Disclaimer: This story is mine, but these characters do not belong to me. I make no money from this, but I did have a ton of fun writing it.

A/N: Season 5 background story #5 out of 15. Based on an Available Concept by Boink at Moonlighting Strangers. Thank you, Boink, for inspiring me to write this story.

Wednesday, January 4, 1989

4:00 a.m.

Maddie hurried to shut her bedroom window as a smattering of rain threatened to dampen the windowsill. Relieved to have gotten there in the nick of time, she turned around and sighed. It was dark in the room, but she could see that David had already climbed under the covers, and was holding the sheet up for her.

'C'mere,' he said, 'I'll keep you warm under here.'

Earlier that evening she and David had attended the California Investigators Association Annual Banquet and Ball. It turned out to be a fun and fine date night for both of them, and when they got back to Maddie's house, they made love and fell fast asleep on her couch. They stayed that way 'til the wee hours of the morning when they were startled awake by a loud clap of thunder. The room had gotten chilly and so they ran up the stairs to catch a few hours of sleep in her comfortable king-size bed.

'Okay,' she agreed, 'but don't go getting any ideas. I need to sleep some more before we have to get up for work.'

She knew him well enough to know that after running up the stairs, he was probably wide awake and feeling frisky. She took her chances and got into the bed with him; she, still in her red nightgown and he, completely naked, except for his black dress socks. She lied down under the covers with her back to him, and he covered her up in blankets and wrapped his arms around her.

'See, Maddie... nice and warm.' He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. 'Go back to sleep.'

'Mm-hmm... I will.'

She could feel his fingers moving back and forth on her arm, and the calming sensation lulled her back to sleep.

7:30 a.m.

David woke to what he thought was the sound of rain hitting the window. But as he took his morning stretch and rubbed his eyes, things came more into focus, and he realized what he was hearing was coming from the bathroom. Maddie was up and already in the shower. She must have gotten out of bed before the alarm clock rang because he didn't hear a thing.

He hopped up out of the bed, took his socks off and scurried into the steamy bathroom. He opened the shower door and slipped inside just as Maddie closed her eyes and tilted her head back to rinse the shampoo out of her hair. He slid his hand around her waist, and she opened her eyes.

'Oh, David, good, you're up.'

'I am, aren't I?' He waggled his eyebrows.

She ignored the innuendo. 'Here...' She handed him the soap as she moved past him toward the shower door. 'Hurry and wash up so we can stop by the coffee shop on our way to the office.'

Naturally he wanted more from her that morning, but he figured he should probably be content with the fact that she seemed willing to let him ride in the same car with her to work. But still, he couldn't help wanting a little something more. He reached out for her hand as she went by. 'C'mon, Maddie, we've got a few minutes to spare, don't we?'

'No, David.' She pulled her hand away from him, and stepped out of the shower.

With a lopsided grin, he watched as she wrapped a towel around her wet naked body, appreciating every inch of her form. 'You know, I can be quick when I need to be.'

'I don't want to David because my back hurts from sleeping on the couch for so long last night.'

'Are you okay?' He felt bad; he was the one who had encouraged her to stay with him in the living room. His request for a "few more minutes" turned into hours.

'I'll be fine,' she said, as she turned towards the mirror and started to brush her hair. 'It's just that... you know... this is just one of the reasons why I think it's best that you don't stay over on work nights, that's all.'

He hated hearing her say that. He'd heard it all before: during that month last winter when they first became intimate, during her pregnancy... late at night after Lamaze classes, and now... still. It always felt to him like he'd just taken three steps forward, only to take two steps back. Moving this relationship forward... it was like they were going at a snail's pace. But it was worth it because he loved her.

9:15 a.m.

When the elevator finally reached the 20th floor, the doors opened, and David and Maddie stepped out side by side. He carried their briefcases and she carried two cups and a small paper bag from the coffee shop.

'And you're sure you're up to working today? If your back hurts, I don't want you lifting anything...'

'David, I told you... I'm... ah... ah... achoo!' She sneezed into her elbow, and if the cups didn't have lids on them, she would have been drenched in steaming hot coffee.

'Gesundheit, Maddie!' David rushed ahead of her to go grab the box of tissues off of Agnes' desk. He took the coffees from her and handed her the tissues as soon as she appeared in the doorway. She excused herself and went inside her office.

'Is Ms. Hayes alright, Mr. Addison? She doesn't look like she's feeling well this morning?'

'Nonsense, Ms. Dipesto! Ms. Hayes feels amazing... skin, smooth as silk,' he joked, quickly realizing... wrong time, wrong place, wrong audience. But then in all seriousness, he added, 'You are right, though, I think she may actually be feelin' a little under the weather on this rainiest of rainy days. It's comin' down like cats and dogs out there. Any chance you know a place where we can get us an arc?'

'Well, if the two of you decide you need to leave early today, Bert and I would be more than happy to hold down the fort here.'

David looked at her endearingly. 'Thank you, Agnes, but I think we'll be okay.' He walked around her desk and opened the door to Maddie's office.

He looked around and saw that Maddie was still in the bathroom, so he went to stand by the window. It sure was wet and dreary outside... a real miserable day. But they'd had such a nice night together that even the cool January weather couldn't do anything to diminish the warmth he was feeling inside.

Maddie stepped out of the bathroom looking perfect as usual... like nothing at all was bothering her. She went to her chair and sat. Getting right down to business, she asked him, 'So, what's on the agenda for today? I doubt we'll see any clients come out in this rain. Did you and Bert want to work on the Featherwood case?'

'Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me,' he joked.

'I'm not trying to get rid of you, David. It's just... I have a lot of work to do today. I have to get the books ready for the accountant, and you know that. I only thought today might be a good day if you wanted to go search for that missing birdbath with Mr. Viola.'

'Really, Maddie? In the wind and the rain?' He pointed to the window.

She sat there and shrugged.

'It's okay. I know you need to focus. I'll get outta here and find Bert. We can use the car, right?'

'Sure, you can use the car. I have nowhere to go today.'

'And you're sure you're feelin' okay?'

'For the hundredth time, David, I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me.'

He walked around her desk and sidled up behind her. 'I love you, Maddie... I'm going to worry about you.' He placed his hands on her shoulders and could feel her immediately tense up. He started to massage them. 'Your back feel any better?'

'David, please... my back is much better, and I feel fine. I just have a lot to do today, and I really need to get started,' she pleaded with him.

'Okay.' He took his hands off of her. He didn't really know what else to do. He caught on that he was bothering her, and he could tell it was time to leave. So, he blew her a kiss as he walked out the door and left her alone.

9:45 a.m.

That was awkward, she thought, and she felt badly. He was just trying to show that he cared about her, and she brushed him off. But the truth was, she didn't feel fine. Her back was achy, her throat felt scratchy and she had a slight headache. She could definitely feel a cold coming on... and on top of that, she was exhausted.

She got up, went to her bathroom, and pulled open the cabinet door. Inside, she found a box of honey lemon throat drops that, luckily, hadn't expired yet. She popped one in her mouth, and hoped that between that and a nice, steaming hot cup of tea, she might be able to stop this sore throat from getting any worse.

12:30 p.m.

Maddie sat at her desk, taking small sips from her bowl of chicken noodle soup, while tapping away at numbers on the calculator. Suddenly, the phone rang, startling her for a moment.

'Hello, this is Maddie Hayes.'

It was a woman named Roberta Dawson, one of Maddie's contacts on the Anselmo case. She grabbed a pencil and tore the current date off her desk calendar.

'Do you have any new information for me?' Maddie asked.

The woman did. She received a tip that Mr. Anselmo had an appointment to have a tooth pulled at West Coast Dental Associates located at the intersection of Larchmont and Melrose. The procedure was to begin at noon sharp, but if Maddie hurried over there, she still might be able to serve Mr. Anselmo the papers today.

'Thank you, Ms. Dawson,' Maddie said, as she pulled a file marked "ANSELMO" out of her side desk drawer. 'I will make every effort to get over there right away.'

Maddie hung up the phone, and ran out into the front office. 'Ms. Dipesto... are David and Bert back yet with the car?'

'No, Ms. Hayes.'

'Then I'll need you to arrange for a cab to take me to Larchmont and Melrose, wait for me, and then bring me back here.'

'Okay, Ms. Hayes, right away, Ms. Hayes.'

Maddie ran back into her office to grab her bag and the file from off her desk. Unbeknownst to her, the piece of notepaper she had written on fell to the floor.

1:15 p.m.

'Anselmo? West Coast Dental? Larchmont & Melrose at 12PM? What is this?' David muttered the words to himself, while standing in front of Maddie's desk holding the notepaper in his hand. A minute later, she walked in the door, and he swiftly tucked the piece of paper in his pocket.

'David! What are you doing here? I'm surprised you're back already?'

'Pawn shop downtown had the birdbath.' He said the words, but he was thinking about the note in his pocket... trying to figure out what it meant.

'That's good. I guess that means the case is closed, and Agnes can send out the bill, right?' He didn't answer. 'Right, David?'

'Huh? Yeah... yeah, that's right.' When he looked at her, he thought she looked nervous and slightly disheveled almost, like her hair had gotten a little mussed up from being out in the rain.

Maddie hung up her long pale yellow suit jacket and walked into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. David assumed she was primping so he took a seat in front of her desk and waited. Curious, he called out to her, 'Maddie, where'd you go just now? I thought you said you were staying in.'

'I did stay in, David. I just ran downstairs to the café to get a soup and sandwich, that's all.'

He knew she wasn't telling him the truth. When he'd walked in just ten minutes ago, Agnes had told him that she'd called a cab to take Maddie to the very address written down on that piece of paper. What is going on? He'd never known her to lie to him.

'You didn't happen to get me a sandwich, did you? Or, perhaps a bowl of cold chicken noodle soup?'

She stepped out of the bathroom, looked at him, and their eyes met. She was caught. He'd caught her. She didn't go to the café for lunch. Her nearly full bowl of soup sat right there at the center of her desk.

'Maddie, what's going on?' He pulled the paper out of his pants pocket. 'I found this on the floor when I walked in.'

He stood there and watched as Maddie wrung her hands and bit her lip. She avoided his stare as she sauntered behind her desk and sat down. He had the urge inside to yell at her to spit it out already, but he remained calm, at least on the outside. Clearly this was something she didn't want to tell him.

Finally, she looked him straight in the eye, and said, 'I lied to you... when I told you the Anselmo case was closed.'

He looked confused. 'What? Why would you lie to me about something like that?'

'I didn't want to hurt your feelings.'

'What? You didn't want to hurt my feelings? Are you for real? Maddie, you practically took a knife and drove it into my heart... on more than one occasion, I might add... and you didn't want to hurt my feelings?'

'Well, yes, I didn't want to hurt your feelings.'

'There has got to be more to this story...'

'David... you and Bert started working on the Anselmo case ten months ago... right after I left for Chicago. Well, last month I got a call from the client, and if I told you she was very disappointed, I'd be putting it mildly. She told me that during the previous six weeks, the agent I had working on the case had his head in the clouds. That he was chronically late to meetings, and missed several opportunities to serve Mr. Anselmo the papers. That agent was you!'

He sat there in silence, not really sure what to say.

'David, I didn't want to say anything to you at the time because that was right after I lost the baby, and I knew why you were acting the way you were. I understood, but I couldn't tell that to the client. She was upset, and demanded that I take you off the case. The only way I could keep her account… and you know it's a lucrative account… was if I offered to take on the case myself.'

He nodded his head in understanding.

'I'm sorry I lied to you, David. You're a good detective... a great detective. And I just didn't want you to doubt yourself.' They were both quiet for an awkward minute. 'David, aren't you going to say something?'

'So, have you had better luck than me? Have you tracked down this Mr. Anselmo?'

'Well, I have turned up a few leads...'

'But...'

'But you're right. He is very hard to find.'

'Yeah, and he's elusive, too.'

'It's like a cat chasing its own tail, David. I'm starting to think this Anselmo guy doesn't really exist… or he's a ghost or someone's imaginary friend or something.'

'Yeah, or the writers playing a cruel trick on us.' They smiled at each other.

'Could be.'

'Could be.'

David got up and walked around to where Maddie was sitting. He took her hand, pulled her close, and wrapped her up in a warm loving embrace.

'You're not mad at me?' she asked.

'Nah, sweetheart, I can't be mad at you. But I'm gonna ask you a question, and I want you to be 100% honest with me.'

'What?'

'Are you feeling okay?'

'Well, to tell you the truth, I do feel the symptoms of a cold coming on.'

He pulled back to look in her eyes. 'I thought so. Your cheeks look flush. Are you sure you're not running a fever?' He reached up to feel her forehead.

'No, I don't think I have a fever, but...'

'Promise me you'll go home and rest. You've had a busy few days with little sleep.'

'I promise.'

'Want me to stop by with dinner?'

'No, I have something I can heat up. I'll be fine. I'll go to bed early.'

'Why don't you go home now? I can handle things here.' He looked at her with that grin of his. The one to which she could never say no.

'Okay, you're right, I should go.'

He watched her collect her things and go. This time she blew him a kiss, which he gladly caught and tucked in his shirt pocket for safe keeping.

5:15 p.m.

The rest of the workday went by quietly, and at five o'clock "quittin' time", David decided he was ready to pack it in for the day. It sure was tiring... working hard doing nothing all day. No wonder Maddie paid the Wobblies as well as she did.

The one thing David did manage to accomplish while lounging in his office chair all afternoon was to plan out his evening. First would be a trip to the local Blockbuster to rent an action movie or two. Next, he would stop at the convenience store for a six-pack of beer and a bag of popcorn. Last but not least, he would pick up his dinner at the deli across the street from his apartment. He had his sights set on a 12" meatball sub with melted provolone on toasted Italian bread. If he had to spend the night alone while the love of his life recovered from her illness, this was the way to do it, he thought.

He had just turned off the lights in his office when the phone rang. Thinking it was Maddie, he practically flung himself over his desk to reach the phone in time before she hung up.

'Hey beautiful,' he said into the phone, nearly tipping over in his chair. He was ready to bag his plans in a heartbeat if she said she felt well enough to see him.

'Well, I would say thank you for the compliment, David… however, I highly doubt it was meant for me,' said the familiar raspy-voiced woman on the other end of the line.

'Terri! Hey, how are you?' David was excited to hear from her.

'I'm good, and you?'

'I'm good!' he said. Thinking of how things have improved with Maddie lately, he couldn't help but say it again. 'I'm really good. How's Wally?'

'Well, he's a little under the weather. He's had a pretty bad cold for several days now. That's actually why I'm calling you, David. I haven't been able to get out to the store since Sunday, and Walter's out of town on a business trip.'

'Ooo, he take the train?'

'Yes, why?'

'Let's hope it doesn't stop in Vegas.' David liked Walter, he really did, but he could never pass up the chance to crack a harmless joke at his expense. 'Sorry, I couldn't help myself.'

'Anyway... I was wondering if it wouldn't be too much trouble… is there any chance you could stop at the convenience store and pick up a few things for me?'

'Absolutely, I was just getting ready to leave. Let me grab a pen and paper here... okay... whaddya need?'

'Oh, just the bare necessities... milk, OJ, bread, butter, a few jars of baby food, diapers...'

David jotted down Terri's shopping list, and told her to be on the lookout for him in about an hour. When he arrived at her place, he grabbed the big brown paper bag out of the trunk of the cab, and told the driver to wait; he'd only be a few minutes.

She opened the door before he even had a chance to knock. He greeted her with a friendly smile as he handed her the bag. 'Got a grocery delivery here for a Terri Knowles. The bare necessities with a few extras thrown in... a chocolate bar and box of oatmeal raisin cookies for mom and a new rattle for the bambino.'

'Oh, David,' Terri chimed in, 'such excellent personal service! I'll have to leave a good word with your boss. How is Maddie by the way?'

'I'm not sure, actually. She left work early today sayin' she felt a cold comin' on. Must be somethin' goin' around.'

'And other than that? You two good right now?' Terri knew well enough about the ups and downs of the Addison/Hayes relationship, but the loss of the baby three months ago had created even more of a strain.

'We're good.' He couldn't help the small grin he wore from turning into an outright giddy chuckle. 'I'm actually really happy.'

'I can see that, David.' Terri reached out to touch his arm. 'That's terrific!'

'It is... I'm just... very happy.' He could almost feel his face blushing.

'Awe... I'm happy for you. She happy, too?'

'I think so. She's been doing a lot better over the past few weeks. I think we're approaching being on the same page. Not quite there yet, but definitely moving in that direction.'

'Do you think you two will try again?' Terri asked, not sure if she was being too nosy. But it didn't matter because at that very moment, Wally woke up from his nap and started to cry. 'Oh, David, I have to run and get him,' she said, as she started moving in the direction of the baby's room. 'But did you want to stay for dinner?'

'No, thanks for the offer, Terri, but I can't. I gotta get going... the cab is waiting for me. Listen,' he called out as she slipped around the corner, 'I hope Wally gets better real soon. I'm gonna go now.'

'Okay, goodbye... thank you for dropping off the groceries!'

He jogged over to the cab, got in and asked the driver to take him to the video store.

While sitting in the cab, David thought about it... eating dinner with Terri... a meal she cooked... in her own home... while Maddie was at home... sick in bed. It all didn't feel right to him. It all felt too intimate... too much like cheating, only not. He just knew if things were the other way around, he wouldn't like it if Maddie was having dinner with a male friend who at one time expressed an interest in her. Nope, he wouldn't like that at all.

8:30 p.m.

David walked into his apartment with his hands full. One of the two video tapes he was carrying fell from under his arm and landed smack on the floor. 'Damn it! If that Rambo tape broke...' He flew into the kitchen to place his bags on the counter before coming back to pick it up. 'Good thing they put 'em in these plastic boxes,' he muttered to himself.

A few minutes after settling in, he decided to call and find out how Maddie was doing. He stretched out on his bed, and dialed her number. She picked it up on the first ring.

'Hello David.' She sounded congested.

'Oh, Maddie, you sound miserable.'

'I'm okay,' she sniffled. 'How are you feeling? You could come down with this, too, you know... we were pretty close the last few days.'

'I know, and I do remember those days... and nights… very well, I might add, but so far, so good... no cold symptoms here.'

'That's good. What did you do tonight?'

'I stopped by to see Terri.'

'Oh?'

'The baby's sick. Walter's out of town. She asked if I could do her a favor and pick up a few groceries for her, so I did that, and I just got back.'

'Did you eat dinner with her?' There was the slightest tinge of jealousy in her voice. Or maybe there wasn't. He couldn't tell.

'No, she offered, but I said, no.'

They were both silent after that; the tone of the conversation had become strangely uncomfortable. Should he have not told her he saw Terri? What if he hadn't told her, but then she found out from Terri herself? Here he thought he was doing the right thing, but now he wasn't so sure.

'Maddie... are you upset that I helped Terri out tonight?'

'No, no... I think what you did was very nice.' He couldn't read her. Did she mean that, or was she being flippant? Oh, why did this conversation have to take place over the phone?

'Are you sure about that? 'Cause I don't wanna be surprised tomorrow. If you're mad, then let's get that out in the open now. I don't wanna be hit with the cold shoulder in the morning, so if you're at all upset by the fact that I spoke with Terri for five minutes on her doorstep, please... for heaven's sake, Maddie, tell me now!'

The Earth shook, and the avalanche fell. As the snow settled, there was quiet across the land. Then Maddie spoke.

'Well… David… now that you bring it up… yes, when you mention Terri's name, sure… there's this teeny little part of me that feels… I don't know. I wouldn't call it jealousy. I mean, Terri'd have to have something I want in order for me to feel jealous, right, and she doesn't.' She threw his own words from long ago right back at him. 'No, it's more like my ears prick up when I hear you say her name. Like a heightened awareness or something… if that makes any sense. I'm sure you'd feel the same if you heard me mention Sam. But no, I am not upset with you for doing a nice thing for Terri, and I'm glad that you cared enough to tell me. I'd rather you tell me than not tell me.'

'Maddie, I'm sorry I raised my voice...'

She suddenly had a bad coughing fit. 'David, I may need to go get a glass of water.'

'Are you okay? Did you eat dinner? Do you need anything?'

'I did... I had soup.' She continued to cough. 'David, I really need to go. I'm just... going to take some cough medicine, and get into bed.'

'Okay, go ahead... feel better... I'll call you in the morning. Try to have a good night.' She'd hung up before he'd even gotten the words out. He felt so bad for her. If there was anything he could've done to make her feel better, he would've done it in a heartbeat.

Thursday, January 5, 1989

4:15 a.m.

Even funnyman Chevy Chase wasn't funny enough in Funny Farm to keep David from falling fast asleep about halfway through the movie. There on his bed, propped up on his pillows, David slept soundly with a bowl of popcorn on his lap. He'd left an empty beer bottle on the nightstand, and one on the floor, along with an open bag of sourdough pretzels twists. The clothes he wore that day were carelessly strewn about the room. His boxers were the only article of clothing he had left on. And his snoring, quite frankly, was loud and obnoxious.

If a stranger scaling the fire escape managed to pass by and take a peek inside his third story window, there was no way he would ever believe that the sleeping man inside - David Addison, Jr. - was the only man in the entire world who held the key to the heart of the beautiful and refined, Blue Moon Shampoo Girl. But he did, and that was the truth. The only problem was, he sometimes had a difficult time turning the key.

After a few hours of restful sleep, David started to toss and turn. Suddenly, he sat up straight as a board, throwing his blankets back and knocking the bowl of popcorn to the floor. He wiped the sweat off his brow and he squinted to see out his bedroom window. It was still dark outside and the street lights were on. His heart was racing a mile a minute. He'd had a bad dream.

In his dream…

It was a bright sunny morning. He was running late to work, but there was nothing out of the ordinary about that. He looked terrific. He felt good. He had a song in his heart and a spring in his step. In other words, it was a typical morning… just like the morning before, and the morning before that.

Agnes Dipesto welcomed him with a big smile and a warm greeting, 'Good morning, Mr. Addison! Can I get you anything before you and Ms. Hayes have your meeting with Ms. Corley? A cup of coffee or perhaps a donut in every port?'

Did she just say, 'a donut in every port'?

He knocked on the side of his head to dislodge anything that could be affecting his hearing. 'Wha... wha... what did you say, Agnes? I thought I heard you say... a meeting with a Ms. Corley. This wouldn't by any chance be a Rita Corley, would it?

Before Agnes could answer him, Maddie opened up her office door. She looked hot… professional, yes, but oh-so-hot… ready for work, but drop-dead gorgeous at the same time. She was impeccably dressed in a cream-colored suit jacket and skirt, but the first few buttons on her blouse were undone, and the slit in her skirt... well, it was high enough to get a rise out of him. He thought she looked sexy as hell... but wait! Agnes said something about a Ms. Corley. He started to panic!

'David, I'm glad you're here. You made it just in time for our ten o'clock client meeting.'

He was sweating profusely and he felt like he could toss his cookies at any moment. She looked at him as though she thought he might be ill. 'David, are you okay? You don't look well.' She walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. 'Do you need a minute? I can speak with the client alone if you need to go sit down.'

'No, no, no... I'm fine.' He let out a nervous chuckle. 'Just had me some bad eggs this morning, that's all.' He rolled his eyes.

It was then that he heard it... a familiar female voice. 'David, hi... it's good to see you again.'

That was it; the dream ended. Just like that, it was over. Normally he didn't remember his dreams too vividly, but this one... this one etched itself into his gray matter. He couldn't forget it if he wanted to, and boy, did he want to.

David tried hard to fall back asleep, but he couldn't stop twisting and turning in his bed. He tried pulling the shutters closed to block out the early morning light... tried playing a little soft jazz on the radio, but no matter what he did, nothing worked to relax him.

His mind wouldn't stop racing with images and memories of the evening he'd spent with Rita. He remembered that night like it was yesterday. He'd been sick and tired of waiting for Maddie to figure out if she wanted him or not. He'd told himself he was a man, God damn it! An attractive, sexy, desirable man! Any woman in her right mind would be happy to have a virile man like him.

And he remembered exactly how he felt when he first laid eyes on Rita… like fucking this woman would liberate him… rid him of all his frustrations. It wasn't pleasure he'd been after that night. No, it was some sort of sweet revenge against Maddie Hayes for hurting him. But the cost of sweet revenge is high, and the shame he felt immediately afterwards cut deep and it pained him.

Then he thought back to just a few short days ago, when out of the blue, he'd gotten a call from Rita. Help me find my friend, she'd said. She had remembered that he was a private investigator. She had gone through his wallet and knew his name. She tracked him down.

He completely ruined his New Year's Eve plans with Maddie so that he could help this woman, and he didn't tell Maddie a thing about it. Trust me, he'd said to her, and to his surprise, she actually did! It was great that she trusted him, but it was his guilt about sleeping with Rita that had made him ask for her blind trust in the first place. And now... looking back, he didn't think that was the right thing to do.

He needed to be honest with Maddie... first thing in the morning. Even if it hurt her, he needed to tell her the truth. He pressed his head back against the pillows. If only he could fall back to sleep, just close his eyes and not think about anything until sun-up. But that was probably wishful thinking, he supposed.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Please kindly leave a review. Thank you!