A/N: See Intro for the standard stuff. Please R&R. Thanks. Hope you enjoy.

Annabel sat curled on the bed in the hotel room. She flicked through the channels not really paying attention to what was on the television screen. Elie came out of the bathroom toweling dry her hair. She stood watching Annabel for a minute, then walked over and took the remote. Elie turned off the TV.

"Enough with the moping. I didn't decide to share a room with you to watch you mope."

Annabel looked up at Elie and frowned. "Sorry. I don't really have a right to mope. How are you doing, El?"

Elie shrugged and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Annabel. "It sucks. There are no two ways about that. I loved him, Annie. And no amount of moaning, gnashing of teeth or beating on my chest is going to change that. Or bring him back. Or fill the cold, empty spot in my chest. Roger is gone and that's just that. I just wish I hadn't made such a fool of myself at the funeral. That wasn't what Julia needed. It wasn't they way we were."

"About that..."

Elie looked down at the floor. "Yea. I bet you think the whole situation is totally weird. It is. But it worked for us. Julia got what she wanted, a handsome husband who's name and job got her into nice parties. Roger kept the access to Julia's money. And as long as our relationship didn't interfere with those, Roger and I had each other. We can't help who we fall in love with, Annie. Or when we fall in love with them."

"I still don't get it."

"I was happy, Annie and we made it work. That's what mattered."

"But you never wanted kids or ..."

"The standard happy home? No. I didn't. I was always surprised that you did. All things considered. I had time to write. I had someone I loved and who loved me."

"And you were happy."

"Yes, I was. Now?" Elie shrugged. "Now, I feel lost. I don't know what I'm going to do. Right now, even writing just doesn't have what I need."

"I worry about you, El."

"Don't worry about me, Annie. I'll work it out. And if I have trouble, that's what therapy is for. I might even go stay with Opa and Oma for a while. Hang out on the beach." Elie switched beds and down again. She leaned forward and looked intently at Annabel. "So, you're heading back to Miami tomorrow."

"Yea."

"And when you get back?"

"I'm still on desk duty for a couple more days."

"I wasn't talking about work, Annie."

It was Annabel's turn to shrug. "I dunno, El. I can only push so far. I can't force him to talk to me."

"Have you told him you're sorry?"

Annabel gave a small nod. "Sorry for panicking him? Yes. Sorry for causing a rift between us? Incredibly. Over and over. Am I sorry for what I did? For trying to take the heat off of you? I can't say that I'm sorry for that. Not that it did any good. It didn't flush out the shooter. He's still out there. Would I do it again?" Annabel looked Elie. There was a small hint of defiance in her look. "Probably. And therein lies the problem. I can't tell him I won't take risks. And he can't ask me not to. Anymore than I can ask him not to. We both know that and that's what terrifies us."

"Is he worth fighting for?" Elie put up a hand to stop Annabel's answer. "Never mind. Dumb question. He's the first man you've take seriously since Chris." Elie looked directly at Annabel. "And for that reason alone you need to keep beating on his door."

"I know," Annabel said quietly. "It scares me that I need him this much."

Elie nodded. "And it should." Elie smiled briefly. "Course I though nothing scared my tough, cop little sister." A shadow passed over Elie's face and she looked away. She looked back at Annabel. "But you know what, Annie? It gives me hope," she said quietly.

Annabel frowned. "Why?"

"Watching you makes me believe that maybe this numbing cold I feel might actually go away."

Annabel shook her head. "It never goes away completely. But it doesn't stay all consuming."

"Twice in a lifetime is pretty lucky, Annie."

"I know."

"Then do something about it. Don't just mope around." Elie grabbed the remote and turned the TV back on. "Now let's see if we can find some kind of mindless junk to take our mind off things." She started flipping through the channels. She stopped on a movie. "Ooo. Pride and Prejudice. We've got to watch. I know, not mindless. But, Annie. Jane Austin. Broody hero. Okay, broody hero bad. But he is very cute and not a red head. I need a happy ending, Annie. Watch the movie with me."

Annabel rolled her eyes. Leave it to Elie to be trying to cheer her up. "Go ahead. Leave it on."

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