Whispers

by Emily

Where's the girl? The girl with the blaze in her eyes ...

"Can you tell me again where the site of Harley's new house is?" A.C. Mallet waited, trying to stifle his impatience. "It's kind of important. I'm not going to be bothering anything. I just want to .. look."

Marina cocked an eyebrow, and finally let out a sigh. "This isn't an issue of trust, Mallet. I am just not sure where Harley and Gus are tonight. They were going to be celebrating her freedom, naturally, and I don't want to be bothering them." She quickly picked up a broom from behind the counter and began to sweep.

Mallet noticed how Marina was fidgeting as she said this, and easily caught onto her meaning. "Ah, I see. Marina, I really don't think that they would have gone to an unfinished house to spend time together. They probably went to the Beacon or something." Mallet stopped himself there, and tried hard not to think of what going to a room together would mean. His pressed his lips together tightly, and then forced a smile. He hoped it didn't look too fake.

Marina was too busy sweeping Company's floor from the day's remnants to analyze Mallet's facial expressions. If she had been familiar with them, or had been giving him her full attention, she might have noticed how his eyes were lacking their usual sparkle or how despite his smile, his jaw was set and the muscles very taut.

"Marina, can't you do your Godfather a favor? Please? Come on," Mallet said.

Marina turned and looked at him, now studying him as if trying to determine every thought passing through his mind. "Okay, okay. But if anyone asks you how you knew where their house was, you didn't get that from me. Right? And it would have been nicer, Godfather, if you'd have made me an offer I couldn't have refused instead of just standing there pathetically."

Mallet smiled genuinely this time, and what a difference it made as his every feature lit up. "An offer, an offer. I could treat you to ice cream sometime and you could tell me what's been going on. You know, about you and that nice young fella ... what's his name again? Derlin Manwoss?"

"Danny Santos! Ugh, Mallet!" Marina giggled as she scribbled the address on the corner of a napkin. "And it's a deal. A hopeful cop needs all the sugar she can get."

"If I was drinking anything right now, I would toast you," Mallet took the napkin from her gratefully. "Thank you, Marina. Say hi to your Dad for me. Have a good night."

Marina watched him leave. "Okay. Good luck, pal." She shook her head, almost immediately dismissing the entire encounter.

Mallet parked his car a little way off the road. It was a beautiful night. The air was warm, but there was a gentle breeze cleansing the air of the thick heat that had oppressed the town when the sun shone. The moon was full, and the sky cloudless. The heavens were given the opportunity to showcase their stars in the most flamboyant manner. Mallet exhaled peacefully, a half-smile appearing across his face. He stood, bathed in moonlight, in what would be Harley's backyard.

He was very still. He let the soft wind wash across his face, and tried to find a sense of peace. Serenity. Tranquility. He needed to stop the onslaught of memories that always assaulted him at times like this. Memories of when he felt whole, and loved. His heart still belonged to the spunky blonde with the mischievous smile and the gleaming eyes. He could see her now. He could still remember what it would feel like to have her arms reach up and clasp themselves around his neck. She would stand on the tips of her toes to try to be level with him. She would hold him to her as if they were one, inseparable being. And he was complete. Filled with her light.

So he stood. Remembering. Remembering what it was like to live.

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Gus was sound asleep. Harley lay naked next to him. She was sprawled across the softness of the blankets, but could feel the hard concrete of the unfinished floor against her back all the same. Gus had fallen asleep what seemed like ages ago, and was in it very deeply. She could tell by his breathing. For whatever the reason, this night, Harley could not fall asleep. She would close her eyes and try to drown herself in the blackness, but to no avail. Her first thought was that she was simply to wound up from the day's events. That was no lie. She had been free-falling through a nightmare for so long now, that when she finally seemed to see the light at the end of the tunnel it was hard to accept it. It was hard to realize she could have ground under her feet again, and believe in something better.

It had been hard for her to believe in anything at all. It had been an endless battle for her to find hope during every long night. Her senses had always been alert and prepared for action. Well, some of the time. There had been times with Gus where she felt like all she could do was give up. Phillip's killer was not going to be found. Her only hope was in running away with Gus forever, and possibly trying to kidnap her own children. Then she would remember Rick and how she couldn't take Jude from him. Or she would remember Alan, and how furious he would have been to find Zach missing. Or she might remember Frank, Buzz, and Marina and how much she owed to them to try and make it back. Or she might recall Susan, and how she would never be able to be in touch with her eldest child ever again due to her delving into a life of complete secrecy. She would have no identity. She would be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.

She shuddered at this thought and pulled a blanket around her and stood up. She walked slowly and quietly to one of the openings where someday a window would be. How had she ended up here? How had she come to have the world again at her feet and her future back in her own hands? The answer was simple, and one that she fought hard to deny. Mallet. Mallet had come back in her life and showed her what forgiveness meant. It truly was a divine thing, forgiveness. It took such a burden off her soul and made her feel free. It let her be reminded of golden days when she was younger, freer, and had trust that life was beautiful. Mallet had pushed her and reminded her not to give up. In her breaking moments, he had stood by her with a plan and a promise. He hadn't let her down, and over and over had saved her. Whether it was from the Hellis bus, the other prisoners, the police, a gun-toting Alan, or herself … he had been there. He gently released her from his hands, and took her fall by letting himself go to prison.

Harley shook her head fiercely. She hated herself in moments like this. She forced down here feelings and tried in that moment to recall why she loved Gus so much; why she was with him tonight. She turned her head and something caught her eye. Her heart gave a nervous jolt, but for some reason icy fear refused to grip her. She instead found herself feeling insatiably curious. She crept over silently to one of the door openings and stepped out carefully. Her eyes made a quick sweep of the lush grounds … her big backyard. No fences, no sign of life until one looked down to where the road began. Suddenly her eyes froze, transfixed on a spot in the yard.

There stood the tall form of a man. She squinted and tried to distinguish any features, but it was too far. He was a shadow. The moonlight beamed down on him in an ethereal pillar, and sparkled on dewy patches on the grass where he stood. His hands were in the pockets of his pants, and he was facing away from her, apparently just staring off into the distance. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest, she thought for sure that he must be able to hear it. Her eyes watching him, she stepped out of the house. She tightened the blanket around her body, and began to walk cautiously in his direction. All the while she peered at him intently, trying to comprehend why she felt no fear.

Her bare foot came in contact with a stray twig, and it gave the tiniest crack. But that was all that was needed. The spell over the man was broken, and he spun around with speed that would have shocked the average observer. But it didn't shock Harley. The swift movement of his body was enough to prove what her heart confirmed. The way his eyes met hers … two shimmering specks of light a little ways away from where she had stopped.

Mallet looked up her at her in wonder and great surprise. She stood farther up from where he stood. Her hair lay wildly around her shoulders, and she was wrapped loosely in a white blanket. He forced his mind away from what she had or didn't have on underneath it. Her face wore an unreadable expression, but he saw her lower lip trembling slightly and her eyes watched him hardly blinking. What he felt inside at this moment, in the middle of the night, could only be described as magic.

Harley's mouth parted, as if she wanted desperately to say something. But nothing came out and broke the darkness. Mallet watched her knowingly, and with a heavy feeling realized that Harley was probably not camping out in the buff all by her lonesome. Reluctantly, he started to step backwards as if to turn and leave, giving her a cordial nod and a small smile. Harley saw his movement, and almost unconsciously stretched out her arm towards him. He stopped dead in surprise, and hesitated, unsure what to do. Harley face broke into a puzzled grimace and she pulled her arm slowly back towards her body, and her eyes dropped from his in what looked like shame. Mallet tried not to wince, and spun smartly on his heel and began his descent back to his car.

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"So anyway, I just really wanted you to know how sorry I am," Olivia sighed, taking hold of Emma's hand. " I really am so glad you're free and that, ahem, naughty man is now paying. I didn't mean to contribute to any of your pain. You have to know how frightened I was, too."

"I do know, Olivia," Harley cocked her head. "And I forgive you. It could have just as easily been you running for your life, couldn't it? Don't worry about it. We're square. I do wish we could have worked better together in the beginning. Had that trust, you know?"

Olivia nodded. "I know. It's just hard for me sometimes. But I'm doing better! Bill's definitely helped me be so much better than I ever dreamed I could be. Suddenly there's ... hope."

Harley beamed. "Hope. Yes. Hope is such a beautiful, beautiful thing. Something I can never take for granted again. At least I hope that I don't lose ... hope. Did you hear that Gus and I are engaged again?"

Olivia looked at her purposefully, her lips pulled into a sarcastic expression. "I didn't! Congratulations, Harley. But why would that of all things be something that would make you lose hope? A wedding?"

"Oh, I ... I didn't mean it that way," Harley shook her head slowly. "That should be something to give me back my hope. A secure future with the man I love."

"Should?" Olivia now looked concerned. "Not will? Wow. You're having doubts, aren't you?"

Harley didn't meet her eyes. "Of course I'm not. I just suppose I'm just overwhelmed since I didn't realize it would be happening this fast. I didn't realize that we would ever reach this place again."

"Please don't laugh at this example, but let me share it nonetheless," Olivia began carefully. "When I married Alan, it was because I felt safe and I felt like he needed me. At the time. But at the very same time I was dancing around Phillip, fighting what my heart was really telling me. Who knows how things might have been different if I had never married Alan? Or how things would have been different if I had chosen to shelve my feelings and go with my head?"

Harley balked. "You're comparing me to your triangle with the Spaulding boys? How does this make any sense at all?"

Olivia shook a finger. "You're about to marry a Spaulding, sister."

Harley moaned. "Right. Again." She buried her head in her hands. "I'm listening ..."

But before Olivia could respond, Mallet came striding into Company. He wasn't looking in their direction but headed straight for a table near the back and began to order a cup of coffee. Olivia watched Harley's eyes follow him. "I don't think you plan on listening again at this moment. I think this is definitely my cue to leave."

"Huh?" Harley mumbled. "What? Olivia, what?"

"A certain tall, quite handsome gentleman has just entered the facility," Olivia began as if talking to a three-year old. "And your eyes went all buggy, and suddenly he's the only patron."

"Oh, you don't know what you're talking about," Harley said darkly. "I noticed him come in here, yes, but that doesn't mean a damn thing."

"Whoa," Olivia grinned. "Let's keep our emotions in check."

Harley turned away. "I have something to get in the back. Excuse me." Harley walked rapidly into the kitchen of Company, staring straight ahead blankly and trying not to let her eyes slide over to get a glimpse of her amused ex-husband. Her amused ex-husband who caught site of her and watched her make her getaway, and shook his head in dismay.

Olivia watched this unfold, to her own amusement, and swooped up Emma. She walked without a second thought to Mallet's table and sat down. "Hi there. How are you? A.C. Mallet, right?"

Mallet had to smile at her forwardness. "Yes, Olivia. I guess we didn't really get to be formally acquainted before we both had to witness a confession. And who's this?"

Olivia smiled. "This is my daughter Emma. Say hi, Em!"

Emma walked around the table and favored Mallet with a shy smile, and began to reach out for napkin holder on the table. Mallet picked her up onto his lap and handed her the object of her desire, with which she immediately began pulling out napkins with joy. "She's absolutely adorable. Looks like her mommy."

"Thank you!" Olivia pondered her next question carefully. "So what's going on between you and Harley?"

"Harley?" Mallet started. "Nothing. I'm just sticking around because I really don't have anywhere else to go. She doesn't want much to do with me. She's with Gus. Right?"

"Right ... but she seems to get a bit flustered and dreamy-eyed whenever you're around. Are you absolutely sure Gus is the one for her? Sometimes true love comes in places we don't expect it. I know this isn't really my business, but I haven't seen her favor Gus a look that didn't scream 'you stress me out' for a long time. I don't care what she says."

"I take it you don't like Gus that much," Mallet laughed. "He's ... a good guy."

"A good guy?" Olivia's jaw tightened. "He kidnaped my daughter when he thought I was the killer. Right underneath my nose, he came and took her away in order to further his own purposes. Maybe he can't help these urges. He is a Spaulding after all, and that isn't something he will be able to shake. He will always have his own interests and his company's interests very much in mind. Perhaps even above his interests for Harley, no matter what he does to try and put her first."

Mallet looked at her quizzically. "Kidnaping? Gus? Wait. Why am I listening to this? I don't even know you. This still doesn't change anything. It wouldn't change anything. I'm sure Gus has told all this to Harley and that she has forgiven whatever lows he had to stoop to in order to have the truth come out."

Olivia looked at him smugly. "Well, whatever helps you sleep at night. I did lock him in a closet in Spaulding's basement for a while to try and get him out of my hair ... so I can't exactly be preaching goodness and light."

Mallet chuckled. "You locked Gus in a closet? I guess I shouldn't have found that funny."

Harley at that moment came out from the back, hoping that he would be gone and she wouldn't have to deal with Mallet at the moment. Instead she received a heaping helping of jealousy when she saw Olivia sitting with him, both of them laughing at something, and little Emma perched on his knee like she belonged there. Harley felt a sharp jab at her heart that she tried to push away, but it kept pricking her. She remembered how she had so wanted at one time to have children sitting on Mallet's lap of their very own. She had always known that he would be such a great father - he just had that air about him.

Olivia turned her head a bit, and saw Harley, and winked at her. Harley bristled and started to act like she was going to return to the back. Olivia waved at her then, "Harley! Hey, come over here with us!"

Harley bit back an excuse, and moved up to them with a plastered smile. "Well, looks like you two have hit it off. My, my, what will your husband say, Olivia?"

"My husband," Olivia fluttered her lashes at Harley. "Is probably wondering what is keeping Em and I. Look at the time! We're off. Good to see you again, Mallet. Harley." Olivia looked at her slyly as she left and gave her the smallest of pushes in the back. Harley's mind was racing. She had been set up! She should have known better!

With Olivia gone, Harley realized she was standing by Mallet's table awkwardly and very much alone. He propped his elbow on the table, and rested his chin on his hand. "Are you going to stand there all day? Or are you going to finally decide you can still talk to me?"

"I can still talk to you," Harley snapped as she sat down hard. But her face suddenly flushed very red. "I just am not sure what to say. Listen, about last night - "

Mallet stopped her. "It's okay. I didn't expect you to come and have a chat with me or anything. I know you were there trying to spend time with Gus and to look at your new house."

"Speaking of which," Harley said. "How did you even know where it was? And why were you even there? Did you need something?"

"All these questions, all these questions," Mallet smiled superiorly. "Fire them only one at a time, Cooper. I'm not a suspect you can get to cave by firing questions at me so fast that I break down and confess to my criminal activities."

"I would call spying on me in my bed sheets pretty criminal," Harley blurted before she could stop herself.

"There's another one," Mallet pointed his finger at her. "A good questioner keeps their emotions in check so that they still have the upper hand."

Harley growled in frustration. "Whatever you say, honey. We are not back at the Police Academy. You are not my instructor. I have asked you some questions, and you are being evasive. Why is that Mallet? Can't you just leave me alone and let me live my life?"

Mallet was taken aback. "This coming from the woman who was so put out when it looked like I was going to be leaving Springfield forever?"

"You do whatever you like, hotshot," Harley seethed. "I was not put out. I was just showing some friendly concern."

"And what do you call this?" Mallet asked. "Why are you so uptight? All that happened was we saw each other, and I left. I gave you your privacy when I saw you were there and didn't want any company. All I wanted to do was come and see your house. I was not coming to look for you and stir up trouble when I know you wanted to just be with Gus. Okay?"

"It's not that simple," Harley said, placing her palms flat on the table. "We stood there. For a long time. You just stared at me. You didn't want to leave."

Mallet narrowed his eyes and looked at her incredulously. "Yes, Harley, we shared a quiet moment up there. It was just a sigh in the night. Just a brief connection. I thought maybe you were looking for some kind of closure ... because I'm assuming you are only thinking of moving forward." He took her left wrist in his hand and lifted it up so her fingers stretched out right between their faces. "You see, I noticed the ring on your finger. Congratulations."

Harley tried not to react the touch of his warm hand, but couldn't hide the goosebumps that went all up her arm. Mallet's eyes drifted from hers long enough to notice this, and then he returned his eyes to hers, still holding her wrist. Harley looked at him determinately. "Thank you, Mallet. I'm sure we will be very happy together. Gus is a wonderful guy."

"Yeah, wonderful. I would believe you happy if you're eyes were shining."

Harley scoffed. "What are you talking about?"

Mallet looked at her, his face softening. "Whenever something truly made you happy, you would always have this firey look in your eyes. A look that was a testament to your happiness. Your whole face would light up."

"You probably drove this so-called 'light' away when you broke my heart," Harley hissed. "I have something different now, I'm sure. I'm not the girl who would follow you and only you to the end of the earth. I'm a woman, Mallet. A woman who's soon going to be very happily married."

"I miss that girl, Harley," Mallet said quietly. "She was never afraid of what she wanted. She never would cave under pressure. She would fight and fight and always find something to hope for. She was witty and she was feisty. Her heart told her what to do." He looked at her meaningfully. "The woman says she has forgiven me, but I still need forgiveness from that girl. The girl who's heart I broke - since according to you, the woman and the girl are not the same."

Harley looked floored. "You're saying I don't have it like I used to, huh? Why should your opinion matter to me? I tell you, my heart is telling me Gus does know me. He has stood by me. And he has asked me to marry him ... and that is what I'm going to do. "

Mallet's insides tightened, and he had a fierce desire in that moment to be the next lucky person who got to lock Gus in a closet. His composure lost for a moment, he gently pulled her wrist towards him. She was so startled, she didn't resist. He then brushed his lips against her fingertips, very slowly and deliberately. Her lips parted and she watched, fascinated, at his mouth against her fingers. "Mallet .. what are .. "

"Harley!" a voice yelled from Company's entrance.

Harley snatched her hand away, the spell broken and she turned fearfully towards the door. She saw Gus standing there, but he had been removing his sunglasses and was smiling. He hadn't noticed anything out of ordinary, and came striding over. "Hey, baby. How's my bride-to-be? Oh, hi Mallet. What's going on?"

Mallet smiled, and gave a little mock salute. "I hear the congratulations are indeed in order. You're a lucky man."

Gus pulled Harley to him. "They are, they are. Thanks a lot. Hey you ready to go?

Harley pulled herself up. "Yeah, let's go. Right now." She turned away quickly and started leaving, trying to stop the pounding of her heart by not looking at Mallet again.

"Good," Gus started following her. "See you, Mallet."

Mallet sat there for a moment, surprised at what had been his own boldness and also at how quickly it had been cut short. He shook his head, trying to cut off his hopes at the pass.