Chapter 25

Casey joined them during the meal and having eaten at the centre and sat listening to their chatter. When the meal was finished and the others started to clear up Meg asked him to walk along the beach with the hope of a quick photo before the sunset finally disappeared. As they walked in comfortable silence she knew he was coming to terms with the idea that she would not be coming back permanently, only for visits. He had accepted the news with his usual quietness and a slightly sad smile, which told her he had been looking forward to having her around ... she guessed he'd missed their comfortable friendship as much as she did.

They came to the rocks and decided how to take the photo without either of them getting their feet wet as the waves were gently breaking over the lower rocks. While the orangey red sun slipped below the horizon it coloured the wispy clouds in the sky and the colour mix was reflected on the still water making a beautiful setting. Meg clambered carefully into position and made herself comfortable as she could on the hard rocks and looked across the bay towards the South Pier.

As she sat still she was plummeted into memories of the first time she saw her soulmate and other walks they had along the beach, mingling with them was the knowledge they had been pawns in someone's game. She smiled letting the good times smoother the bad with the knowledge she had his love and her family's acceptance of her wishes. She did not hear the click as Casey took the photo, nor realise she was smiling that special smile she showed when she was truly deeply happy.

Taking photo Casey recognised that smile, it was the one he knew from the goods days when she was with Ben and had fleetingly seen that morning as she came out of the plane. It was the one she'd tried to hide this evening when she talked about her new job or friends she had found. He knew that something was making her deeply happy and that was good and this evening he had been surprised that when Joan had pushed that little bit harder for more information it was Hank you gently but firm told her to leave it not Meg.

Without really thinking he put the camera away while dropping into his memories of his friendship with Meg as well as wondering what would become of it now that family ties were not going to keep her here. His thoughts drifted on to his lost friendship with Ben, how he had found a different one with AJ and Michael, which he hoped would grow stronger and fill the gap and ache for lost friendship.

He was brought back to the present by Meg's gentle cough and she climbed off the rocks to be beside him. Feeling embarrassed at being caught in memories he blurted out. "Just remembering old friendships one gone and the other leaving for a new future. You will be happy won't you?"

She knew instantly whom he meant and wanted desperately to tell him he had not lost the friendship, it was one of the things that John missed as well. She smiled nodding gently then said. "I will … as for old friendships gone I don't think it's died just buried for the moment. You were there for each other when you both needed it that's the important thing, now you both have families to concentrate on so it will lie quiet till its needed again. I know our friendship will always be there even if there are a few miles between us."

His arms came round her and she found herself in a gentle quiet hug, she hoped she had given him something to help the ache. Casey released her and with a slow smile and a nod said. "Yes we were there for each other and we are both happy now. …Perhaps one day it will come back …you're right about us we can make it in spite of the distance and I understand you're need for privacy." He gave a gentle laugh "Guess I can smother you with photo's you know the first smiles … and you send something back to us … you smiling by a tree or rock … when the time is right of course." She nodded with a smile as he carried on. "Come on let's get back to the Shock Wave and get ready for the 'do'."

His phone rang so he stepped away from her as he answered then listened "Okay we'll be there soon love." He came back to her. "That was Sara John's picked up your stuff for the plane apparently they are loading tonight in case Robert needs to move early something about a deal being closed soon." Seeing her start he said with a smile. "It's okay John's left your over night things though."

Meg had jumped at John's name then clamed as her brain clicked in to who John was and smiled half expecting a question instead Casey moved away and she walked beside him back towards the Shock Wave into the comfortable silence she asked. "How is at the Centre?"

His quick easy reply told her he would not question her reaction, would let her take the lead, perhaps that had been the order of the day 'Let Meg be in charge then she might return home' but now it was only visits not the permanent stay they had wanted.

"Fine we are reorganising things, Sara wants me to find a safer job, one of the lifeguards was badly injured in a fight during a rescue and that has worried her. AJ has offered me a full time job on the conservation side meeting people and discussing projects similar to the work I was doing with you and Ben. It's more money, which will come in handy; AJ knows how I feel about paperwork and being stuck in an office everyday so we've got to thrash out a few ideas before it becomes public knowledge."

"That sounds interesting, I know you'll miss the open air and people but you'll have more time at home, no more evening or weekend shifts. The crowd at Liberty Corp are good. What about Surf Central is that still all right?"

"Yes two girls and two boys, two have jobs the other two are on their last year at college. As you can guess it's quite a household when all the friends get together and they are keeping up the tradition of parties, not too loud though."

She laughed remembering their parties and they chatted happily back to the Shock Wave where she met up with her parents and Sara then they split up into their groups with promises to meet up at the Deep later.

oxoxo

Leaning against the bar at The Deep Meg was feeling totally relaxed, a group of friends from Lib. Corp and Life Guards were just mingling with the others having talked her and themselves to a stop. She smiled watching Sara and Casey shuffle to the music, which was a mixture of old and new, her parents were fairly close by chatting with AJ, Bette and Robert. Amongst the crowd on the dance floor she spotted Maria, Tess and Annie chatting to friends, as well as the group from The Bluebell Shop. Meg waved as she saw Michael and Vanessa come down the stairs they waved back. She knew it wouldn't take them long to come to the bar beside her, Ricardo and Antonio moved to make sure they had some room when they arrived.

"Meg! Good to see you." Michael greeted her as he got closer they hugged then he stepped aside to let Vanessa through.

As she hugged Meg she said. "You're looking good, got all the low down from Bette at work as well as the paper. Have you seen her article?" She stepped back saying. "Evening Ricardo, Antonio. Gabi and baby all right."

Ricardo and Antonio smiled and nodded yes while Meg replied to her first question. "So are you. Yes thanks it's a good one. I also saw your article in the city paper a couple of weeks back. Going to take them by storm then?"

Vanessa laughed "No … talk about dog eat dog at least here I can work in peace. Mind you it means I've got better contacts and they are willing to take my work seriously now. Not just a small town hack anymore. Michael's got promotion for the next year as their leader has gone on a course after that he will be able to start a new team."

"Congratulations trust the pay goes up as well."

Michael gave a chuckle, "Yes thank goodness. Just going to grab us a drink. You okay with yours Meg, your usual Vanessa?"

"Yes thanks Michael, the gang from Lib. brought me this before they invaded the dance floor."

Vanessa thought for a moment then gave a wicked smile. "No as you're paying I feel like living dangerously so choose one. Be back in a sec."

Meg laughed and let her mind wander while listening to the music, acknowledged a wave from a friend as they chatted to someone else and Ricardo's voice drifted through. "Hey that's a bit old wasn't it Maria's and Ben's favourite."

Antonio put his drink down while answering. "Yes and I must see him and sound him out about the problem before I go to those meetings tomorrow afternoon."

"Good idea he was always willing to help in the past." Ricardo said with confidence.

The music changed to ones she recognised and Antonio's reply drifted into the background as memories of her and Ben dancing close together, here and at Santa Barbara became stronger.

She dipped back into the present because Michael and Vanessa came back wished her well and started their drinks. Memories surrounding her because it was hers and Ben's favourite song and in the quiet bit of the song they heard a baby's cry coming from stairway they all looked across the room expecting an anxious parent to come rushing in.

There was no rush … in fact the opposite the father walked down the stairs full of confidence cradling the crying baby with ease; smiling and reassuring people he passed while looking for the person he needed. When he saw her he smiled and with a slight nod of his head towards the office told her what he wanted her to do. She smiled happily back; there was no mistaking the love between them.

Meg vaguely heard Antonio's quiet words "I'm going to grab Ben while he's here. He's smiling so Sammy must be all right even if she is crying. Night Ricardo, Meg."

Everything slipped into the background as Meg felt the rush of love and wanting and her heart did a flip it always did when her lover and soulmate was around. Her mind slammed into action and screamed at her 'Not your lover and soulmate!' she tried to get her breath as she watched him walk through the crowd to Maria and hand Samantha over to her and she made her way to the office for some privacy gently reassuring the still crying baby.

The argument in Meg continued. This was not a facade it was Ben in every movement and fibre of his body, from the confident way he carried himself to the smile which lit up his face giving people the reassurance they needed and the caring way he turned to Antonio as they met and talked.

The truth screamed through her body and her mind 'He had no right to have their love and friendship, he was not Ben, not her soulmate, not their friend!!' She needed to get out of there before she screamed the truth out loud. But she could not breathe or move.

oxoxo

Nearby Robert watched Meg as soon as Ben had made his entrance and knew the agony she was in even if it didn't show to those standing around her. He spoke briefly to AJ and Bette then moved quickly and easily to Meg's side so his body blocked her view of Ben. He gently took her drink before it fell to the floor. His smile was natural his voice gentle light but insistent so those around could hear and she would react as he wanted her too. "Meg! I'm sorry I need you to help close a deal on the phone outside. Casey! Can I borrow your car if I can't get a signal AJ's is further and difficult to get out."

"Robert!" Meg said, as her mind latched on to what he said and felt his touch, with the word she was able to catch some air and started breathing again.

"Of course you can, here are the keys, though you should get a signal all right. Why now?" Casey's calm voice helped ground her. She had not realised they were so close, she felt hemmed in.

Robert's slightly embarrassed tone made everything so natural. "Forgot time zones and unfortunately Wingate and Wingate will only speak to Meg. Remembered it before I came in then it slipped my mind till now. Must be old age."

Casey laughed and swapped the keys for Meg's drink and Robert gently eased her into movement by holding her hand. She still could not think properly but a name popped into her head and out of her mouth and sounded natural. "Mr Longstop."

Robert guided her towards the stairs nearing Ben who was chatting to Antonio and Bette had joined them. Ben watched them with a slight nod and friendly smile, which showed concern at their leaving, she saw it was genuine not a show he was Ben through and through...

Robert's voice cut through her thoughts "Yes. Dear old Mr Longstop and we've got ten minutes till the deadline." There wasn't a pause but his tone changed as though he had tried this line before and failed and it was loud enough so Ben and the others could hear. "As I said before there is always a job for you if you want it."

Her mind was still on the first part of his sentence as she exclaimed. "He's impossible!"

Robert knew this referred to Mr Longstop who was impossible but also very understanding and insisted. "No he's not, not when you speak to him."

"So are you come to that?" She bantered automatically as she realised what he was doing.

He didn't answer he just smiled as they had to walk single file up the stairs to allow others to come in and then they were out on the pavement. The fresh air and quiet street along with Robert's gentle words "Breath and relax Meg its fine just memories through music nothing more," helped clear her head as they walked towards Casey's car.

She held his arm and breathed, feeling shocked and embarrassed she had seen 'him' as Ben before at the Deep and not been affected. Those times she had not known who he really was but this time when she knew the difference her heart flipped! The voice of reason told her it was the music and memories that set it off but did not to stop her she snapping out angrily at herself. "They were familiar songs but it was our song as he walked in with Samantha … Robert! I reacted as though he was Ben! My soulmate … My heart flipped. … He is Ben in every single way even that smile of love and concern reaching his eyes … …with Bette, Antonio … it's … it's as though John was never existed." She whispered the last words feeling shattered.

Robert unconsciously checked the street, no one was near, he realised the pain and guilt she was going through knew that touching her would bring her to tears so said gently, soothingly. "Easy Meg. … To him John does not exist … there is only one now … the obsession died last year. As long as he believes that he will be that quiet, gentle caring man they know and respect. … That is what John wants him to be, needs him to be. …You were fine Meg … if he thought anything of our leaving he will think it was memories catching up on you, more likely he saw me being a bossy boss who desperately needed to close a deal and Bette and AJ will confirm that story."

He unlocked and opened the car door, then tried his phone while waiting for pick up he said urgently. "Meg. I need you to chat to Mr Longstop. All you need to do is to confirm the figures he will give you and tell him the deal is for the next 5 years and I will sign it as soon as I arrive in Boston tomorrow. Have you got that?"

She looked at him in surprise and nodded, catching on that this was a real deal not a fake one just to get her out of The Deep.

"Mr Longstop I'm sorry I'm near to time … Yes I've got Meg here as you requested I'm sure she will confirm the information for you. I'll hand you over now."

"Mr Longstop glad to know you are well." Meg managed to say with a smile in her voice.

As Meg listened she found her business brain clicking in confirming, correcting as necessary, a few words about family then lastly confirming the deal and time of signature. She felt shaky as she signed off and looked over to Robert in disbelief exclaiming. "It's worth 20 Million dollars! Robert!"

Robert laughed. "See told you, you were good. When building a cover story keep to much truth as possible. … Come on let's go back and finish the party, celebrate the deal, possibly give Vanessa a scoop for the morning paper. No doubt Sara will want to leave fairly soon you should go with her. I'll be going back with Bette and AJ."

"I can't" Meg gasped thinking of facing Ben.

Robert smiled. "Hey! You've just closed a 20 Million deal remember you can. Just act natural, you were lovers now you are friends he will treat you like that and you know no different … he is Ben. … Don't feel guilty about your reactions just now and don't hid them."

"You'll stay near." Deep down she knew she had to do it, wanted to do to prove she could, she had promised she could.

"Of course." He locked Casey's car and started to walk her back to The Deep, telling her about Bette escapades earlier, which made her laugh.

By the time they were walking down the stairs into the Deep everything was all right, it was, people were dancing and talking as though nothing had happened. Maria came out of the office with the baby asleep in her arms to join Ben who was talking with Meg's parents, AJ and Bette. Robert guided her over to the bar where Michael, Vanessa, Sara and Casey were drinking and chatting with Ricardo who was just going to leave.

Robert said. "Casey your keys thanks you were right we got a good signal now for a drink I'm celebrating though nothing said till the morning." He added looking pointedly at Vanessa, who smiled sweetly back as she said. "So your deal with Wingate and Wingate was a success then."

Robert grinned. "Oh I knew you were sharp. To the tune of 20 Million see I told you Meg was good and I want her but unfortunately she's turned me down for new ideas and independence ... your usual Meg."

"Please. Night Ricardo give regards to Gabi." Meg managed with a smile. After Robert ordered and got the drinks she let the chatter between him, Vanessa and the group wash over her smiling and laughing when necessary.

"Everything all right Meg." Came the soft concerned British voice, which made her heart jump.

She turned partway round responding totally naturally with a bright smile, her voice was warm and gentle as it always was to him. This close up he was her soulmate and there was nothing she could do about it so she accepted it. "Fine thanks Ben I can see you are … though I think Samantha's a bit young to start clubbing."

He smiled and laughed, "Car trouble I'm afraid, which led to a hungry baby and Maria's milk bar was nearer than the fridge at Ocean Drive. As you could hear she has a good pair of lungs but otherwise we are fine thank you." Very gently he added so only she could hear. "Hope you're no longer hiding from your father I know you love him very much."

She gave a gentle shake of her head, recognising the tone of voice, which showed not only love but respect for her father just as his brother always used to do. She answered easily "Things are fine with my father thank you. I'm not hiding Ben, after all the interference we had I value my privacy while I do things I really want to … explore for a while if you like. Robert's celebrating he remembered a deal that had to be done tonight and needed me to close it. I'm surprised they let you arrange tonight because of Maria's connection they used to be hot on that kind of thing."

Ben looked over at Robert who nodded and explained, "Worth 20 million dollars and Meg gets some commission details in the paper tomorrow right Vanessa."

Vanessa sipped her drink and nodded.

"Wow she'll beat the City papers again. Meg you did well. As for tonight's 'do' I'm only the emergency manager now, the real boss does the organising so it's all done properly. Doing lots of little things financially but Sammy and Benjy take up a lot of my time … I do the book keeping side of The Gallery." He gave a gentle laugh, which tore through her as he carried on. "It seems wrong to employ a book keeper when I can do it. If your around tomorrow Benjy's having some friends round at the Shock Wave for an 'eat in' as he calls it I'm sure he'd love to see you catch up on stories. Franklin is still around but we have to be careful with Sammy make sure they don't sleep together. I've been out all day so missed the gossip any boyfriends?"

She managed to keep her voice calm. "We're leaving in the morning so I'll miss Benjy's do but I saw him and Maria at the Shock Wave earlier he does you proud. I'm keeping busy finding my feet as far as my work is concerned as I said exploring so no ties." She wasn't even going to touch her cover story with him it felt too personal, he would no doubt find out from Bette.

He smiled his voice was gentle. "So you're not coming back full time."

"Depends on the work if it is as good as I think then I will stay come back for visits as I said I'm exploring possibilities and Robert will always have first refusal if I do come back."

"That's good. I'm glad your happy … that special twinkle's back in your eyes. Must go and collect the ladies, perhaps we'll get together next time you come."

He was gone with a smile and words to everyone he passed, which was returned with genuine respect and friendship; she tried to stop the shiver, which went down her spine thinking about his 'That's good' it sounded so loaded…

Casey's voice cut into her thoughts. "Meg. Sara and I are going do you want to stay and have Bette bring you back, Hank and Joan have already gone they are coming over for breakfast."

"I'm coming Casey. Robert I'll see you in the morning, thanks for the lift."

Robert laughed and hugged her. "I'll give you your commission when I see you in the morning. Casey, Sara nice meeting you again I'll be round about eight to pick her up if that's all right or I can make it a bit later if you like."

"No that will be fine I've got morning shift and Joan and Hank have the morning shift at the Shock Wave. We can say bye from the apartment I know how Meg hates airport farewells. Just make sure she gets were she's going this time." Casey teased as he finished.

Robert laughed. "You know she'll never live her travelling reputation down."

Meg exclaimed. "That's so unfair as the pair of you started it. Night Robert, Vanessa, Michael take care." Then she turned to follow Casey and Sara and felt a hand on her arm and heard a gentle exclamation. "Hey Muffin what about me!"

"Bette!" She hugged her friend carrying on. "Lovely seeing you so happy and thanks for the article it was good."

Bette laughed then released her friend saying. "You take care of yourself I'll see you when your sister makes the news and I trust you will have something more for me. … a little spicier than this time."

Meg laughed and left them feeling a bit happier.

oxoxo

In the quiet of her room she lay in bed letting the pictures of the day run through her head, enjoying the love of her family and friends. The knowledge she would have to be calmer around the twin, knowing he did not suspect the truth and Robert was right the twisted obsession was gone replaced by gentleness and love for his wife, family and friends. Perhaps it was right they should both have happiness where they could get it.

She drifted to sleep seeing a different sunset from tonight … one with her real soulmate sat beside her in the trap, a view down the valley with the sun light bouncing off the turning leaves as it drops behind the mountains. Shep sitting beside the trap ever watchful while Sandy snorting gently in the background harnessed ready for the journey back and held by Simon who was talking quietly with Jackie who had driven her in the car. Quiet friendly sunsets rather than the romantic ones in Sunset Beach all precious and worth remembering.