What The Eyes Can't See

Chapter 164: I'll be there when your heart stops beating

Taylor awoke early to the sound of rain falling heavily against the fire escape outside her window. Clearly, it was going to rain for as long as it had been hot and sunny. She stretched her legs out, wriggling her toes and rolled over onto her side, staring at Flack.

He was lying on his back, his mouth slightly open as he snored softly. He had to be up soon anyway, she figured as a grin crossed her lips.

Gently, she began tracing her fingers over his chest, over the top of his wife beater. Still asleep, his hand tried to waft hers away. Finally, his hand grabbed hers, and pulled her to him so she was unable to move.

She frowned, tapping her fingers against his abdomen impatiently. Then she wriggled herself so she was propped up on her free arm, and leant over to blow on his ear. When that didn't actually do anything, she growled and leant further over to nibble on his ear lobe.

A small groan escaped Flack's lips. Taylor smiled as she began to move her lips to his neck. The hand gripping hers relaxed as another moan was emitted from him. Still kissing his neck, she slid her body so she was sitting on him; his back arched in greeting.

'Taylor,' he groaned huskily. 'What are you doing?'

'Playing alarm clock.'

Flack peeked an eye open. 'Has anyone told you recently you're a very strange woman?'

Taylor looked up. 'You complaining?'

'Hell no. But I will be if you don't finish what you started.'

He didn't care, but she was a very bad alarm clock. Thankfully, he and Cordelia didn't have to be at the farm at a set time – she was just waiting patiently on the couch, fully dressed, with Wilbur by her side – which made him feel slightly guilty.

Taylor waved them off and then got ready herself before walking the short journey to the New York Daily's building.

Taylor walked into Alex's office and sat down heavily. He glanced up from the computer screen, without pausing in his writing and smiled warmly. 'Long time no see,' he greeted her.

Taylor smiled back. 'Kids. They take up so much time.'

'Tell me about it,' he muttered, glancing at the pictures of his own daughter which adorned his desk.

'The ex still giving you a hard time?' she asked him.

Alex finished up what he was working on and settled back into his chair. He nodded. 'I swear that woman is out to give me a heart attack. But we're not here to talk about her. Lord knows she gets enough of my time as it is. Let's talk about you and your column.'

Taylor settled back, pulling a notebook and pen out of her bag. 'Shoot.'

Alex shook his head, smiling. 'I'm thinking a five part spread on fraud.'

Taylor nodded, taking down notes. An hour later, they had the next ten issues planned out and Alex was confident with what was coming up.

'So how are you finding being a mother?'

'I don't know,' Taylor responded, slowly. 'She's fine with Don, she's settled straight into school, heck, she has found herself a best friend, who is probably going to end up being her high-school sweetheart.'

'But?'

Taylor sighed. 'Nothing. It's just my paranoia setting in. To be honest, I think she just needs her own, real, space. Rather than staying in Marty's room, she needs her own.'

'I thought she was only going to be staying a few months?'

Taylor nodded. 'Yeah, but I still can't… it's not fair on her, and it's not fair on Marty, who has to be kicked out of his room. And house hunting is becoming a nightmare. Everywhere is just… wrong.'

Alex leant forward, clasping his hands together and rested his chin on them, fixing his green eyes on her. 'I own a property.'

Taylor arched her eyebrows, wondering where he was heading with this revelation.

'It used to be my nephew's, but after his son died, I bought it off him so he could get out of the city,' he laughed loudly. 'My ex always did tell me I had more money than sense. Anyway, the apartment has been empty for the past two years – I kept meaning to get it renovated after the fire, but I never did. It needs some work doing to it, but if you like it, you can have it. Rent controlled, of course.'

Taylor just gaped at him.

'It's still on the island, but on the upper East Side. I guess you'd have to get up a little earlier to get Cordelia to school, but I think it would be doable.'

Taylor smiled sadly, shaking her head. 'I couldn't. But thank you.'

Alex nodded. 'I figured you would say that. If you change your mind, then let me know.' He glanced down at his clock. 'Isn't it time for you to be going?'

Taylor shook her head. 'Don's taken her upstate to some Pig Farm. She has an obsession with the animal.'

Alex cocked his head. 'You know, you could have rescheduled the meeting to another day.'

Taylor returned the gesture. 'Until after the three week vacation you have booked in the Seychelles - the flight leaves tomorrow morning?'

'Good point. Now get out of here, get home, and don't forget dinner.'

Taylor gave him a grin and gathered up her stuff, walking out. Outside it was still raining. She pulled her collar up and rooted around in her bag for her umbrella before heading home.

She was a block away when a fire engine went hurtling past, sirens blazing, hitting the heavily draining water, sending a wave over her. Feeling no further need for the umbrella, she shoved it in her bag with a growl, deciding then and there that she was going to sink into a bubble bath and not get out until Flack and Cordelia arrived back, assuming they weren't back already – it was getting late.

She turned the last corner.

And her heart stopped beating.

The fire engine had stopped outside her apartment block and was battling with large flames that she could see glowing inside the window. She quickly counted the windows up, and her heart stopped for the second time as she realised that their source was her apartment.

The panic squeezed at her stomach as she scrambled around in her bag looking desperately for her phone. Pulling it out, she frantically began dialling Flack's cell, praying he would answer. Which was when two of the windows in her apartment blew out, sending glass flying.

Taylor was running over, blind panic setting in as she tried desperately to gain entry into the building.

There had to be another reason as to why she was only getting Flack's voicemail!

And I bet you thought I was kidding when I said it was a short chapter!