Ready...set...go! Here's the sequel to I'm Still Here. And if you haven't read that one first you probably won't understand what's happening here. For those who have been following with me from the start--read on and enjoy.

By the pending afternoon, the sun had already set high in the blue sky. The radio was blaring softly to an unfamiliar tune. Her green eyes shifted towards the car in front of her, not exactly focusing on anything in particular. And by the clock in her car she still had twenty minutes before promptly showing to her appointment.

The earlier ordeal was still surfacing, waving through her thoughts--almost as she were at a stand stil. Like the cars, they made small movements and weaves to go in the direction they needed to go, eventually ending up at their destination. Their exteriors being hit by rays of sun or rain as they moved gracefully through the streets and highways, just like person manuvering the car made choices in their own lives, being surrounded by happiness and trials.

Realizing that she had just compared cars to life, Megan peered into her back mirror finding the trailing amount of cars in back of her waiting in traffic. The corners of her lips quivered up into the saddest smile that she could manage as she had just followed Charlie's comparison methods in her own thoughts.With the cars moving slowly in front of her, she edged towards her destination with determination and as if this moment right here and now would beat the final strike.

Upon change to her life there would be no Charlie equations--no understanding except to her own equation. No coffee breaks, except in her own home. And no enigma for chasing subjects, using a badge, gun, all while wearing a dress shirt and pants. There would be no staying late, looking af files for a case while pulling an overnighter at the office. And no excuses not to go home at night because you know nobody but you will be there.

Her stomach dropped a level even though she knew she would have Larry now, but work would always be a part of her. And although there had been many instances where people, whether co-workers or students at the YMCA, Megan had heard often how they have divulged their thoughts on wishing she would teach there more than just a couple days a week.

Turning the wheel to the corner just up the street--the large building came into view. The stature of the building overlooked the downtown area of Los Angeles, standing out with it's white exterior against the blue sky. It had to have been awhile since she had been here, but then again--not much had changed.

Bypassing traffic was a relief as she made her way down the street and pulled into the hospital parking lot. Finding a spot relatively close to the hospital Megan parked, shut off the engine and leaned her head against the back of the seat, her keys still dangling partially from the ignition.

Gazing out the windshield at the rustling breeze outside, her hand caught against the key as she eased it back into the ignition and leaned back against the seat. She wondered what part of this made her so uncomfortable--what would be found or the results that might change her life in any way-- and the knock on her window pushed her thoughts as her gaze jolted in that direction, only to find Larry standing there waiting.

Opening the door to her car, Megan offered her best smile in greeting then pulled her keys out of the ignition. "Hey handsome--I thought you would be off helping Charlie." He strolled up close to the car and leaned his arm against the frame.

His gorgeous dimples showed as he smiled sweetly. "I guess you could say I was in the neighboring area, having a late afternoon lunch with Charles." Megan raised her eyebrow and leaned in to kiss his lips.

"And what did he say when you told him?" She smiled knowingly.

Larry lovingly took her hand and shrugged. "I think he was a tad mystified that I had beat him to the punch line." That eluded a laugh--their finger interlaced together and silence fell as they both glanced at the hospital. The unspoken questions lingered in the air.

"You really think he was counting on being first?" she smiled teasingly as they walked along the paved sidewalk, making their way towards the hospital entrance. He shrugged again, as they stopped by the benches and she took an ill swipe across her forehead with the back of her hand. For late afternoon, it was quite hot for the beginning of this March day."I think it was probably the element of surprise that really got him."

"With them I find it hard to predict. Charles is madly in love with Amita but I believe he is still trying to find the middle of his proposal equation."She raised her brow, a confident but uneasy smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"I understand some of those things. But since you asked I've been wondering besides the factor of love, what makes one curious to do such a thing?" She prompted sitting down at the end of the bench. Her right hand patted the empty space beside her and he sat down.

The frame of his body straightened as he took in a deep breath. "It is solely for the connection inside that I never want to lose."

Megan blinked. Her predictions were correct. He didn't want to lose her, period. Yet he respected what she did and her decision of leaving her job and making changes would not make that connection any easier. The wind curled underneath her hair, blowing it outwards. And if that connection were to skip forward just a bit, how would they fare then?

His glance heeded over her shoulder, interrupting her thoughts as a young mother with a young boy, no older than one, struggling to keep a hold on him as he wiggled. The other hand held tightly to her three-year-old daughter's hand, while her fingers tightly held onto a small white pharmacy bag. In the girl's mouth was a sucker to which she was throughly enjoying, her other arm swinging back and forth, a tornequet of a pink bandage wrapped over the crease of her elbow.

Her gaze crossed past her mother and brother over to them, the corner of her lips raising into a childish--happy smile. Fingers curled around the stick of the sucker as she gazed over her shoulder after both Larry or Megan were no longer in view that way. Her green eyes glinted in the sunlight and her little hand waved at them again .

Megan gave her own wave, even Larry waved slightly with a raise of his hand and the girl smiled and turned back before disappearing. Silence hedged between them as birds sang happily from the trees.

"Something is on your mind. I know that look." Larry pointed out, resting his elbow against the back of the bench.

"I am." Gazing at her watch--she checked the time. There would be no point in being late. "I was thinking about what might possibly ruin this moment if something were to happen--that we weren't ready for."

"Name one thing."

"Tell me that you are honestly ready to take on parenthood?" It wasn't a question, but rather the deep thought of the heart that knew the answer.

Larry took on a thoughtful look. "That is one thing that I could certaintly work up to one day--" he paused and trailed off as she nodded and looked around the front of the hospital. The upkeep on the garden was very gorgeous. "But this is our future and as much as we hate to admit it, we do take the consequences that fall upon us."

TBC...