling towards the fire, he laid her down sprawling luxuriously before him. Possessing a devilish little smile, Kimberly's eyes lured him in as Shane fell on top of her breathing in the sultry nectar of her body and soul. Proving he was every bit the man Kimberly needed and desired, Shane cradled her head into his hands, so he could read every response emanating from those enchanting sea-green eyes. Each pleasurable sigh from her resulted in a peppering of doting kisses, which Kimberly responded by intertwining her body further into him, a rolling and coiling motion producing the desired effect. Ever the patient lover, he slowly and expertly performed his seduction on her until the euphoria of their bodies and souls in unison, revealed secrets buried away from the outside world. Reaching great heights of ecstasy, she called out his name…over, and over again…