Author's Note: Thanks so much for the comments guys! I appreciate anything really, lol. But enough of my blabbering, here's chapter two!

Disclaimer: I don't own Johnny Depp as much as I wish I did and "Secret Window" is not my own idea; I don't own that either unfortunately. However, Stella Burnside is my creation. XP

Chapter Two

Mort Rainey

Stella woke up with the sun blazing through the room. She groaned from its blinding rays and reluctantly got up. She brushed her teeth with the toothbrush left behind by her aunt and did her best to pull out tangles from her messy hair with her hand. She changed back into her jean skirt and tank top, deciding on changing when she had all her things unpacked.

Making her way down the stairs, she put a scoop of hazel coffee into the coffee maker and waited for it to be made. As she did that, she stood in the warmth of the sunroom and saw Mort outside with his dog. It was a small beagle that was white with golden yellow patches. It was cute and petite. She smiled and walked out of the sunroom, hearing the click of the coffee maker switch. She absent-mindedly poured herself a cup of coffee and mixed cream and sugar in.

For some reason, it just didn't seem like a new start anymore. It was strange. She couldn't shake the feeling of the past creeping up behind her slowly. To get her mind off of things, she decided to step outside and explore for a bit. Maybe exchange a few words with Mort before moving her things in. She grabbed her car keys and left her cup of coffee on the counter; barely touch to get a breath of fresh air.

It was sunny and with a cool and comfortable breeze out. The breeze relaxed Stella's nerves and cleared her mind. The lake shimmered under the sunlight and she could hear the high pitched chirps of the birds in the tall pine trees. She couldn't help but smile to herself. Snapping back into gear, Stella approached her car and at times would snatch glances at Mort playing with his dog. She smiled again and unlocked the trunk.

The boxes were just as they were when she and Ben had packed them. They were the still dull cardboards boxes with bright yellow labels. She picked up one box and struggled to get it through the door. Stella grunted and forced the box through the door and took in a deep breath.

Jesus Christ… she thought as she wedged three magazines under the door to keep it opened. Once successful, she returned to her car and found Mort standing by it.

"Morning," he greeted with a charming smile.

Stella smiled back, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. "Morning."

"Seems like you have a large load here, need any help?" Mort asked, looking into the trunk and back at Stella.

She couldn't help but examine him for a second while he asked his question. He wore a form fitting black shirt with a black blouse over it unbuttoned and a pair of dark jeans with his white sneakers. She snapped out of her trance and nodded. "I'd really appreciate that."

Mort just smiled and picked up a large box with ease and began to bring it into the house. Stella just watched his figure walk gracefully into the house with ease and she couldn't help but turn a little pink. Shaking off her childish feelings, she picked up another box and followed Mort into the house to place it down in the living room. Within in an hour and a half, they were finished hauling the boxes into the house. Stella felt relieved that she didn't have to do all that work, or else it would have taken her double the time.

"Thanks so much, again," Stella said gratefully to Mort.

He just shook his head. "It's no problem at all."

"Want some coffee?" she asked, heading towards the kitchen.

"That'd be great," Mort answered and followed her in. He took a seat casually at the two person cherry wood table.

"Cream and sugar?" Stella asked.

"Yes, please," Mort said.

She mixed in the cream and sugar, and as she did, she could feel Mort's eyes on her. It was uncomfortable, yet in the back of her mind she wanted more than anything for a man like Mort to be eyeing her in that manner. When she was done, she set the cup in front of Mort and sat down herself with her fresh cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Mort took a sip and smiled to let Stella know that it tasted fine.

"You have a cute dog," Stella said breaking the silence between them.

"Thanks, his name is Chico." Mort put his cup down, and directed his attention to Stella. His brown eyes were attentive and alluring.

"Cute name," Stella further commented. "I've never had a dog."

"They're great companions." Mort folded his hands on top of the table.

"So I've heard," Stella said, taking a quick sip from her coffee to relieve her nerves. Her hand was shaking and she set the cup down rather violently and loudly, startling Mort.

"God, I'm sorry about that," Stella said apologetically. "I didn't mean to…"

"No, it's all right." Mort smiled to assure Stella. "There's really no need to be nervous."

"I uh…" Stella said, losing herself for a moment. Could he really see through her that well? "I just… I suppose I don't have very honed people skills, or least lately I haven't."

"Why's that?" Mort's eyes seem understanding and Stella fell right into them.

"You see, I was on an investigation on the murder of… my good friend. The townspeople who knew her, wouldn't tell us anything about the murder… It was like they were completely shaken by whoever had done this," Stella explained. "I decided to take the investigation deeper since I was so determined to find out who the murderer was. I guess it was like revenge. But, with just my luck, the head of the case had closed the case with no reason at all and now I have no chance of ever finding out.

"I isolated myself for a while, disappointed and guilty that I couldn't do this one favor for my friend. That's when I decided to leave the bureau and sign a publishing contract to write. When my cousin died, I felt I had to leave New York City behind and come here to just get away." Stella tapped on her mug and looked into the pool of light brown coffee rather than Mort's eyes.

Mort didn't say anything, but his eyes said it all. Stella knew he could read the hidden sorrow in her eyes and that's why his eyes were full of such sympathy and they seemed so understanding.

"You really don't have to sympathize. I came here to get over it…" Stella said quietly.

"I'm sorry." Mort looked away for a moment and then added, "If I can do anything, let me know."

"Don't worry yourself, Mort," Stella said and got up. "I'd better get these things out of their boxes or else I'll never start living here."

"How about I help?" Mort got up quickly.

"No, it's really all right. I shouldn't bother you," Stella turned to the living room and disappeared.

She could hear Mort following her and he put a hand on her shoulder. She felt a hot sensation shoot through her and her face turn pink again. She froze for that moment, and there was silence.

"It's what friends do: help." Mort sounded sincere and trusting.

Stella just nodded slowly. "All right."

The two began unpacking all her belongings, and placed them in their respected locations. It took over three hours to get everything in place with a few breaks in between for a drink or two. They talked about writing and anything they could think of. Stella felt her coat of solitude wash away slowly as she got to know Mort. She wondered how Amy could ever divorce this man, but after Amy got married to Mort, she didn't hear of anything about them except for the divorce.

"That's over," Stella said a bit cheerily and collapsed on the futon.

Mort just smiled and sat in the armchair. "You sure are making yourself comfortable here."

Stella nodded. "Yeah, I guess I deserve it? No, it's more like… I need it."

"I see," Mort said knowingly.

Stella laughed at herself quietly. "But I really shouldn't be bothering you with my problems. It's more like… I should be asking questions about you."

Mort just chuckled. "I'd rather much get to know you."

Stella's face became warm for a moment and she laughed a little again. "There's not much to know about me… So tell me, how long have you been living here?" She sat up to face Mort.

"About a year or so," Mort answered. "I like it here."

"I can see why," Stella said with a small smile. "Anything new you've written?"

"I've been re-writing one of my older pieces. You must've heard of it: Secret Window," Mort said.

Stella thought for a moment, and remembered reading it in a magazine. "Yeah, I remember that one. It's brilliant."

"I'm glad you think so," Mort said obviously flattered. "The ending… just didn't seem to satisfy me when I re-read it though, because you must know… the ending is the most important part."

Stella nodded in agreement. "Very true."

"I'm close to finishing, would you like to read it?" Mort invited.

"I'd love to," Stella said brightly.

Mort got up and smiled. "Let's get going then."

Stella got up and followed Mort out of her home and across to Mort's home. Chico slept in a dog bed on a chair and Mort lead Stella up to his desk that sat on a balcony like ledge that faced the living room. He opened up this laptop and the story was conveniently waiting there, as if he had planned it.

"Go ahead," Mort said and pulled the chair out for her to sit.

Stella hesitated a moment, feeling like the situation had been rehearsed by Mort some how. She tried to brush it aside, but even as she sat down and he pushed the chair in for her, she still felt a creeping sensation all over her. She shuddered in her mind and focused her attention to the story on the flashing screen. The story had begun just like the original; Stella had read it so many times it seemed she almost had it memorized. She continued to read, and was captured by Mort's words and energy in the story.

Stella finished the story within an hour, and felt completely breath-taken by it. She didn't favor the new ending as much, but it seemed to fit the story better than the old had. "That was… excellent. I really mean it."

Mort smiled in contentment. "I'm relieved; at first I thought you wouldn't like it."

Stella laughed, as if that was a joke. "Who wouldn't like your writing, Mort? It's amazing."

"Amy didn't," Mort muttered.

Stella froze at the name and looked down at her opened hands in her lap. "…Amy?"

"My ex-wife," Mort answered even more quietly, as if the word was a curse or sin to say at all.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" Stella said quietly as well. "I didn't mean to bring up any kind of bitter memories or any—"

Mort just shook his head and signaled Stella with his hand to stop. "It's all right… I'm pretty much over it really." He smiled and that smile hid a feeling that Stella couldn't describe. Something as if he had taken care of his bitter feelings about the divorce in a dark and terrible way.

Stella got up, feeling uncomfortable. "I think it's time that I should go now."

"No, please stay. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable at all… It's just I was stating a fact to you that you should—" Mort tried to explain quickly in one breath.

"No really, I should go." Stella brushed passed Mort and down the stairs.

"Did I scare you, Stella?" Mort asked.

Stella froze, trying to contain the tension growing within her and the bad feeling at the pit of her stomach. "Why would you think that, Mort?"

"Just a thought… that's all." She could hear Mort's heavy footsteps coming down the wooden stairs.

His voice seemed dark and stronger all of a sudden, like one of those psychotic rapists who dominated over women by just speaking to them. She could hear his footsteps creeping closer and closer to her at a slow pace. She kept calm, but the lurching in her stomach wanted to make her hurl.

Stella turned quickly and was face to face with Mort. "There's nothing that you said that scared me. I just need to get home. Tidy up a bit, you know."

Mort pulled away quickly and nodded, as if he had just snapped out of a dark trance. "Yes… tidy up, that'd be a good idea. Good night, Stella."

Stella swallowed hard and faked a weak smile. " 'Night, Mort."

Turning slowly, she exited Mort's house, his dark voice echoing continuously in her head. She couldn't shake it off and she couldn't stop the memories of Mort's voice from returning to her as she showered, prepared dinner, or slept. She tossed and turned in bed, her gut was telling her that Mort was a potentially dangerous man, but at the same time her mind was drawn to him with a strong curiosity.

Moonlight washed over Stella's room and only the sound of the ruffling sheets could be heard. She kept tossing and turning, trying to fit pieces together. Nothing was coming together. Had Mort scared her? No, he just made her uncomfortable. That wasn't the same as scared was it? No, it just meant she couldn't be in there for very long. Maybe it'd all change the next day. Maybe she wouldn't encounter an episode like that again, or at least she hoped. The sudden change in Mort's attitude truly had surprised Stella, but not scared her. She was used to the type of people who could and would change their personality in a heart-beat voluntarily or involuntarily. Though the behavior just didn't seem to fit Mort… something just wasn't adding up. There was something missing… something about Mort that Stella didn't know. Like a dark secret that would unlock Mort's past.

These thoughts swam through Stella's head, as she finally settled on lying down on her back, staring up at the ceiling fan that spun around slowly and dully. Several times she tried to count its circular cycles in attempt to sleep, but failed miserably.

Mort Rainey… Amy's ex-husband, Stella thought. He seems like a nice man… but… dark at the same time… Who are you really Mort Rainey?