Chapter 10

Grace

Fortune befriends the bold

~ Emily Dickinson

Location: Kim's home, later that day.

Kimberly sat beside her son on the patio as she guided him through his math homework.

" Yes, that's right." She motioned as Andrew traded 'hundreds' for 'tens', then 'tens' for 'ones.' The little boy was every bit his father's child. Andrew quickly scribbled the correct answer, grinning triumphantly as Kimberly patted his back with approval.

The doorbell rang once more, interrupting them.

"Finish this problem while I check whose at the door." Kimberly instructed as she breezed through the house to answer before the visitor disrupted Jeannie's nap. A morning filled with cheesecake, a quick trip to mommy's work, and play at the nearby park with her cousin had worn the little girl out!

Throwing open the door, Phillip stood hiding behind a bouquet of coral colored Carmine roses. Unveiling his face,

"A rose, for my rose?"

When Kimberly's perplexed and unimpressed expression did not yield the desired results, Phillip cleared his throat and asked sheepishly.

"May I come in?"

Her face softened slightly and she waved him in,

"Sure."

Kimberly pointed upstairs, signaling Phillip to keep their voices low as Andrew ran through the house.

"All done, mummy!" He announced breathlessly. "May I go play with James?"

And turning his head,

"Hi, Phillip!"

Phillip greeted the boy with a high-five.

"Shhh, Andrew!" Kimberly admonished. "And yes, but be home by six."

The couple were left alone after the boy sprinted past the two, an uncomfortable silence drifted inside the home. Phillip still held the bouquet of roses.

"Thank you." Kimberly hesitantly offered and took the peace offering into the kitchen, so she could arrange them in a vase. Phillip followed behind.

"About last night…" He began.

Kimberly stood by the sink, her back to him, methodically snipping the ends off the stems, placing each rose into the vase one by one. The tension was palpable.

"Look, sometimes I don't know what to do when I am around you."

Kimberly abandoned her task detecting confusion in his voice.

"I don't understand." She replied skeptically as she surveyed the anxiety written across Phillip's face.

"I simply want to be with you." He explained eagerly. It was hard to resist him when Phillip's expression conveyed an air of innocence. His piercing blue eyes twinkled and begged Kim for another chance. Lowering her eyes,

"I know this isn't easy for you." She offered softly. Her eyes flittered around the room making Phillip's heart race. In a strange way, Kim's inability to be with him only elevated his desire for her. It induced a primal need in Phillip. He tempered his emotions and remained focused on getting back into Kim's good graces. She remained beside the sink resuming her chore waiting for him to make the next move.

"Why me?" Kimberly wanted to know, but instead after several minutes of silence, she offered,

"Perhaps, you would be happier with someone who could give…"

Horrified, Phillip's eyes widened.

"You give me everything!" He scoffed, gesturing towards Kim. "Look at you? You're a knockout!"

"Phillip, please!" Kimberly scolded rolling her eyes while brushing off his comment. There was something in the way he catalogued her physical traits that reminded Kim of "the business." The producer looked puzzled by her discomfort and stepped closer.

"Kimmie…" He cajoled.

Kimberly held her hand up in protest.

"Don't do that." She requested firmly.

The gesture threw Phillip off his game. He gritted his teeth discreetly to mask his displeasure.

"What?" He asked evenly.

"That!" Kimberly waved her hand dismissively. She picked the vase of perfectly arranged roses and walked over towards the family room. The click of her heels against the stone tile and then the hardwoods punctuated her mood. He eyed her as a lion ready to devour its prey.

"And I haven't given you everything!" Kimberly corrected him over her shoulder.

Whirling around to face him directly from a safe distance across the room, Kimberly addressed the issue.

"Obviously I'm not perfect, Phillip."

"I know that." He replied softly, but behind his glassy blue eyes, resentment boiled to the surface.

"Believe me! If you only knew how many women are ready to get a piece… but you?"

Ever the professional, Phillip smiled compassionately.

"What can I do to help, babe?"

The words flowed perfectly from the producer's lips in the same way he behaved when wooing a fussy actor. It was critical Phillip ease her discomfort. Kimberly softened slightly reading his expression for any clues. Pressing her lips tightly together, Kimberly's eyes fluttered as she mustered the courage to express her feelings. Swallowing hard, she lifted her chin defiantly and looked her fiancé straight in the eye,

"Then don't call me Kimmie."

Her voice was firm, yet kind, displaying a beautiful blend of authority and respect. Impressed, Phillip smiled genuinely for the first time since arriving at Kim's home. Raising her eyebrow, Kim's blue-green eyes seared Phillip's ego. That first step felt good, bolstering the lady's confidence.

"Ever."

Her stance revealed that the topic wasn't up for discussion or debate. Phillip nodded affirmatively.

"Yes, ma'am."

Phillip's sincere response to her request melted Kim's resolve. Gingerly she stepped closer to him, so Phillip pulled her in for a kiss, planting a soft one on her forehead. Allowing Kimberly to rest her head against him, carefully she let Phillip hold her. After several minutes of silence,

"I have an idea!"

"What's that?" Kimberly replied pensively.

"How about…" He began dramatically. "We take a little trip?"

Kimberly leaned back, turning her head slightly, questioning his motive. Phillip clasped her hand coaxing her to the couch.

"I think we've been trying too hard …" He paused to see if Kimberly was following his line of thought and then directed his attention towards the fireplace as he continued.

"I think you need a little TLC,"

Taking both her hands into his for effect, " some romance!"

Phillip grew excited as he spun together his latest idea.

"Oh Phillip!" Kimberly cautioned.

"Let me take you to Napa." His eyes were bright. "I have a buddy…" His voice trailed off seeing the anxiety color Kim's face. Taking her hand and lifting it to his lips,

"No strings attached."

Kimberly, who desperately wanted to believe him, smiled hopefully.

"No strings attached?"

He nodded his head reassuringly, so reluctantly Kimberly agreed.

Phillip smiled victoriously, leaping off the couch. Jeannie meandered into the room, still groggy from her afternoon nap. Kimberly scooped her into her arms.

Phillip headed towards the refrigerator and noticed the bright pink box as he snatched a water bottle from the door. He started to peek at its contents.

"What's this?"

Kimberly strolled over smiling as she smacked his hand away,

"I treated myself." She explained. "Besides, no treats before dinner!"

Jeannie excitedly reached towards the refrigerator.

"Da.."

"Will be calling you tomorrow, sweetheart." Kimberly interrupted smoothly handing her daughter a bag of goldfish and turned her attention towards Phillip.

"Now tell me, when exactly do you want to go to Napa?"

The diversion worked perfectly as her fiancé's eyes sparkled at Kim's inquiry. Phillip set his beverage on the countertop. Gesturing theatrically with one hand as he placed his other on Kim's back, he guided her through their itinerary for the romantic getaway the following weekend. Studying his eyes as he spoke, Kimberly remembered why she was attracted to Phillip in the first place. Collier was the consummate entertainer, always thriving when the center of attention. His ability to monopolize attention towards him relieved Kimberly of the pressure to perform. Ironically, the opposite was the case when they were alone.

"How does that sound, babe" He asked cheerfully, interrupting her musings.

Realizing she had not heard a word her fiancé said, Kimberly smiled compassionately as she surveyed his hopeful face.

"He was trying so hard!" She thought.

Blinking away the turmoil that simmered deep within her heart, Kimberly stroked his cheek and replied politely,

"That sounds lovely."

Phillip hung around for dinner, playing Candy Land with Jeannie as Kimberly prepared the meal. A pleasant mood filled the home. Sitting around the table, Andrew and Phillip traded silly jokes in between bites of pasta as Jeannie played with the food. Kimberly heaved a sigh of relief. Her contented expression encouraged Phillip, who winked affectionately at Kim from across the table. Life was beginning to feel normal for the first time in a very long time!

Later that night, after tucking the children in their beds, Kimberly ventured downstairs. The house was quiet, and dimly lit allowing shadows to whisper doubts into her aching heart. Alone, Kimberly pressed the button on her stereo. As the smooth, sultry voice of Sinatra filled the downstairs with songs of woe, Kimberly pulled out her secret dessert, enjoying another piece of cheesecake. In the depths of her heart, Kimberly contemplated whether she should call him.

Location: A few weeks later, Kim's home.

The few weeks following Phillip's conciliatory visit at Kim's were happy ones for the couple. Andrew's soccer team advanced to the playoffs and Phillip made important strides with his latest movie project- a historical drama set in Nazi Germany. Filming set to begin shortly after Thanksgiving, the producer spent numerous hours with his casting director and prospective actors and actresses auditioning for the available roles. This allowed Kimberly to continue with her goals in therapy and work at the Child Abuse Clinic. On the surface, the couple appeared to be growing closer, the next logical step in their relationship resuming with their upcoming weekend trip. The prospect produced a mixture of feelings for Kimberly, who continued to struggle with anxiety at Phillip's expectations in the bedroom. To make matters worse, Kimberly was acutely aware of the overtly flirtatious nature of the actresses, directed at her fiancé. This type thought nothing of exploiting the rather risqué preferences of certain men; traits that Mr. Collier clearly enjoyed once when being seduced by one of Kimberly's alters.

However, Phillip's idea of a romantic getaway to Napa failed miserably when on the first day; the movie producer was stung repeatedly by a swarm of bees as they biked down one of the serpentine paths that dotted the luscious mountain landscape. Kimberly tended to him best she could, attempting to snuggle up next to him that first night. Unfortunately for Phillip, the Benedrayl kept him lethargic and the stings itched ferociously after the initial event. Irritable, he encouraged her to explore the valley on her own the next morning. So she did, touring the various wineries, indulging in some shopping, and reading by the fire in the evenings after Phillip drifted to sleep. They returned home without rekindling the spark in their comfortable relationship, but with a nice sampling of the year's best Chardonnay and Cabernet.

"Well, they'll be more trips." Amanda chirped casually as she pulled a dish out of the cabinet.

It was the day before Thanksgiving, and the slender brunette lent her support in the kitchen as the two women began preparations for the upcoming meal. Kimberly whirled around shooting her friend a disapproving eye. Whisk in hand, she admonished,

"You're not helping!"

Not deterred.

"It's not your fault he's allergic to bees!" Amanda replied defensively keeping her tone even. She swept her thick wavy hair into a clip, barely able to stifle a laugh at Phillip's expense.

Having turned her attention back towards the baking, Kimberly perceived the observation a serious one.

"I know, but Amanda, he was so disappointed with how our trip turned out."

"I'll bet." Amanda groused silently as she began chopping celery for the stuffing.

Noting how Kimberly emphasized 'he,' and not 'we,' Amanda smiled sympathetically at her friend. Despite the length of time they had been friends, Kimberly never discussed details pertaining to conflict in her intimate relationships. Information usually filtered out from different sources, neither Shane nor Kim participating in commentary about the other. Obviously both Peter and Amanda were aware of the circumstances surrounding their friends' divorce, but once Kimberly returned to Salem shortly after Jeannie's birth, the LA couple was virtually closed off from information regarding their status. When Kimberly returned back to LA at Peter's request, the change in their friend was palpable. The luster in her eyes had completely vanished, Kimberly a shell of her former self. Mentioning Shane's name induced a look of unbearable pain from her friend, so Amanda refrained from prodding, only learning that an affair had taken place between Shane and one of Kim's oldest friends. Inquiring about the events to Kayla later when she arrived, proved futile so the therapist's wife sensed the circumstances occurring in Salem were pretty ugly. A fierce instinct to clock the Brit simmered under the surface, until Amanda saw him at Jeannie's birthday party. His eyes betrayed an intense melancholy that resided in his soul-its source painfully apparent. Making the conflict worse, the Stricklands felt helpless watching the hastily assembled relationship Kimberly pieced together with the persistent movie producer. Kimberly's resulting behavior alarmed them. Therefore the couple was shocked to see Phillip and Kimberly return to LA together given the information Kayla relayed to them regarding Kimberly's MPD. Peter, Amanda's husband and Kim's boss, insisted his well-meaning wife leave it alone. Shane and Kimberly were insanely complicated and prying into their affairs would only make things worse.

"Darling," Dr. Peter Strickland instructed, his voice deep and soothing. " Kimberly's been through quite an ordeal in the past two years…actually longer."

Amanda hated it when her husband resorted to logic. Her husband's scholarly recitation on psychological issues was endearing when not aimed at them or those close to them. Then, it was simply irritating, precisely because he was usually right.

"Once Kim feels safe in her environment, the dust settles… you watch, she'll do the right thing."

Amanda bit her lip and picked up her wine glass,

"Well, all wasn't lost!" She toasted light-heartedly to Kimberly, her green eyes sparkling.

"This Cabernet is divine!"

Kimberly returned the toast, their glasses clinking together, grateful for a friend who would not lecture her about Phillip. As if needing another reason for strain in a relationship, Kayla's obvious displeasure with the producer made it difficult acquiring firm footing to move past the betrayal with Shane. Kimberly believed her sister was motivated by a desire to see reconciliation, instead of recognizing personality flaws in Phillip. While both issues motivated Kayla, avoiding the latter gave Kimberly more time to deny the glaring problems she had with the movie producer, which masked a more sinister issue, yet to be uncovered. When Phillip insisted on hosting Thanksgiving dinner at his Malibu home, Kayla took the cue and hastily arranged an impromptu visit back to Salem.

The evening hours hurried by as the two women engaged in lively conversation, their children happily playing upstairs. Kimberly loved when the two gathered together outside of work. Amanda had a way of breathing life into the dullest of tasks and Kim's facial muscles often hurt from laughing so much after spending any length of time with her! Her friend had a mischievous streak that reminded Kim so much of her sister-in-law, Hope. And Kimberly missed Hope terribly since her tragic death three years earlier.

"So I told Peter that my behavior is the least of his worries." Amanda was explaining jokingly when the doorbell rang. Laughing, Kimberly replied:

"You're terrible!"

She finished wiping down the stove while her friend answered the door. Flinging open the door, Amanda ushered the weary spy and his partner inside.

"What is all the ruckus?" Shane exclaimed giving her a hearty hug. The spy was grateful to be in a real home again, and not in some stifling hotel room.

"We could hear the merriment from the driveway!" Peachy chimed in.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Amanda exclaimed, welcoming the two inside, before answering,

"I'm corrupting the mother of your children, that's all!" She retorted shrugging her shoulders.

Shane's eyes quickly searched for the object of his interest abandoning the conversation with his old friend.

"Nah, I don't think it's possible." Shane muttered affectionately before catching himself. He cleared his throat.

Kimberly rounded the corner from the dining room still arranging the loose strands of hair that escaped the confines of her clasp. Her apron loosely tied around her red dress, Kimberly stopped short at the sight of her ex. Her heart caught inside her chest, seeing the dashing spy standing in her foyer, dressed in black slacks and a grey buttoned down shirt.

"Shane." Kimberly greeted him timidly.

"Kimberly." He replied politely, his lips accentuating her name with such affection that his accent sounded thicker than usual.

In the month since the cheesecake arrived, conversing over the phone provided Shane and Kimberly with a safe buffer to shield them from their fears and the outside world. Their lives entrenched in the depths of heavy reality; the two began to crave the daily ritual of calls to or from the children. Uninhibited the two flirted shamelessly over the line, the banter often light, dripping with subtext as they discussed certain books, or the usual mundane daily experiences.

"Oh you're incorrigible, Shane Donovan!" Kimberly's laughter rippled over the line.

"It was that or take a plunge in the Rhone River." He retorted dryly.

"Oh, you're so amusing Capt'n." Kimberly remarked sarcastically.

"And crippled, don't forget crippled at the moment." Shane quipped as he sat with his knee propped up on an ottoman- an ice pack applied to the area.

"So let me get this straight: the deal is to avoid getting hit by moving objects, but oh, I don't know, hurling oneself out of a moving vehicle is completely within the perimeters of this bet?"

Pause.

"Yes, but only in my case…double standard you know." He teased, knowing it would rile her up.

Kimberly could clearly see Shane's cocky little grin displaying his dimples prominently across his face despite a continent and ocean separating them. And just when Shane thought he'd rendered her speechless, Kimberly sighed,

"Very well. Fair is fair."

A dramatic pause, before adding

"From now on, I'll refer to you as Gimpy Donovan."

Shane nearly spit out his tea.

"Oh my! That's positively dreadful!" Shane howled over the line. "You win!"

Now face-to-face, the results of their little tete-a-tetes created a magnetic energy filling the room.

Instinctively Kimberly rushed forward welcoming him into her home. The spy's stoic stance dissipated as he embraced her tightly, breathing in Kim's aroma. The other two women observing noticed the way the two lingered briefly in their "polite hug" before releasing. Kimberly whirled around to address Peachy while Amanda, who was awestruck by the scene, gathered her brood and quickly hurried home across the street.

Later in the evening…

Settling the children proved extremely difficult given the late hour and all the excitement swirling inside Kim's house. After completing bedtime baths, Kimberly joined Peachy downstairs for some tea allowing Shane time to get reacquainted with his children. When he emerged, Peachy had already retired for the evening, leaving the two alone again. Only this time, both Shane and Kimberly felt an air of indulgence at the prospect of sharing a cup of tea by the fire together. Holding firm to familiar patterns, the two steered the conversation towards the children keeping both a veil of physical and emotional distance between one another. Their delicate dance didn't last long when the kettle's whistle announced the water was ready.

"You look tired, Captain." Kimberly observed as they retreated towards the sofa.

Shane cupped his hands, rubbing his face with them.

"Yes, exhausted actually."

Shane explained what little he could, his whereabouts from the past month. The case taking him all over Europe, the spy ended the trip by coming to LA for the upcoming holiday. Kimberly demurely sat next to him, pouring the tea for the two, unaware that the spy studied her every move. A faint smile appeared across Shane's face. Kimberly smiled back, handing him his cup and saucer and anticipated his next cue. Feeling a little mischievous, Kimberly cut her eyes towards his leg. Catching her line of vision, Shane exclaimed,

"Oh no, you don't!"

As Kimberly slowly mouthed,

"Gim…py!"

The exchange produced rolls of laughter from them both, Kimberly almost spilling the tea. Shane lunged forward, grabbing her arm to steady the hot liquid.

"Shhhhh!" Kimberly instructed swatting his hands. "We'll wake the children."

The laughter died down leaving a queer air of silence. Shane's fingers rested against Kim's smooth delicate fingers. Clearing his throat, Shane gazed at the darken fireplace.

"Is it too warm for a fire?" Shane gestured innocently.

"Depends on whose standards you're using." Kimberly replied with a lilt in her voice.

"If you wait for a cold, snowy evening in LA, you'll never use it." She added with a wink.

Shane accepted the invitation and within minutes a slow steady flame illuminated the room. He remained by the hearth, gently stoking the fire.

"How's your work at the clinic going?" He asked carefully.

According to Peter, she was doing extremely well, but Shane was curious to hear Kim's perspective. It was a topic she barely broached over the phone, yet he sensed something was simmering behind those intense blue-green eyes. And the spy would rather talk about Kim's work with abused children than her relationship with Phillip at the moment. She studied her ex for a moment, his warm, inviting expression coaxing her to confess. Shane listened attentively letting her talk aimlessly about various children she evaluated, how she balanced their children with the work, and vaguely referenced some things improving during her therapy. The whole experience cathartic, Kimberly crept close to the fire. Finding a comfortable spot on the oval shaped area rug that Shane sat on, she let her hands bathe against the light and the warmth it provided. The crackling fire created a shadow that covered her face, and Kim began to drift far away from him.

"The children are lucky to have you." Shane remarked compassionately trying to reach her once more. Kimberly didn't look up as she gingerly spread her dress to cover her shapely legs.

"Oh, uh…our children?"

Kimberly blinked twice attempting to gaze into Shane's deep brown eyes.

"Both." He replied boldly.

The depth of sincerity in his voice made Kimberly blush. Shrinking back slightly, she pulled her legs under the protective veil of her dress skirt and propped her hand against the floor for support.

"Oh, I don't know…" Her voice trailed off. When Shane saw Kim's eyes glisten with tears, he leaned closer, setting his hand tenderly on top of hers.

"Kimberly, what is it?"

Turning her face to the left, she stared into the fire, hypnotized by its beauty and encouraged to forge on with her thoughts by the strength emanating from Shane's voice.

"There was this girl," She began.

"Well, she's a young woman now, but she was there when I first came out here."

"Yes."

Kimberly manipulated the hem of her dress with her free hand as she spoke.

"She asked me…" And Kim's voice choked up.

"What Kim?" He implored, the weight of her sorrow piercing his heart. Shane inched closer to where Kim was sitting. It took several minutes for her to speak.

Finally,

"It doesn't matter, cuz see I didn't have the answer." She confessed meekly.

The burden hung desperately across her shoulders making it difficult to meet his comforting gaze. Shane gently lifted her chin with his fingers so he could peer into her desperate eyes.

"Oh, but time, Kim. In time, you'll get your answers. I promise." He whispered encouragingly.

The anguish too great, Kimberly's head fell at that moment. Shane pressed her against his chest, so she no longer had to hold herself up on her own. Wrapping one arm around her while the left other served to prop them both up, Shane cradled Kim close letting his body provide the safety net she needed to receive comfort. As Kim buried her head into the crook of his right shoulder, Shane lowered his face into her hair inhaling deeply. He had no idea what she was talking about, but intuitively he surmised the origins and their relation to her own harrowing experiences. After several minutes of silence, Kimberly lifted her head and gazed into Shane's eyes. The urge to kiss away her fears was great, but Shane solemnly knew her lips weren't his to kiss. Graciously Shane stood taking Kim's hand to pull her out of the melancholy. To speak at the moment felt trite in light of the pain that held her captive, so Shane simply offered his arm in gentlemanly fashion for Kim to lean against. Slowly he escorted Kimberly to the stairs.

"Your room, my lady." His voice low and formal, Shane's eyes travel up the darkened stairs to where Kim's bedroom was located.

Kimberly realized what Shane was trying to do. The look of understanding and compassion coloring his face melted her heart.

"I'll be fine." She assured him.

Shane leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"Yes, I've known that, but have you?" He whispered in her ear.

Kimberly's eyes widened.

The urge to collapse back into the safety of his arms slowly crept to the surface of her psyche. She pushed the feeling away and smiled faintly,

"Good-night Shane."

Turning on her heel, Kimberly scurried up the stairs as Shane silently watched.

"Good-night, Kimberly." He whispered lovingly after Kim disappeared into the darkness-the sound of her bedroom door closing announced she had retired for the evening.

Location: Phillip's Malibu home, Thanksgiving Day.

Three families, a few Hollywood executives, and an interloper gather around a massive glass dining room table overlooking a pristine view of well manicured landscape that tied seamlessly to the Pacific Ocean. The cloudless sky allowed the house to absorb the warmth of the sun's rays creating a cozy atmosphere not naturally produced from the minimalist furnishings of its owner. Shane pondered how his children felt at home in the dwelling marked with contemporary sculptures and paintings from the post-modern era. The home felt detached and artificial to the person who appeared before Shane over a year ago across from Kimberly's hospital bed.

After dinner, Shane smoothly extricated himself from the group of men watching football in Phillip's den and ventured around the monstrosity of a house. Checking on the children, who played upstairs with the Strickland kids, Shane meandered throughout every corner of the spacious Malibu mansion. On his way back downstairs, Shane noted a set of side stairs coming off from the master bedroom. His interest piqued, the dimly lit passageway led him into the producer's secluded study-a room noticeably tucked away from the rest of the living quarters behind the kitchen. So far on his little expedition, the décor betrayed nothing of substance regarding the man. Shane suspected any clues to who Collier really was, would be evident in the man's private study. Sparsely furnished, the room held the usual desk, lounge seating, and shelving. The ceramic tiled floor created a reverberating echo with each step. The walls were barren minus various awards and plaques presented to movie producer. The lack of anything alive in the form of flowers, or other shrubbery served to punctuate the lack of emotion in the room. Peachy followed shortly, scanning the rocky cliffs that lined the view from the floor to ceiling windows.

"A bit cliché, don't you think Laddie?" Peachy observed ominously.

Shane nodded affirmatively standing by Phillip's desk. He turned his attention towards the painting centered on the muted grey wall behind it. Created in monochromatic blues, Shane tried to decipher its meaning- or rather the purpose. Its nude subject fashioned in typical abstract form, a disturbing element of eroticism nearly slapped the viewer in the face. The crude image sharply contrasted characterization the Hollywood producer tried to sell to Kimberly's family at first. Shane's face contorted in disgust when their host entered the room.

"Hey! I wondered where my guests had disappeared to!" Phillip announced jovially, smoothly walking between the two spies and pivoting his body so that his intentions were quite clear: Phillip wanted then out! Hands still resting in his pockets, Shane whirled around smiling politely. He didn't say a word.

"An impressive home, Mr. Collier." Peachy interjected cheerfully into the tense fog that enveloped the three.

"Ah yes, thank you Ms. Peach." Phillip replied evenly and added,

"Course, I bet you would find it daunting to clean as I have to employ two women for the job."

His eyes darted back to Shane, whose calculated expression revealed no clues to his thoughts. Without offering an explanation for the disconcerting choice of art, Phillip clapped his hand against his thigh and added spectacularly,

"Everyone's gathered around the piano. Liz is about to sing!"

The producer began ushering the two spies out of the study and offered graciously,

"Tell me Shane, do you have plans tomorrow night?"

Peachy noted that Phillip hung back to pull the door shut, locking it.

"Well, I don't think…" Shane began hesitantly, but Phillip interrupted him.

"Hey, why don't you bring Kimmie to the gala for me."

Phillip waved off any significance for his actions.

"I'll be tied up with an infantile agent, so I'll be running late. It would be a huge favor to me!"

He explained graciously using his martini glass for added effect. Peachy wasn't impressed.

"Oh, that should be fun, Laddie." The elder spy cooed cryptically.

"Ms. Peach, you'll watch the children, correct?" Phillip suggested in patronizing tone.

Peachy smiled stiffly, replying:

"Oh of course Sir, it would be an honor."

"Good. I'll send a limo to pick you two up!" Phillip proclaimed.

Shane simply nodded in agreement. The spy's poker face irritated the producer, but Phillip convinced himself that he was too clever. Behind those steely eyes, Peachy wondered just how clueless Phillip was to the inevitable trap he laid out for himself. Still smiling politely at the man, who grossly underestimated his competitor, Peachy mused:

"Pride goeth before the fall."