Thank you for your patience.

"But, Walt, I'm so bored! Please say yes!"

We're sitting on the back deck enjoying the lunch Walt brought from the Busy Bee. A breeze is rustling the leaves in the trees and the sun is shining giving the illusion that it's warmer than it actually is.

This is the general pattern Walt and I have slipped into since my mother went back to Philadelphia a week ago. I sleep late and generally do nothing of any consequence with my morning. Walt stops by with lunch around noon or so. He stays to eat with me while I desperately try to talk him into letting me come back to work. He says no. He leaves to go back to the office and leaves me to myself for the afternoon. Then he stops by with groceries on his way home from work and we cook. After dinner I try to talk him into staying the night. He says no. He drives home and we start the whole thing over again the next day.

At least we're consistent. There's something to be said for that, right?

"What did Dr. Weston say about it?"

I feign ignorance. "What do you mean?"

"Ruby called me last night to let me know she was taking you to your follow-up appointment this morning."

"I didn't know Ruby was a traitor."

"Did you think I wouldn't notice if she was out of the office? That woman never misses work."

He cocks his head to the side, "I would have driven you."

"I know. I didn't want to bother you."

"More like you didn't want me to know what the doctor said."

"Smart ass."

"Well, it's true isn't it?"

"Just because it's true, doesn't make you any less of a smart ass."

"Probably not. So, what did he say?"

I give in and take the path of least resistance. Walt's going to find out one way or another, "The fucker won't even clear me to drive yet."

Walt smiles, "I'm sorry."

"It's not funny, Walt. I'm going nuts being stuck at home dependent on other people to take me places. I haven't been home this long since, I don't know. I don't think I've ever stayed home this long."

"What are his concerns about you driving?"

"I'm still having headaches and dizziness that crop up unexpectedly. He says if it doesn't clear up by my next appointment he wants to do another scan, see what's going on in my head."

"He's a brave man. I'm not sure I want to know what's going on in your head."

"You know, I don't need you to bring me lunch everyday. I can fix something for myself and eat in peace without being made fun of."

I'm not as offended as I act and he knows it. His mid-day visit saves me from an otherwise dreadfully long day. Besides, I like being with with him. Even when he's picking on me.

"Easy, Vic. I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

I lean forward and sneak my tongue across my lower lip before biting it lightly, "I can think of a better way for you to lighten the mood you know."

Though I notice his eyes drop to my mouth before coming back up, he chooses to ignore my flirtatious efforts.

"In all seriousness, I'm glad you're respecting your injuries and being honest with the doctor. You came back to work too soon last time and I almost lost you...It's not a risk I'm willing to take again."

It's been strange getting used to comments like this. I've longed for him to show affection to me for so long and now that's it's happening on a regular basis it feels weird. Good weird, but still weird. But, while he's been more open with his thoughts and emotions he continues to hold back with his actions, in spite of all my efforts to the contrary. Walt's maintained a physical distance from me ever since we were interrupted by my mother's arrival two weeks ago. I think it's part of why he keeps refusing to stay the night with me. It's one thing to resist temptation and keep your hands to yourself when the sun is up and you have places to be. But once the sun goes down and you're more tired, it becomes a lot harder. Throw a couple of beers into the mix and it could become almost impossible. Each time I think Walt's getting close to throwing his restraint to the wind, his brain takes over and pulls him right out of my arms. I'm tired of watching him walk down the hall and out my front door every night. Sure, I get some pretty terrific goodbye kisses in the process, but it's not enough for me. I want more. I give him my best come hither smile and slide over next to him so our bodies are touching. I start to ease my hand up his thigh as I lean in to whisper in his ear, "What risks are you willing to take? "

I attempt to sweeten the deal in my favor by kissing from his earlobe down the side of his neck. He may be insisting on waiting for me to be 100% healed before taking things any farther physically, but that doesn't mean I've agreed to that plan.

"Vic."

"Shh."

"Vic."

I feel him place his hand on mine, stopping it just short of its goal, "We've talked about this."

"No, you've talked about this. I've listened, but I never agreed to anything. Now, how about we continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable."

"It's not just your health, it's also the fact that technically you're still married."

I can't keep a sigh from escaping. I'm going to have to accept that things are never going to go as far as I would like until my marriage is legally over. I do admire Walt staying true to his moral compass. In fact, it almost makes him more attractive to me than he already is if that's even possible. But that doesn't mean I have to like it...Maybe I can use it to my advantage, "Well, when I have all this free time to sit around and fantasize about you it makes me more eager to explore the...possibilities. But, if you'd give me some work to do I'd have something else to occupy my mind. I'd be more patient waiting for you if I wasn't waiting to get back on the job."

I can't keep the pout off my face. Come on, Walt. Give in. Let me come back to work tomorrow.

He waits a beat before responding, "You fantasize about me?"

Bingo! A positive resolution in either of these areas is fine with me. I'm not picky as to which one. I am more than willing to exchange returning to work for a good roll in the hay.

Newly reassured that he's not totally immune to my charms I shift to where I'm practically in his lap and reach my lips around to the other side of his neck, this time starting from his collar bone and kissing up to his ear, "Oh yes. You have no idea the things that have run through my mind."

Walt's defenses are down. I can tell from the sounds coming from deep in his throat. But just when I think it's in the bag and he will be calling into work for the rest of the afternoon the tiny little white hat wearing Walt on his right shoulder pulls his Colt from its holster and shoots the tiny little black hat wearing Walt on his left shoulder in the leg. Like that, it's over and big manly Walt with the brown O'Farrell puts his hands on my arms and pulls back from me.

I close my eyes in an attempt to reign in my ever growing frustration, "Really?"

He inhales deeply, "I tell you what, I will do my best to make sure you get out of the house a little more and you concentrate on those fantasies. When the time is right I want to hear every single detail. It would be a shame to miss something important once we're both ready to take this to the next level."

"Walt?"

"Hmm?"

"There will be a next level, won't there? Eventually?"

He leans in and gives me a warm, lingering kiss before flashing a sexy grin, "Yep."

"Good."