Webb's Return

DISCLAIMERS: I DON'T OWN THEM

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Anna sat in her office trying to concentrate on the contract in front of her.  She could not figure out why the couple wanted fishbowls as centerpieces.  It had been almost a month since she had heard or seen Clayton Webb.  She wasn't sure why it was bothering her; she had seen him 3 times and talked to him a couple times on the phone.  They weren't a couple; they were barely dating.  I guess this is what its like to know a spy. She sighed.

"Did you say something Anna?" Kelly asked.

"No just thinking." Anna replied.

"About that guy?" Kelly asked smiling.

"Yeah, I haven't seen him in a while." Anna said.

"Why don't you call him?" Kelly suggested.

"He's away on business." Anna said with an exaggerated frown.

"Oh well. Maybe you'll see him when he gets back." Kelly said.

"I hope so." Anna said. "Hey what's the deal with the Blythe wedding?"

"The fish people," Kelly laughed. "They are so weird. They want no seafood of any kind at the reception."

"Ok, did you order the fish bowls and the gold fish?" Anna asked laughing.

"It's all taken care of." Kelly replied.

"Good, this is going to be a very odd wedding." Anna said, reaching for the phone that was ringing. "He's what? I'll be right there."

"What's going on?" Kelly asked noticing Anna's temper was rising.

"Peter Carrolton is here, he's taking his life in his hands." Anna said storming out of the office.

"Here we go." Kelly said following her boss.

THE FRONT OFFICE AREA

"Carrolton get out!" Anna yelled.

"Ms. Paparini it's so good to see you." Peter said.

"What do you want?" Anna demanded.

"I just thought we could chat." Peter said. "I was served with the papers today. Is there some place less public we can go?"

"You've got nerve.  You come here and write an article that practically destroys this business and you wanna chat?"  Anna said. "Chat with the lawyers."

"Anna Anna I was just doing my job." Peter said with a smile.

"Just leave before I slap that smile off your face." Anna snapped.

"Such violence, I guess it comes from being raised in the slums of New York." Peter said. That was all Anna needed to hear.  She went ballistic.  No one could stand there and insult her and get away from it, especially scum like him.  The employees had only seen her temper a few times.  They knew better than to incur her wrath.  Anna took a few steps forward and was standing inches from Carrolton.  She may have only been 5'3 but her heels gave her the extra height to be standing eye to eye with this man.

"You slimebag, you think you know so much about my upbringing? Let me tell you.  We eat weasels like you as a snack. You are such a low life, you aren't even worth the dirt you walk on. You came here under the guise of promoting this place and you all but told people that it was a bug-infested rattrap. Lucky for you, your editors printed a retraction. You wanna talk about bein' from New York.  Go for it.  We don't blindside people, we don't have to lie to get ahead. We say what we mean and tell it like it is.  We don't make things up; we treat people with respect…" Anna yelled and was interrupted.

"No you just have people killed. That's how the Italians handle things, isn't it?" Carrolton snapped.

Anna lunged at him; luckily one of her cooks was near by and grabbed her before she could do some damage. "Let me go." Anna yelled. "I'm not gonna hurt him."

"Anna!" Kelly yelled.

"What!" Anna snapped.

"You have a visitor." Kelly said pointing to Webb.

"Clay!" Anna said and then turned to her staff. "Take this garbage out will ya."

"Are you okay?" Clay asked taking her hand.

"Yeah, how are you?" Anna asked calming down.

"I'm ok, what was all that about?" Clay asked.

"It's a long story." Anna said pushing back some stray hairs.

"You want to talk about it?" Clay asked.

"Not really. Tell me how you are? When did you get back?" Anna asked.

"Earlier this week, this is the first chance I have had to contact you." Clay replied. "I'm good, but worried about you."

"Don't worry about it. Hey how much did you see?" Anna asked. "You seem to walk up on me when I least expect it."

"I saw pretty much everything." Clay said. "You have one helluva temper."

"Guess I do." Anna said with a faint smile. "Sorry you had to see that."

"Hey at least I know not to get you angry." Clay teased trying to get her to smile. "By the way, I guess it's true about Italians speaking with their hands."

"Webb, don't go there, stereotyping is what almost made that jerk need a feeding tube." Anna said half kidding half serious.

"Come here." Clay said, he hugged Anna and kissed the top of her head. "Did you get taller?"

Anna couldn't help but laugh; suddenly all her anger was gone. "No I haven't." She said as she slipped off her shoes and returned to her normal height.

"Can you get out of here?" Clay asked.

"I think that's a good idea." Anna replied. "Let me get my stuff."

Anna met Clay in front. "Where to?" She asked.

"My place," Clay said.

"Really, sounds good, I'll follow you." Anna said walking to her car.

WEBB'S APARTMENT

"I didn't realize you lived in Alexandra." Anna said walking into his apartment.

"I guess it never came up." Clay said.

"Yeah why would where you live come up when you are getting to know someone. Go figure." Anna laughed.

"Tell me something did that smart mouth get you in trouble when you were a kid." Clay asked.

"Never," Anna said with an innocent smile. "So you plan on feeding me?"

"That was the plan." Clay said walking to his kitchen.

"Mind if I look around?" Anna asked. "I won't be entering spy zone will I?"

"Go ahead." Clay said. "You won't find a thing."

"So tell me. Did your mom decorate this place?" Anna asked.

"What makes you say that?" Clay asked walking into the living room and handing her a glass of wine.

"Well, the décor is nice but understated.  Simple actually, like someone was decorating for you.  Trying to ensue that it's nice but not to feminine."

"She did help." Clay replied.

"I thought so.  Will you play?" Anna asked sipping her wine.

"Play," Clay asked.

"Yes the piano? The cello?" Anna said pointing.

"Oh," Clay replied.

"How about I make us something to eat and you play me something." Anna suggested.

"Is classical ok? Clay asked.

"Sure maybe a little Beethoven?" Anna asked.

"Anything in particular?" Clay asked.

"Anything but Fur Elise, I have nightmares about that from when I was a kid." Anna laughed.

"That's right you play. Why don't you have a piano at your place?" Clay asked.

"I will eventually." Anna replied and walked into the kitchen.  "Clay, how do you live? Everything in your fridge is rotten."

"I haven't been here." Clay laughed.

"True, how about some eggs?" Anna asked checking the date on the box.

Anna made them a fluffy omelet with jelly.

As she cooked, Clay played for her.  They were both smiling at the scene before them.  It was homey and comfortable.  Anna walked over to Clay while he played; when he finished the movement she let him know dinner was ready.

"That was good. How did you make it so fluffy? And I would have never thought of using jelly." Clay said picking up the plates.

"Easy, you separate the eggs, you beat the yolks and start cooking them, and you then put the jelly in.  Once the yolks are almost ready you whip the whites and add them.  Cook until done and voila!"  Anna said.

"So you cook too, a talented lady." Clay said.

"I have talents you don't even know about." Anna said with a coy smile.

"I can't wait to find out." Clay said with a wink. I just winked? "Anna I was wondering, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?"

"Probably just go to my sisters. Why?" Anna asked.

"Harmon Rabb's fiancé has invited me to her place, can you join me?" Clay asked.

"Sounds like fun. Plus I can also get to know them. I am handling their wedding." Anna said.

"Hey, no working that day. It's a holiday." Clay said.

"Same goes for you." Anna replied.

"I'm glad you are coming, I already told Mac you were." Clay said smiling.

"Oh really," Anna laughed. "Guess I have no choice wouldn't want you to be embarrassed."

They talked for a while and then Anna left.  On her drive home she thought about Clay. Spending Thanksgiving with Clay and meeting his friends.  This was definitely going to be a good holiday.  She then called her sister; she told her that she had to work Thanksgiving and would not be able to make it.  She wasn't ready to tell her about Clayton Webb just yet.