All That Sparkles

(Book 1 of The Dillingham Chronicles)

By aubreysmom

Rated T

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Paxson Entertainment and Pebblehut Productions, with the exception of Elizabeth Dillingham, who is my own fictional creation.

Summary: A friend of Tara's takes an interest in Myles. Takes place shortly after "Cold Case."

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Chapter 1: "Chance" Encounter

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INSTANT MESSAGE:

Lola: Hey, Liz!

DrDill: Tara! You caught me between patients. I haven't heard from you in ages.

Lola: Hazards of the job. And, that's what you get for moving out of the building and buying a house. :D Coffee Club tomorrow morning?

DrDill: Sure! Sue & Lucy too?

Lola: Yup – case solved, closed, wrapped up. And have I got a story for you!

DrDill:Oh, man. Now what? Myles antagonizing more novelists?

Lola: LOL – even better. And this one includes ALL the guys—well, almost. Up for 'sale!'

DrDill?LOL This I have to hear. 7am at Jefferson's?

Lola: Sounds good. Someday we'll have to find a spot close to your office rather than across the street from HQ. Doesn't seem fair you have to do all the driving.

DrDill: It's ok – I'm not likely to get a call before I start my coffee. ;)

Lola: True. LOL See you tomorrow!

Dr Dill has signed off

Lola has signed off

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"The Coffee Club," as it had come to be known, was one of the highlights of Elizabeth Dillingham's life, especially since she'd purchased a home and moved out of the apartment building where she'd been neighbors with Tara Williams.

They had met at the mailboxes five years ago, discovered a mutual love of The Princess Bride and toffee-almond ice cream — and the rest was a friendship that provided them both an escape from difficult jobs.

Although she was a therapist in a private clinic, Elizabeth also volunteered her services ten hours a week at a local women's shelter, and was currently involved in a post-doctoral research study involving law enforcement workers. Since Tara was a law enforcement officer, they had talked, unofficially, about the study and how the results could help the higher-ups gain a better understanding of the unique stresses law enforcement workers faced.

Difficult jobs often make for unusual working hours, so Tara and Elizabeth had started scheduling early-morning coffee together at least once a month. They met at a coffee shop right across the street from FBI headquarters, in case Tara had to go on a call. It didn't take long for Tara to invite Sue and Lucy to join them, and now it was a foursome.

Obviously, they never talked about work—confidentiality being an issue on all sides—but stories of the goings-on during work were fair game. Although Liz had met Jack Hudson and Bobby Manning only briefly (as they'd come to summon the ladies for a case), and had never met Dimitrius Gans or Myles Leland, she felt in some ways that she knew them all.

Up for sale? she thought. This should be good.

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By the time Tara, Sue and Lucy finished, Elizabeth was holding her sides from laughing. She caught her breath and eyed Sue.

"So, how was the date with Jack?"

Sue blushed a little. "We agreed it wasn't a 'date' — it was a rescue mission. But it was fun. I'd never been to a professional football game before."

"That's one venue where being deaf is probably a blessing," Lucy added ruefully. "It seems loud enough just on TV."

Tara stirred her latte and grinned. "Wait 'till you see their videos, Liz. I downloaded them off the site and burned them onto a DVD." At their expressions, she grinned wider. "Hey, you never know when a little blackmail will come in handy."

They had all dissolved into giggles again when the bell on the coffee shop door jingled. Elizabeth looked up.

"Hel-llo. Who have we here? I thought I'd seen all the handsome men in D.C."

Tara, Lucy and Sue all turned. Jack, Dimitrius, Bobby and Myles were headed for the table, with strides that indicated something was up.

Tara, puzzled, said, "You've met Jack and Bobby before, Liz."

"Not them. The blond. Who is that?"

Tara looked at her friend in astonishment. Unfortunately, there was no time to explain, since the four men were now at the table.

"Sorry, ladies," Jack said. "We've got a live one. Hello, Dr. Dillingham."

Elizabeth returned the greeting, and picked up her coffee and her purse. "I know what 'live one' means— shop talk. This is where I make an exit and head for the office. Nice to see you all again…oh," she smiled, holding out a hand to Myles, "I don't believe we've met. Dr. Elizabeth Dillingham. Tara and I have been friends for several years."

Myles raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? My estimation of Tara's taste just doubled." He shook her hand. "Special Agent Myles Leland the Third. A pleasure."

Elizabeth quickly greeted Dimitrius, then turned to head out the door. Myles caught her arm briefly as she turned and asked, "Wait – Dillingham? Of the D.C. Dillinghams?"

Elizabeth smiled sweetly, and responded in a voice that made Tara do a double-take. "The D.C. Dillinghams? Good heavens, no. Cambridge." She winked at Tara, waved to the group and headed for the door. Then she suddenly turned and caught Sue's eye. Tell Tara to give him my phone number, she signed, And have him call me when he's free for dinner. And she walked out.

Myles had been watching Elizabeth out of the corner of his eye, trying not to be too obviously interested. Now he turned. "She signs?" he asked Tara.

Tara nodded. "Her sister's deaf. All right, guys, what's up?"