NOTES: I appreciate the feedback; it really is nice to know that other people enjoy the story as much as I enjoy writing it. This idea has been in the back of my mind ever since Del was pronounced dead seven years ago on SB's original airing. Thank you all very much for your kind words.
(See first part for disclaimer, notes, spoilers, etc.)

Chapter 27
Armande leads Olivia into his hotel suite. They stopped off at the hotel's lounge on the way back from the restaurant. Olivia consumed so many martini's that Armande practically carried her up to his room. She also started to call him "Gregory," whoever that was. Perhaps the lover that stood her up…fool, Armande thinks to himself, his loss is my gain.

Olivia rolls her shoulders and allows her faux fur coat to fall away from her body. Armande appreciatively eyes her body and is pleased that the burgundy-colored gown hugs all of the right places. Olivia walks deeper into the suite and steps out of her stilettos, kicking them out of her way. She removes a few pins and her long locks tumble down past her shoulders.

Armande follows her in like an obedient puppy and dims the lights in the sitting area. He goes over to the stereo system. Within moments, the soft sounds of "Strangers in the Night" fill the room. How appropriate, Armande thinks.

He joins Olivia on the sofa and takes her hand in his and places feathered kisses on it. When she does not stop him, he begins trailing kisses up her arm and neck, eventually reaching her lips. After a few moments, he pulls back. Armande looks into Olivia's eyes and sees the spaced out look caused by the heavy consumption of alcohol.

"Gregory," Olivia whines, "don't stop. I need you, darling."

Armande hesitates for a moment before kissing Olivia again. He pushes her gently back down onto the couch and covers her body with his.

Olivia sighs and looks up. Her last thought before her mind is swept away is that Gregory has forgiven her and he still loves her.

Chapter 28
Del paces the bedroom of penthouse he has rented in Geneva and looks frequently at his watch. Where the hell is Olivia?, he angrily wonders. So I was almost two hours late last night. I got there eventually….After I finished a "business meeting" with the young Swiss housekeeper. Del involuntarily grins, recalling all that the young girl had to offer. He loses the grin when he hears the front door close and high-heeled shoes clicking down the hallway.

The bedroom door opens and Olivia walks in. She has no make-up on and her hair is down and tangled. She also has the infamous "hung over" look and there is a suspicious mark, resembling a bite, at the base of her neck.

"What the hell Olivia? I was worried out of my mind! Where have you been?" Del demands.

Olivia glares at Del but otherwise ignores him as she tosses her coat on the bed and walks into her closet.

Del follows her and continues to pepper her with questions, "Damnit Olivia! I asked you a question….several in fact. Where the hell have you been all night?" Olivia slips out of her dress and pushes past him, wearing nothing but barely-there black lace panties. Del loses his train of thought and gets a hungry look in his eyes. He reaches over and runs his hand down her back and tugs at the lace.

Olivia turns around and quickly slaps his hand away. "Don't even think about," she hisses.

"Olivia, if you're upset about dinner, I can explain…" Del starts.

"Oh yes, I am sure you can explain. Let me see, how will it go?….Ah, yes. 'Olivia, this is how it went. There was a business meeting and it ran over. I just lost track of time and I promise that it will never happen again,'" Olivia says mockingly. "Well you can take your sorry explanation and shove it," she continues, "because I have heard it all before…from a better man than you!" Olivia goes into the bathroom and slams the door in Del's face before he can respond.

Del glares at the door for a moment. He tries the handle and finds it locked. "Fine," he shouts at the door, "have it YOUR way!" He grabs his coat and storms out of the bedroom.

In the bathroom, Olivia leans over the sink with her head down. She flinches when she hears the front door slam shut. The slam echoes throughout the silent penthouse. She looks up and glares at her reflection. Alone again, she bitterly thinks, why did you think this would be any different?

Olivia turns around and runs the faucet in the bathtub. She adds some pellets of lavender and watches as the steam billows off the water. When the water has risen sufficiently she strips off her remaining undergarment and slides into the hot water, turning the water off with her foot. She tucks a rolled up towel underneath her neck and leans back. Olivia closes her eyes and lets her mind wander, eventually falling asleep…

…Olivia stirs at the sound of the lock turning in the bathroom door. She decides to continue ignoring him and keeps her eyes shut. She hears him walk over to the tub and stop at the edge. After a moment, strong hands start to massage her shoulders. Olivia is unable to prevent a sigh of pleasure from escaping. His hands dig deeper and slowly work out all the knots of tension. Without warning, his hands pull back and Olivia cries out in protest. Almost immediately, he takes her foot in his hands and begins to work on it. He continues with her right foot for a few more moments and then concentrates on her left foot. Again, he stops. Olivia listens closely and recognizes the sounds of clothes falling softly to the floor.

With a gentle ripple, he slides into the tub and gathers Olivia in his arms as excess water escapes over the side. He settles her in his lap and kisses her with such passionate longing that she immediately responds, her earlier anger forgotten. His arms caress Olivia's back and she responds in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck. She gently nips at his earlobes, knowing how much pleasure that gives him. However, she wants more….She pulls back and opens her eyes, staring directly into the face of Gregory Richards...