Yo again,

Kitty here, and Im back at school; major tired sigh. This is an update as you can see. Sorry about the lateness of the other one… and maybe of this one. I think I wrote a bit more then normal so, here's hoping.

Now, I've lived in Hervey Bay for the past five years (though I just moved! And I miss it like all heck), and Centro is a real place, though I have added some things. I do have a friend whose parents own the Telstra shop, Boat Harbour Drive is the main street and Main street is the second most popular I think, there is a Saunders Street, Banksia Street and a Madeleine Drive, and the rest is the same as it was a couple of years ago… Though I did add in Dom Bail Bonds to fit the story… and most of the people besides Cyan and Remy.

And also, the Bvlgari type is called Bvlgari Extreme, so that's what its about… for later.

Just thought I'd explain that.

Disclaimer: Janet Evanovich owns them, and Im just taking them out for a little play with my characters.

Enjoy, and remember: stay away from Santa, he knows when your sleeping, he knows when your awake. And above all else, he knows whether you've been bad or good

&&&

I'd gone to Target, Pet City, Woolworths (Supermarket), and am now sitting in the food court, eating two croissants from Brumby's Bakery, apparently the best bakery in town besides the Cheesecake Shop according to Remy. Though Im not sure how much I'd stake on her opinion; she did slash the tyres of her old teacher's car in broad daylight while school sports was in session. But it was good pastry.

It was quiet here, in the middle of a working day, not many people around. Makes for a boring day of shopping. I kinda miss the hustle and bustle of Macy's in Trenton, you actually had to fight to get something, but here, it was practically handed to you on a platter. So maybe not that bad.

Overall it was a successful day. Got my food, Rex food and a new cage, got new clothes and Im eating my lunch now. All that was left was getting my hair trimmed and I could go drop off the car and catch a lift home with Dani… if she was finished with her "screamo", that is. I remember Lula and her stereo system in her car, my ear drums were still shuddering five minutes after!

In Centro there were one place to get your hair done, otherwise you left for somewhere else. And all I really wanted to do was get these shoes off soon, so I made an appointment for a half hour away, closest time they've got. So I spent the next half hour admiring the clothes in Street'n'Beach.

They trimmed my hair, showed me, and I was disappointed. I need different. So I got caramel streaks through it, not bright, but enough so it was noticeable. I still had my brown untameable curly hair, except now it had streaks. Cool.

I wheeled my trolley that they had so kindly let me keep just inside the shop to look after, out of the hairdressers, out of Centro, and to the car, where I dumped all my purchases and shut the boot firmly, leaving the trolley in the pick-up zone for trolleys. I started up the car and it purred to life again. I'll never get sick of that sound, I swear.

I drove the few blocks it took to get to the bonds office and parked around the back again, in the same position I left it. I grabbed my bags, which I had reduced into three separate bags and the cage, I placed the cage on the ground while I beeped the car locked and still nothing exploded. I sighed in relief and picked up the cage again, making my way to the back entrance… that was locked. I grumbled under my breath and walked the long walk along to the front, pushing the door open with my back, I walked into the office backwards, almost tripping only twice as I walked to the couch, dumped my things, then noticed Dani was at the front desk like she should be. Good thing.

"Hey Dani, I'll be right back." I didn't know if she knew I had the keys to Dom's car, and I didn't want her to question me, so I left it vague as to where I was going. She nodded and continued typing on her computer. Hm… maybe she needs some help with having fun. Wonder if Dom would get angry if I took her with me to one of my 'captures', or attempts at one anyway. She seems like she would enjoy watching me getting covered in garbage. You have to have fun and be outwardly social sometime, plus, it would help her be more confident, at least she wouldn't be the one rolling around on the ground. I'd consider it.

I used the elevator up to the second floor, and walked to Dom's door, hesitating only once before knocking. The door opened and Dom stood there, still wearing the same clothes he was in before, dark, dark blue button down shirt, first button undone, and black slacks. And even in that he made it look unbelievably fashionable. I continued to look for one second before blushing, damn my pale complexion.

He gave me a wolf smile and picked up a piece of my hair, studying the new light caramel colour, twisting it through his fingers. I looked at the piece of hair and almost went cross eyed staring at it, the caramel of the hair against his tanned skin. I had to get out of here or I was going to start having flushes. I looked down at my hands and noticed that the Porsche key ring was slightly poking out. Dom probably looked down when I did, so he also noticed the key ring, but neither of us did anything. We both just looked at my hands, enclosed loosely around the keys. Slowly, and gently, for some odd reason Dom took my hand and pried the keys loose, where they clattered on the floor. What was happening?

I shook my head to clear and in bent down, using my knee's, and picked them up, grabbing Dom's hand, and placed them inside the now open hand. He closed his hand and held them much like I did. All done in silence. Is it me, or has life got a mute button that was accidentally pressed?

I looked at Dom's face to see him looking at me intently, watching my expression, analysing me in the most uncomfortable way.

"The only thing that has changed is your hair." Hunh? Double take. Hunh. What is he talking about. I gave him my confused face. "I received a profile in the mail from an 'anonymous' sender. Your old profile from Trenton. Care to explain it to me?"

&&&

I'd told him. Everything; or as close to it as he was going to get. I left out everyone's names, just for my convenience and security, though I know he could find out everyone's names if he really tried, but I knew he wouldn't. He had listened intently, hanging on every word, asking questions, having me explain things, and asking me why. Why had I moved? Why did I choose here? Why stay in the bond force? Why Dom Bail Bonds?

I told him the truth, the whole truth. I just don't know, never have, probably never will. But Im willing to look past it.

He didn't pass judgement on me, didn't call me a bad person, or blame me for not trying hard enough. He even told me to change my last name, if I really planned for this to work, he even gave me a number to someone 'in the grey area of this business' who makes whole identities, whole lives. I'd be calling them as soon as I work up the courage. Might take a while.

Well, one person down, two or three more to go. I would have to tell them, I cant make a whole new identity up and not tell them. Im bound to end up running into them, since Im keeping this job. Funny, only four people know the name I have chosen, plus two that know the whole story.

I was now at home, relaxing in my bed for once. Normally the couch is just so much more convenient for my sleep, but no, this bed needs to be used, brand new and soooo comfy it isnt fair. I always wanted a bed like this.

For all the wonderers, I didn't walk home, Dom drove me in that wonderful specimen of a car, but this time the inside smelled distinctly of Dom, sort of like apple and raspberry, very nice but odd combination. I almost fell into my dream land when I slipped into the seat, and pretty sure I moaned when the aroma of apple enclosed in the car. It wasn't strong, just distinct, there is a difference.

I sighed, and relaxed back into the throw cushions. Yes, I definitely like it here in Hervey Bay.

&&&Flash&&&

Three months and it was back to normal… or as normal as you can get with my life. Back with the garbage, blown up another car, getting some good friends in the 'police' (As the Australians insist) force. Oh and my last name is officially Price, so no one can even try tracking me. I told Dani and Jackie, they had both insisted on me telling every little detail of my "adventures" and my "escape", other then that, they were fine. Ton had just… blanked… I think, I really cant tell, he's worse then trying to read Ranger. But he had finally said he wouldn't tell anyone, I made him include family in his oath, especially family.

All of it has worked out… so far. Besides now.

I was outside 23 Hamilton Avenue, had Jackie on my left and a fat butt waving in front of me, through a window. Great way to end a day, dontcha think?

His name was Florence Raisley, 43 years old, and used to sell illegal drugs, until recently when he got caught in a kiddies school, trading behind the building. Can you say, idiot? Anyway, he missed his court date, and lucky us, his bail bonds company happens to be Dom's.

I looked at Jackie who's face was turning purple, either from anger, embarrassment or some other medical condition. Im not sure which, but I know we still have to get Florence. I looked down at my black leather boots, then at the front door. Something yellow was leaking from under it. Ewww.

Jackie followed my gaze and I figured out he was so grossed out that he was purple. He's a colourful person. I figured that out since he started 'helping' me with my skips, more like making more trouble, but it was still more fun.

I started grudgingly walking up the front path to Florence's garage, no way was I stepping in the 'yellow water' as I am going to call it. When Florence takes a leak, he really takes a leak. I shuddered and continued trudging up the slant, walking through the already opened garage, and Jackie kicked the door between the garage and the inside house, breaking it with his three inch Prada heels. I don't know where he got them from, considering we don't have anything like that in Hervey Bay.

"Florence Railsey, you missed your court date. Now I suggest you get some of those dirty clothes on and cover that nasty, hairy ass of yours up and get it outside, under lock and key." Not something I would have liked to have said, but Im grossed out from his flabs of beef handing limply.

&&&

Ahhh, Sunday mornings. Gotta hate them. But Church was today, and I actually make the effort to go, amazingly. I love the new Church group I go to, Dani goes as well. Unfortunately Clair goes to the same church as well. But Dani has been taking pointers from me, and is actually going really well in the Jersey Attitude department. She's got some back bone now… or maybe just some vertebrae, but it's a work in progress.

I dressed in my Sunday best, namely jeans and a blue top with my boots. I went to Banksia Street, in a T section to my street, to pick up Dani. Car pooling isnt just for house mums!

As always, she was calmly waiting outside her blue and green house, patient as ever, I need to make her angry someday; it cant be healthy to be nice all the time.

"You ready to go?" Dani nodded her head enthusiastically. She was wearing a deep blue skirt and a white tank top, white sandals. "Little enthusiastic for Church. Maybe its about that Gavin guy, the one you were ogling for the past few weeks?"

She blushed and muttered, "Something like that." Someone has a crush. "Just don't tell Jackie, he'll go spazzy." 'Spazzy' is Hervey Baynian for crazy.

I nodded, driving on Boat Harbour Drive now, to get a few donuts of course. I found a Donut place called Pastry Palooza, they make really, really, good donuts. Though I cant find anywhere that can rival Pino's for pizza, or for that matter better then Shorty's either, though I don't really want to admit it.

We fell into silence, GreenDay playing loudly enough through the speakers of my new-ish Hyundai Santa Fe, teal coloured. Very nice car, also easy to haul the FTA's in.

I parked outside of the shop, and ran in.

"The usual please Sarah, oh, can you add a chocolate sprinkle one as well, Dani's with me."

"Sure thing, Lee, same price plus extra then." Sarah smiled at me, and added another donut to my bag of Boston Crème donuts, already made for me. I handed her a ten dollar note and waited for my change. "See you tomorrow, have a good day and say hello to Dani for me." She looked through the glass with a stunned expression, and I got the good type of chills. Im going to be late for Church.

"Hello Sarah, raisin bread please." Sarah did her impression of a noddy dog and went into the back room. Meanwhile I turned around to face Ton. He'd let his hair grow out more since I'd last talked to him. He'd been away on a 'mission' for a month and a half. He had recently showered because I could definitely smell the bvlgari freshly fuming from around him, though his scent was different Rangers, sweeter somehow. Different type is what I think. He said something about Extreme…

I smiled at him, still taking deep breaths unconsciously trying to get a better whiff. "Hey."

He half smiled at me and took a couple of steps forward, definitely invading my personal space, but I didn't mind. "Alata," I still didn't know what that meant.

"What does that mean?" I guess Sarah didn't know either. She handed us our purchases though. Yay, donuts!

"It means radiance," all I had to do was ask? So not fair! Back track, radiance? It means radiance. Huh? "Can I talk to you outside?"

I nodded numbly, or stupidly, wasn't sure which, and followed him outside, waving to Dani to say I would be a bit. I think she nodded, not sure though, due to the fact I was being dragged around to the alley. Something feels familiar about this. Gimme a seco--… Ooh, that's right, Ranger and the Bonds Office alley in Trenton.

Wonder how I remembered it? You guess.

It was a quick flash of lips, very light, and as soon as they touched, it was gone. "Radiance is what you are. You wonder how people still talk to you, even with your record. Its because your you." And he was gone, with his raison bread. What just happened? I just kissed Ton, no wait, he kissed me, and I didn't have time to react!

I guess I had started walking back to the car on auto-drive because I certainly hadn't been paying attention, or maybe I had been thinking about it… what was I thinking? I was thinking that I have no clue what I should be thinking. If that makes any kind of sense.

"You okay Lee? Your looking a little… high." Huh? High? Oh right, the smile that's decided its home is on my face. I guess I look weird.

"Niente, just happy I got my donuts. Oh, and I got yours too." Dani has been teaching me a little bit of Spanish, niente meaning nothing. Yay for multilingual Dani, I now know how to say 'Hi, how are you?' and 'I am good, thank you.' In French. Also how to swear at people in French and Spanish, but that's to be expected.

Dani's eyes got a strange shine to them when I said donuts, so I handed hers to her. She greedily snatched the chocolate donut from my hand and devoured it right in front of me. I don't know where it goes; she's basically a stick as it is. I shook my head at her and glanced at the clock. Crap, Church started five minutes ago. Guess Im going racing across town, as usual.

I fired the car up and stuck a donut in my mouth, half of it hanging out. I reversed and drove out back onto Boat Harbour and the car charged forward, towards the Church. I had one hand on the wheel, the other holding my donut, thank you automatic!

We reached the Church in record time, it was only eight passed nine now. Three minutes to get across town… or almost across town. I checked my appearance and swiped off the donut sugar and cream off my face and chest, re-applying lip gloss and fluffing up my hair once more, I deemed my self approachable to other people and got out of the car, Dani taking extra time to fix herself up, for Gavin I think.

"You ready to have everyone stare?" I whispered to her just outside the Church doors, that were closed because the church was in session.

"Lee, there isn't one day with you that we don't get stared at; whether it be if you blew up a car, or if it was just another low life FTA. Nothing is boring with you around."

Ain't that the truth?