"Why don't you want me?" Steve asked. "I want you to want me."

Nancy pulled down her glasses and set down her newspaper. "Isn't that a song?"

"Busted," he said. "You ever read the lyrics for that song?"

Steve leaned back in his chair and it creaked. The office resounded with the clicking of keyboards, and he caught the eye of a girl at a typewriter. He didn't nod.

"We don't need you, Steve. The office is fully staffed."

"Ouch," he said and sighed heavily. "The guy says 'I'll get home early from work if you say that you love me.'"

"That's a little bit sad."

"How's Jonathon?" Steve said.

"He's got a new job," Nancy smiled. "He's very busy, taking pictures of the geology of the area around here."

"Who hired him?"

"International Journal of Investigative Earth Sciences. I did research and found out they are somehow connected to the military."

"They pay well?"

Nancy spoke in a low voice and stared at him fixedly, saying, "Enough to help me buy a Saab."

Steve nodded, then put his hands up and palms outward. "Hey, I'm not trying to pry into your business. Just curious."

"He lets me have my career, and I like that. Look, here…" She pointed to an African country somewhere, putting her fingernail on a newspaper and a map on her desk. Pictures showed impoverished women with kids. "At least some of these women are being oppressed. They can't do the jobs they like because they are women. I mean, this is 1986! They have far too many children."

Steve nodded. "But, these ones that have kids…seem happy."

"Yeah, I get it." Nancy narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms. "And the kids have to work to survive."

"Look…I know it's over and I'm dating, okay? I just am worried you aren't going to be happy."

Her eyes flicked upward and she gave him her forced smile. "Okay…I understand. And I need you to know I've never been happier than right now."

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes for a moment. He sensed heaviness settled on him. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I guess I'm not over you."

Nancy's eyes softened.

"But can we be honest?" He leaned forward and stared at her with glassy eyes. "Don't you feel something for me?" He pushed his hands forward on the desk.

Nancy touched his hands, saying, "Of course I do. Her cheeks grew pinker. "We had our time, and it was fun. A little rocky, but fun. Girls…we have feelings, and we have to weigh alternatives, and it's messy."

Steve looked at her hands. "This is hard for me. Trying to express my feelings. But if it doesn't work out for you two…I'll always have a place in my heart for you."

Nancy noted her eyes growing wet. She sighed and whispered, "Damn you, Steve."

Nancy could feel the looks of the typist as she slowed her tak-tak-tak on the keyboard, obviously aware something was going on. She tried to hold back but found herself stroking his fingers and staring at his muscular hands. She looked into his glistening soulful eyes, he'd obviously been crying from the redness around them. She pulled away finally and sighed heavily.

"Being a housewife is not my long-term goal, okay?"

Steve sniffled. "Yeah…I know."

"And even with the best of intentions, some men are drawn to strong women. But then…they want them to change. Get it?"

"Uh-huh."

"I'm not going to change. I'll have an equal say because it's my life too. Would you ask Jane to give up her…gifts? If that's even possible?"

"No, they're part of her."

"Listen. Steve Harrington, there's a girl out there who wants six nuggets. I know there is."

He chuckled. "I'm sorry…"

"—No regrets," she offered, "Okay?"

"Sure, Nance. I'll see you later. Say hi to Jonathon for me, okay?"

Steve walked away.

"Excuse me, Nancy. Is he your Ex?"

Nancy nodded.

"Good," she said and smiled slyly. "Oh look at that," she said looking at her watch. "Time for my break." She breathed into her hand and sniffed, got up, and followed Steve.

——————

Jonathon met Nancy for lunch at the newly refurbished Benny Jr's cafe, where she ate a salad and drank water. He munched on a grilled cheese sandwich and sipped a Coke.

"How's Mike?" He asked.

"Oh…still hopelessly in love. He's going into computers. Even better, he's been accepted at State."

"Nice," he said. "And how are you and Steve?"

"Where did that come from?" She huffed. "Sorry. Look, the better man won. I love you, not him."

Jonathon drank some more Coke, then said, "You okay? You seem a little touchy on the subject. I'm not jealous. Just curious."

"That's what he said," she replied, instantly regretting it. "He came by work today."

"Oh," he said. He put on a stiff smile and went silent for a few seconds.

"He's still interested in you."

Nancy bit at her lower lip. "I told him we could never be together because he was deluding himself. He doesn't want me, he only thinks he does. He wants a thousand children and a stay-at-home wife. That is NOT me."

Jonathon nodded. He had that brooding look. "Look. I love you, Nancy, with all my heart. We are a team."

"You don't have to tell me," she replied. "And no matter what…All I want is you. You support me and believe in me…"

The conversation turned toward work-related complaints and the bizarre near-death of Mike. Nancy brushed some crumbs from Jonathon's Ocean Pacific shirt and smiled.

"Let's not talk about that," Jonathon said. "Let's talk about good things. Like the flowers that still grow on Weathertop when every other plant is dying, and the hope we have because of Jane."

"Real hope?" Nancy asked.

"We can only hope for the best," he said and grabbed her hand. He kissed it. "Meet you at five?"

"I'll try, we're so busy. But if I'm late, I'll make it up to you," she said coyly.

Jonathon smiled.

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