Rita Castillo opened her eyes tiredly and gazed the small cream colored hotel room that she lately declared as her temporary home. The sound of a very much familiar but obnoxious voice had disturbed the small nap she took through her insobriety. Her dark dazzling eyes roamed the small room only to realize that the figure she had been expecting to witness was standing tall behind her.

"It's good to see you too Joan."

Rita's voice came out sharp and confident. She didn't have to turn around to understand that the woman she so much disliked was quite unhappy to see her. Joan let out a soft sarcastic chortle and rubbed her palms together craving for the other woman to turn around so she could finally take a proper glimpse of Rita Castillo's downfall. After everything that happened because of Alma Filcot, and after the garden club's decay Joan was the only one of all the ladies that managed to regather the group, save their reputation by putting the blame on Rita's inability to deal with Alma properly and of course hide the precious secret that she shared with Grace Berk.

Rita Castillo and Alma Filcot were the only ones to know about Grace's and Joan's erotic games. Joan wouldn't allow to any of them to become a threat of course... After so many years of her living under Rita's shadow it was finally her opportunity to shine and enjoy the goods of being president into a powerful circle of dynamic women that belonged into the high society. Alma Filcot was not a threat anymore... Or at least this is what everyone chose to believe. The woman was behind bars, the day of her death sentence approaching whilst she had zero motive to give away Grace's secret based on Joan's opinion.

When it came to Rita Castillo Joan's estimation was very firm. Rita wasn't the most confidant person that she knew. She'd open her mouth and spill the tea within seconds in order to enhance the extraordinary persona she presented to the world outside. Rita's current state of course, the fact that she was broke, alone and with nothing to lose scared the living daylights out of Joan. Rita Castillo had turned into a woman with nothing to be afraid of. She came across death, managed to face him and get back in one piece. And you know what? Based on Joan's estimation again, all these things made Rita an enemy.

"You look terrible."

Joan did not hesitate to make her bitter comment. She wasn't as sentimental and sweet as Grace Berk was. In fact she was the exact opposite. Rita's lips formed a sardonic smile in response. She deserved the "compliment" after all. Back in her glorious days as the wife of a rich man and the president of the garden club she showed no mercy to people around her, and if there was one thing Alma Filcot had taught her was that people like Joan were unworthy of her respect in the end.

She shifted on the couch and turned around to look at the other woman straight in the eyes. She was a woman who wasn't afraid to intimidate her opponent through a single eye contact.

"Likewise."

Rita purred only for Joan's blood to boil in her veins.

"Care to explain me why are you here?"

Joan crossed her hands under her chest careful enough in order not to wrinkle the fabric of her new satin dress.

"The only person that owes you an explanation would be Grace my dear."

The beautiful brunette woman replied and pressed her pale lips together. She turned around her body and pushed herself up from the white fancy couch only to stand tall across Joan. Rita run her fingers through her dark curls that struggled to remain prepped up as they landed on her shoulders.

"She's on her way. If there's anything you'd like to admit, you shall speak up now before you get all embarrassed for once again. Not that I wouldn't enjoy another day of you humiliating yourself my darling..."

Joan continued with the same annoyingly calm tone in her voice and tilted her head to the side and scanned the woman's tired appearance from head to toes. Joan never really struggled to reach the top of the social pyramid. She was born in the top and never ceased to consider herself as the leader of the pack. She was nothing like the other garden ladies. Most of them went through a period of time in their lives where they struggled. Some of them used to be poor until they found themselves a rich old man to marry and give them the world for the sake of a healthy sex life. And this is exactly why some of the garden ladies could be forgiving towards Rita, cause they knew exactly what she was going through.

Joan's case was different. She would never allow a commoner like Rita Castillo to be better than her. Except that period of time where Rita's strong, fierce persona was much more attractive than Joan's snobbish personality.

"What is that supposed to mean? If there's anyone here humiliating himself that would be you my dear Joan. Your jealousy can be unspeakable. Look at you not being able to trust your own lover. Pathetic!"

Rita completed her phrase and rolled her eyes so hard that she could almost see her brain. Her soft palms landed on her thighs, caressing the soft fabric of Grace's silky nightgown that she was certain that Joan would recognize. And she was correct. Joan's eyes followed the woman's movements and finally landed on the piece of clothing that she wore. She narrowed her icy blue orbs and a smug smirk appeared on her face that was followed by a scoff of disapproval.

The two women stayed still. Their eyes locked on each other's. They looked like two predators preparing to attack their prey, until the front door of the room opened up and a blonde woman in medium height rushed in the room, walking on her tip toes. She shut the door behind her real quick and before she got the time to greet the two women in the room, she walked to the large tall window across the couch and pulled the curtains closed.

She couldn't risk getting caught again. First it was Rita Castillo, then Alma Filcot found out and used their secret against them. She had to be more careful for her own sake.

Grace finally breathed out heavily, releasing a breath that she hadn't even realized that she held in for so long. Both of her hands landed on her hips, until she raised her soft baby blue eyes and looked between her lover and friend.

"I came as fast as I could... Tonight is not solitaire night Joan."

She spoke and tried to sound scolding, but her effort was unsuccessful against her lover's flamming glance.

"And I never thought that we would be having guests tonight. You should have informed me, so I could have worn something more proper for this occasion." A smile that indicated nothing but irony spread on her face and made Grace shift on her new bracelet sandal shoes. These were supposed to be an anniversary gift for a marriage that she tended to ignore lately.

"You told me that Joan was informed in first place."

Rita finally announced and folded her hands under her chest. Every time she tried to sound firm and assertive her face would attest her exhaustion.

"Wait a minute! Why would I agree on letting Rita stay over our hotel room and why would you lie about it Miss Berk?

Joan looked over her lover with narrowed eyes wondering what kind of suspicious arrangement was going on.

"Stop with the formalities cause I have nothing to hide..."

Grace started but she got interrupted by the woman's obvious annoyance.

"Then what is she doing here?"

"She's staying here until she heals entirely my darling. After the tragical accident she needed someone to hide her and take good care of her. I'm not heartless, and I'm very certain that you're not either."

Grace replied with confidence and her eyes softened.

"Let me remind you that this woman humiliated all of us and stepped on our reputations in order to shine. She's a scam, and she showed no mercy towards us!"

"Well you didn't either. People make mistakes, they can change because of the perspective society wants us to follow. Some of them need to face the worse before they change their minds and come around. I decided to believe in humanity for once and put our pasts behind."

Rita took a step back and raised her eyes to look at her friend in loss of words. It wasn't until after her encounter with death that she realized that she had turned into a monster. Her life had been always a rough rocky road, and even when she had the chance to be treated with respect she always yerned for more. Maybe that was because she was so much afraid of the very moment people would throw her away again.

"Your pep talk is charming I must admit, but I don't trust her. It won't take long until she takes advantage of your kindness and tries to step over you again. You have way too many attributes to lose if your mission fails. Is she worth the risk?"

Joan asked and suddenly her voice was filled up with concern. Her apprehensions rarely became visible to the public eye, but when they did Grace felt that her choice to be with that woman was correct after all. The blonde woman chewed on her bottom lip while her lover spoke and as soon as she was done with expressing her concerns she gave her a soft shy smile and took a step closer to her. Her hands extended to hold Joan's and her eyes glimmered under the deem light of the moon that entered the room.

"I'm not asking you to trust her, I'm asking you to trust me for once..."

Grace spoke softly and caressed the top of the woman's hand with her thumb. A long pause followed. Rita was staring at them with anticipation but decided to remain silent. Under different circumstances she'd rather abase Joan for her nasty words and step over her ego to accrete her fury, but this time she remained silent. And honestly her cheeks burned with shame for her lack of courage. These weren't the traits that she gave to the powerful persona she had created. Joan smiled slightly at Grace's words. The blond's warm heart was the first thing about her that made Joan fall in love with.

In a world filled up with monsters, angels like Grace Berk are hard to find. But when you do find them you should keep them close cause they are limited edition. This is what Joan always believed, plus she was very aware that her lover's instinct was more intuitive than hers. She found herself often blinded by her ego, which made it hard for her to judge people impartially. Grace from the other side seemed to Joan like she didn't have any flaws. She was basically perfect in her lover's eyes.

The tension in the room grew bigger while both Rita and Grace waited for a reply. Both f them forming different kind of case scenarios in their heads.

"Fine... You better solve this out then and make sure to be careful. I won't lose you because of her." Joan gave her woman's hand a promising squeeze and then her eyes flew on Rita's curvy figure.

"And for the love of god buy that woman a pair of nightwear."

Grace chuckled softly in return and pulled Joan closer. She placed a soft loving peck on her shoulder only to make Rita flinch awkwardly and withdraw her eyes from the couple.

"I'll give you a call first thing in the morning, we're gonna have to find a new solitaire base to retain our privacy somehow."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for your phone call then. Goodnight."

Grace escorted Joan to the door and the chestnut haired woman left the room and shut the door behind her. Grace needed a moment to process tonight's events. She had a jealous lover to worry about from now on in addition to her suspicious and ver protective husband. She caressed the back of her nape in an effort to ease the pressure and finally turned around to face the woman that she'd rather consider as her mission. She found Rita curled up on the couch, looking nothing like the unstoppable, arrogant woman she once met. She looked scared. Even though Rita refused to admit those tingling irritating feelings of frustration and sorrow that burned in her chest.

"I apologize for the fuss, it was my mistake all along. I should be the one dealing with her in first place."

Grace admitted and her voice came out in a whisper. The brunette woman shifted on the white couch and squeezed the white square pillow in her embrace for extra support.

"And I apologize for bringing you into this position. You don't have to help me out you know..."

Rita admitted and didn't even dare to raise her black orbs and look at her. Her eyes always reflected the way she felt. Her eyes actually worked as a mirror of her soul. They used to glimmer with honey colors when she was happy, and when she felt upset and at her blues anyone could witness the most terrifying storms raging in them.

"Wouldn't you help me?"

Grace lifted a thin brow.

"Now or back when?"

Rita replied with obvious shame burning the back of her throat.

"It's good that we're not alike. You taught me that even the most stubborn people can change. You taught me that a black heart can always start properly beating again. You're the living example that people deserve a second chance. I know that if I were in your shoes I would have appreciated the help."

Grace croaked and started pacing around the gloomy hotel room. The weather outside was worsening by the time. Rain drops fell on the cold pavement while the clouds turned into a dark shade of grey and collided onto each other creating loud lightnings. She stood by the tall window and let her eyes gaze the dusky town that was filled up with way too many secrets for anyone to count.

"I do appreciate the help."

Rita murmured and sighed heavily without herself even realizing it. Grace turned to look at her and frowned. The woman was obviously troubled but Grace hesitated to ask. She was afraid to cross a line, but again Rita had no one to talk to. Grace Berk was her only chance. She took a seat down next to her and crossed her feet elegantly.

"I know. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

Grace gathered all of her strength and finally asked. She never expected to actually receive an honest answer, but Rita didn't take too long until she replied.

"I run into Scooter today..." She admitted and her voice came out firmer than she expected.

"The gigolo..."

"Yes him... Did you know that he's a father now?"

She looked over at Grace and and her lips quivered. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears that she refused to let go anyways. She wouldn't give him the honor and cry about him. He didn't deserve her tears. Although all these thoughts were just silly excuses that she used to pacify her concerns.

"I heard the story... If you think about it you were quite lucky to be in a comma for some time. At least you didn't have to read the news and read all the articles about the family's secrets. Dee's love story with Scooter was all over the news until detective Vern Loomis intervened and threatened the press with a lawsuit. He was lucky enough and the press didn't get the time to publish the name of the father's child at the time."

"Dee didn't deserve him or the chaos her mother created."

"Neither did you. He doesn't deserve you Rita."

Grace scoffed and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder to sympathize her.

The older woman chuckled sardonically in response but the feeling of despair was obvious in her voice.

"He was the only one that offered me at least a dose of affection."

"Not beating you up is not a form of affection. You both took advantage of each other for your own reasons but at least your motive wasn't money this time."

"This doesn't make me a better person than him..."

She frowned and rubbed her temples tiredly.

"It doesn't. But at least you changed. He remains a scambag."

Grace looked at her and gave her a kind smile. Rita couldn't help but return it through her sorrow. She felt blessed that at least she gained one important thing out of this mess. A friend.

"Now get up, I need to check on your blood pressure just like the doctor adviced me to."

"Grace?"

Rita paused and inhaled a sharp shaky breath. The blonde woman looked at her in the eyes shyly.

"Yes?"

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome Rita! Now come on!"

It was almost 1:00AM when Harry Jaworski knocked on the wooden door of Earl's office. He was aware that his boss was in command for the late shift tonight. And since detective Verm Loomis or else wonder boy (this is how he liked to call him) was absent, Harry knew that now was his moment to finally strike. Vern must have thought that Harry left the office before him, but he was mistaken. The tall dark haired man spent an hour in the back yard of the police station doing some research on his co-workers until Vern Loomis left work and gave him the opportunity to walk back in and start his devious plan. He heard a deep hoarse voice reply to him behind the door and he immediately pushed the door open to find Earl sat down behind his vast office desk with a pile of paper work placed in front of him. He had a coffee mug in one hand while his left hand was holding a creamy donut that he so badly craved to devour.

Earl's rounded eyes narrowed in surprise and he pointed his finger towards the chair across him.

"Mister Jaworski! I thought that you had left, please take a seat."

The man said with a dose of disappointment in his voice. He threw the rounded crust back in the box and grabbed a napkin to wipe his fingers.

"I did. But then I remembered something that I ought to tell you sir. Remember when you told me that psychiatric analysis is important for both coworkers and criminals? I considered that statement of yours extremely important. People who work in front line like you are, ought to be mentally stable and reformed in order to be in place to help others."

Harry spoke coldly and grabbed a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He fished one red Pall Mall with his well shaped lips, held it between them until he slid one hand in his jacket's pocket and grabbed a Zippo lighter. He connected the flame to the front part of the cigarette and took a moment to enjoy the bitter taste of the smoke entering his lungs, and sliding down his throat and lungs. He held it in for a second or two until he exhaled towards the ceiling.

Earl gave him a puzzled look. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and grabbed a well preserved Cuban cigar that he kept for nights like this one, were the caseload was big and people like Harry disturbed his alone time in the middle of the night when all he wanted was to enjoy a well baked donut peacefully. He lit it up and the strong sense of it filled up the room, giving the idea that someone was frying some chicken behind the closed door of his office.

"You should try one of these."

Earl mumbled and bit the butt of the cigar to balance it between his lips.

"No thank you, I prefer a light smoke."

Harry replied confidently and faked a smile.

"So I do remember that conversation of ours. It was over the phone, three days ago, what about it?"

"You have to excuse me, but as a psychiatrist I am used to observe people. It is what I do, even when I'm not working. Once your brain learns how to function that way, unfortunately you can't get rid of that nasty trait. Today I was working with detective Vern Loomis. He is one of your oldest members am I correct?"

Harry asked and his forehead wrinkled.

"Yes he is. And he's one of the most loyal and brave ones. Did you know that detective Vern Loomis participated in the war? His eyes have witnessed images that a simple human being would never be able to sleep again at night if he had been in mister Loomis's shoes."

Earl's posture became uptight and defensive.

"Of course I am aware. I made my research about him, and honestly his resume is impressive. The thing is that I believe that he is a bad influence for our patients."

Harry spoke and took in another bang of his cigarette. Both man exhaled the smoke at the same time and looked at each other. Earl tilted his head to the side skeptically.

"Criminals." Earl corrected him.

"Patients!"

"And how exactly is he a bad influence?"

"With all respect, I do realize that he's a brave man who did not hesitate to fight for his country and save the lives of his fellow soldiers, but when it comes to his reputation in this society, we both have to admit that he's considered as a joke."

Earl pressed his lips together in loss of words. A man like Earl had been always very sharp and provident. These two qualities always helped him succeed in life no matter the depth of the situation he was dealing with. He was one of those kids that studied in order to change the world. He enrolled in the university earlier than his classmates. He had been always intelligent with public speaking, sports, and of course all the necessary lessons he needed to finish uni. He was admired by many ever since he was young. Every single professor he had in life soon was mesmerized by his brightness.

This time Earl was speechless. He was caught up into an internal fight between his morals and justice for his friend. He had been very concerned about Vern Loomis the past couple of

months.

Ever since the scandal came out on the newspapers he knew that people would soon notice that the hero everyone talked about was nothing but just a joke for that type of a society. People were closeminded. They refused to accept something alternative that belonged out of the ordinary. Families were supposed to be built up into a specific way, and people would again reject the kind of family that was still perfect but in her own way.

Detective Vern Loomis was raising a child that wasn't his. And that never really bothered him. He loved the uniqueness of his family. But people often became judgmental. Harry could see how uncomfortable he made Earl feel. It wasn't like his boss was unaware of the affect this situation could have on Vern's life.

"I see... And what's the problem?"

"Our patients should respect him. They don't. If you want me to fulfill my job here you're gonna need to relent when it comes to a couple of things and trust me. As a specialist in my section I know exactly how to regain their respect and make them talk. Especially Alma Filcot. Miss Alma Filcot would never collaborate while the last person she craved to kill is still around"

"Then what do you suggest?"

Earl croaked and he could already sense the big answer coming. And he was so not ready to face it.

"I suggest a temporary furlough! It would give me the time to deal with Alma, make her open up to me and then mister Loomis can return in the unit."

Earl swallowed hard in response. He could have seen it coming. After all both Vern and Alma were quite troubled to be in the same area. These two were not emotionally detached from each other, and when it came to what detective Loomis did for a leaving, dealing with "family members" was technically forbidden for obvious reasons.

"I can't possibly..."

"I am asking you to think about it. His presence here won't let her open up and give us the details we need. I have my ways to approach her but I'm gonna need her to be honest. That man is a constant reminder to her of the life she could be living instead of being locked up behind bars. Consider mister Loomis as a ghost from her past. Nobody likes ghosts... It's your call boss. I got a month till her death sentence to convince her. Don't let this time go to waste."

Harry forced a hopeful smile while Earl pushed his chair back and put out his cigar in the bottom of the ashtray. He rubbed his face tiredly and shrugged before he decided to speak.

"Go get some rest mister Jaworski. Tomorrow is gonna be a day filled up with improvements between you and Alma Filcot."

Harry's face lit up at the man's reply. He had just achieved the first goal, and he was pretty confident that things would only get better for him by the time. It was about time the two important ladies he worked with met up as well. They made a hell of a team after all... Literally sent from hell!

To be continued my loves