Maureen Bauer sat at her dressing table, putting on the last of her accessories for an evening out with husband Ed. As she clasped her bracelet to her wrist she looked in the mirror and caught sight of her husband standing in the door of their bedroom. She smiled unconsciously though he didn't see. He was too busy rubbing a finger along the edge.

"Ed?" She said quietly.

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." He replied.

"About? She asked, spraying a fine mist of her perfume on her collarbone.

"I was wondering if we really had to go to this function."

"We do, Mindy would be disappointed if we missed her reception. We already missed the wedding."

Ed's face fell further. "I was hoping we could stay home, make up for lost time."

Maureen turned on her stool and faced him. "Lost time? You act as if it's been months since we've seen each other." She mused.

"You have been working a lot."

"Times have changed Dr. Bauer. It used to be that I sat up waiting for you to get home from the hospital. You can survive a late night or two when I have to take notes for Vanessa at a meeting." She picked up a shoe and put it on, but didn't see the other. "Do me a favor, go get Michelle, we are really going to be late"

"Fine," He huffed. His daughter, Michelle was not quite a teen, but not a little girl any longer. He walked up the hall to her room and gently knocked before opening the door. There she stood in front of a floor length mirror. The image staring back was applying a layer of light pink lipstick. She turned rapidly and faced him.

"Mom knows!" She sounded defensive before he even said hello. "She gave me permission"

Ed opened his arms wide as he went to her. Once there he embraced his daughter tightly. He kissed the top of her hair which had been pulled back into a loose bun.

"I know honey, your Mom told me this morning that our little girl isn't so little any more and that you were wearing a little make up" He released her and held her at arms length.

"You look beautiful"

"Thank you, Daddy"

Daddy, that was a good sign. She wasn't too old yet.

"Your Mom is probably ready to get going. Come on now, your chariot awaits." Ed reached a hand out to her.

"You don't drive a chariot Daddy, you drive a Volvo" She giggled, Ed grinned.

"Either way, it's waiting, come on, let's go."

From down stairs Ed heard Maureen's muted voice calling to them. "Ed, Michelle, come on now, we are going to be very late!"

Ed met Maureen at the bottom of the stairs. He laid a hand over his chest. She still took his breath away. At the bottom he took her hand in his and kissed it. "You're sure we can't miss this?" He asked hopefully.

"I'm sure, not come on, we need to go."

The Bauer trio arrived at the Top of the Towers looking relatively happy, though Ed had already begun checking his watch. Michelle looked around the room and immediately locked eyes with best friends, Ben Reade and Bill Lewis III.

"Can I go say hi to Ben and Bill?" She asked cheerfully.

"Of course you may, but please stay out of trouble" Maureen warned.

Ed guided Maureen deeper into the crowd. "Do you want something to drink?" Ed asked her politely.

"Sure" She said, waving to Vanessa, who was both her best friend and boss. "I'm going to go say hello to Vanessa."

Ed went to the bar and found his ex wife, Holly Lindsey sitting on a stool.

"Hey there!" He greeted, pushing himself onto the stool next to her. "I didn't know you'd be here."

"Nick is one of my reporters, why wouldn't I be?" She growled.

"Bad day?" Ed asked, leaning on his elbow.

"You could say that."

"Want to tell me about it?"

Holly gave him the side eye while at the same time indicating to the bartender that she needed a refill. "Not particularly"

"Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me" Ed turned and faced the bar.

Holly downed another drink in the space of a few minutes. "I'll have another," she said.

Ed furrowed his eyebrows. "How many is that?" He asked.

"I don't know, why? Are you afraid I'll become an alcoholic too?"

"No, I'm afraid that you haven't eaten yet and that you are rapidly approaching sloppy. That's not like you Holly. What's going on?"

Holly slid off the bar stool and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Always the good guy, aren't you?"

"Hardly, but I am a friend, and if you need to talk I'm here" He raised his eyebrows and didn't quite smile, but gave her a look.

"Compared to every other man in my life, you are a saint, Ed." She patted his shoulder and stumbled into the crowd.

Ed watched her over his shoulder before deciding to follow her.

In the dining room Maureen mingled with the crowd when from across the room she spotted Roger Thorpe. He of all the citizens of Springfield was the last person she anticipated seeing. She excused herself from her conversation with Vanessa and another contemporary and made her way to him. When she made her way to him he was standing on the outskirts of the crowd looking rather glum.

"Hello, Roger, I didn't expect to see you here." Maureen greeted.

"Believe me I'd rather be anywhere else." He muttered.

Maureen laid a hand on his elbow. She scanned the crowd. Those closest to her and Roger started to whisper. He was after all public enemy number one in this social circle.

"Why don't we step out here" Maureen offered as they were standing near a fire door that led to the stairs.

"Fine" Roger said, downing the last of the drink in his hand. It was hot in the stairwell with little air movement despite the air conditioning.

When the door latched behind them it was Maureen who spoke first.

"Roger, what's going on? Please tell me you're not here to cause trouble for Mindy"

Roger waved her off. "No, I'm not. I only showed up hoping to see my daughter, but I haven't seen Chrissy all evening."

"I saw Holly, she was talking to Ed, maybe he knows where Blake is. I could go ask." Maureen offered.

On the other side of the door Holly, with Ed in tow, made her way to the elevator and to the parking garage. Ed caught the next one and was only moments behind her. When she exited the elevator the smell of exhaust and old oil caught her nose, nauseating her. She leaned heavily on a concrete pillar as she searched her purse for her keys. She screamed when she felt a hand touch her from behind.

"I have mace!" She yelled

"No you don't, but even if you did you don't need it." Ed said, catching his breath. "Holly, what are you doing?"

"I'm going home" She stated emphatically.

"No, I'm sorry you're not. You've had far too much to drink, I can't let you get behind the wheel of your car."

Her brown eyes could have burned holes through him. "Fine," She shrugged. "I'll walk" The click of her high heeled shoes echoed off the concrete walls and ceiling.

"Come on Holly" Ed called after her. "Stop"

She kept going. He followed her. As the only people at Towers were the reception guests there was no traffic coming in or going out so there was no traffic to worry about as she stumbled down the middle of the driveway.

"Holly, please wait."

Suddenly the lights flickered, causing her to stop. A second later the garage went completely dark.

Back in the stairwell Maureen and Roger were completely in the dark.

"What the hell?" He swore, moving to the fire door which he attempted to open. It wouldn't budge despite his brute force attempts. "Great, just great" He banged a fist off of it.

"Why won't it open?" Maureen asked.

Suddenly dull emergency lights lit the stairwells. They weren't bright, but gave enough light that should there be an emergency that those utilizing the escape route could see where they were going.

"It's a fire door. It's designed to open only from the inside in the event of an emergency like this."

Panic immediately rose in Maureen's throat. "There's a fire? Michelle's in there, you have to get it open!"

"Relax" He said "There is no fire, the power went out. Besides, isn't Dr. Ed there?"

Maureen began to calm down. "Yes, he is. You're right. She's safe with her father."

Roger sat on one of the stairs pulling the knot of his tie loose. The stale air was getting even staler as there was no ventilation to move it. "You may want to pull up a step." Roger patted the space beside him.

Maureen looked at him but instead began pounding on the door. Her efforts went unheard in the crowded dining room but echoed through the enclosed space like a drum. Inside the party continued despite the lack of electricity. Candles illuminated the space giving it a soft romantic glow and the music was live, so everyone just enjoyed the ambience, and free food and drink. Maureen however continued to bang on the door.

"Come sit. This shouldn't take long." Roger insisted. When Maureen continued to bang on the door Roger stood and went to her. He gently lay a hand on her. "Come sit. Let me see what I can do" He guided her to the stairs and sat her down.

"Do you have your cellular phone?" He asked.

Maureen cocked her head and rubbed her hands on the side of her dress. "Does it look like I have my cell phone? No! My purse is on the table next to Vanessa's." Her irritation was evident.

Roger wore a wry smile that fortunately was too dark to see. "Ah Vanessa, how is life as a worker bee at Spaulding?" He knew she wouldn't answer him. "Ah, never mind."

Roger went to a box on the wall and began to pry, or attempt to pry the cover from it.

"What are you doing?" Maureen asked, coming off the step and looking over Roger's shoulder.

"I'm either going to be a hero, or electrocute myself" Was his glib answer.

Maureen continued to watch as he used brute strength to remove the panel. Suddenly it gave way, but not before Roger sliced open his finger.

"Shit' He swore.

Maureen took his hand in hers, not worried that he was dripping blood on her dress. "Oh boy, that looks bad. You're going to need stitches."

Roger took a cloth handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it tightly around the offending wound. Maureen wrapped her arm around his and guided him back to the stair they had been sitting on. Roger, while annoyed, didn't put up an argument.

"Thank you," He said.

"You're welcome." She sighed. "What do you think's going on in there?"

"Oh I bet the usual. Alexandra, is trying to break up Nick and Mindy. Billy is in there puffing up his chest because his little girl just got married. Ed is probably beside himself looking for you."

Maureen scoffed. "Oh I doubt it. When I last saw him he was going to get me a drink, but instead he saddled up to Holly at the bar"

"I know how that feels." He patted her knee with his non injured hand.

"You do, don't you" Maureen sighed and laid her head on Roger's shoulder.

In the parking garage Holly moved from the middle of the driveway to a sidewalk with a curb, she didn't so much sit on it as fall onto it. Ed moved in beside her, sitting close. Like Roger he was hot so he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his collar.

"What's going on with you?" He asked Holly pointedly.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I'm your ex-husband, I'm your friend, and because I care about what happens to you."

"Right. Where were you when Daniel tried to kill me? Or when Ross was sleeping with…." Her words fell off.

"Holly, if I recall correctly you went to Roger and Ross for help with Daniel. As for Ross, I had no idea you two were having problems."

Holly laughed, a low, guttural laugh. "Problems? Problems are disagreeing over where to spend the night, his house or mine. Problems aren't decided that I'm not good enough in the sack, but that my daughter is."

Ed recoiled. "Ross and Blake? I don't believe it."

"Believe it, don't, I don't care. I walked in and saw them in a blissful afterglow." She wished she had a drink, because she was long enough past the last that her buzz was wearing off.

Upstairs in the stairwell Maureen took Roger's injured hand in hers. "You're bleeding through, we need to get you to a hospital and have that stitched up"

Roger looked at it. "Nah, it's fine. It's stopped now, that's just residual." He noticed her hair had fallen into her eyes. Without thinking he reached up and brushed it away. "I'm sorry" He immediately said,pulling back.

"Don't be. You did nothing wrong"

Roger studied her eyes. While Maureen always had a smile on her face her eyes looked sad. Like something was lacking that she'd never discuss. Again, without thinking he reached up and touched her cheek. "You're beautiful." He whispered. She didn't move, she didn't respond. He pulled her face closer to his. He studied her eyes, they beckoned for him to take the next step. He pulled her into him and put his lips on her. He used his tongue to separate hers and began exploring earnestly. She let out a sigh. He let her go, releasing her from the intimate act. Her lipstick stained his lips, he wanted more.

"Roger," She whispered.

"I shouldn't have done that," He replied. He felt guilty, she wasn't available, she was a married woman. Married to Ed Bauer of all people.

"No, but I'm glad you did." She wasn't sure where it came from but Maureen was feeling a primal lust that she had barely felt before. Leaning back in, she took the lead and kissed him again.

Roger reached up and pulled her on top of him as he sat on the stair. His desire for her was evident as she sat on his lap. She leaned back and laughed. Then she did the unthinkable. Maureen Bauer opened Roger Thorpe's belt buckle in a stairwell in the middle of a black out. She reached below the waistband of his pants and discovered the prize. He lifted her off of him, only to release himself from the confines of his pants, immediately pulling her back on top of him. His mouth close to her ear, "You have to be sure. Once we start I'm not stopping" He warned her. Almost imperceptibly she nodded her head. He reached below the skirt that came above her knee when standing. She was wearing panty hose that would be ruined when he was done with her. The next layer of fabric while equally confining stood no chance against him either. With his fingers he gave Maureen pleasure she hadn't felt in some time. She threw her head back and squealed. Roger knew it was time. He placed his hands on her still covered hips and sat her down on top of him.

He had been with Holly, and Mindy, and that had been lovely, but being with Maureen Bauer was next level glorious. She wasn't like anyone he had ever been with. Her under garments weren't lacy like the ones Holly wore, or skimpy like Mindy's. Hers felt more like a comfortable t-shirt that had seen better days. Her hips were round and soft, and gave him something to hold on to. There were no sharp edges to Maureen Bauer, nothing hard about her, and with that thought he felt her body respond to his before he heard her cry out again. It was too much for him, his wave came next as he fell off the cliff with her. Both satiated, and unable to control their breathing as she climbed off his lap, falling onto the stair beside him.

"Maureen, I am…"

She put a finger over his lip as she maneuvered her now ruined panty hose down her legs. "If you're going to say sorry, please don't. You have nothing to be sorry for."

Roger simply nodded his head. "I'll take those if you'd like. I can't imagine what Ed would say if you came back into the dining room with ripped stockings in your hands."

"I doubt Ed even realized I was wearing them." Maureen said curtly.

"Well, let's not take the chance. I don't want to be the cause of another black out tonight" Of course Roger was referring to the fact that Ed was a raging alcoholic back in the day, and had succumbed to a black out or two in his day.

Maureen rolled the hose up into a ball and handed them to Roger who shoved them into his pocket.

"Will you tell the good doctor about what happened here?"

"Obviously I have never done anything like this before Roger, and frankly I'm not sure why I did now, but no, I don't see any reason to disrupt my marriage over this." Maureen pushed herself off the chair and stood at full height. "You won't either, will you?"

"Not to worry Mrs. Bauer, your secret, our secret is safe with me."

In the parking garage Ed ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Holly, I can't believe that Ross would do that to you, I am so sorry"

Holly turned towards his voice, her eyes having adjusted to the dim light allowed her to see him more clearly. "You can't believe Ross would do that to me? What about my daughter? Ross I can understand, he wears pants for God sake, but Blake, I gave birth to that."

Ed wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. "Honey, I think you've had enough trauma to last you a lifetime. Roger, Daniel, Ross, and Blake….I think it's time you focus on Holly. Maybe be single for a while, find out what really makes you tick. Holly, honestly, how long have you ever been without someone in your bed?"

The question while offensive was a valid one. She had after all gone from Roger to Ed back to Roger to Dietrich and beyond. She was never without a man in any given calendar year, present company included. She had after all had an affair with him when she returned to Springfield from Switzerland. If someone asked her greatest addiction it would be a toss up between alcohol and men. Perhaps it was a tie.

He didn't wait for an answer. "You also have to stop turning yourself inside out for Blake. She isn't the same little girl that you took out of Springfield. I hate to say it but she is Roger's daughter." He raised a hand "Now I love her as much as always, but Holly, she needs to be accountable for her own behaviors and actions."

Suddenly the lights flickered back on.

Ed stood and reached a hand down to help Holly off the curb. "Come back up the stairs, have some coffee, eat some dinner, and if you're sober enough when it's over I'll let you drive home."

"I'm already sober" She informed him "Besides, I don't think driving me home would put you in good stead with Maureen"

Once off the elevator Ed and Holly departed each other's company. Michelle came running through the crowd.

"Daddy!" She called out for him.

Ed smiled at her, wrapping her in a hug. "I hope you kept yourself occupied and out of trouble during the black out" Ed said.

"I did," She sighed. "Ben, Bill and I got stuck out on the patio."

"Stuck on the patio? How did that happen?" Ed asked curiously

"Apparently all the doors were locked when the power went out." Michelle answered, rolling her eyes.

"Let's go find your mother. It's getting late and I'm ready to go home" Ed said, guiding her through the dining room.

At the same time Maureen was entering the room from the stairwell. She looked over her shoulder for Roger who instead of coming back went down the stairs to escape unseen into the night. Maureen closed her eyes for a moment before putting her smile back on as she entered polite society.

On Monday morning Maureen sat behind her desk at Spaulding Enterprises outside of Vanessa's office. When the phone rang she answered it as always.

"Spaulding Enterprises, Vanessa Chamberlain's office"

"Hello Maureen"

She froze, her face losing its color. It was roger.

"Yes, this is Maureen Bauer," she answered.

Roger chuckled on the other end. " My, aren't you a diligent worker bee? Listen, I don't mean to bother you at work, but I didn't think calling you at home was any wiser an idea."

"Probably not. Now what can I assist you with?" She asked rather impatiently.

"I was hoping you could meet me for lunch. It's not my practice to take advantage of lonely married women during a black out. So I just wanted to make sure that we can still be friends, or rather that you will still be my one ally in this town"

Maureen's eyes searched the room, making sure no one was within ear shot. "Oh gee, I don't think that would be a good idea. Not today" She told him.

"Well then how about tomorrow, or Wednesday, or whatever day it may suit. I own WSPR so I can come and go as I please. I guess you are a bit limited by the shackles of Spaulding''

"I'm not shackled to anything. I just don't think it's a good idea that we are seen together" Maureen lowered her voice.

"Why? No one knows what we did in that stairwell. Unless of course you had an attack of conscience and told the good doctor. Should I expect a house call?"

"I didn't say anything to anyone. It's just that you and I are not a couple anyone would expect to see dining together" She reasoned.

Roger leaned back in his chair. "Ok, fine, then how about you come to my condo. I am happy to have something delivered."

"Please don't do this to me" She begged.

Roger took a deep breath and exhaled. "So that's it then. I've lost the only friendly face I can count on in Springfield?"

"No," She sighed.

"Alright then, my condo at noon"

"I can't," She argued.

"I would hate for your husband to come into possession of your torn stockings from the other night."

"You wouldn't!" She screeched, but quickly lowered her voice. "That's blackmail"

Roger wore a grin "I know. So lunch, noon?"

Maureen shook her head. "Fine, noon, but don't you dare say anything to Ed" She demanded.

"Not a word, unless you fail to show up"

He hung up without another word.

Later that morning Maureen went into Vanessa's office. "Oh Maureen, good, I'm glad you're here." Vanessa said jovially.

"I've been here all morning."

"I know, but we haven't had a chance to talk. Why I didn't even see that much of you at Mindy's reception"

Maureen blushed despite herself.

"I'm sorry Vanessa, I'm not sure how that happened"

"Well never mind. Why don't we go to lunch? Make Spaulding pay for it. We'll discuss work for about five minutes and then catch up on what's really important." Vanessa seemed hopeful.

"Oh gee, that's actually why I'm here. I have to go out for lunch today. I hate to impose, but would it be a problem if I just went home after?"

Vanessa was visibly upset, but approved the request. "Tomorrow then. I'm not taking no for an answer." She said

"That seems to be the case for everyone these days."

"Pardon?" Vanessa asked, picking up a file from her desk.

"Nothing," Maureen waved her off. "I will see you bright and early tomorrow.

Maureen arrived at Roger's condo exactly at noon. He was opening the door as she was ready to knock. He wore a smile on his face when he saw her.

"Punctual I see. I like that" Roger said, welcoming her in. "I just got a text from the delivery driver so I was waiting to meet him."

"I don't have long." Maureen fibbed. "I have to be back at work in an hour"

Roger looked at his watch and frowned. "That's too bad." The thought dissipated when the doorbell rang. "Ah that would be lunch"

Maureen sat on the leather couch in the middle of the room, taking in the modern decor. Roger shut the door and carried two bags to the glass coffee table across from where Maureen was sitting.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I guessed. There are some stuffed olives, hard meats, and cheeses, and some crusty bread" He held up one bag "and in this one wine, red and white because I wasn't sure which you'd prefer"

Roger laid the meal on the glass top table and sat next to Maureen.

"I want to apologize for the other evening. I also want you to know that I disposed of your stockings that night. There won't be any black mail."

Maureen was visibly relieved. "Thank you, Roger, I didn't think there would be." She admitted.

"Well then why did you come?"

She licked her lips and looked at his eyes. "I have no idea" She laughed lightly. "No, that's not true. I'm curious"

"About?" Roger asked, moving closer to her, if that were possible.

"Well, you've been with Alexandra, Holly, and Mindy and those are only the women I can think of off the top of my head. What made me, a doughy housewife turned executive assistant, so desirable?"

She was surprised by how close his lips were to her ear when she finished asking the question, and equally surprised that she found the feeling of his hand on her thigh so damned exciting.

"That Maureen is why you're desirable. You're not them. You're real. Everything about you is real and if I'd have the opportunity I would make love to you in the manner you deserve, not in some dark, stuffy stairwell"

He put a pair of fingers on her chin and turned her face towards him. As he had that first night he studied her eyes. He smiled as he laid his lips on hers. She responded by kissing him back. He pulled her into him and began to unbutton her blouse. "Roger, wait" She said breathlessly

Roger released her immediately, putting his hands up in contrition. "I'm waiting," he panted.

Maureen closed her eyes. "I'm married," She sighed.

"I don't care," Roger said, laying his lips on her neck. "If you were happy with Dr. Kildair you wouldn't have allowed me to make love to you the other night."

"Oh Roger," She cooed.

"Please, let me love you again" His fingers moved back to the buttons on her blouse which he began to open, one at a time as he watched her face intently. "Please" he asked again

Maureen grabbed his head and kissed his forehead. "Yes," She whispered.

Roger quickly stood, grabbing her hands as he did to bring her to a standing position. Just as quickly he swept under her legs and carried her to his bedroom. Once there, as promised he made love to her slowly and methodically. He explored areas of her body he wasn't able to in the stairwell, but like that night he made sure she was satisfied before he allowed himself to climax. When he had he wrapped her in one arm while stroking her naked shoulder with his free hand. He glanced at the clock then.

"You're going to get fired." He murmured.

"What do you mean?" Maureen asked sleepily.

"You said you only had an hour. You're going to be very late getting back to the salt mines"

Maureen lifted her head. While she didn't have to get back to Spaulding, she also hadn't intended to spend two hours in bed with Roger Thorpe. She pulled the sheet across her naked breasts, suddenly feeling modest.

"Roger, you made me feel wonderful. You made me feel sexy again, a part of me I forgot existed."

"But…" He said

"But, we can't do this again. This has to be the last time."

Roger sucked in his bottom lip. He knew she was right. They were playing with fire now, but he did respect her, and didn't want to be the cause of her marriage ending. After all, he didn't have the best track record with women and he didn't want to see her get hurt.

"I agree." He slid out from under the sheets and went to the living room. He was fully dressed when she appeared again. He smiled at her, and closed the space between them.

Maureen blushed. "What does one say at a time like this?"

Roger scratched an invisible itch on his head. "I'm not sure what Emily Post would advise. So how about this. Take care, and know that if you ever need anything I'm here"

Maureen nodded. "Thank you Roger." He watched in silence as she walked out of the condo, and probably out of his life all together.