Pieces of a Puzzle

Chapter Eight
******
Bailey awoke with a start and looked at the clock -- 8:15 a.m. She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes before she got out of bed and put her robe on and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She found a note from Lois, informing her that they had taken Gene to the lake and would be home by noon.

Bailey started a pot of coffee before dialing her home phone number. When she didn't get an answer, she tried Gary's cell phone. She frowned when his voice mail answered. "Good morning, Gary. I..I...well...I hope you have a good day. Can you call me when you get this? I just need to hear your voice. I love you."

She sighed as she hung up the phone, then picked it back up and dialed McGinty's.

"McGinty's."

"Marissa, hi. It's Bailey."

"Good morning, Bailey. Are you enjoying your visit with Bernie and Lois?"

"Yes, I am. They spoil me. Uh..is...ah, Gary there?"

"No, he isn't. I haven't seen him since last night," Marissa answered.

"Oh," Bailey said as she dropped her voice and began to trace imaginary circles on the counter top. "I tried the house and his cell phone and couldn't reach him. Will you have him call me when he comes in?"

"Of course I will. Bailey? Is everything okay?"

Bailey sighed heavily. "Yeah, Marissa. We're......I'm....Marissa, has Gary talked to you about what is bugging him?"

"Gary isn't much of a talker when things are bothering him."

"I know, but I thought maybe....I hoped that he had talked with you and......I don't seem to be able to .....I'm sorry, Marissa. I shouldn't bother you with this," Bailey apologized.

"That's alright. I've noticed that something has been bothering Gary and I did try to talk to him. Whatever it is, he will talk to you when he's ready. Be patient with him, Bailey. He'll work through whatever it is he's dealing with. I know he will. I've learned from experience you can't push him to talk when he doesn't want to," Marissa reassured her.

"You're probably right. Thanks, Marissa."

"I'll have Gary call," Marissa said before hanging up the phone.

Bailey ate a bagel with cream cheese before heading upstairs to take a shower. Once she was cleaned up, she took her camera case and went back downstairs. She grabbed the cordless phone, before she walked out on Bernie and Lois's front porch and inhaled deeply of the fresh spring air.

After setting the camera case and the phone down, she grabbed the front of her shirt--actually Gary's shirt--and tied the ends together. It was entirely too large for her, but she liked wearing his clothes. Somehow it made her feel close to him.

She took her camera out of the case and walked across the street so she was able to get a good view of the house. The sun was behind her, shining bright this morning, illuminating the scene before her. She took several shots before she walked back across the street. There were a couple of squirrels playing in the shade of an oak tree, and she cautiously sat down and began to take pictures of them as they scampered to and fro.

The sound of a vehicle drew her attention, and she looked over her shoulder to see Bernie's truck pull into the driveway. She stood up and walked over to it. Lois had Gene out before she reached them.

"Mommy! Mommy! We fed da big birds!" Gene said as he waved his hands around.

"Big birds, huh?"

"Yeah, they go 'quack--quack'."

"Sounds like you had a good time," Bailey smiled.

"Yes, we did. He reminds me so much of Gary when he was this age," Lois said as she hugged Gene close to her.

"Lois and I decided a fish fry was in order for this afternoon," Bernie said as he opened the back of the truck and pulled out a stringer of fish.

"Sounds good to me. But don't count on me cleaning the fish," Bailey teased.

"Well, you're in luck. I clean my own fish. Got in the habit years ago when Lois butchered this 12 pound catfish I caught." Bernie shook his head sadly. "She made a mess of it."

"Will you ever quit complaining about that catfish?" Lois asked.
Bernie gave her a disgusted look and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll never live that down. You would think I had committed a horrible crime or something."

"Well, it *was* a 12 pound catfish that ended up having less than a pound of meat left fit to fry when you were done!" Bernie grumbled as he walked past.

"I've never had to clean another fish," Lois whispered as she winked at Bailey, who was laughing.

"Looks like you caught enough fish to feed an army," Bailey commented as she and Lois followed Bernie towards the house.

"We'll send some of it home with you so Gary can have some," Bernie offered.

"That's a good idea. Gary loves fresh catfish," Lois added.

"Daddy? He comin'?" Gene asked.

"Honey, I doubt Daddy will make it," Bailey tried to explain.

"Pwomis," Gene pouted.

"I know, honey. If he could be here, he would."

"He come," Gene answered optimistically.

Bailey sighed.

"Come on, sweetie. Let's get you cleaned up and we can start getting dinner ready," Lois said as she opened the screen door.

Bailey stopped to put her camera in its case while everyone else went into the house. She leaned back against the porch railing, silently wishing--praying--that Gary would show up. She knew Gary loved his son and wanted to spend more time with him, just as a lot of other fathers who had demanding jobs wished they could spend more time with their children.

At times like this she wished she was much wiser than she was.

She slapped her palms against her thighs as she straightened herself. She was reaching for her camera case when she heard a vehicle pull up to the curb and stop. She turned and was blinded by the sun reflecting off of the windshield. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glare and blinked as she saw a pair of long, denim clad legs emerge from the vehicle.

"Gary?" she whispered.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Gene cried as he pushed the screen door open and toddled past Bailey and scooted down the steps and ran into the open arms of his father.
Bailey's heart raced at the sight of her husband as he strode across the lawn before bending to catch his son as he launched himself into his father's arms.

Gary smiled up at her and she returned his smile before closing her eyes and sighing.

Chapter Nine
**********

"You made it," Bailey said softly, almost in disbelief, as she walked down the steps of the porch.

"Come 'ere," Gary instructed as he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her close for a lingering kiss.

Slowly he pulled back. "You didn't believe me when I said I would try to come?" he teased, his eyes twinkling.

She shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"I missed you," she whispered against his lips, as she leaned forward to kiss him again.

"I see you did," he replied as he placed his forehead against hers. "I missed you too. So very much......What's this?" he asked as he tucked his finger inside the front of the shirt Bailey wore. "No wonder I couldn't find it."

"Sorry. I had to bring something of yours along," she said sheepishly.

"You wouldn't happen to have brought my blue plaid sleep pants with you too?"

She had the decency to blush.

"How would you like it if I started wearing your clothes?" Gary teased.

"I think you would look pretty silly wearing my clothes. Plus I think they would be too small."

Gene laughed. "Siwwee."

"I guess you're right. I would look pretty silly," he laughed as he ruffled his son's hair.

"See fiss," Gene insisted as he squirmed out of Gary's grasp, then grabbed his hand and began pulling him towards the house. Gary took Bailey's hand and pulled her along.

"Gammaw!! Daddy here!" Gene announced as they walked into the kitchen.
Lois spun around. "Gary!"

"Hi, Mom."

"You came!" she exclaimed as she hugged him.

"You're squishing me," Gary informed her when she hugged him too tightly.

"Oh, sorry," she said as she backed away, a huge smile plastered on her face.

"I guess no one thought I'd make it," Gary commented.

Lois put her hands on her hips. "Well, when was the last time you actually came home for a visit?"

Gary frowned slightly. "Okay....you got me."

"I'm just glad you're here now. Your dad will be thrilled too."

"Where is Dad?"

"He's out back cleaning the fish," Lois answered.

"He still won't let you clean fish?" he asked, trying to hide a smile.

"Oh, I don't want to clean his stupid fish anyhow!" Lois declared.

"Of course," Gary smirked.

"Ooh, I'm just so glad you're here," Lois repeated as she hugged him again, causing Gary to laugh. He sighed and tightened his hold on his mother before letting her go.

Bailey cleared her throat. "What did you do with the uh.." She moved her hands back and forth as if thumbing through the pages of a newspaper.

"Chuck's taking care of it," Gary said nonchalantly as he opened the cookie jar and pulled out a chocolate chip cookie.

"Chuck?" Lois and Bailey asked in unison.

"Yes, Chuck," Gary replied before he took a bite of his cookie.

"You gave Chuck the paper. Why?" Bailey asked in amazement.

"I couldn't take care of the paper and be here too. I made a decision. Plus...I took the Sports section and the lottery numbers," Gary said as he winked at her.

"So you're going back tonight?" Bailey asked, her smile fading.

"No....no. I'm here for the weekend."

"But the paper......" Lois stated.

"Hopefully, it will come to him tomorrow."

"But what about the Sports section and the lottery numbers in that paper?" Lois was curious.

"I've been getting this paper long enough to realize the only thing that will be in that paper tomorrow is what Chuck needs."

Bailey cocked her head and looked up at her husband. "Did something happen?"

Gary stepped closer to her and slid his arm around her waist.

"Yes. I realized I wanted to spend time with my family."

She placed her hands on his chest as she looked at him, her brow furrowed. Gary was keeping something from her, still.

Chapter Ten
**********
"I'm glad you could make it, son," Bernie expressed.

"Me too, Dad. It's been a long time since I've done something like this," Gary answered as he waved his two forefingers around the yard.

"Well, I know the paper keeps you busy and you don't always get to do the things you would like....I guess that's just part of life, no matter what kind of job you have. I always wished I had more time at home with you and Lo, but it never worked out that way and now that I'm retired, you're grown with a family of your own and I'm right back where I started. Not having enough time to spend with my family."

"That's gonna be different now. I'm gonna do my best to be around more for my family. That includes you and Mom. I missed not having any grandparents and I want Gene to have fond memories of you two."

"How are you going to manage that, with the paper and all?" Bernie wondered.

"I haven't worked out all the details yet, but..."
"It's such a beautiful afternoon, why don't you take your wife and son for a walk and show them your old stomping grounds," Lois interrupted as she cleaned off the table.

"That's a good idea, Mom. I think I will. We won't be gone too long," Gary said as he stood.

"Take your time, we'll be here when you get back."

"Mom suggested I take you and Gene for a walk around town. How does that sound?" Gary asked Bailey as he approached her.

"Sounds perfect. Let me help clean up and then we'll go."

"No, no. You two kids go on. Bernie will help me clean things up. There isn't that much to do anyway," Lois insisted.

After making sure Lois wouldn't take her help, Bailey got Gene's stroller and she and Gary began walking through the streets of Hickory.

"So, tell me what was it like growing up here?" Bailey asked.

"Oh, I don't know. At the time I thought it was pretty boring. Never enough to do. Too much time to sit around and think of what I would do when I could leave this town."

"And now what do you think?" she wondered.

"Now, I think they were some of the best years of my life. I..I knew everyone in town, I could come and go as I wanted. I had so many friends and the football games, the baseball games, the state championships. I had this sweet 1977, limited edition, black Trans-Am with a T-top roof, and the girls...." he stopped and looked over at Bailey, his face flushed.

"Go on. I would like to hear about these girls," she teased.

"Oh well, you know how it is in high school. You break up with one and the next week you have another steady. It's after high school and college that the pickin's get slim. That is when you really cherish the one you find that you can spend the rest of your life with," he stated.

She laughed. "You're so full of it, Gary. You know you loved having a date every weekend while you were in school. I bet there wasn't a night you sat home cause you didn't have a date."

"Well....what about you? I bet you didn't sit home too often."

"I went to a private all girls school. And spent my free time mastering my tennis skills."

"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry," he apologized.
She shrugged her shoulders. "That's alright. I made up for it when I went to college," she said, with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

"You did? I should have known, with a friend like Emily," Gary said light heartedly.

"Oh, and like you didn't get into any trouble having a friend like Chuck," she accused.

"Well, nothing that I would tell you about in front of our son.....What?" he asked as he noticed Bailey looking at him intently. "I never did anything really bad. Just a few things I've regretted," he tried to explain.

"Oh, no, no. I wasn't thinking about that, but if I want to know what past dalliances you had I will ask Chuck. I'm sure he'd only be happy enough to tell me," she paused as Gary made a face.

"Really, I was just thinking how nice this is. Taking a walk with you and talking. We haven't talked much lately."

Gary nodded as he continued to walk, not looking in Bailey's direction.

"What happened, Gary? Why the sudden change in your mood?"

"Why do we have to talk about it? Can't we just let it be? Let's just keep enjoying our walk, okay?"

"Do you not trust me any more?" she asked as she stopped pushing the stroller.

"Of course I trust you. I trust you with my life. I trust you to take care of our son and love me and be there for me. I trust you to not ask too many questions," he finished, as he ran his fingers through his hair.

He could tell his words hurt Bailey. That is not what he intended. He hadn't quite figured out what had happened to him yet, so how could he explain it to her? He did owe her some explanations for his behavior, he knew that. He just wished she would give him the space to tell her in his own time.

"Dammit, Bailey! I'm sorry. I do owe you...I should talk to you...I, I, I just...."

"No, you'll talk to me when you're ready. I shouldn't have pushed. I'll...I...we should be heading back. It's starting to cool off out here and Gene isn't dressed warm enough," she replied as she turned the stroller in the direction of the Hobsons' house.

Gary looked around, expecting to see the cat perched somewhere, eyeing him warily. Surprised when he didn't see him, he followed Bailey home.

Chapter Eleven*********

Bailey flipped off the bathroom light with her elbow as she rubbed the lotion into her hands. She silently padded down the hall to her room, but stopped when she heard Gary still reading to Gene. She walked over and leaned against the door frame and saw Gary quietly close the book and lay it on the nightstand. He got up and pulled the covers over Gene's chest and stood there next to the crib, watching his son sleep.

Bailey turned to go to her room when she heard Gary speak and she stopped.

"Every morning I wake up with the future waiting right outside my door and I have 24 hours, sometimes less, to set things straight. I never know if I'll succeed or fail," Gary said softly as he turned to face her. "Of all the things I do in my life, that I do everyday, this, this is the one thing that I'm most afraid of failing at," he said to her as he looked back down at his sleeping son.

"Gary, you're a good father. You know that. Gene adores you," she said as she took a step towards him.

"Well, I...uh...I want to be."

"Gary, you've never failed him. You've never failed me."

She saw something flicker across Gary's eyes as he looked up at her, and she desperately wanted to ask him to talk to her, but instead she waited and hoped he would open up when he was ready.

Gary looked back down into the crib before taking Bailey's hand and leading her to their bedroom, where he closed the door behind them and ran his hand up and down the back of his head.

Bailey held her breath and waited.

"It's been a long day and we're both tired. Can it be enough for you just to know I'll be around a lot more than I have been?" Gary asked, avoiding her stare.

"Gary, I didn't say anything."

"No, but you were thinking."

"Oh, so now I can't ask you anything, and I can't think about what you are going through that you won't talk to me about?"

"You're not gonna let this go, are you?"

"I guess I can't. You worry about failing us and I feel like I've failed you. How am I supposed to get past that when you won't open up to me?" she asked as she raised both her hands, palms up, and shrugged her shoulders.
She mentally kicked herself. She had sworn she wouldn't push him. "You're right, it's been a long day and we're both tired. We should just go to bed and ....and..." she stammered as she turned the covers down on the bed.

"I..I guess it all started last night when I decided not to get the paper any more," he began.

Bailey spun around to face him. "Gary! You didn't?! Without talking to me? Chuck isn't?" Bailey couldn't even finish her statement.

Gary placed his hands on her upper arms. "Calm down and let me finish my story. You wanted me to tell you what has been going on, so let me tell you."

She nodded as she sat down on the bed. "Go on."

Gary took a deep breath before he continued. "I guess this has been building up for a while. This feeling that the paper was taking me away from you and Gene. Each day it was more of a chore to leave you two and take care of the paper. Then...then last night I had this dream that you left me because you couldn't compete with the paper."

Gary held up his hand to keep Bailey from commenting.

"I got up this morning, intending for this to be my last day of taking care of the paper, but the paper or whoever sends it had something else in store for me."

Gary began to pace back and forth, his hands motioning here and there as he spoke.

"I was on my way to my second save, ah, ah, a shooting at a convenience store, when the cat showed up. I damn near broke my neck tripping over the thing, then everything went....well, everything went wrong."

Bailey held her breath, fearful of what he was about to tell her.

Gary sat down next to her and took her hand. "Bailey, what I'm about to tell you is...is...well, I don't know what it is. I don't know if I have the words to explain, so just bear with me and know that everything has turned out all right. I'm here and I'm safe."

His words were intended to comfort her, but they only caused fear to grip her heart like an icy hand. But she remained quiet and let Gary continue.

He let go of her hand and rubbed his hands across his face, briskly. "When I tripped over the cat, everything around me looked like....like....like when you look through a fish bowl. All wavy and blurry like. I shook my head to clear it and when it did, I went on my way. I...I..had to walk because the cab I was in overheated. I was thinking.....distracted," he said as he stood and resumed his pacing.
Bailey grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her stomach. She had wanted Gary to talk, to tell her what was going on, now....now she just wanted him to stop talking, wrap his arms around her and make this feeling of fear and dread leave her.

"I didn't realize so much time had gone by. I pulled the paper out to look at it just as I opened the door to the convenience store.....it, it all happened so fast. There was a flash....a loud pop....then....this, this burning pain," he explained as he placed his hand over his heart.

Bailey's eyes opened wide as she realized what Gary was telling her. "Oh my God! Gary!" she exclaimed as she got up and rushed over to him.

He wrapped his arms around her and realized that she was shaking. "Bailey, I'm alright. I didn't get shot. Well, I did......but I didn't."

She stepped away from him and looked up into his eyes. "Gary, what are you trying to tell me? Nothing you've said makes any sense."

"I know...but this is the paper we're dealing with. Sometimes it's hard to make sense of what it does."

This is exactly why he hadn't wanted to tell her. He knew it would scare her and it had--she was shaking like a leaf. He led her back to the bed where they sat down. He grabbed a throw off the foot of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders before he continued.

"The pain was awful. I..I tried to take a step but I stumbled. I...I tried to grab onto something for support, but it gave way and I fell. The robbers jumped over me and I heard the clerk as she talked to the 911 operator. It was getting harder for me to breathe. I don't know if I closed my eyes....but things went black...then...then I started to remember things. Moments from my life....you..when we met, the..the first time we kissed..when, when Gene was born and then Snow...Snow was there or he..I could hear his voice telling me 'somewhere between the pages of our newspaper, Gary Hobson, find time to live it.' Then I heard the clerk, Sandra, say, 'Please don't die. If I could change things I would. If I could have only known this would happen!'"

Chapter Twelve
*********
"When I heard her say those words, suddenly everything went black. I...I thought I was dead, but then I was back on the street, tripping over the cat," Gary tried to explain.

"So you had a premonition?" Bailey wondered.

Gary shrugged his shoulders. "I guess that's what you'd call it. I immediately checked the paper and saw the headline. It was the one saying I was going to die."

Bailey silently willed her heart to stop beating so fast, before she spoke again. Gary was okay. He was sitting here next to her. She could see him, feel him, smell him, taste him. She leaned close and kissed him.

"Wha...what was that for?" he asked when she pulled away.

"Just cause I could," she answered simply.

He smiled at her and ran his thumb back and forth on her hand.

"What did you do? After you saw the headline?" she asked.

"I stopped at the nearest pay phone, because I forgot my cell phone at home, and called 911. I told them there was a robbery in progress and the location. When I hung up, I called information and got the number to the store, and called the clerk to warn her, in case the cops didn't get there in time."

"Did they? Get there in time, I mean."

"No..no, they wouldn't have..."

~*~
"Sandra?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"I..I'm a friend. Sandra, there are two guys who are headed to your store to rob you. I've already called 911 and the cops are on their way, but in case they don't get there in time, you need to know," Gary tried to explain to her.

"Who is this?" Sandra repeated, fear evident in her voice.

"That's not important. You need to get some place safe," Gary urged.

He looked down at the paper. The headline now read, 'Robbers Captured after Standoff - 1 Dies.'

"I'm hanging up. This isn't funny!"

"Sandra, listen to me. This isn't a prank call. You are going to die if you don't get out of there."

"I can't just leave. Who is this? You're scaring me!"

"I don't want to scare you. Honestly, I want to help you. Please believe me," Gary pleaded.

"Wha...what's your name?" she asked hesitantly.

"My name? It isn't important."
"Tell me your name or I hang up!" she yelled at him.

"Sandra, my name is Gary. I overheard two guys say they were going to rob your store. One has a gun and they are both wearing Cubs jackets."

"Gary? Do I know you? You knew my name."

"No..no..I don't think so."

"Your voice, it sounds so familiar...." her voice trailed off.

"Sandra! It is really important that you believe me."

"Oh my God!!" he heard her cry before she dropped the phone.

"Sandra? Sandra!! Are you alright?"

He could hear noises in the background, and he placed a finger in his other ear to block out the sound of traffic. He looked at the headline, it was the same. "Come on, Sandra. Get out of there," he uttered. He was about to hang up and go to the convenience store when he heard static on the line.

"Gary? Are you still there?" Sandra whispered.

"I'm still here. Are you okay?"

"Yes, but I'm scared," she answered, her voice shaky. "I saw a car pull up out front and a guy got out wearing a Cubs jacket, just like you said. I ran and locked the door. What if he breaks down the door or shoots through it?"

"The cops are on their way. Where are you at?" Gary asked.

"I'm down behind the counter."

"Good girl. I'll stay on the phone till the cops show up. You stay behind that counter out of sight."

"I think they're leaving. No, wait. They're going around back."

"Sandra, stay down."

"I am, I am. I just peeked around the counter. When will the cops be here?"

"Very soon, I hope. Sandra, is there a door in the back that they can get in through?"
"There is one, but we keep it locked and bolted. I hear sirens, Gary. Help is coming," she said as she heaved a sigh of relief.

Gary looked, once again, at the paper.

'Robbery Attempt Foiled by Anonymous Tip.'

"Sandra, you're going to be fine," Gary assured her.

He could hear the sirens and see the lights flashing down the street and could hear the screech of tires.

"The cops are here. They, they got 'em," Sandra laughed happily.

Gary hung up the phone and paused before leaving the booth and looked to his right. There sat the cat, licking his paw nonchalantly. He looked up at Gary and for a moment, Gary and the cat just looked at each other.

"Thanks," Gary offered.

"Meow!"

Chapter Thirteen
******

"Hey Buddy! What's up?" Chuck asked as he opened the door to find Gary standing there.

"I need a favor," Gary responded as he walked into Chuck's apartment.

"Sure, ya know I'm here for ya."

"Good, good. That's good to know," Gary said as he rubbed his hands together. "I need you to take care of the paper for me. Just for a couple of days, so I can spend the rest of the weekend with my family."

"Really? I'll get the paper?" Chuck asked as his eyes lit up. He wiggled his fingers excitedly, before trying to grab the paper from Gary.

Gary moved it out of his reach. "Now hang on just a second. You have to promise me something, Chuck."

"I knew there would be strings attached," Chuck grumbled.

"I want you to promise me.....That you'll do your best," Gary smiled, before holding the paper out to his friend.

"What? That's it? No, don't bet on the sports scores, Chuck? Or, don't buy a lottery ticket, Chuck?"

Gary grinned. "Nope."

Chuck snatched the paper from Gary's grasp and began to thumb through it. "Very funny. You took the sports pages." Then he stuck his finger through a hole where the lottery numbers had been. "Thanks a lot. It's nice to know you trust me."

"You're on your own tomorrow. I won't be here to chaperon, so whatever you do with the paper will be on your conscience. I have confidence in ya, Chuck. You're a changed man, right?"

Chuck stood there stunned. "Yeah, a changed man."

"Good." Gary looked at his watch. "I gotta go. There's not much else in there today. You should be able to handle it. If not--maybe you can call Emily and ask for her help," Gary suggested as he turned to leave.

"Yeah," Chuck mumbled as full realization dawned on him. The paper had been put in his care.

~~
"Then I went home, packed a bag and came here," Gary finished.

Bailey's brow creased as she tried to comprehend what she had been told. "Are you okay?"

"Hon, I'm okay. I'm all in one piece."

"I know, but ....that had to be unsettling to go through something like that," she said as she gently stroked his arm.

"I'm fine, really. It's good that it happened. It...it makes me see things more clearly."

"But..why? Why did this make you change your mind about asking for help with the paper?" she asked.

"The paper has always seemed like a burden for me, but I realized it was a gift I had been given and I shouldn't look it in the mouth. The paper has helped me make a difference in other people's lives and it's made a difference in mine. I've been able to save the lives of friends and family, and it has brought new people into my life. It brought me you," he said as he ran his hand across her hair.

"I can't give up the paper and I...I don't want to. I realized that the paper, or whoever sends it, takes care of me. Your grandfather kept trying to tell me to 'live my life' and I think it's about time I did. I think with a little help I can learn to..to live my life with tomorrow's news--today and still spend time with my family."

Bailey squeezed his hand. "I'm so glad," she replied, sounding relieved. "Do you think you should check on Chuck?"

"No...No. I'm sure if he had a problem, he'd call. Right now I just want to hold you," he said, lowering his voice as he pulled her into his arms.

*~*
"Chuck? Is that you?" Marissa asked.

"Yes, it's me. Or, what's left of me," Chuck grumbled as he sat down next to Marissa at the bar.

She sniffed the air. "Have you been painting?"

"No, I haven't been painting. I've been taking care of this stupid thing for Gary," Chuck snapped as he smacked the bar with the paper.

Marissa's fingers reached out to touch the paper. "You have the paper? What happened to Gary?"

"He didn't tell ya? He went to Hickory for the weekend."

Marissa smiled. "I'm glad -- But I can't believe he left the paper with you."

Chuck frowned at her. "Can I get a beer over here? And a wet towel? Thank you," Chuck called out to the bartender. "And why shouldn't Gary leave the paper with me? I am his best bud," Chuck said as he turned his attention back to Marissa.

She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head.

"I don't know how he does it. Day in and day out. People are just ungrateful! Take this last save, for instance. This guy is on a ladder and the paper says it's gonna fall and the guy will break his neck. I show up just as the ladder begins to tilt and stop it. The guy drops the paint on me then tells me it's my fault and wants me to pay for the paint *I* wasted. If it wasn't for me, that guy would be strapped to a bed in some hospital, with no hope of ever walking again."

Chuck took the towel and the beer from the bartender and, after taking a long gulp of the cold brew, began to try and wipe the paint splatters off his arms and face. He stopped in mid swipe and looked at Marissa. "If it wasn't for me, that guy would be strapped to a bed in some hospital, with no hope of ever walking again," Chuck said, his voice filled with amazement. "I actually saved that guy's life."

"Yes, you did, Chuck. I'm very proud of you," Marissa smiled.

"Hmm, well whadya know? It feels kind of good to be the hero for a change. Maybe I'll just take over from Gar since I no longer am gainfully employed."

"Did I miss something?" Marissa asked.

"Mmm, yeah. My show got cancelled."

"That's too bad, Chuck."

"That's okay. I was looking for a career change anyway. I'm thinking something a little more respectable than show business. I'm gonna have to find a way to win Emily back, and it's not gonna be easy if I'm unemployed."

"You and Emily broke up? I really need to get out of this bar more often," Marissa said as she shook her head. "I know I will probably regret this...there's no probably about it. I will regret this, but Chuck, Gary and I were discussing hiring someone to help me out. You wouldn't be interested in coming back would you?"

Chuck choked on his beer. Once he quit coughing, he asked, "Are you serious?"

"I'm tired, Chuck. You better give me an answer before I have time to rethink my decision to ask you."

"Yeah, I would love to come back here. Just like old times. The three stooges and all that good stuff."

"It won't be exactly like old times. We'll need to discuss this with Gary first. But it may work out for all of us. I just need you to promise that you won't make any deals with suppliers and you can't touch the books. That is my territory. Do you understand?" she warned.

"I totally understand. This is great. Wow, in one split second, everything can change."

"Chuck?"

He spun around on the barstool at the sound of his name. "Em?"

"What happened to you? Are you alright?" she asked as she noticed his appearance.

"I'm fine. What are you doing here?" he asked cautiously.

Her gaze flickered to Marissa, then back to Chuck. "I came to apologize. I was wrong."

"Sure you were, honey. But that's okay. I forgive you. Just let me say good bye to Marissa, and you can take me someplace and buy me dinner."

Emily placed a hand on her hip. "Oh, you think so, huh?"
"Yeah, I do," Chuck whispered as he flashed her a smile.

In spite of herself, Emily returned his smile. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"And you don't know what you'd do without me," he replied, his blue eyes twinkling. "Nor would I, without you."

Emily smiled and shook her head. "I'll be waiting in the car. Good night, Marissa."

"Good night, Emily."

"I'll be right there, Em," Chuck said softly as he reached out to touch her hand before she left.

He turned back towards Marissa. "Well, whadya know? Just when I thought my life was falling apart, it all fell together. I guess I should take my own advice. Sometimes life is like a puzzle and the pieces do fall into place."

Series concludes with Season of Storms