Jeanette sat staring out the hotel window. They were staying in the best suite of course. Victor had money and class, something Mark lacked.

"Victor I want my kid." Jeanette said.

"You'll have him soon enough. Just be patient. Let your ex get comfortable again, and then I'm going to take care of him. I have to be careful, I got agents all over the world after me, I have to lay low for a while." Victor said.

 Jeanette nodded. She would be patient. Soon she would have everything of Mark's. He had treated her like some street whore and he was going to pay.

They had made Maryland in good time. They had checked into the hotel room. All Abby wanted to do was go to bed, but Mark got it in his head to go down and play poker with the guys in the bar. So of course Abby had to go too.

"You can stay here. I don't need a sitter." Mark had said.

Abby had not said a word, just got dressed and followed him out the door.

"Great the guys are going to think I can't go no where with out ya." Mark had complained.

"Sorry I'm cramping your style. It's my job."  Abby had said.

 When they got to the bar Abby had got a table in the corner by her self so she could keep an eye on Mark. She didn't feel like playing the happy wife tonight. She ordered a Jack and Coke and sat and kept an eye on Mark. He seemed to be having a good time. She sat and watched him taking in his features. He was a very handsome man. Tall, auburn short hair, that goatee and mustache that seemed to make him irresistible and of course those beautiful green eyes. She watched as the guys drank and cut up and played cards. It must be nice to have friends you could cut lose with like that.

Two women walked up and started flirting with Mark. They were blonde and big breasted and they were hanging all over him. They must be fans Abby thought. Mark reached up and kissed one right on the mouth. Abby wanted to go over and punch them both in the face. Hold up Abby what the hell is wrong with you, he's a job not really your husband what the hell is wrong with you? She got up and decided to go sit in the lobby; she could keep an eye on the bars entrance from there with no problem. She got up and paid her bill and left.

"Uhh Mark you idiot, did you forget your married, you nimrod?" Glen asked.

"Shit." Mark said. He was supposed to be happily married and he had just kissed that bimbo.

"Aww hell, she was just a fan, it's no big deal." Mark said.

"Yea well you seem to forget your wife was in the corner over there, she just got up and left and she didn't look none to happy." Glen said.

"Not a good way to start out a marriage man." Bradshaw said.

Mark sighed. Hell he had a few drinks, he forgot all about being married he just got carried away having a good time.

"I guess I better go talk to her." Mark said getting up.

"Good idea." Glen said giving him a disapproving look.

Mark got up and paid his drink tab and walked out to the lobby. She was sitting in a chair waiting for him.

"I uhh forgot I was supposed to be married, sorry about that." Mark said running his hand through his hair.

Abby didn't say anything. She just got up and headed for the elevator. The ride up was silent and they got off and went to there room.

Abby went in the bathroom and took a shower and Got out and pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt. Mark brushed past her when she opened the door and shut it behind him.

Abby flopped on the bed and lay down. She was exhausted.  She heard the door open, but she kept her eyes closed.

"Ya know you don't have to be a bitch about this, I said I was sorry. I mean it's not like were really married." Mark said.

Abby opened her eyes. He was standing over her. She really didn't feel like a fight tonight.

"I'm not being a bitch, I'm just really tired. And you right, were not really married you can kiss who you want to." Abby said.

The tone of her voice took all the fight out of Mark. She sounded exhausted. He shouldn't have gone down to play poker; he knew she would insist on following him. She should have been in bed hours ago. She had dark circles under her eyes from exhaustion.

Mark went and got in the other side of the bed.

"Come here." Mark said pulling her next to him.

"What are you doing?" Abby asked panicked.

"Calm down Darlin, I'm just going to hold ya, you look like you could use it." Mark said wrapping her lightly in his arms.

Abby was aware of his warm hard body pressed to hers. He smelled so good. It had been so long since anyone had held her. She remembered climbing in her mama and daddy's bed after having a nightmare or during a thunderstorm and her daddy holding her and soothing her. It felt good. It brought her close to tears. She had been so many years with out human touch.

"What ya trembling for Abby, I'm not going to hurt ya." Mark said in a soothing voice.

Abby relaxed and laid her head on his chest. Mark felt her relax and finally her trembling stopped.

Mark pressed a kiss to her forehead and pushed her hair out of her face.

 Abby knew she should push him away, but she couldn't. You shouldn't become dependant on people or like them, they always went away and it hurt.

"Go to sleep little one." Mark whispered.

Mark seemed to instinctively know what she needed.

Abby sighed and wrapped her small arm around his waist and fell into a deep sleep.

Mark looked down at her sleeping. She was a stubborn hardheaded little thing, but there was a hurt little kid hiding under that armor. Mark closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.