Episode 4:
A fortnight later and Meredith sat quietly in her office chewing nervously on her lower lip, a bad habit she hadn't done since childhood and as soon as she realised what she was doing she stopped automatically, before reaching into her desk drawer and quickly reapplying her lipstick. Finally content it was once more perfect she sat back into her chair and tried desperately to relax just like the Doctor had told her too, they had to get her blood pressure down or else there could be problems for the baby and that meant keeping calm as Giles reminded her on a daily basis. He had really been a treasure, right now she knew he was in the gallery pen in one hand, pad in the other and a mobile phone juggled somewhere between the two; if it hadn't been for him she might have to have cancelled this exhibition either that or risk loosing the baby and neither was something she cared to dwell on for long. But despite all his help there was one thing he couldn't help her with and that was Gavin....
Suddenly the phone rang, picking it up gingerly she let out a quiet sigh of relief when it was only Mary her secretary, apparently there had been another delivery, a different company this time and they were proving difficult to handle. Getting to her feet Meredith swept over to the double doors of her office pausing only for a moment she caught her reflection in the full length mirror, along one wall of her office, it was only a slight change and she doubted anyone other than herself would even be able to notice but as she placed her hand over her stomach she definitely felt bigger. Smiling to herself she quickly remembered the real reason for her being there and seizing the door firmly she replaced her smile with her best poker face and strode out into the lobby to deal with the latest of Gavin's little surprises.
- - - -
Pacing up and down the length of his gallery Gavin's mind was a whirl of ideas and schemes, with no clear distinction between business and pleasure; she was sure to accept this gesture, wasn't she? He wasn't surprised when the flowers returned, each head having been ripped violently from the stalk, in fact it had only made him chuckle and increased his determination. But he had to confess he was starting to hit the brick wall of ideas. He couldn't phone her directly, she had changed her mobile number again and wasn't giving it out to anybody save a select few, and she had other people screening her calls for her, Mary at the office and Giles at home.....
That fact alone made his blood start to boil, he had tried all times of the day and night and that bd was always there, which could only mean one thing, that he was living with her! Taking several deep breaths in an effort to calm himself he reassured himself that sooner or later she would finally realise what he had known all along, that they belonged together and as soon as she did that bloody Yank would be kicked out of her bed so fast he wouldn't need a plane to get him back home. She would return to him, willing and apologetic, and he would forgive her for her foolish and emotional decision....
After all she wasn't in a rational state of mind at the time, definitely in shock and probably still drugged up to the eyeballs, hardly the time to be making life changing decisions and the doctors should have realised this! Together they could get over it; after all if they could conceive one child then they could just as easily try for another. Confident that he was correct as usual Gavin turned sharply when he heard the tread of footsteps approaching.
"Well?" He demanded as Danny came into view.
Smiling sheepishly his driver brought the long black leather case into view handing it reluctantly back to his boss. "Sorry the shop didn't know what to do so they sent it back here...." Danny trailed off awkwardly, glancing away from the strangely quiet Gavin.
"Thank you." Gavin mumbled turning away and storming back to his office.
"So does this mean the plan is back on?" Danny wheedled insistently. "We had it all set up and everything...And if she doesn't want you back it seems a shame to loose out completely...."
"SHUT UP!" Gavin hissed. "This is only a temporary set back, and I told you weeks ago the plan was off, dead and buried."
"But Boss..."
"No Buts, you do as I tell you to, and it's off just make sure you tell everyone involved!" Gavin snapped before slamming the door to his office in the fuming Danny's face, and making his way over to his desk dropping the jewellery box down on the glass top. She hadn't even looked inside, he noted miserably as the seal was still intact, sighing to himself he picked up a pen knife and sliced through the seal pushing the lid up to reveal the most delicate of diamond bracelets, it was perfect and he knew had she seen it there was no way it would have been returned. Suddenly inspiration hit him, he may have been banned form seeing her in normal circumstances, the very irritating restraining order that had been slapped on him prevented that, but if there was one thing he knew about Meredith it was that she wouldn't make a scene in public; she abhorred the negative attention.
Sitting down in his comfortable leather recliner he reached for the phone, having his secretary send Danny in immediately, and whilst he waited he plotted and the remaining pieces fell into place.
"You wanted to see me?" Danny asked cockily as he strutted across the room, earning him an amused smile from his superior.
"I did indeed.....Those tickets you managed to secure for our inside man, the ones to the opening of the Picasso exhibition at the Gates Gallery, I assume you still have them?" Gavin demanded.
"Yes I have, are we going ahead then?" Danny asked eagerly.
"No there has been a slight change of plan." Gavin relied mysteriously. "Just get them for me..."
- - - -
"Melissa?...It's Danny, I think I may have found a way after all....Oh believe me what I have in mind will ensure he can never bother any of us again....Get Caught? No chance, this one is flawless...I'll speak later and fill you in then." He added finishing the call and sliding the phone back into his jacket pocket. This was it the chance he had been waiting for, not only a chance to dispose of Gavin for once and all, but all score big in the process, this was one coup they'd be talking about for years to come. Smiling smugly he slipped back into the office, reaching into his back pocket he fingered the two invitations to Ms Gates Gala that they had managed to relieve a certain ex-artist of for a small fee; the best thing about this plan was that he didn't have to persuade Gavin into doing anything, there was no possible link back to him, it would be Gavin's own weaknesses that would draw him into the trap and seal his fate. Chuckling to himself as he handed the tickets over to his boss's secretary he gave her a cheeky wink and the quick once over, admiring the swell of her bosom and the curve of her arse, when he was in charge around here he was going to enjoy road testing all his new toys, and he knew just where to start.
- - - -
It didn't take long for the days to pass, Monday turned quickly to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday and all of a sudden it was the day before her exhibition opening and for once Meredith had absolutely nothing she could wear.
"I'm telling you Giles this is going to be a complete disaster, I'll be the laughing stock of London..." Meredith exclaimed despondently as she rifled through her extensive wardrobe. "I have simply nothing I can wear that I haven't already been pictured in and this is my opening I have to look perfect! Its bad enough having to deal with mood swings and nausea, but refuse to add charity case to the list...." Meredith ranted as her friend lent against her bedroom door smiling benevolently.
"Are you quiet finished?" Giles exclaimed when she paused to draw breath.
"I have nothing to wear...." Meredith screeched. "I would have thought you would have understood that at least!"
"Then do the obvious and go shopping!" Giles retorted.
"Don't be ridiculous we open tomorrow and the last pictures still haven't arrived, we need to spend ages hanging them, we'll probably be there all night as it is!" She snapped.
"Oh come on Meredith I can handle a few deliveries, why don't you spend a few hours getting an outfit together then meet me for lunch and we can return and get down to work, we both know how we want it to look so what's the problem?"
"I couldn't...." Meredith began...
"You can and you shall!" Giles retorted firmly. "Now go get ready I'll call James and tell him to be here in half an hour, now scram!"
Sighing Meredith admitted defeat; brushing out her long dark curls she pulled her hair up into a chignon and dressed to shop, this was going to be one long day.
- - - -
A few hours later laden down with shopping bags Meredith checked her watch, she had a good three quarters of an hour before she had to meet Giles for lunch so perhaps she could just pop into one more shop..... So engrossed in this important decision as she darted into La Perla she didn't notice the Mercedes slowly come to a halt in the street, pulling over to park on the double yellow lines outside the shop and the driver dart into the shop a few minutes after her.
It hadn't taken Meredith more than a few minutes to find something she liked, and picking up the items in her size she scurried off to the changing room leaving her multitude of other bags with the shop assistant. It was as she had the matching set on and was admiring her reflection in the mirror that there was a sharp intake of breath from behind her and she whirled round to come face to face with the person she had least expected to find in a ladies changing room.
"Now I know why my boss is stuck on you!"
"What the hell are you doing here?" Meredith demanded, grabbing her dress from the floor and holding it up against herself before realising the futility of such an action, he could see all he wanted in the 180 degree mirrors around her.
"Me well not that view isn't lovely in itself!" Danny leered, running his eyes blatantly up and down her body.
"Get the fk out!" Meredith countered, moving to push the button to alert the assistant but Danny grabbed her wrist roughly.
"Now why would you want to do that when we're having such a nice little chat?" He sneered stepping closer and Meredith could smell the sickening cloy of his aftershave. "Personally I don't why a hot bird like you would see anything in my boss I mean sure he's loaded but then so are you, you've got class baby you should be with someone who can appreciate all your assets as they are!" He whispered as he leant forward his eyes locked on her lips. "Someone like me!"
"Step away!" she growled.
"Fine, Fine..." Danny replied sadly as he pulled back. "I am here for a reason you know!"
"Really..." Meredith snorted. "And here I was thinking it was because you have a preference for women's underwear!"
"You're funny!" Danny retorted without a hint of humour. "But I came to warn you it's my boss he's really not happy with you continually refusing his presents, personally if I were you I'd take certain steps to protect myself, who knows what a man that obsessed is likely to do next?"
"Really and why are you telling me this, won't you be in trouble if he found out?" Meredith asked.
"Probably but then me and him are different that way, he hates to be beaten by anyone, he hasn't learnt when it's time to back away and lick your wounds; he'll just keep on going until he either gets what he wants or...." Danny trailed off pointedly.
"Or What?" Meredith retorted.
"Well put it like this I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when he decides he wants to destroy you rather than fk you!"
"Well thank you for the warning Danny, now what is it you really want?" Meredith snapped.
"Me oh nothing, unless you're offering?" He sniggered running his free hand up her thigh which she quickly slapped away. "Thought not!" He added jokingly. "Me? No all I want is for you to remember who it was that warned you; who knows if the information saves your life then one day you might be a position to do me a favour..." Danny trailed off releasing her wrist as he backed away, pulling back the curtain and pausing for a moment.
"Oh and you should definitely get that!" He added nodding at her and leering once more. "Very nice indeed, brings out a whole new you!"
- - - -
After her encounter with Danny Meredith wasn't in the mood for lunch, she couldn't help but feel vulnerable and exposed as despite his pathetic posturing he did indeed appear to have a point, Gavin was not going to simply disappear from her life no matter how much she might want him to. At the moment the restraining order was keeping him away from her in person and preventing him from hassling her over the phone but sooner or later she was bound to bump into his again, like at the restaurant, for a city London was a surprisingly small place. And it didn't take a genius to realise she could only keep up this pretence for so long maybe a month or so more and then the truth about her pregnancy would come out and travelling in some of the same circles as her he was bound to find out sooner or later. It was terrible to think about it but this was something she had to deal with now whilst the choice was still hers to make.
He had been adamant about being involved with the child right from the start, and the only reason she had had a reprieve so far was because he thought she had gone through with the abortion. When he discovered the truth she doubted very much that a restraining order would be enough to keep him from battering down her door! Then what would happen, either way the future was not a pleasant one, either a battle through the courts or worse facing potential kidnapping, that was something she wouldn't put past him. She could just see it now, one moment she'll pushing the pram the next a group of masked gunmen would come swooping down stealing her baby...Or perhaps he wouldn't even wait till it was born? It would be much easier to simply kidnap her whilst she was pregnant and whisk her out of the country. Possibly to some secluded tropical paradise, where she would be kept locked in a room until she agreed to cooperate, and Gavin her only companion....
Stop it she screamed at herself as she began to get carried away in her stupid fantasy. You do not feel about him in that way, he's a brutish thug, not this romantic sexual god you keep imagining him to be! And you will certainly never fantasise about such things again, the harsh reality would be far less romantic, probably a basement in some secluded farmhouse, where she'd be tethered like a brood mare until she delivered, she'd probably never even see Gavin and certainly wouldn't be forced to sit on a sun drenched terrace drinking cocktails whilst he slowly tortured her by massaging her feet and then who knows what else....?
Taking a few deep breaths to rid herself of such images she steadfastly reminded herself of what the doctor had told her, such imaginings were perfectly normal considering her hormone levels. No wonder she was going off on such tangents it had been almost a month since she had had any, and that was with Mr Big himself, christening his office furniture, she remembered with a smile. A whole month, that was truly shocking for her and adding on top of that the side-affects, a month for a horney pregnant woman was far far too long! Sighing deeply she returned to the initial problem, if she wanted to live a normal life without Gavin in it then she had to move and leave London and her life there behind her forever!
- - - -
Meanwhile on the other side of town Danny was finally returning from his series of 'errands' and so sooner had he marched through the door then Gavin had pounced on him demanding to know what the hell had taken so long. Smiling as charmingly as he could Danny fobbed his boss off with tales of traffic jams and car crashes, one thing he certainly didn't mention was his encounter with a certain ex of Gavin's. Every thing was finally going so well, the plan was set, the players in position, and tomorrow was kick off; with such thoughts going through his mind he barely registered the insults that Gavin was throwing in his direction. Instead he spent his time imagining the first thing he would do to celebrate his promotion, perhaps he might pay a certain Irish lady a visit? One thing was certain there was no way he'd take up on Melissa's offer, if there was one thing he had learnt from slaving away under Gavin it was no to repeat somebody else's mistake; he was happy to take over Gavin's position as head of the firm but there was no way in hell he'd take on his wife as well....His ex-girlfriend? Now that was another matter entirely!
Frowning Gavin paused for a moment and looked up from his long list of complaints, glancing up at Danny he noted immediately the smug grin and faraway glint in his eye; he wasn't listening to a word he said. Fuming he slammed the folder shut causing Danny to suddenly start out of whatever daydream he was embarking on.
"We're you even listening to a word I said?" Gavin snapped, his suspicion mounting when instead of acting sheepish or trying to make up some pathetic excuse Danny simply shrugged, that was far to cocky even for him. Then suddenly it hit him, he wasn't afraid of him any more, that's why he was so dismissive and troublesome lately and this caused some loud alarm bells to ring. Gavin had known for sometime that Danny had been plotting, but then since half of their organisation was plotting one thing or another he had dismissed it as another petty scheme. This time it was more, something so big that Danny felt secure enough to start acting up, and this was where he had made his big mistake as Gavin was automatically on alert, and like a dog on the scent he wouldn't give up until he knew everything. For a moment he sat back his chair returning his subordinate's smug grin and causing Danny to frown slightly in confusion, whilst locked behind his mask Gavin began to strategise and for a moment he almost felt sorry for him, all Danny's plans would come to nothing now he knew to be on his guard.
- - - -
A few hours later and Meredith lay slumped over her desk, the sun had long set and still the exhibition wasn't finished, picking up her weary head she heard the unmistakable sound of Giles's raised voice.
"No to the left, TO THE LEFT!" He hollered, his American accent even more pronounced when he screeched. Sighing deeply Meredith pushed her weary bones up from her chair and dragged her feet into the gallery. "How's it going?" She murmured, walking over and wrapping her arms round Gile's sturdy frame leaning her head against his shoulders and sighing in contentment when he pulled her into a tight hug.
"We're getting there, only one more to go....And talking of going why didn't you go home when I told you to? You know you need to rest especially after today you have more than yourself to think about now don't you." Yawning Meredith shook her head. "I'll wait I don't want to go home alone, besides this is my gallery, my big break I think I should at least make the effort to be here, even if I've done bugger all to really help!" She added grumpily.
Smiling Giles rubbed her back reassuringly, "You came up with the concept, I just did the heavy work, besides what are friends for?"
"Giles." Meredith said suddenly, causing him to glance across at her in surprise. "I'm thinking about moving..."
"Oh...Does this have anything to do with wanting to avoid a certain person?" He asked knowingly.
"Perhaps...I can't tell him, he already hates me and god knows what he'd do if he found out from someone else; I just want to protect my child from that world and I know from experience what its like to grow up with your parents constantly fighting and using you as some sort of emotional ping pong ball."
"Where would you go, home?" He asked softly.
"No, I couldn't bear the look on my mother's face. I was thinking of moving to the states, I have plenty of friends and I could easily transfer my gallery there, with a little help of course..." She trailed off smiling at him.
"Oh you want more help?" Giles asked in mock outrage.
"Oh I'd be prepared to trade you... You help me move, I'll trade you and Marcus the chance to be godparents."
"I'd be honoured, and Marcus, well I know he'll be ecstatic."
"So it's a deal?" Meredith teased.
"You bet it is." Giles laughed pulling her back for another hug. "Now let's get this last painting hung and be off home."
"That sounds like a plan." Meredith replied a real smile gracing her face for the first time in days, this was the right thing to do, the right thing for her child and in the end the right thing for her, she hadn't been truly herself since meeting Gavin Cochran. When before had she allowed herself to dream of a husband or children; ever cried herself to sleep, or felt physically sick at the thought of never seeing him again? No this was definitely the best thing she could do for all people involved. - - - -
A fortnight later and Meredith sat quietly in her office chewing nervously on her lower lip, a bad habit she hadn't done since childhood and as soon as she realised what she was doing she stopped automatically, before reaching into her desk drawer and quickly reapplying her lipstick. Finally content it was once more perfect she sat back into her chair and tried desperately to relax just like the Doctor had told her too, they had to get her blood pressure down or else there could be problems for the baby and that meant keeping calm as Giles reminded her on a daily basis. He had really been a treasure, right now she knew he was in the gallery pen in one hand, pad in the other and a mobile phone juggled somewhere between the two; if it hadn't been for him she might have to have cancelled this exhibition either that or risk loosing the baby and neither was something she cared to dwell on for long. But despite all his help there was one thing he couldn't help her with and that was Gavin....
Suddenly the phone rang, picking it up gingerly she let out a quiet sigh of relief when it was only Mary her secretary, apparently there had been another delivery, a different company this time and they were proving difficult to handle. Getting to her feet Meredith swept over to the double doors of her office pausing only for a moment she caught her reflection in the full length mirror, along one wall of her office, it was only a slight change and she doubted anyone other than herself would even be able to notice but as she placed her hand over her stomach she definitely felt bigger. Smiling to herself she quickly remembered the real reason for her being there and seizing the door firmly she replaced her smile with her best poker face and strode out into the lobby to deal with the latest of Gavin's little surprises.
- - - -
Pacing up and down the length of his gallery Gavin's mind was a whirl of ideas and schemes, with no clear distinction between business and pleasure; she was sure to accept this gesture, wasn't she? He wasn't surprised when the flowers returned, each head having been ripped violently from the stalk, in fact it had only made him chuckle and increased his determination. But he had to confess he was starting to hit the brick wall of ideas. He couldn't phone her directly, she had changed her mobile number again and wasn't giving it out to anybody save a select few, and she had other people screening her calls for her, Mary at the office and Giles at home.....
That fact alone made his blood start to boil, he had tried all times of the day and night and that bd was always there, which could only mean one thing, that he was living with her! Taking several deep breaths in an effort to calm himself he reassured himself that sooner or later she would finally realise what he had known all along, that they belonged together and as soon as she did that bloody Yank would be kicked out of her bed so fast he wouldn't need a plane to get him back home. She would return to him, willing and apologetic, and he would forgive her for her foolish and emotional decision....
After all she wasn't in a rational state of mind at the time, definitely in shock and probably still drugged up to the eyeballs, hardly the time to be making life changing decisions and the doctors should have realised this! Together they could get over it; after all if they could conceive one child then they could just as easily try for another. Confident that he was correct as usual Gavin turned sharply when he heard the tread of footsteps approaching.
"Well?" He demanded as Danny came into view.
Smiling sheepishly his driver brought the long black leather case into view handing it reluctantly back to his boss. "Sorry the shop didn't know what to do so they sent it back here...." Danny trailed off awkwardly, glancing away from the strangely quiet Gavin.
"Thank you." Gavin mumbled turning away and storming back to his office.
"So does this mean the plan is back on?" Danny wheedled insistently. "We had it all set up and everything...And if she doesn't want you back it seems a shame to loose out completely...."
"SHUT UP!" Gavin hissed. "This is only a temporary set back, and I told you weeks ago the plan was off, dead and buried."
"But Boss..."
"No Buts, you do as I tell you to, and it's off just make sure you tell everyone involved!" Gavin snapped before slamming the door to his office in the fuming Danny's face, and making his way over to his desk dropping the jewellery box down on the glass top. She hadn't even looked inside, he noted miserably as the seal was still intact, sighing to himself he picked up a pen knife and sliced through the seal pushing the lid up to reveal the most delicate of diamond bracelets, it was perfect and he knew had she seen it there was no way it would have been returned. Suddenly inspiration hit him, he may have been banned form seeing her in normal circumstances, the very irritating restraining order that had been slapped on him prevented that, but if there was one thing he knew about Meredith it was that she wouldn't make a scene in public; she abhorred the negative attention.
Sitting down in his comfortable leather recliner he reached for the phone, having his secretary send Danny in immediately, and whilst he waited he plotted and the remaining pieces fell into place.
"You wanted to see me?" Danny asked cockily as he strutted across the room, earning him an amused smile from his superior.
"I did indeed.....Those tickets you managed to secure for our inside man, the ones to the opening of the Picasso exhibition at the Gates Gallery, I assume you still have them?" Gavin demanded.
"Yes I have, are we going ahead then?" Danny asked eagerly.
"No there has been a slight change of plan." Gavin relied mysteriously. "Just get them for me..."
- - - -
"Melissa?...It's Danny, I think I may have found a way after all....Oh believe me what I have in mind will ensure he can never bother any of us again....Get Caught? No chance, this one is flawless...I'll speak later and fill you in then." He added finishing the call and sliding the phone back into his jacket pocket. This was it the chance he had been waiting for, not only a chance to dispose of Gavin for once and all, but all score big in the process, this was one coup they'd be talking about for years to come. Smiling smugly he slipped back into the office, reaching into his back pocket he fingered the two invitations to Ms Gates Gala that they had managed to relieve a certain ex-artist of for a small fee; the best thing about this plan was that he didn't have to persuade Gavin into doing anything, there was no possible link back to him, it would be Gavin's own weaknesses that would draw him into the trap and seal his fate. Chuckling to himself as he handed the tickets over to his boss's secretary he gave her a cheeky wink and the quick once over, admiring the swell of her bosom and the curve of her arse, when he was in charge around here he was going to enjoy road testing all his new toys, and he knew just where to start.
- - - -
It didn't take long for the days to pass, Monday turned quickly to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday and all of a sudden it was the day before her exhibition opening and for once Meredith had absolutely nothing she could wear.
"I'm telling you Giles this is going to be a complete disaster, I'll be the laughing stock of London..." Meredith exclaimed despondently as she rifled through her extensive wardrobe. "I have simply nothing I can wear that I haven't already been pictured in and this is my opening I have to look perfect! Its bad enough having to deal with mood swings and nausea, but refuse to add charity case to the list...." Meredith ranted as her friend lent against her bedroom door smiling benevolently.
"Are you quiet finished?" Giles exclaimed when she paused to draw breath.
"I have nothing to wear...." Meredith screeched. "I would have thought you would have understood that at least!"
"Then do the obvious and go shopping!" Giles retorted.
"Don't be ridiculous we open tomorrow and the last pictures still haven't arrived, we need to spend ages hanging them, we'll probably be there all night as it is!" She snapped.
"Oh come on Meredith I can handle a few deliveries, why don't you spend a few hours getting an outfit together then meet me for lunch and we can return and get down to work, we both know how we want it to look so what's the problem?"
"I couldn't...." Meredith began...
"You can and you shall!" Giles retorted firmly. "Now go get ready I'll call James and tell him to be here in half an hour, now scram!"
Sighing Meredith admitted defeat; brushing out her long dark curls she pulled her hair up into a chignon and dressed to shop, this was going to be one long day.
- - - -
A few hours later laden down with shopping bags Meredith checked her watch, she had a good three quarters of an hour before she had to meet Giles for lunch so perhaps she could just pop into one more shop..... So engrossed in this important decision as she darted into La Perla she didn't notice the Mercedes slowly come to a halt in the street, pulling over to park on the double yellow lines outside the shop and the driver dart into the shop a few minutes after her.
It hadn't taken Meredith more than a few minutes to find something she liked, and picking up the items in her size she scurried off to the changing room leaving her multitude of other bags with the shop assistant. It was as she had the matching set on and was admiring her reflection in the mirror that there was a sharp intake of breath from behind her and she whirled round to come face to face with the person she had least expected to find in a ladies changing room.
"Now I know why my boss is stuck on you!"
"What the hell are you doing here?" Meredith demanded, grabbing her dress from the floor and holding it up against herself before realising the futility of such an action, he could see all he wanted in the 180 degree mirrors around her.
"Me well not that view isn't lovely in itself!" Danny leered, running his eyes blatantly up and down her body.
"Get the fk out!" Meredith countered, moving to push the button to alert the assistant but Danny grabbed her wrist roughly.
"Now why would you want to do that when we're having such a nice little chat?" He sneered stepping closer and Meredith could smell the sickening cloy of his aftershave. "Personally I don't why a hot bird like you would see anything in my boss I mean sure he's loaded but then so are you, you've got class baby you should be with someone who can appreciate all your assets as they are!" He whispered as he leant forward his eyes locked on her lips. "Someone like me!"
"Step away!" she growled.
"Fine, Fine..." Danny replied sadly as he pulled back. "I am here for a reason you know!"
"Really..." Meredith snorted. "And here I was thinking it was because you have a preference for women's underwear!"
"You're funny!" Danny retorted without a hint of humour. "But I came to warn you it's my boss he's really not happy with you continually refusing his presents, personally if I were you I'd take certain steps to protect myself, who knows what a man that obsessed is likely to do next?"
"Really and why are you telling me this, won't you be in trouble if he found out?" Meredith asked.
"Probably but then me and him are different that way, he hates to be beaten by anyone, he hasn't learnt when it's time to back away and lick your wounds; he'll just keep on going until he either gets what he wants or...." Danny trailed off pointedly.
"Or What?" Meredith retorted.
"Well put it like this I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when he decides he wants to destroy you rather than fk you!"
"Well thank you for the warning Danny, now what is it you really want?" Meredith snapped.
"Me oh nothing, unless you're offering?" He sniggered running his free hand up her thigh which she quickly slapped away. "Thought not!" He added jokingly. "Me? No all I want is for you to remember who it was that warned you; who knows if the information saves your life then one day you might be a position to do me a favour..." Danny trailed off releasing her wrist as he backed away, pulling back the curtain and pausing for a moment.
"Oh and you should definitely get that!" He added nodding at her and leering once more. "Very nice indeed, brings out a whole new you!"
- - - -
After her encounter with Danny Meredith wasn't in the mood for lunch, she couldn't help but feel vulnerable and exposed as despite his pathetic posturing he did indeed appear to have a point, Gavin was not going to simply disappear from her life no matter how much she might want him to. At the moment the restraining order was keeping him away from her in person and preventing him from hassling her over the phone but sooner or later she was bound to bump into his again, like at the restaurant, for a city London was a surprisingly small place. And it didn't take a genius to realise she could only keep up this pretence for so long maybe a month or so more and then the truth about her pregnancy would come out and travelling in some of the same circles as her he was bound to find out sooner or later. It was terrible to think about it but this was something she had to deal with now whilst the choice was still hers to make.
He had been adamant about being involved with the child right from the start, and the only reason she had had a reprieve so far was because he thought she had gone through with the abortion. When he discovered the truth she doubted very much that a restraining order would be enough to keep him from battering down her door! Then what would happen, either way the future was not a pleasant one, either a battle through the courts or worse facing potential kidnapping, that was something she wouldn't put past him. She could just see it now, one moment she'll pushing the pram the next a group of masked gunmen would come swooping down stealing her baby...Or perhaps he wouldn't even wait till it was born? It would be much easier to simply kidnap her whilst she was pregnant and whisk her out of the country. Possibly to some secluded tropical paradise, where she would be kept locked in a room until she agreed to cooperate, and Gavin her only companion....
Stop it she screamed at herself as she began to get carried away in her stupid fantasy. You do not feel about him in that way, he's a brutish thug, not this romantic sexual god you keep imagining him to be! And you will certainly never fantasise about such things again, the harsh reality would be far less romantic, probably a basement in some secluded farmhouse, where she'd be tethered like a brood mare until she delivered, she'd probably never even see Gavin and certainly wouldn't be forced to sit on a sun drenched terrace drinking cocktails whilst he slowly tortured her by massaging her feet and then who knows what else....?
Taking a few deep breaths to rid herself of such images she steadfastly reminded herself of what the doctor had told her, such imaginings were perfectly normal considering her hormone levels. No wonder she was going off on such tangents it had been almost a month since she had had any, and that was with Mr Big himself, christening his office furniture, she remembered with a smile. A whole month, that was truly shocking for her and adding on top of that the side-affects, a month for a horney pregnant woman was far far too long! Sighing deeply she returned to the initial problem, if she wanted to live a normal life without Gavin in it then she had to move and leave London and her life there behind her forever!
- - - -
Meanwhile on the other side of town Danny was finally returning from his series of 'errands' and so sooner had he marched through the door then Gavin had pounced on him demanding to know what the hell had taken so long. Smiling as charmingly as he could Danny fobbed his boss off with tales of traffic jams and car crashes, one thing he certainly didn't mention was his encounter with a certain ex of Gavin's. Every thing was finally going so well, the plan was set, the players in position, and tomorrow was kick off; with such thoughts going through his mind he barely registered the insults that Gavin was throwing in his direction. Instead he spent his time imagining the first thing he would do to celebrate his promotion, perhaps he might pay a certain Irish lady a visit? One thing was certain there was no way he'd take up on Melissa's offer, if there was one thing he had learnt from slaving away under Gavin it was no to repeat somebody else's mistake; he was happy to take over Gavin's position as head of the firm but there was no way in hell he'd take on his wife as well....His ex-girlfriend? Now that was another matter entirely!
Frowning Gavin paused for a moment and looked up from his long list of complaints, glancing up at Danny he noted immediately the smug grin and faraway glint in his eye; he wasn't listening to a word he said. Fuming he slammed the folder shut causing Danny to suddenly start out of whatever daydream he was embarking on.
"We're you even listening to a word I said?" Gavin snapped, his suspicion mounting when instead of acting sheepish or trying to make up some pathetic excuse Danny simply shrugged, that was far to cocky even for him. Then suddenly it hit him, he wasn't afraid of him any more, that's why he was so dismissive and troublesome lately and this caused some loud alarm bells to ring. Gavin had known for sometime that Danny had been plotting, but then since half of their organisation was plotting one thing or another he had dismissed it as another petty scheme. This time it was more, something so big that Danny felt secure enough to start acting up, and this was where he had made his big mistake as Gavin was automatically on alert, and like a dog on the scent he wouldn't give up until he knew everything. For a moment he sat back his chair returning his subordinate's smug grin and causing Danny to frown slightly in confusion, whilst locked behind his mask Gavin began to strategise and for a moment he almost felt sorry for him, all Danny's plans would come to nothing now he knew to be on his guard.
- - - -
A few hours later and Meredith lay slumped over her desk, the sun had long set and still the exhibition wasn't finished, picking up her weary head she heard the unmistakable sound of Giles's raised voice.
"No to the left, TO THE LEFT!" He hollered, his American accent even more pronounced when he screeched. Sighing deeply Meredith pushed her weary bones up from her chair and dragged her feet into the gallery. "How's it going?" She murmured, walking over and wrapping her arms round Gile's sturdy frame leaning her head against his shoulders and sighing in contentment when he pulled her into a tight hug.
"We're getting there, only one more to go....And talking of going why didn't you go home when I told you to? You know you need to rest especially after today you have more than yourself to think about now don't you." Yawning Meredith shook her head. "I'll wait I don't want to go home alone, besides this is my gallery, my big break I think I should at least make the effort to be here, even if I've done bugger all to really help!" She added grumpily.
Smiling Giles rubbed her back reassuringly, "You came up with the concept, I just did the heavy work, besides what are friends for?"
"Giles." Meredith said suddenly, causing him to glance across at her in surprise. "I'm thinking about moving..."
"Oh...Does this have anything to do with wanting to avoid a certain person?" He asked knowingly.
"Perhaps...I can't tell him, he already hates me and god knows what he'd do if he found out from someone else; I just want to protect my child from that world and I know from experience what its like to grow up with your parents constantly fighting and using you as some sort of emotional ping pong ball."
"Where would you go, home?" He asked softly.
"No, I couldn't bear the look on my mother's face. I was thinking of moving to the states, I have plenty of friends and I could easily transfer my gallery there, with a little help of course..." She trailed off smiling at him.
"Oh you want more help?" Giles asked in mock outrage.
"Oh I'd be prepared to trade you... You help me move, I'll trade you and Marcus the chance to be godparents."
"I'd be honoured, and Marcus, well I know he'll be ecstatic."
"So it's a deal?" Meredith teased.
"You bet it is." Giles laughed pulling her back for another hug. "Now let's get this last painting hung and be off home."
"That sounds like a plan." Meredith replied a real smile gracing her face for the first time in days, this was the right thing to do, the right thing for her child and in the end the right thing for her, she hadn't been truly herself since meeting Gavin Cochran. When before had she allowed herself to dream of a husband or children; ever cried herself to sleep, or felt physically sick at the thought of never seeing him again? No this was definitely the best thing she could do for all people involved. - - - -
