When Paris came the day after Connie was, needless to say, in a state of desperation. She couldn't look at Ric, what obviously drew his attention to her further something what right now was the last thing she wanted. He must have known something was up; she usually craved his attention that was another of their games, her seeking his attention. She sat down and fiddled with her glasses, cleaning the lenses with the soft piece of material she kept with them, feeling a motion of someone sitting beside her she turned and looked at the man by her side, it not being the one she thought it would be she was somewhat taken aback.

"Connie... What's wrong?" He was concerned, she could tell in his voice that he was.
"Elliot, I don't know what's got into me... Yesterday morning it just it hit me... I'm loosing my control, the one thing I strive on and... I'm loosing it. Without that control I'll not even stand a hope in hell of this job... I wouldn't have entrusted Sam with Grace for two weeks if it meant so little to me, but with no control over things I'll just fall..." She was deep, meaningful and he knew that this wasn't the Connie he'd befriended those 2 years ago. He linked his arm with hers and took her for a walk around the duty free. "You haven't lost control Connie, you have, correct me if I'm wrong, fallen in love haven't you?"
She guiltily looked up at him, then laughed softly "How the hell did you figure that one out Mr Hope?"
"Ahhh so you aren't denying it then? The wondrous, supposedly heartless Connie Beauchamp has got herself a love life..." she turned and looked at him, if only looks could kill, "Joke Connie... I'm happy for you... and whoever Mr Connie is. Believe me, I like my head where it is too much to ask"
She laughed softly, "Then, Mr Hope, I shan't tell you... hell, I don't even know myself what's going on. Hence the loss of control..."
"Connie, a word of advice, you should follow your heart. Believe me, the first time I listened to my heart I got Gina, god bless her, if I'd had listened to my head I'd never have gone over there and introduced myself thinking I was no good for her. But look Connie, I got married to her, had two beautiful children with her... Go for it because if you don't I know you will hate yourself."
"Elliot, I think you know me too well." She laughed softly again. "But I think you're right... I think that I'll follow my heart not my head. Do you realise how... how stupid all this sounds in my head Elliot? This whole idea, I swore to myself that after Michael happened I wouldn't do it again. But I have and I just hope that it doesn't end the same way... diabolically."
"You've been a good friend to me the past few years, so I'll give you some much needed words of my wisdom. Whoever he is would be stupid not to want you ok Connie, now you aren't my type- bit young and besides, you're my best friend but in the perspective of a man he would be stupid, very stupid." That's when she gave him a gentle smile joined shortly by a soft laugh.
"Sometimes Elliot I do wonder what I'd do without you..."

As they both laughed and continued browsing the duty free Connie realised that now the ball was in the other court, she knew what she was going to do but how Ric responded to her confession was a different game entirely, he could throw the ball right back at her, tell her were to go or he could keep it with him until he decided it was a right moment to return the gesture. She just hoped the latter tactic was the one he chose to play.