For a week or so I was over this fanfic but as you can see I am well back into it and loving it even more. Eli and Grace make the perfect couple, or is it just me being a romantic? Anyway, enjoy! And there is more to come. Also, I put up another story, just 300 words, called Taking Advantage. It's in the R rated section so check it out!

Chapter nineteen

Eli is sitting at his desk typing a letter to a company to remind them politely that they still haven't paid their bill. Rick walks into the office with a red haired woman beside him.

"Eli, this is Mary Jones. Mary, this is my son and personal assistant, Eli. Mary is on a contract with us for the Peterman project. She'll be working in the office next to mine and I'd appreciate you being extra helpful during her time here." Rick coughs after this little speech and loosens his tie a little.

B/W Eli: Dad's acting like a little school kid. He used to act that way when he first started dating Lilly.

"Nice to meet you, Eli. I'm sure you'll be a perfect gentleman," smiles Mary as she offers him her hand.

"Well, I'll try my best," he replies as he shakes her hand.

"Anyway, I'll show Mary her office. Eli, finish that letter and then can you organise pickups for the Watson project?"

"Sure thing."

Rick and Mary walk off and Rick places his hand in the small of Mary's back. Eli notices this and finds himself loosening his own tie.

- - -

"You've been quiet all day, J. What's going on?"

"Nothing," replies Jessie as she plays around with a bit of grass.

Jessie and Katie are sitting in the park, eating apples and reading books for school. Katie knows that something is going on but tries to handle it gently.

"You've been like this for a couple of days now, ever since you talked to your Mum."

"It'll pass, I promise," Jessie reassures her.

"I know, but you can tell me anything, right. You know that, don't you?"

Jessie offers Katie a small smile and nods.

"It's just...well, you haven't been so...relaxed with me."

"Oh, it's just school work. I have a lot on my plate at the moment."

Katie rubs Jessie softly on the back and Jessie jumps back a little.

"Jessie, tell me what's going on, please," pleads Katie.

"Nothing!"

B/W Jessie: I could never break her heart.

"Fine, fine," mutters Katie and she starts to put stuff in her bag. "Well, do you want to go to the movie still? It's nearly time."

Jessie avoids eye contact as she replies, "Um, I should probably go home and work on that essay I have to do."

"I could help if you want," Katie offers.

"No, it's ok. Thanks."

"Jessie..." Katie starts to whine.

"I think we need some time apart," Jessie quickly lets out of her mouth before she can stop herself.

"What?! Why?!"

"It's not because of you. It's me...I'm just stressed at the moment."

"Can I do...?"

Jessie cuts Katie off and quickly gets up. "No, you can't do anything. Just give me some space, please," pleads Jessie and before Katie can reply Jessie has already walked off.

- - -

Mr Dimitri walks back and forwards, listening to the children on the stage and not looking up. Grace is standing at the corner of the stage, with her script on the floor and her eyes avoiding James. James is standing centre stage, his hand tightly holding the script and trying to catch Grace's eye.

"There's nothing left for me, but this empty void. Without her I am nothing," says Robert.

Grace walks onto the stage right up to James and slaps him softly on the cheek, "you heartless fool," she whispers.

"More anger, Grace! He has broken your heart! Fiercer!" yells Mr Dimitri without looking up.

Grace slaps James again, with more strength, leaving a red mark on his cheek.

"You heartless fool!"

James stops himself from stumbling backwards and pleads to Grace, "I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did," she whispers, holding back her tears.

James reaches out his hand and tries to capture Grace's but she jumps back.

"No gesture can ease the pain you have caused me."

"Not even a kiss?"

"Especially not from a man whose lips have touched another," she says with fierce anger.

"Just one," he whispers as he leans in closely.

Grace leans in a little and their lips gently meet. Grace closes her eyes and feels his smooth lips against hers.

"Excellent!" Mr Dimitri claps and so does the rest of the cast.

Grace jumps back and wipes her lips quickly. James smiles softly.

"See you all tomorrow," says Mr Dimitri and is then distracted by a student who is asking him for help with an assignment.

Grace picks up her scripts and starts to walk off the stage. James quickly grabs her hand but she still has her back to him.

"We gotta talk, Grace."

"There's nothing to say. It's just acting, James."

"That's bullshit and you know it," he says as he turns Grace to face him.

"I'm with Eli. I love him." At first when she says this she doesn't feel that love for Eli but then, she sees him. The way he would hold her when she falls asleep. The way he would butter her toast and make her coffee the way she likes it.

"That kiss meant something, don't deny it," he whispers.

"I felt something for a moment but James, I really do love Eli."

"Look me in the eye and tell me you don't have feelings for me."

Grace looks James straight in the eye, "I don't have feelings for you, she simply states with complete faith in her words.

James is shocked by her response and quivers a little.

"Alright then. There's nothing left to say," he shrugs and walks off the stage.

Grace follows him with her eyes and smiles.

- - -

It's late afternoon and Eli is sitting on his bed, lightly strumming his guitar and trying to work out exactly what happened during the day. He hears a knock at the door and softly says "come in."

Grace opens the door and stands in the doorway, looking at Eli and taking in his face and the concerned look in his eyes. She walks over to the bed and sits down next to him. She removes the guitar and takes hold of his hands and softly kisses him.

"I've missed you," she murmurs and wraps his arms around her.

"I've missed you too, babe, he mumbles and buries his head into her neck.

"What's wrong, bub?" she asks as she strokes his hair.

"Just...work stuff."

"Can't you talk to Rick about it?"

"He's part of the problem," he replies and eases himself away from Grace and looks at her.

"Well, you need to work it out with him."

Eli sighs. "I know." He shakes his head a little. "Anyway, how was rehearsal today?"

It's now Grace's turn to sigh. "It went really well. It's just..."

"Just what?"

She takes in a deep breath. "You were right about James," she murmurs and looks away from his face.

"He likes you?"

Grace nods.

"Do you...do you have feelings for him, Grace?" whispers Eli and he holds in his breath.

B/W Eli: I don't know what I could do without her. (flicker of fear crosses his face)

Grace sighs. "I was tempted...I was tempted to do something, but then I saw you. I saw your face and everything that you do for me and I knew it wasn't him that I wanted. It's you I want, Eli."

Eli lets out his breath and strokes Grace's cheek.

B/W Eli: Without her, who am I?

"I was just feeling so trapped for a while. You and I spend so much time together and I never got to be me. Even before we got together, for years, you were all that I saw." Grace starts to cry softly and Eli strokes her cheek again and kisses her cheek softly.

"But I realised that you are a part of me. You and I, we fit. I couldn't imagine being without you, Eli."

B/W Grace: I could never leave him. (small smile)

Eli takes her into his arms and pulls her down so they can lie on the bed. Grace buries her head into his chest.

"I don't want you to feel trapped, babe. I want you to feel free to do what you want. But I need you to tell me when something's wrong because I can't help if you don't tell me."

"I promise I'll tell you."

Eli strokes Grace's hair and she closes her eyes and drifts into sleep.