My update took a little longer this time, but thanks for hanging in there. There've been rainstorms around here and internet has been down. All should be well (and dry, fingers crossed) now!

Kirsten watched as her secretary left for the day and with her went Kirsten's last buffer between herself and Carter. No more excuses. It was time for this talk and she wanted to finish before Sandy arrived. Shoulders squared and her mind set, Kirsten started towards Carter's office.

Kirsten made it as far as opening her door before she bumped, literally, into Carter.

"Whoa there," he chuckled, grabbing her shoulders to steady her. It looked to Kirsten as if he was the one who needed a steadying hand. "Where are you going looking so determined?"

Kirsten flinched slightly at the alcohol she could smell on his breath. She knew he enjoyed drinking but wasn't aware he did so at work. Kirsten chose to leave that subject for another day in lieu of dealing with their current problem.

"Actually, I was going to see you. Can we talk?" Kirsten motioned to the sofa.

"Sure," shrugged Carter. "What's up?"

Kirsten, choosing to remain standing, got straight to the point. There was no point to tip-toeing around the issue anymore.

"Carter, I've been getting some…vibes from you that make me think that you think that our friendship is more than a friendship. I mean, you want more than just a professional relationship…." Kirsten let that last sentence go, took a deep breath, and asked, "do you have romantic feelings for me Carter?"

Carter looked down at the floor and nodded his head in understanding. "So that's what this is about." He looked up to meet Kirsten's gaze. "Yes. Yes, I do have feelings for you. All of which could be construed as romantic."

"Oh." Carter watched Kirsten's face fall.

"Not exactly what you wanted to hear, I'm guessing."

"It's just that this makes our situation a little difficult."

"Right," Carter began, "you being married and all complicates things."

Kirsten shot him a look. "No, my being married should make our situation perfectly clear. I'm not interested. I was talking about work, the magazine. I would never do anything to hurt Sandy, and you should know that."

Carter stood up as Kirsten's tone became more defensive. "Calm down, okay. I'm not trying to start anything here."

"Everything alright here?"

Kirsten looked up to see Sandy walking through her office door. She had to remember to thank him later for his perfect timing.

"We're just great, Sandy." Carter moved to stand next to Kirsten. "Trying to have a private conversation, in fact."

"Carter," Kirsten warned, not liking his tone or his obviously rising anger. "I think our conversation is over--"

Carter put his hand up to stop Kirsten.

"No, I think things are just starting to get interesting here."

"Please, Carter." Kirsten kept her voice as calm as she could. "You've had a little too much to drink and now is not the time to lose your temper."

Carter turned on Kirsten and stepped towards her, causing her to take a few steps back. "I don't need to be lectured, Kirsten. I just want to finish talking to you."

Sandy did not like where this was going.