I tend to write my chapters in one or two sittings, and I have no idea why my mind went in this direction this morning. I did adjust the rating of the story, just in case events continue to follow this rather unexpected trajectory. Questfan, it's not Ninon, but I know you won't be surprised. ;-)
CHAPTER IV-BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
What was it that W.C. Fields said? Never work with children or animals? Aramis thought darkly, tugging on the reins as one of the burros tried to go renegade and turn the cart in a circle. Well, the kids aren't bad-actually, most of them are pretty darn adorable, but I'm never working with donkeys again. Never ever. Not even for Anne.
The small figures attired in Christmas pageant garb were jumping up and down, squealing with joy at the presents they had received. Random shouts of glee suddenly coalesced into an organized cheer. "PANCHO CLAUS! PANCHO CLAUS!" He lifted a hand to wave in acknowledgement, and the kids went berserk.
"This reminds me of the time I went to a One Direction concert! No, wait—maybe it was Selena Gomez!" d'Artagnan had to practically shout in order for Porthos to hear him.
The big man gave him a derisive look, then grinned. "I had no idea you had such—eclectic-musical tastes. I'm telling Constance."
"She already knows!" d'Artagnan shouted back defensively. "And she still agreed to move in with me-so there! She just makes me put on headphones when I want to listen to my tunes."
Porthos rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you should pair an elf hat with your tuxedo—she'd probably find that attractive as well."
D'Artagnan gave him a sulky glance. "I'm going to check on Athos. He should have been here by now." He stalked off, only to find himself cornered by Porthos once he reached the hallway.
"No you don't!" Porthos growled, seizing his arm. "I am not gonna run all over creation looking for you and Athos!"
"Hello! That's what cell phones are for, Porthos!" D'Artagnan waved his IPhone in front of his friend's face.
"Cell phones are not useful when the owner keeps them on silent all the time!"
"Oh, so that's what you think?! Okay, try it right now! Go ahead!"
Porthos pulled out his own phone, scrolled to his favorites screen, then stopped and grinned. "Oh, I forgot-you're not one of my favorites."
"Porthos!"
"Just kidding! Calm down!"
He dialed d'Artagnan's number, but there was only silence. He looked pointedly at the phone in d'Artagnan's hand. "It's awfully quiet. Am I right, or am I right?"
"Maybe it's a slow connection! Give it a minute!"
"Give me that!" Porthos snatched the phone, then flipped the volume on. The lively strains of can-can music were suddenly heard in the hallway.
"You bastard!" shouted d'Artagnan, charging him. "You've been messing with my phone again! How do you always guess my passcode?"
"That's for me to know, and you to find out." Porthos' booming laugh filled the corridor, and d'Artagnan began to wrestle him in earnest.
In the director's office, Anne and Athos finally separated for an instant, both gasping for breath.
She put a hand on his chest, smoothing the folds of his shirt. "Maybe we should take a break, and discuss what—"
"Do you want to stop?" Athos muttered, nuzzling her cheek.
"Hell, no!" she immediately replied, then swept the files off the desk and tossed her laptop onto the floor.
"But you had everything organized-"
"Don't care," she purred, hopping up onto the desk. Her green sparkled with mischief. "Remember that time I surprised you at work during lunch? I am quite sure that the door was locked and the blinds closed on that day as well."
Athos smirked. "As if I could forget. Your performance certainly livened up the boredom of office life. If I remember correctly, I took the rest of the day off." He paused, then toyed with the buttons on her blouse. "Did you cite that incident for a reason?" His voice had suddenly lowered an octave, and Anne felt her knees go weak. How is it that he is the only man who can do this to me?
"What do you think?" Anne murmured, and reached for her phone. Selecting a playlist, she set the device down, then stood up on the desk and struck a provocative pose. Pointing to the leather chair, she breathed, "Have a seat, darling. I don't do a striptease for just anyone—you might as well enjoy the view."
The first strains of music flooded the room, and Anne sang, "I really can't stay—"
Her sultry voice seemed to cast a spell over Athos. He leaned back in the chair, his eyes riveted on her. In the notes of his own perfect baritone, he heard himself respond, "Baby, it's cold outside."
"I've got to go away—" She turned, then slid off her jacket slowly, casting it to the floor.
"Baby, it's cold outside—" His brain was insistently whispering something, but he could only barely make out the words. What the hell are you doing?
"Shut up!" he muttered, his gaze fixed on the vision of loveliness in front of him.
"I'm worried," Anne whispered to Aramis. Her fiancée was chatting up Ninon in the corner, and the woman seemed to be hanging on to his every word.
He glanced at the couple. "I'd be too. Ninon looks like she's making a move on your man."
Anne burst into laughter. "Not that, silly! She's welcome-" She suddenly stopped. "I mean, what I'm worried about is the state inspector. She's been back in my office forever! I think she means to shut me down. Aramis, what if-"
He sensed she was panicking, and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently. "Hey, I think everything will be fine, okay?" His voice was low and soothing, and Anne relaxed slightly. "How about I go back there with you, and we see what she's up to? Your mind is busy inventing worst-case scenarios because you don't know exactly what's going on. For all you know, she is writing up a glowing report citing El Bueno Samaritano as a shining example of a center that serves the entire community!"
She smiled shyly. "Maybe you're right. You always seem to be able to calm my nerves, Aramis. Let's go see what she's up to."
As they approached the office, Anne frowned. "It sounds like someone is playing music in there."
"Maybe she decided to put some Christmas music on-you know, to relieve the boredom of filling out all those online forms," suggested Aramis.
She turned the knob, then looked up at him. "The door is locked. That's odd."
"She probably wanted to make sure she wouldn't be disturbed. I'm sure she won't mind if we come in. I doubt she's doing anything to land her on the naughty list...unless you have a bottle of wine stashed in the desk and she's started to party a bit early—"
Anne rolled her eyes as she fished out her key "Please! You saw the woman! She probably spends her evenings in a bathrobe watching Antiques Roadshow."
"At least she has good taste in Christmas music. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has always been one of my favs."
"Why am I not surprised?" Anne muttered. Aramis moved closer, and slipped his hand on top of hers, ostensibly to help her unlock the door. "There's bound to be talk tomorrow-" he sang softly, "Think of my life long sorrow—" She found that the simple action of turning the key was causing her heart to race. Confused by her emotions, she jerked the knob, and the door flew open. The sight that met their eyes caused Anne to gasp. Somehow, she had the presence of mind to reach for the knob and slam the door shut.
Aramis gulped, then said, "Umm—if that's what happens on Antiques Roadshow, I need to buy the DVD set. Remind me to put it on my Christmas list."
Milathos fans, this is your early Christmas present! :-)