Houston just sat on the sofa for several minutes, his eyes locked on the photograph of him and CJ, his mind flooding with memories of the many good times they had shared. The Thanksgiving when Houston had decided to barbecue the turkey for a change…after it had all gone horribly wrong CJ had calmly walked to the trunk of her jeep and proceeded to pull out a large fully cooked turkey and several trays of trimmings, she had grinned as she started to ferry the food inside and told him. "Christmas Dinner this year…?! My place… it's safer!"

Then there had been the year he had been recuperating from one of his many injuries…he had told Chris not to worry, he would just send friends and family vouchers for presents. Somehow, in the middle of her own mad schedule, CJ had not only done all of her own shopping, but had bought presents for all of the people on his list to…and wrapped them…though she had drawn the line at delivering them she had agreed to chauffeur him around until his own driver was available, something Houston regretted as during one visit he had introduced her to an old football friend, and before he knew it Carl and CJ had been hot and heavy together! Sure she and Houston had spent Christmas Day together, but she had taken several calls from Carl during the day, and had gone to dinner with him the next night, and the next…Houston had done what he always did, reached for his little black book and called on some old flames…their names escaped him as he relived that year.

He began to smile as more happy memories crowded in. Holidays together, working together as they built the company…working together on investigations…working together into the early hours of morning then picnics on the patio, usually pizza and beer! Mind you, when CJ decided to cook for him, like anything she put her mind to, the meals were excellent…the company better . Then there were the many nights out, and the holidays…she was one of the few people who could out shoot, out ride…and out last him!

"And yet, like the big jerk you are, you let her go! Man…thought you were smarter than that!"

Houston blinked several times then looked to doorway, shocked to see Too Mean Malone stood there, shaking his head as he pointed at Houston and told him. "You're a fool, not just for the last few months…though we seriously have to sort this mess out, but man…you and CJ? A blind man can see you should be together…hell I even picked out the suit and tie I was gonna wear to your wedding!"

"My, my wedding?" Houston stammered. "So you know I nearly married Elizabeth?"

"Elizabeth! Ha!" Too Mean walked over and sat opposite Houston. "I meant you and CJ! You two…you belong together, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers…Lombard and Gable…Mickey and Minnie!"

"Mickey and Minnie?" Houstons lip twitched a fraction

"You saying Mickey and Minnie don't belong together?" Too Mean scowled at him. Nodding as Houston quickly shook his head. "Good! Now you and this Elizabeth woman…no man, I mean NO! She had no back bone, no fire, no…joy! Now my CJ, she has joy…she sees the good in people, in situations…knows how to make them …happy! She loves to laugh, to giggle and it's infectious ya know…even worked on me! Ahhh, and that smile…wowzer! Houston, did ya ever see ole Frizz features smile let alone laugh…? And did you ever see her show any kindness to anyone else…?"

"She was…shy!" Houston cut in

"She was selfish!" Too Mean quickly replied. "Selfish, clingy and needy. And you with your hero complex, took the bait…fell for it hook line and sinker…wouldn't listen to the warnings of your Uncle, or your friends…or CJ. And if you HAD listened to her, maybe you would have heard something more important than anything else you have heard before. But no, you had to go all head strong and stubborn…bragging about a whirlwind romance proving that true love just happens in the blink of an eye…"

"Well it did!" again Houston cut in

"Pure lust is what hit you, ya jerk! Then you had to look after this delicate rose…made you feel like a man, like her protector, her rock…and isn't that the definition of a husband in your book? So quick as a flash you have to marry her…and when she left…was it your heart she bloke…or your pride? Your ideals of what married life would be like wrecked so did that leave you confused? And now you feel so sorry for yourself…like a failure cos you didn't the text book marriage…cos you got jilted! But you're not just making yourself suffer…oh no…the mighty Houston is making everyone else suffer to. Jerk!"

Houstons eyebrows shot up." 'Scuse me?!"

"No, I won't excuse you, ya big dummy! " Too Mean bent forward and added, "you're like a spoilt child right now, lashing out in anger, hurtin' all the people that love him, all the friends that care"

"If they loved me, or cared about me…they'd understand what I'm going through right now and stand by…not threaten to quit cos they have to do a bit of covering for me, not walk away from me cos I didn't go to some kids concert…and not up and walk out cos I jokingly made a pass! If they cared, they'd stand by me…they'd help me!"

Too Mean shook his head, then looked skyward, a look of expectation on his face, before grunting and telling Houston. "Powers that be won't let me slap you…but man do you deserve it! It's six months since Frizzly Adams walked out on you…six months! During which time you have taken yourself off on eight holidays, gone off on your yacht for days at a time, walked out on three big meetings and ignored numerous requests to talk business with old friends! CJ and Chris, meanwhile, have made up so many excuses they now refer to them in numerical order for future reference so that they can remember which line they have pulled with which person…they have both worked through the night several times to make sure business commitments were met on time, have re-done several of your mistakes even taking the blame themselves…they have smoothed over ruffled feathers and smoothed over more offended egos, and have done everything they can to protect you and your reputation when you have been hell bent on drinking the city of LA dry and working your way through the female population! You really think they don't care?"

Houston stared silently back

Suddenly Too Mean jumped to his feet and reached out to grab Houston. "Fine! Then let me show you"

And with that Houston felt the ground drop out from under him