First chapter = disclaimers

BTW: I forgot to mention in the first chapter that this story is dedicated to Betty who specifically wanted a positive story with Elle.

Thanks for all the great reviews!

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Ellen mindlessly swirled her spoon around in her coffee as she waited for Carol. After their first meeting, they had met weekly to discuss anything and everything. When Ellen had learned that Carol had friends and family in L.A., she had made a rule not to talk about said people with their real names. It was selfish of her, but she did not want her new friend to be wrapped up in any sort of controversy. The amount of bad dirt that Ellen had on numerous people in L.A. made that a fairly real possibility.

Carol had laughed when Ellen proposed the idea, but she had acquiesced after assuring Ellen that her family was not part of a crime family. She could not honestly assure Ellen that her family never had anything to do with illegal activities, so it seemed in the best interest of their friendship to agree.

"Ella!" Carol's voice floated over the tables as she made her way over to Ellen's spot.

Ellen smiled at the nickname. They had been discussing the finer points of music one day, and to Carol's horror, she found that Ellen had a distaste for jazz and blues. Carol had immediately declared it to be impossible and had spent the better part of an hour trying to convince Ellen of the merits of jazz and blues. When Ellen had unrepentantly refused to change her opinion, Carol had sworn to call her Ella after Ella Fitzgerald until she changed her mind.

Carol slid into the seat across from Ellen, "I'm sorry I'm late. I had a difficult client this morning."

Ellen smiled, "Oh, that's okay. It gave me sometime to make a ruff draft for my story for tomorrow."

Carol smiled, "What priceless humanitarian treasure is it this week?"

"Dentists: Friends or Foes?"

Carol sighed, "And you got this assignment because?"

"Because my boss's niece got an internship at the paper, and he sent her out to cover the real news. As one of the newer reporters, I was the one who got bumped down the line. I'm beginning to miss the tabloids."

Carol laughed, "You mean you're starting to miss 'Mr. Perfect' again."

"I never said he was perfect!" Ellen protested.

"No, just that he is sweet, strong, well mannered, owns his own business, is athletic, and has the bluest pair of eyes you'll ever see. Sounds like 'perfect' to me."

Ellen grinned, "Did I mention his smile?"

"Ella, why don't you just give up and beg for his forgiveness? You're infatuated and head-over-heels in love with this guy. I'm certain you could work something out."

"I would, but I think it is pretty much a one-sided thing now. I called a friend of mine for a source on an article last week…"

"The consumer hair salon story?"

"Yes," Ellen said exasperatedly, "Where was I? Oh, my friend says that he's been out with at least four other women since me. I'm the one who broke it off, and I can barely rent a movie on weekends without feeling like I'm cheating. He has clearly moved on. And, I don't blame him. I'm not the world's greatest catch."

Carol sighed, "Well, if it is easy for him to move on, maybe he wasn't as great as he seemed."

"Don't try to make me feel better, Carol. I can't expect a guy like that to wait for me to quit running around trying to make a name for myself."

"Hey, that isn't fair. You happen to be a great person. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

"Only if he's a masochist."

"You know, I think that you've just built up too much guilt over this whole scenario. Look, if it didn't work out, it didn't work out. If it is really for the best, you'll know it. If it isn't, I think that you had better pack your bags and run back before his dates become girlfriends."

Ellen smiled, "Enough of me. You said that you had some big news?"

Carol nodded, "I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks. My dad asked me to come and visit, something about giving my 'Big Brother' something else to stew about. You don't know my brother. Nice guy, but he gets all protective and broody sometimes. You never know what will put him into 'superhero' mode."

"So, you're going to be his distraction?"

"Yes, we fight like cats and dogs most of the time. I'm always good for distracting him. Either that, or the whole plan will backfire and he'll end up crying on my shoulder."

"Sounds like a winning plan either way."

"As long as we don't kill each other, it is."

Ellen smiled, "Well, I'll be certain to get you back up to date with local basket weaving when you get back."

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Steve Sloan glared menacingly at Jesse, "Give it up Jess."

"Aw, come on Steve. Look, I promise this one is a winner Five-six, Long black hair, Blue eyes, great personality… She's perfect!"

"So were the last four. Look, Jess, I appreciate you setting me up, but it isn't working."

"You're just on the rebound. You need to get out there."

"I've been out there, and I've succeeded in obtaining three women who feel incredibly sorry for me and one who volunteered to go 'put some sense into that fool of a woman.'"

Jesse shook his head, "It just takes some time. You can't quit, otherwise you'll end up scared of dating."

"I hardly think that you are the model of how to rebound off of a relationship."

"What?"

"Jesse, I wasn't the one who drained Amanda's freezer of ice cream and cried on her shoulder."

"I always eat a lot," Jesse said defensively.

"You hate mocha-cookie-crunch." Steve said pointedly.

"So, learn from my mistakes. It's better than sitting at home watching old sitcoms with Mark."

"That's what you do."

"And I don't want to share the room on the couch."

"No, Jesse. I don't think I can handle another date on Friday."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it because you have plans," Mark said as he sauntered into the kitchen where Steve and Jesse were talking.

"What plans Dad?"

"You are taking a wonderful lady out to dinner on Friday."

"Dad, I just told Jesse I wasn't going out on a date on Friday."

"A date? Steve that thought is very disturbing. Are you sure that those concussions haven't caught up with you?"

"I feel like I'm getting set up. I'll bite. Just who am I taking out on Friday?"

"You are escorting your Old Father and your Lovely Sister out to dinner."

"Carol's coming? Oh, swell. Why don't you invite Norman too so I can be ridiculed and embarrassed."

"Now, Steve. That isn't a nice thing to say. Your sister isn't going to ridicule you."

"You didn't say anything about Norman," Jesse jumped back in.

"I don't like to fib Jesse. Norman can be embarrassing."

Steve shook his head, "Fine, I'll go out with you and Carol on Friday. If you'll excuse me, I think I should go clean out the guest room for her."

Mark let out a long breath as Steve left the room.

Jesse glanced over at him, "Yeah, I know. Steve never gives up that easily."

Mark frowned, "I just don't know what I'm going to do with him, Jesse."

"You mean aside from kidnapping the two of them and having a shot gun wedding?"

"As tempting as the idea is, I'm not sure I'd attempt it on either of them."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Steve's too big for me to take."

Mark chuckled, "I'm not worried about Steve, but I have it on good authority that Ellen fights nasty. Scratches are painful."

Jesse sighed, "Well, as long as Steve has volunteered to clean. What's on T.V.?"