She heard the familiar knocking,put on her bathrobe and hurried to the door.Still yawning,she leaned on the wall,as he was coming in.
"Goodmorning Mrs Peel..."
"Just don't say we're needed Steed.I had a late night,last night."
"Business or pleasure?"He almost winked.
"Neither,I'm afraid".She gave him one of her half crooked smiles.
"A bad dream that kept you awake then? "His look was intense,trying to see through her.
"Dreaming?No.A pipe broke and my living room flooded.I was mopping actually."She curled on the sofa like a cat,watching him pacing up and down.
"Would you like some coffee?"She asked him.
"Oh!There's nothing like a cup of home made cofee in the morning.The best way to start your day."
"Good.The sugar is on the top self on your right and I think you know where you can find the coffee."
He stung her with his look.Obviously,his mother was right when she told him about how the female mind worked.
"Don't look at me like this Steed.My back is killing me you know.."
Only Emma could send a man in her kitchen with absolutely no sign of remorse.
In fifteen minutes he was back with a small tray with two cups on it.
"Absolutely marvelous".She enjoyed the last sip.
"What was all this about dreaming,anyway?"
"I want to talk to you."His look was fixed on her.
"Stop staring at me."She got up,turned her back on him and sighed.
"Please listen to me...from all the times I've begged you,this time you must listen to me!"Anger was a threat reaching him with the speed of light.
"What is it?"Her voice tender and deep,but tired.Another one of Steed's urgencies.His tone had got her interested though.She turned again to face him.
He told her about the dream,trying to conceal the pain it gave him.
"This is what happens when one's mind is elsewhere...our work should always come first."She knew it had been a few months since their last lovemaking but couldn't get in to that line of conversation right now.She wouldn't.
He couldn't believe how frosty she could be.Has she forgotten everything already?What they could be together,what once were...
"That's all you have to say?All that you can think of?"
"What do you expect me to say?I don't believe in signs.There's nothing wrong with me.Nothing is going to happen to me."I can't stand you caring Steed.You're suffocating me!That's what she should have said a long time ago.But she didn't,not then,not now.
"You don't know that.Maybe you think I'm more suggestible than you are,but nobody can know for sure.You are a religious person,aren't you?"
"I used to go to church as a child.Nobody can prove the existence of the divine."What if...she always wondered about a lot of things,much more than she could ever admit to.
"I want to stay here until tommorow."She isn't going to like this...
"Forget it."Her lips became a tight line..her look strong as steel.
"I must insist."He tried to be gentle.
"I said forget it.I can protect myself."Now she was really irritated.
He took her palm in his.She had long,thin fingers,so delicate.Where was her streingth coming from?Their eyes locked.
"I never said you couldn't but two pairs of eyes are better than one."Please,let me be close to you.All of his muscles were saying what his lips couldn't.
"No.I'm sorry."She was in pain.You promised not to change,she thought,but you did.I gave you what you asked,I trusted you,dreamt of you,with you,loved you.I wanted you to fly with me.I'm flying and burning Steed...always.
He must have sensed her frustration cause he turned,took his umbrella,his hat and left.He run to his car,wiped a tear that was ready to stain his impeccable jacket and disappeared in the morning traffic.
She watched him go.Her forehead on the cold window glass,her hand on her stomach.It hurt.She could hurt too,as much as he did but composure was her great ally.She walked to her bedroom,her head up,her shoulders straight.With a quick movement,she got rid of her robe and jumped in to her green catsuit.