Thanks everyone for the reviews! This story has many inspirations, notably some of Bill Windom's 70's tv appearances when his characters were often caught between two different women.

Jessica biked her way home and realized she needed to work off the anxiety that had been building up. Gardening always seemed so Zen and the weather was perfect.

She got quite a bit done by 1pm when she took a break and headed into the kitchen for lunch. A nice grilled cheese with sweetly buttered bread just made her mouth water. Jessica reached under the cupboard for the griddle when she heard the back-door slam.

Seth quietly walked in, somewhat slowly with the "thinking pout" cemented on his face. The corner of Jessica's mouth turned up into a half smile but nothing more.

Seth just stood there in awkward silence. Jessica started the conversation, "I…was…just making myself from lunch. Would you like a sandwich?"

Seth shook his head and quietly said, "No, thank you. Jess, we need to talk about last night."

He gestured for her to take a seat at the table. She did and he also took a seat. Then he looked up at her with rather sad eyes, his hands crossed together, "I want to apologize for how I acted last night. I was angry and it wasn't fair for me to talk over you. Watching you walk out was one of the worst feelings I've ever had to experience."

Jessica just looked down at the table before raising her head up to meet his eyes, "I…admit I was equally upset at how you reacted but, Seth, you have to understand the deadlines I'm under. Sometimes they can't be helped. What if you had to leave the meal early because a patient needed you? Okay, maybe the two situations aren't equal."

"It's not just your deadlines that sent me into a tizzy…well it contributed, but my head has been spinning this past week. I don't know if I'm coming or going."

Jessica hated to bring up the subject, but she'd never know unless she did, "does it have anything to do with Lauren Keegan?" Seth was getting nervous and needed to pace. "Yes, it does. I'd be…lying if I didn't say I was flattered by her attention. Made me feel like a man of 40 again. I never was one of those fools who went through that "male menopause." I didn't mind getting older, Hell, it's just another part of life. However, this was different."

At this point, Seth decided to entrust Jessica with his feelings. "You and I have been friends for a long time Jess. We helped each other when we lost our loved ones, but over the years I've come to consider you more than a friend." There, he said it, now he would find out if it was a mistake.

"Seth, I admit that I could never love another man the way I did Frank. I figured that part of my life was over and it wasn't necessary to need a significant other."

He knew it, the death knell was about to ring. "When I moved to New York I realized how lonely I was. You weren't there to come on over and snack on my latest baked goods. You weren't there when I needed someone to confide in."

He nodded his head in agreement, how he wished he could comfort Jessica in that dangerous city. Then Jessica continued her train of thought, "I'm going to ask you a question and I know you'll give me an honest answer. Do you feel for Lauren the same way you feel about me?"

Once again Seth turned his back to Jessica, he couldn't look her in the eye when he gave his answer, "I…I don't know." He turned around to see what looked like hurt eyes and he realized he needed to be someplace other than Jessica's kitchen.

"I see," was all she could manage.

Just then the phone rang causing both to jump slightly. "Hello?" "Yes, yes he's here. Just a minute. Seth it's the hospital."

"Dr. Hazlitt here. Who? Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can." Seth regained his composure and told Jessica, "I've got an emergency and I hate to run out like this."

Jessica understood, "Don't worry. Go on, your patient is waiting."

Seth left and when she was totally alone, Jessica gave a deep sigh.